Random Acts of Christi

Day 38

2012-02-07T19:23:00.001-07:00

Original

"When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original selves."

~Dogen~

Day 37

2012-02-06T19:17:00.000-07:00

What's For Lunch?

After a trip to the office for meetings I stopped at my favorite bagel shop for a sandwich and cranberry muffin.

Day 36

2012-02-05T15:50:00.001-07:00

In A Dish

Day 35

2012-02-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

Listed

Still trying to get used to writing down everything I eat. Some days are more successful than others.

M4H's - Week Five

2012-02-03T23:00:00.000-07:00

Prompt - Simplicity

Focus 52 - Week Five

2012-02-03T22:57:00.000-07:00

Prompt - Cold

More than a foot of snow, breaking a 100-year old record for the most snowfall during a three-day period.

Day 34

2012-02-03T20:08:00.001-07:00

Wearing Red

Day 33

2012-02-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

Brown

Day 32

2012-02-01T21:26:00.002-07:00

With A Heart On It

"The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in."

~Morrie Schwartz~

Day 31

2012-01-31T12:15:00.002-07:00

Tiles

Day 30

2012-01-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

On A Bench

Waiting for Grandma.

Day 29

2012-01-29T18:25:00.001-07:00

In The Mirror

M4H's - Week Four

2012-01-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

Prompt - Imperfect

This bible, given to me by my dad was his for many years. It is at least 40 years old. The corners are worn and the cover is torn. Perfectly imperfect.

Focus 52 - Week Four

2012-01-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

Prompt - Leading Lines

Is this what a pine cone looks like before it becomes a pine cone?

Day 28

2012-01-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

The Written Word

My Grandma's recipe for Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies. This is the only handwritten recipe I have of hers. I love how she spelled banana. Can someone please tell me how much a pinch of salt is? LOL

Day 27

2012-01-27T17:58:00.000-07:00

Touched By Light

Inspired by this photo in the CY365 gallery. I took this photo in the afternoon with the the bright sun shining directly on my bible.

Day 26

2012-01-26T17:51:00.000-07:00

With A Different Aperture - F/10

My first time making Banana Chocolate Chip cookies using my grandma's recipe.

Day 25

2012-01-25T17:49:00.000-07:00

Your Focus

New macro lens, new area of focus for my photography. So excited.

Day 24

2012-01-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Duplicate

"The key to Heaven's gate cannot be duplicated."
~Doug Horton~

Day 23

2012-01-23T18:41:00.003-07:00

National Pie Day

Day 22

2012-01-22T17:34:00.001-07:00

What's For Breakfast?

Day 21

2012-01-21T23:28:00.000-07:00

Living Your Word

Not the most interesting photo but I'm using it because of the story. Today I weighed myself and I've lost 7 pounds since starting my wellness journey this year. I was actually surprised because I've only made a few small changes and I'm still eating cupcakes. :)

M4H's - Week Three

2012-01-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

Prompt - Inspiration

I'm inspired by color, crayons and heart.

Focus 52 - Week Three

2012-01-21T21:43:00.000-07:00

Prompt - Black and White

When I saw the prompt for this week I knew immediately what my subject would be. This is an old Kodak film camera given to me by my grandpa. I especially like that it says shutter made in the USA.

Day 20

2012-01-20T20:59:00.000-07:00

Black and White

Today was rodeo day at school. The kids made horses and dressed up as cowboys and cowgirls. They had snacks, horseshoes, a jail, bouncy balls and face painting.

Having a cowgirl snack.

Posing with Mrs. Stelling.

Dalyla and one of her three boyfriends. He's already asked her to marry him.

Day 19

2012-01-19T22:03:00.002-07:00

Tattered and Torn

My grandpa's overalls and my grandma's apron. I couldn't photograph one without the other. Part of their every day. Part of my memory of them.

Day 18

2012-01-18T21:57:00.000-07:00

With A Who Cares Aperture

I'm a rebel and don't always follow the rules. So for fun and to not follow along with f/8 I decided I would interpret this as who cares what aperture Christi uses today. I didn't follow the f/8 rule and I didn't photography anything from the prompt list. I went on my walk with camera in hand and this is the photo I picked for the day.

