Well, I've written my first sermon for worship. I finished it Monday, let it rest yesterday and practiced it a few times today. It's not the most profound message that's ever been said. It's not the most theologically stimulating message either. What it is, is God inspired and from my heart. It's far from perfect, but it's what I felt called to say.
And now I'm just waiting, a bit anxiously of course, but I'm still just waiting until Sunday. I've had just enough encouragement from friends and family to know that I can do it and be proud of it. I've even had reassurance that if I screw up majorly I'll still get another chance to preach again. That was truly refreshing and nearly eliminated all my fear.
So here's to Sunday!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Good Friday
Today is Good Friday, Earth Day and for the Cato House it is also grocery day. Being at the store by 8am means minimal people in the store, and minimal anxiety for me. It also means that the checkout people are more willing to chat because they are bored.
The checkout lady was talking to Devon while I was putting the groceries on the conveyor belt and she asked Devon what she was doing today and Devon told her we were going to church and the lady said, "On Friday?" Devon was quick to point out, "Well it is Good Friday." (Such a sassy little bugger.) So, surprise, surprise the cashier says, "Oh, you're Catholic." I get to jump in now and say a friendly "Nope."
She was pretty confused and said, "Well then what are you?" My internal response was, "an alien," (and here my sass shows) but of course I didn't say it, only because she was truly curious. I told her Methodist because that's what she was wanting, a denomination . So she felt the need to tell me, "Well, we don't celebrate Good Friday. We celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus."
I politely said, "Oh." and that was that. I didn't know how to tell her as she was handing me my receipt that she just doesn't attend a Good Friday service, you can't celebrate the Resurrection without the death.
And this is why I need Church, to help me understand the why's of my faith. My sunday school sidekick gave me a couple of books to read, because he seems to really get my inner nerd and seemed to think I was ready for the material. One is The Cambridge Companion to Christian Doctrine, and even though it's a bit academic for me (he had to read it in seminary), I'm learning quite a bit. Isn't it great to have friends who give you homework. :)
The checkout lady was talking to Devon while I was putting the groceries on the conveyor belt and she asked Devon what she was doing today and Devon told her we were going to church and the lady said, "On Friday?" Devon was quick to point out, "Well it is Good Friday." (Such a sassy little bugger.) So, surprise, surprise the cashier says, "Oh, you're Catholic." I get to jump in now and say a friendly "Nope."
She was pretty confused and said, "Well then what are you?" My internal response was, "an alien," (and here my sass shows) but of course I didn't say it, only because she was truly curious. I told her Methodist because that's what she was wanting, a denomination . So she felt the need to tell me, "Well, we don't celebrate Good Friday. We celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus."
I politely said, "Oh." and that was that. I didn't know how to tell her as she was handing me my receipt that she just doesn't attend a Good Friday service, you can't celebrate the Resurrection without the death.
And this is why I need Church, to help me understand the why's of my faith. My sunday school sidekick gave me a couple of books to read, because he seems to really get my inner nerd and seemed to think I was ready for the material. One is The Cambridge Companion to Christian Doctrine, and even though it's a bit academic for me (he had to read it in seminary), I'm learning quite a bit. Isn't it great to have friends who give you homework. :)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
"Preach Retreat 2011"
You know, I really wish I would blog more. I really, really do. And I'm pretty sure this should be my last blog to whine. Pretty sure.
So much is going on. I went to "preacher camp" as a friend so lovingly put it. Really, it was a lay speaker event at Mt Wesley in Kerrville. And I had a blast. Sure, I was the youngest person there, but that won't ever stop me from having fun! I learned about writing a sermon, duh, that was the whole point of the weekend. I heard many awesome sermons, some people brought sermons to the event knowing they were good. Others wrote on Saturday night and delivered Sunday morning. I was one of those people.
I spent an hour on it. One hour. That's all. So of course I was a nervous frenzy Sunday morning, and immediately started trying to talk myself out of getting up in front of a group of lay speakers, who had already delivered some impressive sermons. I was not able to get off the hook that easily.
First, my dorm mates started on me. All three of them had convinced me when I left for breakfast that I should go for it. Their main persuasion was, "What better chance do you get to deliver your first sermon other than giving it to a group who want to help you grow." Good point. But I still wasn't 100% convinced.
