Friday Funny

And here is the link, in case you are unable to view it above.

Tweet

Nine More Days

(my greeting cards and affiliate links)

I composed a little poem to put inside our Christmas cards last year...

'Twas the month before Christmas
And all through the house
All the creatures were stirring,
including the mouse.
Seeds in the feeder,
The birds have been fed;
Traps have been set -
Six mice are now dead.
Snowflakes are made,
Stiffened and glittered, too;
Some on the tree
And one just for you.

Then Murphy's Law kicked in. Our printer went down. No warning. Just quit. Just like that.

I was devastated because I'd bought a whole case of ink specifically for that printer. The printer, like most everything else I own, was a dinosaur. I bought it in 2002. No one else would be able to use my ink. I had little hope of finding an identical printer in usable condition.

I came up with a different way to make my Christmas cards, which prompted some unplanned poetry...

Card stock and envelopes,
Three sets of printer ink
All have been purchased
For Christmas cards in a wink.
The computer is humming,
Fingers on the keyboard are flying.
The green light on the printer
Gives no clue it is dying.
"Print away, print away!"
The photographer demands.
The printer sits silent,
The photographer rants.
Troubleshooting commences,
All systems are go,
But the poor ancient printer
Still says "Heck, no!"
The photographer and her true love
Long for a winter night's rest
But not without saying
How this year we're blessed.
The printer won't work
And more mouse holes to seal;
But we love our new digs -
The fixin' up just makes it more real!

Because we had no printer and no funds for copies, we opted to write our Christmas greeting by hand. Which means my poem got shortened to just the first dozen lines. 'Cuz our hands got tired of writing!

Christmas passed. Valentine's Day passed. Easter passed. And then a miracle happened. I found the very same printer model, new in box! I wasted no time ordering it. It arrived while we were Riding the Rockies. So the new printer didn't come out of the box for a long time. Actually, we don't have a lot of time for printing during cycling season, so the brand spankin' new printer didn't come out of the box until... gulp... blush... um, last week...

But hey, it works! What more could we ask!

The shop we bought the printer from must have been trying to clear out everything associated with that particular printer. They stuffed the box to the max with a ton more ink cartridges and printer specific paper (although this printer will use any paper and the proprietary paper likely will work in any printer). Not only do I have the one- or two-year ink supply I'd bought a year ago, I have almost that much more in reserve now! And I have printer papers I'd never even seen, much less heard of, to play with!

Woohoo!

We retired the old printer and gave the new printer a good run through, me pulling my typical don't-waste-a-thing attitude. I didn't want to throw out the ink from the old printer until I used every last drop. Of course, open ink cartridges in an unused printer go dry. We ran the deep cleaning program several times before realizing the black ink cartridge was just too darned cakey to go through the printer. So that cartridge did get tossed.

One of the things I love to do is print my photographs on fabric, colorfast the fabric, and quilt the fabric into something magnificent and potentially perfect for the Denver National Quilt Festival. Without a printer for so many months, I didn't get any quilting done this year. I have no excuse now for next year!

I guess that means I also need to come up with a poem for this year's Christmas card. And make some new Christmas cards while I'm at it...

Geez, and I thought I was finally going to have a tiny bit of spare time again!

Tweet

Wordless Wednesday

Tweet

3,000-mile Smile

Made it!

I had envisioned doing 47 miles again last weekend, and then I'd be 11 miles over my goal with two weeks of 2010 pedaling to go and Waterton Canyon re-opening for a month next weekend. Unfortunately, we literally ran out of daylight during our milestone ride, so all I got was exactly 26 miles, every single mile I needed, down to the last drop. I'm there. I did it.

This was my best year since surgery in 2004. I biked a total of 1,824.8 miles in 2008. Last year I got in only 1,167 miles because I let too many other commitments gobble up all my free time. The Lizard, on the other hand, hit 3,000 miles on the final weekend of 2009, and that after a training-related injury kept him off his bike for two months. Plus, we moved, which kept us off our bikes a couple more months. If he could do it, so could I. So I set my 2010 goal for 3,000. And now I've done it. I don't know that you'll be able to wipe this 3,000-mile Smile from my face!