Day 17

2012-01-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

Folded

Day 16

2012-01-16T18:17:00.001-07:00

Remember

Today I want to remember you at five. The boots you love wearing and the friend you've been carrying around with you for days now. The morning you called asking if you could hang out with me and the afternoon just a few days later that you denied my invitation to play. I want to remember your silly humor that leaves me laughing and your sweet sensitive side that tugs at my heart. I want to remember the excitement in your voice when you have something new to tell me and your serious tone when you speak those four little words I love to hear - "I love you Auntie".

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism

or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

2011 Year In Review

2012-01-15T18:53:00.002-07:00

229 Layers and 81 Photos

Supplies From
Listgirl Designs
Ali Edwards

One Little Bird

Biograffiti

Day 15

2012-01-15T16:32:00.001-07:00

In Detail

There is beauty in the details.

Day 14

2012-01-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Defined
Taking inspiration from Katrina's photo, Dalyla and I defined my OLW.

Day 13

2012-01-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

Unlucky?
There are 13 stripes on the United States Flag but I consider my self lucky to live in the United States of America.

Day 12

2012-01-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

x12
This is my POTD for P365+1.

I'm also participating in the Take Twelve Challenge. Here is my layout with all 12 photos from today.

Focus 52 - Week Two

2012-01-11T21:36:00.004-07:00

Prompt - I Am...

I have lived many years of my life in darkness. Sad, suffering and hopeless. Things have happened to me that not many people know about. I don't open up easily and I still have scars both emotionally and physically. I worked very hard to make changes in my life and I can finally say that I am happy. I found courage. I found hope. I found myself. And, finally, I'm okay.

Little Miss - Sugarland

Little Miss Down On Love

Little Miss I Give Up

Little Miss I'll Get Tough

Don't you worry 'bout me anymore

Little Miss Checkered Dress

Little Miss One Big Mess

Little Miss I'll Take Less

When I Always Give So Much More

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright

Yeah, sometimes you gotta lose 'til you win

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright

It'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

(Okay)

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Little Miss Do Your Best

Little Miss Never Rest

Little Miss Be My Guest

I'll Make More Anytime That It Runs Out

Little Miss You'll Go Far

Little Miss Hide Your Scars

Little Miss Who You Are

Is So Much More Than You Like To Talk About

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright

Yeah, sometimes you gotta lose 'til you win

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright

And it'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

(Okay)

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Little Miss Brand New Start

Little Miss Do Your Part

Little Miss Big Ol' Heart Beats Wide Open

She's ready now for love

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright

Well, sometimes you gotta lose 'til you win

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright

It'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

(Okay)

It'll be alright again, I'm okay

It'll be alright again

Day 11

2012-01-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

With A Narrow Aperture

It snowed all day today. Instead of taking a walk I decided to make baby snowmen. They are living in my freezer until Dalyla can come over and see them. I got the idea from Pinterest of course. I used paint to make their eyes, mouth and buttons, real carrots for their noses and sticks for their arms.

M4H's - Week Two

2012-01-11T20:12:00.001-07:00

Prompt - Life
This is what life is like in the winter living in Colorado.

Day 10

2012-01-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

Inspired By

From the time I was a little girl I have loved the written word. Reading and writing have always been part of my life. This year I am trying something a little bit different. Q&A a Day and One Line A Day. Both are 5 year journals with just a few lines designated for each day. I'm thinking of using a different theme each year for One Line A Day but reserve the right to change my mind next year. This year I'm going with gratitude.

Day 9

2012-01-09T20:39:00.000-07:00

Brisk

In the spirit of wellness (my OLW) I went on a brisk walk today with camera in tow. I took a total of 360 shots. Perhaps I did more shooting that walking?

Day 8

2012-01-08T18:00:00.000-07:00

Flakes

"No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place."
~Zen Proverb~

Day 7

2012-01-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

One Little Word 2012 - Wellness

Focus 52 - Week One

2012-01-07T17:50:00.001-07:00

Prompt - New

My new goal for January is to eat more fruits and veggies. Specifically, I've committed myself to eat at least one serving per day. My hope is to get this up to the recommended 5 servings per day within a few months.

Day 6

2012-01-06T21:43:00.003-07:00

Framed By A Doorway

Day 5

2012-01-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

Resolve

I resolve to -

R - read more

E - eat more fruits and veggies

S - sing out loud

O - one little word

L - laugh more

V - validate myself

E - enjoy everyday

This is also my photo for M4H's 52 photo project. The prompt this week is Resolution.

Day 4

2012-01-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

With A Wide Aperture

"Don't dig your grave with your knife and fork."

