Here is Stuntman, acting the Tar-Tar. We were checking out for school, horsing around, and he copped this face, so I had to snap a pic. He’s such a cut-up.

Before the hate email begins: No, I do not allow my kids to stick their tongues out at me as a rule. But I do make a point to laugh with them when ever I can. Life’s too short not to. Unless of course, you want to spend your golden years surrounded by luxury watches instead of people.

One of my current projects, as featured in the Online Craft Club

At the bowling alley with the church youth.

Although half of what’s left needs to go.

Once I do that, it may more closely resemble one of these lovely Vegas rooms. Or it may not. But it might help my motivation just a bit to think so. Although, the fact that it’s so much easier to keep clean is a reward in itself, I think. And, yep, I’m still plugging away at it.

Can you tell I like books. I do! I have more books in this house than tea leaves, and I go through a LOT of tea, LOL! You saw the library not too long ago, and none of these books were in it. Plus I have a stack on my nightstand, and an entire short bookcase in my room!

DaBaby’s fingernails, painted by Diva.

You know, I would really love to take some photography courses. I think I may have mentioned that I was in middle school when I took my one and only class. I do read books and magazines, but I really wish I could do more. I look at all the different things people are able to do with cameras, and I am just in awe. The angles, the colors, the almost textures, it’s just incredible. And don’t even get me started on the different lenses and such. I frequently kick myself these days for not waiting just a little longer and spending a little more when I bought my last camera. Not that the camera makes the photographer, but having top-notch equipment certainly doesn’t hurt.

But I want to study photography. I want to spend time developing my skills at a school like Brooks Institute photography school or Collins graphic design school where I could focus on learning. Ha! Focus on learning. They offer classes for various skill levels, and even degrees. How cool would that be, to be able to learn and practice with other folks? To exchange ideas and techniques? The classes are taught by leaders in the field of photography and design, so you’d have access to the latest and greatest equipment and knowledge.

Failing the ability to enroll in and attend classes, I’d like to take a bit of time to just develop my “mad camera skillz”. In the end, it is practice, practice, practice combined with knowledge that leads to success in photography and in other areas. Unfortunately for me, time is my scarcest resource. Well, that and money, but let’s deal with one issue at a time.

Drama almost fell asleep in her high chair last night she was so tired. While she would admit to being tired, she was not willing to admit to being ready for bed.

Apparently, the camera was set on night scene, which I did not realize. No wonder 5 of the 6 shots came out too fuzzy to use!

Now this is a nice, normal photo. No subject matter that would bother me for someone to see, just a nice picture of one of the children. And I’m not saying I have other types of photos, but what if I did? What if I had secret photos? I would want to protect them from being seen by others, and still be able to enjoy them myself, and I’d want it to be affordable and ease of use.

Hide Photos costs just $29.95, and “employs the newest industry-standard AES encryption with 256-bit keys”, which is, of course, way over my technical comprehension, but I did understand this: Hide Photos never puts your photos in the temp files of your computer. Now, as a woman who used the temp files to find out what her Christmas present was going to be a couple of years ago (my first digital camera, LOL) I can tell you that the files you don’t think much about are the ones that will get you in trouble. And it’s easy–drag, drop, done. And, you can get a trial version for my favorite price: free. Just make sure you remember your password, because without it, those hidden pictures will stay hidden even from you.

It is totally amazing how much real estate we gained just by moving the furniture. Obviously, the same square footage is being utilized, and the volume of the furniture has not changed one whit but we definately have more space. And you ought to see what happened in the cabinets, LOL! That was pretty exciting, too! Less is more, ya’ll. Really.