Round Robin Challenge: Looking Forward

"Life is not about looking back and wishing that today is the same with the past. Life is about moving on, accepting changes and looking forward to what makes you stronger and more complete because it's never been too late to have a life and never too late to change one."

~Unknown

RRC: Looking Forward

For this round of the Round Robin Photo Challenges, Karen has asked us to represent, with our photos, the concept of "Looking Forward." In that we just crossed over into a new year, that could have been the focus, keeping my eyes looking toward the future, and I thought of going with a series of photos that made that the main message, but it seems since the first of the year I have been in a constant state of looking back, in order to Look Forward. Both in my personal life, and my photography. Anyway, here is a retrospective of some key photographs I have taken in the past, which really represents my efforts in Looking Forward to new sights, and experiences. I chose them, because with each one, I moved a little closer to who I am today, and who I will be tomorrow. I hope that makes sense. Anyway, here is my contribution...

The Golden Gate Bridge
Facing Forward Toward The City
From Marin County


The View From Just North Of The Bixby Creek Bridge
Monterey, California
Just Before Heading Across


The Bixby Creek Bridge
Monterey, California
A Little Later In The Day


Looking Forward To The End Of The Day
Near San Simeon, California
March, 2005


Looking Forward To Tomorrow
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Santa Cruz, California
October, 2009


Looking Forward On An Autumn Road
Plumas, California
October, 2010


The photo at the very top was taken in a cemetery in Pacific Grove, California. I love Pacific Grove for so many reasons. Not only is it known as Butterfly Town USA, because of the annual Monarch migration, which pretty much covers the town, but it is some of the most beautiful coastline of anywhere in California. It is stunning, and rich in history, so it is definitely one of the places I look forward to visiting each October, when I grab my camera, allow myself to float where the camera tells me to go.

Pacific Grove is usually the one place that I will not compromise on. Imagine watching, at a certain time, on a late October day, when as many as 20,000 Monarch butterflies turn toward the setting sun... all at once! It is nothing short of magical! It's truly spiritual! Unfortunately, this past October came and went without my being able to visit Pacific Grove, but it is on my list for this coming autumn, it is probably the main thing I am Looking Forward to next October!

Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary
Pacific Grove, California
October, 2011


Okay, that's my post for this topic of the Round Robin Challenges! Please drop by and see what all the participating photographers are up to! Simply click the link at the top of this post to be redirected to the official Round Robin blog, where you will find the link to each participant, plus all the information you need to play along!

Mood: Encouraged

~Me :)

Note: Karen, sorry about once again pulling from the archives. Life has been crazy! I owe you an all new photographic essay next round! I promise! :)

California Poppy In Sepia... Just Because

Instructions For Living A Life.

Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

~Mary Oliver

Good advice. I think I have transitioned from black and white to sepia. It's natural I think. Not ever day can be black and white... right? Come what may, some days will be sepia, with or without consent. That's neither good or bad, just... sigh... sepia. Do my words go into a void? Sometimes I hope so, because it feels good to just be honest, without regret. Does that make sense?

I like strange, absurd moments.
I like the surreal. 
I love the ordinary. 
I identify with the common. 
I don't sing in the shower, because it scares the cats.
If you passed me on the street, you wouldn't notice me.

                           That's A Good Thing.

I like that I am a "nothing special woman with a camera in my hand."

                            Also A Good Thing.

Sometimes I find my car keys under my cat.
I think Albert Einstein is super sexy.
Someday, I would like to see a ghost. As long as it's not my own. 
          
          Although if I did, that would mean I lived my life.

I like to make people laugh.
I love to point out how special someone's smile is. 

Just because.


Mood: Reflective

~Me :)

Yesterday Was A Good Day!

"A kitten is, in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden."

~Robert Sowthey

Joey is my baby. He is also my little bud. There... I said it! I am happy today, because yesterday was the first day that no major fights broke out between the 3 cats, Dylan, Joey, and Hendrix, over this is mine! NOT YOURS! LOL. If you don't own a cat, or cats, you might not know... THAT'S HUGE! Yesterday was a good day!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Common Gray Poodle In Black And White

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between dog and man."

~Mark Twain

Continuing the series "The Common... In Black And White" I saw a cute little gray poodle awaiting it's owner, while enjoying the warmth of a blue Mini Cooper. The car and the dog were a perfect set! So imagine my surprise when a 300 lb man with a beret on got into the car. "Hmmm... look at that!" I thought to myself!

