While we were at the park goofing off, little Maddy was playing with her sisters down the way. Apparently one of them told a scary story and she came over to stay by me and swing. How can you say no?

The "after" version was so dramatic that I decided to do a before/after. Especially when she was still wearing her lunch! :)

4/52 Unexpected Perspective

Questions...

We teach our kids about right/wrong. We teach them to be polite, thoughtful and loving. But somehow people change when they become adults...or maybe they weren't taught those things? How do people not have morals? That they can hurt people and not care? How does that happen? Questions I'm struggling to find answers for. I guess it's the same as asking why people kill others, just on a smaller scale? I don't know the answers, I wish I did. I wish I knew the right things to say when people are hurting. Sometimes you just have to look out the window and thank God for the beautiful show. (Or in my case, I grabbed keys and camera and took off in the car...no phone, no wallet...time is ticking away when you're chasing the sun! :)

Taken @ 512pm

Taken @ 515pm, 1 mile further down the road. Amazing how fast it changes!

Sunrise

Getting the little darlings ready for school the other day and I didn't open the kitchen blinds as early as I normally do. Once I did, I happened to see a glorious sight...the sky was on fire. I ran outside in my jammies and slippers to take this...

I hopped in the car and drove the 1/2 mile over to Webb school to see if I could get a clear shot...I was too late for the fire in the sky, but it was still lovely.

3/52 "White Space"

I took this a few days ago when the sun actually made an appearance. It fits the theme for the week of "white space". White space doesn't necessarily have to be white. In photography, it's "empty" space that brings you eye back to the subject. My "white" space is on the right side, bringing your eyes back to the subject. (Those eyes are really going to be the death of me!)

I lucked out and saw a great giveaway on facebook Saturday night...I was going to save up for Oh So Posh's Bohemian Symphony action collection because I love how they look, but Lidia had a great deal going and I snagged it. I just love how this picture turned out! (Rollover for before/after.)

2/52

I made it! I finished my 2nd challenge of the year...and it was tough. Only because it was a yucky, nasty week and we haven't been able to get outside. Plus I've been working on taxes, as my appointment is Monday! But the sun finally made an appearance late yesterday and I bribed a kid! :) Although after I made fun of them before they left for school, I'm surprise he didn't hold a grudge! :p (Every county around us was shut down yesterday...punk #1 sits down to watch for the closing map on the news...that I had already seen ;) ...and when the map shows us and only 1 other county going to school, he says "really"??...it was the highlight of my day! I even waved from the window as they got on the bus. (It wasn't appreciated, but I was ok with that!) But he cooperated and I completed my mission! :)

Adventures in life

We had to go to the "big city" yesterday to exchange a jacket. It meant crossing 2 counties because I had tried the closer store, which was still 45 minutes away, but it's closing and there stock was very limited. Plus it's hard to buy something for someone else, that really needs to try it on...which meant I had to take HIM with me. I should know better. Well, I do, but he still had to try it on, which meant I HAD to take him along! After being followed around the store by "secret shoppers" watching to make sure we didn't steal anything, we were sorta accosted by someone looking for a light...to light the wacky tobacky he showed us! :o Geez, the crazy things that happen to us. We exchanged our item and headed back to the country...the big city is just not for us! :)

This little barn caught my attention as we passed it. I made a note to stop on our way back home.

I have always wanted to stop by Arrington to walk around. I had to settle for a quick stop/picture on a rainy day.

Picnic with a view...and a wine tasting! I'll be back! :)

Frustration

Sometimes I feel like this little lady bug, trying to climb mountains...or flowers in this case.

...it just seems like any time you "almost" get ahead, life knocks you back a few steps. We survive Christmas and then Murphy visits and unplanned expenses hit and it backs you up...again. Which in turn causes frustration...but like most days, we get up and do it all over again. We're beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel (wayyyyy off in the distance)...if we can keep other things at bay. One can hope.

1/52

I'm debating starting a 52/365 photo project. I'm not good with keeping a schedule and "knowing" I've "got" to take certain pictures each week. Since this weeks was "anything we wanted", I guess this qualifies. And since the little darlings don't go back to school until THURSDAY (thank you school board...insert sarcasm)...we went fishing. Well, let's correct that...I was bugged until I gave in and took him fishing. Umm, hello, little dude, IT'S FREEZING OUTSIDE. But, I sucked it up and took him because he's been dying to try out his new "Banjo" lures that he bought with a gift card. I tried to tell them they were a gimmick...as did several others, but it's what he wanted and guess what, he's got to learn that not everything you see on tv works. :) I'm going to like this little experiment! Funny though...I'm thinking he's going to prove all of us wrong, just because that's the kind of kid he is! Time will tell...WHEN IT WARMS UP! Even the fish were like...dude, it's too cold to chase anything, what's wrong with you?! ;)

The river really was that color...I've never seen it like that before.

I love sunflare!

Don't let the pretty day fool you, it was freezing out! And he only lasted 20 minutes before saying it was too cold. But I took him, that's all that matters! :)