Showing posts with label Birthday Bucket List. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthday Bucket List. Show all posts

Saturday, September 27, 2014

BBL 2014-2014 | Picnic, Farmers Market, and Payson


#7 GO ON A PICNIC
#25 VISIT A FARMERS MARKET
#27 VISIT PAYSON, ARIZONA


Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

Normally I wouldn't group these three times together, since they aren't necessarily related; however, my awesome hubby knew that I was struggling to complete my BBL items this year so he planned a birthday get away trip that included these things. So, I thought it would be fitting to combine them into a single post.

I added going on a picnic to my list simply because I can't remember ever going on a picnic as an adult and I really think it is something everyone should do at least once.

I added visiting a farmers market to my list because I've never been to one, and I wanted to check one out and see what all the hype is about.

I added visiting Payson to my list because I have a friend who grew up there and she has been telling me that I needed to check it out.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

Yes, yes, and yes.  I really had an amazing time doing all of these things and I can't thank Kevin enough for making them happen.

The details...

Kevin and I rented a cabin in Payson, Arizona to celebrate my birthday.  While we were there he took me to a farmers market, where we purchased a few items and I tried my first tamale ever.  Then later in the afternoon we packed a picnic and headed off to enjoy it at a nearby park.  I've already blogged about it in a special Snippets + Snapshots addition here, so head on over to that post if you want to read more about it and see some photos from our trip.  But since I'm a bit OCD, I really needed to add this post to my Birthday Bucket List accomplishments for the year.

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Thursday, September 25, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Remove Everything From My Closet That Doesn't Make Me Feel Beautiful


#34 REMOVE EVERYTHING FROM MY CLOSET THAT DOESN'T MAKE ME FEEL BEAUTIFUL

Why did I include these on my Bucket List?

I saw this on someone's 101 in 1001 list and thought it was an amazing idea. I'm guilty of holding on to clothes much longer than I should.  I have things in my closet that are old, out of style, no longer fit, were bad purchases from the start, and/or remind me of periods in my life that I'd rather forget.  I feel awful whenever I wear these items, so they just hang there year after year, yet I refuse to get rid of them.  I know that I feel so much better about everything when I feel good about my appearance.  That should be reason enough to commit to cleaning these items out of my closet.  But if I did need another reason, just dreaming of all that extra space was enough to tip me over the edge and add this item to this year's list.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

It wasn't a ton of fun cleaning my closet or trying on all my clothes, and it was especially depressing to see just how many clothing items no longer fit me because I've gained quite a bit of weight over the last 4 years, but it does feel great to have an organized closet and to know that every item in it is something I can put on and feel good in.  (Except for the sweat pants and t-shirts, but come on now, I wasn't about to get rid of my kickin it at home comfy clothes!)

The details...

I spent three full days cleaning out my closet.  I took everything out of it, cleaned every surface, tried on every. single. item. and decided what to do with it.  If it was something that fits and I still like it, I put it back in my closet.  If it was an item that I no longer like or if it was old and worn out, I donated it.  If it was something that no longer fits and I no longer like it, I donated it.  If it was an item that no longer fits, but I still love it, I kept it.  If I'm successful in my exercise and healthier eating lifestyle changes, I'm hoping to lose some weight and maybe the items will fit soon. If not, I will donate them when I revisit them in a few months.

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Share Some Warm Fuzzies {4 in 1}


#2 TELL SOMEONE THAT THEY INSPIRE ME
#3 TELL SOMEONE THAT I ADMIRE THEM
#14 WRITE A LETTER TO AN OLD FRIEND
#15 WRITE A LETTER TO A NEW FRIEND

Why did I include these on my Bucket List?

I decided to group all of these items together for this post since they all had the same motivation. I know how good it makes me feel when someone pays me a compliment or shares a few words with me about my importance in their life, and I wanted to do the same for others.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

It was better!  I was surprised by how happy everyone seemed to be to hear from me, and it made my heart happy to know that I was making others feel good.

The details...

Someone I know has been working her tail off to lose weight and get in shape, and she looks amazing.  I told her how much she is inspiring me to try to do the same.

One of my old friends is a rockstar!  She hasn't had the easiest life, and she has overcome so much.  She is one of the strongest people I know and I admire her so much.  I sent her a message telling her all of that and more.

I mailed a letter to my childhood best friend telling her how awesome she is and how thankful I am that I grew up with her by my side.

I mailed a letter to a new friend that I met back in the spring and told her how happy I am that I met her and how much I enjoy her friendship.



Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Perform a Random Act of Kindness


#1 PERFORM A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

I'm a pretty big believer in karma. I also just have a big heart and like to do nice things for people.  So I thought putting some good into the world in honor of my 40th birthday sounded like a good idea.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

It was fun deciding what to do as my random act of kindness, and I enjoyed imagining the surprise and joy of whoever finds it.

The details...

Since reading is one of my favorite past times and the library one of my favorite places, I decided to leave an envelope in one of my all time favorite books.  I explained that it was my 40th birthday and as one of the items on my bucket list I was doing a random act of kindness.  I added that I picked that particular book because it is one of my favorites and I said that I hope the person reading it enjoyed it as much as I did. I asked the person to spend the money on something they enjoy, then I signed and dated the note and added it to the envelope along with $40.



