Wednesday, November 11, 2009

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It's that time of year, where this guy rules the roost of many households:


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If you don't know what that is, well, it's a soybean. My friend, I live smack in the middle of a soybean field (this year anyway, hoping next year to be corn).

This stuff, is not just as an additive to stretch your fast food burger anymore. It's used for fuel, animal foods, candles, crayons, etc etc. So yeah, it makes me kinda proud and tolerant when traffic slows to 12 mph in a 60 waiting for a combine to crest a hill.


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Seeing these sights lately, just make me smile...


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But it's especially exciting, when you hear that telling hum outside your back door, and you know that it's YOUR TURN.

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Yes, I know, it kicks up a lot of debris, and my car looked like it had been in the middle of a desert for 2 days... but it's finished.



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They made quick work of the area around us. Running 2 combines, several different tractors hauling away the beans. In fact, everywhere you go, you see loads of beans headed whichever direction. More semis traveling up and down this road than there will be for an entire year, all in a couple days.

But they never stop. No matter what, if the weather is good, and there's no dew on the beans they have to come out.

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And they go a lot faster than you might think....

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This is a 20 second exposure!




Good bye beans. I will miss you, as you've always been a safe haven for the field mice and now they will all exclaim....

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To the oasis!

Hi, my name is Lana, some critters call me "Oasis".

Monday, November 9, 2009

Good night Missouri

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{Sunset, November 7, 2009)

Good night Missouri

See you tomorrow!

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{My current obsession... moon pics}

Today in a nutshell

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  • Gene loves this coat. We've seen it a couple times while antiquing. He says it makes him look like Jeff Goldblum in Silverado. I say it makes him look like a cowboy pimp. Doesn't matter, he's not getting it for Christmas, but if someone else wants to buy it, I'm fine with that.
    I also can not get over the image of Jeff Goldblum as a cowboy. Nope.... can't picture it.

  • Reveling in the fact that our kitchen is nearing completion (if you factor out the ceilings that all need done). The island just needs trim (pics soon), and the rest of the kitchen does too. I have it partially stained and ready to go up. I'm really loathing this job btw. Oh, and all the backsplash has to go up... I guess I should order it then eh?

  • Mack has gone more insane than his usual insane. He'll just be sitting there then start flopping around. I need to get him to the vet so she can give him a xanax or something

  • Catching up on photos.... it's going well. I feel like I'm getting there. It's nice to be getting some done without more coming in the queue right behind it.
  • I'm not very good at this "lunch" thing. Never had been. "buy some lunch stuff!" What does that mean anyway? a box of sub sandwiches? a bunch of soup? I don't get it. I eat cereal and leftovers. And sometimes a bagel. Why am I talking about lunch? Just an observation after you make someone lunch. "Bowl of cereal?"
  • I'm scared to admit this, but I've started putting out some of my Christmas decorations. No really. I have things bought, and rather than stick them in the guest bedroom, I've slowly started displaying them. I'm really gonna be tired of Christmas when it gets here. However, I'm almost done shopping... mainly cuz I did not do a lot of shopping :)

Another post later today... hoping.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Happy Birthday to my "Little Boy"

Livin' in the clouds




I own a 20 year old.

Really.

Yeah I'm shocked about it too!!! 20 years ago, a 20 year old, barely into adulthood herself, dropped a bomb on the world. LOL. And we named him Seth Logan.

I have an 20 year old!!! (I was really just 12 when I had him.) :p

On November 7, 1989 (already about a week or so overdue) I went for my weekly appt with Dr. Jane and my blood pressure had shot up. So, she suggested we wait a few days to see what happen, or I could go in early on the 8th and they'd start me.

I went home, pondered it for a while, called Dr. Jane about 8 - 9 p.m. (you really can't do that anymore!) and said I'd meet her in the morning. She had me show up at the hospital at 7 a.m., at 9 they broke my water, at noon nothing had happened so they put me on the pit, and by 4:05 p.m. There he was, a screaming bundle of joy, and he hasn't stopped screaming since!

6lb, 10.5 oz. I can't remember how long he was. Yeah I'm mom of the year!

One year Seth until you can buy beer, but you know, I don't think you will. *pollyanna view of the world*


Dual Image

Saturday, November 7, 2009

The Mz-Cellaneous Cast of Characters

Introducing: The cast of Characters for the Mz-Cellaneous blog...

