Photography Challenge November

 Photography Challenge November

Week 44 Fill The Frame

Week 45 Depth

Week 46 Celebration - celebrating a brilliant new day

Week 47 Lines 

Thankful Day 30 - Kind Neighbors

During the Winter months, our neighbor, who has a big blade on the front of his truck, will often remove the snow from our driveway. He specifically does it when he knows that Chris is out of town. I am grateful for his kindness. The service takes little effort on his part and about five minutes. It would take about a half an hour on the ATV to try and remove the snow on our own.

I am grateful to have great neighbors who are so kind.

Thankful Day 29 - God

How amazing is it to enjoy the vast sky that is repainted each day, morning and night, by the greatest artist?

I am so grateful for the beauty of the earth upon which we live. Beyond the amazing sunrises and sunsets, the vividness of God's hand in the creation of the world is all around us. 

Not only that, I am grateful for this beautiful world and the reminder that God is in all of the details of the details of my life. He knows me. He loves me. 

I am one of His most magnificent masterpieces.

New Gym Floor

I don't know if I have any pics of what the gym floor in the basement used to look like, but we had interlocking tiles laid on the floor that weren't the best quality. The tiles were flaking, breaking apart in some spots, and warping and bowing so it was getting dangerous to workout and not trip!

Chris and Misha spent most of Thanksgiving Day installing some new heavy duty tiles. Chris ordered exactly the right number of pieces. It smells a little like rubber tires in the gym now, but that should dissipate after a bit.

We moved the gym equipment around a little. It might be a few more tries before getting the right configuration, but the treadmill and large weight machine won't be moving again.

Crazy Phone Message

I found this funny message on my phone the other day.

"We are looking to fund Isis. Press one to be transferred to a terrorist."

Amy Back to Utah

Misha drove Amy back to her apartment in Denver so that Amy could see it and meet Misha's roommate Sarah. From there, Misha dropped Amy off at the train that would take her to the airport. Pretty slick.

Allergy Shiners

A couple of months ago when I had my annual physical, I asked my doctor about the dark circles under my eyes. She took one look at me (knowing my medical history) and said, "Oh, those are allergy shiners."

Apparently they happen when you take allergy medicine, specifically the same brand, for too long without switching. So I take off-brand products from Costco, but she recommended that I switch between the off-brands of Allegra, Zyrtec, and Claritin every two months. Still waiting to see if there is improvement.

I am thinking that perhaps some of it is also caused by my early morning hours for seminary. A friend said, "but you always get up that early!" My reply, "I would not get up that early if I didn't have to now."

Thankful Day 28 - Sunday on Monday Podcast

I LOVE the Sunday on Monday podcast. As a seminary teacher, it has been invaluable for helping me to understand the scriptures before I endeavor to teach them to the youth.

If you are interested, you have to sign up for a Deseret Bookshelf membership. (This is an affiliate link.)

I am pretty sure you would love it too.

If you choose to make a purchase from this link, I earn a small commission at no extra expense to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Thankful Day 27 - Not Having Covid

We have been blessed in family to not have Covid-19. We are grateful for vaccines and boosters and hand sanitizer and face masks to keep us healthy.

Amy and Misha Home

They were both happy to come home for a break from school during Thanksgiving break. And did I take many pictures? No.

There was lots of sleeping in, loudness, laughter, and hanging out with Kristen. She HATES being the only child left at home.

Misha mixed up some gingerbread dough, Kristen cut out and baked the cookies, and all three of the girls had fun decorating one night after Chris and I had gone to bed. We aren't good at staying awake late!

Thankful Day 26 - Senses

I am grateful for the blessing of being able to see, hear, feel, smell, and taste.

Thankful Day 25 - My Bed

I am always grateful to relax into my bed after a long day (especially the ones that begin at 5 am!) I am grateful for people who research how to make a bed most comfortable and that we no longer sleep on corn husks or hay! 

Rhodes Rolls

To say my girls were disappointed that I bought Rhodes rolls to make for Thanksgiving Day dinner was an understatement. I think all three of them commented on how much they liked my rolls instead.

These rolls worked fine as well, but we'll have to go back to keeping with tradition next year.

The Old Crockpot

My girls gave me a great new crockpot a couple of years ago. The only drawback? The new crockpot doesn't fit the height of a turkey breast. So I have kept the old crockpot around for Thanksgiving Day when we cook a turkey. After 24 years of use, it still does a great job. (It was a wedding present.)

Thankful Day 24 - Temple

Chris and I had the opportunity to go to the Fort Collins Temple last night and do sealings for family names. So grateful that we have a temple close by and are blessed by it.

Thankful Day 23 - Amazon

Yep, I am grateful for the blessing of Amazon in my life. It saves me time, allows me to enhance my travel business, and allows delivery to my doorstep within days of ordering.

Thankful Day 22 - The Places I've Been

I am incredibly grateful for the many amazing places I have been able to visit throughout the world. Travel is an inspiring teacher.