I get into the dinning hall and before I grab a tray someone comes up to me, someone who hasn't said a word to me the whole weekend, and he says, "So are you going first this morning?" What? Then I sit down with the group of Pflugerville lay speakers I had been eating with all weekend, "I can't wait to hear you preach this morning Michelle." I look at Gary, from my church, "Thanks, Gary. No pressure right?" He had planted the idea in my head Saturday before we ended class to write something or at least try.
So I did it. I gave my message. It was a testimonial sermon, based around my story, so it wasn't hard to tell. I didn't have to write it out, like everyone else did. I just had my bullet points. And now this Sunday, I get to give my message again at a youth fellowship. It's going to be strange going to a new church to "preach," but it's a good strange, an exciting strange. It's the best kind of strange you can happen upon. And hopefully I get to feel this strange again, and again, and again.....
So much is going on. I went to "preacher camp" as a friend so lovingly put it. Really, it was a lay speaker event at Mt Wesley in Kerrville. And I had a blast. Sure, I was the youngest person there, but that won't ever stop me from having fun! I learned about writing a sermon, duh, that was the whole point of the weekend. I heard many awesome sermons, some people brought sermons to the event knowing they were good. Others wrote on Saturday night and delivered Sunday morning. I was one of those people.
I spent an hour on it. One hour. That's all. So of course I was a nervous frenzy Sunday morning, and immediately started trying to talk myself out of getting up in front of a group of lay speakers, who had already delivered some impressive sermons. I was not able to get off the hook that easily.
First, my dorm mates started on me. All three of them had convinced me when I left for breakfast that I should go for it. Their main persuasion was, "What better chance do you get to deliver your first sermon other than giving it to a group who want to help you grow." Good point. But I still wasn't 100% convinced.
I get into the dinning hall and before I grab a tray someone comes up to me, someone who hasn't said a word to me the whole weekend, and he says, "So are you going first this morning?" What? Then I sit down with the group of Pflugerville lay speakers I had been eating with all weekend, "I can't wait to hear you preach this morning Michelle." I look at Gary, from my church, "Thanks, Gary. No pressure right?" He had planted the idea in my head Saturday before we ended class to write something or at least try.
So I did it. I gave my message. It was a testimonial sermon, based around my story, so it wasn't hard to tell. I didn't have to write it out, like everyone else did. I just had my bullet points. And now this Sunday, I get to give my message again at a youth fellowship. It's going to be strange going to a new church to "preach," but it's a good strange, an exciting strange. It's the best kind of strange you can happen upon. And hopefully I get to feel this strange again, and again, and again.....
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Marriage
To me, marriage is a verb. It's not just two people dressed nice saying "I do" and signing a piece of paper. That's just the oh so misleading, easy first step into a new way of living.
American's have this tiresome problem with control. There are always a few groups of people, some large, some not, who get bombarded with a ridiculous amount of hate/turmoil. I'm not even going to list the groups who have suffered (and pretty much still do) the past ignorance of America.
Gay marriage. This label needs to go. Marriage is marriage, genders have no changing force in the matter. Marriage is loving when society tells you "you're too good for them." Marriage is loving when you are suffering. Marriage is what I believe to be the big word that makes you keep going when you would other wise walk away feeling guilt free. Marriage is Commitment with a capital C. Marriage is perseverance. Marriage is only sacred between the two people who choose it's course in life. Marriage is more than words will ever describe.
Marriage is tied with Parent as the two toughest roles you can choose to take, because you are choosing to love harder (yes, you can love harder) than the disappointments, trials, and sufferings that come with the human condition.
America may think we are keeping it away from gay people, but we're really not. What we are keeping away from them is the "official" ceremony, a piece of paper, and a box to check on forms. Eventually, they will get this right. They will. And marriage will continue to be what is has always been, a verb.
*I know many disagree with me, but I feel the disagreements get the spotlight. This is my tiny space to disagree.
American's have this tiresome problem with control. There are always a few groups of people, some large, some not, who get bombarded with a ridiculous amount of hate/turmoil. I'm not even going to list the groups who have suffered (and pretty much still do) the past ignorance of America.
