My Sophie & my new/old red chair!!!

I have been looking for THE chair for almost a year.  I have wanted something old and vintage-y yet bright and happy to lug around with me for certain sessions...I was on a budget for this perfect chair and always couldn't get one I wanted because they were over 200 dollars...because they were in nice shape and all.  I could get one for about $150 but then my kids would have springs pokin' their bums.  Anyhoo, I saw this new antique/second hand shop while location scouting called "The Barn" and decided to pop in.  There are so many fun treasures in that store!  But the most exciting thing about my day today...is I found it.  THE chair...and I got it for a deal too!!!  So, here's my pretty kitty Sophie sitting on her throne.  

And to add some Ali funk, I edited it with a cool worn texture.  Dontcha just love layers???

PS.  I probably should've edited her eye boogers out...oh well...it's 1:41 am...practically sleep editing :)

Puppy Love...

pI was working in my office and went off for another cup of coffee in the kitchen when I about stumbled over these two...now Sam wasn't very fond of the ankle biter at first.  Probably because she was only biting HIS ankles...but now I think he's warming up to Miss Roxy:

This one's goin' in my office:

Roxy

Had to post pictures of my newest addition to the fam.  Isn't she adorable???

Meet Peanut...

Peanut is the 5 week old squirrel that happened to land on my 4 year old's head Saturday morning  during my workout routine.  I was on the ground on my belly doing "supermans"  I am told that these are a good alternative to back extensions...anyhoo, getting one with the earth I hear my son say, "Mom LOOK a squirrel!!!"  "Cool bud" *not even looking up*  "LOOOOOK mom, it's a squirrel."  "That's awesome Ash" *more sarcasm this time, because I'm getting a teeny bit annoyed*  Then at last, "MOM!  LOOK!  A SQUIRREL!!!!!!"  And I finally look up to see these bulging eyes staring at my face.  I first gasped...because I am known to do that.  Then I said, and imagine this in the slow motion sound, "Puuuuuuuuut iiiit dooooowwwwwn..."  

Ashton gently set the rodent down  and I noticed, this was not an adult squirrel, this was a baby squirrel.  It was so helpless.  It just layed there making these horrible grunting noises because it was threatened.  I am one to first let nature do it's thing, and then if nothing happens, then intervene.  So my boys and I went about 20 yards away, maybe it was more, and just watched and looked around for mamma squirrel.....nothing.....still nothing....after almost an hour, nothing.  I went home, and no, I didn't finish out my routine...I went home and called a vet technician that I knew for advice.  I looked up a rehab place for Great Falls and there isn't any.  She told me that if the Humane Society or the F&W folks gotta hold of it, they would probably just have it put down.  She said if, the mom had not come back after a couple of hours then, I would just have to feed it and let it go when it got bigger.  So, I did just that,  I waited till it was a little over two hours.  Went back with the kids and he was still there.  I gently encouraged him into the carrier and went immediately to the pet store for the formula.  Yes, internet, I know that Peanut is in a towel for the pictures and that I'm not supposed to have him in a towel because his claws might get stuck.  That has been remedied.  I was just grabbing anything I could for warmth...

Being the animal saver I am...I have done this since a child.  I have taken care of a puppy that was hit by a car, a dove that had broken its' leg, several fowl that have had numerous injuries...so a baby squirrel would be different.  I have read everything I can look up on the care of a baby squirrel.  

I know he's about 5 weeks because he still doesn't have his top incisors yet and they get those at 6 weeks.  I found images of baby boy parts and girl parts for a squirrel and I'm pretty sure Peanut is a boy.  At 5 weeks they open their eyes.  They are still nursing, so I purchased some kitten starter formula...cows milk will kill them so I'm glad I went with my instinct on that one.  I am feeding Peanut every four hours...he will eat anywhere from 5 ccs to 7 ccs of formula and then contently go back in his little ball.  He is on a small blanket...with a heating pad under half of the kitty carrier.  If he gets too hot, he just goes to the side that the heating pad isn't on.  When he gets three weeks older, we are going to build him a cool place outside that's sheltered with lots of branches and things he can climb/play on.   At 12 weeks or when he's able to figure out how to open a nut up by himself, we will let him go.  Worst case scenario is that we will have Peanut visit us to say "thanks" every once in awhile.  

He had his first poopy for me today which is what I've been waiting for...this means he is digesting the formula well.  I will keep ya updated on how Peanut is doing.  He is doing well so far.  I hope there are no internal injuries...that's my only concern.  The kids named him Peanut...I think it fits him well...

Wet dog...

 got a little nerve and decided to enter a photo in my very first contest.  This is a big step for me because I am learning to be more confident in my photography.  MeRa Koh hosts the contest and it is always so neat to see what people come up with.   

The contest this month can have anything to do with water.  I have had this shot in my head for about a week now and I am happy to say that I pretty much nailed it today.  I did have to "set up the scene."  I suited the kids up and had them give Sam a bath.  As soon as Sam would shake, I would shoot like it was my job...hahahaha.  So, after 140 shots...I got the one that I wanted to enter.  

Oh yeah, I can't forget...I met the famous Cindy Cieluch today!  I can't say enough how wonderful she is.  What an amazing woman!  She is so sweet and a HUGE encouragement to me.  I so look up to her and am thrilled for her success.  You rock girl!!!  I am looking forward to hanging out again :)

Tell me whatcha think of my entry?  Do ya think I have a chance?  Oh and to let ya'll know, the winner is based on the votes of da people.  So if you really want me to win..."VOTE FOR ME"

PS...the file I gave to them did not have the watermark...in case you were wondering ;)

Skin babies, Fur babies, & Feather babies, oh my....

This last Saturday I didn't have any sessions so Dave and I took the kids to the theater.  We have been waiting impatiently for Wall-E to come out so that is what we saw.  The kids got free watches with their movie tickets and earlier last month Grandma Brown had sent them Wall-E T-shirts.  All decked out in Robot attire, we saw the show.  It was so good.  It was cute, funny, and had a great underlying theme...

Which brings me to my largeness.  I don't know if it's because of my photography stuff, but I have not been working out like I need to.  It seems that when Dave goes to work at night and I get the kids to bed, I get right to my editing.  So I start around 8:30 and end when Dave gets home and tells me I need to get to bed.   Usually that is almost 1 am.  Either I get done with the proofs or I have to finish them the next morning before my day job.  

So, I'm thinking that it's in my best interest to block out some time where I can run a couple miles and dance or something.  Just take some time to move and get my heart pumpin'.  

I made a baby step today...I got my workout clothes on.  I don't intend on sweating in them today however...but at least I got them on right?  So, I'll have to keep ya posted on how I'm progressing.  Maybe I'll get my clothes AND sneakers on tomorrow.  

On a more pensive note I am sad that I haven't kept my running up.  I was up to 4 miles and just quit cold turkey after I went to Canada for my sister's wedding.  THAT'S IT...It's all Whitty's fault for getting married.  

Anyway, thought I'd post some photos of the kids in there Wall-E gear.  They were so happy about finally getting to see the movie...

 

Showing off his new watch

This is Parker's "mom I'm tire of the camera" pose

I love my skin babies...

...And fur babies (I need to get a good picture of Sophie - my kitty)...

...And feather babies...

...yes, these are my "girls" diggin' for worms.  They are so funny.  The only good picture I can get of them is their butts because they're always pecking away at the soil...