Welcome

Thanks for checking out my blog. See the rest of my photos and get some more information about me at my website, www.kendaljeanphotos.com. I look forward to hearing from you, leave me a comment.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Speed Scrapping

I knew the laptop would be a bit better then my desktop, but I never expected so much speed! Although I probably took the longest on a page it went the quickest. Confused? Between watching a silly movie on the Sci-Fi channel and the speed transformations took affect on Photoshop, I've had a great time creating my first scrapbook page on my laptop. I haven't transferred my scrapbook folder to the computer yet, so I just decided to download a new kit for the page. I like it a lot and being able to sit here and veg from the page is actually kind of nice. Hopefully this means there will be more to come soon.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Beach Dogs

The water is so low at Lake Chelan, we actually had a beach to play with the dogs on. I snapped a photo of Buddy, Shawn's parents' Great Pyrenees puppy. I did say puppy, he is only 8 months old and weighs a 100lbs. He's going to be one big doggy.


Buddy with no Color
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos


Amber

Our friends' Golden, Amber, posing for a nice head shot. She has a few more years of experience and was actually willing to hold still for a photo, unlike the other two puppies.


Amber
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Marmot


Marmot
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

I've never seen so many marmots running around Lake Chelan. While the others in our party searched for a geocache, I ran around with the camera chasing this little marmot.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Chelan Snow

Snow in Chelan! This is supposed to be our summer cabin. Who would have guessed that when we arrived to open the cabin for the season we'd have 3" of snow everywhere and we would have snow flurries for the first three days we were there. I guess there is a first for everything. Shawn's folks made it over, but our friends weren't too sure of the pass so they chose not to come.


Chelan Snow
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Chelan Snow
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos


Chelan Snow
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Friday, March 28, 2008

OKHS Baseball


OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos


OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos


OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos


OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos


OKHS Baseball
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

A New Era

My newest post is being typed on my newest computer. Yes, I finally got my laptop! I'm very excited to be exploring my first laptop. I bought one for Shawn a few years ago, but it was very basic and I always swore by desktops so I could play my games. Well, I've broken down and bought a very nice 17" HP laptop. I would say this one is a big step up from my desktop. My photography can now travel around with me and I have a feeling I'll be able to play a few games on this beast.

Spring has sprung... sort of. I sit here, looking out the window at the snow that has been falling all day long. It hasn't stuck at all, but as soon as the temperature drops it will start. We are supposed to be opening the cabin at Lake Chelan tomorrow. I'm not sure I'm looking forward to staying a few days at an uninsulated cabin. At least we'll be surrounded by family. We'll be meeting Shawn's folks and our friends tomorrow morning, if they can make it over the pass, to do some renovation work before the cabin starts getting used regularly. I have to say, I'm not planning on taking my swimsuit or my sun tanning lotion.

Along with spring has come the sports. Yesterday, after track practice, I headed over to the ball field for a home baseball game against Liberty Bell. Although it was a forfeit from the start the two teams played anyway in some brutally cold wind and even some snowflakes. I really didn't want to take my hands out of my pocket to take photos, but I did get a few. I will post them in a new entry as I'm going to set up my flickr account to post photos easier, so please hang in there with me.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Busy Times

Well I powered up the big computer and got some photos edited to post and alas, blogger is not behaving. It's been a busy few weeks and it is just going to get busier and my photos do no justice to what has been happening.

We were proud puppy owners for about a week. A gal brought a stray chow puppy into the pharmacy one morning and I immediately contacted Shawn and begged if we could take it home. Apparently it had just jumped into her arms in front of the post office and had no collar, but was really calm and well behaved. Shawn said it was okay so I brought her home after work and she immediately settled in and we promptly became attached.

Being the morally correct people we try to be I called the newspaper and put an ad in and posted an ad at the post office and even online at petfinder.org. Shawn said we could name her after a week and as the day got closer and closer we became more and more excited that we may have a dog. Then she got sick. I felt so bad for the puppy and I couldn't let her suffer so I took her to the vet Wednesday morning dreading it was parvo. Luckily it wasn't and $90 later I was headed out with a sick puppy and some antibiotics for her 104 degree temperature. When I got home from track practice (that story is coming) there were 3 messages on the answering machine about the puppy. They described her perfectly and I told them about having to take her to the vet and I'd like to be reimbursed and they agreed. We had one two more evenings with her until the owner called back Friday morning saying she had $70 and wanted to know if she could get her dog back. I agreed that that was plenty because it showed to me that they had good integrity to take care of her. So the puppy left us Friday morning. It was a bittersweet reunion, but I guess in the end we can just be happy we did the right thing. Now of course we really want a dog, but we've gone back to our original plan of waiting until after the wedding to find one.

