Happy Birthday, Mama

Today is the most incredible person in the whole wide world's birthday. My mama. I can't tell you how wonderful she is. But I'll try... :)

Whenever anyone needs anything she figures out a way to help them get it. She is affectionately known as "Nana" to everyone in our church and family. She is stubborn yet sweet, courageous and a fighter. With everything that's been placed on her plate in the last few years, she is still is full of faith and loves her God more than anything. When people gasp at the fact that she has a brain tumor she smiles and says - "BUT, God saw fit to give me a very very rare one...", as if she was special. ha-ha. How can you not smile?

The greatest thing about my mom is when you hear her talk about her relationship with God. She can't help but get emotional when she talks about her encounters with Him and something new she's learned about Him. This is what makes her beautiful inside and out.

Happy Birthday to you, Mama. I love you.

Not a photographer... yet

You know, or most of you know, that I take family photos on the side. Not a business, but more of a hobby. I am so far from a professional photographer that I won't even say that I'm a "Photographer". I would really like to, but I feel like a fraud. I picked out a name so I can be on the road towards a business, Bumble Photography. I don't have an obsession with bees as you may think. My name means "bee" and I've always liked the cartoon look of them, hence the blog name and now the business/hobby name. Anyway, I was asked to do a shoot for a babies 1st birthday and for the family. I actually grew up with the "dad" and we were always really good friends and pretty close but kinda drifted apart through the years. He has a beautiful family and the sweetest little girl. I was so excited once the "mom" told me that the "baby" liked the beach.

What is better than a June photo shoot at the beach... the weather was perfect and the lighting was just right.

I loved how the photos came out and as soon as the shoot was done I got the itch to try to get this ball rolling... yet again.

So after my sister's wedding, I am going to get a website going (from the Design Girl because she's incredibly awesome at this) and jumping full force into this thing I call "hobby". I pray it works out as planned... :)

-Here are a few of my favorite shots-

It's Monday

I started off this beautiful day by slipping on mud and landing my sandaled foot in the gutter. Dirty brown water and who knows what else. Monday's are not a fun day for me. I think that's a consensus among all working women and men.

I am sitting in my office at work, trying to get motivated for the week... trying is the key word here. I don't think I've ever shared pictures of this place where I spend most of my "awake" time. Completely raw, no cleaning up, it can get a little messy. I've been with this company for almost 5 years and in this office for over a year and I still have not decorated it properly. I have so many plans, at least to throw some pictures on the wall, but it hasn't happened yet. So my walls are a light beige with nothing but a cork board and whiteboard. Bare and bland which is not me, or so I like to think.

I handle records for legal trials for major companies that everyone in the world knows. So we have a ton of work since everyone wants to sue them. Serious work overload. As you can see by the mess of papers all over the office. I have 10 in-boxes. T-E-N. Why ten? I have to separate everything from important to least important. It really makes no difference because it all because important to whoever is waiting for it. So now you know what I see every.single.day. Now that I've seen these pictures on here, I MUST work on getting this place looking more "comfy" (for lack of a better word). Any ideas?

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This last weekend was packed with wonderful goodness. I will post pictures in the next few days of hilarious kids program (2-5 year olds singing and dancing - stomachache laughter) and my nephews b-day party.

We visited my Gramps grave yesterday, Our first Father's Day without him. We also saw Nicole Brown* Sim*pson's* grave which is a few feet from my Gramps. You'll know her from the famous OJ* Simpson* trial.

We celebrated my dad by having a bbq and I bought him a gift which was NOT a gag gift but apparently everyone seemed to think it was. What do you get someone who has everything? A cushioned toilet seat cover. Why not? I figure you spend some time on there, especially as you get older and the comfier the better. He didn't think so.

My dad is an incredible Dad, even if he didn't like the gift I bought. Things have not always been perfect between us because I'm more of a Mama's girl and my sister is the Daddy's girl, but my Dad is wonderful. Growing up he was the BEST dad there was. He took us on a big vacation every summer, lavish spending on his kids that most people never get to experience. He exposed us to the finer things in life that his own mom and dad exposed him too. But beyond all that, he's always provided and loved us every single day. I knew that I can go to him if I needed help, which in my early adulthood days I really was a thorn in his side. I had a special place for Nord*strom and other stores that he didn't appreciate very much! ha! Which he never really knew where I spending all my hard earned cash, he just knew that I needed help with this or that. Eventually I grew up and realized that Dad couldn't always come to my rescue. I'm sure he's thankful for that! So, one day late, Thank you, Dad for being a great father! I love you.

