365 in 2022

Well, that started off great. I got one post in and then forgot to update here... 

I'm updating on Facebook at least. It will be easy to do it once a week or every two weeks or something random for the month of January, but beyond that the day numbers get a little harder to keep track of - or at least take me counting to figure out. 

Gonna do a dump now cause that will catch me up and then I can try better. 

2.365 

Putting away Christmas. A day later than usual.

3.365

Milo

4.365

Orange orange

5.365

Chester

 

6.365

Gus, the Betta fish

7.365

Chewie, on his 6th birthday.

8.365

Sleepy, cuddly puppies - Milo and Chewie

9.365

Frost on weeds/plants. Feeling artsy or something.

10.365

I love the complete noodleness of puppies running. They run with their WHOLE bodies.

11.365

Being artsy again with my drying Christmas bouquet.

 

12.365

The moss growing on our retaining wall looks so much cooler than photos show.

13.365

Seed pods of Rose of Sharon bush

14.365
The big tank

15.365

Chester

16.365

Scrimpy shrimp - really cool to watch

The formatting issues - ugh. 

Maybe I'll come back and adjust it again when I'm not completely annoyed. 

But probably not. Enjoy! 

Project 52 - Week 1 - Shadows

The week project started out slowly.  

I wasn't able to get any inspiration for a few days and I worried I would never find inspiration and I would fail my new little project in the first week.  I daydreamed of amazing shadows of summer when it isn't cloudy and dreary outside.  

I had a TTFP shoot last Sunday and quiet hospital corridors always stop me in my tracks. I find them so peaceful - especially a maternity ward.  The shadows in the peaceful hallways broke through my uninspiring fog and I started seeing the shadows everywhere.

I see these shadows from the tree on the back fence from the window by my desk and they lured me outside where it was cold, but sunny.  

Not just any old shadows, shadows that evoke something in me.  Feelings of peace, excitement, and amusement.  

My garden fence casting shadows.  I walked the garden.  I was so frustrated with it at the end of season last year because of the insane, cannot get under control, weeds.  I was worried I wouldn't want to touch it this year, but now that all the weeds are dead I want to go spruce it up and have already started planning my plant layout. I should get out there and clean it up and maybe try to add some yard fabric in the aisle-ways so the grass and weeds don't take over again.

Of course the dogs followed me outside.  

If someone is outside then there is someone to throw a ball for Leia! 

Another sunny day and it was cold outside so I didn't last long before taking my break in front of our large living room window.  The cats always join me here for sun bathing.

Timmy was trying to see what Carus was tapping on the table with, and when reviewing the photos on my camera's LCD I just knew I had to make a peek-a-boo gif.

Peek-a-boo

Next week's theme is Mirror.

Scout and Carus

Just doing a little riding.



It's amazing, the second I step out of the car at the barn a weight seems to lift from my shoulders.

Nothing and no one needs anything of me while I'm there.

The peace I get from a few hours at the barn here and there make the rest of day/week and all the stress that much easier to handle.

*Video is posted from Instagram and may not show up in emails forms of this blog post, please visit the blog to watch the video at http://smiles4u2have.blogspot.com/

Back to School days 1 and 2 aka The Bus Saga 2013

246/365 (9/3/13)


Wednesday brought Adam's first day of school - first day of 9th grade - and the start of Bus Saga 2013.  Perhaps you remember all the issues I had with the bus company and getting them to pick up Carus last year?  Well this year, problems are with Adam's route.

247/365 (9/4/13) First day of 9th grade, aka "Hurry up and take the picture."


When I received route info for Carus I should have called about Adam's, but I just assumed that since they've never had a problem figuring out when and where he needed picked up that all was golden.

I should have known better.

Copy and pasted from my Facebook statuses cause it's faster than typing it out again:

The Bus saga 2013: Never received info for when Adam would be picked up by the bus. This is a first. Usually they forget Carus. (We got her info, we'll find out tomorrow if they pick her up.)

We get up at 6:30 to get ready and call bus company anticipating a 7ish pick up time.

Actual pick up time: "Around 8 am. I'll be sure to let the bus driver know he actually has a stop on that street."

And then later Wednesday:

The Bus Saga 2013 continues:

I called back later in the morning to get the afternoon bus number because I forgot to ask at 6:30 a.m. before I had my coffee. Was given a different number than the one that picked Adam up. That's usual for around here, no big deal. BUT!

1) They, once again, had to look us up by address because Adam wasn't listed. 

