I was FEATURED!!! (again :)

WOW!!! 

Guess what everyone???

My photo was featured in the MCP 52 Week Photo Challenge...AGAIN!!!

This week's theme was "First Thing in the Morning"

I have found, that if I don't run right away-it usually doesn't get done.

This week was extra exciting because I invested a "shiny penny" in these new

Merrell Barefoot Pace Glove Running shoes!

It was love at first run! 

My feet felt so much lighter!

and 

lucky for me, I was never a "heel striker" 

so re-training has been smooth so far!

I just want to take a minute to thank

Marieke Broekman

 for choosing to feature my photo this week.

I do not know many people within the Flikr group 

thus, I don't receive much feed back on my photos.

Which is okay with me because I am simply doing this project to try and grow as a photographer.

But, this is great encouragement to me!

Being featured twice has FAR exceeded my hopes for this project!

Until Then....

Looky Looky...MCP Project 52 Week 15....A Feature!!!

Well look at this guys!!

I was FEATURED in the top ten photographs chosen for the week 15 photo submission!

HOW EXCITING!!!

You can view the entire blog and the 9 other featured photos on the MCP Blog, here!

This week's theme was "How Others See You"

Dangerous topic right!?!I asked for some suggestions from a few friends on FB (and I got some very sweet responses).But, no recurring theme.Then, it hit me like lightening!I can't be fit into one box!I am a gal who wears many hats.A chameleon of sorts.Some would say that is being a "poser", I say its called being adaptable!  

You need me to teach? I am a teacher.You need me to love? I am a lover.You need me to stand up for something we believe in? I'll stand up.You want to have fun? I am fun!You need me to be strong? I am made of steel.
I think wearing so many hats is part of a woman's role.I think that is an admirable quality.Having a pretty exciting Saturday!Hope that you are too!

Until Then....

MCP Project 52: Weeks 13 & 14 and a Weight Update

Woopsie!

I just realized, as I was about to post Week 14's photo, that I, in fact, had never posted Week 13!!!

I better get updated already!

I haven't missed one single week yet!

Week 13's theme was "Just for Fun" but that week I was busy helping my folks move...which isn't usually something that comes to mind when you hear the word fun!

So, I submitted a photo at the last minute with a subliminal message.

Haha!

Can you see my headphone message?!?

I was trying to convince myself that running and getting back into shape could be fun!

Did you also notice that I have Ke$ha pulled up?!?
(or as they say on "The Office" K-E-dollar sign-HA!) 

I mean you can't run while listening to something all slow and sappy!

Am I right or am I right!?!

That's what I thought!

And that, folks, is where my update comes in.

I DID in fact start running again.

I DID get a 30 day pass to a gym here.

I HAVE started cuttin the junk from my diet.

I DID weigh myself this a.m.

AND

I AM down to 138.6 from 140something!

YAY!

Bikini here I come!

Okay maybe not that, but at least some more comfortable fitting clothes!!

I have decided to reward myself at the end of every 7 days of "good behavior".
(But not with food!)

Something more like this!!

I'm thinking that I need a new pair of hottie mchotterson wedges just in time for warmer weather!

Like these,

or these,

or even these just maybe!!

I  just have to keep telling myself this:

Source

*****************************************************************************

Now, on to Week 14.

The theme was Fusion.

EEEKK

Tough one!

I think I have just become very good at "stretching" the theme to make it fit what I have on hand.

I'm thinking that might be considered "missing the point".

I may have hit a photography wall!?!

I've gotta do better than this!

I said something to the effect of:

 "The aftermath of lives fused together for so many years."

Kinda corny eh?!?

This is a pretty accurate description of my life the last couple of weeks though.

But hey, how many people can say that they made a stack of boxes look artistic!?!

Welp, be on the look out for more weight updates, reward announcements, and better photography in the weeks to come!

Oh yea, and THANK GAWSH they came to a budget agreement!

I think there may have been some enjoyment watching all of us Govt. Employees scrambling in fear of not receiving a pay check!

