Living Life to the Fullest

Random Old Favorites

2012-01-05T18:42:00.000-06:00

I was going through some of my old photos tonight and thought I would share a few of my favorites.

Week 13: "Light"

2010-06-06T20:44:00.000-05:00

52 Week Project: Week 12- "In Action"

2010-06-02T08:41:00.000-05:00

52 Week Project: Week 11- "Pop of Color"

2010-05-23T20:05:00.004-05:00

52 Week Project: Week 10

2010-05-14T20:59:00.004-05:00

"Wood"

52 Week Project: Week 9

2010-05-11T17:36:00.005-05:00

"Textures"

This week was a fun one. My mom and I both wanted to work on capturing diffferent kinds of textures. It is so much easier to capture the rough ones. Soft textures just don't take as well. But, here is what I caught!
(The furry one is seal fur from Alaska)

Here is the site my mom and I have together for our pictures:
http://www.williamsproject52.blogspot.com/

52 Week Project: Week 8

2010-05-04T14:59:00.005-05:00

"New Beginnings"

This week was a little tough. I figured flowers are always a sign of a new season and a new life. I really wanted to go to a farm and take pictures of baby chicks or lambs, but time didn't allow for it. So, this is what I came up with for this week!

52 Week Project: Week 7

2010-04-26T12:56:00.004-05:00

"Black and White"

52 Week Project: Week 6

2010-04-18T18:04:00.004-05:00

"Yellow"

52 Week Project: Week 5

2010-04-13T08:17:00.007-05:00

"Old"

This weeks theme was "old". I really wanted to get creative this week and try to think outside the box. Unfortunately, I came down with a bad cold and was out of commission for most of the week. I was able to go out and get some pictures Easter weekend before the cold hit hard. New England has such a rich history, and I knew I wanted to take advantage of that for this weeks photos. I explored a few old cemeteries, which were really interesting! Quite a few of the other pictures were taken around Strawberry Banke, which where the original settlement area of Portsmouth was.

52 Week Project: Week 4

2010-04-03T22:06:00.007-05:00

"Hands"

52 Week Project: Week 3

2010-03-27T11:00:00.008-05:00

"Footwear"

This weeks theme has been my favorite so far. I really had to consciously make an effort to plan the photoshoots. I wanted to try new things and it was fun to experiment with different lighting and backgrounds. I also wanted to focus on the details of some of the shoes. For example, the picture below is of a very well loved heel of a shoe. Enjoy and let me know what you think!

l

52 Week Project: Week 2

2010-03-21T09:57:00.004-05:00

"Dogs"

This week proved to be a little harder. Not having my own dogs to shoot, I had to take pictures when my friend brought her dogs over. Her dogs Miles and Shorty, were so cute, but a little camera shy. For some reason, Miles climbed into our bathtub to take a nap. It scared the bee-jeebies out of me when I heard rustling from behind the shower curtain. All of a sudden a little nose poked out and it was Miles, just hanging out in our bathtub! I thought it was so funny, that I couldn't resist getting a pitcure of it!

52 Week Project: Week 1

2010-03-13T11:17:00.003-06:00

"Signs of Spring"

Spring has arrived here in Exeter, NH! All of the pictures below were taken at a park within walking distance of my house. It is so nice to see people out and about enjoying the sunshine!

52 Week Project

2010-03-13T11:12:00.002-06:00

After being inspired by our family friend Kari Douma of Kari Douma Photography, my mom and I decided to do our own photography project! Each week we will pick a theme together. We then have to take pictures according to that theme. At the end of the week, we will post our pictures on our blogs and share them with each other and all of you! It'll be interestng to see our different perspectives each week. How different will our pictures be just because of where we live? Will the differences in our generations show? I am so excited about this project!

2010-02-03T14:47:00.003-06:00

I didn't actually mean to post my last post on here! Opps! It was meant for my photography blog. But, oh well. Most of you have probably seen those pictures before, but there they are again!!

Things are going well here. My nephew Jackson is doing great! He is so adorable and I love his little mohawk! hehe. :)

The past two weeks have been really busy at work. I am part of the Martin Luther King Celebration Committee and all of our events have been going on. Last Thursday was the opening of the art exhibit done by multicultral high school boys. I had some great conversations with the boys afterwards. It was great! Sunday was the spiritual celebration at a local church. It was neat the see the church packed with people! Tomorrow is the big day. We have the poet, Nikki Giovanni speaking. There's both an afternoon and an evening event.

