"You've got to be shitting me!!!?"

I don't often like to curse on my blog but this one was filled with surprise and delight.

A friend of my Mrs. Jody Hagedorn contacted me one day asking if I could fix a jacket for her. At this point I had just graduated from school and was a little overwhelmed but thought "yeah I guess I can do that." I was transitioning a bit coming off the insanely busy beheaded chicken phase moving into enjoying space in my schedule phase.

I met up with her and she began to tell me the jacket belonged to her grandfather and was about the only thing that they had of his after he passed. Not only was it a jacket it was an antique trout fishing jacket, with a special removable pocket that houses trout! I did a little research on these jackets and couldn't find anything similar. A very unique jacket!

We blasted around to a few fabric stores and thrift stores looking for something that might be waterproof as the old fabric that looked to be somewhat of an oilcloth had deteriorated. We settled on some camouflage (Bob's favorite kind) some lining fabric and new snaps. I felt inspired having all the materials, then overwhelmed again for it was a bit of an undertaking. Not to mention this was somewhat of a secret project. Jody didn't know if he realized the jacket was gone or not....

It had a big old zipper and seven snaps that needed replacing. I held it in my hands gazing at it, taking it apart in my head and putting it back together with new pieces trying to figure how I was going to maneuver that front pocket opening pictured above. 

I didn't get to it for a day or two as it sat on my sewing table. Those two days felt like I had maybe gotten in over my head. I hadn't really done anything like this before

I started.

....Drawing, measuring, making pattern pieces, cutting and sewing.... unsewing and sewing, ironing and serging.....

 I even got to use a hammer to get the snaps in!! Everything just came together so well. It was beautiful. (and manly)

 I had my trepidations, maybe Jody's husband wouldn't really think much of it? ...you know how guys can be "oh neat." Jody was beside herself with excitement she knew he would love it. But I still wondered.

I was so surprised when received this message at almost midnight after delivering the jacket. (and also after checking a few times to see if she left me any messages...)

"You gotta be shittin me!!! He loves it and thinks you're awesome!"

 Jody went on to say that Bob was just beside himself. He was thinking of new projects that I could do to improve his nephew and brother's ponchos!
I think he had written it off as a lost cause and had kind of forgotten about it thinking it would just need to be replaced, meanwhile Jody was just sweating bullets that he might ask where the jacket had gone!

Then to get this note to top it all off. I'm not sure who is more pleased myself or Bob! I just want to squeal and cry out of sheer happiness! This one just hit me square in the heart!

Thank you so much Jody for thinking of me! XOXO 

Bob I'm so glad that this jacket made you 'reel' happy! (sorry I had to! in the year of my absence from blogging my humor may have gotten really, REALLY lame! ;))

Day Thirty

The final day. The only picture not taken in my hometown area. We took a huge family trip to Milwaukee, to watch the brewers play. Four generations worth of family, Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts, Cousins, and my cousins little boy, as well as a pair of soon to be cousins' babies :)

What a fun weekend, and exhausting. Lots of laughs, surprises, and fun. 

(deep breath)

Not sure what the next photo project will be....? Colors perhaps, I feel like I need a break but maybe not, it only takes an instant to capture...??

Day Twenty Nine

A couple little clouds floating past the moon. 

Day Twenty Eight

Decided to go black and white for one. 

This one trips me out a little. It looks like water not the sky. I took it sitting in my parents driveway. The clouds were painted beautiful oranges and touched with pink a little while after this. It was beautiful. I smiled because I couldn't take a picture of it.

Day Twenty Seven

I felt happy, running up the hill that overlooks Eau Claire. My flip flops announcing my steps. I had just about crested the hill when I noticed a man sitting at the lookout point. I froze, slowly focused and snapped a picture, then took off down the hill with the same happiness but an added giggle, heart pounding. I felt like a deer stopped in it's tracks, then bounding down the hill. Having captured and unsuspecting human...tee hee.

I had found a turkey feather near this hill last time I was here. My heart felt full, this time it was a raven feather. I now have two raven feathers and two turkey feathers. 

 Things are coming in pairs. 

Day Twenty Six

Something about the line...

Day Twenty Five

Standing atop my car at the top of the only parking structure in Eau Claire, on my tippy toes to eek the lens over the chain link fence. 

Day Twenty Four

Apparently in my little world focus isn't a key.

None the less, a beautiful blue.

Day Twenty Three

I knew there would be a day like this. Quiet and subtle, shielding us from the sun.

Day Twenty Two

Bold strong colors.

 I caught glimpse of a Bald Eagle just before taking this shot, I love elusive birds and nature magic.

Day Twenty One

Just before 6 am. 

The sun dusting the clouds with a warm golden yellow.

Day Twenty

The rain on my windshield painted the lights in a beautiful glow.

Mundane gray. Beautiful rain.

Day Nineteen

Oooo yeah. 

The blurry focus adds a certain haste to the mood of this image. 

The wall of clouds marched right thru one morning, focused on powering ahead. 

Quieting the birds while leaving the trees tousled and ground watered.

Day Eighteen

I love the vastness this one portrays. 

River to clouds,

clouds to rain,

rain to river.

Don't you just want to fly out over the river?

Day Seventeen

Quiet blues on the river.

Day Sixteen

Looks like Photo Journey "clouds" has turned into sunsets!

Day Fifteen

My Mom and I were on our way home from shopping. I saw the sun peeking thru cracks in the clouds, kicking myself for not bringing my camera with. We pulled in the driveway sorted out our stuff and I jumped in my car and zipped away. I went to the same spot as day thirteen, climbed thru the barbed wire fence and got it. The fog was starting to form in the field. The eastern sky was blushing and purple. It was so gorgeous. Photos never depict what it actually looked like. Which is why I don't usually get too upset missing a beautiful picture, it stays perfect in my mind.

I need a wide angle lens...

Day Fourteen

Day Thirteen

I love this one for its color, though I wish I would have waited just a bit longer. The pinks came out just a while after this. (dang it!) I also love how the clouds look like they are swooping out and up, woosh!

Day Twelve

I lost track of time. 

I got 'volunteer wasted'. 

I helped out at Beaver Creek Reserve, I directed a team of volunteers in planting a strip at the back of the building. I was so glad for their help, it originally had been a task just for me...Would have taken a month of hours! So so grateful for their help. We got it started and finished in 3 hours! Ripped up old weed cloth, laid down new weed cloth, laid pavers, planted and mulched. There had to have been a hundred plants we put in, all natives!

I then moved to my parents house to let my most favorite dog Jack out. Then proceeded to help my mom transplant some herbs and natives for an hour. I hit a wall. She made me food :)

I took off to my next location, Gr and Gr's (Grandma and Grandpa's) They are out of town and my a couple aunts and uncles spearheaded a mission to do some updating. It's kind of a huge project! New carpet, new tile, new paint....wow. It's coming right along, it was great to see all the people getting in each other's way and helping out :)

When I got home at 10 I was empty. It was all I could do to throw myself into my bed.

I gave a lot, and forgot to take care of myself. A good reminder.

This shot was just a few blocks from my Grandparent's place, it was nearby and I could see a little stitch of clouds and the streetlights.