Thankful Day 21 - Thanksgiving Break

There is no one more thrilled to turn off their daily 5 am alarm than a seminary teacher! I am grateful to teach, but I am also grateful to have some days to sleep in.

Chris and Jo Booster

After Misha's experience with her booster, Chris and I weren't really looking forward to a weekend of not feeling great. We scheduled our booster for a Friday afternoon and prepared for the worst. We did not receive a different vaccine from our original one.

Like Misha, the pain for me didn't set in until during the night or morning of the next day. I hurt all over, my head ached, and my stomach didn't feel great.

Chris didn't feel too terrible. I think that is probably because we both received the same dose and body size for a 6'4" man compared to a 5'2" woman assimilated the vaccine better.

I still felt a little down on Sunday, but Chris was back to feeling pretty good.

So grateful that we planned ahead with scheduling the booster before it was officially announced that all adult Coloradans were eligible for the booster.

Amy plans to get her booster over the Christmas holiday and Kristen is not eligible yet.

Thankful Day 20 - Vaccines

I am grateful for brilliant people who work to create vaccines that keep us safe. Chris and I just got our Covid booster yesterday, and while we aren't feeling so hot today, I am still grateful that we are being protected from more serious health challenges.

Putting Up Christmas

Kristen has been BEGGING to be able to put up Christmas decorations since October. I held her off until the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

I wasn't feeling too great from my booster shot, but I got her started and then let her finish up the Christmas tree and other decorations around the living room.

I love the magic of the Christmas and the lights.

Thankful Day 19 - Typing Class

I am grateful that I was able to learn to type during high school and then again to take a class in college.

Traffic Court

Kristen had to go to traffic court after her accident.

She was pretty nervous all week long prior to her appointment.

We arrived at the courthouse along with all of the other people attending that day. What we thought would be a pretty simply "in and out" process ending up taking about two hours. 

Each of the people there had to meet with the town's attorney who offered a plea bargain if the "defendant" pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

So, Kristen pleaded guilty to having a defective headlight and was only docked 1 point on her license. She also had to pay a small fine and the court costs.

Kristen also has to attend a four-hour online traffic school and make sure that the proof of completion is sent to the courthouse before January 21, 2022.

Crazy thing, the guy she hit was also cited at the scene and received a ticket for not having insurance and for not wearing a seat belt. His fine was greater than Kristen's!

Kristen likes to tell me that I broke the law by taking a picture in the courtroom.

Thankful Day 18 - Grocery Stores

I am grateful for the wonder of grocery stores. We rarely give them a thought when we just need to run to the store and grab something for dinner or baking or last minute treats to share. And we have aisles of food items to choose from. 

Seminary Shenanigans

The students in seminary were teaching a part of the lesson and needed a blindfold. Not having one handy, they tried the next best thing.

Making Cookies with a Chef

Chris received an opportunity from our financial planner to join a chef as she walks through the steps of making Mexican Chocolate Cookies. 

The ingredients were sent to the house and a zoom link sent so that we could join in and participate.

Kristen made the cookies while I sat along side her. I think she learned a few pro tips during the process. The cookies turned out great with a little sprinkling of salt on the top.

Thankful Day 17 - Green Thumb

I love growing plants in my home (as well as outside).  I am grateful for a green thumb and for a lemon tree that is growing lemons. I am excited to finally try them.

Living Like a Peasant

Amy's apartment in Provo has been without a working dishwasher for the past couple of months. Apparently a new appliance was ordered, then not delivered, then reordered. Not sure exactly. Amy lamented to me, "I'm living like a peasant." Hmmm, I don't think you are.

Thankful Day 16 - Seminary Facebook Group

This Facebook group is full of seminary teachers sharing ideas for teaching seminary lessons. Not only do they offer creative ideas for teaching and links to great media but they also help with last-minute ideas. Sometimes you just need that as a seminary teacher. Can't even tell you how much they have blessed my life over the past 2 1/2 years. I am so thankful for them and their ideas.

Thankful Day 15 - Scriptures

I am thankful for the blessing of scriptures in my life. I may not have experiences such as Nephi, Moroni, Paul, or Joseph Smith, but their experiences bless my life with lessons of perseverance, faith, hope, charity, repentance, and love.

Thankful Day 14 - Sore Muscles

I am grateful for sore muscles after a work out because then I know that my muscles are actually working and being strengthened.

Thankful Day 13 - Date Night

I am thankful for date nights and being able to spend one on one time with Chris. I love to be with him.

Thankful Day 12 - Daughters

I am thankful for my daughters.

As a new mom, I was a little amazed, overwhelmed, and dazed that the hospital just let me take these little people home. I remember thinking, "I don't know enough. I don't know how to be a mom."

Regardless of what we know or don't know or even think we know, the responsibility of being a parent is huge. And yet, my daughters have made a tremendous impact on my life. They have changed me...for good.

