Can't believe it ... Day Thirty-one - January 31, 2012

Need I say more :) - Day Thirty - January 30, 2012

I'm going to let the picture speak for itself today :)

Have a great one

Washington, DC - Day Twenty-nine - January 29, 2012

As Jim is laying here taking a short "wink-wink" nap, I was trying to think of something creative and fun to photo, but nothing would come to me until I looked down at the project I'm working on - our itinerary for our upcoming trip to DC in June.  For those of you who may not know this, I LOVE Washington, DC and would visit there every day if I could (Patrick could too - he and I are huge history buffs).  We took the kids there in 2010 and then I went back with two wonderful friends from work in 2011 and still, I couldn't get enough.  We are going this time with Patrick's friend from school and her mother (they are looking forward to it and I can't wait to see Patrick's friend's face when she gets off the metro for the first time :) - that will be priceless, I know).  Well, I am headed back to working on the trip - even though it's in June, it is surely one you have to plan for - there is sooooo much to see and never enough time to see it all :(

Patrick's "Marvelous" Sandwich - Day Twenty-eight - January 28, 2012

Today I asked Patrick to help me with my Twenty-Twelve photo project and he said, while making his lunch, take a picture of my "marvelous" sandwich.  Now, of course, for those of us older photographers, such as myself, Billy Crystal and SNL popped into my head :)  I just love the older shows.  So, I had to take a picture of his "marvelous" sandwich - me, I'm not a big fan of salami, roast beef, pepper jack/cheddar cheese sandwiches, but it's pretty obvious that he is :)  I did ask him though where was the lettuce and his response was, "this doesn't need it, it's perfect just like this" - I think he just didn't want any green on it (LOL).  Have a great Saturday.

Cell phone photo - Day 27 - January 27, 2012

Today's picture comes from my cell phone while waiting for Patrick to get out of school.  I got the HTC thunderbolt back in December and haven't really played around with the camera feature so thought I would start learning how to use it.  Boy, have I got a lot of work to do.  I'm not uploading this from my phone, but I emailed it to myself so I can edit it.   I'm not very happy with how it turned out, but that's the point of photography - you learn everyday and take the good with the bad :)

Flowers in January - Day Twenty-six - January 26, 2012

Can you believe this - look at what I saw today - yes, flowers.  Now granted, I don't know what they are, but as I was walking around, saw these and thought they are pretty.  It's January and the flowers are already blooming, so I say, bring on Spring :)

"Squirrel" - Day Twenty-five - January 25, 2012

Today I had to get Patrick from school early because he has developed a head cold, so I brought him home, fixed him something to eat for lunch and sent him to bed for a nap.  When he woke up, the movie UP was on – if you have not seen that movie, you must see it – it is GREAT !!  In that movie there is a dog named Doug that has a talking collar on and there are times when he’ll stop in his tracks and yell “Squirrel”.  I laugh every time :)  Well, while we were watching it, I saw a squirrel and knew I had to see if I could catch him - I did.  I played around with Picnic (I’m sad they are closing) and used the soft focus feature.  The picture didn't turn out very colorful, so I thought if I did that, you could see Doug (that's what I named it) better.  I have enjoyed not only learning to take better pictures, but it has been fun learning how to photo edit – it’s so neat to be able to manipulate the photos you take.

Algebra ... UGH - Day Twenty-four - January 24, 2012

I was watching Patrick do some of his Algebra homework today and asked him to show me some of what he has been learning over the past few weeks (I am not a fan of math, but luckily, Jim so he has been very helpful to Patrick when he has problems).  Well, he tried to explain it and must say that he not only knows what the heck he is doing, but that boy has the patience of Job, because I had no clue what he was talking about and when he saw the blank stare on my face, he started over and tried again.  I can see this is going to be something that will take lots of work, but will keep on trying.  In the meantime, I'm going to take a picture of his homework so I will remember that I don't like Algebra :)

Raindrop - Day Twenty-three - January 23, 2012

Well, we have been covered in rain the past three days here in my neck of the woods and today was not only rainy, but so foggy and cold.  Since I wasn't able to get out and walk around a little bit, decided to see what the deck had to offer :)  As I have told so many friends, taking pictures has made me look at things around me in a different perspective, so I went looking for raindrops.  I saw this one getting ready to drop so I waited because I was hoping to get a picture of it dropping, but no, it didn't want to cooperate.  I said drats you raindrop, I'm going to take you anyway and so I did :)  I'm hoping it finally dropped because I got tired of waiting on it.