I'm sure I will be checking the book during future trips to the library and will be excited as soon as I see that someone has found it!

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Sunday, September 21, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Write a Letter to My Future Self


#13 WRITE A LETTER TO MY FUTURE SELF

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

I thought that the end of my 30's was a good time to take stock of where I am and where I've been, and to make some notes to help me remember this time in my life.  I really wish I would have started this sooner!  I would love to have a letter to read today that I wrote as I was about to turn 30!

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I'm not going to lie, it was difficult writing this letter to myself, and I ended up in tears multiple times as I was writing it.  It is hard to think about how different things will be 10 years into the future.  It's easy to ignore the fact that you and everyone you care about about are getting older day by day, but it is impossible to ignore once you really focus on what your life might be like 10 years down the road.  Yet, it also reminds me to stop, take note, and be thankful for all of the blessings I have in my life right now.  It also makes me focus in on what is important in my life, and what isn't, and serves as a reminder to be sure to make time for the things that matter to me.

The details...

I wanted to do this today, on the last day of my 30's, because I wanted to put my thoughts down on paper about the last decade of my life.  I plan to read the letter 10 years from now, on the last day of my 40's.  It will be interesting to see how much in my life has changed, and how much has stayed the same, during the next decade.   I made a few predictions, and recorded a few dreams, and I look forward to see how it all turns out.


Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Watch a Movie at the Drive In


#8 WATCH A MOVIE AT THE DRIVE IN

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

I often say that I was born in the wrong decade.  I seem to be drawn to the 50's and 60's, with a love of everything from the music to the cars to the diners to the drive-ins.  It saddens me that someday most, if not all, of these remnants of the past will only exist in photographs and/or museums.  It has been 15 years since I've been to a drive-in, and I wanted to go at least one more time before the chance is gone forever.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

The experience of watching the movie was exactly what I expected, but I guess I was hoping for more out of the theater itself.  I was expecting something a little more reminiscent of old schools drive-ins, and I even took my camera along to capture some photos.  I was disappointed when we arrived and there wasn't even a lit sign for the theater at the entrance.

The details...

Tonight Kevin and I went to see 'This Is Where I Leave You' at the West Wind Glendale 9 Drive-In.  Since it was a weeknight, the theater was pretty empty and it was nice to have the theater mostly to ourselves without a lot of other cars and noise distracting from the movie.

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Hike Camelback Mountain


#4 HIKE CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

Of course, I've heard a lot of people talk about hiking Camelback Mountain and I wanted to experience it for myself.  Plus, I really wanted to do more hiking this year, so setting my sights on one of the tougher hikes in the area was a sure fire way to get me out there on the trails in preparation.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I'm not going to lie, it was definitely a tough hike, but it wasn't what I expected.  I think I expected the hike to be a straight uphill climb for miles and miles, when in reality it isn't that long of a trail.  I felt like the difficulty of the hike came from the terrain as opposed to the climb itself, since a large majority of the trail is nothing but navigating huge rocks.  That being said, it felt great to set a goal for myself and reach it and I'm really glad I did this hike.

The details...

Kevin and I went to hike Camelback Mountain early this morning, hoping that the trail would be less crowded on a weekday.  When we started out, it was very humid (for Phoenix) and the sky was nothing but clouds.  We even felt a few rain drops early in the hike, but by the time we reached the top the sun began to peek out and the sky started to turn a gorgeous blue.

While we were sitting at the top catching our breath and taking in the view, a fellow hiker started chatting with us.  We ended up sitting there talking to him for about 45 minutes.  He was a really great guy who had a lot of experience with the local trails.  I really enjoyed connecting with a fellow hiker, and it was definitely the highlight of the hike for me.  I even told him that I was hiking Camelback as part of my Birthday Bucket List, which I described to him.  He seemed to really like the idea of what I do with my smaller, obtainable bucket lists each year and even offered me a suggestion of an item that I'm going to put on next year's list.

Of course, we snapped a handful of photos with my phone...


Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Friday, September 12, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Follow a Sugar Free Diet for 30 Days


#22 FOLLOW A SUGAR FREE DIET FOR 30 DAYS

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

Originally I had put 'follow a gluten free diet for 30 days' on my bucket list because I thought it was possible that I had a gluten sensitivity.  However, after doing some reading and research, I decided that I didn't think gluten was my issue after all.  Instead, I began thinking that my body was having a hard time processing sugar.  So I decided to go sugar free for a month to see how I responded.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I'm not going to claim for a second that eliminating sugar from diet has been easy!  It has taken a lot of time and effort to do this, but it has been well worth it.  Since giving up sugar, 100% of my digestive issues have been eliminated, and I feel about a thousand times better.

The details...

I spent a few months leading up to this eating change as I slowly eliminated the prepackaged, processed foods from my kitchen, and began replacing them with more natural foods.  Eventually, I managed to eliminate everything containing sugar from our house and replace it all with non-sugar varieties where possible.

