Thursday, June 30, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/30/11)

Here we are
At the end of the

I'm glad I started
And completed the
Entire Challenge

I took and posted
Photos everyday
And in the process
Learned more about
My Camera

I accomplished a task
Which has been very
Difficult these past
Couple of months

Today's Challenge
Another
Self~Portrait

You know how I
Dislike those
But tonight
You get the real, raw me

No make~up
No hair color
No editing
Just a 52 year old woman
Who has endured life
And is learning how
To LIVE in this new Season



This is what
Growing up on the beach
Will do to your skin

It is also what
The loss of your spouse
Will do as well

This challenge has been fun
But I am looking forward
To moving in a new direction
With my life, camera and blog:)

Tonight I'm
Considering
Rest and Maybe a Face~Lift :)
Cindy

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/29/11)


I cannot believe that tomorrow
Is my last Photo Challenge Day

Black and White

I really had the opportunity
To change some settings
On my camera today

I came home from work a bit early
Had a minor crises here
But was able to calm things down
And do a quick PhotoShoot
With son #2


Can you believe that tomorrow
They are going to attempt
AGAIN
To have me take a self~portrait
Hmmm....
I'm going to have to be quite creative:)

Considering
30 Days has gone by quickly,
Cindy

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/28/11)

I cannot believe that June
Is almost over
As is my

Where does the time go?

Today's Topic
"Flowers"

Actually
Finding flowers this time of year
In Phoenix is a challenge
However, I do have a
Few little flowers in the backyard
By the pool

Believe it or not
The background
Is the pool water
Somehow
It just doesn't look that blue
When standing next to it

I was looking out my
Bedroom window yesterday
And there was a
Tiny little humingbird
Happily Flittering
All around these flowers
I Love It!!

Considering Flowers in Phoenix
Something Fun to Enjoy,
Cindy

Monday, June 27, 2011

Phase 1 and 30 Day Challenge (6/27/11)

I read so many blogs these days
Of people who are renovating their homes
Well
I am happy to report
That phase 1 of my
Total mouth renovation
Has Begun
Today
8 spacers

All I have to say is:
Where is the floss??

Don't worry
No Pictures:)

Now on to Day 27 of my

"From A Distance"

I arrived home late tonight
So I took my camera out into my front yard
Here is my version of
From A Distance


It is a nice view

Considering Spacers
Kind of Like Food Stuck Between My Teeth,
Cindy

Sunday, June 26, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/26/11)

Day 26 of this
Found me in a difficult mood

After being burned
When my car radiator overflow
Blew up on me - literally

"Close Up"
Is today's topic

This guy just happen to be
A little too Close Up
For Comfort

I apologize to all of my
Nature lovin'
Tree hugin' Friends
Fly Swatter to the rescue
He is now History....

Considering The Possibility of Having
To Buy A New Car
Very Dislike~able
Cindy

Saturday, June 25, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/25/11)

Today's Photo
Challenge

"Something Pink"

I actually have many things around
This house that are pink
Having two little granddaughters
Helps!!!

However, As I looked around
I knew what I would photograph tonight


This is a bracelet that I received a
Couple of years ago
When a blog friend was diagnosed
With Breast Cancer
Her daughter made many of
These for friends all around the country
I keep mine on my desk
It reminds me to pray for many of
My real life friends
As well as blog friends 
Who have had or are facing  
Some form of Cancer

Kimberly - no blog
Sarah - Angie's SIL
Karrie - no blog

If I forgot your name
Please let me know
And I will add you to
My prayer list

I pray for each of you and your families

And I continue to lift up the families
Who have lost a loved one to Cancer
in the past few years
You are always in my prayers

Considering Pink,
Cindy

Friday, June 24, 2011

An Open Ended Farewell

Dear Mark,

Though I have worn a smile on my face today, my heart has been in deep dispair.  Today is the 6 month point since you decided to be with Jesus and I kissed you for the last time.  Today is a mere reminder of the pain I have suffered yet knowing you are no longer in pain.  Today I have not shed a tear until the moment of my typing. 

I have a hard time fathoming it has been six months and at the same time feeling as though it has been an eternity.  I miss your smile and the sound of your voice.  I gave Missy your phone to use and I was watching a few videos that K-Bug did on it.  As I kept clicking from one to the next I suddenly heard your voice and nearly fell to my knees.  I never did delete your videos from your phone and found myself viewing them over and over just to hear your voice again.  It was wonderful and so terribly sad at the same time.  We will be putting those on my computer this weekend!!

Mark, there is so much my heart longs to tell you, so much I want to share.  I didn't realize that there just would not be ears to listen to my heartache once you were gone.  People don't know what to say so they say nothing.  They are unsure if they should bring anything up so they don't.  I have such desires to talk about who you were and where I am but in all my searching I have not truly found someone I can cry with. 

I am trying to learn that God is my husband and the carrier of my pain but I tell you Mark, there is nothing like the warmth and comfort of a human hug from someone who loves you for who you are.  I miss your hugs so much, some nights I feel like I will die without them.

