Random and Odd says she wants to see a "rainbow. (in this day and age, it shouldn't be hard to find one...or make one)

I've got two for her :-)

Rainbow over the tracks

Rainbow under the wing

Did you play?

Random and Odd says: "SPF: Show me your favoritest ugly creation that was made just for you. For those of you that don't have nieces, nephews, children, teenagers...*cough* bitch *cough* and have nothing to post, show me your ass. Yes, you heard me right. Your ass. Pull em down and take a picture for us. Oh wait, you suddenly remember a knick nack or crazy picture a kid drew you. Thaaaats what I though.

This is JUST for you Kristine!!!

And Wolf posed for you, as well:

Random and Odd says: "Back

She had no idea I was taking her picture; Wolf, of course, only has eyes for me if I'm not nearby. Hence the pose!

Random and Odd says: "Show me your bounce. (this could get interesting!)

Here's my bounce:

I was pregnant in this picture...almost 2 months. Didn't know it then...but found out the next week, and was overjoyed! Then, the next day, I found it was an ectopic pregnancy and into surgery I went, no waiting, just bam. The doc was afraid the tube was going to burst...ended up losing it too.

But...I bounced back! And I was fine :-)

Can you tell which one I am? Not the bride!

That's my story about "bounce".

Random and Odd says: "SPF: Something "Pink and Little" (minds out of the gutter)

"target"


"cute lil chihuahua"


"lil pink flowers"

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Random and Odd says: "Show me your favorite frame, framed picture, a frame you have been coveting in a store or online, or get creative and show us your version of ‘framed’.

"framed by a palm"
Taken sometime between May 3-7, 2004 while on a cruise to Cozumel (among other places) during a shore excursion to some Mayan ruins in Tulum.

Random and Odd says: "Put something you own in your hand and take a picture of it. A handful of something.", so I did!

Why is the rum always gone???

Also, here are all manner of hands holding all manner of "things":

D'oh! I forgot to post this Friday! Does it count if I post it on Monday??? LOL!

Also on Friday, I bought tickets (8 of them, you beyotchs better pay me back!) to see Cirque du Soleil's Love! I'm so looking forward to this, it's the one reason I wanted to spend my birthday in Vegas LOL!

The weekend was filled with dog walks, cooking and TONS of cleaning; the porch is now clean, and ready to sit on once the weather gets warm. I'll post a picture of that soon. Dad's doing well, and I'm ok :-)

Oh I found out today about something GREAT that happened this weekend, only I can't talk about it yet and it's KILLING me, killing me, I tell you! And no, I can't say!

How was your weekend?

Random and Odd's SPF challenge is "Your letters"; she says: "I'm going to actually enjoy this one. I have about 300 ideas on how to do it. I like to take pictures of signs, tombstones, single words. There are certain words I love: Hope. Some words I don't like: tchotkies. I love letters. I love them all. A-Z. "

This one is for you, girl!

Next, because you love the word Hope, I give you these letters:

I also have these funny letters:

Next up:

Hungry or thirsty?

Lastly, let's not forget to:

Smile!

Random and Odd's SPF challenge is "LEFT OVER"


This bottle is left over from when I was dating Calvin. Lots of things are left over from that time, but we won't go into that.

Random and Odd's SPF challenge is "FREE"


Freedom has FREE in it...will that work?

Random and Odd's SPF challenge is "SOMETHING RED"


I had SO many red pictures to choose from! This one I had seen recently and was on my mind, so I thought I'd post it...

This one, tho, is more indicative of my FRAME of mind right now:

and I don't mean that in a religious sense, nor do I want a cup of coffee or tea.

and this one just reminds me of how much I want spring to be here:

Random and Odd's SPF picture is "Buttons"

These are some buttons/pins Megan gave me for my birthday last year...along with the green wallet seen in this picture FILLED with cut out pictures of my favorite hotties! Yup, girlie's got quite the imagination!

