June and July 2016: Month in Review

The last couple months have been quite eventful! I planned to keep up with blogging, but for whatever reason, I failed totally!  Anyway, now because of my slacker self, I'm here doing a double month in review.  Let me tell you... going back and filling in all the activities of two months was not fun!  It's a really good thing that I'm pretty consistent with posting on social media or I'd be at a loss.  So here we go! Time traveling back through June & July!!!

Highlights

6/15: Lamar and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary with a fun day at Wet & Wild!  Wow... 2 years ^.^
 

6/24: Installation day for my historical downtown photo series at the North Orange Public Library!  It was so amazing to see my work all framed and displayed in public.

 

6/26: Got serious about this knitting thing with two new full sets of bamboo knitting needles.  I can knit all the things now lol!

7/1: Lamar and I flew to California for our friend Sheree's wedding.  It was my first time flying cross country (technically 2nd but the first time I was like 3).  Five hour is a long time to be on a plane.  It was a little unnerving, but looking at the map and following the flight path was cool.

7/3:  Sheree and Justin got married :) Click -HERE- to see some shots from their awesome photographers.

7/4-7:  Lamar and Caleisha do California!  We did all the touristy thing, spent time with my family, and made lots of memories.  It was great.

7/10: Two days after getting home from Cali, we were back on the road to Miami for Lamar's god-brother's wedding.  And turned out one of my cousins was a friend of the groom, so I got to see him too.  That was pretty cool... until he pulled me on to the dance floor during the reception -___-  I am not a dancer!  It was easily the most awkward thing I've done in a reeeeeally long time lol. (Of course Lamar got it on video ::covers face in embarrassment::)

7/11: We went to Lamar's god-parents' house and I picked my first mango from a tree ^.^ It was very good.  After leaving there, we went to Ft. Lauderdale beach.

7/16: My cousin Courtney and her husband Marcus, came down to participate in a Friday night young adult vespers program and a Saturday night fashion show.  I'm so proud of them creating their GPOV brand.

7/18: HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAMAR!!! Love You!!

Throughout the Month(s)
-Knitting Knitting Knitting!  I have absolutely fallen in love with knitting.  It's been awesome to learn new things, especially things I assumed were going to be super hard.

Goals
My June goals totally fell right off my mental table and I didn't set any July goals.  Ugh... Slacker!!

August Goals
1. Start applying for all the jobs
2. Set a budget - get that money right!
3. Finish knitting mom's socks
4. Film a craft vlog/podcast
5. Do 2 things from 30in30
6. Participate in the Summer School Make-a-long #ssmal16

Ok! I'm getting back on this blogging horse! I've planned out almost a whole month of posts and barring any unforeseen craziness, I'll be sticking to it.  I can't wait to get back to it!

May 2016: Month in Review

This month in review post is going up so stinkin' late!  I have been quite the slacker blogger and I really need to do better ::insert shame face here::  So May's been over for a week now and we are almost half way through 2016.  That is so crazy to me! I always feel like time is flying by whenever I look back through the month to get ready to write these posts.  Anywho, on to the highlights!

Monthly Highlights
5/3:  Cherie and Kwame's first wedding anniversary!  It's a little mind boggling that so many of my friends are married/parents... I guess we are getting 'old' lol ^.^

5/10:  I finished a lovey doll and blanket set.  It was a lot of fun to challenge myself to create something I've never done before.  Stay tuned because I will be sharing more photos and details later on.

5/19:  Brianna and I went to Disney After Hours.  We got to go on rides that normally have an hour+ wait time and meet Mickey and a handful of princesses.  It was pretty cool for a Disney newb like myself.

5/26:  I crochet and hand-dyed a swimsuit cover up.  I started making a red heart pattern, but when it wasn't working out the way I wanted, I decided to frog it out and design my own.  I think it came out pretty nicely ^.^ If I do say so myself!

5/27:  Happy birthday Tiffany!  She's starting her 30 by 30 list and I'm super excited about it!

