My Eye Hurts

I started wearing contacts about 6 months ago and it has been a wonderful experience. I still have to wear readers for anything close, but being able to see without glasses while I watch TV or drive has made me a very happy guy. So happy in fact I saw no need to waste any time without them in. I know, I've heard it for 6 months,"take them out at least once a week or you'll get eye problems". Aw crap, that won't happen to me, besides I use the eye drops every night so the contacts won't dry out. Right .... I think my doctor called it an ulcerated cornea. Yea, it hurts. In fact it hurts so bad I had a chat with myself after putting the prescription drops in my eye and I could actually find my way to the bathroom to look myself in the mirror.

Thanksgiving

I happen to be a big fan of Thanksgiving. I try to count my blessings everyday but I don't always do a great job. I appreciate all the small things in my life and all of the big ones. Having 3 of our 4 kids home this year is a big one. Having Bret still serving a mission in Taiwan is another one, and his service makes up for his absence. The day might come that the world will be too dangerous for missionaries, I hope not but having Kirsten, Michael and Bret serve has been a monumental blessing in our life. A wonderful family, a great job, a safe and comfortable home, plenty of food and friends are all things I'm thankful for. I'm fully aware that many millions of people are far less fortunate and I don't pretend to have any answers for that, but I know that the greatest sin I could commit on this day would be ingratitude for all of my blessings

Happy Birthday Andrea

I love birthday parties (except mine of course) and we got to celebrate another one this week for Andrea. Kylie went with Wyatt and Andrea to Yellowstone a year ago to watch the little "Richards" while Andrea shot photos of her friend Andi's wedding and we got to meet Andi, her mom and sister. Wyatt and Andrea keep us away from their normal friends so it was nice to meet some finally. By the way Wyatt is way older than Andrea, but she is more mature.

Roslyn's 20something Birthday

I had never been to the Cheesecake Factory so it was a treat to go there with Roslyn and Morgan as kind of a surprise birthday party for Ros. I haven't checked Roslyn's drivers license but I'm putting her at, oh ... maybe 30. That means she was 10 when Morgan was born so I'm not asking questions! After I finished working on these pictures Marsha pointed out that Roslyn and her sister jumped exactly the same. Haha, we couldn't have staged that if we tried. Happy birthday Roslyn, thanks for including us!

Jumping

_MG_4780, originally uploaded by rtsmithcpa.

Angie used to work for me so when she stopped by to get some tax help I got her outside for a jump picture. It's not nearly as warm as it looks either, so she was a good sport.

VETERANS DAY

VETERANS DAY, originally uploaded by POONDOG64.

Happy Birthday Marines

John A. Lejeune's Birthday Message (1921)


On November 10, 1775, a Corps of Marines was created by a resolution of the Continental Congress. Since that date, many thousand men have borne the name Marine. In memory of them, it is fitting that we who are Marines should commemorate the Birthday of our Corps by calling to mind the glories of its long and illustrious history.

The record of our Corps is one which will bear comparison with that of the most famous military organizations in the world's history. During 90 of the 146 years of its existence, the Marine Corps has been in action against the Nation's foes. From the Battle of Trenton to the Argonne, Marines have won foremost honors in war and in the long era of tranquility at home. Generation after generation of Marines have grown gray in war in both hemispheres and in every corner of the seven seas [so] that our country and its citizens might enjoy peace and security.

In every battle and skirmish since the birth of our Corps, Marines have acquitted themselves with the greatest distinction, winning new honors on each occasion until the term "Marine" has come to signify all that is highest in military efficiency and soldierly virtue.

This high name of distinction and soldierly repute we who are Marines today have received from those who preceded us in the Corps. With it we also received from them the eternal spirit which has animated our Corps from generation to generation and has been the distinguishing mark of the Marines in every age. So long as that spirit continues to flourish, Marines will be found equal to every emergency in the future as they have been in the past, and the men of our Nation will regard us as worthy successors to the long line of illustrious men who have served as "Soldiers of the Sea" since the founding of the Corps.

The Art of Jump Pictures

Almost by accident I discovered how much fun jumping pictures are. It is nearly impossible to jump for a picture and have a grumpy face. A little over a year ago 2 missionaries serving in our area wanted a picture of them that clearly showed their joy in serving a mission. We decided that a picture of them jumping in the front yard might be worth a thousand words. They agreed and the rest is history, sort of. I quickly discovered that getting a decent picture of someone jumping is easier said than done, at least for someone of my skill level in photography. I have had so much fun taking hundreds of pictures of friends and family jumping I'm afraid this is going to be a long-term project, and hopefully one that continues to improve in terms of my photographic ability. I have learned that many others share my passion for jump pictures and there are many thousands of images on the photo sharing web site Flickr. I have a link to my Flickr page on this blog so check it out if you have time. To all my friends and family who are growing weary of jumping for my camera, ... uh sorry, but I can't kick the habit.

Happy Halloween Everyone

I love Halloween, even if it isn't a real holiday. And the way I celebrate the day it has no correlation to anything remotely evil and in my universe it's a time to watch children of all ages have fun dressing up and enjoying treats of all kinds. If you find a connection with Halloween to some sort of unspeakable darkness, don't tell me about it. I had a great time in my happy little world!