I can't live without my camera (Even if it is P&S)

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(Yeah, yeah, yeah... We have heard it all before, Stacey... You want a new camera. Blah, blah, blah! )

Seems a bit ridiculous that my new phone has a better camera on it than my actual camera, though. The camera is a 3.0 pixel and the phone camera is 5.0 - Ironic isn't it?

Regardless, I still love taking pictures and sharing them. I love making the yearly calendar that chronicles our clients and the horses they have. It shows them how well they have done from year to year and serves as a marker for times (and horses) gone by. Pictures often make me smile. They can make me wistful, lonely, sad, ecstatic, longingly envious... Pictures evoke in me myriad emotions that words don't.

Thus, I love cameras. I would be terribly in over my head with the newest professional get-up, although I covet and slobber over them. So I am very likely to just upgrade to a better point and shoot. (gasp! Did she really SAY that???) I simply don't have time for another hobby.

I love my camera for the pictures it provided to chronicle my kids' growth. I love my camera for capturing moments in time I often forget about but can revisit whenever... I love my camera for zooming in to cut out the mess that is my home on a regular basis. I love my camera for the times it has brought me joy, as in this blog. I love that my camera will now capture the images of my beautiful new niece so that I may annoy countless hundreds with her ethereal guise!

I simply couldn't live with out my camera!

It's a sickness... I need serious help!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

If you follow my Twitter posts, you know I went and got it. I couldn't help it. I had a friend who needed my help getting hers, and even though I knew it wasn't healthy for me to go along, her need for techy help swayed me into the Verizon store...

(Cue spotlight and ethereal music) There it was... Illuminated and ready for touching. (I had hand sanitizer so the myriad fingerprints on the little sample screen would not deter me!) My friend asked all the right questions, we played, we touched, we ooohed and we ahhhed... She bought. I felt "spent" - Yes, that kind of "spent". I told you, it is a sickness...

That was on a Sunday. By Tuesday, I was back in the Verizon store to investigate a way I could walk out with the ultimate in shiny phones...

A Droid! A Motorola, shiny, slick, slightly heavy and definitely clunkier than an iPhone, but as close as I will get for years, Droid!

I have played, I have downloaded apps, I have logged on to wireless, I have done it all! I have called customer support, I have set up my home screen, I have set up all the wonderfulness that is this phone...

I know there are those who would scoff at such a purchase. I don't care. I am deep in my addiction and I am one happy camper!

Have I told you lately I love my phone?

My phone is a life line... And a sickness.

Image by scottpowerz via Flickr

Hello, my name is Stacey (all intone, Hello Stacey...). I have a Crackberry Blackberry and I can't put it down!

We all know I am a Techy. Love new technology. I am a pariah in my own home! An example: Just recently, I employed a new remote for the myriad of electrical devices I we have in the living room. I actually purchased said remote two years ago in hopes of putting to bed the four remotes Hubby insisted on using for each item. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to find the remote clicker, much less trying to find FOUR of them. The first "launch" went miserably! Even frustrated myself! But two years later when the kindergarten simple remote's channel up button went bad, I refused to spend another $20 on a new one, since I had one that cost over $100 in a drawer just begging to be of use! I got it out, learned it's ins and outs, and put it into action... I still find them using 4 remotes! And none of them well! They resist new things and the remote takes a bit of time to learn. I have been called into the living room on many occasions to "FIX IT!" I guess I will smile and call that job security! But I digress...

When it comes to my phone, I just love the newest and the most innovative. I have a Blackberry and couldn't be happier... Ahem. I think my nose just grew! I AM happy with my phone... For now. (Since I have to wait until January for the newest one.) I love to text, send video, pictures, play games and listen to music - and all of these things I can do from my phone! I can keep in touch with Hubby, my kids, my mother, my dad, get strange texts from my Uncle (everyone has an Uncle Bob). I can check the weather, find a sushi bar, book a flight, get driving directions... All from the tee-tiny keyboard on my Crackberry. Aptly nick-named, as I can't seem to be anywhere without it and touching it just makes everything better! (An aside: Hubby cannot even answer my phone. Has no clue which button to push and usually hits 3 or 4 of them with his cute sausage-like fingers in the process!)

Since the hullabaloo about the iPhone possibly moving to Verizon - We all know that was a lie! - I have been waiting to see what the Tech-horizon has in store for me. I have been very happy with my Blackberry. I have a lot of things on there that I just love using - Programs you can't get anymore.... And it will be an adjustment to get a new phone. But you know me well! It is an adjustment I am willing to make! I cannot live without my cell phone!

Isn't Vodka like breathing?

Image by necopunch via Flickr

Yes, we all know it. I am a Vodka hound. I love martinis. I love the dirty kind, the sweetie kind, the fruity kind... I love Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers, White Russians, Black Russians, Colorado Bull Dogs, Vodka Collins, Vodka Tonic... I love me a good old fashioned vodka cocktail!

