Day 54

Pretty star lights at a restaurant. Don't forget to look up every once in a while, there could be something interesting there.

Day 53

Bed head. Major bed head. Some people spend a lot of time and product to get this look. 

Eli's regimen 

1. Take shower.

2. Do not comb hair after shower.

3. Go to bed.

4. Wake up and it's done.

Day 52

I was feeling a little under the weather today so I did not get out of the house. I did, however, spend a lot of time surfing the net. What I realized is that I'm not a very good photographer. One of the reasons I started this project was to become a better photographer. I've been using my Canon SD850 IS, because it is very small and easy to use. I do have a Canon Digital Rebel. I'm going to try to use it more often. It's not just what you shoot, it's what you shoot with.

Day 51

I'm outraged! It was getting late in the day and I was rather nervous, because I hadn't taken my picture of the day yet. Well, I went swimming and, as I was getting dressed, I noticed this sign. I was going to write about the wording of the sign itself, but then I found out something much more disturbing. I showed my picture to Mike. He said that there is no such sign in the mens locker room. Zac confirmed it. So the men are not under the same constraints as the women. Now, I could complain, but I don't want to begrudge my guys their extra time in the shower.  Besides I would have to explain why I was taking pictures in the locker room in the first place and I just don't think I can explain it to anyone's satisfaction.

Day 50

"It's all downhill from here." My brother, Mike, and I rode the entire American River Parkway today. It's a total of 32.8 miles. We started at Folsom Lake and ended our ride in Old Sacramento. We had a late lunch at Fat City Bar & Grill. It was a perfect day for a ride. I'm sure my 'arse' will remind me tomorrow that there is a price to pay for such activities. 

Day 49

Eli's 6th grade class held a car wash fundraiser today. They made over $600. Not bad for "workin' at a car wash, yea!"

Day 48

John Prine. A great lyricist. Who can resist gems like:

In a dusty pew in a vestibule

Sits the Devil playing pocket pool

He's waiting for the next poor fool

Who forgot that it was Sunday

Or

he thinks all my jokes are corny

Convict movies make her horny

She likes ketchup on her scrambled eggs

Swears like a sailor when shaves her legs

She takes a lickin'

And keeps on tickin'

I'm never gonna let her go.

Of course, he played neither of these songs, but he sang for two hours and played lots of our favorites like, Lake Marie, Blow up your TV and Long Monday. 

Day 47

Mike - 1

Weeds - 0

Day 46

My car has this annoying feature. It sends me this message that service is due. This message will stay on until I take it in for an oil change. I try to ignore it. I've ignored it for about a week now, but it's nagging is just too much to take. It doesn't ask. It doesn't suggest. It just tells. It sends it's message in all caps, which we all know is shouting. Ok, Ok! I'll call today, stop yelling at me, you pest!

Day 45

My new swimsuit. I hope to wear it out in a few months. I don't mean "wear it out in public". I mean wear it out, as in "use it so much as to render it unwearable".  

Day 44

Sew happy. Hannah wants to learn how to sew, so we purchased some patterns and fabric this weekend. I will attempt to teach her the basics. I keep telling her that patience is the key. I keep telling myself that patience is the key.

Day 43

This quilt was started by my mother. She intended it for Zachary, when he was about 4 or 5 years old. She died of cancer in 1991 when Zachary was 8 years old. I saved the quilt for many years and finally asked a really nice lady if she would mind finishing it for me. It turned out beautifully. My mom always loved bright, vibrant colors. No pastels for her. I'm saving it to give to Zachary, when he settles down. In the meantime, like a fine wine, it improves with age. 

Day 42

It must be hard putting life vests on those baby goats.

Day 41

Dear Neighbor,

There is evidence that you tried to mow your lawn, but trying is not doing.

Day 40

The following is a Public Service Announcement:

Ladies, for the love of everything that is good and decent, please accept the following advice:

1. Get a mirror (full length, please).

2. Never wear flesh tone stretch pants.

3. Never wear thong underwear under skin tight pants.

4. And never, I repeat, never wear pants that have a zipper that follows the line of your hiney (that's Dad lingo for buttocks).

To those who might be critical of my taking this picture consider this; I can rest at night knowing that I might have saved countless women (or men) from a similar fate. 

To Melissa, Thanks for being so observant.

Day 39

Tools of the trade. Is it a pedicure? No, its the orthodontist's tools. I usually close my eyes and go to my happy place.

