Picture of the day

Thank God for Kate and her computer classes at school. I spent hours trying to figure out how to add a watermark to my photos last night. Damn it she didn't come in and in 3 minutes had a watermark and I was able to post pics for order. It is official.... I am a technotard!!

Andrew, my designated Geek Squad, is stationed in San Francisco. Katherine is filling in and doing a fine job! I don't understand how the younger generations seem to know computer stuff but not basic English. Whatever, computer stuff is hard, that is all I'm saying.

Chester the Molester

On the way home from the mountains Sunday night we found this beautiful Dotson sitting in the middle on the road. At first we called him Stumpy, but soon found reason to change his name to Chester the Molester. He would not leave poor Annabelle alone! The poor baby finally had enough of the humping and put a stop to it. I didn't see what happened but it didn't sound very friendly. After that prayer meeting, the two little dogs got along great! Maggie was another story. I don't know if it was a male/female thing or a big/little thing but it was all I could do to keep Mag from eating Chester. Not that he didn't deserve it. When I would let him out, he would go to the fence and taunt her. Chester would bark at Maggie, Maggie would bark at Chester, and Annabelle thought it was a game so she is running in between these two dogs about to eat each other. Feeding was another episode of Animal Kingdom. All dogs wanted their food and the others. I reported Chester as a found dog to the animal shelter this morning and they came and got him to take him home this afternoon. Annabelle was sad. Maggie just wants to know when the puppy is leaving to go somewhere. Kate begged for a puppy to keep Maggie company. Bless her heart, Maggie just looks at us like "Seriously, you have got to be kidding me"!

Beginnings and Endings

Wow what a start to the new year! Lots of new beginnings.

Still working on getting the photography business up and running. I have one wedding scheduled , a picture party waiting on a date for Valentines pictures, and I'll be doing the pictures at one ballpark possible two. Another new is going to be the studio. Turning the boys game room into my studio means more painting and reconstruction. We all know how much I love construction projects. It only took 3 days to get my easy do-it-yourself website up and running. I thought I was going to pull out all of my hair. As much as I hate to admit it I am a techno retard. I wanted to do it all by myself SO bad. Ended up having to ask Sam for help damn it. What made it worse was that my Nanny was here so no foul language. I have a few wedding projects in the works but I can't post pics or talk about them yet. Don't want to mess up the surprises.

Endings......... that isn't the right word. More like transitions maybe.

Do I miss nursing? I miss my patients but not the schedule or the administration bullshit. In a perfect world, nursing would be about taking care of people. Unfortunately, now it is more about money and numbers. How many people can you see and how fast. Never mind patient care, get 'em in get 'em out. I'm sure I'll have more to say about all that later on.

Last week I went to the funeral of a 13yr boy. Yes it was incredibly sad that Shane died, however his service was a celebration of life. Shane was the son of my first cousin Benjy. They live in a very small town where everyone know who you are or at least knows your people. The funeral was held at the middle school gym. I have never seen so many people at a funeral before. Shane was an incredible young man and will be missed. He died when a 4 wheeler rolled over on him. This reinforces my belief that when God calls your name you go. Shane was riding on ATVs before he could walk on his own feet. He was also a go-kart racer. Going out on that 4 wheeler last Sunday was no different than any other day in his life. Accidents happen I know but sometimes it seems that all the stars fall into place and destiny happens.

This is where transition comes in. All the stars aligned and my nursing career became a photography career. Destiny stepped in and Shane was called to God. Change is scary, sad, emotional....... but there can be good. Sometimes we have to look for it and other times we wonder why we didn't make the change before. I have faith that the ups/downs and changes will be a learning experience and I will be the better for them. "All things work to the glory of God."

This was so totally NOT the direction that I had planned for this post. Damn must be those stars aligning again or maybe I am letting go of some controll and opening up to higher powers.

New Years Eve Pictures

Just a few pics from Rick and Michelle Cooksy's New Years Eve party. I would tag folks, but you know who you are. Damn did I have some big hair going on or what?

New Years Day 2010

New Year! New beginnings!!! Of coarse we started the new year with the traditional southern meal of collard greens, peas, rice, cornbread, and pork. Sam cooked a pork loin on the grill and it was slap yo mamma good. Courtney's mom Ramona ate with us since her guys were deer hunting. She brought a floral center piece with her along with collars. How awesome is that?

Annabell, the new fur baby, is still working on house training. I'm wondering who is training who. Just when I think she is getting it, BAM!!! I'm pickin up poo AGAIN! Maggie is getting better with her. They played chase in the den. Mag would chase Anna, and then when Maggie would get close Annabelle would duck under the love seat or coffee table. I would love to have a picture but as soon as I pull out the camera, Maggie goes into hiding. To be such a big dog, she is a huge baby.

I know some people get all excited about the new year. I guess I am weird cause I go by the school schedule. Like when school starts, that is the beginning of the year. Christmas/New Year break is the middle. Once school is out for summer, I think of that as the end of the year. Maybe I should have been a teacher. Nah, I don't like my kids half the time much less other peoples.

There is always so much going on and this year is no different. Andrew and Courtney's wedding in April will be one of the highlights. Then there is the issue of my job. I love nursing but I need a damn break. Funny because I suddenly have a break, God puts you where you need to be. I don't know why things happen like they do but I feel that events are not random. I am more of a spiritual person verses religious. I do believe in a higher power. Anyway, if I were working now there is no way Sam and I could have got the kitchen and guest room finished over Christmas. Had we not been able to complete the guest room, then I don't know where Nanny would have gone next week after her release from the hospital. See it all works out in the end. All things work to the glory of God.