My Daddy, My Hero!! Day 31

Today's theme is "my hero" and that was a no brainer.  It  is my Dad, my P-Paw-Di-Daddly-O, my Pep, and also Dadoo.  He has been the man in my life through all my ups and downs.  He was the one that taught me to get back on the horse when it throws you, to be tough but kind, that you can only expect to get top notch results if you put in top notch effort.  Well on that last on he actually said "First class, not half-assed." but I know what he meant.  He always said "Be smart." every day when I left for school and even when I did some dumb stuff he was always there to give a hug and tell me the lesson my punishment was going to teach me.  He is intelligent, hard-working, kind and caring, a total romantic (even we kids got candy on Valentine's and Sweetest Days) and a darn funny guy.  I am finding out that his penchant for making up nonsense songs is hereditary and am becoming more grateful for that every day.  I love ya, Pep!!  I just wish we lived closer so I could have come and taken a picture today instead of using one from last month.   This has also brought to my attention that I don't have a single recent photo of me and my Dad together so I will have to remedy that ASAP.

The Big Evil, Seducer of Innocents - Day 30

The theme of the day is "Your favorite place to relax and think in your town." excluding your home.  Sadly, the place I go far more often than anywhere else is the Wal-Mart Supercenter.  I do go sometimes just to walk around and have some away from home time, especially since it has been so unbearably hot this summer.  Once upon a time several jobs and almost 10 years ago I was the account coordinator for one of Wal-Mart's main plastic sign suppliers The "Ask for help with items on the top shelf." signs were all us. Random tidbit - Wal-Mart almost changed it to "Ask for assistance" but thought their average shopper might not understand that as well as "Ask for help" so they think we're all pretty dumb.  If you ever see the "Ask for assistance" version it is because my company ordered the wrong ones but Wal-Mart would not waste them - hope we didn't confuse anyone with that multi-syllabic word in there.  Anyway, I avoided the place for years afterwards, but since this is 1 exit up the freeway from me and open 24 hours it is too convenient to not go to.  I am a lemming.

This was taken with my sister-in-law's Konica Minolta Dynax 7D - which may become mine once I test drive it a bit.  It's only a 6.1megapixel, but outperforms mine at night without flash like in this shot.  it also has awesome anti-shake and a nifty review mode that shows under and overexposed areas in the photo just taken.  Lovin' it and the awesome zoom lens it came with, I will now be a double camera toting wedding photographer.  How cool am I?

We've Been Adopted - Day 29

Today's theme was "your favorite piece of clothing" but as I am in maternity clothes I have no favorite at the moment except maybe my comfy boxers and no one gets to see those but me and my husband!  Instead here is a photo of the kitty that has officially adopted us.  Currently going by the creative name of Mew she came home via Chad from the Kia store he works at.   They figured our woods were a better home than the dumpster she was living under, but warned that she was feral and no one could get near her so she had to be caught in a trap for transport.  Needless to say she & I were buddies within a week and she was fearless, not feral.  She disappeared about two weeks ago and I feared the worst, but I heard her distinctive "mew" on Saturday night and went out to see her.  She was just fine so I brought her to the garage to eat and she hasn't left since.  She even spends the nights with Max out in the garage.  Not planning on letting her in the house since we already have two cats and a dog.

Pat A Cake Party! - Day 28

Yeah, had to put my own twist on today's theme "Close up of a couple holding hands".  This is a photo of a couple of the greatest brothers ever.  Aidan was a huge help entertaining Ethan tonight while I made dinner.  They played a version of the shell game with Aidan hiding Ethan's keys under one of the margarine tubs, swirling them around and letting Ethan guess where it was.  Ethan guessed correctly almost every time which cracked Aidan up, it was kinda weird how accurate he was.  Then Aidan decided the margarine tubs made a great hat and Ethan clearly agreed because he kept all three of them on for almost 45 minutes.  Finally they played Pat-A-Cake and baked enough cakes for the whole family including the dog who appears to be looking for his in the photo.  Yup, a good day!!

Home Sweet Home - Day 27

Today the theme was "the view from your back door".  Nice and straightforward, I like it.  I also really love my back yard.  This is actually the view from my driveway since the back door is a slider and the porch roof cuts into the view too much.  We have grass, our lovely little white fence which starts what I think of as our park.  The park (or back back as my husband calls it) has some nice trees so me and the boys like to play out there.  The woods (or the way back in Chad-speak) are ours to for about an acre and have some trails, deer, a badger and according to Chad a weasel he spotted last week.  We used to have an outdoor kitty that I was feeding but she went missing almost two weeks ago.  I am rather hoping that has nothing to do with the new weasel.  And we have lovely I-76 on the far right complete with exit ramp.  I like it though I know most people think I am crazy.  It makes for interesting people watching and the sound is mostly blocked out in the house, but is soothing regardless. I am hoping we get to use Ethan's pool a few more times this season, but it has a tear in the bottom that I need to patch first. 