~English Proverb~

Day 3

2012-01-03T14:24:00.001-07:00

A Fresh Perspective

Even Santa needs to freshen things up now and then.

Day 2

2012-01-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

Ring It In

This is how I usually spend at least one day during the first week of each new year. Sorting and organizing paperwork. I like to make sure I have everything done from the previous year so I can start the new year fresh.

Day 1

2012-01-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year!

Day Three Hundred Sixty Five

2011-12-31T11:38:00.000-07:00

Day Three Hundred Sixty Four

2011-12-30T22:57:00.001-07:00

In 2009 the price of gas was $1.65 and in 2010 it was $2.47.

Day Three Hundred Sixty Three

2011-12-29T22:54:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure this is my favorite Christmas song.

Day Three Hundred Sixty Two

2011-12-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

Today is my sisters birthday. Dalyla asked her if she will get wrinkles now that she is old. LOL Happy Birthday Andrea! I love you with or without wrinkles. :)~

Day Three Hundred Sixty One

2011-12-27T22:46:00.000-07:00

My 2012 Life Planner from Erin Condren. I am in love.

Day Three Hundred Sixty

2011-12-26T22:44:00.000-07:00

All Is Calm, All Is Bright

Day Three Hundred Fifty Nine

2011-12-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

A New Family For Christmas

I got a new family for Christmas. My brother married Sarah last week. Now I have a sister in law and a new niece Annie. Eric and Sarah are going to have a baby next summer. Merry Christmas!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Eight

2011-12-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

Dressed In Holiday Style

Day Three Hundred Fifty Seven

2011-12-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

Snowed In

Day Three Hundred Fifty Six

2011-12-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

'Tis The Season

Day Three Hundred Fifty Five

2011-12-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

Reindeer Paws

Day Three Hundred Fifty Four

2011-12-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

Atop The Tree

Day Three Hundred Fifty Three

2011-12-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

Snowflakes

More snow and brrrrr it's cold outside.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Two

2011-12-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

Dalyla and I have really enjoyed the Lego Advent Calendars we got this year. I think I like this older one better than the one they released this year.

Day Three Hundred Fifty One

2011-12-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

Glitter

"All that is gold does not glitter; not all those that wander are lost."
~J.R.R. Tolkien~

Day Three Hundred Fifty

2011-12-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

Red Nosed

Thanks to Dalyla's obsession with Rudolph I had a willing subject for my photo today.

Day Three Hundred Forty Nine

2011-12-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

Boxes

I cannot decide how I'm going to scrap my P365 for 2012 and Project Life intrigues me. Perhaps I'll use this, perhaps not, perhaps a combination of this and something else or perhaps this will end up being a gift for someone to eliminate the pressure. I'm still not sure. I am in love with the Cobalt kit and I have one just in case. (Along with some other Project Life products to go with it.) You can never have too many supplies on hand. Ha Ha

Day Three Hundred Forty Eight

2011-12-14T19:13:00.000-07:00

Silver White Winters

Day Three Hundred Forty Seven

2011-12-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

Tied Up With Strings

My sweet blog friend Christine aka Listgirl sent me such an awesome present and one of the cutest handmade Christmas cards I've ever gotten. She made a few Christmas kits and sent one to me. I am so excited to make a mini album with it. I think it is perfect for a Days of December book. I have never made a book like this before so I plan on doing a little research before embarking on this new adventure. Thanks Christine!

Day Three Hundred Forty Six

2011-12-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

Golden Rings

Day Three Hundred Forty Five

2011-12-11T19:16:00.001-07:00

Signed, sealed and delivered.

Day Three Hundred Forty Four

2011-12-10T19:08:00.000-07:00

If You Just Believe

Dalyla got a video message from Santa today. It's official, she made the nice list. She was so happy to have made the nice list that she cried at the end of the video. Tears of joy. Five years old and she is crying tears of joy over making the nice list. I believe this child is going to do amazing things.

Day Three Hundred Forty Three

2011-12-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

What Child Is This?

Dalyla was one of three stars in her school performance of The Christmas Story. It was one of the cutest things I've ever seen. The angels, the wise men, the sheep. Oh my goodness. All of them between 3 and 5 years old. One of my favorite parts was them singing AND signing Silent Night. It was so amazing and brought tears to my eyes.

