God Love THIS DAY

Please. Make this day never ever end. I'm in love with this day. Today. What day is it? Its Sunday November 30th, 2008. Yes. I love Sunday November 30th, 2008. I'm going to mark this day in my calender and I'm going to celebrate it each and every year!

Ok, going a little too far? Perhaps.

I had the option to put the kids in a daycare for the day. A little something in my town called "drop and shop". For fifteen dollars I was able to drop both kids off from 8am to 5pm. Now, I went in at lunch to pick up Luke thinking he'd have had enough by then, he is only two and a half but he surprised me. Probably shocked a few workers as well. Actually I'm sure some of them wondered what kind of mother I was.

Luke, unlike other two year old who would rush to their mothers arms, decided instead to turn his back and run when he saw me. It felt a little like a slap in the face but from this kid, its not unusual. He likes independence.

At least thats what I tell myself. I had to tell myself a few times on the drive home just in case I started feeling insulted. Which I didn't.

I mean, why would I?

I should be proud of my two year olds independence and security. I've done a great job!

Yes, that's it.

Some may wonder...but I don't.

He loves me. He's probably thinking about me right now.

So its 4pm and today I have had the chance to put up the Christmas tree, wrap the kids gifts and do some fiddling around with the computer. I'm going to go jump in the shower and then go pick up the kids. Surely I can get Luke to come with me if he see's his older brother Justin coming.

I sure hope so anyways.

Today I did have a moment of sadness as I was putting up my Christmas Tree. I put the Angel on the top and then started to put the ornaments up. My last ornament that was stuck to a stocking was a yellow ribbon in support of our troops serving in Afghanistan. It made me think of all the husbands, wives, brothers, sisters who will not be home this year for Christmas. CFB Petawawa is on tour this year and so it made me a little sad that my friends will be home without their spouses celebrating the holidays the only way that they can. With warm thoughts of their loved ones and the deepest prayers that their heart and soul, serving overseas will have a safe and happy Christmas, even though they're many miles apart.

I put the ornament of the yellow ribbon around the Angel at the top of my tree. Just so we don't ever forget about the sacrifices made by our troops and their families.

May God Bless Them.

Wriggs

I'm an expert you know!

You know what I did this morning? Something very stressful. Something very "out of my element" I mean, what does little old ME, know about TIRES?

Many of the people who read this blog *although I'm sure there aren't many and if there are many, you probably DO know* probably don't know that once upon a time I worked a very physical demanding job as a TIRE INSTALLER. I did. I'm not lying. Dirty greasy hands, oil under my nails, coveralls and everything. I changed oil, batteries and tires. Did flat repairs, balanced and rotated tires. Installed new ones, GAVE ADVICE on what was the best for their vehicle!

I was in control of my automotive needs. I did my own oil changes, changed my own tires, maintained my own vehicle because I WAS the professional.

After having Justin I even went back to work for a year. Then we moved here and I quit my job to have a family and raise my kids.

So today I went out in search of new tires because the ones I put on *with my own bare hands* in 2005, needed replacing. And I was the WOMAN to do it. I am a professional Tire expert!

It was hardest friggen thing EVER! All of a sudden I was every person I ever cringed at. Coming into the shop without a tire size. WHO DOES THAT. Look at your tire, learn your size and come INTO the shop and present it to me. Wasn't my job to know what your car took. There are so many different options! So after lowering my head in shame, walking back to my car to get the size, I went back in ready to make a decision.

It was so hard!

It was easy when I was working because I knew OUR tires inside and out. I knew what was the best of what we had, why it was the best and why others didn't quite measure up! Tires have changed a lot in the past 4 years and today I found myself searching *unsuccessfully* for a set of tires from a brand I knew. A brand I trusted.....but I couldn't find any.

SO I had to tuck away my last tiny ounce of knowledge and put my automotive needs, in the hands of someone else. I found myself confused, dazed and completely dumbfounded. I didn't want the tires I bought but I bought them because the price was right. I'm one of THOSE customers now. Just a customer, out looking for some tires. Prefer the cheaper ones because its Christmas and other bills pile up at Christmas.

Its times like this that a wee small part of me wishes I was the expert again.

*sigh*
Wriggs

Case In Point

So here is Justin and Gillian. Gillian in all her cuteness is 4 yrs old and Justin is five and three quarters ;) He wants to be almost six.

Anyways, since the day I took my first picture, I've come to the conclusion that my children are magenta. I don't know if its a gene they were born with or if its the copper hair color that reflects onto their faces but whatever the reason, my children walk around all day with a slight purple/mauve tint to them. No, not really. I guess they could. I've always thought that Justin had allergies because he always has dark circles under his eyes but maybe its just that he is slightly tinted magenta. I didn't know there was such a thing but really, jaundice babies are yellow so maybe mine have something that make them magenta.

It isn't just Justin. Luke tends to have a blue'ishness to him in all his pictures.

Odd.

Must be after their father.

Gillian, in this picture, in my attempt to color correct Justin, has turned somewhat greeny yellow. Sorry Gillie. I know I could have masked her out of the color change, and I will. I just wanted to show y'all that I have no eye for skin tones.

I seriously need off this computer now.

Everything is changing colors.

Wriggs

Pluggin' Away

Just pluggin' away at editing some pictures. I find I'm struggling a lot lately with skin tones.

Sometimes I'll see a picture and someone *from a photography site* will say there is a color cast. Now, generally, once they say it, I see it.

Then I just go in and black and white the picture. Not such a good way to learn...lol.

So I am going to have to start asking for help with skin tones. Honestly, I think pink babies are cute. I don't want them all skin tone perfected, you know? Anyways, I'm starting to think its not the computer, but its my EYE. Not a lot I can do with that is there?

Anyways, I need to do some fixing up and stuff but I'm really happy with a lot of the pictures of Gillian. I thought this one was a write off due to focus but once I opened it up and gave it a slight sharpen and reduced some noise, it looked just fine to me. And as Gillians mother would say, "Oh would you STOP already! It looks good to me"

I say, "mothers always right".

Wriggs

Why can't THIS be my job?

I wish my job could be taking pictures all day long. Honestly. I know I have a lot to learn and a lot to "fix up" on my pictures but in all honesty, I would love to spend eight hours a day taking pictures, finding what works, learning what doesn't work and playing with the 'said' pictures on the computer all day.

But I can't.

I wish I could because it would be a lot of fun! Brandi and I thought it would be fun to get some naked baby pictures this morning but Matthew didn't share in our excitement. In fact, Matthew didn't just "not" share in our excitement, he went as far as protesting our wishes and making it darn near impossible to accomplish "said" task. Didn't matter. Was able to find a few little semi smiles, a few peeks over the shoulder of mom to end up with a few shots of Matthew.

