Ten on Ten: two. ten. thirteen.

February 10th. BSD's birthday. Perfect day for a Ten on Ten. Only problem? BSD is not home. So no birthday birthday cake. No decorations. No pretty wrapped packages in this set. Just a lazy Sunday at home. Doing laundry. Playing outdoors. Catching up on homework. Getting a haircut. Hanging with the puppy dog. Not the day it should have been. But a good one just the same.

January came and went in a flash. Every weekend was consumed with ballet summer intensive auditions. Four weekends. Four auditions. Driving either to Washington, DC or some city in North Carolina. It was fun. At first. By the fourth audition I was cooked. And so was BB. But the results are all in. The intensive has been chosen. And BB is already packing her bags. She's downloaded an app on her iTouch that counts down the days until she gets to go. Summer cannot get her soon enough as far as she's concerned. Exciting times.

Buster continues to be a major source of excitement in our house. He is bigger every morning. And smarter. And sweeter. He's already six months old. And wayyyyy too frisky. He's off to get snipped here in the next few weeks. Crossing our fingers that curbs his enthusiasm. I'm not used to having a boy. yeesh!

I am still waiting for the day that one of my family members is willing to get outdoors with me to let me play with my film cameras. I have a small stockpile of film and am chomping at the bit to explore with it. In the meantime, I'm trying to keep up with year two of my Project 365. But giving myself the freedom to use my iPhone as needed.

One of these days I hope to get back to this space more regularly again. But it's been a welcome break for me. I do miss it. But I also enjoy the freedom. Since I haven't had time to blog hop it hasn't felt right to post. I've been trying to keep up on Instagram. I'm mawlovesbsd. But I'm not sure I've found all of you. If you're on Instagram, and we haven't caught up, let me know how to find you in the comments.

 

 

  

 

 To see what others were up to today, take a peek over here.

eleven. ten. twelve.

These Ten on Ten post titles crack me up.

"umm....no, officer. I haven't been drinking."
"of course I can count to twelve."
"nine. ten. twelve."
"er...ten. ten. twelve."
"no wait...eleven. ten. twelve. Yes. That's it... eleven. ten. twelve."

And it looked like this....

8am - Saturday Morning Cartoons

9am - Gifted and Talented

10am - The view from up here

11am - The ride

high noon - play date

1pm - cheating on my Big Gulp    (hot cocoa with a shot of peppermint mocha. yum!)

2pm - little fishie

3pm - friendship time out

4pm - indian squaw (one of our hens is molting big time)

6pm - pizza on the porch

Yes. It was a gorgeous, lazy day with just Buster, my Little Ballerina and her buddy today. Such a nice break from the cold, damp weather we've been having.

Check out what everyone else was up to today here. If you participated too, leave me a comment. I'd love to peek into your day.

in the park. after dark.

Today is Day 263 of my Project 365. Which is really a Project 366. Because it's Leap Year. Freakin' overachiever that I am. I chose a leap year to attempt this project. 

Some days the photos come easily. I'm done by 9am. 

Other days. It's not so easy.

 

SETTING: Tonight. 9pm. Our kitchen.

BSD: What's your photo today?
Me: I don't have one.
BSD: What are you going to do?
Me: I don't know. Take a picture tomorrow.
BSD: Isn't that cheating?
Me: Well...unless you'll let me take your picture now....

And so he did.
Such a good sport.
Until.
Just as I'm figuring out the camera settings.
He tells me he has to go home.
To poop. 

day 150: brace face

I am still plugging along on my Project 365. Today was day ONE HUNDRED FIFTY! My little ticker on the site that keeps me motivated tells me I am currently 40% complete. I can hardly believe it. I am so, so happy I've made it this far. I love looking back on each month to see what was going on. I get such a kick out of viewing the little thumbnails and remembering certain events. If you've ever considered doing a Project 365, I highly recommend the site I'm using. Super easy to use. And lots of nice people.

Today's photo will definitely be fun to look back on. Especially in, oh...about 20-24 months. When these little brackets and wires have completed their duty. And are finally removed. It will be so much fun to see the before and after.

