Thursday, October 24, 2013

October 16, 2013
The Quintessential Fall Leaf - 
All the cool kids seem to be taking pictures of the perfect fall leaf, but that's not why I took this photo. Charlie spotted this quintessential fall leaf on our sunroof as we were heading off to school.  I love that he too, sees beauty in the everyday.  
47/365


October 17, 2013.
Lines of Light  -
"For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life - the light and the air which vary continually.  For me, it is only the surrounding atmosphere which gives subjects their true value."  ~ Claude Monet
48/365


October 18, 2013.
Good Morning -
The light shining in my room this morning made me smile and feel ready to tackle the day ahead.  
49/365


October 19, 2013.
Sold! -
I shouldn't have been so emotionally invested in the cake I decorated at the bakery, but I was.
50/365


October 20, 2013 -
Everybody's Favourite Day of the Year -
Not.  And oh boy, are they going to be pissed when I have to tell them that I'm not happy with the exposure and focus.
51/365


October 21, 2013.
Got Your Goat -
I'm a little bit in love with goats.  Seriously, they are the most friendly and comical animal in the barn. Anyways, my mom knows about my infatuation, and bought me a goat hat.  Here's Charlie doing his best goat impression.  Maaa!
52/365


October 22, 2013.
Nostalgia -
With the first bite, I was sent back in time to sitting at the neighbors chrome kitchen table, eating Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches.
53/365


October 23, 2013.
A Boy and His Cat -
She loves this boy.
54/365


October 24, 2013.
What Remains -
Even though the yard is a disaster, I found beauty in what remains.
55/365

Friday, October 18, 2013

Round Four {week five and six}

Wednesday October 2, 2013.
A Light In The Darkness -
Instagram was aglow as shutter sisters and camera men lit candles in support of Kim Klassen and her husband John.  I hope that it lent some light in a dark time for them.
32/365

Thursday October 3, 2013.
Treasures -
I've always wanted my own toy typewriter.  Last weekend I got this one.  It needs some fixing up, but this little rickety gem makes me happy.
33/365

How I Feel -
I'm hesitant to post this picture - or to try to explain how I'm feeling.  But family and friends keep asking how I'm feeling so here goes.  Lupus makes me feel damaged, ugly and vulnerable.  It makes me feel that I don't have control.  And so I fight it.  I push harder than I should during the day, and by evening I am a wreck.  By the time we finish dinner at best I am exhausted and at worst I'm a write off.  In the evening I have burning pain; like my entire body is covered in an intense achy sunburn.  I get numbness and tingling in my arms and legs.  I have stiffness and joint pain.  Cognitively I'm confused - my words get slurred, don't come out or they come out in the wrong order.  My chest feels tight and every intake of breath feels like I have bronchitis. I get headaches that no amount of Advil or Tylenol will cure.  My eyeballs feel intense pressure - like I have an elephant standing on them.  My symptoms come and go, change night to night and because they do I feel like I'm going crazy or that must be faking the whole thing.

Friday October 4, 2013.
Cowboy Take Me Away -
Another wet weekend, but rain or shine we were going - especially because we knew it would be our last of the season.  The heavy fog felt like a comforting blanket laid over us and we were ready to cozy in for the night.
35/365


Saturday October 5, 2013.
Last Trip-
The last trip of the season made us feel sad and grateful all at the same time.
36/365





Sunday October 6, 2013.
Winding Down -
Big and Little went on a photo walk as we closed up the camp site.  It makes me proud to see them exploring with their cameras together.
37/365

Monday October 7, 2013.
Mouse Trap -
Mouse Trap has got to be my least favourtie board game.  There is just so much friggin work to set it up, and then the little plastic pieces don't fit together the way they should.  But since Charlie had been bugging for ages to play we obliged.  At least Sam enjoyed game night.
38/365

Tuesday October 8, 2013.
Second Bloom -
Sometimes the conditions are just right and then you get the chance to begin again.
39/365

Wednesday October 9, 2013.
Geared Up and Ready to Roll -
It's going to be busy week ahead.
40/365

Thursday October 10, 2013.
Celebrating Excellence -
Both Charlie and Kenzie had big days.
Charlie joined the cross country team and participated in his first race.  He placed 29th out of 200 kids.  He beat his personal goal of 40th.
Kenzie had her honour roll ceremony.  It was her chance to celebrate her hard work last year, and for us to say "I told you so."
Way to Go Kiddos.  We are so proud of you both.
41/365

on his way - a second shot that I couldn't resist adding. 


