I've sat here for 10 minutes and still can't think of a title.

So, I gave up on it and decided to just post already, lol. Giving a post a clever title is harder than it looks.

I've got some photos from the ride, but first I have to tell you a story.

The other day I took my mom and kids to Wal-Mart. I had the intention of letting Isaac pick out a Hot Wheel's car so he can work on expanding the collection that his Papa started. We made our selection of 3 cars and met mom at the front. While waiting in line he started acting up: not listening, making his sister cry, etc. I took a car away.
The whole point of the cars was a reward and I had told him before we went in that if he was good he could have them. So, bad behavior: lose a car.
Then we changed lines because that one was just too dang long and my mom went to another one. From that point lets just say that things went from bad to worse. I can't remember what he did to lose the other two cars, most likely it was his mouth. Because I'm a good mom I kept them in my hand with the intention of buying them and putting them away to use as a reward some other time: he had picked them out after all.
Again, I can't remember what he did but it had something to do with squishing his sister into the cart and then saying something about hating his family. So, I put the cars among the candy and told him that I was not buying them at all.
Cue the screaming like a wild banshee.
The lady in front of me and the cashier joked with me about remembering those days and glad it was over. I, amazingly, kept pretty calm and joked back with them. Normally I'd give in just so he'd hush, but I'm just tired of the tantrums. He's 7 for crying out loud! Anyway, the crying went on for about 7 minutes and I stood by customer service and waited for my mom to get through her line. A little old lady approached us...here is the conversation that made my blood boil. Thing to note first: I have NEVER been rude to an older person...before this.

Old Woman: Can he have some gum, would that make him feel better?
Me: Uh, sure, if he wants some. That would be ok. (very nicely)
OW (to Ike): Do you want some gum?
Ike: screaming something that I knew meant 'I want my cars'.
OW: What? (looking at me like I've grown a second head)
Me: (still nicely) He wants his cars. I took them away because he wasn't behaving.
OW (to Ike): How old are you? Are you 5?
Isaac is still screaming, could care less about the conversation going on over his head.
Me: He's 7 (kinda sternly because I want her to get the point that he is too old to be acting like this and thinking that she'll say something like OMG 7 year old don't act like this, babies do.)
OW: 7? (with that OMG look) There must be something wrong with him then....
Me (in shock like no other): Yeah, I took his cars away because of his behavior. (saying it like I'm speaking to a child)
OW: (with utter contempt) Well, I'd give them back to him then...he's making a scene.
OK, internal convo from me: WTF did she just say???? Are you $hitting me? Oh no she didn't!
ME: He can make a scene all he wants. I'm not going to reward him for bad behavior.

At this point the lady was stammering something and I ignored her, she continued with offering gum (which I had to force Ike to take) and I noticed mom sitting there waiting so I just looked at her and asked "You ready to go?" She said yes and we just took off. That woman was still talking as I walked away.

Talk about going from 'ok with a situation' to pissed off in a heartbeat. Gah!!

Ok, now just so I can make this post as long as humanely possible I'm going to post a few pics. As always you can go to my flickr page to see them all :)


My favorite...Reginald :)



Ok, enough. This post is too long as it is, lol.

I'd appreciate any opinions on that Old Woman...and don't forget about voicing your opinion on the prize for my 1 Year Blogoversary (post below this one).

What a Weekend!

Saturday my mother watched the kids so Sean and I could have a date night - well, actually we were supposed to be resting up for the bike event at Denney's Harley-Davidson - but we'll take any chance we can get.
We ate at a 'new' (to us) Mexican restaraunt in town called El Rodeo. We left with our bellies protruding and heavy sighs of contentment - and a vow to spend all of our future 'in town' date nights there. It was authentic Mexican...can't get any better than that.
Then we headed over to the little local theater and watched Wanted. I won't say a whole lot, but I had so much adrenaline flowing through my body when we left that I inhaled a cigarette the second it was lit. All I wanted to do what go blow something up or 'curve' a million bullets. Absolutely the coolest movie I have seen in a LONG time.

