I dare you not to smile at these

Two people near and dear to my heart.
That little munchkin lets me snuggle with her when I'm missing Luke.
And her mommy is nice enough to let me.

the beautiful bride

I'm in Iowa shooting her wedding today.
My first time being a wedding photographer.
Trying not to panic over the enormity of this responsibility.
But for her, I will "knock this one out of the park."

Love you, my friend! Happy new life to you!

He melts my heart

I can't get enough of this kid. I want to eat him with a spoon.

welcome back, old friend

At one time, the WB and I were super tight. Like peanut butter and jelly....like flowers and bumble bees...like chocolate icing and yellow cake....like Pam and Jim........you get the idea.

We went on dates, planned our days together and introduced each other to cool people.
We told secrets and laughed at all the same jokes.

Then it suddenly became a bitter and selfish and left me for someone with more money. That's right....more money. Stings doesn't it?!

I was cut to the quick (what does that mean anyway?)
and my tears took many-a-long-day to dry.
I couldn't believe how easily I was abandoned.
I couldn't believe how little our relationship had meant to it.

Along with itself, it took many of my good friends.
Veronica, Spike, Fred, Logan (mmm!), Ephram and Lorelai.
They all abandoned me.

Well today, I was shocked, shocked I tell you when it knocked on the door of my little cottage and asked forgiveness for all its sins. It begged for mercy and pleaded for a second chance. And knowing that I am supposed to do the right thing and forgive, I pulled it up off the ground and gave it a huge hug of forgivenss right then and there. We instantly became friends again. It told me that all of our old friend were back and dying to see me again. How could I deny that?

And then it invited me to bring some of YOU to meet our old friends. And once again, I was shocked at its suddenly generosity. But I didn't argue. Oh no. I quickly squeaked out a "yes" and offered to let all of you know how to meet these dear friends of mine.

So here is my invitation. I would like to introdue you to some of my dear friends. We spent many an hour together. Only some of our adventures are here, but more will come soon enough. Come, come and see! It's a big party and you're all invited!

They are all waiting right here ------->

great moment (found in the archives)

*******Found this entry that I never posted. It was written on June 17.

There is a little camper who has been coming to our day camp since it began about 6 years ago. He shares the same name as my bro (so all you camp friends will know who I'm talking about). He is the skinniest, tiniest kid I have ever seen in my life. You would think that he is starving because he is so skinny. He's got a mass of blond hair to match his pale skin and a squeaky little voice. He LOVES dinosaurs. There is always a dinosaur of the day and he can tell you everything about it.
He has one of the most amazing imaginations I have ever seen. He can draw incredibly detailed pictures and tell crazy stories to go along with them. He once drew a picture of a bunny rabbit with "X's" for eyes. When I asked him what the "X" was for he told me it was because it had died. Then I asked him why it died, he said it was poisoned.

This kid is one of a kind. And we all love him. He's a favorite.

Since he is so small, he has a tough time with any activity in the water. He hates being cold and the water is always cold. This means that he has never passed the swim test. The campers have to pass a swim test we give at the beginning of the week which gives them a neon waterproof bracelet that grants them access to the deep end where the diving board is. Well, this little guy hadn't passed it. Ever. He's about 10 years old now.

Yesterday, I saw the cutest thing. He is in residential camp this week. He was inside the pool area, in line for the diving board. That's right. The diving board. He was yelling at one of the day campers who was walking in the field nearby. I could hear his little squeaky voice screaming across the field as loud as he could...

"Cameron!!! Cameron!!! Cameron. Look! (showing off his neon swim bracelet) I passed the swim test. Look!!! Cameron!"

He was SO excited for his big accomplishment. I sat about 20 feet from the pool doing crafts with another group of kids. I couldn't help but smile the whole time at his enthusiasm. I love seeing kids so excited when they do something they have been working towards summer after summer. I love the experiences that kids can have at camp. Giant swings, swimming, banana boats. Nothing like a summer of camp fun!

inspiration station

Feverishly clicking around The Image is Found
(for inspiration for the upcoming shoot)

+

Beck (on Myspace Music)


=

Mega inspiration and can't-wait-to-shoot awesomeness

This all came about cause I was once again drooling over their shootshop. Notice that music in the background? Yeah, it totally makes the whole experience.

