My Jam Session with Jaren!!!

http://photographybyjaren.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

I have had the privilege of spending time with Jaren and learning how to use my camera!!
I will admit life was much easier on auto!!! I have come to terms with words like ISO, aperture, shutter speed, all of which were in my manual but didn't mean a thing to me.

Crystal meet us at the park and lets us practice with her and the kiddos!!! They are such gorgeous models.

My pic didn't turn out so well :( So I'm really anxious to see what Jaren comes out with!! Perfect no doubt!!! Ill never be a photographer but I really have fun trying to be!!

Scrap Book Layouts

 

I really enjoyed working with this paper line,, it was so bright and crisp. Perfect for some of our beach pictures!!!

 

 

I really enjoyed my trip to Pensacola. Watching your children be adults is a bitter sweet thing. Chase and Ashley are a fun couple and love each other so much. It makes me happy just seeing them together!!! I got to spend time with Beverly and discover what a great person she is.. Thanks for the memories!!!

Happy Holloween from the Greens

This year the party started without me!!! I worked and got home around 8 to find the party in full swing!!! I loved it!!! Everyone had such cute costumes and was having a great time!!! We had chili dogs and pizza,,, and Halloween candy for desert!!! The grand babies went trick or treating in our neighborhood and really made out with a huge stash of treats!!

Makes you wonder what 4 men would stand at a laptop and look at with such intense interest??




Clinton won the prize for most original costume.
He was amazing, he was a ZOMBIE, his make-up looked like Hollywood quality!!! Of course he created it all himself and did all the work. Great job Clint!!!

 

Garrett was an Army Man complete with his very own set of dog tags!!

 

Charis was a beautiful Princes Pirate with an ATTITUDE!!

 

Eva Lauren was a feisty Kitty with a dark side!! She passed out the treats and decorated the entery way of the door!!! Good job!! She had some majic potion that i was afraid to try.

 

By the time it was over I was exhausted after a long day at work. The house became silent, I talked to Darrell at work as he finished his last shift of NIGHTS,,(to bad time fell back and he had to work an extra hour). But its over now and we will have the same schedule,,, been waiting for this one for a while!!!!

 

 

I have so many things to be thankful for in my life, having a loving husband is one of them. We don't have to do anything special, its just the being there for each other that I cherish the most. I love the lazy days that we spend watching the history channel in our Pj's, or the days that we spend outside raking up the fall leaves. Our family completes us, giving each other parents, children and grand children. Darrell Green I love you so very much!!

Having fun with my daughter!!

Last Sunday we meet Kirk and Amy at Gaston's to get some family shots of them. Eva Lauren took the Nikon and I had my Canon and we had the best time shooting them.. She has a great eye and the physical agility to get some amazing angles.

 

 

 

She is growing up so fast. She is an amazing young lady now. Im so greatful to have her as my daughter. She is a blessing to me and all who are around her!!

 

I love you baby doll!!
mom

The Ritch Family

 

Kirk, Amy, Garrett, Mallory

 

We were enjoying all the beautiful fall colors today in the Ozarks!!! What a gorgeous Sunday afternoon!! This was at Gaston's Resort. I'm so very thankful that they live here and we get to spend time together.. I love my family so much.

 

Fall Pumpkins!!

 

What can I say, I love Fall... more pic of last weekend when we had Caily and Abby!!

 

 

Papa walking through the mase with his little pumpkin!!!

 

Sometimes I cry
Sometimes I cry because I'm faced with this cancer.
Sometimes I cry when I hear my Daughter say she doesn't need me any more.
Sometimes I cry when I see some one lose the one they love.
Sometimes I cry with pain that this disease has caused me.
Sometimes I cry in anger when life seems so unfair.
Sometimes I cry when I hear that another person has been diagnosed with Cancer.
Sometimes I cry when I don't have the answers to give to a grieving family.
Sometimes I cry when no one will hear.
Sometimes I cry.
Sometimes I cry when I'm happy.
sometimes I cry when I see someone in pain.
Sometimes I cry when I feel there is no more that I can do.
Sometimes I cry when I realize that I'm not invisible.
Sometimes I cry because I'm grateful.
Sometimes I cry because I feel so small.
Sometimes I cry.

