- Be the change you want to see in the world. -Gandhi
- Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness. -James Thurber
- When the power of love over comes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimmi Hendrix
- All you need is love. - John Lennon
- It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. - Henry David Thoreau
- There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle. - Albert Einstein
- It's not until you become a mother that your judgement slowly turns into compassion and understanding. - Erma Bombeck
- No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. -Eleanor Rosevelt
- Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. - Dalai Lama
- Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr.Seuss
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Ten Favorite Quotes
Here are ten of my favorite quotes. These quotes mean something to me right now, but as I grow and change through the stages of my life so do my favorite quotes. So for today, these are my top ten:
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Boy is A Teen
The boy celebrated his 13th birthday this week. Because it was a big milestone, we got him a bigger gift than we normally would. A PS3! 
He was pretty excited about it, until he realized it was an empty box. We had set it up the night before, so he could play games with his buddies after school.
"T" for teen!
I love this picture of him. So happy and sweet. No teen angst here.
Blow em out, make a wish buddy!
The pokemon cake that he requested in JUNE! We had this at his family and friends party. He had five boys sleep over, and the family came for pizza and cake.
After he opened his gifts, we made him stand on a chair, make a speech and cheer, "I'm a big kid now!" He seemed pleased with this (but look at his sister in the background - NO WAY would she be caught doing that!)
He was pretty excited about it, until he realized it was an empty box. We had set it up the night before, so he could play games with his buddies after school.
"T" for teen!
I love this picture of him. So happy and sweet. No teen angst here.
Blow em out, make a wish buddy!
The pokemon cake that he requested in JUNE! We had this at his family and friends party. He had five boys sleep over, and the family came for pizza and cake.
After he opened his gifts, we made him stand on a chair, make a speech and cheer, "I'm a big kid now!" He seemed pleased with this (but look at his sister in the background - NO WAY would she be caught doing that!)
365 Project October 12 - 21
October 12 - Dried Lace
October 13 - Mum's Buds - I love the bokeh in this picture. I have also been playing around with some new ideas in my editing. I added noise to this picture to give it an old effect.
October 14 - Birthday Cupcakes - Wishing my son a happy birthday. Welcome to the teen years buddy. Where did the years go?
October 15 - Pink and Blue Clouds - Today we had a birthday party for Josh. I stepped outside and saw these clouds. Of course, I ran back inside to get my camera, but I got sidetracked. By the time I came back out, the clouds we not nearly as vibrant, but still pretty cool.
October 16 - Weekly self portrait - Gangsta edition
October 17 - Down the Drain - Do you ever get the feeling that your life is going down the tubes? Our lives have been kind of crazy lately. We have been going 100 miles an hour helping Grandma cope with aging. So when the bathroom sprung a leak today, it felt overwhelming to say the least. On the bright side, the ugly bathroom is finally getting an update.
October 13 - Mum's Buds - I love the bokeh in this picture. I have also been playing around with some new ideas in my editing. I added noise to this picture to give it an old effect.
October 14 - Birthday Cupcakes - Wishing my son a happy birthday. Welcome to the teen years buddy. Where did the years go?
October 15 - Pink and Blue Clouds - Today we had a birthday party for Josh. I stepped outside and saw these clouds. Of course, I ran back inside to get my camera, but I got sidetracked. By the time I came back out, the clouds we not nearly as vibrant, but still pretty cool.
October 16 - Weekly self portrait - Gangsta edition
October 17 - Down the Drain - Do you ever get the feeling that your life is going down the tubes? Our lives have been kind of crazy lately. We have been going 100 miles an hour helping Grandma cope with aging. So when the bathroom sprung a leak today, it felt overwhelming to say the least. On the bright side, the ugly bathroom is finally getting an update.
October 18 - Iconic - I used my get out of jail free card today and got McDonald's for supper. What is with the half full box of fries? 
October 19 - Think Positive - The sidewalk outside of the kids school was decorated with anti bullying messages. Reading these messages, made me feel uplifted.
October 20 - Escape - Sam keeps "forgetting" that he is an indoor cat. It seems that lately, every time the door opens, he makes a run for it, only to make a U-turn at the bottom of the front step.
October 21 - Weekly self portrait - Fall Feet
October 19 - Think Positive - The sidewalk outside of the kids school was decorated with anti bullying messages. Reading these messages, made me feel uplifted.
October 20 - Escape - Sam keeps "forgetting" that he is an indoor cat. It seems that lately, every time the door opens, he makes a run for it, only to make a U-turn at the bottom of the front step.
October 21 - Weekly self portrait - Fall Feet
My Most Valuable Lesson
Everyone has a story.
