Day 59 - 2/28/2011

Madilyn Grace Courtney

Cheese!

This is my great niece, Madilyn.  She is 14 months old.  And of course, I'm not the least bit prejudice, but I think that she is absolutely adorable.

She was at my daughter's baby shower yesterday; and, when she wasn't hanging on to her Nana's skirt tail, she was the entertainment for the party (oh to be young and energetic again lol).  Madi's mother is a very good photographer, so this little princess is used to being in front of the camera.  When I pulled out my camera and started taking pictures of Madi, she started strutting her stuff!  I just absolutely love this picture of her.  I mean, is that not the cutest smile you've ever seen?

Anyway, I knew that this had to be my picture of the day for today, even though I took it yesterday.  Of course my daughter had to be the centerfold for yesterday's photo.  And you know that Kelly and my new granddaughter, Kellyanne Elizabeth, will take center stage tomorrow.

I'll update you on the news and pics once she arrives.  :-)  Until then, say a prayer that my daughter will have an easy delivery and will deliver a healthy baby girl!  Thanks!!!

Day 58 - 2/27/2011

Kelly Kirkland Moody & Sara Hathcote

My daughter is due to go into the hospital to deliver Kellyanne on Tuesday, March 1st; that is, unless she goes into labor before then.  Her church gave her a baby shower this afternoon after church.  So many wonderful friends came out to support her and give her some sweet gifts for her little girl.  I took several pictures today at the shower.   Unfortunately, most of them are on Kelly's camera.  I did take one of Sara and Kelly on my own camera.  Sara was like another mother to Kelly.  She helped me raise Kelly.  Thanks, Sara!

Day 57 - 2/26/2011

Japanese Magnolia

I just love the Japanese Magnolia tree.  The blooms are so beautiful.  Spring is definately in the air!

Day 56 - 2/25/2011

Bill Moody & Paw Bill Moody

Happy Birthday, Bill & Paw Bill!

Day 55 - 2/24/2011

The campus was covered in a light fog most of the day.  I'll bet you can imagine how all of that lovely humidity affected my hair.  Well, that cloud had the same wonderful effect on my photos.  Nothing I did really brighted up any of my photos.  But it's nice to see so many trees and bushes across campus beginning to bloom. 

I found all of these flowers right outside of the cafeteria.  I was clicking away all the way back to the office (e.g., daffodils, azaleas, camellias), but I'll save some of the pics for a rainy (cheat) day.   :-)

Day 54 - 2/23-2011

Spring Hill College campus

Another sunny day in Mobile.  What a lovely day for a stroll across campus.

P.S.  I am a little behind on checking on everyone's blog (due to a personal situation), but I hope to catch back up with everone in a day or so.  I love seeing everyone's photos!

Day 53 - 2/22/11

Oil rigs off of Dauphin Island

Day 52 - 2/21/2011

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
    that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life.
                                                                                          John 3:16

Day 51 - 2/20/11

Bobby, Charlotte, Randall, Lisa, Susan, Linda & Bev



Me, Lisa, Bobby, Charlotte, Randall, Susan, Linda, & Bev

 A week or more ago Linda fell and broke her leg in two or three places.  She was delirious with pain and tried to get up and fell again and broke her femur.  Linda and her husband are a member of our singles Sunday School class--The Pathfinders.  Yes, I said, "singles."  You see, they met in that class 8 years ago, and they just can't bare to leaves us.  So, we've let them stay.  Anyway, today several member of our class decided to swing by to visit her after lunch.  She was over joyed to see us.  She is such a sweet, precious woman, whom I just love so dearly.  Linda has many health problems and my heart goes out to her.  We had such a nice visit with her and I received a blessing from going.  Tomorrow, she will go to rehab for several weeks.

It was amazing that while we were waiting to see Linda, I found out that another dear woman I know had broken her hip and was in the room next to her.  So, I stopped in to say hi and visit her for a few minutes while there.  Then I left the hospital for a Sunday afternoon visit with my mother at the nursing home.  Whoo, it's been a busy day!

I posted two pics today simply because I took the first photo (which I am supposed to do for this 365 photo journey), and I am in the second one (it's obvious I didn't take that one  lol).  I wanted to post the second shot because it's a pic of the entire gang--well, those that were at the hospital today.  Thank you Lord for my church family!

