One Little Word 2011: Home
Each year, Ali Edwards and a bunch of other folks choose a word for the year. It’s kind of a resolution, a goal, and something to focus on in the coming year. I usually think about doing it but for the past few years I’ve had a hard time settling in on a word- thinking hard about what that word might be even into January- and never really settling on just one word for the year. This year, as I’ve had my word for 2011 since November.
My Word for 2011. . . Home
(Portrayed on my beautiful necklace that I ordered from Pumpkin Pie Designs/As We Dance. It’s a custom order similar to her Keep Calm and Carry On necklace- all I had to do was ask through a conversation. I promise it’s gorgeous but we really haven’t had enough sunlight to get a beautiful picture of it yet. Perhaps this will be the year I get rid of these privacy screens on that leave the house darker than it should be.)
Home. It seems to be the perfect word for 2011 and sums up so much of what I want to focus on and look forward to in 2011.
I want to focus on being present at home. I want to enjoy my time at home and not just zone out here at home. To relax at home. To enjoy the time that Cody’s home.
This is the year to settle in to our home- wherever that may be. We’ve been in this home for 10 years in August but I don’t think Cody and I really feel settled in it. We waited for this home to have a different purpose most of the time we’ve been here- and then the possibility of moving entered into our thoughts last year. So, we’ve never taken the time to really settle in here. By the end of this year, I want to feel totally settled in our home- whether it’s in this home or our next home.
Settling is so much about making our house, our home. That means focusing some time, attention, and monies on decorating and organzing our house to be our home. I’ve already got a few projects in mind. Some that I’ll be moving forward with soon and some that will wait until later in the year.
I’m also starting a home-based business. So, this year will be about growing that business from here at home. You’ve seen the preview of Reflective Scrapbooking but I’m still working on a few things behind the scenes and then I have lots of things I want to add. I’ll be getting ready to devote much of my time to this online venture.
I also want to work on getting back to making this house run smoother, to be more organized, and to be better at cleaning this house. In short, I’d like to be a better homemaker in 2011. I know that our plans will need me to be more active in this roll than I have been in recent years- I need to take time to enjoy this part of my life more. . . One of the things I thought about during the Christmas Season when I remembered just how much I enjoy being in the Kitchen.
I also dream of returning to my hometown of Kansas City some time this year but I don’t know if that will be possible. . . but the thought is there we’ll just have to see where 2011 leads us.
Home.
(Want to read more about One Little Word, Check out Ali’s Blog here. If nothing else, check out all the words that have been posted and will be posted in the coming days- they are so inspiring. And, I’m super excited that in this year when I’m so ready to focus on my One Little Word, Ali will be doing a 12-month class/community for One Little Word at Big Picture Classes.)
December Daily: Final Pages
Wow! I finished this project and I’m so glad I did it. Thanks to all of my family and friends who put up with me “documenting” each day- and those that took shots for me as well.
I love how this project made me think about the little blessings throughout the day- and how I noticed even more afterwards while looking at the pictures and reflecting on each day.
Here are the last two daily pages:
December 24:
Traditional but untraditional- After a lazy day, we had our orange chicken without the gravy and rice for dinner. We opened gifts- I love this picture of Cody that captures the "Oh gee- I got a rain guage" I got until he realized why he got them. Our gifts proved we listen to each other. After Christmas eve service, Mom "helped" me with communion.
I needed an additional page so I made another hymn page to go to the left of my Christmas Day page:
December 25:
Christmas day was all about family-loving the little moments of togetherness like Cody and Coralyn in the kitchen, me and Jack making fritters, and everyone enjoying my scrapbooking.
That left me with the cover pages. Since I ended up documenting hockey fights, screaming, and winning the day I took pictures of the house decorations, I decided I’d use those along with a few pictures of the tree for my covers.
Now, on to other projects. . . My One Little Word for 2011 (I’ll be posting about that super soon as I’m really ready to begin 2011!), Yesterday and Today class at Big Pictures Classes, and Project Life/365- a third try to document the entire year.