Today has been an okay day.  Chad is supposed to have Friday's off but went in from 10-2:45.  Grrrr.....especially since Wednesday is his other day off and he went to work from 9-4:30 that day.  Ethan's cold is a little better today, mine is a little worse.  Aidan, aside from a debacle on Monday, had an excellent first week at school which is absolutely fabulous and more than I had hoped for. Going to get some couch time in tonight with the husband, we're watching Season 5 of Weeds on Netflix.  Instant view through our Wii has been such a blessing - I can't think of the last time I watched something live on TV - yay!

Air Jakey!! Day 26

Today we were supposed to take a photo of someone jumping in the air.  Since Ethan and I are camping our in our PJs all day on account of both having cruddy colds neither of us were destined to be the subject of today's photo.  Fortunately I have a dog and two cats and just like in the cartoons Max cannot resist chasing the kitties.  So I simply plopped a cat, Jake to be specific, in front of him and followed with my camera.  I'd have used Huggers, but she is too furry and too fast and tends to blur at any shutter speed :o)  

Yeah, I know the cat is more in the act of landing than in midair, but this is all I have to give today.  Sorry.

E is for...... Day 25

Today's theme was to pick a letter and photograph something that started with that letter.  This is not a new photo, it was actually from Ethan's 3 month old photos that never made the final cut because he was too squirmy for me to get far enough to frame it and he was squinty.  I do want to utilize his lovely letter 'E' in a future photo shoot with him, but at the moment it would either a) be in his mouth b) be used to bean himself, me or both in the head or c) be offered up to the dog as a treat so I will have to be patient.  Anyway, 'E' is for Ethan who is my Everything, my Eternal Joy and my Extra Sweet Little Guy. 

Today was a good and bad day.  Good because I got a deposit to hold a date for wedding photography job in December.  Then I got a call to book me for another wedding in October, deposit to be made tomorrow.  Oddly enough that was a referral from my ex-husband who didn't even know I have made photography my career, he just knew I'd always wanted to.  It was actually his niece that got me started on people photos, since I was always called on to take photos of her and her friends all dressed up for their high school formal dances.  The bad of the day is that Ethan has a cold.  This is only the second time he has been sick in his life which is really good, but his little cough breaks my heart and a runny nose is not his best look.  I also had another darn migraine.  Bad enough that I only have a hazy recollection of this afternoon.  Thank goodness Ethan is a self-entertainer and we've set up a baby safe play area in the living room.  I turned his toy bin on its side and lay on the floor and let him crawl around and over me until he finally napped.  I thought I was done with those (they're pregnancy related) because I went 4 days without one last week, but had one Sunday and now today so I guess I'll be investing in more Tylenol.

Yay, I Got to Light the Tower On Fire - Day 24

Today's theme was light and I was so proud because as soon as I read the theme I knew I wanted to get a photo of my favorite kind of light, candlelight.  I just needed to wait until dark to get the shot I planned.  And then I forgot until the next morning.  Grrr.... But I waited all day and here is the result.  I love this spiraling tower of candles, but I so rarely light it.  Between the kids, the cats and the dog something would likely get too close and cause mischief.  Someday though I do hope to enjoy its soft light while cuddled up with my so often absent husband and just enjoy silence.

  I also realize that since I had gotten behind I have been skipping out on making note of the small happenings of my daily world.  The 24th was Aidan's first day of second grade.  It could've gone better, but he made it through. 

Laundry Anyone Would Love - Day 23

The theme for today was piles of laundry, but I am putting my usual twist on it and posting a photo of the laundry line we decorated with disposable diapers for my sister's baby shower yesterday.

I am also going to cheat and post a photo of my sister and I standing bump to bump.  I am 18 weeks pregnant and she is about to be 32 weeks.  It has been absolutely wonderful and such a bonding experience to share our pregnancies.

