Rantings and ravings, but mostly pictures

Fall is my fave.

2011-10-30T17:00:00.007-06:00

I think fall is my favorite with all the colors.

These suckas always come untied.

Two-year-olds are strange.

2011-09-10T21:59:00.003-06:00

For example:

In other news, I got a part time job at a bakery, and it looks like I'll be putting half my take home pay (or more) into daycare. I am planning on giving this job at least 3 months, and see if they bump me up to full time, or if I can find some reasonable daycare options. If I can do neiter I am going to try to work for a daycare, or go back to being a home-maker.

It's really too bad because I am REALLY looking foreward to this job. This is the kind of job I would have jumped at before I had a kid.

Photography blahs.

2011-09-06T23:18:00.003-06:00

During this photography 365 project/challenge with James I really feel like I have had moments of brilliance. Lately, however, I have had fewer and fewer of those and all my photos I feel are subpar and definitely not something I am proud of at the end of the day.

Lighting, of course, is my main obstical, as I imagine it is for many photographers. Other than that, how I can I be a more consistent photographer? Any tips from anyone? Do I just need to take hundreds of photos and not stop until I have something I am truly happy with?

Food-tography.

2011-09-03T01:08:00.003-06:00

As someone who loves to eat, cook, and take photos, food photography almost seems like an obvious. This is something I am just discovering, however. Did you know there is a whole community of food photography bloggers and people who specialize in just food photography? That blows my mind.

Some of you may know I am crazy about free samples, and here is one I got recently. A beautiful slate cheese platter that I think is put to good use to display just about everything. I love the contrast that dark backdrop brings to the table, no pun intended.

Today I made Schar Gluten Free white bread. I must have 1. made it wrong, or 2. needed 2 packages to make a good sized loaf. The flavor was pretty awesome, though. I had two pieces; one with cinnamon and sugar, one with roast beef. The rest is just chillin' in the freezer.

Thought y'all might wonder what I'm up to. Photographing food.

Also, as always, mischief and no good.

The lady behind the lens.

2011-08-17T19:43:00.005-06:00

Rag-rolled self curls. No make-up and my hair looks like a bad perm, I still like the picture....

Project James 365

2011-08-14T18:49:00.007-06:00

I, like a lot of photographers in the world, have embarked on a little 365 project of my own. I am documenting every day from age 2 to three. I am 30 days into the project. Here are five of my favorites thus far. On Facebook, I have been posting black and white images, here I think I'll post color.

Pictures from the past.

2011-08-08T07:01:00.005-06:00

When I went to Washington for Christmas, my Grandma allowed me to bring a bag of pictures to scan for my own personal record. They're fantastic photos, and I am just getting around to getting them scanned. I thought I'd share a couple.

This is my Grandpa and Grandma(far left) on a date with friends.

This is my Grandpa when he was in the Navy in WWII

This is my Grandma when she was pregnant with my Uncle Lee

This is my Dad(the littlest boy) and his brothers Steve and Dan.

My life as of late.

2011-05-30T21:27:00.002-06:00

Picture post.

On a different note, I have decided to ditch my music quote titles (and yes, pun absolutely intended.) They didn't really have much to do with the subject matter.

Engaged!

2011-05-19T00:21:00.002-06:00

"Music can change the world because it can change people. " Bono

2010-10-19T01:31:00.005-06:00

The Lopez shoot was Sunday, and I'm just now getting a sneak peek up. It was taken at The Utah Botanical Center in Kaysville. I have a lot of editing to do, once again nerves got the best of me and there was something to be desired in the compositions. Here are my favorites; keep in mind that they are not edited nor are they cropped. Who was it that once said there are no good photographers, only good editors? (:

"It is the best of all trades to make songs, and the second best to sing them." Hilaire Belloc

2010-10-16T22:24:00.002-06:00

It's official! I'm a professional portrait photographer, with pay and everything! It was my first time, and I was feeling pretty scared. I wanted so much to please my sister and brother-in-law that I was afraid to step in and tell them what to do.

I have a second chance to take pictures tomorrow with Ricky's parents and family.

Here are my favorite non-retouched photos from the Nelson shoot today, give feedback, I love to hear it!

And of course I got a shot of a leaf and an obligatory shot of my boys.

"As any jazz musician knows, it takes flexibility and adaptability for improvisation to create beauty." Doc Childre and Bruce Cryer

2010-09-22T13:59:00.004-06:00

I have been taking a lot of pictures lately. Ricky and I are going to take a "class" about fall photography.

