tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83635155351819522682024-03-14T02:57:13.501-07:00just a minute...ordinary days. extraordinary moments.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-30080719876764273642013-11-27T14:38:00.005-08:002013-11-27T14:38:52.517-08:00a new space.You can find me at my new space now...<div>
I didn't give up blogging altogether...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://andreameisgeierphotography.blogspot.com/">Andrea Meisgeier Photography</a>.</span></div>
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Hope you'll stop by and say HI!</div>
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A</div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-58729496867827922572013-09-28T12:15:00.002-07:002013-09-28T12:15:48.305-07:00the end of the story.I have thoroughly enjoyed this space over the past few years and the connections it has brought into my life.<br />
But for now, I think it's time to say goodbye.<br />
It has served its purpose.<br />
I have nothing left to say.<br />
It's the end of the story.<br />
Thank you to those who have visited and left comments.<br />
You are near and dear to my heart.<br />
Perhaps someday the story might continue in a different time and place.<br />
Thank you.<br />
AAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-69317732587395678712013-09-24T14:07:00.002-07:002013-09-24T14:07:55.561-07:00lately...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9922421945/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="fall by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="fall" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3702/9922421945_dc66f3d523_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Autumn is here. It's my favorite season. I anxiously begin anticipating it's arrival about the end of July when I'm just tired of the long, sunny, hot days. And let me tell you, we got a really great long and hot summer here in the Pacific Northwest this year. But yes, I was ready for fall and cool days and sweater weather and shorter days way back in July.<br />
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It's funny. Now that I think about it the only change I really love and eagerly anticipate is the change of seasons. If I had to rank the seasons I look forward to most - autumn, winter, spring and lastly, summer. But I really do look forward to them all. I get tired of the hot sunny days in the summer, and the rain and cold in the winter, and spring - well, I don't seem to tire of spring.<br />
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Today is the second day of fall quarter at Clark College. I signed-up for one, two credit online only class. Times have changed, I know, but I'm really not so sure about this online learning thing. I am certain there are benefits to it (I don't have to find a sitter and drive all the way into downtown Vancouver for class, I can do my work whenever I please and in my PJs...) But I went to college in the early mid 90s. We sat in class. We tried like hell to stay awake in early morning classes. We ran into friends on campus. We met new friends in new classes. And we actually got to <i>interact</i> and <i>learn from one another</i>, not just a textbook and a professor. Does that make me sound old?...Maybe I am old. Forty and going to college...<br />
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And on this second day of the quarter I'm already questioning whether I really should be taking a class. I'm the queen bee of second guessing. Will I be able to do the work? (<i>Yes. Yes you will, Andrea.</i>) Do I want to do the work? (<i>Umm...today - no, not really. This week - no, not really.</i>) I guess lazy has gotten the best of me as of late. That's what being home and not working or going to school for almost seven years will do to you. But I have three assignments due by Sunday...<br />
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I've been in a photography slump. Again. What's new, right?... But an idea came to me today. A little project for October. I'll tell you more about it soon enough. ;)<br />
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Our hardwood floors are installed!! yahoo!! Eric and a friend of his from work worked their butts off and got it done in just three weekends. We have some work to do on the trim now, but the floors are in! And that nasty, gross carpet. GONE. We are using scraps of it as area rugs for now - don't want to scratch those new floors. The floor is defintely colder than the carpet! And we've had a few good laughs watching Sammy negotiate the new floors when she gets all excited when dad gets home. She's a slip-sliding mess. But it's funny.<br />
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Have you heard this song by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y_KJAg8bHI">Avicii</a>?... Kinda catchy, I think.<br />
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Oh and this one. I love The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiTucKt-gM4">Barenaked Ladies</a>. Glad to hear them on the radio again!<br />
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I suppose that's all for now. Enjoy the week, friends!<br />
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a.<br />
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-25360916924672750082013-09-10T16:25:00.001-07:002013-09-10T16:34:59.181-07:00a moment in the sun.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9721615970/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="a moment in the sun. by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="a moment in the sun." height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/9721615970_51b5600652_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
We are in the long process of installing our own hardwood floors.<br />
Well, let me say Eric and a friend of his from work are in the long process. But they are both engineers, so best leave it to the pros, right?...<br />
Anyway, I've dreamed of new hardwoods for years now. Years. And they are finally here in boxes all over the house. Strand bamboo. A lovely shade that's not too dark and not too light. Just perfect.<br />
We've been in this house ten years now. The white carpet hasn't been "white" for years...after eight years of Maggie, and almost two years of Sammy, and the pets the previous owners had, and two messy adults and one messy child... No, the carpets are a lovely shade of dirty now.<br />
And let me tell you - it's glorious to see it go. I can almost hear the choirs singing...<br />
Sammy is pretty happy about this new flooring as well.<br />
She gave it a good "test drive" yesterday when the sun was streaming in the front door windows, and that new hardwood flooring got nice and toasty...<br />
I think she's just as pleased with it as the rest of us.<br />
And I think you'll be seeing plenty more photos of Sammy and Max in the sun. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9718387363/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="a moment in the sun. by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="a moment in the sun." height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/9718387363_a3c50d777b_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-89139753747320538122013-09-07T13:26:00.001-07:002013-09-07T19:03:53.158-07:00slice of life: newport, oregon.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9693253365/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="newport, oregon by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="newport, oregon" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/9693253365_698c65ddb6_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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just a <strike>photo-dump</strike> few snapshots of our Labor Day weekend</div>
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in Newport, Oregon with some really great friends.</div>
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the weather was amazing...</div>
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our friends who did most of the cooking are amazing cooks!...</div>
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the kids had a blast...</div>
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Sammy was just plain worn-out...</div>
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it was a good end to the summer.</div>
