Summer 2014 Blogger Challenge #31... CELEBRATE!

I finally did it. 

It took longer than I thought it would, but how fitting that I not only completed the 31 topics of the Summer Blogger Challenge I started, but that the last one would be from yesterday "Labor Day" aka the official "end" of summer. 

This is a list of all 31 topics I covered... 

Now, I am going to CELEBRATE with images from Labor Day... a quick moment to CELEBRATE not just Summer 2014, but who I am and who my daughter is. 

We enjoy nature, life, each other... and so much more. 

These moments with her I cherish. I pray one day she looks back and has the same viewpoint... that our time together was well-spent. 

I love you, Karlene. More than you shall ever know. :-)

Here is our quick trip to Little Indian Creek Conservation Area. Here's a pdf handout about this area: http://extra.mdc.mo.gov/documents/area_brochures/7837.pdf

MK Designs Sept 2014 
Thank you for visiting! 

Summer 2014 Blogger Challenge #23 and #24 - Abstract & Old Photo of a Family Member. MacMac

#23. Abstract...

Abstract around my home... iPhone/pic-collage

Sky. Michigan 2014. Petoskey, MI - in fact! Canon Rebel  

Oil and Water - Canon Rebel 

Macro - Glass from Astral Glass - Canon Rebel (help from extension tubes) 

Oil and Water - Canon Rebel

#24. Old Photo of a Family Member. I keep this in my front room. My mom's father. My grandfather. Harvey Johnson. I have a lot of fond memories of him. 

My Grandpa. 

Thank you for visiting and keeping up with my summer blogger challenge! My goal is to finish by mid to late August. I think I am on track! 

Summer 2014 Blogger Challenge #6, #7, & #8: Draw, Today, Bestie...

Draw Something #6. 

Well, this is kinda easy... very recently my local Library had a contest to design a bookmark. My daughter and I both entered, and we both won! She won her age group, and I won mine. Pretty fun stuff. Here's my bookmark you can pick up this summer at Scenic Regional Library in Union, MO. 

My Winning Design/Drawing!

#7. What did I do today? Unseasonably cool temps and low humidty meant I slept like a rock. It felt great to sleep in no ac, in other words: no recycled air! I didn't start waking up till nearly 10:30. My kiddo - well, that was about 11:30. No "breakfast" so we did "brunch" - she helped me make French Toast because she is on a kick to learn more about cooking. Then, lots of work to do for my day job and volunteer groups, errands to run, places to go, people to see, ice cream to eat, and what not. We got home to make dinner for our guests (my parents) and to let the cats out on the deck for some lovely play time since the weather is so beautiful right now. We had dinner, watched a movie with my parents, and after they left - we went on a walk. The weather today is just amazing! Oh, and now I am updating my blog! 

Ice Cream, beautiful skies, happy kitties, and deck time...

Sweet Magical French Toast! 

Artwork outside my friend's business. 

I framed these in hopes to hang them in a business that has expressed interest in showing my work. What do you think? They are small - only 8X8, but I kinda like small. 

The view from the track at the school near my house. Beautiful night to walk!

#8. My "bestie" - THAT is a tough one. 

I used to have a ready answer for that. Now, I do not. 

I know what I feel a best buddy should do... and what they should be. I know I have had several people who fit the job come and go in my life. 

Right now - if I had to say who my BEST friend was, I'd say my mom. Without a doubt. 

As for a non-relative Best Bud? Emily Rose is and always will be one of my best friends. The same goes for Kris, in fact I think Kris and I are closer now than we've ever been. 

Terri is a great new friend I have made and I enjoy time with her. Plan on having some fun with her this week in fact! 

I am blessed that at work Kathy Allen was my friend for YEARS and now Juli Schuster has sorta slid into that place for me since Kathy retired. Both of them are so unique and special in their own different ways. However, they are both small (way smaller than I am!), beautiful women, who are two of the most fierce and loyal mothers I have ever encountered! :-)

I am very blessed to have a lot of different friends over the years, some have stayed - some have gone... others have had gaps in communication with me, but we pick right up where we left off... 

It's just hard to answer, "Who is your BEST friend," when there are many out there... so I will stick with the constant in my life, my rock, my strength: my mom. :-)

ENJOYING THE BLOG CHALLENGE! THANKS FOR READING!

Words/Photos, etc. by ME! (aka MK Designs) July 2014. 

Summer 2014 Blogger Challenge #4 & #5: Special Memory & Fave Quote

#4. Special Memory

This one is difficult. Why? Well, it's not for a lack of special memories (that would be horrid!)... it's from an abundance of them. To simplify the process and to keep myself from writing a full novel, I'll just pick the first random 6 that comes to mind. 

1. Sitting with my Grandpa Johnson as a child at their house on a porch swing watching the clouds. I clearly saw cartoon characters, and when I showed him - his face lit up and he saw them, too. 

2. Mom and I taking a "selfie" this past June at a light house. I told her to push the button. I think there was a real communication issue of what "button" meant. We giggled a LOT like school girls. Made me happy to see her so happy and free. :-)

3. First time I saw Yosemite National Park in person in 2009. I wept. I realized finally for once and for all, after years of going back and forth - God is real. 

Photo by Me. 2009. 

4. What started as a "business connection" last summer, resulting in photography work and website work, and promotional work... and a friendship...I remember watching her at a Summerfest last summer thinking "That's that crazy massage therapist!" (note: not crazy like "insane" but happy crazy. good crazy. the best kind of crazy.) 

5. This beach with these girls for my teaching job... actually the WHOLE trip! My staff took First place at Nationals for our TV show, we saw amazing sights, visited the WHOLE time (hardly had a phone out) and bonded. One of them just gradated from NYU. One of them is still navigating school and life and figuring out what she wants to do. One of them is engaged and wrapping up school. One of them is becoming a teacher and just sent me a funny photo of herself on the 4th of July. Beautiful girls are now beautiful young women. 

I didn't tell them to do this. Tha'ts how good of an experience we all had on this trip for school. This was about 4 or 5 years ago now... maybe more! ha! Navigating along Oregon and Washington State with four crazy girls running around calling me "mom" - it was awesome. People don't understand why teaching is so amazing, this is just ONE of many reasons!

6. My daughter... as we are in the ocean this week going up and down with the waves... she gives me this big hug and says "Mom, I have had an amazing trip. Thank you." Then, she proceeds to give me the most slobbery kiss on the cheek ever. 


Now on to Blog Challenge: Favorite Quote (#5)

Is this possible? I mean, really? I love quotes. I have so many rolling around in my head. Picking one is like picking a favorite student or favorite ice cream flavor, etc. How? I love so many!

So, I am going to put out my favorite bible verse instead. It's my blog, afterall! I hope you get a blessing from it... 

MK Designs. July 2014.