Sunday, December 9, 2012


Wednesday November 21, 2012.
Trust -
I was once again comforted by the quiet stillness of the fog that blanketed us.  I lacked the ability to see  into the distance and I was reminded to instead trust my other senses; to have faith that regardless if the distant future was clear to me or not, life would appear as I needed to see it.  



Thursday November 22, 2012.
Little Jewels -
The morning sun's optimism was contagious.  I bent down to capture it coming over the horizon.  When I looked at my LCD screen I realized that instead of photographing the big picture I had found a little gem in the details.



Friday November 23, 2012.
An Almost Winter's Night -
The first snow always holds a bit of magic for me.



Saturday November 24, 2012.
Lines and Light -
One of my favorite muses to photograph.




Sunday November 25, 2012.
Cheese -
My husband took this picture of my brother, his girlfriend and I.  It was the only picture taken on November 25th.  I'm struggling to complete this 365 and the rules my own personal rules have been relaxed to say the least.  I didn't take this picture, but I edited it and posted it - that has to count for something right?
 


Monday November 26, 2012.
Homework -
Ever since term reports came home, our kids have been working hard to improve their marks.  In our home, it's not the grade that counts so much as the effort put in.  Each of them are working hard, and we are so proud of their effort.



Tuesday November 27, 2012.
A Beautiful Mess -
The little girl who spent hours making mud pies has grown into a young lady who is now putting her efforts into something more palatable.  I came home to another delicious meal prepared by Kenzie.  Thanks sweetie.




Wednesday November 28, 2012.
New Life -
As the season changes, one of the rituals that I love the most is inspecting my Grandma's Christmas cactus for new growth.  I was worried that it wouldn't bloom this season, as I had to re-pot it in the fall.  The cactus had lived in the same pot since I had inherited it a decade ago.  The task was easy, the plant was so root bound that I was able to simple lift it out of one home and move it to something a bit larger, but it made me nervous anyway.  What if I did something wrong?  What if I my green thumb wasn't as green as Grandma's and the cactus - my living tie to my grandmother - died?  This season I have one bud.  One bit of proof that when you allow something to be different, to grow in new ways there is hope for the future.




Thursday November 29, 2012
Twinkle -




Friday November 30, 2012.
Movember -
The Little Man wore his 'stache with pride in support of men's mental and prostate health.


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Tuesday November 13, 2012.
Hot Water -
Lately, it seems, I've been getting myself into a lot of hot water.  Turns out the burn doesn't hurt as much as biting your tongue.
November 13, 2012.
235/365
Because it was so good to visit with her, I had to add this picture of Grandma as a 'second' shot.
November 13, 2012
235/365 
Wednesday November 14, 2012.
Messy Kitchen or Beautiful Light -
You decide.  It's always about perspective.
November 14, 2012
236/365
Thursday November 15, 2012.
Embracing Changes -
Picture and Edit for my golden girl. 
November 15, 2012.
237/365
Friday November 16, 2012.
On my bedside table -
A favourite picture of John and I,  a golf ball left behind by Charlie, a candle with five wicks, hair clips, a novel, a journal, a laptop with memory stick, sunglasses, a post it note, paperclip and a clothes peg.  
All of these random items reflect who I am.  
I am a wife, partner and best friend.  I am a mother and a mentor.  I am a member of a tribe of five, who feels most comfortable letting my hair down in private.  I am interested in stories - those written by others, and the one I am writing myself.  I am a memory keeper who aims to view my life with a ray of sunshine.  I am a list maker.  And I am trying desperately to hold everything together.  
November 16, 2012.
239/365

Saturday November 17, 2012.
Belong -

November 18, 2012.
240/365
Sunday November 19, 2012.
Stepping Stones -
November 19, 2012.
241/365


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Monday November 5, 2012.
Flying in Formation -
The pieces are finally starting to come back together.  When I think of the symbolism behind that, I am so full of emotion that I become teary.   


