Another Great Hartz Awareness Site!!!

The 2 most frequently read posts on my blog are #1  ”Hide Tide Heals – What a hoot!” and #2 “URGENT-Do not use Hartz products!”  It’s nice to know that the information about Hartz is getting around, my cat Iggy didn’t die in vain, and that other Hartz awareness sites are linking to by blog to help spread the word. Having Iggy die an excruciating death as a result of using Hartz was the worst thing that happened to me in 2008. 

Today I found HartzSyndrome.org. Please check out this site. It stresses that Sergeant’s flea & tick products are also linked to pet harm &/or death.  

There’s also an informative article about Pets & Pesticides at this link to the Center for Public Integrity. Info from this article:

“…pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatments — from Hartz, Sergeant’s, Farnam, and Bayer — are approved for sale by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and they are readily available at grocery stores, specialty pet retailers, and hardware stores. But they are also linked to thousands of reported pet poisonings, and they have stirred the ire of pet owners, the concern of veterinarians, and the attention of regulatory agencies.”

On  a happier note….. Have a Safe and Fabulously HAPPY    NEW YEAR!!!

Love & Blessings,

                                       Ignaps (“Iggy”) …. RIP

CERTIFIED!

Our annual Professional Photographers Society of North Florida Christmas Party was the other night … a night full of surprises.  First, I was given this beautiful basket full of home-made chocolate goodies made by several of the women from our guild.  Deeeeeee licious ! ! !

 

Next, I was awarded the Jim and Adrienne Abrisch Scholarship, which is a paid Florida School tuition for May 31st-June 4, 2009 at Daytona Beach Community College. Since only new members are eligible to apply, it was a one time opportunity for me.  Applicants had to submit a written application answering multiple questions, such as what photography means to you. I couldn’t believe my ears when part of MY essay  was read by our president just before announcing the winner of the scholarship! The scholarship program was begun in honor of Professional Photographers Society of North Florida members Jim and Adrienne Abrisch after they were killed in a plane crash on December 12, 2001.  They were dear people who were greatly loved and respected.

Chris from Desktop Darkroom was on hand to photograph us again this year and did a fabulous job.  He took this photo of me and Mike Permenter.  Mike had a large influence in my next surprise.

 

 

When I got home and opened my mail, I found out that I passed the image submission phase of my certification process! In August I passed the written exam. Then I had to submit 20 images to a panel of Certified Professional Photographer judges.  Thanks to Mike, I passed BOTH the exam and the image submission on my first try. Mike is not only an awesome photographer, he is also our local PhotoShop guru. He helped me study for the exam, critiques my work, and gives me advice whenever I need it.   I have to thank Rick Ferro also, who gave me some valuable constructive criticism on several portraits I was considering to submit.

 

Thanks for reading and sharing my excitement!  I probably wouldn’t have been able to attend Florida School if I hadn’t won the scholarship. You have no idea how grateful I am to have won. I thank  God for these blessings!

Don’t forget…. JESUS is the reason for this season!!!  Let Him shine through you during this crazy, busy holiday season.  Much easier said than done, I know, but really…. we’re too blessed to be stressed, right!?  

 

Lots of Love & Blessings,

Pix from Thanksgiving

How many times do you have to do something before it’s considered a tradition? I think I’ve started one for our family by photographically documenting Ryley’s growth from Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving….

 

Our 3rd annual photo by the bird

She’s getting big. Time goes by so fast!

We always start our day in our PJs…I always thought jeans were my favorite thing to wear until Jerry pointed out that I always go for my pajamas. In public, definitely jeans or khakis though. 

Some sticker fun in the morning. They fascinate her right now…

 

 

Then outside (in PJs) for some fresh air and sunshine.

 

 

Our Senegal parrot ‘Snuggles’ caught some rays too.

 

The raccoon path. They visit our yard every night, and over the past year have worn a path in the grass!!!

 

 

Some gardening…

 

 

 

One  of Ryley’s new vocabulary words is “RELAX”

 

Finally, grabbing some bubbles from doing the dishes…

 

My images probably look a bit different in this post because I processed them on my laptop. The color is different.

I hope you all had a safe & happy Thanksgiving, and that you slowed down long enough to remember to count your blessings.

Love & Blessings,