Cabin Weekend

Spent the weekend up at Tom and Celeste's cabin again. Slept in, hiked, ate yummy food, played games, relaxed, and spent time with loved ones. Wish every weekend could be like that. More pictures to come. I of course took a bunch. Happy Monday, and Happy Columbus Day!

Zombies and Chickens

I don't have much to blog about today. We are getting ready for a weekend of fun. (More on that Monday) I thought this cartoon was not only funny, but also appropriate for the upcoming holiday that I'm getting very excited about. Have a good weekend!

Happy Birthday

Today would have been the day I went to visit my Grandaddy. I would have wished him a happy birthday. I would have teased him about being old. I would have brought him some sort of sweet treat that he loved. Would have held his hand.

Happy Birthday Grandaddy. I know you're happier being Parkinson's free, and are probably playing a killer golf game as we speak. Miss you, Caity

Things on the brain.

Random things swirling around in this head of mine.

-This made me laugh today. Man that guy is genius.

-I'm loving this weather. I went on a walk in the city last night with my friend. It was the perfect weather, and a good 3 mile walk. (I took this picture this morning from my phone, I love how one minute it will rain and then the next the sun will be out.)

-Summer is officially over. Meaning the Summer hikes are over. Meaning it's getting colder and colder in those mountains. I think this year I am going to try snow shoeing.

-I have been eating egg whites lately.. well the Costco egg whites in a carton. They smell weird, but taste fine. Why is that?

-Can't stop listening to Radio Head. Don't you think it's just the weather for it?

-I'm trying this new diet. I'm gonna be honest.. it's making me cranky. I think it's because I have been trying to wake up earlier while I diet. And I'm gonna tell you right now, I'm cranky. I don't mean to be. My poor mom called the other night, and I totally snapped at her. (So not fair.. sorry Mama Bear.) Not to mention my very patient husband. Just on the phone last night I went from snapping at him, to crying, to being completely normal all within like 5 minutes. Hopefully I adjust soon.

-I know I keep saying this. But really? Where did the year go? It can't be October already, it just can't. Last year around this time we were moving into our apartment, and now it's already been a year? Wowza.

-I have been drinking 100+ ounces of water a day this week. That's 3+ liters a day. That's almost a gallon of water a day. Do you even know how much I'm peeing? (I can't believe I just wrote that on my blog.)

Well it's Wednesday, and for as fast as this year is going, this week is crawling by (as Eric would say) at an elderly snails pace. Can't wait for the weekend. It's Bob's Fall break so I'll actually get to see him. Which is great for me, and maybe not so good for him with this new diet. Pray for Bob everyone. ;)

THE DOG (and the neighbor)

If you have followed this blog for a while it will come as no surprise that we have another interesting neighbor situation. If you haven't followed click here,here, and here to get a glimpse into our past of crazies.

Well it seems the other night our neighbor (and when I say neighbor, I mean our apartment complex is next to a house that this neighbor lives in.) decided to bring home a dog.

We haven't figured out yet if it's staying or if the guy has guests and they brought the dog. Either way, let me tell you the dog is in danger of a water ballooning. It was introduced to this guys very small backyard last week around 1 in the morning.

I laid in bed and listened to them slamming, shuffling, and hammering. (I think they must have been building a dog house or something else equally absurd to be doing at 1 a.m.) then the dog came.

It trotted around the backyard all night. Getting familiar with its surroundings. All the while, the collar clinking. Which doesn't sound so bad, but it is. It's always clinking. There is a non stop clink, clink, clink at all hours of the day and night. Not to mention the whining, barking, and other noises that I kid you not, sound just like Chewbacca.

Sure it's annoying. But could be ignored, unfortunately that's not all. Something new has developed. The old man comes out doors first thing in the morning (while I am still sleeping) and in his best, very loud "dog/baby voice" says things like "Are you a good dog?" "Are you?" or "Come here, come here, let me pet you," "Don't you want to get pets and loves?" "Come here." Or Bob's favorite conversation between the man and man's best friend..