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Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-34816932391717462322013-09-04T20:08:00.001-07:002013-09-04T20:08:23.629-07:00newport: a preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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more to come once I figure out this beach/shooting into the sun/hazy skies editing thing...</div>
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-43624307012304558172013-09-04T13:59:00.001-07:002013-09-04T13:59:32.001-07:00first day of first grade.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9672694987/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="first day of first grade by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="first day of first grade" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/9672694987_2d31b59ba3_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9675922162/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="first day of first grade by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="first day of first grade" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9675922162_c8fef406ef_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9672695151/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="first day of first grade by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="first day of first grade" height="532" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2846/9672695151_e6eec4e74a_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9675922230/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="first day of first grade by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="first day of first grade" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/9675922230_3308efffb2_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
He had a good day.<br />
And that's all this mom was hoping for, really.<br />
He didn't really want his picture taken but I told him he wouldn't get to play with my ipad if he didn't let me take a few pics. That seemed to work, but the fake "cheese" smile is evident.<br />
Notice those two missing upper teeth. :)<br />
We still have the issue of actually eating the lunch he brings to school to work on, but I think he'll figure that one out fairly quickly. ;)<br />
I remember holding him as a baby and toddler and thinking I that "all day, everyday" school days were SO far away...and they'd never get here soon enough for this exhausted mom who day-dreamed of a reprieve from the non-stopness that is motherhood. But now here they are...<br />
And just like that I'm back to days alone with the dog and no job - just like when I left work and went on bedrest five weeks before having Maxwell.<br />
Different dog, but we'll keep each other company just the same.<br />
I'm just happy this dude above is back in school and getting to see his friends on a regular basis.<br />
And unlike last year, this mom did not shed a tear.<br />
He's a happy kiddo - no need for tears.<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-37734733281582678892013-08-29T12:26:00.000-07:002013-08-29T12:26:59.390-07:0040 things about me.<br />
<br />
I thought I'd share 40 things about me since I turned 40 back at the end of June. Some you've heard before I am sure.<br />
<br />
1. I like my margaritas on the rocks with a lot of salt.<br />
2. I used to play the clarinet, the flute and the piano. And I used to sing in my church choir. And I went to band camp.<br />
3. A few of my favorite CDs: Tapestry - Carole King, Lead Me On - Amy Grant, Greatest Hits Vols 1 - James Taylor, anything Alison Krauss and anything John Mayer and anything David Wilcox.<br />
4. I don't like big change. AT. ALL.<br />
5. The best birthday gift I've ever received was getting to have lunch on my actual birthday with my best friend, Stacey, while she was in the midst of fighting a battle with melanoma. I got to see her one last time before she died two months later. I don't think any gift I ever receive will top that.<br />
6. I was a campus tour guide at the University of Washington. It was fun! Though it fills me with a crazy amount of anxiety to think of doing that now.<br />
7. I think some people are good at their hobby and some are given a true gift. How it all pans out - I don't know. But I hope someday I discover that I have a true gift for something.<br />
8. Being laid-off twice was a bit of a blessing in disguise. I don't take any job <i>overly</i> serious anymore. I mean I'm still a hard worker, but I don't let work own me. Too many people let work own and define them. It's kinda sad. I know that I'm just a wheel in the cog of the big machine. It's given me a healthy perspective on work and what really matters in life. Work may make you think you're big stuff and they can't live without you, but they can. Believe me, they can replace you in a heartbeat.<br />
9. If I could go back to any one of my past jobs, I'd choose to go back to my very first job out of college - Program Coordinator for the University of Washington School of Medicine's Continuing Medical Education Department (now there's a mouthful!) If I was still there, I'd likely be Director by now.<br />
10. My favorite holiday is the Fourth of July, which is also my brother's birthday. :) Second favorite is Halloween - mostly because I love fall.<br />
11. I used to love the Christmas season until I worked retail. Retail killed the holidays for me.<br />
12. If I could live anywhere in the world I'd move right on back to lovely Kirkland or Redmond, Washington.<br />
13. If I could go back to school (and money/school loans was no issues) I'd get my Pharm.D.<br />
14. I'd do Botox and get a little filler done in a heartbeat. Apparently I'm getting vain in my old age.<br />
15. One thing about parenthood that drives me bonkers is the inability to have a conversation with my husband or pretty much any other adult without being interrupted by Max a million times. Bonkers!!<br />
16. I think it's important for every person to find that one thing they do solely for him or her self. That thing that makes you feel just like you. Not as mom or wife or sister or friend or worker, but as you. Without that one thing that fills you you'll always have a little empty spot in your life, regardless of all the other things you do.<br />
17. As I've gotten older my faith in all things has slowly disintegrated. There's not much left - little bits and pieces in crumbs, in my hands. I'm trying to hold on to them. But at this point it would be far easier to brush the crumbs off and move on. I always thought my faith would grow as I did, but it hasn't. My faith has slowly crumbled.<br />
18. I believe there are two types of friends that come into our life - the ones that are forever, sister friends, and the ones that teach you something about yourself and your life and then move on.<br />
19. I could live on guac and chips in the summertime. Heck! Anytime!<br />
20. One of the best pieces of advice a friend ever gave me: when trying to make a decision, do whatever is going to be harder to do. At first it doesn't sound like it makes much sense, but in the end it really does. I think we spend a lot of time taking the easy way out, so-to-speak. Sometimes the good stuff in life takes a crap-load of hard work and some pain and suffering. Of course, I'm still working on this one. It isn't easy.<br />
21. I'm recorded on vinyl along with the rest of the Rose Hill Junior High band.<br />
22. One of the greatest and simplest gifts you can give anyone you care about in life is your time and a listening ear. We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason. All any of us wants is to be heard.<br />
23. I love the fall and rain and clouds and wind. I love a good stormy day.<br />
24. I'm an excessive worrier, dweller on the past, and ruminator.<br />
25. I care far too much what other people think of me. Way too much. I have to remind myself to just let it all go sometimes. The real, true loving people in my life will always come find me. The rest can just fall away - and that's okay.<br />
26. I love real mail - cards, hand-written letters, packages.<br />
27. I love my dog, Sammy Sue, and could sit cuddled on the couch with her for a very long time. She has the softest ears - like velvet.<br />
28. I'm an introvert through and through, to the core.<br />
29. Some things that you experience in life just permanently change you. They happen and then there's the "before the event" you and the "after the event" you. And no matter how much you might try - you can't go back to the "before the event" you.<br />
