My Canine Daughter

Meet Gracie. Vegas Grace is her full name, but Gracie suited her much more than Vegas did. She was such a little scrapper when she was a pup. Perpetually happy, nippy and rambunctious! I went through a [short] stage where I couldn't stand her because she just. wouldn't. listen.



There's something about owning a dog that makes you a different person. Inside.
You love your children unconditionally, but the love for a dog is precious. Perhaps it's because they can't speak our language. Perhaps it's because they are totally dependent on us to survive. Could it be the look in their eyes when they seek acceptance or love? Their utter joy in pleasing us?






My heart grows heavy when I think about the day that Gracie won't be with us anymore. She's only three years old now, and I know she'll bring us joy for many more years, but the thought of losing her is almost unbearable.



Give your pet a hug today!





Do you have a pet that pulls on your heart strings? It's a feeling that just can't be explained if you're not a pet owner.

Winter Walk

Winter was certainly in the air today. After the crazy mild weather we've had up until now, it really felt C-O-L-D today. It was above zero, but the wind was nasty, the sky was dark grey and it felt like winter. We supposedly in for a few frigidly cold days. At least the sun is supposed to shine, which will be a treat!

D and I went to the gym this morning. I walked the treadmill for almost a half hour while reading my novel. Did some of the weight machines. Then I scraped the whole driveway (before the little bit of snow on it froze solid tonight!) Then we took our hike this afternoon.

Man, I'm gonna sleep great tonight!!!

I need three hands!

I took Gracie for a walk in the bush today and brought the new Pentax with me. I learned something. I need three hands.

With my old P&S, I used to hold the dog's leash in one hand and snap away with the other! Not so easy with a dSLR. I didn't actually have the dog ON the leash, but my pockets aren't big enough to put the leash IN, so I had to hold it in my hand. It's one of those retractable ones, so it's not like I could have just wrapped it around my neck to keep it out of the way.

So there I was, struggling with my footing, [there's not enough snow to walk on top of it and too much to be able to see the terrain underneath, so I was doing a lot of slipping, sliding and tripping!], trying to operate the camera controls and zoom ring AND focus AND set WB AND set my SS and fstop with one hand and freezing my fingers at the same time! Good thing I didn't have a pooper-scooper-bag with me! [I don't usually bring one in the bush. Bears poop in the woods don't they?]

Not to mention that I had to wear my clip on sunglasses because it was too bright outside. That posed a problem too because the clip-ons were too dark and without them was too bright! So I had to take them off when composing and put them back on when I was walking!

THEN, to make matters even worse, by batteries kept draining! I managed to take a few nice shots, but eventually the batteries died completely. I knew that might happen so I brought new ones with me, but my fingers were so cold, I didn't want to stop to change the batteries! I missed a great shot because of it. Picture this...a cluster of dried, hydrangea flowers silhouetted against backlit 4pm sunshine! Darn!

Note to self:
1. don't bring camera when walking alone with the dog
2. bring hubby on walks so he can hold the leash
3. get warmer gloves
4. wear a cap to stop the glaring sun from my eyes
5. have newly charged batteries in the camera
6. find third hand

Us

I don't often post pictures of myself, because there are so few that I like.

This one isn't too bad! Of course I COULD be smiling, but I'm probably barking orders at my daughter on how to use my camera while she's taking the shot! For once, I'd like a photo of me where I look like ME, to me!! Doug is usually more photogenic than I am, but the reflection in his glasses doesn't do this shot justice!



By the way, I know that people are looking at my blog - I can see the counter go up! I'd sure love to know who you are! Please don't be shy, leave me a comment, even if it's just to say HI or I WAS HERE!!

Have a GROOVY day!!