My Little Man - Day Twenty-two - January 22, 2012

I saw this picture of Patrick and just about started to cry because I can't believe that he is already 12 years old (he's 6 in this picture).  It was hard watching Jared and Elizabeth (now 25 and 24) grow up and leave to be on their own and start their own lives, but seeing that Patrick is not too far behind now, it is just tearing me up.  I know, you're saying, he's only 12, but you have to realize he was just born yesterday !!!

I am the ... Day Twenty-one - January 21, 2012

I am the Lord Your God

Our daughter, Elizabeth, asked me to take photos of her finance, Charles, and his family last year and couldn't pass up the chance to play around with all the things I can do on my camera.  I live in Gilbert, SC and they have the cutest little park there, so this is where we decided to take her pictures.  They turned out wonderful - the very last shot I got was written on the walkway out of the park.  I am so glad I found this while going through my pictures because with the week we have had here, this is truly fitting and this is a saying I have to remember every day of my life because He is truly the reason I am so blessed with wonderful family and friends.

Morning in the clouds - Day Twenty - January 20, 2012

A few months back, Jim and I took Patrick on a trip that started in Natural Bridge, Virginia and ended in Chimney Rock, NC.  We drove down the Blue Ridge Parkway and even though I grew up off the Blue Ridge near Mt. Mitchell, never knew there was so much to see on this beautiful part of the mountains.  As we were going down the parkway, Patrick yelped and said, "look".  I turned my head real quick and saw an amazing sight.  Jim, of course, stopped at the over-pass and we got out for the photo opportunity we had.  I was so surprised to see how the clouds completely took over the towns & mountains below us.  It was so amazing and Jim said this is worth our whole trip and this was only the second day :)

Colors of the Rainbow - Day Nineteen - January 19, 2012

I took this picture last year while I was playing around with my camera.  This is a wind chime outside our backdoor and I took just a few pictures of it at first and then when I came in to download, saw one that I had taken and really liked the angle but wanted to get a better one :)  I am learning to see things in a different perspective and it is so cool to do that.  The colors in this reminds me of the colors of the rainbow, hence the title.

Uncle Don - Day Eighteen - January 18, 2012

Today was an extremely sad/happy day in my family. We were extremely sad because my Uncle Don was laid to rest; however, we rejoiced in that he is no longer in pain (Uncle Don had a heart transplant approximately 2 years ago and had been struggling off and on since then) and in Heaven with his brothers Jack & Morris, his nephew Steve and his parents singing "Shall We Gather at the River" - one of my favorites and playing softball once again. As I was going through my photos, I came across this one of Uncle Don and his beautiful family, Aunt Margaret, his daughters Kelly, Amy & Christie and his grand-babies. Uncle Don is a true man of God and is going to be missed so very much.

Walking to grandmomma's house - Day Seventeen - January 17, 2012

Patrick tries to walk up to grand-momma's house every day after school, but there are days when he can't; however, today was one of those days he made it up to see her. I have always loved watching Jim and Patrick walk in front of me because it's amazing to watch how in sync they are but wanted to get Patrick walking up on his own. It just amazes me how much he is growing and can't believe he is almost as tall as I am now :(

Gamecock Approved - Day Sixteen - January 16, 2012

Today my department from work had it's annual retreat and what fun we had - I work with awesome people.  We had the conference and lunch at the Inn at USC, which is on the University of South Carolina campus; therefore, if you didn't want your car to be towed, we had to obtain a parking pass.  I figured since this is where I spent my day today, why not capture the fact that my vehicle was sitting in the parking lot Gamecock Approved :) - love it !!  It was great seeing everyone and can't wait to see you again, hopefully sooner than next year.

