I've been playing around with some new Photoshop filters
and discovered one I really like. Check this out!

This is the original picture of Ellie:

And now, the enhanced version, below.

Really makes it pop doesn't it?

Yesterday was family photo day in the park. I took over 500 pictures! Yeeeowza!!

These are my favorites:

Still using Internet Explorer?
WHY?
When Firefox is so much better!

Firefox is much more secure than Internet Explorer and more reliable. And you know those crazy windows that pop open all the time asking you if you "really" want to do what you just asked Internet Explorer to do, well those are gone too! The part I like the most is how it manages passwords on various websites for you. When you log in to a site you regularly visit, Firefox will ask if you want it to remember the password. Guess what folks, it really does it! You know how Explorer will allow you to check the "remember password" box on websites but you visit that site again and it didn't remember it...Firefox actually does it. Download it and give it a try. You'll like it!

Faith Hill has an awesome new song out called "A Baby Changes Everything". Check it out here:

Written by KK Wiseman, this song is retelling of the birth of the Christ Child in song.

OPERATION GIFT CARDS FOR GRAMMY

I know it's tough out there with gas prices out of control but if you're still feeling charitable, Grammy ran out of Kroger gift cards a few weeks ago.

She told me that it really makes a difference for her to have those and she didn't realize how much money groceries actually cost since she's had gift cards for so long.

She lives on such a tight budget, I know I couldn't go 2 weeks on what she lives on for a month, so if you can, even a small amount would help her a bunch!

I heard wedding bells last week were ringing in Kokomo........
when do we see the pictures?

French Lick Resort & Casino

http://www.frenchlick.com/default_.asp

Had a client meeting this week in French Lick. What a gem we found just a few hours from home. We had all heard about the renovations to the French Lick and West Baden Hotels but none of us had ever been there. So a couple of us piled in the car and off we went. We met up with several corporate employees, had our meeting, then went off to lunch at one of their golf courses. Oh my goodness. The countryside down there is beautiful! It was a great lunch (chopped salad with grilled chicken, it had fresh Indiana sweet corn in it...yummo).


Then after lunch they wanted to show us their new Pete Dye golf course going in on one of the highest points in that area. The course isn't done yet so watching all the guys working on it sure reminded me of Beepo! Anyway, we toured the home of the man that originally built the West Baden hotel - which they are now making into a bed and breakfast inn. Seriously you guys, you don't feel like you're in Indiana when you're there. The views were spectacular! We were all in awe!


Then off to the West Baden hotel we went. This place is something to see! I'm definitely taking Rich down there to spend the night and roam around. It's gorgeous!!! Right now their website doesn't do the hotels justice - that will be changing! I didn't take my camera, since it was a business trip - but I wish that I had taken it and now I know it would have been ok too. SHOOT!

If you're looking for a quick weekend getaway and you don't want to venture too far from home...check out French Lick & West Baden. Believe me when I tell you, you will be impressed!

West Baden Resort

Have you ever seen something on TV or in a movie and wished you could buy it? Well, here's a spot that does just that.

Check out http://www.seenon.com/ The selection is somewhat limited right now but you might still find something you like!

Ever have a moment when you're doing something and you realize... Ah! This is exactly what I should be doing!!! Well I'm getting those all the time at work.

I'm really loving my new job! It's exactly what I've known I should be doing for a LONG time now. The people there are soooo smart! I'm soaking up everything I can from them. It's been so much fun diving into this job. Heck I don't even mind the 81 mile commute to work. I'm so happy to get to do something I love that I don't care about driving there and back every day. Thank you Jesus for a great company and great people to work with!

Say Hello to My Little Friend

In light of the drive I'll be making (at least temporarily) to Bloomington, I decided to get rid of my 2000 Nissan Altima with 90K miles on it and get a new car.

Initially I thought I'd buy a used Honda but the prices of the used were just a couple thousand off the new car prices and the interest rates were way lower for a new car. So I bit the bullet and got a new one. I love it, I've only had it 6 days and it's been years since I had a car payment, so ask me how much I like it again when I make that first payment on August 30th - I might be singing a different tune!

So, I'm really feelin' like this car needs a name. Don't you? Something like Sharky. Doesn't the front of it look like a shark head? So, announcing, the official "NAME ANDREA'S CAR CONTEST!" Get creative folks, I just might pick the name you suggest!

It's official! I start my new job August 4th, 2008! Oh I can't wait!!!

Who is Hanapin Marketing? Well "we" are an Internet marketing firm that specializes in website development, pay per click advertising and search engine optimization.

Is this a dream or do I get to do what I love for a living? Holy Cow, it's real!! It's real!! Somebody pinch me!

GUESS WHO DROVE ON SUNDAY AND DID IT LIKE PROS????

THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS!

OLIVE12 AND TAPEEAR DROVE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!!

THEY DID A GREAT JOB!!!!!

Nothing says "I wanna have 12 kids and share a husband" like a good drop waisted dress! http://fldsdress.com/

Are you bored this summer? Perhaps you're finding dull spots in your day and you need something to fill that time?

Check out www.woot.com! Every single day this website offers one deal. That's right folks, just one a day. Ohhhhhh, but It's the deal of the century! Even if you're not in the market for their deal, the description of that product is so darn funny, it'll keep you coming back day, after day, after day!

Mark my words, Grasshopper! You'll be back!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

(I wish I took this picture!)

Magic Man and I went to the Carmel fireworks tonight. They have this little Carmelfest every year and cap it off with fireworks on the 4th. The display is pretty good, if you're ever down here on the 4th, they are worth a look-see.

We came home though, and saw the Boston Pops with REAL fireworks. Wow!!! Ok Carmel pales in comparison (naturally).

