9/52

9/52 flare*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

The challenge this week was lens flare. There wasn't much sun this week to get any great flare shots. I took a walk today in the park and the sun was trying to peek out from behind the clouds. I got what I could.
Let me tell you... walking in the park on a snowy day with my headphones, listening to music and camera in hand is very theraputic. It's been a long, rough week. That walk helped me clear my head. I know fresh air and exercise is good for one's well-being. I really need to do that more often.
Have a great week ahead. I can't believe it's March.

8/52

52/8 Diptych Collaboration*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Diptych Collaboration*
From my "hometown" Detroit.
The first photo is something I see on a regular basis. This big Uniroyal Tire is on I-94.

"Not surprisingly, the Uniroyal® Giant Tire has been turning heads for more than 40 years as one of the nation's most recognizable roadside icons.

The Uniroyal® Giant Tire was originally created as a Ferris wheel attraction at the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair. The wheel held 96 fairgoers and was powered by a 100-horsepower motor. More than two million people rode the Giant Tire Ferris wheel during the fair, including Jacqueline Kennedy and her children, John Jr. and Caroline."

The second photo was taken in the Compuware Atrium. The family and I were there last Sunday for Detroit's Winter Blast.
This past week was Winter Break for the kids and I. I took the week off with them. We didn't do a lot. I needed a mental vacation and it was nice not to have to do anything. Although I wanted to do a lot of organization around the house, I had no motivation. Oh well.
The kids and I went to the Detroit Institute of Arts on Friday. I wanted to take them because they are both in Art class this trimester. They recognized a lot of pieces from their books. Afterward, we had dinner at the Cass Cafe, located on Wayne State's Campus. It was an interesting location. They specialize in "unique" foods and offer Vegetarian dishes. I've had take-out from them at work and have been wanting to take the kids there, especially Emily.
I'm not looking forward to getting back into routine tomorrow, but I guess we have to do it! lol

7/52

7/52 water*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Lunch Break

Most days I don't take a lunch break. I don't have time or I am covering for someone else. I suffer! lol The day we got snow I decided to head out to one of my favorite spots in Livonia near my job. It's at Hines Park. On this particular day all of these ducks were waddling about and eating the snow. They might have been digging for something with their beaks. I enjoyed the simplicity of sitting in my car ( didn't bring my boots ) and shooting through my open window.

The End*

The End*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

From my flickr page....

"I am done! I was a bit late posting this for a couple of reasons. For one thing... I wanted something special for my last photo. Another reason, I was just plain busy. And finally, I couldn't come up with anything out of the ordinary. So I decide to just get it over with and do something. I was inspired by Ingrid Michaelson's cover art Be OK."
Her song is playing on my blog now.

So... you all know that I've been doing a 52 week project. Some of the photos were of me but did you know that I've been doing an exclusive Self Portrait Project? Not many people knew, especially my family. They'd think I was crazy. Of course, my flickr friends knew. I don't know why I did it. Some may say that it is narcissist. I guess you could say so. It was more so a challenge. It's hard taking pictures of yourself! There are so many people on flickr that make it look so easy. They were truly an inspiration.
If you are so inclined, you can veiw my set here.

6/52

6/52 close up*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

close up*
It's Super Bowl Sunday so I thought this would be fitting for the theme this week. These are mini helmets that my husband has collected. I won't be watching the game tonight. Not even for the commercials. I'll catch the good ones tomorrow on the news.
I am not much of a football fan unless it's "The Murph" is playing... that would be my son.

5/52

5/52 winter*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

winter*
It's too cold to go out and shoot this week. It's 25° out there. Besides... there is no snow... It's dull and drab out there. I am not up to going out to shoot "winter". So I decided to make my own "snow". Coffee filters and cupcake wrappers make pretty good snowflakes.
Have a great week ahead everyone!