Tuesday November 6, 2012.
Good -
Kenzie made her family dinner tonight.  Not only did she make dinner, but she walked to the store and bought the groceries with her own money.  I felt blessed and not only because of the delicious meal.  I am blessed to have a daughter that values meal time spent together as a family.


Wednesday November 7, 2012.
Missing Mom -
I used the time to myself while the boys were downstairs in the "boy cave"  to browse through my Instagram feed.  Charlie came up to join me.  "Mom, do you want to come watch Wipeout with us?  I miss you."
The phone went away.


Thursday November 8, 2012.
Stories -
"Every one has a Story" is one of my core beliefs.  But what is my own story?  This year I wanted it to be entitled "easy."  I envisioned moving through my year with grace and ease.  Today in the midst of chaos I found the "easy" story I was searching for.


Friday November 9, 2012.
Stumpy -
We've named him Stumpy.  He is missing his front paw and only has a stump of a tail.  But despite his limitations (or maybe because of his limitations) Stumpy has thrived.


Saturday November 10, 2012.
Two -
One bud who is struggling to become, and another who has blossomed fully (although a season too late) - leaning into each other for strength.


Sunday November 11, 2012.
Work and Play -




Monday November 12, 2012.
Morning Cuppa -
Today I am grateful for my amazing husband: My morning cuppa was waiting for me when I got out of the shower this morning. What ever else this day will bring I will know that I am loved and that I am blessed.


October 29, 2012.
Traditions -
The pumpkins were bought, gutted and carved into Jack-o-lanterns in under an hour this year.  I discovered that sometimes it's not how well you follow your family's traditions: it's simply making your traditions a priority. Literally carving out time to honor what's important to you.  


October 30, 2012.
From Where I stand -
Caught in between seasons.

October 31, 2012.
Trick or Treat -
My Little Ninja.

November 1, 2012.
Another Rainy Morning -

November 2, 2012.
Boys Live Here -


November 3, 2012.
Explore the Range of Possibilities -


November 4, 2012.
Fast -
At 100 kilometers per hour I don't know if I'm coming or going, but I trust that I will get there.


Monday October 22, 2012.
From Where I Stand - I'm working hard at getting my quilt done by my self imposed dead line.  Mom was kind enough to come over and give me a hand with it today.  She pressed, I sewed; it was fun to work along side of her again.  
October 22, 2012
Tuesday October 23, 2012.
Rain Puddle.
It's not the rain that's getting me down, it's the lack of light.
October 23, 2012
Wednesday October 24, 2012.
Looking Up -
My eye was drawn upwards to the repetition and rhythm of the lines.  Looking up, I found security and balance that I would not have found otherwise.
October 24, 2012
Thursday October 25, 2012.
Growing -
While I was watching Charlie do his homework, I realized just how much he had changed.  Sitting there, working hard, he looked more confident, and more aware and so much more grown up then he did just a year ago.
October 25, 2012.
Friday October 26, 2012.
Dewy Leaf -
The rain stopped overnight.  The morning brought with it sunshine and temperatures that were above seasonal highs.  This was the kind of morning that felt full of possibilities.  I was optimistic that the possibilities would be good.
October 26, 2012.
Saturday October 27, 2012.
Helping Hands -
The rain began again sometime during the night.  By morning it was so much more than a steady drizzle: big fat rain dropped down heavily only to be blown sideways by heavy winds.  Today my store hosted a charity barbecue to help raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  Kenzie and her friend had offered to work the barbecue to earn some volunteer hours.  Those girls sat outside in the rain all day.  They were wet and cold but somehow still managed to smile.  I was so proud of them.  Despite the terrible conditions the store still managed to earn $500 for the foundation.  Thanks for the help girls.
October 27, 2012.
Sunday October 28, 2012.
Waiting for the Light to Change -
If "all changes great changes are preceded by chaos" then I am right where I need to be.
October 28, 2012.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Monday October 1, 2012
Holding on -
The leaves haven't begun to turn golden, but they are no longer hold their dark, saturated green colour.  They are on the verge of change - caught for the moment between seasons. 


