Under the Jacaranda Tree

Why bother?

2011-05-08T15:29:00.000-04:00

This is just musings, things I have been pondering as I approach my 4th month of widowhood come this Thursday. The question is about another relationship. I am not looking, I am not ready and I am wondering, why even bother. At this point in my life I am thinking it is pretty much going to be him or me. Personally, I have not enjoyed becoming a widow, I certainly do not want to do it again. But it is more than that...

I would really love to meet a rich guy who is nice and good looking and would provide me with all my needs. Ladies, can I get a Hurah! But let's face it those guys are made in Hollywood. I have seen that even the best of guys are just human. So possibly by letting go of that fantasy I am going to miss out. But I don't believe that because I have already put that into the universe and it will happen. So is that good or bad? I am not going to settle for less...but he has to be a special guy. Not one of these men like I saw the other night. Men with giant fat bellies and average looking faces, their poor ugly super skinny wives looking sickly and ready to break, harsh makeup on their botoxed faces. Why are skinny skinny women such a prize? Esp. when you have to pump their tits up with implants to make them palatable. Plus, I bet the gruesome old men cannot even get erections. I do not want that at all. I would rather live alone.

My friend had gastric bypass and a body lift. Is she happy? Does she have the love of her life? Nope. Personally, I would love to have a tummy tuck and a boob lift, but I can't afford it and if I could would it be worth the pain. When I met Jeff I just told him - my stomach is disgusting & my boobies sag, I have had 4 kids for god's sake. He was ok with it. When I told him I wanted a boob lift he would say no, he liked them just the way they were. How is that for love! Wish I could love myself that much.

So does anyone out there know what I want? If so, please comment below because I have not a clue. I don't want to go through courtship again, I don't want someone who does all the things I like to do - BEFORE we are married - and then stops AFTER we are married. But you used to like to dance...

I don't want grouchy. Suzanne Summers told John Stossel that she could tell he was losing testosterone because he was grouchy. Well screw that!

But most of all I don't want to love and care for someone again, I don't want to plan my final years again with someone, whom I might find dead, again. Oh and I sure as hell don't want to be a caregiver. Call me cruel, call me whatever, I don't. So I guess it is best just to, when I am ready - which I am not - to just have several, nay - many, many, many meaningless flings! At least that way, when I lose weight again I know I will not gain it back - as Jeff was wont to say - the wedding ring adds 5#s per year & the best diet in the world was to take it off.

I am writing the next chapter of my story...

2011-04-16T00:37:00.001-04:00

I just did a 3 card reading and then started reading the birthday book Vicki gave me, 10 Secrets for Success & Inner Peace by Dr Wayne Dyer. They both are on the same theme, it is all up to me. I am now 7 minutes into my 58th year (today is my 57th birthday), and some of the things I thought about my future have recently been proven to be false. You know how when you are crossing a stream, walking on what appear to be solid, though slippery,rocks, imbeded firmly in the earth, when suddenly...oops! The rock wasn't solid, and down you go. You either get up sopping wet and make your way out, or you allow the stream to carry you away, screaming "Help me!" waiting on someone else to save you, when all you have to do is grab a branch and you can get out. Well I chose not to get carried off, I just want to swim to the other side and get the hell out of the stream. You know what comes next, you get out, shake off the water, shivering you start checking your body for scrapes and bruises, and then move on up the path. That is me, even if blood is flowing I just want to move on. Should I ask for help? Even if I don't know what I may need help with?

Crap, when I fell in the stream I lost my map and now I am bloody (don't worry, the wound cloted) & I am unsure which path I was going to take. I know, the one less traveled...easy for you to say, you are safe & secure.

Looking around I feel like just sitting on a stump and waiting for someone to rescue me, give me a warm drink, a dry shirt and a friggin' map! I can't, it will be their map and not mine, so I have to decide. I have to sit in the sun and dry off. Check the sun to get my bearings, get off my fat ass and trudge on. I can't wait till I see who I meet along the way. Will I regret taking the next path? Gosh, so many questions. Please God, please, let this be the easy path, please. Bring me someone healthy, wealthy & wise. Help me change my attitude towards my own health, help me recoup my wealth and guide all my steps, teach me to ge wise by depending on You.

Ok guys, dried off, sun has moved to the west & I am following it to the coast. I'll check in along the way.

Did you know that I was born at midnight? I am 33 minutes into my 58th year, happy 57th birthday to me <3

Going, going, gone & so it begins...

2011-04-14T12:41:00.000-04:00

I am an obit reader, but I don't look for people my age, I have more personal reasons. I remember hearing old people reading obituaries looking for people their age or younger. Well, it is my conclusion now, it is either me or you. Unless we die together one of us is going to be saying goodbye to the other as sometime. Hopefully, later.

Just heard from an old friend from my childhood days with sad news, another friend of ours - just 57 years young - had passed away. Just like Jeff, she her heart just stopped. No warning. Another friend of ours, he told me, died recently also, from Alzheimers. Damn! We are too young to have Alzheimers, reminder - do crossword puzzles tonight... Then I told him about another friend who is lying in ICU right now, her body being eaten away at by cancer.

Well, I might drop like Jeff & Sandy did while I am writing this, but when I go, there will be no one who can say I didn't do a lot with the time I had. Yes, I have wasted time, wasted money, wasted youth. But I sure as hell enjoyed the wasting! I am hoping that I have many more hours, days and years to idle away or to fill to the brim. All I want to do is be happy and since I am happy with me that ain't gonna be too hard.

So here is to my love, Jeff, my son Davey, my BFF Rae, my friends Sandy and Marie, and to Linda, still fighting the fight - you are my shield, I hold you up to the enemy Death and say "Vita non est vivere sed valere vita est."

Money Money Money, Money!

2011-04-05T14:39:00.001-04:00

I was having dinner with my in-laws and Jerry mentioned that Jeff had won $20k on a scratch off several years ago. Yep, but the government kept 1/4 of it I reminded him. Also we paid of his truck & who knows what else. Then I realized, he wasn't asking me to justify where the money went, nor did I need to tell him.

After I thought about how much money had slid through our fingers throughout our marriage, including our retirement funds, etc. And then I thought about my mother, who was so tight with money there was a time she would not give me a penny for a gum machine. My 1st husband (the evil one) took me to the bank from her funeral to withdraw her life savings. Because of him & his drug use, we lost the new home we bought & most of the furnishings. Not in a life time, but within two years.

So who got the best bang for their buck? Jeff, who did things he had never done in his life and probably would have never done had we not met. Jeff who drove new shiny Corvettes, smoked expensive cigars, had a closet full of Tommy Bahamas, and who had beau coup friends. Jeff who dropped dead at 57.

OR my mom, who lived to be 68 years old, who rarely wasted a penny in her life, who raised a daughter who resented her and her penny pinching ways. My mom, for whom a big night out was riding the gambling bus to Reno or Tahoe once in a while. My mom, who had her fur coat sleeve stuffed with bank books and cash but hadn't had fun in 40 years. Which one got the best bang for their buck?

I think it was Jeff. What good did all the retirement money do Jeff or my mom? His would have helped me out some but so what. I had a good time with him, we weren't rolling in dough, but we had fun with what we had. Was that so wrong? I am happy that we went to Alaska and we bought a new car every year (my dad's dream). I am happy that we went to Spain, even if he didn't have a good time. I am happy he started smoking cigars, because he made even more friends, esp. two best friends whom he enjoyed being with.

As for me, I still have time, assuming my health holds out, to have fun and more money. You know how money is, it flows in, it flows out, it flows in. Just waiting on the next tide...
Ka-ching...

Hold me accountable...

2011-03-09T07:16:00.001-05:00

My last "map" a photo by karrelbuck on Flickr.

This is an assignment I had to do for my orientation class, I thought it would be good to post it here so you guys can hold me accountable.
(The photo is a treasure map for those who don't know)

Jac Tree's Goal Action Plan #1

• Goal: To achieve balance in my new life. To once again live a plan, rather than just living a life of serendipity.

• Type of goal: This is a main personal goal that will be broken into various smaller goals.

• Purpose of goal: Once again I have a new life path and I want to make this period of my life successful and learn the lessons that I am here to learn, which includes avoiding the mistakes I have made before, some many, many times.

• Major benefit to me: Once I define and begin to achieve my smaller goals I will no longer be the person that I am today. I will no longer start things and not finish them. I will no longer spend money as if it grows on trees. I will no longer live the laissez aller life. I will live as if my life has consequences .

• Benefit to others: I am a person who is happy to wind up wherever the wind may blow me, but this can cause problems in all walks of life and with other people. I am always waiting for the next better thing to come along, afraid to commit. This time around I am going to be committed to commitment.

• Barriers: My barrier is distraction. I start out with good intentions and something will catch my eye or my mind, and I am off checking that out. Pretty much like a puppy. I have very little “stick-to-it” genes. I am also one of those people who thrives on adrenalin rushes, so I tend to do things at the last minute.

• Solution: I am not really a list maker, but I found if I keep a pad near me and write down what needs to be done I actually do the things on the pad. I have to do this in every area of my life. Not because I enjoy completing things on a list, or get a thrill from crossing them off. I cannot live by a list, but a small one keeps me focused on what I need to do at that segment of time. Again, I live by serendipity so having very small “goals” keep me from being distracted.

• Action milestones: When I got divorced in 1990 I made a 5 year plan, this was my plan to get healthy in all areas. I am going to do this again, but it will not be the same as before. One reason is I am not 33 anymore. I have learned a lot already from those earlier goals. So my milestones may be as follows (most of these I am already working on but have not written them down until today, so they are not refined).

1. Get finances in order.
 Live within my means
 Create a budget. (date)
 Stop “window shopping”
2. Get physically healthy
 Visit doctor and see what needs to be worked on
 Begin a healthy living style
 Eating plan (date)
 Exercise plan (date)
3. More family time
 Spend more time visiting with my grandchildren
 Spend more time with my kids and listen better
4. Learn and use
 Take the time to actually learn to “do” each of my interests correctly. Not just pick it up and run fast, then leave it lay (sometimes for years), only to pick it up again sometime later. Over and over.
 Participate and not just observe.
5. Become more social
 Investigate clubs I would like to join (date)
 Attend meetings
 Meet new people
 Bust preconceived ideas of people
 Participate in events, not just observe
6. Be an example for others
 Make sure that I keep others posted on my journey (through social media), so that they will see that if you really want it, nothing can stop you. Also, so they can see the mistakes I make and how I work it out.

• Overall target date: 3/12/2011 is two months since my husband died. I have been implementing these goals since the minute of 1/12/2011 that I realized that I had to have a new plan. On 4/16/2011 I will be 57 years old. This is my “New Year’s Day”. So by 4/16/201, I will have my Goal Map created. This map will include dates, it will include the things I KNOW I want to attain and when I plan to attain then, and it will have room for changes and additions. And I will have begun a new goal treasure map.

New beginnings...again

2011-02-27T15:42:00.002-05:00

Can't hardly believe it, here I am again, almost 7 weeks into the next version of my life. (I am like Windows, always updating.) Just goes to show you, those computer astrology reports don't mean diddly squat. Ran one in 1994 that was suppose to predict major life changes, etc etc. It predicted I would live to my late 80s & that I would have ONE more major life event. (It did show all the major events in my past & even ended on my parents reports when they died, although the program did not have the info they were dead, so it seemed reliable.) Well, if you know me, you know that that wasn't so. Guess I am destined to just keep living la vida loca.

Halloween 1991, when I was single last time. Some things have changed...

Me now, 20 years older & more than 20#s heavier. Oh my, lots of work to do.

What is on the horizon for me? I never ever ever dreamed I would be divorced. Even though Evil Husband was Satan's henchman, I still thought I would be married till the end. But, not so. Then I never ever ever dreamed I would be a widow. I remember telling my friend Tim that I got married to Jeff for life. Well, I sure did, only it was for his life, not mine.

I don't hold onto the past or cling to what if's & shoulda woulda coulda's, so I know that seems cold & maybe disrespectful. But if life can be cut short so quickly, like Jeff's was, what are we doing if we waste our little bit of time being dead too. Didn't Jesus tell us to let the dead bury the dead. He meant spiritually dead, but isn't that the same. If we worship the body even after it is gone then we too are dead.

Now, I am not saying I am looking for a new man or that I don't miss Jeff ever single day. But one day last week it hit me, you are not married any more. I spent all day with the thought "take that wedding ring off, take that wedding ring off". It So that night I did & I put it away. It was very heartbreaking & emotional, but I put on another ring on my middle finger in it's place. I still have Jeff's wedding band on my right hand. As soon as I took the ring off the nagging in my head went away. In my heart, I know no matter how much I love Jeff or how much I miss him or how much I wish he were still here he never will be. It isn't like a divorce or a break up. With those situations, you always have time for a second chance. Why you want a chance with someone who didn't want you, I will never know, but you have that. Me, I have no chance. I just have a choice. Do I sit around here being "dead" too, or do I live.

So I finally joined the Tampa Bay Camera Club, after years of not joining because they meet 2 Friday's in a row per month & I figured Jeff would not like that too much. If gas weren't high I would join a Camaro club, but I don't want to put the miles on my car anyway. I started school (on line) & I eventually will have to hook up with my single friends & start going out. Oh wait, doing that next Sunday.

It is my sincere hope that Jeff's family does not feel like I am not respecting him, because they would be so wrong. If I could have him back tonight I would do it in a heartbeat. But we know that isn't going to happen.

Anyway, if anyone doesn't think I am doing what is right I kind of have to say, screw you. I was single last when I was 35. At that time, dating was hard. Even when I was most mad at Jeff I remembered how horrible it was to live alone & to date & thought I could put up with anything he did (which was just being grumpy) if it meant I never had to date again. Yet, here I am, back on the block.

You know what that means ladies, lose the weight, lift the boobs, hide the wrinkles. I wish I could afford to tighten, lift & tuck, but I will just be one of those "What you see is what you get" gals. That is how I did it with Jeff. I decided right off he would see me without my make up & without my hair all done up. I told him my stomach wasn't very pretty & my boobs have met gravity. He loved me anyway, just like that. Do you think there is another Jeff out there waiting for me? Could I be that blessed twice?

I just hope that any lessons I have left to learn are good sweet lessons. Like how to live with an abundance of funds. How to travel the world & stay at the best hotels. How to never worry how to pay a bill, or if I can make the money stretch. How to never have to do my own taxes again. How to travel the seven seas. How to live the sweetest life ever. Yes, how about that lesson plan. Do you think it is written for me? I hope it is written for you too.

PS: My dream, since Jeff & I got together was to own a family compound in the Keys. Well, he is gone & the kids are grown & their kids are growing. But it can still happen. Not a Lykes type compound (if you live in Tampa, you know), but a nice vacation compound down in the Keys. Jeff & I used to read the Keys newspaper & see them for sale all the time, islands with homes, Mercedes & planes, all included. Yes sir, write it down, make it happen.

55+ trailer PARK in Florida????

2010-12-04T07:05:00.001-05:00

? of the day: Now that I am of a certain age & seeing as I reside in the vestibule of God’s Waiting Room, I wonder: Are there any Adult’s Only Trailer Parks? I know your immediate answer certainly, but I say Nay Nay, not those fancy ones, where everyone is required to maintain their space w/garden gnomes, pin wheels & gazing balls filling their lush gardens. Where the well manicured lawns sit above mailboxes that proudly display license plates from the home state & the homes are called “manufactured housing”.

I mean a trailer park, my friend. (I sounded like McCain!) You know the one, it is filled with run down mobile homes, jacked up on cinder blocks. The awning that once hid the offensive blocks (if any at all) is now broken w/peeling paint. The towing bar is still in place, rusting & hazardous. The grass lawns are patchy & dead in most places, exposing sandy dirt, and filled w/weeds. Standing in the door, gossiping w/each other are 2 old battleaxes, each wearing a dirty house coat/dress, with a torn pocket & a broken snap exposing most delicate of areas. One pocket is stuff w/Kleenex & the other a pack of Marlboro Lites. One old bat has her hair up in pink plastic rollers & the other one has stringy gray hair that is definitely what one would call “flyaway”. The sound of multiple meowing is coming from the trailer across the lane. That is where the cat lady lives. People hate even walking by it. Even though the windows are shut tight & the old lady only comes out at night, the smell of cat urine wafts through the holes in the floor of the rotting trailer.

2 doors down lives one of many gin soaked WWII &/or Viet Nam vets, still wearing the once white undershirt they had on the day their wife died. It has holes in it & is thin from many washings. Their khaki colored slacks hang loose around asses that are wasted away, poop stains are visible. The old coots spend their time in their recliners watching TV & reliving their glory years. Should anyone ever have grandchildren to visit in the park, they grumble & fuss, as if they lived in Shangri-la. The only pot “luck” in the trailer is when the old Viet Nam Vet finds his lost stash &it still has something in it other than stems & seeds.

Does this 55+ park exist? If so, please send me the info. You see, now that I am of a certain age I am scouting out my retirement villa, where I can reside without fear of being robbed of my millions. (I am going to stuff all my cash in fire resistant cans, that fit into the holes in cinder blocks. I will then put them under the trailer to prop up the sagging floor.. Damn it to hell, I didn’t mean to tell you that! I don’t need your help after all, I will find the place on my own.

Sniff Sniff…

old lady photo found here (check it out!)

The Truth about Reebok, Camille & the Chief (Kazinga!)

2010-12-04T06:42:00.001-05:00

I wrote this on my friend Camille's wall, but since I went to all the trouble reporting this disturbing story I felt the need to share it with the FB world. I hope to goodness Reebok does not hunt me down for exposing this depravity! Of that I am banned from Facebook & Amazon.com

Camille, earlier tonight, posted this status "I wanna go home!!!"

To which Kelly replied: "are you still at the office?"

Camille: "Oh, yez!"

Kelly: Diane and I were so hoping that you would be at the Christmas party we had tequila shots lined up for you.

Camille: Well, the Grinch was working.

Kelly: LOL LOL LOL (note, usual snorting was not happening)

At this point I became bored with these shenanigans and decided it was time the truth came out about Camille & her move to the DC area. The following barely resembles the truth and not one name has been changed as there are no innocent:

Me: Kelly, she is really sitting out on her deck while the cats perform their annual ritual pre-winter dance and fence scream. It is at this time of the year that all the cats who live in the sewer outside Camille's yard expel themselves to participate in the celebration. Camille has prepared her special recipe for catnip stew, with anchovy croquets, and a fistey little concoction called Krazy Katz' slurping' frenzy. Each cat is served upon it's own cafeteria tray. Meanwhile, to remain inconspicuous Camille had donned...

Camille: You've lost your mind. I would never serve them on proletariat cafeteria trays.

Me: A cute little number (see pix). By wearing this costume the cats that are visiting do not look upon her as an outsider, and she is able to remain warm and toasty. One year she became so involved in her little charade, she was seen running around with a startled blue bird in her mouth while she tipped over garbage cans. While all this goes on, George the cat, makes a trek into the sewer upon Reebok's orders. Raisinette is suppose to be the watch cat, but she was distracted that one time. Camille had slipped her glasses back on after slipping in...

