5 simple rules to be happy.

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

I was sent this list via email. It is so true.

Silent Night

Best kids ever.

White Christmas

I would rather

be curled up in one of these chairs with a new book beside that incredible fire

Check out the Southern Living article for this image here.

than on my way into the operating room.

Winter Wonderland

I am thankful

...for health
...for happiness
...for memories
...for friends
...for change
...for love
...for you

Your turn.

Must be Santa.

On my mind.

"There is more to life than simply increasing its speed."
~Mahatma Gandhi

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives."
~Annie Dillard

"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time."
~Bertrand Russell

Mary Did You Know?

May you always

What Child is This?

A hippo!

Holiday movies.

A perfectly popped bowl of buttery popcorn.
A cozy blanket and fluffy pillow.
Enough room on the couch for everyone to squish in or everyone curled up snug in their space on our bed.
That's the usual scene we settle into for a holiday movie.

There are favorites.
Rudolf always gets his hour around here. I love the Silver and Gold song sung in this one.
Snow dogs has been on the last few weekends and I gave it a couple of my tears.
As a Tom Hanks fan, The Polar Express is a must for the season. The blustery winds and just bizarre enough animation draw me in every year.
I remember when Home Alone and Home Alone 2 where the hit movies to take in. The turtle doves, the toy store, the fan and feathers and the spider are all very classic.

What are some of your favorite holiday movies?

Baby's First Christmas

Patchwork.

One week today I will be on my way into an operating room for some fixing. After sustaining multiple sports related injuries over many years, my knee isn't working so well. The doctor has a good history and certainly does enough of these fixes that I should be calm.

But I am not. I'm nervous. I'm worried. I'm scared. I haven't been able to say these things out loud. Somehow it seems that giving voice to these thoughts will give them substance, something which I continue to refuse. I continue to struggle with understanding why. In fact, I busy myself with other thoughts to deny this one any attention. But rather than diminish, this worry continues to percolate like a rich dark roast. Drip. Drip. Drip.

I'm hoping recovery will be quick with nothing unusual to report. I'm putting together a rehabilitation plan that involves recovery time and some awesome physio. I'm pretending that focusing on the recovery will mask the worry of the actual procedure.

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear

On my mind.

"Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree."
~Charlotte Carpenter

"It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air."
~W.T. Ellis

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."
~ Oren Arnold

Ding-A-Ling the Christmas Bell

There are some songs that spin my way back . This is one of them.

Mission: December

It's never too late to post a plan. Here's what my ideas were for this month. So far, I'm not doing too bad.

1. Absorb the magic that December is.
2. Rip out a realistic study strategy.
3. Get those books cycled. Put away what needs not be out.
4. Christmas - decide what it's really all about.
5. Get that tree up and d.e.c.o.r.a.t.e.
6. Clothes, move out! Too small toys, you too!
7. Wrap up and reflect.
8. Plan, dream, brainstorm for 2011 and all the promise that it holds.
9. Pray for a smooth surgery.
10. Spice up my locks.
11. Write. Define. Design.
12. Try and finish reading a book.

I'm going to ring out 2011 my style!

Away in a Manger.

Little Drummer Boy

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus

Let's Play# 203

Well, Friday Fillins Christmas Style are up again. This week had me really thinking about the carols. There is also the normal fillins up there as well. You're playing right?

10. YKDADAPAVCACADAB:
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen

11. ISMKSCUTMLN:
I see mommy kissing Santa Claus undeneath the mistltoe last night

12. CSBSDIHS:
City sidewalks busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style

13. HTHASGTTNK:
Hark! The harold angels sing glory to the newborn king.

14. GGROBAR:
grandma got run over by a reindeer (ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITES EVER!!)

15. OHNTSASB:
Oh HolyNight, ths stars are shining brightly

16. AIWFCIMTFT:
I am stumped. What did everyone else come up with?

17. DTTSIAOHOS:
Dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh

18. WTKOOA:
We three kings of orient are

Ave Maria

Do you hear what I hear?

Team Up: December

December was this week's theme. I think Puna and I captured the contrast of the month well in our images.
Puna has a chilly snap from the icy outside.

I went with a warm twinkle from our Christmas tree.

I so look forward to seeing what her and I come up with. Thanks for another fantastic week Puna!
Melody and Megan are having a team up contest challenge. Won't you go over and check it out?

Silver Bells

O Come O Come Emmanuel

Hark The Harold Angels Sing

On my mind.

Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit.
~Baltasar Gacian

With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.
~Keshavan Nair

Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is the true test of moral character.
~Margaret Chase Smith

O Holy Night

Dominic!

Let's Play #202

Three posts in one day! Now this feels more like what I had in mind when i decided to blog.

It's Friday FillIn time and gosh it has been too long since I've played along. To my delightful surprise, there is a new spin on things over there. Quick! Go see what it's all about. I absolutely love Christmas carols.

1. HYAMLC: Have yourself a merry little Christmas

2. TFNTADS: The First Noel the angels did say (or is it sing?)

3. GRYMGLNYD: God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay (or at least that's how I sing it :)

4. ICUAMC: It came upon a midnight clear

5. SNHNAICAIB: Silent night, Holy night, All is calm, All is bright.

6. OTFDOCMTLGTM: On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me

7. DTHWBOHFLLLLLLLL: Deck! The halls with boughs of holly fa la la la la la la la la

8. YBWOYBNC: You better watch out, you better not cry

9. JTTWTLHC: Joy to the world, the Lord has come

Hello December 3.

