Photowalk 10!

10 Photowalks have been done! It's a nice round number, so that makes me happy. I'm getting exactly what I wanted out of this project. First of all, I really think that my photographing and editing skills are improving, but what I really wanted to get out of this was being forced to get out of my house more often, and it's fantastic. Plus, as much as I love John, it's nice having that time completely to myself, too. And I'm rediscovering a lot of the metro parks that I really haven't been to since John and I started dating. When I started this project, I actually expected my photowalks to be more urban than nature - I wanted to walk around downtown and by abandoned buildings, so hopefully I get around to doing that eventually.

This past week was an interesting one at work, to say the least. This is the second time since working here that I've been through a major round of layoffs. The first time, many more IT people were let go, however, because it was right after a merger, and I hadn't been working there very long, I didn't know most of the people. I though, this time around, since I knew there would be fewer IT people let go, that it would be easier. I was shocked, however, how hard that day was. People I had been working with for years are now gone. Some very nice and wonderful people, and I wish them luck. I'm thankful for my job, of course, but there's still that little bit of guilt that you get to keep on working, secure in your own job, while other people - some with young children - have to scramble to find something else in this economy. And while they struggle, I'm sure, I'm getting estimates for having the exterior of my house painted, happily spending my bonus without worrying about where my next paycheck will come from.

Speaking of the house, it's always a stressful decision to have work done on your house, isn't it? I've got 3 estimates - 2 low and 1 high. I've eliminated one of the low ones because he doesn't do a primer coat, and didn't seem to do much sanding after the powerwashing. The other two estimates seem about equal one what *would* be done, but one is about twice as expensive as the other, so would I be getting what I paid for, or overpaying? A trip to Angie's List should help ease my mind.

I hope everyone else had a better week than I did, and if not, maybe some pictures from the Cascade Valley Metro Park will help: enjoy!