Harmony

I was really looking forward to working on this week's challenge theme of harmony. The theme seemed so full of possibilities.

I took shot this photo at the beginning of the week, partially in response to John sending me a photo of a beautiful double rainbow outside of his window. A double rainbow would have been an ideal subject for harmony, but I did see harmony in watching the ants open up all my peonies that same evening.

The harmony and peacefulness of my week changed after that and I'm afraid I haven't been able to concentrate on composing even the simplest of poems. So there will not be a challenge entry at Impassioned Versifier this week.

I guess I'm not the only one that had trouble meeting the challenge this week as the only other submission at Photography139 is from Chris himself.

Running in Circles

We've already established that the weekend flew by for me. This week seems to be a little slower (probably because I am waiting in impatient excitement for news about an impending visit from someone I really want to see). It probably doesn't help that I am spending the week cleaning and reorganizing my house. We all know that that isn't on the top of my favorite things to do list.

Friday night Bug & I attended Friday Night Supper Club where we discussed my 101 List point by point. They helped me to come up with a few more items to add to my list. When we got done eating and discussing we ventured over to Perfect Games so that Bug could wear off a little energy and the guys could challenge each other to air hockey.

Saturday morning I woke up to beautiful sunshine. It wasn't overly hot and seemed a perfect day to tackle a few of my house projects.

I had lost a few boards off the front steps over the winter, so this seemed the ideal day to play with my new circular saw again.

I trimmed down my closet door as well, but don't have a picture of that yet as I still need to purchase and install a latch to keep it closed.

Saturday night Sis felt the urge for some family time. This mama can never pass up the oportunity to spend a little fun time with my kids, especially when the teenager is trying to spread her wings and doesn't always want me so close.

We loaded up in the truck and drove to Madrid for some Cosmic (Laser) bowling. Obviously this is where we took last week's challenge photos at.

Sis got a little pouty when she threw a string of gutter balls.

Concentrating on my form, I guess?

Sis had had enough.

I don't have any pictures from Sunday because I forgot my camera at home. Bug and I went with the Cub Scouts on a clean-up hike. The goal was to pick up trash littered along the bike trails at Seven Oaks. That one and a half hour hike reminded me how sorely I've gotten out of shape during the winter. Looks like I will need to step it up before we go hiking in Yellowstone!

The hike was considered a success but not in the way we planned it to be. The trails were actually fairly clean, good job mountain bikers at keeping nature as pristine as possible! With not much work to do we did manage to lose three scouts.

No, literally.

We lost them. Or I should say they lost us. After repeated warnings to stay within sight of the rest of the group three of the boys decided to explore on their own. They took off in a dead sprint ahead of us, laughing when we told them to stop. Then they jumped a few paths that wind close to each other. The next thing you know they are no where to be seen and couldn't hear our calls.

I took my group of three well behaved Scouts and six stow away ticks and made our way out of the woods. Forty minutes later the missing boys emerged from the woods with the search party leaders. Whew!

Boys were fine, leaders and parents lectured and used them as an example to the rest of the group. I chalk it up to a learning experience for our next outing.

I spent the rest of the evening keeping a vigilant eye open for more ticks and enjoying the first of my "alphabet" movies from my 101 list. Eating ice cream and watching Avatar with the kiddos was a perfect ending to my busy weekend.

Pan & Blur

This week's theme was Panning Camera Blur, the object of which was to follow the subject with the camera while keeping the subject in focus and allowing the background to blur. It seems it was an appropriate week for such a theme as the whole week and especially the weekend seemed to blur by for me.

I do have a lot that I could post about from the weekend and there are some photos to share, but that will have to be a post for another day. Today I only have time to share our submissions.

It took several attempts and adjustments before I was finally able to follow Bug's ball down the lane during our Cosmic (Laser) bowling trip. The bowling ball still isn't in crisp focus, but this was my most successful attempt.

Sis decided that she would try her hand at this week's challenge. One of my 101 goals is to become more comfortable in front of the camera, so she used me as her subject. She was sneaky enough to photograph me without my knowledge, thus in this one I am pretty comfortable, or at least concentrating on my task.

