Posted on January 30, 2009
This has been going around on Facebook, so I decided to copy a friend’s idea and post mine as well. Enjoy!
Rules: Once you’ve been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. If I tagged you, it’s because I want to know more about you.
(To do this, go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)
1. I took one photography class in college as an elective to my Fire Science major. I took it three times. I failed it once, got a C the second time and finally got an A and stopped going to college.
2. I am really really really bad at being under authority. Which is why I’m my own boss now.
3. I am a level 78 Blood Elf Hunter on the Scarlet Crusade server of World of Warcraft. Oh yea.
4. I think I know every word to The Princess Bride. If you don’t like when people say the words along to a movie, do not watch that movie with me.
5. I do not like carnations. It comes from 7 years of piano recitals with a carnation stuck to my lapel.
6. I took 7 years of piano and I cannot read notes, and I can really only play by ear. But the only things I can play are chopsticks, a couple of random duets, the MacGyver theme song, the Doogie Howser MD theme song, and Right Here Waiting For You by Richard Marx.
7. I’m terrified of lightning and tornados. And chalkboards.
8. I love being a photographer. I HATE spending hours and hours editing pictures.
9. I like peanut butter and mayo sandwiches.
10. I love when people come up to me and rub my pregnant belly. Even random strangers. I know I’m not the norm though. I’ve only had two people besides my husband who have rubbed my belly this time around.
11. I’m not Mexican. I’m Cuban. And no, I can’t speak Spanish. The pasty white skin comes from my English/Irish mom.
12. The only way I watch TV shows nowadays is to watch them on DVD or Netflix Watch Instantly.
13. The best show I’ve ever watched was Firefly. Watch the entire season (only one season) and then rent the movie Serenity. You won’t be disappointed.
14. The best present I have ever received was a lightsaber from my husband on Christmas. I cried.
15. I can NOT WAIT to move!!!
16. I am addicted to postsecret.com. I want all the books.
17. I like astrology, I think it’s fun. I am a Leo and the sign is me spot on. I even have a Leo tattoo.
18. I have a Crackberry and I spend about an hour at least every morning laying in bed checking my email and my news and blog feeds on it.
19. I love love love to cook and bake anything and everything. I could spend all day in the kitchen and I would be at home.
20. I am a born again Christian and I’m not ashamed of my faith or my beliefs. But I refuse to stuff it down anyone’s throat or live a “holier than thou” life. I believe Christians that do give the rest of us a bad name.
21. I have worked with a few Bridezilla’s, but there is only one that made me cry.
22. I’ve grown 2 inches in the last few years. I was 5′0″ when I got married. I’m 5′2″ now. I have no idea how that happened.
23. Todd and I have a special way of telling each other we love each other. We put the cereal box in the fridge.
24. I had someone say something horribly mean and nasty about me on a popular morning radio show. He was in my bible study group.
25. I got up to purple belt in Tae Kwon Do. I could totally take you out.
Posted on January 20, 2009
Just a few minutes ago, Ava was bugging Todd while he was doing dishes. She was poking him and she came across something hard in his back pocket. She immediately put her grubby little hands into his back pocket and said “Someone’s in your pocket daddy!” We started laughing as she took his debit card out of his pocket. He said “I think it’s a little theiving Boo!” I went back to sit at my desk and he started laughing again when she said “Hey! That’s money!” and proceeded to walk past me, straight to her piggy bank with a bill. Todd laughed and said “Hey! That’s a ten!” I said “Well, you’re gonna spend it on her anyway!” She came back to me with it and I helped her fold it so she could get it in her piggy bank. She went back for more. Everytime she got some she would say “Oh man! More money! This should go in my piggy bank!” She came to me with a 5, and then back again with some singles. All together she got about $18 out of him. Then she went back one more time and came to me again to fold. I took the bill, and noticed it was a check. A $100 check made out to me from a bride booking her wedding. Todd had stuck it in his pocket while we were hording his money. “Oh no you don’t! No way! This is mommy’s money!” I said, as they both laughed. Todd said “Oh sure! When it’s my money she’s stealing it’s ok!?” I said, “That’s right!”
