WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE: RESOLVED

Posted on January 6, 2013 by firstandfabulous | 24 Comments

Out with the old, in with the new. 2013…

The old tree moves out and makes room for new growth

In looking up the definition of “resolved” I found this:

1. firm in purpose or intent; determined.

PERFECT!

RESOLVED: I am determined to be kinder to myself and others around me.

This may not seem like a big deal to you, but, to this girl it’s HUGE.

Me: I’ve always been tough on myself, or so I hear. I need to work on that, HARD.

Others: I come off as obstinate and opinionated. I’ve got a very bad delivery. That needs work, too. 🙂

I can do this!

More WordPress weekly photo challenges here ——->

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – DELICATE

Posted on December 16, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 33 Comments

A while back, I went out to the garage and lifted the door with the intent to retrieve my car. My husband had left his motorcycle helmet on my son’s soccer net that was situated behind the vehicle. Imagine my surprise when I spotted this nestled in the helmet. There was no way I was going to disturb this delicate situation. Instead, every couple of days, camera in hand, I chronicled the birth of these baby robins. Our garage had been broken into and a window that hadn’t been fixed yet made a great entrance for the momma bird.

The photos aren’t the best, but it was tough trying to focus with the momma squawking at me every day. Obviously, the helmet had been rendered useless, and since I don’t know nothing ’bout birthin’ no babies, I let nature take it’s course. The delicate little bird below was injured after his siblings had flown the coop. This little guy was stuck in the soccer net. I pulled on a pair of gloves and tried to free him, but he struggled so. You can see the wing on the left was most certainly not as it should have been. I went inside to get a blanket, but when I returned, he was gone. I searched and searched and all I can hope is that he hid himself in the bushes, away from any prowling cats or other predators.

Nature has its own delicate way of taking care of things. I can only hope he made it to safety.

Click on the WordPress logo for a look at other delicate posts. 🙂

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – CHANGING SEASONS

Posted on December 9, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 38 Comments

Living in New Jersey can be a challenge in itself. From soaring taxes that can rival the heights of Mt. Everest, to blazing hot, humid summers that have you begging for an arctic blast. But you can’t beat Jersey’s changing seasons. Nature at it’s best. Most certainly some of God’s best work.

Thanks for stopping by, liking, commenting, browsing. I appreciate every click of the mouse, every tap on the keys, every smart phone visit. I don’t always say so, but the intent is there. Blogging. Dang! If only there were 48 hours in the day.

Stop off to see more changing seasons by clicking on the WordPress logo or on any of the links below.

Older Pingbacks

Newer Pingbacks

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLANGE – REFLECTIONS

Posted on December 1, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 33 Comments

The family that shades together, stays together.

(Ugh! Sorry. I couldn’t resist.)

Reflection. Keeping it light.

And yes, I am not happy to be having my picture taken.

For more to reflect upon, click on the WordPress logo or tap some of the links below.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – GREEN

Posted on November 18, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 55 Comments

My license says my eyes are green. In reality, they’re hazel, but I LOVE GREEN. I figured I could get away with it. So far, so good.

WordPress has assigned my favorite color to the challenge this week. I dug up a little bit of green, and I think I only have one Christmas tree photo! And even that one is just part of a tree.

Here I am, goin’ green…

Stop by the WordPress site and see more ‘green’.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – RENEWAL

Posted on November 13, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 31 Comments

The WordPress Challenge for this week is Renewal. I researched a few definitions of the word because so many things come to mind. These are some of what I found.

to make like new : restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection – Like restoring or ‘renewing’ a room.

Yes, that’s me. Helping with the demolition of my son’s bedroom. In the process of renewing…

Then there’s:

to make new spiritually – Depending on your beliefs, this could mean different things to different people.

Surround yourself with positive thinking, Mirth and Motivation, and inspiration – exercise for both the body and the soul.

And then we have these:

to make extensive changes in – rebuild

to begin again

Renewal that brings to mind the recent destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy at home in New Jersey, as well as New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. There’s much to be done, but with fabulous attitudes, good spirits, and great neighbors, friends, and strangers alike, it will all be rebuilt and renewed. Maybe better than new!

Here is my hope. No matter what you’re working on, whether it be rebuilding, restoring, replenishing, or renewing, that your success is as great as your mind could ever imagine.