Gay marriage. This label needs to go. Marriage is marriage, genders have no changing force in the matter. Marriage is loving when society tells you "you're too good for them." Marriage is loving when you are suffering. Marriage is what I believe to be the big word that makes you keep going when you would other wise walk away feeling guilt free. Marriage is Commitment with a capital C. Marriage is perseverance. Marriage is only sacred between the two people who choose it's course in life. Marriage is more than words will ever describe.
Marriage is tied with Parent as the two toughest roles you can choose to take, because you are choosing to love harder (yes, you can love harder) than the disappointments, trials, and sufferings that come with the human condition.
America may think we are keeping it away from gay people, but we're really not. What we are keeping away from them is the "official" ceremony, a piece of paper, and a box to check on forms. Eventually, they will get this right. They will. And marriage will continue to be what is has always been, a verb.
*I know many disagree with me, but I feel the disagreements get the spotlight. This is my tiny space to disagree.
Monday, February 7, 2011
ESL
I really, really, really, really love my job. Twice a week I get to love on some amazing kids. Kids who don't speak English, but understand love.
After a few weeks, they start to understand some words or phrases, mainly dealing with food or potty. But then after a few months, they start talking to you and sometimes its a mix of their native language and English and then I get to learn too. It's amazing how much they can communicate without having to say a word and while all kids do this, it just seems extra spectacular to me when there is no verbal understanding to begin with. Through the bond we share with them, they feel confident that we will understand or at least do everything we can to understand.
Some of the kids get real attached to me and will seek me out in the room for comfort or just to sit with. I love it when this happens.
When a new kid arrives there is almost always hard times for the next few days or weeks. I started to notice that the new moms who bring the new kids seem to feel bad if their child isn't happily playing the first day, so I have prioritized talking with them as soon as I see them and am constantly reassuring them to keep coming back, that their child will get comfortable. It just takes time.
Today I had to bring a little boy back to his mother, it was his second day and he still cried constantly. When I walked past classrooms looking for his mother I noticed that most of the ESL students are women, probably 80%. That is remarkable. I've known this is the back of my mind for a long time, but today it stuck out in a different way. These women are going to be able to teach their children english, understand their childrens teachers when they start school, interact in society easier and generally lead a better life because they are able to receive this service from the church. I was filled with a cheesy girl power sensation, and this has given me even more motivation to interact with the moms more. To talk to them more. To comfort them more.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that generally I feel important now. :)
After a few weeks, they start to understand some words or phrases, mainly dealing with food or potty. But then after a few months, they start talking to you and sometimes its a mix of their native language and English and then I get to learn too. It's amazing how much they can communicate without having to say a word and while all kids do this, it just seems extra spectacular to me when there is no verbal understanding to begin with. Through the bond we share with them, they feel confident that we will understand or at least do everything we can to understand.
Some of the kids get real attached to me and will seek me out in the room for comfort or just to sit with. I love it when this happens.
When a new kid arrives there is almost always hard times for the next few days or weeks. I started to notice that the new moms who bring the new kids seem to feel bad if their child isn't happily playing the first day, so I have prioritized talking with them as soon as I see them and am constantly reassuring them to keep coming back, that their child will get comfortable. It just takes time.
Today I had to bring a little boy back to his mother, it was his second day and he still cried constantly. When I walked past classrooms looking for his mother I noticed that most of the ESL students are women, probably 80%. That is remarkable. I've known this is the back of my mind for a long time, but today it stuck out in a different way. These women are going to be able to teach their children english, understand their childrens teachers when they start school, interact in society easier and generally lead a better life because they are able to receive this service from the church. I was filled with a cheesy girl power sensation, and this has given me even more motivation to interact with the moms more. To talk to them more. To comfort them more.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that generally I feel important now. :)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Karate Fever
Well, Devon has been to three karate lessons now and she is really enjoying it. Dad is also enjoying helping her practice. It is causing him to reminiscence about his Taekwondo and Jujitsu days. Today he took the kids out so I could rest and he came home with a 80 lb punching bag with a stand. So our loft has turned into a karate zone.
At first I thought it was a silly use of money but watching the kids and even Chris enjoy made it worth the money. She is starting to get pretty good. Chris also got her a pair of sparring gloves too. Matthew now likes to come up to you and show you his "fighting stance." He's going to start karate in a couple of years and already know everything. ;) Here are a few shots of the kids "practicing."
