Twenty.Six/Three.Six.Five.

We are a family that loves to dress up.  If there is a theme, you know we are all in.  So each Halloween, we look at this not just as a time for the kids change into character and trick-or-treat, but as a family affair.  This year was no different.  

Felicity Shagwell and her partner in crime, Austin Powers, stood alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer and her mortal enemy - the Vampire.  It turned into one of my favorite costumes to date.

However, what truly caught my attention was when I saw both of these 'little' girls on my computer screen.  I cannot believe how much they have grown.  How beautiful they are both becoming.  It's just a glimpse of what is to come.  I don't know whether to be excited, proud, or scared to death.

Happy Halloween!

Twenty.Five/Three.Six.Five.

You know how many years it took me to actually get a picture of this girl smiling??!!  Not because she isn't a happy princess or doesn't love the attention, just because she always had better things to do then pause in front of a camera!

Go me!

Twenty.Four/Three.Six.Five.

Look who is in town.  

Hi Walter.

Twenty.Three/Three.Six.Five.

Just another Friday night with friends and Fall drink.

Best time of the year.

Twenty.Two/Three.Six.Five.

If you know my Cakes, then you know her obsession with Pigs.  As she likes to say, "I love pigs dead {bacon} and alive!"  She begs every birthday and every Christmas for a pet pig (which will NEVER happen).  Her room has become a shrine to the squealing animal - with a collection of piggy banks, stuffed animals, wall decor, and clothing.  So when she came downstairs this morning dressed and ready for  'Hat Day' - Red Ribbon Week - her choice of attire didn't surprise me in the slightest.

Love this girl.

And remember, Don't do drugs!  Wear a pig hat instead!!

Twenty.One/Three.Six.Five.

Last Spring we decided to become more connected with nature.  My brother basically has the produce section of HEB growing in his backyard so I figured with his advice...and Google -- how hard could it be?  Keep in mind, I am not a fan of gardening and in no way, shape or form have a green thumb.

So $400 later, we had 2 raised gardens filled with a mixture of soil, manure, sand....you know - all the crap my brother told us to buy.  String was used to create our 1x1 ft. square plots and seeds were planted.  All giddy and excited at our great job, we looked to the future of being able to supply our fridge in the upcoming months with green onions, green beans, cucumber, tomato, yellow squash, green peppers, carrots, radish, lettuce, spinach - just to name a few.

Fast forward to present day.....

We are only allowed to eat green peppers and (surprise!) the occasional red pepper for breakfast, lunch and dinner to make up for the $400 we 'invested' (aka wasted) last Spring in our attempt to grow our own food.

Peppers anyone?  

Twenty/Three.Six.Five.

I'm still waiting for Fall to arrive.

Every year, I think October should equal cooler weather.  

And every year Houston makes sure to remind me that this is purely wishful thinking.

So in the meantime, when we get those rare mornings of 60-something degree weather, I take full advantage.  Matt and Savannah in the background, my favorite coffee mug filled with creamer (and a little bit of coffee), updating my 365, with my partner in crime to keep me company.

It's been a rough couple weeks and sometimes you need moments like this to remind yourself....

Life is Good.

Nineteen/Three.Six.Five.

There was this machine when I was a young gymnast that you would sit straddle position in and crank, as your legs were pushed farther and farther back into a deeper straddle position - pushing your flexibility to the max. I remember being able to actually hyperextend my legs so that they actually "straddled" behind my hips.  Let's just say those genes were not passed down to this girl.

She has struggled with her (lack of) flexibility over the past couple years, working extra hours at home to push her splits as well as her shoulders.  When I mentioned "doing the splits" up a doorframe she was determined to make it happen.  It always cracks me up to see, as it really is odd looking.  What is even better is that I can remember "performing" this talent at a Christmas in California -- probably when I was just about the same age -- with our extended family and everyone reacting with a little intrigue as well as a little discomfort, and now I can see why.

