Sold

So this feature has just completely sold me on Lightroom. This was soooo easy to set up, it wasn't even funny.

Knowledge

On-line tutorials are a wonderful thing. I've been playing around more with Lightroom and am really liking the results.

Before

After

I am finding though that what they look like in Lightroom isn't what they look like here. Not sure why that would be, but here they look much lighter than they do when I open the original files. It looks like I've over done it, but only the ones that I've uploaded to blogger look that way. Any ideas?

Growing Old

I found a few grey hairs. The good news is, they aren't mine!

Playing Hard to Get

I'm not sure why any dog likes Coulee. She is never particularly nice to them when she first meets them. Regardless, the boys tend to flock to her. I guess playing hard to get really works.

We ran into this handsome lad briefly on our walk. After Coulee barked at him and tried to run him off, he refused to go back with his owner.

We turned around and walked back to her so she could leash him back up. About 5 minutes later we hear someone calling a dog from far away. The owner had decided that since she couldn't see us anymore, we were far enough away that he could be let back off leash. Apparently not.

Sheep Herding

If this is real, it is amazing!

Lightroom

I downloaded a trial version of Lightroom, a photo editing program, to play around with for a bit. Wow. Is it ever easy to use. You can take an OK picture and turn it into a good one in seconds.

Before.

After

All I did with this picture was increase the black a bit.

This one of Diva is a little more dramatic. You can see the details around her mouth much better now but I don't really like how pale her face is.

Before

After

I don't even know what I'm doing and the pictures are improved. I can't wait to learn a little more and be able to make them even better!

Inspired

This was just what I needed today. Someone who just took the plunge to become a pet photographer. I love her style and her sense of humour. I just read her entire blog. :) (Deb and Stephanie - she knows the Ravelry people - cool eh?)

I was working on a pet photography website last night... Not sure if that means I've decided or not, but I have to admit, I'm leaning in that direction.

Bike-Walk

I have always wanted to bike with Coulee. Not lots, as I'm not a big cyclist, but instead of going for a walk around the block, I thought going for a bike around the block would be a pleasant change for both of us. So this year, I finally bought a Springer. We have some work to do first before we actually use it though as she is deathly afraid of the bike.

We brought the bike inside the house last weekend. At first Coulee wouldn't go near it. Now she'll actually sniff it but doesn't like it if it moves. So yesterday we went for a Bike-Walk. Marlin walked the girls and I walked the bike. I am sure we were quite the sight. I even briefly got on the bike and rode it next to them. Coulee did take a treat from my outstretched hand as I rode but it was one of those grab and run maneuvers where she strains towards me with her head so she doesn't have to come too close to the scary bike monster.

Today there is snow so we can't repeat the process. Hopefully we'll be able to gain some ground this week.

Sorry for the lack of pictures but a bike, two dogs and a camera (even with Marlin's help) is way beyond my capabilities.

Together Again

We Might Regret This

The girls have a habit of picking up socks and there was a pair of fuzzy red ones laying in the living room this morning. Marlin had the bright idea to stick Coulee's ball into a sock and throw it. It was pretty funny. Coulee took one look at it and decided that wasn't the toy she had left to be thrown (we won't mention that she watched him put the ball in the sock...) and got back into the I'm-ready-to-catch-the-ball position so that Marlin could throw her "real" toy.

Lacey on the other hand, was suddenly excited and went running over to check it out. She grabbed it and shook and shook and shook. She probably played with it for a good 5 minutes which is a really long time for Lacey.

Coulee eventually gave it more than a second glance and discovered that in fact her ball was inside. She then proceeded to act like the sock wasn't even there. She only picked it up by the ball, she never shook it, she never tried to get the ball out, and never asked to tug with it. She just wanted to go back to her regularly scheduled game of fetch.

Employee of the Month

How do you become Employee of the Month?

Bring your boss a Starbucks!
hint, hint

Eye Spy

Marlin and I took the girls for a walk on our lunch break today. We all had a pretty good time. The coulees were relatively dry, although there were still patches of snow.

I was trying to get some pictures for my 52 Week project but while some of these are nice, these weren't quite what I wanted. I'll have to try some more this weekend.