December Daily: Dec 17-23
It’s almost Christmas and I’ve spent some time going back through the last week as I catch-up on my December Daily pages. It’s amazing to me how much this project has made me thing about the special things this month- or even the regular everyday activities that December brings. It’s also amazing that the project is almost over.
December 17
Journaling reads; Waiting, that was the name of the name of the game today. First, it was waiting for Cody to get done with his ride along so I could hear all about it- especially after he told me they went on a disturbance call. but, then, the wait was even longer for Lisa to get here so we could visit. Of course, by the time she made it, we were both ready for bed. But, we talked a while first.
December 18
Today was a great day. Cody was off hunting at the deer lease and left Lisa and I to ourselves. Lisa and I watched old videos of Jack when he was younger- we even posted one on his facebook- oh how Jack’s face in it made us laugh. then, we got down to business. . . creating a website for Lisa’s work. While web work isn’t exactly fun, it was fun being able to help Lisa out with all the things I’ve learned. We had a few challenges but they are just opportunties to learn. . . and a few tricks I’m even going to try on my website. But, in all the time we got to spend working on the site, we also got time to talk and catch up. We simply just got to spend the day together.
December 19
Journaling Reads: We had dad’s birthday lunch a day early. Conversations included their new cell phones, working out, the football game Cody was watching, and Cody’s ride-a-longs.
December 20
Journaling Reads: After Cody left for Lisa’s, I baked cookies, put on music, and decorated our tree. It was the first time we’ve put the King Ranch ornaments Coralyn has gotten us since 1996 on the main tree.
December 21
Journaling: Today seemed to be about preperation. Cody’s present arrived and I wrapped it before he had the chance to see it. I made several batters for cookies to bake Wednesday, and Cody helped me clean house before Coralyn came up.
December 22
Journaling Reads: 234 Cookies plus a few. Today, Cody and I made five different kinds of cookies for the troopers at his office. Sad thing is, they’ll only get a dozen and a half each. We had less than 10 extra cookies. I don’t know how I’d have done it without Cody’s help.
December 23
Journaling Reads: Our traditional Christmas eve eve dinner wasn’t quite traditional. We used the mixture from Cody’s oopsy instead of mexican meat. Cody had put picante instead of spaghetti sauce with hamburger meat the night before. It still tasted good.
December Daily: December 12-16
Wow! It’s been a busy week! Here’s updates for my December Daily:
December 12:
Journaling reads: He's home. Cody got back from the deer lease leaving his familiar black bag in the living room. It seems like that bag is a fixture in our lives these days with all his trips to Austin and New Waverly this year. Of course, now with hunting season there are even more piles and messes but I'm always glad when he's back home.
December 13:
Journaling reads: He's home. Cody got back from the deer lease leaving his familiar black bag in the living room. It seems like that bag is a fixture in our lives these days with all his trips to Austin and New Waverly this year. Of course, now with hunting season there are even more piles and messes but I'm always glad when he's back home.
December 14:
Journaling Reads: Once again, we chose children from the angel tree instead of exchanging gifts with family. Five kids and lumpy fishing and hunting items made me remember how much I really donât like wrapping presents. . . itâs not by any means a talent of mine. But, the gifts all got wrapped before NCIS came on and date night began and that felt good.
December 15th:
Journaling Reads: Cody took these pictures as I baked cookies for the Troops that Cody would see tomorrow at the strip. I love these pics- they show just how at home I am when cooking. Speaking of home- today I ordered a necklace with my 2011 one little word- Home
December 16th:
Journaling reads: Finally, we had a chance to get our tree. We wondered around until we found our own little slice of a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. We always do- the perfect tree doesn't exist on this hill where we always get our tree. Now to decorate it.
Considering a DSLR: Considerations, Thoughts, and Tips
Are you considering getting a DSLR? Need some real world advice. . . . This is mine. Here’s a list of things to consider, some information about lenses to consider, buying options, and a few things to plan on once you get your new camera. Keep in mind this isn’t to be all inclusive or expert advice, this is what I would (and do) tell a friend considering a DSLR camera.
