LiFe {unscripted}

La la la la Leap Day

This made me laugh and also reflect on how true it is for me (blush)

via someecards.com

I also immediately thought of my husband.  He is SO not a time waste kind of person.  *Okay, maybe he did spend a bit of time playing the Wii from Oct. - Dec. but in all fairness, it was my anniversary gift to him and I did enjoy playing with him* But seriously, this guy has always been the sun-up-till-sun-down kind of guy as long as I've known him.  My girlfriends and I have a good giggle sometimes at how he goes and goes all day, but can fall asleep at the drop of a dime once he sits down.  Sometimes even in the middle of a party. He is a productive person.  This past Saturday, I was having fun taking photos of a sweet baby girl, and he was outside working with concrete. 

Not because he had too, but because he wanted to.  He enjoys being busy.  He is always thinking.  Always planning.  I love that about him.  I strive to be more like that.  I procrastinate. It's no secret.  He can too, of course, but with things like putting the laundry away.  I can sit on my hands, er rather, the internet wasting hours of precious time - with every intention of "working" - and then complain when I don't have enough time.  He gets that about me and encourages me in the best way possible.  By example.  I appreciate that so much about him. If tables were turned, I cannot promise I would be the same.  Patient.  But he is.

So today, on Leap Day I want to go out on a limb.  I'm not sure how well I will do or if I will fail miserably, but I am going to try.  Try not to waste time.  To be productive.  To make the very best of the day while the sun is shining.  Relish in the minutes of time well spent.

Leap Day.  Mine will be most likely spent like any regular work-week day, but I will make a concerted effort  to make it count. 

I will report back tomorrow on how I did. 

What are you going to do with your extra day in the year?  I'd like to see/read about it if you have photos or stories.  Please share!

Thanks for dropping by :)

"Where words fail, music speaks."

Quote by Hans Christian Anderson.

I know I've said it before.  I love music.  My first memory of music always brings a smile to my face and brings back a flood of childhood memories when music played so much. 

First memory being my older brother playing the Thriller album over and over in the summer.  Second, my grandpa playing his guitar for my sister and I.  Third, my dad always having George Strait in the tape player in his truck.  Fourth, calling the 1800 number to order the Muppets Record set (yes, records!) on COD when I was 4.  And the way The Rainbow Connection sang by Kermit the Frog would get stuck at the very end of the song on the record player "Da Doom, da doom, da doom...."  Rach do you remember that?!!! Fifth, listening to my mom sing in church and finally noticing that she has such a beautiful voice. 

The list could go on and on.  So many memories are filled with music. 

Today I had a moment during my routine evening drive.  A moment that, yes, involved music.  Clarity.  While listening to one of my new favorite songs. 

Shake it Out  by Florence + the Machine.

I believe that every time I hear that song I will always remember today.  That quick moment of clarity and calm.  Of letting it go.  "Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground..." 

Also on my iTunes repeat right now:

• Called out in the Dark - Snow Patrol
• Human - The Killers

I always think it's going to be way easier to describe than it actually is.

But basically

to me. 

Thanks for dropping by :)

 

 

Perfect Sequence

Saturday afternoon Adam was working outside (doing contractor things) and decided he needed to make a run to Home Depot.  One magic word.  "GO."  And Henry was off.  Not about to miss out on the chance to go for a truck ride. I had just finished a photo shoot and had my camera in hand.  I loved these photos the moment I hit the shutter button.  Before I even looked on the viewing screen to see what they looked like.  And when I finally did look, I loved them even more.

Someday we may have kids that will be in photos like this.  Someday.  Right now, though, this is our life.

This moment was not staged nor set up.  I winced when I noticed Henry running full speed in the direction of the street.  Adam must have too, because he turned around and stopped Henry in his tracks for a sweet moment I just happened to capture. 

Two thirty-something "kids" working on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on jobs they truly love, a sweet companion that loves being outside, truck rides, and a moment that will forever be embedded in their hearts. 

Perfect sequence. 

Thanks for dropping by :)

5 Friday Favorites

My five favorite pins from this week. 