30. Motherhood is by far the hardest job I have and will ever have.<br />
31. I pretty much worry that I'm failing as a mother everyday.<br />
32. Max is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Nothing will ever top having him.<br />
33. I cry a lot more now that I'm getting older. Maybe it's hormones...<br />
34. I clean when I'm angry or feeling guilty. It's like doing penance or something.<br />
35. I swear the most when I drive. I wouldn't say I have road rage, but bad drivers annoy the heck out of me.<br />
36. If you asked me to name one thing I'm really awesome at I'd say school/college.<br />
37. I'm not sure what my life would look like if photography wasn't part of it.<br />
38. If I could make a decent living doing it, I'd be a graphic designer.<br />
39. Making chit-chat with people I don't know at parties fills me with crazy amounts of anxiety. I really kind of dread doing it. Oh, let's just be honest - I kinda of hate it.<br />
40. If I had to describe my life in two words I would say, "Lucky me."<br />
<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-49671275388321370782013-08-22T15:07:00.000-07:002013-08-28T09:37:29.259-07:00colorado: these two.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9573490376/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="these two by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="these two" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/9573490376_18457d8096_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9570693625/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="these two by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="these two" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/9570693625_c8632fb5c3_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9570693647/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="these two by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="these two" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/9570693647_2499b74fbc_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
I took a month off from this space.<br />
I turned the big FOUR-ZERO back at the end of June...<br />
We went to visit relatives in Colorado in early July...<br />
And I just took some time to take care of me...<br />
But I'm back.<br />
More Colorado photos to come.<br />
<br />
But these two - guaranteed to make me laugh.<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-3593741891084880792013-07-22T15:55:00.001-07:002013-07-22T15:55:53.129-07:00the introvert.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9347601882/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the introvert dog by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the introvert dog" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/9347601882_81b50fbe7a_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It took me over a year. </div>
<div>
We've had her <i>over</i> a year now...</div>
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And I've finally figured it out...</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9344812165/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the introvert dog by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the introvert dog" height="532" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/9344812165_2d2688ef5c_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
She's an introvert.</div>
<div>
My introvert self picked out the introvert dog.</div>
<div>
Eric picked Maggie long before we ever met, and Maggie was crazy and always had to be around other people. <i>Always</i>. She was glued to someone. Anyone who'd let her tag along.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9347602110/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the introvert dog by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the introvert dog" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/9347602110_1d05620b18_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
But this Sammy girl...
<br />
<div>
It puzzled me for months.</div>
<div>
She'd come snuggle on the couch for a few minutes and then hop off and wander away.</div>
<div>
I'd eventually get up and find her, wondering where the heck she went - wondering why she would just get up and leave my company. (Okay, yeah, I was kinda taking it a tiny bit personally...crazy dog owner, I know.)</div>
<div>
And I'd always find her laying around in the living room, or on the living room couch, or happily hanging out in her kennel in Eric's office.</div>
<div>
Perfectly content to be alone.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
One night this week she went to bed with Max but when he got up to come into our room (yep, still working that problem) Sammy got out and happily camped-out and slept the rest of the night on the couch downstairs. Maggie would have been whining outside our door all night long if she hadn't been able to go to bed with her favorite person - dad. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9344811797/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the introvert dog by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the introvert dog" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5456/9344811797_db5930d9dc_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
Yep, the extrovert "dad" chose the extrovert dog, Maggie.</div>
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And this highly introverted "mom" chose this introvert dog, Sammy Sue.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9347602208/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the introvert dog by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the introvert dog" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/9347602208_be4c1e616a_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
I get it Samsters.</div>
<div>
It's nice to be alone sometimes.</div>
<div>
It can be the most peaceful feeling in the world.<br />
<br /></div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-87912051719807950082013-07-17T17:11:00.000-07:002013-07-17T17:11:35.936-07:00the missing pictures.So, if anyone has recently tried to view this blog lately (do I still have readers?...) you'll notice photos missing all of a sudden.<br />
While on vacation in Colorado I got a notice on Flickr of a lovely new follower who added me as a contact and then proceeded to use a photo of mine as their own profile photo. I was livid.<br />
So, I went into Flickr and changed the privacy settings on a LOT of my photos.<br />
Which likely just ruined the HTML code for all the photos I've used in this blog for good, but I'd rather do that than know that people have access to all of my photos and can steal them and use them as their own.<br />
Any of you who use Flickr - can you give me some advice here?... Is there a better site to use for uploading photos?...<br />
Anyway, I'm annoyed with Flickr and the person who stole my photo and ruined this fun experience for me.<br />
And I'm annoyed with myself that in the interest of protecting my art I've essentially completely ruined my blog.<br />
Oh well, it's not like it's some grandios, beautiful blog with professional photos and tons of followers.<br />
<br />
Anyway, if my blog looks awful, well, it's because it kind of is now.<br />
<br />
I may be changing blogs or taking a long break now anyways.<br />
Perhaps it's perfect timing.<br />
<br />
A.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-4131943794017181802013-06-26T15:15:00.003-07:002013-07-17T17:04:12.928-07:00currently...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9145152383/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="mr. sassy pants by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="mr. sassy pants" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/9145152383_aabf037301_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
So my friend, <a href="http://www.stacey-montgomery.com/">Stacey</a>, posted this on her blog the other day. I've seen it around on blogs before, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.<br />
<br />
Currently, I'm...<br />
<br />
<i>reading</i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Alice-Forgot-Liane-Moriarty/dp/0425247449">What Alice Forgot</a><br />
<br />
<i>playing</i> catch-up on reading and commenting on blogs.<br />
<br />
<i>watching</i> Grey's Anatomy. Again. I'm up to Season Four.<br />
<br />
<i>trying</i> to let things go and not react to things so quickly.<br />
<br />
<i>cooking</i> not much lately. Haven't been in much of a cooking mood. And with Max in Seattle and Eric in California the past two days, I haven't needed to cook.<br />