You are now in the comfort of eternity and I cling to the comfort of your chair!  You know the one, the black chair we bought just for you, well...now...it is just for me.  It is the place I feel closest to you.  There are some nights I hardly make it to bed because I don't want to leave the chair and I hate going to bed alone.  It is such a dark and lonely place without you. 

We shared everything about our lives since I was 21.  I have never really been an adult without you and I am finding that I just don't know how to do this adult thing alone.  You have always been my rock, strength and side-kick!  We worked well as a team and you taught me so much about so many things.  You'd be surprised at what I have accomplished around the house since you left but I'd sure rather not have accomplished those things just to have you back again.

Oh, I remember the bad stuff too:)  Remember what Rev C. M. Ward used to tell us about being 'Incompatible'?  He was so funny and so true!!  Somehow, even in 'incompatibility' we found a way to stay true to our commitment and flourish in our differences.  Complimenting each other's strengths and covering each other's weaknesses. 

Yet, here I am 6 months in to this new season without you, still trying to hold tightly to you and to the past.  As tears begin to stream down my cheeks I almost feel the need to ask you if it is ok to let go, but at the same time I just don't want to.  The thought of moving forward without you brings waves of tears blurring the screen and guttural sobs from the depths of my soul.  I can't do this, I don't want to do this, but somehow I must.  WHY?  Why God?  Must I let Go?

My precious Markie, I love you so much!!  I cannot write another word..........   

30 Day Challenge (6/24/11)

There are just some days
That are emotionally difficult
And today was one of those
I will be writing another post
Later tonight...

So, when I got home from work
And checked to see
What my photography

"Animal"

I just decided to photograph my

'Pot~Dog'


Maybe I am a bit off
But I have been laughing ever since

I've got three 20something
Boys here tonight
When they heard me laughing
To myself
Well...let's just say
They DO think I've lost my marbles:)

Considering A Good Laugh
On A Difficult Day ~ Joyful,
Cindy

Thursday, June 23, 2011

My Boy '26'

Where do the years go?

It seems only yesterday when the phone call came
Asking if daddy and I would take you into our home
Even at 4 months old
You were so tiny and fragile
Look at what a handsome and strong young man
You have become



Doctors and Social workers
Didn't give us such a great prognosis
Of what your life would hold
If anything at all

But somehow we knew in our hearts
That you were destine
To be our son #2
And I am so thankful we said yes

We faced unknown challenges
In those days
And spent Many sleepless nights
But never regretted for a moment
Our choice

When I think back on the years
I can't help but silently cry
As my heart is filled with gratitude
For what I have learned
Because of you



I could fill pages of books
Complimenting your character
Telling stories of God's goodness
And sharing trials we have overcome

But tonight
I just want to thank you
For being my Hero
In the past 6 months

It has been a terrible blow
To whom we are as a family
To lose your daddy
And try to find our way without him

You have been strong
You are brave
You have stepped up to the plate
And become the 'man' of our household

You have watched your mommy cry
And held me when I was weak
You have picked up the slack
When I just can't seem to get through a day

You will never truly know
How much I love you
And how proud I am of you
Your daddy would be as well

You are my Hero


Happy Birthday Young Man
Life with You
Has been Blessed
Mommy

30 Day Challenge (6/23/11)

Today's Challenge
Was another something new
"Sun Flare"

Again,
I had to check it out on-line
To find out what I was supposed to do
I'd still like to try a few shots
Later in the evening
Just before the sun sets
But here is what I shot a bit ago


I am enjoying new ideas
And being challenged to actually
Use my camera
Everyday

Considering Taking More Photos,
Cindy

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/22/11)

Day 22 of my

Today's Challenge
'Hands'

The hands below were not supposed to live
Yet
They will be 26 years old tomorrow

Theses hands have done so much more than live
And today they help me to find gratefulness

Considering Hands Tonight,
Cindy

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/21/11)


The Challenge set before me tonight
On day 21 of this 30 day challenge

"Faceless Self-Portrait"


This is as creative as I could get today
After a second LONG day of
Workflow Sheets!!

Considering
This Looks Better Than my Face Any Day,
Cindy

Monday, June 20, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/20/11)

Only 10 days remain in this 30 day Challenge
Today's challenge was by far
The most difficult for me
I had to do a bit of research just to find out what
"BOKEH'
Meant in photography language

Here is the result:


I'm not sure how great it is compared to many
I viewed in my research
Yet
I will accept it as a lesson learned
And now I have truly used my camera
OFF Auto Pilot:)

Considering Bokeh - Blurry:)
Cindy

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Thrifty Find


Because I found something really neat
for REALLY cheap
I thought I'd link up to my friend Rhoda

Since my hubby passed away on Christmas Eve
I have been Very careful about how much money I spend
A lot less income with the same amount of expenses
Doesn't leave much to 'play' with

I have been looking for a baker's rack or
Something similar for my back patio
Just to spruce it up a little