Make sure to check out Sis's first submission and all the other wonderful submissions over at Photography139. Sis has dug herself a slight hole by accusing Chris at Photography139 of cheating in this pretty much rule-less challenge, but he has come up with some very good reasoning for her silly banter.

I am glad that we are nearing the end of the technical themes for the challenge. It is fun to think outside of the box occasionally for my poetry challenge, but next week's poem is a welcome break from the brain-strain of trying to fit the subject with a poem. Be sure to check out Impassioned Versifier for this week's challenge poem

101 Things

As if I don't have enough on my plate already, I have decided to take on a new project. I am hoping this one will actually help me along with all my other projects though.

Some of you may have heard of the Day Zero Project. The website describes it as "a unique challenge that inspires you to set and achieve your personal goals in life".

The Challenge:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities

I currently have 63 tasks on my list due to be completed by February 14, 2013. That seems like such a long time away, doesn't it? I started with my short term goals and added a few I hope to accomplish by then. I also put in a few things that I should do a little more often. Some of those even include pampering myself just as a reminder that sometimes I need to remember to do that.

Now I feel like I am at a wall, I can't think of anymore tasks to finish off my list. Even though I am sure I have more goals that I'm just not remembering at the moment. So if you can think of anything I should add leave me a comment below.

You can help me cross one task off by starting your own list. Just leave me a comment so I know that I've inspired you!

I created a new page (you can check out the link underneath my header) so you can keep track of my progress and cheer me on. I will strike through each item as I complete the task.

Leading Lines

I'm back from my mini mental /artistic sabbatical! This week's Random Photo Challenge theme was Leading Lines.

I even managed to post this week's theme poem over at Impassioned Versifier. I considered quite a few options on where to take my poem, but this week it demanded to be directed in an art imitates life sort of way.

Be sure to check out the rest of this week's awesome challenge photos at Photography139.

Isn't It Ironic, Don't Ya' Think?

So my week started out like this:

And ended like this:

It seems that once again fate (or maybe a government conspiracy against me) is trying to have a cruel laugh at my expense.

You see, I finally found a man that I really like and that I'm actually interested in. Someone that I am completely comfortable and happy with and oh, boy attracted to.

I'll give you a minute to climb back up onto your chair and read that again....

Yes, picky little me (who I remind you, was once balked at by a friend for Twittering during a particularly terrible date last year) suddenly found my fear of commitment melt away and my heart open up.

And I've been sporting my Mona Lisa has a secret smile all week.

**

Ahh... a budding romance, a relationship that seems to provide the perfect companionship in so many ways. A man that seems so amazing in my eyes, funny, intelligent, responsible, sweet, passionate.

And now the government wants to take him away from me. Insert self-pity and tears here. Well, OK, it's not the government conspiring against us per se. It's his job.

You see, the place he works for has determined his services are needed several states away.

We are both heartbroken about it. In fact, I'm not even planning to show him this blog until after we know what will happen so not to add to his sadness and anger over the situation. He's doing what he can to protest the transfer. I can only hope that it works.

In the meantime, I will draw on that inner strength that we all know I possess (all too well) and wait.

My plan is to immerse myself once again into the house repairs and exercise (anyone interested in helping with drywall work?). I wouldn't be surprised if you see a new poem or two other than the regularly scheduled Personal Poem Challenges. Maybe I'll even start working on editing for my eventual poetry book. I also plan to get rid of all the riff-raff around here and proceed with the plan to sell the house.

We will cross each bridge as it comes but do have a loose plan in mind if the transfer is forced on him. Good thing we both like to travel.

Which means occasional babysitting jobs will be available.

I could start spouting off all the theories about how "absence makes the heart grow fonder" and all those quotes that would probably make me feel sad right now.

Instead I keep thinking about my favorite Martha Washington quote "I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances"

Wild

The theme for last week was Wild. I actually had two submissions for the photo part of the challenge, as I just couldn't decide which to enter.

I know that many of you are asking how dominoes=wild. All I can answer is that they just can when you have to adults on a date at the Science Center playing like kids. Sadly this particular formation kind of fizzled, but we got the next attempt perfect!

