Well...

I thought I was back in the saddle again...seems like something new pops up to deter my plans. I have a few photos to post. Only a few though...the latest tragedy struck last week. My trusted computer took a dump on me! I took my computer to the shop to have a him look at it and put a program on it that I needed...in the process my hard drive crashed. I lost ALOT of work. I had been in the process of transferring my files to an external hard drive but only got my newest files moved.
I have tried to keep upbeat about it...I just wanted to cry though! I do have some photos on Facebook so all is not lost...just most of it!

I have been busy though...I am getting more clients! Sassy started taking more photos too. I had to make her, her own logo for her photos. I know how disheartening it is to have someone else's name on your photos...I could have just put my logo (tanya girsham photography) and just added underneath it "photos by Sammi Kait" BUT I know she is proud and does deserve her own. so we came up with "Sammi Kait Photography". She said by chance she sells any photos she is going to donate the proceeds to a charity...my girl has a big heart! I think though, I will open up an etsy account and see if any of her scenic photos will sell...I am proud of her! She got a laptop for Christmas...it wasn't new BUT it was still a laptop...she has taken over my dining room saying that is her office...you go girl!
I do plan on writing on this blog more...I still have some obstacles that take priority right now...like my honeys health...we thought he had food poisoning a few weeks ago. He had went to the doc three days in a row...and ended up getting 6 shots in those 3 days. I know he had one sore hiney...He still isn't better...he has lost like 25 pounds in that short time...he said when he gets home from this run (he's a trucker) that he is going to the hospital. Something still isn't right with his stomach...he is still in so much pain. Prayers are very much welcome.

On a good note I got my photography site set up and have sold some photos...yay me!
Check it out....there are some of my newest work there!
http://tanyagirshamphotography.zenfolio.com/
Thanks again for taking time out of your day to read my thoughts and ramblings....

Marion County "Community Celebration/Military Appreciation" Banquet

Last night, I photographed the Marion County  “Community Celebration/Military Appreciation” Banquet. It was such an honor to be asked. There are so many in my community that should be honored for what they do, too. At the banquet, awards were given out to those that went above and beyond the normal giving that many do here. Like I said it was an honor to be asked to photograph the event…although I was there working, I enjoyed every minute of it. I met many interesting people.

The hostess, a stunning woman, named Yvonne Harvey-Williams spoke straight from her heart. She is a powerful speaker. She lives not far from where I do…she is a transplant from Jersey. She actually went to the school seen in the movie “Lean On Me”. I thought that was cool, since that is one of my fave movies! She has accomplished many great feats…such as publishing four books and recently was named most valuable speaker for Monster.com. Her motto is… “It’s not about your start; it’s all about your finish…so finish BIG”. I so wish my daughter could have met her. I can tell she is a great role model for the youth of today!

I also met Roosevelt Jackson. He was born back in 1917…he is one of the oldest living Negro League Baseball players/managers/scouts in the United States. Last year, the US Postmaster General honored him during an unveiling of a postage stamp commemorating the Negro League. He played for teams that are long forgotten today. He was so sharply dressed for the formal event, that even at the age of 94, he was handsome. Before the ceremony, I actually talked to him and asked to take his photograph, although I had no clue who he was. I thought he was just a sharp dressed man…he was super sweet and genuine. I did manage to have someone take my photo with him…I know kinda unprofessional, but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. =)

 There was another gentleman from the Negro League there, too. Dick “Lefty” O’Neal…shockingly he is white. He was the only white player to pitch for two teams. He crossed the color barrier, kinda like Jackie Robinson did back in the day, but only in reverse. He is an awesome man that retired from the US Air Force. Recently, he published a book…Dreaming of the Majors - Living in the Bush.

Baseball, has a history in Buena Vista, Georgia…Josh Gibson was born here in 1911, but later moved to Pittsburgh with his family. Many knew him as “the Black Babe Ruth”. He died in 1947, only a short time before Jackie Robinson crossed that color barrier in the Major Leagues. Mr. Gibson was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame, 38 yrs ago in 1972. His great-grandson was at the ceremony. Mr. Sean Gibson is the executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a phenomenal gentleman and speaker.

