day 30 birthday boy

I could have made smores, on that campfire ;o)

 Today, 46 years ago my husband was born. I am so thankful he was. He has been my best friend, my rock, my shoulder. The father of my 2 youngest children and the father figure to my 2 oldest. He took on a role that someone else seemed unable to take on. He has been there for me, for our family through good times and bad times. He gets on my nerves and drives me nuts, but I LOVE HIM so much!!!

YAY he blew em all out!

Cowboys cake, even on the inside!

29 birthday dinner one day early

Today we went out for hubby's birthday. His birthday is tomorrow, but I work a split shift, and I didn't feel like cooking tonight! :)

28 the boss is back

Work is back to normal. Yay. Today was a beautiful day. Drove home with the windows down. Finished with this.

27 what a day.

 So I knew I was getting a new "Macro extension tube" in the mail today... Yet it was still a hella day. Last day without the boss. I can honestly admit I will be glad to see him tomorrow. Glad to go home at 2 instead of 5 and glad to have him to mediate all the crap that goes around in this place!

 So first off the macro. The cat pics are taken with it. It is hard to get a photo of a moving object... Could have also been the light in my bedroom is NILL! I will try again sometime very soon. Can't wait for flowers and BUGS! Come ON SUMMER!

 Work sucked. My daughter picked me up from work. The ride home sucked. The kid thinks she's just so experienced now, she scares me a little more... Then there was a fight over gas getting and who was going in to pay, who was pumping... JUST TAKE ME HOME!!!

 Anyway Today was a day. A long, irritating, busy, day! I am glad it is over.

26 kitty kitty

Yesterday was a full day. My babies are growing up. Life is rough.

25 Make a splash

 Life as we know it changes again today. My oldest daughter who spread her wings and flew as soon as she turned 18 has realized maybe she should have waited a bit to leave the nest. So she's flown back to the nest. Letting her stay for a few months, save up and get her own place... Without roomates this time. Slow and steady the way she should have started out in the first place... You live and you learn right!?

 So today was spent working, again, as I don't like days off... Haha. Then I came home and laid around while hubby moved the big kid out and back in. Hubby's second wife cooked again tonight, but instead of Wendy's cups I got creative today, and made a splash!

This one missed falling in the glass, but I think was actually my favorite!

24 T minus 3 days...

 Until the bossman returns. I have worked 44. some odd hours THIS WEEK. Normally those are my hours PER PAYCHECK and I get paid Bi monthly. It has not been all that bad but I can say I wish I didn't have to get up early and go in tomorrow. That is for sure.

This week the assignment in my group on flickr is "kiss the cook" and is supposed to have something to do with the kitchen. If you know me, you KNOW I love to take pictures of my food!!! So tonight we had breakfast for dinner. While I was photographing the pancakes, I nearly burnt the eggs. OOOPS. Anyway I wasn't taking a picture of them!

 Its only 8pm and I totally feel ready for bed. Tomorrow should be a short day. I say should be... Because everyone thinks they are getting sick... I just know someone will call in and I am going to have to stick around longer than planned.

23 My favorite tree

This will make 14 days I believe I have worked straight. Boss is away employees will play. Although its not as bad as I'd expected it to be... I have worked 39.33 hours as of clocking out this evening, I still have 2 days left this week. I am used to working 30 hours tops. Plus I come home and my husband was unable to even feed the dogs.

 REGARDLESS of all that. I am proud that despite extra hours I have stayed up with my photo taking, uploading and even blogging! YAY ME!

 Today on my way back into work, the sun was about to start setting. I stopped by my old big favorite tree. It reminds me of the tree on winnie the pooh. I'd love to just climb up in it and hide a few hours... days maybe? No just hours. I'd have to pee eventually! So I parked the van... walked to where the tree is and spent some time taking some photos. Here are my favorite photos of my favorite tree!

Could have stayed until the sun set, clicking here... But it was cold, and I had to get to work!

At first that gum, or whatever bothered me. Then when I uploaded it I thought that is what makes the whole image. SO it stays.

22 photo shopped eye ball

 Another non creative day. I wanted to play some so I photoshopped the heck outta my eyeball. I added make up cleaned my make up from under my eye and sharpened ect the eyeball its self.

 Before and After seen here!

photo shop is awesome. I removed my wrinkles!

21 wake up, make up, coffee, work.

