40/365 depth of field

 

Was playing around with depth of field and this is the best of the bunch.  Still getting snow, lots of snow.  Our crusty old van is back at home, but what it boils down to is we just can’t drive it in snow.  Only a slight inconvenience in the mid-west during winter. 

Anyone else printing/making valentines with their kids this year?  We have never made them before and the girls are so excited to be invited to a party…all four of them.  Let’s see 33 kids-1 you do not give yourself x 4 little girls = mommy helping to make 128 valentines.  I am all about handmade, but the boxes of pre-prints at stuff-mart are looking mighty pretty right about now.  It’s all about happy memories, right?   It would be like opening up a box mix to make chili when I have spices, beans, tomatoes, and onions in the cupboard.  I just do not think I can do it. 

Weigh-in update: 1lb (with blue jeans on instead of workout clothes.)  I was disappointed.  I put in 20 hours of exercise in last week.  I can not begin to explain how hard that was to balance with homeschooling, food, and even working a shift.  Why did I not lose more?  Our trainer has informed us that with all that work muscle retains water for repair.  She insists this next Monday will be when it really shows.  Guess I should stop sulking and pull it together start counting calories again, and get my butt moving.  I really want to have at least one 4lb week.  I was so close last week, hopefully this next one will be it!

39/365 frosty morning

Over the weekend we got about a foot of snow with high winds.  Our back yard drifts pretty high.   Not good for the dog going out (poor little three-legged doggie.)  This morning, though, I just could not resist.  The trees were frosted over and the sky so blue.  This shot is straight out of the camera…no cropping, no light adjustment, and I love it.  Not saying it couldn’t benefit from some post-processing, but I like it just how it is for the memory of being in thigh-deep drifts hoping I didn’t drop my camera while trying to play with settings.

38/365 good dog

It’s cold

I’m tired

This is my view

37/365 snow, lots of it

I had a hard time picking a favorite today, but the texture in the one above won me over.  The bottom one is the lilacs outside my back door pile high with fresh, powdery snow.  I finally feel like I have a slight hold on how to photograph in the snow.   More practice is needed and from the looks of things we have more snow on the way mid-week. 

 Our entire town shut down today until about 5PM because of all the snow and blowing winds.   It’s so pretty when you can just stay home and I welcomed not going to the Y.   First time in well over a week that I haven’t been there working out and while it feels good, I feel like something is missing.  Hope everyone enjoy’s their weekend!

36/365 egg

I did it, 20 classes this week  (Mon-Fri) at the Y!  Not 25 minute lunch break classes, but classes running from 50 minutes up to an hour twenty each.   There was one time when I was ready to give up, but even when our team didn’t need it, I finished one more class tonight because I knew I could.  It’s a small goal, part of my bigger goal to reach my goal weight.   Four weeks left in the challenge.  I can do it and am quite impressed at the strength within my tired aching body

I have to say, I am amazed at how much my body can handle.  I am amazed at how tired I am.  I am amazed that I could get down on the floor to take this photo tonight after getting the van stuck, swapping seats into my parents van, getting home,  having movie night with the twins, etc.  Even more amazing than getting around down on the floor to take the photo is that after taking the photos I was still able to get up on my own! 

You never know what you can do until you set your mind to doing it.  I’ve set my mind to this photo project and wow am I learning.  I know my photos this week do not reflect it, but things had to give a bit this week.  But I have 90% to go on the year and I intend to look back at the beginning of this year come December and chuckle at how much I did not know about basic photography.

What have you set your mind to lately?

35/365 artists

 

The girls were working hard at an art project while I snuck in a bit of rest today.  18 classes at the Y so far since Monday and while I am glad tomorrow is Friday and the end of the challenge, a part of me will miss it. 

I’ve learned all sorts of things about myself.  I am stronger and more determined than I thought I was.  There is a bit of competitive spirit in me, and honestly before this week I would have told you I was one of the least competitive people out there.  My abs (though hidden) are probably my strong point while my cardio is by far my weakest.  The best part to me is how strong I have become in just a week and how it has affected my physical shape.  In just 5 days I am seeing some visible tone! 

Two classes tomorrow, one before and one after work and I am looking forward to both of them.  My poor husband and kids are beginning to wonder who this crazy, sweaty woman is that keeps coming in and out of their house stopping to snap a picture here and there.  Thankfully, I was able to arrange school fairly light for the girls and my MIL was here today and Tuesday so that the girls didn’t feel like they were living at the Y as well.  Saturday is back to life as we knew it guys…hang in there!

34/365 drama

 

That is my drama-girl up there in the so-so lighting.  I try to take a natural photo of her and this is as good as it gets.  Thankfully, I snagged one without a curtsey, batting eyelashes, and whatever else she could dish out.

Speaking of drama, I am so sore.  5 classes today, 5 more tomorrow, and then 2 on Friday.  Looks like our team may pull a win on this one and it will be a well-fought fight to get there.

33/365 weights

I lifted more weights today than I think I have in my entire life combined.  5 YMCA classes: 1 cardio/weight mix, yoga, pilates, and boot camp.  That brings my total to 8 for the week.   Tomorrow is another 5, Thursday I will be doing 4, Friday will only be 2 because I am working a half day.

I hate planks.

Sorry, just had to say that.  I feel better now.  Don’t expect much in pictures this week, or words.  Doing 5 hours of classes, plus schooling the girls, then adding life on top of it has me beat!

Wonder what torture will find it’s way to me tomorrow and I had better lose weight this week as I haven’t sweat this much ever.

32/365 helper

This is my helper.  Don’t get me wrong, all my girls are helpers.  They do chores, they like to help clean, and will do what I ask of them.   However, this one is always there and eager to help.  I can ask her to do nearly anything and she is happy to do it.  She is so much of a helper that I have to be careful to not take advantage.  This photo is straight out of the camera.  I know I could balance the color some and adjust the lighting a bit, but I am a sucker for a good out of camera shot and this is one of my best (in my opinion.)  Isn’t she beautiful! 

I lost three more pounds in the last week.  I can’t tell you how good it feels just knowing I am working towards a goal like this.  The challenge for the teams this week is to attend fitness classes and the team that attends the most classes wins pounds off of their weight total.   I did three classes today and have plans for four or five tomorrow.  It sounds awful, but so far it isn’t.  I am taking the low-level moves/weights when they offer it and every day am doing a yoga class to make sure I am stretching out good.  If the shins or foot start acting up I will have to back off.  I think our team has a really good chance for placing in this challenge seeing a couple of us are able to do day and evening classes.  The top three teams get pounds off.  We won second on last weeks challenge and are doing great at losing weight consistently.  Winner overall gets a cash prize and we are aiming for the top.   My running shoes are starting to wear and I’d like to get a new pair. 

Yes, you read it right.  The whole thing is shoe-motivated.  Kidding.  The shoes play in as I would love a new pair, but I have a goal.  It’s a goal I’ve had since being pregnant with Liz up there in the picture.  She is 8 now and 8 years is an awful long time to let a goal sit.  Too long.  This is the time, this is the season.  I can do it.  I will do it!

31/365 bench press

Just a quick photo tonight.  I spent the evening relaxing at my friends house and it felt so good.  Now it is way past bedtime and a busy week ahead.  The photo, by the way, I know is not “quality” except that I just love it.  My husband bench pressed the kids today, just because a) he could and b) it made them laugh.  It is a memory I want to keep.  

Life is good!