You're One of My Kind



Happy 13 12th Anniversary to my honey bunny. This is the honest truth ... I have to get our marriage certificate out every year so I can verify the correct year of our wedding. It's crazy, I know. There was a lot going on back then and we were having so much fun that getting married was simply a formality. It was a spur of the moment decision to seal the deal on a weekend we were heading to Laughlin, Nevada for a big round-up with a couple hundred like-minded friends. I was super excited about the weekend plans and sometime about a week before the event, he popped the question: hey, ya wanna get married while we're in Nevada? Super romantic, right? That's how he rolls and I've been rolling with him ever since. For documentation's sake, I said yes but I warned him that if it got the tiniest bit complicated, we would be putting it off until we got back from Nevada. I don't do complicated. It wasn't. We did. And, we're still doing this marriage the best way we know how ... one day at a time.

 

I woke up thinking about this last twelve years. Here is what I've learned from my side of the street. This is what has worked for us. Take what you want and leave the rest:

• Marriage shouldn't be hard.
• This relationship comes first. I love my friends but he's number one.
• We try hard to not criticize each other.
• Pay attention to physical stuff. We're getting older. Take care and tend to each other. Attend doctor appointments together.
• We try not be crazy on the same day.
• Have your own interests.
• A lot can change in 24 hours. Sleep on it ... whatever it is.
• Know your limits. Know their limits.
• Be flexible.
• Be kind.
• Be forgiving.
• Be yourself.

I heard an old favorite song from the 80's on the radio this morning by INXS called "Need You Tonight" ... I've got to let you know, you're one of my kind. Nothing has been truer in my life so far. Raising my coffee cup to you, husband of mine, father and grandfather, friend and keeper of our fur kids. I adore you more than I can ever say. love, susan

Movie Marathons

What a perfect day for a movie marathon. I don't believe my hubby has ever sat in one place with me for 12 hours to watch the entire season of anything. But today he did!

 

"Making a Murderer" (on Netflix) has been the hot topic of discussion at work and on the internet. I've been eyeing it but I didn't really want to start a new series until I finish watching all episodes of "Parenthood" (I'm in Season 5 now).  Nonetheless, I turned it on at 7:45 this morning and just finished it about 7:30 tonight.

 

We took a break so he could go buy hamburger, buns, and frozen french fries. While he was at the store, I stuck my head outside to see if there was still snow on the ground from this morning. It was raining and I captured this beautiful double rainbow.

 

Making a Murderer is fascinating and sad. I can hardly wait to get back to work to discuss it with friends. I'm not going to reveal anything about it here in case you haven't seen it yet.  See it!

 

I did manage to take a shower tonight but I'm not giving up my jammies.

 

When was the last time you did a movie marathon? What did you see?

 

love, susan

 

 



Three Days After Christmas

A road trip yesterday led me to stand out in the middle of the bridge in Prosser to shoot this calm winter day. I'm not sure when I've ever experience zero wind but I was thankful for the calmness and sheer beauty of the moment captured here. Just prior to this shot, two bald eagles flew overhead.  This was the perfect ending to a hard week. Or perhaps the beginning of a better week, whichever way you look at it. Friends buried their 2 1/2 year old baby on Thursday. Three days after Christmas his heart stopped beating. The service was as beautiful as that sort of thing can be. I wasn't going to attend but at the last minute realized it was not about me. The speaker must have said the word love about a hundred times and I felt it. Their baby had many physical challenges but I never saw him or photos of him without a huge grin on his face. He brought joy to this planet, that was his purpose. At the end of the service, they played a home video where he was responding to his mother's voice. He never talked but he tried. Everyone attending the service was touched by him in one way or another.  His smile will be forever etched in my mind.

Life surprises me every single day, just like those eagles flying overhead. Take a look around. There is so much to experience. Some things are hard but even in the difficult events there often is something to be positive about. Do not be discouraged.

 

love, susan 



Adios Facebook

I deactivated my Facebook account today. I've been thinking about it for quite awhile and this action falls in line with my theme word for 2016. Improve.  The countless minutes and hours I've spent looking at my screen is time I can't get back.  The decision was hard. I have a photography page I started some time last year and it is where I promote the fact that I love taking family photos (for free) for people. It's not a business. It is purely a hobby that I've been able to share with a lot of people through the FB page and word of mouth. Will I be asked to take photos if I'm not on FB? We'll see.  PICTURES of family and friends I will undoubtedly miss because I deactivated. Plenty of people don't have FB, right?  EVENTS may happen where I'm not invited because I'm not on FB. Oh well. I've never had a lack of things to do or places to go. NEWS will be from another source now. The straw that broke my FB camel's back was a meme that was put up by an otherwise funny source this week. It was a racist, bullying, not-so-funny meme that has become the norm on my FB roll. I've had enough. POLITICS can go on without me. I will not suffer one more day of seeing Donald Trump's face on my phone screen, bless his heart. MY BEHAVIOR is bound to change. It has already changed since I started sending emails to my closest people in September. Some great dialogue has happened and I hope it continues.

