FOOTNOTES

For Sale

2013-05-02T22:14:00.001-05:00

Yes its true, after 10.5 years I'm saying good bye to an old friend.

I think I have had more then my share of fun with her.

I know...not very lady like. But fun none the less.

Amazingly I never received a speeding ticket while driving her.

I did however get pulled over for the pipes being to loud.

But I played my "female card"

"Why officer, what do you mean by Borla X Pipes?"

He got down on one knee and pointed out the pipes and said

"these are definitely not stock."

"Oh My, my husband must have switched them,

I'm so sorry"

He let me go with out a ticket! :)

"It's a Good Life"

Boston Marathon

2013-04-16T20:35:00.003-05:00

Yesterday some terrorist set off two bombs at the Boston Marathon.

REALLY?
Why would you want to hurt innocent people and children?

This hit pretty close to home for me since I was "lucky" enough

to qualify/run this marathon twice.

It's a world class Marathon, and when you run it

you know you have been apart of something big.

Its a feeling you don't forget.

And yesterday someone went and tainted that feeling

for 29,000 runners and their families.

3 lives were lost including an 8 year old little boy named
Martin Richard. Martin was just standing by innocently,
with his Mom and little sister waiting to watch
his Daddy finish the marathon.

How sad is that?

My thoughts and prayers are with the runners,
the victims and their families.

A Girl, A Dog and a Clicker

2013-04-15T11:24:00.001-05:00

I had "My Girl" for the afternoon the other day so my plan

was to get a nice picture of her and I.

She didn't want any part of it, so I bribed her with the

clicker. There's just something about that clicker.

(Nice tongue Pokie)

OK baby, let Grandma have the clicker now.

I'm done Grandma

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Finally

2013-01-21T19:43:00.000-06:00

A little bit of snow.

I have been waiting patiently since Christmas

to take some "snow pictures"

with my new camera.

But as luck would have it Chicago has

broken a record. It had been 329 days since

we have had a measurable snowfall of 1" or more.

My view out the front window this morning.

Beautiful but cold, only 10 degrees.

So I snapped this picture right thru the dining room window.

Then I decided to get out my tripod

and get a little more serious.

Come on does the street really

need to be plowed right

now?

I had a vision in my head, of just capturing the

tree and evergreen.

So I switched lenses, and went with a zoom.

seriously?

He was out there for a good 10 minutes

going back and forth,

back and forth,

photo bombing my picture.

Quiet honestly if there was an inch of snow

on the ground I would have been surprised.

After he got done playing and left,

I was able to make a few

more adjustments and

capture this picture.

In reality I dream of a beautiful picture

where there's just a single bare tree

against a snowy open field.

I'm thinking I might have to put

on my winter coat, boots and hat

and actually leave the house in

order to get that shot.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Say YES,

2013-01-14T18:00:00.000-06:00

to the dress.

Over the weekend I went

wedding dress shopping

with my niece,

and her entourage.

Waiting patiently to see the first dress.

"What about this one"

Don't worry people

none of these are the dress she picked.

or the head piece for that matter.

The Judges

A little Mother Daughter talk.

I imagine it went something like this...

"Don't worry honey what ever dress you pick

your going to be the most beautiful bride."

I think they approve.

and so does she.

After many hours and many dresses it

was time to put on her ruby slippers and

go home......

With the absolute most perfect dress EVER!!!!!

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Christmas House Love

2013-01-13T19:49:00.000-06:00

Well its over
but before I took down
all my holiday wonderfulness.

I went around and snapped some pictures
so that I could share with you guys.

I loved how the table decorations turned out this year.

Early morning pre dawn.

My favorite time of the day.

The picture in the back ground is of my two sons

circa 1987. This was my favorite new addition to my

holiday decor.

Front living room.

I just added the faux fireplace this year, and was

more then happy to have another mantel

to decorate.

The great room and the new Christmas tree

Its 9' tall and replaces the tree

that I had purchased in 1987.

Yes 1987.

Do you think I got my moneys worth out of that tree ?

I did it in a white and silver theme.

So different from the past years red and gold.

This is truly the hub of the house,

most of our time is spent in here.

