Allergy drainage is getting to me. Very little sleep last night. I'm a zombie. Nieces headed this direction, festival this weekend, then headed to mom & dad's- all things I've really been looking forward to and I feel like a gunked up slug. I don't want to get off this chair. I really don't want to go swap laundry. I really, really don't want to drag some of it outside to the line. I don't much want to go upstairs and work on the Pit and piles of stuff up there either. Ugh. I do have a contact to call about a jewelry show and I'm excited about that, but that's about the level of my excitement today. Thankfully after more than a week in school work under their belts, the kids can autopilot some lessons- B most of hers and Tyler a few of his- so we don't blow a whole day this early in the game. At least Tyler will bring me his work to check, get direction for the next task, and then go back to work w/o me standing over him. Thank goodness.
Another round of allergy and sinus meds coming up- whew. I think I need a nap.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Picture Pages, Pictures Pages...
The old Cosby morning kid's show has little to do with my post, but it popped into my mind looking at the blank 'title' line and knowing I wanted to ask my bloggy and FB friends about cameras! :-D
There- Tuesday morning trip down memory lane!
So, I have questions about cameras. I have thought for a while now I need to step up from a point-and shoot to an SLR camera. Though in my search at various stores, I've found some point-and-shoot cameras in the $175-$250 range with functions similar to those found on SLRs, such as adjustable ISO- the white balance to brighten a dark shot w/o flash, and lens size/zoom similar to the lens that comes with several SLR cameras. I currently have an HP Photosmart point-n-shoot 8 megapixel, 6x optical zoom (8-48 mm lens) which has been a kick-butt camera! It has taken thousands of pics over the past few years! The problem? I fear it is dying a slow death. For some reason either the image stabilizer w/o flash OR the focus w/o flash has not been working for months. Outside pics or pics in bright light are fine. Pics with flash are fine. If I'm in a dim area and can't use a flash- I be screwed! For example- auditorium where flash is not permitted, such as dance rehearsal, forget it. If I shut the flash off I get blurry pics- it just won't focus. So I end up taking a dark pic, fussing with exposure and lightening options later on the computer (ends up washed out or grainy) OR end up with a fuzzy pic, not worth editing. I assume being dropped a couple times, slammed around in my truck and bags traveling and being sat on a few times has NOT helped this poor camera.
I have been to a few stores trying out various cameras, also online reading reviews, and I believe I have slightly narrowed down to these choices: a Canon 10.1 mp EOS Rebel XS (slr) or comparable Nikon (slr), Canon 12 mp Power Shot, a Nikon 10 mp 15x zoom Coolpix L100, or Kodak Easyshare 10 mp 12x zoom. Comparatively, the Canon and Nikon SLRs have similar features, though the Nikon is cheaper but felt the Nikon had more confusing controls and didn't feel as sturdy.
So I'm in the battle of: Do I want a more compact camera I can slip in my purse easily? Would the additional features/adjustments of the SLRs be enough use to me that would offset the higher price?? Do the higher-end point-and-shoot Kodak or Nikon with adjustment features of SLR w/o removable lenses, but higher cost than compacts be enough?? I would like to have a little more megapixel and a bit more zoom, but I don't necessarily need a separate zoom lens (yet, ha!). I would like to stick with regular battery sizes, AAs in the Nikon versus recharging camera battery of the Canon. Price is a factor, I'm always out for a deal, but maybe it's time to bite the bullet and just go for a larger, better camera? Not that I have $400 or $500 right now to buy a camera anyway! Now I have written this, I need to go back and handle the Nikon Coolpix and Kodak Easyshare, both 10 mgp and more than double zoom what I have now. Both less than half the cost of the Canon EOS Rebel. Decisions, decisions. You should have seen my trying to decide on a new vacuum last year!
As a side note, I love Pioneer Woman's blog and she is an awesome self-taught photographer! Her ranch pics rock! If you haven't read her blog, click her name link above and get acquainted! I want to go live with P-Dub!! Back to topic: She likes the Nikon D70 and D80. She takes awesome pics with that thing! For kicks I might check the price on an older or refurb D70/80 but the D90 is $1100+ on Amazon- WAAAAYYYY WAY out of my price range! YIKES!
I'm interested in what kinds of cameras y'all have and what you think of them. Do you love it, hate it, put up with it because you have it?? Is it a point-and-shoot, an SLR, what brand/model is it?? I need some more opinions!
Start spewing info...ready, set- GO!
There- Tuesday morning trip down memory lane!