Slime left by the alley cats who had come to watch the other idiot cats prance and preen in that strange woman's yard. As she put her glasses near her beady little eyes Camille caught sight of George as he disappeared down the sewer hole. As we all know, she ran to get food, blankets and about 14 little cat ladders which she lashed together and lowered into the sewer. The visiting sewer cats returned from their prowl after the ritual only to find a strange looking giant cat lying upon a blanket pillow with her face stuck down the sewer hole. What the hell

Meanwhile George was oblivious as he scurried around the sewer den collecting top secret emails the sewer cats had been transmitting to the White House cats (they live in the swanky tunnels that lead from the White House to the Capitol). The sewer cats have been spying upon Camille because the White House cats became confused when they attended the ritual that 1st year when they overheard Camille talking to KLC on the phone, the were confused by her calling him "Chief". ...

Camille (again): You must be exhausted now. And you know at least 7% of that stuff is entirely made up.

Me: They would not become suspicious of the giant tabby cat sitting in, not upon, a lawn chair. It was reported by Fox News earlier tonight that people in Camille's neighborhood had heard cries that sounded like "Go go Gadget Go" and "Right Chief" then hideous cat fight sounds. (Prior to heading down into the sewer George poured tequila into Camille's raspberry lemonade! :-)

Camille (finally exhibiting the respect I deserve): Wow.

Me: it was tiring reporting on your activities, as I have been typing with one finger, but one such as myself, feels compelled to expose the truth.

BTW, say what you will, but I saw you steal those cafeteria trays when you were licking, I mean washing them at the homeless shelter Thanksgiving day.

Camille: Again. Wow. Now you have me actually wondering what does go on in the Lovettsville sewers.

Me: I know you have tried to put that periscope down there, and there was that tiny video camera you attached to George's Christmas hat that year, but Reebok is not going to let you in on those secrets, it is too dangerous for one such as yourself, to know.

Camille: True.

Me: I know you.

I just realized how scary that sounds, now I know why those feral cats hang around my house...I know too much!

(I know, it is the pain drugs, I am going to sleep it off now. FYI - you can catch me outside the Improv in Ybor every Sat. at 4am. Camille - Soft kitty, warm kitty Little ball of fur Lazy kitty, pretty kitty purr, purr, purr)

(c) Karrel Buckingham 2010

Pardon me NAACP, but you have offended me!

2010-09-03T13:39:00.002-04:00

Below are pictures of organs and a baby in the womb, they indicate no race, they are just human. By looking at them, can you tell what race they are. Did the person have dark skin or light, straight hair or curly. What race is that baby? Why can't you tell? Because you can't see the skin. Because under the skin we are ALL THE SAME!

Human Kidney

Human Heart

Human Lung

Human

I heard about a new group today, teapartywatch.org which was set up by the NAACP. Tea Party Watch, their goal is to see if ANYONE at ANY tea party event says something, has a sign, or a t-shirt that has racist remarks on it. Is there a NAACPwatch.org? Why would anyone do this? I am so offended. I think the biggest hater I am aware of is Rev. Al Sharpton. He not only hates, he lies. He is a pot stirrer. I am always amazed that he is given a voice on Fox News. But I guess they figure he makes TV interesting. But he is bad for the races.

He said that Martin Luther King Jr would have not liked what happened at the Restoring Honor Rally, he said that it wasn't what Dr. King wanted. Dr. King's niece spoke at the Rally and because of her participation in the event she received death threats from those of her race. The liberal TV, blogs & radio say that everyone there was old white people. Not true, the pictures speak for themselves. But here is what I want to say about "old white people".

Most of the "old white people" there were my age, or a little older. Many of the men fought in Viet Nam, side-by-side with men of all races. They are younger than Rev. Sharpton. We aren't old, we are from the generation that Dr. King was speaking too. And we listened. We tried hard to raise our children not to see the color of the skin, but rather, the content of the character. Now I have grandchildren and I see that race usually isn't even an issue with them. I heard it say that almost everyone in the US has friends from other races.

I realize that race relations aren't perfect, but you know what, they aren't as horrible as Rev. Al wants us to believe. But if they weren't, he wouldn't have a platform, he wouldn't have a voice, so he stirs. The old people at the NAACP, they stir.

Yes there are still ghettos and poverty, but who started welfare, and public housing, etc. Not my generation. Those before me, Rev. Al's generation & Dr. King's generation.

When I was younger, if a person of color wore a suit and got a job where they were successful, they were called Uncle Tom's. One man, Charles Payne (Fox News), who grew up in Harlem and appears on Fox Business Network talks about how he dreamed of carrying a briefcase when he was a child. He finally got plastic one and another child stole it and broke it. They said he was trying to be white. But I say no, he was trying to succeed and lift himself up out of Harlem. And he did!

I don't pretend to understand what it is like to be black, but I know this, the people at the Restoring Honor Rally, the majority of the people that attend "tea party" events and Glenn Beck and ME, we are not racists. We want success and happiness for all mankind. We don't want to fight with people because of their religion. We know that people believe different things, we accept that. We don't want to fight with people because of their skin color, most times we don't see it, unless it is pointed out to us, in deed, attitude or word.

If you have more than me, then I am not mad if you are of a different race. I am not jealous, I am not hateful. If you have less than me and I can help, I am there for you. If you need a hand or a prayer. I am there. Everyone I know is like that. EVERYONE. Why must NAACP, Al Sharpton and their kind (not their race, their attitude) paint us all with the brush they taught us in the 50s and 60s not to pick up anymore.

On August 28, 2010, were Dr. King still alive and had he retained his message, the one he had when I was just a kid, I think he would have stood with Alveda King and the others of all races and religions on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial with Glenn Beck and I think he would be ashamed of people like Rev. Al Sharpton who have rode on his coat tails lo these many years! Rev. Al would have done a lot more good standing their with Alveda King that he did by disrespecting the event.

Tribute to The Knees

2010-08-29T20:52:00.000-04:00

My friends, The Knees

When I was a baby The Knees were small too, cute, fat and dimply. They were soft and pliable.

Baby knees, innocent, unaware

Before long they were helping me to travel as I crawled everywhere. Soon I learned to walk and climb stairs. There were The Knees, they helped my little legs bend and they carried my chubby load.

Concentration & The Knees help me scale these stairs.

Falling & getting up, that is just a part of the job of The Knees

They were there when I learned to ride my bike and skate. They held me up, when as a skateboarder, I flew down the high hills of my neighborhood, around un-level sidewalks, broken by earthquakes. They were there, unnoticed, unless they became scrapped, just helping me do all the things kids do. I would fall down and they helped me to get up with ease. I even got tapped by a moving car on one of The Knees but nothing would stop them.

Scrapped & cut, The Knees rarely complained through my learning years.

As grew, I was called a Tomboy, I would jump from the roof of our house to the ground. I would leap from the swing into the wading pool. Who was there to aide my landings - The Knees!

As a teenager I played sports a little in school. I was a center on the basketball team. Center's jump for that ball, thank you to The Knees. And Volleyball, there they were again, supporting me as I made a serve or had to get under a ball! But my favorite sport was the running broad jump. In running broad jump is important to make sure you (1) land on your feet (2) don't fall backwards. Again, The Knees knew just what I needed them to do. Without complaint!

I can no longer get in this position, not without pain anyway.

As I got older The Knees carried me everywhere, to the swimming pool, to school, to the library, to the park. Before I could drive, it was me and The Knees. Then I started having children and adding that baby weight, but The Knees didn't mind. They were strong and could carry the load.

My father would remind me, I would never be Miss America with my scared up legs & knees.

Ah, my little children, how would I have raised them without the help of The Knees. Carrying around baby and all his gear was quite a strain but The Knees, they NEVER failed me. Before we knew it there 4 little runny noses to wipe, down I would go, resting upon one of The Knees. I did it so much that for years I was wearing out the right knee in every pair of pants I owned. And they were jeans, not slacks. I would get down on The Knees and crawl and play with the kids, I would run around bases or run after them to catch them when they did something bad.

The Knees, they never complained then. They let me do whatever I needed to do without even a whimper. One day the last of the babies went to school and my running around curtailed a lot. That is when I first started gaining weight. Oh Mr. Sciatic Nerve complained! He wouldn't even let me stand up sometimes, but not The Knees, they carried on. Pound after pound went onto my body but the good old Knees persevered.

As you know, with every good weight gain comes a good weight loss. Up and down, up and down, through the years. The Knees stuck with me. On good days at the gym, they would help me to push that leg lift with 240#s of dead weight. They were funny though, although they didn't mind a nice bench press they hated squats. And the despised the Elliptical Machine, they even began to avoid the bike. It was then when the complaining started. And the weight and the weights went up and down.

There was the time Tiffany the dog tripped me, down I went, falling upon both of The Knees. I was sure I crushed them, oh they complained, loudly for a while, but the recovered and I went on to climb stairs and walk distances and do leg presses. Oh and gain weight and lose it.

Suddenly, a few years ago The Knees, they began to complain a little more often, a little louder. Sometimes it would be a gnawing, annoying whine. Usually it was just one of The Knees, but more and more it became both. Then there would be weeks where they didn't say a word, just did their duty, carrying around my ever increasing girth. And there were the screams, oh, the screams.

The Knees. What a wonderful machine! It is the body that convinces me there is a God.

A few months ago The Knees began to nag, even when they lifted me off the seat of a chair. And then one of them began to cry almost all the time. I bought it the most expensive lotions, I massaged it, I would apply ice to sooth the pain and even take medication, just to help it feel better. Finally, I had to change chairs so that The Knees could lift Big Fat Butt up a little easier.

My body no longer works together like a well nourished machine. Big Fat Butt and Patella Buster Belly hate The Knees. Patella Buster Belly, because it is nothing but a parasite, hates The Knees the most. Patella Buster Belly KNOWS it doesn't belong here. Big Fat Butt serves a purpose under that fat layer, but Patella Buster Belly has no good reason for being there other than it HATES me and The Knees.

Patella Buster Belly wasn't always so large and unruly, but it has been there for quite a few years. In fact, at first it was barely noticeable if it were covered with clothes. Now 40 years since it took hold over my womb and with the all trips up and down the weight ladder, it decided that these bones of mine made a pretty good rack to hang onto and Patella Buster Belly started to grow, like a yeast loaf. Oh yes, I have vowed to Patella Buster Belly that I would cut it off, detach it from my bones and have it tossed into the trash, but it laughed at me. That is only for the rich and it knew that at this point, no matter what I do, it will be with me in some shape or form until I die. And it hates The Knees. Patella Buster Belly is bent on destroying The Knees. It is destroying the knees.

I apologize to you, The Knees, my knees, I didn't know I was destroying you. I NEED you still. I want to be around a long time, I want to walk that entire time. And so, I promise to fight Big Fat Butt and especially Patella Buster Belly. I promise to stop neglecting that band of Merry Muscles - the Thigh. I will re-strengthen them so they can help you, my friends, The Knees, and so they can protect The Hips (oh The Hips, I can't even tell you what I did to them!).

I have athletic thighs, they are excellent tools!

Dear God, I was wrong, I took for granted the gifts you gave me that are encased in this skin of mine. I abused it all, each and every minute cell. I was wrong, I hope it isn't too late to correct the damage. But you know me God, I need your help. The Flesh is weak...In Jesus Name - Amen. ME

Go outside & play!

2010-08-29T10:53:00.000-04:00

Wheels!

Go outside & play!

That is what I heard when I was little, after Captain Kangaroo & Romper Room. The TV was off until my mom's stories were on in the afternoon & I was kicked outside to play. Free to roam the neighborhood, only required to be home when the street lights came on. Ah, those were the days!

9th grade

My 1st car

When I was a teen all I wanted to do was be OUT of the house, I didn't mind being IN my friends' houses, I just didn't want to be at MY house! As soon as I got home I would turn on the TV to watch Dark Shadows, House Party & Lloyd Thaxton & then do my homework. After that, if I weren't on restriction I was out of there! If I were on restriction I would sit in the front window, watching who went by and wishing to God I was not cooped up in the house. By the way, I was on restriction a lot - I had a bad habit of climbing out of my bedroom window. I was bad, what can I say.

Danny & me, ready for a walk.

Nothing changed after I had my 1st son, we walked EVERY day, rain or shine. I think that is why he was rarely sick. But then things changed and I started having more kids and I got a car. (I got the car after my dad died, before that it was my mom's car.) I stopped walking but I was gone a lot in the car. I can pretty much say I maintained that MO until just recently. Now, if I don't have to go out I won't. If I have to go out, I don't want to. I mean I go to work everyday and all that, just when I am home I don't want to leave. Have I finally settled down? Has my restlessness subsided? I know I don't have any kind of agoraphobia. I guess it is just that I have so many things to hold my interest at home now.

This is where I am right now!

I know I might need to go out and I just don't want to and I really don't have to. It is hot outside, maybe that is the problem. I don't like hot so much any more. Gas costs too much, maybe that is it. I am too fat, maybe that is it. Who the hell knows, but I wish I could just find a happy medium.

My e-mail to Stand Up Speak Now

2010-08-06T06:36:00.002-04:00

I find your program interesting & I am hoping it is successful. But given the times I have to ask you…where do you and your committee stand politically. Pardon me for bringing politics into this program, but when I heard the program title “Speak up Speak now” I thought of Glenn Beck, who is doing just that. He is trying to alert the people that the times they are a changing, and not for our greater good. We are being bullied by those in Washington (on both sides of the aisle) and I just have a feeling that those at your organization and the Florida Holocaust Museum might not support his call to action. I really think most of you have not taken even the time to listen to Mr. Beck.

No one is suggesting another Holocaust will happen or that there is a Hitler-in-waiting, but rather that our country and our freedoms are in danger. So I am writing to see where you really stand on “Speak up Speak now”, because Glenn Beck is doing just that, are you listening? Or is that premise only relevant according to your organizers’ ideals.

The people of the United States, while we still have our Freedoms, need to have a program like “Speak up Speak now”. We need to know that the time to be bystanders and poo-pooer’s has passed. It is now time to be “upstanders”*. On what side of this street do you stand? You have the ear of some of the youth, you have what seems to be a decent program that could reach into the schools & you have the legitimacy the Florida Holocaust Museum offers. Are people like Glenn Beck, who are speaking out and providing supporting facts, respected by your organization or are you just another arm of liberal progressiveness.

I look forward to your response and not a canned reply. I am posting this and your response on Facebook and my blog so that we can all know where your organization really stands. It is nice to say “Speak up Speak now” and use Holocaust survivors to push home the point, but if YOU aren’t willing to listen to certain people with open minds then I have to wonder about your true intent.

Never again!

Carol Klein-Buckingham
Tampa, FL

From the http://www.speakupspeaknow.org web site
*Upstander:
up-stand-der, Noun
Those who do not simply stand by in silence in the face of injustice, but understand that each one of us can make a difference.

Earth Day-what good is it.

2010-04-25T00:43:00.004-04:00

Summer 1969 - U.Cal Berkeley & Telegraph Avenue. I wish you & I could go back to that summer and I could just let you know how very awesome it was to be there, to be 15 and hanging with your friends, with no parents around to spoil it for you. I wish you could taste the Orange Juliuses that were sold across from the student union building or that I could play billiards with you there in the student union building. We could sit and have rum cake and cappuccino ( with half a cup of sugar) at Cafe Med. I wish you could hear the tambourines that the Hare Krishna played on the corner in front of the book store, and I wish you could read a Berkeley Barb. It was probably the best summer I had as a teenager. But I can't go back, nor can I take you. 41 years later and I am not that person, I changed. I grew.

Earth Day was born that year, thanks to the hippies who moved to the No Cal mountains to live in communes and smoke pot, or who became professors so they could teach at schools like Cal Berkeley and smoke pot. What good have any of them done in 41 years? Esp. Earth Day? I still cannot afford solar energy nor can I get any kind of financial breaks for it. Wind energy is still way way too expensive to realistically use it as an alternate energy. In fact here in my county I cannot even have my own wind turbine because they have to be higher than we are allowed to build. Despite the lies of Al Gore and his band of merry men America has more forest land than ever. The Alaska pipeline didn't ruin Alaska. No animals are extict, even though California has spent ALL of its money and all its citizens money trying to protect creatures and plant matters above people. Nothing and no one is any better off because of Earth Day or Government Environmental Protection Act.

And what about dependency on oil? Has it changed in the past 41 years? Yep, back then it was 50 cents a gallon. Thank you Earth Day for that, who is worse for the people you & the EPA, or OPEC. Partners I say. Why aren't we all riding bikes and rapid transits? Why is the air in Los Angeles still yellow? What have you done Earth Day?

At my house we have a compost pile. We have a wildlife certified back yard. We have no grass. We xeriscape. (Do not xeriscape unless all you want to do is pick weeds!) We have not watered anything in our yard in 10 years yet it grows like the Amazon jungle. It was treeless when we moved in but now it is well shaded. We use very little water inside either. If I could have a wind turbine I would in a New York minute. We recycled before the blue bins. I think we are pretty green around here, but so what? We still live in a land of green chemically treated expanses of lawn. These people hate our yard and especially our front yard of artificial grass.

So here we sit, 41 years later, Earth Day and I, we are 41 years older. I have been thinking Earth Day and you have been pretty disappointing. I shake my head and wonder out loud, how is it you are still hanging around, what keeps you alive? Ahh, I know, I know, it is those hippies out there in California, who came down from the mountains and who were voted into office and now govern our land, and those pot smoking professors who have lied to our children for 41 years, so now it is like you are actually the truth...I see your ways Earth Day, I do...

I have grown and changed and faced reality. And you, you Earth Day are you still the idealistic, ineffective lump of nothing that you were 41 years ago. Give it up, grab your Birkenstocks, head back up to the No Cal mountains and toke up. Take the EPA with you, loosers.

What Pat Robertson REALLY said...