That was diirrrrrtttyyy!

Until Then....

MCP Project 52: Week 12 "Just for Fun" and a CD Purchase

Lots of thoughts this evening.

I took my photo for this week.

It's definitely not the most creative or artistic photo that I have ever taken.

But, it serves its purpose.

See, the theme was "Just for Fun".

But, this week was sorta mundane.

I am still struggling with the working out and eating right thing.

Shocker, I know!

The weather is much nicer--so, I would like to start running.

But, I haven't!

So, my picture was a subliminal message and feeble attempt to convince myself that running can be F-U-N!

Can you see it?!?

Can you see the message?

Sneaky eh?

For real though...I'm going to get it together...you just wait and see!

I'm about to go buy something awesome!

A friend of mine raved about it on FB (Kierra if you're reading-you rock!)

I previewed all the songs on iTunes and it sounds amazing!

She sings from her soul (or at least she makes you think she is!)

The album is reminiscent of olden days and I think that is so very RAD!

What are you guys listening to these days??

I also seem to be on a Texas Country kick!

If you want to know exactly what that is lemme know!

:-)

Until Then.....

Miss Me?!? Project 52: Weeks 11 and 12

Hey guys! Miss me?!? It's looking like things are settling back down for awhile and I have LOTS to say! First things first, I haven't posted my MCP submissions for my 52 week project in two weeks!

GAWSH!

I haven't missed a week yet, although, I had to get pretty creative with last weeks submission!
Can I get a Halleluuu for the iPhone!?!

The theme for week 11 was "Darks and Lights". I decided to take a little bit of an alternate route. How appropriate was it that my BFF was in town and we were able to get this shot!?!?

And, week 12's suggestion was "From the Jewelry Box". I was really worried about this theme because I had already thrown jewelry into my "Dress Up" photo. I ended up taking a shot from the jewelry display in Forever 21 in Times Square! The jewelry box can't get any bigger or better than that joint!

This was my very first shot that I submitted using my iPhone camera. I used the oh so awesome Instagram app for iPhone and uploaded my photo with the Flikr app!

I had to pat myself on the back for that resourcefulness!

I did all of this while riding the train home from NYC!!!

(more to come on that one later!)

So, what do you guys think about that?!? For week 13 (my lucky number!) I am looking for "Just for Fun" inspiration!

Thank you guys SOOOO much for hanging in there during my brief hiatus! I can't wait to share all of our antics with you!

Until Then...

Plea

Please do not leave me friends...I am having a VERY busy, but, VERY exciting few weeks.

I have TONS to share with you in just a few short days.

Not much longer...I promise!

Short Preview:

Make Your Own Chocolate Bar

That's What Friends are For

Week 11 Photo

Best-Ever Cupcakes

Waiting for Superman

Washington, D.C.

That's What Happens When You Play Around in the Metro Station

PA, MD, DC, VA all in one day

To Be Continued: 

MCP Project 52: Week 10 Childhood Toys

This week's theme was really fun!

I'm pretty glad that I haven't moved all of my childhood toys to my new house in "tucky", because if I had, I would have had SUCH a difficult time choosing just one!

I mean, the result would have been a pile of toys that were bursting out of the frame!!! Photography vomit, if you will!

I had such a blessed childhood. Don't get me wrong-my family was not rich-my sister and I did not get every single toy that we asked for when we walked into the store. But, the ones we did have were really special! Filled with memories!

Plus, I was the kid who was content playing with adult "hand me downs" rather than toys! Some of my most treasured things:

An OLD rotary telephone!

Used up purses (the glitzier the better)

Costume jewelry (missing a gem here and there)

HIGH HEELS! (any and all)

Fancy jammies and clothes (the ones that no longer fit ur mommy!)

A hand-made apron at my Memaws.

Old skeleton keys on a string (if you have the thing they unlock you get bonus points)

Yep, these are the things that fueled my imagination as a child!

