What a nice day it was yesterday.

It was fun here at Quiet Life due to all of your super fun casting suggestions!

And it was fun because Katie, Emma and I went to met with two other families and Pastor Dan.

Pastor Dan is the Pastor that Emma stayed with while she was in India a year ago.

What a great man. He is warm and funny and gracious and has a passion for Christ.

No wonder Emma felt so welcome.


We had a yummy meal and spent a few hours visiting...and we ate Ree's Chocolate Cake.

It was a big hit!







Pastor Daniel is very tall for someone from India. It seems that tall men are policemen and in the government.
So Pastor Daniel is noticed for his height and I think it was God's way of bestowing a little something on Pastor Daniel so he come have a bigger impact on the people of India.

(Like Amy Carmichael and her brown eyes :o)

Oh! And that snow we had on Monday.

Daniel's first snow! They shoved him out in it and took pictures of him. Isn't that fun!?

*******

I was able to zip thru both American Idol and Dancing with the Stars in about an hour and ten minutes after we got home.


I must say the "Sports Center" bit with Kenny Manes was pretty sassy and funny.

The faces. The toots.



"That would frighten the children, wouldn't it?"

Funny Len.




Oh goodness. I have opinions about last nights American Idol.


First off, Neil Diamond was so nice and gracious. I am not a fan of his, at all.

I am more a Neil Young fan.

But Neil Diamond was really kind.


For me the clear winner of the night was Shyesha. I liked BOTH of her songs and I think she is very talented.
And she is just so pretty!

Jason was awful. I hated both of his songs. But I think Jason looks like Vinnie Baberino? There is just something about him that reminds me of the young John Travolta.

I actually liked David Cook's first song better than the second. It was touching.

And I'm sorry to say, I do not like David Arch. at all, any more. i didn't like the notes he sang. He sounds off to me.

Brookes first song was terrible and painful and I had to fast forward thru it....her second song was o.k.


David is the clear American Idol.

I would like to see Shyesha in the top two with David.

I don't think that will happen. But I can wish.


Do you think it is mean when judges tell people that they are the clear winner at this point in the game?

The others must hate that!




Who will go home?

I hope Jason goes home. He was just really blah last night.

What do you think?


Encourage one another,
Donna

Amy J and I bumped into one another yesterday afternoon at the library.
We spoke of the blogging world and I told her a story of a blogger who I think, my have a
movie or television something in the works.

It is not Ree.

And it is a wild supposition. But I make those all the time about Internet folks.

But anyway, this person was deciding who would play her husband. She chose John Larroquette.

Without hesitation, I knew who should play me in the movie that will never be.

Debra Monk





When Debra played George's mom on Grey's Anatomy. I felt a oneness, a kinship with her, immediately.

I thought, there she is. My Donna.

So of course, Amy and I had to ponder, who would play her.

I immediately thought of Reese Witherspoon.





But Amy wasn't having it.

She wants Kristen Chenoweth.





Amy loves Kristen and anything Wicked!!!


So Amy J and I want to know.

Who would play you in your movie of the week?

We are dying to know!



******





I watched Atonement.

I thought it was the most beautiful looking movie I have seen in a long time.
The sets were scrumptious.
I thought the writing and editing was interesting.

Even tho I knew the who plot before watching it, I was still captivated and devastated my the story.


I liked it very much.







Patrick and I watched Into the Wild together. We both enjoyed it very much.

Another movie with interesting writing and editing.


The good thing about Into the Wild is the journey to The Bus.

The people Chris meets along the way, the wisdom he hears and the love he feels, the life he leads on the way; that was the really good part of this film.

"Some people feel like they don't deserve love. They walk away quietly into empty spaces, trying to close the gaps of the past."
— Chris McCandless

"I have lived through much and now I think I have found what is needed for happiness. A quiet, secluded life in the country with the possibility of being useful to people..."
— Leo Tolstoy

And my favorite part, the Hal Holbrook part;

"To forgive is to love. To love, is to have God's light shine upon you".

