RSSMix.com Mix ID 137423

Happy Mother's Day

Asthmagirl — Sun, 12 May 2013 12:12:03 -0400

Wishing everyone a heart bursting with contentment today.

Happy World Asthma Day

Asthmagirl — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:24:19 -0400

Today is World Asthma Day. Mmmph.

This year is my 10th Asthmaversary. Thrrrp.

I'm now on some of the strongest meds available to us wheezers.

I have degenerative hip disease.

I've got a husband whose term of affection for me is "Lunger." (Between you and me, I find this charming)

I also have a really wonderful life, a great job, darling daughters, dingbat puppies and a camera fetish.

I guess it's all about balance.

Sometimes I have asthma. Sometimes asthma has me.

I just need to make the most of the times when I'm in charge.

So screw you, asthma. I'm not done yet.

Sincerely,

Asthmagirl

Celebrating a Life

Asthmagirl — Sun, 05 May 2013 08:04:12 -0400

I had to step back for a few weeks and just gather myself...

In March, my beloved Mother-in-law of 32 years died. It's hard to put her life in words but she was a remarkable woman.

Married at 15 and a mother at 16, she had a lively sense of humor, an extraordinary capacity for forgiveness and an often under-estimated 10th grade education. She lived for her children and eventually her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When I met her, she didn't drive and had never had a job. Yet she'd raised 3 children, kept a house, a yard, a checkbook and a smile on her face. After losing her first husband to cancer, she was left with nothing but a mortgage. She got a drivers license, cleaned houses for money, bought a car, got two jobs and finally found a career with excellent benefits where she worked for years before retiring. She met and married her second husband a little over a year after pulling her life together. As a couple, they worked hard, traveled, bought a beach cabin which she loved, and spoiled their grandchildren. After 18 years of marriage, she lost her second husband to cancer. By this time, she had her own health issues including a bad heart, which she rarely talked about. After a series of health scares early this year, from which she appeared to be recovering, the angels took her quickly and mercifully on a Saturday afternoon in late March.

I had the chance to talk to her twice in her last days. And it was comforting to know we'd said all we needed to say to each other before she left.

The one regret I do have is that I didn't hug her when I saw her earlier in the day before she left us. She looked uncomfortable and I didn't want to make her more so.

The promise I made myself after she left us was that I would try to say the words that should be said, hug as often as possible and appreciate my loved ones even more.

So if I haven't told you lately how much I appreciate you, consider yourself warned!

Hugs to all!

By and By

Asthmagirl — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 09:48:27 -0400

I had started a number of posts a couple weeks ago. They are all still in draft mode as finishing them became the last thing on my mind with a sudden and unexpected death in our family.

We're healing, but it's a slow process when someone is so beloved.

Just saying that I'll be back soon.

In the meantime, a bit of advice: Make sure you hug your loved ones. Always get that last hug in. It's so important.

An Act of Love

Asthmagirl — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:17:50 -0400

For my friend LaLa...

I salute you!

I hope my hair brings great happiness to someone without...

New Posts!

Asthmagirl — Sun, 17 Feb 2013 23:31:26 -0500

Check out the new post in other parts of the blog!

Here!

and

Here

Interlude in Paradise

Asthmagirl — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:29:49 -0500

In many ways, Florida was paradise.

At 75 degrees, it was perfect for hanging a sundress on my pasty white frame.

The wild life was more than willing to put on a show!

I loved the "roadside gators"!

The sunrises were to die for... (and how odd it was to see the sun rise out of the ocean instead of setting into the ocean!)

But the humidity as it warmed the day we left, convinced me that while my lungs had enjoyed the brief interlude, they weren't destined to linger amidst the palm trees and alligators in Florida.

So happy to be back in the Pacific Northwest!

And how are you?

Packing Priorities

Asthmagirl — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 23:42:17 -0500

It doesn't matter whether I'm going on a road trip to the desert or flying to Ireland.

The first thing I think about when I pack is my hair care, because the last thing I want to worry about when I get there, is whether my hair is going to behave... (and it's ability to misbehave is legion). And since I travel with TOG, no hair delays can be tolerated.

That means that two weeks ago, I went looking to restock my favorite hair products, Identity1.

Designed by hair care professionals who know the ins and outs of naughty hair, these products have stood by me from the heat of the Utah desert to a windy ferry ride across the North Sea to Amsterdam to a rainy pony cart ride through the mountains of Killarney, Ireland.

And because they're such smarties, the folks at Identity1 have come up with products I didn't even know I needed... like the quick dry spray. Because who wants to spend 20 minutes blow-drying their hair with a harried husband jiggling his car keys? On top of the fact that it really works, they played a trump card and put a leave-in conditioner in it. Talk about silky!! And don't get me started on the never-greasy nourishing oil which my hair sucks up like a sponge in sea water. Talk about calming it down after a blow dry. Manageable, brushable, touchable...

And then there's subtle products like the thermal protecting gel that provide a little 'slip' for easy blow drying or flat ironing. And let us not forget the illuminating mist to put the shine on your style.

I haven't even talked about the shampoos and conditioners, which are lovely... but here's the most important thing to me:

The products do what they say they will and they do not weigh my hair down. I can easily go two to three days between washes with polite hair. And in a pinch, I could use their hair powder to add volume and fluff the roots.

So, thanks Identity1! Your products are making yet another trek with me! This time we're going to do the humidity test!

Stay tuned!

AG out!

Lovely

Asthmagirl — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:28:50 -0500

Lovely weekend with my beloved. Still thinking of sky and color.

Working long hours this week but it will all be worth it!

Life is such a challenge sometimes. I love rising to the occasion.

Definitely a glass half full kind of a gal!

