Happy Birthday Ashley

Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday To You
Happy Birthday Dear Ashley
Happy Birthday To You!
Wishing my niece Ashley the best birthday ever. Happy 22!

Creative Photography

Here's another entry for Roger's contest over at Creative Photography. I was having problems with his site, but all bugs are fixed now and I now can enjoy everybody's photos. This picture was taken by a good friend of mine. It was taken in the Boise National Forest near Silver Creek Plunge in Garden Valley, Idaho. I love the contrasts of the white rapids and the dark rocks. No editing here. All Mother Nature.

A Beautiful Day

Well...I'm finally back home from the boring town of Moscow, Idaho. I had a great week working and visiting with Mom. Did we really visit or just compute? I don't know, but it was nice getting to stay with her for a week. The drive home was routine. Nothing too exciting to photograph, but I did happen to stop in McCall to use the ladies room. I found a nice little stop next to the lake, so I got some awesome shots of Payette Lake. Check out the clouds above the lake. They were equally awesome.

101 facts about me you probably don't want to know

My Sis and Mom posted 100 different facts about themselves, so I thought I'd have a go at myself.

1. I don't like my hair. Who ever said natural curly hair is a blessing LIED!
2. I love photography as long as I'm behind the camera and not in front of it. My camera usually goes everywhere with me.
3. I buy EVERYTHING unscented, unless it's Opium or Emeraude .
4. Cats rule! Dogs drool!
5. I don't like most ice cream (yes, believe it), but I do like sorbets and ices.
6. Every car I've owned has been red or has had red trim.
7. Family is very important to me. I love them all.
8. I really miss my Dad!!
9. I am very tender-hearted when it comes to family, friends and pets.
10. I'm a pessimistic optimist.
11. I believe I have above average intelligence.
12. I don't like cold chicken, cold pizza, most cold sandwiches, etc.
13. I prefer to eat a hot meal.
14. I am an organized slob.
15. I wish my Mom lived closer to the rest of the family, so we could visit more often.
16. Music is a big part of my life. I always have a tune playing on the radio, computer, in my car, or in my mind.
17. I've played the piano since I was 6 1/2 or 7 (circa 1974).
18. I only took lessons for 6 months.
19. Unlike my mother and sister, I do not like hairy men. Gross!
20. It pisses me off when someone has to read the newspaper over my shoulder. Can't they wait?
21. I love vegetables! My favorite is green peas.
22. I love fruit except apples, bananas, and blueberries. It must be served at room temperature, though.
23. All the decor in my house consists of cats or music.
24. I own this Thomas Kinkade.
25. Coca~Cola is my beverage of choice.
26. Rootbeer is my second beverage of choice.
27. I have a very morbid and often crude sense of humor.
28. I am very outspoken.
29. I am extremely hard headed and stubborn.
30. I love every color in the color spectrum. Even blacks and browns.
31. I talk to my cats like they understand what I'm saying. I'd shit my pants if they ever talked back.
32. Although I am skeptically spiritual and faithful, I do not believe in organized religion
33. I am extremely independent.
34. Give me a plate with any meat, potatoes & gravy, and vegetables, and I will eat all the veggies, then the potatoes & gravy, then the meat. If bread or rolls are served, I will eat it first then the others.
35. The only grandparents I knew were my Grandma Beth and Great Grandma Violet.
36. I have never married.
37. I have never had children.
38. The littlest things can and will make me cry. Movies, commercials, people, pets.
39. The ocean awes me.
40. I love the moon.
41. I've broke both wrists, both pinkie toes, and the fourth metatarsal bone in my right foot.
42. I have my ears pierced 4 times. It was an 80's thing.
43. I've never traveled outside of the US Northwest.
44. I love to cook and/or bake for other people.
45. I have all 32 of my teeth and see my dentist every 6 months.
46. I dislike preachy people.
47. I love home grown tomatoes.
48. I wish I had a job where I could dress up once in a while. But I still prefer t-shirts and comfy pants.
49. I swear too much and really don't care who I offend with it. It's my first amendment right.
50. I love all of mother nature.
51. I don't like to shave my legs. I will grow it beyond the itchy stage. Except in summer.
52. I would join a nudest colony if I were the only member. I like to be (almost) nekked. I have to have the undies on!