At first I thought it was a silly use of money but watching the kids and even Chris enjoy made it worth the money. She is starting to get pretty good. Chris also got her a pair of sparring gloves too. Matthew now likes to come up to you and show you his "fighting stance." He's going to start karate in a couple of years and already know everything. ;) Here are a few shots of the kids "practicing."
Preach Retreat
So most of you know that last fall I decided to plunge down the path of Lay Speaking. I took the first of two classes to be certified in the fall and then in May I will take the other class. But before then, I am 90% certain that I will be going to a Lay Speaking Event. I'll be gone from home for three days and the only reason I'm not 100% sure that I will go is because Chris has to get March 4 off from work. If he can't I have a few back up ideas, but hopefully he can just get the day off.
What is kinda cool is Wednesday night after I finished getting the media ready for Selah (the worship service I attend) I went and talked with one of the new pastors about me becoming a Lay Speaker. They've known I'm perusing it, but I felt like I wanted them to be apart of the process. So we had a good little chat and it just got me even more excited about wanting to preach and then I came home and saw on my Facebook page the information on this event.
I'm a little nervous about going because I'm pretty sure I will know nobody there, and that always brings up a little anxiety in me. But I'll be hanging out with lots of Methodists and will probably meet a ton of interesting people. I'm not sure if I will be required to prepare a sermon to get credit for the course. We shall see.
It will be in Kerrville, and the bonus to that is I will get to drive through Fredericksburg I haven't been there yet. I know shame on me. We've lived in Austin for almost 6 years now, probably should have ventured there by now. But hopefully in a month I will get to do that. :)
What is kinda cool is Wednesday night after I finished getting the media ready for Selah (the worship service I attend) I went and talked with one of the new pastors about me becoming a Lay Speaker. They've known I'm perusing it, but I felt like I wanted them to be apart of the process. So we had a good little chat and it just got me even more excited about wanting to preach and then I came home and saw on my Facebook page the information on this event.
I'm a little nervous about going because I'm pretty sure I will know nobody there, and that always brings up a little anxiety in me. But I'll be hanging out with lots of Methodists and will probably meet a ton of interesting people. I'm not sure if I will be required to prepare a sermon to get credit for the course. We shall see.
It will be in Kerrville, and the bonus to that is I will get to drive through Fredericksburg I haven't been there yet. I know shame on me. We've lived in Austin for almost 6 years now, probably should have ventured there by now. But hopefully in a month I will get to do that. :)
Camera Wish List
Yesterday when I was at Wolf Camera picking up my square pictures, I noticed a camera in a display case that caused me to stop in my tracks. It's called a fisheye camera.
Isn't it cute! Scroll to the bottom of the link to see what kind of photo's it takes. You'll be amazed.
Super cool huh!! So of course I later came home and googled it and found lomography.com and saw more super awesome cameras.
The other camera I would actually buy is called a Action Sampler. It has four lens's and take four pictures on the same slide of film. Just click on the link to see how cool it is, again scroll down to see sample photos.
So yeah, I spent an hour online last night looking at all the fun cameras that are apart of the world of lomography.
Isn't it cute! Scroll to the bottom of the link to see what kind of photo's it takes. You'll be amazed.
Super cool huh!! So of course I later came home and googled it and found lomography.com and saw more super awesome cameras.
The other camera I would actually buy is called a Action Sampler. It has four lens's and take four pictures on the same slide of film. Just click on the link to see how cool it is, again scroll down to see sample photos.
So yeah, I spent an hour online last night looking at all the fun cameras that are apart of the world of lomography.
Friday, January 28, 2011
HOLGA Love
My greatest art inspiration ever (Suzanne) got me a HOLGA for my birthday last year. And me being the dork that I am had to first research what in the world a HOLGA was. A little google time will tell you that it is a toy camera that uses 120 film. Also, it takes square pictures. Let this fact soak in a moment and the awesomeness will arise.
Did you notice a little word in the previous paragraph that seems a bit 1999? Film. Yep film. Not digital. In general, I take lots of pictures when ever I take pictures, whether it's of the kids, with family, or trying to be artsy. I do this because I'm not a trained photography and by taking many pictures it means there could be a handful of really good ones. But with film you don't get this luxury. Unless you want to spend a lot of money on film, you have to learn to think ahead and just think in general of what you want a picture of.
