LOOK what I can do now...

I bought a set of actions for Photoshop Elements. It helps make my pictures look much better. These are simple steps I could do on my own, IF i understood this chaotic program. I didn't realize how much better my pictures could look if I just new how..

what do you think? I am posting before and after shots.

whimp

before

after
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after
before

after

before
after

Wahoo! Snow Day!!
I don't have class today, today. I don't have class today! Yeah! Yippee.. can you tell I am excited? Of course, this means I am going to be homebound with a rambunctious 4 year old, BUT hopefully the roads improve so logan can spend the night with danno.
Yippee!! I don't have class today!
whimp

WHEW!
I have to stop and catch my breath. What a nice long weekend. Chris and I had Pat and Blackie over for Turkey Day, then we went to my mom's for appetizers and punkin pie. The kiddos stayed the night with the grandma's (and papa) so Chris and I could go shopping on Black Friday. WOW! I am done christmas shopping for the monkey brats. I just need to get our parental units done, the fruit loop (kenny), teachers, and the babysitter. Then, I will be officially done xmas shopping. Whew.
I met fickel for scrapping on saturday, bought a cool little something for ms. patricia, (mama pat) and cannot wait for her to get it. Hee Hee..can't share cause she's a follower (reader of the blog).
Then, as i was reading karen's blog today, I see this..find your elf name..of course i had to do it! lol..

Your Elf Name Is...

Fuzzy Cartwheels

What's Your Elf Name?

happy reading.
whimp

Only 4 more sleeps! Then it will be Thanksgiving Day!

Riles told me this at 7:00 this morning, after I had just gone to bed at 4:30. She is excited because she is spending the night with Grandma and Papa. Chris and I are going shopping the day after Thanksgiving, and he wants to get up EARLY. He is the one who is excited. Me, i just want to get all the shopping done. I have a good start, but need some little stuff for the kiddos. Including stocking stuffers. I have danny's jolly red fat man present, but need ms. riles'. I think she is going to get the VSmile..but not the pink one, that's for girls! (geesh..what was i thinking!)

I have to renew my teaching license this month. OUCH! It is expensive.

Ok..here are some pictures of Mindy and Fickel when we were in Kansas City.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

(Mindy) (Fickel)

why do you suppose?
the grass is green instead of purple?
smurfs were blue?
kamakazi pilots wore helmets?
Riley doesn't like pink cause its for girls? (go figure on that one)
Danny won't let me take his picture anymore?
On a side note, to all the family Riles' xmas program is on Dec. 2nd this year at 4 or 4:30. I will double check the time (this is a sunday) from what i understand it will be the christmas story or something similar. I don't have all the details yet, but will probably get them soon. I have no idea why it is a sunday this year, other than the fact Pooh services students from 4 school districts, and with all of their school programs and only 3 weeks in December to get them done, they ran out of options.

Update on Hadleigh,
I guess they will be doing her surgery sometime the week after Thanksgiving. Stacy said they really won't know the exact date until the time gets closer. I am planning on going up the day of surgery. Just to be there for stacy, turtis, and of course granny (aka kathy).
ok.. later gators, i have homework to do..gots me a 10 page paper to write..do on the 1st!
(Also, on Dec. 8th. we are scrapping at the store..it's my birfday...JEN if you are in the area STOP BY, or call and see if you can get on the list!
whimp

Amazing isn't she?

I think she has to be the most easy going baby I have seen. She let stacy and I prop her up, mess with her headband, and keep taking her binky away..and she barely made a fuss. She did smile at us a couple times, and i don't care what anyone says..they were smiles. She has the BIGGEST feet! So adorable. I am posting just a couple of pics, cause i don't want to post the ones stacy wants to give out..

whimp

To those who have served...

Thank you!

Pictures from last weekend...
Went to mike and brandy's last weekend and took pics of their kiddos. Now..these are not professional, nor do i pretend to be one. I hope they make them happy, and i need to get katydid alone so i can get some different shots of her. I wasn't impressed with the ones i took. Of course, i wasn't too happy with any of the shots, but here are some i photoshopped to see if brandy would like them any better..

