This Is It!

:) 9-21-10 The Vogtritters

Ohhh my...It's here...the last day. As promised the year was full of ups and downs, crazy moments, dull episodes of existing; and amazingly enough, absolutely chock full of blessings unending!!!

Unfiltered, In Focus and with the right Shutter Speed, this year long picture blog has been captured. Thank you for your interest, comments and love. Goodnight friends...

One Simple Wish

1 Paradise Valley, AZ 9-20-10

It's your turn...You are sitting in front of a lit candle and everyone is looking at you, waiting for you to make a wish. Do you take it seriously and actually "make a wish" or do you quickly blow the candle out and get on with the eating of the cake?

It was my turn today (actually, I've blown out three separate candles on three separate days) and honestly, as I look at the people gathered around me with cameras poised for the puckered lipped, air exhaling event, I am blank.

How can I capsulate all the wishes I carry on a daily basis into one single moment with one single crystalized wish? So, here is what I think as I dramatically lean in for the snuffing of birthday lit candle, "Thank you". That's it...One simple wish...

Love you friends and know that I am undeniably grateful for each and everyone of you, for this life, my family and for my faith in Christ. God is good...Goodnight everyone. :)

Last Song

2 Paradise Valley, 9-19-10

Time does not become sacred to us until we have lived it, until it has passed over us and taken with it a part of ourselves. ~John Burroughs

It is the last song my friends...the end is drawing so near, I can feel it now. Sadness at the thought of not sharing my thoughts and pictures anymore...Happiness at the ability for one full year of sharing my thoughts and pictures...

Time has passed quickly and definitely taken a part of me. Goodnight friends.

Say Goodnight

3 Ethan, Scottsdale, AZ 9-18-10

The day started like any other except the looming aspect of having an appointment to get my body dunked under water; measuring my fat vs. muscle ratio. Really!?!

Keep in mind, that July 2008, was record of same measurements and attempts to match great numbers (make that AWESOME numbers) were a point of personal obsessive maneuvers. i.e. no alcohol, sugar and limited carbs. For how long you ask? Three weeks!!!

Finding the water mobile station for the test was an adventure, but both my best buddy and I marched in ready for the hold your breath, claustrophobic experience. What follows next is a verbal visual for you of me throwing myself into an embryo position in the corner of the mobile trailer. The numbers for me were astronomical (as if I had never worked out) and my friend on the other hand, peachy perfect! Waaaaa....I'm depressed. Tail between my legs defeated and frustrated. Time to say goodnight to the past and strangle the future! Focus on healthy and lean NOW...Understanding that today's choices are under appreciated for tomorrow's desired goal. Make it great my friends and choose right :)

What's Up

4 Spencer S., Scottsdale, AZ 9-17-10

Tucson Twinkle

5 Tucson, AZ 9-16-10

She thinks she is soooo grown up. Sliding against the law with drinking, living in a house with 4 other girls and learning the new skills of cooking, cleaning and laundry.

She calls mostly when she needs something and writes almost never claiming her college class work keeps her busy all the time.

I think I'm soooo grown up. Raising two children and married for 26 years. Drinking excessively when I feel like it and avoiding the skills of cooking, cleaning and laundry.

I'll call her mostly when I want to lecture her about being grateful for her life or not calling me often enough. I claim I can't call her when I want to tell her I love her because I'm running too many errands or working out.

This is why when I see her and she sees me; We both fall into each others arms, hugging and kissing and feeling remorseful over our lack of ability to control the inevitable...independence from one another. :) Loving my Tucson twinkle moments now more than ever!

Hot Hot Hot

6 Paradise Valley, AZ 9-15-10

I can't breathe...and it's not because of the weather. Sure, it's unbearably warm at this time of year, but combine that with the continuous peri-menopausal 'hot flashes' and what you have is H-E-Double Toothpicks!!!

Lord have mercy on my soul, but being hormonal is challenging enough let alone the disgusting sweats that will ignite without provoking and continue through all hours of the day and night.

Breathing is optional as I find a weird satisfaction over surviving each and everyone of my "personal summer" hot spells. Here's to you staying cool amidst those that are scorching hot! Goodnight friends...