An example...

Remember that our photo challenge assignment is due this Friday, 8-3-07. Some people have asked me to elaborate on what "Details" really means. What I mean by "details" is just that....one small detail of a larger subject. It's almost like those photo "puzzles" in the Gazette. You know the one I'm talking about...."You've seen this...but where?" and there is a photo of a portion of an object around town and you have to think of where you've seen it. Pretty simple, eh?

So, here is an example from me today, even if it is a rather poor one! LOL. It's part of a curve detail on the headboard of my bed. I'll post my "real" detail picture along with everyone else on Friday!

Tiny Troopers!

Riley and mom went into the Goodwill today and found these Marine "covers". So Riley and Hayden scored new hats today. Hayden brought Riley a military canteen a few weeks ago, so I guess they are collecting their uniforms one piece at a time! I'm so glad that Riley has cousins his age that he is able to be close to.

Hayden is half covering Riley in this picture, but they're new at soldiering and need more practice following orders! Especially orders of direction. If you tell them to look up, they look STRAIGHT UP! sheesh! They are so literal at this age.

An Old Favorite

This photo isn't a new one, but it is one of my all-time favorites that I have ever taken of Riley....and that is saying A LOT (considering the sheer volume of photographs I have taken of this child in his short lifetime). I have a lot of photos that I love of him, but I always come back to this one. It was taken two years ago in May 2005. Riley was 3 y/o and had just broken his arm the month before. This photo just screams "childhood" and "little country boy" to me, and I just love it. I've been wanting to share it on my blog for a while, but I finally pulled out my old disks of photos to load it back onto the computer. I think I need to consider having this one printed big...or maybe even on a canvas.

This swing hangs in the big oak tree that is beside the old house.

It's An Addiction!

Yes, I have an addiction. It isn't smoking. It isn't drinking. It's PHOTOSHOP! When I got my first digital camera (1.3 mega pixels) many moons ago, I didn't think I would ever go totally digital for photos. But.....then I had a baby, started scrapbooking and developed a love for photography. I was spending tons of $$$ on film, developing and prints, etc., and it was never fast enough for me. I'm such an instant gratification kinda girl when it comes to my photos. I need to see them NOW! So, when Riley turned 2, I shelved my film SLR camera and bought a new digital SLR. It was LOVE from the first click of the shutter! I've never looked back. Photoshop has made me fall in love with digital photography just that much more! I'm truly addicted to it. Whenever I get a chance, I'm reading up on it and learning how to improve my photos with different techniques. I'm still paying for prints, but I have instant access to my photos as soon as that shutter clicks and the image is written to that memory card. You just can't beat that in my book! Of course, I haven't printed pictures in forever! It's gonna cost me a fortune whenever I do decide that I need to have them printed....but they've been viewed, edited and saved for safe keeping until the times comes for printing!

Here is a photo of my shameless addiction.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE

I'm sorry, bloggers! The challenge completely slipped my mind this week with all of the computer problems that I've had lately. Since we've already lost four days of our weekly challenge, I think it's only right that we skip our challenge post for this Friday and get back on track next week. I lost the email from Ms. Judy with her suggestions, so I'm going to go with one that I remember. She had suggested architecture of the old homes downtown, but since some of our bloggers are not local to the area, I think we'll have to be more general. So, I think it'll be "DETAILS". It doesn't have to be architecture necessarily, but just an interesting detail of an object. Clear as mud? Challenge photos will be due for posting on FRIDAY, AUGUST 3RD!!

I'm Back!!

Howdy, y'all! Some of you know that I've been having computer issues since last week. It all started with a "fried" fax modem from the storm last Saturday afternoon. It wouldn't be a problem if I didn't use the modem for work. I would have just unplugged the darn thing and gone on about my business. But, since I need it for work...I had to replace it, and it all went downhill from there! The modem was replaced on Friday afternoon. My whole system crashed on Saturday morning. So, I spent an entire day restoring all of my work software and getting it all set up the way I need it. Even after all that, problems continue to spring up every now and then. Thankfully (knock on wood), I think everything is finally back to where it needs to be. *SIGH* I was going to get caught up on work this weekend, but that didnt' happen due to all of the computer issues I had. In fact, now I'm further behind than I was...so hang in there with me, and I'll try to be back as much as possible.

