PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 8/15/11

One of my most favorite things in the world is meeting my dad (and mom) for coffee and a chat. Today, we met at Starbucks on Santa Fe so I could borrow his copy of Huckleberry Finn for Chris to read for his English class. We sat in the leather chairs and spent some time talking about the rewrites on his book, publicity options and family analysis...all good discussions and more than anything, just fun and easy. Very very blessed to have both of my parents as my best friends. What makes me smile is that I pulled out my camera for this photo and he knew exactly how to "pose" for the perfect photo op :)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 7/14/11

I am pretty sure that I will never get tired of seeing, for the first time, a layout that is published in a magazine. My first one was a few years ago for Scrapbooks etc... called "mom can I tell you something." It was a layout about Chris and what he always said to me. That will always be my most special, but every single publication is a total surprise and treat to me. This layout was published in Creating Keepsakes special summer edition and I just received this magazine and my original layout back in the mail today. I literally scream out loud and tear up every time this happens and I am just someone else likes what I love doing so much.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/30/11

32 YEARS AGO...since this photo was taken on the back deck in Ruidoso. I remember this day vividly

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 5/22/11

YOU KNOW YOU ARE LOVED WHEN: You go down to your grandmother's basement and find that she has saved all of your posters you have made her since you were a little girl. Memories are found within all of those and am so thankful for her caring and appreciating them so much. What a treasure to find...those are the 'THINGS' that really matter the most and knowing that you are loved.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 4/22/11

While driving home from lunch with Anne (Cullen) Dragseth, I realized that I hadn't taken our picture together like I had planned for my "POD" so I snapped this photo of my front seat as it was right then...my phone, earrings, hand sanitizer, purse, magazine and book...I have to tell you that it is much more organized and cleaned out then it usually would be. Definitely a little "snapshot of life" photo.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 4/17/11

Todd took this photo of me while I was photographing a project to submit. I wasn't quite sure why he did it until he said "You'll appreciate having this" and you know what, he was absolutely right. It was too windy to take the photo outside and I wanted to submit it so I set it up here and stood above the photo. After about 10 tries, I got one that I could use.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 4/9/11

This has to be one of my favorite pictures...it was a Sunday and I was driving over to Grammama and Grandad Dell's to help them with a brunch. Before I left, my mom took this photo of me holding my sweet Buffy with my car, which I had just purchased (well, my parents purchased it for me and my mom and I shopped for it). The TRACR was amazing...I loved the light blue and hot pink mini pin stripes and the stick shift. My sweet dog Buffy...she was truly my best friend and never left my side during rough times and I loved her so much. She died September 16 1987...just about two months after this photo was taken. I know she knew how much I loved her and I still miss her very much. She's never very far away from my heart, even after all of these years.

This is a photo I will treasure always and had it in a frame for many years. I may just print it and put it in a frame again. It is a time where I had just come through a rough ride and I was getting a chance to have some really good things happen...and they did (except, losing my best friend way too early in my mind)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 4/7/11

Very fun outing today with mom, Tami, Carly and Elli. We went to see Carly compete in her schools Battle of the Books (they won!) and then went to Landsdowne Arms for dinner. It was such a nice out with the girls time. Thanks for a nice dinner mama!

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/31/11

"An enchanted life has many moments when the heart is overwhelmed with beauty and the imagination is electrified by some haunting quality in the world or by a spirit of voice speaking from deep within a thing, a place or a person."...I think that says it all. I love you Ruidoso and #57, sometimes so much that it makes my heart hurt just a little.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/28/11

Zach found Tab yesterday after it not being in stores for so long. Last time we found it, it was at the King Soopers in Conifer after Christmas. While this is not earth shattering news, I have this connection to Tab as it came out when I was a kid, and now, Zach likes the taste of it also. Now, I'm not even sure why I like it and not sure I really like the taste, but I can't pass up that pink can and drink it when it is really cold. Hope we can continue to find it, however, Diet Pepsi, you will always be my #1 and I'll be back soon. Love, Your #1 Fan

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/27/11

So excited...Fed Ex just delivered my iPad...now I have no clue what to do with it but I am going to soon figure it out, I am sure. I think I will use it so much and I splurged by using money I had earned on my own. It is nice timing now that the yearbook is done and my dads book is at the printers...so, welcome to my world, iPad 2...we're going to become very good friends I am sure.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/11/11

