LOVE THIS CARD.

http://us.moo.com/readymade/pack/488

Year 35

Isn't it funny how at some point you stop counting how old you are?  I think it happened to me when I started counting how old my kids were. I think this is going to be a good year.  I am comfortable with who I am and what I know.  I think I have experienced enough to make wiser decisions without second guessing myself.  Not to say I  don't plan on learning and experiencing A LOT more in life. But, I think I am strong enough to stand up for myself without worrying if I should.  I am glad I was born in January. {Thanks mom} It is like a total month of reflection for me.  Of cleansing.  I let myself REALLY take the time to do that this month.  I am so rejuvenated by it all.  I am so inspired by things I am going to tackle and play with this year.


The big news of course is my birthday present.  Here are a couple of its first shots.

I had a fabulous day.  Lunch at my favorite Korean spot.  A stop in at Ice Berry. Man, I forgot how absolutely yummy that place is. 

 My husband and kids surprised me with a sunday from Outback.

(the iceberry photo was taken on my Blackberry storm, not with my new Nikkon)




(if you have never had their coconut rolled sundae...man it's good)
And then after the kids were in bed my hubby made my favorite Tai Basil Shrimp.

MMM.  I am a lucky gal.   
AND yes, I am hitting the gym today. LOL.

isn't she gorgeous????

Nikon D3000
And she's all mine.
For those of you who don't know this, I am a pathological picture taker. It is my PLAY. A cool shot is better than a piece of chocolate. It fills me up. My camera died last June and I pouted misreably, then I started playing with my camera phone and adobe, and then my dear friend actually lent me her camera a couple months ago. I found this sitting on my dining room table last night after the kids were in bed. All innocent.  Like a total freak out wasn't about to happen. A early birthday present. I can not tell you how absolutely THRILLED I am!!!!! She's just perfect.

Those uh oh moments, and 365.

You know those moments that you think uh oh, what's going on here?
And then the next thought is usually OH NO!
I have to say that the 365 is changing me.
I am calmer.  I am happy snappy silly pictures each day.
It is my PLAY.
AND those uh oh moments I am stopping to see the humor in.  I am using them as the unexpected pictures that I would have never taken otherwise.
I have had a bunch of those moments this week with Potty training in full force, and no I did not photograph those.  But this one, makes me laugh now.  Our kitten decided to get into my yarn.
I walked into the house and into a human spider web.  She had literally wrapped yarn around my entire main level of my house and I actually caught her working its way up the stairs.  I had that moment of confusion...what is this? and Oh no!  But I bet these pictures will always make me laugh.
Lily's little voice saying "oh mommy, that Izzy!"
Happy friday!

ICE CREAM: enjoyed 2 year old style

This Girl

I can't say it enough. 
I love this girl.
She JUST GETS ME.
WE understand each other.
Wish all relationships could be that easy.
No dialog needed even.  At times I swear she can read my mind.
Remember those baby feet that I posted the first week I started this blog?
They are still adorable.  But they are getting too big.
STOP.  I can hear my heart calling to her.
GROW. I can hear my mind calling to her.
I am so proud of who you are becoming my little "bean."


Holiday time is over and we are getting back to our "normal" groove.
I am LOVING taking photos again.  Ahhhh.  It is nourishment.
Big shout out thank you to a special friend who has been letting me play with her camera.
I have been looking at different options....I saw a Nikon Coolpix L100...It was really adorable.
Not as the final major camera...but as a travel around buddy one.
ANYONE have thoughts on this camera?  Please leave me a comment.

HOPE

Had a couple minutes to play this morning after I taxi'd everyone off to their spots.
My little helper colored puppies by my side as I worked...wow. What a change from even a few months ago!  So I combined two challenges for this one... FUN.

Studio Calico is doing what looks like a weekly sketch... and I wanted to play.
AND the poem of the month over at scrap that poetry is Emily Dickenson's HOPE.
Have a great weekend....

where's your Focus?

This is a question that has almost shouted at me daily since the start of the new year.
Though I am not a resolution kind of gal.  I definitely believe in new beginnings.
Self reflection and improvement to ones life.  What did not work in 2009?  What was missing?
What NEEDS to happen this year?  What can I do more of that brought me fulfillment ?
What do I need to put out there?
I have been overstimulated with ideas and thoughts.
I am trying to focus.
I have not touched my scrap supplies for almost an month and can feel the itch.
Life has been busy so far.
I had two birthdays to throw since Christmas. 
I just started packing it all away till next year yesterday and now am in the last stages 
(as in sweeping up all those pine needles).
I have stuff to think about.  
I am excited by some brainstorming and also my new 365 project.
(more thoughts on that later this week)
But today I heard a little voice calling me from behind in the back seat of the car...
"quick mommy, take my picture...I like this hat"  

Okay baby, the focus is all on you.

DAY 1

January 1, 2010

Where's your focus?

What is your version of normal?

I think I have a plan....

http://365daysofnormal.blogspot.com/