Random and Odd's SPF picture is "YOUR BUDDY"

Who else but Wolf! He's my buddy!

Random and Odd's latest assignment is to take a picture of our television remotes:

Here's one of my remotes that Wolf had his way with :-) Cheeky little devil!

Random and Odd's latest assignment is:

1. Something that you won't have in your home in 2007

I won't have a collection of SIX Harry Potter books in 2007...I'll have SEVEN! And I can't WAIT! Snape...good or bad?

2. Something random and odd

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil...and don't have any evil sex!

3. 07...pick seven of something. Or with the number 7. Whatever. Be creative.

Engine #7, VA Beach

Random and Odd's latest assignment is:

1. One Decoration

My most favorite decoration!

2. One Gift

This is a t-shirt I got from a friend night before last; it makes me smile!

3. Something stuffed in a stocking

And, dude, it IS stuffed in there!

Random and Odd's latest challenge seems to be getting through the holidays in one piece. As such, her new husband is doing the honors this week. He'd like to see:

1. Your Roof

Two roofs for the price of one; mine's on the left

2. Your "hood"


This is where I grew up: the view across the street; up the street; the center of town; my elementary school; my highschool; the library where I spent so much time...all within walking distance; my 'hood!

3. Something you would not want to run into that is in your house.

Me, in the morning! I wouldn't want to run into myself *shiver*

Random and Odd's latest challenge:

1. Something that makes you go "hmmmm."

Will it fall or won't it? Hmmm....

2. Something Sweet

Not only is my cousin sweet, the fact her eye was fixed was sweet AND her hotel pillowcase was sweet! Sweetness all around!

3. Something Retro

Can't get more retro than this old car!

And yes, I was really up at 4 am...Wolf had to gooooooooo!

Random and Odd says: "November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month and in honor of that, here are three things related to seizures...purple is the color for National Epilepsy Awareness Month!"

1. Something you seize

I seize these often and lovingly...I try to make them last, but they're oh so yummy!

2. Something that shakes

This is Wolf at the tail (no pun intended) end of a shiba shake! (not a recent picture, not only has it NOT snowed here yet, knock on wood, it's been downright tropical...and for New England, that's VERY weird)

3. Something purple



I was playing around with this in photoshop the other day ... which one do you like better?

I missed last Friday, but I'm back! Random and Odd says: "Show me what is a yes, no or maybe in your house."

1. YES!

Yes, I'm done; yes, I would like some more...of whatever you're having! And make it snappy!

2. NO!

There are no zombies allowed in our house, too scary and they cause such a ruckus!

3. MAYBE

Max is thinking: "Maybe Wolf will allow me to eat this...and maybe he won't. Maybe he won't notice...hmmm"

Random and Odd says: "Since it's National Breast Cancer awareness month and I have done nothing but fondle my own, I figure I should do something to honor the girls. YET, in a different way...of course." So...here we go!

1. Your Pot Holders (Oven Mits)

This is my favorite potholder...it was my mother's. Mom was born in Lancaster, PA and loved all things Pennsylvania Dutch :-)

2. Your Pumpkins (or Melons)

Pumpkins AND melons, hehehe

3. Something Pink

See how I fit this one in? See the pink? Huh? I'm awesome!

Random and Odd has given us an easy one this week:

1. The Kitchen Sink:

Dirty dishes and all!

2. Something you need to fix:

My poor garden. It needs attention badly!

3. Something you're going to throw away right after you take the picture of it:

And no, I didn't use it for THAT! I used it to wipe excess moisturizer from my face LOL!

Random and Odd wants us to take a picture of what our "fall" looks like (and by "fall" I'm sure she means autumn, cause me falling is not a pretty sight!):

Random and Odd wants us to take a picture of our Muse:

1. SomeTHING (not someone) that inspires you to do what you do. (work, hobby, donate, create..whatever)
2. Something you dont like to read about on blogs. (yes, you can find a picture to describe this)
3. Something that inspires you to write on your blog (I just wrote plog...lol)

1. My inspiration to do what I do:


In my photography, my muse is nature; it's what I love to take pictures of most. To walk, to smell, see, touch, feel. I think if I sorted through my pictures on flickr, the majority would be of the ocean.

