Hollister
Interestingly enough, they sell clothes in there.
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#38 February 26
Banana Seat
Sophie: "Mom, what kind of bike is that?"
Me: "That's a banana seat bike... the best kind of bike ever made."
Sophie: "Cool."
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#39 February 27
Van Down By The River
Watch it here
In this photo from L to R: Matt, Colton, Jordan, Anna, Travis, Jorge, Joanie, Jim
Sisters In The Bathroom Together Not Fighting (Because They Were Trying To Out Pose Each Other To Make It Onto This Blog)
#35 February 23
20/20
This is Dr Hearne's optical refractor which said Eva's vision is 20/20. Isn't it so much fun having your eyes dilated when your a kid though? Everything is blurry... you go around all day trying to read things, without success, and you point out to your mother at least one hundred times in the space of about six hours that everything's blurry and you can't read anything. And there's really no point in going to school if you can't read anything, right?
#36 February 24
"The Ladies Are Gonna Love This"
Devon's motha, Jessica, said that's one of the first things Devon said after spiral breaking his leg last Saturday. And indeed, the ladies are lovin' it!
Red Tailed Hawk
The Red Tailed Hawk is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on chickens. It breeds throughout most of North America, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West Indies, and is one of the most common buteos in North America. Red-tailed Hawks can acclimate to all the biomes within its range. There are fourteen recognized subspecies, which vary in appearance and range. It is one of the largest members of the genus Buteo in North America, typically weighing from 690 to 1600 grams (1.5 to 3.5 pounds) and measuring 45–65 cm (18 to 26 in) in length, with a wingspan from 110 to 145 cm (43 to 57 in). The Red-tailed Hawk displays sexual dimorphism in size, with females averaging about 25% heavier than males.
I sound like I really know my birds, hah? Teh internets is just incredible, isn't it? Alls I did was google 'birds in Nevada', and a few clicks later I had figured out what kind of bird I had photograghed in the RC Willy parking lot. Then I just copy and pasted a passage from wikipedia :)
#32 February 20
On Clearance
Ha Ha! Look who's gathering dust with Woody & Friends on clearance at Wal-Mart (snort snort snort). He's only 50 cents people, c'mon :D
#33 February 21
Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!
It was a fierce snowball fight with attacking snow dogs and everything! Eva was clever to don her snowboarding helmet and goggles. She knows how to go into battle properly attired!
Sophie finally wrote down the phone number of a friend from school she's been wanting to call on the phone. Two friends actually, they're twin sisters in her class. Until now she's mostly just chatted on the phone with cousins and other family members, so calling her friends was uber exciting for her. The conversation lasted more than thirty minutes... maybe forty-five minutes. She paced and did laps around the kitchen, living room and family room as she spoke. Here are some excerpts from the conversation I jotted down in real time:
"Do you know why we should not be divas... you know divas? Yeah............ because they................ because they are not nice."
"Do you know why boys are so weird? But they always chase girls. I know. Why are they so mean to us? Yeah...... but not nerd boys."
"Do you like the Cheetah Girls? Yeah, they wear like... cheetahs, and I don't like them. They are like divas."
"Do you know what we should do? We should save the Haiti people. Do you know the Haiti people? Yeah............. I'm trying to save them, and I know a song."
Then, after covering a few more choice topics, she held up the phone to the youtube video of 'We Are the World - 25 for Haiti'.
Do you people have any idea how many times I've had to hear to that song? Do you????? And do you have any idea how much it makes me want to stick hot pokers in my ears???? Oh... except for the part when Celine Dion shouts down Fergie. I like that part. Oh, and when T-Pain sings with his Auto-Tune. So classy! And oh yeah, when Babs tries to steal the show but doesn't really succeed. Ella said to me,"who's that old lady", and I said, "Barbra Streisand", and she said, "never heard of her in my life." :D Is there no better way to raise money for the Haiti people??? Puuuuulease! But I digress.
When Sophie was was helping save the Haiti people by holding the phone up to the video for her friend to hear, I was able to completely tune it all out and wasn't tempted to harm myself at all ;-)
Gangsta
Just a couple of gangsta girlz grabbin' a bite to eat between thuggin' and homework.
Gangsta girlz don't like dey mutha's all up in dey grillz though. Ya gotta be careful.
