A dried rose, Vintage perfume tearbottle & Ancestor's ~

Lego Arachnid ~

My Lego crazed grandson built this spider for my photo of the day . . . this was built from a set he received as a gift on his seventh birthday party last Saturday. The kid is very creative!

Fall Decor ~

Clean & happy ~

This is, Koda, happy to be home from the groomers! 

Happy Birthday, Ethan ~

Instead of cake, we had chocolate and vanilla cupcakes . . . Of course, I had to have one of the chocolate ones! Ethan's seventh birthday party turned out great and the kid made out like a bandit in the Lego department! 

Happy Birthday, Ethan . . . we love you! 

Terry Bennett Memorial Police Motorcycle Competition ~

The Terry Bennett Memorial Police Motorcycle Training & Competition took place today. My husband participates each year . . . it was a wonderful event and Hubbie rode away with 1st Place Individual Dual Sport Division and the "Slow Ride" Dual Sport Division Winner . . . here's to you, Terry, and to all of our fallen officers!

Today is also our 23rd wedding anniversary . . . Happy Anniversary, Hubbie!

Thank you, Molly, for this wonderful photo of all the motors.

Last day of Summer ~

We are still having some pretty warm days in 

Southern California . . . I am ready for Fall . . . . 

Old Wagon Wheel

Sundial ~

Horseshoe horse tie ~

We spent the morning up at my brother-in-laws ranch today. I rushed out of the house and forget my camera and there is lots of neat things around the ranch to take photos of! I used my Android smart phone so I am a little surprised as to how well this came out but for some reason all my photos are coming out black and white . . . must be a setting on my phone . . . I really need to sit and read up on the many features this phone has but I just haven't taken the time to do so. Did well in a pinch though.

Several horses live on this ranch . . . I believe this is one of the posts that is used to tie up the horse or hang your hat or coat on while grooming the horses.

Glass garden art ~

This glass garden art piece was made by my friend and neighbor in her Warm Glass class . . . she has made some beautiful pieces. This one sits in the middle of her vegetable and herb garden.

Pretty Two-Tone Rose ~

The Beast ~

My grandson built this guy today and thought it would be a good

 "photo of the day!"

Garden lantern ~

The Twilight Zone at home ~

I used to watch this as a kid . . . now my granddaughter records this show and loves watching it. Brings back some memories!

Fluffy white clouds ~

Pumpkins in September ~

This pumpkin, which belongs to my neighbor, came a bit early in the season but it's great to see little signs of Fall.

In Remembrance ~

~ In Remembrance of September 11, 2001 ~

Never to be forgotten . . . always in our hearts. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The special commemorative shield designed for San Diego County First Responders Firefighters, Police Officers, and Port of Authority, in the photo above, is being worn on my husbands Police uniform for the month of September, in memory of 9-11. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Commemorative 9-11 Badge

Many other agencies wanted to join in the 9-11 project but the time frame to manufacture the badges was quickly closing. That lead to the realization. Every police and fire agency across America should be afforded the same opportunity. Starting in 2012, we will be asking police and fire agencies across the United States to join in a national project. We want to provide our EMS brethren the same opportunity EMS personnel had in San Diego in 2011. 

The national badge will be designed so it can be used year after year. Each year additional police and fire agencies will sign up for the 9-11 project. Our goal is to eventually have every police and fire/rescue agency in the United States wearing the same optional badge for the month of September.  

We will never forget. 

The Informant

The Official Publication of the San Diego Police Officers Association

September 11 Remembrance Issue  

Volume XXXI,  No. 9                           September 2011

The Crime Files ~ Page 8

Delicate white flowers ~

Even though I don't know the name of this delicate pretty white flower is, I couldn't help sharing it. It does remind me of a butterfly plant but not quite sure.

Power on ~

San Diego had a massive power outage yesterday. Our home was hit about 3:40 p.m. I didn't think too much of it at first . . . I turned to my smart phone and started inquiring as to what was going on . . . it was then that I realized the severity and how many areas were affected.  Our electricity/power returned this morning, we were some of the lucky ones. Many are still without but it is said that slowly today, most will have their power back also.

We made the most of it last night . . . joined our next door neighbors for dinner (pasta and meat sauce!) prepared on their BBQ (thank you Dave and Claudia!),  fun and pleasant conversations while the kids enjoyed the swimming pool.  Later, we decided to roast marshmallows, I ran home and grabbed the chocolate swirl marshmallows recently purchased!

