Gratuitous Bitching

I don't really have much to say but I feel the need to entertain the masses. Okay mainly my Mom and Carolyn who get upset when I don't give them reading material. It doesn't matter that I talk with my Mom on the phone every few days and I email with Carolyn every single day. They both want reading material.

So here it is...reading material in the form of some random thoughts.

Why does the dog refuse to come inside with me because he wants to lie in the sun but the second I get up the stairs, plant my ass on the couch and lift up my laptop he starts barking at the door. I am leaving him outside to learn a lesson.

Speaking of dogs, why do my neighbors all insist of having dogs that they leave outdoors all day and night? If you want an animal invite it in and make it part of your family. The dogs behind us are big 80 some pound labs. They bark nonstop all day long in this deep obnoxious bark although the cops have been called on them. They are still out ruining my warm spring days. Today somewhere in the neighborhood a small dog has joined the chorus. His constant yip is just as annoying as the big dogs deep woof.

The neighbors across the street had their first baby last night. He is doing well and I cannot wait to see him. Declan is his name. Cute Irish name.

My dog is still at the door. Shit head.

Why can't it be warm, sunny and not windy at the same time? It is 70 degrees out, cloudy and so windy you can't catch your breath out there.

Why does all the maintenance on this house fall on me? Last fall I was the one stuck sanding the mud on the new drywall and ripping up the laminate flooring and relaying it. BY MY SELF. Now Shawn made a half assed attempt to fix our deck. Which means he took down the wobbly hand railings and burned them. I am stuck stripping all the paint.

Why does it take so long for Dell to build a pc? I ordered it last Sunday. A week and 2 days ago. It is still in production and is scheduled for delivery on June 1st. Ya know. The day I start school and won't be here to sign for delivery.

Why can't it be nice so I can play with my new camera a bit?

Damn dog is still barking at the door.

This will be the girls last year at their current dance studio. I can't say why until after the recital but I'll fill you in next week.

Why do people have to get older on their birthday? Why can't people feel younger on their birthday? Why do we have birthdays?

Why does my oldest son think he is my youngest sons keeper? On a daily basis I have to tell him to knock this shit off. Last night I was about to beat them both. The more the oldest bitches the more the youngest acts like an ass to piss him off. Mom is the one who suffers here.

That's it. I have to give in to the dog so he doesn't drive me insane.

Namesake

I left the files full size. Please click to enlarge.

On September 4, 1918 my Grandmother was born.

On June 15, 1937 my Grandparents were married.

Yesterday May 7, 2009 my Grandmother went home to be with the Lord.

She spent her life devoted to her savior and I couldn't be happier for her that she is in his loving arms right now.

I was named after my Grandma. Michelle Ruth. When I was a child I hated my middle name. When I was a teenager I realized that it was an honor. I was named after a wonderful woman and couldn't be prouder to share her name.

My Grandparents spent nearly 72 years married to one another. 72 years. That is amazing.

When I was a baby I was doted on and much loved by my Grandma. I was the first granddaughter on the Haldy side in roughly 50 years. To say my birth was a big deal is probably an understatement. Sometime in the 60's my grandparents went on vacation and bought a beautiful set of small dollhouse chairs for their first granddaughter. A girl was desperately wanted. I came along and made that dream come true. I was spoiled rotten. There are several pictures of my Grandma going gaga over me when I was small. They then moved very far away and I didn't get to see them much but they always sent cards and letters to let me know they thought of me often. When I was 10 my Dad graduated from the University. It was a big deal so my Grandma flew out for the occasion. That was the last time I saw my Grandma until last fall. 23 years.

I was waiting in the lobby of the nursing home when my Dad and Uncle wheeled my Grandma out. She saw me and very excitingly said my name "Shelly?" and got teary. A lifetime of love flowed through the hug we shared. It was my turn to dote on her. I spent the day at the hospital with her. She couldn't hear well so I wrote notes and she would respond. Mostly she sat and stared at me and smiled. The hospital was chilly and her hands were like ice. I slipped my 50 cent stretchy gloves on her hands and you would have thought I gave her the best present ever. She stared at her hands and thanked me dozens of times. Its the small things I guess. She tried to give them back and I told her I wanted her to keep them. She said she would wear them and think of me. A pair of cheap gloves brought her happiness. I was blessed to spend that time with her and today I will savor every second of our time together and remember a kind woman who was so full of love.

