Uncle & Nephew

There is just something about this I love!

Peewee Action Hero

Maycin is totally an action hero guy! He loooooooooooooves Spiderman, but Ashlee got him a few more outfits (great after Halloween finds) to play in. So, we went on a photo shoot last Saturday in downtown Merced (Ashlee wanted an urban look). I took the photos and Ashlee edited them to look like posters. She has had 8 x 10s printed and now wants poster size to go on his bedroom wall.

Just for Fun...Photos taken in October!

Maycin and his friends (Maycin on right)

Lacee still has a bit of a warped sense of humor

Black and White Photo Shoot with the girls

Another Beach Trip

Pajaro Dunes Condo (Photo taken April 2007)

Well, it's true! Cliff and I will be going on another beach trip this weekend to Pajaro Dunes. Our weather here in the valley has been pretty pleasant (other than the storm on Monday, but that was received well as we have been very dry here). So the forecast??? It looks pretty promising. I think it's suppose to be in the low 70s with no rain all 3 days while there. How exciting is that? Cliff and I definitely enjoy the strolls on the beach, but we hope to discover some off the beaten path experiences (locally known treasures). So, stay tune for an update on our return with journal and photos.

Oh Yes, Cliff continues to work on the trailer and has everything but all the walls out of the trailer.

Camping At McSwain

It has taken me a while to get this posted...by favorite camping photo...we had a fabulous time at McSwain Lake just a half hours drive for us. Makes sense to go the short distance for just a short stay...weekend. We would never camp here in the summer as the temps are high 90s and mostly low 100s, but the Spring and Fall are fabulous times to visit. This photo was taken at near sunset giving the foothills that golden auburn color (the chair was mine as I gladly returned to after my shoot). No, we didn't fish at all, but just relax the entire stay!

All Windows & Vent Covers Out!

Cliff has taken all the windows and the vent covers out...time for a break! Gone campin' for the weekend!

Trashing Walls

Cliff braced the inside with 2X4's and the walls are coming down!

Cute Treasure

This little gem was found in the trailer about 6 inches by 3...small enough to fit in the tiny freezer compartment of the frig. Unfortunately, there are holes in the tray. Instead of throwing it away it will be used as a Christmas tree ornament on our 2007 Christmas tree this year.

A better shot of the inside from the window...cabinets still intact, but not for long. From left to right, the frig on top, then a cabinet, and a cubby. Next to that is a closet and next to that is the restroom.

The Original Step...

The original metal step had to be removed before the trailer was moved to our house, as it was just dangling. So, basically we had been pulling ourselves up into, and jumping out of, the trailer since...until there was a suggestion to make a wooden step. What a difference! Cliff will manufacture a new metal step later in the restoring process. Oh yes, the stack jacks now keep the trailer from teetering back and forth when walking inside!

Copper Tubing

All the copper tubing (used for water lines and gas lines) must go...some of it had weak spots and some of it had actually burst. Cliff is scrunching it up and throwing it in his copper barrel to redeem.

The Throne

I have posted a picture of the throne before, but it was covered in junk. We think we are going to be able to salvage the stove/oven, the refrigerator (where we thought not, early into the game, but hopefully we'll just have to replace some parts instead of trashing the whole thing), sink and the toilet/shower. The bathroom walls will have to be replaced, though. Everything is so gross right now, but with a lot of soap/bleach, and a little elbow grease, they'll be like new.

Trashing Interior Walls

We will not be able to salvage any of the inside walls and so the demolition begins. This is where the bed was and will be, but for now, it's the best location for the trash pile. Cliff will be taking the cabinets out soon, but before he does, he will have to shore up the walls on the inside with 2X4's as the cabinets are holding the outside skin in place. We are only two weeks today, into restoration.

Windows Coming Out!

Cliff continues to tear things out...he has not only removed some of the windows, but also has removed the bed inside along with cabinet doors. He is frothing at the mouth to have it all down to the bare bones...as he puts it, "Then it gets fun!"

Enjoying the day...

A Little R & R

Cliff and I have the most awesome friends...Dave and Cathy swept us away to the Sierra Nevada's yesterday, to Shaver Lake (mountain community and lake). The weather was beautiful and the company irreplaceable! We had no time constraints and/or agenda and just enjoyed each other as friends and God's creation. We are so blessed!!!

More Discoveries!

Okay...while taking out the frig, Cliff discovered that pigeons (or some kind of bird...found a bird skeleton and bird doo doo) had built a nest behind and on top of the frig in the walls (entered through the vent on top of the trailer). There was so much straw that it filled the garbage can shown!

Forfeiting

After bleaching and then removing the frig, Cliff washed and washed the thing only to discover that it was too damaged to salvage it. Just as well, as the stench is in the plastic even after bleaching.

Exposed!

Here is the real story...we will have to remove all the interior walls because of dry rot and wiring issues, which also means that we will most likely replace not only framing and wire, but also insulation. This photo shows the outer skin exposed from the inside.

With Just a Flashlight...