53. When I sleep, I prefer no clothes (see #52) and no blankets. But, my feet have to be covered.
54. From #53, I have a slight fear of someone or something reaching out from under the bed and grabbing my feet.
55. I haven't been fishing or camping for over 20 years.
56. People like to confide in me. I must be very easy to talk to.
57. I've taught my mother everything she knows about computers. OK, maybe not, but I've taught her a lot!
58. I think spending money on cut flowers is a waste of money. Flowers are beautiful, but they die in a few days. Give me the money or buy something that will last.
59. I don't like telephones. I only have one in case of emergencies.
60. I don't believe people should have to apologize. If you are sorry for doing or saying something wrong, you shouldn't have done it in the first place.
61. I have very good penmanship.
62. I love to sing, whether I'm good or not.
63. I have no non-musical artistic ability whatsoever. I can't even draw stick people.
64. I have 5 nieces, 1 nephew, 1 great-nephew and 1 great-niece (deceased).
65. I've only used 1 1/2 days of sick leave in the past 11 years at my current job. Not bad!
66. I am very dependable.
67. I don't like to leave any task undone.
68. I love the smell after it rains.
69. I want to dance in the rain with someone I love.
70. I am running out of things to type.
71. I am not a very good typist.
72. I despise long fingernails. Mine are cut as close to the skin as I can get.
73. Same goes for toenails.
74. I like to keep my toenails painted. It hides the disgusting inherited toenails. Thanks a lot mom!
75. I don't believe there is anything or anyone I hate. Hate is such a strong word.
76. I have never ran out of toilet paper. There's always back-up.
77. I like to make lists. Keeps me from forgetting things.
78. I like to drive in the left hand lane.
79. I cannot remember anytime in my life I did not have a cat.
80. I very seldom wear jewelry.
81. I'd rather sleep on the floor than on a hard mattress. Strange, I know!
82. I am a night owl.
83. I understand that people have their angry moments, as do I, but really... what does it resolve?
84. I consider myself to be a happy person.
85. I don't stress over anything. Hakuna Matata!
86. I love all cookies, except Oreo's.
87. I eat cold cereal for dinner sometimes.
88. I am a self taught computer geek.
89. If I don't have an answer, I will search until I find one.
90. Medicine fascinates me. If I could do it all over again, I'd go into the medical field.
91. I am a handy woman. If I can fix it myself, I will.
92. I like candy, but I'm very selective if it involves chocolate. Reese's, Pearson's Salted Nut Rolls, and Necco wafers are my favs!
93. I hope to retire early. We'll see how my ESOP does.
94. I like to gossip.
95. I find myself daydreaming quite often. Keeps my mind off my boring work.
96. I've had surgery 3 different times.
97. I would love to travel abroad. Scotland would be my first destination.
98. If I HAD to own a dog, it would be an English bulldog.
99. I'm nearing the end of my list.
100. If only there were musical cats. Life would be PURRFECT!
101. Sing as if no one is listening,
     Dance as if no one is watching,
     Love as you've never loved before,
     Live as if Heaven is here on earth!!

Journey

I have gone to look for myself, if I return before I get back, keep me here.

---

I am readying myself to embark on a journey up to the beautiful Palouse. My work takes me there to be their slave, but I look at it as an all expenses paid vacation to visit my Mother. Hopefully the beautiful (but long) drive will bring a lot of photo opportunities. I will post any I get the chance to take. See ya all when I return.

Words of Wisdom

If I were asked to give what I consider the single most useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect trouble as an inevitablepart of life and when it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me." -Ann Landers

Mamma Mia!

Michelle, Dawn, and I went to see Mamma Mia! today. It was awesome!! I laughed, cried and had a blast singing along with all the songs from ABBA. Now I'll have to dig out my ABBA CD's. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and pause the music player :)

Creative Photography

Here's another entry for Roger's Creative Phototgrapy contest.


It's a picture of the top of the lava tube otherwise know as Kuna Caves (see post below). I edited it using Photoshop, but don't remember which filter I used. I just liked the colors (and it matches my current blog colors). This is the original.