I have said this a thousand times. I am sure it is the beginning of most of my lectures. It is the most valuable lesson that I have learned. It is the lesson that I want my children to keep in their minds and hearts when they go out in the world.
Everyone has a story.
Too quickly, almost impulsively, we judge. If we all just slowed down and opened our minds and our hearts, we would see that we are more alike than different. If we could remember that everyone has a story, the world would have more compassion, empathy, sympathy, acceptance and gratitude - and less judgement, ignorance and conflict.
I believe that conflicts are simply misunderstandings. When we stop and listen to someones story, we understand. When we understand, a conflict simply dissolves into different points of view. If we are aware of another person's point of view, then we can learn, we can grow and we can empathize. It is when we listen to another persons story with an open mind and heart, that we are able to agree to disagree and work out compromises. Conflicts are impossible to solve with a narrow mind.
As important as it is to look at one another with an open mind, it is just as important that we look inwards. We must learn to be gentle and honest with ourselves. Why are we acting or reacting to a situation negatively? What must we be willing to see or feel about our own story in order to accept ourselves and how we deal with stressful situations?
Everyone has a story. I believe that if we could just remember this, our homes, communities and the world would be a better place.
I have said this a thousand times. I am sure it is the beginning of most of my lectures. It is the most valuable lesson that I have learned. It is the lesson that I want my children to keep in their minds and hearts when they go out in the world.
Everyone has a story.
Too quickly, almost impulsively, we judge. If we all just slowed down and opened our minds and our hearts, we would see that we are more alike than different. If we could remember that everyone has a story, the world would have more compassion, empathy, sympathy, acceptance and gratitude - and less judgement, ignorance and conflict.
I believe that conflicts are simply misunderstandings. When we stop and listen to someones story, we understand. When we understand, a conflict simply dissolves into different points of view. If we are aware of another person's point of view, then we can learn, we can grow and we can empathize. It is when we listen to another persons story with an open mind and heart, that we are able to agree to disagree and work out compromises. Conflicts are impossible to solve with a narrow mind.
As important as it is to look at one another with an open mind, it is just as important that we look inwards. We must learn to be gentle and honest with ourselves. Why are we acting or reacting to a situation negatively? What must we be willing to see or feel about our own story in order to accept ourselves and how we deal with stressful situations?
Everyone has a story. I believe that if we could just remember this, our homes, communities and the world would be a better place.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Celebrate Fall
It was a picture perfect fall day, so I headed out to Kerncliff park. It is an old quarry turned into a park, that overlooks the city. I went by myself, to take some pictures, and reflect on all that the year has brought me so far. 
365 Project - October 11
October 11 - Peppers from Papa's Garden -
Okay, so I realize that it is Thanksgiving weekend,
and not a single picture of the feast. Well, I have
good reason. I am not fool enough to get into a
kitchen and start taking pictures in the midst of
chasos. So here it a quiet (and safe) picture of
a pepper from Papa's garden.
Okay, so I realize that it is Thanksgiving weekend,
and not a single picture of the feast. Well, I have
good reason. I am not fool enough to get into a
kitchen and start taking pictures in the midst of
chasos. So here it a quiet (and safe) picture of
a pepper from Papa's garden.
365 Project - October 7 - 10
October 10 - An Old Friend - Sweet Callie, my mothers 12 year old German Sheppard dog wasn't feeling well when we went over to visit for Thanksgiving dinner. Poor Thing - get well soon Callie girl. 
October 9 - Family Portrait - I had been plotting and planning our family portrait for a few weeks now. The whole thing did not go as I had hoped. Indoors, the light was low, so I had to adjust the aperture in order to keep the shutter speed high. In doing so, the depth of field was narrow, and the people on the edges of the picture were not in focus. So we went outside. I though this one would be fine, until I uploaded it, and saw that there is still a focusing problem. I am really disappointed with the whole thing and plan on getting everyone together for another photo shoot.
October 8 - Twirled Spaghetti - Nothing says comfort food like a spaghetti dinner!
October 7 - Weekly Self Portrait - Metamorphosis - I felt like a butterfly coming out of her cocoon today after my hair cut.
.jpg)
October 9 - Family Portrait - I had been plotting and planning our family portrait for a few weeks now. The whole thing did not go as I had hoped. Indoors, the light was low, so I had to adjust the aperture in order to keep the shutter speed high. In doing so, the depth of field was narrow, and the people on the edges of the picture were not in focus. So we went outside. I though this one would be fine, until I uploaded it, and saw that there is still a focusing problem. I am really disappointed with the whole thing and plan on getting everyone together for another photo shoot.
October 8 - Twirled Spaghetti - Nothing says comfort food like a spaghetti dinner!
October 7 - Weekly Self Portrait - Metamorphosis - I felt like a butterfly coming out of her cocoon today after my hair cut.