Unhappy Valentine
Eva was having a perfectly fabulous Valentine's Day... until the moment the Gutheries brought her home that evening and she made a bee-line for the bathroom and proceeded to puke her guts out. Here she is, exhausted and resting between episodes :( She seems to be all better now though.
So, You Got My Back And Everything, Right?
SheShe
An outing with Sheila, also affectionately known as SheShe, is never dull... that goes without saying, and happily last night at the movies was no different. Imagine my glee when I noticed she was sporting a Wal-Mart special Rolling Stone Magazine Cover tote bag! If you've followed my 365 project, you'll remember this one
(I'm just a little bit happy to be able to post it again because it's one of my personal faves. I love how Kurt Cobain is trying to pierc my soul with those eyes from a vinyl tote bag on clearance at Wal-Mart)
I was thrilled to see Sheila with the Bono edition. I had my camera with me of course, so we did a little photo shoot right there in the theater before the movie started. Sheila's always more than willing to have her picture taken, for good reason, and she didn't know anything about photos in Cinemark Theaters being STRICTLY VERBOTEN, so she was totally into it. Actually, come to think of it, she might have been even more in to the photo shoot had she known about the photo policy. That could have gotten out of hand :D
Well that was fun enough for me, even if I were to end up not liking the movie, but then as the movie started, I look over at SheShe and she's eating popcorn she brought from home out of a Victoria's Secret gift bag! So there you go... my evening was complete. That was worth the price of admission right there!
Now, I prefer the sepia version of this pic, but I'm also posting the color version to do justice to that grandma afghan popping out of Sheila's vest... it's simply epic. But despite being a grandma afghan, it's still so stylish, so Etsy. That's just how SheShe rolls.
Eva's Homework
Matt is the go to parent for all math homework and all Barry Bonds biography projects. And he's not flipping me the bird here, he's just pushing up his glasses. I knew you were probably wondering. He saves the flipping me off for more special occasions ;-)
Loneliness Is Such A Sad Affair, And I Can Hardly Wait To Be With You Again
That's a line from my favorite Carpenters song, which happened to be my mind when I took this photo.
In Another Time
'In Another Time' is currently my favorite song. It happened to be on my mind when I took this one, and both pics are of my early Valentine's bouquet from my Valentine. That boy knows how to score the points!
Time Pieces
My great grandfather, Ward Monroe Jenkins, Sr., was a watch/clock repairman/maker. These are some of his miscellaneous watch faces and parts. I've been trying to think of interesting things to photograph on days when I might find myself at a loss for inspiration. This is the first time I've tried something like this - a still life with black background, composing a scene, etc.. If I did it again, I would change a couple things about this pic, like the position of the hand on the center watch face for example. But overall, I like how it turned out and I'd like to do some more of this kind of photography.
I was so excited about it in fact, I had a hard time going to sleep that night, even though I didn't get to bed 'til 1 a.m.. Then my mind was racing with all the possibilities of 'heirloom photography'! I was composing still life scenes in my mind of all the family treasures scattered about in various boxes. Where is that one thing of my grandmother's I remember seeing? Is that other thing at my mom's house? Would they look good together with some pictures in the background? Would it be better to do a photo shoot during daylight with the natural light of the sun through the windows, or with the available light of the ceiling lights and desk lamp? Using a flash is out of the question, but which lens would be best?
These are the thoughts that keep me up at night... which makes me a very lucky person at the moment! Other less pleasant thoughts (waaaaaaay less pleasant) have kept me up at other times in my life, and no doubt there will be times in the future when I will have more troubles, stresses or heartache to deal with, so I'd like to take a moment to be grateful for losing sleep over still life compositions... thank you up there!
#21 February 9
Dearest Sweetheart
The next day I decided to arrange some of the letters my grandfather wrote to my grandmother during WWII, before they were married. Who doesn't love air mail envelopes? And stamped with dates of a time long since gone by? And addressed to their grandmother by their grandfather when they were dating and falling in love?Crazy people, that's who.
I also added in my grandmother's war ration stamp booklets. There's a lot of history packed into this one photo, and a lot of sweetness too!
#22 February 9
Timeless Love
I will have to write about this pic tomorrow. It's getting late and there's so much to say about it. The photo on this pocket watch face is my great grandmother.
