A few changes

I've been thinking about making a few changes to my blog lately and this morning I woke up and decided it is time!

When I first started blogging, I followed some of my chat friends here. They all knew me by my chat nic - Punkn. So it was only natural to name my blog Punkn's Place. Somehow, though, I've evolved away from Punkn and back into Deanna. And what do I write about? I write about the loves of my life, my husband, children, grandchildren, parents, friends and about my life. So, I've changed the name of my blog to My loves, My life. I hope you like it.

So far I've kept the changes simple - just a name change and new simple background. But who knows what tomorrow will bring...

An apple for the Prez

In the 1980’s I worked in the Missouri Governor’s Office for then Governor, John Ashcroft. Many of you will recognize the name as our US Attorney General not too many years back. I realize he wasn’t exactly popular and many didn’t agree with his position on things, but that isn’t what this babbling is about, so I won’t go there.

My job title was Fiscal Officer. A better title would have been Low (Wo)man on the Totem Pole of Senior Staff. I never knew what the challenge of the day would be.

See the picture of then Governor Ashcroft presenting a paper mache apple to then President Reagan? That was one of the challenges of the day.

Education seemed to be the platform of every politician in the 80’s. Ashcroft presented himself as the Education Governor. So when Ronald Reagan was coming to Missouri for a visit, Gov. Ashcroft decided he wanted to present him with a LARGE apple. You know, an apple for the teacher… Unfortunately he decided this only four days before the President was to visit.

Since dear hubby (who I get so much mileage out of in this blog) was an art teacher, it was only natural for the Gov. to ask him to make the apple. Jim is not one to shy away from a challenge! He bought one of those big bouncy balloon balls, took it into school with him and he and his students made a paper mache apple. Now anyone who has ever worked with paper mache knows it takes time for each layer of paper to dry. They had fans going day and night to dry the pasted paper as it was applied thin layer after thin layer. His students thought it was cool to be part of making something to give to the President of the United States and showed up before school, during lunch hours, free periods and after school to work on this apple. Jim put the final touches on it, painting it candy apple red and lettering #1 Teacher.

This beautiful apple was presented to Reagan at one of the local high school’s assembly, but only after it had been x-rayed by the Secret Service. I didn’t get to go to many of the high profile events, but this is one I got to attend (do you think it had anything to do with the fact that hubby came through in a pinch?) Dang I was proud of that apple. And as the President boarded Air Force One, he was carrying the apple. How’s them apples…

I had no idea a photo was sent to Reagan for a personal message to Jim. Hot diggidy! A signed photo of President Reagan! Or is it… I don’t think we’ll ever know for sure. Is the signature real or a robo-signature? What do you think?

Rain… Forest…

                  

I was hoping for a speck of sunshine so I could snap a nice bright picture of the marriage of my red buds and dogwood trees.  The contrast of the two always amaze me.

But…. NO sunshine - so for today you get only a soggy picture with a promise of sunny day pictures SOON (I hope).

And what you also get is a dose of where my mind goes when it rains for too long of a time – and that my friends is the Rainforest of Dominica.  Imagine trees forming a canopy so thick overhead that even though it is raining, you aren’t getting wet.  That is a rain forest.  The water in the stream leading to the waterfall was crystal clear.  The scenery overlooking the countryside as we strayed from the beaten path was breathtaking.

So, on this oh so dreary, rainy day, I thought it would be nice to share some of my Dominica Rainforest pictures.  I hope you enjoy them.

I walked the narrow path to behind the waterfall for this picture.  Why I didn’t take a picture of the path is beyond me, but I didn’t…  I was scared at first – the path was a combination of small and boulder type rocks and they were WET.  I expected to slip and slide all the way, but strangely, the rocks were not slick at all.  I am a chicken at heart when it comes to things like this, so I was secretly proud of myself for venturing forward.  I was disappointed nobody took a picture of me proudly standing under the waterfall.  But, I can’t blame Jim this time… I had the camera.  Proof is the picture of him that I took from my side of the waterfall.

My new best friend

I don’t know if any of you have noticed or not, but I’ve been posting more pictures on my blog lately. I used to dread posting more than one or two photos because you had to be careful to get them in the right order. If not, and you did the dastardly deed of moving them around, then they would no longer enlarge when clicked on. Arghh!

The answer? Windows Live Writer. When you use Windows Live Writer, blogging is a breeze. Inserting photos is especially easy. You just click on the photo icon, and then brows for your photos like normal. The neat thing is if you want to insert multiple photos, hold the alt key on your keypad and click each photo you want to insert. You then have the option of photos in a line or a photo album. Once the photos load (and this happens quickly) you can move them and resize them to your heart’s content. You can also insert hyperlinks, maps, tags, & movies.

Inserting a hyperlink is as easy as clicking on the hyperlink icon in the toolbar and pasting in the link URL and name.

It took me a bit to figure out when I wanted to edit a paragraph that I needed to double click in the area I want to edit. Each paragraph, image, etc. is put in its own separate box. Once you are done with your post you can Publish it or Save it as a draft for later publishing. Those options are in the top toolbar.

I first learned of Windows Live Writer while reading Southern Hospitality's blog. She devotes her blog to decorating, cooking, and gardening. She has some great ideas. I couldn't find the exact link at first, but thanks to Iggy (see his comment) I am able to point you to her blog entry that lead me to this application. She doees a really good job explaining Writer. Thank you Rhoda!

