February 28, 2009

at least they were whispering.....

"hey you guys, quiet...I hear someone coming and if it's another photographer
for cripes sake, I hope she has bread crumbs for us"
"yep, just like I thought....what is it with these people....they walk down here
with a camera and an attitude
like we should enjoy their company as much as they enjoy ours
yet they bring absolutely nothing for us to eat
and I don't know about you martha
but I'm getting tired of this crap"

"oh shut up already mildred and dance for the nice camera lady"
"she didn't even know we'd be here today and she looks really nice and if you'd just shut up long enough to let her get a few pictures, I know she'll bring more food than we can ever eat the next time she stops by"
*
guess where I'm going back to tomorrow
?





February 27, 2009

can you see me now ?

If you really looked at me
you'd see
~that I'm not always as brave as I seem
~that I never wear jewelry of any kind while I'm inside my house
~that I can't go anywhere ever without lip balm or chapstick
~that I always want the underdog to win
~that my patience level for pretty much everything is too low
~that I'm a hugger
~that I try to get away with things like sneaking sophie into hotel rooms of
hotels that have a no dog policy
~that I can seem very demanding
~that the tone of my voice can be taken wrong and feelings can get crushed
~that I'm very organized and can always find the things that everyone
else thought were long lost
~that I eat the same flavored breakfast bar every morning
~that I would do pretty much anything for you if you asked me to help you
~that I love little furry animals of any kind even field mice
~that moving so many times has made me who I am today and I often wonder
who I'd be if I had stayed in one place
~that I loved being pregnant
~that I'm really picky when it comes to buying shoes
~that I don't wear socks with tennis shoes
~that I love make-up even though I don't wear much at all
~that I'm obsessed this season with the bachelor
~that I'm also obsessed with american idol
~that besides my hubby I only have one other best friend that I could call on for anything
~that I love wearing my bath robe
~that I still like paying my bills by writing checks
~that if someone writes a check ahead of me in line instead of using a debit card
I about go through the roof
~that I always say "excuse me" to anyone I walk in front of
~that I'm very picky when it comes to bed pillows
~that I don't make my bed every day with all the decorative pillows and comforter
unless company is coming over
~that I live with an "everything happens for a reason" attitude always
~that I have gotten really good at throwing things away
~that I love clean sheets
~that I love towels right out of the dryer
~that I can't carry a tune but sing loudly all the time to the music I love
~that I love vintage cottagey interior design
~that I want a cottage in florida
~that even though I hate grocery shopping
I love whole foods and trader joes
~that I'm wearing invisalign
~~~~~
you'd have to spend years to really know me but I thought you might enjoy these
little tid-bits
or
I bored you to death and you're long gone and already onto the next blog
*

February 25, 2009

bare, simple and brave....

if you could
be
anything
just for a day
what would you be
?
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
surrounded by other pods who love me just the way I am
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
filled with a softness that nobody knows unless they break me open
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
keeping my thoughts focused on the important things in life
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
being completely in awe of the cloudless sky
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
standing tall and lean and showing only the best of my true colors
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
holding simplicity in the palm of my hand
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
asking for nothing but the right amount of space around me that I need for growth
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
feeling brave as the winds toss me around and make me question my own strength
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
seeing instead of judging
~
today
I would be a pod in the prairie
unafraid of the seasons changing
knowing that while I was here
I was beautiful
*

February 24, 2009

a little wallk.....

thank you
just doesn't seem to be enough
~~~~~
the comments you left
filled with kind words
after I moaned about winter
were
warm enough to melt some of the snow
and
you didn't laugh at me
when I showed you the picture of me in traction
instead
you wrapped yourselves around me
and
made me feel loved
~~~~~
so to all of you
I say "thank you" from the bottom of my heart
and
now
will you take a walk with me
?
well maybe not really a walk walk
maybe more along the lines of what I do best when I see
a "no trespassing" sign
~
we'll pull our car to the side of the road where there's absolutely no parking
put on our flashers
and
grab our cameras
BECAUSE
we have seen a beautiful old crumbly house back in the trees
behind a fence
and
we want a closer look
just because we're daring that way
so we start walking
and
the house is getting closer
but
we are having a hard time moving as the snow is much deeper than we thought it would be
as
the barren land has let the winds form drifts up to our knees
and
we laugh as we walk on the uneven ground
almost falling
while we keep the hand that holds our camera
high above our heads to protect it
and
then we realize we really have no idea what is underneath us
as the ground
becomes terribly uneven
and
in low spots there is hay poking it's head up towards us
and
the thoughts of turning around start swirling in our minds
but we are brave
and
our zoom lens is the car
and
we haven't come this far to turn back now
because we are warriors
and
with each step we take
the old house looks even more charming
so we shoot and shoot and shoot
with frozen teary eyes
while trying to keep our balance
and
then the wind picks up reminding us that it's only 15 degrees outside
and
we decide that this is enough for today
as we still have our trek back to the car
~~~~~
but
we aren't discouraged
as
we know we must have gotten a few good pictures from our little adventure
and
as we look back in sheer awe of the crooked house
we know we'll be back
on a day when the sun is warm and the winds are gentle
because
we're like that
*