Happy Monday!

Snap!

Asthmagirl — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:57:12 -0500

The cold snap with the ice fog is finally over. The lungs are a little twitchy but I'm hoping they'll get over their bad selves!

I'm thinking this morning, not about summer, but about the waterfront. Ocean, seaside, beach, whatever you choose to call it. I love being next to the water. It's a bonus that my lungs love it too! It's the best air condioner ever with the breeze keeping the air fresh for optimum breathing!

And then there's the beauty...

What do you like about the beach?

Camera Review - Nikon D3100

Asthmagirl — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:55:24 -0500

I've never done a camera review on the blog before, but when I got my hands on the Nikon D3100, I felt compelled to give it a shout out.

With the temporary assistant I've got coming to do some of my PR work, one of my prioritiies was to make sure she was getting usable shots when she went on location. Since I've been using my D90 (and my D80 before that) as my work camera for almost three years, I've become pretty spoiled with high resolution shots and great shutter speed as well as the ability to shoot in low light, etc. And while I like the new PR assistant, I'm not handing my camera off to anyone. So I told my boss it was time to pony up and buy an really good agency camera or wrestle with bad shots that other people take. He agreed.

After significant research, I decided the D3100 met my requirements. Being easy enough that someone used to a point and shoot camera wouldn't be intimidated by it, being versatile enough to shoot in a variety of environments when out in the field and being in the range of our non profit budget including camera and lens.

Some things I really like about the D3100...

As opposed to the small setting screen on the D90, it has an easy to read 3" lcd screen to veiw settings when you turn it on. For the lay person, it tells you what you need to know before you shoot, such as "subject is too dark".

It came with a nifty little beginner's lens, an 18-55 VR G lens. Although the D3100 is not motorized the G lens is and it seems to do a good job of auto focusing with a tiny bit of patience.

The shutter selecter is a switch instead of a button and is easy to read. The mode selection wheel is also well marked, and has this cool option called guide!

The guide mode offers basic tutorials for the new user, but in addition, if you select the shooting option...

...and the advanced mode, the camera will actually walk you through scenarios you might be trying to shoot.

The camera goes on to provide you with additional information regarding setting up your shot!

I've been shooting around the office with the D3100 for about 2 days. Today I switched back to the D90 to take these shots. I'm in no danger of trading my camera for the D3100, but I'm really impressed with this little camera and it's capabilities.

My impression is that this would be a great learning camera for any new photographer. It's smaller and lighter than the D90, and while it has fewer lens options if you're looking for auto focus, it has a full range of shooting capabilities that I think would meet a beginner's needs for quite some time.

Lastly, for those accustomed to the point and shoot, looking through a lens finder is a big adjustment. On the D3100, the live view option for the led screen is extremely responsive with no lag and taking and replaying video was seamless and easy. The battery charger is compact and the camera uses your standard SD or SDHC memory card.

I bought the camera online from B&H camera. It was my first purchase with them and with the shipping discount, I was again able to meet my budget. The camera/lens kit arrived in great condition and I couldn't be happier with their customer service and ease of tracking my shipment.

Overall, I found the D3100 to be a well engineered entry level DSLR camera. I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do in the hands of a new photographer!

Skywatch

Asthmagirl — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:33:06 -0500

It has been cold, cold, cold these past few days. It's been around 20 degrees when I arrive at work. And the wind in the valley has been brisk.... which has created these beautiful rippled clouds. I just had to pull over for this shot!

For more skywatch shots from around the world visit skywatch headquarters!

Skywatch

Asthmagirl — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:28:14 -0500

From the valley floor this morning. A field of frost and a beautiful sunrise next to the mountain...

For more skywatch shots from around the world visit skywatch headquarters!

Skywatch

Asthmagirl — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:19:24 -0400

From in front of the bagel shop yesterday morning at 7 am!

For more skywatch shots from around the world visit skywatch headquarters!

Skywatch Friday

Asthmagirl — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:57:02 -0400

Dusk....from the deck of our hotel room in San Diego...

SOOC. Blurry, but I love the colors and of course, no tripod!

For other (much better) shots from around the world, visit Skywatch Headquarters!

Skywatch Friday!

Asthmagirl — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:44:51 -0400

The Northwest tip of Washington State!

For more Skywatch Photos from around the world, visit Skywatch Central!

Skywatch Friday

Asthmagirl — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:27:07 -0400

From behind the pub...

For other sky shots from around the world, visit Skywatch Headquarters!

Skywatch Friday

Asthmagirl — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:57:43 -0400

From Virginia...

To see other great skywatch shots from around the world (or add your own) visit skywatch headquarters!

Skywatch Friday

Asthmagirl — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:38:34 -0400

A couple weeks ago I was driving home at dusk and I turned the corner and saw all this color...

I pulled over and shot this remarkably unattractive Port of Seattle building! I hated the look of it in the shot, so I decided to drive a few blocks out of my way and get up on a hill above the next town.

Of course, by then I was losing the color.

Which I guess is a lesson to work with what you have in front of you... at least around sunset!

To see other sky shots from around the world, visit Sky Watch headquarters!

Skywatch Friday

Asthmagirl — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:33:32 -0400

Today's entry is part of a series of photos I took last week...

This one doesn't really qualify as a sky shot because you can barely see the sky. But I'm in love with the perspective... and the contrast of blue balloon and blue sky.... and the reflection of the sky in the central air heater!

This is another shot taken from up in the balloon that shows part of Puget Sound and a hint of the lovely clouds just behind that tree...

Here's a much better view of the clouds after we came down from the balloon. It seemed like the sky would never end!

For more sky shots from around the world, or to add your own, visit skywatch central!