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I Always Wanted Extra Help In The Garden
My Iowa Group on flicker had a cloning challenge.I freely admit that I am still illiterate when it comes to photoshop unless it deals with basic lighting and color changes.I have learned how to work the program to get most anything out of my photos I wanted,but not realy able to add anything that wasn't there to begin with,LOL After starting in PSE,switching to PSP,and after getting part of it done,but forgetting how I managed it I couldn't replicate the effect for the next layer.I ended up struggling to do the last extra layer in PSE,This is my finished result.A project I started early this morning when I took the seperate images,and didn't manage to finish till midnight,LOL I am pleased with the results,do not know when I will attempt this again.I spent most of friday with this project,How frustrating it was. Quick Update~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~New Addition to the Family~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Late last evening my first Grand Neice came in to this world weiging 7lb 5 1/5 oz.and 19 1/2 inches long.A full 10 days late,and none to ready to arrive,when she finally came into this world she was ready to party.She was greeted by all her grandparents,her great Grandma,her aunts and uncle.She is a happy baby,and was very alert to everyone around her and smiling at each new face that held her.She has dark hair like her momma,and dark blue eyes. Mother and baby are both healthy after a 24 hr labor.
Knowing there was already a crowd in attendance,I stayed at home and got the happy news at 9:48 last night.I plan to go up to visit this weekend when things are a bit quieter.I will be getting some wonderful baby pictures for the new parents.I can hardly wait to hold her.Has been a while since I held a tiny one.
Not getting Near Enough Done...New HopeIt sure has been a slow go in the garden.I have been trying to tackle all the badly weedy gardens,but I seem to work one day,then can't tolerate doing more for a few days.I started working Thursday on the front bank,which is mostly grassy growth,cleared half of it,and on Friday could only do a small portion of the rest.The rest of the grass sits out there waving in the wind as if mocking me,LOL We are supposed to have thunderstorms today and tomorrow.I find areas of the garden are really dry.Especially that bank.After a rain it would pull up so much easier.I could use the rain.I have been sparing on watering as I do not want a huge water bill.Not right now anyway,LOL
I have had some new hope for resurrecting my truck driving carreer today.I contacted a small company in Iowa through an add in the shopper.They advertise home weekly for 2 nights,which would be a big plus.I talked to them,and they did not immediately say that the accident would keep me from employment.They are sending out an application and mentioned once they have it they will schedule an interview.So hopefully life could get back to normal if this comes through.Of course that means I need to get some progress made in the garden,LOL
As much as I enjoy sitting around here on the computer every day,I am a person who really needs a job to do.I have a need to know I have the security of a job that can support our needs,not to mention I like knowing I can be self sufficient if there were ever a need.The idea that I was unable to return to my carreer,and the uncertainty of what kind of work I could do really threw me for a loop.It knocked me so far down I am still struggling to gain my feet.Besides I get more accomplished when I am working and have limited time available.If that makes sense? LOL This company also has a good health insurance plan that I can sign up for after one calender month,so that will take some of the pressure off of Hubby if he continues to be unsatisfied with the company he is at.Knowing I can supply insurance without a lapse will give him freedom to look.I know he would like to take something that would let him be home more often as well.By the time I get the ap and send it in I suppose it could be a week or better before I hear anything.Wish me luck.
The Graduation....Lessons In Photography Congratulations B,You made it Dude!!
Today was B's comencement ceremony.Yep,he made it and actually walked up to the stage to recieve his diploma today.It has not been an easy road to get this young man to this point.It has literally taken a village to raise this child.He has been a behavior problem for alot of his childhood years,with ADD /ADHD contributing.Divorced parents that shuffled him from parent to grandparent to parent and then on to paternal Aunt before fianlly coming to our home.He has been in school situations where he did not get along well with teachers and principles who pushed him.Our school has worked with him well.The principal went the extra mile for B,He noticed through his records that he would struggle the longer he remained in school,so he arranged for B to graduate on a required credits only program which allowed B to graduate a year earlier than he would have.When B started to fail,he would keep him after school to do his work and drive him home after.He even picked him up this last week to go back in and retake a final exam that was compromised when a group of students managed to steal the test answers.(B was very displeased to have to retake that exam and threw a fit before the ride arrived.LOL)
They started the ceremony with a slide show of the kids as babies and than their graduation photo and name.It was very well put together and put to music.B failed to submit a baby photo.He said it cost extra and he thought Grandma had put out more than enough.We were all disappointed he hadn't done that,but that is the kind of kid B can be,showing concern for the hardships of his grandmother in doing for him.However we all remarked that he doesn't hesitate to ask for money to buy snacks,LOL
We were very happy for B that his father, other Aunt,and all his siblings made it,and also came for the after grad party.My niece M is a week overdue and we all told her to wait until after today to go into labor.Thankfully the baby cooperated.I took many family photos and plan to burn a disc for his fathers side of the family so thay can print what they want.It has been a while since we had all of them in one place to get group photos.The only missing person was Hubby,who was on the road today.