February 22, 2009

stop laughing at me...I can hear you !!!

shoulder and neck issues:101
only
if you're taking the class at my house
~~~~~
~doctors appointment for extreme right shoulder pain
~muscle relaxers and pain killers
~MRI
~advice from F-I-L who is a retired chiropractor
~MRI results don't look great
~physical therapy and exercises
~acupuncture
~physical therapy and exercises again
~new numbing and tingling in left arm
~advice from F-I-L=you need traction
~physical therapist requests neck x-rays
~physical therapist refers me to spine therapist
~acupuncurist=you need traction and special massage
~I tell F-I-L and acupuncturist no traction or massage until spine therapist appointment because I think she will be god-like
~appointment with spine therapist who says to me
"I have no idea why you are here"
and
"I guess we could do some traction since that's what others are telling you"
~phone call with spine therapist's supervisor registering a HUGE complaint
{I hope spine therapist gets fired for being a dumb ass}
~acupuncture with tui na massage
~finally some relief
~in-home traction unit picked up
~john laughs at me while I put straps on my face, saying something about silence of the lambs
~hang for 12 minutes
~INSTANT RELIEF~
~~~~~
the pain relief was short lived
but for 12 minutes I felt great
and
I'll be doing this daily if you want to stop by and laugh at me in person
~
and
the morel to the story
LISTEN
to your father in law and acupuncturist
they are not dumb asses
*

February 20, 2009

can I be honest ?

okay
honestly
I'd be lying to all of you
if I said
"I don't think about spring everyday"
~~~~~
winter has taken a toll on me
and
I feel it everywhere
~
it has made me
grouchy
short tempered
silent
removed
angry
empty
and
mean
~
I don't want to be any of those things
at all
but
I
am
~
I'm having a hard time being
a parent
a wife
a friend
a sister
a daughter
a neighbor
me
~~~~~
I just needed to be honest
*
this little child's cottage is from the backyard of an old house in an old neighborhood near us that we
discovered during one of our summer outings
and
I fell in love with it
and
now that the main house is being remodeled
I think by the looks of the yard
filled with debris and snow and garbage dumpsters
that they have torn this little cottage down
and
if they have
well
I'm going to be angry about that too
***
so
honestly
I'll take any advice you can give me
even if you have to slap me
and
tell me to
"snap out of it"
but
what I'd really like
is
your vacation home on the beach that you'll let me use for a week
because
you're nice that way
*

February 19, 2009

I hate chocolate I think.....


