Joelle in Action

Today, I've decided to post a progression of photos of Joelle. I'm including the time I took them so you see how quickly she gets into trouble!

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I came upon her on the dining room table (where she isn't supposed to be), and she suddenly hid behind my dad's laptop (photo time stamped 4:55pm).

Then less than a minute later (photo also time stamped 4:55pm) here she is chewing papers left on the table.

Here she is at 5:23pm sleeping (recuperating?) on her condo.

Here she is later that night (9:11pm) back on the table.

Nap Time!

Joelle still doesn't stay in one place for long, so I was lucky to catch her asleep on the couch with my mom and Sophie!

Poinsettia Christmas Tree

I was intrigued by this Christmas Tree made of Poinsettias at Fashion Valley. I was bummed I didn't have my camera until I realized my new cell phone had a camera. Yay!

All Curled Up

Sophie all curled up in her nice warm blanket.

Bad Kitty?

Joelle is so hyper, it's hard to catch her when she's still. I was lucky to catch her at rest here on my bed. We had to lock her in my room for a "time out" because she was getting into trouble.

Joelle Under the Tree

One of Joelle's favorite places is under the tree. We think it is most likely because we can't reach her under it very well so it's a good place to hide after getting in trouble!

Christmas Tree Decorated

I stink at indoor photos, but here is one of the Christmas Tree after we decorated it.

Under Construction

My parents' front yard has been under construction recently. Here's a picture of the yard part way done.

Christmas Tree Memories

When I was growing up, we always picked out and then cut our own Christmas tree from the Pinery Christmas Tree lot near our house. It's been years since there were trees to cut down, but we still get our tree from the same lot. In the last few years, though, my parents usually get the tree on their own because of timing. This year we decided to bring back the tradition and we all went together to get the tree. We ended up with 2 (one for our usual tree and one for on top of the piano). Lots of fun for Joelle (my parents kitten)!

Also, I couldn't resist posting multiple photos today as you may have noticed. This dog is one that lives at the pinery. According to the people who work there, this is one of his favorite spots!

And finally, here is one of Joelle, my parents' new kitten.

Christmas Decorations

With all that was happening with my dad, I wasn't sure I would get any Christmas Decorations up this year, but I did! It's always hard to get decent photos, but I did my best.

Pirates of the Caribbean Mobile

When visiting my dad at the hospital after his surgery, we spotted this car painted with a Pirates of the Caribbean theme. I was glad I had my camera with me!

Where's Sophie?

Can you spot Sophie (my parents' cat) in this photo?

Yucca Pendula in Bloom

At the same time the one in front is dying, the yucca pendula in my back yard is blooming!

Dying Yucca Pendula

Over the course of just a few weeks, this plant went from the one doing the best in my yard to on the verge of dying. My gardener tried to save it as this photo shows, but it later died to be replaced by some babies trying to grow back in its place.

Whip It!

I went to see Whip It today as a birthday gift to myself!

Messy Trunk

Here is a shot of my messy trunk. I must admit it's not as messy as it usually is in this picture!

Into the Light

Addicted to Gum!

I'm not anywhere near as bad as I used to be (probably because it wasn't exactly professional to chew gum at work at Verizon and then later when work became teaching), but I've always loved chewing gum! Trident is probably my all time favorite brand.

Messy Back Seat

As my parents are well aware, my car (especially the back seat and trunk) tend to be quite messy. Here's a glimpse of my messy back seat.

Sleep Deprived

It's been a while since I took this photo, but my guess is that it was during one of my not sleeping much phases!

Remnants of My Undergrad Days!

This Kente cloth was given to me when I participated in the Black Graduation Ceremony at Stanford. It currently hangs over the door to my study for lack of a better place to hang it!

Sage in Bloom!

The sage plant in front of my house in bloom.

Surprise!

I was surprised to come home and find this waiting on my porch.  I don't have kids and hadn't ordered anything recently.  After looking at the delivery label, I realized it had been delivered to the wrong house!  I took it down to my neighbor later that night.

Through the Trees

I was on campus today to pick something up even though we didn't have class. While I was there, I took this shot of the blue sky through a Palo Verde tree.

Paper Flower

Here's a close up of another one of my paper flower decorations in my house.

Dinner

It's been ages since I've tried to make an omelet at home. I can never quite get them to fold up right. This one didn't turn out too bad, though! In fact, remembering it is making me hungry now.

Bejeweled Blitz Craze

I've had a lot of people asking me this week how I scored over 100,000 on Bejeweled Blitz. Too bad I don't really have an answer! When I started playing, I wondered the same thing about other players. The only answer I have is that I play way more than I should, and it takes quite a bit of luck! Here's my latest high score.

