and hangin out.. notice frustration from having no water has is now gone...hehe 

Hangin on! 

more pics to come...

Eventually that is..lol.. shared a few more tonite but will wait for weekend to post ....still working on that special friend and possible website.....gotta pick the right day, you know? Are you listening/reading, friend? :-)

Water flowing through the pipes in our home..hot and cold...yippee! Weather is cool and overcast..another yippeeeeee...and the biggest YIPPEEE...it's FRIDAY tomorrow! lol
Plans for weekend remain unknown at this time, but am going to see Shark Tales tomorrow.

until tomorrow ...

can I shower at YOUR house?

Hello out there in the land of blog (should be land of nod for me..haha) and for those nonbloggers that peek in. Wow, what a week this has been.

Have you ever considered what it would be like to be without the creature comforts we take for granted like WATER for 30 or so hours? I hadn't, but now that I've experienced it first hand, I will not take that for granted again! No water to bathe in, brush your teeth, flush your potty, make coffee with, do dishes with.. and on and on. Forget the luxury chores like laundry (ms goddess..hehe), washing the floor, watering your plants, etc. Then stir in a landlord that is all about money, except when it comes to taking care of his tenants, who decides to do the job himself (main line from house to street) after he's completed a day in his regular job of being a CPA and is not a licensed plumber. Add a cup of stupidity for starting this job at 8PM without anyone to help you and no daylight to help you see, and voila........ you get a group of exhausted people (he finished sometime after 3am) that all have to go pee at the same time! Oh, and don't forget the forgotten ingredient of having been so tired in the middle of the night that he lost a washer and then still had had a leak in the line he had to finish tonite..when he once AGAIN turned OFF the waterrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I feel better now..how about you? lol This week's good new...I had, as most of you know, another photography job on Sunday night, and the pictures turned out well. Guess I'm just going to have to start trusting myself! :-) Good news #2, our weather has cooled down a bit with a hint, only a hint, of fall in the air...haha

Since I was up til 2am waiting for landlord to finish, and back up at 7am to go to work, I think I'll all it a blog well done for tonite...lol

sweetest of dreams...

I waited, but alas no train. But the colors were beautiful and the it just called to me to be taken. Sherbourne Falls, W. Massachusetts 

Taken in Woodstock, Vermont. There were many fabulous old cemetaries 

One of many "mirror" shots I captured. This was taken in Hopkinton, Massachusetts 

by request ......

A year later, and a new and wonderful scanner, I am able to share with you pictures from my trip to New England in October, 2003. I wish I were there again and could take you all with me!
I hope you enjoy these three ...more to follow this week. Not sure if they will be here or I'll be able to convince a special friend to help me create a webpage. ;-)

Well, Dave dearest...I did my part...seems it's been almost a WEEK since you did yours. *sigh* You don't want me to turn you in to the Blog Goddess, do you? hehe Please be so kind as to provide reading material for all of us! (psst...that goes for you too Bobbi!) (and cyndy & rick) !

sweet dreams... in brilliant color O:-)

On the advice of a very good friend that lives in the land downunder, a.k.a. upside down land, I will blog tonite in hopes of releasing the emotions of my day.

On December 6th, 2003, a longtime girlfriend of mine passed away at the young age of 61, from a massive heart attack. Her daughter called me that very morning, in the midst of her own incredible grief, because for the last 27 years I've been part of their family and she wanted me to know right away...how sweet was she. As my girlfriend lived in Arkansas, I was unable to attend the funeral, or the memorial service they had earlier this summer.

Today my schedule finally found itself clear to go visit with her daughter and grandkids, and her sister that live hmmmmmm..about 40 minutes from me. Bet you thought I was going to say hours from me. No, I embarrassed to admit they live so close. About half way there today I started feeling weepy.. tears gently rolling down my cheeks. I came to the realization that even though I grieved here and I knew in my mind she had passed away, I had avoided going to visit because I was going to be faced with the reality of it..seeing her daughter who struggles every day with missing and needing her mom (she's living in an abusive relationship), her son who held her as she left this world, and her brother (who's the reason we became friends to begin with *wink*)who stood there watching, unable to help do anything to save her. And they are all suffering from not being able to grieve for various reasons.

