A couple of surprises for me today which I’ll share in a moment.
To preface the first one, I need to tell you that back in early July, I dropped my Nikon D80 off at the local camera shop to have it cleaned. I called around to several places and they all told me the same thing: that it would take anywhere from six to ten weeks until I had my camera back.
Anticipating a lengthy wait, I contacted my son who lives in NYC (and who happens to have the exact same camera) and asked him if I could borrow his for up to two months. He has a spare camera, so of course he said yes. It took six weeks before I had my camera back.
Knowing how long it can take for just a cleaning, I was figuring on another long wait for my macro lens to be repaired. But today, just 13 days after I’d shipped it off to Nikon for an estimate, the repaired lens appeared on my doorstep.
I was shocked.
After dinner, I ventured outside into the heat to take some photos. I wanted to make sure the lens was working properly.
And it is.
It’s working beautifully.
But I said I had a couple of surprises, didn’t I? The next one is something I’m not sure I’m totally thrilled about, but I just found out today.
It involves my younger son. He lives and works in NJ. But he needs a place to stay for a week while he’s in-between places.
So he’s coming here. Late tonight.
It’s making me remember what it was like when he did live with us and it’s not an altogether wonderful memory. My husband and I always seemed to be at odds when when it came to this son.
Maybe it will be different this time.
But it sure will be wonderful to see him again. We haven’t seen him since Christmas!
There’s a third surprise. But it’s a silly one.
Remember Scary Bird? George’s toy peregrine falcon that has the scary screech? Well, George is not so scared of the sound anymore.
In fact, we caught him today trying to make the bird screech. He was gently biting it in different places to produce the noise.
It seems that Scary Bird isn’t so scary anymore.
So I snapped George’s photo, too. All of today’s pictures were taken with the Nikkor AF 60mm f/2.8 D macro lens.
~ :: ~ ~ :: ~ ~ :: ~ ~ :: ~
And now, because it’s Friday and because I like reading your answers . . .
1. What surprises have you had lately?
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor?
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers?
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise?
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else?
See you in the comments, my friends . . .
41 comments:
1. What surprises have you had lately? I told you mine in this post.
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? It actually happened to me once about 8 years ago. I was completely embarrassed. Besides, my birthday was two weeks off.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? When I was sick last October, one of our teachers at school sent me flowers.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? My wedding ring. This was six Christmases ago. I should tell that story.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? I do it all the time at work. But it's never hurtful. Just fun.
~ C.G.
1. None that I can think of. Alarming news maybe, but I think of surprises as being happy events.
2. My hubs threw me a surprise 50th birthday party. I was completely and totally surprised...and embarrassed as well. It was one great party, tho.
3. Yesterday! I won a raffle during the PTA's teacher appreciation luncheon and won a mum...which is very quickly dying.
4. Same as you! A baguette had fallen out of my engagement ring (originally my hub's mom's engagement ring from 1948). GB had that fixed and had another wedding band made for me at the same time. I was so very touched by his thoughtfulness.
5. Hmmm....I don't know...if I remember, I'll let you know!
1.I was surprised to find that a 'glass cross' that someone gave me as a 'thank you' gift was in fact not glass but a piece of Waterford crystal. I don't think that she knew that...'cause I think it was re-gifted to me...it wasn't in a Waterford box.
2. I would be uncomfortable cause I don't like the focus to be on me.
I am a giver...not a good receiver.
3. From my granddaughter who had picked some 'wild' flowers out of a neighbor's flower bed on a walk to my home.
4. I asked my husband for a particular pair of earrings which I could only find in gold but I wanted them in silver. He had a pair customed made for me and they were nothing like the pair I had shown him...a very disappointing surprise!
5. A year ago, a friend told me that her husband had quit giving her birthday presents so she never received any presents (she never had children). It broke my heart! So last year for her birthday, I sent her a gigantic melamine bowl filled with all kinds of gourment spices and kitchen gadgets from Sur la Table. She was thrilled. As a matter of fact, her birthday is next week, and I have not gotten her anything yet. Got to do that tomorrow...thanks for this question...it was a reminder to me!!!!
Hope Hurricane Earl does not create any problems for you! Have a great weekend with your son!
Hugs, Jeanne
1. What surprises have you had lately?
That hubby was coming home between fishing trips - in SIX days rather than the 45 days I'd been expecting.
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor?
A friend threw me a surprise birthday party. Weird but fun!
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers?
LONG time ago. My folks sent some for my birthday.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise?
When my great grandfather gave me a couple of his oil paintings (ones he had painted).
