Meet tres' petite Ya-Ya MJ...

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending the day with a beautiful family. You might recall, in July I had a maternity shoot with the daughter of Ya-Ya SQ. A first for both of us, but what a wonderful experience for me. As a very unprofessional photographer I had the chance to basically experiment shooting portrait style photos with what I call, very "ghetto" lighting equipment. Thank goodness they trusted me enough to let me give it a shot. In the end, I (and I think they too) were very pleased with the outcome. Thanks to those two special people in my life for allowing me to be a part of such an intimate moment in their lives. Can't forget to thank the hubby Ra-Ra for not only helping me set up everything, but for letting me take over his office for the day!











So, yesterday, armed with the faith and trust of this wonderful couple I jumped feet first into to my very first baby shoot! I must say she is just gorgeous! It was my pleasure and honor to photograph her. She is a truly a blessing, what more can I say?



Without any further babble...meet MJ!





Or, maybe I should have said without any further bubble....and she blew several for me yesterday!


Thanks again to this family for their trust in me and most importantly your love and encouragement.

Go and make it a great day!

Love,
B

Friends...the family you get to choose!

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart".



I came across these photos this morning as I was browsing the thousands I have on my computer. These were taken in 2006 at the beautiful "Tea" the Ya-Ya ladies gave my daughter Fred before her wedding in May. Everything was just lovely, gorgeous table settings designed by each Ya-Ya, using their own china. Each table had a theme, fabrics, flowers, dishes, etc. Of course, we all were required to wear our best "Tea" apparel including hats and gloves. It was a wonderful day!





Just a few examples of the tables that day...

We Ya-Ya's don't get together that often these days and some of our visits are not always photographed, but they should be. You see, we have been growing together for about 24 years and now we are often apart more than together. We all have very different lives than the lives that bought us together. That life was our children. Now most are grown and left the nest and we are all learning a new dance. Growing is what we are doing, moving on to the next exciting, and often unsettling part of life. New dances are hard to learn after you have been doing the same one for so long! But, we are all adapting and finding our groove by indulging in new hobbies, new jobs, new hair-dos, and would you believe...not a single new husband!




Yep, growing separately is what we are doing, but I don't think we could or would ever grow apart.



While going through these photos, I realized I have an astonishing amount of Scrabble pic's. I am beginning to think that Scrabble is a little bit of a camera hog (she has been known to show off in front of the camera and don't ask me to prove it)...is that because she is so comfortable knowing that I personally touch up every photo or is she just living up to the whole "Queen" thing? Honestly girls, what do you think?

We have had just this very week...a request to be an honorary Ya-Ya! What do you think? Certificates of honorary Ya-Yahood (which would of course include a confidentiality agreement)! To be discussed at the next official meeting...

Love to all,
B

Politics and all that blah, blah, blah...

Let me say right from the get go that this blog was never intended to be a political platform for my personal views on Presidental candidates. I am hopeful that this will be my only comment on anything related to politics.

Those of you that know me personally, know how I will vote this year and many of you understand the reasons why I will vote for a particular candidate. No, he is not my first choice for President for several reasons, but nonetheless, he is the choice of my party. I do not recall at any time in my voting history such an election year. Never before have I been so disllusioned with both parties and especially the national media.

Yesterday, I happened to watch a enough of the ABC daytime show, "The View" to make me sick. The hosts Joy Behar and Barbara Walters should be ashamed of themselves. Their lack of professionalism in an interview with Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly was an outrage. It was totally expected of Joy Behar, as she has not a professional bone in her body, but Barbara Walters.... Regardless of their political views, he was a guest and should have been treated as such. Just another obvious exhibit of the media exercising their power by allowing such shameful and arrogant bias toward a particular party.

And what is up with the musicians? Some of my most beloved bands issuing orders of "Cease and Desist" because they don't want their music played at Republican functions. Come on. Get real. Are you kidding me? If the candidate of their choice had chosen that song, would they seek legal action? Probably not. They have no idea how their music is used on Myspace, Facebook and personal websites. Are we all subject to a "Cease and Desist" order because they don't like the content of our sites because it does not convey their political agenda? Or maybe they are not happy with the way my husband and son-in-law played a song around the campfire one evening, or will they be stalking Karaoke bars around the country, pulling off contestants they don't like with long canes. No more send in the clowns, here come the attorneys. Not a likely scenario is it? It is so political that it stinks of favoratism. It is not a shock that many of the Hollywood elite think we are not smart enough to think for ourselves, their celebrity status (we put them there) allows them to soar to new heights in the political world. We hang on every word, every thought, and every worldly cause. Then, they want us all to follow them right to the polls. I for one, refuse to be force fed their ego's with a spoon!

