My oldest niece is part of her school’s jump rope team. Here she waiting to perform at halftime for a local high school basketball game. Little does she know I snapped her photo AND her team coach gave her the old bunny ears. It was fun watching her in action. She’s quite the jumper.
Filed under family, portraits, project 52
Turning forty may have sent me over the edge or I just finally lost my marbles. I did something this year I thought I’d never do. I am officially inked. Yep. I got a tattoo. Me. of all people. Not that it’s unusual getting ink… it’s just one thing I pretty much had sworn off my whole life up to this point. First… I’ve just never seen myself as a tattoo kind of gal. Second… I don’t like needles. The thought of metal piercing skin really freaks me out. Third… I really don’t like pain. I spend my life avoiding it at all costs. Seriously. I’m even super careful doing filing at work to avoid papercuts. 
It crossed my mind one day months ago and I wasn’t totally opposed to the idea – which caught me rather off guard. So then I started thinking about what I would get. I wanted something meaningful… something that represented where I am right now. If it was going to be on me forever (for. ev. er.) I didn’t want it to be trendy or trite. Well, for the first time in my life I feel like I have the proper perspective… that even though I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, I know the important things in life – that’s what I wanted it to convey. And I wanted something sort of photography related since it has become a passion over the past few years - not completely centered on it, just related to it.
So I started to think about where… that part was settled pretty quickly. I decided on the wrist for a couple of reasons: 1) I would see it often and 2) it could be easily covered up by a watch or bracelet (yeah, how weird is that?! planning on how to cover it up before I’ve even got it – those are the things I think about). Then what to get was next… a word. What word? That was the question. I played around with a few ideas – even having them done in Greek or Hebrew because it’d look cool. A word that would encompass several meanings – that was the tough part. It hit me one day like a ton of bricks: focus. That was it! I feel like I’ve got the right things in focus right now - and it’s such a photography word. Often the story you tell is reflected by what you’ve got in focus – in life & photography. So I thought the tough part was over since I’d chosen what to get – right? Oh no… being the font addict that I am, it took me longer to settle on the font than it did to choose a word. Sheesh. Who’d have thought that part would be soooooo difficult?!
Have I ever mentioned that my baby brother is a tattoo artist? Well, he is. And I considered having him do it but he’s in Texas – makes for a VERY long trip just for some ink. I figured I’d have to just go to a local place but then… he took his kit to a family vacation over 4th of July week. Apparently, tattoo gear is like AmEx… you don’t leave home without it. I almost got inked then. No, I didn’t chicken out – we just ran out of time. So back on the local hunt I went until… B was coming in town for a concert the weekend of his birthday. And you guessed it, he brought his gear. So not only did I get ink, but my baby brother (12 years my junior) did it. How cool is that?! It became a family affair… sis 1 & sis 2 as well as bro-in-law 2 were there as witnesses. 
That is a memory for the record books.
B at work – all professional & stuff
It was strange seeing him in his element – so focused (ha!) and serious. But I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better. Sure, it hurt a bit but not too much. Thank goodness I chose something small. I can’t imagine having complete sleeves done… ouch.
So there it is… I’m inked. And I couldn’t be more pleased.
Filed under family, life, photography
Slowly but surely I’m getting caught up on this project 366 thing. Only about a month behind at this point… not too terrible I guess. A lot of stuff going on and not too much of it documented with the big girl camera. But still getting out there and shooting – that’s all that matters, right?
122/366 (may 1)
123/366 (may 2)
124/366 (may 3)
Kelsey bridged from daisies to brownies… following in her momma’s footsteps.
125/366 (may 4)
126/366 (may 5)
I’m sure I’ll blog about the big 4-0 celebration at some point. Or maybe I won’t. Maybe some things are better left to memories. It was fun and I am so grateful that my favorite ladies celebrated with me. I will forever have a smile on my face and probably have to sing at the top of my lungs anytime I hear this song
And how cute are these printables?! I won them a few months ago from Amy at Living Locurto. Thanks so much Amy for adding some fun to my birthday!
127/366 (may 6)
128/366 (may 7)
129/366 (may 8)
Filed under family, friends, life, project 365
Dinner out with the girls. Dee-lish!
111/366 (apr 20)
I love candid moments like these… completely relaxed and wrapped up in watching a parade. She’s the oldest niece and growing up way too fast.
112/366 (apr 21)
Just a little piece of local Civil War history.
113/366 (apr 22)
I bought flowers for myself today.
114/366 (apr 23)
Busy as a bee.
115/366 (apr 24)
A typical scene in the office. Siestas for everybody!
116/366 (apr 25)
Let your light shine in the darkness.
117/366 (apr 26)
I’m not much of a reader but I can’t put this book down. Been reading into the wee hours of the night and decided to give another attempt at a self-portrait. Nice floating head, huh? 
118/366 (apr 27)
Hey there, mister… don’t you smile… it’s not funny…
(my oldest nephew and getting more handsome every day)
119/366 (apr 28)
My view from the driveway… a warm welcome from Uga.
120/366 (apr 29)
hello beautiful.
121/366 (apr 30)
And April posts are DONE! At this rate, I might actually get caught up before Halloween
Filed under family, friends, life, project 365, work
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