I'm ready for a career change - hire me!

I have been having so much fun taking pictures down here at the beach. If I'm not taking photos I feel like I might miss something. In fact, it's very possible that I'm spending more time behind the camera than in front of it. If people would pay me to travel with them as their personal vacation photographer I would be in heaven. Is there some way to make that happen?

Marc shaved his mustache on his 44th birthday this week ...

Beach baseball has been a big hit this year.

Pirate Kyra...

Contemplating the ocean...

The last days of summer

It's all fun on the beach... Our first beach bash...

JT during a rare moment of quiet...

Ella loves to hit the waves with her boogie board...

while Kyra likes to wait for the waves to come to her ...

I am soooo not ready to go back to reality.

Checkers and Mustaches

The lifeguards weren't letting anyone in the ocean yesterday. The waves were un-Jersey-like huge plus the undercurrent was like a suction pulling you under and out. Thankfully, we still had the tidal pool for the kids to play in. This picture has nothing to do with anything. I just liked it. The game of the trip so far has been held at this table.

And, our good friend Marc, is sporting a ridiculous mustache just for reactions. This is actually not that bad as far as mustaches go. Mustaches are creepy. I don't know why but I could never trust a man with a mustache. Today is Marc's birthday, and he's shaving it. Even with a mustache, Marc doesn't take a bad picture.

Hurricane Bill

If you're wondering what the waves are like on the East Coast as a result of Hurricane Bill...

Jeff got pummeled.

This is our last trip of the summer to the beach, Dewey Beach, Delaware. Thanks to the powerful, hurricane waves, the kids had a tidal pool to play in. Fat chance they were getting in the ocean.

What's even better about all this? It was pouring rain back in Philly. Just a mere 2 hours away and we had sunshine. 90% humidity, but sunshine none the less.

Jack's first shell of the season. See how something so small can bring such happiness? Life should always be this simple.

Kyra and Grace are actually in the tidal pool - although it looks like they're floating in the depths of the ocean. Once again, these two are inseparable. Definitely challenging at bedtime. These two trouble-makers are giggling and causing so much raucous that Ella and Jack came down to tell on them. The first night of vacation is always a test of patience. More to come.

I painted a mural

I don't know about you, but when it is the hottest day in a heat wave (103 degrees to be exact) I like to grab my paint brush and grubby clothes and get all artsy for half a day in the sun. But I'm crazy like that.

Today was my agency's first of many more Community Service Day. We were at Roosevelt Middle Shool in Germantown. Landscaping, painting, organizing classrooms. Really, most of us were there because we refused to waste a vacation day. But some of us, like me, were excited to be doing some work for a needy community. There's a little part of me that has been feeling the need to do something meaningful lately.

It was so muggy out, my lens is fogged up after getting out of my air conditioning. Here is our canvas... When I got there, they were still adding some missing lines and the numbers for the colors. For us juveniles, it's paint-by-numbers. Whatever. Where's my coffee? Oh wait. It's 100 degrees. Where's my paint brush?

The mural was designed with lots of colors. 12 actually. We had three stations of 12. Just imagine the mess. Imagine it. These are 20-somethings, mind you. Hot mess.


Then, we got started. Ahh, the shade. We could see the sun coming.


Working our way through the design. Still in the shade. Trying to finish before the sun blasted us.

Ahhhh, the sun! Believe it or not, it was actually better to be outside then inside. At least we had a breeze. They had no air conditioning and no breeze. Uh. Here we are just finishing up.

Taking a step back, the orange and pink silhouettes weren't standing out so much. New colors were mixed and we re-painted them. Why not? We like do-overs in 103 heat.

See the bad paint choice - the pink on pink. Bad planning. Ahh, 20-somethings. We live and we learn.

Grant Johnson - Photo Shoot

My second photo shoot with my new nephew and my niece. Fun! But I didn't quite get the shots that I wanted, which means I'll have to go back and take more. Darn ;-)

Check that off my list

5k, check. Under 31 minutes, check. Survived, check!

My 5k - race, not money

Tonight is the night. The thunderstorms look like they may hold off. I am ready and soooo excited. I know it's only 3.1 miles. Not a big deal to many. But it's more the fact that I made a decision to do it, and stuck with it. I like reaching goals. It feels good.

