Only blooms at night...

I'd like to introduce you to an amazing blossom - a Cereus Peruvianus (Peruvian Apple) Cactus Flower. I wish I could take credit for this - however, these beauties are growing on several of my neighbors' plants.

These blossoms are rather interesting. They are about the size of a cereal bowl - attached to a cactus that stands 9-12 feet tall. They blossoms open up at night... and when the day warms they start to close up. The blossoms in the picture above are about half-way closed at this stage.

This picture was taken around 7:15 am this morning... and the blossoms were going back into their "sleep" mode to protect them from the hot summer sun. Kind of like I do... stay inside and stay cool. At least until this cruddy, humid weather decides to wane into Fall.

Hangin' with the Marsheks

Loren and Jody surprised us w/ a very short visit a few weeks back... so while they were in town we figured there's no better time than to get together w/ the rest of the family. Hey Marsheks - thanks for your impromptu hospitality and all the great laughs! Each time we get together we ask ourselves "Why don't we do this more often?!" Let's make sure so much time doesn't pass us by before next time.... k?!

This is Heaven and Brooklynne hanging out for the first time!

Hey Gramps - I love your smile!

Loren - so good to see you and your family ... I miss you lil' bro!

Like I said - w/ the Marsheks there is always laughter! Thanks Uncle Paul for having us over on such short notice! You do good BBQ chicken!

Brooklyne is so curious these days... and if you couldn't tell by her tanned skin she LOVES the swimming pool! Her Daddy Jason is so playful with her... and she loves it!

Again, thanks for your hospitality and the use of your fire pit. Those s'mores were FABULOUS!!!

Victor and Lydia

Congratulations Victor and Lydia! Your wedding day at the Crosby in Rancho Santa Fe was just a gorgeous day! Thank you for affording me the opportunity to capture your day from behind the camera!

You really couldn't have asked for a better day to tie the knot! Or a better location!

Even Jasmine enjoyed it!!!

You two are ever so lucky to have so many fun-filled family and friends ... and for them to have stood by you on your beautiful day... wow!

I wish I could have stayed through the reception. Everyone looked like they were ready to have a nice time together... congratulations on your future!

I love my city!

Flying back into San Diego from ... anywhere really ... is just amazing. The plane descends on this city looking brown and gray and muted blue. But, as in life, the closer you get the more defined everything becomes. The browns turn into darker and lighter shades of life. The blue tones become varied between white to indigo. And life as we know it in this city is unique and troubled and yet troublesome and the same.

But from up here in this seat at the back of the plane it all looks like such a straight forward, simple but busy city. Which reminds me... I love my life in this city!

Even LAPD thinks Paris is special!

I would put money on the fact that we could find another woman who was admitted to the same jail Paris Hilton was taken to this past Sunday for the exact same reason.

However, if we walk through the "common" woman's treatment ... and compared it to Paris' treatment we would find major discrepancies between the two.

Paris was in a cell by herself.
The other woman was probably put into "Gen Pop" ... the general population with individuals who committed all sorts of various crimes... some more dangerous than others.

Paris had originally been sentenced to 45 days jail.
The other woman probably had a longer sentence to start with.

Before Paris even entered jail her sentence had already been reduced to 23 days.
The other woman is probably still required to serve her 45 days.

Today - if you haven't heard already, Paris was released from jail. Wait a second... that's only 3 days served!
And like I said, I'd bet my paycheck on the fact that the other woman still hasn't had her original sentence reduced at all.

There's such a double standard for anyone who is a celebrity. Whether it be holding such individual accountable for public nudity, infidelity, stupid-in-public.... oh, I could just go on.

I heard the press conference ... and still I don't know how ANYONE can justify allowing ANYONE (Paris Hilton or not) to get by on a technicality.

And if they say she had a pre-existing condition which allows her special treatment... I'll tell you what that condition is.... "stupid-in-public".

Who will stand up and take responsibility for their actions?! Who is human enough to do that?!