 

Pumpkin Patch Kids!!!!!

Today we went to the Mt Home Pumpkin Patch. It was a very cool fall day, thank goodness no rain today!!! We rode on the Hayride, got to pet some little donkeys, work our way thru a corn maze, and best of all pick out a pumpkin to bring home...Kirk, Amy,Garrett, and Mallory meet up with us there......





I really love fall, its a time to draw your family near and start the fireplace, just being together and spending time doing the things that get overlooked. The beauty of the changing foliage is amazing, and its starting now!!!! So enjoy the weather this week and see what the Ozarks have to offer!!!










Darrell sitting on the hay waiting for some one to join him in a pic!!!!!

Healthy Ambitions!!!! with Dr Tammy Tucker

This week I joined Dr Tammy Tucker on her weekly show Healthy Ambitions to discuss Breast Cancer Awareness month. Check on the link listed below to see the session that we did. Dr Tucker was the first Dr that I went to when i found my lump, and she was so very quick to see that i was scheduled for a mammogram right away.

Please watch this interview and leave a comment on you thoughts about Breast Cancer!!!!

I would love to hear from the survivors,or if anyone that this is new to, and you need to talk to someone or have any questions I would love to hear from you.

Remember to have your mammograms and do your monthly self breast exams!!!! It could save your life!!


http://www.xl7tv.com/watch.php?link=http://www.xl7tv.com/shows/HealthyAmbitions/playlist.xml

SNAPSHOTS

 

earth to Brittany???

 

Crystal looking pretty

 

Chuck and Clint playing on the computer

 

Shannon taking it all in!!!

Nanas girls

 

Justice, such a cutie!!!!

 

Jainy, she has the most beautiful hair,,, just love those red curls and freckles

 

 

Charis on her 3rd birthday!!

Caily loses her first tooth!!!

 

CailyAnn recently lost her first tooth!!! She is so cute!!!

 

Papa gave her some money!!!! She just likes to smile and show her new style off..

 

Turkey Trot Parade!!!! Yelleville Ar.

This is the 4 H float,, really nice!!!

Red had ladies!!

Flippin High School Marching Band!!!!


only in Yellville would you find a ride like this one!!! gotta love it!!!

Today was the Turkey Trot Parade in Yellville Arkansas. Is was a cool 51 degrees, just perfect for a true fall festival, hot chocolate, drumsticks and funnel cakes were being enjoyed by the spectators. My focus was on the parade... The Flippin Band did a great job as they marched around the square and entertained the crowd. Eva Lauren looked so cute twirling her little Patton along with the other majorettes.

 

 

 

Mr Morris does a fabulous job with this group!!!

 

Jodi Picoult is my favorite writter!!!!

Here are just a few of her books that Ive read!

Saturday!!

 

 

 

Today I'm spending my day being domestic!! Doing house cleaning that Ive been putting off for a while, at least that how it started. Why an I rearranging furniture?? I guess because I can!

Monday is my first day back to work so I'm trying to get things in order before then. Wish me luck!!

I'm no super model but I loved these pic of the beach!!! Had a blast. We are making plans to spend Spring Break there!!

Breast Cancer Awareness!!!

Image by kimberlyfaye via Flickr<

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!!

I will be celebrating this month as a survivor. I will return to work on Monday after recovering from a bilateral mastectomy. I'm excited about getting my life back on tract and back to normal. I have enjoyed the latter part of my time off, spending time with my family and my trip to Florida.

Early detection is the Key!! please have your mammograms. I will be joining Dr. Tammy Tucker on Healthy Ambitions this month to share my story with the local people here in Baxter and Marion county.

Have a blessed week!!!

recap on Florida

I took my camera with me and took 800 pic!!! My camera got sick and I had to take it to the Canon Dr. It was allergic to sand!!! So I had to have it cleaned along with the lenses and my camera bag.. No more spots on my pic!!!

I had the greatest time!!!

I really loved spending time with Chase and Ashley!!!



