Archive for October, 2007
October 31, 2007 at 10:04 am Filed under General, Personal
Whenever I have a large amount of photos that I wish to share with a lot of people and as soon as possible, I use Gallery Contructor. Since I have been back from Wisconsin, I have received a few inquiries about the program I used to generate the galleries I put up from my trip using Gallery Constructor .
It’s so easy to use, and I must say, I think it took me less than one hour to create those 3 galleries from the trip.
Download the program from ThroughTheLens HERE
I can break down the use of creating a gallery into 4 easy steps.
Step One
Upon opening the program, click on the +Add button and find the images you wish to put into your gallery from your hard drive.
You no longer have an "Empty Project", and that area becomes filled with your desired images.
Step 2
Next, Click on the Gallery template option
On most of Gallery Constructor, I use the default options, but on this particular step, I do personalize it a bit. So for me, this step is the most complex.
It asks for the Gallery destination , and that simply means where do you want to put it on your computer. I usually choose a place that I know that the gallery images won’t override my original images.
Next, it asks for a Gallery Name . Go ahead and put the name of your gallery you would like on there.
I usually skip the Gallery Logo and Description option, but that is completely up to you.
On the Copyright , I usually add my website URL as well as what the program already has there.
On the Active Page Width , I change it from the default 600, to 800. That gives the thumbnails plenty of space, and most people are using 800 pixel width and higher when viewing webpages.
Thumbnails per row, I have found are best left at the default three, but the number of Photos per page , I usually put to a much higher number.
Step 3
On this step, I normally change nothing. I think I once changed the background to pink for my daughter’s birthday party, but the values here are more than fine, but again, it’s up to personal wishes.
Step 4
Image Workflow , I also just leave alone, and then you are ready to click on BUILD , where it automatically generates your gallery and asks if you wish to view it from your hard drive.
It’s that easy and you’re done. The only thing left to do is upload the files to a folder on your website.
Show me your galleries!
October 30, 2007 at 7:20 pm Filed under General, Personal
While at Wisconsin visiting my family, we stayed in the White Dorms at the campus, and besides enjoying the beauty of the Camp Lake in the mornings, stopping in for delicious coffee at the Daily Grind, and enjoying the surrounding scenery and wildlife, I got to sit in on Enric’s Christian Families class.
Well the teacher certainly took family serious, class was fifteen minutes late so he could watch his son play in an important soccer game. [There is more to that story, and no one was upset.]
Enric was sure I would like the class, and he was so right. I was sorry it had to end, I was on the edge of my seat, listening to the teacher bring out Biblical wisdom on the subject of dating, marriage, and purity.
Some quotes from the lesson:
"Commitment: to be committed to our marriage for life and work together to solve all problems. It provides security of permanance, it eliminates running when problems come."
"Running solves nothing. You have to decide to solve it, but many just ‘live with it’. Communicate no matter what."
"What you did to catch your mate, do to keep your mate."
"Marry your best friend."
"Why marry? (if it’s the will of God)
1. Companionship. Remembering that God to Adam in the Garden of Eden, it’s not good for man to be alone."
2. Enjoyment.
3. Completeness. Completing one another
4. Protection.
5. Fruitfulness.
6. Typify Christ and the Church. As Christiasn, our marraiges are to be a representation to the world of Christ and his Church."
Now this is what one might expect at a Bible college, but in a rather simple message, I must say, we sure complicate these basics. One look around us shows us how far we are from what God instituted.
If you are looking for a wonderful Bible college, and want to be with people who love others, please give Northland Baptist Bible College a consideration. You’ll love it. I am so pleased Enric went there, and that Miquel plans to go soon.
Northland is nestled in a country road lined with pine trees isolated in North Wisconsin. Please have a look at the photos I took while there, I hope I did the campus justice through my lens.
October 29, 2007 at 9:39 pm Filed under Personal
I mentioned in my previous blog that I would likely take some time to discuss my trip to Wisconsin in more detail, so here it goes….
