January 31, 2011-A landing

It is a funny thing that I LOVE PLANES! I love to watch them take off. I love to watch them land. I love to watch them fly. I don't love to be on them. From where I work. you can watch this big plane take off and land every day. It is very cool. There is a spot where you can drive that it will fly over your car. I always wanted to get a photo of that, but it is kinda in a narrow drive, so I had to settle for this photo instead. It was practicing take-offs and landings. It would take-off, fly in a big circle, then touch down, and take off again. It was pretty cool to see.

January 29, 2011-LIFETIME!

I have been working at reaching my weight goal at Weight Watchers for 2.5 years. It always seemed just out of reach. As of today, I DID IT! It has been a long hard journey, but it has been worth every second of it. If anyone ever says that weight los is easy, they are crazy. It isn't easy. It is HARD! But, my health is worth it. I want to live to be 105. So, today's photo is of my current weight. I know it isn't common to put your weight up for everyone to see, but I am VERY proud of it. So, here it is! Have a great day! P.S... I know it isn't clear. I didn't take the photo. You can't hold the camera and not gain weight on the scale!

January 26, 2011-A look outside

It has been a few days since I have picked up my camera. So, tonight I decided to take it out and see what is new. I am still trying to learn how to manually manipulate the camera. It is getting better, but I haven't mastered it yet. I am still reading on it though! Who knew it would be so long? So, I was checking out the sunset to see if I could get a good one. I am learning how to take silhouette shots. On my way in, I see these two little cuties on my lawn. I tried to get a better photo, but I had the wrong lens on my camera. I didn't want to go inside and get it as I knew they would be gone. But, they sure are cute.

January 23.2011-A Quilt show

Jeff and I went to a quilt show today. There are always some really amazing quilts that they have. I always love the ones that take a photo andmake it into a quilt. It becomes ART. This year they had a gallery recognizing the Navy's 100th birthday. They were really very cool, and I thought I would share them with you. At the end of the year, they will be auctioned off. I just thought it shows the kind of talents these people have. I don't ever hope to do this type of quilting. I know my limitations, or more accurately, I know my patience. Enjoy!

January 21, 2011-A change?

A job has come open that I am considering applying. It would be in a completely different field, but it would be new and a change. In education, there are a lot of advantages and disadvantages. One of the big disadvantages is that whatever you are doing... it is never enough. Everyone is always trying to find new, better, and more ways to reach students. It is an endless cycle. It is often about what can the teacher do more to help. This is a discussion that we have had at our school as of late. Do I still love teaching? Yes. Would it nice to have a change? Yes as well. So, I am investigating something new. Doesn't mean it will change my circumstances, but you never know unless you apply, right? Anyway, this motto on this shirt is one that I try to live by. Some days I am better at it than others. But, I keep striving.

January 19, 2011-My mantra for the year

Most of the day today I have been talking to myself. Saying what you ask? Well, when I spent 30 something years beating myself up over every little negative imperfection, one has to have new words to say to oneself when one changes. I am trying to replace all those negative comments with positive ones. Now, don't think I am conceited because I am posting these. These are the words that I use to remind myself how far I have come. I think as humans it becomes so common to tell ourselves that we are this or that, that we never really think about how ingrained it becomes in our personalities. So, I am going to replace all those "you can't do____________" with "I can do and be anything I want". I also catch myself doubting myself at times... such as when the seams don't match up on a quilt. I am replacing that with "I am incredible and amazing!" Everything starts with baby steps. So, here are the start to my baby steps. Do you have some you want to write?

January 18, 2011-Twilight?

As I was driving home today, I was thinking that I hadn't posted my photos for a couple days. I had to stop by Target to replace my desk calendar....don't ask...the story ends with a stupid white cat dumping a 50 oz. ice tea all over it. Anyway, as I came around the corner, I saw this sunset with the FULL MOON. The photo quality isn't all that great, and I had to put the camera on Auto to get it to work, but I am just not far enough along to get the good photo on my own yet. These things take time! I hope you enjoy!

January 16, 2011-Cooking, anyone?

