Day 165 ~ Chasing Dragonflies

I spent about 20 minutes chasing him around the backyard. I got this one shot before he flew off. Definately not as patient as the other dragonflies.

Day 164 ~ Strange light

While I'm outside doing things I shouldn't be doing, I noticed the way the sun was hitting this wispy cloud. It's actually a little more pinker than the photo shows.

Day 163 ~

Day 162

Day 161~ Happy Father's Day

I went to the botanical gardens today. It was nice, I saw a deer, squirrel and lots of butterflies. I'll be posting all those photos for the next couple days. My back is hurting again and I am just plain ol' frustrated. The last couple days have been odd, thinking way too much, emotional, pretty much a wreck. I'm not sure why but I'll figure it out and get my shit together soon. I hope everyone is doing well!

Day 160 ~ More hummingbirds...

More hummingbirds. I'm a lost for words today, it's been a weird day of a trillion emotions. I have too much running through my head to even try to explain or share. So, I'm leaving you with more pictures of hummingbirds......

Day 159 ~ Female Bullock's Oriole

This is the best photo I've ever be able to get of this bird, and it's not the best.

This isn't a very good photo. Actually it sucks. I saw the bird fly into the Trumpet Vine & tried to get some hand held photos. The hummingbirds are very happy that the Trumpet Vine has bloomed.


Yesterday I ended up going to the cemetery to find 8 people. I missed my lil sidekick Jaylene helping me out! A few more weeks and I can see her! Anyhow, Jim, the groundskeeper was nice enough to help me out. After I'm sure he watched me wondering around for about 30 minutes before asking!
Today I will only be going to two cemeteries for three people. I'm feeling really good today. Still slightly sore, but nothing like I've experienced over the years!!!! This is going to be a good thing!!!

Happy Friday!!

Day 158 ~

I'm feeling so much better!!! Sat outside for a couple hours this morning trying to get some pictures of the hummingbirds, I'm not too happy with any of the pictures I got today. I was thinking of going for a walk at the Botanical Gardens but I don't think that's the smartest idea just yet. I probably should rest some more today.

Day 157 ~

One of the caterpillars that are eating the cabbage plant

Spider in the garage

The fig tree that broke last night during the wind.


I'm up...but just for a little bit. Yesterday went well. 6 injections into my facet joints. I would definately have the doctor's office redo their "What to expect for the next 24 hours" list. Yesterday was horrible. I'm use to a certain amount of pain that I deal with everyday, yesterday was a whole new ballpark. I was nauseated and felt like my spine was going to explode. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. I actually was thinking about canceling my injections for next month but I'll wait to see if these really help.
I'm feeling like I got my ass kicked & handed back to me on a silver platter. I'm just really sore. I'm hoping tomorrow is better. I got up and took a few pictures today. At least it doesn't kill me to stand up!
Whiskey is doing better, we are both just laying around not feeling right as rain.

Day 156 ~ What yesterday was like & why I was up all night....

Well, today is the big day. My first set of shots into my spine. I'm nervous, tired and worried about leaving Whiskey home alone. I've had a long night.

Yesterday Whiskey got into a fight twice with my roommates dog. I'm wondering how he got his ass kicked seeing that he has 40 pounds on her. Most of you know that my dogs are like my children. I love them all very much. We have now set up a schedule for when Whiskey can go outside and when Gracie can go outside. This is not what I wanted to be dealing with and worrying about today. The vet said they can no longer be around eachother, that now Gracie is comfortable in the house she is trying to become the alpha dog. I thought I was the alpha in the house, I guess not. LOL I've always thought that I was good with dogs, I thought I'd be able to get them back to normal. I am doubting myself now. We came home from the vet and I had Whiskey on the leash, I took him outside and Gracie tried to attack him again. I need Cesar Millan!! I'm not sure what we are going to do, it's not fair for Gracie to be stuck in the bedroom all day nor is it fair for all of us to fear this happening again. My poor Whiskey!! He has a drain in his neck, and a lot of punture wounds on his back and butt. I hope he heals quickly!

In between round one and two I was able to get some great shots of the hummingbird feeding and a dragonfly. I love the first shot of the dragonfly, he seems to be smiling at me! I'm not sure if I will be posting tomorrow, it just depends on how I feel. Hope everyone has a great day! :)

Day 155 ~ Old House

This old house was down a road where we found the Ono cemetery. I'm pretty sure with the new directions that I received this is also where Igo cemetery is. Since tomorrow is procedure day I'm hoping to get the remaining graves I have left finished. Jay is in Reno for the next three weeks, so my side kick won't be with me.

Day 154 ~ Yellow flowers

Last year I riped all of these out before they bloomed. I didn't realize that it was a plant. I actually think it is a type of ground cover because they have really spread out this year.
I saw this moth on the hollyhock while walking back into the house...cute little guy!

Day 153 ~ Blackwidow

We have a few of these in the garage. I usually set off bug bombs but after last year doing it four times and most bugs survived and all my things in the totes smelled like bug bomb, I decided not to this year. She is living in one of my speakers.

