Nikon Girl's Photoshop

Happy Saturday

2010-06-19T10:00:00.003-10:00

Freedom

2010-04-09T18:40:00.001-10:00

DSC_6761, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I wish I could free her, she is such a remarkable animal!

2010-03-22T01:21:00.003-10:00

My son sent this picture to me the other day. He is not a religious person, but he loves God. He has a deep and abiding faith that is pure and unshaken. He tells me all the time that I should pray and that the answers I seek will be revealed. This brings me a sense of peace, sort of. I still worry for him, I miss him. I love him. He is deployed to the Middle East.

An Honor and a Privilege

2010-03-13T06:59:00.005-10:00

This young man is serving our country and today I thought about how incredible it is that he, like other young men and women, would make this decision to serve. What a difficult and important decision to make for a young person, especially in this time of war.
So many of his peers chose to go to college, go to work in the civilian workplace, or start a family. He chose to join the Army. He chose to be a medic and he chose to serve his fellow soldiers and all of us.
It is an honor and a privilege to have him in my life, to be able to love him and be loved by him, to call him my son. Take a moment and think of these brave young men and women who sacrifice so much for us all.

Mele Kalikimaka and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

2009-12-24T14:56:00.005-10:00

Moon Over Honolulu

2009-12-18T05:35:00.005-10:00

Taken May 2005, from the Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki.

A Call for Help at Fort Hood, TX

2009-11-06T18:16:00.005-10:00

To all my quilter friends out there - if you would like to do something to help those wounded in the tragedy at Fort Hood, TX - CherryHouse Quilts has received information from the Chaplins Office on Fort Hood for donations of quilts. Go to her site and she will guide you on how you can help! Most of you are military wives and mothers like me and I know if you can you will! I love you sisters!

Sailing....

2009-10-01T21:13:00.002-10:00

DSCN2812, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Sarah and Audrey

2009-09-30T19:16:00.003-10:00

DSC_5414, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I Could Look at Them All Day

2009-08-14T12:30:00.006-10:00

Just a Little Walk This Evening...

2009-07-16T22:27:00.001-10:00

Show Honu Aloha

2009-07-13T20:23:00.012-10:00

Aloha means hello in hawaiian, but it is has another broader meaning of extending goodwill to the person you are saying it to. Honu is the hawaiian name for turtle and this is a little story of how I learned about showing aloha to the honu.

A few weeks ago, we ventured towards the North Shore and we wanted to go to a different beach than the one at Haleiwa, so we drove just a little north and saw some folks parked on the right side of the road. We stopped to see why and initially couldn’t figure out where they were going. We crossed the street, which looked like a drop off and low and behold was a little rocky beach called Laniakea.
Laniakea Beach

We made our way down to the beach and discovered this “little” guy, a beautiful green sea turtle. He was just laying in the warm sand soaking up the last of the afternoon sun. Someone had roped off an area around him with a red rope and put a laminated sign up asking us all to keep away.

Genbu

So I took a few shots of him and noticed a whiteboard in the sand which said his name was Genbu. This intrigued me because I began to realize that the someone who cared enough to put the rope up also seemed to know a lot about this turtle. I walked around the beach looking to see if there were other turtle basking, which there weren’t, but there were several bobbing up out of the water feeding. What very cool place.

Genbu on Laniakea Beach

I started to leave and a woman with a beautiful green turtle necklace on came over to me and asked if I needed any help or if I had any questions about Genbu (I must have “that” look, because this actually happens to me a lot). We started talking and she told me how she volunteers as a Honu Guardian, volunteering once or twice a month for 3-4 hours at a time. The green sea turtles are a “threatened species” and are protected by the Endangered Species Act. Laniakea is one of the few beaches that the green sea turtles come to feed and bask and they migrate here regularly from their birthing grounds on the French Frigate Shoals about 500 miles north of Oahu.

She is sort of an ambassador for the turtles and volunteers with Malama na Honu, which means “care for the turtles”. They train their volunteers on what to look for when observing and how to collect data about the turtles’ basking and feeding habits. The Honu Guardians are also on hand to help educate humans about the turtles’ migration patterns, explaining why they choose this beach to come feed and why the turtles bask on the beaches.

