Day 30 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 30: Self Portrait

Yeah so that's me.  I know I'm not smiling mom.  I just wasn't in the mood to and plus every time I tried it just looked fake.  I have a natural frown so I look unhappy if I'm not smiling but that's not the case..... mostly.

So that is the end of my 30 day photo challenge and I wasn't sure how I would like it at first.  But I ended up loving it and I will miss it.  It also made me realize I don't have to have a huge long post every time I blog.  Sometimes a simple picture and a thought are good enough (at least for me).  It also made me think about what I have and how very grateful I am for all that I have.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Do you wear glasses, contacts, or are you one of those perfect eyed people?
I wear contacts.  I originally got glasses when I was 6, then I got contacts when I was 12 and I've worn them ever since.  I HATE glasses and if I can ever avoid going back to them I will.

2. What is the next item you are going to purchase?
I am planning to hit the dollar store tomorrow to pick up some gifts for my class since the semester is almost over and I wanted to get them each a little something for Christmas.

3. Have you ever watched Judge Judy or any other real court show?
Yes.  I go through phases where I like those shows.  It usually lasts about 2 weeks then I realize I'm just watching rednecks and white trash fight it out on TV and wonder what I was thinking.

4. How do you feel about fake nails?
I kinda like them.  I don't need them because I can grow pretty good nails but the few times I've had them have been fun .... until I had to take them off.

5. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Baseball.  But only live at a game.  TV baseball is boring.

6. If you could create your own Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, what would it be and what would it be named?
It's already been done.  It's called Phish Food.  Sorry but it's true.  It's what I would create if it didn't already exist.  Chocolate ice cream with swirls of marshmallow and carmel and chocolate fish!

7. Do you have any scars?
Yep one on my knee from a dishwasher ... don't ask.  I also have a few chicken pock scars on my legs.

8. Does your pet’s name fit them? Is there a more appropriate name?
I think Frodo's name fits him and Rio's name fits her.  But we used to joke that Frodo should be named monkey humping poo-a-lotter because used to like to hump his toy monkey and well he poos a lot.

9. What is your favorite television show theme song?
The Big Bang Theory!  I LOVE that song and that show.  I loved the song so much I bought the single on iTunes right after it came out.  But to be fair The Barenaked Ladies are one of my all time favorite bands anyway.


10. What was your favorite activity on the playground?
Hands down the swings.  I always loved the swings and I'd spend so much time swinging.  I still would if it didn't make me dizzy now.

Day 28 & 29 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

I had every intention of getting day 28 up last night after I got my kids in bed and made cupcakes for my daughter's class but I got a call from my dad telling me my grandpa has passed away earlier that day.  As you can imagine I didn't have it in me to post after I heard the news.  Today was bitter sweet as well.  The reality of my grandpa's passing has set in and I will not be able to attend his services (they are in Texas on Thursday and there is no way I make it) and it's my daughter's 4th birthday.

Day 28: Nighttime

My kids and I were leaving a book fair and there is a flag pole with a bunch of nautical flags on it.  You see that a fair amount here at the beach.  I just thought they looked nice spotlighted that night.


Day 29: Light

I kid you not I was literally vacuuming the floor getting ready for my mom to come over and celebrate my daughter's birthday this afternoon, when I look out the window to my back yard and see a brilliant light hitting my fence and then as I glance up I see a perfectly formed rainbow!  I ran out side with my phone to get a photo.  Rainbows don't happen that often here and even less often in November.

Day 27 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 27: Daily Routine

Our daily routine almost always involves me cooking dinner.  So I took a picture of our dinner tonight.  It was a simple oven roasted pork tenderloin, green beans and brown rice.  This also a typical dinner for us too.  We have pork tenderloin a few times a month.

Day 25 & 26 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 25: Artwork

I am lucky that I have a few pieces of real art work in my house.  It's mostly because my uncle owns and runs a frame shop and gallery (in the Triangle area here is a link to his shop House of Frames Craven Allen Gallery).  So I get free framing and artwork a lot.  One of my favorites is this piece.  It's a water color by a North Carolina artist named Sue Sneddon.  She normally does beautiful paintings of the ocean but she took a trip the southwest and did some work.   This one is a canyon at night with the stars.  I fell in love with it and my mom ended up getting it for me from my uncle's show.



