tests, growth, and opportunity

Hi everyone!  Happy August.

It's still hot, and hUmid (with a capital U for UGH) here, Summer is here for a good few more weeks. I'm hangin' in there.

Can we talk? I mean, I think pretty much everyone who reads this is my friend. I hope so, anyway. While I try to keep this blog happy and peppy, life just isn't like that all the time.  Don't get me wrong, everything is fine, but I've had some drama at work, and I have never really had this kind of thing come up. (well, not since junior high)
I am currently working with a woman who is....hmm...well, let's just say she doesn't like ME. I just erased the details I started to give. They really don't matter, what matters is that I have had to take a really hard look at what my options are professionally.  I didn't think it would be that hard to find a good salon to work in here, and yet, that really seems to be the case.
Image Makers was the first salon I worked in, and it was PERFECT. (for me)
When it closed, I really felt stranded in this place.  Anyway, I prayed, and talked with Chris, and my manager, and decided to move my station and try to make that work. 
What do you do when someone who is old enough to be your mother won't even sit down with you to talk, or hear an apology, (I did take responsibility for my part and offered amends, but she really was just looking for any reason to be mad) or look at you, talk to you, or even acknowledge your existence? geeze.  I literally could feel hate radiating off of her. It's really sad. I have never come across anyone like this and it has affected me.
A couple of weeks have past, and I have found that her not talking to me is just fine. :) It still feels weird, and it's not that easy to just find another place to work.  If I did, it would be the 4th salon I've been to in 2 years! sheesh! that may not reflect well on ME.
I'm just trying to stay busy. When I'm busy, she doesn't bother me, it's the down time.  I don't stay there now, which could hurt me when it comes to walk ins.  Hopefully time will make it better.
OK...venting over. lol
One of my options is to maybe start doing photography. So.....I decided to apply for a part time job at the portrait studio in the mall!
I figure it will be a great learning experience, and if I like it, maybe I can continue on. If not, I won't! But it will also be a good way to make some Christmas money. We shall see! :)

This month started off with a continuing education class in Greenville (an hour and a half drive). We have to take CEU's in order to renew our Cosmetology licenses.  It was one of the better ones, and worth the drive to actually learn something and be inspired.

I am taking another this Monday on updo's! Yes, you heard me.

I have previously NOT done updo's, as I am not very good at them, and also because of the drama that tends to go along with them.  I think these guys can teach me some easy up styles, and I can then help Elizabeth with her weddings to make some extra money.  Interestingly, we have new neighbors at at the salon building. A wedding consultant business!! I think it's time. :)

With everything going on, and the heat, I haven't had much photo mojo. Just a few nature pics here and there.

 

Recent fun has been a postcard exchange with some Flickr friends from around the world!

My 4 year quit smoking anniversary was the 13th! Yay me!

My hair is getting long.   Hi! :)

Chris got a promotion!!! YAY Chris! He is a Supervisor now, and got a raise! I'm so happy for him! He deserves it, and works hard.

We have decided to move, and are looking to rent a house. I'll keep you posted.
I saw 'eat, pray, love' and would suggest you read the book first if you want it to be a better movie.

That's about it. Just life going on.  I hope you are all well and happy. I miss you all, and having my friends to talk to.  These are the times I miss being home, but it's all good.  Pray for us to find a nice, quiet, affordable house to rent, and for a drama free work zone for me! :) Thank you in advance!

XOXO
Kelly

Summer Vacation!

Last weekend Chris and I went to Myrtle Beach for a little vacation! His brother rented a house for the whole family to get together. 5 bedrooms, 3 baths for 12 people! We had 19 when Chris' Uncle, Aunt, and cousins came over! :) It was FUN! It was also our first official vacation together!

