FotozbyLisa

Happy "do-over" day!!!

2012-02-02T21:05:00.000-08:00

So we celebrate Ground Hog's day today. It's that magical day when we take our meteorologist advice from a ground hog. Ground Hog's day was made famous in cinema as the day that is repeated over and over and over and over until you get it right. Some "do-overs" are much needed. Like second chances to be kinder, more cooperative and pleasant. Some days are best not to be relived. The only thing I know for "certain" is that life is very "uncertain". The miracle in everyday is to try to do more good than bad and to leave people feeling better than how you found them. Best advice I can offer today? Hug someone you love and be nicer than you have to be.

By the way, I know this isn't a ground hog, it's just the best shot of any vermin I have. Have a good day.

Identify what you really, really want....

2012-01-30T07:35:00.000-08:00

I recently attended a workshop for utilizing the law of attraction. The prequel work was to get clear, really clear on what you really wanted. This was hard for me. I have a pretty awesome life already.
When push came to shove here are the things that I wanted more in my life.....

Like everyone else, my goals for this year included losing some weight. You can see that I picked the magic number of 25 lbs. Not so much that I can't rock the body I have, but I do want to be healthier and I think that means slimmer too. I also wanted to take some amazing pictures this year, more brides, love to catch some bears and other wildlife, you get the picture.
Ever since this house has been built, I've wanted to change my kitchen. My children begged me not to get an island bar like our previous home. I gave in and guess what?!? Those dang children grew up, moved away and none of them live here anymore and I'm stuck with their kitchen.
I want to be successful in my "other" business with Send Out Cards so it's represented as well. And I want to travel a little bit, all in the sake of taking great pictures of course. After getting clear with what I really want... an opportunity presented itself. A chance to travel to China. Crazy huh?
Due to other changes in my family, I may not make it to China until 2013, but anticipation is half the fun of traveling. My challenge to you... get clear on what you really, really want and see how quickly it is delivered.

Make more mistakes....

2012-01-29T13:53:00.000-08:00

I recently had a conversation with a co-worker that wanted some tips on photography. She got a new digital camera over the holidays. The best advice I can give is if you want to be a good photographer, take pictures. (that means practice) If you want to be a great photographer, take lots of pictures. (In other words, practice alot.) Not too long ago I visited Hardware Ranch in Hyrum, Ut. There wintering elk come to be fed, and for a small fee you can take a horse drawn wagon ride out into the middle of them. As long as you remain on the wagon the elk, though nervous, don't perceive you as threat. And you can take pictures up close and personal.

With good editing you can produce some fairly good images of wildlife. At hardware ranch I had the same difficulty that I have at the zoo. Most of the animals aren't aware that they should be posing, so instead of National Geographic, it looks more like a picture book of jokes.

Keep in mind that the wagon is moving, so I am counting on the focus feature of my dslr. The above picture blurred out the grass in front of the elk, so there is a slight blur running up the center. This is because the depth of field was limited to the elk, so most things in front and behind are less sharp and clear. So why did I start the post with "make more mistakes"? Because the things that go wrong often make the best memories. My favorite shot of the day won't win any prizes and has little significant value, other than the memory.

This is a young bull elk. Most of the elk that winter at Hardware Ranch are pregnant females and their still suckling less than year old calves. The mother elk are basically eating for three so they find an easy meal in the meadow and teach their children to do the same. As the males mature, they don't frequent the meadow as often. They are big enough to forage in the deep snows. This bull elk seemed embarrassed to be seen at the meadow and had it's head buried in the straw. The shot I took is not perfect because I bumped along in the wagon I focused on the straw (in focus) instead of the elk (less focused), but right or wrong, I captured the memory.
So if you are not making mistakes you are not trying hard enough. Be far enough outside your comfort zone that you can't perform perfectly. Flawed may not be perfect, but it is more interesting.

The "END" of course.

What do you do with a drug induced compliment?

2012-01-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

I've been slow to blog in January because I was getting my act together. I was trying to determine the theme for my year...kind of like a prom? Should it be my year of gratitude? How about the happiness project? And resolutions for me are just a set-up for disappointment, not that I don't have goals, they just don't always have positive outcomes.

So as my followers may remember, in my other life, I am a registered nurse. I'm the nurse you meet after your surgery as you are just waking up. I'm the person that assures you that you didn't die because I'm no angel. In any case today, my male patient opened his eyes and said," has anyone told you today that you are beautiful?" Actually no, you can be the first. (Seriously, I'm not making this stuff up). General anesthetic can skew your sense of reality. The patient then told me..."yeah, you look like a young Sigourney Weaver." Thus, the avatar picture. On a good day I can pull that off. I was looking for a picture from "Alien" but I didn't want to be confused for the slimy monster. So there you have it, I can rock it as a young Sigourney Weaver, with or without blue makeup. ;D

Be someone's hero today....

2012-01-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

During this past week, Ogden suffered a tragedy. 6 Police officers/agents/detectives were shot while serving a warrant. Usually these things get written up in the newspaper and remain far removed from you personally. This one touched my life and therefore touches the lives of all the people I know. Professionally, I'm a registered nurse. This week someone told me I was a "hero". I don't wear a badge or carry a gun. So the role of "hero" is never one I would place myself in. It made me wonder what a "hero" really is.

These are navy nurses aboard the USNS Comfort. THey leave their families for deployment to serve people in other countries. When not abroad, they serve military men and women wherever they are stationed. Are they heros?

These are random service men and women that provide "force protection" for the medically trained personnel so that they can serve the people. Are they heros?

More military personnel. Are they heros? While pondering this question...I've thought of all the heros in my life. Sure, some of the heros carry a gun and wear a badge. Others drive my son for carpool. Some have taught my daughter how to cross-stitch. Others are skilled practitioners that can diagnose or surgically correct what ails you. Others give me a hug when they see that I'm having a bad day. So I think that maybe yes, I can be a hero. I'm the nurse that wakes you up after surgery. The one that tells you, "you made it." The one that helps you manage your pain and reorients you to time and space. So a hero then is someone that does something for you that you can't do for yourself. A policeman will protect you from criminals. A firefighter will put out a fire. A teacher will encourage your child to learn. So go out and be someone's hero today. Do for them, what they can't do for themselves. We can never have enough heros. (Cape and tights optional)

Farewell to 2011

2012-01-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

I can not fully embrace 2012 and all of the challenges, opportunities and resolutions that entails without first reflecting on 2011...

We started in January with a winter wedding. Careful to hide cold ears, noses and fingers. I once told a winter bride..."a winter bride is a cold bride." To which she schooled me, "a winter bride is a happy bride." So there, how is that for perspective?

Then I rode a dog sled in Denali Park in Alaska in February. Who goes to Alaska in February? A mom desperate to see her daughter and son-in-law. This year I'm waiting for balmy March before I fly north.

During April and May I went to sea. I served aboard the USNS Comfort in the nations of Jamaica and Peru. I'm still not sure where the courage came from to leave my home and step so far outside my comfort zone. For 28 days I performed as a PACU nurse alongside Navy, Army and Airforce. What an experiance!!!

Returning from foreign soil, celebrating July 4th was more sweet and tender. We really do live with the most freedoms and opportunites of any nation in the world.

And every summer we get to witness the right of passage. This is James during his first t-ball season. Look at him go.

We celebrated the return of our daughter from her adventure in China.

More weddings. Congratulations Michelle and Matt. What made this wedding especially sweet? My daughter flew in from Alaska to participate!!! Yeah!

Another summer experiance checked off the list. Swimming at the pool with duchess.

And that returns us back to another winter bride. Congratulations Savannah!

So keeping it all in perspective, we survived another year. What is in the past is in the past and the only thing we can change is our future. So embrace 2012 and welcome the opportunity to experiance it.

"Mint" to be loved.

2011-12-10T08:34:00.000-08:00

Holidays are full of things that you love. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, (maybe one more LOVE) all things mint. I bathe in it. Wash my hair in it. Scent my sheets with it. And above all else love to eat it. I'm a bit of a mint snob, spearmint will not do. I LOVE the bad boy peppermint. At our house we make "Idle Isle" chocolates. For the lay public these are maple flavored centers dipped in chocolote (preferable dark, I'm a snob there as well) and rolled in chopped toasted almonds. Not so at my house, we flavor the centers.... you guessed it! With mint and then we dip in chocolate but we roll it in crushed up candy canes. Yes, I admit it's an addiction.

There are many things to wait for at Christmas time but I wait for the stocking of the shelves at my local grocery store. I used to hover to grab the first box of cherry chocolates. I only allowed myself one and I had to make it last the whole season. (The box, not the individual chocolates) But then my taste buds matured and they started marketing chocolate covered blueberries. Really? So I gave up the whole fruit centered thing and just searched out mint, and more mint. Again, I try to limit myself to one box or bag of something each year. What do you wait for every year? How many do you limit yourself too?

My all time favorite is Hershey's mint truffle kisses. They come in the dark green bag and they are stinking hard to find. Supposedly, my husband has hid one here at my home but I'm starting to think he just wants a thorough housecleaning because once I find a dustbunny I have to adopt it out of my house with the vacuum.
My son-in-law, Chad introduced me to these bad boys this year.

They are a very good second. So grab yourself a bag of mint M&M's and compare them to Hershey's mint truffle kisses and let me know what you think. This is not a paid advertisment of any kind but if either Hershey's or if the MARS distribution company would like to send me a case of either, that would be fine!!!
And if I can get them for free I may have more than one bag this season. Anyone know a good gym?

traditions...TRADITION!

2011-12-03T08:52:00.000-08:00

This time of year my family tries to create certain experiances that we have had in the past. I don't think anyone ever really determined that they were our family traditions, more like our family expectations. Over the Thanksgiving holidays we had our children from Alaska with us, but the children in Missouri couldn't make it. So in honoring our Alaska visitee's we had Chocolate Pecan Pie. This is family favorite that my daugher Kat always makes, she was here, we had her pie. Amber, who was absent, is perfecting a cranberry jello salad. We couldn't serve it this year because she was missing. Instead we served "cranberry chutney". It's very simple but I will warn you, it makes alot. Chop 1 bag cranberries, 3 apples (peeled and cored), 3 oranges (peeled and separated). Stir together. Add 1 large can of crushed pineapple (drained). Stir. Stir in 2 and 1/2 Cups of sugar. Let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Serve with hot turkey as a relish. Yum, very tasty.

So at our home on thanksgiving day we have a "tradition" that formed without anyone knowing it was a tradition. After the meal was done and the dishes were cleaned up the family adjourned to the family room where I was asked, "Where is the thanksgiving DVD?" "What DVD?" Evidently in years past I have purchased a current DVD and made it available for viewing after dinner. This is so my entire family can succumb to the post-turkey tryptophan induced coma that they consider the best nap of the year. So does it really matter what DVD I put in? I didn't get the memo and I didn't meet the expectation of my children, there is always next year. Instead we tried to view an old VHS (yes, I still have some) on a newer HD model television, in case you haven't experianced this yet...it's blurry.

One tradition I did follow through on though, is without fail every year for as long as I can remember. I forget to wrap some gift and get it under the tree. Christmas morning I am always doing inventory in my head when I realize someone is missing something and have to make a mad dash into the nether regions of my walk-in closet. Since my children from Alaska will not be back for Christmas, we had Christmas 2 days after Thanksgiving and I forgot the chocolate oranges. My bad. This way they got to select which kinds they wanted.

I also can't think of "traditions" without thinking of "The fiddler on the roof". In the little town of Anatevka traditions determine how you sleep, how you eat, how you work and how you wear your clothes. Tevye is asked about the fiddlers on the roof. "And how do we keep our balance?" "That I can tell you in one word... Tradition." So that's the best reason of all to have traditions. To keep your balance. How do you keep your balance during the holiday season?

My Phone

2011-11-17T06:27:00.000-08:00

THe prompt this week from http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ is to write about your love for an inatimate object. I was resistant to admit my love for my phone. Well, it's really more of a love-hate relationship. I love that I can call anyone I choose whenever I want. I hate that anyone can call me. My children are forever telling me to answer my phone, to which I reply, "I only answer it when I want to." I love that I can silence the ring. I hate that the vibration mode always spooks me just a little bit when it goes off in my pocket. My phone has met with a tragic demise. There were warning signs for months that my phone was unhappy. I took my phone on my adventure at sea in April. It lounged around in my locker for 27 days. It's battery never recharged, it became listless and difficult to manage. I charged on my very last day in Peru and cheerfully lavished attention on it in the L.A. airport to alert all my family and friends that I was coming home. It responded by refusing to hold a very long battery charge. I would go from 3 bars of power to one then off and silent in less than 12 hours. I tried recharging it frequently, maybe this was the wrong thing. I caved into its demands, I bought a car charger.
Finally after one too many power outages I gave into my phone's teenage angst and I purchased another battery. A fresh source of power so we could start over and be friends again. Let all the past bygones be bygones. I had hope for a smooth future relationship where I could continue to love and hate my phone. But, by then the damage was done. It may have been depression. It may have been anxiety. It may have been performance pressure. I'm not a doctor, I can't diagnose. But now, my beautiful phone with the new power source became lethargic and distant. It would just turn off. No warning, no demands. It took a careful series of events to turn it back on. The case would have to come off. Then a warm breath would have to be blown across the battery and the sim card would have to be stroked firmly into place. Then the cover would be replaced and usually the phone could be coaxed into returning to responsiveness.
THen tragically last night, it all ended.
My phone in a fit of angst and tantrum vibrated from my kitchen counter to the hardwood floor below. I heard a sound that resembled "a clatter" and when I got there to see what was "the matter" I found my phone powerless and cover missing on the floor. AFter carefully, outlining the scene with a chalk outline, I picked up the phone and returned the cover. My phone has previously made this dive a time or two and been awakened after a brief resuscitive period. But, a las this is the result of last nights tumble.

So to whomever called last night giving my phone the vibration to leap from the counter, I'm sorry I have not responded back and BLESS you for finally putting my phone out of it's misery. It is in a better place right now. And never fear that my addiction with having a phone to call with should cause me to tremor with anxiety at the loss of my phone. I returned my sim card to my previous phone. It's okay, as long as you don't look at the duct tape that is holding it together. I will miss my pretty pink phone but mostly I'm sad because it is not time for me to upgrade so I have to pay for a new phone without any discounts. Sad face.

All tips on the proper care and feeding of a cell phone should be donated to the comments section. I obviously need a refresher on how to have a better relationship with an inatimate object.

My other language

2011-11-14T19:33:00.000-08:00

So in filling out forms for volunteer opportunities I'm often requested to list all languages that I am fluent in. I retained a fair amount of my high school spanish but would never claim to be fluent. Part of the problem is the 3 years I spent living in Germany where I used the language on the German economy whenever I was off the Army base where I lived. So I commonly hear the spanish but my response is usually in german. Few native spanish speakers know german. Thus a miscommunication often ensues. But I do know another language. It's medical. I sprinkle all my communications with things like ABG, CXR and CBC. No translation necessary. As many of my readers may not be so proficient in medical-ese, let me introduce you. Your surgeon will request you have an "I & D". Sounds innocent enough, but really... he's going to enlarge whatever wound you already have with some sharp instrument while you are peacefully sleeping. Then he will blast it with a copious amount of normal saline and let all the icky parts drain out. Not so innocent now, huh? What about an "ORIF". Again, peacefully you are asleep. Your surgeon will enlarge the wound making it "open". Then he will "reduce" it. While it is open, he's going to dig around inside, thus the "internal". Next, comes "fixation" which means he will use a variety of screws, nails, staples and whatever other office supplies are necessary to make your broken bones fit back together again. ORIF sounded a whole lot more pleasant didn't it? Thus, I may know another language but it's not really functional in polite society. So, do you have some medical initials that you want me to interpret? Nah, I didn't think so and I don't blame you. Innocence is always bliss.