Fab Friday

If you don't know what Fab Friday is, click on the button and join Danielle at Well, That's Just Fabulous!

This weeks Fab Friday is...
I too, like Danielle, love old photos. I wish I was home or even had time to dig through the ones that I love, but was so lucky to have some of my favorites already scanned online!

This photo is framed and on my desk at work. I.love.it. This was taken in the early years of my mom and dad's relationship, almost 40 years ago. The sailor and Kelly girl.

This weekend will mark two years since my Grandma passed away; of course the grief of her leaving has lessened over the years and been replaced by memories with a once in a while moment of sadness. But in honor of her, I wanted to post my two favorite photos.

My Grandma with me and my siblings. I'm the one crying because I probably didn't get my way.
The day I was born. My Grandma is looking on in the background. I love this photo.

I love my camera and I take it pretty much everywhere important. I've been so bad at updating my photo blog. so bad. This photo is California all the way. A day at the beach, soaking up the sun with my sisters, Heaven on earth.

Have a FABULOUS Friday and weekend!

Passing on some "love"

I received the "Love Ya" award from Mel at At Last Over the Rainbow. Thanks Mel!

The Love Ya Award


These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.


Now to pass this on... I am not going to choose 8, because I know not everyone likes to do these things... and if I did choose you and you don't want to post it, just get your award! ;)

Becky at Stuck in Frump

Katy at Watercolor Wisdom

Catherine at Queen's Castle

Life in General

Life since I lasted posted has been full...

I bought my ticket for my sisters wedding which cost almost as much as my weekly paycheck. ouch. And I am only staying two nights instead of seven nights. BIG difference and so sad since I won't be able to spend quality time with my sister. I miss her and wish her back home, but that's just whining on my part and something that won't happen.

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My brother's girlfriend graduated from high school this past weekend. She is a beautiful girl, quiet and sweet and I hope someday she'll be a permanent part of our family. ;)

Sonia, Steph and I

Congratulations, Steph!

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I have been reading and reading and reading. I love books. I collect them and can't part with a book even if I didn't like it! I read The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter and fell in love with her writing! I loved it so much, I bought a copy and mailed it to my sister. Denise Hunter has an incredible pen and her stories are right out of my head and onto paper. So good and a must read. Not only was it romantic, but the story had a double meaning that touched me so much. How great is the love of God...

Another one I am now reading and probably will be done by the time I post this, A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers. This book has been out for over ten years and I'm barely getting to it. So brutal and a little to real at times. The way our world can relate to the days when Rome was at it's worst is mind boggling. Where have we gone? How could we let so much slip through our moral strainer? Pure junk. Thank the Lord this life is just the dressing room for a greater life to come. Whew... that book really stirred me up. Not only is it true to history but it's has a romantic story that pulls at your heart strings.
*Update: I did finish the book before I posted and I cried. I really cried. Heart wrenching ending that brought to life the brutal history. I picked up the second book in the series, Echo in the Darkness, which my sister in law got for me at a thrift story (best place to buy books) and went to bed WAY too late last night. I'll write about that one when I finish it. Again, this book is incredible and a must read for all Christian Fiction lovers. Stirs the soul and awakens the spirit.

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Lastly, My brother and sister-in-law got a fur ball. Her name is Lola and she is a feisty Maltipoo. This is her official introduction on the Daily Bee. She is not Tiffany, not like I was comparing, but she is a good distraction and addition to the family. We love her already.


How cute is that face?

Fabulous Friday is Here!

I missed last weeks Fabulous Friday but caught this Friday's.

Danielle at Well, That's Just Fabulous started this fun Friday routine. If you want to join, click the above button and add your name to the list.

I have so many that I can list but here are the top 4 fab treats that I enjoy during the summer.

Mocha Smoothies- When at California Adventure, I love stopping over at Schmoozie's in "Hollywood". The best mocha smoothies can be found here. I couldn't get a picture of the actual smoothie, but here is the little stand that is usually packed.

Nut n' Honey smoothie- Oh.So.Good. I've made this several times and still can't get enough of it. Last Summer, the Rachel Ray mag had a section for shakes/smoothies and this was one that was listed. All the other Fab Summer Treats I mention can only be tried if you live locally, but this one you can do at home. And you really must because it's that good.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons honey (I usually add a little more)
1 1/2 cups ice cubes
Directions:
Using a blender, mix the almonds, milk, peanut butter and honey on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the ice cubes and blend until slushy, about 15 seconds.

Pistachio Gelato - Everyone knows that I eat Gelato year round. There's this little place in Orange County that makes the BEST Gelato. Fresh daily. Look at this picture and tell me if you can resist?

