Scrap Your Day layout #2

So, here we are, only 3 days away from the third Scrap Your Day that Jeanne and I are doing together. She did this project last year with Shimelle, and this year we've decided to take it on ourselves, but picking the months randomly to switch up the different themes.

On this layout, I made a collage of just a few of the flowers from mom's gardens, and my sweet puppy of course. In the middle row are some of the cars from the Cruising Night at Atkins in Amherst, MA, breakfast with my parents in Williamsburg, and the entrance to the Holyoke Mall. On the bottom is me & my mom walking the 2 dogs. Click on the picture to see in more detail.

Where is the year going?? I can't believe it's only 87 days til my next vacation already! Not that I'm complaining. ;)

On Sunday morning I went to the farmers market in Jacksonville. I really should try to go more often, as it's only about 8 miles away. I spent about $14 and got so much stuff. Mangoes, strawberries, blueberries, bell peppers, onions, red potatoes, cukes, and both green and yellow squashes. You could also buy live chickens as evidenced in the top left photo. Or fresh boiled peanuts! Now all I have to do is make sure I can eat everything before it goes bad. It shouldn't be too hard. As of today, almost all of the potatoes are gone and half the berries, squash, and peppers. yummmy!

Thought I'd share another photo from the friday night free movie at the pavilion by the beach. Since the movie didn't start til 9pm, I had quite a bit of time to wander around. I love the blue on the right hand side of this building, and the sun dropping below the horizon.

Northeast FL weather update..

Lovely storm tonight: high winds, heavy rain. I didn't see any hail here, and the power didn't go out surprisingly. Once it stopped, as I did the other evening, i took the cat out onto the balcony with his cute little leash and halter on. Probably the only good thing about storms (besides much needed rain) is the fact that it usually cools off a little bit. And that's a good thing, since it was still 90 degrees last night when i went to bed at 10pm. **sigh**

Here is Mr. Scout admiring a bug flying around, I'm sure. or a shadow moving. certainly NOT the camera.

I couldn't resist a fisheye shot of the sky with this sweet cloud once the storm had mostly passed. Hence the funny orange color of the cat.

Happy day!

Friday Night Movies

On Friday I went to work for about 3 hours getting some last minute work done on a small project I'm finishing up. After I left work I went for a quick ride to Hobby Lobby & Michaels. Didn't get much, but wanted to see if there was anything new and fun.

I also made a quick stop at the Cradle Creek Preserve I had posted pics of here. It was great then, I don't know what happened. They may be cleaning it up, but the trails are overgrown, and there is cut wood everywhere. Lowe's did build a new footbridge in one spot, though. So, needless to say, I was in, got a few pics out by the estuary, and the canoe launch area, then I was out.

I headed out towards the beach after that, and to stop at Krystal's for supper. Over by the SeaWalk Pavilion I noticed something going on, so parked and walked over. I'd forgotten about the free movies they show on the big screen on Friday nights. Last night's movie was Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade, starring Sean Connery as Indy's father, and River Phoenix as a young Indy.

Sunday's in the summer they do free jazz concerts, so I believe that will be on the agenda soon as well.

Red Shouldered Hawks

As I was leaving work this afternoon, I was looking at the giant rolls of hay being baled in the field, and something caught my eye. I made a quick u-turn to come back around and saw these two hanging out, i'm sure looking for dinner. The baler must be disrupting the small field creatures they so enjoy. I sat in my car pulled over to the side so I wouldn't scare them away, and managed to get a few pictures.

Pretty cool, but eventually they flew off in search of food. Hope they found some!

I was really bored the other day, and decided to try a makeshift filter on my camera. I used the trick of a nylon over the lens, and held there with a rubber band. the tighter I stretched it the less you could tell it was there. For this first pic I kept it pretty loose.

And this is with it stretched very tight. Still pretty muted, but clear.

A couple nights ago we had a very cool light show, as well. it thundered quite a bit, and rained for a little while. After the rain stopped it was all lightning. Mostly it was just the bright white flashes, but there was some orange and reddish light on occasion as well. I also noticed that the lightning mostly forked either upwards or to the side, not down. I have some video of it, but it's very long. If I can figure out how to get a couple smaller chunks seperated, I may even post it. I put my small P&S camera on the tripod, and brought it out onto the balcony. I put the halter and leash on my cat, and we sat, watching the light flash. It was 12:30 am by the time it had stopped enough for me, and then I went to bed.

The Color Red, And Then Some...

