#5 - Sale Pending

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 40 - Sale Pending
(Pic 40/365)

I remember closing on our house the end of July last year. It was so exciting - our FIRST house - a new chapter in our lives. Now that we've been here a year, there are a ton of renovating projects I have in mind. But then it's either renovating projects or traveling? This year we chose to go on two major holidays. One was our Florida vaca last May, and the next to Europe in the fall. Hopefully next year the house projects will start.

Confession: I love our house but for some reason I want to move to another one. A house in another state for that matter... a coast state.

There are several houses in our neighborhood that are on the market that are absolutely gorgeous! Wish they were available when we were house hunting. But every time I go for a walk I grab one of those fliers just to check out the house and the price - and because I love to see how people decorate. Anyway, above is a sidewalk picture of a house that has been "almost" sold. I turned the corner and saw this beautiful view that I just had to take.

Below is just a random picture of an acorn on the sidewalk. It looked out of place. More effort into photography next time. 

#5 - More of the Kids

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 39 - More of the Kids
(Pic 39/365) - (Yesterday's photos)

#5 - Colette

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 38 - Colette
(Pic 38/365) - (Yesterday's photos)

A week ago Dre told me that his relatives in Miami can no longer take care of their dog, Colette (little Havanese cutie). We met the cute pup earlier this year when we went to Florida on holiday. Even then, I already loved her. She was this loving, adorable, energetic, sweet girl full of personality, made more beautiful by the pony tail gathered on top of her head. Absolute darling.

Dre and I had a talk and decided that we could use more excitement to add to our already exciting lives (What's one more?). He telephoned Jody & Susan back and then one thing lead to another - until yesterday at the airport. I've been anticipating Colette's arrival for a week and couldn't wait to see her again.

Her flight landed 20 minutes later, but still no Colette. I decided to go to the baggage claim department but no one was there... then the back door opened and out came this lady carrying a pet crate. I took one look and yelled, "COLETTE!!!" She barked immediately as I knelt to peek inside the kennel. As soon as she got out of the cage she jumped and gave me kisses all over. Just melts my heart... I nearly cried. She remembered me instantly. I'm such a sap. Dre came following when he heard the barking.

Anyway, it's going to take a few weeks for the kids to coexist. They're still trying to get to know each other but eventually, they'll be BFFs. It's going to be an interesting household. :-)

{ Dre, Elle, Jean-the-Cat, Pretzel-Moose, Colette }

>> So tired. I'll post today's photo shoot tomorrow.

Pahk the Cah in the Hahvahd Yahd

You kidding me right? Did it really happen? And the answer is, YES!!!!!

I'm still in disbelief. Here goes. My three good friends (2 childhood friends and 1 college friend - aka 1/2 my bridal party - see pic above) are now living in Massachusetts - at the city I grew up in. Coincidence or providence? Providence most likely.

Anyway, I am extremely happy for friendships that blossomed because of me - yet very jealous that I wont be part of the new memories. Because while they're enjoying their time together, New England, Cumberland Farms, Del's Lemonade, and the Bostonian Accent (Pahk the Cah in the Hahvahd Yahd) --- Ya'll, I'm in Iowa!!! IOWA!!!

I desperately miss familiar grounds and old friendships...

>> Side note: Welcome to our family, Colette. Blogging about this tomorrow.
>> Photo Challenge: Will be posted tomorrow.

#5 - Fast Food Nation

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 37 - Fast Food Nation
(Pic 37/365)

Today's blog post will be a bit different in the way that it will be styled "photo-journalistic" -- pictures in the form of a story.

I also should have taken a picture of what we ordered, but whatever it was, it truly reflected what we looked like tonight... tired, exhausted, and wired. Tonight is Day 2.5 of Dre being awake with only a few hours of sleep in between. I've had more sleep than he (4-5 hours a night), but the point is... why the heck are there no healthy restaurants open late at night?! What about those who work around the clock?? I just have no time to cook anymore.

Tonight I planned to sleep early (10 P.M.) but that didn't happen. There are a few more things to do after this blog post but eventually my body will get some rest. It feels like graduate school all over again... nostalgic... in a way, a humorous type of masochism.

Anyway... here are two more pictures taken tonight:

#5 - Lights & Buttons

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 36 - Lights & Buttons
(Pic 36/365) - (Yesterday's photos)

It's becoming increasingly difficult to take photos. It's like the saying, "When it rains, it pours." Right now it's POURING... HARD and the work load is causing a bit of flooding -- but that's a good thing. The important thing is that we're not drowning.

Nonetheless, the above are photos of simple things: mobile phones and a router. It's fascinating that the newer phones and (dare i say) iPads steer clear away from buttons. I've tried the, "no buttons" business and it irritated me more than anything. Buttons are my thing . Call me old fashioned but buttons are useful and precise. That is all.

I'm exhausted... looking forward to free time. :-)

#5 - The Night Life

Challenge 5: Complete a 365 day photo challenge
Picture 35 - The Night Life
(Pic 35/365) - (Yesterday's photo shoot)

 { Sky Walk }

Tonight Dre and I went to downtown to take long exposure pictures. The above photos are not an example of one but it's such a sweet picture of kids running the full length of the colorful, raised above traffic, tunnel of modern excitement. It's almost a psychedelic experience. 

As far as long exposure pictures go - we had a little too much fun - especially when we stood in the middle of the street to take pictures of oncoming traffic. (Long exposure = set shutter speed way down to about 15-30 seconds)

Then we went to a gas station and bought an LED flashlight - and here's what we did with it when we got home. We picked a dark area in our front yard and took some fun shots. We probably took about an hour to take these pictures. Of course there are more that I didn't post, but here are a few fun ones. Hear my D90 ROAR of sheer awesomeness!!!!

{ I'm talented in writing my name backwards }

{ Andrey <3's Eleanor }

Awe...

{ Dre's Drawing of a sailboat. Pretty darn awesome. }

{ he's such an artist }

{ I was behind Dre tracing him. Pretty groovy. }