Monday, August 30, 2010

Huntington Beach Pier Drowning

Saturday I was at the HB pier doing a photo shoot just as the search and rescue lifeguards were looking for two young men that had been caught in the rip tide. It saddens me so much that they lost their lives at such a young age. My heart aches for their families. What really made me sad was that while all this was going on, life continued. I continued taking photos, kids continued to play on the beach, and those around had no idea that families and friends were being torn to pieces. I can only be at peace knowing that they were from a church group and are in God's hands now.
I held my kids tighter today.

Monday, August 23, 2010

OC Fair 2010 - Come and gone...

The Orange County fair is usually hot and crowded. Way too much for me, but since it never got hot I actually wanted to go. My daughter's boyfriend was playing with the high school band so we went and watched some incredibly talented teenagers sing and play for us all afternoon. They sang songs from the 70's, 80's, up to current. What energy and courage they have! Loved every minute of it. I didn't want to post kids on my blog without their permission, but I did want you to see how creatively fun they are. Here is one shot of a singer/guitar player:
At the very end of the performance, the music instructor had his spot in the limelight. He got up on stage and rocked out with all of them. Everyone loves him.
The next photos are of two crazy stilt walkers and an acrobat.
Can you hear my joints crack?
I heard that the fair was moving to another location. Possibly Irvine?
Sad to say, I think it will be even hotter.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Theme Thursday: "Children"

I haven't been posting this week. Been a bit on the busy side. But I did want to do Theme Thursday. It's 'children', so here is a photo that was taken at my niece's wedding last week. Titled, 'kick'in it'. She was so darling. She was the flower girl and wore boots with her dress. Awesome wedding.
And an update:
Looks like our floor problem is just that. A floor problem. Not a plumbing problem. We've had every test run on in and out going pipes. Dug holes, scoped, camera'd and anything else that could be done. Seems the water table is so high here that we do have a river running underneath our house. So-- we're officially tearing out ALL the hardwood and replacing it with faux wood porcelain planks. I've been banned from doing more as I have sprained or strained both of my hands. (Also still have a hammer mark on two of my fingers where I hit myself.) They're just getting where I'm able to make a fist. (almost)
Visit Theme Thursday at:
for more art!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Macro Monday: "Opportunity"


Good Morning! I want to bring a smile to everyone today by sharing a not-so-in-focus shot of a dog at a dog park in Atherton, CA. This is as close as I could get. The dog was a distance away and on the move. The pooch was running by so fast - the look on her face... serious business.
The following collage will show you why.
I hope it enlarges for you as I'm having difficulty getting them to lately. (I reloaded it up top as that was the only way it would enlarge. Not sure why) I titled it 'Opportunity'. If you can't see, the quote is from Albert Einstein; "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."
Here are a few close ups from the sequence.
  1. Getting lifted up by black dog -
  2. Whipped around. (Golden is definitely thinking)
  3. Seizing the opportunity. Completely in air.
For more close ups and macros, visit Lisa's site at:
And More Critters: Camera Critters @

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Pink, pink, pink...

Here is a card that I made with a photograph I took while in Maine last year. I'm posting it to a blog I was recently introduced to. Pink Saturday!
(I'm struggling with getting my photos to enlarge when double clicked. Not sure what the problem is. Working on it)
Hope your day is in the pink.

Friday, August 6, 2010

I'm on a fishing expedition!

Was using a straight saw to cut the hardwood flooring at the fourth bedroom as not to have to rip up that room. No buckles, no bulges, so we figured we were in the clear. Just as I was pulling the very last small section under the door jam, poof - moisture. So-- I decided since I was ALMOST done with all of what I was going to do, I'd see how far it went. I began pulling up slats in the fourth bedroom and an hour later I've got one-third of the room up. There is so much moisture, I'm slipping on the floor. I figured I'd stop when I reached dry land, but thinking I'm going to be pulling it up until I reach Japan. Funny... this is where that one pipe, the one that goes directly from the kitchen to the side of the house with all the problems lays. It actually runs right through it. Humm.... a river runs through it. And I don't even like to fish.
One of the things that I inherited was an obsessive behavior. I will stick with something until I find an answer. I also think of myself as compulsive and if its a good habit, society likes me. lol
Anyhow, my hands have many blisters, my back, legs, head, neck, shoulders, arms, (did I say hands?), all hurt so much. I think I will put my mask back on, bag the wood, put it outside with the other moldy wood and spray like heck; my bleach/water mix on the newly opened concrete.
Hoping I don't still have this yucky stuff in my throat tomorrow from all of my demolition.

