Twas a very good year

Looking back on 2009, I'm amazed with just how much happened! Maybe that's a part of getting older though, realizing and appreciating moments both specifically and as a whole. I will remember to look back fondly on this year of years. I am blessed and thankful with healthy and happy family and friends.

With the passing of every year, also comes the sad passing of many greats who have made impacts on our lives in one way or another..

Yes, Virginia

Old friend

My thoughts are with some dear friends who lost their father to cancer last night. I know that words can be hopelessly inadequate, but I'm thinking about you all and sending all the love that my heart holds.

In retrospect

My nephew was born on the same day that my dad died in 1995. Same day, same time frame. I did not know him then, it would be at least 10 years before I would have the boy in my life. I remember the day of my dad's death so vividly as a day of sorrow, a day of confusion, and of great loss.. how would anything ever be okay again? These would be the same emotions and feelings of emptiness I would later feel on Thanksgiving of 2002.

I saw a woman at the gym the other day who looked like my mom. Maybe she didn't in retrospect, but I found myself watching her as she walked away. I wished this stranger would turn around and be my mom.. I fantasized what I would do or say if it was really her. I felt my eyes welling up, something that hasn't happened in a while.

The love you hold never goes away. After all these years I still have moments when my heart aches. Hard to imagine getting used to a broken heart, but you learn to live again every time. I celebrate my nephew's birthday with joy each year, and Thanksgiving remains one of my favorite holidays.

Delta Fair

On Labor Day we went to the Delta Fair in Memphis. One might assume that a fair is a fair is a fair. I did. That is to say, I did before walking through the gates. Immediately I saw a statue of Charlie Chaplin.. but hold the phone.. no, not a statue! It was a woman (or a very little man) decked out head to toe and painted. I'm still so upset with myself for not taking photos of that gem.

Anyway, the fair was amazing.. delicious smells and magical colors, cheesy booths and sketchy rides, a truck pull, a petting zoo, "freak" show, medieval jousting, camel rides (and the ostrich racing and Banana Derby seemed to come straight from one of my favorite classic movies 'Swiss Family Robinson.') Best $8 I've ever spent.. not counting the Funnel Cake which was fried and full of guilty flavor.

Awkward? Yes, please.

For a good daily dose of my vitamin laugh, I check out Awkward Family Photos. In case you don't already, you should too.. and tell your body I said you're welcome.
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Is the grass really greener? Maybe it's just the lighting.

Rudy Huxtable is grown up and has the seemingly perfect job. She is happy and paid well and content with where her life is.. then another job comes her way, one that she would have taken in a heartbeat earlier. Too little too late? Or does she take the chance?

Obviously in this case, Cliff Huxtable (or Claire for that matter) would offer a perspective previously unseen followed by amazing advice. Our lives, for the most part, are not part of a sitcom.. so what advice would your inner Cliff or Claire give? Would YOU stick with what makes you happy now, or risk it all for what would have made you happy then?

I got a fortune cookie once that read "Imagine you could get what you want.." Wow, true story. Let's play along with this text and imagine. Not too much though. Over analyzing is never a flattering trait, so skip it. Forget about the fortune for now Rudy, throw it away and stick with what you know works.

Maybe it is just the lighting after all.. because that grass on the other side is starting to look a little dingy to me.

One (or 120) of my favorite things

Check out this link, it makes me happy.. now I only wish it was scratch and sniff!
'All 120 Crayon Names, Color Codes, and Fun Facts'
http://www.colourlovers.com/blog/2008/04/22/all-120-crayon-names-color-codes-and-fun-facts/

Week at the Coast

Aaaaaaaah, just got back from a week on the water! What a much needed break from life here in the real world. We started with a five day trip to Destin, followed by a trip up to the coast house for the remainder of the weekend. The food was amazing but the company was even better.. it was great to have my sisters and their husbands, my nephew, my boyfriend, and all of our dogs together for our mini summer vacation!

The day has come, just call me basket-case Terry

Though I'll never ever refer to him as such, Friday morning I took 'Boots' (my Toyota 4Runner) in for the Cash for Clunkers government incentive. In return I now have a new 2009 Honda Civic, but for today I am not thinking of the better gas days and the smaller eco-footprint days that lie ahead.. no, instead I am thinking of my old friend 'Boots' and the times we have had together.

As for Basil, he may hate my decision to "evolve" cars.. but we made a long trip last weekend in 'Boots' and he loved every minute (per usual).. attached is a photo of Basil in his favorite spot, drooling out the back window for the world to see.

Advert for a funky site

Every so often I like to play with photos, experiment with the colors and saturation.. even filters, though never to the point where it's obvious to the average viewer. Recently I found out about a website that plays with photos and turns them extra unique, befunky.com.