Ottoman - an empire or a footrest? Day 22

Today's theme was your favorite piece of furniture.  I know it will come as a huge shock to many who know me, but it is not my bed.  I consider sleep a hobby, napping an art form and the power nap a myth and a tease.  Truly though my favorite piece of furniture is my ottoman.  It is so versatile!!!  I use it as a computer desk, I have napped on it both as a standalone bed as well as sliding it on over to the couch when my husband is taking up the legroom I crave.  It was where I slept the last couple of weeks of my pregnancy and where Ethan pulled up and stood for the first time.  It has been a place to eat, play board games, and even been a ship on the high seas of Aidan's imagination.  In short, it is a handy dandy bit of cloth and wood. 

My Own City Builder - Day 21

Today's theme is architecture and fortunately I live with an architect.  My stepson probably spends almost half his playtime either building with Legos, blocks, wood and whatever nails and such he can get from his Dad or literally anything he can get his hands on.  I went to him and requested a building, just any old thing he could dream up on short notice. Here is what he came up with. I love that kid, he is such a kook!

Try This On For Size - Day 20

Today's theme was a kid playing dress-up.  Ethan is not really into clothes or dressing up as a super hero quite yet.  But he loves all the cars Daddy brings home.  This week it has been a Pontiac Solstice and even though when Ethan got to sit in the driver's seat last night he spit up all over it Daddy let him give it another try tonight.  Ethan likes the car but really wants a Porsche Boxster to come home soon.

Neck Embraces - Day 19

Today's theme was your favorite jewelry, but aside from my wedding ring I never really wore anything except necklaces and they came off shortly after Ethan was born.  Instead I let these monkeys hang around my neck as often as possible.  Aidan & Ethan are more precious than diamonds and glow brighter than all the gold in Ft. Knox.

Eight Months Ago Today an Angel Came to Earth! - Day 18

Someone forgot to tell my baby boy that he is a human now and supposed to not be the most perfect, sweet, well-behaved little guy ever.  I'm not going to complain.  This has without a doubt been the best eight months of my life.  Every day I think it can't possibly get any better and every day is the best day of my life. 

Welcome to Liquor Lane - Population - Me! Day 17

Yes, I have gotten behind again.  Between getting things ready for my sister's baby shower on Sunday and getting myself organized around the house I let a few days slip by.  I am pulling a switcheroo today because the theme is supposed to be Numbers, and tomorrow's theme is Street Signs.  I am combining the two to bring you the aisle sign from my local Acme Fresh Market.  If you don't have Acme's nearby you won't know that they often name the aisles after major roads from the town they're in.  I live on Southeast Avenue here in beautiful Tallmadge, OH and below is the selection of goods you can find in the aisle named after my street.  Gotta laugh!!

The Pollen Addict- Day 16

Today's theme is insects and boy am I always on board for snapping a pic of one of my many-legged friends!  I missed a great opportunity for photos at bug-ridden the playground at Sims Park in Euclid today - I left both real cameras at my Mom's and only had my phone.  Blech! The photos I got were terrible so when I finally got home after spending the day up at my parents I rushed outside in the fast fading light and found one dedicated bee still hard at work collecting pollen.  Bottoms up!!!

Reflections of the past - Day 15

For the first time I am going with a photo I didn't take.  Today's theme is reflections and to me my reflection doesn't just live in the mirror, it is also lives in my son.  I look at the photo below which is of my parents, my sisters and brother and myself (I'm the little one on Mom's lap) and not only do I see all of my nieces and nephews not just in their parents reflections but in all of ours.  For instance I see one sister in my son eyes all the time.  I also can see a lot of myself in my Mother, she was only 2 years younger than I am now in this photo.  My sister is having a baby shower a week from today and I find myself wondering whose reflection will I see in her son?  His mother & father certainly, but I'm sure an aunt, uncle, grandparent or great-grandparent will be there to if we just look.  And reflect.

Plastic is fantastic!! Day 14

Today's theme was plastic - another challenging one.  When I look around my house all I see is plastic!!  Bottles, electronics, and toys, toys, toys.  Of all the plastic toys Ethan has here is one of his favorites, the laundry basket.  Good for climbing on or in, you can beat out a nifty rhythm on it or wear it as an accessory!! The perfect toy!

Mountain Man - Day 13

I didn't take this photo today, it is from a week or two ago when I was hiking at Virginia Kendall Ledges.  It was my second choice for photo of the day that day and since today's theme is photographer's choice I choose this photo.  The rock is part of the overlook which has a view of the entire Cuyahoga Valley and to me this guy looks like he is permanently standing watch over the land.  I hope he proves an ever vigilant sentinel and the parks are still a beautiful place to spend the day when my children's children's children can enjoy them.