Mood: Reflective

~Me :)

The Common Candy Vestibule In Black And White

"Remembrance in things past, is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were."

~Marcel Proust

Candy vestibules have changed dramatically since I was a child. I think. Well, gone are the candy necklaces, a personal favorite because you could eat it right off your neck! Gone are the Jaw Breakers, that no one could actually eat, at least not in one sitting, and gone are the dispensers with super balls and tiny plastic engagement rings... another personal favorite! Oh well, at least there is something from my childhood that is still cool today, the common candy vestibule lives one!

Hey... does anyone remember Gobstoppers?

Side Note: Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, I cannot get a straight line in a photo. The world is a crooked place!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Common Laser Mouse In Black And White

"I feel in love like an elephant rides a mouse... like a cowboy, driving a race car backwards, like the word race car, which is a word that is always driving forward and simultaneously in reverse. Yeah, I fell in love exactly like that."

~Jarod Kintz, My Love Can Only Occupy One Person At A Time

Day two of exploring black and white photography, of common objects, around the house. Today is devoted to the common laser mouse. We have 3 cats now, so there are plenty of catnip mice, laser mice, fuzzy mice to ponder. I like the laser mouse best I think. It's sleek, and it shoots a cool red laser out it's nose. How many things can you say that about?

Mood: Silly

~Me :)

The Common Paper Clip In Black And White

"I never made one of my discoveries through the process of rational thinking."

~Albert Einstein

The Eagles lost. My cold is better, but my Carpal Tunnel is acting up... now on both hands! I have been sleeping way too much and I am not sure why! Is it the doldrums? Probably. Could be old age. Maybe good old fashioned boredom. Who knows? It's hard to go out and get any photography done when you are exhausted both your hands are completely numb. I thought I would feel better when the jerk neighbor with the constantly barking dog moved away... and I do... but it kind of feels like my body is finally relaxing for the first time in 4 years!

I am probably playing too much Word Bird or spending too much time looking up stupid stuff on the Internet. Shrug!

Dumb Carpal Tunnel!

But who knew paper clips were so darn photogenic? Fancy that!

Mood: Bored

~Me :)

Go 49ers! Go Eagles! With A Side Of YUCKY-BLECHS!

"Problems are not stops signs, they're guidelines."

~Dr. Robert Schuller

I slept late yesterday... really late. I am not sure why. Well, I was up until about 2:00 A.M. working on some editing, but that isn't all that late for me. I am a night owl, always have been, so I don't think that was it. I went to bed, and I had been asleep for about 3 hours, when Alan's alarm went off. BUZZZZZZZ! LOL. I hear it nearly every morning, and we usually talk for a few minutes, then I go back to sleep, which I did yesterday as well... so, I don't think that was it. About an hour later, Joey began crying to be let out to play. I don't let him out to play until much later in the day, when I can supervise the hilarity. We are all still learning our way, so it's just better to keep an eye on things. I got up and held him and we cooed with each other for about 20 minutes, then put him back in his box in the kitchen, and went back to bed.

3 hours later the phone rang, it was the doctor's office cancelling an appointment. I didn't know that at the time, and they left no message, just the caller ID. So, I had to call them back to find out what the call was about, then call Alan to have him call them and reschedule his appointment. Sigh. I then decided to get up, but before I did I was going to just shut my eyes for a couple more moments. Maybe listen to CNN in the nice warm bed... 6 hours later, at 2:15 p.m. the phone rang! It was Alan who was now on his way home. "Sheesh, who the hell is calling now?" I thought to myself. Imagine my embarrassment at it being the afternoon, and had he not called, I would have still been sleeping!

Now this morning, at 3:07 AM EST I am still awake, but feeling a bit feverish. Could I be catching the first cold of the 2014? It's not that I mind a good cold once in a while. A nice fever is a euphoria like no other, but I am still a bit amazed about the 6 week coughing yucky-blechs from last spring! I have been uncomfortable, but a deep cough, that leaves you pretty much unable to breathe for 6 weeks is something I sincerely hope I never experience again! And I probably won't. If I am sick now, or about to be, it just feels like your average, run of the mill, yucky-blechs. Yeah... that's it... I have the YUCKY-BLECHS! If I do have something, I hope it doesn't last long, I have two big football games to get excited about this weekend! Go Eagles! Go 49ers! My two favorite teams! I love them both! But no matter who I cheer on it's going to feel a little like running a red light... it will just be wrong! Never let anyone ever tell you that you can only fall in love with one person... or ;) ... one football team. You can love them both for different reasons! LOL.

