Our digital camera is pretty crappy actually but I tried to make do with what I got by messing around with the basic of most basic elements color adjustment & brightness & contrasting. Which mostly just consisted of me sliding the slider bar back and forth until it gave a result that looked interesting to me. Yeah, skills, I have none. LOL
Here are the results.
Here she is, playing the part of Gothic Tween Red Riding Hood, Miss Gabrielle. I wish I could've done the picture in my head justice. I loved the idea of her posing pensively near that red tree. The middle one is my favorite of of Gabby.
And playing the part of the plundering pirate, Benjamin. ARRRR!
I had to gently remind him that we do not stab the neighbor's boo globe. LOL
Yeah, she's all that! :-D
This one is my favorite of Ben.
Gosh darn it she's just so freaking beautiful! Yeah I know, I'm not exactly impartial but hey...
To Grandmother's House!
The Driveways Are Alive With The Sound of Pirates!
Some attempts at "artistic" photos. LOL
OOOOH, Spoooky! Scarecrow C.S.I., or was it Scarecrow S.V.U.? Yeah yeah, I'm the Ghost of Costumes Past. There's 3 different costume remenants here. :-P The 1st photo is my veil deciding it wanted 2 be in the picture. A chocolate Halloween House the kids got to decorate/make in a craft program at our local Library. I LOVE our Library! FLOWERS! EEEK! Save us! WHEW! We're free! Free to Trick Or Treat again!
This is yet another example of why 1) You should verify all facts before spreading them far and wide, Even if said so called "facts" come from someone on a news channel. Yes, just because Limbaugh or Olberman says so doesn't make it fact.
http://web.mac.com/joelallenschroeder/DMW/main.html
Just heard about this from Twitter.
I wish them well!
Some of you know this .. some of you don't . But here it is..Magneato has crossed over the rainbow bridge it is just over a month since I laid her to rest. July 3rd 2009 I will try to get through this post as best I can, I have waited a month because it makes my heart ache beyond belief. I thought I was prepared to do it but I started crying when I looked at the pictures just now so we will see how it goes,
Back at the beginning of June Magneato got sick and stopped eating and when she did eat she kept throwing her food up. This started late in the week and by Saturday morning I was gravely concerned and took her to the emergency vet. They gave her antibiotics and she came home and seemed to recover but a week after stopping the antibiotics she got sick again very quickly. she went from running around to barely moving.
This time she went to her regular vet. She got more antibiotics and lots of tests. but the antibiotics weren't stopping the vomiting and I could not get much food into her even hand feeding so back she went for a liver biopsy and a feeding tube. Then Home for the weekend and some major family time.
She got set up in the guest room with her own litter box, her favoirte basket and water dish. She seemed to be getting better but then she vomited up the feeding tube. Back to the vet to reinsert it.
I was just leaving work to pick her up to come home when I got the call ... Maggie had liver cancer and it was very advanced. She would be comming home and if all went well we could expect maybe a month or two with her.
Unfortunately that was not what we got ... she was fine for one day but began throwing up everything .. water food and then the feeding tube again. I saw her throw it up this time... poor kitty it was aweful.
I called the vet on Friday morning July 3 to see what I should do...but really as the vet spoke to me it was really just not going to be good..she would not be getting much better if at all and in fact would probably just continue on back to a feble painful state. THe pain meds she was already taking were only relieving part of her pain so after much talk we decided to end her suffering, poor little sweet heart... These photos are her last day with me. her last few hours.. I took her outside in the sunshine and breezes for a cuddle on her favorite lawn chair in the flower garden and a sun bath in the grass,,,,
She was the favorite while she was at the vets she got showered with love there.
Just goes to show how ill she was as she was always my ferocious calico tiger kitty!
a final look at the flowers and a listen to the birds..
anmd then blessed peace.
Her bouquet.
I laid her to rest in the flower garden near Darin. I will be getting a small perenial probably a salvia to place over her.
I will always miss her.
I miss cuddling with her and I miss her following me to the barn and sleeping with me every night. I miss her bossing everyone around and I wish she was still with me she was just ten years old.. a young cat..
Rest in Peace Magneato .. my champion cudler and gopher catcher. You will be missed.
Hello everyone. I have recently become acquainted with a lady in San Diego, CA who has formed an organization called Rest Ministries. This is a site that posts encouragement and resources for those of us with chronic illness. Or some of you may have a friend or family member who suffers from a chronic condition like arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, heart problems, or many, many other conditions.
