I Heart Faces Week 21 Photo Challenge

I really love this photo of Sarah. I am entering it into this weeks challenge at I Heart Faces. It is open to amateurs and pros. The only specifics required are a face and the color yellow. This post will be linked to the website with the other entries. Click on the camera to see other entries. Wish me luck!!

The Performance

Ahhh. Big sigh of relief the recital is over. It was a great show. There is such a variety of dances. Tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop and more. It makes the show fly by. The costumes are bright the music is fun and it is very entertaining. The girls did a beautiful job. It is fun for me to sit in the audience and run backstage to help her change. I get to see the show from both sides. All of the grandparents were there with flowers to give her after the show. The auditorium was full of family and friends who clapped and cheered. After the last number all of the dancers come out for a bow. It is all over now until next year. My favorite shot is the mid air leap. That was just luck and holding the shutter down. Today was a hot summer day and she begged to go swimming. She is totally ready for summer and so am I. We have one more full week and then a few snow days.

Studio One Showase 2010 Photo Shoot

Forgive me for all of these pictures but I could not resist. This is our big dance recital weekend. We have dress rehearsal and the show. Sarah is in two dances. One is a jazz number. The other is very cute tap dance to the tune "Honey Man" Thus the big yellow flowers. We work all year for this big event. This is a bus,y crazy, fun time. Getting dressed for the stage is a deal complete with hair and makeup. Of course I have to do my own photo shoot of the costumes. We set up a little area on the back porch. I would love to invest in some nice backdrops for portraits. This is a small kit I have and it worked very well. Sarah willingly posed for a while. At a certain point she refused to smile again. We were done. I love these pictures. They were so much fun to play with. I have tried a variety of editing finishes on them. She did a fabulous job last night at rehearsal. I will post those pictures separately.

The Joy of Scrapbooking

This week I had the great pleasure of making a scrapbook for someone. I have subbed for Cara Cochran for the past two years. She has been an incredible friend and mentor. This lady is a true example of being the hands and feet of God. Cara welcomed me to the ALC with open arms. She is retiring this year after 25 years of special education teaching. I was given a bag of photos spanning those 25 years. I sorted and organized by themes. It was very cool to see the many faces of students and people through the years. The hairstyles and clothes change with time but her smile did not. We had a celebration lunch this week and I presented it to her. She has given 110% to each child. I am thankful for the opportunity to witness it. The ALC will not be the same with out her. We plan to keep in touch with face book and text messages. I know she will have great advice as I begin the social work thing.

What's in your bag?

This is just a fun copy cat from photojojo. It's a cool photography site with ideas and gadgets to play with. Someone on flickr has tons of photos of strangers and the contents of their bag. Each is unique. Also a good excuse to photograph a new really cute bright spring purse. It's all about capturing the mundane everyday stuff in the scrapbook world lately. The two necessary items pictured are the reading glasses and paperback book. I don't leave home without them.

The 40D is back from the shop. Canon replaced the shutter assembly under warranty. It will be going on ebay soon. It is up for grabs to family and friends first. This is going for $700 on ebay currently. Let me know asap if you want to work out a deal. All of the original items are included. The battery grip is brand new with a spare battery.

If you have not already I would love for you to friend the art studio on facebook. I am administrator for the site. I hope this will be good advertising for Dianne. Summer is hard for the store. Everyone drops classes for the summer and sales go way down. I truly love these ladies and enjoy my time there.

Random Stuff

Lots of wonderful things are in bloom at the moment. Charlotte has roses, irises, and lots more in bloom. I took a few pics yesterday. Big storms were predicted so I tried to photograph them before they were destroyed. The roses smell like heaven. I would snap a shot and deeply inhale then repeat.

I just finished working out. There is nothing like the zen of step choreography to clear your mind. I bought the new Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown DVD this week. I totally love it. It is a true challenge. Several poses I simply can not do. Unfortunately the SWAT Workout with Commander Tom I also bought is terrible. He should really be ashamed that Jillian beats his workout with Yoga.

I went for a check up the other day with Dr. Brashears. I am the poster child for good health at 40 something. He applauds my numbers like cholesterol and stuff. Mike says I will live to be 100. I say a big truck will find me first. I sincerely hope Jesus comes back way before then. My blood pressure was the lowest one they have recorded yet. I usually have a low blood pressure but 92/40 is the lowest one yet. It seems odd to me because I have not changed anything to cause that. He says that is just normal for me.

No word back from UALR yet. I did get my MAT scores back. I am pleased to report a 93%. Apparently studying really does work. I'm thrilled to know I did not waste all of that time reviewing. That should help me get a spot. I meet and exceed all of the requirements. I hope to get some word any day now.

Mike is busy doing yard work and working on his Bronco. He has been researching cars lately. He and Jamie are scoping out potential rides for his first car. Mike is also thinking about a smaller more efficient car for me if I begin to commute to UALR in the fall.

Sarah just finished her science project for school. She is practicing hard for her upcoming dance recital. It will be fabulous as always. She brought out one of her costumes in a sandwich baggie this week. I was like -what part of your body does that cover? Think a one piece swimsuit with a skirt. It covers more than I thought thank goodness. Her hair has grown so long it is beginning to drive us both crazy. She is very active it has become to hard to take care of.

Jamie is still pumped about high school next year. He hopes to spend more time with percussion in the band. The director has told him he can play a variety of instruments during marching season. Mr. Hillman stopped by his science class the other day to tell students about biology next year. Jamie thinks he is awesome and can't wait to be in his class.

Caty's Prom

I had the privilege to photograph Caty and her date Jordan before they left for the prom. Jordan is a senior at Bauxite and he invited Caty as his date. The dress was an incredible shade of turquoise. She was gooooorgeous to say the least. I am sure the other girls were pea green with envy. I hope Jordan treated her like a queen. Our kids are growing up way too fast. That's all I can say.