A New Dawn...

...to a New Year! Happy 2011, ALL!

On days when my little one (who happens to be a head taller than me!) needs that extra 15 minutes on the snooze button, I willingly agree (most of the time!) to drive her into school. Especially on clear mornings when I know the sunrise will be worth capturing on film.

A detour through this reservoir is my reward on the way home. If I'm not too lazy, I'm dressed properly for a little hike along the shore. But, more often than not, I'm in my winter boots and robe. After all, who's nutty enough to be out and trekking about at 7am?! Well, other than yours truly!

But for the last sunrise of 2010, I ventured out for that purpose alone. Memories of warm breezes and tropical palms are fading fast but I'm not complaining. Sunscapes framed by white pines are just as intense and heartwarming. Beauty from a different kind of shoreline.


And just when I was thinking...what a shame, no one else is witnessing this amazing view...I spy a lone fisherman. He rowed out and with a turn of the oars, put himself smack center of my lens...haha! I wanted to wave and shout "Hi! Isn't the sky gorgeous?!"...forgetting about my wardrobe for a second, but he was quite a distance away...thank goodness!

As I sat there daydreaming and snapping away, my ever dependable camera allowed this one last shot before the battery gave out! How's that for good timing?

Wishing you all a beautiful start to a year filled with peace, blessings and love!

Honest Scrap...

My sweet friend, France, has thoughtfully tagged me for an Honest Scrap Award. Since I did a similar meme a few months back...and happily didn't lose my friendly readers...I'll take another chance and share more nonsense about yours truly. So, here goes...

1) Lucky me, as a military brat, I attended 10 different schools before graduating as a junior. A move was actually in the works for my senior year...no kidding! So night classes and after-school work credits earned me an early diploma~two weeks before our move to Florida! Not fond is the memory of transferring schools three times during 6th grade. As a kid, you don't have much say in the matter and all the changes either force you to be a social pariah or overly friendly. I guess I chose the later as I still keep in touch with friends I made in the 3rd grade...while living in Hawaii.

2) Just call me Jack. Specifically, Jack of All Trades ;) Some of my past stints include, but not limited to: legal secretary, bookkeeper, nanny, realtor, medical transcriptionist, florist...etc, etc. Too many interests/skills...none of which earns me a decent living! Currently, I'm a data entry temp and a ZUMBA instructor...weird combo, I know! And, yes, I'm still trying to figure out what to be when I grow up...for I won't ever grow old...teehee!

3) I'm such a cry baby! A touching commercial, an ad for UNICEF, SPCA...pass me the tissues! Relentless teasing is what I get from the gang. In a movie theatre, any emotional scenes (sad or happy!) and I'll feel 3 pairs of eyes staring at me in the dark...snickering! Oh.... 4)...I love Snickers! My favorite form of sugary junk! Pay Day and Almond Joy tie for second. Basically, anything with nuts!

5) I once stowed away in a bookmobile! (A library on wheels...is there still such a thing?) I'd plan my whole schedule around its visits. So, out of eyesight and totally engrossed in my book, (probably a Harlequin Romance ~ remember those?), I hadn't realized it was closing time until I felt the wheels turning! Imagine the surprised look when the driver opened the door to a hysterical, screaming 14-yr. old. That was a hard one to explain to the parents...

6) I have a 'thing' for re-reading favorite books! It doesn't bother me that the pages are well worn and creased. I fall in love with a new passage every time. Same goes with watching favorite movies...over and over. Wasting my time you say? Nah...life's too short, do what you know and love ;)

7) I always mess up when re-telling a joke....always!

8) I cannot...to save my life...whistle! I'm not talking about a tune here, but your basic, pursing of the lips and making some kind, any kind, of noise...nope, just can't do it! Nothing comes out but hot air! And if you're one of those that can use two fingers to create that loud, ear-piercing call, I soo admire you! Go ahead...let's hear it!

9) I watch the Superbowl purely for the commercials! Who's playing...? Teams' stats...? Who cares! I'll root for the side with the cuter quarterback and if I like the color of the uniforms...lol! So this is one of my favorite commercials. Cute huh? And I will happily host the party because I love food...which leads to...

10) I eat when I'm happy. I eat when I'm sad. I eat when I'm nervous, excited, bored, heartbroken. I eat when I'm NOT hungry! I need to find a new all-consuming bad habit...any suggestions? (Please don't say blogging...lol!)

Though fun to share with you more 'honest crap' (say Honest Scrap 3x fast!), I'll refrain from passing along this meme. Many of you would rather NOT be tagged anyway so I'll respect that and just move on...

Thanks again, dear France, I send you a hug and this special cloud-encased heart...which my camera was two seconds shy of capturing in perfect form...you see it, don't you?

Have a great weekend everyone! Stay warm!