I recommend this movie also.

There is nudity in a very free-spirited, European sense. If you know what I mean.



That's all for this morning. Now put on your thinking caps, or if you're like Amy and me, you already know....

Who will play you in the sitcom of your life?



Encourage one another and forgive one another,
Donna

Puppy Chow, the snack for people.

Puppy Chow is what I have always called it. I think my sister Cindy was the first to make it.

On the back of my Chex cereal box I have the recipe I can share.

Funny thing is, it is called Muddy Buddies.

Muddy Buddies?

I kind of think Crispix invented this snack, but the recipe was not on the Crispix box. But it was on the Chex box.

Okay, I have solved the mystery already.

Crispix, indeed, calls this Puppy Chow.

Here are both of the recipes.

CRISPIX PUPPY CHOW (SIMILAR TO CHEX
MUDDY BUDDIES)
1 12 oz box Crispix cereal
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (Hershey's recommended)
1 cup peanut butter (jiffy recommended)
5 tbsp. butter (Parkay recommended)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. (16 oz. or 1 lb.) powdered sugar
1. Pour out cereal into large bowl and set aside.
2. In 1-qt. saucepan, heat chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter over low heat, stirring frequently until melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour mixture slowly over cereal while stirring with a spatula to evenly coat. Pour into a 2-gallon resealable plastic storage bag or grocery bag. Add powdered sugar slowly. Shake until well coated. Spread onto wax paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Share with someone you love.




CHEX MIX PUPPY CHOW
9 cup Chex
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Put cereal in large bowl. Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
Pour over Chex cereal, put into a large plastic bag with powdered sugar and shake well to coat.

Spread mixture evenly on wax paper and allow to cool.


So. Here is what I have decided. I will make the one with whole box from now on.

I like that idea.




********


After making Puppy Chow, I went to the Madison Youth Choirs concert.

It was called Greek to Me. It was very enjoyable: the voices beautiful and the skits cute.

I went because Lynn's boys were singing.

It was really a fine production!

So. Surprise Lynn. I was there.

I loved when all the choirs were singing together. Very beautiful.

And if you will....share with us the words to the giraffe song. It was very cute. And in English ;o)


********

While I was away, Patrick was playing Mr. Mom and went to get Leonie and Sophia to play with Katie.

Happy Day!

They went in search of frogs...



They caught a tadpole.





I love this high key black and white, but I can't use it on Katie because of her freckles.
Folks aways give me gruff when I erase those freckles.

But Sophia looks so pretty like this!


********



I watched two movies this weekend. (You know, it should probably be "last weekend" but it feels wrong to say it that way, so I will stick with "this weekend.")

I will tell you about them tomorrow.


Hope your weekend was relaxing or refreshing or productive, or whatever you hoped it would be.

Here is a quote from one of the movies we watched.

Happiness only real when shared.

Don't google. Can you guess?



Encourage one another,
Donna


No!!!!!!!!

Sunny, Sunday Blessings!







"The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day.
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You're one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
a cloud come over the sunlit arch,
And wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you're two months back in the middle of March."
- Robert Frost




Same day.

More beautiful light.

Let your light so shine before men....

I was tagged officer, really I was....

I usually make up my own rules as far as tagging goes. I do the good parts and leave off the rest.
Hope you don't mind.


What was I doing 10 years ago:
Surviving. 1998 was the worst year of my life.


Five Snacks I enjoy:
1. popcorn with loads of butter
2. chex mix
3. puppy chow
4. M & M's
5. Diet Dr. Pepper



Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Travel the world.
Give the money away to the needy.
Go to a spa for a long time.
Fix the backyard ;o)



Five jobs that I have had:
Debyles Clothing Store Minocqua, Wisconsin
Hawthorne School for the Hearing Impaired
Aerobics and Dance teacher at YMCA
Photographer
Staff writer for the Pioneer Woman


Three of my habits:
Writing my blog in the morning.
Having a Diet Dr. Pepper first thing.
Watching Regis and Kelly


Five places I have lived:
Elmhurst, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Lake Forest, Illinois
Columbia, Missouri
Marinette, Wisconsin


Tagged by Rachel


Take your child to work day.