You can read more about them on their website malamanahonu.org and there is a cool section about each of the turtles that have been identified as regulars. This is the section about my turtle Genbu. He really is so special!

Name: GENBU
Hawaiian name: KUPONO- the worthy
one
MATURING, MALE

Markings: PIT tags # 4250034951 and # 442E084F24

Genbu, who weighs 157 pounds and is approximately 30 years old, disappeared from the shores of Laniakea in 2004. A year later he hauled out onto the beach with a large fibropapailloma tumor on his left jaw hinge and tumors on his neck and eyes. He was successfully treated by the veterinarian with Dermex in 2005 and again in 2007. Today L-11 basks in the sun at Laniakea approximately 8 days a month. L-11 has a distinguishably flat scute on top of his shell and small “wartlike” bumps on both eyelids. A satellite tag and TDR were attached to Genbu's shell March 2009 and the transmitter removed in June, as he did not migrate in 2009.

When I first read this, I decided I like his hawaiian name better, Kupono, the worthy one. Once we get settled into our house and routine, I plan to volunteer with Malama na Honu and spend a few hours a month hanging out at Laniakea with Brian, hoping to see my “little” guy again.

Kupono

Grandpa and Brian

2009-06-23T10:26:00.004-10:00

We spent Father's Day at the North Shore on a little beach called Hale'iwa. Brian loves running along the beach and occasionally dipping his toes in the water. He is getting used to the way the water comes in and out from the shore. We watched turtles bobbing up and down in the water, skipping stones and a glorious sunset.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T14:09:00.004-10:00

Aloha!

I just wanted to update you about our moving situation. We landed safely in Honolulu on Thursday and we are currently in a hotel for an indeterminate amount of time, until we are able to secure permanent housing. The pups are at a beautiful kennel and we can go visit them any time we want. We have already started looking at some possible places for housing and I will keep you up to date as it reveals to us.

No worries, we have so many places to go visit and hang out, it feels more like an extended vacation. It's been a while since I have posted regularly and I hope to be able to do so soon. I have shot so many images since I have arrived, Hawaii is like being in a candy store for me. Beautiful landscapes and flowers and the beach and turtles and of course Brian! The trick will be carving the time for uploading as I have had to remind myself to charge the batteries at night.

I feel so fortunate to be able to live here, be able to shoot this gorgeous place, and share it with all of you. I hope you will follow my journey here on the Hawaiian islands.

Mahalo!

Dateline: Hawaii, May 2005

2009-06-05T02:51:00.007-10:00

Aloha,

In May of 2005, my family and I flew out of Anchorage for two glorious weeks on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. We stayed at the Hale Koa, right on Waikiki Beach. It was the most fabulous two weeks of our lives. We swam, sunbathed, walked endless miles on the beaches, climbed Diamond Head and watched surfers on the waves. We ate shaved ice and pineapple every day.

We drove up to the North Shore and took in the breathtaking vistas. We climbed on the rocks and visited Hanauma Bay. We saw a beautiful black Labrador that reminded us of our recently departed sweet Sara dog and we watched our son skateboard at an outdoor park in Kailua, We walked the streets and took in the nightlife of Kalakaua Avenue and ate at Duke's right on Waikiki Beach. We drove through the Dole Pineapple Plantation fields and body boarded at Bellows Beach.

My husband and I spent an entire afternoon watching and photographing outrigger canoe women teams practice at Ala Moana State Recreation Area. We came across street musicians and watched the sailboats come in and out of the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor with Diamond Head perfectly poised in the background.
Our first night there, I photographed the night skyline of Waikiki and we watched fireworks both Fridays we were there. I photographed the sunsets, the sunrises and everything I could in between. We visited Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. It was a very somber visit and I was so grateful to be able to go and pay my respects for those who gave their lives that day. We went to a lua and we smelled beautiful plumera and it really was almost too much to take in.

One night shortly after we arrived, we were having dinner and talking about all that we had seen in the first few days and how beautiful and wonderful it was, except of course the traffic during rush hour. We were only caught twice in it. We thought how amazing it would be to be able to come back here and live and we all sort of shook our heads at the improbability. After all, my husband had been in the military for 22 years and we knew we probably had one more move before we retired. And since we were already in Alaska, the odds were that we would be moving back to the lower 48 states. So we decided we would come back every so often as this was our most favorite vacation ever.

