Nothing much to add at the moment...seriously contemplating starting a new blog rather than keeping up with this one...the design just doesn't mesh with my current style, plus, since I'm thinking about printing the blog into a book each year, I think it would be easier if all the entries were from the same year. Dunno, though.
Be back soon.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Poor blog!
I wonder how it is I can go from being all about blogging and documenting our lives to just not doing it at all. I totally fell off the map as far as taking pictures of my loved ones this past year.
I am thinking about resurrecting this blog, or maybe starting a new one. Ray gave me my iphone for Christmas, and I am in love with how easy and fun taking pictures is once again. I don't always have to carry my heavy camera around, and I don't always have to worry about getting the greatest shots. I think the uploading and editing are what bogged me down with photographing my every day.
Plus, I've just been really busy.
Like, right now, it's our last day of Christmas break, and I woke at 6:30 to get a head start on grading papers and making plans, but here I sit, 2 hours later, still doing "other" things. I really detest grading papers.
But, on another note, my word for the year is going to be "transform." I tried to focus on being "fearless" last year. I was so-so with that. I mean, I did do things that were outside my comfort zone like working out in the gym, but I could have done more. But, I felt like my focus changed half way through the year. I started working on transforming myself, especially with my physique. But, as the busy holiday season rolled around, and I found myself pleasantly swamped with photo sessions and editing and grading and stuff, I put that on the back burner.
So, I'm going to go back to transforming myself. But, it's not just about my physique (although, that's a large part of it). I figure I can transform lots of areas.
Like my home. Since embarking on this photography journey a couple of years ago, I practically stopped spending money on this house. I think it might be time to focus on the home again. But, I want to focus on bringing in the personal touches, like pictures and displays. Creative displays of our lives and what is important to us as a family.
Like my teaching. This one makes me cringe. I just keep ignoring this facet of my existence because, in reality, I don't want to do it any more. I want to be a full-time photographer with my own place (the one on 32). I want to spend my time making creative sets and props (will get to this one next). But, the sad reality is, I'm still a little too reticent to take that leap of faith. So, I continue to teach. I need to be better. I need to stop avoiding it and do what needs to be done. Maybe if I did that, I would enjoy it more again.
Like my photography. With the busy holiday season, I have come to enjoy studio shooting. I would like to transform my style by creating original props, sets that people can't get anywhere else, so they have to--no, want to--come to me. I also want to up my level as well. I think I'm getting close to being "professional." I need to take the steps necessary to get there.
Like my physique. Like I mentioned before, I put the gym thing on the back burner for the last couple of months. It's time to go back. I want to be fit and in shape. I am thinking of signing up for a photography session come June or July as part of my motivation. Along with my physique comes my appearance. I want to invest in my make-up and beauty regime and my hair. And, my clothes. That needs transforming too. I think I might try to model a Pinterest outfit once a month (like I did for The Christmas Carol--maybe I'll showcase that later).
Like my homemaking skills. I think this one goes with the first one, but I need to come back to the cooking and baking I was doing. If I want to be healthy, if I want my family to be healthy, if I want to transform my physique, I need to cook. I also need to keep up with the cleaning and organizing. An organized home really does make me feel better.
Like my spirituality. I really need to go back to church. I don't know why I refuse to go when I know that going makes me feel whole. I have been neglecting my spiritual side for a long time now. It's almost like a self-inflicted wound.
And, my relationship with Ray. It has come a long way even just in this past year, and I would like for it to continue improving. We still have bumps and bruises along the way, but I guess that's just normal. It's a far cry from the negative, energy-draining relationship it used to be.
I'm sure there are many more ways I can apply "transform" to my life, but these are the areas that are foremost in my mind right now. Maybe I'll showcase my progress from time to time on here for some of these areas.
So, there you have it. At least for one day in 2013 I have resurrected my blog. Hopefully, this is a trend that shall continue!
I am thinking about resurrecting this blog, or maybe starting a new one. Ray gave me my iphone for Christmas, and I am in love with how easy and fun taking pictures is once again. I don't always have to carry my heavy camera around, and I don't always have to worry about getting the greatest shots. I think the uploading and editing are what bogged me down with photographing my every day.
Plus, I've just been really busy.
Like, right now, it's our last day of Christmas break, and I woke at 6:30 to get a head start on grading papers and making plans, but here I sit, 2 hours later, still doing "other" things. I really detest grading papers.
But, on another note, my word for the year is going to be "transform." I tried to focus on being "fearless" last year. I was so-so with that. I mean, I did do things that were outside my comfort zone like working out in the gym, but I could have done more. But, I felt like my focus changed half way through the year. I started working on transforming myself, especially with my physique. But, as the busy holiday season rolled around, and I found myself pleasantly swamped with photo sessions and editing and grading and stuff, I put that on the back burner.
