Boo!

Today’s mood is…

Excited beyond comprehension.

Yea baby!

9 more days

NaBloPoMo is Swiftly approaching.

Now you may be asking yourself all kinds of questions.
What the hell is NaBloPoMo? How do you pronounce NaBloPoMo? Where do I sign up for NaBloPoMo?

It’s fun. Don’t know. Over here.

Last November I signed up to participate in a blogging challenge – of course there were offers of prizes- that always peaks my interest (just ask Steph ). What I was signing up for was posting a post (hehehe) everyday in November. It was fun and challenging. What I won? Nothing! What I came away with? Thousands of hits (but who cares about those?) and a billion new blogs to stalk.

It’s kind of like organizing a game in the playground; only a few will actually ante up and do it, but everyone wants to play. And it’s always fun! This particular idea is credited to the lovely Mrs. Kennedy. But I am sure others have thought of it before. Either way, it’s almost November again so here we go.

It really snowballed last year, I believe the estimates were somewhere over 5 gazillion participants. So I am sure this year will be even bigger. The playground has changed. It is being hosted over at Ning.com. This is not good for me, since I get the “403 Forbidden” error every time I even think about going there at work. So while my posting will remain relatively easy (I can still get to wordpress – shhhhh), my favorite part is going to be somewhat challenging. Reading.

My new friend Tiffany has suggested the RSS feed approach and I have to look into that. You know for someone who claims to be computer literate, there is a lot of shit I just don’t know!

One of the coolest things about the way NaBloPoMo is set up, is you can join groups or just stalk them – either way it’s a nice new addition.

I have to add my badge and what not when I get home and you know… can actually get to the ning site. In the meantime, I hope all my links work, but I can’t check them until I get home.

Go check it out!

Gotta love the fall

Fall always means a trip to the Cider Mill for me.

We finally got some family time together after a very long week for my husband. So Saturday (after he got home from work) we all went to the Cider Mill. Of course, Mom with camera in hand.

I took so many shots, yet only a handful are keepers. I must keep in mind that I shot all day on manual (tho’ I did use my autofocus). But crap, it’s hard to keep things exposed right when you are tying to follow a 16 month old around in the late afternoon sun. I do love the shadows, but getting them exposed right when you can hardly see the meter in your camera is complicated. But practice is the only way to get better.

This is why I am so grateful to have an interest in photography during the digital age. I gotta believe I would be very discouraged if I took over 2 rolls of film and only had a few shots to show.

I also was mindful not to spend the whole day behind the camera. I don’t want Hunter to think Mommy has a camera permanently attached to her face. I guess I am grateful for the handful of pics and the wonderful time I got to spend with my family.

Would you like to see some pics? I knew you would. (am I the only one who just thought of Mr. Rogers?)

We enjoyed some cider.

We enjoyed each other’s company (my favorite part!)

There were animals:

There was a sugar buzz from the cider. This was the first time Hunter has had anything to drink besides milk or water. Of course he loves cider.

We played on the wooden train.

We dreamed of being tall enough to pick our own au-pols (that’s apples in Hunterese)

We had a great time! (even with lens flare)

October 12 of 12

Here is my October 12 of 12, but before you read any further I have to warm you, it’s pretty lame.

If you would like to see some much cooler 12 of 12’s check out Chad’s site.

6:38 am - I woke up late - dang.

6:45 am - Medicine cabinet - getting ready to brush my teeth.

6:47 am - Willow thinking about ordering some Dryer Balls.

6:53 am - Getting Hunter up, still late. He’s blurry because it’s so early.

7:00 am - Hunter at the top of the stairs deciding if he is going to come down and eat breakfast.

8:08 am - At Starbucks, coffee poured out of someone’s open car door, left for me to step in. I hate when people dump stuff out their door like this.

8:24 am - Finally at work; LATE. This is how far I park from the door to try and get some exercise.

10:46 am - Snack time.

11:59 am - Lunchtime blog update.

12:09 pm - Cake at work for Birthday Girl.

7:11 pm - Leaving On the Border, which was another birthday celebration.