I often mention names, but realized that since my readership continues to grow, many of you may not have a clue who I'm talking about! So I'm giving you the reader's digest version of the people I talk about the most.

Now if you didn't make the list, don't get your panties in a bunch. Doesn't mean you're not awesome, or that I don't love you and flowery stuff. Just means I don't talk about you every stinking day!

*blink*

Now, in no particular order (cept Gene, cuz he wouldn't be any less than first... that's what he told me anyway).


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Player: Gene
AKA: Hubs, or The Glass Man



Loves me (this makes him awesome by default). Installs glass for money. Likes guns and diamonds. Writes short stories. Is really confident. Loves his family. OK with his wife showing him how to run a miter saw. Wears a Stetson. Randomly writes country music songs. (really good ones!). Makes me belly laugh. Loves me with all his heart.












11-7-tanner

Player: Tanner
AKA: Tan-man, the youngest son


15 years old. Freshman in High School. Loves animals including mice. Has 6 year old goldfish despite their living conditions. Rides a bike and plays a trumpet. Good with a computer. A mini McGyver. Wore braces for 3.25 years and now they are gone! Pretty quiet til you get to know him. Is growing faster than a weed right now, and I'm figuring it's 6 months until he's bigger than his older brother.. who has an ass beating coming after 15 years.












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The Player: Amber
AKA: Mini-me, Ambie


A bizarre younger, more beautiful, skinnier version of me. Likes to scrapbook. Loves her husband Cole and her boxer Copper. Likes having her hair brushed. Cuts hair for a living and does well at it. Lived in Iowa her whole life. Has no children. Was Daddy's girl. Has more jewelry than Barbie, but less than mom. Exercises every day. Loves the Wizard of Oz. Kind of the daughter I never had.












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The Player: Gary Sinese
AKA: Lt. Dan


Hot. I got a crush. I don't talk about him much. Just wanted to prove I was THIS CLOSE to Gary Sinese. *swoon*. Hell yes... I took that pic.












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The Player: Jim
AKA: Jimmy, Jimbo


Loves to hunt. Great at archery. Has spent more on bows, than I have spent on cars. My Jr. High boyfriend. First boy I ever kissed. Junior year best friend. Reconnected via facebook. Fast friends again! Great dad. Adores his daughter. Loves his family. Great at business. Manager of a tile yard. Knows everything about cars. Looks like a bad ass here, but he's a softy. Knows a song for every single occasion. More introspective than one might think when you first look at him.







11-7-seth

The player: Seth
AKA: Boy Wonder, The eldest


20 years old tomorrow! Kind hearted. Living on his own (with 3 roommates). Works at a grocery store. Has grown up a lot the past year. Loves cars but doesn't own one. Loves animals. Has a cute goatee. Most likely to get married without telling his parents first (or that he has a relationship!).











11-7-stacy

Player: Stacy
AKA: Stinker, Stacy Lynn


Good mom. Known her since 9th grade. Knows everything about scrapbooking.... that's a lot! Has 2 girls and a boy. One of the 3 in the great ho-ho caper of 1986. Digs tattoos. I designed one of them... kinda. My Maid of Honor. My most liberal friend, but doesn't vote (whew lol). Went with me to Colo on a "Thelma and Louise" adventure. Opinionated. Bold.










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The Player: Baby Feet
AKA: Ester's toes, awww


I don't talk about baby feet. They are just cute. I wanted to share. Stacy hates feet. Even baby feet. wth?











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The player: Mack
AKA: Puddy, (on the right)


Crazy. Very weird. My shadow. Loves rubs. Will chew his leg off of you touch is back. Loves rubs. Jealous of Jingles. Jealous of the mice. Jealous of Gene. Loves rubs. Was born under my desk. 11 years old. Looks like a baby bobcat. Loves rubs!



The Player: Jingles
AKA: Jiggly puff, (on the left)


Crazy. Wants to sleep on my desk when I'm working. Adores me more than my husband. Wants to eat only when Mack eats. Soft like a bunny. Scratches my chainsaw bear (grr). Lets me hold him like a baby and kiss his face. Will let me put him "down for a nap" and I don't see him for 8 hours. Jealous of Mack.