I'm not going to claim that I've been perfect in my efforts, though.  I've eaten out a few times in the past 30 days, which is a guarantee that the food I ate contained sugar.  I had a few sips of soda on two separate occasions, but much to my surprised, it tasted completely disgusting, like it was full of nothing but chemicals. And I did cave in and have some frosted brownies, which sadly, tasted like pure heaven on a plate, so clearly my tastebuds have a way to go to adapt to the reduced sugar.  However, since I'm not eating processed foods all that often, it's been crazy how salty things are starting to taste when I do indulge.

As I mentioned in my recent self-portrait, it is my intent to make this a permanent lifestyle change because of how much better I feel!  Not to mention how much healthier it is for me.

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Make a List of Things I Love About My Hubby


#32 MAKE A LIST OF THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY HUBBY

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

My motivation for this was pretty much the same as it was for starting the love/gratitude journal (which is still one of the best things we have done for our marriage!). My husband really is pretty awesome and I wanted to make sure he knows I think so.  Plus, life is just better when you spend your time focusing on the positives.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I enjoyed coming up with the list.  Hopefully he enjoyed reading it.

The details...

I'm not going to share the list, but basically I came up with a list of reasons why I think Kevin is an awesome husband and then I wrote it out for him in our journal.  I sat down and wrote the list over the course of two days, and it was a little tough to come up with it in such a short time.  It would have been easier if I'd kept a running list for a few weeks and added to it every time I had an item to add, but I just can't ever do things the easy way.  What fun would that be?

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Saturday, August 23, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Watch, Read, or Listen to 40 Things Suggested by Others


#10 WATCH, READ OR LISTEN TO 40 THINGS SUGGESTED BY OTHERS

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

I love movies and books, and I'm always on the look out for my next favorite music artist. I thought seeking suggestions from others would be a great way to expand my horizons and experience some new things that I would never have been exposed to otherwise.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

It was actually better!  Most of the suggested movies, books, and albums were things that I never would have chosen for myself, yet I found myself pleasantly surprised by how many of them I really enjoyed. This was such a great experience that I think it will show up again on a future bucket list!

The details...

In order to get as wide of a variety of suggestions as possible, I turned it into a contest on my Facebook page.  I asked fans to submit up to three suggestions for a chance to win a drawing for a $25 amazon gift card and kept the entry open until I received at least 40 suggestions.  I was fortunate enough to receive many more suggested materials than I needed for my list, so I've held on to the rest of the ideas to check out in the future. (There is a list at the bottom of this post of the remaining items.) There was no rhyme or reason as to why I selected the items that I did.  I basically just started searching for them in the order I received them. I ended up watching more movies and listening to more albums simply because of time constraints.  Surprisingly, I had a hard time finding a lot of the books at our library.  You'll also notice a lot of the items were suggested by Kevin.  I wasn't trying to play favorites, I just wanted to include some albums in the mix and he is the one who suggested 99% of the options.

Here is the list of the movies, books, and albums that I watched, read, and listened to:

1. Read: River's End by Nora Roberts suggested by Jenny
2. Watched: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas suggested by Kevin
3. Listened: Nine Inch Nails - Hesitation Marks suggested by Kevin
4. Read: The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness suggested by Keegan
5. Watched: Shaun of the Dead suggested by Jamie
6. Read: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell suggested by Kim
7. Watched: Persuasion suggested by Sydney
8. Listened: Airbourne - Runnin' Wild suggested by Kevin
9. Read: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black suggested by Chantel
10. Watched: The Color Purple suggested by Chantel
11. Listened: Ellie Goulding - Halcyon suggested by Kevin
12. Watched: My Sister's Keeper suggested by Kim
13. Watched: Auntie Mame suggested by Elle
14. Watched: Rear Window suggested by Elle
15. Read: Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg suggested by Kristin
16. Watched: Amelie suggested by Jess
17. Watched: House of 1000 Corpses suggested by Christina
18. Listened: Florence + The Machine - Lungs suggested by Kevin
19. Read: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison suggested by Jenny
20. Listened: How to Destroy Angels - Welcome Oblivion suggested by Kevin
21. Read: Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden suggested by Jenny
22. Listened: Kanye West - Yeezus suggested by Kevin
23. Listened: MGMT - Oracular Spectacular suggested by Kevin
24. Read: The Trouble With Paradise by Jill Shalvis suggested by Jenny
25. Listened: Mumford & Sons - Babel suggested by Kevin
26. Listened: Mumford & Sons - Sign No More suggested by Kevin
27. Watched: A Room with a View suggested by Sharon
28. Read: Vision in White by Nora Roberts suggested by Jenny
29. Listened: Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory suggested by Kevin
30. Watched: Swimming with Sharks suggested by Kim
31. Watched: Four Rooms suggested by Kim
32. Listened: Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris suggested by Kevin
33. Listened: TV On The Radio - Dear Science suggested by Kevin
34. Listened: TV On The Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes suggested by Kevin
35. Listened: Rush - Moving Pictures suggested by Fred
36. Listened: Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend suggested by Kevin
37. Listened: Vampire Weekend - Contra suggested by Kevin
38. Listened: Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City suggested by Kevin
39. Watched: The Devil's Rejects suggested by Christina
40. Listened: Wolfmother - Wolfmother suggested by Kevin

The Remaining Items:

