Path to no where

The wrong path at Copper Falls.

Busy week

I am having very busy weeks lately so bear with me as I try to find the time to keep this POTD up. I took a picture of this yellow leaf on the water and then since I thought a red leaf would be better I staged a red leaf.... let's just say that a form of nature cannot be staged without looking staged. This yellow leaf was by far a much better picture than my staged red leaf. I love the reflection of the leaf and then the shadow below, my red leaf had none. I love the curled up edges and the cup like shape.... red leaf....nada.

Happy Birthday to Michelle today. We love you and wish you many more birthdays with this family. Also happy birthday wishes to my mom... I miss and love you lots.

Chairs

I had John turn around so fast when I seen this blue chair sitting in front of a shop. I needed it to match my yellow chair and then a bonus was they also had a stained one just begging me for a paint job. Good thing we took the truck on Friday. We, I mean I also seen a flower cart in someones dumpster that I begged for John to turn around again so I could go dumpster diving and he refused. So I made myself a reference to the location and would try again on the way back. On the way back I seen my reference object and for the life of me could not remember why I needed to remember that.

A little taste of winter

Yesterday was so nice we knew it wouldn't last.... how about a little taste of winter today. Brrrrrrr

Saturday night

We spent our Saturday working around the house, it was a beautiful fall day. We both worked so hard our bodies ached and we welcomed the sun going down so we could relax by the fire. I lit my chandelier and couldn't resist taking a picture of it. My idea of a good weekend is staying home and we did just that. I painted my old door for the garden, it's lime green on one side and mustard yellow on the other. It's just leaning on the tree for now.... one project we didn't get to finish that day.

Copper Falls

Yesterday was grandparents day at school so John and I couldn't find a reason to go back to work on a Friday so we took off another day and spent it together. We drove to Copper Falls, I haven't been there since I was little. I only remember a couple things about it.... we went in the fall and there was lots of colored trees and the bridge we walked over was huge with lots of water rushing under it. I don't remember the walking but with 11 kids mom and dad probably didn't have us hike the trails. Well John and I did and let me tell you if there are marked trails John and I can still get lost.... we ended up on a trail that we don't think was a trail and it ended at the river with no way to cross, the only way out was to walk all the way back. We walked for 2 and a half hours up and down steps. I loved it, John on the other hand was shooting evil glances my way after about the first hour. :)

Senior Pics

This young lady "S" was an absolute joy to meet. She smiled no matter how many "skitos" attacked her. At one point there had to be 500 of those pesty bugs flying around her face and 500 more attacking my hands but we made it through with some great photos.

And again I am breaking the rules, so how about 2 more?

Another sneek peak

Done with one more session of photos so I'll give ya' all another peek of what I've been up to. This is only suppose to be one photo a day but I don't like rules...

Me and my Grandpa

El may love her grandma very much but her Grandpa had always been her go to person for hugs and loving. I have to say John is more of a hugging person than I am. I have taken numerous testing for my supervisory classes and they give you the Myers-Briggs Personality test, I have taken this same test 3 different times with the same results. The test is probably available on-line if you want to google it and see what you are. Warning you may not like the results. The 4 categories are....

Intraverted/Extraverted (I/E)
Sensing/Intuitive (S/N)
Thinker/Feeler (T/F)
Judging/Perceiving (J/P)

Every time I take that test I dislike the results about myself but they are so true. I am a ESTJ, the last time I took this test I felt really, really bad that I wasn't a Feeler, I'm not even close to a little bit of a feeler and I wish I was, I tried so hard to answer the questions so that I could come out a feeler but it didn't work I was still a Thinker. We had to stand in corners with all the F's on one side and all the T's on the other; without us even knowing we did this us T's analyzed why they are F's and those F's felt bad for us T's...... what's up with that?? I know that I'm a Thinker and John knows he's a Feeler that must be why we have made it this far in marriage, you need one to balance out the other!!


Extroverted Characteristics
Act first, think/reflect later
Feel deprived when cutoff from interaction with the outside world
Usually open to and motivated by outside world of people and things
Enjoy wide variety and change in people relationships

Sensing Characteristics
Mentally live in the Now, attending to present opportunities
Using common sense and creating practical solutions is automatic-instinctual
Memory recall is rich in detail of facts and past events
Best improvise from past experience
Like clear and concrete information; dislike guessing when facts are "fuzzy"

Thinking Characteristics
Instinctively search for facts and logic in a decision situation.
Naturally notices tasks and work to be accomplished.
Easily able to provide an objective and critical analysis.
Accept conflict as a natural, normal part of relationships with people.

Judging Characteristics
Plan many of the details in advance before moving into action.
Focus on task-related action; complete meaningful segments before moving on.
Work best and avoid stress when able to keep ahead of deadlines.
Naturally use targets, dates and standard routines to manage life.

Here is El loving up to her Grandpa.... don't get me wrong I get plenty of hugs and kisses and I give out plenty of loving for all my kids and grandkids, John is just more the snuggly kind and El knows it. He's also the driver of the jeep rides and she knows that too.