<br />
<i>eating</i> not a lot lately...dumb cold has left my taste buds lacking. But I did have a hankerin' for shredded hash browns yesterday and made them twice. Weird.<br />
<br />
<i>drinking</i> tea with honey for my dry cough and scratchy throat. Though I did enjoy my free birthday drink from Starbucks earlier today. And I really enjoyed my Jamba Juice yesterday!<br />
<br />
<i>calling</i> my parents to see how Max is doing. He didn't want to talk to me. Silly boy. Yeah, I kind of miss him when he's gone. It's just too quiet.<br />
<br />
<i>texting</i> all of my lovely friends who've sent birthday wishes. I probably text far too much.<br />
<br />
<i>crafting</i>, well, not really crafting, but I'm getting photos framed for my gallery wall in the house.<br />
<br />
<i>doing</i> a lot of relaxing while Max is gone.<br />
<br />
<i>loving</i> the cool, rainy June weather. True PNWesterns can genuinely appreciate it. ;)<br />
<br />
<i>going</i> to Seattle tomorrow to celebrate my birthday with my Seattle girlfriends.<br />
<br />
<i>disliking</i> that I can't sleep-in late like I used to be able to do. It's too light too early in the morning.<br />
<br />
<i>discovering</i> my photography style. I like contrasty black and white edits, and tend to shoot "in your face" type shots. Like the one above, of Mr. Sassy Pants.<br />
<br />
<i>enjoying</i> napping every day this week.<br />
<br />
<i>thinking</i>, am I really turning forty? How'd that happen so fast?<br />
<br />
<i>hoping</i> it's not crazy, ridiculously hot when we are in Colorado.<br />
<br />
<i>feeling</i> yucky with a cold, physically. And old, mentally.<br />
<br />
<i>listening</i> to a mixed CD I made. Which I was able to record to the new Pilot. Hello, new car technology! Nice to meet you!<br />
<br />
<i>celebrating</i> me this week. You only turn forty once. ;)<br />
<br />
<i>thanking</i> my friends for all the birthday love this week, and my family for the kid-free past few days.<br />
<br />
<i>considering</i> switching to a new blog.<br />
<br />
<i>finishing</i> - well, I don't really seem to be getting anything finished lately. Finishing projects isn't really my thing. Just ask my husband.<br />
<br />
<i>starting</i> - I've got all sorts of great things started - a few blogs post still in draft mode, picture framing projects, photos to edit, an office to clean... If only I could commit and finish a few of them. ;)<br />
<br />
What are you currently up to?...<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-64786932650520514602013-06-20T10:09:00.000-07:002013-07-17T17:13:25.741-07:00the cutest baby age.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9094853312/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="baby a by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="baby a" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/9094853312_9e42b5dd4d_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
A couple of weeks ago our good friends, Doug and Kristi came over with their little man. He's seven months old. And this is the age I go a bit ga-ga over. They smile and are curious about everything! His momma set him on the quilt and I came over with my big black Nikon in my face and "click!" - he just looked up at me with those big sweet eyes. He was so interested in me taking pictures of him. He made my job so, so easy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9092631767/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="baby a by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="baby a" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/9092631767_270a5032a7_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9094853506/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="baby a by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="baby a" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/9094853506_5a6df580e3_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9094852792/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="baby a by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="baby a" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/9094852792_545997bb2d_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9092631295/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="baby a by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="baby a" height="532" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2882/9092631295_441260b321_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9094930312/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="baby a by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="baby a" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/9094930312_86c3991d7f_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
Those blonde curls...<br />
That hair...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9092708547/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="baby a by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="baby a" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5449/9092708547_5af88b1a17_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9092631223/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="baby a by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="baby a" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/9092631223_8eafc0469e_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
So glad to spend time with these friends. Some of you may remember <a href="http://odetothis.blogspot.com/">Kristi</a> from our weekly Linked Project in 2012.<br />
Thank you, sweet friends. We'll have to do that again soon!<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-77671280544021885042013-06-19T10:30:00.001-07:002013-07-17T17:14:14.448-07:00inch by inch: last day of kindergarten.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9087069800/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="last day of kindergarten by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="last day of kindergarten" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/9087069800_04c5307375_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yesterday was the last day of Kindergarten (You can see the first day of school post <a href="http://justaminutelife.blogspot.com/2012/09/his-first-day-of-kindergarten.html">HERE</a> to compare photos.) I'm not sure it really phased Max. He had a classmate's birthday party to go to immediately after school, so he got to spend more time with a few of his favorite buddies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But when he came home he was more than a little quiet and sad. You see, two of his best friends from class are moving this summer. Poor dude. He will make new friends in first grade, and he has plenty of other friends from school that aren't going anywhere. But it made me sad to see him so sad about it. I don't know what that's like really - none of my best friends moved when I was a kid. (And in the end, I was the one who did the moving away from all of my best friends...ironic...)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, it was a great year! He had an amazing teacher, amazing staff and principal. And I really enjoyed helping out in his class. It was a good year! I'm happy to say that the rumors of how great Camas schools are is more than true.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On Monday the Kindergarteners had their end of school year program. They sang two songs. The second song they sang was The Garden Song aka Inch by Inch. You've probably heard it before.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am happy to say that I didn't shed a tear, though I came quiet close. I had a lump in my throat the entire time they were singing. Here's a bit of the lyrics:</div>
<br />
<pre><pre>Inch by inch, row by row
Gonna make this garden grow
Gonna mulch it deep and low
Gonna make it fertile ground
Inch by inch, row by row
Please bless these seeds I sow
Please keep them safe below
'Till the rain comes tumbling down
Pullin' weeds and pickin' stones
We are made of dreams and bones
Need a place to call my own
'Cause the time is close at hand
Grain for grain, sun and rain
Find my way in nature's chain
Till my body and my brain
Tell the music of the land</pre>
<pre></pre>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/D3FkaN0HQgs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<pre></pre>
<pre></pre>
A little John Denver for you... </pre>
<pre>Happy summer, friends!!