today I went to my girlfriend's house
where she was hosting
a
"recipe club"
~~~~~
STOP LAUGHING
those of you know who know me
~
and
just so everyone else can be in on the laughing
I don't like recipes
or baking
or even cooking
for that matter
~~~~~
but
she's my girlfriend
and
the "food" for
this month
was chocolate
YES
chocolate
and
since the only reason I really leave my house for any length of time in the winter
is with my camera in hopes
of gathering fabulous pictures to play with
I said
"sure"
"I'd love to come"
and
of course I'd bring a yummy chocolate dessert
~~~~~
well
guess what
?
when 18 women show up with 18 chocolate desserts
at 1:00 on a 10 degree day
in the dead of wisconsin's winter
~
well let's just say
I won't need
"a chocolate anything"
for maybe the rest of my life
or
at least until saturday
*





parents....this is real life

some days you just need a good laugh
and
I think you will
while watching this
*

February 18, 2009

no editing needed.....just a box camera

I was totally inspired today to talk about
"thru the view finder"
because of julie
and
her amazing collection of cameras
and
the fact that we are
"ttvf sisters"
{I just made that up, but I like it}
anyhow
some of you already know what I'm talking about
and
you can go back to watching "ellen"
(which I'm doing right now even as I type)
but for those of you who are interested
here we go
" TTVF"
is shooting through your regular camera
while looking
down into an old camera
via
a
"light stopper"
{another name I just made up}
~that hopefully your hubby will construct for you~
in order
to prevent a wash out
~~~~~
I always use my macro lens
as that's what was suggested to me
and
my favorite way to shoot
"through the view finder"
is outside
with the box camera on the ground
~~~~~
I've posted ttvf pictures before
but
I can't remember if I've shared the before and after
so here's one that I just took in our family room
~before~

and
here it is cropped

and
here is one from this summer at our cottage
~before~

and
after
~~~~~
and
the best part of shooting this way
NO EDITING NEEDED
the pictures are just perfect the way they are
old
slightly blurry
grainy
pitted
~~~~~
the old cameras are easy to find
and
buy on ebay
my first one I paid only $6.00
which included shipping
and
my second one
was
$1.00
at the local flea market
*score*
~~~~~
if you have any questions
I'd love to try to answer them for you
*


February 17, 2009

part four....it just happened

I know you didn't ask
to see a little nakedness
of me
so I'm only going to show you one of the photos
I gave to john on valentines day
{unless you beg for more}
~
and
as far as
continuing here
with the photo editing
"before and after shots"
ummm
well
let's just say
that with my clothes off
and
nothing but my pale and white and dried skinned body
running around the room with the self timer on my camera beeping
at me
while
I was jumping into blankets
and
trying to look seductive
well
let's just say there is no way
you will ever see the colored before shots
ever
ever
ever
~
and
now I know why I still love black and white
and
blurriness
~

February 16, 2009

part three~warm, soft and even a little bit old....

how warm is this
?
it almost makes me forget that it's a shot of the lake
and
that the ice is 2 feet thick
and
that we're getting more snow on wednesday
and
that it's still winter in wisconsin
and
that I'm still having to wear a winter coat
and
that my hands don't seem to work unless they're gloved
and
that while I'm out shooting no matter what my eyes tear up and my nose runs
and
CRIPES
who am I kidding
?
I haven't forgotten any of that
but
editing my pictures to a warmer hue and blurring them helps a little
~happy monday~

