More Beautiful Autumn Photos

From October 2007

It's taken me all week, but I'm finally getting back to my blog.

Last Saturday I went with a friend back to the same park that my niece was married at to take some scenic fall photos. It was a beautiful day!! It was great to be outside, and I loved just taking my time, snapping photos here and there. Plus, since I've been so stressed at work, it was good therapy to do something creative. I have to have my creative time on a regular basis!

My friend, who is a much better photographer than I am, also took some pictures. We took quite a few of me in all of the fall colored foliage. I haven't seen them yet, but she promises a disc full. I guess it's a good thing I like my photo taken!

A Week At The County Fair

From August 2007
With the onset of August comes the annual county fair that is held just down the street from where I live. So, just as I did last year, I purchased a week's pass, and each evening I walked over with one of my friends. I mostly go to see people (that I probably haven't seen since last year at the fair) and then to grab some greasy but yummy fair food. I'm not so sure why it is that food always tastes better when cooked outside, but it really does. And I am a huge fan of scones (or elephant ears), which you can buy there for $2. One usually fills me up and I consider it a pretty affordable, yummy, dinner.

This year, I have to admit that the fair really didn't keep my attention or entertain me as much as last year. Going every night may have just been over-kill, although I did that last year too. Maybe it's because I wasn't as entertained by the same hypnotist and I didn't enter anything to be judged.

Regardless, it was all much better than sitting at home!

Small Town Summer Celebrations

From June 2007
One of my favorite things about summer time is all the varying festivals, carnivals and fairs that the local small towns put on. I live in an area where there are a lot of country towns scattered around the area. Each one seems to have their own festival. For example, yesterday I went to Emmett, Idaho where they were having their annual Cherry Festival. Yesterday was the last day of a week long event. My friend and I go mostly for the food and to walk around and look at the vendor booths. It's just great to be outdoors around a group of people too.

This next week is the Fiddler's Contest in Weiser Idaho. I'm sure we'll drive over at least for one night if not two to walk around and eat some more - lol. At this particular festival, I also greatly enjoy a lot of the musical performances. And I usually run into at least one person I know and haven't seen in a while.

1 Comment: I've never gone to a small town festival, but it sounds fun. Except for all the people. That ALWAYS drives me crazy!!! (Celia)

Lazy Summer Days

From 6/30/2007
Man am I just on a lazy binge lately. I really haven't had much motivation to do anything. I'm not sure if it's because typically things are slow for me during the summer (in regards to work) and so I tend to really shut down, or if I'm going through some stage. I've been using up some of my vacation days this month, because it is such a convenient time to do so, and all I want to do is stay home. And while at home, I just want to read a book, watch a movie or tv, scrapbook, and play on the computer. I have done a bit of spring cleaning (a little late for spring, I know), but other than that, I'm a bum. And yet, it really does feel good! So maybe I should stop feeling so guilty about it and let myself enjoy it, right?!

1 Comment: I'm being a lazy butt too! I always stay home though, so that's nothing new for me. How are you liking this heatwave? Pretty miserable! Maybe I should move to the NE or NW where it's cool!!!!!!!!! (Celia)

A Day Spent With A Friend

From 5/27/2007
Yesterday, I spent the day with one of my dear friends. We went on our traditional trek to a small Oregon community up in the mountains, where they hold a huge flea market on Memorial Day weekend, the 4th of July, and Labor Day weekend. This entire community (probably only a population of 100) fills up with vendors and shoppers. The streets and empty lots/fields are packed. This year was particularly great! In fact, over all the years I've been traveling up there, I've never seen so many booths and tents. The day was beautiful! I even got a bit sunburned.

The time with my friend was well spent. Yesterday, during the 1 1/2 hour drive there, I noticed she was quite jabbery -- which is usually my role! I, on the other hand, was a bit more quiet. I think I was just enjoying the beauty of the outdoors, the pine trees, the lakes and rivers, and the music I had playing on my MP3 player. At some points I actually wanted to shhhhush her jabbering (you can tell we've been friends for a long time because some of the politeness has faded!), but I didn't.