So with my first roll of film I was a bit cautious, not wanting to "waste" the film, but I also kept a fun spirit. I tried to take some double exposures (which is another key feature of the HOLGA), but none of them came out. I mean the film was develop-able, but it looks like blurry blobs. So First lesson learned, only take pictures in super sunny light. Sadly enough, all the double exposures but one were taken at night. Super lame. But it won't happen again.
What I didn't expect when the pictures came back was this antique look to the pictures. They look a decade or so old. It's really cool. Here is one of Matthew in the backyard.
But my favorite picture was a bit posed. The kids were playing at the Capitol and at one point sat together on a bench. Once I saw them from behind I was like, "Awesome picture moment," but by the time I pulled the camera out Matthew was already on the move. So made him sit back down so I could take the picture. So yeah, it's a fake moment. (But still cute!)
I'm sure you noticed some odd features on the sides of the photo. Well, I wasn't paying attention when winding the film. I actually thought I had figured out just how much to wind it without lifting the flap over the space that shows the film number. Amateur move. Won't happen again. So what you see on the sides are parts of the previous and next photo. But when you think about it, it's actually pretty neat looking.
I've loaded up roll number two in the HOLGA and I've already had a photo shoot, but I'm going to wait until they are developed to tell you what dorky idea I had.
Did you notice a little word in the previous paragraph that seems a bit 1999? Film. Yep film. Not digital. In general, I take lots of pictures when ever I take pictures, whether it's of the kids, with family, or trying to be artsy. I do this because I'm not a trained photography and by taking many pictures it means there could be a handful of really good ones. But with film you don't get this luxury. Unless you want to spend a lot of money on film, you have to learn to think ahead and just think in general of what you want a picture of.
So with my first roll of film I was a bit cautious, not wanting to "waste" the film, but I also kept a fun spirit. I tried to take some double exposures (which is another key feature of the HOLGA), but none of them came out. I mean the film was develop-able, but it looks like blurry blobs. So First lesson learned, only take pictures in super sunny light. Sadly enough, all the double exposures but one were taken at night. Super lame. But it won't happen again.
What I didn't expect when the pictures came back was this antique look to the pictures. They look a decade or so old. It's really cool. Here is one of Matthew in the backyard.
But my favorite picture was a bit posed. The kids were playing at the Capitol and at one point sat together on a bench. Once I saw them from behind I was like, "Awesome picture moment," but by the time I pulled the camera out Matthew was already on the move. So made him sit back down so I could take the picture. So yeah, it's a fake moment. (But still cute!)
I'm sure you noticed some odd features on the sides of the photo. Well, I wasn't paying attention when winding the film. I actually thought I had figured out just how much to wind it without lifting the flap over the space that shows the film number. Amateur move. Won't happen again. So what you see on the sides are parts of the previous and next photo. But when you think about it, it's actually pretty neat looking.
I've loaded up roll number two in the HOLGA and I've already had a photo shoot, but I'm going to wait until they are developed to tell you what dorky idea I had.
Curses Facebook
I have let another large gaping hole emerge between blogs. For this I blame Facebook. Why? Well, I check it often to see what friends and family are up to, and then I end up condensing any real thoughts into a few short sentences instead of taking the time to write them out. This could be bad news all around. Less people write. I mean really write. So, I need to put my fingers (for typing) where my mouth is and sit down and blog.
But maybe later. I have to go grab the kiddo from school, and go to the library, and go to the camera shop and go to the grocery store. But surely there will be time in there later. Right?
But maybe later. I have to go grab the kiddo from school, and go to the library, and go to the camera shop and go to the grocery store. But surely there will be time in there later. Right?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A Childs Confidence
For most of Devon's life she has been a bit timid, shy, and at times afraid to try something that seems risky. The last couple of weeks she has been riding her bike without training wheels. Something we have tried a few other times in the past but we ended up putting the training wheels back on because she was too scared.
This time though was quite different, because she fell often and this usually leads to a sense of "I can't do it." However, it didn't stop her this time. If anything, it made her more determined to succeed, which was also something new for us to see. The only other thing she has persisted at has been reading (remember the 90 books this summer?).
