Project 365 ~ 031

Oliver is a wonderful companion. He is insistant on being in the lap of whomever has the computer; so often posting and typing is an adventure! He loves to sniff and twitch when you are trying to sleep and touch your face if you are not petting 'correctly'. He's an extrodinary cat, who we wouldn't want any other way!

Project 365 ~ 030

Apparently I just love clouds right now!

Project 365 ~ 029

It was Saturday. Somehow I'd made it through the WHOLE week knowing what I wanted to do for the Sunday Assignment - I Spy "Ball", yet never took it! So, while letterboxing with Chicken and our fun friend Blake I 'spied' a sad ball, on a sad gray bench, on a wet rainy day. To add to the sadness I did NOT have my camera (a Sony A350) with me and had to use my cellphone camera! GAH! But I did it because I guess a real photographer uses whatever is at their disposal, right? (though a REAL photographer probably never leaves the house without a decent camera either, hey!?) Anyway, here it is, my entry for "Ball:"

Project 365 ~ 028

We enjoyed ourselves down at Redondo today: D, Chicken, Bitty and an extra, H. We went with the intention of finding bits of beach glass. The boys, however, could not be torn from their rock skipping and tree limb liberating schemes. Chicken worked diligently at finding beautiful baubles of glass, stone and shell. Bitty, well, Bit just tried to keep out of the water, at which she was not very successful and landed on her hands and knees in about six inches of cold Puget Sound swill.

Unfortunately my pictures from the beach were merely snapshots, at best, but I do quite like this little capture of the treasures Chicken and I brought home.

Project 365 ~ 027

They gray stone walls, dull brown roof, faded map of the United States on the uneven asphalt play-yard, the fir trees dripping needles and sap, it all looked so sad. So ancient, misplaced, unloved. And yet, inside those walls roamed children's imaginations, swords and armor, a kind teacher, a great hall, an invested principal, in all, the best place for their minds to learn and grow.

Project 365 ~ 026

For the opposite of yesterdays post, today we have the sun rising above the Cascades. The thing I like so much about this time of year, which there is precious little because I really dislike winter, is that the sun rises at a convenient time for me to get to see it! I do love seeing the sunrise, even more so when it leads to a beautiful sunny day for us here in the Northwest!

Project 365 ~ 025

I was running home from checking on Chicken at the neighbors house when I noticed the beautiful, intensely pink sunset! I was so excited I ran home, grabbed my camera and fought with the screen in D's room and snapped this. By the time I got the dumb screen out and had climbed through the window most of the color had sunk too low to get a really awesome picture. I probably should have taken a picture of myself on the roof...but even I, Supermom, can't make it from the tripod on the ground up to the second story window by the time that timer goes off.

So this is what we get for today.

Project 365 ~ 024

Not what I had in mind...

About two weeks ago D informed me that he liked my hair better "when it was yellow." I was hoping to go back to my fun sparkly color I had for so long after a year or so of the brown...but it didn't work out how I'd imagined. Not sure what to do other than wear hats for a week or so until I can try again!

yikes.

One silver lining...I suppose this counts as a 'self portrait'?

Self Portrait 4/52

Project 365 ~ 023

Not entirely sure what these beautiful birds are, snow geese? swans? I don't know. But they were pretty, and enjoying themselves in the muddy flooded fields.

Project 365 ~ 022*

Excited. It's so silly the things you get excited about once you become a full fledged adult, mom, wife, home owner, budget keeper, grocery shopper, owie fixer, diaper changer, oh...sorry...forgot what I was describing for a minute. ANYWAY. Excitement. Lately I've been couponing again. Mostly at RiteAid, and a little at other stores where there is a steal of a deal, with little mental preparation needed, tonight was a last minute run to rite aid to grab a few more of the deals on things that our family will use up. I went thinking I was just going to get vitamin c gummies and if I was lucky some vitamin D. little did I know I'd get all this:


If you can't tell...that is 8 bags of potato skins (no I didn't clear the shelf, there were plenty left as I was leaving!), 2 light sensetive plug in timer switches, two boxes of Viactiv calcium chews, 2 bottles of Ester-C gummies, 1 "Family" sign, 1 bottle of B complex and 1 bottle of vitamin D. For a grand total of $5.55 OUT OF POCKET! In addition to that you can see my receipt, which has $16 worth of +UP rewards, AND 3 more $1.00 off coupons to use on my next trip. I'd say that was a pretty successful run!

So, exciting. Yeah, that's exciting for this mom, wife, woman.

Project 365 ~ 021 L2L

Today's Entry is another Challenge completion (hopefully!) This one is for Literature to Life or L2L, a once a month challenge from Mommytography where we are given a quote and the challenge is to compose a photograph that captures the essence of that quote.


This months quote is:
"Life is a happy thing, a festival to be enjoyed rather than a drudgery to be endured."

~Luci Swindoll

Project 365 ~ 020

I have a new project idea and this is the start of the photographs needed to finish it up! Keep a look out for future installments of "Silhouettes"

Self Portrait 3/52

Project 365 ~ 019

The theme of the year is memories of the day to day. I don't feel like this photo captures a memory of today, but then, some days there just aren't memories made that you can capture on film. So instead I tried to complete an 'assignment' for the mommytography blog. While I think it does indeed use the given shape for the assignment, I'm not quite thrilled with it either. Maybe that's the memory of the day...some just aren't full of glitter and shine.

Project 365 ~ 018

My love for coffee runs deep. Some days I think I'd might as well just have it hooked up with an IV. I love the smell, how the frothy swirl looks, the comforting 'thump thump thump' of the steam pressure building up. It's all just so...wonderful.

Project 365 ~ 017

Chocolate No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies!