I think I need to have my Zune blasting Beck in my ear while I'm shooting. My biggest problem is usually my fear that I will get in the way or be too conspicuous. But it's time to face my fears and stomp on out there in front of everyone and throw caution to the wind. Having music playing would SO help that. I'll just have to have a rolling slideshow of the crazy-out-of-this-worldness that is The Image is Found in my head the whole day instead.


ps....why haven't I realized how amazing Beck is before this?

from the palor to the pool room

I have been humming this song for days now.

Why?

I have no idea.

It just gets stuck in my head and I wake up in the middle of the night, in the pitch black singing...

"Stoooollll.
From the parlor to the poooolll room.
Every one needs a stool."

Then I fall back asleep only to wake up in the morning with it there again.

Does this happen to anyone else?

Last year, it was this song for months on end. Especially on my walk to work each morning. Over and over.

"There goes the baker with his tray like always.
The same old bread and rolls to sell.
Every morning just the same,
Since the morning that we came,
To this poor provincial town.
Good morning, Belle!"

And if you don't know what "Stool Boom" is from, well, you must go straight out and rent Waiting for Guffman. It's Christopher Guest's best movie in my opinion. Laughs in abundance.

The stories of the Olympics

Loved this story on Yahoo this morning.

another reminder

Steven Curtis Chapman is on Focus on the Family today, tomorrow and Wednesday.

You can listen here or on your local radio station.

You can also download the podcast from Zune Marketplace or itunes, etc....

Cottage Girl is....

....sad that the Olympics are over. Very, very sad. 4 years is ever-so-long to wait.

However, she is very happy to be going to bed before midnight this week.

Farewell, Olympics.

Why I'm not posting anything interesting on post #780....

#1. Trying to fix my DVD player. This involves completely taking it apart. So far, no success. I think it's time to finally get a new one.

#2. I got a HUGE stack of books at the library today. (prompted by this post from a favorite blogger.) My mission was to find a book to read on my plane ride next week. Plus, I've missed the library desperately during camp. I LOVE, truly LOVE it there. Here's what I got:

• Mansfield Park (The next on my list of Austen classics to read for the first time. How sad I never read these when I was younger)
• burned (This one is written in verse form. Started this in Borders a couple months ago. I get lost in the Young Adult section often.)
• Into the Wild (I LOVED this movie and have heard the book is better. So excited to read this that I was skimming it at stoplights on my way home.)
• The Unheard (The biography section was my downfall this time. I was there for an hour disappearing in all kinds of interesting paper bound treasures. This one caught my eye, too.)
• Peter and the Starcatchers (Started this on audio book. It's been recommended by several friends. And I DO love any thing with Peter Pan!)
• Jesus Land (Another biography section find.)
• Educating Alice (The first book in this "series" is one of my all time favorite books. I've recommended it to tons of people. Can't wait to read this one too.)
  

#3 Listening to the Blue Crush and Marie Antoinette soundtracks. I like these: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

#4 Getting my photo equipment together for a BIG gig a week from today. I'm so nervous about it. Truly! Thankfully, I got the last of the "must get's" today. And the new camera bag a got was a present from heaven. (Circuit City didn't have a tag on it so the associates had to go searching for a price. Long story short. I got this awesome bag at less than the retail price. I practically ran out of the store after I paid, afraid they would realize their mistake!)

#5. I spent hours online yesterday trying to finish up #4. I need a break.


I leave you with a link to another amazing Pioneer Woman post. This one from yesterday is one of my favorites.

gross

Does anyone else feel creeped out by the male track runners at the Olympics that wear NECKLACES when they race?!! Sorry, but it totally grosses me out. Especially the gold and silver ones.

And the guy that runs with it in his mouth?!!

What the heck?

I'm just sayin'.

more Chapmans

Jim's post today....

The Chapman's are going to be on Focus on the Family next week. (you can listen here or download the podcast on Zune Marketplace or itunes.)

3 whole days.

Today is also the 3 month mark. I know they would love your prayers.

i would be a writer

What do you want to be when you grow up? Let's play that game.

It doesn't have to be logical or practical. It just has to be 100% you.

