A Smile For You!

 
 
 
 

Shadows and Silhouettes

Interesting subject, I think, for 0500. Don't you? I rather fancy all photographs taken in silhouette. Intrigue, mystery, wonder, and imagination left to conclude what one wants.

Photographs with the aforementioned qualities in the previous paragraph are not always easy to capture--at least in my limited experience in photography. Easy to take are the straight-on subject and verb (as I refer to them) snapshots. You know, a child playing in a pool, a dog catching a Frisbee.

Although I do enjoy portraits, mostly because I micromanage the whole experience from the make up and hair to the seating and background, my first love is that of the "interpretative" shot. It is possible to incorporate enigma into even a portrait, however, and achieve such an outcome.

I fear I have many of the "rambling" loves my dad has. I am terribly interested in many things. And, I must say, if I do engross myself into a project or hobby, I am quite pleased with the end result(s). To me it is the only way of living I know. My problem is trying to combine my loves and do them justice in some way.

As even I find my last statement to be a bit ambiguous, allow me to explain. My passions, now, are the following: anything to do with hair and/or make up, writing, and photography. Blogging is the perfect venue allowing me to relish them all.

Case in point: Pat's make over, Sam's Christmas photos, and orchestrating family photos. You know...those strategically planned "taken off guard" snapshots. "Take this one!" "Look at me!" Oh, that's just me? OK, so I'm hyper aware of any camera within two miles of me. LOL

And so, being able to blog about, and to post, photos which I have taken is perfect! All of my interests are intertwined and I am most pleased. One might say I am a bit of a control freak. And then there are those who would simply label me a freak. Both may be right. But, I remember frequently the passage in the Bible which supersedes any and all labels I may fit: I am wonderfully and fearfully made. You knew me before I was knit together in my mother's womb." That, of course, is paraphrased, but nonetheless, I prefer to view my differences while aligned with that/those verses. I, like you, are a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!

Tom and I will be going to church for our regular Wednesday night service. Then we will head for a dear friend's (Joan) house for a New Year's Eve party. I do so love small, intimate gatherings. There I feel free to be me and not so stiff and "proper," if you will.

We know everyone who is expected to be there which I delight in greatly. And there will be GAMES!! Woo Hoo! AND...I'm not in charge of them! Another big WooHoo as many times I find myself responsible for initiating the crowd interaction and movement. That may well be because often I volunteer. H-E-L-L-O! That's what I get, huh?

In any event, I am excited about being a participant. And I will do my very best not to take over as game show host. teehee.....


 
 
 
 

Stop! Drop, and Roll!

Chances are, you relate these words to instructions on what to do when you are on fire. They can also be sound instructions which are applicable to extinguishing flames of destructive behaviors.

May we learn how to act, not react, to outside forces in the coming new year.

STOP: trying to be perfect. We are none perfect and therefore are likely to make mistakes and poor decisions from time to time. It is impossible to be both supportive and critical of yourself at the same time.

STOP: being tested on the same thing. Make a change and learn the lesson. Remember: If you keep doing the same thing the same way, expect the same result AND If nothing ever changes, nothing ever changes!

DROP: the bar of the expectation of others. Disappointment is directly related to unmet expectation. If you do not hold others to unattainable, unrealistic levels of relational achievement, happiness is more likely to flourish.

DROP: caustic relationships. I believe we inately know who, and what, is good for us, and conversely, what is NOT good for us. Whether a person, place, or thing, if it is not positive force, it is a negative one. When it comes to healthy choices, there is no gray area.

ROLL: with the punches. Don't take everyone and everything so personally. To paraphrase something Dr. Phil quotes of his father: "You wouldn't worry so much about what people think of you . . . if you knew how seldom they did." And that is to include what you believe someone implied, meant, insinuated, and assumptions made on your part.

ROLL: in laughter! There is a reason there is an old adage, "Laughter is the best medicine." It is. Laugh frequently, seek the wellness of your soul.