We love you, Linda, and pray God's healing of your leg so that you can be back with your Pathfinder family soon.  AMEN!

Day 50 - 2/19/2011

Birthday girl's skates

Debbie kicked off her skates--it was time to do a few line dances.

Debbie Evans Baggett

Debbie & Doug Baggett

Tonight we celebrated Debbie and Doug's birthday party at a local skating rink.  I had hope to get some cute pics to post for Day #50.  However, most of my pics blurred due to the low lighting.  I changed my camera settings several times, but never could seem to find the right setting (this is a little more difficult on a point-and-shoot).  I would snap a pic and by the time my camera would process the photo, the people in the photo would move and vuwahla (sp) blurrrrrrr!

So, my pictures didn't turn out quite like I had hoped, but so what . . .  there's always tomorrow and 315 more days of photos to post.  :-)  I enjoyed celebrating Debbie and Doug's birthday and getting together with good friends.  I'll take that any day over a picture!

Day 49 - 2/18/2011

U.S.S. Alabama

Before heading to dinner last weekend Melvin and I stopped along the Causeway to take some pictures of the sunset.  We enjoying eating at Longhorn's in Daphne from time-to-time, and we knew that it would be dark by the time we headed back for home.  That ended up being truer than we knew, since we ended up waiting an hour (much longer than our normal wait) for our table.  Apparently, a lot of people had planned to celebrate Valentine's Day on Saturday or Sunday night, instead of Monday evening.  I took quite a few photos and it was a little difficult to choose between a couple of the pics (sunsets are just beautiful to me).   And since today didn't work out too well for taking pics, I decided to pull from one of my weekend photos.  Thanks for being forgiving!

U.S.S. Alabama (close-up)

Day 48 - 2/17/2011

Becky Shirley - Reflection

It was another gorgeous day in Mobile.  So instead of eating in the caf, Becky and I decided to grab a hamburger from the Cloister and eat outside while enjoying the beautiful sunshine.  I took a pic of Becky sporting her shades and noticed that I could see my reflection in her sunglasses.  I tried several different angles to get the best reflection, and this photo turned out the best of the ones that I took.

Day 47 - 2/16/2011

The fog in Mobile was so thick, visibility was near zero in many places.  By the time I made it to campus I could invision several photo opps.  I knew that I didn't have time to make it around to the front of the chapel  like one of my co-workers did (he's a professional photographer for the campus), but since I always park near one of the residence halls and the Jesuit cemetary I decided to take a couple of shots of the nearby graves.  These pictures looked better through the fog than some of the other shots that I'd taken before, so I decided to use one as my POD.

Day 46 - 2/15/2011

Today it was absolutely gorgeous outside.  The weather was so pretty that some students took their bookbags outside and sat out on the lawn to study.  I can't say that I blame them.  It was just too pretty to be inside, but that's where I was--behind my computer.  :-(

Day 45 - 2/14/2011

On the way back from lunch, I noticed this beautiful camellia bush.  The blooms were all variatons of pink.  Many of the blossoms were covered with bees.  I took several shots before I captured a photo of a bee in the middle of the flower like I wanted to.

On Monday nights I go to Bible Study Fellowship so by the time I get home and post my POD it's late.  Since it is officially past my bedtime now, I will have to catch up with everyone's posts tomorrow evening. I hope each of you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!  Goodnight!

I decided to zoom in a little closer on the bee, so I added this photo today (2-15-11).

Day 44 - 2/13/2011

Seagulls at Dauphin Island

Today was such a gorgeous day--the temps were in the high 60s and the sun was shining bright.  So, my sweetie and I decided to take a drive out to Dauphin Island.  We brought our cameras on our sight- seeing adventure.  We had fun.  I must have taken over one-hundred pics today.  Some photos came out pretty good while others were just so so.  This picture was taken while we were on the West-end of the Island near Fort Gaines.  The Island was full of seagulls.  If you wanted to take a picture of one, you were in luck! We had also thought about touring the Fort, but decided to save that for another day when we had more time.

Either way, it was a nice day for a drive with my favorite fella!

Day 43 - 2/12/2011

My Mother

This afternoon I was able to take pictures of some beautiful sunsets, but they don't compare to the photos I took earlier today of my mother.  I went to visit her at the nursing home earlier today to bring her a Valentine card and a little gift.   We rolled her down to the activity room to sit and chat and drink a cup a coffee.  It is so wonderful to see her somewhat back to her old self--she was smiling and laughing and her eyes completely lit up when she talked about our little Miss Bridget.