In the meantime I am thinking of starting my own portfolio other than just my own kid. Anyone interested in some free pictures? I will throw in free prints and a cd of all the photographs I take! Also, once I think of a "company name" I'll be making an actual photography website on moonfruit.

Here's some of my latest stuff.

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain." Bob Marley

2010-07-28T19:32:00.005-06:00

These birds took up nest on our back porch.

This is a project I have been wanting to do for a long while. I don't think I like it with the tiny cloths pins, so I think I'll invest in some miniature binder clips instead. Tell me how you like it!

“Music is love in search of a word.” Sidonie Gabrielle

2010-06-11T01:49:00.004-06:00

2005

“When people hear good music, it makes them homesick for something they never had, and never will have.” Edgar Watson Howe

2010-06-06T00:10:00.002-06:00

"After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible,is music." Aldous Huxley

2010-05-24T23:44:00.003-06:00

Today is the second day I tried making marble paper and failed. This time I tried the dropping a 2 part water two part acrylic paint mixture dropped onto liquid fabric softener. I couldn't keep the paint mixture mixed so it kept separating, and it didn't suspend over the fabric softener the way I had hoped. I think next time I try making marble paper, I will just do it with the real way and not the homemade way.

The clean up was pretty, though.

I tried my hand at drawing today, and it looked like a 10 year old did it. Oh, well. Perhaps I'll take some classes and work on that. I think I have a good eye for abstracts, though.

"A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself." Abraham Maslow

2010-05-23T00:12:00.010-06:00

Lately I have been more creative than I have been in months, or even years.

James wakes up with funny hair:

This creativity has come out in music, photography, but mostly I just want to paint. I have all these ideas for watercolors, and here are the results of practicing some techniques so I know what I'm doing when I finally get in front of that canvas. Keep in mind, I used pearlescent water colors, and will be using regular for my larger pieces.

I'm getting so hooked that I think I might even minor in fine art, not because I think I am particularly talented, but because it would give me some real satisfaction.

And I have tried to make marble paper, like this that I did in high school

using a technique I found online with food coloring and shaving cream. Found here:http://www.homemademamas.net/2009/09/marbled-paper.htm
They turned out horribly, but I realized my mistake and will be trying this again in a couple weeks. Here's how mine turned out. I used the only music I had around. Music paper, how funny.

“My life's a living legacy to the leader of the band” Dan Fogelberg

2010-05-18T00:33:00.010-06:00

I am now obsessed with photoshop, just like I was sophomore year of high school. There was a period where I was boycotting the digital picture scene, since it seemed to make everyone believe they are great photographers, and there seemed to be a decline of actual skill and lab knowledge. Then I got a digital camera and all that thinking has changed, I'm bummed that photography has grown to be a rather competitive field considering that I am not one for competition, but I still love it. And I have learned something... the fact that there are no good photographers just good editors rings so true. There are few film pictures out there that haven't been burned, dodged and cropped(not to mention colored lenses.) Heck, people even have layered negatives to make photographs. So, what makes photoshop any different?

So here are a few things I have done in photoshop lately.

The first two are from beach day yesterday with Ricky's family.

I have been upset about my Grandpa's death, and a month later I think I am ready to talk about it. I felt really close to him, and of all his grandkids, I think I am the only one to get to know him as well as I did because I was fortunate to live so close. When I lived with them in Tacoma for three months, he used to walk me to and from school every day, he made me a fridge box house to play in, he let me watch him in his work shop, and he put up with my kitty and the endless amounts of wildflowers I picked and placed in drinking glasses all around the house. I will miss him terribly, but I know that he is free from pain. At 87 I know he lived a good life, and I hope that one day I will be worthy to be considered part of his legacy.

As part of my way to honor his memory, I will get off my butt and start working hard. He was known for his work ethic. I will lose the x number of lbs I gained being sad, and I will create art.

Speaking of art, I love painting. I am not a very good painter, I can't really do realism. However, I think I may have found my niche. I think my latest abstract work is really awesome. What do you think?

"Music is a safe kind of high" - Jimi Hendrix

2010-05-03T20:52:00.002-06:00

It is my favorite time of year. Baby geese! Goslings! Ricky and I took James to the pond to see the little babies and he just loved it. So stinking cute! I wish he could walk so he could have enjoyed the park more.

“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” John Milton

2010-05-02T14:06:00.005-06:00

Picture post.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." -Pablo Picasso

2010-03-24T13:10:00.004-06:00

All parents out there, I have a question. Are you having the same difficulties that I am knowing who you are outside being "mommy" or "daddy"? When you're a child there is such a clear definition, you're not someone's baby, you're just you.