5/28-29:  Over memorial weekend, we celebrated my friend Sheree's bachelorette in Miami.  We went out Saturday night, Sheree danced her little heart out.  Then on Sunday we went on a boat tour.  It was pretty cool.  Snapchat was the documentation of choice and it served me well ^.^

5/30:  Happy birthday Brianna!  She's doing a 25 by 25 ^.^ I kinda feel like a trendsetter! lol

Throughout the Month
- I spent a lot of the month planning Sheree's Miami bachelorette party.  I've discovered that I'm not keen on planning things for other people.  It's very stressful for me.  I must say Saturday night I almost had a panic attack while we were out... ugh
- I was a yarn crafting machine this month!  I feel like I was never without a project in my bag, lol.  So much so, when I finished up all my projects and had nothing on the go, it was quite weird.

May Goals Recap

1.  Finish & deliver the Evy Set - Yes! I did it and little Everly loved her doll!
2.  Knit a hat - Yes! I knit the Seaforth Hat.  Funny story... after I finished it, I learned that I was doing all my yarn overs wrong. Looks like I need to make another one!
 3.  Plan Sheree's bachelorette Party - Done!
4.  Read one book - Nope...
5.  Make grandma's retirement shutterfly book - Nope... But I def need to get a move on this one because the free book offer I have is expiring in June.

June Goals
1. Finish library photo display
2. Do 2 things for 30 in 30
3. Finish Grandma's photobook
4. Create a budget and build up savings
5. Plan get togethers for friends

And that, my friends, was my May in a nutshell.  How was your month?  What are some things you want to do in June?

April 2016: Month in Review

This year is just flying by! I don't even know how I feel about it... April was a blur.  Welp, here's to making the effort to take May more slowly.

April Highlights
4/1: I got my replacement phone!  My Galaxy S5 was stolen at the end of March, but through some research and blessing I was able to replace it with an S6 through upgrade without having a monthly phone payment!  Huzzah! Praise God!

4/3: Lamar's cousin Roger got married!  I got to be in my first big Ryan family photo and I'm no longer the newest Mrs. Ryan ^.^

4/6:  I took my second aerial yoga class and did a shoulder-stand!!!  I felt so awesome afterward.  A couple days later tho... my body was sooo mad at me lol.

4/9:  It was education day at church and I told the children's story.  It went really well.  Lamar recorded it... maybe I'll post it sometime.

4/13: Finished editing and uploading the photos from a first birthday shoot  ^.^

4/14: Lamar and I went to the Pentatonix concert.  It was a lot of fun and the opening act, Us the Duo, was the best part if you ask me :)  It's the only CD I've been playing in my car since.

4/20:  Since I've been getting more into knitting, I decided to purchase my first set of fancy needles.  I went to a yarn store quite close to me called Knit! and bought a set of Chiaogoo lace tips. Compared to the needles I've been using from Joann's, the Chiaogoos are soooo much better!  

4/21: Lamar's school put on 'Hairspray' as their Spring Musical.  It was pretty good.

4/29:  Ma Sonia and Amber's birthdays!!

4/30:  I wore my newest crochet shawl to church and one of the older ladies complimented me on it ^.^

Throughout the Month
- I started Bible Journaling!  I've wanted to try it for a while, but I was scared to draw in the Bible... But once I got past the first entry, I was good to go!  It's a really meditative practice for me.
- I've been working on the Evy Lovey and Blanket set this month. It's looking very cute!

April Goals Recap
1. Read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert -- I started it but put it down after a couple chapters.  I do want to finish it, so I'm going to give it another go in May.
2. Crochet something Hufflepuff for #23HarryPotterKAL -- nope, I just went with the Ravenclaw socks
3. Volunteer at an animal shelter -- nope, and now my car is acting really stupid so I don't know when I'll be able to do the extra driving.
4. Read Proverbs and Ecclesiastes -- I did this one!  But let me tell you, Ecclesiastes was HARD to get through!! I even called my dad (who's a preacher) to confirm that I was understanding the book... It's depressing! Moral of the book: You might as well enjoy your work and life because everything is meaningless and we're all going to die anyway.  Thanks Solomon...
5. Back up devices 2 - 4 times in the month -- I'm ashamed... I haven't backed up anything.  I keep saying I need to back up my phone because I have SO many photos and videos from the Pentatonix concert and whatnot.  The back up will happen today!

