Playing with my new "toys"

Poor Monster Dog is probably blind! I set up my softbox and umbrella lights (woohoo) and started adjusting my camera, fiddling with F-stops and shutter speeds, adjusting studio light intensity and during all of it Monster was content just to sit in the middle and get his retinas burned. Poor puppy! I promise that I didn't have him on a "stay"! I then focused on my new favorite tea mug (see below) and played until I got the white balance figured out and not too yellow! I am so excited to have a real model! I can't wait til I can finally tell you all that my photo business is in operation! Just keep this in mind, it will be *soon* and there will be blog reader discounts for sessions!

It't true...I was speechless!!!!!

My incredible, loving, thoughtful, way-too-good-for-me hubby bought a surprise for me. Two gorgeous studio lights for MC Squared Studios-my new photography business/endeavor. I was stunned to silence, for those of you who know me, you know what a feat that is! I am still blown away. Then he proceeded to tell me his thoughts on converting our family room to a studio! Can you believe him?!?!? I *still* don't know what I did to deserve being treated like this! I am sooo excited to play! I already called Tina and we are going to make a photo studio play date after the 4th. I just knew she would be excited too! I cannot wait to get some experimenting in this week. There are going to be some late nights! Woohoooo!

Thank you so much my love, you continue to treat me like a princess and cherish me beyond words. I am blessed to have you in my life and as my partner and husband.

I had jury duty

So, I reported for my first day of jury duty on Tuesday. Dakota County has a *great* system for jury duty. You are assigned a 2 week period for jury duty and on your summons it lists a group number and a phone number to call. So, I called in on Sunday night and my group number was not needed so I was not supposed to go in. I called in Monday night and my group was supposed to appear on Tuesday. I showed up early, went through the metal detectors and then sat and waited, and waited some more. Finally around 9:00 we all were gathered into a big jury room with huge windows; we watched an introduction video and we checked in with our summons. There were no civil cases scheduled but there were 28 criminal trials for which juries may be needed. There was a screen in the jury room that showed the numbers change so we could see that by lunch time there were only 7 cases left that may need a jury. The jury attendant (babysitter!) was the cutest older gentleman and he tried to keep our spirits up and was actually quite funny. He was telling us that we must be looking menacing because all of the cases were settling before going to court. ;-) By 3:30 our time was done. We got to go home. The best part was that we were told that we didn't have to call in or report again. Our two week term was done! I was a little disappointed, I wanted to at least be a part of the voire dire, where the attorneys question potential jurors, but alas, it was not my fate! I did get some work done, got some hand quilting done and met some great folks and had the chance to chat! It really was pretty cool, even though we didn't get to do anything. Hopefully I will have the chance to be on jury duty someday and actually get to see the inside of the courtroom.

MC Squared

When I grow up I want to be a photographer. I just love the challenge of trying to capture a mood, a feeling, a texture that's three dimensionsal and making the translation to one dimensional. It's hard, sometimes it doesn't work, but when it does...oh that is the stuff that happiness is made of! I am giong to start a little candid, free-form photo business. I want to capture the stuff you love, your pets, your home, your kids, the watch that grandpa gave you...I am calling my business MC2 (MC Squared). I still have to do all the buinessy paper work and get my web site going.

I was lucky enough to have a neighbor who was a willing model for my first attempt at Senior Pictures. She was great! We spent a while in the back yard for the first session and will be heading out soon to do another off-site session.

sooooo cute!

I just love wild animals and domestic animals getting along like this! Here is a great video of polar bears roaming wild and sled dogs that are CHAINED UP playing and socializing. Love it!!!! The play mannerisms mimic what my Big Yellow Dog and The Cat do at home. Play time is a universal language! Get out and play!

I miss my quilting room!

Sigh, I sooo love my quilting and craft room! I designed it for quilting, scrapbooking, to double as a guest room but mostly to be a peaceful sanctuary for me to run away to! I have not been running away to it nearly enough! My new "healthy lifestyle" (read about it here and here) has been keeping me way to busy. I get home from work or volunteering, make a yummy healthy dinner, clean up and then off for a minimum of 30 minutes of good cardio!