2010-01-16T09:03:00.003-05:00

I have listened to Pat Robertson's remarks about Haiti over & over in the past few days. I haven't once heard him say that the earthquake was because the people in Haiti today made a pact with the devil. He did not say that it was true that the devil came to the people. He told a story about a pact, the Bois Caiman, that he believes to be true. THE BOIS CAIMAN CEREMONY: FACT OR MYTH Daniel Simidor 2002
This isn't anything new, religious leaders have been citing this co-relationship for YEARS. See this 2005 article by Jean R. Gelin, Ph.D.
Mr. Robertson said that way back when the people in Haiti made a pact with the devil to get out from under the rule of the French. He said that this story was true. He said that these people believed they made a pact with the devil. A lot of people in Haiti still believe in Voodoo & Santaria & they believe in the devil and they believe that the devil is real. To this day. So is it far fetched to believe that they believed it then? If it happened...which is debatable. Dr. Gelin proposes that the story was begun by CRISTIAN MISSIONARIES to control the superstitious Haitians & that through the centuries it is has become not just a story but "actual fact". I tend to believe this theory because I have seen & see daily how RELIGION has caused nothing but harm to the World. (Not faith, not God, but religion.) Dr. Gelin goes on to say: "The worst part of the whole picture is that the story is believed by many sincere Christians in America and around the world; and not only do they believe it, they also spread it as fact. The tragedy of our age is that repeated lies are often mistaken for the truth, especially when repeated long enough. That’s particularly the case in religious circles where faith on the part of the audience is generally expected, but that should never be so for those who believe in the Bible."
Father Jonathan Morris, a Catholic priest and Fox News correspondent has made several appearances debunking Mr. Robertson & the devil. Excuse me Father, but the Catholic Church STILL DOES EXORCISMS. John Paul II said 'One who doesn't believe in the devil doesn't believe in the Gospel." I believe the Catholic Church, since its beginning, has done more to promote the Devil through the years than any other religion! They did this as a way to control the church. So Father Jonathan, why not do some research before you answer these questions off the cuff.
I think Mr. Robertson was repeating a story, a story that he feels offers an explanation for the suffering. In these politically correct times, he was mistaken. Had he said this from the pulpit as just your regular Joe Pastor there would have been no outcry, just "Amens". Don't you know, had he not said this on the air, this very "devil pact" story would have been related in pulpits around the world tomorrow. In pulpits of all religions and all races, and the congregation in the pews would all have nodded and said "Amen brother, Amen". Can I get a "Praise the Lord"?
Get off Pat Robertson's back Media & actually do something useful for Haiti & the world? Why not actually do a story about the pact , you know, Research rather than React! And President Obama, your statement was "stupid"! Oh & Cass Sunstein - bring it on! Please put your focus back on the people of Haiti and their families around the world. Donate, pray, peace, love and Rock the World.

The Haitian Health Foundation-please Donate, even $1.00
KB- Tampa, FL

The Will to Live (or Die)

2009-11-25T07:03:00.003-05:00

Have you heard about the man who was in a coma for over 20 years and says he was aware the entire time. He can't talk now & someone is guiding his hand as he types out what it has been like for him lo these many years.

So who knows if it is valid, but let's assume it is. Dr. Michael Baden (Dr. Death) was on Red Eye discussing this guy. Greg asked if people like him were fighting inside to live and Dr. Baden opined that yes, yes they were. That no matter what, we have it in us to fight to live.

And at that point I started rethinking my end-of-life decision. I fought with others that Terri Schivao should be allowed to die and at that time I entered into a Living Will, wherein I outlined my own decisions. Even though I have spoken these verbally & had put them online, I knew they needed to be in writing, so there would never be a fight over me the way there was over Terri.

But last night I thought of the deaths I have witnessed. Our family seems to have been plagued by death for years now and to tell you the truth, it is starting to get me down. I have only watched two people actually die. The 1st one was my ex's elderly grandfather, who died in the nursing home as we stood at the foot of his bed. It was very peaceful & we weren't even sure he had passed. There was no "death rattle", no moans, nothing. (FYI - God, I would like to go like this please.)

The other was my dear dear friend, my California "Carol" sister. My inspiration, my mentor. When she was dying from breast cancer I was honored to asked to be in on the decision about life sustaining matters. I had no hesitation. She was not going to recover. I didn't want her to suffer if she didn't have to. But it wasn't easy or quick. She struggled against medications to ease pain. She struggled against receiving a watery sponge. Was she struggling to stay alive? Or was she struggling to stop the prolonging of the inevitable? The thing that stuck with me the most was that her vanity remained strong - even as death beckoned. I won't tell her secret here, but when the nurse wanted to take a safety precaution upon her person, my friend struggled and did not want to give up her last shred of dignity.

And I pondered this last night. Was she fighting to live? Have I made the wrong decision? I really don't want to live if it means I would be a vegetable. I know this in my lucid, although some might question, sane mind. I am not influenced by drugs or impending death. I have been exposed to the horrors of nursing homes and Alzheimer's & I know that I do not want to experience that, nor do I want my family too. I don't want to live if I survive a firey inferno & my skin is melted. I don't want too - now.

I know what it is like to loose someone suddenly from a silly accident that exacerbated other underlying conditions and three days later that person was dead (my mother, my daughter-in-law's mother, my son-in-law's mother). I have experienced a loved one doing something routine & dying on the spot from a failed heart (my dad, my 2 son-in-law's fathers). I have lived through the horror of a child's suicide. I have found a beloved pet smashed in the middle of the road and held another while I wished I had it in me to just put a pillow over his head & end his misery. I have seen a loved ones family stunned when their beloved died in a car crash. I have had other family members die from cancer, from ALS, from alcoholism, from heart failure. And I have felt the sharp slap in the heart upon learning of the murder of a family member more than once. Since 2001 my grandchildren have lost 3 grandfathers and 2 grandmothers. All they have left is me, 1 other grandma & 1 grandpa. And of course Papa, who loves them like he was their blood grandpa. It is touching that the other grandma (one son-in-law's mother) & the other grandpa (my daughter-in-law's father), are called Grandma & Grandpa by all the kids.

And a couple of years ago suddenly I lost my dear friend. For two years we were joined together in grief. She for her husband who died of a heart attack when she stepped out of the room for 5 minutes. She never saw it coming. And me, grieving for my son, who was a favorite of hers. Deaths 6 months apart. We were there for each other through so much. Then one day, we were taking a drive & she told me she had a lump. And then just a few weeks later she was in the hospital and a few weeks later we were in the hospital with her, sleeping in her room. Willing her to just let go. To give up the fight. Knowing we were losing her, in this world.

Like I said, it is weighing on me, all this death. That is the price of humanity, of loving. Death, its inevitability. But I think I should be given a small break.

Anyway, this isn't about that, it is about my decision regarding end-of-life moments. Am I wrong? While I was writing this I remembered the last moments with my friend, the one in a bedroom, in her home, surrounded by her loved ones, wearing a pretty gown her daughter dressed her in, so when she met her husband again she would be pretty. And she died - peacefully. None of the fighting we had seen in the hospital. Was this all she wanted?

And based on that I think we made the right choice for her & I for myself. I have watched 2 people die, peacefully, in bed. Since this is our luxury, to make end-of-life decisions, I would encourage you to take that time now. During Thanksgiving, to fill out a Living Will & Healthcare Surrogate form. Make your wishes known. You can always change your mind down the road. But the length of that road isn't a guarantee.

Each state has different rules, here is a web site to get you started: http://www.hcdecisions.org/AdvanceDirectives.asp

Your health care provider or your health insurance company should have the forms you need for your state - for free.

Wishing you a healthy, happy Thanksgiving.

I was green, when green wasn't cool.

2009-11-17T12:06:00.000-05:00

Back in the day my parents grew during the Depression in poor families. Then they went through the war when there was rationing. So when I was "coming up" I was constantly reminded: turn off the lights - you are wasting electricity, turn off the water - you are wasting water, etc. We had glass bottles that the milk man would pick up & recycle with new milk. Or you took your glass soda bottles in for the deposit that you had paid when you bought them. Wax milk cartons were used to grow seedlings in or to through food scraps in for the garden. Tin cans were washed & reused. Glass jars were washed & reused. Newspapers were used in the garden, or for cleaning up spills, rolling into fire logs, you name it. The mailman walked the entire neighborhood delivering the mail door to door. We didn't drive our 8cyl cars all over, we had no need too, our lifes took place in our hometowns. And on & on.

Then in the 70s, when I still lived in California we went through a drought. We put bricks in our toilets & we flushed only when it was #2 or so stinky you couldn't stand it.

But you know, plastic bottles & aliuminum cans came along & changed everything. People started working in the city & moving hours away from their homes. Women started working so everyone needed 2 cars. The streets became so scary you couldn't let your children out on them any more so they had to be driven to school. They couldn't play outside anymore so they had to have more and more organized sports that meant the mom's who didn't work had to have another car to drive the kids all over. And snow ball and snow ball.

I hate Women's Liberation, I think it ruined the world as we know it, and this is just one more example. Were it not for Women's Liberation there would be NO hole in the Ozone & life would be simpler. Al Gore stick that in your craw & smoke it!

Why size DOES matter (pixel size that is!)

2009-11-15T14:52:00.004-05:00

We have a family Flickr site, it is unlimited & I pay for it. Yet it doesn't get used by everyone. One reason is the uploader can be slow & a hassle if you upload large size pix. But, I need large size pictures for my digital scrapbook pages, plus larger size pictures are a better quality all around, esp. if you want to print them.

I do not use Flickr as my back up & I don't recommend that you do. I have all my pix saved on an external hard drive, that hard drive has another external hard drive that is a back up, and I also have Carbonite, a cheap online back up. But Flickr works well for sharing & if you are on a trip, etc. Mainly because it saves the pictures in various sizes (including original) & it also allows for the uploading of video.

As I said I need large, good quality pictures for my scrapbook pages & when I do photo manipulations. An article in December Issue Photoshop User Magazine (1^st of a 3 part series) explains about image resizing. "The Pixel (size) is the Thing" written by Dave Cross on Page 64. You can get the magazine at the bookstore – or you can become a National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), like me, & get the magazine & lots & lots of extras & discounts. It really helped me to understand how to resize a picture (not just click & drag). If you are interested I would check that article out. (See bottom of post for links on how to become a NAPP member.)

But this isn't about sites, it is about pictures. So let's get down to business:

Set camera pix size

Digital Cameras: Buyer's Guide:
How does file size affect my digital camera's image quality?

Since each camera is a little different, get out your manual and look up image quality. You should be able then to scroll through the options and select a larger picture size.

I am not going to explain pixels, etc. to you as there are lots of articles on the internet & free articles, just think of it like this. The MORE pixels you have the better your picture quality when you print it. The LESS pixels you have, the less information you have to work with if you ever want to use that photo for anything. Your print quality will not be good and your image will not enlarge well.

I do photo composites & digital scrapbooking & I sometimes use photos taken by my family members. I have gotten a variety of picture qualities from them, when I ask that the original .jpg be e-mailed to me. Here are some examples – please note that size of the photo & then read the pixels & file size noted. Each is placed on the exact 12x12 background (from Scrapgirls.com) and there has been no retouching or resizing when I created the document. The pictures are the exact same size as they were when I took them or received them.

The pix here are from various sources – a cell phone, downloaded from Facebook, downloaded from an album type web site and then e-mailed to me from a camera set on its lowest quality setting:

The next is a picture at high quality from a 7.1 MP point & shoot camera:

Finally a photo at high quality from a 10MP camera:

As you can see, the size difference alone is dramatic. You can always reduce a picture and still retain some quality, but enlarging one with very few pixels isn't a pretty site.
The only drawback of having a high quality pictures is storage size. But today that is easily remedied. The price of external storage is cheap. I do not keep any of my photos on my computer for storage, as I said above, I keep them on external hard drives.

I also have a Pro Flickr account (there are others, I like Flickr). It comes in really handy when I travel. Every night I upload all the pix I took that day to Flickr. That way, just in case anything bad happens, my pictures are at least on Flickr and can be recovered from there if need be. I don't retouch them or anything at that point.

After a photoshoot I download immediately all the pix on my card. I use Adobe Bridge – it does video too, &/or Adobe Lightroom – but there are many out there & your computer probably came with one too.

I have my program set to put my photos in the file I want and also to create a back up file on my C: drive. (I only do that because Carbonite does not back up from external drives.) Then once I have checked to make sure ALL my pictures have made it off of the card, I reformat the card & it is ready to use again. The first of every month, after I make sure Carbonite has backed up the files in my back up folder on the C: drive, I move them onto ANOTHER external hard drive (that I keep in a separate location from my computer), then I delete those pix off of my C: drive.

You can also get thumb drives that hold several gigabytes now, so you can use them as your external storage and back up also. I would still check the integrity of these devices every quarter or so. Hard drives have been known to fail.

So it costs me $55/yr for Carbonite & $25/yr for Flickr. But I feel safe that my pictures are going to be around if someone were to come in my house & steal all my equipment or there was a house fire, etc.

Flickr

Smug Mug

Shutterfly

Photobucket

Picsa

Carbonite (if you contact me with your e-mail address, I can get you an extra month free, but you must do so prior to downloading the free trial)

So please - check & see if you have your picture quality set to the highest your camera will allow. Why have all those megapixels if you aren't going to use them??? And don't forget - get them off of your camera card & back up back up back up! You will thank me someday.

An Easy Tip to Help Remember the Past

2009-11-11T08:18:00.000-05:00

Here is a tip & I find it is helping me remember lots of things - after all - it is in there, somewhere. Every time I think of a story I write it down. I have a directory called Nana's memories. So if I die the kids will find it, but if not, when I get the inkling I can make a book out of them. I just write what I remember, say one topic might be my mom cooking chicken every Sunday. Then if I think of more, I go in and append it. I don't care that it is cohesive, just want to preserve that memory, as sometimes they flit in & out at lightning speed. If I am not where I can write it I record it on the record feature on my phone or you can even leave a VM. Then write it when you get the chance. It really works, you should try it! Before you know it you may have the remembrance you are looking for. :-}

Each memory should be a separate file. This really works well if you are going through pictures. Maybe you see a place or a toy or something & have a fond memory about it. Record it. That is how your son & grandchildren will really know who you are.
I do genealogy & names are nothing if they don't have some flesh on them. These are your flesh once you are gone. Pix & words.
(I told my friend this today & thought it is a good tip I will share it.)

Out on a Limb?

2009-10-18T19:47:00.004-04:00

Young boy scaling palm
Originally uploaded by karrelbuck

I am borrowing this from a young cousin's Facebook status: "The only people you need in your life are the ones that prove they need you in theirs."

Once again I was put in my place. Not that of revered mother, matriarch of the family, but that of big time loser who ruined the entire world.

My crime - I am not really sure, but I am guessing it is that I didn't do enough to make my children's early years more perfect. Because, as you know, it is proven that if you had some bumps in your early life then you will NEVER EVER grow up to be successful.

I didn't live a perfect life either. In the 90s I used popular "think" to blame my parents, but really it was me. I have always known that. It was inside of me. My parents only mistake was not disciplining me, at all. So I spent 32 years seeking discipline. (I left out my 1st year of life.) Let that be a lesson to you new parents, you HAVE to set boundaries for your children, so they can learn about consequences.

I learned, years after both of them were gone, that the problem wasn't that they were shitty parents, but that they had no examples of proper parenting in their lives. My dad's father died when he was 4, leaving his mom a widow with 9 children. He & his brothers lived at his Uncle's house for many years. My mom's father left her mom & the 2 children for another woman when she was 4 or 5. But in those days the woman who was left was the bad woman. My grandma, with little help from her family, had to work hard in the cotton fields everyday while my mom had to raise her little brother. All the while, there daddy & his new family had a nice home and good clothes.

So when they adopted me were they wrong to want to give me everything they never had? Since they never had to deal with selfishness and unruliness how could they deal with me? They had no clue.

Now I can blame the orphanage where I spent the first 4 months of my life, due to political red tape. They let me lie in my crib, hungry & malnourished, suffer from an untreated umbilical cord, while they sold ½ of the formula my parents supplied to the facility for me to eat. Maybe that made me the bad child I became. Maybe that is why I am fat.

But I have given up blaming. I have personal responsibility. I am 55 years old. I was not a perfect mother, but I tried my hardest. God forbid I say that other people had life much tougher than my family. But you know what, that's the truth. I wasn't beat every day of my marriage. My sons were not beat or berated every second of their life either.

Yes, my youngest son suffered from depression. Did his childhood cause that? Maybe. I don't know what causes depression. I have been depressed & can step out of it. But some people can't. For some people it is a lingering disease.

I can't change what happened. I can't change what happened 3 minutes ago. I could delete all these words, but that doesn't change the fact that I wrote them. I sure as hell can't go back and fix a person's childhood.

I took control of my own self about 14 yrs ago or more & changed how I look at my future. I changed how I look at my now. And I realized it is NO ONE's fault the life I have, the life I had, or the life I am going to have but my own. And for anyone who wants to challenge me on that I say to you, put on your big boy/girl panties and get over it. If you aren't where you want to be in life, then you didn't try. Maybe you didn't want to try. Maybe you didn't really want it. I don't want a lot. I am happy with the life I have now. Isn't that where we need to be. Just happy where we are. If you want to be Donald Trump, then you have to work at it. It's not your Mama's fault if you didn't pony up the the challenges and seize the opportunities that were laid before you. You gotta look in the mirror and face reality one day. You will be a much happier person once you to that.

If you are in college or just getting started you have to ask yourself what you really want & then go for it. If you don't and you missed the boat, no one tied you to the dock so you couldn't catch it. But there is ALWAYS another boat, so no excuses.

I have one more thing to say about this situation. I was condemned for speaking out politically because (1) I have never done it before (2) I must not like black people (3) why don't Jeff & I just say how we want things to be.

1 - I have been a Republican my entire life. My dad taught me to be one. My mom taught me I never want to be a Democrat (she was & I had issues with her). It is that simple. I didn't influence my children. I must have been wrong there. I shouldn't have let them think for themselves. I should have taken them into the voting booth with me every time, like my dad did & made them Republicans. Shame on me.

2 - I have been a Republican my entire life. The fact that our current president is of a different race is irrelevant, since I personally believe that Presidents, all of them, have very little power. The problem with our current president is - he is a Democrat and I do not subscribe the the Democratic philosophy of Big Government. If Hillary Clinton were President I would have spoke out as much. Maybe more.

The reason I have a "louder voice" now, is the Internet & Facebook, and a blog, & Twitter. It is the reason we ALL have a VOICE now. That is why I wasn't so outspoken before. Also, I trusted my government, I trusted George Bush & the US Government to keep us safe. I was wrong. I was complacent. I was apathetical & then Sept 2008 happened & I realized that there is something serious going on in Washington & it is time to stand up!

3 - I don't think I have ever been unclear on how I think things should be. I think it should be like it was before the 60s, before Viet Nam, before Women's Lib. I don't think Mom's should work, I don't think there should be no-fault 20 day divorces, I don't think there should be latch key kids, I don't think there should be such violence in the media, I don't think there should be so many social programs that have enslaved entire generations. I think a Dad should be a Dad & take care of his family and not leave when the going gets tough. I think abortion is wrong, period. I don't think the Government owes me anything but to protect my rights, as they are spelled out in the Constitution. And I think it should be like that for ALL American's - no matter what your race or religion.

So, I leave my soap box with this thought, You have to work for what you want, you have to stop blaming the world, in fact, get off the blame wagon & grow the F#%K up. Yes, I am a hard ass. So what!

What is Hope & how about Change?

2009-10-15T11:44:00.005-04:00

I've been thinking about hope since last night. Here is why I think hope is a pretty useless emotion. I HOPE that when I die I will be reunited with my loved ones & pets who went before me. I have FAITH that I will, but I really don't know 100%. There is nothing I can do to change or influence this out come - so that is what HOPE is. Something that you have absolutely no control over, but you hope it comes to pass.

