Minnesota 2013 | Part Two

Day three of our trip was so so special.  This, by far, was my favorite day of the trip.  Not everyone was excited about excursion, but in the end everyone loved it.  (They are always hesitant about these things and end up loving it in the end.)  On day three we traveled three hours north to Lake Superior and saw Split Rock Lighthouse.

 ^^ The view was breathtaking.

^^ The water was so clear. 

^^ After the lighthouse, we took the scenic route back to Minneapolis.  We stopped at a little outlook and played around by the water. 

^^ I was bummed you couldn't see Abby in this photo :( 

^^ Abby surprisingly really liked the water and laid down right next to the shore.

 ^^ The water was SO cold!  I read that the average temperature is 40 degrees. 

^^ Oh northern Minnesota, I could love you forever.

Always Sometimes Never

I have always been a night owl.
I always eat breakfast.
I will always choose Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen as my favorite song.
I always come up with some new project to work on.
I always put my family before anything else.

I sometimes eat frosting out of the container (and I’m not ashamed of it).
I sometimes wish I could run again.
I sometimes have horrible nightmares that leave me bruised and battered.
I sometimes wish I could live on a beach, or have mountains in my backyard.  {And sometimes I'm content right where I am.}
I sometimes clean at the most inconvenient times, usually when I’m trying to put something else off or it's really late at night.

I never feel like I get enough sleep.
I will never like sharks.
I never watch scary movies.
I never like to be alone for longs periods of time.  (Like the 2 times my parents were in KC for a month during dad’s transplants and Abby and I had the house to ourselves for an entire month—each time.)
I will never get used to the fact that my dad is sick.

Currently : May 2013

Feeling a little empty.

Looking forward to having Memorial week off.

Dreaming of being someplace else.

Needing to finish up the last 4 weeks of my project life album.

Missing some of my creative flow.

Finishing up some projects.

Planning on simplifying my life.

Wondering where the weekends go.

Thinking about giving myself a new photography prompt.

Listening to Count Me In by Early Winters over and over again.

Loving the light breeze from the ceiling fan.

Glad that my shows are coming to an end (temporarily) so I can focus on my movie lists on my 101 project.

Excited for Kristin’s wedding in 2 weeks.

Watching Abby chase bubbles.

Wearing more skirts than normal and

Enjoying how they make me feel.

Painting my scrapbooking table.

Embracing the frustrations.

Soaking in the sun.

{Five Things You Might Now Know About Me}

1.  I hate talking on the phone unless if it’s with a selected few.  Then I can talk for hours.
2.  I love being in awe of a simple moment that takes my breath away.  I love that I’m aware of those moments.
3.  I like the idea of being organized and clutter free, yet I can’t seem to make it happen.  I guess life is just too messy, but it’s a work in progress.
4.  Abby is my love. (Ok, you probably already knew that.)  She somehow always finds a way to put a smile on my face each and every day.  I can’t imagine what life would have been like these last 11 years without her.  She holds a special place in my heart that my first dog did not.
5.  My parents are my best friends.

Linked here.

in the moment

right now i am:

...listening to the pitter-patter of the rain falling

...cuddling with abby because it is night time

...and falling for those sweet puppy eyes because she doesn't like storms and needs comforting. 

...frustrated because i can't find the name of the person to make my cover letter out to so i can apply for yet another job.

...relaxing my feet from running after a 4 year old, a 2 year old, a 3 month old puppy and a 6 week old kitten.

...enjoying some soft tunes

...and the low dim from a nearby lamp.

right now i am content in the moment.

Leap Year Self Portrait

Week 9

February 29, 2012

Leap Year Photo!

I didn't think I would use this photo for this project, but the idea of the project is to document things about you that often go unseen.  Like the fact that I am putting on mascara with my left hand.  I am right handed, but there are some things I do with my left hand, like do the left side of my face (this includes primer, eye shadow, and eye liner as well) when I put on make-up.

Other things I do with my left hand include:

pouring liquids

eating (sometimes)

painting (the few times I had to paint in school)

These are the only things I can think of at 2:30 in the morning.  But there are times when I do something and without realizing, I'm doing it with my left hand.  It is strange-I know.  But when I was younger I was ambidextrous and in fact, when I began to do something I always started with my left hand.  When I got tired or bored I'd switch to my right.  I guess some of that still true years later.

Pure

Week 7

February 12, 2012

I am soft spoken.

I am guarded.

I am a watcher.

I am a person who does not open up easily.

I am a person who believes in fairness.

I often speak words of wisdom well beyond my years.

It is not until I trust, when I truly open up.

And when I love, I love unconditionally.

I am pure.

(Not my words, but words from someone else.)

And not everyone sees that in me.

Not even family members who are blinded by other distractions.

But to hear the words

"You are the purest person I know."

Coming from someone else

Might just be the best thing I could ever be told.

January Daily Photo

January Daily Photo

Day 1:  Cinnamon Rolls for New Years...Yum!

Day 2:  Petsitting.  Waiting for his dog buddy to come back inside.

Day 3:  I was watching a movie and Abby decided she wanted to cuddle.  No worries--I don't need the use of my arms.

