The 10 Second Kiss!

The 10 second kiss? Well, I have shared a conversation or two with friends about the 10 second kiss, and everytime it's a source of jokes to come. But, I don't care. I'm a believer of the 10 second kiss. It's one of those adventures you have to try...before becoming a believer. Where did I learn about the 10 second kiss, you ask? Why it was right on the radio...you know, Christian radio...well yeah, I do listen to Christian radio...hello!!! I am a church secretary after all! Okay, where was I? Oh yes, it was a program subject matter; making your marital relationship better. It was suggested to try the 10 second kiss, just as simple as that! If you think about it, it's the kiss that seals the wedding...a pretty important part of the marriage, wouldn't ya think? Well now, this mid-life, menopausal, losing the waist line, married woman (to the most handsome man in the world, I might add) was all ears that day, and what did I have to lose trying the 10 second kiss? I'm tellin ya, not one thing!

Cliff and I have this unspoken agreement that we kiss each other good-bye (who knows what the future will bring...it could be our last), we kiss each other good-night and give each other a hello kiss when we have been apart. Yeah, yeah, yeah...it's getting a bit uncomfortable for you, I'm sure, but hold your shirts on! Let's discover why a 10 second kiss is so important...it happened last night.

Cliff I were alone and he was warming his back side up near our wood stove insert. I walked up to him with endearing eyes and an irresistible smile. "How about a 10 second kiss," I asked. Some of you know Cliff well and will understand when I explain...our bodies got close with arms locking each other and Cliff begins to create this sensual body launguage right before the kiss...hold it right there! Back up...Cliff begins to create these flowy, and twitchy movements that caused uncontrollable laughter out of the both of us. Which the 10 second kiss pretty much stopped before it began. It took a few moments to settle back into a serious mood and to make our second attempt. Oh for pete sake! He approached me with that Hollywood kiss, you know what one I'm talking about. Those unbelievable ones...who does that anyway...and again we both began to laugh. I was not going to give up. I wanted...no, I needed that 10 second kiss, and by golly, I was going to get one! So, we began a third time with perseverance of complete seriousness. Our lips got closer and my upper lip touched Cliff's mustache that always tickles (even after 32 years of practice), but that was not going to stop me...no, I had a mission to complete...our lips got closer and finally they locked! One, two three...okay, here comes four (oh, so loving), five...five...right then I began to feel Cliff's stomach bounce ever so slightly. Hummm, his lips were still locked with mine without interuption...six...I began to feel our mouths pull apart with an upward stretch...seven...it happened...it happened! It just happened!!! I pushed him away in a playful manner and said, "Cliff you're laughing!!!" And, he was. It wasn't a total loss, though, I was feeling pretty good with my 7 second kiss and the magical playful moment. So, you married fokes...give a 10 second kiss a try and see where the adventure takes you!

..to the Only God

I had this photo (it has been edited to look vintage/grunge) posted online in a pool of photos viewed by members of the same group...It was my first photo posted (I hesitated out of fear that it wasn't worthy enough) and my first comment was, "Awesome, perfect album cover." Well first, this gentleman must be older than dirt if he is still calling them albums (my kids always correct me and tell me they are called, "CD's"). But, a part of me was thrilled that someone (who doesn't know me from Adam) would think that this could possibly be a cover on anything! I felt a tug on my shirt tails, pulling me back down to earth...keeping me grounded...All glory, honor, majesty and power to the only God! I give Him all the Glory...it is because of Him...

In the Name of Love

loving you is what I do...it's the one thing I found I can put my heart into...

I met a lady Saturday in the check out line at Wal-Mart. She was a tiny older woman that had that sweetness about her. She noticed what I had in my arms and asked me what size the baby dress was I was holding. She went on to explain, "I have a great granddaughter that is in size 2...I have 10 great grand children...I have been married to my husband for 71 years..." With that you could tell she really loved her husband and was quite proud of her long life and long marriage to her love. With that I told her, "Congratulation! That is awesome!" She went on "I still get around by myself...I still drive..." I asked her if she didn't mind me asking how old she was. "I'm 88 years old and my husband is a little older than I am. He is 96." She went on, " he is beginning to lose his memory and it's so sad." At that very moment the one line we were in, split into two, and she went her way and I mine.

This is one of those moments in life you don't want to forget...that if you are fortunate enough you will have a long life...a long marriage...in sickness and in health. I'm sure it's not easy and yet she does it in the name of love! It's amazing what a heart is prepared to do in the name of love.

Textures and Effects

Lace, Ash and Maycin April 2006, Monterey, CA

Maycin April 2006, Monterey, CA

I am learning how to edit photos with some fun effects...these are more vintage/grunge looking and I rather like it. It has taken many hours of learning to get these results, and I have much, much more to learn.

