Tableau Tuesday - Random images from the past few months

Since I haven't posted these (or if I did it was so long ago I've forgotten...):

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Monday Morning Weekend Wrap Up

Now that Corky is back to work on desk duty only, she actually has weekends off, so this makes the third weekend we could spend together.

Friday
Corky spent the night and we just chilled out and relaxed. I took apart and moved part of The Oldest's old twin bed and a part of the bunk bed set The boys have had for a REALLY long time. Am looking to sell it and see what I can recoup.

Saturday
Woke up and finished moving The Oldest's bed, vacuuming his room and moving the futon into a better spot, which meant moving the bookshelf and the cat box. Went with Corky and her roommate to Urban Ore looking for ideas. Saw some stuff we want to try, as well as buying a drop leaf table, now making 2 projects I need to do... Had lunch and rushed home so that I could drive My Sister's Youngest to Homecoming at his high school (my alma mater). While there, Sister gave me her old kitchen chairs (AWESOME!). We picked up his girlfriend, took pictures, and I waited while they ate at a friends. Then I dropped them at the school, picked up Corky and met another couple for dinner and dessert. Back home and exhausted!

Sunday
Up and out rather early with Corky and her roommate to the downtown antiques fair. Wandered for about 5 hours, and bought one non antique (of course). Will be making it into a bedside lamp because I need yet another home project, though this does not involve sand paper, screwdrivers or stain. We'll see how it looks soon. Dinner at home, shower and a nap after crying from pain and exhaustion. The Boys arrived at around bed time, with some additional work needing to be done on an essay for The Youngest that is due tomorrow.

In bed by 10:00 and really looking forward to sleep.

Tableau Tuesday - on Wednesday

I have a feeling this entire week will have me a day behind... All shot over the last week, including the first day of school, Scottish Games and Lawrence Hall of Science.

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And the videos from Berkeley:






I hope you all have a good rest of your week.

Tableau Tuesday

Pictures are actually from two weekends ago, but hey I remembered to get something up, right?

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Tableau Tuesday 7/29/2014

Here we are at a Tableau Tuesday, with Pics of the week.

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Tableau Tuesday - yeah, a day late - whatever

So this past weekend found Corky and I camping on the banks of the American River. It was a nice relaxing time, and completely off line, no cell service and no wifi. I brought books, but found that all of my time was spent just being. Fresh air, warm sun and cold water did so very much to soothe my soul and help me reconnect with real reality, with people and dirt and sun and water. This was the perfect trip for me.

Earlier this summer, The Boys and I set off for the beach and I took some pics at the shore in Santa Cruz. This has been a relatively relaxing summer, and I have been trying not to over extend myself in commitments.

So the slides of so far this summer:

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Tableau Tuesday

Still haven't replaced  my camera (waiting on the insurance check), so these are all from the phone, and some have been through in phone or instagram editing. All shot this weekend, during The Youngest's Birthday celebrations:

Tableau Tuesday

It's been a while, but these are some things from the past two weeks:

Monday Morning Weekend Wrap Up

Kind of a mellow and serene weekend.

Friday
Had a hair appointment where I hope my hair person was able to lighten up the dark she did last time, but it is still pretty dark. More reds in it, but still dark. Was at the elementary school to teach art, but the kids had an assembly, giving us only 30 minutes at the end of a Friday that also included a field trip.We did drawings of our noses, and it was extremely difficult for almost all of them, so we will tackle it again. Went to some dear friends' for dinner, and brought chocolate bread pudding for dessert. They hadn't yet met Corky, and I had fun visiting and catching up with them. I think I did a much better job including Corky in the conversation, and she said she didn't feel left out. The Boys hung out with their boys and didn't want to leave.

Saturday
Printed out some pictures for BFFs son to use in a report. Laundry, errands grocery shopping and a photo shoot for a friend, using a camera borrowed from the ex' gf. Filed the police report on the robbery last week, and helped another friend choose a tattoo design. Didn't get to see Corky at all because she had a funeral to attend in the morning, worked closing and had to open on Sunday. Also, she is spending time with her roommate on Sunday, so I probably won't see her again until Monday, or after. She's working a seven day stretch, which means she'll be really tired by next weekend when we are going out. Found out that a member of my community died from cancer. She was 14 years old, and the entire town has come together to support her family during this difficult time. I cannot even imagine the turmoil, pain and sadness. Finished a baby shower gift for Corky's expected grand nephew.

