Ok y'all! So the Photography presentation last Firday night went fine. I had fun doing it. I would say there were only about a dozen ladies there but all seemed to enjoy themselves. After I did my presentation I scrolled through all my 214 (yes, I know--a Lot of photos) and talked just about every one! I'm long winded. BUT, I was in my MOMENT. As I went though I shared with them about the rocks I name. There were a couple that I hadn't officially named and they helped me with another name for one....Penguin Rock. To me it looks like a podium-they showed me a penguin. :-) I think they had fun thinking about it. IT was kind of like we were all laying on the grass looking up to the sky to see what formations the clouds were making! My whole intent was to get people to see the greater beauty and peace in nature all around us--even the small things! It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. I knew I did that for at least two of the ladies there. OK, so the Fair Photos. I went last Sunday there to the Fair. Out of the 9 I entered 1 won 3rd place. The one that won was my poppy photo. It was interesting as I viewed all the photos. A lot were good especially the ones that won. But then sometimes I couldn't figure out what the judges were looking for. I know they want a photo to "pop" and the poppies did in color. They have volunteers there who watch the building and make sure the photos are monitored. I spoke with one of the gals there and it just happened to be Kay Hendrickson, one of our local photographer/artists. She is known for her poppy photos. I think she said they received about 1800 photos this year. So, anyways, just want to say Thank You to all for your encouragement and specific comments. I'm still taking pictures and have some set for next year! :-) Hope all is well in your lives. That loved ones and you are in good health and spirits! Love, Jules

Good & blessed morning dear Kathy! Such a joy to hear from you :)! No worries about the ProTekt ;). It was a simple mistake, no harm done. I should've tried to do some research about it on my own but since I'm still fairly new to growing Brugs & Plumies, instead of trying to figure out what's best with my extremely limited knowledge, I felt it was more practical to consult with my fellow gardening buddies here, especially since you've been so very kind & helpful (& patient!) with all my spastic pondering LOL ;P! God bless y'all! Glad to hear you're still hanging in there my friend, although I'm disheartened you're in so much pain. Yikes about your strong meds causing that rare form of glaucoma!! No need to ever apologize for complaining about aches, pains, or troubles dear soul! That's what brothers & sisters in Christ are for! If I can be of any service to you don't hesitate to reach out! Amen, it's a comfort to be able to read the Bible & know our Lord is right by our side through thick & thin. Every trial we face is a new opportunity to grow closer to Him & watch Him work in our lives. Your trial is going to become your testimony to encourage someone else :D. Congrats on figuring out a way to kill 2 birds with one stone regarding walking Max using your lawn mower lol! Hey, whatever works, right? Your daughter sounds like a real sweetheart (of course, you raised her). That picnic at the playground sounded like the perfect pick-me-up. Hearing the laughter of children, surrounded by loved ones & the beauty of nature on a sunny day is sometimes the best cure for a bad day; that & a nice cup of tea or chocolate works too ;). I can imagine what a task it's been trying to tend to all your plants, especially the Brugs, before the hard frost comes. God will give you the strength you need to get it done. That double Angel pic is just gorgeous! I LOVE when you post pics of your gardens!! I'm still prepping for my Angels, although the more I think about it the more uncertain I am that they'll survive being in the shed over winter, even with all the prep work I'm doing for securing the area inside against the cold (building a cardboard box frame to put around them & insulating it with layers of newspaper & freeze cloth, then heavy mulching the pot & covering the pot with layers of burlap. All together now kids, "Yee haw!"). I'm praying we have a warm winter like last year but, like you, I want to be prepared. Today it's around 80* with bright sunshine, this after we were inundated with rain & clouds for 5 days when our area was already sopping wet. I have a mess of Deathcaps growing all over my yard which I'm digging out & disposing away from my dog's curious reach. I'm letting the Plumies my friend gave me sit outside on my hot brick porch so their clay pot can dry out thoroughly before bringing them back in. The Brugs are in the sun trying to dry out more before I cut them back above the "Y"s & then try to lug their pot into the house. This should be fun. When you cut your green tips, how did you root them - water or just potted them up? When I cut mine back I'll have some tips but I don't know if I should even bother trying to root them being our weather is going to be in the 50's & I have no clue what to do with them at this point in the season. My family gave me some colorful descriptions but I'll refrain ROFL. My Plumie friend wants my Brug cuttings but I told her it was probably best to wait till I can make spring cuttings because of the chance these ones might not make it through the winter. Sheesh, I really need to build my own greenhouse next year! Looking forward to hearing from you again! Happy day! God bless (((hugs)))!

Do NOT plan on taking them yourself, you are the mother of the bride and have your own tasks - that should not be one of them. Do NOT count on disposable cameras - very poor quality. Do NOT call the HS or college photographer and tell them you are looking for a cheap photographer - it is an insult! Ask what they would charge. And, I would not recommend a student to do it either. I think both sides of the family need to be included, even though the brides family is paying. The bride is the primary subject, but please don't forget the groom and his family, too. You should be able to direct the photogrpaher to take this photo or that, using a list is handy, but if there are too many itmes, the photographer may be overwhelmed. Really highlight the photos that are really important for you to have. I agree that a formal portrait session is a good idea, lacking the ability to afford much more. Expecting professional results for anything less than $1,000 is laughable. Please hire a professional, these need to last a lifetime. You might try to find an "event" photographer, just because they don't advertise as a wedding photographer, doesn't mean they don't do weddings. Some ways you may be able to save $$ is hire by the hour and schedule 2-3 hours, You don't really need the 30 photos of the bride and her entourage getting ready. Or another 50 of a bunch of drunken guests. Candids are great, formals are necessary. I do really like the "photojournalist" style, but not at the expense of the formally posed. I would be sure to ask for both, time allowing. Also, be sure that you get the negatives or CD of images. That way you can reprint without paying the exorbitant mark up. And any color photo can easily be converted to BW. Maybe try your local newspaper photographer. BTW, I am the college photographer that people call for a "cheap" job. I might offer you a good deal, but I ain't cheap! Good luck!

Because a human being in general wants to be loved and needed. And being in a marriage makes them feel safe and secure, it's that feeling that everyone else can leave you and get mad at you but as long as you're family is there, you're good. It's a place where you're accepted and loved for what you are. Knowing that the family won't just abandon you because you made a mistake. But of course you should also try to change for the better and be the best that you can at least try. Couples should marry for the right reasons. Marriage is a commitment it's supposed to be that one other thing (other is love) that can make a person walk the extra mile for the sake of the marriage, family and love one. But now since Divorce is so easy to get Marriage has lost its meaning to most people. If it's hard to get a divorce or if there's no divorce, I think maybe almost 50% of the marriage couples had stopped first and thought what they are getting into and have tried to test the waters first like living together first. Or maybe tried to work the marriage out really hard than leave and find another one, or find another one then leave, this is the common thing nowadays they look first for a replacement then leave their spouses. I think the government should have a law that starting 2008 couples who are getting married then on should be married at least 10yrs or cannot have no divorce whatsoever. Imagine how many couples would now doubt marrying their partners (yet) or leaving their partners for another and instead work it out. By the way, I am not single and I am not in a happy marriage either. My husband is cheating on me but I am trying to be there for him because he had some insecurity issues. But now what I do is let him have it sometimes, sometimes I just go with the flow. I have 23 month old baby and also 5 months. We were married for 3 yrs but actually lived together for the last 2 1/2 yrs. I think that while I still can I will try to be there for the marriage and family.