.jpg)
365 Project - October 2 - 6
October 6 - i love mom- The Little Man was practicing his printing tonight after story time and he (all by himself ~ honestly! ) printed this.
October 5 - Two Hearts - I was standing on my front porch when I looked down and saw the heart shaped petal. It was after when I was editing it that I noticed the watermark was also shaped like a heart.
October 4 - Little Guitar Player - Our house has three guitars, that no one knows how to play. When my father gets a new guitar he brings his old one to us hoping that one of us will learn how to play. Yesterday he brought one for my middle son - who doesn't really want to learn, but the Little Man sure does. Often, he will crack out his guitar, pluck away and sing a tune.
October 3 - Night Time Jazz - It was an incredibly busy day. Dad and Lynda came for supper and Hubby was busy helping out Grandma, so I was left with getting dinner and the house ready for guests. I made prime rib, my first, and it turned out perfectly! Anyways it wasn't until I was in bed that I realized that I did not get a picture, so I ran downstairs to get this one of the stereo.
October 2 - Turkey Craft - I decorated the house for Fall today. This adorable turkey craft makes me smile, The Kid made it for me last year.
October 5 - Two Hearts - I was standing on my front porch when I looked down and saw the heart shaped petal. It was after when I was editing it that I noticed the watermark was also shaped like a heart.
October 4 - Little Guitar Player - Our house has three guitars, that no one knows how to play. When my father gets a new guitar he brings his old one to us hoping that one of us will learn how to play. Yesterday he brought one for my middle son - who doesn't really want to learn, but the Little Man sure does. Often, he will crack out his guitar, pluck away and sing a tune. 
October 3 - Night Time Jazz - It was an incredibly busy day. Dad and Lynda came for supper and Hubby was busy helping out Grandma, so I was left with getting dinner and the house ready for guests. I made prime rib, my first, and it turned out perfectly! Anyways it wasn't until I was in bed that I realized that I did not get a picture, so I ran downstairs to get this one of the stereo.
October 2 - Turkey Craft - I decorated the house for Fall today. This adorable turkey craft makes me smile, The Kid made it for me last year.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thinking About: Family Celebrations
My 10th birthday: Always the difficult child, I didn't want a store bought fancy cake, I wanted homemade cupcakes. Mom made me a batch of cupcakes, but as a surprise, Mom had her friend bake me a number 10 cake. I am holding my present, a doll that I named Samantha. She was the first doll that I owned that looked like me with brown hair. Celebrations bring families together. When I plan a celebration for my family, I give a part of myself. Acknowledging a loved one on their special day builds their sense of self worth and creates memories they will cherish forever. I love bonding with my family at celebrations.
To me, planning the perfect party is the ultimate gift of myself. I put a lot of thought and care in deciding what foods to serve, keeping in mind favorites and dislikes. I plan parties around themes that the guest of honour will enjoy. All the decorations, activities and thank-you gifts are chosen with the theme in mind, and are unique to each occasion and person being celebrated. The planning and preparing of a party are gifts of my time and creativity.
Celebrating a loved ones milestones and achievements increases their sense of self worth. As the guest of honour, being in a room full of people that love you best, all wishing you happiness - How could you not feel good about yourself? Knowing that people have taken time out of their busy lives to acknowledge and celebrate you feels good. Even though the outside world may not know that today is your birthday, or that you achieved something great, at the end of the day, when you go home, it is heartwarming to know that family and close friends are there to cheer you on.
Family celebrations create memories. When I think back on my childhood, I can remember every birthday celebration I ever had, as well as my siblings birthdays, Christmas, and every other celebration. I remember the mixed feeling of pride and embarrassment as my family sang Happy Birthday to me. I remember how silly my parents and grandparents looked in their paper crowns at Christmas dinner. I remember cheering my Grandpa on as he went for his yearly swim on his birthday. And I remember the little celebrations: the pink milk on Valentine's Day or the green milk on St. Patricks Day. These are the memories that I reflect on and cherish. These are the kind of memories that I want my own children to hold tight.
In short, celebrations are important to me because I feel there is no better way to bring family together. Celebrating each others achievements is a gift you give your family, building self worth and creating life long memories. Family celebrations tightens the family bond.
Friday, October 1, 2010
365 Project September 26- October 1
October 1 - O is For October...
September 30 - Weekly Self Portrait: Growing Up
September 29- Red Red Wine, you make me feel so fine...
September 28- Flooded
September 27- Mondays with the Little Man
September 26 - Salt and Pepper
September 30 - Weekly Self Portrait: Growing Up
September 29- Red Red Wine, you make me feel so fine...
September 28- Flooded
September 27- Mondays with the Little Man
September 26 - Salt and Pepper
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)