A New Camera!

So I met up with my father & step-mother today to catch up & spend time.  When we were leaving, he presented me with a gift - something I remember admiring from childhood and basically being secretly obsessed with.  I remember telling him a while ago that if he ever thought about getting rid of it that I would take it off his hands. 

A Canon EOS Rebel S camera.  Yes, it's 35mm and takes REAL film but it's such an AWESOME CAMERA!!  I'm so excited about it.  It's a SLR camera (I really wanted one last spring during tax time & had to settle with something a little less) and he even still had the instruction manual!

 As another great thing that happened today, I went with a friend & her two children to Goebberts Farm to look at over-priced pumpkins, see a bunch of animals, drink hot cider, get cider doughnuts, eat grilled corn on the cob & basically walk around and enjoy time together.  It was pretty fun.

I find myself conflicted with the animal part of the farm.  They're in small cages and don't seem very happy or interested in doing anything (though some of them enjoy the constant treats from all the children & adults passing by).

There were some yellow flowers! :)

Now, I'm not too sure what these animals have to do with fall & halloween but it was fun anyway!  Especially if you love animals - like me!

Giraffe

Giraffe

Bobcat

White tiger cub

Tiger cubs

Piglets!

My favorite piglet

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and were slso able to do something fun!

Better Late Than Never

Sorry this post is a bit late for today.  I didn't get a chance to take my photos until it was time for bed & I really needed to get some sleep.

There's a new friend that will be joining me at work.  Marcus, the Betta fish.  I got him & his tank all set up at home, trying to see how he'll adjust and then when I go into work on Tuesday, I'll get him set up and in a permanent position.

Marcus' 5 gallon aquarium home

Marcus
A Latin name that means "war like"
(according to BabyNames.com)

His tail

When I attended Millikin University, I got two goldfish and kept them on my desk.  They helped keep me calm and to focus so I think he'll be really good for me at work.  That's the plan anyway.  Marcus, the Reservations Fish!

When You Think There's Nothing to Say...

So you know that I'm all about the small things and I was thinking a lot about what I wanted to write for today's post.  Well, all I could think about was what a rough day I had and how sick I feel.  Then, I went to give the dogs some water and something out the window caught my eye.  There was a bright green color on the tree just outside our living room window!  Thinking it was a trick, I got a closer look and took a couple of photos.

Some cool moss growing on a tree outside our window.

I know that moss is "yucky" but it just looked so cool tonight and I haven't noticed it at all.

I hope you all have a good day and remember to share this with someone you love.  Everybody needs something to smile about.

Finding Your Smile

Sometimes when I'm feeling down, a small bunch of flowers will do wonders to perk me up.  While getting some groceries for the next week, I saw a bunch of yellow daisies sitting among mixed bouquets.  The mixed bouquets were dyed and very bright and pretty but there was something about the natural yellow color that just stood out and cried, "You want to buy me!"  So I did.  For whatever reason, yellow daisies always make me smile and they're now sitting in a vase at my bedside, waiting for the morning and waking up to something cheerful and bright.

I hope that you can find something in your day that makes you smile.

Getting Crafty

I've been feeling pretty good today & have decided to begin sewing.  I am making a messenger bag and am hoping that it will turn our ok enough to use as a purse.  I'm not sure if it will turn out ok but I'm having fun doing it anyway.

The complete lining for my zipper bag.

My zipper bag

Two pockets on the side - one fits my phone perfectly!

One of the clips for my shoulder strap

My shoulder strap - Isn't it fun!

Freshman Homecoming

Sorry it's been a couple of days.  I've actually been having a good few days.  Kate's freshman homecoming was on Saturday so I helped her get ready.  Here are some photos!

The Good Things that Happened Today

Yellow flowers usually make me smile

I have to admit, it's really difficult to write this right now but here I go.  I'm trying to remember to look at the bright side of things so I'm going to take a moment to write about my accomplishments for today - Thursday, October 6th.

• I asked someone for help
• I was "productive" instead of going back to bed this morning
• I did a good job at work today
• I made some plans for working towards my values
• I prepared a budget worksheet so I can get back on top of my finances
• I took a shower this morning
• I did my hair & makeup
• I felt pretty this morning
• I'm allowing myself to feel angry
• I made additions to my Guidance tattoo and have plans for the rest
• I forced myself to post something positive for you to read in the morning

What Makes You Happy?