Janet

Jet stream - Day Fifteen - January 15, 2012

Today was very cold here in SC, but luckily, no snow :) As I went on a small walk, I took my camera - since Jim wasn't with me, I took my time so there are no blurry pictures today :) I took many different shots (I was hoping to find a bird somewhere, but had no luck) and while I was looking around, saw a jet flying across the blue sky. I had my zoom lens with me and wow, you can actually see the jet. I love how the jet it caught between the two branches.

I hope you all have a great evening/Monday-

Janet

Adluh Flour - Day Fourteen - January 14, 2012

This is the second photo Helen took and sent me from when we were at the seminar on Friday. I didn't take a picture Saturday (Jim and I were out doing much needed clothes shopping for him), so am going to use this one as my Day 14 picture.

Adluh Flour is an icon here in Columbia, South Carolina (see their history here - http://www.adluh.com/history.htm). You can see this sign from miles away - it is a pretty cool sight.

Thanks again Helen.

Flags - Day Thirteen - January 13, 2012

On Friday, I attended a title insurance company seminar - Helen, one of the ladies who works with them, and I have become good friends over the the years. She has been keeping up with the Twenty-Twelve in Photos I post, so when we came back from lunch and I was in the vestibule talking, Helen came up and showed me several pictures she took during lunch to put on my Twenty-Twelve photos (Helen, you need to join this my friend - let me know if you're interested and I'll get with Lori to add you) - she is amazing. This is the first of the two and I'll have the other one posted in a bit. I thought this was a great capture - thanks Helen !!!!

Leaf freckles - Day Twelve - January 12, 2012

I must admit, even though I am having a great time doing the Twenty-Twelve in Photo project, it gets difficult coming up with new photos everyday, especially in the winter time - I hope I am not the only one who goes through that :/ I was on the deck hoping to find a bird or a squirrel roaming around, but that never happened, so as I was sitting there saw the leaves that didn't get raked during autumn and go, well, let's see what I can come up with. Ta-da - here we go :) I never realized leaves had freckles :)

Have a great one !!!

Tree veins - Day Eleven - January 11, 2012

I had to go outside to put something in my car so I wouldn't forget it tomorrow morning (yeah, my memory isn't the best any more) and looked up and saw these tree branches. We live out in the country and it is so dark but wanted to see what these branches would look like using the flash. I think they look like vessels in our body - pretty cool.

I hope you are all enjoying the week. I'm sorry I haven't been by to comment on many photos, but promise to do better over the weekend.

Enjoy !!

Desktop flower - Day Ten - January 10, 2012

Yesterday I dated my photos incorrect - they should have been Day 9-January 9, 2012. I can't believe I am already messing up the days of the year and it just started :)

I didn't get a chance to get a picture today, so thought while I was sitting here and looked up that my desktop wallpaper was very pretty and colorful, so took a picture of that :)

Hopefully I'll get out tomorrow to get a better picture.

First day of walking - Day Nine - January 9, 2012

CORRECTION - I DATED THE PHOTO INCORRECTLY - IT SHOULD BE DAY 9 - JANUARY 9, 2012 - SORRY ABOUT THAT :)

Today we started our exercise routine with Jim (he broke his rib before Christmas and hasn't been able to do his normal exercise routine, which is do the elliptical, run and lift weights, so in order to get some cardio in - I must mention here that I HATE TO EXERCISE - to make him happy, I suggested we walk down our driveway, which is the total of one mile both ways. He took me up on it). I took my camera along with me hoping to get an awesome shot of the sunset or the new horses our next door neighbors just put into their pasture; but alas, I only got one good picture and wasn't happy with that (the horses eyes look spooky to me). Every time, I tried to stop and take a picture, Jim would say "pick it up ... you're going too slow ... get a move on" LOL; therefore, all the pictures except for this one was blurry (maybe I should post one of those too - I think I'll have two for today), but it was fun getting out of the normal routine to do something together and really look forward to tomorrow :) Have a great evening - I'm off to work on the DC trip we have planned for June - he can't get here fast enough.

