Flip flopper

It's official. I'm a flip flopper. Some have been accused of this in a negative way. But it would be impossible for me to NOT flop. Here's why: I believe it's important that as a reporter I am unaffiliated with any political party. SO I register as unaffiliated.

When did I flip? I became a Republican in Independence so I could vote in a local primary I felt VERY strongly about.

When did I flop? Right now, baby! I've just registered as a Democrat here in Hays to be able to sign a petition and vote in a primary for the Democrats I feel VERY strongly about. (Seriously, the most interesting political races in Hays/Ellis County are Democratic ... the Republicans around here are sedate).

SO ... what does this mean in the big picture? I was actually concerned my right-wing daddy-O would flip out when I told him. Instead (and to my GREAT surprise), he was all excited. Seems to think I'll help draw out the Hilary/Obama thing longer and give Republicans a better chance at the White House. Um ..... not my intention, but as long as he hasn't disinherited me, I'll take it. ;-)

What does the future hold? I'll wait until primaries are over, then re-register as unaffiliated. That simple.

Joe & Erin's clan

Friday, my friend Joe, his wife Erin, and their three adorable kiddos stopped in Hays to see me. In case you didn't know, I LOVE getting visitors in Hays. I enjoy showing off my little town, but Joe and Erin were on the highway with limited time for sightseeing, plus it was cold, windy and rainy, so we had fewer options than I'd like.

Anyhow, in the first photo is Isaac and Issy, and the second photo is Liam (careful girls, he's a TOTAL heart throb!) ps-check out how much Issy looks like her mom!


You could probably tell from the first photo, but we ended up at MickyD's. There was a playplace so little bodies could run around, which was the key attraction.


And of course, the awesome princess necklace Issy got with her meal. :-)

BUT c'mon, let's PLAY!



We watched the kids for awhile, but eventually Issy insisted I come on up. SO I ditched my shoes and hit the playplace!




View from the top: Hi Dad!




Joe and Erin, THANK YOU for stopping to see me! I LOVE company! I can hardly believe how BIG your kids are (yeah, I'm a slacker and this was my first time meeting Liam!)

Stop by any time! :-)

First Holy Communion

In 12 hours, our 2nd grade CCD class will begin Mass for First Holy Communion.

Miss Allison and I have taught CCD in Ellis for 3 years now. The first year, we taught 1st grade. The last two years, we've taught 2nd grade.

I LOVE it! These kids are bright, have loads of perspective and grasp so much more theology than some give them credit for.

Anyhow, here's our group photo from last week:


And of course, something silly (c'mon! We're talking about SECOND GRADERS here!)

Crossover

This is yet ANOTHER excellent time to cruise on over to the Heartland blog!

Last weekend, I did Baby Andrew's first portrait session. Boy, is he a CUTIE! I could have just taken him home with me ... except mom and dad (Amy & Arne) would probably not appreciate me running off with their first born. Maybe when baby No. 2 comes along .... ;-)



Also, be sure to eat up the yummmie slideshow.

Right now, we're in the process of switching our proofing around here at Heartland Photography. It's been time consuming, so I appreciate Erik and Esse's patience with me (basically neglecting them) so I can get this awesome new proofing system up and running. When I'm convinced it's ready to roll, I'll show it off here!

Pretty Picture — Shoot Sac

Just a pretty photo of the Baroque cover of my Shoot Sac.

Photographed at the Sheldon's house over Easter.

Dead last

That's how I came in for the brackets in Erik's office. Not even second to last ... but DEAD LAST.


Name (Pts)..........1st rd..........2nd rd..........3rd rd..........Qtrfinals..........Semis..........Final
51. E.Bonar (70)..........24-8..........9-7..........4-4..........2-2..........0-2..........0-1
57. K.Mikols (47)..........25-7..........6-10..........1-7..........1-3..........0-2..........0-1

Look how strongly I started out in the first round! It just went downhill from there.

I've never played the brackets before, but I did 2 brackets this year. Let's not talk about the second one .... because it wasn't any prettier.

When I filled them out, I was also betting against the Jayhawks. Darn Beakers. Ruined my bracket.

Oh well ... next year!

Erik believes ...

in the Royals!


Ok, so I SHOULD have posted this after their first series when they were 3-0, but I didn't, so they're not 4-2. Sorry!

Anyhow, I'm trying to bribe Erik into the blogging world, but it hasn't worked yet. Perhaps when we get internet at his house he'll be more inclined to putter and blog about his eternal love for the Royals and Chiefs. Or whine about the staffs and pitchers. You never know ....