At any rate, I did take some time out of the day on Saturday to attend my aunt's Mary Kay party. I was called and told to bring my camera. THIS is why they wanted the camera. The office manager where my aunt works came to the party with her make-up already applied (along with her twin sister). I'm just glad that they didn't get pulled over by the cops on the way to the party! LOL. What a couple of goofballs! We had alot of fun. Annette (on the right, in the foreground) is such a crazy lady! Jannette (left) seems to have her fair share of whacky genes too! LOL.

Keepin' Cool

What an appropriate challenge this week. It has just been m-i-s-e-r-a-b-l-e out, and our goal was to stay as cool as possible! So, the question was...what do I take a photo of for the challenge? I wanted to do something different than all of the pool photos that I've been doing lately. I've done a photo of sweet tea and a Jones green apple soda. I had an idea for a photo, but in the end I just didn't go take it. I'm rather shy about just whipping out my big ol' camera in public. LOL. So, I settled on this one. Riley and I decided it was too hot to do much today, so we decided to take in a movie. This is a shot of our movie theater. The building is rather plain, so I used some filters in photoshop to spice it up a bit. I rather like the effect. At any rate, it "saved" an otherwise boring photo.

I'll try to post the new challenge tomorrow morning. It's been an awfully long day. Besides the movie, I've dealt with computer problems and ended up having to install a new fax modem. Apparently my old fax modem was a victim of last Saturday's lightening storm, and I just figured out that it was the cause of our phone problems all week.

A Plug...

Tonight, I'm making a plug for my brother's business. LOL. He's a firefighter by day, and the owner of a sign-making/graphics company by night (and on his days off!). He made this sign a while back, and came over to have me take a photo of it for him (for his portfolio). I thought it was really neat....one of the neatest that he's made in my opinion. That yellow stuff that the sign is edged in is actually cut glass. Pretty neat stuff! I think the owners of the 21 Drive-In were/are planning to mount this sign on top of a surfboard and then mount the surfboard to the top of their car. I sure hope it doesn't go flying off the top of the car while they're driving down the road!

So...if you're in need of any signs, banners, car graphics/stripes, magnetics, etc., give Bill a call! I think he is now planning to get into the t-shirt making business when he gets his new building built. (You think I could get him to pay me for putting this "ad" on the net for him?! LOL)

Firecracker

This little colt was born on July 3rd (if I remember correctly). His mama is a horse that is being pastured down at my Pappaw's while her owner is deployed overseas. The colt wouldn't nurse the whole first day after his birth, and we were worried that he might not figure it all out. The vet came out and milked his mama to help the little guy out, and he finally caught on how to do it himself the next day. Emily is calling him "Firecracker" due to the date of his birth. Colts crack me up because they are just all legs.

A Critter!

Riley and Hayden spotted this critter munching on Grandmom's rose bushes. Of course, they were going to pick him up, but he looked a little menacing to me. After a little discussion among the three of us (and me pointing out his wicked looking feet...which you can't really see in this small version...but trust me, they do look wicked!), they decided against making this one a pet. Smart boys, I say!

This one is for you, Shelia...wherever you've gone, girl! (update us on Catie!).

A Pool FULL of Young'uns!

We had a pool full this afternoon! Three adults and 6 kids! How my Mammaw gets in with that many kids and doesn't get her hair wet is beyond me! My nephew, Hayden, must have a tiny little bladder because I swear that kid had to pee at least 6-7 times while we were in the pool! At least he gets out to do his business...even if he does just hang it over the side of the deck. He "cracks" me up. He'll go anywhere, anytime. Thank the good Lord he lives in the country, otherwise he'd probably be arrested! LOL.

Emily, Riley and Bailey in the Aqua Spin.

Hogan is the first out of the pool and to find a snack.

There are no words....LOL

I'm A Hard Workin' Man...

My Pappaw...still going strong at 70+ years (despite a not-too-distant broken back and a bout with prostate cancer). He was disassembling some things around the place on Friday while I was taking my sunscreen pictures. I got in a quick snap of him working.

An Oldie

I pulled a photo from the archives to share tonight. It was a busy day with work, going to a movie with Judy T. and Micah, and then back out to the house for some dinner and visiting. Not a single picture was taken today.

This picture was taken for my dad. He is a John Deere enthusiast, and he's helped Riley develop a love of all things green (and yellow). The little tractor in the photo is actually the first riding lawn mower that J.D. ever made, a 110. Dad took the front end of it off and put a tricycle front end on it to make it look like a tractor. This mower was a big bucket of rust when he bought it, which you can see in the collage photo (this collage is actually printed big and framed in Riley's room). Dad restored it for Riley a couple of years ago for Christmas, and it looks brand new. For Father's Day a couple of years ago, Dad requested that I recreate the "You Been Farmin' Long" photo of the two little "farmers" in overalls. I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about, right? Anyway, this is our version with Bailey and Riley. Dad has a copy of the photo in his office at P.I., along with lots of other photos of the kids and all of his J.D. memorabilia.

