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Drawing The Lorax

Posted on November 3, 2012 10:35 am by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL,

This week you were home from school for a while because of Hurricane Sandy. It was just too windy here to go outside on Tuesday, so we decided to pile on the couch to watch The Lorax.

We had seen it this summer while at a library program and enjoyed it a lot. When the movie was over, JSL wanted to go back to a craft activity. While we went off to do that, you watched some of the extra features on the DVD. One was learning to draw the characters from the movie. The only reason I knew was because you came asking for paper, pencils, and a clipboard. You were busy for a long time and I knew you were listening carefully to the instructions. Later on, I went over to your drawing and was very impressed.

You have shown an appreciation for step-by-step drawing books and videos. It really is fun to see them at the end and realize how you have worked to get to that point in the drawing. I can’t not wait to see more in the future with all of your other drawing books.

Love,

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday Movies photos

Photo Editing on the Go

Posted on November 2, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I have had my Droid Bionic phone for a while now. There are a group of apps that I really enjoy, but there was something that was missing. I wanted a photo editing app that would allow me to fix color and do a little more. I stumbled upon PicsArt and decided to give it a try. I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised and I have barely scratched the surface with what I could probably do.

While we were at Walt Disney World in April, I blogged from my phone. I had a watermarking app, but nothing to “fix” photos and make them more mine. With PicsArt I can add fun effects, make a collage, draw, edit a photo, and so much more. This was my first attempt several weeks ago at fixing up a blurry, washed out nighttime photo.

It still isn’t perfect to my standards, but for a first attempt and without a more sophisticated editing tool on my computer – it works well. Next, I wanted to try some of the fun effects. I tried the PopArt and thought it was fun. I liked it (on the left below this), but decided to tweak it a little bit more and came up with another variation (on the right).

Thanks to the grid dimensions, the collages work well to put right into Instagram when you are finished. For Halloween, I was able to make a fun pumpkin and share it there.

Here’s another example of something I made for Instagram to show a project that I am currently knitting. I love that I can just do most things right in the one screen.

So my question to you this week:

Do you like to edit photos on your computer and/or phone. What do you use and why do you like it? On my computer, I use PhotoScape and PicMonkey in case you were curious.

FYI – Do not forget to enter my current giveaway for Marlow and the Monster (ends 11/14). It is a great book for kids that would make a great holiday gift.

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.

Aloha #227

Categories:
Aloha Friday me moments photos

Numbing News from Hurricane Sandy

Posted on November 1, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

We live in the Capital District of New York. Our area was locked down in a state of emergency Monday and part of Tuesday. Hurricane Sandy’s unpredictable path made officials take extreme precautions after Hurricane Irene. People in our area are muttering about the hype, but I am not one of those individuals. No, I am counting my blessings. My family, home, and memories are secure because Sandy did not turn into our direction. What missed us did not spare countless others. Lives were lost, homes destroyed, destinations changed forever, and precious family memories lost.

Our family in PA, NJ, and NYC/Long Island have all finally checked in with us. They have storm damage and have been without power, but they are alive. Their homes were also spared a lot of what others on more coastal areas experienced. Hurricane Sandy may have “only been a category 1” storm just before she slammed into the NJ shore, but she was the biggest storm that anyone has ever seen in our region.

The reality is that the northeast is not well equipped for hurricanes because up until recent years, they were rather rare in these parts. Now, it seems to be a shifting reality. While we have the equipment to remove snow, ice, and winter weather – hurricanes and tropical storms are not something we typically brace for, especially in late October.

Growing up, I spent a lot summers going to Ocean City, MD. Vacations on the beach watching waves, time with extended family, bringing home pet hermit crabs, and more. I watched in horror and disbelief as the ocean ran up to buildings, home and businesses filled with water, and sand moved long distances away from the beach area. In this area, the bay overflowed and in some cases, the ocean breached the sea wall.

While in college, I had season tickets for the Albany River Rats hockey team. They were the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. During this time, I became very good friends with an amazing group of people who live in New Jersey. We used to spend time at their house during training camp and at playoff time when we ventured to Philadelphia. I have memories of cruising in convertible cars, walking on the boardwalk, and enjoying the beauty of the beach front area. Now, the photos make it look like a completely different world. The boardwalk was ripped off and a lot of homes on the beachfront were totaled along with stores and restaurants. Ocean Avenue and many other blocks are now covered in sand.