Since you asked....

Katie had a wonderful time.

She met many children, but didn't come home with any phone numbers.
She toured the building, built a little structure, checked out the computers, learned about education and self-motivation
(Hi Benn), learned about voting, men and women in the workforce, and being eco-friendly.

She says she would like to be an animal photographer.

I had a little talk with her and shared with her my ideas about being eco-friendly.

I told her that indeed God wants us to be good stewards of all that HE has given us.
Being a believer doesn't mean we don't take care of what we are blessed with...
it is even more important because we are taking care of it for God.

Kind of like, we are working for Him.

So we take care of our surroundings, and the animals and our bodies.

It's good to be a good steward.

But the bit about lightbulbs. I told her that's just a big old lie.



********




This was Wednesday.

Today it is 36 degrees out and the wind howled like crazy all night.

Burr.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

Encourage one another,
Donna

Crissy, Bug. Eyes., and a feast.

Our dear blog-sistah Crissy is hosting a photography contest. She would love to see your most special, favorite-ist picture of a mother or a grandmother and her children/child. This contest is very near to her heart and I would love to see Crissy blessed with lots of gorgeous images. So go on over to her website and send her a winner. And the winner....they will get two really cool photoshoppie prizes. Check. it. out.

Click on that orange flower up above and it will whisk you right on over to Crissy's!

(Hey does anyone have a copy of mom in her white sunglasses holding Janice?
Oh! how I love that photograph!)

By the way, the photograph can be new or vintage.
Crissy is an expert at repairing vintage photographs with photoshop,
so I'm sure she will delight in ALL of your entries.



************

Friday's Feast


Appetizer

Name something you would categorize as weird.

Soup

What color was the last piece of food you ate?

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?

Main Course

Fill in the blank: I will _________ vote for ___________ in _______.

Dessert

Describe your sleeping habits.



Good questions. But that voting one...it might stir things up a bit. Remember where you are :o)
Opinions are fine, but be kind. 'kay. Cause I just can't stand internet fighting.
It makes me feel all uncomfortable.


**********


There, wasn't that nice of me to put non-television related diversions first.

I know many of you don't watch television, but this week it seems to be what I feel like blogging about.

So feel free to skip this portion. It won't hurt my feelings or raise my hackles. (What the?)

hack*el :the hairs on the back of a person's neck, thought of as being raised when the person is angry or hostile

Well. I'll. be.



Grey's Anatomy:

I don't know? Trying too hard. A little raunchy. Men with nice hair. Izzy must go.

And the animal theme voice over. Forced and not my cup of tea.


Chime in any time.


Lost:

Huh? Bug Eyes releases the Smoke Monster. Did Robert Ludlum write this? Where is Jason Borne?
The Sahara? What is that weapon? Penny's father still hasn't found the Island. Penny is in danger. Wow.



Share your thoughts with me please. I really do love talking about Lost.

Even tho......our video store is missing #5 of season One. So I am stalled on the back story.

But I am enjoying the new ones nonetheless.



********

I wanted to share a few more pictures from this week that amused me or made us laugh.



She's a Brick. House. She's migh-ty, migh-ty.....

No. She does not work out. Just youth and genes.



And this made us smile.


And this surprise-self-portrait amused me....a lot.


What a fun week!

Thank you for the camaraderie in the comments box!



Encourage one another,
Donna

In which we talk about American Idol, dandelions and the Thursday Night lineup.

First.



Katie is going to "Take your child to work day" with her daddy today.


I have been up for a bit and little miss just woke up and came downstairs.

As I gave her a morning hug and kiss I said,


"I hope you have fun today and meet a lot of children."


She quickly replied, " And get their addresses. And phone numbers. And names."


Dear God,
Please bring Katie a friend in the neighborhood.
Amen

**********

I've got to write quickly this morning. I have a job to do.
I must deliver a dressed and fed child to my husbands place of work.

