I am truly blessed.

[catnapper]

I have been having a hard time financially lately. As many of you know, I was robbed on July 4th... they took everything of value to me. My laptop, camera, my wedding ring and all my jewelry except a few items I never wear. They might as well have taken my heart and soul when they walked away with my camera and wedding ring.

Anyhow, I've been slipping into a pretty bad depression. I lack the zest I typically have. I know hubby, the kids, my family all noticed my depression. Mom said from the first day of the robbery that she'd give me $300 towards a new camera. She KNOWS just how much I loved my camera, she knows its how I document everything I cherish and love... and she knew I was lost without it. So mom told me that she'd give me this money towards the camera for my birthday gift. She also stipulated that it HAD to go to the camera and NOT a car payment, because she knew thats what I would have done with $300 right now. She also knew that my emotional state NEEDED to have my camera back.

But my mom isn't the only one who knows I NEEDED this camera for my own emotional well being. My 20 year old son did too. We started out the summer on a rocky note, him and I. But working together this summer has helped us learn and understand each other more. My son gave me another $100 to buy the batteries and memory card for the camera.

I feel so blessed that I have this support system. I have been playing with my new camera all night, happy as can be that I got part of my life back. Of course, three bill collectors called tonight and I felt guilty for enjoying my new camera. Several times I considered returning it for the money to pay a bill.... knowing full well I'd hurt my mom and son in doing so. This was their gift to me.

Anyway... all this major rambling. On with the first few pictures I got from this new toy. I'm utterly amazed by what it can do. I can't wait to see what photos I get once I am completely comfortable with it

Abby has truly amazing golden eyes. I've never been able ot do her justice. Now I can!


The photos have such amazing color. And hte flash makes things look real. My old camera always made the background look black if I used a flash, even in the middle of the afternoon.

Even without touching up the fash-eyes, you can see how pretty Abby's golden eyes are. Nobody could tell before.

Something else I was NEVER able to do: photograph in the bedroom at night without a flash, and DEFINATELY not without a tripod. Here's Flutter Butter completely flashless and no tripod. Imagine what a triopod would have done to help this photo!

[catnapper]

Then not only does it take nice photos with limited light, I can also play with color. Woohoo! You have NO idea how exciting this concept is to me. I am passionate about color.

Here I chose the color of Flutter's eyes and made everything else black and white


Here I played with using the blanket color, in pretty dim lighting without a flash.. it'll only pick up the greenish color anywhre in the photo and turn every other color black and white. I never realized just how much greenish color was in my Flutter Butter! I knew Pouncer had a lot of green tones to his ticking but not her. (I tell you, I REALLY understand color on a level most people can't)


I only took a handful of photos tonight because I spent the evening reading the book and just figuring out where the commands are. I can't wait to really sink my teeth into this camera.

I am so blessed to have family who loves me enough to do this for me.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kim, I'm so glad that you now have a new camera. The pictures are beautiful. Your mom and son sure are wonderful people. I hope that you'll start feeling better now. Take care.

[shais_mom]

those are fabulous pics Kim- I'm so glad it has worked out for you to get this- I hope this helps you.
I simply adore my camera also - I tried to do the same thing with Kylie's eyes but she wouldn't hold still long enough!
You will be amazed at how spectacular this camera is. And the prints that you get from it are amazzzinnngg.
I printed 3 pics in 8x10's to enter into the fair and they are just as crisp and clear as you'd see on the screen.
Have fun!

[Reachoutrescue]

CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW CAMERA. THE PICTURES ARE AMAZING. WHAT NICE FAMILY MEMBERS YOU HAVE. WHAT KIND OF CAMERA IS THAT...IT IS AWSOME. AGAIN CONGRATS.

[CultureJunky]

I am glad that you're feeling better Kim and getting some enjoyment out of your camera, and what better specimens of beauty could you have to take as many pictures as you like of!
Things will turn around and get better, though at the time it seems like the end of the world, but sometimes the one thing that makes you feel better is knowing that people understand and hearing those words.

[catnapper]

I tried to do the same thing with Kylie's eyes but she wouldn't hold still long enough!

You don't want to know what I endured to get this photo! I sat through a whole kitty bath, of her bathing herself, then me I think I told her to stop moving a million times. Then FINALLY the settled in to stare out the balcony door.

I do feel better today. Someone is coming to appraise the house tonight. I'm not holding out much hope that the appraisal comes in as high as we need it to be. It HAS to be a certain price or we won't get the loan we need. We NEED this loan, because well, our bathroom is literally a few months away from falling into the livingroom thanks to a small leak under the tub. You can feel soft spots on the floor of the tub and the livingroom ceiling is bowing right where the tub stands. Oh so comforting to take a shower while worrying if you're going to be the one standing in the tub when it falls through. We NEED to get the bathroom redone.

That and money issues related to both my and hubby's health. And Ashley's. And I am soooo worried about Ashley, the baby, and the father. The stress from those three is enough to put me in a straight jacket! There are things going on that I want to strangle an incredibly smart girl who's being sooo incredibly stupid! STRESS STRESS STRESS! Anyone who's been there with a teenager who had a baby, PLEASE PM me! I sorely need someone to talk to who was there and understands what I'm going through. I have dear friends who are AWESOME at listening to me vent but its not the same as having been in the situation.

Anyway, I sincerely DO feel better today. Thanks for the nice comments everyone. ((hugs))

[catmandu]

Any time that you want to talk , please feel free as you are among friends here.
I know that it helps sometimes to have someone to listen.
We are praying that things will turn around for you, as you are one of our favorite people here.
And those are Fantastic Photos of your Cats!