How Day 2 Began...On The Way to Chicago

This was the start of our second day. We stayed over Thursday night at Bigun's Mom's. We arrived in just enough time for dinner. It was absolutely delicious! Ribs with a light marinade, grilled chicken, rolls and the most incredible side dish in the world! Pineapple baked in the oven with cheddar cheese and bread crumbs ... I think it was bread crumbs. I don't have the recipe yet. She promised it to me. Oh. My. Gosh. I am salivating just from thinking of it again. (remember - click on the image for a better view)













The Hummingbirds ( there was a pair, male and female) were trying to get a little breakfast in before the day started. The female wasn't too keen on me watching them. The male on the other hand found me quite interesting. He hovered around my face about 10 inches or so away. It was incredible. Incredible.














Mrs Hummingbird trying to keep an eye on me while she dines on breakfast (did you click on her?)






















Mr Hummingbird on the other hand, found me as interesting as I found him to be. He was quite bold and quite beautiful (when you click on him, you'll see his colors- the white light behind him made his blue head bleed a little but still gorgeous)

















A little back lighting here












The back light shows off the wings much better than the background of the green trees. (click on this shot and you'll see all of the detail in the wings)






















(click click click...lol)



















I hope you enjoyed my brief encounter with these beauties.

Chicago - What a Trip!!

Yes, we are back. I can hear Bigun in there on the other computer pounding away on the keys. He must be posting about the trip and the race.

(I have been trying to type this post out for 3 days now. Bigun has posted twice since we arrived back at the homestead - I have been working...)

Because we found ourselves living in an Internet Challenged World for the last 5 days the updates I promised vanished into the Great Blackhole of "No Internet Service". Weird, crazy weird. I have never had this happen to me before. Internet service seems like such a basic commodity these days. You know, like bread, milk or eggs. I didn't realize that there are actually people out there who can live with out it!! I truly did not know this sort of existence (non computer/Internet) was still possible. We did have Internet the first day of our trip when we landed at Bigun's Mom's in NC. But, because time was little I thought I would wait until we landed in Ohio on the second evening before I posted an update... well, you all know how that went. It didn't. By the time we got back from dinner, it was late and we had a long drive ahead of us in the morning. Our cousins have Internet but not wireless. All my photos were loaded onto my laptop. So, I thought, "I'll just wait until we land in Chicago." Saturday, after the expo we can get back to our friends' and put together a little post then. Nope. No way. No how. Andy and Brittany don't have Internet. Swear, it's true. I am not making it up. How could I make something like that up?!?! My mind cannot fathom an Internet-less World.

Not having Internet access did allow me a little more time for photos...amazing how you can always find an alternative activity.

We had such a great trip. It was a whirlwind sort of trip- exhausting sort of trip but still loads of fun. I'll share part of it with you now.

The first series of photographs is the first leg of our trip...yes, an 11 hour drive to North Carolina. Hold on to your boot straps because this post is about to take you for a ride. I probably should let you in on a little known fact. As a passenger I am not a very good driving companion. Sleep is totally my best friend. EVER. Riding and sleeping is almost as good as a nap after turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Bigun doesn't consider me such a good travelling companion. Oh well, he married me, he has to live with it, or in this case, drive with it!! This go I actually managed to stay awake for the entire ride to NC. I have the pictures to prove it too!

This, my friends, is the start of our five days of driving and one day of racing. This is how the morning started on the first day of our journey.

Sunrise on Hickory Lake, there really is not much better than this. Our backyard starts the day right.
We fed everyone.

Everybody settled in to their respective places. They always know when we are going away for a bit. I left written instructions for their feeding regimen and "potty" regimens. My friend Kojo stopped by to take care of them. As an added treat, they spent the weekend at Kojo's house.

Our trip began pretty uneventful. Then we hit Starke ( billboards call it a Speed trap). Swear. It's true. Billboards announce this town as a speed trap before you get there. Here is where we were able to partake in a little southern rubberneck activity. These officers were sacking some kids' car on the side of the road. I hope they were operating on a tip. Notice the kids standing down off the road. That's what speeding can get you in Starke. A ticket and a sacking. Word of advice here - don't speed in Starke. These officers mean business. By the way, have you thanked an officer lately for what a great job they do? They have a pretty thankless job and put their lives on the line for us everytime they put that uniform on. Next time you see a State Trooper, Sheriff's Deputy or City Cop, be sure to tell them "Thanks". Okay - soapbox gone now.

