Rambunctious

Loud seals hollering across the Alaskan waters on a buoy. They were rambunctious. Thanks to Tara for the word. (Sorry this is both late and difficult to see. Click on pic for larger version.)

*I participate in a weekly scavenger hunt for photos related to a select word. A group of us on the internet make the rounds to see everyone else's photos and comment on how they treated the subject matter. The only rules are 1) post on Saturday (something I often fail to do) and 2) only use pictures you yourself have taken. If you want to join the fun, let us know here!

Grow Little One, Grow!

I am a human crock pot. I just realized it this morning as I was cramming chili ingredients into my 6-quart crock pot we received for our wedding (apparently, cooking is my form of "nesting"). I am cooking a little person in there and Squiggles will come out whenever Squiggles is good and ready (hopefully). So, it is fitting that I should include a picture of my crock pot belly for your entertainment. Sigh. I am not a flasher normally, so I am slightly embarassed to reveal my pasty, globular tummy, but it is for posterity and for Saturday Scavenger Hunt* (the word this week is "grow" by the way, in case you missed that.)

Hope everyone has a great weekend, whether it's Memorial Day weekend for you or not.

*I participate in a weekly scavenger hunt for photos related to a select word. A group of us on the internet make the rounds to see everyone else's photos and comment on how they treated the subject matter. The only rules are 1) post on Saturday (something I often fail to do) and 2) only use pictures you yourself have taken. If you want to join the fun, let us know here!

Fish-Wish

Seriously, I had nothing else to post. :P

This "fishtail" wedding gown in pale pink was one of the designer gowns I tried on for my wedding and decided against (mostly because of the $4,000 pricetag).

Saturday got away from me AGAIN, I know, but thanks for letting me continue to "play" the game*. I'll try harder next week. No really, I will... zzzzz *falls asleep at desk*

*I participate in a weekly scavenger hunt for photos related to a select word. A group of us on the internet make the rounds to see everyone else's photos and comment on how they treated the subject matter. The only rules are 1) post on Saturday (something I often fail to do) and 2) only use pictures you yourself have taken. If you want to join the fun, let us know here!

Chicken

Sometimes, you find yourself asking, "Who me?" Am I supposed to be able to handle this? Am I going to be able to overcome this next hurdle? How did I get myself into this? Am I ready? Will I mess up? Will I fail?

And you feel, not just a chicken little, but a chicken lot.

Being pregnant has been like that for me. And as I draw closer to the conclusion of this nine month odessey, I see my old life closing and a new, wide-open door to heaven open. But to get through and stay through that door will take grace every morning. I am utterly chicken. And I feel so grateful for the chance to be chicken, and to make it through anyways.

Photo is from our honeymoon in Alaska. It's not often you find a wall that makes a point. :)

Up to Something

On top of the guardhouse on Alcatraz, a bird sits surveying the sea. And his easy path to freedom.

Next week's picker-of-the-word is DMarks. Hop to it, D! :)

*I participate in a weekly scavenger hunt for photos related to a select word. A group of us on the internet make the rounds to see everyone else's photos and comment on how they treated the subject matter. The only rules are 1) post on Saturday (something I often fail to do) and 2) only use pictures you yourself have taken. If you want to join the fun, let us know here!

Express Yourself

This week's Scavenger Word* is 'Expression,' selected by Jessica. Here's my photo entry:

This is the expression on the face of a person who is about to get kissed for being adorable. This shot was taken at the Mondavi Winery in Napa Valley, California. Also, please try to imagine this face as a baby, because it will happen, people! Soon! (Minus the goatee, we hope...)

*I participate in a weekly scavenger hunt for photos related to a select word. A group of us on the internet make the rounds to see everyone else's photos and comment on how they treated the subject matter. The only rules are 1) post on Saturday (something I often fail to do) and 2) only use pictures you yourself have taken. If you want to join the fun, let us know here!

So Fresh and So Clean Clean

Saying hello to the world, this one day old is surprisingly alert for someone so fresh faced. Also, he is deliciously adorable. I love his giant hands. Or 'meat hooks', as his uncle lovingly refers to them. It's not my kid. Mine is still tucked away inside waiting for its debut. Happy Scavenger Saturday to everyone.*

*I participate in a weekly scavenger hunt for photos related to a select word. A group of us on the internet make the rounds to see everyone else's photos and comment on how they treated the subject matter. The only rules are 1) post on Saturday (something I often fail to do) and 2) only use pictures you yourself have taken. If you want to join the fun, let us know here!