May Goals
1.  Finish & deliver the Evy Set
2.  Knit a hat
3.  Plan Sheree's Bachelorette Party
4.  Read one book
5.  Make grandma's retirement shutterfly book


SO yeah, I do want to focus on taking May slower.  Making an effort to make more memories and not just work work work.  I want to take more time for me and also do more crafting for me :)  What are some of your May goals?

March 2016: Month in Review

I have had QUITE the struggle with keeping up with my blogging this month - I only posted 4... including this one! I'm not really sure why... I planned out my posts and even wrote up a bunch of them.  I just didn't type and publish them. -___-  Meh. I'll do better in April! 

March Highlights
3/4: Brianna and I dyed yarn together.  It was a lot of fun!  She went for an orange and I went for green (surprise surprise ^.^)  We used food coloring and easter egg dye. BTW: I'm totally going to raid the easter section at walmart for all the dyes!

3/9:  I walked around and photographed Downtown Mt. Dora.  I was down there just before sunset.  The light was very pretty and made for some great photos.  I also met a couple musicians playing on the corner and took some pics of them... that I still need to send them *oops*

3/11:  Lamar and I had a dinner-out-at-home date night.  We got Olive Garden to go and set it up on the table at home.  Very nice to do something different.

3/13:  Lamar, Brianna, and I went to Universal for Mardi Gras.  It was really fun to see Brianna, who is the ultimate Disney Head, be totally lost at Universal ^.^

3/17:  6 YEARS since Lamar and my first date *.*

3/19:  I found a 4-Leaf Clover!  How appropriate to find on St. Patrick's Week.

3/20:  Lamar got two tickets to Universal Mardi Gras from one of his coworkers, so Sheree and I were able to go see 3DoorsDown in concert.  It was awesome!  When they started Kryptonite, everyone went crazy ^.^

3/21:  I thrifted a pair of binoculars that are in great condition!  I have since looked at the moon in awe.

3/26:  My mother in law put together a program where she tells select people what she appreciates about them and I was one of the people this time.  It was so sweet :)

3/28:  My phone was stolen.  In a round-about way this became a lesson in casting my cares on God.  I get really anxious about a lot of things and within this situation I prayed that if God was trying to teach me something, to make it super plain to see.  And the day after my phone was taken, my morning prayer (in the Abide App) was about casting my cares, worries, and anxieties on God.  Then on the radio I was hearing and singing along with all the praise songs and it made me feel more at peace with everything.  I now understand, more than before, the importance of praising in all situations.

3/30:  I was able to replace my phone through upgrading.

Throughout the Month
- I knit my first pair of socks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I started them on the 3rd and finished them on the 29th.  Now I feel like I can knit all the things!

- Because of the series of unfortunate events that have occurred with my electronics, I am vowing to backup my devices at least twice a month if not once a week!!!  I am tired of losing photos!

March Goals Review
1. Design a shawl - I started crocheting a shawl from the hand-dyed yarn I created.  I'm still working out the size, and I think it's almost done!
2. At least 2 date nights with Lamar - We had our dinner-out-at-home night and on the 18th we went to IHOP as is our dating anniversary tradition :)
3. Yoga once a week - nope...
4. Do a downtown shoot - Shot Mt. Dora
5. Read at least one book - I haven't finished it but I recently started reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.  So far its quite good.  I've checked it out from the library, but I think I'll buy it.

April Goals
1.  Finish reading Proverbs & Ecclesiastes
2. Crochet something Hufflepuff themed for the #23HarryPotterKAL
3. Volunteer at an animal shelter
4. Back up devices at least twice/month or at most once/week
5. Finish reading Big Magic

February 2016: Month in Review

I am actually a bit sad that my birthday month is over... it was a good one though!  Lots of memories made and good times with friends/family spent.  So here are the highlights!