We shared tears, hugz, pictures, stories, laughter. I'm so glad I went and spent that time with them (a 3 hr visit turned into 9hrs) and wish I could help them and yet I know I can do nothing but offer my support and love.

To reiterate, thank you again for your love and support... it fills me up so that I can pay it forward. Remember friends, time is short... say what you want now..don't wait for a "later" that doesn't come.

with love...

strolling down memory lane....

Methinks I've opened a Pandora's Box as I attempt to make sense of yearssssssssss of pictures, and this was before I really developed my love for photography... HELP! lol This week I started separating, cataloging and purging photographs and negatives that I no longer want or need. Blurred ones, things hundreds of feet away (these were b/4 I got good..hehe) and some of people I just don't want in my albums. Once I've completed this task..I will do a 2nd run through and start trying to date them and do a 2nd downsizing. I may even try to create some memory/scrapbooks. Am I biting off more then I can actually do? lol

The part I'm enjoying is stepping back in time and seeing my kids grow up all over again, sharing the pics with them (the girls) and watching them grin, maybe giggle, as they see how they dressed, hairstyles, old (young) friends of theirs that no one of us remember. LOL Of course the same applies to me...oh my word, am I glad you can't see some of these..haha. Walking through decades of memories, most of them make me smile..a few make me sad, some are just plain silly! Then comes the era of "online" friends. Get togethers in Wisconsin, Canada, other side of Canada..haha...and even AB, Canada. Think I might like Canada, eh? :) And I have pics of many of you..hehe.. I should share some of those too. Somewhere in there I got bitten by the photography bug and now come in the scenic shots, what great memories they bring, whether they're good or not! lol

I start thinking about the money I've spent and then stop myself...there is no price that can be put on being able to look at and share my memories. Tomorrow I will visit with my gf's family (she passed away last Dec.) and I'm so glad I took my camera with me each time she was here to visit, as I will be able to give them the pics from her very last visit.

Thanks to those of you that continue to encourage me and believe in me. It's an exciting new part of my life...to be doing something I love, doing it well, and making a couple of dollars in the process!

big huggggggggggggggggz

commercial break...

Season opener of ER, but here I am (during a commercial, of course) lol .. honoring the very firm "request" that I update this. Are ya happy now? 0:-)

Gf, you did not fail. You are trying to break one of the most difficult habits there is, and I have no doubt that you will succeed. We all have faith in you *smile* and are here for you 100%!You will find what it is that works for you.

My week has been good. Boss is back from 8 days in Ireland, too bad huh? He's been more relaxed which makes me moreso too..lol. His wife is giving him a surprise birthday party on Sunday night at a private club .. not only am I a guest and get to enjoy it, but she hired me to do the pictures for the evening. Bonus!

Youngest is back to normal..LOL I'm very thankful she's better and hope this will make her think twice before she wants to pierce again. Thank you all so much for your concern and support! I keep holding on to the fact that she will grow up and make good choices? Right? Huh? I can't hearrrrrrrrrrrrrr you!! :)

I'm off to bed..have to quit doing this late..maybe I'll try Twinks idea and give it a shot in the morning..then I can share my dreams...hmmmmm, maybe not! *grin*

til then... hugz

a hodgepodge of news...

Hello all! I'm baaaaaaaaaack!! 0:-) Have to get caught up on here before the blog goddess has my head!

Let's see, how about if I start with update on my daughter. Readers digest version.. she is much better and will survive yet another day to argue with her mom..lol In fact, I could tell as soon as she was feeling better.. haha.. you know, they go back to "normal"! She still has some fever blisters in her mouth that will take time to heal. I'm truly praying this was an eye opener for her and that she will not have anymore piercings done!

As you can see, I have posted some pictures from our weekend away at the boat races. As always, is good to see our neighbors and catch up on what the last year has brought. Thankfully there was only good news to be shared, lots of hugz, food, drink and humor!! The skies were bright blue, the sun kept us warm, the breezes and a few stray clouds came by to cool us off just about the time we thought it was getting "hot". We played lots of games, napped, read, watched the boats race and just did whatever we darn well wanted! Hmmm, what more could I have wanted?? :) OH yeah... a REAL bed..lol. I'm always thankful when there are no accidents on the water!! Two years ago the Rookie of the Year was killed during the last race.. the accident happened right in front of us and with the breezes yesterday, there was a good chance!

