My Lo. . .

My beautiful grand daughter Lauren (Lo) is 13. She's an awesome young girl. Loves Soccer, her friends and is a fabulous big sister to Braydon. She's an amazing artist and enjoys reading.

Lucky for me, I get to see Lo frequently. She was over one day last week -- we had some errands to run, went to lunch and then she was going to get ready for SNL (youth group at our church) at my house.

She was gettin' a bit gussied up for church -- so I asked if Brady (her 7th grade crush) was going to be there. You got it! She was gussin' up for Brady!

At Christmastime, I bought myself a Nikon D3000. I've not really had the time to play with it much and have decided that this summer my goal is to learn more about my camera.

So. . . I used Lo for my 'subject'. She was over her modeling duties in about 15 seconds.

Here's my beautiful gal. . .

"Really, Grammie? More pictures?"

(straight out of the camera)

"Grammie, I'm over this"

(filtered black & white)

I think I asked her a question about Brady on this shot.

(glow)

Model shot.

(focal B & W)

Beautiful Girl

(filter b/w & film grain)

Photo's were edited in Picasa 3.

I'm not so sure about this whole photo editing deal. I'm certainly flying by the seat of my pants. I'd really like to take a photo course this summer and then maybe an editing class in the fall.

Blessings!

Sharon

For Today. . .

Outside My Window...

June Gloom - I love it!

I am thinking…

mini-vacation next week!

From the learning rooms...

Searching for an on-line photo class. I think I'm ready!

I am thankful for...

Morning time

I am praying for...

Family & Friends and praise for my many blessings!

From the kitchen...

Oatmeal and blueberries. YUMMMMY!

I am wearing...

Sweats, what else?

I am creating...

a mess!

I am going...

to Barnes & Noble today!

I am reading...

Just finished reading "The Help". Excellent book!

I am hoping...

some answers

I am hearing...

Regis & Kelly

Around the house...

Bathroom scrubbin' day

One of my favorite things...

Reading a good book. It’s even better if I’m sitting on a beach.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:

Looking forward to the long weekend, helping Rick & Ev move, vacation the following weekend -- Mammoth here we come!

Cincuenta, Padesat, Halvtreds. . .

Cinquanta, Funfzig, Femtio, Otven and Cincizeci de ani all mean the same thing. Any guesses??? FIFTY! 50! FIVE-ZERO! On June 5th, I officially joined Club 50!

Leading up to the 'big day' I was pretty much a mess. I was not looking forward to being 50 AT ALL! I'd start every day thinking, "it's only a number, I'm blessed, I've got a good life, I'm happy & healthy" and by noon my thoughts were heading towards, "it's all down hill, I'm heading into the final chapter (I have a theory that life is broken down into thirds - 1 - 25, 25-50 and 50 - the end), etc, etc.

Fortunately for me, I have an awesome daughter and some very loving friends.

Unbeknownst to me. . . there was some plannin' goin' on!

On Thursday (6/3), Sarah called and said that she was going to take the kids to the sitter on Friday so that we could spend the day together . . . mani/pedi's, lunch and shopping. I was sooo looking forward to spending the day with her. We don't get to spend much time by ourselves.

Friday morning, I hear some commotion at my door -- I'm thinking Sarah's got her hands full or something. As I open the door there stands -- Franny!

This is Franny.

Franny is the daughter of my dear friends Helen & Bevo -- they live in Pennsylvania! As I was lovin' on Franny -- I looked up and out of Sarah's car popped Helen, Shirley (my sweet friend from Colorado) and Jamie (my dear friend from San Jacinto), Sarah & Cassidy.

My head was spinning. . . I couldn't really grasp what was going on. Shirley was supposed to be visiting next weekend. I was SOOO confused!

After hugs & kisses and Cassidy yelling, 'we tricked you'. . . we all came in the house (which by the way was a complete disaster area) and my sweet friends informed me that we were going to Santa Barbara for the weekend!

Our hotel, Casa Del Mar was awesome! Great place -- rooms were big and clean. Staff was friendly. Close to the beach and State St.

Friday. . . Surprise! Drive to Santa Barbara w/small detour in Hollywood, Shop State St., late lunch, shop some more, TURBO SCRABBLE, lots of laughing, sleep.

Saturday. . . coffee, lots of talking, search for Oprah in Montecito, great brunch, shopping at really expensive stores, beach, Elvis, birthday dinner at great restaurant, more turbo scrabble, more laughter, sleep.

Sunday. . . coffee, more talking, packing, drive to OC, drop Jamie off, drive to Corona via Kimmy's (for Shirley) and In N Out (for Helen) and a quick stop in an antique store, family birthday party, fun, laughter, joy, family, love, back to the OC, my cup runneth over, sleep.

Monday. . . DISNEYLAND w/ Cassidy, Sarah, Helen & Franny! so much fun.

Tuesday. . . Drop Helen & Franny at the airport ;( , back to my 'normal' life.

