Tonight Was a Bust!

Okay, tonight I drug the family to the Wild Animal Park After Dark so I could practice with the new camera. We had a great time. To bad my pictures just plain ol' STUNK! Pee-Eww! Stinky, Stinky!

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I'm still learning how to take pictures at night when the lighting is bad. I only had two shots turn out from the whole evening. The rest were blurry. I don't know what I did wrong, but I'm sure I'll figure it out for next time. The sad thing is I had some fantastic angles of a mommy bird and her chick and some flamingos lovin' on each other. O' well, better luck next time! We had a blast anyhow. Here's the two shots that were decent...

I better read the manual that came with the camera before I attempt this night stuff again :) And, I'm sure the photography class that I'm crashing next Tuesday will help. I'm looking forward to that. It'll be my first real instruction...they better help me...especially since Rob took back his TV. Not to mention that I really don't like coming home with only two so-so pictures.

Madi had fun playing with my old digital camera along side of me. We had some good mommy-sissy bonding. I think she has a talent all of her own! She's doing a great job taking pictues. Only problem is that her favorite subject is hind ends (mine and Grandma's in particular). Here are some of my favorites...all taken by Madison tonight (the only editing was for contrast and brightness) Check them out...

Mr. Lion is my favorite for the whole night!

Anyway, thanks for visiting today!

Having Fun with My New Toy

This is one of the first pictures I took as soon as the battery was charged on my new camera. Isn't my man a fox! I'm still figureing out how everything works, but my kids are great models for me...they hardly complain about taking photos.

Madi

Conner

I can see the craters on the moon when I blow this picture up. It's amazing!

Here's a shot of the sunset tonight. It was georgeous. I couldn't get too creative, there's a lot of rooftops in the way where I live.

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Anyway, thanks for visiting!

I Have the Best Husband EVER!!!!!!!!!

Nikon Digital SLR D80 with a 70-300mm Lens and a 18-135mm Lens

Need I say more!!!!

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Well, tonight was kind of a crapy one, or at least it started out to be. Rob and I have been struggling with our bills for a while. I guess we've had way too much fun the past couple of years and now we're paying for it! Not to mention that last year I decided I needed to be home more for my kids, especially my daughter who was struggling with school. When I cut my hours almost in half, the paycheck just plain ol' became worthless! Anyway, we realized that the main problem was that we hadn't cut our spending at all. So, about three weeks ago, we cut up all of our credit cards and tried to cut way back on our spending. It feels good to take charge of our little problem, but we've realize how much we depended on those nasty plastic cards to survive.

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Earlier tonight I was working on a debt reduction plan and just felt hopeless...how in the world did we do this to ourselves. And how are we going to get ourselves out of this mess? Well, I guess if we can get ourselves here we can get ourselves out. The crapy part of all of this is that I desperately wanted...needed this camera! Ok, not needed...just really wanted! I know that I can't just go out and buy anything, whenever I want (especially without the use of plastic) but I was planning on at least saving my money and getting the camera by the end of the year.

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Tonight reality set in. I wasn't going to get this baby for a really long time...maybe even years :( There's no extra money to save for a camera. Every cent needs to go to paying off our debt right now. I just don't want to owe anyone! So tough poopie, I'll just have to wait!

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Well, my hubby got this beautiful piece of luxury for me for my birthday. It was an early present, but I will get to enjoy it all month...and all next month and all the month after that. The camera wasn't the best part about this either. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE LOVE LOVE the camera!!! But Rob, he's the BEST part! I told him to please not spend too much on me this year. We really need to save instead. He listened, but I was expecting a card and maybe some chocolate. That would have been great. He spoils me all the time (partly the reason for our current debt). There was no need to worry about a huge gift this year.

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Anyway, he didn't spend a dime... technically. A few months back he won a 50" plasma, flat screen TV from his new business (because of his hard work, he had better odds of winning and did. You should know he deserved that prize). Anyway, he loved that baby and brought everyone to the garage to see it (still in it's box). He was so proud of his big win. He kept saying "the Packers are going to look great this season"! Anyway, he returned the TV to buy this camera for me. And if that's not generous enough, he also dug into his piggybank (Corvette fund) to cover the rest of the money. I don't think there are many people out there that are this generous. He really is a great man! I LOVE HIM!

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Camera or no camera, a man that is willing to sacrafice for his wife and family all the time, without regret, is what makes my life so perfect. I love him more than anything! And, I thank God everyday for creating such a perfect man!

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Thanks again God!

And Thanks again for my present my Sweet Tushie Tushie Love Bisquet!

Waisting Time

Well, these pictures are just me waisting time. I really wanted to go to the Wild Animal Park since they were open late, but I couldn't talk my honey into it last night . He did work a long day and we will be driving all day today...he's off the hook. I will have to go next week. These pictures are all taken by my house at a little wash that feeds Sandia Creek. I was amazed at all the pretty stuff I found right there off of the main road through town. The main road is just to the left of this next shot. It's a very busy street, but you wouldn't know it from the picture. It looks like I live in the country somewhere.

Okay, that's all I got for today...hopefully I'll get some great pictures this weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

Quail Botanical Gardens

I wasn't impressed with the pictures I got this trip. I'm not completely sure what happened??? I think the film I used was too sensitive (ISO 200). Here are some pictures from the day anyway. They're not spectacular, but they're viewable. I guess I have an excuse to go back now :)

I like this variety of lily pads. It's neat how the edges turn up.

Papa stopped by to visit first thing in the morning. Made for a great day! Here's tha best shot I got of this swallowtail, unfortunately I cut off his wing tips.
Flower of a Banana Tree

A little overexposed and slitely out of focus, but he sure was cute!

Added fun to this one...going for a little infered style

These remind me of Hawaii

Just a cool Pinecone on the ground

This wasn't the best shot, but I kind of like it anyway...let's just pretend the blur was intentional.

My Little Buddy

Last but not least...A couple of looney birds I saw at the gardens.

Thanks for visiting!

Who Doesn't Love the San Diego Zoo???

We had a blast at the San Diego Zoo yesterday. I love animals and plants. I could have stayed all night, but the family was tired after 5 hours. Thankfully I have season passes and can go back...without them :)

This little guy was trying to catch that dragonfly on the tip of that branch. It was very funny. He was pretty quick, just not quick enough. That pretty dragon fly got away.

Family of Monkeys

Thanks for Visiting :) Hope you enjoyed the pictures!