Apparently, taking pictures of popcorn and your kids at the concession stand is strictly VERBOTEN and aggressively enforced!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So consider yourself warned people.
Well anywho, after paying for our snacks, I had to get off one more shot just to stick to the popcorn girl :) HA! Take that photo NAZI/popcorn chick!
#17 February 5
Photo NAZI/Popcorn Chick
And now I have effectively negated any good example points I gained last week for not trespassing. I WILL repent however... as soon as I hit 'publish post' :)
#18 February 6
Bon Appetit!
I wish this picture could do justice to how delicious this cake was!!!
#19 February 7
Interception
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Bonus: February 6
Redemption
p.s. I'm behind on my pics but will post #13-#16 soon.
p.s.s. Ella, Eva and Sophie have to all be 18 before they can engage in any small acts of rebellion like skipping Sunday School. It's just one of the many perks of being an adult.
Can't Think of a Title This is a group of wild horses on their way back to the hills after having spent the night fouling up the park and residential streets. People 'round these parts really love that about living here - all the early morning horse surprises that is. They just can't get enough of it ;-) I don't mind it though because they haven't hit my street yet and because I get to watch them book it full speed down Rio Wrangler after I've dropped Ella of at seminary.
#11 January 30
Dreams of Trespass
That's the title of a book I read years ago and it popped into my mind when trying to think of a title for this pic. I wanted to trespass bad. Real bad. I wanted to climb the barbed-wire fence I was resting my camera on and go exploring... find out all the secrets of this old red house. But I didn't. My conscious wouldn't allow it. Or, that is to say, Matt was scolding me in my mind. He is my conscious in these matters and highly disapproves of trespassing and other such fun adventures. No. I did not trespass. I kept the law, was a good example and did not satisfy my curiosity.
I would be an ideal law breaker though. I would be the kind of trespasser a property owner would love to have. I would only look. I wouldn't take or break, smash or graffiti anything. They wouldn't even know I had ever been there unless they read my blog and saw the evidence of my violation. No, I would leave no trace. I would only look and imagine what had been... wonder who snuck in and out of that window with the ladder. I would investigate why the ladder has never blown down after so many years of observing it as I pass by on my way to and from my mother's house. What is in that window??? Are there children's toys lying about? Perhaps some creepy dolls to photograph? I would just have a little looksee, that's all. That's all I would do. But I didn't... for the sake of the children, I wasn't a bad example and did not trespass. And I didn't even have them with me, so give me some credit peeps, 'cause it would have been well worth ripping my pants, I can assure it!
#12 January 31
Girl in Pajamas Playing Guitar on a Sunday Evening
The girl in pajamas playing guitar on a Sunday evening gave a really great talk on temples today in Sacrament meeting and made me so proud :)
Just the neon lights of Qdoba Mexican Grill through my wet windshield (steak burrito please with pinto beans, mild salsa and a tiny bit of hot too, just a tiny little cheese and NO sour cream). I was just fooling around, but I like the colors and would like to do more stuff with lights at night sometime. Plus, I messed up most of the shots I took of Ella cheer leading that day.
#8 January 27
It was an epic Michael Phelps-esque finish at the Pinewood derby Wednesday night, with Luke L. edging out Jacob S. for the championship.
#9 January 28
Timeless
My friend Christa stepped right out of the pages of 'Styles of the 70's' for this pic at our annual January birthday girls lunch out, 'cause she's a timeless groovy beauty like that. Or... it could just be that she's 35-40 years behind the times... or, it actually could be that she's both. Personally though, I think it's the timeless beauty thing.
People of Walmart
#5 January 24
Did I Mention This Project Might Get Boring?
Yes, I think I did. I just thought it would take a little longer to reach that point. I wasn't very inspired on Sunday... photographically speaking that is. I sure do love me some CBR though!!! She has a new album coming out today which will be in my hands and in my player ASAP!
#6 January 25
"We're So Grateful for the Moisture We've Received"
One of the sister missionaries serving in our ward is from Florida, and she told me last week she thought is was about the funniest thing ever the first time she heard somebody say they were grateful 'for the moisture we've received' in a prayer. They've never had to be grateful for moisture there in Florida. But it is kind of funny when you think about it, because sometimes we say things in such a Mormon way hahaha, but it's oh so true. Most of the time we're all dried up and shriveled like these old berries, trying to hold on to every last bit of moisture we can eek out of this desert. As I write this, I'm listening to rain on the window... and I'm 'grateful for this moisture'.