And 

2) Turns out, that wasn't his bus. He discussed the stop he needed with the driver of that bus and that driver did bring him to his stop after completing his route so he's home 

BUT COME ON PEOPLE! 

I am politely curt on the phone.  I know it's crazy for them being the beginning of the school year and they transport all of the kids in this area - a number somewhere around 5,000 kids to several different schools. (Do not quote me on that number, for all I know it could be 2,000 or 10,000. It's my estimate.)  But it is their job. This is what they get paid for.  They are responsible for our children from bus stop to school doorway, and back.  It won't do for me to yell, scream and swear, but I am using a tone that says I'm really fed up.

Because I am.

248/365 (9/5/13) First day of 6th grade (with photobomb courtesy of Robert.)


Thursday, there were no problems for either Adam or Carus.  They were picked up, and only Carus's bus was a few minutes late (which I get, lots of kids, new routines, first day of school - totally understand running a bit late), and I was so happy to have gotten it ironed out so quickly and relatively painless (compared to last year).

Again, I should have known better.

Today!

Bus Saga 2013:  After having no problems yesterday, I thought the company got their shit together and things would be better, and then today - Adam's bus drove by him. He was out there and the bus drove right on by.  So of course, I call.

Me: "My son's bus just drove by him. Stop is.... bus number is ...."
Them: "I'm sorry.  Just wait there and I'll send him back around."
Me: "Well, how long should he wait at the stop?"
Them: "Hold on and I'll try to get him on the radio."

Them: "He'll be back around in about 7-10 minutes. He was running late and then he just passed by the stop and by the time he realized he needed to stop he was too far to be able to stop safely."
Me: "Okay. Uh, I understand things are crazy and that sometimes you get behind, but he still needs to pick up my kid though."
Them: "Well, have him out there 10 minutes early to make sure the bus sees him in time to stop."
Me, trying very hard not to just say 'what the fuck?': "Well, he was out there between 5 and 10 minutes early today and your driver didn't stop because he was running late.  I'm not going to send him out earlier just to be passed up again."

She tried to make a few excuses. I explained that this wasn't the first time I've had issues this year let alone last year and that I was frustrated and not okay with the half-assery.  I didn't swear at her, I didn't blame her, I didn't raise my voice, and I only sputtered a little in keeping from doing either.  And then she apologized, said that I was right and that they would try to do better. I thanked her and hung up.

Adam got picked up shortly after and now I'm writing this out before I have to work (though it won't post until this afternoon after I've taken my 365 for today).

Her apologizing was probably a bit of blowing smoke up my ass.  She might have been thinking that they were in the right - but she apologized because it was the right thing to do.  They might have trouble doing their jobs, but at least they have good customer service about it.

249/365 (9/6/13)


In other news:

Robert had his second steroid injection for his back pain/sciatica pain today.  It went as quick and smoothly as the first time.  Crossing fingers and saying prayers that this time it will work and he won't be in pain anymore.

I am photographing a wedding tomorrow and Carus is going as my assistant/second shooter.  We are excited, and nervous, and excited.

I was doing well

I was doing well with keeping up with my blogs and then the weekend happened and I avoided my computer.

Thursday, while working, Robert and the kids called me to rush over really quick - Wilbur was being cute.

He likes my basket as much as Timmy.  (220/365)


Friday we got to see a lovely sunset and a rainbow. (221/365)


Saturday I did a photo shoot. (222/365)

More LeakyCon

The rest of the first day (and the second, third, and fourth days) was packed and exhausting.  Sooo much awesomeness that I just cannot write about it all.  We'd get up, get to the convention center and then go to as many lecture sessions/classes/group discussions/meetups as we could fit, then stumble home to crash and then get up and do it again the next day.

Carus posed with as many costumed people as possible.  The opening ceremony was brilliantly written, performed, and funny.  I took video of the final number of the opening ceremony.  Again, the quality of my video skills is lacking and it's also crooked (didn't look crooked when I was filming) but hey, I have video.  See it here.  (They uploaded a MUCH better quality video, here.)

We met up with friends (me, Carus, Bethany, and Jen)


Met the author of Eleanor and Park, an awesome book (and was too starstruck to ask for a picture or autograph, but did get this button).


Got more button bling.  Fangirl is Rainbow Rowell's third book that I'm excitedly waiting for the release of, as well as a Hufflepuff pin and Doctor Who 10 and a Doctor Who 11 "Bow Ties are Cool" pins.


We met another awesome person, a friend of Bethany's, and posed with Vladimir Snape (I told you about him yesterday). And then went to more discussions/sessions/etc.


