AUSTRAILIA the movie

Cliff, Lacee and I watched this DVD last night..."a cinematic experience that brings together comedy, romance, drama, adventure and spectacle." It's a 3 hour movie, but you will want to watch every second of it. The history...bombing of Darwin, Australia in 1942 and the Australian Aboriginal Children, "The Stolen Generation" will leave you thinking...feeling... The Aboriginal child actor, Brandon Walters, was remarkable. The cinematography was outstanding. If you haven't already seen this movie, I strongly recommend it!! To take a look, click on the trailer link below.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455824/trailers

Blossoms and...

Now this is what I'm talking about. All this color...all this delicate, beautiful, popping creation! I don't care that sometimes the sickening aroma of the blossoming flowering pear almost gags me (like the one planted in my neighbor's front yard...not pictured). I don't care that the minute pollen particle's not only tickle my nose but also wreak havoc with my sinus cavities and give me the pure joy of a runny, stuffy nose and scratchy throat. Because, this is what I wait for all those cold and foggy winter days here in the valley. This is the prize we get for being patient. This is pure joy to see!!

There is also other things that happen in the spring here. Unexpected things that well up a loud "hallelujah!" And, you are turning around asking "did that come out of me?" Things that when one moment you are just minding your own business and WHAM! It hits you right between the eyes...

This unexpected thing that I'm talking about is that I just happened to stop at our local library that has a used book store in a room across the foyer. A used book store that is totally managed by little ol' (and may I also add, darling) ladies that are just as happy as a clam, to see you walk through their door way, and into their little oasis of words! They were especially happy today and here is why...

It's March Madness month for their little used book store and you can fill a shopping bag full of "paperbacks" for a buck! Yeah, that's what I said. A shopping bag full of paperbacks for one dollar!! Well, I misunderstood them and I thought all books were included and as you can see I got hardbound books as well. But, here's the beauty about a used books store that isn't there to make money, but rather make happy. I filled the bag full with whatever suit my fancy, and only paid $3.50!

I'm doing the happy dance right now...oh...darn! I just ran into something. I didn't say I was coordinated!!

Winning Bid!

Drum roll, please!

Wait a minute...

Oh my lardy!!


I have never seen one of these before!!


Ta dah! One of a kind,




Authentic Original Cowboy Acoustic Geeeeetar! And, I love it so!!!!!


I'm afraid Lacee might snatch it as the colors would be awesome with her new bedroom wall color! Na, she's not cool enough for it!

Funny thing, no one but Cliff and I bid on this beauty (he out bid me by a dollar)!! You gotta love us, right?? Anyone want to take a guess as to how much we got it for? The Value: $130.00.

Whew-we! What a Weekend!!!

Bidding Paddles

First, our church had a dinner/auction fundraiser Friday night. It was ALOT of work, but ALOT of fun and it was a HUGE success!! We got such a huge crowd that we had to put up a couple more tables. There was plenty of food (why would I ever doubt God?), chili and cornbread...the dessert auction was a riot (as usual)...there were a few boggles before and during the event, but what event doesn't have them? I will blog my only winning bid, well actually Cliff outbid me by a dollar, but guess who wrote the check? Oh yes, I almost gave Cliff a heart attack when I got to bidding on dessert and got up to $60 or so...I don't remember what I bid cuz I was delirious with delight with the whole bidding experience (but again, I was outbid on Amy's dessert...snicker cake). Cliff was across the room, but I had the paddle (#41), and he kept looking at me, laughing and giving me the "cut off" sign by taking his hand and cutting across his neck with eyes bulging out of his head! I laughed so hard!! It truly was a powerful moment for me...I kept bidding higher just to get a rise out of Cliff! I wish I had that on video!! Anyway, there were a lot of people that made the fund raiser a success and I'd be a part of it all over again even knowing all the hard work...knowing all the frustrations...knowing my dogs would be barking, bloody murder, before the night was over. God is good!

Above is our attendees (some not pictured)

Pastor and his son...checking out "ART by Art"

Over 60 items and services to bid on. Cliff's winning bid is pictured, but I'm not going to tell you what it is just yet...that's for another post.


Above is "ART by Art"

Above is Art...yes, the very one from "ART by Art". Art donated 15 paintings! Let me tell you a little bit about Art. He is 92 years old, a retired US Air Force Bombardier, can play the guitar, fiddle (probably other instruments I don't know about) and our newest discovery...Art is an artist!! Experiencing a meeting with Art, will leave you never forgetting it!!! "It's a good day if I don't read my name in the obituaries."

And here, my dear people, is just a few of the deletable desserts we auctioned off. Even though we did not win any of the bids on the dessert, we did get to sample the carrot cake pictured and it was to die for!!

BOY! DO WE HAVE A NEW COLOR!!

Well, as you can see, Lacee has completely changed her mind about the color!! AND...SHE LOVES IT!!!!!!

From Sweet 16 to...

Well, five years ago, Cliff, Ashlee and I did a bedroom makeover for Lacee's 16th birthday while she was away to Disneyland with friends. She came back to a polkadot bedroom (in which at the time, she loved). But, now Lacee is 21 and it's time for a change...

