Embrace Life

Summer is Here!

A typical summer day. Aah. So relaxing.

Technically I'm a bit late as the equinox was on the 21st! But, as of the afternoon school bell today, the youngers are out for summer. They can now join the olders who have been out on holiday, after surviving ASCENT and exams, since the 18th. They've been celebrating by sleeping!

I am going to unplug for a bit. I've been blogging consistently every day for a while now. I enjoy it immensely. I am afforded the luxury of daily blogging because the kids are busy at school all day and now those days are over until September. I remember last year it was really hard to keep up, so this year I'm not making a commitment to blogging daily. Just every once in a while, when the urge or inspiration hits!

Who knows, the spontaneity of summer might be good for me. Or not. I do not function well without framework. I will surely have some kind of breakdown, or epiphany, or both. Or maybe I'll finally learn to embrace the simple joy and freedom of it all. In any case, if you're around, stop by.

Bring wine :)

Lest you fear boredom will set in, the plans for summer include:

• Gardening/Landscaping (including the taking down of a 3-storey spruce tree in our front yard)
• Celebrations: Louis birthday (today) and Canada Day (on July 1st) and my birthday finishes off the season (on September 4th)
• Football season runs through the end of July for Cole
• Drinking lots of water
• Rugby goes through to September for Claire
• Purging paper piles
• 3 on 3 Hockey for Caden runs through August
• Invite friends over for dinner
• Removing all the nasty prickly-weeds in our back yard
• Trips to Marineland as often as possible for Chloe
• Put curtains up in the Master Bedroom to keep out the heat of the morning sun
• Kayaking for all of the kids
• Stripping and staining the front door
• Walk every day regardless of the weather
• A concert or two
• Sell steaks for Cole's hockey team fundraiser
• OELC overnight camp for Cole
• BBQ as often as possible
• Robotics day camp for Caden
• Stripping and staining the back deck
• Selling spots in the upcoming Golf Tournament to support Cole's hockey team (so, if you want in, call me ... please!)
• Family trip to Cape Cod (only 5 days, but we'll take what we can get)
• Chloe and Caden will be swimming over at the Trafalgar Park pool
• Eat lots of juice popsicles
• Outrigger Canoe Camp at Appleby for Claire (councellor) and Cole (participant). Hmm
• Visits with my sister and her kids who have just moved to Oakville
• Eat fresh local fruit and vegetables
• Purge and organize garage and storage for a fall garage sale/fundraiser
• Biking all over the neighbourhood
• Theatre camps for Chloe, though I'm still looking for good one!
• Picnics at Shell Park and under our big maple tree
• BOOKS, each one of us has at least a half-dozen to read
• Wear sunscreen
• Hockey preparation clinics, camps and tournaments for Cole
• Renovating the basement bathroom
• Trips to Butterfly Ice Cream and Coldstone Creamery
• Golf is always on the list of things to do but we never manage to do it, hopefully that changes this year, at least a time or two
• Make crafts and start some decorating projects
• Relax

How's that for some unstructured structure?

Whatever your plans, I hope you have a wonderful time :)

Stories of Summer: Elements of Summer

ELEMENTS OF SUMMER: Molly Irwin has created a gorgeous 4x6 card album to collect her stories this summer. She wanted to spend more time outside and engaged than inside on the computer and has created a format to facilitate her vision. She calls her album part journal, part sketchbook and part photo essay and claims it came together quickly and effortlessly. Ah, to make things look that good with little effort! Testament to her talent, indeed!

As I outlined in one of my previous Stories of Summer entries, I've already put together the "bones" of my summer album, but I'm thrilled to have a few new ideas from Molly to incorporate into what I already have. My album is equally portable but larger - those of you who know me know I love enlargements and I'm really finding my eyes are not what they once were and it's easier to read 8.5x11 than 4x6 format anything!

I'm also, surprisingly, not fully engaged in Molly's idea only because I tend to avoid "senses" projects. I am olfactory challenged and have never had a sense of smell. You don't miss what you don't have, but to have a project on the four senses really doesn't appeal. You know what I mean? Though, I will run off her senses cards - one for each of the kids and have them participate!

So, as I often do, I will incorporate the brilliance I can and leave the rest. Don't you do the same? I really enjoy projects that are left open to interpretation. Molly, like Ali and others, is wonderful at sharing such goodness.

What about you? Are you participating in Stories of Summer over at Ali Edwards blog? Have you found any ideas that jump at you and make you want to participate?

It's a whole new sport adventure

Claire has been playing with a bat since she was little. I think she joined her first softball team when she was four. Last year her baseball team won the OBAs - you don't get any better than that! After a decade of bat and ball it was time for a change.

I'm pretty sure Louis and I were both hoping for golf. I know I was.

Alas, our girl had other plans:

RUGBY!

She loves it. I think I'll love it too when I get used to the game, know the rules and learn to relax when

she is winded or worse!

It's a lot to get used to ... going from a non-contact sport to this is a lot to get used to ... for all of us!

 

Water & Teenagers

Claire had been looking forward to her party for weeks. Her mother had finally relented and she was able to invite a bunch of friends over. Unfortunately for her, many of the other parents had other plans and a number of her friends were out of town. Bummer.

Then sandwiched in between days of glorious weather, by set-up time things looked like this:

Was it ever wet! Double bummer.

