farewell, good friend

Dear Pentax,

I want to thank you for being such an excellent camera. I bought you from my sister and before I had you, I didn't even know how much I needed you. I learned so much with you. You opened up a whole world of photography to me. As I took baby steps from auto to manual, you were patient and forgiving. Most of all, you helped me record so many priceless, wonderful (oh, and maybe not so wonderful) memories. Memories that would have been long gone if I did not have you.

The time came when I wanted more lenses. I think it is just a natural thing. "They" told me there is no point in investing in you anymore. I think they were right. So I had to move on. So sorry. You had some glitches and lately you had been freaking out when I turned you on and just snapping a bunch of pictures. Maybe you knew I had started moving on. I sent you in and hopefully they will fix you and find you a new home (and give me some money) and you will be a great starter camera for someone else.

If you want to know, my new camera is great. I got it for my birthday. I know my birthday was back in March but it takes me a really long time to make a decision and after I finally make the decision it takes me even longer to find the best price and the best place to buy the stuff. And besides, I kind of liked you. It's name is Canon Rebel T1i. I call it t1i for short. It is faster, it is lighter, it takes video, and best of all, I got some great new lenses to go with it (18-200 mm and 50 mm f/1.4, in case you're wondering) that I have loved playing around with them so much. Even though I already lost the battery charger, it doesn't mean that I don't love it, because I do.

I am getting sick of this letter and wish that I would have posted this a different way but I don't have the patience to do so. So I will end it now with a great big THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.

Love,

Christina

{"dear pentax" taken by the newer, faster, lighter t1i}

so glad i am a camera freak

Sometimes I think that I should put down the camera and just try and live in the moment. But, well, me being me, after I live in the moment I forget the moment.

Today I was wishing that I was even more of a camera freak when the kids were tiny. Was working on a project (like always) and started looking through old photos. Found these and smiled.

I am so glad that I picked up (or didn't put down, whichever) the camera.

This was up at Bear Lake. He wasn't even a year old. He was loving the water but from the looks of things, he was loving the soggy sand even more. He kept sticking his face in it.

From the beginning, my kids have loved to bath. When Samuel was tiny, if he heard the water running, he used to strip down on the spot and just take off for the tub. To this day, if Karl or I tries to take a bath and Samuel is awake, chances are high that Samuel will just invite himself in. If this is a hereditary trait, they get it from their dad. Not that I don't bath. I just wouldn't consider myself a recreational bather like these three. They used to be so little that they could bath in the sink. Eva in the big part, Samuel in the little part. It was perfect and I didn't have to bend down to wash them.

We went to a corn maze long ago. Don't remember much about it. Good thing I have the pictures. Good thing I can look back and remember how much fun it was to dress her when she was so tiny.

And sleeping. Seeing my kids sleep never gets old. I love the way that Eva looks so tiny on her big bed. I love the way that Samuel's legs are curled under.

So, if you see me with my camera plastered to my face. It is not because I am a stereotypical Japanese tourist. It is because I so do not want to forget these moments. These pictures make me happy.

I was looking through old pictures because I was trying to finish this project. Seeing that some years I didn't have much to choose from just makes me resolve to take more pictures:

I was inspired by my friend who was inspired by a Pottery Barn catalog or something like that. Here is how I did it:

I spray painted a branch and some can lids (I have a can opener that leaves not sharp edges. The pack rat in me started saving them a few weeks ago. The pack rat in me didn't have a plan but wouldn't let Karl put them in the recycling because the pack rat in me knew that I was going to make something out of them and it was going to be awesome and free. The pack rat in me was so so right).

I stuck the branch in the black planter and anchored it with rocks, green floral foamy block things, and covered the top with moss. Pack rats just happen to have that kind of stuff in their stash.

I printed pictures from each Halloween since Eva was born and cut them in circles and stuck them in the can lids.

I punched a hole in each one, tied a ribbon, and hung them up. The kids got a kick out of seeing themselves. I got a kick out of seeing Samuel as Nacho Libre when he was 2.

Note: Eva's arm is extra long because she is wearing my robe.

Another note: I have those tools because pack rats have tools to cut circles and punch holes in metal. They make the project so easy and you never have to pay full price with all the coupons craft stores put out.

Besides the Halloween tree and a couple other decorations, our house is not very Halloweeny. My kids let me know that. Eva is working on the decorations to change that. Here is her skeleton that she made. It is in our front window now. I love the one purple foot. She ran out of black paint.

me?

I looked for a photo of me. Not much to choose from. I am the family picture taker person. Wanted something a little more attractive. But, instead, I found something super real.

When I look at this picture I feel a little guilty. I get mom points for sleeping outside with my son when he had croup (in the middle of the summer?!). The cool summer air calmed him and helped him sleep. I get those points taken away when I see that I have hogged all the covers. He looks so cold. Especially that strip of his back.

Today I learned that there is a town called Cerda in Italy that has an artichoke festival. A festival for one of my favorite foods ever. There is even an artichoke restaurant. I want to go there. I need to go there. Tomorrow.

I found these cute little Martha Stewart craft sets at Big Lots for $2. Perfect for the kids. So cute. So cheap. So I buy 15. What? Yeah, I decided every kid I know needs some. This is something I do. I find something on sale and want everyone I love to have some. Or that I need 2 or 7. Then, that great deal ends up costing a lot of money. The positive is that I get to share my bargains and I am prepared if, by chance, 15 kids show up and want to do crafts.

