I did it.  I wrote a post everyday for 30 straight days.  The cool part?  No one complained.  Well, not to me at least.

I do hope you enjoyed it because it took some planning – but I had fun doing it.  And I tried to include as many photos as possible to keep you interested.  I like pictures myself so I know how that is.  Now back to the days of… of… of not posting on the weekends!  Unless I get the itch.  Which is highly likely.  The itch to post, that is.

One thing that I’ve learned from NaBloPoMo is that I really like photographing people.  I don’t have a knack for it but it is fun.  Just this month I’ve photographed friends playing Guitar Heromy undisclosed model’s zipper, people dancing at a wedding, and the hubs’s very active, very funny neice.   And I’ll continue to look forward to more Cooking With My Mel segments while Thurmeo is holed up in Michigan.  That’s like a twofer: practice photographing a pretty little face and learning how to cook.  Wam-oh!

So now that I’ve made it through NaBloPoMo, I only have to make it through the month of December.  And stop leaving my laptop at home like I did today.  Bad Brooke.  Only 24 days until another splendid stay-cation.  Ah yes, stay-cation.  Come to Momma.

A very true statement.  But I don’t have to be happy about it.  Nope.  I’m dragging this Sunday out as long as I possibly can and I ain’t doing jack crap.  Except going to the store to get the dogs more food.  But that’s it.  After that, it’s back to the couch and surfing the TV for holiday specials.

Today marks the end of my stay-cation.  My glorious six-day-paid-time-off vacation spent at home.  No more of this.  Boo.

Chevy Napping

No more afternoon naps curled up with the BDD. 

No more lunch breaks in front of the TV. 

No more playing on the internet because I want to. 

No more pecan pie or pumpkin cake.

No more taking random pictures of the doggin while she sleeps.

Chevy Napping

I’m actually going to miss that last one a lot.  I could do this at night but there just isn’t enough light to satisfy me.  I’ve come to realize my doggins do nothing but sleep during the day.  I like it best when I get to catch some zzz with them. 

Back to the grind tomorrow.  And it will be the grind because it is a super-duper busy day and I’m not looking forward to it.  That’s the bad thing about taking off work – you end up giving yourself more work in the end.  But at least PodMate’s smiling face will be there.  Well… let’s hope she’s still smiling.  She might be cursing my name by now.  :)

Not really.  Not at all in fact.  But I found a great way to put one of my nicer purses to good use.

So when I take my camera with me, I usually have the kahuna, the 50mm, the kit lens, spare battery and soft cloth.  I usually keep the battery charger stuffed in the bottom just in case.  And my “Photographer’s Rights” just in case.  Because you never know when you’ll offend someone while taking their photo.  Or steal their soul.  I still can’t get over that.  Weird.

My Normal Camera Bag

And this is how it all fits in my lovely Crumpler bag.  I really like this bag.  A lot.  All of this tucks in there nicely. 

My Normal Camera Bag

But when I go to weddings (which I’ve done a lot this fall) this bag just doesn’t work out for me.  For starters, it never goes with my outfit.  Not that I’m sporting Chanel or Versace, but velcro just doesn’t go with heels.  You get my drift?  And my huge-ass accessory flash [that I don't know how to use] doesn’t fit.  In other words, I look like a ninny and the Crumpler is over capacity.  But I found a solution.

When I go to a wedding, I usually sit myself at a table with fantastic people (also known as my friends or my family).  And do just that.  Sit.  Or if a really good song comes on, I’ll be up and at ‘em but the hubs will most likely be near the table.  My point?  I’m not carting my camera bag around with me all night so I don’t need to worry about the equipment as much or that I’ll drop it.  OK… just work with me for a minute here.

All of this will not fit in my Crumpler.

Bright Idea...

So I took one of my larger handbags that doesn’t have a velcro pull and used it as my camera bag for the evening.  And it worked out wonderfully.  Like I said, the purse stayed with the table so I didn’t have to worry about my equipment getting bumped around and the camera only came out with I wanted to use it.  Here’s how I filled this bad dog up.

1.  Start with a nice big purse that you already have. 

Bright Idea @ Work

2. Place the accessory flash and wallet in the bottom.

Bright Idea @ Work

3. I wrapped my kit lens with a bag.  Yes, a hand-knit, rainbow bag but a bag nonetheless.  Gives a little cushion and protection.  They do make lens bags but I’m too cheap to get one.  This works just fine.

Bright Idea @ Work

4. Place the awesome rainbow knitted bag in the purse.

5. Drop all the little goodies into the side pockets: batteries, keys, compact, lip gloss, etc.

Bright Idea @ Work

6. The kahuna goes right on top.  And there’s enough room to zip.  Viola!

Bright Idea @ Work

Now I do not recommend doing this if you will be out walking with your camera.  It’s best to give your camera and lens the support and protection they need.  And this bag got heavy fast.  That’s what’s so great about the Crumpler – it really is a comfortable bag to wear. 

But I was proud of my little bag-switcheroo-trick and wanted to share.  And I will be doing this again the next time we have to dress up for an event.  And I’m glad I took pictures because now I’ll remember how to pack it just right.

PS – Don’t you just love it when spell check finds zero errors.  Thank you public school education.

I spent Tuesday and Wednesday de-wallpapering my kitchen.  My wonderful Mom did come and help on Tuesday but I finished it off on Wednesday.  I haven’t removed wallpaper in about four years and I don’t plan to do it for at least another four.  It sucks.

 But mine came off rather easy.  Had to use some elbow grease but for the most part, the project has gone smoothly so far.  Now I need to spackle and sand which I am NOT looking forward to.  At all.  I’m on the computer instead of working in the kitchen.  But I have to get that part done this weekend.  I have to.  Because painting is the easiest part.  And it will still suck.  I hate home projects.  Love the “after”, loathe the “doing”.

So here is how the kitchen looks now:

My Kitchen

My Kitchen

And it looks worse than it did before.  Awesome.  Even more of a reason I should get my rear in gear and go work.  It really does feel like it should be a “spend the day in pajamas and eat popcorn for lunch” kind of day. 

I don’t know how you Black Friday shoppers wake up so friggin early to drop bows with strangers.  I just don’t have any kind of spunk in me right now.

Seriously, my favorite holiday of the year.  And it is because it revolves around food.  I have no shame. 

I’ve been floating around the internet for a few minutes, reading others’ posts about what they’re thankful for.  I’m thankful for many of the same things: family, friends, well-being, health.  But I’m really thankful I was able to stuff my belly full of the Thankgiving goodness that was placed in front of me.  Amen. 

And smiles.  I’m thankful for smiles.  I know… you can’t hold yours back either, can you? 

Skylar on Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. 

Even to those of you who aren’t in America – I wish you a wonderful day of thankfulness and smiles.