Right now and this weekend!

I finally finished my blog designs! It took me forever, but I completed them finally. I finished three, but you can only see two for now.

Something Beautiful
and
Petticoat Junction

The last one will be open for views this weekend. Lys and I decided not to open it until we could do it together. Try and guess what it is :)

New design....

Just thought I'd mention that I finished Mom's new design and I'm almost done with the other two. Hopefully they'll be complete in the next few weeks!

-Ri

I just can't!

There are a few things I can't handle... Blood used to be one of them, but I grew out of that - thankfully! Really noisy things, such as  whole bunches of people talking at once, fireworks and storms used to be some of them as well. Ok, so I still don't like those things, but I can't handle it better :) Some of the things I can't handle now are (in no particular order):

1. Tomato horn worms. I just can't do it. I had one on my skirt one time and I thought I was going to go into panic attack. I really hate those things.

2. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Ok, so these aren't as bad as horn worms, but I don't like the way they feel. I can touch them (I prefer them to be wet when I do though) but I don't like it.

And I have a new one that I found out yesterday:

3. FISH SCALES. Ok, I know you are thinking I'm crazy. Fish scales will not hurt me in anyway, but I just can't do it. Mom was teaching me and my dear fiance how to clean fish yesterday and I could have passed out. It was awful! The gutting part didn't bother me in the least. Cutting the head off and cooking didn't bother me either, but the scales! Ugh! Just seeing the scales on the counter made me feel sick to my stomach. I started stuttering! I don't stutter! I couldn't form a coherent sentence besides "no, never, I just can't do it" and even that was mixed with stuttering! I just can't handle those things. Right now I'm living in a state of mortal fear that I'll come across one of those things while I'm cleaning the kitchen. I know it's utterly ridiculous, I tried talking myself out of it and that usually works. I'm trying to use logical thinking, but for some reason logic is being over-ruled by panic, completely unreasonable panic.

Ok, I have to go before I work myself up again! I'm going to go read and listen to Michael Buble, excuse me.

When life gives you lemons...

...make lemonade.
This time the lemons are really bad so I don't think I'll make any lemonade -

Just some random pictures

Having flowers planted in our garden is a great advantage to an aspiring photographer, such as myself. Here are a few of the pictures I took:

This one is not a good picture, but I had fun editing it.

This was actually a good picture, but I played around with the effects and got this... Not a stellar picture, but fun :)

This one is pretty good, but at an odd angle. I did that on purpose though. I was experimenting with the pictures.

Ok, we didn't plant this, but I saw it when I was taking the other pictures and just had photograph it.

Again, another odd angle. Hey, it's called being creative, no critiquing... :) Actually, critique all you like!

I love these flowers!

This one is my favorite! This is SOOC with just the added watermark.

NOOOO!!!!

I'm so bummed that Scotty won American Idol! I mean he can sing - only I dont' like him and I wanted Lauren to win. SOB!

Good things come in bundles!

Do you want to know my good things? Ok, so maybe you don't want to know, but I'm going to tell you anyway!

1. I got a letter from Amber today!
2. I found out for certain that Lys can come June 3-7!
3. Momma gave me full permission to put Fred Astaire movies at the top of the Netflix que so we could have them when Lyssa comes! Five Fred Astaire movies!!! Yay :)
4. I am almost done sewing my skirt
5. I am babysitting the cutest baby (ok, he is a year and a half old, but he is still a baby) this weekend! I'm really thrilled!
6. I am watching a Fred Astaire movie right now :)
7. Superman brought me yellow lilies the other day, now I have a peice of sunshine I can look at all day.
8. I finished The Lightkeeper's Daughter and and now reading A Billion Reason's Why, that puts me at having read 18 books since the beginning of February
9. I'm going to try to convince Momma to let me make this cake when Lyssa comes over and I think I have a good chance since we're going to celebrate my birthday quite a bit early since Lys will be busy the end of June. I'll pretend it's my birthday cake and beg her :)
10. It's getting closer and closer to June 28th which is when I can find out what on earth my fiance and Momma and everyone else has been keeping me from me. My birthday has gotten so much more secretive!

That's about all I can think of it :)



P.S Sorry! Max just told me that I typed "sewest" instead of "cutest"!  Thanks Max!

It's a Colorful Life!

