All in the Family

This month has been both challenging and beautiful.

I am so proud of my kids. REALLY. I just had to share this photograph with the whole wide world. Sometimes, it is rough trying to get everyone in the same place at the same time with a happy heart. While one of my daughters is missing from this photo, I have my fingers crossed for another opportunity like this SOON! Will you help me out and cross YOUR fingers, too?

Just Sayin'

This was my school-age crew on their first day of school. It was a lovely day in August and if I may be so bold, I think they look kinda happy to be going back.

I didn't get to post this in August...so, I figured I'd do it now while I'm taking a little walk down memory lane!

I think they're quite beautiful!

I Love It!

Things for which I am grateful right now:

• my kids are all safe at home; all snug in their beds
• being a mama and the ability to be there for my kids when they need me
• Text Messages
• friends who love me make me smile
• Green & Black's with Almonds
• hot tea an a fancy cup
• my camera
• hearing my sweet little boy snore the night away...hee hee hee
• the blog and the creative outlet it allows me
• knowing tomorrow is jam-packed with possibilities for new experiences and new images to make
• The new adventures that lie before me
• the magic of the holiday season...the music, the lights, the food, the celebrating, the shopping, the giftwrapping, the ice skating, the hustle and bustle ...
• the absolutely stunning sunrises this time of year affords us
• a stack of journals that holds so many memories and thoughts and dreams and wishes

I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world!

Family Portraits

I kinda like this shot! It's a family portrait of sorts! We're all in the photo so that counts, right?

Look closely! Quincy is in it, I am in it (behind the camera, of course!) And Rob is in it! Check us out!

Daily Dose of CUTE!

Here he is! Feel free to gaze upon the cuteness we call Uno! He's running around here now trying so hard to keep up with Jitter and Moses! He's eating food from the bowl now.

Goodnight Moon

As I was leaving Walmart last night, I saw this gorgeous sight. I pulled off to the side of the road and started composing and snapping and then recomposing. I saw headlights reflecting in my sideview mirrors. My window was down. I quickly discovered in the dim light it was an ambulance that had approached. The two men inside the rescue vehicle peered into my car and asked if I was okay and they asked if I needed help. I smiled, then giggled and told them I was just photographing the moon. They smiled. Then, they nodded. And then they drove away. I snapped a few more shots and then drove away, too. I was happy with my decision to stop and get the captures.

This week has been really crazy. I've missed checking my mail and reading my favorite blogs each day. Each day this week has unveiled some secret surprise that hasn't always been a nice one. I've managed to meet each challenge and make it through with my head held high.

The biggest surprise was that Alex spent 9 hours in urgent care last night as a result of an asthma flare-up. Any of you who are parents of asthmatic kids can attest to the fact that Asthma is pretty frightening. Witnessing an asthma attack can leave you feeling rather small and extremely helpless...then when the doctors take aggressive measures and there isn't any kind of favorable improvement, that small feeling becomes a lot more intense. Thankfully, the aggressiveness of the doctor who cared for Alex last night finally did pay off and I was able to bring my boys home and tuck them into bed.

I am so thankful for the advances in medicine and technology. Because of them, my kids are happy and healthy today.

Minty

In his younger days, this cat would strip the sheets from my mother's guest bed!

I remember one time, I'd gone to my mom's house and saw the sheets were all in disarray on the bed. I just figured that mom and put them on the bed with plans of later making the bed when time allowed. I didn't think much of it. My mom came home that same afternoon and saw the rumpled bed and thought my two little ones (who were 3 and 1 at the time) had jumped on the bed and pulled the sheets off. She thought it was kind of strange that I would allow the kids to do that, but when she went to straighten the sheets, she noticed a whole series of punctures in the sheets from Minty's teeth and claws. I guess he was upset about being left at home alone.

Minty LOVED to be petted. He loved attention that was a sure thing! Anyone who sat still long enough would find Minty at their feet. He'd start first with soft meows that I thought sounded a lot like a duck quack. Then after a few pats on the head or strokes along his back from nose to tail, the attention would usually stop. Then, there would be more meow-quacks followed by Minty's paw rubbing -- scratch that -- pulling the person's hand to him as a very direct hint that he wasn't finished being loved and petted. He usually got lots of love when all of us were gathered at my mother's house.

After 16 years, Minty has gone on to a better place.

Christmas won't be the same without Minty's begging for love!