The two of us are pretty opposite in our tastes. But we know each other well. As we shopped, she knew that I always stopped to look at homemade jewelry, hippie/bohemian type stuff, art/home decor, and antiques; I knew that she would stop to look at tools, old musical instruments, sunglasses, and to buy kettle corn.

We have been friends for a long time. She is a good "always there, good ol' standby" kind of friend. I know that the "good ol' standby" kind of label doesn't sound very complimentary, but it IS in the sense that she's a stable friend. There are times that I prefer to spend time with other friends who are more exciting, more spontaneous, more "hip". But I always know that she will be there when I need someone of maturity, stability, and a listening ear. And I know that I take her for granted way too often!

1 Comment: Hey Buffy. :0) Sounds like you had a great weekend. My best friend in Alaska should have had her baby the last couple of weeks, I haven't heard from her yet. She's my best friend. I've known her for 20 years, and it doesn't seem to matter how much time goes by, we always pick up where we left off. I love that kind of comfort with another person. (Celia)

FLEA MARKETS

FROM SEPTEMBER 2006
Going to and walking around a flea market is one of my favorite things to do. First of all, I love looking at the second hand wares, homemade crafts, and unique items that can be found (plus the food is always good!). Second, it's great exercise and I especially love it when they are held outdoors. Third, there are always interesting people around to watch and talk to.

This weekend I went to a flea market that is set up and held every Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend. It's up in the mountains about1 1/2 hours away from where I live, held in a tiny town, of probably less than 100 population (Sumpter, OR). But during the weekends that the flea market is held there, every spare inch of open land/lots are filled with vendors. And people walk their way around enjoying the mountain air, food, and items for sale. This year, I went on Memorial Day and again yesterday. Sometimes I'm actually looking for a particular item. Sometimes (like yesterday), I just want to get out of town and be in the outdoors. I usually always run into someone I know too, and it's fun to stop and talk a bit.

Yesterday, I almost thought I was going to leave, having only purchased some carmel corn and my lunch. But right at the end, I stopped to look at some sterling silver jewelry and I ended up purchasing a necklace and earrings with my birthstone. (It's kind of fun to bargain with the vendors too--although I don't think I'm all that good at it.) Anyway, it was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Can't wait until May rolls around, so I can do it again.

MY FAIR ENTRIES PLACED!

FROM THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 2006
I was very happy to go to the fair last night and see that my photo had won 3rd place and that the jewelry I entered had won 2nd. I did actually think that my jewelry was better than what won 1st, but oh well.

Anyway, I stayed quite a few hours over there last night... mostly eating the food. BAD, BAD, BAD. Oh well, it only comes once a year.

THE LOCAL COUNTY FAIR

FROM TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2006
It's that time of the summer -- it's time for the county fair. And this year, finally, I entered something in the arts and crafts show. Actually I entered two things! I've had friends prodding me to do so for several years, but I've just been too lazy. I know why now... it's kind of a pain in the butt!

One of the items I entered was a photo from my trip to New Orleans (see photo of Oak Alley Plantation) last summer. But it had to be just the right dimensions... and it had to be mounted onto foam board no thicker than 1/4 inch... etc. So I took it to staples, who actually did a pretty good job of mounting it and laminating it.


The second item I entered was a necklace and earrings that I made. Beading is one of my new hobbies and I think this one was pretty good. Maybe next year I'll actually enter something I've painted or drawn.

Anyway the fair starts tomorrow. And since I don't live too far from the fairgrounds I'll probably walk over every evening just to see who's hanging around and to eat some of the good food that is always there. I'm so glad the weather has cooled down. It will make the evenings perfect.

SHY? ... ME? ... WHY CERTAINLY...