Pics of bubba

I couldn't decide which one i liked so here are two

Chick



and Mister:


Tomorrow i am going to go take pics of hadleigh. I can't wait to see her!
peace,
whimp

Just some pictures...

Not much to say, just gonna post some pictures.

All those clothes sold at the Gap...
and people pay 40.00 for a shirt for...yep...made by CHILDREN in india. Niiiiiceeee. Yep.. Ironic isn't it? Americans will pay 100.00 for an outfit for their children, while the clothing has been made by a CHILD as young as 10, working 16 hours a day, often paid NOTHING for their labors because they had been labeled "trainees." I wonder how many SELFISH people will still buy their children's clothes at the GAP. Even after this has come out, oh..gap says they pulled the clothes made at THAT sweatshop..how many of their sweatshops haven't been caught? Here is the link http://www.ketv.com/money/14441537/detail.html

On another note, this one scrapbooking, Heidi Swapp and her husband have moved to CHINA so his company (decorative, iron garage doors) could be manufactured over there. Hmm...makes you wonder what kind of "shop" he has doesn't it? I have boycotted her products. Most of them were very inferior anyway, the chipboard letters (that were SUPPOSED to be self adhesive) well...the sticky was dried up, and the rubons are absolutely terrible. Those are just SOME of the problems I have encountered. Others have found more. It is really obvious isn't it, who is more concerned with the almighty dollar, than values, ethics, hard work, and morals. Interesting isn't it?
whimp

Halloween Spooktacular part deux!

WOW! what a fun filled night! The sisters really outdid themselves this year. I didn't have a lot to do with it this year, due to my class schedule on saturdays. I was designated the party photographer, but due to it being dark, a lot of the pics are blurry. That's OK tho. I still got some great shots of the rooms, games, characters, and even bugsmeade juice bar.

The characters:

Mesmeralda, the witch

Red, the Redneck Tooth Fairy

Cindy the bugtender

Dr. Insane the mad scientist

Hayrack the hayrack ride driver

We had 116 (i think) kids this year. That is more than last year! It was an awesome turnout considering several other events going on in town (and this is a very small town). Here are some pics of how the night went.

Deanne becoming Mesmerelda:

Dr. Insane

Redneck Tooth Fairy

Some of the Food:

Whew! What a weekend!

Fickel, Mindy, and I all had a great time in Kansas City. We took some classes, cropped at a crop, spent some time (and money) at the vendor fair, drank some drinks, and ate some ok food. Whew..now i need to regroup for the Halloween Spooktacular for this coming weekend. So much fun happening in our lives.
I want to take some time to regroup and welcome the newest member to our big boisterous family. My great-niece Hadleigh. If you remember, not too long ago I posted and asked for the prayer warriors who read my blog, to pray long and hard for my niece Stacy, her fiance, Curtis (turtis), and their unborn daughter Hadleigh. It was discovered in utero, Hadleigh's heart wasn't completely formed. She had a condition called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Well...

HADLEIGH IS HERE! She was born on October 12, 2007. She weighs a whopping 5 lbs 2 ounces NOW..she weighed 4 lbs 14 ounces at birth. She is doing good, and it looks like the doctors will be doing the first of (hopefully) three surgeries within the next couple of weeks. I don't have a picture of her without tubes, but here is one Kevin sent me last week. (He is the weird hairy one in the picture).

Congrats to all!

Whimp

See you all on Sunday!
Yeehaw!! Fickel, Mindy, and I are all headed south to Kansas City for the Creating Keepsakes Convention, yes it's for scrapbooking. I didn't take any class, I just signed up for the crop, but man it is two WHOLE days to be a big girl..i better go pack my big girl panties!
Toodles!
whimp

Wilma, Gary, Jeannie, Mark, and Diesel,

all came for a visit two weeks ago. We had the funnest time at the river, and riles and I went back on Sunday to help cook, and eat, breakfast before everyone left.
Wilma is my dad's first cousin. They grew up like brother and sister, and always kept in touch. I remember how she looked the last time she saw my dad. I truly think he was her dearest friend, even though she lives in California and many miles separated them. Anyway, Wilma and her husband, Gary, drove their RV from Riverside CA, to Hooper (that is pronounced Hupper, only if you live there tho! lol) Nebraska. Then they joined forces with Mark and Jeannie (also my dad's cousin) and they all drove here to the river to spend the weekend.