If you are interested in trying my new best friend out for a drive, just click here and click on the DOWNLOAD button to the right. When you click download you get options of features to download, I only clicked on the Window Live Writer because that is all I wanted.

Let me know what you think… and if I find out everyone is already using this and haven’t shared with me and I’m the only one in blog land not using this, then I’m going to stomp right out of here!!!!!!!

HAPPY BLOGGING!

My world yesterday

There are no words to describe yesterday.  At least not in my limited vocabulary.  It was so peaceful as I took my much needed walk.

 

I could hear our recently acquired hoot owl off in the distance.  Over the many years we have lived here, every once in awhile one of those mysterious creatures take up residence with us.  This big fellow was sitting on our corner fence post at dusk the other evening and we’ve been hearing him ever since.  As I was thinking about how forlorn and yet comforting the hoot hoot was, a shadow darkened the sky above me.  I looked up to see a gorgeous red tail hawk riding on the breeze.  All I could think was, “God is good”. 

If you ask me at the end of summer what my favorite time of year is, I will answer without question – “FALL!”  But ask me today after a long dreary winter what my favorite time of the year is and I’m telling you very firmly it is SPRING!

Here are a few photos I took yesterday when I should have been hoofing it to burn off those many sins of winter.  I hope you enjoy them.

I was ready to snap this red bud bloom picture and out of the blue I got a visitor.  How special is that?  I think my friend the honey bee posed quite prettily.

Oh, did I mention that I love Spring?

Fashion statement

If it weren’t for my pension for giggling, I could have gotten a lot of mileage out of this one.  But noooooo!  I had to give it away by first giggling a little and then snorting.

Something is up with that man of mine.  First he throws away a perfectly good shirt, then he buys himself a new pair of jeans.  You heard me right – a NEW pair of jeans!  And he puts them on for Easter.  Knock me over with a feather.

But wait… what’s that…. hehehehe, wait until the kids see it…. lol snort, snort.  “What am I giggling at?  Oh nothing, dear.”  Oh heck, he’s on to me.  “Hang on, just let me get the camera and then I’ll tell you, dear.”

There ya have it.  How does the saying go?  You might be a red neck if…

It’s not meant to be

I dream of getting a good photo of all of my grandchildren together.  Is it too much to ask?  How do the professionals  do it?  I try every trick I know.  I first get the older ones assembled.  Then at the last minute we bring in the wiggle worms.  This time I am missing one of the grandkids (he was with his mom), but here is how it went…

Not too bad for first try.  At least Reagan (the youngest) is looking at the camera.  Now if we can just wake Dakota up, get James and Austin to sit still, and talk Allen into looking forward.

Utoh.  Reagan is on the move.  Great smile Austin, even Anna thinks so.  Pssst Anna… look at the camera.  James, quit eating.

Austin!  Quit that!  You’re face will freeze like that.  James sit still!  Who gave Reagan a piece of paper?  Great smile Cara and Travis.  Dakota you are sitting so nice. 

The camera Travis, the camera… Emily will take care of Reagan.  Oh dear, Reagan is not happy… anybody else want to try holding her.  James!  Sit still I say!  Cara, Allen can watch himself, thank you very much.  Dakota, hun, you are still sitting nice but a smile would help….

Oh my.  Things are getting totally out of control.  Did you find what you are looking for Dakota.  Yes, Emily, I can see she is a handful.  Travis, you aren’t helping matters at all.  James!  Sit still!  You are being so patient Anna, Austin, Allen and Cara.  Keep those smiles coming.

Ok Travis.  Let’s see if you can handle Reagan.  Jamesie… please hun.  Sit still! Who gave that child candy?  Allen?  You have candy too?  Please look at the camera everyone!

Did we lose you Austin?  James!  Sit still!!!  Allen… Allen!

I know you’ve had enough James.  But if you would just sit still and look at me one time, we would be done.  Allen?  Allen!

Ok, I got Allen back.  Cara? You poor thing.  You’ve been sitting so nice and sweet.  And look at Dakota, Anna and Emily.  Picture after picture they are is sitting perfectly.

Ah, we got Cara back.  Never have had James, yet.  James!!!!!

I love that tootless grin, Anna.  Austin’s not too sure about it, though.  JAMES!!!!! I cannot believe how perfect you’ve been sitting Dakota.  Travis keep doing what you are doing with Reagan.  It seems to be working.

What happened?  What’s so funny?  I agree with Dakota… his hands say it all.  JAMES!

HELLOOOOOO!  The camera is this way… JAMES!  We told you no more  candy!

Oh dear.  We got James… are those JuJu Bears sticking to your teeth dear?  Austin?  where  did you get candy now?

Wake up, Dakota.  We’re almost done.  Allen and James, pay attention.  Austin, pop that in your mouth and look this way.

JAMES WILLIAM!!!! Austin… what kind of look is that?  Yes, I see you have chocolate on your hand.  You are being so good Dakota and Anna.  Allen, look up hun.  Keep up the good job with Reagan, Travis.  Emily and Cara are doing the side ways glance look.

Look at the camera, Cara.  Austin and James…. please……

                 

I’ll bet you thought I’d end this post with one frame worthy photo.  Wrong…  Next year I’m going to hire a professional.  I swear I will….

I hope everyone had a nice Easter.  I’m going to go pitch my camera now (surely it is the camera’s fault I didn’t get a single good picture).  Will be back later.