Here are 2 situations where HOPE will fail you every time. You are driving in a car & it skids off the road, into a pond, & starts filling up with water. Now, you can sit in your seat & HOPE that you get out, HOPE that someone saw you, HOPE that they have the ability to rescue you. But as long as you SIT IN YOUR SEAT and do NOTHING, HOPE will do very very little for you. You must ACT to make a difference in this situation.

You can HOPE you win the lottery. Every drawing read the winning numbers, plan your future with your winnings, maybe even start buying stuff based on your winnings because you really HOPE it is going to happen tonight. But if you never take ACTION - like buying a Lottery ticket - all your HOPE is kind of wasted.

Pretty much everything that can be CHANGED and does not rely on HOPE. But you know, we like that word. "I HOPE you have a great day." "I HOPE to go to college someday." I HOPE I meet the perfect person for me." None of that is ever going to happen if you just sit around hoping.

So we have a president who appealed to our love of the word HOPE. It inspires us. I HOPE that he is the guy who makes a difference, who makes the CHANGE for the good. But all in all, he is just ANOTHER Politician. He has nothing different than all the others had before him. He has a shady past and hangs around with shady characters. His Chief of Staff & best friend/adviser are his the puppet masters (a la Dick Cheney). He is NOTHING special. But he DOES want to make a lot of changes really fast & he told a lot of lies to get into the position to make these changes.

I know you want to defend him and say, no, he never lied. But the proof is in the video tape. We were to have transparency, all bills were to be on the internet for 72 hours BEFORE they were voted on so the people could see them. On and on. He is trying to force things on us (like Health care and Cap & Trade), again, appealing to your HOPE that it is good. It sounds good, only the really really rich bastards will pay for it, it will be free for me, at least I sure HOPE so.

He is also a victim. So because he is a victim, most of his supporters would rather stick up for him than stop and think, maybe there is one ounce of truth in what his critics are saying. If Hollywood loves him, that should be your first clue something is wrong with him. But you think you know him, you think you know all the Hollywood stars. After all, you let them all come into your homes and you read up on them. They are special to you, so they know what is best for you. NOT

Recently, I was dressed down by a couple of people for expressing my political views on Facebook - that was because my views didn't line up with theirs. If it had, I am sure they would have said nothing to me. But 1st Amendment & all I can say what I like.

I voted for George W. Bush because I was a Republican & I didn't like Clinton & I liked Gore even less. I didn't know anything about Bush, didn't care. Just didn't want Gore to win. You ever voted like that???? Then after 9/11 I became a big Bush fan & I ignored anything he did, as long as my Gov't kept us safe. When we went to Iraq I had no clue why we were there but I figured they knew more than I did. So it went on for 8 years. I couldn't vote for Kerry, another extreme looser.

Then this past election came & I was in for Romney. I thought his business experience & his having been a governor would help him run this country well. But we got McCain. So I had a choice of a Republican Liberal or a Far Left Democrat. Had to go with McCain. But by then Obama, ACORN & all the rest had laid the path to it being a sure win for him.

I know, you want to protect him. You want to think he won because he WAS the best man for the job. Poor guy, everyone picks on him. But he wasn't. There were dirty politics at all times. There were lies, and you let them slide by, you believed. You believed in HOPE AND CHANGE.

Well, you got the CHANGE. I sure HOPE it is what you thought you were going to get, because I personally think America is screwed. Unless someone STANDS UP AND TAKES ACTION against this machine that got Obama elected, you know an unknown nobody, he is PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

So far all I see is Limbaugh & Beck standing up to this mess. Meanwhile, the Administration is trying hard to crush them, playing the victim at every turn. Never answering a question. Because you WANT to believe the lies, why should he even try to explain. So keep feeling pity for your victim president, don't open your eyes until it is too late. We are getting deeper & deeper in that pond, but still just a hopin' someone is up there really concerned about our safety...while you start planning what you will do with your lottery winnings...

My letter to Rep Alan Grayson (D-FL Dist 8) of today

2009-10-02T12:38:00.001-04:00

I take offense to being called a "Knuckle dragger" & a "murderer" by someone like you. As a Democrat you certainly have a lot of nerve, when your party, is beyond salvation.

Fortunately I don't live in your district, but we have our own useless representative, SEIU shill Rep Kathy Castor. If I did live in your district I would be investigating you as I am Castor.

Please make sure that you update your resume, as both you and Ms. Castor will be job hunting in 2010. In fact, I hope that someone moves for your recall before then. You do not deserve to even have a forum.

You may not know this, just as Ms. Castor does not, but you are to represent EVERYONE in your district, including the knuckle draggers. You are a dishonor to your position.

I hope the Republican's and any fair person in your district starts looking into who funds you and who you really speak for.

Response from Hills Cty School Board & my response of today

2009-09-29T18:49:00.002-04:00

From: Stephen Hegarty
Subject: Response from School District to Carol Buckingham 202237825_47
To: karrelbuck@yahoo.com
Cc: "Clearing House"
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 5:41 PM

Ms. Buckingham,

In an email to the school district you asked how many of our teachers belong to the union. Our records show that 6,673 of our teachers belong to the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association.

I believe you already received an answer to your other question. If you have any other questions, please send me an email and I'll try to help.

Stephen Hegarty
Office of Communications
Hillsborough County Public Schools

______________________________________________________________________

Mr. Hegarty,

Thank you very much for that information. I am looking into all of the Teachers Union's the the HCTA is "affiliated" with according to their web site. It is written in very small print that the Hillsborough CTA is Affiliated with FEA, NEA, AFT, AFL-CIO. I am posting this information in my blog, on Facebook & Twitter. I wonder how many parents in Hillsborough County would be comfortable knowing the things that these various unions support (one example below). I now know why each of my grandchildren, again, at 3 different Hillsborough County elementary schools, during the election came home singing Obama's praises. Not one told me of John McCain's heroic actions. I wrote to the School board at the time & received a satisfactory response.

Again, I will bring this up to you & hopefully you will pass it on. When I went to school I NEVER knew my teachers political affiliations & I believe this is how it should still be. Pres. Obama should be respected as he is our President, but he is not our Saviour & this kind of reverence does NOT belong in our schools.

Once I have concluded my investigations into these unions and the HCTA, I will appear at a school board meeting to ask my questions.

Is it too much to ask that teachers just teach these children how to read & write and do arithmetic, oh and how about the true history of America? I realize that morals are not being taught in homes like they used to be, but it is NOT the teacher's union's job to do this either. Maybe the Unions should teach themselves some ethics.

As I said, I appreciate your help. I am still wondering which curriculum is being taught at the schools, as I would like to take a deeper look into that too.

Sincerely - Carol Buckingham

http://www.nea.org/grants/33354.htm

2009:
NEA endorses same-sex marriage.

My 2nd letter to the Hillsborough County School Board

2009-09-29T11:26:00.001-04:00

Well, I haven't received a response yet to my 9/24/09 letter. That is unusual, they have been, in the past, quick to respond. So I am thinking that they don't want to give me the bad news. Early this morning, I sent this to them.

I am still waiting for your response on the video "The Story of Stuff". Is this being shown in the County Schools? Also, are our children singing praises to the President? Beyond that, please let me know where I can find out how many teachers in the system belong to which unions & which curriculum is being used in the district. I have 5 grandchildren in elementary schools here & 2 more who are not school age yet. I want to know what they are being taught. Please provide me with this information or a place where I can find it. Also, please answer me about The Story of Stuff.

WARNING: this is political - Video of School Children indoctrination

2009-09-24T06:31:00.004-04:00

I believe this video should make you stop in your tracks.

My letter to the Hillsborough County School Board re The Story of Stuff

2009-09-22T18:00:00.003-04:00

I am a grandmother with 5 grandchildren in 3 different county elementary schools. I am concerned about the video "The Story of Stuff" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLBE5QAYXp8 & would like to know if this is being shown in Hillsborough County Schools & if so have you informed the parents so they could make a choice if they want their child to be indoctrinated in this slanted propaganda. Also, a counter film to this one is coming out. When it is released, will you be showing it also. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Also, my comment on Annie Leonard's blog regarding this film.

I have written my school board to see if they are showing this unfactual piece and if so that they either stop showing it OR that they offer an opt out for parents. You should get your facts straight before you try to influence small children's minds. I challenge you to produced actual facts for the various socialist propaganda your "film" is spewing. America is a wonderful country & you, although you have the right to say it, you do not have the right to go into public schools & preach your lies without parents being aware.

Response from Sen Bill Nelson re ACORN

2009-09-18T11:45:00.001-04:00

Dear Mrs. Buckingham:

Thank you for contacting me regarding allegations against the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN).

Some troubling revelations about the group have come to light in recent days, and the U.S. Census Bureau has severed ties with the group. I recently voted with the vast majority of the Senate to deny taxpayer funds to ACORN.

After the 2008 elections, the Federal Bureau of Investigation opened an investigation of ACORN in several States because of voting fraud allegations. Neither Florida’s Governor or Secretary of State found significant evidence of voter fraud in the last election, but we must be vigilant. That is why I introduced the One-Person One-Vote Initiative, which contains provisions to improve voter registration lists and ballot verification. My legislation would set uniform standards for voter registration lists throughout the nation, in addition to requiring that a verifiable paper ballot accompany every electronic vote.

I understand your concerns and appreciate your taking the time to be involved and informed about matters important to Florida and our nation. Please don’t hesitate to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

My request to Todd Schnitt (The Schnitt Show) of today's date

2009-09-17T20:50:00.006-04:00

Todd, I am very concerned about Rep Kathy Castor & her association with the SEIU http://seiuorg.capwiz.com/bio/id/36912

If you look at my blog, I posted my recent letter to The Tampa Tribune, asking them to step up & look into this. Note that today the House voted to defund ACORN (sister group to the SEIU), yet our Rep here in Dist 11, Kathy Castor, voted NOT to defund this corrupt group.

I have asked Rush Limbaugh as a Floridan and Glenn Beck as a former Tampa resident to help out here, but I understand they have bigger fish to fry than to worry about our little ole district. Today while I was listening to your show, I thought, maybe Todd will get someone just to do a little digging.

If I am wrong, then I don't mind hearing that. But if I am right about Ms. Castor then I think she has to be exposed before the 2010 election. FYI, I was banned from commenting on her Facebook Fan site because I asked a question about her voting record a few months ago & suggested that she might need to tweak her resume. This was before I made the SEIU connection.

Additionally, please note that her voting record indicates she has voted 96% along Democrat lines. YET, her own web site says she represents ALL her constituents in District 11. Does she represent me? Am I one of those 4%? Are there only 4% non-Democrats in Dist 11?

Also, if you do look on my blog for the above-referenced letter, you will have to browse past today's post (this e-mail to you). My letter to The Tribune was 9/15/09 & there are also a few posts beyond that. They are of e-mails I have sent to Sen Nelson, Rep Castor, Sen Lemiux, & Charlie Crist.

Todd, I ask you, as a fellow resident of District 11, will you stand with me & take an honest look into Kathy Castor & her relationship with the SEIU? Someone with more resources than I have needs to help with this. Again, if I am wrong, I will be happy. I won't vote for her in 2010, but I will be happy to hear she isn't in bed with the SEIU. But if she is, the voters of District 11 deserves to know so they may make informed decisions, and choose a Representative who is truly for the PEOPLE and not the special interest unions.

The Schnitt Show -http://www.schnittshow.com/main.html

My letter to the Tampa Tribune - sent today

2009-09-15T18:31:00.003-04:00

Every day when I walk outside to pick up that ever decreasing newspaper, The Tampa Tribune, I ask myself why I continue my subscription. I have paid for a year & so I have about 6 months to go, but really, it is pretty much worthless to me, except maybe on Sunday.

But even more I wonder where real journalists have disappeared to. My Uncle worked for the Chicago Tribune way back when, he was a tough reporter, you know the kind with a pencil in his hat, always looking for a story in a day when stories were plentiful.

Are there no more newspaper men left in this world? Have people lost their curiosity, is it bred out of them in public school & then Left leaning liberal colleges? We have been watching the undercover videos made by two young people, two REAL journalists. Undercover. Unafraid. Getting the story. Are there anymore like these two?

Tampa Tribune, what happened to your guts? Did you lose them when you decreased in size, when you laid so many people off, did you lay off the brave reporters? Are your reporters now like Charlie Gibson, totally unaware of the ACORN scandal? Check out the uncut videos & the transcripts on www.biggovernment.com.

I am asking WHO in the Tampa Bay area is going to launch an investigation into our own ACORN office. Here is their address in case you have no one with enough gumption to find it on their own. Also how much funding do they get from the state & the county? Maybe they are clean, but why not check, just for the fun of it.

ACORN Housing Corp
3007 W. Cypress St., Suite 2
Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: (813) 870-3901
Fax: (813) 870-6395

Also, will you please, while you are at it, look into the SEIU connection with Rep. Kathy Castor. Here is the SEIU web address that shows how Rep Castor has voted for her top 20th contributor’s interest. http://seiuorg.capwiz.com/bio/id/36912 In fact, most of the top 20 of her contributors are Unions. Who is going to look into that? What about the other elected officials in the state? Who are they in bed with? (FYI, in case you don’t know, SEIU is run by one of the Rathke brothers. ACORN is run by his twin.)

Are you a newspaper or a rag? You want people to read your paper, then hit hard, dig up some stories that actually matter. Who there at the Tampa Tribune is willing to actually ask some questions that matter? Whose pocket are you in? Are you as worthless as the “in the tank for Obama” St. Pete Times or are you a true newspaper with NO DOG in the fight? Isn’t that what real journalism is?

Show the people of Florida that there are still some true journalists left in this realm. Give me a reason to keep reading your dying paper.

My Alias Post to Kathy Castor Facebook page

2009-09-15T11:54:00.002-04:00

So, I became a supporter using another page - guess what - I could post! What a surprise. Here is what I posted. I will check back this afternoon to see if this has been removed & if I am not allowed to post as that persona. Works for the public my eye!

It appears that Ms. Castor only let's Fans post on this site. If you say ANYTHING negative about her - the you are not allowed to comment. Let me ask you, does that really seem fair? Does that seem American? Rep. Castor, please come clean about how deeply you are in bed with the SEIU (aka ACORN). We, your constituents, would like to know. Or is this site only for a love fest? I have tweeted & Facebooked about your not letting negative responses be posted on this page. We are all watching you. 2010 is just around the corner.

"Health Care Reform the Right Way" there is an alternative!

2009-09-15T11:39:00.002-04:00

So I have heard that no one has offered an alternative to the health care reform proposed by the Democrats. Nay nay-here is one guy saying that ain't so. Also, word is out that Tort Reform doesn't work, so get off that band wagon & let's work together & fix the "big problem", whatever that is. Which, by the way, wasn't an emergency until Obama said it was. Health Care Reform the Right Way by Rep Mark Kirk (R-IL)

As I have said before I raised 4 children & spent most of my adult life without health insurance, we all survived. I am not saying health insurance isn't needed, I am just saying there is no "right" to health care, everyone who can should pay for the services they receive. Isn't that the American way? It is either provided through your work (& therefore part of your salary) or you pay on your own.

Let's end this 90 years of big government & get back to the way things were. What would your great grandma say if she knew you were looking for a handout! (FYI, guess who is hosting a big $2500/plate dinner for Pelosi-Big Insurance! If the enemy got $$, Pelosi is there. (Shaking my head.)

Canned response I just received from Kathy Castor.

2009-09-14T18:43:00.000-04:00

I appreciate your email regarding your concerns and views. It is important for me to learn of issues that are so important to you and our entire community.

Please know that I am committed to serving all of the constituents of District 11. I am working hard to reduce the costs of health care, increase access to education, and bring more accountability to the halls of Congress.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, your input is timely and appreciated.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor
United States Representative
Florida, District 11

THANKS FOR ADDRESSING MY CONCERNS!

Lucky me - another canned response from Sen Bill Nelson

2009-09-14T18:10:00.001-04:00

HOW ABOUT ADDRESSING MY ACTUAL E-MAIL SENATOR????

Dear Mrs. Buckingham:

Thank you for writing me about the state of affairs in Washington.

It’s clear that the American people are hurting. They are losing their homes, their jobs, their businesses, and their life savings. I know that Americans are worried about the challenges facing our nation, and we will have to make many tough decisions in the coming months, but I want you to know that I am committed to upholding the hallmarks of our democracy: free enterprise, individual liberty, personal responsibility, and transparency in government.

I appreciate hearing your views. It is important for me to know how Floridians feel on issues that impact Florida and our nation. I believe that everyone must be treated with respect regardless of whether we agree or disagree on any given issue. As legislation is considered in the Senate, I will share your concerns with my colleagues. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

My letter to Rep Kathy Castor - today

2009-09-14T17:44:00.000-04:00

I was going to just comment on your FB page, but I have been blocked from adding a comment. NO OPPOSITION, huh??? Remember, you work for the people of Dist. 11, not just your supporters, at least until 2010.

Would you please issue a statement regarding your relationship with the SEIU (#20 of your top 20 contributors) and their relationship with ACORN. "NPR reports that ACORN's cofounder, Wade Rathke, also founded SEIU 10/2008."

I am sure you have heard about ACORNs recent troubles. I also know that you are not foolish enough to believe that FOX News put words in those innocent workers mouths. That is some kind of editing job!

We have seen the video of Pres. Obama speaking to the members of the SEIU, we know that he consults with them about "everything" almost.

http://seiuorg.capwiz.com/bio/id/36912 This web site tells us how you voted on the SEIU issues.

Madam, speak out against these corrupt entities or we will know that you are just one of them. I may not be able to comment on your FB page, but I have other avenues of shining a light on who you really are & whom you are in bed with. As I mentioned before, you may want to start preparing your resume, the PEOPLE are not happy with you, or your other House members.

My letter today to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist

2009-09-12T14:57:00.002-04:00

I voted for you, but you have disappointed me. Why are we not drilling off shore? Are you listening to special interests? Are you just interested in paving your way to Washington & are you going to be in the pockets of special interest? Or do you want to go & represent the people of Florida, no matter what party. Are you going to be there for America? Tell me what you think about what is going on in Washington today. What do you think of Vann Jones, Cass Sunstein, Czars in general, ACORN & other George Soros funded programs, union strong arming, Obamacare, Cap & Trade, the bail outs. Are you going to be someone like the useless Rep. Kathy Castor or Sen. Nelson who voted for Cass Sunstein's confirmation and other far left atrocities or are you willing to stand up to the President, Nancy Peolsi & Harry Reid? Are you willing to stand up against the corruption that is Washington? I want to see it all spelled out before I consider giving you my vote for Senator. Governor, are you for the PEOPLE? Don't answer me personally, put where you stand on these issues in an editorial in the major papers of Florida. Let us know NOW where you stand on these things that are happening NOW. Then WE the PEOPLE will know if YOU mean it. Because NOW is the time to come to the AID of YOUR Countrymen - not just in an election year. Show me I was not wrong to vote for you Gov. Crist.

