The Family Tradition

Both my father and brother were fighter pilots. On my recent trip to Denver, my brother showed me a photo of him taken in Thailand while he was in the Air Force. Roland flew Phantom F-4C's and F-4D's on night missions. It's amazing how much knowledge he has about every facet of his flying career. I took his photo and created layout commemorating this time in his life. Like my Dad before him, he is so thorough to a fault. But that's what kept him alive!

Heritage Fotos is one of the favorite classes I teach. I guess I just have a soft spot for those classic photos and portraits from yesteryear. My favorites are the pre-50's photos. It's like a piece of detective work looking at the clues--hair styles, clothing, jewelry--and seeing if I can come close to dating an image accurately. I've been lucky having recently acquired scans of old family photos. Those faces from the past are trying to share their messages. It's fascinating!

Picture Perfect

Reagan loves her camera. I've allowed my grandchildren to use my Nikon camera and try to help them understand the value in taking a good image. They are each on their own journey and the skill of taking good photos will go a long way in helping them understand who they are and where they've been.

Salt Lake City and Denver

The ScrapGirls Convention in Salt Lake City was terrific. I sat at a table with Brandy Murray--a very talented designer, 3 other digital teachers and 2 other ladies. The presentations by the "Purple Shirts" were very informative. Apparently the guest speaker from Canon canceled out on us (tacky) but another photographer came to the rescue with an informative program. I think it was the friendliest group of women I've ever been associated with ever! Ro, V, and the entire staff did a fantastic job organizing the programs and putting the educational presentations together. My hat is off to all of them. Ro said there will not be a gathering next year due to the economy. Let's pray that the world is a better place in the near future so that we can all grow and prosper.

Right now I'm at my brother's home in Denver, CO. Three out of five of us has had the flu this week. I've been washing my hands religiously, brushing my teeth and using Listerine. I do have a bad habit of touching my face which is a no-no when it comes to spreading germs. I'll try to do better. Tomorrow morning I board the great silver bird and fly home. And as the saying goes...There's no place like home!

Breast Cancer Awareness

Our Digi Crop Club meeting at Memories Galore will feature a "Pink" layout in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I lost my mother to this dreadful disease so it didn't take much convincing when several of the girls wanted to change the format for October. This month's lesson will be "Tearing Paper". Plus we'll look at an alternate photo technique. It's a great technique I use often.

If you haven't already, check out www.ArmyofWomen.com that is working towards finding the causes of Breast Cancer BEFORE they occur. I joined last year. They are active with researchers and post various opportunities to get involved at a local level.

Let's put Breast Cancer in the past!

Can't you see the excitement in his eyes? The grease paint under his eyes was a big deal for this 6 year old. He pointed it out to me 3 times to make sure I recognized how cool it was!

Locked Out

For some strange reason, I have tried to post several times and couldn't. I tried tonight and figured out what I was doing wrong. So I'll try again!

This year I have felt the seasonal shift more than any other year I can remember. Maybe that is a sign of age, who knows. The leaves haven't changed their colors yet but I can feel the winter's howl right around the corner. My grandson is playing flag football and loves running all out on the field. I included a layout of his first game.

Reagan's soccer team gave her a nickname. They call her "Smiley". The name fits. She has a gorgeous smile. It's an appropriate nickname and I hope it follows her for a lifetime.

Last night I whipped up a pot of White Chicken Chili. Jimmy had some for breakfast and lunch. He said he didn't want it for dinner so I made paninis with pork roast, roasted peppers and swiss cheese. It was good for a change.

As the World Economy Turns!

The world HAS changed. Too much greed surrounds us and has seeped into the upper levels and corrupted our everyday way of life. Years ago I would take my little insignificant stock vote and spend an hour or so trying to extract from the stock report what exactly I was voting for. (Notice that they never exactly direct you to that information.) I'd always find some sort of "incentive" for the board members or selected corporate big guys buried in there somewhere and I'd vote against it. My brother, a financial planner, said I was just wasting my time...my vote was hardly noticable and it wouldn't really mean anything. But to me it was about the principle! If everyone had the same desire to see a cooperative attitude and not see their role as a personal opportunity to pull the financial wool over everyones eyes, maybe some of this elitism wouldn't have taken such a deep hold...Maybe the economy would be healthier. Maybe.