The Last Big Push!

I'm actually glad I took a little bit of time to shoot some pretty pictures yesterday. It was a lot of running round, Costco, firewood, groceries etc. Loading/unloading. E was with me, so I had great company. I must say, taking just a little glance back a few years, I'm certainly in a better spot. I have gained perspective on things.

It's much nicer to be with someone who is happy and wants to be engaged in life. I didn't realize how much that was weighing me and my family down. It took some unfortunate choices that actually ended up being a better scenario for me. You don't see these things when you are in a situation. Enough of that. Today, you get eye candy. These are HDR photos (high dynamic range) They each are essentially three photos in one. I shot these at a nursery in Beltsville that has been operating by the same family since the 1940s. (perhaps another film project??)

Anyhow, I've been writing this blog now for a decade. A lot sure has happened over that time. Much of it was exciting, scary, sad but all-in-all it's been a good thing. And here I am. So what lies ahead is hopeful and also uncertain. I wish everyone a happy holiday season. Please enjoy these pictures.

Five Favorite Things:
1. A good camera
2. A good look back
3. Being in a healthier/happier place (it was at times pretty challenging to get here)
4. being at peace with permanent goodbyes
5. a life that has joy

A Cold December Saturday Morning

It's the last Saturday before Christmas. Am I ready? no. I'm not stressed out however. I'm actually enjoying having no agenda today, just being here with E. (He's working, but ever so calmly)

It's been a good year. Lots of new adventures, lots of new experiences, lots of repeat experiences that are beloved traditions. And lots of hope on the horizon.

It's important to accept the hard stuff. It isn't always so easy to do, but it's a good goal. I must admit I am not one for New Year's resolutions, but it occurred to me that this would be an important one-- to find happiness in the simple things. The picture in this posting is something I shot a few days ago with my phone. I see these beautiful things all the time. Sometimes it's as simple as the way the sun hits a very ordinary thing.

Five Favorite Things:
1. accepting that I am not someone who can effectively operate a serger sewing machine
2. that my attic has enough room to fit all the fleece fabric that will not be made into blankets
3. Really Good coffee
4. E, being here
5. Having a plan.

Feeling Good

Had a pretty nice evening after a fun weekend. All the good stuff in life is right here and the worst of the bad stuff is behind me. I made a decision to completely cut off from my ex husband. His presence in my life in any form is not something that is beneficial. It's taken me two years to come to this. I feel pretty okay about it. If feels natural and frankly kindof refreshing. What I want to keep in my life is certain memories I had. I don't think much about my relationship with him because I don't really know what was real and what wasn't -- it's very hard to safely navigate a relationship with someone who chooses to habitually hide the truth.

We've all survived. In fact, we've all prospered. This was meant to be. It feels good, like going through the vegetable drawer and cleaning out the produce that has gone bad- if you keep it in the drawer it will ruin all the other stuff.

Five Favorite Things
1. cleaning out the rotten tomato
2. E
3. this cup of coffee
4. the fog out my window
5. being ok

All By Myself

Today is my birthday. I am now enjoying the latter side of 50. How will I celebrate? Well, I'm going to change the cabin air filter in my car all by myself. I will do a video of this process as proof that I can actually do this sort of thing.

I'm tired today. I did not sleep well and I have a spate of work piling up. (challenging stuff, but a lot of it)

Anyway, so far it's a good day. Sunny and positive.

Five Favorite Things
1. amazon prime
2. my friends
3. how-to youtube videos
4. my little office
5. time