Still Learning

The whole learning curve thing on this new camera is really challenging. Just about everything I ever learned to do with my old Sony point and shoot has to be erased and relearned with my Sony DSLR. I took this picture this afternoon while trying to figure out how to take macro shots. I am thinking I need to go buy the lens I wanted the other day but I did end up with a few really great shots.

18 and Life

Click to enlarge

18 years ago today my first nephew was born.

18 years ago today I was 3 months away from having my own baby.

18 years ago today I was only 15.

18 years ago today I was scared shitless after watching my sister in laws labor.

18 years ago today. Holy shit. Where has the time gone?

Happy Birthday Bry!!

New Shots!

Yesterday afternoon I took the new cam over to the pond behind the neighbors house to see what I could find. I came up with a ton of bird shots. Today I took the cam to the next town over to see how the falls looked. Not too shabby.

Here are some that are fit to share. As always untouched. I can't wait to see what this bad boy can do when I actually learn to use the fancy software that was included.

New, New, New!!

This morning I headed to the local Best Buy. By local I mean almost 40 minutes away from my house. Oh the joys of living in the middle of nowhere. I was on a mission to buy my new camera. Thank goodness I scored!! I bought a Sony Alpha 350. I am in love! Well love with a few exceptions. Never believe a guy who works at BB. He told me the lens that came with the camera would be fine for macro work. I stressed to him how important a macro lens was to me. I explained that the majority of my photos are of flowers and such. No problem he says. The lens that is included will work fine. Dirty liar. I can't get closer than 3 feet to a flower before the subject blurs out and the camera won't take the photo. I would have spent the money on the lens. Jeez. He also told me my memory stick duo would work. He just forgot to tell me I needed an adapter so I had to drive 30 miles to another town to buy a memory card. Yeah I hate living in the middle of nowhere.

I did get a chance to play a bit and take some photos. Mostly of the dog. She likes to pose. I would post those pictures but after running around all day and spending hours trying to figure out how to work the camera I am a bit tired of messing with it and don't have the want to download the pictures off the camera.

Since I am a loser with no life I spent hours online Saturday night building a new computer on Dell.com. Yesterday I ordered it. Why does it take a whole month to build a computer and ship it?? Sooooo annoying. I want my toys now!!

All this money I'm spending better be worth it. I am going to have to kill myself to make good grades and still function as a wife and Mom. I'm sure I can do it but it will be tough at first. Wish me luck!!

PS. The rose was part of Erin's bouquet. I took 50 some pictures of just the bouquet. About 3 are worth sharing lol.

Prom Maddness!

First I want to update everyone on my Uncle Jack. He made it through surgery just fine. He is doing well and should be able to go home Tuesday or Wednesday! Thanks everyone for the prayers. They obviously worked!!

Tonight is Ed's prom. Super busy day! I was up and cleaning at 6:30. I ran errands and then spent the afternoon taking pictures. He and Erin had a blast posing all over the place. I took over 300 photos of them today!! These are just a few of my favorites. It was really hard to choose.

We went to the grand march at the school and watched everyone parade through in their formal attire. It was really fun and everyone looked so nice.

After today I could use a glass of wine and a jacuzzi. Hmmm. Think I am running off to the liquor store.

What if I can't think of a clever title?

This morning while getting the kids ready for school I had a whole post worked up in my head. Now I can't even remember the topic. That is so buggy!!

Earlier this week I went and took the placement tests for my little adventure back to college. I did really well on the English part of the tests, not so much on the math part. I was half a point away from being a certified mathtard. Four points away from a perfect score on English. Now I am waiting on my award letter to find out if I can get student loans. If all is well I start June 1st. Yay!! Even more yay is the day I get the letter saying I can get loans I am running right out to the local best buy and buying a new camera. Exciting!

In other news, Tuesday morning my Uncle Jack had a heart attack. I dig my Uncle Jack. Family lore says that back in the day he grew a pot plant in my Grandma's flowerbed. She never knew what it was but liked it because of the pretty flowers. I will never know if that's true or not but come on, what a great story. Right now, as I type this, he is under the knife having bi-pass surgery or is it by-pass surgery? Either way if you could all say a prayer that he comes through okay and has a speedy recovery. My Grandpa died of a heart attack. My Uncle Kenny has had a few and is still hanging around doing his thing. Now Uncle Jack. He is so ornery I'm sure he will be fine.

That's about it for my part of the world. Tim tagged me for a meme but if he thinks I am taking a picture of myself preshower, makeup and hair he is smokin' some crack. His new name should be Oh Cracktain. Ha!