My road bike definitely isn't going to take a break for the rest of the year, and it actually may be in service a lot longer than I anticipated after losing the derailleur during Ride the Rockies last June. We had planned to retire my road bike to the indoor winter trainer when we learned it would cost only a couple hundred dollars more to buy a new bike than it would cost to rebuild the old one. The economy being what it is, buying a new bike might not be a wise use of funds. And now I've grown accustomed to the rough shifting of the mountain bike derailleur currently powering my road bike. I can get by another year if needed.

Six years ago, I wasn't sure I'd be able to ride anymore, much less the distances I thrived upon and enjoyed. Recovery from life-changing emergency back surgery took a lot longer than I anticipated. In a way, I was just like my bike is now. Parts inside me didn't work as smoothly as they used to and the way I wanted them to, but I kept using those old parts. Didn't really have a choice! New parts were not available!

After losing running and continuously struggling with descents while hiking, thanks to my defective parts, I was determined not to lose riding, too.

My neurologist back then said I wouldn't be able to wear a fanny pack anymore, and I likely wouldn't be able to wear a backpack. Fanny packs are so yesteryear, I don't mind losing them. After years of forcing the issue, I finally carry my own backpack. On my back. (I used to carry it on my front or over just one shoulder if my back rebelled too much.)

I figure if my back can handle what I'm putting it through, the road bike can, too. This bike has a lot of emotional investment, and it's stuck with me through thick and thin, plus a couple of good wipe-outs. I've even joined the OTBSC on it. Don't ask, 'cuz I ain't tellin'!

So I'm going to follow The Lizard's 2010 lead... his goal this year was 4,000 miles, and he reached it in 10 months. So my goal in 2011 is 4,000 miles. But I'll take the whole year! No point in rushing things!

Tweet

Snowflake Monday

Look what I found at a craft store! Snowflake food!!! Feed the hungry snowflakes!!! I knew exactly what to do with these lovely ornaments, thanks to inspiration earlier this year from Ane Scherrer.


Adding a dangly to a handmade snowflake might fetch a little more money at a craft fair than an unfed snowflake. (Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with starving, naked snowflakes; I love them every one!)

I used Mod Podge to stiffen this flake because a reader recently asked if that could be used, and now I have the answer. I also wanted to determine if a thicker stiffener would help a weight-bearing snowflake last longer. (Of course, I won't have the answer to that burning question for a couple of years – big grin!) Mod Podge worked just fine in my experiments. It's a little rubbery, but it doesn't hide the texture of the stitches. It also seems a little easier to pull the dried goo splatters off the Mod Podge snowflakes than snowflakes stiffened with my normal glue/water mixture. (I paint messy.)

Of course, this snowflake may be made without danglies, and you may attach danglies to any snowflake, but an extra stiff and large flake works better to support the weight of a dangly. You also don't want to overpower your snowflake with a dangly. They should compliment each other, not compete for attention.


I call this my King's Crown Snowflake because that's what the petals look like to me.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 7.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, store-bought crystal danglies, small suction cup hangers, size 7 or 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Kings Crown Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring, sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle too tight.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: Sc in same sc, ch 10, * sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 10; repeat from * around 4 times; sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 4, 1 dtr into starting sc (to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.


Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over dtr post directly below, * ch 10, 3 dc in next ch 10 loop; repeat from * around 4 times, 3 dc in next ch 10 loop, ch 3, trtr into 2nd ch of starting ch 2 for form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.

Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc over trtr post directly below, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 6, 1 sc in top of starting ch 2 in Round 3, 1 sc in each of next 2 dc, ch 6, * 2 dc in next ch 10 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 6, 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, ch 6; repeat from * around 4 times; sl st 2nd ch of starting ch 2.

