August Monthly Madness

OK... we used to have Fab Fridays because I was off work on Friday. We would go do something different each month (well, maybe not EVERY month!) on a Friday. Well, now that I'm totally retired, we don't need to go on a Friday, we can go any day. So "Fab Friday" doesn't really work anymore. So I'm thinking it should be "Montly Madness," what do you think?

For August's Madness, we went to the Orange County Fair. Neither of us had been in a loooong time. But this was the year, and here's why: I submitted photos to the fair's photo competition and had two accepted for the competition and exhibition. So, of course we had to go see them!! And, I received an Honorable Mention for the Photojournalism photo and 3rd place for the Color-Children & Family photo!!! I was so excited just to have them accepted. Then blown away to get ribbons!! So, here are some photos from our August Montly Madness!! To see the rest, check out the Monthly Madness tab!

Yep, deep fried Oreos!!

Project Something Beautiful: HOPE

I think there are great similarities between Hope and Prayer. I cannot see either one; I cannot hold either one; I cannot control either one. Hope and Prayer are brother and sister, cousins, lovers, you & I. Hope looks forward, to the future.

Hope is ethereral. Hope is eternal.

Hope is like a mist moving softly through you.

Hope is growing, reaching, blooming.

Hope is living, for I cannot live without Hope.

My husband and I recently overheard a man near us at dinner saying that he knows statistically what will happen in life, so basically that's it. What a sad statement. He is living a hopeless life, full of darkness, pain, and status quo. I want to live a life full of Hope. If I didn't have hope I don't know how I would have made it through the end of 2002-2003. My husband almost died from Multiple Myeloma (just writing that still shakes me to my core). He was a week in ICU, then treatment, surgeries, & therapy; finally, underwent a stem cell transplant the end of 2003. Statistically he should have died. Without Hope and Prayer I would have been lost. We would have been lost.

I see Hope in every day dawning.

I hear Hope in a child's laughter.

I lived Hope through my husband's illness.

In the end, I trust in Hope and Prayer. On a breath releasing both to God, and they float away.

This post is part of a series and a blog circle titled "Project Something Beautiful," exploring our lives and emotions. I'm so excited to collaborate with this wonderful group of talented women. For more on HOPE, check out Britney's blog here:  Britney Wharton Photographer