[summer break in 80 days] day 52

9:26 Feels like another lazy day. No gardening. I should be making a card. That was my excuse. That and I am weary of all the bug bits. Need to let these heal before I go get more.



10:51 Finally made a card for Bonnie. Only two birthdays in July and I can't seem to get them done on time. I got her box ready and put it out on the bench. Then I noticed my crossandra are wilting. I haven't been out the front door in a while since Andy has been getting the mail. I have to stop being so lazy.



2:53 Bonnie called so I got some more photos processed and finally posted to my blog. The post was done last night but I always like to add a photo, or eight.



I am almost done with card for RC. Just waiting for the glue to dry.



Andy likes to turn on the washer and dryer. I have to call him to do it and he doesn't always hear me. It would be easier to turn them on myself but I like to see him happy.



6:43 Dinner is done and I have eaten my one cookie for the day. Being good is hard work.



9:38 I just realized that I never changed the Saturday Sales at the store. I just deleted the note from last week's sale. Saturday Sales are not generating business, no need to continue them.

[summer break in 80 days] day 51

12:26 Finished lunch, doing laundry, baking cookies, eating cherries and trying to catch up on tweets. Did I mention I took a two hour nap this morning. Good grief!

1:16 Cookies are done. I broke down and had one. I immediately had another cherry so I wouldn't want another cookie. And speaking of cherries, I have never had rainier cherries before. I grew up in Michigan and we have dark sweet cherries. When I saw the rainier in the store, the looked odd and I was thinking they might be tart. But decided to get some this week and they are buy one get one free at the Publix. I am really liking them.





2:38 shaved today with a new razor. Cut myself but I never felt a thing.

Rainier cherries are not sitting so well. My stomach feels too acidic.

I keep thinking it is Saturday.





5:00 Snacking on granola. Yum.

The boys want to listen to same audiobook. The problem is that they like to bounce around and listen to some parts over and over again and skip others. Ryan was listening in the bedroom on Andy's iPod. Andy made him stop. Ryan asked if he could listen on my computer. OK. But now Andy is upset that Ryan gets to listen to it on my computer. He wants to be the one to listen to it on my computer.

And because it's from audible.com, I can't just put it on each computer. It has to go through iTunes and each comptuer has to be authorized. You can even use iTunes sharing, the books don't show up.



10:07 Off to bed.

So what do you think about having photos not related to the text inserted at random?

[summer break in 80 days] day 50

9:47 At the playground. There are little girls here. The boys were swinging along the girls. I caught Andy pulling his pants down. What?! I yelled and he got angry.

11:12 Hungry. Andy and I did water aerobics for 40 minutes. Ryan was chased by a little boy. I was finally met 2 of the women. Coletta runs the group exercises. Peggy invited me to lunch but it's August 8th, a Saturday and I can't afford another babysitter just yet.

3:53 Home again.

After lunch, we went to aquarium and paid for an annual membership. I am glad I asked about the $6 parking I paid and that was rolled into the cost.

The aquarium was crowded but the boys did a good job of sticking close especially as I was taking quite a few pictures. (There are 795 uploaded right now. 795?! I didn't know my card could hold that many.) We only stayed an hour and Ryan did not want to go into the play area. There are misting fans and he hates to get wet.

The boys wanted to go on the trolley so we walked over to get all day passes. But we had to get cash first and the atm charged $2.25 fee! It's been years since I used just any atm. What happened to $.50? It's a cool ride but costly since Ryan only wanted to go Ybor and back to the car.

(I have finally reduced the 795 photos down to 233 and added keywords. Only one has been processed. You will likely see more in the next few days.)

[summer break in 80 days] day 49

8:08 Weird PMS symptom, dizziness.

10:04 Gardening done. I didn't mean to trim more jasmine, just only get the dead vines. But pulling those left holes so I had to trim. I uncovered two iron crosses I had forgotten I had. I'll need to move them to someplace they won't be covered in vine.