Round 5: Ch 1, * 1 sc in same ch as sl st (or in next dc in repeats), 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next ch 3 sp, 1 tr in same sp, ch 3, 1 tr in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 1, turn;

working from back of flake, 1 sc in each of next 4 st, 5 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in each of next 4 st, ch 1, turn;

working from front of flake, 1 sc in next sc, 1 hdc in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, 1 tr in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 2 tr in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), sk 1 sc, 1 tr in next sc, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch 2, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook] 2 times (3 sc picots made), 1 dc in next ch, 1 hdc in next ch, 1 sc in next ch (top of crown made), 1 tr in same sc as previous tr, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), sk next sc, 2 tr in next sc, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 1 tr in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, 1 hdc in next sc, to form curve to match opposite side of crown work 3 sc in next sc; working down side of crown, sl st in sc of previous row, sl st in top of 2nd dc of Round 3 below, 1 sc in next ch 6 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 dc in same sp, ch 5, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 hdc in next ch, ch 2, 1 dc in next ch 6 sp, 1 hdc in same sp, 1 sc in same sp, sl st in next dc and pull tight, ch 1; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.




1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, ch 3


1 tr, 1 dc, 1 hdc, 1 sc, ch 1, turn and work from back side




5 sc in ch 3 sp


1 sc in each of next 4 st, ch 1, turn and work from front side


1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, 1 tr, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook


2 tr, ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook


1 tr, ch 5, 3 sc picots


crown picot


1 tr, 1 dc picot


2 tr, 1 dc picot




sl st


1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc


finished crown petal
You know how I love to hide Easter eggs on my blog, right? Well, redoing this snowflake inspired another smaller flake, and this one is MUCH easier...


Kings Crown Easter Egg Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: 12 sc in ring, sl st in starting sc. Don't pull magic circle too tight.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: Sc in same sc, ch 10, * sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 10, ; repeat from * around 4 times; sk 1 sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 4, 1 dtr into starting sc (to form 6th ch 10 sp of Round.

Round 3: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over dtr post directly below, * ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (sc picot made), ch 7, 3 dc in next ch 10 loop; repeat from * around 5times, 3 dc in next ch 10 loop, ch 7, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 7, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2; bind off. Weave in ends.
NOTE: This snowflake is not strong enough to hold a heavy dangly, but a lightweight charm or dangly may be added.


Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture. (I used Mod Podge for this flake in an attempt to make it strong enough to hold the wait of the dangly.) Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. (I had a bunch of dried Mod Podge bits to peel from the edges of my flake.) Remove hanger from store-bought dangly. Attach dangly to bottom spoke of snowflake with clear thread or fishing line. Attach 10-inch clear thread to top spoke of snowflake and tie to suction cup. (I sewed a sparkly opalescent ribbon to the back of the snowflake, tied a bow at the top and attached the suction cup to the bow.) Stick suction cup on any clean, smooth surface, preferably a window to allow the sun to sparkle through the dangly.

Tweet

Friday Funny

I found and shared this video last year, so it's a repeat, but in my opinion, awesome enough to replay again every year. Enjoy!

And here is the link in case you can't view linked videos, like me...

Tweet

Wordless Wednesday

Tweet

Getting Closer

That's how many miles I still need to ride in order to complete a 3,000-mile year.

And we're expecting GREAT weather this coming weekend!

Tweet

Bellflake Monday

Did you think you weren’t going to get a snowflake pattern today?

I spent much of the weekend finishing up my annual service project. Making movies and burning CDs took up so much space on my hard drive, I couldn’t download this week’s snowflake pictures! I didn't have room for any more photos on my laptop. So I’m tardy in publishing today's pattern, but there will be times like this when I can’t get the snowflake pattern posted in the wee hours of Monday morning. I promise, though, I'll always try to get a new flake up each Monday.

I’ve been wanting to convert a snowflake into a Christmas bell for several weeks now, and I’ve been searching for something I could use to shape the bell during stiffening process. I finally settled for a small water balloon because nothing else in the house fit the shape I could see in my head.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 4.5 inches tall
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, small water balloon, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, glue, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, 6 to 8 inches of .25 inch or .5 inch ribbon, jingle bell, small balloon, variety of beads, if desired

Bellflake Instructions

Make magic ring, either way leaving long tail you will use at end of project to attach jingle bell. (This pattern works better with magic ring.)