He is now officially two weeks old. I swear he's grown just since last week when I took his pictures!

I wanted to share this picture because ... well, its the only one I opened up to crop and I just love Brandi's hair. Yes, I know. Adorable amazingly cute baby and all I can focus on is Brandi's hair. My hair would never look like that. Anyways. I really want to try again with Brandi and Matthew because I made the lame mistake of staying upstairs and I have no backgrounds upstairs. I wanted to get some of Brandi and Matthew but I failed. She claims she doesn't mind coming back whenever I want. I'm going to hold her to it.

I'm going to do Matthews 3 month shots in a couple months from now but i think I may just have to have them back sometime within the next few weeks.

I'll post more pictures soon but right now, I have to go to work. My other job. The one that allows me to buy my "stuff". Oh, wait....thats Peats job ;)

Michelle

Introducing my practice model

She's such a sweetie .. isn't she? Her mom says she can be horrible but honestly, I don't have a CLUE what she could possibly be talking about.

I think she's exaggerating.

No.
NO.

I KNOW she's full of beans! This girl doesn't have a bad bone in her body!

I had my girlfriend Jamie come over today and let me take pictures of her daughter Gillian. Gillian and Justin go to school together. I'm just trying to get my lighting proper which takes a lot of practice and a lot of trial and error.

These two pictures are the first ever I'm officially sending out to a pro lab to see about their prints. They'll send me the prints and I can see how it looks with my monitor.

I'm kind of excited about it. I really want to see how it goes. After my walmart experience and all ;)

Thanks for helpin' out Jamie and Gillian.

I've decided that I desperately need a room for a studio set up in my home. SO for almost three years I've cocooned my youngest up in the basement of the house for sleeping because my oldest one can be quite loud at night. I just wanted Luke to have the best quality sleep available.

So Luke is now sleeping in his upstairs bedroom in his big boy bed. He's growing up. Maybe that's why its so hard. Up until three days ago he slept in a crib and now he's in a big bed. Time flies. I'd say its been fun but I'd be lying because its been hard. Luke is a challenging boy. Its his personality, strong will and temper. He's his momma's boy!

Wriggs

My Babooshka

Did you know that Babooshka means "Grandmother in Russian".

I would have never guessed. Seriously. Google it. I google a lot of things.

So for those of you who don't know whats been going on, or perhaps are super perplexed as to why I haven't really posted in a few days, let me share my story with you.

Shortly after taking those pictures of that little baby a few posts ago, I edited all the pictures, put them all on a CD for Brandi. *Brandi is the babies MOMMA* Ok, so put them all on a disc for Brandi and then DELETED the pictures from my Camera as well as from my computer. Then, just because I really liked on of the pictures, I took a few to Walmart to have them developed.

I was SURE they'd be awesome. By awesome, my main problems with Walmart have been underexposure, overexposure and WRONG cropping for photo size. EEEEK!

SO I get the envelope and slowly open it. I was grinning from ear to ear. Peat watched me open the envelope with a big smile on my face KNOWING that when I opened up the package, I would be very proud of myself. WRONG!

Opened it up, peeked at the pictures, stuffed them back into the package and walked outta there faster than I could even keep up with myself. Is that possible? Because that's what I did.

I got home and cried. Cried and cried. First of all, every picture was SO blown out. I mean, areas of the babies face, clothing were so blown that there was no detail at all. Just a big white blurb. I cried for a while. I was grumpy. I think somewhere in and around all of this I vowed to never pick of my camera again. I do this a lot when I'm frustrated. I know when I'm saying it, there is no truth to it but it does, it feels good to just say it. So I do.

Hey, I'm not perfect.

Anyways, Peat knew it was best to just steer clear and avoid the subject until I calmed down. During this time I had sent a few emails to some girls from my photography site. By the way BETH and SHRIVA *don't even know you're real name*..... I can't thank you enough!

Anyways I shared the pics with them and they confirmed that the pictures were NOT blown at all on their calibrated monitors. PHEW! Except I was still stuck with what to do. SO, Peat and I were in Ottawa on Sunday and so we stopped in and I printed out the same pictures from the disc. Its funny because when I got the envelope I was afraid to open it. Peat was like, GO ON, OPEN IT. I clutched them to my chest in fear! I mean, if they were crap.....that would seal the deal? I couldn't DO this. I can't compete in the world of photographY! Not now, not ever. So I held onto the package, unopened. Clutching to my last few minutes as a "just starting out photographer".

I opened the pictures and they were perfect. Just perfect. Then I had my answer. Walmart sucks for photo processing. Period. This isn't the first batch of pictures they've sold me that have been awful. I always thought there was something I was doing wrong. There wasn't. It was them and their equipment. I'm done developing pictures there. 4x6's ... sure. Nothing else. Nothing that matters.

I just wish that I knew it was WALMART before Peat bought me my new computer with the 22 inch MEGA SCREEN. My eyes are bugging out its so big. I"ll take a picture of it tomorrow.

This picture of Luke is the first pic I've edited on my new computer. Me LIKES IT!

Wriggs.

Please Stand By

This just in...

I got a new computer after my 'ranting' the other day

and so it may take me a few days to get back to posting.

I'm sure I will have it figured out later on tonight.

I've been sitting here at the computer since yesterday at 7pm.

Ouch.

One more from Yesterday

I just couldn't help it. I've spent the whole night sitting here at the computer doing final edits on my photos from the other day. What a challenge!

At first I though, "eh, newborn. Easy".
Boy was I wrong. I'm just happy that mom likes them. I only promised one or two keepers. Hope she sees more than that. Maybe a few anyways.

She's coming back next week to do the naked baby thing. All curled up ina ball. Good Lord he's cute.

Truth be told, I would have told her anything just to get her and that baby over here one more time :) Seriously. He's super cute.

Alright. Heading to bed. My eyes are like saucers and tomorrow is a big day. I've offered to practice on my friend and her two boys. Dad is away and she wants some pictures to send him.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Michelle

I live in Clutter

Ok, not really. First of all, my friends laugh at me because I refuse to move from one activity to the next, without cleaning up the first activity. For example, if my kids are playing in the living room and its time to go out, I will make them *and I will help* clean up the toys and place them back in the toy room where we got them.

If we are having dinner, I am a little neurotic there in the kitchen too. So, the first thing is, I clean as I cook. I don't cook often so its not a big deal really but I can not sit down to eat dinner until all my cooking dishes and clean and in the drying rack. Just can't. Dinner, lunch, breakfast is just not enjoyable unless I KNOW that i only have our dishes we eat from, to clean. Then when dinner/lunch/breaky is done, I must clean up and do the dishes. Which brings me to another point. I don't ever fill my sink with water and do dishes. I have a scrub brush filled with soap, crank on the water and wash one dish at a time.