Here's my answer:


I read this post (scroll down to read her answer to a question) from one of my favorite TV critics the other day. It got me thinking about writing.

I have wanted to write/be an author since I was a little kid. So much so that I had a folder of stories filled to the brim with ideas that popped into my mind. Most of them were episodes that I had written for my favorite TV shows. Yes, my TV obsession was in full force even back then.
I wanted to write a novel, see my name on the cover of a book, have the whole world that I created living inside of my head.

I devoured books as a kid. I would always be in the middle of 5 or 6. When I went on long trips, I always had to have a stack of books in my little suitcase. I would marvel over descriptive words and beautifully created characters. Still that way.

Authors fascinate me. They create entire worlds with their imagination and then are able to explain them to someone else. Their characters live and breathe and are as real to them as any other person in the world.

I love going to places that inspire them. Prince Edward Island was L.M. Montgomery's canvas. Her worlds lived and breathed there. I was able to go to the spots where she wrote most of the Anne of Green Gables series. I could see each little descriptive paragraph come to life in front of me. I stood before the "Lake of Shining Waters," felt the eeriness of the "Haunted Woods," walked around "Green Gables," enjoyed the beauty of the "Snow Queen" (which was over 100 years old!). The magic is real and palpable there.

My dream is still intact. I still long to write. This little blog is one way that I curb that appetite. It isn't anything special. I don't write great stories like PW. But it's still mine. It's still writing. It's still getting my ideas out there.

Maybe one day I'll get "that idea" that will eventually be put in book form and have my name on the cover. Maybe. But if not, I still have journal upon journal and post upon post full of my musings and ideas. That's something. It's something I'm immensely proud of at times. Something that is completely me. My own little way to be creative and expressive (since i can't draw to save my life...boo-hoo).

So I would be a writer. A wonderful author who had a beautiful way with words.

And maybe a illustrator too....but that's for another post.

Now it's you turn....

Fog has lifted

I feel much better today. Thanks for the kind words. It helped immensely.

Here are my thoughts for today. Much lighter and happier than yesterday's....

Shawn won! Hip-hip hurray. I was on pins and needles the whole time. I think I had to remind myself to breathe after she did her dismount. I went to bed (@ midnight again...yikes!) with a huge smile on my face.

Every time this commercial for Coke came on, I would start humming the song, but couldn't remember what song it was. It was driving me CRAZY!!! I finally Googled it and realized it was one of my favorite songs. It's a song that I don't own, but have as a favorite on YouTube.

I started watching Mad Men season 1 (thanks, Netflix). While the stories, it's also completely beautiful. The sets, the clothes, the RED lipstick. Man, oh man, it's addicting.

There's a new show in the Hulu widget. It's one of my top 5, all time favorite shows for forever. I found Buffy at the end of season 4 and I was hooked. It was like nothing else on TV. Scarey, creepy, hilarious, adorable, sweet. I've seen all 7 seasons way to many times. Call me a nerd/dork/geek all you want. Plus, it introduced me to the genius that is Joss Whedon.

I added a new list to the right. It's full of all of my photography goods. People ask me often how I take the pictures I do. The best answer I can give is practice, practice, practice. I've been taking photos for years. My D50 helped me take the next step, but most of my shot composition was learned on a point & shoot. I still have SO far to go. Oh, and Flickr helps immensly with inspiration and ideas too.

I wish it could stay warm like it is right now for the rest of the year. When the office closes at 5, we (my camp neighbors) go swimming or out on the boat for a ride around the river or sit outside and chat. It's just perfect! I dread the thought of cold weather torture....uhhhgggg...

Night all!

just a yucky day

Life is yucky today.

Too many changes.
Too many things to decide.
It's just too much.

A heavy heart for friends.
A unsettled feeling.
A need for change and a need for normalcy at the same time.
Grasping to the past that is slipping through my fingers.
Feeling lost and unsure and drifting.

Every little decision seems huge.
Everything seems overwhelming.

I know it will be better tomorrow.
My brain knows this,
But my heart is stuck in an emotional roller coaster at the moment.

Please tell me you guys have days like this too....

my latest thoughts

I'm craving some new TV and Chuck is on my obsession list lately. I just had to share these little gems:

2 more reasons I love Chuck....