Diesel is wilma and gary's chihuahua.

Meet Stupor Man (Mike)

Dianne and Deanne

Gary, Mark, Wilma, and Diesel

Jeannie

Dear Mike,
(my favorite retarded brother..doncha just love pioneer woman's blog??)

In honor of you, I found this :

Love,
whimp

now for a funny...
sending hugs to all the moms in my life..this video/song is very funny! lol..
many laughs,
whimp

How very sad...

I just read on the news a young soldier(man) from a neighboring town lost his life in Iraq. How sad. How honorable. How sad. Please don't get me wrong, I love our country, and I am so very proud, honored, humbled by what the men and women who serve our country do for us. Sometimes, tho, like now..i have to wonder why we are still there. Why? I don't understand. I am so very thankful (selfish) that my brothers are out of the service. They are home not to far away, so we do not have to wonder, dread hearing the phone ring, and never want to answer our doors. I remember well what it feels like. I was only 15 when my brother ron fought in Desert Storm, but I still remember. I remember making my brother mike so many cookies and mailing them to him when he was in Kosovo, but I still remember waiting for him to be home (even though he was stationed in Germany). I feel so much for the parents, wives, siblings, and friends left behind to worry and be brave. I salute you. I salute every man and woman serving our country. Thank you for fighting for those who are weaker, or those who can't. You make me proud.

Peace

whimp

Bad enough, i scraplift pages..now I am BAKE-LIFTING! LOL

So my sisters and I (my sisters are doing most of the work this year..due to my school schedule..thanks guys!) started this halloween party for our kids. Each kid gets to invite their whole class to my sister michelles (she's a fruit loop) astro building (which we turn into a rocking halloween festivities place). We (the adults) are supposed to bring treats for the little maniacs invited. (Last year we had like 98 kids or something like that). So, thanks to Elsie (scrapbooking guru), I am going to make these cookies. Aren't they THE cutest little things? I am not making homemade sugar cookies (well...maybe i will) but love the decorations. How stinking cute!

Love it!

whimp

MWWWWAH!!!!

Sending out a great big hug and kiss to my sister, Cindy. I opened up (all three) of my (very cheap) black olives tonight, and they were greasy and oily. Hmmph..never had that happen before. SO, I called Cindy, who said that probably wasn't normal and she had a can of olives AND some left over salami for my pasta salad I was (supposed to be) making. Whew. So glad we can share ingredients! lol..
thanks sis, I could never have finished my salad without ya! (and you would think after all the times i have made this salad, i would remember the recipe!
wendy

ONE MORE NIGHT!
Ohhh...i can't wait! One more night (thurs) until Grey's Anatomy's season premiere (sp). I am so excited to see what happens this year! So..tomorrow between the hours of 8-9 pm (central time) please don't call me.

whimp

Dear Spike, Love Dad...
Have you had the chance to read this man's blog? It is titled dear spike, love dad, and it is a series of letters to his infant daughter. OMG! The letters are so heartfelt, and some are very funny. It just makes you melt. I wish every little girl's hero was their father. Wouldn't life be grand? I know Riles loves Chris, and they have a "hero" atmosphere between them, but I don't know who believes who is the hero! lol..
anyway, here is the link to the blog. http://dearspikelovedad.blogspot.com/
Make sure you go all the way back to the beginning of the blog. He writes letters to the baby while she is "in utero"
whimp

When Two Became One:

Riles' homecoming parade was yesterday. In some ways it was bittersweet, and others it was astounding. Really. Two rival schools banded together and formed ONE. The togetherness of the students and school spirit is magnificent. These students have formed a new student body that is unified, and has tons of school spirit.
Riles has shown so much school pride for EM. Why? "Her Shawn" is one of the starting seniors. Then she cheers for Brian and Brandon (fruit loop's son, and step sons.) Heck, last night she was even cheering for bryce, who graduated last year.
She loves to go to the football games, and cheer with Grandma Pat, Uncle Kenny, and Aunt ta-chell.
Isn't it amazing that this little pint size maniac is helping me heal? I feel so much less spite for M, than I did a year ago. All because I watch Riles love her team.
Amazing isn't it?
Go Wolverines! (and knights!)
whimp