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Christmas videos

Our family Christmas videos are available on my youtube channel, youtube.ladybugapprentice.com or you may view them here on my blogspot on my "snipits" located to the left of this column.

As you may know, I have had problems in the past with posting the vids and the photos as well, however, at the moment, they seem to be loading well.

More later...

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Bird Watching today...

 
 
 
 

Let's take a little trip...

Make a Smilebox photobook

Just a few pix I took on my way home today...

Christmas Dinner in Big Flat

Yesterday I brought Pat back to Leslie. Daddy made me an offer I couldn't refuse. He said that the Senior Citizen's Center in Big Flat was having their annual Christmas Dinner with turkey and dressing and "all the trimmings." He offered to pay for mine if I wanted to join them. SOLD! 

Now I'll be honest, I was expecting something other than what I was pleasantly surprised with. I've got a very healthy appetite and that's a "given," which is why, if you will notice, the majority of the pictures of myself that I post here are from the waist UP! LOL So, I was thinking that everyone would be served the 'healthy' portions of our entree components. Not true!

Sideboards would have been a welcomed addition to my heaping full plate. Very generous servings of white meat turkey atop a mound of moist, mouth watering dressing, creamed corn, cranberry sauce, green beans, garden salad, and a hot roll. That's not even taking into account the huge table spread to every edge with homemade desserts of endless flavors, textures, and design. The kitchen crew had prepared peach cobbler to be served with the planned meal. 

However, countless generous households blessed the guests with pies, cakes, brownies, cookies, candies, dessert bars, banana pudding (my favorite, by far!) and they just kept filing in. It was almost as if the delights were being introduced via conveyor belt. I loved it! And trust me...so did everyone else.

As usual, if Daddy didn't know everyone at the onset of the auspicious occasion, he did by the time the good bye's were being said. He loves people, and people--men, women, and children (and domestic-and an occasional wild-animals, if the whole story be told) love him, flock around him, and are most taken with his boyish charm. He has been compared--often--to Mark Twain's Tom Sawyer. Rightfully so, in my opinion.

On one of the walls in the Center was a painting of the streets of the main part of Big Flat. Many of the buildings, streets, etc. were already pointed out to Mom, Pat, and myself by Daddy as we were going through town on our way to the Center. He'd say, "So and so used to live there," or, "That's where I used to beat everybody out of their marbles," and "This building is this now, but was the post office, or store, or varied other establishments when I still lived here."

Daddy tells stories, or facts, actually, not as sad losses, rather, simply as information, void of any negative emotions which certainly could be provoked by memories alone. I have no doubt he does experience sadness and pain, but he is a die-hard optimist with a side of realist. It's a healthy state he chooses in which to abide. I find his attitude and outlook on life in general admirable. I should be so ready (and willing) to accept the world on its terms rather than to attempt to distort reality to my liking. Wow......now where was I?????

Ah, yes, I meant this for the prelude to the video clip. The background noise is most distracting, but if you can wade through that part, you'll see that there are a couple of cameo shots of two lovely ladies as well.

A sweet very distant relative of Mom's recognized her and all but pulled Mom onto her lap and not let her go. She gave her countless compliments, kisses, pats, and hugs. She shared with us photographs she pulled from her smock pocket explaining with passion who each person in the picture was. We all very much enjoyed her short stories, as well as her sprightly disposition.

I cannot explain how thankful I am to have the parents God abundantly blessed me with. Every minute I can spend with them is nothing short of precious, and I take no moment for granted. I cherish them all. So many things I have learned from them simply by observing how they interact with one another. By far, the most repeated lessons are unconditional love and respect.

Family business is family business, not to be announced to the world. I recognize that there are certain subjects, conversations, and matters which are sensitive and personal. I am about to divulge a tiny excerpt of one of many conversations I hear between my parents on a near daily basis. I write this not to embarrass, betray, or anger, rather to unashamedly brag.

Even after being married some 57 years or there about, tears welled in my eyes last night when I overheard Daddy sweetly tell Mom while saying their good nights, "You sure looked pretty tonight. I love you." 

