December Daily~ December 23rd

Josie came to work with me this morning and then we met Mama Mike, Nana, Uncle Jim & Aunt Brandy at Chili's. She then went home with Mama Mike to take a nap.

When Daddy & I got off work we went up there to have our christmas with them. Josie got a lot of stuff but her favorite of the night was this huge pillow I had Angalene get. I didn't realize it was so big until it actually came, but she loved it.
And while opening presents she had to take every single piece of paper off of the box. Even if it was a teeny tiny piece!

Then we went home to get the milk and cookies ready for santa. We decided to go ahead and do out Christmas on Christmas Eve morning because of the snow coming in. Incase Daddy had to go out and do snow. So Papa Mike called Santa and asked him if he could come to our house tonight instead of tomorrow night.
We explained to Josie that Santa was bringing her the presents and leaving them for her and that he wouldn't stay. She was worried to death that he was going to come into her house.

And look at all that he left her! You must have really good Josie.

Until tomorrow!

December Daily~ December 22nd

Yesterday Josie stayed at Aunt Chelle's house. She was so excited to be going there because she wasn't there last week. When I told her that Riley was home from school, she says "Mom! He say Get Out of My Room!" Sounds like an older sibling to me. :-) I could never say that cause Michelle & I had to share a room.
When we got home, she wanted me to call Abby and see if she could come over and play but Abby was at her Grandma's so we will have to call her after Christmas is over.
Nothing special happened last night, just hung around the house and played babies. Go figure! Only 3 days left til Christmas. She actually get's to go open some presents up Thursday night since Aunt Brandy & Uncle Jim is here.

Picture the Holidays~ December 11th through December 21st

December 11th~ Shaping Up

Prompt:
I believe that once you open yourself up to something, that something just keeps coming! Little shifts in how we look at the world around us can reveal a whole new world to us and our lenses. No matter how much I see it happen in my own life, it still delights me. I'm surprised daily at what I find.
When I was shooting this feather in the sand, I wasn't aware of its perfect Christmas tree shape. But when I uploaded it to my computer, that was all I saw - a tiny and delicate ode to Christmas!
Pay attention today, in your comings and goings, to the shape of things. See if what you find reminds you of anything else. Nature works in mysterious ways like that, have you noticed?

I have had my eyes pealed for this one but haven't came across anything.

December 12th~ A Whole Lot of Happy

Prompt:
It's been said that smiling is contagious. I think it's true. Smile and the whole world smiles back at you. Well, maybe not always. As much as I hate to admit it, this time of year can bring out the crabby in people. But, let's not focus on that! Let's let a big ol' grin work its wonders on us so that in turn we can smile, smile, smile!
Today, wear a smile and search for the people or things that smile back and capture a happy face!

Strawberry Shortcake still makes me smile even though I'm 34. Tickles me to death to see Josie get excited about her also.

December 13th~ Simply Divine

Prompt:
No matter what holiday you celebrate, chances are there is something divine about it. There is a reverie this time of year for forces far grander than ourselves. We honor our family, friends, connection, love, light and a source that makes it all possible.
Find a way today to translate the truth for you. Share the divinity in your life, whether it be through an obvious symbol or an overall feeling you carry, work on bringing it to your photography today.

December 14th~ Sincerely Yours

Prompt:
This is the one time of year where the near lost art of letter writing is revived. And even that might soon vanish with all the options of e-cards and email. As much as I love e-everything, nothing can replace a greeting crafted by hand.
You are encouraged to slow down a little today and appreciate all the handwritten epistles you come across. Whether they are to you, or from you, revel in the delight of letters and cards. Signed, sealed and/or delivered, capture sentiments crafted with love.

December 15th~ Got Gifts

Prompt:
We've made it to the half way mark of the season already. Time if flying by! Since this is the season of giving, today is the day for putting some of your beautiful photos to good use. We are creating gift tags and/or mini note cards using our photos. That way, your tag will be just as special as the gift inside.
The first part of this process is to shoot an image or images that you'd like to use for tags. You can make unique tags for each gift or you can choose one images and use it on all of your tags this season. It's up to you! I shared this project in detail during the summer Big Idea Festival and am offering that content here for your holiday gift tags.

December 16th~ The Season of Lights

Prompt:
They call this the season of lights for many reasons and there are ample opportunities to shoot light in its many shapes and shades. There is nothing more compelling than a literal bokeh of holiday lights. The first time I captured lights like this, I was as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning! My guess is you'll feel it too.

December 17th~ Warm Glow

Prompt:
Nothing beats the warm glow of candle light. There is something so sacred about lighting a candle, especially during the holiday season. I have started using candles in my every day life for a number of reasons. Each time I strike a match and burn a candle I am reminded of the power of intention and how my own attention can make such a difference in my daily life.
Today, capture the glow of a candle to signify what is meaningful in your life. Make a wish, set an intention, pray, meditate and shoot.

