AND OTHER STUFF . . . .

Showing posts with label photos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photos. Show all posts

Monday, March 14, 2011

Making Life Easier

I have been organizing a friend's paperwork. Because I like it. I know that is strange, but she is dealing with a long term medical crisis in her family and she asked me if I could take it over for her for pay. She and I have been friends since college, and there is no one I would rather do this for.

I have enjoyed getting her stuffed chronologically filed and her bills on a schedule to be paid automatically. Dealing with several years' worth of paper has me thinking of the most efficient ways to do this, and it has me dealing with some of my own paper clutter. Photographs are my main paper issue. I have so many that I could never part with --so many in frames and oodles of albums. Space is becoming quite an issue!

I recently purchased an external hard drive and have moved over all photos from my computer. It feels great to have these backed up, but what about all of my pre-digital stuff? Looks like some serious scanning is in my future.

Tonight I was really getting down to the last of the photos and making some decisions about more albums, etc. I have even put several photos of ancestors in an album, all black and whites, names, dates of birth (if I know), and how they are related. Sweet N was right there with me, asking what he could organize. We even moved a little furniture around, placed a few things, and he got into a drawer with cords and electronics. He sorted and untangled these for awhile and did not want to quit! Later he said, "It feels good to be organized, doesn't it? It sorta makes our life easier, right?"

Oh, out of the mouths of babes. But where is that voice when I am tossing random things in a drawer and slamming it shut?Ok, just had to go and scan this one for ya! It is my paternal grandmother (standing, middle) who was the oldest of 5 girls. They posed with their mother for this shot in about 1936. I think each one looks absolutely stunning.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Reading by Example (Except it rarely works)

Well, if it only works for snow days when there is low activity around the house, so be it! As I have said, it bothers me no small amount that this teen does not enjoy reading for pleasure. However, with our recent snow (and no school for 3 days!), my husband and I enjoyed quite a bit of reading. One day I walked into the family room to discover this scene and nearly fell out! I guess he started thinking, "If you can't beat 'em, then join 'em!" YES! (I am pumping my fist, even as I type!)

I haven't seen it since, though. We have had 69 degree weather the last few days, so it is outdoors and basketball for this young man. I wish it made him happy to read alone, like it does me. But, he is a mover and a shaker and much prefers to get physical. Guess I'll have to wait for more snow.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Special Exposure Wednesday -- Feeling Nostalgic

He doesn't look like he is 10 years old here, but he was. I am wishing for some younger days right now. I think it is because he got his braces recently and his mouth is hurting like crazy!! He wants them off, he said, even though his initial reaction was, "Awesome! These look cool!". Today they don't feel too cool. Poor guy. If I can get him to smile, I will show his new metal soon.

For more great photos, see 5 minutes for Special Needs.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Special Exposure Wednesday -- Smackdown




THUD! Groan! Ughhhh! Arghhhhhh! Thud-thud! These were all noises coming from our family room last night. I need not worry or hurry, for they are the familiar sounds of my husband and son wrestling. (However, it does freak my mother out every time she hears it!) It meets some big need in N for proprioception.

I always fear the big "OWWWWWW, that HURT!", which is just as likely to come from my husband. Their tangled mass of body parts keeps me from being an on-looker most of the time (how do they do that??), but I had to snap some photos last night. This only made it go on longer than usual.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Special Exposure Wednesday


I wish I could take credit for these photographs! We were offered a free photo op at our local genetics clinic if we could come in on a certain day. I jumped. I love a photo op, plus these turned out to be ready just in time for Christmas gifting. Sometimes N is hard to loosen up, but he was hamming it up on this day with our cool, Harley riding, leather-wearing photographer dude. Many thanks to John Paul Jones for his kindness and his wonderful eye!


See more photos at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Special Exposure Wednesday - Snow!

Since it is rare for us, I have to post it. This is the view from our back deck. Today it is slowly melting and is shimmering so beautifully in the sunlight.
Here, Mr. N is lining up his snowballs for when dad comes out the door. You can see how it is still covering his brother's car with several inches. (Ironically, brother was in Chicago with no snow!) Two days of no school and lots of outdoor play. Who could ask for more?



