And They Went Down...

Last Thursday our JV team lost (we are 2-1 now). It was as if the offense was asleep the whole game. The defense scored all of the points for our team, except for 2) & we were actually about to pull off the win...the offense only needed to score 1 touchdown, but they couldn't do it! We lost 16-10.

My son had one of his best games ever on defense. I was so proud of him, but I wish it could've ended with a win!

Here's some pics of our win 2 weeks ago against Long Beach Wilson (44-0).

OFFENSE

Check out the guy in the backgrounds face!
(double click to see larger)


My son #26 (Elijah) running the ball

Touchdown!



DEFENSE

Tackle in the backfield


and again!


What a stud!

FINAL SCORE

Go Edison Chargers!!

**~**This Friday night 9/24/10 @ 7:30 p.m., we will be on T.V. (Fox Sports Net Prime Ticket) playing Servite (private school)-the team that beat us last year in the CIF Championship game. Be sure to tune in & look for #26 Elijah Herrera (sophomore) on special teams!

First Published Photo

Last week I submitted a photo to our local paper, a surfer practicing on the south side of the Huntington Beach pier before the US Open Surf Competition.

I loved this picture, low & behold (lol that sounds like something an old person would say), I picked up the paper on Thursday & there was my shot!! Woo Hoo!

First official photo publication!

my scanner didn't do it justice...

here's the actual picture I submitted-i sent both of these...
hoping they liked one of them (double click picture)


photos taken at Huntington Beach Pier- Olympus E-510 July 2010

I love taking action & scenic pictures...there's something about non-retouched shots like these & the ones below.

retreat...escape (double click pics)

vacation...losing yourself

carefree...lost in a moment


breathtaking...sigh

Photos taken at Jalama Beach, California- Olympus E-510 July 2010

Lately...My Stuff

I haven't been able to update as frequently as I would like to. With high school football in full swing and all of my action shots to edit & send out weekly to the team, AND this crazy pinched nerve in my shoulder/neck (which seems to get worse when I type), I've fallen a little short lately.

Just a quick update:

We had our team luncheon & Varsity game last night which are usually on Fridays & it made it really hard to go to work today. My mind kept saying, "Varsity Football game=SATURDAY tomorrow! Anyways we won by 6 pts (27-21)...and it went down to the wire, which didn't help my pinched nerve because I act like I'm the one out there playing, leaning, screaming, stressing, yeah I'm a little crazy when it comes to football!

At the luncheon the coach was talking about how mom's always tell their kids, "You played good honey," & dad's will pull them off to the side & tell them the truth. Well not in my house! My poor boys get the truth from me. Not in a mean way, but after they've cooled off a little, I'll say, "What happened? You missed that tackle. You need to keep your head up, watch their hips (that tells what direction they're going to run). Or if they missed a pass, "Honey, remember catch the ball before you run!" This is a problem that you'll see even pros do.

Today, my son Elijah has his JV game. He's a sophmore & one of only a few that actually gets to play in the Varsity games too on special teams.

Our school is a huge powerhouse football school!

So today my text message to him was, "FUMBLES, FUMBLES, FUMBLES...be sure to be hitting hard & cause fumbles like you always used to (he's a linebacker)! Oh yeah & CATCH the ball before you run (he plays wide receiver on offense-the guy who catches the passes for those of you non football fans)!"

I'll let ya know how it goes...wish him luck!

One of the Boys- BLANK Magazine

Red Model, Jullien Herrera in the latest Blank Magazine Issue #54, "One of the Boys" shot by Steven Gomillion & Dennis Leupold.





I'm lovin' the 50's style that I'm seeing everywhere in the fashion industry lately.

Even picked myself up a black 50's Vintage dress with fuschia tulle...LOVE IT but need to find somewhere to wear it! Actually wanted to wear it to my step daughters wedding, but realized that black wouldn't be appropriate (I live in black colors).

So it sits in my closet, waiting for the perfect occasion.

To Colonoscopy or Not...TMI?

Okay, so this can probably be classified as a TMI post. But I think it's really important...especially after what happened to me last Wednesday.

We have a family history of colon cancer (maternal & paternal grandmothers). With a history, some recent bleeding episodes & the diagnosis of my bosses niece, 43 yrs. old (colon cancer spread to her lungs & now 4th stage liver cancer, without any symptoms other than a stomach ache), I scheduled a colonoscopy (see symptoms here). It is actually my 2nd one...had one when I was 38.

I was dreading the prep, the stuff you drink to "clean you out" makes me really nauseous. That's actually the worst part because they put you to sleep for the actual procedure. Luckily, I made it through without losing it this time (drank it a little slower than recommended).