Before she went into the nursing home she had a dazed and confused look in her eyes--she just didn't look or act herself.  She still can't walkm even using her walker, without assistance; she gets about using a wheel chair.  And even though I we miss her and she misses us, at least I know that she is well taken care of during the day while I'm at work.  I don't worry about whether she's eaten or taken her medicine, or whether she may have fallen when I can't reach her on the phone.  In time, I hope that she will get strong enough to come home to a family that loves and misses her very much!  But for now, I have the peace of mind knowing that she's in very good hands until I can bring her back home.

Day 42 2/11/2011

Mardi Gras decorations

It's Mardi Gras season in Mobile, Alabama, and every where you look you see decorations in the majestic green, purple, and gold colors.  Today at lunch, Atlanta Bread Co. had each post on their porch adorned with colorful bows and streamers in these festive colors.

Day 41 - 2/10/11

Cupola, Spring Hill College Administration Building

It seems as though the cupola has always rested atop Spring Hill College's Administration Building.  But actually, it was replaced on June 25 of 2008, after being destroyed during a hurricane in 1916. The Administration Building, where I work, was first constructed in 1830, and is still standing on the very foundation that it was first structured on.

I have worked at the College for over 17 years and in this building (right off the rotunda) for most of those years, with the exception of the year and a half that this section of the building was under renovation.  During that time our office was moved over to the new library.  We are now back into a beautiful new building, that still has the character of a very old building but with the modern perks of central heating and AC (which is sometimes good and sometimes bad).

I have taken dozen of shots of the cupola trying to get the right angle, but to no avail.  Even today, the one I wanted to post would only upload sideways, so everyone would have to look at my posts with their head tilted.  lol . . . So, I finally decided to post the one you see above.  I think I will continue to work on this picture, but for now, this one came out pretty good.

Day 40 - 2/9/2011

She thinks my tractor's sexy! . . .

My Sweetie's Tractor

Today was a bad day for taking pictures for me.  Oh, it was gorgeous outside, but it was cool and breezy, and I've been so sick with the crud that I had to be careful getting out in the wind to take pictures.  I did take one or two shots on the way back from a meeting, but I didn't like the way they came out.  I'm trying to get a photo of the cupala on top of the administration building, but so far, I haven't like the angle, or it's been too fuzzy, or something or another. I am going to try to retake those photos with a different angle.

So, I cheated and pulled out one of the photos I took when I visited my sweety up in the country.  He has planted many a garden with this tractor.  In fact, last year we planted a huge garden of purple hull peas.  We worked ourself to death putting up those peas, but that was some good eating!  yummy!!!

Day 39 - 2/8/2011

Ornamental Cabbage Flower

Many businesses and homes across town have landscaped their yards with these beautiful ornamental cabbage flowers.  I stumbled across a small bed of them outside of Cane's. Although there were on 3 or so flowers, each one was very large in circumference. My friend and co-worker Becky and I visit Cane's frequently because they serve the best chicken tenders with an amazing sauce.  Anyway, this flower just beckoned me to take its picture.  So on my way in to order my chicken tender meal, I got down real close to the flower to get a good shot (more than likely getting strange looks from those coming and going into the restaurant.  Oh well, what we won't do for a shot.)

I actually zoomed in a little closer than what I wanted to, but I didn't like the look of the turf that surrounded the flower and, unfortunately, I was having difficulty getting my camera to focus clearly on the flower while blurring the background (mainly because I couldn't see the screen very well; it's difficult to see what you're taking a picture of without a view finder).  So, I cheated--I solved the problem by zooming in real close on the flower leaving out most of the background.

Day 38 - 2/7/2011



Fountain filled with soap suds (not snow!)

 I was not overly thrilled with any of the photos that I took today, with the expection of two or three shots of the camellias on campus.  In the month of February we see mostly gray, overcast skies.  The sun came out for brief moments, but I was inside trying to work, even though this cold still has its grasp on me  (cough, cough, sniff, sniff, cough).

