@ Duffy's

I love lazy Saturdays...long drives in the Camaro....relaxing with a glass of wine @ my favorite little road side gazebo stop..


...just me & Richie & the '68...life is good!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

because of you...

I'm changed. I never met you and I never knew you, I didn't have to....just hearing about your untimely death made me painfully aware of how precious our days on earth really are. When I learned that you died of a heart attack in your 40's, it made me realize how stupid I've been in caring for my own heart. I'm one of those people that has normal weight, exercises, eats healthy...but regardless of how hard I try to live a healthy life, I still have high cholesterol. I've been in denial that it's a problem, I have refused to take medications for years!....until now. Because of you and your early death I went back to my Dr....got a prescription for Cholestoerol lowering meds and I take them...everyday. You might have saved my life Jeff Douglas...and even though I never met you, I love you...because in your death you are still touching lives and affecting people...just normal people like me. I won't ever forget you Jeff...your the man I never met that changed my way of thinking about how I care for my heart. You have changed me forever and for that I thank you. May you forever rest in peace and be held in God's loving arms.

JEFF DOUGLAS

| Visit Guest Book

Jeff Douglas, born on September 29, 1961, passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack on Sunday, June 12, 2011. Those who knew Jeff saw him as the best kind of man; kind, loving, and generous. Jeff was inspired most by his wife, Cara and his three children, Hunter, Cooper and Bridget. He cherished every minute spent with them and his many dear friends and family. Jeff was a man of integrity. Jeff and Cara recently celebrated their 20th year together and enjoyed an amazing life. Their beautiful children loved and cherished their dad. Their love for life, wealth of friends and belief that "you can do anything" is a testament to his character. Born in Fresno, CA to wonderful parents, Don and Rosemarie, Jeff attended Bullard High School with his loving sister, Elisa Douglas- O´Neill, and then USC where he graduated with a degree in business administration. Jeff was an avid tennis player and downhill skier and spent many years as a member of Fig Garden Swim and Racket Club. These are legacies he shares with his children. Jeff and Cara farmed Fuji apples in the Cuyama Valley for the first seven years of their marriage. He then turned his career to commercial real estate and has worked for Colliers International as a partner and vice president for the past 14 years. Jeff was known as a man of his word. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, on Thursday, June 16, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Belmont Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please send remembrances for the Jeff Douglas Children´s Scholarship Fund: Payable to: Cara Douglas Educational Employer´s Credit Union Account:11637362, 2222 W. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93711, Ph: 559.437.7700 Condolences may be offered by visiting whitehurstsullivan.com WHITEHURST Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home 1525 E. Saginaw Way Fresno (559)227-4048

Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fresnobee/obituary.aspx?n=jeff-douglas&pid=151930944&fhid=3678#ixzz1aiqR6gX9

iPhone photography

Its my go to camera....my iphone....i no longer carry a separate camera device.
The iPhone takes better photos that my old Olympus Digital..

Case in point: sunset on the Bluffs iPhone photo taken sept. 2011 ...I love...love this shot. Taken on the San Joaquin river bottom over looking the bluffs.

Location:Home

She's back!

Just a slow Sunday around my house. I'm fighting a cold and staying close to home. Decided to update my banner & background. I'm liking it!

Yes...i deactivated my FaceBook account in hopes of channeling my energy into some new skills, hobbies and projects. We are in the beginning stages of major upgrades & remodeling the Mueller Bluff house. New kitchen, master bath, & flooring in our near future! Yes! A dream about to come true after years of wishing :)

With household changes and the changing seasons upon us i say, Good-bye sweet Summer...you ended all too soon for me this year. I promise to plan a vacay for next Summer and embrace you and live you to the hilt!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Hairy Conversation with Zak

Mom:...Zak ...about your hair? It's getting awful long!

Zak: it's fine Mom...there are guys with hair way longer than mine...just be quiet about it.

Mom: Well it swoops to the side and it reminds me of Justin Bieber!

Zak: No Way! It's not even close...Justin Bieber's hair is way thicker and he can flip it over to the side....mine doesn't do that!

Mom: well you still remind me of Justin and I'm gonna call you "Bieber-licious"

Zak: O-M-G just stop!

