ON THIS DAY.... JANUARY 28th!

Being an "overachiever" and NOW a "procrastinator" I tend to avoid posting pictures on my blog if they aren't new or what I consider "blog-worthy"... I've been spending a chunk of time each day editing my photo library. It's gotten unmanage-able (over 42,500 photos)... and many of them need to be trashed. Of course, that prevents me from wanting to add more photos until I take care of this problem.

So... to SIMPLIFY life... I dug back into my archives for some notable happenings on this day... specifically, 2013 and 2011... Here's what I found. Also, I borrowed photos I hadn't posted to illustrate this post.

January 28, 2013

We took visitors to see the ELEPHANT SEALS on 1/28/13. An easy drive... it's always exciting being outside in the brisk, winter breezes along the coast of California. AND, who wouldn't like seeing the elephant seals... 

Actually, I enjoy seeing the expressions on people's faces while they watch the nuances of ELEPHANT SEAL life. This photo happens to be from February 2014, but I love the look on Matthew's face.

January 28, 2011

Then there was this LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE IN 2011. 

I had broken a bone in my left foot. I had written about the emotions that I was feeling as the result of being on crutches. Little did I know that I would use crutches until mid-July. AND, then have physical therapy for several months to regain my balance. 

JPE & I had already booked flights to see SLE & MB in Washington DC. So, off we went... You can see "da boot" that was "oh so glamorous!" We are laughing at MB, who was taking our picture! He's taken some of the best pictures --- and he's blind. Of course, we had all sorts of comments to help him snap this photo. 

Well... hope you enjoyed "On THIS DAY" (in 2013 & 2011)... perhaps I'll have to make this a regular feature here!

See you soon! 

P52 {WEEK 34}

Gosh, this is week 34 of 2013... only 18 weeks left in this year! Unbelievable!! Posting a mish-mash of photos from the past two weeks... Checking in with Tamar @ Random-osity.

Very unique brick wall in Laguna Beach! 

Not sure that my dad would have liked it - the mortar is oozing out between the bricks.

He was a master craftsman... hard to believe it's been almost four years since he passed away! 

You can spend the night in "The Nest" --- I would think you'd need a pretty warm night, with no fog blowing off the ocean. Cute sign seen at Treebones Resort, south of Big Sur proper.

The NEST - taken years ago - gosh, I've aged! 

Cool FONT! store window in Laguna Beach.

Pretty novel fire hydrant, huh? I was curious about the words located in the red - so I googled cluehoo.com & learned this is an interactive scavenger hunt about a city! It appears it's still being developed in Laguna Beach, CA.

Last weekend, JPE & I joined four friends in Laguna Beach for Pageant of the Masters, a "living show" of art. Check out the video clip RIGHT HERE (click on what is it)! A simply amazing venue!

We bought a few new Lego Hero Factory action figures... Lydia explained which guys are "good" & which are "evil" but I don't remember the names of these guys. Apparently, these guys are a new line of Legos.

Speaking of NEW... I bought a new pair of work shoes! lately, I've only been able to wear my Keen sandals (due to plantar fasciitis)... I'm able to insert heel cushions in these new shoes! AHH! Comfort!

That's it for my random post... check back for the upcoming posts:

1. Book Peek - see book title mentioned Sunday
2. Site 33 - camping with Lydia
3. Pure "beachy" - Big Sur style

FRIDAY FUNNIES R BACK!!!

Lola's sad face!

Peanut cracks a funny-one!

LOVE my fluffy collar?

 

 

 

FOCUS {OLW}...

Ventana Grill 12.13.11

Several of my blogger friends {I use that term loosely, because I have yet to meet them in person}, select a word for the year... for a better understanding of this project, click HERE!

On the same blog {ALI EDWARDS @ AE BLOG}, Ali Edwards, digital scrapbooker extraordinaire, has compiled a list of words from bloggers participating in ONE LITTLE WORD {OLW} 2012.

Kat Sloma, shares her love of photography @ KAT EYE STUDIO... and explains HER THOUGHTS on selecting words to provide a direction for inspiration & creativity. If you aren't familiar with her online photography courses, check out FIND YOUR EYE... she also coordinates EXPLORING WITH A CAMERA, a bi-weekly project for expanding your photography skills. 

I spent some time editing & deleting photos over the New Year's Weekend... and almost trashed this photo. But, something about it captured my attention. So, it survived the year-end DUMP.

Today, I ran across the quote by Mark Twain, "You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of FOCUS" & I knew the word, FOCUS could be my OLW for 2012.

I don't really know what this pursuit will mean... but several thoughts come to mind:

:: FOCUS ::

on being in the moment

{I'm constantly planning --- mentally & physically writing down lists of things to do --- gotta cut this down --- that's how I BROKE A BONE last January}

on creative interests

{participate in a photography class, create handmade books}

on building a physically healthy body

{eat less, walk more, relax daily --- stop hunching my shoulders at the computer}

on doing what makes me thrive

{blogging; traveling w/JPE; spending time w/family & friends}

Perhaps more thoughts will reveal themselves as 2012 unrolls...

Do you have a word you'll

:: FOCUS ::

{sorry, couldn't resist sharing my word with you, once more}

on?

MEMORIES, DREAMS & REFLECTIONS 2011

artwork by Natasha 12.26.11

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY returns next week!!

Ashley @ RAMBLINGS & PHOTOS invited bloggers to participate in
MEMORIES, DREAMS & REFLECTIONS 2011.

For a full list of the twenty-five words in this project, click HERE!

