Full Moon for my Dutch Friend

So here's my try at the full moon posted for my Dutch friend in Malaysia.  Settings are f/9 1/250 sec, ISO 400 300 mm.  Still doesn't look as fantastical as yours  . . .   so tell me why  . . .

Picture for I Heart Faces

here is my entry for the http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2010/03/week-11-bundled-up-photo-challenge.html.  My first try at this whole thing - Sorry if I mess it up!!  CC is welcome but please know I am sooooo very new to the whole photography thing and blog thing too!

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted last. I feel so inadequate because all the other bloggers I read post these wonderful, moving, inspirational, funny things and I'm just so plain jane . . .

So what's happened in a year? I'm still at my same job which I really like my job so that's all good and I am very thankful to have such a great place to work.

The hubby started medical school. It was a little touch and go there because he was first put on a waiting list. As we heard about others being called off the wait list he decided to call in and just "check" on things. We also asked a friend of my dad's who has contacts at the school to "check" on things too and then he got a call from the admissions director asking a few questions about his file and apparently they didn't have all the information they should have had. so with no delay the hubby got it to them and the next day he received the acceptance call. It was soooo cool! He is living with his sister and her family who have been so gracious to give him his own room, she even repainted it for him! We had hoped he would be able to come home on weekends but right now it's about twice a month. I hate it that he is giving up time with his kids who live with their mom during the school year but we are hoping that they will have understanding and recognize some of the benefits that they will receive with a better income and better work schedule. He's looking at ER because of the scheduling options and at his age he can hit the ground running.

With him being gone i've been a little surprised at how well I have coped. I've only had one major breakdown and that was when I spilled paint all over the toilet and floor and wasn't even sure I liked the color! Fortunately it's all tile and porcelin so no permanent damage and I've grown to like the color and so does the hubby so I will probably paint the rest of the bathroom. I'll have to post it to show you.

God has been so good to us and has blessed us beyond measure this year. I'll leave it at that for now and post more later.

Key West

Yes, we chose to go to Key West at the last minute. Since we only had about 4 days we chose to go somewhere that we felt didn't have a whole lot of sightseeing since that is what we like to do. We would have liked to have had a whole day at the beach just to lay around. But we spent our time at the Pirate Festival which was very interesting, with some interesting characters. We also toured Hemingway's house, rode the trolley around town to learn about the history of Key West, went out to eat a couple of times - one you must go to when you go to key West and that's the Conch Republic restauarant - I found it to be excellent! We took a fun speed boat ride too. And of course watched the Sunset from the famous Mallory Square and watched a couple of street performers there.
We missed all the kids, but we do enjoy our time together.

VAcation

I think I've said this in a prior post but I feel like talking about it anyway - where to go, where to go! I'm thinking somewhere warm but I'm open to somewhere we could go snowmobiling. Not sure I'd be much into skiing but I'll try ALMOST anything once. I think we probably going to hit Key West. I've flown over Key West and rode a ship past it too but never stopped there. We can go anywhere Southwest flies for free. We could even go to Hawaii again - absolutely loved Maui! but we only have about 4 days and with the length of time it takes to get to Hawaii it really cuts your actuall time on the ground down by a whole lot, plus I found the time change somewhat difficult for the first 2 days. Weird - I don't remember that issue when I went to England.

My sister and I made out the menu for Thanksgiving and it sounds so yummy, I can't wait! Although I think I'll have to start running right now to get the weight off before it even hits me!

Scrapbook Weekend

I took Friday off from work and spent the morning with my DH taking the kids to school and then going to Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then going to Old Time Pottery. He was such a good sport and even participated at Old Time Pottery!
I later left for my big weekend of scrapbooking. twice a year now I get together with my sister-in-law and her friends and we scrapbook until all hours. This time we rented a cabin and it was great - it even had a hot tub which yes, I made use of. I also took off Monday and so when I left the cabin and did a little shopping in Pigeon Forge at the Christmas stores. I couldn't help myself I had to buy a few things. I also stopped at the Scrapbook Store!! and bought some things there too, but then I went to visit with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law for a couple of hours. I was saddened to hear how difficult it is without Kim and how they are struggling personally, however, I do understand. Kim was such a part of their lives and since I live so far away it's just not as frequent a reminder that Kim is no longer here and won't be here for Thanksgiving. so we are having to think of a different way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year.
I then went to visit with my grandparents. My grandma is deteriorating pretty fast to where she doesn't usually remember people and events, although she remembered me and my husband even though he wasn't with me. I was so glad to get to spend that time with them and then I went and had dinner with my sister and my dad and nephew. I absolutely loved the freedom that day to go and see and do as I pleased while my DH was home holding down the fort with the baby!
God is so good. He has poored His blessings on me when I don't deserve it. Thank you Lord!