Photo Two - the blurry one :)

A Storm is Coming - Day Eight - January 8, 2012

 

We are finally getting some much needed rain, so I got out before it started to take a picture of the ominous clouds that were headed our way. I'm glad I did, because it is coming down now :)

I'm getting off FB for the evening, so I hope you all have a great evening and a wonderful Monday !!!

28 years later - Day Seven - January 7, 2012

Yesterday I posted a picture of Jim and I when we were first married 28 years ago, so I thought I would get a picture of us now. Neither one of us are one to like having our picture taken, but wanted to brave it and just do it (my good friend, Lori and I were talking about this the other day and made the decision to do better at that). Patrick took this picture and thought he did a good job (he loves to take pictures – I can see him becoming a photographer one of these days).

28 years - Day Six - January 6, 2012

Well, today is the day I married my best friend 28 years ago. I can’t believe it has been that long but even though we have had trials throughout those years, my life with Jim has been amazing. We have 3 wonderful children and are so very proud of them; we have the same goals for the remainder of our lives (can you say travel and motorcycle - I know that we can); and we can finish each other’s thought just by looking at each other and laugh at the fact when we say what we were thinking and it is identical.

God truly blessed me 30 years ago when He brought Jim into my life, but He made it even better the day we married and has continued blessing me during all these wonderful years by being with the best friend and husband EVER !!!

This picture was taken a few weeks after we got married and I know it's not a picture I took today, but wanted to put our very first picture as a married couple onto my Twenty-twelve in photos so I can have it in my book at the end of the year.

I love my copics - Day Five - January 5, 2012

I am getting ready to work with my copic markers and thought I would take a quick photo of them before I get started. I do love working with them, but I still have so much to learn on how to use them - they can be very intimidating :)

Singing in His presence - Day Four - January 4, 2012

While we were cooking supper tonight, Patrick was whistling (he has been a whistler ever since he was little) and realized he was whistling "Jesus Loves Me".  Well, I couldn't help but smile because when I turned around saw that he was wearing the t-shirt he made while in Bible Camp this past summer while staying with my parents in NC.  It says "come before His presence with singing" and I would say that Patrick is singing in His presence but in a different tone :)  Thought it would make the perfect shot for today.

Have a great evening

Janet

Poor Patrick - Day Three - January 3, 2012

Well, today was a day that we haven't experienced in a while; sick day. Patrick started running a fever and had a sore throat Sunday, but luckily it wasn't strep but a viral infection. He took a nap when we came home from the doctor and read when he woke up - he loves this book. It looks as though he will be staying home again tomorrow because he is still running a fever, poor thing, I hate it when my kids are sick :(

Enjoy your evening.

Janet

Not a cloud in the sky - Day Two - January 2, 2012

Well, after watching the outstanding win by South Carolina Gamecocks, thought I would take a quick look outside to see what picture I could get for my Twenty-Twelve in Photo challenge.  It is windy and cold here, so I wasn't too sure I would find anything, but when I looked up, this is what I saw.  Couldn't pass it up.

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Janet

Happy New Year - Day One - January 1, 2012

Well, it's the new year and that means not only are we starting a new year, but bring on the hoppin' John, collard greens and cornbread :) I only cook this meal on New Year's Day and look forward to it every time. It was GREAT !!!  This is the first photo I am posting not only here but as part of a great FaceBook group called Twenty-Twelve in Photos and can't wait to share the remaining 365 (this is leap year, so we have one extra day to get that photo taken) photos with you.

 I hope you all have a very happy new year and may 2012 bless you with much happiness, joy and tons of Love.

Janet

Welcome to my ...

... photo blog.  I was invited to be a part of Twenty-Twelve in Photos by my great friend Lori Boyd and since I have become an avid amateur photographer couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn from my fellower camera bugs.  It has been a great time and can't wait to see how my photos progress throughout the year.

I hope you enjoy viewing my photos as much as I enjoy taking them.

Thanks

Janet