Monday, September 23, 2013

30. Shoot only black and white photos for a month

A Month of Black and White
For as long as I can remember, I have been a hobby photographer. I've carried a camera with me since I was 15. Sure, that's easier now with Cell Phones, but I often carry my DSLR with me too. I have completed three "Project 365" projects, among various other photography challenges. So when I was making my 2nd 101 in 1001 list I decided to go a little crazy - I listed "30 days of black and white photography" as one of my projects.

The problem is? I didn't anticipate just how hard this project would be.

I was thinking "YAY! Artsy shots!" I love the texture that black and white can provide. I love the emotion it can put into some photographs. But what I didn't anticipate was how difficult it would be for me to snap a photo of my daughter running through a bouncy house and not being able to see the vivid colors of the giant inflatable. Or that I'd use pastels for my latest cross-stitch project and want to ask my friend if the colors looked ok. I didn't know my mom would mail me a beautiful afghan that she'd been making for me - yet I couldn't share the amazing colors.

It was a month of trying new angles because my normal shot didn't look right in black and white. A month of hunting out texture, or the perfect expression.

But it was also a month of playing with my camera in a way that I hadn't in a long time! I'd become complacent with many of my settings, and in black and white? (With my DSLR especially) you just can't do that. You need to make sure the blacks are black and the whites are white.

As I get close to writing my 3rd 101 in 1001 list, I find myself thinking about this project and wondering if I'll do it again. I think I might. Or something similar.
  
 

Sunday, September 8, 2013

31. Sell a Photograph

I have recently sold multiple photographs - not in the sense that I'd originally hoped, but I have definitely sold!!

I did photoshoots for both Brandy and Ari in the past week - and both have ordered prints THROUGH me - so I not only took the photos but am printing the photos for them!


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

25. Create my own font - COMPLETE


It was far easier than I ever thought it would be!!

I used My Script Font to create it, and took about ten minutes! But now?? I can make awesome graphics in my handwriting (like above!)

Sunday, August 11, 2013

94. Learn to Identify 5 constellations - COMPLETED

In the Spring of 2013 my friends arranged three different trips to the local planetarium for our kiddos! Besides just having lots of fun? I learned several Constellations!! (I can successfully pick out 6 on a clear night! Not counting the dippers!)

*Orion
*7 Sisters
*Draco
*Taurus
*Gemini
*Canis Major

29. Attend 5 live shows : Madrigal


In December 2012, my sister was the Queen in her college's Madrigal Dinners - I attended two shows! (And yes, I'm counting this as a live show! There was music. And acting. Dinner Theater counts, right?) 

Laundry List! (4 items COMPLETED!)

#1 Gave up Fast Food - April 2013 - I was nervous for this one! We eat a lot of fast food (a LOT!) But it was easier than I thought - and since April? We don't eat out nearly as often!


#10  Purchase Kitchen Aid Attachment - (This is NOT my photo - taken from Amazon! I ordered mine today!!)


#19  Have and Eye Appointment - 20/20 vision in June 2013

#73  Toss 101 items - What started as Spring Cleaning in the Summer (yep; I'm late!) of 2013? I ended up tossing or donating 75% of Skyler's old clothes and toys. Not to mention my hall closet worth of clutter as well! All in all? Far more than 101 items went!

Saturday, February 2, 2013

37 - Childhood Photos


 The Park
The neighborhood park was a favorite growing up. The association hasn't updated the playground equipment (literally, not at all - one coat of paint since 1983 - probably since before then!) But Skyler loves to play when we go to visit Grandma and Grandpa! 



The Platte River between Lincoln and Omaha. 
Growing up, at summer camp (and otherwise) we would hike to the river, and a few times (pre-drought) we'd gone on canoe trips further north on the River.


My Parents Front Door
Oh how I wish I had an older picture - Growing up we had a bright orange front door. (The homes in the neighborhood were built in the 70's and the association had decided on the orange as the front door color. Luckily? Overtime, they did away with the orange and gave homeowners more freedom!


