73:365

Current Police headquarters for the town. It used to be the train depot. It is gorgeous.

Vintage train caboose... now part of the Coudersport Arboretum display

Back view of the caboose at night......

Today has been a really, really, long day. First of all... I slept til 2pm (except that I soon discovered that it was actually 3pm because if Daylight Savings Time). Took a shower, did some chores around the house.... and realized that today was the last day to enter photos in the Alibi yearly photo contest... so I worked on that.
Then, my niece called... so I spent the early evening hours helping her and my daughter put together a set of bunk beds (and watch 3 kids). It took longer than I thought it would... but they look great... and the kids seemed excited.

Afterwards, we went over to my local "Sheetz" gas station/super mini store extraordinaire... and started to take my photo of the day (with intent to include it also in my blog with a blurb all about Sheetz and how cool it is to have a 24hr mart like that in the little town of Coudersport).... but then the manager came out and proceeded to chastise me about illegally taking photos of the place (even though it is in the middle of the town... and I was across the street on other property). So... I deleted the photos. How sad.
So... instead I went to take some photos of the old train depot and a train car that is right nearby... and of a vintage sign.
It's such a small town... and most everyone is extremely nice... it just surprised me that she was so defensive and adamant about it all.

I am exhausted. Completely and utterly. And I didn't even really do anything today.

In other news: ... my dad is doing a bit better today. He is still massively distended... but he is progressing along. Still has the NG... still in alot of pain.... but better. The doctor told him that the pain meds may be contributing to his constipation/ distention.... so he didn't take any pain meds today at all. I encouraged him to at least take it at night. He is so stubborn.
No word on his impending transfer to the local hospital, so I will wait on going down. On one hand.... it would be good to go down and be supportive to my folks. On the other, if I go down too early I will really rack up the hotel fees, food costs, etc while staying there... which I can't afford to do. Somewhere in there is a happy medium that I am striving for.
My uncle's funeral is Thursday, outside of the Philadelphia area.... not sure if I can go or not.

It is still raining.
I fear this may be a trend. ie: Elaine is in town... it must rain.
The river is really high here. It runs right behind my parent's house, and through the middle of town. I am reminded of back in 1972 when we had a really big flood here. At that time, we were living in a bigger house on a hill... and when the floods came, we took in a couple other families that had been flooded out of their homes. I remember packing sandbags along the channel with my brother and dad. And as traumatic as it probably was at the time... I don't remember it being a scary thing. Plus.... the air around here smells so good .... wet and fresh with a hint of pine ♥

And... I saw some headlines as I was reading the news on MSN today. Apparently, those tornadoes and storms that passed through the Midwest when I was traveling..... they were only about 10 miles away from us; and only a few hours ahead of us. How scary is that.....and how fortunate we are ♥

----------------------------------------photos by Elaine A. Russell

2:365

photo by Elaine A. Russell

Last year was pretty fabulous. Starting this blog was a real adventure for me... and I am looking forward to another year of posts. One of the things that this blog has encouraged me to do; is to take photos every single day. It has forced me to expand my creative boundaries and push through them. I highly recommend it.
I have started a project for this year as well. You can see the photos here ... where I will be posting a brand new photo taken each and every day in 2010.

I am going to be starting a series of posts this year. Once a week; I hope to review a local gallery and post about it. This will be a new "art day" kind of series. There are a small ton of galleries here in ABQ and the surrounding areas, and I am sure that I only know of a few in comparison. This will definately be an adventure... but one I relish.

I am also going to be posting "living simply" tips. When I was in college, I helped put myself thru financially by cooking, cleaning and organizing for people. Sort of a professional organizer... long before the term was HOT. It is something I am quite good at, and I often get called upon ( ala the shows Clean House and HOARDERS) to come and organize for people. For me; it is awesome because I love the satisfaction of being able to see almost immediate results. And... truth be told.. I love to search thru people's stuff. It is like digging for buried treasure. Anyway; I have spent years organizing and pairing down my own stuff... re-using, re-purposing items... turning them into art and craft pieces... refurbishing things and passing them on. I am an avid recycler... and I frequently post on Freecycle and Craigslist.

and... I am getting rid of titles; and merely labeling them 2:365 and such. Who reads the titles anyway.. and it's usually hard to come up with one to be honest.

So-- some new changes, as well as embellishments to the "tried and true."
*Don't forget to write me and enter yourself in my "anniversary give-away" at moongipsies@msn.com

transitions

photo by Elaine A. Russell

well. The biggest part of the remodel is done. This weekend I am re-stocking stuff back to where they were... cleaning, sorting, organizing, and giving stuff away. The hubby and I have spent the last couple of years downsizing and re-organizing our lifestyle.. and it's not stopping now. Our house is about 1350 square feet. And, in reality... when the kids move out... it will be way to big for just us. In anticipation of that... we have been getting rid of extraneous stuff. The kids are saving some of it for their future homes.... and that is cool.

As an example, all of our Christmas holiday decorations (ornaments and everything) all fit into one rubbermaid container... and this year we decided to get rid of about half of that. We just don't need it. Now.. books are a whole 'nuther country... we have tons. And craft stuff (eeks).... and apparently ( whilst unloading boxes from the kitchen) .. dishes. So. I am filling a HUGE box with household stuff to list on Craigslist. I am also filling another HUGE box with re-model stuff.... piping, caulk, screws, plaster mix, whatever... to give away.