Actually, now that I think about it, this has been Devon's summer of confidence. She showed zero fear about being in the big pool, putting her head under water, and learning to swim (with arm floaties). She has conquered riding a two-wheeler. And yesterday when we were exploring the UT campus, she decided she was going to climb high into a tree. And this was an awesome tree, it had a very long branch that reached the ground. She took her shoes off and I showed her how to hug the branch with her legs. After this, she was skooting her way up the tree, until she got to a point where a couldn't reach her any more.
So far, one of my favorite things about being a parent has been showing my kids the things I love; dinosaurs, nature walks, hiking, biking, reading, classic childrens novels, showing acts of kindness to strangers (which can ONLY be taught by modeling, saying be kind to strangers doesn't do the act justice. Do you know how many women I have helped push their cars off the street into parking lots? I've lost count.) and having them soak it up like the little sponges they are.
Seeing Devon suddenly become this confident, adventure seeking kid is bringing more joy than I could have ever imagined. This seems to be just a peek at the person she will become some day, and that is pretty amazing.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Motorcycle Lesson #1
Well, I'm not sure why Chris woke up this morning wanting to teach me about the motorcylce and how to ride it, but he did. Maybe it's because I went ahead and agreed for him to buy his dream mountain bike yesterday.
So we went out to the little parking lot by our neighborhood pool and first he was just showing me how to sit on the bike and then set it down and get off.
Then two trucks came into the parking. Repair men working on the gate and security cameras. Uhg. I wasn't really wanting an audience. But I continued. Next I got to turn the bike on. Ooooooo. That was fun.
Eventually I worked up to putting the bike in first gear and walkng it around the parking lot. Then I started riding with my feet in the air and making figure eights in the parking lot. My audience was impressed and cheered me on. Finally I got the guts to ride with my feet on the steps. At this point, Chris called his parents. He was getting a bit nervous (about the safety of his bike.)
Then Chris told me I was ready for 2nd gear. Inside I was shaking my head no vigorously! But I went ahead. I soon realized the small parking lot was not ideal for learning how to change gears.
I put on my really big, big girl pants and rode out into the neighborhood. After the first circle, I rode back to Chris and was very giggly. Then I went back on the street and practiced changing gears more. This is when I made it up to 35! Woah! It was pretty intense.
Then I rode back to our house and gave Chris a heart attack by riding staight into the garage. Apparently he thought I was going to crash into a wall or the car. Silly husband.
Today was pretty awesome. I believe we will practice more tomorrow, which means hello 3rd gear.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
I Heart Photography
If you haven't noticed already with the massive amount of pictures I take of my kids, I love taking pictures. The two main things I love to photograph are my kids and the outdoors. Now I don't love it in a " I want to do this as a career way," just as a hobby.
I will admit that I prefer to take pictures of the kids outside because using sunlight makes the best pictures, in my opinion. Using a flash is definitely not easy for me. I feel like there is more opportunity for blurring pictures when I take them indoors. And thus, my amateurness comes out. I really have no idea what I'm doing. I've never taken a photography class or even read a book about it (shocking!). I've just tried lots of things and stuck with what works whether I understand why it works or not.
This Tuesday I'm going to see a friend's band play and I am definitely going to climb out of my comfort zone and experiment with my camera at the show. For whatever reason, I get shy about using my camera in front of friends because I have a digital SLR (low grade of course) and people automatically assume that someone with a "fancy camera" knows what they are doing. Silly huh?
Looking at some pictures I took at the park this past week there were a few that I impressed myself with, but understand I am easily impressed......
Looking at this picture I think, "Good job Michelle, that was a really good angle and there is not a big shadow on his face. And good timing with his expression." But then I also keep in mind that my kids are very photogenic and sometimes I feel like that is cheating.
Once again my little Matthew is too adorable and made taking this picture very easy. But I'll pat myself on the back for good timing because he isn't still for long.
This one I took using a technique I stole from someone who I consider to be the bestest photographer I will ever know. I wasn't even looking through the camera. I just angled it below her with her looking down on it and literally got lucky. I mean the odds of me aiming the camera to have Devon centered are phenomenal. This will probably never happen to me again. Bummer.
Now, speaking of the bestest photographer I will ever know, Suzanne Countryman. Let's look at the greatness she creates. Prepare to be stricken with awe.
Isn't that the shizel?