Okay now to answer those questions about track practice. I'm a volunteer coach on the track team. I did track in 8th and 9th grades and I really enjoyed doing the field events. I did shotput, javelin and long jump. I may have not been the best, but I have the general idea and I enjoy working with the kids (as intimidating as they may seem at times) The bonus of being volunteer is I'm just kind of there for support and to help run the kids through the drills. I've only done it two days because I had to work late last week, but I'm looking forward to more this week.

I have also met some great horse people that sound like they have welcomed me. There is a 4-H judging clinic coming up on March 22nd and I volunteered to handle and ride someone's horse in it and one of the gals, Melissa, volunteered her older Arab gelding. I went and met him last night and we had a very nice ride. He's a fun little horse and Melissa and her daughter seem to have very similar views to my horse philosophies. We plan on getting together at least one more time before the clinic and I hope I can find the time with everything else happening.

After all my typing it would appear blogger is still not behaving with uploading pictures. I put them in my portfolio if anyone wants to take a look. A couple new photos in scenery and animals. Hope everyone else is enjoying the tidbits of spring were getting and the light in the evenings now.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

First Caches of 2008

We got out to enjoy the sunshine today by finding our first geocaches of 2008! This has brought our grand total of finds up to 500 now. Hard to believe that number. Our first cache was May 1, 2004, so in less then 4 years we've found 500 of the little buggers. The adventure just keeps going with no end in sight.

Geocaching also brought my photography to the forefront in my mind. Through all the hikes and adventures we have been on I have had the camera with me since spring of 2006 and in this short period of time have evolved a style I consider very unique due to the places we go.

Today we headed up to Tonasket, actually our first time that far north since we've moved. Quite a cute town, but we headed off to the other side of the tracks to Chief Tonasket Park which follows along the Okanogan River. We found the first cache with no problem, it was just in extracting it that Shawn had some problems, as it was quite frozen in. We then trekked on for about 0.8 miles to the baseball fields. While I waited patiently (and eying the birds flying all over) Shawn bounded across the snow and found the second cache (#500 overall and actually third for the day).

Since my feet were nice and dry because I stayed behind while watching Shawn walk through the still very deep snow. I meandered back snapping photos of some waxwings and just plain enjoying the nice sunshine. I know Amy had taken some photos and when I got home I inspected her blog, inspected the web and compared my photos. I believe I have pictures of Bohemian Waxwings, but please point out if I am incorrect.



Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Scrapbook Tag

I've apparently been tagged by Amy for a some scrapbooking info. Although still relatively new, figured I'd play along. No being a party pooper for me even if I don't have anyone to pass this on to.

1. Name your two favorite scrapbooking topics: My photography which crosses all subjects and probably my family, Shawn and kitty Mickey.

2. Where are the two best places you’ve been to?
Hmm.. so many places I still want to go, but Belize and the Olympic Peninsula have been a couple of my favorites.

3. Name two things you do every day:
I take it Amy and I are both on the same page: tied to our computers because one is checking my email and tied to our men, cause giving Shawn a kiss everyday is important.

4. Tell us two things that pretty much everyone knows about you:
I love photography and horses

5. Tell us two things that everyone DOESN’T know about you:
I love wearing high heels and I collect Disney movies on DVD

6. Tell us two things that got you into the hobby of scrapping:
Wanting to do something with all my photography to display it and finding a great way to use the digital format of my photos.

7. Tell us two things that you want to accomplish in the next six months:
Have a great wedding! Throw a celebration summer party with all our new friends we've made since the move.

8. Name your two favorite scrapping tools:
My camera! and the delete key on my computer :0)

9. Name your two favorite sources of scrapping inspiration:
SBB & Amy and Lisa's pages

10. How has your scrapping changed since you started?
I tried scrapping the old fashioned way with paper and couldn't stand it, but am loving the whole digital side of scrapping.

11. What scrapbooking project have you yet to try but would love to?
I really want to scan in my regular photo prints and scrap them in the digital form. I have the photos piled up beside the computer, just haven't gotten to scanning them in.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Fresh Update

The web page has been freshly updated. Mostly in part to a new service I'll be offering for 2008. I want to break into photographing animals, primarily horses, and the interactions with their owners. I have a brochure available discussing the options I have and what my main goals are.