Happy 2nd anniversary!!! you guys are great!!

Pensacola Beach

 

Coming home tuesday!!! Had a wonderful week on the beach, it was 95 today, and the humidity was soooo high!!!

Ready to get home to enjoy some fall weather and my family!!

 

 

 

having a wonderful time in Pensacola !!!

This week has just flown by!! We go to the beach each day and enjoy the sun and sand have an nice meal and end up at the condo to relax.

Pensacola has so many wonderful restaurants that would take a lifetime to enjoy.. Fort Pickens Beach is where we have spent most of our time. We took the tour of the early 1800 fort that still stands today!!

 

 

 

 

Pensacola Day One

Todday was our first day on the beach!! The weather was perfect, sunny and warm.

 

 

 

 

Vacation Time

www.lifeasaphoto.com

Today the Dr released me to return to work in two weeks!! But Wait I have a surprise!!

I'm going to Pensacola Florida in the morning!!!

I was invited to go with Chase and Ashley to her families condo!! I couldn't disappoint them so I said OK , yea right!!

I'm packed and ready to go!!!! I'm taking my laptop and camera so Ill be posting from sunny Florida the rest of the week.

I'm gonna miss the rest of my family but I'm looking forward to spending time with Chase ans Ashley

Randomness

My precious Ashley!

Chase loving his new hobby!!


Charis riding her bike at Papa and Nana's. I hope they will have memories of these times


Logan having fun with the sprinkler


my Dad, I love him so much!!

Awwww too cute !!


the love of my life, my rock,and my pillow!


Zach on the houseboat after a swim


Me doing one of my favorite things, just chillin!





Surprise!!! Its raining today!! My head is so full this morning that I could wright a book. The only thing I would never be able to have a title for it!! My mind is racing from trials of a teenage daughter, time with husband, needed time with grand babies, Dr apt Monday, fearing that It will hurt again this time!! Needing to get ready for my mini vacation, returning to work, and the list doesn't stop there..

Yesterday was the first time all summer that could ride the jet ski. I love all our boats but there is something about riding alone, having total control of where to go , how fast or how slow. I love to go slow and watch the deer come out of the woods for a drink of water. The shore line of Bull Shoals is amazing. It changes every year.

Monday the Doctor will tell me when I can go back to work. I'm going on 8 weeks post op. If I had a desk job or something less physical I probably could have gone back at 6 weeks. With a 20 inch incision across my chest with all tissue removed down to the chest wall it will takes a little longer to heal completely. But when you are a nurse in ICU life sometimes balances in your hands and you have to be ready for anything. I love the career that I have chosen. It requires that you stay on your toes and keep up with all the new and changing things as they come along.. The best thing is that as nurses you stick up for each other, support each other. I am so grateful for all the support that my department has given me during my time off.

 

 

 

 

Darrell and his babies

We have 8 grand babies and its not easy to get them all in one shot. This is proud papa before he had to leave and go to work.

 

he was getting smooches from Abby!!!

 

She was loving it too, she loves her Papa,

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Charis

We celebrated Charis's birthday at Papa and Nana's. She turned 3 today and had planned for a party at the park but the rain changed our plans. We were so excited that all our grand babies were all here tonight!! Its always a party when we all get together!!

Papa had to go to work but he did get to see them all before he left.. I know it was hard for him to leave:(

 

she was so cute blowing out her candles!!

 

feeding Dad a bite

 

 

She had lots of balloons which they all had fun playing with!!!
Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!!!

Rainy days = Layouts

It has rained for the past 2 days here in Bull Shoals Arkansas so Ive been staying inside and playing in my Scrapbook Room. I'm not an expert scrapper but I enjoy it, and that's what its all about, RIGHT!

Eva Lauren is by far my favorite person to scrap. I guess its because she is my baby and the only one still at home. Its been a difficult year of getting photos of her, she is going thru that "teen-age thing" :(

 

This is her Happy Face!

 

This is my Dad on July 4, we also call that his Birthday because his real Birthday is Dec 26! He is 72 now, still hanging out on the river every chance that he gets.