Full disclosure...

2011-11-13T09:46:00.000-08:00

I've been focusing a little bit on my "about me" page that continues to be blank. Trying to come up with just the right information that won't lead to much more embarrassment for my children then they already feel. People are multi-faceted so I'm considering which of my "warts" are note worthy. Let's first tackle the vices, well at least one of them anyhow. I have an addiction. I like to drink pepsi, from the fountain, the can, the bottle, pretty much in all forms. I have a friend who prefers Dr. Pepper and she even heats it in a pan and drinks it like hot chocolate in the winter. I am not that far gone but I hang with people that are. I'm pretty self-righteous about my addiction. I have other friends that drink diet varieties and I get on my soap box because at least I'm getting sugar from mine. I mean if you are going to drink brown water, you should reap some benefit right? I've read all the literature about how bad it is for my liver, how it contributes to belly fat. I even envision little skull and cross bones when I drink it. Making it a close cousin to poison. Doesn't change a thing. I just chuckle and figure I must be invincible to poison, must be a super-power. (see the next post) It's not that I'm without will-power, I just don't choose to use it. Maybe if it smelled bad? Maybe if it was less socially acceptable and not so ever present in our lives. Imagine having to roll a straw up in your shirt sleeve and take extended breaks out in the parking lot to enjoy your vice. Hunching your shoulders against the elements and the fear of being seen sucking back on 32 ounces. What if leaving your desk to take a bathroom break (the result of 32 ounces) required carrying a small key attached to a large wooden sign that said "soda drinker beware". So now it's up to you. What consequence can you think up to scare me from soda? This is a big challenge. I'm a mother and a nurse, I don't scare easy.

Yikes!! You mean I'm not really a super-hero.

2011-11-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

Oh, how quickly have I lost my habit of writing every day or even every week. I was recently asked what "super-hero" I would be. It caused me to pause. I'd like some of those really clever tools, like an invisible plane and a lariat of truth and wonder woman of course was blinged out with those bracelets that could stop bullets. The whole climb buildings and flinging webs really works for spider man and of course bat man has that really tricked out automobile and an assistant named Robin. I think the first thing on my super power list would be language. While serving in Peru this last spring I came to several truths...1) the spanish I learned in high school while studying the male wild life in the class is not the same spanish spoken in Peru or any other spanish speaking area for that matter. 2) No matter how loud and slow you repeat the same phrase in spanish, if I don't know the words, I still won't be able to translate them. 3) I wasted alot of time learning things that have not served me well, like the lyrics to many songs popular in the 70's and 80's. 4) Fashion is relative. Somewhere I am a smokin' fashionista. It may be a once a year 80's party but I can truly work that look.
So back to my super-hero powers, how about to look better than I already imagine I do? It's always shocking to see pictures of myself, because I do a pretty good self-talk. So in the interest of not hurting my own feelings, I'm thinking I should ban all personal pictures. So if you take a picture of me, I would like my super power to step in and make me younger, thinner, and whatever adjective works that day. If I can't have that power, maybe, I should just step on your camera? What super power do you want?

Procrastinating is stressful.

2011-10-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

So I was reviewing the text of Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the places you'll go" today. Somewhere near the middle it talks about all the waiting a person will do. I had a moment where I realized that this is the demon in me. I have learned from past experiance that just getting to work, gets the work done. If I try to list it, prioritize it, schedule it, plan for it. I'm doing many things, but none of them gets the work done. Oh, how quickly today becomes the future and my tasks remain unfinished because I made a list instead. I'm remembering too all the things I continue to put off until... until I lose weight, until I start a new job, until the first snow fall, until it is spring again. Yes, I'm guilty I "wait" more than I act. So today, I forgo lists and plans and I live outloud. I color outside the box and I spill milk with abandon. Join me in doing, instead of waiting.

Multi-tasking isn't for sissies

2011-10-26T12:02:00.000-07:00

So I missed another day of blogging and after positive responses from my followers and other unmentioned friends. I got over it. Part of my problem is the overabundance of things going on in my life. Today, I was multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is not for everyone, mostly probably not me. I just don't really have the capacity to focus on more than one thing at a time. So I spent the morning editing bridals for beautiful Savannah.

We let Luke come too. All would have been fine had I surrendered all of my attention to the task I was doing. However, I decided to throw in some laundry, half-listen to a day-time talk show, text several people on my cell phone and plan activities for the next 2 days since I'm off work.

Somehow I managed all of that. But I will admit I was not doing all of the tasks very well.

So before I deliver the punch line. Let me list for you some things that should never be done at the same time.
Even the best multi-tasker would be undone. Don't text and drive, enough said. It's just like driving drunk. gasp! Don't answer questions about your medical health while having your hair dyed. Giving the wrong "yes" could earn you a new-color due. Magenta is not a color for fall. Don't microwave while talking on the phone, it's easy to keep hitting reheat until you need a fire extinguisher. And the one that nearly ruined the new tile in my bathroom today?

Don't edit photos while drawing a bath. Really, do we saying drawing a bath anymore? So the hot water is flowing and my mind is disconnected at the computer while I send pictures to be printed. I have admitted to many things, one of them is that I am not now, nor have I ever been considered a runner. I prefer to only run if I am being chased by someone that I don't want to catch me. This scenerio doesn't happen often. As I have told more than one friend, it is not because I "can't" run, it's because I "don't" run. Well, guess what? I can sprint pretty good. I got to the whirlpool tube just before the water lapped over the edges. No tile suffered any undo drowning.

My advice, keep your eye on one topic and focus, focus, focus.

Yikes I missed a day!

2011-10-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

On day 23 I failed to blog. There goes the month. I don't think I will take up this challenge again until maybe February and only then if I have pre-planned some blogs. I did go to a writing workshop on Saturday and I was milling over everthing that I learned.We focused some of the workshop on learning about the arch-types. The four pairs of characters that show up in every literary work. And how depending on your view point, the labels may shift. Consider the story of the wicked witch of the west in "The Wizard of Oz" compared to the wicked witch as portrayed in "Wicked". It's also interesting to note that each and everyone of us perform the same roles in our lives everyday. So missing yesterday was really the result of my "villian" getting the upper hand over my "hero". Truth be told the "villian" spends alot more time in control. So what about you? Who has the upper hand? The "villian" or the "hero"?

A quote and a picture....

2011-10-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

I took a couple photos yesterday to share. This is fall in Utah up close and personal.

On a recent wander up "Old Snow Basin" road with the sunsetting we found this little seedling ready to take flight. Does it remind you of anything from "Avatar"?

And now for the quote..."Everything you achieve in life is the result of a good habit." So what will you achieve? And who do you have to thank for creating the habit in you? None of us achieve on our own, it is a combined effort.

I admit to whining...

2011-10-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

Those keeping up with all my current sagas may remember that I recently made a job change. It was a good thing other than it was a change. I've not been my useful cheerful self, instead, I have viewed my glass mostly empty and what was left over was the residual stuff that is commonly referred to as "pond scum". Yes, I know most people don't whine about better hours, more weekends and holidays off, but it's just so different.
I felt very much like this....lady bug.

So small and with so far to go. And I don't have the added advantage of taking flight. But good news, after working today I still had time to go outside and experiance the cool crisp air and enjoy the changing colors of fall. If nature can manage to change then I will have to suck it up and change as well. So for now, I will try to whine and lament less about my extremely good fortune. It's just really tough to get used to only working during the day.

Day 20 Good News!

2011-10-20T17:30:00.000-07:00

So the good news is.... I put on last years jeans for the first time today and they fit. Or is that the bad news? I mean really, I'm not the poster child for pilates but I do work out 4 or more times a week on a reformer bed. Maybe it's because I use a form of exercise with bed in the title? In any case, let's all walk down memory lane, remember 20 pounds ago when you though you were FAT? Okay, everyone raise their hand if they would love to be that FAT again? No kidding, huh?
I will not abandon my workouts but I may be starting to accept the fact that holding steady is really the best I can expect. Age has a way of molding your body into a shape you've never considered normal before. So if I can forgo osteoporosis and hold my shoulders back and my head high? Yes, then that is good news. Not every body type should fit into skinny jeans, I'm just saying. And you know who you are. So good news to you too!

No regrets

2011-10-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

As part of the writing prompts at http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ I'm going to post things I've never done.
1) I've never regretted getting an education; It's not about being smart, it's about being open to new and diverse ways of looking at the world.
2) I've never flown in a hot air balloon. Even though I do have teensy little bit of fear of heights I have managed to fly to Alaska multiple times, zip line in Mexico and fly in a helicopter in Peru.
3) I've never had to hide from the law. Seriously, as a teenager I was a little bit of a delinquent. Nothing by today's standards. And as far as I know there are no outstanding warrants for my arrest.
4) I've never asked one of my children to be like any other one of my children. I celebrated their individualism and supported their desires to be different.
5) I've never called my youngest son, born 9 years after his closest sibling, who is closer in age to his nephew (5 year spread) that he was an "oops-baby". He has always been my BONUS baby.
6) I don't always embrace change but I do hang on with both hands until I get to the other side of the ride.
7) I've never sailed in a yacht.
8) There are many countries I've never visited like Egypt, Israel, Belize, Honduras. BUt I have been fortunate to travel to Europe, Mexico, Jamaica, Peru, and Guatemala.
9) I've never burned a flag. I honor the country of my birth and show love and respect for it's freedoms.
10) I've never eaten a grasshopper.
11) I've never regretted taking one more day off from work to be with a friend. There is always more work, friends are far more precious.
12) I've never gone truly hungry. I am so grateful for my blessings.
So that's my dozen, what about you? What have you never done?

Day 18

2011-10-18T19:49:00.000-07:00

So blogging everyday is hard. Harder than you can imagine while you are holding down a full-time job and managing a family and...and...and. My work life does not contribute very blog worthy topics. I deal with things like hypertension, anastamosis, lactated ringers, telemetry and other words I don't want to try to spell. So enjoy some recent pictures.

I'm often asked about "what to wear" for family photos. I think this family struck the perfect balance between casual and uniform. They all "fit" together and look put together but they also are individuals. And love the back drop that only nature that has experianced a really wet season can do.

The rest of the story...

2011-10-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

SO for all you DIY people out there, be prepared to burn the tips of your fingers. You may burn them with hot glue or actual fire, but it will happen. THis is not a craft for perfectionist because there is nothing perfect about it. Start by cutting circles from flammable polyester fabric. "Circle" doesn't neccessarily mean round, more like roundish.

Using a common tea light, hold your "circle" above the flame, not too close because it will ignite. THe raw edges will seal and the fabric will pull and pinch and buckle from the heat, taking on the appearance of petals.
Then layer the petals together and embellish with all kinds of odds and ends. Choose from pearls, buttons, rhinestones, feathers and other random findings.

I found the clips at my local beauty store. You glue them to the back of your creation, support it with a little bit of color matched felt so that the clip doesn't damage your hair or clothing and wa-laa you are done. Combine 1 or 2 or 3 different creations until you have a blend of colors and fabrics that works for you.

The more unique the more "pop" you get for your wardrobe. These are some of my creations in progress, how about yours?

So, ready, set... go accessorize.

Between buying and creating...

2011-10-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

So we have already established that I am a collector of things. I collect job titles; ie registered nurse, registered respiratory therapist, photographer, blogger. I collect family and friends regardless of shared DNA, for me family is a collection of people that want to be together. I collect semi-preciouse stone bracelets, shoes (that goes without saying, it's part of my gender), earrings etc. My latest collection has been accessory pins.

So I thought I would make a few myself. And in so doing I thought I would show you how to create them as well. This will be my first DIY segment. Here are samples of the finished products, you can clip them to your strap or neckchain or add them to your hair. THey can pull an outfit together or add that touch of color that makes your outfit "pop" and stand-out.

It just takes some highly flammable polyester, a small flame (emphasis on small) and some random odds and ends found at either your local craft or fabric store. Or if you are like me, found in the bottom of the junk drawer from the last project you got interested in.

This last one, I wore today. That little splash of purple jem created a great contrast for my pumpkin colored top. So join me tomorrow when I include more instructions.

Day 15 BETWEEN;

2011-10-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

So here is another non-picture post. I'm nearly half way to my goal of blogging everyday for the month of Ocotober. Had a fun and frightening experiance today. We did "vintage 80's" at pilates today. It's frightening what used to be called fashion. For the record, neon doesn't go with anyone's skin tone. Rhinestones are not jewelry and if you have to style your hair with hair spray and a blow dryer at the same time it is not going to look natural. The reason you can no longer find "banana clips" is because they are dumb and your hair should not look like a dry waterfall. And bright blue eye shadow is not a "look", it's a mistake. Happy blogging.

Between fantasy and reality....

2011-10-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

So my thoughts today are on the difference BETWEEN what we think, imagine, hope our lives will be and what they really are. Reality in many ways is way better than you could ever imagine. But fantasy has it's place as well. I'm currently reading some YA books that my son enjoys. You just gotta love a book that starts..."The end of world started when a black pegasus landed on the hood of my car." I'm not really a huge fan of fantasy literature, but I have been drawn into the "Percy Jacson and the Olympians" series. So go find yourself BETWEEN the pages of a book, it will enlarge your life.

10 things...

2011-10-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

I'm following http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ writing prompt and posting fall pictures. So here goes.

On my list of 10 things to never ask your husband....Number ONE has to be, "Do these pants make me look FAT?" Seriously, he's not a bathroom scale. And any husband with any experiance knows there is no way to fight himself out of the corner you just put him in. There is no way to answer that question and come out on top and be your hero, and that is what every man in your life wants to be. So ladies, if you put on a pair of pants and notice one more bulge than was there before and there is so much tension on the button it is about to become an UFO, the pants are too tight and they make you look fat. Enough said.
....Number TWO, "Should I have a breast reduction?" If you just like to have conversation with your spouse, this is a great starter. But I can bet you alot of money that even if you wheel the "girls" around in a wheel barrel, it's still okay with him. The breasts are yours, do what you want with them.
....Number THREE, "Did you notice my haircut?" Again, you have forced the hero into an impossible corner from which he can not return. Truthfully, he's still checking out the wheelbarrel and has no idea whether you have hair or not. Seriously, ask your spouse this question once a week, it will really mess with his head. You don't even have to cut your hair. Just start any sentence with "Well, are you going to notice?" and he will start listing every noun that he associates with you...new shoes? new dress? new haircut? dinner?

...Number FOUR, "What color should we paint the (insert noun here)?" He doesn't care now, he won't care then, he only moans because he knows he will be the one wielding the paint brush. In my husbands defense, I do consider interior house paint a form of insulation. (the more coats the better) I'm also easily bored and have changed up the walls in each room of our home multiple times.
....Number FIVE, "Is there enough money to (insert brilliant vacation, purchasing idea here)?" It is usually difficult to part a man from his money. Especially if he's never dreamed of Paris or China or actually leaving the state. I often tease my husband that he could be content in front of a football game on television. He wouldn't even notice the house burning down around him as long as it didn't interrupt the signal to the television.
.....Number SIX, "What do you think I want to do?" I play this one whenever I'm feeling snarky. It's also a no-win situation and highly unfair. But it can be fun. So that's it. You add the next FOUR in the comments. And remember he wasn't a lemon when you picked him from the show room floor. You picked him for a reason, remember that reason and have a nice cold glass of lemonade.

And don't forget to visit http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ for more lists.

Between fair and equal...