Day 4:  Revenge and Pinterest.

Day 5:  Flags at the funeral home.

Day 6:  Sunrise, new lens (graduation gift to myself), sorting through photos of my grandpa Bailey

Day 7:  Mom.  Doestn' look like January at all.

Day 8:  Having a hard time getting to sleep and then staying asleep...

Day 9:  Going to grandpa's visitation.

Day 10:  Celebrating grandpa's life, flowers from his funeral, graduation gift from She-she.

Day 11:  Hot chocolate

Day 12:  She is needy today.

Day 13:  Babysitting, playing and cuddling.

Day 14:  Chicken Pot Pie. 

Day 15:  Mother/Daughter day with some friends.  We made v-day cards.

Day 16:  Clouds

Day 17:  New socks
Day 18:  Visiting my aunt and her kittens
Day 19:  Finished reading The You I Never Knew by Susan Wiggs
Day 20:  Hearts.
Day 21:  The one who did it and what she did...
Day 22:  Scarf
{Day 23}:  Finished this book in 3 days.  (Finished on the 22nd.)
Day 24:  Believe
Day 25:  KC with dad, sunset, and The Stinker.
Day 26:  Streeeetch
Day 27:  Lazy Day
Day 28:  The sweet gift I got from a friend!
Day 29:  My guard dog.  She is something fierce!
Day 30:  65 degrees in January.
Day 31:  Errands with dad, natural hair day, dad survives Wal-Mart, and another warm January day.

Holding On And Letting Go

Week 1

January 7, 2012

In the last year I have learned that life is one big balancing act.  

There are some things and events in life that are worth holding on to with dear life. 

And then there are other things that you don't have any control over.  

Things that are better off if you just let go of them.

This year I hope I live in a way that I let go of the little things that don't really matter.

This year I hope I live in a way that I hold on to the things that really truly matter.  

And never let those go.  

2011 Memories

1.  Me: My most proud accomplishment | Graduating from college. (December)

2.  I Love You | My sweet pup, Abby.  She puts a smile on my face each and every day.  (BTW she is giving kisses to baby.)

3.  Still Laughing | Dad making silly faces on our way to Branson.  This makes me laugh every time I see it.  (August)

4.  Winter Wonderland | Abby enjoying the winter snow.  (January)

5.  Birthday | I turned 22 in 2011.  (February)

6.  Friends | The crazy people I love.  At Kenzie's wedding in May.

7.  I Was Inspired | I created my own 'bulletin board'.  I have posted comments I've gotten on this blog, quotes, and a few things that just make me happy.  I post things that keep my inspired to keep going with my photography and reminders on how I should live life.

8.  Spring Fever | This is probably one of my favorite photos I've taken this year.  I can't put my finger on it, but it just seems peaceful and simple and beautiful.

9.  Travel/ Vacation | In June I went to visit my best friend (and old neighbor) in Virginia.  We also spent a day running around DC.  In August, my family took a trip to Branson to visit some family friends.  It was such a nice trip to get away and relax a little bit.  In November, my friend Jody and I went to Madison to visit our other friend Mallory.  While we were there we took a day trip to Chicago. It was the first time I'd ever been and it was so much fun!  That girls trip was definitely needed!

10.  Summer Days | It was a hot summer.  I don't know if this would sum up my summer in one photo, but I like it all the same.  Plus it seems summery.

11.  A Day In My Life | I participated in a 12of12 project.  You take 12 photos that document your day on the 12th day of each month.  This was my favorite photo project of the year by far.  I love the outcome and seeing each month side by side.  You can see all of them here.

12.  All Smiles | This picture makes me laugh every time I see it.  Dad was being funny when picking out pumpkins.  I think he picked a winner!

13.  Autumn Harvest | This just screams fall to me.  Pumpkins.  Boots.  Field.  Scarf.  Need I say more?

14.  Family /Home | I love my family more than anything. (January)

15.  Celebrate | Celebrating a huge milestone.  Story.

16.  Let's Do It Again | I really enjoyed my 52 week portrait project and I intend to continue it for many years to come!

17.  I Miss You | My family lost 2 wonderful men this year.  My Uncle Bobby, and my Grandpa Hower.  Story.  Story.

18.  Beautiful | I just think this is a beautiful photo.

19.  Dress Up | At the Delta Sigma Pi formal (November)

20.  Macro

21.  Holidays | Christmas Tree, Ornaments, Reflection of twinkle lights....

22.  My Favorite | I just really love this photo.  I took it when my family went to the pumpkin patch in October.  It was such a fun and new experience.  It was a good day and it started a new tradition that I plan to keep for years to come.

23.  Don't Ever Change | I hope that no matter what life throws me, I will forever have a positive outlook on life.

24.  Just Because | I don't know why, but I love everything about this photo.

25.  Hopes and Dreams | This year was very difficult for our family.  Actually, the last 19 months have been very difficult.  I just hope that 2012 is a little nicer on our family.  We could really use a lot more laughter.  (Sorry to keep using the pumpkin patch photos, but there are some of my absolute favorite from this year!  Dad was acting so goofy and making funny faces at me.)

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