Beyond the Kitchen Window

Scratch and Sniff.

2012-02-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

Spicing up the February blahs.

Musings of This, That and Other Things

2012-02-16T20:47:00.002-07:00

I've been struggling with the whole Adobe Lightroom concept. While I ~~lust~~ long for it, I always question at what point the photograph stops being 'yours'. I've seen befores and afters of shots and it's amazing the final outcome but how much is a photographer relying on it's 'magic' to fix what's wrong with his/her photograph. Much like the model who's imperfections are airbrushed out, who you see in the final photograph is not the real thing.
It begs the question; Are you, when at the point of spending more time on the comp in Lightroom, more of an editor than a photographer? Shouldn't we all work harder at the art of taking a photograph?
Truth is Lightroom scares me. It seems insanely technical and I'm not sure I'm up to the task. Of course, I've barely picked up my camera this winter. For several reasons, a couple out of my control. My fingers twitch when I haven't played with it for a while. I'm afraid to lose my 'mojo'. I spend a lot of time thinking about it though. Does that count?
I think in the end, I'll wait till my skill has improved before entering the realm of Lightroom. (if ever) To do that, though, two things have to happen. I need to get off my duff, pick up the camera and just shoot. Anything and everything. I've been toying with the idea of street photography, and that means getting in my Jeep and driving to where the general population converge. Well actually I just need to step outside and quit letting winter chase me in and close me off. Yeah, I hate it that much.
All this talk has put me in the mood though. I think I'll pull out my new flash and trusty prime tomorrow, just to see my tired eye can ferret out. If it's not to cold, that is.

I went with my youngest daughter to an information session on Kindergarden. Yep, my baby's baby is not that anymore. Come September it'll be time for her mother to give her up to the world. I can accept it easier this go round, been through it two times already. But I know what she's going to go through and I can only hope this family has raised a strong spirited individually minded child.
Which I think is the case.
Anyhow, I looked around the room at the parents, their faces a mixture of excitement and concern. This is, after all, a huge step in their lives, I felt the same on my first born. ( can't say the same for my second though, I was counting down the days ha ha love ya, Boo <3 )
At the end of the session and in closing one of the principles of the elementary schools offered up this piece of advice.
"Don't push your child, assess if they are ready to enter the school program" ( apparently, and I did not know this, Kindergarden is not a requisite in my province's school curriculum. Huh )
And me, ohhhh me being me, ya know, because I've always been a tad bit of the class clown, pipes up 'In closing, speaking as a grandparent, there is nothing to be worried about. Start sweating it when they enter Jr. High' The parents nervously laughed but the principles and kindergarden teachers laughed the loudest, all nodding their heads in collective agreement.
I know what I speak of.
It's when my allergies to teenagers started.. and I'm afflicted with it to this day.

I wish I was better at conveying my feelings when something's upset me. I'm really crappy at it. Well not towards my family, I'm the town crier there when I'm pissed. I convey beautifully after I've slammed a couple of cupboard doors, tsked my way through the room or had a good workout. ha ha. But friends? Yeah.. no so good at it. So I shut my mouth, deal and sometimes it comes back out at the oddest, stupidest moments.
Not this time though, I'll just work through it and just let it go.
My daughter started me on this mantra not to long ago. She was with me when I had the misfortune of coming across some idiot who really needed A) his licence revoked or B) a huge neon sign on his car warning others of a blatant case of utter stupidity out for a stroll today.
Anyhow, after the incident I got my hackles up. ( happens to me when I come across idiots. I am a firm believer in the ' Here's Your Sign ' philosophy. )
My daughter calmly reached out, put her hand on my arm and said, 'Mom, breath. Let it go' She took a deep breath in through her nose and out through her mouth. I found myself copying her. ( How many times have I said this to my kids.. Practice what yer preach, Jamie )
And she was right. I instantly calmed down and .. let it go.
I've started practicing what she preached to me that day and let me tell ya, it makes for a much better ride overall. ( the sheer number of idiots on the road on any given day is mind boggling.)
Now I have to put practice into praticum. In my every day life. Starting today.
I'm letting it go. ( working on my age. Happy to report I'm getting there )
:-)
Thanks daughter of mine.

Speaking of. Same daughter. Almost 20 years ago. We walked into a restaurant and I automatically asked for the smoking section. This child, at the age of 5, asked me if we could sit in the non smoking.
Off I toddled to the smoking section but not before I saw the look of complete disappointment on her face.
I quit the following week.
So thanks again, daughter of mine.
Now can you give your sister the same look please and thanks?
;-)

So, my bloggy pals... what are your musings/thoughts?

Wordless Wednesday-Red Pin

2012-02-07T23:03:00.000-07:00

Pinpoint it

For Today

2012-02-04T20:37:00.001-07:00

For Today

Outside my window...

I'm looking at the winter that isn't. I. love. it. I want to move where winter is a dirty word.

I am thinking...

about going to the gym. To do so, I have to pass my fridge. There's bacon in there. I'm afraid.

I am thankful for...
avoiding stupid people as of late. I don't know how, but I'm thankful. Having said this, I will now be slapped upside the head a blatant display from the bottom of the gene pool I bet. You watch.

From the Kitchen...

I will be making these cute little corn dogs. In miniature muffin cups. Picture it.

I am wearing...
my flannels. Even if it's not cold, habits are hard to break.

I am creating...

very little. The chickadees came back to the roost. With a little one in tow. I haven't much time to do anything creative. Well except maybe some new swear words.

I am going...

to find hubby next weekend. I hope. ( read- running away. But if my daughters help me pack and load my car, is it running away? )

I am reading...

Photography books, the tricks of the trade. How much is actually sinking in is another matter altogether. :-/

I am hoping...

for an early spring. I'm greedy. I know.

I am hearing...

the sound of sisters getting along. There was a knock 'em down, drag 'em out fight a couple of days ago. It got ugly. I got gone.

Around the house...

I am fighting to keep all surfaces from being buried by... everyone's..stuff. I stocked up on garbage bags. I ain't afraid of packrats or daughters who prefer to put anything and everything on every inch of the flat surfaces I take great pains to keep clutter free. I will fight the hard fight. They will wave the white flag.Mark my words.

One of my favorite things...
is being hugged for no reason at all. I didn't have to do anything for it, I didn't have to hand over money, or jeep keys or expensive hair products or an even more expensive flat iron. Just. Out. Of. The. Blue. Rare which means more.

A few plans for the week...
staying sane. That's all.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

I see things uh.. differently than you.

When does this start being fun??

2012-02-02T20:11:00.002-07:00

As everything else does at one time or another my treadmill crapped out on me. 700$ to fix it, says the repair man happily.
Yeah.. not so happy when I showed him to the door.

I paid 1200$ for it 5 years ago. I've gotten much mileage out of it but it shouldn't have given up the ghost without a fighting chance. It decided to act like it had been taken over by a malicious poltergeist with a penance for punishment. ( Say that five times fast ha ha )
The belt now goes faster than the six million dollar man can handle. The whine and pitch coming off of it is akin to nails on a chalkboard. Gee, thanks for the good times, treadmill, but no thanks for taking my options away from me.

However, not all is a loss, I have a gym membership. Free access to all kinds of torturous devices, many of which I steer clear of by reason of hell! even I know my limits and that weird contraption is so off limits. So I use free weights, the treadmill, the elliptical, the bosu ball and other accessories there. I also partake in the knock me down, shoot me now classes of a particularly favorite trainer of mine. Why I like her, I've NO idea. The happier she is coming into class the more it's going to hurt I've come to discover. I always say,' Jillian who??' after I've ~~survived~~ finished her class.

Oh but I'm sorry, I seem to have gotten away from the point of this post.
( Which by the way happens to be my 301st post. Just saying)

I always do 20 minutes of cardio, be it on the treadmill or elliptical. I wanted to try something different today, based on a commercial I saw about the hybrid treadmill stair climber. Below is the iPhone pics of my results of the three methods I've used.

Treadmill- 20 minutes. Incline 2% . Walk 2@ 3.5, Jog 2@4.0 .Last six minutes Jog

Elliptical 20 minutes. Incline 3. Average speed: 6.8

Treadmill 20 minutes. Incline 15% @ 3.5 (despite what it says, I did two minutes of 3.1)

Look at the incline of 15%. Calories burned- 244. Over double of the other two. Let me tell you how much more of a sweat I got doing it this way. I read that it builds much more lean muscle mass to boot. Repeat after me : Um Hell Ya!
This way is my new favorite. I hate every moment of it but my body's saying otherwise.

Sigh. My body wins.
It best show some appreciation soon, stupid defiant 49 year old carcass.

It's Okay

2012-02-01T16:31:00.001-07:00

It's Okay
...to ignore 'Dog People' at the dog park sometimes. They are an overly super friendly bunch and I need the mood to match. Sometimes I don't feel like being 'on',ya know what I mean?

It's Okay
...to slink down into the depths of 'meh' when one's birthday approaches. When one's birthday's in January, in Northern Canada. In the middle of freakin' miserable winter. On the last year of my 40's. It's my non-party day and I'll cry if I want to. Um..head's up, best steer clear next year.

It's Okay
...to work off a good healthy mad that 1 sister out of 3 reached out to wish me happy birthday on my 'do not acknowledge today' day. I know I know.. but I want it both ways, mmkay?