There are changes afoot. Sorry...I like that word. I think it might stem from my adoration of the movie Ever After or perhaps with The Brothers Grimm tales. Stick around and let me know what you think.
Moving along, today is exam day. It's a monster. Who writes exams on Fridays anyways? Here's hoping. :)
This month is full. Things on the horizon include:

• My missions
• Christmas stuff
• Shout outs
• Happy things
• Music - a carols day until Christmas
• I might even get adventurous and get some photos up
  
  Go out and spread some love. Sparkle. Be.
  

Christmas Shoes

Team Up: Here

This week it was my choice of theme. So HERE it was.
Puna came up with something fun. At a drive through and that employee has got it just right. HERE.

These are my travelling shoes taken at an airport. There was some time between flights and I was having some fun.

HERE.
I am HERE.
I am right HERE.

As always, Puna, thanks for a super fun week. I love how you think on the fly.
Pop over to Melody or Megan's places for some more inspiration.

The Christmas Song

Carol of the Bells

Which way is...

Orienteering by definition is a sport in which contestants race on foot over a course consisting of checkpoints found with the aid of a map and a compass (found here).

It was my favorite part of overnight camping in elementary school. There was something about the wilderness and the quest that excited me. Finding the yellow circle with the various shapes at each location carried such a feeling of accomplishment. Learning to read a compass or better still learning to tell direction by were the sun was in the sky is a life skill that too often we forget to learn now.

One of my favorite cabin adventures was to trek down grown-over pathways to see where they led. Although slightly more modernized now, I still hop on the quad and boot around this twist and that turn, into those pits, through that puddle to see what's on the other side. More than once or twice I have got myself into messes.

One experience was a random excursion down the undeveloped road to the lake on foot. I never could understand why there was no development there. Three quarters of the way down the path, I knew. The ground dropped. Not just little dips and bumps but straight down, land shifted and broke type of falls. Once upon a time these were challenges too juicy to run from. So, laughing in the face of danger and whatever odd creatures could be (including snakes which I am none too fond of), I tripped and scrambled and fought my way down. A few scratches and a bruise or two were nothing compared to the achievement.

When I finally made it through the lost land, I arrived at the lake with soft sand and the symphony only true nature can offer. Standing listening as the lake lapped at the shoreline, seeing the trees laid horizontally in the water but who's roots, though exposed, refused to let go of the pieces of land it grew from, watching the reeds dance in the gentle breeze that whispered 'grow grow!'. Images stored in my memory box of life.

I took off my shoes and meandered along in the ankle deep water knowing that the path home was just a bit over from where I'd arrived. Everything looked different, weathered but untouched by human hand. The calm serenity was a testament to how small we each are and yet, in the same breathe, how big.

Soon, the beaten path revealed itself and home I went. Not even the poison ivy I woke the next day covered in could mar the memory and adventure.

Team up Thursday: Orange

Well good morning Saturday!

This should have been up on Thursday but I seem to be coming up late with everything right now.

The girl in Puna's picture has such a contagious smile. Such a beauty.

My snap this week is of a burning fall sunset during a migration landing. Geese migrate south (smart birds!) to get away from our cold Canadian winters. There is a place here where in the half hour surrounding sunset the birds land on the water to rest for the night. It was such an experience to witness.

Head on over to Melody and Megan for other amazing team up inspiration.

Frozen Fun.

Spring break, 1995/96 school year. A junior high year and the first time I had an equally-adventurous friend at the cabin with me.


It was later in the evening on a Canadian cold March night. The snow glistened under the light of the moon and sparkling stars. We were two girls wanting some fresh air and fun. A short walk to the frozen lake should have been easy. We bundled up in our winter gear and tromped out the door promising to be careful and be back soon.

We chatted all the way down the dark path of evergreens. We talked about boys, friends, forever, the future ahead of us and the world. We talked about how we fit into it or how we moulded it around us. We were quite the pair. Nothing stood in our way. We knew no fear.

Arriving at the lake we found the very familiar lake symphony of the season. Despite the cold and the snow and the puffs of breathe that dissipated into the night's air, we stood listening. A lone owl could be heard in the distance. The lake looked like nature's puzzle with snow drifts painted perfectly in place. The trees swayed in the wind, the odd one shaking the night with a crack announcing its surrender while others were heard groaning in protest.

We breathed in the Earth. We stood silently side by side absorbing the moment...until our adventure set in. It was only a short walk down the frozen lake to the road. Neither of us had had our fill yet so we ventured ahead.

The snow was deep and we kept sinking, cleaning out boot after boot of icy snow. Somewhere we decided to head to the snow-covered ice on the lake. It was March and still frozen. The cold temperatures would surely have preserved the thickness.

We heard cracks and laughed them off as we danced along. Two girls together with no fear and an ounce of insanity. A new sound stopped us. The sound of rushing waters. No. It simply wasn't possible. Rushing water amid the silent snow, surely the cold was getting to us and we'd best be heading home.