For the last couple of Sundays, I have been taking some cooking classes at Williams-Sonoma here in town. Last week, the class was on stir fry. This week, the class was on grilling, and next week it is on pasta. Now, I am not a big pasta fan, as in it ranks right up there with pizza for me, but I figure maybe I will learn how to make some new recipes and learn some new sauces to be able to put it over fresh spinach. One of the bonuses of taking these classes is that you get 10% off of your purchases for that day. The big shopper that I am, I instantly head over to the clearance section. Last week, I had to pass up some after Christmas peppermint bark. It was HARD, too! But, I did get a mini muffin pan on clearance! So, today with my discount, I bought... yep, you guessed it...hand soap! With all the cool gadgets there, one would think I could buy something really great, but I am afraid to buy a gadget and have it sit in my drawer. I loved the smell of this soap, and the lady said it will take off the grease that gets on my hands when I cook and bake (which my current soap does not!) !!! Now, it sits next to the kitchen sink! I think it is money well spent.

January 15, 2011-My photo class

I am taking this photo class online. It is called 12 weeks to better photos. It seems that everyone gets new cameras at Christmas time and then they all want to know how to use it. So, on this message board I read all the time, they offered this class. It isn't so hard, but we will see if it really improves my photos. I have tried to take it in the past, but I always get bogged down right around the 3rd week. But, I never want to be a person that thinks, "wow, this camera takes GREAT pictures." I know it is the operator behind it that gets those great shots. The first one is on light and aperture. I don't really have any subjects to try it on, and Jeff doesn't really want to sit still for me to try it out. I have to grab the next best thing... my favorite pink Teddy. Now, Teddy has a story, but maybe I will save that for another day. I am going to post all three photos, and you can tell me if you see the difference. After all, it is better photos, right?

January 14, 2011-My car

It's funny. I don't really think too much about what I drive. I mean, I love it, but I spend so much time in my car, but it is almost like it is another house... or as someone said one time... women think it is a big purse. I LOVE my car, though. It moves fast and rides nice. Granted it has its little quirks... like you could lose a whole person in the blind spot in the front, but hey, that is all good, right? Anyway, I wanted to document her. Her name is Quick Silver. Do you ever wonder why cars always have female personalities? No one ever names their car BOB? And when you talk to them, you never say... c'mon boy, don't break down here. It is some little sweet talkin' that you do to get her to the dealer (or the gas station). Just a funny thing. I will probably always be a Dodge girl. My grandpa was, and I think he passed that on to me. I love the first picture because I think she has a GRUMPY face. And the second picture, well, I was playing with my camera today. That's what this is all about, right?

January 13, 2011-My favorite gadget

When I first became a runner, I used my trusty little stopwatch on my wrist. I was so impressed with the fact that it could time intervals and time me. Then Jeff got a really cool gadget, and I thought I never needed one. Now two years later, I have my own gadget. Not only does it time my miles, but it logs my distance and the heart rate, and it slices and dices, too. Well, not really, but it is a pretty cool gadget. So, here it is... the AMAZING GARMIN FORERUNNER 305! Now, if it would just run for me, it would be an incredible gadget. Oh well. I could always hope. By the way, don't mind the time on it. I am just getting back to running and slow is the way to go. OH, and the other cool pink gadget is my new interval timer that vibrates, so that I don't disturb everyone else. Kinda cool, eh?

January 12, 2011-Paradise

While I was standing at work today,my co-workers and I were having a discussion about the beauty around us. Because of all the rain we have gotten so far this winter, everything is BEAUTIFUL and GREEN! We were admiring the snow on the mountains and the green in the hills, and we decided that today we had the best job ever. One doesn't always feel that way about their place of employment, so it was a GREAT feeling. I tried to catch a picture of our local seagulls since they seem to be always around catching trash, but they wouldn't hold still. So, instead I got these noisy little birds in the trees next to our work.

January 11, 2011-Up Early!

Every morning as I leave the gym, I see the most amazing sunrises. Usually I am just a little bit behind to get the good photos. Today, however, I rushed home and then planned where I wanted to shoot from. I climbed a couple sets of stairs just to get a shot. Not so easy after just completing a cycling class. But, the views were awesome. I hope they relay as well in photos. I hope your day started as great as mine.

January 10, 2011- A little trip

After work today, I decided to go on a little excursion to get my picture. Not very far from my work...maybe 3-5 minutes, is this little gem. I love this time of the day because of the sunlight. Although you can see the smog, I love the blue of the lake. It was pretty cool to find some place new to shoot, but it was a little cold in the wind, too, so I had to be FAST! Today was the first day back from vacation. There were a few photo opportunities that I saw today that I am keeping in my little head for future photo shares. Happy Monday!