So, I'm going to go back to transforming myself. But, it's not just about my physique (although, that's a large part of it). I figure I can transform lots of areas.
Like my home. Since embarking on this photography journey a couple of years ago, I practically stopped spending money on this house. I think it might be time to focus on the home again. But, I want to focus on bringing in the personal touches, like pictures and displays. Creative displays of our lives and what is important to us as a family.
Like my teaching. This one makes me cringe. I just keep ignoring this facet of my existence because, in reality, I don't want to do it any more. I want to be a full-time photographer with my own place (the one on 32). I want to spend my time making creative sets and props (will get to this one next). But, the sad reality is, I'm still a little too reticent to take that leap of faith. So, I continue to teach. I need to be better. I need to stop avoiding it and do what needs to be done. Maybe if I did that, I would enjoy it more again.
Like my photography. With the busy holiday season, I have come to enjoy studio shooting. I would like to transform my style by creating original props, sets that people can't get anywhere else, so they have to--no, want to--come to me. I also want to up my level as well. I think I'm getting close to being "professional." I need to take the steps necessary to get there.
Like my physique. Like I mentioned before, I put the gym thing on the back burner for the last couple of months. It's time to go back. I want to be fit and in shape. I am thinking of signing up for a photography session come June or July as part of my motivation. Along with my physique comes my appearance. I want to invest in my make-up and beauty regime and my hair. And, my clothes. That needs transforming too. I think I might try to model a Pinterest outfit once a month (like I did for The Christmas Carol--maybe I'll showcase that later).
Like my homemaking skills. I think this one goes with the first one, but I need to come back to the cooking and baking I was doing. If I want to be healthy, if I want my family to be healthy, if I want to transform my physique, I need to cook. I also need to keep up with the cleaning and organizing. An organized home really does make me feel better.
Like my spirituality. I really need to go back to church. I don't know why I refuse to go when I know that going makes me feel whole. I have been neglecting my spiritual side for a long time now. It's almost like a self-inflicted wound.
And, my relationship with Ray. It has come a long way even just in this past year, and I would like for it to continue improving. We still have bumps and bruises along the way, but I guess that's just normal. It's a far cry from the negative, energy-draining relationship it used to be.
I'm sure there are many more ways I can apply "transform" to my life, but these are the areas that are foremost in my mind right now. Maybe I'll showcase my progress from time to time on here for some of these areas.
So, there you have it. At least for one day in 2013 I have resurrected my blog. Hopefully, this is a trend that shall continue!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
In this moment
In this moment I am
•enjoying...seeing the sunshine...smelling the bacon Ray is cooking for breakfast...my cup of coffee...seeing Hannah reading on the couch...watching Emily help her dad with breakfast by cleaning off the counter.
•thinking...about how frustrated I am with myself right now. I am having trouble getting motivated to work out, keeping the house clean, staying on top of teaching, accomplishing the goals I set for myself, advancing my photography, getting a qualified tenant into our empty house
•eating...nothing at the moment but very soon I will have some eggs and turkey bacon.
•drinking...coffee
•wearing...what I slept in...black adidas sweat pants, pink Volley for the Cure hoodie, socks, and my old Sylvan t-shirt
•listening to...bacon sizzling in the pan, the heat coming through the vents
•wanting...so much...new clothes, a better body, a thriving photography business, inspiration, motivation, physical attention, organization, relaxation, and A FEW SNOW DAYS!!!! ALSO, A QUALIFIED TENANT IN OUT EMPTY HOUSE AND FOR RALPH TO WIN HIS SOCIAL SECURITY SUIT AND PAY US THE MONEY HE OWES US
•weather...is sunny! Pretty sure it's chilly out since there is frost on the deck and the heat is going.
•feeling...stuck. When things overwhelm me, I just shut down. Also excited because we are planning two vacations this summer! Cruise to the Bahamas with Hans and Ronda and Florida with members of my family
•wondering...WHEN THE SNOW IS GOING TO COME!!! WHEN WE ARE GOING TO GET GREAT TENANTS!! WHEN WILL RALPH PAY US!!!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
In this moment
In this moment I am
•enjoying...sitting on the couch after a long day at work, volleyball practices, and cleaning up water that leaked from the laundry room into the family room downstairs (kids put washcloths in the utility sink after cleaning out the guinea pig cage and the water from the washer ran into the heating vent)
•thinking...about what I am going to teach next week which is the start of the 3rd quarter!! We are officially half way through the school year.