We stayed at a place called Ocean Lakes Campgrounds and it is HUGE! 310 acres of houses, RV spaces, camping, and people! (we were in C4 see map...one block from the beach) They have an arcade, a small miniature golf course, a big pool and (the coolest) kiddie pool, horseshoes, basketball, shuffleboard, etc, etc... Tons of stuff to do, when it's not a billion degrees outside, and it was a billion degrees outside. (it felt like it) And HUMID. I have never felt that much humidity ever. Just being outside for a couple of minutes my feet were wet in my flops!

Anyway, it was hot, but we were at the beach. :)

I was really excited to see what the beach was like on the East Coast, and there are a few differences.


1. The dunes and dune fences. The dune fences are so cool, and I loved taking pictures of them. They were the main subjects of my pictures.  (I did a whole series of dune shots you can see on my Flickr page)

2. Small waves, warmer and shallower water. I think it's the continental shelf, but you can walk out quite a ways before having to swim, unlike in CA, but not as far out as Hawaii.

3. More shells on the shore. You know how in CA as the tide goes out you can find the sand crabs by the V's in the sand? Well here, there are air holes, and if you dig, you find little bean clams! They're alive and have little mollusks in there, and if you set it down, you'll see it scoot itself back down into the sand! It's fun! I found a video on YouTube if you want to see it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V8xm_6ht_I&feature=related

4. People go down early and set up canopies and chairs. Not just umbrellas like I'm used to, but good size canopies.

Now at this place, the golf cart is KING. Everyone has at least one. We rented 2. We parked some of our cars in overflow parking, and from then on, it was walk or cart! We had so much fun out in these carts!

It was a fun way to see the whole grounds, and cool down with the wind in your face! Some people own some over the top golf carts, and we could see some of these during the nightly teenager golf cart 'cruzin' up and down Ocean Blvd! HAHAHA! it was so funny!! from about 7:30 pm til 11:00 pm (curfew) a constant parade (hundreds!!) of golf carts full of kids holding out their hands for 'five' and teenagers being 'seen'. One night Chris and I tried to get in it, but by the time we found the end of the line, (far away) we sat, thought better of the whole thing, and took off. So funny.

I loved getting up early with my camera and jumping in a golf cart to go looking for places to take pictures. Then sometimes Chris and I would go out alone or with others to just cruise around. It was nice at sunset too.

So we hung out with family, ate, went down to the water, swam, picked up shells, played poker, went to the arcade, cruised, took pics, and had a nice relaxing time until we left on Tuesday.

Chris had the rest of the week off, and I was back to work on Weds. It was a lovely, and I'm so thankful to Chris' brother and family for such a fun time!

(ugh, I know this is a terrible pic of me, but wanted you to see our group!)

I hope you are all having a nice Summer, and tho I hear SoCal had a short heatwave, I hear it's quite cool at the moment, and I would like to say :P

I still hope to come back for next Summer and the Fair. Go say Hi to the Fair for me!

XOXO! Kelly

Sum, Sum, Summertime!

Hey everyone!

The World Cup final is on as I type, and it's been fun and exciting for me.  I've learned a lot about the differences in European and American ideas about fairness and officiating. I think we're spoiled here and have this thing about replays and accountability that apparently is not that big of a deal in other soccer, er, um football playing countries.  Regardless, it's been fun and may the best team win!  (pulling for Spain, shhh)

Well, Summer is here with a vengance, and it's been too darn hot.  Not much getting out in these 100* days.  But when I can, I try to get some pics of flowers,

and going to the butterfly exhibit to see the butterflies up close.

Chris and I are counting down the days until we go to Myrtle Beach.  I am really excited, and can't wait to take pics and see everyone!

Did you hear? USC won the College Wold Series?! :)  It's a pretty big deal around here, for good reason.  It's the first National Championship in a major sport. (Sorry equestrians and track and fielders)  They had a parade downtown and for one day flew the University flag atop the State House.

I want to wish My friends Flicka, Shannon and Melanie Happy Birthday!  Shannon is 30!! and Melanie is 40! Lordy, lordy! Also the lovely miss Gillian Licon is now 5! :)

I'm sorry I will be missing the OC Fair this year, but I think I read that it is not going anywhere. Thank goodness! 