One of our local TV anchormen was in attendance. I thought this was way cool, since we watch him every morning. Chuck Leonard appears on WTVM news. When my daughter found out he would be attending she wrote him a note asking him for his autograph…then demanded that I give it to him. I did and he was a sweetheart and wrote her one back. His speech was amazing!

Ms. Carla Hawkins, former Miss Black Georgia sang at the event. OH MY GOSH, talk about a beautiful voice…she can belt out a song like no other. Besides being a great singer and a being supremely gorgeous, she is a sweetie.

It was an honor to meet all these people, along with everyone from my community.

I had an awesome time…which makes my job all the better!

Congratulations to all the award winners…you guys are truly remarkable.

Sassy's Halloween Costume

My child has never had a store bought Halloween costume...I am too cheap to purchase one...something the kiddos will only wear for one night (maybe two). Ever since Mimi was a babe, I have recycled things for their costumes or picked  up things at the local thrift store. When Mimi moved in with her dad, she got store bought costumes...Sassy is still getting her "upcycled" costumes. We have been things like a bat, pink poodle, the Easter Bunny, a bumble bee and so on. I don't think I have had more than 2 bucks per costume, probably no more than 25 on ALL the costumes put together. This year we spent a few weeks debating on cool costumes and we had finally narrowed it down to a few. Then it hit us one day when I was off daydreaming and glanced at a bag of things we were gonna donate. There it was a couple of shirts in the colors of white, yellow, and orange...aha!!!! A CANDY CORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I dug in the bag to see what I could find before Sassy came home from school and have it all out so she could envision what I was envisioning. She went for it...after weeks of trying to get some decided...we got it!!!! So we have decided to make a candy corn princess costume. She hasn't been any kind of princess for Halloween before, she was a with one year the total opposite of princess!
So, in my project I have found 2 white sheer curtains to use. I have already dyed them yellow...I forgot to take a pic of it before I dyed them though but I will remember to take photos of the project...I even dyed them yellow with fun coloring, vinegar and water. YAY ME! I am gonna use a recycled take out food container for her crown...then I found a cool project that uses wax paper and crayons that I can make her accessories.

Photos will be posted it the next day or so!

My plant...

I have a really hard time keeping up with houseplants. I usually kill anything with leaves...A good while back (over a year), my former employer had plants all over his house. He sent me home with some cuttings...you know the directions...put in a glass of water and wait for the roots to sprout, then plant in some good dirt. I did all that and roots started appearing…I planted it and it grew. YAY ME! I actually got some cuttings from my plant…YAY ME! Well, a few weeks ago I planted my cuttings and planted them in a generic bucket and put them in my bathroom. I figured that is a good enough place since I can add some water to them from time to time…I watered them earlier today and there was water droplets on the leaves…I thought it was kinda cool… anyhow I wanted to share a photo of it with ya’ll!

Back in the saddle...

I have been offline for a good while...seems like forever!Things got pretty tight on us financially...so we cut the internet out and downgraded a few other luxuries. The transmission went out in my truck...that repair is kinda expensive. While saving for that my hot water heater took a dump...then my daughter broke her glasses and also her spare pair. Now that the hot water heater is fixed...Sassy is waiting on her NEW glasses (2 pair) the arrive and My Honey is trying to get time off to fix my truck things are looking up for us. My oldest daughter was here over the summer...it was an awesome visit! I do think that she was in technology withdrawel while here though...she is so used to having a TV in her room, internet and cell service...as well as transportation. I think the simplicity of it all made for a better visit. I have gotten a few photo shoots scheduled in the near future.

Soccer photo shoot today...

Yay...I got my first big photo shoot today! Someone recommended me to the Buena Vista Recreation Department to do team/individual soccer portraits! I am super duper excited and nervous at the same time. In all the excitement, I scheduled the shoot the same time Sassy has a softball game. It all worked out though...She is riding with her friend Carolann...I just hate that I won't be there to see my baby play ball.
I stopped in to introduce myself to Coach Norman today...up til now we only communicated via phone, text and facebook. I think everything will go well. YAY ME!!!!!!!!!!

Bustin' at the seams with excitement...

