You Wiggle, I'll Screw

Was the quote of the day yesterday up at the Boat Barn while Schyler, Jack, Libby, Owen, Annie and myself worked on the Pearson trying to get her ready for Crane Day this Wednesday. Libby and Jack were trying to do put on the handrails and obviously something wasn't moving. Then from the cabin, we heard "You wiggle, I'll screw". We laughed so hard.

Anyway, who said that owning a sailboat is romantic? Yes, I agree, it is a romantic notion to step on board a beautiful sailboat and sail into the sunset. However, in order for the boat to continue to sail into that sunset we are all searching for, you must maintain the beast. Fix leaks, sails, keels, maintain the woodwork, and the most dreaded part, at least for me, is the head and holding tank. Thank goodness Jack and Libby handled that one. What a nasty job.

The exciting part of the day is that the Pearson now has an official name: Blue 30, which has been beautifully painted on by Rob Hazard. We were all thrilled to see it yesterday for the first time. Once we all screamed with excitement it was time to get busy and start getting the Blue 30 ready for her 2009 Splash. Here are some shots of where we are at, and yes, Crane Day is the day after tomorrow!

We will all be back tonight working on our beautiful Blue.

One LAST post and then I'm out of here!

While going through the hard drive finding old photos I came across some miscellaneous ones of our animals and other things. I promise, I'm shutting down after this! The polo pony is NOT ours...but the black horse was mine and his name is Bugsy.

Okay, I REALLY don't feel like working on the Pearson tonight!

Okay, it's 7:09pm, Schyler and Libby are at the barn working on the Pearson and I am still at work playing. I really don't feel like sanding wood or varnishing but if I want memories like this photo I better get my arse in the Bug and head up toute de suite!

My Bug

Thought I would at least show a shot of my roadtrip friend! Believe me, we got stuck many a times! I may add....PreSchyler.

Old Trucks & Tractors

Well, I was going through some old files on my computer and found some cool images I forgot all about. I can't remember the year, but it was probably in 2004 and 2005 when I would go on solo roadtrips in the Bug just to get out in those long winter months. I think I had just gotten a new camera and wanted to see how it worked along with this little funky lens called a lensbaby. I honestly forgot how cool these were and long for those little roadtrips. When did I become too busy or preoccupied to no longer take these? I miss them.

Anyhow, here is a little bit of what I found.

Oswego Road Trip

A couple of weeks ago I had to go out to Oswego to check out a church and Fort Ontario for a wedding I did just last weekend. I was unfamiliar with the area and wanted to see what the light was like for when I would be there with the bride and groom. I brought Kinsey, Keefe and Victoria along with me for subjects. We had a great time and it was really neat for me to take photos of Kinsey and Victoria again. I haven't had the opportunity to do so in quite some time so I took advantage of the moment. Kinsey and Victoria have known each other since they were about a year old. Through the years they have remained best friends and I cannot even tell you how many beautiful photographs I have of them together as they grew up. There are hundreds and many of my favorites are ones of them near the water. Victoria's family has a camp on Skaneateles Lake where we spent many summer days swimming and playing on the shore. Memories that have been captured on film (yes, film as in Kodak) to be cherished for years to come. They were so little then and now they are strong and independent young women. I love them and will always cherish the photos I have of them, as well as all the photos of Keefe.

Time does fly by. Grab it while you're in flight and hold on tight.

Catching Up....Key West 2009

Well, as usual it's been awhile since the last post. Things have been a little off with everyone getting sick and now it's my turn. I'm on the couch feeling the inevitable coming on so I might as well update our blog. I thought I would post some photos of our trip to Key West with our friends Jon and Arline Libby back in February. They flew, we drove. Long drive but it was so worth it. We stayed in this great little place called The Duval House right on Duval Street in the middle of everything. We also rented mopeds to scoot around. We really hope to go back next year and maybe Jon and Arline will be down there with their boat Kasidah this time.

My Baby's Finally Behind the Wheel

Well, after having her permit for 3 to 4 months collecting dust, Kinsey finally got behind the wheel and drove today. About a year ago we began driving the Bug on an airstrip where she did great and had handled the clutch like a champ. Then the Bug began having issues, summer came and she began walking all around again and grabbing rides with friends. Fast forward to today. I needed to go to Staples to get ink for the printer so that I could print the FAFSA form. For anyone who has a child going to college, you are quite familiar with the thing. Kinsey wanted to come with me as did Schyler. As we're all getting coats on Schyler said that Kinsey had to drive. She gets in the car, I get in and then Schyler gets in. Kinsey freaks. "I'm not driving with Schyler in the car" and storms out. Schyler then gets out and there I am in the passenger side, car idling and wondering WHO is going to drive. After about 5 mins sitting there like a moron, I get out and ask who is coming with me. After some negotiating, Kinsey is back behind the wheel and Schyler is on the couch. She was nervous, but once she started to go she did great and we drove around for about an hour finally pulling into the driveway with Schyler waiting with a camera and Kinsey smiling.

Life is good here at the Barnes/Lillie Pad.

Alice's New Toy

Well, there is nothing more exciting for me than to go to my one and only camera store, MQ Camera and BUY something! And, that I did. Alice got herself a new lens and I have just started to play with it. This weekend Schyler took me on an incredible birthday weekend to the Melody Lodge in Speculator. The Lodge is this beautiful cozy place in the Adirondacks at the top of a mountain with adorable rooms, a 5 star restaurant, and the best little bar where all the locals and snowmobilers come to eat and relax between trails. We just love the place. So, while Schyler was playing with his little virtual boat on the laptop, I took my new lens and played a little. I can't wait to get my kids out in the snow and do some new portraits with this awesome lens!

There are more photos of us at a little ski resort, but Schyler has that camera somewhere and I can't find it. Will upload those when I find it.

Change of Seasons

As October ends and November blows in, thought we might end the month with some photos taken in October. One being the senior portrait of Kinsey. These are some of her favorite with the first one being the choice for the yearbook. Her first choice was the middle one but they would not allow it...something about the hat she was wearing. Here are a few great ones of her.


Other photos are of Schyler's family. We spent an afternoon in Rome with the Pahal family and grabbed a few great shots.




That's about it for tonight.

Good night!