Friday, December 30, 2005

Random updates.

It seems like California and the Holidays together get me sick. Every Holiday season since we've been here I've come down with something. Colds, the flu, sinus problems, and this year I've been slightly sick off and on since the 24th. I've thrown up a couple of times, but mostly it's just feeling tired, achey and yucky. Today I'm feeling almost normal.

I've been playing with GIMP a lot lately. I need to get more batteries for my camera, so I can take some of the pictures I have in my head. And I need to come up with the 12 monthly photos for the "Wheel of the year" project. So far I have . They are :

1) Aidan in front of his growth chart.

2) The closest tree.

3) The view from my bedroom window at about 6 PM.

4) A construction Site.

5) The Walgreens sign around noon with the Temp. displayed. (Or other similar sign if we move to Oregon before the end of 2006.

So I need to think of 7 more things that can be transferred to Oregon if we move. If you have any ideas for me, I'd really like to hear them. (Howard keeps saying that we will be moving the first of the month. I know it won't be this month, because I don't have anything packed, I don't have any boxes to pack, and by the time we do have those things we will have to pay the bills here, because it's going to take me a while to get it done. I have to clean out the storage shed, which has probably leaked all over the stuff I put in there. I will need to have someone watch Aidan while to do that, because there is no way I can keep an eye on him while sorting through that mess. The rest of what I need to do I can do while he is around. It will be quicker and easier while he sleeps, but I can do it even with him trying to unpack whatever I pack. LOL) I know that was a very long winded thing to put in parentheses.

I crocheted a knee warmer/brace for Howard. It fits tight enough to give him support and keeps it warm so it aches less. I also started a hat for Aidan. I know he probably won't wear it, but I like the pattern and wanted to make it so I am. LOL

Here are three of the photos I've created today. The all started the same, this first one I blurred the background some to hide the mess on the table as well as focus your attention on Aidan.


This second one is a black and white version with a touch of color in the apple, unfortunately the apple is very dark and doesn't make the impact I'd like. I'll have to play with things and see if I can highlight the apple more.

Well, I can't seem to get the other two pictures to post, so I'll have to try later.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Christmas Pictures.


The Moose that Grammie and Grandaddy sent to Aidan. He loves it.

The cool new truck!


Aidan with Mommy, in the new jacket Grammy and Grandaddy sent.



With Daddy and Little Ti.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Monday, December 19, 2005

Wheel of the year photo project.

Over at Perwari's Prattle she's set up a photo challenge, she's calling it "Wheel of the Year".

"Here's the rules:

Step 1: on January 1st, take 12 photographs around your neighbourhood. These locations must be places that you can get the exact same shot of throughout the year - so make a note of exactly where you stood, the composition of the shot, etc.

Step 2: on February 1st and each 1st of the month throughout 2006, go back to those same 12 places and take the exact same photo as you did on January 1st.

Step 3: by December 1st 2006, you should have a 12x12 grid of photographs recording the changes of the passing year in your neighbourhood. Upload it to your webspace of choice and if enough people are interested, I'll arrange for a page on this site where you can post your links so you can see everyone's compositions, otherwise just stick the link in the comments of my Dec 1st, 2006 entry.

Important considerations:

Choose your locations carefully. You've got just over a month to think through where you would like them to be. I suggest local and fairly close together, mainly because you're committing to retracing your steps every 1st of the month. If you've spaced them too widely or made them awkward to get to, then you'll have an excuse to give up half way through, or fail to get them done on the right day dosen't really matter, if you're a day early or a day late one month due to personal circumstances, but would be more satisfying to have them on the 1st each month.
Get other people involved. These sorts of projects are so much more fun if lots of people get involved - would be fantastic if we could see the change of the seasons all over the world.
Remember variety is the spice of life. 12 tree pictures would be fairly dull, although a landscape in at least one of them should probably be compulsory! Be creative with your ideas. "


I think it's going to be interesting. I'm not sure what I'll do my pictures of. At least one group will be of Aidan, maybe in front of his growth chart. Maybe my tree out front, a construction site down the road, the intersection by the school, art projects, farm land, or ... I think I need to think about this a little more. LOL We might be moving back to Oregon this year, which may actually be 2 or 3 moves depending on exactly how we decide to do it. So maybe I should pick things that will be easy to find some thing similar where ever we go.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Another picture post.

Here is an edited picture. I removed the original background and added this Christmas/Yule themed one. I think it worked out ok. His right hand and lower arm are kind of strange, because in the original there was a plastic jar with a green lid there, I removed it along with the background, so his arm and hand are a little cut off. But I don't think it's really noticeable, what do you think?

Sunday, December 11, 2005

The year in Review.

Find the first entry for each month of 2005. Post the first line of it in your journal, and that’s your “Year In Review”. "Purple Goddess" has this on her blog, so I borrowed it. Here is my year in review.

January: While Aidan still isn't talking as much as I would expect him to be at 22 months, he did pick up a couple of new words over the Holidays.

February: My visit to Oregon was very nice. The wedding was beautiful, I saw family and friends that I haven't seen in awhile.

March: My Mother-in-law is in the hospital. She wasn't taking her meds correctly and got neumonia.

April: A closer look at Aidan using an old laptop.



May: I've been noticing how different things are raising Aidan than it was with Christopher and Allen.

June: I'd like to say that something exciting has happened, or that I've had some kind of epiphany.

July: My toes are doing much better. I still think the middle one is broken, but it's healing.

August: Allen, Belinda and Xander are going to be in Oregon today!

September: I was playing around with the photo editing program that came with my printer/scanner and added text to some of them.

October: This is proof that Howard is teaching Aidan bad habits.





November:I finally found a photo editing program with clear directions on how to do what I really wanted to do. And it was FREE! So here is my favorite so far.



December: Dear Xander,
I wish I could call and tell you how much you mean to me.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Philosophy

There's been some discussion lately about saying "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas", and whether or not people are or should be bothered when someone uses the wrong one. I am hearing that it's usually Christians who are feeling the most put out over the whole debate. They feel that by saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" their religion is being slighted. The Christ is being taken out of Christmas. The Pagan or other non-Christians who has stated that it bothers them when someone says "Merry Christmas", seem to be the younger people, and/or the ones who are newest to their religion. Are the young usually more militant?

On a slightly related note, if you found out that your favorite shop/restaurant/store supported groups or philosophic that are diametrically opposed to your own beliefs, would you stop going there and giving them your business? Would you feel guilty for shopping there before you knew? How much research do you put into such things?

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Happy Birthday!

Dear Xander,

I wish I could call and tell you how much you mean to me. But I can't do that, so I'm hoping that your Mom will see this and let you know that I'm thinking about you today. I know that we don't know each other very well, and that makes me a little sad, but I know that you have a wonderful Mom and Dad, who love you even more than I do.

It's hard to believe that you are already 7 years old! I remember hearing that you were on your way into the world seven years ago. I was thinking about you and your parents wondering if you had been born yet. I was filled with love and joy when I heard that you and your Mom were doing well. It's interesting to me to think of how much I love you, my first grandchild.

I hope that your day is as special for you as you are to me. I wish I could be with you, to hug you and play with you. Aidan would have so much fun with his big friend Xander. Grandpa Howard told me to tell you that he hopes you have a great birthday. We all love you very much!

Kiss your Mom for me.

Love,
Grandma