It's time again for Take 12, a monthly photography challenge hosted by Ella Publishing Co., where participants take 12 photos of the 12th of each month to scrap and share. For 2012, I am two for two on this project and feeling pretty darn good about it.
As February 12th fell on a Sunday this year, my day was a mix of puttering around the house and helping out with a fundraiser to benefit a family friend. It was a lovely mix of everyday and special occasion, home and friends, introverted and extroverted, me and others.
Like I said, it was a lovely day.
As I did last month, I will be sharing the words + photos today. Once completed, I will also share a finished layout featuring my Take 12 photos. I am working from a sketch that was included in EPC's Take 12 Kit. My mind is percolating with ideas on how to best document these memories.
I woke up at a leisurely hour on Sunday 2/12. What a lovely feeling. Threw on a sweatshirt and headed into my craft room.
Worked for 2.5 glorious hours on a Valentine's Day mini as a gift for my husband. I am loving how it is turning out. It's almost complete. The photos are printed, the embellishments are collected - I just need to adhere everything into the book. Stay tuned for a dedicated post (with photos!) on this mini later in the week.
Loved seeing this guy as I was leaving the house. I enjoy seeing the little signs of winter around the neighborhood.
I spent most of the afternoon and early evening working a fundraiser to benefit our friend, Casey, who is battling pancreatic cancer. I am in charge of a multi-week raffle so I sold raffle tickets and t-shirts for a few hours. One of the neighborhood's favorite hangouts, The Dundee Dell, hosted the event. Casey has worked there for over a decade. The owners of the Dell donated 25% of the day's total to benefit Casey and his family so Jim & I had dinner there with friends. We had an amazing turnout. I was even interviewed by a local news crew to promote the events.
Jim & Bowers in "Go Big For Casey" t-shirts
Deana & I
Princess Izzy sporting Mardi Gras beads/mask
Kozy & I at dinner
I am the raffle queen
Mr. Sam "borrowed" my iPhone and took a series of self-portraits. Too cool.
Home again, after a long day, I notice a spectacular view from my bedroom window.
I threw on my warmest jammies (with matching slippers!).
I've been thinking an awful lot this past week about my blessings. We found out that a good friend has advanced pancreatic cancer. It is inoperable. He is 40 years old and has two young sons.
Our neighborhood and circle of friends have come together in an impressive show of support and love. We are hosting 6 weeks of Sunday Fun Days culminating in a blowout event with live music and a silent auction. Local businesses have donated space for these events, food and drink, raffle prizes and auction items. Local residents have offered time, treasure and talent. I am amazed at the generosity and humbled by the depth of giving.
This week, I am grateful for my blessings. I am grateful to be a part of something special.
He turned 45 this past weekend and we had such a lovely celebration. He actually shares his birthday with his best friend so it's always a party. We went to the Creighton University basketball game in the afternoon, enjoyed happy hour cocktails at M's Pub and had the most amazing dinner at Sullivan's, a swanky steakhouse in downtown Omaha. We enjoyed the food and wine, of course, but this year I was struck by the comfort of long time friends.
The birthday boys - Dave and Jim had a wonderful evening. We all did, really. It is just so nice to see Jim smiling and happy. Relaxed. He works so hard and is so supportive at home that I *love* seeing him at play.
Of course, the ladies had a pretty good time too!
Here's wishing Jim health and happiness in 2012. And here's to us, as well.
As 2011 draws to a close, I, like so many other bloggers, have been reflecting over the year as a whole. Perusing. Contemplating. Deleting. Cringing. Smiling. Laughing. Giggling. Sharing.
Remembering.
In that vein, I'd like to share some photos + words on the most memorable moments of 2011. While this past year can be most aptly characterized as challenging, in many ways 2011 also brought a multitude of happy, positive, wonderful and exciting opportunities. After culling through my daily planner, iCalendar and thousands of photographs, I humbly offer the Best of 2011.
10. Hilton Head, South Carolina
Good friends + beach + continuing medical education = funnest business trip ever!
