midRae

Jenna's Bridals

2010-08-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

Love to All,

midRae

Dori's Newborn Photos

2010-08-10T05:13:00.000-07:00

Sweet Baby Boy Munk

2010-07-27T16:27:00.000-07:00

Love to All,

midRae

The View From Here!

2010-05-26T05:32:00.000-07:00

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.....

2010-05-19T06:33:00.000-07:00

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!

Love to all,

midRae

'not me' Monday........

2010-05-17T06:53:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been awhile! And I really don't have much to share, at least not right at this moment, who's to say I won't think of more as I type.

You all know tailEnd, right?

Isn't he just the cutest? But then again I guess all of us moms think that way about our cute kids. This is a photo of tailEnd taken last fall after he forgot to get me the info for school photos, I always do the school photos just so I can get a good one, I'm new at this taking of photos thing, but as you can see not this time.

OK, moving on to 'not me' Monday.

So it was not us who straightened tailEnds hair this past week. Nope not us.

And then I did not let him go to school with all of that long hair. Nope I would never do that, I would never let my child be the big distraction at school. My boys have always had a neat and tidy appearance at all times, so neat and tidy in fact that they usually get looked over (NOT!!). I would never ever let my boys just try things just because.

Guess what? I didn't think of anything else but that's OK. I hope you all enjoy the quick glimpse of tailEnd because by the time he got home from school he was over the straight hair. Quick shower and wash and he was back to all curls.

Have a wonderful Monday.

Love to All,

midRae

Ma'am!

2010-05-13T08:06:00.000-07:00

As I was getting ready to leave the check out line yesterday the sweet younger bagger person nicely asked me, 'Can I help you out with that, Ma'am?. How nice and respectful. I promptly told her no and went on my merry little way to my car. As I was getting closer to my car it hit me, she just called me Ma'am, and I did not like that!

Not one little bit!

OK, yes I am middle aged and yes I do have a full head of grey hair. But I don't feel like a Ma'am now, just like I have never ever felt like a Mrs. midMan. I would always just cringe inside every time one of my boys' friends did the polite thing and called me Mrs. midMan. That just makes me sound so old, and apparently I have a problem with that.

I started going grey in the head when I turned 22. I tried to dye it once, which promptly turned back to grey in 30 days. Such a waste of time and money so I decided to go grey gracefully. I really thought I was doing a good job of this until yesterday. I guess I don't want to get old, I don't want to get slow, and I don't want to be called Ma'am or Mrs. midMan.

Now on the other side of this issue I am so excited about becoming a Grandma in two months. I can't wait to be called Grannie midRae. I can't wait to hug and cuddle and kiss and love and hug and cuddle and kiss and love that wonderful little bundle of joy that will call me Grannie midRae. I shall relish the joy of being a Grandma. I can't wait to sit and read and spoil and bake cookies with this little guy. Grannie midRae, what an honor.

Let's see if we can figure this out. I have grey hair, lots of grey hair. I am middle aged, 45 to be exact and proud of that. I don't like to be called Ma'am, it's what I used to call the ladies that were way old. And please don't call me Mrs. midMan but you can call me Grannie midRae.

HUH?!?

I'm a middle aged woman on the verge of menopause, slowly letting go of my youth and not liking the fact that I need to embrace my middle aged womanly self. I probably should have embraced the middle aged woman years ago and then I wouldn't be having these issues. Poor midMan, he has a lot to deal with, no wonder he likes hibernating in our bedroom. I need to do something about this.

Here goes:

I shall smile nicely when called Ma'am and thank the parents of the nice bagger person for raising such a respectful young person. I shall smile nicely and love that I am Mrs. midMan, I have always been proud that midMan loves and wants me. I shall love my grey hair and wear it proudly, thank you Mom, Dad, and God you have all blessed me with some really nice hair. And I shall find all of the joys of Grandparenthood and roll around and wallow in them until I am nothing but joy and laughter all of the time. And I promise to finally decide and accept that I am middle aged, but I am still going to wrestle tailEnd and sit on him until he decides he's had enough of getting beat by his mom.

Middle age can be wonderful. I am in the best shape of my whole life, I have so much time to share with midMan now that the kids are pretty much grown, I have Grandbaby's to love and watch grow, and I am Mrs. midMan, what a blessing.

Love to All,

Mrs. midMan

6:50am View

2010-05-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

This my friends is the view right outside my front door each morning this week as I left for work.

What is really not right with this is the fact that I have to go to work each morning when I would much rather be out and about taking pictures of some really amazing sunrises.

Such is life.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.....

2010-05-05T07:06:00.000-07:00

POWERLESS!

Love to All,

midRae

midThoughts

2010-05-04T07:28:00.000-07:00

I think I shall make this a weekly little post and just let you all know the thoughts running through, around, and up and down in my head. Not that you would be interested or even care but sometimes I just need to write it down to clear a little room up there in the nether regions of my head. I need to make room for all of the new stuff coming in. Ouch, it really sucks getting old.

The month of April has gone by like a whirly wind and has lefts us all wondering, 'Is spring real or has it always been an illusive dream of warmth and sunshine after a dark, cold and dreary winter?' And what was up with this weekend, snow, hail, and more snow. Come on it's May. Spring, spring, please we need spring and we do not want to just jump right into summer. A little transition time from cold to hot would be greatly appreciated.

(snow on blossoms, beautiful blue sky, snow and hail on the ground)

This past month I have had a lot going on, probably not really but it sure felt like a lot. It seems that every weekend we had to do something, be somewhere, or take care of something else. The whining midRae shall appear.........now! What ever happened to mmmmmeeeeeeee timmmmme? I want it nooowwww!!

Oh wow, she's gone. Man that was fast, good thing she left, I have been working on the pity party's and banishing them from my life forever. Not quite there yet. But someday.........I promise you all, there is always hope. Say it with me..........Pity Party Gone! Pity Party Gone! Pity Party Gone! Now just keep repeating that until it becomes.....Pip Pat Goo! Pip Pat Goo! Pip Pat Goo! Now exactly why am I saying Pip Pat Goo? HUH!!??

Moving on.

This past weekend was Graduation for my daughter-in-law, Ada. What an amazing girl. English is her 3rd language and she still manages to pull out a 4.0 GPA across the board. Amazing!! She has such an amazing work and study ethic and will always do her best to be the best in what she has chosen to do with her life. She finished her Bachelors Degree in December of last year but decided to walk in the Commencement Exercises this weekend with her friends.

She will be finishing her Master's Degree this December and both Ada and my son will be graduating in the Spring of 2011, him with his Bachelors. It is nice to see such drive. Along the way this year they will bless us with our first Grandson this July. We are so excited and I still find it amazing how much they do each and every day. They have a lot on their plates but always manage to enjoy life and make great friends and memories.

(check out the old lady with the grey hair......SCARY)

It was a crazy busy weekend.

Sunday we took midMan's brother and his wife on a tour of our fair little city to get them familiar with what the area is like. midMan's brother has started working for the same employer, and they are actually working together today on the same route. Let's hope midMan show's Jeff the right way to do the job along with some tricks to make the job easier. Jeff's first week out on the truck was pretty hard especially the day the guy that was supposed to train him slept in. Picture this: It's 4:30am and Jeff is at the yard waiting for the other guy. No guy. Call midMan. Get 2nd boss's number. Call 2nd boss, get voice mail. Call midMan. Get 1st boss's number. Call 1st boss. 1st boss calls guy. Guy shows up at least 2 hours late, he slept in. Not a great start to the day. AAAHHHHHHHH!!! So far this week has gone much better. Let's hope it stays that way.

So I want to leave you all with a preview of the next month. This weekend plant the garden and see if the boys remember its Mothers Day. Next week & weekend, send tailEnd to Lagoon for a day, prepare for baby shower and have baby shower on Saturday. The next week looks free so far, workouts here I come, and we'll see what happens. Gotta squeeze those workouts in every chance I get. The next week is my niece's Graduation and then it's on to a three day weekend, maybe camping. YES!! I can not wait to sleep in. Let's hope midMan doesn't decide to get me up at 3:30am for a French Vanilla Coffee, no French Vanilla on the mountain. I keep telling him I don't want any but he still makes me get up. Whoops, I am hearing a little bit of noise from Whiny midRae. Hurry kick her so she goes away. hehehehehe Hurt her bad, we do not like Whiny midRae.

I'll give you all an update as to how this month goes. I am sure it will rock and I will have a blast all month long. I really do dislike being bored. Oh, and middleSon should be moving forward with a partnership in business this month. Cool for him!! I know he can do this.

I shall keep you posted.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday

2010-04-28T05:01:00.000-07:00

APRIL MORNING

Love to All,

midRae

Baby Mady

2010-04-27T09:51:00.000-07:00

Baby Mady was my first newborn session and the only thing that keeps going through my head is that babies are hard. Mady's mom and dad were amazing and I want to thank them so much for giving me this amazing opportunity. Mady was also very cute and adorable, but that little girl has some really strong legs. I had a blast!

Such a sweet baby girl. And full of spunk!! Watch out mom and dad she will soon have us all wrapped around those cute little fingers.

In the mean time can I just tell you that I am in love with this sweet little girl.

Love to All,

midRae

midSons Car

2010-04-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

Guess what all? Last week was my birthday and it was a really great day. Lot's of cards, love and well wishes from all those that matter the most. I was even gifted with 'The Blind Side.' Now I just need to find time to watch it.

What I did find time to do on my birthday was to take some really amazing photo's of my midSons really cool, and really fast, and really scary fast car. He was laughing so hard at me as we drove around. As his turbo would such in air I was suching in air and chair, I kid you not, I almost hyperventilated. Fast cars and midRae are not happy when put together. And please let's not talk about the fact that he also goes 'Drifting' with his car. Too much scary for this momma.

NICE!!

He won a contest and a picture of his car will be gracing the pages of a drifting calandar. Pretty cool! He has worked so hard on this car, rebuilding the engine from the block, and he just loves it. I'm pretty proud of him. What talent he has when you realize that he has never been to school to learn any of this mechanical stuff, laymom's terms, and he even rewired the whole car. Amazed! Really, really amazing. Raw Talent!

SUPER NICE!!!

So yes, mom, gets to take the photo for the calandar, and the oldest son did a little editing, I feel pretty honored. I will actually have a photo in print. The world may not know that it was my photo, well our photo, but who cares, they will know it was midSons car though. Isn't it nice?!

REALLY SUPER NICE!!!

What a blessing this middle child of mine has been. Actually I have been so very blessed with the amazing family and friends that are a part of my life. I could not ask for more. So yup, I had a really great birthday.

Love to All,

midRae

HI!!!

2010-04-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have to confess that I feel that I have been very remiss in my blogging. I have been unmotivated and uninspired, frustrated and mad at life, and I could add quite a few more but I better stop before this turns into a pity party.

Moving on.

What is up with me? Is it Spring? Is it the end of Winter blues? Is it camping withdrawals? Maybe, just maybe, it's a little bit of it all. And let's not forget that we all have our lives and the chaos that can ensue right along with everything else. What to do?

First I wanted to do a little more update on the jogging aspect of my life. I have been told that I can not jog for a while because I did too much too soon after the knee surgery. What!?! Me do too much too soon? That would never ever happen.

Anyways, I was stuck walking the 5K as fast as my bigger than little legs could carry me. What a bad attitude I have, stuck?!, I should feel blessed that I could actually do it. I was doing so good, at least I think I was I even managed to pass a few joggers. But then we got close to the finish line and 5 people behind me decided to jog. I found myself getting very upset and mad. How dare they?! How dare they pass me when I worked so hard and kept the same pace and passed them? How dare they save up to the end and jog, when I couldn't!? I found that to be very unfair and then I got a hold of myself and slapped me upside the head. I decided that I needed to be thankful that I could even be there. I decided that I needed to cheer them all on and tell them what an amazing job they did. I decided that I needed to get beyond myself and be happy for them. So yeah, we did it!! We all finished, and finished with pride. Good for us!

Next we have a few changes going on in our lives. We are adding one new member to our family, one more member to our household, and losing one member of the household. Now did you all keep up with that? Let me explain.

My oldest son and his wife are expecting their first child, my first grandbaby, this July. It's a boy and we are so excited. We know how to do boys. They are both enrolled full time in college, with the daughter-in-law getting her Bachelors Degree this past December, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and getting her Masters in Accounting this December 2010. Ada, my daughter-in-law, just became a citizen of the United States, also. And to top that all off, her parents are coming to America before the baby is born. Crazy. My son should also be able to graduate next spring, yeah for him, 4 years of college in three years. Motivated and busy!!