Today I had a TWI (training within industry) class south of downtown jax. I had a lot of fun, and learned quite a bit. It's mostly about training others to do their job properly, consistently and safely. It doesn't matter what industry or title you are. You will run into difficult people to work with and for. We got out a few minutes earlier than planned so I hit up the St John's town center for a bit on the way home.


Grabbed a scrappy mag at Barnes & Noble, a Frap of course, and this shot of the cute train they have set up for rides. I love the bright colors! Shimelle has a bit of a color challenge going on..


Over the weekend I went out to Lake City to visit my cousin and family. One of the kids had an end of year dance program which was a lot of fun (no photos allowed, tho). We also went to a town-wide tag sale out in Ft White. There weren't a ton of vendors due to the unpredictable weather that day, but there was still plenty to look at. In the center of the parking lot they had this old caboose set up on a short set of tracks, and I couldn't resist getting a few shots of it as well. Click on the photos for a closer look, and enjoy!
Hopefully I will get to scrap my May "Scrap Your Day" page. I think part of me doesn't want to scrap my vacation pictures, as I'll wish I was still there instead of being here. LOL
Only 100 days til my next vacation. :)

Scrap Your Day layout #1

Here it is, already a week into June almost. Where oh where is this year going??

We had some rain and a bit of thunderstorming today. Here is a photo taken at the boat ramp around sunset. I stopped at Michael's to use the coupon I had for 20% off, and got a few things to use on my vacation layouts.

Here is my layout I did for April's Scrap Your Day that Jeanne and I are participating in. Ge here to see her "Scrap Your Day" layout.

I will scrap May's SYD pictures soon, so that I can concentrate on June's day without feeling like I'm behind. It was definitely a great day, and I can't wait to see how the page turns out! I also need to choose the next month that decides our "theme" for taking pics.

Tonight I am just plain tired, and ready to crash.

I will leave you with this photo, it almost looks like the same bird I posted some months ago, and still can't ID. It would figure that now I can't find the other pic to compare. *sigh*

What I saw today..

So, I haven't much to say about these, but I couldn't resist posting several of my favorites.

I showed some of these little guys (and gals, I'm sure) here. They seem to be growing pretty quick. I'm pretty tempted to feed them, but don't want to upset the balance of nature...so I am content to take several photos and watch the protective parents keep them safe.

Into the water they go......

By this time, I've turned the car around twice, and finallt decided I should just park. thankfully there's a new warehouse for lease right there, so I stopped in the lot for just a few minutes.

.....And back out the other side, right towards me. this is when i wish i had some bread. :) (and where I got lightly hissed at, hehe.

This shot is my absolute favorite. I did only a slight crop, to move them more off center. I do wish I had gotten a little more in the bottom of the frame, but their cute faces more than make up for the slight oversight. hehe

More Vacation Memories

As I mentioned in my previous post, the Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory has much more than just butterflies & Moths. Top center: some kind of lizard (couldn't find it on the website), top right: Female Australian Stick Insect, left & center: Owl Butterfly, Bottom left: Akbar, a Senegal Parrot, and bottom center: the iguana. On the bottom right is a close-up of the nursery, where all the coccoons waiting to hatch are pinned up.

While Jeanne was jumping for joy, I was twirling about next to a small flower petal circle. Not sure of it's signifigance, but it was pretty.

Here's are several views of the area around Paradise Pond. clockwise from top left: tree from right side of Boat house, The island as seen from the tree, The flower grouping, and the boat house.

I can remember when I was much younger, they used to plow the whole pond in winter, around the island even, so ice skaters had plenty of space to move around. There was a sign hung in front of the boat house telling the thickness of the ice, and whether skating was allowed. We pulled each other around holding onto each others scarf, and probably spent as much time on our butts as we did skating. As I got older, and less people went there, they plowed a smaller and smaller area, and no longer went around the island at all. I can remember walking down the steps with my rubber blade guards on, and having hot cocoa with marshmallows when I got home afterwards. It all looks so much smaller than it did when I was a kid.

/vacation..

If Wednesday was Wicked, then Friday was

Fabulous. We were thinking of going to a movie, because the weather was so crappy, and the only thing that came to mind as something to do for a good amount of time inside was the Butterfly Conservatory, Magic Wings. I hadn't been there in ages, and along with butterflies and moths, they have several other creatures in cages, or roaming (more or less) free.

Once we got used to the dive-bombing of the butterflies, we just stood still as possible so they would land on us. They definitely like bright colors. We both got some great shots! When we left there (3 school groups full of screaming children later) it had brightened up some, and was shaping up to be a pretty nice day.