I love the picture of the sunset as it is a gift at the end of an already wonderful weekend. Took it while sitting in traffic on the freeway..haha... lucky for me we were at a dead stop and not only was I able to take the picture, but to sit there and enjoy it for a couple of minutes. The ride home was very quiet as all my weekend roomies were sound asleep for the better part of the 2 1/2 hour drive...lol I made them all grab blankets before we hit the road so that I could blast the AC to help keep me awake.

Channel has been entertaining as of late, in many ways..lol Seems as much as some things seem to change, they also stay the same. Or is that, some people stay the same... will let you figure out if that's good or bad..lol It's been great to see "old" friends ..no, not personal statement about anyone in particular..lol...come in and to "hear" how everyone is doing... it's like no time has gone by. Come back, y'all.... we love to visit with you and would like to have you become "regular"s again..lol

time to see the dreamweaver....

stay safe and God bless til next time...

having fun? :) 

final race! 

perfect ending to great weekend 

an update...

Short but sweet (as I always say..lol) .. an update on my daughter. This morning her temp was at least 102 if not higher, so I sent her to an Urgent Care facility. I know how sick she was cuz she actually got up and got herself there right away. She does have an infection in her glands, her gums, and her throat, most likely caused by the piercing. They put her on a heavy duty antibiotic that you take for 4 days but stays in her system for almost 10... high powered stuff. I actually know it works, cuz I've taken it before. Tonite her temp spiked to 103.7.. and after doing some cool down things and getting some advil into her, her temp started to fall and she has been sweating it out, bigtime! Scary stuff these kids get..and no matter how old they are...they are always our "kids" and they always want mom. Thanks for all the good thoughts!

Btw, blessings come in all forms .. the Urgent Care facility only charged me half the cost of the normal visit (she knew we are uninsured) and my gf's hubby works at the local hospital and got us the prescription for free... Thank you, Lord :)

Long day, so will give you all a break for tonite ...

stay WELL! hugz n smiles....

a day in the life...

....Of an almost (that being the key word) speechless woman. I'm struggling tonight to write much of anything.

Today was finally cooler, only 88, and for each degree we were down, I am VERY thankful. We're supposed to be in a cooling trend, but I'll believe that when I see it! The nice thing is that it's supposed to be in the mid 70's while we are down in San Diego. I just told my daughter and her response..haha "that's cold..how am I supposed to lay in the sun?" Can't win for losing, you know?

Youngest is ill. :( She recently had the area between her lip and the bottom of her nose pierced and it seems she's gotten an infection from it. I've been concerned about it, but in her typcial 18yr old, know it all fashion, she insisted it was fine. She's got a sore on her gums, gland is swollen, and face was swelling, all on the same side the piercing is/was. We (she and I) have no medical insurance at the moment, so I am doing all that I can with the knowledge I have to help her get well. I do have a friend that will get me an antibiotic for her tomorrow without us going to see a doctor.. anyone have any knowledge or suggestions...please leave comment or email me!?

Well, I need to make tonite earlier...these blogs keep me up late..lol Dini and Rick...have a great time on your trip...give hugz to Kath, please. The rest of you..have a great tomorrow!

sleep well...

a growing community...

Wow, how cool is this... our "blahging" community continues to grow! A new way to keep up with life as it happens! Welcome to the newbies, Dave & Bobbi.. hope you enjoy the blogging AND the nagging that comes from a certain addict when you don't! haha I'm on the receiving end of that right now...please note how well I listen...lol

This was a relatively quiet weekend as the heat in So. California continues to melt even the finest (mine, of course) of minds. So there was only a mini blog to pacify a certain person. :-)

Last night I had grilled Ahi Tuna for the first time. It had been caught the day before and was marinated in lemon & pepper. WOW, talk about NOT having a fishy taste. It was fabulous! I think I'm a convert and now have 2 fish I'll eat...haha...expanding my seafood horizons! Afterwards came dancing, which I'm still being very careful with.... I refuse to go back to the pain I was in for most of the summer because I'm not careful. This week I have an appointment with a woman who does a new therapy I had done in Virginia which helped so much. For those of you that might benefit, I'll keep you updated as to how it's working.