I love having a tree in the master bedroom.

I was really in no hurry to take the decorations down,

they bring me such joy.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Top 12 of 2012

2013-01-04T07:39:00.001-06:00

Like last year where I posted my top 11 from 2011

which you can check out here I want to

recap my top 12 pictures from 2012

(in no particular order)

of course this one had to be included.

I love this one because of the subject and the story it tells.

"Me and My Girl running across the finish line at a 5K"

I dream of running a full 5K with her someday.

I have very few pictures of her and I

In fact I have very few pictures with me in them.

I plan on changing that this year.

Going to feed the ducks.

I absolutely love the way the back lighting lit up the leaves.

ADORABLE

I know, I'm one lucky girl.

Priceless

This was totally unposed.

I was just in the right place at the right time.

Instagram picture

My absolute fav instagram picture of all time.

Pentwater Michigan

OK, my bestie took this picture but its one of

my favorites of me and my guy.

Sisters

My favorite picture of the whole 5hr photo shoot.

Yes 5 hrs, and I have to say I've never laughed

so much in one day.

Grateful

I came home from work one day this fall

and they were both sleeping in the shade on the front porch.

Tractor

One of my homework assignments from my first photography class

I like the branch's of the trees against the sky.

Copy Cat

I saw an ad in Runners World like this and

it just spoke to me.

Coke

Love the colors, shadows, angle, display....

I know 13

but I how could I not add this one.

Coming home after his last day of work

OUTTAKES

Honorable mention

These pictures make my laugh out loud

EVERY time I look at them.

power of the clicker

LOL EVERY TIME!

love the way they contoured their bodies just

to get in the frame.

WHAT THE?

You tube video here.

I can't wait to see what 2013 brings.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

2013..... Bring It On

2013-01-01T06:00:00.001-06:00

Guess who got a ~~fancy~~ fancier new camera

and

some new equipment for Christmas.

(Thanks Santa Baby)

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Christmas Fun

2012-12-17T21:17:00.000-06:00

Our towns Christmas festival.

Our town puts on a Christmas Festival

that is totally free.

Any and all families in the community are

invited to attend.

There was....

free hot dogs, free sugar cookies, free candy canes.

Free hot chocolate.

Free "Sleigh Rides"

and lots of love.

We also made our annual trip to see Santa.

This is as close as she got to Santa.

Bass Pro Shop has the most beautiful

displays set up at Christmas time....only problem is

those dreamy blue lights.

Drive this Grandma with a Camera Crazy.

Our formal EXXONMobil Christmas picture.

Even though he officially retired in June.

We still get to attend every function Exxon puts on.

They held the party at the Field Museum of Science and Industry.

My Guy!

On Saturday morning we went out to the

Abraham Lincoln veterans cemetery

and helped lay wreaths on soldiers graves.

It was an amazing/beautiful/humbling sight seeing grave marker

after grave marker all with a Christmas wreath.

*************

As you all know on Friday afternoon

the unthinkable happened in a little

elementary school in Connecticut.

I don't have the words

to explain how I feel about

such a terrible event.

I can only offer up my prayers

to the victims and their loved ones.

Tis the Season!

2012-12-02T06:38:00.000-06:00

To Be Jolly

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

FOOTNOTE TO FOOTNOTES: Thanks for the pictures Grandpa

For Hire

2012-11-29T22:38:00.001-06:00

Monday night was the first night of my new

photography class.

Secrets of Lighting 101

The class is 3 hours long and 2.5 of it was spent

shooting pictures of this

cute/lovely/gorgeous/beautiful

young model.

Might I add she had NO makeup on

just a little bit of eyeliner.

She did however stop a few times to

reapply her chapstick.

OOOH for the days when no makeup was required.

We had two different photo booths set up.

Gene......(I'm on a first name bases with the teacher now.)

Actually walked us through setting up

the back drop and lighting.

In photography lighting is everything.

What fun I had pointing my

big ol' camera and lens

at someone who didn't run and hide.

In fact she would pose for me.

All these pictures were taken in

a totally dark warehouse

using just the lighting we set up.