We could see the destination road except that it was March and, contrary to our foolish thought, March also means the start of the melt. The melting snow became water raging a war over the icy path we were to take home. We were on high alert but maintaining calmness both knowing that panic would do no good at all. Along the lake we continued expecting to pass the waterfall, find a different way up the bank and then continue back to the road.

We soon found ourselves soaked through and through separated from the road only by the water filled ditch. Ambitious as always, we both thought that a giant leep could clear the water and find us on the right side. Turns out our frog genes failed us that night with both of us landing in the snow and water.

We did make it home and after an absolutely-deserved scolding, we curled around the fire with hot mugs laughing about our experience and crafting the stories we would one day tell.

On my mind.

When you make a promise, you tie yourself to other persons by the unseen fiber of loyalty. You agree to stick with people you are stuck with. When everything else tells them they can count on nothing, they can count on you. When they do not have the faintest notion of what in the world is going on around them, they will know that you are going to be there with them. You have created a small sanctuary of trust within the jungle of unpredictability: you have made a promise that you intend to keep.
~Lewis Smedes

Forgiveness is God's invention for coming to terms with a world in which, despite their best intentions, people are unfair to each other and hurt each other deeply. He began by forgiving us. And He invites us all to forgive each other.
~Lewis Smedes

You can forgive someone almost anything. But you cannot tolerate everything...We don't have to tolerate what people do just because we forgive them for doing it. Forgiving heals us personally. To tolerate everything only hurts us all in the long run.
~Lewis Smedes

I just learned of this person and am humbled by his wisdom.

Recap - Mission: October

So November has snuck in. Here's how October shaped up.

Paint another wall. I did not. There is a whole long cold winter ahead though. I'm also having commitment issues happening with one of the selected colours. Not a good thing.
Get on study track. I'm getting there. I have solid study time on the list with time blocked out exclusively for it. One month to exam. Buckle up and let's go!
Celebrate the beautiful fall weather. We did. I don't recall ever spending so much time out in the yard in the fall with the kids.
Run through a pile of leaves. I most definitely did and more than once. We would rake up a pile and then barrel through it to see how much of a mess we could make. Then hubby took them all away.
Prepare lesson plans through December. They are not concrete but I've been mind mapping ideas.
Grab some ideas for the city that never sleeps. Have I ever!
Get a family picture. Any takers?
Take pictures of family. Truthfully, October gets a FAIL for photos. I need to stop being so scared again of the camera. Click away! Click like crazy!!
Scrapbook a 2011 dream book. I love it. I used earthy colours, rich greens, sandy shades and dark browns. Yes please.
Print off an e-course. I am continuing with this.
Purge furniture. YES! YES! there is still more to go but at least some of the bigger pieces are gone.
Reclaim the laundry room. I let the laundry claim me. Blah.
Remove some plastic from the house. I believe by plastic I meant the annoying riding toys that I am sure to one day break my leg with. They are still in my way. They are still waiting to be purged.
Start thinking about Christmas. Get the postal mailing cut offs. I got the cut offs and I missed the international ground shipping one. Air mail!
Read a book for me. Rather peculiar on this one. I did read a book for me. This one. I must've read the first few chapters three times thinking I've read this already. Turns out I hadn't, I've just read this author so much that her characters feel like friends at the dinner table.

On my mind.

It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else.
~Erma Bombeck

No dreams come true until you wake up and go to work.
~Anonymous

When a dream takes hold of you, what can you do? You can run with it, let it run your life, or let it go and think for the rest of your life about what might have been.
~Patch Adams

Running...

Like a kook.
Trying to catch up.
Just one step ahead today would be nice.
I'm all for detours but this is getting to be too much.
There is an intensity that is just a sliver more than what I can take.

I know. I know.

I'm a big Vampire Diaries fan. I saw this video and am over the top excited about it.

Team Up Thursday: Fall

Puna is one of the most marvelous people I know. She continues to offer me comfort as I struggle through a trying time.

Puna's take this week rings deep for me. I have been surrounded by death over the last 10 days. For me, I see in her image that one green tree still vibrant and standing strong amid the others that have surrendered to the changing season.

For mine, I see the beautiful puppy desperate for love and the crinkled leaves on the grass. Fall. Fall in love.

Share in the love over at Melody's and Megan's.

I'll sing what i want.

i love this one. i grew up with this one. bob your head and play it now with me!

Mission: October

10th month. 4th day. 2010 year.

1. Paint another wall.
2. Get on study track.
3. Celebrate the beautiful fall weather.
4. Run through a pile o leaves.
5. Prepare lesson plans through December.
6. Grab some ideas for the city that never sleeps.
7. Get a family picture.
8. Take pictures of family.
9. Scrapbook a 2011 dream book.
10. Print off an e-course.
11. Purge furniture.
12. Reclaim the laundry room.
13. Remove some plastic from the house.
14. Start thinking about Christmas. Get the postal mailing cut offs.
15. Read a book for me.

15 missions and but 27 days to spin them out. I love this season of thankfulness, this season of family and this season of change. October, let's savour a few more lazy days.

Neither I am.

I am all about this song right now. The lyrics are so true.
Take this gremlins! Who made you king of anything??

Clap..clap clap...clap

La la la la lola.

I might not know very much about my ipod but I can sure spin out some mean tricks on you tube. Sing with me now!

Sit with me.

I'm doing this today...if only in my mind. Are you with me?

