Triple Birthday Wishes

Today's a special day in our family.

Three birthday on one day! 

Happy Birthday to my cousin, Sandi! 

Happy 10th Birthday Abigail!

Happy 10th Birthday, Terry! 

Make a wish and blow out the candles.  May you each get your wish, and have a fantastic birthday!

Waiting on the Dominos

Ever have one of those days that everything just seems to topple onto everything else just like a row of dominos. It has just been one of those days.

Stuff has just seemed to fall all over itself today. Making one big mess after another. You can feel the tension building.

Something is up, just not sure what it is or if those dominos are really going to just topple over and slam into one another and all fall down. Perhaps it will only be a couple minor things that fall over and the rest remain untouched.

We shall see.

I have my fingers crossed for a much better afternoon and evening. It very well could just be all me, wouldn't be the first time. Yet I just hate it when bagging your head on a wall, seems like it would be the best option to dealing with the situation.

Closing in on the End

I am closing in on finally finishing up my Masters Certification in Graphic Design at Sessions.edu. I'm down to just completing three total exercises.

That breaks down to two packaging designs and a final exam for Advanced Packaging; and 1 final photo shoot (although I do have 1 lesson already to be turned in, but must wait until the previous one has been graded); and final exam for Digital Photography I.

For the final photo shoot I'll be heading back out to the ball field. There is always something going on there. The packing designs on the other hand just me to roll up my sleeves and dive in. I have one already started so it shouldn't be that bad.

Definitely going to knock this out before mid-May.

Sunny Afternoon

I was out and about doing errands for the office this afternoon, it was nice to be out enjoying the beautiful day.

I surely do hate shopping - the whole trip was one big shopping trip. Grr. It would have been so much better if only one store had carried everything that I was out to purchase.

I noticed years ago, when I was shopping for the family, that once you find a product that you like, know where to get either one of two things happens: 1) they quit carrying the product; or 2) they move it to some obscure spot in the store.

Then this evening Facebook had a weird glitchy-ness going on. I had friend request show up on my phone - I like the person so I went online and accepted the friend request. It was two minutes later, when they disappeared. I couldn't access their page at all. Just to make sure that I had not done something silly, I tried to add them as a friend via my instant message - which replied to me "Add Who?"

Obviously it wasn't me - with a little more research, it seems that the person who had friended me and turned right around and blocked me. Now what gets me is that this individual has been distant over the past number of years and I was encouraged that circumstances had changed somewhat. But to send a friend request and then immediately block someone is just plain ugly and hurtful.

Lunch at Akida

Ran out for lunch this afternoon with Roz. We took a drive all the way over to Robinson and Broad Streets to Akida Japanese Restaurant. It was an awesome trip. The sushi chef even let me take pictures!

The sushi rolls were every bit as good as they looked!

It is definitely worth the trip. I'm going to get a few of my sushi loving friends together and make the trip back real soon.

The Akida Roll and Firehouse Roll are delicious picks.

Photos from the Trip

Disturbing Headlines

Children being handcuffed for throwing a tantrum; the Secret Service involved in scandal; Farrakhan calling for killing our leaders; on top of these:

TSA to Search Bags: Question Passengers on Houston Buses The TSA has no business 'policing' buses. The next thing you know, we will be subject to questioning anywhere and everywhere we go. It is a terribly slippery slope.

Michelle Obama: 'This President Has Brought Us Out of the Dark and Into the Light' As if the headline alone isn't disturbing enough, the actual article cites scripture. The overt implication being that Obama is our savior.

It does appear that everyday the headlines are becoming more and more bizarre and disturbing. Rolling back the clock, no further than 10 years ago, headlines like these would have prompted alarm and public outcry. Are we, as a country, just going to go quietly down this path where our rights are trampled? Politician's aren't saviors, they are to be watched and watched carefully.

It all just makes me want to stop reading the news all together. I've given up on watching on television - no matter what channel you turn to they are all saying the same thing and nothing at the same time. I remember when the media actually questioned what was going on. Now it just seems that they are parroting whatever press release that happens to have been placed in front of them.

Unusual Sightings

 I'm not sure what is going on at the neighbor's house, but it is surely disturbing Bounce.

One of the guys that lives there keeps walking up and down the driveway, barefoot and no shirt (not terribly disturbing on these warm days, but this is usual all year). Now there is a new guy, apparently living there, that wears all black - including a hat - who is now doing the driveway stroll.

Bounce can barely contain himself. He doesn't even know what to make of it. He keeps going from door to door and window to window barking at the neighbor's house. When I don't get up and go see what he's barking at.

I'm hoping that they do decide to finally either take a true walk or go inside.

They Got Me

I can't believe that they FINALLY caught up with me. Here I was being so stealth in my coming and goings, but I just wasn't able to continue.

This morning as I was cruising down Courthouse Road, a police cruiser slipped in behind me. Please note, I had my cruise control engaged and was doing 45 mph. I KNEW I wasn't speeding and not another car behind me was even going to attempt to pass the officer or me. I felt like the leader of the parade. That was until I the blue lights started flashing in my rearview mirror.