In other news, I was asked by my boss if I would be interested in starting up a local youth group through the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). I am really excited about it, and presented by idea at the NAACP meeting this past Monday. It went really well!

Pictures of the MLK events to come! I have to find my camera cord!

Catching Up

2010-02-02T18:57:00.015-06:00

Finally an update!! So much has happened in the past few months, that I decided it was best to just post some of my favorite pics. A few of these were taken in Ashland, WI, some in Northern Michigan and most were taken in my new home; Southern New Hampshire. Enjoy!

I'm an Aunt!!!

2010-01-10T18:29:00.004-06:00

Jackson Wayne Williams was born at 4am yesterday. He is 9 lbs. and 15 oz. He is a gorgeous litte chubby thing with black wavy hair. I am so in love with him already!

My dad called Friday afternoon to let me know that Kimi was in labor and that mom was in the hospital with her. I then got a call around 9 that things had stopped progressing due to the fact that Kimi had a fever and they had her packed in ice. My stomach was in knots and I didn't know what to do with myself while I was waiting for more news. A few hours later dad called again to say things were underway again and Kimi was doing better. I attempted to get some sleep and dad called again just before 4 to let me know that Kimi went in for an emergency C-section. Just after 4, mom and Nikki called to let me know I was an Auntie! I could hear Jackson screaming in the background, which of course set me to tears! I was just beside myself with joy!!! It felt like he was never going to get here! I spent a good chunk of the day yesterday checking my email for new pictures and talking to my family on the phone. This morning at 9:30 dad called again to tell me that Jackson was being taken by ambulance to Marquette General Hospital because he had pnuemonia. My mom was able to go and be with him, after convincing the doctors that she should have the right to go, since Kimi can't leave the hospital until Tuesday. Kimi also still has a fever, but is doing a little better. Mom will be staying with Matt in Marquette. Nikki and Sierra (our very close family friend) are taking turns being with Kimi in the hospital. My dad ended up in the urgent-care himself with a bad sinus infection and can't be in the room with Kimi until he is better. It's been a huge emotional rollercoaster. Prayers would be much appreciated and as soon as I hear anything, I will update.

Slow Recovery

2010-01-04T10:45:00.003-06:00

Saturday, my parents drove me to Marquette to stay with Matt for the night. My flight for Sunday morning was at 6:45 am, so it was easier to stay with Matt rather than have my parents drive the two hours early Sunday morning. We met up with Nikki, Steve, and Matt at Hudson's for dinner.

Saturday night, my stomach pains grew worse and I barely slept at all that night. I woke up yesterday at 4:45 am to finish packing my things up and head out to the airport. My stomach hurt so bad and my whole body was shaking horribly, that I knew there was no way I could handle 10 hours of travel. After consulting with my parents, I rescheduled my flight for Tuesday and had my brother take me to the walk-in-clinic. I loathe going to the doctors and anything that has to do with medical stuff, but I had been in pain for 6 days, without much sleep or food, and I knew I needed to make sure it wasn't something serious. They took my blood and later on ruled out appendicitis and a gallbladder infection. The doctor said she thinks it is just a severe viral infection. She said to eat the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) and to drink lots of fluids and that it should only last 7-14 days. I wanted to cry! There is no way I can handle another 8 days of this! Matt and I picked up the BRAT foods and some stomach meds and headed back to his apartment. I was able to get some sleep on and off and even took a shower! That night I was feeling worse and felt like this was never going to end. I finally fell asleep and slept straight through the night with little pain. Thank goodness! This morning I got up, drank some Gatorade and have had 4 crackers with no problem. I am keeping my fingers crossed! I am thankful to have such a good brother who lets his sick sister crash at his apartment, takes care of me, and will wake up early to bring me to the airport tomorrow! I owe him big!

So, hopefully, I am on the road to recovery and will have a good flight home tomorrow! I will keep you posted!

