Day #38 - An Accidental Snap Shot & My Starbucks Affair

Sunday, February 8, 2009


This is a photograph that Corianna took from the back seat of my car on the way to Cassidy's on Saturday. I didn't know the photo was on the camera until I downloaded them to my PC. I remember Cori telling me she took a "cool picture" but I wasn't able to look at it since I was driving. Once I downloaded it, I decided it's a very beautiful picture from my very beautiful daughter, so it HAS to be in my P365 line up!

Cori is with her Dad today and it's his birthday! She made him the coolest gift ever, one that I think he will treasure for a very long time. A while back, I purchased a "Make Your Own Game" kit. She and I worked togeter and came up with a cute game she titled, "You Say it's Your Birthday...?" She totally came up with the objective and the concept and it turned out really cool! I am such a dork, I forgot to take a picture of it before we wrapped it up! Duh!

The photo that I took for February 8th is of Starbucks' emblem. I went with my Mom to change our cell phone plans because she heard of a package deal they had for existing customers, one that would save us a lot of money. She and I met at the cell phone "store" and while I waited for her to arrive, I took this little shot of the Starbucks logo. Everyone who knows me knows that I loves me some Starbucks!!! I ALWAYS, ALWAYS order a Venti Zebra Mocha, sometimes with an extra espresso shot, and this is one drink that is TO DIE FOR!!!! I actually used to go to Starbucks every day up until a few years ago when I realized I was spending more on coffee than I was my car insurance!!!!! So I cut waaaaay back and now I just treat myself perhaps once per month... I decided we couldn't keep Starbucks out of my Project since I have a deep profound love for their coffee!!

Day #37 (2nd Post) - Cori and Cassidy

Saturday, February 7, 2009 (2nd Post)



Saturday, February 7th

I decided to add another post for Day #37. The girls got together to go to "Kids Night Out"...it has been several months since they have attended and they're excited to go. Afterward, the girls are having a sleepover! Cassidy is such a great kid. She is extremely funny and she and Cori get along sooooo well. I imagine them staying BFF's for many years to come. My best friend was someone who I grew up with and I hope that Cori has the same experience.

Day #36 - District Spelling Bee (February 6th)

*I added Day #37 before Day #36 on accident

Friday, February 6, 2009



Today is the big day. I goofed up and entered Day #36 when it should have been day #37. So just to clarify for me, as I know I'll forget, the Spelling Bee took place on February 6th! So the photograph prior to this post was taken on February 7th!

Okay, so now that I have made that note for myself, I will move on. This was such a busy day. Cori and her Dad had breakfast at Cori's favorite breakfast spot and I met them there. From there we headed off to the Bee where we found out that the 5th graders are competing against 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. We did not know this...first came the written exam and if you pass that, you move on to the oral Bee. Then they serve lunch while the administrators are grading each test. There were only a handful of 5th graders who made it in and none of the girls from Cori's school made it. I know they were all very disappointed, but I kept telling them that they'll have a good shot at it next year or the year after. Just getting to the district bee was a HUGE accomplishment in and of itself. These girls are all gifted and they're all bound for good things!

It was a great day and after it was over, we went out a celebrated with some dinner and shopping. It was a good day.

Here is a photo of Cori and Mrs. B, the gifted/talented teacher at Cori's school. The lighting in schools must be really weird. Each time I take a picture at any of the schools, they turn out really odd. Kind of yellowish...I hope the photography class I am taking might be able to address this issue. I am guessing it is due to the fluorescent lights. I have tried changing my camera to the "fluorescent light setting" but it actually makes it worse. This is still a great memory and the photo will be scrapped!

Day #37 - Boys and Their Toys!

*Feb 6th posted after Feb 7th (on accident)

Saturday, February 7, 2009

My son is 17 which is such a frightening age; I was 17 once, so this I know is a fact!! Teenage boys and their cars are two things that scare me the MOST! It's weird because you know your kids are growing...you know the milestones are ahead, but when you reach them...you want to run!!! At least that is how I feel!



Kyle just got this car not too long ago and each time the boys head out somewhere, it makes me nervous. I want to believe that boys won't do anything stupid, but I know lots of "boys" and I must say, Stupid Things Boys Do is a book I could write with infinite chapters!

Until next time...

Day #35 - It's Just Me...

Thursday, February 5, 2009

I have said previously in this blog that rarely will you see me IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA! It's not because I don't like being photographed, it's that I am always the one behind the camera. I have made a goal for myself that I will try to be in at least a few photographs per month. Since no one was home, I shot this picture myself.

I know...pretty goofy, but after all, this project is about "ME" and my life. So here is Day #35, February 5, 2009.

Day #34 - My Impromtu "Memorial Day"

Wednesday, February 4, 2009


I had an interview this morning. It went very well and I enjoyed speaking to the interviewer. However, approximately an hour into the meeting, it was disclosed that this position had no benefits and the salary was almost half of what I was making before. I was quite shocked by this, especially after reading the description of the job and viewing their website. I was definitely disappointed, but not discouraged. After all, it was a very nice meeting and no matter what the outcome may be, it is always good to network with others.

After leaving the meeting I decided that I would take a trip to Olinger which is the cemetery where my step-father was laid to rest last September. This was only my second trip back to the cemetery, despite the fact that it is literally only a 5 minute drive from my house. I went there during the holidays and had an "odd" and somewhat crazy experience and just hadn't been back since that time.

At the entrance of the cemetery stands the beautiful Columbine Memorial with stone crosses hosting pictures of the beautiful and brave students and teacher who losts their lives during the Columbine High School tragedy. I was compelled to stop and stand among the Memorial and it wasn't long before tears started streaming down my face. I felt frustrated that we have no control over others and their actions. I was angry and quickly felt this overwhelming sense of anxiety about my own kids and their safety. We send our kids to school each morning hoping that they'll come home each afternoon a bit more informed than the day before. I felt a void for these victims and their families who, no doubt, have not had a day pass since April 19, 2001 where their loved one(s) wasn't on their minds. I felt all of these emotions at once and tears were inevitable. I looked across the grass where Denny's grave site rests and I couldn't bring myself to walk over there.

I said a prayer, stood still and listened to the wind chimes for another 5-10 minutes and then I walked back to my car thinking about my best friend who died just weeks after my step-dad. I thought about all of the "bad" things that have happened over the last year...and then I thought to myself, "You're going to be just fine..." and in this moment, I felt at peace and truly did (and still do) believe that things really are okay. It is the happiness, the joy, the sadness and the sorrow that makes up this funny thing we call Life.

God Bless.

Day #33 - Night Photography...Help is Obviously Needed

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Today I decided I would try to take another photograph at night, outside... This is an area of photography that I have always struggled with, as I am sure you can tell from the photograph. I have decided that I am going to take a photography class online that is extremely inexpensive, but full of content. This photograph will remind me of how terrible my photographs at night "used to be" as long as all goes well in this class and I actually learn something! :-)



Until next time...