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else?
I love giving surprises and do it all the time.
Jeanne, you're coming up no-comment reply@blogger. Just wanted to say that you're lucky with that cross. And I'm glad I reminded you about your friend. How sweet of you!
~ C.G.
Bet all will be great for one week. I know exactly what you mean though!
1. Hmm, surprises? Birthday presents? LOL Don't have a very surprising life.
2. Had one for 50th birthday. Fun but a little strange too.
3. I do occasionally get flowers from my husband and my son sent me some was it last year's birthday?
4. Common theme here. A new wedding ring.
5. A few months ago. A coworker/friend has a grandbaby that lives in South Dakota that she rarely gets to see & her daughter was pregnant. I had some frequent flier miles & since I can drive to see my grandbaby I got her a ticket to go see hers. She was shocked & ecstatic. And it made me very happy!!
1. What surprised have you had lately...a rather large electric bill after our wonderful August. A chocolate bar from hubby.
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? Horrified, embarrassed and probably a little ticked.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? Mother's Day I received a beautiful hand picked At The Farm bouquet from my sister. Before that flowers from hubby. Most people know I prefer flowers growing or a pretty rock.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? My engagement ring...I was having too much fun to even think of marriage. Hubby chose it himself and gave it to me for Christmas.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? I gave a lady some money at work who just found out her husband was dying and she had counted pennies to go buy milk for him and stamps for them.
Hi Kate:
YAYYY!!!! I'm so happy you have your perfect lens back! Photos are fabulous.
And now, because you asked:
1. What surprises have you had lately? I got a comment on my blog from a woman who had been my bridesmaid 26 years ago, and who I had "lost" when she divorced my husband's best friend 20 years ago. The message she left was cryptic - one only I would understand was from her. We've been catching up since then and are looking forward to seeing each other next time I'm in Wisconsin.
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? I'd love it, as long as everyone invited were people who love me. Let me know if you want to know my birthdate. lol
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? About 6 weeks ago. Handsome likes bringing them home every once in a while. They're never expected, and a sweet gesture.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? When the colored iMac computers first came out, Handsome ordered a hot pink one for me. When the box arrived, he brought it upstairs to my studio, slid the box across the floor until it appeared in my doorway. I was talking to my sister at the time and screamed into the phone. I said, "I have to go!" and hung up the phone. Later, she said she thought I'd seen a mouse. (Like THAT would make me scream!)
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? Last week and the week before. I sent a hand made gift to two blog friends who had each lost a beloved pet.
Have a great weekend, my friend. I'm sure you'll catch up on playing with your camera. I bet your boy has grown up a bit, too, and you'll enjoy having him there for a while. (I'll say a prayer for you, just in case.)
xoxo
Donna
. What surprises have you had lately? My son.. telling me he wants to be a "Trophy Truck Driver" when he grows up. A What??
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? I don't like them. I have made the significant people in my life promise that they will never ever give me a surprise party. I have no problem coordinating one for someone else, just don't do that to me. Ever. :-)
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? Sadly I don't remember the last time I was surprised with flowers.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? a pair of bluebird salt and pepper shakers my grandmother put in my suitcase for me to find when I came home from visiting her in florida. She had them for many years and knew I admired them.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? I like to give my children little tokens for no good reason when I come across something I know they'll like.. it can be something as silly as a pair of halloween socks.
WAIT....WHAT ? IT'S FRIDAY ? today is thursday isn't it? OH, sheesh...did you mean for tomorrow ? what day does the big newspaper get thrown on our driveway ?
1. my son actually graduating from high school and if you think that was back in may, ah no. acutally it was the 20th of august after taking an online class for one stupid credit that he needed.
2. absolutely NOT
3. i buy them for myself at the farmer's market...no surprise there.
4. a huge bound book containing the entire first year of my blog.
5. actually i surprise people all the time somehow, with something :)
1.My surprise I won an Accuquilt GO! (for cutting quilting fabric quickly and accurately) in a giveaway a blog was having. It arrived today and I'm thrilled!
2.I don't like surprise parties for myself, love planning them for others!
3.I can't remember..that's sad
4.My sewing tables - a complete shock!
5.I try to surprise people with nice things as often as possible
oh, you are still my favorite-you can't convince me otherwise:)
1. My most recent surprise was at Christmas when my sister gave me PW's cookbook.. and inside was a photo of PW with my sister! she'd waited in line for hours and hours to get the cookbook signed and meet PW! my sister rocks.