The Thrill of The Hunt

I remember a time when I thought thrift stores were beneath me. Afterall, the only things that were there were unwanted items. Surely, nothing of any value could be found in a second-hand store. Right?

WRONG!

I'm here to tell you: Thrifting is absolutely one of my favorite hobbies. I've had a change of heart. That is right! Now, I actually map out time...BIG CHUNKS of time to scour the shelves of thrift stores.

I usually set out with an open mind. I try not to limit myself too much on looking for particular items; although, I might say that I hope to find a basket, or bed sheets. They are pretty common items, but sometimes, I look for a certain shape of basket or a certain color of sheets.

I have my favorite stores I like to haunt. When I open the doors, there is definitely a rhythm I follow. And usually, there isn't a department I don't scuff up the floors a little.

This weekend, my neighbor, Rachel, and I went to three different thrift shops. After not spending a lot of money, I came home with quite a haul! I was so proud of myself. I ended up with a pair of jammy pants and blue jeans for Alex, a new supply of dinner plates, a vintage camera, a brass piano lamp, storybooks, a snowsuit, a computer game for Quincy, two pairs of snow goggles for the kids to use while sledding, three big, sturdy baskets, a chalkboard/whiteboard memo thingy, a rug with coffee cup motifs, china cups and saucers....goodness gracious! I was so proud all my purchases! I think one of my favorite scores was the set of four kitty cat plates and a free french press coffee maker. I couldn't believe it! Now guess what? I'm on the hunt for a plate hanger with three or four slots. It's out there. I will find it. I just know it.

I absolutely love the feeling when I find something I had wished for. That, for me, is the thrill of the hunt!

Grace and Beauty

Crisp white and waxy
graceful tendrils and pink throat...
dragon's mouth? Orchid!

Headache, Headache Go Away

Today, I have a headache...

Today, I still want to do my photoshoot.

Today, I want to go to town to get craft supplies.

Today, I want to knit some more on Kaitie's Christmas Blanket.

Today, I wish my headache would go away so I can be productive.

Blessings

I see the moon

and the moon sees me.

God bless the moon

and God bless me.

Hello, November!

It's here! November!

Just 53 shopping days left now til Christmas. Crazy, isn't it? I always say the holiday season starts right after Halloween, because it all just seems to blur together in a swish of evergreen boughs and holly berries...mixed in with a few Ho Ho Ho's!

I'm feeling shifts of energies in my life...some are really good and some promote feelings of sadness. I suppose it's just all part of life: growing, learning, expanding, searching, more learning. These shifts are really forcing me to search inward (and outward) to make me a better ME! I am really proud of myself for all the things I have done. For all the things I am doing and all of the wonderful things I am planning to do.

Here's to change...the only constant we really have!

Wishing you a superbly, wonderful November!

Sunset

I was so lucky to get to witness this sunset tonight. It was so BEAUTIFUL!

...all I had with me was my cell phone....but it did an okay job capturing the mood and the spectacular color! I just had to share this with you!

Horizons Broadened

...learning something new everyday!

Love Is All Around

I went out and about late yesterday afternoon. The sun was setting and looked so beautiful. I pulled up into a driveway of a vacant house and started capturing images. I was mesmerized by how even the dried, dead weeds looked beautiful in the amber glow. I stepped out of my car to take a closer picture and when I got there, I discovered the sweetest little hearts everywhere in that field. At just that moment, I could hear the music coming from the speakers in my car playing "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You." That just happens to be our song. I love little moments of perfection like that.

A Brand New Day

My son, Alex, came into my room to ask me a question. When I opened my eyes to give him an answer, I was greeted by a most beautiful sunrise. The light that flooded my bedroom was so awe-inspiring. I knew I had to capture it. I didn't even go outside...I shot right through the lace on my windows!

God was showing off this morning, for sure!

Fun With Physics

Tonight, I arrived home feeling famished. I was eager to get my dinner cooked and eaten.

My cell phone rang. It was my neighbor. She explained that she was at bible study and the girls there were so excited about this once-in-90-years gravitational pull of the earth and ..... thing. She told me that it was the only day we could balance a broom on its bristles.

