Part ONE of Big Announcement....

For the first part of my big announcement - I'm changing my blog!
My new blog is http://myoldcountryhome.blogspot.com/
or you can just click

HERE!

This will be my last post on this blog, be sure to come check out my new blog. For the second part of my 'big announcement' you'll have to go MY NEW BLOG! See you there.

Thankful to those who have served

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Memorial Day. I started this post yesterday but the upload speed on the internet at home last night wasn't what it should have been and I therefore didn't get this post done.

We went to Maple Hill Cemetery in the morning for the annual Memorial Day ceremony. The SV Band march into the cemetery and play a couple tunes and then the VFW held their short ceremony with the presenting of the wreaths, 21 gun salute and taps.

You'll notice in the pictures below that the band is wearing bright yellow tee-shirts. I'm pretty sure my junior year in high school was the last year we wore uniforms to the cemetery on Memorial Day. Our uniforms were 100% wool and it was over 90 degrees that year with high humidity. We had either 6 or 7 kids pass out from the heat, even though the band director told us not to lock our knees - they did and down they went. The last to fall was the guy holding the cymbals who was over 6 foot tall. Once he fell (face forward with cymbals to his side - kind of like a nestle plug to the ground), Mr. Taylor made the rest of us take the uniforms off and I think that was the last year they wore them there.

For those who haven't been back to Sesser since my grandparents headstone was placed, here it is. My grandfather served in the US Navy!

Uncle, Shane Wheatley - US Army Front of the cemetery, entire frontage is lined with flags.....

Johnathon on the baritone.

Delmar Jones presenting the wreath.

21 gun salute (the little black specks are the shells flying in the air).

Stay Tuned....

I have a big announcement coming next week so stay tuned!!
After this announcement I'll be posting more to my blog too.

Life's been hectic as usual. Junior high track ended about a week ago, of course summer baseball has already been practicing for a month now. Every Sesser team kicks off the season with a home game next Saturday, May 29th. So if you're in the area, drop by the new fields you're bound to find at least one relative of mine there (oh yah, Sesser has 4 new ball fields wooo hooo!!!). I'll be the one behind the camera if you have trouble locating me! I have two nephews (Johnathon and Matthew) and one neice (Katie) playing ball this year. Have absolutely no idea how many cousins, if I happen to see them there great - but don't plan to hunt them all down.

I'm determined to get the pictures from baseball edited quickly and posted to my client viewing website.... http://pfphotography.zenfolio.com in the sports section. Be sure to check out the 1st grade basketball if you haven't seen them already. I'll have this years school junior high baseball posted on the client viewing website soon along with the basketball pictures from this year. Next year I'm not going to take 8000 junior high basketball pictures, they take FOREVER to edit. Speaking of that I've been checking out a few seminars that teach more efficient post editing procedures, I need this training in the worst way. If anyone that reads my blog knows of a good seminar to attend pertaining to this let me know.

I'll get pics posted soon from the Steak & Jazz night (Johnathon plays baritone), Chorus Spring concert and Band Spring concert. Tonight is the junior high awards banquet. I thought about skipping it but was specifically asked if I was going to be there to get pictures of him accepting his awards, so I guess I'm going after all. Sunday night is baccalaureate at the high school and graduation is Thursday. I have a cousin graduating and I'm decorating a party at the church for the 9 seniors from Hazel Dell (one of which is my cousin).

Well, I think that's about all I have to report right now. Burned my thumb on hot glue last night making silk floral arrangements for headstones. Since today is Grandma's birthday I did arrangements in none other than PINK for the two urns on her headstone and did matching arrangements for my dad's parents. Grandma's is getting one of the pink flamingo yard stakes from her birthday party that I still have. Also did red,white&blue arrangements for Shane Wheatley and Grandpa Shurtz for next weekend (Memorial Day). Johnathon will be marching with the band from the 4-way stop in Sesser out to the cemetery. I'll be sure to take pictures of the headstone for those living away from here who haven't seen it yet.

The Mundstocks

Check out my photograhy blog , just click HERE to see the rest of their wedding pictures!

Reading a Recipe

I'm glad I had to privilege to learn 'Grandma' recipe language from the Grandma herself. When I asked her for a recipe for her potato salad she informed me what time to be at her house to watch her make it - that was my recipe.