As for adding to our household, midMan's younger brother, Jeff, will be moving in. He has been unemployed for a while; he got hit with a layoff, and was finally able to get a job doing what midMan does. He and his family will be moving to our fair city in the near future but right now they just need to be able to catch up and we are so happy to be able to help. So with all of that we needed to clean out midMan's hunting room. Where oh where are we going to put all of that stuff? The deer head had to stay but I am sure Jeff will not mind. Anyways we figured it all out and he should be here in a week and a half.

Now on to losing a member of our household, my middle son's girlfriend will be moving out the end of this month. She has decided that she needs to move forward with her life and that working at Subway was not where she wanted to be. I am excited that she is looking towards her future. Sometimes it is so hard for our children to make that move and I am glad that we have been able to be here when she needed us. I hope that my son can see where she is headed and that he can figure it all out for himself, too. I do have to say that life is hard when you are starting out and sometimes you just need to make that JUMP and see where you land. Family is always there when it's needed. So JUMP away, we will catch you if you need us.

Now for our other news. tailEnd just turned 15 and is all ready to get his driving permit. Oh boy, please help me. Am I ready for this again? I don't know. But he sure is, so I had better get there and get there quick. tailEnd also just took his ACT. No score back yet but we are praying, he needs to pass so that he can take college classes next year.

So my life has been flowing over with moves in and moves out, new arrivals, graduations, even a wedding coming up, working, working out, cleaning house, cooking lots of food, visiting with old friends, worrying, and ............... I sure feel like there should be more. Oh I almost forgot photography. I have had a few photo shoots lately with a few more planned for this week. Can't wait. And it's only the beginning of summer. WOW!! I am sure that I have missed more, but.......

I think this summer is going to be amazingly busy and fun. What blessing we have received to be able to take part and enjoy all that we have. We have been smiled upon and I guess I need to be reminded of that sometimes. Good thing I got this blog, it seems to work really good when it comes to needing to be reminded of what blessing I have been given.

Love To All,

midRae

PS.The oldest son has promised me an updated blog layout. I think it's time to push it a little harder. I mean how many free haircuts does he think he gets anyways? It's time to earn that perfect look that he has.

Our Babies

2010-04-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

ZOE

14 years old and full of fun and life.

She makes us laugh and gives us loves.

And she's half blind.

BELLA

2 years old and weighing in at only 2 pounds.

She is totally in love with midMan and barely tolerates the rest of the world.

And she's blind.

Yes world, we are the proud parents of 1 1/2 blind dogs.

But we sure do love them.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday

2010-04-14T04:29:00.000-07:00

Swheatness!!

Love to all,

midRae

Our New Planting Bed

2010-04-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last year we tried growing our garden in old water heaters turned on their sides, which you can read about HERE. Our little garden didn't turn out too bad but this year we decided we wanted to go just a little bigger. We got our plans for our planting bed from The Pioneer Woman, and you can read the step by step instructions HERE, but as you will see from our pictures we changed it up just a little. Less hammering and screwing makes for a much happier midMan.

First we measured.

The we being used very loosely here.

hahahah

Then we measured again.

Can't you see my hand right next to the amazing hand of midMan?

Then it was on to the drilling. Lots of drilling.

And then we played with some screws,

two different sizes mind you.

After everything was screwed tightly together, we carried this big 4' x 8' box over to where we felt we would get the best results for our little garden. No pictures of the major move, I was busy holding up my end and tailEnd just could not be bothered to get off of the computer long enough to help. In tailEnds defense, he has been working really hard the past couple of months studying for his ACT test, which he took Saturday morning. He really did need some down time, he's only 14.

Boy does he have me wrapped around his little finger or what?

Notice the perfect placement of the stakes.

That was my other job along with taking pictures.

I managed both quite well, thank you very much.

With some alignment and fear of the knots,

midMan continued on his way to success.

Ohhh how I love this man's hands, they are so strong and provide so much for us, but they can also be so very tender and loving when needed.

With a little bit of hammering.........

Some strategically placed stakes and screws.........

And some more hammering........

we have finished the frame.

No pictures yet of the finished product, I would like to get just a little dirt in for fun. The Major Planting Bed Build went great except for the one little moment when midMan thinks he just might have hit a sprinkler line.

OhOHOh!!!!

I guess we'll figure that out when we finally turn on the sprinklers, but for now no dirt until we can get through that little task.

Let's hope we don't make water bubbles under the planting bed.

On a slightly better note I leave you this post with the thought that midMan's younger brother may be moving in with us for a couple of months and let me tell you, this man can grow a garden.

I really think we are going to use his expertise this year.

Lucky for us!!! Yeah!!!

Love to All,

midRae

1st 5K

2010-04-11T07:24:00.000-07:00

(I really need to teach midMan how to work the camera)

So yes, we did it. We completed the ROTC 5K. Shannel, my sons girlfriend, joined me in my 5K endeavor and left me way back just looking at her dust trail, not even in the cloud of dust, just way back there looking at it as it dissipated. Shannel is an avid runner and usually runs every day. She is amazing. I on the other hand managed to keep a steady pace, walking as fast as I possibly could, and managed to finish in less than an hour. I think the time was somewhere between 45 and 50 minutes. Not too bad for an old lady with a bum knee and tedonitis inflicting it's unearthly pain in said knee.

But just watch out next year everyone, I plan to finish in a little more than half the time it took me this year, if the knee lets me.

Love to All,

midRae

Easter Hike 2010

2010-04-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of views from our Easter hike. Please enjoy as much as I did, although the knee was screaming and crying out in protest (for another post, agony), I really did enjoy our Sunday hike in the desert.

Love to All,

midRae

Carmen's Family

2010-04-06T05:36:00.000-07:00

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday

2010-03-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

SPRING?

Love to All,

midRae

Deserving

2010-03-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

First things first.............I miss Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter has been here too, too long and I need warm temps, pretty flowers, and sun, lots of sun. Color, please. I have some early bloomers in my yard, and me with no pictures of them, cute little tiny purple ones. Maybe when I get home at some point today, between the ortho appointment for tailEnd, cooking dinner, picking up the house, and working out, at least I did laundry last night, I will be able to catch those cute little ones for you all to see, unless it snows. Which it might. Oh wait, that could be a really cool picture.

I have finally run out of admiration for the beauty of Winter. The frost and the snow on the trees, the perfect, uninterrupted length of a field covered in such blinding whiteness, what beauty! But please, please. I surrender. No more wind, no more shoveling, no more cold, cold car in the morning. Just give me a little warmth so that I can go out taking photos. I need to take some photos, but I am a chicken and it is so cold out. Maybe I should dig out midMan's old coveralls and go for it? I am sure the world would laugh and sigh, 'Too cute, NOT!!' But alas, it's still cold out, and windy, and supposed to rain, which will turn to snow about the time I go to work in the morning. Cold, cold car in the morning.

So moving on.........

A little background. About 5 years ago I was a smoker. Yep, that's right, me a smoker, who started that awful habit at the young age of 15. I loved smoking and I am sure that if I let myself I would jump right back in to being a smoker, but I won't let myself. Quitting is hard and I don't want to have to quit again. It was so hard!! Everyone trying......I feel your pain. My process of quitting was to eat everything and anything in sight and I had the weight gain to prove it. I managed to gain a lovely 55 pounds.  Yuck!! midRae at 210 pounds, scary. But I managed to quit smoking which was the best part.

Next I needed to get control of myself and find the new and improved midRae. Did I find her? You bettcha!!! The quitting process took about 11 months, the new midRae took about 6 months of doing the Weight Watchers Point Systems online and beginning my love of working out. Yes, I did manage to lose 55 pounds in six months, but I worked hard for it, and I found a new addiction. midMan says I changed my addiction to nicotine into an addiction to working out, which I am sure every one is getting sick of, sometimes that's all I talk about, working out and photography.   I think it was a great trade off. I still feel that I need to lose at least another 15 to 20 pounds, but that will come in the next year.

This has not been a quick process. I have had a few stops along the way, and then I would jump right back on and off I went, back to better eating and harder working out. And one of the best things to come about from all of this is that I can take a really deep breath. I mean really deep.  I love the feeling. Just close your eyes and take a really deep breath. What JOY! Just to breathe.

The next destination on my journey will take place on April 10th. I have signed up for a 5K. It's only 3.1 miles but I can promise you, for someone who has never run before and used to be a smoker, just being able to cross the finish line in a decent time will be like winning a marathon. I didn't leave myself a lot of time to train so I am pushing things right now, last nights jog was hard, 3 miles against the wind and with a sore body, too. OUCH!! Better today and moving on.

All of this just to say, I read a blog the other day that said, I do deserve to feel better, I have worked hard and I do deserve this, I do deserve to take the time to be healthier and happier, and I do deserve to take time for me. And guess what? I agree!! I do deserve this. I have worked so hard.

It's been a journey, these past 5 years. But so worth it. I have grown as a person and I think I have grown as a parent and as a wife. I have also grown more athletic and I love the feel of muscle. I took it all for granted when I was younger. Muscle feels so cool, especially when it's your own strong legs and arm. When I can now keep up with midMan while hiking, so cool. When I can out last two of my boys, ages 25 and 15, doing P90X, so very very cool.

My life? So very, very, very cool. And I am worth it.

Love to All,

midRae

My Stream of Thoughts This Morning.

2010-03-24T10:30:00.000-07:00

They are placing my big brothers headstone as I type this. I have never been part of something like this and I am not sure how to handle it. Yes, we have had other deaths in our family but when it came to Grandparents headstones they were already in place by the time that I was old enough to understand or comprehend.

Should I leave work and be there while they place it, or should I just wait until after? My mind and my heart are so unsure at this point. I want to visit his grave, but I almost want to do it alone. Yes, I have visited a few times since he died, but never alone and never to cry. I seem to have a really hard time crying in front of others, I always have to be the strong one. I miss him.

My big brother, Roy, was such a contrast in who he was throughout his life. But in the end he was so close to God and managed to teach me so much about love, faith and dignity. How I wish I could look into his eyes and tell him how much I appreciated him, how much I miss him, and how wonderful his girls are. They help their mom so much, more than most kids will ever have too. He would be so proud.

I am so very thankful for our last phone conversation and will always hear him say, "Hey Sis.", forever in my mind and heart. I will never forget his voice or his one armed hugs, just thinking about the hugs makes me smile. I really miss my big brother.

My heart is breaking as I think of all of the time that we missed. Thank you Roy for teaching me that God is in control and that God will always know. Faith!! He taught me what a gift faith can be.

I miss you.

midRae

'not me' Monday........

2010-03-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that fun weekly carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got. I'm sure we have a lot of those 'not me's' just stored up and ready to share.

So this week it was not me who, faced with a frozen car door, managed to break the door handle completely off of my car. Nope, I did not just do that! And I did not decide to not get it fixed because there is one little tiny piece that I can get a hold of to open the door. Nope, I would never consider not spending money, just ask anyone. I promise that my nickname is not 'Cheap'! And I would never be proud of said nickname. Nope not me!!

And on a brighter note, it was not me who was called to handle a photo shoot for a return customer. And it is not me who is so completely excited and terrified at the same moment (can you just imagine what my stomach is doing right now) that I may go hide under the covers until my excitement overcomes me and I jump for joy. Nope not me.

And it was not I who, while on the treadmill watching a scary movie, got so surprised at a moment in the movie that I almost fell off of the treadmill, which then caused midMan and tailEnd to completely lose it and start to laugh hysterically at me. No that was definitely not me!! I promise I never get startled, ever!!

So there you have it, I have bared my little soul to you all. Come join in the fun and let's see what we all did not do this past week.

Love to All,

midRae

Family

2010-03-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share and show the world

my most favorite wall in my whole house.

It's my 'Family Wall'.

And as my family grows, which it definitely is,

my 'Family Wall' can grow with it.

See if you can figure out my thinking,

in the way that pictures and photos have been arranged.

Love to All,

midRae

'not me' Monday........

2010-03-15T07:08:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that fun weekly carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got. I'm sure we have a lot of those 'not me's' just stored up and ready to share.

I did not need to go to the bathroom so bad that I just had to 'take care of business', under a tree with a sheep herder just over the hill. Nope, I have never ever taken the chance of being seen by someone else while I 'take care of business'. Nope not me, and I have never gotten caught. Yeah, right!!! Sometimes in life you just have to take a chance and live on the wild side.

And I did not get Girl Scout Cookies this week and proceed to encourage my family to open and eat them all just so that I could also enjoy them. I would never encourage midMan or tailEnd to do anything so unhealthy. I just wouldn't. Never, nope not me. And I would never be sitting here, thinking to myself, that I should have saved those cookies for rides and hikes in the mountains. Nope, not me. I always live my life with no regrets, at least I like to think I do.

