Archive for the ‘365’ Category

Mixed Bag

April 18, 2011

Some time back I stopped posting photos daily because it was, quite frankly, becoming a big pain in the butt having to upload photos each day.
But here are a few random images I’ve been hanging onto.
This first bunch are a few snaps I captured at Lowe’s in their Garden Center.
blossom's at Lowe's
flowers at Lowe's
Lowe's Garden Center in Pooler, GA
Pooler YMCA ballfield
PlayStation controller

And then this is my co-worker (and friend!) Tammie. We participated in an after-work exercise group. It was there she posed for this quick pic!
Tammie

Chowder-Free Boston

April 3, 2011

Mernin’** to you, where ever in the world you may be!
After some “internet issues” that how now been resolved, dry your eyes – I’m back in blogging business.

I’ve just returned home after a terrific week in Boston getting some top-notch, brain-expanding, SQL-learning from Oracle. Although I ate absolutely no chowder whatsoever. How the hell is that even possible?
It was a double-delight as I was able to visit with my sister, Annette, and her family while I was up there.

In an attempt to see how many hyphenated words I can jam into one blog post, I will over-indulge in the use of said hyphenation. Deal with it.

Although I have been continuing with my 365 project, I am so behind on uploading the pics, I am not sure I will ever catch up! But here are a few from my week in Boston….

airplane

Plane ride: yawn.

boston

Boston traffic: geez, Louise!

snow in boston

It even snowed while I was there! I woke up one morning at my sister's to this!

annette

I was able to only get one quick snap of my sister

griffin parker

But I got plenty of my crazy nephews!

parker

My ever-aging, quickly-growing nephew, Parker

parker griffin

My favorite of the bunch!

griffin

Okay, this just might be my favorite of the bunch - hehe! Griff looks like a total badass!

griffin

I just hate that I did not frame this photograph properly - urgh! The missing end of the gun bothers me. Oh, BTW folks, no worries - it's an airgun. Shoots some kind of BBs.

So that’s kind of a round up of my trip to Boston. I loved, loved, loved seeing the architecture and loved, loved, loved hearing all the accents!
Photo-wise, I definitely screwed up my exposure and my focus left something to be desired. As well, my color seems muddy and over-saturated…need to look into that….but I’m practicing and reading and praying to the photo-gods, so I know I’ll get better – just don’t know when!

On my return trip from Boston, I stopped off in Atlanta to attend the Flashbus Tour with David Hobby and Joe McNally. I got to see a few of the Savannah Photo Weekend Workshop ladies: Hi, Sandy, Carrie, and Jennifer!
I learned a tremendous deal and am eager to start kickin’ some major flash!

**MERNIN’ deserves an explanation of its own…will do so at a later time…

I’m in the Zone

February 22, 2011

My taillight is out. Yep. The very one I photographed and posted about not too long ago. Blown out.
So after my 5K training tonight, (don’t ya love how I drop that in there?) I headed over to Auto Zone to pick up a bulb.
Jake, the nice Auto Zone guy, was kind enough to let me photograph him for this blog. So if you’re reading this Jake, thanks!
Jake
taillight

Jive Turkey

February 21, 2011

Okay, so I gotta give some major props to all you food photographers.
I’ve noticed that every time I attempt to take a photo of something really tasty, it comes across as super nasty.
Case in point: this photo.
Yet, I see pics all over the web of cooked food, raw food, half-cooked food and it all looks fantastic.
Not so much with my food choices….did you see my Superfood post? Yummy in my tummy, gross in the post!
This is straight up turkey breast goodness and it looks pretty much like I am grilling up some grubs.
But trust me, mix this lean ground turkey with some black beans, squeeze of lime, some sliced avocado and an all natural corn tortilla and you, ma’am, have a mighty fine lunch! Can’t wait for noon tomorrow!
turkey

Spinning Straw into Gold

February 20, 2011

I decided I’ve had enough of my hair feeling and looking like straight up straw.
So I headed my frizzy-funky head over to Ulta in search of a hair mask.
I came home with several Ojon products: the once a week treatment, the daily pre-treatment, hydrating shampoo, 2 minute conditioner, and the leave in treatment. They have a few other products (the daily hydrating conditioner , the detox shampoo and conditioner, and the leave-in styling cream that I want to try, but they were out of them when I visited Ulta).
I am crazy excited to wash my hair in the morning – I am wearing a shower cap with my hair coated right this very minute!
After I’ve used it for about a month, I’ll give you another update.
Have you tried anything that makes your hair feel scrumptious? What’s your favorite product?
ojon
ojon

Aww, Cheez Whiz, guys…

February 19, 2011

I’ve blogged in the past that I’m Big on the Pig.
But since the new Publix has opened I have not stepped foot into Piggly Wiggly, well, until today.
I had to take this pic – Piggly Wiggly has erected a monument to processed cheese right smack dab in the middle of the dairy aisle.
Cheez Whiz, Piggly Wiggly, you sure know how to build a showstopper!
Another shopper did ask me what I was up to when I pulled out my camera – I told her I wanted a pic of this big ass pile of fake cheese for my blog, she scowled and put some Velveeta in her basket.
cheese

H2 Uh-Oh!

