Gratitude For My Vision (365 Photos: Days 258-266)

by erin // November 2, 2012 // 1 Comment

Today is day 273 of my 365 Photo Project, which means I have less than 100 days until it is over. I started this project on February 4, 2012, which was the day after my Lasik eye surgery and also the first day I could see clearly without glasses. I am beyond grateful that I made the investment and got laser eye surgery this year. I’m thankful about everything associated with it: I’m glad I was a candidate for the surgery. I’m glad my health insurance afforded me a small discount on the surgery. I’m glad I took part in my company’s medical FSA plan so I could get tax savings on the money I spent on the surgery. I’m glad the doctor and the techs did such a good job. I’m glad Mr. O took good care of me after the surgery. I’m glad I followed all the rules and used the eye pads at night and the drops all day long. I’m glad I never got an infection. I’m glad I can freaking see now. I’m just so grateful for all of it.

Sometimes though, I think I take my vision for granted. Sometimes I think I forget just how much a miracle it is that I can see the first thing in the morning. Sometimes I don’t realize just how incredible it is to wear my sunglasses everyday when I drive (I think the real question, is how the heck did I drive without them before?). Sometimes I don’t notice that I’m laying in bed curled up with a pillow or molded to Mr. O’s chest while watching a movie, and I couldn’t have done that before if I were wearing glasses. Sometimes when I’m in the shower and about to grab the bottle of conditioner, I don’t remember just how confusing that whole process was when I couldn’t see.

Being able to see is so incredible. What I love most about my 365 Photo challenge is that every single one of these photos is a reminder that I can see…without any assistance. I love looking backward at this new journey, and I love taking these photos every day as a reminder of my perfect vision.

And before I forget, let me share my most recent photos: days 258-266.
Day 258…10/18/12: Soup with spinach in it…that I ate! (Can you tell I’m not the hugest spinach fan?)
Day 259…10/19/12: Going to see a friend perform at a comedy show
Day 260…10/20/12: Today Wolverine and I found 20 four-leaf clovers
Day 261…10/21/12: Wolverine tied my nephew’s shoe three times in one walk.
Day 262…10/22/12: Goodbye old bike
Day 263…10/23/12: Bringing my sister-in-law to the ER to get stitches
Day 264…10/24/12: Visiting at RIC for a girls’ night
Day 265…10/25/12: Spry is on AWP’s writers calendar!
Day 266…10/26/12: I got my thesis in the mail! This was one of the best moments ever. My name is literally on a book. Can you believe it?

Weekly Internet Finds

by erin // April 6, 2012 // 11 Comments

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If you aren’t reading The Middle Finger Project, you are missing out. Check out herÂ newest post which is so aptly titled: Fuck Plan B. You’re on the A Team. Remember how last week I included two Ashley’s links? Yet again! MFP is written by Ash.

To keep up with the streak, Ashlee from Where My Heart Resides wrote a beautiful post about the mom she wants to be. I got a little teary. See, Ash/Ashey/Ashlee’s are taking over the blog-o-sphere.

Nora’s post about going to the library and StoryCorps really struck a cord in me. How cool is the premise of StoryCorps? I wish they came to people’s houses, and we could have StoryCorps parties and record everyone’s history. Wait… maybe something like that exists already.

A.J.’s post about Baby Fever was pretty fantastic. In fact, I’m honestly not sure whether the picture is of Ally McBeal or AJ. Because it seriously looks like her to me.

Alena, a friend from my MFA program who recently started a blog has many humorous posts. The most recent one made me giggle this week, but I’d honestly recommend that you check out her archives as well.

I loved this photobook of Instagram pictures. I especially loved how she used a sharpie to write in notes on the book. I totally think I will do something like this when my 365 photo challenge is complete. I love it! I’m new to her blog, and I am loving every post. I love when I find a new blogger to crush on.

And finally, this one is a tiny bit old (I didn’t read it this week), but I just noticed it in my starred items in my reader. If you check this out, I’d recommend starting at #1 and then reading your way to this link. Jennifer wrote her adoption story so beautifully. I read the whole thing twice. I don’t know her at all, but I am so happy for her.

365 photo catch up

by erin // March 14, 2012 // 2 Comments

So yeah, I fell a little behind posting my 365 photo project. Luckily, I didn’t fall behind on taking the photos. I am going to try to post about nine photos at a time, just so the format will be pretty. Thanks to San, I downloaded the Frametastic App for my iPhone, and that is what I am going to try for the time. Tomorrow there will be one more 365 catch up, and at that point, I will be all caught up 🙂

From the top (clockwise):
Day 29: I take a bath with this wild animal
Day 30: My Memere’s chair
Day 31: Yummy Pho for dinner
Day 32: It is going to be a long day at work. Preparations.

365 Photos: Week Four

by erin // March 3, 2012 // 5 Comments

This week was quite tough to remember, but here it is (I edited this post as the pictures weren’t formatted correctly).

Day 22: Trying to perfect the guava mojito

Day 23: Valentine's Day flowers that never quite made it

Day 24: Gloomy Monday Mornings

Day 25: Coconut Shrimp

Day 26: Onions Make Me Cry

Day 27: Bedroom Ceiling

Day 28: Lunch

365 Photos: Week Three

by erin // February 25, 2012 // 6 Comments

It isn’t easy to remember to take these pictures, but I am trying! I’m going strong with week #3. Can someone out there teach me how to pretty this up with Instagram or something?

Day 15: Making frozen green apple margaritas for Mr. O and me

Day 16: Octopus (hot dog) Mac and Cheese for Wolverine

Day 17: Handwriting (Just a mini excerpt from a huge to-do list)

Day 18: Just started reading The Happiness Project, a Christmas gift from my mom

Day 19: My healthy lunch! Apple, Special K and yogurt

Day 20: A peek at my planner. It says "Massholes Unite"... My writing group is called the Masshole Writers. Oh, yeah.

Day 21: Getting together some prizes for a competition we had at work!

365 Photos: Week Two

by erin // February 18, 2012 // 2 Comments

Another completed week!

Day 8: This is not the kind of thing you want to see come out of your purse when you heavily rely on sunglasses

Day 9: My February goal is to PURGE and today I tackled my closet

Day 10: More purging. Don't need the stuff to fix my glasses anymore, and I don't need broken frames either

Day 11: Thirsty, much?

Day 12: Soooo much to do at work.

Day 13: The gerbera daisyÂ Mr. O's mom gave me for my birthday (in September) is flowering still!

Day 14: Work, work, work....

What is your favorite picture this week? My favorite is the gerbera daisy!

365 Photos Week One

by erin // February 13, 2012 // 8 Comments

So, one of my goals on my new 101 in 1001 challenge was to complete the 365 day photo challenge. The point of it is to photograph an entire year of your life… And if you know anything about me, I’m sure you know how much I love pictures. I originally wanted to start this on my anniversary as I thought that would be a great way to frame the project, but the anniversary has come and gone, and I forgot about the original goal.

But that is okay. I’m kind of glad it didn’t work out, because I think I have a much better frame now for my project. I started my 365 picture project on February 4, 2012, which was the first day I was able to see. Yes, I could see with glasses prior to the 4th, but I got laser surgery on February 3rd, and I can’t tell you how much it has changed my life so far. I won’t bore you with these photos on a daily basis, but I think it would be nice to post them weekly. So here is week one (I’m a few days late for posting this)!

Are you doing (or have you done) a 365 day challenge?

Also, I wanted to send a HUGE Happy Birthday shot out to Sarah, one of my absolute closest friends in this whole wide world. I love you so much and I hope you have an amazing birthday!