Come one, come all, please come join us on our Monday adventures of remembering those wonderful 'not me' moments that we each have in our lives.

Love to All,

midRae

Can you see the light?

2010-03-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

Lighting can make a photo or break a photo. And it is up to us as photographers to use the lighting available to us to achieve the end result that we are looking for. I have gone through the last 7 years knowing in my mind that taking photos outside, on a cloudy day, will give you the best results. Why? Well I don't know or at least I didn't know, but I could see the difference in my finished product and I loved the look of any photo I took on a cloudy day, the colors seemed to be so sharp and just right. I also knew in the back of my mind that late afternoon, dusk, or sunset could also give me the look and feel that I wanted in a photo. Again, why? Well as I said earlier, 'I don't know?', but photography class lightened some of the unknown regions in my brain and made things make sense, at least a little bit.

So here is my little explanation about lighting.

There are four different characteristics to lighting and they will all help you to make others love your photos and to make yourself love them even more. Understanding the characteristics and how they show up in a photo can also let you make the same subject look many different ways.

The four characteristics are:

Intensity - the amount of light. Is it bright, bright, or softer? Look at the intensity and decide how you want your subject to look. Study photos that you have taken and see what appeals to you the most. Most cameras can compensate, especially when there is not enough light.

Directional - this type of lighting we can control, either by moving our subject or moving ourselves.
Degree of Diffusion - lighting may be direct, less diffused, directional diffused, some shadow - soft, or fully diffused - like on a cloudy day or in direct shade. Cloudy days are completely diffused lighting, every thing is even and soft, no hard edges.
Color - different types of lighting will give you a different color cast, for lack of knowing what else to call it, to your photos. A candle will give you rich red tones, sunlight will give you a cold blue light, while tungsten, the lights we put into our fixtures, will give you a red/yellow tone, and florescent lighting will give you a blue/green tone.

When taking photos we need to look for the lighting that is available, is it cold or warm, and know exactly what we want to convey in our pictures. An example is taking a photo in the early morning or late afternoon light will produce a warmer, more reddish color, while taking a photo at midday will give you a more colder, or bluer cast to your photo. Again, we need to decide what we like and what we want to convey.

Now we can move on to '3 Point Lighting'. Sounds fun doesn't it? The deal with '3 Point Lighting' is to use the light that is available and it is most readily used when taking portraits. The three different points of lighting are:

Key Light - sets the mood
Fill Light - fill shadows
Hair or Back Light - separates the subject from the background

By using these different types of lighting you can convey a lot of different moods and feeling in your photos. The most used and dramatic of these types of lighting is 'Key Lighting', in the photo below each face is lit by a different type of Key Lighting.

The four different types of 'Key Lighting' are:

Short - Formed by creating a shadow on the camera side of the nose but not past the lips.
Broad - Creates shadow on the side away from the camera.
Glamour/Paramount/Butterfly - Light is directed to the nose, creates a little butterfly under the nose shining down, and gives a look like the old black and white moves from the 50's. Glamour.
Rembrandt - A Triangle of light on the cheek, more dramatic and more attractive.

'Three Point Lighting' will most likely be used in a studio setting, but if you are aware of the light when you are taking photos you will be more likely to place your subjects in a more pleasing setting. This can be achieved outside by moving your subject or the camera, or inside by using the lighting that you have available, whether that be a lamp or a window. There are many ways of getting light that you want, you can also use bed sheets and cookie sheets to reflect which will act as a fill light. You may also note that when light is directed at the face from below, pointing up, it will convey the feeling of evil, but if you place the light shining down onto the face it will convey goodness.

Fill Light is used to fill in shadows and is created by the key lighting. Hair and backlighting will separate your subject from the background. The direction that the light comes from is where the inspiration comes from. You can also achieve a spark of light in the eye with directional lighting, which can convey an impish or alive impression, whereas no light in the eyes conveys a feeling of lifelessness.

So that is what I have learned so far when it comes to lighting. I know, it's a lot and I am still trying to figure it out myself, remember I took lots of notes that I can always go back to. When I watch movies I look at the faces and see how the lighting is used. This photography class has changed how I look at faces. Right now I find it hard to pick out exactly what type of lighting is used, but I am sure that as I keep looking it will become easier. The point is to look at the lighting around you and as you take photos of the people you love, be aware of the way the lighting is affecting the way they look.

Remeber to ask yourself, 'Is it flattering or is it making them look like an evil, dead vampire?' My vote is to always make them look as young and pretty as possible, they will love you for it.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.....

2010-03-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

froSon

(save the fro or shave the fro that is the facebook questions?)

Love to All,

midRae

Elements are.....

2010-03-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

what makes a photo pop, standout, grab you by the eyes, and keeps you coming back, what drew you in, is very obvious, visual structure is obvious in the frame.

Composition is the pleasing arrangement of elements within the frame of a photograph and it's up to us, photographers or photographer want-to-be's, to make this happen. I think we all understand, up to a point, that there is just something about that photo that keeps bringing you back. You are not sure exactly what that something is but it just feels right.

As I said in my last post, I will explain, at least to the extent that I know and understand, what the Elements are that are needed for a pleasing and even great composition. Please remember that I took this homework assignment literal and these photos, that I am about to share (beware), are not my favorite's, I have done much better in the past. Along with still trying to get the exposure correct I have OCD and I am not afraid to use it as an excuse. I am usually a very literal person and I am terrified of ever doing anything incorrect. I can be creative and love color, sunsets, and can usually see things in an artistic manner, but when I am given a specific assignment, you will get what that assignment was. No artistic midRae in the mix.

Onward!!! Be brave folks.

The first thing you need to ask yourself and answer if possible are the following questions:

Whole or Part? Should I shoot them all, wide, close-up, etc..
Vertical or Horizontal? Try both.
Framing? What's in, what's out?
Background? Make sure to see everything, look. You don't want weird things happening.

And now to our first element:

Spot: a central, most dominate, simple pinpoint, draws the eye, central focus point.

This is an example of Spot photography with Dept of Field. It also shows Texture.

Line: series, create line, simple background

This is an example of Line and Texture.

Shape: prominate structure, bigger, fills frame, mass, simple background

This is an example of Shape and Contrast.

Texture: surface visually interesting, touch the object, walk through.

It's a little hard to see in the particular picture, but the house is covered in asphalt shingles, my idea of a good example of Texture. But you may not want to walk through this place.

Pattern: repetition, repeat, strong visual.

This is an example of Pattern, Repetition, Shape, and Line.

Contrast, Value, Tone: various levels of light, contrast dark to light.

This one is pretty obvious. Contrast, Self-portrait if you want, or not.

Color: create interest, color is a strong element, gives appeal. Make sure that one or more colors dominate.

Color, but also Spot.

So there you go a few example of how you should never take photography literal. But they are all good examples of each of the Elements. The only thing I can say as a new photographer is take lots of photos, practice, practice, practice. With practice you will learn what is pleasing and what isn't. I think we all have our favorite kinds of shots and the trick for us is to make it appealing to others. We also need to remember that a lot of the times we react to a photo with emotions, the photo will have an emotional attachment for us. Something speaks to us. We hope to make our photos speak to others and touch them just as they have touched us.

Just like my photos of 'Grandpa Trees' speak to and touch me.

Love to All,

midRae

The Accidental Photographer

One Word Wednesday

2010-03-03T05:09:00.000-08:00

SUNFLOWER.

Love to All,

midRae

The Accidental Photographer

A Few Asked

2010-03-02T10:48:00.000-08:00

And here I go.

Over the month of February, actually it was only four Wednesday's, I took a photography class at our local University. Now as the instructor told us, we went over one semester of information in 6.0 hours, and I have to agree with him that it was a lot of information to absorb. Thank you Milford High School teachers for teaching me how to take notes, and take them fast. I admit that I still have a hard time feeling completely comfortable with Aperture's and when to change them, it depends on what I want to show but I guess I am still trying to figure that out, although I do understand Shutter Speed and what you can get with either a fast or a slow speed. I think I have grown in my abilities to take photo's and to understand what makes a good photo, now I just need to find the time to practice, practice, practice, and practice some more.

Our first class we went over the different types of camera's, SLR (single lens reflex) and digital. We also covered Aperture's, Shutters, Depth of Field, ISO, Types of Lens, Lens Effects, Focal Length, and Composition. WHEW!!! I need to take a breath. We also talked about SEEING.

Seeing? You ask. Well seeing like a photographer, thinking like a photographer, seeing colors, seeing shapes, seeing light and it's effects, seeing texture and detail, seeing motion, seeing people and their differences, and seeing places. When it comes to seeing, that big fancy camera does not matter, the knowledge of technology will come with time, what does matter is how and what you see. On a side note, us a tripod or monopod, you will get much sharper and clearer images. As Mr. Smith, our instructor told us, we want to be able to have a good or great picture going in to editing, good in means good out, bad in means no amount of editing is going to make it a great photo. Look for the photo opportunities and don't be afraid of taking lots and lots of pictures. Also you have to be willing to delete the bad and not so good photos. I personally find that a little challenging. It feels like I am deleting something important, I am working on getting over that.

We went on to discuss that even if we take amazing photos, if we are not willing to share, display, publish, or show our work no one will see all of the amazing things that we have captured. Do you have a box of photos under your bed that no one ever gets to see? Well, bring them out for the world to see. Be proud of what you have done and share, even if it is only with the family. I promise, I have more than my fair share of photos that I would love for no one to ever see, but we need to show it all, that way when we have something beyond amazing our family, friends, or the world will notice and tell us. Then we can do it again.

We then moved on to discussing Elements. Elements are what make a great photo. It's what drew you to the photo, the visual structure and what pops. Look at a photo and ask yourself what is pulling you in to that photo, what is keeping your attention, what keeps bringing you back.

In my next post I will give you a list, short explanation, and my photo on what each Element is. I have to say that with this assignment I took everything he said literally, I have since learned that not everything has to be literal. You will understand as you look at my photos, I could and have done much better work by accident. It's a little challenging when you are OCD and hate to do anything wrong. Literal should become a bad word in my vocabulary.

Love to All,

midRae
The Accidental Photographer

'not me' Monday........

2010-03-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that fun weekly carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got. I'm sure we have a lot of those 'not me's' just stored up and ready to share.

Oh boy, here I go!

It was not me who, after sitting in the Dr.'s office examining room for 30 minutes, waiting for a follow up visit on my knee surgery, discovered that I had forgotten to shave my legs. Nope that was not me. I never go more than one day between shaves (it's more like a week/weeks). And it wasn't me that considered getting my big nail file out and trying to file all of that hair off of my legs. Nope that was definitely not me, I would never be that desperate. And it was not me who let out a big big sigh of relief when the Dr. just asked a few questions and didn't even ask to see my knee. WHEW!!! That was a close one, let's hope it doesn't happen again. Yeah right!!! It is so not me who hasn't shaved their legs for 2 weeks. Nope, I would never in my life consider doing that.

I am sure that I have a million more 'not me's' but this one is the worst in the long line of 'not me's' this past month. Hope you all enjoy the fun, lets hook up with MckMama and see what we've all been up to.

Love to All,

midRae

Visitors

2010-02-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

I have been blogging for almost a year and have had many many visitors to my world. I am honored by all that choose to visit me and silently, I guess not so silently now, wonder why any one would ever want to come back. You all have supported me, laughed with me, and helped me to grow, I truly, and with all of my heart, am honored by the visits and the comments. But today, at this very moment, I am Star Struck.

Star Struck? What? Star Struck? Really? Seriously, if you could look into my eyes right at this moment you would see STARS!!

Really!!

Now, let me explain. If you look at my blog page you will see the little thingy, I don't know a better word for it, over to your left. It says, "Visit from my friends". I love this little thingy. Some visitors show up but most don't but that's OK with me. It's just fun sometimes to actually see who has come to visit. And right now, at this very moment, the top visitor on my list is........are you ready for this?

It's The Pioneer Woman.

I have to tell you that I am currently trembling inside of myself. A visit from Pioneer Woman! You have got to be kidding me! I feel so honored! I am like a teenage girl getting to see Elvis or The Beatles in person, and they actually made eye contact with me. OH MY GOSH!! I am just beside myself and giddy with excitement. The first blogger that I ever read, who happens to have too many followers to count, visited me. Oh boy, please catch me as I fall over and giggle with excitement!

I first discovered the blogging world through The Pioneer Woman about three years ago. I sat down and read everything that she had ever posted, by the way you have to read her story Black Heels To Tracker Wheels it will melt your heart and give you a laugh along the way. I have also become such a better cook thanks to Pioneer Woman and my family is ever so thankful. My midMan and the boys beg for The Marlboro Man Sandwich all of the time. We have come to love Crash Hot Potatoes and we simply must make something from The Pioneer Woman at least once every weekend, it's a fun world of discovery for us. She has made me a better cook, and midMan was losing hope for me, so it's a great thing that I found her.

