Tuesday, March 4, 2008

1Ds Mark II

After my digital camera broke this summer, we have been saving our pennies for a new/used camera. While working through this situation, I've been using the school's Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. The time and energy I have been taking trying to salvage what I have shot has worn me out.

This past weekend I had to shoot the school's annual silent auction. Since I knew the event would require 5 hours of shooting in a poorly lit gym full of too many people to count huddled over cocktails and dancing, I decided to treat myself to a new camera and lenses -- at least for the weekend. For the first time I was able to rent one of Canon's "high end" digital camera's. Their 1Ds Mark II (now replaced by a newer model) was enough to convince me that I was still a competent photographer. The 3 lenses I got my hands on made the situation all the more better.

Aside from driving home in the snow Saturday morning, enjoying dinner at 2:00 am, being exhausted the next day, and feeling as if I had lifted weights all day (the camera, lenses, and flash weighed approximately 6 pounds); I fell in love with a digital camera -- something I never thought I would ever say. Never say never...

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Bezanson's Bakery

When Nicole sent us this photo of a cake she recently made for a friend's baby shower we were amazed. The combination of colors, polka-dots, and of course the green baby carriage couldn't have looked more like the invitation to the event (pictured next to the cake). We are just waiting to see what Nicole pulls off next in the kitchen. Since her whoopee pies are to die for, we know anything she bakes will have us coming back for more. No matter what sweets enter the scene next we are always willing to be on call as taste testers!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Cell Phone Trivia


How much do you know about your cell phone? I learned a thing or two today about the many advantages to having a cell phone after receiving an email from a co-worker outlining 5 things any cell phone owner may find useful. I couldn't resist sharing this list. We are still testing #2 on
the list. Please let us know if you get any results!

#1 Emergency Phone Number

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of
the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and
the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number
for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is
locked. Try it out.


#2 Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good
reason to own a cell phone. If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys
are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold
your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home
press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car
will unlock. This will save someone from having to drive your keys to you.
Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach
someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or
the trunk).


#3 Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys: *3370# Your
cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase
in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.


#4 How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your
phone: *#06# (or on a Treo or Smartphone, while at the Dial Pad, press the Menu
Button and the letter "I"). A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This
number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When
your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this
code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes
the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your
phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it
either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing
mobile phones.


#5 Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information
calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in
our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to
use the 411 information option, simply dial: 800-FREE-411 (800- 373-3411)
without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.
(Yellow Pages is also FREE 800-935-5697).

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Sukee Kennels


After we had to say goodbye to Sydney, Jay and I were eager to find a kennel that may have a litter of German Shepherds available this spring or summer. As luck would have it Sukee Kennels in Warren, Maine has a litter of shepherds that will be looking for new homes on March 22nd.

After doing some research, we decided to put down a deposit for one of their puppies. It looks as if we will be heading to Warren on the 22nd to pick-up our new female puppy -- we have decided to name her Rowley.

Today Sukee Kennels sent us these photos of the litter. Since the "interviewing" process is fairly complicated we have yet to be "assigned" a particular puppy. Even though we don't know what puppy pictured below will be ours we had to give you a sneak peak.



Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Happy Birthday Jason!

Happy Birthday Jay! I couldn't resist posting this photo of Jay in honor of his 29th birthday. I'm not sure exactly how old Jay may have been when this photo was taken on Belmont Street (6 or 7?) -- hopefully someone will fill us in this week. One thing is for sure -- I've never seen a more stylish baseball player/rock star/string-bean as him!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Newburyport, MA


Today Julie was gracious to toss me the keys to her Audi A4 when we headed out to lunch in Newburyport, MA with my Father and Sheila. Julie, Sara, and I grabbed a sweet parking spot on Main Street and strolled down to Not Your Average Joe’s for some delicious grub and much needed laughs.

Sheila surprised us with some hilarious cupcakes that will probably create much ado upon my upcoming trip to the dentist. And for the non-sweets section – a plethora of Rao's pasta sauce – she truly knows the way to my heart.

It was a little too cold to leisurely wander the incredible downtown area but we hope to return this summer for some walk about time.

Sheila and Dad, thank you so much for taking us out for a great time and cheering me on into my 29th birthday.



Saturday, February 16, 2008

Chuggington

As most of you know, Jay has been busy creating storyboards for a new animated series geared towards pre-schoolers called Chuggington. Although we won't be able to see any of the fifty-two 10 minute episodes until 2009, at least the Chuggington homepage is jam packed with information. I love the promotional animation they included. If you're interested in learning what all those trains Jay speaks of look like and do check out the site.