Testing 123

Just a test.

Moving to Photoblog

Since I will probably be taking more pictures with my cellphone, I am going to restart my Project365 at http://www.photoblog.com/amy365/. I really like Blogger and how it looks, but its a pain to do each post, even on my regular computer. If I figure out a more streamlined method, I'll be back.

Moon Through the Trees

I took this with my new phone (Nokia E63). Its not bad on normal shots, but low light needs some work.

Cold, Wet, Wide-Awake Dog

This is my Brittany again. She just had a bath, which she didn't like, but she did behave well (as in she didn't try to escape, soaking the house in 'eu de wet dog').

This picture gives her really odd proportions (especially her legs). She hunches up when she is wet (animal rights people need not worry, she is safely sleeping on the couch now).

P.S. - The title is a spin on a joke I heard:

• Question: "What do you get when a person tries to sober up with black coffee and a cold shower?"
  
• Answer: "A cold, wet, wide-awake drunk."

Lego Sword

My eldest son made this of legos. He is just as competent with the larger legos, mini legos, knex, lincoln logs and standard blocks. He has made things like airplanes, helicopters, transformers, even a shield.

He can actually pick this up - it stretches across the table.

My Computer Background

This is the background I made using The GIMP (a free & opensource photo editor). It is my husband and three sons, the pictures are from the summer before last I think. It will be time to update it soon!

This is the second take, the first one had to much glare (its so nice to have digital cameras were you can look at the images before you leave the area).

Happy Face

Well somebody got stickers for his birthday. Day one: he takes one sticker, and hands them back to me so I can put them away. Day two: I turn my back for 3 minutes and he has a very happy face. (This is son #2 by the way.)

Curious Cat

This is the stray we adopted last year, "Stella". I don't have many pictures of her, but the cats were very photogenic this week. I guess she is checking if the camera is edible (she certainly has some non-ladylike habits from her former life).

Cat + Sunbeam = Naptime

My old kitty again, she is taking advantage of the sunbeam for a warm nap. Its like Garfield says, "February is the Monday of months".

Kitty Tracks in Fresh Snow

Some kitty had the audacity to walk through my driveway. Imagine that.

Anyway, this picture actually came out very well. Other than that nasty white snow. I should move to Arizona. Except I'd be hot then.

Looking Up

This is my little boy. Again. I just think this turned out well, and it was different (looking down while he looks up). Of course, in my next picture of him, he is screaming. Because I used the "n" word. (Uh, that would be "no". What did you think I said?)

The Be Happy Clock

This is my sunrise alarm clock, I purchased it about two years ago after much wrestling with myself and research. I recently started using it again (don't ask) and it really helps. I am actually ready to wake up instead of being jarred to life in the morning. It just makes the day more cheerful.

P.S. Yes it is cracked. No they aren't shipped that way. It took a fall (hitting metal) and I glued it back together. Of course, I could have ordered a replacement globe, but I'm cheap and impatient.

Oops I Did It Again

Wow, so sorry for the title - I couldn't resist! I've ripped my hands three times in my life, but this time I was doing unassisted pull-ups (I did 33 over the workout). I apologize if this makes anyone squeamish.

Blue Skys

We took a walk today (me, 1 of the dogs, 3 kids) - it was nice (relatively, it is February) and sunny. The sky was a gorgeous shade of blue, the picture doesn't do it justice.

Mirror, mirror

This is a MUCH more fun way to do a self portrait.

A Spot of Happiness

I was at Wal-mart and picked up this flower today. I really need that bright yellow around the house. (Plants have a hard time here, between the cats, the toddler and the dry air from the wood stove.)

And I got new batteries today. Hopefully there will be no more hiccups.

Reasons vs Excuses

This is why my photos the last few days have been boring - my batteries are dying. I'm just happy the camera consents to turn on and take a picture. But I will try to find something more interesting soon. (As well as buying batteries.)

Eye

I wimped out on a self-portrait. Tomorrow I want to do some outdoor pictures.

Soft Pillows

One of my favorite things is laying between freshly laundered sheets. It's so funny what one is thankful for, I really am looking forward to sleeping on my queen size bed with a soft pillow; instead of the evil thing in my living room masquerading as a couch.

I should do an outdoor theme - maybe start from the door, walk for 5 minutes, and then take a picture of something from that spot. And take more pictures, I am carrying my camera, but I still feel weird taking pictures for no specific reason. Need to overcome that.

Things Not Seen

And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

How do you take a picture of what you can't see, but are very thankful for? This is my attempt. I like the "crooked" picture best. I couldn't zoom in any further without blurring the words.

Steak For Dinner

Well, I am thankful for good food - life is so much better when you are warm and well fed! I really wanted to get a picture of the cook, but he doesn't like having his picture taken. In seven plus years I have very few good pictures of him - and I had to sneak those in! Another day, perhaps.

Cavewoman Likes Fire

Nothing better than a hot fire in the stove on a cold day. (But no, I don't live in a cave. The cave floor would be way to cold.)

This was a tough picture to take actually. With the flash on it was impossible to see the fire - it looked like two logs just sitting there.