Easier that way.

People think I'm weird.

Heck, I think I'm weird.

Friends come over and I know they think I'm weird. Its ok. I just having some wiring issues with me. My mind/body is not at rest unless the places I've been and things I've used, are put away properly. This doesn't mean my house is perfect. FAR FAR from perfect. I have a cleaner who comes in once every two weeks to do my nitty gritty cleaning. Bathrooms, kitchen, floors, dusting. I just have to pick things up, she comes in and makes my house smell all pretty.

I'm a SAHM. People find it odd that i have someone else come in to clean. Let them think what they want. Taking care of two young boys is HARD work.

Anyways, lately I've been finding myself stressing out about clutter. All my drawers are full. All my closets are full. I have no more room. No room for much of anything. I see clothing in drawers that either 1) don't fit the kids or 2) wrong season to wear. So I just cram things in my drawers, the kids drawers thinking, "I'll get to it later". Except "later" never comes.

Now Christmas is coming, I have gifts with no where to put them. My Christmas gifts for the children are in the TUB in the basement bathroom behind a shower curtain. WHO does this?

Someone with clutter.

I have photography equipment coming out my butt now. Lights, stands, umbrellas, backgrounds, fuzzy carpets. Plexi glass *hopefully soon*.... eeeek, all this stuff and no where to set it up. SO I'm in a dilemma. Luke currently sleeps in a bedroom that he will not be in forever. So since I'm not ready to move him out of that room *because it has the crib*I am going to have to get a new bed for in there so I can get rid of the BIG bead in there. I know, its a mess.
I'm a mess.

I live in clutter.

I need to fix that.

Among other things ;)
Wriggs

I totally have the ITCH

I had the wonderful pleasure today to have my friend come over and let me take pictures of her beautiful seven day old baby boy. Not only is he gorgeous, but he was SUCH a good boy. He slept. He opened his eyes. He cried a little but it was such a sweet delicate cry that I wanted him to keep doing it just so I could hear that little tiny voice.

Now one thing I did learn from today, is that as hard as I find it to take photos of toddlers, I find it equally as difficult to photograph newborns. Go on, laugh. I don't blame you, really. A sweet slumbering baby? Whats so hard about that? Well, since you asked..... Its hard to position them and find new exciting things to do with them. Not to mention that if you want to take their clothes off, they don't really like it. They're not "all about the picture" like moms and photographers :)

Anyways, for my first newborn shoot I was just really wanting to walk away with one good picture. One picture that I can give to mom and dad that will make them happy. And although there is nothing exciting about this picture , it is exciting to me because 1) I took it and 2) its a 7 day old baby and at this picture is about 99% straight out of camera. Very little editing. Almost none. Just a little exposure and that's it.

See, he was perfect just the way he was ... and lighting? Well, that's my fault. I'm still playing around. Actually, this specific picture was taking with natural light. Window only. I'd say it turned out pretty good.

Wriggs

I've always said...

Since Luke was born, I remember thinking "wow, he's a deep thinker". Then, as he got a little older in months, I thought, "wow, he's an old soul". Old Soul seemed fitting because he always seemed wise beyond his years. Seemed a little grumpy, a little ticked off and just overly dissatisfied with whatever was going on.

He just seemed so.....elderly.

Now that he's two and a half I realize that "grumpy, ticked off, deep thinker and dissatisfied" are all just accurate words to describe Luke who is my youngest boy.

But by God I love him. For all the reasons he drives me crazy, I can count twice as more as to why I love Luke. I remember people use to say, "You love your children differently but just as much". I always thought that was horsepoop. There was no way I'd love my kids differently. I loved them the same.

Then around the time Luke was 9 months old, I got it. Like a big beacon came and smacked me in the for head. I did love them differently because as individuals they were as different as night and day. I had to love them differently because together, they were SO opposite each other. The things I ADORE about Justin, I don't adore about Luke. He either lacks those qualities or he just shows them differently. And vice verse, the feisty, strong willed, independent and opinionated Luke has to be loved for those qualities while in Justin those traits just aren't as prevalent. They may be there, just in a different way.

I always say that Luke is lucky that he ended up with NON SPANKING parents because had he been born to parents who spank, he'd have his arse whooped a few times by now.

NOTE: there is nothing wrong with spanking, we just don't use it to discipline our kids ;)

Wriggs

Will SOMEONE COOPERATE

I don't need to say anything at all do I?

They never listen to me.

I'll post more later.

Michelle

AAAHHH, What will I wear ?

No picture to share, just panic. Oh ok, one picture. My neighbour sent it to me the other day. She snapped it while I was at the baby shower.

I've just returned home from a friends house. My day started innocent enough. I thought it would be kind of me to offer my baby wipe warmer to a girlfriend of mine who just had a baby. By "Just", I mean 4 days ago.

We had to get one for Luke when he was 18 months old *yes, that is not a typo* because he started screaming with diaper changes because the wipes were too cold on his little man bits. So, we searched high and low to find one and my mom ended up buying one for us because we couldn't find one in our small town.

Now that Luke is potty trained *except for #2* we don't need it anymore. I don't want his bum changes to be soft and warm and pleasant. I want them to be as uncomfortable as possible so that he will "get it" that its best to just use the toilet. Hasn't worked so far.

Anyways, I went over to Brandi's house and met her sweet little baby boy.

Somehow, as I often do, I put my foot in my mouth. Not in a bad way, because what I offered was heartfelt and I really WANT to do it but as soon as I said it, sheer panic came across me. I started to feel hot and a little sweaty. My hands started to clam up and my stomach started to flip flop as butterflies danced around. I offered, almost insisted, that I come over to her house on Thursday morning and take some pictures of her little baby boy.

We're close enough that if I didn't turn out any good shots, she wouldn't care. When Peat and I moved to Petawawa, we were neighbours and soon realized that *get a pen and try to follow along* my cousins wife's brother was her husband and they lived next door. So we're pretty much family. HEY, in a town of 15,000 it counts as family ;)

Anyways, now I'm all worried about Thursday. I don't know what to say, don't know what to do, what to bring. What should I wear? All these decisions run through my already racing mind! I'm just going to use natural light, no flash. She has a big window. But I have no props at all. I guess all I need really is a black sheet and maybe a fuzzy blanket. I'm sure I can work a little somethin' with that. I don't know about everyone else but I don't think as a newborn you can get a horrible shot in a mothers eyes. You know?

Anyways, I've got to do some looking around to get some ideas for poses. Not that I expect a newborn of 7 days to "pose".

I'll post my pictures on here if I come out with anything noteworthy.