Friday October 11, 2013.
Date Night -
It was a crazy busy day at work, and even though I should have come home dead tired, I came home drunk on adrenaline.  We decided that the good mood and good health deserved a night out.
42/365


Saturday October 12, 2013.
Making Time -
I spent the morning at work, John worked at winterizing the trailer, and getting the house ready for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a day full of chores and obligations.  We didn't have time for fun, but we took it anyways.  A play and a walk in the park with the boys turned out to be the best part of every one's day.
43/365


Sunday October 13, 2013.
Pink Sunrise -
The saying goes, "Pink sky at night, sailors delight.  Pink sky in morn, sailors be warned."  Sure enough even as I sat enjoying the morning, the rain started.
44/365

Monday October 14, 2013.
Boom - Super Nova!  -
And just like that my sweet boy is sixteen.  Each time I look at him I see him changing.  Growing into himself. Expressing himself.  Being himself.  Happy Birthday Josh!  Keep being you.
45/365


Tuesday October 15, 2013.
Sweet Treats -
I had the opportunity to bring my big girl camera to work to do some food product photography.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited about it.
46/365

Add caption

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Round Four {week four}

Wednesday September 25. 2013.
Their Story -

Missing and remembering a special lady today.

"There's a story behind everything...but behind all your stories is always your mother's story...because hers is where yours begins."  ~ Mitch Albom, For One More Day

25/365

Wednesday September 25, 2013.
Spiffy -
No one in this house (especially Josh) enjoys a haircut more than Charlie.  Thanks Joan!
25/365

Wednesday September 26, 2013.
New Story -
I did take one picture on Wednesday; it was a screen shot of my Instagram feed from 52 weeks ago.  This time last year I was just starting my job as manager and feeling that I was vigorously treading water and still sinking .  Fifty two weeks ago, I was overwhelmed by the frustration and chaos that my life had become. Now, a year later,  life is much different.  I'm working part-time at a bakery.  I've created a life where there is time for my marriage, time for my children and time for myself.  Every choice has its rewards and consequences; financially things are tighter but my reward is that I have chosen to strengthen and nurture the relationships most important to me.



Friday September 27, 2013.
Who I See -
In the dim light of the car, while we are waiting for John to pick up Charlie from a friends house, he is reading, but him reading isn't what I see, or why I snap the picture.  I see a boy who has fought to grow up. Each and every milestone he has reached has been a struggle, or at the very least hasn't come as easily to him as it has for other kids.   I see his broad shoulders and his strength of character.  I see his independence and his kind nature.  And I see the reason why I snapped the picture: I see that my sweet kind boy is becoming a man.
27/365


Saturday September 28, 2013.
Standing Together -
For him, this past year hasn't been easy.  It has been filled with stress, uncertainty and disappointments.  He is working to change that.  I admire him for his courage.  I will hold his hand and stand together with him, because together we are stronger and more able to face the whatever the world has in store for us.
28/365

Sunday September 29, 2013.
Perfect -
Last week my cousin Nicole put an open question on her Facebook status.  She asked, "If you could wake up tomorrow and not have to go to work or do housework or look after kids - what would be the one thing (or many things) you would do just for you?"  Well, Sunday was that perfect sort of day.  I had a long talk with my mom, connected with my husband, was playful with my kids, worked on some personal projects, ate dinner with my family, had tea (and laughs) with a girlfriend then ended my day with really bad reality TV. Maybe it's not everyone's idea of a perfect day - and for that matter, maybe it's not perfect - but it fit perfectly to what I needed on Sunday.
29/365

Monday September 30, 2013.
Responsibility -
Responsibility is a big deal in our home.  We want our kids to take responsibility for their stuff, their time, their obligations, their decisions (including their mistakes) and their attitude.
In the last few weeks, I've been wondering if this is right.  Maybe its just coincidence, but lately I've run into, or heard stories about adults who have refused to take responsibility for their bad decisions and have had no consequence, and in one case will probably even be rewarded!   It's making me wonder if I will be sending our kids into a world where blaming and being a victim will be the norm.  It makes me wonder if taking responsibility for your actions, emotions and behaviors is becoming a naively outdated notion.
30/365


Tuesday October 1, 2013.
In My Bag -
It's that time of year where I have to change out my purse to a fall one.  I thought that it was a good excuse to do one of those "In My Bag" pictures.  So, in case you were wondering...
1.   Hair clip and spare pony tails elastics.
2.  Wallet (this one is about 8 years old - and I have bought replacements, but none have had the right storage for cards, change and pictures, so I keep this old ratty thing)
3.   Camera  I phone
4.   Medicine bag ( I also hide my emergency girl stuff in here)
5.   Bookmark - made by a customer from my old job.
6.   Pack of gum - empty, have to replace.
7.   Keys - although usually they sit on my counter top.
8.   Gloves (I have Raynauds and my hands get cold easily)
9.   Lip gloss
10. Lens cap cover (I'm always loosing/finding them.)
11. Mint - this one is covered in lint, and I wouldn't pop in my mouth unless I was in desperate need.
12. Batman toy that I meant to give to Charlie last night.
13. New Car Pamphlet - have to file that with the other car stuff.
14. Notes, Quotes, and Kind Cards - stuff I write down, stuff that inspires me, and my way of inspiring others.
15. Pens - so I can write stuff.
16. Puzzles from a fast food restaurant - something else I have to give to Charlie.
17. Appointment Card/Blood Work requisition.

31/365