It's Okay
...to use the 'padded' room to do your workouts, sweethearts, but come on already, you little shits are taking up 3/4s of the room. And seriously? You're not recording a workout video so stop acting like it.

It's Okay
...to love call display as much as I do. I'd go without a TV first. Have I mentioned this before? I. love. call. display.

It's Okay
...to let Super Guide play out some of my Donkey Kong Returns levels. It's that or I'll break that stupid machine.

It's Okay
...to do the ugly face cry. Just not on TV. Over a sloth, no less. Funny her.

It's Okay
...to sorta be glad hubby's going out of town to work for a bit. I get the whole freakin' bed to myself and I don't have to wear earplugs to sleep! Here's to mashing myself in the bed and hoggin' the.whole.freaking.thing.
:-)

What about you , my bloggy pals, what are you Okay with?

Musings of This, That and Other Things

2012-01-28T23:12:00.001-07:00

For my birthday my family surprised me with some pretty awesome gifts. My youngest bought me a new camera bag! Super excited as it's going to be much easier going around with a backpack. Boo Ya!
My eldest surprised me with some framed prints of photographs I took. Below is an iPhone pic of her fantastic surprise :-)
(It's weird seeing one's work framed, I have to say.)
Oh let's not forget hubby's gift. A Joby Gorilla tripod. Yeah.. I'm that excited about all of it!

Framed photographs

Conversation between hubby and I;

Me: (after an 45 minutes of hubby lounging in the tub) You are slower than BOTH my sisters and BOTH daughters to get ready to go anywhere!

( I punched out two fingers in front of him. Putting action into the scene gives it more punch, see? *wink*)
I sauntered jauntily into the laundry room to fold clothes, satisfied I had made my point.

Hubby: ( after poking his head in the laundry room ) Um by the way.. you have THREE sisters..?
( he punched the air with three digits, smirked and strutted away)

Jerk. He won. Again.

It always amazes me how little people actually listen. Yes, the lost art of listening when one comments or responds or engages in conversation.

Small case and small point:

I'm in a stall in the loo, ( drink a coffee, ergo hunt down a ladies room) I tune into two women chatting.

(I'm not sure why I'm listening in..? )
Woman 1: I wear a medium as it's most comfortable for me.

( Don't ask me what 'it' is, )
Woman 2: Lucky you,I can't, I find it to tight.
Woman 1: instead of acknowledging her friend's response, cuts her off near the end of her friend's response and says," No, it's what I wear."

It struck me how many times I've been in that exact position. ( the person not listening, <not the loo part> although I always scope out the ladies rooms where ever I go...oh sorry,I digress ha ha )

It bugged me, this woman's dismissal of her friend's answer but if I think about it, it's really none of my business is it?

sigh. I just wish people would listen more.

How's that for dilated eyes? Not since my, uh, younger days have I looked like this. And no, it's not from trying to recapture those 3 moments in time. (yes, 3x. Never could handle the stuff)
I had to have my eyes dilated to check for retina detachment/ peripheral glaucoma. Good news, there's none. Not so good news, they discovered an issue in my left eye that increases my chances of detachment happening significantly. Good news, if it happens I have a two hour time frame to get me to a hospital for surgery. Bad news, I lose central vision if I wait too long. Good news, I see better with my right eye and shoot the camera with it.
I'll roll with the good news portion only if it's all the same to you :-)

I am hypoglycaemic. Ergo, I'm not allowed sugar. ( as opposed to hypERglycaemics who need it ) So when I order a coffee and you hand me a white chocolate hot chocolate and I question it, don't argue with me saying it's a cappuccino. I know what sugar tastes like, honey. And all kinds of bad things happen to me when I ingest it. Perhaps some extra training for you both behind the coffee bar and with customer service? Rule # 1: Customer is always right.

Omg can winter just. go. away? Like now? Ugh.

What about you, my bloggy friends, what are your musings of the day?

Odds & Ends iPhone pictures

2012-01-23T12:51:00.002-07:00

My daughter's ..magnetic.

Actually it was my third.

Setting up a shot

Apologies to the fam, I ate the last butter tart. Without guilt. :-)

I'm paying for it. Dearly. Ugh

Kitchen Science or...

2012-01-14T19:48:00.000-07:00

Science Fiction?

Pet Peeve edition

2012-01-11T15:03:00.003-07:00

Image from PetLiferadio.com

Pet Peeve #1.

Those who fb status how amazing their friends are.

Only after they've done something for that person. Why can't a person be awesome as is?
Take me for instance.. ;-)

Yea.. big pet peeve.

Pet Peeve#2.

Why oh freaking why do some people type in 3rd person when posting a status update?
Drives. Me. Batty.

Back teeth gnashing pet peeve.

Pet Peeve#3.

Throwing away every hard earned & worked for pound loss in the month of December.

Only to have to restart all over again.
Why I ask you. Why??

Eyes leaking, comfort eating pet peeve.

Pet Peeve#4.

Waking up. After a shitty night's sleep. Unable to make use of pharmaceutical aid, too square to enjoy nature's little mellowing green plant.

Getting through the day with both eyes in the same socket, crappy pet peeve.

Pet Peeve#5.

Unable to find one's mojo. Creatively or physically.

That a major battle pet peeve.

Pet Peeve#6.

One's birthday. In January.

Pet Peeve. Every year.

Pet Peeve#7.

Drama queens.
Save me from them.

Can't get away from them pet peeve.

Pet Peeve#8.

Waiting for close extended family to win the bloody lotto. ( Hell, I don't wanna win it, I'm terrible with money ha ha )

Impatient pet peeve.

Pet Peeve#9.

Having trailer trash living next door to you.
Throwing your dog's shit back on your side pet peeve.

Lazy useless bitches.

Pet Peeve#10.

Suffering S.A.D. in the months of January & February.. aaww hell, throw in March while you're at it.

Long three months pet peeve. Don't intentionally piss me off.. it won't end well. For you.

Feel free to add your own. I'm stopping here.. tired of bitching. :-/

Venturing into a writer's world.

2012-01-06T15:01:00.001-07:00

I don't claim to be a writer, not in the conventional sense. What I write comes from a raw place, it's how I find balance within the emotion. It's not easy. I know first hand, watching my dear friend Dawn for the last 15 years hone her skills, suffer writer's block..mourn the death of some of her characters. The hundreds of hours spent writing, forgetting to eat, editing (my piece included) ... it's mind boggling. I've known her to get up in the middle of the night to pound out a scene because the characters just wouldn't leave her alone. I've seen her lose almost all her works because her computer crashed ( omg, can you imagine?! ) the list goes on and on and on. It's not a profession I'd ever want to do. It's harder than... raising teenagers. ( okay okay, close second ha ha )

I've been her IR in some of her works but I take the friendship out of the equation when I read her pages. Honesty is what she needs, honesty is what she gets. I expect no less from her. So when she suggested I submit a piece I'd written last year, I did just that. And it was accepted by Vine Leaves, an online literary journal. It is celebrating it's very first issue today. I urge you to venture in and stay a while. There is talent on those pages.. ( and I am not talking about me. )

P.S.
The short story originated from a tree I came across last summer. One who's trunk still held yet it's branches and essence was gone. The picture you see in the background is of the tree itself.
If you care to read my piece, it is on page 8, titled Uprooted.

Wordless Wednesday- Alarm bells

2012-01-03T21:22:00.000-07:00

He's deaf in one ear. I never get to sleep in.

Wordless Wednesday- Refraction

2011-12-26T22:50:00.002-07:00

Spherical perspective
(click to enlarge)

Macro shots

2011-12-26T22:45:00.000-07:00

Cradling water

The edge of the precipice

Because my lil Boo loves pink

Love curves of any kind

Dinosaur foot

The edges of purple

Water refraction

Wordless Wednesday- The Wait

2011-12-20T22:28:00.000-07:00

I wonder where her imagination takes her while

she waits ever so patiently..?

Musings of This, That and Other Things

2011-12-09T19:20:00.001-07:00

Lil Boo, almost 4 yrs old: Mommy, I want to marry Poppa, I like him.
(she'd just watched a wedding show on TV with our daughter. Poppa-> Grampa)
Mommy: But Nammie is married to Poppa.
Lil Boo: She can't, I WANT to marry Poppa.
Me: She can marry him if she wants, as long as I have access to his money.

Poppa got her a ring. Her rock's bigger than mine. Pffhhht.

I laugh every time I walk in and out of the two automatic doors at the gym. I feel like Get Smart when he walks through all those doors at full speed. Yeah.. laugh if you will honey but if you're picturing it, we're around the same age.

LOL @ the lady @ the hardware store.
No problem when you walked right by me, straight to my hubby in the next isle and offered your uhhh.. services. I laughed when you made an about face and followed him right to me. Yeah, me. The one that needed help. The dirty look you gave me? Whatever. I've had much prettier and sluttier try to poach. However, you crossed the line when you yarded back the ladder I was leaning against to tie my shoe. You knew it, you smirked.
Suck it up, Buttercup, I can't help if I'm skinner/younger than you and I have the man you are ~~lusting~~ embarrassing yourself over.
You wanna play the game? Bring it, I can deal with a grown women. But I'm not going to play with you today, I left grade school quite some time ago.

Speaking of. I signed up for my my high school reunion. Um do I gotta put the number of years..? I don't wanna. But I guess I'm gonna.
Alumni Class of '80.
Just how the hell am I going to remember these people?!
I'm going to hide behind my high school lifelong bestie is what I'm going to do.