Dog: Bark!
Man: No!
Dog: Bark!
Man: No!
Dog: BARK!
Man: NO!

This goes on for what I am sure is minutes, but seems like days. Which is fun for us because we not only have to hear the dog barking, but the man as well.

Lately Bob and I have been plotting ways to put a stop to all the noise. Contemplating crowbars, and setting the wild creature free. (the dog, not the man.) Instead Bob informed me this morning of what he finally did to fix the problem. (And I wish I had it on videotape.)

Bob said the man came out and started into his usual dog talking. The man said "Are you a good dog?" Well the window was open in our apartment building, so Bob decided to answer in his best high pitched puppy voice... "Yep."

He said the man stopped for a second, couldn't figure out where the voice had come from, looked around for a second, looked a little embarrassed, turned around and walked back into the house. Bob said he was laughing so hard he could hardly breath. And I have to say when he told me about it this morning I had a good chuckle too. I know it sounds a little harsh, but he needs to realize he is talking so loudly and so early in the morning that he is disturbing the entire apartment complex.

Bob said he actually saw another dog in his yard as well. One with a cone around its neck. I assume he doesn't bark due to the embarrassment of the lampshade on his head. Now if only we could procure another cone, and figure out a way to sneak over there while the creature is sleeping and slip it on his head. (the man, not the dog.)

Fall Leaves

I used to have a poster of a painting of trees. So while editing my pictures from my drive up to the canyons last week, I was surprised to see this photograph. It reminded me so much of that painting. It stirred up all sorts of memories in me. I love the dark colors and shadows. It just seems like a really moody picture. And I fell in love with it for that reason. I rarely get really excited about my pictures, but this one was really fulfilling for me. I just love the way it makes me feel when I look at it.

I love being able to express my artistic side while shooting. What's funny is that on the way up the canyons, I realized I had forgotten to put in my contacts that day, and I hate shooting with glasses on. Well while I was up there, I took off my glasses for a second to clean them and looked around. (I'm as blind as a bat.) All I could see were a bunch of blurry colors, and it got me excited. It was a beautiful, blurry, swirly world. So I took a few pictures from that perspective.

On the other hand, I also like the documentary side of photography. So I decided to get both perspectives on the Fall leaves this year. These were the other end of the spectrum.

Both were fun for me to explore. I loved escaping to such a pretty place. It made me once again very grateful to live so close to the mountains, and the amazing landscapes. Happy Fall. I am thrilled it's finally here, sad it's going to be so fleeting, and determined to appreciate every minute of it.

My October To Do List

Yes, I was a blog slacker for the month of September. But now that it's October, I am feeling the excitement of the upcoming holidays and Fall weather. So excited in fact that I have composed a little list of what exactly I would like to accomplish this month..

01. Buy some mini pumpkins and turn them into cute little candle holders. (That Martha sure is one smart cookie.)

02. Open the windows, let that Fall breeze in, and do some Halloween decorating.

03. Watch a spooky movie.. not scary, just spooky. I'm not a fan of scary. I'm thinking something like Invasion or Identity.. just something to put me in the Halloween spirit.

04. Four words.. dinner in a pumpkin. (Ever since Bonnie introduced me to this yummy tradition five years ago, I have been wanting to make it.)

05. Carve and decorate me some pumpkins.

06. Sleep with my windows open, and go for walks outside at night when the weather is crisp.

07. Dig out my favorite clothing. Scarves, jackets, hats. I'm excited!

08. Listen to Monster Mash and Dead Mans party.

09. Drive with my windows down. There's something about not having to be air conditioned that I love.

10. Take a drive up the canyons to snap some Fall leaves pictures. (I can cross this one off my list. Aubrie and I decided to head up a couple days ago since the word on the street is that the colors won't be there for long. But more on that on Monday.

Happy October 1st everyone!