Wish me luck ;)

This baby was SO worth the drive

So on Saturday night I got in my car prepared to drive an hour and a half to my mother and father in laws house. Its a long, dark and winding road with deer mulling' around ready to jump in front of your car and NO lights at all. Just your headlights.

I pride myself on living in a bubble for the most part. With my husbands job, I certainly can't think in realistic terms or I would probably never let him leave the house for fear of someone hurting him while he's working. He tells me stories but I always just "know" that he'll be ok.

I wish my bubble would stay with me while I was driving. For some reason while driving, I don't live in a bubble. I actually live in a crazy little place in my own mind where I fear everything. I fear the old man standing at the isolated convenience store leaning against his old beat up pick up truck. I fear the driver who's in front of me driving slower than he's suppose to. I start thinking that the two of them must be working together. One will drive slow in front of me, while the other one boxes me in from behind. I get nervous, I press the gas a little more than I should and next thing I know I'm passing slow mover in front of me, in the pitch black night, driving 120 kms per hour in a deer zone! I start to think about things like "what if this car stops and the man *I assume its a man, could be an elderly lady* jumps out at me and waves me down? I definitely won't stop but will I swerve? Will I just plough thru? If I do plough right though, will I stop? Will I call the police? I start to sweat, take my foot off the gas pedal and try with all my might to think logically.

I'm on my way to the in laws because early the next morning we were going to a baby shower where I would hold my niece for the very first time. Her little 7 week old self ;)

So I finally get off that one road, only to turn down another winding, dark 'forested' road. This time I am feeling a little less claustrophobic because there is now an extra lane, which for some reason settles me down. Its at these times, that I miss my bubble. I would give anything to put myself in my bubble. Then I think about those loser shows where someone puts an inflatable man in the passenger seat so it looks like the driver isn't alone. I wonder where to get one and what I'd call it. Would I buy a man or a woman? Probably a man to simulate my husband. Would I call him Peat? Would I talk to him on our drive? Would he talk back? Hopefully not.

Anyways, I arrive at destination IN LAWS after a long painful drive.

The next morning we drove about three hours south to the location of the shower and at precisely 1:30pm, I met my sweet little princess Victoria.

I held her in my arms right away and thought, "Yep, I want another baby". Who cares that Peat and I had decided two was enough *because Luke is so difficult*. Who cares that in an attempt to solidify our decision we had a massive yard sale and sold all of our baby stuff? Who cares? What is stuff anyway? A little extra cash and I can get it all back ;) I think I want another baby.

Except WHY would I want another baby? Its not like my baby would come out female. Not that it matters completely but lets be honest, if I had a choice, I'd probably choose a girl. Boys are awesome, let me start there, but really, what mother doesn't want a daughter?

When dh and I were going to try for a third, we actually said we'd prefer a third boy because we already had all the clothes and toys but you know what? After shopping for a girl for this baby shower, I'd LOVE to buy more girl clothing. I could barely stop myself from buying everything I saw. I wanted it all. I even considered one outfit for Luke that was in the girl section. I hoped it would be a little boyish too but then the pants had a flare leg. No good.

Anyways, baby shower was a hit. Little Victoria was sweet and little. The above picture is Victoria with he Great Grandmother. My husbands grandmother.

Other people arrived at the shower and babies were all around me. I know that if Peat had been with me, we'd be trying for a third. Boy or girl, wouldn't matter. He's mush when it comes to newborns.

Late last night I drove home in the same dark conditions as I had the night before. We won't go there with my trip home. Much the same as my trip there except on the way home I actually called hubby to come and meet me. I told him if I started to freak out too bad I'd just pull over and lock my doors until he got to me. My fear last night was the snow, not the scary creepy man at the gas bar. I did make it home though...One piece.

I think the feeling of wanting another baby has passed for now. After all, I am 34. I've only allowed myself until 35 to have babies. If I can just hold off for another year, it will be too late in my mind.

Plus I have two boys now who are constantly coughing, sneezing, choking and gagging. Its just what happens in the fall/winter. I could never bring a new baby here in all that!

I need to stop talking about babies.

Could someone please slap me.

Michelle

The Day He Learned To Read

You really do have to hand it to teachers now-a-days. My oldest (if you read this blog you'd know he's five) is now in Senior Kindergarten. Last year we had some "school" issues that had me beside myself for three months.

All of a sudden last year he started hating school. It took me three months to move him to another school. Yes, I know, avoidance isn't always the best answer but in my case, it was. Justin was a victim of 'constant supply teacher-itis'. Yep, you heard me right. Would you believe that every single day that Justin went to school, in JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN, he had a different teacher? I didn't even know this at the time. I kept writing letters to the teacher and she'd reply. I had no idea that she was the vice principle and NEVER in class with her students. Took me attending his class every day for two weeks for me to start to question just where on earth his teacher was.

How terrible for a four year old to go to a new school, away from the safeness of his family home and have no adult to trust. Always a new face. Always someone who didn't know him from Adam. Not that there was a boy named Adam in his class but you know what I mean.

Long story short we moved Justin to another school. One where security mattered and so did the emotional well being of their students. We are not Catholic but Justin now attends a Catholic school. Best thing we ever did.

So he started his new school last year in March. I thought it was going to be a bad thing because he'd be going into a classroom that had already been "together" for 6 months. Lucky for us, Justins teacher is the TEACHER of all Teachers and helped Justin in his new classroom with his new friends. It wasn't long before he was coming home all smiley with his letters and sounds. Last year was great. And we were SO lucky that this year he has the same teacher for Senior Kindergarten.

She's a great teacher. She is teaching my son to read. Now as exciting as this sounds, it worries me a little. Justin doesn't like to make mistakes so I often worry about him not picking it up. But let me assure you, he's picking it up just fine.

A few weeks ago while out for a walk with his grandmother, Justin came across the mailboxes above. My mom chuckled a little when she read it but she kept it to herself because lets face it, vandalism is NOT funny. She didn't really worry about Justin reading it because as far as she knew, he couldn't read.

Justin "Nana, someone wrote on the mailboxes. Why would someone do that?"

Nana: "Oh sometimes kids get into things that they shouldn't get into and sometimes they do things that they aren't allowed to do. Someone has just put a word on the mailboxes. Not a very nice thing to do was it?".

Justin: "What do you think it says Nana?"

Nana: "Oh, well, um..er....well, it says Mailbox" *HA, thinking a little white lie was OK in this circumstance*

Justin: "AAAA SSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Nana, I don't think it says mailbox".

Justin: "Nana. It says ASS"

Justin: "Nana, why would someone write ASS on the mailbox"?