January 8, 2011-A few products

So, it is the first of the year, and what sort of stuff do you after January 1? Well, so far, we have cleaned out my closet and the garage. In case you don't know, I am married to the Merry Maid. Today's post is about what he was up to today. He hates it when I am home when he cleans. Apparently I get in his way. I hate it in when he cleans because he stacks my stuff!!!! But, I know that it needs to be done, and there is no time like the present. I am always thankful when he is finished, though, because our house always smells so good. So, I say, thank you Merry Maid!!!

By the way, did you know that 409 gets its name from it taking 409 times to get the formula right? Just a little tidbit I thought you should know!!!

January 7, 2011- A view out my window

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE sunrises and sunsets. I try to photograph the sunrise, but today it was coming up as I was coming out of the gym. So, I had to catch the sunset. These kinds of photos always make me happy and make me smile. It makes me sad in the winter time as the sun sets so early. But, summer will be just around the corner.

January 6, 2011--Need Gas?

You know... about the time you think that gas is going down, it goes right back up! This is not the cheapest place to get gas in town, but I think it has the coolest scenery. But, I have to tell you that people sure do look at you strange when you are taking a photo. I probably should have walked or ridden my bike over to take the photo!

January 5, 2011- A picture of self

Well, I guess this blog is about Life's Journeys, right? So, I have been on a big weight loss journey for the last four years. Maybe even longer than that.... probably more like my whole life. Today's post is a look back to see how far I have come in my journey. So, 106-108 lbs ago (depends on the day...) ;-), I was the first picture on the bottom. It is almost unreal to me, but I am sure I thought I looked THIN as I was lying on the bed trying to squeeze into my jeans. It still takes me a little while to recognize the person in that photo along with the person currently in the mirror.

The next picture was taken about 5 years ago. This was right before I began my marathoning experiences. Then, Jeff and I did the Disneyland Half Marathon. It ws the second race I had ever done. After I had been walking marathons for a little bit, I still was losing some weight, but not as much as I had wanted. So, just a couple of months from the next photo, I joined Weight Watchers. What a great program that is with some realllly wonderful people. I love the support and the information that I get every week.

This leads me to this last picture. This is the current photo of myself. About 45 days ago, I had a long talk with my doctor, Dr. Shin, about being stuck on the last 25 pounds. He and I had a long talk about weight and there was a program that he wanted me to try to help me to become a fat-burning body instead of a sugar-burning body. It seemed like a good idea until I had to give up chocolate. I won't say that it was easy, but I will say it has been life-changing for me. No longer am I dependent on the Costco-size bag of M&M's or Ghiradelli chocolate chips (my two favorite foods!!!) I no longer NEED to eat as much sugar as I can in one sitting. I am pretty proud of that! I am very lucky to have had that talk with him. Even though there were days that I hated his guts for putting me on the program, I am still very thankful!

So, for me this year is about a new journey... a journey to a healthier lifestyle.

And, just because I can, here is the newest picture of Jeff!

January 4, 2011-My favorite shoes

These are my favorite shoes EVER (along with my favorite teddy courtesy of the Breast Cancer 3 day!)! When Jeff and I were in Nashville doing a race, we stopped at this boot shop down in the Honky Tonks. The lady who helped us was so nice and what a great suggestion she gave me to get these boots. I LOVE them! Every time I wear them, they make me smile. I don't know if it is because they fit so well or if it is because they remind me of Nashville. Either way, they are my faves!

January 3, 2011-A Chore

Today's assignment was show a picture of a chore that you do. Today is the first day back to running since the 3 day 60 mile walk. I love running, but whoowee, it was difficult. I hope that each day gets a little easier. I guess that is what I get for taking 6 weeks off! So, here's to you trusty running shoes!

January 2, 2011-A ritual

Every DAY as I am working on my computer, I hear," ARRRGGGHH! Go see your Mother! " Today, I was able to catch the offense in action. Jeff hates it when he is trying to read the paper and Molly Brown lays on it, so he can't finish the section. Well, here she is in all her glory!

January 1, 2011--My family!

Welcome to 2011!! How exciting that a new year is upon us! So, this year one of my resolutions is to get to know my cameras better! Notice I said plural! We have more than our share of cameras. So, here it goes... today's topic was family!