Sunday afternoon...

I should be working on a class project. But it's pretty outside. So, instead of working... I decided to take my camera to the backyard and play with the manual focus... zooming in on one object and letting the background go blurry.

Why? Because I can.

Bird Feeder:

Tree Bark:

Garden Hose:

Gate:

Gear shift:

I promise to work on my paper. Really, really soon.

She's All That... and a Bag of Oats!

She's got style... she's got grace... she's big and dark and beautiful... and she took it to the big boys and beat the whole lot of 'em.

Zenyatta absolutely should be named Horse of the Year. There will be debate with supporters of Rachel Alexandra. But, let's face it... Rachel didn't show up for the big dance that is the Breeder's Cup Classic.

Zenyatta did. She didn't just show up, but she started out flat last and made her way through the trenches to overtake all those macho boys and won! She is undefeated in 14 starts.

And... she has a signature walk! (Tyra Banks would be proud) She likes to strut before taking her place in the gates. She likes to paw the ground and she loves the attention from the crowd. Her jockey said at one point in the race it felt as if she were slowing down to pose for the throngs of people... but she picked right back up and made her way across the finish line first.

This all coming after a very dramatic moment while loading the gates. One of the boys, Quality Road, was having no part of being loaded into the gate today. He bucked and reared and the handlers finally thought to throw blinders over his eyes to get him in the gate. This is not an uncommon tactic in horseracing. But Quality Road was having no part of it. Once in the gate, he began to kick so violently he was led out and examined by the veterinarian. They determined to scratch him (a first in Breeder's Classic history) because he developed a scratch on one of his hind legs. That's not good in a racehorse and I applaud those in charge for erring on the side of caution.

So, they had to unload all the other horses (who had been standing in the gates for all this time) and reload them. When the gates opened, they were off... with Zenyatta bringing up the rear and biding her sweet time.

When she made her move, there would be no stopping her. She ran a powerful and beautiful race and deserves all the accolades due her.

... and probably some extra grain too!

Lantern Lane Farm

I know... you've seen the pictures, but let me explain a little bit about Lantern Lane Farm.

This is a great non-profit organization out in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. My friends Ralph and Joni Cook own and operate it. There is a log house on the property that has just been named The Selah House at Lantern Lane. It is a place for rest and renewal of the body, soul and mind. We are working on the brochure for the house as well as the counseling services that Ralph provides (he is a licensed counselor).

Here are a few shots of the photo shoot I took on Friday before the rains came:

Here's Riley and Cindy, the two cutest boxers around.

This is Lindsey. She is one of our volunteers. She comes out on Fridays and works with the horses and helps with the feeding/grooming, etc. Lantern Lane would be nowhere without the help of all the volunteers! There are six full-size horses, three minis and a couple of donkeys. It is a lot of work, which is why the volunteers are soooo appreciated and loved!

Here, we are showing how the counseling/therapy sessions go. The counselor and the client (Lindsey is playing the part for the photo's sake... she's not a client. I wouldn't put a client picture up without their approval first) work together to set up an obstacle course for the horse. Each object represents an obstacle in the person's life. Once the course is set, the client walks the horse through the course...


After leading the horse, the client would spend some time talking with Ralph about what those obstacles in their course represented and how to overcome those obstacles.

The other part of Lantern Lane Farm is the Selah House at Lantern Lane. It is a log house at the back of the property that is available for rental. It is really designed as a retreat for those people who need to get away. It has been rented for families who are vacationing in the area. But there are small groups that have used it as well. I know of a ladies' Bible study group that spent a weekend there and there have been a number of pastors and their families who have utilized it to recharge their spiritual batteries. That is the true purpose behind Selah House.

There was just a Board of Directors meeting this morning and are planning the first event for Lantern Lane Farm. On December 19 from 2-4pm, we will have Christmas at Lantern Lane Farm. There will be an area for people to have family photos made as well as hot chocolate and an hourly rendition of the Christmas story. There were be some live acoustical music and a bonfire.

So... mark your calendars now and plan to join us on December 19!

Just doing the stuff...

So... it has been a good week this week. I should be writing a paper right now, but... I'm posting a blog instead.

I really need to finish the paper. And other homework too. But, it has been such a pretty day... and I've had a lot going on. So, I PROMISE... I will get that stuff done soon.

I swear.

This is where I am really hopeful that neither of my professors reads my blog...

But today was a little bit busy. My friend Requelle and I attended the funeral of a very kind and special man... Curtis Poteete. Curtis attended Two Rivers Baptist Church with me and for many years he helped with the animals when we produced the Passion Play. He was such a character and so much fun to be around. I always loved to see Passion Play roll around because I knew I would be working with Curtis Poteete and Don Roney. Curtis was great with the camels... but he also always led in the white horse at the end of the production.

