52 Photowalks in 2010 - Week 1

I have joined Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop and pledged to take 52 pictures (or more) in 52 weeks and post them on my blog!  I will try to take my camera on a walk, or more likely to a sporting event, take some pics, and post at least one a week!  This is one of my new year's resolutions to enjoy my surroundings more and Focus on the important things.  My one-word resolution was Focus.  When I'm at work I'll Focus and get done with the things I need to get done so I can enjoy my time at home and not worry about things I should be doing.  When I'm at home I want to Focus on family and joy and making our life more organized.

Here is my Week 1 photos for the year!  I took it from my window at work.  I was able to take a walk around my workplace. I work in a beautiful old courthouse and it has some beautiful columns and other architecture that I love!  Enjoy! 

**FYI:  The spikey things were put up many years ago by a county judge who thought it would keep the pigeons off the ledges. The funny thing is all it does is help secure their nesting materials. Sometimes they are even perched on the spikes! LOL

This is the stained glass dome inside the courthouse.  It is beautiful even though it turned out a little dark and I didn't have time to play with the image.  I'll try to later and re-post it.

Just for fun and to complete the couthouse walk, I'll throw these in:

 

the georgeous marble steps and intricate railing.

This is taken from the courtroom I work in everyday looking out into the hall.  Doesn't it take you back in time?  I think so.  Love this one!  It's been such a fun thing to take a walk and see things through my lens!  Thanks Mindy!

Craft Room Ideas

I've been thinking a lot about my craft room today, and found some cool pics over at doozerdanza. I have some green tinted ones, but I really like how the ribbons look in these clear ones.  I would love to go to Canton next month, and these are definitely going to be on my list of look-fors!

I haven't decided what color theme I will use yet.  I want it to be fun and inspirational and cool.  No beige walls!  Well, off to surf for some more ideas for my craft room fix up!

New Year of Happiness!

         
          2010 is upon us and with it comes new goals and wishes.  I have several goals, and I figure if I write them down, they are more likely to become accomplishments.  First of all is the goal of fitness.  I want to lose a few more pounds and get more toned.  I have learned to be specific, so here goes:  I will start working out with my husband on the Bowflex at least 2 times a week and doing a video or go for a walk at least once a week.  I have joined another blogger in taking and posting 52 pictures this year (just one a week-or more if I want) and I really want to keep up with that by taking and posting every week.  I want to focus more on my surroundings by keeping things clutter free.  I want to work on our financial situation by paying off what we can, avoid late fees, don't impulse buy when I've had a bad day. 

I am positive.  I have a very loving husband.  I have a beautiful daughter who is very well-rounded and tries anything with a smile on her face.  I have a son who is so naturally talented at so many things and growing into such a handsome young man.  I am blessed in 2010 even though it's the first day of the year.

Feeling So Spoiled

I love making other people happy at Christmas, but am a little uncomfortable and embarrased when I get everything I want for Christmas.  Usually I am a little better at concealing what I want in fear that someone will run out and buy it.  Well, I didn't do as good as I thought this year because my every last wish was granted.  My husband can remember something I said I wanted 6 months ago and surprise me with it.  He blesses me every year, but this year was especially great.  I also spent more time with my mom than I usually do around this time of year, and that was a gift in itself, but then she spoiled me with a Cricut Expression!  It's coolness is beyond words.  I have a mishmash of thoughts just thinking of the endless possibilities! 

I have enough stuff for a full-blown craft room now, and that will be my project before I have to go back to work, getting my craft room cleaned out and redone.  I need a table and want to repurpose a door and get something to stand it up.  A couple of little filing cabinets would be nice, but I may find something better.  I would love to go to Canton and have a little look-see.

Well, thanks to all for all my beautiful things.  It makes me feel so loved to be known so well by the ones who mean the most to me!  Now, it's time to start planning for next Christmas!  I love it!

Christmas '80s Style

As my husband and I headed to our fourth party in four days, he looked over at me and said he was about partied out.  Still being in a joyful spirit, I explained that Christmas was about giving of yourself and your time.  All year long we rush around from one event to the other never taking the time to appreciate friends and family.  Well, I must have been convincing because we had a great time with great people at the last party of the four.

I stressed about the shindig I had to decorate for on no budget, but it turned out superb.  The event turned out great and I had $301 left over after it was all said and done.  There was lots of late regrets, just two days before the party.  With every regret, my budget went up from zero, but it was too late to run out and change the decorating plan as I had already planned for no money being available.  My wonderful son helped me cut pine and cedar branches which I decorated with ribbon and ornaments down the middle of the tables.  I had two great helpers, my darling daughter and her bestie, assist in putting it all together.  I even sang karaoke before it was all said and done.

My most favorite of the four parties was the '80s themed one.  Just for fun some friends whom I hadn't seen in ages invited me to join them for some rad fun.  I felt like a kid when I was teasing and spraying my bangs up, and my kids fell out laughing that I was really dressed like this at any point in my life.

I thank God for all my blessings, but most of all that I have great family, friends, and coworkers.  This is the time of year that fades my memory of all the bad things and I appreciate the good.  Well, gotta run, planning the menu for another party!