Day 139 ~ WTF Friday!

Every morning I go into Jaylene's room to feed the fish and turn off her tv. I walk in and see this, first thing that came to my mind was WTF is that? So I grabbed the water bottle with the gum on it and took a picture of it. I showed her the picture and asked "what is this"? she said "A piece of gum", Chris chimed in and asked "A piece", Jay responded with a "BIG piece, so I can blow really big bubbles, I've been saving all my gum". Wow, lovely! When I was younger (19-23) I use to rechew my gum. I'd stick it pretty much anywhere. In fact Jaylene's Dad use to get upset when I would put it on the alarm clock. It's weird, maybe there are more things that are genetic. LOL. Out of the mouths of babes. Lately she has been cracking me up with her comments or thoughts. Some I have even written down in a journal.

We are leaving for Reno today!! I didn't sleep too well and woke up stuck this morning but this gum on the bottle actually has me in a good mood.

I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend.

Day 138 ~ Concord Grapes

The best shot I could get before it started pouring! Where is spring???

So technically these aren't mine, but they having been hanging in my yard for two years. They are yummy when they are ripe!!

Today I will be venturing outside. Chris is taking me with him while he gets the oil changed and run a few errands. I can't stay inside one more day!!! I'm not going to take any medicine today besides my ibuprofen. Hopefully it will be a good day!

Day 137 1/2 My view....

Yes, that is a water bottle stuck in the wall. Someday I'll tell ya'll the story.


So here it is......My point of view that I've enjoyed for the last two weeks. I shot on AUTO and used the flash, something I haven't done in a while. The ceiling directly above me wouldn't focus manually so I brought it down a bit. The view of the tv, which I have to say isn't bad! Today has been a rough day. I'm getting cabin fever. The medicine to control my pain and muscle spasms keeps me a little loopy and I think I'm a little depressed. I did just take a walk in our back yard and I have to say it was nice but I'm exhausted. At times, I cry, I laugh, then get pissed. So it's been a roller coaster of emotions today.

I'm excited that I get to go to Reno this weekend and see my family. The drive down in the back of the Explorer doesn't thrill me. I'm not looking forward to laying down for the four hour drive. Sitting and I just aren't working out well. The only way I can explain it is there is an elephant on my head pressing my lower back down, it's a crushing feeling, then the numbness in my right leg. Fun times.

Anyhow. I must lay back down. Have a good evening everyone! :)

Day 137 ~

My mom suggested that I take a photo of the ceiling today. I think it's a great idea!! My point of view for the last couple weeks. Chris is on vacation and is sleeping so I don't want to wake him up so I will cheat and take it later today. For now, here are some interesting flowers that are growing everywhere in my yard. I'm not sure what they are though. It could be a weed...lol.

No news yet on my back. Same old sh*t just a different fly. (Sorry Mom....I said a bad word.)

Day 136 ~ Plums

I pretty much chopped the crap out of these trees this year. I'm suprised there are any fruit on them. These trees hadn't been pruned in almost four years. Last summer we had a lot of broken branches because of the weight from the plums.

My back is the same. I attempted to sleep on the bed, that lasted about an hour and I moved back down to the floor. I like the floor but since I don't have much meat on my bones the floor really hurts my hip bones. I'd rather have the pain in my hips than in my back so I'll stick to the floor. I called the doctors yesterday to see if they have set up my appointment for the injections yet. School is almost out and I need to start planning for trips to Reno. I don't want to plan them near or on the appointment days. They are waiting on the insurance approval. Figures. Insurance companies are a sour subject for me so we won't get into that since I'm actually in a good mood this morning..lol.

Day 135 ~ Peaches

Four peach trees are a pain in the booty to keep up with!! Especially when I'm allergic to them! LOL As you can see, there is peach curl, and I have peaches too close to one another. I have some work to do. I finally have the orchard ladder back so hopefully I can get some of the thinning out finished today.