High Society suggested by Elle
Blackfish suggested by Fred
Fear of a Black Cat suggested by Kim
Suicide Kings suggested by Kim
The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling suggested by Alex
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving suggested by Kara
Divergent by Veronica Roth suggested by Kara
Metamorphoses by Ovid suggested by Alex
The Green Mile by Steven King suggested by Jamie
The Book of Virtues by William J. Bennett suggested by Elle
The Art of Happiness by Howard C. Cutler suggested by Kristin
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson suggested by Sydney
First Person Plural by Andrew W. M. Beierle suggested by Holly
Nordie's at Noon by Patti Belwanz suggested by Holly
Into the Wild (Book 1) by Jon Krakauer suggested by Petria
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby suggested by Jess
A Room with A View by E.M. Forr\ester suggested by Sharon
Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain suggested by Sharon
Turtle Boy by Kealan Patrick Burke suggested by Heather
Under the Dome by Stephen King suggested by Fred
Joyland by Stephen King suggested by Fred
Smart and Sexy by Jill Shalvis suggested by Jenny
The Gamble by Kristen Ashley suggested by Jenny
Not Without Risk by Sarah Grimm suggested by Jenny
Cold Sight by Leslie Parrish suggested by Jenny
Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden suggested by Jenny
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole suggested by Jenny
Dark Nights Dangerous Men by Elisabeth Naughton suggested by Jenny
Halfway to the Grave By Jeaniene Frost suggested by Jenny
Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis suggested by Jenny

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Friday, August 22, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Kick My Caffeine Habit


#24 KICK MY CAFFEINE HABIT

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

As the stress in my life was on a steady increase, my sleep habits were on a steady decrease, and I'd turned into a walking zombie fueled by caffeine the past few years.  It. had. to. stop.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I wasn't expecting this to be a fun item to check off the list, but it was a necessary one.  I actually do feel a lot better since cutting caffeine out of my life, and it wasn't as hard as I expected it to be.

The details...

I gave up pop for 30 days in October, which started me down my path of kicking my caffeine habit.  I did eventually end up going back to drinking it, but then I gave it up again recently when I decided to go to a sugar free diet.  Even though I'd been drinking quite a bit of pop, it wasn't necessarily for the caffeine like it was in the past.  My stress level hasn't necessary tapered off any, but my sleep habits have significantly improved and I stopped feeling like I needed the caffeine just to keep functioning.  Most of the time I feel like I am able to stay awake without the caffeine boost, and on the rare occasion where I do feel extremely tired I'm learning to just suck it up and deal with it.  It's not worth it to go back to where I was slugging down coke after coke and feeling like a zombie!

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Go Social Media Free for 48 Hours


#21 GO SOCIAL MEDIA FREE FOR 48 HOURS

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

These days it seems like there are so many things on my to do list that I never have time left over for the things I want to do. (Hence the reason for my birthday bucket lists, which force me to stop and take a little time to do the things on them.) I constantly find myself longing for years gone by (especially the days before cell phones and the internet), when life felt simpler.  Several times a week I daydream about chucking my computer and my phone out the window so I can truly disconnect and take a break.  Unfortunately that's not real life these days, so I figure the least I can do is give myself a few days off.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

It was my intent to take one weekend a month off of social media during this year, but sadly that didn't happen.  I started off with great intentions but I only made it through one month before I fell off the social media wagon.  Sigh.  Maybe I'll give this another go on a future Bucket List because I did enjoy the two days I was social media free.

The details...

My 48 hours of no social media was Saturday October 26 12:00 PM - Monday October 28 12:00 PM, and it's pretty much just like it sounds.  I didn't get on my computer or phone for 48 hours (except for phone calls or texts).  The two days wasn't long enough to change my habits so I just found myself reaching to check my social media outlets multiple times a day and then remembering I was on my social media fast.  It was pretty eye opening to see just how often I mindlessly check them.  Just like most of America, I truly am addicted!

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Sunday, July 20, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Join a Gym


#17 JOIN A GYM

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

My original bucket list item was to join a group or club, but when we decided to buy our house a little sooner than anticipated I decided a new gym closer to home was a top priority instead. It is often difficult to stay motivated to go, but I really do enjoy using the machines at the gym, not to mention I just like the overall gym environment.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

Kevin and I found a gym that is right around the corner from our house for a very reasonable price.  It doesn't have 100% of the equipment that I would like, but for the cost it is impossible to complain.

The details...

When we moved, we had friends tell us that they were members of the gym right near our house and told us they really liked it.  It took us a while, but we finally made the time to check it out and decided to join on the spot!

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Read 40 New Books


#11 READ 40 NEW BOOKS

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

I love reading and always have, but sadly it is one of the first things to go when I get busy and/or overwhelmed, which seems to be my state a lot lately.  I put this on my list to remind myself to take some time out for one of my favorite things.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

My reading wasn't quite as consistent as I might have hoped, with me reading a ton some months and not at all others, but overall knowing I need to get my 40 books in during the year kept me reading more than I would have otherwise.

The details...