Curiously, I turned around, grabbed my extremely battered broom from its corner. I tried to balance it with no luck. She told me she didn't have a camera phone or she would send me a picture. I tried a couple of more times to balance my broom. I gave up quickly because I was still making dinner for the kids and myself. The kids took over the broom balancing. They couldn't balance the broom, either. Then, one of them had the idea to try to balance an egg on its end. That only took about 45 seconds for Amanda to accomplish. The egg soon rolled to its side. She balanced the egg again. I ran to get my camera. I just knew this was going to make an amazing blog entry!

The kids and I were happily snapping away and then I challenged them: "Let's try three eggs,!"

Amanda got two more eggs from the refrigerator and started to balance the eggs.

Eventually, after a lot of attempts, we did end up with 4 eggs standing on end. I captured some fun images. We ate dinner and then we researched broom balancing and egg balancing. Somewhat disappointed, we discovered that these feats can be done any day of the week, at any hour of the day.

Our little lesson in Physics was fun and I still think it makes for a neat blog entry! OH...and we did finally get the broom balanced, too!

His Name is Uno

We have a new baby!

He was the only kitten born to Moses in her last litter. We've decided to call him Uno. He's growing so big so fast, I am tempted to start calling him BrUno! His eyes just opened today.

A Good Little Party

My mother and step-dad celebrated their birthdays last week. Jim on the 19th and my mother on the 23rd. To honor them, my sister cooked a lovely spaghetti dinner. We gathered together and enjoyed each other's company and had a good time.

There were decorations. (Windows colors, perhaps? HA!)

We ate declicious food.

Danielle lit the candles on the birthday cake.

Mom and Jim made a wish and blew out the candles.

We presented gifts.

They liked them.

My gramma used to always say after we'd have a little gathering like this, "That was a good little party!"

And it was.

Palm Pilot

I logged in this morning and got the new assignments for this week. The writing assignment was to make a list. What? That's easy! I love to make lists. I sometimes kid that I need a list of my lists. It was no surprise, then this morning when I read that, I discovered I'd already started a list. Desperate for paper, I used the palm of my hand.

I know I used to drive my ex-husband batty when I'd write reminders on my hand. He asked "WHY do you DO that?" I replied to him, "I can't lose my hand!"

This, my friends, is my poor kid's version of the palm pilot!

Fun At 100

Sharing with you two little scenes from 100 steps away and wishing you a Happy Saturday.

Seems Like Only Yesterday

I am in the midst of cleaning out dusty corners of my home, and clearing piles of paper clutter and...even sorting digital stacks of "stuff." Tonight, I stumbled across these lovely images I captured over three years ago. It hardly seems possible! I remember it so clearly--the day I set up this vignette on my dresser. It seems like only yesterday. And then I wonder: "What other treasures lie in wait on my hard drives?"

We shall see!

Kinda Feels Like Monday

Do you ever have one of those days when you wake up that you feel like you could should slip back into bed for about 45 minutes, take a little snooze, wake up and start over? Today was one of those days for me. Let's blame it on Monday, shall we?

From the moment my feet touched the cold, hard floor this morning, I knew things were off kilter, yet I trudged on forward. I really tried to make the most of the day. I got a bit more organizing done around here and got a little bit of knitting done. Alas, despite my efforts, I still feel flustered.

I've finally placed myself in a timeout in my bedroom. The calming pink walls and soft light are helping immensely...and having my connection to the outside world, (my computer) helps a lot, too. I can hear the kids out in the living room talking and laughing. Things will get better! I'm taking deep breaths and....tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Ah! Autumn!

He is dying to carve a funny face into that little tiny pumpkin.

Jitter Cat

He had to come in for a closer look. It almost looks as if he's waving at me with eager energy.

I half expected this next move of his...with those little grabby paws.

Needless to say, I'm not much of a left-handed-only photographer! But together, Jitter and I made a little scribble on the page.

This Journey

Who am I?
I am a mother, a daughter, a lover, a writer, an artist, a photographer, an aunt, a sister, a daughter, a neice, a granddaughter, a believer, a friend, a journal keeper, a book keeper, a baker, a party planner, a nurse, a neighbor, a god mother, an ex-wife, a driver, a teacher, a thinker, a virgo, a fiancee, a comedian, a guardian of 4 orange tabby cats, a die-hard coffee drinker, a doodler, a cheerleader, a knitter, a quilter, a seamstress, a director, a music enthusiast...
I know the list goes on and on. Obviously, this list is in no particular order...and I know there are some important pieces that are missing from this list that was formed under a time limit.
In all, I am pretty happy with my life. I am happy with who I am and where I am. I've come to a place in my life where I can embrace the things in my past as they are what have formed me to be who I am in this moment. I know there are things I wish to improve and change. I know that change has to come from me. I can't look to any external stimuli to cause any of the changes I wish. I have to be the motivator. I have to be my own energy behind my desire. Can I do it? Heck ya!
I know I deal with a lot of interruptions throughout my day. And sometimes, as a result of all the interruptions, I don't get everything done...and most times, new things get added to my list of things I want to accomplish. For me, finding a way to squelch some of the chaos will be a challenge. This much I know. I know what I want. I will find my way. I have faith in that. I have faith in myself.