No matter. By the end, Louis and the kids had set up the slip-n-slides, the volleyball net, the lounge chairs and Claire had found every extra towel we have in the house. Ready for whoever showed up.

Seven kids + Sibs. Not bad. The best part? Mama is "cool" because it was never cancelled ;)

A bit wet! The girls had a great time, especially when the sun finally made it's appearance. Better late than never, eh?

I don't think anyone actually used the slip-n-slides but everyone had a great time. The boys played full-on tackle football and managed to attach the squirter on the end of the hose. Shrieks and delight ensued. Now it's just a big wet and muddy mess!

Four large pizzas, four boxes of Kool Aid jammers and two dozen cupcakes later it was time to go home. 

I love saying yes.

Shh, don't tell her.

Stories of Summer: Full Moon Walks

FULL MOON WALKS : Suzanne Schoenfelder shared a lovely family tradition of taking walks under the full moon. It was a family outing that became a consistent event each month, or at least, each full moon. A Blue Moon even, when there were two full moons in one month.

I can see this being a fun event, especially now that my kids are older and can stay up to enjoy the full moon. (I've always been an "early-to-bed-early-to-rise" kind of mum.) Often we have sat out on the deck and watched the full moon rise over the lake. Glorious. This walk idea is very appealing as a family event. I have always been interested in Jamie Ridler's Full Moon dreamboards. Maybe I can somehow incorporate the two? 

(Years ago, when I was in grade 5, we had a school musical called Little Mary Sunshine in which there was a song "Once in a Blue Moon" and now I can't get the song out out of my head!)

I've often shied away from anything that has to do with the full moon as my children seem to function under the influence of our lunar friend. This is not a good thing. They can be quite "off". I'm sure every kindergarten teacher will tell you the same thing - I can assure you, the behaviour continues well into teenagehood. I'm more apt to want to lock them up then let them loose in the neighbourhood! But, in my ongoing quest to try anything once, I am willing to go on my first Full Moon Walk. The best part? I don't have to wait long as the next full moon is TONIGHT! Not just any full moon, but a STRAWBERRY moon. Doesn't that sound magical? I've already told the kids and they seem to like the idea. I'm hoping to walk to the harbour and back, but hopefully we manage to make it past our driveway :)

I've also googled and found the upcoming dates:

Monday, July 26
Tuesday, August 24
Thursday, September 23
Saturday, October 23
Sunday, November 21
Tuesday, December 21

Mark your calendars and join in the fun, won't you?

What about you? Are you participating in Stories of Summer over at Ali Edwards blog? What a variety of ideas. So inspiring, just as I expected!

Stories of Summer: Why We Write

WHY WE WRITE : Dianne Nelson shares her love of writing and a quote she remembers from an influential English teacher in high school (amazing how much impact they have, eh?). The quote: "We write because the skin forgets." Isn't that wonderful? 

In the couple of days since my earlier entries about including the kids and their summer stories and writing down on journaling prompts, I have been mulling a simple format for a summer album. The key is, of course, simple. Every year, I've created a Cape Cod album which always has a big impact, but those albums are primarily photographs. I'd like to have a more word-focused album to include daily events - kind of like a 365 Story rather than a 365 Photo. Fortunately our summer is only 70 days, just enough to see if I can keep it up daily! And with the kids adding their photos and thoughts, it will be a whole family endeavour.

My usual approach to scrapbook pages is writing. I love context. I love the story. It should prove to be even more fun to be editor as well :)

I have my "album" format chosen:

Binder Clips rather than binding or album
8" x 10" size (so for photos no cropping, fingers crossed for a sale!)
Photos (all vertical!) on Left
Stories on Right
Green and Blue colour theme
Fonts are A&S Rhino and Helvetica
Bazzill White Orange Peel Paper

Oh how I love it when a creative plan comes together. It been my experience that the easier a project comes together, generally the easier it is to execute. Whoot!

What about you? Are you participating in Stories of Summer over at Ali Edwards blog? What a wonderful creative jump start to my summer! Lots of talented ladies :) So many ideas.

Stories of Summer: Capturing Summer with Photos

CAPTURING SUMMER WITH PHOTOS : Kelly Willette is a tremendously talented photographer and I've learned a ton from her over the last year. She is tremendously generous with her time and talent. I'm thrilled to see she has collaborated in Stories of Summer with Ali Edwards, an equally generous and creative inspiration!

I am conflicted after seeing all of the photo examples on Ali's blog, created by Kelly: I am visually stimulated by her approach and her results AND I'm feeling desperately old and want to go back in time and re-take all of the thousands of (sometimes less than wonderful) photos I captured of my children through summers past! I suppose I can still take photos ... and I will, but never will my kids be so carefree and chunky or willing.

Onward, right?

All that being said, in my defence, after going though my iPhoto for the last couple of summers, I have actually implemented many of her techniques, just not with the same confidence and control. Following her outline, here are some of my photos from past summers:

GET DOWN LOW:

ZOOM OUT TO CAPTURE THE ENTIRE SCENE:

LIGHTING:

RAINY DAYS:

DETAILS:

If you head over to Kelly's blog download yourself a copy of her 100 Summer Photo Opportunities. It is full to bursting with ideas ... 100 of them! I can guarantee anything you learn and implement from Kelly will be valuable. It will make a lasting difference in your photo captures.

