Memories, Dreams, Reflections, aka....

...I have a LONG way to go baby

Ashley, over at Ramblings and Photos, has a new challenge for us this week.  Instead of Scavenger Hunt Sunday (which I am REALLY missing!) today she is hosting a challenge called "Memories, Dreams, Reflections".    Honestly, I am having a hard time remembering my kids' names these days without having to reflect on a year's worth of photos!  But, I'm taking on the challenge.

We are asked to look back at the photos we took in 2011 and find the perfect photo(s) to fit into each of her 25 categories. FYI, I'm skipping some categories.  This has been a very interesting exercise tho.   I've realized while walking down memory lane, dreaming and reflecting that I have LOTS to learn and a LONG way to go baby.  What I "thought" were pretty decent photos at the time, I'm finding I am not too happy with upon reflection.  But it's all good, you have to start somewhere, right?!?
SEE?????  <<<<<  Glass Half FULL Gal in progress!

1.  Me...and what I'm most proud of.

Yep, this is Moi so it qualifies.  I have to say, it's a pretty good representation....Dork! But it DOES bring something to mind.  Hey MOM...remember when you told me my legs would fill out when I got older?  FYI,  I was talking about my calves NOT my thighs!  As for what I am most proud of in 2011...that I started taking myself less seriously and lightened up.



2.  I Love You

3.  Still  Laughing

Thank you Mr. Phillies phan with no phasion sense!  You've given me a reason to look back on this disappointing baseball season for the Phillie phaithful and phind something to laph about.   Seriously, what NOT to wear if you are a boy over the age of 10!

4.  Winter Wonderland

Well who would have thought I'd have to go back to my October photos to find a winter wonderland.  It is now January 1st and STILL no snow.

5.  Birthday

Okay, THIS is a photo I like.  Thing #3's 14th b-day sleepover.  Teen-aged girls...ya gotta love them
OR.......(wait a minute..........................still thinking).

6.  Friends

I lost a friend to lung cancer right before the holidays this year.  Our group from high school has a joke that "The Angel Wears an Eye Patch" is OUR code phrase for passageway into the "over 50" club.  It always cracks us up, we are obviously easily amused.  I guess you had to be there AND be drinking the vino to appreciate the humor. Now we truly do have one of our own Angels (altho I doubt she's wearing an eye patch). One of my friends made up these little ornaments for each of us this past Christmas in honor of Lori and our "saying".   I think of Lori who is not with us anymore, and my amazingly kind and funny friends, who I am blessed to still have around me, whenever I see my "Angel with an eyepatch" sitting on my kitchen window sill.

7.  I Was Inspired...

By simplicity,

...and light.

8.  Spring Fever

No question, for MOI it's baseball opening day when hope "springs" eternal and I get Phillies Phever.

9.  Summer Days

EVERY day is a summer day for Homer (Dog #1)....as long as he can find a sun spot to catch some rays in.

10.  A Day in My Life

Need I say more?

11.  All Smiles

TECHNICALLY, I shouldn't include this photo.  It is from Thanksgiving 2010 (1 month outside of the time parameter) AND I didn't take it myself...altho I gave LOTS of "verbal" direction  (thank goodness Thing #2's boyfriend was with us for that duty). BUT, it makes me smile.  This is the last photo taken of my entire family together.  I will treasure it always.  For years we had all gone our separate ways for our Thanksgiving holiday.  But the hand of fate intervened in 2010 and put the thought in our heads we should "do this".  Dad had started showing signs of Alzheimers and it made us all realize how precious both family and time is.   I thank God he sent us a sign.

12.  Autumn  Harvest

Interesting the patterns you see when you look back on what intrigues you to take a photo.  Obviously I like couples walking amongst autumn foliage.

13.  I Miss You

I miss my dad's strong hands and the knowledge that he will always take care of me. It's been a very tough year, he is still with us physically, albeit in a long-term care facility.  Now it is our turn to take care of him.

14.  Dress Up

(before)

(after)

                                        
                                                 

The beautiful Hedwig Hagenmayer,  my great-grandfather's sister.  I took on a project this year of organizing and "dressing up" some archival family photographs.  And in the process, fell in love with Hedwig.  Now THAT is a woman who knows how to dress up!

15.  Beautiful

Okay, the noises that come out of Thing #3's flute haven't ALWAYS been so beautiful. But they sure are now!

16.  Macro

My whole life I've been goal oriented toward going smaller rather than bigger!  But a macro LENS?  Yep, I could learn to break out of my comfort zone!

17.  Holidays

Picking a favorite?  You've GOT to be kidding! Can't believe I narrowed it down to 2!

18.  Don't Ever Change

Proud to be an American, that will never change.

19.  My Favorite (s)

For the lighting.

Because I held up traffic to take this photo.  

20.  Hopes and Dreams

Well, I HOPE you made it to the end of this post because it was a LONG one!  And I dream that there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.

This was MUCH harder than I had anticipated. Really shouldn't have waited til Saturday afternoon to start organizing and pondering. Actuuuuuuually, that was probably a smart move. I could have KILLED myself with indecision if I had the time to devote to it. Really looking forward to seeing what other's have decided on for their inclusions. Can't wait to start my 2012 photography  journey.

--Kathy