I Resolve...

2010 is coming quickly, and with it, the end of 2009.

It has been a great year; full of family, friends, creative projects, and of course, photography. I traveled to Key West, Cincinnati, Dale Hollow Lake, Chicago, Jake & Ashley's Ohio River Camp, Michigan, and Dresden, Ohio. I went to a Pacer's game and an Indianapolis Indian's baseball game, on numerous motorcycle rides, canoeing with one of Norm's work friends, and to see Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Live. I celebrated the upcoming birth of Samuel and Ashley's twin girls at her baby shower and had a blast at Tiff and Matt's wedding. Cass and I took photo field trips to the new Indy airport, the Children's Museum, the hot air Balloon Glow at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, downtown Indy, and the Indiana State Fair and hot air balloon race. I was second-shooter for her at four weddings, celebrated my own 2-year wedding anniversary and my 25th birthday, and (just last week) got a new camera!

2009 was the first year that I documented my resolutions, and broke each one down into steps to make them happen. I did great on some (I watch much less TV now, am doing well with my cleaning routine, and will finish my 365 project around midnight tonight), and did horribly on others (the 365 scrapbook layouts ended in early '09 and the workout routine didn't make it past my March Key West vacation), but it was helpful to have them down to look at.

2009 Resolutions:
- Take one photo every day (Project 365).
- Scrapbook one P365 layout per week.
- Read a book a month.
- Find a workout plan I can stick to.
- Try at least one new recipe a month.
- Set up a cleaning routine and stick to it.
- Spend less time in front of the TV.

For 2010, I’m not making resolutions, I’m making plans and listing my “will do’s”.

I will continue de-cluttering. I will save money. I will continue to document our lives on this little blog. I will strive for a healthier life, whatever that ends up looking like. I will get more sleep. I will do better at meal planning. I will do my best.

I also chose One Little Word to focus on last year, inspired by scrapbooker Ali Edwards. For 2010, I’m sticking with my word from last year. It’s my One Little Word, and I’ll keep it if I want to. =) I don’t feel like I’m done with it yet.

My word for 2010: Simplify – to make simple or simpler, to reduce to basic essentials, to diminish in scope or complexity, to streamline.

I want to simplify what I have, what I buy, what I keep, what I do, how I feel. I want to declutter my home. I want to clear away the excesses. Focus on the most important things and not worry about the rest. This is my focus this year.

What do you resolve to do this year? What do you hope and dream 2010 will bring??

December 2009 Round-Up

Time to Round-Up December 2009.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
Creating Keepsakes, Family Circle, O Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch.

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?
Elf, The Hangover, and lots of Hallmark Christmas movies on the day after Christmas.

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
Attended Ashley’s baby shower, had our yearly Christmas shopping/date with Norm, Christmas Eve at Jeff & Patsy’s, Christmas morning at Rodney & Cheryl’s, Christmas Day at George & Irene’s, after Christmas get-together with Dad, Jenny, Bill, and the boys. Met Cass and Blaise for supper.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
Baby shampoo, lotion, powder, diapers, and onesies for Ashley’s baby shower. Christmas gifts: iTunes, Bath and Body, Home Depot, Olive Garden, and American Eagle gift cards, Legos, photo canvas, NRA hat, two NRA memberships, a Warm Glow candle, lotion, Half Broke Horses book by Jeannette Walls, two custom photo calendars, a saddle blanket, lead ropes, two framed 8x10’s, a coat, boots, and perfume.

Received cards, caramels, and candy from customers. Received a new Canon 50D as a joint gift from my parents, Norm’s parents, and Norm (YAY!!!). A new sweater and scarf, sewing stuff, a hot cocoa mug, lotions, candles.

What special/unusual purchases did I make this month?
Lots of scrapbooking paper, punches, and supplies. A new mailbox. Online scrapbooking class Library of Memories. Books (is this really unusual?): Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger, Bella Tuscany: The Sweet Life in Italy by one of my favorite authors Frances Mayes, and the This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women I and II books by Jay Allison.

What were my accomplishments this month?
I got all of our Christmas shopping done by December 13. I finished my Yesterday & Today online scrapbooking class on time.

What were my disappointments this month?
Hmmm…none? Guess that makes for a good month.

And since I haven't done it in a while, a collection of December photos that didn't make it to the blog.

Our pitiful Christmas tree, and our nosy puppy.

Norm eating cheesecake for breakfast, watching the news in the dark so as not to wake me; and being stumped by technology.

December in the metropolis of Bloomingdale.

The mailbox we almost bought (not!) and Target holiday decor. Norm actually walked away from me and was suddenly very interested in fresh vegetables when I took that picture. Oh the shame of being my husband in public.

A little Christmas light bokeh, with a Starbucks cup in front of our tree, and on a wreath at Cheeseburger Night.

Snow Day

It really started snowing on the day after Christmas, and kept it up right through the night and the next day. When I got up Sunday morning and saw the trees in our pasture, I told Norm he was going to take me on a four-wheeler ride after breakfast. And lucky for me (and Oscar, the four-wheeler-loving-freak-dog), he happily obliged.








I had to grab a snowy shot of one of my favorite trees, and do a little side-by-side comparison from June. I have to say, snowy trees are beautiful, but wow, this makes me a little depressed.

The cows were quite interested in what we were doing. "Don't you crazy idiots know it's snowing like crazy out here?" (As a sidenote: I have no idea how that damn calf got in that feeder, and no idea how he got out, but he definitely did. Crazy cows.)

Opus was also very interested in what we were doing when we got back. Norm told me that I'm lucky he hasn't trampled me yet. "Who? Opus?! No way we're buds." He told me, he really likes me and my camera. As long as we stay on our side of the fence. And don't make any sudden moves. And keep that damn yappy dog away from him. Yep, as long as we do that me and Opus are buddies. Because I compliment him on his eyelashes, his beautiful bangs, and his lovely long ear hair.

And by that point we were all sufficiently wet, wind-blown, and freezing, so it was back to the house for hot chocolate, reading, and naps on the couch and in front of the corn stove.

Lamb Christmas 2009

Dad and Jenny's was our last 2009 Christmas stop. This Christmas was a special one at their house because both of my nephews were able to make it. Dad and Jenny made a whirlwind trip to Florida and Georgia on Christmas Eve to pick them up, and we were so glad they did. The boys kept us entertained all day.

Of course the Christmas tree had to have a train, and of course somebody had to build bridges for it to go under out of presents.

The unwrapping was fast and furious this year.

Joshy got an insane amount of Legos, Cody got a PSP, and Norm got a "garage gift" for the second year in a row...this time an electronic clay pigeon thrower.


Joshy started out putting his "steamrolla" together by himself (you should see the kid fly through the steps!), then Norm started helping him, then Joshy started fooling around...you get the idea.

And of course it wouldn't be Christmas without some shooting. Some outside...

Some inside...(check out that stance!)

And last but not least, I had to post a picture of this calendar I found on Dad and Jenny's refrigerator. Most people have no idea how difficult it is to shoe a horse, and what a physically demanding job it is to be a farrier. This calendar would be funnier if people didn't say this dumb crap everyday.

Check back later...I've got some snowy pictures, a December Round-Up, Resolutions, and eventually a wrap-up of my 365 Project to post!