Fog

Well, I got a new camera and we had a heat wave up in the 40's which turned into a very soupy fog. It was so bad going home was actually dangerous as you couldn't see 2 car lengths ahead of you. So I didn't use my new lens. Just wasn't right for the conditions. But I did get some fog shots.



As you can see about 8 inches melted and fishermen right and left turned out to ice fish in the warm weather. You can just see him through the fog.




The visibility wasn't too bad in the park but wow..... when we hit the highway.


Poor lonely playground equipment.

Twas the Day after Christmas.......

And all through the house. We had a lovely time last night. We went to my oldest son's for dinner and opened gifts over there. His girlfriends kids were there and it was nice to have children around for the holiday. There were also some older girls there, 10 and 12 and they were so cute so we had a lovely dinner and time.

I was running short on sleep of course as I had to work until Christmas morning and we were crazy busy all night long. But I managed to stay awake and even watch a movie when we got home. It was a nice day.

Below is my camera with all the lenses I have for it now. It has outgrown the case I kept it in and I should be looking for another. I can't wait to try out the new lens so Rick and I are going to drive out in the country today and check out photo ops, LOL. Bad thing about this camera is its not as handy to sling over my bike handles during a ride as my old camera and the more I buy for it the harder that will get. I have a fairly large size bag that clips to my bike rack on the back but it still isn't as handy so I will still use my Sony alot. I never thought I would be someone who had 3 camera's they used frequently. Maybe I am going overboard just a tad.




Below is my old Canon AE-1 and all my old lenses and flashes. It still is a great old camera but you can hardly give these away. A few thousand dollars worth of different lenses and filters, camera, cases etc.... So I loaded it up with some black and white film and now that I know a little more about camera's I am going to use it also. That old shot of my MIL working on the puzzle was taken with this camera. I am pretty bummed I can't any of the old equipment on my new canon. It's looking pretty dusty and abandoned so I better clean it up. The joys of living on a gravel road.

I mentioned I bet that I collect Santa's. I got this very cute Jim Shore pin.



This very awesome large Jim Shore Standing Santa, isn't he cool!



And I was thrilled to get this CD from Rick. I don't know where he found it but I used to love this old album, my mom turned me onto it and really missed it without my stereo. Well now its on CD and I can listen away. It is just as good as it was years ago.


Another large Santa, so cute. Soon I will have to move out to make room for them all, LOL.



And I got a router for my computer as my son would like his back, grin. I have a habit of just acquiring their old equipment when they move out. But alas he needs his old one back so I needed a new one.

I am off now until next Thursday but I know they will be calling me. This was the busiest, most stressful week at work we have had in a long time. I am emotionally and physically exhausted not to mention still fighting the stupid pleurisy and low grade temp.

It doesn't hurt as much to take a deep breath like it did when it first happened. I was taking such shallow breaths and running so much Saturday I almost passed out from a dizzy spell. So I got my old incentive spirometer out from an old surgery and forced myself to start expanding my lungs and slowly but surely I am improving. Anyone have to use those before? They are handy to keep around for just this purpose. Guess I'll live another year, LOL.

I bought Rick a power tool and believe it or not he was thrilled, men, giggle. Drill away dear. Fix this and that and this and that and did I tell this was broken. Method behind my gifts alright.

I hope everyone had a blessed and wonderful day filled with peace and joy. We are suppose to get some snow today and I am almost looking forward to it so I can get snow pictures without tracks all over them. Take care all and here's to the new year coming. May it not be as bad as my cynical side fears.

whoopie

Guess what I got for Christmas? I 70-300 telephoto IS Canon lens that I have sinfully coveted since I got my by canon camera. Can we say happy.

Pretty

Merry Christmas

Peace on Earth and Good Well to Man
Luke Chapter 2 verses 7-14

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
_______________________________________________________


To all my friends here and over seas I would like to wish you a Merry and Happy Christmas. May the peace and love of the season surround you all with its magic. I am sending you all on the winds Peace on Earth and truly Goodwill toward all men. Love and peace everyone.

Back to work

I enjoyed my day off. Caught up with some sleep and just relaxed. The weather was -17 when I got home Monday morning but we are having a heat wave today, + 34. It is amazing how much warmer that feels.