Project 365 ~ 016

My friend Maria is always telling me that some day she'll get me to wear skinny jeans and cute boots. Well...she won.

Project 365 ~ 015

You mean you don't play phase 10 and eat Korean moon pies when hanging out with friends in the evening? You are so missing out!















Thanks for coming over Mike & Sarah! It was great to see you both.

Project 365 ~ 014

where's the beef



Well here it is! You are looking at 60 (SIXTY!!) pounds of lean ground beef, and Maria and I have processed it all today! Rolling meatballs, patting out burgers, mixing meatloaf and browning taco meat! I have to say though, it was less gross than the chicken!

Project 365 ~ 013

I did two things today that I don't normally do. One I actually appreciated the dog barking at someone coming down the road into the neighborhood, and two I didn't answer the door when someone knocked.

Typically I really hate when the dog barks, it just drives me crazy. She barks at everything and everyone. Car doors closing two houses down, dogs being walked out along the cross street, imaginary passers-by. Today it was a little meat delivery van. I happened to be where I could see out the window when she started frantically barking. I saw that van and I just knew it was a salesman.

So when I heard the knock....and it is a good thing I hadn't quite put Bitty down yet because his POUNDING on the door would have woken her up anyway. I just continued on with my business and left him out there to be barked at by the crazy old dog.

Project 365 ~ 012

oh pizza...



oh cheese...



oh tummy...





Self portrait - 2/52

Project 365 ~ 011

Starbucks.

Free Starbucks.

Best. Day. Ever.

Ok, perhaps not the best day ever but a pretty good one. A FREE $5.00 starbucks card that I'd signed up for via facebook arrived in the mail last night, then I scored a whole bag of Starbucks Via instant coffee packs from the free table at MOPS! I don't know who brought those in, but I love ya! *does a happy dance*

Want to hear something funny? Every time I do the "happy dance" I hear "Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" apparently that's my happy dance song. nice.

Project 365 ~ 010

Roadkill Rescue

the beginning of beautiful.

In other words, "before."

Project 365 ~ 009

Guacamole.


last week while we were in Whatcom county the grocery store up there had a sale on avocados! YUMM! At $.37 a piece how could I pass them up! I picked up about 15 of the greenest (as in not yet ripe) fruits I could find and toted them home. Letting them ripen in a paper bag on the counter for the last few days until they were ready to cut and package for the freezer. This is a GREAT way to have an apetizer ready to go any time as they only take about 20 minutes on the counter to thaw. Plus, being able to really take advantage of a great sale really connects with my frugal side!

Looking forward to delicious guacamole whenever the mood strikes over the next few months.

Project 365 ~ 008

A celebration of life.

Today we celebrated Carrie Lynn 'Lamb' Wagner, her life and impact on those she loved and who loved her in return. I learned many new things about my Aunt Carrie over the last few days: how she learned to work computers, her way of "disciplining" a horse for biting, about her love of singing. It makes it all the more sad to have to say goodbye.

Carrie Lynn, you are missed.

Project 365 ~ 007

Sorry about getting this us a day late, but with the funeral services this weekend time got away from me. But here is the entry for January 7th.

Shoes.

A girls best friend.

And these are courtesy of my super friend Gina. Thanks love!

Project 365 ~ 006

Following along with the theme from yesterday of new years 'resolutions' or goals as I like to call them. I am admiting, for all the world to know, that this year it is my goal to run one load of laundry EVERY day. In order to stay on top of the laundry out put of a family of five it is necessary to be running laundry all the time. With any luck and a little determination, this should be kept under control!

Self portrait - 1/52

Project 365 ~ 005

Determination

Once again I have decided to challenge myself to reading through the bible in a year. This is not the first time I've attempted this. Hopefully it is the last time I have to re-start, yet again. So as a visual reminder of my goal:

Project 365 ~ 004

In loving memory.

With sadness I post today. My aunt Carrie passed away this morning. While many people leave us far to early it always touches a little too close when it is family.

Carrie, you were loved and cherished. You will be remembered and thought of fondly.

To my grandparents I send you wishes and prayers of peace and comfort as you mourn the loss of your daughter, to my mom, my uncle and aunts may God's hands of compassion and mercy surround you.

Rest in peace Aunt Carrie.

Project 365 ~ 003

Today was the kids' first day back to school after their two week winter break. Back into the routine of things. We couldn't have it go off withOUT a hitch could we!? Of course not. I loaded the kiddos in the car, dropped them at school and came home to grab a coffee, my coat and a few things to bring over to a friends on my way out to run errands only to find that I'd locked myself out of the house. Thankfully the keys were with Misty at work and I DID have the car keys so Bitty and I just added an extra stop in on our way home to pick them up and got home just in time for a nap.

Project 365 ~ 002

Oh my how he's grown! Today in church the older kids were with us in service. This doesn't happen often as typically their Sunday school classes go through the services. But with the start of the new year the class teachers took a much deserved week off and the kids came with us!
It always is a joy to hear their voices singing along with the praise and worship music. An extra special moment for me was when D leaned over, put his arm around my back and sang along with one of the songs. I realized his head was nearly in my armpit and how it seemed only a few months ago I was sitting on the floor playing trains, potty training, and carefully bathing my brand new babe. But time never ceases and with each passing day he grows just a little more, hopefully into the man God has for him to be.

Project 365 ~ 001

The start of a new year.

It's always a joy to come home, and after a busy trip to Whatcom County for a week we are HAPPY to be back in our own environment. We are all tired, ready to settle back into normalcy, and that started with the enjoyment of a couple of christmas presents (beauty and the beast on blueray and a sound bar for the television), family and a quiet moment.