Round 1: If using ch start instead of magic ring, 12 dc into 1st ch. If using magic ring, ch 2 (does not count as dc); 12 dc in ring, sl st in starting dc. Pull magic circle tight.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same dc, * sk 1 dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 2, 2 dc in same dc; repeat from * around 4 times, 2 dc in same dc as starting ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 (counts as ch 2, and you will be crocheting around the dc post in next round).

Round 3: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc around post of final dc of Round 2, ch 2, sk 2 dc, 1 sc in sp between next 2 2dc groups, *ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in same ch 2 sp, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 1 sc in sp between next 2 2dc groups; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 2 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 1 dc; 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3.


Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc around post of final dc of Round 3, ch 2, 1 dc in next sc, *ch 2, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in same ch 2 sp, ch 2, 1 dc in next sc; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 1 dc; 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3.

Round 5: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1dc around post of final dc of Round 4, ch 2, sk next ch 2 sp, 1 dc around post of next dc, *ch 2, sk next ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 2 dc in same ch 2 sp, ch 2, sk next ch 2 sp, 1 dc around post of next dc; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 1 dc; 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3.

Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2dc around post of final dc of Round 5, ch 3, sk next ch 2 sp, 1 sc around post of next dc, *ch 3, sk next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in same ch 2 sp, ch 3, sk next ch 2 sp, 1 sc around post of next dc; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3.

Round 7: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of final dc of Round 6, *1 dc in next dc (or starting ch 3 that counts as dc), 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 2 sp; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc; 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 (counts as ch 3, and you will continue Round 8 crocheting around dc post just made).

Round 8: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of final dc of Round 7, *ch 3, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, sk next 2 sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 3, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, sk next 2 sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 3; 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3.


Round 9: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of final dc of Round 8, *1 dc in next dc (or starting ch 3 that counts as dc), 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in middle of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in middle of next 4 sc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc; 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3.

Round 10: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of final dc of Round 9, *ch 3, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, sk next 3 sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 3, 3 dc next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times, ch 3, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, sk next 3 sc, 1 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, ch 3; 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; ch 1, 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3.

Round 11: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc around post of final dc of Round 10, *1 dc in next dc (or starting ch 3 that counts as dc), 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in middle of next 4 sc, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, [ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 5, sl st in top of dc, ch 7, sl st in same dc, ch 5, st st in same dc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook] (3-tip picot made), working into main body of bell again 3 dc in same sp; repeat from * around 4 times, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 sc in next dc, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in middle of next 4 sc, 4 sc in next ch 3 sp, 1 sc in next dc, 1 hdc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc; 3 dc in same sp as starting ch 3 and 2 dc; repeat [ ] 1 time; sl st in 3rd ch of starting ch 3; bind off. Weave in finishing end only. Pull starting tail through top of bell to outside.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Blow up water balloon to snuggly fit inside bell. Pin bell to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap with balloon inside bell. Secure as necessary.

Mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Add a bit of glitter and stir. Paint bell with glue mixture, taking care not to stiffen tail that jingle bell will hang on when finished. (I stiffened the end of the tail to make it easier to string beads.) Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow bell to dry at least 24 hours. (I removed the bell from the pizza box before it was completely dry so I could shape the petals with more gentle curves than I could form on the box.) Remove pins. Gently peel bell from wax paper or plastic wrap. Pop the balloon. You shouldn’t have to peel too much rubber from the inside of the bell; the popping does most of the work for you.


Gently pull tail back through top center of bell to inside. String beads onto tail if desired. Tie a jingle bell to string so jingle bell hangs right in the middle of bottom of bell, bottom of jingle bell showing, not entirely below bell, and not hiding inside bell.

Tie ribbon in bow, leaving large loop. Attach either bow or top of loop to bell, according to personal preference, whether you like the bow on the bell or on top of the loop. If you sew ribbon loop onto bell, bell is now ready to hang. If you glue ribbon loop to bell, allow to dry thoroughly before hanging.

Tweet

Sock Yarn Heaven

I bought my first Etsy yarn this week, and boy, was it ever hard to choose! There are too many luscious flavors, and too many of them leave me drooling!

