Photography Classes...

From July 1 to this past Wednesday (August 6) I have been taking a photography course at the Charleston Center for Photography. I’ve always been interested in photography and frankly kicked myself for never taking classes when I was in school. So when Brandon gave me a Cannon Rebel for my birthday in June, I decided it would be a good idea to learn how to really use it (plus with the baby on the way having a useful nice camera around would be beneficial). A friend of mine, Jen, had told me her hubby had signed her up for a photography class and mentioned it might be fun to take together. Soto make a long story short; I signed up.

What an incredible learning experience! I learned how to do different techniques, within the camera, that I had always thought were done on the computer. I learned how to lighten and darken a subject, how to take portraits, how to use my lens to create a clear “3D” picture or to create blur, and my

personal favorite-how to take night shots! If there is anyone out there who has a general interest in photography or just how to use one of those “nice cameras”; I highly recommend you take a beginner’s class…believe me, it’s worth it!

Here are some of my best and favorite pictures I’ve taken over the weeks. You can also view my galleries here (mine have Michelle T in the title).

Isn't prgnancy beautiful?

This is my first blog written via my cell phone, so bear with me if there are typos.

I am 11 weeks now, and I've gone from complete exhaution and nausea to gas an heartburn.  Wow, I feel beautiful!  This past weekend I had to appologize up front to my friends for the rumbling, which begins (one would think) in my toes and erupts out my mouth.  If I enrolled in a burping contest, I think I'd stand a good chance of winning!  Unfortunately, however, burping is not the only ''action'' that happens.  It's like the Sex in the City episode, where Carrie and Miranda are shopping (while Miranda is prego).  Miranda apparently lets out an SBD, to which she responds, ''I can turn off the sound but not the smell!''  Oh, isn't pregnancy beautiful?

Baby News

I know by now a few of you already know about our happy news, but I just wanted to confirm/fill everyone else in, that I am pregnant. We're expecting Baby T around the beginning of February! Right now, I am having some morning sickness, but thankfully only nausea, I'm starved all the time and I think I could take a nap almost every hour of the day! I had my first appointment yesterday and will have my first UltraSound in July. B and I are so excited and it took all we had to keep it to ourselves (family and some friends).

Welcome Home...

May 3rd, Brandon finally landed in the states from his deployment in Southwest Asia! He landed two hours earlier than expected, which meant lots of calling to the other spouses of our squadron. By 9 am we were all at the Passenger Terminal on base, waiting for our loved ones! One of my friends brought the makings for mimosas, which a few of us enjoyed. Around 10am our Lions had landed and the anticipation for the hugging and kissing was quickly dissolved and replaced by the real thing!

I'm so excited my hubby is home! (Big thank you to Deanne for snapping all the great pictures!)

Driving on the Green...

Last summer a good friend of mine (Michelle H.) and I took golf lessons. It was a lot of fun, learning the game (I've heard referred to as, "Oh Sh--") and it's nice to be able to spend a few hours outside smacking the crap out of a tiny ball!

Now that the heat (and unfortunately, humidity) is creeping into the Lowcountry I'm beginning to get a hankering for the driving range! I love the way it feels when, with my driver in hand, I swing through the air and hit that white, dimpled ball a hundred or so feet (even more so when it goes the direction I'd planned). I feel strong, especially in my pink polo and khaki shorts! ;o) Golf season, here I come!

Capri...

On Monday, April 13th B's and my beautiful niece was welcomed into the world. Her name is Capri and she was 8lbs 2oz and 20 inches long. While, we weren't there for her birth (it was in California) we were in spirit as we were getting text and call updates from Aaron (the proud papa) and Patty (the excited grandma) throughout the day.

I spoke with Melissa (mommy) and she said everyone is doing great and raved about her epidural (LOL). B and I have made plans to meet our new niece and oh yeah, see everybody else in the family.

Hello, My Name is Michelle and I'm an addict...

"It's not a habit, it's cool I feel alive If you don't have it you're on the other side..." That lyric by K's Choice pretty much sums up my addiction. I've spent countless amounts of money on it, I've driven to another state to get it, I am excited when I buy it, and I use it everyday.

Vera Bradley handbags and accessories are my addiction. If I were to compare it to something, it would be to tattoos. I don't have any myself but I've had many of my friends tell me that one is not enough. So, too is the case with Vera Bradley bags.

Twice every year, VB comes out with new styles and patterns for the accessories at the same time older colors and styles get retired. The older colors inevitably have followers who are dismayed, but the fresh crop of bright hues find themselves into hearts eventually.

Today, I'm expecting my Easter present to myself; a new clutch, a cosmetics case, and a handbag. All were on clearance (as the colors I chose are being retired) so I'm even more thrilled with my buy. I feel like a little girl on the eve of a holiday, where I'm sure to get a treat. Where will I be able to use it first? How can I work it into an outfit? I'm so excited to get home and see the FedEx box waiting for me. Only one hour left, until I can play with my new goodies!