happy valentine's day! | personal

I know, the day is almost over! But I didn't want to let it pass before wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you had a sweet day full of love and appreciation from the people in your lives. My valentine is actually out of the state right now so we will be celebrating our holiday this coming weekend after he returns home. Even though we said we'd celebrate this weekend, he still had some flowers delivered to me today! Having flowers delivered in a ProFlowers box is becoming a tradition with us. Unfortunately, Tommy has missed every valentine's day, anniversary, and (my) birthday since we got married. (Each time it is because he is required to travel for his job. Stinkin' military ;)) So even though it's always a bummer that he's gone, I am beginning to grow fond of the familiar box that shows up on our front steps on all the special days. I like that it's becoming a little tradition with us. Plus I know he will return home and quickly designate a day to make up for the day he missed. Yeah, he's kind of romantic. And I kind of like it. :)

So anyway... for those of you who are spending tonight alone, you aren't completely alone out there! I'm off to curl up on the couch with the dogs and catch up on some TiVo'd shows. I'm so cool.

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

Gratituesday: the birds are singing

Gratituesday is a weekly blog post (that I try to keep up with) I got involved with over here. You should join, too! If you do, be sure to let me know in the comments as I would love to read what you write about. On Sunday I woke up pretty early (like 6am early) so I sat down at my computer to churn out some work before everyone else woke up (my dad was visiting). As I was sitting there working away, I heard a few birds singing outside. The sound made my heart smile so big! Is this it? Is spring just around the corner? Apparently the groundhog says so!

I know we all experience a winter funk, but I think I redefined the low for myself last week. All I can say is that I am so glad that week is over, that I still have friends (hah, seriously), the birds are singing, and that spring is right around the corner. Altogether, I feel completely refreshed and encouraged (and really loved).

Okay the birds didn't do all of that... but they really did lift my spirits a bit and so far I've heard them singing both mornings since Sunday, so I hope they are back for good!

So this week... I am grateful for another simple thing... the singing birds.

What about you? What are you grateful for this week?

Gratituesday: a made bed

Gratituesday is a weekly blog post (that I try to keep up with) I got involved with over here. You should join, too! If you do, be sure to let me know in the comments as I would love to read what you write about. If you have been reading my blog for a while now, you know my mantra. It's the simple things in life that matter.

Yessss.

So today's Gratituesday? I am loving having a made bed.

A made bed is kind of like the little sister to a clean kitchen sink for me. Everything in the world is just right when the kitchen sink is clean and my bed is made. The house is peaceful... my to-do list is complete... the dogs are behaving...  and everything is in it's place! Okay... maybe life really isn't like that... but who cares, the bed is made! The kitchen sink is clean!

My perspective on my day is different. It brings peace in my heart. And it makes me happy.

So today? Today my bed is made and I am grateful for it.

What are you grateful for this week?

January Self Portrait | Personal

While a general (smart phone, at that) 365 project is enough of a challenge for me, there are people out there taking 365 self portraits this year. Talk about a huge challenge. I greatly admire their dedication and creativity to take and edit a picture of the same subject every single day.  I have really been inspired by a lot of the self portrait projects I have seen the past few years... some I have seen have absolutely blown me away. I know that taking self portraits is one of the first things artists attempt to help them practice creativity. It is usually the first step or assignment in any workshop, class, or project. So here's my confession: I hardly ever take self-portraits anymore. I used to take them... until myspace got popular and I simply got weirded out with people thinking I stood around in my bathroom all day taking pictures of myself. (Where else is there a large mirror at my disposal?) Although I do remember being particularly proud of this little gem back in 2005:

Oh yeah. I took that baby with my little Nikon Coolpix I got for my birthday that year! (See? I was once a Nikon girl!) And in the WalMart parking lot, no less. Ahhh... we all start somewhere. :)

Anyway, so all that to say... Welcome to my new 12 month project. One of my items on my 101 in 1001 list is to complete 12 consecutive months of a monthly photo project and since I'm a bit of a perfectionist, I prefer to start most projects at the beginning of the year. I'll be taking 12 self portraits this year and posting one at the end of each month. I hope to be able to stretch my creative wings and try a few new things with this project... we'll see how it goes!

January 2011 | texture

Gratituesday: All the small things

Gratituesday is a weekly blog post (that I try to keep up with) I got involved with over here. You should join, too! If you do, be sure to let me know in the comments as I would love to read what you write about. Happy Tuesday, Friends.

I should have written this entry this morning... when I was in a yucky mood that inspired this little diddy. Taking the time to write a blog post about the good things in life always plays a little mind trick on me, usually turning my frown upside down. I am sure those with whom I interacted with today probably would have appreciated my frown have a flip to it. (Good thing they love me regardless. ;))

Tonight... I am grateful for things that are good for my soul. I know, pretty broad topic. The past few days have been a little rocky. I honestly don't know if it's nutrition related or what... but I have been Cranky with a capital C. I'm talking... the kind of cranky where even I know I am being ridiculous. But, there have been a few things that have helped me stop and smell the roses, per se... and this week, I am grateful for them.

Specifically...

This song:

My church family that continually embraces me and reminds me what real love is.

All the people and conversations that have fallen into place perfectly over the past few days (err, God's provision, really)... helping me find peace about a big decision.

Good (non-project-interrupting) weather today.

That Tommy tells me like it is. =)

So... this week... I am grateful for all the small things! Here's to hoping I'll get a great night sleep tonight that'll knock this cranky attitude out of me.

What are you grateful for this week?