Cliff determined to continue his gutting process works through the dark with just a flashlight tucked under his arm. He took the stove out, some of the gas lights down, and bleached the refrigerator (before he attempts to remove it). Tonight while taking air vents off the outside of the trailer, Cliff found a pigeon nest...I'll take photos tomorrow in the daylight. So, day 3 (after a full days work repairing dairy equipment) proves to be very productive.

How Precious Life Is!

Today, 9/11, I think of those families that lost loved ones 6 years ago when we were attacked by terrorists, and those that have sacrificed their lives to keep our country free since. How I value my relationships with my family and friends.

The Rear

So, this is what the rear looked like when first stepped foot in the trailer yesterday. Cliff has pretty much removed all the junk. Yea!!! Day one down, 364 to go!

Moment of Truth!

This was my first inside look (front of the trailer)...What a crack up and Cliff and I just laugh! All of it, and I mean all of it will be tossed! Cliff started on it today, and said there is so much junk to throw away, it will take days just to get to the bare bones of the inside. Regardless, Cliff is busting his buttons with pride and joy! As mom (Idris) says with a chuckle, "I guess a guy needs a challenge to make him feel good about himself!"

Hi-tech Security

Now for the real story...our little beauty has a multitude of repairs and replacements in it's future. Security locks aren't a priority at this time...you will see what I mean...

Home at Last!

Here she is...our retro 1971 Roadmaster brought home yesterday (strategically, I might add, as the lights don't work and Cliff had to tie the side down)! She's a beauty, isn't she? She looks different with the algae/lichen stuff washed off (Cliff stopped at the car power wash before bringing her home. She is rather cute from the outside and I'm not getting in the way of Clifford's vision (Operation Ghetto Restoration). Continue to check in for updates!

Soon to be ours...

Cliff was bound and determined to have a project (like he doesn't work hard enough as it is)...mind you we still have 18 boxes of ceramic tile in the garage yet to lay down in our kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room...But, this will be a fun project (I'm told convincingly), refurbishing (gutting) this 1971 Roadmaster to a fabulous, coveted, vintage, beauty (or so I hope)! Cliff has given me a promise of completion the end of next year. I have not seen this trailer up close (zoomed photo), but I'm told a side flaps in the wind, the floor has a hole in it, the window louvers have wasp nests in them, the outside has mold/lichen stuff on it and the refrigerator stinks to high heaven. What are we doing with our tent trailer, you ask? We will continue to be the proud owners and campers in between "Operation Ghetto Restoration". Oh yeah, Cliff has also promised to complete our home improvement projects as well! I guess a good motivator since we have had the tile nearly 3 years...I will update with before and after photos throughout the year.

Tree & Me

I painted this a little over a year ago (and yes, that is me cropped, not painted into the picture). The painting doesn't look too bad from a distance, but when you get closer you begin to see the imperfections and it doesn't look much like trees, in fact it looks rather messy. Sometimes we do that with people. We look too close to find their imperfections and point them out. It's good to remember that God is our creator and we are his masterpiece! Enjoy what you see in others...

Less But More

We have decided as a family (with much persuasion from me) to start tossing or giving away 5 items a week! It can be as little or as big as you like. We have all become these pack rats!!! Now is the time to get down and get dirty! Well, get down, anyway. So, I chose my sock drawer. I was amazed at how many socks I had. Perhaps I never really knew, until I pulled it out completely, how packed those suckers were in that drawer. It seemed they grew once I pulled it out (having never pulled it more than 1/3 out to retrieve, for quite sometime). What am I doing with all these socks? Most of them had holes in the toe or the heal. I'm very proud to say that I can now shut my drawer with ease. I'm beginning to feel that the less I have (yes, that includes socks) the more freedom I have. Hmmmmmm, what's next?

Payette River Rafting

We followed the Payette River on our way back to Boise from Cascade, and came across a multitude of rafters. It looked like so much fun and very dangerous at the same time. On the same day and perhaps within the same hour this photo was taken, a tour guide rafter lost his life on the South Fork Payette when he along with the others in his raft capsized. All the others made it to safety, but sadly he got his foot wedged between two rocks from the force and drowned.

Gracious Hosts

Meet our gracious Boise hosts, Gene and Marie (Marie and I worked at the same gift shop years ago). These two are just awesome people and wish all could know them. They treated us like royalty (not just friends) while our stay with them for 3 nights before going onto Baker City. This photo was taken at Cascade Lake where they drove us for a leisure drive. It was beautiful!!! Thanks Gene and Marie for a wonderful visit!

Our journey began and it seemed it wasn’t long before we were traveling the dreaded, desolate desert. While traveling from Reno to Winnemucca, one tries to make the best of the time, and I like to look at the cars, license plates, etc. We came upon a white Cadillac and I noticed there was a bird…a very large bird in the back looking gout of the window. I took a second glance and it was a living crow not caged. As we began to pass the vehicle, the crow turned his head to follow our car. We were amused. Then we passed the people in the front seat and they were a weathered, older Native Indian couple. We live in suburban California and it was an interesting encounter. Some say the Indians believe that the wild life are their ancestors. Because we do not have the same belief, it tickled us to think that that could be grandpa?