I have had trysts with other alcohols.... Tequila: Little feller makes me all shaky the next morning. All I wanted was a Margarita, not to feel like a recovering Meth addict! Wine: Now THAT is a headache! Doesn't matter, white, red or champagne (although reds give me the headache BEFORE the buzz - How can THAT be right??), I get a monstrous headache! Rum: Meh... Just a nonstarter. I can handle it, but unless I get the coconut flavored kind in Pineapple/Orange juice, I really don't see the point! My stint with Liqueurs failed big time when I poured out curdled Bailey's and Cream over ice... Not happening!

Nope, I'm a Vodka girl! Not a vodka snob... I have no real "brand" I stick to. Although, with my gluten intolerance, I tend to stay away from Absolute... There is something in there that just doesn't compute! I cheap out on vodka for sweet mixes and Bloody Marys. Greatest advice I have gotten from a bartender friend of mine: If you are mixing it, no need to shell out the big bucks. Now in a good Dirty Martini? Spend, spend, spend! The smoother the better. I am not a huge fan of the Goose, but she will do in a pinch. I prefer a Ketel of the stuff! I like the new coolio Grape distillates, but that did give me a headache worse than the cheap stuff....

I am an inventor. I love to dream stuff up to put in the shaker. I love going to the local martini bar and then duplicating at home those concoctions that don't have to cost me $15 a glass! That would be where I got the Screamin' Grape Ape! And sista! She screams!

Lest you are concerned: I don't drink all the time. In fact, I rarely drink. (Thank you empty-calorie weight gain and colon polyps!) But when I do, I reach for the vodka bottle! "What can I make with this?" And the possibilities are endless!

C'mon over! I'll pour us a "yummy" outta the shaker... Because I cannot live without Vodka!

Missing: One Hullabaloo - Irreplaceable!

It is that time of year again... The time when Hubby goes a wandering all about the US in search of success. I love Hubby, I hate missing anyone this much!

Hub is gone for 3 weeks and 4 days... And in that time I plan on visiting him for Thanksgiving (praying weather cooperates), and flying down with Number One Assistant Rider Girl to watch the Finals. Once I am done with all the horsey oohs and aahs, I hop a flight at some ridiculously early hour to pop in on sis!

Because my neice is finally arrived!!!! Meet Alexis Elaine! Another fellow Princess in a long line of Princesses! She already has many loyal subjects and will no doubt be accepting an audience long into her sweet little life! Try not to fall over in worship - Yes, I am gushing and I don't care!

I have so much to be thankful for! I will soon be finishing the "I cannot live without..." Series and will hopefully find some kind of rythm again. Blogging has had to take a back seat to life, I fear. But it is my hope that I can get back to it.

Thank you for celebrating with me! TTFN!

Simple Things...

Christina is at it again... She must have radar that senses when I need to be reminded that the simple things are God's way of soothing my soul and calming my harried spirits! Thank you muches, Girl!

Simple things that make my heart smile - Right out loud!

~Hugs. From Hubby, Girl, Boy or my bestest bud... Delish!

~The smell of Orange Oil. Miss you, Grandpa!

~Lunch with someone I love.

~Flank steak and Poblano Peppers. Whoa!

~Hubby's arm around me and smiling into my eyes - Absolute euphoria!

~Pogo's warm body on the bed while I sleep without Hubby.

~Just enough to be grateful for, not enough to take for granted...

~Buying a little gift here and there to let someone know I recognize who they are and I love them anyway!

~My card room, the apex of my creativity!

~A hot cup of coffee in the wee hours

~Gas in the car and time to visit on the Holidays

~Texts from my siblings

~The green smell of potted tomato plants still producing fruit!

~Gluten Free Banana muffins that aren't dry or powdery

~Knowing that God isn't missing - I just have to open the door to the Living Room!

I cannot live without my oils!

Now, lest you think me a painter or maybe a foodie, let's get one thing straight... I am perspectively challenged - Thus no painting. And if I cannot put it together inside 30 minutes, I rarely cook it!

No, the oils I am talking about are of the Essential ilk (Hi Liz!).

I took a Level One Aromatherapist course a couple of years back after I was introduced to the wonderful world of essential oils by a gal who gave me the most amazing massages. I started slowly... Then lept in with both feet! As per my usual modus operandi!

I have two lovely cases full of EO's that I simply cannot leave alone! I like to make my own blends using a book I have and looking up what I want to accomplish. A drop here, a little carrier oil there... It is incredibly interesting.

I was always driven by smells, even as a small child. I love certain smells and they remind me of happy times. I also have studied enough to realize that God has made an incredible machine in the human body that can be healed and rejuvenated in so many different ways. I have a tendancy to think that in this world of sterlility and chlorox and anti-germ gels that we have gotten away from some of the most natural mood and health enhancers - FLOWERS!