Can anybody tell me

what happened to my Amanda Marshall collections album? I have the case but not the disc. Oddly enough my Nirvana incesticide disc is in this case. I can report that I can't remember listening to the Nirvana album in at least 10 years. Perhaps someone can form a theory on the art of disappearing discs.
The You're Beautiful collection album is MIA as is Disc 1 of my Best of Italy collection which has on it L'italiano. I can happily report that the case is in my hot hands, though.
While I'm on this kick, LISA I have the case for Lady Gaga The Fame Monster. Is this the disc that might have lost itself inside your car? If so, I'll send the case. They belong together. And, dear sister, while we're having this one side convo on my blog, any chance you know where the box of discs that used to be mine then became yours then went into hiding is? I might need to seek for it. For the record, I'm not interested in playing the hot and cold game for this one.

On my mind.

It is wise to keep in mind that neither success nor failure is ever final.
~Roger Babson

A 'No' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.
~Gandhi

Playing it safe is the riskiest choice we can ever make.
~Sarah Ban Breathnach

You again.

What are the gremlins doing back in my brain? I know better than to listen to them. I know how to shut them up. I know how to chase them away. I know how they are just trying to stop me from pushing forward. I know how to persevere.
But for today, they are yelling louder than I can take.
They demand to be heard.
They are commanding to be at the forefront of my vision.
So, dear gremlins, shut the fuck up!

What is...

creativity?
I'm grappling with this concept today, this week, this month.
Is it:
picking up a brush and painting the Mona Lisa or the Sistine Chapel?
grabbing pencils and sketching a self portrait?
being ridiculously depressed and declaring yourself in a "period" of some sort?
folding pretty paper cranes?
writing a twisted and beautiful story printed in mass form?
penning simple words on card stock and tying them together in a hand bound album?
cutting out snips and snaps of paper and piecing it all together?
grabbing a camera and seeing the world in digital or print?
...
is it simply sharing a piece of who you are regardless of what anyone else thinks or says?

Puna gets to do a lot of flying. She's married to a pilot! A PILOT! It looks like she was in my kind of plane in her picture. Something large and stable, something where the windows don't open to let the air in, something where the light comes on telling you to fasten your seat belt and the staff review the safety measures prior to take off.


My image was taken while flying in a tiny four seater plane built by the man who piloted it. I sat white knuckled gripping both the seat and my camera (because we all agree that the photo is what we need right?) Those tall buildings are the downtown of my city. Puna says I'm kinda crazy (if she only knew!). What can I say? When my little boy took me by the hand and said, 'Let's go, Mom,' I just had to. While I may never have tried this on my own, I'd love the opportunity to go again. Maybe Puna, someday you and me?
Be sure to skip over to Melody and Megan for some more fantastic pairings.

Today.

It feels like just yesterday I was rushing to finish writing my speech, frantically showering, hoping I hadn't forgotten anything and praying.
It feels like just yesterday that I woke after 3 hours of restless sleep eager to get ready and take your hand forever.
It feels like just yesterday that I walked down the aisle holding my Daddy's arm and felt the world melt away as he handed me to you.
It feels like just yesterday that I fell in love.

Happy Anniversary Gorgeous!
Thank you for all the years of love and beauty and all the ones that are yet to be.

What's out your window #1.

Puna has started up a pretty neat picture project. It's called What's out your window? Skip over to her blog for all the details and some great inspiration.That beautiful brick building I stare at every day was opened in 1913. While some people would go bonkers with this view I love it. Those bricks are the canvas on which my daydreams are painted.

Sad confession.

We got hermit crabs for the kidlets. In the beginning they were fantastic. Generally speaking hermit crabs are low maintenance pets and relatively inexpensive to maintain. They were happily active and entertaining to watch scuttle about the terrarium. Watching them eat is fascinating. I even witnessed one change its shell.
I have diligently followed the instructions for care.
I have managed to kill three.
We will not be owning hermit crabs again.
RIP.

Team Up Thursday: Work

This week it is work.
Puna went with old school, hard core, there you have it kind of work.

I went with a daunting task of make up application which for me takes a lot of effort and is something I rarely do often because of this.

Our pictures together make me think of The Pioneer Woman.

Skip on over to Melody and Megan for some more great takes and links to others playing along.

Hello Short Week.

Starting up after the last long weekend of summer seems a bit too slow today. I'm not ready and it took me all of the weekend to realize that I could use a few more days of lazy summer.
An exciting meeting this evening will hopefully help realign my thoughts and kick my slug butt into the swing of this cool season. I wonder if I haven't just over booked for the week and so am dragging my feet instead of clicking together my heels. C'mon September, next to May, you're my favorite.
Motivation is what I'm brewing today. What about you?

Today I...

am enjoying the beauty of a crisp fall day kissed with the sun.

am whipping things in gear with a fresh list of do's - need to's, want to's and should.

will update the calendar with all the adventure for the coming month.

am whispering a sad goodbye to a plant that has called it a day.

will move furniture.

want to love every minute I have.

am brewing a nice warm cup of this tea.

wish my Nonno the happiest of birthdays.

need to kick things into gear.

Let's Play # 192.

Go here and see who else is playing along. Make sure to check out the picture posted with this week's fill in's. I really like it!

1. Family _is the centre of my world___.

2. __I'm rocking my baby___ back and forth.

