Cool camera

 In our family, having a single camera per photographer just doesn't cut it.  However, this time it wasn't me adding to my collection.  Greg is proud owner of a new Nikon and it does amazing things.  All the pictures below are taken with programs that are imbedded into the camera.  He is not a fan of editing in Photoshop so is happy he can "play" with pictures while he is shooting.  Love the effects!

                Pretty much the same pictures; love the pencil drawings!  

Same shot in black and white.  Pretty cool camera....mmmmmmm......do I dare??????

A final goodbye

 It has been two years since Rusty died and we were ready to celebrate and say our last goodbyes.  We had always planned to blow a glass float and put some of his ashes in it as memoir.  The rest of his ashes we were scattering on his favorite sand dune in Pacific City.  So in March we blew the glass float but once we got it home we really didn't like it.  So during our marathon weekend, we decided to do a different color scheme, one that would make us smile and think happy thoughts. It turned out beautifully!  Once we were done, we took the "disliked" glass float and placed on the beach near where we put his ashes.  We figured someone would find it and be excited (it's such a big deal to find a glass float there- the glass blowing studios "plant" floats all year to lure tourists to the beaches!) and that made us happy to think Rusty once again is making others smile! 

 The glass is glowing hot and easy to manipulate.  I added twists in the glass for character.  

 

 Then it's time to blow.  This is the part that makes the shape.  No mistakes here or you get a funny looking glass float!!

 Almost done.....

 Once it is full blown, it goes into a kiln to finish it.  We were able to pick it up the next day!

 Rusty' float........

We placed his ashes on a rise in the dunes....it won't be there next year as the winds and storms will change the landscape....we know he loved this place and we will forever remember him when we visit....you will always be in our hearts, Rusty! 

Done, oh so done!

 The day finally arrived for our last, final, no more, done, oh so done, marathon!  We decided to run the Newport Marathon 6 months ago....we asked ourselves "why" so many times but we are glad we did it!  Greg did awesome with a PR of 4:58:11 and I managed to stumble in at 5:26:38, which was my best time ever! 

 This bridge is iconic to Newport and we ran right by it on our way out to the bay area...3 miles into the race we left the oceanfront.

 BEFORE THE RACE! Our smiles weren't quite this big afterwards!

Sunset the night before...
The picture to the right of the rainbow is the reflection of the sunrise the day after the marathon.  We were lucky to have seen this. Not a common sight at all.

 Beach views from our hotel.

 It's all about the bling!  These are glass blown medals - really cool!

Our after picture...tired we are!

So...a little background of this picture!  We decided NO MORE MARATHONS after this one!  So I made a 26.2 + R.I.P. in the sand and laid down in front of it to symbolize it was time to say THE END!  Greg took this picture and then photo-enhanced it to look like grass.  It really is on the beach!
All I can say 2 weeks afterwards is:  done, oh so done.......or maybe not!!!

Studio M

Seriously??!!!  I can't believe it has been 7 months since I have blogged!  All I can say is wow!  So taking a page out of 2012 (January), I decided it was time to get back to it.  That being said, catching up 2012 is just too daunting.  Instead I am choosing to look forward and not overwhelm myself with all that happened in 2012 (which was a lot given the number of photos I took!).  So now that I am settled into my new digs (which is what this post is about), I am committing to blogging.  How frequently remains to be "seen."  But as I clean out the piles and boxes of "stuff," I am taking note of what is important.  And documenting my life is important!  So there you have it.

Now to the addition!  After moving into our new home, we decided I needed a space for me and all my "stuff."  We had downsized and what was now missing was a place I could park myself, camera and pictures and create.  Also we needed space for the exercise room and my other passion, gardening.  So out of that was created Studio M.

It took 4 months and only one hitch but so worth the wait!!  Here's a look at the process:

One of these days, I will take a picture of the almost-finished addition - still have to paint the outside but that is going to a spring project! 

This is my sanctuary.  It is attached to far end of the hanger and houses my studio (hence the name), the exercise room and a small area dedicated for my gardening equipment.  We are still moving my "stuff" into the studio area and garden area, but the exercise area has been completed. 

So no more excuses!  Now for some serious work on the picture projects!!