Now you know the players of the Mz-Cellaneous blog. So someday when I reference one of my characters, you'll know exactly who I'm talking about.

BTW, I reserve the right to change up characters, change their qualities and kick them in the ass whenever necessary :p

Friday, November 6, 2009

Tanna + Errol = Getting Engaged!

You need to meet Tanna and Errol, they are two sweet and beautiful people, and they let ME take their engagement photos!


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Of course I'm going to start off with one of my favorite photos. I love this pic, it's just so different. Feels like an album cover to me.



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I had just gotten my new Canon 50D a couple days before. No better way to practice than to put your feet right to the fire and just do it!

I'm so happy with the results. So happy with the new camera upgrade!



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I know they thought I was crazy. It's hard for me to understand that sometimes ppl can't see what I'm trying to do. I always say "trust me! It will be awesome!"




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I love it when couples let me trudge them through mud and weeds, and then smile when they do it.


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How beautiful and sexy of a couple are they!?




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But it's not all serious.


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Yes. I know I cut their heads off. I do that sometimes.
(My mom still doesn't "get it")



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I try to talk to the couples, get to know them better, ask them about their lives, see what they do for a living, ask them about their siblings, or their dogs... I ask them about the ring, and the wedding, and what are their colors. Mainly to get them talking, but also because I LOVE WEDDINGS.

Eventually, we talk about the ring, and how he proposed, and sometimes there's a "he didn't". And I shouldn't tell you this part, but I will.

If I get a "he didn't" I'm probably going to do this:

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Make him do it again.

Right.

On one knee.

Publically.


:)

Now Tanna has her proposal.



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Congrats you two. You're awesome. I wish I could be there at the wedding! (I was booked). I'm so flattered they wanted me to do their engagement session.


Keep in mind folks, if I'm already booked on your date (and trust me, there are 3 dates this year that I could have sold 12 times.... *no kidding*), we can still do engagement session, a pre-wedding bridal, after the wedding session, a rock the dress session (putting your dress back on and taking awesome pics)... heck, if you were married 4 years ago, we can still put your dress back on and take some awesome pics.

Call me!

Maternity Shoot - Amanda (and crew)

WARNING!:
Cutest Maternity pic ever on the way!

You were warned!


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This is Amanda. New mom to baby Isabelle.

Isabelle has already rolled over! I saw that as a sign that I REALLY NEED to get these pics uploaded!



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This is Dad... Patrick.
They are a sweet couple. Patrick is the talker. Amanda is the quiet one.




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In a quiet beautiful sort of way....




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You know what I mean.




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We went to the lake and there were so many beautiful spots there in a small area that I could have shot all day. I was very impressed considering this was my first shoot after I broke my big giant foot. I only tweaked it twice.

Thanks Patrick for helping me up after I laid on the ground for pics. I know I couldn't have made it without you :)




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These tall grasses, queen anne's lace and clover. Mmm! Delicious! I took half my pics here, and I could have taken 200 more easily.

Amanda reminds me so much in this pic as a 70's flower child, that I had to juice it up and make it look like I just pulled it out of grandma's magnetic album.




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Patrick showed up with a pretty nice camera himself and I was all "what the heck do you need me for?" and their response? "We didn't wanna chance it."

dude.

I have mad respect for ppl that "get it"

So I gave Patrick a couple tips, and then stood back and watched him practice. Go Patrick Go!



Amanda and Patrick have 2 other little children. Let me warn you, this is the most adorable maternity picture EVAH!

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Doesn't that make you wanna run out and have a couple....
weiner dogs?

It does me!



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I've begged for a weinie dog ever since I saw this adorable girl.
I want!

Really.

I offered to do the shoot for free if I could have that dog.

I meant it.

I still mean it.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

One gigantic Branson update - Image heavy!

I've been putting off this post. Not because I didn't have fun, or because I don't like ya, because dammit, you're awesome. (I just think someone should have told you that much sooner!). Nope, it's because I had 203 photos from our trip, which frankly wasn't a lot in my opinion, but I still didn't want to sort, and pull out my favorites, because lets face it, I could easily put 203 photos here.

No really.

I narrowed it to 35.

So we get their Thursday, and I updated you with what we did that day like 2 weeks ago. On Friday, we got up bright and early with absolutely no plan in mind.

We were quite sceptical.