Curtis has been having problems with his heart and I am told was on a list for a transplant. Unfortunately, his heart transplant did not occur... but Curtis has been transported from this world into glory. The service today was a sweet time. I thought at one point that it would have been fitting to have a white horse hanging out in the lobby. I have a feeling Curtis has stepped right up to the Lord's stables and is giving those magnificent creatures a good rub down.

Speaking of horses... I left the funeral and found it fitting to go out to Lantern Lane Farms and help set up for their annual fall festival. Of course, Requelle came out and helped as well. There was plenty of food and horrible bluegrass music from Ralph's Iphone (thanks Ralph!) and they were planning a hay ride for later in the evening. (I had to leave in order to finish this paper that I haven't finished yet!)

Here are some shots of the festivities:

This is Scooter and Apostrophe. They are BFFs.

Here's Requelle getting the food organized...

Here is the cook fire! We roasted dogs and marshmallows here. And kept warm since it's getting a mite chilly in the evenings.

Mite chilly. I'm talkin' like a girl who likes bluegrass.

'Cept I don't.

Heh.

There was a friendly game of horseshoes going on...

And I thought this tree was really pretty. So I took a picture of it.

Then I wanted to take a close-up picture of Requelle... and it took about three minutes because she kept laughing!!! Seriously.

And she should thank me for NOT posting the picture I WANTED to post.

Yeah... who's your friend, Requelle? I am.

After all that time... I finally got this shot:

And this is a great way to end a fine evening... with a horse grazing in front of a cabin!

Ahh... you know its fall when you come home smelling like you've been standing in front of a campfire.

The First Weekend - Post Wedding!

So... this weekend was a huge amount of fun! I started out working with my friends at Lantern Lane Farm (I get credit for my class on that). There is nothing like volunteering for friends who are getting their non-profit organization off the ground, getting class credit and then having them fix you breakfast!

Thanks Ralph and Joni!

Then went back home to await the arrival of my aunt and uncle (spending the night before heading to NC) and my niece and new nephew-in-law (fresh from the honeymoon). I should have done some studying... but there were so many people around and Gerard Butler was hosting Saturday Night Live.

I just HAD to stay awake.

Kristin & David brought over their wedding pictures that were taken by the lovely and talented Carla Lynn of Carla Lynn Photography. Here are a few.

On Sunday I went to brunch/lunch with Heidi and Lou Ann. KatyBell (all one word) came along and we just had a great time hanging out and eating too much food and celebrating Heidi's 33rd birthday.

Again.

Then, I made Katy come and pose for some pictures for me. Why? Because I was going to be taking engagement pictures of some people I had never met before.

Katy was a pro:

Then, I met Kathryn and Chett. Kathryn spells her name like me, but with a K. That makes her even more special! Here are a few of those pictures:

These would never have happened without Wanda Dulaney (the director) and Kaylie Dulaney (the self-proclaimed Fashionista). They rocked!!!

I just took the pictures. But it was a great weekend!

The Wedding Day!!!

Well... the day finally arrived. I slept in for a little bit in order to be ready for the day. Kristin and Katy, Kim, Allison and some of the bridesmaids came over for a wedding breakfast of bagels and cream cheese and doughnuts. I ended up following the bride around until I had to get ready myself. So... I'll just let the pictures speak for the day.

(By the way... I took over 350 pictures.)

This was the prayer that Nana held over the bridal party that was present for breakfast.

Then... we headed to our favorite hairstylist, Alissa Kalish, from Tease Me Salon. Alissa is the BEST!!! She did the makeup and hair for Kristin and Katy and did my hair too! We love her! More about how fabulous she is later...



After the girls left and I was being "glamourfied"... I took their luggage and checked them into their honeymoon room for the night.

Let's talk about how much luggage my niece can pack for a weeklong stay in Florida. Well... let's just say it took me about 30 minutes to get them into the hotel... and that was using a CART!!

Seriously.

But here is the ante-room of their suite. I'm not showing the bedroom. Just cause that's a little too intimate.



By the time I got changed and over to the church, the wedding party was having their pictures made outside. We were very lucky in that the Lord held off the rain in order for the pictures to be taken in the garden that was on the church property. I can't wait to see them.

As for the family of the bride... let's just say... we like to have a good time. Can you tell?









Here are the girl cousins: Allison, Kristin and Katy




Here's Uncle Earl giving last minute advice. It must have been good!!

I was threatening to plant a big smooch right on Kristin's lips... like I did when she was a baby. She always wanted me to kiss her when I wore bright lipstick so she could have lipstick too. I did that with all my babies (that I have not birthed). She wasn't so excited about me planting one on her on her wedding day. I can't for the life of me figure out why...

So... we touched noses instead. It made my day.

So... let's talk for a minute about Alissa Kalish and how FABULOUS she is! Not ONLY did she work on the bride, maid of honor and crazy aunt in her salon that morning... she packed up all her stuff and came to the church JUST to do touch-ups and make sure everyone had great hair for the big event.