Adam's new wheels

Yep Adam got new wheels, it was time to say good bye to his pride and joy. He loved his car and so did everyone else that pointed at it, took pictures of him and those in uniforms pulled him over just to see if he was doing anything wrong. The ole car is shown in the background and the new truck in the front. Same color just a slightly different look.

Trivia

How many antennas did Adam have on his car?
How many stickers were on his car?
How many deer horns?
What color is his roof?
Does the hood scoop really have a purpose?
What color are the mirrors and doorhandles on the outside of the car?
What color are the door handles on the inside?
What color duct tape was used to cover all the gadgets that weren't bolted down on the inside of the car?
How many Mt Dew cans are on the floor?
What animal skull is used in the headlight opening?
What tire did he have to pump up every morning before driving to school?

How often did it get stuck in park and cause Adam to call for a ride?

I guess it was time.... if you get all the answers correct you can have first choice at buying the ole beast. :) None of those above mentioned items better be found on the new wheels..... right son?

Nice truck Adam we are all very proud of you, keep up the good work.

Love ya, Mom and Dad

Us in holy land

We spent most of our weekend outside, we have been having beautiful weather and what better way to spend it than outside in the woods. Getting all the kids together for a family picture is almost impossible, I tried Friday night but by the time Adam got home it was dark, Garrett was crabby and Shan was leaving. I will try again in October, but until then it's just John and I. I didn't bring my tripod so I used a couple of branches to balance the camera and hope for the best. I ran back and forth about a dozen times trying to get at least most of our heads in the photo. I had the camera so far away that I bearly made it in time so some of them are action shots. Here was one of th nice ones.

Trail to holy land

Here is the trail to holy land, John brushed it out just wide and tall enough for the jeep to fit through. El rode with us and had a blast going through this tunnel, she stood up with her head over the top the whole ride. She giggled every time a branch came close to hitting her and we would yell "duck".

Miss El in holy land

Miss El was with us when we went back to "holy land" which is our favorite place in the woods. I like it because it's beautiful with it's thick brush, the sun shining through the trees and the path overhung with tree branches. Now John loves it for the big bucks that like to hang out there, this has been his hunting spot since he was very young. El and I had fun with the camera while Grandpa played with his camera and tree stand.

Retirement

John's brother Ken climbed out of his 18 wheeler for the very last time yesterday, he accomplished his 4 million accident free miles about a month ago and that was enough for him to decide his time was up for the working world and it was time for him to have nothing to do and everyday to do it. We are all very proud of Ken and his hard work through the years and wish him the best of luck for the future. It's a very exciting time and I'm sure his wife Tomi will be following the same plans real soon, that is after hunting season is over. That does start in September and finishes sometime in January, it's amazing how long those guys can sit in the woods on a tree stump waiting for just the right one to come walk by them.

Cheers Ken, here's to staying up late and sleeping in any day you want. But can you send my husband back home.... he has to work in the morning!

Painted Garage Sale Chair

Remember the $1 chair?

I painted it last weekend.... mustard yellow

If you don't remember it in the before stage check out this link {here} You gotta love a fun chair in a cool color and sitting next to my red door... oh-la-la.

Sneak Peek

A quick sneak peek for a busy mom and her fast growing family. This mom is amazing with her patience and organization. First there is "T" who is 8, she helps so much and I'm sure mom misses her during the school day. Then there is "A" who is 3, she is quick and adventurous. Then there is "C" and "Z" who are 8 weeks, they were such good babies and let us do just about anything with them. Thank you "J" for letting me take your photos, you have a beautiful family and I was excited to try out my make shift bed with you and the kids.

I have a couple other sessions in front of these so here are two photos I quickly played with.

Being Creative

When you take a trip with just the two of you and you have your big ole' lens on that your arm is not near long enough to hold out and get anything but your noses you have to get creative to have a picture of the two of you. How about you hang over the pier railing and take your reflection in the water.... and just maybe you forgot about your prescription sunglasses on your head and didn't have the camera strap around your neck. Thank goodness I have a tight grip on my camera at all times and my glasses stayed put on my head. hard to believe this is a reflection in water, nice jeep hair I got going on there. Blonde's have such trouble with snarls during a normal day that with 60 mph winds you must have all hairs tied down with a bandanna, hat, visor, clips, bobby pins...... or all my hair will be in my comb the next day.

Lush Forest

It's going to look very different real soon so enjoy the lush forest we have right now.

Fenced in

A Jeep trip to Timm's Hill today, we had the top down and the sites were incredible. No fall colors yet but green is my favorite.

Beautiful night

I'm thinking we just got another touch of summer, it has been so nice both days and nights. It's hard to be inside these days since I know our nice days are numbered and we haven't had many of them this summer. John and I spent the night sitting by the fire and I took a walk with my camera during sunset again.

These flowers just grew here, I didn't plant any of them but I had no plans for the spot so I just let them. I got one plant from Starla a few years ago, I can't remember it's name but they are suppose to be purple but I have them in shades of blue, purple and pink. Starla just shakes her head when she sees these coming up everywhere.... I'm not sure why my flowers are so un-ruly, they must not understand the rules.