I want to send out a big CONGRATULATIONSto Monika, Jerry, and Alesha.
They welcomed baby Jacob last sunday night. He is so cute! I can't wait to meet him, and since i haven't felt the greatest i haven't been to see him! I am hoping to get there one night this week. (good thing Monika only lives a mile from me huh?)
whimp

Whew!
How fast a week can travel by! My sisters and I got together last weekend, and again this friday night to make breads, cream puffs, and noodles to sell at WhistleStop days this past saturday. Well, Shell took a list to work and sold almost $400! We are doing this to help fund the Halloween party this year. I guess they sold more stuff this weekend at the park.

I had to get a new washer (thank you god, and a big FINALLY!). For those of you who don't know, about a YEAR ago, my darling, wonderful, loving hubby washed a king size DOWN FILLED comforter in my washer. (I did get a new bedding set out of this last year too!) Now, can anyone guess what happened? Yep, it exploded, and I am still finding feathers in our laundry. So after that little escapade the silly old little thing didn't work quite right. PLUS, when we moved into the house, for some reason we had to watch when the washer started to agitate, and MANUALLY turn off the cold water or it would flood the laundry room. GEESH. So, the machine died a very silent death Monday night. Of course it was clear full, and of course it was MY CLOTHES! So i got to go get a new washer. Oh, what is it about new appliances. I have all my laundry done, and want to wash more. lol..I really can't believe how much quieter this one is, and how much more water it spins out.

School is going great. I love my little ones this year, and can't wait to see how much they grow.
Things are going great with my team at work, and I can say I work with a WONDERFUL group of women. If it wasn't for this group and their dedication, we couldn't be successful. GO US! lol...So much more wonderful than last year.
Well.. i am closing now. See you soon!
whimp

Wow...
New job is going great. I have one little darling in the afternoon who doesn't like nap time so he throws his mat, blanket, etc the ENTIRE time! Ugh..but compared to last year's class...this is cake walk for me. Just need to make sure there is NO gaps in my day..got to keep enough stuff going and flowing with the little buggers.

Anyway, I am reposting this little story here because some narrow minded horses' ass posted about teachers and what they DON'T do for education..so enjoy my friends..

What Teachers Make......The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest;"You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?" Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an iPod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life. (Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)"Then, when people, like you, try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?"
(just cause it gets me on my bad side...and here is my really BITCHY side coming out...
if you can read this THANK A TEACHER..)
whimp

Loving this weather, loving these kids...

I was just going through old photos this morning, and came across some pics of miss riles and danno from a while ago. Unfortunately, the ones of danno when he was small(ok..younger, he wasn't so small :) are not on digital technology. I was still using film up until about 3 years ago. Imagine that, I have only been digital for 3 years. I have learned so much about photography since then, and i have to say I LOVE my camera. I am going to be taking the monsters, out and about to take some "professional" looking prints. I did not order school pictures of danny this year, because last year the school went with a local photographer for their pics. Danny's pics last year were horrible. This same woman also took Riles' tball pics, and for 20.00 I paid (i got a 4x6 team shot, a 3x5 of her, 8 wallets, and a button), I could have gotten such better shots of the kids AND a lot more prints. So this year, as soon as the leaves change, i am herding my kiddos to a park, either in T, G, or O. Haven't decided yet. I love how the park across from Mike and Brandy changes in the fall. It is gorgeous. I might do most of the shots there, the park in our neighboring town turns gorgeous colors too, and maybe a duck would cooperate?? I really don't want to go to the city, but the park by the college there turns wonderful colors, plus they have "props". Anyway, here are some older pics of the kids before i knew what i was doing.

Whimp

I think I fell in love with him all over again this day. Riles was 2 days old.

back when he thought she was still pretty neat..

Danny meeting riles for the very first time...

Logan meeting riles for the first time...look how young he is! lol..just four and a half years ago!

One of my very favorites from last year (christmas photos)

She loves her danny soo...