The crape myrtles are growing nicely. No frogs in the ladybug house today.

Years ago I had placed patio blocks in a winding path from the arbor to the back garden. The grass had grown around them and somewhat obscured them. I liked it like that. The lawn service came on Monday and I think they had someone else doing the trimming as he trimmed along each one of the dozen blocks. It doesn't look good.

More photos from the Photo Walk processed. They might appear here or you can see them on my Flickr stream.

1:56 Looking at going to the Florida Aquarium tomorrow. We used to go when the boys were little. Costs have gone way up! $50 for the 3 of us. A year membership is $140 and includes free parking. We could use that and take the trolleys to other parts of downtown. I had suggested Ikea which might have been cheaper.

3:54 Granola is in the oven. I don't know why I don't make it more often, it's so easy. Maple Nut Granola from Eating Well

I didn't have any pumpkin seeds so I doubled the sunflower seeds. I don't really like pecans so I doubled the almonds. No cranberries so I doubled the raisins. I also added a half cup of choclate chips while it was still warm. They melt and coat the oats. Yum! My only probably is eating just a serving. A half cup has 255 calories!

I ordered new backpacks for the boys. I really like the ones from LL Bean. They are rugged and come in a variety of sizes for pre-schoolers through adults.

7:05 The light looked kind of cool so I grabbed my camera and went outside. There are dark clouds all around us but we still have the sun. It's breezy and kind of cool, for summer. Andy followed me out then Ryan followed him. I took some shots of the ligustrum against the dark clouds. The tree is starting to look healthy again and there is a lot of new growth. There were no frogs in the ladybug house. Did my pruning chase them away?







9:27 The itching is getting bad. Time for a HOT shower and bed.

[summer break in 80 days] day 48

9:52 Done with the gardening. No breeze. I think I got an ant bite on my neck. Or maybe he was just getting ready which means it will only itch for a day or two. (ETA Yep, 2 bites on my neck, 2 on my left arm, one on my right.)

I think the scale may be showing some signs of progress. Weird thinking of all I ate this weekend. But it could be the company. I heard Deepak Chopra talk about how out bodies metabolize foods differently depending on our moods. So eating even fattening foods but enjoying good company, your body will process them differently. You should not eat when you are angry or upset because good foods can be processed poorly.

I pulled the 2 orders that I had and finally did my sales taxes. So sad to see the decline in sales. The second quarter I did only $4000 in sales. Last year I did $18,000.

3:29 Processed a few more photos from Saturday. I doubt I could ever be a wedding photographer as I get bored too easily with the same subjects.

The boys seem to be hanging out in the play room these days so I am free to read in a quiet space. I usually fall asleep.

[summer break in 80 days] day 47

9:46 Now the caffiene is gone and I can't keep my eyes open. And it's raining, double whammy.

1:53 We missed swimming because of the rain. Andy was pretty upset. He was whining about missing his bike ride until it dawned on me that he doesn't usually ride on the days we go swimming. I reminded him but that didn't help much. UPS arrived with our amazon order a day early and Andy got his new recorder. That made him happy.

The 8x10s arrived from Mpix. I love how quick they are and how great they look. Now to trim and mount on cardstock. And mail.

7:22 Distracted earlier. We went to lunch then to Oliver's to see what was on sale. No kids bikes on sale, figures. The salesman suggested an adult size bike but I won't do that. I know our parents bought us bigger bikes that we could grow into but it's not safe. Ryan picked out a white mirraco bike, Icon Intro. White?! So we put a down payment on it as he can wait until his birthday. Andy got a handlebar bag that also was not on sale. Nice sale.

I spent most of the afternoon talking to Bonnie and working on the blog for Baby Thompson. I ended up doing it twice since I wasn't thinking and did not install it in the root folder. The second installation and set up went much quicker.

Andy is still wearing his recorder though he isn't using it.