My back has just become a nuisance. I sit, I hurt. I stand, I hurt. I walk too long, I hurt...honestly it's just ridiculous and complaining about it doesn't really help. I'm completely frustrated. Chris mowed the lawn for me on Saturday, I really appreciated it but I wish I could be doing it. I love yard work, I love being outside. Chris made me a pallet bed outside yesterday so I laid out in the sun and watch my daughter play wall-ball. I did make it yesterday with just taking two 800mg ibuprofen. Hopefully sometime this week I will know when they are doing the procedure.

Day 134 ~ Pomogranate Blossoms

I've decided since it's quite clear that I won't be going far from the house for a while, so I will start taking photos of all the fruit trees. Some are just now blooming and some already have fruit growing. We have four peach trees, two plum trees, four apricot, two oranges, one lemon, and two pomogranate trees. I actually took these today...wooohooo! LOL After I'm finished here, back on the floor I go.

Day 133 ~

Rose ~

Dandelions ~

Took these on Wednesday. I tried to get out and shoot yesterday but that wasn't happening. Having a manual car and a bad back doesn't really go well together.

Day 132 ~TGIF!!!!!! Back update....

Two different shots from Wednesday night. The first one is Turtle Bay. There was a rainbow right smack in the middle! I liked it. The second is the red barn that is down the street from my house. The sun was behind me and it was lighting up the trees & the yellow flowers (weeds) on the side of the road. I was in the car so I didn't have much time. It looks great as my desktop screen saver! LOL





Yesterday was my doctors appt with the spine specialist. I have to say they were the nicest people I've ever met in a doctors office. Dr. Sabet saw that I was reading a book by Scott Kelby and asked what kind of camera I had. Come to find out he loves photography, so we b.s. about it for a while. I will be okay, there are people in much worse shape than myself!!

I will be having two sets of facet injections (same day surgery) into my bones on each side of my vertebrates, I have two tears, on my L4-L5 & another in my L5-S1. I have lost some disc space between my L5 since my last scans. I am a good candidate for fusion surgery which we both agreed I'm too young for. I've heard a lot of bad things about fusion and there is no way I would have done it anyhow. If this doesn't help I will be having Radiofrequency Rhizotomy. I will have to do pilates 30 minutes a day for the rest of my life. Which I think would benefit me in more than one way. What a great way to stay flexible and in shape! At this time I can NOT play softball, yardwork or a lot of heavy lifting or bending. Although in the past I have been told I can't play softball because of the torque it causes on my back; I have continued to play. (BAD BRE! LOL) Chris and I discussed it and set a goal that after all this, if the doctor agrees, that maybe in 12 months I can see if I can play. I've played softball for almost all of my life. It's another passion I have besides photography. Well that's about all I have on that.

Day 131 ~ HDR Sunset

The sunset wasn't as spectacular as I hoped, but the clouds were amazing! The one that I really liked of the HDR's was way overexposed on the top part of the clouds & I couln't figure out how to tone it down a bit.


I have to say that lately I have been feeling lost. I'm not sure if it's hormonal, or if it's from laying down so much & having so much time to think. Yesterday morning I was honestly thinking of no longer doing this blog nor my websites. It's amazing how so many of you keep me going, with comments, emails or text messages, just to say you liked a certain photo. I do see a HUGE difference in my photos from a year ago & I am impressed with how much I have improved. I'm impressed to see everyone else grow and improve! So with a long chat with my friend T & getting out of the house last night really helped! I want to continue this jouney, finished what I started. I hope at the end of this I will see even more improvement.

I do have a lot of passion for photography, but at times I am my own worst critic. After many trials & errors I sometimes want to throw in the towel. I notice a lot of my fellow bloggers have the moment where we have lost the inspiration & really don't know what else to photograph. I am honored to have the followers that I do & I enjoy reading comments, whether they are positive or ideas on how I can improve.

Today is my appt. with the spine specialist, I am excited & actually quite scared. I just hope that after 6 years something can be done with the possibility of me still being able to play softball, go hiking and maybe actually walk & sit without pain!

Day 130 ~ Resting Hummingbirds

I usually don't shoot hummingbirds while they are resting but they were so cute I couldn't help it! They are so tiny!!!