While I could have selected photos of Sandy’s destruction in these areas and beyond, I wanted to remind us of the beauty. The news has plenty of the heartbreaking images to go around. We must remember that each of the states that was hit needs our support. These places are homes to many people living in them full time. They are in need of massive work that will take lots of time, energy, and of course money. Together, we can help them to rebuild so more generations can experience the beauty of these amazing places up and down the east coat. Please consider donating blood, items, or money to charities that will support the individual in this area that have lost so much. Resourceful Mommy has great tips on how to help after Hurricane Sandy.

A huge thank you to my friends for their help with photos. I knew that I wanted to write this post and did not know where my pictures from trips were located. Sandy was able to send me these gorgeous views of Ocean City, MD and Shelley the ones of her hometown beach in New Jersey. Also a big thanks to my OC expert Shannan who was able to tell me more about how it looks now.

Categories:
looking back photos PSA real world news weather

Halloween and Hurricane Sandy

Posted on October 29, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

For weeks, the boys have been preparing for Halloween. This was the first year that JSL picked out his own costume and did not wear something that he inherited from his big brother. NHL knew just what he wanted to wear and JSL had to go with a slightly different choice (they don’t make Buzz Lightyear costumes past a certain toddler size). We have had everything ready, just sitting there and waiting.

I knew that the weather was not looking too great for a while. The other day, I picked up some cookies to bake for the boys just in case we could not go out in the rain. The only reason I did this is because I did not buy candy to give out to kids trick-or-treating this year. Of course, then the power outage scares made me get some other items (a toy) just in case we can’t make the kids those special Mickey Mouse cookies.

The weekend was dry, so it dawned on me that it was time to break out the costumes and get photos of the boys just in case we can not do it on Wednesday. So, we pulled all of the pieces together and got the boys dressed and went outside. It was Harry Potter versus Captain America.

The boys were SO happy to be outside, run around, and show off their costumes to some of the neighbors. It also let us capture the moment and get some fun photos. No, Hurricane Sandy will not ruin Halloween for us, it will just be different.

The reality is that the boys could care less about going out to get candy, they wanted to play in their costumes. It was run to watch Harry Potter chasing around after Captain America putting spells onto him. Of course, the little guy had no clue that they were ones that a good wizard should not be making. Oy!

Safe Halloween wishes to everyone, especially those in the path of Hurricane Sandy.

Categories:
fun jsl nhl photos weather

Getting Ready for Hurricane Sandy

Posted on October 28, 2012 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Right now people up and down the East Coast of the United States are getting ready for what meteorologist and the media have dubbed the Frankenstorm. Hurricane Sandy has also caused lives to be lost in her path, and more destruction from extreme win and rain are likely. Thanks to Hurricane Irene just over a year ago, we have all learned to listen to weather reports and take them seriously. It is better to be more cautious about things than have regrets later on. The hardest part, the waiting game and watching the always changing news reports. Where will Sandy make landfall, where will she go after that, and how much wind and rain will everyone really see. A huge thank you to my friend Sandy in Pennsylvania for sharing this photo from the news in her area.

To all of my friends and family who are in the line of Hurricane Sandy, stay safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we get ready for what she tosses your way. It certainly looks to be windy, rainy, and possibly issues with flooding in many areas. We have had to regroup with the boys just in case we can not go out for Halloween on Wednesday. I asked someone the other day if the Capital Region has ever canceled school for a hurricane or tropical storm, and it does not seem like it. Lots of Nor Easters, but nothing that combines the two together.

While I am nervous, this time I am able to concentrate a lot more on the reality of the storm. With Hurricane Irene, I was forced to cancel a 10th Anniversary Trip to Walt Disney World with TechyDad. That distraction meant that I was not thinking about food if we lost power. I went grocery shopping very early Saturday morning. We usually get groceries on Sunday, so we needed items. I avoided the crowds and bought thing that were needed and useful should we lose power.

Please remember safety first. If you need to evacuate your area, do it immediately. Your life and loved ones are worth so much more than material items.