Sunday we woke up early and headed into Springfield to have breakfast with Sean's boss before the HOGS for Dogs event. We got there kinda late but still enjoyed an incredible mom-n-pop type breakfast. THEN it was time for the ride.
My goal for next year: Find someone to ride with - on their motorcycle - so I can take pictures DURING the ride. I chickened out again this year, but I did spot a few HD trikes that were driven by women...I should have asked one of them.
We had over 200 bikes there and the last I heard there was over $15,000 raised for CARE Animal Rescue in Springfield, MO. 4 beautiful dogs were adopted, including a LARGE Malamute. I've got tons of photos that I'll post *maybe* later today.

You know what was super cool? Hearing the announcer mention my business as a sponser. Oh yeah, it was an 'on Cloud 9' kinda moment. I hustled over to Sean and said "Did you hear? Did you hear?" He just laughed at me. Oh...and seeing all the shirts with my business name on them - gah, kill me now, lol. Next year I'm going to have a sign to hang up :).

NOW...I realize I totally missed my Blogoversary. I meant to have a big contest and be all exciting, lol. I'm still going to do that, just a little late...maybe this week. Ok, I'll do it as soon as I can figure out what to offer as a prize. If anyone has thoughts feel free to comment or e-mail me. I personally have jewelry that I've made or a print of any photo on my flickr page or Etsy store - we could even do something different like a calander, keychain, puzzle - I've got tons of options here...just can't make up my mind on what would interest all of YOU. Feel free to chime in - no idea is silly....I just, honestly, feel so vain offering a print or jewelry...cuz, you know, I made it and its ok not to like something I've made...Oh heck, I'm just not making sense, I can't figure out how to word it.
Instead I'll just pass it over to you and I'll give you until July 20th at midnight to give me ideas for the Blogoversary prize, which will be announced on the 21st.

Double Super-Sonic Speed {Part 2}

So - after all the tests were run the doctor came in and told us that there were no broken bones and they could send him home with some pain meds and an excuse from school for a few days - end of story. (I didn't realize at the time that I kinda left last night's post in a cliffhanger.)
Once out in the waiting room, Isaac and Lylli announced they were going back with my brother and sis for the night. I had mixed emotions about it. On the one hand I knew I should take my baby boy home and love on him - but I didn't want to hurt their feelings by taking both the kids. So - judge me how you will - I let them go to my brother's house...and Sean and I drove back to Springfield to have a little fun. The drive back was spent kicking ourselves in the butt for being so selfish in the first place.

We got into Springfield around 11 pm and met up with everyone at the bowling alley. By this point though I was just fighting sleep. I had spent the majority of the day stuck in a vehicle. I did manage to chill out with my friends though - and even made a couple new ones. I'll post some pics here tomorrow...I have to ask Sean who a few of them are though. I know them by sight...name, not-so-much, lol.

We finally got home about 2 am and then I remembered we'd be waking up at 7 am to head back to Springfield to Sean's work (Denney's Harley-Davidson) for the MDA ride. I photographed it :). That was the main reason I let Ike and Lyll go back with my bro - I had committed to doing the photos at the event and I knew Isaac would not be up to hanging around there all day in his condition.
I had an awesome time there. Last year when I photographed the HOGS for Dogs ride I didn't know anyone and was intimidated - I mean, they're bikers! This year was totally different. I met clients, the President of the HOG chapter in Springfield (and his lovely wife, Missy, who totally agreed with me that Sean should buy me that ring I saw in the catalog), and I figured out the manual control on my camera - like totally :). I'm still going through the mound of photos I took but will upload them as soon as they're done. I can not wait for the HOGS for Dogs ride this year - I'm telling you, there is nothing more incredible than standing on the grass by the road as all the bikes start up at once and begin to leave the site. Its like thunder...and crack...all rolled into one. Oh, and being able to hear them coming back long before they pull in the driveway - sublime :).

PS - Our AC is on the fritz - AGAIN! They should be coming out tomorrow to look at it. I just hope its not the idiot again.

Other Good News

I was informed last night that in a couple of months I will be photographing a Harley-Davidson custom bike - for ex-NFL player Grant Wistrom.

I almost crumpled in the kitchen.

Chad, my husband's best friend from HS, will be the one working on the bike. It will have some custom work done, including full paint job.

I have been approved by the H-D dealership to photograph it and we will put the image on canvas as a present for Grant.

All I can think to say is omgomgomgomgomgomg....Is this for real? I'll keep you updated :).