My eldest daughter was born the wrong era. I've always known, she's such an old soul. Her personality, her beliefs.. her thought processes. The concrete proof came when we went shopping a couple of days ago and we happened along a hat store. She walked out with two hats, one I'm very envious of. Well I'm envious of the fact she suits hats. I don't suit them at all.
Anyhow... Proof in the pudding.

'20's styling

Newspaper boy styling

What about you, my bloggy friends, what are your musings of the day?

The White Russian (alcohol free)

2011-12-03T22:18:00.001-07:00

When one googles the White Russians, all one gets is the alcohol related pictures. And that's not where I'm going with this.
White Russians are people, seemingly elusive people at that.

Ask me how bad I wanted to photograph this group of people, sadly I never got a chance. All I could manage was an iPhone picture taking without consent, but she acknowledged the action at the same time. )

Fascinating culture these people seem to be. A mixture reminiscent of the Amish and the Hutterites. (yet more I'd give my eye teeth to photograph)
The White Russian womens's headdresses are such vibrant jewel tone colours, as are their long dresses. (While the Hutterites are a modest black or blue.)
One can not help but admire the overall effect. ( the married ones wear the head wraps, singles don't. Married men sport beards like the Amish, single men are clean shaven. Both wear suspenders, a nod to the Amish again.)
A wee bit of background:
They call themselves White Russians to separate themselves from the Black Russians, to which they want no part of, I'm told. They immigrated from Russia with a choice of two places and two places only; Oregon U.S.A and Plamondon, Alberta Canada. Why those two areas, I've no idea, I would of loved to find out.
They live on farms or in small clusters of houses within the same geographic area of a certain number of kilometers.
I'm also told they are quite friendly and love to talk but I had yet to meet up with a chatty one. Perhaps because I was female. The single ones had no problems communicating with my husband. *wink* The married ladies busy with their young.
Twice I went up to join him while he worked, staying in a wee little cabin on the lake. Twice I wanted to photograph them in their settings, hoping to garner an invite to their homes.But the opportunity didn't present itself. ( If I was in thinking mode, I should of had hubby chat one up and get me an invite. Hey.. whatever works. )

I have a fascination with different cultures, the way they live, interact among themselves/the rest of the world.Their beliefs,customs, their cooking methods.. If time and money would allow, I'd travel to areas to learn and photograph what's considered 'different' than mainstream.
But reality is what it is and I'm not likely to take up the nomad life any time soon. Hopefully in the near future, though, I'll have another ~~crack~~ chance at the White Russians.

This is the iPhone picture and she's not even wearing a vibrant colour. But you'll get an idea of what a White Russian looks like.

Wordless Wednesday- Winter can be pretty

2011-11-29T21:23:00.001-07:00

Back country Hoar Frost

Wordless Wednesday- Lake

2011-11-20T19:56:00.001-07:00

The colour of serenity

Musings of This,That and Other Things

2011-11-17T11:29:00.001-07:00

Why can't people on the TV shows shut the doors when they walk in somewhere?? It bugs me to no end and,yes,I get it's quite trivial.
But they never. shut.the.stupid.door. and they get caught or get dead.
Just shut the frikken door already.
Yeah yeah, I hear you...going to get a life now.

So hubby and I went out to a restaurant on the recommendation of his bandaid at work. ( medic on the pipeline) She gushed about this place.
We didn't finish either of our meals. My salad was limp from too much dressing. (one of my biggest pet peeves) and his steak would of done a shoemaker proud. He commented to her the next day, 'Good thing we're married otherwise she would of left me sitting there.'
Truth.
And um Bandaid? Raise your bar a tad.

(Little) Bitch, Please.
If you are above us in this class, then by all means, there's the door. Don't let it hit you in your oddly shaped ass on the way out, mmkay? Oh, and honey? - those are not legs, those are sticks.

See me laugh as I drive by you parked on the side of the road, the flashing red blue lights dancing off your tailgate. Pardon me while I gloat a bit.. it feels good after you cut me off, sped through and crossed lanes in the middle of the intersection. Yes, your truck is bigger but your brain isn't. I hope the several tickets he's issuing you hurts. They are well deserved, Asshat.

I was watching rain drops line up and run across the jeep window the other day as we were driving. It reminded me of when I was younger and would imagine those drops to be a symphony being played out. ( Dad listened to classical music ) Or children racing each other across the playground. I'd be rooting for the little raindrop guy, hoping he'd pull ahead and win the race. I'd have entire conversations going too..
Yeah, I'm just talented that way.

Did I ever tell you about the six million dollars I almost won?
Missed it one by. one. facking. number.
Yup.One little teeny tiny square over.
My MIL cried, I literally just shrugged my shoulders and hubby took us on a trip with what we did win. ( 3500.00)
It wasn't meant to be.
But ohhh as I sit here in the frozen tundra of Western Northern Canada while the snow and wind play havoc with any that dare to test the day, I think back to that moment. :-/

Me, 4 a.m as my 4 yr old grand baby tries to sneak into my bed:
Why are you sneaking into Nammie's bed?
She who is wise beyond her years : Because I love you?
You play dirty warfare, kiddo.

What about you, my bloggy friends, what are your musings of the day?

Wordless Wednesday- Ice Ice Baby

2011-11-15T07:26:00.001-07:00

For Today

2011-11-13T07:44:00.001-07:00

For Today

Outside my window...

I'm looking at the disappointment of our first snow. Old man Winter, you want me to like what you bring? Then you should of made it a big flaky snow. The kind that dresses the drab of autumn done-pre winter grays. I would of been happy to take the camera and record your arrival.

I am thinking...

or trying to.
Nope. Nada. Ziltch. No thoughts worth mentioning today.

I am thankful for...
Hubby. For reasons to numerous to list. Well maybe one day soon, I'll try work up a list of sorts. But for now suffice it to say he keeps me sane. He really does.

From the Kitchen...

I will make Double Chocolate Almond cookies. Yeah, the kind that you need to have a moment alone with.

I am wearing...
old gray sweats, older gray hoodie and huge black and pink slippers with black pom-poms. Yeah,that's right, I'm bringing sexy back, bitches.

I am creating...

nada, nufins, ziltch. To go along side of what I'm thinking.

I am going...

to kick my own ass in a four minute metabolic training work-out. I'm going to lay down for 10 and get up and do it all over again. I'm really hoping this will help combat the Christmas eating I'm planning on doing..? 8 minutes is better than zero, right? ;-)

I am reading...

three books. I always read one before starting another. Attention span of a gnat lately. Pffhht.

I am hoping...

for inspiration to come up and smack me upside the head. It's been somewhat blah served up with a side of boring, garnished on top with meh!

I am hearing...

my stomach growling. Geeze,what's it's frikken problem anyways? I fed you coffee first thing, didn't I?

Around the house...

I am preparing for my youngest daughter and grand-baby to move back in. Again. Third time. Checking on my wine reserves.. Yup, lookin' goooood.

One of my favorite things...

Why do I always hear Julie Andrews on this question?

A few plans for the week...
Celebrating my first born's 24th birthday mid week. I have always given them choice of a meal. This year it's looking like home made French Onion soup and Escargots. And yes, the french add white wine to soup. ( well hell, we add it to almost everything if you really wanna/gotta know ) Boo Ya.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

The birthday beauty ♥

Wordless Wednesday- Taking flight

2011-11-08T21:25:00.000-07:00

(click to enlarge)

Open Letters

2011-11-04T13:00:00.000-06:00

Dear Stupid
I understand there's no medication to help you with your lack of intelligence, such is your problem. Pardon me if I refuse to engage in a battle of smarts. It's like knocking one's head against a stone pillar. The pillar doesn't understand. And well.. neither do you.
Signed,
I think the Pillar's smarter.

Dear Fellow Grocery Shopper,
It's all good to flirt with me in the fungi section, I suppose it's a better place than the pharmaceutical section...?
Signed,
Colour me Complimented.. I think?

Dear Barometer Headache,
Really? Seven days and counting? You suck.
Signed,
Go away, go far far away.

Dear Newton,
I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye. My heart was ripping out of my chest and you were not supposed to see me cry. Much love and big smothering hugs, beautiful dog.
Signed,
Me

Dear Hubby,
You low down, two timing, good for nothing piece of useless hope you get an incurable std and your dick rots off taking you to the cleaners for shits and giggles loser.
You're lucky this was just a dream.
Signed,
Your loving wife :-)

Dear Papau New Guinea Coffee
I love you. You are the reason some people live.
Signed,
Coffee: Never leave home without it.

Dear Kids TV show Characters,
Die already.
Signed,
Not into Creepy little Freaks

Dear Dogs,
I'm leaving for the weekend and NOT taking you. Pardon my excitement at not having too pick up your poop,listen to your ear splitting barks, watch you eat your regurgitated supper,look at you lick unmentionable parts of yourself or smell your disgusting flatulence issues.
Signed,
Dog Free Me Yipeee!

Dear Jehovah Witnesses,
Not about to engage in a discussion about God with you. You have your way and this Catholic has hers. I've been told by enough Christians I'm perpetually wrong, I won't be forgiven, I won't make it through the gates blah blah blah. I don't begrudge them their beliefs nor will I yours. But for pity's sake, don't look at me like I'm the devil's spawn when I refuse your publications or when I shut the door decisively in your face. You people really can be pushy.
Signed,
Just not that into you.