Sen Nelson's (D-FL) response to my e-mail & mine back to him.

2009-09-06T11:07:00.004-04:00

From: Bill@billnelson.senate.gov [mailto:Bill@billnelson.senate.gov]
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 5:28 PM
To: ME
Subject: RE: Your response from Senator Bill Nelson

Dear Mrs. Buckingham:

Thank you for contacting me regarding White House advisers. I have had an opportunity to meet and talk with other Floridians who share your concerns.

As Florida's United States Senator, I take seriously my responsibility to uphold the U.S. Constitution. I share your respect for our U.S. Constitution, and I’ve always insisted there be checks and balances on the White House in the form of congressional oversight, regardless of who is president. At the same time, I believe presidents are entitled to have advisers of their own choosing. Please know that I will always promote transparency and accountability in government.

I appreciate your letter. Your communication helps me serve you better in the Senate. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any future concerns.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

MY RESPONSE:

Sen Nelson (9/6/09)
I received your bland, politically correct, response to my recent inquiry re Van Jones & other advisors of Pres. Obama. Please be advised that I am posting my e-mails to you & your responses on my blog so all Floridians can see how well you take these issues into account come election day. Sir, you have no problem with your President having a self-avowed Marxist, Communist advising him? Are you truly an American? Do you stand up for our values? Why aren't you in the Senate & the Congress asking questions instead of letting the President pick unvetted advisors? Why was one of the co-founders of the Weather Underground one of the authors of the Stimulus Plan. Stand up Mr. Senator. You climbed into a missile that was fired into space & yet you don't seem to have the guts to speak up about this shenanigans going on in the White House. Don't send me your canned responses - show me your Legislative Might. Are you Rank & File like Rep Castor or are you for the People Of Florida & America? We the people are looking closely at you politicians between now & the next election...don't discount us. Or maybe you are just looking to retire.

My letter to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today

2009-09-03T16:55:00.000-04:00

Sir, are you disturbed yet? Won't you stand up for the children of the United States? I came to this country from Post-War Germany. I was sent here to live a free life and I have had a good one and enjoyed it as a naturalized citizen of the greatest country in the world. I never dreamed that my children, my grandchildren, any child in America would be encouraged to pledge allegiance to another Human, President or not. I don't believe the President is behind this video, but I do believe people who have power & money are. Will you stand up to them Sen. Nelson? Will you be our champion? Will others in your position? Or will we be written about in history books, too blind to see what was going on and refusing to believe it. I am praying for you and our country like I never have before. Are you shaking your head yet? Are you ready to ask some questions? If not, why?

My letter to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today

2009-09-02T07:05:00.000-04:00

Quote from 2005 "Congressman Miller and other lawmakers have asked the Bush Administration to fully disclose its use of covert propaganda. They have also requested investigations from the Government Accountability Office and the inspectors general at different federal agencies."

Are we going to see the same type of action with regard to Pres. Obama's partnership with the National Endowment of the Arts & his request that they produce art work in support of Healthcare Reform. Will you also investigate Rep. Kathy Castor who is on the Committee for health care reform?

What about Rep. Charlie Rangel's tax evasion? Any of you there on the Hill outraged about that?

Vann Jones? Surely, you must question this man's positions. If you don't, then that is very telling about you, Sen Nelson.

Remember your oath Sir, to UPHOLD & PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION OF AMERICA. We are counting on you & we are watching you.

Do you represent the people or not?

The letter I sent today to Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL)

2009-08-31T18:31:00.001-04:00

To Sen Bill Nelson (D-FL) I am sure you are aware of the latest polls that say the majority of Americans want all Sen. & Cong. voted out. I am one of those. But I want to give you a chance. We are of different parties, but we are both American's. I believe you, like me, want to preserve our Country & our Constitution. I therefore am asking you to please look into the unelected advisers (Czars) of Pres. Obama. Stand up and ask why these people who are Marxists & Communists are sitting at the right hand of our Pres. Your President. Sir, please take your head out of the Democratic sand and look about you. American's are worried. Floridians are worried. I am worried. And I am asking you - why you are not worried? Stand up - because if you don't you may be looking for work in 2010. But if you do, you may find that others will stand behind you. Just look, look with open eyes daring to see the truth. Be the brave man you were when you were an astronaut. Boldly go where others are afraid to trod. I am begging you as a citizen of the Great State of Florida and the United States. Please Sir, help our country. Please.

I sent a similar one to Cong. Kathy Castor, Dist 11, Florida

E-mail I sent to my Senator & Congresswoman

2009-08-28T18:36:00.000-04:00

I am not asking that you respond to this e-mail, as I have received your canned responses before. I am asking that when you are all alone, perhaps when you playing a round of golf or relax with a glass of wine, that you consider our country and your oath to it. It is my hope that you look beyond your own political aspirations and you consider what is happening in the White House. Question yourself why our President has people like Vann Jones & Jeff Jones, John Holdren, Cass Sunstein, Carol Browner, Ezekiel Emmanuel, the Apollo Alliance, etc. as advisors. Are these people with whom you associate? If so, your constituents need to know. If not, then you need to speak up for our country. That is why YOU were entrusted with your job, to represent the PEOPLE, not just the Democrats, but ALL the people of Florida. Are you willing to stand up and ask some questions, or will you just sit back and let us all be led to the slaughter? Something has been going on for a long time in Washington & now it is getting critical. If you stand up for America & her people, I might change my mind about you. But if you stay silent, if you don't ask questions, if these are people you are comfortable, then I will know that too & so will the rest of the people of Florida. Because if no one else asked you to consider this I did, and I am watching you and your actions with regard to these people. Please help our country, please look at the way you were raised and ask yourself what is happening to our country? "I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States." Please, live up to your oath.

The Bucket List for real

2009-08-13T12:41:00.003-04:00

Pepples Splash
Originally uploaded by karrelbuck

I hate that term - bucket list - but I guess there was a movie so now it is the buzz word. You know on Facebook they have a bucket list going around with different things on it, did you or didn't you do. But I wonder if I have a bucket list...I don't really have any great desires, I kind of get them one minute & act on them the next.

I have swam with dolphins, been to Alaska, the Alps, white water rafted, traveled all over , driven cars really fast...But there are a few things I guess I haven't got to do yet that may be considered a bucket list. So here goes, in no order other than the way I am think of them: (this all being if I have the $$ to do it, but we are all the same there)

*Take Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale Colonial Ports cruise in Oct one year.
*Have an RV and travel all over New England & the Eastern Sea Board.
*Visit Nova Scotia.
*Take a Scandinavian Cruise.
*Travel across the Atlantic on the QMII with my mother.
*Live at the beach BUT on a tree loaded lot (like Virginia K's) but in the Keys on a lagoon.
*Get back to my fighting weight & wear cute clothes so I am not embarrassed around my husband's friends.
*Dance dance dance.
*Learn to do stand up comedy so I can entertain when I am at parties ;-}.
*Have time & inclination to set up a really cool web site.
*Go back to Washington DC and see what I haven't gotten to see yet.
*Spend time in the presence of very intelligent people and discuss issues.
*Have hair the color I want it to be.
*Go to the Bondurant School of Racing in Phoenix.
*Retain my current health status or better.
*Learn to not let my husband's political views annoy me, or his driving. None of it is important enough to stress over.
*Have fun like I had in the early 90s w/o the drama & with my husband.
*Get to know people from everywhere. They use to tell me I should work in a bar, because I love those 5 minute relationships. I don't like bars, but I would love to (when I retire) work where I can get to know people shortly, talk to them, & let them go. (Not WalMart)
*Another thing I was told I should be was a disc jockey, I could dig that too, but I would need to improve the sound of my voice (Columbia School of Broadcasting??)
*Write a book about my life.
*Write a book.
*Win something very big & impressive.
*Have more than 15 min of fame for doing something important.
*Give give give.
*Return to all my favorite places & do the stuff I could never afford to do & stay in the fanciest places.
*See Angkor Wat.
*Go back to Alaska, also to Banff, Wyoming, Denver, Montana.
*Take the American "Orient Express"
*Take the real Orient Express
*See Moose & bear in the wild.

OK, lunchtime is over. What about you - what do you want to do?

Freedom..

2009-08-10T23:34:00.003-04:00

DSC_1869-2
Originally uploaded by karrelbuck

I glimpsed her on the Siene, or her little sister I guess. I finally got to see her a few weeks ago. My surprise was the gold of her flame. Also that she is probably pretty large, judging by the ant like people line that snaked around her base. You see I viewed her from the Staten Island Ferry.

My 1st night in NYC & really until I got to see Central Park I thought I never have to return to New York City, but I think now, a few weeks away from there, I might want to go back.

Mostly because I can't remember the stories about the buildings. We passed so many. Did you know there is a church near Ground Zero that George Washington prayed for his troops in. That it not only escaped 9/11, even though all the other buildings surrounding it suffered damage. There was a fire in the 1800s & it suffered no damage. In its yard is a cemetary. There in the middle of what I believe is the Financial District. I don't even know its name.

Originally uploaded by karrelbuck

The other day I saw a movie star, Marlon Waynans, who grew up in what is now the Meat Packing District. He said that it use to be a ghetto. Now it is pretty. There are parks and trees everywhere in NYC. I didn't see any of the New York I had heard of...instead I saw a lovely city. Although it is packed with buildings I don't really believe it is that large landwise.

I didn't go on the subway. No lose. I have been on beautiful subways in Washington DC & Paris. I still have preconceived notions about the subways in New York.

I am not a crowd person so I wasn't crazy about Times Square, but the area of Park Avenue, where our hotel was was beautiful. I want to know more about it. I want to visit Greenwich Village and Chelesa.

So I will go back. I retract my statement. I don't know when, but someday I will head back.

DSC_1869-2
Originally uploaded by karrelbuck

I won't stay at the Waldof again. I am happy that we stayed there, but I wasn't that impressed. It was just another hotel room. I guess we should have been in the Towers. Next time, now that I know the area, I will pick a place near Central Park.

Do you have a dream hotel room? I do. I remember when I stayed in my first "nice" hotel. It was Highlands Inn in Beautiful Carmel-By-The-Sea. I was expecting something luxurious and spectacular. Well...the view in the bar/restuarant was spectaular, but the room wasn't.

That was how I felt in the Waldorf. I had heard so much about it, about seeing famous people. Nothing. Just people hanging in the lobby hoping to catch the famous. Hey...I think they are in the Towers people.

So I will continue to look for that awesome place. I guess I need to join the hotel clubs so I can get up on the top floors. If you have a dream of the best hotel room ever then tell me what it is. Maybe I can hear in your words what I am looking for. Maybe...

OK, so tell me this too, what should I NOT miss next time I go back to NYC?

Peace KB

Musicman

2009-07-31T12:14:00.001-04:00

Musicman
Originally uploaded by karrelbuck

I can't believe that I was so tired after my trip to NYC. Just this morning did I wake up naturally at the 5:00 a.m. without going & lying on the couch for 2 more hours. It feels so good. I don't know how my friend Laurie did NYC for TWO whole weeks. Man - that would have killed me. I felt like I had jet lag or something. But anyway, I am back now.

So my photoclass is going along well now, now that I understand the key ingredient. This weekend I have to work on all that I have learned AND also some depth of field pix. I will be posting some later.

Here's the thing. Where to post. You know I love Flickr, you can see all different sizes, and you can just do so much. Then there is my NAPP portfolio, that I rarely use. And there is FB where now I am getting more face time than I do no Flickr. So holy canoli bat man, where do I post. Both I guess.

I really want to win the Photowalk contest. At least for my walk. But I am realistic, I will still be disappointed though if I don't win. I love my pix. And my other entry too (Portal).

I love my new Tamron lens. I am going to enter a contest with one of them also.

I really need to start blogging more. You know I have that Vlog software that I never use. I have so MUCH stuff that I never use.

Found a really cool U-tube site today about how to apply eye make up. That is my passion, even though now I am old and fat.

Alright, lunch time is over, time to get back to work. Still getting moved in.

Peace - KB

What do you do that drives others crazy?

2009-06-05T18:37:00.002-04:00

I am reading The Five Principals of a Successful Life (see link). It is very good & full of so much wisdom. One relation, from Tucker Carlson, made me think of the one habit (I swear, it is the only one) that I have that Jeff hates.

Tucker says that when he flies across country he talks to the people in the seat next to him and he always lands having learned something new about people & life.

I am the same way. I LOVE to hear other people's stories. I want to know where they are going and why. Why do they live where they live, how did they get there. I like to hear about their families and their stories in general. I love to talk to cab drivers, etc. I hate parties but I love one on ones. That is why I think that older people love me. Because I actually want to hear their stories.

One time after a two hour plane flight Jeff & I were taking the cab home & I started to talk to the cab driver & Jeff told me to stop talking. Hmmmm...but I did. He hates it.

When Jill & I went on our road trip, at our hotel in Miami, there was a large porch looking out to the ocean and everyone gathered at the tables to have their breakfast. We each talked to a different individual who shared the table with us. Her guy was here on a trip from the Turks & Caicos. He was here to visit his family. He talked about the Islands and his business. I think Jill enjoyed him. My guy was here from a Pakistan and he was here to buy computers and have them shipped back to his country. He had been traveling all over the world for the last year & one half buying up used computers. He was going to New York from Miami. I immediately made him into a terrorist! That sounded exiting, he was probably legit, but who knows.

It has been my dream since I was like 30 to just say what I please. When I see a pretty woman or a hot guy I like to tell them that they are good looking, or they smell good. I like compliments, I like giving compliments. If people are rude, I say something, even if not to their face I say it so they hear me. This makes my family a little squirrely but I think people should be made aware of their being assholes. Even me if I am one.

Anyway, what do you do that your loved ones or others hate? I do a lot of other stuff that I am sure drives everyone insane, but at least with this trait I learn something about other people & I feel good after talking to them. Plus a lot of times I learn about life in other countries that I may never visit.

Who really runied our economy - just MHO

2009-06-04T17:43:00.002-04:00

The other night someone on TV said that economy has been going south since the late 60s. And you know what, I think they are right. Here is what I think, save your stones until you hear me out.

I think Women’s Lib and no fault divorce ruined the economy. Most of you who read this, if anyone does, does not remember what life was like before the bra burning began. That is sad.

When I was a kid we had one car. Everyone on our street had one car. Every mom stayed home except one. She worked in a typical “woman’s” job. Of all the people we knew, only ONE family had suffered a divorce. We all lived happy lives were we could play on the street and walk to school and visit our friends blocks and blocks away.

Our Dads went to work, most of our stores were in the neighborhood, if we needed to shop we went into town to the Penny’s.

In Georgia my Aunt worked at the Mill with my Uncle. The older children watched the younger. On Saturdays they went into town and shopped for the weeks groceries.

Our parents, you know, the Greatest Generation, spoiled us terribly. They had lived through the Depression and did not want us to suffer like they did, we baby boomers were to not want. We would have education so we did not have to work at blue collar dead end jobs. Even their daughters could go to college and even be president. Opps…that has no worked out yet, has it.

Then the bra burners on our college campuses, you know those illustrious bastions of truth, decided that women were not happy. They needed to go to work. They did not care that maybe some of were happy being stay at home mom’s. And then they started taking over the world. If anyone said anything against them then they were male chauvinist pigs. Even us women.

Now that Mom was at work, the family needed two cars. And child care. And a bigger home to make up for the fact that mom was not at home. The job mom took was from some other family’s dad. But then it was ok, because as the family got more money consumership increased and so more jobs were made to keep up with the demand. (Capitalism?)

Funny how the service industry never got out of the old school ways. Most professional services are open still from 9-5, even banks. They are still living in the early 60s. So now Mom or Dad have to take a day off from work if they have to take their little one to the doctor, or wait in a giant line with all the other working parents at the late night doctor. You know, the one who stays open till 9pm. Worse yet they send their sick kid to school and we all get sick.

Now everyone was working, and you know what happens when you work long hours away from your family, you are tired when you get home and you are dissatisfied. So you get a divorce. Then you have a family that used to have one car in one house in a safe neighborhood, moving to a second home, and maybe in a not so safe neighborhood. Dads are working to pay child support or they are just not paying and Moms are having to work longer hours. Then you have latch key kids. And the crime ratio goes up. Bored kids sitting at home alone for hours – they look for something to take care of that boredom.

The Yuppies then come along and it becomes trendy for mom to stay at home again. But by now those neighborhoods are all spread apart and nowhere is safe. So we still need two cars, only Mom needs a big car to hold the kids and the carpool. The house is further away from dads work, you know, to get away from the inner city, so Dad is driving miles and miles to and from work and mom is driving her kids all over in her giant car. But mom gets bored so she opens boutique stores to make a little money. And you know they now need an even larger house. So dad has to work even longer and he has an affair, or bored mom does and then they get a divorce and the cycle repeats.

Suddenly it all catches up to us, because the bra burners NOW are into the Green movement. They make so much noise that the car dealers are forced every year to retool their plants to meet environmental requirements. Blue collar workers lose their jobs because unions price them into oblivion. No one has the money to buy the glut of cars that there is so the car companies go bankrupt. There are way too many houses and no one can afford them. Houses are sold to people who have no stake (down payment) in the home. And the families now wanted larger and larger homes, McMansions if you will. Oh my, did that make those bra burners mad! Women were supposed to become enlightened and not need men, the family was suppose to be everyone. Not mom, dad & two kids. It was suppose to be whatever you imagined. Men were supposed to be obsolete. What happened to their plan.

In fact, the bra burners no longer care about women’s rights, because if a woman does NOT support their party they will turn their back on her and even campaign against her.

The bra burners ruined the economy, yes they did. If a mom stays at home now doing the noblest job of all, raising her children, she is constantly made to feel guilty for not working. Let’s live with less. Let’s have safe small communities again, where everyone knows everyone. You remember, if you did something wrong two blocks away, the person who saw you knew where you lived and told on you. It will take a long time. The bra burners have been ruining our country for 40 years now. They are still fighting to kill babies without a thought, they support the right for the pregnant woman to have a say what happens to her body. I think she had that say before she got pregnant. (Not talking about rape, illness, etc. but I still do not condone abortion in those circumstances either.)

Put your bra on ladies. Stand up for your family and your country. I know a lot of young SAHMs who are making it, I made it, it can be done. Clip your coupons, take care of your kids and show those bra burners that they are done ruling and ruining America. And Mom, if you have to work, do not feel guilty, just remember it was the bra burners who got you in this situation. They look for every way they can to destroy life as we love it. You read about them everyday…be diligent…save the country and the family for your kids.

You may cast your stones now if you will.

Have you ever taken a bad picture?????

2009-03-10T12:31:00.002-04:00

I haven't but I still wanted to share this with you (ha ha). Some pictures will never be useful no matter what you do, or so it seems. See this example - camera shake has ruined this picture. There is nothing I can salvage out of it - at least for now. But....

