Reason To Read

In this Project 365, I've decided that I'd like for it to be a little more than just a photo project.  I'm trying to use it as a catalyst for writing and researching. 

This morning as I was leaving for work I caught this out of the corner of my eye. 

It's a Luna Moth. 
When I noticed it, I knew immediately that I wanted to use this for my P365 photo.  I hurried, but very cautiously so I didn't spook it, to dig out my phone which doubles as a camera.  As I took the photo I wasn't quite sure if it was a moth or a butterfly.  Now, after just a few minutes of reading on the www, I have a much better sense of who this little creature is.  There are of course the facts and the fiction. 

Facts:  *wingspan can be up to 4 1/2 inches, *males have larger, bushier antennae (I think this is a male), *adults do not eat, they don't even have a mouth, *adults only live 1 week and in that week they breed

The fiction/fantasy aspect is that the moth is a symbol of transformation and the carriers of dreams.

I hope that this photo leads to you read up a little and see what you can learn about the Luna Moth.

Update @ 9pm . . . when I came home this afternoon, I didn't see the moth so I figured it had moved on, but after my reading I had a thought, "Maybe it's still there and I just missed seeing it earlier, or maybe it came back."  Well sure enough I went out to look and there it was, on the underside of a the same leaf it was on this morning. 

I think it's pretty cool !!

WHO RESCUED WHO ? I know.

In January 2009, our beloved buddy of 12 1/2 years had a stroke and we had to, out of our absolute love for him, have him euthanized.  We had rescued him from a local animal angel in Union City, TN in 2006.  He was only 6 weeks old at the time.  We named him Oliver (after the cat in Oliver & Co.).  This dog was remarkable and amazing!  Anyone who ever met him was amazed at how awesome he was!!

The kids loved him and he loved them.  Oliver loved Mike and Mike loved him so much.  For me, it was much more than love.  (I thought I could put the feelings down here, but I'm not there yet.)  Let's just say I was extremely lost when he was gone.

At first I wanted a "replacement", right away.  I came to realize that Oliver was not replaceable.  I was sad.  And I was also mad, because Mike and the girls didn't want another dog at all.  Lots of talks took place regarding another dog. I couldn't get them to understand the need I had, the void in my heart.  I started going to the RAL in hopes that I would find "the one".  After several visits, I made a connection, but it didn't work out and I had to tearfully (aka sobbing) return him.

I was embarrassed at having to return this dog, and once again very sad, so I stopped looking.  Then one day, I inadvertently clicked on the RAL link in my dropdown menu... at first I was going to shut the window, but then I caught a glimpse of this sweet, sweet face.  I went to meet Denali.  He was skiddish and scrawny, and he had just finished treatment for heartworm.  Right away I needed to rescue him from this life in a cage.

It's been almost a year now since Denali joined our family, and every single day he has brought me unexplainable joy!  So when I see that paw shaped bumber sticker  "WHO RESCUED WHO?"  I know!!  And I say an extra little prayer of thanks for this furry dude!!

This is his imitation of the great Sphynx

Re-start on P365

It's early morning... P365 restart has begun!  This photo was actually taken on Sunday morning, August 1st and then I thought, 'Uuuh, do I really like this photo? Maybe I'll take a better one later in the day.'  Well before I knew it the day had zipped by and here I am right now, right where I was yesterday, but without the breakfast sandwich. 

Breakfast, made by Mike.

They say it's the most important meal of the day.

So here is my P365 restart photo for August 2nd.  It's called 'Coffee, made by Mike' -- ; )  (Thank you, my dear sweet man!)

Coffee, made by Mike

And so here I go, AGAIN, working on my P365!

Time flies ... at Mach 4!

Oh my!  It seems I have lost track of my P365 again.  However, I'm excited having made it much longer than last year.  And in that excitement I'm going to just pick it right back up tomorrow, August 1st. 
The weekly digi-scrapping was working well, until several things hit me all at once and I lost motivation for taking pictures as well as digi-scrapping. 

Now I'm going to take a new approach to P365.  I'm going to use the one item that we all seem to have with us all the time now, everywhere we go - - the cell phone!  While the pictures might not be of terrific quality, the project is not a photography competition it's a personal challenge.  So that's my new thought process.

I have even created a fresh layout for my blog.  The kit is called Elegantly Tough by Roseytoes Designs, and can be found at Enchanted Studio Scraps.

Week 22

This week's LO was made with the new Mega Kit @ Enchanted Studio Scraps.  It's called "In The Spotlight"

If you make a $10 purchase at ESS, you can get this kit for free during the month of JUNE!!

Week 21

Happy to still be on track this week.  The most exciting thing this week was that we traded our 2007 Hyundai Elantra for the new 2011 SONATA!!!  It's much roomier and it's a six speed!  But my favorite thing is that it has bluetooth for talking on the cell phone hands-free!

I guess the next most exciting thing was finding a "fresh" recipe in a magazine.  I gave it a try and L♥VE it!!  Of course at this moment I can't put my hands on the magazine . . .  I wanted to post the recipe to share.

