Scavenger Hunt Sunday: October 30, 2011

Macro

This isn't as 'macro-ish' as I would have liked, but I do really like the bokeh effect going on.

Found Texture

The texture of the clouds on Thursday night's sunset was amazing.  (Btw--this was SOOC.)

Home

Obviously not my home, but it was someone's home.  Dad found this itty bitty (can't really tell in this picture) nest in a bush by our garage.  It was very well hidden.  And it looked so peaceful.

Cover

Part of my 52 week project.  Story of this picture to come later....

Tree

I love fall trees!

Liked up here.

Pawsitively Great Grand Opening

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to photograph the Grand Opening event for Pawsitively Great, a new pet grooming company.  I met them when I photographed the Big Brothers/Big Sisters dog walk back in May.  I'm so glad they remembered me!

So I don't bore you, I picked my top 5 photos from that day.

Izzy.  The sweetest dog ever.  She hung out with us all afternoon.

Leo.  He is a puppy and so well behaved.

Leo's sister (I don't remember her name!)  She is very talented.  Abby definitely couldn't do this!

Two of the ladies that work at Pawsitively Great had babies 4 days apart.  I couldn't help but share this little treasure.  So precious!

Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen

Because I am frustrated with school...

Because this is my go-to song to calm me down....

Because this song is for me...

A (Somewhat) Happy Tuesday

There were many times in the last year where I felt like things were just holding on by a single string of thread.  My family's bond was stronger than ever but we were trying so hard to survive and to overcome our biggest obstacle, fighting cancer.  (And I am happy to say things are going great there.)  During that time I moved home to be closer to family.  I don't regret that one bit, but some friendships didn't develop quite like I wanted because of the distance of our homes.  I stayed in school as a full time student, but my grades suffered a little bit.  Taking 2 hours out of my day just to drive to school and drive back home is a lot.  It is precious study time, or family time, or friend time that was wasted.

Yes, my family will always deal with the life of 'after' the diagnosis.  Yes, I am still in school...taking even more hours than last year.  Yes, I still commute to school, taking 8 hours out of my week just to sit in the car.  

But things are seeming to come together a little bit.  I don't know what this change is.  Maybe it is the fact that I've grown up a little.  Maybe it is just timing.  Maybe it is just the path I'm suppose to follow.  I don't know what it is, but I am glad that it is happening.  

This week is the half way point in the semester and things are insanely crazy busy.  In the next two weeks I have three papers, five tests, and two projects due.  All in eight class days.  And I can't help but think...How is that even possible?!  And sometimes I wonder how I will make it through the next two weeks.  

But then I'm reminded about the good things that are coming about right now in my life.  

Spending time with my family and making memories.  

Celebrating another birthday and another year of life for my dad.

Making plans with high school friends.  

Making new friends.

Reminiscing a wonderful weekend.

Hoping for another great weekend.

Restoring friendships.

Planning trips.

Seeing graduation in the horizon. 

Those are the things that help me get through the rough weeks.  Days full of hope, days full of potential, days that are beatifully unexpected.

"The word LISTEN contains the same letters as the word SILENT."

~Alfred Brendel