Friday, March 27, 2009

Click!


The Smithsonian Photography Initiative invites the public to participate in an unprecedented online dialogue about the impact of photography on history, culture and everyday lives. Visitors to “click! photography changes everything” at http://click.si.edu are encouraged to submit their photos and stories about the many ways photos shape experience, knowledge and memory.

The Smithsonian Photography Initiative recently started selecting stories and images submitted by site visitors on an ongoing basis to be regularly uploaded to the “click!” Web site. In addition, on a bi-monthly schedule, it is issuing more specific and theme-based calls for visitor-contributed content. New images and stories will join an archive of written and filmed commentaries that the Initiative began collecting last year from invited experts investigating how photography has changed the progress and practice of their diverse fields—from anthropology to astrophysics, from media to medicine, from philosophy to sports.

The Initiative is collecting and sharing images and narratives that shed light on how photography influences who people are, what people do and what people remember. Has a photograph been used to document property loss, inspire a hairstylist, sell a house, beat a traffic ticket or helped with the decision about where to go on vacation? Has a single photograph ever influenced what someone believes in or who someone loves? Visitors can go to http://click.si.edu and follow the easy steps to share their stories about the power of photography and to see images and read stories submitted by others.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Shark Valley


Ashton, Marc and I joined Gram, Papa, Deborah and Tim (a friend of Deborah's) at Shark Valley on Sunday. We often go there to ride our bikes and enjoy the environment while trying not to get eaten by one of the many alligators sunning themselves along the 15 mile bike path.
Above, is a picture taken by Gram of one of our leathery friends.

I forgot to take my camera, thus the lack of more visuals.

We had a great time. Ashton, Marc and I only rode about 3 miles...Ashton couldn't do much more.

About Shark Valley:
The name "Shark Valley" is just to confuse you. There are no sharks and there is no valley.
It has been pointed out to me that there actually are sharks. Not at the Shark Valley section of the Everglades, but at the point that the flowing water (called the Shark River Slough) reaches the Gulf of Mexico. And there actually is a valley. If you travel ten miles east or west, the land elevation is a foot higher.

Shark Valley is a section of Everglades National Park in south Florida, USA.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Ashton's first soccer season comes to a close

Ashton's first season playing soccer comes to a close on Saturday. Ashton and his team play their final game at 10:30am in Miramar.

It's been a great season and Ashton has loved every minute of it. Lots of fun has been had on and off the field. The kids went out there every Saturday to run has hard as their little legs could bumping, pushing and falling all over each other dying to make a goal....even if it was the wrong one.

Ashton did very well. The coach almost made him take a timeout on the sideline because he was so good ... ok, because he was hogging the ball. But, he changed his mind quickly saying, "I shouldn't penalize you for being good."

It was a great to see Ashton and his teammates play. We laughed a lot at their style of soccer: no rules just fun.


The coaches were great. They never screamed and always made sure everyone was having a great time playing.

Can't wait till next season.

The Best Husband in the World


Marc is the best husband in the world.. ok, maybe in my world. But, he's an amazing man with lots of great qualities ( and a few bad ones as well). I'm not just saying that because he helps me with the laundry (something he hates doing) as seen in the picture above.

He's a great dad who works hard to provide the best for his boys. He doesn't sit on the sideline when it comes to his children. He's a team player who runs around Pembroke Pines, Davie and Miramar picking up kids from school and driving them to soccer practices. Marc also is great at homework (I, on the other hand, suck at it....I'm sure you've read my spelling errors).

He's a great husband. Marc is thoughtful and loving (although I can use more ..you know what). He calls several times a day to see how I'm doing. He takes me out to do things he knows I love to do (like going out to dinner). He pushes me to be a better person (a lot of times I tend to push back, but I know he means well). Marc is a good listener, lover and friend.

We've had our bad times. But, God willing, we're beyond those dark days and headed to a bright, wonderful future together.

Marc, I Love You

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Go Panthers!!!!!!

Tyrone Electric, the company Marc works for, gave out free Panthers tickets to Saturday's hockey game, so the House family hit the Bank Atlantic arena (I think that's what it's called? They change the name to that building like I change underwear...a lot).

It was Ashton's first hockey game. Austen and Dalton had gone to a Panthers game before, so it wasn't new to them. Marc and I had gone several times when I was covering the team for the paper.

We had a blast. We ate like pigs, enjoyed all the action on the ice (Panthers lost 3-4, bummer ;(
and it was nice seeing some of the people Marc works with. He talks so much about them it was nice to put a face to the name.

It was a great family night out.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Monday, March 16, 2009

The definition of Play



"Play: Work that you enjoy doing for nothing."
Evan Esar

Friday, March 13, 2009

Congrats to Gene & Racquel

Gene and Racquel have been dating for more than a year. Their love story started with a few clicks of their mice and taps on their keyboards. In the world of cyber space filled with billions of people looking for love, Gene and Racquel where blessed to find each other. Their love has grown ever since that the day they met online.