Yes, I am pretty easily amused. I LOVE this shot.






Life is a Highway... (more self amusement)

We don't really have any hills (zero hills) in our neck of Florida so I thought it was important to document them. This not only was a hill but an entry ramp too. High times in Florida.

Yep, that's exactly what you think it is. It's easier to see if you click on the photograph. ;)

We passed this house. Stopped for gas/ potty break, got back on the highway, passed it again.

2 hours later, took another little break, got back on the highway, passed the house. AGAIN.

We stopped at a "LOVES" gas station in Hardeeville, South Carolina. This was our Cashier, Honey. What a sweetheart. She goes out to cars of elderly patrons and brings the money in so that they don't have to walk so far. Her reward, lots of petting and sweet talk followed by a treat

In case any of you were wondering...

About 225 miles later we arrived at Bigun's Mom's. I'll post the second day of our trip later. It's late, I'm tired and I need some beauty rest. I know, you can't wait to see the good stuff. But, this is the life of a Sherpa and I know you are all so anxiously awaiting for the rest of the journey.

Thanks for reading and I promise, stay tuned, it does get better!! I still need to tell you about the hummingbirds, the expo, meeting the Wimmers, Roman, Tim, Dr. Dave, the race, the wings, wow. I have so much to tell you about. Stop back in for the next leg. I promise, it only gets better!!

The Windy City

We are on our way to Chicago!!

We'll keep you posted!!!

No- I haven't been at WalMart - they kicked me out...

Sorry Everyone,
I know I have been away from The Land of Blog for a while now. Life has been busy here though. Although it was tempting, I have NOT been at WalMart these past weeks. They quit trying to clean my windshield after the first attempt and found I was penniless....
I have been super busy at work and with other things. With our trip to Chicago coming up I have been trying to get as much done for work as I could before leaving.
In the mean time, let me show you a few of the things I have been busy with...

Boo came over for a visit...tickling Kitty was at the top of her list of things to do at our house...Brisco loved chasing her around.

My niece Alex and Mom Lisa were here from NC for a quick visit.....

There was a going away party for our friend Becky (2nd from the left) She has moved to Dallas.

Green Eyed Lady and I shared a date with this guy. Man oh man oh man oh man oh man oh! sorry, Oh man. Chris Isaak Hubba Hubba. If any of you haven't seen him in concert - I highly recommend it. This isn't a show just for women either. Isaak gave the best Concert I have been to, after The Tubes. (yes, I said it, The Tubes).

Go see Chris Isaak in concert if you ever get the chance. EDIT: I must clarify here, Isaak is second only to The Tubes. Tubes still hold #1 spot, then Isaak, then McCartney, then Bowie. Yupper. That's it. (the links will take you to 2 different sites for The Tubes) here's a pic. or two....

I have patiently been waiting for this......

(click on the pictures and they'll enlarge)

To become this.

In between all of this I have also managed to remake and hang drapes for a client, close a nice sized sale on a large project that consumes all of my days and nights, open 2 new large projects, shoot engagement photos for a young couple, get in one 15 mile ride ( I know - shabby) read the new Harry Potter book, devoured Son of a Witch and started 2 other books. It's my only defense against the Insomnia. We leave for Chicago Thursday morning. Tomorrow I'll try to get what I can finished at work. Cross your fingers. Hopefully, I'll come back more relaxed. lol

Right now, I have to go polish my cowbells. I don't want Big Mike and J-Wim to have a bad first impression. ;)

p.s. - I sure have missed you guys.

New Scam at WalMart

Okay Ladies, you really have to be careful these days. My sister Jenn sent this to me and I have to tell you, I am very alarmed. WalMart of all places. I've never had my purse stolen while shopping there. Well, I never shop there.

After reading this, I may reconsider where I shop....

What?!?! It's All About Me?!? Again?!?!?

