a little friday randomness.

A little randomness for your Friday...
1. About this time of year I start to get excited for fall and Halloween. I love fall and all the glorious colors and the crisp, cool, sunny days. And I love Halloween...love the kids dressed-up, love the spooky decorations, love the candy.
2. While flying to Denver and then back to Seattle I came to realize that I've developed this fear of flying as I've gotten older. I think it really started once I had a child, and realized just how precious life is. I especially don't like flying through clouds. It makes me feel claustrophobic (and being packed onto a steel tube with wings doesn't?...Makes no sense, I know.)
3. I wonder what happened to the bloggers who used to comment on my posts all the time, who I hardly ever hear from anymore. Did I offend? Is my blog too boring for them now? Are my photos just not good enough? I know, I know...I shouldn't worry about them. It probably has nothing to do with me. But being the hyper-sensitive person that I am, I think about these kinds of things far too much (like daily). I also wonder why some of the people who supposedly follow my blog never, ever comment.
4. Never, ever look at your blog stats. Ever. (But it's like a train wreck - I can't help but look on occasion.)
5. My mom drove down to Camas with us last Sunday, as I like to have company when I drive (it's the whole seizure disorder thing...) We took her to the train station Wednesday so she could head home, back up to Seattle. And even at 38 I still get a little teary-eyed and lonely when my parents leave after visiting.
6. I took the above photo weeks ago, as the sun was setting. That's our crazy, palm tree-like plant that sits by the window. It was an experiment in capturing lovely evening sunshine.
7. I've become a little obsessed with trying to capture sunlight in just the right way. I know what I want it to look like in my head. Just trying to capture it on "film" now.
8. I'm currently reading three books: The Hunger Games, The Wonder of Boys and The Ghost in the House.
Go on and click on the link to that last one. It's a subject that I am all too familiar with, and it's an interesting book so far. It will get it's very own blog post when I've finished and have composed my thoughts on the matter.
9. I feel bad and sad for my poor, cancer-ridden dog. And as a first time dog owner I wonder, how do you know when it's time? (I know if my husband is reading this post he will say, "What ARE you talking about??" Maggie really is his dog.) I just wonder if she is still enjoying her life, you know? Chemo every month, trip to the vet for blood work and some poking and prodding every  month, prednisone every day, constantly thirsty and hungry from said prednisone, constantly having to pee. Sometimes at night after everyone has gone to bed and it's just Mags and me on the couch, I look at her and give her some love pats and just feel sad for her. (I'm a sentimental fool. I'm getting teary-eyed just writing this.)
10. I LOVE my blogging friends! You are all so kind. And I've really enjoyed emailing with a few of you!

Happy Friday, friends. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
A

sink bath.

Ok, so it wasn't exactly a bath, but he got his cute little feet clean.



Look at those cute toes...

the happy day.

The wedding was held at the Planet Bluegrass Ranch in Lyons, Colorado. It was just gorgeous. I took some photos, but they don't do that scenery justice. But here are a few of my favorites from the lovely evening...



My Uncle Gene and Uncle Ozzie just chatting away...


Empty seats after the wedding.


My second cousin, Logan and her new husband, Peter. They are just as wonderfully cute in real life as they are in this photo!






Delicious cold beer. Need I say more?


I shot photos of their first dance with this image in mind...


It was a wonderful evening spent with family. More photos to come...

one shot.

After downloading all of the photos from my trip, and making that first pass and deleting, I found one photo that I simply love SOOC.



Every once in awhile you get that one shot that erases all those doubts you might have had about your photography skills. That one shot that whispers in your ear, "Yes, you do know what you're doing." This is my one shot.

More wedding photos to come.

(And don't mind the header change...I'm working on a few changes.)

it's like you never left.

(Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams in the background) 

It's amazing what some time away from life-as-you-know-it can do for you. I had ten days away from cleaning and cooking and laundry and arguing and entertaining and nagging. And I had ten days with wonderful friends and family and good conversations and time to read and shop and think and feel some peace in my life. Much needed time to think and feel peace and quiet. Much needed time away. 'Cause while it may look like this momma/wife has it all together, I so don't.



I have a ton of photos to go through and delete a bunch and edit a few and post a few.
I have a ton of words and blog posts running circles in my head.
I have a house that needs a thorough cleaning after being gone for ten days.
And laundry and ironing.
And a grocery list to write.
And meals to plan.
Funny how all you leave behind on vacation waits patiently for our return.

And just like that, it's like you never left.

vacation.

