Finally!

Beautiful spring weather!  Have you been out taking pictures of all the beautiful spring daffies, tupils, and flowering trees?  I know I have, even though it is still difficult for me to walk since my surgery.  But my neurosurgeon seems to think I should be fully healed in a year, so let's hope he's right!  :-)

In the meantime, stay tuned for some spring photos and for a possible etsy store (with thanks to a special cousin/friend who told me about the site and is giving me pointers!). 

2010 Oscars in Memorium Review

To say that this year's Oscar's in Memorium segment was disappointing would be an understatement. While having James Taylor singing was acceptable, he was background - the camera should have not been on him, especially at the beginning of the segment when fan favorite Patrick Swayze's tribute was being shown - Patrick - we hardly saw you. And that was just wrong.

So many people were wrongfully left out - but the Academy said, ooh, we don't have the time to show everyone. Well, that may be, but you do have time to give each passed member more than one second on-screen if you cut lame bits like Ben Stiller's, and that performance by the League of Extraordinary Dancers, who, in my opinion, is a group not anywhere close to "extraordinary". It's sad that the Academy chose to go with lame bits like these two instead of giving recipients respect and more time to speak, and more respect for those who passed.

I hope whomever decided to to show James Taylor when Patrick Swayze was on screen is one of the "forgotten ones" when s/he passes. With directing like that, they should be forgotten and passed over as so many other more deserving people were.

And, one more word to the Academy - for the next Oscars show, try REHEARSING, especially camera angles and direction for the in Memorium section - somehow you always manage to mess that section up, failing to focus on those onscreen.

Great Buy alert!

For those who own Sony W or D series cameras (I have a Sony DSC-H2O camera), the batteries, when you can find them, usually are pretty expensive (list price: $49.99). Yesterday, I was able to find an infolithium battery (more on that later) on Amazon for $17.45 + $2.97 shipping. http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NP-FG1-InfoLITHIUM-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B0012DHJ44/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1266846296&sr=8-1 With the infolitiukm battery, if your camera is marked infolithium (mine is on the door through which you insert the battery) it will tell you in minutes how much battery life is left. Sounds like it will be a great second battery (it's always best to have two charged and ready to go for any camera).

Enjoy!

So long away

Sorry to have been away so long, but let me tell you, this was a very memorable holiday season. We were unaware of it, but the best guess of several medical professionals has been that a lumbar disc had been herniating since at least October. Lots of pain, hard to get in and out of cars, takes a while to get moving, etc. Flash forward to my lucky 13th wedding anniversary in December, and we had a full out ruptured disc (and, no, we weren't even doing anything fun!).

Last week, after a few weeks of conservative treatment failed to cause the extruded piece of disc (I've been told it was the size of a thumb) regress back into the disc, we had to do surgery as it was pushing my sciatic and other nerves out of the way and hurting them, and causing major problems with my left leg.

All I can say is OUCH! Not much sleep for two months (not even now, as the incision site heals as well as the leg), and lots of major pain meds (pardon the typos).

But, never fear, I have two items arriving today to review for you -one photography related and one yummy related, so we will be catching up soon.

Now in clear disclosure, again, no one has asked me to do these reviews. Being on a multitude of mailing lists, I received offers for a $25.00 credit off a canvas wrap from another company, and and $18.22 credit from the yummy company, as did all other on the mailing lists. I just like to let you folks know about good products and companies when I deal with them, and I am a sucker for coupons and use them whenever I can. And, let me tell you, the heretofore unnamed yummy company was a hoot to deal with through emails. My guess, happy employees equals happy and yummy products, but I will let you know soon! :-)

Stay well, or at least feel better than me!

Check it out - Unconditional Mom

Found at http://anunconditionalmom.blog.com/2010/01/09/hp-mini-110-with-windows-7-sos-simplify-my-life-please/ is giving away HP Mini 110s with Windows 7. Now, who couldn't use an HP (the computers and printers of choice at my house); and in my case, with a bad back, who couldn't use a mini? But, look how kind I am being letting all you folks know about this, lowering my chance to get one. Bonne Chance! And, if you get one - I'll be jealous.

FYI - will be out for a while - have a herniated disc (one the docs have been describing behind my back as a "monster" "we're amazed she can walk with one that big" - I'm gonna have to post a pic from the MRI to prove it!) - it's being operated on tomorrow. So, hope to be back soon to tell you about some other photo related goodies I have found!.

The Great Kindle Giveaway!

Hey folks, just a quick post to let you know that Bibliofreakblog is giving away Amazon Kindles (for those who have been living underground for the past two years or so, Kindles are a product upon which you can keep hundreds of books electronically. Anyway, if you wish to enter, click on the link below and subscribe to Bibliofreakblog's newsletter (and remain subscribed through December 18, if not longer).

Good luck and enjoy!

Here's the link:
http://bibliofreakblog.com/great-kindle-giveaway?ref=2367c1cdd1

'Tis the season Part II

We have another entry for the Nice list with Canvas on Demand
( https://www.canvasondemand.com/professional/pro-login.asp ), a company, which, like Nations Photo Lab, I found during my visit to the Photo Plus Expo in NYC in October. Canvas on Demand provided a coupon for a free 16 x 20 canvas wrap, to introduce us to their products (an $84.00 value, according to their published information).

Last week I finally got around to choosing the photo I wanted enlarged and I sent in my order Wednesday, November 25, after 5 pm (yes, the day before Thanksgiving). I did have to pay for shipping, which was a bit pricey at $14.95 (a bit more about shipping later). I received an email from Canvas on Demand on Friday, November 27, informing me that the photo I chose would not fit the 16 x 20 canvas, so they were upgrading me at no charge to a custom 16 x 24 because they wanted me to be happy with my product.

I next received an email on Monday, November 30, telling me my canvas had shipped, and enclosing a FedEx tracking number. Tracking the package indicated that it was expected to be delivered December 3; however, I received it on December 2! So, within one week of ordering, I had my canvas (and, mind you, this week included the Thanksgiving holiday weekend!). Talk about speedy! The canvas was exceptionally well wrapped and packaged, making the shipping costs worth it. And, what a lovely product.

For those who don't know what a canvas wrap is, I've attached a few pictures of my finished product (pardon the photos - I have not yet chosen a place to hang the canvas). As you can see, these would be especially lovely to offer for wedding photos.

Canvas on Demand gets a rating of Very Nice with me. And, as for full disclosure, I received the code along with everyone else who attended the expo; Canvas on Demand neither asked me to, nor does it know, that I wrote this. I did it solely to let you know of interesting products "out there" in the realm of the internet, and because I had such a good experience with Canvas on Demand.

Coming soon - a naughty company will be revealed (lest you think I am some exceptionally fortunate shopper).