Sunday
Laundry and knitting the second gift for the grand nephew. The boys completed homework and built a fort downstairs. Reflecting on how much I miss Diane, and how she won't have the opportunity to knit for a grandchild, or see her boys mature into adults. Also, for the little girl who's life was cut short, and what she will miss, as well as how hurt her parents are, and will be as they witness all of the milestones their little girl didn't get to experience. Corky stopped by after work, which I was thankful for, as I thought I wouldn't see her at all. Had the BFF's son over to hang with The Boys. Thought BFF would hang and visit, but it was a drop and run kind of thing. Made me feel a little used and left me wondering about what is going on.

My Town Shoot Out - Rustic Details

This week's theme is rustic details.

I aimed to shoot our Heritage Park. I've shot there a whole bunch because I find many interesting sections and details every time I stop by. However, life and all it's details got in the way, so I was in a nearby downtown on Saturday, and found some interesting things, which then caused me to kick myself for NOT bringing my camera. These are directly out of my phone:

This building had red brick under plaster painted green, and it's been peeling off for quite a while, but I like the look of the decay.

This electrical panel, covered by wood had been partially removed during a fire on the upper floor. I'm guessing an electrical fire...

Another more eye level view of the first building.

Go see more photos and join us here:

 

Friday My Town Shoot Out - Winter

This week's theme is Winter in our towns:

I went out shooting near sunset looking for this bird of prey, whom I see daily:

 This was facing East on a nearby ridge. The hills are dry and brown due to lack of rainfall:

This was facing West on the same ridge: 

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Tableau Tuesday - Wedding edition

Shot a wedding last week, and thought I'd put some of those up here:

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week :-)

Friday My Town Shoot Out - The New Year

This week's Theme is The New Year. I shot a number of different things for this week:

 On New Year's Eve, I took out my Jar of Blessings and dumped them all on my bed:

The Cat helped me read through them all to remember all of the good things that happened this year:

New Year's Eve, I made a couple of Walking Fondues to take with me:

New Year's Day called for a hike at Mt. Diablo State Park and Rock City. I think these are Acacia Trees. I love the red bark:

My hike was with Corky, The singularly best thing to happen this last year was meeting her, and letting her into my heart and my life. She fits into all of those empty spaces in my soul, and I love her:

The View from the rocks, looking toward the San Francisco Bay:

 I hope you all have a very happy and healthy year ahead!

Go see more photos and join us here:

 

Tableau Tuesday

A few photos from the week:

I liked how this looked through my sunglasses when I was shooting it, but preferred the unfiltered after...

The Boys washing my car:

Zoo Lights at night:

The Things We Do For Love

I photographed a wedding on Monday. This was as a gift for a man I have watched grow from a small boy into a Marine. He and his bride are headed on an adventurous life (both are active military). I wish for them all the happiness a life together can bring. I love weddings. For a period of time, I did not. That time may have passed with this wedding. This was the union of two young people who are ready to face life. Their hopes and dreams and aspirations are right in front of them, guiding their decisions. It was a beautiful wedding, a fun reception and I am happy to have been there. It is my gift to be able to shoot their wedding and I feel honored that they entrusted their day to me. I did get a bunch of really great pics, some of which will be up here next week.

While I was away all afternoon and evening (I am writing this at midnight), my folks watched and cared for The Boys. Corky worked, stopped by to care for The Dogs, and did dishes, brought me food, and straightened up a bit. I didn't even notice until I was on my way to bed, and I will thank her properly when she is awake later this morning. I did keep her posted about my comings and goings, especially that late at night on a notoriously treacherous road home. She is genuinely concerned for my welfare, and not in a creepy, controlling sort of way. She wants to know that I am ok, and calls just to hear my voice. I really missed seeing her all day and night, but we will ring in the New Year together :-)

Friday My Town Shoot Out - Colors of the Season

I received an e-mail from Ginger V. inviting me back to the shoot out. I had been on the shoot out blog over the week anyway, checking out the new layout, and I like it. I was happy to see this is still going, and I have wanted to come back for a while. My life is settling down (kind of), and I actually added the themes to my phone so that I could have them at hand when I am out and about.

This week's theme is Colors of the Season and I shot this on Monday or Tuesday. I see this tree almost daily and think of it as our own change of seasons barometer for my little area of Northern California. Right now, I get to see the rich colors of fall in the dead of winter :-). This shot is directly from my phone, no filters, and no edits.