How much time do you spend on FB? Do you have trouble turning it off?

love, susan

The State of My Tribal World

Beautiful weekend it was. It turned out nothing like I would have expected. I've learned to hold the reigns in my life very loose, even dropping them sometimes just to see which way it goes.

 

I spent Thursday with a good friend who helped me navigate the mall for some last-minute buys. We made some oil paint art on canvas at my kitchen table followed by candy making until almost midnight.

 

We got up Christmas morning and left the house just before 6:00am on a four hour drive to Portland to spend the day with family there. The day was full of laughter and a few tears.  

 

Some good friends came over Saturday night for dinner and some great, thoughtful conversation. Note to self ... must do that more often.

 

On the trip home from Portland, hubby and I had a great talk about the state of the world. He's the kind of guy who listens to news from all around the world throughout the day. My news comes in snipnets on my stupid FB roll and quite frankly, it has gotten me so down I could hardly speak about it without crying. I'm appalled by the hatefulness being spewed from every outlet I turn on, including friends and family. I don't want to believe this is the world I'm living in. I'm Pollyanna, remember? I said, please explain to me how this happens. He said, "it's tribal".

 

Long story short, I like that explanation and I'll be doing some reading on tribes this next year.

 

More will be revealed ...

 

love, susan

2015 ~ A Creative Year in Review

CREATE

 



I've come to love reviewing my year and coming up with a new word theme for the new year. Never in 56 years have I been so excited to take a look back and see what has worked and what hasn't in my life. I have been looking through my albums of photos for 2015 and I am amazed at the number of images I have taken of friends and family this year. I opened up a photography page on FB in late 2014, a place where I share favorite photos along with an open invitation to anyone who wants family photographs taken, all for fun and for free (that's a post I'll write soon).  So many good things have happened as a result of suiting up and showing up for free shoots. I was invited to photograph a friend's wedding which I swore I would never do again after the last one. It is nerve-racking to be the documenter of such an important day. What if you miss the great kiss? But I said yes. It was so much fun!

They were happy with my work and from that I was asked to take their annual Christmas photos (pictured here). Nothing makes me happier than having a reason to charge my battery and head out the door on any given Saturday.

I've met new friends through my photo page who trust me to take their family photos. They can't really know how much it means to me to be able to focus on bettering my skills. It isn't about the camera. It's about people. Learning to be comfortable from behind the lens.
 

Last year when I chose the word create, I didn't think of it as a word in terms of art only. I wanted to create time and space to do the things that really turn me on as a human being ... every day. I feel like I accomplished that, and more. Here are a few highlights of what I can remember of this year: 

• I photographed families and friends May through December.
• Read 22 books (a bit short of my goal of 52 but I'm not beating myself up about it!)
• Took Remi to an agility class (BIG FUN!)
• Traveled to Spokane with life-long friends and visited my new favorite Manito Gardens
• Got creative in the kitchen -- made homemade tomato sauce from scratch for the first time ever and tried a summer squash alfredo recipe with a friend
•  Started emailing my son and step daughter on a regular basis to keep in touch

What didn't work well in 2015? I can think of nothing. Weird. Okay, if I have to think of just one thing it would be indoor shoots. I hate harsh flash lighting, especially when there are children to photograph. I will be studying and finding ways to improve this over the next year. There. I said it.

So here is the part where I choose my theme word for 2016. I've learned to listen to that voice in my head that comes from a good place. The voice that wants me to do well and be happy. It's been telling me to improve.  Improve on what I already know. Improve in areas that need attention. I know what those areas are. Writing, reading, better eating habits, better housekeeping, better communication, better relationships, better time management, better dog training.

In the past, my theme words have been minimize, develop, focus, create. I think improve is a great word to add to these life-changing ideas.

Here goes!

Do you have a theme word? What is it? Tell me!

love, susan

 

Reading Challenge Update

I've made it almost half-way to my goal of reading 52 books this year. I am not sure I've read 20 books in a year since high school.

Here's how I did it:

• I attended a one-day seminar in August and there I was exposed to a few titles and authors I had never considered reading before. How have I gotten this far in life without ever reading anything by John C. Maxwell? I simply cannot stop reading his work.
• 
  
• I make time every morning to sit with a cup of coffee, my little devil dog, "Remi", a favorite blankie, and my Kindle. Depending on what time I get up, I read at least 30 minutes and if I can squeeze an hour, I do it.
• I don't give up. Sometimes my mind will wander while I'm reading. When I recognize it happening, I say the word FOCUS and bring myself back to the book.
• I turn my phone to silent and leave it in another room.
• I protect my reading time by closing my office door if my hubby decides to watch the news or turn on the radio. I'm one of those freak people who cannot have any other noises in the room when I've reading.