Love and Marriage the Human Edition

This is a subject I wasn't sure I wanted to touch upon but it is one I feel very passionately about. My intent isn't to offend anyone here and if you are offended by what I am about to say then this isn't the blog for you. I hope you can open your mind and your heart and see beyond yourself. :)

Today is the first day that two people of the same sex can walk into a court house in Iowa and apply for a piece of paper that says they have the same rights in each others lives as their opposite sex counterparts. That, to me, is one of the most wonderful things that could ever happen. Imagine, Iowa (and two other states) are allowing human beings basic rights that most other human beings are already allowed to enjoy. The right to share medical insurance and medical power of attorney, a piece of paper that allows them to own half of each others shit.

In Iowa people no longer have to meet under an arch in any room but a church to promise to spend the rest of their lives together and then walk away having signed nothing and making nothing legal. Now, they can meet in a church and promise that maybe one day they can pay a man thousands of dollars to undo what is written on a scrap of paper just like the rest of us can.

Who would have thought little Iowa was such a progressive thinking state? I now pronounce you husband and husband. Iowa ROCKS!!

To: My Mommy (and their granny grunt)

Happy Birthday Mom!! I hope you are enjoying your day!

Twisted

Sometimes I really hate Minnesota, like today. I live in a new division with very few trees and very few fences. My yard is a wind tunnel of sorts. While downstairs doing laundry I heard a huge crash. I seriously thought someone was in my kitchen since all the animals were hanging out with me, begging for food. It wasn't an intruder. Just the wind. This is what I found. Holy hell. Thank goodness I have a spare.

The top picture was taken when the screws were still semi holding it onto the deck.

Like how my poor light is just hanging there. The thing turned inside out so the hook it is supposed to be hanging on is pointing up in the air. The light is hanging by the cord that was zip tied onto the frame.

What remained after I unhooked it from the deck railing and threw it over.
Funny thing is, last weekend Shawn was complaining that I put the top back on since the framework would need to be moved so we can refinish our deck. Well mother nature took care of that little problem for him!

Moo

I know, I know. Two consecutive days of posts. Who woulda thunk it?? I actually have a surplus of photos to share right now so I better get to it. (Remind me I said this next winter)

Today while I was out and about I drove past this lovely lady. I slammed on my breaks, whipped my car around and waded through the weeds to get this shot (and many more). She was so photogenic. I ended up taking 77 photos throughout the day. Not so bad considering it has been ages since my camera has seen that much action.

Kicks

Its widely known amongst my family that I have a shoe fetish (I have a sock thing too, owning hundreds of pairs, that's a different post). My sister in law would even say that I have an ugly shoe fetish, I prefer to call the shoes I buy trendy so we disagree. She has gone as far as calling me from the store and saying "hey I found some Shelly shoes" my reply is always "ugly huh? I'm sure I would love them". It has become a huge joke. Ha ha!

Its true, I love shoes, even ugly ones but growing up in a house with 5 kids and no disposable income I came by most of my shoes from the Payless sales rack. I was cool with that and as a matter of fact Payless is still one of my favorite shoe stores. Of course I have expanded my horizons a bit to include DSW. They have cheap shoes too. So, it is no surprise that never in my entire life have I ever spent more than $60 on a pair of shoes. Before my last pair of Avia's I had never spent more than $40. Until last week, when I ordered these beauties up and forked over my credit card number. I had a bit of sticker shock but I quickly closed my eyes and hit enter and these little beauties arrived today. Aren't they pretty!!! That's a statement not a question. I may never actually use them for what they are meant for, running, because I don't want to wear them outside and muck them up. Maybe they can just be really expensive house slippers.

This is what sunny and 78 looks like in Minnesota

If Sunday is the beginning of a new week then yesterday was the close of one of the worst weeks I have had in ages.

Monday was fabulous, don't get me wrong. I spent the entire day spring cleaning and organizing our downstairs. I sorted through things that haven't been touched in years. I dusted, vacuumed and scrubbed the living areas down there into submission. Plus it was the day that, just like Jesus, my friend died and was brought back from the dead. Thank God I had all that cleaning to keep my mind from wandering to far down the path of thinking I nearly lost a third of one of my favorite groups of friends and all that would mean in my life.

Tuesday is when the crappy week really began. I was super tired and super sore. I chalked it up to too much cleaning and rested for the day.

Wednesday hit my like a mack truck. I was in so much pain I couldn't move without wanting to scream and the commencement of water works. All that yoga and cleaning put the icing on my already injured back. Off to the chiropractor with me. The second he adjusted my neck I got one of the worse headaches I can ever remember in my life. Yikes!