I love her cooking so much that I purchases 5 of her cookbooks, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, even before they were available, to share with my family and friends. If I had more money I would share them with the world. Her cookbook ROCKS!!! You should all go check her out if you are not already a big fan. I mean seriously, she is so well know that she was on Fox & Friends and Good Morning America this week. So cool! She taught me how to brine a turkey, to die for. mmmmmmm

On another note, The Pioneer Woman also got me more interested in photography, enough so that I bought a camera almost like hers. She has some really great advice, which you can find HERE, and she makes it understandable, and for me that's a big thing, except I am still aperture challenged. She also share's her home and gardening experiences HERE and she home schools her four punks, amazing in and of itself, I could never be that disciplined. On top of all of that she has also started The Tasty Kitchen, a place for all of us to join together and share our favorite recipes. Oh, and lets not forget the contests!! Let me just say that you all should join in on the fun. Someday I will win that mixer, a bright pretty RED one, to match all the appliances that will someday be in my log cabin.

I told you all I am completely and totally STAR STRUCK!! WOW!! If you haven't checked out The Pioneer Woman you should head on over and you will be hooked.

Thank you so much for visiting my little blog PW. I'm really not a freak, I promise hehehe, but you have "ROCKED MY WORLD!".

Love to All,

midRae

It's a.........

2010-02-24T14:22:00.000-08:00

But first I have to say, 'I MISS BLOGGING!!' There I said!! I can't stay away. I felt like I was on my way to a funeral since I posted that I wasn't going to blog any more.

Boy that lasted less than a week, am I getting flaky in my old age or what?

Blogging has gotten into my blood and I love it. I think, just like all of you, that blogging is an outlet, it's a way to say what is on our minds and to share what is in our hearts, along with all that is important to us. I need blogging, or I like to think I need blogging, it's not like I will die tomorrow without it. But I love it and I am here to stay. I will just figure everything else out as I can. Maybe I'll get tailEnd to start doing chores, as I hear tailEnd cry's out in pain behind me, my 3 boys have never really ever had chores. They are hard workers but they also love their game time. Anyways, I'm back and I'm loving it. I missed you all and can't wait to share my boring life, remember Photography Class. It was good, more later on that.

Now back to the main reason for this post.

I guess that's all our family knows how to make. Out of 11 Grandkids, we have only two girls. So starting out with the Great-Grandkids we are at: Boys - 1, Girls - 0.

I love me some boys.

Love to All,

midRae

What is the verdict?

2010-02-24T10:21:00.000-08:00

I am currently sitting here, impatiently waiting, holding my breath (I am currently blue in the face and ready to pass out), wishing, praying, and hoping, that all is well and that we will soon, running out of air, know what gender the little blessing we have been given is.

I shall let you all know, just as soon as I know.

Love to All,

midRae

Priorities

2010-02-17T08:15:00.000-08:00

It seems like this past month God has been putting the word 'Priority" in my face, under my nose, upside the head, and all over the place. It has come to the point that I can no longer ignore Him, especially this week. With my crazy PMS induced frustration, with me feeling like I am only giving 50% to those most important in my life, with life in general, and with God trying His hardest to get my attention, I have decided that I need to Prioritize my life.

My life is probably no crazier than anyone else's, but when you start having vent sessions, that seem to happen more often than they used too, I ask you "What do you do?' When your Heavenly Father is jabbing you upside the head, 'What do you do?' When life just all of a sudden seems like too much, 'What do you do?' When you start questioning your happiness, 'What do you do?' When some days all you look for is recognition, 'What do you do?'

What should I do? What should I do?

After much soul searching and tears, I figured out what I should do. Prioritize!!! Step back!!! Reassess!!! Serve others!!! I need to sit down and figure out what is best for my family.

With a heart heavy and sad, I have decided to pretty much give up blogging, along with a few other things. I really love blogging and find it a good outlet, but there is so much more in my life right now that needs me. I will still be checking up on all of you, so please don't you all take a break like I am. Some days you guys are all that can make me smile. I may surprise the blogging world with a post now and then, I do have a grandbaby on the way remember and will love to share, but overall please don't expect much.

I shall miss the blogging, but sometimes you just have to listen and obey.

Love to All,

midRae

What's Up?

2010-02-09T07:02:00.000-08:00

I bet you've all been wondering that exact thing. Well, let me tell you what's up.

Not much. Really. People talk about the January boredom and let down, well I am here to tell you that it has continued on in to February. Our poor minds. We really need to get things hyped up here, don't we.

Seriously folks. My life has not been that boring but I always wonder, 'Why would anyone want to read about my life?' It's not like I am saving the world, and I am not a profound or amazing thinker or writer, maybe a little of my weird humor sometimes, or off on wonderful and exciting journeys, although my life is mostly wonderful, and we are blessed with pretty great health for myself and my family. We are just your average, nondescript family. But apparently some folks like to read the boring stuff, so I will share.

This past week I have been working hard to get back into working out and jogging. A few nights I managed to jog most of my three mile goal, but I did have to walk a few of those laps. I've been jogging at the college, great indoor track by the way, and I try to do 30 laps. Last week I averaged 30 laps of jogging with 8 laps of walking. Not too bad, until last night. Not a good night. I managed to do 20 laps, with muscle cramps in my calves and the knee screaming the whole way. I think I walked about eight of those 20 laps. Pretty sad and frustrating. And I have to confess that the knee is still screaming out in protest this morning. Ibuprofen here I come.

I have also been adding in my Biggest Loser Boot Camp DVD this week, which is an hour long workout and very intense, OK I only had time to do it once, but it's a start. I love this workout but I have not been doing in very regularly since I hurt my knee back in July, and I have to confess, two days after doing this workout it hurt just to try to sit on the potty. OUCH!!! Just a little bit sore, but I love it!! I mean I really love it!!! And I really want my body to stay toned, I love having muscle, it's so cool.

I then did the Biggest Loser Yoga DVD, but only for 30 minutes. Kicked my behind, but loved it too! I have really been missing my workouts. And Yoga is good, real good. Maybe my muscles are so tight and cramping because I have not been doing the Yoga or stretching out. What do you think? Probably is the word that comes to my mind.

Then I added in a new photography class this past week. Granted its only one night a week, and only for an hour and a half, but I do have lot's of reading and homework to do. I love it though. With only one class behind me, in which the instructor gave us 1/3 of a full semester of information to learn, I have learned a lot. I have learned that I have managed to do some pretty OK stuff, by accident. Seriously, completely and utterly by accident. Hopefully I can now do some by design. Anyways, homework. I need to take 9 different photos depicting 9 different elements or concepts, before this Wednesday. I can do that!!!

Off we go to this Saturday. Taxes for some of the family. I somehow have been nominated to do everyone's taxes, every year. I think it's because I'm the one who always buys the tax program for their computer and does their own. Don't get me wrong, I love to help out family and to save them money. And I always feel bad if they have to pay back. Or if they even are lucky enough to be a zero. I just love to see my family and friends do well and make good. I want them all to have a little extra to help with some tough times. But I thought about this yesterday and decided I need to realize that it's not me who decides and is to blame if someone has to pay the taxman. I'm just the one who can type and has a computer.

Anyways, Sunday was midMan birthday. WHOO!!! HOOO!!! WHOOT!!! WHOOT!!! YEAH!!! He really wasn't that excited, poor soul thinks he's an old man, and he's going to be a grandpa this year. We have got to cheer him up! We did have a little family fun on Saturday and we all sang, and had way to much food, and way too many treats, and let's sabotage our weight loss goal. I do that every weekend, crazy fool that I am. I really need to stay out of the kitchen. Anyways, I love my midMan, and wish him many years of happy fun as a grandpa in the future.

And speaking of weight loss, I have been working real hard to record and keep track of all that I eat. I have a couple of books that I carry around with calorie counts in them and am recording it all in a journal. I always do really well during the week, but when the weekend comes I loose all of my will power. It just runs away and hides. I ask you, 'What to do, please tell me, what to do?'

So, yeah, that's my week. I warned you, pretty boring. But most days I am very thankful for being boring. I am a creature of habit and routine. I like to know what I have planned and pretty much keep to the plan. I have decided though that I need to change thing up a bit, still trying to figure out how, so that I can get my workouts in every day. Right now it is looking like I may have to get up at 4:30 in the morning, and I really really do not want to do that. But I will figure it out.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.

2010-02-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

Winter Rose

Love to All,

midRae

PS. Remember when I wrote about my younger brother, who happens to be 42 years old, having his first child. Well this is her, just two months old, and isn't she the cutest.

'not me' Monday........

2010-02-01T07:05:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that fun weekly carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got. I'm sure we have a lot of those 'not me's' just stored up and ready to share.

Oh boy, here I go!

As we all know I had my knee fixed 3 1/2 weeks ago, torn cartilage, and I have had to slow down and let it heal, under protest. I am not one to sit around, at least I like to think I am pretty active, and I was jogging 3 miles just three weeks ago. So, it was not me who went walking last week at the indoor track at the college and managed to fast walk 3 miles in 50 minutes. Nope, I would never push myself that much to get back to jogging 3 miles in less than 30 minutes. And it was not me who became so frustrated by other jogger passing me that I seriously considered putting my foot out to trip them. I would never let that thought cross my mind. And nope, I do not hate to be left in the back of the pack and I am not thinking the whole time that everyone is say to themselves, 'Look at the slow person, look at the slow person.' Nope, that is so not me.

And then in my all consuming track to physical fitness and slimness, I would never sabotage myself by making 7up Cake this weekend. Nope, I would never do that, and I definitely do not do that each and every weekend with some other yummy and wonderful goodness that I love to cook. Nope not me. Never, never, never! On a side not, I finally got the 7up Cake to turn out right, which has never happened before, which you can read about here. Yeah for me.

So this week is starting out with a promise to myself to be a good girl this week and to stay out of the kitchen this weekend. My poor family. I guess they are going to need to learn how to cook because I can not be left alone in the kitchen. I've decided its best just to avoid that area of my house.

Love to All,

midRae

7 Day Photo Frenzy.

2010-01-29T10:57:00.000-08:00

I have been participating in the '7 Day Photo Frenzy' over on facebook this week, and I have had a lot of fun showing a little bit of what 'I think I can do.' ha ha ha ha lol I am not a professional by any means, and there is so much for me to still learn, but I love photography and I will never regret getting my camera, except for those hikes when it get's just a little bit heavy. Any ways, I just wanted to share what I have. Some photo's I have posted previously so don't get too bored.

Here goes!

Sunday's Theme - Youth

Monday's Theme - Friendship

Tuesday's Theme - Hobbies

Wednesday's Theme - Simplicity

Thursday's Theme - Black & White

Friday's Theme - Landscape

And Saturday's Theme - My Choice - Which one shall I choose, which one shall I choose?

Please enjoy.

Love to All,

midRae

Pleasant Pheasant's

2010-01-28T08:01:00.000-08:00

So most weekends midMan and I go on our little rides to see what we can see. And we always see something.

A couple of weeks ago we saw this:

Isn't she beautiful?

Then we saw him.

Even more beautiful.

Some times it just doesn't seem fair that the guy animals are always so much prettier than the girls. I think the girls should always be more prettier, (is that right?). More pretty, more gorgeous, more beautiful, I don't know. But what I do know is that all men should definitely tell us that we are always the prettiest and the most gorgeous of them all. At least if they know what is good for them. And no, our butt will never look fat in those pants!

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.....

2010-01-27T06:12:00.000-08:00

YUMMMMMMMM!

Love to All,

midRae

My Thoughts.

2010-01-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

One year ago today we said goodbye to my big brother, Roy.

He battled cancer for 5 years, along with no kidneys. He was born with only one kidney and the one he had was found to have a tumor the size of a soccor ball on it. He fought such a brave battle, and when the drugs became to hard for him to bear and cut his quality life into something he did not like, he turned his battle over to God. God granted him an additional 3 years and we are so very thankful for the time that was given to us.

He left behind his most precious wife Char, his son Willie, and his two daughters, Josie and Lily. We are blessed with time still spent with his family and my heart and prayers go out to them and I ask God to give me the strength that they, my brothers family, seems to show the world. I also pray that God will give my parents the comfort and strength that they may need, my mom has found this to be very hard.

My big brother taught me, in the final years of his life, that God is in control and that I needed to always remember that. He showed me what faith is really about and how much a person could really love their Heavenly Father. He always called me and the first thing that he would say to me was, 'Hey Sis.' I can still hear his voice and I am so very thankful for that. My big brother was a precious gift that I did not fully appreciate until God choose to make me sit up and notice.