What about you? Are you participating in Stories of Summer over at Ali Edwards blog? I'm enjoying the variety of ideas and the visual stimulation. I really need the rain to go away so I can get outside!

Stories of Summer: Sacrificing Memories

I REFUSE TO SACRIFICE MEMORIES WITH MY SON BECAUSE OF A SOFT TUMMY : Which is how Jessica Turner has approached her tummy issues this summer.

And I say, good for you, Jessica!

(Please note: this post has no photo)

My reality is the same as a lot of mums: I'm not in the photos because I'm taking the photos. Now, I might be taking the photos in order to increase my chances to not be in them, but that's a discussion for another time ;) I have to say, when my kids were little, I wasn't in the photo simply due to logistics; one parent, four kids.

Am I sad that I wasn't? Not really.

I know it isn't the popular belief but I really believe children remember their parents in their minds eye at a certain stage in time, a frozen period where they remember how each person in their life looks and the accompanying small detail: mama's laugh, daddy's hug, grampy's "look" and nana's gentle nudge. My dad will forever have dark hair on the longish side and wear over-large 80s frames. When he calls on the phone that is the image in my head. I don't need a photo to remind me.

That's not to say that you shouldn't include yourself in photos. But if for whatever reason you feel you can't, don't sweat it. The kids love ya and they'll never forget you in their minds eye. Ever.

Are you participating in Stories of Summer over at Ali Edwards blog? I'm enjoying it!

Stories of Summer: Storytelling Legacy

PLEASE PASS THE POPSICLES ... AND THE STORYTELLING LEGACY : Tammy Morrison poses the idea that we hand off our cameras and our supplies and have our children tell their summertime story.

A great deal of time and energy is spent in an effort to make my kids summers fun-filled and memorable, here at home as well as elsewhere. In addition to our annual tradition of heading to Cape Cod, they go to many day camps which, over the years have included sailing, dance, canoeing, theatre arts, robotics, baseball, aeronautics, hockey, music and arts, tennis, basketball, volleyball, discovery, explore the sports, and more! Whew. Anything they don't have a chance to learn during the school year they get to learn in the summer. When not at camp, we have barbeques, bike rides, slip 'n' slides, kayak adventures, trips to Sammy's Chip Wagon in Bronte, blowing bubbles and sidewalk chalk contests, water balloon "fights", walks to Butterfly Ice Cream, picnics and trips to the park. There are many afternoons spent lazing away reading books and magazines and watching dams built at the creek. A huge number of freezies are consumed (and wrappers left everywhere!).

None of this is captured anywhere from the perspective of my kids!

As of today, my Canon G10 is now *gasp* in the possession of my children. I've bought them all 2G memory cards and small pocket-sized journals. They have been asked to do the following:

1. Take photos of your adventures
2. Write "memory joggers" in your journal
3. Keep the memory cards and journals in a safe place
4. Take photos at least once a week through the summer

In addition, I've asked them all one question:

What are you most looking forward to this summer?

Claire: Working at the Outrigger Canoe camp at Appleby.

Cole: Going to Olympia for training camp with my hockey team.

Chloe: Water! Swimming and studying for the Appleby test (SSAT).

Caden: No school and Cape Cod.

and, once summer is over, I shall follow up that question with: What did you enjoy most about this summer?

At least this way, if my plan of having them make their own pages goes kaput, I can make pages for them - from their perspective, kinda.

What about you? Are you participating in Stories of Summer over at Ali Edwards blog? I'm enjoying her guests and the promise of many more ideas!

Stories of Summer: Pen to Paper

PEN TO PAPER : Can capturing the magic of summer truly be as simple as putting pen to paper? If I make sure to jot down the details and happenings will I have all kinds of treasures to scrapbook later on?

I have recently been doing some paper purging and organizing and realized that in "the old days" I really thought I would remember the fun little things that make our life, our life. The silly things my kids do and say. I am sad to report that I have failed. I never wrote many things down. I can remember events and things that happened but I cannot remember much of the accompanying words. I remember the "gist" just not the words verbatim. I am sad at the loss.

Maybe I can, with some help, remember the advent of such family sayings as : "Hagarella", "kinda sketchy, mama", and "you've crossed the line, buddy" - which is immediately followed by the kids breaking out in song "you've crossed the line, you've crossed the line, mama's gotcha, you've crossed the line", hysterical! There are so many more family sayings that are inherent to our experience and funny bone!

With May Flaum's encouragement, I have put together my summer journaling kit. It actually meshes well with my new and improved approach to album making, though, I believe the summer months will be extended - enough that they may end up in an album of their own with everyone so busy.

Are you participating in Stories of Summer over at Ali Edwards blog? As a participant in A Week in the Life (twice!) and admirer of Ali Edwards other projects, I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks.

Stories of Summer: Summer Love

TODAY'S SUMMER THOUGHT : If you had to choose one photo that expresses summer love which one of yours would you select? 

There is only one constant each summer: our annual trip to Cape Cod. We have been visiting at least once every year since before the children were born. We enjoy going some place familiar and explore all things that changed over the months between visits and all the things that stayed the same. Each year I try to get a group photo of the kids. The photo above was my last effort in July 2008. No decent photo was captured during the whole visit! Not of all four in the same frame. This was our last evening, we scheduled our departure for first thing the next morning. This photo, to me captures summer love.  