We even enjoyed being able to hear the owl and quail near by, and, for the first time in a long time, enjoyed looking at the stars up above. It was amazing how our community came together helping those that were in need . . . it was a bit scary and strange there for a while . . . several of our friends were stuck in parking structures and massive traffic jams . . . everyone is ok and that is a blessing.  The entire time, my thoughts turned to our ancestors and how they lived without electricity and the luxuries we have . . . I told myself, if they can do it . . . so can I!

~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~

Kitchen, before and after ~

Had some remodel photo requests . . . so here are the before and after . . . I had the tile replaced in late 2009 . . . it had been over 15 years (we have lived here for 23 years) and the existing tile was falling apart, my son-in-law replaced the old white tile with this slate looking tile. My mom's husband was going to re-do the cabinets for me . . . with mom's passing and all that took place, the kitchen sat this way until recently. 

I had a friend of mine re-do the cabinets. It's a bit of getting use to as far as all that white (I like warmer wood tones) but it does look better and bigger. I have a very dark kitchen and the lights need to be on to see so the white helps. Eventually, I will be putting knobs and pulls on the cabinets and drawers. My vintage cloth napkins (I found at an Estate sale), that I made into a valance (fancy name) for the kitchen window, were put back up today after being washed and ironed.

I was painting my granddaughter's room at the same time this was being done . . . this house was a mess. Still going thru "stuff" . . . purging and putting away . . . way too much stuff! Have a few more things to do to "warm" the kitchen up, but now, I can focus on my family history like I need and want to be doing . . . glad it's done.

Let's play ball ~

Koda was so bored and wanted me to play ball with him so badly but it was just too hot to do anything outside today . . . we are having a record heat wave right now . . . not the best time to be outside throwing the ball around. I had my granddaughter distract him so I could get a decent photo of him . . . he kept running to the door wanting to go out.

Out at the ball game ~

We were gifted two sky-box tickets to watch our, San Diego Padres play the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park, located in downtown San Diego this evening. This was the first time I have been to our baseball park since it was built and opened in 2004. I am not really into baseball but this baseball park is unique in that the stadium was built around the registered historic Western Metal Supply Co. building (built in 1909-1910) and incorporated as part of Petco Park.

Our seats were located on the third level and we were actually in a suite that included beverages, salad and tasty main entrees . . . the view was incredible. I love the old Western Metal Supply Co. building and as the sun set, the skyline was beautiful.

~ Closer view of the historical Western Metal Supply Co. building ~

Stormy Labor Day ~

We all woke up to thunder and lighting today  . . . and then it started to rain. This is the first bit of rain we have had in a very long time and we need it badly. Our thoughts and prayers turn to those battling the fires in Texas, who are also in need of rain out there.

Still painting ~

Well, what started out to be a granddaughter & Oma project, turned out to be just an Oma project today! My granddaughter and I completed the  first coat of paint in her room on Friday  . . . we were unable to paint yesterday, so we made plans to do the second coat and finish today . . . well, she ended up at a friends all day . . . I wanted to get this project done and over with so I have been painting all afternoon . . . by myself . . . . which at first was fine while I listened to pleasant music . . . but being that I am no "spring chicken" . . . I can feel the aches and pains all over! I will be glad to hang up my roller and paint brush for a while.

I am almost done with the exception of one spot I cannot get to because her bed is too close to the wall and I cannot move that thing by myself - she will be home shortly and together we will move the bed and then I can paint the one spot and then  . . . we will be done!  My kitchen was also painted over the weekend, that was finished today too. I have to say, I am a little tired of the paint smell but looking forward to getting things back to normal (whatever that might be). It's all looking pretty nice though.

Scattered Eucalyptus leaf ~

Scattered Eucalyptus leaves from my neighbors tree often end
up in my yard . . . many are more heart shaped.

Painting ~

My granddaughter and I have been painting her room - it's been interesting (as you can tell by the paint can) and quite messy but we are having fun doing this project together. She has turned out to be a good little painter. We are done with the first coat . . . tomorrow we will put on the second coat . . . it's looking great  . . .  the room was in great need of painting and I think I was well over the sage green that has been on the walls for over six years now. We went with a soft white which to many is boring but to us, it's refreshing and my granddaughter wants to paint some sort of design on one wall . . . it's only paint right!?!

Dried Hydrangea Flowers ~