Since storage is cheap I delete VERY FEW pictures. The reason is - there might be a place - somewhere down the road where I can use something from that photo. Now maybe you are thinking you will never get to the point where you would want to combine photos. But 2 months ago I never thought I would be doing that. I had read a long time ago that you shouldn't throw out any pix you take so I decided not to. Now I am making photo composites like the one below and I am happy to have my own stash of pix. There are people who buy stock photography to make their composites. In the photo below there are really 4 different pix. The picture of the pirate himself, a picture of pirate flags that I warped into his sunglasses, the coin on his chain and the background.

So what if I had a picture of the beach that had something offensive or just wasn't a good shot, but some parts of it were pretty good. You can see that most of my background isn't showing. So if there was something I wanted to hide, I could do that easily in a scene like this.

What made me think of this - is I was in a photography class where I learned a lot. Another classmate had taken two photos of her son which weren't "good" shots per the teacher. But I said I would never throw them away. I know, I am contentious. One shot was a little blurry in the boys face but he was crawling, face very near the camera and there was an empty space before his hands. I would have taken that bad photo and made a cartoon out of it, and put something before his hands - like a mini Godzilla or something. I would have salvaged that picture.

The other one, I thought it was a great shot, but the teach didn't like as the boy was looking off camera at something and we didn't know what. Again, here is where composites come in, I would have extracted the boy and put him into a scene where I could have used that gaze. See the photo below. It consists of a background and an extracted photo.

Sometimes now, I just shoot scenes to use in composites. Here I shot some rocks at the beach with the sun going down. I extracted two of my grandsons from different pictures and suddenly they are climbing on Mars. I am also planning on doing set up shots of the kids so I can make more composites.

I know we all don't want to make these types of art, but until January 2009 neither did I. So you never know where your creativity or someone in your family's creativity will lead them. Don't throw out your pictures!!!!! Storage is cheap. Keyword them so you can find them and you may surprise yourself someday!

Peace - KB

Just another day in a woman's life.

2009-01-27T07:01:00.001-05:00

Destroyer of the Mundane
Originally uploaded by aaearhart (home)

Isn't this pix just great - it was taken by a photographer in one of my Flickr groups - the challenge - Self-Portrait. ½ the people seeing this photo (the men) would think "Holy Cow!", but the other ½ (women) are looking at it thinking "And...?"

Why is that - because we women have been juggling multitudes of chores all at the same times since we were very small. We do it so easily now we rarely notice. This is portrayed so significantly in this picture - because while she is doing everything - she is also meditating.

A woman's life is a flow. Synchronicity. Sometimes we stop and look at what we actually do and that is when we get all flustered and need medication. But usually, we just move along, handling it all without even knowing all that we do.

So, my challenge to you and to me is to make a little stick drawing of yourself - then start adding hands and legs and see just exactly what you do every day without ever thinking about it. Then feel very proud of yourself - then throw it away - otherwise you won't be a flowin'. And women - we know about flowin'.

Sensory OVER - LOAD

2009-01-21T06:29:00.010-05:00

The last year has been full of stuff going on - not really for me, my life has progressed as before, but for our country. We've had a contentious election and then yesterday was the "big" day for all of us. No matter our political view, this day, today, means something - one way or the other. Who is to know? Hope is meaningless. We all hope for good. Faith is what counts, do you have faith in what's to come? Stress is the one certain thing.

I am a news junkie. Fox News goes 24-7 in our home and car (thank you XM). Thanks to them I am able to hear both sides of every story and make informed decisions. But that is a ton of info. Then I have 3 different e-mail accounts (home, work, Yahoo), which I check A LOT. There is Facebook and Twitter. I have abandoned My Space because it isn't as friendly as Facebook. I have several blogs that I would love to read daily. I have books that I am in the midst of reading (5 right now). I am starting a class this Saturday. There is my family who I want to spend time with. My husband who I like to get in the car, put the top down and just ride with. The daily newspaper, the crossword puzzle, my work, several TV shows I watch, they are TiVo'd so I can FF through the commercials, but I need time to watch them, over 30000 pictures that I need to catalog, restore, scrap, Photoshop - 1000s waiting to be scanned, a clean desk that has become cluttered again, and on and on and on.

There are only 24 hours in a day, as we all know. If I am home alone on the weekends I turn the TV off & try to get some stuff done, but it never will be. But the question is - what would I do if I didn't have all of this to do? Once I worked in an office where my only job was to answer the phone. I was told that I could read or do whatever I wanted. Pre-internet. So I read and I read and I read. I became more and more depressed. Why, because we NEED something to do. We aren't meant to just loll around doing nothing. At least those with my type of personality (if that idea is even real). I am not a complete A but maybe an A-.

So what about you? What keeps you busy, takes up all your time, what would you do without it? Are these little distractions time stealers or are they time fillers? Are they positive or negative? I guess that is up to you and what you do with your time and how it affects you mentally. As for me, they are pleasant ways to get through the day. I need a little stress in my life, so if I reach a patch where I am mainly stress free from lives bumps and bruises, I have my artificial stress - the in box, the pile of books, the hard drives & boxes full of photographs, the to do lists. Because you know, those things can go by the way, but they create that feeling of HAVING TO DO SOMETHING, being needed, having a PURPOSE.

Is that what goals are - ways of inducing stress? No longer do we have the stress of trying to survive day by day, now we need goals. We need lists. Wouldn't our ancestors laugh at us when they came in from a hard day on the farm trying to eek out some food for the coming winter, to see us sit down & make a little list of goals. Yep yep. But, we need it - we need that stress, artificial or real. It is necessary for survival. So next time you suffer from sensory overload, just lay back and appreciate it for what it is - sharpening your senses for survival.

What I would do if I could fly...

2009-01-19T09:54:00.004-05:00

Ro Paxman asked an interesting question and this is how I responded:

1) I would fly over my old neighborhood in Pittsburg California(much like I do on Google Earth) and gather up all my old memories, write them down with accompanying old pix or drawings and make my heirs a book of who my parents and I were - long ago and far away.

View Larger Map (The house with the big tree on the R side is my old house - they don't have a street view just a birds eye - drat - my address was NOT 170)

2) I would fly to heaven to visit my son, my parents & my dogs.

3) I would fly to Germany weekly to check up on my other parents (yes I have two sets) to see how their health is and visit with my siblings.

4) Whenever it was dark, rainy or just cloudy I would soar above the clouds and enjoy the sunshine, play on the pillow clouds and wave at people in passing by airplanes.

5) Speaking of airplanes, I would dance upon the wings of jumbo jets, peek in the windows at the people flying inside and give them hope that something else exists out there.

6) I would go to Alaska during the summer and marvel in its beauty.

7) I would fly to all the places I have never been and long to go - the New England Seaboard, Nova Scotia, Great Britain, Jackson Hole & the surrounding area.

8)I would take prize winning pictures that even Art Wolf can't capture, write wonderful stories about people and places all with a new perspective, that of one ABOVE the din and noise of society.

9)I would never be afraid again of terrorists, because when I flew I would go somewhere and prepare a place that I could take my family too and we could be safe. I couldn't take everyone, I know that, I would like to, but I am only one person. But I could take my family and from there we would sit in our hiding place and pray for mankind.

10) I would write a book about how the impossible is possible - because I can fly!

Do you know me? Do you care? Today that is...

2009-01-18T09:29:00.007-05:00

If I have learned one thing in my 54 years, it is this...I should have asked more questions and listened more carefully. To what? To my parents. Yep, my parents. Had I done that, then today I would have the answers to 100s of questions. Also, I would know why. Have you ever asked why, why you were raised the way you were? You know, even if you had the best life ever, there is a reason. Your parents decided to raise you the way they did BECAUSE of something that happened to them. It is how their parents and their extended family raised them that is mirrored in your own upbringing.
The way I learned to forgive my mom (which is a process that I am still working on), is because my aunt told me about her life as a child and then a wise person once said: You parent what you know. So I know both my parents were lacking fathers, they had mothers who had to work hard and weren't the most nurturing, and they knew absolutely NO different. They tried to make a better life for me than they had and they did - materially, but they lacked nurturing skills, because they rarely if ever were nurtured by a parent.

I talk a lot lately about when I was small and I see those eyes glaze over of those around me, like who cares. There is a time when your history is all that matters. Then you move beyond yourself. I feel slighted at times because only my oldest son knew my mom and dad, and the other kids and my husband act as (a) they didn't even live (b) they were of no consequence. When the truth is they did live and they are of tremendous consequence even to this day. So, I take time when I scan pictures like that one above, to write down what I remember. Not for today, because today there isn't one person who gives a crap that I was a child or a teenager, a young mom. or about my mom and dad at all. No one but me. But someday someone will say "Why didn't I listen to her stories, do you remember...?", because it may not be important now, but there will come a day. I know because that day is here for me now and I can't remember. That day will come when my children, grandchildren, etc. will be wanting to know. That makes me think of the movie "The Notebook". Hopefully, if I get Alzheimer's I have enough sense to end it before it is too late, but if not, someone might be reading me my own stories, trying to help me remember - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

If you do genealogy like I do, what is it. It is trying to put flesh on facts, faces to names, lives to people that went before. So I encourage you, no matter how young or old you are, open up your word processing program or a journal and just write down memories as they come along. Get out your old photo albums and make notes about what you remember. I don't do it every day or every time, but I do it. Someday, someone who's name you don't know yet, who isn't even a glimmer, will be happy you did it. A picture may be worth a 1000 words, but a 1000 words with a picture is just better.

Peace KB

The Future as it looks to me

2009-01-16T09:04:00.001-05:00

FreEmail-mont Older near Coyote Ridge Trail Jan.14, 2009
Originally uploaded by dmzajac2004

I grew up on a hill, our house was in the middle of it, so either way I climbed. Now hill is relative I guess, but the hills where I lived are a little steep, but they didn't kill you to climb them.

When I saw this picture by Deborah Zajac I knew I had to blog it, because we all struggle with the future. We want to know what is on the other side of the bend in the road. Even if you travel that road daily, things are always changing. Unfortunately, as humans, we are always expecting that something bad is waiting for us. Unfortunately, most of us don't prepare for things we may face so they aren't shocking or overwhelming. Instead we try to figure out what it is, when it is going to happen, what can we do to prevent it, we try to see into the future. Life isn't like that - take it from someone who knows. You don't know what is around that corner, no one does. So rather than visiting soothsayers (which I have multitude of times in the past), prepare yourself now to be ready for anything. Gird up the loins of your heart and mind.

Find out what you KNOW. You've heard Oprah talk about that, knowing what you know. You've heard your own “still small voice” whisper what is ahead. We have all ignored it to peril. I have learned – listen to the voice – even if it is minute. If I see any little thing and I think “You know, this or that can happen if that stays like that.” I do my best to change the situation, because 9 times out of 10 this or that does happen and I am kicking myself for not listening to my small voice.

Here is something else I know, if you don’t like something in someone, it is because you have those same characteristics yourself and you don’t like seeing them mirrored back at you. So that is another example of the still small voice telling you – change it. You cannot now or ever make someone else change. Only you can change. So when you see something you don’t like in a person, your spouse, your partner, your child, a friend, etc. chances are you do the same thing but you don’t even notice it.

So rather than pray that the person change and conform to your ideals, write down what you don’t like, but write it this way on a sheet of paper (#1): I don’t like it when does (behavior). Then write on another sheet of paper (#2) write the same sentence but this way: I don’t like it when I do (enter same behavior). Now, when you are done, throw away sheet #1, and you have a list of what you need to work on in your own life. When you work on becoming a better person, rather than wishing someone else was different, guess what – you become a better person and you are more tolerant of others. Funny how it works that way.

I don’t wonder what is around the bend anymore. I have learned it could be something wonderful, something horrific, or something benign. BUT more importantly I have learned whatever it is, I can deal with it and I will survive. It is just one day, one step, one heartbeat at a time. There is NO way of knowing what lies ahead, so live for this moment. The future will take care of itself, as they say.

Peace - KB

Wisdom...pluezzzeeeee...

2009-01-12T06:53:00.003-05:00

Owl in camo
Originally uploaded by karrelbuck

I want to be a good photographer. Since I was a teenager I have had this dream, even though I never pursued it as family got in the way and I just shot to not miss the moment. But now I have time, time to learn, time to set up shots and time to Photoshop...but, I never set up a shot. Old habits die young. Also, I can think of nothing different to shoot. Where I grew up, in Pittsburg CA, I had many different venues at my finger tips, historical sites, the beach, mountains, rivers, foothills (different that mountains), rocky coastlines, sea lions, beautiful city (SF), ugly city (Oakland), capitol (Sac), tall trees, old trees, and on and on and on. (I don't want to go back, I am just using that to set the scene for what I have now.) Here in the Tampa Bay area, everything is clean and flat. I have local parks (the all look the same) and the beach. A small clean city. And I can drive in either direction and encounter the same. I don't want to be a bird photographer, but when you live in the largest estuary in the state (Tampa Bay) then birds are in abundance.

The thing is - what do I want to shoot? I haven't gotten excited about anything yet. I start a continuing ed Photography class at HCC in 2 weeks, I hope that I get a different perspective.

I don't have a lot of fancy equipment or money to shoot birds. Plus, everyone shoots birds. And landscapes. I want to get my OWN style. So, consider this my plea for wisdom. In the meantime, I am going to search Flickr for ideas.

Just a back up to my first paragraph - when I grew up in the San Francisco East Bay Area I lived in East Oakland for a while and I hung out in Berkeley, this was in 1969. I was very social, and it was my dream to be a social worker and make a difference in the urban areas. You know that story, how many of us didn't want to do this in the 60s and early 70s. My dream was to make a Black and White book of faces from the Oakland area. I am sure this book exists by other authors in other cities as well as Oakland en nauseum. But that was my basis. Then when I was into rodeo's in the early 90s I wanted to do a photo essay of rodeo kids. Here is my problem with shooting kids, in this day and age I think parents would be reluctant to have someone taking pix of their little children, so I back off. Now, one of my favorite shoots is Toys on the Beach. But again, I am reluctant to shoot children, so USUALLY, I shoot the abandoned toys.

Peace - KB

Whacking Away at Goals (Photo-title by Ro-Scrapgirls.com)

2009-01-09T17:39:00.002-05:00

Whacking Away at Goals
Originally uploaded by ScrapGirlsRo

This inspired me so much, I hope Ro doesn't mind if I blog it. I kind of don't have any real goals. I have spent 20 years now making goals, chasing them, working at achieving them, bending lots of nails, and getting all things I wanted. I suffered giant losses that I could never have imagined and still I persevered. And I won. So isn't it ok just to sit back for a while and not chase anything? To enjoy what I have.

Once upon a time I sought answers from spiritualists, astrology, tarot cards, Turkish coffee grounds. But for years now I have been in a place where I didn't have any questions. Plus, now I see that no one ever told me: your son will die. What if they had? (Just so you know, they didn't have to tell me - I knew in my heart - and I knew I couldn't stop it. Still small voice.)

Anyway, I am just as questionless now as I have been. I think I have climbed past that plateau of the mountain (of enlightenment?) and am climbing on. But now I am used to the altitude, it doesn't hurt to breathe any more. The climb isn't bad because I don't have to work hard. I am not bothered so much by the wind, I have learned that I can stand in the gale or find shelter until it blows over.

Yes, I still step on the loose rock or loose my grip and fall a few feet, but it isn't hard to get my stride back. It isn't bragging, it isn't even knowledge of what lies ahead, but it is confidence that no matter what lies ahead, I most likely will survive it. If I don't, then I am not worried about what lies beyond.

Brave right, how dare I say those words, isn't that tempting fate? If you believe that way then yes it is. But I asked God for years for patience, for knowledge, for strength. I have been through lots and lots. Not as much as many, but a lot more than most. I have cried, I have begged, I have suffered shock that is unmeasurable. I have seen dreams crushed and watched what I thought would be my life forever drop from sight as it fell of the side of the mountain I climbed. It didn't just "fall" either. It gripped the walls & tried to crawl back and for years I heard the echo of its screams. Then it was silent, my past life. Gone forever and not missed. And the new life is soooo much better. I shutter to think what would have happened, but I don't dwell on it, because I know - what is to be - will be. That is the secret - I KNOW that, I KNOW THAT.

Photo borrowed from http://www.flickr.com/photos/9793191@N08/2193457710/, thanks! Fig2007

I lost my little children and watched them become adults. When they were teenagers for a while I swam in the hot springs at one plateau rather than care for them. I lost that time as they climbed past me, kicking pebbles and rocks down on me as the kept on up. But I caught up with them. I have watched as they too lost ground and when I have told them keep climbing, I have seen hope and despair, knowing I can't do the climbing for them. Now they are different, I am different, and I still mourn that we aren't young again. It is the ONLY thing I mourn, that we can't do that part over. But you know the rule there - no do overs & who's to say it would have been better, the results different. (FYI - don't miss the ex, just my small kids)

So now, I don't know that I need to get to the top. Maybe I am at the top. Have you been to a tall mountain? When I was in the Alps it was cloudy where I stood, but as I looked up at the Zugstpitze, I saw that above those clouds was bright sunshine & the mountain soared far into the sky, reaching towards the sun. Sometimes looks are deceiving. http://www.zugspitze.de/livecams/index_en.php

So for today, I am going to sit on the mesa and not worry about the next step. When it is time I will lace up my hiking boots, pick up my pack and carry on. Because isn't that what it is really about - having the strength to Carry On - Carry On.

Why doesn't my goals have a net instead of 2 posts?

2009-01-07T11:38:00.006-05:00

(I know this appears to be rambling, but nobody reads it anyway & I am thinking things out.)

Well, last night, after telling you how good I am, I was bad. Cookies came in here & they were giant. So I ate ½ of one. The last time I had one of these though was Christmas 2007. So that wasn't too bad. I threw the other ½ away when I came in this morning. BUT then I went grocery shopping, did pretty good until I bought the semolina bread & the bite sized macaroons. Let's just say - last night - waste of a day.

But you know what they say - One day at a time sweet Jesus - so here I am again with another day. See this picture - that was me AFTER I got a divorce. My husband says that is the best diet in the world - removing the wedding ring. Before that I was pretty fat - 30#s less than I am now though. How sick is that! Of course I am now 19 years older & have had a hysterectomy & am menopausal. But still - there is no excuse for my appearance. I heard Judy Tenuta say the other day that fat women are like Manatees in thongs. MMMM, sounds about right Judy. Bitch!

OK, so I was thinking last night that I have times where I have absolutely no hunger and then other times where I feel extreme hunger. FYI - drinking lots of water - does NOTHING for my hunger. Sooo, this morning I wrote down those times that I have identified and a plan to keep hunger at bay. Most of that hunger comes from NOT eating full meals. From picking, from eating 6 times a day (as some suggest).

Here was my P&P diet when I was thin - now this worked for me - but I don't know if it would work now - because I don't think I could do it anymore. I call it the Popcorn & Perrier diet. Because basically I ate the following: cereal, popcorn, Slim Fast, water & Pop Tarts. Once a week I went out to dinner, breakfast & lunch - but those were on different days. This was my maintenance diet. I lost that weight in the beginning but cutting calories, reducing fat & using shakes.