I decided last night that I am going to do another sprint triathlon (swim .5 mile, bike 13 miles, run 3.1 miles) in August (if it's not too hot that day) so I only have 8 weeks to get ready for it. The nice thing about it though is that I am not one bit stressed! I am going to PARTICIPATE not COMPETE! That makes a huge difference in my stress levels. Life should mimic that too. We need to participate and not compete as much. We all might be a little less high strung and we may enjoy life a lot more if we aren't comparing ourselves to others around us.

How you are going to choose to participate in life today?

Father's Day

This is a little late, but it's been tough getting back into the routine here! We spent Father's Day at my folks house, eating out on the deck, swimming in the pool and having lots of fun playing! My Princess Niece loves to train and feed the Big Yellow Monster. Here she is feeding him dinner. He listens to her and obeys her command to "down" and "stay" as she sets up his food. Mind you, all 2 cups of doggy kibble were doled out in similar fashion! (and he still outweighs her by 50 lbs!)

more Changing of the Guard, Arlington National Cemetery

...too exhausted to write, enjoy the pics!

one more nite of studying in D.C.

From the Korean War Veterans Memorial

So, the big disaster restoration exam is tomorrow. Am I ready? I don't honestly know. I do know that I am nervous, apprehensive but that I want it to be done. I think my brains are just gonna leak out when I finish the test. The test starts at 7am ET Saturday and we have a limit of 6 hours in which to finish. I will be staying to the end, I just want to be sure I get everything right that I can, there are 436 fill-in-the-blank questions. Things like:

• Define the Heppelwhite, Louis XV, Queen Anne, Chippendale, Phyfe styles of furniture and when they were originally produced?
• List the 4 cleaning methods and give examples of each.
• Define thermoplastic material.
• What is a collar tie?
• What is an electrical canopy?
• Distinguish between a mullion and a muntin.
• What is the function of purlins?
• List 6 ways to tell of a drapery is custom made.
• Describe the behavior of the following fibers in a burn test: wool, nylon, olefin, cotton.
• What pH solution would you use to clean white, wool carpet post-fire?
• What are the 3 general categories of Oriental rugs?

This test is *everything* restoration from framing of a house, to finishes to all the personal property inside, to insurance laws, art restoration, electronics, mold, OSHA standards, National Fire Protection Act, Toxins, Lead, Fuel Oil Spills, Tear gas, antique furniture. Like I said before, pray that I pass! In the meanwhile, enjoy the pics from what may be my last post from the East Coast!

Below: Korean War Veterans Memorial. You can learn more about it here.

the Lincoln Memorial

I really like this memorial. Lincoln was really a president that did amazing things for our country. I also like the simplicity of it.

As far as this class is concerned, I think there might be a light at the end of the tunnel...only 2 more nights of studying, then the big test on Saturday. Of course, the downside, is that there are only 2 more nights to study! I have a lot to fit into my brain!

being in D.C. evokes patriotism

We can get into the difference between loving your country and loving your politicians at a later date when I don't have *hours* of studying still ahead of me. I LOVE AMERICA! This is the best country in the world. And this song is always a good one, but when sung well, it sends chills thru every fiber of my being. Listen to these 5 young women absolutely *nail* the National Anthem. This is the best rendition I have ever heard in my life! Love it!!


Now, back to studying...sigh.

more from the D.C. area

Above, a white glove inspection before the guard relieves the on duty guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

Day 1 of CR class is done, study group starts in less than an hour. Enjoy the pics I took over the weekend! Pray that I learn and retain all this knowledge please!

Above, the Iwo Jima, a memorial to all United States Marines. Thanks Dad! (He's my favorite Marine!)

another **HOT** day!