The Rest of the Pictures

2010-01-04T10:19:00.009-06:00

Kimi's Baby Shower and the Gift I Made for Baby Jackson's Nursery

Beautiful Winter Scenes

A Pajama Christmas Breakfast with the Bishop Family

A Holiday Tradition: Dad Reading "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on Christmas Eve

Baking Cookies at Kimi's Apartment and Decorating Them Back at Home

Visiting Mom and Nikki during there holiday parties and concert

Trip to Carleen's and NYC

At my friend Sherry's Holiday Cocktail Party

The Grant House Admissions Office Holiday Party

2010-01-01T13:15:00.000-06:00

Our fireplace and the first snow.

2010-01-01T13:11:00.001-06:00

I went to upstate New York with my roomate and her family for Thanksgiving. We drove through the Green Mountains of Vermont to get there.

2010-01-01T12:57:00.004-06:00

Here are a few pictures I took while on a walk on the beach on a 70 degree November day!

New Year

2010-01-01T11:23:00.005-06:00

I'll be completely honest. I have not updated my blog in over 2 months because I have so much to write, I am not really sure where to begin it. So, once again, I will do it in chunks.

LOSS:
The past month and a half have been really hard. I lost my grandpa the day after thanksgiving. I was in Northern New York with my roomate and her family for Thanksgiving, when I got the call from my family. Even though I knew it was coming, it was still much harder than I thought it would be. The hardest part about the whole thing, was not being able to fly home for the funeral. The day of the funeral, I went home from work early and Nikki put me on speakerphone so I could at least hear the whole thing. It was pretty scratchy and I couldn't make out everything, but I could tell who was speaking, when people were laughing, when there was a prayer, or music, etc. At the end, I heard them do the 21-Gun salute and I heard a solo bugle playing Taps, which, of course, made me bawl. It was a beautiful memory and a wonderful testiment to his amazing life. In May, I will fly to Cassopolis for his spring funeral, which will be just for family. It has been vey difficult, but I know that he is probably running around in heaven right now, using the legs he couldn't for 20 years. That is what makes it a little easier. He was an amazing man. He lived through the Korean War and a hunting accident that left him a quadrapeligic. He was a brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was strong, brave, and faithful. I love you grandpa.

About 2 weeks after Grandpa passed, my mom called to tell me that Gramdma Vi passed away. She was a dear family friend and had adopted my family as hers since I was in 6th grade. She lived for 90 full years. Everyday after school, Nikki and I hung out at G-ma's house for almost an hour, having a snack and watching trash talk t.v. shows. She took care of me when I was sick, listened to the events of my day, told me her amazing life stories, and was truely a great friend. She was one-of-a-kind and will be missed dearly. Two days after she passed away, I was cleaning my room, and there in the middle of my bedroom floor was a picture of Grndma and I from Nikki's bridal shower. It was so random, that I am sure, it means she must be thinking of all of us.

Then, as if we haven't lost enough, my mom told us that my Great-Uncle Jack passed away this morning. He went in to the hospital Christmas Day. We are all so thankful it was quick and that there was no suffering. I think everything finally hit my mom this morning, and we had a good cry together.

LIFE:
Kimi is due any day now. Her baby will be named Jackson Wayne. Jackson, after my uncle Jack, and Wayne was my grandpa's middle name. What is really neat, is that she picked the name before we lost either of them. The circle of life is a funny thing. I am praying she has him before I have to head back to New Hampshire, but that only gives her one day, so, it's looking slim. We had a baby shower for her on Monday, which as really fun! It was great to see all our family friends and to see all the cute things for Jackson and Kimi. I cannot wait for my nephew to be born!!!

A TRIP TO CONNECTICUT:

A few weeks ago, I drove to Connecticut to see my cousin Carleen and her husband Aaron and to meet her two little boys. Her boys are so cute and I had a blast playing with them. They were a little shy at first, but that didn't last long at all. I got to go to Carleen's mid-wife appointment with them, as she is expecting a baby in May. We got a little Christmas shopping in afterward, and then did a quick driving tour of New York City! It was amazing and was everything I dreamed it would be. I even got a little teary-eyed when we drove through the theater district and I saw the sign for Broadway. We drove through Times Square, Harlem, and the Bronx. It was a dream come true. Carleen and I are planning on seeing Wicked on Broadway sometime this spring. That is my lifelong dream and I am so excited!! Saturday night after the boys went to bed, we caught up on life and family stories. Sunday we went to church and caroled around town afterward. The boys were so good and we had a blast! Before I knew it, the weekend was over, but I am planning to visit often. It is so nice to have family only 4 hours away!

