Why I take selfies...........

Selfies. Love 'em or hate 'em, they're here to stay. Photos have been around for ages - it's how we record our lives through the generations. Once, a photo took ages to produce and the results were the grainy, grim faces of our forefathers. Were they unhappy? Probably not, but they couldn't hold their smile that long. Now, we have instant photos and the ability to produce hundreds, if not thousands, of them a day if we wish. So, it's only natural that the "selfie" was created. Traveling solo? No problem - you can still look back on your vacation pictures thanks to selfies. Even better, they now have a "selfie stick" that allows you to capture an even bigger background and more interesting angles. No longer will you just have the memories in your head. My husband, I believe, was one of the original "selfie" pioneers. Looking through his high-school and college-day photos, there are many of his grinning face filling up the frame - selfies before selfies were cool! But he wanted to capture himself in a fun situation - camping, surfing, hiking - all things he often pursued solo with no one to hold the camera. 

So, why do I take selfies? The reasons are many, not the least of which is the fact that I am the photographer in the family. I'm almost never in pictures, so if one were to look back on our photo memories, it might appear that mom wasn't there at all. But I'm here! I lived! I enjoyed! I had fun! So, from time to time, I snap a picture of myself. 

I took this one because Hannah and I were waiting for the rest of our group to do the climbing wall at camp. Neither of us was about to put our asses in those unflattering harnesses, so we spent our time being goofy for the camera. And, really, my face? 

I took this one because Jeff and I were on an overnight trip, no kids, and I'm pretty sure I had just had my hair done because my highlights are on point here. Also, because this is our "traditional" selfie that we take on nearly every adventure we have. 

I took this one because we were hiking to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park and it was SO hot and we were tired and this huge, flat boulder was SO cool and refreshing. Plus, how weird did we look all pressed up against a boulder in a row while other hikers passed by? I like weird. 

I took this one with my sweet great-nephew, Kaden, because we took a similar one a year before and I was going to do a "transformation Tuesday" on Instagram, but of course I never got around to it. 

I took this one because I was relaxing by the pool in San Jose and I had a fruity adult beverage and I wanted the world (and my kids when they look back) to see that mom REALLY enjoyed her rare moments of indulgent alone time (full disclosure: Hannah was actually with me on this trip, but she was enjoying her own fruity beverage and not bothering me). 

Sometimes I like to take selfies to say "HEY WORLD! Look who I met!" In this case, it was Elaine Ambrose, an author I admire, who was attending the BlogHer conference in San Jose. We had JUST met in person and she immediately ordered up margaritas for us. She's my kind of gal!

I took this one because I was amused at the teeny-tiny ice cream cone sample I got at BlogHer and I liked how it turned out - huge eyes, pouty lips, flawless skin - thanks, filters!

This one was because Hannah and I were relishing the moment that we were on a vacation together,  attending a blogging conference which was a first for both of us! I wanted her to remember that we had so much fun on this trip.

This one was because we were being silly and look at my glasses! And the photobomber in the background. I want my kids to remember that mom was goofy. 

I took this one for pure vanity. I felt pretty, so I wanted to share my prettiness with my social networks. I want my kids to know that even though I complain about my looks I do, actually, sometimes feel pretty enough to want to take my own picture. 

I took this one in an elevator. Why? Because there was a mirror on the ceiling. No other reason. 

I took this one because the sun was setting on La Jolla beach, my 46-year-old husband was surfing the waves, it was a relaxed and wonderful time and I wanted to capture a picture of me, sun-drenched on the beach, happy and content. I would want my kids to look back on this one day and see that mom had her own life and she enjoyed it!

I took this one because I'm silly. And I like to make people laugh. 

This one was because Hannah and I felt so pretty this day AND we were given these gorgeous flowers, which just happen to be my favorite, so we snapped this pic and it remains one of my favorites!

I took this one at Olive Garden. My hair was straightened. I love this pictures of me and Harrison!

I took this one because I love to kayak and I really wanted to take a picture of me kayaking but it's really hard to do that when you're sitting in a kayak. Guess I need a selfie stick? 

This one I took so I could remember what it was like to see myself holding a baby. Mine are so grown up now!

This one was because I was enjoying my time with Jeff on a trip - just the two of us - and wanted to have a memory of that day and the background of the beach and palm trees around us. 

I took this one because my parents' dog, Sweetie Pie, jumped up on my bed and was being so cute. It's blurry and not the greatest, but I wanted to remember cuddling with this cute Basset Hound!

I don't think this needs any explanation! But I will say, FOUR WEEK OLD PUPPY!

Mommy enjoys a drink now and then. Is that a crime? 

This was a before and after of the day I got my hair done and Marie, my hairdresser, straightened it or me. How could I NOT capture this transformation? It was fun to be different for a day or two. 

I love this picture I took of myself with my cell phone! It shows how I look most of the time when we're on an adventure - faceless behind a camera. I LOVE my pictures, but sometimes, I want to be IN them too. This satisfies both and shows my "baby" - my beloved camera that has brought me so much joy!

I took this one because even I couldn't believe how wild my mane was! This was the result of walking on Cannon Beach for an hour in the wind. Holy Medusa!

This was a lazy Sunday at the beach, making daisy chains. I put mine on, looked into my cellphone and saw these angelic sun rays coming down. I like it because it shows me sort of hippie-ish and not mom-like. Who doesn't want to be a flower fairy once in a while? 