February 15, 2009

part two...... or I love the blue, the blurry and the controversy








so let's talk some more about photo editing
because
at one time I really hated it
and
thought that edited pictures weren't real
or at least they couldn't be compared
to virgin photos
no matter what
and
I still feel that way
a little
~~~~~
the first photography magazine I ever bought showcased a photo contest
and
I was appalled to see that the winning photos
had
all been photoshopped
and
here I was
a very beginning photographer
not even having a clue to what editing was all about
~
actually I wasn't even that
I was just a girl with a camera
who wanted to take pictures
and
had no idea what I was doing
and
was already becoming discouraged
and
feeling like I had failed
~
why
?
well I think it was because
all I knew to do was to hold my camera
put it on auto
take some pictures
and
then
upload them to my computer
get rid of the pictures I hated
file the ones I liked
and
then post my favorites on my blog
~~~~~
but
then I started reading
everything
even
the manual to my camera
{go figure}
and
everything else I could get my hands on
and
I learned a few things
like white balance and ISO
{who knew}
and
I felt more in charge
and
I was having fun
~
and
then it happened
I learned to edit
too
and
all of a sudden the painting I did in my studio on paper and canvas
was being done
on my computer
on photos
and
I was having fun
oh
I was having so much fun
and
my creative spirit was alive again
~~~~~
so here's the scoop
I still don't think in a contest
virgin and altered photos should be in the same category
ever
and
if you don't like the photos you take
or actually
the story here is that
you love the photos you take and want to make them better
and
you're a creative person with some extra time on your hands
{it does take time}
read
learn
edit
play
love your camera
love your computer
and
hopefully you'll discover
a whole new world of fun out there that you never knew about
and
then the next time we meet
it will be in the support group
for
photo editing addicts
but we'll wink as we walk past each other
on the way to the cookie and coffee table
with a big smile on our faces
knowing
that this is exactly where we belong
~
oh and by the way
yesterday was part one
even though I didn't know that until I wrote this post
and
I think there will be a part three
actually
I know there will be
stay tuned

February 14, 2009

because I can.....I do

~ photo editing~
here's the straight up truth
I'm addicted
~~~~~
is there a support group for people like me
?
hello
I'm beth
I have a problem
I'm addicted to photo editing
and
it's not my fault
~~~~~
I'd like to be 100% accountable for this self inflicted disease
of mine
but I have an enabler
and
his name is john
~~~~~
wisconsin is quiet this time of year
really quiet
and
with all my spare time
{which is way too much}
all I want to do is take pictures
and
who drives me all over the countryside
carrying my camera bag
and
changing lenses for me
YEP
my enabler john
~~~~~
see
if he said
"no"
"I feel like staying home and watching the golf tournament"
when I mention the idea of finding the next greatest park
in
the madison area
I probably wouldn't be that excited about driving around wisconsin in the winter
all by myself
but
he always says
"yes"
"let's go"
~~~~~
so see
it's not really
my
problem
~~~~~
honestly
I really think it's all his fault
and
if I were in a support group meeting
and
offered this up as the reason to my problem
well
this is probably about the time they'd kick me out
this is the before shot obviously
and
it's not that bad
and
looked really good on my camera when I took it
but
then
damn
I got home and started playing and editing
and
asked myself which one i'd rather see hanging on a wall in my dentists' office
and
of course I picked the edited photo
~
whoa
maybe this problem of mine is all my dentists fault
and
I can let
john off the hook
?

February 13, 2009

guilty as charged !

notice anything missing
?
like maybe
me
since this isn't where I'm at right now
~~~~~
here sits my wonderful projects desk
and
a year ago it would have been covered with art everything
glue sticks, paints, papers, rub-ons, pastels
you know what I'm talking about
~
but
now I sit here
at my desk
in my office
with my computer in front of me
scrutinizing and editing the photos I've taken
~
because
now I love my camera more than any of my art supplies
~
come to think about it
I love it
even more than my favorite louis vuitton bag
that has been my "favorite anything" for 6 solid years now
and
even more than my
perfectly worn in and "fitted to my feet only" ugg boots
which is huge
{kim you know what I'm talking about here, right}
~
is that bad
?
so
I ask you
what do you love this valentines' weekend
NOT WHO
but
what
ONE
materialistic thing
do you love over everything else you own
?

February 12, 2009

I'm in love....and in tears....



did you see ellen today?
she ran this video from austraila and told the story about how koalas don't usually drink water as they get all their water needs from the leaves in the plants they eat...mostly eucalyptus and how this little guy drank 3 bottles from the fire fighter who saved him ?
Also....this little guy was taken to an animal hospital with his little paws burned and will now make a full recovery....oh yeah, and normally koalas' don't really like people.

