It's My Birthday

Here is a picture of a way cool tea set from Matt for my birthday--the weather is finally supposed to turn colder so this huge cup will be welcome!

I went out to the little market this morning because they had 100% occupancy which was to have turned into more traffic--NOT! Actually it was overcast and rainy and I don't blame them for staying inside. I sold a few prints--they are finding their way around the country this way which is kinda cool.

I answered my mobile to the sounds of Jonathan and Alissa serenading me with Happy Birthday wishes--I told you they are sweet.

I'm hoping that even thought our Florida State Seminoles have fallen from grace at the moment that next year will be better--spoken like a true optimist!

It's time for me to pay sales tax for the quarter--I surprised myself with my total sales--obviously nothing earth shattering, but more than I thought. I'm adopting the slow and steady mindset.

People are always saying the whole world celebrates your birthday--a weird concept but I suppose if I were egotistical I'd believe it. Tonight we're going out with Michael and Jane and then back to their house for fireworks off their dock. It should be fun--I'm going to nap a bit to make it to midnight. Hope everyone is safe and sound tonight and the New Year is filled with blessings all around. Thanks for reading Camera Crazy in 2007-- -let's hope I have new adventures to share in 2008.

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Now playing: Lodger - Getting Special
via FoxyTunes

Mixed Bag

Here's a photograph of Bruce at an architectural antique store we visited in Deland yesterday. He has taken a break from working and has been playing with me. Deland is about 35 miles north of Orlando, home of Stetson University. There is a cute downtown with many restaurants and galleries. Prior to getting there we stopped at Blue Springs State Park, winter home of manatees. When it gets cold they hang out in the constant 72 degree spring water. We saw a fair number of them in the water as well as an alligator sunning itself on a tree. The manatees are very challenging to photograph because they only surface for air occasionally. Nonetheless,even if my photos were not so great, the experience was great. We moseyed through galleries, antique stores, and a barber shop that has had only five owners in over 100 years. We found a pub for Bruce to have a Bass ale with his lunch.

On our drive home we came across a little known park called Gemini Springs. Mostly it encompasses marsh lands of the St. John's River which is one of the few rivers to flow north. The sun was dropping shedding a beautiful golden light. Did I mention that it is very warm again? The temp today was to be 86 degrees.

On Thursday evening we saw No Country for Old Men. Several years ago Bruce listened to the novel on cd while driving to some job. Arriving a few minutes late to a movie like this one is not a good idea. I sat down in my customary back row seat in time to watch Javier Bardem strangle a deputy to death with handcuffs, all the while looking bored with the whole process. I had no idea what was in store; I won't spoil it for anyone but suffice it to say that it was the most brutal movie I've seen in a while. Based very closely on Cormac McCarthy's novel, it was both unsettling and thought provoking.

Time to get ready to go to friends for dinner--I'm bringing an old favorite--Mexican chocolate cake. I'll fill you in on the recipe later.







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Now playing: Bloc Party - Blue Light
via FoxyTunes

Christmas Present

Pictured here is the man of the house (alongside the dog of the house) with his new Christmas present. He is so totally thrilled with it--probably the most excited he's been since he bought me my camera. He did receive some awesome gifts from his sons--tickets to see Spamalot from Matt, ticket to see Wrestlemania with Bill, Dave, and Michelle, and a new Brain Age game for his DS Light from Jonathan. Needless to say he's a happy man.

We distracted ourselves yesterday afternoon with a trip to a local museum to see paintings and drawings by George Bellows--fantastic work. I was hoping to inspire Bruce to use his new drawing set I gave him for Christmas. You didn't know that the real artist in the family is Bruce did you?

After the museum trip we stopped by the library to turn in some unwatched DVDs. We got three new ones for a movie fest, watching all in a row! Three different genres, three good movies. Children of Men, Two Weeks Notice, and an all time favorite of my mom's Best in Show. If you've not seen it you must--it never fails to make us laugh. As well, we are big Hugh Grant fans. Bruce likes Sandra Bullock, I can take her or leave her, but any movie with Hugh Grant is a must see for us. Although he plays similar parts he's just so darn charming you don't care.

I've spent today making some web albums for various people and catching up a bit with Flickr friends as I have largely ignored them during the holidays.

Matthew made it home and dry (a reference to a Pet Shop Boys song)

My birthday is coming up pretty quick. I am one of those odd folks who is the same age during the entire calendar year. This year I was the same age as the year I was born--1953, however, that is almost a thing of the past. When your birthday is six days after Christmas it can be an afterthought (mostly for me). I always feel sorry for those who want to remember it after the Christmas spending spree. I'll be changing my flickr profile to reflect the changes--no longer a student, and 54 years old. It is really hard for me to imagine, but I'll just stick with the cliche you are as young as you feel which at the moment is pretty darn good.