For the first time ever, I am also entering Jocee's photo challenge! YAY!

Colorful

I'm entering Jocee's photo challenge!

Here is my photo:

I think this totally fits! It takes the challenge quite litterally :)

Randomness... Monday?

Yeah, this is supposed to be on wednesday, but I don't care.

1. Birthdays!
2. Surprises
3. Wedding - not mine!
4. Saturday
5. Camera

Now on to the explanation!

1. T. Lynn's birthday is tomorrow! I can't believe our baby is going to be ten! It would be eaiser if she were, oh I don't know... big enough to be ten, but no she is still teeny tiny! She only weights 61 lbs! NO WE DON'T STARVE HER! HOW DARE YOU ASK US THAT?! She is just naturally small. I'm not going to talk to ya'll about her anymore, ya'll don't deserve it!

2. So lately Mom, my fiance, my sisters and Lys have all been whispering and I'm not allowed to know what about! I don't think that is very fair, do you? I didn't think so... Now Christmas and my birthday have gotten even more secretive than ever. I don't handle surprises well, ever! Ask Lys! She surprised me by coming over for my 18th birthday. I looked in the car to "get something out" (yeah right Mom) and there she is. My mind didn't even comprehend it! I just stood there looking at her. THEN I realized who it was and jumped up and down happily! So I think they should tell me right now what they have been whispering about, don't you? It would be better for my state of mind.

3. My uncle is getting married in May! Yay! I love his fiancee, she is so sweet. See, I told you it wasn't my wedding and you didn't believe me.

4. Saturday was fun... Superman brought over his dog for the girls to play with and we played Super Mario Wii (yes, we finally got passed the boss on level 8). I made homemade chicken noodle soup, quick rolls and chocolate chip cookies. At one point I turned on Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble music and my fiance and I danced around the kitchen and sunroom. Of course our ballroom dancing lacks a little bit, but we didn't care :)

 5. I'm in love with a camera now... I know, I know.. I'm in love with a lot of cameras, but this one I am going to get eventually! The Canon Rebel T3i! I probably wont be able to get it until next summer because it's so expensive, but I will get it!

And thats about it!

It's the little things..

I've had a very large writers block for a week or so now and I knew I needed to post at some point or another. But what about? Hm... Well - I was on the phone with Riah and I stepped outside - I looked down the hill and saw the most amazing rain cloud. It was dark and ominous but the amazing part was that since it was far enough away I could see where the rain started to come down. Doesn't sound amazing... I know. But it was! The rain started to come down harder and so the streaks became thicker until I couldn't see through it. And just like a curtain being drawn at a show, the opening on the horizon had closed. Then, as if the show was starting another scene, it opened slowly again. I couldn't look away! It's an interesting thing to think about how when the storm is right over you, everything seems so fast and unnerving, but when you see a storm from a distance everything seems to be in slow motion... Almost as if it is not moving at all. It seems...peaceful. It really does offer some inspiration even if it is just some rain not too far away.
As I sit on my front porch now, I see heavy rain falling once again in the distance, and, as if a moment could have a song, I'd say this moment's song would be "Sailboats" by Brook Fraiser. It just fits...even if I am on "dry" land. lol.
Thats my post for today! I hope you liked it. After all, it's the little things! :) 

huuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmm....

We have a plague of periodical Cicada's right now that have been huuuuuuuummmmming for a week so far - we have about another week left (or so they say). It is a high pitch hum that never changes its tone or takes a break. They hum (more like scream) from the time the sun comes up, until it goes down at night. We can hear it in our house - even in our basement. Yay us. There must be a million of the Cicada's here.
Even though it's annoying enough to make anyone feel like going crazy, it's kinda neat since this doesn't happen all the time - I think it only comes around this bad every 17 years or so. But it doesn't change the fact that I'd really like some quiet... :) lol
I took some pictures of their exoskeletons and one of the live bugs - I will post them after I upload them later.

A Cowboy's Touch...

....is a MUST READ book!

I just finished it this afternoon (after Ri left my house - our visit was way too short!)

Here is the cover of said book:

Pretty right?!
Here is the synopsis:
Abigail is just in Moose Creek, Montana for the summer to temporarily care for her great aunt. But a tender-hearted cowboy beckons her to stay.
Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself . . . and God.
What she didn't count on was the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter's nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.
Wade Ryan can't help being attracted to Abigail. But he's given up everything to protect his daughter, and he's not about to risk it all on a pretty face.
Under Abigail's care, Wade's home and daughter thrive. And with Wade's touch, Abigail's heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?