Here is a list of the books I have read since my last birthday:

1. Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews
2. River's End by Nora Roberts
3. W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton
4. Inferno by Dan Brown
5. Troublemaker by Janet Evanovich
6. Troublemaker 2 by Janet Evanovich
7. My Husband's Sweethearts by Bridget Asher
8. The Forever Marriage by Ann Bauer
9. The Sister by Poppy Adams
10. A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh
11. Small Change by Sheila Roberts
12. Revive by Frank Lipman
13. The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom
14. Photographing Families by Michele Celentano
15. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
16. Where We Belong by Emily Giffin
17. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James
18. Dare Me by Megan Abbott
19. Bookends by Jane Green
20. Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
21. Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie
22. The Other Woman by Jane Green
23. Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie
24. Cover the Butter by Carrie Kabak
25. The Christmas Quilt by Jenniver Chiaverini
26. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
27. Babyville by Jane Green
28. Charlie All Night by Jennifer Crusie
29. Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
30. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
31. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
32. Cruel Intent by J.A. Jance
33. Justice for Sara by Erica Spindler
34. Fly a Little Higher by Laura Sobiech
35. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
36. Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
37. Year of No Sugar by Eve Schaub
38. The Trouble With Paradise by Jill Shalvis
39. Vision in White by Nora Roberts
40. The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Monday, July 7, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Watch 40 New Movies


#12 WATCH 40 NEW MOVIES

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

Watching movies is one of my favorite past times, so I really didn't need any extra encouragement to watch more of them. However, I put this on my list with the hope that it would inspire me to watch the movies that Kevin contributed to our joint collection that I still haven't watched after 6 years.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I did watch a ton of movies this year - many more than the 40 I intended to watch (and counting!) as you can clearly see from my list.  However not many of those movies were the ones we have at home that I still haven't seen. As it turns out there's a reason I haven't seem them after all this time.

The details...

Here is a list of the movies I have watched since my last birthday (I'm going to keep updating it until my next birthday):

1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
2. Don Jon
3. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
4. After Earth
5. Red 2
6. Grown Ups 2
7. White House Down
8. Charlie Bartlett
9. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
10. Running Scared
11. Now You See Me
12. Zoolander
13. Broken City
14. This is the End
15. A Thousand Words
16. Life of Pi
17. Everybody's Fine
18. Rango
19. I am Legend
20. Pain & Gain
21. Girl Most Likely
22. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
23. Jobs
24. Friends With Kids
25. Spanglish
26. Happy Accidents
27. A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song
28. Lol
29. Bachelorette
30. Greenberg
31. American Hustle
32. Nowhere Boy
33. Prisoners
34. The Sitter
35. Peeples
36. Carrie
37. Thanks for Sharing
38. City Lights
39. Dallas Buyer's Club
40. Bad Grandpa
41. Shaun of the Dead
42. The Color Purple
43. My Sister's Keeper
44. Auntie Mame
45. The Other Woman
46. Rear Window
47. Amelie
48. Taken 2
49. Closed Circuit
50. World War Z
51. Mama
52. Man of Steel
53. Gravity
54. Pacific Rim
55. Godzilla
56. The Wolf of Wall Street
57. The Amazing Spider Man
58. Last Vegas
59. 22 Jump Street
60. Anchorman 2
61. Sex Tape
62. Thor 2
63. Adult Children of Divorce
64. Let's Be Cops
65. House of 1000 Corpses
66. Ride Along
67. That Awkward Moment
68. Save the Date
69. Love Is All You Need
70. Her
71. Labor Day
72. About Time
73. Dear John
74. Room With a View
75. Swimming with Sharks
76. Divergent
77. The Bling Ring
78. Four Rooms
79. The Devil's Rejects
80. This Is Where I Leave You

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Monday, June 23, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Look Up the Meaning/History of My Name


#33 LOOK UP THE MEANING/HISTORY OF MY NAME

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

I doubt I ever would have came up with this idea on my own, but I saw it on someone else's list and thought it was a really cool thing to do.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

It was! It was fascinating to learn more about my name, and to read about all of the famous people who share it.

The details...

I basically just did a google search, looking for websites that talk about the origin and mean of names, and then visited a bunch of them. Of course my first name is Michele, but I often had to search the common spelling of Michelle to find more information. My middle name is Elizabeth, so I decided to search that, too.

I've included some of the information I found on some of the websites just for kicks:

According to www.behindthename.com:

Michele

According to the website, the name Michele is not ranked, but Michelle is ranked #168 in popularity in the United States.

Excerpt from website:

Italian form of MICHAEL

Excerpt from the website on the name Michael:

From the Hebrew name מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el) meaning "who is like God?". This is a rhetorical question, implying no person is like God. Michael is one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one identified as an archangel in the Bible. In the Book of Revelation in the New Testament he is portrayed as the leader of heaven's armies, and thus is considered the patron saint of soldiers.

The popularity of the saint led to the name being used by nine Byzantine emperors, including Michael VIII Palaeologus who restored the empire in the 13th century. It has been common in Western Europe since the Middle Ages, and in England since the 12th century. It has been borne (in various spellings) by rulers of Russia (spelled Михаил), Romania (Mihai), Poland (Michał), and Portugal (Miguel). Other bearers of this name include the British chemist/physicist Michael Faraday (1791-1867), musician Michael Jackson (1958-2009), and basketball player Michael Jordan (1963-).