2011-10-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

I wonder if it's human nature to want what you can not have. We all know people that only desire what someone else has. They are never content with the abundance that they have in their very own lives. It's tragic really. Today, a few co-workers and I were discussing the difference between "fair" and "equal". Equal is measureable. I get one, you get one. We split it 50-50. We both share the load. We both get the same. However, what if our genders are different. Do we both really want floral perfume? What if we have different tastes? Maybe, you really don't want half of my steak because you are a vegetarian.

So if you like s'mores and all their gooey chocolatey wonder, then enjoy them. But if you (shudder) don't like chocolate then in order to be equal, too bad, have it anyway. Equal assumes that we all have the very same preferences for the type of things we like to eat, the activities we enjoy, the people we want to associate with. If spending time with your family is similar to a dental visit or removing your toenails one at a time and you do really enjoy lunch with friends then what is a fair way to spend your time? Splitting your time equally between things you like and things you don't would be equal, but not necessarily fair.

Fair is about having most of your needs met most of the time. Fair is recognizing when you have things pretty good. It's a really good place to be. It's the place where you should shout "stop" and be happy. Someone else may have more than you but if you have everything that you need to be content and happy, then quit looking around. What someone else has is really none of your business if what you have works for you. Eat your s'more any ol' way you want. Maybe, you should peel back the cracker and eat the marshmallow first. So if you don't like raisins in your snack mix, don't just take 4 because everyone else did. Leave the raisins for those that love them and have peanuts instead.

No pictures for a reason...

2011-10-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Today I was thinking about some things that I have been BETWEEN. Like my best weight and my walking around weight. Thus no pictures, I'd rather not have visual evidence. My husband often books portrait sessions for me amongst his co-workers. The funniest time ever was when he whispered, "they are not very thin." Mind you he was whispering in our home without the said subjects having audio of our conversation. Here's the absolute truth as I see it. If you weigh more than you should my bet is like myself you already know that. It's testimony to the abundance in our lives. We have really been blessed with too much. So if it's really bugging you...do something about it. Otherwise, embrace who you are and know that most people can have their picture taken without needing a "wide" lens. I'll bet you are one of them, and in the right lighting you can even lose a few pounds. Or you can access photo-shop, right? ;D

BETWEEN the seasons....

2011-10-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

So we are trapped BETWEEN seasons. At lower elevations if you are lucky enough you can see the brilliant colors that only mother nature can display. And if you look at higher elevations you can see the first dustings of snow that herald in winter and a season of rest. Well rest as long as you don't have to shovel the sidewalks. My post for today is a quote I found by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I think I will embrace it as my new mantra. "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day."
I've just changed jobs. I know a think or two about blunders, thank heavens that each new day is a blank page and we get to start anew. If you aren't making mistakes then you are just not trying to improve hard enough or fast enough.

BETWEEN now and the end of the month...

2011-10-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

What must I have been thinking to choose to take on a blog-a-day challenge in the month that has 31 days. Couldn't I have waited until February? I seem to nearly almost always take on more than I can chew, but I'm still moving forward. Today is a confession for me. Some might consider me a hoarder, but really I'm just a highly evolved collector. I collect all kinds of things. Family members that don't share any part of my family tree, and truthfully I sometimes like them better. I had a fetish with semi-precious stone bracelets for a while, I've since learned to share that particular collection. So I am healing from my collecting. Currently, I like blingy fashion accessories, so I'm not completely well either. I also collect hobbies and interests. I'm easily distracted by new and shiny things, opportunities, jobs, stuff. I find I'm not entirely attached to the stuff, I just enjoy the hunting and gathering phase. So as part of my current therapy I'm going to start whittling down the piles of stuff that are crowding the joy out of my life. Next stop? My email account. I seriously have saved a guacamole recipe since 2005. Never made it. But I've saved it. It may seem minor to some but I'm even going to remove myself from some of my mailing list. What are you going to do today to lighten your load?

BETWEEN the constant rain fall...

2011-10-08T19:37:00.000-07:00

Most people hope and pray for a sunny day when they plan their pictures. I do not share that prayer. I hope and pray for clouds, lots of clouds that filter the light and soften it. With clouds their is no fear of squinting or positionings challenges related to the space in the sky that the full sun occupies. You don't have to plan morning shots for the west side of building and wait for afternoon to access the east. But with clouds their is the inevitable threat of moisture. We accepted that challenge and succeeded in getting Savannah's bridals done today. Here are a couple of samples.

The landscaping looked hand picked for her with the purple matching her shoes and bouquet.

Savannah will be a december bride but due to school we needed to take her bridals now. This is a picture that I will eventually edit and color and play with, but Savannah will also get a copy just like this. THis full side shot includes her wedding ring in the details.

We even included Luke now and then. I learn alot from my brides. I once had another December bride and it was bitter cold while we shot her pictures. Her nose turned red and started to drip and then her ears turned pink and I was sure she would get frostbite. I tried to keep her spirits up and keep her focused on the photo shoot and tried to discount her obvious misery. I kept telling her it was normal, that a December bride was a cold bride. She taught me a valuable lesson when she told me "a December bride is a happy bride." So BETWEEN now and then I know Savannah will be a happy bride too.

The weather BETWEEN...

2011-10-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

So, were having a bit of a cold snap. Not cold enough to set the sugar in my grapes and get them ready for juicing but nearly. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I live in the desert state, because it is wet around here, very, very wet. So here is the challenge, look at the only the first picture and consider what you may be looking at...kind of like "where is Waldo?" except all you can see is Waldo.

So dust off your imagination and let's see what you can see. It may be the scales of a dragon's back that shimmers at dawn. Maybe, it's a micro village, check out the road way leading to the north. It's more than likely not a furry creature and after studying it a minute or two I'm considering that I've left you with too much information and to many details and you will discover it's true identity right away. It's all about perspective. If you only focus on the micro details than small things become BIG. Sometimes too big to handle. So here is the big reveal...wait for it... wait for it...

This is the evidence that we are stuck BETWEEN seasons. It's so wet you can imagine it's spring. But a maple leaf changing colors is a sure sign of fall. Hopefully, that doesn't make us anywhere near close to winter. I don't really mind winter, it's just that it's so, well you know cold. And I have to wear so many layers BETWEEN. What about you? What are you stuck BETWEEN?

Some pictures...BETWEEN

2011-10-06T19:08:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to take portraits for the Sean and Kalee. It was a riot. The ceremony was touched ever so lightly by falling rain drops, the bride and groom were sheltered under the canopy. It was very romantic for them and very refreshing for me. Photography equipment by and large is not water friendly, but with some careful dodging, no camera was lost to the effort that day.

The groom and the father of the bride, with the bride "between". The groom convinced the bride to hold still and not pull back. Darn! That would have been a picture that needed no caption.

I begged the father and the mother to tap their "bumps" together. He had no sense of humor. So instead, the toddler is "between".

The groom "between" the best men. A childhood trio that grew up together. Oh, the tales I'm sure they could tell. Most that their respective mothers know nothing about.

A brother "between" sisters. That can be a really rough place to be.

The middle sister "between" her siblings. Again, the tales that could be told.

Somewhere "between" the time that girls are fun to when they are icky. It's a precious time, cherished by all that witness it. So what "between" do you remember from your wedding day?

BETWEEN now and then...

2011-10-05T18:45:00.000-07:00

It's a sobering thought when you realize that you are old enough that some of your prior belongings are considered "vintage". I have survived tie-dye and bell bottoms, muscle cars and big hair and bangs. It's amazing to me that like the energizer bunny I keep going and going and going. Today, I had the serendipitous event to be called off. So although I was planning to work for 12 hours, I was home. And in those 12 hours I cleared all of the "to-do" things off my plate. So thank heavens for slow surgery days that allow me to stay home and get things done. So as you can surmise there is a BIG gap between what I think I can get done and what actually happens. If you are waiting on wedding pictures (Kalee and Sean) or back to school pictures (you will have to just know who you are) you will be receiving your prints very very soon. I'm down to creating C.D.'s and stuffing envelopes. I'll post some pics later this week. Sometime BETWEEN now and then.

BETWEEN girlhood and whatever comes next....

2011-10-04T16:33:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning for a very long time to include my daughter's adventures teaching english in China. She and I were both off the North American continent at the very same time. She experianced many different foods, sleeping arrangements, transportation and toileting. We take a serious lot for granted here in the U.S.of A. Teenagers in general take a lot for granted as well. I remember her excitement when she was preparing to leave home and live on her own while attending University. Her eyes just glowed with the sparkle of ultimate freedom. She had become a "pseudo-adult". She knew we still had her back and would not allow her to go hungry, naked or without shelter and she had no curfew, no rules, and all the other "no's" she had so desperately anticipated. THen she met roommates and started to pay bills.

And just like the genie in the Disney movie "Aladdin" she had ultimate power but a teeny, tiny living space. The trappings of maturing come at a price. The price of groceries, laundry detergent, fuel, tuition etc. I do applaud her resourcefulness. She never leaves a restaurant without a "doggie bag" and she attends all university activiites that involve food. She has come to learn and respect that no curfew, no rules is just an interpretation. When your parents no longer monitor you, others step in to perform that function. People like employers, teachers, roommates etc. It's better being back in the U.S. of A. though. Here at home her blonde hair and blue eyes are not seen as such an oddity. But while away, it was like dealing with the paparrazi.

No way you can get away with anything, when you are the center of attention.

Stretching to meet a challenge...

2011-10-03T20:24:00.000-07:00

IN recent months my life has taken many turns, twists, dives, dips and climbs. I've found in my history that I like to be held accountable by my peers. So I'm announcing that I will attempt...(Yoda would say there is no try there is only do.) to blog each and every day during the month of October. This is in addition to all my other varied responsibilities. I'm not sure I have that much to say to sustain a month's worth of blogs. This is where you, my peers, come in.

The theme from http://www.nablopomo.blogher.com/ is "between". When I'm completely dry with ideas of my own I can lean on this theme. So help me out. Between what? Between who? How many ways can you suggest topics that rely on "between". Check back each day and see how well I'm doing and as always I look forward, no I crave your personal responses and comments. Only 28 days to go.

It's all about the details...

2011-10-02T18:27:00.000-07:00

I love to take pictures. I love to frame people. I believe in the serendipity of the universe that aligns the planets and makes things just so. That's just code-speak for I make the most of whatever nature presents me with, clouds, bright sunshine, falling snow or the light drizzle of the beginning of a downpour. They each provide their own challenges and benefits when taking pictures.

I love adjusting the saturation and creating a picture that displays the feeling. I always encourage brides to have their own picture shoot. It's the perfect opportunity to make sure the hair works, to work out the details of how much time it takes to create the "look" and to prepare for any potential wardrobe malfunctions. I also encourage the use of flowers, shoes and a veil to provide interest and even prop the picture.

While this is a lovely picture of a beautiful bride, the positioning gives me pause. Mostly, because with very little imagination it's easy to give this picture less than a PG rating. Enter the props.

Still lovely portraiture but with less of the "bedroom" feel. It increases the interest of the picture visually and adds to the story of the picture.

Backlighting outlines the veil and provides a special glow that highlights the bride.

Add the mist of rainbirds and you take advantage of what is available. The nursery zinnias add a touch of color to draw the bouquet into the composition.

And my goal is always to portray a beautiful bride. No cheesy smiles for Kalee, just a soft "mona lisa" hint. Her dimples and the soft "grin" around her eyes is all she needs to telegraph her happiness.

Special, secret, safe hiding places...

2011-10-01T20:50:00.000-07:00

So one day, I was more or less tending one of my grandsons, when he disappeared. In my defense he was playing with magnetic letters attached to the fire door that separates my garage from my washroom. My eyes were not on him, but I considered him to be safe. Imagine my deep panic when I opened the washroom door and could not see him. Imagine my increased panic when I opened the door to the garage and saw the gaping hole where the garage door should have been. My grandson went from being safe to being potentially unsupervised in the world at large. I raced out the gaping garage door and looked up and down my residential street looking for some sign of him. My heart filled with dread as I realized I would have to tell my daughter that her son was missing. A search around my house and into the backyard was fruitless. With lead filling my shoes I went back into the house to confess my blunder and get reinforcement in the search for my grandson. This is what I found in my wash room.

The little monkey had climbed into my empty dryer. He had no idea he was lost, he was having a great time playing hide and seek with "duchess". I often reflect on that moment when I knew he was safe and sound. He had selected an optimal place to hide. I don't necessarily hide things, but I do put them in "special spots". Spots so special that they might as well be hidden. Among the things that I have placed in absolute secure spots where they will be safe from flood, tornado, famine and pestilence... are my social security card, the remote control that allows me to fire my camera and be in the picture without using the timer, and a beautiful pair of diamond stud earrings I received from husband more than 11 years ago when my son was born. Okay truth be told, I'm sure the earrings have long since been sucked up in the vacuum and turned into treasure at the landfill but that doesn't make them not safe right? A few other things I am missing, most notably my mind and of course my 25 inch waist. What about you?

For New Moms

2011-09-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

As part of http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ writing prompts, I will try to impart some wisdom about being a mother. As with all unsolicited advice, it's worth what you paid for it.

1) Your children will almost NEVER look this good. This happens only on picture day and it is a brief shining moment to be cherished. Can't get her to smile? Go with it. She's not screaming and her hair is combed. Lower your perfection standards before you make yourself and your children crazy.
2) Toddlers ar NOT terminal. This phase will end. They will grow out of whatever is making you the most insane this week into something else next week. As a side note, having raised teenagers and toddlers at the same time, here are some things they share. Toddlers and Teenagers believe that the sun rises and sets on them. It's all about them and everything is the end of the world. They want what they want when they want it and they fully expect you to deliver it. And last, almost everything can be fixed with food or a nap.
3) Boys and girls are different, and not just because of their plumbing. A girl will climb up the furniture and then climb down. A boy will climb up the furniture and then jump off.

4) You don't make all of the mistakes with your first child. You usually spread them out amongst all your offspring, so they can all tell you..."you are the meanest mom, EVER!"
5) Don't let little things be a big deal. Just face the facts, if you have small children in your home, you should not have nice things. They will break them, smash them, hide them, eat them, you get the picture. Embrace the fact that they will use markers on the wall. Instead of losing it, and insanely scrubbing the wall with WD-40 (yes it removes it), pretend you are an art critic and tell them to add more purple.
6)To all of you peace loving moms out there. I applaud your decision not to give your sons weapons of mass destruction. Take a firm stand and don't allow any play guns into your home. But don't come crying to me when your toddler son has appropriated his sisters barbie and when cocking her leg he makes her head pop off as the bullet. My only advice? Find the boy a stick.
7)Laughing is always better than crying.

8) If you start young enough, they will think washing the dishes and vacuuming are fun. You have to make it look fun first. Just like Tom Sawyer when he was "whitewashing" the fence.
9) Count on their father to share some of the "joy". After all he is responsible for getting you into this mess.
10) Make time for some "me" time. That is not a euphenism about time with just you and your child. This is time that is all about you and you alone. Do a little shopping therapy. See a chick flick with a friend. Get a massage. A happy, relaxed mother has more to give to her family.

Back to school

2011-09-05T16:43:00.000-07:00

Labor Day can be felt around the country. It's the day that every child groans because summer has officially ended. It's also the day that every mother sighs because her children are back in school. One of the rites of being back in school is school pictures. Every mother everywhere cringes. It's that one size fits all, with no control over what happens to the hair once you send it to school on the head of your child. It's so notoriously bad that "re-takes" are scheduled before the first photo is taken. Now if you like gambling on the 50 50 chance that you will get something back that both and you and your child alike can agree is good, read no further. If you think all backgrounds should be the same, again I have no solution for you. If your child really doesn't have a personality to highlight and a one shot deal is the best you can hope for. Again, you should be done reading. However, if you want some creative control on what your child is wearing, how their hair looks and what kind of background you want in your pictures then continue to read. And if you want the added option of 2 outfits, one that appeals to your child and one that conversely appeals to you then this is your opportunity.

