Healing

It has now been a few days since we had to put our Orko down and the healing process has begun. I guess we are kind of adjusting to not having him around, but maybe it has been a little easier since we have been dog sitting my parents' two dogs for a week and it hasn't been just one dog in the house to remind us that that is all we have right now.  I think it may have been harder had only Leia been here.  The dogs go home tonight so we will see how it goes.  We do keep slipping up: calling other dogs Orko, saying our TWO dogs, etc.  I guess that will last for a while.  In case you are wondering, we do not planning on getting another dog, at least for now.  With Leia about 9 years old, we feel it would be mean to bring a puppy or any dog for that matter back into the household.  So that is the plan, at least for now. 

With that, here are the last three pictures of the day...

This reminds me of those models you see at model homes where you can pick which lot you want. The center area must be where they are putting the new stadium. Or this could just be the insides of a computer!



Spare some change?



King of the Mountain. Again, a little out of focus, but the moment was just too good to pass up!

Orko

Goodbye ol' boy. Mommy and Daddy are going to miss you so much.

Orko-Pot: 3/7/98 - 4/26/10

Canine Companions

It is amazing how close the snow and mountains are to our house.



Just a stretch




Ow! It hurts! Normally, I wouldn't post a blurry picture like this, but it was too funny to pass up!

Begging

Mommy.....PLEEEEAAASSEEEE!!!!





Just a spoonful of sugar.

April 20th, 2010 - Day 327

April 20th, 2010 - Day 327
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

Going out in the world

Getting Back on Track

A little behind again, but hopefully that gave you time to look at my last post, my baby photo shoot. Today, I scheduled another photo shoot, this time for a three year old, so I am starting to think of what I will take while getting the whole nervous/excited feelings!

Life is starting to get back to normal in our household. During Fran's last couple of months, our life was out of whack, but now that it has been a couple of weeks since her funeral, life seems to be back to normal. This weekend, we even got to party with our friends both nights, something I can't remember doing for a long time. People sometimes badmouth the routine of everyday life, but for us, it is something we have been looking forward to. A board game night at our house on Friday night, a giant 3 way birthday party with our friends on Saturday night, lounging around the house all day Sunday, and so on. It's kind of nice.

Now, on with the pictures...

Any guesses what this is?




It must be Friday night!!




Cocktail time! Out for dinner Saturday afternoon for my mom's birthday.




Ben has his eye on you!




Just a drop...




Saturday night at the birthday party, someone brought over a pinata. Jess and I both got a shot at the guy!

Baby Gianna

Today I did for my first photo shoot of another human being (Well, other than that one of Jess a few months back, but it's my wife). I thought it went fairly well, but it felt weird telling people to do this, do that, pose this way, etc. Even now, I can think of some things I would change for next time. Plus, if I had the money, I would have some different lighting equipment, but I made do with what I had. So, I'm happy with them, and know how they could be better. Win-win situation I guess.

The following is the one I chose as picture of the day and the rest of the set is linked below if you wish to check them out!




The rest!

April 13th, 2010 - Day 320

April 13th, 2010 - Day 320
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

My new Kindle!!!

April 12th, 2010 - Day 319

April 12th, 2010 - Day 319
Originally uploaded by pokermanuel

Get to the point

Tick, Tock

Can you believe there is only about a month and a half left until my picture a day project is over?!? Yes, May 29th, I'll be done and the date is fast approaching! I have been kind of behind on posting my pictures daily, but I seem to have been busy lately. I don't think I have even commented on any blogs in the last week or so. So bad.

On with the last 5 days of pictures...

Pop the Tab


On Thursday, we found out that our boy, Orko, has diabetes. Unfortunately, the insulin is pretty pricey, but if we don't treat him, they think he will have 3 to 4 months to live. Such a tough decision...



Some of you may know already, but Jess is quite crafty! She makes cards, invitations, and all sorts of other cool things. On Friday, her and her bud Yvette made wedding invitations at the house for Brandon and Yvette's upcoming wedding. They came out GREAT!



A birdhouse my crafty grandpa made!


And look at Jess, still smiling after 12 hours at work!

You Spin Me Round Round....

I finally found the playground equipment I was looking for! I have been looking for one of those spinning rides that many playgrounds used to have. You know, you get on with your friends, hold tight, and someone, usually an adult, spins you in circles. Probably due to children flying off, they are hard to find now. But, there is at least one still around in Sacramento and I got to take the picture I had been wanting to do...

Wonders of Wondercon!

Saturday, Jess and I went to Wondercon 2010 which is basically a HUGE comic/sci-fi/movie/nerd convention. It is run by the people who do ComicCon, the biggest convention of its kind in the world. Wondercon is like the little brother, not quite as big, but still tons of fun. We got to walk around and see stuff for purchase, meet movie stars, see fun costumes, and sit and listen to movie stars plug their upcoming movies. We had a ton of fun and I would do it again.

Especially cool was Peter Mayhew, the guy in the Chewbacca outfit, was there and Jess was able to take a picture with him again. She met him in September, but that was the day of the infamous lost/stolen camera. He was more than happy to take another picture free of charge!








I also got to meet Shawnee Smith, or Amanda from the Saw films.  I was excited for this because I had a slight crush on her when I was younger; dating back to the movie Summer School.  And she was even cuter in person so that made my day!













And now, because I have been out of town and behind, here are the last 5 pictures of the day!


Cobra Commander behind "bars."



Grayce blowing out her candles while Dustin Hoffman watches on.



The BART trains zooms by. I wish I had a tripod for this shot.



Jessica's toe all pretty for Easter



A cloud from the afternoon, both pretty and imposing.

New Tattoo!

Yesterday, I got a new tattoo, my third and second by the amazing Brandon Bracamonte of Fallen Angel Tattoo. Dude is AWESOME! I would write more, but I need to get to work!