Day Two Hundred and Nineteen: Fireworks Friday!

Tonight, Pete and I once again had the chance to go to a Royals game. And once again, we got to go for free (thanks Sarah and Brandon for inviting us!). But this time, Sarah and Brandon had the hook-up with seats in the 10th row from the field. From such awesome seats, all I needed was the telephoto lends and some good timing in order to get a great picture. Judging from the shot you see above, I think you could say things worked out in my favor.

And since it was Friday, fireworks followed the game. Unfortunately, the fireworks weren't celebrating a victory...the Royals lost to the A's by 4.

Day Two Hundred and Eighteen: Laughter

Pete and I were recently hired to shoot our first wedding. (Apparently my paralegal Erica has an insane amount of trust in our abilities....woah! Quite the responsibility...and honor.) As a result, I've been trying to take many more pictures of people to prepare myself to take the best pictures I possibly can on her big day. Last night when Pete and I reunited with 9 of my (and now his, too) good friends, I knew there would be a good opportunity to capture some Kodak moments.

This is my friend John. (He made his first appearance on my blog way back in February.) He was one of my first friends in Lawrence, and today, I consider him, Chris, Holly, Bobbi, Jennifer, Shanna, Richard, Isham, Amy, Tim, and Heather (Pete, too, of course! But that goes without saying) to be some of my best friends. We haven't been all together since we traveled to Mississippi for Tim and Heather's wedding (they were, unfortunately absent last night, but that's because they still live in Mississippi) in November, but it was like no time had passed at all. That's when you truly know you have the best friends in the world.

Eight of the eleven people at the table last night were engaged, so we know will once again be together (Tim and Heather included for at one of them!) in September, October, February, and May. Although we could use the laughter and warm fuzzies the evening brought on a more regular basis, just knowing that that group is out there is more than enough.

Day Two Hundred and Seventeen: Welcome Signs

As a direct result of this project, I keep my eyes peeled at all times for potential photos. Sometimes when I see something, they require me to take a picture immediately to capture the event. And then there are other times you see things and put it in your "back pocket" for a day when nothing else comes up. Yesterday, I decided to pull one of those picture ideas out of that pocket and share it with the world.

This sign greets the people who arrive at the Lawrence Amtrak station, very near Pete's house. It's nothing impressive; the foot high blue letters have holes where the lightbulbs illuminating the sign used to be. It is likely it hasn't been painted for years. It speaks of an era nearly washed away, but still holding on by its teeth. Yet somehow, its very modern, trendy, and chic.

Whatever it is, or your interpretation of it, the sign serves still does its job in welcoming people to Lawrence twice daily.

Day Two Hundred and Sixteen: Summer Spray

For only the second time in the 216 days of this project (or at least as far as I can remember), I snapped my photo of the day in just one shot. Pete and I pulled up to Walgreens tonight, saw the sprinklers on, and thought that it would be a good photo of the day. We were right! After just one lucky shot, I walked away happy, and even avoided getting sprayed with that very water by Pete.

One of the coolest things about this project has been to find pictures like this in unexpected places. I know I've mentioned it before, but the new perspective is something I cherish a lot. I can't say that that's happened in a while, but today, I feel like I've redeemed myself. Here's to summer sprinklers!

Day Two Hundred and Fifteen: Step by Step

As of last Sunday, I am officially half way through my marathon training. In the first 12 weeks, I have blazed 255.6 miles. These last 12 weeks are going to be harder: the 20-miler lies before me in about 8 weeks, and of course, the "training" culminates with the 26.2 miles on October 25. There have been ups and downs; good runs and bad runs; sun, heat, cold, and rain. There are points where I want to quit. But I must keep pressing on. Even when I don't think I can go anymore, I must.

Truthfully, I've been so worn out by the combination of training, wedding planning, and simply life that my excitement about running has dwindled in the past couple weeks. But, people are counting on me. People have donated money to a charity because they believe in the charity's work, but in me as well. And that thought, along with simply being thankful that God has given the opportunity to run every step, keeps me going.

These yellow shoes will physically take me there. This bleeding heart and thankful soul will get me through.

Day Two Hundred and Fourteen: Rivet Rivet

Today on the way back from Pete's family reunion, we were stopped by some traditional summer road construction in southern Minnesota. As our car slowed and eventually stopped, we realized it was a good opportunity to get some pictures that you usually can't capture (being good drivers and all). We were in the right lane and I was in the passenger seat, and these rivets were the most obvious "thing" to capture from that vantage it. And so capture it I did. Enjoy (and I'll let you know when I'm updated...look forward to some wet and wild tubing pictures).

Day Two Hundred and Thirteen: Catch a Wave and You're Sitting on Top of the World

Pete's brother Jim and his family live on Rice Lake, Wisconsin. (Okay, they don't actually live ON the lake, but you know what I mean). Despite it being a rather cool day, the Haack family decided to take the boat and tube out on the water to have some fun. I didn't partake in the water sports (seriously...it was cold!), I did ride along in the boat and snap some fun pictures; the evolution of Pete's face with the waves is particularly enjoyable. The picture above is the one I'm using for today's "picture of the day" because of the rainbow that appears in the reflection of the sun on the water. It's even more appropriate when you know that Michael, Pete's nephew tubing with him, is one of the Hawaii Haacks.


Above: Pete and his nephew Gary, obviously having a good time.
Below: Susan and Kyra hit the water after the boys.




Crocs: Love them or hate them, I really enjoy this picture.

Yeah for a good time with the entire Haack family at Rice Lake!