Three years later, the orders came and we were off to Kentucky, to spend 18 months before we were to retire. We packed our house and off we drove; up through Alaska, through the Yukon Territory and down in British Columbia, back into the United States and across to Kentucky; 3,942 miles!

Then as we planned our first trip to the Carolinas to scope out possible retirement spots and jobs; we got a very exciting call that changed our lives; my husband was promoted and we had to leave Kentucky - no job for him here any more. A month later, while he was in Washington, D.C., he called me and asked me what I thought about Hawaii. I said I LOVE Hawaii, why are you taking me there for Christmas? No, they want me to take a position there! I screamed and thought NO WAY, too good to be true. This just doesn't happen to the McDonells! And for the last 8 months, I have held my breath waiting for someone to wake me up and tell me it was a joke.

It's not, our house is packed up and on Monday, June 8th, exactly one year to the day we signed for the keys to this house, all of our belongings will be crated and shipped off for their long distance voyage to the Hawaiian islands. Three days after, on June 11th (my 45th birthday), we will once again get in our trucks, load some suitcases and our beautiful baby grandson and our gorgeous daughter and our two happy-go-lucky black Labs, Minnie and Daisy; and we will all begin the trek across the southwest United States to Los Angeles, Ca. We will ship our trucks at the port on June 17th and early the next morning we will all board a flight to Oahu. We are scheduled to land at 11am local time so we figure we should be at the beach for our first sunset on, ironically enough, Sunset Beach on the North Shore.

I cannot begin to tell you how excited we all are to be able to have this opportunity to live in Hawaii, visit it's beautiful islands and experience the Hawaiian culture like no visitor can in two weeks. I promise to blog about our adventures and share with you all the wonderful things we see and experience in Hawaii and until then, I leave you with some of my favorite memories of our visit 4 years ago!

Mahalo.

Run Minnie, Run!

2009-05-30T04:06:00.001-10:00

DSC_6872, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Boy does this picture bring back memories. Shot August 26, 2007 in Alaska at Otter Lake on Fort Richardson, AK. I can't believe it's been almost 2 years!

Saying Goodbye

2009-05-18T07:21:00.001-10:00

DSCN1495, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I came across this shot and thought I want to share it with you. It was taken on August 13, 2008. It was the night my husband took Jimmy to the hotel in Louisville. He joined a dozen other young people who were all new recruits into the various branches of the military. Some Navy, a few Air Force and my son had joined the Army. He was flying out early the next morning for basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. I love this picture because we had all been crying and yet here we were, smiling our infamous smiles. I also like this picture because I think it shows how much my husband, Brad and I are beginning to look alike. Maybe because Jimmy's in between us and I can see both of us in him.

One Day in May

2009-05-15T07:10:00.001-10:00

http://wakemeupwhen.blogspot.com/2009/05/one-saturday-in-may.html

Check out what we did last Saturday!

My Favorite Animals - April 2009

2009-05-13T06:32:00.017-10:00

Day Gone By

2009-05-09T16:15:00.002-10:00

It's been a long day.

Sleeping boy.

Learning a New Skill Set

2009-05-08T07:31:00.002-10:00

Taken with my iPhone. Not too shabby - but he makes all my pics awesome. He's my right hand man!

At the Book Store

2009-05-07T13:49:00.001-10:00

At the Book Store, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Concentrating on a really cool car book.

Check this out.

2009-04-13T14:33:00.001-10:00

http://wakemeupwhen.blogspot.com/

Today...I ran.

2009-04-13T09:05:00.000-10:00

Brian and Me

2009-03-16T12:33:00.002-10:00

Out for a hike yesterday - he loves going on hikes almost as much as he likes to walk! We saw birds and broken trees and horse poo...he practiced saying "pa pa" and "gram" while we were out and kept leaning to the left all the way! This is one monkey I LOVE having on my back! Fun times!!

2009-03-14T06:04:00.001-10:00

My view in Hawaii

2009-03-06T13:30:00.004-10:00

I can't wait to get back!

