Taking Shots

I did it.  I said I would and I finally did it.  What, exactly, did I do?  I took a photgraphy class.

To some that may sound hum-drum and as interesting as paint drying.  But for me...this is BIG. 

I've been snapping pictures since I was a young'un, specifically with my own Kodak when I was 8-years-old.  My pix then consisted mainly of family and my animals.  As I type they're yellowed from time in small, 70's-style albums.

Over the years I've owned a variety of cameras: DISC; Polaroid; and Canon EOS {which I'm trying to sell}, just to name a few.  Then, my hubby and I got our first DSLR, a beautiful Nikon D70, later followed by a Nikkor 55-200mm zoom lens.  I was in heaven, or so I thought.

Even though I had this fancy new camera, I shot everything on Auto.  It wasn't until I saw other peoples' FAR SUPERIOR photos did I realize my shots could be better.  So I paid some attention to what others said or did, but I still felt lost when folks would talk about "noise" or "aperture" or practically any big-camera-word.

So I bought a couple of books, but I really wanted the info to just dance off the page and into my brain in a way that I would understand.  I did pick up info, but it was a struggle for me.  Due to this, I kept trying to work my camera and continued to be frustrated.

One thing I haven't mentioned so far is my camera's manual.  That's because I never read it.  Well, I did read pieces of it, but I never sat down and actually learned about my camera from the manual.  I really never wanted to.  Until now.

Last night I took my very first, official photography class!  It was an online webinar given by Tracy through her Mommytography group.  It was great!  She was funny and engaging and had so much information to share that she could not do it all in 4 hours.  Soooo, the class now gets to download her curriculum which she taught from and learn from Tracy's notes.  How great is that?!

Not being a complete novice, I knew a lot of the info already.  But having her explain specifics like ISO and lighting made a world of difference for me.

And do you know what's the best part?  I get to keep learning from Tracy and all the other Mommytographers who have taken her classes over the years.  How?  Tracy set up a special website just for us!  Plus, she has regular assignments to keep us challenged and learning.  Can you tell I'm excited?!!!

And what perfect timing!  My family is on the cusp of selling our house and traveling around the continent for a year or two.  All the opportunities to capture our adventure will be ready and waiting for my camera and new knowledge.

This is just another opportunity to get moving on tasks I'm no longer putting off or saying "later" to.  God has been tugging on my heart for the longest time to be intentional in my actions and relationships.  So here I go!

Praying for Snow

I know, I know.  Just yesterday I was lauding the fact that here, in Florida, we have been without snow while almost the rest of the nation has been inundated with the stuff.

I have always been content that Florida has remained as God has intended this state to be. Snow-free.

So it might be a surprise to anyone reading this that I now want snow.  Here.  At my house.

{{A surprise to everyone but you, Honey, since you know how often I change my mind. Wink, wink.}}

In fact, I'm so eagar for snow that I'm praying for it.  This is a surprise to me since snow has never been on my prayer list or shown up in my prayer journal.  Not once. 

But as the local weather forecasters have been dangling the idea of snow over my head for a few days now, I am very hopeful -- prayerful -- that the frozen precipitation will actually arrive at my house this weekend.

Notice that I said "arrive at my house".  I know full well that any snowflakes in these-here-parts will melt as soon as they hit the ground, if not sooner. C'mon, I was born but not yesterday.

I also have previous experience with Florisnow -- my own favorite new label for silly snowflakes that try to fall in the Sunshine state.  When I was a little cutie all of 8-years-old and living in South Florida, we were surprised with a mere shimmering of Florida snow in January.

I was home with the chicken pox and my mom called me to come outside.  As my dad was getting ready to leave for work, we caught sight of little Flori-flakes {hee hee} melting as they landed on his coat.  It was neato!  I'll never forget that moment.

And so I'd love to share a moment like that with my chicklets and hubby.  We'll see what God has planned.  Nothing is impossible with Him.  Even snow in Florida.

Snow

Here's a song in honor of all the snow that's not here in Florida.  Snuggle up with some hot chocolate and give a listen!

Change

I love change.  {big pause} Okay, that's not entirely true.

I love change that I:
 (a) know of way in advance,
 (b) am happy about, and
 (c) have some sort of control over.