•eating...nothing at the moment but I have eaten very clean all week.
•drinking...more Lipton green tea and water
•wearing...what I wore to school today...jeans, my GE T-shirt, and my Bulldog hoodie.
•listening to...American Idol and Hannah helping Emily do her homework upstairs.
•wanting...to go to bed! AND I REALLY WANT A BIG SNOWSTORM THAT WILL BRING US LOTS OF SNOW SO WE CAN GET A COUPLE OF DAYS OFF OF SCHOOL!! (plus, I want the electricity to stay on)
•weather...is dark right now since it is night, but it was a chilly, overcast day.
•feeling...pretty tired and run down, feeling a heaviness in my chest...not feeling so positive the past couple of days..feeling a little lonely...like Ray is not very interested in me...
•wondering...WHEN THE SNOW IS GOING TO COME!!!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Weekend Update
The weekend started out a little bittersweet: Friday was Friday the 13th and we received our first 2 hour delay of the year!! That's the sweet part. The bitter part was that I only lasted 2 hours at school and had to come home sick. I spent most of the day in bed.
Saturday was a bit improved, but I ran ALL over! First, Emily needed to go to Girl Scouts at 11:00 then picked up at 12:30. Hannah and I went to Hobby Lobby in between. Next, Hannah needed to be dropped off at the skating rink to spend the afternoon with Rachel Weiderhold. While she was skating, Emily and I ran errands and then stopped at Marshall's.
While at Marshall's, Ray called wanting to go to Home Depot to pick out a new faucet for the kitchen sink. So we ran to the skating rink, picked Hannah up, and went to the Depot. Then we were off to watch Hannah's volleyball game at St. Mary's in Hyde Park. The night didn't stop there. At 10:00 we met Hans and Ronda at Wings and Rings to watch a football game.
Hannah served Mass on Sunday.
Then we watched Emily's game at 2:00 and Hannah's game at 4:00. Emily then went to Olivia Lynd's house and Hannah Johnson came to ours. Only, Hannah J. didn't last long; she wanted to go home at 9:00, so I took her home and then did some grocery shopping with Hannah in tow.
Monday, we were off for MLK day. I worked on projects #2 and #3 (pictures coming soon) and started on project #4. I also went to Meijer to buy some fruits and vegetables, where I saw this carrot with a "face" carved into it.
After coming home, I worked on putting food together for the week--salads, smoothies, fruit for breakfast--I also cooked a turkey along with tonight's dinner. I also signed up for another online workshop. This one about using my external flash! So excited!!
And, that sums up my very long, very busy weekend!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
In this moment
In this moment I am
•enjoying...a relaxing Sunday evening knowing I DO NOT HAVE TO GO TO WORK TOMORROW!! (MLK Day)...a sense of spiritual rejuvenation I felt this morning by going to Mass...having watched Hannah and Emily play volleyball today
•thinking...a lot about how to be fearless in my life...how to decorate this house and how to energize my photography business...thinking about painting the cabinets black, metallic stencil walls in bathroom upstairs...thinking about working some more in my studio and ordering some backdrops
•eating...lots of junk. :-( I was sick on Friday so it broke my clean-eating streak. I've eaten Fritos and pizza and popcorn today
•drinking...left-over Ginger Ale from Friday.
•wearing...jeans, brown socks, pink Volley for the Cure hoodie, and my favorite Leinenkugel's T-shirt. Earlier today I had an orange sweater with a ruffled top and a brown belt and my brown boots on.
•listening to...a football game Ray is watching and Hannah playing with Hannah Johnson downstairs (Emily is at Olivia Lynd's house)
•wanting...to want to get in shape...currently lacking the desire to work out...qualified people to rent our open house...Ralph to win his social security so we can be reimbursed for all these months...a new lens so I can properly take pictures in my studio...money to develop my studio ideas...a new wardrobe...a snow storm...a warm cozy day in my bed reading...
•weather...is dark right now since it is night, but it was a sunny, chilly day, highs only in the lower 30's.
•wondering...when we are going to get a reliable tenant in our open house...how to develop my photography business into an extremely lucrative venture...if Emily is having a good time...how to make myself want to work out
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
OOOhhhhppp!! They said it!
The "s" word that is...SNOW with some ice. Minor accumulation but the weather men have piqued my hopes for a delay or (dare I say it!) a snow day for Friday. I think the chances are minimal, but this is the first time this winter where we have even had a minute chance of winter weather. Crossing my fingers...
;-)
EDITING TO ADD: It didn't do much, but I did get my first 2 hour delay on Friday!!!!
;-)
EDITING TO ADD: It didn't do much, but I did get my first 2 hour delay on Friday!!!!
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