Trying to do it all alone is a daunting task for anyone, and Lisa has asked me for my help in finding "guest bloggers" for publication on one of her publications / web sites. Due to time constraints, please forgive the weird formatting for the writer's guidelines pasted below. I'll try to fix it later.
September 14-20th is Invisible Illness Awareness Week
ABOUT HOPEKEEPERS MAGAZINE
Our Readers: Writers should keep in mind that they are writing for a diverse group of people: men and women, all ages from 17 to 90 (most in 40-50's), married and single, full-time employed to bedridden, wealthy to extremely poor, and those with a strong faith to non-believers. Illnesses are very diverse; articles should not be about a specific illness-most of our audience would not be able to relate with that particular illness. Style: HopeKeepers has been described as "a letter from a friend" and "a hug from God." Articles should be written in an upbeat, personal tone about how to cope with and thrive during the day-to-day issues of living with illness/pain, using Scripture to validate the point. Please read the magazine carefully before submitting materials. Some short articles are secular, and articles have a side bar that reflects on scriptures, etc. The magazine is "non-believer-friendly," as it is available in many public locations and we hope non-believers will find it interesting and comforting, as it addresses their health concerns. Articles should refrain from using language that assumes a reader's familiarity with Christian or church-oriented terminology.Our Editorial Needs: Articles should be of subject matter that "can't be missed." Your title should be able to be on the cover page and motivate someone pick it up, whether at a church or a doctors' waiting room. We are a CONSUMER magazine, not an "about our ministry publication." It should contain real-life anecdotes from yourself or others, as well as quotes/advice from noted Christian professionals. Statistics and research need to be referenced. We're looking for articles that are not available in any other publication and that will make a subscriber hang onto their copy for years to use as reference and encouragement. Ideas include: Celebrity interviews, "Yoga and Christianity: Where Does it Cross the Line?" "Our Doctors: How to Pray for Them, Not Just Pay for Them," "6 Ways I Used My Illness to Witness This Week," "Mommy, are You Sick Again?" The best way to know our needs is to look at the cover articles on a magazine like Good Housekeeping, add the illness and Christian slant to it. Writers' personal experiences, from going on a cruise to going to a pain clinic, are also desired. Our topics are diverse, with a chronic illness/Christian perspective: family, parenting, friendship, marriage, health, single life, finances, medical, Christian living, fitness, alternative medicine, household, etc. Writers may share their experience of living with illness/pain, what they have learned, wrapping the article up with Scripture and encouragement for others to "keep fighting the fight…" Note: If you write about your experience of being diagnosed with an illness, refrain from giving details of the medical procedures, doctor's visits and rehab experience. Rather briefly explain the circumstance and then write about your feelings, struggles, how you found hope, etc. Be specific-what worked, what didn't. Don't vaguely say "and then God changed my attitude…" How? Dig deep into your experience for something God taught you and explain how. The article should have an obvious point, other than just sharing your experience. Remember, your experience is likely not unique-your emotions regarding the circumstances are. Express them! Effective organization of ideas is important. Your title must be a "grabber!" If you can't find a title, the content isn't interesting enough. Articles do not have to be fully about living with illness, but should include "illness examples." For example, an article called "Jealously: Avoiding the Temptation to Compare" would share what the Bible says about jealousy, and give personal examples about how we experience it when living with an illness. We do not accept articles that address "I've been healed and if you have enough faith, so will you." Although we believe that God can heal, most readers feel as though illness is their "thorn, allowed by God" and they are looking for ways to be encouraged on how to live joyfully, despite the pain, rather than just live in survival mode. Avoid labeling. Rather than writing "the chronically ill," write "those who live with chronic illness." Avoid using words such as "victim" and "suffering." We accept
fillers and short 1-page articles on helpful information,
health topics, health-related resources, etc. Quotes/Style/Length: Proper acknowledgement and references must be included when applicable. When quoting Scripture, use the New International Version (NIV). (Exceptions can be made). When referencing Scripture it should appear in the following format: "Scripture is here" (book Chapter:verse). [note where punctuation falls.]