Mom: I love you Bieber-licious and you're way cuter than him!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Home

Another DIY Frame

I couldn't pass up this gorgeous wooden frame that I found at the thrift store for $3...lovely shade of mauve huh! Not!
BEFORE:


Here's how I updated it for my mantel....totally interchangeable for each holiday! Gotta love it!
AFTER:


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Let's Eat Cake

It's my Birthday and we are going to celebrate!! I love July, not only because it's my birthday month, but because I love Summer!!








Macaroni Grill for dinner with Rich and the boys! Hey! No one is ordering off the kid menu anymore? That's a new thing since Zak turned 11 in April.










Happy July! Happy Summer!!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Summer "Bathroom" Reads

It's a commonly known fact, that when I potty trained my kids, I sat on the edge of the tub and read to them while they sat on the potty. It was a great way to get their inpatient minds off the sometimes long wait...and got them to appreciate time with a good book! To this day, my kids are both dedicated bathroom readers.....oh don't get me wrong, they read at other times of the day...but I find evidence in the bathroom of their current reads. I'm always interested to see what books make it to the bathroom...this is good stuff! Awesome boy stuff! I'm proud that they enjoy reading, even if somedays it's only in the bathroom...

Its no secret either that getting boys to read isn't always easy...I've been known to leave comic books and science guides in the bathroom drawer...and you know what? They get read!

What are you reading this Summer...either on the beach or um hem...in the bathroom? :)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Trash to Treasure

I'm on a DIY kick with yard sale/trift store frames. I'll be sharing my creations as I get them completed. Here's the first little project. I got these frames for $1 each at a yard sale around the corner from my house. I painted the white frames black, the powder blue mats I painted soft white and added new pictures from Matthew's 13th birthday at Bass Lake. These will hang in his bedroom, that I swear I have been updating for a year! It's a work in progress for sure!

I added some handwriting at the bottom of each print, just to make it somewhat custom. I love these and you can't beat the price for new artwork at 1 buck each, plus the cost of the print (it's cut down to 9x8) and cost me about $2 ....very thrifty project to decorate for this teen guy!

Father's Day Gift

Sharing this simple gift I made for Harry, my father-in-law. It's a simple little Father's Day gift that I put together using a container from Target, template download from Martha Stewart. Fun! Quick! Easy! The Chex Mix can be homemade, but I just got the big bag from Sam's Club :) Container was $14, Chex Mix $4 and template $0.

Have a great Father's Day weekend!

June Photos

Taking pictures just for fun makes me happy. Thought I'd share some of my 30 Day Challenge pictures.

Day 1: Self-portrait:
Reen-June 2011 @ 47






Day 2: What you wore today:
My new Levi's and big Sunglasses from Ooh La La!






Day 3: something new
Rich's Weber-he's cooking! Yay!!






Day 4: something green
Zak goes fishing-a view out my front door







Day 5: from a high angle
Reen & Rich @ Eureka Burger!






Day 6: From a low angle
Lazy Lucky dog!






Day 7: Spring Flowers
One from Deb's yard






Day 8: a "bad" habit
My Morning Coffee-with JNI friends






Day 9: someone you love
Rosie-my sweet Aunt/God Mother






Day 10: Childhood Memory
Zak's sea turtle comes
Home from school-5th grade






Day 11: something blue
First Swim of Summer






Photos were all taken with my iPhone! Some of them will certainly make it to my Project Life album.

I have modified a few of these challenges to fit our everyday life and what we have going on in our days. You can find all the original challenges here;
http://whitepeachphoto.com/2011/05/25/photography_challenge/

Pull out your camera, cell phone, point & shoot...join in.

Thanks for visiting me.
Reen

Location:Fresno

Testing out Blogpress App

Blog worthy? I don't know...if this app works I am golden! If it fails, then it may be another month before I update my crickets of a blog. I'm trying out the Blogpress app and it supposed to let you update AND post pictures to your blogger acct. from your iPhone? Let's ck it!

Random update: We had a nice family reunion over the weekend....I got to see my Aunt Rosie, my GodMother whom I hadn't seen in about ten yrs! Love her!! (this is just like texting on a keypad!...easy and I Am horizontal right now, since it's 3:55 and you can call me Ima Insomniac :)

Here is our picture taken at my sister's house in Dos Palos. I think she may move back to Cali from Texas. I hope so, then I'd get to see her more often.
We all need our God Mothers!
(simple to add a picture, just touch the little camera icon and my iPhone pics come up)







Whoa! This app actually works! It's amazing! I can update and share pictures straight from the iPhone.....and the best part! I'm still laying in bed! Love :)

Thanks for visiting me!