2. Something I don't like to read about on blogs :


Negativity, plain and simple. I realize it's an emotion most of us have felt from time to time, but nothing makes me click off a blog faster than that.

3. Something that inspires me to write on my blog:


Megan was the person who inspired me to start a blog; everyday life is what inspires me to keep going. Something as simple as an autumn leaf slowly fluttering to the ground can inspire me to write...about the beauty of fall, about Charlie Brown, about things I did with friends or family that revolve around this most beautiful season.

Thanks, Random and Odd, this was a challenge for me, and while I normally don't like challenges, I hope I did this one justice :-)

Random and Odd's 3 items:

1. Your Freedom
2. Your Hope
3. Your Wish

She also says, "This week SPF is all about your world. This is a 'thinking' SPF. Yes, no kids...no dogs...no cats."

But...my world is all about my dogs LOL!

1. My freedom:

Right here, baby! My freedom is the ability to hop on an airplane and fly away. WIth not much advance notice!

2. My hope:

My hope is that I get a picture of lightning! Tried it here, didn't work, but I'm not giving up!

3. My Wish:

My wish is to go to Paris again to visit the beautiful museums, eat a crepe, stroll along the Seine, sip a cafe creme. Someday!

Random and Odd's 3 items:

1. Show your Support (everyone supports something right?)
2. Show me your sacrifice (everyone makes them right?)
3. Something red.

She also says, "It’s an easy one this week."

ha!

1. Show your Support:

I support Halloween!!! It's my favorite holiday, it's SO much fun, and I lurrrrve fun!

2. Show me your sacrifice:

I sacrificed my freedom to come and go as freely as I please to help take care of Dad. Don't get me wrong; he takes care of the dogs when I do go away, but more and more, I am not comfortable doing that. It's ok, tho, cause while I sacrificed some freedom, I gained some financial security (no rent or mortgage) and human companionship (ok, he drives me CRAZY, but still...it's nice to know there's someone else in the house).

3. Something red:

With a book, a beer and some sun, heaven on earth!

Random and Odd's 3 items for this week, and I think she might be PMSing: "No really...this is your assignment. GET ANNOYED WITH ME PEOPLE."

1. Stuff that annoys the living shit out of you:

Oh...oh man...since I can't post what I'd really LIKE to post, cause it's not worth the heartburn it'd create (if you think I'm talking about you, I mostly like am), I'll post about zombies:

zombie-hating christians!

I mean...c'mon! These zombies are cute!

a pirate zombie!

a zombie family! Awwww, how could you hate them?

2. YOUR space:

some time at the beach is my favorite way to recharge myself!

My second favorite space is this:

a nice hike in the woods!

3. Something in your life that keeps the makers of Xanax in business:

Last week I asked a question: I'm considering a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to complement what I already have, which is the 50mm f/1.8 lens and a 17-85mm f/4-5.6. Would you say the 24-70 is a good idea or what would you suggest? I'd love the 70-200 f/2.8, but eeeeeeeeee it's so expensive! and I'd like to thank everyone who had some input. I ended up getting the 70-200mm f/4 lens, and my first wedding is September 10th. So I've got another question this week: Can I wear jeans & flip flops to the wedding? Kidding! ***EDITED*** new stuff that annoys the living shit out of me is that people think I'd really wear jeans and flip flops to a wedding! Is the word "kidding" invisible after the jjeans and flip flops question? sheeeeeeeesh!

Seriously, any tips/techniques you'd like to share? I'd love to hear! Thanks :-)

Random and Odd's 3 items for this week, and she says:

1. Your Supplies (home, office, school -- whatcha got?)
2. Your Bag (w'’ve done it before, but I know you all change purses like I change undies)
3. Your Mail box (most look the same nowadays so pan out and let me see where you go get your mail.