Then there is also the medicinal level of oils... Since I have certain health issues that I tend to neglect with modern meds, I use quite a few EO's to subsidize my lifestyle... I don't like the way traditional medicine deals with my athsma... So I use a Ravensara blend that helps me cope with short breath and opens my bronchial passages naturally without turning me into something akin to a withdrawing crack addict! When my kids get car sick, I have these little portable diffusers that I put Peppermint oil in and that usually helps them keep their lunch in their tummies and off of my leather seats... During a bath I use German Chammomile and Lavender for the ultimate in relaxation. Orange oil makes me smile and feel child like because it reminds me so much of my Grandfather.

I don't usually smell like anything as I am sensitive to others who may have issues with smells. For me, I love them - well, most of them! I would freak out if I didn't have my Essential Oils!

An award... I'd like to thank - McG!

Ain't that somethin? McG (aka: Ali) has bestowed upon me an award with some pretty stringent guidlines... I'm no good at guidelines, and she knows this! But I will try. I'm supposed to reveal 10 things about myself that you might not already know (lil difficult after the 30 secrets...) and then pass this lovely award onto 10 bloggers - That is the hard part!

Onward!

Thing 1: I cry at commercials. Not all of them and not for the same reasons that Hubby throws things at the TV... I can be absolutely moved to tears over commercials providing it is the right time of the month. Ahem! The ones where a soldier is coming home, a baby doing this or that, pet shelter commercials...

Thing 2: I can make myself grumpy with just thoughts about a particular person/situation. This is part of my Grudgy Greta persona, and none too attractive! Nothing new has to happen, no fresh slight or insult... Just dredging up the past. Lovely, huh?

Thing 3: I can't stand it when people aren't easily readable. This is a bit hard to explain. I really like people. I like meeting new ones, loving old ones, chatting and generally enjoying company. I get seriously wigged out when I cannot discern how someone is reacting to me or whatnot. I don't like not being able to read someone because it so rarely happens to me. When it does, I wonder what is up with that person... Makes me squeamish!

Thing 4: I smile right out loud when someone comments on my blog! I think that is so extremely cool! Makes me feel like I might someday be a real writer!

Thing 5: I'm absolutely in love with my new dog, Pogo. I whisper "I love you" in his soft little ears a lot and I relish the time he spends in my lap or right next to me. He makes me giggle and cracks me up when he paws at my hands while I am working at my computer. (Right now he is asleep by my side, patiently waiting until I am done tappy-tapping.)

Thing 6: I fall asleep on my couch by 8:30 each week night. Getting up at 5:30 to get Girl to school is hard on an old woman!

Thing 7: I often stare at my family when they aren't looking. I love watching them as if I didn't know them and assessing how wonderful and beautiful they are. I am very grateful that I have a healthy and handsome family that loves me back despite my craziness!

Thing 8: I am so excited to be an Auntie! My sister will be induced on Sunday if her labor doesn't progress (she's been having contractions for days now...) and I get to go see her and the new arrival in December... I simply cannot wait!!!

Thing 9: I am obsessed with clouds and sunrise/sets. In my part of the country the skies are pretty clear, so a blazing sunset or a rockin sunrise is unusual. I do get some amazing shots though when we have had some wind around here. The pinks are just amazing!

Thing 10: I am a Meme addict! I love them on my blog, I do the emails that chain around, I love conversing with others about what they like so that I can tell what I like and why I like it. Call me a narcissist of the first degree... Don't care! I love doing it to make others more comfortable about revealing themselves. I love to hear the different things that we all go through and how it affects us and how we tell it once we are asked...

On that note... Thank you Ali for making me reveal just a little bit more behind the curtain!

There is only one blogger I can think to tag: Fragrant Muse... You are IT!

Without my friends and family - It just wouldn't be worth it!

There are few things in this world that make me smile more, cry more, worry more, love more, be more, than my family and my friends.

I absolutely love each and every one of them! Those that are my family know that no matter what, despite disagreements, regardless of political views or geography, call me in need and I will be there just as soon as I possibly can. That is what family does... Plain and simple. No reservations or invitations needed, you can expect me on the doorstep with an appropriate treat (be it cake, soup or vodka) to while away the hours, heal wounds, throw darts, brew healing tea or just listen... It is the heart of who I am. Wouldn't change a thing!

For my friends... Not much differs! I would drop whatever necessary to meet you for lunch, brew you a stellar cup of coffee in my kitchen of disarray, mix you a drink for all occasions, or simply wait and hug you while you cry it out.

I have few friends. I think that is normal. I have many aquaintances and those I am friendly with. I don't have many friends. I value friendship when it is real. When you don't have to worry if your house is clean before you open the front door. When you can know that what you tell her/him will stay in their head, without having to say, "Please don't tell anyone this..." Real friends don't judge you for who you are at your heart - They celebrate that! Real friends will tell you when you really are too old to wear that. Real friends will smack you and tell you your full of crap when you are. They will also love you for trying to fool yourself into believing it. Friends laugh with you and at you. Real friends hurt you, and then they say they are sorry. Real friendship can endure that. I love my real friends.

I cannot live without my family and friends!