Thanks to Pam Rubert for the wonderful drawing and reminder!

The Florida Botanical Gardens

2009-02-28T07:36:00.007-10:00

This picture was taken on one of my last trips to Florida, May 2002. It is a view of the Botanical Gardens that are near where my father used to live. It reminded me of the Florida I grew up in, wild and beautiful.

I used some sepia filters to produce the picture below - this is how I see Florida in my mind.

I think we should head...this way.

2009-01-10T16:18:00.001-10:00

I think we should head...this way., originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Really, I think it's this way...at least that seems plausible.

Handsome young man

2009-01-10T16:11:00.001-10:00

Handsome young man, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

My wonderful grandson.

Jamming to the oldies...

2009-01-01T04:25:00.001-10:00

Jamming to the oldies, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

...every baby ought to have a set!

He comes home tomorrow...

2008-12-20T16:33:00.001-10:00

DSC_1618, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

...and I can't wait to hug him!

They'll be here soon!

2008-12-15T12:44:00.002-10:00

DSC_1171, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

She lands in Chicago and will fly out in an hour, then she'll be here with HIM! We are getting ready to leave for Louisville to meet them and bring them home. Life is sweet.

Pandora

2008-12-15T08:51:00.001-10:00

Pandora is the latest goodie I have discovered and I want to share it with you - enjoy!

Brad got promoted

2008-12-14T05:41:00.001-10:00

DSC_2654, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Hey all, I forgot to post this. On December 1, 2008, my husband Brad was promoted to SGM (Sergeant Major), highest enlisted rank in the Army. I am so very proud of him. The photo on his cake is from basic training, 26 years ago.

Upside down

2008-12-11T09:33:00.001-10:00

DSCN1548, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Happy Thursday!

Home

2008-11-18T04:00:00.001-10:00

Just thinking about them.

2008-11-12T10:03:00.001-10:00

DSC_1175, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

My sweet baby girl and her baby boy!

YES WE DID!

2008-11-06T13:57:00.002-10:00

Black IN White, originally uploaded by Racchio.

Thanks to Racchio for this!

President (Elect) Barack Obama

2008-11-04T19:42:00.002-10:00

Barack Obama [President-Elect], originally uploaded by slight clutter.

Our new President! I am renewed in the belief that anything is possible in this great nation of ours. I feel so proud to be a Christian, an American, a military spouse and a military mom.
AMEN!

Thanks for the picture slightclutter photography

My Irish Twins

2008-11-01T03:28:00.001-10:00

DSC_1623, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I love when the two of them are together. It makes me so happy to see them interact and finish each other's thoughts and sentences.

Smiling

2008-10-31T17:24:00.002-10:00

DSC_1544, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

My son, James B. McDonell, graduated from Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri on Thursday. Can you guess which one he is? Yup, that's right - those Irish eyes are smiling. He received honors for outstanding athletic achievement in scoring a perfect 300 on his physical training test. He ran his 2 miles in 11:06. I am so very proud of him!!!

He begins training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas on Monday for firefighter. We had to say goodbye to him this afternoon and drive back home without him. My husband and I are so proud of him and we are so happy that he seems to have found his direction. He is so looking forward to school and all that comes after serving in the Army.

I Will Have Cake!

2008-10-22T13:20:00.001-10:00

I Will Have Cake!, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Happy Birthday to my grandbaby boy Brian!

Zoom, zoom, zoom!

2008-10-19T02:46:00.001-10:00

Brian BW, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

He's here! And he's fast! And cute as can be! My Brian boy!

They're Coming Home Today!

2008-10-14T03:23:00.001-10:00

DSCN0996, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I can hardly stand the waiting - my daughter and my grandson will be here this evening! I have missed them tremendously!

My Rachel

2008-10-13T03:17:00.001-10:00

DSC_6047, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This is another favorite! I just love her smile!

A Fun Moment

2008-10-08T05:24:00.001-10:00

DSC_6073, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

At the golf course, May 2007. She is radiant!

