A computer crash, Photoshop 7 & Pics

It started out as a regular day. I fed the baby, got my coffee and got online. I started thinking boy do I spend to much time on-line I really need to download the version of Photoshop 7 I had been procrastinating on learning.

Well that's exactly what I did when It all went down hill. Some how I manage to erase files that my computer needed and it crashed. I was very fortunate to be able to do a recovery and got the computer working but then there was the questions of all my pictures and all my digital files.

I am praying really hard at this point because I could not remember when the last time I backed up was. Trying to keep from crying, or screaming. Because by this time my head is in tremendous emotional pain I realize there are files that appear to be my photographs.

All had not been lost !!!!

So I then spent the evening praising God and backing-up what was left of my files.

Now today I am really hoping that Photoshop 7 is all it has been bragged about to be and really worth all the pain to load up.

Here are some pics from a local park near our home called Deep River. The kids really en joyed this photo shoot. My favorite one is of them playing around in front of the white door. I of course could not resist taking pics of Isabellas hand & feet.

Sayin Good bye to my Fuji S7000

All right - here are some pics I took today. I have really been trying to up my Photography in hopes I can talk Damien into upgrading my camera from a digi point & shoot to an digi SLR.

What I am using is just my Fuji S7000 but it has been so temperamental lately. For instance I can never leave the batteries in because the camera is draining the power right out of them. If I manage to get it to turn on I have to take advantage of that and use it because no telling when it will turn on again. Sometimes the flash will work and other times naaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

My dream camera of course is a Nikon D80

I really never felt the need to upgrade since my Fuji really does take nice pictures. I am very sentimental about the fact it will have to get replaced & soon I will have to say good-bye. It in a way has become like a family member. Where we go it has gone and captured so many memories along the way.

Well Seth was in a great mood and tolerated me. He actually luvs taking pics and really enjoyed our time together !Isabella of course is so easy to photograph I just hope she doesn't grow weary of it.

Any CC would be greatly appreciated. Just remember I have never taken a class and am not in hopes of turning it into a buisness. I really just want to capture our family's memories as best as I can !

That Time of Year

Eeeekkkkkk - I just realized that my Baby, my first born is turning 8yrs old.

I do this every year and totally freak out. Where does the time go ? I don't want him to grow up . I want to keep him little !!!!

It is bad enough that he decided that I no longer can kiss him in front of his friends. What Next ?

Well here are the digital invites I made for his B-D Party. We are going with the comic book theme. Cade doesn't know yet but Damien is going to be inheriting him his huge comic book collection.

I have also been working on my Photography. Let me know what you all think so far !

Well off I go to have Brunch with my Sis Valeria & Mom. Yum Yum

Looking Ahead

12 Years ago on September 9th I married the love of my life!

We have had our share of hardship, trials, sadness & discouragements. But along the way in this journey we have also shared great love, laughter & joy.

Of all the fantastic things that we have shared and done (I believe Damien would agree with me) our children top that list. They have brought to our marriage more joy (and of course laughter) than I can ever describe.

I have learned many lessons along the way; especially that life is precious and somewhat open-ended. What you put into life and marriage is often what you get.

I have also learned to close the noise around me and stop to listen to the whispers of moments. The moments of a smile, a soft touch or even a joke Damien might have to explain to me.

But tonight I must take this moment to thank God who has given meaning and purpose to our marriage & life. Even when we have failed each other I know that God is always true. That in His great love he has chosen to forgive us. And it's only in this truth that keeps me going and looking forward to another 12 years filled with love. Here are some more layouts I have worked on this week.

And OH MY GOODNESS…..
Just look at this awesome package that was sent to me from Sharon Lakkonen & Prima. Damien took one look at this package and was kind enough to give me the evening off. I am just itching to tear into all these goodies and create something wonderful. I am loving their Caliope collection, the Journalist Chipboards & of course am looking forward to playing with the NEW Paintables paper collection

Rough Week

I am as tired as it gets. I spent all of Wednesday and Thursday at the hospital visiting my grandmother. She has been ill for about three months but they rushed her in thru the ER on Wednesday with major bleeding and barely conscious.

I was so grateful for my wonderful friend Suz who watched my kids so I could go spend time with her and our family during this time. While I was headed back and pulling into her driveway my phone rings and it was my sister crying and I naturally assumed it was about my Grandmother and was shocked when she blurted out that it was our brother and that he had just had a heart attack.

My brother Ben lives about 1.5 hours away (depending on traffic- could be more) and I knew right than as tired as I was I would go see him. He is only 37 yrs old and so young for a heart attack.

While he is doing great he still will need many prayers. God was surely watching over him !

There are so many things I love about my brother, one of his best traits is his ability to laugh. He brings so much joy to everyone and always manages to make a joke out of even the worst situations. So it was no surprise to have walked into the Critical Care Unit and find him joking and making the nurses all laugh. He even made me chuckle when he asked me to pick up his camera form his apartment so that I can take pics of him and the nurses and Dr. because he knew I would want to scrap book them :')

Twilight Series and more.....

Here is some recent work: These are some altered large playing cards done for a Weight loss challenge.
I created this card from the CPS sketch that was created for CMK.

O.k. for all you book readers out there here is an irresistible story line called the Twilight Series. I purchased Twilight about a year ago while I was grocery shopping at K-mart not realizing what I was getting into. I started reading it that night and could not put it down till I was completely done with it.

That same week I went to Borders and asked the sales associate to help me find anything else written by Stephenie Meyer. She checked and told me that there was a sequel to Twilight that was called New Moon and that it was in the Young Adult section. I purchased it and read and read till I had finished it once again.

Stephenie Meyer's writing is so intoxicating !

The story line is a Vampire love saga.Normally this is not something that would be of interest to me but her writing makes you feel so entwined into the lives of the characters she writes about.

Her newest release just came out and is called Eclipse and I am currently holding it in my hands. It has taken me every ounce of character within me to not curl up with a cup of coffee and began reading it.

I thought I would throw out a little teaser for all of you who have read this series. Stephenie is starting to write a new book that is based on the main character called Edward (who I am soooo in Love with) and his perspective and point of view. Here is a link to the first chapter http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/midnightsun_chapter1.pdf (enjoy) the book is going to be titled Midnight Sun with no release date as of yet.

O.k. on to other things. There is so much I need to accomplish today before I take the luxury of time to read.

This weekend was such a wonderful wonderful family time ! The kids really got to enjoy themselves with swimming and playing with their cousins. Isabella of course got to be spoiled by family and is surprising me everyday with how fast she is growing.

Pumpkin & Isabella

Believe it not we are still dealing with all damage that those crazy storms did. So my goal today is to get hold of the Insurance co. who still has not sent a claims adjuster out arrrggghhhhh.

Well off I go to get my phone calls, laundry, dishes done so that I can get to my long awaited reading. Here I come Edward !!!!! hehehehe