I have always been an avid recycle type person. We have recycle bins for plastics, glass, metals, and papers... which we take to the centers weekly. When we approached doing this remodel... we wondered if we could potentially recycle everything. The contractors probably thought we were nuts. BUT... we have managed to recycle about 90% of it. The cupboards, mirrors, lighting, doors, etc.. went to a guy who takes things to Mexico for rehabbing homes. All the cardboard and packing stuff was recyclable. Same with the wood and glass. In fact, the only things so far that we haven't been able to recycle was some plaster and some grout that was leftover... but already mixed up. It's pretty amazing. So... we have one more pile of stuff to go through for recycling... and then everything will be hauled off on Monday.

It's been a huge learning experience... and very rewarding. Recycle, re-use, re-purpose...awesome...

♥♥♥...time for a song from one of my most FAV singers .... ♥♥♥

pipe dreams

photo by Elaine A. Russell


So when we started the "remodel project" .. it was back in September. We had a new front door installed and new french doors to replace the sliding doors to the back yard and patio. Then we had a new sink, mirror, tub/shower unit installed in the hallway bathroom. Then a shower stall in the master bathroom. As of today we now have a new cabinet and sink in the master bathroom.
We also got new lights in the hallway and entryway.

Then the kitchen was basically gutted, a door moved, cabinets removed and new ones installed with a new configuration. New counter tops, new dishwasher, new garbage disposal, and an over the stove microwave. As of today we now also have a new kitchen sink and running water.

We now have to wait until after the holidays to get our reverse osmosis system hooked back up. However, today was the major PLUMBING day.. with most everything water related getting done.

After weeks of not really being able to use the kitchen, I am not sure how to behave... but I'm sure I will figure it out.

There are still alot of projects that need done around the house...but this was the BIG one.

Painting everywhere, yardwork, some little odds and ends... it will all get done.

Time for some celebrations :)

crystal windows

photo by Elaine A. Russell

so very, very tired today.

Have the final class tonight with Cynthia Cook at the Harwood Art Center... which will no doubt be awesome. Am really looking forward to it.

Construction is still going.... slowly....ever so slowly.....

but we finally have kitchen cabinets and hope to have a sink, a dishwasher and lighting soon.

Still waiting on the cabinet and sink in the bathroom... and then... saving up for massive painting everywhere inside.

..and I hear a wonderful rumor that the weekend is coming :)

resting and waiting

photo by Elaine A. Russell


If you ever get the opportunity to see the inside of the ATSF Rail Yards here in ABQ, I highly encourage you to go. It is the epitome of urban decay.... but it's grandeur and architecture will absolutely blow you away.

And while I am 57 shades of sore today.... it was well worth it.

99.9% of the time, the rail yards is closed to the public. It is intended to be the future home of the Wheels Museum; but for now... it sits silently... waiting... hoping..

You can see more here: http://www.wheelsmuseum.org/default.html

And today... I too am taking a little break. The remodel is not moving along much at all; and it is beginning to get a little frustrating. But... we are all safe, and warm, and have a roof over our heads... so in the whole scheme of things... it is all good. Resting... waiting .. .and hoping here as well :)

floored

**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Those of you who know me really well; know that I run, run, run and then am down, down, down. Mostly, due to the Lupus. Well; I have been busy for several days now... coupled with still getting over the flu... and yesterday I was on a photo excursion for about 8hrs.. standing or walking in the cold...
Today I am down. Floored. Exhausted. .... but very happy.

I love being able to do my art on a regular basis. And being able to do photography ALL DAY was fabulous. I do try to take time to photograph every single day... but rarely, is it an all-day event. I also had the wonderful opportunity to try first-hand some of the coolest equipment that Nikon has to offer.

This late-afternoon/ early evening... the hubby and I are doing our weekly "date" of going to get a salad or soup or something lite for supper... and then going to Barnes and Noble for a Scrabble game and coffee. It is a wonderful ritual... and it makes me happy.

*photos are from yesterday's FlickR photo meet at the ABQ Railyards

FlickR meet

photos by Elaine A. Russell

Lots going on these past few days. ... Today there was a FlickR photo meet at the Railyards. I have only been to the ABQ railyards once previously, and it was awesome. Today, the group had reserved this historical site for the entire day; so there was more time to leisurely stroll around.

Needless to say, I took a ton of photos. I took most all of them on my little Kodak... but then one of the other photographers graciously loaned me his Nikon D300 to try out. This is my "if I had enough money" dream camera ... and it was awesome to be able to play with it.

Most of the photographers had also arranged and hired models who came for specific shoots... this was not something I normally would photograph. I have done weddings, portraits and such before...but it's just not my thing. That said... I did take a bunch today because I had the opportunity to play around with some very cool equipment which included flashes and lights and such. So -- now I have photos of bikers, babes and more...Not sure what I will do with those...but it was alot of fun.
And now I am off to bed... what a great day....

Recycle Show: Part 3

The journey home to ABQ from Santa Fe was a joy. The Railrunner is a wonderful experience ...comfy, fun, and with stunning scenery. I have always loved trains. As a kid, the C & PA railroad went thru my hometown... the tracks ran right near my house ... so I got to see it everyday. In fact, my husband's grandfather was a conductor...waving to us kids at lunchtime as the train rolled through...

So-- the photos for today's post hopefully bespeak of the coolness and grandeur that is the Railrunner Station here in ABQ.

"The station reflects the architecture of the Transportation Center’s main building, which itself is reminiscent of the last big heyday of rail travel in Albuquerque. In the early 1900’s, the Alvarado Hotel, a showpiece in its day, stood right where the Transportation Center stands today. The Alvarado served as the hub of the main mode of transportation in the era – the passenger train. Today, the Alvarado Transportation Center is at the crossroads of some dramatic downtown redevelopment, ushering in a new system of passenger rail service." (http://www.nmrailrunner.com/albuquerque.asp)

coming back into ABQ

part of the old Alvarado Station section

the front facade

... and one of the archways.... looking towards a NM sunset....

* all photos by Elaine A. Russell