This week I decided to take a old well loved suitcase from my childhood and portray something that I couldn't get enough of:

DRESS UP!!!!

Some of my most fond memories as a girl are the times my sister and I would use our imagination and our Memaws things to have the most fun.

For example, when we were at Memaw Ione's we pretty much ran the show! (not in that bratty Verruca Salt way...but the lets kids be kids way)

I remember grabbing old paper bags and cleaning out the pantries to play "grocery store".

My sister and I once took out the screen window that led to the back porch and served snow cones (pieces of ice wrapped in napkins) and pickles through it to all of our relatives.

My Nanny (great-grandma) had this really cool tray from Las Vegas. She would let us use it to play "restaurant". Our menu consisted of spam on saltines with cheese and water or tea!

By the way, did I mention my first car was a riding lawn mower with the blade removed?!? I'd cruise around memaw and pepaws backyard like I was the coolest thing since sliced bread!

I could go on for days!

Just typing this warms my heart and makes me feel so close to my family, even though I live so far away. It also makes me miss my memaw (who was taken from us, by Cancer, 7 years ago in November) A LOT!

What kind of fond childhood memories do you guys have stored away??? Try digging some up, you will be pleasantly surprised at how it makes you feel!
Just submitted this week's photo to the WhipperBerry Friday Flair Linky Party!






Until Then...

MCP Week 9: Express Yourself & Measurements

Did you like how I tried to be sneaky and hide the fact that this is the post that I will be unveiling my starting weight and measurements?!? So sneaky right?!?

Well I like to get the yucky over with so I'll deal with that first!

Starting weight: 134.2 lbs.
Starting Measurements: (these are a rough estimate...it's pretty tough to take your own!)

Chest- 39.5 inches

Waist- 33 inches

Hips- 36.5 inches

Biceps- Left and Right are approx. 10 in (doesn't that sound tiny?!? I think I may have to get hubs to help me with this one!)

Thighs- Left and Right are both approx. 21 inches

Calves- Both approx. 12.5 inches

Wow, that wasn't so bad. Maybe it's because I'm not sure how my numbers compare to the rest of female population! But, does it really matter?!? I will be happy when I look how I want to look. Not when I look just like someone else!
Phew, glad that's over with!

On to the good stuff. The theme for week 9's photo is Express Yourself. If you are like me - as soon as you read that you started hearing Madonna's voice in your head!

I decided to shoot a pic of something I hope to use to express myself a little each day - for the next 5 years! WOW!

My One Line a Day Journal came in the mail on Tuesday. Convenient, being that it was March 1st! There is a designated space to write a couple of lines each day, every day, for the next five years. I think it will be so neat to be able to look back and see how I was feeling on this exact day next year or a few years from now!

Today I recorded my measurements! Ought to be pretty eye opening! 

Look out for my On the Table post tonight. I had to force breakfast down my throat. Not because it tasted bad - I'm just not a breakfast person! :-/

Whirlwind Weekend Wackiness

Thought I'd slip ya a little alliteration in that title. You likey right?!?

I have to say, this weekend was one of the most FABULOUS times...So Far!(as Homer Simpson says)

I wanted to stop in and say hi, but, I have to be honest....I am WORN out! The city took it out of this country girl! Oh but I hung with the best of them no worries!

My brain is feeling all mushy like mashed taters so I'm just goin to give u the abbreviated version...that way you have to return for all the juicy details soon!

Jersey Shore

Tasty Food

NYC

TASTY Sushi
TASTY Martini

Ice Cage

5 a.m.

Tasty Food

Tasty Brew

Tasty Food

Tasty Wine

Snow?!?

Tasty Food

Tasty Food Market

Sephora in Times Square

MAD Subway Navigation Skills

First Train Ride
First Blog Feature

MORE SNOW!

Tasty Food

FO' Loko Snow Sledding

Tasty Food

Did you catch all that?!? This is all in the time span of Friday to Tuesday! I've got to shout out to my best girl Cole Garza for bein the best DAB a girl could ever ask for! ;) I love you with all my heart!

