Buying a new camera?

Two different people have asked me lately about buying a point-and shoot camera, so I thought I'd post my response. Here is what I told my friend Karla, who is helping her aunt find one:

Point & Shoot Digital Cameras - Photoxels

The above link is a random site that I googled that has some reviews on point and shoot digital cameras. I would have her (or you) take a look here as a starting point, or go to Google and do a search for similar sites.

I understand that the Nikon Coolpix cameras are all very good, but they are all over the place in price and features, so it depends on what she is looking for. Something very small, or very easy to operate, or both, or maybe something with larger buttons. (I know my mom's camera is a joke because it is so hard to manipulate the tiny arrow keys.)

The next thing to do is to go into a store like Best Buy or Wolf Camera and actually hold it, see if it fits in your hand and feels good. Ask the store clerk what he recommends, and why. But don't buy one here!

Once you have narrowed down the search, then go to Cameta Camera.
This store sells Factory Demos through Ebay auctions. What this means is they sell the cameras that were display models at camera stores. They have been sent back to the manufacturer (Nikon, Canon, Olympus, etc.) to be completely inspected and repaired if needed, and then are sold at a huge discount WITH the manufactures warranty. The same warranty you would get if you bought it brand new. The camera MIGHT have a small imperfection on it, but it will work perfectly.

I have learned to buy all of my equipment through them, and they have all looked brand new. I just research the completed listings to see what they have been selling for, and then use E-snipe to win it. I bid on a couple of different ones to get my camera at the price I wanted, but with e-snipe it wasn't a problem because they delete the rest of the bids once you win one.

I wish I knew more about the different cameras, but the truth is that every six months, something better comes along, so it's hard to keep up. Maybe tomorrow I'll find out what the latest and greatest gizmo is.

Flying Again!

I heard the other day that my friend Kim is doing Flylady, so I decided to jump back in and fly, too!

In case you haven't heard, Flylady is a housework website that will change your life. I'm not kidding. I started following the flylady routines about three years ago, and even though I haven't always done it 100%, I can say that my life and house run better no matter how much of it I do.

In just three day since I started again, my kitchen is always spotless, my laundry is always caught up, my bed is made every day, I'm dressed with makeup by 7:30 am, and I don't feel like I'm cleaning constantly. It works.

The website is long so don't look at it until you have a really good chunk of time to devote, then just follow the advice at your own pace. I'd love to hear comments from anyone who already does flylady, or anyone who starts. I really want to know how things age going for Kim!

Survey Says!

I got some interesting answers to the survey. Its been a couple of days so I'll go ahead and post what I have, but I'll be happy to post late responses. Here are the things you have recommended:


My favorite product is OPI nail polish. It comes in really cool, unique colors and has definite staying power. When I put nail color on my toes, I'd like it to stay for awhile, because as you may remember I don't put it on very neatly, still. And if I get a pedicure and pay someone else to put it on for me, I like it to last. My toenails are ALWAYS polished, my fingernails only on special occasions because I do too much with my hands and it's not usually worth the effort!
-Robin


Scunci – I cannot live without the new “no slip” hair clip. It has rubber on the inside that keeps it from constantly slipping out of your hair! It is the BOMB!
(Gina-where do you get these?)
Coffemate Fat Free French Vanilla – I LOVE my early morning DECAF coffee – but I just cannot drink it without a sweet flavor! I love the perfect taste this cream gives a good cup of coffee in the morning!
-Gina

I can't live w/out baby wipes. not only do they clean up baby messes, but they clean floors, furniture, bathrooms, and just about anything that is messy, and even cool off a hot child after playing outside. And the kids know how to clean themselves w/them. plus they come in handy travel sizes so you can carry them anywhere.
-Julie

