Jace has been in MN since Thursday braving the cold with Team Franchise at the 2011 US Pond Hockey Championship. The team made it to Sunday again this year but unfortunately couldn't get by the "Pulled Hammies" this morning to advance to the finals. Better luck next year, boys! :(
So, since he's been gone I've been catching up on projects around the homestead since it's been so damn cold outside. On Thursday night I scanned in about 80 old family photos that I had received over the years from my Aunt Kathleen. I decided to do this because I'm building an online baby book for mini-Ma$e and you can add pictures - thought it'd be fun to add some old family photos. Anyway, I won't overload you with too many but here are some of my favorites...the rest can be viewed here.
Moving on...
Friday started off with another snowstorm - excellent. Hanscom was open for business...well, that is, for everyone except those responsible for plowing the roads/parking lots (our base maintenance contractor is beyond horrible). By the time the sun came out around 2PM we had about 7-8" on the ground. It was a dry and fluffy snow so not that big of a deal...except for the fact that as I was scraping the truck at the end of the day (7PM) I managed to lock my keys in the car!! Ugh...after an epic breakdown in the middle of our parking lot (thank you hormones) I contacted USAA and they sent someone to help me. All was fine and I got home to a poor little Yorkie that needed some love...well both of us did, actually. We relaxed on the couch and hit the sack early...lots to do on Saturday!
I was so excited for Saturday to roll around because, as I mentioned in my blog post from last week, I've been looking forward to buying a new DSLR camera. After talking to my friends who own DSLRs and doing my own research I was convinced that either the Nikon D3100 or D5000 was going to be the one for me. Armed with my info I headed to Ritz Camera and told the manager what I was looking for and what I planned to do with it. He said "I know exactly what you need" and proceeded to open the case to the Sony cameras! WHAAAT?! Obviously dude wasn't listening to me...um, hello, I just researched these cameras for the last week and told you that my friends use the Nikons. LOL. He explained all of the features of the Sony α33 and patiently entertained my questions about the Nikons as well. After hearing his pros/cons for both I definitely had one foot in the Sony camp and then I picked up the α33 and played with it...second foot in, SOLD! The Sony was much lighter than the Nikons and took photos much quicker than the Nikons while using the live view mode. At that point I decided to go for it and placed the order. Unfortunately they didn't have the camera in stock but I'm hoping it will arrive this week prior to our ski trip to Okemo Mountain Resort next weekend with our friends.
Today has been pretty low-key - Skyped with my little bro (12 degrees here, about 85 and sunny in DR...jerk), hit the grocery store, knocked out the laundry and am enjoying some football. All that's left to do is give Rae a bath - poor thing absolutely HATES it but with all the snow/salt on the ground she's currently a hot mess. Jace is back tomorrow (Yeay!) and we'll see if the prediction for more snow mid-week holds...Eglin AFB is looking REALLY good as a next assignment right about now ;)
Have a great week everyone!!! - Ali & Rae
So, since he's been gone I've been catching up on projects around the homestead since it's been so damn cold outside. On Thursday night I scanned in about 80 old family photos that I had received over the years from my Aunt Kathleen. I decided to do this because I'm building an online baby book for mini-Ma$e and you can add pictures - thought it'd be fun to add some old family photos. Anyway, I won't overload you with too many but here are some of my favorites...the rest can be viewed here.
Moving on...
Friday started off with another snowstorm - excellent. Hanscom was open for business...well, that is, for everyone except those responsible for plowing the roads/parking lots (our base maintenance contractor is beyond horrible). By the time the sun came out around 2PM we had about 7-8" on the ground. It was a dry and fluffy snow so not that big of a deal...except for the fact that as I was scraping the truck at the end of the day (7PM) I managed to lock my keys in the car!! Ugh...after an epic breakdown in the middle of our parking lot (thank you hormones) I contacted USAA and they sent someone to help me. All was fine and I got home to a poor little Yorkie that needed some love...well both of us did, actually. We relaxed on the couch and hit the sack early...lots to do on Saturday!
I was so excited for Saturday to roll around because, as I mentioned in my blog post from last week, I've been looking forward to buying a new DSLR camera. After talking to my friends who own DSLRs and doing my own research I was convinced that either the Nikon D3100 or D5000 was going to be the one for me. Armed with my info I headed to Ritz Camera and told the manager what I was looking for and what I planned to do with it. He said "I know exactly what you need" and proceeded to open the case to the Sony cameras! WHAAAT?! Obviously dude wasn't listening to me...um, hello, I just researched these cameras for the last week and told you that my friends use the Nikons. LOL. He explained all of the features of the Sony α33 and patiently entertained my questions about the Nikons as well. After hearing his pros/cons for both I definitely had one foot in the Sony camp and then I picked up the α33 and played with it...second foot in, SOLD! The Sony was much lighter than the Nikons and took photos much quicker than the Nikons while using the live view mode. At that point I decided to go for it and placed the order. Unfortunately they didn't have the camera in stock but I'm hoping it will arrive this week prior to our ski trip to Okemo Mountain Resort next weekend with our friends.
Today has been pretty low-key - Skyped with my little bro (12 degrees here, about 85 and sunny in DR...jerk), hit the grocery store, knocked out the laundry and am enjoying some football. All that's left to do is give Rae a bath - poor thing absolutely HATES it but with all the snow/salt on the ground she's currently a hot mess. Jace is back tomorrow (Yeay!) and we'll see if the prediction for more snow mid-week holds...Eglin AFB is looking REALLY good as a next assignment right about now ;)
I LOVE my Sony DSLR.... not what the 'pros' use, but it does great capturing the memories that I want to capture! Have fun!!
ReplyDeleteali, this is sooo cool! i really enjoy reading all your updates. my weekend was about 65ish during med day. sure gets down at night, though. worked friday during a golf tournament, sat. opened the shop then golfed with carl & mary & doug. we went to eureka grill for dindin. coffee & cbs morning show, work, then sadly, watched our hopes of the return of the super bowl shuffle come crashing down. so, that's it from sunny SCW. off to pickleball ladder league. hope jace had fun. we saw the sports review of the pond hockey here, but brief. doesn't look like jace made the tv this year. xoxxo
ReplyDeleteYou are going to love having a DSLR! Can't wait to see some pics when you get it.
ReplyDeleteAlly! First of all, love the blog!!!!! SO excited you started a blog! Second of all, SO excited you purchased a DSLR!!! You'll love it, congrats! Third of all, your childhood pictures are priceless and loved looking at them!
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling well and hope you had a good "Bachlorette" weekend...The guys seemed to have a lot of fun at Pond Hockey and hanging out. It was great to see Jace this weekend...we missed you!
Hey Mel. Sorry I couldn't be there but next year we'll bring a cheering section :) Will give you the full report on the camera once I get it and can start snappin'! Miss u and hello to the fam :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'll flood the blog with pics - can't wait! Your pics from Mexico were amazing - so jealous :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, I can't wait to start using it! That exactly what the guy told me (not what the pros use) but is perfect for shooting family and stuff with upgraded quality from a point and shoot. Glad to hear you like yours :)
ReplyDeleteHow do you do your photo books online? I am annoyed with scrapbooking and love the digital works. I've created books with iPhoto and shutterfly. I also have photoshop, but I'm just not creative AT ALL! I need tips.
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't done any BUT if I did I'd most likely use the create function in iPhoto. Only complaint with those is the price...I'm sure their prices are more than they need to be but it's so convenient.
ReplyDeleteSent from my iPhone