A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

Photography

Photo Blogging Challenge (December 2021): Holly jolly

As this post arrives, we’ll already be into 2022.

And, I’m sure we will all be looking ahead to new things and a new year full of hope. Maybe we’ll finally find our way through the current situation that the world has been facing for almost two years.

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Alas, we can all only do our part. And that part is up to each individual. I have my thoughts and beliefs and the such, but this is no place for it. All I hope is that each of you remain safe and care about not only yourself, but others as well.

So, holly jolly for this month’s theme.

For those who know me, Christmas is likely my favorite holiday and season, The music and everything going on. The colors and the lights. It usually makes me so happy and in a truly great mood.

I won’t say that I was in a bad mood this season. But I will say I never fully reached the spirit like I usually do. I enjoyed parts, but I really didn’t get far in other parts like I normally do. I attest that to so many changes in my world, and then just everything going on not only in the world, but locally to my state and area.

Still, this was Harper’s first Christmas. So, I’m sure you can figure what my post is heavily centered on. I’m sure she will be featured quite a bit in future themes, too, but I am trying to start using the newer camera I got more, so hopefully I’ll be able to challenge myself in each of these challenges.

I hope everybody had a great holiday season!

Here are my five for the month!

1. Ho! Ho! Ho!

I took Harper to see Santa. This photo is one I actually took and you can see how she wasn’t having sitting with Santa! There are better ones with me in the photo, but those were taken by somebody else. It was nice that Petsmart offers this to people for free.

2. Waiting for the big guy

Harper destroys toys. I had so many good Christmas ones that she ripped through. Some I took away before they were fully done so I can keep them and hope she’s calmed down on destroying by next year. But then I found these… and this one withstood her constant chewing. So, she also got one for Christmas that wasn’t holiday related.

3. Happy birthday!

Cameron’s birthday is just a few days before Christmas, so there’s usually a small gathering and then they throw him something more for his friends and such in July. I figured this was quite a bit holly jolly!

4. First Christmas!

It was Harper’s first Christmas and she had her bandana saying so! I was happy I got her to stay still for a few moments to get this shot!

5. I mean, she did try…

Some days naughty… some days nice …

If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for December. Make sure you drop your link there. The theme for January is Black and White! Remember to come back on February 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: December 2021 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Photo Blogging Challenge (November 2021): Give thanks!

In the United States, November is the month of Thanksgiving.

And, it’s a time where we should all try to give thanks for something. Truthfully, we should all be doing that even more than we do on an everyday basis, but November gives us a reason.

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In this world right now, sometimes it can be hard. So many are divided and one’s opinions and beliefs will differ from others — and at times, that can make things tough on both parties.

Alas, there’s still things to be thankful about.

As I write this, the one thing I truly give thanks for is snoozing against my leg. It fills me with so much happiness and joy (well, most of the time).

I’m also thankful she’s not a barker, considering my one neighbor’s dogs bark pretty much non-stop if the owner isn’t home — which is nearly every day from 5 p.m. and for several hours. So yeah …

I know the direction I am going with this post. And then I will look forward to seeing what you all have given thanks for with this theme. Only one month left in 2021 … and maybe we should give thanks for that, too!

But, for now, we go upward and onward.

Here are my five for the month!

1. Cuddle naps

I’ve had my ups and downs with having a dog. I’ve had Harper now for five months, which is crazy. And Harper and I are settling in better. She’s still frustrating at times but we are both growing. I laugh way more than not with her. And since the battle for her being on the couch was ended, she seems way calmer — probably because she can be up on the couch. I’ve also adjusted where I sit, so I am usually on the couch and she snuggles up with me almost every night. Sometimes in ways I don’t get how they are comfortable! How can’t you give thanks for this, though?

2. Curiosity

I am truly thankful that Harper is curious. She liked to explore. She likes to see different things. She gets spooked, and she’ll also grab what she can with her mouth. But she really does like to see and experience things. I have a lot of plans for the two of us in the coming years, so we keep building!

3-4. Two of four seasons

As much as there are times I can’t stand certain seasons, I truly do love living in an area where we get all four seasons. Hopefully, we’ll get a white Christmas, too. But I’m thankful that we can see the fall (even if you have to clean things up at the end of it!), have nice winters, great springs, and good summers. It’s nice to experience it all and it does give you a different feel when the seasons change.

5. If I fits …

I love watching Harper grow. My mental state is getting better. She was spayed a few weeks ago, and I think that has helped her calm a little. But she’s really enjoyable to watch. When she plays. When she eats. When she sleeps.

If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for November. Make sure you drop your link there. The theme for December is Holly Jolly! Remember to come back on January 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: November 2021 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Photo Blogging Challenge (October 2021): Get out and play

I imagine most of you know where I’d be going for the most part this month.

But no matter what — getting out to play has been an important part of trying to get grounded. What’s more, on the inside aspect, I’ve actually found time to blog a little. That is hopefully also going to get me back into the rhythm of doing more than looking at other blogs — but actually leaving thoughts!

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One thing is for sure … getting out and doing something fun is good for your mind and body. I’m still not quite where I need to be for health things, but I’m getting back to where I need to be a little at a time.

The weather my way hasn’t been the most perfect, but it’s been decent enough to get out and explore. Playing is also a key with having a growing puppy, that’s for sure.

So that’s where I stand this month.

I actually had the chance to attend a minor league baseball game this month, too. That was all because of how the schedule worked out this year. Who knows if I’ll ever get that chance again, so it was pretty neat to do so.

Here’s hoping you are all doing well, getting outside, smiling and trying to live life to the fullest!

Here are my five for the month!