I have selected 2 days for my Back to School picture Special. This is a great deal for families. As always, you will receive a CD of images and a copyright release so you can print your own portrait packages wherever you choose. I think 1 8x10, 2 5x7's and 8 wallets costs about $3.00 at costco and $10.00 at walmart. The first sibling in your family has a sitting fee of $30.00 and each additional sibling is only $10.00. The entire family will be downloaded to one CD. You will get more than one view, no need for retakes and also have the opportunity to have your children photographed together in a group.

This year I will be taking "school photos" on Saturday September 24 and Thursday September 29. The Saturday location will be Lomond View Nursery and Gardens in Pleasant View. Detailed instructions will be available when you book.

All children, whatever age in your family are welcome to participate. You are welcome to bring props, dress them in their halloween costume for one of the pictures, whatever. I usually can shoot 3-4 children with clothing changes in about 45 minutes so it won't take alot of time away from your day.

More questions can be answered when you call 801-737-1303 to book your back to school pictures. Now it may be possible that I have picked your two worse days in the history of school starting. Have no fear. I will honor this offer from Sept. 15- Oct. 15. I only ask that if you choose an "off" day that you invite your friend, co-worker, sister, neighbor to book on that day as well. Thanks, now let's get booking.

Adventures at sea is available for viewing...

2011-09-04T09:43:00.000-07:00

I have new appreciation for the internet. For nearly one week I had a de-funct modem and thus no access. I don't have a smart phone either so I really felt cut off from the world at large. It felt like I was experiance my very own dark age. But good news!!! the modem has been replaced and I can once again post and surf the net.

Today, I updated the page titled "adventures at sea". It's a one page synopsis of my service mission aboard the U.S.N.S. Comfort. You can also review all 28 days by checking out the archived blog posts between May 2011 and June 2011. Thanks for all of your views. I will get back into posting soon.

Congratulations Shaun and Kalee

2011-08-24T08:15:00.000-07:00

All details have been removed to protect Shaun and Kalee but here is a great example of blending your engagement pictures into an announcement that really represents the two or four of you. If you know Shaun and Kalee you will shortly be receiving one of these in the mail.

Ten Things

2011-08-17T18:25:00.000-07:00

(Ten Things) I can learn from my children. This post is prompted by http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ ,check out other opinions there.
1. Laugh often; It's a great work out for your abs. Giggle until you nearly wet your pants.

2. Remember exercise is another word for play. Riding your bike for fun instead of cardio. Skip, play hopscotch and hang from the monkey bars without thinking about your biceps.
3. Forgive easily. Being "right" can be very lonely. Better to forgive and move on.

4. Play nice, include others.
5. Wear clothes that are comfortable, not just because they have the right label.
6. Dance whenever you feel like it. With or without the beat. Partners are optional, that's what imaginary friends are for.
7. Be fearless. A cannonball makes a bigger splash than a swan dive. Grass stains and dirt are signs of a life well-lived.

8. Look at the world with a sense of wonder. The flight of a bumblebee, the velvet wings of a butterfly and the twitch of kitten whiskers.
9.Eat chocolate chip cookies for breakfast without feeling guilty. No counting calories, fat grams or carbs.
10. Find beauty wherever you can. Dandelions make pretty bouquets too. And now it's your turn, what can you learn from your kids?

Savannah and Luke

2011-08-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

First off, I would like to welcome Savannah's family from Texas to my blog. I'm posting a very small portion of their engagement pictures. Isn't the internet awesome? Here are some random picks....

This is the first time the new couple has pictures taken together, you try to get them to loosen up and enjoy it and take advantage of any available props.

You go through a couple of clothing changes and different locations. Neither of these photos is acutally off-center, I'm just considering where they may write all the details about their wedding, reception and where they are registered. It's distracting when that information is covering up the couple.

Engagements are taken to announce the bright and shiny future of the new couple so you try to involve their personalities and interests as much as possible.

We worked in and around some old weathered buildins and stone structures. Our plan had been to enter the old school house but the pigeon droppings deterred us.

Grooms often act "tortured" by the whole event but Luke was not actually harmed in any way.

The bride-to-be also survived. Soon Savannah should have a CD of her pictures and she can email you as many copies as she likes. I always include the copyright release. So what do you think?

Words....

2011-08-11T05:56:00.000-07:00

    I'm linking up with http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ , check out other opinions there. The topic is "how do you feel about cussing in blogland; acceptable? unacceptable? Do you keep reading?" I'm not a fan. But then, I'm not a fan of cussing anywhere. Words have so much power. They can calm a troubled child, sooth a broken heart, celebrate a victory and offer quiet sympathy. With so many available words in any language, swearing seems lazy. Okay, okay, so I'm from Utah where if you make "gosh" mad you go to "heck", but I'm not that isolated. Remember, I just spent a month on a Navy ship. Bad language, the kind your mother threatened to wash your mouth out with soap, is everywhere. It may have started with Rhett Butler in "Gone with the wind" when he told Scarlett...."Frankly, my dear, I don't give a darn" at the end of the movie. Cussing has become very main stream. It's in all movies, on television and in most written literature.
    It seems when people do swear, even in their own opinion they find it offensive or wrong. Most people will ask you to "pardon their french?" What makes cussing french? Was it invented in France? Or do we just blame offensive things on the french people?
   I especially don't like the use of swearing in the place of adjectives. Really, people? There are seriously so many available words. Words that are gentle and kind. Words that can build somone up. Words that when used by a creative and intelligent mouth can describe unknown worlds and deep emotions. You sell yourself far short if you use cussing in many of your sentences.
   Sometimes after witnessing an especially fowl display of bad language, I'm saddened. Why? Because someone has to kiss that dirty mouth.

Remember, what you say is a reflection on who you are and where you come from. Doesn't your mother deserve better representation?

...A moment of silence;

2011-08-06T15:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so in reality all the moments will be silent from now on. The music has been removed. I just listened to my playlist for the very last time. In case you miss it. I like soft rock with a little country influence. I like female artists that get back at men that have done them wrong. I like all strong female leads. So when you visit my blog from now on, you should bring your own music along. I like Taylor Swift, LeeannWomack, Miranda Lambert, Dixie Chicks (even when they are politically incorrect; like in "Good-bye Earl"), Shedaisy, Terri Clark, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Sinatra (yeah, I know he's not female.) So maybe you should enlighten me and share your favorite artists or song and I'll add them to my MP3. (Yeah, I'm not cool enough for an ipod) Thanks for all the helpful comments on improving my blog. And yes, I'm still working on it. First, I have to edit some pictures though. I'll post again soon.

10 things....

2011-08-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

As prompted by http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ I will list the 10 things I wish I had known about blogging back when I started....1) Avoid gimmicks; I think I've used them all from slideshows, to the playlist (it's still here, but I think it's days are numbered.) They just slow down your blog and who wants to wait?
2) Don't pigeon hole yourself; When I started the blog I thought my life's ambition was to take really great pictures. It still is...but it's not my whole life, I also have a family and a profession and I love to write so all of those things encroach on my not so generalized blog name.

3) Your audience is bigger than your follower roll. There are plenty of people out that stop by and visit but never leave a comment. Instead they leave wiser, or happier or maybe sadder because of your post. They just lerk or stalk in the background, because once you share it, it's really out there.
4) Change is inevitable; You will probably notice a number of changes if you check back very often. I'm adding a page about my adventure at sea. It only holds one post so I have to create a new post with just my favorite highlights from serving aboard the U.S.N.S. Comfort. And there is a new about me page, hmmm maybe you can make some suggestions...what do you want to know about me?

5) Comments are nice but not essential. A blog helps you connect with a greater universe of people than you can find at your local grocery store. It opens up your world but only if you participate. Lerking is good, stalking is better but commenting is a connection. It's been my experiance if I take the time to comment and let others know that I am connecting with them, then they choose to comment and connect with me.
6) You will embarrass your children. It's a given. Just go with it. I've had lots of practice and I'm getting better at it everyday.

7) Write for yourself. You really are the only one that matters and it's the only way you can be authentic. If everybody is entitled to 15 minutes of fame, this is like your first 30 seconds. So relish it.
8) Be consistant; Say something everyday, or every tuesday or every month. If readers expect you to update your blog and you don't do that very often. They lose interest and they stop stalking you. Everyday blogging is of course the best, but it's hard to do. Especially if you have a family, a job, a cat, a dog, a photography business, some limited interest in exercising etc.

9) As often as possible, post what you know. Learn something new, so you "know" something new and share it with all of the people that check out your blog. Make it a judgement free post, after all whether something is a weed or a flower, mostly depends on whom you ask.
10) Relax! The more you can go with the flow, accept change and adjust, the more you will enjoy blogging. And the more others will enjoy following your blog. Whew! Enough said... and now stay tuned for more changes in the future.....

Michelle is the Bride!

2011-07-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

I love to shoot people with my camera. My absolute favorite subject is a bride in love. They just sparkle. I'm not so old that I don't remember those giddy feelings, when the future is so bright and unknown. My second favorite subject is the groom who loves his bride. Here are some pictures, tell me what you think....

When shooting brides, it's the most fun when you use the appropriate props, like flowers and shoes, and veils and good sense of adventure.

Yes, a bride and groom that are so happy to be together are the absolute most fun to "shoot".

Congratulations!!! Michelle and Matt!!! And you want to know what makes Michelle one of my most absolute favorite brides? She interrupted my work-out when she came to pick up her proofs. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! ;D

Consistancy

2011-07-28T01:38:00.000-07:00

So as part of http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ 's writing prompt, I'm writing about what I miss most about the school year. What I miss most is the consistancy. I miss having my house to myself for 7 hours a day. I miss early bed times so I can still have moments in the late evening to accomplish something. I'd love to say I miss the smell of paper and the chore of vacuuming up eraser shavings but it's just not so.

I miss the sweetness of this 5 year old who was so anxious to be old enough to go to school all day. He was much easier to entertain, he ate less and hugged more.

I miss a floor littered with legos, the kind that you step on in the night and want to say bad words.

I miss being young enough to be his mother, because after all if he ages, don't I? When I have to think about another school year, and homemade lunches and homework and schedules, I guess I also miss a house full of children getting ready for school, now that I'm down to just one. Aaah, but those 7 quiet hours are calling my name. What about you?

Arrgh! Computer illiteracy bites...

2011-07-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, I really do have value. If your heart stops I know what to do. (It's not look the other way, or call for help). But my self-esteem plummets everytime I attempt to think outside the box while sitting at the computer. See I have this grand idea to combine all of my blogs about my adventures at sea and put them behind a single tab so they are easier to locate. In case, any of you just want to get to know the ship better and are not really interested in my daily rants.
Enter my friend, Melissa. Check out her blog at http://www.melissajcunningham.blogspot.com/. She is soon to be a famous write so get to know her now so you can say you knew her before she was famous. In any case, she helped me create some pages and adjust the widths and in general begin a makeover of my current blog.
Then guess what I found out? A page is static, you can't add to it, once you create it it sits there and grows cobwebs until you delete and replace it. Not the perfect storage area for my 28 days at sea.
So all you amazing I.T. people out there need to help me out. It will be a fair trade, if your heart stops I'll do my best to get it started again.
And while we are on the topic of changes, what do you think about the whole playlist thing? Has it served it's purpose? Do you have your own music you would rather listen to while checking out my blog? Do you want me to change the playlist? Don't be shy, let me know how you really feel.
Change is inevitable, you can't hide from it, fight it or prevent it. Let's make this a good change.

Excuse me, while I go check out some bright and shiny things.

Pictures and more....

2011-07-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

Remember my groom who took a header during our photo session, well here he is with his bride to be after a little touch-up work in photoshop. I'm apologizing for my lack of posts in recent weeks. I'm a firm believer that I can either blog about my life or have a life. I haven't quite figured out how to do both.

What I really love to do is take pictures. It's so easy to make already great looking people look even better.

I'm not quite sure what our motivation was to include these cows. But after they went to so much trouble to form a line, they were just irresistable. If we tack on corsages and boutineers they would look like the bride and grooms attendants. The perfect picture is the one that evokes the memory. I think Matt and Michelle will always remember the day we played at the barn.

It's common now for many of the couples to create their own photo announcements. Request that your photographer take a few shots with you off to the side to allow for words etc. Almost everyone has an uncle, cousin, friend who is well versed in photoshop so creating an announcement that says exactly what you want it to say is no trouble at all.

Congratulations Michelle and Matt!!!

I live in this AMAZING place....

2011-07-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

I feel really blessed to call Pleasant View my home. My home is nestled in at the foot of Ben Lomond, I have amazing views (thus the name) and even more amazing neighbors. I've captured some images from our recent 4th of July parade. We appreciate the simple, basic joys in our lives....

This parade was a combined effort with the cities of North Ogden, and Harrisville. Only here can you sit on the back of a 67 Bonneville convertible and wave just because you have a pretty smile. No tiara or sash required.

We all show up in our festive red, white and blue and wave. Even when we don't have any idea who we are waving at.

And sometimes when we do. The parade route is lined with children and adults, the children hopeful for the candy that is tossed and the adults because they are hopeful the children will share.

It may appear that we lack for other entertainment options. Being a small town and all. We make up for the small town part with our big hearts. We really enjoy it here. So if you yearn for simpler times, troll the neighborhoods you are bound to find someone to share a little front porch sittin' with.

It doesn't get anymore Americana than this.

10 TV shows that should make a comeback...

2011-07-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

I'm following the writing prompts from http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/. Check out all the other opinions there. First off, let me report that I think this may be a sneaky way to identify just how old I am, as a couple of my favorites are in black and white.
1) I dream of Jeannie. Remember when her exposed midriff was the major scandal on television? I just love that she didn't have to have a six pack to pull that look off. Can we bring back that fashion statement? And can we return to covering up our bodies just a little bit? Really, there are NOT that many people who can pull off a thong in public, I'm just saying.
2) Gilligan's Island. No matter what disaster they faced each week, no matter their education or their money, they just couldn't get off that island. But they were sure positive about it.
3) The A-team. Doesn't everyone root for the under dog? Explosions are always entertaining.
4) Remington Steele; THis is early Pierce Brosnan, the man of mystery. Telling for the time that women were just creating their own space in the work force. And proof positive that they were doing a good job.
5) The Adams Family. This was show that reminded you that odd could be good, could be okay. I think they put the original fun in dysfunctional family.
6) Bewitched; Who can't get behind a woman with other-worldly powers? She was ahead of her time with all the current vampires etc. following in her wake.
7) Wonder Woman. She did have the best accessories. Who can't support a woman wearing spandex, gold bracelets and red boots, especially when she has an invisible airplane?
8) Dukes of Hazzard; This was cheesy and over the top, but such fine entertainment. At a time when all entertainment had to do was be fun. I miss that simpler time when television was still fun and not a political statement.
9) M.A.S.H. It was gritty. It made fun of things that weren't really funny. It created a family atmosphere from all the displaced people serving in a war. But what I miss most about M.A.S.H. is hearing my father's laughter with each episode.
10) Gilmore Girls; It's all about the memories. I watched all the seasons with my daughters who are now grown and busy with their own lives.
And the best part about bringing back these television shows? Maybe, I'd get my 25 inch waist and 14 inch thighs back at the same time. I'm so much thinner, taller and prettier in my own re-runs as well. What about you? Do you have a favorite show that should make a come-back?

Happy 4th of July.....