So, I have questions about cameras. I have thought for a while now I need to step up from a point-and shoot to an SLR camera. Though in my search at various stores, I've found some point-and-shoot cameras in the $175-$250 range with functions similar to those found on SLRs, such as adjustable ISO- the white balance to brighten a dark shot w/o flash, and lens size/zoom similar to the lens that comes with several SLR cameras. I currently have an HP Photosmart point-n-shoot 8 megapixel, 6x optical zoom (8-48 mm lens) which has been a kick-butt camera! It has taken thousands of pics over the past few years! The problem? I fear it is dying a slow death. For some reason either the image stabilizer w/o flash OR the focus w/o flash has not been working for months. Outside pics or pics in bright light are fine. Pics with flash are fine. If I'm in a dim area and can't use a flash- I be screwed! For example- auditorium where flash is not permitted, such as dance rehearsal, forget it. If I shut the flash off I get blurry pics- it just won't focus. So I end up taking a dark pic, fussing with exposure and lightening options later on the computer (ends up washed out or grainy) OR end up with a fuzzy pic, not worth editing. I assume being dropped a couple times, slammed around in my truck and bags traveling and being sat on a few times has NOT helped this poor camera.
I have been to a few stores trying out various cameras, also online reading reviews, and I believe I have slightly narrowed down to these choices: a Canon 10.1 mp EOS Rebel XS (slr) or comparable Nikon (slr), Canon 12 mp Power Shot, a Nikon 10 mp 15x zoom Coolpix L100, or Kodak Easyshare 10 mp 12x zoom. Comparatively, the Canon and Nikon SLRs have similar features, though the Nikon is cheaper but felt the Nikon had more confusing controls and didn't feel as sturdy.
So I'm in the battle of: Do I want a more compact camera I can slip in my purse easily? Would the additional features/adjustments of the SLRs be enough use to me that would offset the higher price?? Do the higher-end point-and-shoot Kodak or Nikon with adjustment features of SLR w/o removable lenses, but higher cost than compacts be enough?? I would like to have a little more megapixel and a bit more zoom, but I don't necessarily need a separate zoom lens (yet, ha!). I would like to stick with regular battery sizes, AAs in the Nikon versus recharging camera battery of the Canon. Price is a factor, I'm always out for a deal, but maybe it's time to bite the bullet and just go for a larger, better camera? Not that I have $400 or $500 right now to buy a camera anyway! Now I have written this, I need to go back and handle the Nikon Coolpix and Kodak Easyshare, both 10 mgp and more than double zoom what I have now. Both less than half the cost of the Canon EOS Rebel. Decisions, decisions. You should have seen my trying to decide on a new vacuum last year!
As a side note, I love Pioneer Woman's blog and she is an awesome self-taught photographer! Her ranch pics rock! If you haven't read her blog, click her name link above and get acquainted! I want to go live with P-Dub!! Back to topic: She likes the Nikon D70 and D80. She takes awesome pics with that thing! For kicks I might check the price on an older or refurb D70/80 but the D90 is $1100+ on Amazon- WAAAAYYYY WAY out of my price range! YIKES!
I'm interested in what kinds of cameras y'all have and what you think of them. Do you love it, hate it, put up with it because you have it?? Is it a point-and-shoot, an SLR, what brand/model is it?? I need some more opinions!
Start spewing info...ready, set- GO!
Monday, August 3, 2009
It's the MOST wonderful time...of the year!
Truthfully, this time of year consists of tons of work to be done, but my favorite back-to-school commercial was years ago for Staples with the dad riding the cart down the aisles to the Christmas tune..."It's... the... MOST wonDERful time... of the YEAR!" and the kids dragging behind.
(click link to see commercial on YouTube)
Though I'm not sending mine OFF every day to school which was the whole reason that commercial at the end of summer was always hysterical, but it still makes me laugh. Yes, I tortured my kids and made them start lessons today. B even woke up early to get busy and was mostly done by 10 am. Monster Man didn't give too much fuss as he's super excited to be a first grader now! He will have double the work load from last year which will be an adjustment for him time-wise, but the smart little stinker can handle it- as long as I can keep him focused! That will be my chore for the year.
So this busy month of the year includes getting school started, dance intensives, reunions, cousins visiting, last minute vacations, church festivals---whew!! Time to buckle in and hang on!!
(click link to see commercial on YouTube)
Though I'm not sending mine OFF every day to school which was the whole reason that commercial at the end of summer was always hysterical, but it still makes me laugh. Yes, I tortured my kids and made them start lessons today. B even woke up early to get busy and was mostly done by 10 am. Monster Man didn't give too much fuss as he's super excited to be a first grader now! He will have double the work load from last year which will be an adjustment for him time-wise, but the smart little stinker can handle it- as long as I can keep him focused! That will be my chore for the year.
So this busy month of the year includes getting school started, dance intensives, reunions, cousins visiting, last minute vacations, church festivals---whew!! Time to buckle in and hang on!!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Tomorrow
Though tomorrow is technically today, I haven't been to bed yet, so it will still be tomorrow. Sorry, one screaming headache and head full of snot from crying, one glass of wine plus one black cherry fizz cooler and I'm numb if nothing else.