I am doing my happy dance and I feel like I can't contain the excitement! I sure wish I could say what it is that I am excited about BUT I can't for a little while longer! I can say that I have an event to photograph here in the next few weeks. I was told today that they wanted me for this event because I was highly recommended by some one. They hadn't even seen my work and they want me...just by word of mouth and how cool is that? I have not advertised any and I am getting more and more clients. 

I delivered the photos I took at the photo shoot for Sheri and Jason. Sheri absolutely loved the photos and I am very proud to have been chosen to photograph her beautiful family. I got a message from her today and she wants to buy a couple more prints. =) I am gonna post those photos Monday...I have to wait til then per orders from Sheri, since they are gifts for her mom and mother-in-law for their Mother's Day gifts. 

I got two shoots to do on Saturday...I am gonna go see the location the clients chose tomorrow and discuss the poses and all the other good stuff! 

YAY ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Softball game today....

Today, Sassy had a ball game in Dawson, GA. That is a long ride...or should I say drive! I left the house at 9:15am and we got there at quarter to 11. Granted there was a few things that got in our way and caused us to be there late...Like the fact I got a driving award for going 51 in a 35 MPH zone. I knew I was speeding...I can't say how fast I thought I was going either since my speedometer is currently not working. It felt like I sat there waiting forever for my citation...
Then about half way to the game...I came to a stop...one car in front of me and we wait for 10 minutes for the pilot car to follow because of the road paving ahead. GRRRRR!
The girls played awesome today...the best yet and they WON!!!!!!!!!! This is a first for them. The girls were so proud too! The score was 7-6 YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am proud of Sassy and she enjoys softball so much and I am proud of her spirit whether they win or lose. She is out there having fun and learning to play on a team!

Waiting patiently...NOT!

So, I got the prints ordered from my first photo shoot...I can't wait for them to get here.
I know I sound conceited...but I know my photos are awesome and I am truly confident in that!
I had so much fun at the shoot...I can't wait to show off the beautiful family I photographed!
I showed 19 edited proofs to my client...and my client purchased 11 of the poses! YAY ME!
I want to see the prints in my hand! I am not a patient person! I can't wait to deliver the prints to the customer!
I am buying me a new lens for my camera with the money I made on this shoot. I can't wait for that to get here either!

On a good note, I have two photo shoots set up for the 7th of May. I also had another lady ask me to do photos of her sons. I am not sure when that will happen because my schedule is so crazy with Sassy playing softball! I am slowly getting there...I am proud of my business and to make it right, I know I have to be patient. You can't rush....ugh I have no patience!

Patience is a virtue.................

Brooke's Wedding

This is one of my best friends, Ilona, and her beautiful daughters...

Sassy and Phillip...Phillip adopted me as his "mom". Sassy loves her "big brother"...

Can you tell she is proud!?!

Brooke and Jeff...such a cute couple!

Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Eldridge...entering the reception hall!

Their first dance as husband and wife...I love love love this photo!

This is Melinda...she and my friend Ilona have been BFF's for 20+ years. 

Phillips real mom, Lisa, made the cakes for the wedding...

I thought this was so pretty even though I detest strawberries. 

Chocolate cheesecake....

This is the family portrait I did for Ilona...

Phillip and Lisa...a mothers love is like no other...

Phillip, Landon and Lisa...

Lisa, her boys and her daughter-in-law...

Sassy and her new friend Ezra...

(I think Sassy is crushing on him)...

She asked me if they could "hang out" one day....

Summer...

Hope and her friends...

Lisa wanted this photo so she could compare it to the one she has of her with the girls when they were a lot younger...I love the colors that Brooke chose...

6.6

First, I must apologize for being absent for a couple of days. I have been kinda busy. This past Friday Sassy went to a lock-in at church. I had a whole evening to myself. I actually hung out at church for a bit talking to my friends. I am worry about one of my friends...she is dealing with a lot right now. So, a prayer sent her way would be super nice. My honey came home Saturday afternoon. We did do much but chill out the house. Sunday I went to my weight watchers meeting...