I took this one because my hair was fabulous that day. Again, vanity? Sure, but any female knows that all good hair days should be documented. 

This one was taken on the way to the airport for a vacation to San Diego with Jeff. I had a flower in my hair. I liked how it turned out after I put filters on it. Then, I used it as my profile picture on Facebook. 

I like to take pictures from above - they are so much more flattering. I'm not sure if I felt confident this day or if I was just bored waiting somewhere, but I like how my eyes and my shirt match.

This one is awful - my hair is crazy and we look weird, but I was trying to capture "HEY! We're on a cable car in San Francisco!" Sometimes, selfies fail. 

I just snapped this one really quick when Jeff and I sat on some concrete steps in Chinatown to rest for a second. I don't know why but I liked it so I kept it. 

Occasionally, I'll take a selfie for something promotional - like my friend Robin O'Bryant's book release! 

This was one day in the summer, a few years back, when I took just Arlie downtown. We visited Pike Place Market and bought beautiful flowers. It was a fun, rare day with just Arlie and me.

This one was another "I'm on the beach, look how relaxed I am. I don't have to yell at anyone to do the dishes or pick up the cheese stick wrapper on the floor. I don't even know where my kids are right now. And yet, I'm still functioning. And it's sunny. And I haven't a care in the world as I roll up my pants and wade in the ocean. Ain't life grand?"

Walking out the door, I popped this on my head. Nothing special, it's just a tiara. It's my SON'S tiara. He's 15. But isn't it a fabulous one? I don't see why I couldn't wear this to work. 

For some reason, I wanted to commemorate the day I went out on a boat and had my hair blown around at 40 mph on the water and all that happened was my bangs got straighter. No Medusa locks. Thank God for Goody hair bands!

I don't have many selfies with my ever-elusive adult daughter (and her cat!) so I snapped this one, clearly by the front door as she was leaving (again!). 

And occasionally, I take weirdo selfies. Like this one night when there was a supermoon............

Why do YOU take selfies? 

I opened the tab..........

I opened my Blogger tab so I feel like I HAVE to write something here. As usual it's been way too long since I blogged. But I have a (sort of) good excuse!

We went on a vacation to Montana. The awesome thing about this trip was that it was pretty much a REAL vacation and it was a whole week long which is extremely rare for us as a family. Ok, so one day Jeff did his volunteer thing with the American Chemical Society at the University of Montana in Missoula. But even that day was fun because Arlie and Harrison hiked the "M" on the hill while Hannah and I watched from the safety and comfort of the minivan (and I might have taken an hour-long nap. Ahem. It's VACATION!).

But we also went to Glacier National Park and - oh wow. I cannot even come up with the words to describe this place. It is the very essence of natural beauty and everywhere you turn there is something amazing. We hiked up to Avalanche Lake. The sign said it was four miles round trip. The brochure said it was five miles. Whatever - it was freaking LONG and exhausting but totally worth the view at the top. Breathtaking. Literally. There was a moment when I seriously considered turning back - we had failed to bring food or water because our original plan was just to walk the short "Trail of the Cedars" but then we saw this sign and people telling us it was an incredible hike so.......we just went, completely forgetting the ten essential items every hiker should have. I'm not sure what all ten of them are, but I know food and water are numbers 1 and 2. Anyway, I started to feel a little hungry and every so often I have this weird low blood sugar thing where I get all shaky and sweaty and really, really hungry and I was afraid that would happen along the trail because it went on FOREVER. But I decided to push on and I'm so glad I did because, WOW! I did almost ask a complete stranger for an apple slice, but I restrained myself. The water was so cold it actually hurt to step in. But we stepped anyway. We drove for miles around the park and ended with magical sunset.

Then, we went to the National Bison Range which sounds kind of boring, but was totally NOT boring at ALL. For one thing, BISON! We saw several, although none up close (well, not REALLY close), but we also saw a mama bear and two cubs, several deer, antelope, a mama deer nursing her baby, a huge buck and two baby deer, and a lot of really pretty birds. Plus the drive was spectacular - you just wind up and up this mountain side filled with prairie grasses and views that stretch for miles.

Also, I FINALLY saw an elk in the wild! I had begun to think they didn't exist but I know they do now, because I saw one on the side of the road, up on a hill, just standing there. I was too surprised to even grab my camera (that, plus Jeff was driving almost 80, so...). Still, I SAW AN ELK!

Then, we spent a whole day in Helena being treated by one of Jeff's contractors from work who has become a friend to us. He lives in Helena and took us out on his boat for a tour of Gates of the Mountains on the Missouri River. Again, it was unbelievably beautiful. The weather was perfect and the boat was well-stocked with all manner of food and drink. We got sunburned, took a ton of pictures, and ended the day at a BBQ at Shane's house. There was even a little fireworks action involving coffee cans.

We almost went to the Lewis and Clark caverns but opted instead to just drive to Coeur d' Alene where the "baby" cousins were visiting. They're not babies anymore - almost 7, two almost 4 year olds and a 2 yr old, but they're still a popular attraction. We made it in time for dinner and a visit, then headed to Spokane to stay overnight with Jeff's parents. In the morning we took the Spokane cousins to breakfast and then made the long trek home.

It was a GREAT vacation. I took almost 400 pictures and countless memories. And while it's great to be home and sleeping in our own beds, I'm looking forward to the next road trip which starts in......a few more days!

Yay, vacation!