Things to Consider:
#1 Just How Much you can afford. I highly recommend getting the most camera you can. . . The lower levels are the ones people grow out off. There are limitations to Nikon’s D40, D60 that limit the lenses you can use etc. Once you choose your camera body, you’re not going to want to keep upgraded. . . That technology is constantly changing and after you purchase the body, you’re better off investing in the lenses.
For me, that meant waiting longer but I got the Nikon D80- for some of the reasons I’m about to list. . . The biggest thing I knew was that given the next level, body only, was going to be several thousand dollars- there was no way that I was going to be able to upgrade for a long, long time. (Of course, now the D90 has replaced the D80). I also knew that I’d be buying a second camera for DH at some point- so that also factored into my price considerations. DH and I both of have D80′s. (I might could have upgraded to the D90 when I got the second one but I wanted the both of us to have the same controls etc. The D90 also brought a higher price tag to this level of camera . . . and video)
#2- Focus Points- The more focus points the camera has the better. For example, some only have 3, some 9, I think mine had 11, and some have 51. These are the points where the camera will focus etc.
#3- ISO- ISO is like when you chose film speed. ISO is another big factor if you ask me. You want to be able to have a higher range. Basically, the higher the ISO the more you can do in low light. Cameras with high ISO’s typically have less noise at the same range as cameras with Low ISO’s. (Non Techie term for Noise- messed up photo- LOL- you’ll see pixels etc)
#4- Full Frame vs Crop Factor. OK, unless you’re ready to spend big bucks, you really won’t be considering this but it’s something you should know. . . There are two types of DSLR. . . Full Frame and Crop Factor. Full Frame gets more into the picture but these are the big high $ ones. A 50 mm lens is going to be seen at 50 mm. Crop Factors get less into the picture. . . A 50 mm lens is going to be like 85 mm. So, assuming you’re going to get a crop factor camera, you’re lenses will be zoomed in a bit more.
#5 Size and Fit- This, along with price, was a huge factor for me when I was deciding Canon or Nikon. . . The Canon in the same feature range was much much larger. It was heavier but because of the size it was harder for me to hold. My brother busted up laughing when I went to pick it up. (At the time, he was working at Circuit City and I visited him at work just to physically lay eyes on the cameras I was considering)
#6 Video- This wasn’t even an option when I got my camera. . . But, if that’s something you might like to have, it should factor into your decision.
#7 Factors such as frames per second, flash exposure braketing etc. Just take a look at the features list and think about what you might want.
#8- Canon Vs. Nikon. This is an age old debate that’s really not a debate- they’re both great. . . Unfortunately, the fact that their lenses aren’t interchangeable means that your either in one camp or the other. Once you choose, you’re going to want to stick with that brand- otherwise you’ll have to swap all your lenses and that gets expensive. Here’s what I consider to be the biggest differences. . . .
Price- Nikon camera bodies and lenses are usually cheaper for the same features.
(Features) In taking a photography class recently, I also learned though that Nikon has several great features that Canon does not. . . two I use all the time- the Auto ISO (Which both have, but Nikon has options that make this setting worthwhile) and the way it sets a custom white balance.
Lens Selection- Canon does offer a greater variety of lenses
(In my book, I wanted the focus points and other features of the D80 and the equivalent Canon. Only the equivalent Canon was like $500 more. . . I’ll never be able to afford most of the lenses Nikon offers so the fact that Canon has more doesn’t appeal to me more.)
I would stick with Canon or Nikon as these are the two widely used.
Purchase Options
Body Only- Literally No lens With it.
Body and Kit Lenses- You’ll see lenses and camera sold together. These are often called “Kit Lenses” and aren’t as good a quality as others lenses. There are differing opinions on whether or not you should get the kit lenses. In my book, for me, I could have gotten one lenses or the two kit lenses- I got a better range by going with the Kit Lenses- I couldn’t imagine not begin able to do wide angle AND zoom in on something. (My D80 came with an 18-55 and 55-200 kit lens. . the only other lens I own is the inexpensive f/1.8 50 mm- a lens that doesn’t work as well on the lower models- like D40- of Nikon cameras) And honestly, I don’t really notice any quality difference in my kit lenses. . . It’s much more about the photography work than the lens quality.