Day 38

New running shoes. I have taken up running. Technically speaking, I've taken up running/walking. My usual routine is walk for 3 minutes, run for 7 minutes, walk for 3 minutes, run for 7 minutes, etc. for about an hour. It was difficult shopping for shoes, because there are so many types of athletic  shoes. Should I buy walking shoes, or running shoes? I walk and run, so do I buy both and change them during my workout? Is it bad work-out etiquette to walk in running shoes or run in walking shoes? Will I get kicked out of the gym for not conforming? Are $100 shoes really better than $20 shoes? I purposely did not choose one pair of shoes, because it didn't specify on the box whether it was a running or a walking shoe.  I almost walked out without any shoes, except of course, the shoes that I had on my feet, which weren't walking shoes, or running shoes, but I digress. I finally bought some shoes. I'm hoping that $100 shoes really are better than $20 shoes!

Day 37

Mammogram Part Deux. I had a mammogram on April 1. On April 6, I got a call telling me I had to go back for a second one. After a week of worrying, today, I went back. After 3 1/2 hours and an ultrasound. The nice radiologist said everything was ok. She even said I was very "symmetrical". As I don't often get complimented on the girls, I took it as such. Doesn't it look like one of those Jamba Juice mixers? 

Day 36

I watched Peter take care of Opa, my father-in-law, today (Easter). He is so tender, patient and kind with him. I often wonder what Opa is thinking and feeling. I believe Peter helps him to feel safe and loved and I thank him for that.

Day 35

Remember that tree from Day 23? The tree actually leaved (is that a word?) about a week ago, and I actually took pictures, but other pictures of the day were more interesting. Since my Day 34 photos and post were so elaborate, I thought I would kind of take the day off. Besides I had to sign a confidentiality agreement at Britney Spears that stated I could not take any pictures. So today you get a tree.

Day 34

Bumps, humps, lumps & undulations. 

Excuse me, but lumps? Bumps, acceptable. Humps, not as much. Undulations, I kind of like that word, it fits. But seriously, lumps? I had to know the difference, because the humps and lumps were on the same street! Even if you don't want to know, I am going to tell you, because I am now the expert. 

Bumps-seen mostly in parking lots. Are steep and a rather nasty way to slow vehicles. 

Humps-seen on residential roads (and camels) are less steep and run all the way across the road. 

Undulations-two "humps" in succession. 

Lumps-a relatively new phenomenon. Similar to humps, with one exception; they have several breaks along the "hump" so that  bicycles and emergency traffic can get through without slowing down. (Kind of defeats the whole purpose) 

Traffic Planner #1  "What should we name these new bumps?"

Traffic Planner #2 "Well, we can't name them bumps or humps. Hmmm. How about lumps?"

Traffic Planner #1 "Great. Let's go with that."

Traffic Planner #2 "Is it time for lunch yet?"

Day 33

We have a jail cell at work (actually 2). I swear I did not steal that pen. Oh good, there's toilet paper.

Day 32

He calls her "Kitten". She calls him "Joel", because that's his name. 

Day 31

hair-do [hair-doo]

-noun, plural-dos.

1. the style in which a person's hair is cut, arranged, and worn; coiffure.

2. the hair itself, esp. when newly or elaborately arranged.

Day 30

Kathy's birthday dinner. Kathy, who is Peter's girlfriend, Peter, who is Mike's brother, Mike, who is my husband and Ben, who is Kathy's son got together to celebrate Kathy's birthday, which is not today, but tomorrow. I'm sure my High School English teacher, who, I'm sure is dead, is rolling in her grave at the above sentence. Sorry Mrs. Irwin.

Day 29

We went to a BBQ at our friends, the Dorais today. They have a giant pond in their backyard. The boys all went swimming. The water was a little cold, but they had fun anyway. I "sacrificed" swimming to be the photographer. Someone has to stay dry.

Day 28

Eli asked me to come outside and check to see if the rabbit he found was dead. He said it wasn't moving. I asked him if he got real close to it and he said, "Yes." It moved a little when I got close, so I went inside to grab my camera. Of course, when I tried to take a picture the rascally rabbit continued to hop away. It wouldn't hold still. After about ten minutes of chasing, I finally got close enough to get this picture. Not really worth the effort. 

Day 27

I made these. They are Fira storage containers from IKEA (because you can never have enough cute little storage containers). I put them together, painted them and added patterned paper to the drawer fronts. I like how they turned out. Now I need to fill them with stuff. Now, where did I put that....?

Day 26

Was bedeutet "Have a good trip" auf Deutsch?

"Haben sie eine gute reise", Zac. 

Day 25

Had a mammogram today. My first (I know... I know...). Thanks, Tammy, for insisting I go. It wasn't so bad after all.  Can you imagine if they charged you by size? I think I might have gotten a rebate. Next age related test, colonoscopy.  Please no photos.

Day 24

More Progress. Does it look like a garage door? Good, because that's what it is. (see Days 1 & 17). It's a rather boring picture, but it is a huge change in the way our house looks. The project should be completed soon.