Monday, April 27, 2009

Where oh where has my little blog gone?

I know....it's been too many days since my last post. I've been busy. The spring weather has drawn me outside and away from the computer. Here's what we've been up to.

Baseball season has started for my youngest.
The boys and I planted our very first vegetable garden.We cheated a bit by not starting anything from seed. I am too impatient and don't know if I have the ability to care for plants through that most delicate stage of development. My approach is to stick it in the ground and see what happens. Dirt, sun and water. Should be easy, right? We'll see. Right now the little garden looks very happy.

The boys made markers for each plant. They are so excited and truly consider it their garden. They chose what to plant. They actually picked broccoli! I am so proud. Believe or not, these two boys do love broccoli. Just so you know they are normal, they also chose watermelon and cantaloupe.

After all the planting and the spectating (baseball), we were thirsty. So I spent a little time organizing our weekend refreshments.
Now the weekend is over and the school & work weeks begin. But before we get too serious, my husband and I need to figure out the Morris Day's moves in "The Bird" while we watch Purple Rain. Whawk! Hallelujah! Whooaaaa!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Is that a Van Gogh?





Hardly...this is the felted wool flower I made last night at an art class. Of course, it looks much better when I have pushed the exposure on the image.

Here it really is:


















It looks a bit squid like. But the big question is...what does one do with a felted wool flower? Hmmm.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Captured Unaware


I can't claim this shot as my own. I was lying in the hospital bed outside of the shot. It must have been my husband, taking everything in on the day Helios was born. He captured my dad in his first quiet moments with our new addition. I love this shot.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

46 Pounds of Charisma...

That's what my second son amounts to. I've always known he was a sweet child, very lovable from the start. But I didn't realize that he was magnetic until this year: Kindergarten.
He is one of those people that draws you in and makes you want to be near him, makes you want to be as good as he is, makes you want to be aligned with him, makes you happy just 'cuz he's there. There isn't any one thing that he does...it's just him. His energy. His force. His charisma...such a grown up word for my little guy.

I have heard about charismatic people, great leaders, celebrities and have been around many in my life. But I never thought of how those people might have been when they were children. But there really are charismatic children. It is a trait that is born within some. They have it.

Charisma is derived from the Greek "kharisma" meaning divine favor. Clearly, charisma comes from above and the recipient and all those around him benefit. I watch my little guy subtly attract those around him, big and small, and they don't even know what's happening to them. They are swept into his world and he welcomes them and shares all the goodness that lives there. He offers support and praise to those around him. He wants them to try and do their best. He is genuinely happy for others' success. And when they walk away, back to their own worlds, they feel fuller for having been in his orbit. Like the pull of the sun. Can we call him Helios?

I wonder how he will use this divine favor. To what good will his goodness lead? I'll stand in the warmth he casts as I watch his charm grow.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Windows to the Past



Shutter Sisters shared the idea of using windows as photo displays. I am excited to share my slant on this idea. Actually, it was my hubbie's idea many years ago. These windows came from a friend's dilapidated shed. We connected them with heavy duty screws into this wonky-looking shape and attached old family photos to the back sides of the panes. This has hung in our living room for nearly ten years and displays many generations. We love it!

Too Funny Friday - Compromising Positions

First, can you name this song and artist?
They like to get you in a compromising position
They like to get you there and smile in your face
They think they're so cute when they got you in that condition
Well I think it's a total disgrace


Second, can you name these photos?

Third, what compromising positions have you found yourself in lately?

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Walking, not running, away without a scratch


Did you notice that my mileage tracker hasn't changed in over a week? That means I haven't run in that time. Yeah, about that. Well, I took my leap and I got my answer. Yes, the going was tough. But my intuition, strongly supported by my body, told me that the training path I was on was the wrong one at this time. Sparing you the details, I over-trained and wasn't getting the restoration I needed. I reminded myself that I started running as a stress reliever, a fun, social activity. And it was that for a good long time. But lately it was creating more stress than it was relieving. I cooled my schedule for a few weeks to see if I could restore the balance and still follow the program...didn't work. So, now I am stepping waaaay back to find the joy in it again. I am much relieved with the decision and feel better already. It's nice to cut yourself a break every now and then.