Getting Better & Parking Spots & The Handicap

Just a quick update on my Honey and a long ramble...
He seems to be doing better...he ate a few bites today...got up and walked around some...The 3 or 4 laps he walked in his room slap wore him out though. I am super glad his color is improving and his face ain't so sunken in. He seems to be enjoying all the attention he has been getting from family and friends. Him and his buddy's may not talk all the time but they are there for when times are rough. It's cool to sit back and watch their friendship!

I am still pretty stress out and I am exhausted...I am also majorly cranky and irritable. I am aggravated about the self-centeredness of people nowadays. Everyday this year I have seen it and its only the 4th day into it. Today I did a good thing for the wrong reason. Its kinda bugging me...When Sassy and I got to the hospital, we had to go through the parking garage. I know not to even look on the first couple levels cause those parking spots are always taken.  We get parked up on the 3rd level...headed to the door to take you to the elevators. WELL...this lady whips in to a spot right in front of us...Sassy popped off with "Mom that's handicap!" That really well dressed woman driving her Chrysler Aspen was getting out of her vehicle right when we got up next to it and heard Sassy say it...my response was "she must be a retard"...the spot this woman took was right nest to the elevator door that has those blue lines going across it to keep from parking there. You know they're right next to a van accessible handicap spot. There was maybe  a foot of room between her fancy dancy SUV and the rail on the passenger side and she squeezed out on the drivers side.
I was stewing and Sassy thought it was hilarious she would NOT ride the elevator with us. I know it seems like I am not setting a good example...I REALLY DO! Well I am a smoker so I went to my car to smoke. I had to pass  by the SUV and I was stewing again. I got to my car and all I could think about was someone needs to say something to that women. I reached in the back seat floorboard and got the paper floor mat the mechanic left in my car. I flipped in over and dug a marker out of my console...I wrote her a note. I was not very nice BUT I was aggravated. Please no one get offended with I put because I will explain my reasoning for how I worded in a minute. I put...

You must be really be a retard...I see no handicap tag or placard or any thing on your fancy dancy SUV. You are parked in the a spot for the handicap, for people to be able to get of a van in a wheelchair...I hope and pray that you never end up in a wheel chair. You are just a retard...oh wait handicapped mentally challenge people get placards & tags...so you must just be plain STUPID! I left the note on her windshield. Nothing like having a note the size of a floor mat on your car with the words facing out for everyone to read...I know my wording sucked big time...give me a minute to finish this and I will explain. Well I went on back up to the my Honey's room and I told him what I did and he thought it was funny. The nurse walked in when we were discussing it and she said I should report it security. SO me and Sassy waited a bit and went to see if was still there. It was so I took a pic of her tag to show security cause I sure couldn't have remembered the it and I had nothing to write with. I talked to security...they said they couldn't do any thing because it was a federal offense that he would call the sheriff. He was on the phone with them when me and Sassy headed back to the room...I did holler back and tell him apparently someone else didn't like it either and had left a note on the windshield. HE said "really?" Sassy said "yes sir!" I did the right thing kinda just because I was taking my frustration on someone that didn't deserve it...even if she was in the wrong too.

OK I grew up with a sister that has cerebral palsy. Her and her friends all handicap were normal to each other because they were the same. I was always the oddball to them. Us that do not have their limitations call them retards. My sister and her friends used this logic against me...I was not like them I was the retard. Makes sense to me...but in my opinion a retard is just a label for someone that has no intelligence...I do not call handicap mentally challenged people a retard because in their own way they each a have a gift that's unique. This chick lack the intelligence...It aggravates me also because I have a former employer/friend that is paraplegic. He does drive and he needs all the space he can get to get his ramp out so he can get out because he is strapped to a wheel chair.

So if any of you park in a handicap spot be prepared to be humiliated by a note to your window or a  ticket and fine! Please think of those that truly need that spot because they are doing the best they can with the limitations they have. Whether they are handicap physically or mentally you will never know how hard it is until you are in their shoes.

My NOT so Happy New Year...

Yes, you read the title of this post right...it's only day 3 of 2012 and this year is sucking big time. I know this is my now my photography blog but I'm needing to vent some about my life. Kinda like if I write it out its a release cause I am having to be so strong and grown up the past few days. =(


So, I bet your thinking what could be so sucky, huh? Well, those that have read my blog or are my real life friends know my Honey drives a truck. Oh and before I write any further, let me apologize for my A.D.D. (i might get to rambling and go off topic), the bad grammar and slang. I am gonna write like I would be describing it my voice...so those that are reading PLEASE read in a thick southern drawl...one from south GA with a little bit of North Carolina in it...not the fake TV kind either or one from Florida, Tennessee, or any other place besides south GA or the mountains in NC...yes, I do know that some of you cannot tell the difference in them like ya'll northern people! We do they same with ya'lls accents too...I couldn't tell if someone was from NJ, NY, or the fake TV kind...I really do know how to speak and speak right but sometimes you have to let your roots come out...I also when to lay the accent on thick...like when I waited tables at a truckstop. You wouldn't believe how many customers would say "say something else"...my response would usually be "something else" and they would laugh and then I would in my thick southern drawl would say "OH sugar you say...say something else"...

Well, anyhow my sucky start of the year actually started before Christmas....My Honey that drives a truck thought he had gotten food poisoning  from a truckstop at the beginning of December. Even went the local doctor...he went to the doctor three day in a row...and got 6 shots in those 3 days...his hiney was a pin cushion. Felt some what better and left back out trucking a few days later. He started feeling like crap again it was an ongoing thing, feel good for a bit then feel bad again. On Christmas day we got in a pretty heated argument. I felt that he needed to go to the ER. That didn't happen cause he was expected by his boss to leave out. He left out got to feeling like major pile of crap. BY Tuesday, it was worse. He asked to be able to come home so he could go to the doctor. Well he finally made it in on New Years day.

So I spent New Year's eve alone...and most of the next. When he got home we went to the ER. He was put throw a boat load of test, blood drawn, ultra sound, CT scan, the works. He got admitted right away and was put in ICU. Poor thing had appendicitis. He also has a blood clot in the artery attached to his liver. One of the pus pockets on his appendix was hid behind his colon so at first they thought he had a tumor on his colon. All I could do was start thinking the worst...Today he had surgery...they took his appendix out...thats when they found it wasn't a tumor on his colon. He will be on blood thinners for 3-6 months for the blood clot. He has to stay a few more days because they are keeping an eye on the clot and his liver. He already started feeling better...so yes my start has been rough and sucky!!! I am hoping I am on the uphill now.
Sorry for rambling but I felt the need....I have been trying to hold hit together be strong when on the inside I am scared to death.
xoxoxo's

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.