That's love. That's true love. I'm so blessed............

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**NOTE**

Video upload unsuccessful X 3, so I will attempt it at a later date....

Mom, Pat, and Daddy

Mom and Mrs. Treat ("kin folk")

Daddy "visiting."

Painting of the streets of Big Flat.

 

 

A few more Progressive Supper Pix

Having taken about 60 pictures, I'd like to share a few more with everyone. If you were unable to be there, I'm sad. Try to make plans to be there next year!

Bogart, Haley's dog.

Haley and her pecan pie.

More of the clan.

Eating the Entree @ Nancy and Van's.

The gang's all here.

The "Salad Stop" @ Rena Gail & Rodney's

More of the Salad Stop

Appetizers & Soup Stop @ the Fellowship Hall

Nancy & Larry getting "soupy."

Decking the Halls with Tommy!

Decorations in the Fellowship Hall.

Decking the Fellowship Hall.

Merry Christmas!!

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Progressive Supper Update

So, it's done. The Progressive Supper was a success! There were approximately 35 people there. There was so much laughing, talking, teasing, and story telling. Our church is like a great big family. There is a mixture of members who love the limelight, and those who are totally content with fading into the background. There are weird ones, animated ones, sheepish ones, and great story tellers and great audiences. Just like every family.

The meal was wonderful. Each course had its own "flavor," if you will. Appetizers consisted of shrimp cocktail, smoked cheese ball, a variety of crackers, chips and dips, dried fruit, BBQ Lil' Smokies, chicken nuggets, veggies, and punch along with several other soft drinks.

Soups were: Cheeseburger Soup, Venison Stew, and Chicken Noodle Soup. The Cheeseburger Soup was all the rage. Tom made it and promised the recipe to several people.

Salad had all the "fixin's" one could imagine. And all the dressings under the sun were offered.

The Entree was Stuffed Baked Potatoes. Toppings were butter, sour cream, smoked brisket, shredded cheese, bacon bits, and corn and green beans on the side.

Desserts were exquisite, as usual. Checkerboard Red Velvet cake, White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, chocolate brownie/caramel cheesecake, Pumpkin Dump Cake, and Pecan Pie. 

We got done about 11:00 PM tired and full to the brim. I am convinced Pat had a fab time! And, for your viewing pleasure:

You got your good news, and you got your bad news...

Hey, hey, hey! I've got news! Man, all these weeks and months that I've wanted to know one way or the other and I'm no more satisfied now than I was before I knew. The news is bitter sweet.

My grant went through. The maximum allowed grant, which is $4, 731.00/fiscal year, which is July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009. Which also means if my income does not change come July 1, 2009, I will qualify for another $4, 731.00 for the 2009/2010 fiscal year, bringing the grand total of my grant monies to 

$9, 462.00 if my math serves me correctly. 

While that sounds wonderful (and is, really), the cost of 11 months of cosmetology school at Bee Jays Hair Styling Academy is just over $10, 000.00, leaving me right at $1, 700.00 short, the amount, oddly, that I was asked to bring as a down payment before the first day of school. Sucks, doesn't it?

Don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, I'm just temporarily bummed out. Thank God "things" usually look better after a good night's rest. I'm going to bed. I've got a big day ahead of me tomorrow--three soups to cook, decorating to do, a trip to Mountain View, and that's all before noon. Yep, I'm going to bed.

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Bird watching with Daddy's background music

Please watch the video in my Snipits, it is worth your time, trust me!

It has been a blast visiting with my family of origin the past few days. It doesn't take long for Daddy to get his fill of me and Pat laughing and "cutting up." He hates to admit it I think, but he enjoys at least some of it.

Jr. gave all of us some wonderful news either yesterday, the day before, or possibly even today. The days tend to run together these days. I had more or less come to the resolve that we (the family of origin as I often refer to it, and the spouses, children, etc.) would not be spending Christmas together this year after all.