<pre></pre>
</pre>
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-4961296071645321672013-06-14T19:26:00.000-07:002013-06-14T19:26:14.827-07:00tgif: black bean & corn salsa.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9046600412/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="black bean & corn salsa by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="black bean & corn salsa" height="600" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3810/9046600412_1923fef5ba_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
Why yes indeed this blogger is posting a recipe. I don't think I've ever done that before. I'm not a cook who makes big, fancy meals. Well, not very often these days.<br />
I found this yummy black bean & corn salsa-like salad at the salad bar at <a href="http://www.newseasonsmarket.com/">New Seasons</a>. It's yummy. And after treating myself to a lovely salad with this black bean and corn mixture and their to-die-for homemade buttermilk ranch dressing, I realized I could probably just make it myself and not pay an arm and a leg for it.<br />
<br />
What you'll need:<br />
1 can black beans, rinsed<br />
1 can sweet corn, rinsed<br />
3-4 green onions<br />
1 tomato<br />
1/2 a sweet onion or red onion<br />
1/2 red pepper<br />
1/2 green pepper<br />
cilantro<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9046598240/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="black bean & corn salsa by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="black bean & corn salsa" height="600" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/9046598240_b74c6c3efb_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
Finely chop the green onions, tomato, sweet onion, red pepper, green pepper and cilantro.<br />
Rinse and toss the black beans and sweet corn in a big bowl.<br />
Toss in all those yummy veggies.<br />
Chop more of any of those veggies you can't get enough of... like tomato. ;)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9046597090/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="black bean & corn salsa by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="black bean & corn salsa" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/9046597090_31b9668a7f_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
You can eat as is in a big bowl with a big spoon.<br />
Or you can shred some cheese and make throw a little of that goodness into a quesadilla.<br />
That's what we did.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9046870396/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="black bean & corn salsa by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="black bean & corn salsa" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7449/9046870396_d7330d6635_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
And I garnished with a little more salsa and a squeeze of lime juice.<br />
Are you drooling yet?...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/9046874622/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="black bean & corn salsa by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="black bean & corn salsa" height="600" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3746/9046874622_17f694feff_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
I know I'm ready for seconds!<br />
And this concludes my first, and perhaps only, recipe blog post.<br />
You're welcome!<br />
<br />
Happy Friday, friends!<br />
<br />
(And if I ever figure out how to make a delicious, homemade buttermilk ranch dressing I will most certainly share with you!)Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-48626801967109076482013-06-13T09:41:00.002-07:002013-06-13T09:41:51.881-07:00almost forty.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8883452874/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="catching up by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="catching up" height="600" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5469/8883452874_67201f1667_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
I've thought about this space often in the past month as I've posted not so often.<br />
Good thoughts and bad thoughts. Thoughts of indifference.<br />
I've been thinking about what to say here and my mind draws a blank.<br />
Nothing feels all that important to share. And at the same time the things on my mind lately are far too important and personal to share here.<br />
And I don't have any fabulous photos I'm just giddy about.<br />
<br />
In fifteen days I turn 40, and I'm feeling rather blah about it all.<br />
Another decade has almost passed, and it's left me with a lot of thinking about what has transpired since I turned 30:<br />
got engaged<br />
moved back in with my parents<br />
planned a wedding<br />
got married<br />
quit a job<br />
moved to a new city, leaving a city I had always called home behind<br />
found a job<br />
got laid-off<br />
found another job - hated the commute<br />
found a job two miles from home - loved the commute!<br />
got pregnant<br />
had a baby<br />
went back to work<br />
quit work<br />
heartbreak over the death of a best friend<br />
stayed home<br />
had two seizures and broke a shoulder blade all in one night<br />
started taking medication I will be on for the rest of my life<br />
mono<br />
stayed home with my sweet little Max<br />
tried like crazy to have another child<br />
then threw a crap-load of money at the attempts to try to have a second child<br />
gave-up trying to have a second child<br />
more heartbreak over the death of my beloved Maggie dog<br />
took a few college credit classes here and there<br />
drove Max here there and everywhere - school, speech appointments, swim lessons, tball, soccer, parties, etc.<br />
watched my only boy get on a school bus last September<br />
lots of trips to the city that will always be home<br />
lots of visits with my sister friends in that city that will always be home<br />
laughter<br />
smiles<br />
hugs<br />
tears<br />
arguments<br />
angry words<br />
more tears<br />
more laughter<br />
enthusiasm and dreams traded in for reality of mid-life adulthood<br />
<br />
Who knew you could shove so much into a decade?<br />
No wonder I'm exhausted and feel more like I'm turning 50.<br />
No wonder people say the 30s are the hardest years.<br />
<br />
I always thought the older I got the more sure of my self and my life I would feel.<br />
But I think I felt surer of myself when I was in my 20s and in college.<br />
The path was clear. My mission was clear. I wasn't doing too many things at once.<br />
I wasn't wearing too many hats and trying to fill others' cups and spreading myself too thin.<br />
I was simply and unapologetically, ME.<br />
<br />
Funny thing about the passage of time - looking back at gives you more points with which to reference what was really good, what was really bad, when you felt sure of things, when you had no clue. Sure, if you had asked me when I was 23 and just starting my MA if I knew what I was doing, I'd have looked you straight in the eye and told you "No, but I'm just going to do it anyway. And I'll do it with flying colors and bells on." Looking back - that 23 year old sure as hell knew what she was doing. That girl knew what she was doing far more than the almost-40 year old person I've become. Ask me that today and I'd likely <i>not</i> look you in the eyes, shrug, burst into tears and tell you I have no clue what I'm doing or who I am anymore.<br />
Mid-life crisis? (Yeah, just a bit...)<br />
<br />
So I'm left wondering, "what's the point of this post?... why am I writing it all here?...who's going to read it?...." I'm writing this to leave this as one of those reference points that I will look back on five, ten, twenty years from now and be able to say, "Yes. That was hard, but you got through it. See, it all turned out okay."<br />
<br />
I'm in that place of "what's the point? does any of this really even matter anymore?" (I know it does, but humor me for a bit..)<br />
Maybe it's the monotony of motherhood.<br />
Maybe it's a lack of sole focus on <i>just me</i> that comes with marriage and motherhood.<br />
Maybe I took off in such a sprint once I got out of college 15 years ago, that I didn't take the proper time to take care of myself along the way.<br />
And now I'm paying the price for all that sprinting.<br />
