{The 365 Project}

I am participating in the 2011 Mommytography 365 Project! For this year long project I will be posting an image a day, to get me out shooting, using my camera and learning new things with it daily. Anyone interested in photography can join, no need to be a Mommytographer. We have teens to adults, male and female, as well as people from all over the world. Come join the fun!

My goal is simple…to complete the entire year! This will be lots of fun and a great way to challenge yourself to learn new skills!!! So use the link above and sign up…you know you want too!!!

{Out With The Old…}

And in with 2011!

I can’t believe that 2010 is over.  They weren’t kidding when they said time flies as you get older!

2010 was a year of many emotions.  Many ups and downs…many life lessons learned.  I cannot wait to see what 2011 will have in store!

I also cannot believe that I got my start in the blogging world a little over 6 months ago either!  Up ‘til then, I had tried to get blogging, but never really did much with it.  I am so glad that I am finding my rhythm and have found so many wonderful blogs!!!

With the New Year I hope to continue in finding me in the blogging community.  I know that time will be crunched very hard as I finish the last semester of nursing school though!  My goal for my blog also includes starting a 365 Project and seeing it all the way through the end of the year.

May each of you have a fabulous New Year!  See you in 2011!!!

{Learn, Live, Hope}

Albert Einstein said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”  And it is now one of my most favorite quotes.  The words rang out loud and clear when I read them. 

Life is a learning experience.  Each choice we make in life has an outcome.  Sometimes this outcome is favorable, sometimes it is not.  But it is from those unfavorable moments that we learn.  We learn who we are and sometimes just how strong we are. 

We are not promised another day.  So enjoy each moment of every day.  I decided long ago not to live in regrets or should haves…but to live each day to the fullest and to be happy. 

Each tomorrow should be filled with hope and dreams.  There is no dream that is too big!

And as we enter 2011, I will continue to Learn, Live and Hope.  What about you?

{What Makes Christmas}

For each of us, there are traditions that we hold near and dear to our hearts.  Traditions that have been passed down through generations, and for some there are new traditions just beginning.

When I think of Christmas, there are many thoughts that come to mind:

• Miracle on 34th Street
• the smell of evergreen
• hot chocolate with mini marshmallows
• cinnamon rolls for Christmas breakfast
• Christmas carols…with my fav being Where Are You Christmas
• the joy of selecting on present to open Christmas Eve

The list could continue on and on.  But none of this would even be possible if it weren’t for a tiny babe born in a manger many years ago.

And so, I leave you with this…the real meaning of Christmas.

May each of you have a Merry Christmas!!!

{I Just…}

Got myself an early birthday present! I figure I deserve it…right?!?!?!?

So I have been looking at different bags that will be dual functioning:  everyday items and my camera.  There are lots of different bags out there!  I have your everyday styles, but they scream CAMERA BAG and I just didn’t want that for this bag.

After much browsing and searching, I made a decision.  I was first introduced to this bag by Tracy a few months ago.  And it by far seemed to be the one bag that fit what I wanted.  This bag will be perfect for everyday use, going to theme parks, etc. I can’t wait until it arrives at my door tomorrow!!!

And I will definitely post pics as soon as it arrives!

There is still one other bag that I plan to purchase.  This bag is a little more fashionable, but once again it looks nothing like a camera bag!

This bag is made by Jo Totes.  They have several different styles and many different color options!

{Chilly Morning}

It was more than a tad chilly this morning when I got up!  There was quite a bit of frost on everything.  That is as close as we in Florida get to a white Christmas!

But all that frost made for a few really nice photos.  A few is all I cared to capture to be quite honest!  My fingers were starting to feel a little numb!!!

{A Quick Snap}

{Photo Challenge: Fav Photo}

It is almost impossible for me to pick one single photo as my absolute favorite.  I have many that I REALLY love!  But I did it…I narrowed it down to one single image for this challenge!

This photo was taken in February of this year during the freak snowstorm that hit the south.  It was actually taken from the highway…and yes I was pulled over to take it!!! 

So…it is this photo that I shall enter into the photo challenge:

Do you have a favorite photo that you would like to enter?  If so, just click on the button below and join in on the photo challenge!  And check out all of the other great entries as well!!!

{Love}

I love weddings…especially when I have an opportunity to share in capturing lasting memories! 

These images are a few of my favorites from that day!