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Remember how I used to be this big giant fan of Michael Jackson? Like, when I was 14 he was my moon and my stars? No really. I had a beat it jacket and everything!

Well with mom... that guy is Roy Rogers.
(don't forget Dale Evans and Trigger too!)

Yeah I don't get it either.

Anyway, there's a RR museum in Branson, and that's the one place mom really wanted to go. Not even to the museum or music show (she'd already done that!) She just wanted to hit the gift shop.



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Which suprisingly, was more fun then I expected it to be.



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Amber was on a budget, but she found some awesome antiques. Unfortunately, about 3/4 of the items were not marked, so she had to continuously go up front and ask a price. By the time I went up on something, I think the lady was annoyed and told me a REALLY HIGH price to get me to go away.

Funny, it worked!



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See this tree? It's kinda cool.
Guess how much it cost.
Take a wild guess! I'll tell you at the end.



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We should all live by those rules really.

'Cept "Obey your parents". Screw that. Well, unless you're my kid, then dammit do what I say!



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It must have been good, mom smiled for a picture. She never does that. I think mom found her "happy place".



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Happy Trails Roy, Dale and Trigger!

BTW, the tree, made of horse shoes?
$11,000

CRAZY!


We went down to old Branson, and ate lunch at a really busy diner.

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Tayen was happy. Well for the record, she was really good the WHOLE TIME.
I don't care WHAT Aunt Amber says Tayen, you're NOT A BRAT. Really.

(trying to edge up my standing a little bit here).



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I had the Aus jus. Mmm... and Amber and I shared some french fried sweet potatoes.

I gave Tayen a sweet potato, and she already had a french fry, one in each hand. She looks at the sweet potato fry, sets it down and says "Bye bye"!

LOL.



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We had to hit Stone Hill Winery cuz uh... I'm out of my fav wine. oops. hehe.

Torrie and Amber found one of the same bottles I bought at WALMART for $2 less. *sigh*



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Ohhhh... Then ice cream!
It was ok.

After that, we ditched mom and Tayen and all us girls went out and got rowdy and got tattoos. Cuz we're bad asses like that.



Saturday, we got up at the buttcrack of dawn.
so much for restful vacations!

And headed off for Silver Dollar City. This is a place that I have been at least 20 times. We went EVERY YEAR when I was a kid, always during the fall craft festival because it was so pretty, not hot, and my mom's favorite part of SDC.

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I really love all the little details around SDC. You will look in the oddest places, and see just little "extras" that add to the feel of the place.

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When I was a kid, and we lived in our tiny town (Conway, Iowa), we had a red pump like this right in our front yard.

And we used it!



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We were there at the absoute perfect time. The leaves were all changing.



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And there's the swinging bridge. No trip is complete without walking the swinging bridge.



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With the mill on the other end.



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Heck we even found mom a date!



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They have the hugest candy store there! This is where I bought Tanner his Taffy, and Gene's black walnut brittle (gross) that he ate in like, an hour.


If you ever hit SDC, you KNOW you have to take the train... even tho the trip has never changed in 30 years. I could probably recite the skit word for word, but you still have to go.

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She's never done it tho!



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Same characters... different cast.
Every year.

Please SDC, never change this!!


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BTW, mom says "Ohh. I *loooove* me some Diet Coke." You know, in SDC where they only sell coke products, and not really any pepsi products. But that doesn't matter cuz mom loves diet coke!



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You know the end is growing near, when you see the Jail. It's a family tradition to get your pic taken in the jail:

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Yeah, I've only done that 20 times.

Which mom has proof, but I don't, so I'll give you the runner up:

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I'm the adorable one in the middle.

In a giant casket.



And what trip is complete without my obligatory photo of pickled watermelon rinds and green tomato pickles.

Mmmmm Mmmm good.

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Don't look Carol.... that's what I got you for Christmas!

I kinda feel their pain. That's what my pantry looks like right now, only it's all apple butter!

Our last day, Sunday... we were *ready to go home*

nuff said.

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I took 3 pics. All at the restaurant before we left at TWO PM!

Mmm... waffle fries.

Almost made the grouchiness worth it.
Almost.


Over all, everyone admitted they had fun. We were all a little hesitant, but ended up having a great time. We want to go again.

But this time I'M DRIVING!