Treasure's Along the Way

Several weeks ago, the three Diva's and I attended a photography seminar in Stamford, CT. We went a day early to enjoy the beauty of New England in the fall. We were not disappointed. Our destination for the day was Kent State Park. Along the way we were awarded with so many little surprises. One was Rock Neck Beach. I wished for a few minutes my family could have been with me to have a Christmas photo taken on the drift wood long. It was a perfect spot. It was a great little spot to stretch our legs. We also stopped at a nice little stream that proved to be a good photo stop. Enjoy our stop in Ct.

Love of My Life

How do you like my new boy friend? Ain't he cute? I could not resist. You may have also noticed that the gentleman next to me was totally unconcerned about my safety. That shows what the value of life was in the old west. Tombstone, AZ. is an interesting old west town. It is a real town and holds a place in history of the old west. More pictures and facts to come. I have to show you the shoot out or numerous shoot outs.
I had to LOL at this sign. Is it not perfect for the day?

Im Hooked

Sorry if this image is a little distorted but I had to have a picture and make it fit on the page. Yes Jamie, I am hooked. I started Twilight last Sunday when we were leaving CT. I am finished and will be starting book two on my flight back to Atlanta. Debra and Judy, start reading. I can't wait for the movie. Not to give anything away but I want Edward and Bella's relationship to be complete in all ways. Jamie you know what I am talking about.

Fred and I are still in AZ. It has been an eventful week with tears, happiness and learning. We have had two days to site see. We visited a desert garden that was amazing. I will post pictures from the garden and the wild later. We also visited the old western town of Tombstone. It was the anniversary of the Shoot Out at the OK Corral. Most of the town was dressed in costume. It was great. We finished the day at Big Nose Kate's saloon. Fred and I really had a great time.

Time to go. I have to pack to leave. After being gone for 11 days, I am ready to be at home and stay at home. In September I was only home for 9 days and for October I have been gone for 15 days. I am looking forward to being at Home Sweet Home for a little while.

House Guest

Boy was it an exciting week-end at the Mortensen household. Dusty was home from school with a friend. Meet Adrien's "Bud" the 4 month old pit bull. This was the most well behaved puppy. He is house broken, minds and was willing and ready to play with my dogs. My four, spoiled rotten, ill behaved females.
This sweet little puppy tried so hard to play. Bella was the worst. She spent the week-end with her lips wrinkled up, teeth bared and the hair standing up on her back. She hated this baby at first glance. Poor Bud left with several bite marks on his face and head. Molly was next in line. Every time Bud walked by, Molly jumped up, growled and chase him 6 or 7 feet. Katie was a little better. She only growled when he walked by. Dixie was the nicest but did not want him to get her ball. Basically my girls were awful. Bud spent the majority of the time up stairs in Dusty's bonus room only to be let out for short periods of time. This little dog will never want to leave home again.

According to Katie, Dixie and Bella

"Guest, like fish, begin to smell after three (one hour in a dogs life) days."

Benjamin Franklin

Fall or Summer ???

Fall is the most beautiful time of the year in the South. The mornings are crisp and cool but it is still warm enough to swim in the afternoon. The leaves start to turn and ornamental grasses are at their best. On the other hand roses are still blooming, encore azalea's are blooming and our yard still have a hint of summer. What more could you ask for. Fred and I have enjoyed sitting outside in the evenings and watching the sun set. I spotted this little guy yesterday and had a great time watching him. The praying mantis is such a sweet little bug. His heart shaped face always makes me smile. Can you see the smile on his face? While I was taking his picture he would rise up and look at me like "Hi, what are you doing?". Butterflies need the warm sun in the morning. They have to warm their wings up before they can fly. They have enjoyed our day of perfect weather. It is not to hot for them. You can see from my pictures that they are in heaven.
This day was beautiful, there was a nice breeze and the girls and I enjoyed being out side. Click on the photo to see the rest of my day. Take time today to look around and enjoy fall in the south.