All of the images are linked, as they do not belong to me.  I see so many amazing images throughout the week it's nearly impossible to not be inspired in one way or another.  Inspired to draw, to create with fabric, to create with Photoshop, with clothing, with polish, food, ect. ect. 

Trust me, these are just a handful that made me stop, stare, read, and think. 

1.  This drawing by artist Mark B. Hill.  I absolutely love the subject of this drawing, and adore the lines created from pen with watercolor. 

Image by Mark B. Hill

 

2.This amazing DIY Project by Jen at iHeart Organizing.  Because of Adam's job, we spend a lot of time at Home Depot.  I have noticed these radiator covers on several occasions, but just haven't quite known what I would do with them.  Now I know!  Beautiful organization. 

Image by Jen Jones

3. This outfit by Whitsan on Polyvore.  I LOVE the long skirt with a tank top and scarf.  Add the gorgeous nail + scarf color and gladiator sandals and I am craving spring time folks.  I will be on the hunt from here till spring for this outfit.

 

4.  This quote from here.  It's so true, right?!  I struggle with this on a daily basis.  I want my heart to start speaking up to my brain.  Maybe that makes no sense, but that's the thought that just came to my mind.

 

5.  Wonderful article by Webdesign tuts+.  An interesting and informative article for beginners and wannabe's like me!  But isn't the design of the article graphic also nice?!  Their whole website is chalk full of amazing tutorials for beginners and seasoned designers. 

Oh gosh I am so happy that it's Friday.  It's been a long week...

Can you tell?!

Thanks for dropping by :)

Olive Juice

I created this drawing at the end of the school year last year.  I found it a couple weeks ago while cleaning out my art folder

I was in a great drawing kick at the end of the school year last year.  I *WISH* I was still in that kick.  Unfortunately, obstacles like work, house chores, and every day life have been finding their way into my drawing time.

I kid. 

Well, sort of.

On the bright side though, I have been able to re-work some of my old drawings like this one by scanning them into Photoshop and adding color to them, just like I mentioned in this post a few weeks ago. 

Olive Juice re-visited

 

It's still not quite the same feeling that drawing with pencil and eraser and paper lend, but it has been enough to suffice my craving for drawing a little bit at a time.

Thanks for dropping by :)

 

Then & Now

February 21, 2012 Photo of the Day Challenge was "a fave photo of you."  I was browsing around on my Webstagram feed and noticed this amazing challenge photo by ChristielRogers. 

Her photo of the day inspired me to find an childhood photo of myself (from the 2nd grade) and put it side by side with my 2-21-2012 Photo of the Day.

 

I'll go ahead and say it. 

wow.  just wow. 

Probably the last year I wore that shirt, but was definitely just the beginning of bangs and big hair bows for this girl. 

Luckily, today I have found my forehead under all my heavy thick hair.  Big hair bows are for babies now, right?!  And my front teeth grew in.  

But all in all, the same girl. 

I remember that picture day in fourth grade my mom made a point to tell me NOT to smile. 

And so I did. 

Yup, the same girl. 

But, now that I think of it, I think she *may* have told me that on purpose because she knew I would...

Thanks for dropping by :)

Motivational Posters

Oh, Pinterest. 

I can lose all track of time looking at so much inspiring artwork, fashion, design, typography, etcetera, etcetera. I am sure most understand this concept  - it's not breaking news or anything.  But one of the first times I lost track of time on Pinterest, I can remember it was because of inspirational quotes created into works of art. 

I call my board Motivational Posters. 

So many of the pins on my board have inspired me in different ways, but a few in particular, have inspired me to try my hand at creating a few of my own.  

Using Photoshop+lots of awesome fonts+digital brushes+some of my own hand drawings+too much time because of indecisiveness and too many font choices, I've completed only a few I'd like to actually let other people see. 

My take on Ernest Hemingway's quote.  I know he said it MUCH MUCH better, but I wanted to adapt it more to my classroom rules.  I used my drawing of the birds and telephone wires from this drawing and added text with Photoshop. 

Also for my classroom, the wonderful quote by Henri Matisse.  I am always trying to convince my students that the courage to try is far better than the best drawing, painting, creation, etc.  Art is found in the try. 

