January 20, 2011

Turning Circles

This week's assignment at You Capture was "Circles."  I have been scoping out windows in buildings, tailpipes in cars, and these awesome circular sculptures that hang in the library at work.  But.  But then I got sick, and instead of venturing out bravely into the cold, I snuggled under covers and sacked out.

Today, however, I drug myself back to work.  Unfortunately, by about 2:00 p.m. my head gained approximately 53 pounds in weight, and, nodding forward, I realized what I really needed was more sleep.  I prevailed however, and stuck it out my 8 hours before driving home and taking a quick snooze on the couch.  

When I awoke, it dawned on me that today is Thursday (I'm real quick on the uptake when I get sick!) which meant I'd run out of time on You Capture.  My goal this year is to enter at least one photo-type blog entry each week, so that I can force myself to practice my photography more.

All this to say that I got out the camera and prowled my own little abode for circles.  Hopefully next week I'll get beyond these four walls...

This little gem is a music box that my aunt bought in San Francisco for my 18-year-old son when he was about a year old.  Being the good mom that I am (and a closet frog-lover), I immediately stole it for myself put it in a safe place for him, so that it wouldn't get ruined.  The box plays "Singing in the Rain" while the little frog dances.  Still one of my Evan's favorite toys.

I *Heart* bird houses.  But I keep them inside for decoration rather than outside where they'd be personal fast-food restaurants for our outdoor kitties.
Patriotism abounds in this house. And we are so proud of our men in uniform.

In addition to bird houses and frogs, I have a thing for owls as well.  I won this little guy from Our Name is Mud.  I just love his little eyes, don't you?


Then finally, catastrophe struck: 
Being my usual graceful-self, I pulled a chair out from the table to stand on.  Alas, the cord to my Scentsy was wrapped around said chair leg, and crashed to the floor.  
:o(



At least I was able to stick with the theme..  Guess I'd better go back to bed.

January 7, 2011

I Bet This Doesn't Happen at YOUR Work...

Or "You know when you work in a College of Natural Resources When..." 

Like many offices, our college has a break room with a pop machine, small fridge, sink, and microwave, which is used by faculty, staff, and students alike.  My particular department has its own microwave, so I don't use the communal one very often. 

I was a good girl and brought leftovers for lunch today, but after eating it (really good seafood fettuccine, if I do say so myself) I needed to wash my bowl, so off to the kitchen I went. 

Affixed firmly to the door of the microwave was the following sign,

and I quote:

Do not use.
This microwave needs to be cleaned.  
Individual thawing bird, please clean ASAP.

Seriously?  Thawing birds? 

What?!!!

Shortly thereafter, my co-worker filled me in on the story.  It seems another staff member had gone in to cook her lunch and popped open the door only to find a still partially-frozen, fully feathered bird of some sort, lying peacefully in repose. 

I'm not so sure I will EVER even use that kitchen again.
Ewwww, ewwww, ewwww... 

And, winging a wild guess (pun intended), I'll bet nobody ever claims responsibility.

January 6, 2011

A Baker's Dozen from 2010

Today's You Capture assignment was to post your Ten Favorite Photos from the past year.  What an assignment!  I have spent the last three nights poring over my photo files, trying to narrow it down.  Alas, I can only narrow it to 13 (or so), which I think is pretty good considering that I probably took a few thousand photos this last year. I was amazed at how many there were to go through! It's also amazing to see my pictures pre-photo class compared to after.  I wish we could do our vacation over - the pictures would be so much better this time around...

Anyway, in no particular order, here are some of my favorites from the year:


This is our newest family member, Fiona.  She's adorable - which is a good thing - because she's a feisty little monster, bullying our other dog. 
But how can you get mad at that face?



The girls, asleep on our vacation.

One of many dead trees in my picture collection.  It drives the family crazy, but I love them.  There's just something about their strength and the way they're still standing, still reaching for the sun, still beautiful in a totally different way...

Braden laughing, one of my favorite sounds ever. 

Scene from the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Train.  Every minute of the 3 1/2 hour ride was gorgeous!

My man, Willis.

Annie, the girl who loves me above all others :o)

Meatball.  'Nuf said...

My favorite model...

My Uncle Ken and his newest grandson, Jackson. 




So there you have it...  I can't wait to see what the next year brings!
P.S.  The baker can't count.  Oops...