Before they started all the kids came in and stopped just before getting on the stage. Mrs. Stelling started the night with a prayer. I just happened to turn around to look at my best girl and this is what I saw. My Dalyla with her eyes closed and her hands together in prayer.

My photo of the day and possibly my photo of the year. Technically it is not a perfect photo but I don't care. To me it is perfect.

In her world she gets to pray at school, talk about Jesus and God, and celebrate holidays without offending anyone. In her world Christmas is the day Jesus was born. This girl, only five years old knows more bible verses by heart than I do and is learning to be strong in her faith.

For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Day Three Hundred Forty Two

2011-12-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

I love the red against the gray and white.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer.”
~Albert Camus~

Day Three Hundred Forty One

2011-12-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

I am the proud owner of a new, used Honda Accord. My parents gave me their Honda and I gave them my Toyota Camry. Thanks Mom and Dad!

Day Three Hundred Forty

2011-12-06T20:19:00.000-07:00

Stripes

Day Three Hundred Thirty Nine

2011-12-05T21:58:00.000-07:00

Naughty or Nice? Only Santa knows for sure.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Eight

2011-12-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

Playing With Toys

She made a car that has six wheels, can fly and will shoot out bullets that will make you bleed.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Seven

2011-12-03T21:50:00.000-07:00

Lights

I love Christmas lights.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Six

2011-12-02T21:46:00.000-07:00

Oh Christmas Tree

I found this Charlie Brown Christmas Tree and of course I had to buy it.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Five

2011-12-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

It's Cold Outside
My lights are covered under frozen snow but continue to shine right through.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Four

2011-11-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday. This is a picture of the inside of the birth announcements my parents sent out 39 years ago.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Three

2011-11-29T19:53:00.000-07:00

Thankful For This Community.

I am thankful for the wonderful community I've found at CY365. Amazing people and amazing resources. It is a delight to call these women my friends.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Two

2011-11-28T19:48:00.000-07:00

Something Old I'm Thankful For.
This was my Grandma's mixer. It was made in the 1940's and it still works.

Day Three Hundred Thirty One

2011-11-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

A Tradition I'm Thankful For.

Getting ready for Christmas right after Thanksgiving.

Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

Day Three Hundred Thirty

2011-11-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

A Childhood Memento I'm Thankful For.

I chose a memory rather than a memento for this prompt. Each time I'm in the produce section I'm reminded of my grandparents and their garden. I grew up around fresh fruits and vegetables. I grew up planting, picking, canning, baking and eating part of my grandparents garden. I'm thankful for the time I spent with them in the garden and eating the food from the garden. Wonderful, sweet memories I will cherish forever.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Nine

2011-11-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

A Person I Am Thankful For

I'm thankful for so many people in my life including these two goofballs, my mom and Dalyla.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Eight

2011-11-24T19:44:00.000-07:00

Thankful For Family

This year we added two new members to our family for Thanksgiving. My brother's girlfriend Sarah and her daughter Annie. I'm not sure how Sarah feels about having Annie's picture on the web so I've blurred it out. Sarah cooked a fabulous dinner for my family. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for my family and friends and I'm thankful for these two little monsters who brighten my days.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Seven

2011-11-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

A Warm Object I'm Thankful For.

Mac and Cheese.
Yummy, gooey, thick and creamy mac and cheese.
I love mac and cheese.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Six

2011-11-22T16:09:00.000-07:00

A Dessert I'm Thankful For.

Cherry Pie. Oh I love cherry pie. My grandma used to make the best cherry pie with sour cherries picked right from her own sour cherry tree. It was the best. King Soopers makes a cherry pie that is pretty good. It is tart like my grandma's used to be and is generally my contribution to the Thanksgiving dessert table.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Five

2011-11-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

A Wooden Object I'm Thankful For.
This little box made in Poland was a gift from my parents.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Four

2011-11-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

A Book I'm Thankful For.

My 2010 Project 365 book. It was the first year I completed P365. I enjoy randomly looking through the book. For me it was worth the effort.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Three

2011-11-19T15:52:00.000-07:00

A View I'm Thankful For.

Watching this little diva grow up. I love standing back and just observing what she does. Everything these days is about doing it herself and being all grown up. I'm thankful she allows me to be part of her life.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Two

2011-11-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

Something In My Home I'm Thankful For

This hope chest that was my grandma's. I miss my grandma and am thankful to have so many memories with her.

Day Three Hundred Twenty One

2011-11-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

A song I'm thankful for.