I even glanced down to make sure that the cruise control hadn't disengaged. It was perfect, yet the lights were still going. So off to the side of the road I went. It was just about that moment when I looked down and noticed that my car registration was still folded up in the center of the dashboard. DUH! As the officer approached the window, asking for my license and registration, I passed them out the window. The registration still had the new year stickers attached!

After he checked them out, I hopped out of the car an took the full minute that was required to put them on the car. Too funny. Here I will make sure that Walt has his on his car and I forget to put my own on. 

No harm no foul. Just took about three extra minutes to get to work this morning. Once back on the road the officer passed me and hadn't traveled more that 3/4 mile until he had pulled someone else over. Hope that they had their registrations just sitting on the dash as well.

The Dark Side

I finally did it after years of toying with the idea. I have crossed over and purchased a MacBook. I didn't think that it would happen, but here I am typing this on the MacBook. The crossover probably won't be as difficult as I 'dreaded' since I already use both the iPad and iPhone - and those in conjunction with iCloud. The basics are already in place, it is just going to be the "technical" that will be different. How do I do X and where do I find Y?

There have been a few projects lately that I have wanted to do but the applications to do them are only available on the Mac. There is also the possibility of a new suite of programs coming out in the next few months and with a new release it would be great to be able to just switch platforms without losing the option to upgrade. Sort of the perfect time to make the jump - if not totally to work in dual mode.

I know that I will continue to work with the PC and MacBook, since there are a number of applications that I utilize that are only available on the PC and then there are those that are Mac specific as well. I'm really looking forward to working with iBooks Author.

Jared's Again

Got a call this afternoon from Jared's, time to get back in there and find something to replace the last ring that had 'issues'. I was so not in the mood to shop, but I did find a very unusual green amethyst bracelet and ear rings to replace the LeVivan ring. Besides finally putting that behind me I did get a couple of very unique pieces and had a great visit with Carol.

When I came home this evening I noticed that the Dogwood tree in the front yard had bloomed! We didn't think that it was going to this year. There are about half a dozen or so blooms, but there will be more next year for sure. Then there was the extra special surprise of finding a dragonfly hanging out on one of the leaves. He made for one cool picture.

Bounce was very calm this evening. Turns out that he had spent a couple of hours out at the dog park with Walter this afternoon. He won't be worth anything for a couple of days. Walt said that he behaved himself very well, and that the drooling in the car seems to be reducing in severity. Maybe the key to getting him over it is just putting him in the car more often.

Easter 2012

Wonderful dinner at Mom & Dad's house with Tim & family and even Sean. Mom out did herself as usual.

It was great sitting around and talking with everyone. Sean and I stayed a little later and spent sometime hanging out on the porch with Mom & Dad.

We missed seeing the rest of the family, but everyone else was visiting with in-laws or friends. Maybe we'll all get back together come Memorial Day.

Easter Photos

Rest In Peace Miss Carla

January 1996 - March 23, 2012

Carla passed away yesterday evening. I was holding her on the was to the vet, when she laid her head at the nape of my neck and then she was gone.

Carla was truly a part of the whole family. We adopted her way back in May 1996 from the Richmond SPCA, she was the WRVA 'dog of the day'.

I remember that day well, the kids had been told that they could have a dog as long as it was a small one. The description the kids heard over the was Chihuahua mix and that she would be around 10 lbs when full grown. Perfect! Sean, who was 4 at the time, and I made a beeline for the SPCA so that we would be there when they opened to check her out. She was so ugly that she was cute!

She and Sean got bonded and that was that! After all the adoption papers were signed we piled in the car and headed back to school. To pick up Walter & Danielle - they got a half day off from school so they could spend time with her.

On one of our family excursions out not too many months later, Carla really showed us that she was there to protect us. While the guys were fishing, I was sitting next to a big rock reading and she kept annoying me beyond belief. I finally got up and moved, which prompted her to quiet down. As we were getting ready to leave, I went to pick up a bag that was sitting next to the rock and she started up again. Turned out that there was a big copperhead curled up under the rock. She let us know right then and there that she was definitely going to earn her keep.

Her disposition has always been very sweet and gentle. She was housebroken from day one and was always ready to get in the car and go anywhere. She LOVED a good road trip. She especially liked to go out to Mom & Dad's house to visit. Mom would even 'babysit' her if I needed to be out of town for a few days.

Over the years she has travel with us virtually everywhere. Ocean City, the Outer Banks, Blue Ridge Mountains and the Southwestern part of Virginia. She liked to go to the beach as long as there were absolutely NO waves involved. One the last trips that we took her on was to Warm Springs.

A year or more ago we found out that she had an enlarged heart and there was nothing that could be done for her due to age. As her condition progressed she slowed down, but she hung right in there and helped us to bring the new guy, Bounce, into the family. She mothered him and never let him think that he was in charge for one minute. Even though she could walk under him he definitely didn't give her any 'lip'. We've seen her put him right in his place.