Day Trip to Knights Ferry, CA

Cliff and I do enjoy a little get away now and again (yesterday)...Knights Ferry is about an hours drive from Atwater, and the home to the longest covered bridge this side of the Mississippi! It has a lovely museum/visitors center, plus very nice picnic/park area. Cliff and I did go on a nice little hike up stream/up hill. We had beautiful weather...a beautiful time!

Corry James

Corry was on his way home from Southern California (10 day Air Force commitment) last night with a lay-over here at home base in Atwater. He didn't have to work today and had class this evening, so he wasn't in a big hurry to get back to Sacramento. He so kindly appeased his mother by letting her do a photo shoot with him. Only photographers and shutterbugs can understand the fullfillment of this event (I was truly giddy inside, but was very careful not to show it).

Endearing Names

Since our grandson, Maycin, came into this world I have always called him "Bug-a-boo." There are all kinds of endearing names to use with your loved ones...honey bunny, sweety-pie, pookie, ...when Cliff and I were courting, his was "Cowboy" and mine was "Slim"...okay, don't go there people, Cliff and I know all too well, we are far apart from those endearing names today. But, let's get back to "Bug-a-boo." After Ashlee and Maycin's short visit yesterday, it was our ritual good-byes, with "love you" attached at the end. As Maycin rounded the corner of the garage, he yelled back to me with the surprising "love you, Bug-a-boo!" I had to chuckle but was absolutely delighted that he has been taught to give endearing names to those he loves.

What Up With Breakfast?

What up with breakfast, you ask? I know last weekend I talked about oranges and orange juice...but there is just something about breakfast on the weekends we love. Through the week, we don't get to sit down, relax and enjoy it together and these days it's pretty much oatmeal every day through the week (since my diverticulitis); boring...except, yes the weekends! Cliff and I go all out...okay maybe not all out, but sometimes we do. This week we had pancakes, sausage and eggs. Yeah, nothin to write home about, but I have a secret. I promise I will tell Cliff...sometime! I jazzed up our pancakes!! I know the photo looks like ordinary pancakes...no bananas, no strawberries, no blueberries. So, what's all the hub-bub? Well, I secretly put a bit of vanilla and...you gotta try this...a teaspoon of lemon extract. I just nonchalantly commented how good the pancakes tasted to Cliff and he agreed whole heartedly. I know I'm a little sneak, and again, I promise I will tell him, eventually. If you haven't tried it yet, try lemon or orange extract in your pancakes! They are YUMMMMMY!

Bumble Bee

Gilbert and Ashlee found themselves without another vehicle and had to make a decision so Gilbert could get to work and school in Fresno/Clovis, and Maycin to pre-school in Merced. They found a cute little 03 Ford Escape, dubbed "Bumble Bee".

Maycin (5) Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008

I just love this kid! Maycin and Ashlee came by today for a short visit as he had a birthday party to go to. Once in awhile I will ask him if I can take some photos and he was very willing today. Mind you, he does not like to sit still and when he does he loves to give cheesy grins, but it's great practice for me as a photographer. Notice he is still very into "Dog" his stuffed animal, and let's not forget the action heros and Hot Wheels!

(By the way, you can click on any photo in this blog and it will enlarge for a better look)

Lacee & Lori

Lacee and Lori are on their way out to watch the Super Bowl with friends...I ran after them and said, "I have to take a photo!" One day they will thank me! :0)

Hail Super Bowl Sunday

We were surprised with a hail storm today...In spite of the bird feeder being almost completely covered with it, the birds still came. This will be the closest we will come to snow here in the Central Valley. In the 27 years I have lived here it has snowed twice, and I was only here one of those 2 times (we were up in the mountains for the other time).

Food Sensation!

Yesterday I made a homemade sweet-potato pie! I had never seen, tasted or heard of one before I met Cliff. It has become our family's favorite pie at Thanksgiving and it's always a treat any other time of the year. So, my mouth was watering...I almost rushed through dinner just to sink my teeth into it. First I put on a pot of coffee...oh the arroma and the anticipation of blending the two (coffee and pie). I poured myself a cup and topped my pie with a dollop of light cool whip. Awhhhhhhhhhhhh, at last! I closed my mouth around the delectable morsel and...and...and...Oh RATS!!! My mouth opened up...I forgot the sugar! What was even funnier is that Cliff didn't believe me when I told him I forgot the sugar and decided to take a bite only to echo, "That is nasty!!!" Well, on to a better story...this time of year is the best to eat oranges here. They are so sweet and especially right off the tree. Our neighbor had given us oranges (we always gladly accept them even though we have a dwarf orange tree ourselves) and I made fresh squeezed orange juice this morning to enjoy with our breakfast. Let me tell you, nothing better!