Tuesday October 2, 2012
Around Here -
Life around here has been drastically different and remarkably unchanged.  For years I was the anchor in our home; I was the one who everyone came home to, the one who made sure that the logistics of our home ran smoothly.  Being away from the home for forty hours or more a week means that I am no longer the only one who is keeping us or our home running smoothly.  We are adapting to our new circumstances.  John and I are taking turns doing laundry, cooking, homework and cleaning duties.  Josh and Kenzie have been a huge help, each of them take turns picking up Charlie from school, and babysitting him.  Things are different, we've adapted - but what remains unchanged is us.  We are still the silly, goofy family that we always were.  What we value most hasn't changed.  Family.

Wednesday October 3, 2012.
Unexplainable Explainations -
Why was there a leaf in his room and why did he only have one sock on?  Beats me.  When I asked him about his reply was an impish grin, a shrug of his shoulders and one word -  "what?"


Thursday October 4, 2012.
Teen Spirit -
Hundreds of teens, all dressed in marroon and gold - their school colours paraded past my store window.   They were walking for Terry Fox and cancer research.  Any one of them could have skipped out.  Any one of them could have considered the walk around the block 'lame' and yet the majority of the school paraded past.  For Terry.  To honour those who have fought with courage and to give hope to those who are still in the battle.  In this day in age where we hear so many stories in the media about teen bullying or teens who have gone down the wrong path, it's nice to see that the vast majority of them are still good kids. 


Friday October 5, 2012.
Priorities -
I put us first.


Saturday October 6, 2012.
Bubble Beard -
His Dad is growing a beard.  I like Charlie's better. 


Sunday October 7, 2012
Heart of the Home -
We went to Mom's for Thanksgiving dinner.  Dinner was great, and as much as I enjoyed the company, it was good to get home, and snuggle with my family in front of fireplace.


Monday October 8, 2012.
Gathering and Giving Thanks -
The best part about getting together with family is seeing the cousins interact with each other.  Last night we were at my mother's home, where the kids played with their maternal cousins, and today we went to my father-in-laws for turkey dinner.  At Papa's the kids all sit together in the kitchen to eat.  Don't worry, they don't feel left out of the festivities.  They had their own kitchen party.  I'm not sure what they were giggling about, but they were in hysterics.  Charlie laughed so hard that water came out of his nose!


Tuesday October 9, 2012.
Lego Boys -
I grew up with one brother and one sister.  I didn't get to see first hand how brothers interact with each other.  The brother relationship is easy going and carefree.  Jealousy rarely happens and feelings don't often get hurt (a punch to the arm - yes, but the physical pain is quickly forgotten. ) Maybe that's why I'm a little in awe of my sons' relationship with each other.  There is an eight year difference between my boys and despite that they have managed to be friends.  Their relationship with each other is sweet and I photograph it every chance I get. 


Wednesday October 10, 2012.
Barely There -


Thursday October 11, 2012.
Morning Worries -
I was up before the sun rose or the moon faded, and I tried to use the few moments of quiet to sort through all I had to complete.  But like the night before, focusing on what I had to accomplish hurt my brain.  Thinking, planning or organizing the day ahead filled me with anxiety, so instead, I chose to make a cup of coffee, put myself into robot mode and move through my day.


Friday October 12, 2012.
Autumn Still Life -
Two boys, one girl.  My three. 


Saturday October 13, 2012.
Displaced -
Josh had his buddy sleep over so that meant that the rest of the us were kicked out of the family room.  We all ended up in front of the only other tv in the house in my bedroom.  Kenzie arrived first which meant that she had the best spot.  The rest of us perched along the edge of the bed and watched old reruns of Friends. 

Sunday October 14, 2012.
Make a Wish -
I didn't ask him what he wished for.  I wanted to, but I knew he wouldn't tell me anyways.  I know what my wish for my son is.  It's the same dream that I have for all of my children.  I dream that each of them will define what success means for them and then surpass their own definition.  Happy Birthday Buddy.