What makes me happy ?

"The Optimist Creed,"

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud

word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to

the best that is in you.

***********************************************************************************

Note from Steph: I found this on the web today.....I love it....what if you took one of these a

week and that's what you worked on.....would you be a better, happier person at the end of

12 weeks ? Would the people around you notice a change ? Would the people around you

think you were happier and more content ? Pair this with the love of God and it pretty

much seems like you would be invincible !

clown.com

Everyone that knows me knows I HATE CLOWNS !!! HATE EM !!!!  Tam got me this firework for the 4Th of July.  So basically if you try and read the package...it's a EXPLOSIVE CLOWN THAT LAUGHS OUTLOUD   !!!  What the heck ?  Seriously folks....this isn't even funny or humorous one bit.  This is the beginning of bad bad bad things to come.   So buckle up and I hope you enjoy the video down below.....be sure to check out the eyes and nose.....I will never sleep again !! 

4th of July CLOWN STYLE !

Be sure to check out the face of the firework clown....I promise sleep will never come again to you or your beloveds !  :-) 

Bk came to swim !!!

Little girl came to swim the other day !! It was such a nice kick back day !!! 

KEWL !!!

Our church has a new KEWL website.  Check them out at Living Hope Church at the 

new home on the web.  I took the staff photos and it's a good thing that the staff is 

really, really, really good looking !!!   

So check it out and THANKS Pastor Jeff for the link on there !!!  

Check it out !!

I had a photo session today with Miss Isla !!! How cute is she ?  

Head on over to my photography site and check it out !!! 

Just click on the previous work PHOTOGRAPHY  !

 It's just that easy folks !!!  

My Monkey Friend.....

My Monkey Friend.....,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

So here is Wolfie and my monkey friend from when I was little....how creepy is this that back in the day someone was creating these very very strange "stuffed animals" for kids to play with ? It must of been genius marketing cause my mom bought me one and I played with it for years !!!

I was cleaning out my parents garage one day and came across him....I decided it was time to throw him away.....but snapped this pic of Wolfie and friend.....good times !!!

Is this my Monkey ?

,
originally uploaded by MaggieMason.

I had the same monkey growing up as a kid. It was a playmate and friend.....I found this photo on Flickr.......I'm going to post a photo also of MY monkey....just so you can see !!!!!

cell phones attack

I guess I can't include iPODS in my cell phone summer project can I ?  I'm trying to get a picture with as many cell phones as I can......Think I will make over 10 or 15 by the end of summer ?  

A New Home ?

So I have a new little home here in the net.....


http://riedelphotography.blogspot.com/


Check it out and let me know what you think !!!!

Do you get it ?

Bella ! Naughty Puppy !!!!

Lexi - On the Way to Open House !!!!

Lexi was practicing for her big play the next day !!!!!  We were driving to open house !!!  

Okay so who's in ?

June 19th at the San Jose Arena....I have always wanted to see him in concert.......think Andrew Ridgley will make a guest appearance ?  Let's roll peeps !!!!  Wake me up before we go go !!! LOL 

Bigfoot is real !!!

Have you been on the Yo Yo ?

So this is the Yo Yo ride. LOVED by thousands of people and kids all over the world !!!! My kids ride it last weekend even. It collapsed yesterday at the Calavares County Fair.....24 people were hurt and THANK GOD no one died. My mom never liked me to ride these rides when I was little.....and now I know why !!!!!

Here's an interesting website to check out about ride accidents. Just click on the previous text and see what I'm talking about.....

madi re-mix

CLICK ABOVE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO A RE-MIX SLIDE SHOW !!!!!

Madi

How cute is she ? Seriously people ? She works it out !!! In the words of Randy Jackson from American Idol !!! I'm still working on a few "secret" projects but just had to post these pics of Madi !! I got a new fancy slideshow program but am still having issues getting it to work !!! So I used photobucket for this one but it has no music !!! UGGGGG But even with all the issues it still does not take away how much I love taking pics !!!!! So just say CHEESE and check back later !!!!! :-)

OUCH !