A Glimpse of Heaven (May '07)

Well, I'm back from my R&R... and I'd love to show you what I got to experience. This is Heaven Gabriella Lauren Haraldsen! And she took right to me.... it's almost as if, even though she'd never seen me before, that she knew she was supposed to love me and hug me and accept me for just who I was... Auntie Lori. Because the first time I held her she buried her head in my shoulder and hugged me back! (Ok maybe she was just tired - it WAS close to midnight!)

Oh! I couldn't wait to introduce her to everyone! I wish I could have brought her home and let everyone give her their own hug. Because Heaven loves hugs and kisses! She is such a delight.... such a delight... giggling, laughing, full of wonderment and surprise and love... she is Heaven...

And like counting on the clock to tick - when she's concentrating on something you can count on her little pudgy feet to start "going a mile a minute"... twirling and twirling...

Look at that smile! Can you tell she loves Auntie Lori (photographer extraordinaire)?! A photographer simply can't tell a baby to smile (say "cheese")... babies only smile at those who look funny!

And here is Heaven adorned in a dress and bonnet made by her Great Grandmother Helen Haraldsen!

Daddy - you're so mean...

So may I introduce you to the newest member of the Haraldsen household... this is Heaven and her proud mommy and daddy - Jody and Loren.

Images captured in a quaint old town of McKinney, Texas ...

R & R (May '07)

Well, I'm off for a few days of rest and relaxation.... much needed and well deserved! My emotions have been up and down this past week ... and coupled w/ the normal busy-ness of LIFE I just need to get away. Why the emotional roller coaster? This past week a long-time family friend passed away... we're also celebrating the engagement of some friends ... and absorbing the news of a potential divorce for another couple of friends.... and then of course I'm dealing with guilt from not getting my mother's day gift to her in time.

So what will I do? Where will I go? I plan to 'disconnect and reconnect' so to speak. Disconnect = from my cyber world. Reconnect = with my life. I'm travelling to visit my lil' brother in Dallas... and his new little bundle of joy... Heaven Gabriella.

Auntie Lori has yet to meet little Heaven... and I'm so looking forward to bestowing lots of hugs and kisses and oohs and aahs on her! Fun pics to follow upon my return...

Cheers...

Solemn Gratitude (May '07)

This morning it is with solemn gratitude that I write. This past week a long-time family friend was on a steamboat cruise in Alaska - enjoying the nature that God so artfully planned out for us. And all I can think of is that our friend didn't want to come back to stinky, smoggy, overly-packed Southern California - so when he took his last breath following a heart attack he joined God in an even more beautiful place. Because of his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ he will sit in God's glory - which to our amazement is much more glorious than Glacier Bay. Dave "Joe" Powell - R.I.P.

And this morning on my walk from the parking garage into the office I was once again reminded of the importance of fulling living every day to it's fullest. Our security guard had breathed his last breath in his truck during his night shift. The police officers and paramedics did all they could to revive him... but it was his time. This kind and gentle giant was an jolly ol' fellow who should've been enjoying his retirement - and instead he was spending his nights in his truck patrolling a mostly empty parking garage. Francisco Metts - R.I.P.

One co-worker put it aptly when he said "This is why we work so hard so that we don't have to be working at his age."

Not to be insensitive and crass - but realistic to the point of the cycle of life. It is another reminder that life happens. Enjoy each day ... leave a legacy... be grateful for the lives we lead.

Spring is almost gone... (May '07)

Here it is the beginning of May and it's almost summer time! And I'm not ready to say 'goodbye' to Spring yet. It seems it JUST sprung - and I haven't yet fully enjoyed it. Before I knew it the orange blossom scent evaporated.... and now I'm dealing with weeds in the backyard already.

Just last week it was nice and cool and a brisk 66 degrees outside. Then I woke up on Sunday morning to an 87 degree day - and the not-so-nice weather man says we're in for a few warm days. I'm NOT very happy about this news today.

But I'll do my best to enjoy spring while it's here... there's a month left before the summer solstice. But the planet seems to be misaligned because summer arrived yesterday in Southern California...

Yup - that's mine...

May I unveil to you my first CD album cover! Yes, I even receive credits in the liner. And the music ain't half bad either.

It can be purchased starting today on Amazon.com. Just search for artist "Nate Harasim". Great guy! What an honor to call you my friend! And like I said - your music's pretty darn hot too!