I love and miss you Roy.

Love to All,

midRae

Big News, Really Big News!

2010-01-22T07:20:00.000-08:00

About 2 months ago I did this post with a little teaser about some big news in our lives. And guess what? I am ready to share. But I have to tell a little story, it has some wonderful stuff and some really sad stuff but just hang with me and you will understand why I needed to tell the whole story.

Two months ago on Thursday, November 12th, my son Dayton and his girlfriend, Shannel, came to midMan and me and told us, 'We're going to have a baby, due July 14th.' Thrill coursed through my soul and I was so excited. Then reality set in. Dayton did not have a job, he had lost it two month ago, but he was ready to sign up for the military. What to do? The kids, I shouldn't call them kids, they are both over 18 and their own persons, had gone through quite a few emotions when finding out about the pregnancy and trying to figure out the next steps for them and their life together. We let them know that we would support them in any decision and that we loved them. And we couldn't wait to help. Such a wonderful blessing, things would have a way of working out, they always do. And with all of us working together, things would be just fine.

So then, on Monday, November 16th, 4 day later, my oldest son Dion and his wife, Ada, called me at work to tell me that they were also going to have a baby, due July 24th. They had only gone into the doctor to find out why they weren't pregnant yet and found out that they were. What thrill and amazement!! Two babies! I have gone over and over in my mind what I would do with a grandbaby. Oh, I wanted one so bad. I am so baby hungry! All you girls know exactly what I am talking about. And now two grandbabies. Heavenly Father had blessed our family with so much joy. What wonder! Dion and Ada were a little concerned about finances, they are both full time college students, but they do have some saving so the stress isn't quite as bad as it could be.

Thanksgiving came and went and such fun and great family time was had by all. I loved that my three boys, and the ones most important to them, were able to be with us and spend such a wonderful day.

About a week after Thanksgiving, Dayton came up to my room and told me that Shannel was spotting. My heart dropped, I have been through this twice myself, and I wanted to cry. They went to the Emergency Room and were told that Shannel needed to go home and rest and go see her normal doctor the next day. After a very long week, and so much pain and worry, sadly Shannel lost the baby. Our hearts were broken. I wanted to wrap Shannel in my arms and just take all of the sadness and pain away. It hurts so much. And to make matters harder for Shannel and Dayton, Dion and Ada were still expecting.

Shannel is still dealing with her grief. We are there for her when ever a hug is needed or she just needs someone to talk to. But time is what is needed the most. For those of you who have ever experienced losing a baby, you will understand. It's hard. And it just seems like all that you see is babies or expecting parents every where. It is so hard. And when you lose a baby early in pregnancy men just don't go through what women go through. It is so very hard. I will always remember this baby, my first grandchild, each July with a smile and warm feeling in my heart.

After Shannel lost her baby, Ada was terrified. She was so afraid she would lose her little blessing, also. Much worry and tears were had by Ada. But I am happy to report that things are going great. They moved Ada's due date to July 28th, and life is wonderful. Just look! It's a baby! With little feet and little hands.

I will share more in the future as I find out more. I don't know if they will be finding out the gender of the baby or not, but either way I am still thrilled. They are thinking it's a boy. Who knows?

Isn't it amazing? I am so ready to go out and buy stuff, but sanity does prevail and I am impatiently waiting. midMan is not to sure about being a Grandpa. He thinks he's too young. But I am seeing more and more gray in the beard and hair, almost enough to catch up to me. I think he's ready, he just hasn't figured that out yet. And tailEnd is thrilled at the tought of being and Uncle, and no longer the baby of our little family. I know I am so ready. You can all call me Granny now. I won't be mad. I'll have a little smile each time I hear it.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.....

2010-01-20T02:00:00.000-08:00

METAL!

Love to All,

midRae

Three Views

2010-01-19T04:00:00.000-08:00

VIEW #1: The Original

VIEW #2: Sepia

VIEW #3: Color Punch

I personally like View #3, the color just fits in my mind, but as we know most minds are not like mine, remember, I've got a weird one. What do you all think? Leave me a comment, I love constructive criticism, at least most of the time. Let me know which one is your favorite and also see if you can find the little surprise in the tree.

Love to All,

midRae

'not me' Monday........

2010-01-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that weekly fun carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got. I'm sure we have a lot of those 'not me's' just stored.

It was not me who went to the bathroom this past week at work, hobbling all the way with a bum knee after surgery, went into the stall, locked the door, struggled to sit down, started doing what we do, and had the door start swinging open. Nope, it was not me who was trying to stop doing what it is we do, jump up as fast as I could with a non-working knee, scrambling to grab the door, and praying that I would not fall flat on my face. Nope not me, I wouldn't be that worried about another girl seeing me in all of my non-dignity, and besides there are only 6 girls that work with me and we never ever cross paths in the girls room, and I am totally serious about that.

And it was not me, who is so sad about the lack of self control lately in her life, that I baked a pound cake yesterday. Nope, I do not go around looking for ways, at least in the back of my mind, to kill any hope that I have of ever getting ready for a half marathon. I would never do that, just like none of you do that either. I am not my worst enemy.

And I did not take the bandage off of my knee just to see what it looked like and wish silently to myself that I hadn't done that. EEEWWWWWWW!!!!

Please everyone, join in the fun and let's see what you all have been not doing.

Love to All,

midRae

Flatbeds & Farmers

2010-01-15T13:50:00.000-08:00

This black flatbed is midMan's truck. He loves his truck, I honestly think he loves it more than me. Just kidding, I know he love me more some of the times, like when I cook Marlboro Man Favorite Sandwich, which can be found here. Boy, midMan and tailEnd sure do go crazy with the drooling when I make it. I usually have to get out of the kitchen real quick so that I don't get trampled in the stampede. Yes, they are that good! You should all try them.

Anyways, back to flatbed trucks and farmers. Now my midMan is anything but a farmer. He's a truck driver by trade and a lover of the solitude in the mountains the rest of the time, and the seeker of big deer. But he just had to have this truck. And seriously folks, isn't it just the quintessential farmer truck? I know it is, and you would realize it also if you only paid as much attention to other flatbed trucks as we do now that we own one. I am serious. It's like now that we have a flatbed truck midMan is now part of some 'Farmer Flatbed Truck Fraternity'. All that we need to complete the picture is the two ranch dogs lying in the bed of the flatbed truck while the other 2 ranch dogs race frantically to and fro. Oh, and a couple bails of hay.

This is what happens when we drive down the road. We will pass someone else in a flatbed truck and we will get the little finger wave. I kid you not! Ever since we have owned the flatbed truck we get nothing but nice little waves from every one else who owns a flatbed truck. There was even one time midMan was sitting at the stoplight and a young kid, about 18, drives up next to midMan, looks at midMan's flatbed truck, and gives him two thumbs up. Seriously!

And it doesn't just happen with flatbeds. We owned a Jeep, which midMan had to sell to get the flatbed truck, and every person that we passed, who also happened to be in a Jeep, would give us the finger wave. You know, the slight lifting of the finger from the steering wheel. Yes, that one. I am almost amazed.

I asked midMan, 'What is up with this?' And his reply was, 'It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand.' Man, did he love that Jeep. It's was pretty hard for him to part with it but he wanted to join the 'Farmer Flatbed Truck Fraternity'. I bought him a banner to put on the windshield of his Jeep, and I bet you can't guess what it said.

Yup! 'It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand.'

But my question is, does this happen with all men, who own a certain type of vehicle? I mean do guys who drive Ford F150's give each other the finger wave when they pass? Do the guys who drive Chevy Blazers do the same thing? What about the poor guy who is stuck driving the Ford Taurus (I just really hate this car, sorry folks) finger wave or not? Do Jaguar owners do this as they weave in and out of traffic getting looks of envy?

I mean you just don't see us girls, driving our Jeep Liberty's or Chevy Tahoe's giving each other the little finger wave. Maybe we are too busy yelling at the kids in the back seat, I don't know. Oh wait, I know. Maybe we should all come up with something so we can be in a 'Soccer Mom Chevy Tahoe Club'. Maybe we could flip our hair to the right, or just wipe the sweat from our poor overworked foreheads. Wouldn't that make us the envy of every man out there? NOT!! It's just not as cool as the little finger wave.

Anyways I just don't get it, but I do get to live with it. I will still shake my head in wonder each time we pass a flatbed truck and receive the one finger wave, but I am still considering the flip of the hair to the right wave for us girls.

Anybody with me?

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.....

2010-01-13T08:30:00.000-08:00

Out Of Time.

Love to All,

midRae

I did it again, didn't I?

2010-01-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

Yup, that seems to be what I do lately. I disappear. My midMan can't even seem to find me lately, and tailEnd can get a little lonely if I'm not right there with him. Poor baby boy, I can still call him that even if he is bigger than me now, it's been a little lonely.

But.......

I have been working diligently on my Resolution List, which you can read HERE. I have accomplished item #1. Yes, I did it. I had the surgery on my knee last Thursday and all seems to be going well. They even smoothed out my bone a little so that the knee should be a lot quieter than it has in the past. I tend to grind when I walk, I know, I know, just a little too much information.

Right now I am back to work, iced and propped up on a box, and told by my boss, 'NO Walking, unless you have to go to the bathroom.' (I overdid it yesterday and my whole leg decided to swell a little bit.) Isn't my boss great? Who has a boss that tells them to just sit and do nothing? Guess what? I do!! He's pretty cool. Lucky me, both the bosses rock!

So enough about the knee and on with a few photos I took a couple of weeks ago.

I love the feel of this one. It came out so warm.

The oldest child of mine thinks this would be a great background for some portraits. I agree but to bad that I haven't any to take. I don't dare yet until I learn a little more. Resolution #4.

Wheat in the winter.

I just can't seem to resist.

And what else am I going to take a photo of,
while midMan is checking out the local population of mule deer,
which I have taken thousands of pictures of already,
and I am left to sit and ponder the side of the road?

Love to All,

midRae

Hello?

2010-01-06T10:48:00.000-08:00

Hello?

Hello?

Is any body still out there? Can you hear me? Is anybody there?

I'm serious here, now is any body still out there? Hello? tap tap tap Is this thing on? Can any body hear me?

Oh, hello, I am so relieved. Some one is still there. Thank you, thank you.

I know. I know. I took a little break and you all began wondering if I was still in here. I am! I promise. Just having one of those 'Do I really want to blog anymore?' moments. I think I have those moments quite often. And you all are thinking to yourselves as you roll your eyes, 'No way, not midRae! She would never think like that.' hahaha (I should have done one of those 'not me, Monday' post's, because it was so not me)

Anyways, here I am, at least for one more post (you all get it, sometimes it's a daily battle). I wanted to share a few great photo's, at least I think so, I took this last weekend. Please keep in mind that I was in a moving truck on a dirt road, snapping pictures through the windsheild, so the quality could be a thousand times better.

Wait for it.........

Wait for it.......

Wait for it............

BAMM!!!

Love to all,

midRae

Resolution?

2009-12-31T08:06:00.000-08:00

Maybe.

I have had quite a few thoughts rumbling around in my brain for the past month or two concerning the New Year Resolutions that I feel I should make or would like to make. That being said, how many do I really believe I can accomplish and how many are me blowing smoke out of my mouth? Whoops, it can't be smoke, I quite that over 4 years ago, yea me!!!

Anyways, here is my list.

Get the knee fixed. Scheduled for the 7th so this one is easy. It's pretty much done.
Get back on track working out. Now see, I have slacked quite a bit in the past 6 months and I am not sure why. Other than it might have something to do with my knee having a torn cartilage or it could be that I am bored with my workouts. Let's hope I can figure this one out, I don't want to gain anymore weight this New Year. That is definitely not on my list.
Quite drinking diet soda or soda of any kind. I just love my Diet Coke or Diet Dr. Pepper, but I think it is holding me back when it comes to being as healthy as I want to be. You know, that elusive goal that we all have in the back of our minds? Yeah, that one! I'm sure it's on this list somewhere.
Take a class on photography and understand the whole photography process better. I got this one in the bag along with getting the knee fixed. I have signed up for a photography class, just a short community class, which is for four 1 1/2 hours class sessions. I guess it's a good start on learning all that I want to learn. Good basics. I will still need to feel more comfortable with the tech stuff but I guess the class is a good start.
Lose 30 pounds. Now this one I have struggled with the past year. I lost 55 pounds over the course of one year and managed to keep it off for another year but over this last year, more like the past 6 months, I have gain back about 7 pounds. Do you think it has anything to do with the knee? I hope that's what it is, otherwise I am in trouble. Boredom has set in and I need to struggle out of it.
Talk to my Heavenly Father more. I need to put my Heavenly Father at the top of my list, but as you can see I have not. So this one will become priority #1 for me. I promise to you all, and to myself, that if I do nothing else this New Year but have a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father, then it will have been a most successful year.
Run a half marathon. midMan can not figure out why I would want to do this, but those of you who run or jog, which is what I do, will know. In the process of training I hope to be able to increase my time and still be able to breathe. Breathing seems to be my issue, if I want to breathe and not gasp for breath, I need to train.
Get my family on a better diet, even if it means doing it on the sly. I really need to figure this one out. Maybe if I give them no choice when it comes to food, fresh or nothing, they will get it. But they just might hold a revolt and kick me out of the kitchen for good if I do that. Hmmmm, maybe not such a bad idea. (Have you all noticed that everything is about being healthier? Is this good or am I missing out on some unhealthy fun?)
Live a little more frugally so that we can pay off some more bills. Let's hope midMan and tailEnd understand.

