30 Day Challenge (6/30/11)

Here we are

At the end of the

30 Day Photography Challenge

I'm glad I started

And completed the

Entire Challenge

I took and posted

Photos everyday

And in the process

Learned more about

My Camera

I accomplished a task

Which has been very

Difficult these past

Couple of months

Today's Challenge

Another

Self~Portrait

You know how I

Dislike those

But tonight

You get the real, raw me

No make~up

No hair color

No editing

Just a 52 year old woman

Who has endured life

And is learning how

To LIVE in this new Season

This is what

Growing up on the beach

Will do to your skin

It is also what

The loss of your spouse

Will do as well

This challenge has been fun

But I am looking forward

To moving in a new direction

With my life, camera and blog:)

Tonight I'm

Considering

Rest and Maybe a Face~Lift :)

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/29/11)

I cannot believe that tomorrow

Is my last Photo Challenge Day

Today's Challenge

Black and White

I really had the opportunity

To change some settings

On my camera today

I came home from work a bit early

Had a minor crises here

But was able to calm things down

And do a quick PhotoShoot

With son #2

Can you believe that tomorrow

They are going to attempt

AGAIN

To have me take a self~portrait

Hmmm....

I'm going to have to be quite creative:)

Considering

30 Days has gone by quickly,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/28/11)

I cannot believe that June

Is almost over

As is my

30 Day Photography Challenge

Where does the time go?

Today's Topic

"Flowers"

Actually

Finding flowers this time of year

In Phoenix is a challenge

However, I do have a

Few little flowers in the backyard

By the pool

Believe it or not

The background

Is the pool water

Somehow

It just doesn't look that blue

When standing next to it

I was looking out my

Bedroom window yesterday

And there was a

Tiny little humingbird

Happily Flittering

All around these flowers

I Love It!!

Considering Flowers in Phoenix

Something Fun to Enjoy,

Cindy

Phase 1 and 30 Day Challenge (6/27/11)

I read so many blogs these days

Of people who are renovating their homes

Well

I am happy to report

That phase 1 of my

Total mouth renovation

Has Begun

Today

8 spacers

All I have to say is:

Where is the floss??

Don't worry

No Pictures:)

Now on to Day 27 of my

30 Day Photo Challenge

"From A Distance"

I arrived home late tonight

So I took my camera out into my front yard

Here is my version of

From A Distance

It is a nice view

Considering Spacers

Kind of Like Food Stuck Between My Teeth,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/26/11)

Day 26 of this

30 Day Photo Challenge

Found me in a difficult mood

After being burned

When my car radiator overflow

Blew up on me - literally

"Close Up"

Is today's topic

This guy just happen to be

A little too Close Up

For Comfort

I apologize to all of my

Nature lovin'

Tree hugin' Friends

Fly Swatter to the rescue

He is now History....

Considering The Possibility of Having

To Buy A New Car

Very Dislike~able

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/25/11)

Today's Photo
Challenge

"Something Pink"

I actually have many things around

This house that are pink

Having two little granddaughters

Helps!!!

However, As I looked around

I knew what I would photograph tonight

This is a bracelet that I received a

Couple of years ago

When a blog friend was diagnosed

With Breast Cancer

Her daughter made many of

These for friends all around the country

I keep mine on my desk

It reminds me to pray for many of

My real life friends

As well as blog friends 

Who have had or are facing  

Some form of Cancer

Cindy

Elaine

Kimberly - no blog

Lisa

Joy

Kate

Sarah - Angie's SIL

Karrie - no blog

If I forgot your name

Please let me know

And I will add you to

My prayer list

I pray for each of you and your families

And I continue to lift up the families

Who have lost a loved one to Cancer

in the past few years

You are always in my prayers

Considering Pink,

Cindy

An Open Ended Farewell

Dear Mark,

Though I have worn a smile on my face today, my heart has been in deep dispair.  Today is the 6 month point since you decided to be with Jesus and I kissed you for the last time.  Today is a mere reminder of the pain I have suffered yet knowing you are no longer in pain.  Today I have not shed a tear until the moment of my typing. 

I have a hard time fathoming it has been six months and at the same time feeling as though it has been an eternity.  I miss your smile and the sound of your voice.  I gave Missy your phone to use and I was watching a few videos that K-Bug did on it.  As I kept clicking from one to the next I suddenly heard your voice and nearly fell to my knees.  I never did delete your videos from your phone and found myself viewing them over and over just to hear your voice again.  It was wonderful and so terribly sad at the same time.  We will be putting those on my computer this weekend!!

Mark, there is so much my heart longs to tell you, so much I want to share.  I didn't realize that there just would not be ears to listen to my heartache once you were gone.  People don't know what to say so they say nothing.  They are unsure if they should bring anything up so they don't.  I have such desires to talk about who you were and where I am but in all my searching I have not truly found someone I can cry with. 

