2017 Saw A Snowstorm, A Penitentiary, And A Wedding

Well, most of 2017 has been uneventful (there are a few exciting developments) as we were still on our dedicated run back and forth across the Southwest, and didn't leave the country on any exciting trips.  But I did get to see snow, which happened at the beginning of the month, and added to my end-of-year joy.  Finally!  Weather that didn't involve retina-searing sun or temperatures above 100.

Generally, though, things were pretty calm in our neck of the woods.  It certainly beat all the personal crap I went through last year.

So let's get started with the year-end roundup. 


1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?
Well, 2017 work-wise mostly consisted of going back and forth between Arizona and Oklahoma.  Terribly uneventful and quite mind-numbing on the excitement scale, although I did finally (after 13 years on the road!) get to stop and see this crumbling structure.  And, we finally had an opportunity to see Glen Goode's Big People.  And on one of our weeks home, I saw this rare bloom.  In November, our dedicated run petered out and we went back over the road.  We made it to the East Coast just in time for me to see snow!   I was thrilled! But the things I'd never done before?  Well, I had my name mentioned on the dedication page of a book. Toured a penitentiary.  Drove a vehicle that logged ONE MILLION miles on the odometer.  I got engaged!  I went to see The Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.  I went to the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building (I'd only ever been to the 86th Floor Observatory. 

And...

The highlight of the year...

I GOT MARRIED! 

2. Did you keep your New Year’s Resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 
I don't seem to be very good at keeping them, but for 2018 I'm going to resurrect the same one I think about (although don't always make) every year - losing weight.  I'm really, really, really going to try this time.  I've been inspired by Lexi and have been following her faithfully on Instagram.  Her transformation is astounding.  So, fingers crossed.  

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.  I'm 50, and thankfully none of my friends are having babies.  Although, an internet friend of mine had a baby and he is TO DIE FOR gorgeous.  I've virtually adopted him and savor every moment of his cuteness.  

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but one of my friends lost her son to suicide.  He was 25.  It upset me so much because although I didn't know him as an adult, I babysat him when he was two years old and I was sick at the thought of her grief. Another friend of one of my family members also lost her son to suicide.  He was only 15.  It hit everyone who knew them extremely hard.  For those of you who pray, how about you send out a thought for these families?    

5. What countries did you visit?
None.  Again.  Ugh.  

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017? 
IPL treatments to get rid of the age spots on my face, more dining out in town (I'd like to try some of the places we haven't been), mini-vacations, snow, more time to read, a decent hair color job, and maybe a hobby.  

7. What dates from 2017 will remain etched in your memory, and why?
July 23, 2017, the day I got engaged, and December 23, 2017, the day I got married.  I think those are memorable enough.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Is getting married an achievement?  If not, I got nothin'. 

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not taking up a hobby and squandering my free time, which I had a lot of. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No illnesses or injuries.  Should I knock on wood?

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A huge silver tote bag that I LOVE.  Chanel foundation and concealer that feels and looks amaaazing. And I didn't buy this gift, but it was probably the best of the best - my very first Le Creuset pot!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
The Resistance and The Silence Breakers.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? 
I'm going to leave this answer generally the same as last year because I can't think of anyone viler or with behavior more appalling than that of the mentally unstable creature in the White House - the man unfit to be called the President.  He has shown himself to be an absolutely disgusting human being. Actually, even using the word human is too good for him.  I will hope for impeachment (justified) or prison (preferred), any reason to get him out of office.  The sooner, the better.  What I find even more appalling and depressing are the people who support him.  I can't even fathom how a person can listen to the garbage he spews and say to themselves, "That's my guy."  Especially those who call themselves "Christians".  I can't even.  In the words of the orange buffoon...SAD.

14. Where did most of your money go? 
Amazon, Zappos, wedding stuff, retirement funds.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I've mentioned before that I don't get "really, really, really" excited about anything.  I got a little giddy about this rainbow in our yard, and I was looking forward to my wedding, but I can't think of anything else that overly thrilled me.

16. What song will always remind you of 2017?
I can't think of ONE song, can you believe it?  Ed even played songs from 2017 that were popular and I didn't know any of them.  I guess I listened to more podcasts than music this year.  Oh, well. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
Happy, fat, and financially in the pink.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercise.  Ride my bike.  Practice my DuoLingo.  

