Themeless Thursday

Just swingin' by to wish you happy Thursday :)!

BSM: Friends

I've been thinking a lot about friends this week because I'm getting ready to go away for my annual "Girls' Weekend" this Thursday evening.  It's a treasured event, one I look forward to all year long.  Four to six women (depending on the year), some of whom I only see over this weekend.  I bug them mercilessly with my camera, so I'll be posting pictures after the trip :).

With friendship on my mind, I snuck outside on Friday, trying to be ever-so-quiet, when I saw Harrison and his best friend sitting and chatting, content as could be.  I got one shot off before they turned around, so then I had to get them to smile for the second shot.  You can see that Harrison has his "yeah, whatever Mom" pseudo-smile; but Will seemed pleased and was happy to offer a great big grin.  

I definitely need new victims...ah, I mean subjects...for my photography habit :)!

Theme Thursday: Before & After

Above:  SOOC image

Below: After playing around in PS Elements

I often have fun playing with photos that are just so-so SOOC.  I don't really care how they turn out, and somehow I find that liberating.  I just fool around, trying things I normally wouldn't on a photo I really like.  Sometimes, it pays off, and I end up with a neat image and some new skills in my tool belt.

For the above image, I adjusted the white balance and exposure a bit, made a "screen" layer, and then added a texture.  I tried "popping" the eyes, but then he looked like a vampire or some weird undead creature, so I left those alone :).  

Looking forward to seeing everyone's Before/After over at Stacy's Theme Thursday.

Sometimes...

...you just have to catch some "zzz"s.

BSM: I Am The Basket

After so many hours of watching basketball, I have now become the hoop...It's certainly given me a new perspective :)!

Mom My Ride...

Another oldie but goodie to usher in your weekend...

Theme Thursday: Spring

I was planning a cute baseball collage to celebrate today's Spring theme, complete with two of my favorite players (my kids, of course).  But my thoughts have been occupied this week with news from a dear friend, who has just found out her oldest child has relapsed with his leukemia.  Living far away from her and her family, I can't offer much in the way of substantive support.  I must make do with sending thoughts, prayers, and love across the miles. 

I was out taking pictures for a few minutes on Tuesday and found a perfect dandelion in a patch of sunlight.  It seemed to be waiting for just the right hand to pluck it out of the ground, blow gently, and make a wish.  I made this photograph in honor of my friend and her family; may they find hope this Spring and have the wish dearest to their hearts come true.

BSM: Three-Way Ladder

I love the rustic look of this ladder, and I had some fun with processing it different ways.  Now I can't decide which one I like best  -- what do you think?

Helloooo, Spring?....Bloom Already!!!!!

Wednesday Pick-Me-Up

I've seen this before, but if you haven't, it's a real hoot!

Grammar Rant

You are intrigued enough by the title of my post to read, aren't you?  

My pet peeve is misplaced apostrophes, and I saw one today that I just had to post about.  I saw a cute surf-style t-shirt that I wanted to buy for James because it had "Ventura" on it; that's where he grew up, so I thought he'd get a kick out of it.  As I got closer I couldn't believe my eyes.  The shirt read, "Ventura: Local's Only."  WHAT?   Ventura only has one "local" and he owns the "only"?!

Last time I checked, OLD NAVY, "locals" is plural, not possessive, you morons.  You don't make enough money off cheap clothes that you can't hire at least one proofreader for your graphics?

There, I feel much better.

If you feel like checking it out, here's the link:

Old Navy Morons

BSM: Harrison...Not Playing Sports :)

Because Harrison is in school most of the day, I don't get as many candids of him as I do of Owen.  He seemed happy to let me play with my camera for a few minutes this weekend, so for BSM I present the many faces of Harrison.  The best one is probably the last :).

the laugh...

the pose...

the lounge...

the "real" Harrison :)...

Cold, Hard Baseball...

This is the only shot I took at Harrison's first baseball game today.  Look at the poor people huddled under the umbrella in the background and you get an idea of what it was like.  Cold and miserable ring a bell?  Yep.  However, the kids seemed to have fun and Harrison did a great job at bat.  We have another game Monday....here's hoping for warmth :).

Theme Thursday: A Day in the Life of a Firefighter (who is "stylin'")

Just hangin' around the station...

Seeing what my equipment will do...

But always prepared for an emergency!

False alarm...how does this work again?

Another grueling day at the station is over.

I know, I know, this is the weakest "style" connection ever, but it's all I could come up with.  It's been a hard week trying to recover from Spring Break, and since Owen donned his firefighter outfit and was prancing around the house, I grabbed a couple of shots.  I'll try to be more on "thematic target" next week :)...

Just Keepin' it Real, Mom

Harrison:  Mom, your hair is REALLY messy in the back.

Me:  Yeah, I let it air dry.

Harrison: Wow, you learned a lesson there, didn't you?