Ok.  Since I have my blog designed to write about what I've done for the day even though you're reading it first thing in the morning so I'm going to talk about my day today.  This morning was rough for me.  Many of you are unaware of the struggles that I've been struggling with especially during these past 2-3 months. 

This morning, I was feeling extremely depressed.  I knew that there were many emotions whirling around up in my head but I was unable to identify them, the first time in more than two months.  It became completely overwhelming...

I have a list of things, they're called "coping skills".  I'm trying to find the healthy balance of using these coping skills to not only help me cope with an issue but to use these skills to help me allow my emotions to be felt while still allowing myself to work successfully throughout the day and through any problem that may arise.  Today, I needed to focus on using my coping skills to get away from the place I was and to come to an emotional place so that I could focus on and be successful at work.  I feel as though I was very successful and I had a really fun time with it too.  It's great to be doing something and to finally enjoy doing it! :)

Anyway, the skill I've been working on most often is sketching and drawing.  I'm trying to be positive about them and I'm going to share them with you.  Let me know what you think!  I hope they help brighten your day.

The cover (to be completed) of my positive affirmations to help remind me of what's important and remove the "black & white" thinking zone that I've been stuck in.

I am designing a tattoo around this bird symbolizing guidance.  I've kind of hit a "writer's block" but I'll update it as it comes along.

"Tree of Emotion"
One of my early ones (like these all aren't brand new....).  Different emotions are different colors and they all have their own impact on those around them.

Untitled
Any thoughts???

"You Make my Heart Dance"
Sometimes it feels as though Mike & his heart will remind me to get up and keep on loving and caring.

Staying Positive

I'm really struggling with writing this today. I am so sorry. Since I struggle the most with staying positive, I decided that it was a good idea to make my next post about it.

I started the day trying to be positive. I woke up, took a shower, did a little something with my hair, put on some makeup and wear something that's not completly sloppy.


Then I got to work, ate breakfast, chatted with a friend and found this on my desk when I got there.

Cute, right?! She also baked a cake! Well, technically, her daughter baked it for her but the cake & chocolate frosting was delicious!












Throughout the day I found myself touching my new pendant. Mike agreed that I could get it to help with my inspiration with my locket of loved ones and I felt great starting the day off with something tangible.

I'm dreaming up a new tattoo design... I'll be sketching it soon. Maybe tomorrow, I'll post the things I've been working on.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. It is so important to stay positive in your day and it's a really great thing for me to have the tangible item to remind me of the direction I want to go.

What Did You Do This Summer?

My husband and I decided to go up to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for my birthday weekend this summer.  It was pretty great.  We met my family and got to spend a few days on their boat.  Here are a few photos of our vacation.

My sisters were tubing and this is right before the sister on our right flipped right out!

Mike chilling on the boat.

Someone's beautiful landscaping - WOW

There were many sailboats towards the evening

Sailboats on the water - so fun to photograph!

The sunset before heading back to dock for dinner.

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into my summer.  I'll post more tomorrow!

Second Attempt

I know that this blog is supposed to be every day but I've been going through some things lately that have been bringing me pretty down & unable to follow-through with things. I would like to try to start up again but I request some patience and support from my readers (that's you!).

Thank you all.

Kate Spins & Twirls!

So yesterday, October 2nd, I went shopping with my mom & 1 of my sisters to find a Freshman Homecoming dress for this upcoming Saturday. She tried on a few dresses and I brought my camera (2 weren't even photo worthy) just in case we needed to go to different stores & needed to refer back to some.

Overall, I think we all had a lot of fun. It was nice having a girl's day with my mom & one of my sisters and we had an opportunity to chat and eat an Auntie Anne's pretzel! YUM!!

This one was okay but not quite right.

I don't understand the zebra print but this one was not very good.

Runner up

The dress that looked great on the hanger but hung lifeless on someone with curves.

The PERFECT dress!

It was pretty fun! I tried to stay focused and grounded in the present and just be a little silly. It worked! I laughed and made my mom laugh and shake her head. 

I'll be sure and take some photos of the finished product (hair, makeup and everything else) on Homecoming night!  Kate has asked me to do her nails! :)

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Love Every Day.  I'm going to try and keep up with it.  Hopefully, it will help me out of this funk.