So...not too long ago I created this new blog and promised myself that I would keep up to date and not fall off the earth again. Then...sickness hit our household, my laptop died and once again I fell behind.
Ben took me to pick out my Christmas present about a month ago (a new laptop) so as soon as Christmas arrives and I actually receive it, I will be back in business and will hopefully fulfill my pledge to be more consistent.
In the meantime...Christmas Blessings to All!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Oh, Say Can You See
Growing up I was never fond of sports. I didn't like playing them (I HATED phys. ed. class) and watching them was just as bad! Not much has changed since I've grown up, but I do enjoy an ice hockey game every now and again.
Last evening, we had the pleasure of attending a game at the local arena. It was the BEST game I have ever been to. After a slow start, our home team came to back to eventually win the game. But what made the game so great was pre-game. My girl and a small group of her classmates sang the National Anthem. So proud of her for representing her school and in a sense, her country.
She did an amazing job singing and especially in front of such a big crowd. Attendance at the game was around 4000 people. (Of those, 1000 were Girl Scouts as it was their special night to be at a game. I have NEVER seen so many Girl Scouts in one place! HA!!).
My attempt to videotape didn't turn out so well...the kids had their backs to me and the majority of the anthem was before the lights came up...so just pay attention to the singing!
National Anthem from Gabrielle Erway on Vimeo.
Once the game started, Em returned to her seat to cheer on the team, wave her flag, consume her fair share of concession stand food (snow cone and soft pretzel) and get all excited every time her school name came up on the scroll of the score board.
"Grandma" and "Nana" both joined us and it was a great family evening and another proud parenting moment!
Last evening, we had the pleasure of attending a game at the local arena. It was the BEST game I have ever been to. After a slow start, our home team came to back to eventually win the game. But what made the game so great was pre-game. My girl and a small group of her classmates sang the National Anthem. So proud of her for representing her school and in a sense, her country.
She did an amazing job singing and especially in front of such a big crowd. Attendance at the game was around 4000 people. (Of those, 1000 were Girl Scouts as it was their special night to be at a game. I have NEVER seen so many Girl Scouts in one place! HA!!).
My attempt to videotape didn't turn out so well...the kids had their backs to me and the majority of the anthem was before the lights came up...so just pay attention to the singing!
National Anthem from Gabrielle Erway on Vimeo.
Once the game started, Em returned to her seat to cheer on the team, wave her flag, consume her fair share of concession stand food (snow cone and soft pretzel) and get all excited every time her school name came up on the scroll of the score board.
"Grandma" and "Nana" both joined us and it was a great family evening and another proud parenting moment!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Shooting in the Park
OK...CALM DOWN and EXHALE! Not that kind of shooting! PHOTO SHOOT!
One of my favorite gal pals called on this sunny day and asked if I would be willing to conduct a little impromptu photo session of her and her girls in the park. Always up for a date with my camera, some time in the fresh, crisp autumn air, (and perhaps a little housework avoidance), I said, "Sure!"
So, after working this morning and a little lunch date with another two of my favorite girls (Em and my mom), I headed to meet them at the local park.
What a FUN time and gorgeous day! I think I got some great shots of my friend and her three beautiful girls. Going to sort through them and do a little editing this evening. I can't wait for her to see the final results.
In the process of photographing her youngest (slightly difficult photo subject), one of the scarecrows residing in the park became know as, "George". Not to miss an opportunity for a little silliness, I found my way to the opposite side of the camera lens and posed for photographic proof of my newly formed friendship with "George"...
Love that the flag is in the background since it was taken today, Veteran's Day 2010! Thank you to all who have served our country!
One of my favorite gal pals called on this sunny day and asked if I would be willing to conduct a little impromptu photo session of her and her girls in the park. Always up for a date with my camera, some time in the fresh, crisp autumn air, (and perhaps a little housework avoidance), I said, "Sure!"
So, after working this morning and a little lunch date with another two of my favorite girls (Em and my mom), I headed to meet them at the local park.
What a FUN time and gorgeous day! I think I got some great shots of my friend and her three beautiful girls. Going to sort through them and do a little editing this evening. I can't wait for her to see the final results.
In the process of photographing her youngest (slightly difficult photo subject), one of the scarecrows residing in the park became know as, "George". Not to miss an opportunity for a little silliness, I found my way to the opposite side of the camera lens and posed for photographic proof of my newly formed friendship with "George"...
Being Gabby...
