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Photography, Project 365

How We Track Days in our P365

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When I was several weeks into our Project 365, I realized I wouldn’t be able to keep track of what day was what number of the year. January was easy – January 1st was Project 365 Day 1. But, um, going into February and March was going to require actual adding and calculations.

It’s not that I’m afraid of adding or subtracting (heck, I’m going on my 5th time teaching Algebra this year), but I often blog LATE at night and that is a time notorious for math mistakes.

Cleaning and sorting and laundry/dishes I can do with no problem at midnight (or beyond). Math? Not so much. Tim doesn’t have the same trouble keeping track of the calendar days. Something to do with his programmer mind, I think (or maybe he just looks at my post from the day before and adds 1).

Needless to say, I KNEW there had to be a calendar of some sort online that I could use to keep track of our Project 365. I found one that needed some modification (black and white? Seriously? We need some color!)

July 2015 016A

Bottom half

Calendar of Numbered Days

Click here to grab the Excel file:

Project 365 Calendar

This has been a tremendous help in keeping track of my blogging days. I can find the month, the day, and then know exactly what numbered day of the year it is. A simple thing, but crucial as I try to stay in sync with the days.

Swing Set Poses

Swing Set Poses from Day 178

My phone organizes pictures according to day (another huge help), but downloading them to my computer (from phone or digital camera) requires a little more labeling and sorting. It’s very satisfying work, and I’m amazed and pleased that in 2015 we have already blogged more than we did in all of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. I’m thankful for my college kids who bugged inspired and encouraged us to blog more faithfully this year.

Project 365 – Day 178 (June 25)
Kathy

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Daily Life, Project 365, Rachel

Kayaking and Decluttering

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Rachel has developed a love of kayaking. We have some friends with kayaks, and they are incredibly generous to share with us. Rachel went out on Monday and has been itching to go again.

[Sound familiar, Shari?]

Today, even though it was grey and cloudy (sun didn’t come out until we LEFT the lake, go figure), we went to play in the water. Rachel stole off in one of the kayaks.

Go Rachel!

Go Rachel!

We came home, and I got back to work on the mess that is my garage. I made lots of great progress. No pictures yet. It was bad enough baring my shame for the internet in that other post. We stopped for a quick dinner, then it was back out to the garage for me.

So far I have filled the back of the van with bags to donate. I’ve nearly filled up our recycling and trash bins, and still have more to do. My desire would be to have some sort of a designated spot for everything in the garage. Christmas decorations in their respective bins. Tim’s tools all sorted and organized. Computer parts – check. Filed paperwork – check. Toys – organized. Homeschool materials – sorted and filed. Books – everywhere.

Okay, that last one is definitely true. Just not willing to really sort through and pare down the books.

Tim was wonderful and went through 3 old, old laptops for me. He pulled off any pictures or files that were remaining, got rid of the batteries, went through a big box of random cords, and made me a nice stack for the trash. Yay! I love it when I get help from Tim and the kids on sorting things in the garage. Teamwork is my favorite!

I didn’t stop working until Rachel came home from her shift. Daniel was closing at Chick-Fil-A, so he was gone late. Sarah and a friend were enjoying a High School Musical marathon (always fun!). Rachel and David convinced me to stop my relentless decluttering and organizing and watch a movie with them (something other than HSM). Nice to take a break.

Sisters!

Sisters!

Tomorrow we continue. I LOVE summer and having relaxed days where we can tackle projects, visit with friends, and sometimes kayak out into the blue water.

Project 365 – Day 175
Kathy

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Yard Work

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Several years ago, I built four raised garden beds for my tomato empire (which never really took off). As with many of my hopes and intentions, the tomato plants produced a lot of leaves but less fruit (or vegetable, depending on where you fall in the great “Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable” debate) than I had expected. The first step is determining where you would like to plant your tree, whether that be in the front, back, or side of your house. Different trees will thrive more in certain areas depending on the amount of sunlight they require, soil type, and amount of water. It is essential to look into the zoning and neighborhood association rules to ensure you’re following all guidelines as some place limitations on the types of tree as well as the location in which they can be planted. Determining your property lines is another factor that should be considered as the expected size of the tree in its adult life may sway your decision, If you want to know how to properly plant a tree? Then visit to KG landscape website.

My sweetie in yard-work mode.

My sweetie in yard-work mode.

Now we are dismantling the garden beds, one by one, leaving only one to house a few, paltry plants. Kathy got tired of waiting for someone else to do it, so she’s out there this evening hacking at the weeds that cover the structure.