I will admit that I prefer to take pictures of the kids outside because using sunlight makes the best pictures, in my opinion. Using a flash is definitely not easy for me. I feel like there is more opportunity for blurring pictures when I take them indoors. And thus, my amateurness comes out. I really have no idea what I'm doing. I've never taken a photography class or even read a book about it (shocking!). I've just tried lots of things and stuck with what works whether I understand why it works or not.
This Tuesday I'm going to see a friend's band play and I am definitely going to climb out of my comfort zone and experiment with my camera at the show. For whatever reason, I get shy about using my camera in front of friends because I have a digital SLR (low grade of course) and people automatically assume that someone with a "fancy camera" knows what they are doing. Silly huh?
Looking at some pictures I took at the park this past week there were a few that I impressed myself with, but understand I am easily impressed......
Looking at this picture I think, "Good job Michelle, that was a really good angle and there is not a big shadow on his face. And good timing with his expression." But then I also keep in mind that my kids are very photogenic and sometimes I feel like that is cheating.
Once again my little Matthew is too adorable and made taking this picture very easy. But I'll pat myself on the back for good timing because he isn't still for long.
This one I took using a technique I stole from someone who I consider to be the bestest photographer I will ever know. I wasn't even looking through the camera. I just angled it below her with her looking down on it and literally got lucky. I mean the odds of me aiming the camera to have Devon centered are phenomenal. This will probably never happen to me again. Bummer.Now, speaking of the bestest photographer I will ever know, Suzanne Countryman. Let's look at the greatness she creates. Prepare to be stricken with awe.
Isn't that the shizel?
Victory Over the Evil Wasps
So I noticed about a week ago that wasps were forming a nest in the middle of my tomato bushes. No Bueno!! I have two silly fears, flying, stinging insects and arachnids (scorpions and spiders). Although, I am becoming more accepting of spiders because they eat bugs that would eat my veggie plants, but not in the house.
I've been thinking and thinking about how to get rid of the wasps without spraying poison on my tomato plants. During all this thinking I was secretly hoping Chris would "take care of them" with a stick or something, but that never happened. So today I put on my big girl pants. And a heavy jacket. And Chris's motorcycle helmet. And his motorcycle gloves. (You can stop laughing now.) I went out to the tomato plants with our tree clippers (I'm sure there's a better name for those), which extend pretty long, and I started cutting the branch the nest was on. The I trimmed the branch to where I could pull the nest quickly and without hurting the rest of the plants.
This whole process took about 10 minutes because I would snip a branch and jump back because the wasps got upset. Then I would snip again and jump back, sometimes swinging the clippers for protection. I'm grateful Chris was really into the book he was reading or else I know he would have taken pictures or recorded video on his phone. Sorry guys.
Finally, everything was trimmed and ready to be pulled out. Even with all my "gear" on I wouldn't move the nest. I was still too hesitant. So I started knocking the plants and shooed away the wasps. Then I moved the nest and destroyed it. One came back and was looking for it, but I was able to coerce it to fly away from the plants so I could spray it with wasp spray.
So this is the story of my victorious defeat of the evil wasps. Hooray!
I've been thinking and thinking about how to get rid of the wasps without spraying poison on my tomato plants. During all this thinking I was secretly hoping Chris would "take care of them" with a stick or something, but that never happened. So today I put on my big girl pants. And a heavy jacket. And Chris's motorcycle helmet. And his motorcycle gloves. (You can stop laughing now.) I went out to the tomato plants with our tree clippers (I'm sure there's a better name for those), which extend pretty long, and I started cutting the branch the nest was on. The I trimmed the branch to where I could pull the nest quickly and without hurting the rest of the plants.
This whole process took about 10 minutes because I would snip a branch and jump back because the wasps got upset. Then I would snip again and jump back, sometimes swinging the clippers for protection. I'm grateful Chris was really into the book he was reading or else I know he would have taken pictures or recorded video on his phone. Sorry guys.
Finally, everything was trimmed and ready to be pulled out. Even with all my "gear" on I wouldn't move the nest. I was still too hesitant. So I started knocking the plants and shooed away the wasps. Then I moved the nest and destroyed it. One came back and was looking for it, but I was able to coerce it to fly away from the plants so I could spray it with wasp spray.
So this is the story of my victorious defeat of the evil wasps. Hooray!
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