365 Project-10 days and counting

It's hard to believe, but my 365 project is almost over! 365 days of taking photos and posting them to the site.  Just 10 days left actually.  I don't think I've ever stuck with anything for an entire year, every day.  I'm actually pretty proud of myself for actually doing it.  I missed three days during the entire project, one  due to being stuck in bed with the flu and the other two, just because I forgot I hadn't done a picture yet.  Other then that, I actually took a photo every day for a year.  My goal of working on improving my photo skills is complete.  Mostly, I'm just happy that I was able to stick with it, although there were certainly days when I would have happily skipped it.  

Here's a sampling of my December shots.  I had a decided Christmas theme going this month.  I'm trying to figure out how to print them in a calendar form like below.  I'd like to display them in this format for each month.  Maybe I'll get one of my students to help me do it using an Excel format or something.  Merry Christmas everyone, hope you all accomplished a goal this year too!

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe that in two days I will finally be in Roatan with the family.  It seemed so far away and now all of a sudden it's here.  I think it's the only thing helping me stay sane through these last 2 1/2 days of school.  Tomorrow afternoon we hit the road to Seattle and then on the 23rd we'll begin our flight down to Honoduras.  As I am trying to keep my patience with my students who are also antsy to get out of here, I figured it was a good time to create a list of the things I'm thankful for this year, so here it goes...

1. My family, I have amazing parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.  Even though we are spread all over the country, I am so blessed by each of you and the time we do get to spend together.

2. Friends.  I have some truly amazing friends in my life.  You all keep me grounded and remind me how much there is to love about myself and my life.  Thanks for the laughter and love and comfort.

3. My job.  As much as I joke about it, I really do love teaching.  I can't think of a more fulfilling career then the one I have.  With all it's challenges, I am lifted up by my students joy every day.  I wouldn't trade it for (almost) anything.  :)

4. Traveling. I have got to take some great trips in the last year or so: Seattle, Boise, Vancouver (WA)/Portland, Virginia/South Carolina, DC, Roatan... Seriously, how did I get so lucky to go so many places and see so many people I love at the same time.  Hopefully, next year will bring some new adventures and maybe a new stamp in my passport.

5. My car.  Really this is just joy that I still have a car that runs after running into deer three seperate times this year.  They say three's the charm, so here's hoping that the "Deer Killer" is retiring her deer hitting ways.  Perhaps a deer whistle for the new year.  :)

6. Camp.  Not sure if this is really just a continuation on friends or work, but getting to be at Camp Cross was just the shot of spirituality I needed this summer.   I loved working out there with all the kids and groups that got to enjoy our lovely part of Lake Coeur d'Alene.  I can't imagine a better staff to work with or a better way to spend my summer really.  Maybe I'll be there again next summer...almost time to decide.

7. Lucy.  I know Katie, shocking but I am thankful for your dog, even though I am NOT a dog-owner and still happy not to be.  She is just a little ray of sunshine in our house.  Now if I can just figure out a way to make her love her giant candy cane rawhide.

Hmm, not a definitive list I'm sure, but that about covers it for now.  I hope you all have a joyful and merry Christmas surrounded by loved ones! Love you all!
Pia

I hate Bambi!

I can't believe it.  I hit ANOTHER deer today.  I am some kind of deer magnet lately.  It just jumped out of nowhere.  I barely had time to hit my breaks at all before I felt that awesome thud.  Damage done.  My driver's side bumper is cracked beyond recognition.  I guess at least the deer was thoughtful enough to leave my newly fixed side of the car alone.  Time to get a deer whistle or something I guess.  Now if I can just keep my back from hurting more, I'll be set.  Oh well, at least the timing is good... I can leave my car to be repaired while playing in Roatan.



The deer did some serious damage this time.  I especially love the giant chunk that's missing from the bumper.



 

Note the little tuft of deer hair, makes it easy to tell that I am not lying when the appraiser comes.

Kill me now

Seriously! Someone put me out of my misery.  I love my students, but along about this time of the year (December), I just want ot kick them in the butt! They are driving me a wee bit crazy right now.  I think it's the combo of Christmas being three weeks away and the fact that we've had a couple of snow days/late starts, but by the end of the day I just can't get them to focus.  ARGH! I think that when I talk to them, all they hear is Charlie Brown teacher: "WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH." And it's only Tuesday.  Gosh this is going to be a long week.  :)