9:46 We also got a new book today, Taking Care of Myself: A Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism. It's geared towards those with autism and has some great info and ways of explaining growing up and such. Already Andy put on his robe after took off his clothes so he didn't run through the housed nekked. I have been trying to get him to do just that but I guess he needed to see it in print.

Really feeling tired tonight, yawn.

[summer break in 80 days] day 46

8:30 Oh what a night. I finally fell asleep about one and woke up at 3. That was the extent of my sleeping. Damn caffiene! Today is official napping day.



9:00 Breakfast is done. I was hoping to convince Andy to have bagels today but he wasn't falling for it. We had waffles & sausage. And I ignored my vow of last night to skip breakfast because of last night's dinner. The waffles were too good.



8.56 pm. I really expected to nap a lot today. I have been dragging but my eyes never got heavy enough to close. If fact, they are the only thing awake as my body and brain are total sloths.



I got a few photos edited. Just no motivation. None of the photos seem like much. Well, nothing to submit for the contest.

I talked to my niece Ashlee. She is pregnant and due in February. Yay!

[summer break in 80 days] day 45

Scott Kelby's Second Annual World Wide Photowalk



2:18 and my first entry for the day. I got everything done I need to get done and am just waiting for 3:00 and Rachel. It's too be patient especially when I want some tea and need some gas because I forgot on Thursday. I will probably be late for the walk but there is not much I can do. Dunedin is not that small, I will find them.

10:45 Home. Tired & wired from a lot of tea. Not that many shots as I expected but we had a good time. Felt a bit shy but did introduce myself to RC and he made it seem like we are old friends. Expensive day. I gave Rachel $100. I am too generous. Should shower and go to bed.

Recap. Rachel got here at 10 minutes to 3, yay! I didn't chat long and headed out. (When did I become such a talker? It must be from hanging out with 2 boys who don't really converse and builds up inside me.)

I got my tea lattè and some gas. I didn't fill up since that Shell station price gouges. I think it was $2.57 and I saw some closer to the cost for $2.39!

I decided to let Garmin direct me. It took me through the center, not an option with google maps. And I got there earlier.

RC was a bit late as he was racing around town with 2 other photowalks and then home to shower. I hated the bulk my rain jacket was taking in my bag and it didn't look like rain so I put it back in the car. But then were done with the orientation and walking to the pier and the sky got dark. I got my jacket in time but then I was sweating so much that it didn't make much of a difference.

We waiting out the rain in the gazebo. It didn't take long. I tagged along with RC and soon he was treating me like an old friend. I am really glad I signed up for his walk first and didn't wait for Scott or Matt.

There was all kinds of gear. Most had much better stuff than me. I don't mind but I realize I am a "baby" when it comes to collecting gear. RC was talking to another photog that he knew about getting together for a shoot. And he said I should come too and he told the guy (was his name Frank?) "She can shoot. She knows her camera." Love it! I hope I do get invited and can go.

There were some great colors on the building walls. Myra had on a royal blue shirt and red hair so she got turned into a model. She was embarrassed but followed RC's directions.

With so much prize gear on the line, some were shooting for that one shot in hopes of winning. I was just shooting what I liked. I don't expect to win or even get close. The photowalk was the goal in itself.

We walked by a bar and there was a guy playing a banjo, Casey Jones III. And 3 younger people sitting at the picnic table with him. Soon everyone saw the great photo opportunity. I got Casey a beer for his generosity. He was cool and cute in a stoned kind of way.

I asked RC about shooting mixed skin tones and he said it was best/easiest to handle in photoshop. Others agreed sine the alternative would be gels on flash and I know Bonnie doesn't want to do that.

Finally it was time for dinner. RC saved a seat for me and we also sat with Paul who is the IT guy for NAPP. Paul needs an architect so I said I would contact Robbie for him.

I didn't intend to eat so much. I ate only one chip, it wasn't good. I ordered a bean burrito and it was huge. I ate slowly (for me) and chatted with Paul and RC but soon my plate was empty. Oh I was stuffed.