February 18, 2011

Spent about nine hours in the checkout line at WalMart. I always forget why I avoid going to their stores until I am in one.
Well, while there I whipped out my trusty camera and got a pic of water jugs all lined up in a pretty row.
water

Library Books & Photo Posts

February 17, 2011

I am long overdue in returning my library books and in posting these photos from a recent photo retreat. So sue me.
Okay, Live Oak Library System, I’m only joking.
Please don’t sue me.
I will return them this weekend.
Scout’s honor.

Several weeks ago, I had one of the best weekends ever! A group of us lady photogs got together here in Savannah for a photo weekend. I was truly sad for days after the retreat – crazy, huh? I can’t wait to see them again and look forward to seeing many of them in early April when I head to Atlanta for a photo seminar.
Now let me tell you, these ladies know their stuff – and because of them I learned so much about how to see light.
Honestly can’t thank them enough.
Here are a few of my captures from that weekend. On my little ole Nikon D60 and kit lens, no less!!
And a really cute one of Melissa!
city hall
 love birds
newlywed
bridal gown
bride
veil
Melissa

Snapshots of a Good Life

February 17, 2011

Been really busy lately, so I’ve had little time for blogging. I’ve been dying to tell y’all that I’m auditing Karen Russell’s famous Snapshots of a Good Life photography class. I started this blog with the intent to improve my photography and part of that includes taking photos each day, but also actually enrolling in classes and studying with both books and dvds. We’re only a couple of weeks into the Snapshots class, but I can already tell that I’ll gain a tremendous amount from this class. Not even over, but I highly recommend for any of you newbie photogs out there. Also you get this really cool pen!
snapshots

Dog Tails & Tail Lights

February 16, 2011

It was dark before we got home tonight, but LillyDee really wanted to play ball. So….we took her to the park, left the lights on the car and let her run to her hearts content. It was dark, but I could still her tail wagging away….
tail light

Bed Time

February 15, 2011

I’ve noticed that so many of my posts are about me being a bit tuckered out.
I guess it’s just my nature, but I never feel as though I’ve had enough sleep.
And tonight, like many in the past and (for sure) many in the future, I am pooped and headed to bed.
time

Superfood is Super Yummy

February 14, 2011

I stopped by Thrive on Wilmington Island tonight to pick up dinner. Man, I wish they had a place like this in Pooler!
Here’s a photo of their Superfood Salad – yum, yum, yum!
superfood

Another Park, Another Sunday

February 13, 2011

Doobie Brothers, anyone?
Spent today taking advantage of the wonderful light to get some captures of LillyDee Williams with her ball and did some riding on my bike.

Ran Some Errands

February 12, 2011

Typical Saturday – - – ran around town.
Went to the grocery store.
Stopped by salon and got some shampoo.
Swung by mall to pick up some my multi-vitamin capsules.
Went to pet store to get dog & cat food.
Oh, and did I mention I ran in a 5K this morning around Forsyth?
Nearly slipped my mind that I beat my previous time by nearly 6 minutes to come in at 38 minutes…and some odd seconds (but who’s counting?)!
Hehehe!
But I was the next to last person to finish. Police motorcycles and cars blocked traffic on Whitaker & Drayton so that I would not be hit by traffic.
Really very nice of them.
Just a tad bit embarrassing.
Aveda

The Quilted Pick Her Upper

February 11, 2011

Hitting the bed early tonight after a long and tiring week, but wanted to share a quick pic of one of my most favoritest-bestest things I own: My mass-produced, non-one-of-a-kind, Denyse Schmidt quilt. I love it nonetheless and one day hope to buy one of her originals. (I wasn’t brave enough to post a pic of my entire bed as it is totally a jumbled mess. I mean, seriously, who makes their bed unless company is coming over?! I know I am not alone in this….c’mon, don’t leave me hanging…admit it…..crickets….chirrp….sad, lonely chirrp.)