 

Logan is one of the easiest ones to make a layout of because he always has an action shot photo. This little one never slows down.. This page says Play hard. Non Stop Action. NO Limits!! SO So true!!

 

Darrell is working again tonight. I really miss him when he is gone. Ill spend the evening being ignored by my daughter and reading a good book. I'm a Jodi Picoult fan, Ive read at least 5 of them so far!!! She is so talented!!!! If anyone wants to borrow one just let me know!!

On a Wing and a Prayer

On a Wing and a Prayer

I’ll never forget that fateful day
When I heard the doctors say
We have bad news, the tests are in
I suddenly lost my happy grin.

They said don’t fret, but to no avail
We will get through this..we will not fail
There is no choice, we must stand tall
And beat this thing, once and for all

Three months have passed and I am weak
My body tired, my soul so bleak
I will get through this that I know
But at this moment, it does not show

I want to rest my weary fears
And pretend for a moment that I don’t care
To carry them all through the day
Just makes it harder…please go away

Four months have passed and I am bright
My cheery soul shines through the night
I think I’ve beat this monsters grip
My strength and courage, I came equipped

Today’s the day they’ll tell me so
You’ve beat this thing…one month to go
Let’s sing and dance the night away
I’m happy now…so won’t you stay

I always knew right from the start
I would prevail…for I’ve got heart
They said don’t fret…what did they know
I had to prove it was my show

I fought this beast and now I’ve won
Thank you mommy…said my son
I don’t know what I would have done
For it was all or merely none

I' ve shown such strength and through it all
I never wavered, I stood so tall
I made it through, from there to here
All because of a wing and a prayer

Copyright © 2008 RG/Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation

sunset

We had a great day today. I never left the house !! Family came over for fish fry, everything was really good. I'm not a big fish eater but Darrell really knows how to cook them. Got to see grand babies !!

Feeling better this week. I decided that I was trying to do to much to soon, so I'm taking it easy and I can tell the difference.

 

 

Texas eye candy!!!

I know that some of my co workers have noticed that I some good looking nephews. Well your right,, I found these snapshots that I thought you might enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

Brothers, Aaron, Luke, Zach,

I love collages

 

 

 

 

My babies

I had the opportunity to keep Logan and Charis while their parents were teaching tonight... I love spending time with them.. All kids are better when their parents are not around so I really get to enjoy them on these special days!! I don't know who had more fun, them or me?

 

 

 

Garrett and Mallory

This afternoon the sun came out so I picked Mal and Garrett up and went to the park. I'm so glad that they are here!!

Mal pie didn't mind that I had the camera on her at all!

 

They are so cute!!

 

 

 

Garrett was having a great time, so was I...

lazy day & layouts

Today was a slow restful day of lounging at home!! It rained most of the day. I cooked a big dinner including double chocolate cake for desert!

Found out that our squirrel is staying on the dock !!! So I guess that we will need to feed him all winter!!!

Pulled up a couple of layouts that I haven't posted yet. These are of my grand daughters except Justyce is missing...I'll work on her page soon.

These pages are spectacular by no means, but I'm making each grand child a scrapbook of their own!!!

 

 

 

 

The Swimming Squirrel

Darrell and I went for a spin on the lake just before sunset to enjoy this beautiful evening. The lake was so peaceful and calm, it was like the whole lake was ours. I just love it when its like that..Its one of my favorite things that we do together!

 

 

We saw this little fella swimming his heart out, at first we didn't know what it was, and realized that it was a squirrel. It was swimming in circles and so far from the shore...We decided that we would rescue it... No net in the boat, so I leaned over and put out a mesh bag and this little thing held on to it and came inside the boat... Of course at this time I couldn't help remember Christmas Vacation where the squirrel jumps out of the Christmas tree and causes such havoc on the house!!!! The poor thing was so exhausted that it did not move.. We put this little thing in the bag and took him back to the dock where we let him go!!

 

 

Schautzie was in the boat the whole time and never realized that anything was going on. We were at the dock and she still didnt know we had this squirrel.

Hopefully we did this fella a favor and didnt screw up his whole day!!! Who knows ????

