Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Chico State

A Trip Back in Time





Seven years later, and it hadn't changed a bit. I never realized just how strange I would feel pulling back into town. I immediately thought about all the great times I had back in the day. I was feeling a cross between happy and sad, almost melancholy. I can't begin to explain my college days... but I knew that while I was there for this short visit, there were a few places I had to see again for sure. After lunch at La Familia, (love those huge meal size tostadas) we headed through town. Our first stop was by Sigma Kappa. I just had to snap a photo of my good old sorrority house. We took a drive by the old Beta house just for kicks. The yellow house on third, and the porch was just as I remembered it... adorned with beer bottles and party paraphenelia galore. We couldn't forget Riley's or 5 & I either. It was off to Lulu's next, my favorite trendy little boutique on Main in beautiful downtown Chico. Of course I couldn't leave without a souvenier, an infamous Lulu's T-shirt, and a few other must haves. Our last stop was the campus. As beautiful as ever and of course just as I had remembered it. All I could think was "Welcome to Mommy's college Bella." Boy was my mind racing to capture a moment in time, any random moment from my good old college days. Ok, so Chico State was a wonderful time in my life, something I'll have forever. It was good to be back that day, the familar sound of the town and the campus made it seem like just yesterday. The many memories I made at Chico are no doubt, beyond measure. Thanks CSUC!!

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Right in My Own Backyard





Happy Monday! (Ok, so it's now Tuesday, but I was having problems uploading photos to my blog yesterday, so I created a new post altogether). Either way, it was of course another beautiful weekend and you know what that means.... the perfect opportunity to take photos. I was thinking yesterday, just how unbelievable it is the amount of photos I already have and my daughter is barely a year old. I couldn't begin to imagine the number I will have by the time she is 10. I admit it, I am one of those people who takes photos of everything, and of course this is my first child. I am never without my trusty camera, you just never know when you might stumble upon the perfect photo op. "She with the most photos in the end WINS!!!!"

Ok, so have you ever had something so wonderful right in your own backyard and didn't even know it? Last Sunday after church, we were on our way home and like every Sunday we passed a sign for Caswell State Park. Now I have lived in Manteca for about 22 years, and the last time I went out to Caswell was well over 10 years ago. After all this time, I had this crazy itch to check it out once again.

My hubby grew up in the nearby town of Escalon, and I was kind of surprised that he had never been there (since he's been everywhere else). Well, he loves to fish, so of course I knew what he was thinking....."did somebody say fishing???" As planned, after church on Sunday we headed off to Caswell. I still can't get over the fact that this fabulous park is only a 10 minute drive from our house. It is tucked away way out at the end of a country road in the small (neighboring) town of Ripon, right on the Stanislaus River. There was in fact plenty to do, with the sandy beaches, swimming, tubing, picknicking, fishing and miles of hiking trails. Caswell's 258 acres is considered to be one of California's finest examples of a Mature Oak Riparian Forest.

Somewhere in the enjoyment of my afternoon, I took a moment to appreciate the most perfect and peaceful nature of Caswell. It's funny how we sometimes overlook what is often right in front of us. How I had forgotten the beauty of Caswell State Park....and there it was all along right in my own backyard. Needless to say we had a great time. As usual, I took many photos to remember the day. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the afternoon than with Family, yummies (Bella's first chocolate chip cookie experience) and KP even caught a few fish! For an ordinary Sunday afternoon, Caswell proved to be the icing on the cake and I can't wait to return.....

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Vintage Stride Rite...Circa 1978

While visiting my Mom sometime last week, she handed to me an old Stride Rite shoe box. She had been organizing some cabinets in her house and found these old shoes of mine. I opened the box with a sentimental sort of feeling inside. They were adorable, I thought. I immediately had to try them on my daughter, they were a perfect fit! "You could probably sell those on e-bay" she said. After looking the shoes over pretty closely, I sort of chuckled and said "What would my item description say...Vintage Stride Rite, Right Shoe Missing Buckle, Circa 1978." We both smiled and proceeded to document the moment. I just couldn't wait to scrap it. The top photo is a close-up of the infamous shoes. I don't care what e-bay says they are worth...I will forever keep them as they are more valuable to me than dollars and cents.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Watch it, You're in "My Space"

Just recently I set out to accomplish two things...first one was to create/publish a blog, second thing was to set up an account on My Space. I have officially done both and have to say it feels good! I had no idea what a late little bloomer I had become. EVERYONE has a MY Space page, and I am not exaggerating, I mean everyone. So, if you don't I suggest you get one very soon...although be careful, I can already see that it can be very addicting. If you have a chance and you want to check it out you can always find me at My Space.

Friday, September 08, 2006

Where to begin?

Ok, here goes. After much thought, I decided that it was about time I jump on the ever popular Blogging Bandwagon... so here I am, it's almost 10pm on an ordinary Friday night, posting my very first blog. I am so excited, I can hardly stand it. I have so much to say, and have no idea where to start. Lets see...where to begin.....I'll start with a little about myself. Like most of us, I wear many hats. I am a Christian, a perfectionist, a mother, daughter, sister and wife, an artist, and professionally, a Realtor Associate for RE/MAX www.jillguimont.com I LOVE photography and I love the fabulous art of scrapbooking. I am a free spirit, a little obsessive, compulsive, a bit insecure and confident all at once. My goal for the next half of my life is to tackle the lengthy "To Do" list I have so diligently been creating for the last 29 years.

I have a beautiful daughter, whom just celebrated her 1st birthday. She is my precious Bella Moon, truly my pride and joy. I have the most awesome, loving and hardworking Husband, Kevin (KP). They both are my inspiration!

One full moon night, I was maybe 3 months pregnant. Out of the blue, and very humorously, KP looked up at the bright beautiful moon and uttered something silly about the moon. We laughed about it all the way home. Somehow the name stuck and ever since we have called our daughter "Bella Moon." To this day, we are occasionally a.k.a. "The Moon Family".....Jilly, KP & Bella Moon. I just love how sometimes even the smallest or silliest thing can create the most special memory. So in closing......as you can see, because of them; I will forever be a girl who is ecstatically "Over the Moon."