Ever since my much-loved Canon SureShot bit the dust I've been using, with little success, a camera that I brought home from Daddy's after he died. Daddy was a fairly serious photographer, but he also had a little Canon Elph that he'd bought so he'd have a lightweight 35mm for taking snapshots on his beach walks. As far as I'm concerned, lightweight is about the only thing it has going for it; I've not taken many good pictures with it and it's been driving me nuts.
Wednesday, after picking up yet another unsatisfying batch of photographs from the processor, I decided that I had had quite enough, and went on E-bay to see what I could find. I already knew that I wanted another Canon; that's what I've used since I graduated from the ill-fated Kodak disk camera. I was lucky enough to find a brand-new PowerShot A95 at a good price, with the added bonus of a 1GB CF card. So I called Sweetie and said, you know, I really need a new camera and I've found a good deal on one I like, what do you think? and he wisely replied, "Happy Mother's Day!"
The seller was fabulous. I bought it at 2:45 PM on Wednesday and he shipped it that day, and since I'd bought it outright as a "Buy it Now" purchase, he refunded $10 of the already reasonable shipping. It arrived today. Best.E-bay.transaction.ever. I am so glad I just jumped in and did this, instead of mindf*cking it half to death overthinking it, as is my usual way with purchases of over, say, $50.
But as happy as I am with this camera, it's still not my favorite Mother's Day present. That came from my boy, who gave me this lovely pin 
that he made for me (click for full-sized glory). His class has been learning ASL since day one of kindergarten, and the sign he is making, and the one on the pin, is the sign for "I love you."
We're celebrating Mother's Day all weekend around here, and I'd say it's off to a great start!
Saturday morning-this just in: There was another present hidden in the depths of Liam's backpack. All of the children were asked to bring in recipes from home, and they made cookbooks for us! The first page looks like this:
It says (original spelling intact):
My mom is a good reading.
My mom likes me.
My mom dos't like ses*.
My mom can givs me hgu.
I love my mom.
*This means snakes, apparently. Which I'm actually okay with (his daddy is scared of them, though). I especially love my triple bed-head 'do in my picture.
I came via Michelle this time. I think you deserve to take a double dip, since I would have stopped by anyway. Actually, I found Michelle through you, because I was curious about all these M&G links.
Looks like a great camera, it's funny once you get a good digital camera going back to film seems like an incredibly cruel game.
Posted by: Lora | May 07, 2005 at 12:29 AM
A good camera makes so much difference. We bought a new one recently and it's a joy to use. Glad you are pleased with it. Lovely pin - what a talented boy.
Posted by: franchini | May 07, 2005 at 05:31 AM
Hi, Michele sent me.
I bought a Canon Powershot S1IS a couple months ago and it was a bit of a challenge to get used to it.
I think I've figured things out and now I'm really happy with it. I hope things go as well for you.
Thanks for the post!
mw
Posted by: mw | May 07, 2005 at 08:39 AM
I need a digital camera and I just can't seem to take the plunge. I am afraid of making a mistake, I guess, meantime I crawl along with my 35 mm. Thanks for the food comment; my grandma was a hell of a cook too, I just didn't mention her.
Posted by: kenju | May 07, 2005 at 08:43 AM
i'm over from Michele's now, but I stop in from time to time anyways!! I've got a Cannon too, but I almost never use it anymore since I got my Digital! It's just so much easier to work with Digitals, that I think i'm a total convert!!
I love the Mother's Day pin!!! Wear it with pride as I know you will !!!
Posted by: Suzanne | May 07, 2005 at 09:12 AM
Hey there, Michele sent me.
I'll be back!
Posted by: Lucy Jane | May 07, 2005 at 10:06 AM
What a beautiful, beautiful child! I love the look on his face...
Posted by: Betsy | May 07, 2005 at 10:21 AM
Awwww...how sweet is that? I love (and save) all my homemade gifts. Happy Mama's Day!
Posted by: lu | May 07, 2005 at 02:00 PM
The expression on Liam's face is wonderful!
I've been using a Canon PowerShot S30 for a couple of years now, and while I like the camera, I think it may be about time for more megapixels. While I rarely use it now, I still love the increased control that I get with my 35mm SLR... maybe there's a digital SLR in my (distant) future.
Posted by: Kimberly | May 07, 2005 at 04:09 PM
That's a cookbook that will be around for a good long time. I like that he drew you in an action pose. You most stay moving. Enjoy the rest of you Mother's day weekend.
Posted by: Lora | May 08, 2005 at 02:36 AM
aw, lamb, he looks so much like you
also he's enormous. but you knew that.
Posted by: julia | May 08, 2005 at 03:05 AM
Must be serendipity that keeps us bumping into each other, you think?? Michele's to blame, again. :-)
Sounds like a positively glorious Mother's Day weekend. I hope the rest of the day goes exactly the same for you!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 08, 2005 at 04:56 PM
I love my Canon Powershot ( got it for xmas) and am sure that you'll be happy with it. Happy mom's day!
Posted by: Helene | May 08, 2005 at 09:44 PM
Happy Mother's Day!
Posted by: zee | May 08, 2005 at 10:22 PM
Yay for good ebay experiences! Yay for cute little boys and triple bed head dos.
Hope you had a great Mother's Day weekend!
By the way, Michele sent me...
Posted by: elle | May 09, 2005 at 05:09 AM
hi, michele sent me. LOVE the mother's day pin!! all my kids know quite a bit of ASL. you should check out the signing time videos, if you haven't already, they're really great! (signingtime.com) Like your blog! I'll be back!
Posted by: millenniumhippies | May 09, 2005 at 10:05 AM
I'm sure glad you translated "ses" because "snakes" is NOT what came to mind.
Have fun with the new camera!
Posted by: Bluegrass Mama | May 10, 2005 at 01:04 PM