No words tonight

I have no energy for words tonight so how about just a photo.

Sunrise farm country

These cows are laying down in the long grass every morning so since I had my camera this morning I stopped to take their photograph. As soon as I got out of my truck they all stand up..... dang it. I still like them with the barn silhouette in the background. I'll try again tomorrow maybe I can sneak up on them.

On the fence

Not much time for photoshopping, this is our 3 week in a row for wedding decorating. Tonight was a new place that we haven't ever done before, it was kinda fun making stuff up. You can do that when it's not your daughters wedding, no stress involved.

So speaking of weddings..... I'm on the fence with this one, I kinda like it.

Labor Day

The pond is finished. Here is "Grandpa Ott Morning Glory" showing his satisfaction with the bright purple colors hanging over the edges.

Great weather we had this long weekend, we got lots done at home.

Too much wine

Okay so since I trust all of you to not laugh too hard at me I'll talk about how I know now that I drank too much wine last night. Now remember I'm trusting you not to laugh or judge me for what I do (did) that I can remember and what I did that I can't.

So we're leaving the winery at about 10:30, we had a 40th birthday party for my brother Brian that we were suppose to go to long before 10:30.... oppppps time got away from us. We get into the truck, thank goodness John did not have too much wine so he drove (good idea huh). As we are driving out of the driveway my cell phone beeps and here is how the drive home unfolds.

Me - {digging for my purse, then digging for my cell phone} I must not have brought my phone with me?
John - "Yes hunny you brought your cell phone"
Me - {stop digging and put my purse down because I'm sure I didn't bring it}
[phone beeps again]

Me - "Oh I must have a message" {digging again for my cell phone} "I must not have it"

John - "Connie you can hear it beeping"
Me - "Yeah but I can't find it so I must not have brought it with me"
John - {laughing at me}
[phone beeps again]

Me - "darn where is that phone {digging again in my purse and my purse is the size of a cigar box so it should get too lost in there}
Me - "It's probably my family mad at me for not being at the party yet"

John - "Hummm I'm not sure they would want you coming there anymore"
[phone beeps again]
Me - "Honey why didn't I bring my cell phone with me?" {digging one more time through all the pockets in my purse and coming up with nothing}
John - {pulling over to check my purse}
Me - "what's the matter, why are you pulling over"
John - "I'm going to look for your cell phone"

Me - "oh hun don't bother I didn't bring it with me"
John - {found my cell phone in the back seat} "here is your cell phone"

Me - "Oh good I did bring it with me"

[phone beeps again]
Me - "Oh goodness I have a message" {listening to my message} "That was Gayle there is no one at the party so we can go home"
John - "That's good because we're almost there"
Me - "what if I wanted to go"
John - "I think you've had enough"
Me - "why?"

Oh boy if I could only remember what else I did. I must not have had too much since I didn't wake up with a wine hangover. Thank goodness because once I have a hangover I will never drink that drink again and I really like their wine.... can you tell?

Cheers but be careful this stuff is strong.

A trip to the winery

Good wine, good music and lots of fun. Hummmm I'd tell you more but I can't remember.

Start of a long weekend

Ahhhhhh it's a long weekend. One of my favorite grasses, especially in the fall.

Mexico and too many Margaritas

Let's switch things up again here before I bore you all to tears. How about a sunset pic since they are my favorite.

I flew to Mexico and snapped a few of the sunset tonight while I drank a margarita, complete with an umbrella straw, under the palm trees.

Okay so maybe I had two to many Margaritas, complete with a fun green plastic fork, here at home and just thought I was in Mexico.

Yes I use a green plastic fork to stir my drink, its very bright and makes me smile. One day I came home from work and John was sitting on the porch drinking a Margarita with my green fork.... that didn't go over very well. First of all where is my drink and second why are you using my green fork?

Just in case I made you thirsty for Margaritas here is a Margarita slush that I make for summer nights relaxing outside or inside.

1 can frozen Limeade
2 cans frozen Lemonade
1 can frozen Orange Juice
2 cups Tequila
Mix in gallon ice cream pail and add water to fill to the top. Freeze. Serve in a tall glass, salting the rim, add 1/2 to 3/4 slush and fill remaining glass with 7-up and don't forget the fun green plastic fork. This will make you smile, guaranteed!!

Family Sneak Peek

Tonight I took photos for a mom that has never had any pictures taken with her kids since they were very little. What a fun family, they had me laughing more than taking pictures. "J" moved to California and was home for awhile and "L" lives in this area and is expecting child number 3. I love capturing the moment especially laughter, it bring a smile to your face just looking at the photo.

Another one of my favorites of the family.

Photoshop Tuesday Overload

I am having Photoshop overload tonight so you get a bonus.... 3 photos in one post. I couldn't decide which one to use and I thought you may want to see more since I'm very excited about them. While you look I've got to get back to work, I will be putting in lots of late nights for the next few weeks but for something I love to do. Who needs sleep, it's over-rated.....