She is playing on webkins website and she is already dressed as I type this....so I have about ten minutes to finish up before
I try to force a morsel of food into her lazy tummy.


She will be gone all day, and I will miss her and she will come home and say it was the best day of her life.

That's what she tells me after she has been gone all day.

It's real encouraging.


********

What a big shocker on American Idol!

I think Carly was the happiest I have ever seen her. Was she just tired of the whole thang?

Sigh-esh-a really wanted to stay, didn't she.

Well. Nights like last night show that American Idol is not about finding the best voice,
it is about finding a Pop Star. And I think Pop is short for popular.

I am not really emotionally invested in anyone. Are you?

I loved what David Cook said about being original and unpredictable last night.

He is cool. Have you noticed the size of his noggin yet.

I think I am going to ask every week until someone agrees with me.

You have been warned.

********

Tonight the shows come back.

Grey's Anatomy and Lost are both on tonight. As is Survivor.

Thursday night is back, bay-bee!

I hope Grey's has upped their game. They were getting a bit dull.

From the commercial, Lost looks wild!

And 30 Rock is on too.

Oh dear. Must program Tivo.


*********


Last night, my husband said, "You sure got a lot of comments!"

"Yeah. We are having fun in the comments."

He adds," Ten of them are from Lynn."


Keep it up Lynn, I think you are impressing the big lug.



*********




Something besides the dandelions is popping up!

Freckles.




Happy Thursday!!!



Encourage one another,

Donna

UPDATE



Things are going great!

How cute is Katie's little outfit?

Her daddy picked it out for her.

P.S. I've got dump cake. Any takers?

Andrew LLoyd Weber meets some Idols.

Last night was one of the more interesting Idols I've seen this year.

Lord/Sir Andrew was not too impressed with the Idols and I thought it was pretty funny
how he searched and searched for something slightly positive to say during the one on ones.

I love how he told Carly what song to sing and man, she hit the homerun with Jesus Christ Superstar!!!

I felt she was amazing last night. It was just right for her and for that song.

Believe it or not, I thought David A. was the worst. What a boring song. I changed the channel.
I went looking for Biggest Loser. It wasn't there.

David Cook has a surprisingly beautiful tone to his voice. But I hated the screaming of the high notes. I know he HAD to do that....but it wasn't my best. ;o) (Does he even know who Michael Crawford is?)




After Jason fumbled his way thru Memories, Katie and I watched the real deal on youtube.



Which do you prefer. And by the way....I have seen Cats twice. Hated it. *snap

But this woman's voice. Oh my. It's so pretty!

And have I told you how much I love youtube?


Oh. How can I post 'bring down the house' musical numbers and neglect this amazing song from Le Miserables...
not a Lloyd Weber production....but I can't help myself. This song brings me to tears because it is so beautiful.




Now...where was I....

Oh Brooke, I liked her song and I like her very much.

If I forgot the words and messed up on television like that....well...I would be just a big mess.
She is a very special girl.


******

I was sad to see Marilee Matlin go on Dancing with the Stars last night.

Is she the only Academy Award Winner to be on Dancing with the Stars?


Who would you LOVE to see on the show?

I would love to see Kelly Ripa on the show. I think she would win.

I would also like to see, um, Brad Pitt on the show because it would be so preposterous.

I just know he can't dance, can he?



******

I did a little photoshoot with Emma yesterday. It was so fun to go out and practice the full sun
things I have been learning.















Emma and I both think the picture with Katie walking in the background is super cool.

Like an album cover or something ;o)

Fun in the sun :o)


Thanks for all the fun in the comments! It's a highlight of my day!

Encourage one another,
Donna

DWTS

Do yo have opinions on last nights Dancing with the Stars?

The opinions that are coming to my head today are all pretty negative,
so I will keep them to myself. I think I must just be cranky.

You know how all that gorgeous sunshine can do that do you.