I can tell you when Geraldine Ferraro ran as Walter Mondale's VP in 1984 there were no photos taken from behind her at high heel level between her legs while she was speaking to crowds. We did not talk about her glasses, suits, hair, children or her "First Dude". She was a woman making history and that was all that mattered. And there were certainly no nude paintings of her in bars and if there were, respectfully, they were never shown. No one questioned her ability to run the country and a home at the same time. It makes me so ashamed that it has come to this and I am upset with the women of America for standing by and letting it happen. Regardless of your political affilliation you should be appalled.

Lastly, I do believe this election, like most will be won on promises that neither candidate will ever be able to keep. Platforms, like anything else must grandiose to appeal to the masses. You must say what you think the people want to hear not what they need to hear. We need to hear that things are tough and they are going to get tougher, we need to hear certain individuals are not entitiled to something that they did not work for, and speaking of work, do it and shut up about it and stop expecting others to carry your load, stop expecting a bail out every time things don't go your way, take responsibility for yourself and your family and know that certain acts have definite consequences, stop blaming McDonald's for your weight gain, stop whining about hurricanes as you rebuild on what is left of your home, then you get hit again and expect the government to help you out. Please America...help yourself. Because your inability to help yourself is killing this country! Some of this is COMMON SENSE people!

When one candidate tells you we will stop spending $10 billion dollars a month in Iraq, does he mean that a war in Afghanistan will be free? He says that is where we are going next...for free? I sorta doubt it. When someone promises you the same exact health care he has, but fails to tell you how much it will cost you monthly and what you have to do to qualify for it, should you believe it without question? Health care in this country is a major concern for all of us, regardless of your party. If I had to pick the candidate with the most enticing plan you know who it would be. Why? Because it sounds good and it is what I want to hear, but assuming it will be a reality is a longshot. He will run on that platform succesfully because the American people want to hear it and many will never question its actual cost to them. I also think the other candidates proposal is bunk too. You can't get anything for $5,000.00 per family as far as health care and opening it up to go out of state just makes them harder to catch when they bail on you.

So, they all make promises that sound good in the dark, but in the light of day we should all question the authenticity of these promises and do our own homework. There is no question that the last 8 years have been difficult, but I believe both candidates would have struggled had they been served up that plate. No doubt the next President will inherit a mess, plain and simple. I have my doubts as to how either one will handle it and if you are smart you should too. I think it all comes down to character, policies of both candidates concern me, so my decision is based on character and experience of the individual.

There you have it. I have ranted. It was not my intent to sway anything you feel personally about me or your candidate. Voting (legally) is your right! Your choice is your choice. All I want people to do is their homework and break free of the prejudice of the national media. Make your own choice, not a choice influenced by them. Choose, vote, and be proud of your choice.

I am Smileforbee and I approved this message.

Love and hope to all of you.
B

Buzz for the day...

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.

-Anne Frank





It is amazing after several years of drought and watering restrictions here in the South that flowers will still bloom at all. These roses never cease to amaze me. They are planted right outside of my backdoor, and even though the pots on the patio are dead and have been for a while, these gorgeous roses continue to bloom, no matter how much they are neglected. Even through years of drought they perform without hesitation. They were used two years ago in arrangements and little containers that we hung on chairs at my daughters wedding in May. Now, as the leaves are falling and days are beginning to cool off they are still bringing me joy.
So the quote above seemed fitting to share with all of you, as often we need to be gently reminded of the beauty around us.

Happy Birthday today to my dear friend Scrabble. News is, she will also be welcoming a tres' petite Ya-Ya next June. Love you bunches Girlfriend.

If any of you are heading to the Apple Festival in Ellijay this weekend...stop by and see my friend Dana with Old Red Barn Co. She makes the best darn soaps and scrubs out there. I hope she has plenty of "Man Soap" because I need to stock up! You can find her link on this page, so order online if you can't make it to the Apple Festival. I recommend everything she has, but the "Man Soap" is a family favorite.

Have a peaceful and blessed day!
Love,
B

Just breathe.....

Today I am doing something that I normally do not do. It has been my past experience to just say NO whenever my mind heads in this direction. Primarily because...I will admit it...I have NO patience.
Just doing this can make me sweat (which is not hard to do these days), scream in frustration, cuss like a sailor, make up silly words that I would never, ever use in public, get jittery, and yes, at times I have even cried. Why? then you ask, are you torturing yourself by doing something that causes you so much pain...and what the heck is it you are doing?




