First for everything

I've been furloughed from work since 12/30/10, and yesterday I booked our first cruise: Disney Magic to the Easter Caribbean.

Fun times!!!

yay...

bilateral ear infections...

joy. joy.

34

That's how old I am today...

It's been a good day.

500 Photographers

Someone must have been reading my mind. I was thinking it would be great to have one place where I could find some awesome photography (aside from my own portolio, of course)...

And here it is... Pieter Wisse has done it.

For 100 weeks five photographers will be featured weekly in his latest blog created April 10, 2010.

Maybe you will see my work one day. :)

Maybe it is me...

Recently, I've been getting the feeling people, in general, do not like me.

It became realized today when I joined a "mom" forum.

As customary, I posted an introduction in the "Pleased to meet you" section...

Zero responses 12 hours later; 14+ views.

Since I signed up, other people have also posted "New here" threads...

Four or more responses...
Each.

Tears to... smiles?

Cuddle bug started a new daycare today.

It’s more of a “school” environment, with a library and cafeteria.

Big, gigantic crocodile tears fell this morning…

But, no one saw because I was driving to work.

I hope my baby did better than I did.

Feeling Inspired?

I am. I always feel this way when spring gets here. And this year is no different.

I am lucky to have several photo ops this spring (and summer) with some very special people.

Stay tuned and see what's coming...

My Favorite Mistake

Check out JPG "My favorite Mistake": Leaving - http://jpgmag.com/2107606

Going Vegetarian. Again.

Considering going vegetarian.

Again.

When I was growing up I was not able to mentally tolerate meat. Everything about meat simply made me feel queasy: the smell, look and texture of raw meat. Blehk!! And then knowing it came from an animal made it even worse. I wasn’t able to eat eggs until about 5 years ago. Even today they make me cautious. I still do not eat anything on the bone—like chicken wings, T-bones, etc.

So, with that… Here is what I have cut out:

100% pork
90% seafood
75% beef
50% turkey
25% chicken
15% milk & eggs.

I’m loving hummus, tofu and eggplant. I’ve been introduced to TVP, and I’ll give it a go soon.

Feel free to share links to vegetarian recipes… I’m always looking for better, new, different recipes.

Money is the root of all evil

You know...

It's one thing to borrow money because your spouse got laid off and your kid needs milk.

It's another thing to borrow money because you eat lunch out every day, go to the movies and shop, and now you can't afford to pay your light bill.

Don't ask me... The answer will be: no.

Without peanut butter, please.

Airplanes are a huge part of my life and my family's lives. I've talked about the Air Force on this blog and how my husband is a pilot, so you can deduce for yourself our child loves airplanes, too.

(My lil'cuddle bug is the cutest kid ever and I am giggling at this story as I type out the event.)

Often times I will prepare a caramel flavored, peanut butter covered rice cake for my breakfast. I offered to prepare one for Cuddle Bug and asked if it was preferred plain or with peanut butter… the response:

“AIRPLANE!!”

So, without haste, I delivered a plain rice cake.

“There ya go, Sweetie! Enjoy!”

Next time I might actually cut it in the shape of an airplane.

2010 Mercedes Marathon

The 2010 Mercedes Marathon was held this past Sunday, February 14, 2010.

My husband ran the 2nd leg of the marathon relay. The majority of the course was flat, except for HIS 5k, the 2nd leg of the relay. But, considering he has never ran a 5k before and the difficulty of the leg, I am unbelievably proud of his 38 minute time. Each finisher received a medal, pictured below. The Marathon winner was Daniel Ellis. He completed the 26 mile race in 2 hours, 25 minutes, 57 seconds, with an average pace of 1 mile every 5 minutes and 35 seconds. Amazing.

It is so funny to see people dressed in costume running a marathon. But they do... and when they do... I take their picture.

I think the bib number for the "fairy" is from a previous year or previous runner. His looks slightly different from the one my husband has and the bib from the football runner. Either way, this guy ran a freakin' marathon in a fairy costume.

And I wouldn't have believed it, if I hadn't seen it myself at the first transition where my husband started, but the football player... ran the FULL marathon... IN UNIFORM!! The picture below is of him taken at one of his last turns. The time on the clock at that turn was under 3 hours, 50 minutes. You can't do that well and stop to take off the gear. Seriously, dude... YOU ROCK!

Note: Neither of these participates are my husband.

My CFE is complete!

I have successfully completed my CFE exam. I took the last exam on the 365th day after initiating the prep course. One year and 1500 questions later, I am a Certified Fraud Examiner. How should I celebrate?

Circus Fun

Took wee-one to the circus last night.

We had too much fun.
A two-year-old's ADD made it a bit frustrating in that we had to repeat ourselves:

"Sit down"
"Turn around"
"Do you want me to hold you?"

Although the attention span was short, the impression was made...
We talked about the elephants and tigers as I was preparing to post these images.

Leaving

I have submitted an image to a contest. If I am selected, my image will be published in a JPG magazine. If you are aware of photography magazines or if you have an interest in magazines, then you may already be familiar with JPG.

If you read my blog at all, then you also know I am a photographer--good or bad--I am a photographer. As well as many other things...

Anyway, please vote, click here to vote.

Yeop...

I'm still alive.
Just busy beyond belief.

I might give an update.
Later.

Delayed Reaction

Ok, so I have gotten myself a bit overwhelmed with various obligations.

Bridal formal yesterday prooved to be a huge success with 22 images selected, that's several days worth of editing.

Her wedding is October 3, so I have to have the formal completed several days before her wedding.

I am scheduled to take the AFOQT October 12. My study time has been severely compromised because of the previous obligations. Therefore, I am going to rescheduled the AFOQT for the first week of December.

That should give me plenty of time to edit wedding images and then prepare for the test.

Still hittin' the gym/park 6 days a week.
Still need to lose 10+ pounds...

Suggestions?

too little too late

I have too much to say and not enough hours in the day.

Worked 40-ish hours at my day job
Spent 12 hours at the gym this week
Worked 10-ish hours at my contract photo job
Nursed a sick child
Lost 4 pounds

All in all it's been an ok week.
I still have 10+ pounds to lose.

Must.

Have.

Sleep.....

Service to country

Met with the AF recruiter today. Incredibly nice guy. My husband was in attendance and made lots of uplifting banter. Not that any was needed, it's just his way.

I am really feeling more confident about my decision to pursue the Air Force as my future career path. I watched the video of OTS we picked up at the recruiters office. Definitely brought home the reality of my path.

Feel free to comment.

If you are so inclined, please visit my blog friend, Niobe, her sister was involved in an automobile accident. It doesn't look good. Visit her blog and leave supportive comments.

Brief Update

I just want to give a brief follow-up to my last post:

Everyone is fine. Now. A series of doctor visits are to follow. Details of those will be available as the appointments happen.

Hind sight is 20/20 and so I probably overreacted. Slightly. I am still pissed and have been compiling my documentation to insure I post accurate accounts of the events.

I still have a life changing decision to make, but it's not as easy as it seemed to be when I posted last.

I will post most of the details in my next post. Advise on how to proceed will be solicited.

So much for a "boring" life.

I liked boring much better.