Off we went for a drive up Mt. Sugarloaf. The view was awesome & the clouds were high enough that we could see the mountains beyond, and still see pretty far off into the distance. After Sugarloaf, it was off to Jeanne's to pick up her car, so we could both drive to Hamp. I had to be home by 5 to feed and let out the pups, and that would give us at least a whole extra hour in town.

We first went to Local's for those delicious Burgers, onion rings and fried pickles. It was so good, and there was no way we could even finish it all. After that we wandered around Upper Main St, and into St John's Episcopal Church, then up to Smith College for the Greenhouse, Botanical Garden and some fun pictures down by paradise Pond.

We had a blast here, recounting all the memories each of us had in the area. By the time we finished there, it was already time to head back toward the cars. We made stops into Faces (they have the best t-shirts here) and Starbucks on the way, of course.

More pictures to be posted soon!!

Wicked Awesome Wednesday

What a great day we had! The weather could have been a little better, but it also could have been a lot worse. I met Jeanne at her place a little after 2pm and we headed into town. There was so much we wanted to pack into the day, where to start? Starting from the top of the parking garage in town, and just wherever we went there was something to attract our attention. Here are some of the flowers we came across.

We had an early dinner at the Teapot Restaurant, including some Bubble Tea. Here is my Mango Chicken with both of our bubble teas in the background.

After walking around some and digesting that, we decided to stop into the new-ish Local Burgers & Fries place. Wow!! I had an order of regular fries, and were they delish! So good in fact, that instead of going up north a bit as originally planned for Friday, decided to stick around closer to home and go there for lunch! Not only was the food great, the service and people working there were awesome as well. Casual, friendly, fast, reasonably priced, clean. Pretty much perfect.

We checked out the Urban Outfitters, and hung out at Starbucks before heading down to Bishop's Lounge to check out the boys.

By the time we got home it was about 2am. Thursday I had no plans but to relax. Friday is another fun day!

My Vacation So Far..

On Sunday my plane flew into Bradley just ahead of schedule. There was a nasty storm brewing towards the south/southwest, so the timing was perfect. I grabbed a shuttle down to the rentals, and picked up my car. They gave me a Ford Focus. As someone who is used to driving a Toyota Rav4, I don't like it (small cars scare me), but it's better than not having a car. As a consolation, it *does* have Sirius satellite radio. As I was driving I got to see all the familiar sights along the way. Of all of them, nothing beats the sight of mountains and hills. That is one thing I miss, Florida is so flat. One thing I came across that I don't miss: potholes. Holy Moly, the roads on the outskirts of town are just horrible. Driving thru the center of 'hamp I was stopped at a red light and snapped this photo of the Academy Of Music. Great old theater. Since it was getting

late, I decided I should get a move on, and make my way home.

Monday's photos will be shared when Jeanne & I can put our posts up at the same time. I spent most of that day at the Holyoke Mall, Barnes & Noble, and later at a Cruise Night at Atkin's Farm.

Tuesday was pretty much moving from the word GO! I got up, showered and drove down to Dunkin's with my sister, hit wal-mart to pick up snacks for our long session at the Tattoo Parlor, Then it was back home to pick up the other people going (there were 4 of us geting inked that day: my mom, me, my sister, and my niece). We hit the 99's restaurant for lunch and made our way to Guideline Tattoos in E. Hartford, CT for our 2:00 appointment with Steve. In the process of deciding what to get for my second tat, I must have changed the design and/or placement a dozen times. This is what I ended up with, and I love it!

Here is the finished tattoo. It goes all the way around, save for maybe an 1/8 of an inch. When I take off the bandage I can show the rest of it, but this is the main part of the design anyway. The back is all vine and leaves, no stars.

Today it is raining, so it remains to be seen what Jeanne & I will do this afternoon. Tonight is definitely drinks and music at Bishop's Lounge, though!

One Weekend in the Life of Me

Ali had a great challenge on her blog this past weekend to document our weekend. I plan on sharing a few of my favorite pics here, and probably will make a mini book out of this project. I had a great weekend, even though I had to work on Saturday morning. The good thing was it was just me, so I could go in whenever, and that whenever meant that the sun was up. It's dark when I go in during the week, and that makes for a very boring and picture-less drive.

