Day 91: Gifts That Keep On Giving

Flowers from our front garden.

This mother's day, all the women in our ward were given a small terra-cotta pot with a bag of assorted flower seeds. My mom and sister and I planted our seeds in our little pots, and soon the plants got too big for the pots.  So my dad moved them into our front yard garden.  Pretty soon, those little plants exploded into huge bushy things, and soon they began to sprout little pink flowers.  They were pretty, but too big, so today Dad dug them up and put the flowers in a vase for Mom to enjoy - along with some other flowers that grew too big for our little garden.

As I was taking pictures of the flowers tonight, I realized that even though we had to dig up our mother's day plants, they still lasted longer than any mother's day gift I've ever been given in the ward.  Usually we get candy bars or a single rose.  Both good gifts, but very temporary.  The flower pots gave us something more.  We got to watch the little seeds sprout and grow and become something beautiful.  It lasted months, and brought joy to all of us.  What a great present!

That's how the best presents should be.  Things that don't just last a day, but that continue to make the receiver happy.  The gifts that keep on giving.

Day 90: That's Right, DAY NINETY!

I bought this hat last week for a photo idea I have.  More to come...

Ninety days!  Ninety days!  I can't believe I've made it this far!  Ok, sure.  I haven't posted my photos every single day, but I've taken a photo every single day without missing ONE.  I feel like I should get some sort of prize for being this diligent!

Then again, I guess I already have several prizes: satisfaction, pride in my accomplishments, the knowledge that I actually CAN follow through with some things, a touch of self-righteousness, and confidence in myself (which is the biggest prize of all).  Plus, I think I might actually be improving my photography skills, which is AWESOME.

All in all, I have to say this project has been so amazingly cool!  I've pushed myself in an area that I never would have thought to grow in.  I've had a blast finding new and creative ways to capture the world around me, and I've gotten some amazing shots in the process.  I'm excited to see what the next 90 days will bring. :D

Day 89: Torturous Grooming

Georgie.

My poor cat!  I put her through the ringer tonight.  She is an Exotic Short-hair, which just means she's a cross between a Persian and a Tabby.  She's got a smushed face and THICK short fur.  My parents let her out during the day, and her favorite past-time outside is to roll around in the oil-soaked street.

Tonight when we were all sitting in the living room, I noticed how matted Georgie's fur was getting, and decided to brush it out (she HATES her fur being brushed, by the way).  So I bundled myself up in a coat for protection against her claws, grabbed the brush, and trapped Georgie in a vice grip with one arm while I tried to brush her out with the other.

OH MAN.  She had a FIT.  She hissed and spit and bit and scratched and SCREAMED as if I were torturing her to death.  She squirmed and kicked so bad that I nearly lost my grip a few times.  I finally had to enlist Christine's help, and while I held Georgie fast, Christine had to do the brushing.  We got a few of the rats nests out of Georgie's pelt before we decided to give her a break.  We put her in the bathroom (her favorite place) with her food to let her calm down.

I went in to check on her 20 minutes later, and found her huddled in the sink (her favorite sleeping spot), arms tucked in what looked like the fetal position, head ducked and ears lowered.  I felt so bad!  She looked so pitiful huddled in the sink like that, but when I moved to pet her, she lifted her head to meet my hand and purred when I scratched her neck.

I suppose all is forgiven, and I'm glad.  All I wanted to do was brush her coat.

Day 88: Fruity Delights

Nectarines and Strawberries

I've been trying to eat healthier lately, and by so doing, have come to a greater appreciation of fruit.  I've never been a big fan of fruit, but since I can't have many other treats right now, fruit is my only sollace.  :)

Today Christine and I decided that we wanted to make a big breakfast.  As usual, Christine did most of the work, but I sliced up this yummy fruit salad (nectarines, strawberries and bananas) to go on top of my pancakes since I can't have any syrup or jam.  I ended up eating that fruit salad all by itself, it was so good.  I also ate most of it, which was very selfish of me.

Now I'm planning on new and different ways to eat fruit because it's so yummy when I'm craving sugar.  Yay for fruit!

Day 87: More Storms

Another oncoming storm.

I stepped out of the restaurant last night to see this awesome storm headed our way.  The sun was still up, but those black clouds made it look like it was full night.  I realize I've taken several cloud shots this month, but we've had so many cool storms lately, how can you blame me?!

I have this perverse love of storms.  Where other people groan and whine when they see black clouds headed their way, I get giddy.  My favorite thing is to stand outside and feel the wind blowing a big storm in.  I love the smell of oncoming rain, the way the pavement seems to sigh a breath right before the rain hits it.  I love the sound the rain makes on our metal car port, how it amplifies the sound.  I love when it pours!  I once danced in the rain.  I know that you hear that a lot, but how many of you would actually have the guts (as a grown-up) to go outside in the pouring rain and dance to no music at all.  Yes, it's a little embarrassing, but liberating at the same time.  :)

Day 86: Moonbeams

The moon rise...tweaked a little.

I tried to capture the moon as it was rising over the mountains tonight, but I was without my tripod, so I didn't get a clean shot.  But the flare from the street lamp added a nice touch, so I kept the picture anyway.

Here are some things I noticed today:
*The satisfying sound the spiral binding machine makes as I punch holes in the papers
*The bug bite scars on my arms make me feel like a small pox victim
*Hiding in an empty office to clear my mind doesn't feel childish anymore because it really made my morning go better
*Spontaneous compliments are the best
*Watching a movie for the third time is still fun if you watch it with someone who hasn't seen it yet
*Dinner with friends is a nice break, even if the food sucked

Day 85: Reading, Reading, Reading!

A page from my book.

I've spent all my free time reading Mockingjay over the last two days, and since I don't have a lot of free time, I'm still not finished with it.  But it is SO GOOD!  Since this book has occupied 100% of my thoughts today, I thought it fitting to take a picture of one of its pages.  I know I took a picture of a book yesterday, but who's keeping track but me anyway?

So, here we are...I'm trying to think of something clever to say, but I'm honestly fighting the urge to shut my laptop and open up my book.

Actually, if I'm completely honest, then I'll have to admit that the book is actually open and cradled awkwardly between my arms as I type this.  I'm having to backspace a lot to fix typos with this load in my arms, but I can't let go of it.  Not when I'm so close to finishing it! (30 pages or so)

I LOVE having a great book to be excited about!  I just wish this wasn't the last book in the series. :(