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.