I know this picture of me is floating around somewhere, and as soon as I track it down, you can guarantee I have my 365 for that day.  

...To Be Continued...

Eighteen/Three.Six.Five.

The final morning at Tumtacker Ranch, we promised the girls we would take them to the top of the property.  It's an "interesting" drive to say the least.  It typically has me riding passenger, eyes hidden, body leaning as far into the driver's seat as humanly possible, praying and cussing at the same time, trying not to hyperventilate or faint.  However, the view at the top really is worth the 5 minutes of continuous death staring you in the face (...ok, that may be a bit of an exaggeration...but let's just say the road to the top really needs some work, and I hate heights) - but seriously the view is spectacular.

It was a GREAT weekend.

Staged by Alison Franks        Photo by: Lily Franks

Seventeen/Three.Six.Five.

Did I mention that we got to hang out with our 'very much missed across the street neighbors' this weekend?  Only a little over an hour away from Tumtacker - the Frodges were back together.  The 4 girls have been like sisters for the past 4 years - with good days and not so good days - but they always have fun when they get together.  I went down to the creek to grab some shots of the kids at play and couldn't find one of the twins.  When Avery yelled at me from "the other side of the creek" I had to squint to actually find her, but knew it would make my 365.  It is a "perfect picture" of what Tumtacker is all about: solitude, nature, exploration an smiles.

And I had to share a couple more of my favorites from the day.

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Sixteen/Three.Six.Five.

Ally's birthday "party" was a bit unique this year.  Instead of an actual party, she asked if she could bring a couple of her best friends to Tumtacker Ranch.  Our property is about 4 hours away in West Hill country and a work in progress.  Bought only 6 months ago, we haven't been able to spend as much time as we would like there; but we told her that if her friends' parents said yes, then we would make it happen....and they did!  We were also lucky enough to have our former 'across the street neighbors' but moreover, great friends, agree to meet us there - bringing the Frodges back together.

...And a final bonus - the Garner crew joined us the last night as well.

Jim has spent the last couple weeks getting it a little more "ready" for outsiders, building an enormous deck, fixing the heat and AC in the bunkhouse, buying an outdoor water heater/shower system, and more.  I spent the week prepping with food, gear, and games.

The next couple days will showcase even more from this wonderful weekend - 

but this was the 'before' picture of the girls ready to campout 'outside of suburbia and off the grid' (both quotes from the weekend).

Fifteen/Three.Six.Five.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.

-E E Cummings

Her first orchestra concert.  I expected screeching and a bit of cringing.  There was neither.  

They blew me away.

Fourteen/Three.Six.Five.

We get some crazy good sunsets from time to time that can be seen from our back porch.  They never cease to make stop, take a deep breath, and admire - even if it is for just a split second.

God's work in action.

Thirteen/Three.Six.Five.

The after-effects of a really good birthday weekend.

Twelve/Three.Six.Five.

This creepy crawler decided to pay a visit at the end of a busy weekend with friends and family.  Figured it was because he wanted to be part of my 365.

Eleven/Three.Six.Five.

This year Ally's birthday fell on a Saturday.  Great right?  Not when the Coogs play the same day at home.  Knowing Dad would want to be at the game and Ally wouldn't - a plan was hatched.

Dad & Lily - University of Houston Game

Mom & Ally - Renaissance Festival

Little did I know what a hit the Ren Fest would actually be.  I know my daughter and knew she would enjoy it, but having never gone myself (CRAZY, I KNOW!!) couldn't even imagine the actual perfection of it all.  From walking in and renting a costume with her Aunt Mary, to the henna tattoo, to the period-style hair, to the jousting, to the steak on a stick....she was in her own piece of heaven she didn't know existed.  In the words of Ally herself, "Mom, I wish I could actually just LIVE here."

I can't believe she's another year older...even scarier is the fact that she is now only one year away from 13.  But I am continually proud of the girl she is and the spirit of individuality that she maintains.  May she never lose this, but only grow with it, always staying true to herself.