The messy covering of hay offends Kathy, and it must be removed.

The messy covering of hay offends Kathy, and it must be removed.

Once she’s removed the hay from the garden bed, we can remove the sides and use the dirt as topsoil for our front yard (where we hope to plant some shrubs or ground cover).

Kathy's cool extendable hoe is really earning its keep.

Kathy’s cool extendable hoe is really earning its keep.

We seeded the ground with grass seed, where the other two garden beds used to stand, but one seems to have produced only weeds. There is a particularly prolific and fast-growing weed that seems to spring up wherever we leave a little unattended dirt. I only wish our grass would grow like that.

Mystery weeds

Mystery weeds

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Events, Friendship, Project 365

Beautiful Friends

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We had the opportunity to attend a wedding this June. There is something so alive and hopeful in watching two people come together to pledge their love and devotion. The bride and her bridesmaids are beautiful in their wedding colors. The groom and his attendants are handsome and dashing looking. The family – big or small – work at making the day special. Sometimes solemn, sometimes playful, every wedding is unique and special. This particular wedding was no exception. There were tears, laughter, scene stealing little ones, and the breath-taking glimpse of God’s redemption in the midst of it all.

I am constantly amazed at how the Lord takes our weakness and reveals His strength, transforms our ugliness into a thing of beauty, and shines His love through a broken, flawed people.

Tomorrow's hope and future.

Tomorrow’s hope and future.

I never did get a picture of the bride and groom. I was too busy celebrating with friends and delighting in the sweetness of the day. Oh, and I also managed to take some silly pictures with my oldest daughter.

Sassy time with my girl

Sassy time with my girl

Smile pretty, girls.

Smile pretty, girls.

Tim and David were out of town, but the rest of us dressed up and joined other dear friends to attend the wedding.

AWANA Commander Jim and Daniel

AWANA Commander Jim and Daniel

Niki and Tony are beautiful inside and out.

Niki and Tony are beautiful inside and out.

What a good looking couple!

Chris and Kirstin – another incredible couple!

I somehow lost the “Mom Picture,” but I did find this one. Love these two women. They bring joy, laughter and true friendship into my life on a daily basis.

The sunshine and a moving ceremony brings out extra silliness in some people.

The sunshine and a moving ceremony brings out extra playfulness in some people.

We were honored to be included in this day, and I can’t help but cast my eye toward December when my baby will wed his love in Tennessee. Joyous times indeed.

Project 365 – Day 171 (June 20th)
Kathy

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Girl’s Night Out

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Hello, it’s Rachel again. Wait, don’t go, my mom asked me to blog, okay? Today my mother has been extremely busy organizing, cleaning, and rearranging our home. Sarah has been kindly helping her all day. What a blessing it is to have a mother who works so hard to make our house a home. She strives to create a welcoming atmosphere where fellowship and hospitality is not only encouraged, but demonstrated. I hope to someday be as gracious of a wife and mother as she has shown herself to be.

My dearest friend from WA, Jenny, graced our home with her presence this weekend. (This is literally the second time I’ve seen her & I’ve been home for a month so she’s lucky I still love her.) But, bitterness aside, any time spent with her is wonderful. We spent the day together – running errands, cleaning, playing cards, laughing, and enjoying each other. Unexpectedly, we both had the evening free and decided to have a “date night.” We dressed up (heels, dresses, hair, the works,) and headed out on an adventure.

Our outfits may clash, but we don't. ;)

Our outfits may clash, but we don’t. ;)

Sarah was kind enough to take a few photos of the “finished product.” (I don’t normally dress up, ok? It has to be duly documented when it happens.)

We love to laugh almost as much as we love each other.

We love to laugh almost as much as we love each other.

We ended up in Steilacoom right as the sun was setting. We ate at a little bar & grill located near the water. Sitting at a little corner booth near the window, we simultaneously joked and discussed life. (What best friends are supposed to do, right?)

bffs

bffs

We ordered a delicious slice of cheesecake and two cups of coffee. (Also delicious.) What a fun treat for both of us.

Isn't she so pretty? (The cheesecake is pretty too though.)

Isn’t she so pretty? (The cheesecake is pretty too though.)

What a joy it is to have this wonderful woman in my life. Jenny, today was an absolute dream, and it wasn’t because of the cheesecake. It was because of your sense of humor, your compassionate heart, your positive attitude, your brilliant mind, and your beautiful soul. You have been my best friend for 10+ years and I never want to give you up.

xoxo

xoxo


xoxo

Project 365 – Day 170
Rach

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