Day 26: Transportation

This is Doc.  So named by my son Noa for Doc the Fabulous Hudson Hornet in Cars.  He named our old van too (Lightning) and when we got this new Honda Odyssey he was upset that we were getting rid of Lightning.  So I told him to name this van and since it happens to be blue we came up with Doc. 

Day 24 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gartitude

Day 24: Gratitude

I am so thankful for my family. We are at my in laws for Thanksgiving and there was lots of good food and lots of loving family. We even got an unexpected FaceTime call from my stepbrother, dad, stepmom and my stepsister. It was a great day and I have so much to be thankful for. Thank you for reading this little blog and I wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving!

Day 23 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 23: In your closet

Yep, so that's the view into my closet.  The other side you can't see is long rack for hanging dresses and long pieces of clothing.  It's a nice big closet and James and I have plenty of room for the both of us.  It could use some closet organizers and things but at least it's big!

Day 22 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 22: Clothing

A laundry basket with all my fresh, clean, folded laundry.  There isn't much that's better than the smell and feel of clean laundry.  Plus it's one of the few chores that I don't mind doing.  There is something satisfying in washing all the clothes, folding them and then putting them away.  So I am so grateful to have a good washing machine and a dryer!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year?
We are going to my mother-on-law's house.  It should be fun.  My brother-in-law just bought a new house and that's where he and my MIL live and now we can actually stay in the house with them because it's a 3 bedroom house instead of a 2 bedroom. 

2. What are you most thankful for this year?
A lot.  I keep reminding myself that things could be a lot worse.  We have a house, jobs, food and for the most part everyone is healthy.  There are people who don't have those things.  Yes, things are tight and it sucks sometimes but it could be a lot worse.  A lot. 

3. Do you have any traditions on Thanksgiving? The parade? Football? Long naps?
I like to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Other than that I'm good with whatever.

4. Is it called stuffing or dressing? Is it in the bird or a separate dish?
Stuffing.  I like it cooked in the bird but my mom always makes extra in separate dish and I will eat that too because I LOVE it.

5. Do you cook?
I have in the past.  I've had Thanksgiving at my house a few times before.  But mostly we have always gone to our families houses.  Except the one time my friend & neighbor had us over (I was 9 months pregnant with Marley and not allowed to travel) but that was great because she is a fabulous cook.

6. What is your favorite dish?
ALL of it.  I love the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, broccoli onion casserole, and pumpkin pie.

7. What is your dessert preference?
A little of everything.  I like to try all the deserts because where ever I go there is usually more than one.

8. What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?
As a teenager I remember always having dinner at our house with my uncle and his partner usually and one or two of my mom's friends and then we would always go see a movie.  I know this is strange but my mom was a single parent and she doesn't like football so there was no reason to stay home.  And the theaters are open Thanksgiving night.

9. Do you plan to shop on Black Friday?
Nope.  As good as the deals are going to be we just don't have the cash (stupid new tires for my van) to start shopping yet.

10. What are you most dreading about Thanksgiving this year?
Getting the house clean and all the laundry done before we leave.

Day 20 & 21 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 20: Seasonal

My interpretation of seasonal means decorations.  I love that now that both of my kids are school, lots of art projects come home.  Noa's in 2nd grade so he doesn't bring home as many seasonal things as Marley does from preschool.  This little turkey came home with Marley from preschool last week.  It's so cute and so simple.  They took an acorn or walnut, wrapped it with brown, red and yellow tissue paper took a wooden ice cream spoon drew a face on it and then just attached the whole thing together with a pipe cleaner.  So cute and I will be keeping it for years to come to put on the table!


Day 21:  Where you sleep

My bedroom. You can't see the powder blue carpet so that's good.  The walls are a blueish green that's tolerable which is why it's still on the walls.  The quilt on the bed was made my mom for me years ago but I love it.  There is an old trunk under the window with a blanket and pillows on top to form a makeshift window seat.  I love my bedroom window with the large window and half moon window on top.