Oh. My. Word. With as humid and rainy as the day was, Alissa was INVALUABLE. Let me encourage ANYONE in the middle Tennessee area who needs a fabulous stylist... who is an absolutely wonderful person... contact Alissa at Tease Me Salon in Smyrna. Her phone number is 615-625-3472. Tell her the Bell girls recommended you. You will just LOVE her. I'm telling you. She's great!

Okay. Shameless plug is over (and she doesn't even know I'm doing this) Back to the day in pictures:

Here's the LARGEST. WEDDING. PARTY. EVER. lining up. That lady in the pink is my friend Heidi. She coordinated the efforts. We were very grateful for her.

Whilst they are congregating... we get a glimpse of a little father/daughter time. I have to thank my friend Requelle for taking this shot. I left my camera with her (I KNOW!!! I let someone else have my camera!) so I could go sit down in the worship center and shed a tear or two.

Oh, alright. It was probably five!

Requelle also snapped this picture, which is just darling...

And before you knew it... my baby was married! She has a new last name now. I have a new nephew-in-law, so it's all good.

This is my GQ nephew and his cousin Allison. He was quite the stud and she is always so pretty!

Time to cut the cake and toast the couple. KatyBell (all one word) did a great job of the toast! It was fun and sweet all at the same time. Kinda like KatyBell!

Then came the dancing... First with the new husband David:

Wait just one second! That's more kissin' than dancing! Oh well. They really get to do that sort of thing now!

Then came the dance with the Daddy:

Pause a moment to wipe the eye...

Okay, now it's line dancing time!

And one more plug for great friends! Here's Heidi and Requelle, without whom I would have surely lost my mind. They are great! And fun! Which makes them great fun!



And then there is Brent Gambrell. All around best friend and officiate of the wedding.

I like to call him different names at any given time. Brandt Dantranbrell is a favorite of mine. He got that moniker after receiving a piece of junk mail addressed to him as such. He and I were going to lose a lot of weight together before the wedding. Didn't happen. I'll blame him. It is much easier than realizing my own inefficiencies in that department.




And since they forgot to throw the bouquet and garter before changing clothes... we did this as they were going away. Silly kids!



And now, it begins...


All my love and then some to the new Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson!

One Day to Go...

Yes, I know. You have been waiting with baited breath to read about the wedding. I slacked off and did not post before now.

It wasn’t so much that I was a slacker as it was that I was WORN OUT!!!

The night before the rehearsal day, I realized I forgot two VERY important pieces I needed from my church. This threw me into frenzy as I realized that in order to form a more perfect union… oh, wait a minute. That’s the Constitution… I got knocked off track there.

I realized that in order to get to the church and pick up the pieces I needed and then get back to the Boro to the church where the wedding was to be held AND… to miss rush hour traffic (no easy feat in Nash Vegas) I would have to leave my home at the crack o’ dawn.

Which I did. Because I’m smart like that.

Then I got back to Wedding Central and packed up the truck. And the mini-van. And the SUV with all the things to make this wedding come together. All the gossamer and stanchions and poles and bases and fabric and flowers and banners were loaded up and we hit the Boro and unloaded. The van. And the truck. And the SUV. And proceeded to spend the next five hours or so creating a backdrop and draping material and laughing and eating and generally making a fun mess out of things.

However, the mess was a good one and the Bride was happy and the Groom was satisfied (because do Grooms really CARE what the décor of their wedding is?) and it was time for the rehearsal.

But first: let’s talk about friends.

Let’s talk about friends who take a day off from their own busy work week and meet you at the venue (over an hour from their home) and how they work diligently (and anally, by the way) and help create the backdrop and a dance floor for the Bride & Groom to get their groove on the next night.

Such is my friend Requelle (pictured here with my cousin Dawn). She is awesome. I don’t even have to say anything else.

Back to the adventure…

The Right Reverend Brent Gambrell appeared along with friend Heidi, who helped organize the Largest. Wedding. Party. Ever. and got the party started. Each member took their places and marked their spots. Then they marched in. Then they marched out. They did this a couple of times until everyone felt good about themselves and then it was time for FOOD!!!

Blue Coast Burrito. Yum!!!

The groom’s family had them cater the dinner and they brought a buffet and made burritos for you whilst you stood there with your mouth watering. Then the grooms’ stepfather opened the floor for anyone to give good wishes to the Bride & Groom. Those were fun. Specifically when the Father of the Bride admitted to one and all that he never ACTUALLY gave permission for the marriage and he would need to speak with the groom before the end of the night.

Good Times!

All went well and we took off the rehearsal dinner décor and reset the room for the reception (the following night). It was well after 11 p.m. by the time I got home and I gotta tell ya’ my feet were killing me! It has been a long time since I have put in a 17-hour day! Whew!

More to come…