I am trying to learn that God is my husband and the carrier of my pain but I tell you Mark, there is nothing like the warmth and comfort of a human hug from someone who loves you for who you are.  I miss your hugs so much, some nights I feel like I will die without them.

You are now in the comfort of eternity and I cling to the comfort of your chair!  You know the one, the black chair we bought just for you, well...now...it is just for me.  It is the place I feel closest to you.  There are some nights I hardly make it to bed because I don't want to leave the chair and I hate going to bed alone.  It is such a dark and lonely place without you. 

We shared everything about our lives since I was 21.  I have never really been an adult without you and I am finding that I just don't know how to do this adult thing alone.  You have always been my rock, strength and side-kick!  We worked well as a team and you taught me so much about so many things.  You'd be surprised at what I have accomplished around the house since you left but I'd sure rather not have accomplished those things just to have you back again.

Oh, I remember the bad stuff too:)  Remember what Rev C. M. Ward used to tell us about being 'Incompatible'?  He was so funny and so true!!  Somehow, even in 'incompatibility' we found a way to stay true to our commitment and flourish in our differences.  Complimenting each other's strengths and covering each other's weaknesses. 

Yet, here I am 6 months in to this new season without you, still trying to hold tightly to you and to the past.  As tears begin to stream down my cheeks I almost feel the need to ask you if it is ok to let go, but at the same time I just don't want to.  The thought of moving forward without you brings waves of tears blurring the screen and guttural sobs from the depths of my soul.  I can't do this, I don't want to do this, but somehow I must.  WHY?  Why God?  Must I let Go?

My precious Markie, I love you so much!!  I cannot write another word..........   

30 Day Challenge (6/24/11)

There are just some days

That are emotionally difficult

And today was one of those

I will be writing another post

Later tonight...

So, when I got home from work

And checked to see

What my photography

Challenge was

"Animal"

I just decided to photograph my

'Pot~Dog'

Maybe I am a bit off

But I have been laughing ever since

I've got three 20something

Boys here tonight

When they heard me laughing

To myself

Well...let's just say

They DO think I've lost my marbles:)

Considering A Good Laugh

On A Difficult Day ~ Joyful,

Cindy

My Boy '26'

Where do the years go?

It seems only yesterday when the phone call came

Asking if daddy and I would take you into our home

Even at 4 months old

You were so tiny and fragile

Look at what a handsome and strong young man

You have become

Doctors and Social workers

Didn't give us such a great prognosis

Of what your life would hold

If anything at all

But somehow we knew in our hearts

That you were destine

To be our son #2

And I am so thankful we said yes

We faced unknown challenges

In those days

And spent Many sleepless nights

But never regretted for a moment

Our choice

When I think back on the years

I can't help but silently cry

As my heart is filled with gratitude

For what I have learned

Because of you

I could fill pages of books

Complimenting your character

Telling stories of God's goodness

And sharing trials we have overcome

But tonight

I just want to thank you

For being my Hero

In the past 6 months

It has been a terrible blow

To whom we are as a family

To lose your daddy

And try to find our way without him

You have been strong

You are brave

You have stepped up to the plate

And become the 'man' of our household

You have watched your mommy cry

And held me when I was weak

You have picked up the slack

When I just can't seem to get through a day

You will never truly know

How much I love you

And how proud I am of you

Your daddy would be as well

You are my Hero

Happy Birthday Young Man

Life with You

Has been Blessed

Mommy

30 Day Challenge (6/23/11)

Today's Challenge

Was another something new

"Sun Flare"

Again,

I had to check it out on-line

To find out what I was supposed to do

I'd still like to try a few shots

Later in the evening

Just before the sun sets

But here is what I shot a bit ago

I am enjoying new ideas

And being challenged to actually

Use my camera

Everyday

Considering Taking More Photos,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/22/11)

Day 22 of my

30 Day Challenge

Today's Challenge

'Hands'

The hands below were not supposed to live

Yet

They will be 26 years old tomorrow

Theses hands have done so much more than live

And today they help me to find gratefulness

Considering Hands Tonight,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/21/11)

The Challenge set before me tonight

On day 21 of this 30 day challenge

"Faceless Self-Portrait"

This is as creative as I could get today

After a second LONG day of

Workflow Sheets!!

Considering

This Looks Better Than my Face Any Day,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/20/11)

Only 10 days remain in this 30 day Challenge

Today's challenge was by far

The most difficult for me

I had to do a bit of research just to find out what

"BOKEH'

Meant in photography language

Here is the result:

I'm not sure how great it is compared to many

I viewed in my research

Yet

I will accept it as a lesson learned

And now I have truly used my camera

OFF Auto Pilot:)

Considering Bokeh - Blurry:)

Cindy

Thrifty Find

Because I found something really neat

for REALLY cheap

I thought I'd link up to my friend Rhoda

at Southern Hospitality

Since my hubby passed away on Christmas Eve

I have been Very careful about how much money I spend

A lot less income with the same amount of expenses

Doesn't leave much to 'play' with

I have been looking for a baker's rack or

Something similar for my back patio

Just to spruce it up a little

In Phoenix we are 'over' the yard sale season

Due to the heat BUT

I happen see 1 sign the other day

And my eyes went straight to this piece

I think they must have wanted to be DONE

With the sale because
I picked up this 'diamond in the rough'

for $2.00

Yes, $2

Now, I will get to clean it,

paint it, and pretty it up

I'm so happy to have found such a Thrifty Treasure!