Excerpt from the website on the name Michelle:

French feminine form of MICHEL. It has been common in the English-speaking world since the middle of the 20th century.

Excerpt from the website on the name Michel:

French form of MICHAEL. Michel de Notredame, also known as Nostradamus, was the 16th-century French astrologer who made predictions about future world events. This is also the German diminutive form of MICHAEL.

Elizabeth

According to the website, the name Elizabeth is ranked #10 in popularity in the United States.

Excerpt from website:

From Ελισαβετ (Elisabet), the Greek form of the Hebrew name אֱלִישֶׁבַע ('Elisheva') meaning "my God is an oath" or perhaps "my God is abundance". The Hebrew form appears in the Old Testament where Elisheba is the wife of Aaron, while the Greek form appears in the New Testament where Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist.

Among Christians, this name was originally more common in Eastern Europe. It was borne in the 12th century by Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, a daughter of King Andrew II who used her wealth to help the poor. In medieval England it was occasionally used in honour of the saint, though the form Isabel (from Occitan and Spanish) was more common. It has been very popular in England since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. Famous modern bearers include the British queen Elizabeth II (1926-) and actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011).


According to www.meaning-of-names.com:

Michele

The gender is male or female, it means 'like the lord' and its origin is France.

Or

The gender is male or female, it means 'Gift from God' and its origin is Hebrew

Or

The gender is male, it means 'God like' and its origin is Italian, and it is a form of Michael

Elizabeth

The gender is female, it means 'my God is bountiful; God of plenty' and its origin is English

Or

The gender is female, it means 'my God is my oath' and its origin is Hebrew

Or

The gender is female, it means 'consecrated to god' and its origin is biblical


According to wikipedia:

Michele

Excerpt from the website:

Michele, pronounced ‘mi-shell’, is an English female given name that comes from the French Michèle. It is a variant spelling of the more common (and identically pronounced) name Michelle.

Michele, pronounced ‘mee-KEH-leh’, is also an Italian male given name, akin to the English male name Michael.

Both names derive from the Latin Michael referring to archangel Michael, and originally derive from the biblical Hebrew name מיכאל (pronounced mi-kha-el) meaning "Who is like God?".

Elizabeth

Excerpt from the website:

Elizabeth is a feminine given name derived from the Greek Elisávet (Greek: Ελισάβετ), which is a form of the Hebrew name Elisheva (אֱלִישֶׁבַע), meaning "My God is an oath" or "My God is abundance." "Elizabeth" appears in the Old Testament as the name of Aaron's wife ("Elisheva"), and in the New Testament as the name of the wife of the priest Zechariah and mother of John the Baptist. It has also been the name of several saints and queens.

The name has many variants in use across the world and has been in consistent use worldwide. Elizabeth was the tenth most popular name given to baby girls in the United States in 2007 and has been among the 25 most popular names given to girls in the United States for the past 100 years. It is the only name remained in the top ten US girl's names list from 1925 to 1972.

It has been among the top 50 names given to girls born in England and Wales as well as in Canada and in Australia in the past 10 years and has been in the top 100 most popular names given to baby girls born in Scotland and Ireland in the past 10 years. Elizaveta (Eлизaвeтa), a Russian form of the name, has been in the top 10 names given to baby girls born in Moscow, Russia in the past 10 years. The name is also popular in Ukraine and in Belarus. One of the most popular variants is Isabel or Isabella. In French there is the variant Isabelle.


Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Photograph a Trash the Dress Session


#39 PHOTOGRAPH A TRASH THE DRESS SESSION

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

'Trash the Dress' and 'Rock the Dress' sessions have become huge the past few years, and I really wanted to try my hand at doing one myself. These types of sessions just seemed like the perfect arena to really let my imagination and creativity soar and do something fun and different.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

There are not words for how amazing this experience was for me, and the resulting images are some of my favorite portraits ever!

The details...

When I decided I wanted to do a trash the dress session, I put a request on my Facebook page asking for people interested in posing and I was fortunate enough that two amazing women volunteered.

The first session I did was with Amanda, and I've included a collage below of some of my favorites from her session. You can also click here to visit the blog post to read the details about her session and see all of her images...


The second session I did was with Trisha, and again I've included a collage below of some of my favorites. You can also click here to visit the blog post to see all of her images and to read about her session...


Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Make a List of 200 Words That Describe Me


#20 MAKE A LIST OF 200 WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ME

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

When I went back to college 5 years ago, I took a class where we were required to keep a blog.  We were instructed to write an introductory post describing ourselves to our professor and classmates.  I opted to make my introduction via a list of 200 words and phrases about myself.  I've kept the list all this time and I thought it would be interesting to see how a new list would compare.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I was honestly expecting this to be just a fun little thing to do for kicks, but it ended up being something completely different.  When I compared my list from then to my list now, I was stunned to see how much my perception of myself has changed.  And not for the better.  The past 4 years have been tough in so many ways, and I've been so caught up in the day to day struggle to just get through them that I didn't realize how profound an effect they were having on who I am.  I  used to be a happier, more optimistic person with a lot more pride, self-esteem and self-worth.  These days I am much more serious, more pessimistic, and way too hard on myself and those around me.  None of which are improvements, to say the least.