But now who am I? All I know in this world at the moment is my son, not saying that's a terrible thing. But what happens when he goes to school? For seven hours do I fall into an abyss and disappear, only to return when my little guy comes home?

How do you balance being a parent with being a normal human being? I wish life gave more simple answers. I have hardly touched my hair, I never put on make up anymore. What happened to the old me?

On another note, looks as though I will be able to return to school again next fall. I think I am going to put school on hold for another year or so, though so I can get a part time job and ease myself into a life where I spend more than a couple hours a week away from James.

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul” Plato

2010-03-22T00:05:00.003-06:00

We, as a family, were sick for the last week and a half. James is a little snot machine still, and I have yet to lose my cough. Ricky barely got sick at all, but then again, he was the only one of us that can use cold medicine.

"All of us contain Music & Truth, but most of us can't get it out." Mark Twain

2010-03-10T22:50:00.004-07:00

I thought I'd post about our Mark Twain night at the library. It was actually pretty boring, I enjoyed the biography part... but the whole thing was geared toward children and James is much too little, and was much too grumpy for that.

But, here's to you Samuel L. Clemens! Or should I say Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass, W. Epaminandos Adrastus, Blab, Sergeant Fathom, Josh.

"Music should strike fire from the heart of man, and bring tears form the eyes of woman." Ludwig van Beethoven

2010-03-06T00:51:00.002-07:00

James is hilarious. I was putting his clothes away, and he pulled a laundry basket half full of folded clothes on top of him and then started giggling. Ha ha, oh baby.

"Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music" Ronald Reagan

2010-03-05T00:12:00.004-07:00

My sweet baby got a hair cut today! I was pretty proud of him, He didn't cry too much.

My birthday is next month and here is what I am considering doing (I am buying this magazine tomorrow, so I don't feel so bad for having stolen this image.)

Ricky and I are starting the Insanity workouts. I just got my booty beaten in the fitness test. It is so much harder than expected, but we are going to do this every night no matter what. Besides, seeing Ricky sweat is so sexy! Ha ha.

"If music be the food of love, play on." Shakespere

2010-03-02T00:12:00.001-07:00

This recipe makes way too much chili for two people with good appetites, so families will have plenty. We actually have so much, that we are freezing the left overs. We are so sick of chili now, well, until tomorrow at least.

No pictures because both my and Ricky's cameras were out of batteries.

Yummy Ground Turkey Chili
1 Tbs olive oil
2 lbs ground turkey
1 cup chopped onion (I use frozen so I don't get all weepy)
1 tbs minced garlic (use 2 cloves if from fresh)
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 4 oz can green chilis
1 16 oz can kidney beans
1 diced green bell pepper
1 diced red bell pepper
1 jalepeño seeded and chopped small (fresh tastes best)
3 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbs lemon juice

Heat large pan on medium, add olive oil, saute onion and garlic. Careful, garlic can burn easily. Add turkey. Cook until brown. Drain fat. Add tomatoes and kidney beans, do not drain, add peppers and seasonings. Stir to combine. Bring to boil, then cover and let simmer on low for 40 minutes.

To serve, add optional sour cream, green onions, and fritos. If serving to young ones, lower the amount of cayenne and chili powder, and omit the green chilis. The jalepeño really makes the chili, so that's your call. Enjoy!

"Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul." -Unkn

2010-02-28T03:06:00.003-07:00

I can't help it. I keep fretting about how James is growing and the more mobile he is, the less he wants to be in my arms and it's a little heartbreaking. I love my little bug and I want to be there for every moment because it's so true what they say: "They're only young once."

James, by all means, keep growing, but promise me that you will always come to your momma and tell her you love her and give her a big hug! In return I promise I will say "no no!" less often, and cherish these moments while you are a baby to the fullest of my capabilities.

"da da duh da da" -Ricky Lopez

2010-02-09T23:55:00.008-07:00

Life has been pretty stagnant lately. We have been looking for a new place to live since Ricky has gotten a new job within his company that pays a little more an hour, something with a better lay out and perhaps a bit more room. We can't make a noise louder than a whisper with out James waking up.

I don't know for sure how I created this monster, but James is a pain to get to sleep at night. It's been really hard to have the strength to not bring him into bed with me. We regularly wake up two or three time a night to pat James back to sleep (of course we don't pick him up) and in the two LONG weeks we've been trying this he has only slept through the night three times. It's exhausting. I wish we had been strong from the start and always had him sleep in his crib.