2.I would feel nervous. I was the guest of honor at a surprise party for my 15th birthday... since then i've always thrown the parties...
3. my husband surprised me with flowers on Valentine's day. (flowers delivered to school are always a great surprise)
4. see #1
5. I like to surprise friends at work regularly, the expressions on their faces is worth it!
Manden
1. What surprises have you had lately? As all surprises are not always good, I was recently very surprised to hear of the imminent divorce of two very good friends after 30 yrs of marriage.
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? I felt an overwhelming emotion of utter delight, whimsy, euphoria & hysteria when my husband surprised me on my 40th birthday with friends & family as far away as Iowa (I live on the west coast)!
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? As anyone close to me knows, I would rather not receive flowers but plants. Gratefully, I am gifted with African Violets & potted daisies.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? My engagement ring as my husband & I had never even discussed marriage up until the moment he proposed (16 yrs & counting)!
5. When was the last time you deliberatly surprised someone else? I guess it would be earlier this summer when I surprised my sister with "the mother-load" of b-day gifts.
Oh that macro lens is definitely working Kate. So happy you got it back so quick!
1. What surprises have you had lately? 90 degree temps here for the past few days in Sept, that really surprises me. Oh and I found out I am allergic to sulfa drugs. Surprise!
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? If there was cake I'd be cool with that.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? Oh my, that would be the litle wild posies our granddaughters picked for me in April of this year.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? A few weeks after my father died, a neighbor had us over for dinner and a magic show, and as part of the show, I was presented with a painting depicting me and my father overlayed with a quote from his favorite Bible verse. Our neighbor had an artist friend make this up when he learned of my father's death.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? Yesterday. With fresh lobster.
~Lili
1. What surprises have you had lately? My husband - by completely showing me up as a parent. (Explained in my latest post! Something you really gotta SEE). The man is talented.
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? My best friend (at the time) and my sister threw me one about 20 years ago. I was very sick at the time. Not a great thing to do to someone who isn't well, I have to say. It was a sweet thing to try and cheer me up - I lay down and everyone partied around me though!
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? Ummm. When my son picked some purple flowers for me from the paddock.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? The old spurs Debby (from Life's Funny Like That) sent me. Blew me away.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? Not sure it was the last, but did a surprise 40th wedding anniversary for my parents a few years ago. They thought they were having lunch at the local cafe with my brother and his wife. We managed to hide their entire wedding party (minus one) plus all other kids and grandkids and Dad's sister and brother and their families out the back of the little cafe. One by one we all filed in - Mum must've said "Oh Good Heavens" about 40 times! Priceless...
What great surprises and great macros..George looks great as always!
1. My surprise today was getting my broken glasses replaced with new frames and lenses for free!!
2. hate it. HATE IT!
3. Mother's Day?
4. Jewelry from my husband on Christmas.
5. Every time my grand girls come. I have a surprise drawer with a little something in it.
You may be amazed at how fast some kids grow up when they are on their own for a while!!
1. Well my most recent surprise is that it is Friday already!
2. My family is giving me a "surprise" birthday party this year...but I know about it and would prefer to know about it:)
3. A few months ago...Mr O likes flowers....
4. I usually know what I am getting for gifts as I am a very big snoop...
5. I always try to surprise my grandchildren with something special...a game or food...each Friday that they stay with me...
Wonderful news that you got your lens back so soon!...and I have my fingers crossed for a good week with your son...kids sure can be good at knowing which buttons to push:)
1) When my hubby took my watch to jeweler to have new battery installed, he took my wedding rings to be cleaned, and they repaired a crack in the wedding band same day! (I refused for years to repair b/c they were sending it out of town). He told them and they were so understanding they put my job ahead of others! It was reasonable, too!
2) Would be surprised that they would do it, but pleased.
3) Our son sent a bouquet in a real pretty pitcher for Mother's Day!
4) I guess my engagement and wedding ring set. My husband was in the military and bought it before he came home. I would have chosen a plain gold band but he bought a beautiful set that I have been asked is an heirloom or antique (yes, antique, circa 1967!)
5)Can't really remember; usually something like calling or writing someone I haven't been in contact with for years.
GillLink
1. The outpouring of support from my fellow Bloggers related to the rough week I've had.
2. I am a giver and fully almost feel uncomfortable taking and/or being the center of attention, so I think it would make me really uncomfortable.
3. Valentine's Day, when a dear friend showed up with a potted plant from Lowe's spontaneously.
4. Probably my Canon 40D?
5. I love to surprise people, and do frequently by doing small things I know they'll love or appreciate.
1. What surprises have you had lately? Absolutely none - boring!
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? I'd hate it - I really dislike being the "center of attention."