If nature can succumb to the changes in the weather and then be renewed once again to it’s original beauty, then we can learn from her and do the same.

to become new or as new

Click here and be inspired.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – FOREIGN

Posted on October 27, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 42 Comments

Here in the good ol’ U S of A, my vehicle would be considered “foreign”. Well, be that as it may, this American LOVES her “foreign” car.

I first purchased a ’65 foreigner in 1968. It was a blue four-speed VW Bug. Now that, at the time, was “foreign” to me. I didn’t know the first thing about driving that thing. But I took to the hills, literally, and learned real fast about how to use an emergency break when the nose of my stick shift sweety was pointed at a 30 degree angle.

Since then, I’ve owned a ’61 bug, a 70 Karmen Ghia, a 64 VW bus (ahhhhh, memories!) and now, introducing, ta-da, my lastest “foreign’ car – my 2003 VW convertible beetle. Ain’t she sweet? 🙂

And this girl goes nowhere without her trusty sidekick, Minkey the monkey. I’m not sure, but I think he might be foreign, too. He’s got that adorable, exotic, dark, handsome look about him. 😆

Click here for more foreign adventures. Thanks to WordPress and Sara Rosso for a new, fun challenge.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLANGE – HAPPY

Posted on October 6, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 56 Comments

It’s odd that “happy” is the photo challenge for this week. Ironic, I guess you might say. It’s been a difficult week for our family because we lost one of our precious pets yesterday.

Marshall was a dear, sweet lug of a dog. He was loving, and warm, and had the softest ears ever :-).

This was Marshmallow Man when he first came into our lives. That was a happy day, indeed.

Marsh spent 13 1/2 years with us. He’s been a part of , and the cause of, many happy days. Now we have memories, and as sad as it is that he’s physically gone, those memories will always bring a smile to my face.

I know the hurt lessens, but for right now “happy” is a little tougher than it was two days ago. I’m kind of glad this was the challenge offered up by WordPress this week. It gave me the chance to pay tribute to Marsh and to thank him for a whole lot of happiness. Love you, Marshmallow Man.

“Happy” manifests itself in many ways. Click here (WordPress) for more. Enjoy.

For those of you who will stop by, like, comment, or just browse, thank you. I appreciate the visits. They make me happy. 🙂

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – SOLITARY

Posted on September 21, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 30 Comments

OK. Maybe I’m not being completely serious with a topic that sounds like it might just should be that way :-), but I couldn’t help myself.

Celebrating both International Peace Day and the last day of summer, Jeff and I headed to the beach knowing full well that we would have our pick of places to plop our chairs. The beach is nearly void of visitors this time of year, and me, being the – ah – introvert that I am, find it most relaxing when I can hear the waves brushing the shore, sans the hum of human beach goers. Far be it from me to begrudge people their holidays, nor do I wish to take fun-in-the-sun time away from anyone. I just like the space and serenity afforded me when the real estate is less occupied.

I am a solitary man, except I’m a woman. (huh?)

Apparently, I’m not alone in my need to be alone. There’s this good ol’ boy.

Those of you that know me, know Rocky, my long-haired German Shephard. Well, this is not him. But it could be his double. Except Rocky would not be sitting as peacefully in the sand. Or anywhere else for that matter. But that’s another story.
Thanks to Cheri Lucas for this week’s topic. There are a plethora of posts that have been submitted this week, as always. Worth looking into. For more on Solitary, click on the WordPress logo below.

WEEKLY PHOTO CHALLENGE – EVERYDAY LIFE

Posted on September 15, 2012 by firstandfabulous | 42 Comments

Not too long ago, this was the beginning of my every day life. Wake up at 5:15 am, be at school by 7:15, greet my students at 8:15, school day, school day, school, day, see the kids off at 3:00 and prepare for the next day, rest of the week, holiday, whatever… til 5:30-6:00 pm.

Jeff spotted this in a store front window last week. I felt a mix of nostalgia, sadness, and relief.

This is no longer every day life for me.

What is, is getting up a little later, sipping Island Mango tea with honey, while checking my email in bed before having a healthy breakfast (instead of wolfing down a granola bar), and then taking a leisurely walk, most times to the beach.

This is now a quick look at my every day life. Retirement. Ahhhhh…