[flickr id=”8012249274″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Every spring it’s the ants. Ants all over the damn house. Big ants. Little ants. Everywhere.
This year we have a new problem. Apparently it’s rampant around Indiana right now.
Fruit flies.
I have no fruit out.
But they are EVERYWHERE.
I clean the drains regularly.
I set out traps.
I rip my hair out.
I hate damn bugs.
For the first time in months I made a concerted effort to get out with my camera and seek out the word prompts for this weeks scavenger hunt. I enjoyed the challenge and finding some camera time in the midst of a very busy week. (I did have to use one picture from my archives, but it’s a fav so I’m not too upset)
All taken w/ Canon Rebel XS.
1. Cracked
The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone. ~Harriet Beecher Stowe
[flickr id=”8012239378″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
A half-truth, like half a brick, is always more forcible as an argument than a whole one. It carries better. ~Stephen Leacock
[flickr id=”8012246606″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
2. Fallen
The friendship between me and you I will not compare to a chain; for that the rains might rust, or the falling tree might break. We are the same as if one man’s body were to be divided into two parts, we are all one flesh and blood. ~William Penn
[flickr id=”8012237727″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. ~Charles H. Spurgeon
[flickr id=”8012251903″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
3. Ordinary Color
Tyrants have not yet discovered any chains that can fetter the mind. ~Charles Caleb Colton
[flickr id=”8012242342″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree. ~Emily Bronte
[flickr id=”8012238893″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
4. Bokeh
Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus
[flickr id=”8012240496″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Time is the justice that examines all offenders ~William Shakespeare
[flickr id=”8012238348″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
5. Fence
…his affections, like ivy, were the growth of time, they implied no aptness in the object. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
[flickr id=”8012241490″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
There can be no friendship where there is no freedom. Friendship loves a free air, and will not be fenced up in straight and narrow enclosures. ~William Penn
[flickr id=”5232905593″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]
Since I’m addicted to quotes w/ my images I’ve started to link to the Sunday Citar over at Fresh Mommy Blog w/ my photo posts every Sunday. It’s a great way to combine two of my loves 🙂
You can find more pictures over at my flickr account.
Scavenger Hunt Sunday is run by the beautiful Ashley. Head on over to see more Hunters.
[flickr id=”8011911337″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]When I made up my 45X45 list I put a few things on there that I didn’t think I’d ever accomplish. Swimming with whale sharks, paying off the mortgage – seemingly impossible but you have to have lofty goals mixed in with the more attainable dreams.
Among the “probably never gonna happen” goals was “Run a 5k”.
I’m just not a runner.
Never have been.
Even when I had stamina and did regular cardio through dance.
So this was a pipe dream, but I felt like I had to have it on there.
[flickr id=”8011917340″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]Today I crossed that finish line. I achieved one of the goals I swore would never happen.
There are a LOT of the negative Nellie thoughts in the back of my head. The “I finished…but” phrases.
BUT.
I’m ignoring them today.
Today I completed a 5k.
Not only did I complete it but I raked in an approximate 11.5 minute mile. I came in second in my age division (not far behind the first place finisher for my age division).
I did it.
I really did it.
Cross another one off that list.
Next year I’m setting my sites on one of the color runs…and probably this one again.
I’m still not a runner – but I know I can do this now.
And I want to do it again.
[flickr id=”7809492264″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]We all have dreams.
Some dreams are big – bigger than what our logical minds tell us we can accomplish.
Some dreams are more practical – but still mean something to us.
Growing up I had many dreams. I wanted to be a dance teacher. I wanted to perform on stage in musicals. I wanted to be a vet. I wanted to be a mom.
I was blessed to accomplish some dreams early. At 10 my dance studio let me become an ‘assistant’. Me and my co-advanced-class dancers would help the teachers with the young ones. By 11 we were teaching the classes ourselves for the most part. By 13 we were allowed to choreograph.
When I was in my 20’s I was able to take some courses and training and became a vet assistant. For about six months I worked in a vets office and still think of that time with fond memories.
I became a mom at 21, and again at 29 & 30.
Right after I got married I performed in a series of musicals over the course of the year. On stage. Singing and dancing under the lights.
Then I got wrapped up in real life. I had a husband, kids, bills, work and a home. Dreams went by the wayside as our girls were born and their development took up every spare second of breath and thought in my head. In the moments of quiet when everyone went to bed and I could unleash the stresses, I chose to do them with words.
Writing.
It had never been a dream, but as worlds formed under my fingertips, stories unfolded on the page, and characters breathed life into my soul a new dream formed.
Wrapped up in the realities of life I’d forgotten about me. About how important even the smallest dreams could be.
They give you life, hope, something to look forward to and achieve.
Dreams are life.
Since then I have created a 45X45 list and begun to tackle things on it. Some are small, others seem impossible.
Still, every time I cross something off of that list I feel a sense of elation, I smile for days. I have accomplished something.
It’s not just good for me. It’s not selfish.
My children need to see it. See me achieving goals and dreams. The little ones, and the big ones.
Within 6 months I’ll have proof of one of my biggest dreams on my Nook (and Kindle). Within a year I’ll have physical proof sitting on my bookshelf. Published.
It wasn’t a dream I had growing up. It’s new. Formed just 7 years ago. When I thought it was unattainable, outlandish and crazy.
I’ll never stop having dreams. Achieving this one I’ve formed new ones.
New ones will follow behind.
Never let go of dreams. Always have two – one practical & achievable, and another completely outlandish.
Never give up hope.
Let your children see the hope, and the accomplishment. It’s a prize that lasts for a very long time – and it helps them set their sights on the biggest dreams.
[flickr id=”7665967864″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]We all have them.
Hidden away in drawers.
Stored in boxes.
Sometimes right out on display.
The toy.
The one toy.
Stuffed animal.
Toy car.
Blanket.
Pretend make up purse.
The toy they grew out of.
But we never grew out of seeing them with.
The one they clung to at night.
Carried everywhere.
Eventually loyalties changed, a new toy took over, a new animal, a doll or a train.
But the toy is still there.
The one that reminds you of your baby.
It’s ragged.
Broken.
Coming apart in places.
Maybe you should toss it.
But you can’t.
It’s a piece of your baby.
The one that’s growing up too fast.
The one that now runs off by themselves rather than holds your hand.
The baby that rolls their eyes and pronounces they are NOT your baby.
But they’ll always be your baby.
So you keep that piece.
That ragged, worn out, tired piece.
And you never let it go.
[flickr id=”6087274981″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]We aren’t really a sports family. Denver never really was a sports kid. He played soccer for a while, but then the cost outweighed his enjoyment factor and we let it go. For a while he played an instrument, but again he didn’t care for it as much.
So just before 7th grade he told us he wanted to run.
And he ran.
Last year in 8th grade he excelled beyond measure, his pride in his abilities grew. The kid was on his game. We were proud of him, he was proud of himself. It was a pretty stellar way to end middle school.
This year he’s in high school and joined the team again.
But this year there’s a problem.
Pain in his knees – and a new severe pain in his back are crippling his ability to run. He barely makes it a mile in practice.
So tomorrow we go and do something I never thought this family would see. A sports medicine doctor. Try to help his pain levels before the season is over. So that maybe he can again enjoy the sport he loves so much – and achieve the excellence we all know he has in him.