Playing Catch Up - Part 3 - Photo Highlights of 2018

Milwaukee in the winter.

Monarch migration stop over in our backyard.

 The I-35W Bridge collapse memorial is known as the Remembrance Garden.

 San Juan Puerto Rico

 St Maarten

 Spring apple blossoms.

 Tree branches frozen in ice at sunset.

Beautiful places and beauty in nature.

Playing Catch Up - Part 2 - Photo Highlights of 2017

Looking back on 2017 and reflecting on events, travel, and milestones, it doesn't seem possible that was only a mere 3 years ago. In some respects, it seems much longer ago.

Focusing on the little droplets of life then that seemed so large at the time is like the verse in the Bible about our lives being nothing more than a mist -- a vapor quickly dispersed.

I began leading the Bible Journaling group at Rhythm Church in January after a family trip to Florida's DisneyWorld and Universal Studio.

Mary continued starring in mainstage productions at Stebens and was blessed to continue art lessons with Jan. Painting the poppies growing so beautifully in her yard was an annual project. Several of the paintings grace our kitchen wall.

Not only did I begin a new full-time job, but finished homeschooling and put on the graduation party to put all other graduation parties to shame.

As the sun set on that 5 year accomplishment of tutoring my daughter from 8th to 12th grade, I couldn't have been happier that we made that decision.

Joel and I took a ride on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad to commemorate our anniversary.

A weekend trip to Colorado in October provided breathtaking vistas and a nice little break.

"And I'm content in the autumn of my life..."

Playing Catch Up - Part 1 - Photo Highlights of 2016

Prior to the previous 2020 Photography Goals blog post, one would assume I hadn't taken any pictures since November of 2015. For my own chronological documentation, since I don't believe anyone else but me reads this, I will play a little catch up by selecting some of my favorite images from the 'missing' years...

January 16, 2016 - We bring home our 8-week-old mini Goldendoodle, Luca.

The rest of 2016 was a flutter of activity! In addition to training the new puppy, we invested in real estate, continued a variety of homeschooling activities, and supported the children's theatre both physically and financially.

Photography Goal for 2020 - Take a Selfie a Day

January 1, 2020 - Nine months in of learning to play the flute...major bucket list item achieved!

January 2, 2020 - C-PAP mask trial #1 and my two other best friends in the background--the DreamStation and the So-Clean machine. A sleep study in early December revealed a diagnosis of sleep apnea. So the day after Christmas, I became the proud owner of this attractive, medieval face hugger.

It took 30 minutes to attach all the electrodes and monitor wires for the sleep study, and the report from that study indicated I stopped breathing 41 times per hour for 10 seconds or more and that my oxygen saturation level dropped to 83%. Joel told me I had been snoring and stopping breathing for awhile, but the implications weren't clear until the neurologist explained that I was literally killing brain cells!








January 3, 2020 - My Goldendoodle, Luca, and I hanging out in the living room on the couch.

 

January 4, 2020 - Me and the hubby at the annual Rohne family Christmas gathering.

January 5, 2020 - Bible Art Journaling at the kitchen table on my 56th birthday.

January 6, 2020 - A belated Starbucks birthday treat with my girl.

January 7, 2020 - Representing with my Waldorf Warriors Theatre sweatshirt.

January 8, 2020 - Meskwaki Casino lunch buffet with Dad. (Yes! That IS a UFO from the DESSERT planet hovering over our heads!!

January 9, 2020 - My Northwood Bible Art Journaling Community Group. We meet at the 1st Lutheran Church on Thursday nights.

January 10, 2020 - Coffee and Bible Journaling with Calley at Jitters.

January 11, 2020 - Sipping tea at Holistic Harmony in Clear Lake.

January 12, 2020 - Loom knitting whilst sitting. I've been making hats this way and donating them to various places since joining Angela's knitting and crochet community group for Rhythm Church.

January 13, 2020 - Working on our main computer digitizing Mom's Past Times columns to format and sell as a 2-volume eBook set on Amazon.

January 14, 2020 - Road trip to Forest City to return Mary to spring semester of her junior year.

January 15, 2020 - C-PAP mask trial #2...couldn't get used to the nasal-only mask so trying the next size up with hose at the top.

January 16, 2020 - You can never have too many selfies with the cutest doggie in the world!!

January 17, 2020 - Pizza, beer, and cribbage with my guy at Worth Brewing.

January 18, 2020 - Bible Journaling in my craft and music room.











THE END...?

...My photography goal for 2020 lasted a whole 18 days.

What did I learn? I like to eat, drink, and spend a lot of time Bible Journaling. Also, I seem to wear the same few sweaters and sweatshirts over and over again. Additionally, this goal lasted longer than most of the New Year's resolutions that I've tried to make in the past--so there's that.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 30: What are you MOST thankful for?

The 30 Days of Thankfulness has come to an end, but my attitude of gratitude will continue throughout this holiday season and beyond.

I am most thankful for my family. My husband is a saint for putting up with me, and my kids are the most precious gifts in the world.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 29: Something at Home

Home is where the heart is. In other words, whoever you love or wherever you love to be, that is where your home is.

What if your heart is broken? Where are you supposed to be then? Who are you supposed to love? Can anywhere feel like home when your world is in pieces?

I am thankful for those around me at home who still love me. Maybe someday, I'll feel at home again.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 28: Gift

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

I remember the first time I had a job--other than babysitting. I was 14, and the job (if you can call it that) was scooping ice cream at Baskin-Robbins in the mall. It was only part-time work, but when I opened that first paycheck for over $80, I was giddy, and began planning how I would spend it.

Surprisingly, the thing I wanted to do most was buy gifts for my family. I was so proud that I could take my own money and pick out Christmas presents that I would wrap myself and watch excitedly on Christmas morning as my mom, dad, and sister opened them. It definitely was just as good if not better than opening my own gifts that morning.

I always enjoyed watching my mom open gifts as her reaction was just so great. Whether she needed, wanted, or already had three of the same item, she would oooh and aaawww over the gift as if it was the best present in the world. My daughter has picked up the same lovely characteristic. I have tried to be that enthusiastic when opening gifts, but the level of enthusiasm is definitely forced on that third pair of slipper socks--"one size fits all."

I am thankful for gift-giving opportunities at Christmas and all year long.