Decisions! Decisions! Love is a whole other kind of sick.

Darn YUCKY-BLECHS! ;)

Mood: Silly

~Me :)

Warming Trends

"The storm starts, when the drops start dropping
When the drops stop dropping then the storm stops stopping."

~Dr Seuss

It's been warm lately, but if you live in the San Francisco East Bay, you already know that! It's been called "unseasonable" and "above average" like it's smart or something. Sigh. If autumn had to leave, because it's the natural thing for it to do, then I would at least like to have a few dreary, dark rainy days to call my own. Instead, not only is autumn no where to be found, but winter seems to have completely given up and skedaddled as well! Not only are there signs of spring everywhere, like blossoms and the sneezing of neighbors, but the aphids have shown up earlier than usual, and they are making a snack of my lovely roses even as I type this post!

 This has been a devastatingly dry year, January 1st to January 1st. And we have been setting records for Spare The Air days as well. The air is cool, but certainly not cold, and the cool air has a brown tinge to it. Blech! It hasn't made me want to venture out to do any photography, but Alan made go with him to San Francisco on January 1st anyway! I had a good time, just like he said I would, but I have to admit, I was still in a soft Spare The Air day funk, wishing for rain. Still, look how beautiful the city was! And Union Square was as lovely as ever!

Union Square
San Francisco, California
January 1st 2014
Late Afternoon/Early Evening




The view of San Francisco from Yerba Buena Island is always gorgeous, especially with the buildings in the downtown and financial districts still wrapped up like pretty holiday packages!

San Francisco, California
January 1st 2014
Early Evening



Oh well. I understand that the northeastern part of the U.S. will be experiencing some heavy snow this weekend, so I guess I should be thanking my lucky stars that I don't have to endure that! But I would love it to be a little colder, and rainy, for the air's sake if nothing else. If things continue the way they are going, we will be in for a possibly devastating fire season in California in 2014! It makes me a bit jittery just thinking about it! But hey, I just checked the 10 outlook for Berkeley, and Intellecast  is predicting showers for January 11th, so, maybe there's hope after all!

But just in case, does anyone want to do a rain dance with me?

Anyone? 

;)

Mood: Hopeful

~Me :)

I Know, Right?

"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice."

~T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

Have you heard? Well, if you are over 30, there are some common words and phrases you shouldn't be saying, because, well, you are too old! If 30 is an unseemly age to utter the word, AMAZEBALLS, can you imagine how completely icky it must be for a young one to hear a person of my... YIKES... age (51) to use it? Now, to be fair here, I learned that word, like all the other kids did, from the Internet, Twitter to be more specific! And I didn't learn it from someone younger than myself, thank GOD, I learned it from Danny Devito! And the way I feel about it is, if it is good enough for Danny, then it is good enough for me, but on the other hand, as social decorum goes, I usually try to carry myself with a certain bit of dignity. When I read an article late last year, on the website Lifescript, titled, Top 10 Things You're Too Old To Wear, I took all my message t-shirts, and put them in a big pile I like to call, "I am Too Old To Wear You In Public, You Are Now Gardening Shirts." Frankly, message t-shirts were the only items on the list of to 10 bads in my closet! I guess as a fashionista... I was doing pretty good at keeping it real!

But when it comes to words and phrases, well, once again, I am being reminded that time does indeed march on, whether I want it to or not, and along with time, comes age. So, it's time to create another big pile, albeit a metaphorical one, of things that should never be said by a woman, or man, with gray roots! And that's fine, but really, do I have to give up AMAZEBALLS? (Whine). I really liked that one! AMAZEBALLS, AMAZEBALLS, AMAZABALLS! Sigh. Well, okay, I guess that one isn't terribly lady-like, so... okay... I will give that one up! But I refuse... flat out refuse... to give up "I know... right?" I LOVE that one, and say it several times a day as I find myself in disbelief about one thing or another, and that phrase usually sums up my perplexity quite nicely! What's a girl to do? I know what I am capable of, and I know I will not be able to successfully give that one up! I am not going to even try, but when it comes to the others on the list, I can live with it! 

Here is the full list...