You guessed it! I AM SEWING! You see, after many years of watching me suffer through the headaches of using a very cheap sewing machine, Ra Ra decided it was time to give me a really jazzy sewing machine this year for Mother's Day.
Oh, my! How my life and the lives of my family could have been so much nicer had I had this machine 25 years ago. All of the tears and ugly words they never had to see or hear, banished with the quiet hum of this beautiful piece of machinery. Mommy smiling and happy, so happy to be sewing, heck, I would've been whistling all day and into the wee hours of the morning. I am beginning to visualize myself as a possible Disney character, Snow White or maybe even Cinderella, doing chores and sewing with all of the sweet little birds fluttering about helping her thread the needle, cut the fabric, stitch the seam....
OK, enough of that. Besides, those of you who know me, know I can't stand to be around birds, much less have them fly around my house trying to land on my shoulder. Anyway, the point is, I am not going to spend all my time sewing. But I will tell you, I can breathe easily these days knowing that my new sewing machine is sitting there in the closet just waiting to help me create some fabric masterpieces or my own Disney fantasy. Thank you Ra Ra! I know this machine would have meant no diapers or formula for the children 25 years ago, but deep down, I know it's the one you would have bought , if you could have!

To my daughters Richie and Fred...I am absolutely sure I could improve on those matching collars. Remember those? They had the quilted puff appliqued hearts and rick rack trim on them. I know you all just loved wearing them (about as much as I loved making them)! Just think, we could add the third one for Cha-Chee and all three of you could match this Christmas. Let me know soon, as the Holiday Season is almost upon us.

Have the best day ever! And don't forget to whistle while you work!

Love to all,
B

I LOVE Fall!

"Autumn, the year's last loveliest smile." William Cullen Bryant



This is a photo of my little Fall display outside of my cabin near Blue Ridge, GA. Ra Ra and I went up this past weekend to relax and do a little sprucing up around the cabin. Of course, a trip to Home Depot for pine straw was in order and I found myself picking up a few mums (can't resist them) and a couple of pumpkins. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than listening to Auburn football on the radio (thank you XM)and spending time creating this little display for everyone to enjoy. I just hope the deer or the elusive bear does not enjoy it too much before I can return next weekend.



I look forward to the days ahead spent at "Miss "B" Haven" for so many reasons....

A fire in the fireplace (no gas logs here).
Sleeping with the windows open.
The "Apple Festival" (which means a new jar/or jars of apple butter).
Excuse to buy a new pair of tacky flannel pants (I can no longer sleep in them because of an internal combustion problem) but I wear them to be comfy.
Funnel Cakes are everywhere...and I want one, because it just feels like the right thing to do!
The mosquitoes are GONE!
I have my view back!
Chili (no explanation needed).
You can't escape the colors (the traffic I could do without, but they deserve the beauty as well as I do).
The air smells GREAT....all the time.

And..........

A flannel shirt is not only acceptable, but it can hide a multitude of your Festival food sins, know what I mean?



Have a wonderful day!
Love,
B

The Wind of Change

Hello friends! I am so far behind in keeping you up to date with all that has taken place since my last post. Shame on me, I know.

I celebrated my 48th Birthday yesterday. The Maytag Man fixed my washer (new pump) and I finished off the day by doing 9 loads of laundry. Apparently his services did not include laundry...I asked...he said I could not afford his prices...truth be known he probably could not afford mine either! It was a lovely day though. Lots of phone calls from family and friends, cards from friends I don't see as often as I would like and the hint of Fall in the air. Perfect in my book.

It has been an odd sort of month, peppered with bad news, fallen trees, sick pets, broken appliances, new purchases (I will tell you later), Auburn football and flat tires. But, on to the purpose of this post.

As life would have it, as it often does, with Death there is always the promise of Life. In the last month sad news has touched my life with the passing of friends and family members of those close to me. Some were expected. Courageous battles were fought and finally lost. Lives forever changed by many years of struggle. It is a difficult toll on those that remain, but mixed with a sense of peace that the fight is now over. Two were taken together tragically in an auto accident, an unexpected death that is hard to understand and even harder to accept. Dear friends, we love you all and share in your heartache. Please know that you and your families are in our thoughts and our prayers.

But........

I mentioned The Wind of Change, right? Even with Death, there is Life, and so it is with a heart filled with much joy that I announce that my daughter Richie and her husband K3 (Monk) are expecting their first child in May! The Wind of Change blew in suddenly last Friday with a pair of baby booties riding high on the Fall breeze as my family was tailgating in Auburn. Congratulations Richie and K3!




I do have so much more to share, but this post seemed to be my first priority! Have a blessed and wonderful day. Enjoy your Autumn wherever you are, it is so brief, but yet, holds so much promise! For without Autumn, there could be no Spring.

Love,
B