Hi There !!!!! My name is Tamara, but my friends call me Tammy. Welcome to my hometown of Centralia, Illinois.
Yes, that is really me. I am standing in front of where I work. I work with my brother Frank and another employee, whose name is Becky. We print a lot of photos each and every day. The costume that I have on was loaned to us by Kodak. It was a promotional gimic that was given to each store.
It was a really hot day when we chose to wear these colorful costumes. They are called "Colorkins" and were a big hit with the passing cars and all the children. Although it was very hot, we did have a lot of fun. I think that one could lose a lot of weight with those on. Hot..well that is putting it very mildly. But, that is just one of the wimsical things that I love to do.
My brother and I have been in our photofinishing business for many years now. We maintain two stores. The store that I am at most is here in Centralia. The other in a town about twenty miles away called Mt. Vernon. I enjoy the different challenges of the photo shop and always enjoy meeting people.
Just another typical day at work for me. The photos that are on the window and door behind me are those that I have printed at the store. Many of them are also on my many webpages. I am sure that you have seen many of them. There have been so many different types of photos printed here. Some make us laugh, and there are also those that make us sad. All in all, it is an interesting profession to be in. I have been there for many years now. The technology of film processing has changed so much. Today's photofinishing is very exciting.
This is a photo of me at the printer where we do most of the printing. This printer can print a wallet size photo up to an 8x12 photo. We can do 11x14, but that is on a different machine. This machine is among the newest technology in printing. Of course, the machines are always updating. We process 35mm film, 110 film, and the newest Advantix film. That is truly an amazing film to print. I am sure that we will be replacing this machine in the near future. So goes the keeping up with progress. Seems that they are always getting better and faster.
I was born and raised in this small town of Centralia, Illinois. I still live here today. I live in a home on a beautiful lake that is called Raccoon Lake. I have a wonderful view of the lake and the fishing here is really great. I catch channel catfish, bluegill, crappie and bass. If I decide to go fishing, all I have to do is walk down a hill and I am there. Now, how is that for convenience?
I always enjoy my friends that come to visit me. There are also geese that spend the summers and winters here. I always enjoy sitting on my deck in the evening watching the sun set. There are so many wonderful sounds here at night time. The frogs and the hoot owls sing and the sound of crickets are keeping time with the rest. I find it very relaxing after working all day, to sit and listen to the sounds of my friends that live here.
I have enjoyed many sunsets on my deck. This photo was taken by a friend on their balloon ride one evening while flying over the lake. There is a large balloon fest that takes place in Centralia every August. This is a lovely sunset with the beautiful balloons floating accross the lake. This is a great setting for a soothing cup of coffee and a light summer breeze.
The fall is very pretty here with all of the trees that surround me. The warm yellows and oranges reflect on the lake to make a beautiful picture. The winter time is cold with lots of snow. There is magic in all of the seasons here. I find that springtime is my favorite and summer is always a delight.
When Jeffrey graduated from kindergarten he looked so grown up. Seeing him dressed in his little white gown and cap. I felt so proud of him as he walked to get his little diploma. I thought this is the little boy I once held as a baby. How big he has grown. He is becoming a young man so quickly. Soon, he will be all grown with a family of his own. Since I don't have children, he is a very special little boy to his Aunt Tammy.
Being the proud Daddy, my brother had to get Jeffrey a special present for his graduation as well as his 6th birthday. So, what a special present this was. Aunt Tammy could not resist going for a ride in Jeffrey's new car herself. She was screaming all the way, but enjoying every minute of it.
On Tammy's wimsical side I thought that I would share with you, some of the "let my hair down" sort of funnies that I get into.
While at work one day I told Becky how curly my hair really was. She didn't believe me. SO, I decided to wash my hair right then and there, let it dry and just show off. So, that is exactly what I did. The results were captured on Kodak paper for all to see.
Yes, I do have a comical side to me. Guess sort of showing off at times. I do get my time in the spotlight as you can see.
I also love to dance. I went to my class reunion and as you would guess, I became part of the band. Some of my other friends joined me and we had a great time showing off. I have always been a bit of a show off anyway. We really did have a great time. The band that was playing is called "The Jorrells". I have known that band for such a long time now. I suppose that you could say that I grew up with that band. I do really believe that the guys in the band were having as much fun as we were.
I do love to dance, and spend times at a place called JoNo's. It is here in Centralia. One night there, I got in a line dance. It is called the "Electric Slide", and I was having a great time.
I was with another very dear friend and we decided again...show off time. Yes, it was another showoff time for Tammy and Mary. Mary and I have always been good friends. We met this night at an award banquet that she was attending. My brother and I were there taking photos of the awards, and as you would guess it was time for Tammy and Mary to clown. We did have lots of fun.
So, as you can see, there is a wimsical side to Tammy. I will add more photos in the future. I am always up to something they say. I know that there will be more photos that capture that funny side of Tammy.
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