8:38 pm - Home with my family. It’s past Hunter’s bedtime, but he hasn’t seen his overworking Dad lately, so we let him slide.

Well, there you have it. I told you it was lame. We are going to the Cider Mill today, so hopefully I will have some much more interesting shots to share with you.

Have a great weekend!!

Very Important Information

Important information you need to know about infants’ and children’s cough and cold medicines.

Tylenol has recalled all sorts of products this week. Apparently there is some confusion about dosages between their regular formula and their concentrated formulas.

I have two questions:

Why would you concentrate an infant formula?

Why don’t you just put the damn dosage recommendations on the fucking box?

The second one really frosts my cookie. As a first time Mom, I’m already panicky enough when my child gets sick. Ok, so you tell me to consult my doctor, which I do (luckily I am one of the fortunate people in America that has a decent Health Care Plan). My OLD pediatrician used to rattle of amounts when I asked her about dosages. How in the hell am I supposed to remember what she said without writing it down? And if I am lucky enough to remember (or write down) the numbers, how come they don’t coincide with the numbers on the dropper? Did she say ml’s or oz’s? Gee, I wonder how people get confused?

My new pediatrician has given me a Tylenol sponsored chart with dosage info on it. It hangs in the bathroom, inside the cabinet door. I always know where it is and it’s easy enough for someone who may be watching my son to find it.

It looks similar to this:

You can find this chart here

Wouldn’t this solve the problem? Or am I just being ridiculous?

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Don’t worry, my 12 of 12 is in progress. Check back later today or early tomorrow.

The weather is wack!

The major problem with it being 90 flippin’ degrees Monday and down to 50 degrees today is that it makes 50 feel like -5. WTF. I love the cool crisp air of autumn, but now I’m all discombobulated. My feet are freezing and I have the heater on in my office.

Really, was 90 necessary??

Nikki, can I get a “Hell ya!”?

~*~*~*~*~
How am I going to be able to participate in nablopomo this year if I can’t get there from work.

My secret proxy server work around doesn’t even work. WTF

Perhaps this should have been a WTF entry.

~*~*~*~*~
Remember, tomorrow is the 12th, get your cameras ready for October’s 12 of 12.

~*~*~*~*~
Since I’m being random today, I have a question.

Why do we answer our home phones with just “hello”, but many, many people answer their cell phones by saying “hello, this is {insert first name here}”? Shouldn’t that be the other way around??

The day the world stopped

This morning, not only did I get up earlier than the ass crack of dawn, but I worked out, showered, did all my Hunterly duties and…

…got to work before 8:00 AM!

I should probably make a doctor’s appointment.

It was just another Tuesday

Yesterday, my day started like every other Tuesday; Kev kissed me goodbye at 5:30 AM and I rolled over and went back to sleep for a few.

Up at 6:30. No alarm clock needed.

Do some morning essentials (which I will spare you the details of), get dressed and go downstairs and start the Bug’s breakfast and pack his lunch and my lunch. Back up stairs to wake up Hunter. He was not already up. Open the curtains and blinds while I chat with him and do his morning routine (pj’s off, diaper changed, clothes on, etc).

Hand in hand, we walk down the stairs – apparently he’s getting too old for the backwards routine. Greet the animals as we go by and into the highchair for breakfast. He starts on his fruit and I open the three cards on the table.

I turn the radio on and we sing and giggle our way through the rest of breakfast (his, not mine). Rushed, but pleasant, none-the-less.

Then we clean up; first Hunter, then the highchair then the dishes. I do the dishes and Hunter wipes the highchair – he’s such a little helper.

Then it’s off to the living room (for Hunter) with the little bathroom (for me) where I try to do something with my hair, throw some make-up on and change the poopy diaper (his, not mine)… at least he’s regular. We do this while Hunter watches Oswald on Noggin and I think of Squigy from Laverne & Shirley. It’s like a bad accident between Laverne & Shirley and the Wonder Years, but Hunter likes it. I guess ignorance is bliss.