When Justin got home that day he took great pleasure in telling me OVER and OVER and OVER again that someone wrote the word ASS on the mailboxes at Nana's house. I could tell that he was using it as an opportunity to use the word without getting in too much trouble.
My poor mom. I don't think she knew what to say.

I did send a note to school the next day to let Mrs. Cotnam know how good a job she was doing.

I'm just so proud that my little boy is learning how to read.

When it Matters Most

Yesterday afternoon at about 2pm my head started to ache. I don't get migraines but I do get occasional headaches.

I've never had a migraine so I don't have anything to compare it to but I think I had a migraine yesterday. A pulsing ache over my eye that caused me to need dark. Need quiet. Need peace and need someone else to take care of my five and two year old.

It happened at about the same time that Luke woke up from his nap. Early. He usually naps until three pm but of course, the day I needed him to sleep, he didn't. Fitting. Typical.

Regardless, he was up and so was I. Justin, like the child he is, was in his room for quiet time but as soon as he heard the whining of Luke, he was up and out of the bedroom which meant that it was time to chase, referee and raise my voice a little. Something I wasn't looking forward to at all. So when Justin came out to the living room and saw the crumpled mess that was his mother, he put his arm around me and said "you ok mom?". Instantly a tear escaped from my eye because was anything BUT ok and Peat was out of town for the day working. Which meant I couldn't call him home. I did call him to ask him if he knew where our bottle of Advil was but since he gets bad migraines, he had used it all up. I cried at little more.

I managed to peep my eyes open just enough to stumble into the bathroom and find some Tylenol cold pills. Good enough. Must have some acetaminophen. I'll take it.

Didn't do squat. I sat on the couch between my boys moaning in agony. Both of them staring at me like they had no idea what to do or where to start.

Luke was first to lean over and kiss my arm. Then he laid his head down on my arm and stayed motionless. Justin looked over at him and I could tell he was thinking. Luke started to whine about needing a drink. I started to cry because the thought of opening the fridge and doing something other than sitting with my eyes closed scared me. Senseless.

Justin saw my agony and put his hand on my arm and said "mom, I'll take care of what Luke needs" and he did. He got up and got his brother a drink. Then he came back to the couch, handed Luke a drink, jumped up beside me again and leaned into my close and started to stroke my hair. He kissed my forhead and told me not to worry, that he'd help me. He was so loving. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to bring it to his attention, nor could I really speak anyways. Luke started to whine about something and Justin said "lukey, mom isn't feeling well, lets just sit and watch our movie quietly". And they did. Yesterday at 2:30pm...I loved those boys. They were all I could think of.

My mom arrived about 3:30pm to give me some Tylenol with codeine *bless her* and I went into my room to lay down for half an hour. As I was walking in my room, Justin jumped up on the bed beside me and laid with me for the whole time. I put his cartoons on and he lay there, quietly watching his shows. He'd occasionally check on me to see if I was ok. He was such a doll.

So after the headache passed, I loaded the boys up in the car, took them to Walmart and bought Justin the Nintendo DS with a Super Mario game. I would have spent every penny in my pocket for what he did for me. Not just physically but emotionally. He came thru when it mattered most. I must have done something right. So far. He is only five.

I still have a lot more time to screw him up.

Michelle

Two Peas In A Pod. Not a Chance!

See this eye? This eye belongs to my youngest son Luke. Lukey. Its just what I call him. Would you believe that neither Lukes mother *me* or his father *Peat* have blue eyes? Not only that, but NONE of Lukes grandparents have blue eyes either. Perhaps this is why I question whether or not he's actually my child.

Could there have been a mix up at the hospital? Always possible. The only thing that keeps us convinced he's ours is that my mother claims he's the same as me when I was a child *defiant and opinionated* and the fact that his eye shape resembles my fathers as well has Peats. I could really go either way.


Enter Justin. This is my oldest son Justins eye. You will notice that Justin looks straight at me. Not like Lukes wandering eye. Luke doesn't have time to look anyone in the eye.
Justin has beautiful deep brown eyes. As brown as brown can be. They're sensitive caring eyes.

Of course they are, he's mine!

lol.
Actually, according to Peat, Justin is identical to Peat as a youngster. I'll have to dig up a picture of Peat in his younger years later.
Both my children have circles under their eyes. I never knew my 'tiredness' would affect them so much :) kidding.

Justin was always my baby in that he really loved his mom. Always cuddling me, always lovin' me up. Always by my side and holding my hand. Always! Until this past summer. It started one day when I went to drop him off at Summer Daycamp. I went to bend down to give him a kiss and hug and he dodged out of my way, left me hanging there like a moron. At least its how I felt. At first I thought he didn't realize I was attempting to kiss him goodbye so I tried again but he couldn't get away from me fast enough.

One counsellor, while I'm sure she was trying to be sweet, said to me , "oh mom, not to worry, you're just ruining his cool factor". I wanted to slap her. I should have slapped her. My son doesn't have a cool factor. He's FIVE for crying out loud.

When I got my hands on him later that day we had a talk. He decided he didn't want to talk so I let it be. And then it happened the next day too.

It took me a week but I finally found out that Charlie *dear sweet Charlie* had kissed his mom goodbye the day before and all the kids laughed at him. 6 yr olds can be so cruel. Poor Charlie. So, I sort of understood and told Justin that if he didn't want me to kiss him then I wouldn't. And I didn't. And I don't. But I did tell him that in our home, he had to cuddle with me and give me lots of hugs because it would be hard for me to not hug him up. He agreed.

He lied.

That boy is so untouchy feely with me its not funny. Some would say he's a lot like me but I'm sorry, he's my baby boy. He needs to love his mother. Peat thinks that I just back off a little, and stop asking him why and when, that he'll come around. I'm hoping he's right. I need his little arms to hug me. I keep reminding him that I made him and that without me he wouldn't be here but really, it just brings on more questions than I'd like to tackle for now.

So I move on to Luke. He's whiney. Always whining. His voice is like nails on a chalkboard. But he loves me and isn't tainted by the outside cruel harsh world. He likes to hug me, he likes to latch on to my leg and hang tight. He likes to kiss me and he sees nothing wrong with showing his love and appreciation to his mom.

Ok, appreciation is a little much. He just isn't afraid to love his momma.
So I ask...
Will Justin ever come out of this phase? I hope so.

Michelle

I'm Avoiding

Meet Abby. Abby is my friends daughter. Actually she is also the daughter of the man I drove to the bus on yesterdays post. Isn't she a cutie? Anyways this post has nothing to do with Abby. Nothing at all. I promise. This post is about why on earth I would want to attempt to take pictures inside my dark, cavelike house.