Wordless Wednesday-This Old Town

2011-11-02T07:52:00.002-06:00

And how was the flight home?

2011-10-29T18:32:00.000-06:00

taken with iPhone

Save me from corny lines.

On the plane ride home. Dorky dude across the isle to his fellow passenger:
Dork: Wow you have nice teeth.
Her: Oh thank you.
Me: Bubble thought, "He just didn't use that line, did he?!"
Dork: Is it your toothpaste or have you whitened your teeth?
Me: Bubble thought, " Dork, it's like asking if her girls are real. It's NONE of your business"
Her: Oh it's um probably my toothpaste.

An hour later into the flight as I was editing photos on my laptop:
Dork to me: Excuse me
Me: Um yes?
Dork: Did you take those pictures yourself? Or you download them?
Me: I took them.
Dork, quite loudly: Are you sure you didn't download them?
Me: Bubble thought, "Seriously..are you hard of hearing or slow to comprehend?"
Me: Yes, I'm quite sure.
Dork two minutes later: Excuse me!
Me: Sigh.
Me: Yes?
Dork: Have you taken classes to be able to do this?
Me: No, self taught.
Dork: You MUST of taken classes.
Me: Bubble thought, "And here sits the village idiot. "
Me: No. I. Didn't. Take. Classes.
I closed down my editing software and slapped a movie on the desktop, shoving ear buds in my ears.
10 minutes later I shut the movie down, the audio out of sync with the actors's mouths. ( yeah, I downloaded it for free )
I took out my e-reader.
Dork: Excuse me!!
Me: Bubble thought, " Okay, just SHOOT me now"
Me: Yeah..?
Dork: What' the name of that actor in the movie?
Me: Daniel Craig.
Dork: Yeah.. that's it. HA HA HA . What's the name of that movie?
Me: Cowboys and Aliens.
Dork: Is it a good movie?
Me: I don't KNOW, I only watched it for 10 minutes.
Dork: What's the title again? Cowboys and Indians??
Me: Yeah.. yeah,that's it. Cowboys and Indians.
Dork: THANK YOU. ( Am I deaf, why the hell is he talking so loud???) Are you going
to work on your pictures again?? Wow you must of taken classes for it.
Me: Bubble Thought, "You truly are a fuckwit, aren't you. "
Me: Not any time during the rest of this flight, no.
Dork: How do you get the background so fuzzy?
Me: I have a special button on my camera. :-/ Excuse me, I am going to read now.

For Today

2011-10-27T06:55:00.000-06:00

For Today

Outside my window...

I see darkness. The sun is rising after me these days, lazy thing.

I am thinking...

of this blog. How uninspired I have been with it lately. How I have to remember why I started it in the first place. For me.

I am thankful for...
waking up and realizing it was just a dream. Sometimes. Sometimes, I'd like to stay on that tropical island I own or keep my superpowers or keep talking to the wolves. ( Hey, it's my dream world, I'll do what I wanna. )

From the Kitchen...

I've been chained to the stove cooking up a storm. Apparently when one leaves for a week the masses suffer home cooking withdrawals. ( <--- I have NO idea how long I've been misspelling that word. )

I am wearing...
clothes. Seriously, this question gets long in the tooth sometimes. Many I should write what I'd like to be wearing..? Like clothes two sizes smaller. Yeah, there ya go.

I am creating...

I am not creating. I HAVE created. A 2012 calendar with my photographs of 2011. My family will bloody well hang up their calendars up wether they want to or not. Pffhhtt ;-)

I am going...

out for supper tonight. Out for coffee Friday AM. And out for breakfast Saturday AM. Then I'm holing back up, that's a boatload of socializing.. for me.

I am reading...

the start of the end. It's a story line I've been following for 10 years now. Like a series finale, this story will come to a close after this 3rd installment. It has been an emotional run for these three characters but exciting to be getting the answers after all this time.

I am hoping...

to get out and find that elusive curling iron I've been searching for. My hair makes more sense with a little bit of effort. That'll be a first on my end. What's next? Flippin make up?

I am hearing...

the furnace going. I'm going to have to remember to buy tub fulls of moisturizer. The heating dries me out like a pond in the Sahara Desert. Poo.

Around the house...

I hear nothing. I see nothing. I speak the truth when I say ' Peace and quiet, baby!'

One of my favorite things...

is going back 'home' to be someone's daughter and sister again. To have zero responsibility ~~for a bloody short week~~ if only for a little while. Coming back home, trying to jump back to everything..not so much. Takes me a week of chasing my own tail to get into the flow again.

A few plans for the week...

meeting awesome friends, catching up with their lives. Waiting for Halloween to be flippin' done and over with. Yup, you caught on.. I don't like it.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

(pardon the fuzziness)

OCD much? My sister's can labels must all face forward. I messed with her after this picture.

Wordless Wednesday- BOO!

2011-10-25T20:41:00.001-06:00

Vincent Price meets..

The Simpsons

Nature's strutting her stuff

2011-10-21T19:54:00.001-06:00

Mother Nature's pimpin' the colour wheel.

Wordless Wednesday-The Mighty Maple Leaf

2011-10-18T17:49:00.002-06:00

Strong to the end

Wordless Wednesday- Autumn's last stand

2011-10-11T19:31:00.001-06:00

(taken with iPhone

click to enlarge)

The giants of Fall

Nature's ribbons

The last of rays of a warm sun

Pretty puff balls

Musings of This, That and Other Things

2011-10-09T09:33:00.001-06:00

I started back at the gym. Every summer I take two months off but this year I cut it down to one. And I'm thanking the powers that be I did.
My trainer changed up her usual, she is now taking great pleasure in metabolic training. I'm not kidding when I say pleasure.
It hurts.
50 minutes of metabolic training. Kettle bells, squats, burpees, mountain climbers..you name it, she's all over it.
And damned if I don't love it... after it's done, with a mug of frothy cappuccino in my hands, far away from the gym. ha ha

I went shopping the other day, or rather attempted it. Mistake.
Bad one.
What the hell was I thinking?
I went during prime time, smack in the middle of 'that time of the month'.
Hello?? Who does that? Dumbass me apparently. Brilliant. Not.
I was traumatized.
I consoled myself, I bought a remote switch for my camera, took it to a restaurant and admired it over a glass of Pinot Grigio. Both went a long way to sooth my ruffled feathers.
Screw the shopping.

I'm working on 3 months trying to get my nails back into shape after a seven month stint of gel nails. It really sucks to have to baby one's nails after having gels, those things take abuse like nobody's business. But the damage to the nail bed isn't worth it. I was directed towards an awesome new treatment by an equally awesome childhood friend.
Now I shellac. Do you?
Wanna?

iSad.
The world lost a good one this month. R.I.P. Steve Jobs. Thank you for your genius, for changing the world. Your trade mark black turtleneck and jeans will be missed.
Safe journey, my friend.

Went to Shaw cable to return hardware with eldest daughter a few days ago.
Dude says to a customer service representative, "The Chinese are making cell phones that pop popcorn and render children brain dead."
"Beware of those microwave aliens", replied my daughter without missing a beat.
I lost it and I have a hearty laugh.
She's been working retail for wayyy to long and we probably deserved that dirty look.
But it was worth it. ;-)

A city with a population of almost a million can be a small place after all.
Hubby and his friend were talking about.. well whatever it is boys talk about on their lunch breaks. Friend mentioned he went to Cook County over the weekend. A country bar well known for it's um... cougars. Hubby mentioned I had celebrated a birthday there a few years back with one of my ex-friends named Brandi. ( my daughters and other close friends were there too, I had a chance to observe. Not only cougars but aggressive ones at that!)
" Brandi?", Buddy says, " A short blonde by any chance?"
Hubby laughed,nodding his head.
Yup.. definitely her.
Rawwrrr.

What about you, my bloggy friends, what are your musings of the day?

Green my world

2011-10-07T19:23:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday- Kristy's Rose

2011-10-04T20:02:00.002-06:00

My youngest daughter's showing aptitude with the camera.

Here is the proof. :-)

Kristy's Rose

Wordless Wednesday-Orange

2011-09-27T20:49:00.000-06:00

Orange you glad it's Autumn

I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want.

2011-09-22T22:08:00.001-06:00

I am not a credit to my gender. I admit this freely.
I don't like to shop, wear makeup or perfume, dress up in heels or fine clothes. I don't wear jewelry save for a necklace and my wedding ring. Give me a pick up truck or Jeep, I'm a happy girl.
I don't stand on ceremony, I'm not for show.
I know, I know. I suffered a concussion, right? Well no, but I know I'm.. different.

I'll tell ya what I want, what I really really want.

I want a smaller house.
I don't want the space I have or lush carpet that covers my upstairs. Three bathrooms are a pain in the ass to clean. The wood floors are the colour of rich coffee but I don't like them. My walk in closet is not full of clothes but rather starting to look like a catch-all. I have no use for the two other bedrooms I have and I'd rather have a huge country kitchen than a dining room.