#1....Pineapple

#2....Mystery Crisper

BONUS.....Zachary Levi.

I just love how funny and sweet this show can be at the same time. And these two clips are just fractions of how funny it can be.

ps....Audrey, I'm so glad you love it too! I'm not alone in my madness.

pss.....Totally unrelated to the rest of this post.....Is anyone else having a panic attack that it's already the middle of AUGUST! Where in the world did 2008 go? I have a lot to check off on my list of things to do this year.

psss.....Jeremy Larson has a beautiful new song on his website. It's called Hide and Seek. I can't wait until his new stuff is available for download.

pssss.....Does anyone else think that Shawn Johnson is just adorable? I love how gracious and kind she seems to be. And I want her to win a gold medal on Tuesday so badly!

now available

The Chapman's are in People this week. While I am not usually a fan of "celebrity gossip" mags, I decided to go ahead and buy it just to say thanks to them for writing such a nice article. It's several pages long and doesn't shy away from their faith in Christ at all.

Check it out!

...this picture is just heartbreaking to me. It seems like there is such a hole where Maria should be. My prayers continue for them daily.

it is finished

While this one wasn't my favorite (it was probably my least favorite of the 4), it's still 100% Edward, Bella and Jacob.

It still finished off the story for me.

It still is making me miss that whole world and I just finished it 20 minutes ago.

And I still say there is nothing better than getting lost in a good book.

The end.....sniff, sniff....

p.s. I was always an Edward girl. Who would you choose?
What?! You haven't read them? Why the heck not?
Read immediately and then come back for discussion....

voluntary insomnia

photo credit: Phelps Semi Butterfly/AFP/Getty Images

Photo credit: LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images

Is any one else suffering from Olympics insomnia? I can't fall asleep each night without watching it for hours. I'm SO tired after 10 weeks of camp, but I force myself to stay up each night because I'm glued to one event or another.

And whose brilliant idea was it for the gymnastics to start at 10:30pm?!! We only get to see the Americans and Chinese compete??!!! What about everyone else? I think I would rather have it the next night in a edited format. Then I wouldn't be so dog-on tired the next day staying up till 12:30am just to see what happened.

But I refuse to complain anymore cause I love it. Love, love, love it. The Olympics are like Christmas for 2 weeks. I can't get enough of it. And I tear up every time someone wins and medal. And I love "spending time" in China each night too. Good times all around!

New feature

For the next month or so....or as long as I want to....I'm going to do something fun. Well, I think it's fun, but I guess you have to decide for yourself if YOU think it's fun. I mean, it is my blog, so if I'm having fun, than that's bonus points, right?

On the right you will see a new widget from Hulu. In that little box, every couple of days, I will change the show/movie (more likely show because you all know how I love some TV) to give you a little suggestion of something to watch if you have a couple minutes to waste.

Now, I must tell you that I LOVE Hulu. I think it is a wonderful invention and I use it all the time to find "that episode when the coach yells at Tim Riggins about Julie" or "that clip when Liz Lemon goes to Cleavland" or "that episode of Firefly called Out of Gas" or "that clip when GOB does his funeral magic trick with Buster in a soldier uniform" or "when Chuck talks about posting on his blog to Sarah" "those last few minutes of the mid-season finale of Battlestar this year." I could go on and on, but I won't cause you'll stop reading and never come back again.

But Hulu is a grand and wonderful place on the web, and best of all it's FREE. And we all love free stuff, don't we?! So if you are bored and need something to fill your 1 hour of free time (p.s. it's glorious to have free time again!), click on over to Hulu. It will make you smile. Which, in turn, will make me smile if you decide to tell me you watched something fun because that means that you are actually reading my little blog and that ALWAYS makes me smile!
I do believe that was some type of run-on sentance. My high school grammer is almost completely gone...oh, the horror!

Enough rambling....go enjoy some Hulu!

brave adventures

"Jesus did not come to make us safe -
He came to make us brave."

These aren't my words. My pastor was quoting someone else when he said this on Sunday, but I can't remember who, so please forgive the lack of literary credit.