It's difficult for me to pick just one song I'm thankful for. I love music. All types of music. One of my favorite bands is Sugarland. I love their music and they are so much fun to watch live in concert.

Day Three Hundred Twenty

2011-11-16T15:31:00.000-07:00

A Part of Nature I'm Thankful For

I love seeing the leaves change colors in the fall. From green to red or yellow and finally brown. More than seeing the leaves change color I love the delight in Dalyla's face each time she brings me a new leaf. (Which is almost every time I see her.)

Day Three Hundred Nineteen

2011-11-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

A technology I'm thankful for - the internet.

There are so many gadgets and amazing things I could be thankful. I am certainly thankful for my camera but besides that I am thankful for the internet. Without it I would not have met so many amazing people who also share my love of the lens.

Day Three Hundred Eighteen

2011-11-14T19:23:00.021-07:00

I'm thankful to have a refrigerator full of food to eat whenever I am hungry. I am fortunate to have a little extra to donate to those who need it at Dalyla's school. They help feed approximately 100 families each month and can always use donations. This month Dalyla's class helped the volunteers who oversee the donations. Her class had a special basket this month to collect food and toiletries to give this month. Using sales and coupons we were able to donate four bags of groceries and one bag of toiletries this month. Dalyla enjoyed being able to put the food in the special basket in her class. I enjoy being able to use some of the extra money I have along with coupons and sales to help these families each month.

Day Three Hundred Seventeen

2011-11-13T21:10:00.000-07:00

A color I'm thankful for.

Pink! Dalyla's favorite color. She loves it. I love that she loves it. I'm a purple or yellow kind of girl, but pink makes me think of her and when I think of my sweet Dalyla I smile.

Day Three Hundred Sixteen

2011-11-12T20:37:00.011-07:00

A smile I'm thankful for.

Today I took Dalyla to see Santa. She was so excited. We did her hair and she got all dressed up in a new outfit complete with a tiara, wand, necklace, braclet and ring. It was one of the best times we've had together. I'm so grateful to have been able to take her. She talked about Santa the whole time she was getting ready and the whole way there in the care. She was smiling for hours. I will always remember this day.

After we were done seeing Santa she let me take some pictures of her. She tried so hard but it was so windy and it was later in the afternoon so the sun was awful. Oh well, it's not like I don't have any pictures of her. LOL

Day Three Hundred Fifteen

2011-11-11T20:18:00.012-07:00

A time of day I'm thankful for.

I love late morning and early afternoon.

Once again I tried to capture the time 11:11am on 11/11/11. Better than last year. Next year on 12/12/12 I'm going to do something fun. Something big. Well, big for me anyway. I don't know what but I'm going to plan early. :)

Day Three Hundred Fourteen

2011-11-10T19:14:00.109-07:00

Something new I'm thankful for.

Custom piece by Chrissie Grace from In His Grace.

When I hit my one year anniversary for quitting smoking I knew I was ready to take the next step in my journey to wellness. In the past several years I've gained quite a bit of weight. I've never been an overly active person but a combination of quitting smoking, working from home, medication side effects and poor eating habits have resulted in a much larger and unhealthy me.

I'm told small steps are best. So I've been making some changes with my food. I'm trying to eat more vegetables. I'm drinking more water and less soda. I'm eating salads most days of the week. (I still use Ranch Dressing but I think I'm moving in the right direction.) I'm trying smaller portions and seeing if I'm still hungry later instead of eating until I'm full. I've been eating breakfast each day for the past several weeks. I'm trying new things.

I am struggling with the exercise part but I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. I hate to exercise. HATE IT. Seriously hate it. I'm not going to sugar coat it. This will be the hardest part for me. I smoked for half of my life and I'm overweight. Moving is hard for me. I'm easily winded and my knees hurt. I don't know how to swim and I've tried a bike and even the bike hurts my knees.

A few weeks ago I contacted Chrissie Grace to see if she could make a custom piece for me. Over the years I've purchased several items from Chrissie including custom items and she never disappoints. I wanted something to help me through these changes I'm making and I knew one of her "She Said" pieces would be perfect. I told her what I wanted it to say and that I liked yellow, purple and butterflies. I left the rest to her.

When it arrived I was moved beyond words. It was more beautiful than I ever imagined it would be. It is perfect and I am grateful.

Check out all of the amazing, creative pieces Chrissie has.