It's cloudy and lookin' as though it may start pouring soon! I'm working on laundry and picking up the house, for as long as my back will allow me.

Just Because....

I'm wide awake and honestly sick of laying flat on my back. I edited a few more pictures from our mother's day walk.

I spent about 45 minutes going through my Home Depot Gardening 1-2-3 book. I love gardening!! I wish I had a book with every flower and plant in it so I knew the names of the flowers that I have taken photos of. I can't figure out what type of flower today's early post is of. It's bugging me. Maybe if I'm up to it and it isn't raining I will head down to the botanical gardens and see if I can find out the name.

I really appreciate everyone taking the time to look at my photos & commenting!!! All of my fellow bloggers are an inspiration to me & keep me going! I truely enjoy viewing and commenting on everyone's blogs.

Day 129 ~

I wish I would have taken a picture of this whole flower. I do like the detail on the top though. It's suppose to be raining tomorrow but if my back is feeling better I hope to get out of the house, even if it is in the yard to take some new pictures.



So far it has been a bad morning. I can't find my slippers!! I'm tired. Trying to function this morning after a long night isn't working out too well.

Have a good day!

Day 128~

I'm not sure if I like the greyish vignetting effect I put around this photo....


The honeysuckle smell yummy! And the clematis' are climbing the trees and scrubs. My two favorite plants!

I doubt I will get out to take some photos today, the rain has returned and the temperature has dropped 26 degrees since yesterday!

Day 127

We had a great night at the rodeo and I'm paying for it today. My back is killing me. I took these yesterday, they are my neighbors roses. They smell so good and are beautiful! A lot bigger than my roses.

Day 126 ~ Six months old in a week....

Jovita will be six months old next Thursday! She's getting sooo big! With my back it was really hard for me to get down to her level but I managed to get a few shots. I like the sun reflection on the second one. I'm not sure how I feel about cutting some of her head off on two shots.

I will be going to the spine specialist on Thursday next week. I am a little nervous. Keep your fingers crossed I don't need surgery.

I am very excited about going to the rodeo tonight! Hopefully I'll be able to sit through all of it!

Day 125 ~

Yep...more flowers!

After laying flat on my back all day yesterday and sleeping on the floor last night I'm finally up! My daughter cracked me up yesterday!! She came home from school and walked in the door and said "Oh no Mom, you broke your back again, can I sleep on the floor too?" She's is so cute! I hopefully will have an appt with the Spine Institute soon.

Day 124

I still have many flower photos from Sunday. I haven't been doing much this week, which is actually really nice. Jaylene had a great time at the NASA AMES in San Jose. Chris has been working split shifts. It's been pretty quiet around here.

Softball season is starting up & I'm excited. Although my back lately has been an issue. It took me thirty minutes to even get out of bed this morning. I might be going back to the doctors if I can't get this pain to ease up.

Hope everyone is enjoying the week!

Day 123~

Couple more hummingbird shots.

Jaylene is going a field trip today to San Jose, to the NASA building. I wish I was going with her! I hope she has a lot of fun and learns a lot!!!

Day 122 ~

Lily or Lotus flower?? I thought it was a lily. Aunt Karen says Lotus. She seems to know more about plants, weeds and flowers than I do so I'll go with her. What do you think?

I don't like that the exposure is so bright that you can't see the yellow in the middle of the white flower. I lowered the exposure but I lost the reflection, so I turned it back up. I think I could just fix the middle part of the flower, but it's a little too early for that much editing. Maybe later on today I will tackle that.

Day 121~

It was nice seeing everyone and the weather was okay. I did miss my mom though! I'm still not feeling great so I'm not into typing this morning. I plan on getting Jaylene on the bus and crawling back into bed.

Yesterday we went to the Botanical Gardens, there are so many new flowers blooming. It's was nice! I didn't use my tri-pod for this shot, although I should have, it isn't that crisp. I'll be posting the garden pictures for the next couple days, or at least until I'm feeling 100%.

Day 120 ~ Happy Mother's Day

We had a great weekend! I will tell more later. I just wanted to make sure I posted a picture today and wished all the Mom's out there a wonderful Mother's Day.

