A New Camera - AGAIN!

My view of the world, at least for photographs, has changed. I just purchased an upgrade. Apparently that is how it goes with cameras. You get one. You see one that works better. You upgrade. This new (to me) camera actually belonged to our daughter and her husband, Maria and Eric. It is the one responsible for all those great photos at Little Things are Big. It is possible that their talents as photographers had something to do with it. Anyway, they needed to upgrade for some professional photographs Eric takes.

For camera people, this new one is a Canon Rebel XSi and I really don't expect to ever need to upgrade again. I just need to use it!! When I went to pick up the camera, I learned its name is Charlemagne...I think that was it. Maria? Are you reading? Did I remember the name correctly?

Anyway, Cordelia was witnessing the passing of the camera. She knew exactly what I needed to first photograph! She took be to her "tower". So, I now present my first Charlemagne (?) photo...

It was a delightful tower but I decided to do a series of Cordelia Photos.

 I need some practice but these turned out pretty nice I think.

I love that sweet little face! That morning she also brought me a rock, telling me to keep it because it was to show how much she loved  me. Later, while shopping, she told me she didn't need any toys, she just needed me.  All together now, "AAAAAAAAHHHHH..."

I'm telling you, this grandmother thing is the best!

The Secret Tunnel

While it is not exactly a Secret Garden, our secret tunnel is pretty cool. While it isn't really a secret, there are a lot of local people who are unaware of its existence.

The surgical center where I work is across the street from the hospital. This cool tunnel runs under our parking lot, the street and a parking garage, connecting the two healthcare facilities. It is not just one straight tunnel. It has a few turns along the way. 

As it gets close to the hospital, there are walls with pictures painted by children. The colorful walls have been there for years. Sadly, I don't remember the story of who the children were that were allowed down there for the painting event.

It sure brightens things up!

Patients needing to go from one facility to the other can be wheeled through this tunnel but generally the public is not allowed access to it.

There are some old hospital beds stored down there.

There are a lot of big pipes as well.

Often, after working a long day at the surgical center,

I get to go through the tunnel to deliver paperwork to the hospital.

Oddly, it is one of my favorite parts of my job.

Now, you are in on the secret.

The Baby Dragon, a Wethead and an Introvert

It turns out I wasn't quite done documenting Sam's 20th birthday.

I have told you before how miserable I am when it comes to baking cakes. If you have forgotten or just want to feel better about your own skills, click here and  here.  Really, I bake them fine, I just make a mess of them when I am removing them from their pan or try to frost them. Why in the world did I not always just make cupcakes? Problem solved. Of course that first link above will also take you to the crock pot cake recipe, which,  in my humble opinion, is the BEST CAKE EVER!  Yes, EVER.

The dumb thing about Sam's birthday dinner is that he doesn't really have much of a sweet tooth and didn't even care if there was cake. He had mentioned the day before that he wanted me to put a candle in a burrito for him. I provided the burritos for him and then I FORGOT to put a candle in it for him. It is possible that I won't be winning any MOM OF THE YEAR awards.

One of my favorite things at Sam's birthday gathering was watching Cordelia getting excited about the present she had chosen for Sam. She got him a figurine of a dragon emerging from an egg. She was so delighted with her choice and was certain Sam would love it.  Guess what!? He did! 

Elise did not really seem to care about Sam's presents. She did enjoy having her mother squirt her head with water.  Did I mention it was quite hot?

Funny little girl....

Actually, kind of a funny little mother, huh?

I have known and loved quite a few introverts in my life. I even produced one. I think Sam is still a little mad at me for taking him to preschool when he was three years old. He was really more of a one-friend-at-a-time kind of kid. He was always pretty comfortable playing on his own as well.

Anyway, Maria and Eric had a great t-shirt made for him. It was perfect and it made us laugh.

OK, I think I am done now.

Family Time Caught on Camera

We had a lot going on this past week-end... lots of family time!  We were entertained by Elise and Cordy, played Bongo Ball, toured an art museum, ate too much, saw our first Roller Derby event, played at the river and more! Here, why don't I just show you...

A Teen No More!

Our first child, Maria, became a teenager in 1994. That was 19 years ago! I think we had a year when our kids were 12, 20 and 24 but I think we have parented a teenager for 18 of the last 19 years. Yikes! We should be getting some kind of award, don't you think?

Anyway, today is Sam's birthday! I can't believe it has been 20 years since we welcomed him into our family. He has actually been a very sweet and easy child to raise. His good nature is why I feel he will still love me even if I show you this photo...

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Oh wait, I shouldn't use that term here as it may embarrass you.

Happy Birthday Samuelton!

No?

Happy Birthday Sammer? 

Sammy Boy?

I suppose that is embarrassing as well.

OK, OK...

Happy Birthday Sam!

No Words

Yay! My Poster Has Been Flipped!

Years ago our son, Ben, started a weird tradition. He came home from college or somewhere (I really don't remember when this started) and found I had framed a couple of posters for the bathroom. One was hung on the wall and one was propped on the back of the toilet. I think I'd had it hung on the wall as well but the tab deal on the back, meant for hanging, was too weak to stay put. Instead of fixing the problem, I worked around it and just set the poster up. I likely thought it looked artsy that way.

For reasons beyond my understanding, Ben turned the poster around. He left it that way. I came in and righted the situation. He again turned it around. It was weirdly funny. It became a tradition, then, something he did every time he came home to visit. It was odd enough to be charming. 

This morning I got up and found this... Yep, my poster is flipped! Our son and daughter-in-law are here to visit. We have all of our children in one town! I am soooo happy!

One time when I was anticipating an upcoming visit from Ben, I left him a little note. It remains on the back of that poster, faded but still readable, "I love you Benj."

Do you and your's have any crazy little family traditions?

From Our Front Window

It has been a bit challenging to get home lately.

Once home, I am inclined to stay put.

It is kind of noisy, though.

And our house vibrates with the pounding equipment (I have no idea what to call any of those things rolling around out there).

It feels like we're having a series of earthquakes.

Seriously.

The dishes in the cupboard rattle like crazy!

There are lots of people around and I worry a bit about them working out in the heat.

But mostly...

I am just glad it isn't fire trucks I'm seeing out the window this time.

Yesterday - The View From My Phone

Part of Something More

Some of you may not know that Mike is also a musician. He is a remarkably talented songwriter!

Recently I googled my own husband to see if his music was still available out there in Internet Land. Not only is it available, but even Amazon still has it. Isn't that cool!?  I love the songs on this CD and I think a lot of people would enjoy it, if only they knew it was available. By the way, I also found it on ITunes and CDBaby and it was cheaper than at Amazon. Weird.