Photo Challenge: Day 38

I'm feeling a little off...I don't know how many of you out there ever feel that way, but my off feelings are typically linked to off meds, lack of sleep, or lack of therapy. Oh well. My photos were taken laying on my back in the snow. I went in a circle around my head getting four points of my backyard.

Photo Challenge: Day 37

Today is a strange day for me. It used to be a very special day, but now it has a bitter shadow over it. I tried to shake the shadow by going snowshoeing, but in many ways, it just brought the shadow closer. I tried eating my very favorite lunch ever at Trudy's Kitchen in Idaho City. It helped the hunger pangs, but not the shadow. I tried napping - just nightmares. I then went on a date with a good friend. That helped the most, but I still felt on the verge of melancholy all evening. At least my roomie is back home to help keep me more sane. Tomorrow, I talk in church. Tonight, I must sleep and try to reflect on the good in my life. Good: I look pretty good getting ready for the trail (I used the tripod). Good: Koda LOVES playing in the snow. In fact, he decided to follow his own trail across this small (1 foot wide) stream, but then couldn't figure out how to get back. I finally realized I hadn't seen him in a while and called for him. I heard him panting before I heard his collar. He was completely worn out plowing through almost 3 feet of untouched powdery snow. I had to lead him back to where he originally crossed the stream. He hates getting wet. Good: It was a beautiful day! Good: I have no idea what these tracks are - maybe a rabbit?

Photo Challenge: Day 36

Tonight, I tried something new - I went to an opera with my friend RaeAnn. The opera was performed by Opera Idaho at Boise Contemporary Theater. The production was Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. It was very fun! There were these beautiful chandeliers hanging in the theater. 

The usher told RaeAnn and I that the bathroom was up this ladder. He laughed when we tried to go up.

Here's the stage prior to the show starting.

Turns out, nobody looks great when you try to take your own picture, but it's still fun to try!

Despite the witch, RaeAnn still wanted to try the candy.

 We both LOVED the witch. She was hysterical and she had a great voice! 

PS - this completed another of my 101 goals. Yay!

Photo Challenge: Day 35

Messing around with the tripod in the dark. Here's some shots of my neighbors.

Photo Challenge: Day 34

I woke up this morning to a lovely snowstorm in Orem, UT. Looking at the weather and road reports, I decided if I left as quickly as possible, I could get home before it got worse. So I packed up, kissed my parents and Nathan goodbye and hit the road. 

I made back to Idaho!

This was how the world looked (taken from a rest stop just past the Idaho border):

Don't tell my mom, but the next two pictures I took while still driving on the interstate with my window rolled down:

I made it back to Boise just fine and was filling up on gas when I heard and saw a rare sound and sight:

Photo Challenge: Day 33

Yes, we enjoyed Christmas together. Here's the proof:

Oh, and here's some pretty things we saw today when Dad, Nate, and I played disc golf in the snow:

WARNING: The following image may not be suitable for children...Or adults:

Creepy, huh? I had to take a picture (of course) and post it on this blog (of course).

Update on 101 Goals

Continued from post "Late Night Swim"

5) Hang a piece of my own art in my house. I did this by having a photograph I took of the Oregon Coast printed on canvas. This is the picture:

6) Visit Washington D.C

Thomas Jefferson Monument

 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Monument

 Smithsonian's Natural History Museum

At Arlington Cemetery - a caparisoned horse

7) Attend a Steelhead's Hockey game. I posted pictures already from this, but let me just say - it was fun! It was Breast Cancer Awareness night, so the Steelheads had on pink. I went with two good friends, we ate hot dogs, does it get any better?

8) Decorate for a holiday. I chose Christmas. I got the lights up, set up a tree with some garland, and put out my nativity set.

Photo Challenge: Day 32

Dad, Nate and I went to The Hobbit this afternoon. It was way better than I thought, for just Part 1. When we came out of the theater, the sun was setting and the sky was beautiful. I couldn't wait to get home to grab my camera and get some shots. By the time I had camera in hand and was back out to where I could see the mountains, the clouds had started to fully envelope them. 

Did I mention that my mom was sick? Not very nice of me to catch her in the act of groaning in pain...

Random Rant of an Imaginative Nurse

So, in my previous photo challenge blog entry, you saw that my brother, dad and I enjoyed a pleasant day outside in the park. What you didn't see is that the disc golf course wound through a BMX bike track. Now this seems innocent enough, but the BMX bike track looked like it sat on a public dump. I decided the park should be called "Cervical Injury and Tetanus Waiting to Happen."

Let me show you:

When I would bike to elementary school, I would pass the BMX track on Reserve St in Boise. It is no longer there, but several of its marks are still visible on my body. I would psych myself up sitting at the top of the track, finally convince myself I could do it, roll down the first ramp and promptly wreck by the bottom of the second hill. I would then hide my injury and limp/bike home...defeated by a few bumps once again. Walking through this Utah track just made me shudder. One of the worst things about being a nurse is that you can LITERALLY imagine the worst - and you're not always imagining. Often, I've SEEN the worst!

Photo Challenge: Day 31

I decided to follow my dad and brother, Nathan, around the disc golf course this afternoon. It was a beautiful day! I was practicing my action shots...

 Here's Nate and my dad at the end of the course!