I wish The Upside Down Show was on, but then I would NEVER get to work… but that’s probably for another post.

Where was I… oh yea… poopy diaper…

Then I take loads of crap to the car: Hunter’s lunch, my lunch, my camera, my briefcase (or whatever bag of crap I’m carrying around at the time) and my purse. While I do this the dogs come out with me and I try to kick the ball to Tyler a few times. Then it’s everyone back in the house. The TV goes off and Hunter and I leave for daycare.

Hunter and I walk into daycare and I usually chat with the lady I drop him off with. Today, it was a diaper rash discussion.

Off to Starbuck’s and then to work. By now it’s quickly approaching 8:30 AM (woot! I’m only half an hour late). I have to be at an off-site meeting by 9:30.

Once in my office I try to gather all the materials I anticipate that I will need for this meeting. Incidentally, I was just told about the meeting yesterday afternoon. Gawd, I love this place.

Once at the off-site meeting (at a secret location: local hotel) I find the conference room and settle in. Everyone else is eating a breakfast of eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, sweet rolls and something with syrup on it. I opt out of breakfast – I’ve had my coffee and I’m good.

Jump to 2:00 pm, we finally get a potty break – 15 minutes. Insanity! Good thing I have a bag of grapes, a peach, a couple of Fiber One bars and a pitcher of water. That 15 minutes was all we got.

5:16 pm – we are dismissed. I have already called Grandma and asked her to pick up Hunter because I may be later than 5:45 pm. BUT, Grandma doesn’t have a carseat, so I have to meet her in the daycare parking lot. Gotta love improvising.

With Hunter secured in his seat, we head home, with Grandma following. You see, it’s Tuesday and I bowl… at 6:30 (practice starts at 6:15 – practice-smactice). Once home and unstrapped from the car, I get Hunter in and the dogs out. I change my clothes again. Run Grandma through the dinner menu for Hunter and I’m out the door by 6:10.

Arrive at bowling 6:30-ish. I didn’t arrive home again until around 10:00 pm. Hunter’s asleep, Kev is in bed, but not asleep (but close) and I’m home.

Hunter woke up briefly (well long enough to stand up and turn his light on and make noises at us). I rocked him for a while until he fell fast asleep again.

I finished watching the news and work on a word puzzle before I turn my light off.

Given the choice, it’s not how I would have decided to have spend my birthday, but that’s okay.

I still feel fortunate, loved and at peace everyday.
Happy belated 44th Birthday, Sheryl.

(damn, I’m getting old!)

September 411 +2

Holy moley, where did September go?

Can you believe I took 413 pictures in September? Wow, that’s a lot.

I seem to be getting the hang of making some adjustments besides just cropping and borders (not that there are any borders on these). Whatever. I have noticed that some of my photos are looking a little flat. I have been shooting mostly in AV which is aperture priority and I think that’s why they are looking flat. I think they are overexposed. So lately Ive been using manual mode and not feeling too overwhelmed. So between the manual shooting and the ever expanding Photoshop skills, I think my photos are starting to look pretty decent (if I may say so myself).

Here are some of my favorites (click to see larger photos):

Hunter and his Grandma.

Budda Boy - I spotted him a the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Those two are Hunter and his cousin, Brady playing in the backyard.

Hunter feeding himself (two-fisted) and actually eating some of it.

Do you think he’s trying to give me the finger?

Dad showing Hunter a turkey feather.

The beautiful sky.

Some deer from up north.

A boy and his stick. (sorry if I posted this one already)

Nature’s condo.

Wow, there are a lot of my fav’s. I guess I should be posting more often.

My little Michigan fan.

Some trees in Gladwin from this past weekend. The trees are just starting to change, but I love the reds!!

Some trees from the yard.

I love taking pictures of wildlife. This is a great picture I took with my new Canon 2x II Extender on my 70-200mm. This one shot makes the extender worth every penny.

From this…

To this…

… macaroni art.

I know this was a long post, but it was picture filled so hopefully that will make up for it.

I guess I should be posting some of these pictures more often.

In the meantime… welcome October!