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Read Twitter.  It's equally addictive and infuriating.  Although, I do live for Proud Resister.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
At home with friends and family.  Since we got married on the 23rd, our out of town friends - Gary and Sue - were still here on Christmas Eve, so they joined us.  And on Christmas Day we hosted our friends Marlaina and MacG, Ed's parents, my brother and his family, and my mother and two of her friends from her townhouse complex.  The food was abundant and delicious.  I may never eat again.  I'm still stuffed. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2017?
I fell more in love with This Is Us.  THE. BEST. SHOW. ON. TELEVISION.  I can't even breathe when it's on, it's that good.

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Well, This Is Us, for sure.  NCIS, as always. And I still watch Nashville, Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and How To Get Away With Murder even though I still don't have a fucking clue what's going on with that show.  Ed and I also love Aerial America. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
This time last year I didn't necessarily hate anyone, but I was pushed.  45 put me over the edge.  I never knew I could so despise someone so profoundly.  But at least I'm not alone...at least 197.1 million other people in the country are with me (that's 61% of the population), and the rest of the world isn't far behind.

24. What was the best book you read?
I didn't finish any books this year.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sam Smith.  I didn't really know much about him until I saw him on Carpool Karaoke with James Corden and then I realized not only did I know his songs, I reallllly liked them.

26. What did you want and get?
Chanel makeup, a new tote bag, snow, and a trip to New York.

27. What did you want and not get?
A great dye job for my hair. 

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hidden Figures.  I came out at the end of 2016, but I saw it this year.  Fabulous movie. 

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had dinner at Charro with Ed, my mom, and my friend Kim to celebrate my 50th birthday.  FIFTY!!  

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A real vacation.  We had a lot of time off but couldn't really leave to go anywhere because of the dedicated run we were committed to.  

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?
Black straight-leg pants, tunic tops, ballerina shoes - which is what I wore almost every time I left the house.  When I'm driving, I wear yoga pants or pajama pants, a t-shirt, and flip-flops.  I'm all about comfort.  For my wedding, I wore Spanx-like underclothing (which didn't make me less fat, it just smoothed everything out) and a very low-cut, push-up bra.  I was so squeezed into that shit, I felt like I was wearing a scuba suit.  I may consider the spanxy stuff for another outfit since it does do a nice smoothing job, but the bra needs to be burned.  It's a torture device. 

32. What kept you sane?
My innate ability to relax.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
This year I've been especially interested in the Royal Family, past and present.  And now....Meghan Markle is joining them??  Shut the front door!

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I'm still bothered by the immigration issue, but this year I think obvious racism and hate crimes was the biggest problem.  Charlottesville, the Alabama election, racist outbursts videotaped in stores, on subways, in schools, hate crimes and assault against Muslims, racial incidents on college campuses, and more.  

35. Who did you miss?
Because I got married this year, I missed the people I would have loved to have had there - my father, my step-father, and my grandparents.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
Our neighbors, John and Susan.  Although they've lived two houses away for 22+ years, I've never met them.  For the past 13-plus years, Ed and I have been on the road and we didn't really socialize with anyone when my mother owned the house.  Prior to that, I didn't always live here and never really made a point to talk to anyone.  But Ed is social when it comes to neighbors (and likes making new friends) and has ventured into the cul-de-sac to talk to people.  They've invited us for drinks at sunset in their AMAZING backyard, Ed has gone running and cycling with John, and we even invited them to our little wedding!  Hands down, the best human discovery this year! 

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
Less is more. Although I have a house to decorate, I'm really compelled to keep crap to a minimum.  Tchotchkes collect dust, and although I see so many things I love and want to buy, in the back of my head I'm thinking, do I want to dust that?

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"I'm going to do

Just as I want to anyway

And I don't care what people say"

I like this Miki Howard version of Billie Holiday's (or if you want to go way back, Bessie Smith's) song, "T'ain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do".  See the full song lyrics HERE.

And my slogan for the New Year...DO WHAT PLEASES YOU!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: 2016 Has Ended And It's Time To Breathe Again
2015: The Sun Sets On 2015
2014: Thanks, 2014. For Everything.
2013: I Am Gonna OWN You, 2014!
2012: Wrapping Up A Year Of Making My Own Sunshine
2011: Later, 2011!
2010: That’s A Wrap!
2009: Out With The Old
2008: Another Year, Another 365 Days
2007: All Good Things Come To An End
2006: The Symphony Of A Thousand Saws
2005: Suicidal Firewood

In The Weekend

I needed waterproof mascara for the wedding because I knew I was going to cry.  But before I went out and bought a new tube, I thought I'd look through my cosmetics to see if I had any.