I got some pictures of the crime as well. If you see this suspect, cover your back pockets, hide your dollar bills and call your local authorities immediately!
Posted on January 17, 2009
I just wanted to show off some of the things I’ve learned in Photoshop over the years. I’ve never taken any formal classes, but I’ve picked up some tips and tricks along the way that have helped. Sometimes it amazes me what you can do with this program. Anyway, there is one photograph from a wedding that I did recently that kept bugging me. I, for one, love smile lines. I might be weird, but I wish I had them because it always makes me think someone is a very happy person when they have them. However, a bride may not want to see her smile lines up close and in person on her wedding day. So, after I put up the pictures, I kept going back to this one photograph, thinking I should have changed it a bit for her. So, this morning, in a matter of 5 minutes, I did. I think I’m going to put this one back up online like this for her. Now, this woman is gorgeous to begin with, and I don’t like the idea of changing anyones features to make them prettier. So, I didn’t really do much, but I think what I did do, really brought out her most gorgeous feature- her eyes. I always thought her eyes were probably the most amazing eyes I’ve seen, and I told her so at our initial meeting. So, I wanted to show them off for her. So, what my camera couldn’t do with the sunset sky, I did with Photoshop. Anyway, take a look and tell me what you think! I’ll mention what I did do for those who have used Photoshop before, but if you would like a little tutorial on anything, let me know.
Before
After
Ok, here’s what I did:
1. I lightened the entire photo to start.
2. I took out a little yellow (-5) with the color color balance.
3. I used the patch tool and selected the skin around her face, and then used a glaussian blur on the selection (1.5), just to smooth out her skin a little.
4. I did an eye pop on her eyes. (just a bit of dodge, burn and sponge tools)
5. I whitened her teeth a little with dodge and sponge- the yellow in the flower was reflecting on her.
6. I used the patch tool to take any individual wrinkles off her face or fly aways from her hair.
7. I also used dodge to lighten her veil and the highlights in her hair.
That’s it! So, yea I think I’m going to put this one back up online for her like this. So, there ya go, a little show off from me. Let me know if you want a little tutorial!
Posted on January 17, 2009
So I’m laying in bed right now (have I mentioned I have a Crackberry?) and according to weather.com it is -6 outside. But me, yea I’m hot and I’m actually sweating. I’ve taken the comfy comforter off and I’m laying here amazed at pregnancy and the weird things I go through while pregnant. I’m also amazed at my Crackberry and I can’t believe I didn’t think about the fact that I can do this- blog from anywhere on my phone. How exciting! Maybe next time I’ll bring you all into the bathroom with me and give you a play by play! Won’t that be fun?!
Posted on January 9, 2009
I’m so excited!! Ava’s in her first ballet recital next week. It’s called Winterdance, and all of the ballet students (from age 3-adult) will be in it. Ava is in two of the shows, one on Friday at 7 and one on Sunday at 3. She’s so excited too! She does a great job, they’ve been practicing really hard. The other day, we got her costume and we were told we were not allowed to play in it. Of course, as soon as we got home, I took it out of the package and had her try it on. She looks so cute!! Of course, we immediately put it back and put it up on a shelf. We just needed to see if it fit. And take pictures. And let her twirl a few times. Anyway, here’s a sneak preview of the prettiest ballerina in Winterdance!
Posted on January 8, 2009
The other day, I was talking to an online friend through a game that Todd and I play. She’s about 10 years older than we are and she is divorced and has no children. She has mentioned before that she doesn’t wish to ever have children because she doesn’t feel like she would not be a good mother. I can respect that. I have a few friends who have said they are just not the kid type and would rather not have children in their lives. I can completely understand, and while I think they are missing out, I can respect their stance. Especially when there are so many people out there who are not kid people and are having children anyway. Not a good environment for a kid. Anyway, we were talking, mostly about the game, and Todd and I mentioned something about having kids. I’m not sure how it was said, but she said “I’m so lucky.” And I immediately retorted with “Oh, I don’t think so.” She went on to explain that she just wasn’t good with kids, and I basically just let the conversation drop. I have no idea if it’s my preggo hormones, or if it’s my Leo nature, or just my motherly instinct to protect my children, but I was offended. Not completely, but enough to write a blog about how lucky I think I am.
