195/365 It begins...

Thanksgiving is over, so now the Christmas lights come out in force... this is only the beginning.

194/365 sunset...

This would work better with a different picture, but I was a bit sick today and didn't leave the house. So I took a shot of the sunset tonight and played with some new photoshop skills.

193/365 Growth

“If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone.”

~John Maxwell

192/365 At the Mint

Late night last night at the Mint in LA. Good music!

191/365 Happy Thanksgiving!

What a great day... nice hike in the AM with a great little group of friends, then cooking lots of yummy veggie food... bonfire tonight and cards.... now sleep...

190/365 Beauty

189/365 Easy Day

Spent most of the day chillin', cleaning, doing laundry, and editing photos. Brian gave me a great massage... nice day...

This is one of Keeko's favorite ways to get a drink, lots of cats love running water and she will usually drink right from the faucet. This is a little fountain that I put together, and she decided that it's her personal water dish. So I added a filter and only fill it with distilled water. She's the queen!

188/365 Trying to get a whif...

Met this guy on our walk today... went way down the bike trail on the way to Ventura one hour down, then only took 45 minutes back (we were thirsty!). I'm one of the lucky few teachers that has the whole week off for Thanksgiving Break!!!

Anyway, I thought it was sooooo cute the way he was shoving his nose out the knot-hole. Brian and Louis made a couple of passes so I could catch him in action.

187/365 Surfer Chick!!!

This is my co-worker/friend Bobby's girlfriend Shawn surfing... I love to watch surfers, just like I love to watch other athletes do what they do. They make it look so easy! I would be a train wreck (not to mention a nervous wreck-sharks!) out there... I think I'll just stay on shore, and do what I can do... Appreciate with some awe!

186/365 The Birthday Girl!

Happy 50th Birthday Katherine!

185/365 Truly

“If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.”

~Roger Caras

184/365 Being an amateur...

Every artist was first an amateur.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

183/365 Everyday Miracles

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

182/365 Take time...

No matter what insanity is whirling around you, always take time to roll in the grass!

181/365 Sunrise

This was the sunrise today on what I have come to regard as MY mountains. They live in MY backyard after all.

I made what may be a very crazy decision today. I offered my photography services (such as they are) free of charge to my coworkers for a one-time deal for the holidays. I really want to build my portfolio and get some experience, but no one will hire me if they can't see the kind of shots I can take! So... here I go! I've already got two families and a few singles with pets and one couple lined up! I'm reading a LOT about posing people, so I have a launch pad, but I'm pretty personable... and I think that's key. Making the people feel comfortable and relaxed... looking forward to the challenge!

I was also reminded that I need to bring my camera with me ALWAYS!!!! Today on the way home from work there was a bunch of trees on fire right next to the freeway and I didn't have my camera!!!!

180/365 Cozy Dell Reprise...

I can't believe I've been at this for 180 days STRAIGHT! I haven't missed a single day yet... cool.

I was really tired today for no particular reason... so it was a great time to get out and go for a hike! Our good friend Beedge came up and we all made it to the top before dark! The hike down is always my favorite part. It's like when those wheels touch down on solid ground at the end of a flight... sigh of relief...

179/365 Just Relax

Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.

~John De Paola

178/365 Music to Rock Your Soul...

If you don't know who these people are, or what Agape is... you must find out. This is a movement of these transformative times. This is an amazing community.

What a great night, with wonderful friends and beautiful like minded people.

I'm so grateful for this night, for my generous friends, and this time well spent!

177/365 Imagine A Woman

Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is

a woman. A woman who honors her experience and

tells her stories. Who refuses to carry the sins of others

within her body and life.

Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself.

A woman who listens to her needs and desires.

Who meets them with tenderness and grace.

Imagine a woman who has acknowledged the past’s influence

on the present. A woman who has walked through her past.

Who has healed into the present.

Imagine a woman who authors her own life. A woman who

exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf. Who refuses

to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice.

Imagine a woman who names her own gods. A woman who

imagines the divine in her image and likeness.

Who designs a personal spirituality to inform her daily life.

Imagine a woman in love with her own body. A woman who

believes her body is enough, just as it is. Who celebrates

her body’s rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.

Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her

changing body. A woman who celebrates the accumulation of

her years and her wisdom. Who refuses to use her precious

life energy disguising the changes in her body and life.

Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.

A woman who sits in circles of women.

Reminded about the truth about herself when she forgets.

Imagine yourself as this woman.

By: A friend of a friend named Annie

176/365 Last full day...

Drove up to Solvang and the Chumash Casino today. Not a very lucky day for gambling, except for my mom! But Solvang is a super cute town! Can't believe I've never been there.

Had a nice lunch and prowled around a bit, then home to relax. :)

175 Stern's Wharf

First, we went down to Oxnard so Mom & Dad could see my school. Then went to see Marc & Eva up in the East end. Amazing property they have up at Casa de Paz, and they are only making it more and more beautiful.

Then we took a drive up to Santa Barbara and walked the wharf a bit, had a drink, got some souvenirs.... then back home for some Mexican take out! Nice day with the family... :)

174/365 Mom & Snoop

Our day in Hollywood!

173/365 At Libby Bowl

172/365 They made it!

Mom and Dad in for a visit!

171/365 Dew

Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.

~Rabindranath Tragore

170/365 Affirmation

I give my consent to activating my life's purpose of delivering my talents, gifts, and skills on the planet- not only for my personal benefit, but as my contribution to the planet. Anything that heretofore blocked or intimidated me from living up to my highest potential mentally, emotionally, creatively, or spiritually is now dissolved. I am who and what I was always meant to be.

~ THE Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith

169/365 Clouds

A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed...It feels an impulsion...this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons.

~Richard Bach

168/365 Cool Doorway

I walk by this every day on my way into work. It actually looks a bit cooler in the light... maybe I'll take that shot tomorrow. I have no idea what their music is like, but I like the neon.

167/365 Architecture in Oxnard

There are several of these sculpted faces on this very gothic looking former bank building down the street from my school in Downtown Oxnard. Very interesting, and a bit surprising!

166/365 The California Happy Cows (and horses, and a sneaky turkey Vulture!)

We live up on the bluffs overlooking the Ventura River bed, and across the way is a farm with cows and horses. We've spent a good amount of time out there, just watching them. It's especially exciting when they all do a little stampede down the hill. There really ARE happy cows in California.

So I was spending some quality time out there today, using my telephoto as a pair of binoculars, and decided to snap some shots... there was a Turkey Vulture soaring around and he made a guest appearance in this one!