I love these photos of my boy. They show him in all of his little boy glory. Look at that filthy little face. He climbed up and straddled that tractor and proceeded to check the gas tank for gas (top left picture). At that point, an empty gas tank was the least of this little tractor's worries! This collage is printed BIG and framed on Riley's bedroom wall.

Weekly Photo Challenge #3

Sorry that I didn't post the topic last night, ladies. I ended up putting Riley to bed and forgot all about getting him to draw. I just rectified that situation though, and our new topic is.... "Keepin' Cool" (provided by Judy T....thanks!). Some of the same things we took pictures of this week could possibly fit this next topic, so we are going to have to be more creative so that we don't repeat! It can be done! Jamie, you should be a pro at this one.....since you are better at keepin' cool than any of us way down South! LOL. Maybe your pictures will cool down this heat wave we're having!

Y'all be sure and check out Dana's blog too. The link is to the right. She is participating in the weekly challenge and posted her submission for "Smells of Summer". I think Stephanie and Amanda are also going to be participating, though Stephanie is on vacation, and Amanda has been a little under the weather this week.

*SNIFF* *SNIFF* Summer Is In The Air!!

Can you smell it? Summer is definitely in the air this week! Almost everyone has posted their scents of summer already, and they are fabulous! I could definitely "smell" them all! Judy T.'s got a little stinky with the cows, but then she followed that with the sweet smell of summer hay! I'm just glad she didn't photograph something else that smells and comes from a cow! LOL.

I'm not ready to post the next challenge just yet. I got several idea submissions from both Judy's, so to be fair I think I will write each one down on a slip of paper and then have Riley draw one from a hat. I'll post the topic later tonight! Submit your weekly photo challenge ideas to me at amywhit@earthlink.net or we're liable to all end up hunting moose (if Jamie gets her way!).

Here is my submission for this week: Sunscreen. Mmm...I love the smell. I can smell it in the dead of winter, and it's instantly summer all over again!

My View

This is about the only view I've seen this week.....WORK! So, instead of not having a picture again tonight, I decided to take a picture of my view for you guys and share on the blog! LOL. I still don't have my summer scent picture for tomorrow's post!! I'd better get busy!

And speaking of the weekly challenge, no one has suggested a topic for next week!! Help me out girls...and guys! Email me at amywhit@earthlink.net

My puny little map. As you can see, I'm a girl who likes to stick close to home! LOL. That, and the fact that I've never been on a plane...and have no plans to change that! Hold the comments Mr. Mike, Ms. Jan and Ms. Judy....I know you all have comments about how safe flying is...blah..blah...blah! LOL.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Another quick post from me tonight. I did sneak a couple of pictures today, but only because the weather forced me to. Our power kept going out this afternoon when a brief storm blew through...and I do mean BLEW THROUGH! The wind was strong and gusty. It blew a tree down in my brother's yard, overturned a heavy flower planter on our front porch, and blew mom's umbrella off the back deck....wish I would have been able to catch that on camera. I felt a little like Dorothy today when the cyclone blew through. I kept hearing that music (dodododododo.....) from when Mrs. Gulch was riding her bike to get poor little Toto. LOL.

Anyway, while the power was all wonky, I couldn't very well type...so I used the opportunity to grab the camera and snap a couple of pics for the blog. I was just too busy to blog yesterday. I'm still behind on my work. The first pic is of our trees out back during the gusty wind portion of the storm and before rain. Then, after the storm, came the rainbow. It looks a lot like my previous rainbow pic, but it's not the same...I promise!!! It was just in the same location!

A Frequent Visitor

It's a quick post tonight, y'all. It's late, and I'm tired....and even more behind on work (HOW does this happen?!)

Riley came running into my room this morning while I was working and asked me to bring my camera. Honestly, you just never know if that's a good thing or not! I mean, he IS a 5 y/o BOY who likes to collect bugs and frogs, etc. I'm not into those things and don't always agree with his ideas about what is photograph-worthy, if you know what I mean. So, after confirming that his potential subject was not of the reptile variety, I went out to the back porch with him to find that "Lucky Ducky" had come to call. Riley wanted photos of him on our porch railing....so, at Riley's request.....here he is (one more time!).