2011-07-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take this opportunity to post some of my most patriotic photographs and thoughts. As you may or may not know I'm an Army brat, my father retired from active duty service when I was in High School. So I grew up the Army way, I traveled, made new friends, experianced a variety of things and then I moved again and again and again. In the process of joining my father overseas when I was in 4th grade I had the opportunity to attend 4 different schools, most of them english speaking. My father served in Viet Nam. I understand sacricfice and independence. I'm wise enough to never take either for granted.

Having recently served alongside the men and women of the armed forces aboard the USNS Comfort, I want to send them a special shout out on this independence day. While currently, they are not serving in any dangerous conflict areas they are all serving away from their families and their loved ones. I'm hoping they have an amazing day and get at least one pat on the back for serving their country.

And I want to take this last moment to recognize that freedom is NOT free. Many have given some and some have give ALL for the freedoms that I now enjoy. THANK YOU!

It's Thursday...time for Mama Kat's writing prompt.

2011-06-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

So I will write about the challenges of blogging. I'm not really that new to blogging, just newer to blogging consistantly. A couple things that make blogging hard for me are of course, time. Not like just time management but just minutes in a day to have a thought to myself. I like a variety of things so I'm easily distractable. Just about any bright and shiny thing will make me lose my train of thought.
Another challenge for me is consistancy. Being able to put something out there with some kind of regular frequency. I recently blogged about my adventures aboard the USNS Comfort. That was totally eye opening because I seriously tried for 28 days to get something on there everyday. After that experiance I'm pretty sure I either have time to blog my life or to live my life, but rarely both.
My blog began as a medium to showcase portrait photography that I was doing. A place that families could share with their distant family members to go check out their pictures. Unfortunately, I created the name during one of my "cute" phases and no one can remember where to find me.
I'm also challenged by coordinating all of the different links like twitter and facebook and well I don't even choose to do either of those so my blog is a little antiquated. I'm hoping to install "buttons" soon so people can just follow what they are interested in.
And speaking of interest, why would someone choose to read my daily rants? What is appropriate to share? And what would I rather people that plan to stalk me not know?

And of course, writing like any creative process is personal. It's a labor of love and thought and vision. It's like giving birth. It's hard to hear..."You have an ugly child." But it's deafening when you hear nothing at all and nobody comments. Creative people like to hear what you think, they like to know that you are touched in someway. They like to know that you will return. Please don't tell me my "baby" is ugly and have a good day. Check out other prompts at http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/

Thank you! Thank you! for checking out my blog. I hope to see you again.

What makes a FAMILY?

2011-06-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

Is family limited to persons that share your D.N.A.? Do they have to look a little like you? Have similiar facial features? Share eye color, hair color and a sprinkle of freckles across the bridge of the nose? What about common ancestors? In my home "family" is a term used for a loose collection of people that we share our lives with. My daughter age 18 at the time asked me,"Which side of the family is Aunt Mary from?" "Aunt" Mary worked with your grandmother at the bank. "So which side is that?" Some people collect rocks, stamps or boyd's bears, I collect people. Here is a picture of some of my family members aboard the USNS Comfort.

These are my sisters and my closest friends because we shared our living space, this is where we slept and brushed our teeth, rarely at the same time.

THis is my "sister", Kristen. She missed the last day photo shoot, so I wanted to include her in her most natural state. The hours aboard ship could be long if you had evening obligations and early morning muster. I promise this was between patients.

And this is the rest of my "family". Sisters, brothers, cousins, uncles, aunts and more than one of them young enough to be my own children. A special shout out to the "curmudgeon" that reminded me of my own brother. He had a really tough exterior, wanted to be hard to crack, but had a heart of gold inside. My other brother who appeared to have his own agenda but he was always there to look out for me. He protected me from things I knew about and probably many that I didn't. ANd of course, some of them so sweet you just wanted to hug the stuffin' out of them. THe best sisters in the world, one that can sing like an angel, one (or more) that can swear like a sailor but all of them kind and caring, supportive. So that's what makes a family. A collection of people that you share something in common with, a period of time, or an experiance. Not entirely perfect, but people you would spend time with again. That's more than I say about people that do share my D.N.A. Hope all is well at sea, my friends.

You are what you eat....

2011-06-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

I've recently been studying fitness and nutrition. Okay, so really I bought another workout DVD. I think my evil plot is to spend so much money on workout videos that I can't afford to eat. In any case, If I'm what I eat then...I must be HOT, FAST, CHEAP and GREASY. Go ahead and laugh, I'm going to go to my walk-in closet, curl up in the fetal position and drink pepsi and eat peanut butter M&M's. Hope you are having a fun day too.

My summer bucket list...

2011-06-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

As part of mama kat's writing prompts at http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ I'm sharing my summer bucket list. Just so you are forwarned I'm an under achiever. The prompt wants me to list 50, this is what I got.
1) Have a moment of bone melting relaxation. This is of course secondary to a really great massage, facial or deep tub bubble bath.
2) Find a large enough hole in my overbooked to lay in the grass and just watch it grow.
3) Spend more time with people that make me smile and giggle. Especially those people that can make me belly laught. I really need a goo ab workout.
4) Sleep in without guilt. Afterall, I do work the night shift.
5) Eat homemade ice cream on a day so hot that it drips out the bottom of the cone and puddles between my bare toes.
6) Run through the sprinklers just because they are on. Then have a contest with my children to determine who can shake the water off just like a dog.
7) Stand in a line with my family and friends and spit watermelon seeds over the backyard fence.
8) Enjoy a week day matinee with my three grandsons. Something bright and colorful with a side dish of buttered popcorn.
9) Wash my face with water heated on the camp stove. That means I have to have been camping somewhere fun.
10) Work hard enough to get dirt under my fingernails and vegetables on my table.
11) Take time to compliment someone for a job well done.
12) Display perfectly pedicured toes in a really great pair of sandals.
13) Sit on my front porch and drown in the scent of honeysuckle while sipping lemonade made from squeezing actual lemons.
14) Accept the person in the mirror that stares back at me. She really is doing the best that she can.
15) Give myself permission to limit my bucket list. More than 15 just sets me up for certain failure. I know my own limitations. May your summer be just as fulfilling and fun as my own.

Summer is FINALLY here....

2011-06-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome Summer! In Utah, we've been experiancing Mother Nature in all her bi-polar glory. Utah is a desert state, we conserve water. We only sprinkle our lawns on alternate days and never during the heat of the day when the water will evaporate. Well, at least that's what we usually do. Now, it's practically more politically correct to leave the water running when you brush your teeth.
Utah is a diverse state that features beautiful red rock canyons and formations in the south and beautiful high mountain vistas in the north. What we usually don't feature is alot of water. However, this year our snowpack percentages are astronomical. As reported by a local newspaper..Monte Cristo is 1,272% of normal, no that is not a typo. Tony Grove Lake 1,436% above snowpack for this time of the year. Francis Peak one of my closest neighbors is at 2,412%. That is wet for a desert state. For the first time that I can remember, we will even have snow skiing through the fourth of July. Most ski resorts have closed not for lack of snow but out of boredom...been there, done that.
And with the added water comes increased danger when we recreate out of doors. Watch all your little ones and even some of the bigger ones in and around streams. What would normally be a wading pool, with gentle lapping water is now a fast flowing riptide. Enjoy some of my pictures of Utah's water and enjoy the first day of summer. And don't anybody complain that it is too warm.

THAT's going to leave a mark....

2011-06-17T07:02:00.000-07:00

So it's not very often that my photo clients get to take advantage of the fact that I'm also a nurse. Let me set up the scenario before I show you the evidence. Matt and Michelle are engaged. They are in love and ask me to take their engagement pictures at a location of their choosing. ( I just want to be clear that none of this is my fault, I am absolutely innocent) The location of their choosing has a large tree that hangs out over a usually small stream. However, in Utah we are experiancing a very wet "desert" event and we have like 300x more water than we should. So imagine cold, pulsating, rapid volume. You know the rest of this story, Matt climbs out on the tree branch over the water, I turn to change cameras, when I turn back I witness him falling the 8 or so feet into the cold, frigid water and SMACKING his forhead on the bank.

Matt was a trooper, he bounced right up out of the water that had soaked him to the knees. (Be kind, don't mention his soaked shoes when you see his engagement announcement.) Fortunately, his head wound didn't bleed or we would've had to reschedule. While I have no doubts that Matt loves Michelle, I think part of the dazed look he is sporting is due to head trauma. So what do you think Matt, should I go over the symptoms of concusion with you?

Day 28; A walking tour.....

2011-06-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

And there you have it. My 28 day adventure at sea aboard the USNS Comfort. I will continue after today to post some of my favorite pictures, stories and memories. But today I want to take you on a walking tour from the "for" part of the ship to the "aft".

I've turned from the Bow and will enter the ship headed to the stern. Yes, I'm actually going to climb through that port opening. It's located below the big red cross that you can see in the picture above.

This is the 01 deck, one of only 2 decks aboard the ship that nearly go from the front to the back with limited interruption and zig zagging back and forth. It really is one long passageway.

Past the first set of double doors and still continuing.

Nearly to the exit, then we will turn left and right and continue straight to the back of the ship.

As I boarded my last transfer boat in Peru, I turned and watched the ship get smaller and smaller, trying to burn the image on my retinas. I never want to forget my time aboard the USNS Comfort. It was great to play a small role in something so huge. THank you for joining me on this adventure.

Day 27; Navy Language and Navy showers....

2011-06-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Not THAT kind of language. There were lots of Navy translations that I had to get used too. THings like POD (plan of the day), SMEE (subject matter expert exchange), EBBD (emergency escape breathing device), mess deck (where they feed you) berthing (where you sleep) but the one I found most humorous is SECURED. When I think of security I think of being protected, wrapped in a warm blanket with all of my loving family around. Not so, in the Navy SECURED means something entirely different.

SECURED in the Navy means..."do not enter", "step away or bad things will happen", and "broken, do not use." Any number of things can be "SECURED" aboard the USNS Comfort. THings like washers, as seen here, showers, toilets etc. So should you happen upon a "SECURED" sign, all is not well, you are not protected, you must find another (insert item here) because this one is busted.

These are EBBD's they are everywhere. INside the orange box is an oxygen concentrating hood that will give you 8-10 minutes of oxygen to evacuate the ship, unless of course you get too close to a fire and then it will melt to your face. YEs, there can be dangers in everyday living aboard the ship. I never had to wear a EBBD but the case that hung above my rack dinged my forhead a time or two when I sat up too fast.

As I've had a lot of questions about showers aboard the ship. LEt me instruct you in how to take an NAVY shower. 1. Remove all clothing and enter stall. 2. Turn on water and rotate in a circle 3 times. 3. Turn off water. 4. Apply shampoo to hair and body wash to body in lathering motions. 5. Turn on water and turn yourself around 3 times. 6. Turn off water and assess suds residue. 7. Poke head outside of curtain, if no line is evident. Turn water on one more time and repeat turning yourself around 3 times. However, if line has formed you are done. Therefore, you must rotate slower next time. 8. Wrap self in towel or other cloaking device and return to berthing. You packed alot of wet wipes, right?

Day 26; Helicopters and Pelicans

2011-06-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Today, I'm assigned to take blood pressures for the denistry people in La Huaca. But the big bonus is I get to go by helicopter. Yeah! It is a coveted opportunity and I've actually had people offer me money for my seat. Truthfully, it's a little anti-climatic because you are in a five point harness. It's like you have a large thumbtack through your sternum that keeps you pinned to the seat.

We had set up another med op site at Institucion Educative San Jose in La Huaca. This is actually the last day we will be providing services here. I will spend the remaining days of my adventure aboard ship recovering surgical patients. While in La Huaca 2 junior members from the Ministry of Health attached themselves to me and through their broken english and my very minimal spanish we tried to communicate. It was hard work. It made my head hurt. I took a DSLR camera with me. It is unlike most point and shoot cameras as you have to look through the view finder and not at the large screen on the back. You can see that my communication skills were somewhat lacking because one of the ministry of health aides took this picture of myself and the other aid.

Funny, huh? So maybe I should learn more spanish. AFter taking blood pressures I wandered over to pediatric services. We kept the children entertained with coloring books and crayons. They would bring their colored pictures to me and we would teach other language. I would ask them in spanish, Como se dice? and they would tell me in their language either the color they chose or what the actual picture was and I would give them the english word. I had as many as six children at a time crawling in and around me to participate. I also got to sample a local "fruit", maybe it's a vegetable. It's called Huava and it looks like the guts of a cactus spine, it has a spongey consistancy with a light citrus flavor and big seeds/pods throughout.

At the end of the day the school children returned to take back their school. Here are some of the girls in uniform.

A constant view at the pier were the pelicans. The closest pelican was a little leary of me as I walked at the edge of the pier to get a good shot. I would take a couple steps and he would stand and ruffle his feathers, I would stop. As soon as he settled down I would continue my advance. I was very close to the edge and many of the military watching me were anxious that I might go into the water.

You can see one of the pelicans further back took to flight as I approached. Only 2 more days and I return home to the United States.

Day 25; Escuela Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, Piata, Peru

2011-06-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Today, I'll show you one of our med op sites. This is a school for elemetary children in Piata, Peru. They take a week long holiday while we give medical care.

THis is the area where denistry was done. Just wait until you see the exam room. It is very primitive but functional.

OK, so maybe going to my stateside dentist with a comfortable chair, sunglasses so the light doesn't get in my eyes and posters on the ceiling just isn't so bad. If you didn't have dental "fears" before I think this would give you some.
We left the ship early in the morning to make land and transfer to a bus that drove us from the Naval Base to Piata.

There was a big difference in serving in the 2 nations. In Jamaica, the "patients" waited in the chairs and as one patient would leave, they all slid over one chair to get to the head of the line. It was very orderly and they seemed to like the structure. Not so much, with the Peruvians. They were excellent at keeping track of who was next but there was not obvious order involved. If one of them stood up, they all stood up and became a mini riot. With the language barrier and the cultural difference it very much felt like herding cats.

They all loved having their pictures taken, both young and old. It's how we entertained while they waited.

Alot of the way we served was to educate. This is Carlos, a Peruvian native who translated for us and Marianne Kartchner. Marianne taught dental care almost everyday. As you can see Carlos made it fun.

So funny story, while at Corazon I finished up my blood pressures and wandered over to crowd control in the pediatric area. My friend Tassa, asked if I would "help" take the weights of all the children that were waiting to streamline things for the next days clinic. Before I go much further I should tell you that Tassa had a large part in my ending up in the "cage" with the angry Jamaicans. I'm nothing if not gullible. So I start taking weights, before long all the pediatric patients have morphed into all the patients and it's a herding cats nightmare. Notice in the picture that Tassa is nowhere to be seen. Later, I mention to Tassa that one of the infants felt warm to me. She asked if I wanted to take her temperature. Since she was in no distress, I declined because I had learned that meant taking everyone's temperature.

And at the end of the day this is how we reboarded the ship. I had heard all kinds of "stories" about being dropped from the weather deck in lifeboats. I'm happy to report it was not nearly as adventurous as that.

Day 24; Oh no, the stench could be me.....

2011-06-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

So I'm going to share some more photos from Peru, as well as a story. You may remember that being aboard the ship is loud. It is hearing loss, awaiting to happen. Every ping, bang, grind vibrates within the metal walls of the ship until it reaches a cacophony of noise. It is really, really LOUD. You can not at anytime here yourself think. So getting off the ship today, I get a 45 minute ride aboard a bus. It is the most comfortable I have been in over 3 weeks. It feels like a heavenly luxury.

I have a whole row all to myself, the padding just envelopes my tired, exhausted bones. It feels so good. There is a little quiet spanish rock radio station being played. No pings, bangs, grinds to assault my ears. I could nearly take a nap except for I want to record all the amazing sights outside the windows. Sights like these...