Sitting on the sidelines of my life, head in my hands, dripping in sweat, salty tears on my face, trying desperately to catch my breath while I wait for that 25 year old me to slowly catch-up. And man, I think that 25 year old me is a little pissed I left her behind like that...oh boy, have I got some explaining to do...<br />
<br />
I'm not sure anymore.<br />
I've over-thought it to death and it's rolling over in its grave now.<br />
<br />
Forty will come and go. It's just another day.<br />
Another trip around the sun.<br />
And I'll keep on keeping on...<br />
Maybe I'll slow it down a bit this next decade.<br />
Maybe I've learned from some of the mistakes of the past.<br />
I suppose time will tell.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-68227009376076817222013-06-04T18:55:00.000-07:002013-06-04T18:55:09.306-07:00fortunately and unfortunately: tuesday randomness.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8953770073/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="freshly sharpened by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="freshly sharpened" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3808/8953770073_72392e5fde_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike>Fortunately</strike> unfortunately, today was my last day of volunteering at Max's school (I think...)<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8954966482/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="freshly sharpened by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="freshly sharpened" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5445/8954966482_1b46388847_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8954966566/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="freshly sharpened by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="freshly sharpened" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7442/8954966566_b6c5eb2bbc_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
My favorite part of volunteering this year was sharpening a big pile of pencils at home. (Wow. That makes me sound really awful, doesn't it? Well, that was my favorite part of <i>at-home</i> volunteer work.)<br />
<br />
My favorite part of<i> in-class</i> volunteer work was getting see all the kids in the class and my little Maxwell. Getting a glimpse into what a portion of his day is like.<br />
<br />
My fear about volunteering this year was <strike>breaking</strike> messing-up the laminating machine. (First world fears and problems...I know. Ridiculous.)<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, today I did something wrong while using the laminator. I wouldn't say I broke it exactly... But it was unusable by the time I was finished using it.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I finished my laminating project before it <strike>broke</strike> stopped working.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I had to stay a bit longer to complete my task.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I got the chance to talk to the principal about first grade next year.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8954966430/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="freshly sharpened by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="freshly sharpened" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/8954966430_506a75b6d5_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
I really enjoyed sharpening these pencils.<br />
I really, <i>really</i> enjoyed taking macro photos of these pencils.<br />
I really like simple tasks that leave you with a strong sense of getting something simple done quickly, and checked off the "to-do" list.<br />
Like vacuuming...but I won't get into that now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8954966314/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="freshly sharpened by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="freshly sharpened" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/8954966314_4df7bc9b02_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
You know what else I really enjoy?...<br />
The smell of crayons and looking at all of those colors.<br />
But that's a different post.<br />
With a different set of macro photos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8954966276/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="freshly sharpened by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="freshly sharpened" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3674/8954966276_df0fb79ede_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh and then I went to the store and took an item off the shelf of a perfect display (if you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw it.)<br />
Again, that's a different post...maybe for tomorrow.<br />
<br />
It's a Tuesday.<br />
Mine was pretty good.<br />
How was yours?...<br />
<br />
(does anybody else have vivid memories of writing "fortunately and unfortunately" stories in elementary school?...)<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-54382680269653806242013-06-03T14:17:00.003-07:002013-06-03T14:17:58.677-07:00slice of life: haagen dazs (aka how come he gets the last one?)<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8940580447/" title="ice cream by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="ice cream" height="532" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/8940580447_b50fbd4ba5_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8941200546/" title="ice cream by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="ice cream" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/8941200546_5cd5649642_c.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8940580747/" title="ice cream by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="ice cream" height="532" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/8940580747_f1c4bb17a3_c.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8941201086/" title="ice cream by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="ice cream" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8409/8941201086_7f790dce63_c.jpg" width="800" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8941201074/" title="ice cream by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="ice cream" height="532" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2824/8941201074_e765faa03d_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
The little stinker took the last one. I thought he was going for a popsicle and I turn around to see he's got the last Haagen Dazs. With nuts!!<br />
When I showed Eric the photos on the back of my camera he said, "How come he gets the last one?"<br />
I told him it was only because he didn't get to it first. HA!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8940580357/" title="ice cream by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="ice cream" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7460/8940580357_2e6ae0f077_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br />
<br />
Max had a few bites.<br />
And then you know what he did?<br />
He tossed it in the garbage. I kid you not!<br />
That kid of mine tossed half a Haagen Dazs with chocolate and nuts in the garbage.<br />
<br />
(I won't tell you if I grabbed it out of the garbage and rinsed it off or not...)Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-59838865529405613262013-05-13T09:27:00.002-07:002013-05-13T09:27:46.908-07:00the (mini) mariners.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8735942064/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="getting game ready by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="getting game ready" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7287/8735942064_ae81d79ec3_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8734142122/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="down low, too slow! by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="down low, too slow!" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7285/8734142122_2af4470e2b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8733026635/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="dug-out by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="dug-out" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/8733026635_459cae49e7_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
