Hours With Photo Shop

I think my daughter could spend hours and
hours playing around with Photo Shop.

Granted it is pretty neat, with all the ways you can change a picture.


She really likes taking pictures anyway, and then to be able to change them, is right up her alley.


She acually is pretty good at photography. She has taken some rather neat pictures. Mainly of herself......... Her Myspace picture has to be changed at least once a week........LOL

Here are some recent pictures that she has taken.

The sky was really pretty one night as the football game was about to start.

Hartsul took these next ones with Lindsey's phone and then Lindsey put them on the computer and touched them up with Photo Shop.

I love the way the trees reflect in the pond.

















Lindsey and her friends love going to mall, to shop a little and to take pictures.

Even at school they are taking pictures.



























These are some random pictures that Lindsey has Photo Shoped.















In some of her pictures, I think she has gotten rather creative, using props and such.
They are different, anyway.

Time For A Change

It's odd how just the mere changing of hair styles can make such a difference in one's appearance. Like most women, I have had my share of different hair styles.






As you can see from this picture taken around 1981 or so, my hair has been really short.

For several years, my hair was about shoulder length and permed. Not just permed, but curly permed. I'll spare you the pics of that phase.





Finally, I stopped the perms and let my hair grow.

In this picture taken while vacationing in Florida in 2002, you can see that it had begun to grow.





And grow, and grow..............


By 2004 it had gotten rather long.

The color has changed a bit also. The natural gray, has been hidden with hues of brown, black and chestnut.
I haven't gotten brave enough to go blonde yet. I don't think I would like making that drastic of a change.



That brings us to the present and the latest change.
Last Saturday, I got 7 inches cut off. My bangs are now straight.

I really like it. It is so much easier to care for. The thing I can't get used to, is that I no longer have to curl my bangs every morning. It is going to take me a while to get adjusted to that. I feel like I haven't done my hair if I don't curl it.
I do use a flat iron on it, but that is very different from a curling iron.

The people that I work with say that my new hair style makes me look younger. I like that........Alot.


Not much else going on around here.
Have a Good Friday.

Reflecting On 2007

Here we are at the beginning of a new year, wondering what it will bring, hoping for good health, lots of love and laughter, a little wealth, but most of all, strength to survive whatever the world throws at us.

Many people start a new year off by reflecting on the passing year. I am no different. My thoughts of late have been of the things I have done over the past 12 months. Thoughts of what I am proud to have accomplished and the things I would like to change or tweak a bit.

In 2007 I learned alot about balance. Thanks to my, not so normal functioning gall bladder, I have learned the importance of balancing my diet. The right balance of the properly prepared foods and portion sizes are the main thing.

More importantly, I have learned that to be truly happy, you must have balance in your life. Happiness IS a state of mind. If our mind is pure and peaceful we will be happy, regardless of our circumstances, but if it is impure and unpeaceful we will never find happiness, no matter how much we try to change our circumstances. When we eat our favorite food it tastes wonderful, but if we continue plateful after plateful our enjoyment would soon change into discomfort and disgust.

Being able to be happy with myself has made a world of difference for me. For the first time in my life, I am happy with me. I don't feel that I have to have someones ok to be me. Sure approval of our friends and loved ones is important, but it is fine to be who you are and not what you think someone wants you to be.

Once you have that, you can more easily find solutions to problems or at least ways to improve them. Positive thinking does make a difference. If one thing doesn't work, try something else.

I've also learned that it doesn't make you a nut case if you seek the help of a therapist or counselor. It feels good to have a person , outside of your situation, to vent to. It's useful to learn different techniques to help deal with stress and issues.

I have had the opportunity to do some traveling this past year. The trip to Disney World with Lindsey was truly a wonderful thing. I got to share the experience of flying for the first time with my daughter. The one on one time with her was a wonderful thing in itself.

My trip to Hilton Head was also a good thing. I got to spend some time with my aunt and uncle. Getting to visit with them was a special treat.

I got to know myself alot better on that trip also. I did alot of soul searching while walking the beaches of Georgia and South Carolina.

Seeing the lighthouses was really cool. I have wanted to go to the top of one for years and to climb to the top of three of them was great. Looking out across the ocean from the top of a lighthouse is truly awesome. Seeing Savannah and the Biltmore Estate was nice too.

The change of scenery made it easier to do some much needed thinking.

I have seen my kids grow and mature in alot of ways this past year.

My son has grown a bit more independent. He is carving out his path in the world, not following in someone elses footsteps, but making his own way. Setting his goals and working to achieve them.

My daughter has become a teen. Struggling to find her way in this big world. She has entered a tough part of her life. Not a child, but not yet an adult either. Trying to fit in. New friends, old friends, socializing, boys, hormones, rebellion and attitude.