February 11, 2009

I'm about an every 2 to 3 dayer....

because we all know that
DAYER
is not a word
but I think I use it when I talk blog talk
~~~~~
some bloggers post multiple times a day
and
how they do it I'll never know
and
some bloggers post daily and some only weekly
but if you ask me what I do
as in
"beth, how often do you post on your blog?"
I'd reply with an
"ohhh"
"I'm about an every 2 to 3 dayer"
~~~~~
geez
where did I grow up and what institute gave me a diploma
talking like that
and
making words up as I go along
?
~~~~~
anyhow
stay with me now as I'm changing topics a bit
~
some of you probably noticed that I changed the links on my sidebar
in a good way
a really good way
because
now I can keep track of all of you when you post something new
without searching for it
as it
just pops up for my viewing pleasure
and
I LOVE THIS
~
no more searching blog to blog to see what's new with everyone
seriously
if you haven't tried this yet
IT IS SO WORTH YOUR TIME
~
BUT
if you are one to post muliple times in one day
it doesn't work
as they all stay under the orginal date
and
DAMN
then I miss some
~
so I'm just saying
don't hate me when I can't keep up with all of you marathon bloggers
who run right past me while I'm bending over trying to catch my breath
wishing I had a new pair of spiffy tennis shoes
to keep up with you
K
?
~
oops
I'm still here
~side note~
the picture above was taken by my fabulous hubby
with his camera phone
while he was out at our cottage
AND
then I put my grimy hands all over it and edited it to death
and
wha la
cool photo
~thanks hubby~
*




February 9, 2009

it's pretty simple...

taken this weekend after my goose love fest
it doesn't take much to make me happy
my family and love is obvious
and
so is sophie
but
i recently told john that other than that
all i need
is my
camera
computer
tv
ipod
bed pillow
fuzzy socks
and
maybe a little chocolate
and
I'm good to go
~~~~~
what do you need
?


February 8, 2009

they had me at hello....

we were blessed yesterday
with some warmth that felt balmy to us midwesterners
and
since I don't run or ice fish or bike
which is what everyone else was doing here in madison
I knew my day
was only going to be about finding some
camera love
so hubby and I jumped in the jeep
with no plans or directions except to stay close to the lakes
well
this bank is close to one of the lakes
actually it sits beside an inlet
and
there were geese and ducks everywhere just wandering around aimlessly
like us
so we pulled up thinking they would hate the intrusion
and
instead they loved us
~
john stayed in the jeep laughing at me as I became really good friends with
barney-sylvia-hank-gracie-tommy-bumpy-creme puff
and
360


and
NONE
of these pictures were taken with a zoom lens
because I had almonds I was hand feeding them
which john, in a panic state, had dug out from the backseat of the jeep when I screamed
"why don't we have anything to feed them"
and
they walked right up to my knees
checked out my shoe laces
didn't charge at me
and
made lots of noise as in
"we don't really even like almonds but you look like a nice person"
~
then like a miracle sent from heaven
a little girl and her brother showed up out of nowhere
with loaves of bread

so we laughed
as the kids got scared when the geese got right up next to them
and
I of course kept saying
"just keep throwing the bread {you little weenie, they're just geese and I promise they won't take your finger off} because I'm getting some fun shots here"

it doesn't take much to make my day
or make me laugh
or even smile
and
this was by far the best day I'd had in a long time

until I saw this
and
this made me very sad
but it didn't seem to bother him at all
and
he played really well with the other geese who had perfect feet
and
he didn't seem to be in any
"feel sorry for me"
kind of mood
even after I named
360
~



February 6, 2009

what ?

I know
I know
you came here looking for inspiration
or something funny
or a cool picture
or to see if I'm still whining about winter
but guess what
?
I got nothing
seriously
nothing
~
I mean really
I'm just not that interesting
and
today you've got the proof you need in case you were looking for it
~
I got up this morning
took a shower
ate my breakfast
ran to target
read some blogs
and
now here I am with my brain on drugs
well
not really any real drugs
but I might as well be since I feel like I'm in la la land
~
I think I'm in a waiting mode
waiting for tomorrow
waiting for the weather man to be right
waiting for it to be above 40 degrees outside
and
see
oops
indirectly I just whined about winter
and if that's what you came here looking for
perfect
~
and
actually the picture above is one of my favorites
and
maybe you are laughing at me since I have nothing to write
but
inspiration
honestly I have nothing inspirational to share at all
~
oops
YES
I do
did you see drew barrymore on ellen yesterday
?
she said
"life's too short~try everything"
and
I love that
~
so I guess I am my blog after all
I write
I share
I make myself laugh
I try to inspire
I post pictures I love hoping that you love them too
and
most of all
I just love being here
even when I feel I have nothing
~
happy weekend
*