 Ugh, this whole working a normal like full time job thing is getting to me. I now remember why I don't just go get a 9-5 job someplace normal... I hate working until 5. Even now with my kids older and not helpless... By the time I get home I have to start dinner and then the day is over.

 So as I think I already stated my pictures will suck for another week or so. The kids hide faces, the cats run from me the dogs won't sit still.... So here is my makeup. Part of my daily routine. Every day I leave the house, I have on some sort of makeup. I just feel better with it on. I don't feel "me" without at least some mascara!

This is my hallway right now. My goal is to finish my 365 project and hang the pictures there, covering the wall instead of this LOVE. I think that'd be AWESOME. My whole year, every day, in a photograph.

20. High RIse.

 Its nice having an adult child sometimes. Its funny because when she lived in the house, to be honest we were like oil and water. We never got along. She didn't want to listen to my rules and I didn't want to put up with her bad behavior. She turned 18, moved out and realized maybe I was right... which made me happier and her and I are now BFF's. Okay NOT BFF's but we get along SO much better. Its at a point where I don't mind hanging out with her, the world no longer only revolves around her and she's NICE!

 Today she took her two youngest siblings to "High Rise" a new trampoline park that opened up. Now I am sure I could have gotten many awesome shots INSIDE the place. But I worked late, and I have a killer headache so I dropped them off, and then left. On my way out of the lot I saw the sunset and snapped a photo for my photo of the day project.

 The sunset was SO beautiful tonight, and even though I had my camera with me, like a good girl... I was not in an area where I could capture it... Damn city life. I need to go into the country and wait for a sunset. I will do that this week sometime.

 This weeks photos might be a little bland. Because I am working extra hours and I am tired! Never thought I'd say I miss my boss but well... I miss working less hours! :)

Day 19. It's a girl!

My "niece" had her gender telling ultrasound today... she wanted a mini photo shoot so the moment they found out boy or girl would be captured forever.  Of course she asked me... and of course I said I'd do it!

I've known ashlynn since she was just over 3 years old... tiny little thing. Quiet and kind of shy.... and now in the blink of an eye she's almost a mother herself.

Ashlynn had the intuition is was a girl... but they didn't know for sure until I was there snapping photos. She was SO excited when that pink balloon started getting bigger!

Everyone cried. I cried. It's hard to take pictures when your crying. Congratulations to ashlynn and dylan and both sets of grandparents on the first granddaughter in the family!

 I cannot wait to hold this little pink ball of baby in my arms, and spoil her rotten :)

Day 18. Nosey

Today was my almost day off. Just two hours. Football was on, so I went over to my friends to hang out. It was a much needed time. I did basically what I would have done at my house... just at hers instead.

My picture of the day... her dog snuggled up near me.

17 A little walk

 Worked until 2, and today was a BEAUTIFUL day. It was warm (for January) and it was sunny. I did not want to come home after work and cook or clean, or anything else... I wanted to go somewhere, enjoy the day, and take some awesome photos to make up for yesterday's bathroom selfie.

looking down at the pond, filled with leaves, and floating leaves. I just loved the natural composition here.

 I thought of Eureka Springs. Hubby even said he'd go along (read drive me there) but alas, upon getting home after work, my camera battery was very low. So low I was afraid I'd get all the way to Eureka and not be able to take many photos. Then I couldn't find the battery charger (didn't I have a resolution to get more organized?) Once I finally found it, it was 3, and it took over an hour to charge... So we went to Crystal Bridges near by instead. Still a beautiful day, lovely spot and I got some good pictures.... Also some EYE ROLLS from my husband when I photographed "weeds" or something else he found silly. I love the supportive family I have.

A new museum opening soonish! This colorful fence around it is signed by kids! Super cool and a 2nd runner up for photo of the day it was a hard choice!

can't wait to go back in the spring/fall but the naked trees were beautiful too!

 

was trying to get some minimalist photos for my challenge group.

What a perfect January day!

Tall Tall Trees

cool or what... Picture frame out in the middle of the trail!

photo creds to my hubby, who didn't chop my head off!

weeds... eye roll

caterpillar weeds

 Just a few of the "weeds" I photographed. I have always loved weeds. Those wild daisy flowers... Dandelions and all those are my favorite!

more weeds...and eye rolls from the husband.

then the sun started setting

Stella, but I thought she looked like Wilbur

waterfall by the pond

tried the light up ball again, with my tripod and without rain!

Dang I am short!

Another one taken for minimalist on my assignment weekly group

  So if it was not warm where you are today, or if you just didn't get out and enjoy it. I hope you were able to live vicariously through my photographs today!!!

16 when all else fails...

A bathroom selfie will do!

I started this challenge with myself not only just to take a photo a day.... but to get some great shots. To be adventurous and take pictures of things I normally wouldn't.... so far I've stepped out of my box a bit, and it's only been 16 days!

I do realize though... it's not possible for every photo this year to be amazing. My life is busy... and some days a cellphone bathroom selfie is all I'll get to take... I wanted to do this project to show a year in my life, to learn, and to grow and just to have fun... no stress!

I worked a split shift today.  My boss left for vacation this evening....and so it's everyone's vacation for the next 10 days. I might be working double the hours... but it's still vacation.

Tonight after work tim and I went and had dinner... a drink, and then some ice cream ... a lovely way to start my vacation!

15 Tim's Second Wife

Do you think this windmill was blown over in a storm? Is that ironic?

 Its funny how you can drive by something every day, several times a day even... and never really "see" it. I have driven by this downed windmill many times. I've always thought of getting out and actually taking pictures of it, but normally I don't have my camera. AS MY RESOLUTION was to take my camera with me more often... I had it today. I grabbed my husband from work, and then I went to go back home I stopped. The kids said "OMG mom... .REALLY." Because you know, they are OH so supportive of my photography. So with that, and the setting sun I rushed to snap a few times and then got back into the van. This one I thought turned out pretty cool for the time I spent, and so there for it is my photo of the day


                   So since I wasted all that time photographing a windmill... Since I have not been to the grocery store in like a week, and since it sounded good... We got Wendy's for dinner.  Tim calls Wendy his second wife, since normally if I don't cook for him, she does. HA! So tonight we saw Tim's second wife for some dinner. It was good.                                                                                              

 and just because it looks cool. Baileys snake on my phone. Also I think I may never have to leave the house again... Now that Promise has her license she is more than willing to run any errand that needs done. Yesterday she took herself and her brother to church, grabbed milk from the store, and got gas. Today she is picking her sister up from her friends. In fact when I asked if she would she popped out of her bed so quickly it scared me! HA! I'm going to take advantage of this while it lasts!

14 if a star fell every time I thought of you...

The sky would be empty.

Death sucks. Someone close. Someone far away. Someone you knew and loved. Someone you grew up watching on tv. Someone who you love was close to... no matter who it is really. It just sucks.  It is the unknown. It is scary. It hurts. And the pain never really ever goes away.

The times I cry are much more seldom. They however still hit me. I miss you. Wish you were here. Wish I could tell you how much you meant to me and how much I enjoyed having you in my life....

13 Olive you!

 Today was a rough one. Today was a day when I realize being a one car family is not the easiest. It saves us money but its not always handy! Tim took the kids to school, then me to work, then he himself went to work... He had to leave early, come get me, drop me at the dentist and then get the kids, come back and get me... Sheesh!

Looking for RED I grabbed an olive. Only it was jalapeno stuffed. So in photo shop I dyed it red instead! 

So work, again was busy today. I am NOT complaining a bit about that. I love busy days. At one point we ran out of forks and I was yelled at because the boss had to dig into the stash he'd hidden of new forks... I was told that I should keep up with the fact that we were running low on them. This while I have my own section full, plus 2 extra tables, plus the phones, help cut pizza, dishes, and a salad bar that is being emptied as soon as I can fill it up! Whatever boss man.

 So I found it somewhat fitting that today's photo... Included a fork!

While looking for red items I also photographed my strainer. I liked the image so I kept it too!

12-Sweet Sixteen

  So today my middle daughter turned 16. SIXTEEN years have passed since I have had her. Its hard to believe. How do sixteen years fly by so very quickly?

She was this tiny 8.02 pound bundle of pink blankets and fuzzy hair... Now she's a taller than me beautiful blonde. She's friendly, funny, social, smart and loveable. I am so proud.

 

 

 

 

"Sweet" 16 ha!

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful girl INSIDE and out :)

not only did she turn 16, but she became a licensed driver as well

 her favorite meal. Fettuccine Alfredo, mushrooms, and chicken

      So as I had expected today was a pretty good day. My husband went back to work. I was busy at work. I found out I will be getting A LOT of extra hours (like I asked for) the next 2 weeks. I had a slice of cheesecake when I got home.... Oh and because my amazing 16 year old has such good grades, my insurance BARELY went up adding her to the policy!!! Hoo Rah!