Submission: We prefer to receive detailed queries. Your query should state the title, summary of the article, approximate length, why you believe it's a good "fit" for HopeKeepers and it's purpose (ie. "the purpose of this article is to inform the reader about ___ or inspire the reader to ___"). Include your credentials or experience. Provide possible side-bar ideas, professionals you plan to interview, suggested length and date it could be finished. If sending it via postal mail, include a self-addressed-stamped envelope for reply. With your article submission include your name, address, email, telephone number, and a personal biography 2-3 sentences in length, professional or creative. Articles are not returned. If your submission is accepted we may ask for a photo sent postal or emailed at 300 dpi. All submissions are received on speculation. An accepted query does not guarantee purchase of the manuscript. Editors reserve the right to reject any manuscript at any stage. Preference is given to articles submitted via email to rest@restministries.org in Word format for PC (as an attachment) or in the body of the email message. If sending in Word PLEASE remember to include ALL contact information in BOTH the email message and the Word file. If sending it via postal mail (PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150) include hard copy of article, typewritten, double-spaced.Handwritten submissions are not accepted. Please ask a friend to type it for you if you must. Deadlines/Copyright/Compensation: There are no deadlines. If article is accepted there is no confirmed date of publishing until one month prior. HopeKeepers and the author sign a contract that Rest Ministries, Inc. has one-time rights to publish the article. We may request permission to include the article on our website. At this time, there is occasionally monetary compensation, depending on the quality of the writing and depth or research. Past sample issues are available with a 6 x 9 or larger SAE (not stamped) and for $3. Send it to Rest Ministries to: HopeKeepers Magazine, PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150. Great
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US: HopeKeepers is a Registered Trademark of Rest Ministries. | |
I'll post more later. I promise. I'll give a nice rundown of my family vacation to Michigan 2 weeks ago.
For a sum up though, let me just say it was WONDERFUL! I was so happy to be with my family who I hadn't seen in 2 years!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metzdarling/sets/72157621527618100/
We also got to see a great air show and balloon launch at the Battle Creek Balloon Festival.
I apologize though, for the darkness and poor quality of some of the photos. I really need to get myself a new camera!
Yesterday I went to work with it all gloomy and rainy.
When I left the sun was shining so brightly mere squinting was not doing the trick. Especially since I drive West going home.
Rooting around in my purse, I couldn't find my sunglasses. Then I remembered I'd left them in the van from our family excursion over the weekend. I did however, have my son's bright yellow Finding Nemo sunglasses.
I don't think I made it a mile down the road before I gave up and put them on.
Too small, uncomfortably pressing on my face, slightly distracting with the frame in my peripheral vision. Not to mention the annoying little tiny Nemo sticker on the upper corner of the left lens.
But the best reward of all was not the protection from the sun's glare. Oh no.
It was the exaggerated looks of confusion and outright staring from the people in the other cars.
Took me back to the days of dressing up in my fanciest of clothes and galivanting around the small towns and countryside of SW Michigan with my friends Matthew & Dennis. The looks we'd get from people.
Oh, and here's a pic of a moth newly emerged from its crysalis. My Mother In Law took it when we were on our family excursion at a local nature preserve. The hand holding it is a field guide leading her and my daughter and a group on a nature walk. My husband, son, & I were with another group doing some bird watching.
Isn't he beautiful?
A while back I discovered Twitter, just before the big boom with Ashton Whatshisname and Oprah. I "follow" about 60 some people, some of which I am not ashamed to admit are considered "celebrities". Mind you, my choices of who to follow though are based on the thought provoking "tweets" they post, as well as the genuine ability to make me laugh.
Among those celebrity Twitterers I follow is author Neil Gaiman. When he posts a link, you can bet I will click it, because I feel that his links are never a waste of time. This more recent one is no exception.
"neilhimself Dear (fightforyourrightobookburn) Christian Civil Liberties Union, whatever side you're on, I am now on the other one: http://bit.ly/twerps"
Unbelievable. Book burning. A lawsuit to demand the right to burn and ban a library book. I thought those days were long gone. If you don't like it DON'T READ IT!! If you don't want your kids reading it then that's your business and up to you to enforce that (ha), but to deny others... GRRRRR!!!!
Then, just as I was recovering from that, I heard about this on Wait Wait Don't Tell Me from this past weekend.
Oh My GOSH! HELLO!!>???????
There are no words to describe what I'm thinking right now. Well, polite words that is.
Really, I just sat there dumbfounded when they were talking about it on Wait Wait, then of course I laughed at the "Heaven-O!" and their musings that workers might rebel by saying, "Heaven-O, how may I HELLp you?"
Seriously though, WTH?
Ok, gonna stop the rant now. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts.
Oh, and if you to have a Twitter account, feel free to stop by and say Hello! :-)
http://twitter.com/MetzDarling
PS: I've also fallen in with the facebook crowd, http://www.facebook.com/Metzdarling
PPS: Forgot to add this very important public service message from Neil Gaiman as well.
"neilhimself No! Do not arm squirrels! They will take over the world if you do. http://bit.ly/1950k"
It's high time I introduced the new addition.