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!!

We are moving --- for real!

A few years ago, I posted about our impending move to Ecuador....on April 1st!  That didn't happen and now we really are moving.  We recently purchased another home in the airpark with a smaller home and hanger (much to Greg's chagrin!)  But we are really excited about this move and ready to downsize.  We just are dreading the packing (already doing that) and the actual moving part.  We overlook the runup area of the runway so have an upclose-and-personal view of the take-offs and landings.  Stay tuned for more....it will be awhile....need to finish the Disney posts!!! 

Packet Pickup Day!

Thursday, January 5th Temp: 30 degrees at 7am! BRRR!!!! But warmed up to 60 by the afternoon
Our resort: Coronada Springs Resort. It is the largest in Walt Disney World. They had a very nice running/walking path that circled the lake (1.5 miles) and this was our view out our door. Hammocks every where!

Yes, they rake the sand. This guy was out every morning about 7am. What a job to have!
Wide World of Sports: ESPN complex. We spent Thursday morning there picking up our packets and looking around. I kept thinking how my boys would have loved to see this!


It's the official Goofy bib!
We returned to our room, dropped off our bags and headed over to Epcot. Mom and Dad were meeting us there at 5pm but we wanted to get in some rides and sights before then.
We took advantage of the photographers around the area....they are willing to take your picture anytime you want....no obligation to purchase.....but being the photo hound I am....I never passed up the opportunity to ham it up and then buy them all!
All of the large trees were still decorated for Christmas. This was one of the prettiest!
He's looking for a handout....lots of birds hanging out.
The lake at Epcot. This was where the Luminations were held that night....more at the end of the post on that.
We spent a fair amount of time in future world. This was an amazing area. Hard to believe that most of the inventions and ideas are actually going to be realities in my lifetime.
Space vehicle
We toured the greenhouses which were designed to show new ways to garden and grow vegetables. In the background of this picture are the hanging pumpkins. The front plants are brussel sprouts. They are all planted in sand and thriving!
nine pound lemon and edible
We met mom and dad for Pasta in the Park. It was a dinner put on for the runners and held at Epcot in the banquet area.
Fascinating decorations. This place held about 3000 people.

The characters were staged for pictures. Could not pass up the opportunity to spend some up close and quality time with my buddy, Goofy!

After the dinner we were treated to a laser light and firework show. As part of the pasta night, we had a special viewing area at lakeside. The show was absolutely spectacular. A must see more than once.
The world came up out of the lake during the show and lit up as it twirled above and the fireworks were going off all around. Wish we had the larger telephoto to really pick up the show.
Such a fun evening and ready to take on this race. Still have another day of fun before the hard work comes. Next: Animal Kingdom

Disney bound!

Time finally has arrived to start blogging about our Disney trip and running the Goofy Challenge. Just a warning: we took over 1200 pictures and bought about 300 more from the professionals so there will be long posts ahead! So grab a cup of something and enjoy our journey with us!
All trips start with a coffee stop at Starbuck's!
Stop over in Vegas! View from the plane of the Vegas hills.
Waiting to board our connecting flight to Orlando. We were delayed for over an hour and arrived around 7pm.
We were shuttled to the resort by the Disney Express; the 1/2 hour trip was enhanced by a video of what we were going to experience. It was too dark to take pictures. But we were excited to be there!

All I want for Christmas......

are Cars 2 shoes, Mom and Dad!!!! So the story goes like this.....I get a call on Sunday and on the phone this little voice says...

"Ganma, I have supwise for you!"

"you do?"

"yep"

"what is it?"

"I have new shoes"
"what is on your shoes?"

"Cars 2 and I have new shirt too"

"wow, you are pretty excited!"

"wuv you, bye ganma!"

So then Ryan gets on the phone and I mention how excited Wyatt was about his new shoes. Ryan is cracking up and says "Mom, he doesn't have new shoes or a new shirt. I don't know where that story came from!! The surprise he was supposed to say was that he was calling you!!!!" I laughed so hard.

So guess that little guy needs Santa to bring him new shoes and a shirt....he's wishing for it, mom and dad!

I AM.....

I AM......

i am: recovering from an incredible relay: 200 miles

i think: I need more sleep

i know: who loves me

i want: someone to clean my house, other than me!

i have: to be better about studying my bible

i dislike: getting up in the morning

i miss: my kids

i fear: being in an accident

i feel: blessed

i hear: quietness (it really does have a sound!)

i smell: coffee

i crave: peach pie

i cry: when I think about my dog

i usually: take a bath at night to relax

i search: for ways to be more efficient

i wonder: if I will really make it through this training

i regret: doing housework when I could have played more with my kids

i love: my husband

i care: about my family and my country

i always: want my kids closer

i worry: about how my kids will make through these tough times

i am not: going to whine about petty things but think about those who are protecting me and sacrificing so much

i remember: when I could make out a to-do list and get it done in a day!

i believe: in God, in having morals and letting my boys be his own person

i dance: when no one is looking

i sing: to make me happy

i don't always: say the best about others

i argue: just to argue because I love to debate

i write: on my blog

i win: the award for being crazy about running

i lose: at most sports

i wish: that I didn't have to work

i listen: to opera when I run

i don't understand: accounting

i can usually be found: at my computer

i am scared: that I won't be around to see my grandkids grow up

i need: to spend more time with God

i forget: what I went into that room for.....

i am happy: when I am taking pictures and seeing life through my lense

Hot Air Balloon Festival

On the spur of the moment we decided to make a 45 minute drive at 5am in the morning to watch the McMinnville Hot Air Balloon Festival Launch. A total of 15 balloons were airborne by 7am and it was so much fun to see! The event took place on the grounds of Evergreen Aviation Museum. Here is a pictorial of some of our pictures (only took 183 pictures this time!!! he,he!)