Seven Things You Totes Need To Stop Saying If You're Over 30

1. Totes . Yeah, I am just learning of totes, and I don't think it's all that fun. I agree.

2. I know, right? Sorry, I can't discuss it.

3. Amazeballs. It's just fun, but okay, I get it.

4. Cray (Cray-Cray) I am on the fence about this one.

5. I Will Cut you/ I will Cut A Bitch. I couldn't agree more. Stupid at any age. And self incriminating.

6. Adorbs. Blech. Enough Said! Although it does remind me of Rachel Zoe and anything she wears, designs, or promotes is fabulouss! So, I have mixed feelings!

7. Feels. I agree.

What do you think? Do you use any of these popular words or phrases? Do you march to the beat of your own tune, or do you like to be appropriate no matter how much you would rather embrace the trend? 

Please, share your thoughts! Or, if you like, take the first poll of the year on the sidebar and tell me what you think! If you have a trendy phrase, from years gone by, that you adopted and still use, even though it is a bit passe, feel free to share it in the comment thread!

Tell me all about it!

"Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite."

~C.S. Lewis

Mood: Curious

~Me :)

Happy New Year 2014!

"Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, it will be happier... ."

~Alfred Lord Tennyson

When I look back at 2013, and all the weird twists and turns it took for Alan and I, there is only one way to think about it. For us, 2013 will always be the Year Of Plan B! Most of the time Plan B would turn out to definitely be the way to go, but sometimes it took a little bit of time to realize just how fortunate Plan B could be! Our 2013 had adventure, and love, and curiosity, and a lot of good fortune, such as finding our energetic and silly new kitten Joey! 2014 is here, and no one knows what it will bring, but as the years tick off of my life, I am more and more thankful for the road I am on with Alan, and for our life with our furbabies... Hendrix, Dylan and now baby Joey... and all that life has waiting for me as the clock strikes midnight!

2014 IS Here! ON TO THE NEW ADVENTURE!

"We will open the book. It's pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and it's first chapter is New Year's Day."

~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

From Our House To Yours... HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

Mood: Hopeful

~Me :)

It's New Years Eve, So...

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne
And there's a hand my trusty friend
And gies a hand to thine
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne

~Auld Lang Syne

I know, I know. I don't usually post a video as the head of my posts, I usually post a new photo, or an archived photo which just happens to fit my rant, rave or observation, but this being not just the end of December, but also the end of 2013, I wanted to take a slightly different look at things. Yes, I still have a retrospective of December, but I have included one page look back at each of the last 12 months. If you want to see the original retrospectives for each month, simply click on the date at the top of each page to be redirected to the original post containing all the round-up photos for that month. Please, as always, I welcome your input on my photography! Please feel free to share your impressions of my photography! Oh, and I hope you enjoyed the video clip, it's one of my favorite clips from one of my favorite movies, When Harry Met Sally, and it just happens to fit New Year's Eve nicely. I never miss it!~

Enjoy!

Looking Back At 2013

A Look Back At January 2013...



A Look Back At February 2013...



A Look Back At March 2013...

 

A Look Back At April 2013...

 

A Look Back At May 2013...

 

A Look Back At June 2013...

 

A Look Back At July 2013...

 

A Look Back At August 2013...

 

A Look Back At September 2013...

 

A Look Back At October 2013...

 

A Look Back At November 2013...



A Look Back At December 2013...



Well, that was 2013 as seen through the lens of my camera, and what a year it was! It was filled with public art, and beauty. Tragedy, and relief. Love and new found friends. Sadness, and then incredible joy! In other words, it was a year! It was life! I can't wait to see what 2014 has waiting for me to discover! On to the adventure waiting to happen!

:)

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

~Eleanor Roosevelt

Mood: Inspired, Happy, Encouraged, Challenged, 

~Me :)

The Naming Of Cats Is A Difficult Matter...

"The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have Three Different Names.

First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathon, or George or Bill Baily
All of them sensible everyday names.

There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter
But all of them sensible everyday names.

But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?

Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bobalurina, or else Jellyorum...
Names that never belong to more than one cat.

But above and beyond there's till one name left over,
And that is the name you never will guess;
The name that no human that no human research can discover...
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.

When you notice a cat in profound meditation
The reason, I tell you, is always the same...
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name...

His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular NAME."