Thursday I went back for more chiropractor torture and to be perfectly honest was quite possibly the worst day I have ever had in my life short of the days I lost some important people in my life. The shit storm just wouldn't end. Like a dumbass I tried to take the labbie for a walk right after I left the chiro table. Dumb ass idea number one. She drug me all over the river bottoms chasing the scent of every rabbit who ever hopped along the path. This caused further wrenching of my back. It is also the day Shawn announced he would be taking a $3.60 an hour pay cut. Commence with the holy fuck thoughts. I had a small tiff with my girlfriend which exacerbated my crappy day. Add on top of that I received an email from my uncle letting me know that my 90 some year old grandmothers body was no longer responding to dialysis and they would be removing her cath and stopping dialysis. It will only be a few weeks and she will be gone. After reading that email I put my head in my hands asked Shawn if the day could get any worse and sobbed into the soft fur of the labbie who caused me so much pain earlier in the day.

Friday I woke up with a sinus pressure headache from hell. A combo of all the crying and the pollen I sucked in on my traipse through the river bottoms. I tried extra strength tylenol, mucinex D and my netti pot. When all of those combined had no effect I hit my bed and slept nearly the entire 80 degree day away. I did wake up feeling enough better that I was able to help the kids put up the trampoline and get the top on the gazebo. I grilled steaks, watched a bit of television and soaked in the jacuzzi tub before getting back into bed at 9. All in all I was awake far less than I was asleep that day.

Yesterday Shawn and I took the girls shopping, worked in the yard a bit and painted the trim on the house. Last night we played cards with some very fun people. It was the perfect end to my shitty week.

In other news....Sky slept over at a friends last night!! It is the first time she has actually stayed without us picking her up before 11. I am so happy for her. She's growing up!

The serial killer is on the loose again. I discovered two victims under the deck today. A headless bird who's head was found on the other side of the house and a headless baby bunny who's head has yet to be found. I put a collar with a bell on him but he is still just too sneaky. Fucking cat.

And the winner is.......

There were a few snafu's along the way with this giveaway. Like someone decided to leave several comments which I don't think is fair so, only one of that persons comments count as an entry. My numbers were 6 and 13. Since there was no comment number 13 I threw the remaining names into a hat and drew.





The winners are........


(insert drumroll here)

Kat and Deb!!

Send me your mailing addresses and your pick of picture and I will get them sent to the printer. photosbynature@gmail.com

Because Everyone is Doing It!

I am feeling rather generous today. Because of that I have decided to do a giveaway!!

Here is the scoop:

Leave me a comment on this post, it doesn't have to be anything specific, a hello will work.

I will pick a few random numbers, right now. If your comment is one of those numbers you win.

For every 10 comments one prize will be awarded.

The prize you ask.....one of my prints in a 5x7 size. You choose. You can choose any print at my Etsy store OR any photo found on this blog barring I still have the full size file and the print isn't of a person. If you have the hots for my husband or best friend...sorry. No people.

The contest ends Thursday April 16th at 9 am EST.

Get to commenting people!!

Happy....!

Today's post is two-fold.

Happy Easter! I hope you all have the opportunity to eat lots of Peeps and enjoy your family!

Second I would like to say Happy Birthday to my Jill, my best friend, my amigo, my pal. You get the idea. Run over and give Cat mad birthday love!!

PS. Sorry about the coloring on the egg that says "happy". Try getting your kids to leave the eggs in the dye long enough. Go ahead, I dare ya!

Happy Easter Eve

Happy Easter Eve everybody!

It couldn't have been more beautiful today. We spent the entire day outside working in the yard (the kids played) and visiting with our new neighbors. Spring has finally sprung!!

Mission Complete

One hundred days ago I made my new years resolution to post a picture here every single day for one hundred days. I really needed blog fodder at the time but mostly I did it to challenge myself artistically and creatively. I accomplished all of those things and so many more.

I don't plan to stop posting pictures every day because I have really enjoyed it. I just won't feel bad if don't!

Happy 100 to me! :)

Yogi

I spent hours yesterday bitching and moaning about being sore from Yoga. Several times Ed declared how easy Yoga is. Big mistake kiddo.

I decided to have him do some poses. Ha!

After nearly an hour of trying to get into downward dog he almost got it. The important thing though is I got to laugh at him and let him know that no Yoga is not easy. Plus I got some pictures that will someday be very useful. I am thinking maybe on his wedding day I will make a slide show and this picture will be included.

Notice how he just cannot get his heals down? Hey this stuff is easy. Yeah right.