The walls had to be primed with all those polkadots!

Lacee did the rolling and I did a lot of the trim painting

Cliff and I went to church (we attend services at night), and Lacee was determined to get it finished before the night was over. They say that paint always dries darker, right?? Then we learned that yellow is a "tricky" color to get just right. (Don't you just love that hair in a metallic net band?)

A little too sunny for Lacee and so now she is rethinking...and you've heard the saying that it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind...we will keep you guessing what color she decides to change this sunny yellow to. Stay tuned!

My Cameras

This Fugi FinePix S9100 digital (9 mega pixels) is what I have used for the last 2 years. It mimics a DSLR, but is not an SLR. The photo quality is not as good as what you might get with a DSLR, but it still takes great photos. I also use Photoshop Elements 6.0 for editing. It's not a very user friendly program, but once you begin to understand how to use it, there's countless ways to edit photos.

Recently, I bought this cute little Nikon CoolPix S550 digital (10 mega pixels) for just everyday photos/snapshots. It does well, but I really love taking portraiture with my Fugi. Both the Fugi and Nikon have video mode and again, I like my Fugi best for video because the zoom is better and focuses better when zooming in video.

Weirdness

There is a lot of weirdness going on here. First it's those glasses with that look, then it's the photo edit itself...and even weirder, I have no idea how I did this edit! I can't remember!! With Photoshop there is so much you can do with your photo...so much to learn...and, so much to remember. I have tried to recreate this edit without success!

Remembering When...

Okay, it's been a full week since Gilbert, Ashlee, Maycin and Margo moved to Arizona...things are going well for them. In the mean time, I continue to go through photos I took when the kids were here and this is one of my favorites. Maycin and Margo got the jungle hats as party favors from a friend's birthday party. Poor little Margo couldn't keep the brim of the hat above her face, try as we may...and Maycin thought it was pretty funny...fun to remember.

HAPPY 30th CORRY!

Time sure does get away from a person and it's so hard to believe that Corry is 30 years old today. It's been such a pleasure and blessing to be Corry's parents.

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY, SON!

Corry above at 4 1/2 years old...taken in Planada, CA when we rented a little 2 bedroom house on 5 acres. He was all country boy then...

Corry above at 11 years old...one of many trips we would take with the kids to Monterey, CA and explore the tide pools there.

This is pretty much Corry today (photo taken last spring). Corry works as a medical logistics team member with the United States Air Force.

Wonderfully, Crazy, Busy

Some of you know how wonderfully, crazy, busy my life has been lately...The last month and half Ashlee, Maycin and Margo partially moved in with us while Gilbert established himself in a job in Phoenix, AZ...well, all good things must come to an end. Who ever said that, should be strung up by their toes! It stinks!! Because even though it felt a little crowded at times, we were able to see our grandchildren at any moment of any given day. Then it got closer to their moving day and just as wonderful as having our daughter and grandchildren with us, my brother Larry, and sister-in-law, Lorna, came to visit. Visits from family are far and few between, so we are always so excited when we do get a visit. Amidst the baby squeals, little boy action hero performances, bustling around with packing boxes here and there, we had some wonderful family time.

Now Gilbert, Ashlee and kids are moved...Tempe now has 4 more to add to their census...and Larry and Lorna are on their way to Phoenix area by way of Quartzsite (those crazy Canadian snowbirds, anyway). My passionately wild life almost came to a screeching halt when my family all left last Thursday morning (in symphonic exodus). I say almost, because I didn't have time to think...to grasp the realization that I wasn't going to be able to pick up my Margo and hug my Maycin anytime I wanted...to miss Ashlee and Gilbert or Larry and Lorna...no time to have a good cry the moment I saw them turn the corner down the end of my street...no siree...because diversions are good when all good things must come to an end. Cliff and I were getting ready to go to the beach for a weekend get-away. But, that is another story. Yes, diversions are good as I look at these photos (Wacko snaps vs portraiture), they bring nothing but a big smile to my face. Yes, I do miss them all...but, I have some pretty darn good memories to cherish until we meet again!!

Larry and Lorna were such good sports to join in...with the clown sunglasses...actually they were with me when I bought them. Little did they know...life is way too short to argue with me anyway!

Gilbert and Ashlee are use to me taking photos...well...all the time and they have no choice in the matter whether to wear or not the incriminating clown glasses...Oh yeah, actually I think Ashlee took this photo herself (poor thing is so conditioned now living with her nothing but breathing, drinking, extremist photographer mother).


Maycin wears them with much pride and attitude...so does Dog!!


This is how I want to remember my time with Princess Peanut...aka, Margo Fargo...aka, Margoo...aka, Sissy Roo...


Now...returning to a very quiet house after a fun beach weekend get-away with my husband...time to think...time to cry...

Ashlee's Farewell Photo Shoot

Gilbert, Ashlee and kids will be moving to Arizona next week, and Ashlee requested a farewell shoot with her friends; Kelly, Pam, and Sarah. They are all beautiful young ladies inside and out!