Wordless Wednesday: Cool in the Pool

It has not been cool lately. In fact, it is creeping dangerously close to the triple digits. We aren't even out of May yet....

Yes... I am well aware that it is Southern California. I am also well aware that it is a dry heat. However, so is an oven and you don't see me sticking my head in there.

Needless to say... I am looking forward to putting the pool up this coming weekend!

Help! I can't swim!!!

If you would like to participate in Wordless Wednesday, check out my friend Cyndi at Pictimilitude for submission guidelines.

Wordless Wednesday: Cleaning

My parents are coming to town. They are taking the long drive from Wisconsin all the way to California. I know I am crazy enough to do it... my parents are following suite.

What does that mean to me....

I need to get serious about my cleaning!

Cleaning up and getting the house ready for company!

Ok - it isn't that we are slobs. And the mess that you do see is the results of having three kids anyway. But this is what I do know. They have never seen my house before. So even if it kills me, my house will smell and look like sunshine and roses.

Until they get here. And then I will blame the mess on having company!

So if you notice I do a bit of a disappearing act for awhile... just know I will be back. I am currently visiting with the people who had crazy!

And if you would like to participate in Wordless Wednesday, check out Pictimilitude for further instructions!

Wordless Wednesday: Money

Did you ever hear the phrase that "Money Can't Buy Your Happiness?"

It really can't buy happiness but with today's increasingly cost of living, it sure as hell helps to make you a little happier.

When I sit down and think about money, I get disgusted. There is never enough to go around. It doesn't help that we live in California where the cost of living is ridiculous, the gas prices skyrocket for piss poor reasons and you have no choice but to commute to work to make living affordable.

The other day I was looking at plane tickets. I really want to go back to Wisconsin this summer, but I just don't see how that is possible anymore. With all the car issues we had earlier in the year, and the grocery bill nearly doubling as the cost of food raises, and gas (well don't get me started), plane tickets seem to be out of reach. I have yet to justify spending $300 per person for a weekend.

I would love to be able to go home. My budget doesn't nearly support my dreams of traveling. It doesn't support my want of a hot date out on the town all the time. And it surely doesn't pay for a maid that will clean and organize my house so I could spend my extra time writing!

On the other hand.... I have an amazing family. My kids never fail to say something that will make me laugh. My husband is never short on showing me how much he loves me. And those I am fortunate enough to call friends have filled my heart with riches that can never be spent. They are memories to be hoarded inside my heart to keep going when times get rough.

Now if only love would pay my electric bill this summer when it gets hot and the AC is turned on!

Who wouldn't love to have a handful of 100
dollar bills in their hand?

If you would like to participate in Wordless (or Wordy, since I obviously failed at the Wordless part this week!), check out my dear friend Cyndi over at Pictimilitude for ways to submit.

Wordless Wednesday: Creating Music

Music is a big part of my life.

It always has been and continues to be until this day. When I was younger, they gave us a very basic introduction to the keyboard. It wasn't anything more than here is the middle C and the easiest song you can play while only using two fingers. It might not have even been that hard.

While I did eventually learn to play an instrument, the piano is not one of them. I regret that to this day and wish I could play beautiful music the way I have watched some other very talented pianists do, but it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. I have been slowly teaching myself, but I am not sure I will ever be as good as those who learned when they were much younger.

However, I have been able to give my daughters both a chance to start playing the piano. They may stick with it, they may not, but I am glad they have at least gotten the opportunity.

There is nothing better than filling your life with music!

There is nothing cooler than watching your own children create music.

If you would like to join Wordless Wednesday, check out Pictimilitude for guideline submissions.

Wordless Wednesday: Underwater Bubbles

It isn't hear yet, but it is right around the corner. Warmer weather. Swimming. Fun outside. I can't wait.

Swimming underwater!

One of my favorite possessions is my underwater camera. I will admit, it is not easy to use or catch the shot (particularly because I have a hard time opening my eyes underwater), but when you get lucky, the shots can be amazing.

If you would like to join Wordless Wednesday, check out Pictimilitude for submission guidelines and join the fun.

