Tuzigoot

As explained to the right of the screen this is my 3rd Favorite place I've traveled to, and it's very spiritual. To feel the stones and imagine people living here in this abode is powerful. What the picture doesn't show is the area surrounding it is lower valley. I believe they were farmers and also below is a very interesting, almost sunburst pattern made from earth. I wish I'd taken a picture of that too. The architecture is like that of the Machu Picchu meaning to see how they not only designed the structure, but also built it with stone, and I am guessing they gathered the stones from the area. If you have never been there you NEED to visit the next time you are in Cottonwood, Arizona. If you click on the picture it enlarges it even more...making it more real.

Alpine, Arizona

This is Luna Lake located a few minutes from Alpine, Az. A favorite fishing spot and has a nice walking trail located to the right of the picture. It's about 5 minutes from the New Mexico border, with Luna, NM on the other side. This is another destination that is scenic during all seasons.

This is exactly what it says. It's the sign that separates Arizona from New Mexico.

a Pennsylvania Forest

This is a forest in or near Bucks County, PA. Pennsylvania is a beautiful place to live and the scenery, different from that of Az, it's just as pleasant.

My house in Glendale, Arizona

This is the house where I lived out my 10 years in Arizona. The two front top windows are bedrooms, and the bottom large window is the living room. The two front trees were fondly named by Joey when he was 5 yrs. old...Steven & Alice. This house had many good memories and many guests came to visit. It was a home of fun, and welcome to everyone. When it rained, everyone would gather outside and dance as if we'd never seen rain before. During dust storms we'd walk outside and hear the power poles burst their lines and pop like firecrackers. In January we had our autumn season, and the front yard would be covered with brown and mustard yellow leaves. Sometimes on rare occasions we'd get hail storms, and when done it's as close to snow as we get, because the ground is piled with tiny hail balls. For Christmas, we'd sit outside in shorts & t-shirts, calling family who were literally in a blizzard. In the summer it would get so hot, the cool water of the swimming pool was like heaven on earth. We'd swim until pruned, and step into the 120* heat, then want to get back in the water to cool off. We did BBQ pretty much every day, especially in summer when it was too hot to cook in the house. The area was built on an old pecan orchard, and a few original trees still existed, and in February we'd collect enough fallen pecans to make cookies throughout the rest of the year. And my favorite part of living in the Arizona desert is the smell of rain on the desert...a smell so its own. You have to enhale it to know what I mean, and the smell of rain on the hot pavement is also heavenly.

My "Yuma" tree

I fondly refer to this over-sized Cottonwood as the "Yuma" tree, as it's located in Yuma, Arizona. The way the branches extend, and the greeness of it is magnificent. Truly a beautiful sight to behold.

picnic spot at Crescent Lake...Alpine, Az

This spot we found back in 1994 and kept going every time we visited Alpine, Arizona. Many a picnics were here and many a good memories of this particular spot. Even if the weather was too cold for a picnic we did it anyway. As you can see the view of Crescent Lake is shimmering and quite magnificent on a sunny, bright day. The elevation for Alpine is around 9,000 Ft., so weather here can get cold/snowy and warm/sunny. To get to Crescent Lake we'd drive 30 minutes on dirt road to get to this spot, and the other lake in the area is Big Lake, where we spent many a day fishing & chilling out. Alpine is special to me....very special, as is staying at the Sportsman Lodge (Frank & Phyllis Barnes)...Room #11. Kept visiting Alpine until fall of 03*

Mount Mingus

Mount Mingus is very special to me as I've spent many times contemplating life and finding the scenery from this far up (5,000 ft) breath-taking beyond measure. Looking down into the valley is Cottonwood, Arizona, and one of my most favorite spots, Tuzigoot (an ancient Indian ruin) can be seen on a clear day. The sky stretches out as far as the eye can see. A very sacred spot. Many wonderful memories from this spot.

Kelby (the graduate) with his uncles...Sean & Brett

I was able to get a picture of Brett without him slipping away from my camera, and I think this one turned out great with all three boys in it. And it's also funny to see Kelby is taller than both his uncles.