Rest in Peace

In Memory of

Robert J. Murphy

October 14, 1931 ~ January 22, 2009

4/52

4/52 yellow*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

yellow*
Why does losing a pet have to be so heartwrenching?
Our yellow lab, Sidney went to doggy heaven tonight. She was fine yesterday but something happened this morning. Don't know why she got so bad like that so fast. She was 5.
She was my baby.
I was hers.
I will miss seeing her waiting for me in the window and greeting me at the door with her "baby" in her mouth to give to me. I'm going to miss those soft warm ears. I'm going to miss her snores at night. I'm going to miss my Sidney girl.

This is of David, giving her one last hug before she left us.

3/52

3/52 me*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Ugh! Why was this so hard? I am not afraid of selfportraits but for some reason, I was so uninspired this week. I feel a lack of creativity! I’m really unhappy with this and I really don’t have time to fix it. OH WELL!! This is me!!! Screwing up, procrastinating, sucky photos… blah!

This week ended up turning out pretty good. Something happened that I didn’t think would happen and it turned out for the best. Everything is going to be ok. That was why I posted that rareity for me, a poem. I don’t write poems but that just spilled from my mind that day.
God answered my prayers when I was starting to think he forgot about us.

breathe*

breathe, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

I was being pulled under by a heavy weight tied to my ankle.
I struggled.
I needed to breathe.
I grew tired.
I could only see darkness.
I started to fill with water.
I was going down fast.
I was being attacked by the piranhas.
I was bleeding.
I know they bit the rope because I felt lighter.
I could feel myself rush back towards the top.
I could see something.
I took a breath and could feel myself fill with air.
I got sucked back under.
I started to panic.
I wasn't coming back up.
I struggled once again.
I could see the light.
I couldn't reach the surface.
I broke free.
I gasped for air.
I am breathing.
I am treading water.
I am free.
I am breathing.
I am waiting for the big rescue boat.
I am going to stay above water.
I am not going back under.
I have a new breath of life in me.

~Jennifer Murphy 1/12/2010

2/52

2/52 Happy*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Happy*
Got my toothpaste, got my brush,
I won't hurry, I won't rush.
Making sure my teeth are clean,
Front and back and in between.
When I brush for quite a while,
I will have a happy smile!

*sung to Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Now go back and read it again.



I forgot to post this to my blog Sunday night. I took the photo, that's what counts! lol
Part of my "resolution" for this year is to get the us to the dentist. My last dentist was a jerk. He was mean to patients and staff and I've grown to hate going or taking the kids. Well.... it's not doing us any good. I vowed to assign us to a different dentist when I was picking out dental insurance in October. So now I just need to get us appointments to have our teeth cleaned. I'm quite embarrassed that it has gone too long.
I have to go today to have a crown put on one of my teeth today. It will be the last appointment for me at this "new" dentist. I really liked this office but unfortunately they don't accept my new insurance. That's where this other one comes in.
Wow! I bet you didn't expect to read about dentists did you?

1/52 year 2

1/52 new toy*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

My new toy*
I'm starting a 52 week project again. For this week our theme is NEW. This is my new phone. I know, no big deal. But I've been cell phone free for 6 months prior to this. I had 2 flat tires in that time also. Talk about stupid. No phone to call for help. So I'm excited about my new BlackBerry. My phone before this, that broke, was the freebie that they give away. It was your basic run of the mill phone. This here does everything! I can even go to flickr while I'm on the phone. Hopefully it won't be to roadside assistance.

52 1/2 weeks of 2009

52 1/2 weeks of 2009 *The End*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

*The End*
52 cards in a deck
52 white keys on a piano
52 Pick-Up
52 weeks in a year
52 photos in 2009
52... count em'


It was fun. It is done. Now I'll start another one.

This was a fun project for me. As you know, photography is a big hobby of mine. Without this project I would have probably let my camera gather dust. Instead, it has let me be creative. It's been an outlet for the stress I've been facing. I'm happy that I did it. I will be starting another one in 2010.
A huge THANK YOU!! to all that have read my blog and followed me on this journey. Thank you for your wonderful comments. I can't tell you how they've put smiles on my face during times I really haven't felt like smiling.