But now, I am so fat that when I watched Dr. G's 5 ways American's die last night & saw #2 is my disease - obesity - I was struck by the fact that she said if you can loose weight & keep it off by diet good - BUT most people can't. And that if you are morbidly obese you should have a gastric bypass. Well I can't afford that in several ways - I can't afford the surgery or the time off from work. So now what?

Keep dieting & keep getting fatter and fatter each time I fall off?

I don't know, but I guess I must do something. So, I am getting a purse size notebook & I am going to use it to WRITE in - you remember writing right - done with a pen. In it there will be no structure other than a date. BUT I will write what I eat in there along with whatever else I want - like lists & plans etc.

There is something about having something you can pick up any time any place that beats a computer. My writing is very cramped & hurts my hand now to write BUT I can get use to it again. Yes it is much easier to read when your words flow out of your finger tips - but this will be for me a tool.

So some other things I want to do. Get back to blogging daily, enter a contest a day (I have been doing that), stop sitting at the computer so much when I get home. I am really working on that. And so on. Well here goes, the ball is back into play, I have to run back onto the field...where is that damn punter???

What is wrong with me?????

2009-01-06T09:29:00.004-05:00

So last night I was watching the Discovery Health Channel's National Body Challenge. This after starting WW's this week & keep track of my points. Which I have blown every day. BUT I never eat like the people on these shows. I think about it all the time. How long since I have had pizza, how I have had French Toast like 4 times since last year (when I lost 33#s from Jan-Jun & have now gained everyone of them back). My favorite breakfast used to be a McDonald's Bacon, Egg, Cheese bagel w/no cheese. I have had about 6 of them in the past year.

Yet the people on these shows go to McDonald's or other fast food several times a day & they eat 4 or 5 hamburgers. I can't even get a medium fry down in one sitting. Why am I a big fat slob and eating 1/3 of what they eat.

They ONLY way I can loose weight is to cut out carbs and eat fats (you know, Atkins). But I can't stick to it - I have in the past, but then I gain it all back and then some which is why I am where I am today.

So now I am blaming Zone Bars - I am going to cut that crap out & start eating food. Regular meals. Forget counting points. I do well when I just write down what I eat. I tried doing that on my phone calendar & quit, I guess I will be more diligent or get another notebook. Today I am going shopping & instead of spending lots of money on bars that do nothing for me I will buy some actual food. Low carbs, but not no carbs. Maybe I will look at the South Beach diet again. I do really well on Atkins but never really got into the So. Beach.

I know a lot of us have these problems. And there are fat people all the time who say "I don't eat a lot". You know what - I really don't & I have it written down to prove it. I challenge anyone to come watch me eat & tell me I eat too much. I think I have just screwed myself up so much that everything goes to fat.

I went to a nutritionist once & quit - maybe I should go back. No more pills. $40-75 a week is what I paid for 6 months last year for pills, and now I am RIGHT back where I was when I first went in a year ago today. How sick is that. But why do you need a nutritionist when there are so many things on the web to help you. If their accountability is like that of the diet doctors (where you get nothing but your BP taken, weighed & pills - that support they tell you about is non-existent).

Sorry to go off on a tare today but I am so frustrated. To see these people just scarfing down the foods I would LOVE to eat and haven't had in forever (you know deserts, candy, etc) & they are eating them EVERYDAY & weigh the same as you. What is up with that. But we see, even Oprah can't do it and she has everything at her fingertips.

Happy New Year - let's hope next year none of us weigh 20#s more (or even 2#s). Peace

How things have changed - photographing wise...

2008-12-21T13:14:00.003-05:00

Today, as I do every Christmas, I was looking at old Christmas pictures. But I thought I would go through my kids pictures (all now in their 30s) to get one from every year. I thought I had one from every year, but it turns out I don't. Why? Because we were poor. There was time, for you younger kids, when people had to shoot film, there was no digital. Also, there was a time when every single breath of a person was not recorded for the future.

So you see, there are relatively few pictures of me as a kid. In those days it just wasn't even thought of. But when I had my kids I thought I took a lot of pictures. But then there were those years we were very poor. I remember when my second son was born, at one point I could not afford a 13 cent stamp. Now we weren't exceptionally poor. We always lived in a decent place (except for that trailer) and we always had food. But we didn't have lots of extras. So I guess there were 2 years I didn't even have film for the camera.

And that makes me sad. There are so many cameras now, that this will most likely never be a problem in the future. I wonder though, is it good or is it bad.

December in Florida

2008-12-17T21:16:00.001-05:00

December in Florida
Originally uploaded by karrelbuck

I took this one tonight, unfortunately, still not proficient on the camera. Guess I need to take lessons from a human because books & videos aren't working. I wish I could find a person who would teach me and not in a class room. I will need to look for someone. The class I took before sucked because you have some people who don't listen to the criteria and have never even turned on their cameras. They demand all the attention. Then you have those who ask 1000 questions. ARRRR

Flickr

2008-12-17T21:13:00.002-05:00

A friend's pix & one of my own.

2008-12-17T12:39:00.000-05:00

Monterey Sunset, originally uploaded by doncon402.

Okie dokie - so I have a lot of cool contacts on Flickr, but I just love doncon402. Please check out his work if you love landscapes. He travels all over & is from FL. This picture is taken at my old home - Monterey CA. Isn't it neat the way he added those rays!

Please stop by his site & leave a nice comment.

Last night, rather than doing anything on my list I worked on this little pix:

I think it came out pretty cool. This weekend I am going to take the Nikon D60 out and I am going to get some pix. There is this scene I see everyday when I leave work, the glass buildings downtown, the clouds and the distortion. I just really love it. So, Sat. afternoon I will come and shoot that (hold me to it - ok). And then I have already thought about going to the top of several parking garages and taking some pictures. Let me tell you - when I am on the Selmon Crosstown (Tampa) I always see the most remarkable sunsets, etc. But once I get off, I have lost that height & perspective. So I am thinking of going to the Hyde Park Garage & then the garage at my old office building and shooting sunsets.

I missed the beautiful full moon last week. There was on shot I wished I had my camera & a tripod for - the moon was shining between two houses and there was a palm tree to its left. I know it will be there again next month & I will go and shoot it if I remember. (This was at my son's house.) But I read that this months full moon was the largest it has ever been.

Oh, Oh, Oh, Mr. Cotter!!!! (Sorry - I digress, but I got excited for a moment.) I am going back to Hammock Beach for New Years Eve and I am bringing the whole set up. Guess I need to tell Jeff I bought the camera before then... Anyway, this time our suite is on the beach itself and I plan to get some really nice shots.

OK, better get to work. Keep your fingers that all vomiting and runny poop is gone from my house. When you have 5 dogs with the flu - holy cow - what a mess. We have gone through lots and lots of newspapers & paper towels this past week.

TTYS - Peace

Feng shui to you - feng shui

2008-12-16T12:25:00.001-05:00

Well, I made a list (see previous post) and forgot to send it to my house. But I did do something on it - I cleaned the area for the tree. Now - I just have to find the tree.

When I am old, if I am not already living in an RV, I am going to live in a single wide trailer and I am not going to have a lot of junk. Right now I am overwhelmed with junk. How about the rest of you? I think about getting organized, but crap, that takes up too much of my time to do the stuff I want to do. Really though, it wouldn't be too hard.

In my scrapbook room all that really needs to be cleared of is the tops of the two 8' work benches. Do you hate table tops? I sure do. Because try hard as I might, they end up getting cluttered. So, these two areas are cluttered. They have stuff on them that is trash (though not really that much). Mostly it is stuff that was taken off of its shelf & never replaced. A lot of this is scrapbook stuff (on one bench) and quilting stuff (on the other). So my thought is - 1st to get some bins and just put everything in the bin. Then I can sit on the couch and go through each of them and sort.

Let me tell you about bins & my husband. Also, bins and me. Start with me. I moved from California where I had a ton of stuff to move. Lots of it was in boxes. In Georgia when it was time to move, most of the stuff wasn't unpacked and lived in the basement and the attic. When it came time to pack up, I didn't have room for the stuff in the basement. Mind you, it is stuff I hadn't looked at in years. Yet every now and then I think of something and mourn its loss in that basement and attic (like my mom's glass blown Christmas ornaments she collected when we lived in Germany or some of my own personal momentos).

When I moved from my mom's house (where I lived after she died) to another house, 10 years later, and 5000 miles away, I remembered that there was a ton of stuff in the attic, in old Army trunks. My mother hid money, maybe money was up there. Also, she wrote her family history. At the time I didn't care and it was tossed out. What I wouldn't give for that now.

OK, back to bins. So then I move to Florida and I am constantly downsizing. But there are boxes of things that I just can't throw out. You know the rule, if you haven't looked at it in a year toss it. So sometimes I did that. When I moved into my own apartment, after my kids got on their own, I left behind stuff. Even now, 15 years later, I think of stuff I need or want that is long gone.

Enter my husband, he is a yardsaler and flea marketer. He buys good deals, hoards them till he has enough & then goes out and sells everything. He is also a carpenter and never met a nail or screw he could part with. So every few months I clean off counter tops and get a bin full of his crap. We have baskets and boxes full of old nails and screws and screw drivers, etc. All things that he just keeps replenishing, rather than dig through a bin. 14 years of this crap. He's a good man, but he isn't neat.

Once I had a dream, of having just enough stuff to fit in my car and being able to pick up and go wherever the wind blew me. And I started ditching my stuff, but now I have soooo much stuff I am being dragged down.

So, I am making this resolution now - prior to New Years - I will reduce my clutter. And once reduced I will not add to it. You hear my vow, keep track of my progress. I will soon post a tracking station so you can see how I do. By this time next year I will be one organized mama and then my Shui or whatever will be in line. Feng to you, my friends, Feng.

2008-12-15T12:33:00.004-05:00

I saw this on Scott Kelby's blog* and man oh man - how true it is: "This week’s “Quote of the Week” is from my buddy Matt Kloskowski, who was interviewed in Dave Cross’s “Finish the Sentence” segment. When asked the question, “If I could give one piece of advice it would be…” Matt replied, “…forget about the technical stuff sometimes. Don’t concentrate so much on histograms, 8-bit, 16-bit, JPEG/Raw, Adobe RGB vs. sRGB etc… Concentrate on what you’re seeing, take better photos and that stuff won’t be as crucial.“

I have so many books on learning how to use my new Nikon D60*, that I don't take that many pictures. I don't know about you, but as I am getting older, the book learning just isn't sticking in my head. I do better watching the videos. In fact, I have learned a bunch from two places: Scrapgirls digital scrapbook site*, and You Suck at Photoshop (poor Donnie Hoyle)*. You have to check these places out.

So anyway, I decided a couple of things that I need to do - it starts with making a task list of WHAT I NEED TO DO. I can not stay on track. It is to easy to sit and create, then to do the things that I am no longer interested in doing, so I will make a list & do it. Just between now & Xmas - no further. Also, I need to teach my two puppies (well they are 2½, but puppies in our house) to ride in a car correctly and get decent harnesses so I can walk them in public. After having several of my dogs either slip out of the cheap harnesses & collars made these days I am so afraid to walk the dogs.

But MayZie & KieChi are horrible and they need to be exercised, as Caesar Milan would say. MayZie chews up everything, I just believe if we exercised her it would stop. Plus they are both very aggressive with each other.

OK, now I am off to make my list...

*Links mentioned above:

Scott Kelby's blog

Scrapgirls

You Suck at Photoshop
***************************************************************************

Busy time of year!

2008-12-11T09:29:00.003-05:00

Boy, have I been busy - this time of the year just seems to fly by. Worse I was sick two of the Thanksgiving Holiday days & I lost those days. Really, I lost a week because it was hard to recover. Last night I finished my big project, a Shutterfly family tree book for my mother-in-law, but now that has been ordered and it is on to other things.

Shopping. Have you done a lot? All of mine has been done online. I am almost done, but if I am lucky enough to get some extra money then I can do a little more. I love shopping online because I HATE shopping. I hate going in and out of stores (esp. if it involves the car). Online, I can pick and choose, without ever leaving my house AND I try to always get free shipping or I don't buy it. I try anyway.

My web site The Jacaranda Tree is being totally revamped. Be sure to check out the Jacranda Tree's LIMBs page though and you can get some links to some cool things for Christmas and the rest of the year.

About my new web page - it is going to be on a topic that is really big right now - getting organized. But more, getting your DIGITAL photos organized. I have thousands of digital photos and I will give you tips - as a MOM, not as a professional photographer, on how to organize and set up a workflow that goes with your schedule & will meet your needs. Most books are geared towards professional shooters or everyday shooters, but I will show you the best ways for DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING. I will also offer a small prize for tips, etc. I will try hard to make it not only an informative site but one that is fun.

So until we speak again - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! Peace - KB

Why...

2008-11-01T17:22:00.003-04:00

Why is it, after you take a nap it takes you so long to get back going again. I have so many things I HAVE to do and I am just sitting here in a stupor an hour AFTER I was awakened by the phone. Another question, why does it not ring all day until I am sound asleep.

I bought a book today - how to use my Nikon D60. I will master it and someday be a wonderful - non-auto photographer. Before the next Photoshop Walk - I promise.

I finally got around to installing Family Tree 9 onto my new computer. Now I have to get all the info back on it and linked up. Would like to have it sinked up with my Ancestry Tree. So anyway, that means hours of merging. Genealogy is SOOO addictive. Once I start it is like one or two in the morning before I quit. So I have to pick and choose.

Everything I do is addictive & I have a life too. So it gets jumbled up here. Tomorrow is a day shot. My in-laws are back in FL so we are going to dinner with them. Next weekend is birthday time for Bradley. The next weekend is horse camp for Kaitlyn & the Barton's Ornament Party. The next weekend is Kaitlyn & Kylie's birthday. The next weekend is Thanksgiving. And on and on and then it is Christmas and then the New Years Eve party.

Right now I am excited about the election. I hope my guy wins (Go McCain/Palin) but I have a dread that the other one will (Nobama). For our country I hope the right person for the time wins. God knows better than I do.

Guess I will go now - be sure to check out my new creations on Flickr. See the link over on the side here.

Peace - KB

Long time no write

2008-10-29T12:09:00.003-04:00

Hi, it has been quite a while since I wrote anything. I have been back into photography now and out of sewing. I come & I go. Check out my Flickr page for new photos. Also, I am really into digi scraping now & ScrapGirls.com is my #1 site for awesome collections. Please go there when you are done reading this.

This is a picture I took at SeaWorld the other day. I used my point & shoot Olympus for this and then some other effects - they are listed on the Flickr page. But I also now have a Nikon D60 and I promise to myself it will never be set on Auto. I am going to learn how to use the settings. BECAUSE, for vacation next year I want to go here:
Great American Photography Workshops next year. I am thinking either WV, VA or ME. I will keep you posted.

OK, got to go back to work now. I will be better about this...I promise. Also, my web site is moving so it is down for a little while.

Peace - Karrel

New Contest

2008-10-09T09:31:00.001-04:00

Computer CRAZIE

2008-06-10T06:54:00.001-04:00

Painted Threads: The making of Primordial Sea

2008-06-09T17:19:00.000-04:00

Painted Threads: The making of Primordial Sea

So I am back to landscaping...

2008-05-15T19:44:00.005-04:00

I have no obligations for a while. Nothing to finish, so I need to finish what I started. And it is this quilt. I have added more stuff since I took this picture this morning. I am ready to start sewing it down now & then maybe I will be done with it. Ready to start another.

I am taking a Miniture Landscape Quilt class from Quilt University that starts on Sat. I am happy because then I can make some small quilts for our quilt club's quilt show in February.

You can find out info at www.quiltersworkshop.org.

And I will learn how to perfect my perspective, etc. I have been purchasing fabrics to make more quilts. It is really fun.

Missing my friends

2008-05-12T23:19:00.002-04:00

My friend Rae is gone. She done gone & left me. I will never see her again this side of heaven.

My friend Virgina flits in and out of my life, like a butterfly. Or the dolphins I ellude to in the layout above. Once in a while I hear from her. But not like before. Maybe I will call her one day. Maybe not. I really do miss her

Another day at the beach

2008-05-12T12:26:00.006-04:00

Hi, hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day. For some reason my is rarely spent with my children. This year when it was resolved the kids weren't taking me anywhere, Jeff & I drove out to Anna Maria Island. I wanted to go down to Sanibel, but with the price of gas I was happy with Anna Maria. Anyway, we ate at the City Pier on the Intercoastal side. Not crazy about it, I would rather eat at The Sandbar on the Gulf side. After that we drove over to Coquina Beach and I walked around and got a few pictures. I thought this little guy was cute. Shortly after this pix, he demolished the castle!

When I came home it was hurry hurry, and finish some blocks I committed to making for the Quilting Guild meeting on Wed. First was a Dr. Cat (will post later) and also a block of Tara. I haven't finished that, but I am close. Then I did some digital scrapbooking. Also learning Scott Kelby's 7 best Photoshop Tricks. GREAT book.

So you see, as always, so much too do - so little time. My favorite scrapbook page is here

What's been happening

2008-05-04T18:40:00.002-04:00

What a week. My 80gb hard drive (where I only have an operating system & program files) got bogged down to only having 7% available. So for a while I was deleting. Then last night I bought a 500 gb hard drive & Jeff installed it this morning (internally). So now today I have spent all day migrating & backing up and I have gotten nothing done. I am still working on Kaitlyn's book. I thought I would have had it done by now but it was way too slow to do anything.

Here is are pictures of Hope's jean jacket I made for her. Now I still have to make Kylie's - I am going to needle punch it!

I used a store bought jean jacket, lopped off the arms, faced the arm holes w/bias binding and used one of the arms to make a little purse. The flowers are from Smartneedle.com. I used a lime green rayon from Madera for the decorative stitches from my machine. I stitched around the flower design with metallic Sulky Hollosheer. The collar and was made by placing a bunch of threads and yarns on a pieces of heavy Solvy, then I placed a light weight Sovly on the top and sewed it all down , FME with Hollowsheer. Then I washed out the solving, cut it up & bling bling!

I used a store bought jean jacket, lopped off the arms, faced the arm holes w/bias binding. The collar fabric was made by placing a bunch of threads and yarns on a pieces of heavy Solvy, then I placed a light weight Sovly on the top and sewed it all down , FME with Hollowsheer. Then I washed out the solving, cut it up & bling bling!

Been so busy - but I didn't forget about you

2008-05-03T14:11:00.007-04:00

I bought the Adobe Vlog program the other day, as soon as I get it together I am going to become a Vlogger but for now.

Been really really active. My birthday was 4/16. Hope (my granddaughter's) was 4/20. So we went to Disney on 4/12 to Bibbidi Bobbidi Salon and Hopey became Princess Jasmine. I made her a Shutterfly book. It is so cute and she was beautiful. That night we ate dinner with Prince Charming & Cinderella. What a nice day we had.