I have given myself future time to think about what I really want since I made Mr. FixIt move out (yes, again) tonight. The kids were upset of course though neither one of them flinched as he was loading his car with bags and suitcases- they are too use to him leaving. Ironic, eh? Though when he called them into the den to talk with them, B said, "you aren't going to the apartment again are you??" Ugh. Well, as sad and as shocked as her face was with his answer, she was MORE shocked to learn he isn't going to the drag race with us tomorrow. I was originally going to let him take the kids while I stayed home, but thought "why? why should I miss out on a fun day?" Ok, I'm getting sidetracked. I don't regret having him move back in mid-June, I really don't. Though I am bothered that our positive progress in communication up to that point started to dwindle considerably with each passing week he was home. He was paying more attention to me, the kids, continued doing things around the house, but that brick wall was starting to build back up around him. I know the lack of communication is my fault as well- I wasn't asking the questions. I wasn't saying I was bothered as much as I should have. Though he'd been told my two conditions when I originally made him move out in May- get counseling and tell me the truth! (about what he's done over the years). Tonight he finally told me, confirmed some of what I suspected and dispelled others. What sucks is I had to make him leave again to get it out of him! Am I wrong to be bothered by that?? He give me "the story" AFTER he was packed, stuff in the car. Not that giving me details of his past flings would be easy, I knew that. But I certainly didn't expect it to get down to 'get your shit and get out' before I got those answers. Ugh. So now he's gone. I have my answers and as I thought, I'm not any more upset by them. Now maybe I can get over this or work through it. Questioning if I should. Why should I?? I've given my time, my chances. He says he's sorry, truly sorry like he's never understood he could be sorry before. Does sorry cut it?? After six different women over several years, not counting the ones in chats, photo swaps, phone sex, hotel calls, affair web sites, etc. Could I trust him again?? I don't think I could. I know I shouldn't even consider it- is that crazy?! I have over the last month and a half he's been home. I haven't questioned one thing. Though is that enough good behavior to make it worth overlooking many years of infidelity?? Is that fair to him for me to be constantly looking for betrayal?? Is it fair to me to continue looking or think I have to?? I really don't have answers other than I'm seriously fu-bared. Why do those we love the most fling the most jagged daggers???
Hopefully tomorrow will be a much better day. Today has sucked dirty dog guts.
I have given myself future time to think about what I really want since I made Mr. FixIt move out (yes, again) tonight. The kids were upset of course though neither one of them flinched as he was loading his car with bags and suitcases- they are too use to him leaving. Ironic, eh? Though when he called them into the den to talk with them, B said, "you aren't going to the apartment again are you??" Ugh. Well, as sad and as shocked as her face was with his answer, she was MORE shocked to learn he isn't going to the drag race with us tomorrow. I was originally going to let him take the kids while I stayed home, but thought "why? why should I miss out on a fun day?" Ok, I'm getting sidetracked. I don't regret having him move back in mid-June, I really don't. Though I am bothered that our positive progress in communication up to that point started to dwindle considerably with each passing week he was home. He was paying more attention to me, the kids, continued doing things around the house, but that brick wall was starting to build back up around him. I know the lack of communication is my fault as well- I wasn't asking the questions. I wasn't saying I was bothered as much as I should have. Though he'd been told my two conditions when I originally made him move out in May- get counseling and tell me the truth! (about what he's done over the years). Tonight he finally told me, confirmed some of what I suspected and dispelled others. What sucks is I had to make him leave again to get it out of him! Am I wrong to be bothered by that?? He give me "the story" AFTER he was packed, stuff in the car. Not that giving me details of his past flings would be easy, I knew that. But I certainly didn't expect it to get down to 'get your shit and get out' before I got those answers. Ugh. So now he's gone. I have my answers and as I thought, I'm not any more upset by them. Now maybe I can get over this or work through it. Questioning if I should. Why should I?? I've given my time, my chances. He says he's sorry, truly sorry like he's never understood he could be sorry before. Does sorry cut it?? After six different women over several years, not counting the ones in chats, photo swaps, phone sex, hotel calls, affair web sites, etc. Could I trust him again?? I don't think I could. I know I shouldn't even consider it- is that crazy?! I have over the last month and a half he's been home. I haven't questioned one thing. Though is that enough good behavior to make it worth overlooking many years of infidelity?? Is that fair to him for me to be constantly looking for betrayal?? Is it fair to me to continue looking or think I have to?? I really don't have answers other than I'm seriously fu-bared. Why do those we love the most fling the most jagged daggers???
Hopefully tomorrow will be a much better day. Today has sucked dirty dog guts.
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