I woke up to hear that they removed 4 polyps (3 small & 1 medium). I guess because I was kind of out of it, I started to cry a little, not normal for me, (I just didn't see that coming). The doctor came in & said two of the polyps were pre-cancerous. He was pretty happy about finding them because they were flat & hard to see. I was really stressed, but grateful I did it.

I got home, climbed in bed & turned on t.v. There was Dr. Oz talking about his colonoscopy...what are the odds? He had a pre-cancerous polyp removed too (about 20% of the people his age have them, which puts my odds even lower-lucky me!) He explained everything in detail & said how important it is for people to get checked.

Watch Procedure of Dr. OZ

CONCLUSION EPISODE/EXPLANATION

I will receive my final results as to the exact type of cancer it was in 2 weeks.

I wanted to share this because I feel it's really important for EVERYONE to get checked (recomended age: 50 yrs. old w/o family history...40 yrs. old w/ family history).

It's not the most pleasant thing...but my life was just saved!

British Elle 25th Anniversary Issue-Coco Rocha & Jullien Herrera

In the upcoming edition of British Elle's 25th Anniversary Special Collector's Issue, my son, Jullien Herrera (Red Models) shot with Supermodel, Coco Rocha (be sure to watch her MTV Music Video Awards red carpet report on Sept. 12, 2010)

The photographer, David Vasiljevic, captured the feel of the Jane Fonda 1969, depression dance-a-thon movie, "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" The editorial is titled, "The Word Girl"

They look exhausted don't they?
Can't wait till it comes out here...of course it will take a while longer but it should be in Barnes & Nobles in America by Oct. 1st.

Trends at the Beach

As we head into the final days of summer, I thought I'd share a few beach trends that I saw this summer here in Orange County, California.

First I need to explain that fashion is very laid back here, so finding interesting, "non-cookie cutter" subjects was a bit difficult.

trendy/laid back/dressy beach fashion shots

the hair




quinceanera fashion

military style

bonnet

father son hair trends

ultimate accessory????

400th Post-WOW

WOW...I can't believe I've blogged 400 posts! Who would have thought I actually have that much to say? I guess in retrospect, you can say that I've used it as a sort of a tamed down diary.

What I've learned over the past 399 posts is that I've grown as a person. I used to worry about how the things I'd write would be perceived by those who know me (Will they think I'm weird for writing that? Does that sound stupid? Will this offend someone? Oh yes, the list of thoughts were endless).

In the past, I put a wall around myself, only trusting a few chosen people to see my true, overly sensitive, goofy, kooky, sarcastic, crazy & joking side. I never allowed outsiders to get close enough to see my vulnerable side...always afraid of being hurt. It was safer to put on a tough, don't come too close, exterior.

But through blogging, I've gained a better sense of me. I've shared my heartache, laughter, worry & shame with the world. Over the past 399 posts I've learned that opening myself up to people, allows me to also help others who may be going through similar situations.

So what I'm trying to say is, thanks to all of you for liking me, following me, leaving comments & most of all, sharing ALL of my happy, sad, fearful, sometimes ridiculous life moments!

Here's some links to the most life changing, fun & inspiring moments of my 400 posts!

My Very First Post (1/26/08)
Can You Make a Difference in a Day?

Inspirational/Uplifting Posts
Push Ahead Poem
This Will Give You Chills
I Had a Really Cool Experience
My Late Brother Johns Missing Gift
Play Vocabulary Game-Feed the Hungry
Her Goal Was To Walk
100th Post-I Can Do It

Scary Moments
My Son Elijah-Bacterial Meningitis
Hidden Dangers of Endometriosis
My Sons Car Accident
Elijah Got Hit by a Car
Scary Walk

Memories of Lost Friends & Loved Ones
My Brother
My Grandpa
Stacy Mazzone
Nick Mazzone
Joanne Phillips
Mike Burk
Drake & Zach

Funny Moments
Oh Mickey Your So Fine
The Freshman & The Seniors
Need a Laugh
Golfing Mishap
Butts & Fireworks

T.V/Gameshow Appearances
Brainsurge Recap
Dr. Rey Infomercial
The Cleaner

Sports Highlights
Elijah-Edison vs. Newport Harbor-Football
Elijah-Edison vs. Esperanza-Football
Elijah-Track
Jullien-Edison vs Mater Dei
Jullien-Edison vs. Los Alamitos
Jullien-Edison vs. Fountain Valley

Proud Moments
Jullien H.S. Graduation/Elijah Jr. High Graduation
Dillon's H.S. Graduation
Natascha & Jeremy's Wedding
Anthony-My Soulmate
Joshy's 21st Birthday
(BTW-I'm also proud of Josh & Tasha's Graduation, but they graduated before I started blogging)

Thanks again to all of you...you're comments always bring a smile to my day!