Day 31

Woo-hoo! The calendar says it's January 31st! Day 31!

I made it through an entire month, snapping at least one picture each day. Not only did I surpass last year's effort somewhere around Day 22, but I actually completed a whole month of photo taking AND blogging. I admit it, I'm a little impressed with myself right now.

I think they say it takes something like 21 days to develop a habit. Although some days have been a bit of struggle, and sometimes I have even cheated a bit by snapping a picture the morning after...I'm taking it in stride. The bottom line is that I managed to make this a thought each and every day, and hopefully it will only get easier and more habitual, and eventually I will struggle with WHICH picture to post, rather than WHAT to photograph!

Bring on February!

Day 30

Current Mood: Addled.

For Christmas Fred and Christy (actually Truman...those pups sure are great shoppers!) gave me a flip chart called The Daily Mood - tell the world the state you're in. It has 47 mood choices depicted with an emoticon type smiley, and complete with amusing definitions and examples on the back of each one.

I took it to work to put on my desk as a daily warning to others. When the Fire Marshal stopped by my office today, he thumbed through them reading the definitions, and this is what he stopped on...I guess after browsing, he decided I was Addled.

After reading the definition below, I guess I'm not offended!

ad•dled
adjective

1. Confused: My brain is a bit addled from the lunchtime margaritas. (I wish!)

2. Ditzy, blond-headed: I addled up the numbers, but it still isn't working out. (But I'm not REALLY a blonde!)

Synonym: Mr. Magoo

I wonder what my mood will be tomorrow???

Day 29

February, 1985. I remember it like it was yesterday. Literally. I can't even wrap my mind around the fact that it has been 27 years.

This past summer, I spent some time cleaning out my garage. One of the things I found was a Valentine card and this enclosed note sent to me by my dad. I was actually shocked to discover it, I had no idea I had held on to it all these years. But what a treasure it was to find. It's so funny how something so simple can take on so much more meaning and become so valuable after someone has passed.

It was the year my dad was working away in California, and I really do remember it vividly, for several reasons.

First, the outside envelope was addressed to Trica. I had recently dropped the PA from my name and shortened it to Tricia, but dad just couldn't quite lock on to the idea or the spelling, and from that point forward, Trica (pronounced Trick-ah) was born.

Secondly, I remember receiving the envelope and it was the first time I had ever seen 'Hand Cancel', and it had to be explained to me. My dad had bought me a pair of earrings, ironically with my name (Tricia) on them, and had enclosed them in the envelope and wanted to be sure they were handled with care.

And lastly, I got a card from my dad. Not from my mom and dad...which you always knew was mom out shopping and signing for them both. Not that there was anything wrong with that, it's just that this meant Dad did it all on his own. And he took a few minutes to jot down a note.

I was thinking of him and missing him terribly again today, and thought of this card and note. At the time, 27 years ago, it was just a card, and just a simple note, but now it's something I cherish that provides just a little bit of comfort on days like today.

Day 28

This is Baylee. She's in Time Out.

She seems to be spending an awful lot of time here in her time out space, otherwise known as our Laundry Room. It is true that Baylee is the sweetest, most affectionate and lovable dog. Until food enters the scene, her nose gets the better of her, and she nearly becomes Cujo. She can't quite get down that whole don't-bite-the-hand-that-feeds-you thing.

This is what happened tonight, once again banishing her to the Laundry Room.

Day 27

Ahhh...the trauma of getting clean, it's so exhausting!

Today was my Friday off and I had high hopes of checking off a list of to-do's. But, my energy wained, and as it turned out I didn't get near the amount of things accomplished as first hoped. However, I did get one very important thing checked off that list...Baylee and Lucy - the two little stinkers (literally) - both got baths.

So, after a little fluff and buff, I couldn't resist letting them cuddle with me - and each other - up on the couch. They aren't fooling anyone, they like each other!!

Day 26

Valentines Day is still a couple weeks away, but my decorations have been out for awhile now. I get so excited to turn that corner, so to speak, after the holidays...you know, after you've brought in the New Year, have put the tree and all the trimmings away, and get to head into a fresh new Spring.

And as part of that, in spite of myself, I love Valentines Day. I love the pinks and reds, the hearts...and...the candy. I have already eaten an entire bag of Conversation Hearts!

That's why I love this decoration of little wood Conversation Hearts, so at least when the real ones are gone...I still have these adorning the wall!

Day 25

Even though I'm lacking inspiration, I do have to admit that I'm pretty pleased I have managed to press on a shoot a photo each day...even with as lame as some of them have been.

I'm really hoping that with the weather changes that appear to be happening, maybe the scenery will start to change, and just maybe some things might even start to bloom or blossom in the near future. Those are some of my favorite pictures to take.

In the meantime, I had to look again at that good ol' Capture Your 365 Inspiration list for January, and for today the prompt was Your Focus. I guess that can be whatever you interpret it to be. For me, it was more on what my brain has been focused on, not my camera. Bills. Bills. And more bills. This pile that seems to be constantly looming, not only physically on my desk, but also the idea of them always in the back of my mind, often stealing focus from happier things.