The Tourist and The Conspirator

Two movie... er... reviews? I'm not sure you can call them reviews, exactly.

1. The Tourist

Not the best movie EVER, that is for sure. Nothing to The Prestige, Inception, RED, The A-Team, Losers, The Book of Eli and others, but it was good. It had a surprise-like twist at the end. One you half saw coming and half didn't truly expect. I was surprised I liked it as much as I did, since Johnny Depp is ok and I'm not Angelina Jolie's biggest fan. Over-all it was pretty entertaining.

2. The Conspirator

Alright, before I get into this, let me just say that I love history! It was one of my favorite subjects in school and I still read history books. Yep, just for fun!

I loved this movie! It was not stuffed full of crude humor, or sappy romance. It was just good! A man standing up for what he thought was justice even though it was hard for him, even though he didn't want to and fighting even though he knew it was nearly impossible to win.

Oh, on a side note; I didn't go see this movie because I though Abraham Lincoln... I actually don't think he was that great a president.

I still want to see Thor really badly, but I'm going to wait until it comes out on dvd. Not only do I dread the thought of how loud they will play it in the theater, but it will also be cheaper to wait. Movie theater tickets are ridiculously expensive!

May I just say....

THOR was AMAZINGLY AWESOME!! I will own this movie on the day it comes to DVD. It was that good. I am actually gonna go see it again on Thursday with my dad. Can't wait! And it helps that the guy who plays Thor is quite handsome (and Australian..) :) :) :) lol

Yes, you may call me a nerd - but only this once. I really can't help it right now. I even wore my Marvel comic t-shirt to the movie... yeah and Thor fruit snacks. Couldn't help it...
AND good night...

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mom's day to all you moms. :)
I saw a card today that I may or may not have gotten for my mom. lol. It said something like:
"If I had a penny for every time you picked up a dirty sock, cooked a meal, and drove me somewhere.... for Mothers Day you would have gotten an all expense paid, 6-week-trip to Hawaii"
Haha - I laughed.
The other card was:
"Happy Mother's day to my favorite mom....from your favorite kid. (Which one? What do you mean which one?!)"
I laughed a lot with that one too. lol

Highway robbery and shrimp fest!

What is the world coming to when you call Honda to ask how much a key to a van will cost and they tell you it's going to cost $150?! How utterly ridiculous is that? I wanted to key to the van so Mom and I wouldn't have to switch off all the time. Once I told Dad how much it was going to cost, he just gave me his key. He doesn't drive the van anyway. I still can't believe that! $150! Ok, moving on...

Onto Shrimp Fest. Now I'm sure it doesn't make any sense that I'm talking about a special at Red Lobster, but it will in a minute. Just hang with me for a second.
So when I was 16 I had clam chowder for the first time in years. I didn't like it when I was little and I never ate it, but we went to this restaurant that Dad said had amazing clam chowder, so I tried it and found that I really liked it. That same night Mom had me try some of her oyster stew (which is gross, by the way). Well halfway into the meal I started coughing uncontrollably. I tried going outside for fresh air, but it didn't work. Later, after we had left I had a funny spasm feeling in my chest, but I didn't think anything of it.  Mom and I talked it over and thought that maybe I had an allergic reaction. We tested it again later, I ate some clam chowder and waited to see what would happen. I could feel my throat closing... so Dad had me eat something spicy. Well, we decided that since I had eaten lobster, crab and shrimp my entire life, that I must be allergic to bivalves (aka: clams, oysters, mussels). So, I continued on with my life, staying far away from bivalves and happily eating other shelfish. But, this story has far from a happy ending. My mom, dad, fiance (then boyfriend) and I went out to eat at a nice Japanese restaurant. (I hadn't eating any shelfish in several months, but my bivalves allergy had gotten worse, cross contamination would set it off.) So I start eating the food that the chef put on my plate and my throat closes up. Long story short, my reaction grew to include all shelfish! Now I can't eat any at all! It's really quite depressing! I can't eat anything cross contaminated with shelfish either. It is so sooo sad! So, what has this to do with Red Lobster? Well just think about it... its a restaurant devoted to a food type I can't eat! And recently it's been playing commercials for their Shrimp Fest! How unfair is that?! I think I'm going to go contact the guy who owns Red Lobster and complain now.