And a few weeks back when I was in need of reading this verse over and over, I created this one. 
John 14:27

I cannot decide which I like better.

Did I mention there are too many decisions with Photoshop?

But I enjoy the process, so I will continue to try. 

Thanks for dropping by :)

Five years ago

...on Friday, my sweet sister married her best friend.  They had a beautiful red+white+black February wedding.  Complete with the classic car to drive them away from the church.

Both will tell you that the past five years have flown by.  It seems that way to me too.  But both will also honestly say that marriage is hard work.  Adapting to your spouses work schedule when he is put on nights...and staying up past your bedtime to get a chance to talk when he gets home.  Ironing your wife's pants at 7:00 am because she over slept and is running late to work.  Planning awesome weekend get away trips when your wife has spent the week stressed.  Having silly arguments over ketchup, then making sure that the bottle of Heinz never gets low.  Supporting one another in their goals and challenges, and being there for even more support whatever the outcome. 

Yes, I've always known that I have a wonderful, thoughtful, and beautiful sister.  The kind of sister that I wish everyone had.  But I have a really wonderful brother-in-law, too.  A thoughtful and truly kind brother in law that every sister hopes her sister will marry. 

Our family? Yes.  Our loved ones? Yes. 

But also our friends.

They are our people.  And we are theirs. 

Happy Anniversary, you two.

life this week

A quick look of Instagrams and iphone pics of our ordinary life that we love this week.  

Or a "photo heavy, text light, share of us" for simpler title. 

Henry enjoyed a freshly washed bed on Sunday.  I mean, he is just the cutest thing to me. 

I worked on these burp cloths Sunday evening while listening/watching the Grammys.  So happy for Adele.  The pattern for the burp cloths is from the sweet and talented seamstress and scrapbooker, Susan Weinroth.  I use this pattern every time a friend has a new baby.  I love it.

wore this blue dress on Monday - it's my new favorite.  I bought it for $9 bucks last weekend. 

Tuesday my student, a junior girl, gave me this cute heart during second period.  She helped her PAL make some of these for her Valentine's day party.  I love that some high school students enjoy being role models.

Cute waving cat at the new Mongolian grill and buffet.  Adam and I shared our Valentine's day dinner there...it was great, but I would have enjoyed it more if I had worn stretchy pants.  It's hard to thoroughly enjoy a buffet experience without stretchy pants or at least an over-sized sweatshirt. 

Practiced my lettering Wednesday by drawing this quote from the song Uncharted by Sara Bareilles.  I've loved that song for over a year now - especially that part of the song.  I finally got it on paper.

We had Wednesday night dinner at my grandparents house.  My grandma always makes the best home cooked dinners.  Comfort food. 

These babies arrived on my door step Wednesday evening.  I'm so super excited to use them!

Had to be at work before daylight for a faculty meeting Thursday morning.  This song made my whole drive worth it.  I love old songs that take me back to being a kid riding in my baby-sitter's Suburban.  This is that kind of song for me.

Our laundry room is almost completely updated.  Adam finished the drywall and painting around the french doors  -  I need to photograph more of it, but for now, a sneak of the floor. 

This sweet boy got a quick b-a-t-h tonight.  He unluckily ran through some bushes that a cat had been in.  Poor baby.  He ran when Adam said the word "bath."

We ended our Thursday evening with a DVR'ed episode of Modern Family and slightly homemade pizza.  Feta cheese, tomatoes and spinach for me.  Turkey pepperoni and mozzarella for him.  Wine for both. 

Just an ordinary week in our life. 

Thanks for dropping by :)

this stuff

...has changed my life. 

All thanks to this friendly, sweet, and fabulously talented girl who lives across the pond :)

Thank you SO MUCH, Shimelle!!!

Seche Vite is Ah-mazing for the do-it-your-selfer-manicurist, like me. 

Literally in less than a minute my digits are dry to the touch with a perfect shiny finish, and I can get on with my tasks at hand.  No pun intended.

Last night I went from My Private Jet by OPI

to Midnight Kiss by China Glaze

in literally under 15 minutes. 

I don't have too many beauty product recommendations, but I just could not not blog about this!

Thanks for dropping by :)