As I sat down to write this I thought of the days when I worked and went on vacation and would set-up my OOO - Out of the Office reply. So this, my friends, is my blog OOO message. Max and I are heading to Seattle today, and then I'm off to Denver tomorrow for a wedding and lots of time with extended family. So looking forward to it. And after much indecisiveness, I have finally decided to take my Nikon with me. I'm a little nervous about it since it is my baby, and if it gets lost/stolen/broken I will be heart-broken and unable to afford a new camera. But I really want to try to get some great shots of my family. I'm bringing my 50mm, an extra battery (and charger) and two extra flash cards since I'm not bringing my laptop to download photos every day.
So, perhaps I'll post when I get back to Seattle. But maybe not if I'm having too much fun!
(And wish me luck at my 20 year high school reunion. I'm a tad nervous...) 
Hugs, 
A

and then there were none.

On the Fourth of July I noticed there was only one egg left. And the next day, none. So sad. It made me sad for Mr. and Mrs. Robin. And it made me sad for a few other reasons that I won't delve into.

{happiness is...}

Happiness is a swim suit drying in the sun. (Since the sunshine and warm weather has been so rare this summer.)

there is a reason.

Sometimes you just have to be reminded.

(If this doesn't make you teary-eyed, I'm not sure what will.)

catch-up.

Let me get you all caught-up on what's been going on around here:
1. I made the top five in The Paper Mama's photo challenge last week! YAY! You'll notice the new Top 5 button on the right side. A little validation is good for the soul.
2. It's Monday and I haven't picked-up my camera since Thursday. Sigh... My mind has been elsewhere and I'm lacking inspiration.
3. I had to upgrade to Flickr Pro, and since I've upgraded I've only posted five new photos. (See number two, above.)
4. Max had his first t-ball game this weekend. And while he almost didn't get out of the car to even go to the game, and at one point he was laying on the grass during the game, and then ended-up sitting on my lap -  he did go up to bat three times, and near the end of the game he got out there on the field again. As frustrating as this was as a mom, I know that patience and encouragement are what he needs at the end of the day. Don't get me wrong, I was annoyed he sat on my lap during part of the game, and wondered why my child didn't want to play when all the other kids were having such fun. But I have to remember he is only four and it was his first game. And just because I was excited for the game doesn't necessarily mean he was excited. I remember how nervous and scared I was when I was a kid when I tried something new.  (Oh, and I did my fair share of sitting on my mom's lap as well.) My mom was always so patient with me and supportive; I knew it was "ok" to be me. I hope I can be that kind of mom to Max. He did great, and I'm certain he will get more excited about playing once he gets a few practices and games under his belt.
5. A super sweet, dear, dear friend came to town Friday evening and spent the night at our house. She came down a day early so she could meet her husband in Portland the next day when he finished the Seattle to Portland bike ride. We went to dinner and caught-up, had a couple of drinks, Max was SO excited to see her. He loves when friends come to visit. I think Max and I were about tied in terms of who was most sad to see her leave.
6. I lied! I did take a few photos at the t-ball game. Totally forgot till just now! I have yet to download and edit.
7. Just loved this quote from Our Daily Bread from RBC Ministries: "God's presence is a life preserver that keeps the soul from sinking in a sea of trouble." It was just what this sinking soul needed to hear yesterday.
8. I need to find my happy place again. I've been spending too much time inside my head lately and for me that's never a good thing.
9. I need to pack and get ready to head to Seattle Thursday, and then head to Denver Friday. I'm very much looking forward to a little weekend get-away to Denver to see my family. And I'm excited for this trip with my mom. The last time we did our own mother-daughter trip was my senior year of high school - 20 years ago. Oh, and speaking of 20 years ago...I will be attending my 20 year high school reunion when I get back to Seattle after our little trip to Denver. I'm really looking forward to getting out of town for awhile.
10. Last, but certainly not least...I received a sweet email from Amanda over at A Life Well Lived on Thursday. Her kind words made my morning. It's always so nice to hear from my blogging friends who are also working on their photography. She was also sweet enough to invite me to join her in her {happiness is...} series. I just love this idea she came up with! And I've been racking my brain trying to think of some creative theme of my own. But I have to say her {happiness is...} idea takes the cake! So, thank you, Amanda!

the big boys.

Dear little boy of mine,
I know you love to watch the big boys. They run around and shoot hoops and ride their bikes and scooters down our steep hill. You stand in awe, watching. And I can tell you want to do all of those things. You even ask me if the big boys would play with you.
You will be big soon enough. Far too soon, I'm afraid. There will come a day when you do all of the things those big boys are doing, and the little boys will stand in awe of you.
I love your more than you know, my little man.
Hugs and kisses,
Mom

water fun.

Some sprinkler fun. Some yummy light. A happy, camera-toting mom.




Some wet feet.
So glad it's Friday. You have no idea how exhausting this week has been. And it's my absolute favorite holiday - Fourth of July! Which also happens to be my brother's birthday.
Happy Friday, friends.
A.

Linking up with

16:52

Picture Inspiration week 16. Coupling. A happy couple of toothbrush holders. (Yes, I am oh-so very far behind on this project... And I don't really like the processing on this one. Sigh...)