Photo Friday: "Best Friend"

Today's theme for Photo Friday (http://www.photofriday.com/) is "Best Friend". My first thought was the obvious. My dog. lol... but I wanted to be different so I asked myself, 'Self, what lately has been your best friend?'
My camera came to mind. The first photo is of me with my camera taken by my daughter (tks Mags) and altered in photo shop. However, just to give you a laugh, my actual best friend this past month has been my gas mask. (Continue down!)
HA!
I'm still working on taking up our hardwood floors. Interesting that we've had 8 different professionals come in to look at where the water is coming from and no one can figure it out. Or give me a definite answer.
First photo: after pulling up hardwood in front of 2nd bedroom (bath to left, bedroom up above) Hardwood completely saturated here. Dug down 2 feet. Found a pipe that is outgoing sewer line. No smell, no obvious leak. Dirt is like very moist clay.
The second photo is the 1st bed/bath door jam. (Only a foot away from where the original shower drain was replaced 5 years ago) You can see where the plumber cut into the pipe so he could snake through with his camera. This pipe is coming INTO the bath from the kitchen on the other side of the house.... also hardwood flooring on that side of house, but no problems except one that is just starting along the pipe area. My hub disagrees that there is a problem beginning in that area. He says I'm paranoid. I say he's in denial. But, how on earth are we to know what is under the concrete unless we had plans drawn by the builder and plumbing installation markings or ESP. Either one, we don't have.
Want to be my next best friend???
I'll give a huge high five for anyone who can give me direction or a solution shy of putting the house on stilts. (which I would do in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the slab!)
Double click on the Facts photo to see it in full.


PS: If you made it this far,
be sure to check out other friends at Photo Friday!!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Blue Skies, Nothing but Blue Skies....

Thanks for stopping by to see my entry in this week's Skywatch Friday!
It's from our Florida trip this year. Love the white sandy beaches.
To see more, please visit: http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Theme Thursday: "Eat More Apples"

I decided to do the Theme Thursday Challenge this week.
The theme is 'Halloween'. Is it coming soon? I think this year has flown by. Sheesh!
Anyhow, here is my artwork. Digital art that took me WAY too long. (Glad the hub is out of town) Anyhow, if you can't see it all, try double clicking on the photo.
Mr. Lumpkin Pumpkin is pushing the apples this year. His little munchkin is worried about where they'll be next year. Afraid of matches, this poor pumpkin family is trying anyway they can to avoid being chosen at the patch. Lumps painted himself red, wears a costume, but still is having a difficult time trying to roll with the season. The book title: "Don't Care Much For Pie" by Smashed Pumpkins
For more art, visit: Theme Thursday; http://themethursday.wordpress.com/


Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Art Creations Friday: "Boys to Cows"

Here's my rendition of "Mamas don't let your boys grow up to be cows".
Here is the original photo that we were given to work with.
Be sure to check out everyone's art at:

Monday, August 2, 2010

Snack Time!

When I was a kid, we had a tortoise just like this one. His name was Checkers (obviously) and he loved our backyard. My dad had planted dichondra in between our concrete squares and oh my, how Checkers loved to munch. It would make my dad so irritated. One summer I remember seeing Checkers come out of hibernation but then he was gone. My dad said he saw him walking down the street. I asked why he didn't go get him, he said he figured he'd be back. I suspect my dad showed him the gate.
Checkers where ever you are, may you have the sun on your shell and dichondra at your feet!
Visit more macro shots at Lisa's Chaos: http://lisaschaos.com/

Sunday, August 1, 2010

It's Good to Be...

Today I played more with the candle that I showed you yesterday. Here is an example of what can be done showing it as a tag. (Refer to my other blog for instructions on the how-2s)
My hubs birthday is over and I gave him several photographs for his office of him and the kids in various places that we've traveled. Most are of them playing, surfing, skiing, fishing, etc. It really shows what a good dad he is. (Or at least what a good playmate he is!) One of the photos I included was of him wake boarding. Right next to it, was this one-
I couldn't resist! It made me laugh. Happy Sunday - August FIRST!