Racquel is a beautiful, intelligent and a joy to be around.
Gene is, is, is ..... very special.
Together they make a great couple.



Gene last weekend proposed to Racquel in the air as they flew over the words, "Will You Marry Me" spelled out on the beach bellow (thanks to Dennis). She said yes (thank God) making Gene the happiest man on earth that day (except for Marc who's always happy to be married to me).

The House family wishes you both success in your marriage. Congrats.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Happy Birthday Peggy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEGGY!!!!!

We all appreciate everything you do for us everyday. You mean the world to us and are the rock our family is built upon..along with other smaller pebbles.
Hope you're birthday is filled with wonderful memories and lots of love.

We love you,
House Family & Friends


Youth is a wonderful thing. What a crime to waste it on children. ~George Bernard Shaw


A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the sun. Enjoy the trip.


The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. ~Lucille Ball


Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened. ~Jennifer Yane


Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed. ~Charles Schulz

Sunday, March 8, 2009

FIRE, FIRE, FIRE



The family around the fire pit at Nina & Greg's farm in Evergreen, Al. last year.
Loved every minute of it.

Friday, March 6, 2009

He's no Naked Cowboy

Do you know the Naked Cowboy?
He's that guy who stands on Time Square in New York in his underwear singing with his guitar.

Ashton a few months ago tried his hand in singing in his underwear with his brother's guitar like the Naked Cowboy. Of course, Ashton is cutter.





Tell me what you think.. does he have a career as a singer?

Picture Day at Soccer

Marc offered my photographic services to Ashton's soccer team.
So last Saturday we all gathered early before a game to take pictures. All went well with just a few of the kids not getting into the photo shoot and one refusing to be photographed without his dad.

Here are few of the shots:





Ashton is having a blast playing soccer. He's a bit of a ball hog dominating the field to the point that the coach has thought of pulling him out of the games for a little to give the other players a chance to score. He decided not to. "You shouldn't be penalized for being good," he said at last weeks game. We're working with Ashton to give other teammates a chance with the ball.

You're all welcome to come Saturday to watch Ashton, Dalton and Austen play soccer in West Miramar. If you're interesting in seeing the boys play call Marc or I for times and location.

Many thanks to our older sons for helping out at picture day. Dalton stood in on the test shot and Austen held the flash during the photo shoot.

I also can't forget thanking Marc. He helped keep the kids organized and rounding each player up when it was there turn.

Love Ya

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Sunday Family Fun





The House family had a great time at CB Smith at the Memorial Hospital annual picnic.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Wow



I was driving home from work last week and saw this incredible susnset that I had to photograph.

We get so wrapped up with our daily running around, kids, relationships, extra that we don't always appreciate what's right in front of us.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Look, No Training Wheels


Marc has been working hard to teach Ashton how to ride a bike without training wheels. Everyday after school, Ashton and Marc have been working together and it's paid off.





Now all Ashton wants to do everyday is ride his bike. So on Sunday, Marc and I got Ashton a new and bigger bike. He loved riding it around CB Smith Park. He fell several times, but thankfully no broken bones.

Monday, March 2, 2009

The 4am Project



What is the 4am Project?About

Hi. My name’s Karen Strunks, and my curiosity about 4am began about a year ago.

I live in Birmingham - the UK’s second largest city - and after a night out a while back, I was driving from one side of the city to the other. It was around 4am and I was really struck by the cityscape. Streets and roads normally teeming with people and traffic were deserted. The city was asleep and it felt like I had it all to myself. I liked it.

So late last year, I went out to take my first pictures at 4am in Birmingham. I’ve made some of them available on my blog. I’ve been asking readers of my blog for their suggestions of places they’d like to see at 4am. They decide where to go, and I take the photos, so it’s become a collaboration.

When I started to think about how the idea could be extended, the 4amproject was born.

I’d like to involve you in this project. What will YOU be doing at 4am on 4th of April?

Put the date in your diary, set your alarm, and take a picture of your world at 4am. It can be of anything at all. A self portrait, the room you’re in, the view from your window. Perhaps you want to venture out a bit further, maybe you’ll be travelling, or at work - maybe you’re a night owl…

I’m going to get some friends together and go out and have a 4am party. Why not do the same? Get some of your friends and family involved too. Or simply set the alarm, take a picture, and go back to the land of nod.

Whatever you’re doing, it’d be great if you could get involved and play a part in building up a big picture of the world at 4am.


http://4amproject.org

Spring Break: The History of Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale

This is an interactive timeline I created for www.Sun-Sentinel.com.... would love your feedback.