New haircut...It really wasn't "time" to get my hair cut, but I had an idea in my mind with some visual aids and I could get in with Vicky for a haircut, so I did. Love the back of the hair...somewhat updated and feels so good. Glad I went ahead and did it or I'd be thinking about it until I had my appt. Now, I'm thinking I need some blond highlights...wondering if I can convince Todd to help me out???? ;)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/9/11

Love Glee and the music. I play it during the day and so I could resist purchasing the newest CD...it's not a necessity, but it is something "usable" so that is how I have rationalized it. Can't help but love that show.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/8/11

PHOTOGRAPH MEMORIES: These are two photos of photos/projects I've done for my parents. The upper shelf photos hang above my dads computer desk downstairs. They include photos of the farm, black and white photos of the Stock building Grandpa used to work at and other memories. This collage frame was made by me for my parents for Christmas my senior year of highschool. I remember making this in my bedroom for my parents and lovingly chose each and every photo. Whenever I pass it, I can picture the memories and moments in time and each one I could tell you details about that very day. Maybe that is a future project for myself...take this collage of photos and write about each one...ahhh...I like that idea. It's a good thing to have a blog so I can refer back to my "brilliant ideas". :)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 3/3/11

It's one of those days where I feel like I'm trying to figure out too many things, have lots of things on my mind and need to just focus on one thing at a time. Today, I'm trying to work on the yearbook and things are not going as I would like them to go...blurry pictures, templates that don't work, pictures I need to redo UGH! I just want it to be good and I don't want to panic right at the deadline. When I picked up Chris from school, I treated us both to a trip to 7-11 for a fountain pop for me and a slurpee for Chris. Thanks Nick for capturing this lovely frustrated looking photo :) (and for standing above me as I'm typing this so you can use the computer)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/22/11

It has to be said...I am a dancer wanna be (along with a Gleek wannabe)...I never really had played the Wii until I got the first "Just Dance" as a present for myself for Mother's Day. I then got Just Dance 2 and like it because it gives me weekly challenges. It is no easy workout, let me tell ya, but it's fun and makes me want to keep going to get that higher score. Now, I'm thinking I may like the "Michael Jackson Experience"...while I won't be the Queen of Pop or ever have his dancing skills, I can still pretend in the privacy of my own house. My best scores are usually on Katy Perry songs, 80's favorites and Disco...whata combo...not so good on the hip hop but I'm determined to keep trying.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/17/11

Today, I have been working on putting together a layout I would like to submit about my Grammama. Amongst the pictures I have chosen, I have this one. I LOVE everything about this photo. First of all, the way my mom and Grandad Dell are looking at me is one of amusement, happiness, pride and love. Grammama, always dressed impeccably, is smiling like she is trying to smile with me and I just look like life is good and nothing could ever go wrong. What I realize with this photo and so many others as well as just the love and support I have always been given by my family is that I am one of the truly blessed individuals in this world. I cannot even imagine life without the family I have been blessed with...I hope someday, my kids and grandkids will look back and be able to see how much I love and adore my family...even just by looking at a photograph.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/16/11

Great to meet up with Julie for breakfast today at our favorite Egg and I. Always great conversation over hazelnut coffee. We had a lot to catch up as it had been way too long since we had our breakfast date.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/13/11

Looking at this photo just makes me happy. I always love my monthly magazines, but every year, I do look forward to the InStyle March issue which usually focusses on "color." This year was no disappointment...in fact it is incredible. My other "fashion" magazines also focus on COLOR IS BACK and BRIGHT COLORS. Now, the fashion merchandiser-wanna-be person is still inside along with design, layout and color in general so I love getting these magazines every month. Although I probably won't be wearing those green ultrasuede 5 inch wedges, I still look at them and love the architecture and style. It's also fun to see how stylists mix colors that I would normally not think "go together"...ie. burnt orange and pink (I'm not sure I'm sold on that one. )This is one reason I loved watching MOndo on Project Runway this past fall...he isn't afraid to mix and match and add boldness with neutrals. I will enjoy looking through these magazines in the month ahead...gaining inspiration, boldness and looking forward to the warm days of spring and summer.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 2/3/11

After two below zero days and kids home from school, the boys are back and it's hard to get back in the flow of things. It was great ot have them home and selfishly, I look forward to these unexpected days. This morning, I sat for a few minutes to enjoy my coffee in my "Life is Good" mug I bought this last year at the Orange Co. Airport/John Wayne. How can you not be happy looking at this dog with the flower and knowing that life really is good.