We had large area's of black ice today and there were some terrible accidents. One car lost control and ended up in the river killer 2 people and leaving one in critical condition. There were so many accidents this morning our announcer couldn't keep up. I am grateful I was home safe in bed. You can drive in snow but ice, something else completely.

I have 2 more nights to work. I will be charge both nights and our census is still high. Sunday I had a code blue with one of my patients and during the weekend we sent 3 to ICU so the patients we have are pretty sick. My week off to unwind will be a blessing.

We have been looking in to wood burning stoves. Costs are getting so high and they have some pretty efficient ones out there. I suppose I will have to get one with low emissions or the government will tax the heck out of me or ban it but they do have some of those also.

I see our congress managed to sneak in another pay raise for themselves. Gee, must be nice to be able to just do that. They are talking about freezing our wages. Did you hear anywhere they were going to do that until it was done? And even then only in passing. Ticks me off.

Oh I forgot to say. There were 4 lures in that tree in the picture but many more on the back side. Don't you think you would go elsewhere to cast? Everyone thinks they are good enough not to let it happen to them. I am however a great casting and it wouldn't happen to me, Grin.

We are going to the store and getting supplies and food stuff while it is warm out. 2 more days until Christmas. Are you all ready?

I get to work and make lots of money. But I get off at 7:30 Christmas morning and am off the rest of the week unless they call me in. Could be worse and has. Let the families with small children stay home and enjoy. We are going to my oldest son's for supper on Christmas. I don't have to cook. Cool.

Well, off we go so bye all.

Last night

This is the last night of my 4 day stretch and I am ready. We have been busy every night and our hospital as a unusual amount of patients for this time of month. My floor is usually busy but the other floors usually go very low during Christmas. Unless a lot go home in the next 2 days and no more come in we are going to have a full house. Now I wish my floor was decorated to give them some cheer. We only have a couple of cards out.

The snow has finally stopped for awhile. It is still below Zero and they say it will be -17 tonight with windchill of -37. Burrrrr. I have my long johns out and my fur hat, wristies, wool coat and scarf so am ready for it. Bring it on Mother Nature, I can take it. Wait, wait, hope that didn't tick you off!



Rick has been shoveling in increments since it is too cold to be out long at a time. I walked from the hospital to the van this morning and froze. But is dressed in arctic type clothes.

I have a chest cold now so have been eating zinc and vit C along with tea and honey all night and day. Why doesn't this crud ever happen on my day off? I have a low grade temp and hope it doesn't turn into pneumonia again. I can't call in though as there are still some nurse and staff that live in the country and can't make it in. They need all the help they can get that can make it. And besides feeling crummy I am not so sick that I need to call in. Just under the weather.

We have our oil space heater out. It is amazing how much that cuts down on your furnace running and the house stays toasty. It usually only add a dollar or so to our bill and it saved our butts when our furnace broke a year or so ago. I remember going to bed with hats, and gloves on under 4 quilts and still being cold.

I am all ready for Christmas. We are going to our son's to eat so I don't have to cook. I am making some velveeta cheese fudge. Ever heard of it? Yummy. Doesn't taste like cheese at all.

1/2 pound Velveeta cheese, sliced
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts, pecans, walnuts
2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder

Spray lightly the bottom of a 9 by 2-inch square pan with a nonstick spray.

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the cheese and butter together, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and add the vanilla and nuts.

In a large bowl sift together the sugar and cocoa. Pour the cheese mixture into the sugar and cocoa mixture and stir until completely mixed. The candy will be very stiff.

Using your hands, remove candy from bowl and press evenly and firmly into pan. Because of the amount of butter in this recipe, pat the top of the candy with a paper towel to remove the excess oil. Place pan in refrigerator until candy is firm.

To serve candy, cut into squares.

Today is the winter solstice. Shortest day of the year and the official start of winter. Let the fun begin. I usually toast it in with a hot drink but today it will be a tea drink minus and booze. A hot toddy does sound good though.

Well, enough yacking. Stay warm all or cool depending on where you live. So tell me. Do you have snow or warm weather where your living. I know Linda is having snow and Pam and Jimmy glorious warm weather. What about everyone else?