Early this morning one of my co-workers who follows my blog asked me had I taken my POD.  I told her that I hadn't.  She told me that one of the fountains on campus was full of soap soads and couldn't believe that I had not been out taking pictures of the funny sight.  First off, I didn't know anything about it.  Secondly, I couldn't leave the office at that moment.  However, I made sure to take the long way around by that fountain on my way to the cafeteria for lunch (fried chicken-thankfully, I still have my taste buds).  By the time I made it to the fountain the water had been turned off and most of the suds had already dissipated.  I still took quite a few shots of it, but I was able to capture only one shot where the wind gust caught up a handful of suds causing them to fly up into the air.  Since this was one of those "today" moments, I decided to post this pic (I wasn't that sold on any of the other photos either--they could have all been B&W with such a colorless day outside).

Come to think about it--why not try this one in B&W . .  .

Day 37 - 2/6/2011

Loropetalum (I think this one is the "blush" bush) 

This photo didn't come out as well as I had hoped, but I only ventured out of the house long enough to walk Bridget, take this photo, and then it was back into the house to spend the afternoon in the chair.  I am still feeling under the weather and taking pictures or being on the computer is the last thing on my mind (mainly because of the severe headache that has accompanied the cough and stuffy nose).  Anyway, this is one of my favorite shrubs, especially when it is in full bloom. I have several of the green leafed ones and some of the purple leafed ones.  They bloom at various times of the year filling the yard with lots of beautiful color.

Day 36 - 2/5/2011

Dr. Stella, my daughter's OB/GYN

I'm afraid that I caught Noreen's (one of our fellow 365er's) cold (j/k), so even though it was a beautiful sunshiny day, I didn't feel like getting out of the house.  I went to get my hair trimmed and then came back home and slept in the chair most of the day.

The photo above is one that I took yesterday.  I was fortunate to go with my daughter to her OB for her 4-week check up before the baby is born.  It's so sweet to hear my granddaughter's heartbeat and to realize that in 3-4 weeks I will get to hold this precious little one in my arms and kiss her sweet little cheeks.  I really wanted to post one of Dr. Stella touching my daughter's stomach.  It was really so precious and only showed a small amount of tummy, but so far I don't have permission to post that photo.  So, in the meantime, I'll just post the picture of Dr. Stella holding Kelly's file.

You know what my subject matter will be in a few weeks, don't you?

Day 35 - 2/5/2011

Raindrops keep falling on my head . . .

Nandina



Crepe Myrtle





Nandina

It's another rainy day in lower Alabama. And it was quite chilly outside as well.  The rain let up for a short while, and I ventured outside to walk Miss Bridget (my Pomeranian).  While outside, I noticed that many of my plants had water droplets dangling from them.  Naturally, I couldn't wait to go inside to get my sidekick--my Sony Cybershot.  While outside I took pics of several plants.  The one that looked the best with the naked eye didn't come out at all through the lens of my camera. I must have taken 20 or so shots and came up with a few that I really liked.  It was very hard to decide which one to post, so I picked the best ones of each plant.

Day 34 - 2/3/2011

My Sister, Phyllis at Dick Russell's



Me and My Sister, Phyllis (at Dick Russell's)

Phyllis (Sista #2 as I call her) and I love to go to Dick Russell's for their famous hamburgers and onion rings (they are fabulous!).  So, tonight I called to ask her what she was doing for dinner and we met up for burgers.  Before we left, we posed for a picture with the wooden bear, since I never leave home without my trusty camera in tow.  Unfortunately, the picture wasn't as clear as I'd like for it to have been (that seems to happen when the light is low, even with a flash--I've got to figure out what's going on with this camera), but I couldn't resist posting the pic anyway--the colors were great, and besides--it's a pic of Sista #2.

Day 33 - 2/2/2011

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning;

     my God turns my darkness into light.

                                                Psalms 18:28

The Lord is my light and my salvation

      whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life

     of whom shall I be afraid?

                                            Psalms 27:1

Day 32 - 2/1/2011

On my way back from lunch I noticed the strangest looking landscaping on the campus lawn.  One side looked a lush green while the other side was completely brown, liike most of the lawns around town.  These two opposites were separated by a concrete sidewalk and the beautiful brick walkway added another dimensions to the disected lawn.  As usual these days, I am carrying my camera, so I pulled it out to take a shot.  Since the past couple of days have been overcast and/or raining, with no opporunities to take many photos, I chose this shot as my POD.