Go see more photos and join us here:

 

Tableau Tuesday

The photos from the last week or so:

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR. I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Tuesday Morning Weekend Wrap Up

Another busy weekend, though this was all of my own doing.

Thursday
Drove on a field tip for The Youngest to the San Francisco Bay Model. It was a fun day, but I ran an art class with sketches inside the model, then at Fort Baker. Beautiful day, but would have enjoyed it more if I didn't drive, then work the entire time. A couple of pics from that:

The Youngest and Corky:

The View from Fort Baker:

We should have hiked the kids up to the bunkers and gotten some energy out. As it was, they were all insane on the way home, making the drive a bit of a headache. Would love to go back, just the four of us and have the time to pick what we want to do and when.

Friday
School was out for The Youngest a little early, so no art class. I was a bit stressed out in the afternoon / evening just trying to get The Oldest to not lie about his homework. He had to complete his math worksheet without the aid of a calculator as a result. That made us late out the door to get to SF to see Peter and the Starcatcher. It made me laugh my butt off, and de-stress, which is exactly what I needed. It was organized by one of the Mormon moms of friends of The Boys. I don't think she expected that Nanny would be played by a man, and mostly gay maintext. Also, the head pirate played it very foppish. Two of the gayest characters in a play I've seen in quite some time. Also? It was a fundraiser for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS. The Boys LOVED it. Spent the rest of the weekend quoting the play. Home about midnight, and The Boys went directly to bed. I was up getting the dogs settled down until about 1:00.

Saturday
Slept in a bit, and got to roasting a GIANT red beet, and several chioggia, all courtesy of Corky. Clogged my sink with the skins... Had to buy drain chemicals to unclog it. The Oldest completed his homework, or at least what he could with a missing science textbook. Laundry, shower, and redid my toenails. The ex picked up the boys at 5:00. This was his weekend with them... Of course that means my social life doesn't exist except on call. Corky came by to say hi to The Boys before they left, and we enjoyed some time alone before a quick trip to the store and for dinner. Then back home and a movie. Actually went to bed at a relatively decent hour after having fallen asleep on the couch.

The humongous red beet next to a chioggia:

 Once roasted and cooling:

Sunday
Woke up kinda early for a weekend. That was fine because I still had most of the laundry to complete. Enjoyed my coffee while banging out some work for the middle school. A really big and yummy breakfast, and more laundry. added little pink hearts to my dark grey toenails. Putzed around some more. Dishes and more laundry. Watched The Heat at Corky's while cuddling on her bed - which was perfect to relax and laugh. The Boys came home at nearly 7pm, having done no homework and shoes wet & muddy. Started the shoes in the laundry, hung out with The Boys and relaxed some more.

Monday
Slept through my alarm, so of course woke up late for work time. Logged on to find absolutely nothing of any import. Took my shower and moved downstairs to see what The Boys were up to. Had The Oldest finish his homework and met with my boss. Mended a necktie for The Oldest and jazz band. Made plans for The Boys and a Nerf war later in the day with my BFF and her son. Haven't been spending much time with them because her son doesn't treat The Oldest very well, and with Corky, my free time is rather occupied... Frozen pizza for dinner because The Boys were all having so much fun, we didn't leave the park until dark, and stopped for a haircut for The Oldest, and Starbucks for us all. Interestingly, The Oldest kept wanting me to tell BFF about the play on Friday, and I had already told her, and he was being a pain about it, so I told him to tell the story, but he refused... BFF asked if Corky asked me to marry her. We didn't talk about it, other than me telling her that it has been a conversation, that I'm not ready, and I would have told her already if that is indeed what happened on Friday. I didn't ask what her opinion about that is, though I probably should, or why she assumed that was the news. Weird.

Pics from the park:

I hope you all have a beautiful and relaxing week!

Tableau Tuesday

A few pics from the weekend

Treats for tricks on Halloween:
 Mummy Dogs

 Dirty Q-Tips

Corky's Giraffe Tattoo in Marini's

And it looks like my ablation will happen in early December - scheduled it this morning. Last night, The Oldest was having a tough an emotional time, which I failed to take into account when Corky wanted to jump out at him. Because of that, he ended up crying inconsolably - to the point of needing a cold cloth on the back of his neck. I feel bad about it, for him and for her. I could have handled that much better.

I hope you all have a calm and peaceful rest of your week.