Last Minute

Today was yet another last minute day. I've really found that it's hard for me to find time to get my camera out. Most days I don't think about it until the kids are in bed and I finally get some time to myself. By then it's late and I just want to relax. On top of all that I feel like it's getting a little monotonous.

The good thing is that I really feel like once Spring comes, the lure of getting a picture will get me out of the house more. It'll be a great excuse to go to the park, the zoo and other fun outdoor places. For now, it's cold (barely making it to freezing today) and wet and dreary. I don't do cold.

The bad thing is that Spring is still weeks and weeks away.

Today I finally decided to pull out an object from my past. My first lunch box was a PacMan lunch box and I absolutely adored it. I remember how my sandwich fit perfectly in it, how I would swing it by my side by the handles, how different it was from everyone's plastic lunch boxes. I'm not sure it was ever meant to be used as a lunch box, but that's what I used and I loved it. And eventually lost it.

Years ago when ebay was a new thing I was searching for items from my childhood when I found it. My lunch box. I bid on it immediately and was thrilled to win. Now, every time I see it on the shelf, I smile.

And to add to things that make me smile:
the Teenager.
He was on the computer, shooting me odd looks out of the corner of his eyes while I photographed my lunch box. I'm sure that he was telling whomever it was he was chatting on facebook with that I was totally weird and crazy. So I turned the camera on him. >:)

I love how he can't totally ignore me but he's trying so hard not to smile. LOL

Fish Lips

Today I let Mia play on the computer while her older siblings were at school. At one point I looked over at her and noticed the funny faces she made while playing Webkinz. I couldn't resist sneaking my camera out and she looked over at me right as I snapped the picture. Perfect timing!

Today I decided to walk around my yard and see what interesting things I could find to photograph. I started with my cute new sneakers. :)

I found lots of signs of winter and leftovers from autumn.


I loved the way the sky looked with the setting sun behind the clouds and the tree branches silhouetted against it. I had fun with some editing and I like it even more. :)
I also found a few vestiges of color left in the world like the green moss growing on a tree.

Best of all, I found hope and a sign of Spring to come.

Today I was low on motivation. I really did not want to get out my camera. I didn't care if I took a pic, but my perfectionist heart couldn't let me get away with skipping a day. LOL

I finally decided to post/photograph one of my favorite hobbies.

I love sewing. I'm mostly self taught beyond the "this is how you thread a machine and sew a straight line" that I learned in middle school. I find sitting behind my sewing machine to be very stress relieving. I love creating things and I very seldom use a pattern. Most of what I sew these days are my kids' Halloween costumes, but I've made other clothes, and blankets, pillows, bags....whatever I find a need to create.

I have a huge stash of material (most of it I got for free off of freecycle) and threads and trims and buttons to inspire me. I love taking what's in my head and creating it from nothing. I love the hum of the machine and the satisfaction I feel when I'm finished. And most of all, I love the back rub I get from my husband after spending hours hunched over my machine. :)

My birthday

Today was my birthday. Jason surprised me by taking off of work and setting up a babysitter and took me out to lunch. Afterwards we went shopping and walked around the mall. I got some new jeans, sneakers and pj pants. I wasn't really planning on getting anything else because he had me order my Nook that I've been wanting and I'd told him that I counted that as my birthday/valentine's/anniversary gift.

I should know better, though. I also got this:

I've been looking at similar necklaces for three years now. I have tons of rings, and some nice diamond earrings but I've never really bought myself any necklaces or pendants. I love the combination of the black and white diamonds and I like how simple it is. It suits me and even though I feel terribly guilty having that much (more) money spent on myself, I love it.

On the way home, Anakin asked about my birthday cake so they helped pick out some cupcakes for mommy. Jason, being silly, stuck a candle in the center one and they sung "Happy Birthday" to me.

I think Anakin just wanted to have some cake. :)

Well, that didn't go as hoped

Today I decided to experiment with some paint drips. I thought it would be fun to see what images I might get as different colors mixed and I have tons of acrylic paint laying around so I picked a few colors and started dripping.

Yeah, didn't go as planned. First of all, I'm working alone here and I was trying to drip the paints and compose the picture all at the same time. Secondly, my set up was well... less than subpar and wasn't helping matters. I guess that's what I get for waiting until the end of the day to try to get a pic.

I really need to hire an assistant or start bribing my kids or something. LOL

"Let's bowl, let's bowl, let's rock-'n-roll"

So who can finish the lyric? LOL

So, obviously we went bowling today. I took my camera and tried to get some shots but it's not easy to snap pics while trying to not bother those around you and get a decent shot. Why are bowing alleys so dimly lit?

I didn't really like any of the shots I got so I just experimented with some editing. I think I like the one of Claudia best. The one of Mia came out too grainy for me and Ethan's could probably use a boost in contrast. Or something. I just can't decide.