Hanauma Bay, HI

2008-10-07T05:21:00.001-10:00

DSC_2739, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

One of the last days of our trip to Hawaii, we stopped here to snorkel but the lines were too long. So we walked up to some cliffs and we looked at the bay and I saw this. It reminded me of our pup Sara who had passed the year before and I felt like it was a sign. A few miles down the road, we saw this pup - and felt like Sara might be telling us she was "hanging loose".

Happy Moment

2008-10-07T01:37:00.001-10:00

DSC_6105 copy, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This shot was a happy moment (no mistakes here) in between more formal shots of her senior pictures. We had just finished shooting at the park, golf course, and camp ground; and we had just arrived at the cemetary. She was talking about how she was glad the weather was clearing up but that it was still cold and she only had flip flops and should she put on a sweater, etc. The whole time she was talking, I was changing lenses and I shot this to test my settings on my camera. There were a couple of others, but I wanted to share this one because it turns out it's one of my favorites ever of her. I am truly blessed.

My Day with Zachary

2008-10-06T05:39:00.002-10:00

DSC_6579, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This was taken on August 11, 2007. We were hanging our until Rachel finished work and we went to the park. I pulled him in his red wagon and when we got there - he ran for the slide. He played and I shot. He is Brian's big brother and he's such a smart and handsome boy! I miss him more than I ever thought I would.
More with Zachary.

The Latest from Tina Fey

2008-10-05T07:12:00.003-10:00

God I love her - she's the greatest!

My Budding Photographer

2008-09-29T05:20:00.001-10:00

Rachel.tif, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Just winding down memory lane and cleaning up my backup drives when I came across this wonderful photo of my daughter, Rachel. She was about 11 or 12 here. We had gone to Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida and the boys went off on all the rides and she tagged along with me to photograph all the wildlife. What a patient model she was, and still is. She is one of my four favorite subjects to photograph. I just wanted to share those beautiful baby blues with you today.

Fall in Denali National Park

2008-09-28T05:03:00.001-10:00

IMG_1183a, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

sweet memories

What a view

2008-09-15T02:13:00.001-10:00

What a view, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

You may have noticed that my blog style is different. The previous setup was cutting off my my pictures and it was driving me crazy! Hopefully, you will like the improvement as well.

An Old Friend

2008-09-12T07:30:00.001-10:00

pic010, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

What a day I had with this wonderous creature! Flippin' amazing - a blast from the past!

hmmmm

2008-09-10T02:39:00.001-10:00

078, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Respite

2008-09-09T03:57:00.001-10:00

portage glacier5a, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I could use this right about now.

Hanging out with the Beast

2008-09-08T06:07:00.001-10:00

Hanging out with the Beast, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Do you see the bison's little friend? On the side of the road driving through Canada.

Welcome home

2008-09-07T04:55:00.001-10:00

Welcome, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Swirls

2008-09-06T05:10:00.001-10:00

Swirls, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I just needed some color on this dreary day.

A Flower for Audrey

2008-09-05T01:17:00.006-10:00

Ahhhh, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Audrey,
Happy Birthday to you!

For my Audrey Marie, who is cute as can be - she is two today!

Courtesy of Sarah Raffuse, 2008. Sarah's Flickr.

Ahhhhh

2008-09-04T01:38:00.001-10:00

Dream

2008-09-03T02:26:00.001-10:00

Dream, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Plumeria from Hawaii. It comes in a variety of colors and smells so wonderful! My favorite after gardenias. I dream of Hawaii regularly.

Following you

2008-09-02T02:00:00.001-10:00

Following you, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I'm here...

2008-09-01T04:18:00.001-10:00

Following, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

...with you. good morning.

Tiny Spray

2008-08-31T12:09:00.001-10:00

Tiny Spray, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Hope you have a peaceful evening.

Happy Saturday!

2008-08-30T02:51:00.001-10:00

Cardnial in Hawaii, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I totally forgot about this little guy - I chased him all through the gardens to get some shots of him. Enjoy!

Tropical

2008-08-25T01:45:00.002-10:00

DSC_3238, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Good Morning Friends! I thought you would like this shot. I can still feel the cool breeze of the morning that this was taken in Hawaii. Enjoy!