I had a fabulous 4 days. God has put some incredibly wonderful people in my path -- I am blessed.

Shirley enjoying the warm sand.

** having MAJOR problems with blogger and uploading photos. Will try to upload more photos in the morning**

May - Part Two

The weekend after Mother's Day, I took a much needed solo voyage. I took a drive up North to watch my Cousin's (OK, she's not really "my" cousin - but I got her in the divorce) grand daughter be confirmed in the Catholic church. I left Saturday am bright and early. The plan was to take my time - drive up the coast and then over to just outside of Stockton.

Friday night I had a call from Cassidy. She invited me to her tea party on Saturday morning and asked if I could bring the donuts -- "the small ones -- chocolate and sprinkles, please'. Who could say no to that? A quick pit stop at Zach & Sarah's proved to be just what I needed as I somehow picked up a nail in my tire. We had a quick tea party and then the entire family fixed my car. Cassidy is never far from Zach's side. To say she is a Daddy's girl is an understatement, for sure!

Assessing the situation

Isn't he delicious ?

Always next to her dad

Gavin's more interested in finishing his doughnut!

Instead of leaving at 8, I was on the road by 10. Hit traffic through LA -- once I was on PCH in Pacific Palisades, it was heaven. I could smell and see the ocean. So healing for me! The drive was awesome. Had a great drive, listened to a book on tape (CD) and had an absolutely divine time!

Sunday was the confirmation. The church service was ONE HOUR AND FORTY FIVE MINUTES! Up, down, up, down! I thought we Lutheran's were up & down a lot. Catholics have us covered! It was so nice to visit with my family. Love them all sooo much! And don't get to see them nearly enough.

Here are some photos. . .

Kylee & Kim

Melissa & Aunt Deannie

Kylee

Aunt Deannie & Lynn

John, Meg, Ky & Kim

MAY - Part One

OH MY GOSH. . . The last month has been sooo busy! A good busy though!

Mother's Day weekend. I spent mother-ing -- well, grand-mothering! Zach was in Vegas for a race. Sarah worked Saturday and then flew to Vegas to join Zach for the year end Supercross banquet. It was a great weekend for Zach's team. They finished 1st through 4th, it was a great way to top off an awesome season. The Pro Circuit team won both 250 Championships this year!

Sarah & Zach got to spend some much needed time alone in Vegas -- having a great time, floating at the MGM pool and a fun night at the Hard Rock.

I probably had more fun! Cassidy and Gavin were an absolute blast! I wasn't sure that I could actually pull off 3 days by myself! Piece of cake! OK, maybe not piece of cake but it was easier than I thought. Both kids were absolute angels the whole weekend. I even ventured out of the house a couple of times. On Sunday, we went over to Tom's Farm to ride the train and the carousal. We also watched the magic show and had lunch. Loads of fun!

I had every intention of making hand print plaques for Sarah for Mother's Day. After my third attempt, I gave up. I couldn't get the plaster of paris to set right - argh! I didn't take many pictures over the weekend -- was a little busy!

click on the photos to enlarge. . .

4 months? Really?

WoW! It's been four months since I blogged? How'd that happen? I know that procrastination had a lot to do with it. Sarah and I both had issues with our blogger accounts (may be because of inactivity ;0) ). It was drama to get usernames and passwords organized again.

Anyway. . .I'm back. Back to blogland. I never stopped reading blogs -- OMG -- I've found so many blogs that I absolutely love. Typically, I peruse my fav's as I'm enjoying my morning coffee.

Here some pictures from Easter. . . This year we did things a little differently. Instead of having the kids over for Easter brunch -- they came over for dinner before the Holy Saturday service at St. John's (VERY cool service by the way).

We had a great dinner (if I do say so myself). A fun Easter egg hunt and then walked to church.

All 4 grandies in the same frame -- notice I didn't say anything about looking at the camera??

Miss Cassidy on the hunt for some eggs.

Braydon sees another egg.

Gavin, Mr. Happy!

A little help from Lo.

More photos of my adorable grandchildren not looking at the camera.

2 out of 4 looking at the camera -- not bad.

3 outta 4 -- better!

Daddy and his girl.

0 of 4. I'm one heck of a photographer, huh?

3 of 4 ?

2010

Resolutions? Not this year!

Every year I make a list. Sometime I even write the list on paper! This year, I've decided no list -- mental or otherwise.

I read on a friend's blog (who read on a friend's blog -- I LOVE blogging) how she is going to choose a word this year. One word. Not a phrase. Just a word. The idea is to study it, write it all over the house, and try to really focus on the meaning of the word all throughout the year. I love this idea and knew immediately what my word would be. . .

J O Y

Joy . . . to rejoice; to be glad; to delight; to gladden; to make joyful; to exhilarate;a deep feeling or condition of happiness or contentment.

Somewhere along the way, I've lost my JOY. I desperately want to find it again. Joy is going to be my word, my focus, my journey.

Wishing you all a 2010 filled with Love, Health, Happiness and JOY!

Blessings!

Sharon