Photography editing

I ususally use the basic (free) programs on my computer to edit my pictures. Finally I started to poke around Photoshop Elements 10 that I have (thanks, sis). I figure, if I have the nice expensive camera and know how to mostly use it, why am I just editing in Windows Live Photo Gallery?

 

I've still yet to take a class or read a single book about Photoshop and picture editing, but I like to learn from experience. The following photos are just some edits I made tonight of some recent photos to get started.

 

Side note: my birthday is coming up and I've asked for a Photoshop how-to book so hopefully I can find a spare minute or two in between clinicals and pharmacology to read up.

 

SOOC (straight out of camera)

 

edited photo

 

 

SOOC 

edited photo

 

I'm no expert nor do I really have any clue what kinds of tools this program has to offer, but this is just the beginning! I can't wait to go back and edit some of his baby photos.

 

Speaking of which, I'm SO FAR behind in backing up my pics. Someone please come do that for me while I study. K thanks. 

Here we go ...

I've successfully completed my first few weeks of nursing school. I can't really comment on how the workload is because I've yet to have an exam or anything graded.

 

As for myself (aka a mess), I can definitely comment on that.

 

When I finally decided to apply to nursing school, I was nervous but excited. I wasn't sure if I'd even get in, much less be good at it or enjoy it. I got in and then things got real.

 

I had to find money to pay for (very expensive and private) tuition, bills, day care, etc.

Register for classes.

Buy uniforms, scrubs.

Figure out how to motivate myself to study because ALL of my classes are online.

ALL.

 

Let's just say the library and I have become well acquainted these last few weeks.

 

In the first few days of classes officially starting, I was full of butterflies (and an upper respiratory infection). I quickly doubted myself.

 

Is this something I CAN do?

Am I sacrificing too much?

How much debt will I actually accrue?

Should I just drop out and work until I become a SAHM?

Why did I want to do this in the first place?

 

Lots of doubts and questions bombarded me in that first week. I still am a little nervous, but feeling much more confident that I chose the right path for myself and my family. I know that in the end this is really what I want to do (and will be great at).

 

One reason I know is because I've read every word of every chapter and studied like crazy in just a mere week-and-a-half. I love this information and just inhale it; soak it all in. I can't help but ask myself why I wasn't in nursing school to begin with.

Kitchen upgrade!

As our Christmas gift this year, we received new Corian countertops in our kitchen. With it, we purchased a new faucet, under mount sink, and garbage disposal. Here are some of the before and after pictures.

 

The main thing I've learned with solid surface countertops is that you really have to dry them when cleaning. Otherwise, they leave an awful-looking spotty film on the surface.

 

BEFORE:

 

 

 

AFTER:

 

 

 

 

We painted the walls green as well. For the last picture, there are three electrical boxes that we found behind the tile on the wall. (A BIG NO NO.) We aren't sure what the far left one is (maybe an internet or phone), but the middle one is an electrical outlet we plan on rewiring back over there. The far right box was the old light switches that they rewired to the upper white cabinet so that will stay a panel as well. It looks SO MUCH BETTER than the ugly, flowery, white tile. :)

 

They look amazing and really give our kitchen that well polished look!

2012 recap

Here are some of the highlights from last year. It was such an amazing year and I hope this year is even better! No complaints other than time is going by too quickly and I watch my son grow, learn, interact and it just astounds me. I'm blessed and so incredibly happy!

 

~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~      ~

 

 

JANUARY:

 

I was a stay-at-home-mom.

I started sewing and absolutely fell in love with it.

 

FEBRUARY:

 

Super Bowl XLVI was in Indianapolis.

We listed our home for sale.

 

 

 

MARCH:

 

Our home sold and we found a new home.

(I was a little sad because this is the home we brought our son home to.)

Moving, moving, and more moving.

 

APRIL:

 

We moved into an amazing house in an amazing neighborhood.

I participated in Race for a Cure in Indianapolis with a big group of my mom friends.

 

MAY:

 

I participated in a local Mud Run.

Then, I couldn't walk for 3 days.

We enrolled Camden in swimming lessons that he loved.

Then we had to ditch them because he couldn't shake several ear infections.

Cam had his first professional haircut.

 

 

 

JUNE:

 

My first-born son turned 1!

I started a new job.

 

JULY:

 

Camden got to finally get out on the lake (it was a HOT summer).

We also spent a lot of time at the water park, despite the water bans.

Camden started walking early this month!

 

AUGUST:

 

I decided to take the last few prerequisites and apply to nursing school.

We went to the state fair (which was SO much fun!)

 

SEPTEMBER:

 

The BMW Championship came to Carmel, Indiana and Brad and I went sans baby.

We saw Brad's old baseball coach and buddies at his alma mater for an alumni game.

 

OCTOBER:

 

Camden went trick-or-treating for the first time.

He was a dog.

Camden also had surgery this month to get tubes in because of all the ear infections.

Surgery went well and not a single infection since!

 

NOVEMBER:

 

It was unseasonably warm and we hung out with friends and saw Santa.

I broke my foot doing planks with the P90X video, but sadly the xray was misdiagnosed as negative.

I walked on a badly broken foot until after Christmas.

The election was this month.

 

 

DECEMBER:

 

I quit my job (very recently).

I got accepted into an accelerated 16-month nursing program!

We celebrated lots of Christmas' with family and friends.

Camden LOVES Santa.

My foot was diagnosed as broken the day after Christmas.

I had to drive home from the podiatrist in a blizzard with a walking cast.