Day 152 ~ Igo California

Jaylene and I headed out to the middle of no where to locate Igo cemetery. After driving 30 miles outside Redding, 25 miles more than what Find A Grave stated, we found ourselves a little lost. We asked a local at the post office and three other people at the general store/bar with no luck. Igo is a very cute town and the people are pretty nice. We ended up in Ono, a town about 10 miles outside of Igo. We did find the Ono Cemetery, not Igo. I've been thinking about it and I bet both cemeteries are there. So, Jaylene and I will have to make another trip up there.

This grave hunting is pretty exciting! I bought Jaylene a little broom and dustpan, and a lot of batteries for my canon p&s. She seemed a little more excited about our adventure yesterday.

I am really happy with this shot. You know sometimes when you see something and you talk yourself out of stopping to take the photo? I almost did that with this one, I am so glad I didn't. It is a handheld HDR. I love this as my screensaver!!

Day 151 ~ Find A Grave

My mom has me hooked on Find A Grave!! Everyday I'm becoming more & more like her and it scares the crap-o out of me! LOL I love my mom.

I signed up yesterday and I've already found 9 out of 12 at this cemetery. It is a site where people who work on genealogy can build pages of memorials & family trees. It's actually pretty neat. Jaylene wasn't too thrilled about our adventure but I'm going to attempt to make it more fun for her today by giving her my point & shoot canon and she can help take pictures. I didn't feel comfortable posting the headstones I did get photos of so I posted this sign that was at one of the graves.

Today we are going to two different cemeteries. One has three, and the other has eight. I'm excited. I get to take photos and also help people with finding or completing their pages.

Findagrave.com

Day 150 ~

I found these cute little pink flowers coming up in the backyard! The wind was blowing and I was shooting handheld, I took about 30 of these before I got it crisp enough!



If anyone hasn't seen Avatar, I am highly recommending it! What an amazing movie, loved the graphics and special effects! I wish I was an Avatar there and had a camera! I'm hoping for a sequel!! Yes, I cried throughout the movie! I must be emotional lately, then again I cry when I watch the Brawny commerical! LOL

Day 149 ~ Chris' Redemption

Look at those nice lines!!

Chris was doing 'shopping cart' moves while mowing, cracking me up!

J and Chris pretending they couldn't move the mower!

After 12 hours at work, Chris came home and mowed the back yard for me. I am very grateful! I rewarded him with a cold beer and a shot of Bushmills. Thank you honey for doing an amazing job on the lawn!

Day 148 ~ Baseball Sunset

Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law!!!!!

Jaylene and I went out to Big League of Dreams last night to watch a friends son play ball. I was able to get a few good pictures of Holden. Since I haven't asked Tina if I can post a picture of Holden, I'm going to use the sunset pictures.


I'm late on posting this morning because I decided to mow the front lawn, definately not my brightest idea. For those of you that know me well, when I want something done it usually means within the next 5 minutes. I'm not the type of person to ask for help either, and I hate depending on someone else to do things. I am very anal about how the lawn looks and the lines. So, since I was such a nice wife (LOL) and let Chris do absolutely nothing on his last day of vacation, I decided to mow today. I really wanted the lawn mowed yesterday, or really even Saturday would have been great. My back is not thanking me now. It's been great being able to walk around the last four days with little pain & of course now I'm hurting again.
Chris is back to work today, and although I enjoyed the past 12 days with him, I'm happy he has returned to work. I don't think we've spent that much time together in almost 2 years. He will have to mow the back when he gets home though. Poor guy.

It's beautiful today, 10:30am and already 80 degrees!! Well I better get started on the laundry. I hope everyone enjoys the day!

More Pictures from the Lake

Going for the big move!

Right over head of the other guy....

Making the landing!

Day 147 ~Media Day Luncheon on the Lake

One of the three houseboats we were on.

Special show just for all of us!

These guys were awesome! My back was killing me just watching them do all their tricks.

I have a lot more photos of him and I will be sharing them in the next couple days. This thing was crazy!

The weather wasn't the best but I'm so glad we decided to go!! I shot most of the day on the sports setting because I just couldn't figure out the correct settings! I've been up more the last couple days. Still in pain but I just can't handle sitting/laying on my ass any longer!

Of course today's weather is a lot nicer...figures! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Day 146 ~Blackberries

The blackberries are just starting to form. This is the first time I've been able to capture their blossoms. I love the two little ants and little bug on the side!

There are only a few that have started forming into blackberries, or 'greenberries'...lol.

Their torns are killers! If you've ever had to chase dogs through these you understand their pain. The torns will eat you alive!

Day 145 ~ Hydrangea

The hydrangea's are blooming! I have to enjoy them now because once it gets into the triple digits they will die. I don't know why the old owners planted them there, in direct sunlight almost all day. I do believe there might have been a covering over the patio long ago, that would have protected them from the hottest part of the day. I love how they change colors. These usually start out pink then turn a blueish color.

Jaylene's last day of school!!! Wooohooo! She has awards assembly at 9am, Madysen has her pre-school graduation at 10am and our friends son's have their 8th grade graduation at 7pm. I don't know if I will be making it through the day!! When did they start having 'graduation' for every grade? I thought only high school and college do graduation?