I bought myself a present

It's tough to take pictures in January. When the weather isn't gross, the sun is setting to early to do anything after work. Thankfully, the weather was sunny today and I was home all morning. I've done as much as I can with the dogs in this apartment, and we all know how it turns out when I try to walk them and take pictures by myself, so I'm bored with them--as a subject of pictures, not in general ;-). Since I needed to do some grocery shopping anyway, I decided to pick myself up some flowers to photograph. When I got home, I stuck them in a vase, and that's when I snapped...

Flowers make me happy :)

Two a Days

I decided since I was a slacker last week, that I'll take 2 pictures a few days this week to make it up to myself.

This first one was actually taken last night. Well, it was around 11:30 last night so it was today on the east coast...Every night while we're get ready for bed, the same thing happens...Janie jumps up, snuggles up next to Tyler's pillow and waits. Patiently. For belly rubs and kisses. She is persistent. After a few minutes of this routine last night, I jumped up, grabbed my camera, jumped back in bed, and that's when I snapped.

It's out of focus and a total snapshot, but I love them both.

This next one is really from today. Our dogs have been misbehaving lately and the best remedy we could come up with is more exercise. Janie is also a couple of pounds overweight (which is a lot since she's so small), so needs more exercise even if she's being good. So, we made a deal: I walk Janie during the day and Tyler runs with Scout at night. I think he took the short end of the stick because Janie is a breeze to walk by herself. She's easy enough that I can take my camera with me and not nearly die. So this morning, Janie and I went out in search of something to photograph. I noticed this ugly little flower on the side of our path, and that's when I snapped.

There's not much too it, but I think it's cute.

I'm a Slacker

Last week I did not do well with this. Between getting over the nastiness, getting acclimated to a new work schedule, and the gross (rainy & cold) weather outside I was not feeling the picture taking. I gave myself permission to not force it for the rest of the week and that ended up meaning leaving my camera where it sat. I'm not thrilled about the outcome, but I'm diving back in this week and I'm going to make it! I've got a great weekend to look forward to with our 1st wedding anniversary coming up and I'm going to use that excitement to motivate myself to do everything that needs to get done in the next 7 days...including taking a picture each day. That also included cleaning my bathroom today which is what I had just finished doing when I snapped...

And then I got to scratch 2 things off of my to do list :)

Can't Kick This

Ok, it has been a rough week. I've been taking pictures, but I have not enjoyed it this week at all. It was much more of a chore these last few days since these monstrous allergies have knocked me on my butt and then proceeded to hold me down...all week long. And then, just when I thought I was better...BAM! Here it comes again. As you'll be able to tell by the following pictures I've spent my week hydrating, medicating, watching Psych on Netflix and planning our Spring 2011 Road Trip to Californina!

Here's to a better, more creative week ahead.

Cedar Fever

That's where I've been...bed ridden, thanks to those lovely trees that populate this awesome greenbelt we live right in the middle of. For the last few days I've had headaches, body aches, dizziness, sore throat, etc. It's lovely. And it's almost gone...almost.

I did manage to take a picture each day except Sunday when my lovely husband filled in for me. He was awesome while I was sick, by the way. Brought me juice, soup, meds...pretty much anything I asked for. And he cleaned the apartment! I'm a lucky girl!

Alright, lets get started. We've got a lot of catching up to do.

January 9, 2011

I got out of bed and got right back in. It was cold, my head was killing me, and I was sure that I was on the verge of death. It did cross my mind that I needed a picture for the day, but I was in no mood to get out of bed. I was considering giving myself a reprieve for the day, and that's when he snapped...

This is where all 4 of us spent he better part of the next 48 hours.

January 10, 2011

I was still feeling terrible, but Riley was set to go home tonight, so I made a temporary move to the couch where I could properly welcome my good friends back to the lone star state. They arrived, Cajun gifts in hand, then left again without much ado and that's when I snapped.

Scout was already missing her new friend.

January 11, 2011

I was feeling ok. I managed to put in a few hours at work and my awesome coworkers pulled me through it. Once I got home, I settled on the couch to finish the season of Psych that I'd started during my down days. When I got through that, I went to check on the husband of the year, who was playing his PS3 where I had previously been quarantined , and that's when I snapped.