Shrooms- Day 12

So this is actually a photo from my portfolio, taken on Sept. 6, 2006 on the hike during which my ex-husband asked me for a divorce which in turn set me on my path to my current happiness, and it has been voted best desktop wallpaper by many of my friends.   Sorry to not have gotten to today's theme, movies, but it was an insanely bureaucratic day spent getting Ethan's birth certificate and two trips to Social Security to get him a replacement card and mine updated with my married name.  I was so pooped I only got 2 pics of Ethan and the photos I took of downtown Akron (which was the inspiration for the skyline of Gotham City and that was my movie connection) all came out looking terrible because it was raining.  I will get back on track today.

These Boots Were Made For Walkin' - Day 11

 Today's theme was shoes and as busy as I was today I am grateful for such an easy assignment.  I can't wait to see Ethan's cuteness wearing these someday, but they're a size 6 I believe so we've got a while as he's only in a size 3 at the moment.  You better watch out though cause when he does get to wear them he's gonna be one baaaaaad hombre!!

 

Mr. Toad's Garden - Day 10

Okay, so today's theme was water and so I headed outside to find something watery to photograph.  I wanted to get dewdrops on my basil plants or perhaps a spider-web, but I found this guy instead and just could not resist.

Jump in the Way Back Machine to visit McWorld - Day 9

Today's theme was retro and I have to admit I was stumped on this one.  I thought about going off theme, then thought of posting a photo of my 1978 John Deere lawn tractor, the other love of my husband's life.  Finally I had that ah-ha moment and grabbed my McSocks.  Part of the required McDonald's uniform, required whenever shorts were worn, from back in the day when I was working there.  It was my first job, I was signed up the day after I turned 16 because my sister was already working there and we could carpool.  I lived in that kitchen for 4 years and had the stink to prove it.  Now, 17 years later all I have are these manky socks with a hole in one toe. Oh yeah and some of the best friends and memories of my life. These are my comfort item for when I am sick, feeling down or just need to connect who I am to who I was and reflect on the journey to where I am now.  I only wear them a few times a year and am constantly amazed how well they have held up. Both the socks and the friendships, that is.

Tent Caterpillars - Day 8

Today's theme is beauty, though most who look at my photo will likely think it ugly.

  Do I find it beautiful?  Not in a traditional sense, but what drew me to it was that it serves a purpose and represents the greater web of existence wherein everything is connected and balanced.  When I first saw the web I thought it belonged to a spider and thanked the spider for catching mosquitoes and other pests that plague us in the summer.  It was then that I started thinking of the interconnectedness of everything and decided to come back later and take my photo of the day and post about purpose.  When I came back I admit I jumped a little to see all the little caterpillars swarming throughout the nest - guess I was off on my spider theory.  But that is just another aspect of life, the hidden purpose.  I took my photos, trying to find the beauty in the crawly critters that even a bug lover like myself found rather repulsive.  As I changed angles I noticed more details, like the leaves from the branch that were stripped off and eaten and then used to line the nest.  Like all of the seeds blown on the wind that were caught in the web.  All small details that may seem purposeless, but any one of the millions of details like these represents in a way how life began and evolved in our world.  And we are all part of the natural world, though we try our best to separate ourselves from it at times.  So everything we do is purposeful, or at least has an impact.  Everything. 
BTW, these are tent caterpillars and you can read more about them at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent_caterpillar

Wild Horses - Day 7

Today's subject was animals and some might call the subject of my photos animals - they are Mustangs.  Ford Mustangs, that is - packed full of horsepower!  After living next door to Summit Racing Equipment for over two years I finally wandered over to one of their many car shows. 

In addition to the simple fact that I don't go in for the types of cars they have at their shows (Corvettes, Camaros and such) there is also a lingering weird sadness keeping me on my side of the freeway.  The first house I ever rented (after numerous apartments) was right next door to Summit Racing - adjoining their parking lot.  I moved in with my then boyfriend in early 2000, we got married while living there and moved out in late 2001.  They tore it down about 8 months later.  I loved that house so much for the memories it held.  My first backyard cookout party, my first vegetable garden, first New Year's Eve party and so on.  I loathed the fact that the people from the car shows felt my yard was fair territory to set up their chairs and have picnics and used to hide in the house or go visit friends on car show weekends. 

