Month: February, 2012

Imitation is the best compliment. simple things sunday. {Monroe, WA photographer}

February 19, 2012 · 12:49 pm

There are days when I wonder if I am doing ANY good in my kid’s lives? Those are the days when I usually end the day snuggled up next to them, asking them for forgiveness when I raised my voice out of frustration or impatience earlier. Talk about eating a big fat piece of humble pie.

Often, I overhear my kid’s chatter and smile at how funny the things they say sounds. I laugh because it sounds just like what Jeff or I would say.

For example, in the car driving through our neighborhood, when I hear Ben say, “Seriously, Mom. That car over there is cool.”

“Seriously?”

Seriously. That word. I say it all the time.

Or, when G-mamma imitates Jeff when I walk into the kitchen lately, “Heeeeeeeeeeeeello Mommy,” she howls. And, she knows it gives us all a chuckle, so she keeps on.

All of these things are funny, yes. But, what worries me somedays, are the negative things my kids pick up from us as well. The things that will unintentionally stick into their little brains and someday surface themselves in unhealthy ways.

I know. I know. We are only human and we ARE NOT perfect. But, I SO want my life to be a reflection of kindness and gentleness to others and have it wear off on the little people that follow me around daily.

Which is why these photos warm the cockles of my heart, so. Because, I believe imitation is the best compliment. Really. Truly.

And, girlfriend be imitating kindness and gentleness to this baby doll of hers.

Makes me think, she must have learned that from someone.

Thank God she has picked this up and not the bad word I dropped the other day in the car.

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Beauty in the everyday. {Monroe, WA photographer}

February 13, 2012 · 2:15 pm

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A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist.

Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the top musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written,with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station

was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty?

Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

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Excerpt taken from the Washington Post. You can view the entire article HERE.

 

I re-read this article again today.

It struck a new cord within me.

How many times throughout the day do I just miss the beauty around me?

And, no I’m not talking about capturing it with my camera all the time.  But, stopping to think on it.  Look at it.  Smell it.  Taste it.  Play in it.

I am sure I miss so so much.  And, that pains me.

Because, like so many of you, I want to live.  Really, truly live life to the fullest.  Take it all in.  And, not be in such a damn hurried rush.

Take this morning for example.

Scene:  Unloading groceries from the car with a to-do list in the back of my brain.  Start the soup.  Fold laundry.  All in 20 minutes before I had to rush off to pick up Ben from school.  But, there she walked…  to the end of the driveway to the wet puddles of fallen rain.  I watched her as she looked down into the gutter below her feet, I am sure pondering how all of that water got there.  And, that’s when I did it.  Walked out to her and with my feet, demonstrated how to splash in the puddles.  Simple yes.  But, I am ashamed to admit, I feel I do things like this so rarely with my kids.  And, the look on her face…  Oh, that sweet face.  She mirrored my example and we had ourselves a good ol puddle jumping party right there, and it only took 5 minutes.  She was pleased.  And, I felt the beauty in it.  I didn’t even reach for my camera, but my heart took a picture.

Oh, how I long for more of this.  This.  This.  Beauty in the everyday.

 

shoes, sushi, and snuggles ~ Instagram. Simple Things Sunday {Monroe, WA photographer}

February 12, 2012 · 8:09 pm

It was a nice week here. Busy, but not crazy busy. Relaxing and productive. Challenging and hopeful.

How was your week?

A couple of updates, in case you are interested…

Potty training. Still working on it with the Diva. We have about a 60% success rate during our days, which I think is because we are out and about during the day and she forgets and I forget to remind her. I know that I should stay home for a week and try and knock it out with her, but I just don’t want to give up some things right now. I’m not stressin about it though. She’ll get it and we’ll keep at it. No pressure here.

Gettin my groove on. Still moving it here. I was at the gym four days last week and then on Saturday. I am enjoying my time alone with my ipod, sweating out the stresses of the day. And, this week’s tune stuck in my head while I run has been LMFAO. I know. I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that. But, if you have listened to the song, you know how catchy it is and how you could understand it would stick in someone’s head.

Onto my simple things for the week… I have three actually.

Shoes.
Jeff and I had a much needed date night last night and date night for us is quietly browsing in a book store or walking through Target. So, that we did. And, oh can I just tell you how nice it is to browse through Target without screaming kids? Pure bliss.

I happened upon the shoe section and found these bad boys. Perfect for my Spring attire. I’ll have to wait till pay day though. And, maybe they’ll go on sale.

Spider rolls and spicy tuna rolls. Catching up with my man across a candlelit table at our favorite sushi restaurant was exactly what my heart needed. Love that guy.

And, lastly… morning snuggles while watching Saturday morning cartoons.

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Bringin it. Simple Things Sunday {Monroe, WA photographer}

February 5, 2012 · 7:37 pm

I feel like I lived in the gym this week. Running, biking, zumba, weights. My bod is sore, but my soul feels a bit refreshed. It’s been awhile since I have worked it this hard.

Don’t get me wrong. I hit the gym on a fairly regular basis, but I often bring a book with me and do the multi-tasking thing on the machine, so I can get some reading in. I don’t really get a good sweat going. A bit of a heart rate increase, but nothing crazy.

This week. For some reason. Was different.

Something inside me snapped. Like a fierce machine. That told me to run and move and burn. And, it felt dang good. It was like solitude. Me and my ipod. Jammin to Pink. And, a little old school Snoop Dog.

We’ll see if I can keep this up. Maybe not on such an obsessive basis. But, keep on keepin on.

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