Kelley's Second CT Scan

After four weeks, Kelley is still not free of her bronchitis and having a hard time breathing.  Earlier in the week, her doctor was concerned about there being a blood clot in her lungs that was causing the shortness of breath.  A chest x-ray had eliminated the possibility of pneumonia and the original CT scan showed her lungs were clear.  But it also showed a lesion on her liver, which prompted the request for a second CT scan.  This time, she brought her camera to the imaging center.

A liter of chalky berry-ness needed to be consumed in the hour prior to the CT scan.  It wasn't terrible and the kids thought it tasted pretty good.  Note-to-reader:  tastes are much better than gulps.  Or liters.

Todd offered to go with on this second CT scan, but the results weren't going to be shared at the appointment as they needed to first be sent off to a radiologist before being given to Kelley's doctor.

After two days on steroids from the previous doctor appointment and the first CT scan, Kelley was feeling significantly better.  Good enough to drag the camera along and ask the technician if she could shoot the room.  Yay for that!  The CT machine was pretty small, similar to a doughnut standing on its side.  The bed that she laid on was raised and was then able to move through the doughnut hole.  Coming out the other side, a radioactive symbol would glow uranium yellow when the test was in progress.

During the CT scan, Kelley got an IV that injected contrast into her bloodstream which helped compare images without the contrast to see how blood flowed through her body.  The start of the IV was really weird because it made her feel like she peed her pants.  The tech said that is a normal side effect for many people.  That sensation disappeared in less than 30 seconds.  So bizarre!

Afterwards, the tech shared some of the images with Kelley.  Her kidneys glowed brightly from the contrast.  The glowing circle on the bottom of the photo is part of her backbone.  

It wasn't until the next week that the doctors' office got around to calling back and sharing that the CT scan results showed everything was fine.  Whatever was seen on the original CT scan of her lungs was either a shadow on her liver or had disappeared.  Sigh of relief!

Kelley's Photography Trip to Miami

I flew to Miami with the hopes of ditching my little bout with bronchitis, finding warmer temps and being inspired.  I got the latter of the three and really, I think that was probably the most important and rewarding.  For a four day weekend, I was surrounded by five other women just as passionate about their families and photography as I am.  I packed light with only one little suitcase and my 50mm lens and started shooting the sunrise over Atlanta shortly after take off.

We were on the go non-stop, carrying heavy bags of gear and step ladders with us.

We were all photographers and the subjects, depending upon the time, location and vantage point.  And depending upon the time, location and vantage point, I learned more about how uncomfortable it can be being the primary focus and how to help alleviate that awkwardness.

We photographed sunsets.

And birds.

Architecture and fancy malls adorned with girls in short skirts and furry boots carrying their dogs in purses.

We photographed night and day.  Without any flashes (although I had brought mine along).

Did I say we photographed birds?

There was dancing and laughter.

And art in the Fairchild gardens.  Chihuly's work makes me swoon.  If only because I would love to work on this scale, but my torches limit me to work smaller than a child's fist.

I photographed lunches other than my own.

And was thankful when I returned home and was welcomed by smiling faces belonging to both strangers and my family.

My home is slowly being put back together, floors are getting mopped and my cough is disappearing as Atlanta reaches for the 60s this weekend.  A wedding has been added to my schedule in May 2012.  Life is good.

Evening in Roswell

Kelley took her friend Cas out for a Mexican dinner to belatedly celebrate her birthday.  She picked up some black paper and an exacto knife on the way for a little art project over dinner.  We cut shapes out of the black paper.  Cas cut a star out of her paper.

Kelley cut a heart and then used a rubber band to attach the paper over her camera lens.  The cut out heart shape turned lights into hearts.

After we finished eating, we went outside to walk around the town square and take more photos with our newly made lens covers.

And without them...this is the backside of a canoe shop.

Here is one of Cas's shots.

Kelley's Birthday

Started with a surprise iPad 2 from her honeys.  He was very tricky and it was truly a surprise.  It will be so great for using with Kelley's photography business!  Once the kids were dropped off at school, Kelley was off for an emissions inspection.

The weather has been playing games, teasing us with the 70s and then dipping into the low 50s.  Today is fairly warm out, but not quite warm enough to stop blasting the heat at 90 degrees.

The dinner table was filled with family, including Aunt Kiki and Mr. Thomas.  I gave Owen my camera and instructions on how to use it.  Nice shot, Owensk!

Grandma Suzanney took quite a delight in loading the cake up with candles!

Owen forgot to refocus the camera on the remainder of the photos, but I love them just the same.

Yes, it did take several attempts before all of the candles were extinguished.  But that's okay.  My wish already came true two months ago when I started meeting the kids at the bus stop every afternoon!

Once the lights were turned back on and Bean had passed out party favors, we had a couple of trouble makers at the table.

I liked watching Owen stand back and watch the antics with an amused little smile.

It didn't take him long to join in and get his aunt in the cheek.

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday.  New tags for the car.  A new iPad.  Surrounded by family and friends.  Meatloaf for dinner and Mississippi Mud Cake for dessert.  Welcome year number 37.

Early Birthday Celebration

Papa Ford drove up this morning to spend the afternoon with us.  College football was watched, as were photography video tutorials.  A dishwasher repair was attempted, but was ultimately delayed while parts are being ordered.  And then, Papa Ford made ribs for my birthday dinner.  Woot!  He tried to change them up on me and mess with my birthday dinner by using a different barbecue sauce, but I pitched a stink and he ended up doing half with his sauce and half with the Maul's barbecue sauce I love.  Thanks Dad for not messing up my ribs (although your new sauce is a good back-up for when we run out of Maul's)!

He also brought along an Italian Creme Cake that was soooo delicious.  It might be my breakfast later this week.  I love that I'm still his kid and can get the 'kid' number candles on my cake when Dad comes to celebrate.

Photographing a Wedding

Kelley was asked to photograph Aunt Kiki's soon-to-be step-daughter's wedding.  Here are a few photos from the day.  It was such a great experience and Kelley is looking forward to photographing more weddings in the future!

The weather cooperated after a short cold spell with much rain and gave us sunny skies and warm temps.  I was honored to be asked to capture Bethany's wedding day as she got ready before exchanging vows with the love of her life.  So much time and attention was put into the little details that came together to make this day extra special. 

Here is Mr. Thomas walking his daughter Bethany down to give her away to her fiance.