Photographing in an auditorium posed some difficulties.I tried to set the white balance before the ceremony.Set a high ISO and used the flash to get enough light.I found at one point that I was too far from the stage after the ceremony started and had to movewent on stage I had moved again as I was on the wrong side to see him shake hands and get his diploma.LOL I think I still could have used an external flash for better reach.
After the ceremony I forgot o change the WB and ISO settings,DUH...LOL Many of the family shots I took turned out ok,but have a bit more noise in them because of the high ISO.The lighting was also a challenge as it was a super bright day,and the shadows in the shade have a lot of contrast..I could have used a external flash to fill in the shadows.I should be able to fix them with software,.I have a used flash coming from an Ebay auction,so in the future I may have better luck in these situations.If I get used to changing my settings back anyway.LOL It is all a step in the learning process still.
Pete ad Rosa were on their best behavior today with all the company going in and out all afternoon.We had some worry about Rosa,as she has nipped someone recently.I told them all that she was skittish and not to try and pick her up or force themselves on her.She actually allowed a couple of them to reach out and pet her which was a big surprise.Pete has been enjoying the warm weather and doesn't miss a chance to be outside,as long as he can wander free in the yard.He stayed close to the action and came when called to.He even cooperated for a couple of group photographs.Once being bribed with some left over cake,LOL
Now it is all done we are all exhausted.Just relaxing this evening.Hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend. Progress...SlowlyI have made some progress in the garden...Although the going is slow.It seems I work a day,then need a couple days to recouperate.Yesterday I worked in the West side yard.The boreder by the drive had alot of weedy trees sprouted.By the time I had removed them it had really opened things up and the weeding itself wasn't too bad.I confess I didn't take the time to completely rid the garden of creeping charlie however.The plantings in that garden seem to be large enough to keep it at bay somewhat.The weeping cherry tree had alot of dead growth on it,I suppose from the late freeze that hit when t had just come into flower.I trimmed alot of it out.I cleaned up the fountain,filled it and found that indeed the pump is not working.AAARGH !! It will involve taking it apart to replace the pump.I do have a pump I can use in it,if I can get some help tearing into it.
B has been less helpful all the time.I asked him to do a chore this week for me that will involve a afternoon of work.School is out for him,and he has plenty of time on his hands till he figures out what he is going to do with himself.Small price to pay for a roof over his head I would say.LOL I think the price for rent is going to be one afternoon of work a week.Sounds fair to me.His style of work leaves alot to be desired.He doesn't pay alot of attention to details.I worry that he is going to find it hard to get and hold a job if he doesn't learn how to control his attitude and learn some work ethic soon.If his attitude continues here in our home he will have to learn it sooner rather than later,LOL
My SIL needs to move on soon as well.She does very little with herself.She resists helping outside,shThere is no thought or care to put out food for dinner to feed her son,and they all seem to ask m what is for dinner.The dishes pile up,it is hard to get everyone to pick up for themselves,especially B.My house is a mess,and I just refuse to do it.Therefore it doesn't get done.I have about decided to put in things I can cook for myself when Hubby isn't home and make them fend for themselves.I am beginning to look forward to a time when there are a couple less ppl hanging out here doing nothing.My worry is that when the time comes to tell them to get off the pot that my MIL will feel bad about our decision.This is what my worry was originally when R moved in in December,and I was not wrong.She will stay here doing nothing until forced to move on.I have no idea where she would go,but that is not our concern.She has had 5 months when originally she was given 2,and she still hasn't put an effoort into looking for work or a long term solution to her problems.