I am sure that there are plenty more that I have forgotten, but tell me, what do you guys think? Are resolutions good things or are we just setting ourselves up for failure? Do each of you have a list? Do you feel you can accomplish all that is on your list? Do you list items on your list knowing that you probably won't succeed with just that one? Or do you set yourself up to accomplish all of them? Are resolutions good or bad?

I personally feel I have set myself up to succeed. They are all not easy and most are not too hard, but I think with some hard work on my part I can accomplish each one of these and feel better about myself in the process. Maybe that is what resolutions are all about; feeling better about ourselves.

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year with many Happy Returns.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.....

2009-12-30T06:56:00.001-08:00

Amazing!!

Love to All,

midRae

2009-12-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that weekly fun carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got. I'm sure we have a lot of those 'not me's' just stored up from Christmas.

Let's gooooooo..........

It was definitely not me who was really excited that my brother-in-law and his wife left Christmas early with her family and stopped by my house for a couple of hours on Christmas day. Nope I would never cheer at the fact that they were mad at each other and decided to go home early. Nope, I am not so selfish that I would then tell them that I was really glad that they came to visit me and my family. Argument has since been forgotten and all is grand in their world. But I sure was NOT excited, seriously, I was NOT excited, at all, to see them.

And it was for sure not me who had my tree undecorated, bare as the day it was born, out of the tree stand, out my front door, on the back of midMan's truck, out to the local landfill and back home by 10:15am Saturday morning. And we were so not the first one's at our local landfill with a tree this year, and the landfill guy did not ask us in surprise, "Just your Christmas tree?'
(He looked like Santa, too. White beard and rosy cheeks. Ask me if I wanted to die) Nope, it was definitely not me who crouched down in the passenger seat hoping no one in the neighborhood would notice how fast my Christmas decorations came down.

And it sure was not me who let out her breath in a great big whoosh, clapped my hands with joy, and proceeded to kick back and remember the wonderful Christmas that was just had by all. Nope I would never ever enjoy Christmas and thank my Heavenly Father for all of the blessing that I and my family have received over the past year. Nope, never, not me.

Love to All,

midRae

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-25T05:57:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Love to all,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.....

2009-12-23T07:47:00.000-08:00

So, as you can see there is no photo. Let me give you a description of the photo that didn't get taken.

It snowed last night. WoooHoooo, a White Christmas. Out I went into the cold this morning to shovel the driveway and walk, along with the neighbors driveway and walk. Here I am, 40-something years old, bundled up in my favorite work coat and Dayton's, my middle child and kindred spirit's, gloves (I don't own any of my own). Picture this........

Under all of the warm stuff, the coat and the gloves, I am dressed in my LEI light pajama bottoms, you know the kind you get at Wal-Mart that are thin, so that when you have night sweats you don't just melt and die, but warm enough that after the night sweats, when you start freezing, they will keep you from shivering right out of bed. Then on my cute little toes I am wearing some knock off Uggs, bought at Payless Shoes, quite a few years ago. My sister gave them to me when her daughter told her they were ugly. I was thankful for them and snatched them right off of her feet. I really shouldn't wear them anymore, but I love them and they are so comfy, just not too fashionable. Then on the upper half I am wearing a cute, at least in my eyes, flannel pajama top I got at Wal-Mart. Its red, goes down to just above my knees, so yes it was hanging out real pretty under my coat, and I have searched for a year for just this pajama top. And on the cute morning head there is no beanie, but there is my stringy, yucky, night hair pulled back into a pony tail.

And the label for this wonderful word photo is............

'Winter Workout'

Luckily I decided not to get tailEnd out of bed to take the photo. At least lucky for you. This is not something you would like to see just before Christmas. I am sure it would have ruined the whole season for you. And good thing midMan was at work, he wouldn't have let me out of the house.

Love to All,

midRae

Grandpa Trees

2009-12-21T17:29:00.000-08:00

Last week, when I posted a picture of the 'Grandpa Tree' I received a couple of really nice comments. This did give me much hope in the area of 'midRae someday taking really good photos that people might like.' Rolling this over and over in my brain, I decided to share a few more photos that I took last February. Please enjoy.

I know that I still have a lot to work on but hopefully these may brighten someone's day, and maybe they will remind you each of a wonderful 'Grandpa' whom you know and love. I know that each of these photos do remind me how wonderful and full of knowledge my Grandpa's were, showing the length of their time here on earth with such character.

Love to All,

midRae

Quick addition: All photos were taken here in Cedar City.

Not Me Monday..........

2009-12-21T06:22:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that weekly fun carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got.

So, it was not me who did not participate last week. I would never have a period of time in my life when I would never have anything to contribute to "not me" Monday. Nope. And it was not me, who again, and again, and again, has started a new diet today. Nope, I never fall off of the diet wagon each and every weekend. Nope, not me. And I would never sabatage my diet efforts by enjoying kitchen time, which is so amazingly fun, each weekend, definitely not me.

And on a much better note, it was not me who signed up for a digital photography class for the month of January. Nope, I would never attempt to take better photos and try to understand the whole process better. Nope, not me, I really enjoy living in the dark and leaving my photo taking up to chance. (yeah right, and I 'm the one in control of my world, NOT!!) And it was not me who finally scheduled her surgery to fix the torn cartilage in her knee. Nope, I would never live with the discomfort and continue jogging 3 miles each shot, since July. I would never, ever do that.

And it was not me who completely forgot that the car insurance payment was coming out of the checking account today. Nope, that was so not me. I always make sure that I have plenty of money in my account each and every day, just in case. (hahahaha) Good thing they will try twice. Whew!!

And it is so not me that is sitting at my desk at work, wishing each and every one of you a great and wonderful Merry Christmas. Please take a moment and remember why we are all celebrating with such good cheer. I love you all and Merry Christmas. I hope this time of year is all that you wished for.

Love to All,

midRae

Time

2009-12-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

Time.

We all seem to be running out of it at this time of year. We are always looking at our watches, our phones, our computers, the stove, the microwave, and a million other ways that we have available to tell us how far behind we are in time. Some times we feel we just can't catch up. And then some days we get to just sit and forget that there are so many things taking up our time. Just like the other evening when I was trying really hard to do this, sitting on the couch visiting with midMan and tailEnd, when.............

tailEnd asked me what time it was. I told him to look over his shoulder and he could see what time it was. He looked over his shoulder, at my cute little wall arrangement which you see above, looked back at me with a sheepish little grin and said, 'What time is it?'

HUH?!?! WHAT?!?!

That's what I thought, seriously.

But then I remembered that tailEnd has forever, at least since I got this clock, had a really hard time figuring out what time it is. Is it the Roman Numerals, the clock itself, or are the words a big distraction? What is it about this clock?

As I thought about it, I realized that most everything that we look at today to see 'what time it is', is digital. To us older folks we look at this clock and just know what time it is, it's second nature. We do not even have to think about it. We just know. Our children on the other hand have always had something digital real close, like the microwave, phone, computer, alarm clock, there are a million more ways, to tell them what time it is.

I am not going to get real philosophical about this, whew that was a hard one to spell, but I bet if you ask your children you will find that they too, would hesitate in telling you what time it is if they were looking at my clock. I don't think it makes tailEnd any less smart than he is, and he is really brilliant (like all of my boys), on course to graduate high school with an Associates Degree from SUU, but I do believe this is something he should be more comfortable with.

I think we all know what tailEnd is going to be working on this Christmas holiday. And please don't judge him; I think I am the one who has been more than a little remiss in their duties as a parent.

HUH?! Go figure. That would never be me.

Love to All,

midRae

PS...Yes I did take the photo of the Grandpa Tree. I am glad that it was so well received. I'm really working on all of the photography stuff so hopefully I will say that it can only get better from here.

One Word Wednesday.....

2009-12-16T04:00:00.000-08:00

Grandpa!!!

(I have this thing about big, old, bare trees in the winter. They speak to me.)

Love to All,

midRae

Weekend Drive

2009-12-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

midMan and I are notorious for sneaking out, on a Saturday morning, at about 6:00AM, and going for a nice little drive with each other. We usually stop by the local convenience store and get midMan his French Vanilla Coffee and a maple bar, I on the other hand go straight for the Diet Dr. Pepper and donut holes (they really do cancel each other out, at least in my dreams), if I allow myself to forget about the perpetual diet, which I usually do lately. I am holding my own in the diet world, but just barely, somebody rescue me please.

Anyways, back to our ride. This last Saturday we planned, thinking it would have snowed overnight, to get some really cool shots when it got light enough. I could just see the awesome pictures I was going to get just as the sun peeked over the mountain. The colors, ohhhhh the colors. But as usual, with Utah weather, we were sadly mistaken. We ended up in the middle of what I will call FogSnow.

Yes, FogSnow. What is FogSnow you may ask? Well the only thing I can say is that it doesn't leave enough snow to make things really dramatic but it does leave enough of something in the air to make all of your pictures seem really washed out or grainy. Granted, we tried to make the best of it and really did enjoy our ride.

As we got to the south side of Kanarraville, this is what we saw. Isn't he pretty? I can just picture midMan laughing his head off at the thought that I just called this deer pretty. He thought it was big enough to shoot. To bad we have no license and it was in town limits. There is no way this deer is going to see the end of his life any time soon, he's a smart one and I am sure will stick real close to town. But gosh, isn't he pretty?

Not to bad, but as you look you can see that it was snowing a little bit and the deer was on the move. This combination does not make for the best shot but it was my favorite, I just love the look of power that you can see in the deer. Isn't he pretty? (lol, do you think midMan is rolling on the floor laughing? I bet he would be if he read my blog.)

On the way back towards Kanarraville, in almost the same spot, we came across this Golden Eagle. It patiently sat on the fence post and let me take one picture, again it was snowing just a little bit, then he decided that that was enough and he was out of there. Luckily I got this photo just as he was getting ready to spread his wings. midMan was so excited that we got to see it. (I sure hope your monitors are better than mine at work, because all of my pictures look so dark when I am at work looking at them on my computer, at home they look amazing!)

Please enjoy. We sure did.

Love to All,

midRae

Random Thoughts

2009-12-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

I saw this on my friend mommassoapbox and just had to share...........

Random Thoughts for the Day
(my thought added in PURPLE)

1) I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2) Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong. (been there)
3) I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger. (can I take one now?)

4) There is great need for a sarcasm font. (that would be for me, I want it)
5) How do you fold a fitted sheet?!
(I think I figured this one out, big ball in the corner of the closet)

6) Was learning cursive really necessary?

7) Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood. (what is MapQuest?)

8) Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9) I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10) Bad decisions make good stories. (so true, I have a few to tell)

11) You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day. (I do this quite often)

12) Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13) I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14) "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- ever.

15) I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Dangit!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What'd you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?
(I think they just retought talking to me)

16) I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.
(I gave up doing this a long time ago, comfort is where it's at)

17) I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18) My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad, what would happen if you ran over a ninja?" How do I respond to that?
(Who still has a four year old?)

19) I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

20) I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than with Kay.
(been there, long, long, time ago. See #10, also can ask midMan)

I think we can all relate to more than one of these! I sure did!!!

Love to All,

midRae

Little Bits of Christmas

2009-12-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

It looks like a lot of my blogging pals have shown off their wonderful and great Christmas decorations, so I though I might as well join in the fun and show you all what I got. Which, by the way, is not alot. (hehe I can rhyme) I am really not into decorating a whole bunch, in my mind it's that much more that I have to dust and clean up when Christmas is all done and over with. And this is all year long too, for my whole life, I just do not get into decorating. Maybe someday when I have Grandkids. We'll see what happens then. (this most likely will never happen, I'm so, so very bad)

I would much rather have my little Nativity.
Purchased for less than $20 and I love it. It even came with a manger.

The LEGO Santa that my kids made for me years ago.
And I do keep it each year. Sometimes a piece will break off but we always
make sure he looks good for Christmas.

