Otter Pops

It wouldn't be summer without Otter Pops.  I can't tell you how many of these Kevin can eat!  He likes them a little 'slushy', not frozen hard, so his ritual is to take them out of the freezer at night to thaw, and when I get up in the morning there is a little 'sticky note' on the counter that reminds me to put them back in the freezer.  Then in the evening they are the perfect consistency for him!  (I have to admit I like them that way too!)

A few weeks ago when I had the boys for the day, while Micah was taking a nap, Collin and I enjoyed a warm summer day with a couple of Otter Pops.  It was nostalgic... seems like just yesterday that was Kevin and I.

Every boy should have two things: a dog, and a mother willing to let him have one. 

~ Anonymous 

Decisions

I need to make a decision.  Do I want to continue to pursue photography on the side or just for my own enjoyment?  Expenses and frustrations are leaning me toward just for my own enjoyment.  We'll see how it plays out.

I'd rather be...

After yesterday's post Joyce sent me this picture with her heading "I'd rather be here"...  (Yes, she is back to work too.)

Quite frankly, after this week at work I think I'd rather be here!!!

I'd rather be here....

A little bored?

When I start taking pictures of the Comcast guy up on the phone pole in the alley, I guess it is time for me to go back to work.  (He was pretty cute though!)

Major Blahs

I am having the major blahs today.  When this happens I try to pinpoint the reason and do something about it.  After some soul searching, there are a few reasons, but probably the most glaring is that I go back to work tomorrow.  I love my work.  I love the people I work with.  I miss the students, the laughter and fun.  So why am I feeling so bummed?  Probably because I didn't really do anything this summer... and even tho this is a picture of the beach, I didn't even go there.  Not for me anyway.

So now I'll try to think positive and remind myself that next summer is only a blink away.  (Who wants to go to the beach???!!)

My Katie Girl

Sorry for another Katie picture, but our focus has been on her this last week.

She was not getting off Kevin's bed to eat or go outside.  For days.  It was obvious something was very wrong, so we took her to the vet.  Without running a litany of tests, it would be impossible to get a diagnosis.  We did notice that when we put her down to walk she limped.  Bad. 

I suggested that before we spent $$$$ to run all the tests that we x-ray her front legs.  It turns out she has arthritis in both of her front elbows.  After an injection and some pills, she is getting up to eat again, and even going outside.  The jury is still out if this is her only problem, but for now we're hopeful.

Little Visitor

I had a special visitor yesterday.

Lucy usually runs, but yesterday she was completely intrigued by this little person.  And Natalie... well that's all she wanted was to be outside with Lucy.

So, I put a blanket down and she was content just to be outside watching my silly cat.

I only got to watch Natalie for a short time, and I promised myself I would not grab my camera, but... my name is Judy and I am an addict.  There, I said it.

Crapper Toilet With a View

Are you kidding me??  We have to walk around that cliff to get to the toilet?  It should have a bay window... the view was spectacular!

The trail to the right goes to the bathroom.

Of course Dave didn't care that it was on the side of a cliff!

Believe me... it was a lot steeper down than it looks in this picture.  You didn't just 'sit around', if you know what I mean!

Patio Shadows

No, I didn't put Collin behind bars.  Hmmm... good idea though!!  :-)

More E.S.

Back to my Eastern Sierra trip...

There are many lodges on the high country roads out of the Bishop area.  The Bishop Creek Lodge is on the way to North Lake and South Lake and one we stop at every time we are there... usually to get an ice cold beer and sit on the front porch drinking it while taking in the views.  On this day we 'just happened' to be in the area around lunch time.  (I have a way of planning things!!)  There were two things on the menu... a hamburger or chicken burger.  Anyone who knows me can guess which one I ordered.  Delicious!!

Happy Birthday Micah!

It looks like someone is very excited to be turning TWO today!  Happy Birthday little man!

Finished!

I'm finally completely done editing the last session of the summer... and I go back to work in a week.  Not much 'free' time.  Remind me to keep my summer open next year!

I know I said "no more newborn sessions", but somehow I succumbed to one more.  He was worth it.  Such a beautiful, sweet baby boy!

Oldies But Goodies

This has been a summer of going (almost) nowhere, so I find myself revisiting old picture files.  (If I've posted these before, I'm sorry.)

This picture was taken at Trumbull Lake when we camped there a couple of summers ago.  I woke up really early and took a little walk with my camera.  I kicked myself for not grabbing the tripod, because the light was really too dark to be hand holding a camera.  The light changes so quickly, I knew if I ran back to get it I would miss this picture.  It's a little blurry, but is still one of my favorites from that trip.

This is from the same trip, but a different early morning (I remembered my tripod).  There is a reason photographers like early morning and early evening.  The light.  If I took this same picture at noon it would have a completely different look.

Welcome Committee

These furry guys were just waiting for someone to come into their little country store.  It would have been impossible to walk past them without giving them a little 'hello' and a scratch behind their ears.

Hot Summer Days!

Two of my favorite boys... ice cold watermelon... hot summer day.  Sweet!

Oh Brother!

Yesterday I had the boys all day thinking it would give me a chance of getting a good picture of them together.  Silly me!  I got some adorable ones of them separate (will post some later), but every time I tried for that special 'brother' picture... well, here is a sample of what I got. 

I love them to death, but it was a good reminder to me why old people don't have kids!

"Collin, sit down."

"No."

"Collin, sit down.  Your head won't be in the picture."

"Yes it will."

"No it won't."

"Yes it will."

"No, it won't."

(Who won???) 

Beach Book

Yesterday I finished the Solari Beach Book.  It took me all day.  All day.   I love her idea of doing a book a year to see how much the grandchildren have changed.  Some day I will copy that idea!

I'll Shoot Lucy Instead!

After dinner I asked Kevin if he would walk to the park with me to check it out for light for an upcoming photo shoot.  (I have to have a subject for practice shots.)  So, with headphones blaring, he came with me.  He hates having his picture taken, and was absolutely no help. 

When we got back home I found a much more cooperative subject... Lucy.  Next time I guess I'll bring my cat! 

Yesterday was Jonah's funeral.  I guess I will never understand how an eleven year old child could feel such despair that he would end his life.  I know in my heart if he knew the suffering he has caused his parents and family, he would have never taken this path.  To see his team mates and classmates in tears broke my heart. 

Thank You Lori!

(Happy Birthday Linda!)

Lori, my Santa Fe friend was in Modesto on my birthday last month and met me for a martini.  Two of these martini glasses, the shaker and a nice bottle of gin were my birthday present from her... along with a birthday cake.  She made my day feel special!

Fourth of July

Happy 4th!  It is a perfect day for the beach, the pool, a hike, a parade, a barbeque... or whatever you did to celebrate. 

Helene & Alex in Santa Cruz

She might be sorry!

Shawna might be sorry that she told me I could do whatever I wanted with their yard!  We ripped out all but two of the original plants and replanted with hydrangeas, azaleas, impatiens and lobelia with a groundcover between some pavers.  Can't wait for the next project!

E.S. - Day 4

We were driving on a back road that paralleled Highway 395, and got stopped by a Mule Drive.  It was so cool!  Of course I jumped out of the car before it came to a complete stop and ran up closer with my camera.  They had to stop traffic both ways on 395 until all the mules had crossed.  I think this is a typical occurrence in the Eastern Sierra where mules are very popular for back country pack trips.

I guess these two mules wanted to go to Bishop!