We went back to the docks in hopes of a sunset. It was too cloudy. RC gave a mini class on flashes. Looks easier than I thought but flashes are not cheap and I would rather have some lenses first.

We finally broke up about 9 pm. (RC gave me a hug!) and silly me headed to Starbucks for another Tea Lattè. Oh but they taste so good! And as if I didn't have 4 or 5 glasses of iced tea at dinner!

[summer break in 80 days] day 44

9:53 I was so tired this morning (ryan's to blame) but I forced myself to garden. That crape bed just seems endless. Now that the crapes are pruned, there are more ground weeds to pull. And I see more bare/dead jasmine vines to prune. A breeze! I tried digging out that huge weed. I even used the chomper but I don't have the strength nor stamina to work it out. What can I use to kill the root? Andy came out and I asked him to carry the full bags to the front. They are light but he acts as if he has no muscles. I told him to try one at a time and that was better but he still dragged them all the way there.

I saw two small frogs hanging out in the ladybug house. Glad it's getting some use. I will try to remember photos later when there is more light. If they are still there.

12.32 I got an email from Mpix announcing 50% off 8x10s this weekend. It was just the incentive I need to get that last photo mosaic done and the files uploaded.

5:32 The afternoon has been pretty lazy. After a nap, I edited some more photos and got my blog posted. Then I have not been doing much of anything but laundry.

[summer break in 80 days] day 43

8:38 Showered, shaved and fed. No quite dressed yet.

8:55 I started reading a new book today, The Girls from Ames: A Story of Women and a Forty-Year Friendship.

9:35 At the park. I wish we didn't have to do water aerobics today. Would rather not even swim. Oh well, I am dressed for it and I know I will feel better after we are done.



9:45 I just realized that our trip through University of Tampa was a photo walk. And we are walking through USF today. i should have brought the other cameras for the boys. Andy would just want to take video.

9:50 I just asked Ryan if I should get the cameras and he said no. I'll try to remember the P&S so Andy can take video, next time.

I just realized this morning that I promised Ryan a new bike for his birthday. Expensive birthday.



11:15 Done with swimming & aerobics and waiting for Andy to get changed. Fat man with black speedo was here. The last half hour, he was walking around the pool slowly. What?

11:29 At the bank. Oh those fries smell good but I can hold out. What I really want is something to drink.



2:22 Done with our mini tour of USF. We saw only 3 art pieces. Ryan would have loved to have had the full tour of the library. Another time. I saw some great places I want to come back to without kids. It rained poured as we were leaving.

This is the communications building. I like the architecture.





The boys wanted to go inside.



This is the first sculpture we found. It's called Solar Rotary and on the summer solstice lines up perfectly with the circle below. It was hard to get a good shot of the whole thing.



What is with Libraries and that classic architecture of the forties and fifties? We will have to come back and tour the whole building. And they have an Starbucks inside!



This one called Unspecific Gravity but looks like a bunch of Mickey head balloons.



We got back in the car and drove to the other end of campus. We ended up parking at Moffitt. It brought back some memories.



This is called Maze and well, it was more like a maze to find it. They are building next to it and it seems lonely.



The boys really wanted to go up another elevator. Se we went back to mid-campus and found the parking garage. It's 8 stories tall and we parked on the roof. The boys were happy to go up and down and it was not crowded so we didn't bother anyone. I think Andy would have been happy to walk up and down the stairs as well.



4:56 home and relaxing. This time I uploaded my photos right away. 375 down to 175. Still quite few that might need some noiseware software.

8:52 L came over and bought some garage sale stuff for a friend of hers who missed it on Saturday.

Andy has been bugging me about his new recorder. I told him I couldn't order it today but that was wrong. The check has to clear first so it will tomorrow. He is a little upset that he has to wait until Tuesday. Will he understand he can't abuse his things? Probably not. I would love to get him another video camera but he just drops things too much.

I was SO good today. I had only ONE cookie for dessert after dinner.