Bright and cheery

Touching up...

Sometimes I like to go for broke and make a simple photo extreme but others I simply like to highlight the beauty that is already there... and other times, well I can't make up my mind.  I'm indecisive, well most of the time.   Today it is the latter. 

This dear guy is my (one of my) nephews.  He is sweet and hug able.

Again this is done with the Free Google editor, Picasa.  Brought the light and highlights up a bit, then I warmed the color a tiny bit, and sharpened the whole thing.

ps.  Is it bad that the title made me go "Yay!  Christmas!"

I got quill... I got quill... hey, hey, hey, hey

Yes, one more layer of my geek-dom has landed.  I have refreshed and search these days long on potter more and finally got my quill yesterday.  I was close on Wednesday but didn't get it but yesterday I finally got it.  I am apart of the privileged few many who get to take part in Pottermore's beta.  Not sure what it means but I had to try it!

Leave me alone trying to keep the legacy alive!

But in all seriousness the trivia questions were... let's say more than a little lame but I guess if it was designed for kids...

For those of you still out their trying you still have 2 days!  You can do it.
For those of you who think I am crazy, it's ok, you're right.  Just be glad that you don't live with me ;P


On to life, today I am choosing despite the muggy heat to deeply enjoy this weekend.  These past two weekend were supper hectic with travel and schedule.  This weekend I am going to take a respice, rest and enjoy life.  What are your plans?  I encourage you to take a day: recharge, it's mandatory... if that's possible ;P

The Incline. . . of doom

So I said that I was super psyched about "The Incline"  well I was. . . just about till I was standing at the base of it ready to start the ladder climb that is the incline.  The pictures that are on Google and that I took just don't cover it.  They can't make you understand.   Imagine standing at the base of a mountain, allow your eye to follow the path at your feet all the way to the top.  Now imagine that whole long path at angles ranging from 45 degrees to upwards of 75 degrees.  To make this clear: stairs are a 45 degree angle, ladders leaned against a house are generally 65 degrees.  Does this help the visual?

While you are imaging, visualize me standing at the base of the mountain looking up winded from climbing the small hill that brings you to the base of the trail.  I sat there "waiting" for everyone else to get to the base before we started thinking, "this is crazy... no way I make it to the top".  One foot in front of the other I start the 1.5 mile path (not long you think, well it goes up 2000 feet in that 1.5 mile hike).  Not looking forward to make sure not to loose my footing I start feeling winded.  Thinking "I have had to have gone a bit by now" I look up to the top and realize it looks even further away then when I started.  How is it possible.

When we set out I was in the first group... mistake.  You see two people in this group are serious athletes and beasts.  Liz (the female soccer, track, volleyball, and you name it player) was practically jogging/speed walking up the mountain.  But thankfully everyone was willing to stop to take breathers. . .

To "enjoy the view", I can tell you right now I wasn't paying attention to anything past trying to suck in breath as much and as fast as I could.

And more breathers. . .

Looking at this view you would think we were there, unfortunately you would be dead wrong.  Not even half way.

And more breathers. . . Did I mention it is  2000 feet climb?

 I'm telling you that it must have been an escalator trying to move us down because I felt like I never made forward movement.  To extend your red faced, wind sucking and sweaty visual you have of me, now add a bear crawl.  Yes, I did resort to a bear crawl.  I don't care if you laugh, it works!

Still not there. . .

Though there was pain and at points I just wanted to give in and let my lungs collapse, I made it.  I actually got to the top second (behind what I am now pretty sure isn't really human: Liz) then Trent (other beast of an athelete) and Chris came in at the same time just after me.  1.5 miles, 2000 feet up. . . when you put it that way I don't mind that it took me an hour.  I was happy that we found another winded hiker waiting before the 3 mile run down the mountain to take our picture.

He was a very nice man but he didn't get one with the view and since we had made it to the top. . .

By the time I got to the bottom again oddly I wanted to do it again.  I will miss you CO and all your amazing hiking abilities!

On a sad note.  Due to. . . well, circumstances out of my control we had to climb down the rail ties we had just climbed up (not advised... not safe) and we found our selves slipping and falling.  So aside from the normal cuts, nicks and scratches to be found *sigh* I had my camera with me.  My beautiful 50 mm 1.4 lens landed with a thud on a tie and is no more.  A moment of silence is needed. . .

Other than that very sad note it was a wonderful trip filled with fun and exciting new things and amazing people.  If you ever get a chance to go to CO: GO!  If you ever get a chance to go with amazing people to CO: REALLY GO!  Makes me want to start singing "America the Beautiful"

Exercise and art?

This sounds like a plan right?  I just want to be silly sometimes.  I know so wrong for a "grown up"... but I guess that's the problem... I don't want to be grown up all the time.  This rendition of silly: Jogging photography?  Anyone seen "Yes Man"?  Well, I tried it!  You ready to see my first session of Jogging photography?  You know it has to be great!

Obviously missed the mark but it was fun to try!  You should get out there and try it yourself.  Only rule: you can never stop moving!

Things left out of my genes...