Welcome to my new blog, "Being Gabby". I have made an attempt (albeit a lousy one) at blogging in the past. I'd write a post, neglect the blog for months, come back thinking "Why do I bother? I won't keep up-to-date. It'd be too much work to update everything that's happened in my bloggy absence. No one cares what I post, anyway! Do I really want everyone knowing the real me that might be exposed through blogging?" Then I thought about it...perhaps I am the ONLY ONE who reads what I write or looks at the photos I add. What better reason than that to record my life than so I can have a place to come and be reminded of my blessings, the trials that make me a stronger, better person and all the moments of my life that combine to make me who I am. If I'm not the only one, perhaps I will bring a smile to your face, brighten your day or even become a source of encouragement.
So...I decided to start fresh with a new blog site and blank slate to tell the tale of "Being Gabby." If you are out there reading along, WELCOME and I hope you'll drop by again soon!
So...I decided to start fresh with a new blog site and blank slate to tell the tale of "Being Gabby." If you are out there reading along, WELCOME and I hope you'll drop by again soon!
Monday, May 24, 2010
What we have BEEn up to....
The last few days things have been abuzz around here...
Emily's school held their annual spelling bee this past Friday. She was one of 9 third grade finalists to compete in the bee. So Friday afternoon, I did picked her up from school, my mom and I made dinner and had it ready when Ben got out of work. We all sat down and enjoyed a yummy, early dinner. Then Em got all beautiful in her dress and we all headed to the school around 6:30pm. We arrived at the school, she posed with the advertisement poster in the school lobby...
Posed with her teacher and classmates...
Went to her place on the stage where the 3 girls checked out the "lucky pennies" that their teacher had given them, each student was introduced by the principal...
And then it was time to spell!!
Each time our girl approached the microphone we were on the edge of our seats. We had total confidence that she could spell any word that would be given that night, but were hoping that nerves wouldn't get the best of her. As promised, I did not take any photos during the actual spelling bee. She requested that I not be distracting and make her nervous. As much as it pained me, I complied. As each of the 3rd graders who spelled the word incorrectly made their way off the stage to join their parents in the audience, I felt so sad for them, but hopeful and nervous for our girl. After numerous words, some stiff competition and some elimination the real contest was on! Em was in the final 2. Em was given a word...she got nervous and mis-spelled. OH, NO! So close to winning...she'd be devastated to make it that far and not win! But there's only 1 winner and we had talked prior to that night about the honor of just getting there at all. So...her competitor was given her word and spelling it correctly. Then he was given his own work..."budget"...if he spelled it correctly he was the champ. Oh, my poor girl! But, wait! He spelled it incorrectly! So my girl spelled it, "b-u-d-g-e-t" and was back in the running. Now she would get her new word and would need to spell it correctly to win. The suspense and the anxiety were so high we can't even remember the word she was given...but she did it! She spelled it and became the 3rd Grade Spelling Bee Champion! WOOHOO! Way to go girl!
Then we continued watching/listening from the edge of our seats as the 4th graders competed. The final two 4th graders went back and forth for quite some time before a winner emerged.
(Ben later commented that he never knew a spelling bee could be so exciting!) Well, the real excitement was yet to happen...keep reading!
Ribbons were distributed to ALL participants, the two champions received there plaques and their was a mini photo shoot! Here's my happy girl with her teacher...
We had a deal that no matter the outcome, we'd head for Rita's to celebrate. So off we went. Custard, gelatis and laughter were enjoyed.
At 8:30pm, just a mere 2 hours since we had left, we arrived home with our champion. Ben went in the house and Em and I were out talking to my mom. He came out and instructed us not to go upstairs...My reply..."ok. WHY?" I thought our canine pal must have done something. Thinking I'd set my things down and stay downstairs while he tended to the situation, I headed in the back door with Em behind me. We came through the back porch and approached the kitchen. It was then that Ben said, "DON"T COME IN!" I stopped, looked and there were swarms off bees around the light panels in the kitchen ceiling. Our house...most every room...was FULL of honey bees! YIKES!
Frantic & frazzled, Em and I vacated to my parents' house next door and I posted to FB from my cell about the situation. A friend replied with the advice to contact another, my dear friend Sarah of handbagsnpigtails whose husband is a bee keeper. So Ben spoke with him, removed a bunch of bees with a shop vac and Em & I had a sleepover at my parents' house.