OK maybe I'm not ready to be

"For Hire"

A good photographer would never

cut off her models feet.

BUTTTT

not to bad for a Grandma with a Camera.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

I Trust You All

2012-11-24T07:56:00.001-06:00

had a Happy Thanksgiving!

I was the hostest with the mostest on Thursday.

I actually had to set 3 tables.

Of course you guys all know that

decorating for me is one of the best parts.

We had a small but lively crowd.

The young man on the right, that's Cory.

Hes new to our bunch. I don't think

he quite knows what to make of us.

That young man on the right, that's Kyle.

He already knows were crazy.

The surprise of the day was when this lady came walking in.

(cell phone pic)

We had been texting back and forth all morning.

While I was running around preparing our meal,

and she was at home in Wisconsin doing her laundry,

and cleaning the fish bowl.

Well much to my surprise right as the guests started to

arrive in she walked.

She actually drove 4 hours each way

just to spend Thanksgiving with us!

awwwwww

Am I the only woman who finds a man

working in the kitchen sexy?

Hard at work with

glitter glue and markers.

"Here Grandma its your favorite color."

Of course since it was a HOLIDAY

my oldest son was working.

Missed you Neal

I saw this on Pinterest and just had to share.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Weighing Heavy

2012-11-12T06:43:00.000-06:00

No not that kind

(even though I am)

In the three plus years I have been writing this little blog

I have shared with you guys

"most" everything that goes on in my day to day life.

I as you know like to end each post with

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Problem is sometimes when I go to

hit publish I know that some of you

are going thru a tough spot in your lives.

Hell, sometimes as I hit post,

I have some crap going on in mine.

There are even times I
don't post because of situations going on.
Either in my life or others.

Fact is, we all have crap in our lives.

Admittedly some of it just stinks way worse then others.

It's just that I keep the crap discussions

for my ~~therapists~~ Sisters and BFF.

(sorry I keep saying crap)

No ones life is Pintrest

perfect and certainly not mine.

So Please when I

ramble on and on about

Baby Girl

my photography class

my latest Diy project

the fact that I'm a farmers wife

just bare with me.

Because I do care
and
I in no way

ever want to diminish the fact that

sometimes life ~~SUCKS~~ is hard.

"That's all I'm gonna' say about that!"

Harvest Time

2012-11-04T16:55:00.001-06:00

On Friday I drove around for 1.5 hrs

hunting for inspiration for

the perfect

"nature" picture for this weeks homework.

I had heard from another photographer friend that

there was a beautiful park just 25 minutes north.

She said she uses it quiet often for photo shoots.

So I grabbed up my gear and headed out.

Only to get there and realize I would

have to go wondering thru the woods

by myself. In an area I already wasn't

comfortable with.

So I turned around and started heading home.

With the thought in my head that I would try to

capture some of the horses out grazing in a field I had

passed by earlier.

Well NO.

By the time I got back they had all been put away for the night.

In one more attempt to get my homework done.

I remembered a park not to far from home.

It was perfect!

I got there at dusk and was able

to get this shot.

I loved it but....

I thought it may be even prettier with the sun coming up.

So yesterday I got up early, packed up my gear

grabbed a mug of coffee and headed out before dawn.

It was beautiful, quiet and perfect,

and I was totally alone.

At first I was a little afraid to get out of the car.

This particular park has old barns right at the begining.

My first thought when I pulled up in the dark was

there could be serial killers or

Zombies in those buildings.

I shook it off, got out and dragged the

barrier over with the sign that said

Open Dawn till Dusk

and drove on in.

Once the sun started to come up over the horizon

I started snapping away.

Problem is

I'm not particularly thrilled with the lighting.

I didn't get the POP I was hoping for with the sunrise.

I think I will submit both to the teacher and let him

critique away.

Wouldn't this be the perfect spot for a family portrait?

But for now I have to run,

I've got crops to bring in.

Told ya I'm a farmers wife.

Highlights from Trick or Treating

2012-11-02T08:13:00.001-05:00

Some years we get lucky

and some years we don't.

This year we didn't!

It was COLD and WINDY.

That being said,

this is how cute little red riding hood looked

Before....going out trick or treating.