This is an alternate version.
Sophie tickling Eva with a pretzel stick. I think it's a good way to begin.
#2 January 21
I was waiting on the porch with my camera for a bunch of birds to come back and attack our tree. It was snowing and I think they couldn't find anything to eat. Ella saw them suddenly fly in and then frantically peck the withered berries that were still hanging (you know those ugly orange ones?), but then they were gone by the time I got to the window. The berry things were still bouncing though. I scared them away the first time they came back when I opened the front door and it squeaked, so then I waited out on the porch for about ten minutes, but they never returned. Why am I telling you all this? Anywho, I was still waiting when the bus pulled up with Sophie and Eva, so I got this shot of Sophie coming across the street. I really like this 'creatively aged' look. Matt doesn't however, and Sophie said she looks invisible. But dang it, this is my blog and I'll do I what I want with my photos :D
But here's the regular version for the faux antiqued faint of heart.
#3 January 22
It was a lucky thing this morning that I remembered I didn't have my camera in the car with me when I took Ella to school. We were halfway out of the garage when I realized it and I stopped the car and ran into the house to get it. I've regretted it many many times when I've made a seemingly quick mundane trip without it. This group of horses was headed back to the hills after being at the park over night. I was surprised to see them on my way home because they weren't there only a few minutes earlier when we drove past the same spot. I pulled over really quick and snapped this from the side of the road.
p.s. for any of you who don't live nearby or see me regularly... I did not assume the Amy Whinehouse look! Sealing the root canal was a success :)
I'm so happy we share brown eyes...
... but I do wish I had your lovely skin :)
...and now I just have to get her to start reading my blog
I've been very slow to respond to the topical treatments and the antibiotics I've been taking for a tooth infection... I could eventually lose the tooth if nothing starts working for me. It happens to be the same tooth Amy is missing. It will really really really really really really really really suck to look like her of course, but what will make it even worse, is that I'll be stone cold sober while doing so - I won't have a crack pipe and millions of dollars in the bank to comfort me. Does it make me a bad person to consider taking up a crack habit if I lose the tooth... just temporarily, until I can get an implant?
Gratitude in retrospect ('retro' is so in these days) is something I've been pondering as of late. It's a concept and practice I believe in as a means of not descending into useless thoughts of self-pity when unexpected hardships or physical pain arise. And nothing brings on the retrospective gratitude in me like a bad a** tooth ache!
Retrospective gratitude is not filled with the guilt and regret you feel when you realize you've taken someone or something for granted, and then your gratitude is too little too late. No, it's simply looking back fondly and with genuine gratitude on times that were better, times that were blessed, and without asking for anything in return. For instance, if I'm sad, if I feel like there's a hole in my heart that won't ever heal, I might say a prayer like, "Heavenly Father, I'm so thankful for all the moments in my life that I felt happy and care free. I'm grateful for all the times I smiled and laughed freely without sadness waiting to occupy my next thought". Or, if I have a toothache, I might say a little prayer in my mind like, "Heavenly Father, I'm so grateful for all the moments my tooth didn't hurt. For all the times I was completely unaware that I even had any teeth at all, for all the times I could carry on a conversation without being present yet absent - only thinking about the pain and not caring what I'm talking about," etc., etc..
Those are the kinds of things I think about, pray about, when I'm engaging in retrospective gratitude. And so I'm applying this method of being grateful, in advance even, to my Amy Winehouse situation. I say (to myself) and pray things like, "Heavenly Father, I'm so very very grateful for all the moments of my life when I didn't look like Amy Winehouse. I'm so grateful for all the times I smiled without wanting to be stoned out of my mind, or for wanting everyone seeing me smile to be stoned out of their minds too so they won't notice my missing tooth. I'm so grateful for all the times I smiled without having to concentrate on keeping my lips sealed, and for not even being conscious of having teeth, the way I don't notice I'm breathing."
I think these thoughts and prayers will help since I won't be stoned during the experience, if and when it happens. And it's not to say that it definitely will. I'm an optimistic realist after all. I'm optimistic that my tooth will win the war even though it's lost a few battles - but I also realize that it might not - so I'm trying to be prepared...