The Hospital (or? My Parents!) 
I suppose I wasn't really a "Child" when the hospital was a huge part of my life - I was 22. But we spent months (literally) in the waiting rooms/etc while my Dad went through his LVAD and his Heart Transplant.
And, well... my parents have changed over the years too!

Camp!
I was a camper at Kitaki from 1990 - 2000, and on staff in 2001, 2002.
This photo was taken at Parents Day during my kid sisters 3rd year on staff in 2011

Memorial Stadium
My Grandparents have had tickets in the North Endzone since the early 1960's, and we spent many a Saturday in the fall at Memorial Stadium. Then, in high school, my Job's Daughters group took over selling concessions on game days, so even more time was spent there! (And hey -what kid didn't LOVE laying on the 50 yard line during school field trips??)

 The Lake
My parents back patio opens up to the Dam for the lake, as a kid we spent a lot of time playing on the dam (sledding, bike riding, rolling down, etc) and as a teenager I spent a lot of time on the otherside of the hill playing on the park, walking around the lake and sun-tanning on the "beach".
This spot? Where this picture was taken? Is where I met my husband in 1997.


69. Take Skyler to a Water Park {Completed}


Over the summer, the splash park was a fixture in our lives. (Since the nearest large water park is more than 100 miles away, I've decided this can count as our Water Park for 101! But I'm still hoping for Elitches or Water World next summer!)

97. Make a Donation to Shriner's Hospitals {Completed}


Skyler is a patient at Shriner's Hospital (SLC) and so the Shriner's have a very special place in my heart. (And before Skyler, I was a member of Job's Daughters and Easter Star - so I'm no stranger to the organization!) But I'd never personally made a donation - something I really thought I should do.

So, in 2012, I finally did! It wasn't a large donation - but every little bit helps, right? And I had Skyler help me out with it - she drew a card to send in with my donation to the local Shriner's group. We talked about the hospital, and what they do. How she has been going since she was little (which she doesn't remember at all! LOL!) And so I made it a fun experience for both of us.

81. Read 101 books {Completed}

Photo from my 6 words a day project!

I smashed this one out of the park I read 140 books in 2012 - and am alread at 13 (Feb 2) for 2013