Carus and I were part of the attempt to break the World Record of most people in one room wearing fake moustaches.  Prelim numbers were that 2,225 people participating and that breaks the previous number of 1500.


Carus playing Quidditch.  She played two rounds - one where she was a chaser (the one that throws the ball through the hoops) and one where she was the seeker (who catches the snitch) and she caught the snitch (and I got it on video, which is here).  (Rules/how to play the game can be found here with the International Quidditch Association ("Yes, that's a thing.  No, we cannot fly. Yet."))


I'll continue uploading pictures (I'm about halfway through now) to this set on Flickr. And here is the slideshow:



Anyone want to sponsor me going to LeakyCon next year?  It's in Orlando, FL and I would LOVE to go! I might even take the rest of the family along.  You know, if they're nice.

Dance dance

144/365 - Toe pointing dancers.



After Carus's dance class this evening, we went location scouting at a local park.  Oh yeah, I didn't tell you a whole story.

So, recently Robert got laid off.  We've been expecting it for awhile (like since October) as the company had very little to no work for quite some time.  We were hoping it would hold out until he had something else lined up but it didn't. Things aren't bad so no worries.

Because every little bit helps, I decided to open up shop on a little photography venture. I'm a week in and already have three sessions booked and two more in the works.  Coordinating schedules for outdoor shoots in spring in Oregon is FUN.

So yeah.  I'm really happy with this location I picked out for this specific shoot.  I'm not planning on doing a backlit and sunflare photo like this - well maybe one, if it works out and looks good.

Anyhoo.  Picture.  That's a clover field.  They are resting crops for every few years on wheat/alfalfa fields around here and there are usually more red flowers mixed with the green but right now, with the colder weather (low 60s when we should be getting high 70s) they aren't.  I don't know if they will or if their window passed.  They're still pretty fields though.

(Don't mind the face she's making. The pose was the best in this one and the eyes were closed in all the other ones anyways. There were other better photos of her as well but I wanted to show the location most so I'm going to be okay with it. It's not the worst face.)

Anyhoo #2
My facebook page:  www.facebook.com/PortraitsByBecca
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If you're on Facebook - I'd appreciate some likes on my page and sharing of my page.  If not on Facebook - I'd appreciate sharing of either or both of my sites.  Like appreciate either a lot.

Hi again

If I'm getting phone calls asking where a new post is, I should probably post something?

I must appease my adoring fans.

HA!

So first.  Garden update.



Potato tower is growing very well.  Since this photo, it's grew TONS more and then I covered the leaves almost completely with more soil and watered it in really well.



Radishes.  I planted carrots at the same time as the radishes, but they haven't come up yet.  Hopefully soon.


(105/365)
She had her eye on her ball.  Her lips occasionally stick to her teeth and she gets this funny look.

I'm still feeling a little blah, but it's getting better.


(106/365)

I think part of it is more sun and blue skies, and longer days.  I can actually enjoy the sun a bit after work before it goes down.


(107/365)
Fluffy clouds

Last week was a busy week too.  Busy work stuff.  Not busy kid stuff.


(108/365)


(109/365)


(110/365)

A friend agreed to pose for me.  It was a fun little photo shoot and it helped me with my little inspiration block.  This is probably my favorite shot from the shoot.

Less blah.

And another week has gone by.  I felt less blah, slightly.

I'm trying to get out of the rut I'm in.  I have more ideas about how to do it than I have the oomph to actually do it.

(98/365)

Camellias are such pretty flowers.  Too bad they don't last that long before they drop.

I feel a bit like I'm taking the same pictures over and over, or the same kind of pictures.  Lack of inspiration, or something.


(99/365)

April showers bring rain drops on my windows. Spring in Oregon is gorgeous, even with all the rain showers.  The sky is blue, the clouds are puffy and there is a nice breeze to compliment the warm sun. And things grow and bloom. I feel a bit guilty seeing online friends in other parts of the country (or world) that are still dealing with snow (feet of snow), but all I can do is hope they get their spring soon.  I would share if I could. I'd definitely share some of the rain we get.


(100/365)

I've decided I want to take more portraits and I have two perfect models. It only took a little bit of bribery to get them to dress up and pose for me.  Carus was extremely cooperative, as usual.  Adam, however, not so much.



Computer time was on the line though, so he toughed it out.










The front flower beds are looking lovely.  The flowers make me smile so hard.


(101/365)


(102/365)


(103/365)
Blooming trees outside the library.  I want one (or more) of these trees in my yard.


(104/365)

Teaching Carus to knit... A scarf is in the making.