I took my big girl camera to the t-ball game Friday night. It was a warm day, but a little hazy so I knew the light would be good - and not too harsh. And I was kinda thinking it might be the last nice weather chance at photos (as I sit here typing and watching it rain...)<br />
There was way too much going on in terms of people, colors and other distractions to leave these in color. The beauty of black and white is it's ability to alleviate some of the visual chaos in photos where it's near impossible to clone out every extra person, cars, and all those other distractions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8733026605/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="post game sno-cone by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="post game sno-cone" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/8733026605_09c294bf07_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-6380023405803930472013-05-09T16:50:00.001-07:002013-05-09T16:50:20.371-07:00i see his future self.After I posted the link to Tuesday's <a href="http://justaminutelife.blogspot.com/2013/05/this-is-why.html">post</a> on FB, a friend commented and said, "He doesn't look like a little boy in that pic! I can see the future!" And she hit the nail on the head!<br />
I see the future, older Max in these photos.<br />
It makes this mom happy and sad all at the same time.<br />
Anyway, I thought I'd post the rest and tell you what I did to the SOOC shot.<br />
<br />
Here is the image SOOC:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8722778081/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="sooc by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="sooc" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7351/8722778081_030047b384_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
Not too bad. I was smitten when I saw it - more for the look on his face and the light.<br />
So, in Lightroom (recent purchase that was worth every.single.penny!) I cropped and then applied the following:<br />
<br />
exposure +.33<br />
contrast +10<br />
whites +10<br />
blacks +5<br />
clarity +5<br />
vibrance +5<br />
<br />
I didn't do too much to the image...<br />
Then using my <a href="https://vsco.co/film">VSCO</a> presets I applied:<br />
sharpen +<br />
vignette +++<br />
tone: kodak<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8719530040/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="little man by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="little man" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/8719530040_8796b68d20_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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That was it. I didn't want to do anything too drastic. I don't think the photo needed much editing.<br />
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Then I decided to try a black and white edit. I made one in LR, but I haven't been happy with my prints of black and whites I've created in LR (they look a little green to me.) Still working on that. So, I opened in Elements and used Florabella B&W and this is what I got:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8724640430/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="BW by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="BW" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7453/8724640430_7913452e8c_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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I really like the high contrast, but I wanted to see what a little haze would do, so I applied the Florabella BW Tints & Hazes and turned on the Milk Haze at 15%. I kinda like it. What do you think?... I think the haze brought out a little bit more detail.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8724640390/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="BW haze by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="BW haze" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/8724640390_1e4d272b31_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Anyway, here are the rest of the photos from that day.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8723763125/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the bronco by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the bronco" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/8723763125_0ba4439fcb_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8724881472/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the bronco by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the bronco" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/8724881472_2214d4aa75_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8724881462/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the bronco by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the bronco" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/8724881462_2b2d47d345_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8723763175/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the bronco by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the bronco" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/8723763175_e88b8e05cd_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8724881464/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the bronco by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the bronco" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/8724881464_e533e5d0aa_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8724881424/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="the bronco by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="the bronco" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7315/8724881424_bd3a860445_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8724885382/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="bronco by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="bronco" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7281/8724885382_b1c1410331_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Someday I'll master making collages. It's just sometimes too much work for my lazy self. I'm lucky if I get photos posted at all!<br />
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Happy almost Friday, friends.<br />
a.<br />
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-52099996145812792552013-05-07T19:13:00.000-07:002013-05-07T19:13:14.038-07:00this is why.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8719530040/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="little man by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="little man" height="532" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/8719530040_8796b68d20_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
He had just gotten his hair cut and they put some wax hair gel in his hair. It smelled like grapes.<br />
He smelled like grapes.<br />
He didn't like his new stylish "doo" and he kept messing with his hair.<br />
Dad was getting the sprinklers working for spring and summer, and Max was playing in his Bronco.<br />
<br />
I saw my chance and I grabbed my camera.<br />
And I caught this little moment.<br />
This little moment that when I look at it speaks volumes to me.<br />
There's a look in his eyes...<br />
And the expression on his face...<br />
His messed hair and pen on his hands.<br />
I can still feel the moment I snapped the shutter.<br />
Sometimes you capture more than just pixels on a sensor.<br />
Sometimes you capture an emotion, a feeling, a little piece of the person.<br />
I did just that in this moment.<br />
<br />
And this is why I take pictures.<br />
This is why I love photography.<br />
This is why I am a photographer.<br />
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-65398566512442736352013-05-03T13:32:00.001-07:002013-08-28T09:39:00.174-07:00gameboy boy.Max has had this old Gameboy for awhile now. The other day while playing Tetris he asked, "Is this a toy from the olden days?" I chuckled and said, "Yes. It is from the olden days." Then he says, "It was made in 1989." (I guess there was a manufacture date on it?...) And I chuckled again and said, "Yep. Waayyy back when I was a junior in high school and daddy graduated from high school."<br />