I am happy to say that for the first time I will be entering a photo in the SC State Fair!  I've been wanting to do it for years, and I finally took the steps. So wish me luck, and win or lose, I'm proud of myself for trying!

The thunder is here of course and I have to go.  I'm rushing and i know I'm forgetting something, but it will have to wait.  I hope you are all well, and I promise to tell you all about the beach and have pics for you soon! :)

Love you all!

Kelly

Summer is upon us!

Here in the South it feels less like there are days to go, and more like it's here. HOT. Humid. Two of my least favorite words. :(

But, the a/c is working, keeping us sane, and the things we like about Summer are making it tolerable.
Things like fruit, the beach, vacations, longer days, etc....

Since I last wrote, I had that root canal. My first, and hopefully last for a good while. I think my anxiety was WAY worse than the actual procedure. I mean, it really wasn't all that terrible. The endodontists now have topical anesthetics to ease that first shot, electronic 'wands' that deliver novocaine (numbing me to my EYE), little 'bridge' things to rest your jaw, and being able to bring your iPod is priceless!
I had all kinds of things in my mouth but still managed to convey to the Doc that 'dit ih da bet roo canaw I eba ha!!' LOL!
I sure was sore the next day tho.... One more visit to remove the plug, patch the crown, and hopefully that's the last of the medical stuff for this year!


June has started in a fun way, with the first weekend being a photo weekend.

iHeartfaces is a blog/website mostly for photographing Mom's, but the tutorials, and freebies are enjoyed by everyone. They had a PhotoWalk on the 5th of June across the country, with groups in many major cities, including Columbia, SC and Orange County, CA! :)

We met from 9-11am, and it was nice to meet other photogs from this area. We walked Main St. down to the Statehouse, and took pics of whatever we saw. One woman in our group (Jennifer) showed up 9 months pregnant 4cm dialated!! That's dedication! lol (not to worry, there is a hospital one block off Main St). It must have helped tho, she delivered Sunday night! She was our model for a bit on a really cool bench in the old arcade mall. For photo people reading, it was the first time I ever shot in Manual. ONLY. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and I kept it up all weekend.

I think it's fun to be a tourist in your own town. Get out there and walk around! You see all kinds of things you might never know existed!! I know it was cool for Chris (when I came to visit) to see his State and town through the eyes of someone who's never seen it before.

Right after the walk, I went home, gathered my things and Chris and we drove out to Beaufort. We stayed with Chris' Mom, and had a fun family night on Saturday with his Sister, brother in law, and neice. We love to laugh.

Sunday morning I had a photo 'play date' with my flickr friends Tina and her daughter Melissa! They are so fun.

We went to Hunting Island State Beach, and then all around Beaufort to their favorite spots for me to photograph! :)

I'm very much looking forward to them coming out to visit me next month, when we'll go to the botanical gardens and the butterfly exhibit!

It was a fun but tiring weekend.

Hands up if you're watching the World Cup!!! :)

I feel just as excited about the WC as I do about the Olypics! I love watching National teams compete. Soccer is a pretty cool game. Hockey on grass for me! heheh

I want to wish a Happy Birthday to all friends and family born in June!

I hope you are all staying cool, and ready to have a great Summer!

Sumter, SC

Hey all!


Yesterday I went out to Sumter, SC to visit Swan Lake and Iris Gardens. I had heard about these places, but didn't know they were the same place!

Here is the story:

Swan Lake-Iris Gardens began in 1927 as a private fishing retreat for Hamilton Carr Bland, a local businessman. At the same time he was developing the 30 acres of swamp on what is now West Liberty Street, he was landscaping the grounds of his home with Japanese iris. They failed miserably, and after consulting expert horticulturists from as far away as New York, he ordered his gardener to dig up the bulbs and dump them at the swamp. The following spring, they burst into bloom. The accidental garden, referred to by Southern Living magazine a "lovely mistake," has since been developed into one of the finest botanical gardens in the United States.