Oh well, I'll update with the recipe when I find where I put the magazine.

The LO was made using Magkikikota, a collab by Starry Eyed Designs and Trish H. Designs, both from ESS.

On track AGAIN ! ; )

I have persevered and am back on track again with my P365.  I am determined to complete this year and then have it made in to a photo book. 

Week 20 ~ May 16-22

This was made using a new collab from ESS - - Cherry Lemonade

Week 19

Mother's Day started this week.  I went to brunch, after riding around a few places in an attempt to have breakfast it got to be almost time for lunch, with Mike and the girls -- it was yummy!  I got flowers from the girls and even a bunch of peonies from Buck, Mallory's boyfriend.  I thought it was extremely sweet of him!!

It's that time again at work -- busy, busy, busy.  I do not like the month of May in the Guidance Department... diplomas, names spelled perfectly, awards & scholarships, senioritis and all other grades with spring fever, everyone's crabby and anxious for the summer break!  I am also anxious for the summer break when I am only one of about 10 people in the whole damn school!!!!  Peace and quiet!  : )

Mallory ended up at the ER miserable and being tested for strep which thank the Lord it was negative.

I went for my "annual" (5 years after the fact) eye exam.  I must say that having my eyes dilated would have be almost as annoying as a pap smear!!!!!  The cheesy "glasses" they gave me to wear popped off when I walked out of the clinic and I was BLINDED!  Ended up with a nasty headache.

So here it is, another week in pictures!!

Kit:  Enchanted Studio Scraps Collab ~ ~ Cherry Lemonade

Week 18

May 2-8 is aka Week 18.

I used the Enchanted Studio Scraps MAY MEGA ~ Garden Party for this LO. 

What a terrific week of REALaxation!!!  Awesome!

Mike's job sent him to VA Beach for a school, and I got to go with!!  During the week when schools are still in session ... can you say peaceful?!?!?

Week 17

I'm catchin' up!!

~  Week 17  ~

Created using Chris Greiser's NATURAL WONDER kit and the fonts, Trajan & Californian.

The week was buzzing with PROM stuff, from getting the nails done, deciding what to do with the hair, to finalizing dinner plans, not to mention "the dress".  Saturday morning there was still stiching being done on "the dress"... but it was all worth it because Mallory loved it!  Personally I was not quite happy with a few things about it, like the cleavage and the zipper OR the fact that I forgot to put the eyehook clasp on it!!!  However, I will NEVER sew another dress again!!!!  ; )

Both of the girls had fun and made it home safely -- that makes my heart happy!!

 

Allison was escorted by Jake.  And she looked stunning in her strapless Calvin Klein!  Her friend, Olivia, did her hair and saved her a big chunk of cash!!  They went and had dinner at Ruth Chris Steak House.

Mallory went with her boyfriend, Buck.  She was so happy in her "made by mom", plum colored gown -- it was a beautiful color for her.  And while I learned my lesson about sewing prom dresses, she learned the lesson of paying $75 to have your hair done professionally only to have it 'fall' before dinner due to humidity!  It still looked fantastic!  They went to Yamato's Japanese Steak House for dinner.

Week 16, better late than never!

Oh my, once again I've fallen a wee bit behind in my P365.  Only in the compilation and layout creation.  My photos are a daily activity.

So here is April 18-24 aka Week 16.

I put this together using a template by BTA Designs

and the Enchanted Studio Scraps May Mega, Garden Party.

Week 15 -- right on time!

I put this together using "As The Wind Blows" by Purely Pixels @ Enchanted Studio Scraps.
I used the fonts:  joyful julianna & harrington

MORE catch-up, not to be confused with ketsup! ;)

Speaking of ketsup makes me think of hotdogs and that makes me feel like I have a dab of mustard on the side of my face!  A rather random musing but I'm in need of more catch up in posting my P365 LOs.

The last LO I posted was from March 6th!!  WOW!  A month ago!!!

Hang on, here I go . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Most recent is Week 14:  April 4-10

Created this LO using

Kit: Every Day Moments by JW Digiscraps

Template: bta-P365 sampler

Font: Impact

Week 13:  March 28-April 3

Used a MegaKit from ESS for this one called Whimsy Doodle.

Fonts:  Snap ITC & Sunshine In My Soul

Week 12:  March 21-27

Used a combo of 2 kits: Plainly Pretty and Flutterbies & Pollipops by Starry Eyed Designs

Font: Gill Sans Ultra & Vrinda

 
Week 11:  March 14-20
 

This LO was made using Eva Marina's P365 Grabbag and the font is Joyful Julianna

And finally

Week 10:  February 28-March 6

Made with

Kit: Day 2 Day by Scrapberry Designs

Font: Expletive Deleted

Catching up!

Well it has taken me some time, but I've just about dug myself out of the slacker hole I was in.
It all started when our computer's hard drive died.  It took Hubby a few days to find the one he wanted at the price he wanted and then another coulple of days to get it all put back together.

In the mean time our other computer doesn't have all my scrappin' stuff on it, nor does it have the photo folder.

