We have been getting a lot of snow up here in Maine. It is gorgeous up here when it snows and that part I love. But since we have lived here, the electric has gone out 3 times. I will be the first to admit it, I take electricity for granted! I love electricity.
Sunday night, the electric went out again right before we went to sleep. You may be thinking that 'it would be nice to sleep through the blackout' but that is not the case for me. I need noise. Fan. Heater. Anything. I can't sleep in silence. Silence is too nerve wracking for me to sleep through.
I don't know why the silence bothered me so much. I don't think watching the TV shows I like help much. I love watching Criminal Minds, Cold Case, etc... The fan makes the little sounds go unnoticed and without the fan they are amplified. As Aaron slept the night away, I was convincing myself someone was coming up the stairs to get me.
The electric did come on Monday around 2:00 pm. And as of this morning there are still 15,000 people in Brunswick without electricity. Thank goodness we are not one of those homes. I don't think my nerves could take it!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Very Much A Beginner
As most of you know I have been taking photos for a little over a year now. I have read lots of photography books, photography magazines and have taken,what I think, are a lot of pictures. Although I have learned a lot, the truth is, I haven't even scratched the surface of photography! But I am loving the process of figuring it all out.
I have gotten good shots here and there because I got lucky. I am starting to put into practice what I have learned and have gotten a few shots lately that I have 'set up'. I am really excited about this! There is still so much to learn about my camera but I can't wait until the day when most of my shots were because of the camera settings I choose and the location I picked out.
Until that time comes, I am also learning that Photoshop is not the enemy. I know there are a lot of purest out there who think a great photo should be because of your camera, lens and skills. I can see why they feel this way. But I believe with a little help (even if it is from Photoshop), a great photo can be a fantastic photo!
I can't take credit for taking this photo of my niece, Sydney, My sister Nickie took the photo. I actually quite love this photo! I have however been experimenting with Photoshop to make slight changes in the photo. What do you think of the edits I made?
Original.
Edited.
I have gotten good shots here and there because I got lucky. I am starting to put into practice what I have learned and have gotten a few shots lately that I have 'set up'. I am really excited about this! There is still so much to learn about my camera but I can't wait until the day when most of my shots were because of the camera settings I choose and the location I picked out.
Until that time comes, I am also learning that Photoshop is not the enemy. I know there are a lot of purest out there who think a great photo should be because of your camera, lens and skills. I can see why they feel this way. But I believe with a little help (even if it is from Photoshop), a great photo can be a fantastic photo!
I can't take credit for taking this photo of my niece, Sydney, My sister Nickie took the photo. I actually quite love this photo! I have however been experimenting with Photoshop to make slight changes in the photo. What do you think of the edits I made?
Original.
Edited.Saturday, February 21, 2009
Pemaquid Lighthouse Point Park
We took a trip up to Bristol, ME today to Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park. It was about an hour up the road but worth the trip. I couldn't wait to get home and share these pictures with you.
I didn't use lens filters of any kind. It was cold out but the sky was blue and the sun was just right for pictures. The day was beautiful and the lighthouse was cool. We also had a lot of fun walking around on the rocks. It was a two thumbs up kind of a day!
I didn't use lens filters of any kind. It was cold out but the sky was blue and the sun was just right for pictures. The day was beautiful and the lighthouse was cool. We also had a lot of fun walking around on the rocks. It was a two thumbs up kind of a day!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A New Love of Jalapenos
This past weekend Aaron and I were both lucky enough to have a three day weekend. I love government jobs! Anyway, we traveled back to West Point to visit some friends. Danny and his wife Kathy have been friends since Fort Drum. Aaron and Danny served together in 3-71 CAV.
It was awesome to get to see them. They are lucky enough to live among the beauty of the United States Military Academy. I loved going back to West Point. I have only been there one other time but I don't think I would ever get sick of being around the history and seeing the beautiful buildings. Even in the gray of winter the place is still beautiful.
Here are some pictures from the trip:
We couldn't visit without bringing lobsters. They enjoyed them a lot. I also got some great new recipes while we were there. The Phillips crew has introduced us to a new love of jalapenos. Cheese and jalapenos, Yum!
Here is there little lab Cassie. She was so soft! I couldn't get over it. Boone is never that soft. Not even right after a bath!
WP crest located on the new library. It was beautiful! It was all blasted out of stone. 
The outside of The Cadet Chapel. I know it doesn't show the whole chapel but I loved the detail in the stone.
Inside the chapel. This picture doesn't do it justice. It was gorgeous!
Pershing Barracks. This is where Aaron lived during his time there.
Aaron and Danny in front of Pershing Barracks.
Aaron told me the story behind the canons but I can't remember it right now. Sorry! I thought it was really neat.
(Click to enlarge. I stitched this picture together.)
To the left is Eisenhower barracks, in the middle is the 'mess hall' aka Washington Hall and to the right is MacArthur.
This is inside the 'mess hall'. There are 6 wings in the hall. This is only one of them. Crazy, I know! Aaron says they feed about 4,000 cadets in under 20 minutes. I wish the picture wasn't so blurry (my fault of course). The mural at the end is of the history of war. It is really a sight to behold.
It was awesome to get to see them. They are lucky enough to live among the beauty of the United States Military Academy. I loved going back to West Point. I have only been there one other time but I don't think I would ever get sick of being around the history and seeing the beautiful buildings. Even in the gray of winter the place is still beautiful.