So I guess that migraines run in the family.  Wolfie came down with a bad one tonight.  We were doing some work on the computer together and he started to not be able to see letters.  He said he had sun spots and was having a hard time seeing.  We gave him two Motrin and told him to get into bed.  Well about 30 minutes later he came out in so much pain.  We have him laying in our bed, with a wet rag on his forehead with the fan on.  These headaches are just like Rob got when he was a kid.  Mine are different with the way they come on.  Poor Wolfie !  I hope this is the last one he ever had.  If you have ever had a migraine.....you know what I'm talking about !  

Yeeeeee Hawwwwww

Cheesy Smile!!,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

It's MayFair time again !!!! I'm posting this photo of Lexi from 2005...3 years ago. Ever since my hubby moved me back to this small town I get extreme joy of taking the kids to the MayFair !!! It's one of the oldest fairs in California ! My mil is the town Historian and I'm sure I could get exact dates from her but heck the Zipper is waiting along with a rolled taco and cotton candy ! No time to waste !!!

The kids get out of school early today and then it's a MAD MAD MAD rush to get them fed a decent lunch and then head out to the fair to get a decent parking spot and the kids INSTANTLY on rides and hooked up wtih their friends !!!! It's all GOOD !!!!

Last night the B-52's played and with the way the sound works in this little town they might of been in my backyard or at least down the street !! Love shack BABY !!!!

So check back soon partners for photos of the fairs little pleasures !!! Also maybe some good carnie footage ! LOL

Alive.com

Yes my lovely fans I'm still alive !!! It's been so much with work, kids sports, laundry and pets !! LOL I am working on a really fun project and hope to reveal it to all of you soon !!!!! You can always check in with Flickr for any new photos !

It's May Fair weekend around these parts and I can't wait to use my D80 this weekend to get shots at the fair !! Whoot !!!!!

out.com

Sweet 16 !!!!!

Chase,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

Yeah, I picked a cutie photo for your cool 16th birthday.....Happy Birthday Chase-E-Boi !!!!!!!!! Hope you have a great day and this is your best year EVAH !!! Of course you will be driving so OF COURSE it's gonna be great !!!

PUNKED.COM

Might As Well JUMP !!!!

Track and field meet's started this week.  They are really fun and long events.   Wolfie is doing the high jump, hurdles and tried the long jump today.  He won both the first events I believe and will need to spiff up the long jump.  All in all a great day.  Don't forget to mozie on over to Flickr to check out the other fun pics !!!!  You might even see Sasquatch !!!! 

Tuesday.com

Yes, I know it's back to the dot.com but I haven't been posting on a regulator basis.  So deal with it !!!  Life is good, busy and insane all at the same time.  There's softball, flag football, girl scouts, track and field and that includes the practices and games.  It's fun but seriously last night.....FREEZING......out at the ball park  !!!!   We all looked like frozen ice pops !   

I would like to post more but in reality I'm posting more photos on Flickr.  Hope your week is going great !  

J-Dawg

Yo, Yo, Yo so listen up....it's J-Dawg's Birthday today !!!! So show him some comment love and give him virtual spankings !!! He will need 13 of them today !!!! Have a ROCKIN DAY J-DAWG !!!!!

Nikon Geek !

So today is my Nikon Geek's Birthday !!   I have known Lisa (it's really Alisa and I call/write both Lisa and Alisa for no reason ! LOL) for about 11 years and she's always been true blue.  Always there when you need her and willing to help out !!!  I hope she has a ROCKIN birthday today and her new FISH EYE lens comes in the mail today !!!!  Keep rockin the NIKON WORLD !!!! 

New Temp ?

I found this really cool website where you can update the template for your Blogger Blog ! Google this website   http://psyc.horm.org and see what you can find !  It's pretty easy !! I'm still working out the bugs but leave a comment and let me know what you think !!  

Lumberjack !