Hey Leah... the product that I swear by is this:
Light Recovery Complex - by deNovo. (It's a moisturizing cream)-
deNovo is a salon in downtown Dallas. When I go visit my brother and his family- I make my appointment for a microdermabraisian. I see the owner, John. A registered nurse (RN) and he's just awesome! He has this moisturizer for normal skin and this is the only moisturizer I have found that keeps your face feeling great all day. It's a little pricy- but well worth it. It's $40 for a 3 oz. bottle. However, it lasts about 3 months because you only have to use less than a pea size to moisturize your whole face and neck (I use it twice/day). Beauty is pain and beauty is expensive- HA!
Hope this helps Leah. Your sight is awesome!! Thanks for sharing. Your boat trip looked like a blast!! I love tubing!
Take care,
Karla

I can't live without my facial foundation. I think I use Loreal Age-Defying makeup. Yesterday I tried to go without since I had applied tanning cream, but then I felt like I looked hideous all day.
-Andie (This is from my sister who is celebrating 12 years of marriage this week. I don't think I know of anyone married longCongratulationstions Russ and Andie!)

Survey

I got am email questionnaire the other day from one of my friends. You know, the kind that asks lots of semi-personal questions, you fill in the blanks and then forward it on to other friends. You are either the kind of person who loves them or hates them. I love them, when I have time!

So, I was thinking about the latest questionnaire, and then thinking about my blog (trying to come up with a post), and they fell together like a commercial-"You got your questionnaire in my blog!" "You got your blog in my questionnaire!"

This will be FUN! I'll pose a question every now and then, and to participate, you email your response to LeahGodfredson@aol.com. Then hopefully the next day I'll post what everyone says. Let me know if I can use your name, if not, just sign it "anonymous".

Today's question is "What product do you swear by?"

I have two. I can't live without one of my hair products-Garnier Fructise Sleek and Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream. It's for dry, unmanageable hair, and it makes your hair so healthy looking, soft and manageable. Best of all, its very inexpensive.

My other favorite product is Hungry Jack Buttermilk Pancake Mix. But ONLY the "just add water" box. I make perfect pancakes every single time with this mix. Don't get the kind that says "light and fluffy" because it's NOT. If the store is out of this EXACT box, I just don't get any because I'm disappointed everytime I try to substitute. Then, when you are making the pancakes, make sure that you see air bubbles popping open in the batter. The heat can't be too low, or you won't get them. The air bubbles are what makes the pancakes so light and fluffy and still moist. Yum.

Now, what is your favorite product? Think hard!

Cheeky Baby

I've been very busy today editing the shots from last night's shoot. One of the things I find challenging is finding the right time of day for the shoot. We could have started a little later for this one, the sun was too bright, and Reece, my little one-year-old subject, was fresh from his afternoon nap and a bit grumpy. The only time he was perfectly content was if his grandpa was holding him, otherwise, look out!

He was the cutest thing, and has these chubby cheeks that you feel the NEED to squeeze!





We did finally get some good shots when the sun cooled down and Reece warmed up. This shot from his session is an example of something I can do to "save" an image when the expressions aren't perfect.

He didn't like it...

Garrett wasn't too crazy about his first day of school yesterday. He was full of complaints-he didn't get to use his new school supplies, he wasn't allowed to play on the "big kids" playground (there is a separate playground for kindergardeners), he doesn't get to ride the bus (we live too close to school), his milk was too warm, his class was too cold, and on and on and on...

I really wanted him to like it. But, he sure did look cute as he left in the morning. I only teared once up when I saw a little girl and her mom crying, then I was fine again.

And here is a big hint-take your camera to school on the first day. All the other parents did, but I thought I'd look dumb. At least I remembered to get a photo at the front door.

And when I turned around, Morgan came around the corner with her baby and her mimi (blanket). Well, I had to get a shot of that!

From the kitchen of Brenda Sharp

We had our friends Laurie and Ben over for dinner a few nights ago, and I made fried green tomatoes for the first time (my moms recipe, of course). Well, my sister Andie just mentioned to me that she hasn't had those in a very long time and she's craving them. Here's the recipe, Andie. Mine turned out great.


You need:
3 or 4 Green tomatoes
About a cup of corn meal
2 egg whites + 1 Tbsp. water
2 Tbsp. flour

Mix flour & cornmeal in shallow bow. In separate bowl, beat egg whites & water.