Tweet

Friday Funny

Tweet

I Give Thanks

During my three weeks of intensive Photoshopping, I'd planned to post a handful of "canned" (already written) articles here but opted not to because I knew I couldn't be interactive. This is my community, and I want to be a part of it, not just post and run.

Three weeks, six hours and 43 minutes after my marathon Makeover Madness shoot, we completed retouching a full memory card of glamor-type portraits of high-risk teenage girls. Some readers have requested I share more details. The number of pictures I snapped was somewhat humorous. Every year, I tell anyone who will listen I take "about 600 shots." When I finished downloading on November 6, I saw that I had exactly 600 shots. Exactly! Probably couldn't do that again if I tried!

At 1:59 a.m. last Sunday morning, I finished the special effects photos I provide each girl. I still have to make movies of the stills, put them to music and burn CDs as of this writing, but hopefully I can kick all that out in a couple of nights, without staying up past 10. Fingers and toes crossed.

Every year, we have at least two or three girls who want nothing to do with the makeover until they see some of their peers going through the primping and posing. Every year, we have at least one girl who wants nothing to do with anything feminine. No makeup, no curls, no nail polish and definitely no boas or sequins!

This year, we had only one girl who didn't want to participate, and we had only one girl who thought our props were "stupid." We managed to get at least 12 poses each out of both of them. So they will receive photo albums in their gift bags, just like the rest.

One of my volunteers brought a Santa hat with a tiara on top! Who'd have ever thought of such a thing! And my goodness, was it ever popular!

I had one first-time volunteer this year who had so much fun with the girls, she filled out an application on the spot to volunteer year-round with the residential treatment center.

Another first-time volunteer is leaving the state later this year. She hopes to take this project to where she lands, and she hopes to be able to volunteer with high-risk girls there.

Every year, the makeup and hair volunteers finish their part faster than I can work through the made-over girls. So we end up with girls watching, sometimes poking fun at, the girls being photographed. Some of the girls being photographed get nervous about being watched. Some of them refuse to pose while others are watching.

This year, one of my young, exuberant and very hip volunteers recognized the situation and distracted all the waiting girls with impromptu Diana Ross and the Supremes lessons and impersonations. She played Diana and taught the girls how to be Supremes, and they all used water bottles as microphones!

Every year, we do buddy shots after we finish the portraits. This year, one of my volunteers volunteered to play basketball with the girls after we finished, and ALL the girls went to play basketball! No one wanted buddy shots. Staff members told us they typically get three or four girls who want to play basketball. Never the entire group!

Every year, I begin to get depressed and discouraged as I retouch my 350th or 400th photo or so. Every year, I begin to feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel, that I will never get done, and that I'm going to spend the entire Thanksgiving holiday zapping zits once again. Every year, I try to bribe myself: Finish by Thanksgiving, and you can go mountain biking in Moab! For the second year in a row, I didn't get to go to Moab.

This year, I'm just 72 miles away from a 3,000-mile year of cycling. Every weekend of retouching featured the most beautiful and tempting weather. But I kept plugging away. I wanted Moab.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, we thought I might be able to take a short ride on Saturday if I could get 90 photos done on Friday and 90 more on Saturday. By Saturday morning, I realized I would not be able to get that much done, and I didn't want The Lizard to miss out on his ride, so I told him to go without me. I promised I would finish up so I could take Sunday off and not have to be on the computer at all.

The Lizard sacrificed his own ride and helped me finish up the girls. He spent nearly the entire day Saturday blowing up teenage faces to bigger than life so he could smooth out skin and remove scars.

We didn't get to ride over the four-day break, and we haven't been to Moab all year long. Every remaining weekend of the year will likely be snowy and icy, just because I can ride. But I can ride in anything but lightning. I will get my 72 miles. Watch me!

The best part, of course, is that I'll have My Lizard along for every ride. Even though Thanksgiving wasn't what I hoped, I am more thankful than ever for everything I have. Especially My Lizard!

Tweet

Wordless Wednesday

Tweet