Following Bland's lead, in 1938 Mr. A.T. Heath, Sr., deeded the additional acreage on the other side of Liberty Street to the city with the stipulation that Mr. Bland develop this as part of the gardens. Today, the Heath Gardens encompass most of the park's 120 acres. Mr. Bland deeded the Bland Gardens to the city in 1949. The two gardens are joined by the McDuffie Overpass, a gift to the city from the McDuffie family in 1994. The most recent addition is the Heath Pavilion, opened in 2002 at the rear of the Heath Gardens on property given to the city by the Heath family in 1998.

The Swans
Originally imported by Mr. Bland in the late 1920's, the Australian Black swans have been in residence the longest, and some of the birds living in the garden at present are their descendants. Other species were added over the years, with the donation of Bewick swans in 1997 by Yuasa-Exide Corporation completing the collection. Canada geese, mallards, egrets, herons and anhingas also call the gardens home.

The only public park in the United States to feature all eight swan species, Swan Lake-Iris Gardens is also home to some of the nation's most intensive plantings of Japanese iris, which bloom yearly in mid to late May and last until the beginning of June. The garden also boasts many other floral attractions, including colorful camellias, azaleas, day lilies, and Japanese magnolias. A Braille Trail enables the sight-impaired to enjoy the scents and sensations of the gardens.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to photograph. Overcast skies, about 73 degrees, and a Tuesday morning, so it wasn't crowded at all.

I was amazed at how well planned and kept the place is. Very clean, which is hard with that many geese/swans!

I LOVED the cypress trees! They are so gorgeously green. The trunks remind me of feet, and the large above ground roots, or "knees" just add to the coolness of the landscape. Seriously some parts looked like a fairy tale land. So incredibly beautiful! 

The Irises are amazing! I have never seen some of the color varieties before.

The swans were beautiful, and the geese were plenty, but it was hard to get some good shots without my zoom on hand. Some I zoomed in photoshop, and that loses some sharpness.

So, all is well, I have recovered from having my tubes tied a couple of weeks back, and now I have a root canal to look forward to.

I'm getting busier at the salon, and I'm feeling good about where I am.

We are very much looking forward to our trip to Myrtle Beach in July, and in the meantime, enjoying the weather before the REAL heat hits.

Love you all!                                         

Kelly

Springtime flowers

Happy Spring!


So, all the pollen is gone, and now we can enjoy the nice sunny days, and the cool nights and mornings! For a minute there, I thought we were going straight into Summer, but the temps backed off, and it has just been heavenly here!

The flowers here are just amazing, and since I got my new camera, I am noticing EVERYTHING! The blooming trees, the shrubs that bloom! The azaleas, the wisteria, so many flowers that are new to me!
I have learned so much about flowers since being on Flickr, and also from our local zoo/botanical gardens! I got myself an annual pass for my birthday, and I have been going whenever I get a chance!

One of the things I really like about the gardens here is how they change things up, not in the obvious way of planting new things, but they change the decorations. Planters, kids area, and even where you catch the tram down to the zoo! It's refreshing. I take many of my flower shots there at the gardens, but I find so many just driving around town. The neighborhood behind us, (like Bill and the camellias) and the neighborhoods around the salon.

I thought I'd show you some of the flowers I've just discovered. I'm sure many of you know and have seen many of these, but I hadn't and the point of my blog is to share new stuff! :)

Snowdrops

Hellebores

 Clematis

Anise flower/stinkbush! can you believe they call this a stinkbush?! (it's not stinky to my recollection)

                         Muscari/grape hyacinth

so many kinds of azaleas,

And the wildflowers like

 spiderwort,

             mountain laurel

and violet wood sorrel!

So many beauties! I love learning about them.

The flowering trees will have to be another post!  They are amazing too!

I hope you are all having a nice Spring, and enjoying the flowers and green all around you!

Happy May day!