Dip tomato slices in egg whites, coating both sides, then coat well with cornmeal mixture. Fry in batches in medium hot oil until golden brown.


Place on plates with paper towels between layers. Season with salt to taste.
Serve immediately and bask in the glory.

Happy Birthday Garrett!

Today my son is 5 years old, and tomorrow he will start kindergarden. I'm all choked up! Here are a few photos from his ice skating party yesterday:










The rest of the images are here.

Boat Floatin'

We FINALLY had a chance to go to the lake yesterday for some fun in the sun. I can't believe it took us the entire summer to have a free weekend, but it was worth the wait.

This is Devon and her friend Anna-Maria getting ready to go.

Here are my sister and brother-in-law trying to hitch a ride. We ended up letting them come along since they brought the food.

Chris must be laughing at something I said. I'm pretty funny.
Devon and Justin just about to go swimming!
It kills me that this photo is so blurry, but I had to post it anyway. See, when Devon ski's, she sings at the top of her lungs the ENTIRE time because she knows that no one can hear her, and when she really gets into it she dances. I wonder where she gets that?
Oh, well, yeah, thats me dancing.

I have so many more that I could post because it really was a great day, but blogspot isn't cooperating very well, so I'll just post them tomorrow on my website. For now I'll leave you with one of my VERY few landscapes. This is how the sky looked as we were pulling the boat out at the end of the day.

Hey, Jude!

I had a very special shoot recently with my friend Judi and her family. We have the kind of friendship that has stood the test of time because we've always been able to pick up right where we left off, even if its been years. I would have liked for the photos to have been better, but I made a mistake when we were planning the appointment.

I like to do my shoots about an hour and a half before the sun sets, but I didn't count on how DARK it would be on the RiverWalk at that time. The tall buildings and low level of the river really made it gloomy fast, and to make things worse, I was having problems getting one of my lenses to focus. It had been dropped, and that might have been the problem.

Even so, I did get a few keepers-mostly because of the sparkly personality of Michael, Judi's son. What a ham! All I had to do was say, "Michael, laugh." And he would do it on cue. Perfect! I couldn't go wrong with this kid.


The relationship between father and son is exactly how it looks.


I didn't have to prompt this silliness. It's natural for them!



I got a lot out of this shoot. I learned some more about lighting, got to hang out with my friend, and I got to watch her with her family-and these people know how to have fun and just BE. Too cool.

Why I stay in Texas

Well, one of the biggest reasons why I will never leave is Sunday Dinner at my parent's house. I'm talkin'comfort food, baby! Tonight we had all of my favorites, Pot Roast, fresh green beans, FRIED OKRA and chocolate cake! I think my mom cooked all day, and I'm telling you she sets the most beautiful table for us. We even ate in the formal dining room (we never do that at my house!).


Just look at this cake, my mom even added peaches to make it more special.

So, I just want to say to my sister, who lives really really far away and can't be here for dinner"Na-na-na-na-na-na!"

Just kidding, Andie! I'm actually keeping my fingers crossed that you will be moving back very soon. I'll share a bottle of wine with you at Mom's house when you do!

Hot Spot

I got to go to one of the most popular spots in town last night!

As we walked in the door this amazingly good-looking guy greeted us, he HAD to be a model. In fact, everyone who worked there looked like they were sent there by the Ford Modeling Agency. And the walls are decorated with ENORMOUS and very sexy photos of models.

The music was so good that I wanted to dance the minute I got through the door, and loud enough that we had to yell in each others ears to have a conversation. The lights were turned way down, but after my eyes adjusted I could see that we were definitely in the right place. It was PACKED! I could barely get Morgan's stroller through the crowd.

I started to wonder why on earth I ever brought a baby to a place like this, but I couldn't get Devon to go anywhere else. Little wonder, she saw two of her friends soon after we arrived.

We were at the MALL, in a TEEN CLOTHING STORE! Back-to-school shopping sure isn't the same as it was when I was in Jr. High School.