100 Things about ME

I've seen a few of these lists on other blogs and websites. At first I thought, meh, I'm not gonna do that. But reading other's has inspired me to make a list of my own. And it didn't take me long at all. In fact, I think I can even come up with another 100!! Is that crazy? I even find myself thinking of little snippets of me-isms throughout the day.
Without further ado, welcome to 100 things about me, Part I

1. I love chocolate.
2. I am a technology geek. I love computers, cell phones, PDAs, etc, etc.
3. I am a great mom. I feel totally confident is saying that.
4. I met my husband when I was 14 years old. We’ve been married for 28 ½ years.
5. I have two daughters. My Shining Star, Lauren Quinn and my Sunshine, Meghan
Ashley.
6. I am not a spontaneous person.
7. I used to have a large gap between my two front teeth, but I had them bonded
several years ago. My husband says my space is what made him fall in love
with me!
8. I named my eldest daughter after two actresses. Lauren Hutton and Quinn
Cummings.
9. I have the best dog ever…… Vegas Grace [Gracie]. She’s a Golden/Yellow Lab, almost three years old!
10. I love pasta.
11. I spend way too much time on the computer.
12. I am totally at peace when at our cottage on Lake Penage.
13. I used to be afraid of going to funerals, but it's not as difficult for me anymore.
14. I am a VERY organized person. Some people have called me anal.
15. I love playing games, especially board games, and Sudoku.
16. I have two sisters. They are 8 years and 10 years older than me.
17. My mother is from Arnhem, Holland. I never learned how to speak Dutch.
18. My father was born and raised in Verner, Ontario.
19. I’ve worn glasses since I was 9 years old.
20. I don't like spicy foods, especially HOT spicy.
21. I have three tattoos, and I want one more.
22. I have a belly ring.
23. I prefer to go bare feet whenever possible.
24. Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a Hippy. I was too young in the 60’s to be part of the Beat Generation, but I think I am a hippy now!
25. I am a poet.
26. I can play the piano, at about a Grade 4 level.
27. I love to read. One of my favourite authors is Dean Koontz.
28. I am a certified Barista. I can make a mean Latté!
29. I had a horrible corneal infection a few years ago. I have a fear of losing my eyesight.
30. My Dad had sinus cancer and had to wear a prosthetic nose.
31. I desperately wanted more than two children. Hubby didn’t.
32. I had a tubal ligation in 1991. My incision got infected and it was horrible for several weeks.
33. I have been to the Netherlands twice....at 1 ½ and at 13.
34. One of my first dates with my husband was on October 13th,. We went to a school dance and April Wine was the band that played.
35. I used to be in a band. We were called Skyler’s View. I sang back-up and played hand percussion.
36. I hid in the bathroom when I was 5 years old. I was competing in a piano recital and I didn’t want to go on stage.
37. I had a panic attack when I attended The Irish Rovers concert. I was 11 years old.
38. I am very creative.
39. My husband and I took Colin James fishing in 1991.
40. I weigh about 125 pounds. My weight hasn’t changed in over 20 years.
41. I generally don’t like fruit or vegetables very much.
42. I would prefer to eat junk food.
43. I am a Prime-time TV addict!
44. I watch Days of our Lives every day.
45. I hate game shows.
46. I wish I could speak more than one language.
47. I wanted to get married in a white eyelet peasant dress, a crown of daisies and bare feet. My family talked me out of it.
48. I have never smoked.
49. I dye my hair.
50. I refuse to be an old lady. [see #24]
51. I like frozen Margaritas.
52. I can’t wait to be a grandmother. I’ll even take an illegitimate grandchild!!
53. I have a LOT of patience.
54. I RARELY ever get stressed.
55. I love popcorn.
56. I wish I could afford to buy new furniture for my house.
57. Someone in my family forgot my birthday this year. [Not my husband or kids]
58. I produced two theatrical plays. The Wizard of Oz and Footloose!
59. When I was young, I wished my name was DeeDee. I think I heard it on the "Tammy's In Love" movie!
60. I used to have a Pug named Togo. I would love to have another Pug.
61. I love watching movies.
62. I used to sneak chocolate in the middle of the night, but then fell asleep with it in my mouth. Woke up to a messy pillowcase a few times!
63. I don’t dislike many people. I can’t stand Bob Barker or Regis Philbin.
64. I would love to take Ballroom dancing lessons. Hubby won’t.
65. I love thunder and lightning storms.
66. I love scary amusement park rides.
67. I love scary movies, but not the cheesy, gross ones.
68. I wish I had have taken Photography classes in high school.
69. I’m not afraid of many things.
70. I am not religious, but I’m very spiritual.
71. Just the thought of fresh Coconut makes me gag.
72. As far as I know, nobody hates me.
73. I have only dated two other people besides my husband.
74. I got drunk a few times before I was legal.
75. I can drive a Standard stick-shift.
76. I flew a small airplane once – for about 45 seconds!
77. I wrote my first poem at 11 years of age.
78. My daughters and I share clothes and shoes.
79. I love my husband’s red hair.
80. My husband and I thought we were terrible parents because our daughters hated each other for years. They are great friends now!
81. I love Musicals.
82. I had a crush on Mark Lester [Oliver]when I was 13.
83. I rarely ever wear a watch.
84. I am an environmentalist. It really bothers me when I see wasteful people.
85. I cry when I see animals hurt.
86. I never watch TV during the day.
87. I won a short story contest once.
88. I have enjoyed taking pictures since I got my first 35mm camera when I was 15.
89. I often crave lemon meringue pie from Perkins.
90. I am SO lucky to have met and married the perfect man
91. I can’t stand the hype and pomp that celebrities get. They are just people with careers.
92. I don’t need a career to fulfill me.
93. I know I am loved
94. I wish I had a best friend
95. I would have made a good teacher.
96. I get nervous on road trips. I'd rather travel by bus or train or plane.
97. I don’t want to get old
98. I love having Saunas and soaking in my Hot Tub
99. I’m going to be 50 next year!
100. I could easily write another 100 things about me!