Day 19 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 19: Best Friend

Yes, my best friend is my husband James.  When I told him I need to take a picture of him, he wasn't thrilled.  But he relented and let me take one.  When I asked for a smile this is what I got. Typical James. But I wouldn't want it any other way.

Day 18 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 18: Something New

I just learned how to make this star.  This is the first one I did and it came out really great and it was easy!  Usually the first attempt at a new origami pattern comes out so-so.  But this one came out great the first time around!  Oh the ideas I have for it......

Day 16 & 17 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 16: Animals

I have already showed off a picture of my dog Frodo, so for the animal day I had to include our cat Rio.  She is 12 years old like Frodo.  We got both animals after we got married and moved into our condo.  Rio was a Hurricane Floyd survivor.  She and her brothers and sisters were tiny kittens who were rescued by firemen in the Triangle area where there was a lot of flooding.  The firemen had the kittens spayed /neutered, got them their shots and had them declawed.  My mom found out about them and asked us if we wanted a cat and we did.  So we got Rio (river in Spanish).  So named because of all the rivers that overflowed and cause the flooding that brought her to us.

Day 17: Memories

I am a scrapbooker.  So when I saw that the theme for today was memories I could not not show off one of my scrapbooks.  I just pulled a random scrapbook off the shelf and found a colorful page.  This happens to be the pages for when my grandparents came to visit and then just a week or two later my daughter Marley was born.

Day 15 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 15: Technology

I love technology! And I especially love Apple products.  This is my iPad.  I love it.  I use it every day.  I might even love it as much as my MacBook or my iPhone.....  

I <3 Apple!!!!!!!!!!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. What are your pantry staples?
Cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, rice, tortillas, Kraft Mac & Cheese, English muffins, apple sauce, pasta of some kind, a few cans of chicken noodle soup or tomato soup, a few cans of Speghettios, raisins, tuna and cereal.

2. What are your refrigerator staples?
Milk, cheese slices, hot dogs, lettuce, butter, carrots, cream cheese, string cheese, a block or two of cheddar cheese, sliced turkey and/or some kind of lunch meat, milk boxes (for kids lunches), and beer.

3. You already look like Heidi Klum (or your favorite supermodel). Now, what are the top three non-physical things you would change about yourself?

1. My ability to ignore things I don't want to do.
2. My impatience with my kids.
3. Learn to let things go and have more fun.

4. What’s holding you back from your dream job? (If you already have your dream job, how did you get there?)
My dream job would be to run my Etsy shop full time and I guess what's holding me back is that I just haven't devoted time and enenergy to figuring out how to market myself and my stuff to be more sucessful.  I'm not a salesperson but there is an element of that in having your own arts and crafts business and so I have to learn a lot about it.  It scares me a bit that I have to sell myself too....

5. You have $500 to spend but it has to be on one item only. Go.
Oy! This is a lot harder than I thought because it's not enough to get a new computer which I want and kinda need and it has to be on one item.  At this point it would either be a fairly cheap front loading washer or a new fancy lawn mower.  Because a front loading washer would be nice to go with my dryer and we need a new lawn mower.

6. What is something that you are embarrassed to admit you buy on a regular basis?
A sausage, egg and cheese McGriddle sandwich from McDonalds.  I LOVE it and I get one about once a month.  They sounds nasty but they are sooooo good.  I would eat them more if they weren't pricey (especially when you throw in coffee) and so bad for you. 

7. What’s in/on your bed every night?
Besides James and I and the 7 pillows? Usually the tv remote that gets left on the bed.

8. What is a non-necessity item that, no matter how expensive it gets or how tight your budget if, you will always find room for it?
An espresso drink every once in awhile from either Port City Java or Starbucks.

9. What is the weirdest sandwich you’ve ever made?
I don't tend to get adventurous with my sandwiches.  A cream cheese and cucumber is about as weird as I get.  James on the other hand will make a sandwich out of just about anything much to my chagrin.