Well.  I had two tubes of waterproof.  And as I rounded up the rest of the mascara I had, I realized that I also probably had a problem.  There are thirteen tubes of mascara in that photo.  That's all I could fit in the frame, I have more. 

I'm a bit of a cosmetics addict and will indulge myself later this month with the Ulta gift cards I got for Christmas. 

So, that about wraps up the week, and almost the year.  I apologize for a few lame posts, but we're coming into a new year and I'm looking forward to a few over-the-road adventures.  I'm hoping to have some good pictures and interesting stories to tell!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: One More Day
2015: I Hope You Feel Small When You Stand Beside The Ocean
2014: Palm Print
2013: Give Me Ten Minutes, I'll Give You A Year
2012: Doesn't Look So Bad From A Distance
2011: They Really Mean It When They Say, “We Come To You”

2010: It’s Only Snow

2009: Once In A Blue Moon

2008: Have Wet Saw, Will Travel

2007: Spiritual Motivation

2006: Who Needs Paint Chips When You Can Just Use An Old Flag For Inspiration?

2005: The Promised Land

Winding Down

The last of our holiday/wedding guests left this morning, and after Ed and I had lunch with a friend and ran some errands, I came home and collapsed in my cushy TV-watching chair.  I popped open a Diet Coke, took a sip, and drank in the silence of the room.

I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing for the next week.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Get Real
2015: The Swiss Grill Does It Up Alambre Style
2014: Another Day Gone
2013: No Snow For Winter AND Stupid Syfy Movies
2012: Winter Rest 
2011: Happy 5005!
2010: It Really Doesn’t Need Any Help
2009: The Day The Music Lived
2008: It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
2007: He Raises A Valid Point
2006: Eddie In Stripes Friday
2005: Customer Service Vigilante

Nailed It!

Today is the birthday of my oldest nephew and my dear friend Marlaina.  My nephew went out of town for his special day and Marlaina was staying with us, so our plans for a dual celebration were off and I became responsible for the cake.

Marlaina requested Coconut Cake with Coconut Buttercream Frosting and Toasted Coconut on the outside. 

I researched recipes and decided not to go completely from scratch.  I was going to modify a boxed cake mix. 

So I bought a Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix for the foundation of the cake.  Instead of the one cup of water the recipe calls for, I used one cup of Coconut Cream in its place.  I made two 9" rounds (1 box for each cake) and after they were done, set them on cooling racks before I frosted them.

For the Coconut Buttercream Frosting, I used this recipe:

1 cup of unsalted butter
3/4 cup of Coconut Cream
3 teaspoons of coconut extract
6 cups of powdered sugar

The frosting seemed thinner than I wanted, and it wasn't until after I'd frosted the cake that we Googled "thin buttercream frosting" and found out that several people had the same problem.  Some suggestions were to add cream cheese, some said add cornstarch, some suggested heavy cream.  If you're intending on using it like an icing and pouring it over the cake, I think a thinner consistency would be fine.  I wanted a thicker frosting so I would have something for the toasted coconut to stick to.

Toasting coconut is easy.  I used one 14 oz. bag of Baker's angel flaked sweetened coconut and one 7 oz. bag of flaked unsweetened coconut.  I mixed them together, spread them out on two sheet pans and put them in the oven for 5-10 minutes at 325 degrees.  You have to watch it because the coconut burns quickly if you leave it unattended.  I had one sheet pan that was golden brown and one that got a little darker, but I don't mind the darker pieces.  Once it cools, the coconut is crunchy and delicious.  I mixed them together and they wound up looking beautiful on the cake.  I had tons left over, but I use the coconut in other things, too - like my morning yogurt - so I love having it on hand.

I assembled the cake with a layer of frosting and toasted coconut in the middle, frosted the outside and then sprinkled the toasted coconut all over it.

The cake was a HUGE hit!  It was insanely moist and was bursting with coconut flavor!  The birthday girl was thrilled.  I hit it out of the park with this one.  Huge success!!

Happy Birthday, Marlaina!!  And Happy Birthday, Nic - wherever you may be today - come by for some leftover cake!