2/5: Delaware got a bunch of snow near the end of January and beginning of February and my dad kept sending me pictures.  So I asked him to build me a snowman, and he did!  Little things like that are why he's such a cool dude :)

2/14:  Even though Lamar said we weren't going to do anything for Valentine's since we were having a few big things for my birthday, I couldn't let the day pass without doing something for him.  I surprised him with a few balloons and handmade cards when he got home from work.

 

2/16: I did aerial yoga for the first time (at Altamonte Springs Yoga) and loved it!  Post and photos coming soon!

2/18: I finally finished the yellow cup cozies!!!!  I feel like those were everlasting!

2/20: We had a Frimily (Friends and Family) Sabbath lunch for my birthday!  It felt really good to have a house full of people that love me come together to hang out and spend time.  And Brianna and I baked cupcakes.  They were delish.  I may have eaten cupcakes, I mean... sugar muffins... for breakfast the next day... lol!

2/21: We went to Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure!

  

2/24:  I. Turned. Thirty!  Since I was the only person off work on that day, I decided to go hiking in Wekiwa Springs and eat at a few random restaurants.

2/25: One night about a month ago I helped one of the librarians straighten a bunch of paintings in the library and asked her about showing my photography in the library.  I found out, on this day, that I will be showing my downtown photography series in the library during July ^.^

2/26:  I ventured into the magical world of Ikea with Brianna o.O It was pretty awesome.  I could definitely see myself shopping there more if only the traffic around it wasn't so crazy.

2/28:  A couple friends of ours had their baby shower and I was their photographer. It was a beautiful set up and they had a lot of fun.

2/29:  Leap Day!  Last leap day I started this blog ^.^ It's been an interesting four years between "blog birthdays."  Sometimes I kind of lose sight of what I want this blog to be, but it's really taken me on an adventure.

Throughout the Month
I have been really enjoying using my Bible app and Abide prayer app this month.  If you are interested in a really good prayer app, Abide is one.  It gives you a daily prayer each morning and you can browse through the prayers topically as well.  I've been loving the social aspect of the Bible app.  I have been creating images using verses I like as I've been reading.  Both apps let me share things to facebook which is kinda like a bit of ministry for me :)

February Goals Review
1.  Finish up all outstanding crafty projects. (I finished the cup cozies, but I'm still working on the hooded cowl... still... working)
2.  Document my birthday #caleishaturns30 (I took soo many pictures! I'm so glad I hashtagged because I can see the pictures that my friends took at Universal too.)
3.  Revisit Kwanzaa (I didn't do this one.  I considered it but then just decided against it.)
4.  Work on Mom's scrapbook (I made the cover page.  She and I had a great facetime conversation wherein she told me all the memories behind a lot of the photos she sent me.)
5.  Do one photo story (I didn't exactly plan for this to be a photo story, but all the photos I shot while hiking in Wekiwa Springs Park made a nice "Walk with Me" story.  Which I will show soon.)

March Goals
1.  Design a shawl
2.  At least 2 date nights with Lamar
3.  Yoga once per week
4.  Do a downtown shoot (Orlando or Mt. Dora)
5.  Read at least 1 book

Well peeps ^.^ That was my February!  What were your February highlights?  Share with me please and have a wonderful day!

January 2016: Month in Review

Two Thousand and Sixteen!! O.o  I'm thanking God for bringing my family and friends safely into the new year, while at the same time praying for His continued protection, because to say that this world is getting crazy - is quite the understatement!

Anywho, this post is SO late!  But I promise I have a good excuse - I was super sick at the beginning of the month and couldn't be bothered to get out of the bed :(  Poor me...  I'm currently back on my feet, though not 100% I'd give myself a good 80-85%.  Well let's check out my goingson from January!

1/2 - During the youth service after church each of us was to write a nice note to someone else in the room.  Mine, of course, noted how creative and crafty I am. ^.^

1/10 - My grandma had her retirement celebration!  35 years of service!  I'm glad I was able to go and spend the weekend with her.

1/13 - I stop, dropped, and yoga'd in Barnes & Noble.  My heart ended up racing when a lady walked into the aisle as I was holding my warrior 3 pose.  EEP!