James is such a big boy now! He has been sitting up for a while, he is so near a crawl it's driving me crazy. He has his own high chair now and he has been eating three "meals" a day. He says "mama" and "dada" but of course, he doesn't quite know what he means yet. He laughs a lot, and he's also really crabby sometimes. All and all, I am so very proud of him. I just can't believe how fast he's growing. When they say that kids "grow up so fast" they really aren't kidding.

I starting singing a song for him tonight. What do you think of the lyrics?

You are my baby boy
Sent from Heaven above
There are no mistakes in life
Just ways to give our love.

So welcome to the world
My handsome little James
Life can get scary at times
I'll hold your hand all the way.

I'm sorry I seem all over the place, I am so excited to be posting at this moment.

I am looking for a job. But I'm not sure if I want to work full time, and put James in day care, or just find a day care job. I know that the second option will be really hard to come by but the thought of putting James in day care scares the pants off of me. I'm sure he's old enough and mature enough, but am I ready? I also want to go to school. I now know for sure what I want to be. Ultrasound tech. It'll be hard to even get into the school, but I think I am going to go for it. I just need to find some guts to make it happen and manage at the same time not to ruin James' life.

Pictures follow.

Didn't think it would happen, but my blog, like my life, has become about James.

About me, I found out that I am most likely dyslectic. I've looked up some signs and I meet them. It would explain my trouble reading in early life. It also makes me feel a little bit better about how awful I am at reading aloud.I am obsessed with a show called My Life as Liz. Pretty silly, but I like it anyhow. I am definitely gluten intolerant and I have been symptom free since I stopped eating gluten for New Years. Occasionally I will accidentally ingest a little and I then feel awful for days.I also do have issues with lactose, as I thought before, so I am taking steps to take it out of my life. The hardest struggle with that will be living without my nachos. With these dietary changes and a few minutes of added exercise I have lost some weight. I still have many pounds of "baby weight" to lose and some past that, but I'm feeling much better about myself now.

G'night.

2009-11-06T21:53:00.003-07:00

What the heck- twice in one day after months of not speaking a word? Why not.

Too much of a good thing. Have you ever been in a bubble bath, in a hot steamy jetted tub while your baby is sleeping? Sounds perfect right? Not exactly. Half way through I wanted the bubbles to go away, but they just kept coming. I tried to squish them away, but that seemed to do nothing. Then the jets got annoying and I knew they were the cause of bubble over load, so I turned them off and tried bubble squishing some more to no avail. Then I got too hot, I felt and looked like a steamed lobster. So, I got out and here am I, typing away and I want to wake up James because I miss him SO much. That's how I feel about this entire St. George trip Ricky took us on. Of course I'd rather be with him than with out him, but I kind of feel like I am doing the same things that I do at home, only it's more stressful. James isn't getting any sleep and his perfect schedule will be thrown off (Perfect= wakes up at 9 am, dad takes him for an hour so I can get some "mommy time" sleeping in bed, he goes down for a nap at 4 and wakes up at 6:30 or 7, just when my 3 episodes of my newest show addiction Grey's Anatomy are over, then back to bed at midnight, usually after dad gets home so they can say their goodnights,) I am a nervous wreck because I have to worry about finding how to feed him when we're out with out using the can of formula we brought in case of emergency, we probably over packed which means Sunday getting repacked will be a horror. I want to be home, with my sleepy baby cuddling. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather be here with Ricky than have him be miles away. I just hate being a bundle of nerves.

Sorry, finished the rant. Thanks for hearing me out. Here's a couple more pictures.

If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. - AE

2009-11-06T14:16:00.005-07:00

After what seems like forever I am back with my first post since little James was born. He is an amazing baby. I have said in the past that I don't want my life, or this blog for that matter, to be consumed by talk of my little man. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, my boy IS my life and I couldn't be myself with out him. I wonder, how did I exist before him?

All that being said, I think I'll post some pictures of the past few months, mostly baby stuff, but I think I'll throw some art in there, too.

"Music is an outburst of the soul." Frederick Delius

2009-05-22T13:42:00.002-06:00

As I get bigger and bigger I realize that my life will never be the same. Rather than being really worried about keeping my identity and not just being a mom like I was, I find that my perspective has changed.

I am 30 weeks along today! He's coming so soon and I am so happy. Ricky's really involved with this whole pregnancy which is really nice. I felt really alone at first, and sometimes still do, but I know my Ricky is always there.

Now we have to face getting his room put together. I think it should be a lot of fun, but we don't have much. We've recieved some clothing, a blanket and some bibs. We went garage sale hunting and got a few older baby clothing items there. I have enough saved for a crib and a mattress for it but that's about all.