"ME"
four-plus months in an air cast; 5 months on crutches &
3 months of physical therapy = WHEW!!!
greatest lesson = BE PRESENT! 
WATCH OUT FOR METAL GRATES IN THE SIDEWALK!

"I LOVE YOU"
two of my favorite people!
JPE (husband. father. grandpa)
& LYDIA (8th Birthday) @ Big Bear Lake

"STILL LAUGHING"
Lydia discovered a harmonica in the toy closet & 
spent three days perfecting her skills!
she entertained JPE during their kayak trip across
Big Bear Lake...

"WINTER WONDERLAND"
(12.26-30.11)
escaped the busy-ness of the holidays...
LOLA ventured into the melting snow!
NO NEW SNOW!

CELEBRATING MOM'S 80th "BIRTHDAY"
(May 3, 2011)

she's beautiful inside & outside!
(rare picture of ME! ha! ha!)

"SPRING FEVER"
first strawberries from JPE's garden!

"TRAVEL"
(7.30.11)
attended a wedding in Nevada City, CA ~ adorable small town

"SUMMER DAYS"
(6.27.11 - 7.2.11)
Big Bear Lake w/Mom, JPE, Lydia, TB & Peanut

jigsaw puzzles, walks, coffee on the deck, reading,
napping & crossword puzzles

"AUTUMN HARVEST"
LOVE weekly visits to Avila Barn

"LET'S DO IT AGAIN"
a birthday party included a portable waterslide!
the "BIG GUYS" enjoyed it as much as the kids...

"CELEBRATE!"
the kids made decorations for 4th of July

"ALL SMILES"
the birthday boy makes me SMILE!

"I MISS YOU!"
why do you have to live clear across the country from us?

"BEAUTIFUL"
spring flowers outside the Smithsonian Museums (Washington DC)

"DON'T EVER CHANGE"
(May 2011)
the "girls" (SLE & ACE)
flew to So California to celebrate Mom's 80th!

"DRESS UP"
Lydia's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" t-shirt is a teaser!

"HOLIDAYS"
guess which holiday is my favorite?

"A DAY IN (MY) LOLA'S LIFE"
(12.27.11)
Big Bear Lake was partially frozen
(see the EGRET standing on the ice?)
BUT, the chilly water didn't keep LOLA from exploring
NOR tip-toeing in the water to get a stick!

"MY FAVORITE MEMORY"
yesterday, JPE, Mom & I visited
the 25th Annual International Nativities Exhibition
at The Folk Tree in Pasadena
Don't you love the different nativities?

among my favorite memories?
spending time with JPE & my mom!
actually, ANY FAMILY-TIME makes me H-A-P-P-Y!

"JUST BECAUSE... SO THERE!"
this beaded skull was also on display at
The Folk Tree!
couldn't miss sharing it!

did you know the COLOR for 2012 is TANGERINE TANGO?

"HOPES & DREAMS FOR 2012"
physically healthy bodies
to make a trip to MACHU PICCHU
(July 2012)
to celebrate JPE's 60th birthday!

HaPpY NeW YeaR's!!!
I'll be checking out the other participants in
MEMORIES, DREAMS & REFLECTIONS 2011!!!
How will you spend the FIRST DAY of 2012???

BLACK & WHITES!!

I'll bet you thought you'd see a picture of these???

pic from: http://www.slashfood.com/photos/black-and-white-cookies/634038/

Ummmm... milk chocolate & white.... 

How about this?

found on Wikipedia

Now - that is black & white.... and smelly!

No - I like this BLACK & WHITE.... seen on my drive to work yesterday (back entrance to Cuesta College)...

pic taken 5.19.11 (O'Connor Way)

Not a cookie NOR a skunk... I've wanted to take this pic for a couple of weeks now! Yesterday, with camera in hand, under beautiful sunny skies, a slight breeze, insects buzzing - I captured this adorable cow! 

(side note: a big black truck buzzed by me, with a Cuesta student beeping & waving his cowboy hat - at first, I thought perhaps I looked kinda-professional with my camera propped on my car trunk OR ??? well, you know he couldn't tell my age from his speeding truck... I later realized, his excitement was not directed at seeing me... but he was most likely celebrating that he has taken his LAST FINAL for the semester!!!)

Anyway - back to my post!!! this is the BLACK & WHITE I was referring to... There's a herd of cows that have a white stripe around the MIDDLE of their bodies! So CUTE!

the cow pile (er, herd)... ha! couldn't resist!

Cheers to a fabulous weekend! 

Off to get my foot X-Rayed again. Wish me LUCK!

GOING IN CIRCLES??

Long Beach Quilt Show ~ July 2008 ~ photo by ACE

"The shoe that fits one person pinches another; 

there is no recipe for living that suits all cases."

~ Carl Jung, Swiss Psychiatrist

My LIFE is swirling...

...although I have swelling on the top of my left foot, I have been able to slip on my "sturdy" (the Doctors word) Clark flats!! Good News!!

...the DOCTOR (recommendation) would like me to wear lace-up running type shoes ~ but I just don't think I can pull that off ~ considering they look odd with office attire. Urgghh!!

...AND ~ as much as I would like to be farther in the healing process ~ my "foot" seems to be taking it's "sweet-ole-time."

I feel like I'm "going in circles" ~ wearing a shoe (good day)! elevating the foot (end of day)! tender, swollen toes (Monday evening)! wearing the boot (tomorrow)!! GOOD NEWS - I haven't used the crutches in 2 weeks.

X-RAY on Friday! it's healing - but not fast enough!!! can't wait to be able to take 10,000 steps (where's my pedometer)?