MFC:: Week 5 (A Week Later)

So I skipped MFC last week. I think I had good reason. It was an all around shit-tastic week, to say the least. Did I mention my dog died on the day before my MIL's funeral? Yea, that happened on top of everything else. I dropped her off in such a rush to get to Texas to be with my family after my MIL passed away from f*cking cancer, there was no proper goodbye. 

My Ruby, my 12 year old red haired, brown eyed rescue mutt died of heart failure, alone and in the kennel...and I feel so guilty and heartbroken. 

Do I sound a little bitter? Sarcastic? Angry? Maybe.

I'm just trying to process and make sense of it all while staying strong and keeping the household running. That's my job. I'm the mom, wife, employee, etc. The caretaker. The organizer. You name it, I need to hold it together. 

But I am still grateful. Despite everything, I try to take a moment every single day (granted, sometimes it's a FORCED moment) to acknowledge my blessings. 

This week I'll keep it to one thing. I am thankful for the eleven years our family got to spend with this girl. 

Ruby Shooby Doo {WE MISS YOU}

blessings 

x

MFC: Week 4

Mid-week Favorites Collection

As much as I didn't want to post MFC this week, I know it's even more important to find at least a few things for which to express one's gratitude - especially in the midst of pain and suffering.

Moon's mom was diagnosed with cancer 3 weeks ago. Not just cancer, an aggressive stage 4 cancer that has attacked brutally in just 2 short months. Friday morning we learned that she was hospitalized for emergency surgery. It's been a challenge trying to maintain "normalcy" at home while worrying like crazy about my extended family 3000 miles away.

~ I am thankful Moon was able to leave work and fly down to his family to lend his support, even when I cannot.

~ Lilacs. I found a sprig of lilacs at the grocer this weekend. It's amazing how smells can trigger such vivid memories. I am reminded of springtime as a child: climbing trees, riding bikes, splashing in mud puddles.

~ Cool Whip cream cheese frosting. Are. You. Freaking. Kidding. Me?

~ Trusting my intuition (for once)...And for that I am heaving a HUGE sigh of relief.

So, tell me something that you are especially thankful for today.

Turning mistakes into gold

Spring has sprung and I'm loving it. Flowers, flowers everywhere! Pretty little delicate subjects to photograph nonstop. Inspiration abounds.

 

So, I finally bit the bullet and purchased Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CS6 software, and cannot wait to begin tinkering with all the photos that have been sitting on my harddrive from my "big girl" camera. Because I have a few (tens of)thousands to go through...

 

And I took (not comfortable using the verb "made") a total of 505 photographs over the weekend, not including the 50+ on my iPhone and 8 polaroids from my vintage SX-70. I think I am happy with, oh I dunno, maybe let's say five photographs in all.

 

FIVE.

 

That's 1%! Is that normal? Or is everyone else out there so much more restrained and selective? Now granted, I am still practicing and learning and experimenting with my DLSR. Between exposure and depth of field and focal length and composition and everything else, I'll cut myself a little slack. I don't delete in camera. I'll use the 99% crappy images to learn from mistakes. At least that's what I am telling myself. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

xo

MFC:: Week 3

Mid-week Favorites Collection

Especially filled with gratitude this week, now that I am back to feeling normal and Bug is over his double-whammy  ear infection and bronchitis.

 

I am grateful for...

~ My new toy! (A vintage Presto! Polaroid Land Camera SX-70, courtesy of Boom Vintage). I can't wait to try it out with a pack of wildly expensive instant film this weekend.

 

~ Mom's Pie's  “Flakey” Apple Boysenberry pie. Totally worth the 2+ hour drive just for a slice, heated with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and wild chamomile tea. OH MY!

 

~ Only 4 months left to go until my next Pearl Jam show. It'll be an epic weekend in Chicago for sure.

 

What are you thankful for this week?

xo

11 years and counting

I had a lovely weekend spent exploring new areas of California for my 11th wedding anniversary, Moon and Bug in tow. ;)

 

The days involved loads of nature, a little bit of shopping, some live music, lots of pie a la mode...and many precious memories. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope your weekend as filled with just as much love and blessings (and pie) as mine was. xo

 

 



MFC:: Week 2

Mid-week Favorites Collection (a day late)

Where in the hell does time go after you turn 40? I mean seriously, another week has passed and it's mind boggling to me! I've been traveling for business this week and completely neglected this blog. So, a day late and a dollar short, here is what I am ohhhhh so grateful for this week.

 

~   Stawberry season is back in Southern California (YES! YES! YES!)

 

~ Discovering more new photography blogs, e-courses and weekly/monthly challenges

 

~   A darn good thrifting haul this week, including a 70's blue Smith-Corona typewriter for $12 and some fun-flirty-floral skirts for spring, a beautifully embroidered linen table cloth for $2.99 and a floral china serving dish for $1.99. YAY, me!

 

~   Morrocan Oil Luminous Hairspray. THE BEST.

 

~   TO BE GOING HOME TODAY. I get to sleep in my own bed.

 

~   Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam.

 

Have a lovely rest of the week. And let me know what you are thankful for this week. Ya know, if you'd like to share...

 

x

The pictures have...

Sometimes life deals you more than you think you can handle. In such trying moments, it's hard to feel hope (let alone see beauty) in much of anything. This is why I am grateful to always have a camera within short reach. Somehow the camera lens manages to discover beautiful moments despite the user's (my) mindset. Even if I can't appreciate the images at the time, at least they are saved to a memory card to reflect upon later.

 

For it's in those later moments that I often find grace and peace and solace. Despite everything else. This is what has the power to pull me back to a better place.  

 

Photography.

MFC:: Week 1

Mid-week Favorites Collection

Despite a sinus infection (me), an ear infection PLUS bronchitus (my son), and an as-yet-undiagnosed major health concern (my MIL), I am taking this opportunity to acknowledge that which I am thankful for this week.

I'M GRATEFUL

~ it's one day closer to a weekend spent at home (so I can catch up on laundry and finally begin the first phase of the great household purge project)

~ for coconut cake and herbal tea

~ for Vintique, DistressedFX, DeluxeFX and the new PicTapGo iPhone photo-editing Apps

~ a little rain is on the way this weekend (to keep me at home to accomplish number 1 on this week's list)

~ for Martha Beck and her magically inspirational books

~ to still have a full season of Downton Abbey to catch up on

~ and last but not least, Pearl Jam

What are you giving thanks for this week?

Just Breathe

A new day has dawned

Let go of the past
Be open to possibilities

Find solace in nature
Capture the moments

Drink the sun's energy

Embrace change 
Listen to your soul
Follow your heart
Trust your intuition

Turn mistakes into gold

Above all else, Yield

Thinking 'bout heaven

 

Two days ago we received word that an acquaintance had suddenly and tragically lost his significant other. While my heart breaks for him, I am also reminded of how very blessed I am. I have my Moon and my two beautiful children. We have our health and the love and support of our extended family and friends across the world. Life is so short and unpredictable. Today I am grateful to have at least one more day to cherish.