Crazy forms of transportation. I loved taking pictures of the little motorcycle cabs. They far out number any other form of transportation. And I'm guessing the rules of the road in Peru are if you are bigger you win. I loved seeing the bright colors everywhere. Even at the boat dock where we land....

And my favorite transportation...

No kidding, our tour bus shared the roadway with this mule cart and others like it.
So now for the story. I've mentioned multiple times about the stench of the squid. After returning from girls camp I can put that stench in a little better perspective. Go up in the mountains and find wet bark and kindling, add newspaper, alot of newspaper and other available wood, now light it up with matches. It will take alot of matches, use the whole book at once if you need too. You have just created a smoking odor producer, now stay in close proximity for about 3 days and nights. Now go home and shower and return to the clothing so you can smell a difference. Eww! I know. Now multiply that scent by 100x. You are now close to the stench of squid. After girls camp and laundering my denim, I could still smell smoke. Back to the laundry.
So this is the story. AFter being at the Peruvian Hospital all day, I was so looking forward to the ride back to the Naval Base where I would get to teach "Helping Babies Breathe". I had already seen the scenery so I could maybe get that heavenly 45 minute nap on the so luxurious bus. A different bus greeted us as we departed, but it looked very much the same so I was expecting a few precious moments in dream land. The first row I sat in had gold fish colored cracker crumbs in the seat and the seat did not smell very fresh. So I moved. The second seat I sat it smelt something like a wet dog, or maybe body odor, again not fresh, so I moved. The third seat had me envisioning a not washed human in a wife beater t-shirt on a really hot day somewhere in the south. Again , not fresh, so I moved. Okay, so let's establish that I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer because when I got to the fourth seat, it also had an un-appealing odor. Okay, I give. The one that smells bad is probably me.

Day 23; Toilet Paper is NOT optional....

2011-06-09T15:49:00.000-07:00

So this is my first day off the boat in Peru. I have the honor of being part of the group that is teaching at the hospital in Piata, Peru. The hospital used to be a clinic but out of need it grew into a "hospital". Here are some of the sights inside the hospital.

You guessed it! The first picture is the "birthing suite". You and three of your closest friends can share the experiance. Once you are nearly "crowned" you can get off that comfortable (torture device) bed and walk yourself across the hall to deliver your baby in relative privacy. I should mention here that hospital gowns are optional to non-existent and you are usually "full monty" from the waist down as you make the transition. Then after the miracle of birth you and at least five of your closest friends and their new infants and all of their visiting guests can share a room. Can anyone say infection risk? Oh, and if you get hungry. There is not kitchen so hopefully your family loves you enough to pack you a lunch. I'm feeling pretty over-indulged at this point to have delivered each of my four children with only my spouse, a doctor and a nurse in attendance.
Another really interesting discovery I made at the hospital was that there were options to using the bathroom. Any time you left the boat it was a given that if you wanted and/or needed toilet paper you should plan ahead and bring your own. But for the first time I encountered the option of using the stall with the door or the stall with the seat. Having developed amazing quads ascending and descending all the stairs aboard the ship, I opted for the stall with the door.
After teaching in the hospital we returned to the Peruvian Naval Base. Using the facilities there proved to be just about as interesting. Toilet paper in hand, the toilets appeared fairly modern, until you tried to flush. Flushing was a manual process. The big container of water in the center of the room had a floating bucket inside. You scooped out the necessary water and "flushed" by pouring directly into the bowl. Yes, all of this while at fairly modernized, civilized locations.

And that is how I spent my first day in Peru on land. Does it make you feel overly blessed to have modern hospitals with doors and seats? And running water? I know I'm grateful. Tomorrow I'll share some of the local sites to and from the hospital.

Day 22; When visiting a foreign country it's best to take a guide book...

2011-06-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

Being on the USNS Comfort is very much like being on a floating city. All of your needs can be met within the confines of the ship. There is a mess deck, a store (for snacks and essentials like soap), a mail room, a pharmacy and all the other hospital departments as well as a laundry, hair salon, chapel, library and multiple gyms. I'm alot of things but I am not a gym rat. I think my family envisioned all of this extra time I would have and that I could pretend I was on the sea going version of "The Biggest Loser". By Day 22 as we were just gearing up in Peru and so far no surgical patients aboard I finally made my way to one of the gyms. Remember all the stairs? I'm a firm believer if I didn't get a firm tight fanny that way than I will have to wait until I am perfected in the next life. In any case, here is the gym..... and me.

The only time I spent on that machine was posing for this picture. At least I'm honest. In any case I did try an innocent looking treadmill. It had a rounded bottom and as you weight moved, it shifted until you had this huge loping gait. It induced a panic born of absolute fear that it would flip me off and I would embarrass myself. (As if these admissions are not enough) The only way to control it was to stop. It takes a certain amount of "hutspa" to try to run on a treadmill while the horizon pitches to and fro. My hats off to all of you that are successful at it. I formed a slight attachment to a stationary bike, at least I was sitting down. And did I mention all of the stairs? What's your favorite way to work out? Excuse my absense for the next 2 days. No more posts until Thursday, I've gone to Girls Camp. Caio!!!

Day 21; About my hair....

2011-06-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

So I spent most of the tour aboard the USNS Comfort with my hair in what I refer to as "camping-mode". Camping mode hair is hair that requires very little attention after it is initially groomed. I wore braids, pony tails, french pig-tails, messy buns before settling on an "up-do" french braid. It became my go-to hair of the day. It caused others to comment. Here you can see if from the back.

Some of the comments were less than positive, well at least the ones that "Carl" made about my hair. Carl and I were both serving from the same NGO (non-government organization), we both wore blue shirts. SO in Carl's mind what I did with my hair reflected on him and he would have me believe that my hair was less than pleasing. Trying to one-up Carl I would tell him when someone inquired about where I got my hair done. His response, "Well it's not because they like it. It's like someone asking 'where'd you get the knife wound?' It's not because they want to go there it is because they want to AVOID it."
Really, my hair looked fine and I had no problems with it. On one occassion, Carl was in attendance when my hair was complimented. His response, "well would you tell someone they had an ugly baby to their face?"

This is my hair from the front.... What do you think? Keep in mind that all of the military kept their hair off their shoulders as well. The women usually sported a bun created around a rolled up sock. It's really quite interesting to see one done. I'm thinking Carl was just jealous because I still have all my hair.

Day 20; Peru, Dolphins and the stench of squid....

2011-06-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

So I was a little geographically uninformed before we pulled into port in Peru. Checking out Peru on the map it appears to have a long stretch of what should be beautiful beach property on the Pacific Ocean. My only vision of Peru includes Machu Pichu with is vibrant green foliage and rainforest. That is NOT coastal Peru. Coastal Peru sits on the ocean where El Nino and La Nina converge switching up the weather patterns. The Coast we visited sees only 2 inches of rainfall a year. It's difficult for me to claim that I come from a desert state as Utah is experiancing all time record water amounts leading to devastating floods and keeping our ski industry open until July. But even though I think I know desert, this is a dry, dry, dry, arid landscape with mostly rocks and very little vegetation.
As we pulled into port this morning before dawn, I was viewing the coast from the bow of the ship and noticed linear movement in the waters. It rolled and boiled in all directions as far as the eye could see. As the darkness of night began to lift, the fins of hundreds of dolphins became apparent. In the clear water right next to the ship you could make out their swirling forms as they danced a greeting for the USNS Comfort. So we are here in this magical South American country where dolphins are the welcoming committee. But wait, sniff ... sniff, what else is wafting in the early morning hours from the nearby shore? Something I affectionately called "The Stench of Squid".

Here they are weighing their catch. Even as fishermen, the colors in South America are bright.

This guy has the job I do not want. He is sorting squid. I don't know the criteria, I didn't want to get close enough to find out. Did I mention there is a foul odor associated with this process? Evidently, the squid in this area mature very fast and are huge in 2 years. They are harvested, loaded in large container ships and sent directly to China. Don't kid yourself "calamari" is just a fancy term that means "really stinky, rubbery, unappetizing squid".

I told you they got big, and did I mention that they STINK? The first day in port two things were evident as we climbed from berthing to the mess deck. It was warmer here than it had been in the Panama Canal and the smell got worse the higher you climbed. Remember how I hadn't been seasick yet? It took longer to get used to the smell than to gain my sea legs. So what do you think? In the mood for some yummy sea food?

Day 19 What defines a hero?

2011-06-02T16:12:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you about the hard working members of the kitchen crew. I'm sure they have a fancier name, but as you can imagine no fancier job. Evidently, regardless of what you want to do or what you may be training for when you set sail for the very first time you get KP duty for 90 days. There are many brave soldiers that serve in the kitchen. Meals happen 3 times a day and once at night. I know from experiance that it is difficult to make 2 adults and 4 children happy at dinner time. Imagine dealing with 800 or more.
I had the opportunity to serve in the kitchen while aboard the USNS Comfort. I've mentioned before that I did the dishes. Doing the dishes takes alot of bravery when you have to do it everyday. YOu get to review everyone's tray and determine if they recycled properly when they were finished. Did the bones go in the bone bin? Was paper seperated from metal and plastic? The hardest part is determining if what's left can go down the disposal. The "Disposal" being large enough and scary enough to remove your errant hand if you get too close to the blades. Two fine workers are shown here because they made sure I left with all 10 of my fingers still attached.

THere is very little opportunity in the kitchen to feel like you are "King of the World". As re-enacted from a scene of "Titanic".

We did take editorial license though because this is the back of the ship, not the front and I don't think we are moving. But in any case, our faithful, heroic scullery buddies were there to help us out.
So how does someone only working in the kitchen become a HERO? This is the story related to me by J. Dyer, the hero in question.
Food service was good for lunch. We were having burgers with all the fixin's. One serviceman decided to toast his hamburger bun. This is where near disaster happens. THe bun being thicker than average bread got hung up inside the rotating grill and instead of toasting and smoothly being dispatched it stopped in place next to the heating element. Before long, flames were noted to be escaping from the toaster. Fortunately for everyone aboard the ship. The bun toasting serviceman happened upon our HERO. J. Dyer was in the seating area wiping down tables and generally improving the ambience. When our HERO saw the flames he immediately went to action, thinking not of his own safety, he positioned himself between the toaster and the rest of us. Quick thinking, he pulled the plug but the flames continued to burn. Then with inspiration born of greater things, he removed the charred and flaming buns and with a mighty breath he blew out the fire. J.Dyer is truly an un-sung HERO no more because I have revealed his secret. Thanks to J. Dyer and all the others that through their self-less acts kept us safe...especially those guys and gals who carried the really big guns.

So what about you? Do you know an un-sung hero?To all my friends in the kitchen, scullery, etc. Thanks so much!

What I'm passionate about....

2011-06-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

I'm writing in response to writing prompts provided by http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ . I'm going to write about one of my passions. NOT the kind of passion that makes me blush.
I'm passionate about food. Real food. You know the kind that doesn't come from a box or microwave package. Most of it doesn't come with a label at ball. The food that still resembles it's natural state. A piece of raw fruit with the skin still on. A vegetable that needs peeling and chopping. Meat that looks like, well meat.
This passion stems from a conversation with my daughter when she asked, "What kind of chicken nuggets do you like mom?" A resounding none of the above. Chicken nuggets are formed from all the parts of the chicken that you would never consider consuming. Then they are ground up and "formed". Ew! Ew! Ew!
And I'm frequently outspoken about the evils of high fructose corn syrup. It's a cheap and sneaky filler. YOu can find it in everything, even things that aren't supposed to be sweet..., like horseradish sauce. Why am I not a fan? You can mirror the rise in obesity in our nation with the increased use of HFCS. It is not totally to blame, we need to eat less and move more but that is a different blog. HFCS may come from corn but it's chemically altered until your body can't recognize it as food.
I should now mention (rant) about Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG). It's considered an excito-toxin. Really? They labe it a "toxin" and we still freely eat it? And nobody dares ask me my opinion of hot dogs or cold cuts.
That being said, I freely admit to a current addiction to both chocolate and pepsi so I'm not a total food freak.

THis is a picture of a recent meal I had in Peru. This is INCA KOLA. It's a local beverage. It tastes like cream soda but it has been "hopped" up on caffeine. Saving grace? It's made with sugar and not HFCS.

And the non-descript meat? Although Guinea Pig is a local favorite, they told me this was Goat. I'm not sure, is that better? So what are you passionate about? More later about heroes aboard the USNS Comfort.

Day 18; Abandon ship and Little Black things....

2011-06-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

So it's no mystery when you are going to have drills aboard the USNS Comfort because it's all spelled out for you in the POD (plan of the day). So as the time of the drill draws near you make sure you have a hat, a long sleeve shirt and appropriate foot wear. Then you are prepared to skulk around the ship and find a life jacket closet. Life jacket closets are not in spaces, they are in passageways, I know it didn't make that much sense to me either, so I picked a closet near the PACU and loitered until abandon ship was called.
Each unit aboard the ship is assigned a lifeboat and we group on the flight deck in our areas for the drill.There we muster, because all must be counted for.

When we get the all clear you learn rather quickly that there are only a few specific routes down from the flight deck and all lifejackets must be returned to the same closet you got them out of .

Another thing that happened aboard the ship was we had a talent show. Many in the show remarked that they could have come more prepared. Not me! What they saw was all I've got. My talent is very raw. Kristen Lee and Cpt. Mazilli (correct spelling implied) were an awesome duo and others in the group shined as well. I requested to go first as to set the bar low enough that I could participate. As it is summer and many of you may be headed to girls camp like me. I will share my awesome talent. I taught all 3 verses of "Little Black Things" to the audience and we had a sing-a-long. This is sung to the tune of "O my Darlin' Clementine" (I think)

Chorus: Little Black things, Little Black things,

Running up and down my arms,

If I wait 'til they have babies,

I can start a black thing farm.

Once a bath I thought of taking,

Then the tears just wouldn't stop,

For the poor, poor little black things,

In the water they would drop.

Chorus

Once a cute boy tried to kiss me,

Then he screamed and gave a yell,

And he ran for I could ask him,

Was it black things or the smell?

Chorus

My old man one day he took me,

To a shrink named Doctor Bell,

Doc, he saw the little black things,

Now I love my padded cell.

Chorus

Ta-dah! That's it. Tomorrow I will post about my buddy in the scullery, J. Dyer. He single-handedly prevented disaster by putting out a food related fire. He and all my other buddies aboard the USNS Comfort are my heroes. Stay tuned.

Shh! I've been keeping a secret.

2011-06-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

Here is my confession.... I'm not a rock star but I feel like one everytime I remember seomone's birthday or anniversary. I'm a distributer for Send out cards. Their motto is "Chaning lives one card at a time."
I love this company for a couple of different reasons. 1st off, I'm a procrastinater. I'm very proficient in putting things off. Just ask anyone who has received my family CHristmas card in February. Last December I put all my Chrismas cards into a "campaign" and had them all ready to go out in 18 minutes and I never licked an envelope.
I'm also Queen of the "would of, could of, should of" adding new lines to my to-do list everyday. With Send out cards my thoughts to send a card of congratulations, cheer, or thank you never make it to my to-do list. Instead, I sit down at my computer, select a card, write a heart felt message and hit send.
Then a physical card is created and mailed to my recipient. One of the best parts is I type the address in once and the contact manager remembers it for me. It also remembers birthdays and anniversaries and sends me an email reinder! How cool is that?
Do you want to feel like a rock star too? Click the button to the right of my blog that looks like this and create a retail account.

2 Accounts are available...Susbscription (best value) 20 points minimum @ $9.80/month. THat's enough points for 10 basic cards. No inventory for you- pick from a huge catalog or create your own with picture plus 2.0. I created this card.