10. Would you rather: Be banned from Pinterest forever, but gain a million captive Twitter followers; or, never get on Facebook again but gain five thousand blog readers?
Neither!!!  I couldn't give up either Facebook or Pinterest.  But I suppose if I HAD to choose Pinterest but think of the things I would never know about or have in my to try file!

Day 13 & 14 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 13: Written Word

We recently started getting the newspaper delivered again and I am really enjoying reading it again.  And there is the bonus of coupons and the funnies!

Day 14: Movement

Nothing and no one moves, runs, flits and fidgets more than my son.  This is him running through the yard on his way home this afternoon.

Day 12 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 12: Hands

James' hand, my hand, Noa's hand and then Marley's hand on top!  This picture made me realize that Marley still has the baby dimple hands but Noa has now lost his.  Time is flying by.....

Days 10 & 11 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 10: Nature

As you can tell I didn't get Day 10 posted yesterday.  I have gotten a bad head cold and so after work I came home and sat my butt down and did nothing and then we went to my mom's house for dinner.  I also went to bed at 9PM because I'm so tired.  But I got caught up today.  Fall has finally hit southeastern North Carolina.  This is the one tree in my backyard that has started to change colors.  The pretty orange and red didn't translate as well as I would have liked.

Day 11: Something Old

This is my dog Frodo.  He's such a good dog.  He's 12 years old almost 13.  So in dog years he's an old, old man.  He still likes to fetch balls but after about 5 throws he's done and the poor thing has the hardest time getting up and down especially in the morning.  But he is such a sweet, good mannered dog.  He does have excessive amounts of hair though, being that he's part German Shepard and part husky.  That's the only issue I have with him.

Day 9 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 9: Inspiring Person

My inspiring person is my mom.  She has done so much for my family and she raised two kids as a single mother.  All in all she did a pretty darn good job I would say.   Today was her day to pick my kids up after school and watch them until I got home from work.  This whole working thing would be a whole lot harder without her help!!  So thanks mom!  I love you and I am so grateful to have you in my life!

Day 8 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 8: Favorite Color

My favorite color is blue followed closely by purple.  The sky today was such a beautiful clear blue!! I was working in my craft room and this was my view, the awesomely blue sky and the light shining through my purple glass sun catcher.

Ten on Tuesday

1. What’s your favorite television show  for each day of the week?
Since Tivo entered my life several years ago I stopped watching live TV as much as possible.  So I therefore do not really know or remember when my shows come on.  So I will just list the shows I watch right away as opposed to the shows that can and will sit on Tivo or DVR for weeks before I get around to them.
The New Girl
Survivor
The Amazing Race
The Sing Off
Two Broke Girls
Modern Family
Dexter
The Big Bang Theory
Hoarders
Mike & Molly
CSI
Two & Half Men
True Blood

2. How many times do you wear your jeans before you watch them?
Usually 2 or 3 depending on what I do in them.

3. What is your favorite pasta shape?
Shells or bow tie.

4. Do you read newspapers?
We just started getting the paper delivered again.  Mostly because I got an amazing deal and I like to take it to work so my students can read it or look through it.  And to get coupons.

5. Do you sleep in socks?
NO!!  I can't stand to have socks on for longer than I have to period.  I will sleep in them if I have put lotion or petroleum jelly on my feet to soften my heels.  But I only do this a couple time during the winter and usually end up pulling them off at some point during the night.

6. Favorite genre of movies?
Romantic comedy and/or sci-fi.

7. How do you feel about wrestling?
Hate it and think it's really dumb.  Sorry honey.

8. Should men pluck their eyebrows?
If they have a uni brow then yes.

9. Do you have dimples?
Nope.

10. Do you like to camp?
Yes and no.  I went camping with my parents as a child and loved it.  I have so many good memories that I would love to do it again but then reality sets in and I realize what a baby I am.  I want a nice bathroom and not to have dirty feet or hair.  Or sleep on the ground.

Day 7 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 7: Something Funny

I had a really bad day at work today and was not in a good mood at all.  But I have the most wonderful children.  My son kept telling bad jokes all all through dinner.  Not only were they bad (Why did the camel cross the road?  So he didn't get hit!) but he was cracking himself up!  I really wanted to get a picture of my hubby James for today because he is usually the one making me laugh but I haven't seen him all day because of work.  I don't normally work Mondays but I subbed for a class today so I didn't get to see him this morning and he has a night class so I won't see him until after 9 tonight.  But if it were not for my goofy, silly family I wouldn't laugh nearly as much, and man do I need to laugh more!

