Thankful Thursday & Knots

I'm a little obsessed with fishing equipment. I think there is something so commanding about it and so purposeful. Nothing is wasted and everything has a reason. There is also a skill- one that is learned over time and passed down from generation to generation. And in spite of the changes that occur all around, it remains the same.

Like this knot.


I used it as a practice picture for homework in my class and my teacher said that it was excellent, SOOC. That's "straight out of the camera" in photo lingo. Let's keep in mind that she's teaching me, so part of that is adding encouragement within her critiques. It worked- I was encouraged.
And I really love the picture for what it is and what it represents and how it makes me feel.

Knots can be good- they hold things together...boats to the dock, shoelaces in place or stitches in fabric. Or bad- knots in my hair, my stomach or a favorite necklace.

Right now, I'm pretty thankful for the good knots that keep me tied to those that I love. My family and my friends and even my photography teacher- for hanging in there with me, providing encouragement and not letting me slip too far away from the things that are truly important.

Thanks guys!!

Hmphff!

If you're 7, this is what it feels like when your mom practices one time too many for her photography class in an attempt to get the lighting just right.

If you're 40, this is a clean version of the frustration felt when you can't get the lighting right for your photography class, when work is really getting to you, there are 6 loads of laundry waiting for you and you have NO IDEA what's for dinner.

That said, I sort of love this picture.
His chubby cheeks and pouty lips and those crazy silly b@ndz bracelets that are consuming children everywhere.

If I were a whiz in PSE, I'd just do all sorts of fabulous things with all sorts of neat gadgets and it would look perfect.
Lets repeat- IF I WERE A WHIZ.

It ain't happening folks.
Hope you're having a super week!!

Bark in the Park!

We went to the baseball game on Wednesday night.....with an unusual twist.


We took Gypsy for "Bark in the Park!

There's a new ball team in town....and although I'm not a huge fan of the sport, I'll admit- we had a great time.

There were dogs everywhere- big dogs, little dogs, 3 legged dogs, dogs with clothes, funny dogs, bizarre dogs and of course, our dog.


It makes me laugh- it made everyone laugh.


(We learned about the rule of 5th's in my photography class and I'm practicing. For the record- I would be failing if she were giving us grades. Rats.)

Happy Grad!!

We spent last weekend celebrating our niece Niki's graduation. She's one smart kid and graduated Cum Laude with a double major. Yup, impressive.

The event was cause to get the fam together and we had the best time! Never one to miss out on an opportunity for fun, I gifted the grad with some "tooters". Never heard of them? Me either....until I was on a run to the liquor store and noticed them on the shelf. They are shots that are in a test tube- see, there is educational value hidden there!

How quickly we're able to switch from cum laude to um, tipsy.



Even Nana did one!


(she will KILL me for this.....te-he!!)

Mackie, always the life of the party, was all for it too!


Although it may not seem like it, she was a fan.

So many laughs, so much love, so much FUN!!



Congratulations Niki!!!

It's not easy being green....

One of my goals this year was to eliminate using plastic bags for lunches. I've been using these instead.

And I ALMOST MADE IT....except that I went away for the night to a conference and left my hubby in charge.

When I unpacked Cooper's lunchbox tonight, I almost screamed.
THERE WAS A PLASTIC BAG INSIDE!!!!!!

So close. With less than a month left in the school year I've been hijacked.
I'm going to overlook it- I have to.

Otherwise, I may be thrown over the edge.



I agree with Kermit, it's not easy being green.

Thankful Thursday

Last Thursday was a bad day....someone at work made me cry. A lot. Really, I should have blown it off because it wasn't worth my tears or my time.
At all.
But I couldn't- and it consumed me.

Cooper realized that my day wasn't good and asked me what was wrong. So I said that I had a bad day at work.
And he said, "momma, did you get fired?"
And I said, "oh gosh no! momma didn't get fired"
And he said, "oh. i wish you did- because then you'd be able to spend more time with me"

And, the crying started all over again.

It was a wake up call. And a kick in the stomach.
And I know that I need to make a change.

So I'm trying-
I'm setting limits, and saying no, and stopping the madness.

It's been a week....and things are getting better.

I'm thankful for the kick...to make me see what the issues are, and for helping me to get back to being me!!

I'm thankful for that sweet little kid, who with his 7 year old wisdom put things into perspective for me.

I'm thankful for my husband- who tries to support me in the best way he knows how.

I'm thankful for my friends....what would I do without them???

And my mom....goodness, I love you mom!!!

Don't you Wish........

that every day was filled with this much happy????



here's hoping that yours is!!

(because let's be clear.... i'm thinking there is no chance that i'll come even close)
rats.

a girl can dream though-

Tug-o-War!

Each year, Cooper's school starts May with a festival. The whole school is divided into 2 teams- blue and white. If you're blue, you're blue forever. If your mom or dad went to school here, you are on the same team that they were. It's a tradition and taken pretty seriously. We're on the white team. Thankfully, so are most of Cooper's friends (except sweet P).

Anywhoo- they have field day on Friday and tally up the winners of each game- and on Saturday after the May Pole dance, they do Tug-o-War. It's hilarious- and brutal.

Before brutal though, there is sweet. The kindergartners dress up and kick off the festivities. Each child is paired with a partner. When he was in kindergarten, Cooper got the SWEETEST little partner. Could they have been any cuter?



The ribbons end up all tangled instead of looking pristine and artfully arranged on the pole, but it's the principle of the thing and it's adorable.



Once that's finished everyone goes to the field for THE event of the day.


TUG-O-WAR!!

Sometimes it's comical (and over pretty quickly)

This was the 1st grade- poor things.

Other times it's long, hard and exhausting.




But when the orange flag crosses the line on your side....


it's pure joy!!


Sadly, it's best 2 out of 3.

And things took a turn for the worst.

Oh well- it's hanging out with friends that makes the day fun anyway!


Hope you had a great weekend too!