Next add expense; this is for postage, shipping, gift cards you might send etc. Then enter your information. Your email is how they alert you to reminders. Don't want to make a $9.80/month commitment then choose pay as you go.
And a special shout out to anyone not in the continental U.S. Cards and gifts sent via Send out Cards leave from Salt Lake City avoiding that whole FPO and APO long term wait, no matter where you are.
Still skeptical then let me pay for your first card. (Remember Father's Day is coming up.) Send me an email to lisart2rn @ yahoo (dot) com with a method of contact and I will send you instructions. No obligation. IT's as easy as that!
There's a contest this week to add 4 new retail accounts. So if 4 of you could be my new best friends and sign up that would be great.And if you want more information about being a distributor and creating a residual income, send me some info. You can click the comments button next to the "posted by" at the top of this post or email me and I will get back to you. THanks, more from the Comfort later today.

Day 17 Appreciation for a drunken sailor

2011-05-31T09:11:00.000-07:00

Today we are on the open waters. I have been very careful not to say out loud..."I've not been seasick." Having only been on one other ship and being far more miserable than I have been on the USNS Comfort. I still didn't want to jinx myself. I came fully loaded with prescribed medications, however a side effect of taking them is "double vision". I'm not sure that would improve my seasickness so I have so far avoided taking anything.
At this point you should know that I'm pretty sold on the fact that Pepsi can cure anything. If you've ever watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" you will remember the father used windex as a cureall. YOu could soak in it, spray it on etc. I'm nearly as fanatical with pepsi. My husband will claim that I don't really drink it, I'm just soothed when the pop-top is pulled and I hear the air escape.
So as part of our exercises today, we drop a big ol' target in the ocean for all the men and women who carry the big guns around the ship to shoot at. And evidently in order to make it more sporting we drive the ship in a circle around it.

This is Thompson, he's just posing near the gun holder, but he looks pretty cool. So about those circles we are doing in the open sea. I tolerate the first one. I start to see stars with the second one and by the third when we are hitting our own wake I have started to catalog what I have had for breakfast and how it is going to look on my shoes. During this time in the PACU, some of my co-workers are sitting in chairs with rollers and using gravity to go from wall to wall. WE are really rocking back and forth on the ocean.
Remember my need for Pepsi for all things that ail me? I have to climb 3 decks up with the ship pitching and rolling. The stairways are narrow and I can reach both hand rails. Ahh, salvation when I make it to the deck and have the Pepsi machine in sight.

At this point there are other servicemen around and I have an audience as I pitch with the floor and start on the far left of this picture but end up on the far right. I didn't want to appear as lame as I felt so I rapidly fed my quarters into the machine by #4. It was false advertising, there is no pepsi in that machine. I am now faced with a huge problem. There is no other beverage that will do, and heaven forbid someone try to make me choke down diet anything. But I'm stuck, people behind me are looking, I need to appear cool. I grab a diet coke, move immediately to machine #3 for my pepsi and scurry back to my berth holding onto the walls.Just my luck I ran into Lorena and passed the diet coke off to her.P.S. I kept my breakfast down.Once I had consumed my pepsi and we started to sail in a linear fashion again I was okay. So in defense of all drunken sailors wherever they may be.... it may not be their fault.

An Officer and a Gentleman

2011-05-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

This being Memorial Day, I figured it was only fitting that I give a BIG shout out to all my friends still at sea and everyone else I've ever known that has endured the rigors of military life and shouldered the burden of protecting my country. My father was career military, serving in Korea and Viet Nam and I have always known that freedom does not come free.

These pictures were taken at dawn while out at sea. The navy nurses all wore their "white" uniforms. THey only came out for special occasions like ambassador tours etc. And ever since the uniform was worn by Richard Gere, there is just something kind of warm and dreamy about them, don't you think? These are my fellow nurses and I think they look hot. Sorry ladies the one in the middle and on the right are already taken, but the one on the left is single. Should I hook you up?

The military nursing staff and the volunteer nursing staff. Remember this was an exercise in seeing how well we could come together and serve as one body. I may have to say it myself, but we really rocked!

Day 15; Man overboard....this is not a drill.

2011-05-29T09:28:00.000-07:00

As promised a couple more pictures from the Panama Canal....

This is the "Bridge of the Americas". It was built in 1962. It is between Lake Gatun and the Pedro Miguel Lock. It is a steel tuss cantilever bridge with a tied arch suspended span.

This is the Centenial Bridge. It is 9 miles north of the Bridge of the Americas. It cosses the Gaillard cut which opens into the Pacific Ocean. It opened in 2004.

Now onto what actually happened on Day 15. We are enroute to Peru in the Pacific Ocean. As a mass we are not beating any land speed records but we are in motion. It's been a typical day aboard ship. Mustering at 07:15 (since were not in port) Dinner for the crew is called out 3 times. Even taps has played, it's after 10 p.m. I have just returned from the shower, I'm wearing yoga pants, a long sleeve t-shirt (also know as pajamas, but just work with me here.) and flipflops, when outside our room the alarm begins to ring.

We had all been expecting a drill, because drills are not held while patients are on the ship, and in between ports there are no patients, well except for the serviceman that came aboard to have his appendix removed. But it's after 10 p.m., so being confused I open my door and catch a service person going by. I ask her, "what does that alarm mean?" Her response, "I don't know, but put your shoes on." No sooner had I laced my shoes when over the loud speaker is heard. "Man overboard, man overboard,....This is not a drill. This is not a drill." Instant activity. In swoops my roommate "Buffy". She is frantically trying to open her locker for her long sleeve shirt and her hat. Very much concerned about being properly dressed. And very confused about what to do. She is upset because she doesn't know what lifeboat to go too. No worries, this is not abandon ship, this is man overboard. Go to where you muster.

This is what it looks like where I muster. I can find no fault with the Navy's system to treat "man overboard". Even though we are cruising along in the ocean, the person that alerted the alarm is still standing at his post with eyes on the subject in the water. Others have joined him to keep "eyes on" and a small boat has been launched over the side, headed back for rescue. All of this is a mute point, within 20 minutes the crew aboard the USNS Comfort has all been accounted for. The man overboard appears to have been laundry or trash that escaped. So I geuss the lesson I learned is ....when you hear an alarm get your shoes on and don't be afraid to muster with wet hair in your pajamas. You've already done it, so it's nothing new.

Day 14; The Panama Canal

2011-05-28T08:50:00.000-07:00

The Panama Canal is one of the seven wonders of the world. It saves 8,000 miles in a trip around South America. It was completed in 1914. There are six locks in each direction. Each sailing vessel must rise 85 feet from sea level during the course of the canal to float across Lake Gatun and then exit through other locks. No pumps are used at the Panama Canal. Water moves by gravity alone.

The chambers of the locks are 110 ft. wide and 1050 ft. long. Sometimes it appeared to be a tight squeeze.

The Panama Canal is 48-50 miles in length with a depth of 30-60 feet. 15,000 vessels travel through the canal a year. It is considered neutral, and all vessels can pass even in times of war. A tug boat is used to position the mammoth sized ships into the lanes.

An expansion was started in 2007 to expand the Panama canal so that 30,000 per year can travel through. In many areas we could see them dredging for the expansion. There is a fee associated with using the canal. The highest fee ever paid was by a Disney cruise line vessel @ $331,000.00 and the smallest fee was paid in 1928. The cost was $.28 for an individual that swam through the locks. Our bill for the trip was $258,933.74. This paid all our fees for mules, tugboats etc.

There is something magical in watching the water levels adjust and the gates opening. The most inspiring thing is that in 1880 someone thought it could happen. It's an engineering wonder that I can't begin to wrap my brain around. So, I guess I'll go eat more chocolate. More later about the 2 bridges that span the Panama Canal. Leave me a comment and have a great day.

Day 13; Steele Beach Picnic

2011-05-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

A magical thing happened this day. I can not stress enough the number of rules you have in the Navy. Immediately following "muster" we read the POD (plan of the day). For this one day we were allowed to wear appropriate, conservative PT (physical training) gear on the flight deck. It was stressed multiple times that all male personnel had to wear a shirt. I guess for females, this is optional.

Here we are on the flight deck out of uniform. No blue shirts and no khaki pants. This night we will park outside the first locks of the Panama Canal. After seeing so little traffic on the ocean, we will anchor in a virtual parking lot of ships awaiting transfer.

Fun was had by all. Well with the exception of 2. The flight deck temperature was 114 degrees. We had 2 heat related injuries. The first was 2nd degree burns to feet. The person wearing those feet, wasn't wearing shoes, only socks. The other injury involved one of the "sumo wrestler's" fainting from the heat, losing her helmet and bumping her head. Tomorrow we enter the Panama Canal.

Day 12; The "Miss"-adventures on the MALE deck....

2011-05-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

All puns intended. In order to write the following post it is important to set the stage. First off, all the names have been changed to alias's although Buffy, Helen and Holly know who they are. As long as they continue to make payments I will continue to protect their identities.
THe first thing you should know is that seriously every passageway on the ship resembles every other passageway. The only significant difference between the male deck and the female deck is that the female deck is one deck below the male deck, throughout the entire ship. THis will all make sense at the end of the post.
Initially, it didn't seem fair that I had to climb up or down an extra flight of stairs to get to my berthing. (what we call our current sleeping arrangements) I actually wondered if it was an evil plot thought up by some MAN that thought all the extra stairclimbing would make us all look tighter in the jeans.

Why they included "female" in the description of their door may have been a freudian slip on their part? So Buffy gets off the stairwell on the wrong floor and enters the "male" deck. She is met by a man with a large sack blocking her way. He says "male deck" but what she hears is "mail deck" and she believes he is on the female deck delivering mail, even though that happens in the post office. She nods and tries to go around him, he blocks her advance and tells her more loudly this time, "Male Deck" she is still hearing impaired and only hears "Mail". THis happens 3 times before the light goes on over her head, she turns beat red and makes fast work of fleeing off the floor.
Holly not only entered the male deck but she happily did her recycling outside the bathroom stalls. I'm not kidding we sorted everything. Metal, paper, plastic. It was so stressful to determine where the empty "pringles" can went with it's metal bottom, paper sides and plastic lid that we usually unloaded them off the ship. SHe then merrily wanders down the hall to her berthing, only to open the door and see Carl sitting in her room. Ooops one of them is on the wrong deck. In case, that wasn't bad enough she passes someone she knows from church as she is fleeing. He's only wearing a towel.

AS you can see the doors all look alike. I mean really can't we paint them a different color? But I saved the best story for last. Helen was coming back from shore and she really really really needed to use the facilities. So she made a bee-line down the stairway, opened the door and wandered into the bathroom. She made quick work of relieving herself, washed her hands and exited into the passageway only to be shocked by bumping into a hairy chested man wearing nothing but a smile and a towel. SHe said, "one of us must be on the wrong deck." His only reply "yes, ma'am". It was then that she remembered being puzzeled by the urinals in the bathroom. She couldn't remember them being there before. Helen's biggest concern throughout the rest of our sea-faring journey was that she couldn't recognize the man with his clothes on so she could apologize. In comforting her I told her it was okay because he wouldn't recognize her either, but he would remember her blue shirt. At this point I should mention that we all wear blue shirts, we all look alike. That means it's just as likely that the hairy chested man thinks that I visited the male deck. So I asked Helen if she would quickly remove her blue shirt if she ever found herself on the male deck again. Yeah, I know that could probably backfire too. ;)

My 10 "Don'ts of Summer"

2011-05-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

I interrupt my blogging on my adventures aboard the USNS Comfort to participate in the weekly writing prompts provided by http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ . Even though most of us have lost faith that summer will actually come this year... I am listing my Ten Summer Don'ts.
    DON'T stress over a swimsuit. Really, were all insecure about exposing all that untanned skin. So let's make a pact... we'll leave the suimsuits that should only be worn by a super model to the super models. Shop smart and buy the swimsuit with enough reinforcements to suck you in an inch or 2. ( More than that and it starts to seep out the openings and cause you to resemble a sausage casing.)
    DON'T go outside without checking things in a full length mirror. And practice your walking away so when you are in public it resembles a "swing" and not a "waddle".
   DON'T forget the sunscreen. Wrinkles only look good on a raisin.
   DON'T overeat. There will be more potato salad and chocolate brownies next week too. Practice moderation and pace yourself.
   DON'T overplan. Some of summer's most delightful events just happen. Be open to staying in the moment and making a memory.
   DON'T overspend. This a don't for the rest of the year too. Debt is not pretty and it's never fun to take months and months to pay something off.
   DON'T avoid adventure. Do the thing you think you can not do. It's the thing that will make the memory. Eleanor Roosevelt said, " Boring women rarely make history." So make some history of your own.
   DON'T expect every family event to resemble a hallmark commercial. Does your family usually behave as if they love each other every moment of every day? Then why would you expect them to while they are hot and sweaty and wearing sand in tiny dark crevices? Small don't here. Don't set yourself up for failure.
   DON'T mow the lawn in flip flops. If you love all ten of your toes then cover them up. Don't make me get out the photographs.
   DON'T cry when laughing is so much more fun. You know you will laugh about it in 10 years, so take the years off your life and laugh about it now. Life really is about being enjoyed.

Day 11; Securing to leave Jamaica....

2011-05-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

When I first started to working in the PACU I was forever tripping over the "D" rings in the floor. They are these obnoxious rings that are not quite flush with the floor, they are bolted in. They are steadfast, strong and immoveable, they are a falls hazard. They are necessary.

When preparing to leave the Jamaican harbor, it's important that all things with wheels are secured. Otherwise, expensive equipment can be damaged in transit.It's all in the name of preparation. It's a lot like our lives, we will experiance rough waters, we will have bumpy rides but if we are prepared we can weather the storm. This is Navy for weathering the storm.

That's not all we did on day 11. There is kind of an excitement in the air. We have successfully completed the humanitarian aid to one port. We have all learned to work together and find our place. And there are only 12 more stops in this deployment.

One other thing we did today was of course take pictures. Here I am on the bow with some of my new best friends. I should point out that we are wearing blue shirts in the foreground, but the entire purpose was to get a picture of the protection force in the background. Pretty cool huh? Guys with big guns, there is just something adventurous about that. Anyhow, we were actually more interested in documenting the background.
And with that we set our course for the Panama Canal. Farewell Jamaica!

Day 10; How we transfered patients on and off the ship...

2011-05-24T09:35:00.000-07:00

This is my home at sea. It is the USNS Comfort. It is a non-commissioned ship owned by the US Navy and crewed by civilians. She was origianlly an oil tanker named the S.S. Rose City.They literally carved out the tank and dropped a hospital inside.She has a total patient capacity of 1000 beds and 12 operating rooms. In addition she houses 2 oxygen producing plants and 4 distilling plants that make drinking water from sea water (300,000 gallons a day). She also has a flight deck that can handle the world's largest military helicopters.
I had heard many rumors before joining the Comfort about how I would get on and off the ship. They included but were not limited to jumping into a life raft and being dropped (lowered quickly) over the side, being helicoptered on and off as well as other nightmare inducing transfers for someone who is a little terrified of large bodies of water. I should now confess I sometimes use water wings in the tub. I'm happy to report that all the transfers I made to and from the ship were far more civilized. We took this boat to this lower opening and climbed a wheelchair accessible ramp inside.

And the patients did the same. Then in reverse order they would be returned to shore.This is truly an exercise in everyone doing their small part to make a BIG thing happen. I'm greatful to have been included in this effort.

Day9; I'll show you where I worked....