Easy as Pie

Pie is not easy to make, have you ever noticed that? It is actually fairly involved and complicated. So was this saying, "Easy as pie," actually an early example of sarcasm? We should investigate. According to WikiAnswers this refers to eating of pie rather than the making of it. And there, folks, is your answer.

For this week's Scavenger Word, EASY, chosen by Pamela over at A Woman of No Regrets, I continue on my theme (like a broken record) of being married to my husband. This is by far the easiest job that I have ever undertaken. Nothing could be easier than doing what your heart longs to do anyways. You could say that in marrying my husband I have found my true calling. It's a little bit like heaven on earth. Oh, don't get me wrong, it takes work and I have more responsibilities than I've ever had, but the sweetness of being with him more than makes up for the additional load. You want to know my secret? I just married the sweetest and cutest person I could possibly find. Easy, right? :P

Shenanigans

I participate in a weekly scavenger hunt for photos related to a select word. A group of us on the internet make the rounds to see everyone else's photos and comment on how they treated the subject matter. The only rules are 1) post on Saturday (something I often fail to do) and 2) only use pictures you yourself have taken. If you want to join the fun, let us know here!

This week's word picker is my good friend Tara over at eclectic spaghetti. Thanks, Tara!

And now on to our Shenanigans:

This is a shot of me holding up a poster of David with detachable fig leaf at my bachelorette party. We never did have time to play 'pin the fig on the David' although that would have been some entertaining shenanignas. Instead the combined group of women drank something like 8 bottles of wine and went swimming fully clothed in the hotel pool. This is me after our swim. I cannot post what I was wearing before. That would be too shenaniganish for the general population. (cue evil laughter and saucy smirk)

next week's word: SCIOLISM (use it in a sentence today!)

Scavenger Shots: TREAT

Hi all. I particpate in a weekly scavenger hunt for photos related to a select word. A group of us on the internet make the rounds to see everyone else's photos and comment on how they treated the subject matter. I thought I should explain this phenomenon since my brother recently complained that my website has become "esoteric" because of it. The only rules are 1) post on Saturday (something I often fail to do) and 2) only use pictures you yourself have taken.

This week's word is TREAT, chosen by Churlish Figure. Next week's word picker is my good friend Tara over at ecelectic spaghetti. If you want to join the fun, let us know here!

Here we see an above average (in cuteness) one year old enjoying a birthday treat of a cupcake. She appears to be pondering the subtle combination of flavors in this particular baked good.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-anges!

Although changing into my wedding gown was a pretty big deal (and it took a little bit of time), marriage itself has been the biggest (and best) change in my life so far. I am so glad to be married to a wonderful friend who loves me with his whole heart and is always looking out for my good. I realize not every marriage gets to be so lovey-dovey or happily-ever-after, so it is with great humility that I express my delight in my partner. Thank you, Darling, for being the most wonderful change in my life! : )

(pictured above: my sister and matron of honor putting the finishing touches on my dress closure.)

Urban Camouflage

Here's how to blend in seamlessly at an IKEA. Urban Camouflage is the newest international pastime. I challenge everyone to attempt an Urban Camouflage at least once this year.

Random Shots for Early March

Winter is long and my attention span is short. Here are a few pictures I love to add some cheer to a heartlessly cold March morning. First pic (above) is of two friends who are rounding the bend on their second wedding anniversary. It was taken at a theatre production involving the young lady's younger brother (He was hilarious). Afterward, I snapped this photo of the two on a bench. They always sit like that... ; )

There is little in this world that is quite so heartening as a new soul being introduced to the culinary delight that is Baker Whips (chocolate covered marshmallows). The cloud-stained lips, the sugar-glazed eyes... Ah, to be 18 months again!

Two Summers ago our good friends married in a small ceremony in their back yard. It was rejuvinating and exciting to be a part of their festivities. My husband took the photos. This one makes me smile.


And last but not least, here is a shot that is sure to cheer me up under any circumstances. My (then) boyfriend and I splitting a bathtub-sized margarita at a Mexican restaurant in Old Sacramento. Immediately following this we had our portrait taken in old western dress up clothes (the margarita probably helped!). By sunset that night, we were engaged to be married. One of the best days of my life. : )

ICE, ICE, BABY!

Crap, it's Friday afternoon, I should be already assured of my Scavenger plans. Knowing firmly what I want to post, having a post pre-made and scheduled for posting early Saturday morning, I would make the Boy Scouts proud... but I am without a plan, unsure of my options, clinging to a picture I'm not sure I can locate, sick of ice in general, and looking for some relief in the form of Spring.

Well, I have a safety. Alaska. Alaska the beautiful, ice-capped state that my husband and I visited on our honeymoon. My backup is just to post a snap from my camera phone of the craptastic Cleveland landscape.