Her Mama made her the cutest little costume.

During Trick or Treating.

(Still Cute)

No ones home.

I'm thinking Little Red Riding Hood

doesn't have to worry much about the

Big Bad wolf.....walking around with this guy.

She turned around and saw Tristen

and started showing him her superb bunny hopping skills.

Told you it was Cold out...

Our poor little baby only had 4 adults following her around.

Captain America had 10 adults backing him up.

Hope you had as much fun as I did.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

FOOTNOTE TO FOOTNOTES: Special thanks to Captain Americas

Grandma (my sis) for preparing the great after trick or treat dinner for us all.

Happy Halloween

2012-10-31T06:16:00.000-05:00

A few weeks back I took a little walk thru the local cemetery.

Its not my first time doing this, but it is the first time

I have taken pictures.

"Plots for sale"

For some reason cemetery's don't freak me out.

In fact I find them to be very peaceful.

I was there for over an hour,

and I didn't see another living soul.

hahhaha

(I crack myself up)

OK check this out.....

A huge gaudy tombstone

(who says you cant take it with you)

next to a simple wooden cross.

For inquiring minds

The huge monument is actually a drilling rig.

The grave its marking was a local business man,

who owned a well drilling company.

He was shot and killed

in a bar fight a few years back.

Tombstone of a wise woman/man.

WHATS UP?

2012-10-28T07:45:00.002-05:00

It's been a little over 2 weeks since my last post.

Yes I've been busy,

but probably no busier then the rest of you.

I've been working, playing, and going to school.

Did I mention I LOVE my photography class?

It's challenging but fun,

the more I work with all the settings on the camera

the easier it becomes.

This week our homework assignment was to

A.) Make a light box and take a "Product" picture to

use for advertising.

B.) Take a still life picture

SOOO since I'm still trying to obtain

the coveted "teachers pet" status

I decided to do both.

I actually wound up making 2 light boxes.

My first light box was to small so I started over again.

and here it is the finished project.

It's an ad for a gift box from ~~Kmar~~t Tiffany.

Yesterday morning while I was in the shower

I noticed how nice the morning light was coming in the

window.

So this morning I had everything all staged and ready

and sat in the tub and waited for the "perfect" light.

UMMMMM just not feeling it.

I saved it and then went on with my day.

All along thinking I needed to do something different.

Then I did this!
In about 30 minutes I put it all together and

got the shot. Well I actually took 32 shots,

one right after the other, trying to get the light just right.

I think I nailed it,

we will see what the teacher says.

If I don't move up the ranks to "teachers pet"

with these pictures.

I'll just bust out my world famous chocolate chip cookies

and bring them to class.

Footnote to Footnotes: The only editing I did on the above pictures was cropping.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Say Yes to Michigan

2012-10-11T05:53:00.001-05:00

Over the weekend I had the opportunity to go to Michigan

with my bestie, and my husband.

Just four hours north of home and I was in a

whole other world.

A world that consisted of light houses

beaches and sand dunes.

(Two of my favorite people)

I used this picture for my homework assignment on Monday.

{rule of thirds, lead in lines}

It just so happens that my besties parents own a

luxury condo on the lake, that they use for a summer home.

Very nice, Right?

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Its good to know people who know people.

Who ever designed it knew just what they were doing.

The views were fabulous inside and out.

The colors in the condo where all

soft and beachy.

Is beachy a word?

Just sitting in there drinking a cocktail

and chatting was so very calming.

Chocolate Martinis....the hubs specialty.

There's one little street that runs in front of the condo.

Its lined with quaint little shops and restaurants,

and of course beach houses. (a girl can dream)

My favorite picture of the weekend.

Thanks so much Mr and Mrs B.

for sharing your lovely home with us.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Happy Birthday to Me.

2012-10-03T21:44:00.002-05:00

This past weekend was my birthday,

And, Yogi decided to throw me a party.

Mother Nature was in charge of the decorating.

She has quiet a knack for it don't you think?

O.K. now she was just showing off.

My favorite picture of the weekend.

(also the picture I submitted for my homework

assignment on Monday)

and the good Lord did his part by

providing us with a full moon.