Can I get in line behind you?!

Simply Exasperating! (Jan '07)

Falling in the "odd news" section of today's news of the North County Times ... headline: "Rhode Island school bans talking at lunch after choking incidents". The article goes on to state that the students cannot talk in the cafeteria (while they are eating) - presumably so that teachers can hear when a student starts to choke. In fact, they are only allowed one trip to the trash can.

So, answer me this... will one of the students sitting near a choking student not take on the responsibility of alerting a teacher that someone is choking? Or maybe address this question... when the kids sit quietly all day long and now they are expected to quietly sit through lunch - when CAN they have social interaction?

Yes - I'm on a soap box. Society uses the "children's safety" excuse as a reason to prohibit them from talking, as a reason to not punish them (no spanking - no using the word "NO" - no squashing their creative license), etc.

However, as I'm seeing it, society is using this excuse to remove independence and responsibility from their worlds... taking away learning opportunities, taking away discipline, taking away responsibility.... oh, I could go on and on.

And, oh - it gets better. Now we get into the realm of double-standards. An excerpt from the school’s website… (St. Rose School: http://www.saintroseschool.com/)

“Peanut Free School – Please remember we are a peanut free school. This means NUTS OF ANY KIND are not allowed in school. There are several students in our school that are allergic to nuts (this includes all kinds) for their safety please refrain from sending in any kind of tree nuts or peanuts.”

OK - so peanut allergies have proven to be life threatening. Understood.... and then in the very next paragraph…

“Asbestos – It is the Diocesan policy to make all parents aware of the fact the school building has asbestos. It is a policy to let you know that the asbestos is inspected each year to assure the safety of the students. It is also a school policy to let you know the yard around the rectory is maintained by a lawn service. The company uses lime and fertilizers. Father has asked that all students and parents refrain from walking on the lawn.”

simply exasperated....

A Step in the Right Direction (Jan '07)

Today the laws will change - which we've been asking for since 911. As of today, anyone flying in from Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean (yes, even U.S. citizens) must present their passport before being allowed to board a flight into the United States. This is most definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to protecting our borders!

Next step? Anyone travelling by land or sea.... you're next!

We're well on our way to protecting this freedom we fight so hard for!!!

Confession (Jan '07)

I didn't watch 'American Idol' last season or the season before or the season before... did you?!

I don't do resolutions (Jan '07)

But I do like to try to improve myself. So, at this time of year I think about how I can improve my person. This doesn’t have anything to do with losing weight or exercising more, spending less or getting rid of debt – it’s more like “Self-Help by Lori”. Things like: I promise to respond to email faster, I’ll try to actually put my laundry away after washing it, I’ll try to dust more often, etc.

But as I look back at last year’s self-help attempts it dawns on me that I don’t even remember what they were. So, either I accomplished them or I miserably failed and gave up somewhere along the way. All of that to say – I’m not going to kick myself or let myself get depressed over the fact that I can’t manage to keep my yard looking decent.

This all goes back to one of Lori’s crazy rules – you’ll accomplish something in life when you’re darn ready to accomplish it. Meaning - when it becomes the priority it’ll get done. Until then don’t beat yourself up over it. There must be some more important things in life to take care of or worry about. So go work on those instead of spending time fretting over something you won’t be able to keep up with.

And oh by the way – HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, LAA-TEE-DAH! (Dec '06)

I received a call earlier in the year to shoot an event for Jenny Craig Int'l. This is the second event I've been asked to do for the company - and wow, what an honor! Until I arrived at this event I had no idea it was going to be such a production. And "production" it was.... film crew, writers and photographers from the TV show "Extra! Extra!" AND "InTouch" magazine were on hand!!! And as the "official photographer" of the event I had an all access pass to everything - and the inside scoop on the surprise star performance! This event was held at the Disney Grand Californian Hotel & Spa - "Where Magic Meets Grandeur". (Guest star? American Idol Season 2 Finalist - Kimberley Locke!!!)

This annual event hosted by Jenny Craig Int'l honors the top franchise owners, franchises and sales personnel. Wow... this event left me speechless! Check out the pics of what each guest received at their tables...

