And That's A Wrap!

:sigh: That's what I say at the end of every session I photograph. I usually say it with a big smile on my face. This time, it's a little bittersweet. I loved doing this project. But I'm throwing in the towel. It's turned into something that leaves me feeling uneasy and a little conflicted.



It was always on mind. A little nagging voice..."Erica, you need to take care of that 365. Erica, you need to update your blog. Erica...." ENOUGH SELF-NAGGING ALREADY! AGH! Don't get me wrong. I took the photographs. Believe me. Whether my cell phone or Imagene- I was toting an extra eye with me *at all times*. I have 127 ...that's ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SEVEN images on my cell phone alone FROM THIS MONTH. That doesn't include the amount of photos that made it into my MARCH folder on my hard drive from Imagene. I won't even mention February's photos. But I digress.




In all honesty, it was getting a little embarrassing. For real.  Who can't upload a photo to a blog?  And I won't even mention how my other blog has suffered because of it.  If was going to update one blog why couldn't I find the time (scratch that) MAKE the time to update both?  Therefore both blogs got neglected.  It's true.  And it's hard to admit. But there it is.  I like blogging but I was beginning to dread it.

Instead of documenting how I spent my time- my time was actually standing still out here on the world wide web.  My clock was stuck!

And while I was at a complete stand-still with my blogging.  Life was zooming by!  And I was sitting worrying about how far behind I was sharing out here with you my 365 project.  I wanted my blog to be flying along like this car.  Instead it was going about as fast and as far as a car with a flat tire. 

I felt like a firefighter instead of a farmer.  I felt like I was watching this huge thing-that-was-supposed-to-be-fun-but-instead-is-a-flop-because-I-have-got-too-far-behind- grow out of control.

I had all this pressure that everybody was just standing around waiting.  Wondering if it was ever going to be completed.  ....and then worse yet.  Maybe everybody had left?


**crickets**

And then there was this teeny tiny light that started to grow.  Which really was just a reflection of how I felt inside. It was amazing how this thought turned into a light that showed me the way I needed to go. And this time I listened.  And I made a decision.

That's right.  I'm going to STOP. At least stop this blog.  I'm NOT going to stop documenting my year. My family. My interests. I can't imagine not taking a photo (or several) every day, every month.  But I am going to put an end to my 365 BLOG.

Come on, now.  Don't look at me like that...this *is* a good thing!  I want to have ONE rocking blog.  Not two.  Just one. :)  That's why I would like to invite you over to my other blog.  Please come follow me there.  This was my personal blog.  This blog is the blog that I use to promote my business but it is going to be overhauled.  I've decided it is going to be used for BOTH.  Get to know me over there and see both my professional and personal work.  It might be crazy.  It will be fun.  And I *will* do it well.

Thank you.  All of you. For following along on this fun ride, your support of this project and all of your kind words.  I hope to see you over here.  Come on, come follow me! :)

All my love,

Erica xx

She's So Beautiful

She Makes Me Giggle

Grandma Loves Me

I went to my sister's today to photograph my new nephew for his newborn photos (he's 5 days old today and still absolutely perfect, he takes after his super cute big brother).  My mother is still in town helping my sister this first week home from the hospital.  After the session my mother scooped up the lil bean into her arms. I thankfully still had the camera out and was able to get this image which just happens to be one of my personal favorites.

Sugar Lips

This little guy cracks me up.

Driving, Driving and More Driving

It seems as if I am always in the car.  It's getting a bit old.  I might be even more annoyed because it has been so beautiful outside these past couple days and it's only February 16th.  I might just have a bit of spring fever.  God help me when the cold winter weather decides to flex its strong muscle again. 

Waiting in the Car

We picked up Becca from school today together because Lela stayed home from school sick.  I took the camera along with me to pass the time.  Lela was not amused.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

My husband loves me. <3  Happy Saint Valentine's Day to all of you!

I'm an Aunt Again! :D

My new nephew was born tonight - and he's perfect!  I was so blessed to be a part of the experience and to be able to witness another miracle. <3 Here is a photo of him just seconds after entering this world.

A Beautiful Sunset

I Love Her Eyelashes

Ohhhh Barrraaacuddda!

I love swim photos - it's the swimmers' faces that make the images so cool to me.  Here is a photo of Becca in the water at practice. 

A CrAzY Saturday!

Everything came to a head today - it was a super duper busy yet fun day.  My morning started off with picking up last minute items for my good friend's baby shower and meeting around 8:20ish to set up for said shower (I may have been a few minutes late). The setting up and decorating went very smoothly which was great; although, I truly did not expect anything less as the woman that was cohosting the event with me is very thorough so I knew we would be able to be efficient.  Being efficient was important to me, this morning especially.

