Back by popular demand, a little late this year. Being you didn't have a list to go by for my birthday, you now have more $ to put toward my Christmas gift! So lets all pull together, communicate over Facebook private messaging, and make sure all the items on the list are accounted for.

A few Items are still on the list from last year,  in price order:

$20
Calumet Genesis lighting accessories

$22
LCD Monitor Desk bracket (I'll take 4 of these! ... yes 4! ;) )

$25
Sears laser level system

$34
42" Foldable reflector (...or the 52")

$70
32GB Transcend CF card

$72
Speed Radar gun

$344
Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens

$939
Travelite 2 head pack
(Ideally this kit with the PocketWizards)

WOW! Nothing over $1000!  Now you can afford to buy everything!

I was really late last year, this year hopefully I've allowed enough time to get my birthday presents, just over a week (the 14th if you don't remember). I know we all get tired of the cameras always popping up on here, so maybe I'll only add one this year. For those that aren't following this tradition, you need to communicate with each other, and make sure every item on that list is accounted for.

You'll see the price and a link to where to buy the item! I make it too easy for you, I know. You can click on the link to see more of a description too.

Here it goes in price order:

Still haven't got one, I'll keep this on my list, my $2 one is leaking, so this would be nice.

$20, Sears

An item to help hang pictures:

$25, Sears

Add to my lighting capabilities:

$30, Calumet

These cards work well, Sandisk 8GB Extreme III.

$33 (each for 3), B&H

Neat measuring tool.

$35, Sears

We'll keep this one too, 3/8 air ratchet.

$35, Sears

This is pretty neat, may come in useful:

$80, B&H

Cordless drill with 1/2 inch chuck, two batteries.

$100, Sears

Out of all the tools, this is what I've needed the most, Reciprocating Saw with tool-less blade change

$100, Sears

If you would like to be generous, the extra drill would come in handy.

$140, Sears

More lights for better photos:

$370, Calumet

Ok only one camera on the to-get list: Canon 7D (with the 28-135 lens please).

$1900, B&H

So, thats the list so far, maybe I'll add more, we'll see. Have a good holiday!

As we all know, I don’t go too many places without my camera, a wedding is one you won’t find me at without a camera. Justin and Maria’s wedding was no exception. Click below for their wedding photos. Congrats again, Justin and Maria.

<<View Justin and Maria’s Wedding Photos>>

ALSO: You can download the photo by clicking the "Original Image" download link at the top right of the photo.

I received this email, I just thought it was very similar to what Krissy and I have been conscious of the last few months. One example we found was this “Alaskan Salmon” we saw at the store. Well, if it’s called “Alaskan” it has to come from Alaska right? Well, yes and no, it said the salmon comes from Alaska, then is shipped over to China, packaged, and then sent back to USA. So back in the freezer it goes.
We’ve just been watching what we are buying lately, many things we pick up, we’ll look at where it’s made, if it says China, we’ll put it back.
Granted, this is rather hard to only get 100% USA made, as many things are now only made in China or other countries. Maybe this should be the stimulus? Charge the Chinese lots of taxes on anything they import to USA? Force businesses to make things in the USA? Yes… then the prices will go up, but do we want jobs here, or support the Chinese workers?

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This may seem like a funny email but I was so surprised by what I discovered I had to share it with you.
When I think of the job situation in this country, I can't help but think this helps in some small way.
I don't know how many households there are in the U.S. but if these were the only things we bought think of the impact....(She wrote:)
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60 W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled "Everyday Value."
I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA .
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here - from a company in Cleveland OH !
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets....yep you guessed it Bounce was more money and made in Canada, the Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
So my challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time!
Besides, you might save a little green in the process.
Stop buying from China ..........
We should have awakened a decade ago......let's get with the program.... help our fellow Americans keep their jobs ... and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.