I want a barn house. With a loft. Oh, no loft? Sorry, no go. I need a mostly open concept with a closed off ~~sanctuary~~ bedroom. I want w i d e pine board floors full of knots darkened with age. I want just one bathroom with a half bathroom downstairs. I want to run my hands along the walls,wainscoting breaking up the flat smooth surfaces. I want to see my pot bellied stove in the corner where I can put my feet up on a kitchen chair and feel it's heat, taking refuge in the rocking chair beside it on cold winter days. I want to look out my extra large windows and see the seasons come and go, the wind rustling the long grasses, teasing the leaves on maple trees. I want to see billowing smoke from my neighbour's chimney, too far to walk to, close enough for comfort.

Space. Peace. Solitude.

Well.. within 15 minutes of town. I am a sociable creature after all, but on my terms. When I want people, I want them within a short commute. I need access to a quaint coffee shop where I can read or surf, the whirl of the grinder in the background, the clinking of spoons mixing that magic elixir. No, not Starbucks, but a little nook run by a person who's seen the world and has settled down to offer it's wonders in my small town.
I want shops where one of a kind merchandise is found, perhaps made by local craftsmen. I want to be able to stroll antique shops, to find that perfect piece that will finish the room. I want to be tempted by the sights and sounds of the farmer's market, where his wife has made delicious pies and fresh cheeses. I want to bring home hand tied bundles of herbs to add to the fragrant pot of soup simmering on my stove, a fresh loaf of bread still cooling.

I want to learn how to throw clay, sharpen my photography skills, maybe learn to carve out a wooden bowl. I want a mezzanine in hubby's large quanza to secretly paint something when the mood strikes, even if I've no idea how. I want to be surprised if it turns out to be not half bad. 10 years ago I never thought I'd be creative in the least.

Looking out my workshop window I want to come to realize I've put out roots down, ones I've never allowed myself to take hold.

I want to grab my camera, walk a long some dirt road and capture the wild life grazing on the edge of the woods, ready to take flight if danger comes. I want to photograph crystalized works of art on windows on cold days, to snap a picture story board of a town slowly coming alive. I want to snap young love sitting on the park bench, oblivious to me and everyone else. To portray the beauty of a harvest moon when it's as orange as the pumpkins the farmer's kids are selling.
These is what inspires me, what feeds my soul.

In a little less than a year and a half I will be turning 50, truth is I fear it so badly some days it all but breaks me and I am powerless to stop it. This is the first time I admit it publicly, in doing so hoping the fear will lessen.
I can't turn back the number but this I can do, I can control what direction I take. This is act 3 of my life, I know how I want the play to go, the scenery to look, the people in it.

I know what I want. Ha.. what I will have.
Because you know what? I deserve no less.

Wordless Wednesday- 'Leaf'ing Summer behind ( yeah, I know.. cheesy )

2011-09-20T21:35:00.000-06:00

Monday Morning Blues

2011-09-18T22:02:00.000-06:00

Under ice

The beauty of spheres redux

the ebb & flow

For you, Iz

Cold blue redux

For Today

2011-09-16T18:24:00.001-06:00

For Today

Outside my window...

I see clouds, winds and a setting sun. I see summer fading.

I am thinking...

hard. And yes, it hurts. ppffhhtt

I am thankful for...

my girls, the changes they are currently going through, the strength they show tackling things head on. They done growed up on me.

From the Kitchen...

I see the remnants of yet another successful supper. I also see my daughter clearing up the mess. ( okay okay, I asked her to clean up in a way that wasn't really a question, ha ha )

I am wearing...

loose clothes, I pre-monthly, bloated and damn bitchy. Deal.

I am creating...

not a whole lotta nufins. I am even having trouble blogging. What gives?

I am going...

to get hubby to take me out tonight for a coffee, in a quiet coffee shop, away from a very energetic 3 1/2 yr old, I call 'Uncle!' She wins . lol

I am reading...

an old favorite trilogy. Can't start on my new book, hubby just got home from the pipeline and if I start it, I'll flat out ignore the boy. He wouldn't be overly happy, me thinks.

I am hoping...

for eight solid hours sleep. I'm begging the sleep gods to look down upon my sorry self gifting me with this simple, albeit self serving wish. 8 hours. That's all..

I am hearing...

the TV blaring,the grandchild bouncing off the walls and the freakin' dog barking outside. At nothing. I'm slapping a 'For Sale' sign on his neck and tying him to the corner light post. If he's not gone in one hour, I'm taking the sharpie, scratching out 'for sale' and putting ' FREE'.

Around the house...

is the beautiful sheen of a house just cleaned. Lol, hell don't look at me, I didn't do it.

One of my favorite things...

is sitting on the computer chair, spinning fast enough to turn my stomach, singing about cats, dogs and dinosaurs. ( what happened to the days when I was a figure skater and could spin faster than any carnival ride??)

A few plans for the week...
Making like a couch potato in the evenings, the fall season premieres of my shows. One of my favorite weeks of the year. I know.. I'm a loser with no social life.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

Did I make you look twice?

Wordless Wednesday- Jewels of the...Nile?

2011-09-13T20:54:00.000-06:00

water droplets

on a mirror

Here's what I learned

2011-09-11T08:31:00.003-06:00

about the crazy world of photography:

There are eggshell tender feelings out there with photogs. I see these words all the time " Be kind when you judge my photograph", I simply don't understand the concept of that. Buy a crib and sleep in it if you want to be coddled. Seriously.

Some people hog space for the day's assignment. Yes, Harold, you posted a picture for today but honestly, 20 is overkill.

A question I am asked regularly, "What kind of camera do you have?" It's not the camera, it's the perception of the eye behind it.

It's a very egotistical field. Egos are inflated to bursting point. Actors have nothing on photographers. Mind you, writers beat shutterbugs but not by much. ;-)

I shoot for the layman's enjoyment not the professional's opinion.

Be brutal. Take the picture but delete right away if it's no good. As much as you think you've taken the next best picture ever, you really haven't. Get over it. I delete much more than I keep. Look at your work with a critical eye. Don't be shy, it gets easier the more you do it.

We all get ideas from looking at other photographers's works. Here's the key word, 'ideas'. Incorporate it into your own works but for pity's sake, don't copy cat. Most of us recognize it and honestly, you lose strength to your photographs.

I have never been a very competitive soul, it doesn't 'push' me to do better. In anything. And photography is in the same mix. I only follow a select few sites, a few favorite people who's works I admire. ( Erica & Don ) The competitiveness of it will kill my desire, my originality, my ideas, my very enjoyment of it.

The comments that matter the most are those of my family. They rarely react to my photographs so when I hear an intake of breath, or an 'Oh wow, Mom!' it is what gives me the deepest satisfaction. It is my husband's insistence on downloading the pictures I've shot the minute I step foot through the door. I might not hear ooohs and ahhhs from him but that's not what I need. That simple request is all it takes. This is what stokes me at the highest level. It's what pushes me to challenge myself beyond my comfort level. And take it from me, the technical aspects to photography is like calculus and fractions, bloody daunting.

I have oh so much more to learn and at times I question my ability to do it. Especially when I delete a day's worth of .. crap. And believe me, I can shoot crap. I'll walk away from my camera for a while but I'll start to miss it and my fingers will itch to pick it up.

I don't have Photoshop to work with or a wide angle lens, nor a crackerjack macro lens for that matter. I lust for them but I refuse to put the money towards it. I take pictures for pleasure, maybe if I made a living from it but I can't justify the cost based on pleasure alone. ( upwards of 4 grand for those.) I sigh over photographs tweaked by Photoshop, photographs taken with those two lenses. How I wish... but I can't so I try to do the best with what I have.

And that's some of the things I've learned/observed about photography.

Wordless Wednesday- Litte Feet

2011-09-06T21:27:00.000-06:00

The world is yours, my little Sweet. Blaze your paths with those tiny feet. ♥

Waiting for...what?

2011-09-04T11:52:00.000-06:00

She was at a loss most days. Walking around waiting <searching?> for... something. She haven't the foggiest as to what it was. Her life was on hold, caught between act 2 and act 3 with an intermission that wouldn't end.
Wandering the four corners of her world, suspended in limbo with no anchor or paddle. This was not a new situation but this time there was no map to help steer her in a direction, any direction. Not that it would help anyways, she could never tell east from west, north from south. Her husband couldn't fantom it, a never ending source of frustration for him. If he were to be put in the middle of a different land, he would find his way about, driving the 'wrong' side of the road. It would of been nice to have that ability but she wasn't around the day they handed out the memo.

Her children were grown, her house too big. Wandering about in it the quiet was deafening at times, yet a cherished balm after the kids had come to visit. Couldn't have it both ways, she knew.

So why did it seem Life was marching on without her, had it forgotten her part in the years she'd been in it?
It wasn't playing fair, waking up day after day with a purpose watching as she searched, questioned..trying to find the damn answers. Where had her Life Plan doc. gone? It might not have been full but there had been a haphazard bullet form list, even a diagram if she was so lucky.

Looking for signs, it was obvious she was unable form a plan or make decisions as of late.
Waiting, confused as to why, not liking the feeling of being lost, out of sorts. She always had purpose and now it was as if there was none. How many times in this lifetime would she have to step back and look for herself? Where and at what point did one get lost like this? It was a frustrating search when she disappeared. As a child hide and go seek was never her favorite game, there was always things to do, places to go, people to see. Why take time and look for..something?
Wondering who called the game she could do nothing but bide by the rules.

The world was getting on with it's own Life Plan but where did that leave her while she sat there waiting <searching?>...
for something.