FROM MONDAY, JULY 21, 2006
I attended the first night of our journaling group... just got home in fact. It's in moments like these that I realize how shy I can get when faced with a group of people that I don't know. Out of the eight present, I knew two relatively well. Anyway, as I sat there and listened to various different conversations, and as I watched the various new personalities around me, I kept dealing with conflicting feelings. The first one was a feeling of discomfort. I hate the awkwardness of not knowing people and being kind of like an outsider in a group where everyone knows everyone else. The second feeling though was of excitement and enjoyment at getting the chance to meet new people. I know it sounds strange, because they are two totally different feelings going on at once. Some of the second conflicting feeling was about me telling myself that this was good for me and that I need to have some fresh blood/personalities/people in my life. I've been in kind of a rut lately, socially. Plus I'm always stating how I like to meet new people, but I think that is more true when I can meet a new person, one person at a time. It's much harder (and less enjoyable) when faced with a whole group.

Otherwise, I did have a good time. There are some good scrapbookers in this group and I gained some creative ideas. I always like that! Anyway, we will meet again in a month. The new topic hasn't been given to us quite yet. I guess we'll receive it by email.

JOURNAL/SCRAPBOOKING GROUP (1) - TOP TEN LIST

FROM SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2006
I have recently joined a new type of scrapbooking group. Really, it's more about journaling and scrapbooking ideas and thoughts than it is about scrapbooking photos. Each month, I will create a new page. And then, I will meet with this group (made up of about 12 other women-whom I really don't know too well) once a month to share my page. Each month the page has a new topic. So, we will each have a turn to choose the topic for the next month's page.

The entire journal or scrapbook also has a theme that each month's page needs to fit in. Although it's pretty general. I'm not sure I'm completely into the book's theme yet, but I'm sure I'll get there as time goes on. The theme, as I understand it at this point is, "I Dare You to...." and each month the rest of the sentence will be filled in and a page made on that. So this first one (which I have finished and posted a picture of) was "I dare you to list your top ten" on any subject. Kind of like David Letterman's top ten lists. I actually didn't think it was all that "daring", but the page was fun to create anyway. I chose to list my top ten ways to "Beat the Heat" (it's kind of hard to read the title in the photo) since that seems to be on my mind a lot lately.
My top ten ways to Beat The Heat are:
10. Take a drive in my air-conditioned car
9. Eat some cold, juicy, watermelon
8. Go camping in the mountains
7. Eat ice cream everyday
6. Go swimming in a lake
5. Go shopping in an air-conditioned mall
4. Lay naked in front of the cooler
3. Drink a half-frozen, slushy, Dr. Pepper
2. Take a trip to the Oregon Coast
and my number one way to beat the heat....
1. Hire scantily clad men to fan me with palm fronds. (I may actually increase the heat this way, but it would be way worth it!)

We meet for the first time tomorrow night. Everyone (I assume) will share their pages and then someone will get to choose what we'll work on for next month. It will last a whole year... and I do think it will be fun. Plus it will get me back into the regular mode of scrapbooking. Heaven knows I have plenty of supplies!

SIMin'

FROM SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2006
Geez, I didn't realize it had been so long since my last entry. Guess I need to make sure I have something to say more often .

For those of you who are familiar with the SIMs, you'll appreciate this entry and my true confession: I am addicted! I've been addicted ever since the first version came out. And now that the SIMS 2 is well on it's way, I'm even more addicted! I spent just a few hours last night playing. I hadn't actually allowed myself to play for a while. And usually once I'm away from it for a time, I don't have the craving to play as much. But once I start up again, like last night... then I'm ready to spend quite a bit of "quality time" glued to my computer. I have just a couple of friends who play as well and we all admit that it's hard to stay away from. I think for me, it feels the need that I had as a little girl to play "house" or "dolls" -- either that, or the ability to write and act out my own soap opera-lol. I get to create characters and basically play out their lives. To some that may sound a bit boring... but once you start... it's hard to quite. Plus it also lets me be a bit creative. I love designing, building, decorating, and furnishing houses. So... anyway... I think I'm off to go play a bit more today! See Ya! (If your interested in what the SIMs are all about, check out their website: http://thesims2.ea.com )