Night, night…
Denyse Schmidt

Run, Monique, Run

February 10, 2011

As you know, twice a week I’m training for my company’s 5K in March.
Here’s a picture of the training gang – Dave, our coach, is in yellow.
It was crazy cold tonight, so everyone did not show up. We usually have 3-4 more people.
running group

Sweet Potato O’ Mine

February 9, 2011

Have I told y’all how much I love sweet potatoes?
sweet potato

Welcome Back, Old Friends

February 8, 2011

Got home from my 5K training tonight and slipped off my shoes. It was then that I realized I can see my feet. It’s been awhile old buddies, you’ve carried me through thick and (soon to be) thin!
As of Monday, I have lost 90lbs.
feet
feet

Berry Best Kitchen Gadget

February 7, 2011

I eat blueberries every morning.
I know, I know, I should only eat fruit that is in season and local to my area, but I love me some blueberries. Love ‘em, I tell ya! What’s a girl to do?!?
Several months back, I picked up this berry colander at Krogers, and since, my life has been forever changed.
It collapses, it’s small, and it’s purple!
colander

GrrAnimals

February 6, 2011

My husband is probably the number 1 fan of this blog. Naturally, you have to cater to the likes and wants of your audience.
He likes pics of our animals, or our GrrAnimals, as he calls them. He even texted me while I was at the grocery store, “The GrrAnimals need food.”
So some GrrAnimal pics of LillyDee Williams & OmaHaus this afternoon:
LillyDee
omahaus

So I got up this morning at the butt-crack of dawn (4AM) to head on over to Tybee Island for the Critz Tybee Run I mentioned in yesterday’s post. It was raining crazy and I considered not going, but only for a second. I figured, “What’s a little water, hmm?”
Considering it was my first 5K, I have absolutely no lung capacity, and overweight I came in at a pretty darn respectable 44:11. Now my shoulder hurts from all the patting myself on the back I’ve been doing ;)
It rained like nobody’s business throughout the race; I spent half the race with my eyes closed to keep the rain out. But I’ve never had a better time. I am already looking to see what 5K I can enter next…
On the way home, I took these shots:

tybee
Tybee Island
tybee

5K Madness

February 4, 2011

Okay, I’ve got 5K madness.
I randomly heard about the Critz Tybee Run and I signed up.
The 5K is tomorrow. Yeah. Tomorrow morning. I heard about the 5K at 4:30PM, left work at 5, signed up at 6:50PM, and will run/walk at 8AM.
5K

Everything in Stride

February 3, 2011

Our 5K coach, Dave Renton, suggested that we might want to attend a seminar on bio-mechanics of the foot put on by a local running club, The Savannah Striders. Tammie and I attended, got our feet analyzed (I, apparently am flat-footed. So flat-footed the man said I have flippers rather than feet.), and became full-fledged members of the Striders! We are now set up to not only train for the company 5K, but also the upcoming Rock n Roll half marathon. This is a quick pic of the room of runners as we gathered our stuff to leave. There were a ton of people there.
striders

Pillow Talk

February 2, 2011

Really sleepy tonight, so definitely none of that.
pillow

Training Day

February 1, 2011

Okay, so Tammie (work buddy extraordinaire) and I have signed up to train for the company 5K run. It’s our first day and I decided to document how happy we are on our debut training session to try and remember this feeling when later on we are sure to be not so thrilled about training. :) So here is Tammie being overly excited to arrive at the Pooler YMCA.
Now Sandy was kind enough to show me some pretty nifty skin toning/balancing techniques, but the hour is late, I am tired, and although I am eager to give them a whirl I simply do not have the energy to do so tonight. So in the meantime, enjoy an overly excited and overly pink (but oh-so-cute!) Tammie!
Tammie

Reflecting on the Day

January 31, 2011

So tonight I thought I go for something easy and do a self portrait in the powder bath mirror.
Ahem. Easy? No.
Okay, all you bathroom mirror shooters….how in the heck do you take so many great pics this way?!? I spent I know what must have been an hour to get the following blurring, off-kilter shots. Maybe I am spatially challenged? It took me forever to figure out how to aim the camera to even include myself in the pic. Embarrassing to admit, but true. Most of the outtake frames on this shoot included pics of the ceiling, door trim, sink, etc. Way harder than it looks to take photos this way and yet…I see it done all over the Internets. What gives? I hope my mother doesn’t see this post…she won’t like me making faces….could freeze that way….
Monique confused

Electricat

January 30, 2011

The new food I’ve been feeding OmaHaus seems to be doing wonders for her coat – so shiny…seems to almost glow. It’s some uber-cheap food found at an outlet store called Chernobyl Chunks. Yum!
Glowing Cat

Get My Education On

January 29, 2011

Finally got around to watching my latest Photovision DVD in between rounds of laundry.
Photovision DVD

At the Movies

January 28, 2011

So we headed off to the movies tonight and I snapped this pic while we waited for the pre-show commercials to end. Personally, I’m not digging it, but I do like the green on the ceiling and the red of the walls.
movie

Food for Thought

January 27, 2011

Thought I’d take my camera along as I picked up a few things from the grocery store.
By the way, Ezekiel cereal with a splash of almond milk…..mmmm….now that’s some good stuff.
Publix