When the Cat Is Away

 

What happens when you leave a camera unattended on the tripod in the living room and head off to work? Well, you find some pretty random photos the next time you load the card to edit a session. My kids crack me up sometimes.

 

My father-in-law shares a love of photography and has spent a lot of time since he retired learning as much as he can about it. He takes beautiful landscape shots. He is always trying new techniques and makes a point of spending a few hours out shooting photos on any vacation. On our mountain trips in the winter, he'll drop us off in town to go shopping and head out to find a spot for photos.

 

I came home from work the other night to find a long, skinny box on the counter with a note written on it to call him. Which I did. He had bought me a tripod. Such an awesome surprise. Very grateful for not only the gift but for having awesome in-laws. I get along with both of them and that has been a true blessing in life!

 

Of course, I set up the tripod and tried a few shots just to see how it worked. Then I got caught up in household activities and left it up before heading to bed and work the next day.

 

Apparently, the kids decided to try a few test shots of their own with the self timer. Not sure how they managed to get their dad to look at the camera because he refuses when I ask him. I swear they don't usually look this goofy. Well, maybe they do but I love them anyway.

  

Day 89

 

Once again I'm all mixed up on my days.

Bailey really, really wanted to take Ellie to the beach on Saturday. So we picked her up from dance that afternoon and headed to Picnic Point Park. The weather was warm (over 50 degrees is considered warm) and the beach was beautiful.

The beach is quite rocky but is the perfect spot for walking and talking. Of course, I was the third wheel so they wandered off and I took pictures like bad paparazzi. Okay, I limited myself to just a couple.

I am grateful for the time to enjoy the beach and a relaxing day spent reading and soaking up the sun.

Day 85

 

Sadly, I don't have a picture to back up my gratitude post this time. However, I am grateful for the sunshine we had yesterday. I am also grateful that I have an employer who is flexible enough to let me out early to attend a soccer game.

I was able to leave a couple hours early to see Bailey play in one of his school soccer games. They are all scheduled so early and many of them are quite a drive away so this may have been the only one I will get to.

The weather was beautiful and it was great to be able to see them all play and see the team relationships.

Days Behind

I've fallen behind listing my gratitude. It has been a chaotic and challenging couple of weeks. As I told Ken, I'm looking on the positive side, but it would be nice if I had less challenges to explore the good side of.

Sorry, some of these pictures aren't very good. I shot the ones of the fridge with my cell phone in the dark using only the flash to provide light because I didn't want to wake anyone up and I was on my way to the hospital to see my grandma.

I'm behind on days, so here goes a general summary:

Fridge: I'm grateful we had a mini fridge to use when ours went kaput. And grateful for a husband who lugged it upstairs from the garage so it was more convenient to use. I'm grateful that it was delivered successfully and hey now I have a super clean fridge!

Hot Water Heater: I'm grateful that I have a hubby and father-in-law who are experienced with pipe and who were able to replace the hot water heater without having to hire someone. I'm also grateful that hot water heaters are reasonably priced (never in the budget, but so much less than a fridge). Who knew!

Grandma: I'm grateful my grandma won't need any facial surgery following her fall a week and a half ago. I'm grateful my grandma made it through her unexpected surgery (different problem) successfully and while still facing some challenges is recovering. I'm so, so, so thankful to my mom who takes such good care of her (and all of us).

Kids: I'm grateful that Anique has a friend she can giggle with and hide out in her temporary fort (fridge box=over-sized fort). I'm grateful (and proud) that Bailey works so hard on his soccer and took the risk to tryout for his school team. Double practices on some days but he's doing a great job.

I'm grateful for the time I got to spend in Anique's classroom teaching an art lesson. It's fun to see the kids try out new things and see how their individual personalities come out in their pieces.

Car: I'm grateful that our mechanic didn't charge anything to run a diagnostic test on my car when the engine light came on and gave me some tips to try to resolve the problem. Unfortunately, the light is back on and I'll be visiting him again soon but I'm grateful to have a mechanic we can trust.

I'm grateful that the thief who got into my car only took the Sirius radio (which I hadn't activated in a couple of years) and left everything else mostly alone.

I have a sign down in my office that says, "I know God wouldn't give me more than I can handle, I just wish he didn't trust me so much." I'm definitely feeling that sentiment about now.

Despite the challenges of the past couple of weeks, I am so fortunate to have a strong support system around us and a mostly healthy family (colds don't count in February right?)

Day 34

 

 

 

This weekend was busy with lots to do but there was still plenty to be grateful for. I had the opportunity to have lunch with two good friends on Saturday with plenty of time for chatting and catching up.

 

Today, we headed south to Bailey's soccer game and then back to my in-laws for the Superbowl. I had a chance to edit lots of pictures while watching. I'm just in it for the commercials really. We had the chance to hang out with family only see every once in a while.

 

I finished up the rest of my Pike Place Market pictures and started on the pictures we took sledding while at Mount Baker this winter.

 

I'm grateful for family and friends.

Day 19 & 20



It has been incredibly foggy for the last few days. We get lots of rain, but this thick fog is unusual. It doesn't burn off and it's just at or below freezing. Brrr!

I don't drink coffee (shh! no one says that outloud in Seattle) but I love a good hot chocolate every once and awhile.

 

I was very grateful for a chance to indulge on a cold day!

 

 

It's always a blessing when they play nicely together. The miracle of the xbox is a spontaneous increase in the positive sibling relationship. No, I don't condone them playing for ever and ever, but Bailey and his friends are very good about letting her join in on their online games. Anique and Bailey played a little Rock Band first. Anique is a natural on the drums. They spent the remainder of their video game time playing Minecraft.

 

 I'm grateful not only for them getting along, but also for Bailey and his willingness to include his little sister.

 

 

Day 2

With the holidays happening during the week this year and after an extensive vacation, it's been hard to get back in the work groove.

 

I was home for less than an hour before heading out to take Bailey and Ellie to see Jack Reacher. The kids are still on vacation from school and B had movie tickets he received for Christmas. So, I took off my work shoes and put on my chauffeur hat. :-)

 

So, today I want to express gratitude for my couch. Yep, it's the simple things in life some days. It's nice, it's comfortable and it's where I plan to spend the next little bit reading in a quiet house now that everyone else is asleep. Bliss!