My niece is home for the weekend for UC Davis Picnic Day. The Humboldt marching band she's in was in the parade for Picnic Day. We meet up with her and her boyfriend Shaun for lunch at Chipolte.
We had a great day and ended up coming home and stopping at Stevenson Bridge. I will post more photos of our day on Flickr this weekend !  
 

Work It Out !!!

I took photos last weekend of a pre-prom dinner party. It was so fun and the kids were great !!! I'm still working on the slide show but I hope to have it up soon !!!!! Here's a few to keep 

you hanging on !!!

Here's Nick's little brother, Grant and he's working it out also !!!! 

DEBO

Mom and Her Boys,
originally uploaded by debbielindenmuth.

Hey everyone !!!! It's DEB's birthday !!!! Not only is she a great friend but I get to sit next to her each day and work with her !!!! She rocks the palm treo and Starbucks !!!! Hope you have a great day Deb !!!!!!!

It's not a party till Joe-McDreamy is there!!!!

it's not a party till Joe-McDreamy is there!!!!,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

Yo everyone !!! This is a shot out to my SIH , Joe, he's rocking the 4.0 today and dosen't he look great ? So send him some love and leave some comments for Joe-Dawg......

Happy Birthday DUDE !!! Glad you made it !!!! :-)

P R O M

One of my sisters BFF from junior high and high school has a daughter. She asked my nephew to the prom in the Bay Area......he said yes.......Here they are STYLIN last weekend !!!!! My sis sent me these and I had to post them !!! Taylor is looking soooooo much like his Dad.......What a handsome devil !!!!

ROCKIN the LIMO !!!!!

Photos by my sister T.L. Doane

Happy Birthday Vicki !!!

Blue Steele,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

I have a beautiful (Well I have many many beautiful friends...it's in the water around here) friend named Vicki.....it's her birthday today !!!!!!

You see in this photo that she loves to give Magnum Zoolander looks when posing for the photo !!!!! She's HOT, no doubt !!!!

Happy Birthday VS !!!! Have a great day !!!!

Shaun ROCKS !!!!!!!

WOW !!!!!

I just paid my A T & T Cell Bill

I was LOL at the # of Text's.......

Lexi: 0 (Lexi has no phone)

Rob: 94

Steph: 1975

Wolf: 2144

Now it's your turn to confess !!!!!

Easter 2006

Wolfie's Legos,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

Happy Easter from 2006 ! Wolfie was really sick during the spring of 2006 and so HAPPY and BLESSED that he's better and totally back to normal !

I love to see how the kids have changed from year to year. I also hope the Easter Bunny was good to you and you have a great Easter ! Lexi's feeling better but we are going to take it fairly easy today.

xxoo

S

Softball

Well it's official and opening night/day was last night. Lexi's playing girls softball for the first time. They are GREEN, LEAN AND MEAN !!! LOL  It should be a fun season !!!!!  

Here's Lexi and a few of her dude buddies !!!!  She really adores them !!!!  

Lexi partied so hard at the opening season event......that she got a bad case of the stomach flu Friday night.  Once I got home from bunco.....poor girl woke up at 1:30 AM and was up every 30 minutes or so !!!!  She feels better today but is going to take is easy so she's ready for the bunny tomorrow !!!  Hope you all have a great Easter !!!!  

Sergio

When Tam and I headed to the Santee Alley's in August of 2007 we saw a guy there. He was walking right down the middle of the alley and everyone was saying hello to him. I could not help but notice his feet. They were like nothing I ever saw before. He had a very obvious birth defect. I felt so sad for him and his feet. The entire day I could not stop thinking about him and hoped that people were kind and nice to him.

Well just two weeks ago when Tam and I were there again I was saying that if we saw him again it would be a miracle. So I asked one of the girls that works in the Alleys if she knew him and she nodded to her right and said "Him?" and there he stood. He was standing right in the middle of the Alleys asking for money. He wears handmade shoes. Tam and I went up to him and talked to him. He spoke pretty decent English. He told us his name. I told him that I saw him 7 months ago and had always wondered how he was. He told us that his parents may have been able to get surgery for him when he was a young child but they never did.