Pearl Harbor

2008-08-18T07:55:00.001-10:00

PH Garden, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This is the garden leading to the launch ramp to the skiff that takes you to the USS Arizona Memorial. One of the most incredible places I have ever been to.

That's My Brian Boy

2008-08-09T17:20:00.001-10:00

IMG_4365, originally uploaded by MommyFooFoo.

She said I was talking to him when she took this picture. I just love those beautiful brown eyes!

My Boo is Tired

2008-08-09T12:01:00.001-10:00

03610016, originally uploaded by MommyFooFoo.

I think he was getting done with the photo shoot. Priceless!

My Boo

2008-08-09T11:57:00.001-10:00

03610006, originally uploaded by MommyFooFoo.

I just got this via Flickr from my daughter Rachel. She used her Nikon N65 film SLR camera to shoot this. I think she did great! Of course, she has a perfect subject - my Boo Brian!

Sunburst

2008-07-31T16:29:00.001-10:00

431, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This reminds me of Florida - Kentucky is almost as hot!

Bronze Beatle

2008-07-31T16:20:00.001-10:00

419a, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Discovered him on a walk in my neighborhood - reminded me of Egypt. Very exotic for Kentucky.

Green Glow

2008-07-31T13:50:00.000-10:00

Green Glow

Blue

2008-07-31T13:43:00.000-10:00

Blue Bliss

My Brother's Family

2008-07-26T05:53:00.001-10:00

Tony, Paige, Ian and Dylan. Moody, Alabama 2008.

Dylan Oviatt

2008-07-26T05:53:00.000-10:00

Watch out sistas...he's gonna be a lady killer!

Ian Oviatt

2008-07-26T05:52:00.000-10:00

Ian checking out the pups.

They Like Big Butts

2008-07-26T05:51:00.000-10:00

and they cannot lie, them other brothers can't deny

A Boy Named Jim

2008-07-26T05:48:00.001-10:00

Another gorgeous shot of the boy they call Jim.

He Looks Great in Stripes!

2008-07-26T05:46:00.000-10:00

Brian in Minnesota with stripes galore! How does anyone resist those big brown eyes??

Andrea Collins Smith

2008-07-06T09:14:00.002-10:00

AndreaJesse0076, originally uploaded by jackhag66.

I met this woman after her death and she has touched me in a way that I was not expecting. She was the mother of six beautiful children and a loving wife. I happened upon her blog from a friend on Twitter and I have been so fascinated by her story.

I invite you all to read her story here: http://punkrockmommy.org/blog/

and see her family here: http://flickr.com/photos/jonolshefski/collections/72157600856172125/

I hope it brings your peace and gratitude.

Love Laura

Brian in Minnesota

2008-07-05T15:13:00.003-10:00

I know these are a bit late - but better than never.

Some New Pictures for You

2008-07-05T13:37:00.005-10:00

This was in the concourse of the Portland Convention Center. I was fascinated watching it.

Another shot directly below.

Some beautiful flowers in Porland, OR.

They look like cotton candy.

A daffodil on our walk with Minnie and Daisy.

Some cone flowers along the way.

Bridal lace with a wonderful beatle.

I think this is a gladiola - it's been a long time.

Daisy on the porch all tuckered out.

Minnie wondering when we're going again.

Enjoy!

My Cutie Pies!

2008-06-19T04:22:00.001-10:00

My Cutie Pies!, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Jim & Rachel
I just love them so much!
Minnesota 5-2008

Brian

2008-06-17T03:51:00.001-10:00

503, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

The thing about babies is, they have such a purity in their smile. They are genuinely amazed at everything. When I look at Brian my heart just fills up with love and joy. Everything I might be worried about disappears in his smile, regardless of who he's smiling at.

Gentle Ben

2008-06-17T02:54:00.001-10:00

Ben, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

He's just the kind of dog you would want on a long hike or during a cold long winter. We met Ben in Montona in May. His owner said he was born in Hawaii. Can you imagine? He looks just like Rachel's pup, Buddy, except he's bigger and furrier. What a beautiful guy!

Love

2008-06-14T12:57:00.001-10:00

DSC_5934, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

My nephew Aaron and his fiance Ashlynn. I took this a year ago when I visited Minnesota with Rachel. They are a beautiful couple.