The Woodsmen Santa that we purchased last year for midMan.

(midMan really loves this guy, he speaks to him just like my tree spoke to me)

The cutest little Snowmen,

made with 2X4's,

that my best friend made me years ago.

And my tree.

You know the one that spoke to me last weekend

and smelled like a campfire?

It's nothing fancy, but I love my tree every year.

Each one we get is special in it's own cool way,

like this one that is flat in back, and has a few holes here and there.

But this one really spoke to my heart,

and will be the center of our Christmas JOY,

and will remind us all

what the season is really for.

Love to All,

midRae

Amazing Giveaway!

2009-12-10T06:23:00.000-08:00

You have to check this out!

MckMama over at mckgiveaways.blogspot.com is giving away an HP Touchsmart 600 Computer. It is so amazing and I want one. You all should head on over and enter. Would it not be amazing to have this little gift under the tree? I know I would be all smiles, from ear to ear, if it came my way.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday.......

2009-12-09T04:44:00.000-08:00

tailEnd.

Isn't he just the cutest. Such a jokester too. He did not make this easy. Most of the shots were of him having fun. He is not helping me to learn, but then again, maybe he is.

Love to All,

midRae

Not Me Monday.....

2009-12-07T06:48:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that weekly fun carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got.

So here we go.......

I did not floss my teeth this morning and find that I had caught one of my long hairs between my teeth in the process. Nope. And I did not have one heck of a time just getting a hold of that hair. Nope, I would never, ever lose one of my many long hairs in my mouth, caught between my teeth, and fight with it just to get it unstuck from between my teeth. Nope not me. EEWWWWWW!!

And I did not miss the most perfect picture of the moon this past week at 6:45AM in the morning on the way to work just because I left my camera at home. Nope, I never leave my house without my camera, and I never ever miss photo opportunities that present themselves to me at alarming frequencies. I would never think to do that.

And I did not get the most perfect Christmas Tree this weekend, and it did not smell like a campfire, and my midMan was not laughing at me as we got it. He was not laughing at the fact that I was all aglow with the joy of finding that one tree that spoke to me. Nope he would never, ever, not in his lifetime or mine , ever laugh at me. Nope, definitely not my midMan. And then we did not get out all of the air freshners in our house hoping that the campfire smell would dissipate. Nope, not us.

So hope on over and join in the fun. We love to see what did not happen to each of you.

Love to All,

midRae

Explaination Needed.

2009-12-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

I decided that I probably should have included an explanation with the 'One Word Wednesday' post this week. So here it is.

My midMan loves to look for discarded treasures, whether that be in a camp ground or in a park. My first experience with this was the day I went into labor and delivered our oldest son. It was 4:00AM and we did not want my labor to stop, so here we go, walking and walking and walking. Thankfully we leaved real close to the park so we hiked a few laps around and through. On the first trek through the park we came across a brand new little TONKA truck. The first words out of midMan's mouth were 'Treasure!'. The next few words were, 'We are for sure having a boy.' (no ultrasounds way back then)

So as time goes on we always stop at old camp sites and he wanders and looks and usually is able to find something. Now that something can range from a little bit of rope, a nail, a bloody arrow (from around bow hunt), a single tent stake here or there, maybe even a stretched out hanger for roasting hotdogs, and countless other items. He has 'Treasures' all over the place. His view is that you never know when you may need it.

So this is what we did last weekend, in between all of the hiking in the snow, 'Treasure' hunting. He managed to find some rope and two tent stakes. Not to bad in his mind. The only thing I have to say is that it's a good thing he likes thing to be clean, neat, and in there place, otherwise we could have a serious hoarding issue.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday

2009-12-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Treasure!

Love to All,

midRae

College?

2009-12-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

OK, so I mentioned a while back about possibly going to college. By going to college I meant taking 3 credits per semester and learning a lot more about photography, but not getting a degree. So, I applied to the local college, and believe it or not I was accepted, even after they realized that I graduated high school a long, long time ago.

So today I got my ‘T’ number, their way of knowing who you are, and I searched and searched and found the first class that I wanted to take. So excited and only 5 spots left in the class, I was there! I signed up for the class online and then I looked at the cost and just about fell out of my chair. I’m serious, I had to grab onto the desk just to keep my balance. They wanted over $800.00 to take just one class, for a total of 3.0 credits. Are you kidding me!!?? So much for my continued education.

But wait! Continued Education? What’s this? I just found out today that SUU does offer Continued Education classes, granted not a huge selection, but they do offer one photography class in the winter/spring and possibly a different one in the fall. I am there! Again! This one, a little more affordable, only $70.00 to take the class. I am so there! Now I just need to go sign up.

Oh and about college, I withdrew. Otherwise I would have had to take and pay for the ‘Class That Cost More Than My Camera’. But I did decide that if I ever lose my job I am taking my 401K retirement money and going to college. It would more than cover the cost. And I could eventually have more earning power in the long run.

Here’s looking towards the future and putting college off for a few more years.

Love to All,

midRae

Not Me Monday.......

2009-11-30T05:17:00.000-08:00

Here we go again. Yeah!! And now it's time for that weekly fun carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got.

I did not get to meet my new niece this Thanksgiving and completely forget to take any pictures. Nope I would never do that. That so does not sound like me. But in my defense I must say that waiting all day to see her, after cooking a complete Thanksgiving dinner for 20, I may have been just a little bit tired. Nope I would never get tired and then forget to take pictures of my new neice. Nope, not I. Oh, but she is adorable, 1 1/2 days old. YUM!!!

And sadly, I have not been contemplating 'no more blogging for me'. Nope, definately not I. I have not let things get in the way of me being healthy. Nope I would never do that, and I would never, ever, ever, put midRae last on my list. Mom's just do not do that. Nope!! Never, never, never.

Love to All,

midRae
PS......No health issues, just no time for me to be healty, like working out, eating right, and I have been thinking about starting to get up at 4:00am, uugggg, just to get that workout in. What should I do?

One Word Wednesday

2009-11-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

Serenity

Just a quick side note. Does anyone remember Seinfeld and George's dad screaming 'Serenity now! Serenity now!'? By the end of the show everyone was screaming it. That show just makes me laugh and not take life so seriously.

But when you just whisper it.........isn't this picture just about what would pop into your head?

Love to All,

midRae

Out of Touch

2009-11-24T14:46:00.000-08:00

This describes me at this moment in time. At least when it comes to blogging and a little bit of life. I am completely and utterly 'out of touch'. And I am finding it very difficult to get back in touch.

Work has still been crazy beyond belief, at least for me. And life in general has gotten a little stressful, but not necessarily a bad stressful. It's just that by the time I get home, make a half hearted attempt to make some dinner, try to workout, pick up the house a little bit, all that fun stuff, all I want to do is just sit down and not think about anything or anybody.

I'm 'out of touch'. Unmotivated.

As I looked at my life and tried to figure out why I feel so 'out of touch' I came around to the realization that my life is so great and amazing and I should really reach out and touch. I need to get out of myself and into what is around me. I need to see. I need to hear. I need to feel. I need to TOUCH!

I think this time of year makes us all stop and ponder what we have and how very blessed we are. Sometimes it just takes a little more thought with some of us, like me! Really I am not that bad, most days I thank God for each wonder in my life, but once in a while I sink into myself, not in misery, maybe just pulling back from life to reassess what it is a I really have. You look and you see so much of what everyone around you is so very thankful for and they let you and the world know it. They tell you, 'I am thankful for.....'.

'Out of Touch'.

Is this me? Most of the time, NO! Is it OK to step back once in a while? I don't know. But I do know that it is time for me to jump back into life, be thankful each moment of each day for the wonders and blessings that God has given me. It's time to take my life and love and hug it for what it is and for what I have been given.

It's time to be thankful and to thank God. I am so blessed and I am so amazed at what He has given me. As the words go in a favorite hymn, 'I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.' Not the whole hymn, but just so you all know, I am amazed and I am thankful.

I am not the most analytical person in the world but these are just a few of my thoughts right now. It's time to step out of myself and to touch someones life. Hopefully for the better. I will find the opportunity. And I will touch someones life.

Love to All,

midRae

Tidbits?

2009-11-20T15:03:00.000-08:00

Quite a few tidbits just no time to write right now. I am still alive and here so please check back on Sunday or Monday. Here is hoping that I have a computer by then. If not, I will be having a big discussion with my oldest son.

Love to All,

midRae

News Alert!! News Alert!!

2009-11-17T08:18:00.000-08:00

My video card has officially died in my computer, I can not see a thing, except for green lines.

That said, I am taking a couple days, hopefully only a couple of days, break from blogging because I really should not blog from work and that is pretty much the only place I have access to a computer right now. Parts are on order, and should be received this week, for a new, improved, and much faster computer. And this will happen, as long as I can get the oldest son over to my house the second I get the parts, he's a genius, and amazing, when it comes to computers. Do you think that was enough of an ego boost that he will come at mommy's call? Let's hope, and let's pray that he reads this.

Please don't leave me in my time of need, and if I find a little extra time at work, or can beg some computer time from the middle son, I will happily send out a new tidbits post and update on the computer and I may even be able to get some new photo's up of tailEnd that I took this past weekend. Wish me luck.

Love to All,

midRae

Not Me Monday........

2009-11-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

MckMama is back. Yeah!! Awesome news and prayers answered for Stellan. And now it's time for that weekly fun carnival that we all love, 'not me Monday!' Let's all join in and see what we got.

I did not learn some great and exciting news this past week that I am not sharing with all of my blog friends, at least for a month or two. Nope I would never decide to leave you all hanging for a while. Nope I would never do that.

And I did not sign up for college this past week and have to call my high school to get my transcripts faxed over to said high school, and I was not completely embarrassed by the thought that when I graduated all records were still kept on paper. Nope I would never let something like that get to me. Nope, I am completely secure in my age and at my age. I promise, NOT!!

And I did not have some great and wonderful 'not me Monday' post for the past two weeks that I am not going to link to here and here. I would never link up like that. Nope, definitely not me!

I hope everyone has a great week.

Love to All,

midRae

Transcripts?

2009-11-13T14:24:00.000-08:00

I went online last week and applied to SUU here in Cedar City. I hadn't heard any thing back from them so I called today and they told me that they needed my high school transcripts. WOW, this could be tough.

You see, I graduated a long, long, time ago and the year I graduated my high school received its first computer, so this tells you that all of my records are paper, not digital, and SUU needs them faxed to them. Now I only want to take a few classes on photography right now, not get a degree, so exactly why do they want those old things and will they still take me if I have never taken the ACT or the SAT?

I called my old high school and explained who I was and what I needed and they said, 'Give us a number to call you back at in case we are unable to find anything.' So, what do you think? I wonder what SUU will do if my old high school is unable to find my transcript? And seriously, how old do you think this makes me feel?

And you know what I just decided, it sure doesn't feel that long ago that I graduated. I swear I am still only 20, at least on the inside, the outside is showing a little wear. Just ask midMan, he feels the same way, that is until we try to hike 10 miles in one day or stay up past 10:00PM, then we're pushing it.

Love to All,

midRae

Photo Shoot #2

2009-11-12T04:12:00.000-08:00

So, OK, I had my second photo shoot, still feels weird saying that, ever! And I have to say that it didn't turn out too bad. They were such a fun family and there really wasn't that much confusion. They worked good together as a family and were really understanding with me.

Here's the whole gang, count them, Mom, Dad, Daughter, Son, two horses, and four English Bulldogs. We had a few other challenges during our time together, including me being so new to this and still learning. Add to that the wind and we were shooting the photo's a little bit earlier than I would have liked, just because I hadn't figured out the time change yet and I didn't want to run out of light. Also, I think I need to learn to be a bit more assertive in placing people and telling them where to stand, how close, and please smile. You know, all that stuff that photographers, not me yet, tell you to do.

Is this young man not the cutest kid you have ever seen? And isn't that the 'Let's see what kind of fun/trouble I can find to get into' look?

Sweet sister was all about the horses. She actually got the brown one, he was a wild mustang, when he was 5 months old and has trained him to accept a rider. What love and talent she has. Oh, and tailEnd thought she was really cute, too bad he was too shy to introduce himself.

I think this one is my favorite, yup, one of the dogs slipped in. It all just worked out really good. I know the lighting could be better along with people placement and getting them all to stand closer, but overall I think they turned out OK. I am going to work on the editing, too.

Wow, so much to learn and figure out. Wish me luck.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday

2009-11-11T04:51:00.000-08:00

Self-Sufficient!

Hot Wings! Yummy!

Love to All,

midRae

Veterans Day

2009-11-11T03:51:00.000-08:00

Our Veterans will never forget

What they’ve done for our country.