Three girls and a boy

I took the girls to visit their new cousin on Saturday. My niece, Natalie, was so excited to show off "my baby!" New babies means baby photos. I love taking baby photos. Kyra was more interested in playing on the swing set. Not surprising for a 5 year old. But I was surprised at how much Ella wanted to hold him and see his toes and kiss him.
Then I got busy taking photos of fingers and lips and toes. You can tell he's just a few days old because he's still conformed in the shape of his mommy's belly.

Look at those cheeks! The daylight was getting sparse and I hate to use a flash so next week I'll concentrate more on serious photos.

Yard Sale-ing

Rather than re-post this ridiculously fabulous frame, I am linking to the original post for Flea Market Style blog party which is happening this week (October 19th). Admire my fantastic find ...

I went yard sale-ing Saturday morning, fully intending to get some furniture for a spare bedroom. I had money to burn. My friend and I mapped out a couple spots and happened upon an additional one that left me walking out in a huff. I'll get to that story in a minute. But first, let me share with you my first purchase from what could possibly be the start of a new addiction...
Ignore the freakish painting inside. Gaze upon the frame. Solid wood. Old. Full of character. I'm in love. Here it is up close...

Is that not amazing? It needs to be cleaned up a bit, but I think I'm going to put a mirror in there. Then to find the perfect hanging spot. All this gorgeousness for $75. I was also carrying around this salad bowl and utensils (brand new!) and a brand new platter which the lady threw in for free.
Yeah, I could get used to this. She owns a retail shop that she is closing so much of her items were from the store. She's selling more next weekend. Guess where I'll be? The last place we got too a bit late. But no one had snagged this solid wood bookcase. Perfect for a playroom. $3. THREE DOLLARS!

So, back to my story, and lesson learned...we happened upon a "Getting Divorced" yard sale. You know what that means, right? Angry, bitter woman giving stuff away for next to nothing. Guess what we found? Woman giving stuff away for next to nothing. I couldn't tell if she was angry. There it was, a wrought iron headboard and footboard. And the price tag? $20. TWENTY! I asked the woman what size? Queen. Great! I look around for another minute. But I notice people clinging to items for dear life, not budging an inch. I start to get nervous. I walk back to the woman, flying my $20 in the air, I'll take that bed. She looks at me. The wrought iron? Yes! And the woman standing in front of her was handing her money for it at that very second. I JUST asked you about it, I said. Sorry was all I got. Fuck! Where is the yard sale etiquette? Shouldn't she have asked me if I was going to buy it first? I was so pissed I walked out. Hell if she's getting any of my money now. That'll teach her!

The lesson in this: Tell them right away that you're going to buy it. Pay for it immediately. Or hang on for dear life and don't let go for anything.

Men are walking dogs

I'm cooling down from my last run before Thursday. I'm ready. And the underwear helped. Of course, you have to deal with a wedgie, but that's better than ass sweat, in my opinion.

I noticed one common factor out there during my morning jog...women. They're all out there exercising. The men? They're walking dogs. I see more men who look pregnant than I do actual pregnant women. And I have one thing to say to you Men, stop walking the dogs and get some damn exercise. Your women are getting in shape, staying healthy while your belly hangs over your belt, and you ask for second helpings of meatloaf and mashed potatoes and drink a 6-pack a night. We don't think it's cute. It's disgusting in fact. We only put up with it because we don't look at it. We avoid looking at it. Sure, we love you, but we don't love your belly. Ever wonder why men typically die younger than women? Wonder no more.

Life is short

I just want to pay a homage of sorts to Kennedy Rice, who passed away this week from a brain tumor in his mid-thirties. He leaves behind a wife and two-year-old twins. I knew Kennedy through friends, and I especially remember his face, dark-rimmed glasses, red hair, freckles, very tall. Super nice guy. Didn't deserve a short life. It makes my heart ache. I hope he's in a better place.

There's a little penis in the house!

I am so excited that my sister just a few hours ago had my first nephew, the first boy! in the family. It's just been girls for generations! Finally, a boy. Oh, boy. He has no idea what's in store for him. Grant William burst into the world, blond-haired and screaming at 6:30 pm. William is my mother's father's name. Poppy to my sister and I. He would be thrilled to tears to know that he has a great-grandson with his name. My mom and I cried on the phone about it minutes after Grant was born. The emotions a birth can draw are strong.