He was one of the sweetest guys I have talked to in a long time. Very gracious and genuine. He seemed very touched that we actually took the time to talk to him. Tam and I want to write to Oprah or a major shoe company and see if we can get custom shoes for him. He told us he's okay but begging is the only way he can make money. Of course we helped him out.

I don't post these photos to mock or make fun. I walked away from him this last time with my eyes filled with tears. We walk each day taking for granted our own life's and the people in our life. We don't take the time to walk in other peoples shoes. Sergio is a perfect example of walking in someone shoes. Take a minute to appreciate what you have and help others.

jojo

reasons,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

I had fun yesterday taking some cool shots of my niece Jordan......check them all out at my Flickr......

8 Her day......

Birthdays are not just one day anymore !! It's like a week or a weekend !   Lexi was star of the week last week and that meant taking different things into her class last week.   Then our Saturday started off with Lexi's basketball game.  She did great and had some nice moves !!

 Then it went to getting the house cleaned up for a BBQ.  I truly wish my house was 4X the size or my kids would both have summer birthdays !!!   It's hard in the winter to have more than about 2 families over for a BBQ inside the house.   Rob and I love to have big parties (Well maybe I do more than Rob LOL) and be able to invite every single person in our town over ! We had a few parties last summer and since our backyard is HUGE I think the most we have had is close to 60....no problem !!!   Winter dinners tend to be one or two families max......bummer !!!!  We need to convert the garage to a REC ROOM !!!  Rob can you get on that ?  LOL    

Anyway Wolfie had his basketball game at noon.  He played GREAT and had some awesome moves.  Unfortunately for their team their baskets could not land and the other teams did.  They lost by only 10 but it was a great game.  Oh yeah and Wolfie fouled out !!!  WOW......as the great philospher said "You can't take them home with you"   Way to go BOI !!!!!  It's the first time he's ever fouled out !!!!  It was a fun game !!!!  

After Wolfies game , Lexi got a nice nap in !   Then around 5pm or so a few peeps came over for Lexi's favorite tri tip bbq.  It was a fun night of ROCK BAND  (Thanks Shaun for coming down and bringing it )  , dog fights, old vine zin, bbq, cabo wabo t, random rain showers and lots of snacks !   

The night ended around 1AM after a viewing of Lexi's Bee Movie......I should of taken a shot of the bodies sleeping on the living room floor !!!!  All in all a great night and Lexi went to sleep happy !   Thanks to everyone who stopped by to wish Lexi a nice birthday !!!!  

8

It's Lexi's birthday today !  Whoot !!!!  I think I blinked and somehow 8 years have passed and my little girl is getting older !!!   Lexi can have moments of being a DRAMA MAMA for sure.....but for the most part she's such a sweet sweet little girl.  She still holds my hand, tells me she loves me, wants to cuddle, calls me mama !   She cares about others, composes her own songs,  she loves her animals and even her big brother.  

Happy Birthday Lexi Lu !!!!!  I love  you to the sun, moon and back to you !!!!  xxoo 

Mom 

L.A. Saturday

Bk--Rocks the Sunglases !!! ,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

We had a great Saturday in L. A. We started back at the grove for a bit, had fresh OJ, went to Venice Beach, had lunch and watched the freaks. I love to people watch and could sit all day there and check out that scene !!!!

After Venice we headed to Malibu. My fav L. A. pics are from Malibu......but work, life and kids call to me....so your gonna have to wait !!!!!

Be sure to click on little miss BK rocking the red hollywood sunglasses to take you to my Flickr wonderland for more pics !!!!!

American Girls

American Girls ,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

Okay folks....I got my taxes done this afternoon, did some laundry, cleaned the house a little and WOW posted DAY ONE AFTERNOON for your viewing pleasure !!!!!!!