February 5, 2009

twenty one just like that.....

she kept me in labor for more than 24 hours
and
only came out after the forceps went in
she was born in michigan
and
had no choice but to come with us as we packed our gypsy bags
and
moved to connecticut, st. louis, north carolina, chicago, indiana, st. louis {again}
and
wisconsin
she played some
tennis
and
softball
but
excelled in soccer
and
failed miserably like the rest of her family when it came to musical instruments
and
in spite of
3 different high schools
she graduated with top honors in 3 and a half years
today
this angel
enjoying her senior year of college
continues to make us laugh everyday
has a smile that never frowns
and
continues to open her heart every summer as a camp counselor
turns
21
and
we are blessed
~
so
for those of you still raising little ones
you might not realize it
but
while your eyes are blinking
your little loves are growing up at an amazing pace
so
remember to slow down
take
lots and lots and lots
of pictures
even of the really stupid and gross and silly things
and
soak in every minute of every day
~
and
for those of you with older children
you
already know exactly what I mean
*

February 3, 2009

I know it's a short month, but.....

february is pretty dull
~
it's the kind of month in wisconsin where we just sit and look at each other
with a kind of "what now" attitude
~
we pat ourselves on the backs for having made it through december and january
and
now all we want is march
because
march
well who am I kidding
march can feel just like any of the other winter months here
but at least march gives us hope
for
warmth and green and sunshine
~
but february
is still just plain and cold and gray and windy and dull
I apologize that I don't love you
february
but
I will give you credit with at least being the shortest month of the year
~
kind of makes sense now doesn't it
that 28 day thing
?
~~~~~
ANYHOW
enough griping already
right
?
~
okay
so
I still haven't fallen back in love with my studio
even though it's clean and roomy and I can finally see the floor
but
I'm still playing with colors and paints
just not the kind that leave my fingers all messy
~
this is a cottage in seaside
before and after
see why I love to play with my photos
?


February 2, 2009

blah blah blogger and barf

nope
no photo today as blogger is totally sucking at the moment
I tried 4 times to post a picture
and
the screen just kept looking at me
like I was a crazy woman
~
so without a picture
I feel like
a boob without a bra
a chip without dip
{you want to add your own don't you}
~
anyhow
I guess I'll just have to write a post about my exciting
PUKE FEST
that I had saturday night
yep
while suffering the worst migraine I have had in years
I vomited
18
times
~
my kids are all like
"gross, how do you know you puked 18 times, you were counting?"
and
I'm all like
"yes it was 18 times"
"what else is there to do while you're puking"
I mean
besides being amazed that the human body can even do something like that
~
okay
it's not that I haven't been that sick before
but
prior to this episode
it was ummm....self induced
~
those nights where your hubby reminds you that you can't handle
more than
3 margaritas
and you laugh at him like he's the silliest thing you've ever seen in your life
and
you keep drinking even when he's removing cups from your hand
and
you still keep laughing
all the way home
and
then about 3 hours later you're crawling to the bathroom
not laughing
and
this time
NOT
amazed at what your body can do
but
amazed at how stupid you can be
and
amazed at how smart and wonderful your hubby is
especially
after he has to play nurse to you for the next 24 hours
~
ANYHOW
the migraine finally went away
without the emergency room visit that kept playing in my mind
and
I had to stay inside all day yesterday due to the blinding sunlight
that could have thrown me right back
into the bathroom
but
I did manage to watch every second of the super bowl
and
now I'm in love with larry fitzgerald
who knew
?