The rest of the day went like this:  run home and take child to swim - oh wait practice time has been changed! she has a ride- finish last touches on super cool 3d poster of Becca for freshman hallway, pick up bagels for shower, pack everything up- drive to highschool and start decorating, finish decorating entire hallway with supercool swim mom, leave to pick up Becca from UNO (20 minutes late- AGH!) drive home and change into clothes that are more appropriate for babyshower, drive to shower, enjoy baby shower, celebrate a new soon to be here baby!, make new friends, tear down and clean up, drive home feed kids, try to pick up the house a bit, shower again and get ready for another friend's bday party.  Leave house for party. Commence visiting and celebrating bday party. Drive home. Pass out from sheer exhaustion.

Here's a photo from the babyshower of my very good friend, Michelle, who is also friends w/ R- the new mommy to be- Michelle helped set up with last minute touches before shower started while I was running around crazy. 

Round Two! :D

Today is another snow day.  I think it is a tad bit much- it doesn't seem like the roads are too terrible but what the heck?  Might as well make the best of it!  Lela was up at the crack of dawn - go figure, right?  She made herself comfy downstairs and was all snuggled in warm blankets enjoying some morning cartoons.  I wonder if today we will all end up going stir crazy?

Snow Day! :D

The girls get a snow day today and believe me, they are excited!  We haven't had too many this year so far and compared to last year it has been a pretty mild winter (in regards to snowfall accumulation, anyway).  Becca decided to enjoy a game of Mahjong Tiles on the computer.  I decided to photograph her.

Winter Weather Storm

It has been freezing drizzling all day and sometime late afternoon it started spitting snow.  The schools have already cancelled for tomorrow.  Steve has shoveled the driveway once and mostly because the snow we have gotten is drifting because of the blowing winds.  It seems like our driveway is a snow catcher because we have more snow accumulated on our drive than the other drives in the circle (go figure, right?!).  We are expecting 6-8 inches but my family in IL is expecting 18-24 inches (which sounds like last year's winter here).  Tomorrow should be interesting.  I know Becca will be a good sport and help shovel tomorrow if need be- she is such a good helper! I do believe hot cocoa will be on tomorrow's agenda.

A Rose by Any Other Name

Becca came home Friday night with a rose.  She had a pasta dinner with her swim team and the Prep swimmers brought roses for the girls before their big meet on Saturday.  I photographed it today.  It has opened up and is really gorgeous.  It smells lovely.

Fun Dip

I love Fun Dip and so do my girls.  Becca's tongue happened to match her sweatshirt after having some..I think all this blue is going to her head.  Also, I have to admit I love the fact that Becca's highschool colors just happen to be my old highschool colors. ....she's sporting some old school sportswear tonight. :)  *sidenote* Becca took first in her heat today at her meet!  Goooo Barracuda!

Crazy Hair Day?

Here's a snapshot of Lela being goofy.  

Mid-morning Headshot Session

This morning I had a session with a new client.  I was really excited (like always!).  I decided to use one of the images for my blog entry today because that is how I spent my morning.  This client wants color headshots (good choice for her and how she will be using her image) but you know how I love black and white photos so I thought I would make the image into a black and white portrait for out here on my 365 blog. It was such a fun session and I look forward to working with her again. :)

More Homework ...

...at the kitchen table.  As I mentioned in this post, we do homework at the kitchen table.  Here's proof that both the girls are required to sit at the table and do their homework.  This is where you can find Becca most every week night...for a few hours. :)

Get It Barracuda!

Becca had a meet tonight.  This is a photo of her during warm-ups.  I really wish I could get down on the pool deck.  I would be in heaven.  .....on a completely different note- Happy  Birthday, Sara.  I love you.

Lela Got a Trim

Lela wanted a the "V" trim.  It was long overdue.  She says that she thinks her hair looks longer than Becca's now that her hair has been trimmed.  Um. Okay? She cracks me up!  Also?  I think 'trim' is a weird word- especially in print.

Bitten by the Creative Bug

The girls asked to paint today.  So out came the paints, brushes and canvas paper.  ...and of course, my camera.  It's these moments I just want to remember forever.

Big Yawn

Sometimes, I find it all just a tad bit boring.  Apparently, Buddy shares my sentiments.

Something a Little Different

Colors and Shadows. Plus, I'm a Fan, Remember?

I took this photo right before bed last night.  I love all the shadows on the ceiling and the color casts.

Goooo Barracuda!

Tonight Becca had another swim meet at Millard West.  Lela and I went to cheer her on tonight. We had a great time (as always) watching her swim.  Lela and I were both a tad overdressed and super hot- Lela's cheeks actually got flushed.  I think next time I'll leave my boots at home.  Here's a photo of Becca and her good friend/teammate in between events.

What's All the Excitement About?