My other exciting photography news is that I will be offering postcards soon at the local drugstore in Okanogan, J&S. There will also be a 5x7 portfolio of some of the photos if you would like to see them in person.

There will be a local fund raising auction at the Elks Lodge in Omak for The Children's House Montessori Preschool on February 29th that I will be donating to. There will be an options to bid on a gift certificate for a fine art print and also for a location fee for my new animal photography.

This last week I also attended a 4-H leadership training and wow, leaders have to do a lot. It sure didn't seem that complicated when I was 10 years old doing the program. I'm hoping to start helping out with 4-H this spring in the horse projects and if their are kids interested in photography, maybe helping out there too. I also want to be able to use the opportunity to learn about other large animals and pretty much just to learn in general, you're never too old for that and sometimes kids are the best teachers.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Snow Dog Super Mush

This morning we headed up to Conconully with Jill and her family to take in the Snow Dog Super Mush. Although I grew up with dogs and showing them, I was never exposed to sled dog racing. Boy I wish I had been. What a fun time everyone looks like they are having, except of course the dogs left behind! I even got to try out driving a sled with one young, tired malamute.

I really had fun taking some of the pictures too. I gave some detail shots a try and really played with the black and white. I've really enjoyed some of Stephanie's detail shots so thought I should give that idea a try. I like what I got and I could have posted a ton of pictures, but here's a sampling, go check out the rest in the portfolio.





Sunday, January 20, 2008

An Igloo and Sunrise

The building of the igloo started with my help, but ended with half a dozen neighborhood kids and two dogs. It still stands and I don't think it will melt until the very end. We built it on a just barely freezing day, so it melted just enough to refreeze rock hard. I am surprised Shawn hasn't spent the night in it yet.





Friday morning while I was doing dishes, I looked up to see a beautiful sunrise over the mountains. Of course I'm never in a good position to take pictures from the house with all the power lines, trees and roofs, but I'd say these turned out alright.


Saturday, January 19, 2008

News, but No New Pics

I have some new news, but no new pictures. I did take some pictures of the sunrise the other morning, but have yet to take a look at them.

Last weekend we planned on heading to Spokane for a wedding show and just a weekend in the big town, but we never made it. Our first big experience of driving on snow and ice happened. Shawn hit an icy spot and lost control and flipped the Passport. We weren't hurt, but it sure taught some lessons about winter driving on the east side of the mountains. The Passport was moderately hurt. Shawn was taking the worse case scenario that it was totaled, but thankfully it's repairable. In fact it is at the shop now getting a new leaf spring and a wheel alignment. The tow bill ended up being more expensive then the repair bill and of course we learned our lesson about not having any tow coverage.

Shawn's constructive doings of the last weekend was building a full size igloo in the backyard. He is very proud of it and tries to climb into it at least once a day. I got a bit tired of helping so called over Amy's kids and the in turn they brought some more kids and they all helped Shawn put the finishing touches on the igloo. Once again I have pictures, but they are still hanging out on the camera. It is a pretty impressive sight to walk out the door and see an igloo.

With the Passport out of commission, my truck had to go to work. It wasn't very happy with me. We took it out Sunday to get some extra weight in the back and it took two tries to get it out of the driveway. Then with 250+ pounds in the back Shawn had to push me out Tuesday night to go to the shop and I had to get a good running start on Thursday when I headed to Wenatchee. If we get the chance I really do see us trading in my truck for a decent 4x4 truck.

This morning Shawn and I headed to a fellow teacher's property. Dean's house burned down the Thursday before we tried to go to Spokane. His family made it out alright, but the house was a complete loss. I've never known someone who has lost their house in a fire. I can't imagine how traumatic that must have been watching it burn down. Dean seems to be handling it as well as can be expected and today was the clean up day. Along with some other teachers, friends and students we cleared out all the metal roofing and copper wiring along with many other metal odds and ends. There wasn't that much wood to remove as it all burned. Shawn did use the chainsaw to cut up the deck and some of the trees surrounding the foundation. Dean plans to rebuild on the same spot, but will have to start from complete scratch as about half the foundation is just loose rock. Hopefully Shawn will be able to help out with that this summer.

Well might as well wrap this up as we will be heading to the basketball game soon. Shawn runs the scoreboard and I make believe I help. Hope to get the pictures looked at soon and maybe even some posted.