Italian Ice - I am not a big fan of Italian Ice. This little stand close to Disneyland has been open for a couple of summers and I went for the first time last weekend. I now found a bad addiction. The ice cream and ice is scrumptious!

Did I mention that I love summer? Beaches, sunshine, picnics, vacations... Summer couldn't come fast enough this year.

ALSO - If you're interested in a really awesome giveaway. Click on the below button and ENTER to win a Standard blog makeover OR stationary designed by the...

I hope I win. Okaaaay, I hope you win too. Let's just all WIN together! :)

Happy Tuesday... and Happy Birthday

Today is a special Tuesday for me. My birthday.

It feels like just another Tuesday, no "Happy Birthday's" until I talked to my sister on the phone and then walked in my office and happy to see that my boss' didn't forget my birthday this year. Beautiful orchids on my desk and a "Happy Birthday" sign. That will cheer up a bleak morning!

I looked through a couple of old albums last night and had to share these pictures of my "early days".

Me and my Mama

My brother Peter and I laughing... as we often do even now. Even though it's usually me laughing at him...

And then... this is a more accurate picture of what I looked like. Dirt in the face with big eyes and a crazy grin.

Happy Tuesday and Happy Birthday to... well, me. ;)

My wonderful office lamp...

Or not...

I rarely am at my desk at home. I spend most of my time everywhere but in my room. Everything I do on the computer is usually done between 8:30-5, Monday through Friday.

My new desk is a flat simple piece. I actually like it. Dark oak on top and distressed cream wood on the bottom.

I really wanted this to complement the desk...

But ended up with something like this...

My mom loves to save everything that we grew up with. Old paintings and figurines are among the many things that are stored in the garage and sneak their way into the house.

I setup my new desk, sleek and nice next to my computer and one single framed photo of me and these two.

Back to the lamp... I came home one day and there sitting in the center, the center, was this antique glass lamp. The base and middle are a tarnished gold and the glass has leafy looking flowers. Not what this girl wanted.

I laughed and knew that my mom was not only trying to find a place to stash her goods but she was truly thinking that I really liked this lamp.

How could I not now? I've looked.. and looked and found one good thing about this lamp and that is it's light. It shines brighter than a lamp with a shade, subtle and warm. And... the best thing, it reminds me of someone who loves me and wants to share her "likes" with me.

Sappy? So what, it's true. Me and my lamp have become friends... not sure how long this friendship will last. We. Shall. See.

Philippians 4:11... for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content (so says my desk and me)

If it Makes You Happy... Tagged

I was tagged by Mel at At Last Over the Rainbow! It's been a while since I've done a tagged post and I love this one.

Rules of the Tag

::List Six Unimportant Things that Make you Happy
::Mention and link to the person who tagged you
::Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along, and comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.

SIX unimportant things that make ME happy!

(I had to change my list since I missed the the fact that these six things were supposed to be unimportant... my brain must be on vacation.)

1. Books - the kind that you can't put down, ignore everything else around you and make you live the life of a fictional character for a few hours.
2. Pedicures - sigh. I love them.
3. Dinners with my family - these are the most important people in my life. Not a lot of people can stand to spend time with their family, but my family is wonderful!
4. Babies - their smiles, giggles, cries... how can this not make you happy?
5. Warm Fresh Smelling Sheets - Mel and I were on the same page on this one. I.Love.Them!
6. When the clock turns 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday.

Now to the tagging...

Becky the Frump Mama

Sonia at Purely Sony

Cat at Queens Castle

Katy at Watercolor Wisdom

Donna at Sharing Inspiration

Jenster at Jenster's Musings

Have fun!

Goodbye...

Goodbye May
Can it really be June 1st? Where did May go? So much happened in May. Life changing things. Some hard and some easy.

Goodbye Desk
I had my yard sale on Saturday and it was not a good turn out. The weather was not good, gold and cloudy, very odd. Packing up all that "junk" was depressing. But I did sell the one thing that I really wanted gone, my desk. It was a good purchase a few years back but now I just see a big bulky ultra modern piece that is not me. Good riddance to it.

Goodbye Scot
On Friday I came into the office and was shocked and devastated to find out that a co-worker passed away that morning. I worked very closely with him for the last 4 years and still can't comprehend that he's not here anymore. Things are a little quiet in the office. No one knows what will happen this week or how to fill the gap. I, like everyone else I'm sure, wait to here him walk in... Goodbye Scot.

A month like this requires some serious leaning on God. His strength is perfect and unwavering. Who am I that He would be mindful of me, care for me and love me?