1/15 - The first Coffee & Crochet meetup with Brianna at Axum Coffee.  It was awesome!  We sat in the coffee shop for hours talking and crocheting and sipping our yummy chai lattes.

1/17 - I had a down day and to combat it, Lamar came home and suggested we do some stargazing in the backyard.  It was just what I needed.  I have the best husband EVER!

1/21 - I recorded and posted my December Daily flip through video for YouTube.  And I got 2 comments! (you can watch the video -here-)

1/23 - Lamar and I went to the SAK comedy lab with my coworkers from the studio.  It was pretty cool.  I kinda want to take an improv class now.  We'll see.

1/29 - I spent the afternoon wandering about the Orlando Museum of Art.  Cherie came by after work and we had a fun time gallivanting around the museum.

1/30 - Instead of a regular Sabbath lunch, Lamar, myself, and a few friends had a picnic and it was SUCH a pleasant afternoon!  Def something that I want to do again... just with more people :)

Throughout the Month
I really got into watching knitting podcasts on YouTube this month.  Well crafty podcasts... I am still on the hunt for a crochet focused one.  I might have to start it myself.

January Goals Recap
Fail on all accounts...  But I'm ok with that because I did so many other thing.

February Goals
1. Finish up all outstanding crafty projects.
2. Document my birthday #caleishaturns30
3. Revisit Kwanzaa
4. Work on Mom's scrapbook
5. Do one photo story

Well peeps, I'm about halfway through February at this point... we'll see how these goals go ^.^  I believe in myself!

What was your favorite part of January?  Are you looking forward to anything cool in February?

December 2015: Month in Review

December, like a lot of 2015, was a blur! If not for my memory keeping projects I'm not sure that I'd remember anything... I drank too much coffee, and stayed up too late too often, but in hindsight - it was a good month. Full of good memories.

12/1: Lamar and I took our Christmas pictures. We had lots of fun trying to get the dogs to pay attention to the photographers :)

12/4: Lamar paid off his car!!!

12/5: We went to a Jonathan Nelson concert.  Being in a room full of worshipers is such a special experience. 

12/13: I was playing around at the studio and surprised myself by successfully doing the crow pose ^.^ You really never know what you can do until you try.

12/14: My baby brother turned 21... I guess I gotta stop calling him 'baby brother' nah!

12/15: Lamar and I made 18 months married!! I wrote a couple blog posts about him and us :) <-here- & -here->

12/16: Downtown Christmas lights date night with Babe!

12/22: I got my first Kwanzaa kinara :)

12/23: I put up our little Christmas tree.

12/25: Christmas with family and skyped/facetimed my mom, dad & Andrew.  I missed Aaron by a few minutes :-/

12/26: Delivered the breast cancer survivor afghan to Sarah and Jon. I am so proud of myself for finishing that project!!

12/30: I left my wallet at home by accident and Erica paid for my breakfast :)

12/31: Spent a quiet NYE watching movies with Lamar. I think that's the best way to bring in a new year ^.^

Throughout the Month

1. I was pretty much sick all through December... Ugh

2. I also failed at being a blogger. I only wrote 3 posts! For. Shame!

3. On a more positive note... I kicked butt on my reading goal! I finished 5 books!!

December Goals Review

1. Complete December Daily - mostly done. I have to finish 24-31.

2. Complete Capture December photo a day challenge - I got to the 19th before getting bogged down by the rest of my plans/work schedule.

3. At least 2 date nights with Lamar - Done! We had 2 movie nights and went to see the Christmas lights downtown.

4. Finish 3 books - Done! 

5. Celebrate Kwanzaa with friends - Not quite... Bee and I texted every day but we didn't get together and light the candles and everything.  Better luck next year :)

January Goals

1. Get half way through the Bible (psalm 120)

2. Photograph Grandma's retirement party and make a book

3. Do a photoshoot (fairy bee, newborn, family)

4. Style my hair 3 times

5. Keep the kitchen clean

November 2015: Month in Review

11/1: Fall back... bye bye daylight savings!

