Project 365 - W21

Week 21. Goodbye Maine, Hello Columbia.


A picture from my flight home to Missouri. I almost didn't make it out of Portland (overbooked flight), but was lucky to get rerouted through Atlanta. Most of the time when I've flown, there hasn't been such a nice clear blanket of clouds outside the window. I thought it made a nice picture.


So, I spent the night at my parents' house because I got into KC at 11 pm and drove back to Columbia on Tuesday. To abate my boredom, I used my iPhone to take pictures of things that struck my eye (as well as make weird pictures of myself). This is the bridge over the Missouri River - I really like how the beams make a design. Very cool. During the break, I was looking at my friends' pictures on FB and I realized that I need to be in more pictures. I want to show that I was involved in things and a part of things. Thus my taking weird pictures of myself (to be shared later).


Duds snoozes as I visit with Tracy. It's funny how easily the boys all settled back into our routine, when I'd been gone a week.

It's Not Superman, It's STRONGMAN

On July 24th, the Columbia Church of Christ held its first Strongman competition. Organized by Randall Heater, participants included children and adults, men and women.



It was on the hot side and it was sunny. But we had fun. I was lucky not to get a sunburn (I forgot my sunscreen).

Here's some of the fun:


It struck me as amusing that Reece was lugging these heavy things in flip flops. When I asked Daniel about it, he said that originally the kids events weren't supposed to entail walking with anything...


Zach is tired after lugging the bars. He leans on his dad, George.

Project 365 - W20

Week 20. I'm in Falmouth/Portland, Maine, visiting my family. Fun times!


Some of the beautiful foliage that we have near my parents' house. The forests, etc., are one of the reasons that I love Maine. It's nice to be able to walk down the street and go on a hike. Columbia's like that, too, with lots of parks and trails, but Maine has pine and birch trees.

This is a picture of my brother, (step)dad, and cousin Mark's feet. Mark and my Aunt Collette were in town and we decided to go out to this "delicious" Italian restaurant, Paciarino, in downtown Portland. Mom made reservations for 7:30, which we were a few minutes early for. Did we sit at 7:30? No, we got to wait until 8:15 before we actually got a seat. Around 8, this one party, who we thought was who were waiting on, left, and this other table decided that they liked that table better, so they moved and another party took their old table. Where I was mildly annoyed before, now I got downright mad about how another party that came in after us got to sit down before we did. I had to go into the bathroom and pray because I was so ticked and I didn't want to be rude or ungiving to my family. I think my bad mood may have also been linked to the fact that I was very hungry, because when they brought the dipping bread, I started to feel better. In their defense, my mom thought they were down a server and every other time they'd been there the service was excellent. So maybe we came on an off night. Because my parents are my parents, they ended up overtipping (because gratuity was included and they tipped on top of that) and from what I calculated in my head, they didn't even bother to comp us a couple of meals for our inconvenience. I find *that* annoying.

To the Lighthouse

A book I did not enjoy the least, but my trip to Maine's most photographed lighthouse was quite enjoyable.


They are finally planting a church in Portland and today there was an outdoor service at Fort Williams Park. (Didn't realize this until I got to the USM campus and no one was there.) I forgot how small 30 people felt. But it was nice remembering what it was like 10+ years ago when we started the church in Columbia. I felt a little envious of them all... But not in an evil way, but in an excited about it way. So how can I transport that to when I get home?

Sunday morning, my brother offered to take me to church - which I thought meant he was planning on staying for service. Nope -- butthead. He just planned on dropping me off.

Greetings from Maine

My step-dad is in the States and my parents were nice enough to pay for me to travel to Maine to visit.
The traveling there was crazy! I've flown Delta airlines several times before and was very satisfied with my experience, but after this, I am very reluctant to fly them again. I originally loved them because taking Riley with me would only cost me $100-150 for the trip. That's now $250 - ridiculous. That's half a plane ticket...

Anyway, I drive up the morning of, visit with my dad and step-mom for a few hours and then it's off the airport. I go to pull up my electronic ticket and there's a problem with my flight to Detroit (it was leg one of two of my flight to Portland, Maine). It seems that there are mechanical problems and it is stopped in Chicago. There's a nice long line to the counter and it's from all the people on the Detroit flight. When I finally reach the counter, it appears that, due to said mechanical failure with the plane, my flight has been canceled. The kicker is, according to the woman behind the desk, there is no flight that will get me to Portland, "because there's reduced flights on Saturday." I asked about other airlines and no luck, supposedly ("the first thing [she] checked"). So the earliest flight would be 6am the next morning. I was really psyched about that one because I *love* getting up in the morning.

Project 365 - W19

Week 19. An eventful one.


The week started off slow. Here's a picture of Cullen chilling on my bed. Cullen is a dog that loves to cuddle. Any time, any where. And he loves to wag his tail, if he even thinks you might be interested in petting him.


A picture of Riley riding with his face out of the window of the car. He loves this activity, but not if the car is going more than 55 mph. I like that I captured his face in the rearview mirror. And I love how the wind will smoosh the fur on his face so that it sticks straight up.


Well, Laurence and Erica left this week to move to the Northeast. I don't add where exactly, because they're unsure of where they're going to end up, but they are first moving to Newark, Delaware. This picture is from their going-away party, which I, of course, cried at, because emotional things make me cry. Kathryn knitted this cap and scarf for Erica, to keep her warm during their winters ;) I'm going to miss both of them, but especially Erica. She was one of those people that it just felt great hanging with, even if we weren't doing anything. And she loved Bollywood movies.

Well, It Seems Like I Forgot to Blog

School is nearly upon me once again and I have realized that I have neglected my blog. It's been an interesting and odd summer. I haven't photographed as often as I would have liked, but I haven't felt as inspired to, either.

But each day is new, so I will make up for lost time. I plan on blogging about the weddings I worked, the Strongman competition I covered (and saw Josh at), and other exciting things.

I will leave you with this, a picture of my very 'brave' dog barking valiantly at a threat to our yard.

Project 365 - W18

Week 18. The Week of the Duds.


I always find my puppies so cute when they are sleeping. I have these two big pillows (purchased at Target) which are great for leaning on. The one that I don't use, the boys like to climb up on and either sleep on or look out the window. This is Duds sleeping on the bed pillow which is on top of the big pillow.


Duds decided to shake his head while I was taking his picture. It was that kind of day. (And notice that the big pillow is now on *top* of the bed pillow. Apparently I changed my sheets because this is a different pillowcase from the picture before.


It seems like it is Duds week, because here is the third picture of the Duds. Here is the Duds asking me to scratch his belly. Duds likes to lick you to ask you to pet him. And he loves treats and human food. Even lettuce. Lettuce.

Project 365 - W17

Week 17. Started out the week house and dog sitting for my parents.


Riley is so sweet. He's perched on my parents' sofa. I am in Kansas City dog/house-sitting for my parents. They took my nieces, Erin and Allison, to Branson for a couple of days.


A picture of Cullen doing what comes naturally to him - wagging his tail. If he thinks there's any possibility of you petting him, that tail will wag. Such a goober. But one that somehow will end up in your lap without you realizing it.


My parents got home yesterday. I stuck around so that I could spend a little time with them before heading back to Columbia. My (step)mom was a little frustrated with my niece because she was being obnoxious during their trip. We were hanging out on the bed with the dogs when my dad came in and joined us. This picture was of Cullen asking my dad to pet him by tapping him with his paw.