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

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

Something a Little Different

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.

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.)

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. 

Eggsellent!

Becca requested eggsalad for dinner; I obliged.  What can I say?  Steve's out of town and I'm not about to get fancy for dinner.  Plus, it's one of her favorites. :)

Biker Becca

Steve wanted a picture of his bike.  Becca wanted to sit on the bike.  They both got what they wanted.

Best Friends

Becca and Maddie are best friends.  They went to gradeschool together and now attend different highschools but that doesn't keep them from getting together and having fun.  Tonight they are on their way to their first highschool football game at Prep and then on to the Prep Welcome Dance.  I think they're going to have a great time this evening. :)

Highschool Here We Come!

Becca's first day of school- excuse me, highschool- is today!  Steve is going to be the one to take her to school in the mornings.  I'll miss the morning chatter but I bet they really enjoy the time together.  I took a bajillion photos of her this morning, too.  It was quite entertaining.  She, much like Lela, was a very good sport about it.

A Recent Picture

So, we received a piece of mail today from the highschool Becca will be attending this fall...well, in a couple weeks.  My how the summer has flown by again this year!!  Anyway, this piece of mail requested that Becca send in a 'recent picture'.  Well, how much more recent can you get that a quick photo op that very day?!?  I asked Becca if she was up for it, she agreed without hesitation (told you she is a good sport) and off we went to make a recent picture of her.  She threw on what she plans on wearing to the Brooks and Dunn concert tomorrow and the picture taking commenced.  Here is her most recent photograph.

First Highschool Venture

Becca's first highschool adventure was today. Her 'big sister' picked her up to go to lunch and officially meet each other.  They've talked on the phone just briefly a couple times this summer.  Now of course, me being me AND me being a photographer, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to document the 'event.'  Becca is such a good sport.  Anyway, I harassed her while she was getting ready for lunch.  Here is one of the images I captured.

She's so darn beautfiful!