Since I didn't find out I was pregnant until much after I would have wanted, we don't really have the classic weekly "baby bump" photos. We have been slowly creating an album of "Adventures while pregnant" album and it has been a lot of fun. So, here's the latest one: adventure to Ye Olde Renaissance Faire. Enjoy.

"Everywhere in the world music enhances the hall, with one exception, Carnegie Hall enhances the music" Issac Stern

2009-04-10T17:25:00.003-06:00

I did it! I can officially say that I have played in Carnegie Hall. What they say about Carnegie Hall is true, everyone sounds like an angel even if they make a huge mistake like someone behind me did. It really was something to remember. Even more than that, though, I think I liked spending 5 days with my love, Ricky by my side nearly the entire time. Anyway here are two pictures of us on the stage. I will get around to posting other pictures I took in NYC later.

"Music is the universal language of mankind." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow,

2009-02-14T13:13:00.003-07:00

Ultrasound scans are finally here!

This one is a couple of baby arms!

Here you can see baby's fingers, arms, knees and little body.

Full baby shot. Here the doctor was measuring how big baby is and telling us our new due date.

Ricky did something sweet for me! He got me those shoes I've been wanting. He plopped them on the desk in front of me at work and said "Happy Valentines Day." then he gave me a smootch. I love my honey.

"Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself." Henry Ward Beecher

2009-02-13T08:32:00.007-07:00

I forgot to bring the ultrasound pictures of our baby, but I did finally bring my new camera to post pictures of things lately. Here in no order at all, and with no explanation are some pictures!! Enjoy!

In other news, I am really enjoying the music of Chad VanGaalen, as new agey and folky as it can be. Ben refers to it as stoner rock, which is actually quite a good way to define it. Some of it reminds me of the Beta Band, but not really. It's not something I can share with Ricky, though. I feel like all we agree on as far as music is concerned is some classical (the darker stuff), French techno pop, Prince, eighties pop and rap. I don't get it.

I am still feeling sick and I am starting to think I must be doing something seriously wrong. Everyone says the 2nd tri of being pregnant is the best, you feel on top of the world, and you start to nest. I am having none of those urges. I feel like I might throw up at any time, and I am exhausted and I just want to take naps. I do feel like cooking as much as I can, though.

Once again, I will end up with over 50 hours on one paycheck, so I'm looking at a nice payday next friday. I am going to take that kitty to the vet and get it checked for a microchip, and take her in if all goes well. If I can't take her, I am going to buy myself some brown summer sandals, a nice new purse, and some gel insoles for every pair of shoes I wear on a regular basis. Also, I need some maternity pants and a few more shirts, and I have been wanting a silly leopard print cardigan and black chucks. Chucks, by the way are hard to find anymore. The sports places in Ogden only carry Navy ones, which makes no sense. I thought plain black converse were classic. Who knew?

"Music is the medicine of the breaking heart." Leigh Hunt

2009-02-09T11:42:00.005-07:00

Big secret was, I am going to be a momma. I am over 3 months pregnant. (cake will be involved at some point down the line, I'm sure) I will scan the ultrasound soon so all can see the cute little thing. I am still feeling very sick.

On the plus, we got a 2 bedroom apartment. I got a new glider! We are slowly making our new apartment a home.

I don't exactly want this to become a family blog, so I'll keep the baby talk to minimum.

And because I couldn't help it, here is a picture I found of myself at 13. I had clear skin that summer, now I look like I'm 12 all over agian. Where does the time go?

"My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require. " Edward Elgar

2008-12-31T03:58:00.008-07:00

These past couple weeks have been filled with life changing events.

My dear, sweet, loving cat Gustav died a day after my last post. I had him for only 2 1/2 years, however I felt racked with grief. He was my companion and was there through so many trying times in my life. Plus, he cuddled with me underneath the covers and held paws! He had kidney stones that cause his bladder to back up, I didn't see the warning signs and he of course couldn't tell me he was in pain. He got toxic, and I thought he was throwing up because he got into one of my plants. I took him into the vet where they preformed a rather expensive procedure. While they were in the middle of the procedure little Gustey's heart gave out. He died in his sleep. The vet didn't charge me for anything but the initial check up, the anesthetic, and the cremation. I was thinking of getting a little bow tie tattoo in memory of the little guy, perhaps by my left clavical. It will take me a while to get to the point where I am able to do that money wise. I may be the worst painter in the world, I painted this about 30 minutes after I found out he died. I still plan on finishing it, maybe water coloring the background. If it seems like I was was obsessed with the little guy, perhaps I was, but in my opinion he was family.

The second bit of news will have to wait until later. It's good news, though, don't worry. Don't bother guessing, I won't budge.