  Nowadays they use the field that was my house and one next door that was also torn down (they were both owned by Summit) as an additional show area.  I walked over there, Ethan on my hip, to take some photos and was surprised by my emotional response. I started tearing up walking around my old backyard.  Yes, I am pregnant and cry at the drop of a hat, but I didn't expect this to affect me.  Fortunately I didn't cry so much that anyone noticed and I actually started laughing when I came upon the tree I used to have a porch swing hung from and found the chains still attached and hanging down.  I remembered trying to get them off and failing and apparently Summit's people had no better luck.  You can see them in the foreground of the photo below. 

A Miracle Shot! - Day 6

So when I read that today's photo subject was to be me and my significant other I was excited and terrified. My husband does not like to have his picture taken.  Ever.  Seriously.  I get pictures of him and the boys when I can sneak them in, but other than our wedding photos (all 6 of them) we don't have any of just the two of us that are less than 12 years old.  We dated back in college before going our separate ways for 10 years so today I am posting the shot I got out of him tonight - he was not thrilled, but fortunately I can sometimes get my way - as well as the last candid photo of the two of us on record.  It is from the summer of 1998.  I vow I will have another before we become grandparents!

NOW

THEN

The End of a Peary Perfect Day- Day 5

Today the theme was weather so I decided to capture a bit of the sun setting beyond our pear tree.  The tree has about triple the amount of fruit than it has the past two years we've been living here and I can't wait for it to finish ripening.
Today was a perfect day because I had my first ultrasound which confirmed that I am 15 weeks 4 days pregnant, due January 23, 2011 with a healthy wiggly little baby.  Too soon to determine gender so we'll have to wait for that surprise until 22 weeks. 

I've got the joy, joy, joy joy down in my heart!! Day 4

I've decided to try to follow the daily suggested themes the group that got me started on this project suggests.  Today was a photo of what makes you feel joy/bliss.  This was a no brainer cause the joy of my heart is my son, Ethan.  He is only 7 months old, but it feels like he has been a part of my world my whole life long.  I've wanted children for a long, long time and I never could have imagined one more perfect that my son.  His constant smile lights up not just my world, but those of every person he meets.  He truly is my heart made flesh.  Even though this is a bit overexposed and not the most technically correct shot I took of him today it is the one where his sweetness shines though most clearly so I love it best.

Cheese anyone? Day 3

This was supposed to either be an arty photo from my hike today at Virginia Kendall Ledges or a hilarious photo of a very teeny tiny old lady motoring down a huge hill with two 8-10-ish year olds balanced on the front of her Rascal scooter while puffing away on the longest cigarette I've ever seen.  But by the time I'd turned the car around and headed back uphill she'd crossed the 5 lane street and was in a shopping plaza. Despite my continued stalking (egged on by my friend Sandy who brings out the child in me like no other) she escaped into a store and all I got was a blur of her tossing her smoke with the already dismounted kids nearby.  Sigh.  Shortly after that encounter as we continued to drive home I pulled up behind this classy car.  I have no issue with Cavaliers (they breed like rabbits) or taping over a busted brake light (the red tape is just so stylin') or even the bumper stickers (both whole and partly scraped).  What got me laughing so hard I could hardly see to take the photo was all of the Provolone Cheese package labels stuck to the left & right of the bumper stickers on the back as well as a scattering of them on the top of the trunk.  I wanna know why?  Anyone care to post a theory?

Caterpillar Without Hookah- Day 2

 

Sorry I am 2 days behind in posting, my PC decided to stop uploading any photos to any site and I just figured out the fix a few moments ago.

I was going to take a photo of watermelon today following a suggested food theme, but while I was out weeding my vegetable garden I came up what I believe to be the same caterpillar I photographed on July 31, one day before this project started.  I had a pretty good shot of him that day, but I like today's even better.  It is so funny that I am getting the great insect photos all of the sudden because I've not had a decent one in over a year.  I guess being pregnant made it less comfortable to crawl around and having an infant has kept me inside more than I like, but Ethan is becoming more mobile and we can spend more time outside in the nice but not heatwave temperature weathers as it is finally cooling down a little.  I will be sad to see this summer come to a close, it is Ethan's first and the first one I've been able to enjoy not working 11AM-7PM in a couple of years.  I am so glad to have this project to help me to document it.

Today was a good day overall because I also booked another wedding to photograph, this one for December 4th, 2010.  By then I will be 9 months pregnant so it is likely to be my last before baby comes and I will take a break from that until springtime.  

Day 1- Butterfly on Thistle

Taken in my backyard. I love pictures of insects, bugs, crawly or flying creatures so this is a perfect start to this project.