I was a little nervous...I don't feel like I have lost any weight. I will be glad to start seeing results. =) 

Anyhow, I lost 6.6 lbs! YAY me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I was tickled. I was more than tickled..I was ecstatic! I am just a little less than 5 lbs from my 5% goal!
I know 6.6 lbs don't seem like much but its really hard to lose it. I have walked and then jumped on the trampoline alot and I just invested in Zumba for the Wii. 

At the meeting the had this gross looking yallow blobby solid stuff. It was 5 lbs and there was a 1 lbs blob too. That was just under what I had lost. Looking at 6lbs of fat on the table sure looks different than 6 lbs lost on a body. I am proud and have a long way to go but I will take the 6.6 lbs! YAY ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a pic I took of the fat blobby stuff...that is 6 lbs!

Softball

Yesterday, Sassy and me headed to the ball field like we do most every Thursday. She has ball practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Well we were informed last week that there would be a cook out and a game girls vs. parents. We had a blast. For the past few days, Sassy has looked at me with the mean face and would say..."MOM YOU ARE GOING DOWN!"
When we got there the girls started there stretches and laps. Us parents just stood around while they did that. We all did pair up and throw the ball back and forth. I can feel it in my right arm that I threw the ball a lot. LOL! The girls coaches pulled them in and had their little pep talk...then were told what position they needed to play. One of the other moms (with lots of softball experience) became the coach for the parents. She delegated the positions we played. I got to be catcher. YAY I got to hang out at home plate. Every time Sassy would get up to bat, I would tell her she wasn't gonna hit the ball. She would nail it every time. The first time she got up to bat, I didn't know I was supposed to tag her with the ball. I thought you could step on base. OH WELL, my young'un got a home run because of it. I tagged the base. She was tickled.
I didn't bat...because my shoulder still aches really bad from that fall weeks ago. I let someone else bat for me BUT I did run the bases. I even ran bases for other moms that didn't wanna run. I did get nailed in the leg with a bat. One of the girls slung the bat back when she took off to run...I hurt like a S.O.B. too...I didn't let it show. I pushed on. The umpire guy knew that it hurt me. He asked me if I needed to sit down.I wanted to BUT for the girls I didn't. I just acted like it didn't hurt... I had a blast though.
We had hot dogs, chips beans, slaw and fruit for dinner.
Overall the girls THINK they won...it was a close came. We let the girls continue to think the won. That was some good encouragement for them...nothing like practicing as a team in a real game. I am proud of the girls. These girls have drive...there are only 10 girls on the team and I am sure that we will  have to forfeit a game or two this season. They at least have a team. We were worried that we wouldn't have the 10 to play...we actually need 12 in case any of the girls miss a game, someone can fill in. I am proud that the girls are showing teamwork. That is something that is important....not whether they win or lose. These girls are learning to work together and they are having fun.
It's gonna be an interesting season. Opening day is the 16th of April. I know Sassy can't wait. I know she can't wait to get her new uniform too. I am curious to see what they are gonna look like and what number Sassy got. She requested the same number she has last year...LUCKY 7!

Another buzzard photo....

YES, I have to admit that I am quite fascinated by these ugly birds...
Well yesterday on the way home, I was on Ft. Perry Rd and there were about a half dozen of these creatures on the road eating their fresh killed meal. I know that, a few hours before where I seen them, there was a big bunny roadkill there. I am assuming that is what they were eating. Anyhow, as I was coming home there they were eating in the middle of the opposite lane. From a past experience (earlier post), I knew that if I went by them one would fly off in front of me...
I was prepared today ...I guess you could say! There was a long enough stretch in the road for me to see them and hope they would not taunt me by hanging out as long as they could feasting. I tooted the horn when I was about a 1/4 mile from them. I rolled up the driver window, turned my camera on....as I got closer I tooted the horn more, all while holding the camera and driving. They are still eating...and in my head I am screaming "PLEASE move!"  The closer I got the louder the voice in my head got....by now I'm cussing in my head..."F***ing move already!" Driving with one hand, holding the camera with one hand and tooting the horn with my elbow...I close my eyes and grit my teeth...push the shutter button on my camera in hopes I get a pic of them as I go by them. Now mind you, I only had my eyes closed for maybe 2 seconds...I didn't hear a thump so I knew I didn't hit any. Yay! They got out of the way for me. My heart beating so fast, I was relieved. WHEW! Anyhow, I had forgotten about the camera til that evening. I went out to the truck and got it....in my panic, I never turned it off. Luckily, the battery wasn't dead. I put the pics on the computer and looked a them. I got a total of 6 pics in a matter of seconds. All but one were of the sky. I got one of the birds in the road. Even though I had my eyes closed, I still got to see what I missed when they were closed LOL!

