Thursday, December 31, 2009

day 365

Wow. It's hard to believe that the year has come to an end. I wasn't sure that I would be able to meet this challenge but I DID IT and I learned a lot in the process. I can't say I always posted photos on time but I took at least one photo every single day this year. Some days I hated the challenge, felt like there was nothing interesting to photograph and thought the photos I had taken just plain sucked. At the end of it all, I can honestly say that it's been a terrific experience. And I'm ready to do it all over again.




I don't often go out for New Year's but this year I felt like getting out there to celebrate. I went to an event at Mosaic Wine Bar where for just $30, we were treated to champagne and delicious gourmet pizzas all night. This is me with my friend Jen who gave me a great big, single girls unite hug at the stroke of midnight. (Not pictured is our other partner in crime for the night - Carlisa.)
Thank you so much for a great night ladies! I am so glad we got to celebrate the start of the new year with you two! XOXO

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

day 364



I took down my Christmas tree tonight. I will miss its warm light.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

day 363


day 362



It started to snow last night and I was thrilled to see it snowing this morning when I woke up. I don't think that I'll ever be too old to get excited about falling snow. There's something very magical about it.



I'm headed home today so here's one last shot of Sam. :( I'm gonna miss that little guy and the rest of the family, too. Not quite ready to go yet...

day 361



Paul had to leave today to head back to base. He's in the Reserves and has been called up to go to Kuwait for a second time. Currently, he's training in Virginia Beach and will ship out on January 7th for eight months. Since we grew up in a military family, it's something we have dealt with our whole lives but the saying goodbye never seems to get easier.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

day 360



I have been following my nephews around, snapping photos of them since I arrived. Sam is much more cooperative than Jake these days but here are a couple of favorites from today's shots.

Friday, December 25, 2009

day 359




These kind of photos are my favorite kind of snapshot - when you catch people looking at each other, having a moment. I love the emotion of them and love having a reminder of those emotions.

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful day filled with family and smiles and love.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

day 358



It's Christmas Eve. I loved waking up to find the ground covered in a blanket of white snow. As my dad worked on packing up the car for our drive out to my sister's house, I wandered around his garage and took photos of some of his things - the work bench, his reel to reel, the motorcycle. His old things bring back lots of memories for me.


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

day 357



I headed east this very early morning, arriving in North Carolina after a long day of travel. Mom and Dad picked me up at the airport and we went out for some dinner before going home to their place in Conover. There were fresh towels set out for me at the foot of the bed and all the little touches that make you feel like you're staying at a cozy bed and breakfast. My mom is so good at that.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

day 356


Monday, December 21, 2009

day 355


Sunday, December 20, 2009

day 354




I don't let the dogs up on the sofas. I like to keep them as hair free as possible. A few weeks ago, Hershey kept bugging me and when I asked her, "what?!" she jumped on the couch with me. She snuggled right up to my neck and, I must admit, it was pretty cute. She just came at me with that same look again so I spread out the blanket and let her come up. She sat her butt right in my lap and laid down. What a piece of work.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

day 353


I was in Balboa Park today for a party at the Fleet. After it was over, I walked around a bit. These girls were playing holiday music in the grassy area next to the Prado. It was major challenge to capture them without all of the cars and people that were all over the place ending up in the background - I think I did pretty good! :)

Friday, December 18, 2009

day 352



Today is the last day of school before our winter break. We had Pajama Day (which always gets the kids wound up) so to try and end the day on a calm note, the mother of one of my students came in to do yoga with us. This is the second time she's come in and the kids did such a great job.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

day 351



We put on a winter celebration this evening at school. The kids sang holiday songs, Amber's class played the recorder and Jody's class recited a poem. It was a lot of fun and a HUGE success.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

day 350



Jim came in today to share some stories with our kids. It was a little strange to listen to him anywhere other than the Clear View auditorium but I loved hearing the reactions of the kids listening to him for the first time. As we walked back to class, one of my boys exclaimed, "That was so awesome! I loved every single story!"

Thank you so much Jim! It's so great to have you on campus - we really miss you!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

day 349


Monday, December 14, 2009

day 348



We had a magic show this morning during our assembly. This isn't a terrific photo but it totally cracked me up that Amber was shooting me while I took pictures myself. We share a little joke about this because she doesn't really like having her picture taken and I'm always showing up with a camera in hand. Here's the shot I got of her right after I caught her...




Sunday, December 13, 2009

day 347



I did a photo session with my great friends, the Elsmores, this afternoon for their annual holiday photo. We tried several different locations and had a lot of fun. This is one of my favorites. :) Happy Holidays Elsmores! I love you!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

day 346



There's a present under my tree... :)

Friday, December 11, 2009

day 345


Thursday, December 10, 2009

day 344



I was invited to watch one of my students perform with his theater group this evening. They did an excerpt from Annie and the kids were fantastic! It was so much fun to see him 'on stage' and to witness his talent in an area that we haven't really tapped in to at school. I got lots of hugs and left with a giant smile on my face. :)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

day 343



Not much in terms of a photo but this provided me with a very warm heart today and I wanted to remember it...

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

day 342



Today is my best friend Jody's birthday. Her annual tradition has become dinner at Old Venice. Here she is with a few of our crazy friends - this shot totally makes me smile! :)

Monday, December 7, 2009

day 341



The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Sunday, December 6, 2009

day 340



Our weekend was about wine and slot machines but mostly... it was about friends. :)


Saturday, December 5, 2009

day 339



We spent the afternoon sampling wines at a number of Temecula's wineries. 

Friday, December 4, 2009

day 338



I am in Temecula with some of my girlfriends to celebrate Jody's 40th birthday. Tonight, we are hitting the casino floor!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

day 337


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

day 336



While we were at the park yesterday, we befriended a little guy named Tyler. We set him up on the spinning disk and the kids turned him around and around for the longest time. It was really cute to see them watch over him and soak in his delight.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

day 335


Monday, November 30, 2009

day 334


Sunday, November 29, 2009

day 333



As I was getting the tree set up this afternoon, Hershey decided to lay down right next to it and have a little nap. It was terribly cute. She saw me coming with the camera and sat up - darn it - but the memory is captured in my head, if not on film.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

day 332


Friday, November 27, 2009

day 331



I am working on a little project for a certain friend of mine who has a certain special occasion coming up so I've been digging through boxes and albums looking for photos. What fun! :)

Thursday, November 26, 2009

day 330


Happy Turkey Day to all my loved ones, near and far!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

day 329



I had a $10 date with Nanci today - we saw The Blind Side and then had lunch at In-n-Out.

It was so great to catch up with you in person, Nanci! Thanks for a great afternoon. I love you and am so very grateful for your friendship!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

day 328



This is my amazing friend and stylist, Monica. She's been in charge of my hair for almost 15 years. I love the time I spend sitting in her chair and catching up - it's fantastic therapy. She is one of the people in my life that I am so very grateful for.

Thank you for always having such great advice, making me laugh and making my hair look so good, Monica! I love you!

Monday, November 23, 2009

day 327



I'm sitting on the couch with my feet up on the coffee table and Charlie wants some attention...

Sunday, November 22, 2009

day 326



Arijana and I took the dogs out to Otay Valley again today. This is Buba, standing atop the boulders, looking back at us.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

day 325



This is Hobbes, my friend Tammy's dog. He's got so much energy and is a total sweetheart.

Friday, November 20, 2009

day 324



We had another swap meet in class today. The kids bring in things that they don't want anymore and sell them to one another, using our classroom money. It's a lot of fun to watch the kids negotiate with each other and to see their excitement when they buy things they really love.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

day 323