Gone far to long

IMG_4090, originally uploaded by torri_g.

I'm back again! I have been gone for far to long. There was an 18 day trip back to Nebraska and Iowa to visit family, then having any number of fire evacuees staying with us once we got back home. Then clean up of the house from all of the company that had been here, and just busy life stuff in general added on top of all that. Oh and I have been stuck in portrait editing for the last several weeks too. But now I'm done with the portraits and hopefully back on track enough to start posting some photo's daily from my now huge collection of shot's taken while on vacation. I'm going to start with this peaceful scene and hopefully work on putting thoughts together for more blog posts this week.

Ah the pretty colors

Daiseys, originally uploaded by torri_g.

I've neglected my blog here for far to long. I really haven't meant to, it is just something that happens when I let myself get distracted with a little thing called life. There have been lots of projects being worked on around the house. Ton's of running kids here, there, and everywhere. Plus just a busy schedule of other things filling my days. This week is a prime example of busy...Five horse back riding lessons in one week. Girls prepping for the next J-6 riding event this Saturday. Birthday party, graduation party, science project, and a handful of other assorted things. (Maybe two handfuls)

My other keep me busy has been planning a summer vacation home to visit. Come this July 15th we have lived in Arizona for 7 years, and I have only made trips back home twice in that time, and both times were sadly for funerals. So I think it is about time to make a trip that is for happy reasons...like we just want to! Of course my camera is going with me and I'm going to see just how many pictures of people and places I can take. I have lots of nieces and nephews that I would love to photograph and I can even think of a couple of places that I would love to get some pictures of.

In the meantime I can't promise that I won't continue my neglect of my poor blog here, but who knows maybe there will be a ton more pictures from this coming weekend that will inspire me to try posting regularly.

Flowers for Tuesday

IMG_8966, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Keeping it short and simple here this morning since I have to head off to riding lessons with Binky Sue here soon. Did want to make sure to at least post a photo again today though.

I hope that everyone enjoys a wonderful Tuesday!

Simply Tuesday

IMG_7069, originally uploaded by torri_g.

I'm happy because I was able to get out of the house this morning with my camera, and headed out to Huachuca Canyon after dropping Binky Sue off at school. Some flowers, some butterflies, and tons of bees. Hiked about a half mile up the canyon looking for the butterflies and whatever else I could find, and then hiked back down to the car. Wasn't going for anything to long because of needing to get back into practice with the knee, but was very enjoyable.

I hope that everyone has had a great Tuesday.

Sunny Thoughts

IMG_6665, originally uploaded by torri_g.

My search for a field full of these flowers has failed this year. Without the usual high amounts of rain during the monsoon they just don't exist this year. Or at least not anywhere that I have found. Probably for the best though really, because yesterday dealing with trying to get around this one scratched up one of my arms pretty good. My thoughts though were if I can't find a field full of them at least I was able to find one with lots of activity going on with it.

Probably no time for pictures today since I have another busy day in my car planned. There is the back and forth to school for Binky Sue, an eye appointment for me, and an appointment for Army Guy and I this afternoon and then another Binky Sue class this evening. Wait I could take the camera and just shot pictures from my car since that is where I'm spending a very good share of my time this week!

I hope that everyone enjoys a great Wednesday.

Simple Thursday Morning

IMG_5803, originally uploaded by torri_g.

A new picture, just wish I knew just what type of plant it is. There were no signs to tell me like out at the San Pedro House, but since this was in the library parking lot I can understand why there are no signs. I mean how many people are out in their parking lot taking pictures of things?

Just a quick post this morning since I'm debating if my knee can handle another day of getting out of the house with the camera and if my panic attacks can handle a day of Binky Sue doing the driving. I hope that everyone has a great Thursday.

Need to get out

100_9129, originally uploaded by torri_g.

I know that I'm recycling pictures here now, it hit me after I had uploaded this picture then looked through and saw that I already had it uploaded. I need to pick up the camera, and I need to get out of this house. Only problem with that is after yesterday I'm not so sure that I want to. The complete truth about it is that the more I'm up and moving around the more my knee sends pain ripping through my whole body. Is anyone else tired of the topic of my knee? Because I sure am tired of it. I'm glad that Army Guy had yesterday off and was able to drive us for errand running for Binky Sue, but for the second errand I ended up sitting in the car because when I went to stand up getting out of the car I was hit with pain that sent my whole world spinning. Poor Little Bug's errand got pushed off till today and I'm hoping that I can manage to it done here. A simple thing like a trip to the library has me wondering if my knee can play nice for just a little bit.
Here we are in July and the monsoon rain has been going for a while now, and we have yet to make a trip out to any of the canyon area's to see the wild flowers that are by now in full bloom, or butterfly's that I'm sure are busy sunning themselves along the trails. Oh and let's not forget the humming birds that are along those same trails that could be photographed. Sweetpea would like to head out to the San Pedro House to see the giant tree that I took photo's of a couple of months ago, and maybe take some time to sit and sketch but the whole summer is boiling down to what I can't do with this knee. I've had days where the thought "I am doing it anyway" has gone through my head and then I move just right and my knee locks up and the pain shoots through, and I remember why I can not do it.
Alright enough of me and my complaining. I think this is boiling down to me saying I'm going to do it anyway, and it is probably going to hurt, but the thought of spending another day doing a lot of nothing just isn't an option. I hope that everyone has a great Tuesday, and try to enjoy some time spent with those you love the most.

Simple Saturday Morning

Flowershdr, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Yes I was playing with the camera again. The girls helped me set up different things with roses that I got from a friend on my birthday this week and we just had goofy fun with it last night.

There isn't to much going on this weekend. A trip out to visit Grandpa and Grandma and have dinner with them. Some laundry, cleaning and probably a trip to the store. Monday starts spring break for all of the girls and the major birthday week of this house. There will be lots of busy this coming week, so I think that is why the nice chilled out weekend is going to take place.

I hope that everyone enjoys a great Saturday.

Simple Saturday

IMG_2344, originally uploaded by torri_g.

Let's just look at some pretty flower's today, because I'm not sure how long I have before my next painful coughing fit because of this cold I'm still trying to fight off.
If you can get out and enjoy the beautiful weekend. If you live in one of the many area's getting snow and cold yet again, stay warm and safe.

Soaking up some sun

IMG_2364, originally uploaded by torri_g.

No these are not in the sculpture garden. The town of Tubac is filled with shops and galleries, and these huge sunflowers are out in front of the Iron Works shop along with lots of other beautiful things. Glider swings made from iron with inlaid tile seats...oh and Grandpa Napoleon better watch out because Grandma Josephine really liked a couple of those. Only problem would be just how to get them back home without the truck collapsing under the weight. The craftsmanship on this stuff was just incredible. Some of the prices were just as incredible. But once again wandering around looking and seeing so much talent and so many artistic mediums has Sweetpea is awe.

Today is going to be yet another busy day for me here in Arizona. I asked Army Guy out on a date today, and we are heading over to the farmer's market and then hopefully if there is still time before he has to be back to work, out to lunch. This afternoon is the ever dreaded yearly eye exams for the girls, and the possibility that we will be paying the monthly rent for the shop that we are going to. Just one year I would like to hear the words from Dr. D that none of their prescriptions have changed. However, since that hasn't happened in the last 5 years, I'm not about to go holding my breath. So I'm sure by tonight there will be yet again 3 new sets of glasses in this house. The rest of my free time today isn't so free since I have some house cleaning things that I need to get done, and keeping a watchful eye on someone new in the house. But I will share more about that tomorrow possibly. I hope that everyone has a good day, and if it is possible get out and soak up some of the suns warm rays.