Until Next Time

Happy Thrifting,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/19/11)

I have found that some 'Challenge' Days

Are not as easy as they may seem

The challenge for today is:

'Something Orange'

I had to search high and low around here

And all I came up with was this ball

I took it outside and threw it in the pool

This is what you get:)

Another Day

Another Challenge Down

I wonder if I have actually learned anything?

I mean, that IS what this is about

Isn't it???

Happy Father's Day,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/18/11)

So, here we are at day 18 of the

30 Day Challenge

I cannot believe how quickly the days seem to fly by

Today's challenge is

Your Shoes

I decided not to spend 1/2 the day photographing my shoes

I have WAAYYY too many

So I just chose 1 pair and

The anklet's I wear with them

I wore these to son #1's

December wedding

2009

My day was hightlighted with meeting a very special blog friend

MckMama

From My Charming Kids

I have been a follower of her blog since well before

her #4 child was born with a heart condition

Of which God decided to Completely Heal Him :)

Anyway,

She was in Arizona today

And took some awesome family photos of us

I made it through very well (besides the HEAT)

(Can you see how sweaty we are?)

However, these are the first family photos we

Have had done since Mark's passing

I'm not sure how I will do when they actually arrive in a few weeks

I was SO happy to meet her!

And her sister is a sweet, sweet friend also

Hi Hilary:)

Tomorrow is Father's Day

I will be alone

Son #2 is with a friend this weekend

Who also lost his dad last year

They decided to spend some time together

Son #1 IS a daddy

And will spend the day with his family:)

I'm sure I will be fine

However I sure do miss My Hubby!!

Considering This Day Blessed of the Lord,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/17/11)

When I think of 'Technology' I immediately think of my son's bedroom

However, If I were to photography 'technology' in his room

I would have to take about 15 photos'

So....

Today's Challenge

"Technology"

I decided instead

To photography a piece of technology that I love

Being a widow who doesn't really have to cook much

Well, I am becoming addicted to the use of this beauty:)

Considering Some Technology Beautiful,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/16/11)

Today's Challenge:

"Long Exposure"

I actually needed to pull out my camera

instruction manual today and read!

And though I am not sure why I did

What it told me to do

Here is the result:

OFF Auto

Time Value

Shutter Speed 1/4

I think it's pretty

Thank's to "D"

for leaving the flowers on my desk Monday:)

For most of my day I had

K-Bug

Who spent lots of time at my computer

Making books for her cousins

Using www.pbskids.com

And K-Bel

Who read lots of books

And smiled A LOT

My sister came over with her daughter

And 3 grandkids

We all played in the pool for awhile

And ended the afternoon 'tired'

I love Thursdays

And I LOVE having my sister live down the street:)

Considering Life,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/15/11)

I'm so glad that my son doesn't get too upset when I ask him to model everyday

Today's Challenge is "Silhouette"

I couldn't find the photo that I took several years ago

Of my boys with a beautiful sunset

And they were silhouetted in the foreground

But I guess I am to be learning how to use my new camera

So I won't cheat!!!

That's it for today

Except to say:

I am 1/2 through this Challenge

And I haven't taken my camera of "AUTO" pilot yet!

I kind of suppose that is cheating as well:)

Considering Manual Scary,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/14/11)

The Eyes Have It...

At least that is our Challenge for today

Eyes

I got this quick shot of my #2 son

When I came home from work today

He had his hair colored yesterday

Some blonde has shown up

On his very dark brown head

To go with his Very dark brown eyes:)

Considering Eyes A Window,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/13/11)

So, today's photography Challenge

Was to photograph myself with 13 things

I'm telling you these people are definitely trying to

Get me to put a photo of myself on this blog

And it isn't going to happen (anytime soon)!!

However I DID photograph part of my hand

With 13 of my favorite Rings...

Including my hubby's wedding band and my wedding ring:)

Considering Rings as Precious,

Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/12/11)

Today's Photography Challenge

Was 'Sunset'

And I'll admit

It was a Challenge!!!

It was a challenge

Because I am babysitting my granddaughters

I was in the middle of fixing dinner

I am chasing a 9 1/2 month old

around the house

Attempting to keep the dog from

Getting her bottle

And trying to capture a sunset

photo in the midst

Even now as I type I am

Holding a fussy, crying baby

Who is trying to grab my camera

and help me type

Not only all of that

We didn't have that awesome of a sunset tonight

Yet...

There you go

That's all you get

Considering Even a Challenge Worth the Effort,

Cindy