It's Okay!

2011-09-02T17:26:00.002-06:00

It's Okay

...to be able to sleep through the year's worst thunder/lightening storm. Why is it then, I can't sleep through hubby's snoring anymore?

...to take a break from the treadmill and weights. It's just a bitch to start again.

...to have a love/hate relationship with Facebook. Love to keep up, hate that my freedom of speech is impeded due to the personalities on my list. Yeah, I know.. my choice.

...to fold the laundry as I got it...if I get it inside out that's how you get it back, my loves.

...to people watch. With sunglasses. I so wish I could wear my sunglasses at night.

...to have an iPhone. It's really ok not to be 'tagged' as to when I choose to read a text or answer one back. Unlike a blackberry.

...to draw a line in the sand at this stage of the game. I know what I can't take anymore. Like stupidity... greediness.. egos.Yup, I love my age. :-)

...to envy the lives of some characters in books. It's been slow, adventure wise, for me this year. Looks like Ima gonna have to shake things up next year.

...to drive 10 above the posted speed limit, it's frustrating, however,to keep finding myself 20 above. What's my rush?

...miss my gel nails. It's a lot of work getting my real ones back up to snuff.

...to have a bad photography day. It's demoralizing to have them run consecutive.

What about you , my bloggy pals, what are you Okay with?

Wordless Wednesday- Bleeding Heart

2011-08-30T20:54:00.003-06:00

For all you Bleeding Hearts

Musings of This, That and Other Things

2011-08-29T09:28:00.001-06:00

Pedestrians have the right of way,I get that. I just don't get joggers. Here they come barreling across the marked pedestrian crossings and don't push the warning signal. That's right, Sugar, I have x-ray vision and can see you flying out from behind trees and light standards to which my very heavy vehicle can stop right.now.

I don't get their line of thinking. They figure they are stronger than kryptonite? They are above the crosswalk laws? They figure they'll just bounce off my Jeep and keep jogging if I can't stop on time?
They drive me crazy.
I think some of them are also like some church people; dress the part to see and be seen. On Sundays. While the rest of the week they are doing things decidedly unrelated to what they 'preach'.
Yeah.. I know, I'm not a nice person.

Aother huge pet peeve of mine? Being honked at from behind while waiting to make a safe left hand turn sends me through the stratosphere, instantly.
Hey, Asshole, I'm trying to turn safely, climb over top of me if I'm ruining your life.
I have to physically work to calming myself down, it pisses me off that bad. And I won't tell you how I sometimes react.
Breath, Jamie, breath...

I'm respectful and aware of my surroundings but it drives me batty when others seem to think they own the very air we breath. I also know the days I shouldn't be out on the road and I generally try to do everyone a favor and stay off it. But this city is an amazing display of egos, carelessness and disregard for human life,theirs and mine. And here I taught both girls to drive in it, barely.

I got frustrated a few days ago and deleted one of my blog posts. Honestly? Why do so many people search 'skinny old women in bathing suits'??? I had downloaded that picture off the internet because it applied to my post I was writing about.
It has been an ongoing search within my stats. Got tired of it so I chucked it.
If truth be told I don't want to know why you are looking up old ladies in thong bikinis. Truly. Really. Don't.

I posted this on Facebook the other day, I'll throw it over here too.
There are certain expressions that grate me like nails on chalkboard. Words like 'hellz' and 'lolz'. Overusage of the word 'Epic' . My daughter uses 'Nom Nom Nom' because she knows it bugs me. I have a few more but I'll pass this on to you. What are your back teeth gnashing words?

Another FB status. ( Last week was a long one, I was all over it. Normally I cruise in and out. Come find me on Facebook if you so take the notion. Just let me know who you are as I don't normally accept requests from unknown names! )
I'm in the midst of adding recipes to the family cookbook, a long overdue task I've put off ~~for a year or three~~ for a while now. I've come to realize I'm so used to the keyboard that I can only write out two or three recipes a day before my hand cramps up. Long gone are the days I used to write pages of stories or handed in chapters of hand written assignments in school.
This makes me feel melancholy for some odd reason and in a real way, old....er . ( *wink* )

What about you, my bloggy friends, what are your musings of the day?

For Today

2011-08-26T22:29:00.002-06:00

For Today

Outside my window...

I feel the seasons contemplating change through the cool morning air. This is when I'm most energized.. content.

I am thinking...

about the passing of a well loved political figure. I don't follow politics.. much, but he was such a charismatic man. We lost a good one. Journey well, Jack. " My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. "

I am thankful for...

Attitude. Karma. Food, wine and belly laughs. People with no hidden agendas, fires at night. Spontaneous road trips. Daughters, grand daughters, sisters, mothers..

From the Kitchen...

I am writing out favorite recipes in the cookbook my girls will get after I win the lotto and hire a personal chef, in my new house in the Cayman Islands.
Off my planet, this is my fantasy :-P

I am wearing...

my usual summer attire but I am looking very much forward to getting in my 'comfort zone' (as my daughter calls it) again. Heavier clothes, hoodies, hmm maybe new runners.

I am creating...

a memento, of sorts. Some pictures I've taken to share with family over the holidays.

I am going...

Stir. Freaking. Crazy.

I am reading...

all my typos. Impressive. Apparently my fingers aren't playing nice with the keyboard today. Or my brain is on hiatus.

I am hoping...

for a longgggggg drawn out Autumn. For once.

I am hearing...

the coyotes howling.. such a haunting musical melody.

Around the house...

I see order and clean. Ahhh my daughter's an awesome one to shine up my house when she's ocd'ing. ;-)

One of my favorite things...

is losing a pound or two, even if I gain it back. I can still lose it. Boo Ya.

A few plans for the week...

Shaking the cobwebs outta my brain, they're starting to solidify.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

Dog ownership. Fun. ;-)

Wordless Wednesday- In profile

2011-08-23T19:53:00.000-06:00

dog days of summer

Picture this: Odds & Ends

2011-08-19T08:22:00.000-06:00

Floating

I call dibs

Yeah um..might be a few minutes late

now this is a farmer's market

Love at first sight, for both of them

Whew! Close call.

Nephew's own 'Abby Road'

Wordless Wednesday- The square truth.

2011-08-16T19:31:00.001-06:00

;-)

Another woman's kitchen

2011-08-14T10:12:00.002-06:00

Sister was at work, I got bored waiting. Hauled out the camera and snapped a few.

My older but not by much Sister. ;-)

Musings of This, That and Other Things

2011-08-11T19:48:00.003-06:00

The new 'Back to School' Staples commercials are airing now. 'It's the most wonderful time of the year' song is it's trademark August jingle. It's been a few years since I've had the pleasure of shoving that commercial in my daughters's faces. ( yeah I know, I'm mean that way.) I miss that first morning of school, flinging open the girls's bedroom door and singing it at the top of my lungs. Ahh warm fuzzy memories. Just don't ask the girls, somehow I don't think those memories carry the same warmth for them . Bwahahaha

A phone call from out of the blue by an old friend turned into an evening @ Starbucks, reminiscing about the good old days we worked at the bookstore. Here in Canada, your Barnes & Noble is our Chapters and there's a Starbucks attached to most of them. We were met by one of my besties who worked there at the time as well. We toured down memory lane ( what little is left of it ) visiting many names and characters we worked with during out time. ( Not all good but funny for the most part) I don't think that bookstore has seen a staff like us since. We rocked that store. Heck, we pwn'd it.
Ran a tight ship we did,each one of us knowing our sections, ( My bestie learned one day who 'Cassi Nova' was , one of my fondest memories ) and wrap your head around this one, we actually cared about the customer! I know, I know.. days when someone cared!
It was never about the money, working there. Christmas was crazy hectic and at times a reason to quit on the spot. ( You'd be amazed how often I was held to blame because the customer waited till the last possible minute with no success only to have a strip torn off me ) Aside from those times there was joy in being surrounded by books, hundreds of thousands of them. The feel, the smell,the looks of them, I miss it. A lot.
It will remain to this day one of my favorite jobs, ever. And to be able to meet occasionally with old co-workers is a testament on how gelled we were as a staff.
Yeah, we were awesome.
Well again...some of us were. ;-)

Locked myself out of the house yesterday. Jammies on, no shoes, hair not brushed. Warm bacon waiting to be enjoyed for breakfast. Yup, I did that. Because, you know, I'm special that way.
In my defense it wasn't my fault, stupid lock engages whenever it takes a notion.
I wanted to cry, curse,kick the shit out of that door but that would make me look crazier than I already am.
Oh was I pissed. And hungry. :-(
What the hell am I going to do now? Well.. take stock of the situation for one and make a plan. I spied my neighbour two houses down, got her cell phone and madly called my daughter who lives a mere 3 miles away.
(Yes walking distance but not in sock feet with shorts two sizes too big, tank top with no bra, hair like straw wearing a feral look. Not gonna cut it with the general public, I'm thinking.)
Just as well tried calling a patron resident of a graveyard, it's the same bloody thing. Little turd had my jeep with a spare key to the house and she was sleeping like the dead.
My neighbour suggested calling a locksmith, I gave it a moment's thought then rejected it. Wasn't willing to fork over 50 to 70$, thanks but no thanks.
Hmmm.. wait! Ladder? She had a ladder didn't she? Extendable ones that reached that second floor? Where the only window of the house was open, screen on.
She nervously regarded me, offering me a helmut. Bah! Why? I'm only scaling to the second floor, it's all's good, Sugar.
Up the ladder I shimmed, hearing her laboured (stressed?) breathing. Not good for a 20 something year old, tsk tsk. I laughed. I know, I know.. wrong thing to do but I wasn't scared, I just wanted my damn bacon. And to kick the damn stupid door in. She was having kittens down there, poor thing.
Alls well ends well. Made it in, grabbed a coffee card hubby had just given me and gave it to her. Ok , I slipped in her pocket, she didn't want to take anything but I felt bad for knocking a few years off her life.
Today, I'm heading out to make another spare key, can't find the first one, why would I , that would be to easy now, wouldn't it? Going to hide it somewhere outside and if someone finds it and robs me, go hard, asshole. I'm insured.
Never will bacon cool while some idiot, (read me) locks oneself out.