9. The "Dream" Journey
For the past 12 months, my One Little Word has been dream. This word has guided much of my thoughts and reflections in 2011. Each month I completed specific prompts, participated in a blog hop and spent a great amount of mental energy identifying and documenting my dreams. One of the things I felt was so special about this journey was that it was devoted to my dreams - not dreams for my family, not dreams for my marriage or my husband, just my dreams. I have found in my life and heard from many others that women have a particularly difficult time focusing on themselves. It has certainly been true in my life. I loved how easy it was to spend a few hours focused on me. I am very excited to see where my dreams are going in 2012...I will be revealing my OLW for 2012 tomorrow morning as part of the OLW Blog Hop. Be sure to check back at 10:00am CST!
8. This Boy's Smile
Although he has had his share of struggles in 2011, this amazing, talented, creative, loving boy has brought me so much joy. His smile is infectious. His zest for life is inspiring. He helps me see the little things, the small every day details that add up to a full and happy life. He makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
7. Reconnecting
I feel blessed to have reconnected with extended family...just in time for a very special 90th birthday.
6. A Visit From The East
We were so excited to host Jim's sister and family this past July. It is the first time they've come to Nebraska since Jim and I married. We explored the city, discovering new places together and sharing old favorites. One of my fondest memories is straddling the state line between Iowa and Nebraska while standing atop the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge and marveling at the flood waters that were so prevalent this spring.
5. This Girl
Jim & I are so lucky. We have the absolute best circle of friends, both as a couple and as individuals. Deana has been my best friends since we met when I was 18 years old. That we've remained so close is a miracle. That we've celebrated birthdays and holidays with each others' families is a gift. That we are godparents to each others' children is a wonder. That we've spent the majority of 2011 laughing is the greatest thing of all.
4. My Mother
The more years go by, the greater my appreciation for my mother. She is my everything.
3. October in Hong Kong
This trip to visit friends in Hong Kong was the highlight of the year.
2. This Man
Jim is the best thing that ever happened to me. I say a little prayer for this man every day. He is everything that a husband should be. He is my partner, my lover and my very best friend.
1. Graduation Day
I have never felt prouder than when my son received his high school diploma. He worked so hard and at times it seemed as if he would never reach the stage. But he never gave up. When several of his friends dropped out or decided the getting a GED would be easier, he stayed the course. Even when he was sad. Even when he was unsure of the future. Even when he was ready to rip out his hair in frustration. He never gave up. This says so much about his heart and his level of determination. This says so much about who he really is. This says so much about his intelligence and abilities. He never gave up.
I hope that each of you had moments to celebrate in 2011. I hope each of you learned something valuable in 2011. I hope each of you laughed and cried, sang and danced, read and wrote, created art and let go of trouble in 2011.
And I wish you the very best as we prepare for 2012. Happy New Year.
This month's 10 on the 10th captures 10 moments of this summer that I want to remember. Always.
I want to remember how blessed I am to witness the bgeinnings of a deep friendship between the daughters of two of my best firneds. There is something beautiful and meaningful in the continuity and interweaving of mothers and daughters.
I want to remember how lucky I am to have such a wonderful mother. I'm totally enjoying watching her with her grandchildren. My only child recently graduated fromhigh school. When he was younger, I was too overwhelmed with struggling to find my own parenting style and too insecure to appreciate all the insight that my mother had to offer. My brother and his wife married young but waited several years to have children. I love how relaxed I am with my niece and nephew. I can see now how amazing my mother is - and was - with children.
I want to remember all the warmth, laughter, adventure, exploration, giggles, hugs and love that we shared with Jim's sister and family. Good times.
I want to remember the scarifices made by all of the servicemen and servicewomen so that I can live in a country where I am free.
I want to remember how wonderful it is to have a group of women friends who exemplify everything that is right about being a woman.
I want to remember how much I love this young man, how scared I am about the changes coming our way and how hard it is to let go...
I want to remember how much I adore this man. He is my everything.
I want to remember the free and easy feeling of relaxing by the pool. I want to remember that I had the courage to put on a swimming suit, even when I thought I was too fat. I want to remember how cleansing it feels to dive into the cold water. I want to remember going off the diving board and doing handstands under the water.
I want to remember experiencing the magic of the musical Wicked with these fabulous people.
I want to remember the sounds of a ballpark in the summer.
What do you want to remember this summer?
PS If you want to see more 10 on the 10th, check out Shimelle's blog here.
You might have noticed that I missed last Friday's segment of Photo Love. Well, it is because I came down with Royal Wedding Fever.
And it is very contagious. Just look at these two...