Saturday, Eric made the trip with his gear to help rid us of our problem. Since we had bees a few years back that just mysteriously moved on before a "bee man" could come rid them, we thought must be we had some honeycomb or something in the wall that was invited more back.
In the process of finding out that the bees had decided not to take up residence after all, Ben ripped out our tub surround and knocked out a bathroom wall. So now we've got a bit of a construction zone. And thanks to the bees...I am in the process of getting a new wall, insulation, tub surround, and faucet. And plans are in the making for the long-overdue paint job, possible new flooring and lighting. Hopefully I will love the bathroom renovation but the bees won't and will not be enticed to come back!
Emily's school held their annual spelling bee this past Friday. She was one of 9 third grade finalists to compete in the bee. So Friday afternoon, I did picked her up from school, my mom and I made dinner and had it ready when Ben got out of work. We all sat down and enjoyed a yummy, early dinner. Then Em got all beautiful in her dress and we all headed to the school around 6:30pm. We arrived at the school, she posed with the advertisement poster in the school lobby...
Posed with her teacher and classmates...
Went to her place on the stage where the 3 girls checked out the "lucky pennies" that their teacher had given them, each student was introduced by the principal...
And then it was time to spell!!Each time our girl approached the microphone we were on the edge of our seats. We had total confidence that she could spell any word that would be given that night, but were hoping that nerves wouldn't get the best of her. As promised, I did not take any photos during the actual spelling bee. She requested that I not be distracting and make her nervous. As much as it pained me, I complied. As each of the 3rd graders who spelled the word incorrectly made their way off the stage to join their parents in the audience, I felt so sad for them, but hopeful and nervous for our girl. After numerous words, some stiff competition and some elimination the real contest was on! Em was in the final 2. Em was given a word...she got nervous and mis-spelled. OH, NO! So close to winning...she'd be devastated to make it that far and not win! But there's only 1 winner and we had talked prior to that night about the honor of just getting there at all. So...her competitor was given her word and spelling it correctly. Then he was given his own work..."budget"...if he spelled it correctly he was the champ. Oh, my poor girl! But, wait! He spelled it incorrectly! So my girl spelled it, "b-u-d-g-e-t" and was back in the running. Now she would get her new word and would need to spell it correctly to win. The suspense and the anxiety were so high we can't even remember the word she was given...but she did it! She spelled it and became the 3rd Grade Spelling Bee Champion! WOOHOO! Way to go girl!
Then we continued watching/listening from the edge of our seats as the 4th graders competed. The final two 4th graders went back and forth for quite some time before a winner emerged.
(Ben later commented that he never knew a spelling bee could be so exciting!) Well, the real excitement was yet to happen...keep reading!
Ribbons were distributed to ALL participants, the two champions received there plaques and their was a mini photo shoot! Here's my happy girl with her teacher...
We had a deal that no matter the outcome, we'd head for Rita's to celebrate. So off we went. Custard, gelatis and laughter were enjoyed.At 8:30pm, just a mere 2 hours since we had left, we arrived home with our champion. Ben went in the house and Em and I were out talking to my mom. He came out and instructed us not to go upstairs...My reply..."ok. WHY?" I thought our canine pal must have done something. Thinking I'd set my things down and stay downstairs while he tended to the situation, I headed in the back door with Em behind me. We came through the back porch and approached the kitchen. It was then that Ben said, "DON"T COME IN!" I stopped, looked and there were swarms off bees around the light panels in the kitchen ceiling. Our house...most every room...was FULL of honey bees! YIKES!
Frantic & frazzled, Em and I vacated to my parents' house next door and I posted to FB from my cell about the situation. A friend replied with the advice to contact another, my dear friend Sarah of handbagsnpigtails whose husband is a bee keeper. So Ben spoke with him, removed a bunch of bees with a shop vac and Em & I had a sleepover at my parents' house.
Saturday, Eric made the trip with his gear to help rid us of our problem. Since we had bees a few years back that just mysteriously moved on before a "bee man" could come rid them, we thought must be we had some honeycomb or something in the wall that was invited more back.
In the process of finding out that the bees had decided not to take up residence after all, Ben ripped out our tub surround and knocked out a bathroom wall. So now we've got a bit of a construction zone. And thanks to the bees...I am in the process of getting a new wall, insulation, tub surround, and faucet. And plans are in the making for the long-overdue paint job, possible new flooring and lighting. Hopefully I will love the bathroom renovation but the bees won't and will not be enticed to come back!
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