I have a feeling I'll be learning a LOT about the Royals in the upcoming months. I will also hear a lot about the Brewers because one of Erik's good friends is from Wisconsin. I was amused last year at this friend's staunch quest to pee his pants for the Brewers.

I must admit, though, that during one of the Brewers games I was introduced to the Sausage races. I LOVE how there is as profile of each sausage, as well as a distinct personality and that they keep track of number of wins. I'm cheering for the Polish Sausage!

Here's a video of one of the Sausage races for your viewing pleasure:



(hmm...somehow this turned from the Royals to Brewers ... sorry, Erik!)

SO, while Erik follows the Royals, I'll be following the Brewers Sausages!

Why oh why ...

... can't my wedding dreams involve scenes like THIS?????????


As I was doing my morning ritual of blog stalking, I was poking through Becker's blog for visual inspiration and ran across THIS tasty post.

During Robin's wedding, I was all excited about my big champagne bottle. Now I'm feeling plain inadequate! ;-)


ps-I only drank ONE GLASS out of that entire bottle. See the liquid in the cup? That's ALL I got. BUT Kristine and Erik replenished our supply ... yielding me ONE more glass. Needless to say, on Sept. 27, I will NOT be sharing my champagne with anyone but Erik!

Wagering on KU ...

So, I see our fearless Governor is betting KU will win Saturday night:

--(From press release from the Gov's office)--
Governors put barbecue on the line over basketball match-up
Governors Sebelius and Easley agree to friendly wager

For the first time since 2003, the University of Kansas Jayhawks men’s basketball team is on its way to the NCAA Final Four. Led by Coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks will match up against Roy Williams and the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas. This will be the first time ever that Self has coached a team in the Final Four, and the first time Williams will face KU in the tournament since his departure as the Hawks head coach five years ago.

To add to this highly anticipated match-up, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and North Carolina Governor Mike Easley have made a friendly wager of barbecue on the game.

If KU wins, Governor Easley will provide the Kansas Governor with some of North Carolina’s best barbeque. In the unlikely event that the Jayhawks are defeated, Governor Sebelius will send the North Carolina Governor a barbeque dinner for four, including great meat and other Kansas products, complements of Kansas City’s locally owned Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbeque.

Governor Sebelius is confident her Jayhawks will be victorious against North Carolina. She says, “It has been a spectacular season for the Jayhawks and I look forward to our victory on Saturday night and then I’ll continue celebrating with a taste of North Carolina barbeque.”

“Not only is North Carolina home to the finest basketball team in the nation, we also have the best barbecue in all the land,” Easley said. “I am as confident that UNC will advance to play for the national title as I am that I will be enjoying ribs and brisket from Kansas while cheering on the Heels in the NCAA championship game.”

The Jayhawks and the Tar Heels play in the NCAA tournament semifinals on Saturday, April 5, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. This is the first time the two teams have met in the Final Four since 1993.

---

All I have to say? It's a good thing she didn't include any of the infamous Kansas wine in the bet ... ;-)

As for me ... I simply wanna see the KU fans cry and be all bitter when Roy wins Saturday night (evil, malicious smile....)

Fashionable Camera Bag — Shoot Sac!

(Photo by Anne Ruthmann)

I've had a *few* camera bags in my life. Easily, I can think of a half a dozen I've had .... but once Mike and I entered weddings hard core, my hip pouch I used in the world of photojournalism (at newspapers) just didn't seem sophistocated enough. Besides, it was bulky and I was always bumping into people with it!

BUT last year for my birthday, I impulsively purchased a Shoot Sac. It's MUCH lighter than my former bag, and much more sleek looking, ESPECIALLY with the awesome Baroque cover Robin and Paul gave me for Christmas.

Anyhow, I'm a visual person (NOT a surprise), and whenever I troll through the Shoot Sac blog, I don't really get very excited about the new covers from the swatches. I think it's mostly because I see a small portion of the facbric and don't see how awesome it will look as an entire cover. Case in point: When I saw the following swatch, I didn't think much of any of the new fabrics. (OK, maybe I like the second one on the top row and last one on the middle row a *little*)


BUT when I saw this cover on the Shoot Sac Blog, I fell in LOVE!


BUT it was followed by the bad news ...


And Jessica says it's gone forever. :-(

Sad, sad, sad.

ESPECIALLY since it will look AWESOME with my wedding dress in September! (I have two words for those of you who thought I'd be sans camera when Erik and I get married: YEAH RIGHT!)

Oh well .... Jessica Claire is releasing a brand spankin' new blog, and is supposed to be having some killer Shoot Sac sales, so maybe they'll bring back my new favorite cover!

(Hint: if you're looking for a good gift for me, slide over to the Shoot Sac Web site ... almost any cover will do! They also have gift certificates!)