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Now playing: Sugababes - Push the Button
via FoxyTunes!

It May Be a Year

It's all quiet around here now. Matthew is boarding his plane to New York where he will wait for several hours for his flight to London arriving around 6AM. It's not that Matt is particularly loud, but he does make his presence known. For one thing, he loves to eat. I successfully made some vegan dishes that worked during his visit. One was terrible, however he didn't complain. It is hard to imagine that it might be a year until he comes back to Orlando, but as of now that is the plan. Dave and Michelle have set the wedding date for November 22 which he will naturally be here to celebrate.

I am pretty sad right now about the prospect but I must buck up accepting that children grow up with lives of their own which may, or may not, include their parents. After we left the airport Bruce and I fought back tears thinking of him so far away.

On a happier note Christmas worked even if it was unconventional. Bruce did all the wrapping which is just as well because he is so much better than I am. I baked no cookies, a first for me in all my married life, and the cards did not go out until a few days before Christmas. Bruce received a smoked turkey from a contractor and a gift certificate for Honey Baked ham. Here's what I served with it:

Relish tray
Hummus with flat bread (to me the flat bread tasted like cardboard)
Mixed nuts
Potato salad
Tabbouleh
Lentil loaf with brown rice and bar-b-que sauce
Spinach salad with dried cranberries, almonds, and a fantastic poppy seed and sesame seed dressing
Green beans with lemon zest
Rolls and biscuits
Fruit salad with blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, orange and toasted coconut
Bought Christmas cookies and Marie Callendar's apple pie (I mention the brand because it is terrific)

Bill and Leanne brought some pink champagne to start the party!

We missed three of our sisters this Christmas.

All in all the festivities were different for our family, but the reality is that it was very enjoyable and maybe a lesson in change. Either embrace it or become depressed--I suppose you know which route I'm taking.

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Now playing: Hot Chip - Over and Over
via FoxyTunes

My Firstborn

Matthew was kind enough to let me practice my portrait skills--here is one of the best however he is a great model and I could post lots more!

We're off to lunch downtown with Bill, Dave, and Michele. Bruce got a new desk set up for Christmas from Ikea which he's been assembling since last evening--he's nearly done and you'll see it for yourself soon.

Jonathan and Alissa are on a Greyhound bus headed to Iowa to spend Christmas with her family there. I believe this is a new experience for our Jon boy. Last night he turned the yellow MINI back in--the lease was done. I asked him if he kissed it goodbye which naturally he didn't. I would have had it been me.

You've Got to Love this Guy

Mr. Newbold disparaged windows that don’t open because of the air-conditioning, elevators in country houses and “McMansions in general.”

“They are the cliché of the decade,” he said. “Hip money is now steering clear.”

An excerpt from an article in The Times about home design.

Photo is of our foyer bookshelf that Matt designed.

A Surprise

It's astonishing where you find unexpected beauty. Arriving to pick up dry cleaning, I noticed the clouds looked really interesting. I got the baby camera out of my purse and shot a picture through the sunroof. When I got out of the car I pointed the camera upward and what should I discover but this rainbow at 9:00 in the morning with no rain in sight. It seems as if it was a sign of a good week. I want you to know that I am feeling remarkably better. This has happened before, but this time I'm thinking it will stick.

Matt acclimated quickly to the time change and we've been shopping like crazy. Bruce took today off, sleeping in till 8:30. That doesn't seem too late for lots of folks, but he often arises at 4:30AM to catch early flights, so it was a welcome respite.

When your children are grown and making lots of money it is always a challenge for parents at Christmas time. I had no idea what Matt wanted, or needed for that matter. The challenge in buying for Matt is both customs, and weight. One thing he really wanted was a new backpack. We searched extensively for just the right one; I am happy to report we found it.

Actually, the only son easy to buy for was Jonathan because he is still young with plenty of needs for his new environment. I did manage to find some things for David that I hope he will like. Bill makes an annual trip to LA for a music convention with a plane ticket from Bruce. It's going to be a weird Christmas, but I told Matt I want to adapt to changing times with this being a prime example.

A pleasant surprise today via the mailbox was a sweet card from Emily for my graduation. She is one of Matt's friends through Liza and lives in Massachusetts with her dear husband and darling little boy. How thoughtful of her to remember me. I must say I am pretty jazzed that it's over for now. We'll see what I think in a few months.

As you know Bruce works for Darden Restaurants. The stock got clobbered yesterday, and I do mean clobbered. Put it this way--on paper we lost enough to pay off our home. We are thinking positive though because really--what else can you do?

Cards still not done, cookies still not baked, but gosh, we're enjoying each other's company. Did I mention the weather is spectacular?