 Isn't he handsome?

January 12, 2011

YAY! I've finally caught up!

Now, you see, my little dog, Janie, she's a couch potato. She was absolutely smitten to be snuggled up in bed for those sick days, and I think she was a little put off when I got up and went to work yesterday. Well, lucky for her, I had this morning off, so we snuggled up to polish off another season of Psych (safe to say I'm addicted to it now). I did, eventually, have to get up and get dressed and when I came back to take them out one last time before I left for the day I noticed she had not moved a muscle (protesting?) and that's when I snapped.

She's got the cutest bed head!

My Backyard

One of my favorite things about where we live right now is that there are miles and miles of trails through the Austin greenbelt only steps from our front door. Since we're dog sitting for a friend, we decided to take all three dogs out on a hike. And I, being a glutton for punishment, decided to take my camera. I know, I know what you're thinking. She must be crazy. or She never learns. And you'd be right. This time it wasn't so bad. Since T came along he took our two dogs and I was only in charge of Riley and my camera.

We all had a great time. The weather was fantastic, the dogs were having a good time, and even though I'd been at work all day I was feeling pretty energetic and was enjoying the afternoon out with my little family (+ Riley). We got to Scouts favorite spot and decided to let the dogs play a bit. Riley and Scout splashed in the creek, and Janie stayed as far away from the water is possible. This particular spot is gorgeous in the summer and I noticed today that's it's just as enchanting in the winter. I passed my Riley duties over to my only other 2 legged hiking buddy and that's when I snapped.

I love it here.

Riley the Westie

I took a few pictures today, and I'm not loving any of them. So, all you get today is a cute little snapshot of my sweet little house guest.

This is Riley.

Fresh Air

It's been kind of gross outside the last few days, so when I woke up today and it was bright and sunny and beautiful, I knew I'd be taking the dogs on a walk. Since I didn't have anything else planned for the day and didn't want to take another picture in the house, I decided to bring my camera along.

Now, picture this...2 dogs (including one who was very very excited to be out of the house for longer than 2 minutes) and 1 girl with a giant camera hanging around her neck trying to wrangle them as they all tromp through the woods. Raise your hand if you think this girl is ever going to get a free hand to snap a picture. Anyone? Well, you'd be right. Until...I came up with this brilliant idea! Let Janie off the leash. She usually follows pretty well and I can count on her to stick pretty close to me. Free hand accomplished! Guess who was wrong again...that's right, this girl...

Janie decided that to day would be a great day to let go her inhibitions and traipse all through the woods with me trying to keep up with her all while keeping track of Scout, who wanted to go in the opposite direction, and avoid dropping my camera and having it roll down the hill and out of my life forever. This nightmare lasted about 20 minutes until we finally made it to the point where the woods open up to a neighborhood. Janie paused for a minute to enjoy her new found freedom and that's when I snapped...

Next time I want a picture of the dogs on a walk I'll make sure to bring an assistant.

I'll play if you play...

Since everyone in our family (that's me, the husband and our 2 dogs) has been featured so far except for our brown dog, Scout, I knew that I wanted to get a picture of her for today. She's typically very cooperative and will sit and stay and pose to my hearts content. Today was a different story.

Yesterday, we let her destroy the last of the toys we had bought for Christmas. You know those stockings full of dog toys you can get around the holidays that with about 10 different toys in them. They cost about $5 and at the rate she goes through toys it's not worth spending any more than that. She's a monster. She's been through 3 now...and they provided about 10 total minutes entertainment. We got one at my work Christmas party in a white elephant game, gave her one on Christmas Eve eve, and then last night remembered that we still had one more, so we dumped them on the floor and let her go at it.

So this morning when I got up, I surveyed the damage and cleaned up the mess then used the one remaining item from the stocking to lure her into a bow. I thought it would be cute...butt in the air, tail wagging. I put the toy on my head, tried to get her to chase me, did everything I could (and that normally works) and nothing. She sat and looked at me like I was crazy. After a few minutes, I gave up and gave Janie her mid-morning belly rub.