NEITHER WILL WE!

Think of our Veterans and Active Military this Veteran’s Day.

Pancakes Again

2009-11-10T05:23:00.000-08:00

My mom can pull the mix right out of her head and make these huge, pan size, perfect pancakes. My kids get thrilled at the thought of going to my mom's and having pancakes, they are a bigger draw than Grandma and Grandpa. My mother-in-law makes them with a mix and they always turn out so good, small, round, and a little crispy on the edges and she can do this while camping, something I have never dared do. Both very different but loved by my boys just the same. I, on the other hand, have struggled, and I mean struggled, my whole adult life to make a good pancake.

I have tried my mom's way, my mother-in-laws way, my sister's way, and the instructions on the side of the box way, to no avail. I just could not get it. My pancakes would always turn out to be just doughy disks, and not really tasty disks at that. Until I came up with......are you ready for it......STEPS! Steps for midRae to make a decent pancake. And here they are.

Step 1: I can only use an off brand mix. I have tried the brands and they just do not work for me, we revert back to the doughy disks.

Step 2: Vanilla! Yes, vanilla. You should try it, it just does something to pancakes and we can no longer live without vanilla in our mix.

Step 3: After I mix up the mix I let my batter sit for about 20 minutes. For me this is very important. It gets the batter all full of wonderful air. With my pancakes, air is good.

Step 4: I make sure to heat my pan up to 300 to 350 degrees. I use an electric fry pan so I wait until it heats completely up and then switches off.

Step 5: Add oil to the pan and spread it around. I make sure to get everything good and covered.

Step 6: Three pancakes per pan. No more, no less. Otherwise they get burned or not done. I have figured out my fry pan and it has one corner that will turn everything into a burnt crisp. I try to avoid that corner, every time I use the pan.

Step 7: Be patient!! I am by nature not a patient person so this step is really hard for me. They smell so yummy that I just want to hurry them along. I do believe that making pancakes has turned into a study in patience for me.

Step 8: When they are bubbly in the middle and a little bit dry on the edges flip those little disks. And then leave them alone. Patience.

Step 9: I then admire what patience has given me. My version of perfect pancakes, at least my idea of perfect pancakes.

Step 10: Savor. And then just scarf them down and enjoy.

I think I gain about 2 pounds each weekend from eating pancakes. After so many years of being unable to get a decent pancake they have now turned into a Sunday morning tradition at our house. I take that as a big complement from the boys and midMan.

Yummmmm. Pancakes.

Love to All,

midRae

Not Me Monday.........

2009-11-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

Here we go again.....that wonderful blog carnival from McKMama that we have all come to love and enjoy, "not me" MONDAY!! Come and join us, the more the merrier. And please, please, pray for McKMama and her little guy, Stellan. They are dealing with some medical issues, related to Stellan's STV, and really need all of our prayers.

Let's see, now what did I not do this past week? Hummmmmm.............not so sure that I've got anything, except....

I did not get completely pulled in by baked goods, again, and eat 4 cinnamon rolls last night. I would never let myself do something so crazy as to just completely throw willpower out the window and just go for it. Never!! And I did not totally enjoy every single little crumb. I would never do that.

And I did not decide to let the family fend for themselves for dinner, after eating the cinnamon rolls, just so that I could stay out of the kitchen which is turning into my scary place. Nope, I would never ever have my family fend for themselves. Seriously, it's only maybe about once a week. Really, I promise.

And I would never skip workout time this past week, I only got two hours in, because of life and the family. As I have said before, I never let anything interfere with 'Rae Time'. Never, ever, ever!!

I also did not do a photo shoot, I feel so fake saying that, this weekend with Mom, Dad, Daughter, Son, two horses, and four English Bulldogs. Nope I would never take on something that could go so wrong and be so crazy. I would never do that. (look for the photos later this week)

So that's it for me. We probably won't be able to link up with McKMama, but I wanted to put my 'not me's' out there for the world to see.

Love to All,

MidRae

I Won A Prize.

2009-11-06T05:19:00.000-08:00

A couple months back I entered a contest. With this contest you needed to go visit the featured blogger on Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground and then leave a comment on the featured bloggers post letting them know that you were visiting from Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground. Real simple and it was fun. I found a lot of really cute, amazing, and inspiring blogs this way.

So when you left a comment you were entered in the drawing for, I think, three different prizes. And I won!!! Whoot! Whoot! as my oldest son would say. Now I am sure you are all wondering where on earth I am going with this. Well..........

I won a prize, for participating, from Lynnette, who resides at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground, and she lives back east, which means that she lives on the east side of the Mississippi River. OK, so the prize I won is from another Lynette at Janey Mac Press, who lives 45 minutes away from where I live. I picked the Dandylion's which are shown next the the couch on the upper right corner, except for mine are a little bit smaller. Her stuff is really cute and you should all check it out.

This may not seem all that interesting or blog worthy, but I really thought it was quite an unusual occurance. What are the chances of me, midRae, participating in a contest hosted on a blog that has a home many many many miles away, like thousands, winning, and the prize being located just right in my back yard? Figure the odds on that.

Love to All,

midRae

PS.........I'll post a picture of my prize as soon as I pick a wall to put it on. I am so excited!!! :)

HALLOWEEN! (at old folks houses)

2009-11-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

As you all are aware, my three sons are pretty much all grown up. The oldest has married and moved out, the second works full time, has a sweetheart, still lives at home, and is his own person, and the youngest is tailEnd, whom you've all met. So how in the world would I have anything to post about when it comes to Halloween, other than the fact that midMan and I handed out our candy to the 15 Trick-or-Treaters that we had, then we turned off all of the lights and went upstairs to watch a movie, just midMan and I. And we all know you guys really don't want to hear about our boring night anyways.

But look!!! I do have a few photos, nothing grandiose, but a few photos just the same to share.

My sweet middle child concentrating really hard to get that make up just right. He loves the holidays and I think he looks forward to them all much more than he ever lets on. He will always be my sweet, wonderful, middle Dayt.

Here is sweet Dayt with his cute sweetheart, Shannel. They both love cookies and cold cereal in a cup, with milk of course. And they both love to spend time with Shannel's nieces and nephews, they took them Trick-or-Treating on Halloween. What fun they always have in most things that they take on, they truly do love adventure.

And of course we have tailEnd. Yup, this is his costume. Took some major imagination on his part, NOT!!!! He wasn't going to go out Trick-or-Treating but when his friends came to the door, he sucked down his dinner in three bites, grabbed his pillow case, and ran. And of course we didn't see him for the next 2 hours. They hit the Trunk-or-Treat at the church and then they managed to visit each and every house in our neighborhood, and I promise that is quite a few houses.

When tailEnd finally made it home he tried to weigh his candy, it wouldn't work with my scale but he did have a pillowcase halfway full. He dumped it out and then proceeded to pick out all of the really good chocolate candy and left us with lots of Smarties and Suckers. Oh, and this morning I grabbed a pack of Candy Corn that was in his reject pile and decided he was really smart in rejecting the Candy Corn. I think it had to of been from 10 years ago, it was hard as a rock!

I guess that's what I get for having no will power lately.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday

2009-11-04T00:19:00.000-08:00

FLAMINGO'S

What?! In the mountains?!

Love to All,

midRae

Honest Scrap Award

2009-11-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

Whoa, who would have guessed it? My new friend at Planes, Trains and Automobiles and the Things That Make Up Days, has awarded me with the Honest Scrap Award, which is given to others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you. What was she thinking? But I think she's really great and you all should visit her.

This award comes with some rules as well:

1) You must thank the person who gave the award and list their blog and link it.
2) Share "10 Honest Things" about yourself.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4) Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving the award.

My '10 Honest Things' about me:

1. I have a love/hate relationship with blogging. I love the fun of it all and how crazy it can get, but sometimes, just like this weekend, I hate to even look at a computer.

2. I really really hate to shop for clothes. Just give me jeans and a t-shirt and I'm set. To bad the bosses don't like my idea of what's best for midRae.

3. I love to serve my family. I have this thing, that if they are not happy I am not happy. I really need to work on that.

4. I have a really structured and boring life. I plan each day and if you throw something in there that I have not planned on you will make my head spin and the evil midRae will rear her ugly head for about 30 seconds. Then I get it all under control.

5. I secretly wish that I could be a stay at home mom. The only problem with that is that all of my children are pretty much grown. Can I just be a stay at home?

6. I have the uncanny ability, most of the time, to just know what is wrong when things break down. My midMan just hates this and I try really hard not to say 'I told you so." to often.

7. I loved watching tailEnd play football and would be totally excited if he decided to play next year. Right now it doesn't look like he is going too, and I won't tell him because I don't want him to play if he doesn't want to.

8. I love taking photos but I have so much to learn and I am so afraid of taking college classes to get that knowledge. It's been a really long time since I was in school and things have changed and college is so much more that high school ever could be. Oh, see another thing; I've never been to college. Do I really want to start now?

9. I am an eternal optimist and I am so happy that I am. I love to find the bright side of everything. The only problem with that is, that I try to make everybody else see the bright side, too. Too bad that doesn't always work or go over very well. Some people just need to be not so happy to be happy.

10. I really hate for my house to be dirty, but I have really slacked off this past summer, and I really need to get on it, like big time, before Thanksgiving, because I think I may have at least 15 family members at my house this year, and that does not include my kids or there sweethearts. Whoa, what did I get myself into?

And that, my friends, is the Honest Truth. Maybe a little to much honest truth for me.

And now to nominate seven other bloggers that totally rock my world.

1. Creative Catharsis
2. Billy & Sherrie Carpenter Family
3.   nienie
4.   Overstuffed
5. We're Glad! Are You?
6.   Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground
7.   Confessions Of A CF Husband

Love to All,

midRae
P.S. I really do wish I could have nominated more great and amazing friends. Maybe I will figure something out to recognize all of the wonderful people who have touched my life in so many ways.

Not Me Monday.....

2009-11-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

Sooooo......as you guessed, it's that time of the week again and it looks like McKMama is dealing with other, more important issues, namely her baby boy Stellan. Please pray for Stellan, they need us all right now. So please join me on my 'not me' Monday. We can't link up but we can visit the ones we know. I'm sure we all had one of those weeks were we did not do any of the following.

This is my cute baby Zoe, and I did not strip down and take a shower with her just so that I could get her really clean. I would never take a shower with a dog and then I would never tell the blogging world about it. Definitely not me. And I would never submit her to endless picture taking knowing she is terrified of the flash. Nope I would never keep trying to sneak up on her in a million different ways. Nope, not I.

And I did not completely fail at working out this past week. Nope, I would never let anything take away from my personal time, that one hour a day that I long for. Nope not me, and definitely not women all over the world. We would never put ourselves last. Never, never, never.

And I did not eat 4 donuts at work on Friday. I would never throw all semblance of my good health out the window, along with my workouts, and just bask in the unhealthness of 4 donuts in one day. Nope, not me. And then I did not post on my Facebook that the donuts had won. Nope. I am too much of a private person to ever share that with the world. I have too much will power to ever let this happen. This is so not me. I promise, it really isn't.

Love to All,

midRae

Football Final

2009-10-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

After months and months of hard work, practice, growing, trying to figure it all out, and losing 8 games, the boys of the Cedar High School Freshmen team finally pulled it off and won their last game, with a score of 12-6.

As you look at their faces, and the joy that is shown there, you can tell that the last game was the one that counted, the one that really mattered to them all. They played against the other high school in our fair little city, against boys that they have played with in the past years. I guess it was pretty much for bragging rights and the knowledge that, if they want it bad enough, they can make it happen. They just needed to believe in themselves.

tailEnd has grown so much this past year, and so much in the past few months. He has gained at least 6 inches, a few of those inches from the hair, and has developed muscle and strength beyond what he thought was possible. He has pushed himself and endured the pushing of coaches, teammates, teachers, and parents along the way, only to realize that he really can do more than he thought.

He has managed to go from a 2.0gpa, failing Honors Algebra 2 & Honors English 9th, to a final grade of 3.188gpa at the end of the season and the end of the quarter, passing all classes and living to talk about it. He figured out he was smarter than he thought and mom figured out that he still needs her, just a little bit, even though he is bigger than her now.

We love you tailEnd and are extremely proud of you and what you have learned and endured this past football season. We know it was hard, but you stuck with it, and you won in the end.

A special 'Thank You!' goes out to the coaching staff and the time and effort that they have put in to helping our boys to grow and to learn.

What do you think, maybe next year we can get a girl on the team? Just a thought.

Love to All,

midRae

Or Two

2009-10-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

FALL?!?

I just thought I would share one more photo. Hope you all enjoy.

Love to All,

midRae

One Word Wednesday

2009-10-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

SNOW!!!