OK, So This Is How It Went....

OK so this is how it went.  Last year Tracey Clark sponsored a phonomenal photography camp that I did not attend.  Before I could even begin to think about it the whole thing was sold out...sold out in less than 15 minutes.  Terri & Susan both ladies from my collaborative blog Focusing on Life attended and both were so overwhelmed with the whole experience.  So I was bound and determined to attend this year, I was bound and determined until I saw the cost..gulp $1700.  Terri and I e-mailed back and forth and we decided that the cost was just too steep, so I put it out of my mind.  I put it out of my mind until last night when Terri sent me an e-mail saying she had signed up (last year's attendees got an early bird opportunity) and wondered what I was doing.  OH NO....I had made the decision not to go, but now I am hearing that maybe 5 out of the 10 of us (Focusing On Life) would be going.  I tossed and turned for most of the night, thinking should I, shouldn't I.  Could I even get in with it's fine reputation for being one of the best "camps" around?  Registration was scheduled for 11:00 AM this morning and as the time kept ticking away, I continued to waver.  But as the clock struck 10:59 (well it really didn't struck, it was the clock on my laptop) I hit the registration button and voila the page came up and before I knew it, I had filled in all the blanks, paid the fee and was staring at a welcome e-mail.  Just like that, a $1700 decision completed.  Am I feeling a little guilty over the cost?....yes, am I looking forward to it?....you betcha.  I have never attended anything quite like this before, but I can imagine it is going to be way up there on my "best things I have done in my life" list.  Our Kim Klassen will be there along with all of the Shutter Sisters.  Let me catch my breath.  Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, Deanna.

After I calmed down, I decided to drive over to "Home Goods" a place filled with wonderful things for your home, and relatively inexpensive.  I had read on a blog that a sweet patterned set of dishes, bowls and mugs that I had admired had landed at Home Goods.  So off I went in great anticipation.  Huge disappointment, all I found was one mug...which I am sure I will drink coffee from in the morning and take lots of pictures of the one cup.  Oh well, I need more cups & dishes like I need a hole in the head.  But.....not to be too disappointed I found 2 table lamps for $30 each that will replace the shabby (and I don't mean shabby chic) ones on the entrance table.  And I bought a tub chair that is almost, almost lime green.  Not sure if I am going to keep it, it was pretty darn cheap and the chair that I am replacing is a bit beat-up from you know who jumping on it.  I am letting it sit in the living room while I debate, will it stay or not.  I am not sure what got in to me today.  I have been pretty darn good lately about spending money, and then today I go beserk.  Help me, somebody stop me....

OK among all the spending, I did take some pictures this morning before my money madness took over....the wind was calm.  It has been blowing like heck recently, making it quite difficult to take pictures of the beautiful spring images. So I grabbed my camera and off I went, PJ's, robe, slippers and camera.

The lilacs are beginning to bloom.....OMG!!!

This crab apple tree is in my side yard...when these blossoms begin to fall it looks like the ground is covered with snow.

The crab apple in the front yard....

A sweet ranunculas that is in the pot on the front porch....

Toby was so curious about the new chair....you should have seen me getting this chair into the house. (Maybe if you had seen me you could have helped me)  It was heavy and didn't have anything to grab onto to pick it up, so I was swinging it up the sidewalk by resting it on one leg then swinging it forward, then resting it on another leg and repeat, repeat until I managed to get it to the front porch.  One heave ho and I had it in the door.  Never under-estimate the power of a woman that wants to see if the new green will blend with the old green.

After all this, Toby was exhausted....so he took a nap, until he heard the click of the camera which woke him up and then he decided he needed to come inside and check out this new green thing in his living room.

I'll keep ya posted on the fate of the green chair.....hope your day was filled with all things green (like money) which I no longer have any more.  And a little quote to go with my splurge today...

"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping" ~  Bo Derek

Until next time.....