You know what? Since this is Stuff Portrait Friday, I've decided I'll only use my "portrait" lens from now on, just to make things more interesting!

1. Your Supplies:

You'd think, being in the admin career field for so long, that the first thing that would pop into my mind when I hear the word "Supplies" would be pens and pencils and paper and copies and computers (and typewriters, who remembers typewriters?). But no. The first thing that pops into my mind is this:

Of course, what would I take a picture of but my photographic supplies! Missing from the picture is the big tank, the Canon 20d...and the lens I'm going to purchase this weekend from the first money I've made: a $450.00 gift certificate to Amazon from Krista's friend Jenn, whose wedding I agree to shoot in September.

Which brings me to a question: I'm considering a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to complement what I already have, which is the 50mm f/1.8 lens and a 17-85mm f/4-5.6. Would you say the 24-70 is a good idea or what would you suggest? I'd love the 70-200 f/2, but eeeeeeeeee that's too expensive!

2. Your Bag:

Since I somewhat showed my "bag" in the previous shot (nice backpack that holds everything), I decided to show my new purse! I walked past this bag a few times in the store, and each time it called me a little louder: "Janet..." "Janet." "JANET!" so hey...I bought it! Wouldn't YOU buy a bag that could speak?

btw, like the background? LOL!

3. Your Mail box:

We get our mail delivered right to our door, which pleases the dogs no end. I used to think my dogs were smart...but you'd THINK by now they'd've figured out the postperson is a permanent fixture, is NOT going away and sometimes even brings treats! And they show their appreciation by barking their fool heads off...sigh...

Random and Odd's 3 items for this week:

1. Song Title:

Random and Odd's 3 items for this week:

1. Your Spices

The wife of an old boss gave me this set for Christmas one year. I loved it!

2. Salt and Pepper

Salt and

Pepper(s)

3. Add a little spice to [one of] your [favorite] picture[s]. :

Some chick, tonguing Charles Manson! Freaky deaky!

Random and Odd's 3 items for this week:

1. Something Mean looking.

He's actually getting ready to sneeze, LOL!

2. Your weapons

My only weapon, and I'm almost always armed.

3. Your Hiding Place

Funny how easy it is to hide in plain sight!

Ms. Random and Odd says:

"This is how this week works:

Under your sink. Yeah, that's some nasty ass crap going on under there. Let's see what you have crammed in there! "

Ok! Here goes!

stuff unnoticed

Me!!! I've always said I could go anywhere and no one would bother me. Not quite invisible...just unnoticed!

Your Wish

Is it my wish to visit Paris again? My wish to feast my eyes on the beautiful art at Musee Rodin once more? Or...what?

stuff Under your sink

Man, it was so horrible under there I had to photoshop the pic! ROFLMAO!

Ms. Random and Odd says: "I have avoided this one for almost a year because someone begged me not to do it. It's time. SHOW ME YOUR PIGGIES!!!"

Here's a couple shots!

One of my feet, my hawt leg and my tattoo (which has been added to)...

Both feet!

Wolf's feet!

Ms. Random and Odd is getting married! TOMORROW! Therefore, she has requested these three things:

1. Your Love (show us some love)
2. Take us on a Honeymoon! (bring us somewhere with your pictures)
3. Something Blue (No sad faces before my wedding!)

Ok, here goes:

1. This is my love:

Can you see why?

2. Here's your honeymoon!

Where else but The City of Lights...Paris!

3. something blue:

I wish you blue skies and smooth sailing through the rest of your days together :-)

Ms. Random and Odd is off doing pre-wedding stuff this week, so her fiance has stepped in to fill her shoes...bet he looks sexay in those heels! Anyway, this is the assignment:

1. Something with a story behind it. Photograph something that has a story behind it. And yes, you might have to actually write a little bit on this one. Good, sad, funny, made-up...does it really matter? It IS the internet. Be creative.