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Couple this with the fact that I'll be forty in less than two months, and I feel old, friends.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8705862500/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="gameboy boy by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="gameboy boy" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8131/8705862500_2948c865d2_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8704739397/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="gameboy boy by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="gameboy boy" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8414/8704739397_70ec6f5ea6_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8704739391/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="gameboy boy by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="gameboy boy" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8126/8704739391_b03d81b6f5_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8705862362/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="gameboy boy by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="gameboy boy" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8705862362_a08e2f12de_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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And while he has told me he doesn't like me to post photos on the blog of him sucking his thumb, well, I'm going to anyway. 'Cause I'm mom and I can do that. ;)<br />
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Happy weekending, friends!<br />
a</div>
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Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-54637100470780382262013-05-01T15:40:00.000-07:002013-05-01T15:40:09.191-07:00morning light.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8699385821/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="morning light by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="morning light" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8699385821_c322451c4b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8700508940/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="morning light by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="morning light" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8416/8700508940_8f13ff2d11_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8700508900/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="little workers by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="little workers" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8260/8700508900_b317af178b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8699385803/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="sliver of light by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="sliver of light" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8263/8699385803_88695dda6f_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
Anyone who knows even a little bit about me knows I'm not <i>at all</i> a morning person.<br />
But today, as I was up early to get Max off to school early (he's PM kindergarten, but every other Wednesday they go all day...crazy...) I noticed the lovely morning light streaming in.<br />
Of course it streams into the messiest places in our house in the morning -<br />
the laundry room, the master bathroom, the toy littered family room.<br />
But then it got me thinking that really, it's the messy places in our life that most need illumination, right?<br />
The dark, dank, dirty, disastrous places of our being that are most in need of that lovely, graceful light.<br />
A few bright, warm rays to rouse us to a new day, full of possibility.<br />
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-7255523358073086542013-04-30T17:41:00.000-07:002013-05-01T15:40:21.179-07:00this thing lately.<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And if I were fearless, </i></div>
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<i>then I'd speak my truth</i></div>
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<i>and the world would hear this</i></div>
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<i>That's what I wish I'd do, yeah.</i></div>
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<i>~Sara Bareilles~</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8635074715/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="sad sammy sue by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="sad sammy sue" height="600" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8635074715_50cab93500_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been doing this thing lately...<br />
I've been working on learning to <i>speak my truth</i>.<br />
I've been regularly going to sit on "the couch of angst" as the person I pay to talk to, listen to my story, and provide some guidance, likes to call it. I'll just call her a mentor of sorts - that has a nicer ring to it than that other word.<br />
It's been hard work. Some days I just want to call it quits. I'm so tired of thinking about it and talking about it and ruminating... That couch of angst gets me angsty. It makes me nervous, and I get all red in the face and my social anxiety makes it's appearance again. It'd be easier to just not go.<br />
Speaking your truth isn't easy for a people pleaser / "tell them what they want to hear or just shut-up" person like me. It's scary stuff. To open your mouth and speak truth that might hurt others (okay, that will <i>knowingly</i> hurt others) isn't fun. But it's necessary.<br />
After almost 40 years of living, I've just figured that out: <i>it's necessary</i>.<br />
<br />
I know plenty - <i>plenty</i> - of people who just say what they want to say.<br />
No holds barred.<br />
People who unapologetically just speak their truth.<br />
These people amaze me to no end. They <strike>sometimes</strike> often make me feel really uncomfortable because - oh my good Lord above, did you really just say <i>that</i> in <i>that</i> tone of voice to your husband?! And did you <i>really</i> just call your daughter a brat in front of me?!...<br />
Just saying what you want to say - outloud - is so foreign to me.<br />
I wonder why that is?... I suppose sitting on the couch of angst might help me figure that out. Only time will tell. I have my suspicious it boils down to that end-all, be-all need to be loved and liked and accepted and wanted and all that teenagey-like stuff. Yada, yada, yada...<br />
Don't get me wrong, I am a master at the internal dialogue.<br />
Oh if you could hear the conversations I have in my head. If you could hear the verbal sling-shots that go unsaid. You'd likely be appalled. You might not even want to be my friend, or read my blog, or friend me on IG or FB. I don't know how you'd react.<br />
And for now I guess I'll never know.<br />
And really how the collective "you" would react shouldn't even matter, right?<br />
Someday. <i>Someday</i>, I hope to be the master at speaking my truth - out-loud.<br />
Even if it stings a little.<br />
And I guess a part of me really hopes that I'll be loved even more for doing so.<br />
<br />
But for now, I'll continue to sit on that couch of angst and see how this all unfolds.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8635073187/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="sammy sue couch potato by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="sammy sue couch potato" height="600" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8125/8635073187_22304867b8_c.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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(And sometimes just hitting that publish button is scary stuff.)Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8363515535181952268.post-86080511370110483352013-04-29T19:26:00.001-07:002013-04-29T19:26:47.360-07:00slice of life: gameboy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreameisgeier/8692682847/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="gameboy by andrea meisgeier {justaminutelife}, on Flickr"><img alt="gameboy" height="532" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8692682847_dcb4598f4c_b.jpg" width="800" /></a></div>
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Saturday, April 27th 2013 8:13 am</div>
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Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15986758289102417220noreply@blogger.com1