Babysitting

Anna had an appointment for an ultrasound to check the new baby. Thus, we got to take care of Adam and Joshua. The "swords" they brought with them needed a little "tweaking" with duct tape to make them safe. This gave me a little practice with the digital camera.

2nd Annual Scott Kelby Photo Walk in Phoenix

This was my second year of participation. Last week the focus was Tempe. This year we started out at the Roosevelt port for the light rail then worked our way downtown where we convened for lunch and sharing at Alice Cooper'stown restaurant.

The heat was daunting. The food was delicious. Sharing time with friends and other photographers was refreshing.

After loading images I was not impressed with my shots because I recognized that I had not used my camera to its full potential. I will try to do better next year.

Cats

The city wants to restore this train and has surrounded it with bars and fences, reminiscent of a jail. Posted are signs saying "Do not climb the fence" and "Stay off of the train". Cats don't listen.

Cats have been in our lives for a long time. Currently, we own three. Three others wer killed.

I get tired of them. The oldest, Salt, is quite smart and conniving. ZsaZsa is independent, but sweet. Greyscale, is a pain in the .... because he is lazy an opportunistic.

The neighbors used to blame our cats for the reproductivity of their cat. However, two of ours are females and the male has no interest in sex.(I guess he has been fixed. The girls did go under the knife.) Still, the neighbor cat keeps having kittens.

Friendly cats and kittens are enchanting and tempting. Nevertheless, I am learning to leave well enough alone. I am ready to travel without finding a cat sitter. I treat cats like grandchildren. I will pet them as long as they are able to go home with someone else.

Practice, practice, practice!

Yesterday at the Solomon Ward in Mesa, AZ. a few of us got to practice taking posed family shots.

The ward held a chili cook-off with families invited to participate in a free photo shoot. Two gals, Emily and Terri, did the brunt of the work, but I got a few shots off.

Emily's dad brought in some umbrella strobes that provided supplemental help with our strobes to overrule the ghastly fluorescent light in the cultural hall. The gal in charge arranged for western props, and we used quilts as a backdrop. I was quite happy with the outcomes although I did not get any "poppers" among my shots.

Here is one I was comfortable with:

Retire Maybe

If I can hold on, retirement will be a possibility next June. Not guaranteed, just a possibility.

First I have to survive the start of a new school year. This year we return in August instead of July. Well, a new grandchild is due in early August. SoldierBoy is due back from his third event in Iraq in mid-August. Then SailorBoy is saying his "I do's" in late August in Orlando, Fl. . Somehow, I am supposed to be teaching during all of this. One blessing from all of this will be that the 6 of us in our family will finally be together in one place for the first time in four or five years. Hooray for that promise!

Then, I face the task of enduring 45 long weeks with fifth and sixth grade students who have minimal to moderate interest in school.

At least I will have all of this time to prepare myself for the time when retirement is a reality and in which I hope to travel and do some photography before I go officially senile.

Sept. 21 I cannot wait to retire!

Five classroom days remaining before a chance to catch my breath and reconstruct my mind, body, and (maybe) soul. I thank God for these two week breaks. If I were alcoholic a long binge would be in order.

Theoretically, I have recovered from my trip to Colorado. I stay tired anyway. Between the heat and the students, I feel a melted super hero.

Fortunately, I face the adventure of sailing with Sailor Boy on his frigate from Cape Canaveral to Orlando. It will not be a long cruise, but it won't be Mesa, AZ. either! Afterwards, I will spend 5 days exploring that little spot of escape from reality. (If only I could afford to miss the plane that is committed to bringing me back.

For now, my task is to keep the chin out and the smile forced as I finish up this semester that definitely brings me closer to the end of this school year.

Jacob has deployed to Iraq for third tour.

I got back from Colorado Springs, Co. on Saturday after 5 hectic days helping Jacob vacate his apartment and prepare for his new trip to Iraq. The payoff for me was that I got to drive his Ford Explorer to Arizona for tour storage. The 17 1/2 hour drive was relatively easy but long and tiring. I am totally wiped out. I don't feel like a basket case but a casket case. A long sleep sounds really good right now.

To top things off my classroom got used to my absence and wanted to maintain their new attitudes upon my return. Nice try, kiddoes!

After a dragging, bad luck day, I am beginning to feel that I will survive. That is good to know.

Anyway, I guess I will have to return his Ford Explorer to him in Colorado Springs around Labor Day of next year. I wonder if that will create a new cycle in the classroom.

As far as school goes, I am way motivated to retire. Unfortunately, I lack the funds to maintain the fun when I go out.

Tomorrow night the fatigue will be reinforced as I begin the class to get my Math Teacher's endorsement in Arizona. Then I can retire and teach math part-time at the junior high or high school level. I love math so the kids should love me. Right?