Ahhh, kids grow too quick!

Mom, me, Marcy

This is mom, me, and marcy at Applebee's in Greeley, Colorado. I was treated to dinner and we had fun with my camera being silly and laughing, having a GREAT time. Yes, my family is corky but I love them all the same :o)

Michelle Rene' & Kayla Marie

My best friend and a beautiful, intelligent, amazing girl...whom I adore more than life. She's full of energy and I had too much fun staying with her. We stayed up late, talking well into the night. We giggled like school girls, talked about boys, and life. She's the one who's a lot like me, which is a treat. This is also my favorite picture...also hangs in my apartment.

The Devine Aunt Shirley

This is uglier than me. It's our private joke we've shared for years. I don't even remember how it started, but it stuck and we mean it in the most loving way. Aunt Shirley is another person in my life whom I cherish. To have her for my aunt is bliss. She's funny, lively, beautiful, talkative, a great card player, and loves company. She's also the most craftiest person I know...meaning she can sew, glue, or make anything. I miss her very much too. She's an amazing woman. Very amazing.

me and mom

I love this picture of me and mom. Taken at Kelby's graduation. The best part of going home was seeing my mom. I missed her more than anyone, and being able to talk to her face-to-face was something a heart only feels. I had a great time with everyone, but seeing my mom made my entire year the best.

Huh! What!

This is my gorgeous nephew, Kelby Michael. Yes, he is a handsome boy and don't let the look fool ya. He's just a bit odd in the head...lol.

This is my little kelbins, who's now almost 20 as this picture was taken last year. He grew up so quickly and I miss the little guy who I used to play with.

I adore this kid more than words can say, and as you see from the picture he has quite the sense of humor. He's one of the greatest people I've had the privilege to know.

Who loves ya baby

This was taken of mom the day of Kelby's graduation. She looks stunning dressed up, and need to do it more often. She's a beautiful woman, my mom.

Me and my Mom

The most beautiful woman in the world...my mom. I love this picture (taken at kelby's pre-grad party) of us. We were the only sober one's at the party...lol.

I Love You Mom!!

This cool chick is my awesome niece Kyndra. She's a fun, free spirit kind of person....very different (so far) from her sister, Kayla. And I adore her too.

Braeden Marie, my youngest niece. I met her for the first time on my visit home to CO. She's not only a sweetheart, but loved taking pictures. I adored her from the start, and it didn't take her long to get used to Aunt Shelly.

Grandma is holding her.

My adorable, blue-eyed nephew, Dagen Jay. I captured this picture while he was lying on the couch watching cartoons. To me there is no better photograph then one taken in action. Photo studios don't capture the true essence of the subject. He looks just like Sean...

Kayla, Kyndra, and me being goofy as we were pretty much my entire visit home. We took many other pictures like this, but this one's my favorite. I was surprised all three of us fit into the frame.

:o)

Two more of my most favorite people on planet Earth. My kelbs and my mom.

When I went home to Colorado, it was surreal....not seeing family in 3 years made me appreciate and take in every moment I had. Two weeks wasn't long enough, and seeing & hugging my mom was the best part of the visit.

I love them both dearly.

This is me and my sweet Kayla Marie. What better way to introduce a blog than with this photo. It's also my favorite and I adore her. She's not only my niece, but a best friend, and an intelligent, beautiful, amazing girl. I am blessed to have her in my life.

This is the 'new' michelle. I not only cut my hair, but I'm also a brunette, and I Love both!!! Change is Good! Also taking a self portrait is quite tricky, and I look a bit odd, but it's me and I figured not a bad way to introduce the world to Michelle.

my dearest friend Kathleen and me

This was taken on a friday night where I needed a best friend the most. She & Brian took me out for dinner and made me laugh. Best friends like Kathleen are rare & precious jewels. I cherish it.

April 26, 2008

This is a recent self-portrait. I not only cut my hair, but I'm a brunette (and I love it). Change is good and I crave change. It's always been a part of my life.