11/3: I got a bunch of free 4x4 prints from photobucket!  WIN!!!

11/8: Half way through making 'Calli's Christmas Afghan' (click -here- for progress shots)

11/9: I read the graphic novel "Page by Paige" in one sitting.  It was great!  Awesome artwork too.

11/11: Date Day with Lamar at the Orlando Eye. (blog post -here-)

11/14: We went to Lamar's school to see the Beauty & the Beast musical.

11/21: Received my shutterfly free 4x6 order

11/23: Had a nice date night walking through lit up downtown Winter Garden.

11/26: Thanksgiving! We had a great evening with family and friends.

Throughout the Month
1. Did quite a bit of scrapbooking.
2. During the week of the 15th-21st, I watched Rent (totally and in part) 4 times thanks to the fact that my dear husband kept falling asleep.
3. Got a LOT of reading done! 6 books! Most of them were shorter graphic novels, but a book is a book!  I'm 5 away from my goal!

November Goals Review
1. 2 weeks no soda - DONE!
2. Yoga - Nope... I just need to stop putting this on the list. -___-
3. Finish 3 books - DONE!
4. Control and maintain laundry - Done-ish... I got all the laundry done, but when I was putting it away I ran outta space :( So now I'm a bit backed up again.  *shrug* I tried.
5. Photostory: Photo an hour - DONE! I'll share it soon.

December Goals
1. Complete December Daily
2. Complete Capture December Photo a day
3. At least 2 date nights with Lamar
4. Finish 3 books
5. Celebrate Kwanzaa with friends

October 2015: Month in Review

Here it is... about 2 weeks late.. better late than never I suppose. So October, there were a couple high points of this month.  The first being a visit from my dad :)  We celebrated a couple birthdays and I did a good bit of baking.  Here's the rundown of what Calli did during October!

10/2 : Dad Visited & I baked chess pie and lemon cake

10/3:  Sheree's Salsa Soiree birthday party.  I took lots of cute photos of all the dancing.

10/5: World Teacher Day.  There are too many teachers in my family for me to let this day pass quietly ^.^

10/8: This was my first attempt at making macarons.  It was a fail.  But still tasty.

10/13: Second attempt at making macarons.  Total yummy success! Check out the blog post -here-!

10/15: Made gifts for my bosses at work for Boss' Day.  They loved them ^.^

10/16: Started scrapbooking my birthday photos.  Here's a couple of the layouts.

10/20: I went to Lamar's girl's volleyball team's last game.  They lost, but I had a good time watching.

10/22: This day I decided to do December Daily and started to plan how I want to do it.

10/24:  A couple of our friends had their baby gender reveal. It's a boy!  Lamar and I had lots of fun taking pictures of the party.

10/26: I had a long conversation with my cousin Dawn about crocheting and life.  It was a nice surprise phone call :)

10/29: I finished a baby gift set for one of my college friends.  It came out really pretty.

10/30: Dad sent me a couple fall pictures from Delaware.  Be still my heart!

10/31: Lamar and I celebrated his friend Paul's birthday.  We took pictures there and I made the party favors!

Throughout the Month
1. I finished my One Landscape photo story. Check it out -here-

2. We started gearing up for the holiday season in the studio.  Christmas backgrounds were coming out more often and holiday decorations were starting to pop up around the mall.

3. I did some mini-hauls while building my December Daily kit.  I'm so excited to try my hand at this project!

October Goals Review
1. Photostory: One Landscape - DONE!
2. Etsy live by Nov 1 - I decided to cancel this because there was way too much other stuff going on.  Etsy will happen one day.  Maybe in the new year.
3. Less Eating Out - Fail... Def didn't make food for lunch or anything -___-
4. Yoga once a week - Nope.  This was not even on my mind.  I'll do better.
5. Finish 3 books - DID IT!  I'm really working towards my 30before30 reading goal. I'm currently half way there. I think I can do it!

November Goals
1. 2 weeks of water/tea/100% juice only
2. Photostory: Photo-an-Hour
3. Get a handle on & maintain laundry
4. YO... flippin... GA...
5. Finish 3 books