"To the attentive eye, each moment of the year

has it's own beauty... it beholds, every hour,

a picture which has never been seen before,

and which shall never be seen again."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Vegas Baby

Fred and I spent a long week-end in Las Vegas. We had a great time. Our major activity was playing cards. We did fairly well. I am saving my winnings for our Diva trip to Stamford, Conn. The Diva's and I are taking a camera class with CK magazine. We are really excited and have been looking forward to it for a long time.

We attended the Donny and Marie show and thoroughly enjoyed it. The big disappointment was Cher. We had second row, center seats. She got sick and had to cancel. BooWhoo!! I was really looking forward to that concert.

My sister, Alyse, and her family meet us in Vegas. We had dinner together at the Hofbrauhaus House. It was okay but when you have been to the real one in Germany it is hard to pretend.

To see some of my pictures from Vegas click on the photo above. Please excuse these pictures. I took my point and shoot for the small size and weight. Next time I will stick with my DSLR. About my pictures, the pictures above is of glasses that I wish I had bought. They are so funny. I could have had a good laugh with those. The picture of the girl with the rose on her boob, Fred wanted to smell the flowers. All the girls in the Hofbrauhaus House were in traditional dress. We were staying at the Venetian with it own St. Marks Square. The man with the real puppet was great. There is a picture of Alyse and her family. It was a great four day trip but good to be home.

This blog was dictated to me by "Bella" the sexy little lamb.

"I really think this is my Mom and Dad's idea of a joke. I would like to put this witch suit on them. Can you see Mom with her figure? Ha! Ha! Ha! You know they are doing a movie about us little lambs. "Hollywood Chihuahua" They did contact me but my schedule did not allow the time. I am really busy visiting my buddies at Nana's. Maybe I will get the chance to talk about Bandit and Bambi at another date. If you like the picture above, just click on and check out the rest. I know it is a little early but the costumes sell out fast. Oh yeah, I am not this fat. It is the dress that makes me look fat. Don't you think? Have a great day."
Bella


This post was straight from the dogs mouths. See for yourself how she feel about this dress.

Tucson, Az.

Off for a short trip to Tucson, Az. We are leaving on Saturday and will be back on Sunday. My goal is to take pictures of a beautiful sun set. Sun sets are one of my favorites. I am looking forward to this short trip and a sneak peek at Tucson, Az. I think of this city as being smaller than the picture above. It looks so big.

More pictures to come on my return. Have a great, safe and fun week-end.

Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is the capital and largest city in Estonia. It lies on the northern coast of Estonia on the Gulf of Finland. The city is an important industrial, political and cultural center and seaport.

On 24 February 1918, the Independence Manifesto was proclaimed in Tallinn, followed by Imperial German occupation and a war of independence with Russia. On 2 February 1920, the Tartu Peace Treaty was signed with Soviet Russia, wherein Russia acknowledged the independence of the Estonian Republic. Tallinn became the capital of an independent Estonia. After World War II started, Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union (USSR) in 1940, and later occupied by Nazi Germany from 1941-44. After Nazi retreat in 1944, it was occupied by the USSR again. After annexation into the Soviet Union, Tallinn became the capital of the Estonian SSR.

In August 1991 an independent democratic Estonian state was re-established and a period of quick development to a modern European capital ensued. Tallinn became the capital of a de facto independent country once again on August 20, 1991. It was at this point,, in this little country's history that the people of Estonia stood on the border of the state holding hands and declared their independence.

Tallinn, Estonia was the second stop on our Baltic cruise. As you can read in the brief history above that Estonia has struggled to become and be it's own independent state. As we toured this city our tour guide shared some of the facts of today. She stated that Estonia has a flat income tax system. Starting in 1991 at 28% and is at 21% today. The goal of their flat tax is to be 18% for each citizen of their country. This small state and country has a lot to teach us about manging money. Estonia is a well run, benefit providing state.

We visited the old town in Tallinn with only a glimpse of the city. Cruises are great for letting you see if you would like to visit a place again or not. The church we went to was decorated with the Coat of Arms of the old families. I were not suppose to take pictures, but I had to sneak a few. Every old town in Europe has a castle. The pink building is the town hall or city hall.

The funniest things catch my eye. Tell me what you think I thought when I saw the picture above. Click on the photo to view a few pictures from Tallinn, Estonia.