I decided to experiment with some photos that I had taken (aside from the one of myself and the one in blue of my older sis, that my bud Lauren took) I uploaded the images and fooled around to create what you see here.

Lake-ing it up!

I went to Lake Martin with Steven over the weekend and we had a great time playing in the water, eating amazing food, tubing from the boat, and just enjoying this beautiful Alabama weather! Several members of his family were there as well, and above are a couple of my photos from the day..

Polaroid vs. Poladroid

Several months ago I was introduced to a program on Macs that could turn any photo into a "Polaroid" style. I was reluctant because obviously I opt for the original way of doing things and don't usually have an attraction towards change. But today I decided to play around with it and see what the program could do. I have mixed feelings at this point, though I do see the appeal. Some of you may have heard of it by now, the program is called Poladroid and is now compatible with PCs in addition to the Mac.

There are options in the processing, it can even make the photos look aged with scratches and fingerprints. Play around with it and let me know what you think. Here's the link to investigate further.
http://www.poladroid.net/

Above are two photos. One is a photo that I "converted" with the Poladroid program. Another is a normal Polaroid from my Polaroid camera. Can you tell the difference?

Tuesday Reflection

Two quotes to add to my quote book. You know, I've started and stopped two or three quote books in my 28 years.. two or three simply because I misplaced the one I started before. There's something great about quotes by others, similar to looking inside a lighted window at night as you're driving home. One gets a glimpse into how someone else thinks and lives.

"Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring two pence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.”
- C. S. Lewis

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
-Harper Lee

June 13, 2009

Congratulations to Brandon and Danae on one fine day! These two invited friends and family to witness them tie the knot last weekend in Huntsville, AL. Best wishes and War Eagle!

Bouquet of school supplies

Forget a brief trip to Target with this gal. When it comes to walking down a craft or school/office supply isle, you can bet that I'm going to linger for a while. Go ahead and get the rest of your shopping done because you know where I'll be.. I'll be that girl sniffing the Scotch tape and convincing myself that I, a "grown woman," need a fresh box of Crayolas.

Maybe this stems from being a child with a juicy classroom supply list... or maybe it's due to my not really ever getting the act-my-age gene.. but whatever the case, to me there is nothing like a bag of fresh supplies.

Goodbye hair!

Over the years since mom died I have had a goal of donating my hair to 'Locks of Love' or Pantene Pro-V's 'Beautiful Lengths' at least three times. This morning I went to a studio in Memphis and got eleven inches cut off for this cause. Above is a cheesy couple photo with Steven and a glimpse at my hair (minus 11 inches).

I realize that tomorrow it will look completely different.. and I may hate it. But at least it's "cute" today and it's for a good cause!

May 8-10, 2009

Congratulations to Kate and Martin on a fantastic wedding weekend down in Selma, AL! Great friends came together for good times and made the occasion that much more special..

Snap. Flash. Enjoy.

Man, I love Polaroids. Maybe more than I should since they're not only crazy expensive, but the flash quality is not quite up to par. Sadly, I've dropped my camera twice now and fear for it's life span- once out and about around the city and another time (more recently) at the Memphis Zoo. I took it very personally and probably yelled obscenities both times, horrifying the children and parents alike.

Onto other things, I have a few photo dates lined up soon so I'm pretty excited! Strangely though, in this age of digital this and instant gratification that.. I presently have no digital cameras, only 4 or 5 film cameras. 6 if you count the Polaroid.

Future Endeavo(u)rs

When I was little I wanted to be many things.. a veterinarian, an environmental lawyer, a National Geographic photographer, a teacher. Years later, I'm still catching myself fantasizing about future endeavors..
-Owning a Bed and Breakfast
-Joining the Peace Corps
-Opening a shop or a gallery
-Opening a bakery with goodies
-Playing with the animals at a zoo
-Art Director for a magazine, designing photo shoots
-Photojournalist
-Overall, anything color related and/or involving my making a difference

Here's my psuedo-secret.. I think I could do anything above on my fantasy list. I dare to say that I know I can. And so can you. Get an education, make some connections, and grow a support system, then you can operate your art shop by day and cook cupcakes for the penguins by night! It's hard work and some days you'll feel like quitting.. but do it anyway. Do it and love every second of the process that gets you there.. fake it if you don't.

I want to make a difference so badly I can taste every flavor, and other days I stare at the ceiling asking myself why I would ever want to go down this path. Listening to the pessimism and seeing the negative is not enough.. I have to think on a larger scale and paint a bigger picture. A masterpiece. Keep reminding me of this. Let me know your progress, and I'll keep you posted with mine.

I'm currently getting my masters degree in art education. Keeping that in mind and reading back over my fantasy list, I think that I'm on the right track. I am thankful to my loved ones, past and present, who provide me with overwhelming support and encouragement.

What a dog

Until one has loved an animal, one's soul remains unawakened. -Anatole France