But what an amazing quote. How many times do I think the Jesus created me to live a safe life, a happy life of contentment. Instead He calls us to lives of adventure like Joshua (just finished reading this again and am still amazed at the stories in that little book) and Joseph and Paul and Esther and Mary. These people didn't live safe lives. They lived lives of craziness and miracles and adventure! They chose to let God choose their paths.

Somehow I can't imagine they are up in heaven now saying "man, I wish I had taken the easy way. I wish I had just lived a comfortable life. Look what I missed out on by having all these adventures and letting God lead me." Yeah, right!

I heard a fantastic interview with Steven Curtis Chapman about a year or more ago. He was talking about adoption and how God offered his family the choice of jumping in on that whole adventure. They could have said no and it wouldn't necessarily have been the wrong choice. But if they had chosen "no," they would have missed out on so many of the blessings He had waiting for them. That adventure was one that they were so glad that they stepped out in faith on.

So what about you? Is there something that gets you excited? Is there something that God has whispered to your heart for a while now that you just ignore because you think it's too much, too hard, too different?

Or are you one of those who are just waiting for the next adventure that He as for you? Are you waiting patiently for that direction and that peace that comes from Him? Have you tasted the sweetness of living life on His leading and not worrying about where all the "other" stuff will come from. You know, like money and food and paying bills. The things that God easily takes care of when we just let go of the control we think we have.

Let's hear it. The adventures. The doubts. The fears. We all have them. Share....

blog poll

Prompted by a lovely email from an old blog friend today, I got to thinking.

About blogs.

It seems like most people who read blogs, read more than one. They have a list that they check everyone once in a while.

I have a long one. Lots of people that I have found in one way or another.

But my question is....

Do you interact with those people at all? I'm talking about someone that you have never met. Someone who may not even live near you. Someone that you only know through their blog.

Do you leave a comment to say hi or give you opinion? Do you send emails? Have you made an new friend through a blog be it yours or theirs?

I have. I leave comments. I send emails (if the address is provided). I have met someone whom I only knew through a blog (and it was A-mazing!).

I set up a poll on the right side bar for you to answer. If you have a story though, I'd love to hear more about it. Leave a comment and tell away.

send help

An Anthropologie is going in the new shopping center by me.

Extreme danger. I will be tempted to buy everything! And I will be even more tempted to wander around inside of it drooling over their decor.

Dr. Horrible, more please!

I finally watched this. So perfectly Joss. It was funny and silly and full of little quips that made me laugh. And Nathan Fillion.....ahhhhh.....I do just love his acting. Firefly, anyone?!

And I love the story of why it got made. A slap in the face of crazy, money hungry producers and studio heads. Good, fun stories just because they are fun to make.

Watch it on Hulu or buy it on itunes. It's a fun 45 minutes and you'll be humming the song for hours afterwards. "with my freeze-ray, I will stop the world." Like that. Over and over.

fyi......I would say it's rated PG-13, just in case little ones are near-by.

summer 08 re-cap

End of the summer re-cap. I have a need to do this for my own sake just to remember certain things that I know I will forget in 3 years time because all my summers now run together into one giant summer that goes on for years. After 10 camp summers, I distinctly remember my first summer and the rest sort of blend together. I've even started to forget names! Yikes!

Things that I want to remember this year:

The weather was amazing. Rarely HOT. In fact the hottest weeks were during staff training.

The osprey nest near my cottage caught fire and blazed on for hours. The fire department had to come and watch it burn cause it was on top of a telephone pole.

An ambulance came because a boat crashed onto the rock jetty by the county pier. The driver had passed out.

Laughing, laughing, laughing. I laughed a lot this summer.

Crafts outside by the snack shop.

Baltimore trip complete with dancing and dinner at Margo's.

The pool inspector who came in a skirt and high heels and then promptly stepped into a mud puddle outside of the pool gate.

Talking about salvation with 3 of my photography students.

Seeing my photography students "get it" when they were taking photos.

Hearing the banana boat pull away from the floating pier.

Lunch out with new friends after church on Sundays. More laughter.

Lots of bridal showers.

Carlye's wedding.

Ian's outfits each week.

Prom. It was my favorite moment of the summer!

The junior counselors. I really loved them this year!

Lunches with Kristi.

Little M being in her high chair and giving dirty looks to every one who smiled at her.