I do think, on some level, that people without children are lucky. They don’t have to deal with raising a child. It is by far, the hardest job in the world. They have less responsibility on some levels. They definately have more freedom. I can’t tell you the last time I went out with friends and didn’t have to think about who was going to be watching my daughter. I can’t tell you the last time I went out, actually. So, on that level, I can certainly be envious of someone with the time and freedom to live their own life, and not live the life of their children as well.
But I could never really think of myself as unlucky. Or that those without children are luckier than I am. Being a mom, as hard as it can be sometimes, is by far the most wonderful thing I have ever done in my life. It is challenging, enlightening, exhilerating, and fantastic. The moment I gave birth to my daughter, I became a changed woman. My heart, my life, my mind has changed in so many wonderful ways. I am a completely different person. My life is full now. And she’s so little. But, her smile, her laugh, her wit, her imagination, her very being has changed me down to my core. My life is full of so many joyous moments that she surrounds me with. I have never laughed so hard, never cried so hard, never thought as deeply, and never loved as much before she was in my life. I can’t even remember my life without her. I don’t want to. She IS my life. And now I’m adding another little girl to my life. And I couldn’t be more excited. I can’t wait to meet the other tiny little being who will change my life all over again.
So, am I lucky? A thousand times yes. And for those who think I’m sugar coating being a mom, I’m not. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, I have moments where I just want to hide and not have any pressures and I wish to be free from responsibility. It can be frustrating and agonizing. But, it wouldn’t be if I didn’t love her so much. The good far far outweighs those trying times. I’m lucky. I’m lucky to be given a gift from God. I get to be the one to raise these beautiful little girls. I pray for those who want to be lucky, who have not been able to have children. I want them to be able to experience this. And I pray for those who don’t want to. I hope they will find as much love and happiness without them. But, don’t ever think of me as unlucky to have the burden of children. Because, in my opinion, I am the luckiest woman in the world.
Posted on January 3, 2009
I took advantage of Ava’s nap and I got some work done this afternoon. When she woke up, this is what she said:
Ava: Mommy? Can I wake up?
Me: Sure!
Ava: Whew! That was a little rest! Do you know what that means?
Me: No, what does that mean?
Ava: That means, when you take a little rest, you sit down *sits down* and take a rest and then you take a piece of paper, and you cut it. And then you take the play-dough. But, it’s really hard for you, so… you need Gackie (her lovie). But this is my Gackie, so, you can’t take him away. That would not be nice.
Me: Ok.
*Ava walks downstairs to go play*
Ok then! I’m not sure if that was supposed to be educational for me, or if she was still sleeping. I hope I don’t get quizzed later.
Posted on January 2, 2009
We finally have a name for this baby!! I’m so excited! I thought Ava knew it too, but I think she has issues with the name. She has her own ideas.
Me: Ava, come kiss your sister!
*Ava runs over full force and plants a kiss on my belly*
Me: What’s your sister’s name?
Ava: Googalie Dress!!
Me: What?! No, I don’t think so. Try again!
Ava: Gooey Eyes!!
Me: No way!! Not gonna happen!
Ava: How about… Googalie Friend?
Me: I think we could work with that one.
Posted on January 1, 2009
So I guess I have to come up with some New Years resolutions, huh? I never seem to keep them, so I’m not putting too much stock in them this year. But there are a few things I definitely want to accomplish on being a better person all around.
I’m not going to say “lose weight” because, #1 I’m pregnant, and #2 I want it to be a benefit of my life change. I’d like to be more active and eat healthier. We usually have a lot of junk food in the house, and if it’s there, I’ll eat it. Plus, because of my job, I’m on the computer a LOT. I procrastinate, so I tend to be surfing, blogging, etc instead of working. It takes up a lot more of my day on the computer and I end up being on here more than I walk around some days. It’s a little ridiculous, and SO unhealthy!
So, my goal would be to set time limits on here and stick to them. I’d like to be more active, get out more, get some exercise, more for my well being than losing weight. And I’d like to eat healthier. Again, not just to lose weight, but to be healthier. I have some people who depend on me, so I should probably take care of myself so I’m around longer for them.