But, was it just me, or did Eddeta's dress look like a sheet? You know
just getting out of bed and wrapping yourself in a sheet, kind of sheet?


********

We had school outside, a lemonade stand, and swimsuits and even hauled out the sprinkler.


This photo has not been photoshopped.




This one has :o)

We need a patio.

Desperately.

I don't mind the grass underfoot...but moving ALL this furniture every time someone other than me mows the lawn,
well, that's a pain in the buttsky. I suppose it's not really THAT big of a deal. But we need some shade out there.

I would love a pergola covered with flowering vines.

That's the dream. The dream for the backyard.

I really want Extreme Home Makeover to come to our backyard and make it the place I wish it could be.

Any chance of that???


Naw. Didn't think so.


****

We borrowed the first season of 30 Rock from the local video store.


This is one funny and smart show.

My favorite sitcoms have extremely well defined and nutty characters.

And 30 Rock is one of those! It is really, really good!


*****

Okay... hunger strikes....time for breakfast!




What did you have for breakfast today?
What is your favorite sitcom of all time?



Encourage one another,
Donna

Yesterday the sun shone so brightly and the temperatures left the 50's and crept super close
to 70 and we the people of Wisconsin burst out of our homes with our white skin and sandals and held hands and sang
here comes the sun.



Patrick asked what I would like to do.
I said, "take a hike". he he

He said, "What? A hike?"

So we drove the car to State St and walked around with all the other hippies and college students.



I have wanted to take a picture of this for a long time. It could be the 1950's, no?



And this impressive building. Still crooked. I have edited this twice....what is it with me an crooked buildings.
Shall we blame the lens?

I think this is called the Red Gym. And there is a basketball court inside this building, on the second or third floor.

Isn't it a great building?





I see pale people. They're everywhere.



No excursion is complete without a treat of some sort.
Coldstone for Katie.



Someone was writing on buildings.

Kindly with chalk.

First we saw the words "Speak Up!" And I took a picture of Katie under that.

But as we turned the corner, we saw the word "Kiss"....and I asked Patrick to kiss Katie.

He did. And you can't imagine how much I love this picture of my camera shy husband and his little girl.




********

And to finish off this colorful journey....

Lynn and I got together Sat. afternoon.

We met at the knitting store.

Here is a Haiku she wrote to mark the occasion.


Yackety-yack-yack...
Our husbands think we're knitting
Yackety-yack-yack...


Lynn's hand knit Noro sock yarn socks. Colorway: Pumpkin.

Aren't they gorgeous!!!? They are Lynn's most favorite socks she has ever knit.

AND for all of you knitters, notice the short heel. Pretty swanky, no?


******


If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking. Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.
~Raymond Inmon

Walks. The body advances, while the mind flutters around it like a bird.
~Jules Renard



Happy, bright and colorful, Monday to you all!!!


Encourage one another,
Donna

I don't know what Katie is feeling or thinking in this picture.

And, ya know, it's kind of how I am feeling this morning





For those of you who are interested. I did not do anything special to create this black and white.

I just de-saturated. That's all.

I have purchased and used several different black and white actions and have loved many of them.

But at the workshop (Audrey Woulard), Audrey told us she just desaturates!

I was honestly surprised. And very curious to go back to this super simple and free step to create black and whites.

And for this picture I like it a lot.

Those freckles are pretty important to keep and this method kept those freckles.

Pretty cool, huh?

I learned that your process and editing and business can be kept simple if you want it to be that way.

And boy, does that speak to me.

Cause if I wasn't the Quiet Life, I would be the Simple Life ;o)


********

I say, if your knees aren't green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life.
~Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes


...the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.
~Walt Whitman, "O Me! O Life!", Leaves of Grass


Give us Lord, a bit o' sun,
A bit o' work and a bit o' fun;
Give us all in the struggle and sputter
Our daily bread and a bit o' butter.
~From an inn in Lancaster, England


Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.
~Charles Schulz


Only a few things are really important.
~Marie Dressler

Enjoy your important things this weekend!


Encourage one another,
Donna

It can't be Friday already!!!