~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Enjoy The Ride
2015: Wavin' Howdy As We Pass Through
2014: It's Got To Be Under This Tree Somewhere
2013: We Don't Even Charge For Parking
2012: Somewhere In Eastern Oregon
2011: Lighting Up The Night Griswold Style
2010: Why Fall In Love With A Gingerbread Man When You Can Have His Cake And Eat it Too?
2009: You WILL Think Of God
2008: The Queen Of Copper
2007: Eddie Wears His Christmas Present Friday
2006: The Only Way I Can Tolerate Arizona
2005: I’ve Got Lips

Objects Are Closer Than They Appear

I took this shot of our Gila Woodpecker getting water from the hummingbird feeder by placing my iPhone camera lens on the eyepiece of my binoculars. 

Clearly, I wasn't busy on this particular morning.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016:  Freedom!
2015:  Whatcha Doin'?
2014:  Until We Meet Again
2013:  Remember The Christmas When...
2012:  Blame It On Weed
2011:  The Plum Is Missing
2010:  The Voodoo That You Do
2009:  Meet Me In St. Louis…If You Can Find It
2008:  We Don’t Eat Gefilte Fish But We Do Like The Multi-Cultural Birthdays
2007:  How To Picnic Like An Italian
2006:  Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant, Dead Ant….
2005:  The Cactus King

Getting Used To It

I actually said "my husband" to a stranger this weekend.  In a store.  I was last-minute shopping and said something like, "I hope my husband likes it."

Squeeeeeeeee!!

OK, I'm sure it'll wear off.  It's weird.  But a good weird. 



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Really Old School
2015: Christmas In The Sonoran Desert
2014: Boxing Day Mani-Pedi
2013: Racing Toward The New Year
2012: I Need A Support Group
2011: No One Mentioned The Elephant In The Room, But The Zebra Was A Big Topic Of Discussion
2010: White Chocolate Melts Away
2009: An Appetizer With Heart
2008: Angelic Eddie Friday
2007: Would You Like A Fried Egg With A Side Of Influenza?
2006: Cerrado
2005: The Best Gift Of All

The Best Gift Ever

A post shared by Pamela Barsky (@pamelabarsky) on Dec 19, 2017 at 8:20am PST

I found Pamela Barksy's shop in Times Square when we were in New York and I just loved what she was selling!  I'm a sucker for bags - makeup bags, zippered bags, tote bags, laundry bags, etc. - she had great ones with fun sayings, in addition to several other unique products.  Check 'em out!

You can find her on Instagram here. 



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2016: Bring Me Some Snow!
2015: Have A Very...
2014: The Christmas Table
2013: Wishes To The Whole World
2012: Merry Christmas!
2011: Who Says Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees? It’s Christmas!!
2010: Christmas Time Is Here
2009: Commanding Attention Once Again
2008: A Meal Of Delicious Cheesy Goodness And A Day Of Good Delicious Cheeriness
2007: The Merry. The Moments. The Memories.
2006: I Love Your Bawwwlls!!
2005: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

We Joined Together: One Fiery Italian Babe And One Laid-Back Dude From Texas

Yesterday, if you've been paying attention to the blog, Ed and I got married.  The photo above is the only selfie we took the entire day (thankful for Ed's long arms!).  We'll have more photos once MacGyver is done sorting and editing and doing whatever he does to make them perfect.  I'll bore you with those at a later date.

We had a small gathering of family and friends join us at the Omni Tucson National Resort for a simple ceremony and then dinner at Bob's Steak and Chop House.

Our friend Marlaina wrote something to read at the dinner but then decided to hold off - I think she was worried I would cry, which I did when she read it to us later in front of family and friends.  Marlaina read it like a seasoned thespian, with humor and perfect inflection.  I love what she wrote and decided to share it here (for those who don't know, Toni is my mom).


-------------------------------------------
I’m not saying Salena is a control freak. But I will read these words from her prepared statement.

Let’s talk about the two people who brought us together today -- Toni and God. 

For the new fremily members, Toni has a God Box. She writes the hopes and dreams and wishes of her family and friends, dates them, puts the notes inside the God Box and prays on them.

So, all y’ all know that inside Toni’s God Box is a faded piece of paper, dated July 21, 2004. The official first Salena and Ed date.

“I like him, Lord,” she wrote on that paper. “You know I’m not getting any younger and she’s not getting any younger. Make it happen. Married.”

Thirteen years? Toni’s faith was tested. By God and by Ed. But, here we are.