I can't believe that this year is over. If I sit back and reflect on 2009 I try to pull out some good points. All in all this has NOT been a good year. I won't put each of those points here because, honestly, why ponder on the bad things?
I can say that it was a good year because I got to travel for work. I was honored that I was picked to help my company in a merger process. I was thrilled to travel to Seattle, a place I've never been to. I absolutely loved it there and would be happy to go back.
It was a good year because David passed his freshman year with flying colors. He was one of three kids from his school chosen to go to Australia for a student ambassador program. Unfortunately, due to our finances he could not go. That's OK. David also got a varsity letter in track and in academics.
Emily finished out her middle school year with flying colors also. She was part of the school band, track and the volleyball team. She was a big help this summer for a coworker and babysat for her little boy. She made good money and had a great time as well. She started her freshman year a bit bumpy but things have smoothed out. She's on her way to a great year.
Mike and I have made it to our 16th year of marriage. We have withstood all the misconceptions that society likes to place on young couples. We will make it through all that life throws at us.

So on to a new year. This is going to be a life changing year for us. I pray everyday for God to help us through this next step in our lives. I pray God will show us mercy in 2010. I pray, just pray.

52/52

52/52 Over the feilds we go, screaming all the way!, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

“Over the hills we go, screaming all the way!”
So I guess I’m using this for my 52nd photo. It was Christmas Day and we were on our way to Christmas Dinner. We all got new phones for Christmas and I was playing around with mine.
With the stress of the holidays & work and being sick I didn’t put much into this like I planned. The flickr group I’m in is 52 1/2 weeks of 2009. Not really sure what the deal is with the “1/2″ but I have the “1/2″ photo to do for the last one. I do have an idea in mind so hopefully all will go as planned.

**disclaimer
I’d like to add that no one got hurt in the making of this photo. The kids in the backseat are fine.

51/52

51/52 Waiting for the Big Man*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Waiting for the Big Man*
A day late posting this. I did take the photo on time, however.
This is my take on the theme product shot. It could go two ways... a shot of Peppermint Schnapps in some hot cocoa. Or just a shot of a cute holiday mug. I'm thinking the latter. I don't really do alcohol.
This weekend was the Murphy family Christmas party. It went well, no fights. lol! I enjoyed the time spent with Mike's family. My great nephew Sam is just so cute. He's about 18 months old and so fun. He's such a good natured little guy.
I've got some gifts bought but need to finish up this week. I'm not sure when I'm going to get out. Good thing for the 24 hour stores.

, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

50/52

50/52 Helping Hands*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Helping Hands*
Finally put the tree up today. I wanted to go for a real tree but decided to stick with my pre-lit tree. Sidney decided to help. The kids really didn't want any part of it. I have to get the ornaments put on it still. Why does this seem like more of a chore than ever this year?

49/52

49/52 ruby*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

The theme this week is bokeh. Bokeh is an adaptation from a a Japanese word meaning blur. In photography this term is used to describe the quality of the areas in the picture which are not in focus.
This is one of my favorite things to do... shoot bokeh. I love the swirly, out of focus lights.
Today I went to the park to walk around. It was sunny, but cool. I took my camera, hoping to find something to shoot for my photo for this week. Everything was dead. lol Lots of brown, dead leaves. These red berries were scattered here and there to add a splash of color.
To see some more of my bokeh photos, you can take a looke here.

48/52

48/52 "then & now", originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

The theme for this week is "then & now". Back "then" I used my dad's Minolta 35mm camera. I had the film developed and now they are stored in photoboxes or albums. "Now" I'm using my digital camera and all the photos are on these little SD cards. It's not so easy sitting down and going through albums when your photos are on the computer or on little cards. I really should have more images printed. I have a few years worth of digital images stored on them.

47/52

47/52 "from the decade you were born", originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

The theme this week is "From the decade you were born". This is a gift my mom was given when she had me. It says "Mother is another word for Love ~ Mother's Day 1973" It was her first Mother's Day and the day she gave birth to me. I have this in my China cabinet along with a few other collectibles.