3.13.11 - Spring is Here!

Ahh, spring.  Longer days, warmer weather (usually), flowers, green grass, house work, Vitamin D.

Sunday was my mother's birthday.  And it was chilly, in the 50s.  We didn't get out to do any yardwork, though the promise of that is till looming, given warmer weather (Yay!) but we did take a walk.  There were so many signs of spring coming!  The Bradford Pears were in full boom, as were the over-populated daffodils and other wild flowers. There was also a beautiful tree that I am not sure the name off.  I've googgled it, of course, but have come up with Tulip Tree, and Magnolia.  But Magnolias are usually white, right?  I really don't know!  It is gorgeous.

I am particularly proud of a lot of these images, they show some growth in the macro area.  These images are sure to make you happy, even if you are still experiencing some winter blues!

 

 

 

My Savings! 3.14.11

So I have been clipping coupons since January and following countless savings blogs and facebook pages.  I see those women who post pictures of how many free things they could get at this place and how much they saved at that place.

I have found some things... I got Up Brand Ibuprofen for $0.72, and free dental floss (not even the kind my husband uses, gave to my mom) last week at Target, and I have gotten a small Gain Fabric Softener for $0.50 and free Gain dryer sheets at Dollar General this month.  Here and there, I end up finding good deals, especially at Walgreens, and Publix.  But I'm still waiting for my "free groceries."

Nevertheless, I went out this morning with a mission; lists and coupons ready to go, and I ended up getting some high end name brand things for at least under $2, if not under $1.  I wanted to post a picture of my items, to feel like I triumphed!  :-)  But also for my husband, sister and friends to see the cool (read: expensive name brand) items I got!

My first stop was Publix.  I only went in for these specific items.  The bakery bread was a treat for Scott (and in the eye of saving, it cost just as much as the Nature's Own we buy at Kroger).   The Hunts, Tostitos, FiberPlus and Mazertti Dressing were all part of B1G1Fs, so I bought one of each and used a coupon on each one.  The Barilla noodles were also B1G1F, but at $1.23, I wanted both.  The Cheerios were 2/$5, plus I had a Publix coupon and a Manf coupon.  Made them 2/$3!!!  Now, I know I am weird, but the Excedrin was my winner today.  After missing out on a not as impressive deal at Target last week (Free 20ct) I was excited to find this.  $5.69, - $3 Target coupon, - $1 Manf coupon = $1.69 for a 120 count!  YES!

 

 Geographically, Walgreens was next.  I also went there with specific match ups in mind.  Cereal was marked really low, $1.99, plus my $0.55 coupon.  Herbal Essences was $2.99 each, and I had a B1G1F coupon (plus I got $1 RR!)  Colgate $0.99 after coupon... The Kleenex, nail polish and shaving cream were Walgreens ad coupons.  Now, the Purex Crystals are a new item, and usually new items are on sale right away.  Sure enough, it was $4.99, plus there was a high value $2 off coupon in this week's paper, plus I got $2 RRs!  The Tide Stain Release was the only thing I did not go in there for, but, I had what I call "a coupon I'll never use but you never know" that was about to expire.  I read it thoroughly and looked for the cheapest Tide item that qualified.  This was $4.49 - $3 = $1.49.  It's something I would never buy without a coupon, but I know we will use it.

 

Next, Kroger.  I had to go to Kroger to pick up all things that were actually on my grocery list, LOL.  (As much as we save with coupons, how often are we just buying things we don't normally buy because they are at an amazing price?  Hello, Tide Stain Release, Purex Crystals??  More on that another day).  I did not show a picture of everything that I bought at Kroger as most of it was fresh vegetables, fruit, deli meat, etc.  These are the things that I matched up.  The Chex Mix and the Crackers I had coupons that will expire soon for, and this week Kroger had the best deals on each.  The Gain Dryer sheets were FREE at Dollar General!  $2.75, and I used my last $3 off Gain coupon on them.  Now, usually, the store will correct the coupon to the product amount to make it free, so I picked up the Chewy Sweetarts (yum!) so I was at least purchasing something and not just checking out not paying anything... BUT today, the cashier did not adjust my coupon, so that took $0.25 off my candy, making my total at DG $0.70.

So, TADA!  Here is my savings picture for today!  All of my items and what I saved!  Seriously, I look at all these name brand items and smile.  I am 90% of the time a generic brand shopper.  Most of these things have a generic counterpart.  When I added up the total cost of these things I shook my head!  $90 for all this???  Really??  It's not that much stuff, is it?  But when look at all that and see I only paid $39 for it all, it looks a bit more impressive!

I'm looking forward to more trips like this... and maybe some free groceries!