If you look closely you can see us reflected in Coulee's eye.

Speechless

So first thing this morning I got a call from Natalie asking if I needed my van. I hesitated... was she asking to borrow it? I don't like not having a vehicle at work in case something happens and I need to get a dog somewhere quick, but I knew she wouldn't ask if she didn't need it. So I eventually said, "No, I don't need it." And then she dropped the bomb. The rescue was going to get my windows tinted for doing up their website. I don't think a coherent sentence left my lips after that. It was a complete surprise. (I've since discovered that my husband and Amanda both knew about it and no one told me!)

I feel a little uncomfortable with the gift. I volunteered not expecting anything in return. I think LOTS of people do much more for the rescue. It is easier to do a website than it is to foster a dog! But that doesn't mean, I don't appreciate the gesture. So as I'm sure I never said it on the phone, what with me in a complete daze..

Thank You!

Passport

Going to LA in June is finally lighting a fire under my butt to get some things done that I've been putting off for too long.

For starters I've been walking around with an invalid birth certificate since 1994. Apparently any issued before then are no longer valid. It's a Quebec thing. So last month, I got a new birth certificate.

This month I'm applying for a new passport. Thankfully the wait for one is just a month. I did have some panicky moments wondering if I could get everything done on time. Thankfully things have been going smoothly so far!

I'm getting quite excited about the trip. If anyone knows any "must sees" let me know!
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Under Pressure

Vito didn't cave to the pressure (Coulee breathing down his neck) or the bribe (the Orbee sitting next to him). He had Coulee's Cuz and there was nothing she could do to get it back.

The picture was taken with my Blackberry - bet you couldn't tell! ;)

Outtake

A Change of Scenery

Ever get tired of the same old dog parks? We do. So today we headed out to Fort MacLeod.

The vegetation was quite a bit thicker than where we usually go for walks so they had lots to explore. I don't think Coulee has had this much fun for a long time. The downside is that I wasn't able to get many pictures of the shorties in the group. There was always a piece of vegetation in the way.

Marlin and I caught sight of some deer leaving the area as we were arriving. None of the dogs noticed until we crossed their scent path. Coulee had the instant zoomies and had Lacey and Vito following her all over the place. They will be tired puppies tonight.

Pick Me Up

It has been an unexpectedly bad week. Nothing too major but it seems like a bunch of things seem to be going south all at the same time, and if it was just one thing, it wouldn't be a big deal, but when you start to pile them up...

So what better way to cheer up than to play with the pups. Thanks girls!

The Creatures Were Stirring

Every morning around 6 a.m., the critters start to stir. Coulee gets off her pillow and wanders to the side of the bed to rest her chin inches from our faces. Just a subtle check to make sure we are waking up for the most important meal of the day. Lacey who has been comfortable resting down near our feet, starts groaning with protest as we roll over to get away from Coulee's breath. She then starts crawling up for her morning cuddles. She wiggles in between us and gives us kisses if our hands slowly stop petting her and start drifting back to sleep.

15 or 20 minutes will pass and Coulee's gentle chin resting becomes a jump onto the bed to fill the tiny space not currently filled by sleeping bodies. This of course, excites Lacey who starts walking all over us (she claims she doesn't know that the lumps under the covers are us, she thinks they are just hills to be tackled) to get to Coulee. We then get whacked in the face by her rapidly moving tail and I inevitably decide it is time to get up.

Last night we got home from the daycare around midnight. We fed the girls their midnight snack (aka Very Late Dinner) and then went promptly to bed. Apparently we haven't taught the girls that when you stay up late, you sleep in late. This morning, at the same time as usual, the process started.... I'm now the only one still up. The girls went back to bed with Marlin (who by the way, never even got up in the first place.)

Oh and why were we at the daycare so late? Well that is because we are rearranging our play space. The big dog area is HUGE now - they are going to love it. And the little ones now have their very own outdoor potty area. I can't wait for Monday.

Afternoon W

After a quick visit to the vet for some vaccinations, I took the girls out for a walk. Lacey burned off lots of nervous energy!