I am glad that I did this, even though I'm not in love with what I've learned.  The first step towards any change is realizing that the change needs to happen.  Now that the worst of it is (hopefully) behind us, I can start focusing on learning to loosen up and enjoy life more.

The details...

I sat down and made a list of 200 things that described me. I then found my original list and compared the two to see the similarities and the difference. There were 121 items on the list that were the same, which is actually less that I was expecting. However, I was surprised by how many of the items I had listed in the exact same order or using the exact same terminology. (I ended up rearranging my new list as I was comparing to the old one, just because it was easier to keep track that way!) There were some items on the old list that I would have put on the new list if I would have thought of them, but I was stunned by how many of them no longer apply.

Old List
(items found on both lists are bold)

1. daughter
2. granddaughter
3. student
4. virgo
5. dog lover
6. cat lover
7. only child
8. friend
9. home owner
10. female
11. optometrist
12. girlfriend
13. caring
14. organized
15. confident
16. blogger
17. compassionate
18. reader
19. movie goer
20. care giver
21. hostess
22. colleague
23. divorced
24. runner
25. philosophical
26. decision maker
27. cook
28. neat freak
29. teacher
30. country music lover
31. empathetic
32. blue eyes
33. determined
34. boss
35. Michigan native
36. trustworthy
37. 30 - something
38. optimistic
39. silly
40. intelligent
41. respectful
42. open-minded
43. happy
44. expressive
45. good listener
46. over achiever
47. pet mama
48. sympathetic
49. out going
50. hard worker
51. friendly
52. talkative
53. chocoholic
54. hopeful
55. creative
56. understanding
57. planner
58. goofy
59. opinionated
60. driven
61. smart
62. funny
63. procrastinator
64. Pepsi drinker
65. contemplative
66. brown hair
67. loves to laugh
68. sorority sister
69. selfish
70. lead foot
71. hypoglycemic
72. book lover
73. night owl
74. perfectionist
75. coffee hater
76. Caucasian
77. traveler
78. thoughtful
79. grounded
80. introspective
81. wine drinker
82. board game lover
83. independent
84. claustrophobic
85. forgiving
86. scrapbooker
87. photographer
88. passionate
89. tidy
90. green thumb
91. reasonable
92. sincere
93. water drinker
94. logical
95. bike rider
96. math lover
97. adventurous
98. politics
99. responsible
100. kind
101. ice cream lover
102. horrible hand writing
103. non-smoker
104. book club member
105. co-worker
106. blue lover
107. discriminating
108. analytical
109. sushi lover
110. sensible
111. intellectual
112. swimmer
113. beach bum
114. student of science
115. down to earth
116. loyal
117. educated
118. bowler
119. affectionate
120. random
121. accomplished
122. genuine
123. pizza lover
124. allergy sufferer
125. critical
126. practical
127. picky
128. honest
129. biology degree holder
130. integrity
131. flexible
132. perceptive
133. good memory
134. busy
135. 80's music fan
136. genealogy
137. capable
138. giving
139. medical field
140. strong
141. resourceful
142. supportive
143. homebody
144. advice giver
145. believe in myself
146. Chinese food lover
147. dreamer
148. quote collector
149. cousin
150. record keeper
151. loner
152. precise
153. silver lining
154. generous
155. anal retentive
156. list maker
157. considerate
158. patient
159. sweet tooth
160. manners
161. significant other
162. stubborn
163. meticulous
164. fast walker
165. health conscious
166. best friend
167. uptight
168. weight lifter
169. Italian food lover
170. glasses wearer
171. contact lens wearer
172. niece
173. shoulder to cry on
174. health care provider
175. accepting
176. proud
177. fear of failure
178. chick flicks
179. literature enthusiast
180. family oriented
181. English major
182. Facebook junkie
183. theater goer
184. Dave Matthews Band fan
185. punctual
186. conscientious
187. polite
188. Midwesterner
189. good communicator
190. self sufficient
191. horrible speller
192. roller coaster lover
193. detail oriented
194. registered voter
195. costume party fanatic
196. cheerful
197. college graduate
198. high expectations
199. adaptive
200. intuitive