The Boston Pops played a Pavarotti song that I absolutely love. I remember discovering this when I worked at BMG, exploring all kinds of music (for a buck a CD - ah those were the days). This is an Aria by Puccini from the play Turandot sung by Pavarotti in Italian. You don't need to know the words to hear and understand the emotion of the song. I've loved it since the first time I heard it. Why wasn't I smart enough to go witness such talent when he was alive???

I love the look he gives after he sings the very last note. He takes a breath, furrows his brow and pulls his shoulders up and forward slightly. I just wonder what he was thinking?? Maybe "that was my best performance ever" or "I'm so sick of singing that song!" Who knows. I love it!

English Translation of "Nessun Dorma"

Nobody shall sleep!... Nobody shall sleep!

Even you, o Princess,

in your cold room,

watch the stars,

that tremble with love and with hope.

But my secret is hidden within me,

my name no one shall know...

No!...No!...

On your mouth I will tell it when the light shines.

And my kiss will dissolve the silence that makes you mine!...

(No one will know his name and we must, alas, die.)

Vanish, o night!

Set, stars! Set, stars!

At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!

Magic Man and I took the day off and spent it with Kellie, Brian and Ellie Grace. I got some great pictures of the little smiley face. She's sure growing up fast...already 9 months old and trying to walk. She took 2 steps today by herself and learned to drink from a straw!

What a day!!

How cute is this little swimming beauty?

Check out her fat leggies!

Saw these mice and mousepads on http://www.seejanework.com/ - they are just too cute. Too bad they aren't wireless and they are rollerball rather than optical. Otherwise I'd just have to have one. Oh and they are $35.00 each - I might splurge for it if it was $25.00.

Magic Man and I were goofing around the other day. I was outside snappin' pictures. He was getting sick of me chasing him around like the paparazzi. Trying to hide from me in the truck, he made this stupid face. I can't help it...every time I see it, I crack up!

Holy Cow!

Cool whip comes in a spray can!

No more spoons!
There is a God!

Where the heck have I been, you ask?

Well it's been quite a crazy few months at work. We won a huge project with the State to provide training on a new software package for Workforce Development. My team is training almost 800 employees at various locations throughout the State.

I've been working like crazy since February on this project learing the software and then getting our trainers trained and out on the road to do the actual training. We are winding down now in our final week of being on the road. It's been TONS of fun. I've loved working on this project and will totally miss it. BUT, it has cut into my blogging time. So it's time I get back to the real world, I suppose.

Anyway, if you missed it, the beautiful full moon came up tonight bright orange-yellow. I had to dash out and give my new camera a try. Recently I bought a digital SLR camera (the kind you have to focus yourself). I've got a mega lens to get in close to objects far away, like the moon. This is my first time zooming in on the moon with the new lens. I'm lovin' this new camera!!

Happy Birthday Manda!!

Hope you party like a rock star
(or at least as hard as you're partyin' in this pic)!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSIE!!!

Hope you had a great day!!

(This picture is from 1992 just after Olive12 was born.)

I am a regular reader of a website called Smashing Magazine.

They recently announced a photography contest. They wanted to start a gallery of texture pictures. They didn't care what the texture was but the picture submitted had to be a certain number of pixels wide, other than that, there weren't many rules. The winner of the contest was chosen at random and won a nice Canon camera. Unfortunately I didn't win the camera but one of my pictures got selected to be on the site!! (shooks has a pic published too - put her first & last name in the search box on the site and you'll find her entry!)

They said far more than 2000 pictures were submitted so I think it's pretty cool that both of us ended up getting something published! The picture they selected of mine is Nilla Wafers, check it out in the Food section.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/05/27/smashing-texture-contest-results/

I just read this news article and boy this makes me sad!! Ouch!

The five-year-old daughter of Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman was killed last night when a car apparently driven by one of her older brothers hit her in the Chapman family's driveway. In what local police are calling a "terrible accident,"

Maria Chapman was playing in the driveway when she was struck by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by one of Chapman's teenage sons. The police did not identify the driver, according to The Tennessean.

A statement on Chapman's website says, "Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there." Maria was the youngest of the Chapman's six children.

Some of the poignant lyrics Steven wrote for a friend after they lost a child are so real now for himself:

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

I've seen Steven in concert several times. He's a Christian singer and writes most all of his music. I've watched his career throughout the years, keep track of what he's doing and check out his new music. I know Allison can relate, after you've seen someone perform so many times, you feel like you know them and their family.

I posted his charity on my blog in the past: http://andreasmindworks.blogspot.com/search/label/shaohannahshope.org

Please keep his family in your prayers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BIG BROTHER!!!

Isn't he cute!

Are you looking for some cool buttons or badges? Need a fun give-away for a tradeshow or event?

Check out: http://www.prickie.com/

HAPPY 50TH-ISH BIRTHDAY BONEMAN!!!!

Hope you liked your presents!!!

Bored? Need something to do? Try TYPERACER! It's a "game" where you are given a block of text and you're timed on how fast you can type it. You can race other people out there which makes it even more fun! So far I'm up to 90 words per minute!!

http://play.typeracer.com/

!!!!!!!!!$3.95 a Gallon!!!!!!!!!

OPERATION GIFT CARDS FOR GRAMMY
MOTHER'S DAY EDITION

Just today, Grammy used the LAST of her Kroger gift cards from Christmas . Can you imagine how much that helped her to have all of her groceries paid for almost 5 months!

Well, here we are...Mother's Day, the perfect occasion to refresh her supply. I know she has to pay her property taxes this month so that's a huge chunk of money out of her limited budget.

If you were going to get her something, this might be a good idea!

Found this can, contents unknown, on the sale
table at Kroger tonight.

Would you pay .99¢ for this?

GAS IS $3.86 A GALLON IN INDY TODAY!

THIEVES!