Gumballs, one Mischievous Yorkie & a Quick Fix

Miles will be turning 7 months next week
it's hard to believe he's been a part of our family for three months already
but it's even harder to believe that Simon has been gone that long
::
there's still a hole in my heart for that little 7 lbs. of Yorkie love
but Mr. Miles has been working his 4 lbs. of charm on us
to fill the gap
 :: 
Miles Loves Gumballs
not the chewy, bubble blowing kind but
the spiky, annoying kind that constantly fall to earth
every 37 seconds in both our front and back yards
from sweetgum trees
in fact,
just yesterday I was enjoying a warm cuppa tea
in the backyard
when
B A M!
one plopped
 right . smack . dead center
 into my cup
splattering tea all over
my face
my jacket
my pride
okay, maybe not my pride, no one was there to witness it
but what are the odds?
scared me half to death
::
anyhoo, that's beside the point...
Miles adores them
unfortunately, his stomach doesn't
so it's a constant game of yorkie & human
(equivalent to cat & mouse)

here's the typical jack rabbit run when mom gets too close

and the Kentucky Derby sprint

::
but, what gets me most aggravated (but in a cute way)
is when he stops, smiles and taunts

betcha can't catch me!

c'mon mom....i'm this close, try and get it

::
now... on to quick fixes....
it dawned on me right after i came up with the title for this post
there are actually two quick fixes to share with you today
::
the first one....
 was that Miles had "the" operation last week
you do know which one i'm referring to don't you?
and by the look of these photos,
you can tell it didn't slow him down one iota
::
and the second one....
is that i came up a new Quick Fix
for photos that are almost fit for sharing with the world
 straight out of the camera (SOOC), but need a little umpff  
i do believe that is a word, even if it is just in my own vocabulary
okay i just googled it and lo and behold
 it is a word
 the urban dictionary says so
  although they say it is spelled with only one f
but i feel a second f can be used for those times when a little more umpff is required
 ::
i upload ALL
 which translates to too many
of my photos to Picasa
and from there i pick and choose which editing software
to use, if any, on my images
being Photoshop Elements, iPiccy, Picasa or the almost defunct Picnik


of course, there are simple fix tools in most software programs
but i happened upon a little homemade formula of my own in Picasa
::
Picasa is the software i use for simple fixes
if you are not familiar with it, it is 100% free,
and not only does it offer simple editing software,
it is also wonderful for organizing your bazillion photos
::
all the images in this post came out either a bit too dark or lacking vividness
and all they needed was quick enhancement to bring out the best in them
::
the Quick Fix i'm about to share with you
 worked on all of them
::
below, is the top image before and after
do you see in the left image that you can barely see Miles eyes behind all that Yorkie fur
but in the right image not only are his eyes more pronounced, so is all the coloring in his fur?
even that darn gumball stands out better
(if only my eyes had this quick fix...half the time i don't even know he has one in his mouth until he ends up playing with one inside the house)

so...if you also use Picasa
or even if you don't
here's the super Quick Fix JillsyGirl special:

1. Go to "Effects" and Click on "Tint" 

 this will immediately change your image to black and white, 

(but it's not the same as using the black and white tool, i think it gives the image better contrast)

2.Then slide the Color Preservation Tool all the way over to the right or until you are satisfied with the look

 if the image is still too dark and you've slid the tool all the way over, 

then go to "Tuning" and "Fill Light" 

AND THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT!

Bob's Your Uncle!

 i have tried all Picasa's other Quick Fix tools but this formula just gives a better result, IMO

not only does it pop the contrast, it also pops the color

let me know if you try it out and if it works for you!

leaving you with Miles contemplating his next move....