A Busy Summer

Wow. I can't believe it's been this long.

Summer is supposed to be the slow time. The time we sit back and enjoy the beautiful, warm weather. The time to barbeque. The time for fishing and kayaking and vacation. The time for hiking and boating and more barbeques. The time for long walks and short naps. The time for birthday parties and ArtTown and baseball games. The time for playing outside with the dogs and meeting the kids for sushi...

Well, maybe summer isn't such a slow time after all. Maybe I'll post more when it gets cold and life slows down.

The Mason Valley Sky

Saturday, March 21st Mason Valley, Nevada

It was cold and windy. It rained. Dust was blowing around. It had all the makings of a miserable day!

But, through the lens of my camera, I found beauty unimaginable. Colors in the brush, majesty in the sky and patterns in the mud.

God really is an amazing artist.

Spring Forward

I love this view of the Grampa tree. He looks kinda forlorn in the barren wasteland that is our backyard in winter. I feel much the same way this time of year. I have enjoyed the snow and the cold temperature, but it's time for spring. I'm ready for some warmth and the promise of new life. I'm ready for lilacs and daffodils and tulips. I'm ready to wear sandals and go for walks and sit outside. I'm ready to barbeque and sleep with the windows open.

The clocks had to "spring forward" and the weather should too.

I'm ready!

Monday Morning

A COMPLETELY different view...

Saturday Morning

There is nothing quite like the view from Saturday Morning. The entire day stretches out in front of me and the possibilities are endless. Will I learn something new about my camera today? Will I have time to work on a scrapbook project? How much will I do at the gym? Maybe, I'll watch a movie while I fold laundry. Bedtime seems an eternity away, but I know it will be here in the blink of an eye and when it arrives, I'll be happy to climb into bed. I'll look back on the day and wonder where it went.

For now, I think I'll enjoy the view. It's going to be a great day!

First Pics

I've had my new camera for 1 day and already I've taken 160 pictures. Mostly, they are just pics from around the house. My cats are especially tired of being photographed. I think this picture of my cottonwood tree is my favorite. The sky behind it is cloudy and it's early in the morning. So pretty!

Jumped Right In!

Well, I did it! I got over the "sad tale of woe" and went out and bought my camera. I found it at Costco for a decent (but more than I wanted to spend) price. It came with all the accessories I need. Right now, I am impatiently waiting for the battery to charge so I can start my photography career. Now, I don't expect to be an expert photographer any time soon. I'm just excited at the prospect of learning something new.

My first task is to learn how to attach pics to this blog...

A Lesson Learned

It's a sad tale of woe...

I've been researching cameras. I found the one I want. It's a Nikon D60 with 2 lenses (wide angle and zoom) and is more money than I really want to spend. But, I found this website. It offerred a package with the camera, 2 lenses, a case, a 1 GB memory card, a card reader, a tripod and lens care kit... all for $ 459. AN INCREDIBLE DEAL!!! I even went out a bought "Nikon D60 for Dummies" so I could learn all about it.

Today I found out the website is a fraud. It was truely "too good to be true". I had to put a hold on my credit card to prevent them from cheating me. The really sad part is I found the same camera on a reputable website for only $100 more and I can't buy it because my credit card is on hold!

They say "live and learn". I say "be stupid and learn". I just learned a lot!

It's All About "Me"

Today is a "Me" day. My husband is at work and I have the entire day ahead of me to do whatever I want!!

Well... I need to do laundry and unload the dishwasher. Oh, and the bathroom needs to be cleaned. I need to go grocery shopping and put gas in my car. My bonus room needs to be tidied up because I have friends coming to scrapbook tomorrow (which means the guest bathroom needs to be cleaned). I need to iron my husband's work shirts and sew a button on one of them. The kitchen could use a wipe-down and I'll need to plan dinner. I need to work on our taxes.

Hmmmm... Maybe I'll have a "Me" day next week.

Bunco Night

Bunco night. In some respects it is a "drunken glutfest". In others, a way to connect with a group of friends once a month and get away from reality for a little fun. Tonight was a typical night for me. I laughed a lot, ate too much, had a little wine and lost...again... It seems the only time I win a prize is when I'm the worst loser. Oh well, if life were measured in gain, I'd be in trouble anyway.

Just a bit loony...

"Once upon a summertime, just a dream from yesterday, a boy and his magic, golden flute sailed a boat across the bay..." Oh, wait... that's not my life. That's the theme from HR Puff-N-Stuff. For some reason, it came to mind just now. I think I just feel a bit loony from being REALLY tired (as opposed to being normally loony, which I am). I think I'll go to bed. Nighty nite.

A Bad Day With a "P"

When a people-pleasing perfectionist performs poorly, she panics, perspires and pouts, then persistently ponders and plans how to pursue perfect performance...PATHETIC!

The Mundane Life

Today was one of those days. Labels and postage stamps was my day at work. Getting ready for work, getting ready for the gym and getting ready for bed was my day at home. But, sometimes, the mundane days are the best. In the midst of the mundane, a few bright lights appeared. A man came in to share what God showed him today. A woman came in seeking God and looking for a place to meet people and get connected. And a nerf gun fight with a 2 year old. I LOVE MY JOB!

Bunko Gals Won't You Come Out Tonight!

Bunko night. The one night of the month devoted to eating, drinking, gossip and, oh yeah, playing bunko. I even got a manicure today for the occasion. I have jokingly (or not so) referred to this night as a "drunken glutfest". Well, tonight was no exception. I took it easy on the "drunken" part, but "glutfest" still fit, though my skinny jeans may not. I even won a prize tonight. (There's no shame in being the biggest loser) How sweet it is!

Serious pondering postponed another day...

Hmmmm...

Pondering makes my brain hurt!

Humility

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others as better than himself" Our Music Pastor, Dan, talked about this verse at our staff meeting yesterday. It's a verse that I've had in mind during times when it would be all too easy to make it all about me! My favorite definition of humility is "not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less". The problem is the more I try to not think about myself, the more I think about myself. Must ponder this problem...

Being sincere

Sooo... How to be more sincere or genuine. "Sincere" means to be without pretense and "genuine" means to be real. Does that mean everyone around me gets to see every facet of my moods? Does that mean that I should say whatever comes to mind? I don't think so. I think authenticity means so much more than that. Yes, I should be able to share my struggles, taking responsibility for them and striving to be better. Yes, I need to say what I mean and mean what I say. And while I need to be without pretense and real in my communications, it all needs to be balanced with kindness, humility and wisdom. It's all about being the person God designed me to be, nothing more or less.

How do I "practice"?

"Practicing Authenticity" What is that and how do you do it? The definition of authenticity is "genuine or sincere". Most of us, myself the worst offender, show people what we think they want to see. Who doesn't want to be liked? We hide our faults, our weaknesses, our hurts and (all too easily) become "happy, plastic people". I don't want to be a plastic person anymore. My goal for 2009 is to find out how to be "authentic" while still being kind, caring, and yes, liked. I might just have some fun along the way.

Starting my first blog

It started with a phone call. Julie, my BFF and the most fun person I have ever known, called to tell me about her blogs and other fun web-things that are helping her stay in touch. We only see each other a couple times a year and it would be fun to correspond online. Not being a great writer, I hesitated, thinking I would never have time for this. And, being a perfectionist, I thought I'd make myself crazy trying to write something I could let others read. But, I agreed to check it out and give it a try. The more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of having a blog. The minute details of my life would not make fascinating reading...but what if I had a purpose? What if I could find a way to grow through using a blog and, at the same time, keep in touch with Julie? Could be fun! So, here I go...