BLUE....

So, there’s this photography group on Facebook that I joined about a week ago. I watched it for the past few weeks to see if it was something I would enjoy being part of. I finally asked how to post photos on the page. The person over the page sent me a friend request. Each week there is a different theme that we photograph. We send the photo to the chick that sent me the request and she posts it on the page.

The theme for this week was BLUE…pretty easy you would think. I really struggled to find something cool to photograph. I was at the point of skipping this week and starting with next week…seriously. The only photo I had from this week that had any blue in it was one of some buzzards. Tika and me seen them circling above one morning on our walk. I snapped a few photos just because…

I wanted to contribute to the group but didn’t feel I had anything to contribute…at the last minute I decided to submit the photo of the buzzards circling in the blue sky. 

There was a post the other day that there would be one photo chosen to be the photo displayed as the group profile pic!

GUESS WHO’S BLUE PHOTO WAS CHOSEN!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Mine was!!!! I think it was super cool that mine was chosen. Here are the comments I got on my photo….

Cristobal Silva I like this photograph, very nice composition and the vignette looks natural I don't know if you added it or not but it doesnt matter because it looks natural. I like it...

Congrats 'Tanya Sanford Girsham, our newest Clickin Chick! Your blue pic is the winner! I love the many shades of blue and the composition. So awesome!!! Way to start off, girl!

My photo will be displayed all week…how cool is that?

I am proud. It is very encouraging to some one just starting out in photography…. THANK YOU!

Weight Watchers and my weekend...

So, I started Weight Watchers this weekend. I am struggling so bad to lose this weight. My BFF started it a few weeks ago. We kinda figure we would try the buddy system…maybe it would help us stay motivated. I sure hope so.

We got to the place yesterday, we did have all the kiddos with us, so all we did was sign me up and get weighed. I never realized how many people go to Weight Watchers. There was a really long line for people weighing in. Finally, it’s my turn and I walk up to the counter and hand the skinny chick my papers I filled out. She looks up and says “Sorry about your wait!” I could hardly hear her so I said “HUH?”…My BFF snickered and said “She meant about your WAIT not WEIGHT!” LMAO nothing like already feeling super fat and then an innocent comment like that making you kinda feel fatter…then what sucked even more was their scale is like 5 lbs heavier than my Wii says I am.

After we left the Weight Watchers, we headed to Thunder in the Valley. This was the first time we had ever been to the air show. It was hot…we stopped to the Gieco booth and I won a t-shirt…. size large. I guess I will hang on to it and lose this weight so I can wear it. I like the shirt, its pretty cool looking.

We walked and walked…we saw lots of cool things. There were planes doing tricks, there were even dirt bikes jumping the planes. I even got to tour a big ol’ cargo plane. That was the first time I had ever been in a plane.

We stopped to McDonalds and got the kids an ice cream.

Then we headed home. It was a great day…we all were hot and tired by the time we got home.

We were already exhausted from the day before. Sassy and me went to the mud bogs with a friend and his kids. It was in the 80’s and very sunny. I am sure all the rednecks that went had redder necks by the time they got home. I know my neck was sunburned.

Anyhow, my friend Red, moved to Florida to go to school. He came up this weekend to spend time with his kids. He invited us to go with him. It was cool since we had never been to one. There were lots of jacked up trucks and even a jacked up VW bug. Most all the vehicles got stuck. We left early because we were hot and tired of standing around waiting on the trucks to get pulled out. Red took all of us to dinner and then we went to his house for a bit…long enough for me to baby-sit his young’uns for about 30 mins. Sassy and me headed home soon as he got back. We were exhausted. Overall, it was a busy weekend but we had fun.

Fog...

OMG it was super duper foggy this morning...

I do think the fog in places can be pretty...not so pretty when I have to drive in it.

