observing

there's been a lot of talk in the last year on the subject of "being in the present" instead of getting sidetracked by what has happened to us in the past or worrying about tomorrow. We are all guilty of this; as it is easy to get lost in our past. I just brought this up with someone recently as this person tends to reside in the past and when you reside in the past, you definitely aren't focused on what is going on around you. but i started thinking about it - how do we live in the present? how do we make ourselves participate on a daily level; what is the trick? after thinking about it for awhile, i decided one way to be present is to observe what is going on around you. take it in, notice, think about it, question it, learn from it and as you walk away take something positive from it. I thought i'd start posting some random observations from my walk through life and encourage you to share yours too.

So i'll start by sharing this observation with you. i looked out my kitchen window yesterday and was shocked to see this hawk sitting on one of my feeders. i ran upstairs as fast as i could and grabbed my camera. when i got back, i got to watch him through my zoom lens and was enchanted by the beauty of this bird. the colors of those feathers - oh how i wanted to pluck one from his tail! i watched him as he looked for food. his head turning in all directions as he searched. finally i could tell he was going to leave as he leaned forward and spread those amazing wings. quick as the shutter took its last picture, he was gone. then i called dillon to tell him what i saw.

a thought for the day

(as seen on the internet)


May you have as much fun as you can before someone makes you stop.

Christmas Eve 2009

the presents are wrapped, the stockings are hung. jeff is on the phone, tuck is listening to music and dillon is playing a new video game from his nana. i am upstairs blogging, looking at all the pictures i've taken in the last few days of the snow and enjoying the quiet. it was hard to pick a favorite photo from them all, but picked this one as my Christmas wish to all. Happy Holidays!

the cutest gift i received

i was pleasantly surprised by a package the other day from my friend, Barbe St. John. Normally, i would be a good little girl and put such a gift under the tree. however, it arrived in an Amazon.com box and i was expecting something from them, so i opened it. i just think this is the most darling gift! and in case you aren't sure what it is, it's a headband that she spiffed up with a precious little doll (she knows i love my dolls!), sari ribbon, a peacock feather and some other cool doodads - but the best part is the banner the doll is sporting! so cool, Barbe - you're the best! i will be wearing it Christmas eve, so i'll snap a pic of me wearing my new finery!

memories

does this picture bring back memories or what? from left to right:
my twin brother, kent, me, my little sister, kris (she looks like a baby doll!) and my older sister, kim.

don't you love the matching outfits? us girls in our pretty fancy white tights and ruffly collars (hey, how come kris got red shoes?) love kent's socks and bow tie -real nifty!

my favorite though are our bangs! kitchen bangs we called them. kris and kim's look pretty straight, but since i have a widows peak my bangs were always crooked and practically at my hair line! (although, kent's is pretty short too!)