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? My big 50 - from a good friend and his wife.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? Can't remember so it must have been years ago!
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? I'll be surprising my parents later this month when I show up at their house with my brother and his wife!
1. What surprises have you had lately?
The best kind of surprise. After not communicating with us for close to two very painful years (we had a brand new grandson), my step-daughter figured out that silence and distance was not the way to heal broken relationships. We now have better communication, and have seen our grandsons twice in the last three months. I didn't see her turnaround coming at all, so I count this as the last surprise in my life.
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor?
I would feel wonderful. When I turned 40 the party wasn't a surprise, but the presence of five out-of-state friends was a TOTAL surprise! It was wonderful!!
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers?
a couple of years ago when I was going through a rough time a friend sent me flowers. She lived in New Zealand!
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise?
When I was ten, and my parents gave me a dog.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else?
Last year for my husband's birthday. He had never had a birthday party in his entire life. He can no longer say that!
1st off - glad you got your macro back. great pictures. luv Georgie!
1. placing in amongst some very stiff competition at last weekend's MS Congress Open Horse Show!
2. Wouldn't like it. I don't like parties and really don't like being the center of attention at things like that.
3. I told my husband when we were dating NEVER send me flowers. It's a waste of money. If he wanted to do something buy me a rose bush. So with that being said, he came in from hunting with a beautiful wild azalea he had picked. Later he went back, dug up the bush and planted it in our yard. To this day, in the Spring it still blooms.
4. I'll have to say it's my wedding ring too. My husband traded work at a very upscale jewelry store. I thought he was getting paid, instead he wanted me to have a very nice ring and upgrade the one I had.
5. I try to surprise my Husband all the time. Small things like buying his favorite things. Stuff like chocolate covered almonds, ordered a fishing trophy he wanted cause they only gave one to 1st place and not second.
Have a great weekend. Hope you have a good Labor Day.
Getting laid off work was a big one.
I would hope I was presentable!
I get suprise flowers all the time from the grand kids, the ones in the yard that they see and know I will love.
A pair of turquoise and porcupine quill earrings.
I suprised my daughter with a huge jar of her favorite pickles, lol.
1. What surprises have you had lately? I am surprised at how much older I feel, physically this year.....
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? I have had that experience....and at first I was a little annoyed...but got over it quickly when everyone was so nice....smiles.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? 8/8, my birthday..
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise?My son. He continues to surprise me with his intelligence, consideration, and ability to observe...
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? I surprise my husband every time he goes out of town on business. I re-arrange furniture, photographs, the kitchen, etc....and then we play the game of "What's different?" He loves it! and I do too.
Oh yeah! Congrats too on the repair! looks like they did a fabulous job! (or maybe that's just you.....)
congrats on getting the lens back so soon! yay
1. not many of the good kind. LOL
2. had it for my 30th birthday - i didn't really care for it. it was embarrassing and awkward because i was dressed totally wrong - i thought i was going to a romantic dinner.
3. a few years ago when i was engaged to david. he loved sending flowers - so much so that it stopped being a surprise. my office called him "mr. tulips"
4. can't remember really.
5. two weeks ago for my sister's birthday - it was good surprise - she cried.
1. What surprises have you had lately?
A: that my little girls needs to have two molars removed.
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor?
A: Elated and honored.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers?
A: Last Sunday
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise?
A: A box of handmade salted chocolate caramel turtles
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else?
A: On August 1st I threw a surprise birthday party for my 80-year old mother complete with mariachi band, 8 guests I flew in from overseas whom she'd not seen in 25 years, and had it professionally catered. Yes, she was moved to tears.
1. What surprises have you had lately? Our son coming home from college after just a few days because of a ridiculous roommate situation! Aren't surprises supposed to be good?!
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? I wouldn't hesitate to throw a surprise party for someone else, but I don't think I would like one for myself! Weird I know!
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? Last winter when my husband drove around in the snow to find tulips for me!
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? When our daughter arrived 6 weeks early! It was a wonderful gift and surprise!
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? A week ago when I came home from the store with a bunch of cool stuff for my son to take to college that he wasn't expecting! And when I took my nephew out for lunch for his birthday last week!
Have a great weekend!