~T.S. Eliot, Old Possum's Book Of Practical Cats

I owe Dr. B an apology. He and I had briefly discussed names for little Joey on our first visit to see him, just after Joey burst into our lives. At that time he had mentioned that no cats should have more than three names, and I disagreed, because I thought I had read in the Old Possums's Guide To Practcal Cats, that all cats should have six names! Well, clearly, that turned out to be wrong. Thank goodness I haven't given the other 2 cats in the house as many names as I thought they should have had! But they do have more than one name!

Hendrix is also known as: Bubba, Teeth, Baby Hendrix, Moose and Chubs, because of his apple cheeks.
Dylan is also known as: The Baby, Mr. Pissypants, Dilly and Dillybean, Old Bean
Joey is also known as: Joseph, Joey Bear, Little Joe, Mr. Chew and PigPen.

I think I will stop at those names. LOL. They fit, they understand them, and why confuse things... right? Elvis was born with his name, I am convinced of that, and he wouldn't deal with nicknames, he put his paw down about that. When we got Hendrix, he learned his name within the first week, he is such a bright, loving child. He is truly the love bug! Dylan is the serious one, who only needs to be brushed to put him in a happy playful mood! But with Joey, we still have to get to know each other a little better before all his personality traits come out, but so far, he is just a total joy! He is smart, and climbs really well, and he is learning his proper place with his brothers.

Joey has been a wonderful, happy surprise! And yes Dr. B, you were correct, three names is plenty!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Nightmare After Christmas

"Nothing is more frightening than a fear you cannot name."

~Cornelia Funke, Inkheart

I am a little under the weather today, so I thought I would share a brief blog post about this tag I found on some throw rugs I purchased at the 99 Cents Store. I was needing some rugs for the bottom of Joey's sleepy box, and this type of rug fit nicely, so I purchased about 20 of them. He will be able to use them in his sleepy box and then in his temporary room, the bathroom, until we fully transition him to the rest of the house next spring. He needs some time to integrate with his brothers, and then he will have to be fixed, so it's just better to take these steps a few at a time so it all goes as smoothly. He really seems to like the rugs, he picks at them with his tiny toenails and all seems fine, but I have to tell you, the information I read on the tag, which I hadn't bother to read until I got ready to wash them, kind of gives me the wiggins...

Care Instructions:
Machine wash in mild water.
Tumble dry low heat.
Size: 17.3 inches x 27.6 inches.
44 centimeters x 70 centimeters.
Contents: 
Made completely from miscellaneous pieces of undetermined finer content

What? " Made completely from miscellaneous pieces of undetermined finer content?" What?

What does that mean? Does that mean it could be made from, like jellyfish fibers? Old tires? Maybe even... gulp... spider fibers? Or does that mean they used some odd fiber... gulp... not of this world? Like the fiber they found on that shiny stuff left behind from the Roswell UFO crash of 1947? Or maybe it just means that the rugs are made up of harmless, but useless recycled crap. You never know about these things! It's what makes them so affordable at .99 Cents each. And that's all fine and dandy, but I do wish I had just a little more information. Even 1 fiber identified would be good!

Mood: Curious

Me :)

Round Robin Photo Challenge: Lights! Camera! Action!

"Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how faster travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it."

~Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man

RRC: Lights, Camera Action

And yet another archived photo serves as my Round Robin Challenge photo, due to my computer crashing in November. It's going to take me a while to rebuild my files, so once again my apologies, but to be honest, I am a little happy to be sharing one of my favorite lighting mistakes. I took the picture above at the Tilden Park Carousel Christmas Fantasy, a few years back, and let me tell you, the lighting that night was not being kind. It was one of a very few times when I wished I was still using my 35mm film camera with all it's special lenses. Digital photography is worlds apart from film photography, in that I believe film is a lot more forgiving. But even in all my angst and hard work, I did get a shot I liked, and one that really kind of excited me! While the one photo at the top is clearer and more of a standard photo, the second photo almost seems magical to me. Like all the lights had come alive for a moment, and the star is racing up the tree! I don't know... the mistake photo is pleasing to my eye anyway!

What do you think?

Clear Photo...


Special Effect Photo By Mistake...


Thoughts?

 Now that you have seen my contribution to this edition of the Round Robin Photo Challenges, go see what other participants have posted. Just click the link at the top of this post to be redirected to the official Round Robin Challenge blog. I know Karen would love to see your post!


Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Little Toaster Oven On College Avenue

"Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch."

