Big Baby Bird

I haven't posted on Watery Wednesday in a long time. Since it rained yesterday I thought I'd look for a water photo. I found this one that I took last month. A bird in a pond. He was watching me very closely and just as he put his one leg down, I snapped the photo and then he flew off.

Visit: http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/ for more wet photos.

Faux Wood? Ok, I'm going Green!

I thought I'd give you the final conclusion of our 'water damaged' flooring. Final findings: No confirmed conclusions as to the source of the water. HA@! (The @ was a mistake in typing, but I thought I'd leave it...) We have been told that we simply have moisture coming up due to the lack of a moisture barrier under the slab (during the time period of our homes being built in this area, they didn't know to put moisture barriers down.) So, we have torn out all of our hardwood flooring and replaced it with a porcelain tile that has a faux wood finish. What do you think?

We are almost done with this project. Just have the rest of the baseboards to be put in, have them painted again and then we'll tackle the pantry. Yes, the hardwood that is in there is under all my custom cabinetry. That is a project for another day.

My LB sister, an interior designer, has a new blog. She posted a photo of her office. Makes me want to cringe when I look at mine. I'm so messy. I love her organizational ability. Check her out at: http://sherricassaradesigns.blogspot.com/

Fall is Making Me Fall

October. What does this represent to you?

Well, I was reminded that it is national breast cancer awareness month. Susan G. Komen for the Cure has posted many events/activities that benefit the Orange County Affiliate of SGKomen4theCure. Check it out at: www.komenoc.org

October reminds me that the end of the year is near and I've got to kick it in gear to get everything done. My two girls have their birthdays in November ON the SAME day, no less. My son's is in December. Halloween is almost here, Thanksgiving right around the corner and then Christmas. For me October has always been the month where my intentions fly right out the window. I want a plaque made for me when I die that says: "She lies here with good intentions". Isn't it interesting that the word 'lies' past tense for lay, is also lie as in untruth? So, I lie when I say I'm going to get stuff done? huh. I think I just had an ah-ha moment.

I had the pleasure of working on a job for someone recently who's husband had written the following on the back of a photo of his two boys.

"Let me not speed through this time of life

to where I forget the beauty of moments like these".

I wish I could turn back the time. I miss having my kids this age. I am grateful that I have been blessed with three wonderful kids. Love them dearly. Don't love the fact that I have to go to traffic school next month with my son who got a ticket for no helmet and riding on handle bars. Funny though when he was surrounded by six police cars when he was a passenger in a car doing donuts in a school parking lot he was just warned. AND the policeman told me that he was such a good kid. He said "You've done a great job, he's very polite, respectful, and a really good kid". I looked him straight in the eye and said, "I sure hope you didn't let him know that!" Then quickly covered my face so my son wouldn't see me smiling.

I remember when he was four, he had asked me for a pair of scissors. I always had scissors around. Major scrapbooker and my kids ran with scissors from birth. He went back to his room and minutes later asked for tape. I gave him the tape. Later on I walked passed his room and saw his project. It was on his wall. He learned this from his older male cousins. Yes, I scolded my husband for this too. He had found a tennis magazine. Was looking at it and came across an advertisement for Nike. (don't care for them) Three women. Two large busted women dressed very provocatively and the other one (average) in basic athletic wear. A bucket of water being tossed onto all of them. Get the picture? So did he. And now it was taped to his wall. I had to do some moral character teaching right then and there. How is it that a four year old sees what we think (and pray) that they won't until they're older?? I asked him what he liked (duh) and he showed me. After damage control, I called my friend in Chicago. Asked her what she thought. (She raised three wonderful boys.) She asked one of her boys about it and his comment back was:

"Pray it doesn't get worse!"

May you cherish today and pray it doesn't get worse.

James 2:14-22

I LOVE the HB Independent!!

HA! It doesn't take much to get me excited, but I must say, THIS one really makes me happy! Thanks to Renee, our field hockey publicity mom. She submitted a photo of mine from our varsity field hockey tournament this past Saturday. The newspaper graciously mentioned my name as the photographer. If I was younger, I would have done a cartwheel!! I usually don't want recognition, but to have recognition without expecting anything is such a treat. Ok, I can die a happy woman now. lol...

http://www.hbindependent.com/sports/tn-hbi-1007-preproundup-20101006,0,1960317.story

Thanks so much Renee and the Huntington Beach Independent Newspaper!

HBHS Homecoming Dance

I took photos of a few girls before they went to the high school's homecoming dance. Here is one of Mag's friends. She is so beautiful. I have to admit that I didn't even recognize her at first. I walked in and she already had her hair and make up done. She didn't greet me in her usual way and it threw me off! She doesn't look 17 at all!

Here she is cheering on one of the teams as they played.

Everyone loves this girl!

Thanks to Kim B. for having two 'hair and make up artists' at her house for the girls! What a wonderful treat!

Beginnings, Endings, Endings, and new Beginnings...

This is the last year that my daughter will be in High School. Her last year in National Charity League and the year she gets to be "Presented". Presentation in NCL is one big "Ball". She wears the big fluffy white dress (don't know whoever started that one...) and gets highlighted for her accomplishments. It is my last for many things, but so much more become the firsts for her. I have to put together 15 photos (only) that represent her during her 17 years of life. Sheesh is that a tough one for me. I was at a loss on this one so I decided to let her pick them. I however did have my say in a few. This first one is one of both our favorites. My sister designed and hand-painted her little onesie.

I love this one. These two crazy kids made many of these on the computer and I laughed so hard. It just shows the silliness that they have. I had to include this. I hope it makes people laugh and not take the debutant ball too seriously! (Mag also LoVeS Elvis--) The walk about that her and her dad are to do is usually to a sweet song for a father and daughter. She's chosen "Burning Love" by Elvis - Lord Almighty, I feel my temperature rising!! LOL