Osteoporosis update...

I went for my annual physical earlier this month, and finally got all my lab results back.  Last year, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis.  I was depressed.  I did not want to go on any of the medicines because the side effects are not the greatest.  Warren did research, and said a low oxalate diet might help.  It was not a very fun diet, because it seems you cannot eat much of anything.  I did it for the year.  

Well, my bone density showed a 3% improvement.  Not a lot, but hey, it isn't worse.

I, also, have a high cholesterol...it is usually around 230 or so.  My cholesterol was 176...in the normal range.  So the good news is that the diet is working.  The bad news is that it means I will have to stay on the diet.  Actually, I am kind of used to it by now, so I do not think it will be so bad.  It is better than taking the medicine.  And I do not have to have another bone density until 2 more years.  Yeah!

Fun stuff...

I came across a blog I totally fell in love with called Kim Klassen dot com. http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/.  It is mainly about photography, but I love her subtle textures, quotes, and photo art.  She even has some tutorials.  I like this lady.  I leave her blog feeling better,  encouraged, and with a lighter heart.  I tried my hand at one of her "recipes" for adding a texture, then added my own quote.  

Then one more experiment with textures and quote.

I took these little daisy like flowers at the Smith Bird Sanctuary.  These are little...no more than 1/2 inch, but are they not the cutest flowers ever!

Girls trip to San Antonio...

"Girls just want to have fun." -from the movie, 1985

Maria wanted to know if I wanted to come along when she took her girls and their two friends for two fun-filled days in San Antonio at the Schillitterbahn, and Six-flags.  I said,"Yes."  I can count on one hand the times I have had actual girl trips.  It is a pretty rare thing for me.  Maria rented a van, so we could all ride in comfort.

The girls, minus Maria and me. 

She drove, and I was the navigator.  If you know me, you know I am a pitiful navigator, but we did make it there. Lucky for us!

Ms. Maria was a great driver and travel agent.  She planned things so well.

She said this was going to be a trip "on the cheap."  She reserved one room (for all six of us) at the Drury Inn & Suites.  The little girls were on an air mattress on the floor.  If you have not stayed at the Drury Inn, then you need to check it out.  The beds were comfortable, with lots of pillows.  They have a full buffet for breakfast, and hot meal for supper.  They, also, give you a voucher for 3 free drinks (alcoholic) at night.  I didn't use mine.  Maria took a cooler with food for sandwiches, and snacks for the road, and Schilitterbahn.  There was not a lot left by the time we got home.  In fact, in four days, the only money we spent on food was for ice cream cones.  I thought that was pretty remarkable.

We got there in 7 hours.  That, too, was pretty remarkable.  We only stopped for gas, and bathroom breaks.  The nice thing was we got there so early, we had time to walk down the River Walk and go shopping!  In fact, we went shopping every night.

Lots of great deals at Victoria's Secret.  We went there all three nights, and came home with merchandise every time.

One of the shops had these fun mirrors.  I wish I really was this skinny!

 You cannot go to San Antonio without going to see the Alamo! "Remember the Alamo!"

Loved this at night!

Now with me in front. 

Eden and Amber in front of one of the fun stores.

We were excited to hit the Schlitterbahn.  It has three water parks, but we only made two before we were exhausted.

Courtney enjoying lunch at Schilitterbahn.

Daughter and mother.  Too cute!

Me.

This was my favorite ride: the lazy river!

That night we ate, which pretty much revived us, so we went shopping again.  When we got home we checked out the hotel pool on the 23rd floor.  What wonderful cityscapes from up there!

San Antonio skyline.

Skyline on the other side.  I loved the two churches that are in the front.  Such beautiful lights.

 The two youngest girls swam, and the rest of us chilled out.

They all were looking at their cell phones.  I asked them to look up so I could get a better picture.

Reflected light. 

Me in front of the skyline.  

 The next day we hit Six Flags.  I did not ride these rides.  I just waited, and took pictures while I was waiting.  It was so hot that day!  This was their first ride.  I as very happy to wait for them.

This does not look like fun to me.

I told the girls they had to wave, so I could find them on the rides.  I never knew when they would be on the ride since some of the lines were long.  Here they are in the front of the picture, doing what they were told...waving.  This ride took you up to the top, then released the cars. They went super fast and around all these frightening loops.  I was glad to be on the ground, again.

There they are waving!

Look at those faces.

 Nice waterfalls, cute girls.

Same girls only with Maria this time.

Maria and I both sat out this ride.  It takes the people to the top, then drops them, and repeats this about 4 times.  I rather take pictures.  Unfortunately, the only girl visible was Courtney.  The other girls were on the other side where I could not get them in a photo.

This did not look like fun either, but the girls loved all these crazy, wild rides.  Kudos to them.

Courtney waits in anticipation.

Going up.

Most of them took naps on our way home to Roswell.  It was such a grand time!  Thanks for inviting me to come along.

Look at Eden's arm wrapped in the seat belt.  I have no clue why.  

Diamonds are a girl's best friend...

When Warren and I were looking for wedding rings before we got married, he asked me if I wanted a diamond.  I did not.  I do too many things with my hands that may ruin a diamond.  Besides, I would constantly be worrying about loosing it.  Then, on our 25th anniversary, he asked me the same thing.  My answer was still "no."  Today, when I was looking for some poses for seniors, I found a photograph that is my favorite kind of diamond.

Photo taken by Northrop photo. http://www.flickr.com/photos/northropphoto/

Yeah for softball! 

Night photography...