Here are some pictures from the trip:
We couldn't visit without bringing lobsters. They enjoyed them a lot. I also got some great new recipes while we were there. The Phillips crew has introduced us to a new love of jalapenos. Cheese and jalapenos, Yum!
Here is there little lab Cassie. She was so soft! I couldn't get over it. Boone is never that soft. Not even right after a bath!Saturday morning, we headed out to tour around campus. I love hearing Aaron tell all the stories about the place.
WP crest located on the new library. It was beautiful! It was all blasted out of stone. 
The outside of The Cadet Chapel. I know it doesn't show the whole chapel but I loved the detail in the stone.
Inside the chapel. This picture doesn't do it justice. It was gorgeous!
Pershing Barracks. This is where Aaron lived during his time there.
Aaron and Danny in front of Pershing Barracks.
Aaron told me the story behind the canons but I can't remember it right now. Sorry! I thought it was really neat.
To the left is Eisenhower barracks, in the middle is the 'mess hall' aka Washington Hall and to the right is MacArthur.
This is inside the 'mess hall'. There are 6 wings in the hall. This is only one of them. Crazy, I know! Aaron says they feed about 4,000 cadets in under 20 minutes. I wish the picture wasn't so blurry (my fault of course). The mural at the end is of the history of war. It is really a sight to behold.Later that day we headed over to Orange County Choppers to check out there motorcycles. I will post about that and the rest of the trip soon. There are a lot of pics of bikes to go through!
(click to enlarge...again! Blogspot is starting to irritate me with this small picture thing. It is small even when you choose a large pic!) Oh well, it says ARMY beat Navy! Just in case you can't read it.
(click to enlarge...again! Blogspot is starting to irritate me with this small picture thing. It is small even when you choose a large pic!) Oh well, it says ARMY beat Navy! Just in case you can't read it.Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Happy (belated) Valentine's Day Everyone!
No, I didn't forget about you all, I just wasn't home. Aaron and I both got a long weekend so we headed down to his Alma mater, West Point, to visit some friends. (I will blog about that trip soon!)I am lucky to have such a great Valentine and it isn't because he buys such great gifts. Although, I do love the smell of the Clinique Happy Heart he got me. I love him for millions of reasons! There are the obvious ones but there are so many little things he does for me that make me love him so much.
*He always puts on the Special Features after we watch a DVD. He hates watching the Special Features.
*On the weekends he always makes me a 'Jackie Special' for breakfast. A non-dippy egg on buttered toast. And since I hate the yolk, so he takes most of it and eats it himself.
*When we are holding hands he guides me around disasters before I even realize the trouble I could get into. Heaven only knows how many wet shoes I would have had by now. But he checks for puddles in advance for me.
These are only a few reasons why I love Aaron so much. I think mostly I am so in love with him because he is truly my best friend! I hope your Valentine's Day, heck all your days are filled with love!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Winter Melting Away (for now)
(Click to enlarge)I really have to find out how I can make my photos bigger!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Thanks Adrienne!
Saturday, the mailman brought me a fun little package. Inside was this cute heart garland:
The garland was made by Adrienne over at Some of A Kind. She picked me (or a random number generator picked me) to receive this gift. None the less I am very thankful for her kindness.
Thanks Adrienne for my heart garland and other goodies!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What is going on?
Is it just me or are people getting ruder by the day? It has been happening for awhile and I have tried not complain about it but it is really getting on my nerves! I am a 'hi' person. I say 'hi' or 'hello' to just about everyone that passes me during the day. I say 'hello' whether people looked happy, sad, annoyed, etc... I don't know why I do it, I just do it. I have always done it. I think to myself, I like when people (in the past) say 'hi' to me. It makes me smile and forces me to stop thinking about me for a few seconds and focus on a friend, stranger, or co-worker. I like it so I guess I figure other people like it too. Not so much around here.
For months now, I have been passing people on the street, smiling at them and giving them my smiles and hellos. And I would bet my whole container of hot cocoa (which I love) that only 25% of the people have responded back to me. I am not asking for time out of their day just a hello, head nod or smile in return. But more times than not I get nothing. There have been a bunch of times when I have even gotten a dirty look.
What is going on in this world that people can't take a second to respond to someone who is trying to be nice and make their day a little brighter? I just don't get it. I almost fell the other day going to the post office trying to get out of the way so a little old lady wouldn't have to walk in the snow. I said 'hello' and I didn't get as much as a nod.
Am I being selfish? Is this too much to ask for? I don't know. All I know is that I will continue my quest of 'hellos'/smiles and maybe it will be contagious to someone, someday.
For months now, I have been passing people on the street, smiling at them and giving them my smiles and hellos. And I would bet my whole container of hot cocoa (which I love) that only 25% of the people have responded back to me. I am not asking for time out of their day just a hello, head nod or smile in return. But more times than not I get nothing. There have been a bunch of times when I have even gotten a dirty look.
What is going on in this world that people can't take a second to respond to someone who is trying to be nice and make their day a little brighter? I just don't get it. I almost fell the other day going to the post office trying to get out of the way so a little old lady wouldn't have to walk in the snow. I said 'hello' and I didn't get as much as a nod.
Am I being selfish? Is this too much to ask for? I don't know. All I know is that I will continue my quest of 'hellos'/smiles and maybe it will be contagious to someone, someday.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Soldiers Rock
I almost forgot to share this card with you. My niece, Jasmine, made this card for Veteran's Day at school. She sent it to Aaron for Christmas. (You can click on each picture to enlarge it.)
(The outside cover)
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