Somewhere in the mix and furry of the excitement of Pat being able to be in Arkansas for Christmas for the first time in 30 years, I assumed (and yes, I do know what "they" say about assuming!) we would somehow all be together. As it turns out, Pat and I were the only ones who were privy to that information or assumption. 

It seems that everyone else's ESP antennae were not up concerning my/our wishes on the matter. Oh well, even through all of the confusion,  all worked out for the best, anyway. Actually, everything worked out even better than I had imagined! 

Jr. inquired of a local Bed and Breakfast their holiday schedule and found that though their original plan had been to be closed during Christmas, the owners very graciously offered to allow Jr. and family to be their guests once they discovered his "connections" with Mom and Daddy.

What a blessing for us all! It certainly is a dream come true for Pat and myself.  It remains to be seen whether our parents consider it a blessing since we will all three (children) be under one roof again. LOL

Our church Progressive Supper draws nigh. As I may have mentioned, we, collectively, will be visiting 5 different houses for the following dinner courses: Appetizers, Soup, Salad, Entree, and Dessert. Tom and I will be hosting the "soup" portion of the meal. A fellow church member will be making a venison stoup (a cross between a soup and a stew). She made the "mistake" of mentioning how good her homemade venison soup was and before she knew it, she was recruited into supplying her masterpiece for our portion of the dinner.  We supplied her with freshly frozen meat from my eight-point bagged earlier this year. She didn't act as if she minded too terribly much. Grin.....

Tom had told me about this fantastic "Cheeseburger Soup" his sister, Barb, "wow'd" him with a number of years ago. With little encouragement, he called Barb and secured the recipe so that I could do my best to replicate the soup that made such an impression on my husband. I am hopeful it will "go over" Friday night. I will do my utmost to please the crowd.

I wish to have another soup or stew to go along with the other two to offer a bit more of a choice. Possibly something meatless.  I should have given myself more time to shuffle through my cookbooks and my favorite recipe sites on the Internet. It is a good thing I work well under pressure. Yeah, right...... I should, I suppose, because I never take advantage of time, I frequently allow time to run out and find myself frantically trying to meet a self-imposed deadline. Such is my world....

Home again, I am happily reunited with my husband. He is without exception, the most patient, loving, accepting, one-of-a-kind man I am so blessed to have in my life. I am not sure why he loves me, but for whatever reason, I am thankful. He is precious, and I am his biggest fan. Tom is everything to me as he is who I have always wanted, always needed. Strangely, he has said much the same of me. Love divinely designed.

Today is the birthday of my father-in-law, Murry. He's quite the character and I am very fond of him. He has a quirky personality and sense of humor which I find endearing. He teases me unmercifully at times and I adore it. Happy Birthday, Dad.

Because of the recent sleet and icy road conditions, BeeJay's has been closed. I attempted to reach anyone who happened to be in, but unfortunately, my attempts were unfruitful. Perhaps tomorrow, eh?

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Still iced in...

I thought I was going to get to go home today, but everyone told me that the roads most likely were still too slick, so here I still am. That's ok with me, though. I can find plenty to do here.

Though I do have a couple of different soups to prepare for the Progressive Supper on Friday night, I suppose it won't be all that time consuming. As we are having our soups at the church's fellowship hall instead of our house (we were packed last year, and there are many more signed up for this year's occasion) I also have decorating to do. Until which time I can get it done, I'm not going to worry about it being unable to change my situation.

Well, enough for now. It's off to bed since the rest of the household has already turned in for the night.

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Transformation within minutes...

These are the "before pictures" of Pat. I did very little, however, did apply a bit of make-up and lip gloss, and viola! Can you believe this is the same woman? She was pleased with the results. I am hoping to add the video I took of her when she arrived at the Memphis International Airport.

We are having such fun since her arrival!

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Behind curtain number 2....

And the finished product...the lovely, breathtaking, "AFTER." In the words of Daddy...

Wooooo-Woooooo!