A Storm's A Brewin'

If during this year's hurricane season there is a storm named Bailey, my advice is to EVACUATE! LOL. She's little, but she is a mighty force to be reckoned with. This is the day we went out on the boat. Most of the time she was not happy about the fact that Riley was even on the boat, and heaven forbid that he would actually try to sit next to her or his uncle Bill. It wasn't exactly pleasant at the time, but the pics crack me up. What a temper! She does get it honestly though.

A Change of Perspective.

I view the world in such a different way since I've discovered this hobby of photography. Through my camera I have really learned to appreciate all of God's beauty around me. It's like when I got my first pair of glasses back in the tenth grade. Until I put those glasses on, I had no idea how bright and colorful the world really was...how much I had been missing with my less than perfect vision. Before my interest in photography, I would never have noticed half of the things I now notice, and I certainly wouldn't have thought to take pictures. Tonight's picture of pool floats, for instance--Before photography they would have been just floats. Now, they are the BRIGHT, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL COLORS OF SUMMER!!

Photo Challenge Week #2

Okay, we did "Round", which you have to admit was fairly easy. Anyone up for something a little more challenging? I had thought about making the challenge simply "Summer", but to make it a little more challenging I thought we could do "Smells of Summer" . Smell can trigger all kinds of emotions, thoughts and memories, right?! Well, what smells do you associate with summertime? It should be interesting to see what everyone comes up with! Have fun!

Also, if anyone would like to submit an idea for next week's photo challenge, please just email it to me at amywhit@earthlink.net. I can keep a list of everyone's ideas and just pull from it each week. I want to give everyone a chance to pick a challenge....even Jamie with her moose idea! LOL. I would say just post it on your blog, but I figure it's easier if we just post it on the same blog each week...that way everyone will know where to go to look for the challenge topic. Sound good to everyone?

Weekly Photo Challenge

I'm disappointed in my submissions this week. With company here for a week, I'm just lucky to have anything at all!! I'm going to have to work my fingers to the bone this weekend to get caught up on work!! It has been one heck of a busy week, that's for sure!

Everyone had wonderful submissions for the challenge this week and should really be proud of themselves! Way to go gang!

More Boating Pics

I didn't take a single picture today. In fact, the camera didn't even make it out of its bag! I still have photos of our day on the river that haven't been edited. I looked through them tonight and pulled out a couple more for the ol' blog. Here they are.....

I really like the photos I got of Riley while on the boat. He was occupied with other things and ignored the camera, which got me some smiles and relaxed "poses", if not eye contact.

Happy Independence Day!

First, thank you to all who serve in the military! I know that we all owe our freedom to you! You are in our continued prayers!

We had a pretty good 4th. Not much going on. Just kind of an easy pace around here. I love those days the best! LOL. I bought one 6-pack of sparklers for Riley at Wal-Mart, and that was the extent of our fireworks this year! We didn't even go down to watch the show at Parris Island. I hate the crowds! We went swimming in the pool, made homemade peach ice cream and barbecued ribs and all the fixin's. It was a great day. I didn't get any great pictures that really stand out to me, but I'll share a variety of what I did get to commemorate the occasion.

A Day In The Lowcountry

Today was spent out on the river. We packed a picnic lunch and the fishing poles, and we all piled onto my brother's pontoon boat for a day of high adventure. Some of us had more luck than others in the fishing department, but surely I MUST have set the world record for the biggest shark caught with a Spongebob fishing pole!! Actually, all of the shark that we caught were small (Thank you, Jesus!), but they were the most popular catch of the day. My dad snagged a stingray and a shark at the same time, and that was pretty cool. The kids enjoyed seeing the stingray (or Dingray, as Hayden called it) and sharks. Hmm...then there was a blowfish and two whiting, and that was about it. Needless to say, we didn't dine on our catch tonight. We had chicken!

I haven't gone through all of my pictures yet, but I'll share a few that I have edited tonight.

Corn!

I ran up to the end of the road and snapped a quick pic of Mr. Duncan's corn. I sure did ignore that trespassing sign. I hope he doesn't mind! LOL. He must be reading my blog because just as soon as I complained the other day about the grass being too high to get out there to take a pic, he mowed! LOL.

A Do-Nothing Kind Of Day!

We have family in visiting from North Carolina over the holiday, and today was one of those do-nothing kind of days! I think all we did was rotate chairs once in a while and eat! LOL. I have worked today, but other than that we've all just been lazy! We didn't even make it down to the pool! So, you get more pictures from the pool yesterday.