Putting It Out There...

Sketchy to use my blog as a marketing tool? Probably. Oh well. If anyone out in Internetland is interested, I am more than happy to begin some new projects. Will post more samples another day! Brooke Liddell, if you are reading this, I have been working on one for Harper FOREVER, and I promise it's coming!

Grateful

My little man is finally sleeping after an hour of pleading with me to stay in his bed with him. I'm not going to lie, it makes me smile when he whines, "Mommy, wait!", and then snuggles up to me as he whispers bedtime songs in my ear.

My fantastic husband is at work. It's 9:24 pm, which means he has about 4 more hours left. He never complains about having to work night shifts at a less-than-rewarding job, even when he must wake up early the next day for a full day of school and all the other demanding tasks that require his full commitment. It is indeed a cherished moment when I can really comprehend all he is doing to support and provide for our small family.

My ears are absorbing the sweet and tender notes Adele has offered up, and I feel at peace with myself and the world. I'm not worrying about the fact that I didn't run today, or make it into the shower. I'm not beating myself up about "should have's", or cringing at my dark roots. The unfinished paintings and clumsy piano attempts remind me that I am human, and that I have time to perfect my imperfections.

My heart is full and my soul is content.

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." --Dr. Seuss

I am a lucky girl...

...that is all.

Pinterest...ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!

As if I didn't need to waste anymore time on the internet!

I remember when I was 17 and myspace came onto the scene...I stayed up well into the early morning hours browsing that beast. It was pretty consuming. FB was pretty similar.

BUT THIS IS CRAZY!

I love it so much, but I hate myself so much for loving it so much. How ironic this is turning out to be (and probably boring to read about).

So, I'll end with a question: Is there really a purpose to Pinterest? I mean, REALLY? Except for being brilliant?

Shoot me now, Scotty.

Mended Stockings

I was browsing through our computer today and found some Word Docs from the ol' college days. I utterly miss being in school and writing papers. It's on my list of things to do within the next two years...go back to school! Alas, my present consists of ABC's rather than MLA formatting, and that is just perfect for now!

Anyways, I came across a paper I had written on Dorathea Lange: my absolute favorite photographer of all times (not just because I bare her last name). Her stills are beautiful, sobering, and completely relevant in a present context, despite being taken during the Great Depression/WWII eras. So many of her images are famous and recognizable, however, most people have no idea that she is the photographer behind them. Such is the notoriety of the artist, I guess!

With the current "status" of the economy, (I don't know what to call it: "the horrible status of demise", maybe?...) I couldn't help but reflect on this photograph from Lange. (Mended Stockings, San Francisco, 1934 gelatin silver print)

I have a lot to be thankful for, one thing being I need not worry about sewing old nylons because I can't afford another pair. I marvel at the lessons history has to teach us. More specifically, I am baffled by the cyclical learning we are required to attempt as past circumstances regenerate and morph into present obstacles.

This little one...

...is pretty flippin' cool!

We've had a really fun summer thus far. Lots of awesome adventures, lots of swimming, and lots of learning. I can't believe what a huge blessing I've been given to be at home with him as he grows up. Sounds cheesy, but there is nothing I would rather be doing than picking up all the toys he has left around the house while he's been exploring and imagining.

I don't want to brag, (well, maybe a little...a lot, actually!) but my 2 year old is pretty close to swimming! He has loved being at the pool, and has done really well in the water. He loves to run and jump into the pool like his dad, and then, swim by himself to the wall...all to start the whole process over again! We're hoping by next year, he will be proficient!

On another note: Football season is here...or at least it's almost here. I actually like watching football a lot, however, for the past two years, our lives have been consumed by it because of one thing...Fantasy Football. Josh is obsessed, as are all his brothers, which makes for a very LONG season! Josh actually convinced me while I was half-asleep to let him buy a preseason package on NFL.com that lets him watch ALL the games, WHENEVER he wants. The funny thing is, a few days before doing this, he decided we didn't need our Netflix subscription. Hmm. Needless to say, our family nights will slowly begin to shift to Monday Night Football!

Delightful!

I wish I could dance!

I love this show, there are so many talented people. Dance really is the language of the soul!