1/31/10

Self-portrait

Day 30

Dean at the playground today.

Day 29

Moonlight through the trees.

Day 28

One of my coworkers got to swap out her old institutional style cubicle with this cute little shed. She just finished decorating it last night.
Isn't it cute?

Day 27

The water tower.

Lanterns

I love this picture. I took it in December when we went to Chinatown with Grandfather. Every time it comes up on my screen saver I stop what I'm doing and look at it. I love the colors, I love the different sizes, I love the way they cover the industrial look of the shop.

Makes me happy.

Day 26

All you need is love.

Day 25

Me. Hard at work.

What Have You Done For You Lately?

I had lunch with a friend last week who is going through some hard times. In constant pain and at the mercy of a busy physician and overloaded county hospitals, she is doing her best to be patient and loving despite everything. It isn’t easy. Still she is grateful for the little acts of kindness from random people she is encountering through this experience. I marvel at her because she’s had more than her share of pain and suffering and yet she is a model of patience and loving kindness. She told me that a friend of hers asked when was the last time she did something good for herself. When she couldn’t think of an answer, her friend told her it’s time she did something, anything, to make herself feel good.

When was the last time you did something good for yourself?

I have little things, like a strong cup of earl grey with just a hint of sugar and cream, and I have bigger things, like a solitary photography playdate with beautiful yellow light streaming across the landscape and no other commitments.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to combine some of my favorite things and I found myself smiling throughout the day. At times I felt giddy as I enjoyed each activity and stayed in the moment. It began with a trip to the Farmer’s Market. The sun was shining but the air was crisp and snow capped mountains glistened in the distance. I wandered past the stalls and took in the vibrant colors of the fruits and vegetables. I chatted with the vendors and tasted what was offered. I made the Indian stall my last stop and handed over my last few dollars because the spinach boulani was just that good. I loaded up my car and headed home but at the last second turned into the park because I thought the sunlight would sparkle nicely on the lake and I couldn’t resist the snow capped mountains in the distance. It was too late in the morning to get a really great shot but I still felt energized by the action of walking around with my camera in hand, choosing the settings, looking at the landscape and figuring out how to frame it. The thought “I am having such a great morning” kept flashing through my brain.

I then spent the remainder of the day cooking and preparing for the week’s meals. I had two slow cookers and the oven going for most of the day. When the boys wandered in I’d give them a piece of this and a taste of that. During a break in the preparation, I took them on in a game of whiffle ball. They won. Handily. I caught glimpses of the football games during trips out to the laundry room. What I ordinarily think of as chores and ‘have to do’s’ became enjoyable. The thought kept appearing in my head: “I’m having a great day”.

The day ended with a steaming hot shower and two episodes of The Tudors, my new favorite show.

And as I drifted off to sleep with Wolfie wedged between us and Kate at the end keeping my feet warm, I thought, “that was a really great day”.

Now I don’t know what it was about this particular day. Maybe it’s because after seeing the devastating images from Haiti I thought about what I typically grumble about and suddenly those don’t really seem like problems anymore. Maybe it’s because if you do just one or two little things for yourself in the morning, that it will make the rest of your day so much better. Maybe it’s a combination of all of it. Whatever. I hope I can keep it up.

Day 24

Snow caps in the distance.

Day 23

A quiet moment together.

Day 22

I fell in love with this little one tonight. She has the greatest voice and crinkly smile.

Day 21

Wolfie!

Day 20

The building facade came down today signaling the end of the New Orleans themed area outside my office.
Next up, the Hundred Acre Wood.

Day 19

Getting on the freeway. A momentary lapse in the rain.

String of Lights

I shot this yesterday so it doesn't count for today's picture of the day. But I really like it so I want to show it. It stopped raining for a bit yesterday and I loved the way the light shined through the drops still on the branches. It looks like a string of lights.

Day 18

Jack demonstrates his high round house.

Letter to Editor

Dear Lily Coyle,

I think I love you.


Love,
TwinTales

Readers: hers is the 2nd one down.

Day 18

This was my picture for 1/18/10. I guess I forgot to post it here. I posted it on flickr and facebook, though so I'm not cheating!

Day 17

Hanging with Uncle Chad at California Adventure.

Day 16

Daddy's attacked by twin towheads.

Day 15

Leaving it behind for the weekend.

Day 14

An Egret takes flight. One of my new favorites.

Day 13

Not particularly inspiring but I'm suffering from a raging ear infection and all I wanted was a strong cup of earl grey this morning. It was raining outside which you can't tell from the picture. I wanted a picture of the steam coming off the cup with the warm inside light juxtaposed against the gray morning light outside. Didn't capture that but I do like the way the things on the window sill are blown out.

Sparring for Blue Stripe Test

In case you can't tell by the blond ponytail, I'm in the red gear. Basically getting my butt kicked by a 13 year old girl.

Day 12

My view as I left work for the day.




And below is what I woke up to. Precious.

Day 11

Fun with the spinning photo frame.

Day 10

Even Wolfie managed to get into the shot. And pose. I think he was mesmerized by the flashing light on the camera.

Day 9

Dean made dinner tonight. Pizza bagels!

Day 8

I almost didn't get these shots. I came home early from work with a really bad sinus headache. Thanks to Tom, night time Theraflu and a 3 hour nap, I'm feeling much better. I had just grabbed my camera and was trying to decide what my picture of the day would be. Then Wolfie started licking Jack's face while he watched TV. I loved all of these photos - couldn't pick just one.

Day 7

Spare Change

You know what I love? Well besides apples with peanut butter.

I love that my husband always drops a little change onto the floor of his closet so that when he gets dressed every morning the boys rush in and go diving for dollars.

The only thing that I ever do with that kind of regularity is nag. But I'm trying to change that. The stickers are helping.

Day 6

My bedside table is calling me. Yes, I am reading all those books and a few others that are on the floor next to the table. It's an illness. Especially since I'm re-reading The Lovely Bones for the 3rd time and I just saw the movie over the weekend. I love words.

Day 5

Day 4

A fat little squirrel approaches looking for some food. In the interest of full disclosure - that is not my hand. I don't care how tame they appear, you never know when one's going to go crazy.

Day 3

Playing fetch with Kate in the backyard. I shot this while sitting on the ground holding my camera by my hip so I could get the impression of feeling very small next to Kate. I also wanted to see her eyes and it's impossible to do that if I'm shooting from my height. The squirrel in the background was a bonus.

Day 2

Watching a movie on your computer is so much cooler than watching it on TV.

Project 365 - Day One

Project 365 is a pledge to take and post a photo each day. I am challenging myself with this project to force myself to take more pictures. I took nearly 100 today and this one is one of my favorites. The boys had just opened late Christmas presents from Uncle P & Uncle J - their very own laptops.