Ball hand coordination is something I have always lacked.  I blame it on a brother who is naturally awesome (no practice needed) at all ball related sports (from ping-pong to football).  I love the idea of sports.  Grabbing a ball and smiling as I shoot, throw, bounce, hit the ball... but what happens with me is that I drop, loose, miss, and pelt the ball in the wrong direction.  I like playing... but most don't like playing with me.  I went away for this past weekend  it was a challenge because we played a lot of sports.  Beneficially no one got upset at me and I evaded any games I could.  Again I do mean games, so long as there isn't a score involved I'm game but as soon as there are "points" outtie.  There is something about putting weight to what I do that makes me nervous, one wrong move and I could be the reason for everyone failing or worse the receiver of scorn.  I don't mind conflict and arguments so long as they are for a good reason... and yes, to me sports are not a good reason.

We played Disc golf

Basketball (I should state I didn't play this) 

Volleyball (played as soon as they quite taking score) 

 Bocce ball (now this one you can take score and I am ok, because it bocce ball... I mean really, who is going to get intense about bocce ball, plus I am always with Chris and he is never intense about games)

  

I feel like a chipmunk

I love traveling and I even love packing... but I hate repacking and unpacking.    I am more than guilty of the take all the clothes in your bag and dump them in the dirty.  Some how coming out of the dryer I am more ok with putting them away.  I am a bit OCD and I like to have control, especially in the small things.  So even when I have finished backing I will check and triple check the bags.  The odd thing here is that I don't expect to find anything missing or forgotten but instead I get joy from having thought of it all... I know, I'm psycho.  Aren't you glad you aren't Chris!

This particular time I am directly going from one packing to the next... thus I unpack our small overnight bag and pull out our for real bags.

Unless going somewhere over 2 weeks I refuse to check a bag.  It isn't that it cost money, but don't get me wrong I am cheap, it is that out of the 4 times I have checked a bag they have damaged or lost it 3 of those times.  Plus there is something about knowing that you have everything with you, in hand.

It is also my game to pack as little as possible while having everything I need.  I lay my clothes out by day, not that they are assigned but it makes it easier for me to have a guideline/timeline.  A day out and we are set, packed, zipped and next to the door,  ready to roll... literally. ;P

Colorado here we come! 

Scavenger!

Thanks Ashley and your Scavenger hunt!  It was fun "hunting" these down.

1. Black and White

2. Reflections in glass

3. Head lights

4. Seeing Double

5. Bare

You can join her next week too!  I took some liberties with definitions but I'm ok with it ;P  Take a look at the other and tell me how fabulous mine was in comparison #sarcasm.  

The perfect summer treat!

I am a sucker for fruit, which I guess is good but I am also a sucker for anything resembling or connected in any form to Strawberry shortcake.  Pretty sure that one isn't so great, but this dish was great... at least great tasting.  Take a small piece of pound cake, top it with amazingly ripe berries, in my case blueberries and strawberries and add some whipped cream .... heaven in my mouth.  I'm pretty sure my mouth would like to eat it all day every day... my hips wouldn't like it though.

Do you have any super amazing summer treats?  I am looking for other dishes to make my hips angry with me!

Independence Day Noire

The story of my 4th of July...

It was a hot day.  In the middle of the summer.  Being in North Carolina it was like you could swim through the air.  Sitting at home I slowly smush what I will eat later.  Waiting for the doorbell to ring and see an abnormally tall man and his red, white and blue decked out bride: my ride.

As I expected the door rang, scrambling I grab everything I had set aside and hope that I didn't forget anything.

Long rambling country roads, as we make our way to the awaited paradise of a day off near water.

We arrive to an empty house.

First thoughts weren't foul play but instead jealousy!  They are in the water!

There were lazy inner tubes strewn about for those wishing to relax or those whose energy had waned from all the water activities. 

Looking around eyeing all those already in the water, when out of nowhere a small being pops up.  With a deep breath I see it isn't' a merperson but simply a squid of a boy.  

I don't wonder at the abnormal amount of red, white and blue because of my vast intelligence I realize why I am there: Independence day, in fact I am among those emblazoned those colors (even brought my and Chris' red, white and blue bathing suits)

Toes were even adorned and decorated...

As time elapsed I notice some people disappearing but my reasoning told me that aliens hadn't taken them but  instead they were resting from water filled activities, because I am unbelievably intelligent. ;P

The watermelon was delicious but none thought so much as Ella./the water melon eating monster

Johnathan scared that his arm would be mistaken for watermelon watches the melon monster. 

Some are oblivious to the possible doom that might overtake their melon

But pacer/eraser man keeps a look out for all with the help of his side kick who helps with her ability to look up

Amanda became the monster side kick getting pulled in by her charms and "cuteness"... this eludes me and my large brain

More were pulled in

They show their teeth ready for an attack on the melons

Quinton how ever is oblivious to any melon or monsters due to his deep penetrating love of his corn pudding

Some where just in their own world protected by... baha BAAA Eraser Man!  and his side kick who helps with her ability to look up (to which I have already referenced... see further up)

Then the war broke out...

Beautiful and scary

In the end the melon monster fell asleep due to over exertion and all went peaceful till morning...

I know that some don't agree but these people are in family.  Not by blood, or legally but because of our love.  I love spending time with those I love, no matter what the activity but all the more so when it is a blast!

I hope that your celebration of our independence was enjoyable as mine.