Saturday was also the date for the annual Dancin' in the Streets celebration in downtown Neptune Bleach, FL. They block off the end of the street and it's one big party for the whole day. Like all the events, the food was expensive, but the entertainment was great. I hit the beach for a short walk before I was able to catch the last 2 bands. First up was the "Little Green Men". They played all the great hair bands and sing along anthems of the (mostly) 80's! Add some beer and sunshine, and it was like one big karaoke session! We sang along to Def Leppard, AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Journey, Katrina & The Waves, and I'm sure many more that I am forgetting. After they played we heard "Straight Up". They played Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and the like. Very happy movin' music, for sure! About halfway through their set, I decided to beat the traffic and head back to the car. Yes, they had on funny green wigs and space-suits. But they had fun, and we had fun, and that's all that matters!

Along with the painted Jaguars they have around town, we now also have Sea Turtles. I saw only one other so far, but wasn't able to stop to get a shot of it yet.

So that was my Saturday. Here is my sunday:

As always click on the photos for a closer look, and have a great week! This coming sunday I will be on a plane headed home for vacation!

Spring goslings..

Several days ago I was leaving work and saw some baby geese waddling alongside the parents, and darned if my camera battery was dead, and no spare handy. **hangs head in shame**

All was not lost tho, as I was leaving yesterday, I stopped in the front parking lot and walked across the street to where the pond and clock tower are, right in front of the Coach building. Too cute! I wandered down the where there is a little area with benches and low overhanging trees, very nice area to sit and relax. If you don't mind the noise of the fake birds in the tower to keep other critters away. LOL

Here are a couple photos of some of the babies.

The one to the left is a different group, and if you look closely you can see a second baby behind the adult.

I also saw these very bright and cheerful flowers. I have no idea what kind they are, but they are oh so lovely!

Last but not least, today we had an hour for lunch instead of our usual half hour, so me and a coworker went to a newly opened frozen yogurt place down the road.

The owner waved us in, (he was on the phone) and I asked him if I could get a couple pics for my scrapbook and he emphatically shook his head no, as if I would steal ideas or something. I dunno. So, on his phone, loudly speaking in chinese, and paying us no mind at all, as soon as we paid for our dishes (all self serve, 45 cents an ounce, so a good size dish is about 4 bucks) we sat down and proceeded to take pics anyway. he never noticed at all. If he did he didn't say anything. Lots of flavors, tons of different toppings, including lots of fresh fruit, and cool prismatic tables! Here is a collage of photos I was able to get.

I'm so glad I only have a week to go before my vacation. I fly out on sunday the 24th, and should be landing in Mass about 8pm. A bit later than I like, but oh well, better late than never! I better start packing! :-)

Weekend photo dump

Out driving with my cousin, I had the chance to stick my camera out the window a few times and catch some of the beautiful color on the side of the road, not to mention said camera hanging out the window.

We did some shopping at the mall in Lake City, and I had a blast trying on stuff I would never actually buy. I did buy a cute outfit for church on Sunday. It was casual day, since there was a big get together in the park below the church. Here it is:

I also got some really cute layering t's at Rue 21, another store I didn't think I'd ever buy from, seems like a cross between old navy and Hot topic, lol

It was taken in the girl's mirror before we left. I got some cute hammy pics of us, but don't want to post without permission from their mom.

Kinda bummed that I missed NSD, but it was nice to get away from home for a couple days, despite the hell i'm dealing with here. I'm trying to keep it into perspective...if the broken AC is all I'm dealing with right now, it could be much, much worse...

OK, this pic does not do it justice, but there is a field full of these beautiful yellow flowers, and this is all I managed to get. Notice my lovely reflection right in the middle, lol.

Have a great week, everyone!

The heat is on...**warning: ranting ahead!**

I had a great time at my cousin's this weekend, even though we didn't end up having the time to go to my aunt's to swim. I came home early evening yesterday to a 92 degree F apartment. Yay, the AC picked a great time to crash. I went online and got the "emergency" maintenance beeper number and called it. 6 times within an hour. No answer, no callback, nothing.
This morning, I locked the cat and his neccesseties in the bedroom with the ceiling fan on, and called the office at my 10 am break. I called at my 2:30 break and they still hadn't gotten to it yet. I got home at 6pm, and they were just starting to look into it. Turns out the fan wasn't turning. So he told me if it happens again to just tap the fan with a screwdriver, until it can be fixed properly...WTF???? **sigh**
I also mentioned that the windows needed better weatherproofing, along with the space under my door...the whole place needs updating, badly. I should just get this stuff fixed myself and take it off the rent.

/rant