3. I love a _good cup of tea____.

4. __Something baked and delicious fresh out of the over___ makes a good meal.

5. I've got the __itch___

6. __Studying___: wth!!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __swallowing up the last few pages of my book___, tomorrow my plans include __visiting an open house___ and Sunday, I want to __rest and recharge___!

Team Up Thursday: Selective Focus

Fun week for team up this was. Selective focus. I get the obvious. Buttery backgrounds, soft around the edges, sometimes obvious sometimes not. Puna and I seem to have taken a different spin.
Here is Puna's snap. The first thing I thought was how awesome the colours of the buckets are.
Make sure you hop over to her blog, too. Check out her September banner. Awesome!

My selective focus came when I was walking through the woods. There was soft wet mushy moss carpeting the forest floor. Mushrooms were popping up here and there. New little trees were scattered about and trees were down showing me the natural cycle of life. Then I saw it. That plastic green that stood out. Looking from my camera perspective all I kept thinking was "one of these things doesn't belong". SNAP! My selective focus.
Be sure to visit Megan and Melody for some more great submissions. Hat's off to these ladies for the ideas and encouragement week after week!

Sexy September.

There are a whole slew of things happening I can barely keep it all straight.
Let's just focus for a moment on today. Only today.

My summer course final exam is this evening. I could use just a bit of luck. I've really put serious effort into this class and am now entering pre-exam panic mode. Shake the jitters away with me please!

The fabulous Kal is kicking off her Nurturing Your Creativity + Be Bulletproof course and I think more info is coming today to registered people. I'm in for the slow & steady. Are you? *note to me: this officially starts on Sept 13. be ready!*


Goddess Leonie rolls out her super circle sensation today. Check out what she's offering here.

I came across this challenge and couldn't resist. Why not add more to the overflowing cup and fill myself with things that I'm passionate about? Go check out 750words.com. It's a challenge to write but you don't have to be a writer.

And, I'm a Tink fan. The newest movie is out today. I must find time to snap up some of this magic. Come to think of it, I might go on a mini-mission to find some exam fairy dust...



This month is full and my heart is over flowing. Hello September, hello sweet routine life. Oh, I've missed you!

Dance with me.

It's their song. Today, I'm thinking of them.

On my mind.

When the world says, "Give up," hope whispers, "Try it one more time".
~Unknown

A problem well described is half solved.
~John Dewey

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.
~Chinese Proverb

Rounding out.

August is on it's way out. WHAT! Already?
I'm stealing away for a weekend of wonder. It will include some seriously inspiring publications, buckling down with some much needed study time, fresh air, a cool breeze, open windows, and whatever other fun finds me.
Watch out! I'm on the loose.

Team Up Thursday: Old

Puna is the best partner on the planet. This week, she editted up my image. My computer with PS died. It's going to be a bit yet before I'm up and running again.

Here is Puna's shot this week. I wish I could have a converation with this lady. I can only imagine what wisdom she walks with.

My snap is of a building that was built in 1890 and is still standing. The top three floors of the building burnt in a fire in the 1940's but the foundation stood solid.

Melody and Megan have some awesome images and more wonderful contributions over on their blogs. Pay them a visit.

Until next week!

Team up Thursday - Big

Hello Thursday!
I'm on vacation and am definitely behind the ball.
This is Puna's idea of Big. Whoa! This one stopped me clean in my tracks. Big. My God certainly is the biggest thing. Such a perfect view. Thanks Puna!

For me, Big this week is meant the tree in front of my house. It's branches stretch high up into the sky and remind me just how little we are.

Puna, thanks for returning me to this moment this week. I will carry your image from this week in my mind for a long time.
Skip over and see some more Team Up amazement at Melody's or Megan's blogs.

Realigning.

I'm on vacation.
I'm putting some serious time into aligning my values, my beliefs and my passions with the way I live my life. When was the last time you gave these things a thought?

On my mind.

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.
~Lou Holtz

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
~Walt Disney

The most terrifying thing to accept is oneself completely.
~Carl Jung

Music.

Jim Brickman is absolutely brilliant.

I am lost in the haunting beauty of the piano.

Let's Play #189.

Go here for Friday Fill-in details.

1. Music __is essential to my life___.

2. __Happy___ is what I like first thing in the morning.

3. The first thing I said this morning was: __lightening ___.

4. __Delicious something___; it's what's for dinner tonight.

5. It's all been __a blast.___

6. __Curling up on the couch with my current book___ is what I feel like doing right now.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __wrapping up a work week___, tomorrow my plans include __house cleaning___ and Sunday, I want to ___rest__!

Kid again.

On my mind.

A ship is safe in harbour, but that's not what ships are for.
~William Shedd

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk.
~Doug Larson

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
~e.e. cummings

Team up Thursday: Up

Those brilliant ladies behind Mental Inventory and The Hip Momma's Journal did it again. Another fabulous week of inspiration. Spread the love! Make sure you check out their topic for next week, too. I can't wait!

Here is Puna's shot. This lady just amazes me more and more. Not only does she duck into kitchens to snap quick pics and get down low to breathe in the Earth's beauty, she knows how to go with larger than life. Where better to do this than in Las Vegas? (I'm heading there in November for my first time. Any tips?)