Maybe taking a photo of them will help. Maybe it will be like when they tell you to write down something that has been on your mind, and then your mind can let it go?? And since they also say a picture is worth a thousand words...

We'll see.

Day 24

Yes, I admit it. I am officially lacking inspiration. It's only Day 24, and I feel as if I've run out of things to photograph.

So, for today I looked again at my Capture Your 365 Inspiration list for January, and today's prompt was Duplicate. On Facebook, one of the CY365 team members shot a great photo of big black fuzzy dice in what looks like a classic auto.

I, myself have no fuzzy dice...but, as it so happened when I walked into work this morning, just below my keyboard were two 'duplicate' twenty dollar bills a co-worker had put there, so I snapped a picture. Since the subject was mundane, I took a little time and played with the focus and color options, just trying to make the shot more interesting.

This one ended up being my favorite.

Day 23

Small Bites and Low Fat.

That pretty much sums it up, 'Pure & Simple' for Lucy and Baylee. Although they both enjoy rice and lamb, Lucy is just a wee little one that needs Small Bites for small dogs, and Baylee is a rotund girl watching her figure with a Low Fat diet.

I stopped by the Vet's office after work to pick up some food for our girls. When I came in, I threw their bags on the washer, and decided to take a picture. It wasn't just that I had no other ideas for a picture today, it was more than that. I remembered the whole idea of this project; to take a look at life with a different eye.

And picking up dog food is just one of those little mundane things in life normally taken for granted. But when I thought about it, I realized how grateful I am to do it. I love our girls, they bring us all so much joy and bless our lives. This seems like the very least I can do for them.

Day 22

More cupcakes!

I had a couple of those very ripe bananas again. I didn't really want to make muffins again, so I thought about cupcakes. I found a recipe in my cupcake cookbook and while Rob was working, I decided to go for it.

The million dollar question...what frosting do you put on a banana cupcake? I found some suggestions, like peanut butter, or a banana split type thing with chocolate and cherries. I decided to go more basic and just do a brown butter icing.

They didn't turn out to be anything spectacular, but a little something sweet to have around, none the less.

Day 21

Day four of our winter weather. Just outside our front door this morning, hanging from the eaves were some impressive looking icicles.

I don't think they will be around for long though. A Chinook is on it's way, with the usual winds and warm temperatures.

Day 20

Today was one of those days where I struggled with a photo. For inspiration, I looked at the Capture Your 365 Inspiration list for January. Today was Black and White, which I must say didn't really inspire me.

Then I looked up on the web what historic things had happened on this day, if any. And, wouldn't you know it, today is the anniversary of Prohibition. On this day, 92 years ago, our government decided to ban the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. Not one of our best ideas!

So here's my take on the photo for this day. This is my little (very legal) bottle of alcohol (thank goodness they came around in 1933!). It's Limoncello, brought back with me from my trip to Italy last fall. Yum!

Day 19

Coupon clipper extraordinaire? NOT!

Today I tried my hand at shopping with all of those coupons I clipped. Now when I say I shopped, I didn't just go to the store all willy-nilly. This was the most thought out, organized shopping trip I had ever done. Meal plans, grocery lists by category, and my new coupon binder all in hand.

After all of the purchases were made and the numbers were tallied, what was the outcome? You know, how much were the savings?? Just like on TV, were they 90%, 95%, 98%?? In all seriousness, being the novice that I am, I clearly did not expect results like that, but in my head, I had hoped for maybe 10% my first time out. What I got was an overall savings of 6%. Now I realize that savings are savings, but 6%?? Really?? I'm not sure that was worth all the time and effort I put into it?!?

I don't think I'll quite throw in the towel yet. I'll try to educate myself further, and see if some more 'practice' pays off. I did come away with some knowledge gained already...my percentage of savings at Walmart was double that of my savings at Winco. Maybe next time I'll start at Walmart and finish at Winco and see if my percentage goes up?

Day 18

And it just keeps snowing!

Our first significant snowfall of the winter finally arrived. It started snowing around midnight, and it just keeps coming. This is a shot outside the front door of the office.

They are predicting 3 to 7 inches, and I think we must have at least 3 already...it's a little hard to tell with it blowing and drifting. The ride into work was a little sketchy, but I arrived safe and sound none the less. We'll have to see how the day goes, they say there is more to come, followed by rain, freezing rain and more snow??

Where was Old Man Winter at Christmas when we really wanted the fluffy stuff??

Day 17

I've seen the inside of a doctor's office more often in the last 4 months than I have in the last 4 years! More than I care to, that's for sure. Today I happen to see the inside of two. I first had a regular visit with my 'newish' primary care doctor that went very well. According to her I am as healthy as a horse!

Unfortunately, the second appointment with the new infectious disease doctor did not go so well. I really did not care for him. Saying he had no bedside manner is putting it mildly. He made me feel quite uncomfortable and scared the bejeezus out of me. Not sure if I will ever be going to see him again??

Hopefully no more doctors for awhile!!