Are you participating in Stories of Summer over at Ali Edwards blog? As a participant in A Week in the Life (twice!) and admirer of Ali Edwards other projects, I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks. 

My Best Shot Monday: Masts

As we were sitting on the deck looking out over the water what appeared?

Claire grabbed the camera and ran to the end of the yard, only to realize there was no data card. Ran back, got the card, and the photo credit. So this isn't my best shot Monday, this is Claire's best shot. In the time we've lived here, I've never seen such a beautiful vessel float by ... many sailboats and freighters, but never this. Gorgeous.

What is your best shot this Monday? Do you have a photo to showcase? Be sure to join in My Best Shot Monday, go here for details :)

Yes, Yes, YES!!

If you have four minutes to spare, watch:

Wasn't that wonderful?

Off to go buy one book or more ;)

Studio slowdown ... maybe?

Maybe not.

Probably not.

I don't know about you, but I tend to go on creative binges. The month of May was one solid binge. I felt energized and creative with ideas spinning through my head regularly. I hit a few frustrating walls and managed to hurdle over them and land safely on the other side.

I have to say, once it was over, I thought I would have to slow down, or pack away the adhesive for a while. I expected to be spent. Then I discovered the Creativity Boot Camp which offered another method of creativity. A way to focus again on my photography which, while creating pages, tends to be less of a priority as I'm playing with paper and writing up stories. Though the last couple of weeks of photography, and writing, I was able to maintain my creative pace and re-charge simultaneously.

I realized at the end of CBC that I had not shared all of my May goodness with you! I managed to get more out of my studio in the last eight weeks than I have in the last eight months!

Sketchapalooza was wonderful. The ladies of Feeling Scrappy are fabulous and so willing to try new things and change things up. This past month I spent much time on the forums and commenting in the gallery since most of my contribution was done in preparation for the month. For the class I created six sketches and twenty layouts. So much fun contributing to Jayne's design team! I can't wait for the next project :)

A Week in the Life was such an all-encompassing challenge. Photos and stories captured one week and magically turned into a fully-formed album sitting in our family room and enjoyed by family and friends the next week. Such a rewarding exercise. And exhausting!

With all of that going on I messed up on LOAD (Layout A Day with Lain Ehmann) and only managed a few layouts, though, I have to say, those I managed, I really liked. I mean, really liked. I shared a couple of the layouts previously, here are the (too few) rest:

CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
SANDPAPER: Close to My Heart
INK: ColorBox Cats Eye
FONT: Helvetica, SketchyTimes
CHALLENGE: Lain asked us to get a little grungy. This is my interpretation.
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: Basic Grey
BRADS: Bo Bunny
FONT: Helvetica
PHOTO: Found here
SCRAPLIFT: Kelli Crowe's "Iconic Style" was the basis for the layout.
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: American Crafts, KI Memories
BRADS: American Crafts
THICKERS: American Crafts
STICKERS: American Crafts
FONT: BeauRivageOne
SCRAPLIFT: Jody Wenke's "Iconic Style" inspired this layout 
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: Basic Grey
FELT FLOWERS: Stash (I really can't remember!)
PEARLS: Prima
FONT: Helvetica, Cocktail Script
SCRAPLIFT: Jody Wenke's "Iconic Style" inspired this layout
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: Sassafras Lass
THICKERS: American Crafts
FONT: Helvetica
EXTRAS: Dimentional Glue Dots 
CARDSTOCK: Bazzill
PRINTED PAPER: Creative Imaginations
STICKERS: Rose Moka, Creative Imaginations, Scenic Route
FONT: Helvetica, Honey Script
SCRAPLIFT: Jody Wenke which was a lift of my friend Barb Wong
CHALLENGE: Write.Click.Scrapbook
PRINTED PAPER: American Crafts
BRADS: Bazzill
THICKERS: American Crafts
FONT: American Typewriter
NOTE: Yes, I am crazy enough to remove the word " ... FREEDOM" and fix it so that the red bulls-eye is in the centre of the O. I didn't notice until after I took the photo that it was wonky. It's not now!

I have to say that I really enjoyed getting back to making some more photo-centric layouts with the big 8x12 enlargements. I've missed them, and I like a chance to showcase some fun photos that don't make it into frames! I've also gotten away from making 2-page layouts which were, a long time ago, my specialty. I'm thinking of maybe making a few - the Sketchapalooza sketches were so brilliant and versatile, I have no doubt I already have 20 places to start.

There are a few other projects still in the midst of being completed which I'll share some other time. I'm still not 100% sure I like them. They definitely need a little tweaking, and for a minimalist scrapper as myself, that's saying a lot! I'm also signed up for a few more structured projects:

