The post featured image above was taken at Linus’ birthday in 2001.
Engelken Reunion 2011
The Engelken family gathered July 30, 2011 at lovely Gage Park in Topeka, KS for our first Engelken family reunion in the 27 years I have been married to an Engelken! What a large family, many memories were relived this wonderful afternoon. Our second gathering is scheduled for Saturday- August 31, 2013 in Seneca, KS.
The Engelken Reunion 2011 gallery is a large file. If you would like to have the images, they are available to order for a small fee (for digital media and postage). Please fill out the form below.
I need to state that I bought a new lens (new to me) for my g’ma camera over the weekend from ebay.com. If you have not had the chance to check it out and LOVE garage sales, well all I can say- ebay.com is one big online garage sale. It’a just about as fun as a second hand store!
On Monday during lunch I pulled out the camera with the new lens. Set the white balance and snapped the plant setting on the ledge above my work area. On my way out to the car it was raining; hence the leaf image. My lunch break is 30 minutes. Drove to Mikkie D’s for the dollar menu- hamburger catchup, pickles only with a large tea.
Today I stayed at the office. Took a Smart One dinner- forgot to grab that image…..
I read the instruction manual (with Edward) for the Sony Nex 5N. One of the best tips I can give for taking photographs, read the instruction manual. This may sound too easy, but it’s true. The best photographer can pick up a new camera and miss the best shot because he/she was too slow in snapping the lens. Figuring out what button to set f-stop, ISO and focusing can be distracting. Practice with the camera. When you can’t figure out how to make the appropriate changes, refer to the manual. If you have to download your manual from the internet, save the file to your computer and print a copy. Use highligters, make notes- write in the manual for future quick reference.
As you can see, my lunches are not that eventful. What do you do?
It’s not too often Kevin will take a day off from work. Being in commercial construction the busiest time is summer. Of course when work is strong- keep working. In winter- the slower months, don’t spend money which translates to; Stay Home.
This year was not a usual year. We purchased land in Yates Center, KS last Fall. We were celebrating Kevin’s birthday and our anniversary this July. I really needed to get away; even if it was just some place close. It was a nice surprise when Kevin agreed to take two days away from work. BUT this came with stipulations: Could not rain Tuesday or Wednesday- laying concrete. If it rained, our trip would be delayed.
Kevin made an appointment with the Division of Conservation – Kansas Department of Agriculture. Our appointment was scheduled for Thursday @ 1:00 pm. We left our home Thursday morning early- 6:10 am. Our first stop was the DMV in Lawrence. From there we drove at a leisurely pace to Yates Center, KS.
Kansas Department of Agriculture – Division of Conservation
I once had a friend ask me what would I do when taking pictures became work. Oh- I thought that would never happen. BUT it did. This is one of the reasons I created G’masDiary. Every place I go now, I take my camera. Take images for me. Have fun, memories for me to look back on. Throughout my life I have had to separate work from home- Crohon’s Disease flair up’s if I don’t separate the two. I want to get back to the place where picture taking is second nature- not just in work, but with my family when I am not working.
Our get-away was a trip to Yates Center and the long drive home. I was amazed at the beauty of the landscape. What wonderful things we saw that we were not looking for! Several places I marked so we can go back and visit our next trip to Yates Center- in particular, Fall River.
Thursday we spent our time in Yates Center and Eureka. Our motel room in Yates Center- The Townsman, was really nice and clean. We ate at the local Pizza Hut for dinner. Lunch was in Eureka- Cherokee. Mozzarella sticks were included on the buffet. Boy was I a happy camper!
Friday we drove to Emporia, KS with stops along the way. We drove through a small portion of the Flint Hills. One weekend if I can get Kevin to go again, I want to explore the Flint Hills. We passed through Cassody and Strong, KS. We arrived in Emporia late afternoon. We settled into our hotel- Comfort Inn. We ventured out into Emporia. Kevin asked me if I have ever been to a Dollar Tree store. No- well now I can say that I have. During our shopping spree in Dollar Tree, Kevin bought me a bottle of bubble bath. Anytime we stay in hotels/motels, I enjoy taking a bath. We have just a shower, no tub at home. Baths are a luxury for me!
Saturday we met Erika, Shaune & Briella for lunch at one of my favorite places- Golden Corral. Visited for a while then headed for home. What a wonderful weekend spent with my husband!