Ma & Pa Shuffle Snap

The NLCC 2nd Annual Film Festival was a success! There were 10 short films in all and they all were very entertaining! This is a snap from the movie The Ma & Pa Shuffle and Friends itself, that the Yokley family filmed and produced. Gives you a little peek into how out of our comfort zone we became. More than the movie, the family project was a great way to do something zany together. We all had a great time making this movie!

Ma & Pa Shuffle

This photo is the house (In Hornitos, CA) we used in our first Ma and Pa film last year. My friends, Cherie, Judy and I went on a photography road trip, last week, to the mountains and foothills. We found some real treasures. This one perhaps isn't all that great of a photo, but it does remind me of what is happening in our resent lives. For the past 4 weeks we have been filming and producing our new Ma and Pa movie called, The Ma & Pa Shuffle and Friends. All our kids were involved with this one (along with some friends), and we never have laughed so hard...at ourselves and each other. What a great family project it has been. Everyone had to put away their inhibitions, pride and be exposed...not an easy thing to do, but for a great cause. To support our youth for church camp this summer. This Friday, along with the Ma & Pa movie we will get to view 7 other short films (10 minutes or under) at our 2nd annual NLCC Film Festival, and we can't wait! Oh yeah, again Clifford is the star of the movie!!!

Having a Coronary?

Tonight while I was folding laundry in the living-room, the girls were loading the dish washer and washing the dishes that didn't fit. Maycin was also in the kitchen. Ashlee, with an alarming tone said, "Maycin don't do that on Nana's table. She'll have a heart attack!!" Those were words that made a little uneasy jump in the pit of my stomach. I had two choices. I could go right into the kitchen and investigate for myself, what she was talking about. Or, I could completely ignore it. I chose to put the clothes, I had just folded, away in the opposite direction. Believe you me, it was not an easy choice!

Front Porch Adventure

It all started on our front porch...Cliff has been on call all week with more business than he really wanted, and I was busy with studies, photo shoots and such. So, we decided after we ate our warmed up Taco Bell taco (I ordered too many the night before and they are never good after 2 days!) dinner, we'd sit on the porch and reconnect! Cliff sipped his wine while I sipped a home made frap. The air was very nice with a bit of a breeze and we talked and talked. Our conversation went all over the place...my heart was stirring as here we were, all alone (that is a rare moment) and what are we doing? We are sitting in rocking chairs on the front porch and my mind went to, "Oh my gosh, we have turned into our parents!" I challenged Cliff with, "Let's do something spontaneous! Let's take a drive up to the foot hills (it was dark by this time) and look at the stars! It sounded fun to me. Cliff had an idea too, "Let's go out for a piece of pie!" I still liked my idea, but the pie was sounding pretty good. So, Cliff jumped in the shower and by the time we got to the restaurant, it was well over 10:00 pm (getting very close to our bedtime). Cliff ordered a humongous french apple pie with, drizzled carmel, ice-cream and whip cream in a clear stemmed bowl so you could see all the decedent morsels! My order was a bit modest compared...coconut cream pie. We looked at each other and began to chow. Now I got about half way into my pie and realized I was beginning to have a sick feeling in my stomach. But, did I stop? No!!! This was coconut cream pie that I hardly get a chance to eat. I almost had that puppy put away, but I just couldn't get the last 3 bites down and sat there guzzling water and hoping the feeling would subside. Cliff also was experiencing the same...we left and all the way home we said, "we'll never do that again! We should have shared...we should have ordered something like soup...we should have..." So, we laughed at ourselves. Morning came and we both woke with the Hershey squirts (as our kids call it) and sugar diabetes comas (what a headache I had). Cliff and I did decide we have arrived. We are our parents!

Today

Life is much the same for me today and yet it's not. Going through the motions of a scheduled day of work at the office and home. What makes it different is that, again, a wonderful person we know is suffering with terminal cancer...Ashlee's mother-in-law, Margaret. She is in the hospital and her organs are shutting down. The family is preparing. How can anyone go on through their day without being moved by the circumstances. One thing I'm sure of, God is in the midst of it with His love, His comfort and His peace for those who want it.

Bass Lake, CA Again

A little straighter? With a photo program, I straightened it out.

Bass Lake, CA

This is my tilting lake...I'm still trying to work on that!

Wedding Couple

Had another opportunity to shoot a wedding...

60th Wedding Anniversary

I had the privilege of photographing a 60th wedding anniversary shoot with this couple yesterday. I love this shot as it is a bit mysterious, nostalgic and what are they smiling about? Perhaps remembering their first date, first kiss...It was a total joy for me to watch and shoot at the same time! (I don't know why, but when I upload my pix they never upload sharp and always a bit grainy. I did soften the edges of the photo...Do any of you have any ideas why?)

Summertime (photo challenge)

My grandson, Maycin, had a bug hunt summer day today, here at Nana's. He was finding "rolly polly bugs."