December 18th~ Recharge

Prompt:
Chances are today will find you amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowd. All the more reason why you need to remember to recharge when you need it. A day of pre-holiday madness can really take it out of you.
Today I encourage you to tune in to your needs and when it's time to take a break, heed the call. A simple recharge is sometimes all it takes. Take a deep breath, have a seat, relax your shoulders and allow for a little downtime. It's called self-love and we all deserve it. Especially this time of year!

December 19th~ Make a List- Check it Twice

Prompt:
I don't know about you but I'm big on lists. If I don't write it down, chances are I won't remember it! Lists are for to-dos and don't forgets, but they can also be for hopes and wishes (especially in the season of giving and receiving).
Today, share your list in one way or another. Focus on the whole or on a tiny yet significant part. Give us a glimpse into what you jot down to help you remember.

December 20th~ Wrapped with Love

Prompt:
Whether you've even begun to wrap presents yet is beyond me, but there is nothing more beautiful than the gifts all wrapped up in anticipation of being unwrapped and enjoyed. Today find a gift adorned in its holiday best!

December 21st~ Attitude Adjustment

Prompt:
Sometimes all you need is a little nudge to help you readjust your attitude. Today, let's show a side of you that might be last on the list of to-dos. Get silly, sassy, sexy - whatever you need to lighten the mood!
Today you're encouraged to show a little (or a lot) of "sass-itude". Get creative and show off your wild side, whatever that looks like to you.

I'll have to work on this one as well. I can do the silly, but not the sassy or sexy. May post one later.

Reverb #10~ December 23rd

December 23 Prompt




Becca Wilcott

Truly, Madly, Deadly: The Unofficial True Blood Companion

@beccawilcott



Prompt: New name. Let's meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why?

I have never thought of this. I actually didn't like my name once I got in middle school simply because there were so many others that were boys and named "Shannon". But there is a story behind my name and therefore it makes it special. I am named after the song "Shannon" by Henry Gross. The only thing is if you listen to the song, it is about his dead dog that was an Irish Setter. But that was Dad & Mom's favorite song when I was born.
However, if I could, my name would be a unique one because I wouldn't want one that someone else had. The important thing to me when picking out Josie's name was that she would be able to have a nickname. I never had a nickname growing up. My only nickname was "dipshit" and that was what my Great Aunt Flo would call me as a teenager.

December Daily~ December 21st

Even though I complain about having to work, I was actually relieved to come back to work today. I guess I'm one of those Mom's that needs that break. Especially when you're not use to being the 24/7 caregiver. That sounds so bad, but it's true. I love you dearly though Josie! Smooch!!!
Anyway, yesterday Uncle Jim & Aunt Brandy came over with Mama Mike to watch Josie while I was at work. Josie is finally calling Brandy by her name instead of "Jimby". She was combining the two Sunday night.

After they left to go home and Daddy got home, we left to go drive around and look at the lights. Josie was sort of excited at the first few, but they had to be really lit up for her to care about them. We also drove down to Sherwood Oaks and saw the light show down there. There was a family that was sledding and she was more interested in watching them than anything.

When we got home, our furnace was out again. It will be a week tomorrow since the dumb thing started acting up. But Mike has always been able to get it to come back on, however last night the darn thing wouldn't. So I had to run down to Mike & Tanya's and borrow some of their space heaters as well, and that is how we heated the house last night. It was cold!!! Josie didn't sleep worth a poop, therefore neither did Mommy. I sure hope Nate is able to get it fixed today.

Picture the Holiday~ December 22nd

You are Getting Sleepy

Prompt:

It's around this time of year that we really need to rest.

Rest?! Now? I can't rest now…there's so much left to do…

That might be true and in fact, that's exactly why I encourage you to take a break.

I'm giving your permission to shut down today in order to properly reboot - even if only for 10 minutes at your desk during your lunch break; when you put the baby down for her nap; or even right now in the middle of what you are doing. Because your prompt today is to capture rest, however you can manage it, I'm holding you accountable. Tricky, aren't I?

Reverb #10~ December 22nd

December 22 Prompt




Tara Hunt

The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business

@missrogue



Prompt: Travel. How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

I don't really know what they are wanting with this answer. The way I read the first question I would say by a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. Hee Hee! I don't think that is what she wants.
Anyway, the only trip we took this year was our trip to French Lick.
Next year, lord willing, I will still be traveling in my Jeep Cherokee. Josie has requested several times that she wants to go back to French Lick, so I'm sure that will be another of our trips. I would really like to be able to save up some money and go somewhere next year for 3 days or so. I really enjoyed our trip to Michigan that we took before having Josie. But I also found out that they had a Sesame Street park in Pennsylvania and she would really enjoy that.