I have a appointment today with the rehab Dr.The tens unit is a help,but still find my ability to tolerate activity greatly reduced.Don't get me wrong,the tens helps me get through things like shopping or being able to tolerate walking enough to enjoy an afternoon photo outing,but bending /stooping in the garden and really doing physical work it does not touch.The electrode situation is a real pain,they wear out too fast,come loose, stick to clothing,and interrupt the functoning of the machine.I feel there has got to be a better product for long term use out there.Will discuss the permanace of the situation and options with her.
On a bright note,The sun is out,the temps are balmy,and there are new flowers in the garden daily,
I am determined to have a beautiful day.Hope you do as well.
~Tani~
Life In The GardenThe garden is starting to take shape.Plants that were damaged by the late spring freeze are growing anew.Some like the bleeding hearts have actually bloomed,despite the late start.The pulminarias did not do well,They are just now struggling to grow new leaves.While it looks like they will make it,they may not get a chance to flower this year.
B finally chopped down the 2 crab apple trees in the front island garden.The garden looks entirely different without a tree.There are seedlings growing near the old trees,I may give them a few years to see if they will replace the trees lost.For this year I am placing my potted Jap Maple on the stump of the one tree so the hummingbirds and chipping sparrows have a place to perch,Since they used the crabtree to surveil the feeders all the time.LOL
We are also loosing the choke cherry tree.I had purchased it as the fruit was an attractant for songbirds,but did not klnow it was prone to viral growths.The tree is covered with black galls.I am tired of trying to cut them out,so the tree must go.
I have finally started spending several hours out in the garden the last week.I started Thursday by spending the afternoon cutting back all the rose canes.I had no idea how strenuous all the bending would be,after clearing all the gardens roses of dead canes I was having severe muscle spasms in my back.Spent the evening then on the computer helping Cheryl (CEO dropout) with settings for good macro shots while I waited for the muscle relaxers to kick in.As with every other time I have pushed too far in the garden I had to recouperate the next day,so made little progress in the gardens.Today I got out early and managed to clear 2 small circle gardens of creeping charlie and grass,among other little weeds.The creeping charlie is my biggest battle.It has invaded most of the rose border,pop's border and the gardens I worked in today.When I start to see regrowth I plan to spray selectively with roundup in hopes of getting a leg up in the battle.LOL Hubby's Mom cought me while weeding with her camera.I tried to get her to catch a shot while I threw a clup of weeds at her,but her camera is slow to shoot,and she missed the action,LOL
Things are starting to bloom around the gardens.Nothing in big masses,but there are plenty of little gems to be found.It's like having my own private lab for macro photography,LOL I will add some more shots to the album for you to enjoy.Hope you are all having a good weekend. Fresh Mown Grass
Happy May DayI remember May Days in my youth fondly.These were the days I would make little baskets out of construction paper,fill them with left over easter basket grass and flowers and candies and deliver them to neighborhood friends.It was on one such May Day that I returned home to find out my Gramps had passed.I was 7 at the time,and maybe a bit young to realize the whole effect loosing someone you loved would have on me.This was the first death of a family member I can recall.As it was, the funeral was a frightening experience for me,one that stayed with me,making it difficult to attend funerals for many years.
I recall my Gramps around this time of year.He was a fun loving jolly type.He enjoyed fishing,and was the one who got the whole family together for trips to lakes.Those of us that were the oldest remember these trips.We played with cousins,went paddleboating, and went fishing with gramps.We felt a part of a loving extended family.
I have officially started working in the garden.It was long overdue.I got up today,put the tens unit on and worked in the main hosta bed.As gardens go it was not the worst looking garden for weeds,but it did involve alot of reaching and bending to pull the creeping charlie out from around the plants.It looks much better and felt good to get done.By the time I was through there I was feeling it,so I quit for the day and came in to rest.IAs much as I want to magically get it all done in the shortest possible time,I know that if I push through the pain and overdo I will have to recouperate for a couple of days.Much better I think to make steady progress and be able to do a little each day,LOL
I hope where you are May Day is warm,full of sunshine,and that you will be able to take a few moments out of your busy day to enjoy it. |
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