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
?

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

*

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

*

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

*

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

*

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

*

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

*

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

*

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

~

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~

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

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

?

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

?

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.

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~

*

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

?

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
~

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

*

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

*

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

?

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

?