Kat :)
My challenging 19 year old nephew is in my basement and my marriage/relationship with my kids right now, so I hear you on a grown son being home for awhile. Just be sure you and hubby get some alone time daily, if not then weekly, to stay connected. :)
1. What surprises have you had lately? Way too many, not all good. See above!
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? Never had one, I think I would love it and enjoy it. No one would ever plan that far ahead for me. I am the planner.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers?
hmmm.....my husband is pretty predictable...so it has been a long time.
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise?
Perhaps when he bought me an elliptical machine for Christmas a few years ago
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? I love to surprise people and give little treats and gifts. So I would say probably last week.
Sorry I've been so out of the loop and not here to visit in a few days. Between the puppy wearing me out with in and out of house potty visits and making videos and taking naps I've simply been over-whelmed lately..
Your recent photos are gorgeous... I zoomed through your last 3 or 4 posts to see what you've been up to. Lovely photos as always, Kate. So nice to have your lens back, eh?
DI
Kate, don't know exactly what that means. Jeanne
writejeanne@att.net
1. The hawk was my biggest best surprise lately. My husband also brought home a six-pack of hershey bars, that was a close second.
2. Not a fan of the surprise party, I need time to wash my hair and change out of my pajamas.
3. My husband brings me flowers every so often, I think that last time was May.
4. When I turned 40 my husband bought me one of those yesterday, today, tomorrow rings.
5. I love to surprise people in little ways. My friend's 84th birthday was last Sunday. It wasn't a surprise party, but she didn't know I was coming. I loved her smile.
Love the photo of the wood. I could almost smell the sap.
1. What surprises have you had lately? A giant wolf spider sleeping next to me on my pillow. :-)
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? I would love it. I have never had one.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? A few months ago -- too long...
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? A wonderful Edward Hopper painting I had been admiring, and someone special bought it for me.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? Yesterday.
1. What surprises have you had lately? none that I can think of
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor? Happy that someone remembered it was my birthday and I could share it w/ friends.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers? Last week, my co-worker cheered me up about some medical news I recieved. (don't worry is wasn't to bad of news)
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise? my husband surprised me by calling my best friend from high school whom I hadn't seen in years, to come down for my birthday.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else? A couple of years ago, I gave my husband a surprise b-day party. He had know idea what was coming!
1. i'm gonna be a grandma again...yeeepie
2.it too happened to me many years ago and i was not happy. it was the day after my daughters wedding and i was thinking we were meeting family for a brunch....
3. i get flowers every april on my daughters birthday... yes thats right, she sends me flowers on her birthday.
4.probably a new car one year for mothers day.
5.what kind of surprise. a gift or a boo surprise. i don't like to boo surprise people but i do like to gift surprise them. just did it last night.
1. Yesterday I saw a girl who, 3 years back, was a tenant at our apartment block. We were on a tram and we chatted all the way into the city and caught up on lots of news and gossip. A pleasant surprise.
2. A long time ago
3. I can't remember off hand...
4. A blank here too.... No surprises here all these blanks
Ms Soup
you gave me a huge surprise quite some time ago i see them everyday :) still love them as much as the day i got to pick them out...
cant recall the last time i got flowers... been a long time..
i have never had a surprise party dont think i have ever thought about being guest of honor at one..
I try to surprise people all the time... just a quirk about me i guess... but i am not sure just how good i am at it...HUMMM must think on that.
gift that surprised me most... when my aunt sent me money to come to missouri i so totally did not expect that... abotu three years ago.
1. What surprises have you had lately?
Teeny tiny baby quail scurrying through the backyard--16 of them!
2. How would you feel about a surprise party in which you were the guest of honor?
I believe I'd be a tiny bit embarrassed at first--then I'd love it to pieces.
3. When was the last time you were surprised with flowers?
The day before Mother's Day--my 18 year old son gave them to me. Cool--huh?
4. What gift has ever caused you the most surprise?
The Christmas after a dreadful divorce, my oldest daughter checked the kids out from school, bought them matching shirts and jeans and secretly had their picture taken together--just to show me that we were very much intact and not a "broken" family. I cried for an hour.
5. When was the last time you deliberately surprised someone else?
My daughter's birthday--yesterday actually. I gathered just enough money together to buy her the hand sander she's wanted forever. She had no idea.
:}
1. It was a shock not just a surprise to learn Rose had ringworm
2. I was, 12 yrs ago and even tho I figured out the surprise(I know, I am annoying) it was great fun.
3. About 3 months ago .. my boss's wife sent me a bouquet for helping organize something she was working on.
4. Umm ... getting an engagement ring for our 25th wedding anniversary
5. A few years ago, I conspired with the elder stepdaughter to come be her dad's birthday surprise ... he almost had a heart attack
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