Today I was....

watching the Olympics

celebrating a birthday

going to church

playing with Louie

doing some little crafty projects

going strong on day 2 of my vegetarian month



More lively posts coming soon.....promise....

A moment (post) of silence....

...for the end of my summer today.

It's just to hard to be happy-go-lucky after saying so many goodbyes.



Be back for the new week with lots of new posts that I have been working on.

Re-cap and the beginning of the end and another beginning

I hope you all got to see Larry King last night. It was an amazing picture of God's children showing His love and grace in the flesh.

I thing the one thing that struck me the hardest was this....

The Chapman's are normal people. Yes, that's true. But more than anything else I admire about them, Christ shines out of them so brightly that "they" are almost invisible. The way they put the kingdom first. The way their family is together. They want, more than anything, to be a light in this dark world. And last night....what a beautiful light they were. They chose to do that interview last night (knowing that it would be hear breaking for them) because they wanted others to hear Jesus' love.

If you missed it, you can catch up with some of it here. Jim Houser, Steven's manager, was there while they were taping. He wrote his impressions here.

And I do have to say that Larry King drove me crazy a couple times. I know much of it was because he just doesn't understand their faith in Christ. I remember Jerry Falwell used to say that Larry was one person that he prayed for often. He was searching, but just didn't want to take that final step. When I saw his final thoughts HERE, it just made my heart ache for him.


********

In other news...

Today is our last (sob....) day of camp. Our last group of campers leave tonight. Our last snack shop. Our last group game. Our last pool time and meal and Bible Study.

Now I know that it is said that life goes by faster when you get older, but this year was like the speed of light. I really don't know where it went! Our staff does their major exodus tomorrow and then it's down to a handful of us. On the bright side, it's is gorgeous outside today. Like the most perfect weather all year. That makes it just glorious.

*************

The Olympics start today. Is anyone else super excited! I LOVE the Olympics and the summer games are my fave! Gymnastics, diving, swimming, track and field. Oooo, can't wait! And it's in China too.

Reminder #2

The Chapman's are on Larry King Live tonight @ 9pm EST. Emily, Caleb and Will Franklin are supposed to be there too. Jim said he may to try update on his blog through out the day.

Praying hard for God's love and grace for all involved! May they feel the prayers of all who are lifting them up during the taping.

One more thing....Steven's new single is a song called "Yours" one of my favorites from his newest CD. He recorded a new verse for the song after Maria died. It is heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. You can download it on Zune Marketplace, Amazon and itunes.

It's who I am

Found this fun activity by way of Emily's blog, which lead me here.

Do you think it represents me?

Here were the questions I answered....

questions, and answers

1. What is your first name?

2. What is your favorite food?

3. What high school did you attend?

4. What is your favorite color?

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

6. Favorite drink?

7. Dream vacation?

8. Favorite dessert?

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?

10.What do you love most in life?

11. One word to describe you.

12. Your Flickr name.

The first and last pictures were my favorite.
Here are the photo credits. Click on them to see the photo larger.

1. Always Marry An April Girl, 2. Arriving at the Italian Riviera, 3. Football Banner, First Assembly Academy, First Assembly of God Church, New Orleans, Louisiana, 4. The Chesil Beach at Portland - Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, 5. Untitled, 6. 166/365 summer days driftin' away, 7. Spirit Warrior 3, 8. 215/365 chocoholic, 9. papapapapapapaaaa..., 10. The Avenue in mist and sun, 11. ~maive~, 12. Bibury

*****************

In case you missed it...
the Chapman's interview
is on GMA's website right now.

Chapman's...tomorrow...GMA

A reminder for all of you that asked.

The Chapman's will be on Good Morning America tomorrow morning. ***UPDATE: NOT SURE WHAT TIME.

There is a short clip here. The lip sync is off, but what an amazing testimony they have.

The Chapman's have said that they hope this interview (and the one they do on Larry King Live on Thursday) will be used by God to bring others to Him. You can read a little about that here.


****thanks RQ for the voicemail! It was so nice of you to think of me. And it was nice to hear your voice too. We missed you here this summer!

little things

1. This picture is too cool. I LOVE the illustration and the colors are perfect. The birds in the background? Just lovely.
It's from this comic book, which I know nothing about. I found it on Pop Candy, my fave entertainment blog.