My shot is one of the four pillars that stands tall at our city centre. I am fortunate enough to work among these monsters, though not in the one featured here. All those windows, all those floors.
I can't help but give a quick shout out to the window washers of these places. Just the thought makes my knees weak. I admire what they are able to do.

Puna, thank you for partnering with me. I can't wait to see what next week shakes up! Melody and Megan, thank you both for the challenge.

On my mind.

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
~Mahatma Gandhi

Courage is knowing what not to fear.
~Plato

There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.
~Deepak Chopra

Theme music.

One of my favorites.

Check this out!

The incredible, kind, gentle Puna of Life Signatures, world voyager, sensational photographer, writer with wit and wisdom, my Team-Up Thursdays partner, is hosting a giveaway. You read that right. A GIVEAWAY! It's super simple to enter. Go to this post on her blog and read about the details. This one is way too good to miss.
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Hello Love - Family.

This is me and my sister. I picked her name and that was just the start of this Hello Love. We've tilted the Earth in its axis more than once. We know how to fight and good. Just ask Mom (who always pretends not to get in the middle but does). More importantly we know love - Love each other, Love family, Love life.
She lives far away with my sensational brother-in-law. When I kidnap her she can come home and visit, we thread together the moments that make the memories and make our family. This is my Hello Love - Family.

P.S. Can you guess who's older by 5 years? It's a game we always play.

Team Up Thursday: Doors

The lovely ladies behind Mental inventory and the Hip Momma's Journal do not disappoint. This has been another sensational week of inspiration. Thanks ladies!

Puna was brave with her snap. She peeked into a kitchen door and turned out a beauty. There is such a story in the activity of the shot. Don't you agree? Puna, I admire your images. Thank you for another super week.

My snap is of my front door - a favorite place of mine. We bought this home off the people who built it and I can only imagine the stories of people who came and went through that very door.

Happy Snapping!

Let's Play #186.

It's Friday Fillins time! You're playing, too, right?

1. I feel __thankful it is the weekend___.

2. __I'm running___ to catch up.

3. Do __everything with your heart__.

4. ___I am __ completely unique.

5. It's hard to know how much __you can give until you try___

6. __The cat runs and the dog___ follows suit.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __some productive study time___, tomorrow my plans include ___a dragonfly festival__ and Sunday, I want to __enjoy the sun___!

My mother.

It's her birthday today.

Michael Jordan said it best when he said My mother is my root, my foundation. She planted the seed that I base my life on, and that is the believe that the abilty to achieve stars in your mind.

Thanks for everything that's been and everything that's to come, Mom!

Thank you.

Always remember the power you have with your ability to say thank you.
Never be too proud to say it.

Celebrate!

This week's topic was great! Puna was at the lake celebrating summer and her shot is of the kids she had there celebrating, too. Mine is of a sensational celebration of a tiny little new addition a shake early but healthy. I find it amusing that both of us have children featured in our Celebration photos.
Thanks so much for playing along Puna!
Without further ado...
Puna's:

Mine:

Go shout out some love over at Mental Inventory or The Hip Momma's Journal. Megan and Melody are the masterminds behind partnering people up and encouraging everyone to stretch just a little more.
Are you playing along?

Independence Day.

Happy 4th of July!

Teach me.

Have a go at this video. Do you remember?

On my mind.

Run your fingers through my soul. For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once, just once, understand.
~Unknown

I wanted a perfect ending. Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems dont rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what is going to happen next.
~Gilda Radner

Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise.
~Paul Engle

Let's Play #183.

It certainly has been a while since I'm played along with Friday Fill-ins. Are you playing?

1. When it's quiet ____my soul whispers to me_________.
2. ___Let's see what happens______ in what seems like a month.
3. My heart is _____inspired_____.
4. ______This is going to be a fantastic_______ July.
5. In the town where I was born _____there are none quite like me_________.
6. ____The way he knows how to make me laugh____ is something I really love about my significant other / friend.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __some r&r___, tomorrow my plans include __a textbook tango___ and Sunday, I want to __sip cold iced tea in the back yard___!

Missions: July

For me, July always marks a kind of summer kick off. No school, long lazy days, cold drinks and lots of laughs.

Seven mission points for the seventh month of the year.

1. Find the laundry lush and kick its ass.
2. Figure out my flower patch.
3. Dive head first into happiness.
4. Learn something new.
5. Launch nofilmphotos.blogspot.com
6. Mind map.
7. Organize my workbooks, articles, info collective binders.

Happy Summer! Make yours sensational.

Big big big

dreams. That's what I have for this little place on the web of mine. C'mon World! Let's have fun together.

Where do you go or what do you do when you know you're just starting to break the shell away?

Team Up Thursday - Chaos

Well well well!

Imagine this one. The subject we had for this week was chaos. It would only be fitting that I am very late in getting this post up.

Puna's pic is on the right, mine is on the left. I agree with what Puna says, life marches on.

Go shout out some love over at Mental Inventory or The Hip Momma's Journal.

Today...

...is a day I can smile.
...is a day I can frown.
...is a day I can be me.
...is a day I can be moulded by you.
...is a day I can make a difference.
...is a day I can follow the crowd.
...is a day where I decide.
...is a day you should, too.

This moment.