Bug & Sis made me a fantastic, starch-laden dinner of chicken and dumplings over mashed potatoes for Mother's Day. This is what my wild little ones looked like when they were done. I couldn't bring myself to take pictures of the kitchen and the dog afterwards. They had a lot of fun and let loose cheerful giggles as they worked together to prepare the meal, so I guess I can overlook the mess.

Be sure to check out the rest of this week's Random Photo Challenge submissions over at Photography139. Take the time to check out his beautiful Mother's Day/Retirement tribute to his mom too. Very touching.

I am afraid that I have neglected posting anything over at Impassioned Versifier again this week. My muse is speaking very loudly to me at the moment so hopefully I should be able to catch up soon!

Feet, Among Other Things

It's been another hectic week for us. Two softball games and one soccer down, whew! I took some footage of Sis up to bat today. Unfortunately the pitcher was not very experienced, so we don't get to see any grand slams, but we do get to watch Sis steal second, third, and home.

Bug and I took a little play break this afternoon.

I finally got the chance to relax and set up my feet shoot for last week's Random Photo Project. I will be sending in my late submission later tonight but you can see it below and check out the timely submissions over at Photography139. I am sad to say that I failed on the poetry challenge this week. Maybe I will revisit the theme after ball season.

This week's theme is Wild. I have enlisted the help of my new friend to stage a shot, so hopefully we will have something fun to submit on Monday.

I don't have anything to submit for this week's Random Photo Challenge or my Personal Poetry Challenge. It was just a down right busy week! We had two softball games and one soccer game, plus practices, I attended a birthday party for a dear friend, plus I managed to squeeze some overtime in. I also stopped to visit another old friend and....

briefly babysat the son of another dear friend.

I barely kept up with the housework, but somehow managed to find the time to repair the toilet in the guest bath. We now have two functioning bathrooms again! Although there is still some drywall work and painting to be tackled in there later this summer.

Last night I intended to set some time aside to work on my fun little projects. Instead, I got distracted by this....

Bug & Sis decided to blow bubbles just before bedtime last night. It was too dark for them to go outside and they knew I wouldn't be happy with bubbles floating around my living room. So they decided to look for a spot where bubbles would be accepted.

I followed the little burst of contagious giggles that ensued to find them kicked back in the bathtub taking turns with the bubble wand.

I may still work on the projects later this week, as I do have a few ideas on the subject floating around in my head.

My Week on the Web

I haven't been on the computer much the last couple of weeks due to the beautiful weather and a little bit of overtime. Here are the few sites that did peak my interest when I did have time to just "troll":

Two years ago I declared that I was done with the Bad Boys in my life. But where are all the fabled Nice Guys? I completely agree with this editorial, it seems that the bad boys are always willing to show their interest (on a consistent basis), so get over your butterflies Nice Guys and step it up!


Post like this really make my blood boil. I write my poetry for the joy of writing it and occasionally as an urgent release. I'm not sure who this contributing writer is, but her haughty attitude that there is no value in the part-time poet that wasn't privileged enough to attend an Ivy League school just brings me to tears. Granted I don't write with a political agenda (which according to her own words suggests I am not fulfilling any responsibilities as a poet), I write philosophically, hypothetically, theologically, and from the heart. Any small aspirations I may have ever had of being recognized by the poetic community have basically been crushed by this woman's editorial, but that's okay, I don't need recognition. I am happy enough when my friends tell me my writings have touched them in some small way and with just producing something creative in general :)


Sis posting a comment on Facebook referring to this video (the comment question of the day, in particular) got me into a little hot water (funny how the person that was irked by it was upset because he had to admit that he was exactly where she said he would be). We seriously can't get enough of this guy though. Every single episode has us rolling! Especially the one where the guy gets owned by his shoes.


I have our lodging reserved for our trip to Yellowstone this summer! Bug is a little nervous about staying and hiking around on top of a collapsed volcano, but we have been reading an online magazine all about the neat things we can do while we are there, 99 things listed to be exact. It has been a big help with planning our itinerary and figuring out how much to budget.