385 Attempt [extras] 3.4.11

Extra, extra!  Since I was off today, I was out and about around town, so of course I took more than one picture, and it was REALLY hard for me to choose which one to post on FB!  (The Flip Flop Fish won, because it made me think of the beach!)

Todays extras are exciting... they show that spring is, in fact, on it's way! 

Now this third one, it's just cool.  It's one that makes you think... We are having a flash flood warning tomorrow (love that my phone tells me 24 hrs in advance, ha!).  Middle TN has received a lot of precipitation lately, but our ground is so dry.  I read in an article a few weeks ago that we are still in drought conditions.

365 Attempt [extras] 3.2.11

I am only posting one photo a day on facebook, but sometimes that't not all I can snap!  It's hard for me to choose, so I'm going to post the others on here!

This are the extras from March 2.  Also known as beautiful-reflection-in-the-flood-pond-day.  I loved this image.

 

These are the extras - to see my "Photo of the Day", check out my facebook album "365 Attempt".

1.10.11 - The "Big" Snow

Snow.  I've seen my far share of it.  I was born in Massachusetts, and lived in New Hampshire until I was 11.  I've seen some snow.  I had snow fall on the night of our town's Halloween Party that was held on our property.  We were bobbing for apples in a metal basin, and there was ice inside.  I've seen snow.  My uncle would drive his tractor to our home across town and plow our property until there were snow piles 10 feet tall.  I would sled down the hill on my uncle's farm until I couldn't feel my toes, fingers or nose.

When I moved to Tennessee in 1996, Nashville had a record-breaking snowstorm that winter.  We were with our family in New Hampshire.  Kinda ironic.

One winter while I was in college, (2003, or 2004) I had to drive from Nashville to Clarksville to get back to school in white-out conditions.  It scared me to death, because I am from the North, but I had never had to drive in "bad" snow before.

For the first time since I have lived in and not traveled away from Tennessee, I saw snow on Christmas morning 2010.  The last time me and my sister saw snow on Christmas was 1999.

I absolutely love snow.  Because it is silent and beautiful.  Snow quiets the Earth.  It falls and everything seems to turn its volume down.  The traffic slows, people stay inside.  The animals rest, huddled somewhere.  The wind whispers instead of whistles.  God, how amazing!  He really does know how to create beauty.  Everything is so white and gentle.  I like taking deep, cold breaths.  The soothing taste of winter.  I feel like I need to enjoy it before it melts away.

Here are some shots from the "Big" snow that fell on Middle Tennessee, January 10, 2011

The Perfect Preview: Amber & Kris : Wedding

October 17, 2010 - Wild Turkey Ranch

Reflecting back to 2009.

So, It's 7 days until the Sauls/Ingram wedding.  I am excited and nervous.  This is not the first wedding I have shot, but it is my hurdle.  After completing this session, I will have overcome my first big step.  I have been taking pictures forever... by my transformation that has taken place in the past year has brought me to realize several things.  One, I do it because I love it... I truly am at home behind the camera, no matter what camera it is or how much it cost.  Two, after reading thousands of words about photography, I know that I still have a lot to learn, but am confident in my personal skill.  Also, I have realized that it's okay that everyone has a love for photography, and it's okay that professionals want to write articles about how it's not okay.  Everyone has gifts.  It's how you use it and what you do with it...and how you transform it.  Yes, God gave me a passion, joy, love for this media.  Ok?  So what am I going to do about it?  Am I going to assume that my first picture ever taken of a client is "IT"?  That's my gift?  No.  I am going to learn, adjust, advance, stumble, make mistakes, and adapt.  I am going to use my gift over and over and tweak it.  It's mine, and I am going to make it wonderful.

One of the things that I did not have a year ago was great confidence.  I glided by on compliments, and how much I love it.  I have adjusted myself to know how good my work is.  Since last October, I have sold work, put it in auctions, made a FB fan page (and accumulated fans!), gotten clients that I did not know, purchased a high dollar camera, and focused my love into making my gift better.  I bought editing software.  I have put in time and sweat and effort.  I even struggled to create the perfect, fair, price list.  I am about to launch a website. 

I'm on my way.  When people say, "Oh, I didn't know you were a photographer," my answer is often, "I'm trying to be!"  It doesn't sound great writing about it, but what I mean is... I am in that beginning stage that EVERY professional has to be in.  The realization of your gift and realizing what you're going to do with it.  I'm gaining pride.

So, thank you.  Thanks to everyone who has supported me in the past year of my journey.  I am expecting your continued support.  You all are great.

Cannonsburg, October 2009

These are two of my favorite pictures from one of my very first sessions, taken about a year ago.  Before the Nikon, and with no post production.  I am proud of this work, but more proud that I can reflect on this session and see where I have improved.