• I held out and didn't sign up for any pressure-filled or paid-for courses in the last 6 months. For an on-line course junkie like myself that level of self-restraint was hard! Then I found out that Angie Warren of The Creative Mama is teaching a photography course Project Photography starting TODAY, June 20th for five weeks and I couldn't pass it up. The price was good and I really enjoy her work. If you're going to learn a craft, learn from someone you admire, right?
• THEN I got a note from Mondo Beyondo which captured my attention sometime last year. They are offering a Dream Lab for the summer. Kind of a mini, no-pressure Mondo Beyondo. Again, I pushed that PayPal button and it starts tomorrow, on June 21st and goes for eight weeks. My quiet, non-creative summer has just filled up. SNAP. Just like that. Four clicks of my mouse. But doesn't this Dream Lab description sound perfect? "This is the thought that inspires me to no end: What would happen if we set aside our lists (our goals, our drive, struggle) for eight weeks? What would shift in our lives as a result of radical acts of play? of kindness? of rest? What would this clearing create space for in our hearts and in our lives?"
• Ali Edwards Stories of Summer series is scheduled to begin on June 21st as well, continuing through July 6th. Such inspiration. Really wonderful stuff. I always find brilliant and practical stuff when Ali gets to creating and sharing.
• Because I couldn't leave well enough alone, on the advice of my brilliant cyber-friend, Jill, I joined Everyday Elements for the 2-hour class on June 24th. I know bits and pieces about PSE, I've tried a few things to some degree of success but it was a matter of just enough information to be frustrating. Plus, I really wanted to figure out "actions".

These projects should keep me busy through summer. In case there was a fear I might get bored, I've been selected as a guest designer at Scrapbook Sussies and hope to have all of my projects done and ready to reveal soon. Not only that, I have been chosen to participate in something wonderful AND super secret ;) Both events should keep me way busy.

Though, I have to admit, the best part of the last month+ was the time I took to really take a look at the projects I am doing, want to do and need to let go. I spent the first week of June writing down everything I learned from that process. I'm no longer spinning-my-wheels when I sit down to create. There is always something on the list that appeals to me at the time. I do not like waste, and I really dislike wasted time! Everything is now catalogued with references, photographs and instructions. That is probably the best creation to come from the studio in months!

Creativity Boot Camp: (Last) Day 13

I have really enjoyed the last two weeks participating in the Creativity Boot Camp. Huge thanks go to Meagan for developing and nurturing this project. I've "met" a number of lovely ladies, and certainly many creative folk, all of us artists! I'm not sad to see it end, as for me it is part of a continuing process, one of the many sources I can draw upon when I feel my creative spark extinguishing.

This project dovetailed nicely with my current thoughts regarding me and my approach to and expectation of my creativity. I've been thinking much of my process, my projects, my progress and what will stay and what will go. The last two weeks provided great clarity. 

JOURNAL PROMPT

I want you to think of some concrete actions that you can begin taking tomorrow to continue nurturing you creative soul. I want you to make some promises to yourself

I promise to spend at least an hour each day creating. 
The amount of time was left blank - for us to fill in. I figured one hour should work, even on days when I'm less productive! I am very fortunate to have chosen a pretty portable method of creativity. I'm thinking I might find myself something a bit more tactile and messy - something for which I have to dedicate time and focus.

I promise to talk about my creativity with others.
Well, more than likely not real life others. When people ask what I do, because I don't have a body of work I can easily share or oodles of samples, I proudly state I'm a mum. I conveniently forget to mention what I do with the time my kids are in school!

I promise to continue to challenge myself creatively because that is how I get better.
I have the list, now I just have to execute. Who knows. I might find something there!

I promise to be kind to my creative spirit.
I have to admit, it is becoming easier.

I promise to applaud my achievements.
Keep reading the blog, I promise to share any of the achievements bestowed upon me!

I promise to cultivate relationships with people who share my creative interests.
I don't know that I'm familiar with too many local people who share my creative interests, that may just mean I have to get in the car! If you're local, let me know! We can have coffee ... a chat ... wine! I will continue to cultivate my cyber relationships through blogs, courses and collectives.

I promise to call myself an artist.

Quietly, to myself right now. I actually do have a goal in mind - that thing I will achieve that will then qualify me to call myself an artist. It has more to do with a wall, a coffee table, a place than it does anything monetary or celebratory.

Random Word Prompt

Smile

Today was the Closing Ceremonies for Claire and Cole who survived, with enthusiasm, grade 9 and 7 respectively.

And, a better shot (once we got home and it sunk in a little bit!!)

What's next? Glad you asked! Directly from the Creativity Boot Camp blog:

In an effort to help you keep your creative fires burning and to foster the relationships and the community that we’ve all developed here at CBC, I’m going to be starting a new series over at my personal blog, Life Set to Words. Each Sunday, I will be giving a weekly creative prompt along with a weekly post where we can all link our work. I will post the week’s theme on Sunday morning and you can link up through the entire week. The themes will start next Sunday, June 27th. You may take a button, spread the word, and let us all see together where this journey will take us!

Will you join in? I hope to see you there :)

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 12

Journal Prompt

It can be scary to think about dreams; really scary. I’m sure there are a few of you who are put off thinking about dreams right now…assuring yourself that you are happy right where you are. But today, I’d like you to stretch and think about one or two dreams that you have for your future. They can be about a place you’d like to travel, a job you’d like to have, a business you’d like to own…but don’t feel restricted by reality. Try and see if you can stretch more, believing that anything is possible, what would you wish for?

Now, as you think of these dreams {big or small} what might be some small baby steps you could start taking right now to begin clearing the path towards those dreams?

I am firmly entrenched in the world of teens and pre-teens. My dreams are currently taking a new direction: focused on supporting the dreams of my children. I have learned that dreams require patience. You can't have it all, all the time, when you want it. Immediate gratification often has a far heavier cost than taking the slow and more steady road to fulfilment. Taking a break to focus on more important things, my kids, gives me time to have my ideas percolate and form fully before I expend time, energy and often expense only to have them fall apart. My creative dreams today are not necessarily my creative dreams of 2, 5, 10 years ago. The great thing is they grow as you grow, change as you change.