Child's Perspective (Dec '06)

This giddy child has the look of someone getting ready to experience DISNEYLAND for the first time!

And this is what it looks like from a child's perspective...

MERRY. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! (Dec '06)

It's a good thing… to see CHRIST back in Christmas! It really truly is. It makes me supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-ly happy to see on TV commercials that stores like Wal-Mart, Target, etc have passed over the politically correct propulsion to say "Happy Holidays" in place of "Merry Christmas". To my joy Target added the words "Merry Christmas" to their TV commercial – and the other day and I just about fell over! We have one of those fancy digital video recorders and I practically jumped out of my chair and yelled at my husband to Rewind the commercial so I could make sure I truly did see the words "MERRY CHRISTMAS" across the bottom of the TV screen. We pressed Pause at the right moment and sat there… just a bit stunned.

Welcome Christ – you've been welcomed back into the Holiday season! And once again I will still heartily say to retail clerks and Starbucks baristas "MERRY CHRISTMAS" … and wait for their response. Nine times out of ten this is what happens next – they take a quick peripheral-vision inventory of where their manager is and then say semi-quietly "Merry Christmas" in response. That's OK – I don't expect them to say it as heartily as I did – but just to hear those words gives me hope…. that truly Christ IS welcome in this season.

Even if it's to simply tug at our hearts to remind us that Christmas isn't all about buying gifts for people and "keeping up with the Jones' " – but more importantly a season of peace and joy and hope. This season of the year, whether or not your are a person of faith, serves to remind us that our world is bigger than our hour-long round-trip commute to work. At this time of year our hearts are open a bit more… our giving nature kicks in… and inevitably we are just a bit more human… even for a day. Baby steps…

Raw (Nov '06)

Today I witnessed a Random Act of Kindness that woke me up - out of my pity party of a rough day.

This act was a beautiful gesture from one human to another in the quiet of someone's office... it was an act that celebrated a victory in someone's life - to help frame for this individual what the next chapter of life will hold... and it brought them both to tears. As a mere witness, it did much more than that for me...

So here's my challenge ... (and I too will be taking me up on this challenge!)
Celebrate the life and the victories of those around you - share your "crop" with those who haven't "yielded" quite enough for their own needs - tell/show someone how meaningful their influence has been in your life - focus on helping others rather than what you think you deserve - when you are feeling sorry for yourself do something nice for someone else - noticed or not... spread humanity. Spread a good, pure, loving humanity... a rawness that transcends gender, race, religion ...

I voted today! Did you?! (Nov '06)

No excuse is good enough in my opinion.... Get out there and vote... if you're in line by 8 pm they'll let you vote.

There was a time women weren't allowed to vote... it was elation to walk into the polling place today (to drop off my mail-in ballot which I didn't get in the mail in time) and all of the people in line were WOMEN!!! (I wish I had my camera with me!)

While I'm a believer in the theory that you can make statistics say anything you want them to say - I was blown away w/ this one today... only 30% of registered voters came out to the polls on our last voting day!!!

In some countries people put their VERY LIVES on the lines to vote... and what is 70% of this country too busy to do?! VOTE! Just do it.... no excuses!

Mail in ballots take ALL excuses away... prepare for next time. But in the meantime, grab your voter's guide and go stand in line to vote. Shoot - if you don't have a voter's guide just go get in line - I'm sure there's a voter's guide there you can use to read up on items.

It makes sense - you vote ... if you don't vote you don't deserve the right to complain about the decisions our gov't is making. Get out there... no excuses. No whiners!

Voting is not a privilege - IT'S A DUTY!

Voter Lori

"When I first saw Heaven, I lost it!" (Nov '06)

"When I first saw Heaven, I lost it!" - Loren Haraldsen

It is my pleasure to announce that there is a new Baby Haraldsen!

Heaven Gabriella Lauren Haraldsen was born...
birthdate - November 5, 2006
time of birth - 9:18 pm (Dallas, TX time)
weighing in at 6 lbs, 8 oz.
stretching to 19 1/2 inches long...

This picture was taken by one of the Haraldsen grandparents (Gene or Janie) - who flew into Texas just in time!

Now - pardon me... I've lost it and need to compose myself.... - Auntie Lori