Good bye Labor Day !!!

 

Well Labor day has come and gone and I'm left with a sense of contentment. I spent time with my family and it was for some reason more relaxing and calm. Kelli spent allot of quality time with each family member and wasn't distracted about other issues in her life. There was time for everyone to do what they wanted without it feeling rushed. We managed to covered all the bases fishing and canoeing on The White River, One day on the Lake and one day at home just chillin and watching old movies.

Having Kirk and Amy live here makes things so much better, I just love getting to see Garrett and Mallory each day. Kirk likes to grill so we go to their house and have BBQ. Amy is working on her Doctorate and driving to Springfield every week. My hat is sure off to her..

Now I start looking forward to the next holiday. Tomorrow Eva Lauren goes back to school so Darrell and I have plans on going fishing after he gets home from work and has a little rest.

Until next time !! And I have strict orders to take it easy this week. I have been having pain because Ive been over doing things..I'm now 6 weeks post OP and I know where my limits are... Its just hard to stick to them. So no power washing this week:(

Texas Ladies !!!!!

My Lil Sis and Becky came up from Texas to spend the Labor day weekend with us... We said rain or shine we were gonna have a good time and that's what we are doing!!!!

As things have worked out its been a girls weekend!!!! My honey pie is working nights and sleeping days. So us girls have watched chick flicks ate ice cream, had pedicures, and Becky has done her magic pampering that she loves to do!!!

We have caught Bass on the lake, and Daddy took Becky and Kelli fishing this am an they caught trout!!! That's pretty exciting for these city slickers!!!!

 

Here is Becky after dinner with Kirk and Amy!!! BBQ was great!!!

 

This is what Texas ladies look like all the time, when they wake up in the morning all their make up and hair is all done!!! I guess Ive been away to long..

 

Kelli enjoying the hammock. She really looks pretty,,It feels so nice to have her here if only for the weekend!!!! Its a long trip to Texas, I'm so glad that she is willing to make it anyway

 

now if we could find her a handsome gentleman and a good reason to move up here!!!!(shes gonna kill me)

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

I just finished this book that was passed along to me from a dear Friend, I really loved this book , it was short and right to the point. I will now try and have my teenage daughter read this book then we will continue to pass it around!!!!.

It was really a great read. Very motivating.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Book Review: The Noticer by Andy Andrews (momblognetwork.com)

My cancer update !!

Hello, well its time for my breast cancer up date!! I'm 5 weeks post operative double mastectomy. My incisions are pretty much healed, and the pain is much better than before. I have the strength to make it almost all day. I cant lift anything very heavy, but now I can sleep on my sides!!! I'm not having any trouble with self image. I have gone from a DD to nothing and I'm OK with that!!! It is actually easier to be flat chested than bald which I was just a year ago after my Chemotherapy. Sometimes I just wonder when it will end?? The lump that was in the right breast was once again invasive ductal cell carcinoma !!! How on earth did it survive all the torture that I put myself through to get rid of it and it survived...

With no breast tissue and no estrogen I hope that I can stamp out this once and for all!!!! I wake up each day and know how blessed that I am!! I'm a survivor, I will win this fight, I will not give up, not now and not 10 years from now.

little cuttie

 

what a little cutie pie!!

 

 

While I was taking her picture I mentioned that I was old and couldn't get around as fast as she could. She looked at me real serious and said "your not real old like a granny" so I said really, how old do you think I am??? She thought about it a second and said "old like 12". I guess to a 5 year old if she knew how old I really am would scare her to death !!!

Rainbow Drive Resort

The bait shop was so cute,,, and Clinton was so attentive as always,, I think he really like what hes doing!!

 

I loved this bench,, some people are so talented!!

 

 

 

Clinton rigging our poles up for the great catch

Catching Bass

 

Today we went out again on the lake and enjoyed the beautiful morning.. This is the first bass that I caught,, Darrell wouldn't let me bring him home :(

 

 

It didn't take long until Darrell caught one!!!! Mine was bigger!!!!

 

No trip on the lake would be complete without Schautzie!!