THE HOLIDAYS:

After 7 hours of delays in the airports, I flew safely to Marquette on Tuesday, the 22nd. Matt picked me up at 2 am and we stayed at his apartment that night. Wednesday, we drove home. It was so great to see my family! Matt, Kimi, and I went to surprise Nikki and her 2nd graders during there holiday pajama party. It was so much fun! We hung out there for an hour or so before heading to surprise my mom and her kindergartners just before their holiday concert. They were so cute and it definitely gave me a little more Christmas cheer. Thursday, mom, Nikki, Kimi and I went to Kimi's apartment to make Christmas cookies. Our oven broke earlier that day, so we made the best of the situation and did our baking over there. It was also nice to be able to see her apartment. That night, when the whole family was together, we opened our family gift from Santa. It was a game called "Wits and Wagers" and we had a blast playing it. Then dad read us "Twas the Night Before Christmas", like he always does, and we settled in for the night. Christmas day was wonderful. I got a book about blogging, which is what motivated me to write this today, a sewing book, a beautiful copper U.P. necklace, a bag for traveling and more. That day we laid around in the living room by the fire and all read our books. It was perfect. That night we had a great ham dinner, cooked on the grill, since the oven was dead, and I read The Christmas Story from the Bible to everyone.

Sunday, we had our Christmas with the Bishop family. I love seeing their two little kids and we had so much fun playing with them. They are such great family friends!
The rest of the week, we did a little shopping, made some earrings, helped dad take down his hunting blinds in the woods, and relaxed. It has been nice. Today is my last day home, before heading to Marquette tomorrow and flying out on Sunday. It has been a wonderful week and a half.

THE NEW YEAR:
Honestly, the start of the new year hasn't been so great. I have been battling a rotten stomach ache for 3 days now. My mom and I are thinking it may have been caused by the cold medicine I have been taking. It only seems to come on shortly after I take it. I hate being sick, but it was nice to be home and my mom still took care of me. I don't think it matters how old you are, it's always nice to have your mom, when you feel sick. She is a saint of a lady.
Then, we found out about Uncle Jack this morning. Yuck. Just when we thought "Good Riddens 2009, bring on 2010", all of this happened.

But... I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. Yes, we have had a rough few months, but we also have had so much to be thankful for. We have an amazingly strong family who sticks together through thick and thin, the comfort of a warm home when we need to be nursed back to health, wonderful memories of loved ones, the ability to laugh at lifes hiccups, good jobs that pay for the food on our tables and the clothes on our backs, and a new little nephew on the way. We are blessed in this New Year and have much to be thankful for.

A New England Fall

2009-10-28T08:02:00.008-05:00

Since my last post was a little heavy, I decided to add some fun fall pictures to cheer up a bit.

I love the fall here in New England. Fall is my favorite time of year and I have taken full advantage of all the fun fall-y things.

A few weekends ago, Chelsea's sister and her boyfriend came to visit and we had a few other friends over. We hiked to the top of a lookout tower for a great view of all the fall leaves and we could even see the bridge to Maine from there. That night we had hot apple cider, apple crisp, and a fire in our outdoor fireplace. Sunday we ventured out to a nearby farm. They had beautiful horses and a bunch of newborn lambs. Chelsea and I had a blast watching the little lambs try out there new legs by running around and jumping on their mom's backs. It was hilarisous. Then we all headed out to the farm's corn maze. It was shaped like a skunk and throughout the maze there were mailboxes with skunk trivia questions inside. If you got the answer right, you were sent in the right direction, if you got it wrong, you were sent to a dead end. We did pretty well; 7/10 right.

The next weekend, my friend Tim and I headed to Keene, NH, about an an hour and a half away for their famous Pumpkin Fest. This is the world's largest jack-o-lantern gathering! People bring their pumpkins into town and the main streets are lined up to display them! There were food and craft vendors all over. It was really fun! Nikki had called me the week before to say that Rachel Ray mentioned Pumpkin Fest in her food magazine and that I should definitely go to it. I am super glad I did!

This weekend I had to work at a a visit day on Saturday and then I went home and warmed up by our fire and watched movies with Chelsea, since it was so cold and drizzly. It was the perfect lazy fall day. Sunday, was gorgeous and almost 60, so my friend Tim came and we carved pumpkins out on the back deck in the sunshine!