What about you, my bloggy friends, what are your musings of the day?

Wordless Wednesday- That kind of week

2011-08-09T19:56:00.001-06:00

F*&$! Hiring a private jet next time.

2011-08-07T20:15:00.000-06:00

image from Google

This is what my 23 hour day looked like, stretching the boundaries of my sanity.

(This is also the last one I'll fix to have. Ever.)

Wake up at 4:30 am , stupid bladder.
Stupider barking dog outside, window's open. It's cold. Not at my house. Instant awake. (Haven't slept well in eight days, it being not my bed/pillows. No one's fault. )

Photo shoot in the am, oopsy runs overtime, now have to rush to take daughter last minute shopping before flight leaves.
Cram down lunch. Just suffered bad heartburn day before. Afraid to eat.
Go back to parents house, spend last 1/2 hour with my wee neice, won't see her for another year. Sniff.

Pack bag, make sure nothing is forgotten. Swallow tylenol. Headache for eight days, not used to humidity levels. They are through the roof.
Drive to the airport, slow going. Traffic, construction, bad drivers. Need eyes in the back of my head, too bad horn's not broken, I'd exercise my right to use my finger.
Bring car back to rental, go upstairs to ticket counter, long line ups. Wait in line. Wait some more. Shuffle, crawl forward. Sway.. so tired. Finally, our turn.
Flight delayed. Shit. Will miss connecting. Crap. Rescheduling took 25 minutes. Someone get me a chair already.
Hungry, eat fattening ~~shit~~ stuff, wash it down with beer. Afraid to get hungry on flight. (Hypoglycemia is not a good thing.) Damn, this beer is gooood.
Table over, guy farts. Disgusting pig. Ruined the buzz of the beer, food turning over in stomach. How the hell does one fart in a damn restaurant and not batt a damn eyelash. Could of smacked him upside the head, stinking asshole.
Go to the departure gate, flight that was delayed is even more delayed. Will have 5 minutes to deplane and catch connecting.
Great. Just great.
Finally the plane is ready. Four hour flight ahead of me. TV's not working. Shit. Two boys with Mom in seat ahead of me. 2 Yr old boy reaching new decimals of screeching, Mom does nothing. Shitpissfack. Six year old bouncing off sides of airplane. sigh.
2o something year old in seat beside me. Not only plays air guitar & air drums with hands, he does it with his entire friggen body. The. Whole. Fucking. Four. Hours.
Why me??
Tylenol. Alcohol.
6 year old boy running up and down the isle. Stands beside me and takes over my hidden object game. Excellent player but kid? You are not invited to play. Mother ignores him/me. Damn cow.
Stewardess AND steward lean into me, apologize. They feel sorry for me. Free drink.
Not enough damn alcohol to fix this one.
Air drummer/guitarist still going strong. I want to hurt him. Bad.
Tylenol does fuck all.
Need to use the bathroom. Front one blocked by cart, start getting up to use back one, mother and two boys jump ahead.
ARE YOU SHITTING ME??
I'm sitting in the seat taking the empty water bottle and smacking my head with it for a different kind of pain.
I'm in a nasty dream aren't I?
Slowwww decent, ears hurting, air guitar/drums rocking both seats now. Four hours of dead tinny noise from his earbuds. Weird crab like movements with his long tapered fingers. This visual is going to cause me nightmares.I know for sure.
Shoot me now. Please.
12 of us deplane before anyone else, rush like crazy people across a large airport to the departure gate.
Plane delayed by an hour.
Really? Fuck you at this point.
Head to Chili's , 9 ounce glass of wine with a taco soup.
Daughter likes the wine and the soup, I only get half the buzz. Oh well, can't handle my alcohol anyway.
Coffee, Tim Horton's. An hour gone. Time to board.
'We apologize for the delay, we can not find a passenger, we will have to deplane all the luggage'
Did I hear you right, you miserable airline? Are you for real??
This is hour 22 of being awake. Feeling shaky, sick. Ears are going to implode. Hoping stupid head will lope off. o
Turbulence ALL the way in the small 24 seater. Can't I just jump now and end the pain?! Please?
Get to home airport, dizzy. Tired doesn't even cut it.
Luggage comes 30 damn minutes after.
Grabbed a taxi and told him to haul ASS or no tip. Take it or leave it, I. don't. care.
Get home. Hour 23.
Kiss 2nd daughter hello, go upstairs and fall face first to bed.
Woken up next morning @ 9 am by recycling truck, with my recycling not out, nor the garbage.
Hair wild with two eyes in same socket, rushing out like a fool. Missed the blue bags, threw garbage out. Gave something for the neighbours to talk about. Stopped myself from flipping a couple of them off. Get bent, losers.
Went to start kettle.
Need coffee. Bad.
Not a FUCKING stitch of milk in the house. I don't drink black.
Meltdown ensued.
Everyone scattered.

Functioning abilities returned...three days later.
Sanity was lost somewhere above the clouds.
If you find it let me know, I'll need it at some point I guess.

August's Open Letters

2011-08-06T08:18:00.001-06:00

Dear Elderly People ,

You were lost, unsure of the area and very much at wit's end, I wasn't about to take your money you offered. I drove slow, made you followed me across city to the hospital you needed to get to. It was my pleasure and the hug I got was worth more than any amount of cash offered.
Signed,
Sweet on Seniors

Dear Brendan
Seriously? You are no Romeo and Rachel is no Juliette. Man up, you patsy. If you need help go talk to Jeff. He's got a bead on how to stay a man in a relationship.
Signed
Stay on the porch, you little puppy.

Dear Coffee drinkers,
Stop racing me in to the coffee shop. It. drives. me. nuts. You ruin my java frame of mind. I could cheerfully 'trip' and spill the whole cup on your lap. Complete waste of darn good coffee on the very deserving.
Signed,
It's always a race to the red light, to the coffee line , to the end of the day.

Dear Life,
Can we just go back, for a wee bit, to a time where picking the right coloured crayon was the biggest decision I had to make?
Signed,
I want a crayon, I don't care if it's the broken one.

Dear Boy,
You are sniffing around my daughter. Tread lightly, I'm older, meaner, pre-menopausal. I'm tired of seeing my offspring hurt.
Signed,
Momma 'Sharp Clawed' Bear

Dear Bladder,
Size matters ya know. So why the hell do you have to be so small? Why do I always have to be chained to within a half hour away from any stupid bathroom? You always cramp my style. Tired of doing the dance with you. ( ha ha get it? dance? the pee pee kind? Damn I'm funny)
Signed,
Bigger is better.

Dear Air Canada,
I flew with you because I had no choice. Never. Ever. Again. Might I suggest you look towards your competitor. They know how to do it right.
Signed,
WestJet frequent Flyer

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-02T19:52:00.000-06:00

Weeds. Almost pretty.

Wordless Wednesday- Ew

2011-07-26T19:02:00.001-06:00

Mexican grapes-pricey. The Cicada- free.

Musings of This, That and Other Things

2011-07-21T23:23:00.000-06:00

I named her 'Stick Chick'
I had a hard time not staring at her. Very chic outfit, 3/4 length wide bottom silk pants, top showcasing her petit figure. Hair perfect, make up perfect,accessories perfect. A little much for Costco,but she showed me up in my runners, summer blouse and dark blue jeans.

What captivated my attention was how she was walking in her stilettos. Women sway their beautiful hips when they walk, and yeah, most of us know how to work it especially in a pair of killer boots. But her? How do I describe this? She walked like she was going to fall off those 4" stilettos at any moment. Her gait stilted,unsure.. her steps like those of a geisha in feet that were bound. She was going to have very sore lady bits at the end of the day. Stick stiff way to move one's legs and hips, honey.

Normally I am able to contain my reactions in public or at the very least wait till I'm well past the situation but not today, ohhh no, I busted out right in front of her.
Shit, how the hell was I going to get out of this one, I couldn't stop. It was so comical, didn't she have a clue how she looked walking? The click click clicking of her heels was as offensive as the walk itself. I was waiting to hear some sort of rhythm as we normally do when a woman sashays in heels. This? It was like an out of tune recorder with nails running across a chalkboard. Ouch.

Lucky for me I had my iPhone in my hand (yeah ok, it's normal nesting place.) and made like I had gotten a funny text. Thank GOD for my sunglasses still on my face, saved! (but not by much.)

Speaking of... People of Walmart has nothing on some People of Costco, stick chick aside. Passed a shall we say 'trailer park' type of woman. She was sporting an unnatural shade of blonde, wearing tight leggings with silver 3" chunky heels anchored on her foot by a fat strap across the front part. Oh. My. God. For real?? I couldn't even tell you what her top was, the pants and shoes too loud for me to notice.