Guess who wants to play now? Yep, ol' Scout. Of course, my camera was out of reach, so I grabbed the rope, drug her across the room to where it was sitting, set everything the best I could with one hand, and that's when I snapped.

I'll play you're game, dog, if you'll play mine. Gotcha!

After Dark

There was no time for pictures today. I drug my feet getting out of bed, so by the time I was awake, showered and fed it was time to head to work. And work is where I stayed until after dark.

Our apartment is hard enough to shoot in when it's bright and sunny outside and all the windows are open. Once the sun goes down, it gets pretty darn close to impossible. So, since my camera was out of reach until I got home this evening I had no choice but to go searching for light.

Lucky for me, our apartment complex has a fair number of really interesting street lamps that I've been wanting to photograph for a long time now. Everyday, I drive up the lamp-lined hill and think how pretty it is. Everyday, I think, I really need to bring my camera down here. And everyday, I get home and get busy and never go back. Well, today was different. I had no other options, and not wanting to falter so early in the year I took my trusty husband and tricky tripod out for some night time shooting.

We walked down and back up the hill which looked awesomely mysterious in the rain and fog, but I could not for the life of me make it come across on my camera screen. It was cold and my jacket was light; ok, I was cold---it was maybe 60, but I'm a wimp and much prefer the triple digit heat in summer to anything under 75. Anyhow, I was in a bit of a hurry to get back inside. We headed back up the hill and on the way I noticed a really pretty glow coming from in front of the leasing office so I thought I'd give it one more shot. The husband set up the tripod, and that's when I snapped.

It took 3 shots, but I got what I wanted.

Pitiful Pup

Last night, after we made it home and were mostly re-organized, I noticed that Janie (my little dog) was having foot issues. I say issues because I don't want anyone grossed out over here, but her front left paw looked more like a hoof (swollen, infected, fun). She didn't act like it was bothering her, but she's not a complainer, so after some loving on her and some googling by my google expert husband, we (he) decided that she could wait until morning to see the vet.

Fast forward to this morning...
I take Hoofy (aka Janie) in for what I think will be a dose of antibiotics and I'm told I'll need to leave her there! And they're going to sedate her! Whaaaat?!! So I left her. I went to work and worried all morning. Turns out some vegetation had wedged itself up between her toes and made a nice little home there which looked to me like a grosser than your average gross infection.

By mid afternoon, she was ready to go home. Scout (my big dog) had been worried sick all morning and was more than happy to see her sister return home safely. Janie, however, was in no mood to play and took refuge under the desk...and that's when I snapped...

Look how cute she is with her paw all bandaged up!

Homeward Bound

I knew it would be hard to get a picture today. My day was jam packed with an activity that does not lend itself well to photography...driving. I've been away from home a long time, so I just wanted to get there. I was not in the mood to search for beauty in something on the side of the road.

As I was driving and jamming to some Taylor Swift (I was sans husband on this drive--a consequence of buying a new car while on vacation--not all bad) I noticed what a beautiful day it was. The sun was going down, the sky was the perfect shade of blue, the road ahead of me was gleaming. I knew it was the perfect opportunity to get my picture for today. I pulled over, dug my camera out of the back seat, and that's when I snapped...

Just me and the road. I have to admit it...I'm kind of in love with this picture.

Happy New Year!

I woke up this morning ready to take on 2011. Not long after morning yoga with the hubby, I realized I had no New Year's resolution. Keep them or not, I like to have them...at least try, ya know? So, I resolved to think about it more and went about my morning (since I'm still on vacation and at my parent's house, it wasn't much).

Like most days, I logged on to the Photography Board and clicked around...into the 365 photo thread I went. Awesome! My new year's resolution has been made--1 photo a day for every day in 2011!! I'll improve in photography (my current favorite hobby) and I'll have a record of all of our adventures for the year. Some days will be easier than others, but every day will be documented.

Of course, I had to get started right away, so I grabbed camera, looked around, and that's when I snapped...

T, using his very favorite Christmas present....a PS3. I'm a good wife...