In Phoenix we are 'over' the yard sale season
Due to the heat BUT
I happen see 1 sign the other day
And my eyes went straight to this piece


I think they must have wanted to be DONE
With the sale because
I picked up this 'diamond in the rough'
for $2.00

Yes, $2

Now, I will get to clean it,
paint it, and pretty it up

I'm so happy to have found such a Thrifty Treasure!
Until Next Time

Happy Thrifting,
Cindy

30 Day Challenge (6/19/11)

I have found that some 'Challenge' Days
Are not as easy as they may seem
The challenge for today is:
'Something Orange'

I had to search high and low around here
And all I came up with was this ball
I took it outside and threw it in the pool

This is what you get:)

Another Day
Another Challenge Down
I wonder if I have actually learned anything?
I mean, that IS what this is about
Isn't it???

Happy Father's Day,
Cindy

Saturday, June 18, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/18/11)

So, here we are at day 18 of the
I cannot believe how quickly the days seem to fly by

Today's challenge is
Your Shoes

I decided not to spend 1/2 the day photographing my shoes
I have WAAYYY too many
So I just chose 1 pair and
The anklet's I wear with them



I wore these to son #1's
December wedding
2009

My day was hightlighted with meeting a very special blog friend
From My Charming Kids

I have been a follower of her blog since well before
her #4 child was born with a heart condition
Of which God decided to Completely Heal Him :)


Anyway,
She was in Arizona today
And took some awesome family photos of us
I made it through very well (besides the HEAT)

(Can you see how sweaty we are?)

However, these are the first family photos we
Have had done since Mark's passing
I'm not sure how I will do when they actually arrive in a few weeks
I was SO happy to meet her!
And her sister is a sweet, sweet friend also
Hi Hilary:)

Tomorrow is Father's Day
I will be alone

Son #2 is with a friend this weekend
Who also lost his dad last year
They decided to spend some time together

Son #1 IS a daddy
And will spend the day with his family:)

I'm sure I will be fine
However I sure do miss My Hubby!!

Considering This Day Blessed of the Lord,
Cindy

Friday, June 17, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/17/11)

When I think of 'Technology' I immediately think of my son's bedroom
However, If I were to photography 'technology' in his room
I would have to take about 15 photos'

So....

Today's Challenge
"Technology"



I decided instead
To photography a piece of technology that I love
Being a widow who doesn't really have to cook much
Well, I am becoming addicted to the use of this beauty:)

Considering Some Technology Beautiful,
Cindy

Thursday, June 16, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/16/11)

Today's Challenge:
"Long Exposure"
I actually needed to pull out my camera
instruction manual today and read!
And though I am not sure why I did
What it told me to do
Here is the result:


OFF Auto
Time Value
Shutter Speed 1/4
I think it's pretty
Thank's to "D"
for leaving the flowers on my desk Monday:)

For most of my day I had
K-Bug
Who spent lots of time at my computer
Making books for her cousins

And K-Bel
Who read lots of books
And smiled A LOT

My sister came over with her daughter
And 3 grandkids
We all played in the pool for awhile
And ended the afternoon 'tired'

I love Thursdays
And I LOVE having my sister live down the street:)

Considering Life,
Cindy

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/15/11)

I'm so glad that my son doesn't get too upset when I ask him to model everyday
Today's Challenge is "Silhouette"

I couldn't find the photo that I took several years ago
Of my boys with a beautiful sunset
And they were silhouetted in the foreground
But I guess I am to be learning how to use my new camera
So I won't cheat!!!

That's it for today
Except to say:
I am 1/2 through this Challenge
And I haven't taken my camera of "AUTO" pilot yet!

I kind of suppose that is cheating as well:)

Considering Manual Scary,
Cindy

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/14/11)

The Eyes Have It...


At least that is our Challenge for today

Eyes




I got this quick shot of my #2 son

When I came home from work today

He had his hair colored yesterday

Some blonde has shown up

On his very dark brown head

To go with his Very dark brown eyes:)


Considering Eyes A Window,

Cindy

Monday, June 13, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/13/11)

So, today's photography Challenge

Was to photograph myself with 13 things

I'm telling you these people are definitely trying to

Get me to put a photo of myself on this blog

And it isn't going to happen (anytime soon)!!


However I DID photograph part of my hand

With 13 of my favorite Rings...





Including my hubby's wedding band and my wedding ring:)


Considering Rings as Precious,


Cindy

Sunday, June 12, 2011

30 Day Challenge (6/12/11)


Was 'Sunset'

And I'll admit

It was a Challenge!!!


It was a challenge

Because I am babysitting my granddaughters

I was in the middle of fixing dinner

I am chasing a 9 1/2 month old

around the house

Attempting to keep the dog from

Getting her bottle

And trying to capture a sunset

photo in the midst


Even now as I type I am

Holding a fussy, crying baby

Who is trying to grab my camera

and help me type


Not only all of that

We didn't have that awesome of a sunset tonight

Yet...



There you go

That's all you get


Considering Even a Challenge Worth the Effort,

Cindy