The photo on this post also happens to be my week 8 submission for the 52 week challenge! More about all of this excitement very soon!

What did you guys do this weekend?!?
Until Then.......

MCP Project 52: Week 6 "Words"

Week 6's theme was "Words". I pretty much waited until the very last day to get the photo taken. But, in my defense, I feel like I had a good reason for doing so! I wanted to truly be inspired by something as it naturally occurred in my life rather than seek and plan out a picture for the week. So, here is what I have come up with!

Yesterday I decided that it was time to do some organizing and purging in my craft room. I came across a Rubbermaid tub that hubster had packed from his apartment and brought to our home after we were married. It was in desperate need of some organization! I had no idea all the lovely things I would find!

I found this bag full of notes, poems, cards, receipts, ticket stubs, etc. all from the time we began dating (I was 18 in 2001)!!! Usually the girl saves things like this, but it really melted my heart to find all the things he had saved for TEN years!!!!!!

I thought it was PERFECT for the theme! AND-so close to V-Day to boot!!! Yay me!!!

What do you guys think?
Have you taken any pics that you are proud of lately?

Until Then....

MCP Project 52: Week 5 "Muse"

Phew! This week was a toughy for me. The theme for Project 52 was "Muse". After much deliberation and some inspiration from a friend I decided to try and illustrate the word in its noun form: the goddess or the power regarded as inspiring a poet, artist, thinker, or the like. It's kind of crazy to think of myself as an artist, but, all that aside I decided to cram as much of what inspires me into one photograph! LOL!

I have a stack of some of my favorite books and magazines. I refer to these A LOT! There is a photography book, a SHAPE magazine, a Taste of Home mag, a craft book to make baby gifts, a blogging guide, and a few others! I also stashed my blog and my ipad in the background because I may or may not be attached to reading tons of things online. ;-) Aren't I sneaky for tossing a picture of my love on the side because who isn't inspired by their loved ones!! My family, friends, and husband keep me feeling confident and inspired about my creations!

What inspires you guys?!?

I could never pick one thing!
Thanks for reading and commenting! It really means a lot!

Until Then....

MCP Project 52: Week 4 "Soothing Repetition"

Hi yall!!! I just submitted my third photo entry to the MCP Project 52 Challenge! I haven't missed a week yet! (aside from the very first week, but you might remember I'm not really counting that one because I wasn't aware of the project yet ;)
Anywho, this week's theme is "Soothing Repetition". When I read the theme on Saturday although I was very excited to get started, but, this week I decided to let the topic marinate and see where my imagination took me! I began to notice the natural repetition around me in so many ways! But, it wasn't always soothing per say. Once, as my family and I were driving through the backwoods of Louisiana I saw several old men posted up on a bank with their fishing poles just waiting for a bite! I wanted that picture so badly but I was terrified to disturb them; afraid that I would scare the fish or offend them! So, I passed that opportunity up.
Several people submitted pics of knitting (very fitting for the theme, piano keys, rain drops, snow falling, etc. There were also a number of original submissions as well. But, I ended up going with something a little more obvious but very near and dear to my heart.

Music!!!! But not just any music...David Gray! One of my favorite songs is This Year's Love and the Live version is soooooo good!!! I took a the pic of my iphone while it was set to repeat the song and made sure the emphasize that! I'm pretty pleased with the turn out! What do you guys think??? Have any of you decided to join the project or enjoy taking pics just for fun???

Until Then......

Wanna Win Somethin????

No jokin this time people!!! The ever so awesome folks over at the MCP Actions blog are giving you a chance to take part in a SERIOUSLY fabulous giveaway!!

These bags are suuuuper lush for any photographer and shoot...even if you aren't! Some of the bags are built to carry your lap top and almost all take all of your "other" gear in mind! So I'll leave you these parting words.....

Do it! Do it! Do it!

(said in Ben Stiller's voice from Starsky and Hutch)

Until Then....