Couples are a mystery. How does the relationship work, we quietly ask ourselves. What really brought them together and what keeps them together.

One fiery Italian babe. One laid-back dude from Texas.

Salena and Ed are wrapped in different packages, but under those wrappings, they are the same where it counts - their values.

They are both intellectually-curious and adventurous-spirits. They are open to new people and new experiences. Kind. Generous. Thoughtful.

Salena and Ed are dedicated to family and friends.

They teach each other. They learn from each other. They watch over and protect each other.

There’s little flat walking in marriage, it’s rolling hills punctuated by mountains. Luckily for you, Salena and Ed, you have examples of strength and commitment.

Ed’s parents Richard and Dixie have been married 43 years. Salena’s mother Toni and her departed, and much-missed, step-father Frank were married 32 years. Her brother Michael and his wife Pam married 24 years ago.

One of the secrets here is, that without fail, Salena and Ed’s infectious, equally matched and complimentary senses of humor sustain them through the challenges and aggravations of daily life. Their ability to turn tears into laughter will serve them well.

Raise your glasses, please.

We all wish you, Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey, a bottomless well of problem-solving creativity. Samson-like strength to carry each other through the Valley of Annoyance. And endurance because well, couples hang in just because they have to hang in.

Salena and Ed.

Thank you including us in your celebration.

We wish you a lifetime of happiness, new discoveries, and health.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: My Christmas Presents Are Safe
2015: O Christmas Plant, O Christmas Plant
2014: In The Shadow Of Friends
2013: Christmas Eve Big Ass Surf And Turf
2012: This Sled Is Being Pulled By Rudolph The Bucking Red-Nosed Reindeer 
2011: Call Me For A Good Time – I’m ALWAYS Happy
2010: Blue Plates And Books For Christmas Eve
2009: Holiday Theft Is On The Rise…Right In Your Own Neighborhood!!
2008: The Team Finally Takes A Rest
2007: The Night Before Christmas And All Through The House
2006: The Only Visible Flames Came From The Candles On The Altar
2005: Tonight’s The Night, People

Abundant Artless Beauty

Although a bit blurry, this is our favorite picture of us.  Taken at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.

Today marks 13 years, 5 months, and 3 days since my first date with Ed (I know this because I used this online calculator).

And today is the day we are getting married!

I'm very excited to be the wife of one of the most amazing men I've ever met.  From the greatest first date I've ever had, until now, life with Ed has been great.  We've had our moments, arguments, disagreements.  Laughter, crying, napping (a lot).  Travels, adventures, holed up in the truck for days.  Many, many firsts, too many to count.  I've traveled this entire country three feet from this man, lived 300 days a year in a space the size of a large walk-in closet, and no matter what we've had to face, we've done it together.  Our love has been tested by trials of life and it's stood the test of time.  Two are better than one.

I'm glad to have found my one.

To commemorate this day, I want to share a poem I found online that I really loved.  It's Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Tony Kushner's take on an epithalamion.  And epithalamion (this is a new word to me) is a poetic term for a lyric poem in praise of Hymen (the Greek god of marriage).  An epithalamion often blesses a wedding and in modern times is often read at the wedding ceremony or reception.

An Epithalamion
by Tony Kushner

Conjunction, assemblage, congress, union:
Life isn't meant to be lived alone.
A life apart is a desperate fiction.
Life is an intermediate business:
a field of light bordered by love
a sea of desire stretched between shores.


Marriage is the strength of union.
Marriage is the harmonic blend.
Marriage is the elegance of counterpoint.
Marriage is the faultless, fragile logic of ecology:
A reasonable process of give and take
unfolding through cyclical and linear time.


A wedding is the conjoining of systems in which
Neither loses its single splendor and both are completely
transformed.  As, for example,
The dawn is the wedding of the Night and the Day,
and is neither, and both,
and is, in itself, the most beautiful time,
abundant artless beauty,
free and careless magnificence.
__



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: It's Never Too Late
2015: Pug Life
2014: The Capital Wheel Blur
2013: Shopping, Wrapping And Eating Is Exhausting
2012: This Space Available
2011: The Road To Laramie
2010: Muscling Christ Back Into Christmas
2009: Holiday Gift Suggestions
2008: Weighing In
2007: When You Need Maternity Clothes And You’re Not Pregnant, You Know It’s Time For A Diet
2006: It’s The Real Thing!
2005: Spiraling Out Of Control

Holiday Vibe

Another shot from our visit to New York City.  I tried to convince Ed to do this to all the trees in our yard, but after wrapping one cactus, we ran out of lights. 