CLAIRE has just finished her first year of high school. She is a sweet and responsible girl ... with edge. She is social, smart, hard working and sure. No push over, my girl. She has a great sense of self. It was the one thing I dreamed for her and she has worked hard, against many obstacles, to attain a strong spirit and great confidence and humour. She started on a new athletic journey abandoning baseball after 8 or 9 years and now plays rugby, canoeing and I'm hoping by the end of the summer, golf! She understands the importance of her studies and is focused on getting good marks and picking a good university as she wants to be a Chiropractor/Sports Therapist. I am doing all I can to make sure her dream is reached - I'm supportive and happy to sign her up for anything that will further her ambitions. I am a sounding board always open and available to encourage her to be all that which she is capable. 

COLE has just finished his first year of middle school. He is a kind, intense and mature guy ... with enough self doubt to keep him from being too cocky. This year he saw evidence that hard work pays off as he was chosen to join the AAA hockey team after two dreadful seasons of toil. His response? Work harder. He is the poster child for focus. He is also very social and becoming very comfortable in the man he is becoming: well read, opinionated and thoughtful. He's also very active: he canoes/kayaks, plays rugby, runs cross country, plays football and goofs off with his younger brother. He has already decided that he is going to further his studies at McGill and pursue a career as a lawyer. I am doing all I can as his greatest cheerleader to provide him with sound council and encouragement. My greatest dream for Cole would be to forget about perfection and focus his considerable energy on attaining excellence. I have no doubt he will.

CHLOE is finishing up grade 5 and enjoyed her stint as Prime Minister of her class, honour student and playground organizer. Her siblings call her bossy, I call her organized :) Chloe discovered a love for volleyball which will be perused with gusto next season. She also quite enjoyed being a member of the Oakville Children's Choir this past season. She wants for so many things! A dreamer this one is! Right now she wants to be a marine biologist; a singer/actress; a teacher and a mum. Right now, the only dream I have for Chloe is happiness. She is such a force she doesn't always see how her actions effect others. Resilience is not the same as happiness. Oh, and I also hope she will finally turn off the television and embrace the books she's currently enjoying!

CADEN will forever be my "thank god he's alive" child. We almost lost him in 2003 to a drowning incident which left him in a coma for over a week. He is a continual marvel. When we left the hospital we were told to keep our expectations low, that among other things, he would never be able to use a Gameboy. I bought him one on the way home, not only does he play, he's mastered it and ever helps his big brother when he gets stuck on levels. Every time I have a dream for him, albeit a cautious one, he moves beyond it and I have to come up with something else. He's a big, funny, goofy comedian who loves to make people laugh and loathes being laughed at, ah, performer indeed. He's a stats freak and just when you think "it can't be", you google for an answer and realize he's right. My dream for Caden is that he finds joy in whatever he does.

Why a big entry about my children?

Simple.

They are my dream.

When I was growing up and had no dreams left, the only thing I wanted was a family of my own.

For you who are suspicious that I'm avoiding the practical question of what is my dream, here is my current, long-term list:

• Write a book, or series of books
• Drag out my watercolours and see where that goes
• Maybe combine the two?
• Lose 100 pounds
• Get published in Canadian Scrapbooker magazine
• Put together that notebook/card idea I had a couple of years ago
• Play tennis and golf again
• Multi media canvases, hmm
• That stationery store idea is always niggling at the back of my head - maybe Etsy makes more sense?
• Create an on-line class a la Susannah Conway? Ali Edwards? Share what I've learned, teach something altogether new? Be content to realize I'm not a teacher?
• Take a photo tour of Europe
• The poster quotes is another niggling plan
• What ever happened to that ceramic idea? Etching plans? Glass painting?

And from there it goes on ... and on.

Random Word Prompt

Smooth

Scotch? Marble? Jazz? Glass? Transition? So many choices!

Then I remembered all of the gorgeous smooth and flat rocks at the cove where the kids launch their kayaks. So indicative of our life here in Bronte. Whiling away hours skipping the lake rocks throughout the summer.

What was your interpretation of "smooth"?

Team Up Thursday: Another Catch Up!

My lovely friend Shirley discovered Team Up Thursday a couple of months back and I'm so happy she did. Though, I have to admit, I tend to be a bit late with my half of the assignments. One thing I hate is late, but I'm thinking, in my old age, I simply can't remember what day it is! Lately I've managed to send along my assignments on time, nay, early! Whoot! I adore Shirley for many reasons, but really it's her patience :)

Summertime Fun

When Shirley assigned this idea, I had plans for sunshine and killer whales and wild amusement rides. Alas, the weather in Southern Ontario has not cooperated. After a dull and very long winter, I was really hoping for a bright and breathless summer. Instead, I suppose Mother Nature is content with sending us more gray and dull days.

They will be brightened by warm temperatures, watermelon and smiles:

There must be some kind of sun-stoppage over the Great Lakes! Shirley and family, in Illinois, are enjoying lovely (if humid) summer weather.

My catch up includes this:

YUM! Gotta love some fresh fruit!

And, in case you missed it:

Such great stuff. I am so enjoying this project!

If you are enjoying these assignments and want to see more, head on over to the Team-Up Thursday Flickr Gallery and check out oodles of diptych examples. If you want to join in, you can visit Melody or Megan and let them know you want in on the fun!