Arizona Rainbow

As I drove up to work this morning, I noticed this rainbow. I didn't have my good camera with me, so this was the best I could do!  I tried playing around with the lighting and contrast, but it didn't get much better.

Looking Down

I took this photo as I was leaving work today. I hadn't really noticed this pattern on the railing before. Probably because I'm so busy coming or going!

Not a Good Start

I'm not starting off well in September. I missed the first day!

Black Thumb

I think I've mentioned before that I have a black thumb.  Here's some evidence.  Since it's been incredibly hot (and dry) this summer, a lot of my plants were looking a little worse for wear.  In fact, I've even lost a couple in the back yard.  Anyway, I've started watering them a bit extra once a week or so.  The only problem?  This plant was getting plenty of water and now, well I've over watered it.  I have done it before (with a cactus).  I hope it can recover (even with the rain in the forecast).

Night Photo Experimentation

When I realized I hadn't taken a photo tonight, I headed out into the front yard. I figured I would experiment with the flash to see how big a range the built in flash gets. One thing I learned: it's hard to focus manually when you can't see what you're focusing on! This is the only shot that came out relatively in focus.

Last of 3 Missed Days in a Row...

The last of my missed days in August. Hurray!

Second of 3 Missed Days in a Row...

Almost the end of the missed days!

First of 3 Missed Days in a Row...

August was a busy & uninspired month for me. I hope September is better!

Dr. Pepper

I admit it. I am a Dr. Pepper addict. I have pretty much stopped drinking non-diet soda except for Dr. Pepper. Sure, Diet Dr. Pepper isn't all that bad, but it's just not the original!

Livestock Haute Couture?!

This article (especially this segment) in Reader's Digest cracked me up, so I figured it would make a great photo for today. I couldn't imagine spending money on something like this, but I suppose there are worse things to blow your money on than this...

Minute Rice

I was desperate tonight and saw this (empty) box of Minute Rice in the kitchen.

Missed Another Day...

Yep, another missed day. Still not the last one.

Forever Plaid!

I finally got to see Forever Plaid again.  I'm so happy!  It was all I expected and more.  I really appreciate Kathy & Summer going with me, though I probably would have gone on my own if necessary.  Here's the program from the show.

Arizona Broadway Theatre

I finally went to pick up the tickets to Forever Plaid today (though I purchased them a few days ago online). It was nice seeing the theatre in daylight since it will be dark when we get there tomorrow. I took this picture after running in to get the tickets.

Unpacked Shipment

I have a (bad) habit of waiting until absolutely necessary to unpack things that have been shipped to me. Here's the latest purchase waiting to be unpacked.

Missed Day (and More to Come)

Yes, another missed day in August...

Jazz Wall Art

When decorating my house, I bought this jazz wall art sculpture at Linens 'N Things (before it went out of business). It looks a bit lonely on my wall, but I love it!

Keeping Cool

Even on the incredibly hot summer days, I like to keep cool. I stick it out at around 80 degrees before my off-peak hours start, but then I crank up the AC (and set the temp closer to 75 or 76) as you see here.

Yes, Another Missed Day

As I'm catching up, I realized I missed more days in August than I thought. Yikes. Still more missed days to come (unfortunately)...

A Place to Hang My Stuff

As the title says, this is a place to hang my stuff-- at least my keys anyway.

Missed Day...Again

Another missed day. Sigh.

On Campus...Again

I've been on campus quite a bit this summer. I was back yet again today. While I was out in Ocotillo, I took this shot of one of the trees. Nothing too inspiring, but at least I remembered to take a photo today...

Crispix

My mom sent this box of Crispix back with me when I left San Diego. Unfortunately, I don't have any milk so it's been sitting here for a couple of weeks. One of these days I'll get to the grocery store!

Looking Up

I was on campus for meetings today, and as I was leaving I looked up at the stormy skies. Since I had my cameras with me, I set down my stuff and decided to take some photos! Here's my favorite.

The Birds!

I went to get the emissions check for my car registration today at the new station in Goodyear. I was about ready to turn around and go home though when my car was continually dive bombed by birds while I was driving. I swear I have never seen so many birds. None of the photos I took could come close to capturing the massive number of birds in the area. They were everywhere!

After getting through the line at the check station, I decided to pull over and take this photo. Luckily, I was far enough away from the birds to escape without any attacks or other "surprises."

Cable Box Reboot

My cable box decided to reboot itself tonight. It makes me crazy when it does this because for hours afterward, it gets stuck on channel 94.