A rose...

A local florist post a different name every week on their sign to come in for a free rose...

this week they had my name listed :o)

I was having camera withdrawals and decided what better photo Op than a rose...I played and played...and these are the photos I liked the best...

I used the Macro lens and the Macro flash...but even turning the flash down it was just too much...So I went with no flash, tripod, and remote shutter release...I think a light box would have been perfect...a project to build on a rainy day...Maybe tomorrow if I have time I'll work with the rose in the daylight...

I also think a white balance card would help so the colors were spot on...

***

This was definitely more fun than dealing with a sick child...Michael came home from school Thursday with a headache and fever...he stayed home from school Friday as he still had a fever and headache...This morning he was fine and this evening he told me he had a sore throat...ugh!! It just never ends...I am just stunned at how everyone I know with children has had one or more of their kids sick this year almost every day...and thankful I only have one child to deal with...it's awful...So I'll take a free rose any day!!

Guess what I found in the garden??

I was outside this evening pulling weeds in the garden, (with out gloves), when I spotted this little darl'in slithering out of a pile of dead leaves!! He slithered away from me and I was getting ready to quit too as I am Not dumb enough to stick my bare hands into a dead pile of leaves!

It's been awhile since I've seen a snake so I was a bit excited! I yelled at Fred and grabbed the shovel...he got the gun, UGH!!

This was a baby broad-banded Copperhead, probably born last fall...a bit small to be shooting...So I handed Fred the shovel and told him to watch the snake I was going to get the camera...Talk about getting an earful!! But he knows there is nothing worse than a scorned Woman with a camera and a perfect photo Op!! So he humored me for a bit...then he went in the house and left me alone....(grin)!

Coiled up in the corner of the garden!

Lying on the shovel! Definitely a pit-viper!

I love the camouflage on his eyes...cool!

I'm not fond of snakes but Copperheads sure are pretty!! See the tip of his tail behind the head, it's greenish yellow!

Now that we know they are out we'll be a bit more careful...Mom said she is going home tomorrow, lol....I am so glad I was the one that found him as I did NOT need to take her to the ER for a heart attack. She did come out and look at it before we took care of it...Very BRAVE Mom!! I'm proud of you!! I guess this also means I am in charge of the flowerbeds from now on, lol...

I'm on a Roll.......

I completed two more layouts from my 2007 list, YEA!!

Of course in my opinion I cheated, lol...If it's not from scratch it's cheating!! But hey they are done and that counts too!!

This was from our small towns Christmas Parade November 2007.

It's a tradition every year to go watch the parade and Michael gets a sausage on a stick!

(I used a quick page by scrapstreet.com called YuletideWhimsey.)

(I used a template created by Cindy Schneider at PeppermintCreative.com/Papers are from Astaker, shabbyprincess holidaysampler, Scrap Professor's/Photography stamp is from Sue Cummings Oscraps/Merry Christmas Scrap Professors.)

This layout was from Christmas photos I took at one of the Corpus Christi's mall in December 2007. If you want some great Christmas photos go to your local mall during Christmas...I've found that over by where they sell the Christmas decorations and have the trees all decorated is a beautiful spot for a photo shoot..I think the large photo of Michael was taken at Macy's...

Not sure why but I'm in the mood to scrap and I'm really learning quiet a bit about doing digital layouts in PSE 7 and loving it...I still like using my paper supplies but digi is fun too!!

Bucket Head

Don't Ask because I don't have a clue as to what he was doing....I was just sitting here and looked over and he was watching TV with a bucket on his head!!!!

SILLY BOY!!

Grandbabies~ Digi layout

Accomplishments

Mom and I were busy today...each in our own space and each working on different projects!

Below is a layout (Paper) of our Nephew, Nathan, that I worked on today. He left for Marine Boot Camp in November 2007. His Graduation from Boot Camp was in February 2008.

We are all so very PROUD of him!! He's come a long way!

Recently he just received his orders for Afghanistan so please keep him in your prayers as he works and fights for our Freedom!!

Thank you Nathan and may God be with you!!

Mom in her little corner finished this cute little Santa today.
She did a beautiful job and I love him!!
Thank you Mom!!

Company

We had a little incident last night that left Michael in tears. It was my fault and I felt just awful. And my Sweet Dear Friend Helen called this morning and asked if she and Ashley could come over for the afternoon to kind of make up for yesterday evening...Giving Ashley and Michael some playtime...They had a blast and I am so glad Helen and Ashley came over!!

Thank you Helen!!

Michael misses playing with his friends!

Playing Cowboys and Indians....

Ashley is in love...too bad she couldn't take him home, lol....I told her when she is older and has her own place and Kit is still with us she can have him....

Helen and I did some work but I can't post it on here as it is a secret...lol...We had fun and for 3 hours of work it came out really sweet...At the rate we are going we might have the project we are working on together done by June, lol...Then you can see it!!!

A GOOD day = GOOD Friends :o)