Alright....this week went so fast, I feel like I am in the Twilight Zone.

But my computer says it's Friday....so here we are.



Friday's Feast


Appetizer

Name a color you find soothing.

Soup

Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.

Salad

What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?

Main Course

Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see?

Dessert

What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)?




So Katie has been having an especially lonely week this week.

(And I know in the scheme of things, this is minute. But this is our teeny weeny cross to bear.)


She asked me yesterday if we could do something special together.

So, of course, I said, "Let's go out to lunch." Katie chose Chin's. She likes the cream cheese won tons.

Won tons and Mountain Dew.

Interesting lunch.

After lunch we drove over to the old church on the hill.

Nothing like walking around a cemetery to liven things up for an 8 year old.



After getting over her initial sadness, that these people had been dead so long....
Katie liked reading the names and dates.
I did too. I really liked the ones dating from the 1700's.



*****

One bit of reality television.... Survivor!!!

Oh. my. gosh.


Ozzie was blindsided and was voted off the Island in a extremely shrewd and brilliant move by Cere.

Ozzie was the FRONT runner WITH the immunity idol.

Ozzie was my very favorite player.

Everyone agreed to vote off a player who was slated to go for weeks, Jason.

Clever Cere thought up the plan to oust the King and it worked.

Ozzie was furious with himself. And furious with his "alliance".

His closing words.

"I hate you. You S*ck"

OH! The drama.

I am sorry to see him go....but part of the game is Out Wit....and Ozzie forgot that part.

I think this is probably the biggest back stab in Survivor history.

Good TV.


******

And speaking of good tv. Does anyone watch 30 Rock?
Patrick and I are just starting to record that one.

Wicked funny lines.


*****


Alright...go answer the Friday Feast.

You guys are my buds and keep me company when I am having a lonely day...
so thanks for that ;o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Outside after dinner...

without a coat
or shoes
on grass that is trying it's hardest to
turn green,
to the song of the frogs.


"I wish everyday could be like this!" she sighs.

"Me, too. I wish it, too."




Encourage one another,
Donna



Photos edited with PW's Actions.
Storyboard Template: Jinky

Look! There I am!

I am never happy to see a picture of myself.
But seeing myself in Katie's eyes makes me really happy!



Do you have a good idea of who you are?


I don't think I do.



I see myself like that silly seventh grader.

(Yes. I'm the one goofing off.)



And I see myself as this young mommy.

My highschool friend Jeanine and her two children. Me and Emma and Patrick and Matthew.


I still feel like that young mommy and that silly seventh grader and when people see something different in me
I'm pretty humbled (when it's good :o) and often astonished.

But I really don't know how to be any way other than what I am...but it's funny when my self-perception doesn't match up
with reality.

I yam what I yam....

But. Get one thing straight.

I am not Katie's grandma!

I am a beloved child of God and what could be better :o)


********

Biggest Loser


Hooray for Ali!!!

Hooray for Bennie.

Hooray for everyone who worked so hard and succeeded!


****

So-long Pricilla.

What more can I say.


******

I haven't watched American Idol yet.

Anything spectacular I need to keep an eye out for?


******

So. Tell Me.

How do you see yourself?



Encourage one another,
Donna

Overheard yesterday afternoon;

"My daddy buys me anything I want."



And well, after last weekend, Katie does feel a little spoiled.

And Patrick is very generous. He would love to buy us all anything we want.

But it's really not that way.

But to Katie, her little shopping spree in Chicago made her feel like it for once.

So that's okay...but I told her not to say that. It sounded snooty.


But why was Katie feeling so materially blessed?




Daddy took Katie to The American Girl Place on Saturday morning while I was at the workshop and Emma was with a friend at Moody.


I gave Patrick some shopping pointers and a heads up about this magical place they were heading to.

"Patrick, this is a very special experience. Girls come from all over just to go to this store, so let her look and enjoy the whole thing, okay? She doesn't need a doll. Just a brush and and outfit for Emily and an outfit for Felicity. And Emily can get her hair done."

