a foggy weekend in Milwaukee

We had an exceptionally foggy weekend in Milwaukee. It is not unusual to see fog downtown, due to its proximity to Lake Michigan. However, it's rare to see it stick around for the better part of two days. In three years of living here, this is the first time I've ever photographed the fog, and I'm sharing it with you today.

Saturday is Caturday

Are you ready to start your weekend with a round up of amazing kitty pictures?

Early morning window watching.

Nothing unusual going on here.

Engrossed in a YouTube video.

Apollo loves to watch TV on the laptop as opposed to the TV screen to the point that I have to close it when I'm not around because I'm worried that it'll end up on the floor even when there isn't anything playing for him to watch.

Endlessly entertaining.

Mr. Happy.

Late night time hanging out behind my pillow.

Most weekdays Jake spends some time with Angel in the morning before he goes to work.  One morning he accidentally dribbled some water on his breakfast plate while it was sitting on the floor. Angel thought it was the best thing ever. Now she gets her own bowl or plate with filtered water every day, and she can't wait for Jake to bring it down to her.

What have your cats been up to lately?

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E is for End of an Era

Are you ready for another round of Alphabe Thursday? Let's go!

This past week I said goodbye to my 97 Misubishi Galant that I drove for the past almost 11 years. Needless to say, I went through quite a lot with this car including a large part of undergrad, student teaching, planning a wedding, my first and second teaching jobs, and graduate school. I lived in four different states and spend countless hours traveling to and from school and work and visiting family and friends.

I never thought that I would get sentimental about a car, but it was really hard cleaning it out, knowing that I was driving it for the last time, and leaving it at the dealership. It served me quite well for many years and certainly doesn't own me anything. While it caused me a lot more stress the past six months than I care to admit, I was still sad to see it go.

It feels like I've finished a chapter in my life and am starting the next one with my (new to me) 2011 Toyota RAV4. Today I'm sharing some pictures of the Misubishi through the last decade as well as a little peak at the new RAV.

Probably the summer of 2003

I think that I took this picture not long after I got the car, but I'm not positive.

August 2004

Driving from Valparaiso University to Chicago with Jake who took this picture

This was back before the days of awesome smartphone cameras and apps like Instagram when everyone didn't have a billion pictures that look exactly like this. At the time, I thought that it was awesome.

Summer 2005

Waxing cars by hand with Jake in his parent's driveway

August 2007

Driving from House on the Rock to Iowa City. And no, I did not take this picture of myself. I know that it kind of looks like I did. Jake and I took this little trip just a couple weeks after we moved to Iowa City from Chicago, and my caption for this photo on Facebook was: "Notice how I'm not screaming at the other drivers? That's because I'm not driving in Chicago!"

August 1, 2010

A nerd moment.

April 2012

Just after I hit 150,000, which was the last big milestone number that I had with the car.

June 2014

The final days.

June 2014

First days with the RAV4.

Check out what the other Alphabe Thursday participants posted for the letter E this week right here!

June Mid-Month Sponsor Love

I'm not fully back on track, but I am bringing you a sponsor love post in the middle of the month as planned (unlike last month). Please take just a few minutes today to visit these fabulous shops, products, and blogs.

Edi of memoriesforlifesb

 Edi has a handful of items that are perfect for pet owners such as this wooden dog picture frame.

Angela of AngleAh

 Angela's nautical tie pin is a great piece to wear any time during the summer.

Valerie of additionsstyle

 I am in love with the pearl and hardware pairing in Valerie's multi strand necklace.

Deb of storybeader

 Deb has experienced a lot of rain lately down in Oklahoma, and she shared some recent photos of it in her D is for Drizzle Alphabe Thursday post last week.

Tiffany of Ribbon Lane Supplies

 I think that this cheerful owl ribbon is just what you need for summer craft projects.

Kristen of Milo and Molly

 Kristen offers some great insight on the nature of personal versus professional blog posts.

Paige of Little Nostalgia

 Paige recently shared the wedding registry items that have proven to be the best investment for her and her husband. It's a wonderful resource for anyone who needs a little (or a lot) of guidance with this topic.

I hope that you found some useful resources here today!

Are you interested in becoming a sponsor? Click here for more information!

Kenosha, WI on Father's Day

Is anyone else ridiculously behind on editing photos? I have a staggering backlog in Lightroom right now. This issue isn't going to change any time soon, but I'm trying to keep editing some of my newer shots so that I'm not constantly sharing pictures from you know, three or four months ago. The set that I'm sharing today is from just a couple days ago when Jake and I were down in Kenosha, WI with my in-laws and littlest sister-in-law for Father's Day. Enjoy.

 What have you been photographing lately?