We have seen toy recalls, shootings, mine collapses, bridge collapses, earthquakes, wildfires, celebrities in and out of rehab, gas prices increase, interest rates go up, transition in Pakistan, Barry Bonds break records under a cloud of controversy, the introduction of the Iphone, trains derail, children injured at amusement parks, The Sopranos finale, and enough Brittany Spears to make you choke.

As we start 2008, my hope is to be happy. I know that everything will not be the way I want it to be all the time, but I do hope for the wisdom and faith to take one day at a time and to make my own happiness.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, Everyone!!!!!!

How well do you think you know what events took place in 2007?

Follow the link below and take the quiz.

Let me know how you do.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-2007-quiz,0,5958091.triviaquiz

Christmas 2007

I thought I would share some of the pictures that were taken over Christmas.

We had everyone over to our house on the 22nd. I think we all had a good time. Even though we all have different things going on in our lives, we can come together and enjoy each others company.

The adults kind of mingle with each other sometimes in small groups and sometimes all together.

The kids kind of pair off into different groups. The older boys have things in common, so they get together. (probably talking about girls, cars and what pains their parents are)






The younger boys get together and play video games. They also like to share their new toys with the group. You can't receive a Nerf gun and not shoot it, or a helicopter and not fly it.







Then we have the girls. They have to get together and giggle , as girls do.

















Allie sort of has the best thing going, I think. She can join any of the little groups and join in with what they are doing or just watch and take it all in.

Sometimes she can even become the center of attention.





Michael's sister and her husband stopped by for a bit. It was a bit chaotic when they arrived, but everyone was having a good time.

I enjoyed our time together. It's nice having everyone together, especially since we don't do it often enough.

I didn't take many pics on Christmas day, since I wasn't feeling well and Lindsey didn't want her picture taken (did you ever think that would happen) because she had just gotten up, had no makeup on and her hair was a not fixed to suit her. She is a true girl........













We will celebrate with Michael's family on the 30th. I'll try to take some pics and post them too.

Hope everyone has a good Thursday. I will be relaxing and enjoying some time off to just feel better. Antibiotic seems to be kicking in, thank goodness. Going from 500MG to 1500MG a day has made alot of difference.

Our Holiday

Hope that everyone has had a Wonderful Christmas. I know we have.


All of the kids were here, we did things a little different this year, we took turns opening our gifts one at a time so that everyone could see what we received. It was nice.


Michael has had some car problems, his car would not start. So some of the last minute things did not get done, but everything was fine. We still managed to have a great time without a few of the things that we had planned on having.


I have had a sinus infection for about a week, been taking amoxicillin/clauv, but it seems to have gotten worse. I awoke with a bad case of pink eye on Christmas morning. Just feel wiped out, so I pretty much slept most of the day. I had some antibiotic eye drops, so I began putting them in my eye. Michael has done all the cooking and waited on me hand and foot. He has really been great.


I had to work this morning, but sure didn't feel like it. Michael drove me to work, took my car so that he could see about getting his repaired. I stayed about three hours, got my department organized and de-Christmased and then I left. Michael picked me up,we stopped at the pharmacy to get a different antibiotic for me (Cefalor), we retrieved his car, he went back to work and I came home to hold down the couch and to let all the meds do their thing. Hopefully they will kick in real soon.

Making Plans

Two lives, two hearts, joined together in friendship, united forever in love. Let our first day of our mutual life begin with love and with those we love.



May 31st, 2008

This is the date that Michael and I have decided to get married.

We have been checking into some area places and have found several that look interesting. After Christmas, when things slow down a bit, we will be able to check them out in more detail and hopefully make a decision.

We are just starting the planning process and I will keep everyone updated as we make our plans. We are trying to keep it small and simple. If anyone has any suggestions, we would be more than happy to hear them.

Remembering Mama

I have spent the past few days thinking about Mom.

It is hard to believe that it has been 15 years since she died.

So many times I have wished that I could talk to her. I have changed so much, I wonder what she would think about me and my life.

I think alot about Mom at this time of year, not only because it is the month in which she died, but because of the holidays. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas. All of the family being together made her very happy.

She loved the role of grandmother and I know she would have enjoyed all the kids. They would have loved their Mamaw Dorothy.

I have been looking through some pictures and I thought that I would share them with you. I hope you enjoy them.

This is one that Dad carried in his wallet, as you can see it is slightly tattered.

This one is from David's second birthday. I'm not sure where the picture was taken. Maybe Valley Village? I know they lived there when I was born.

Here is one of Mom, Mamaw Miller, Glo and Carol. This must have been shortly after She and Dad got married. I think she looks pretty in this picture.






Mom and Linda in the kitchen.
Mom is using the big aluminum pot. Many a meal has been prepared using that thing.

You can tell this one is a few years old, Linda is smoking a cigarette and has long hair.