Borrowing Some Happiness

I have to confess: I was not in a thankful mood today. I wasn't even in a very good mood. Lucky for me, someone else was. This is my oldest - he is a GREAT helper. I call him my engineer because he loves to build things. Today I really needed his happy, child-like silliness. Someone who isn't weighed down with life's issues.

Then I think of the politicians, who are going to put all these debts (sorry, the "stimulus") onto him. Why don't we all take responsibility for our own problems? Passing them to our children is unjust and cowardly.

Truckage

I thought I'd start taking pictures of things I'm thankful for. Well this morning was snowy, and I had to drive before it was light. I'm very thankful for a nice, reliable vehicle, with 4 wheel drive, high clearance, a cattle guard, room for the family and the ability to haul a load. And gas mileage isn't much worse than my Explorer was.

This was my dream car as a teen (ok, technically I wanted a 3/4 ton, but it IS in my favorite color). How lucky am I to have my tough truck?

More Snow Today

And a lazy photographer who took the picture from the porch. The flash (which is working today) reflected of the wall a bit. I would have had a nicer picture, but the SD card was inserted wrong. And it was cold, so I didn't bother to troubleshoot.

I might play with this photo in GIMP sometime - pixelize it and make a background image.

Honest Sweat

Two thoughts on today's photo:

1. Today I got two PRs (personal records) in weight lifting, and then did a tough martial arts class. Nothing like moving your body to make your mind shut-up.
2. I have been thinking about goals and balance. That belt was my goal for last year (of course I had trained much longer than a year, but last year was more intense - I was 100% committed to passing the test). Most of my goals in 2008 were physical. Did some things suffer/stagnate? Yes. Was 2008 a success? Absolutely. I know what I need to do in 2009. And, again, balance may suffer. But next year, do I want to look at an "okay" year, with small, shotgun goals, or do I want to know that I conquered our biggest challenge? I think I know the answer.
   

Here Comes the Sun

The SUN came out today! Its still very cold though.

Age and Beauty

This is my cat, who will be 19 in April. I kind of like the glowing effect on her eyes. I also took the picture looking up at her.

Paper Beats Plastic

I still need a pen and paper when I write, at least for an outline or the first draft. Today was better, I think. It has been a really weird week.

Yo-Yo Productivity

This is my day today. Changing the oil = good. (Having to jump to shut the hood = heroic.) Forgetting to put the cap back on = bad. Stopping after driving 1/2 mile to find the cap still in the engine compartment = lucky.

I need to go to bed.

The Duck Wars

I spent the last few years putting this duck back over the bathtub faucet because the kids removed it. We recently replaced the faucet, and I decided we didn't need the duck anymore. Now its the kids who keep putting the duck back over the faucet.

Little Things

I haven't seen my shiny sink for awhile. It went AWOL when I was out flirting with a short, intensive college class. We are back together now, and will hopefully stay that way.

Peace

This is one of my children, Andrew. My most precious treasure. He is covered with a quilt made by my great-grandmother, Grandma Brown. She died last week, an amazing woman who could craft any object after seeing it once, who played BINGO and loved sports.

I was asked today what my heart desired most in the whole world. Peace. Knowing that I am doing the right thing, at the right place, at the right time.

The Question is Where

One of the books that really impacted me is Stephen Covey's First Things First. Then (much later) there was David Allen's Getting Things Done. Even though I didn't apply all of GTD, it did help me to get more done.

But in the last month I have added a huge goal to my life: getting my B.S. degree. So I have been looking at my schedule, and I don't like it. Spending time with my kids (homeschooling, playing, teaching) is a high priority for me. I have several personal goals: learn German, get into great shape with Crossfit, actually win a medal in Taekwondo, do more classical reading, play the guitar, etc. And there are the normal obligations: earn money, keep the house clean.

Getting things done is great, but I can't do everything. I can't do everything perfectly. Its time to put the big rocks in the jar first. Where do I want to go? What is most important? Why?

Perspective

So are the black pieces problems? Challenges? Expectations? Tasks? Some of them are threatening me. Others I can handle with ease. But I can't stay. I have to make a move. Failure is not an option.

Notes: I turned the flash off because I wanted the shadows. And one of the black pieces is missing (no deep reason, the kids lost it). Anyone know which piece?

Art Display at FVCC

My flash had to quit working - I don't know if all camera's are like this or just mine. I have tried the higher-quality batteries made for digital cameras too.

I took this after my last class for Interpersonal Communications, it was one of the displays on a long wall of art displays. I really liked the leaf, and the nature connection.

Tana

This is my dog, Tana. She is an 8 year old Brittany (my 20th birthday present actually). I discovered she won't stay still enough for a closeup, especially since the room wasn't very light.

Project 365: A Photo A Day

I was stumbling around on another NaNoWriMo author's blog, and saw they had taken the Project 365 Challenge. I have been wanting to get into the habit of taking more pictures and keeping my camera with me, so I decided to join.

I won't have a photo everyday for 2009 since I am starting late, but I will still have 350 photos at the end of the year. I hope this improves my photography skill as well. Hmm, maybe if I do this for 2009 I'll reward myself with a digital SLR camera next year.

Well, I better go take a picture!