Same Pics, Different Effects

Just playing around with effects.  These are pics of the beautiful mini roses I received as a birthday gift from some co-workers.

Original

Original

February 2012

I know, I know, my mom keeps bugging me about not posting.  The days, go by so fast lately.  Maybe that's a sign that I am loving what I do all day.  But.......I do come home sooooooo tired too. 

I've been trying to get my creative mojo working too.  I've been working on a scrapbook of poems (and some pictures) for a family member, but I've been creatively challenged.  It is coming along slow, but at least it's coming along.

This past weekend we went dowtown.  We went to the auto show.  Can't remember the last time we went.

Although bringing a 16 year old, new driver, was quite an experience.  Needless to say we mostly looked at the supped-up, fast, very expensive cars none of us could probably ever own.  It's still nice to dream.

Here are some pics from the weekend.

Jaguar

Mustang

Loved the color of this car.  Very Tiffany's-ish

Mayor Emmanuel from Chicago

#5's dream car, Dodge Challenger

Husband and #5

Marilyn statue

#5 being funny

Ron Santo Statue

Harry Caray  statue

Cannot go downtown  without visiting Wrigley, even in February

Such a beautiful city

#5 (with some effects)

Lights under the Chicago Theater

Evening Sky

So, I was on my way home from getting my nails done at around 4:45 pm and as I was near home, driving west, I looked up and noticed the sunset and the sky.  I couldn't get home fast enough to get my camera and take some pics.  I didn't get the sun setting, but thought the sky was just beautiful.

I wasn't the only one taking pics either.  At least two other peoples posted pics on facebook of the sky too.

Between the beautiful sunset, and the unseaonal weather we're having, you would like it was March instead of January.

I'm Here

Wow, it cerainly has been a looooooooooong time since I've been here.  I know JA & RR will be happy to see me back.

I don't really know what's been keeping me away.  Ok, maybe it's been the new routine of working and the time just flying by.  I still LOVE my job at high school.  The days just fly by and it is certainly not boring.

Speaking of school, we go back tomorrow.  Now I know that #5 will say he is not ready, but I am.  I think we got out too early for winter break.  The holidays were nice; they were quiet and came and went quickly with no drama, but I AM READY to go back to school.  Just a little worried about setting that alarm clock so early.  I miss my daily routine and miss my "kids".  Naughty or not, they are mine and miss them.

I did get a new "big girl"camer for Christmas this year.  A Canon EOS Rebel T2i.  Now I just need to learn how to use all of the wondeful things it can do.  NOTE TO JA:  when is my first lesson?


Here are a few pics I've taken with it from Christmas and New Years:

#5's new shoes

Parents, #5 and nephew

The X-mas oranment I made in the 6th grade, still on my mom's tree every year

My parents in their new robes they got for x-mas from my borther and sister-in-law.  Told them I am going to make this their X-mas card for next year.

New Year's Eve was an early evening spent at my brother and sister-in-laws's.  It was his 50th b-day

My neice G

Husband with the youngest and oldest nieces.

#5 looking so thrilled. Couldn't wait to get home and hang out with his friends.

G with my sister-in-law J, from Florida.

Me & G

Sisters.  Brother-in-law's three daughters.  26, 14 and 1!

I wonder who gave this to G??????  Her favorite auntie of course!!!

So now that I have a new camera to learn how to use, I hope to be back here more often.  I have been in a creative slump (again), so maybe the new camera will help with that too.  I have a project to do for a family member and am having a hard time starting.  But, that is one of my resolutions; start the project and "Keep Creating"!  See you all soon!



Confession

I have a confession to make.........

Ok, get ready for it, I've been listening to Christmas music.  There, I said it, and I am not ashamed. Just in the car, but still listening and enjoying it.   Don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving, and this year I have alot to be thankful for, but I also have always thought of Thanksgiving and Christmas as all-in-one holidays.  When you work at school, the breaks are close together.  Christmas always seems like the day we get out of school for than the break.  So I always feel a little ahead of the game.

This year, Thanksgiving seems early too.  And maybe it's because I am in a really happy place this year.  I LOVE Christmas every year and last year was nice that I wasn't working and enjoyed my time home, but this year I am so happy and thankful of where I am at with my job and all.  It was a big year around here.  I went back to work and love it.  I never would have thought that I would be loving working at high school, let alone in the dean's office, as much as I do.  #5 got his driver's license recently, and that of course was a little bittersweet.  My baby is driving.  It's a little scary too, but I have to trust him and let him spread his wings (of course this is in my car, yikes!).  I must say I am enjoying the fact that he can drive himself to his activities.

Now back to the music, let's face it, who doesn't enjoy a little "White Christmas", by Bing Crosby or the "The Christmas Song", by Nate King Cole.  Come one people, we all know Christmas music makes us smile (and sing a little too).  And even though we all complain about how early stores put up Christmas decorations, I always get a little rush of excietment when I see them.

So call me crazy, but I am going to continue to listen and get in the spirit of things, even now.

Fa la la la la, la, la, la.  And yes, I will be dreaming of a white Christmas.

So with that being said (or sung), I will leave you all with a pic of last year's Christmas Tree:

#5 got his Driver License on 11-1-11/Halloween

So, I gave in and did it.  It's official, my baby is now a licensed driver.  It's still a little strange.  I don't think he can believe it either.  Especially when I told him he got to drive himself where he needed to go today.

Here are few pics from Halloween at my friend/neighbors haunted house:

"Bloody Mary"

"B" as Batman

The monsters that were doing all the scaring, inside the haunted house and out

My friend C, at her house.  The lady in white under the black light

The entrance (looking out) from C's front door

I made these for my high school office pages for Halloween

Keep Calm

Some cute "Keep Calm" quotes: