Friday, November 30, 2012

November Photo A Day


Day 306 | 1 year.  Miss you grandpa H.
Day 307 | Hello November
Day 308 | Wine tasting with the besties
Day 309 | Why yes that is a lot of food, don’t judge!
Day 310 | Baby girl had multiple surgeries.
Day 311 | I Voted
Day 312 | Good night world
Day 313 | Getting my craft on
Day 314 | Happy mail!
Day 315 | Dinner with Jenny and our moms
Day 316 | Shadow (321)
Day 317 | I love her.
Day 318 | Dinner.
Day 319 | December Daily cover.
Day 320 | Wishing I could stay home with her today.
Day 321 | Merry Christmas.



Day 322 | Besties
Day 323 | Twinkle
Day 324 | Today was a little dark.
Day 325 | She melts my heart.
Day 326 | Friends.
Day 327 | Thanksgiving cuddles.
Day 328 | Took a 3 ½ hour nap today.
Day 329 | Found these while cleaning out my grandparents house.
Day 330 | She loves looking out grandma and grandpa’s windows.
Day 331 | Daddy is in complete remission!
Day 332 | Pink sky
Day 333 | Layers.  I wonder how many colors I can wear at one time?  So far I have hot pink, bright blue, and highlighter line green…
Day 334 | Mani date with mom.
Day 335 | Supporting mom’s school tonight.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

November | 2012

This month:
I got to travel to Iowa and have a girls trip with my high school friends,
and went wine tasting while we were there.
I got to vote for the second time.
I got to talk maid of honor talk with my college friend Jenny.
I tried on bridesmaid dresses with high school friends.
We put up the Christmas tree before Thanksgiving (a first for us!)
Another high school friend got married.
We celebrated Thanksgiving just the three of us.
We started to clean out my grandparent's house and found some awesome vintage cameras.
My daddy was told was told that he is in complete remission!
And that was the best thing I could have ever heard.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

December Daily 2012 | Title Page


This is my first year participating in December Daily and I am so excited!  I really hope this will become a tradition I will keep for many, many years.  I cannot wait to see how my life with change and alter from one Christmas to another.  (Life for example, last year I had 3 of my 4 grandparents with us, and this year I only have 1.  My grandma is definitely going to be getting a day dedicated to her!)


I have been looking on blogs, instagram, etc. for different ideas.  I pride a lot of you who are able to set up your pages in advance.  I have a lot of thing and events I want to add to this book, but I don't have an exact day planned and therefore have not done any pre-planned pages.  (I really hope I do not regret this later...)  But for the little I do have, I really, really like.


Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you will enjoy my journey through my first December Daily!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

101 in 1001 | 6 Months Update


I have finally hit the 6 month mark on my 101 in 1001 project.  I think I am doing a pretty good job getting through my list.  I need to work on finishing the 'in progress' ones, but most of those will take some time to finish.  I also have quite a few that I plan to complete in the next few months and I can't wait!  I have some really fun ones planned for the first part of 2013.

Completed:
1.  Get a job :: May 7, 2012
2.  Develop a bill station :: May 27, 2012
3.  Put flowers on the graves of my deceased family members :: May 28, 2012
4.  Grow carrots :: June 16, 2012
5.  Plant a tree for Earth Day :: June 24, 2012
6.  Make a playlist of 26 songs A-Z :: June 30, 2012
7.  Play bingo :: July 6, 2012
8.  Search for a rainbow on a rainy day :: August 8, 2012
9.  Watch 5 Disney movies to discover what I missed during my childhood :: August 12, 2012
10.  Buy a new lens for my camera :: August 21, 2012
11.  Photograph a wedding :: August 25, 2012
12.  Buy a new phone :: September 21, 2012
13.  Have a Godfather marathon :: October 27, 2012
14.  Learn to make cheesecake :: October 28, 2012
15.  Go wine tasting :: November 3, 2012
16.  Vote in the next election :: November 6, 2012

In Progress:
Do 10 projects from my Pinterest Board :: 2/10 (10 projects planned)
Grow tulips :: Planted, roots growing in 2 of 4 planted; buds in 2 of 4.
Make a collection of 25 black and white photos :: 3/25
Take an online class (31 Things by Ali Edwards (link).  Stories are written, need to take photos and put pages together.)
Take one photo a day for a year :: 331/366
Try 40 new recipes :: 4/40
Visit 5 museums :: 1/5
Read 50 books :: 5/50
Watch all the Best Picture Oscar Movies :: 82/84
Watch all the Best Actor Oscar Movies :: 51/84
Watch all the Best Actress Oscar Movies :: 21/84
Watch all the Best Supporting Actor Oscar Movies :: 24/76
Watch all the Best Supporting Actress Oscar Movies :: 21/76

Still to Go:
Adopt an animal
Be in a parade
Build a blanket fort and sleep in it
Clean out the garage
Complete a 5000 piece puzzle
Create and keep a gratitude journal for 1 year (2013)
Do Ali Edwards’s One Little Word Project (2013)
Do Project Life (2013)
Do Week in the Life (2013,2014)
Donate blood
Donate hair to Locks of Love
Don’t eat fast foot for a month
Don’t eat sweets for 2 weeks
Eat 3 things I’ve never tired before
Embrace my natural curly hair for a week
Find a personally inspirational quote and work in into a piece of art
Get a massage
Get married
Go back to Washington DC with the family
Go horseback riding
Go on a family vacation
Go on a hike
Go on a picnic
Go to the Omaha Zoo
Go to a concert
Go to a drive in Movie Theater
Go to a fireworks show on the Fourth of July
Go to a high school football game
Go to a midnight showing of a movie
Go to a show in Branson
Go to a tulip festival
Go to Shatto Dairy farm with the family
Go to the Kansas City Aquarium
Go to World War I museum in Kansas City
Go whale watching
Have a game night with family
Have a John Hughes movie marathon
Have a pancake dinner reunion
Have a yard sale
Learn how to mow the lawn on the tractor
Make a quilt
Make my own ice cream
Make pizza from scratch
Meal Plan
Paint a piece of furniture
Paint a wall an outrageous color
Paint the front porch
Pay for the person behind me at a drive-thru
Pick strawberries
Read a chapter in the bible every night for a week
Research my family tree
Ride a roller coaster
See a Cirque de Soleil show
See the Pacific Ocean
Send a letter to someone living outside of the United States
Send Christmas Cards
Start an herb garden
Stay up and watch the sunrise on New Year’s
Take a cake decorating class
Take a hot air balloon ride
Take a pottery class
Take a yoga class
Travel to Hawaii
Try 5 new local restaurants
Try a new hair style
Visit a butterfly sanctuary
Visit a lighthouse
Visit a state I’ve never been to before
Visit a waterfall
Visit Mall of America again
Visit my childhood home
Visit the Northwest
Volunteer at a soup kitchen

Monday, November 26, 2012

Week 48
November 26, 2012


I woke up this morning nervous.
My body was shaking as if I had just drank a bottle of black caffeinated coffee.
Today could have gone really well, or really bad.
I had high hopes though out this whole process, but woke up today getting ready to hear the worst possible news.
Instead we found out that dad is in complete remission!
Thank you God!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Week 47
November 22, 2012


Friday, November 23, 2012

thanksgiving













this thanksgiving was quiet.  a little unlike the others.  there were some events from the night before that  left me bruised.  but that is life.  i still try to find the good in every day.  i am thankful for these photos and the people/pet in them.  and the fact that they stay up with me till three in the morning.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thankful



I am thankful for my family.  How strong we are together.
I am thankful for my mom and how she can read me with one look.
I am thankful for my dad and his wisdom and knowledge that have guided me.
I am thankful for Abby and the joy she brings to my everyday life.
I am thankful for friends and the ability to lean on them when I need to. 
I am thankful for the escape I find in photography.
I am thankful for new tunes that speak the words I cannot.
I am thankful for sleeping in on Saturday mornings (when my body allows).
I am thankful for trips with friends.
I am thankful for the encouraging words from people I’ve never met.
I am thankful for a warm drink on a bitterly cold day.
I am thankful for laughter when you need it the most.
I am thankful for work and for something to keep me busy.
I am thankful for the house I live in and the love that is found there.
I am thankful for my camera and being able to preserve memories.
I am thankful for little notes in my email that make my day better.
I am thankful for plans and truly believing next year will be great.
I am thankful for doctors and scientists that are passionate about finding a cure.
I am thankful for technology and being able to communicate with friends who live afar.
I am thankful for friends who value our friendship so much that they ask me to stand with them at their wedding.
I am thankful for my life, despite all the trials and hardships.
I am thankful for the holidays and togetherness and what it all means.

Happy Thanksgiving friends!  I hope you have a wonderful holiday with loved ones.

Monday, November 19, 2012

My Girls

Week 46
November 17, 2012



I am so thankful for these girls.
This weekend we were at wedding number 3 of 7.
(We are at the half way mark (one is engaged) of our high school group to get married.)
But the 5 of us are the ones that have stuck through everything.
We have made it through high school, the college years (we all went to different ones), numerous boys, 2 cancer diagnosis, 1, soon to be 2, moves, a ton of laughter, a few tears, and many years of being friends.  And I know we are going to have many, many, more years.
Love you!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Scavenger Hunt Sunday | November 18, 2012

Vision
Oh yes, this happened this weekend.
We have pumpkins outside, Turkey in the freezer, and twinkle lights on a tree in our living room.
I think we are a little holiday confused.
(Out of all my years, I don't think we have ever put the tree up before Thanksgiving.)

Strong
The strongest person I know.
He makes me laugh :)

Buttons
Archived, but great all the same.
I spy a heart and flower button....

Map
A little, tiny spot on the world map.  And it is a beautiful place.
Favorite Fruit
My favorite fruit is cantaloupe and since it is 'winter' season I couldn't get a current photo.  So instead I leave you with a photo of me about age 3.  Enjoy!

Monday, November 12, 2012

12of12 | November 2012

01.  This morning was especially hard to get out of bed.  Not only is it Monday, but I've had a migraine since Saturday night.
02.  Morning leg hugs.
03.  Somewhat stylish for feeling crummy.
04.  Dad has reached his 100 days and had tests done all day.  We will find out the results on the 26th.  Praying for remission!
05.  Can't get enough of this song.  Auld Lang Syne by Lea Michelle.  So ready for Christmas!
06.  Driving home for lunch.
07.  A bagel and apple with a whining pup sitting next to me while watching a little Grey's Anatomy.
08.  The "Feed Me" face.
09.  Lovely view on the ride home.
10.  Driving home after a Junior League meeting.
11.  Watching Dancing With the Stars and Castle.
12.  Hot cocoa.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Scavenger Hunt Sunday | November 11, 2012

Nature

Vintage/Retro

Whimsical

Cooking

Weeks Best

Saturday, November 10, 2012

10 on 10 :: November 2012

Hello November 10th.  Today was busy and fun.  This morning I worked on my title page for December Daily.  Tidied the kitchen.  Went outside while mom finished trimming the bushes.  (I got 2 thorns in my hand (still there) and 1 in my foot.  Ouch!)  Enjoyed cuddles with my sweet girl.  Please ignore her stitches on her head, she had surgery on Monday.  This afternoon was spent at an art gallery that holds an annual festival full of neat crafts, decorations, and food.  The day ended with dinner with one of my best friends and our moms as we talked about wedding stuff.  I'm her maid of honor!