People mover 90/366

I passed the bus parking area for our local school district and couldn't resist popping in for a few shots. I rode a bus all through my school years, but only as an adult, standing next to this behemoth of a people mover, am I glad I don't have to drive one. I mean, having to managing this 36 foot long machine full to the gills with 70 sweating and yapping kids during rush hour... I couldn't do it.

I just couldn't.

I'll pray for all the bus drivers out there.  

Self explanatory 89/366

Local tradition 88/366

"What'll ya have? What'll ya have?", yells the server today just as they have since 1928. My husband went to The Varsity growing up, we take our children there, and friends and family  coming in to town request a trip there.   

Slaw dog, onion rings, and a Varsity Orange is my usual.

And sometimes I'll even ask for the the paper hat. 

Charming country capture 87/366

The blue on blue stopped me in my tracks, literally. I was driving by and slammed on the breaks causing my purse and its contents to spill onto the floor.

I'm not sure what it is about the color blue but I am drawn to it EVERY time. 

Weekend in a bubble 86/366

Lane 4

Swimmers...take your mark...

Taken with the Olloclip fish eye lens on my iPhone4.  

Hammock-time

85/366

I am a swim parent. I drive to pools hither and yon. I sit on bleachers, lounge in chairs, and hang in my hammock. I pack food and drinks, carry supplies like a pack animal, and do school work in the shade between prelims and final. I cheer for the team, I agonize with the swimmers when they don't achieve their goals, and I watch siblings entertain themselves. I buy the hundredth pair of goggles, laugh at boys hairy armpits, and talk the latest politics with other parents.

 This is a small window into the life of a swim parent. 

And you know what?

I.LOVE.IT!

I spent the weekend at a swim meet with my eldest. The weather was beautiful, the meet was low key, I visited with friends, and I listened to Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games series while hanging in my hammock.

There was no wifi and no Starbucks but there was plenty of hammock-time.

Black and White

84/366

Pretty Boy

83/366

Homestead

82/366

Can you imagine yourself living in this log cabin with your parents and 8 other siblings? I am trying to imagine exactly that. 

What it would be like to live in the late 1800's or early 1900's? Having to work hard everyday to sustain yourself, facing the elements, and living off the land is somewhat intriguing to me. Maybe because I've never lived that way. 

I'm a product of generation x. I was raised in a quiet suburb, a neighborhood where leaving your doors unlocked and sending your kids out to play in the woods until mealtime was the norm. 

We weren't rich but we didn't want for anything. If something was needed or required, we hopped in the car and drove to the store to get it. I didn't walk uphill both ways in the snow without shoes to get to school. I didn't have to milk Old Bessie before breakfast so mom could churn our butter.

As I visited this historic monument, I stood for quite awhile observing the small things. I noticed the way the logs were cut perfectly to fit together. I could smell the pine around the foundation that was lifted off the ground and I tried to imagine the kids crawling underneath to hide or chase a stray ball. I thought I could almost see a woman on the front porch snapping beans while she swatted away the bugs.

Would I have been a good Little House on the Prairie girl? We'll never know but I sure do enjoy imagining.

Will my kids wonder the same things when they are my age?

Autodidact

81/366

I love teaching myself new things. When I have a want to know something, there are numerous resources at my fingertips. Usually, I start with Google. I've been known to ask Google very obscure and crazy things that I' be uneasy asking another breathing person.

And, no, I'm not going to share any of those questions.

I've been wanting to learn how to place my photos in a storyboard format (or template). So, I searched and found this tutorial. Easy Peasy.

I still have a bit of tweaking to make it a smooth process but I'm happy. 

I learned something new today.

Eight thousand six hundred

80/366

The place I call home currently reports a pollen count of 8600. That's approximately 2000 points higher than the highest reading of last year. 

The insidious dust gets E-V-E-R-Y-W-H-E-R-E! It accumulates on any and all surfaces. Rinse it, you say? That only serves to create a sticky base that attracts more pollen until you have a thick pasty mixture. I suppose if you weren't allergic to the stuff, you could finger paint with it.

I, however, need to apply for girl-in-the-bubble-status. Until then, you'll find me inside, moping and sulking until the air clears to a more tolerable level.

Always look into the water

79/366

I will never pass water without looking to see what is looking back at me. Whether a puddle or a pool, there is always something, if only your own face.

If you look past the reflection of the building, you'll see a school of koi swimming around in the shallow, pollen filled pond.

Weekend getaway

76-78/366

We had a free weekend, one without any obligation. Without further thought, we planned a camping weekend. Once the reservations were secured, preparations began. Running around like crazy is not our style, so we started a few days before departure chopping wood and packing the camper.

I, of course, knew this would be a great opportunity to test out my reflexes...pointer finger reflex, that is. I wanted to try capturing the ax going through the wood. 

I think he would have rather me move wood.

But he's a good sport. And I did move some wood. "snort"

I got the shot I wanted AND when I loaded them onto my computer, I saw that I also got wood chips and dust flying through the air. 

YEAH!!

Off we went. The weather was beautiful and there were no bugs to ---wait for it ---- bug us.

I crack myself up.