I had to drive in it this morning...it kinda sucked.
I almost missed the road I am to turn on because of it and I was driving sssslllllllooooowwwww too!

The fog lifted to present a beautiful day...

It was cool and breezy.
When we went on our walk it was crispy bright out.

I didn't take that many photos today...I did manage a few foggy ones before I headed out...and one of some buzzards circling!

My front yard...

another one from the front yard...

buzzards...

Lack of Power...

I have come to realize power is important these days. Without it things kinda just come to a standstill. Power makes the world go…whether it is the power of communities, the country, leaders or even ELECTRICITY!

Last night, we were sitting here and the power flickered…like it does most everyday. When the power came back on my cable and internet were out. GRRRRR! So we sat here fiddle farting around. We were a little perturbed. About 15 minutes after the cable and internet went out the power went out again…WTF?

Sassy and me went outside and hung out till dark. It’s kinda not so bad when the power goes out during daylight hours…once it gets somewhat dark it sucks. While, we were outside Sassy traced leaves and colored. Sassy came in and got ready for bed about 8:30. So that meant I was being up by myself. You talk about BORING! I sat here twiddling my thumbs for a bit…finally decided to read a book…by flashlight. That kinda sucked too trying to find a place for the flashlight so that light reflecting off the light colored pages wasn’t blinding. I am reading a book by Robert Fulghum “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”. It’s a cute book…

I must’ve dozed off while reading, because I woke up to the dang electric smoke alarms going off and every light in the house on…AWWWW the power was back on!

Anyhow, like I said the world would be at a standstill if power went away…people would truly be besides their selves, finding things to do. I think we all take it for granted. I can honestly say…I seen more of my neighbors outside yesterday evening and heard laughter and playing from the neighborhood kids. I know I would be lost without my cable and internet but I need POWER for the simple things in life…like taking a warm shower with light…LOL! 

I did find out today why we were without power for about 4 hours yesterday...apparently some kind of critter  climbed up the power pole. It had the POWER to knock out electricity...and in the process it got fried. They said it caused the cross tie on the power pole to burn and the grass on the ground.

Anyhow, I snapped a few photos yesterday while I had nothing better to do…

This was the beautiful sunrise...

This kitty was hanging out in my yard....

Five months later...this little gargoyle and his rat buddy are still sitting on the porch...I am sure he will stay there until next Halloween...LOL

Sassy coloring her leaves...

Sassy and her leaves...

The sky was beautiful as the sun was going down. 

God's beauty...

New photos of Sassy....

Today was portrait day at my house...hehe!

Sassy put on one of her cute little outfits with all intentions of going to the train tracks for photos.

I had to run a few errands and we were out during the hard shadow part of the day...

not  a good time for good photos.

So, we postponed to another day....

We did manage to get some in the backyard. 

I think they turned out very well...

a day at the park...

Today, Sassy and me decided to go to the park...

It's the only place around these parts with sidewalks for her to learn how to roller skate. 

We got up and ate a good breakfast...

watched a few movies and then went to the store and got some ice for the cooler. 

I got to meet one of my Honey's friends there. We have been friends on Facebook for a good bit...

it was cool to actually talk in person.

After we left the store, we headed to Junction City to the park. 

This is one of the cleanest parks around here....and its close by. Its small but has a set of swing, slide, see-saws, and few other things for the young'uns to play on.

There is also baseball diamond, and a walking track. 

Sassy skated around the walking track about one and a half times while I walked, then we both hit the swings...I know I am gonna be sore tomorrow....especially my shoulder.

 It still hurts from when I fell a few weeks back. I bet we swung for about 30 minutes straight. 

Sassy and I got hot...and sweaty! She says we were glowing because girly girls don't sweat...they GLOW! Well, I hate to inform her, I SWEATED!

When we were finished, we headed to the store on the way home and got some ice cream. It was a really nice treat.

Sassy trying real hard to be patient....

These smelled really good...

I dodged a bunch of bees trying to get photos of these blossoms....

The lady bug Sassy caught...

Some kind of winch....

There were birdhouses here and there at the park...

We watched the train go by...

Sassy chillaxin'

This is what we had for dinner...

whole wheat pasta with salmon

and 

a salad...

yummy!!!