And speaking of before and after's, I'm currently working on a project that is actually turning out really well. If I do say so myself. And I'm doing it without the help of my partner in crime. As he is still in other parts of the world. Fighting pirates. Or some other such nonsense. Leaving me to "carry on" with our projects as a solo act. When I am clearly much better as a duet. But give me a few more days. And I'll be back to reveal my latest creation.

Project 365: February 2012

It's March 12th. I failed to get my Ten on Ten posted. So instead I'll post my February Project 365 photos. I'm still plugging along with this project. And according to the ticker on the Project 365 site. I am 19% complete. *woot*

Nineteen percent. That sounded like a lot to me. Until I just typed it out. Maybe once it clicks over to 20% it will feel like a bigger accomplishment. I wonder how many more days it will take before I see that number. It's like the rowing machine at the gym ticking off the meters. I'm motivated by the counter. Only I can't pull harder to make this go faster.

But this is life. I don't want it to speed by me. That's part of the reason for this project. To slow down. And enjoy the ride.

And these monthly collages really help do just that. Slowing down. Enjoying the ride. Thanks for joining me.

Project 365: January 2012

I know you've all seen most of these photos already, but I am SO STINKIN' proud of myself for completing a whole month of this project. I have tried this for the past two years, and have never made it a full month. Maybe it's true. The third time's a charm. *knocks wood*

It's been a lot of work. And I hope, hope, hope that I can keep up the pace. I wish I knew more about layouts because I have no idea how to get all the pictures into a collage this size any other way. And the pictures aren't even in the correct order. Oh well. I did figure out how to make a really cool Flash player gallery of the month, but I have no idea how to upload that here. It sucks being so computer illiterate!

Anyway...thank you SO much to all of you who encourage me to keep going. Your friendship and support make my heart happy.

It's February. The month of love. This month ranks right up there in our book. I look so forward to all the pink, red, hearts and sappiness. Bring it!

 

I think it should be called Finding Your Courage...

I took the plunge and signed up for the last photography class in the series I've participated in through the local modern art museum. I really hesitated about this one. It's called "Finding Your Vision." Does anyone else think that sounds totally daunting?!

Going into this I knew it included a reception at the end. Kind of like a gallery showing. You have to choose 8-10 photos. Learn how to frame and hang them. And then have REAL people come view them. While you're standing right there. Not like posting them on a blog. In your pj's. Where invisible people pop by to look. And either leave. Or leave a nice comment. No. You have to physically put yourself out there. In real life. In real clothes. Thank God there will be alcohol there.

I went to the first class. I expected to see a lot of familiar faces. A bunch of moms. With a camera. Just like me.

ummm...not so much.

This class seems to be filled with retired professionals. A professor. A non-profit director. And even a non-retired surgeon. *shit* They're not going to want to look at pictures of my kids. What have I gotten myself into.

Before we left that first class we had to tell the teacher what our project would be. Already. At the first class. This alone pushes me right out of my comfort zone. What's the rush? I think we should get to know each other better. That's a little much on the first date.

The project has to tell a story. It has to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Because not only are we going to have a reception but we're going to make a book. Not exactly sure how this will work. But this part I'm looking forward to. Yet this was the part that made the project that much harder. Especially for the nature photographers in the group.

We had to bring a sampling of what we've been shooting lately. I brought a few photos from my Project 365. And even though she wants to push us outside our comfort zone. She encouraged me to do "A Day in the Life." Phew!

Still. It won't be easy. We're not that interesting. And besides. It's winter. That means a good portion of our life. Like going to the beach. And riding bikes. Will be left out. And I'll be left showing pictures of laundry.

And homework.

And dirty floors.

Do you think it's too late to back out now? If not. I think I need to find the wizard. And get me some of that courage.

One year ago today...

I've been a bit MIA this past week. Focusing more on getting my Project 365 off the ground rather than my dear old blog, I'm afraid. That. And trying to organize my "stuff." If you ask BSD, I haven't gotten anywhere on that front. But there is quite the pile ready for the Samaritan house pickup on Wednesday. And later this week I plan to crawl into my closet and not come back out until a good mountain of excess has been scaled.

I've also had a lot on my mind this past week. One year ago today I said goodbye to my mom. I held her hand, kissed her cheek, and told her goodbye. I knew it was going to be the last time I saw her. She died peacefully in the middle of the night. I know she waited until we were all home asleep. She did not want us to be there. She was stubborn like that. I miss her everyday.