I think I'm just born to take pictures outside only. I mean, I still have a lot to learn outside so it seems silly to come inside and learn a whole OTHER ball of wax. Doesn't that seem stupid? I haven't even mastered one domain yet I want to bring it inside and jump into another pile of 'stuff'.

So I sit here at my computer. I'm all surfed out. Tried looking high and low. Gathered what I thought was valuable information only to come to one conclusion. The same one I had the other day. I know nothing. Actually I think I know more than I knew yesterday, with regards to studio lighting but at this point, I think its all a matter of preference. I almost need to go somewhere where they have different 'set ups'. You know, softbox plus one umbrella, two soft boxes, two umbrellas, etc and I just need to snap away until I find what I like.

According to "the net", its really a matter of preference and you can pretty much do the same thing with it all but get different results based on how you use it. So, now that i know THAT, I'm still clueless as to what I want, what I need and how I get it. Well, I know how I get it because I have Peat sitting over my shoulder flashing a dazzling VISA card in my face. He thinks he's helping me but really what he's saying is "the sky is the limit, do as you please". This is just too much freedom for me. I need someone to tell ME what to buy. If he were to say "not now Michelle, Christmas is just around the corner", I'd turn off my computer and delete my bookmarks of sites and carry on with my day. It was a relatively happy day up until lunch time.

So I try to be measured and calculated. What kind of person drops a thousand bucks on themselves THIS close to Christmas. I do not want to be responsible for my children waking up Christmas morning to find only socks and underwear because Mommy spent all the money on herself. Although I could take lasting treasured photographs that will be passed down for generations.. Yes, that sounds much better.

I'm still not sure what I want because most of what I want is in the United States. Which means shipping fees. Which also means duty and whatever other delivery services can get away with thieving from unsuspecting customers. Bunchabullcrap if you ask me. But you didn't.

I really like the http://www.alienbees.com/ set up. I want the DIGI Package. Or the next one up. Whatever. Its all the same to me. I like the pink one and yellow one but seriously, do I need this set up just so I can have one pink light and one yellow light? I know Justin would appreciate it because he loves everything yellow but I don't think I should hinge this purchase on a yellow light. Although I might. I do like the pink one.

Then I need to ask myself questions like, "do i need to buy a light meter? can't I just use my in camera meter for exposure?" Do I need to buy a sync cable? A radio transmitter? See, I have no idea what any of these things are AT ALL but yet I'm throwing around these words aimlessly like I have a clue. Which I don't. But if I were talking to someone who wasn't into photography, they'd think I had quite an extensive background in it. As long as they didn't see my dazzled unsure eyes darting around while trying to figure out if what i just said made any sense.

I think I need to go read some more. I'll be back later to tell you what I've decided.

Good Lord I just re read my post. I lack in capitolization today.
Wriggs.

Remember? I don't think I could ever forget!

How I "Remember" these days is a lot different than even just a few short years ago. I've always "observed" Remembrance Day. I've always been somewhere to watch a ceremony. I've always felt it was important to Remember those who've served in the Military and those who've lost their lives so that I could live mine.

I've always been surrounded with family members who were also military members and for me, paying Respect on Remembrance Day was also paying respect to them and to their families, for the job that they did. When I see a poppy I feel a great sadness. In the late 90's I lost an uncle to cancer. He passed away on November 4th, 1996. Its hard to believe it has been 12 years this month. His passing was a very hard one for me because to me my uncle Mark was like a second father. Our families were very close and his two sons were just like brothers to me. I was the oldest and then there was Jeff who was 4 yrs younger than me, and his brother Kyle who was a few years younger than Jeff. I will never forget when we lost my uncle Mark. At his funeral I stood outside in the rain as his coworkers, all dressed in uniform, marched up to his grave side, saluted him and placed their poppies, one at a time, on his casket. As I was standing there in the rain I realized how truly blessed I was to have known him.

After I watched the last of the soldiers salute my uncle, my aunt Sue walked over to me and pinned a poppy from his casket onto my coat. We cried. I still have that poppy. It doesn't look as new and fresh as the one in my picture but it carries a special meaning to me.

Anyhow, it was not my intention to go there....

Even when I first had Justin, I remember bundling him up on those cold dreary days *is it just me or is it always cold and dreary on Remembrance Day?* and putting him in a stroller and walking to our local cenotaph to watch a ceremony. Justin was always quiet. Its a little harder to take Luke, as he isn't as "quiet" as Justin always was...but I will take him anyways because to me, this day is important. I want Justin and Luke to grow up with the same appreciation that I have grown up with.

In 2005 I moved here to Petawawa Ontario. All of a sudden days like "Remembrance Day" became a lot more meaningful than they'd ever been. And I didn't think I could top what I already 'felt' about this day.

I live in a town where everyone I know, my neighbours, my coworkers, my best friends are all a part of this profession I've spent my life admiring. My friends, my coworkers and my neighbours are soldiers or wives and children of soldiers. When I drive down my local main street it is not rare to find a LAV driving down the road or to see an army of military vehicles lined up down the road. Maybe even in the Tim Hortons drive thru. Seriously.

Men and Women in uniform are all around me. You start to realize very quickly that this "job", this "profession" is more than just that. This "thing" called "The Military" is a lifestyle. Its a way of life. It is life. Its life here in Petawawa. Its fair to say it isn't MY life, since my husband is not in the military but all in all we live here. We live with the military all around us. It becomes us, no matter what we do for a living.

The first time Petawawa base was deployed to Afghanistan *when we lived here* I didn't KNOW anyone who was overseas. In the year that followed that deployment I began to meet new friends who since then, have become some of my very best friends. So this past September, CFB Petawawa is once again deployed in Afghanistan. One of my closest friends husbands is there. My children play with her children. My children go to school with other children who's mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers are deployed. This is a very stressful time for Petawawa. Along with this stress comes a camaraderie like you've never seen. Its like this community comes together and all of a sudden the people you see walking down the street or the people you pull up along side at an intersection are more than just strangers. Its like we're all in this together.

I drove my friends husband to the bus the day that he left for Afghanistan. I pulled up to his house to pick him up. I'll never forget what I saw. I saw a man, the same age as my husband. I saw him sitting on his front step with two bags at his side. All I remember thinking was "wow, here is this husband/father leaving his family for uncertainty and yet he is smiling. He is proud and he has a job to do and so he shall do it.

All his military gear packed and ready to go. He was dressed in his desert camouflage, beret on and three pictures in his hands. He had been looking at them when I pulled up to his house. He tucked them inside the bag he was carrying. He had one picture of each of the girls in his life. His wife *my friend*, and his two little girls. Same ages as my boys. We made small talk on the drive to the base and once he got out of the car he said his quick "good bye, thanks for the ride, lets all get together when I get back". I assured him that everything here at home would be fine, we'd help out his wife if she needed for anything. He closed the car door and I watched him walk away. I'll never forget watching him walk away. I'm certain *because in a town like this, you MUST always have hope* that he will come home to his family. To those he left behind. To his wife and his two girls. I just know he will. There can be no other way.

