Friday, September 28, 2012

Smurfette Saturday! lol

Saturday was the HON (Hands on Nashville) annual HON day!  Boy, what an amazing turnout citywide!  Over 2,000 volunteers gave over 8,000 hours of work!!  Isn't that amazing!  Just imagine if we all accepted that mindset what we could accomplish as a group, a family, a city or more-so...as a Nation! 
 I chose to volunteer at a local school.  Antioch High School.
They needed painting (LOTS of painting and landscaping)    

We were able to have multiple conversations as we painted!  In fact, one of the men volunteering next to me was the son of my sisters 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Gardner.  Connie would LOVE to see Mrs. Gardner and we just might be able to pull this off and surprise her one Saturday!!  It amazed me that the school had so much work that needed to get done! This school is only a few years old.  Where are the parents?  Where are the committees that we had growing up?

 I made a comment that the painting would be a great "punishment" other than sitting in a study-hall for an hour for skipping school.  Wow...that comment got many different responses!   My kids did not graduate from this particular high school, I chose it as it was nearest to my mothers home as that's where I was heading after our project.  People couldn't believe that!  Really??  Do people only volunteer where they know someone? To me that's the part of the enjoyment, meeting new people!  One lady stated she "had" to do so many hours of public service as part of her employment contract with a local company.  Now that is not what I, personally, consider true volunteering and I say that because she had a real attiude with having to do this twice a year. Another woman stated that this was part of her "community service" after being convicted of a DUI.   I don't want to come off sounding like I'm standing on my soapbox and judging, yet, it is apparent that my idea of volunteering is considerably different than these two women my age.  There was one young lady in our group that was 25, in college, working two jobs who also brought her younger brother with her.  She had the most contagious and giving attitude!  Her outlook really made my day that much more enjoyable!  She was the "poster child" of being a true volunteer!  What a blessing it was to spend the later part of my morning with her and her brother!

To summarize my day...It was great!  A little controversial conversation with others can be a great thing.  It opened my eyes to different views and the reasons behind other peoples decisions.  Although I may not totally agree or be right in my opinion, it is nice to see how diverse the world is.  It's what makes us all unique. I will continue to give of my time or skills whenever/however I can.  Being "needed" is one of the reasons I chose to be a nurse years ago.  Volunteering became a passion after we lost our home.  A time when so many friends/family & strangers donated items, time and services to help us rebuild.  

Whatever your idea of volunteering is, DO IT!  Rather it's an hour, a couple a days a year due to a contractual agreement or because a friend talked you into it....DO IT!!  The reward comes from inside and to me that's what counts!  












Thursday, September 27, 2012

lol....just for the record I cannot figure out this new posting system on blogger.com!  I know you all gave us months to learn it but I'm just a turd and like things as they are!!! haha!  All joking aside, I'm for progress it just takes me forever to catch up !  Bear with me friends!





Monday, September 17, 2012

coming soon


Well...I arrived home to a computer that was not only working but refreshed!  I've lost several files from my writings so in the coming days I'll be updating everything thing and hopefully catching up!  I've got 4 reviews, many photos, stories to share and vacation memories to journal from the last 6 weeks of travels!  Much love and may your days be blessed!








A Smoky Mountain Wedding




Stacy is my daughter Stephanie's sister-in-law.  Stacy and Steph have been friends for 14 years and this is how Stephanie met her precious hubby Jamie!
 So.....now for a few photos from Matt and Stacy's Smoky Mountain Wedding.
Stacy asked me to capture some photos for them although they had a professional photographer for the actual wedding.  Well...the chapel allowed anyone to take photos during the ceremony and just as Jersey was to make her entrance as one of the three flower girls...she had a slight melt down and Nana (Stacy's mom) went to her rescue.  As I held her (only because she was crying) I began taking photos as best I could.  Welp,  she noticed mom and dad as Matron of honor and groomsman.  Stacy had just walked down the aisle looking beautiful in her wedding gown when Jersey began to wiggle and cry...as to not disrupt the ceremony and her crying be heard on the video we sneaked out the side door.  Yep....we missed the ceremony.  We sat in the Bride's room and I could hear another child crying loudly.  It turned out to be Jaxon as he too wanted his mom Stacy as she stood with Matt exchanging their I Do's.   I hated to exit with Jersey but it was for the best.  Thankfully....they did have a professional for the ceremony as well as allow others to take photos.  Whew....I've learned two things with photography, I do not want the soul responsibly of capturing a moment you cannot get back and photographing people (especially more than 2 in a sitting) is quite challenging!  I personally will stick with random shots, still life, nature and abstract shots with my camera!!  : p  

Introducing "The Witt Family"

Jaxon was pooped!

The Staat's Family
My daughter Stephanie, Jamie her husband
and their Jersey-girl.

 I absolutely love this shot of Jaxon!


 Miss Jersey getting dolled up to be one of the flower girls.

My personal favorite of the couple dancing!


LOL!!  This happened soooo quickly as I was lying on the floor trying to capture a group shot of the kids.  I think it's adorable!!  Jaxon is such a cutie!

Jersey's last week with her pacifier!

Stacy at the hair salon.  What a horrible experience it was! That's a whole blog post itself!!

waiting patiently....

David's Bridal


Stephanie helping Stacy get into her dress


B is for Bubbbbbbles!!!  Lots of bubbles!!

"Oh What a view" is the name of one of the three bridal cabins for the wedding party and family members.

and....oh what a view it offered of The Great Smoky Mountains!!

That's one of Dollywood's roller coasters in the photo!

This 3 story cabin was amazing!  It's also for sale for over 3 million dollars! 


The Little Log Wedding Chapel...a quaint little place!

The Holy Bible
The wishing well at the chapel

 Stacy with her dress at the crack of dawn

The garter and "Her boots"

I love this! Considering it to be one of the greeting cards!

 Stacy and Dee in the Bride's suite

At the reception

Stacy and Sydney


Mother and Daughter

I was asked to edit some of the photos for them

Stacy with the groomsmen and her brother Jamie

 I added these last three of Jersey and her expressions.

Steph and Jersey

"Look Meme, it's a bird!"

What a great weekend it was and what a blessing to spend it with my daughter and the "other" side of her family!  Congratulations to Stacy and Matt!  May God bless your life together as husband and wife and enrich the life of your children Jaxon and Sydney as a family!

P.S.  unless others know in advance that I'm blogging and posting photos I DO NOT post their photos without verbal permission.  Some people really do not want their photos published especially their children's and I respect that.  So, while there were over 1500 photos these are the ones I am sharing.  







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