And with that they were on their own.


It was very rainy and cold so they took a taxi, which is Katie's preferred method of transportation and they entered the world
of girly stuff and commercialism at it's finest.

Katie's doll Emily now has a darling swimsuit and sunhat and the cutest hair-do you ever saw.



Emily's hair-do was $20. This is more than my husband spends on his haircuts.

All perspective is lost in Chicago. I think it is the tall buildings and smell of Garrets popcorn.


I'm glad and sad at the same time that I wasn't at American Girl Place with Katie.

I'm glad I wasn't there because I would have been uptight about the money and probably ruined it for Katie.

I'm sad because I would like to have seen it and seen Katie in the magical kingdom of dolls.

Katie and Patrick will always have this special memory of their time in Chicago.

It's a good thing.

And don't worry, the high life ended as soon as we re-entered Wis.

Back to budgets and pop on the weekends.

But aren't vacations fun!



*******

DWTS


I think the Rumba is a weird dance. All that strange posing and walking around.

It really is the dumbest dance I have ever seen.


But who was the worst or most unpopular?


*******


I think Biggest Loser Finale is on tonight.

Now, if you have never watched Biggest Loser before....Finale night is the night to watch.

You will get to see the befores and the afters of all the contestants!

It is the feel good show of the year!

So if it's on tonight....watch it. You will be inspired!



*******

On a serious, spiritual note.

I am praying earnestly for two people.

I know the Bible says to pray without ceasing...

But I don't want to sound like a broken record.

I have to believe that God is hearing my prayers and pray that He knows my heart....


Have you ever wondered about this?
I know it's strange to feel self conscious before God.
But I do a little.

Can anyone set me straight on this?




Encourage one another,
Donna

The door was open!



Now you can all get that sad image of the closed door out of your heads forever.
This lopsided one with the gorgeous sky will have to do :o)

The workshop was indeed happening last weekend!

I was welcomed with a hug from Audrey when I arrived.


She is warm and encouraging, totally open and so, so talented.
It was great to see her studio and to see her prints on the walls, in person.
Her photographs are bee-you-tee-ful in person!!!

She was willing to answer anything we wanted to know!

And we were nosey ;o)



And then I was greeted with another hug and kiss on the cheek from Courtney.

We felt perfectly at ease with one another and our families even went out to eat together.

Love em! Seriously, how was I so blessed to meet her?

And well. I have to say. I love this internet. It has brought me such lovely friends (and opportunities).



The two day workshop covered: balance, setting your business hours, marketing, watching Audrey shoot children (he he..that's for you, Lynn), joining in with the photoshoot of said children, eating lovely lunches, learning about camera settings, exposure,
editing of pictures, internet presence, and how to shoot in various natural light situations.

She talked about individual style, setting prices and personal privacy.

Which is why I won't be showing you a picture of dear Audrey.

You know, I like to ask before I show someone's picture on the blog...and Audrey didn't seem crazy about that idea,
so I respected her wishes. But just so you know, she is beautiful, inside and out. And her hair is fabulous ;o)



Courtney, on the other hand, is a big ole ham!!!

She is beautiful and comfortable in front of the camera...and behind it!
Courtney, has a great style and a wonderful eye. Along with a natural business sense....
I think she will go far! I really do!



*******

Like I said, we had a little photoshot with four very active children and 14 photographers.

Here is an adorable little girl that I was happy to get a few shots of.

So much was going on, I didn't get any eye contact, but I think this is beautiful none the less.





Such a doll!


*****


Tomorrow, I will tell you what Patrick and Katie and Emma did in Chicago.

Here was Katie's second favorite thing to do in Chicago.



We had a really wild waitress on Sat. night. Her name was Lola. She was a showgirl....


Thanks for all the well wishes!!! It was a great experience and I feel honored to learn from someone I consider the best in the biz....all the way around!
Thank you Audrey!


Go take a peek at the amazing photographs at Audrey's blog.


Encourage one another,
Donna