Tomorrow is a day off for BOTH of the girls!  They are thrilled.  And still awake. ;)

Chaos? Nah Just a Huge Meet

Becca had a meet today.  It started VERY early so Lela and I stayed home.  It was a large invite meet so Steve said it was a little chaotic.  I am cheating for today's image.  I didn't take this picture, Steve did--I still wanted to use it for today's blog because this is what our Saturday was all about and afterall, this blog is a work in progress review of our year. (Don't worry, I cleared it with him first--he gave me a limited copyright release.)

Red Red Wine....

I was contemplating a glass of red wine earlier this evening and then decided what they hay?  (that's right, I said what the hay- I'm a midwesterner at heart!--and in real life!)  Anyway, I also hadn't photographed anything today and then it came to me when I went to pour myself a glass of wine.  Here you go- today's image:

Homework at the Kitchen Table

In our house, we do homework at the kitchen table...no slouching at the couch, lying on the bed, lounging on the floor and/or flinging ourselves across a chair.  Nope.  We sit at the kitchen table.  It's been a rule since Becca was little and it will continue to be one until they're grown adults.

Today, was no different except Lela had missed most of her morning classes so she had quite a bit of makeup work to do...and she was LESS than happy about it.  It was taking a tad longer than most nights but she plugged away and completed her work.

One day, she'll be happy she got an education.  Right now, I'm pretty sure she doesn't like school, myself or her teachers. ha!  Bet that all changes tomorrow. :)

The Infamous Ceiling Fan

I came in my room to make the bed and all the fun cleaning up goodness when I got sidetracked by the phone.  I quickly grabbed the p&s and snapped a photo for today- I'm such a multi-tasker.  Admit it, I wowed you with my multi-task-i-ness.  And you thought I was just going to spend my time yapping on the phone with my mother (who called at least 4 times today) and not accomplish anything. Psh.  If I did that I wouldn't have time to sneak in a nap! JUST KIDDING.  This isn't my first rodeo.....I think I hear the phone now..... 

Mmm Cookies and Snow Days!

The girls lucked out and had another snow day today.  They're loving it! Becca took the opportunity to bake some chocolate chip cookies and sugar cookies.  They were delish. 

Old Man Winter Strikes Again! ..or Why God Made Teenagers

The girls had a snow day today!  They were so excited!  I guess all that wishing and finger crossing paid off!  I really can't complain; it is the first snow day of this school year.  I'd say we're not doing too shabby this winter. 

Of course, with snow days comes shoveling and Operation Why God Made Teenagers.  Becca was such a trooper!  She shoveled our driveway TWICE and then tackled the neighbor's drive.  I was so proud of her!  She had the best attitude all day long.  I think it's because of all that hard work and the warm fuzzies she got from doing something kind for somebody else. 

Movie Day!

It's brutally cold out today.  I should take the time and post a disclaimer that when it comes to cold I am a sissy.  It's been spitting snow off and on the past couple days but today is supposed to be the real start of the winter storm.  Becca and Lela are both crossing their fingers for a snow day.  It's been a lazy day around the house. The girls are entertaining themselves and Steve and I have been hunkered down in the basement watching movies.  I love Sundays. :)

Such a Sweet Face

I know I just blogged about this little guy, our schnauzer mix, Buddy, but he was looking so darn cute that I couldn't help myself and had to take a photo of him.  I had snuck downstairs and was going to try to photograph Steve and Lela playing the Wii together but they were having no part of it.  Instead, Buddy got my attention.  Out of the photos I took, this one I fell in love with his brown eyes.  We always joke that Buddy understand English; even if he can't he does great communicating with his eyes.  So no photos of Steve and Lela.  Here's another one of Buddy. :)

A Quick Trip

So, apparently the weather is going to take a turn for the worse...I figured I should make a quick trip to pick a few things up.  You never know if we'll get snowed in and after last year's winter weather I'm  not about to take any chances when they call for a winter storm.

Oh Sunshiny Day

Today was relatively beautiful...for January in the midwest!  This morning there was snow on my deck and by this afternoon it was all but gone.  I love the sunshine.  I love warm weather.  Some of you may disagree with me on the concept of warm but I doubt you live in the midwest...today the highs were expected to reach 40 and for that I am/was thankful! ...and consider warm this time of the year.  Especially when those winds aren't blowing.

I don't think this reprieve is going to last long.  I believe there is snow in the forecast and that's fine.  I'm going to soak it up while I can.  Here's my image for today...proof that it was above freezing. ;)

Enjoy yourself a Sunshine Day.

Buddy Boy

Buddy was looking so cute I couldn't help myself- I had to snap a photo of him to share out on the blog today for my 365 project. 

He really is the sweetest dog, albeit sometimes annoying with all his barking.  He redeems himself quite quickly with just one look.  He's got the sweetest face and eyes that just reach out into your heart.  Our family wouldn't be complete without Buddy.