Week 27 He's here

A much anticipated, planned, wanted and loved little boy has arrived.  Miles Elliott made his grand entrance into the world, 07/24/2012, 10:21 am weighing 7lbs 10ozs.  I can't wait to see him!

Week 26 My Happy Place

I think about this place more and more these days. Maybe I can pretend there is peace and tranquility in distance free from drama.  Even if all I can only go in my head....sometimes that is enough.

Week 25 Cemetery Travels

We had the unfortunate task of attending the funeral, of the brother, of a dear friend.  Oddly, his burial was in Whitwall, which was about 40-45 minutes away via Suck Creek Mountain.  What a coincidence he was going to be buried about 7-8 minutes from my grandmother (my dads mother).  So we stopped for a visit and I was so mad I forgot my flowers at home.  However, I wanted to pop in since I was in the neighborhood. When we first buried her in October 2010, we pulled into this driveway.  Since we were family we were close to the front of the funeral procession behind the hearse, I said, we are lost and they are just turning around, "do not follow them."  That was only a wish.  We were in the correct location. 

I took this photo today (I think I was to traumatized the last time) and the the first picture shows the house/driveway you pull into for the cemetery.  The next photo is the back of the house and the photo really does not do the cemetery justice since the graves are much closer to the house than the photo represents.  I can't really say anything nice about this cemetery.  It was mowed this time but has been heavily vandalized int he past and they had burned brush in the back corner.  I am sure my family is the only one tending any graves.  None of the other graves had any flowers, stones were toppled and it does not appear that any care is taken when mowing. 

My grandmother's parents and possibly grand parents are buried here along with her brothers.    She also buried her second husband at this cemetery.  Her first husband is buried at the National Cemetery, yes, the National Cemetery.  I assumed she would be interned with him, but nope, she wanted to be near her parents.   Sad, that in a few years and probably when her daughters and remaining sibling pass this cemetery will be lost forever. 

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Week 24 The Day I Declared My Independence

On July 4, 1776, America declared her Independence from England.  The founding fathers stepped up to the table, took the feather quill, and put their names on a piece of paper saying they were no longer British and would not be ruled by their mother country.  They would break their ties with all they had known and forever be recognized as Americans.  They knew it was treason to swear allegiance to another county.  They knew their was no going back once their names were inked on that great piece of Unites States of America paper known as the Declaration of Independence, that Thomas Jefferson worked so tirelessly to pen.  I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for these men, a range of emotions, I suppose.   They had fought long and hard to come up with a document to serve the greater good.  None agreed with everything on the paper, Ben Franklin, confessed there are several parts of the Constitution that he did not approve, but he came forward signed his name and the remaining hold outs followed with their signatures.  Down the road, their love of the new world would cost many their fortunes dying bankrupt and penniless.    War was not cheap for a newly formed nations and some gave all.  This July 4th I take time to remember their contribution and thank them for their sacrifice. 

I myself have declared my independence and broke from all I have known.  I know their will be consequences and maybe even war but it's a new day and and a new place in life and I look forward to it just like the founding fathers.   After all, it's for the greater good!

How rednecks have fun on July 4th.

Week 23 - Where I wish I Was

I have not forgotten about posting I have wanted to post I have them written in my head.  What I don't have is a picture.  I have not really done any shooting in a while.  I did get to go to a photography conference on Saturday and picked up a few tips.  The speaker was a real let down but I really love just being with other photographers.  Most of them are much better than I am but we all love to talk about our passion.  So, I thought I would dig and old photo and practice a little photoshop and dream.  I would really love to go back to Oakland but it is way too hot maybe in the fall. 

Oh, and on a sad note, we were cleaning up Mike office and a piece of paper had fallen behind the desk it looked like it had been shredded but a bad kitty. He liked to sneak in and amuse himself by shredding paper of all things. We still miss kiki!

Week 22 Monarail Monday

I have decided it is Monorail Monday.  No, I am not at the happiest place on earth although I could have been last week but had other commitments.  I am pretending today I am at the happiest place on earth.  I have a love hate relationship with Disney.  If I am there I hate it and if I am home I love it.  I love what it used to be and hate what it has lost.  The monorails run about every 10-15 minutes so you waste time standing and waiting or you happen to be at just the right spot at the right time which rarely happens to be but this time it worked. Thanks to photoshop I can remove the people and make it magical!

Week 21 - Oh How We Miss Arnold

Delayed grief, when Arnold first disappeared and we didn't know what happened to him it was really hard to accept he was gone and easy to pretend he "could" show up at any second.  Then when we knew he was dead we were in a mad run and really could not slow down to grieve it was easy.  We just kept running here and there and it was in the back of our minds we could not dwell on the thought. 

Now, things are slowly going back to normal and I am trying to go through and clean up my computer and I keep running into photos and the bestest kitty ever.  My heart just hurts a little more as if it is the day we found out all over again.  The other day the dog pack and I went out and we were coming back in and I accidentally called his name.  Sometimes I still think I see him in the shadows outside because deep down I want him to come marching his indignant self back home like this hiatus was all my fault.  I still close the door of the morning so he cannot escape before daylight.  I still remember how snugly he felt when I picked him up and how he loved to head butt you.  I am comforted that we had a great last day together.  I can't bring myself to put up his bowl, although I did get rid of the food and cat treats and a few of his least favorite toys.  I did wash up all his blankets so they would be fresh for him.  I am waiting for the day I quit looking for him and quit being sad when I think about him!