This is just one person out of a whole town. We wear red on Fridays to show our support for our troops. We watch CTV 24/7 to make sure our friends are safe. This war is a daily part of our lives.

When I go to the cenotaph tomorrow I don't care how cold it is. I don't care how rainy it is or how windy or how uncomfortable. I will be there. I can brave a little cold and rain to show my respect for those who've served in the past and those who serve now. There is no other way. My boys will grow up with the utmost respect for the military and for the soldiers who give their lives so that we can live ours.

Please Remember. Never Forget.
Wriggs

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHH $@#@**&

Anyways, hubby went out this morning and bought me some PVC piping so I could construct a background to go with my lights and within one hour I threw all the pieces around the room, kicked my camera bag *gently for affect because the camera was in it* and yanked all the lights out of the plugs and told Peat to take it all apart, put it in the Jeep so I could return it all after Luke wakes from his nap.

Then I told him I'm listing my camera and lenses on Ebay. And I meant it!

First of all, I've barely used my sigma flash. I did use it last year but can't remember what mode I was shooting in. Obviously it was the easy mode and it did everything for me. Either that or I was extremely lucky and it just seemed to work. Anyways, now I'm just using manual so trying to find an acceptable SS and keeping my ISO down was HORRIBLE not to mention I have no idea what I'm doing with light.

I'm a helpless fraud.

No one in their right mind would ever let me take pictures of their family. NO ONE

I thought I did an ok job on outdoor pictures but bring me inside and I'm a complete moron. I think the kicker for me was putting my flash on and thinking, "um, why are all my pictures still dark?" Once I replaced the batteries and then the flash fired I thought it was all in the bag from there. Well, boy was I wrong. The battery issue was only half the problem. The other half was ME. I was bouncing it off the ceiling. I HATE reading manuals but I'm going to have to. I feel like I'm practically starting all over again now. That helpless state of STUPIDITY.

Anyways, as of right now I'm never picking up a camera again. In an hour I'll start looking around the Internet. The best thing I could do for myself is just go out and buy the things I need, set them all up and then learn. But because I'm trying to "half ass" things, I'm getting more frustrated than anything else. I think half assing things should be reserved for people who have a clue. And I clearly do not.

Hear that friends? Stop reading this blog because my JOURNEY is nothing more than a minor little trip. A TRIP I SAY. I can't believe a camera has me this flustered. Going for the Tylenol *again*.

...
......
........

I'm so torn. I don't want to put it all away. I don't want to quit. I want to keep doing this. I just need to find a better way of learning. Dare I say ... I might actually have to pick up a manual. Read it. Learn it. Absorb it.
Going to see if I can find any information about this stuff.
Frikken Photography!!

The Boys That Fill My Heart

Shhh, can you hear it?
Listen carefully. I promise, if you listen carefully you will hear it too. Its a sound I don't hear nearly enough.

It isn't the sound of little feet on my wood floor, it isn't the sound of little voices saying "mommy, mommy, mommy". It isn't the sound of the television on and it certainly isn't the sound of two kids fighting. Its been replaced. Replaced by something magical. Something that I forgot even existed. Probably because for families with small children, it doesn't really exist anymore except for when afforded the rare but OH SO delightful opportunity to have the house to yourself.

The sounds I hear right now are the typing on my laptop. I hear the dog breathing quietly as she also is not often afforded the chance to sit, undisturbed. We're all so ... quiet. I hear the cars drive by on the road outside, I hear a distant sound of an airplane in the sky.

Oops, for a second there I thought I heard the sound of the Jeep pulling back into the driveway and all at once my thoughts got away from me. I feared that my little moment of paradise was going to be disrupted.

First I owe thanks to my dear husband and partner in parenting, Pete. I will say this once and once only *ok, I'll probably write a new post about it tomorrow* but my husbands name is Pete but for some reason in his childhood his friends and family started spelling it Peat. So I do too. We all do. So don't ask any more. Anyways, I owe SO much thanks to Peat. Without him, this moment could not be possible. He has taken the boys out for a few hours this morning. What started as a breakfast at McDonalds has turned into a coffee for mom and now they're off again to Pembroke to see some hockey. I love him. I love him with every fibre of my being.

Why is it that when provided the opportunity to have a "morning to yourself" it is IMPOSSIBLE to figure out what to do?

I pace some.
I eat a little.

Then I sit down and think "there is something better I should be doing with my morning". I instantly get up and do the dishes, which only amounts to about three seconds of work. Then i wander around the kitchen and pick up dog hair from the creases and corners. Once complete, I contemplate getting out the vacuum and giving the house a once over. I go into the bedroom to retrieve the vacuum only to find my oldest sons bed not made and my youngest child's clothing on the floor of his room.

Next thing I know I'm up to my elbows in cleaning supplies and spray bottles. How did this happen? This isn't "me" time. I stop. I stop and throw all my cleaning supplies back where I got them from and I go and sit. I sit quietly on the couch staring straight ahead. Somehow, in my five and a half years as a parent, I forgot what to do with myself when it was just me.

I consider taking the dog for a walk but lets be honest here. I'm not the dog walking type. Its too cold.

I also consider tidying up the backyard in preparation for the winter ahead. then I reconsider because, its too cold outside. Plus I just washed my hair.

I consider getting out my camera to take some pictures. Only the children aren't here and Layla doesn't usually cooperate. I'm at a loss.
So for now, I pull up a chair to my computer and do the only thing I can think to do. I post on my blog. Its for me. I suppose.

There has to be something I can do with this quiet. Maybe add a little music? Don't get me wrong, I'm loving it. Its just different.

Then for a split second....
I wish they were home. Then the moment passes as I slap myself in the face and realize what I've just said.

Kidding.
I love my family. When they're not home, I feel like something big is missing.

Fast Forward almost 4 hours (update)

Ooooh sh##, I think I hear the Jeep. Kidding. I'm glad they're home. Well, almost home. Peat just called me and said they'd be here in a few minutes. I know when he walk in the door he's going to ask me what I did all morning. How can I possibly say "just toodled around on the computer". It just doesn't sound productive enough. I better think of something. Maybe now would be a good time to grab the vacuum.

Oooh La La

I know its a typical shot. Nothing fancy, nothing spectacular but for me it really was amazing. Something I've never seen. I was like a star struck groupie yesterday. My mouth hanging open while gazing up at the top of the ceilings admiring the wood and the carving. Seriously, if you've never been...its SO worth the visit.