I'm not the most stylish chick out there, my preferences leaning towards jeans and workout attire (up to date thank you very much) but damn, I know what works, what doesn't. And that did.not.work.

Can you tell it's my PMS week? A wee bit catty I am & I don't much care. It's a wicked wicked pms week and I can't shake off the bitchiness. Hubby's thankfully (on his part ) out of town and daughter is deflecting well. Just be glad you are not in my field of vision doing or wearing something stupid or I'd blog about you too.

I rock. Yeah, I'm blowing my horn but hey, I calls it like it is. I am going back 'home' for a visit soon and have managed to snag my high school besties for a morning/lunch meet. Yeah, high school besties, Alumni '81. Do the math, I'm so not spelling it out. I'm SUPER pumped. Last time must be close to 10 years ago. Nothing like hooking up with those who are the feed for most of one's memories. (details and events best not shared publicly, a couple of these people are connected I'm sure.ha ha )

A few hours where the passage of time is forgotten. These are my lifelong, with a capital B, Besties, ( Donna G, Sue, Donna L and Lynn) those that have known me a better part of my life and still love me. The core of who we are remaining unchanged, even if we have. Let the wine and memories flow..

What about you, my bloggy friends, what are your musings of the day?

Wordless Wednesday-Summer. Where?

2011-07-19T21:52:00.004-06:00

This is my summer, how's yours?

For Today

2011-07-15T07:15:00.004-06:00

For Today

Outside my window...

I don't see the ocean. Which sucks. I don't see rain, however, which doesn't suck.

I am thinking...

how much I miss huge bodies of water. The peace, the solitude.. the hypnotic pull of the ebb and flow . ( yeah.. Aquarian here, can you tell?)

I am thankful for...

the freakin' sun that finally decided to grace us with her presence. Bite me, Mother Nature.

From the Kitchen...

I hear sounds of hubby making me coffee, I'm praying to the breakfast gods I'll be smelling the bacon next.

I am wearing...

a tank top and lulu shorts sporting a head of knotted straw like hair. Sexy.

I am creating...

Jack. Setting him in front of Shit.

I am going...

to get those mutts summer shaved before the heat strikes. Both will look like drowned rats, oh well..

I am reading...

text messages and emails. The extent of my reading lately and I'm good with that.

I am hoping...

the mosquitos get all miraculously eradicated. In one fell swoop. Whoosh!!

I am hearing...

engines revving, dogs barking but no bacon sizzling. This sucks. Pffhhtt.

Around the house...

I am trying to come up with a 'honey to do list' to keep from tripping over hubby. Bored hubby.

One of my favorite things...

is being hugged by my little spitfire, a two arm choke hold around my neck type of hug. I wish I could slow down time when this happens.

A few plans for the week...

Trying to find my cooking mojo again. A pre-planned menu will help?
Well then, so will wine.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing...

No Waldo but there's a message in there.

Wordless Wednesday- Transform...er?

2011-07-12T21:12:00.002-06:00

Sydney B.C shoreline and Park.

2011-07-10T08:30:00.000-06:00

The local duck hang out

Pretty Pond

No Troll.. I checked

Posing for the camera

I'd preen too if I was this colour

Soaking up the sunshine

Because I felt you needed to know what the back of a peacock looks like

Colour saturated

Coastline

I'd take this view any day, every day. With my morning coffee.. ahhhh

Musings of This, That and Other Things.

2011-07-08T09:26:00.002-06:00

I braved the scale the other morning, I hadn't stepped on that thing in months. I use my clothes as a scale and wasn't getting major red flag warnings but I knew I wasn't where I had left my weight back last year.
I have a good bead on my body, I understand its warnings, stress being a major weight gain factor. I've had my share of it the last three years which is when my weight started to slide.

I'm not talking about major amounts but I am short, 5'2.5" ( I'll hang on to that 1/2 inch thank you very much ) and small chested. Big chested women have the illusion of smaller tummies due to the ..imbalance, if you will.

So I pay for and show every pound I put on.
I blinked several times when I got on the scale, it showed me a number five pounds off from my lowest. I got off and on again. Same number. Why hello there, I'll take that number!

At the end of the day it comes down to choices. Take it from me, some of them suck big time.

Like watching people eat cheesecake, doughnuts and desserts without guilt, chomping down on calorie ladened yummy foods at will, maybe drinking a few beers at the end of the day... once upon a time, I could do that and more.

Now my life consists of working out when that's the last thing I want to do, cardio that makes me sweat, weights that make me hurt.

BUT moments like the one on the scale or being able to slip on a favorite pair jeans at the beginning/middle and end of 'that time of the month' makes those choices worth it.

And believe it or not me having small boobs is one of my biggest motivators.

I went through my Facebook list a couple of days ago. I do this about every six months, trying to clean it up. I never was one to do the 'popularity' thing on this social media site, I follow very selectively. I have a steadfast rule. No bosses or co-workers, I've deleted both. Live and learn and I did. I follow a few news media personalities, some authors and many high school Alumni from 30 years back. I don't think my girls have issues with their mother on their friends list, they are adult women now, long gone the teenage years where defiance was a way of life.
I like my list, it's not a popularity list of show and tell but it is a list of those who interest me, those who matter.

However, I will cop to following a couple for drama purposes. I stay away from anything drama related in my life if I can help it but like a reality show on TV, sometimes it's fun to be on the outside looking in. So along with keeping in touch on FB, there is that small entertainment factor.

And I'm ok with that. I know who's in my house of Facebook and who I look out the window at.

Going 'home' for a visit and very much looking forward to it. This time I'm taking my eldest daughter along for the ride,she's wanting to retouch base with her beginnings. Sadly, and it is a deep down sadness, my youngest isn't coming. Reasons I understand but nevertheless, it'll be different there without the both of them,I very much wanted to 'show off' both my beauties.

I am looking forward to touching base with my sisters, one of them a first time mother. I get to hang out my parents again, maybe visit some of my old haunts. I want to see it through my daughter's eyes for a change. I'm hoping for a coffee meet with some of my besties. We'll catch up on the last five/six/seven years. Time goes by quickly at this point in our lives, catching up with old friends means the last decade in some cases.

Yup, going to be a good trip back.

I just really wish my youngest would of come.

What about you, my bloggy pals, what are your musings of the day?

Weathered and old

2011-07-05T21:11:00.002-06:00

but standing the test of time

Sky Sparkles

2011-07-02T21:34:00.003-06:00

Pretty night sky sparkles

( click to enlarge )

True North

2011-07-01T14:36:00.002-06:00

Strong and Free

Happy 144th Canada!

Musings of This, That and Other Things

2011-06-30T16:10:00.005-06:00

Musings of This, That and Other Things,

Wow I've never been at such a loss for musings. It's like my brain has stopped and is refusing to start again. I haven't been out in public lately, no little quips or funny happenings in my world. My four walls are swallowing me wholeeeee.. save meeeeeeeee.......

( I have been out since I wrote this and true to form, it's never boring venturing into the masses)

A great place all around.
The manager at Olive Garden is awesome. Ever taste their coffee? It is soooo good. But they don't sell it to the general public anymore. One has to charm staff into some free stuff... And charm I did. Hello yummy coffee tomorrow morning. Thank you, Mr. Manager. :-) ( FYI, I scored some last time from Chef, he made a big production coming out and gifting me with a whole bunch. He was very charming )

Parking Wars.
It's called Parking 101. Today we are focusing on handicapped drivers. I do not begrudge you your right to zoned parking spots. You should have them BUT let's review shall we? Let's discuss the reason for those little yellow lines that square off each parking space. You are lucky, yours is double wide. Lots of space to make it easy. BUT what's not okay is when you park to the far right of your space with your wheels over those pretty little yellow lines. The one parking space left for little ol' non handicapped me, and your van is hogging part of my space, on an angle no less.
I don't care what your handicap is, that's just greedy honey.

Handicapped.. sort of.
Speaking of. Have you ever seen this? Someone drive into to a handicap parking spot,alone, you see them reach for the handicapped sign and hook it on the rear view mirror? As you watch them exit their vehicle you know full well they are not the ones handicapped. That's just not right and that's just greedier.

Momma would be so proud. Not.
One of my all time pet peeves is having someone ( read male ) hawk up a spit bomb in the back of their throat and launch serious air into the spit. In front of me. I find it to be a low class insulting thing to do in front of somebody. ( read female ) It takes a concentrated effort for me to shut my mouth and carry on, it takes longer for my stomach to stop roiling over the sound/sight of it. It disgusts me. Youngsters ( read 15 to 25 yrs old ) have no problem doing it but I have to think if I was a hot 20 yr old, that wouldn't happen. My hand twitches and I want to reach out and smack the back of his head.

Becoming Chaz Bono.

I watched the two hour special on him. What a fascinating heart wrenching story. It was hard to feel his pain at times but I believe it's made him who he is today. I'm sure whatever he's lost along the way, he's gained more in the long run. I hope his momma comes to full acceptance soon, he needs that.. What an incredible story and human being.

What about you, my bloggy pals, what are your musings of the day?

Wordless Wednesday- The Man

2011-06-28T21:42:00.003-06:00

The man, the elements.. his world