I haven’t traveled a lot compared to some people. I flew to Europe at a tender age of 18, alone, I might add, and went back a few more times, but always using a travel agent.
I hadn’t ever flown from one U.S. city to another, and I realized all of my air travel trips were pre 9-11. I was feeling a bit nervous about embarking on the trip without the help of a travel agent or even a knowledgeable travel companion.
I actually did call a travel agent, but she couldn’t touch the price I was finding on the net. She said, "book it online, that’s a great price."
Easy said.
I mean, I am not so modern.
I decided to do the terrifying. I booked the flight for the three of us online using Travelocity.
I got the flight with Northwest Airlines and I can’t begin to tell you how smooth everything went. Perhaps when you travel more you run into issues more often, but we just sailed from one fight to the next; Baltimore, Detroit, Green Bay and back. There was never a hint of trouble.
It’s amazing how easy it all was. Printed from home tickets and boarding passes, punching in the details once you get to the airport and checking in your own luggage. I never dreamed we could have such a pleasant experience!
One of our fights from a Green Bay Airport Window.
October 28, 2007 at 2:12 pm Filed under Personal
Our family went to Wisconsin to see the newest
addition to the family.
Baby Silas is so sweet and precious!
Likely I will be saying more about our time in Wisconsin over the
next days or weeks, but I thought I had better rush out an update
to anyone wishing to see photos of the baby.
So I have not only added a gallery of Silas, but also of Northland Baptist
Bible College and some general shots of Wisconsin as well.
It’s good to be back home, but the good-byes were tearful for me,
I so forgot that one of the best feelings on earth was holding a
newborn so close, and trying to let him know you love him so much.
Miranda is doing well and is such a great mommy and it was sweet to
help Enric celebrate his birthday, even if a few days late.
Click here to see "Our Trip to Wisconsin"
October 22, 2007 at 11:40 am Filed under Personal
Miranda just sent me the first photos of Baby Silas!
Isn’t that the most precious face ever??
October 21, 2007 at 3:55 pm Filed under Personal
A lovely Sunday.
Today, 25 years ago, Enric was born.
Most of you know he is studying to go into the ministry.
Interestingly, today the sermon was concentrated on the church [the body, the people] and the job of a Pastor.
Regarding the people, he had some things to say about maturity.
Maturity:
- Strives for rightness
- We all have an obligation to grow and keep learning
- Has a goal to be pure
- Doesn’t think you can "get away with things"
In regards to the role of Pastor, he read the 23rd Psalm, and paralleled the Pastor to the Shepherd.
A big job, the more he read, the harder the job seemed.
I love you Enric.
Happy Birthday
October 17, 2007 at 3:58 pm Filed under General
Although not a big fan of Oprah, she has had two great shows back to back.
Yesterday, it was regarding women’s issues, and I tuned in as I knew she would be discussing thyroid problems.
Today, she had Bill Cosby on her show. I have always been a fan of Bill Cosby, and now he is dealing honestly with some of today’s issues amongst parents and children today.
I find it a shame that his straightforward talk, in some instances, is not winning him even more fans. I suppose being critical of how our young people are being raised hits home too often.
One quote from the show that impressed me, as I feel like in schools and at home, we are lowering, sadly, our expectations of our children; lowering the standards.
"Low expectations coming from a teacher can cause a child to fail.
Coming from a parent, low expectations can crush the soul."
October 17, 2007 at 11:10 am Filed under News Items
Well I sure missed what looks like an interesting place to get a divorce - Vienna, Austria.
Apparently, the divorce rate in Vienna is 66%. The two-day fair is being held under the motto: "Start your life afresh". Organisers are hoping it will bloom into a twice-yearly event. The exhibitors at the event?
- Lawyers
- Mediators
- Life-Crisis experts
- Detective firms
- DNA laboratories offering paternity tests
- Offerings of Package holidays for the newly divorced
- Lectures on single parenting
- Estate agents
Sounds like quite an event with a lot of offerings in one place. I can’t imagine though, what has taken me years to aquire knowledge on, to manage to educate myself in two days.