~Orson Wells

There it was. A lonely looking, discarded, but apparently much loved toaster oven, sitting on a nifty little stool, all alone. Is there anything sadder? Well yes, I suppose there is, but isn't it a little sad in it's own way? Or maybe it's a happy thing, maybe the door wide open is actually smile. Maybe the toaster oven is happy because it served it's owner for years and years, and now it is happily retired, and waiting for the big recycle bin in the sky. Or it could be that the little toaster oven is free to a good home! Or... maybe it's just a toaster oven. (Shrug) Who knows?

Thoughts?

Mood: Silly 

~Me :)

I Like To Call It Wednesday!

"For last years words belong to last year's language, and next years words await another voice."

~T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

Next Wednesday is New Year's Day, but I like to call it Wednesday! LOL. I must confess, I am a big excited about this New Year's Eve, as it is the first one in many years that I will get to spend with Alan, with no worries about getting up early the next day! It's going to be an amazing New Year's Eve! It will indeed usher us into a new year, and a new chance to begin again, but when you think about it, each new dawn brings that chance, so who cares about the clock striking midnight, on a Tuesday night? I am more excited about there only being 9 months to go till the autumn equinox! LOL. Yes, I absolutely do begin the countdown on January 1st! And let me tell you, I am already planning next October's vacation events! We have tickets to a comedy club and a cruise on the bay all lined up! :) I guess I am finally at the age where autumn leaves do indeed turn me on, but then again, so does a good back scratch! LOL. Yes, 2014 means I am YIKES another year older, and closer to the grave, but oh for the adventures that awaits us! I can't wait! :)

How about you? Are you looking forward to 2014?

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because of you are making mistakes then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before and more importantly you are DOING SOMETHING!
So, that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is" art, or love, or work or family or life. 
Whatever it is you're scared of doing, DO IT.
Make mistakes, next year and forever."

~Neil Gaiman

Mood: Excited

~Me :)

It's Boxing Day; But In Our House It's Panini Day!

 

"I felt overstuffed and dull and disappointed, the way I always do the day after Christmas, as if whatever it was the pine boughs, and the candles, and the silver and gilt ribboned presents, and the birch log-fires and the Christmas turkey and the carols at the piano promised never to come again."

~Silvia Plath

I am exhausted. We had a marvelous day of love, and gift giving and getting, and playing with a house full of cats, and one kitten, with way more energy than their human parents, or his feline siblings! I got a brand new panini grill and a pizza oven, plus several jars of different flavored gourmet mustards, so you know what I will be up to for the next few days or so! Don't worry, I will post pictures, and probably the recipes if I come up with something truly new or special! If nothing else, you will learn of my misadventures, because, as you probably already know, 2013 was all about the 

PLAN B in our house!

Stay Tuned!

Mood: Happy But Tired

~Me :)

Merry Christmas :)

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."

~Agnes M. Pahro

From Our House To Yours... MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It's Christmas Eve!

"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly."

~Andy Rooney

It's Christmas Eve. Finally. I shouldn't say finally, it is, after all, the shortest holiday season in many years, but it has been a strange time, between the end of Thanksgiving weekend, and now, but it has been a happy blur! Joey brings a whole new shot of life into the house, and a lot of smiles! So, I am still posting photos of the boys, but it will be later today, probably closer to midnight, so be sure to check back if you can! If you can't come by later, it's all good! The pictures of my little elves will be here forever! Right? For now, if you need a little holiday spirit, how about checking out my favorite Christmas Eve website... SANTA AT NORAD!

Stay Tuned!

Mood: Very Happy

~Me :)

It's Christmas Eve... Eve! And An Encore Performance By The Brothers Gordon!

"Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart... filled it too, with melody that would last forever."

~Bess Streeter Aldrich

Today is Christmas Eve... Eve... and I am wrapping packages, doing some last minute shopping, baking cookies, taking Christmas pictures of the boys, Dylan, Hendrix, and baby Joey. I will be doing laundry, and watching the very last home game of the San Francisco 49ers! After the game, Alan and I are going out to do some midnight Christmas shopping, and we may stop for midnight eggs! Who knows? But I do know it will be one long day that will be sliding into another. I love being this busy, and I love how happy we are right now! Growing up, I dreaded the holidays, but when I married Alan that all changed, and now I look forward to it, with all the enthusiasm I wish I could have felt as a child! Happiness... there is no better gift to give someone! :)





 And Now An Encore Performance From 
The Brothers Gordon...