So here I am with 4 weeks worth of LOs.  And I only have last week and of course this week's (which is a work in progress) and I'll be back on track!  Yeah me!!!  :)

Made with a template by Happy Scrap Girl.  Fonts: Goudy Stout & Freestyle Script

Kit: Like No Other by Eva Marina Scraps  ~  Template by 3's Enough

Fonts: Gill Sans & Freestyle Script

This was created using:

Kits by Starry Eyed Designs -- Plainly Pretty & Feb CAC/Flutterbies & Pollilops,  Font: OCR,

and a template by 3's Enough

Kit: Shine On by Starry Eyed Girl

Template by M Originals

Fonts: Wide Latin & Cheryl

YIKES!!

I've fallen behind! 

We had a computer crash and I'm having a tough time getting back on track.  BUT I WILL!

At least I have done a 'freshening' of my blog... it's from the new kit Pretty In Pink by My4Princesses Designs and can be found @ Enchanted Studio Scraps.

It's February

Week 5 of Project 365, and our photo prompt for the week was "after dark" photos.  It was tough and I am well aware that my pix could really be better, but dealing with crappy weather and less than impressive equipment... hey, I gave it a try!  :) 

I have to say I am most impressed with my Wednesday "after dark" photo ... dinner dishes, after dark!!  rofl

Friday brought more snow.  I knew that I would NOT be trekkin' out in the snow "after dark".  ;)  But I'm very happy with these photos!!

The kit used to put it all together is from ESS

it's the February MEGA kit, Secret Love 

Success!!

Here it is, my success!  I finished January's portion of my P365!

Working in the week mode seems to be more do-able!

February here I come!!

And then there was one ...

only one day left in the first month of my P365!!   Whooo hooo! 

Allison and Bianca have spent the day together, and it was totally cool (no pun intended!) that they got up, ate breakfast, took a nap, and then got all bundled up and took a nice long walk to Lucky's for some hot eggrolls and shrimp lomein! 

2 days to go

Ok, so I'm quite happy that I've almost finished the first month of P365... only 2 days to go.

This week's photo prompt at ESS was mine and I suggested "Faceless Photos".  "What??" you might ask.  Faceless photos are photographs that do not show full faces, the faces are off to the side or obscured by an object.  It can leave the photo open for use on greeting cards or possibly an advertisement because the person in the photo "could be anyone or that someone special".

This was also the week that held the day that will always be etched on my soul... the day we lost Oliver.  He suffered a bad stroke that left him with minimal control over one side of his body.  Hopefully one day I see him again at The Rainbow Bridge.

This page was created using the digi-scrap kit, Day2Day by Scrap Berry Designs.

Jan 18th - 22nd

I do my digi-scrappin' @ Enchanted Studio Scraps (ESS for short), and our prompt this week was to take pictures of numbers, or to use the influence of numbers in our photos.  I did really well for the first 3 days and then... 

Monday, I had the day off.  I slept in and got up too lazy to make coffee so I just drove to get it. Tuesday, Mike and I bowl with a league... my best score that night was a 140, 192 when you add in my handicap.  Wednesday's photo is of a brick that my sister did some creative tile work on with our house number.  Thursday, there were 3 girls in the house as opposed to 2 -- the girls had a friend sleep over.  And Friday, my photo is of the one terrific dog that has made me smile probably more than a million times since he came in to my life!

And I have realized that I need to have good manners and give credit for the crafty scrappin' designers that create the digital wonders that I use to pull my photos all together.  This week's page was created using a grab bag by Eva Marina Scraps, and you can find it here at ESS.

Jan 21st post = Kit is Animal Antics by Cindy Ritter

Jan 16th post = So Yesterday by Pretty Pixels

Last weekend

The weekend consisted of Mike's 46th birthday on Friday.  We ate dinner at Anna's, he got some cards in the mail, and a book from the girls.  (My gift was Thursday night's venture in to downtown Richmond to The Hat Factory to see ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA.  Saturday was a lazy day, Mallory and I goofed around some and she did dishduty!  ;)  She loves dishduty!!  NOT!   And actually for the entire weekend, Denali got to share some K9 time with my sister's dog, Paxton.  They had so much fun playing dog games!

Week 2

Very happy to have completed my second week of P365.  Still hoping the weekly format will work for me.

Project 365, Take 2

Well it's 2010 and I'm attempting to start my P365 again... in a weekly format. It's a combo of my digi-scrapping and my photography addiction.

And it begins . . .

This was created using a kit by Scrapberry Designs called Day2Day and a template kit by BTA Designs found at Enchanted Studio Scraps.

TIME? Where does it go???

I remember sitting here this time last year so eager about Project 365. This year I sit here wondering first of all, where in the hell did the whole 365 days go and how did they go by so quickly? Secondly I'm wondering what happened to my eagerness?

Well I'm hoping for success this year, but I'm taking a different approach. I'm going to work more on a weekly basis, letting the weekend be the time when I post my week's worth of daily photos. If it doesn't work, well then, next year I might have to try something else! LOL

Can't believe it . . .

I just have blog block I guess.

:(