News Story HERE
October 13, 2007 at 10:31 pm Filed under Personal
Amidst abundant sunshine, a slight autumn chill, and falling leaves, my mom and I held a party in honor of Miquel’s 18th birthday.
Mom made a great party tray platter, the band played, ice cream cake served, and presents.
For any who checked in during the day, the party and band was broadcast with live updates on my blog via my webcam. For those who missed it, here are some of the photos taken of the day (2 pages): Miquel’s Party Photos
October 8, 2007 at 8:33 pm Filed under Personal
Miquel turned 18 today. I regard this as a very big event, and as usual style, it should take all this week to properly celebrate it. In fact, it started last Friday, with a birthday trip to Holabird for new tennis shoes.
Today started out slow, but soon enough, it was time to prepare Miquel’s favorite dish, (my favorite, too) Fideos a la Casola.
All the usuals were there. Mike, Ross, Laura. Ross and Heather joined later.
The party plans for a 18th party ‘bash’ later this week.
Later, we got a surprise visit from Cameron
Happy Birthday, Miquel. Your mama will always cherish these 18 years, however exhausted they have made me,
and I look forward to watching you grow into the man God wants you to be.
xoxoxoxo
October 8, 2007 at 9:55 am Filed under News Items
I like coffee and I like art, but never had I thought to put the two together!
Slide show of more examples!
October 5, 2007 at 7:52 pm Filed under Personal
The Lord has blessed Enric and Miranda with a precious baby boy! A few weeks early, but parents and baby are fine!
Silas Keith
October 5, 2007
6.6lbs 20 inches
5:30 PM
October 5, 2007 at 9:52 am Filed under News Items
Who knew that there were plans for a new currency, the Amero.
Some predict the amero within the decade .
"North American monetary union is probably not likely in the near term, but possibly in 10 to 20 years as the global economy moves into regional trading blocs. The “amero” currency unit or NAMU (North American Monetary Unit) consisting of United States, Canada and Mexico. The amero would compete against other regional currency blocs such as Asia - renminbi/yuan, Japanese yen, Middle East gold dinar, Euroland euro, South American peso, CFA franc, East Caribbean dollar, etc. At present, Canada currently uses the USD as an unofficial second national currency ‘de facto US-dollarization is well underway in Canada’.
With the successful implementation of NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement, the one dragging component for the amero will be Mexico, but in time this will change. Implementation of the amero currency may actually give Mexico an economic boost thus helping to alleviate Mexican immigration pressures into the United States for those Mexicans seeking financial gain. The amero one day may very well be circulating throughout North America."
In the article, "The End of National Currency ," Steil [Council on Foreign Relations] clearly asserts the dollar and the euro are temporary currencies, perhaps necessary today. He argues "economic development outside the process of globalization is no longer possible."
His inevitable conclusion is "countries should abandon monetary nationalism."
"In order to globalize safely," he advises, "countries should abandon monetary nationalism and abolish unwanted currencies, the source of much of today’s instability."
Ah, so it’s money’s fault.
October 1, 2007 at 8:46 pm Filed under Personal
Love
"You can’t believe because you are too preoccupied with yourself, which is the opposite of love. You have to learn to love so you can believe. You have to become selfless to fill the shoes you are meant to fill."
"Now I can add the inability to love to my list of failures?" Johnny said. "Splendid."
"That would mean that I don’t really love Kelly at all. I need her comfort and I need someone to comfort so that I feel useful, but that’s not true love……No, I love her….But if Samuel’s right and I’m really loving you for my own sake? That’s not real love, right?"
"Do any of us really love?" she demanded. "This kind of talk can only conclude that there IS no love in the world!"
"But there is love in this world," Samuel said, "I see it every day…"
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In spite of the dialogue towards the end of the book, this is what reads like a spy thriller, so different from Ted Dekker’s Showdown , now I read what I learned near halfway is like its sequel.
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