We'll have to save it for next year.  I want my yard to look like Tavern on the Green in Central Park!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Four Eyes At Your Service
2015: Good Morning, Arizona
2014: Boom! Last Load Of The Year
2013: Do You Really Need To Ice Skate At The Mall??
2012: Christmas Score! 
2011: Iowa Beef Dresses Up For The Holidays
2010: Weather, Wyoming And Wings
2009: The End Is Not Just Near, It’s Here!!
2008: Keeping The Mountain On The Right Side Of The Fence
2007: Divine Intervention Comes A Little To Late
2006: General Delivery
2005: Frumpy To Nicole

Fresh Snow

One of the many crabapple trees we saw on the property of Grounds For Sculpture, this one covered in fresh snow as we toured the grounds during the first snowfall in New Jersey. 



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Easy To Find
2015: Silver Level Safety
2014: Climbing Snoqualmie With Ease
2013: In Lieu Of Snow
2012: Money Vs. Meatballs
2011: A Window To The Past
2010: A Killer Rest Area
2009: The Barn Man
2008: Text Me
2007: Eddie Gets Impatient Friday
2006: If You Have A Note, Then It’s Perfectly Okay To Commit Credit Card Fraud
2005: Limo Scene

Shave And A Haircut

A barber chair left alone in a crumbling cell at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The entire place is old and creepy - more photos to come in the near future - but this setting stirred up a scenario worthy of a horror movie.

I'd definitely pass on the shave.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Nut Vendor
2015: Western Blaze
2014: Where The Boys Are
2013: Trimming The Family Tree
2012: Waking Up With A Fat Man
2011: The King Lived Here
2010: Love
2009: Over The Hill And Over The Top
2008: Mr. & Mrs. Javelina And The Carb Encounter
2007: Disk This
2006: Ghostly Landmark
2005: Shopping In Hell

A Little Holiday Hug

Ed wrapping the saguaro cactus with tiny white lights.  I think MacGyver was supposed to be holding the ladder from below, but instead, he let go to take this photo.  Nice one, MacG!


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Holiday Humor
2015: A Giant Effing Cross
2014: Early Morning Driving Perks
2013: I Get To See This Amazing Stuff!
2012: 3...2...1...Cross The Hudson!
2011: New Life
2010: Wearing Your Message On Your Sleeve. Er, Wrist.
2009: In The Round
2008: Eddie’s Adoring/Bored Girlfriend Friday
2007: Lux Perpetua
2006: The Lesser Known King Of Romance
2005: Wow. What Beautiful Gums You Have.

Desert Decorations

Ed putting Christmas lights on the saguaros, and our friend MacGyver photographing the process from below.  A safe distance from the spines that cover every inch of it.  



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2016: Ranch Sky
2015: NSFW Takes On New Meaning
2014: Mirrors, Glass, And Anxiety
2013: Skip The Stockyards, Head To The Roadhouse
2012: One Week To A Delightfully Dazzling Christmas
2011: My, What A Long Truck You Have
2010: A Place For The Snow To Rest
2009: They’re Always Touching Their Hammers
2008: Raindrops On Roses And Whiskers On Kittens
2007: Love Hate Relationship
2006: Full Service
2005: Struffo-What??

Love Under A Cloudy Sky

We did a walkthrough at the resort this weekend with our photographer to get a lay of the land for photos.The weather has been positively glorious - cold and cloudy.  Although the sun did break through for a few minutes in the afternoon. 

I'm hoping for 60 degrees and clouds on my wedding day - I don't need any harsh sunlight ruining my pictures.  I am concerned about how I'll look because I'm a total control freak when it comes to pictures of myself.  I am trying to let up just a little, but it's going to be hard.  Keep your fingers crossed that I can do it!



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2016: Enjoying The Fruits Of Other's Labors
2015: I'm Not Seeing It
2014: Searching For Après-Ski Attire
2013: They May Be Turkeys, But Their Goose Is Definitely Cooked
2012: Just In Case You've Run Out Of Ideas
2011: Getting Stoned In New York*
2010: I Used To Care But Now I Take A Pill For That
2009: Wet And Woodsy
2008: Bite Sized Yummy Goodness
2007: There’s A Time For Everything
2006: Colors Of The Barrio
2005: Puss In Breasts