This afternoon, to escape the heat, my oldest daughter and I took my mom (for grandparents day) to see Princess Diaries 2 .. CUTE movie! How lovely to hear Julie Andrews singing again and in the same sentence, how sad that we will never experience her wonderful voice again in movies, programs, etc ...as we have in so many movies over the years. I read that all the cast that was part of the scene in which she sang, cried, as they were so touched to be there for it.

Tomorrow is work...woohooo...airconditioning..haha... boss still out of town, so I will have the opportunity to get caught up before I go out of town this weekend. Can you believe I'm getting excited about going to work? haha

til next time... farewell, goodbye, aufwiedersehen, adieu.. 0:-)

just a note...

Just for you, Dini...lol. Too tired to put any thought to this tonite.. will finish in the morning.. hope everyone slept well!

niters 0:-)

more weather reports from the west...

Laughing... just finished talking to Teddiegirl...I think we should exchange weather.. I'm tired of sun and heat and now HUMIDITY..what, like we're on the east coast ??? And she's tired of rain and little sun....seems like a fair exchange, doesn't it? And you all (whoever you are) are probably tired of hearing us whine about it..haha. Live with it..we are! :-)

I am debating on whether or not to take a trip in October and am taking a poll from my trusted friends. My choices would be... Toronto to see my godparents again this year .. Maine/Boston area to visit with friends and maybe catch some color... Vancouver for a long overdue visit with some very special people... New Mexico to see my cousin and the sights.. a long weekend up the coast in California... or just stay home and save my time and money (novel thought..lol).. nawww, wipe away that last one... will be a short trip somewhere..if only for the weekend..lol.
Look forward to hearing from you! Oh, and if anyone has some extra time..feel free to join me! :)

Enjoyed a short conversation with Cyndy (airportgoddess) and Dini (Teddiegirl) tonite with Cyn at work at TO airport...hence the "short" conversation. Was fun talking to them both at the same time! Seems it's been a week of reminiscing for me...wonder why? Talking to them took me back to November 2000 when the 3 of us met in person for the 1st time in Vancouver. Was like meeting with long time friends you've known forever.. there was no discomfort or awkwardness at all! What a wonderful time that was.. so much laughter and "chatting", creating fabulous artwork on Cyn's foot, eating, eating..and oh yeah, eating again..mostly at Denny's..haha. I'm surprised on one complained since were were up til all yours..lol. Of course, those two complained at me for wearing inappropriate clothes and shoe wear for November...little did they know..I wore/wear that all times of year..haha. Attended the biggest gtg I've ever been to in Vancouver...46 people! Surprise guests came out of the woodwork! I'm thankful I had the opportunity to meet Catherine from Montreal before the angels came to carry her home last year...what a lovely lady.

Okay okay...enough reminiscing for tonite...thanks to Dini, Cyn, Twink and MM for being you!

sweet dreams and TGIF! hugzzzzzz

just stuff....

Another hot day.. but seems our evening has cooled down to almost tolerable, hmmm, guess that would be about 70 at 11pm. After seeing a picture of SNOW sent to me by a friend in Alberta, I guess I should smile and be thankful I'm not looking for snow chains!! oopss..I said THAT word! haha

Work was good..and AIR CONDITIONED..hehe and will be very quiet for the next 8 days as the boss is winging his way to Ireland tonight to play golf, golf, and I think...more golf! Then next Thursday will find us heading down to San Diego for our annual trip to the hydroplane races for 3 1/2 days? Anyone joining us this year? We have extra space in the tent trailer with me!

To prepare for our mini vacation we did a Walmart trip today! Not only did I spend more money then I had planned .. as I/we (yes, you too!) do EVERY time.. but Walmart got a piece of me in the bargain! Those nails of mine that I so like are now, 9 beautiful (just done) and 1 that looks like it has been through the war! Long story made short, literally and figuratively, it got caught between 2 counters and I'm now missing a good portion of it...what's with me and nail accidents this year? Huge difference between Walmart and the upscale store I hurt my toe at... one did everything they could to help me, etc.. the other didn't even ask if I needed a bandaid as blood was streaming down my finger. I'll let you figure out which was which!

time to see the sandman about a dream.. hugz to all!

memories....