Here is Me, Mom, Mamaw Miller and Adam, at Michael and Linda's wedding. Boy was my hair curly..... I sure am glad styles have changed.






The sisters............

Mom and dad at Lisa's wedding.

I hope you have enjoyed my trip down memory lane. I know I did.......

How To Stay Married

Someone sent this to me in an email and I thought it was really cute, so I wanted to share it with my fellow bloggers.

I hope you enjoy!!!

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years.

They had shared everything. They had talked about everything.

They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoebox in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoebox and took it to his wife's bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box.

When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $25,000.

He asked her about the contents.

"When we were to be married," she said, "my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll."

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears.

Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

"Honey," he said, "that explains the doll, but what about all of this money?

Where did it come from?"

"Oh," she said, "That's the money I made from selling the dolls."

My Little Rebel

My daughther has become a little rebel.....

Her school was having a speaker from the University of Kentucky, so they declared it U.K. day and told everyone that they should wear their favorite U.K. apparel or something blue and white. Lindsey, however, said that she didn't want to wear blue and white, she preferred to support the school that she is interested in attending. That school happens to be the University of Louisville.

So on U.K. day, my little rebel wore her "Louisville" tee shirt with her U.L. "The 'Ville" hooded sweatshirt as her jacket.

My daughter has developed quite the independent streak.....

Having A Lazy Day

Not much going on here. Lindsey spent the night at a friends house and Michael has gone to his office. The house is soooooooo quiet. I love it, no t.v., no music, no door bell sound from a cell phone receiving a text message, just peace and quiet. I enjoy the silence at times. It is my day off today and a much needed one. I have worked 6 days straight. It has been so very busy at work for the past few weeks. We are into that holiday mode. The store is getting to be very busy during the weekends and we are very tasky during the week. So many things to do...........

October starts the holiday season with the setting of Halloween/Christmas items. Then as Halloween nears, we have to make sure that all the Halloween items are on the sales floor. The week of Halloween, we begin moving as much of it to one area as possible. Not focusing on the displaying of the merchandise so much, but just getting the product out for our guest to see and buy before Halloween.

The day after....... the markdowns begin. We have people at the door, waiting to get in to purchase Halloween items at 50% off their original price. Teachers are some of our best customers at this time. By November the 5th the items go to 75% and as the stuff sells we set Christmas merchandise in its place.

The first week of November we begin setting everything Christmas. All the signing and decorations go up. The store is filled with Christmas items. Every area of the store has Christmas items. The store gets a "Christmas theme". This year it has to do with doors. If you notice, the commercials on t.v. lately are talking about doors. Our contest this year is decorating the doors. We are divided into teams and have a door to decorate. We can win prizes and such.

This will be my 10th Christmas working retail. At least being this busy makes the day go by quickly.

Anyway, I'm glad to be off today and I plan on having a lazy day.

It's cold outside and I don't have anyplace that I have to be, so I will do a little cleaning and some laundry and just relax.........

Life Is Good.....

I know everyone has been wondering when I am going to blog again. Well....here I am.
Sharing once again the events of my life, the soap opera that it may be. Thank goodness it has become a more normal life.

Anyway, I had a rather interesting weekend. Hartsul had a soccer tournament in Murfreesboro, Tenn. this weekend. Lindsey had already made plans to attend a friends Birthday/Halloween sleep over party, so I knew she was going to be taken care of and safe. This friend has a party every year and Lindsey really enjoys going because after the party they go to the Old Richarsville Bridge. It is an old one lane bridge the creaks and screaks as you drive across. The kids love driving across it after dark. People in the area tell stories of it being haunted. So Halloween is the perfect time to visit the bridge. The kids all walk across it trying to scare each other.
Since I knew that she was okay, Michael and I headed to Murfreesboro. We spent the weekend watching the games and spending some time together. It was really nice. Hartsul's team played really well. They actually beat one of the top teams. (Brentwood) They made it to the championship game and won second place in the tournament. Hartsul scored his third hat trick in the game against Brentwood.
Hartsul's grand parents live in Nashville, so they too attended the games. I have been around them at different times and they have been courtrous and polite, but still I have felt like an outsider.
Saturday, after the first game, we were invited to go to lunch with them. I was surprised that the invitation was given. Michael pulled me aside and told me that if I did not want to go that we would not, but we decided to go. It was nice. I was very much a part of the conversation, I was treated well and it was a pleasant lunch.
Before the summer, I would not have felt comfortable enough with myself to go to lunch with them, or Ingrid, for that matter. For me to have the confidence with myself to sit down for a meal and conversation with Michael's ex-wife and ex-in-laws, is truely a feat for me. It was a good experience.
I guess the events of the summer, painful and stressful as they were, have helped me to find the peace and confidence within myself to live my life and to be happy in my own skin. Life is good.............