There is a world of talk alive with living in the moment. Being in the here and now and documenting for tomorrow what is happening this instant has become a way of life. Today, I stepped back from the moment.
I looked past the heat and the escalation of frustration and took a rejuvenating, long, deep, breath. I swallowed the fresh wet air and absorbed the warm breeze into my soul. I wondered if the moment I stopped was the very one I was meant to embrace or if the one I was creating was mine to be. I thought of many ways in which chaos manages to infuse itself into the moments. I wonder about the choices we are each present and if our responses aren't the exact deciding factors of how it turns out.
My mind sailed away over the oceans of generations from which I descend. I thought of the dead. In their time, where were they in the moment? Was my paternal grandmother, whom I met but never knew, planning what canning would be prepared with the summer harvest? Was my maternal great-grandmother collecting what she could to provide for hungry children with a husband away at war? Did these roots on my family tree live exclusively in the moment or did they reflect back and dream ahead? Am I the very creation of whispers and wishes they released from their hearts?
Oddly enough or perhaps not odd at all, I couldn't recall what had caused the initial frustrations that warranted this redirection, this reestablished moment. I am excited for the next time one chances upon me.
I encourage you to take a moment and stop.

Welcome Summer!

It's nice of you to officially be here. Let's agree to make this year spectacular. You bring the weather, I'll bring the fun.
What are you bringing to summer this year?

The very best.

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.
~Clarence Budington Kelland

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

On My Mind.

When we act under the influence of negative thoughts and emotions, we become oblivious to the impact our actions have on others.

In the biggest sense, environmental education means learning to maintain a balanced way of life.

To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself s more useful than to be aware of a thousand in someone else.

~all quotes by Dalai Lama

On my mind.

Try and fail, but don't fail to try.
~Stephen Kaggwa

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
~Ambrose Redmoon

The most difficult phase of life is not when no one understands you; it is when you don't understand yourself.
~Author Unknown

On my mind.

The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places.
~Author Unknown

When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.
~Author Unknown

Another one done.

It was ferocious, the exam, that is. One day I'd like to understand how the questions that make it onto these papers are conjured up. But not today.
I'm jumping feet first into the next course. Here's hoping for a bit of a breather.

Minutes or moments?

Too often this week I have caught myself watching the minutes tick along.
This evening I halted the clock and lived in the moment.
A warm cup of tea, a plate of nibblies, an incredible friend and a great conversation. That was exactly the infusion of Life that I needed.
What are you counting?

Get it?

There is an exam fast approaching.
There is a a person who isn't ready.
Get what I'm saying?

Mega Missions: Year 28

I spent the month of May stewing over my mega missions for the year. I'm trying to be balanced. Let's see how it goes.

1. Listen to more music than I watch TV.
2. Shop weekly for needs and only seasonally for wants.
3. Focus on the goal.
4. Create a seasonal vision board.
5. Pray more still.
6. See more of the lake.
7. Swallow more stories.
8. Be techie (read: learn how to use my ipod).
9. Clean out the closet.
10. Snap a self portrait a month.
11. Walk when my brain needs to recharge.
12. Pull back the reigns (read: learn to say no).
13. Be artistic.
14. Tackle one house reno.
15. Let's do another dinner party.
16. Pen a personal writing piece every month.
17. Take two online courses for me.
18. Write my mantra.
19. Research things I want to know more about.
20. Get together with one friend every month.
21. Learn to bake a perfect cookie.
22. Organize and prioritize.
23. Do something with the ridiculous furniture.
24. Paint the walls (read: find and hire a good painter).
25. Take a holiday.
26. Eat breakfast.
27. Be true to me.
28. Lighten up.

See you again!

May, I'm not ready to see you leave yet I more than understand Time waits for no one.
There will be May posts that I missed coming up in June.
Let's make this happen.
Raise a glass and toast with me:
An amazing month.
An amazing set of memories.
Cheers, Month of May!

Today.

Good Morning, Monday.
Let's do this together.
xo, me

Team Up Thursday: Out of Focus.

What an absolutely fantastic challenge this week. Sometimes it is exactly these shots that resonate most with me.

Three cheers to Megan and Melody for a great choice!

Here is Puna's:

Puna has such a sensational eye for detail. She sees things in such a unique way that I am fascinated by. She makes me want to pick a full bouquet of those tiny white beauties to keep in my kitchen.

Thank you for being my partner. Go see her over at Life Signatures.

And here is mine:

It is SOOC. A first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Oh, I have ideas of how I am going to edit this one. It couldn't have been snapped any more perfect for me.
Until next week...Cheers!

On my mind.

We don't see the things the way they are. We see things the way WE are.
~Talmund

Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.
~Elizabeth Bibesco

It isn't what the book costs. It's what it will cost you if you don't read it.
~Jim Rohn

On my mind.

Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.
~H. Jackson Brown

Maybe our favorite quotations say more about us than about the stories and people we're quoting.
~John Green

Think like a man of action, and act like a man of thought.
~Henri L. Bergson

Let's Play #175.

Just go over and see Janet. Play along.

1. Salsa and ______sour cream_______.
2. ___A hot dog______ and you've even got mustard.
3. By the time I get home ____i should be just about ready for bed______.
4. _____Fresh fruit________ is what I look forward to most when grocery shopping.
5. And I was dreaming ____a little dream of you__________.
6. ___Love_____...is there anything else better?!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __textbook tango___, tomorrow my plans include __a celebration___ and Sunday, I want to __enjoy every minute___!