I love these words from the musical "Wicked" which say,

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

...
Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good

An Ambulance at the Restaurant

Chris and I were waiting to be seated at a Mexican food restaurant when the ambulance and fire truck pulled up. They quickly entered the restaurant with a gurney. It didn't take them long to get an older gentleman loaded up and wheeled out of the restaurant.

Apparently he had fainted in the hallway by the restrooms or something like that. We didn't get a lot of information. We were pretty sure it wasn't from eating the food! Fingers crossed!

No, it wasn't the food. We were fine. The food wasn't fantastic, so we probably won't go back.

Misha and Her Booster

Misha got her booster on the CU Denver Campus. It was a good thing she made an appointment for later on a Friday afternoon. By Saturday morning she texted that she was feeling awful. She switched up the vaccines for her booster, so maybe that was why she had such a rough time.

Saturday morning she was flat in bed and pretty much stayed there for most of the day. Chris and I even offered to come and pick her up. She just preferred to not move.

She felt a little better on Sunday but still had pretty sore lymph nodes in her arm pits.

Didn't make me look forward to getting my vaccine a week later.

Thankful Day 11 - Podcasts

I am grateful for brilliant people who are willing to share their knowledge and wisdom through podcasts. Because I am in no way a scholar, I often listen to podcasts to help understand what I am teaching in the Doctrine and Covenants in Seminary and to get ideas on how to teach each lesson. 

I love podcasts to re-listen to General Conference, to learn more about maintaining a website and marketing it, and podcasts that are simply uplifting.

Thankful Day 10 - Seminary

I have been teaching early-morning seminary for almost 2 1/2 years now. It is a huge time commitment. Somedays it is exhilarating because the lesson went great and someday it is a big downer because the kids are so tired and don't seem to absorb anything.

More than anything, I have learned a lot and have been able to enhance my personal study skills. I am grateful for the blessing that seminary is in my life each day. 

(I am especially grateful that seminary is only held Monday thru Thursday. I absolutely look forward to Friday morning each week!)

Thankful Day 9 - Fall Color

I love that I can look out the window all day long in the Fall and see some amazing Fall color. 

Our landscaping has been pretty brilliant this year, even in the dark.

Thankful Day 8 - Clean Carpets

I scheduled a guy to come and clean our carpets. It hadn't been done...ever since we moved into this house, so we were way past due. 

He spent about four hours running his machine. The machine was pretty noisy (and he said that he even had a muffler on it to reduce the sound!) I was grateful when quiet descended again and the carpets were clean. I was even more grateful that I did not have to clean the carpets myself!

Thankful Day 7 - Ceiling Fans

Chris and I both love the ceiling fans in our home. We have them in each of the bedrooms upstairs and in the living room on the main floor. Chris wishes that he had a ceiling fan in his office in the basement, and I wish that we had thought to put them in the gym in the basement as well.

We usually keep our bedroom fan on running low in the Winter and on medium in the Summer. I am grateful for such an amazing convenience that works at the flip of a switch.

Thankful Day 6 - Air Fryer

We jumped on the air fryer bandwagon earlier this year. This appliance quickly became the most-used appliance in our kitchen.

Amy came home for lunch each day during the summer and quickly made lunch in the air fryer. Misha didn't work until later in the afternoon, and made use of the air fryer as well.

When Misha headed off to college and we found that her kitchen had neither a stove or an oven, I sent our air fryer with her and it was greatly missed.

I bought a new one (I kept telling Kristen that we would wait until the Thanksgiving deals started). I'm sure we will all be grateful to have an air fryer in the kitchen again.

Thankful Day 5 - Creativity

I am thankful for the talent of creativity. Over the past year and half, I have spent hours being creative in my writing, designing my website, and now, creating books and journals to sell on Amazon. It is a great outlet for me and keeps me busy every day.

You Know You're Getting Old When...

You know you are getting old when a friend gives you tickets to a comedy event and it starts at 9 pm. You wonder if you will be able to stay awake!

And indeed, both Chris and I dozed off and on throughout the entire second half of it. Yep. 

Thankful Day 4 - Trees

I love being able to sit at my desk and see the trees in our front yard, whether they are blossoming in the Spring, providing shade in the Summer, and changing to brilliant shades of red in the Fall, I am grateful that God created trees.

Thankful Day 3 - Seminary

While you might think I am crazy for being grateful for being able to teach early morning seminary, I have been immensely blessed over the past two and a half years as I have taught seminary. My testimony has grown, my ability to plan and prepare has improved, my teaching has improved, and my love for these young people has increased.

Thankful Day 2 - I Love You Texts

I love it when I received random "I love you Momma" texts from all of my daughters.

Thankful Day 1 Kindness

I am thankful for the kindness of my husband. He is thoughtful in so many ways, but I love when I climb in my car and find that he has filled the gas tank for me.