Right now Chris and I seem to have a little bug and aren't feeling so good. I will post more pictures tomorrow.

♥~HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!~♥

Day 119 ~ More flowers

Busy day....finishes cleaning the house.....and bbq this afternoon! Hope everyone has a great day!

Day 118 ~ Flowers

Here is another flower from our Shasta Lake hike.

I'm still working in the yard. Today ~Mowing! To be quiet honest, I'm dead tired of yard work and I can't wait for Sunday night when I can relax! I'm excited to see everyone but it's also stressful for me because I want everything to be perfect. Five of Chris' family have never been to our house before so that is even more stressful!

As Mother's Day nears I'm getting more disappointed that my mom and Jaylene's other grandma won't be making it to our Mother's Day BBQ. It's hard to explain things to a 10 year old. My sister also could not make it because she is going to days instead of graveyard, starting tomorrow. I'm happy she will finally be able to spend more time with my nephew and might even have her life back. I don't know how she does it. I'm a very proud sister!

Day 117 ~Hearts & Hurts...

This is my boo boo from weedeating my leg.


Well after finishing up the hedges in the front I decided that I was bored with the rounding, or straight line shrub look so I became Edward Scissorhands and made hearts out of our three hedges along the white fence. :) They aren't the best but hey...it's something different! They will be perfect for our Mother's Day BBQ that is on Saturday.

Day 116~

Another flower from the hike. I have a lot of them. I know I haven't taken these pictures each day but I'm too busy with yard work and house cleaning to take photos this week. Chris' parents, Godparents, Noni, Aunt and Uncle will be here Friday/Saturday for a Mother's Day bbq. The yard has to looks it's best!

Yesterday I worked out in the yard for about 8 hours. This morning I am a LITTLE sore. I'm trying to pull up all the grass that is growing in the gravel driveway in the backyard. I also pruned the roses, fertilized the lawn and pulled weeds. Our backyard is pretty huge, I don't mind the work but it does take me a long time! I am grounded from the weedeater, I weedeated my leg. DUH BRE! LOL Today I will be working on trimming the hedges in the front yard, they have these pretty white flowers but they stink! Plus, they make us all sneeze. I'd like to get the backyard flower beds weeded today but I don't know how much my back can handle. My husband has agreed to come home at 1pm everyday this week to help me which is awesome seeing he hates yard work!

Day 115 ~Flowers from Shasta Lake Hike

There are so many different types of flowers that I've never seen before our hike Sunday. I like the vignetting effect on these photos that naturally occurred, so I added more! :)

Day 114 ~Shasta Lake Bailey Cove

HDR~


Shot on the landscape mode, I was trying to understand the shutter speed & exposure stuff....

Jaylene and Whiskey...Jaylene with her goggles on cracks me up! She didn't even go under the water! LOL

As I type I'm processing some HDR's. I did it handheld and that's a story in itself. Only one is good! :( The other HDR's I took didn't turn out too well, too much camera shake.

We had a great time at the lake yesterday! Bailey Cove is a 2.8 mile hike along the McCloud arm of Shasta Lake. With all the rain we have had the lake is five feet from the top! The highest I've ever seen it. Granted we've only lived here for a little over two years. But from what I hear it's great that it is this full! When full it has 365 miles of shoreline and the length of the lake is 35 miles. The deepest part of the lake is 517 feet. Just some fun-filled fact for the day! :)

The first photo is an HDR. We walked the whole trail and I then realized I left my tri-pod at the cove where Jaylene and Whiskey were swimming. So, we ate lunch and walked back to find my tri-pod. Chris had blisters that were bleeding, Jaylene was tired of walking and I was just enjoying the day, so I didn't mind the mile walk back to find my tri-pod...lol We let Jaylene and Whiskey play in the water for another hour. It was a great day!

I will be posting more pictures from Shasta Lake throughout the week. My inlaws are coming in and I have a billion things to get finished! Clean the house, a WHOLE lot of lawn work and I know I won't have time to take pictures!