13.365

Once upon a time there was a hen named Cocoa. She was a beautiful bird with dark, rich, iridescent feathers. And she laid the most delicious chocolate eggs.
One day, Cocoa lost a feather. The next day, she lost two feathers. On the third day, there were three black feathers in the bottom of the coop. This continued until, Cocoa was almost bald. She remained half bald for months. And months. And months. Nobody wanted to look at her. Or play with her. Or even hold her. Ugly Betty just seemed like a better fit.

Until one day. Seriously. Overnight. I went out to the coop and out strutted this magnificent black hen. Complete with a full set of shining black feathers. I could not believe my eyes! Ugly Betty has transformed into a Black Swan.  There were cheers. And tears. And celebrations.

Now...she just needs to lay her chocolate eggs again. And there really will be a "happily ever after."

12.365

Sundays in January mean ballet summer intensive auditions. Today was audition #2 for the Big Ballerina.

This was the first audition BB has done where all ages (12-18) audition together. Intimidating.

Add in the fact that there were 117 others auditioning with her.
Intimidating.
And stressful.

Add in the fact that the Artistic Director was the one teaching the audition class. EXCITING!
And intimidating.
And stressful.

Yet she walked into the audition with her head held high. And tried. When it was over, she said it was tough. But she loved it. She loved the teacher and the style of ballet he teaches.

So, even if she doesn't get in. She learned something valuable. And that made it worth the four hour drive. Each way.

11.365

Horse lessons are still going strong. I think this is what the Little Ballerina looks forward to the most each week. She is fearless once she's ON her horse, but actually tacking the horse? That's another story. I am hoping as she gets bigger, the horses won't seem as looming, and she will relax a bit more.

10.365

Keeping up with this is going to be interesting. I haven't posted here in so long that when asked to enter my password, I was completely stumped. 

And in keeping with my track record of biting off more than I can chew, I attempted to do Ten on Ten this month. I think I may have taken 5 pictures. Most of them sucked. So that project went out the window. I now have pictures in all kinds of folders on my computer. And my desktop looks very similar to this stellar example of organization.

One step forward. Two steps back? Oh well...at least I have a photo for today. I'll take it. Baby steps.

 

 

9.365

Am I going to do this? I committed to doing it on Instagram. That's easy. But here? In this space. Can I commit to coming back here on a regular basis? Can I commit to a photo each day with my "big girl" camera? I don't know. But I'll give it a whirl. 

The last 8 days don't count....

 

ten on ten: eight. ten. thirteen

It's been four months since I posted here. The time between posts keeps getting longer and longer. I'm not sure if that means the end is near. I have ideas for revamping this little slice of the interwebs of mine. But other activities always seem to take precedence. Important activities. Like Words With Friends. And Instagram.

And the fact that the last, I don't know, ten or so posts begin the same way makes me wonder. Should I continue? And if so. Why? If the answer is because it feels right. Then it will be. If the answer is anything else. Game over.

I'm not going to rehash the last four months. Those posts are boring. I don't think I could even sit and read all that. So I'll just keep the momentum going. And move forward. Even if this post is four five days old news already. Strike one. Strike two.

I was happy that the tenth fell on a Saturday. Saturdays are fun. Probably another reason that the last three months of ten on ten are left blank here. Must have fallen on weekdays. When none of my peeps are around to take pictures of. If I don't have someone to take a picture of my camera sits in the corner. Cast aside and neglected.

Heading out with my photo group to the botanical gardens a few weeks back really drove this point home for me. We were only allowed to take 36 photos. I think I took 14. I just could not find enough to photograph. One picture of a flower was enough for me. I need people. I need a story....

And with that being said. Here is the story of our August 10, 2013...

breakfast

grocery run

horse riding lessons : bonding

 

horse riding lessons : tacking

horse riding lessons : posting

 horse riding lessons : grooming

when BSD is left alone (I've always said if he could, he would buy everything at 7-Eleven. Today he proved I was right. And that he has no shame.)

 another form of riding

too hot for the bulldog

a new cook in the family

brain games

To check out what others were up to this month, go here.

ten on ten: four. ten. thirteen.

Another month. Another ten on ten. Another lack of any. other. post. from me. My excuse is the same. We've been busy. And I've been lazy.

Last week was Spring Break. We didn't go away. But we filled each day with a family field trip. I guess we had ourselves a good ole-fashioned staycation. And as much as I'd like to say we jetted off to Colorado to ski. The ballerinas fell into bed each night exhausted. Said "THANK YOU!" for the daily dose of fun at least twice a day. And on Sunday they both exclaimed, "That was the best Spring Break ever!" 

I could have blogged each day of that Spring Break. There were definitely memories worth preserving. But I was cheating. On my big girl camera. I left it at home (or in the car) 95% of the week. And like thousands of others. I used my camera phone to record it all. And Instagram (mawlovesbsd on Instagram) to share it. So much quicker and easier. Like using the microwave instead of the oven. 

Is Instagram the new blog? Are blogs going to wind up at Good Will perched next to all the typewriters?

Well...as long as there's a tenth of the month, I'll still be here. I enjoy this project too much to give it up. And it's a good reason to dust off my Lightroom skills and keep them from getting too rusty.

Today was a typical Wednesday.

Drag self out of bed...

Get ballerinas off to school...

Get daily dose of torture...

Do the dishes...

Water the flowers (since we've bypassed Spring and fast-forwarded right to summer) ...

Take a shower...

Welcome ballerinas back home from school...

Get homework done...

Do chores... (she wants to earn $22 to buy four rolls of duct tape to "make crafts.")

Get ready for dance...

Practice what you learned at dance in all inappropriate places...

If you'd like to see what a more exciting day looks like, check out what other Ten on Ten'ers were up to here.

Until next month...