Book's Read in 2012
  1. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - Jan 2
  2. First Date by Krista McGee - Jan 2*
  3. Shatter Me by Tehara Mafi - Jan 5
  4. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - Jan 6
  5. Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom - Jan 7*
  6. Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson - Jan 9
  7. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Jan 11
  8. Linger by Maggie Stiefvatar - Jan 15
  9. A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Jan 18
  10. The Pregnancy Pact by Gaby Rodriguez - Jan 22
  11. Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty - Jan 26
  12. Ten Things We Did by Sara Mlynkowski - Jan 26
  13. Cinder by Marissa Meyer - Jan 28*
  14. The Art of Seducing a Naked Warewolf by Molly Harper - Feb 2
  15. Everneath by Brodi Ashton - Feb 2
  16. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally - Feb 4
  17. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - Feb 10
  18. Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony - Feb 11
  19. Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty - Feb 12
  20. Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty - Feb 15
  21. If I Stay by Gayle Forman - Feb 16
  22. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper - Feb 20
  23. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen - Feb 22
  24. A Love that Multiplies by Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar - Feb 23*
  25. Wither by Lauren Destefano - Feb 27
  26. Fever by Lauren DeStefano - Feb 29
  27. Chubster by Martin Cizmar - March 8
  28. American On Purpose by Craig Ferguson - March 10
  29. Duma Key by Stephen King - March 18
  30. Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey - March 20
  31. Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins - March 21
  32. Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg - March 23
  33. Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery - March 26
  34. Seeking Solace by Meg - March 27
  35. Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke - March 31
  36. Untouched by Jus Accardo - April 2
  37. Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper - April 4
  38. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa - April 6
  39. What a Boy Wants by Nyrae Dawn - April 12
  40. Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers - April 21
  41. Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors by Molly Harper - April 23
  42. The First Days by Rhiannon Frater - April 27
  43. Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgans - April 28
  44. The Selection by Kiera Cass - April 30
  45. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - May 1
  46. In Honor by Jessi Kirby - May 6
  47. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James - May 9
  48. Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper - May 13
  49. Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James - May 14
  50. Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler - May 15
  51. Fighting To Survive by Rhianon Frater -May 17
  52. Siege by Rhiannon Frater - May 22
  53. The Girl Who Chased The Moon  by Sarah Addison Allen - May 25
  54. Summer Days by Susan Mallery - May 26
  55. Summer Nights by Susan Mallery - June 4
  56. How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal - June 7
  57. The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal - June 14
  58. Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson - June 17
  59. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James - June 20
  60. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris - June 27
  61. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater - June 30
  62. The Vow the Kim and Krickitt Carpenter Story by Kim Carpenter - July 1
  63. Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot - July 11
  64. The Secret of Everything by Barbara O'Neal - July 13
  65. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris - July 14
  66. Under the Dome by Stephen King - July 15
  67. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick - July 22
  68. House Rules by Jodi Piccoult - July 24
  69. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead - July 25
  70. All Summer Long by Susan Mallery - July 29
  71. Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery - August 6
  72. Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas - August 7
  73. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake - August 11
  74. Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery - August 13
  75. Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs - August 14
  76. Imperfect, an Improbable Life by Jim Abbott - August 17
  77. While He Was Away by Karen Schreck - August 18
  78. A Little Night Magic by Lucy March - August 20
  79. Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast - August 24
  80. Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen - August 25
  81. Shark Bait by Jenn Cooksey - August 26
  82. Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Mudrock - August 27
  83. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - August 28
  84. Homeschooling 101: The essential handbook by Mark & Christine Field - August 29
  85. Betrayed by P.C. Cast - August 30
  86. The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhardt - August 31
  87. Absolute Beginners Guide to Homeschooling by Brad Miser - Sept 3
  88. Chosen by P.C. Cast - Sept 6
  89. Virgin River by Robyn Carr - Setp 8
  90. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Sept 10
  91. Slow Summer Kisses by Shannon Stacey - Sept 11
  92. Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen y Susan Gregg Gilmore - Sept 14
  93. The Kitchen Daughte by Jael McHenrdy - Sept 18
  94. The Year of Learning Dangerously by Quinn Cummings - Sept 19
  95. 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy - Sept 21
  96. All He Ever Needed by Shannon Stacey - Sept 22
  97. A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery - Sept 23
  98. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast - Sept 24
  99. Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery - Sept 26
  100. The Boy Recession by Flynn Meany - Sept 27
  101. Down to You by M. Leighton - September 29
  102. Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas - Sept 30
  103. Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally - Oct 2
  104. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas - Oct 3
  105. Playing to Win by Jaci Burton - Oct 4
  106. he Waiting Sky y Lara Zielin - Oct 5
  107. Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis - Oct 6
  108. The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton - Oct 7
  109. Changing the Game by Jaci Burton - Oct 8
  110. Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton - Oct 15
  111. All He Ever Desired by Shannon Stacey - Oct 23
  112. The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis - Oct 26
  113. Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis - Oct 29
  114. No Ordinary Joe by Michelle Celmer - Nov 1
  115. Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis - Nov 4
  116. Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson - Nov 11
  117. Driving Mr. Dead by Molly Harper - Nov 11
  118. At Last by Jill Shalvis - Nov 13
  119. Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis - Nov 14
  120. Accidentally Amish by Olivia Newport - Nov 17
  121. A Cold Creek Noel by RaeAnne Thayne - Nov 21
  122. Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich - Nov 23
  123. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - Nov 25
  124. Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis - Nov 26
  125. Skinny by Donna Cooner - Nov 27
  126. Love Times Three by The Darger Family - Nov 29
  127. The Proper Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires by Molly Harper - Nov 29
  128. Homefront by Kristin Hannah - Dec 1
  129. Mistletoe and Margarita's by Shannon Stacey - Dec 4
  130.  Dec 7
  131. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - Dec 9
  132. Til Grits Do Us Part by Jennifer Rogers Spinola - Dec 1
  133. Rouge b Leigh Moore - Dec 15
  134. Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson - Dec 17
  135. Suri's Burn Book by Allie Hagen - Dec 19
  136. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Dec 21
  137. The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais - December 28
  138. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Dec 29
  139. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - Dec 30
  140. Everything Changes by Megan Hart - Dec 31