{2010 in Pictures…Part 3}

And finally, here are the last few of my favorite photos for 2010! I am planning to do a 365 project for 2011.  Hopefully I will be able to stick with it through all of my school craziness!!!  I began one for 2010, but didn’t make it too far.  So I have high hopes for 2011!!!

{In the Raw}

Cotton that is!  It is amazing to see how something so familiar begins on a bush!

{Changes}

I am never one to really do the whole New Year’s Resolution thing.  I would much rather set life goals and stick with them.  Just my personal preference!

So at the beginning of 2010, I made a challenge to myself to get rid of the extra poundage that had attached itself to my body.  And I managed to kick 20-25lbs to the curb.  Now I simply maintain that loss and all is great.  Well, almost great!

I have started to realize that I am not nearly as toned up as I would like to be.  Problem is…I am college student again and simply don’t have the time to go to the gym multiple nights a week to work out.  So what’s a girl to do?  Start looking up apps on the BlackBerry!

I hit the jackpot with one particular app.  It’s called Couch to 5K.  Perfect for the completely out of shape (ME) person.  I can easily spare 30 minutes 3-4 times.

The app is based on getting the couch potato up and running.  It starts you out slow and over the course of 9 weeks has you running a 5K (approximately 3mi)!  This actually got me excited.  It has been FOREVER since I actually put on running shoes to go for a run!

The app is available in several different platforms…so go check it out!!!

{More From Days of Old}

While at Landmark Park this past weekend, I also went in the Old General Store.  Wow were there some really neat things in there.  Lots of old clothing items and shoes.  Here are a few of my favorite things from the General Store!

The above is instructions on how to attach a collar to a shirt. 

{Medicine of Old}

Over the weekend, I made a visit to Landmark Park in Dothan, AL.  It is an old settlement that is based on the late 1800’s.  The shots below were taken in the drugstore.  I totally cannot imagine what it would have been like to be sick in those days.  We are so blessed with modern advances in medicine!!! 

{I Heart Faces…Pets}

 

I couldn’t resist this weeks photo challenge at I Heart Faces!  The theme for the week is Pets.  And I think I have one of the cutest furry faces around!!! But please, don’t let those sweet, innocent eyes fool you…this little girl is full of spunk and mischief!!!

Want to join up with all the fun, simply click the button below and enter your submission to I Heart Faces!

{On Cloud Nine}

This furry little ball of energy has a way of putting a smile on my face! 

Have a photo that makes you happy?  Click on the above link and join On Cloud Nine!!!

{2010 in Pictures…Part 2}

I have most certainly been off the radar here in the blogging world over the last week!  I’m working at catching up with all of your blogs and hope to be back on track as soon as this semester ends!!!  Until then, here is the next edition of my favorite photos from 2010!

{2010 in Pictures…Part 1}

Each year I keep a file of my favorite photos from the year.  So I thought I would share them with you.  Some you remember from previous blog posts and some will be new.  There will most definitely be several parts…so stay tuned for them all!!!

Tonight I begin with Winter 2010.  These photos were taken in Alabama during the Southern Snowfall Event and in Tennessee!

{Fun Facts}

I got this idea from Amy over at Life’s Journey with a Smile and decided it would be fun to do!

Four Shows I Watch:
Private Practice
Grey's Anatomy
Brothers & Sisters
NCIS

Four Things I'm Passionate About:
photography
finishing nursing school
all things blog related
a clean bathroom

Four Phrased I Say A Lot:
Really?!?!?!
for sure
care plans, care plans, care plans {oy vey!}
absolutely!

Four Things I've Learned from the Past:
You’re not promised your next breath
Let your past be in the past, move forward with today
Never settle…EVER!
Take time to enjoy the small things in life

Four Place I Would Like to Go:
Ireland
Scotland
Alaska
Bahamas

Four Things I Did Yesterday:
studied
took a nap
cleaned my house
laundry

Four Things I'm Looking Forward to:
Christmas break…one good thing about being a student again!
LPN Pinning Ceremony June 9th
Vacation in March
A new year

Four Things I Love About Winter:
Hot Chocolate
winter accessories…jackets, hats, gloves
Fires
winter sunsets…they are amazing!!!

Four Things on My Wish List:
Canon 5DMarkII
Canon 70-200L
new wardrobe
new set of wheels

{Play Time}

I always get a good laugh when my furry baby decides to play.  She acts more like a cat while playing than a dog.  I think she has some confusion over what she really is!!!  And she was not happy when she realized she was being watched.