Body and then Buy Other Lenses- This is also an option. It avoids getting the Kit Lenses and gives you the freedom to choose lengths and f/stops.
Rent- You can actually rent both cameras and lenses. There’s several places online where you can do this. It gives you a chance to try them before you buy. I rented a fish-eye which I’d been pipe dreaming about. . . and found I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. . . That experience was enough to teach me that before making any big lens purchase, I’ll be trying it out by renting it first.
Where? I highly recommend you look at places like B&H Photo Video (bhphotovideo.com) or Adorama (adorama.com) as their prices can be much cheaper than what you might find in a store. . . Although, if you have a mom & pop camera store, they’re always nice to support.
Lens Considerations and Info
Telephoto refers to ones that zoom in- that cover long ranges. AKA 200 MM
Zoom Lenses- these are ones that cover a range. AKA 55-200 mm or my 18-55. (Zoom lenses can over lap wide angle, standard, and telephoto lenses- they can be both.)
Fixed Lenses- These are the ones that only go to one length. . . aka my 50 mm. (PS The 50 mm on a crop factor camera is considered to be an excellant lens for everyday photography and portraits. . . and because it comes with a low number f stop (1.2-1.8 typically) it works better in low light.
Vibration Reduction- You will want to consider this for longer range lenses for sure. Both of my kit lenses have VR. (I can’t remember what Canon calls it.) Just remember to turn if off when you’ve got the camera on a tripod.
F-Stop- I mentioned earlier that a F/ 1.8 is great in low light. F-Stops are backwards from the way you would think. . . a low number is a larger f/stop or wider aperture. Each lens has a maximum aperature. . . the lower the actual number, the better it can perform in low light. (It’s also part of the equation to get Bokeh or a blurred background.) This part isn’t as good on kit lenses as other lenses. If you’re wanting to capture action indoors, ultimately, that max aperature is going to come into play. (Look for a zoom with f/2.8- but be prepared to pay.) If you can’t afford a zoom with a fixed maximum aperture, like me, you’ll see lenses that have a range. My 55-200 mm has a range of 4.5-5.6 for a max aperture. What does that mean? At 55 mm I can get a max aperture of 4.5 vs at 200 mm I can only get to 5.6. . . meaning that I can’t do as well in low light zoomed in.
Plan on:
Reading Your Manual
Purchasing another manual. . . Like the Magic Lantern guide for the specific camera your purchase. Then reading it. I recommend that when you have a question, you go back to the guide and try to figure it out. Wonder what that setting is? or having a problem? Try looking it up. (Sometimes it’s easier to digest when you’ve got a specific something you’re trying to figure out.) Refer to the manual often.
Taking really bad shots. . . Karen Russell puts it this way- you have to become a worse photographer in order to become a better one. You’re going to take bad shots. It’s part of the learning process. Just be thankful it’s digital and you can just delete.
Shooting in Program Mode and Aperture Priority- You’re not getting this camera to stay stuck in Auto. Start with Program Mode- this allows you to change things like whether or not the flash comes on or your white balance. . .Start making some adjustments. Then, try aperature priority mode. Choosing a lower number f/stop (Wide aperature like 1.8 or it might only by 4.5 depending on the lens) when you want more of the background blurred and less in focus. A higher number f/stop (narrow aperture) when you want more in focus. Do not feel that you have to shoot fully manual.
Changing your ISO- If you don’t have your ISO set to Auto, you’ll want to change it. You really want some control over your ISO. . . To high and you’ll get grain, to low and the shutter speed will be too slow. Try to adjust your aperature so that you get at least a 60th of a second shutter speed and closer to 250th of a shutter speed for action shots.
Taking some classes. . . I know Candice Strigham does some classes at Jessica Sprague. I took the Portrait class and loved it. Big Picture Scrapbooking I know have some classes. By far, though, I cannot recommend Karen Russell’s class (snapshotsofagoodlife.com) enough!!!!!!! That class totally changed everything for me. . . the price was high but well worth it. . . she’s changing things up a bit and so there’s now a few other options. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Kelby Training.