Brian is my boo

2008-05-11T19:05:00.001-10:00

066, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Gotta love the little man with the hat! I sure do!!

I wuv u gam gam

2008-05-11T19:01:00.001-10:00

I wuv u gam gam, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

How could anyone resist such a sweet face?!! He's the very best grandson in the whole world - I love you Bri Bri - I miss you tons!!!

Yummm..Owwww..Yummmm...Owwww

2008-05-11T18:59:00.001-10:00

Yummm..Owwww..Yummmm...Owwww, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I just love this picture of Brian. I love him so much and oh how I miss him! He's the best boy in the world and I can't wait to hold him and give him tons of kisses again!

Leaving Alaska

2008-05-11T04:28:00.006-10:00

We left Eagle River, Alaska yesterday after spending the morning with Rachel and Brian. We also went to the DMV to transfer the title of her truck to her and to renew my driver’s license. WE said our goodbyes and packed the truck and took off around 2pm. We arrived in Tok, AK around 7pm and we checked into the Main Street Motel. The room was small and clean with wifi. We had burgers at the Grumpy Grizz and called it a night at around 10pm (very early for us). We wanted to get up at 5am to get a good start for driving to Whitehorse. At around 2am Daisy & Minnie woke us up to go outside and they ran around for a few minutes, came back inside and then decided to eat dinner. Spent an hour listening to them eat and wag their tails against the bed. Finally fell back asleep and 525am wake up became 6am get up.

We ate breakfast at the Grumpy Grizz – DELICIOUS!! Stopped at the Tok Welcome center and took a couple of pictures and then we left Tok, AK at 804am this morning. It was a 90 mile drive to the border of Canada. We stopped at the International Border marker and took some pictures and the girls, Minnie and Daisy had a nice little jaunt around, sniffing and checking out the surroundings. There was a guy there taking pictures with his GI Joe doll (he said it was a Russian soldier) and as we were getting back in the truck, we saw him go over to the Alaska sign wearing a fake Groucho Marx nose and glasses. We had a chuckle and kept going. 20 miles later, we stopped at the Canadian Customs station and showed our documents and declared our 3 Coronas.

12:31pm (PST) - We are currently somewhere between Beaver Creek and Haines Junction. The roads are waffled, bumpy with lots of dips; making it feel like we’re on a roller coaster. We are averaging about 40mph (65kph) through this area of the Yukon. The mountains are gorgeous and we have seen a few frozen lakes and lots of snow on White River still. We have no one traveling in our direction on the road and we’ve passed a handful of RVs and semis going to Alaska. It must still be early in the tourist season. We were listening to ABBA but we needed something a bit more pick me up so it’s AC/DC and Hell’s Bells, Shoot to Thrill and whatever else is next. It’s a beautiful sunny day with temperatures just above 50. The mountains are amazingly beautiful and this drive reminds me of driving to Denali National Park (except the roads there are better). There’s the usual Black Spruce forest at the base of the mountains.

3:15pm – we just went through Haines Junction and now we’re on our way to Whitehorse, should be there by 5pm. We can’t believe how much snow and ice is on the ground and the lakes. We traveled along Lake Kluane for over 45 minutes and it was covered with ice from shore to shore. When we came through 6 years ago – the lake was the most beautiful shade of turquoise.

5:06pm – arrived in Whitehorse, made a stop at the Wal-Mart for an ipod adapter because we only have 6 CDs in the truck and we’re already sick of them. We checked into the Westmark hotel on the main street in Whitehorse. Tried to reach Rachel with the calling card, no answer (no surprise) – did you know that calling cards expire? I didn’t until this evening, but the guy at AT&T was very nice and helpful and extended my expiration until May 2010.

8:54pm – Just got back from dinner at Boston’s Pizza; so good here in Whitehorse, not so good in Anchorage. Amy, our waitress, was very helpful in recommending a place in Fort Nelson (our next stop) to stay with the dogs. Brad is making the reservations. After dinner, we took the dogs to a park next to the Yukon River and turned them loose. Boy did they run and run and run!! They really needed to stretch their legs. Minnie and Daisy are doing really well on this trip, although I think Minnie is not eating as well as she should. As long as they’re with us, they are happy. As far as they will run, they will come back to us that fast!