My Adventure Into The Deep Abyss

Cristie, Jessica, Emily, Sarabeth, and I went to Kuna Caves yesterday. It was my first trip there in the 31 years I've lived in the Treasure Valley. Let me say, it was not that impressive, but it was fun. My body sure aches from the bending and crawling and bruises to my legs and top of my head. If you ever go, take a flashlight, extra batteries, and definitely knee pads. If we go again, the knee pads are first on my list! LOL! Oh, if you wear pants that are too big for you, wear a belt! Here are the pictures.

Otters

Mama sent me this video. Otters are so adorable. They're what I want to see the most if we go the the aquarium. I want a pair! Check it out!

glumbert - Otters hold hands

What is this?

It's been so long since we've had rain here I forgot what it looked like. Today we had a heck of a storm move through. Although it only lasted about 15 minutes, it was quite awesome. I LOVE the rain! Obviously I need to clean out the rain gutters cuz I had quite the waterfall, LOL! I tried to get some shots of the lightning, but it didn't cooperate, darn it!

Deep Thoughts

I sometimes feel a sudden urge to run around naked.
But I just drink some Windex and it keeps me from streaking!

What you lookin' at?

Here's another submission to Roger's Creative Photography contest. I took this using the super macro option on my camera. It's kind of cool how the subject is in focus and the rest is a blur. Didn't even have to edit it. Click on the photo to see a larger view. Alternate views here, here, here, and here. I never plan on winning. I'm just in it for the fun and getting to see other photos and reading peoples comments. Thanks and good luck to all other entrants.

Cat-man-do

Pause the music player in the sidebar and enjoy the show.

Reflections

Here's yet another entry for Roger's contest over at Creative Photography.


After watering the lawn this morning, I decided to play with the camera a little. I noticed the water droplets on the Trumpeters vine and the reflection of the neighbor's tree in the droplets. What a cool shot! I edited it with Photoshop using the omni effect in the filter options. It highlighted the droplet just enough to enhance the image and make it look like it's glowing from within. You can check out the original here and the enlarged image here. Good luck to all the other contestants!

What is a quirk?

Michelle keeps tagging everyone who reads her blog and I happen to be one of the unfortunate ones! LOL! This time the subject is quirks. What exactly is a quirk? A quirk is an odd habit. Quirk, Quirk, Quirk. Isn't it a funny little word? Anyway....
You're reading my post so now you're tagged!

The rules:
1) List 6 of your quirks.
2) Link back to me
3) Leave a comment to let me know you've posted

Here's my six:
1) Under or Over? My toilet paper has to go on the TP holder to it rolls over the top. If I find yours going under, I will probably change it.
2) My windshield has to be clean and streak free. I will wash my windows while driving down the road if I have to. Right Mom? LOL!
3) The TV is almost always on. Even if I'm on the computer, piano, reading (like I ever read) and even when I go to bed. I like the background noise. If it's too quiet, it annoys me. Yes, it's on now.
4) When I eat dinner, if I have meat, taters, and a veggie, I will always eat the veggies first, then the taters, and the meat last. Don't ask me why. Just do.

How's 4? Can't think of more now. It's bedtime and I'm tired!

Creative Photography

While cooking Chicken Fajitas for dinner the other morning(I work the graveyard shift), I was noticing how beautiful the colors blended together. I usually take pictures of nature outside, but thought, what the heck. Nature created this, too. So, I've decided to intertwine my creative talents in the kitchen and behind the lens. No photoshop here, just Mother Nature and myself in harmony. BTW, the fajitas were awesome!!! I made enough to feed me for 3 days. They were equally good, each and every day. YUM! Check out Roger's Creative Photography Contest and the other entries here.

Saturday

Saturday is the day of the week between Friday and Sunday. Thank you Wikipedia!

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day. Today The United States of America celebrates it's 232nd birthday. Read more about the Declaration of Independence here.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Today is birthday #41. OLD!!! But I only feel 19. Here are some photos of me and my family throughout the years. I'm the cute one in all the pictures, LOL!