Be sure to tune in tomorrow, Christmas Eve, to see the boy's portraits!

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

At Christmas, All Roads Lead Home

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

~Lao Tzu


Joey And His Daddy
December 19th, 2013

Alan and I were musing last evening about how, for once, we haven't gotten a phone call about how December 10th has affected us. You remember about December 10th? That's a cursed day, usually financially, that Alan and I experience each year! Well, this year, the number one financial curse affecting millions is the Target breach, and for once, it doesn't affect us at all! In our over diligence and caution, we were very careful where we used our ATM/Debit cards, and this time the over caution worked out just fine. We won't be caught up in that mess! So, it seems we are free and clear this December 10th, unless you count, well, Joey.

If you would have told me a month ago, that we would be adopting another cat, considering the small place we live in, I would have laughed for two weeks straight! I would have told you JUST how full of beans you were and pretty much made fun of you each time I saw you, because clearly you are the most ridiculous person... EVER! Well, the joke would have been on me, because we have adopted a cat, and not just any cat, we have our very own Joey!

 
Dylan At The Help Desk

Things were going so well in our lives. Both Dylan and Hendrix were finally at the age where we could leave the house for extended periods of time, and not have to worry about coming back home to drama, like Hendrix getting into the pantry... he likes to snack... or Dylan driving the neighbors crazy with his early morning concerts, or his fascination with typing HELP on the computer! Also he likes to sing the Dilly Song, bright and early every morning, but a belly rub, and a nice brushing usually calms him down. Although, if I don't happen to be home, he doesn't sing at all! This was confirmed by leaving the webcam on overnight once. The singing is all about the attention! And we have figured that out, so, everything was fine. It was good. We had the perfect family... but you know how life is, it has one damn sense of humor!

 
Dylan, 2009 "Here's What I Think Of You, Mommy!"

I have known Joey for 3 weeks now. He came running into our lives on November 30th. He is our little holiday cat, and a more loving, agreeable cat there never was! He seems to understand that we saved him, kept him from harm, and yes... we love him! He can't possibly be a part of some financial curse, even if we have put out around $400.00 since we found him! He was injured. We got him his shots. He needed kitten chow. He needed toys. He needed blankets for his bed. He needed a collar. He needed his own grooming supplies. He needed a small cat box. He needed all those things any new baby needs, but most of all, he needs us.

 
Hendrix, 2009"I help you! Can I help? How can I help?":)

I can't even begin to explain the timing, except the universe, and God, and Elvis, all have a sense of humor! Over the years, as we got to know Hendrix and Dylan, it has seemed more and more likely that we didn't find them by a lucky chance of circumstances, I truly believe Elvis sent them both to us to ease the deep aching pain his loss left us with! Honestly, I died a little with that cat. He saw me through so much, and he loved me till he died. He was a huge presence in our lives, and he made a big impression on those he met. I had people tell me that, while they didn't particularly care for cats, Elvis had something special to him that made them feel instantly comfortable. He would bond with people almost instantly. I wish I had just a little of the charm he had.


Elvis, 2008

When he got cancer... it felt like a wide dull knife was stuck into my soul. And the day it was time to let go, and I started to leave the doctor's office, I looked back at Elvis, and our eyes met, and he had a look on his face that seemed... to say..." it's okay, it's time, don't worry." And I let go. But I really didn't. I think about him every day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And sometimes, I can feel him here with me. Laughing at me. Patting my tears like his used to do, and sometimes just reminding me of his playful nature. So, when we brought home Hendrix and Dylan, and they fit in like we had custom ordered them, it wasn't hard to believe that maybe Elvis had sometime to do with it. He was our caregiver on earth, and he never stopped working. Love transcends ethereal boundaries. I believe that completely.

So, here were are, with a cat none of us planned for, but he is so gentle, and smart and playful. He never complains about having to go into his box for bed time. He doesn't bother the other cats. He isn't super vocal. He is just the perfect cat for us in every way! He is exactly who and what we would have ordered, had we been able to summon the perfect cat! So whether Joey found us by way of God, or Elvis, or Santa for that matter, there is one thing I know for sure, it wasn't by coincidence. Joey, Alan and I were all on the same road that day, and now there is just a little more love in our little cottage. The best gifts don't always come from stores or are wrapped up in paper and bows when you get them! 

The best gift will always be the gift of love!

"At Christmas all roads lead home."

~Marjorie Holmes

Mood: Happy

~Me :)