3. In keeping with the recurring wedding theme, a photo of something borrowed. This is pretty self-explanatory.

Ok, here goes:

1. Something with a story behind it:

This picture was taken on Halloween in Salem, MA. I'm 95% sure this was all an act...but it still creeped me out. I felt such sad vibes from the 'pet' (guy in the middle with his stomach showing). It's hard to tell in the photo, but he had a huge rack of like tree limbs decorated with leaves and pieces of torn black cloth. He's got "cuts" on his face., and he's looking at that girl as if he's like to eat her...or worse! Very strange. If you view this picture at the original size, you can see many more details...even creepier!

2. A Random and Odd photo:

Ok, readers, make up a story or caption for this picture please!

3. A photo of something borrowed:

I "borrowed" MaryEllen to get this photo...isn't she an angel!

The three new words from Random And Odd to interpret for "Stuff Portrait Friday":

1. Your Drinking Glasses:

I got them when I lived in Japan, a set of 6, all different colors, but on a white porcelain background and made in France LOL!

2. Your Address book/Stationary:

Someone gave this to me as a going away present when I left Japan. It's got cross outs but I'll keep it always. Also in the picture is my favorite pen, a bottle of Aladine Fountain Pen Ink in Marron (or brown lol) and the thank you cards I need to send out.

3. Something "New":

A 2007 Shiba Inu calendar which arrived in the mail from my cousin yesterday as a present for my birthday!

Random And Odd has chosen three new words to interpret for "Stuff Portrait Friday":

1. Your Puzzle:

What does this say? It's a mystery, altho I once knew, as my friend Michele copied it out of a spell book. We were big into that in high school, and I've kept this with me since I was 14. Just in case...

2. Your Best (Your best what? YOU DECIDE!!):

My best flower picture...I couldn't decide between these two, so you decide :-)

3. Something "Old":

a very, VERY old graveyard up in Meredith, NH. One grave has a date of 1857, a full 100 years before I was born.

Random And Odd has chosen three new words to interpret for "Stuff Portrait Friday":

1. A wide open space:

or

2. Brightness:

or

3. In the dark:

or

Random And Odd has chosen three new words to interpret for "Stuff Portrait Friday":

1. Something 'Sparkly':

2. Something 'Dull'* (I went for definition #9 below...and I couldn't make up my mind which one to include!):

3. Something 'Colorful':

These aren't candy or cupcakes or marshmallows, they're bubble bars from a store called Lush

*dull:

1. Intellectually weak or obtuse; stupid.
2. Lacking responsiveness or alertness; insensitive.
3. Dispirited; depressed.
4. Not brisk or rapid; sluggish: Business is dull.
5. Not having a sharp edge or point; blunt: a dull knife.
6. Not intensely or keenly felt: a dull ache.
7. Arousing no interest or curiosity; boring: a dull play.
8. Not bright or vivid. Used of a color: a dull brown.
9. Cloudy or overcast: a dull sky.
10. Not clear or resonant: a dull thud.

Random And Odd has come up with three new items for "Stuff Portrait Friday":

1. Your suitcase/s or travel bag:

Abandoned suitcases, for the time being...

2. Your ground:

Also my dog's ground and he loves to dig in it.

3. Something you are powerless to:

That would be alcohol, lately. I can stop...but I don't really want to and I usually drink just a bit too much.

Random And Odd has come up with three new items for "Stuff Portrait Friday":

1. Something Discarded:

Saw this laying on the forest floor and was intrigued by the circles and lines.

2. Lay down on the ground and find something ugly and make it beautiful:

I dont think flies are particularly attractive, but this shot kinda makes the lil guy look...well, maybe not beautiful, but cute,,,

3. Take a picture in the style of the person that inspires you:

My cousin, Mel, loves to photograph flowers and she loves lilacs. I set out to take a nice lilac picture for her and saw this. Thanks for the inspiration, Mel!