Deana and I totally went crazy for the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton (for you morons out there who weren't sure what royal wedding I was referring to). Deana dug out her wedding tiara - and the silver, china and crystal stemware in case you were wondering about our level of commitment - while I made myself a veil to wear with my own (plastic) tiara.
Really, how cute are we?
So, Deana took Friday 4/29/2011 aka Wedding Day off of work while I already had the day off. We planned to nap in the evening and then meet at her house around 2:30am to begin the festivities. The actual wedding ceremony was slated to begin at 5:00am in our time zone. But...neither one of us could sleep. Truly, we were 'too excited' thinking about the wedding. I gave up the pretense of sleeping about midnight and just headed over to Deana's house.
We drank mimosas while watching the pre-wedding tv coverage. We ate scones with homemade clotted cream (a super yummy treat). We snarked on people's attire and speculated about the dress. We ooh'ed and aah'ed at the pomp and grandness of it all. We got nostalgic, thinking back on Princess Di's wedding to Prince Charles (Deana made a scrapbook of said event which proved quite sentimental). We remembered our own weddings with smiles and (maybe) some tears of joy.
So by the time the actual wedding began, we were both fighting to stay awake - just like this little Princess.
We made it through the vows and some singing. And then I had to go home because I am old and can no longer celebrate through the night. I knew I had to make it into my bed or I was going to be sleeping in Deana's arm chair. So I fell asleep at home, cozy and comfy in my own bed, amid the sounds of cheering. With the image of the wedding kiss as my last concrete memory.
Over Memorial Day weekend, our family traveled with our best friends to Kansas City to take a day trip down to Worlds of Fun. Now, this is an amusement park that my own family went to every summer as I was growing up. Deana's family also went every summer. And, as I was a Gleek long before it was popular, I also went every summer in Junior High and High School to perform with the show choir. Hell yes, I am that cool.
click on any image to see larger
But, I digress...
The park was open 10:00am -10:00pm and we stayed from open to close. We were total troopers, including Mr. Sam and Princess Izzy. Grand Master B would have left about 6:00pm but then got a second wind and rallied for the rest of the night. Our friends, Adam & Nisy, took my trusty CR-V for the day and lent us the "Swagger Wagon" (minivan) so we could all fit in one car. We planned to stop at The Waffle House in Rockport, MO in an homage to those childhood road trips but the Waffle House in Rockport no longer exists. Now, it is the Black Iron Grill Steakhouse and Saloon (see Facebook page here) which wasn't open at 7:45am or we might had breakfast there out of sheer stubbornness. Instead, we journeyed on down to the traveler's standby Cracker Barrel which not only has sinfully good food but also features kitschy shopping.
Deana & I actually went to the grocery store at the ungodly hour of 5:30am so that we could bring lunch. I froze 10 bottles of water overnight before we left. We each carried 3 bottles in our bags into the park and used the remaining bottles as added ice in the cooler. It was kind of nice to take a break midday to sit down and have a little picnic. Bringing our own water and lunch saved us a bundle! We planned to eat dinner in the park but instead we had snacks and kept on riding. We ended up stopping to eat a BK on the way out of town because after 12 hours we just didn't care anymore.
Some highlights of the day:
Mr. Sam is a total daredevil! He shares Grand Master B's love of all things roller coaster.
I am almost phobic in my dislike of roller coasters but I will ride any spinning ride you can find.
Princess Izzy is not wild about fast rides.
When everyone else went to ride the 'big kids rides', Princess Izzy & I hung out at Camp Snoopy where she got to enjoy all the 'l'il kid rides.' It was a match made in Heaven.
Deana, Dave, Jim and B all agreed that the new-to-us coaster The Patriot totally rocked.
We all loved the water rides, especially the Monsoon and the log ride.
Grand Master B can meet cute girls anywhere but an amusement park is like a gift from little Baby Jesus in this arena.
We all took on the challenge of the rock wall, except Princess Izzy (too young) and Jim (staff photographer). Dave and B made it all the way to the top and then rappelled down like pros. Deana & I managed not to kill ourselves...and only one of us fell on her butt but you have to guess which one.
Our husbands bought us bunny ears that light up and flicker like a strobe in da club. Yes, we rock.
3-hour road trips are much worse going home.
I'll leave you with some photos of the day which was amazing. Wish you could have been there!
PS Check out this totally cool photo Jim took of the Spinning Dragon roller coaster at night.