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 11

aka Mama's Epic Fail Assignment.

Journal Prompt

Briefly map out a timeline of your life up until this point. Make sure to note school studies, periods of happiness, life changes, major decisions, jobs, periods of happiness and comfort, etc. Now, looking back at your life, can you see how each of those points led you to where you are right this minute?

For instance, can you see how if you had never have done _____, then you would never have met _____, who inspired you to do ______, where you suffered _______, which ultimately made you _____, which turned out to be the best thing. And then because you had to ______, you started doing ______, and that’s how you got here!

Yours might sound a bit different, but the principle will most likely be the same. You are exactly where you should be. If you’d like to take this exercise one step further, attempt to take out one rather significant element and think of how your life would have played out differently without it. Now, can you see how this particular sequence of events {ie: your life} is “launching” you into your creative destiny?

This particular prompt is going to take a bit more time to percolate than the one day provided!

I find my creative core to be so inherent to my person the idea that some outside force in some way influenced me to be where I am now is a bit strange and somewhat shocking! My life, outside of my creative control, has certainly been influenced by people and circumstance. The good, the bad, the ugly of it all. I'm resistant to the idea that I would have ended up anywhere but where I am right now had things been different.

I'll spend some time on it, if I get something good, I'll post it :)

Random Word Prompt

Hush

I have to say I am a big fan of silence. Hush is something I revel in and can often find, just not today. I have two kids now out of school, stormy weather and I live on a lake, the phone rang NON STOP, the blackberry was dinging and buzzing at every opportunity, I was even woken to a clap of thunder! Hush was not going to happen today. But it has happened. My most favourite photo representing silence in my world was taken just after we moved into this house on a deliciously eerie and damp foggy day.

NOTE: I've categorized this under "Embrace Imperfection". You will find many of my blog entries, in and out of this challenge, listed there. (I am one of the most imperfect people you will ever meet. I am so okay with that. Once I got rid of my need to meet self-imposed deadlines and my inherent need to please those who don't matter my life became my own.) I entered this process to learn, not for the "gold star" - thank you Gretchen Rubin for that phrase, it is perfect! I will process and mull the assignment today. Who knows, maybe I'll find some hush?

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 10

Journal Prompt

At the end of your day, think about the millions of sensations you experienced. Try to answer these questions…

Which ones stand out in your mind as being the most pleasant?

So many more pleasant events than less pleasant events today especially since I started the day, after a restorative 12-hour sleep, without yelling for the kids to wake up. They got up the first time! Showered, dressed, breakfast and to school on time. I think the olders were motivated by it being the last day of exams. The youngers were just happy to be greeted with sunshine! Cole was so happy when I collected him after his last exam, he figures he did very well, as he always does. Because of his hockey schedule he was unable to go to any school dances all year long: start of the year, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Spring but tonight he's going to his first dance. He is nervous, excited and relieved we let him miss football practice. Claire was less confident when I collected her from her exam. She gets good marks but exams are never her most comfortable experience. She knows how important this Science exam was as she wants to go into medicine. I purged ALL of my old scrapbook magazines! And we got rid of a bunch of "junk" that has been hanging around for the big pick-up. Relieved to get rid of it. Any purge day is a good day! Chloe and Caden were content to enjoy the sunshine and ride their bikes around the neighbourhood.

Were there any that were repulsive?

Some things in the news today were rather disturbing: a Canadian shot to death in Mexico, point blank, twice in his face, for his car. (The visual, and circumstances disturbing and repulsive.) An "honour" crime reported of a woman stabbing her daughter after the nineteen year old daughter stayed out all night. Mother in jail, daughter in hospital. (I don't know what is more repulsive, the act itself or the television report trying to justify an "honour" crime is somehow not the same as domestic violence.) The ridiculous suspension of the football program at University of Waterloo. With 9 of the 60 players caught using illegal steroids they suspended the whole program. Essentially punishing the remaining 51 players (and coaches, and parents) for the stupidity of 9. (I find it amazing and repulsive how we as a society react and punish the good along with the bad - grocery stores where you can't easily access product, security detectors and cameras everywhere you turn, on and on.)

Did any bring back memories from your past? 

I was an excellent student but absolutely FROZE during exams, I can feel for my Claire and her unwarranted lack of confidence. I remember being tremendously nervous about attending dances but loving the chance to people-watch (and clothing watch!). Cole is going with his buddies and has already saved a dozen dances to a dozen different girls - many requesting a slow dance. I don't remember girls being so forward! I remember anticipating the freedom of summer. The promise of good weather, free time, visiting friends, biking, tennis and swimming, lemonade and picnics, lazy days of reading and no place to be was wonderful. I know exactly how my kids feel and hope to have their summer be everything they anticipate and more.

Did any motivate you to do anything particular? Did any of these sensations inspire you in your creations?

It did. I registered the youngers (finally) for the camps they've been asking to attend. I was trying to refrain, have them have a more unstructured summer, but they really, really, really want to go. I remember that feeling and so they're all signed up. As for creativity? I'm just getting myself in to a creative place physically rather than mentally. Eventually, it will come out as a creative expression.

If you were to try and capture creatively any of these sensations, how would you do it?

I would paint it. All of it. The good, the not good. Lots of paint - bold watercolours. Very abstract and emotion based. Nothing "real".

