inspiration avenue weekly challenge: water

in my part of the world, it's been a hot, hot summer!  i've spent many nights off to bed early as that's the only room with an air conditioner!  this week i hosted the inspiration avenue weekly challenge and was highly motivated to work on something.  i continue to play around in photoshop elements whenever i have a few moments so my submission is a watercolor rendition of "water"!

contemplation!

so hop on over the inspiration-avenue team blog sunday afternoon and cool off!

a good day

i had a pretty decent day at work today which is pretty rare.  i'm a state employee... a state like many in financial crisis.  do more work, provide more services to more people... & guess what... less resources!

but the real fun started on my way home.  i stopped to take a few pics of roadside views...

played around a bit in picasso.... just for fun!

                                                                    
rocky volunteered for a photo shoot....

how was your day?

meet rocky.....

 

we have a new addition to our family.... he came into our home 2 weeks ago, rescued from a flea infested garage with a multitude of neglected dogs & cats.  he was 8 weeks old & none of the flea products are safe at that age but i was able to find a natural bath that advertised safe for all ages.  i didn't have much confidence but it absolutely worked! 

i know some people believe that cats should be kept indoors at all times & i'm all for that if it works for them.  we live on a private road, very isolated & have 2 dogs that do a great job keeping any critters away from the house.  in the nice weather, we have a screen on our deck door that allows our dogs to come & go as they please so there really isn't any way to keep him in without sending our guys (who have lived here for years) into a tizzy. so... i believe the benefits of rocky's rescue outweigh the risks living here.  rocky is having a blast going in & out as he pleases, tromping through the gardens (his potty, yuk), but seems to have found his favorite playground on a table which holds family photos!  i've never used a squirt gun on a cat before but i'm thinking about it!

spanky & lucy "kinda" like him & do try to play.  after a few scratched noses, it's obvious already who rules the roost....

of course, i've already shot a couple hundred pictures & have put a couple in my etsy shop.

i am also offering a set of flashy, funky feline notecards with rocky & the other dudes (franky,  crow & max) that took up residence with me through the years....

to celebrate my newest baby, i am offering a giveaway to one of my readers.  everybody likes free stuff, right? to be eligible, go take a look in photogenicgallery & tell me your favorite photo (& what you like about it would be nice).  for a second chance, link back to me from your blog.  for a third chance, give me a shout out on facebook or twitter.  let me know what you did in your comment.

one week from today (next wednesday),  i'll choose the winner via random generator. make sure i have a way to contact you.

thanks for stopping by.....

celebrate!!!!

the wedding celebration

wow... it's been over a month since i've been here & today i'm gonna have a blast sharing the results of my absence!  my daughter, my baby is a married woman!  we did have a professional photographer but of course mom was there capturing as many moments as i could....

the glowing bride to be....

a moment before stepping out....

presenting mr. & mrs. garza!

 proud papa!

the shelf in the fridge let loose!   but the cake is fine!

spanky gets down!

the dollar dance... we are family!

to all my family & friends that shared in our celebration... many thanks!  i have 300+ photos i will upload to facebook soon....

to all my blog friends who for months shared in my joy & excitement... hope you enjoyed the celebration!  i look forward to getting back to the norm & i promise to come visit!