Anyone for scrabble?
Originally uploaded by 'Mike'

I play a lot of Scrabble... by myself. I love it. The rules I have are a bit quirky, but they are at least consistent, so you can imagine my dismay at the end of my most recent game to discover that my K was MIA. This prompted an investigation which by my own admission should have been been conducted sooner, an E here..an A there ... I just didn't notice. I carefully laid out and counted all the tiles and was shocked at my findings. 7 LETTERS... GONE! I mean how many points have I missed out on and for how long? My recent lower scorings all made sense now. I began an immediate mission delving into the depths of THE chair only to find a hair tie, a dime, a pistacio shell and a sugar daddy (the candy, not a rich man that buys you things). I will get a new set although I am not afraid of some cardboard imitations in the meantime.

The kids are growing up so quickly

I just became somewhat youtube savvy and decided to upload some video from back in the day... which in this case was approximately 5 years ago. I apologize for the choppy, amateur edits, but it IS nice to see some of those faces. I watch "mission changs" and I can't believe how much time we spent in that restaurant. Yikes!

I say savvy, so I hope this link even works... ok, you might have to copy and paste.

http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=RgSharpie

actually click on "the kids are growing up so quickly" I also reccomend turkey bowl 2002

A snail in Rhondas salad :-0
Originally uploaded by Highrise Creative

So I was reading Dan's blog as I sometimes do and noticed his snail which reminded me of the fellow that crawled out of my salad in Italy. Will snapped this photo as I kept eating. I figured if it was good enough for a snail then it was good enough for me. I would have worried if the snail did NOT want to partake.

Italy. 4.07

DSC_0107
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

I like to update this thing about once a year
for when you get bored, can't sleep or just want to procrastinate on the world wide web.

We were fortunate enough to get to stay at the Rosenclaire House again in Vitiana. We spent a lot of time cooking, eating and as you will see , drinking... and practicing Italian with the neighborhood boys. The only english they could say really well unfortunately was "son of a beech" which echoed quite often and rather loudly down the narrow streets. I also tried my hand at tarot card reading. I'm actually quite good so I hear. We also ventured into Bagni de Lucca for a much needed, (not for the modest) massage at the spa. The area is famous for their natural thermal hot springs. There's these crazy bathtubs everywhere. We visited Sienna, Cortona, Lucca, Chianti , Pisa and some other places I'm forgetting. I do recommend if you go to get full insurance on the rental car and try to get one with a full sized spare. Anyway...

here's my link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhondalewis/sets/72157600168597325/detail/

or you can just click on the title of this particular blog .if you explore a bit you might find last years photos as well.


and then of course Will took a lot more if you haven't seen those:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/willmejia/sets/72157600130414472/

11_21a.jpg
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Dan and Carly now enjoy wedded bliss and we got to hang out in Oregon for a couple days in july. Canon Beach may never be the same.

New Floors (click this)

In case you have any desire to see the step by step process of our new floor or Pat using power tools.

Italy

DSC_0014
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Since I didn't want my next entry to be the one year anniversary of my last and I know that Pat actually checks this thing every so often, I thought it fitting to type a line or twelve. Let it be known that my neglect has not been due to lack of material. Italy (april 2-10) would have been enough to last another year , but I could never do it justice. "Good Times" is the phrase that comes to mind no matter how inadequate. I'm just happy I didn't get arrested and that we were able to return the rental car with relatively few scrapes. Close calls on both subjects. But thanks Julie for our Rosenclaire House experience... unforgettable even with the amount of wine consumed.

(photos)



http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhondalewis/sets/72057594135032988/

BINGO in the Basement

bingo9.JPG
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Well, the birthday was great fun. I did some serious cracking up. Either you guys are really funny or I had too much to drink. Perhaps it was a joyous combination of both. And I'm glad a handful of peeps actually won some money... including myself. But I'll try not to become an addict. I have enough vices (so do you Andrew, so no more gambling). Will did an amazing job calling the numbers as did Jared with his math skilz and I especially enjoyed the corny name game. Something about seeing Nick as Oprah, Julaire as Jesus of Nazareth and Ashley as the creepy guy working the counter at Circle K really appealed to me. Thanks again to everyone that came out to celebrate the birthdays. I hope you had as much fun as I did.

boo

DSC_0068.jpg
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Quite often when I partake of many libations, I am inspired not only to NOT look through my viewfinder, but also to recite the infamous ,"but wait, I'm doing a one second exposure". It is also the case that I have been known to take many photos of Jared. This time around Nick, Brandon and Ashley were also the subject of this trend in a little photo shoot I like to call "Reno 911 officer arrests naughty girl scout while Richard Simmons watches" I think they both wanted her cookies.

G.R.I.T.S ( Girls Raised In The South)

Ya'll ready yet?
Originally uploaded by Highrise Studio.