I love reading from my Kindle but I also read a few hardbound books this year. I like the highlight feature on my e-reader. It allows me to go back and see my favorite lines. I want to share a few with you here:


"It was like having more candy than other people, or getting stars on homework papers--to have the mother who looked the best." -- Olive Kittinger by Elizabeth Strout


"I try to do certain things every day to help me in this area (focusing on the present). I read daily to grow in my personal life. I listen to others daily to broaden my perspective. I spend time thinking daily to apply what I am learning. And I try to write daily so that I can remember what I've learned. I also try to share those lessons with others." --Talent is Never Enough  John C. Maxwell


"All this could have been avoided if I were less pretty." --Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

How about you? What are you reading?  Do you have special times set aside for reading? Any reading goals?  Favorite lines from your books?  Tell me!

 

love, susan

 

So Far, So Good

We had dinner last night with good friends for a 3rd annual dinner for my hubby's birthday and our friend's birthday. Ironically, the waitress seated us at the same table we've shared the last 2 birthdays. So sweet!  I made a bucket list for December in my last post and so far I've been able to cross off a few things.  Day 3 and I have made it onto the treadmill every day in December.  Haha! Got an appointment for Gene for new eyeglasses. I have two family photography shoots lined up for Saturday. I have not baked a single cookie or sweet thing.  Hey, ya gotta take successes where you can!

What's on your December bucket list?

love, susan

December Bucket List

DECEMBER

BUCKET LIST

• Make a date with my friends for lunch and a Saturday stroll through Uptown Mall
• Take hubby to dinner for his birthday
• Eat a Cuban sandwich at a place recommended by local peeps
• Travel to Tacoma to see relatives for a weekend
• Get through the entire month without baking sweets
• Get on treadmill every day
• Buy Gene some new glasses
• Make some art
• Line up at least two photo shoots
• Clean out all six closets
• Think of theme word for 2016
• Write every day in my journal
• Send a letter to each of my pen pals

Thank you to the lady over at Mama's Losin' It for the inspiration.

Write It Down

Watching pelicans at Horn Rapids (May 2015)

Do you ever have a conversation with someone and they remind you of something they've told you before but you completely forgot it? That happened over the weekend. At the moment he told me, I made a mental note that it was important for me to write it down somewhere. Here.

 

I'm not even sure how we got to the topic but my hubby reminded me that his mom enrolled him in the Arthur Murray School of Dance when he was a kid.

 

Now, I do remember him telling me that before but that little factoid was buried somewhere in my mind and if he had never brought it up again, it's a piece of information that I would forget about him. He told me that back in the day his mom  loved all things free. We got a good chuckle out of that.

 

Maybe it's because we attended the birthday party of a 6 year old yesterday at the arcade. All last week I kept thinking our friends' son was turning five. Time does not stand still for anyone.

 

I'm here to encourage anyone who reads this to write stuff down. Take a picture. Print it. Write about the day it was taken. Leave it somewhere you can see it later. Our lives get full and these wonderful facts about our loved ones get buried. 

 

Listen to people. Really hear what they are saying. Take it in. Enjoy it. Remember it.

 

love, susan

 

 

 

Have Fun Having Fun

Accountability. I've always hated that word. However, I have learned to use it to my advantage.

I have an accountability partner who helps me lean into the word and not hate it so much. We have an agreement to stay accountable to each other when the abyss of winter sets in. After a brief text this last week, I knew it was time to check in with her and it worked for me  and I think for her as well.

HOW IT'S DONE
When I have too many things to do, I get overwhelmed easily. I've found that making a list is what works best for me. I love lists but they are only as good as the paper they are written on if I don't complete the tasks.

To Do List:
Laundry - sheets, towels, work clothes, jeans
Make both beds
Pay bills
Put away all stuff laying around
Meal prep: bake chicken, cup up veggies

I sensed my accountability partner was feeling the same way so I texted her a photo of my to-do list along with photos of the worst areas of my castle that required my attention. When I didn't hear back from her right away, I knew she was sleeping in but as soon as she woke up, I was sure she'd be on board. She was! And, she sent me her list. We both got busy and texted our progress. We always encourage each other to do something to reward ourselves in between all the chores. Yesterday she watched Project Runway while I did a little reading on my Kindle. I had decided to make noon time my cutoff for my chores. After 12, my hubby and I planned to take a Sunday drive.

In one of her last texts, she said have fun having fun. Doesn't that just hit the nail on the head? For me, having someone who understands what I need in order to get things done is fun. I enjoy the process. It doesn't matter if it's work or play, it's all about the process for me. So, this morning I'm enjoying knowing that I have a great lunch packed for today, chicken all ready for tacos or Thai fried rice for dinner. I slept in clean sheets last night and all the laundry got folded.

What is fun for you?

love, susan