Team Up Thursday: Friends

That was the focus this week. Puna and I came up with some pretty different takes this week. What about you? Aren't you playing along? Megan over at Mental Inventory and Melody the HipMomma spun this one together. I'm sure either could help set you up with a partner.

Without further ado, Puna's image:

And mine:
Fish are something that come in and out of this house like the seasons. They last for a while and then float away to another world. One day I would love to have a gigantic tank filled with colourful little creatures that float along seemingly oblivious. Until then, I will settle for the tiny tank on the counter. These two beauties are Goldie and Sharpie, named by my super son. Can you guess which is which?

5 things.

There are five things that can't be recovered in life:
1 - the stone...after it is thrown
2 - the word...after it is said
3 - the occasion...after it is missed
4 - the time...after it is gone
5 - a person...after they die

I was sent this in an email and it has been weighing on my mind.
What are you thinking today?

On my mind.

Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.
~John Jakes

I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about.
~Oscar Wilde

Fiction is the truth inside the lie.
~Stephen King

Write without pay until somebody offers to pay.
~Mark Twain

I'm a what?!

A mini soccer ball, originally uploaded by mickbab.

Soccer coach.

The title immediately throws me back to my childhood. My dad became my coach after a slightly blurry phone call came in when he was half asleep. I can still see him nodding along with the voice on the line and muttering the occasional yup, uh huh, and OK.
He was greatness. Perhaps it was because he had two girls, perhaps it is just the person that he is but he advocated for us. He knew there were things girls needed that were different than boys (longer shorts, for starters). His first year coaching quickly shed light to the unfairness that us girls faced in an otherwise male dominated sport. There were some coaches that would bench the girls for full games at a time. It's no wonder they took to playing in clover. Dad spearheaded the business case for implementing a girls only league. He continued to coach and became a convener for the district as well as a board member for the community centre. Talk about a plate full.

I got the call about a month ago. It was a quiet Saturday evening. I was buried in a fantastic book when the phone rang. It took a few moments of convincing from the convener but Coach Kristina was born. My son is ecstatic. I am nervous. A team full of mini people all turning to me for direction and no real qualifications or prior experience makes for trepidation. One thing I am sure of is that I want to be that parent - that parent that is involved. Maybe this is another way for me to make a difference in this world.

Fast forward to this evening. It has been raining all weekend. It is cold. The wind feels like one from October and not one for May. The ground is soppy wet. The club scheduled a coaching clinic for newbies. Naively thinking it would be held inside, I dressed light - a pair of jeans, t-shirt and light sweater. Imagine my frozen ass doing a shuffle dance trying to stay warm as we stood in the rain on the field learning the three basic elements of the game and simple drills to entertain the mini mites.

Coaching lesson #1 - Always come prepared for the weather.

Recap: Mega Missons Year 27

May is my favorite month of the year.
Last year, I posted 27 things I wanted to tackle before turning 28. Here's how I did:

Keep things simple. They were simple enough.
Create a worry box. I haven't yet. I still want to.
Master my cappuccino maker. You bet I did. I can make one mean latte.
Pray. I'm still learning. More important is that now I do.
Give from the heart. I did and I continue to.
Make one major investment. If the bathroom reno doesn't count for this one, I'm not sure what does. I can't even begin to pretend the reno was what I had in mind last year when I wrote this but fate would have it this way.
Buy no more than 15 new books. I might have bought more. I didn't keep track.
Host a dinner party. It was at Christmas and it was absolutely wonderful.
Take a trip. I did! It was a quick hop for a day to another city but it was further than I thought I would make it.
Print a book. It was a photobook for my amazing sister. Blurb is awesome!
Teach a workshop. I let my gremlins win. I got too nervous about not being able or ready or qualified. I'm working these things through.
Plant a flower bed. Too bad I didn't think to snap a picture. I'm excited to see this year which of my perennials made it through the winter.
Lose 10 pounds. I have and then some. I'm comfortable in my body. I'm working with what I have.
Find work that I love. I enjoy what I do and I'm thankful to have a job.
Inventory my library. This one might take a whole life! I've started over at http://www.goodreads.com/. It's a great site!
Spend time outdoors. I'll take a woot woot on this one. We were even outdoors in drizzle. It was fantastic.
Build a sand castle. I didn't. We didn't go to the beach once.
Make ME space. I'm still working out the details. I did post about a few ideas for a dream space back in January.
Read at least one book per month. I know I read seven in one month (and they weren't mini 100 page nothings either) but I can't say I was diligent on one per month.
Jump in a pile of leaves. See, we raked the fall leaves this spring. The pile was gunky and slimy and just an ounce too nasty for me.
Eat healthier. I'm still trying although I've improved my eating habits from what they were.
Take a self-portrait every month. Try again next year.
Scrapbook. I've put a few pages together for our albums. I'd like to do more.
Break a habit or change a routine. Down to the wire on this one. I'm still trying.
Develop and stick to a budget. Right. Right. A budget.
Write. Ink to paper. I've come leaps and bounds with this. I'm even taking a writing course right now for ME. I love this.
Keep progress notes about this list. Mentally, I was in check.

Let's rock out 28! Day 1 was great.

Happy Birthday to me.