Posted using BlogPress from Reenie's iPhone :)

Location:My Bed :)

Playing with Photos and Preserving Memories

Here's my latestest update:

Project Life Feb/March 2011

Thanks for visiting me :)

Showing our Teacher some Appreciation.....

Zak's 5th grade teacher is Mrs. Caeton. She's been teaching for 33 years and doesn't seem to be showing any signs of backing down soon. She is amazing and has helped my Zak reach his maximum potential as a student this year. She recommended him for GATE, which he sincerely LOVES and enjoys. She's taken him aside when he slips back and trys to find the easy route to finishing a project. She encourages him to do the work and to stay on track. She's tough, but I have trusted her to help him learn the lessons he needs to become a successful young man. In short, she is incredible! How do you thank a woman for being incredible, patient, kind, firm, strict and loving with your child? I don't know, but I hope just a little sign of my appreciation goes a long way to somehow letting her know she's loved.

I do love teachers! I think they are amazing, wonderful, and some of the most giving people on earth! I have many, many teachers to thank for helping be become the person I am today. I like to take time out of my busy schedule every year and thank the kids teachers. This year is no different, I took the time yesterday to make some simple bookmarks and to package up a little goodie for Zak's Teacher/5th grade class.

Just thought I'd share my little gift that I put together with my blogger friends. Now go show your favorite teachers some love! :)

Project Life 2011

I'm sharing some of my pages from the Project Life kit that I started in January. It's a fun way to document the special moments, the everyday memories, and the times we share with friends and family. In January I didn't have too many photos, it was a hectic first month of the year so I used a few of our holiday shots to fill in. I kept the first month simple since I was just trying to figure out how to get it all organized.

Now I have it setup and keep it out on the table to work on each week.

In February, I am starting to incorporate some of my own scrapbooking stash and using the embellishments and papers that I have on hand. It's been fun to document the year in progress.

I'm Living in the moment and capturing the best and the mundane of it...I love it! Someday I'll look back on this Project and be taken to this special time and place in life when my boys were little, just 10 and 12.

January - filling in with some holiday memoies, incorporating my "one little word = JOY"

Capturing school sporting events, science fair projects night.

Family day in Dos Palos - those are the fabulous, famous tamales!

Concert - Reba and George Strait

Girls day out - everyday stuff: laundry, treats, etc.

Starting to incorporate my own stash and memorabilia

I keep a stash of journaling cards in my car and in my purse. When I have a few minutes, I take note of life's details.

Using the numbers that came with the kit makes documenting the photo memories simple

Thanks for visiting me, I hope you're inspired to document your life and to leave a legacy for your own children. You won't ever regret doing it :)
reen

1/52 Photography Challenge - Self Portrait

I'm joining Krista Lund and her fabulous photography friends in a little challenge this year. One Photog challenge per week all year long. This is number 1 of 52


Reen 1.17.11 - taken w/ iphone4

it's a new day..

The holidays are such a blur and they flew by so very quickly. It was a simple Christmas this year, with very few gifts. Refusing to get caught up in the crazy madness that the holidays can become, I skipped a number of pot lucks and parties to regroup and enjoy the time with the kids. They always make my season brighter! This is a photo of my family on Christmas Eve at my in-laws. (Notice that cute 20 yr. old neice of mine?...that's Elise Irene!...she's the light of my life, as are my boys!) (Also notice those cute cutains at my mother in-laws house, with the matching table cloth?.....I made those for her, aren't they fab?)...



The New Year is upon us and our weekends consist of football, football, and more football. I manage to do a little crafting during some of the games. Here's a photo of the new Valentine banner I made during the Auburn/Oregon game. Everything on the banner came from my stash of supplies. Sending my love to you all as we head into February.




Sketch iphone photo using photoshop express app:
For my love of journaling, photography, and memory keeping, I'll be working on Project Life this year. I still love the idea of leaving a legacy, leaving a footprint for my kids to know a little about me and a lot about their childhood. Join me in this journey, I'll be posting a monthly update reminder. If you want to learn more go here:
http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/



We are back to the routine of school, work, sports, homework and projects. Before we get to busy....Thanks for visiting me. I'm wishing you and your family a blessed New Year in 2011.

I love you friends.