I loved my Poppy. We didn't truly get close until after my grandmother passed away. We had a monthly movie and dinner date. More often if we could pull it off. I loved talking to him. He really was very special and I still miss him. Plus, he had the best hair ever!

Okay, so I let myself drink some wine tonight. My sister had a baby and my husband is out of town, I'm all sorts of emotional (forget any kind of a workout tomorrow).

Anyway, as much as I like to keep my emotions close to the vest when it comes to anyone outside my house, I'm sooooooo excited to have a new baby in the family. Especially because it's someone elses. Ha! But, the best part? I get to buy baby boy clothes for a change!

The other reason I'm excited? Newborn baby pictures. O.My.God. Cannot wait to get my hands on that newborn!

Revisiting the New Years Resolutions

I was browsing through some old posts and came across my New Year's Resolutions. All of which I had completely forgotten about. Let's see where they stand 8 months later...

• Lose 15 pounds (20 would be ideal) by June. That's reasonable, right? Clearly not reasonable at all. Haven't you been following The Thinning Chronicles?
• No wine during the week. Killer! Yeah, that one only just started about a month or two ago. Again, go read The Thinning Chronicles. And vacations don't count.
• Be more patient with my children, and others. Umm. Yeah. I must have made that one after I had three glasses of wine.
• No sweets. Death! I think "no" is a little absolute, don't you? Some sweets is a bit more realistic. So, check one for me!
• Go to bed early enough so that I can wake up at the ungodly hour of 5:15 and workout. I did not specify every day, so yay for me!
• Have a date night once a month with my loving hubby. Do Phillies games count? I think so!
• Go rockclimbing, again. Nope. I'd sooner get to ride in a hot air balloon.
• Learn knitting. Yes! And yet how insignficant.
• Take more pictures of things other than my children. Do raindrops on leaves count? Yeah, not really.
• Take a rowing class on the river. At least I did some research.

Yeah, I'm pathetic. So what.

OMG!

I must be PMSing because every noise my coworker is making behind me is driving me fucking nuts. Must she keep rustling that plastic bag? Ruffle papers some more? TALKING?! Please. Please. Please. Shut the fuck up!

If I turn my earphones up any louder to block her out, I will blow out my goddamn ear drums. Ok. Walking away now. Walking away.

Wordless Wednesday: Innocence

Reasons to wear underwear...

Reason number one for wearing underwear when you run? Ass sweat running down your legs does not make for a pleasant feeling. Reason number two? Helps to prevent ass jiggle. But not much.

M.I.A. last week

I really haven't been M.I.A., just without decent blog fodder. Well, that's not 100% true. I could come up with a few topics, but it would involve writing in code to protect those involved (and myself from receiving public lashings for defamation of character). Instead, I'll take the safe route and show a few photos of the Annual Campbell Vacation...

A tradition started years ago. You could call it "a coming of age", "a rite of passage". Whatever. I have 13 cousins, 11 of whom are much younger than me. Every year someone turns 21. You know, the legal drinking age in our civilized state. All Campbells and their significant others of legal drinking age head straight to the Carousel at the Springfield in Sea Isle. An outdoor bar is very well-suited to Irish folk who are looking to get their drink on. This year, Lauren was up to bat. See her there all smiley and excited. She's a nursing major. Always good to have one of those in the family. These aren't all cousins. My dad! is in there too. Plus, an uncle, my brother-in-law and Jeff. The guy in the red shirt? That's my Uncle Shawn. He's only 8 years older than me. Crazy Catholics!Here's some more family. Even my pregnant sister wouldn't miss this event.

The rest of the week is pretty calm in comparison. Mostly we're on the beach.
Kyra spent much of her time on her boogie board waiting for waves to push her along.

Of course, it's vacation and you can't say no to the ice cream guy. Even when he comes by 3 times a day. And just for future reference...if you want any relaxation time at all on the beach, get your kids the water ice - not the shaved stuff, the block ice, rock hard Rosita's Water Ice that takes an hour for any normal child to finish. Guaranteed. That should be their next marketing campaign.Of course, I keep telling my beautiful girls that all that junk food is not good for them.


Your teeth fall out and your skin is a wreck!