I went thru my pictures already and I would say at least 3/4's of them are ceilings and wood carvings of the inside of the place.

Truly spectacular. Ok, enough big words. Don't want it to sound un-original.

Ciao

Michelle

Parliament Hill Welcomes Gail Shea

So you may be thinking, Who the heck

is Gail Shea? Sorry to confuse you. Gail Shea is my dads cousin. *the non fiddle playing father* has a cousin in politics in Prince Edward Island. Well Gail is now officially the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Yesterday we *my husband and I, as well as other members of our family* all travelled to Ottawa, our Nations Capitol and watched as Gail was sworn in!

Family came from as far away as Prince Edward Island so it was SO nice to see everyone that we haven't seen since the Reunion in PEI in 2003.

This here on the right is a picture taken by my father, the one who doesn't play the fiddle*. I could go on and on about his composition etc,but I won't. I just put the camera in Manual, tried to make the proper settings adjustments and then handed it over. There wasn't much he could do wrong, although I don't think I'm all that clear. Oh well. So yesterday was a nice day. Would you believe that in all my 33 years, I have never been to the Parliament buildings? Notta once. So yesterday was amazing. I did my best to take pictures without flash. So some are a little blurry. I did the best I could. I'll post more later but for now I will post my first picture of the day. *after the one of Pete and myself*.

So late last night we made the long trek *ok, an hour and a half* back to Petawawa. Where our warm bed was waiting. And our sick boy Luke who didn't stop coughing ALL night. I knew we should have looked harder for a hotel.

I'm just noticing that the spacing on my blog isn't working properly. I will have to look into that.

My Non Fiddle Playing Father

This is my dad. He is now officially retired AND living here in Petawawa. I can also NOW say that my poor mother has been living here in Petawawa since May this year. She moved here before my dad. They had purchased the house here in the spring LAST year and my mom moved up earlier this year.

She didn't want anyone to know she's been staying alone in that big house. She was always a nervous wreck despite having a security system. One day I actually drove down her lane way to pick her up and the police were there because of a false alarm. Only my mother ;)

Anyways, shes been nervous out there on the lake all by her lonesome and now she no longer has to stay alone. My dad has retired and is now officially residing in PET!

So moving along to his first goal of retirement. My father decided that HE *the one who has no musical talent that I know of* has decided to take up the fiddle. First of all, did you know a fiddle and a violin are the same instrument? I didn't know that. I do now. Anyways, he's decided that he will learn to play the fiddle. Or a violin, whatever. He will play it. Let there be music!

So in my attempt to reconnect with my family, who I've lived far far away from, for four years, I have ALSO decided that this is something that I would like to do with my father.

I have spent countless hours looking at my new violin/fiddle. I don't know what to call it yet. Since I don't know how to play it, there is no point in naming it. I have a fiddle for dummies book, which so far I have found quite informative. I just LOVE taking it out of the case and playing a slightly awful version of twinkle twinkle little star. I'm going to look around for lessons. My father feels we should learn to play it on our own. I think I may get a little help and then pretend I am really picking it up quickly :) Nah, thats just wrong.

Anyways, its not like i need to learn it over night, right?

I've decided to pull out my old CD's with some fiddlin' songs on it. You know, the Dixie Chicks seem to have a lot. Plus there is "The Devil Went Down To Georgia". Ok, I don't think I'll ever be able to play like that! But the song sure is motivational.

Anyways, should be a fun ride. Its late, time for bed.

Night!

Wriggs

Desperately Seeking INDOOR STUDIO with equipment!

I went to my friend Jamies house today to take some family pictures. Once again, with the colder weather approaching, I felt at a loss. I was confused and discombobulated. Honestly, I didn't know which way was up. First I struggled with keeping my ISO down. I just couldn't.
She had a huge front window but just as luck would have it, with the Aperature and shutter speed I needed for kids I just couldn't help but bump up my ISO. SO I tried and did the best I could.

I usually turn my pictures into Black and Whites but I'd like to have SOME color pictures to give them.

Well, here are two I've worked on this afternoon. I do like them but I know the truth behind the picture. For example, I have no backdrop. So we used *at my suggestion* a navy blanket over the back of a chair. Now, in hindsight this was a mistake. What a hard color to work around. So I found some digital backgrounds and I'm afraid they're obvious because I also haven't mastered the art of adding people into a scene without making it look completely fake. SO this is what I have so far. I still have one other family to do as well as group shots. I did my best, what can I say.
You guys were all SO easy to shoot today. I prepared my friend for what it was like to work with me.

I let her know that I don't do "indoor" photography yet and so we had to work with natural light. I think I'm more convinced than ever, that this weekend, I'm going out and getting myself a little indoor lighting set up with backdrops. I just had too much fun. I think I'd really enjoy myself if I had the right equipment. At least some lighting and backgrounds anyways. That would be a good start.

Oh and I also brought Luke with me, who for the most part, sat beside me with a batman digital camera and snapped away. My little copy cat. Wonder if he got anything I could use ;)
Thanks for having me guys!

Wriggs

Trick or Treat

Happy Belated Hallowe'en

My children were real troopers last night. Went out, raided the neighbourhood, brought home the bacon *so to speak* and now they're sitting here like nothing happened. See, the best thing about a five year old and two year old, is that the BEST fun is the going door to door. I don't think a single one of them has any clue as to what it was that was being handed out last night. Its like they came home, handed me their bags and went off to enjoy the next 'big' moment. SO, all the candy is MINE and Petes!

YAY. I love Halloween.

Last night was a little tricky though. I had no idea that Luke was a screamer. So when Justin walked out of the bathroom with his face paint, Luke let out a sharp, short girly scream. And ran. Hid behind his mother. Wuss.

He did this girly scream on more than one occasion. He did it every time he saw a scary costume as well as every time he approached a house that was decorated. Yet he kept coming back for more. We'd put him in the wagon and just let Justin to door to door but as soon as he saw Justin approaching the house, he'd climb out of the wagon and yell "wait for me NUTTIN"

Then he'd girly scream all the way up to the door.

OH these are the moments I will think back to when my boys are older. Actually, I kind of wish I could have gotten that scream on tape to play back to him when he's older. It really was quite funny.

The picture above wasn't their costumes, by any means, but just one I decided to attempt indoors now that the weather is getting colder. I'm all about natural light so once the days seem darker and its hard to get outdoors, I'm going to have to practice my flash/lighting abilities. I'm scared to think outside the box :)

I have *husband has* arranged for me to do two families (one this weekend and one next weekend) so it should be interesting.

To say the least :)

I think I need some chocolate. Just have to hide it from the kids or they'll soon realize just what it was they were trick'or'treating for last night ;)

Wriggs