Looking in the fridge I noticed that the leftover Easter ham was still, well leftover. I sent Aunt Eileen a message asking if she knew how to make Grandma's ham salad. Her text back to me:

yep, ham eggs mayo sweet relish and a dash of onion

Now I'm pretty sure most people would ask the obvious question - how much? What kind of recipe is that just telling you what to use. But I knew Aunt Eileen's reply would be.....depends on how much ham you have and when I'd asked Grandma how much mayo she said "until it tastes right", my mother would always say "just add a little more....yah that looks about right".

I found this somewhat frustrating when I was learning how to cook, but after having made potato salad many a time now I realize that it's never the same. Sometimes the potatoes are dry and soak up dressing, the more you add the more they soak it up. I accept that it really does just depend and you mix a little more until it tastes right.

Well, I was able to successfully 'read' the ham salad recipe texted to me and will be having it for supper tonight - thanks for the recipe Aunt Eileen!

Anxiety!

I'm having slight separation anxiety, okay it might be a little more than 'slight'!! When we were in Peoria for the boys state basketball playoffs, my bag fell off the chair and crashed onto the concrete floor. This wouldn't have been a big deal except for the fact that my 24-70mm lens was in my bag and now it won't turn (change focal length). So I sent it in to get fixed which won't cost me a whole lot but they're estimating 4 weeks before I get it back UUUUUGGGGHHHHH I don't think I can go 4 weeks without my most favorite lens in the whole wide world.

I was forced to use a prime lens on my most recent session which turned out well, but I miss my lens. I had to move all over the place to get the shots I wanted instead of just sliding my lens to the focal length that I wanted :( If you've ever used this lens you understand totally and completely what I'm talking about and if you haven't, well you're missing out on one good lens!

So while depressed and feeling sorry for myself I went looking at my WISH LIST again. If anyone would like to ever buy me a gift I'd like the lens on the left Nikon 400mm, 2.8f for a measly $9,000!

If this is too much the one on the right will do, Nikon 300mm 2.8f for the bargain price of $5,200. I'll be extremely grateful for either!

Taking a stroll down memory lane

They say a dog doesn't have the ability to distinguish time. Which is why they're always happy to see you even if you just walk into the house and then back out again - they can't quantify the passing of time.

I was at work at 6:15 this evening when I got a call that Dad had fallen down the steps at the side of the house (these would be the same steps Mom fell down this winter, remember the post Here Kitty, Kitty). I immediately shut down my computer and headed home since Johnathon was there by himself. Upon arriving home I learned that Johnathon and Dad had been searching for Gator most of the day. Having visited all the neighbors with no luck, they were pumped when the vet called early this evening telling them someone had found Gator.

In the excitement of finding a lost dog, Dad lost his footing going down the steps and landed on the very expensive knee that was replaced about a year ago and hit his shoulder pretty hard on the pavement. So Mom took Dad to the ER to make sure everything was still as it should be.

When I listened to the vets message on the answering machine after being prompted by Johnathon as to what had happened, I called the # of the person reported to have Gator and asked if I could come pick him up. She said 'of course, anytime' and explained to me where she lived. I guess Gator decided to go looking for Aunt Pat this morning. Unable to find her he walked his old path to Grandma's house. He was a block south of Grandma's when a Valier resident spotted this large dog walking very slowly down the road and enticed him into their yard.

They fed and watered him. Determined to not call the pound, they found the tag on his collar and called the vet (who later figured out to call us....Gator's still listed with Aunt Pat as the contact - grateful for a small town today and the fact that they knew who to call). The couple whom Gator spent the day with was very nice and treated him well, but he was super excited to see Johnathon and I and almost knocked me over to get into the truck.

I don't think Gator was running away, he was just taking a stroll down memory lane - searching for ghosts. They say a dog can't quantify time.......he may have thought when he left this morning for Valier that he'd find a couple old friends.

Dad's shoulder is sprained and bruised but nothing appears to be broken and the knee still works. My parents decided on the way home from the ER that hand rails on the side steps needs to go on the top of the 'To Do' list. Gator's home safe and sound, I don't think he found what he was looking for.