2. I want to see Surfwise. Doesn't it look like fun?! I'm a sucker for surf doc's.

3. Breaking Dawn was making me stay up way too late last night. I just can't tell myself "only one chapter before lights out." It never works. It ends up being 3 or 4 chapters instead.

3. Today begins our last week of camp. As of Friday, the kids will leave and it will get really, really quiet around here. No more kids laughing and screaming. No more splashes in the pool. No more group games in the field. No more boats on the river. Boo-hoo.

4. Good Humor Banana Fudge popsicle. It's so, so yummy. I reminds me of the frozen bananas the Bluth's sold.

5. No more snack shop after this week. This is NOT a good thing.

6. I need some new music.

7. Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog is now on Hulu for FREE!! I love Hulu..... And I love Joss even more.

8. Homemade ice tea sweetened with honey is some of the best stuff on earth.

9. I had a fabulous day with friends yesterday. New friends, old friends. Brother too. Lots of food involved. And, of course, lots of laughter. And it was decided that if I were a Disney character, I would be Wendy from Peter Pan. I am totally okay with this.

10. I think I may be able to hug my nephew next week. It doesn't get any better than that.

it's been calling my name since it came out at midnight on Friday

Bought today from "the black hole."

Forgive me if my posting drops off. Bella and Edward and Jacob's lives are all taking over mine at the moment.

Isn't not Harry Potter (.....sigh....), but there's nothing better than a new summer read that you just can't put down. I've been waiting for this one for months! How will it all end? Will she chose a vampire or a werewolf?

And if you aren't reading Breaking Dawn (why?!), what story is keeping you up late at night? Do share! I love getting lost in a new story.

Shameless TV love gushing

Since I have tried to be so good with my TV diet this summer, I haven't really thought about my TV loves of the fall season at all really. Then yesterday, I was checking the weather on the Today show and I saw this commercial



Dear goodness, I can't wait...

TV is much sweeter after I've been without it for so long. And for those of you that haven't watched Chuck yet...well...you must start. It's hilarious, smart and contains one of the adorable Zach's on television right now. (the other being Zach Braff, of course) After being so careful about not watching much TV at all this summer, I know I'll enjoy jumping back into my favorite shows come September.

What about you? Excited about anything in particular? Battlestar? 24? Friday Night Lights? The Office? 30 Rock? Anyone...anyone?

when it clicks

When one of my photography students took this shot of his counselor on Tuesday, I almost hugged him with glee. He totally got everything I had been trying to explain in the short amount of time I have to instruct them. The angle, the light, the composition. It's just fantastic.

Now the greatest part of this (to me) is that the photo was taken by a 14 year boy. The boys aren't usually into this type of thing here. They would rather flirt with girls or go tubing or play the amazing game of dodge ball. Artist things aren't considered "cool." So I was so excited when this kid (who I have watched grow up through the years) decided to come to the class and really, really loved it. I think he has lots of natural ability and hope that in the future he can continue on with photography.

Cool moment of the week, for sure. I'm sad that the class is coming to an end. Even though it added yet another activity onto my super busy schedule, once it started every night I really, really loved it. The kids couldn't believe that they got to use cameras and take pictures themselves. The really got into it and were sad when it was over. I loved seeing their faces when they showed me a shot they knew was good. I can't wait to improve the program and see more kids learn to love photography next summer.


**** for all you camp alumni, the camper was Darius B. He has an older brother, Demetrius. Most of you probably remember him. He's so grown up now!

***fyi: The Chapman's interview on GMA was changed to August 6th. I'll let you know if it changes again.

*****I'm already depressed that next week is our last week of camp. Really, really sinking into deep depression. Especially since I got my new Fall schedule today and I realized that even though camp is ending, my life isn't slowing down till November. I feel like I did at the beginning of every new semester of college when I would get a pile of syllabus' and call home crying to my mom that I couldn't do and life was going to drown me.
Can you tell that I don't handle stress well?

For those of you that asked.....

Here's a little reminder I got in my inbox today.
I will do another one next week on each of the days listed....

Click photo to see bigger

You can always get the latest info from Jim's blog, too.