I hope everyone's holiday's went well. I made most of my gifts for the adults as planned. I made button flowers for the women, which actually turned out so cute. I kept one little bouquet for myself. I'll post a picture later. I made a couple bracelets. I decided not to make picture frames because I thought they would be pretty taste specific. Maybe I'll do that next year and just have people choose. I did spend a little bit of money on my nieces and nephews and it was worth it. I love those munchkins.

New years! I have resolutions, of course.
1. I plan on getting my associates degree
2. I am going to write everyone I have addresses for, old school style.
3. I am going to work out to keep healthy.
4. Save money, save money, save money.
5. I am cutting out simple sugars and deep fried foods in favor of fruit and veggies, I much prefer fruit in taste anyhow.
6. I am going to be 22 this year, so I am going to do something every 22 year old should do. Own a car that I can drive.

I wish everyone the happiest of years and cannot wait to start posting in 2009! See you guys then!

Anyone know if it's bad to taste something metallic in your mouth all the time? It's freaking me out.

"Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them!" Oliver Wendell Holmes

2008-12-16T07:26:00.003-07:00

I have been meaning to assemble this Uke for about 3 years. I was thinking of painting some clever design on it first, which honestly would look pretty cool.

Also, I took this the other day at Dee's and it reminded me of the Blog of Unnecessary Quotation Marks

"All deep things are song. It seems somehow the very central essence of us, song; as if all the rest were but wrappages and hulls!" Thomas Carlyle

2008-12-09T20:14:00.004-07:00

Feel like having an adventure? Not me, I've had this guy in my house for nearly a week and I am afraid to eat it. Red pomelo, Chinese Grapefruit. Has all the flavor of grapefruit with out it's bitterness I've read. I think I'm going to bring it to work tomorrow before it is inedible. I might bring my mango, too.

I love fruit, it's my favorite food. Somedays I want to try it all and sometimes I hate that I buy stuff I am scared of. Ha ha ha.

Composition is off, but check out how huge it is!

Oh hey, my last day of bowling I scored my highest yet, 145!!! Woot! I am taking it next semester and joining the bowling club. Also, I am going to start heading in the direction of photography instead of music.

"Music has been my playmate, my lover, and my crying towel. " Buffy Sainte-Marie

2008-12-02T10:41:00.006-07:00

This, by far is the coolest thing I have seen in a long time. Plus the music is my kind of mellow music. (:

My great grandma Hazel and I look alike. Well, we look a little alike. We met each other once. She was the one that accidentally taught my older sister how to curse, and she is the person I get my hazel/green eyes from. That's my Irish grandpop Cleo Evans. I didn't inherit my tiny ears from either of them, clearly.

"There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is." William P. Merrill

2008-12-02T08:04:00.003-07:00

I like this idea that I stole from other craft blogs and livejournal. I didn't make these (yet), but I am thinking I would like to, for gifts. They're way cute.

I like to think, at times, that I am an amazing abstract photographer. Of course, I'm not.

"If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music." Gustav Mahler

2008-11-26T21:37:00.003-07:00

So, I don't have any good pictures lately. I have major camera issues. Mine is years and years old.

Ricky and I like to take pictures together, though. This is one he took of me on my one year Utah anniversary, over a year ago.

"Music's the medicine of the mind. " John A. Logan

2008-11-22T20:21:00.005-07:00

Long break between posting. I got a blog award from Jesse, over at his blog. Thanks so much by the wat! However, I don't think anyone else I know would appreciate receiving this award considering theirs are family blogs. I didn't post it for that reason.

Christmas is coming QUICKLY and I am afraid due to school this year I will have no money to buy anyone anything unless I do something to make it so that everyone can get presents with out me spending too much. I was thinking of making homemade frames and placing some of my photographs in them. Any input? The one below I made quite a few years ago out of handmade marble paper and a cereal box. Do you think anyone would like receiving something like this?

In other news, marching band is officially over. I caught a cute picture of my little nephews faces in the crowd at today's losing game.

"Music has charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks or bend a knotted oak." William Congreve

2008-11-10T22:37:00.004-07:00

I LOVE light graffiti, perhaps too much. I think it's the coolest thing. My camera doesn't have a very long exposure time so to make it more interesting, I tried to use multiple lights. Anyway, the reason I posted this is because I kind of like the accidental lens flare.

"If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rapture upon earth." Sydney Smith

2008-11-08T19:13:00.004-07:00

This is an impromptu and quickly taken photograph. I am sometimes taken back by the beauty of Utah.