Day 6 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 6: Books

I have a corner of my craft room with shelves and this is where I keep copies of all the books I love and want to keep in hardcover or just keep a physical copy to reread.  I now have a Kindle which I adore but I still want to have physical copies of the books I love.

Day 5 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 5: Morning Sky (my interpretation: Morning Light )

I have always loved the light coming into my dining room in the mornings.  I was on my way to a ONE meeting early this morning and my kids happened to be sleeping in so it was a peaceful, beautiful morning.

Day 4 of 30 Day Challenge: Gratitude

Day 4: Leaves

 

The view from my front porch. So finding typical fall leaves is kind of difficult here.  The leaves have just barley begun to turn and we mostly have evergreens and shrubs anyway.  But I am still grateful for my house and my yard.

Day 3 of 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude

Day 3: Happiness

Folding origami gives me peace and happiness! I am working on a custom order for Christmas ornaments in Christmas colors, which is reminding me that Christmas is coming!!  And that makes me even happier!!

30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude Day 1 & 2

I was clicking around on Pinterest earlier today and came across the 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude on a blog called PositivelyPresent.  I thought it was a really great idea for November.  Plus I just got a new iPhone and I am a little obsessed with the Instagram photo app sharing thingy.  So this gives me a way to reflect on my gratitude for November and play with my new phone!

 Day 1 was Favorite Food

I really can't choose just one favorite food.  But I have always loved hummus and pita chips.  And I just found this awesome caramelized onion hummus!


Day 2 is Smile

My beautiful daughter Marley and her smile.

Ten on Tuesday

1. What is your favorite month?
I would have to go with April, since it's my birthday month and it's when spring is really really nice here.  It's just starting to get warm and the flowers are out but it's not too hot yet.  You can open the windows and it's just a beautiful time here with all the azaleas and other flowers in bloom.

2. What is the best candy to get while trick or treating?
I'm not picky  I just like getting a variety of good candy like Snickers, Twix, M&Ms, Almond Joy, Kit Kats etc.  What I don't like is crappy off brand candy, dum dums, or hard candy.

3. What kind of pen do you use?
Whatever is closest to me.  I unlike some people don't care what kind of pen I use as long as it works.

4. You go to a new Italian restaurant, what is your go-to order?
If I can find it I always order chicken scaloppine.  It's a chicken breast beaten with a mallet and cooked in a white wine butter lemon sauce with mushrooms, artichokes, and prosciutto and sometimes capers.  It's not a common dish so if I can't find it then I go with ravioli in some sort of cream sauce or something other than red sauce.  I have an aversion to red sauce.  I know that's nuts but I'm just not a fan.




5. If you could choose to have any celebrity’s hair, who’s would you choose?
It would be Alicia Silverstone's hair.  I love her anyway but she has beautiful hair and in my head my hair looks like hers (only in reality mine is too long and much thinner and stringier).  So this is what I would like for my hair to look like.

6. What’s your favorite board game?
I love trivia games like Trivial Pursuit, or Scene It but James refuses to play them with me anymore because he says I always win.  But I also love games like Apples to Apples or Sequence or just playing cards.

7. Do you know how to play poker?
I know the basics.  When it gets all fancy with wild cards and all the different types of poker I start to get confused.  Besides I don't play because I have NO poker face at all.  When I say I have no poker face I mean it.  You can pretty much read my mood or reaction to anything on my face.  It sucks for Christmas and birthdays when I am trying not to hurt James feelings.

8. What do you think about Old Navy commercials?
I think they can be clever but sometimes just stupid.

9. What hurts worse- a stubbed toe or a paper cut?
Paper cut since I use my hands a lot because of crafting and housework so getting a cut or wound on my hands to heal is difficult.

10. What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Any fruit pie a la mode.  I truly love strawberry rhubarb pie.