With your indulgence, I hereby post... none of these things. In fact, let us deviate from the obvious and go straight to the alternate meaning of ice:

How could a girl say 'no' to that sparkling beauty? Also, the guy wasn't that bad. ; ) I am wearing it right now. It is also my wedding band because I don't want to make it a set. When/if my fingers get too puffy to wear it, I'll revert to a backup ring until the swelling goes down (see: joys of being pregnant). This is by far the most extravagant piece of jewelery I own. It's sort of my pride and joy. Apparently, the jeweler who custom made it from my husband's design thought so, too, because he featured on his website:

Needless to say, It reminds me of the heart of fire that keeps our love warm on these ice-capped Cleveland days. Je t'aime!

OPTIONS are a good thing

This week's Scavenger Shot Word is OPTIONS. A word I picked. Why did I pick it? Because it's good to have options. It's a wonderful thing to have choices. It is one of the things I appreciate most about this country and this life: options. This week I chose the option of posting a shot from the interweb that demonstrates options very clearly and rather humorously, I think.

Next week's picker is: Babybull! (if she's able to get up from her sickbed with her aching back to do so...: )

Here, I've taken the option of posting yet another photo from our Honeymoon. : ) I am so predictable!

Scavenger Hunt on 'Tap' (plus: NEXT WEEK'S WORD)

Aliencg brings us this week's Saturday Scavenger Shot Word: TAPPED. Let's all try to tap into this idea and produce our bestest tapped photos. Shall we? I admit, I had no clue what to do so I tapped into my primordeal reserve of photoshopped portraits and pulled out this beauty. Great isn't it? It's actually from my scanner series and then underwent rigorous abuses in some photo software or other. I think it would make a good museum piece!

Much better!

Next week's word (since I've been TAPPED) is: OPTIONS

Maintenance Scavenger

Ironic that this week's word should be 'maintenance' when I had Internet problems since Thursday. Our Internet gave out and having no recourse, we waited for Monday when I had the day off and could go to Time Warner location a million miles away. It was closed. For MLK Day. Nice timing. So, now I'm back to someone else's Internet and posting this picture that "maintains" my appearance of complying with Scavenger Shot regulations...


Typical driver pride to take a shot of the speedometer. My husband and I were both in his car at this moment (he pulled off the road to take the photo with his camera). We kissed and vowed to travel at least another 100,000 miles together. It was all very touching and adorable. What else would you expect? What does this have to do with maintenance, I hear you ask. What about this DOESN'T have to do with it? Once a car reaches 100,000 miles, you're looking at some pretty likely future maintenance work. so far, we're good (knock on foam), but he is bringing it in for an oil change soon.

On the Inside Looking Out

This week's word, chosen by Churlita was OUTSIDE.

I like this word. It's so relational. There can be no 'outside' if there is no 'inside' for it to correspond to. And conversely, every 'inside' has its 'outside.' Which, to me, makes this word extremely broad in its interpretation. I can show a picture of almost any object and the camera will be showing its 'outside.' I could post a picture of an inside room shot looking out. I can show two objects or things one in 'outside' relationship to the other. The possibilities are almost limitless. in fact, I reckon any picture at all in all of creation could be interpreted with a title of 'outside.'

Alright, enough pondering. This week's photo is of my fiance and I signing a registry for our Church before our outdoor wedding rehearsal. It was July 4th. Sunny, cool, and beautiful outside. Honestly, that was the best weekend of my life. But my husband is threatening to take me away on a little overnighter this weekend, so that might change. :P

If you are wondering how long I can milk my engagement/wedding/honeymoon for Scavenger Shots, the answer is... forever. Seriously. I can keep this up all year. Just watch me...

NOISE - The Scavenger That Nearly Wasn't

So, Scavenger Hunt totally happened while I was laid up in bed with the flu. In fact, New Year's happened while I was laid up in bed with the flu. Last week was a rough one. I'm here now, alive and kicking in the New Year and wishing you all a glorious 2009. Here's my entry for the "NOISE" scavenger hunt for last weekend:
This is a picture I did not take, but was taken of me and my fifth grade choir. I am front and center with the bobby socks, and if it looks like I'm smiling it's because I was standing next to my fifth grade crush, a red-head named Brandon, who recently sent me this picture after all these years. Thanks, Brandon. : ) My brother is also in this shot, top left corner. See any family resemblance?

WHITE of Way

Here's my belated scavenger shot for "white." Didn't even know there was a new word! oops! This was one of the statues at the entrance to the Buddhist Temple in Richmond, BC, Canada where we ended our Honeymoon voyage last July.