"I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day." -Vincent Van Gogh

I am taking a night photography class from Candice Stringham on the Jessica Sprague website, http://www.jessicasprague.com.  It has been fun and challenging.  During the second week, we learned how to shoot star trails.  So far, I have not completed this part of the homework, because it involves going out in the middle of nowhere, and taking photos for about 1 to 2 hours of the stars as they travel around the North Star.  I have not convinced Warren to go with me, and I do not want to go by myself for safety reasons.  I cannot image why he does not want to go out at 10:00 at night, and sit for all those hours while I capture God's glory.
Here is what the star trails will look like, if I ever get it done.

Photo by Candice Stringham from Night photography class,  http://www.jessicasprague.com

This week we are working on night portraiture.  I absolutely love the effect.  Too bad Roswell does not have more scenic downtown sites.  Warren was willing to be my subject on this photo assignment, especially when I told him it would not take longer than 30 minutes.  What a good sport.

Warren.  On the right, you can see the lights from the street.  Love the Bokeh, and my subject.  Just used ambient light.

Warren again.  This time I used an external flash with it pointed away to bounce on the overhang in front of him.  

I definitely want to try more of these photos, especially since I messed up on my shutter speed.   I was not paying attention to my shutter speed, which was a little too slow, so they are slightly blurry.  My mind was on my ISO trying to get it as low as possible, and still get a good exposure.  Next time I will pay attention to everything.  

Mark & Amber...

Mark and Amber will soon be taking a big leap in their lives...they are moving to Boulder, Colorado.  Mark quit his job, and will be going back to school to learn computer programming.  He has big plans in mind, and is hoping to find employment in Denver.  This is going to be a big change for Oliver.  He is a beach boy...acclimated to the California lifestyle.

Beach Boys.  Mark and Oliver.

Chilling out.

I bet Oliver is as spoiled as our cat.

King of the couch.

Tummy time.

Little does he know what is ahead for him...snow.  

I think Oliver is going to be in trouble when winter comes in Colorado.  They have a lot of snow.  He's used to the beach.  You can find him on the beach, since he is a different color than the sand.  How is he going to be found in the snow?  He's going to blend right in.  Maybe Mark and Amber should tie a helium balloon to his collar, so they will be able to spot him quickly.  

Mark & Amber recently went to Boulder to find an apartment.  They accomplished their goal, and sent pictures of the area.  So cool.  I actually got pictures.  Thank you, guys, for sending them.  I love pictures.

Boulder, here I come.

The mountains.

Cool sun rays falling on this handsome couple.  

More gorgeous scenery.

Afternoon storm.  

This picture Amber sent because she thought Mark looked more like his dad here.  Hmmm.  I don't know.  Maybe.

Handsome dude no matter who he looks like.  

The big move will be August 13.  Keep them in your prayers as they take this big leap of faith.

Some ramblings...

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts.  Untie the ribbons." -Ruth Ann Schubacker

Today, I am posting about a lot of different things.  Like I said, "ramblings." First, we have lost a lot of things in these past few weeks.  During our leak disaster in our master bathroom,  we used the boys bathroom.  I took out my earrings, and placed them on the counter.  One morning, I went to put them on, and there was only one earring.  These were the ones Luke and Jordan got me for Mother's day, and have become my second favorite earrings.  I figured the cat took it.  I looked and looked for it, asked Warren everyday if he found it.  No luck.  Several weeks later, I found it nicely tucked under a rug along with the top of Warren's contact case.  My favorite pair of silver earrings have, also, come up missing.  Note to self...do not leave out shiny objects where the cat can get them.  I still have NOT found them, so I bought new ones.  My favorite white sweatshirt is missing.  I may have to buy one of those, too.  No clue where it is, and Warren has lost his handicap placard.  What is happening aroung here?  Hopefully, these things will turn up.  We sure like the handicap placard.  We are spoiled now.

I finally drove the new Land Cruiser today!  Warren had to help me figure out some of the bells and whistles.  And the camera to make sure you do not hit anything is hard for me to figure out spacially when I come into the garage.  That might not be so good. I tend to ding things when I am in the garage. Oh my, I love it, though.  Here is the compromise Warren and I came up with for driving it.  We each get to drive it for two months at a time.  He has July/August, and I will get Sept/ Oct, and so on.  I volunteered to drive it all the time, but he said,"No."

My granddaughter wanted to do face painting when she came over this week.  We looked at images on the web, and found one she liked.  I think her face painting mirrors the design on her sweatshirt.

See how her design looks like the wings on the heart on the front of here shirt.  

What a pretty little girl.

E wanted to pose this way.

 
Our photography club had a tour of the Dean Baldwin Airplane paint factory here.  It was very interesting.

Me in the place where the engine goes on this DC 10.  I kind of match the color with my shirt and slacks.  

I am taking a night photography course from my favorite website: jessicasprague.com.  It is very interesting, and I love the photos I have taken. These pictures were taken about 8:30-9:00 at night, so you can get the nice blue effect in the sky.  I just hate standing on the street corners taking pictures, though. It is kind of scary, and I try to stay alert to what is going on around me.  I take my gun just in case.  I think taking Warren would be better, but so far I have not been able to entice him to go with me.

The silver dome.  They have bands and dancing in the dome.  I do not know what it was used for originally.  Some kind of Grain????

Main Street

The lights on the middle right are from a Fire Truck.  I like the contrast of the blue sky, and the red street.

More Main Street

I really liked this building.  Looks like an old, old store.

Buildings on Main Street

I think I might be caught up on the new of what is happening around here.  Now if I could get caught up on my laundry.  There is always laundry.  Guess I better go put in a load.  Later...