Wordless Wednesday: Popcorn

Sometimes the best pictures can be grabbed and what you may think is the most inopportune time... for instance... making popcorn before family movie night.

I had a little fun experimenting with this picture in Photoshop, but the original snap was just as neat. If you too would like to join Wordless Wednesday and share a photo, check out Pictimilitude for submission guidelines.

Wordless Wednesday: Photo Bombing at The Grand Canyon

This past weekend we headed out to The Grand Canyon for a much needed weekend of R&R. We were fortunate to meet up with a fellow blogger, Terrye, from The Adventures of A Misplaced Alaskan, and her wonderful family.

However, old habits die hard. Usually, I am the one behind the camera so if I want to be included in the pictures, I have to take self portraits.

When I uploaded the pictures, I couldn't help but laugh when I realized we had been "Photo Bombed!"

Happy couple enjoying a break from the stresses of life.

If you too would like to participate in Wordless Wednesday, check out Pictimilitude for submission guidelines!

Wordless Wednesday: Writings in the Sand

It's Wordless Wednesday and today I wanted to show that love is all around! After all, it is Valentine's Day tomorrow. 

So celebrate the person you love. Find a unique way to show it!

If you too would like to participate in Wordless Wednesday, check out Pictimilitude for submission guidelines.

Wordless Wednesday: Fire in the Sky

I have to confess something. I have a thing for sunsets!

To me, there is nothing more beautiful than the sun setting on a the end of the day. It is like a journey completed. It is a natural fire in the sky.

Nature just has a way of taking your breath away.

***

If you too would like to participate in Wordless Wednesday, check out Pictimilitude for ways to submit your photo.

Wordless Wednesday: The Rose

Can you believe it is already that time of week again. It is Wordless Wednesday!

Today is a picture I took right in my back yard. To me this picture speaks volumes. A symbol of getting past the thorns of life to see the beauty. And while I could go on about what a rose means to me, I will let you find your own meaning. So what does this picture say to you?

The Rose - my favorite flower. 

Now I probably have the blackest thumb of anyone I know, so when it comes to flowers, I can't make them grow. In fact, I am pretty sure I could even kill a plastic plant. However, it isn't my responsibility to keep the yard looking good. We have a gardener courtesy of the homeonwners. Which means I have a backyard full of beautiful roses... my favorite flower!

If you too would like to participate in Wordless Wednesday, check out Pictimilitude for information on how to submit!

Wordless Wednesday: On Top Of The World

It's Wordless Wednesday, a day to find a picture that says more than words. Today, I choose a picture I took while heading up to the mountains. I love the way the clouds sit on top of the mountains. It really makes you feel like you are on top of the world.

What does this picture say to you?

The clouds sitting on top of the mountains.

If you too would like to participate in Wordless Wednesday, check out Cyndi from Pictimilitude. On Wednesday, she will post one of her own pictures and then on Sunday, she will feature all the pictures for those who participated.

Wordless Wednesday - Ocean Sunset

As a writer, I am not going to lie... Wordless Wednesday is a little hard. I like to write and it is hard to keep the writing down to a minimum. But I am going to try. After all, I just want to put up a single photograph and let the photograph tell the story. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

What does this picture say to you?

This picture was taken in San Diego, California as the
sun set over the ocean. 

If you too would like to participate in Wordless Wednesday, check out my friend Cyndi from Pictimilitude. On Wednesday she will post one of her own pictures and then on Sunday, she will feature pictures from those who participated.

Have fun - Wordless Wednesday is about finding a picture that speaks more than you can possibly say in words!

Wordless Wednesday - The View Behind You

I would love to say that I had nothing to say on Wednesday and that is why it is wordless, but that isn't really true. You see, this is my second blog post of the day and the reason behind it is because I want to participate in Wordless Wednesday, started up by my friend Cyndi over at Pictimilitude.

This is my own picture. This was not even taken because I was trying for some special effect. But the result is something that I am absolutely in love with.

Wordless Wednesday is about a picture being worth 1000 words. So, what does this picture say to you?