365/365

He who breaks a resolution is a weakling;
He who makes one is a fool.
~ F.M. Knowles

I don't know why I felt so compelled to complete this resolution.  I don't even last two weeks on my 'eat better, exercise more' resolutions!  But, alas, today is the last day of the year.  My last post of my 365 Day Project. 

I wish I had some grand picture for you, but I don't.  Instead, you will get a few pictures from the San Francisco Farmer's Market where we went today.  As I told Joyce... we needed bread for our dinner so we drove to San Francisco!

As for my my blog... I will miss it.  I think I will start another one so I can post highlights of my photo sessions and life.  I'll let you know.

Happy New Year to each of you.  I wish you all continued health and happiness.  I hope 2012 brings Bryan and Shawna a house... Kevin a degree and a job... Dave an uplifted economy... and for myself... to eat better and exercise more!!! 

364/365

Day 364?  Already?  Seriously?  How can that be???

I took a ride Wednesday to the foothills.  Just me.  By myself.  I realized how hard it is to look for places to photo while I'm driving! 

So I ended up at Knights Ferry where I could park and just walk around. 

363/365

Cat vs. Child

Micah made a b-line for my bedroom knowing that he would probably find a cat on my bed.  He was right.  But it wasn't Katie (friendly), it was Lucy (unfriendly).  I couldn't help by grab my camera for a few snaps.

They meet.

They touch.

They get closer.

Everything's ok!

Lucy's had enough!

Ears back... it's time to let her out.

So after I let Lucy out, Micah raced back to the bedroom for cat #2... Katie.  I think Katie knew he was coming back for her!

Seriously Katie... is that the best hiding place you could find?

I think you've been found!

He's got her now!

Katie doesn't look very happy.

We let both cats out and went on to other things... like playing outside.

 

362/365

I livened up my otherwise quiet day with a little bit of Micha so his mama could do a little shopping.   Here he is looking out my sliding glass door hoping that Lucy or Katie might want in.  (No chance of that with Micah standing there!)  I don't know how I got two reflections.

361/365

I can't believe there are only four more days in 2011!  I'm trying to decide where we should go for a ride and lunch on New Year's Day.  Last year we went to Half Moon Bay and I took this picture on the drive there.  Hmmm... I still have a few days to decide.

360/365

Another Christmas is tucked away in our memory.  It's always such a busy time I sometimes forget to reflect on the true meaning. 

Santa Fe, New Mexico

359/365

I've fallen behind... It's a busy time of year.  If I wasn't shopping, wrapping, cleaning or cooking, I was probably taking a nap!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas 1989

358/365

I'm keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that very soon Bryan and Shawna will be able to put out their Welcome mat in front of this cute home.  What a great way it would be for them to start the New Year.

357/365

And just like that... the party's over.  The food was great, the drinks were plenty, the gifts were fun, and the best part was that everyone was there. 

But, I do want to know (and I will find out!) who put all the bread in the sink??? 

356/365

We need snow!  It's going to be sad to be off work three weeks for winter break and not be able to go skiing! 

355/365

Ready or not... here they come!  Tomorrow my family will come over to celebrate yet another Christmas.  Am I ready?  I look around my house and I see the couches that need replacing thanks to two naughty cats, or the carpet that has stains thanks to eating on TV trays for Monday Night Football games, or the old original yellow tile in Dave's bathroom... the list goes on and on.  But what I hope everyone else will see is Christmas!

354/365

Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds.  Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends - but only one mother in the whole world.  ~Kate Douglas Wiggin

Happy Birthday Mom!

Mom with Natalie ... and me.

353/365

"A lot of people think that when you have grand scenery, such as you have in Yosemite, that photography must be easy."    ~  Galen Rowell

 

When I visit Yosemite I am always searching for that 'perfect picture', and always come home disappointed.  Scenery so beautiful in person is hard to duplicate in the camera.  But I won't stop trying.

 

 

 

 

352/365

With Dave gone, so is my cook... that is until Kevin came home from school!

351/365

Move over Lucy... mama finally has some presents to put under the tree!!

350/365

Instead of a wild holiday party, our primary classes opt for a quiet 'reading day'.  Students wear p.j.'s, bring blankets and pillows and even their favorite stuffed animal.  The teachers make hot cocoa and bake gingerbread cookies.  Favorite books are read silently or out loud.

This was a typical scene in the classrooms yesterday.

349/365

It's (FINALLY) beginning to look a lot like Christmas at my house! 

Before and after.  (Pretty pathetic before!)

348/365

Hats aren't allowed at school... unless , of course, it's a Santa Hat!  

We even have Santa Socks!

347/365

The last week before Winter Break stress!  Lots and lots to finish up at work, sending in last minute picture orders, STILL no presents under my tree, Dave working and staying out of town until next Thursday, and 22 people coming over in 9 days ready to party!

No picture today... just my mantra!

346/365

Natalie's First Visit With Santa

345/365

(Only 20 days left!)

With my photo jobs winding down, I am finally finding a little time to work on other projects.  (Leslie... I bet you thought I forgot about you!)

344/365

Every December for at least the last ten years I find the time to go visit the McHenry Mansion.  It is always decorated so beautiful for Christmas that it can't help but put you in the holiday spirit.  Unfortunately a fire closed its doors until sometime in February.   I will miss seeing it this year.

McHenry Mansion Christmas Tree

343/365

Our 6th graders sold 800 poinsettias to help them pay for their Outdoor Ed camp during Spring Break.  Duarte Nursery donated those poinsettias so 100% of the profit went to the kids.  How often does that happen anymore?  Thank you Duarte Nursery!

342/365

I guess you are never too young for yoga.  Natalie's 'downward dog' pose beats mine... and she's only seven months old!!!

341/365

Yesterday one of our parents robbed a bank at 10:00 a.m.  He dropped off his kindergartner at 11:40 for the afternoon class.  Around 2:00 he and his wife were arrested.  At 3:00 the police came to the school to pick up their two children.  The image of the 5th grader leaving with tears streaming down his face haunted me all night. 

A photo with a dark cloud seemed appropriate this morning.

340/365

The Christmas stress is upon me!  Only a couple more weeks to get everything done, and I've started nothing.  Dave put the tree up, but not one present lays beneath it because there are none.  But, I'm determined to stop and enjoy the holiday season this year. 

This beautiful amaryllis was given to me by Shana P. who I had the pleasure to work with for a few months this year.  It adds a touch of Christmas to my kitchen.  Thank you Shana!

339/365

Some people bake cookies and candies for the holidays.  Some people make tamales.  We make sausage!

338/365

Yesterday Little Miss Natalie graced us with her presence.  I can't get enough of her... she is so darned cute!!

337/365

Sausage Making.

Geeze... while these guys were playing around Chuck, Jennifer, Linda and I were the only ones hard at work making sausage!!!

(Dad always set such good examples!)