Since this week marked the 1 1/2 year point for Ricky and I, I wanted to share the things that Ricky and I first bonded on when we first met and maybe see what other couples bonded over.

In no particular order
1. Peanut Butter
2. Conan O' Brien
3. Music (we met in band)
4. Nova television programs
5. Star gazing
6. Ice cream
7. Record collections (Ricky says his is better, but I own the original edition of Thriller)
8. Stand-up comedy

"He who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once." Robert Browning

2008-11-06T21:40:00.006-07:00

I am never one to take pictures of the clouds because everyone does. And no matter how different they look in reality, they still look the same in photographs. That being said, I took a picture of the clouds yesterday because it looked like the heavens had opened.

I love the prints that fallen leaves and rain create on sidewalks. I took nothing but pictures of leaf prints on the walk home.

"Truly to sing, that is a different breath." Rainer Maria Rilke

2008-11-05T23:12:00.003-07:00

I did some photoshopping and am looking for some constructive criticism. I used photoshop in high school, but haven't since. I basically just used the burn tool, see anything else I could do?

"Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself." Henry Ward Beecher

2008-11-05T10:05:00.004-07:00

Latest pictures! I love love love the rain, and in Utah it just makes things look cool.

However, I took these pictures in a great hurry and something is off in their composition.

"Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing." John Erskine

2008-11-02T12:47:00.004-07:00

I never photoshop any of my pictures, and I think I am going to start. Any opinions on this? What are the pros of using photoshop versus keeping photos the way they are?

Here are some photos I have decided to photoshop because the lighting is off.

"There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could make you do something we'd all love one another." Frank Zappa

2008-11-01T01:46:00.003-06:00

I was Sarah Palin after all, and so was another girl at the party, so we surveyed people living in the apartment complex and I won the look alike contest even as a blonde! WOO! However, she won the cheese cake eating contest that I reallly was hoping to win. It was a Palin againts Palin day. Ricky went as a chick magnet. Since I came as his date, he clearly showed that he is a babe magnet as well. Also, we played twister for like 2 hours and had an impromptu dance session. All partys should have those same aspects.

"My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require." Edward Elgar

2008-10-30T20:08:00.003-06:00

Regardless of who I am going to vote for... I am dressing up as Sarah Palin to the party Ricky and I are going to tomorrow, for the heck of it!

If not, I don't know what I'll be.

This is going to be incredible! Pictures will be posted tomorrow.

“Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul” Plato

2008-10-30T09:47:00.003-06:00

I am inspired! I have been watching these tutorials on youtube about hula hooping and have found that I (although I can keep the hoop up for a long time) only have the very tiny basics down. I am determined to actually do some tricks on the hula hoop! How cool would that be? This is a professional hooper based in Canada who goes by SaFire, the picture is from her site. She is using a fire hoop, which I would likely never do.

"All deep things are song. It seems somehow the very central essence of us, song; as if all the rest were but wrappages and hulls!" Thomas Carlyle

2008-10-29T01:08:00.004-06:00

Just a few pictures from the trip. The duck we found at California Adventure. Our feet were taken at a beach (I don't remember which one). The "Knee Man" was taken at the Bands of America Marching band regional in Las Vegas, Davis took 5th! They did really well. We watched the sunset from out hotel room, I love my hair in that picture. The lily was taken at the old mission in San Juan Capestrano, CA. Lilys always remind me of The Star Maiden, one of my favorite childhood books.

"Without music, life is a journey through a desert." Pat Conroy

2008-10-24T02:45:00.003-06:00

Ricky fixed my 2 gig memory card for the trip! Hooray! I can now take more than 30 pictures at a time! This is beyond wonderful! From now on, the camera goes with me everywhere!

I collect a couple things, one of my favorites being my bottles. I have a weird one, I collect coasters. It started in high school when we went to Red Robin on Valentines day and someone signed and dated one. It's been an on going tradition. Our landlords even bought me one from Costa Rica when they went in the summer.

"A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence." Leopold Stokowski

2008-10-23T21:04:00.004-06:00

Dear Wattis plant,
I am so proud of you! You have grown so amazingly big! You have wonderful green leaves and perhaps you are getting too big for your pot.
Kaela

More fall pictures, all taken today on a long hike (and some on the walk home).

Tell me these little shoes prints aren't the cutest things you have ever seen. They are toddler-sized!

"Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends." Alphonse de Lamartine

2008-10-23T09:38:00.004-06:00

I have decided today that I want to do something incredible.