I was given the gift of the most perfect fall weekend.

Not a bad way at all to celebrate my birthday.

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Back to School

2012-09-26T08:30:00.000-05:00

Monday was a good day!

I went back to school.

Oh yes I did!

I say back to school because I actually attended JJC

back in 1976 & 1977

The funny/odd part is when I called to register for my class

they asked me if I'm currently a student or have ever been a student?

I laughed and said well yeah I attended like a 100 years ago.

She asked what my name was when I attended and

there it was my student information from 35 years ago.

We updated my address and I was good to go.

I've gone back to take some photography classes.

I really want to improve my skills.

Taking Great pictures really is an art.

The teacher said his class will teach us

to take Great pictures every time.

"getting lucky with a few good shots!"

I beg your pardon.

The beauty of a photography class is...

they encourage you to take pictures in class!

Here are a couple of my classmates.

The guy up close is Jim, hes a retired electrician.

The young woman in the back is Katie, shes been a self taught

photographer with her own photography business for 6 years.

I think she may be the teachers pet.

Here's Rosa she is a "GWAC" like me.

(Grandma with a Camera)

This young kid is.......

(Dang forgot his name.)

I believe he may have not known what he was signing up for

because he is the only one with a point and shoot camera,

and this is a class for DSLR users.

He may not be there next week.

When I originally called to register both classes I wanted

to sign up for where totally full.

BUMMER!

As luck would have it though they decided to add another class.

The timing of the class isn't exactly ideal for me but I will make it work.

The beautiful thing is there are only 5, yes five

students in the class.

Talk about personalized attention.

The 2.5 hour class just flew by, I loved every minute of it.

So much to learn.

I can't wait for next week!

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Footnote to Footnotes: YAY! I have homework to do. I'll share with you later.

Happy Birthday Steven

2012-09-24T21:04:00.002-05:00

Last night we celebrated the birth of my youngest!

Nothing fancy, just dinner with the family.

Then some baby tossing,

and some Birthday cake.

Like I had done for my first born back in February I wanted

to document some of his birth story. I know 26 years later.

But here goes:

My second pregnancy was way different then my first.

Of course it was,

I was pregnant and had a two year old

to chase around as well.

No taking it easy when your tired,

no sleeping in late,

no going to bed early,

no putting your feet up

in the middle of the day to reduce swelling!

I also got to "enjoy" my third trimester

in the heat of summer vs the winter.

For most of the pregnancy the Dr. was concerned

that he may have to perform a Cesearan section

because I had placenta previa,

but at the last minute the placenta moved

and I was given the green light to go home and have a baby.

So I did what the Dr told me and I went home

and with in a few hours I was in labor.

(the back of the picture says he was 10 minutes old)

It was a relatively short labor.

much like my first in by 10pm, baby by 4am.

Almost the same times as my first delivery.

I do however remember being more

scared and nervous this time on the way to the hospital.

The memories from the first labor where becoming quiet vivid

and I realized THIS IS GONNA HURT!

(again this was still the 80's

and I opted for a natural childbirth.)

We didn't know the sex of the baby till I delivered.

But I remember looking at him and thinking OMG

its the same baby. He looked exactly like his

brother had when I delivered him, some 2 years earlier.

Who is that young kid I let change my newborn?

I love ya to pieces!

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Welcome!

2012-09-21T06:07:00.001-05:00

It definitely feels like fall here.

As much as I love summer I have to admit

its been pretty fantastic this past week.

Cool brisk mornings,

warm sunny days

and chilly nights. Perfect!

BUT

What I really wanted to share with you,
that I'm so tickled about is my front door and fall decorations.

You might of caught a glimpse of it from my previous post.

If you can look past the cuteness of Grandpa and Granddaughter,

you'll see I have my our name on the front door.

In this picture however it was photo shopped in.

Yep, that's right Photo Shopped!

I liked it so much I wanted to do it for real.

So the wheels started turning and I came up with a way to do it.

I didn't want to use vinyl or a stencil.

It had to be that particular font.

So I took a picture of a blank white wall

and uploaded it to my computer.