My toe nail polish needs to be changed. I hate it when the polish is all chippy and grown out. I hate it so bad that when Eva was born three weeks early and I had absolutely nothing ready because I wasn't expecting it, I remember rolling around in pain on the hospital bed AND being bugged that my toe nails weren't pretty on such a special day.

I want to do a bunch of cute Halloween decorations but I am such a procrastinator. Thing is, Halloween waits for no one. So the longer I wait, the less time we have to enjoy my efforts. Then I walk into the store and there is Christmas stuff all around. Then I think, "Oh great, more stuff for me to procrastinate."

I once was in the cell phone store, in line behind a couple that seemed to be taking forever. Their complaint was that the wife's phone wasn't working. When she pressed auto dial, it wouldn't call the person that she was trying to reach. After checking several things on her phone, the cell phone store guy looks in her phonebook to make sure she has programmed the numbers correctly. "Why do you have all these stars before and after the phone numbers?" Too bad for her that it doesn't work when you dial a bunch of stars before a phone number. "Because they are pretty," she answers.

I don't like winter. I don't like cold. In the last few weeks I have made 6 kinds of soup: Pasta Fagioli, Mexican Chicken Corn Chowder, Tortilla, Butternut Squash, Potato Broccoli and Tomato Bisque (twice). Soup is one good thing about winter. But I really really really prefer salad weather.

What is the point of exercising in the morning if it just makes me sleepy all day long? "They" say it is good for me. Whoever "they" are, will they come take care of my kids while I crash on my couch?

Went to a restaurant. It was okay. Got home and found that I had a coupon for the place for a free meal. I hate that. I hate paying full price for things. I hate that I paid for my mediocre meal. Hate that it wasn't good enough to go back and get my free meal. I did this last week AND the week before. Note to self: double check coupons before going into a potentially mediocre restaurant.

I think I remember every scary story that I have ever heard. For that reason, when I am alone and it is dark outside I get kind of nervous and glance in back to make sure no scary guys are back there (while making sure the scary guy under the car doesn't get me, too). Then I get my heart rate down by telling myself, "It is just a story, there is not going to be anyone in your car, you are fine." Cops came for (the night formerly know as) enrichment to tell us a little about their jobs and our safety and what not. Nice police man tells us about the lady that got in her car and drove then realized there was a homeless guy sleeping in her car. Just great. Fabulous. Now I have to do a homeless guy check when I get in the car and figure out a new, more accurate mantra to calm my nervous heart. We had donuts for refreshments.

When I left my house today, it was drizzling and I saw my cute red polka dot rain boots. Eva was wearing her cherry ones. Samuel was wearing his cool fire dept. ones. I asked my sister, "Am I skinny enough to wear these in public?" Some people can wear rain boots and look all J Crew, fashionable, "I am wearing these on purpose." Some people can wear rain boots and look like they forgot to change their shoes after they were gardening or they are trying to make an, "I will not conform" statement. I wanted to look like the first description. With the encouragement of my very fashion conscious sister, I wore them. First public comment I got went something like this, "Is it really raining that hard?"

It is almost 3 am. Karl is tiling the kitchen backsplash, I am watching Martha and blogging. Nothing unusual here. For us, at least.

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I just signed up for a bunch of classes for Nicole Hill's The Art Weekend. I love going to classes. I love getting inspired. I love learning how to do more stuff that I can start and send to the "to be finished" bucket. I have taken many classes in my day and Nicole's photo class has been BY FAR the most inspiring. Book binding, paper cutting, screen printing, photoshop, photoshop actions, how to start an etsy shop (I debated about this one but if I am going to take 5 classes, might as well take six, right?)... all things I know nothing about besides that I have wanted to learn for a long time. I am kind of embarrassed at how crafty nerdy I am. I found someone to join me for photoshop but I need someone else to join me for the other (more nerdy) classes. If someone joins me, I am more likely to not fall asleep. I have been known to doze off, no matter how fascinated I am by the topic. Huh? What do you mean everyone doesn't have a secret desire to bind a book?

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been taking pictures

Have been feeling creative lately. Baking, sewing, decorating, and taking a bunch of pictures. I would do these things all night if I could. Okay, okay, sometimes I do. I want more hours in the (kids are asleep, I can get some stuff done) day so I can keep up with all of the stuff I want to do and blog about it.

Took another photo class. This was a "field trip" where we brought our kids (and couldn't listen to any instruction because kids were climbing on me) and learned how to take pictures of them. To be honest, I don't feel like I got my money's worth for the class. On the positive side, I did get a few favorite shots.

I decked my kids out all Utah-chic for this one. If you live here or have visited, you know what I am talking about.

This candid shot is my favorite. Probably because it pretty much sums up my kids.

See this smile? It says, "I will do whatever it takes to get presents." I had two presents waiting in the car and Samuel asked if he could have them after every shot. That kid and presents I tell you.

Karl took the kids up to Bear Lake and his family's cabin for a night.

While they were up having a blast, I had a little "retreat" down here with friends.

Since we have been friends for so long, it is so relaxing to be with them. I love it so much.

In the morning, we had an impromptu photo shoot. You know, just to capture this time in our lives...

We were in the store the other day and a stranger stops my friend and says, "Your belly is just perfect." She's right.

I got to use Courtney's camera. It was light, it was fast, it was fun, and yes, I want one really bad. Someday...

This one ended up being my favorite of little Stephen. So simple. So sweet.