A little bit about ME
Well, this is kinda cool. Rather than try to gather my 8000 different thoughts into a potentially book sized post, I get to just fill in the blanks to answer some questions. Pretty easy and fun I think.
Tagged by Tri-DogMom
Jobs I’ve Held
when I was 14 - I bagged groceries at the commissary on the small housing area I lived in Germany
Came back stateside and worked at Burger King - yep, fast food. I never ate at a Burger King until I was 16 years old...
One Hour Foto, Photo Center, Lester's Photography, Photo Center -again, Lawson and Weitzen Attys at Law, Photo Center ( a different one), Photo Journalist with Columbus Ledger Enquirer (GA), The Design Firm, Norwalk The Furniture Idea, now I own my own Design Studio

Movies I Can Watch Over & Over
Dave,
An American President,
Outlaw Josey Wales,
Army of Darkness,
Excalibur and the one that goes without saying... A Christmas Story.

My Guilty Pleasures
Double Stuff Oreo Cookies
Raspberry Milano cookies
shoes
Pedicures and facials
Sushi
Guinness
shoes
cool t-shirts
unusual jewelry
hot bath
shoes


Places I Have Lived (in order)
Arlington, VA
Asmara, Ethiopia
Fort Ord, California
Rome, NY
Romulus, NY
Pruem, Germany
Fayetteville, NC
Clarksville, TN
Acton/Boston, MA
Columbus, GA
Atlanta, GA
Houston, TX
Brandon, FL

Shows I Enjoy
Desperate Housewives
American Idol
How I met your mother
Lost
Wheel of Fortune
Gray's Anatomy
House
Cold Case ( the actual true story one on Discover channel)
CSI - Vegas

Places I Have Been on Vacation
All over Europe
Albuquerque,NM
San Francisco,CA
Valley City, OH
surely there are more...

Favorite Foods
Raspberries
Sushi
White Chocolate Raspberry anything
Anything Peanut Butter and chocolate
Salsa
Fish
Ramen ( I know)
Tomatoes


Websites I Visit Daily
Lots of blogs (see sidebar)

Awards I’ve Won
Gosh lots of pseudo nerdy stuff when I was a kid.
In High School "Most Likely to Expose" lol, swear...I always wore a mini skirt to school, because it was against the rules. I got away with it because I refused to be told what I could or couldn't wear (always in good taste). So, I was awarded appropriately upon graduation.
As an adult, here and there stuff with different jobs
Platinum Designer Nationwide for Norwalk -

Nicknames I’ve Been Called
Skinny ( I used to be)
Di

Now, I guess I get to see who really reads my blog by tagging 5 more people: I have chosen 5 people who inspire me...
Geek Girl - well, because I love her! She's a great writer! and she pushes through to the finish every time.
J-Wim & Mike - they both have overcome enormous obstacles to change their lives
Duane - because he could easily say "enough" and he never does
Aimee - because she is a newly christened TriAthlete as of Saturday, August 4th!!! the mother of 3 kids (unless you count TriDummy- then it's 4) who keeps busy with a gazillion things and keeps going.

Uber Triathlete or Yard Boy? You Decide.

You all know this guy - Uber Triathlete Man . He's hot. He's my husband. tee hee
















But, do you know this guy? This is my Yard Boy. (hootie hoo) He's super HAWT. He can mow my grass any time.

Jock










Lawn Jockey

BeefCake Swimmer

Luscious Leaf Blower Guy. How do I tell my husband I have a thing for the Yard Guy?

All About Nothing

I needed to enjoy a little beauty today... Can anyone tell the name of this flower? Hint: it is an orchid..... ;)

EDITed Aug 2: I will accept the TYPE of orchid it is, you don't have to come up with the actual name. ;)

Edited again on August 3rd....

The photo you see here is the same orchid as above. The difference is the time of day they were photographed. The first two photos were taken in early morning (appx 7am)light. This one was taken in early evening(appx 5:30pm) light. Same camera, same aperture setting etc. Light can do amazing things.

While I was out there re shooting the purple orchids I also photographed these....

The yard is blooming everywhere right now. These bleeding hearts are on the last of their cycle and they have changed colors from where they started.... when they first bloom they are pure white with red centers that burst out from the white blossom.
After they have lived their life they morph into this pale lilac pinkish color
And the centers change from bright red to this...
The Hibiscus didn't want to be left out either. The wind was blowing pretty well so it was hard to get a sharp focus on these...
These particular Hibiscus are a Double Blossom Red Variegated variety

I hope you enjoyed my interlude in the garden. I also wish to say Thank You so much for all of your support and encouragement. It really does mean a lot to me. Thank you.

BTW- The purple Orchid is a Dendrobium Mahlihini