I remember being poor growing up. I remember living in the woman's homeless shelter, but it certainly wasn't a bad memory. No, being in that shelter was amazing. All the women there helped each other. Each week we were able to go and get new clothes or pajamas for free. On special occasions we went to get sample make-up and perfumes. On Christmas I received my very own present, I don't remember what it was but I remember being touched. I want to be able to give back what was given to me, maybe more. I look at my life now, I am by no means rich, but I am comfortable. Even though I have no money to donate, I do have old toys, nice clothes that don't fit anymore and an over abundance of time.

I want to go to soup kitchens at least once every week. I would love to volunteer at a shelter or a boys and girls club. I would love to work building homes for Habitat for Humanity. I would love and need to do 5ks, walks, marches, you name it for charity as well. So, I will get my lazy mind off of myself and busy to help people in need.

I leave you with the most hilarious thing I have seen today, seeing as my camera batteries have died. (:

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." Victor Hugo

2008-10-23T00:35:00.007-06:00

Hand written. 'Nuff said.

This is my bottle collection, it has gone from being in the shelves behind the fridge to being in on the fridge to being all over the apartment. It is insane! I think I have enough bottles, finally. I need to clean some of the ones I decide not to keep up and maybe see if they will fetch some money on eBay for Ricky's grandma.

"When words leave off, music begins." Heinrich Heine

2008-10-22T21:44:00.003-06:00

I suppose it has been a while since I made an entry! What a pity!

I bowled a fantastic (for me) 106 today!

"Music is a friend of labor for it lightens the task by refreshing the nerves and spirit of the worker. " William Green

2008-10-09T08:51:00.003-06:00

Cute Gustey.

Red sky at morning...

"Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Charlie Parker

2008-10-04T21:43:00.003-06:00

I put this up because I actually think it's really really cute.

It also shows that my hair is now a pleasant dark blonde and you can tell I've lost a little weight in my face.

"Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence." Robert Fripp

2008-09-30T20:56:00.004-06:00

Fall picture venture.

Ricky and I went out to take pictures in Ogden Canyon today!

"Without music life would be a mistake." Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

2008-09-27T23:53:00.003-06:00

The two Sousaphone players!

"Music's the medicine of the mind." John A. Logan

2008-09-26T21:54:00.004-06:00

Little things make me happy.
My new light! I put it above my table!

My locker at school. That instrument is so old that it was around when Weber was a College still.

"Music is love in search of a word." Sidney Lanier

2008-09-26T10:26:00.003-06:00

That's Ricky and me on the beach!

Definitely going to Carnegie Hall in April 2009 (I'll be 22!).

"To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself. Incredible and inconcievable." Aaron Copland

2008-09-25T21:50:00.003-06:00

I love taking pictures for people. It makes me so happy. I just need better equipment.

"Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness." Maya Angelou, Gather Together in My Name

2008-09-24T21:06:00.003-06:00

Birds! I love this for some reason.

"Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Berthold Auerbach

2008-09-24T16:07:00.004-06:00

In reality, I just miss the ocean.

I have the busiest schedule. I have 5 games to come this semester, 3 concerts and a trip with Ricky's band to some festivals.To top that off, I am trying to get a job at an eye place, hopefully they'll understand about the games, concerts and the trips. If not, blood donating time for me!

"Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life." Ludwig van Beethoven

2008-09-23T08:16:00.005-06:00

Latest pictures from my card.

Light Graffiti! I love it but my camera is too old to do it correctly.

Ricky and a bfast burrito. That's his fake mad face, cute huh?

Me and my new yellow hair. I would never EVER tell anyone to go to Bleach Graffiti. They do a terrible job, and don't tell you prices or that they are each private contractors up front. http://www.bleachgraffiti.com/ They are awful.

"Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory." Oscar Wilde

2008-09-22T11:04:00.000-06:00

My hair is yellow. Just wanted to share that little tidbit. Indeed, it it yellow. I have an appointment to have it redone on wednesday. Hopefully, it will be less yellow and more sexy!

I, along with my yellow hair, have an interview today at Standard Optical! Wish me luck! I hope I get it, it is the perfect hours! 3 or 4 to 7 on weekdays, some saturdays. Moving up to almost full time in december.

"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body. " Oliver Wendell Holmes

2008-09-22T10:18:00.000-06:00

First post of the blog! I decided that it would be interesting to finally get away from livejournal and make a brand new blog!I am not much for writing a lot, I thought posting pictures would serve me well. These are the best of the ones I have posted lately. I am in that first picture playing sousaphone. I want that little dog (it's Lou from the soup!). Down lower those "pictures" were taken with a color scanner, and I originally did one for the Face Your Pockets project. Down a little more is Rickys best hulk impression!