P.S. I forgot! I took second place in Jocee's photo challenge.  I am honored! Oh, and surprised! It certainly wasn't my best picture ever!

Nerd Language...

This is a shirt I saw the other day when I went shopping (gag) with my sister...

I tried to get her to get it but she refused. haha

*Note: Picture taken from my crappy phone*

More nerd talk to come!

Randomness Wednesday!

I haven't done this in a while so hang in there... :)

What's new/going on right now:

1. Job Hunting
2. Relaxing
3. Reading
4. Planning


Now to explain:

1. Job Hunting: I'm on the hunt for another job. My hours have been cut down to between 9 and 15 hours a week. Blah is right. So I'm on the lookout for a job in photography somewhere. Be it taking the photos or working with them - there's gotta be something!
2. Relaxing: I don't go to work today so I'm taking some time to relax since I'm always on the go.
3. Reading: I've been reading "Whispers on the Wind" by Maureen Lang for over a month now. I usually read three or more books in a week... I've gotta catch up on my reading very badly!
4. Planning: I have a ton to think about and plan. Looking into schools and jobs takes so much time. On top of that trying to plan a trip... agh.
For school I'm looking at different photography courses and possibly another option which I won't mention just yet... :)

Ok - I'm off to plan and then read!
Love,

"That hurt Charlie!"

My sister showed me this! Gotta love a little kid with a British accent!!

I don't know what to title this!

1.  I can breath! Thank goodness! My allergies have been seriously acting up recently. I'll go outside just to take the trash out and come in sneezing like crazy. Ask Lys, she was there. So Momma got me some Claritin today and I can breath! I went out and picked strawberries and I only sneezed ONCE!!! Can you tell I'm thrilled?

2. I have Something In the Water by Brooke Fraser stuck in my head. It just keeps playing over and over again.

3. My fingers are stained pink from cutting strawberries to freeze and mashing them to can into strawberry jam. Yup, we canned two batches of strawberry jam today.

4. I'm considering taking guitar lessons. So far Beenie has been teaching me a little bit, but I'd like to have true lessons. Plus, Beenie said I was a sassy student, so I'm not sure how much longer she'll be willing to teach me :)

5. I still blame Lys for introducing me to SoBe Lifewater. I'm actually drinking the Yumberry Pomegranate right now. Ok the name is pretty silly, I'll give you that, but it tastes really good.

6. Strawberry Shortcake is one of the best spring time desserts.

7. I am still learning how to play His Glory Appears on the piano. It's taking awhile, but in my defense it's five pages long.

9. If Bree pokes me and asks me to go on a walk with her one more time before I finish this post I'm going to have to hurt her! :)

10. My littlest sister - T. Lynn - is trying to convince me to let her draw something on my arm with a pink highlighter pen. Needless to say, It was a no!

My hand looks big in this picture!

My first attempt to get a picture of a rainbow. It isn't very good.

I actually like this one!

This is the only one here that was taken with a DSLR. I like this one too!

It came back to haunt me...

So... When Riah, Becky and Bree took me home last Tuesday there was something very funny that happened. Riah got a serious case of hiccups. I couldn't stop laughing. I was laughing so hard I was crying.
It came back to haunt me.
I have hiccups. Right now.
They won't stop.
I told Ri...
She is laughing.
Help.

Some old pictures

I was going through our family computer, looking for some pictures (which I'll post another day), when I came across some of my older photos. I uploaded a bunch to a couple of flash drives and moved them to my computer. You have probably seen a few of them, but whatever! Here are a few:

Not the best picture ever, but I like it.

Again, not the best... I need a Macro lens!

This is a favorite of mine!

I love these colors. This picture was taken at the house we lived in before the one we currently live in.

Not much to say for this one, I just like it.

I have posted a edit of this one in black and white, this one is in color.

I think I've posted this one before... I just like it and felt like adding it again.

Here is a picture of me, taken recently. I didn't take it, obviously... my younger sister did.

The lighting needs some help... and its a bit blurry (but I think the camera is constantly blurry now). 

And that's about it!