More Time in the Light

 

Nothing does wonders for me like being out in the sunshine. It always makes my day better. I wish I could have more time out there.

My alarm was set for 5am, 6am and 6:30am. When it rang at 5am, I thought for half a second about getting up and going into the office, but I closed my eyes instead. I turned the alarm off at 6am and told myself I would get up at 6:15am. Didn't happen. 6:30am, the alarm rang again. I got up at 6:45am. 

When I came downstairs, the sun was shining and I was greeted with this sight. I was so glad I stayed home.

When the sprinklers went off, the reflection of the sun reflected off the ground. I was even happier. Happy it wasn't gray. Happy I stayed home. Happy I have a job that allows me that luxury.

For lunch I made a sandwich and sat outside reading in the patio. It felt so good.

Later in the day, both of the two meetings I was going to go into the office to attend got cancelled. I was even happier. 

At 6pm, I took my camera and went in search of the light. My top was still down from the day before. There was no reason to put it up. My happiness overflowed.

Looking forward to tomorrow.

Bits and Pieces

Started the day off enjoying the morning sunshine in the backyard.

It was a perfect start to a very good day.

I was thinking about driving out to Santa Monica when mom asked if I wanted to go to a car show with her. Her cousin, Veronica, with whom she recently reconnected was going to have a booth there and invited mom. I surprised mom by saying yes.

But first I had to spend a little time with Belle.

Part of my Saturday routine is to sit on the floor and hang out with our lovey dovey.

Even though the Angel's have been playing horrible, I decided to sport my Angel shirt. They may be losers, but they are my losers! Funny enough I had a fair number of comments (good and bad) about my shirt.

The car show was not as spectacular as the one at church earlier this year, but it was spending the day with mom and her cousin.

Since we were in Duarte, a trip to The Old Spaghetti Factory was in order. Yummity, yum, yum, yum!

Morning and Evening

I woke up at 5:41am this morning and for a moment thought about dragging myself out of bed to watch the sunset. Instead I went back to bed for another 49 minutes. I consoled myself by walking around the backyard enjoying the fresh morning air.

After a long day of work, I headed out to get some exercise. There weren't as many clouds as the evening before, but still it was beautiful. First up, a stop at Fullerton train station. I love how I can get so ridiculously close to the trains.

Then continued walking around downtown Fullerton. Was going to make a stop at Starbucks, but it closed early.

 Saw a pack of cigarettes outside a window that had a sign that smoking was not allowed within 25 feet. It struck me as funny...and then I thought it was a photo op.

Ended the evening in Brea and as I drove home, couldn't resist stopping to get a few more pictures of the night sky.

A Day of Rest

It was just what I needed, a day of rest.

Saturday

It was a wonderful day.

Enough said.

All's Quiet in the Western Front

Quiet day today. Makes me glad that I stepped outside in the morning light to take a few pictures of the flowers.

We've had some rosebushes in the backyard for years. They must be hardy because they don't get very much love and attention. It makes me sad that they've been ignored for so long.

I'm not really big on taking pictures of flowers, but the light was so pretty and the color of the roses were lovely. So I pulled out my iPhone and took a few pictures until I realized that I still had my camera settings to black and white. Blasted camera, foiled again! At least with flowers, you usually get a second chance so I changed the settings and tried again, this time in color. But as it turned out I liked the black and white so much better.

Black and white....

Color...

Black and white...

Color...

See what I mean?

Reflecting on Monday

I worked hard, ALL day long. It was easier to do when I know I have the rest of the week off. Didn't finish until after 5pm (keep in mind I started at 6:40am). I fought the urge to go out and take pictures.

In the morning, I took a few quick snaps of the tealight holders I bought last month. I had thought about taking them back, but they add a spark of pretty color. I'm glad, now, that I kept them.

At lunch time I went to Panera's just to stretch my body out. I've been hooked, hooked, on their chicken caesar salads with a baquette.

After work was over, I went to the backyard to admire the job I did yesterday. . Yesterday, I kept pushing the furniture around and around and around, trying to find the right placement. Our patio isn't the easiest to work with. Persistence paid off. I'm really liking the new arrangement much better than before. I wanted to rush out to Home Goods to see if I could find a throw blanket pillows and new seat cushions, but I resisted the urge since I'm trying to save money.

Who knows what I was trying to do with this shot? Get a different overhead view of the chairs, but ended up with my body. I kind of like it, so I kept it. Well, I like it, except for the slippers. Man, I HAVE to get a life!

It felt to be in the backyard with Belle. She used to love to climb up on the right side of the yard, up on the wall. With the backyard cleaned up, the wood that she used to use to climb up there is gone so she can't get up there on her own anymore. Every once and a while, I put her up there and she goes crazy with happiness.

I was planning to stay home all night long, but Brie got home right before 7pm right as I was thinking of making me some waffles. Instead I went to get us some chicken and rice from El Pollo Loco (or El Pollo Slowco as I know call them). On my way there and back, I captured the glory of the evening light. The sky looked like a painting to me.

For the last few days, I've been questioning my persistent use of my iPhone for picture taking. I think I need to take my DSLR out more and stop being so lazy.