I've Converted.

I am forsaking my ways as a PC owner and user and converted to the ways of a MAC.  I bought my first ever Apple computer, the iMac, after being swayed by their clever marketing schemes, eventually, abrading my freewill and convincing me there are no other alternatives unless of course I actually like hitting ctrl-alt-delete every 20 mins and rebooting my computer while losing every ounce of work I just did just so I could spend another 20 mins redoing it.  PC must think I need the practice.

So here I am, exploring Safari and the wonders of iLife.  I took my first One-on-One class today and felt like a complete idiot.  I kept expecting to hear at least 4 to 5 steps I would need to complete a task but kept getting told... "just drag and drop".  Seriously?  That's it? Well then, how do I delete this then?  "Just hit delete Ma'am" (okay, so I threw the Ma'am in, but just for effect).  So simple that I couldn't get it.

I mean, we're talking YEARS on a PC (coz I'm so old...); everything's complicated.  I can take one of those babies apart, and put it all back together, run it smoothly for ohhh, maybe a day or two before I was searching for the Task Manager.

Well, the commercials got me.  I caved.  And boy, am I ever kicking myself for not doing this a heck of a lot sooner.  But before I get too giddy, I DID just get this thing so right now it's purring like a kitten.  Well, a kitten that's getting scratched by a monkey maybe.  (Read: I'm the monkey).  There's definitely a learning curve.  Apple may be simple but I'm old and stuck in my ways.  Looking for this here and that there only to find out now I don't need it.  What's a PC girl to do?

So now I sit trying to reorganize about 8-10 thousand photos and reorganize every document and zip file, convert what converts and cry as I toss those that don't after searching aimlessly on Safari and Google for apps and downloads that can make this ride a little smoother.  Setting up Wi-fi, Time Capsules, my printer, external drives, and letting Ethan play his first real computer game...Sesame Street First Steps.  He loves it.  But as my husband said... "Now look what you did.  He'll always want to be on the computer."  ~sigh~ He takes after his mama.

I'm still trying to figure this gadget out and pics are sitting in limbo.  That's frustrating me more than anything right now but if this thing lives up to the hype, it shouldn't be long before I'm up and running a mile.

So long PC. 

Spider Babies

Warning, if you have arachnophobia, scroll away. These little guys spotted my eye as I was walking in the door. They were dangling nicely from a plant stand (with no plant, go figure) in their egg sack. I grabbed my camera and as I was snapping their photo, they began to uncurl and make their move into the big, wide world. They were spreading fast, and they were a little too close to my front door for my comfort. So my manly, man moved them to the nearest tree and we watched them quickly explore their new treehouse. Amazing little guys.

Sunny Days of Summer

Okay, you can call me a liar. I said I would blog and I’ve been negligent. But in my defense, I think I have had one of THEE best summers with my family. Camping trips, farm trips, carnivals, parades, baking, gardening (okay, I’ve neglected that too recently ~sigh~), and of course photography.

My photography has taken off. Although I still consider myself a total newbie at this, I have really enjoyed every single opportunity I have had to get creative and try to master my skills. And then I call Hope and dolefully complain that I think I buggered something up. Somehow my confidence always gets restored and then I go off to snap better pics. So a shout out to my pedagogue but more to my friends and customers of PixelPie for giving me a phenomenal start and handing out the encouragement. Oh, yes and the gorgeous flowers I received put me over the edge of “Wow, thanks.”

Just to prove that I haven’t been slacking, here are some pics of celebrating Canada Day, A trip to the farm, and some of Edmonton’s festivities, Capital Ex. Yeah, I know. 3 slideshows in a row. But I'm trying to play catch-up.

OH CANADA!




FUN FARM DAYS




A FUNNY FARM

A Whirlwind of Activity

Wow, things have been literally crazy around here. A total whirlwind. I haven't forgotten about this blog, lol, actually quite the opposite. I have so much to write and so many stories but it all has to wait! We're off camping again!

I'm really enjoying this summer. We've spent a lot of time together doing family things everything from camping trips to playing at the park and enjoying the events of Edmonton, which has been fantastic and in between times, my photography has taken the leap forward; portrait sessions, and my first wedding that I just completed last night! I am dying to process pics but apparently I'm only allowed 10 before I leave on vacation. Thbbbbbbbt!


My computer's still giving me grief so I'm waiting on my new iMac! Yippe! Hopefully I can learn it fairly fast so I'm not put behind any further.

My kids are growing like weeds too. I've been dealing with a temper tantrum/no nap phase from Ethan lately and would love, LOVE, any tips to speed this phase up. It's exhausting. It amazes me how long they can last, even when Glen and I try to be very consistent with him and not give any extra attention. While Ethan is all out wailing, and Glen and I are curling are toes, the clock is ticking down the hour, two hours, two and a half.... yeesh. Toddlers are so intense.

Daysha has started food and she is lovin' it! Give her the spoon and she has a blast! lol, what a mess but so much fun! So far, she has loved every fruit and veggie that we've tried her with. I thought Ethan was a good eater but I think Daysha wins. She is all smiles now that she's a big girl!

Anyway, I'm off to pack! Hope you're enjoying your summer too!

Here are a few pics from some backyard summer fun when my niece came over to play.