New List
(items found on both lists are bold)
  1. daughter
  2. granddaughter
  3. virgo
  4. dog lover
  5. cat lover
  6. only child
  7. friend
  8. home owner
  9. female
  10. optometrist
  11. caring
  12. organized
  13. blogger
  14. compassionate
  15. reader
  16. movie goer
  17. care giver
  18. hostess
  19. divorced
  20. philosophical
  21. cook
  22. neat freak
  23. country music lover
  24. empathetic
  25. blue eyes
  26. determined
  27. Michigan native
  28. trustworthy
  29. 30 - something
  30. intelligent
  31. trustworthy
  32. open-minded
  33. pet mama
  34. sympathetic
  35. hard worker
  36. friendly
  37. talkative
  38. chocoholic
  39. creative
  40. planner
  41. opinionated
  42. driven
  43. smart
  44. procrastinator
  45. contemplative
  46. loves to laugh
  47. selfish
  48. lead foot
  49. hypoglycemic
  50. book lover
  51. night owl
  52. perfectionist
  53. coffee hater
  54. Caucasian
  55. traveler
  56. thoughtful
  57. grounded
  58. introspective
  59. wine drinker
  60. board game lover
  61. independent
  62. photographer
  63. tidy
  64. sincere
  65. logical
  66. math lover
  67. adventurous
  68. responsible
  69. kind
  70. horrible hand writing
  71. non-smoker
  72. blue lover
  73. grounded
  74. analytical
  75. sushi lover
  76. sensible
  77. intellectual
  78. loyal
  79. educated
  80. random
  81. allergy sufferer
  82. critical
  83. practical
  84. picky
  85. honest
  86. perceptive
  87. good memory
  88. busy
  89. 80's music fan
  90. capable
  91. strong
  92. supportive
  93. homebody
  94. advice giver
  95. loner
  96. precise
  97. generous
  98. anal retentive
  99. list maker
  100. considerate
  101. patient
  102. significant other
  103. stubborn
  104. meticulous
  105. fast walker
  106. health conscious
  107. uptight
  108. glasses wearer
  109. contact lens wearer
  110. niece
  111. theater goer
  112. punctual
  113. conscientious
  114. polite
  115. Midwesterner
  116. self sufficient
  117. horrible speller
  118. detail oriented
  119. college graduate
  120. high expectations
  121. intuitive
  122. wife
  123. sister-in-law
  124. daughter-in-law
  125. employee
  126. hiker
  127. lazy
  128. restless
  129. water lover
  130. blonde
  131. right handed
  132. business owner
  133. Instagram junkie
  134. confidant
  135. Phoenician
  136. married
  137. childless by choice
  138. corvette lover
  139. tattoos
  140. rule follower
  141. original
  142. lifetime learner
  143. problem solver
  144. social
  145. nostalgic
  146. fortunate
  147. picky eater
  148. thinker
  149. reliable
  150. goal oriented
  151. rational
  152. spouse
  153. observant
  154. stable
  155. realistic
  156. efficient
  157. creature of habit
  158. level headed
  159. methodical
  160. controlling
  161. helpful
  162. serious
  163. cautious
  164. short tempered
  165. devoted
  166. complex
  167. baker
  168. contradiction
  169. high standards
  170. thorough
  171. routine lover
  172. chapstick addict
  173. unusual
  174. evaluative
  175. demanding
  176. change craver
  177. flipflop whore
  178. old school
  179. reminiscer
  180. stressed
  181. SUV owner
  182. ethical
  183. sensitive
  184. inflexible
  185. detached
  186. straightforward
  187. tense
  188. dynamic
  189. nap lover
  190. moody
  191. silence seeker
  192. dedicated
  193. strong willed
  194. focused
  195. fair skin
  196. clumsy
  197. oldies fan
  198. wavy hair
  199. two left feet
  200. partner
Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Tube the Salt River


#5 TUBE THE SALT RIVER

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

I love living in Phoenix and I adore the desert landscape and temperatures, but I'm still a Michigan girl deep down and I love me some water!  I thought tubing the Salt River would be a great way to see a little H2O, and relive all the fun memories I have of tubing as a kid back home.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

It was better!!  I can't describe how much fun I had or how awesome it was to relax and float down the river with Kevin and a few friends.

The details...

Because I'm a bit insane, I picked Memorial Day weekend to plan our tubing trip.  The river was packed with other tubers, but that only added to the fun.  We have a water proof case for our point and shoot, so I even managed to grab a few photos of our trip:


I can't wait to plan our next trip!  Who wants to join us???!!!

Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

BBL 2013-2014 | Visit Jerome, Arizona


#26 VISIT JEROME ARIZONA

Why did I include this on my Bucket List?

Since moving to Arizona, I've had several people tell me that Jerome is a neat place and that I should check it out. Since it's not too far away, I thought it sounded like a great day trip idea to add to my list.

Was the experience what I had hoped it would be?

I really enjoyed exploring Jerome, but would love to go back when I had time to really explore it more with my camera in hand.

The details...

A few weeks ago my parents, Kevin, and I had a trip planned to Sedona to take a hot air balloon ride over the red rocks. Unfortunately, the balloon ride was canceled due to the direction of the wind so we found ourselves up before dawn with the whole day ahead of us. We had all already been to Sedona a few times so we decided to head over to Jerome to check it out. I tried to take a handful of photos to document the trip, but I didn't take very many. I'm not very good at combining socializing and photographing. I can do one or the other but not both, and once I have a camera in my hand I lose focus on everyone and everything else. I don't want to turn Kevin into a photographer's widow and/or ignore everyone around me in social settings. That's why you'll rarely see me with my DSLR in my hand at social events unless I'm officially photographing it.

Here's a peek at a few of the photos I did take:











While we were there we stumbled into a kaleidoscope shop and I had a blast taking photos through some of them:








Do you want to see my entire 2013-2014 Birthday Bucket List?  You can find it here. Did you miss my 2012-2013 List? You can find it here.  Or my 2011-2012 List? You can find it here.

Michele Whitacre is a portrait photographer serving Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding area.
Visit Michele's Website | Like Michele on Facebook | Follow Michele on Instagram | Follow Michele on Twitter


© 2014 Michele Whitacre Photography LLC