Then on Sunday, my daughter, Nicole & I went to Epcot for the International Flower & Garden Festival.

Then last weekend My son Danny, his daughter Kaitlyn, 6 & I went to Canveral National Seashore for a Jr. Ranger Program. I am working on digital scrapbooking pages for Kaitlyn's book now. Here is one of them.

I will post the links for the different elements, papers when I get home tonight. They came from ScrapGirls & Digital Freebies mostly.

We are leaving shortly to go to Lakeland & have dinner with my in-laws. I was going to make her a cell phone purse today but then I found out my iron burned out & so I abandoned the project. I will mail it to her. They are going back up to Michigan next week. The reason the iron burned out is the other day I was sewing and embroidering something. For some reason I didn't put the iron up - guess I just thought I would be a second - and went to tend to the embroidery machine. Low & below I started smelling burnt - the ironing board pad was burning. So anyway, no I can get the iron I want. Funny how it works that way.

Here is one thing I made recently. This is Kaitlyn's: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2425214109_8ac004b142.jpg and http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/2425215279_52e81335d7.jpg. I have finished Hope's also, but I forgot to take pictures and I can not for the life of me get Nicole too. Hopefully I will go by there tonight and get a few.

Alright, better go, Jeff will be here in a minute & we will need to head on out. TTYS - I promise! Peace KB

OH - I ordered a new camera - it will be here Monday. An Olympus SW790 - I can't wait!

A story about my friend DC

2008-04-25T20:49:00.000-04:00

Totally Stoked About Stogies - News & Features

Working away on the challenge quilt

2008-04-09T21:53:00.002-04:00

This is the challenge quilt I am making for the Sunshine & Sisterhood Quilt show of my guild. These are my daughters lying out in the sun like they use to. Hence I will probably name it – SUNSHINE & SISTERHOOD. You may notice that I am missing a daughter. Vicki has the picture I need & I can’t seem to get her to scan it in. DRAT! I e-mailed her this pix and said “the only thing missing is you”, so maybe it will come soon.

Last night at the guild Marilyn Hood showed her beautiful quilts. I only had my camera phone with me but I took some pix. I will post them later. But here is one, not a great pix - I took it at the Jacksonville show & was crowded.

OK, gotta go finish watching Idol Gives Back. Give www.americanidol.com

Peace - Karrel

Progressing along

2008-04-07T11:50:00.000-04:00

So here are a couple of shots of the quilt as I am working on it. One was taken without a flash (shows colors better) and the other with. It is lying on the couch so that accounts for the distortion.

This weekend I have been working on a quilt for our guild's challenge - Sunshine & Sisterhood. I am so pleased with it. I will tell you that I am using pictures of my two daughters and creating appliqué's of each of them in fabric (not photo printed on fabric). I have finished Nicole & the face, which I inked & chalked in on fabric looks so real. I can't believe it. I tried Vicki's yesterday but I couldn't get the scale to be right with Nicole's so I have to redo it, but the face, when I inked it looked just like her too. This from someone who is not a sketch artist. Hooray!

Anyway, it is going to be so cute. I wrote a poem to go with it and I am laying it out like a scrapbook page.

One thing I didn't do, but I did start, was something I begged to do so I need to get it done TONIGHT. That is an appliqué of Tara from Gone With the Wind for a lady in the guild who is making a quilt for a library. I wasn't going to do raw edge but the pieces are so small I am not good enough to turn the edges under. So anyway, I have to turn it in tomorrow night so I had better get busy.

Alright - just wanted to check in and let you know what was up. Of course I know that YOU aren't reading my blog, but that is ok. I am writing to an invisible you, as always.

Oh, one other thing, this has nothing to do with anyone but me, but I wanted to write it down. When I was a teenager, as an only child, I made up a brother. Rick Klein who lived in LA. He was older than me. There is a guy on Fox News (which I am addicted to and listen to all the time while sewing) and his name is Rick Klein. I always get a little happy when I hear his name, because Rick was "my big brother" and he always will be. See, I told you it was silly.

Peace - Karrel

Went to a Quilt Show on Sat.

2008-03-30T13:56:00.000-04:00

I stopped by the Suncoast Quilting Circle 2008 yesterday for a little while. I didn't see very much that excited me. I think everything was just what I am seeing everywhere else. I took pictures of those that I likes & you can see if you click the link above. Pauline Salzman's had some quilts there - the one above is one of hers. I really like her quilting - esp. the dogs. She came to our quilt a few months back.

I also checked out Fiberolgie. It is in a really nice location, but I am not really into Amy Butler, which is the majority of their fabrics.

I also stopped by Whim-So-Doodle. There was a kid there that kept talking to his mom & she wouldn't answer him. So he said the same thing, over and over and over. His mom was one of the employees who just stopped by. I just wanted to go over and tell her to either answer her kid or teach him to be quite until she has time to answer him. I just hate it when mothers ignore their kids in public. Just answer them, how hard is it. If you don't want them interuptting you then teach them not to. I had 4 kids so I can say what I want. My kids may have been bad at home but they didn't act up in public. Is that too much to ask.

Yes, I am a little crabbie - I have been sick for a week now and I was sicker yesterday so I was more annoyed.

Ok on to fun things, my daughter Vicki came over and helped me arrange my sewing studio. Hooray! I think I can actually figure out what is going on in there now. She stopped for the day as we have my grandson Bryson's 1st birthday party to attend later this afternoon. She is sorting fabrics into bins now. She was going to go to the $1 store & get me some more bins. Hopefully it will be done by next weekend & I will learn to clean up after each project! Here are some pix of the room today:

I also have another room that is half for scrapbooking & half for cutting fabric. It is really a mess and I hope to get her in here to help me clean that mess up too. I bought this book "PhotoFreedom" by Stacy Julian - only I can't find a link on line. I am going to have Vicki read it and help me get control of my 10,000 or so pictures that are PRINTED. I have 3xs that in digital. Holy Canoli!

Alright, time for me to leave for the party - catch up with ya later

It's on the cloth!

2008-03-28T14:23:00.000-04:00

All right, it is now officially a "work in progress". Last night I started sewing down the pieces. I still have to finish the mangrove on the right and do some highlighting and shadowing, but I am really liking it. Can't wait to get it finished. Last night we picked out the borders and the backing.

Everyone in the class had such pretty work. It is very exciting.

New passion

2008-03-25T11:10:00.000-04:00

So last week the class I was going to teach at Keep Me In Stitches got canceled, so I took another class that was going on with Allen. Love you Allen! It was a Landscape quilt class - ala Nancy Zieman. Check out my Amazon Listmaina List to see her books and some other landscape quilting books I have used.

OK, so the quilt that the class is doing is something up WI way, in the woods with birch trees. You know me, I dig the water, so in my mind I conjured up a scene out by the Hyatt Westshore boardwalk where the rosette spoonbills roost at night, the mangrove trees are a sea of pink at that time. So what started out with a log fence across the entire quilt & trees high up in the sky has now become a Tampa Bay Scene. I have the Howard Franklin Bridge off in the left corner, and of course a Jacaranda Tree. Then I have Mangroves, and spoonbills and some other sunset creatures (thank you friends at Flickr who have given me permission to use some of their creature photos). I think it is really looking awesome and I ain't done yet. I only have a picture of what I am making in my mind, no real photo to base it on, so I just put a pix up here of a tree I took out on Picnic Island one night at the "golden hour".

Tonight I am going up to another quilt shop for sew night with my guild. I can hang it on a wall then and get some perspective. I don't have any wall room in my house to do it. I tried at lunch today at work but it is to heavy to hang with tape. I really want it to look realistic like Nancy's does. I have searched the web and found some landscape quilts that are pretty, but most look like they were drawn for a comic book. Those that look natural all seem to be of woods and waters far away from the tropics. So wish me luck, hopefully I will be able to show it off soon.

I have some other ideas waiting to burst out. Wait till you see my challenge quilt for the Sunshine & Sisterhood show!

Being pushed & pulled - by my own MIND

2008-03-18T09:26:00.000-04:00

Are you - like me - full of interests? I don't even read any more, because I have so many more things I want to do. My love is the computer & I would love to have more time to do digital scrapbooking, create web sites, write stories, maniuplate photographs, search for family on Ancestry.com, and on and on and on.

But I like to quilt and sew, embroider, and scrapbook hard copies.

Most days, I end up just sitting at the computer when I get home. This is even after I have been on it all day. Why - because I like too. I have so many sewing projects that I need to complete - not commissions, but personal.

I didn't know what I was going to do with all these projects - I mean one only has so many walls & we only have one bed. But at my certification class last week I found out I need samples - I need items for a trunk show. So sista - I gotta get sewing and embroidering. I keep giving away all my samples.

But I need to update my web site (done this morning), I am on a line of the family tree that intersts and puzzles me (I get lost when I do this, there is just so much info on line), I have that digital scrapbooking I need to work on, oh, and I need to create a new catchy background for my web site using some digital scrapbooking techniques, then there is the scrapbooks I am working on or want to work on.

So for a minute - let's talk about my scrapbooks. At the Hop this past week, each store gave us a page (you got a 6x6 album when you signed up). They also took our pix at most stores. Well that was done on Sunday. So cute! I will scan & show you at another time. (Oh no, something more to do.) Anyway, on the Hop I found these "What Happened" pages for all the years past. So I bought one for every member of our family and a book. The picture above is one of my pages. I think each person gets two pictures - one during their first year and then one now. That one is my first year. There is a page with a library pocket and some "events" from the birth year, and then another page with more events. There is also two pages where I write stuff about everybody and then one more blank spot where I could put some more pix or something else. Then there is a divider & on to the next person. I think it is going to be very cute & a nice memory. When I am done I may scan it and give one to each of my children.

OK, then there were such cute Easter papers (remember - I went to 15 scrapbook shops!) So I bought those, and a cute hot pink album with little chicks on it.

At Voilettes in Lakeland I bought a Pirate album kit. I am going to make an album to put a picture of us from each Gasparilla - Jeff usually dresses up, so I think it will be a cute memory & the album is so cute. I am going to take that to Whim-So-Doodle and make it during a crop night.

Then I bought PDQ Tropical Album Kit by www.bisous.biz because it is just so ME! Living in Florida I think I can fill that up - or else I will use it for our pix from our Costa Rica trip.

So, do I have enough to do? Are we all like this? And I forgot about all my favorite TV shows (do you love New Amsterdam or not - he is so cute). Who is your favorite Idol this year - Michael is cute & reminds me of Jim Morrison, but David the rocker is the best, but then again little David is an awesome singer.

OK better get to my day job...TTFN

PEACE - KB

oh oh oh - I forgot - I have an acrylic ablum to make too

Long time no blog

2008-03-16T00:30:00.000-04:00

Wow, I did a lot in the past month - attended the Cypress Creek Quilt Show at the USF Botanical Gardens

Then last Saturday, my daughter Vicki & I went to Universal Studios Orlando and rode on a Mardi Gras Float (The Gator King), wow, so much fun. Then the cap of it all was seeing Smokey Robinson. So awesome.

Also last Sat. was the start of the TampaBay Scrapbook Treasure Hunt. It is all over the place. Tomorrow is the last day and I have 3 shops to go. On the way to Orlando we stopped at www.violettes.com
Violette's in Lakeland. They really out did themselves!

When I came home on Sunday I went to The Scrapbook Shoppe by my house and Whim-So-Doodle in St. Pete. Wow! Friday night I was extremely disappointed at Scraptopia in Brandon. Then today it was a marathon! South Pasadena Scrapbooking In Paradise, Bradenton Scrap Happy, 2 in Sarasota, K2 Scrapbook Studio and
Made for Memories, Largo The Happy Scrapper, Palm Harbor Ruban Rouge, New Port Richey Scrapbook House, and Spring Hill The Paper Play House. Tomorrow I will hit one over by Race Track Road and 2 in Lutz

.

OK, what did I do on Wed, Thurs, and Fri? I attended the first 2008 Sulky Teacher Certification Class. So now I am certified to teach several little projects. It was a lot of fun, but next time I am going to go out of town for classes. More fun longer. The teacher, Ellen Osten was awesome and the other students were great too. We had great meals at the hotel and got a lot of goodies from Sulky! Hooray

Work work work play

2008-02-18T21:09:00.000-05:00

My wonderful bosses let me off early today & I actually got some work at home done. You see, this weekend was useless. I did go to SewCiety at Keep Me In Stitches and made this very cute gift bag topper.

I also finished sewing my sashing strips for the double sided t-shirt quilt I am working on.

Sat. night was a BBQ and so I missed out sewing. Sunday we went to Ft. Myers for a Corvette show - so no sewing.

I did find the pretty leaf that is at the top of this post. I was reminded of how much I love Florida. We are now in the FALL season here and the leaves have changed color and are falling off the trees. But before OLD MAN WINTER can make his appearance, this morning I heard the first Mocking Bird signing outside the window, before the sun was up and I was assured that SPRING is on its way. Hooray, my favorite season.

Peace - KB

Pictures of the finished double sided-t-shirt quilt

2008-02-15T14:37:00.001-05:00

Here is Kate's double sided quilt - done. But...I think I am going to go back and quilt the t-shirts, I don't like the look of them not being tacked down.

Project finished - pix to follow

2008-02-12T07:13:00.000-05:00

Hi, I just finished a DOUBLE sided t-shirt quilt and have another double sided one to do. I quilted in the sashing and not on the shirts, but now I am thinking I should have done the shirts too. I told the owner to pick it up today and then I will consult with her. It will only take one evening to get it quilted. If she doesn't pick it up, then I will quilt it tonight.

Tonight is our guild meeting but it is also suppose to be severe weather so I will probably just stay at home and sew.

I have a couple more ideas for lines for The Jacaranda Tree that I want to get mapped out. Plus I am still working on the web site. I have a vision of how I want it to look, but I have to take some time to create the art work.

Thursday night is Ron White. Can't wait to give him another chance. I love him on TV but when I saw him last year I was disappointed.

I bought some new kids shirts to embroider on. Also trying to figure out what to put on them. Maybe something Easter.

My granddaughter Hope (3) told me yesterday that she was wrapped in the quilt I made her (see 2006 slide show below, it is hot pink with inlaid hearts) and that her brother Bradley was wrapped in his (see 2007 slide show below, Alien quilt). She then said "I love you Nana!" Isn't that what it is all about?

My kids and grandkids are my guinea pigs, I make stuff for them while learning new techniques. Tip - don't machine embroider on cheap towels!

OK, I will take photos of the quilt when I get to work & post them later on. Peace Karrel

What I made in 2007

2008-02-11T13:00:00.003-05:00

What I made in 2006

2008-02-11T12:58:00.000-05:00

My other 2008 Florida State Fair Winner projects

2008-02-09T06:53:00.000-05:00

I entered a bunch of photographs (5 for me & 2 my husband took), 2 quilted wall hangings, and 2 other scrapbook pages. They didn't win. But these did (also see yesterday's post). If you like the book - see my links to the left of this side to see a couple of other books I created at Shutterfly. I love them!

This page won THIRD place. I threw this together in about 30 min. when I realized I needed another page. I had made a traditional page of Bradley smiling at 18 mths and had a copy of it - but when it came time to take it to the fair I remembered that I entered into another contest. Soooo...I updated it.

This is a digital version of the scrapbook that won FIRST place. Please note that the cover of this book is not part of the scrapbook, the scrapbook cover is the 1st page that has a picture of the dogs at the door. The book is a combination of traditional and digital scrapbook pages. My Dogs

I am going to be adding a lot more pictures to The Jacaranda Tree this weekend. I will let you know when they are up. Plus I am finishing up an awesome T-shirt quilt which will be featured on that page this weekend (and here too).

Thanks guys - Peace

Florida State Fair Winner!

2008-02-08T08:43:00.000-05:00

Florida State Fair - 2008 Winner

You may recognize this piece from the Artquilts and front pages of The Jacaranda Tree. It is my art piece entitled "Chick O'the Sea" and it won 3rd place at the Florida State Fair 2008. It is the first time I entered stuff in the fair in many many years and I had a lot of competition. I am very happy with my little ribbon. I also won first place & third place ribbons in Scrapbooking.

This piece is a combination of different techniques. I started by embellishing fabrics into a 15x15 piece of TimTex. I cut several circles into the base and put a sheer fabric with glitz on the back of the holes, laid threads all over piece, covered it with a sea foam green tulle and did a bunch of free motion embroidery (FME). Off the the embroidery machine to add a mermaid, and then hand beading and adding threads and yarns to the piece. That is mermaid hair I added to her head. Finally I made a board of silk dupioni and machine embroidered sea plants all around the border. In the corners I added turquoise stones and beads.

It was lots of fun and I look forward to making more art quilts! Maybe I can make one for you...

What will your blog be about?

2008-02-07T06:42:00.000-05:00

This blog is going to be where I tell you what I am up too, show you around my studio, run ideas by you, share my latest findings, etc. You know - just like every other blog.

So what are you up too, you may ask. I am finishing up a t-shirt quilt that is double sided. The quilt is done but I am stumped with the quilting. It is the same layout on both sides, so in my anal retentive mind I want each cornerstone and each shashing stip to line up and have special quilting, but I have to let that go. I have it lined up as good as I can and I am going to give it one more try (I have already pulled out stitches). I have to, it needs to get done so I can do the other one for the brother.

I have a bunch of stuff I want to embroider but I want them to be spectacular. Not your usual stuff, so I am working on that. Especially need to develop my jeans line - watch for that!

I have several projects with pictures underway to post on my web site, so as soon as I get that quilt done this weekend I will finish those up. They include a mosaic quilt, a landscape quilt with elements added from machine embroidery, and a "Happy Village".

Plus I am working on my web site. Trying to develop prices that are comparable to others on the web. Once I do that then I have to add the page to my web site. All this while trying to re-remember HTML coding, and editing pictures for the web site.

TONIGHT I will head over to the Florida State Fair where I entered several items. Will I win? I only entered because I had a friend who entered so I thought I would go along with her. Keep your fingers crossed.

Alright, guess I better move on and get ready for my day job. Peace friends.

Here we go again

2008-02-06T10:01:00.000-05:00

Hi, I blog & I stop, but here I am - blogging again. This is my new blog, I am getting ready to launch my web site wherein I am hawking "Fabric Art- Personalized". In this blog I am going to tell you about my latest projects and just what is up here under the Jacaranda Tree. Yes I really have one. We bought it at a nursery in Lakeland for $5.00 about 10 years ago. It had been broken off close to the dirt and looked like a goner. Now it is over 30' high and towers over the back of my house & my bedroom. So yet, I am really UNDER THE JACARANDA TREE.

Don't know what a Jacaranda Tree is - there is a link the left of this page that will tell you all about them. They bloom in Mid-April (right in time for my 4/16 birthday). Every time I drive by one I say "Happy Birthday to me" no matter how long they are in bloom. They also bloom again in November. When the flowers fall people think they are a mess, but to me they are purple rain. I love the Jacaranda Tree.

Alright, check back, I will be posting more...Peace