I love you, Mom! 

This photo was taken about 5 years ago? It was taken with my dad's old Hasselblad. I asked him to bring it to our house that Christmas to get some family photos. I'm so glad I did. I had no idea then what they'd mean to me. One of my goals this year is to learn how to shoot with my dad's old cameras. I'm going to start with his old Leica first. It's less intimidating than this one.

Late to the party. As usual.

It's already January 5th. Way past the new year. Especially by blog standards. But I'm finally getting around to putting my "word of the year" out there into the blogosphere. I've let this party rock on without me for the past two years. And this year I decided not to be a wallflower. Party rock is in the house tonight.

I was waffling between two words. But I finally chose one.

Create.

I love this word because it encompasses almost anything. That is. Except pro-create.

Create...a writing piece.
Create...messes.
Create...a sewing project.
Create...memories
Create...a new recipe.
Create...a photograph.

Create...another photograph.

And how about another?

And maybe one more?

And if you keep this up. Maybe. Just maybe. You will be able to actually see a Project 365 through for a whole year?

And if you do. Maybe you can take those 365 photographs. And create a book. For your family. That they will drink in with as much interest as they do their favorite catalogs?

And in doing so. Hopefully you will create....joy.

Disclaimer: I plan to take one photograph each day. But I do not plan to post those photos daily on this blog. They may show up on this blog in one form or another. But this blog is for me. To post when and what I choose. I don't want it to become a monkey on my back because I have to post every day. Instead, I've joined a site dedicated solely to Project 365. If you'd like to follow along, you can do so here. Better yet, join me in this project by signing up here.

May Family Photos: Musical Chairs

I failed to get a family portrait in April. I was REALLY bummed to miss last month, but BSD was gone unexpectedly for the last few days of April when I planned to take the picture. 

Lesson to be learned? Take the picture EARLY in the month. 

Lesson I learned? Wait until the last minute.

 

Then force everyone to cooperate. 

Bribe them if you have to.

 During the last minutes of daylight.

On the last day that you'll all be together.

For the rest of the month. 

Then deal with the fact that you look like a behemoth in that shirt. 

That you thought looked cute. 

Until you sat down.

Slide Show Sunday: Mother's Day

For those of you who don't have children yet, let me give you a little advice. Have your kids when the weather is warm. 

I'm serious. As a mother of two winter ballerinas, I know what I'm talking about. If you have warm weather babies you won't have to clean your house only to have it destroyed two hours later by 20 wild birthday guests spilling juice boxes and smashing cake crumbs into your couch. You won't be stalked by a giant mouse as you eat overpriced pizza with 20 screeching party animals clawing at you for more tokens. 

By having your children when the weather is beautiful, you can save yourself tons of money and continue to let your dust bunnies mate. If you're really smart and have summer babies, you can have a free party at the beach. Easy Peasy. Done. 

Or if you have them in the spring you can do something really sweet like this...

It won't be free, but it will be a heck of a lot cheaper than paying for 20 kids to run around in the dark shooting lasers at each other. Where you can't take a single picture. Which will leave you without proof of what a great mom you were. And you'll wind up old and alone eating overpriced pizza on Mother's Day. Because your kids won't remember the $250 you spent on their parties each year.

No. Have babies in the spring so you can take funky pictures of their parties like this...

And earn bonus points by posting them on a blog like this...

Where people can see them. And will hopefully leave a comment. So your kids will have documentation of what a great mom you were.

And when they question you about why they're such great jugglers, you can remind them of this...

Yes. The mother who planned this birthday party at the strawberry field was genius. And since I have no pictures of the Little Ballerina's party at the germy indoor Jungle Gym, I'm going to tell her this was HER party. As soon as I learn how to photoshop her face over the real birthday girl's face in the candle blowing picture.

Oh, and one last bit of Mother's Day advice. Make sure you write a blog. And write posts about things that tickle your fancy. So when you open your gift on this special day, you will be pleasantly "surprised." (Thank you to my BSD and my ballerinas. I love him. But not as much as I love all of you. We need to give our new pet a name.)

Happy Mother's Day!