Well, gonna try and chat with my daughter whose online. More soon!

Mirror Lake

2008-05-01T18:40:00.001-10:00

mirror lake4, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

I took this on the way back from Seward 4 years ago when my dad came to visit.

Brian's First Snow Angel

2008-04-25T20:45:00.001-10:00

DSCN0390, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Brian made his first snow angel this evening. He wasn't crazy about the whole cold wet stuff in his face. He did a nice job though. Can you believe we've had over a foot of snow since 9am this morning??? It's April 25th for goodness sake!

A Surprise Gift

2008-04-23T19:47:00.004-10:00

This came in the mail yesterday for Brian. It was made by a woman who lives in Fallon, NV. Her name is Kathleen Gross and she is the mother of a young man, Justin that Brad and I befriended during some trying times for him. Anyhow, I would have never in a million years expected this. What a beautiful gesture.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

2008-04-22T19:19:00.005-10:00

My neighboring Starbucks on Elmendorf, AFB

The barista makes my coffee.

Their pledge of service - Your drink should be perfect, every time. If not, let us know and we'll make it right.

My usual is a Grande Breve, no foam, one sugar. They get it right almost every time. The down side, I only go there when I go to the PX, which is only about once a month. So I usually go to the one of Fort Richardson which is only a few blocks from my house. Same order, totally not right almost every time.
When my husband gets it for me, he doesn't realize that its wrong until he gets home and hands to to me. By then, I just deal with it because no one is going back there to get it right. Last time I stopped in there was last Thursday after the Post Office and I ordered my usual and the first thing she did was to put Splenda in my cup. I reminded her that I had asked for sugar and her comment back to me was that I didn't state SUGAR IN THE RAW! Since when is SPLENDA sugar?????
After she finished making it, she capped it and pushed it towards me. I picked it up and realized immediately that there was foam so I took the cap off and asked her to remove the foam - if looks could kill....
My point is obvious, don't post a sign promising something you are not willing to keep.

Sh1t the Gorgeous Green Monster

2008-04-20T13:32:00.003-10:00

Sh1t the Gorgeous Green Monster, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

This is Sh1t, the gorgeous green monster, who travelled all the way from Scotland to be with me. I bought him from Fi at Moose and Bear Crafts to accompany my Dammit doll. I got her a long time ago from a friend who must have thought I would need her at different moments in my life.

One of the main attractions I have towards Sh1t, the gorgeous green monster, besides his lovely smile and wonderful green color, is his name. It happens to be my dad's favorite word. He didn't like cussing, in fact he would get mad ifsomeone started using profanity but he loved the word Sh1t and I think partly because it pissed off my aunt.
When he passd away, the minister came to his house to discuss the memorial with my brother and I. My daughter was sitting with us and the minister asked her what she would remember most about her grandfather. What was the most important thing he taught her, and she thought for a moment and said - "Sh1t, he taught me how to say his favorite word, sh1t." The minister smiled with a lot of understanding - she knew my dad well.
I love my new monster Sh1t and I think my dad would have too.

liquid love you

2008-04-16T08:35:00.001-10:00

liquid love you, originally uploaded by Nikongirl's Photoshop.

Tagged...

2008-04-15T19:47:00.005-10:00

...honored!! Fi at Moose and Bear Crafts tagged me today.

Here are the rules:
1. link to the person that tagged you.
2. post the {very important} rules on your blog.
3. list 6 very unimportant, random nothings about yourself {should be an easy one}

Here are my random things about me.
1. I love thunderstorms (and miss them here in AK).
2. I have recently begun to enjoy Judge Judy and Live with Regis and Kelly
3. One of my favorite albums of all time is Men at Work's Business as Usual.
4. I don't really like seafood, despite being raised on the Gulf of Mexico.
5. I really love to walk on the beach, not to tan, but to put my feet in the sand.
6. I have an addiction to glass vessels.

I hope I did it right Fi. So now I want to tag Design Sponge, Pamdora, Sarah Raffuse and MommyFooFoo - YOU ALL ARE IT!!