When it comes to being flexible, I'm not.  I try, oh how I try!  But my mind just gets so wrapped up in what I already know that a sudden change in plans puts my head and heart in a tailspin.  {{Sorry Honey...that's my high-maintenance quality you're so used to. Love you!}}

So, knowing my change parameters, it should be no surprise that I revamped my blog a bit.  I wanted to change it, I was happy about the change, and I had complete control over it. Sigh. I really just changed the colors, added a background ala Cutest Blog On The Block, and changed my cute baking gal back to a happy pastel {from the former Christmas motif}.

I am such a visual creature, relying very much on colors and design to set my emotional happy-meter!  It's been tough for me this last year to want to redesign my blog but not having the know-how in my noggin yet. Hmm, this sounds like a future post.

Anyway, another reason for my bloggy alteration is in honor of Birthday Season!  Yep, it's a season here at my house.  January is the beginning with mine and Hubby's birthdays just days apart.  Ahem...and only 1 year difference, thankyouverymuch. {{Learn to count, Sweetie.}}

Next in line of the birthday holidays is Catz's big day in February.  My sweet girl will be 14 this year. What a lovely young lady. Sigh.  And finishing the season in March is MrC's fabuloso day.  Wow, is 12 already here?  He's growing sooo tall...I'll be looking up at him soon!

I like my new blog look.  The sweet cupcakes go with my bloggy name very well.  After all, muffins are just an excuse to eat cake for breakfast.
 
And as for change and being flexible?  I'm working on that.  Oh, and the control thing too.  Good thing this is January...God's blessed me with room to improve!

Christmas Funnies

That title above might be a bit misleading...sorry 'bout that.  I'm not referring to the funnies as in "the funny pages".  In this post I'm going to point you in another direction.

Seeing as my foursome are still on an extended Christmas break, I'm a bit too busy to post in great detail every day. 

Okay...truth is, I'm feelin' lazy. Happy?  But I love a good laugh and especially love sharing laughs with others, so until my funny bone gets back in gear you might like reading about the cat, the lizard, or the squirrels.

In any event, hope you enjoy the rest of 2009!

More Days of Christmas

Yikes, look at the calendar! So I missed posting on each day of Christmas...I can live with that.  I guess I'll post a recap of the last three days, though it seems like a blur.

Hmmm, we...ate chocolate chip cookies...watched "The Nativity Story"...drank peppermint mocha {just me}...built Legos...watched "The Secret Agent"...baked more cookies...read new books...played on the Xbox...worked on a puzzle...drank peppermint hot cocoa & hot caramel apple cider {Catz & MrC}...worked on insurance stuff {way too long}...drank Virgil's root beer {yum}...had home church...watched crazy cat rodeos...typed a book review for mentoring {me}...watched "War of the Worlds"...baked and ate monster cookies...went to mentoring group {me}...prayed...ate...slept.

Yeah, I think that covers most of it.  This is the first time that we haven't been sick during the weeks surrounding Christmas. It's been a blessing! Well, I'm off to enjoy some more family time while Hubby is on vacation...woo-hoo!  Hope you enjoy the rest of 2009, too!

Merry Christmas!

Yesterday, Christmas Eve, was refreshing! No busy, big meal to prepare. No rushing around. The day was spent casually baking some cookies, popping meatballs in the crockpot, mixing up some snacks, and taking it easy. After a beautiful church concert we came home to wrap presents and eat. Then it was off to bed.

Wait, no midnight wrapping while watching the 5th run of "A Christmas Story"? Nope {said while smiling}.

Today, Christmas was another laid-back day. Oh, sure, we had a crazy-fun morning. Who wouldn't when your son is thrilled to his eyeballs with more Legos and your daughter is in heaven with her frills and books!

After the frenzy of wrapping paper being ripped and bows being saved {despite the 300 bows still in the wrapping box}, we settled ourselves for a nice winter's...er, lounging. No napping yet. Legos had to be built by MrC, Odyssey and Duggar trivia had to be absorbed by Catz, hoop earrings had to be worn by yours truly, and a Kincade puzzle was long overdo to be solved by Hubby.

The Christmas music played in the background while four happy and relaxed people played, snacked, and laughed together. Ahhh. This is Christmas.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve...it's here.  All the baking, all the decorating, all the joy and happiness and love...was it all for this one night?  Was it for tomorrow?  No, not at all.  All the prep was for every day since Thanksgiving for as long as we can make it last.  For some it will end right after Christmas.  But for me it will keep going. 

The love...the joy...the Gift He gave me and you...Jesus.  Mmm, He makes my heart sing.

Merry Christmas.