Malibu Sunset

Malibu Sunset,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

Tam, BK, Lexi and I had a blast in L.A. Total fun around every corner !!! I would tell Tam "Let me just drive a few more miles to see what's up there" and well this is what I found.......on the Beach in Malibu at sunset......That's no mistake friends........There is a reason and a purpose behind everything....sometimes it's just someone else driving the wheel.....wow that was deep.......Click on the sunset photo and head to Flickr to see it bigger.........the little pic just does not do it justice !!!!!!

I put up the first 1/2 day of our trip and will be posting more later today. I took almost 800 pics !!!! It takes a while to sort, tweerk and tweek !!!

Live Blogging Day 2

Morning Folks !!!!  Good luck getting me home from this place !!!  I just want to keep driving around each corner to see what's around it !!!   We had a GREAT (Although BK might say LONG) day yesterday !!!!    I got to stand on the beach at sunset, take photos and watch the sun set....heaven !!!  I"m going to show you in photos on Flickr once I get home !!!! 

Off to get coffee, pack up and get some more fun in before it's time to jump on the plane around 5pm......the ride here was BUMPY so pray for us to have a SMOOTH flight home !!!!!!    

xxoo 

S 

Live Blogging From L.A.

I'm sitting here with Lexi at the Farmers Daughter Hotel L.A.   Tam and BK are still snoozing !They have a Mac in the lobby that anyone can use.  HEAVEN !!!!    We just had to get up and find some breakfast ! Lexi loves to eat the second she wakes up.   This hotel is edgy and urban.   We went to L.A. Ink yesterday but Kat was in New York but the skate ramp is just like they show on the television.  We also went to the Alleys and did a little shopping and finished our dat at the Grove, American Girl Place for shopping and dinner.  We then walked all around and finished our night at Pinkberry !!!   

As we were falling asleep , while Kendall was WOUND up running around in the dark of the hotel room, Lexi said to me "Mama I love L.A. "  

Country Roads......

Fly me home.....,
originally uploaded by Steffoush.

Take me back to the Santee Alleys, Pinkberry Yogurt, The Grove, Venice Beach, Farmers Daughter Hotel and other "Laugh till your bladder just can't hold no more" moments !!!!

Tam, BK, Lexi and myself are leaving tomorrow for a fun filled TWO nights in the city of angels. The last time Tam and I were in L.A. there were times I could hardly drive on the freeway , we were laughing so hard, eyes filled up with laughter tears and the GPS lady (We called her HELEN) was just rambling away. Helen hold up girl ! and let the humor die down and then please direct us to the ever so familier smell of the Santee Alleys. Do you need a visual here people ? LOL

I will be taking my D80 and trying to get some cool shots of the various strange things you can buy in the alley's. I will also be live "Twittering" for anyone who wants to keep minute by minute tabs and needs to know where I might be any any moment !

I didn't live blog the American Idol Girls last night.....but......who was your favorite ?

Live American Idol Blogging

Okay we are watching the guys.  Here's my re-cap.  

1)  Luke....He choose a Wham song.  NO NO NO Now I loved me some WHAM in the 80's but this is a "light" song and although he's got a great smile I think the judges won't like it.  

2)  David A.......Age 17 people !!!........Phil Collins song right ?  I think he's got a beautiful voice ! I loved his version ! 

3)  Danny.......Bye Bye Danny....that's all I'm saying.......

4)  David H.....I actually love this song.....I thought he did a great song and he can BELT it out !!! He's in the top 3 ! 

  

5)  Michael Johns......Total CLASSIC 80's song Don't You Forget About Me ! He's got a great voice and IMO is in the top 3 guys ! 

6)  David......"Rocker Guy"  Oh my......Weird......I don't know what to think about this guy.....I never really liked Lionel Ritchey songs.....

7)  Jason......I love this guys voice !!!!!   He's in the top 3 for me !!!! 

8)  Chickeze.......He can be really smooth.....I think he will come in either 4th or 5th in the competition...... 

Overall the guys did a really great job this week !!!  I think that Luke or Danny will be gone this week.....What do you think ?