Ten/Three.Six.Five.

Don't let the sweet cherub cheeks and innocent grin fool you.  This one knows how 'the system' works and she uses it to her advantage!!  She's a little spitfire that often reminds me of my oldest at that age...and because she isn't mine, makes it so much fun to watch!  I am so very glad she is now only a mile away so we get to actually be part of her growing up. 

Nine/Three.Six.Five.

This girl.

She's my little comedian.

And I am pretty sure her biggest fan is herself.

Eight/Three.Six.Five.

My partner in crime most days of the week.

Had you told me a couple years ago I would be the owner of a dog under 75 pounds, I would have told you that you were crazy....but I really am thankful for the little mutt.  He is such a sweet dog, that  seems to know he was given a second chance - and thankful to be given a new name - because deep down he knew 'Flame' would NEVER do.  He never really leaves my side during the day, protects me from under the bed at night and keeps me company when no one is around.

He's Alf the Rescue dog.

(But don't get me wrong - there WILL be another Ridgeback in the house one day.  :-))

Seven/Three.Six.Five.

This woman never disappoints.

Six/Three.Six.Five.

What do you do when your kitchen sink is clogged and tetering on the edge of overflowing; your husband works out of town; you have tried plunging until your arms are numb, as well as dumping a container of Drano down both drains -  still to no avail???

You give up and pull out your macro lens.

Side Note - I may now be seeing double from sticking my face so close to a sink full of Drano bubbles. 

Five/Three.Six.Five.

Even though it means that I hum "Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel - I made it out of clay"... All.day.long... I love listening to her practice.  It makes me so proud that I have a daughter so incredibly talented in such an array of areas.  I have no doubt she will be successful in whatever arena she ends up.

That's just how she is.

She must have her Mom to thank for that.  (Huge grin as I type.)

And secretly, it makes me even more excited that you can see a tiny wisp of her little nail in the top picture.  She has been working INCREDIBLY hard to quit the habit of biting her nails.  For those who know her, cutting any of her quirky habits, is a BIG DEAL.

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Four/Three.Six.Five.

There is a first time for everything.  Today it was learning how to blow dry her hair.

Three/Three.Six.Five.

It's 6:30am.

As she waits for her ride, I can't help but take in the picture in front of me. Phone in hand, she is updating her own 365 project on Instagram.  Purse on shoulder, olive green (her knew obsession) backpack strapped on her back.  Breast Cancer Awareness Day at school so she is decked out in pink.  There is daily improvement on her cello.  She (currently) dreams to be a set designer for movies, so finding out she got the Assistant Crew Chief on the Building Crew for the theater Fall performance made her night.

Smart.  Creative.  Sensitive.  Spirited.  Just to name a few.

She's growing up before my eyes.

Can we slow down...just a bit?

And that orange glow is from our Halloween decor - but if you want to pretend it's the early glow of the sunrise - I won't fault you.

Two/Three.Six.Five.

Cakes reaction when I put the camera in her face.

"Are you done yet?  Because this is seriously starting to get weird."

Five years later.  My how things have changed....freckles included.

One/Three.Six.Five.

They say it's like riding a bike.  You don't forget.  Well, they were wrong.

I don't even know who that person was - TheArtOfDailyLife.  That person who documented her life for an entire year.  And it looked good.  The blog looked good.  The pictures looked good.  I want to know her.

Fast forward to now - today.  1/365.  I had to google how to make a new page.  I had to google how to make a new post.  Thank goodness for google because I'm lost.

The important thing is - I'm doing this 'thing' again.  This 365 days - and it's all because of The Book.  The Book that I finally published.  The Book that is 400+ pages and puts my last 365 on paper.  It's a keeper.  It's awesome.  Seriously awesome.  And it made me realize it was time.  

Time to get out the camera.

Time to document.

Time to be creative.

Time.

And what's really cool?  I started the original exactly 5 years ago today.  Yep.  It's time.