We ate well, hiked, met new friends, finished reading the first book in the Hunger Games series (since I'm taking a carload of girls to the midnight premier of The Hunger Games, I thought I should know what it's about) and got some much needed rest. 

We are just better people after a camping weekend.

 One of my favorite parts of camping is lying in my hammock. I read, napped, and held conversations all from the comfort of my Eno hammock. It was an impulse buy a few years ago and has become one of the top 5 purchases of all times.

My other favorite factor is the lack of internet and cell service. The places we choose are usually in areas off the beaten path. I used to fight it but not hearing my phone ring or beep with a text is rather nice. 

 We're home now. Everything is cleaned and packed away. I'll sleep tonight dreaming of the next trip. 

Bounce your cares away

75/366

Some days are rougher than others. From the moment you open your eyes until the moment you fall into bed, flaming arrows are being shot at you. They don't hit directly but land near you and a small fire starts. You must tend to that fire or it becomes a blaze.

All day long, you're putting out fires. 

Until the moment when your mind tells you it's time to get away. 

What do you do?

H-E-L-L-O !!! Nothing takes away the stress of the day like a good rousing bounce session on the trampoline. 

And a few hand stands.

All becomes right with the world.

The vacancy light is on

74/366

He'll do anything for a treat

73/366

Self doubt

72/366

Do you have these moments? Times when you've put your foot in your mouth all the way up to your knee and can't take it back. A flash when you attempt a joke or maybe make a point and it falls flat. No one gets it or worse, no one even heard you because they're talking in their own groups.


Self doubt begins to whisper in your ear, saying all those nasty things you don't want to hear. You fight it off but sometimes, you hear your own voice sighing in resignation. You admit defeat and look for a way to slither away without anyone noticing. 


It's as if you're stuck inside yourself, looking out at all the cool kids having fun, and wishing you had the courage to step out into the light...just one more time. 


One more time. Just do it. 


Speak up. 


It'll be ok.

Gather with like minded individuals

71/366

It's important to find people who share similar interests. Today, I met with a group of very diverse minds, who all have a passion for Instagram. It was refreshing. 

And I played with the Olloclip. Oh my. Both of the shots above were taken with the macro lens on my iPhone 4. 

The view from the alley

70/366

Every time I drive past this alley, the contrast between the red of the bricks and the mahogany of the door make me smile. I've always wanted to stop but never made the time.

I was with my youngest and we were returning from hanging out with friends. The sun was setting and the traffic was light so I pulled in.  

I'm glad I did. 

Weekend potential

69/366

Join me

68/366

Where I live, friends come in the back door. They don't ring the bell at the front and wait for you to escort them in. A knock and a holler as they walk in will suffice. 

Throwing thoughts to the wind

67/366

Being outside makes me happy. Fresh air, warm breezes, birds chirping, putting my hands in the dirt...all make my soul feel good. 

Doing it with someone you love...

even better.

Joy in the small things

66/366

Today is a day to remember. My girls dressed up and presented their memorized poems to their school. 

My class dressed up and presented their poems.

The entire small Christian school they attend held a Literary Tea today. The came in their finest clothes, armed with their best manners, and a knowledge of memorized works to wow the school body. I was so proud as a mom and as a teacher. 

We ate finger food, took photos, and I loved on this new addition to our "family". He was adopted by a wonderful couple that attends our school. 


He is the tiniest being I've held in a very long time. 

And he smell good.

And he smiled at me. 

I think he's my new boyfriend.

Ladybug surprise

65/366

Communication

64/366

Communication, as defined by Merriam-Webster's, is a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behaviors. 

Communicate, people, communicate.

Camera Zen

63/366

 Today was a day to grab the camera and walk around looking for something pretty to photograph.  I wanted a close and soft view so I used my Nikon 18-55 kit lens with an Opteka High Definition 10x Macro lens. Someone recommended this to me a long time ago and the cheap price made it an easy purchase. 

It's not perfect but I'm not a macro junkie; therefore, I cannot justify the cost of a lens dedicated only to macro shots.

I wonder what my neighbors thought as they saw me low crawling around my yard, and in some instances, their yards looking for the best angle on the few flowers that have started blooming. Not that I care, mind you. 

Just wondering.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss

62/366

Left foot

Left foot

Right Foot

Right

Feet in the morning 

Feet at night

will be forever linked with your name in my mind. My daughter would pick out this book for me to read EVERY DAY. 

Gray day

61/366

Last night, we were subjected to torrential rain, lightening that lit up the sky and thunder that literally shook the house. We knew it was coming. The weatherman told us, the television beeped warnings at the bottom of the screen, and my amateur meteorologist husband told me to get ready.

No one told the dog. He will run from the vacuum but is pretty true and steady during the worst of storms. Not last night.

He whined, paced from window to window, huffed and sighed. At 2:30 a.m., he bumped the bed to wake me. Out we went, during the storm so he could relieve his nervous bladder. 

In the end, I slept on the sofa with my four legged baby pressed as close to the sofa as he could get. I hung my arm over the side, resting it on his back so he knew I was there. Finally, he calmed himself and I heard his breathing change. 

Just like a child, he has his sleeping sounds.

Today is gloomy and wet. I am fighting off sleep while my furry companion snores loudly behind me. 

Something's not right with this picture.