1. Happy place

I’m starting this post out with a non-Harper shot. For the first time in two years, I had the chance to take my yearly Columbus Day weekend trip to the Jersey Shore. I spend several hours for two days on the beach, walking it, taking photos, having chats with people and just enjoying the slower side of life. Harper was boarded for the weekend, which was nice, but at the same time … I look forward to next year and hopefully being able to bring her to enjoy the beach as well!

2-3. Dock Diving

Harper did her first two lessons of dock diving! I’m hoping she’ll be able to do one more lesson this weekend before the weather really starts to turn. These two images were from her first lesson. The second one I went in the water, so the photos I have are not ones I took, so … no using them here!

4. National Fetch Day

National Fetch Day fell in October and it was nice to be able to get out and have some fun with Harper. The weather got poor in the afternoon, so I made sure she got a lot of fun play in the morning!

5. A good day of play

I have a lot of photos of Harper sleeping. This one isn’t the best, but it’s the one that makes me smile the most (at least of the ones taken this month). This was after a good day of play and she was exhausted at night. Note that she is curled up on my foot (which eventually that means my foot might go numb). Nights like this are when I know her and I are building a really strong bond.

If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for October. Make sure you drop your link there. The theme for November is Give thanks! Remember to come back on December 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: October 2021 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Photo Blogging Challenge (September 2021): It’s your world

Talk about my world.

My world has been a zoo. Between work and life outside of it, I haven’t been on a computer as much as I used to be. But hey, let’s be real here — that’s a good thing.

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But, with that in mind, I should have probably scheduled this post knowing that I had a zillion (OK, maybe not a true number …) at the end of the month! Alas, we’ll get through it.

So, hey … it’s a world we are all in. Some things are a bit more prevalent than others. I know my world has really been flipped upside down for the past three months and will continue to be that way.

I knew that when I got into things, though!

My world will take on a bit of an obvious theme this month. I do have a few other things, but there is one true theme. With Harper, I’m learning a lot. Some good. Some bad. A lot of patience. A lot of new things. This is all new for me — and for her. But at the end of the day, when she flops at my feet, or just comes in front of me wanting some chest scritches, it’s all worth it.

Here are my five for the month. Sorry for being late!

1. Happy

This has been one heck of a trip with Harper so far. I’m learning. She’s learning. We’re all learning. Sometimes I’m sure we get on each other’s nerves. But we’re getting there. She doesn’t always chill for photos, but we’re working on it! This is one of my favorite images from the month and when I look at it, it reminds me why I wanted a dog in my world.

2. Vintage

I’ve been wanting to do more with my regular camera (even though the iPhone is outstanding). I had the chance to get out to a vintage baseball game on a Saturday afternoon and it was really nice and fun. I know this much — I don’t think I’d be too excited playing it with the lack of gloves!

3. Bark in the park

I always said if I got a dog, I’d never be that person who would take their dog to a bark in the park night. I said this with good reason. A lot of times, people have barking dogs etc. Harper is actually really good around other dogs. So we went to one at the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. We last through five innings, and a little into the sixth inning. It was actually really enjoyable and I see me doing more of it in the future.

4. Oh look, an airplane!

I was out playing fetch with Harper one day and she caught a small airplane going over. It was one of those first time things and she just stared — and didn’t even drop the ball!

5. Cheers!

Had the chance to sneak away for an overnight geocaching/baseball trip. Took in one game and found a bunch of caches. But the one night was a stop at the Guinness American brewery. It was a fine stop, good food, and good drinks!

If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for June. Make sure you drop your link there. The theme for October is Get out and play! … Remember to come back on November 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: September 2021 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Photo Blogging Challenge (August 2021): Adventures

Adventure.

It’s my hope many of you have had the chance to have some adventures recently. For me? Here and there, but not as much as I normally would during the summer months. And heck, the summer months have flown by and are almost over.

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I’m not two months into puppy life. And it’s hard still at times, and other times very rewarding. Tonight (September 1), she is testing out for her Star Puppy title, so that will be neat and hopefully fun. She’s had adventures, too, because we’ve used some puppy daycare for her. She has friends and that’s good!

Still, I’ve felt restricted. I look long term, though — and I know eventually she will be a great dog and what I seek in a pup. But the road is long, and I’ve had to do things a lot differently.

So, I hope you have all had a lot of adventures. I’ll live through some of them. I did get to do a geocaching day, though, and that was fun. I also plan to doing a few in the fall. A fence is also coming for the yard, so I hope that also helps calm the pup down so I can take her on many adventures with me!

I will be blogging about Harper soon. I have one almost written (it’s long), but it needs some changes. It will come!

Until then, here are my five! Adventures indeed!

1-3. Harper

You can bet Harper will be part of these challenges when I can. Else there will be a bonus photo or two. But this month, I’ve found she likes nature trails. AND she also found a geocache with me. Mud puddles are a favorite. And she loves to be outside. She bites a bit too much (puppy), but we’ll work on that. And we need to work on normal walks.. cause I need that! As for the one photo, it’s what happens after a full day of fun!

Rides and adventures!
We out on adventures!
I is so tired!

4. Geocaching

It’s nice to get out to an event and find some caches. Fun times!

5. Covered bridge

I love covered bridges and we stopped at this one on the way to the geocaching event. Loved the early-morning look!

If you took part in this month’s challenge, make sure to link up below.

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people’s blogs and comment (here, too!).

Let’s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE: We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I’ll post any announcements there and hopefully it can be a place where things are discussed and some interaction etc. You can access it here.

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.

So, below is the linkup for June. Make sure you drop your link there. The theme for September is It’s Your World! … Remember to come back on August 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month!

Photo Blogging Challenge: August 2021 results

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!