This and That

I highly recommend that you click on the pictures and browse through. You'll get a much bigger sharper image.

I'm baaaaack!

The end of the 2012 was a bit rough for me. I got the flu or a cold or something that just kicked me around for a good week. I'm finally feeling better so I made a run around the house with the camera in hand and here is what I came up with.

It's amazing what sickness does to a person. I haven't had a cold or the flu in more years than I can remember, I'd forgotten what is was like. Mike said he had never seen me this sick since we've been married, some 23 years. My brain just does not click over and function like I'm used to. I'm struggling just to string a sentence together, soooo..... no more commentary, just pictures of flowers. Enjoy!

And I'll end with a close up of Dusty... just because...

This is LEGIT!

I'm still not back to posting pictures of animals and birds and bugs and things. I've been quite obsessed with this project of late and with good reason. This is LEGIT and it's available in stores and online NOW!

Merry Happy Jolly Good Time
Fayetteville Ska Alliance

Chris has already raised over $1,000 for the Spay Arkansas and the Northwest Arkansas Spay and Neuter Clinic and we're hoping to go as far as $10,000 before the holiday season is over. I say "we" because I'm a part of this, too. Check out the video below. Towards the end you can catch a glimpse of me, bouncing around like the fool I am, to "Jingle Bells."

The CD is available now at several NWA local businesses (list below) and at CDBaby and Amazon. You can buy the digital version there, and also at I-tunes and the Google Play Store.

NW Arkansas Spay and Neuter Clinic

Springdale Animal Services

Fayetteville Animal Services

Sound Warehouse

Nightbird Books

Golden Kolache Bakery

Furry D'tails

View FSA Christmas CD locations in a larger map

And here are the links to buy online:

Amazon
CdBaby

Or download to your favorite device at i-tunes or Google Play Store.

I encourage everyone to buy a copy this Christmas. There is music there for everyone, no matter your age or musical style. This goes from Rock to Ska to Disco to 70's Rock to Easy Listening to Big Band and so on. I'm sure you will find a favorite.

Keep up with the latest news here!

Give them a like on Facebook here!

And after you are feeling all warm and fuzzy for donating to a very good cause and you have had a chance to listen to the CD, please leave a comment below and tell me which is your favorite. Mine is Carol of the Bells!

My Trip to NWA

I think I am back to the normal old every day routine now. I'm even talking to myself again. It's good to be home. I pulled the trigger at the last minute with a flight out of Orlando with a direct shot to XNA. Cindy picked me up at the airport and delivered me to Chris' house.

The first thing going on when I arrived was the filming of the FSA video. You can catch up on that here:

Click Here to See it!!!

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Since it was Halloween we decided to carve a few pumpkins.

Power Tools!!!

Chris got very creative with a pattern he made of Prince.

I had a short, squat pumpkin so I decided on a slanty-eyed cat.

Steph went old school. Sometimes bad photography can have happy results. Evil looking!

And here's Puff Kitty in his Halloween costume.

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Stephanie, who is now my favorite daughter-in-law, (Why? Because when I arrived she presented me with my favorite: Hiland Dairy French Onion Dip!) took me out to Lake Fayetteville for a long walk with Prince and a chance to get back to my roots... taking pictures of nature things.... in broad daylight.

Prince loves to swing! 

This tree is HUGE!

Ah, now this reminds me of the NWA that I know and love.

It was high up in a tree.

Looking desperately for some animals or bugs. Finally found a pretty nice Lazy Susan.

This gal can walk....

Yes! An animal.... a dead mole... oh well...

  Horse Apple

Honeysuckle! I miss honeysuckle.

That's far enough, Steph, thank you!

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I found out that one of my friends (Katie McNally Daniels) was also going to be in NWA at the same time, so on the fly I created an event called Dinner and Drinks with Deb so we could all get together. (I know, it sounds rather egotistical of me, but it is what it is.) And I had a wonderful group of old friends show up at the Chiles' in Rogers.

Melinda showed up as a surprise!

What a deal! I had a second Mel show up unexpectedly. Melody, it was great to see you again.

Another reason to get together, Bonnie!

Heather... My, my, Heather, you are hilarious!

Look, who else? My favorite sister (Hey, I can legitimately say that since I have two sisters.) and Katie herself! 

Oh, and I have a favorite sister-in-law, too. (The X part doesn't count!) Thank you, Debbie! She bought my dinner!

   I think there were more drinks than dinner.

And here's the finale. Yeah, we were asked to leave. We all blame it on Heather, but I'm thinking the drinks didn't really start flowing until Veronica arrived. I blame it on her! (LOL) I stole this picture from Katie so if you guys have any more pictures send them to me and I can post them here.

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And just for grins and giggles, I present to you my version of:

 Chris' Backyard

There's a face in the bark of this tree. Can you see it?

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Here's an event that I didn't even expect to happen but we were able to pull every one of my siblings together in one place for dinner Friday night. This only happens once every blue moon.

Pat, Buddy, Cindy, and Debbie, together again!

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And here's one last minute addition. Laurie called me late my last full day in NWA. She and Vince had been in Cancun all week... she didn't get any of my messages until then, BUT... I made some last minute plans and ran to her house for a VERY short visit!

That's it folks! Other than a miserable flight home with the ultimate "Honey-Boo-Boo" child literally  screaming the entire time, I had great trip. I hope you have enjoyed my "vacation" pictures.