Then I went to my favorite photo editing site

(Pic Monkey) and added the text.

Then all I had to do was print it out on transparency paper.

Well you can probably guess where I went from there.

Of course I had to wait till it was dark.

Then I just followed the lines and traced out our name.

I did however wait till the next morning to do my painting.

Its as simple as coloring, just stay in the lines.

This is right before she darted out the door, and was chasing

after the neighbors lab AND rottweiler.

All the while I'm running behind her in my PJ'S and slippers

(of course I was painting in my PJ'S)

yelling

Pokie

POKIE

POKIE, get BACK HERE

(why must they make us look like total idiots in front of the whole neighborhood?)

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

I'm linking up to
Rhoda's Outdoor It's Fall Y'all Party at Southern Hospitality

Look what I found

2012-09-11T07:33:00.001-05:00

at my front door,

when I came home from work

yesterday afternoon.

Pretty awesome huh?

(that's it nothing more to be said)

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Patience, Persistence pays off.

2012-09-05T07:08:00.000-05:00

Over the holiday weekend we went camping.

I know big surprise, right?

It rained most of the day on Saturday

thanks to hurricane Issac.

But that didn't stop us from playing out side.

It was a nice soft steady rain, with no lightning or thunder.

So we figured we were safe, right?

***

I spent the weekend with my little girl

who ends every sentence with Right?

Pokie wants her dinner, Right?

The slides not wet, Right?

It's not raining anymore, Right?

Grandpa can fix it for the people, Right?

Two and a half years old and
she actually came out with that whole sentence.

The neighbors had one of those light up
fake palm trees outside their camper.

She spotted it out the window the first night
we were there and thought it was pretty cool.

When she got up the next morning one
of the first things she noticed was

that the lights were off. She thought the tree broke.

and

Shes says to me "Grandpa can fix it for the people, right?"

ummm so that evening when the lights came back on

we might of, ummm sort of, let her think Grandpa fixed it.

No harm no foul, Right?

On Sunday the clouds parted and the sun shone,

so we decided it would be fun to go to
Starved Rock State Park and hike.

However we didn't get very far.

She was content to walk around

collecting acorns, leaves, pine cones,

and singing.

So we actually never made it on a hiking trail.

We did nothing more then circle the lodge,

but that's OK, right?

Of course you know me I had my camera snapping

away hoping for the perfect shot.

With out being all up in her face,

but I just wasn't getting anywhere.

She was moving to fast for me.

Then all of a sudden when she was climbing around,

she spotted some little boys out in the distance

hootin and hollerin like boys will do.

So for a split second she stopped to watch.

Wait for it......

then BAM!

There was my money shot.

Cute as can be right?

But as fast as it came it was gone!

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"

Helping my boy!

2012-08-29T15:31:00.002-05:00

Over the past weekend I did a number
of little projects around the house.

I will share some of them with you later, but for now I want

to show you how I put that over head projector

I bought here to good use.

This is the poster that was hanging on his wall at his school.

It was OK but not at all what he was really wanting.

He was really wanting a banner with his logo on it,

or maybe even his logo right on the wall.

Well, as any good Mama/DIY'er would do

I got to thinking.

"I can fix that."

When I saw the overhead projector for sale at the

worlds longest yard sale for $1.00 I had to have it.

YES I said $1.00

I did have to buy a bulb off of Ebay

for $7.99 (shipped) but still worth the $8.99

So on Saturday night after his school closed

we got down to business.

Since most of you know how a overhead projector works

I'll keep it simple.

You project the image on the wall.

Then you trace the outline with

a black sharpie marker,

while all the time balancing on a ladder.

Continue doing this till you think your arm is

going to fall off and your neck and shoulder start to spasm.

(2.5 hrs later)

Then stand back and admire your work.

At this point you can go home to bed,

you deserve it.

The next day you go back and

color in all the lines with black paint.

TWICE

(approximate time 2 hrs)

So worth the effort

don't you think?

Be nice: I was a little tired after all that painting.

He's already used it for a photo "op" with his kids class.

(thats my boy, the one on the end in the Blue GI)

"IT'S A GOOD LIFE"