There are loads of stories from over the years that we will all treasure. She was just a few months over 16 years old. She was an awesome companion, loyal as the day is long, and was always there. We will miss her greatly.

Marcus Smith Memorial Scholarship

I found out just recenty that one of the patients in our office had lost his son to the tornado that hit the University of Alabama in 2011.

• His story was written up in the Richmond Times-Dispatch (read the article here).  
• Turning tragedy into something positive - the family and Alabama alumni have set up a scholarship fund to honor Marcus. Read more about Marcus and the scholarship fund. There is an article about Marcus and a picture of Micah, his older brother, accepting his diploma in August. There is a link at the bottom of the page for contributions.

Help spread the word about the Marcus Smith Memorial Scholarship by purchasing and wearing a wristband. Proceeds go to support the scholarship fund. The wristbands sell for $5 each. The colors are the University of Alabama colors  and the wristbands are made of very sturdy rubber. They will fit almost any size wrist. These can be purchased by sending an email to jsmith@parkerpollard.com. (Marcus' mother).

Break In

A friend of mine had the misfortune to have her vehicle broken into while she was at work today. She had inadvertently left her purse in her car, as she was going in to work (running late). At lunchtime she headed out to pick up lunch, only to discover that someone had broken out her driver's side window. There was glass everywhere. Her purse, several sentimental items, her gym bag, and Sunday clothes were all taken.

She had a really rough afternoon - waiting for the police to arrive, dealing with the insurance company and then there were so many things to cancel and try to schedule a time to replace. Credit cards, driver's license, etc... It was hard to believe that someone would risk being caught breaking into a car during the middle of the day!

I guess the lesson that we can all take from this is not to leave anything of any value out in the open in the car. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the trunk. Out of sight will reduce the temptation for someone just walking past looking for something to steal.

Saturday Fun

I had a great visit with Mom & Dad for most of the day on Saturday. I was being helpful and staying away from the house while Walter caught up on his sleep.

Turned out to be a really great day, photographing all the birds that show up on the deck at Mom & Dad's. Then on an outing with Mom we saw a swan on a nearby pond and headed over to take a few shots. The swans were very cooperative. But the real action happened when a few Canadian Geese dropped by. You could almost hear the shark music from Jaws playing as the Swan went on the attack chasing the geese out of the pond. Who knew that they were so territorial.

Birds Galore - Photo Shoot with Mom

Conference

Our conference was a grand success. Dr. Martin knocked another one out of the park with his information jammed pack presentation. The energy and excitement in the room really made the weekend just fly by. The doctors and their staff really put in some work during the workshop and had loads to take home with them at the end of the conference on Saturday.

I was great seeing all of our members once again and catching up with each of them.

Conference Photos

Israel

Back from an incredible five day visit to Israel.

It was a whirlwind trip. We hit the ground running! Visiting, Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Haifa, Zefat, Qumran, En Gedi, Masada, City of David and the Old City of Jerusalem in just four days. My last day in Jerusalem was spent at the DVI Clinic during the morning; followed by additional sightseeing in the afternoon at the Bird Observatory, the Israel Museum and topping off the evening before heading to the airport a trip to the Farmer's Market.

In preparation for the trip, I had read Jerusalem: The Biography, by Simon Sebag Montefiore which was a wonderful history of the city. Which I was grateful for once there and visiting the city. We even watched a number of archeological lectures on Jerusalem and the area as well prior to the trip. Again it was the putting together of the pieces and parts of what had been learned during Sunday School with the history of the place and throwing in current events that caused me to appreciate so much the reality of the place and marvel at it's complexity. There are so many layers, historic, religious, political, and archeological one upon the other. It gives a whole new understanding to Biblical history and the country as a whole.

Standing in so many of the places where the events of Biblical history have taken place; and touring the country put into perspective both the events of the Bible and today's current events. That so much has taken place in such a small area it is hard to fathom. The experience truly does change you.

Visiting the DVI Clinic and meeting the staff, volunteer dentists, and the patients was a special time. There is dedication of the staff and dentists to the clinic can be felt from the time you enter the door. The patients come from all backgrounds and there is a feeling of unity. If the world could operate in the same way the way or world would be a much better place.

My "job" was to photograph the country, people, food, and clinic for the American Friends of DVI. Please be sure to check out their website. Pass along this opportunity to volunteer to your dentist or contribute to the work that they are doing. Changing lives one child at a time and in their own way forging peace in the Middle East.

Trip Photos on Facebook

Trip photos, subject to change and removal. Enjoy!

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Double Rainbow

Happy Birthday Danielle!

Close Your Eyes and Make a Wish!
May all your birthday wishes come true!

Late Night Richmond

I had a great evening out with the guys last night at Legends Brewery. We went out to see the Big Boss Combo perform. Before the show, I was able to slip out onto the deck and get a nice skyline shot of the city.

The band was excellent and I was able to get some great shots during their performance.

BIG BOSS COMBO Photos