5 really good things on a wednesday...


found hearts


the gradual disappearance of the killer headache
i woke up with this morning
(and even worse, i dreamed i had a headache all night)


the creativity and imagination of kids


blue sky...finally...blue sky


rock band...
my kids loved it...
and twelve rocks at paranoid by garbage...
{in her mom's opinion anyhow}

now...go see the inspiration for 5 really good things
she's a really good thing all on her own.

straight into the sun...

there was recently a post
and a superhero challenge on
shutter sisters
by andrea of superhero designs
{creator of necklaces i totally covet,
but that is beside the point}

the challenge is to shoot your pictures
into the sun, rather than the usual way...
i believe that the challenge was aimed more
at having people in the photo
and also to actually try for flare
rather than to try to avoid.

i was obsessed with this,
but not with people...
{unfortunately, it is much too cold here
to subject anyone, namely my kids, to an
outdoor photo shoot}
but liked the photos that i got...
i liked them alot.
i love shutter sisters,
i love the encouragement to try something new.
it is interesting to see what kinds of interpretations
come from challenges and suggestions...

looking for clarity.


it is february
and i feel like i have been spinning my wheels
creatively
so far this year.

like i am doing things...vague things...
and yet
not feeling like i am getting anything
accomplished.

this feeling
coupled with reading this and this
and being a part of this but
unsure of how to define it for myself
so that i was doing more than just
saying i was a part of it
{i like things in measureable quanities...
it keeps me accountable}
led me to choose my own word for 2008.

focus.

last year felt like a year of change and growth
for me...i changed my field of employment
and creatively, i spent a lot of time dreaming,
planning, imagining, researching and taking notes.
but this year, i want to focus. i want to begin to do.
i reread what i wrote while journalling about this:

"maybe my word for this year should be FOCUS-
which feels right to me in so many ways-to apply
myself to what i want to do, to narrow down,
to concentrate....and then the whole photography
side of the term appeals to me also. if only i could
stop and focus, perhaps i could do some of those
things that i always have on my list- i need to
stop listing things and get to the action."

that said,
i have decided to make myself accountable
by having saturday be a check in day for me.
i chose saturday because it is the end of the week
and i want it to be a chance to take a tally of my
week, to take inventory of where i am and how
i have been spending my time.

it will become my "tally up" day.

i invite you join me, if you feel so inclined...
i know saturdays are not good for everyone,
and you can choose any day or any way to tally
that you like...but really, i need to do this for me.
i need to be able to go back and say
i have done this...i have tried that...
i have focused on my goals and followed through.

happy saturday!

edited to add: i am in good company with the word focus,
the-talented-and-oh-so-cute-daisies had chosen this word
also in her mondo beyondo manifesto...

friday-i'm-in-love (with other blogs)...


eight want to help me
add a photo
to illustrate today's
friday-i'm-in-love (with other blogs) theme...
how could i resist...
so we bring you
friday-i'm-in-love(with other blogs)
{and with this guy...heehee}

i have found so many blogs lately that have made me feel
just a little crazy...
but in a good way...
so on this friday-i'm-in-love, i give you some links:

-i am not much of a chef/baker/culinary expert in any domain
{as can be attested to by my "once boiled french fries in water" story}
{which will not be shared today and still makes me blush}
but this blog...man...this blog makes me want to cook...and her sense
of humor? and her pictures? and how well she explains it all?
{even for people like me who once deep fried french fries in water}

-for a virtual overload {but really, who can ever get enough?}
of fantastic photos, go here....also has contests, challenges, daily clicks...
beware...you will want to stay!

-i am an idea collector..especially when it come to my kids...and art...
so what could be better than here?

-and last but not least, the one that made me nearly cry
with excitement? i printed off "celebrate february"
and clapped my hands while waiting for the ink to dry...

go forth and visit.
and have a good friday.
actually...
have a great friday...it's the beginning of the weekend, you know.