41: Write 3 Novels {NaNoWriMo 2012}

Last year I wrote about completing NaNoWriMo 2011 so it's only fair that I talk about my experience this year.

Really, they should have made NaNoWriMo be in April or something - April is a good month with not a lot going on. November? HORRIBLE for writing! I mean, there's the whole Thanksgiving thing which takes a good chunk of writing time away.

But either way - for the 3rd year in a row I've completed NaNoWriMo. (I'm not yet finished with my novel from this year - but I've got 57,000 words written - and I'd like to do another 23,000 or so before I put it away and wait on edits.)

This year, NaNoWriMo was a lot of fun for me! I had a friend doing it, so we spent many evenings tweeting with one another and encouraging each other! I also started a twitter "Choose Your Own Adventure" game where I would give three vague options and go from there when I was stuck! It helped my story movement quite a bit and I also have a few people very interested in this piece so that they can hopefully beta read.

I would LOVE to be submitting my 2012 NaNo book for publication late this year so I can cross off number 42 as well!!)

45. Write a fan letter to an author I admire {Completed}

When I made my 101 in 1001 list, I never envisioned my book blog taking off the way it has. My book blog has made communicating with authors a somewhat normal occurrence in my world now - so writing a "fan letter" has been sort of an unconventional item on my list. Not to mention developing Twitter Friendships with a few authors, whom I have grown to love. And even a texting/phone call relationship with another.

I've had multiple Q&A's and interviews with authors - and with several I have sent written letters of appreciation to the authors. (And the rest of been strictly email correspondences.) So I'm going to count those as my "Fan Letters" since they often involved a written thank you!

Susan Mallery (x 2)
Susan Wiggs
Kristan Hannah
Jenn Cooksey (whom I ADORE!!)

26. Visit 5 Museums :: The Landing


I realize this is sort of a stretch - but the "Senior Living" place where my Grandma lives
has a pretty cool Fine Arts center - it's rotating, and usually focuses on Nebraska Artists, which is a lot of fun!

Skyler and I try to walk down there most times we visit my Grandma - although lately we haven't been as good at going as often.

26. Visit 5 Museums : Infozone

I've debated for awhile if I should count this as a museum or not - as it's part of our regular weekly trips to the library. But, in the end? Museum won.

Our library is awesome for MANY reasons, one of them being the InfoZone. The 4th floor of the main library has a permanent section about the history of our local newspaper, and then rotating exhibits - usually art based, although occasionally full of fun science experiments!

The Newspaper section is really neat, with images of historic papers (and an old printing press!) As well as an animated "Newsie" from the early days of the Pueblo Chieftain! 

26. Visit 5 Museums : Sangre De Cristo Art Center


With our membership to the Children's Museum, we also get free entrance to the Art Center/Museum!

Last week, after our visit to the museum, Skyler and I decided to take a walk through the art center! It's always fascinating to see the local art - they have a great permanent display featuring Western Themed pieces!

(It's easy to forget that we are living in the Great American West - since I grew up in the mid-west, and the focus on the Wild West wasn't so great there! We also live in an area highly populated by Native Americans, being so close to New Mexico.

This trip to the museum was fun for me because I really realized the cultural differences between Nebraska and Colorado - and it was comparing this trip to the Sheldon Gallery in Lincoln that helped to drive that home.