Arlington National Cemetary with Washington Monument in Background

I arrived at Arlington National Cemetery around 8:30 this morning, by 9am the heat index was over 100! The images in that place and getting to stand amid that history made the 3-4 miles of walking around worth every drop of icky, sticky sweat!! In fact, just standing watching the guard and taking pics I had sweat running down my legs and down my arms - GROSS. I cannot imagine how hot it was in the full-dress uniforms that the Guard wear. It was a bit of a hike to the Tomb of the Unknowns, but I cannot imagine being here and NOT going. I watched 2 changings of the guard and took about 100 pics of that event. Very somber, very moving. I was really impressed too; there were several tour groups of teenagers that were pretty noisy as they were walking around the cemetery, but once they approached the tomb of the unknown they all silenced, without anyone asking them to. It was nice to see that kind of respect and reverence from so many young people.

Changing of the Guard, yes they click their heels for *every single turn* they make. Read up on the facts of these soldiers here.

Also, yesterday at The Wall (Viet Nam War Veterans Memorial) there was a group of young teens that asked me a question about the wall. Fortunately, I knew the answer and then I proceeded to tell them everything I knew about The Wall. Including this: Did you know that every night the National Park Service picks up everything that was left at the wall? It is cataloged by date and which panel it was left by. Then it is all inventoried and kept in a museum warehouse. There are traveling exhibits of the items left at the wall. (Thank goodness for Discovery channel!) Anyway, please keep my in your prayers this week. The class I am out here to take for work is the toughest in the industry. I have class Monday - Friday and a 6 hour exam on Saturday. I am nervous and I *really* want this certification!! It's the highest certification in disaster restoration. Thanks all!

from Washington D.C.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial reflecting in it's etched wall...

The Viet Nam War Veterans Memorial "The Wall"

It's sooooo HOT and HUMID! I think I heard that the heat index in D.C. today was 104 degrees Farenheight. It was gross! I got to the hotel and then turned around and took a cab to the Metro train station. A few transfers later I was walking towards the National Mall! I took some photos, ate dinner and then headed back to the hotel in the 'burbs. I am tired and just want to sleep...more photos and blogging later.

The Washington Monument and the Reflecting Pool.

this is the kind of parent I want to be...

1) This is my favorite all time song!
2) I have done sprint triathlons, and cannot imagine doing a marathon much less an ironman race (2.1mile open water swim, 112 mile bike ride, 24 mile run)
3) This is self-less love, Christ-like love and what parenting is all about...

For more on the insane number of races Team Hoyt has done, google Dick and Rick Hoyt or check them out on youtube, oh, and bring the Kleenex!

i *really* want this!

I have been soooooo good the last few weeks on my new "lifestyle eating" plan! I am eating whole, mostly unprocessed, organic foods. Drinking only water and tea. I feel good, I like the way the lbs are coming off, but I soooo am craving a DQ french silk pie flavored blizzard!!!! Grrrrr! I don't really want it...well, maybe just a little!

What do you crave today? Or is it just me on a rainy day that gets like this?

what do you wanna be when you grow up?

Pretend for a minute that money is no object, time, family and school requirements would all be met with the sweep of a magic wand, now close your eyes and think about what makes you happy. How can you use those skills and talents? If you could be anything you want, what would you do every day either as a pay-for-money job or as a volunteer-job. There are no limits, no making fun of anything...what would you be?

I would be a pediatric-oncology nurse or nurse midwife and a professional photographer. How about you?

a weekend of studying

*Photo courtesy of National Park Service, Department of the Interior.*

I have the privilege of going to Maryland soon for a one week class in advanced restoration techniques and methodology. The class is the highest level class for professionals in disaster restoration, so it is tough! I am spending the weekend studying and will be doing more studying every night! I really want to pass this class with a good grade, I will need a minimum of 80% on my written test to pass, then I have to write an advanced research paper on a restoration topic. I think I will write and research about the mental and emotional aspect of working with people after a disaster, but I have to have that approved first.

I do have one day of leisure built in to my trip and I am so looking forward to a day in Washington D.C. I was there last 17 years ago and since then the Korean Veterans War Memorial (pictured above) is new. I cannot wait to spend a day on the National Mall taking pictures! But for now, back to studying! Sigh...