Another warm day and night...couldn't I at least be in some exotic place and be miserable.. oh that's right, I can, in my mind! :-)

Actually, as most of you know, and are quick to remind me, I am blessed by having had the opportunity to travel to wonderful places the last couple of years especially. AND, I have my pictures to remind me (and you if you ask nicely..hehe)....that carry me up the coast of BC searching for the perfect picture, which btw, teddiegirl and I found at the same time! Sailing (which I don't love but loved the company) from Gibsons Landing around the islands where I experienced almost being run over by a log barge..haha..well, it sounds good anyway! Many trips to Niagara Falls, where I am always awed by the incredible beauty and power of the water. And then, last year, when I finally took my dream trip to the New England states. My eyes beheld the incredibly vibrant colors that I can only credit to being God's handiwork. Neither man or woman, at their best, can ever duplicate the colors found in nature. I'm so glad to have pictures of all my trips, get togethers, and visits to remind me of how blessed I am.

Thank you to all that have so graciously posed, or not..haha ...and allowed me to take their pics and even share them...lol. For taking me on road trips and stopping on a dime when that perfect picture was right there! For your encouragement and support as I am discovering my passion and talent (or so I've been told *ducking*)

sweet dreams that take you to wherever your exotic place would be ...good night 0:-)

overheated..

Hope everyone had a good holiday and enjoyed whatever it was they were doing. Our household was, as usual, going in 4 different directions. For my part, I took advantage of not having to go to work and slept in..LATE! Then to avoid the miserable California heat, I went to to the movies to see Vanity Fair with a girlfriend. Ladies, I would recommend you do the same.. more a chick flick then not. Guys, if you see it, would like to hear your thoughts!

As you can see, I'm officially now up and running on here, thanks to the talented and helpfulTeddiegirl! Gf...I can't thank you enough.. you are always so willing and you are definitely very ABLE! Everyone else ignore this or she may never help me again..lol! Oh, and thanks to Twinkie for letting me copy/grab/take her background!

I made it to Disneyland yesterday as I'd hoped and so did a million other people, half of then kids, and half of them overtired and under 5! lol Oh well, that's what I get for going at the end of summer. We stayed to enjoy the fireworks which always touch my heart. They have one of the best fireworks shows I've ever seen, put to Disney music, of course. They are busy getting the park ready for the 50th anniversary coming next year....will be quite an event!

On a more serious note.. yesterday evening ended with a call from one of my daughters that the ex boyfriend of another daughter was calling and threatening to come down and do bodily harm to the young man she is now dating. You can't imagine the frustration and I will admit, fear, at being 40 minutes away and powerless. His behavior over the last year has concerned me, but since the breakup, he's going over the edge.....verbal abuse, veiled threats. What sent the sweet young man I met four years ago to a place where we are getting ready to get the police involved. And how do we teach our children to watch out for these kinds of people??? *sighing* Thanks for letting me whine! Btw, suggestions are welcome!

Sleep is calling me... have a wonderful week...stay cool (my wish for myself..lol) and be kind to one another!

In the wee hours...

It's me..it really is! Of course I'm having to use my daughters computer, but then again, I knew there was a good reason to set then up on wireless! ( I mean...what could be more important than this??) ..her online class?.. naawww :-)
It's 2:00am and I should be sleeping but tonite was one of those rare nights online when so many friends came on to visit that I just could not leave. Old friends (not age old?..hehe) and newer friends.. great people from all walks of life..spread out across the nations...but we connect like we all live next door to each other, sharing laughter and fun...tough times..and everything in between! What a blessing you all are in my life! THANK YOU!!!
Today was another hot California day..running just around 100!! Would someone please turn down heat????!!! I enjoyed pampering myself by getting my nails done, car washed, lunch at Subway, and some good visiting time with a gf...all done in places with AIR CONDITIONING!!! Disneyland was in the plans but alas, my back is still not quite where it should be. I still have 2 more days off..perhaps I can still fit it in there.
I am so enjoying this time of my life... could someone just tell my body to remain young? haha
No more looking for babysitters, having to figure out how to be in 3 places at one time, etc etc.. Don't misunderstand.. each phase of the "growing up" years has left me with wonderful memories (and a few *whispers* gray hairs) , taught me lessons, and now not only do I get to enjoy a relationship with the young "women" in my life...but I get to be and do GROWN up things! YIPPEE.... I THINK I GRADUATED TOO!! :-)
Time for bed as I will pay for this in the morning! Oh yeah..itIS morning..haha
til next time.... stay safe... God bless