Monday, January 10, 2011

Stuck Inside, and I am Excited!

We have been waiting for this! In the south, we don't get much of it, so we are happy when we do. It started out like this.
And quickly ended up like this!
N is concentrating hard to make a snowball. This snow is very powdery, though.


Turns out, we conveniently had primer and paint on hand, just in case we got snowed in. School and work are canceled for today, so yesterday and today have been great for getting a few projects done. My husband seems to be quite on board and has already made our playroom a lot less dreary. The snow will quickly melt, so I had better hurry!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Special Exposure Wednesday

"YES, YES, YES!!!!" is the audio to go along with this picture from Christmas morning-- (he just received a video game, Mario Kart). This was courtesy of Neighbor Friend's discount, since it is not a favorite in their "girl" collection! He has spent several hours on it and on Wii Fit

See more photos from Special Exposure Wednesday here.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Special Exposure Wednesday

One of my favorite memories of the season-- out walking through a big light display.

Christmas evening with Nana and Baby Sister here.


I can't remember a Christmas that I SO did not want to end like this one!

Check out more Special Exposure photos here.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

"Back when A was an Angel . . ."





I am loving these gift tags that I turned into ornaments years ago. When I pull them out each Christmas, it is a gift to me all over again! This first one though, was made by my older in Sunday school. When N saw it, he said, "Oh . . . back when A was an angel!" It made me laugh so hard. Back when . . .

Beneath are some angelic photos of little N. First grade has him showing a little gap-toothed smile, second grade reveals a haircut that was a little too short (related to me), and third grade . . . well, that is when he got a cool necklace which made him WAY too cool to smile! Love them all.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Special Exposure Wednesday


Have you ever heard of "No-Shave November"? No? Maybe "Novembeard"? It seems that my older son was celebrating them both. His younger brother enjoyed having "hands on" the result over Thanksgiving.

Will he keep the beard or not? It is undecided. I personally vote for a goatee or "fu man chu".

See more of Special Exposure Wednesday here.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Christmas Card 2010

Snowflake Wishes Noir Holiday
Make a statement with custom holiday cards at Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Special Exposure Wednesday

On Saturday I went out and discovered this:
Me + one hour + my camera = a new perspective.

Snapping photos of just about anything outside leaves me with a satisfied and thankful feeling. Below are some of my favorites. And there are others, too.














A recent visit to my mom's for her Happy Birthday.


This is the new and improved "rapping" Jimmy Buffett.

Check out more of Special Exposure Wednesday here.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Day 27 -- Special Exposure Wednesday

A Blast from our Past --
While looking for photos of a certain costume, I spent a long time going down memory lane. Oh, what fun! I want to hug that little man in his kid-from-Jerry-McGuire glasses. If you are wondering if they really do grow up fast, it's true, especially in retrospect!






Check out more fun photos at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Day 20 -- Special Exposure Wednesday


Some fun with Dad at the driving range recently.

Did you know that Special Olympics offers a golf event that involves golfing with a partner? Here is an article about it. I wish N could do this one day!


For more great exposures, go to Special Exposure Wednesday.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Day 12 -- Chi Town



One of my many favorite works at the Art Institute of Chicago, Nighthawks. Oh, to be able to mine the depths of this fabulous museum!



At the bean in downtown Chicago after a full day at the Art Institute.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Special Exposure Wednesday -- Day 6


Polo shirts and khaki shorts were fine while it was so hot, but now N is required to wear a tie every day to school. Yes, a tie! Every day. He likes it and makes his momma ga-ga over him each morning.

For more great photos, go here.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Special Exposure Wednesday

What to do on the last official day of summer last week? Eat an ice cream cone outside, of course!



He is laughing at my notion that I should get a bite.

Check out more photos at Special Exposure Wednesday.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Another Summer Fav Photo




The days of meets are over, I think -- too nerve wracking for him. At least he still swims laps with his dad . . . and has some biceps that I wish were mine.

More great photos to see here at Special Exposure Wednesday.