Even after bouts with a poorly designed barf bag and then experiencing my Dad's driving while passing an array of blue FEMA tarps, the trip home was pretty O.K. Mom got married that weekend in Natchitoches and as you can see I was camera-ready. I'll post some one day, but I shot mostly film and have yet to get those organized for public consumption. We had some delightful food and hung out with my sister and her crew of practical jokesters and then back to Dequincy to stay with Mawmaw & Pawpaw. Nicholaus really got a kick out of Will... between the paper airplanes, card houses, vintage Nintendo and some quality time spent with Mr. Mathews and his goats, there were some busy days. Will even left with a tinge of a southern accent.

Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

thanks Keith's Mom for the cream puff cake recipe. The subsequent cloud of smoke that was generated from the 28 pink candles resembled something strangely similar to nuclear warfare. Happy Birthday Heather!

sunshine & wheat

DSC_0054.jpg
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

We didn't make it to the actual parade of bikes, but I did get to see a man juggle a chainsaw, a bowling ball and an egg. No photos unfortunatly... I was too busy taking way too many pics of Will and Pat.

We shacked up @ the McIntyres, played a high stakes game of LRC and tested the effects of massive sour cream consuption on humans.

KINSEY&NICK
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

This is an older photo I took of the kids about 2 years ago, but I thought it fitting to post in light of our most current hurricane. Note the rubber boots. I think I have some video hanging around that involves the infamous missing swing set which is now the subject of our most current, soon to be ongoing joke.

map
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Dequincy is just north of Lake Charles and to the west

GEAUX TIGERS!

ticket
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Hot boudin, cold couscous, come on Tigers poush, poush, poush.

FLICKR Pro

beerfest34
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Hi Andrea.

O.k. kids. Beer fest pics are up and running. I finally upgraded my Flickr account. I could set up a separate website name, but then no one would ever read my blog.

a filthy @ the Silvertone

dirtygirl
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

So I went to Boston and barely took any photos. I'm such a loser. Good times though thanks to Heather and Tasha. Maybe they'll share some of their photos with ME (hint, hint). So cheers to the Parrish Cafe, zuni rolls and Stella in a special glass.

deadline day 8.22.05

deadline
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

I'm back from my Boston excursion, which may need to be another blog entirely , and had the opportunity to "jaunt" over to Martha's Vineyard for an evening via Bonanza Bus Lines and the Steamship Authority for some lobster and conversation with Stacey.

echinacea

echinacea
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

I SWEAR... I never used to take photos of flowers. Worse, this behavior has also been accompanied by an almost uncontrolable urge to take photos of Andrea's dogs. I think I'm losing my edge. I'm getting old and soft. What happened to my tortured soul always searching for a darker shade of black. I mean, at first I thought it was the Flagstaff air clouding my judgement, but it happens at home as well. For the love of god, my blog is 90% plants. Maybe it's all these weddings I shoot. My sentimentality meter is through the roof. But alas, I think the real culprit here is the D70. Thanks Will. No really... thanks.

MADE IN THE SHADE

beerfest35
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Beer Festival this weekend. You wouldn't know it from this sky, but it was hailing buckets earlier in the day. Good Times! I'll have more photos up soon.

BOOM!!!!

honda
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

fender buster today. The U.S. 60 near the 101. Mystery driver basically at a dead stop in center lane trying to hop a lane and then exit. Will brakes...the other lanes are too busy to make a switch, but mystery driver finally moves out of the way as we get it from the F150 behind us. No one was hurt... Will's neck has seen better days and the worst I got was was a bobby pin rammed into my skull. The other guy was really nice, I think he's a paramedic or something. Not sure if he got sited or not. Oh....and yes, the seatbelts (a.k.a. sweetbelts) were fastened

rosemary

LARVAE

larvae
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

This little guy's been busy. And all he left me was a trail of little poop balls.

NATUZZI MONGERS

ella
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

Flagstaff this weekend. Ella is a really bad influence on us all.

Will, Andrea & Tharon.

DANG!

Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

You got shocks, pegs... lucky! You ever take it off any sweet jumps.

Durango on the 4th. Will & I visit Mr. McIntyre.

more fruit?

DSC_0029 copy
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

maybe I should get out more. My next photo will be of the scarf I'm crocheting.

THANKS LARRY

I finally decided to order online and get my groceries delivered and I may never go to the grocery store again. A big shout out to Safeway and my personal shopper Larry who is not allowed to accept tips but CAN pick out a perfect avocado.

BASIL

basil
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

ummm. well. yes. for everyone who has been anxiously awaiting a photo of my basil pant.

missmary2

missmary2
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

she's at it again...

miss mary

mary
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

taxi in Puerto Vallarto

hung2

hung2
Originally uploaded by Rhonda Lewis.

scene from Julie's thesis project