Edited Pictures

I don't really know how to do very much in photo editing.  Mostly, I up the contrast.  Sometimes I will up the saturation, or adjust the exposure.  Here are a few after the edits.

Ahhh...young love...

I've never been a fan of flash photography but I must admit, after upping the contrast and working with these photos just a bit, I see that the ones where I used the flash did turn out better.  That may be because of the time of day.

Below is one of my friend's family.  She and her boys/wife/girlfriend were at the beach the same time as us, even staying at the same condo complex. I made a few pictures for them. They are a beautiful family.

The conclusion of the beach trip

On our last night of vacation, we made some beach pictures. I can't wait to get home and do some editing, even though, they look great straight out of the camera. Here are a few.

This face is 'so Katie', she is a hoot!

This one warms this momma's heart.

Ocean Fun

My DIL's friend came up for a visit with us. They played in the waves this afternoon. The waves were huge. As in 'red flag' huge. I made a few pictures from the balcony.

They had fun. I had fun watching them have fun.

Sun Sensitivity

The last few years I've been to the beach, I've gotten a rash, this year's is the worst one yet. After only a couple of days with 30 SFP slathered on, and only spending an hour or so in the sun, I've got the rash.

So, I'll be staying in the rest of the week. Glad I brought some sewing.

Parasailing....

No, that isn't my kids up there, although I am trying my best to get them to do this!

Rag rug is finished!

My DIL showed me how to cast off to finish the rug. It is still pretty loosely woven but I think after it is washed it will shrink up some. I am thrilled that I can say I've actually knitted something. I love it!

From the beach

Shopping at Pier Park

After an awesome dinner at Angelo's, and a brief rain, we did a little shopping.

Sure enjoying my time with the youngins'

'Chillaxin

The beach 2012

On the way down.....

Nice place. Exactly like the photos.

Beach is nice, except for the seaweed. I read where the higher than normal temperatures and the wind has brought in tons of the stuff. The below pic is from last night when we got here, just after a storm.

then, this morning...

I think I could actually do nothing this week.....lay on the lounge chair on the balcony and just enjoy the wind and the sound of the surf.

My furry model

I love to play with my camera when it is raining.

Yeah, he is on the table.  I don't mind. He is a good model.

Three ways to maintain your weight

Planning a trip to the beach has gotten me thinking about my weight, like I'm sure, for 100% of normal women. I wouldn't call myself slim, however, I have been able to keep my weight at 130 or less for my adult life. Even so, I am about 5 pounds heavier than my pre-hysterectomy weight, and really would like to drop it. Anyway, back to the three ways to maintain your weight....

Weigh Every Day and Record It

Yes, weigh every day, either every morning or every night, and record it. I have a tiny little spiral bound notebook that I keep in my bathroom. I weigh every night and I write it in the book with the date. I've heard that you are not supposed to weigh every day when you are dieting. Not sure I would agree with that, but I do know weighing every day is essential to maintaining your weight. Your weight will fluctuate, but you are keeping yourself educated on how the pounds come on, in itty bitty increments, in time for you to do something about it.

Move

TV is your enemy. Computers and iPads can be to. Don't just sit around, walk, wiggle, stand on one foot while brushing your teeth (great for balance). Walking is really the only exercise I do but I know it has helped me to maintain a normal weight. Walk in your house, yes, around and around, around your kitchen and dining room. I often do that while listening to my iPod.

Eat Chocolate

Yes, eat chocolate. I am a serious chocoholic. If I want chocolate, I will eat chocolate, but I will cut back somewhere else. If I want to indulge in a huge piece of chocolate cake, I will, but I'll really cut back on my serving size on other foods or even try to skip a meal to make up for it.

Now, so I won't be a hypocrite, I need to go walk or move this morning! I've still got that five pounds I want to get off.

Upcoming Vacation

I am getting very excited about my upcoming trip with the kids.  I am taking them to the beach.  We've got a great place rented.

With his handicap, Jim doesn't do the beach very well, so he is staying here.  I am looking forward to spending some quality time with my son and sweet daughter-in-law.  I know my son's schedule so I do talk to him at least weekly. I never know when to call her, because her work schedule isn't as firm, and I don't want to bother her when she is at work.  So, I am hoping this trip will give them some much needed rest, and give me the opportunity to spend some good time with them!

I've got to get busy today and get some sewing/knitting/quilting ready to take with me.

What's for supper

Jim brought home a huge bag of Minnesota wild rice when he went on his fishing trip recently.  I made some last night.  I love that one cup of uncooked will make 4 cups of cooked.  It is great for breakfast with  brown sugar, butter, nuts, cranberries and cream or milk.  Packed with protein too - 14 grams.  For supper I am making a casserole using it and chicken.

Chemistry

Oh my, I love chemistry.  When my son was in college, a chemistry major, he did some science illustrations for church kids.  A friend asked me recently about one of those, so I was digging in our old chemicals when I found this stuff -- sodium polyacrylate.  Amazing stuff.

 It is the stuff they put in baby diapers to make the liquid gel.  And wow, it works.

I used this in our AWANA program at church to illustrate how we need to trust God, even when a situation seems impossible.  I put a little bit in the bottom of a paper cup.  The kids didn't know it was there, but they watched me pour water into the cup.  Then I asked my volunteer if he trusted me, because I was going to turn the cup over on his head, but I told him that he would not get wet.  Because they saw me pour the water, they were all convinced, he would get wet.  I turned the cup over, and nothing came out.  The water, in a few seconds, turned to a gel that stuck to the bottom of the cup.  Lesson learned -- many things seem impossible to us, be we don't know everything.  We don't know what good God is working in our lives.

Another before and after

Here is one more look at the before front porch.....

(excuse that unprofessional photographer whose image is in the door.....ahem...)

...and the after....

The black door and the faux tiled floor are subtle changes, but I like them.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that my plants have grown.

And a shot of the honey wheat homemade bread I made this afternoon.  Yummy.

I love that the recipe makes three loaves...one for eating, one for freezing, and one for giving away.