Aprreciation...

a short list of five....

• a change of seasons
• looking forward to time with My mom and sister tomorrow
• sweaters
• nutella
• pretty tea cups

Appreciation...

...another little short list of five wonderful things:

• Tea time with Susan today...we even used the pretty china cups!
• Skype
• FRIENDS (are wonderful! Aren't they?)
• my camera
• my home...it's been weatherized. I hope it helps save us some money this winter!
  

Big Shoes To Fill

the last time I went to the Paris Street Market, Kaitlyn accompanied me. We walked up and down the rows of all the neat treasures. At one booth, we found these fun wooden shoes. Kait decided to try them one...much to her chagrin, they fit her feet.

Here is to fun senses of humor and goofy wooden shoes.

Right This Instant

Oh how I love a strong cup of hot coffee in the morning. I mix it with just the perfect amount of Hazelnut flavored fat-free creamer and two packets of sugar, thankyouverymuch.

When I go to Starbucks, I let them mix it up for me in the form of a triple grande skinny hazelnut latte. Mmmmmm! That is my regular drink.

When my favorite Starbucks Barista, Jessica, handed me some samples of their new "Jiffy Brew", I was skeptical to say the least! I've had instant coffees before and they taste.....well.....instant. Coffee connoisseurs might all agree that the difference can be tasted! I am here to tell you that I tasted the instant coffee by Starbucks and it tastes pretty darned good. I tried the extra bold and really liked it. It doesn't do much for getting that fresh-brewed coffee aroma in the kitchen. It could very well be the solution to those mornings when you're out of beans! Keep a stash of these on hand!

Try it!

Glint

A Short List of Five Things For Which I feel Grateful Today:

• the seat warmers in my car's seats
• coffee
• quilts
• baskets
• the purr of a cat

I really, really, REALLY love this image I captured yesterday morning. The whole world was enveloped by a layer of frost. The Sun came out and gently started to warm everything and the frost became liquid. I ABSOLUTELY love the little glint on the bottom of this Aspen leaf...just look at it's starry perfection! Ahhhhhh! Photographic bliss!

One Fine Day

Sadly, this past weekend was the last weekend for the Paris Street Market. I was able to attend every weekend except for the weekend in June when I was visiting a dear friend.


One vendor this time had lots and lots and lots of old bears. I was expecially fond of this one. He looked so "loved". I wished I could adopt him and bring him to my home. I thought he was just perfect. Unfortunately, the hefty price tag prevented me from toting him along with my little bundle of treasures.


Apparently, some people already have Christmas on the brain...good golly! I still have to figure out Halloween costumes!

I thought of Quincy when I saw this sweet little display. Quincy LOVES books!

All in all, it was a beautiful Fall day to spend time and money at the market. I hope this market will be back next year.

He makes me smile...

mmm hmmmm

122,884 Stitches

This is a Christmas gift for Ryan. Yes, he's seen it and he knows it's finished.

What went into this:

• 130 hours of time
• 12 skeins of yarn by "I Love This Yarn" (Hobby Lobby's affordable yarn)
• 122, 884 stitches

It's very warm, and very soft. I need to wrap it up and get it ready for Christmas giftgiving!

Day Trip

Once the kids gain a bit of confidence in their driving skills, I like to take them out on the highway and go for a nice, long drive. Last Friday was Ryan's turn to drive. I packed my knitting into the front seat with me and away we went. It was a beautiful day for a drive. We crusied south to the south end of Colorado Springs then turned around and drove back home. Ryan told me he was grateful for the long drive experience. We also used the interstate highway so he could get some guidance with interstate driving. He told me he felt accomplished when we returned home. Thankfully, I was able to relax and get a few more rows knitted. It was a good day.