Grateful 365 Project

I saw this on a friend's facebook page and absolutely adore the concept.  The idea is to take a picture a day to keep in touch with the little things in life that make our year so special and unique.  It's supposed to actually be a photography project, but I truly believe that you don't need talent in taking photos in order to convey what means the world to you.  And the fact that there are millions of people around the world participating in the same project help lends the idea a sense of community and group support: not everyone values or treasures the same ideas/objects.  It's quite amazing.  Here are a few shots from the Project 365 Flickr group:

Photo by: Anthony Herald

Photo by: Lyfe Thru My Lense

Photo by: Paul R. Giunta Photography

Keep in mind, these pictures are for the photography project (just called Project 365).  The majority of us in life aren't this talented (and by us, I mean me).  The Grateful 365 Project is a little more sentimental and meaningful, meant for the day to day activities and to help us appreciate the small things in life.  

If you are interested in the photography portion, check out this link.  It helps explain the process and gives you some inspiration from shots others have taken.  If you're interested in the origins of where the Grateful Project came from, and would like to check out the impending documentary, take a gander here.  Also, Hogan Imaging's Facebook link is how I learned more about the project, and 365 Grateful the Documentary site is where I found more information about the project.

Hopefully this made sense...my brain is a mess right now trying to figure out how to describe it.  I personally will be starting this project on Sunday, so feel free to check back to watch the process.  Leave a comment if you have a question, or feel free to email me or find me on Facebook (English N Timmy Brownderson).  Good luck with your project!!!

The Dirty Things in Life

If you know me at all, you know I hate dirt.  I hate bugs, I hate being sweaty, I hate walking barefoot...I actually dislike most of what has to do with outside.  Sounds horrible, I know, but I can't help it.  What I do like about outside mostly has to do with picnic blankets separating me from the grass and ants, or lawn chairs that keep me completely elevated.  I like looking outside, so I often have my windows and curtains open, but I honestly don't like being out there with all the teeny tiny gross bugs.  

So, with this new eye opening information, can anyone tell me WHY I decided that I needed to redo my flower beds?!  Great idea in my head, horrible idea when acted out.  Here is what I had to deal with before I got started:

To be honest it was actually worse than this.  Imagine it covered with rocks and three horrible bushes destroying the picture.  We had to shovel up the rocks and bushes...that random thing there is a weed.

Needless to say, there were lots of bugs, lots of dirt, I was sweaty and tired from shoveling so much, and I now have blisters on my hands.  Me = not happy.  But it really needed it; our house was an eye sore on a street where people actually plant flowers and bushes and take care of them.  I wait and let the weeds grow as much as possible until I get a warning to cut them down...

Four hours later, and here is the final result:

The strip along the sidewalk used to be rock and weeds.  So much better now, aye?!

I finally get to put my flowers on display, and now have somewhere to sit and watch the dogs run in the front yard.  Ignore my half eaten cushions and bench.  My dogs are the reason I can't have nice things.

So, I accomplished one of my to-do items.  I'm so happy with the result, and I think whoever moves in after will appreciate the easy upkeep of their new flower beds.  Yay for me, un-yay for my blistery hands.