2011-05-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

So I'm frequently asked about my working conditions, what I did, what kind of patients we saw etc. I will try to answer a few of these questions in the next paragraphs and pictures.

This is where I worked, if you look real close you can find me. With four rooms operating we often recovered multiple patients at a time. This should also serve as proof that I was not on an extended vacation. The next picture I obviously did not take because I'm in it. However, the patient I am attending to had a bronchospasm during recovery and I'm assisting him to keep his airway open. I'm really partial to open airways because of my respiratory background. A number of my co-workers call this my "super nurse" pose. I'm really just focused on the monitors etc.

Many of the patients we saw in Jamaica were there for cataract surgery. This fine gentleman wanted to know if I was a "married lady." I might add he asked after he had his eyes repaired. I reminded him that he came aboard the ship with a female escort. He told me that all of his friends were ladies. This is him recovering on the ward. No private rooms aboard the ship. During this mission the upper bunks were used for the escorts.

Have you every wondered just what it might take to get you to go to the doctor? I'm sure this woman put health care off for many years. She reported that she had not been able to lay down in bed for over 10 years. This lipoma was successfully removed.

She had become quite clever in styling her hair in and around this lipoma. When we first searched for the "bump" behind her ear, we couldn't find it. After parting her hair it was found. Nobody should wait this long for health care, so if you have insurance, use it! And if you don't, get some! A baseball size lump is not something to just live with. And don't get me started on the 15 pound fibroid we delivered. That's the equivalent of delivering twins. I'm keeping the pictures to myself because they are a little graphic. More tomorrow!

Day 8; More from Jamaica

2011-05-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

This pictures represents my police escort. He lead the way from the dock all the way through town to the sports arena, flashing lights and everything. At one point at a three way stop I'm sure we were headed the wrong way, but in Jamaica they drive on the wrong side of the road so it gets very confusing. I reported to my family that he was riding a vespa, not so it's a honda. Makes you feel really secure, huh?

Riding aboard a bus in Jamaica, allows for a philosophy lesson. These were the stenciled captions on the ceiling. They made me giggle because I can think of people they represent, maybe you can too. (I hope it's not me, I hope it's not me)

And you can't be in Jamaica without paying some kind of homage to Bob Farley, he is a national icon here. His dreadlocks and guitar can be found represented on nearly everything. Towels, magnets, pencils, t-shirts. He is their national treasure.

Day 7; Into the cage with the Angry Jamaicans....

2011-05-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

First we must establish that this is my blog, so these are my very own (sometimes politically incorrect) experiances in my very own words. This is a shore day for me and I get to help at the clinic at the Sports Arena. The Sports Arena is a large High School sized gymnasium that we part out into various clinic sites: medical, pediatric, dental, opthamology, pharmacy, x-ray, physical therapy etc. You get into the Sports Arena after waiting behind the gate for what I'm sure must seem like forever. You are granted a wrist band that signifies what services you are most interested in, or whatever services are left as the case may be.
Being 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighing in at @$* lbs. (part of my own 'don't ask- don't tell' policy) I don't consider myself petite at all. In general the Jamaicans that I met dwarf me. In general I found them to be tall, sizeable people and their culture has no personal boundary issues, meaning if they wanted to talk to me, they towered over me and touched me. 2 things I found a little disconcerting.
So I was requested to assist with crowd control. What this really meant was I went into the cage with the "Angry Jamaicans". In their defense, when I reported this story to my family they asked..."what did you do to make them mad?" They weren't really mad, it just seemed that way. They were out in the hot sun, frustrated at the large crowds and they just wanted to get through the gate. I was between them and the gate.
I had promised my family that anytime I was on-shore I would be next to the guy with the biggest gun. Meaning I would always have someone watching my back and my safety. Well inside the cage, it happened to be a big Jamaican. For just one moment I felt the trepidation that I'm sure Daniel felt when he first saw the den of Lions. Prayers for my safety were answered that day.

Day 6; A visit to the Comfort INN and beyond...

2011-05-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

If you get selected for surgery aboard the USNS Comfort you board the ship the day before and spend the night in the Comfort Inn. It's a luxurious ward of bunk beds (I'm not kidding here) where you and one escort can come. Here are some pictures from one evening when we were singing and dancing with the patients.
It was fun to meet the patients the night before their surgeries so that I could be a familiar face in the PACU when they woke up. This particular night I met a young man of 14 who was a little embarrassed about his hernia surgery the next day. It turns out what he really wanted was to see a helicopter. I had my camera around my neck and being digital I could show him a picture I took on the flight deck earlier in the day.
Our conversation was overheard by one of the helicopter crew and the next thing I know we have all the Jamaican patients and their escorts on the flight deck crawling in the helicopter. It was definately one of those get forgiveness later kind of events. Nothing beats a smile though, so it was worth it.

Day 5; Experiancing MRE's

2011-05-19T16:00:00.000-07:00

     Anyone that really knows me, knows I'm not a fan of packaged foods. I'm a little suspicious of foods that have a longer shelf life than I do. If the ingrediants listed on the side of the package are hard to pronounce that is a clear indication that it is not food but a science experiment.
    So I find myself in Jamaica at the sports arena, sampling a "MRE" (meals ready to eat). My father was career military so this is not my first exposure to MRE's and in their defense they have improved. I can't recall what meal my father would bring home, but I have a vivid memory of peeling back the pull tab and removing the foil wrapped chocolate bar that was nested inside. It was round to fit in the can and it was almost never melted.
   I was not so fortunate with my MRE selection in Jamaica. I selected a mexican entree and using water and the chemical pack was able to heat my meal. Unfortunately at this point I got a little too much help with the preparation. The packet marked "refried beans" was set aside and the packet marked "enchilada" was squeezed and pummeled until smooth, or at least as smooth as coarse corn crackers and meat paste can be. I think the presentation could be better as well, I mean what is with the camo tan coloring? Never appetizing.
    I was certain I would be put off mexican food for forever after this episode, but I'm happy to report I still like enchiladas and nachos prepared in a kitchen. Check out other distasteful foods at http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/

Day 4: Rank and file in the Navy

2011-05-18T10:37:00.000-07:00

Day 4: I'm still very much wondering just what did I sign up for? After working all day in the PACU I am absolutely driven to get outside the "skin" of the ship. After all we are in Jamaica, I have a camera and I have a beautiful ship etc. to take amazing pictures of. So, imagine my dissapointment when the weather deck is closed due to "flight ops". Flight ops means the weather deck and the flight deck are closed to unauthorized personnel while they operate the helicopter, so that while they are operating the helicopter all heads and various other body parts remain attached and no accident happens involving the helicopter rotor. I am seriously bummed.
   HEre I should take a moment and mention in addition to not knowing my way around, I can't read rank on someones uniform. I know they are different but after that, I don't play this game very well. One railroad track is a LTJG, seriously they call this a "L","T","J","G" or Leiutenant Junior Grade. Two railroad tracks is for a Leiutenant etc. On the left lapel the insignia represents where they work, most medical people wear an oak leaf. And I might mention that this only applies to Navy. The Army and Air-Force aboard the ship use a different system, thanks guys.
   So I am scurrying around the decks trying to figure out a way to get outside and smell Jamaican air and see Jamaican sites. Sites other than hernia repairs and cataracts. A lone Navy man comes to my aid and is acting as a tour guide to get me out on the stern. He is very kind, and thanks me for my volunteer service aboard the ship. His lapels have some kind of "marigold" flower looking like thing. I'm really lost, I have no idea what that means. From this time forward I will refer to him as "W". ( I'm not really protecting his identity, just mine when you figure out how lame I am.)
   With his aid, I get outside the skin of the ship even though the helicopter is flying. I mention to him multiple times that I don't need to get outside the ship if it's going to cause any trouble. He assures me it's no problem, that no one will get in trouble. He assures me multiple times. Once outside the ship he asks if I can find my way back and when I tell him I can, he leaves. I happily take the pictures you see below, never the wiser as to whom "W" is.
   Each night we have a briefing when in port. We hear from different people about the weather, flight ops, how things are doing at the medical sites. etc. Before each person begins their report they say..."Commodor, shipsmaster, Captain, Captain" addressing the people most in charge of the ship. Just so you know, "W" hangs in that crowd, so if he says I won't get in trouble getting outside the ship, I bet he's right! Language isn't the only thing that is "foreign" aboard the ship. HOO-RAH!

Day3 What it's like to live aboard ship!

2011-05-17T10:45:00.000-07:00

Day 3 began with muster; Muster is basically role call on your unit. Every single person's name is called to verify that you are alive. Muster location for the PACU changed, and the time changed as well. All the details could be found on the intranet. Should I mention now that volunteers had no access to the intranet? It could make finding muster a bit of a challenge. If you came late to muster, meaning less than 15 minutes early you could be requested to stand in "Loser's lane". So after muster, I went to ship board orientation. Certain things were stressed at orientation....don't eat off the ship, what you could and could not put in the toilet (this is a very old ship that easily gets indigestion), what to recycle where and how to take a "navy shower" all topics for later blogs.
Orientation included a tour. There are only 2 decks (not floors) aboard the USNS Comfort that will take you from the bow of the ship (front) to the stern (back). Other than that getting from point A to point B is a little bit like running a vertical maze. Port is the left side of the ship if you are facing the bow and starboard the right. Fortunately, we seldom used port and starboard to find direction.You could roam the ship by way of ramps, and multiple stairwells and if you were really brave ladder wells through the engine room.
Living aboard ship was like a floating in a tin can. Everything made a sound and every sound was bounced off multiple walls. The cacophony of noise could be overwhelming.
Immediately following orientation I went to work in the PACU. So check out some of my pictures from the ship interior etc. Welcome aboard.

About baggage- Day1-2

2011-05-16T06:53:00.000-07:00

     I usually travel with children, not just because I'm a mom but because they make such good pack animals. Instead, I find myself at the Atlanta Airport having to "schlepp" my own 200 lb. baggage (interpret baggage anyway you would like) 4 miles to the shuttle. (Okay so it probably wasn't 4 miles, but it seemed like it after sharing 2 double beds with my 3 new best friends. As you can imagine there were sleepless moments.) And just so you know, my Right arm is now 4 inches longer than the left from dragging my wheeled luggage behind me.
   Getting our boarding passes was a comedy of errors. Each of the 5 of us were given different instructions and a different line to stand in, even though we were all going to the same place. Turns out they were switching out our airplane due to mechanical problems.
   Once on board, I had to check that we weren't on a tour bus. Our plane seriously, taxied that long. I began to wonder if we would taxi all the way to Miami. In Miami, we transfered to the plane that would take us to Jamaica and I turned off my phone. No more contact with my family until I figured out the limited internet aboard the USNS Comfort. I had no idea I was so addicted to my electronic gadgets. So here's a picture of my home for the next 4 weeks. I'm going NAVY now.

I return from the USNS Comfort

2011-05-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

I survived my time aboard the USNS Comfort. As promised I plan to blog and add pictures, daily for 28 days to signify what was happening while I was at sea. The daily blogs will begin on Monday May 16th and continue for 4 weeks. To refresh your memory, I served as a nurse in the PACU in the countries of Jamaica and Peru. I traveled through the Panama Canal. Living aboard a navy ship had it's moments of trial and hilarity (if that is a word) and visiting countries (like the cardio gym) where you don't know the language also made for some pretty interesting moments. I hope you will join me on my amazing journey. A shout out to all my friends who continue to serve aboard ship. You are all awesome!

What do I carry in my handbag?

2011-04-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

At http://www.mamakatslosinit.com/ the writing prompt was for what do you carry in your handbag. Today was not a good day to have to list all the contents as this is my handbag for the next 4 weeks. Various hygiene items reside in there and after slepping them all over the airport let me say, there is not enough deorderant. I'm also carrying my MP3 player, my netbook and all my electrical cords to make them all work. Some snacks, I wish for more chocolate, sadly no peanut butter m&m's, mostly almonds and drink mix. My pajamas and underwear, various varieties of ear plugs and meds for malaria, insomnia, seasickness and one other that you can guess. My red silk pillow cover (couldn't fit my pillow). Anti-embolism socks and more. Quite a load for a gal that usually makes do with a wallet, a business card and a lip balm. Oh, and did I mention a hat?

This post is from Atlanta....

2011-04-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

This is officially DAY ONE of my grand adventure. I had my husband take this picture just before we left for the airport. My son will grow like a weed in the next 4 weeks so I wanted to measure just how tall he gets. At the airport I met my new best friends, tonight we are having an adult slumber party, four of us sharing 2 double beds. It's been a very calm day, my flights have been awesome and my companions so nice. My greatest concern is tomorrow when I have to slepp my 45 pounds of humanitarian kits aboard the ship because the wheels won't do me any good up and down the stairways on the ship. I'm expanding my horizons, I love you all. I will post as often as I'm able. In about 11 days I will be headed for the Panama Canal, tomorrow is Jamaica.

Day 13 Photo assignment- food

2011-04-13T05:58:00.000-07:00

I know there are "nay-sayers" out there that will claim this is clearly photo-chopped. Truth is this anomaly grew in my very own garden, I've always wondered about my soil content as my property sits on an old fruit farm. This is what happens when you let your cucumbers get too cozy with your crook neck squash. There was obviously some serious bee pollination going on here. The caption should read...."split-personality. Enjoy all of the other food pictures at http://www.blessedbeyondwords.com/

Day 12 - Motion

2011-04-12T08:33:00.000-07:00

This is my crazy nephew showing off at Lake Powell. These are some of the pictures he chose to use on his senior announcement. It's always safe to behave this way when you have a nurse documenting the degree of trauma with her camera. I'm happy to report no significant injury and all of his faculties are still in tact, well at least as intact as they ever were. Check out the other motion pictures at http://www.blessedbeyondwords.com/ and have the best day.

Day 11 Household Item

2011-04-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

Today's photo challenge at http://www.blessedbeyondwords.com/ is to capture a household item. Since I have a strong aversion to all things with a power cord I wondered what I could post that would be representative of my favorite household item. I tell my family all the time that if any item needs to be dusted, washed, folded or vacuumed then it's not a gift, it's a chore. Yes, I really am that difficult to buy for. As many of you know, my family is currently in different parts of the world and I leave soon for the Carribean Sea. Therefore, these are my favorite household items whenever I can gather them home.

Day 10- Technology

2011-04-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

I'm not the most politically correct Disney officianto but I believe this icon is located in tomorrowland. Therefore I am including it in the April photography Challenge to represent technology. You can check all the other entries at http://www.blessedbeyondwords.com/. Hope you are having the best day ever.

More senior pictures!!

2011-04-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Oh the places they will go and the things they will see. Part of the fun of being a photographer is the posing. I had to talk a little bit fast to get her to lay across the train tracks, I mean because that's a totally normal natural position right? But she worked the pose and looks great. I stop and ponder whether I was ever this young?

Senior pictures!

2011-04-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

I like to take pictures, but I love to do senoir portrait sessions. It's almost as if their youth and enthusiasm washes over me like a fountain of youth. Their faces are so fresh, their future so full. Ignore any blurred areas near the edges of the pictures, I always remove the names so my senoirs can have a moment of anonymity.

Day 7- TEXTURE

2011-04-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

These are the portraits I chose to represent texture. They are taken from a local landmark that is receiving a face-lift. It will be three years before I can discover what changed and what stayed the same. Check out other views on texture at http://www.blessedbeyondwords.com/

Day 8- Where I live .....

2011-04-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

I had hoped to take a picture standing in my yard, but as the snow of spring continues to fall, I lost my motivation. I live in an amazing place with tall tall mountains, amazing red rock formation and the bluest, deepest water. THIS IS THE PLACE that I call home.

Can you guess where I live? Check all the other photographs @ http://www.blessedbeyondwords.com/