Back to Normal

...or whatever 'normal' is! Meg is back in North Bay at teacher's college. This time she's there for six weeks before coming home for another job placement.
Lauren is back to teaching dance, although today she is sick with the flu. :(
All the Christmas decorations are put away and the holday food has been eaten or thrown away -- but I have a few chocolates left! Mmmmm, chocolate! :)

I am NOT a resolution maker, but I do like lists. I've got an ongoing list of things I want to do and get done. Nothing too crazy or consuming, but things that tend to get postponed or shoved under the proverbial rug!

Here's a few things on my list:
-- organize my Fonts. I've got too many and they're not sorted in any way at all. I've been trying to find an easy way to do it, but no luck so far.
-- write a Bio. I want to include a little Bio about myself on my website.
-- make templates. I have been wanting to design some everyday templates to post on my site. I've got some ideas, and now I've got to apply them! I also want to make another Border set.
-- make new business cards. I've already got a basic card design and printed, but I need to update it!
-- update my photos. I do this fairly often, but it's been a few weeks.
-- start a photo group. A few friends and I are in the process of beginning a new Photography/Camera group in Sudbury. Our goal so far is to meet to share camera techniques and editing styles and techniques. Haven't had a first meeting yet, but I am anxious to get this started!
-- learn my new Wacom Tablet. Doug got me this for Christmas. I'm having a bit of difficulty getting used to using it as my 'main' mouse, but for editing, it's absolutley fantastic!
-- LEARN MY NEW CAMERA. This should be number one on my list. I need to sit down with manual in my lap and camera in hand and read, read and learn! So far, I am LOVING this Pentax dSLR

Here's a pic from the new camera. This was taken on Hillside Trail. We just discovered this trail and we love it. It's a 2km walk ONE way. It's beautiful!

I'm now a dSLR owner!!

I once said that I would never want/need a digital SLR camera! I was quite happy with my Fuji S5200 prosumer Point and Shoot digital. Doug kept telling me, "one day you'll want one...just you wait and see!" Well, he was right. After dozens of disappointing shots from low-lit bars, dance recitals and indoors, I decided that a dSLR would be the fix I was looking for!
For my birthday, on New Year's Day, Doug bought me a Pentax K110D. The model I want is the K100D, but Future Shop was out of it, so I have the 110 to play with until it comes in. The K100D is a 6.1mp camera with stabilization, and two lenses. Already, by just playing around with the K110 I have noticed a huge difference. I was able to take a bunch of photos in my living room, with NO flash and they're awesome! I'm so excited. Now, I anxiously await the K100D........

Here's a few of my first shots...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here it is, January 1st and we have only a dusting of snow on the ground and the temps are well above seasonal for the 3rd or 4th week in a row. We had a bit of icy frostiness the other day, but that was from the freezing rain. At this rate, we won't be getting to the camp for another couple of weeks. In the past, we've crossed the ice by mid January at the latest. I'm not complaining about having no snow, but I would like to see a bit more sunshine than we've been having.

Hope everyone has a prosperous, healthy and happy 2007!! CHEERS!