Random Word Prompt:

Full Bodied

My first reaction was red wine, but I don't drink red wine, so it would go to waste. I suppose I could call a friend over to drink it for me. Hmm. Should have thought of that this morning! My next reaction was to take a photo of me since I'm as full bodied as it gets. Let me just say, I really didn't want to, but, my cyber-friend Lizzie has made mention that I don't include photos of myself - anywhere, which is completely on purpose and by design, but I figured I'd relent this one time and go for it. Not just a head shot, but a full nasty side view:

And there you have me, in my full bodied glory. A reminder that I have to get Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred while out this weekend!

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 9

Too fast! I've been enjoying the Creativity Boot Camp and now that I'm in the swing of things I've realized it is going to end. Soon.

JOURNAL PROMPT

There is no journal writing assignment today. {didn’t you all do enough writing this weekend???} Instead, I’d like you to create in a way that you haven’t for years. Paint, color, doodle, sew, write, work with clay {or play doh}…you get the drift. Mix it up. Practice art for the simple love of art itself.

I have to agree that plenty of writing was completed this weekend and I finished another stream of consciousness writing exercise today. So cathartic! Unsharable since it is metaphorically ripped up - I deleted the file - but still a great process.

My creative project today was to dust off my charcoal and pulled out my sketchbook. Wonderfully messy. I'm terrible, totally lost my eye after a couple of decades of no eye-hand coordination required, but it was fun, comical really, implementing old exercises.

Random Word Prompt

Drizzle

My immediate thought when I read the word was raspberry coulée on cheesecake, but I figured I'd save my waistline! Next I thought of chocolate syrup drizzled on vanilla ice cream, with maybe a sprig of mint. Again, my waistline rebelled. (I watched the Jillian Michael's new show on Sunday night and I'm clearly still traumatized!)

There was no drizzle today even though the forecast called for rain all day. Figures, eh? So with my handy assistant Chloe and a full pitcher of water, we simulated drizzle on the super big black golf umbrella. We tried my leopard print - which is a lovely accessory, but it just wasn't as effective. I'm quite enjoying figuring out props. I've never really done that before.

And you? How is your Creativity Boot Camp coming along? Are you stretching yourself? Having fun?

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 6, 7 & 8!

Day 6

JOURNAL PROMPT

What are your self-imposed “rules” of creating. What are some characteristics of your work that you seem to inhabit in each of your works? Do you find that you have these same tendencies when you work in a different medium or do you tend to switch rule sets? Brainstorm some alternatives methods, ideas, or techniques for how to escape your traditional style.

My rules are pretty simple:

1. When you think you're done, take at least 10 more photos.
2. SOOC is the best way to hone the craft of photography. That is not to say that actions and tweaking are not fun, just not necessary. Especially not for every photo.
3. Good enough is not.

I see some similarities in my work:

1. I like taking photos when my kids aren't watching - especially from behind.
   
2. I like taking a "still-life" to hilight the activity - racquet and balls and then photos of the actual activity. I take photos like a scrapbooker. I see the layout, see the story while I'm capturing the subject.
   
3. I do not enjoy posed photos and don't even mind when the kids get goofy as it shows their personality. 
4. Though I modelled for over a decade, I do not like my photo taken.
5. My photos are the story of my life.

I do not implement or like:

1. I am trying to force myself to take vertical photos, I'm using this Creativity Boot Camp to focus more on vertical. They're turning out pretty well, but it is a definite change to mindset.
2. I do not like the current trend of washed out photos, nor do I like the over-saturated look some seem to love. Well, I certainly don't like them for my photos, for some it is lovely, for some it is not. They take away the personality of the photographer when all the captures look the same.
   
3. I do not like when people take my photos and either claim them as their own or do not give photographic credit. Not that I'm a pro or anything, but that is just rude.
4. I do not take enough photos of the people in our lives. Many of my friends don't want their photos taken, but I should take them anyway!

I am ever-evolving as a photographer:

I take courses, free and not, all the time. I do what I can to challenge myself and how I see things. I needed to learn how to take better sport photos so I read everything I could find; I was not capturing light the way I wanted so I took a couple of courses and read tons of blogs and websites; I wasn't using my camera the way I wanted so I took myself off to YouTube and learned all that was there about my specific camera: a Canon 40D.

The brilliant Angie Warren from The Creative Mama is teaching a course starting on June 20th and I'm all signed up! I like learning little bits of brilliance from a variety of sources. I don't want to take photos "like" anyone but I can greatly benefit from the lessons they teach.

A question for you reading my blog, what do YOU see as the similarities in my photos? This was tough. So hard to be objective! I see every capture as singular and special. I'm not trained to look for the similarities, I'm trained to challenge myself and change things up :)

RANDOM WORD (Creativity) PROMPT

Fluid

I should have read the journal prompt before I took the photo, but I did incorporate some of the things I don't do: vertical orientation and some of the retaining wall for context.

The first thing that occurred to me when I read the word "fluid" was Cole skating. But you know, there have been PLENTY of photos on this blog of Cole skating! Then there is my favourite fluids: coffee, white wine and Perrier. I'm glad I settled on the fluid motion of Caden figuring out how to kayak.

* * * * * * * * * *

Day 7 & 8

JOURNAL PROMPT

Today and tomorrow, set aside roughly 45 minutes to yourselves to sit down and complete three full notebook pages of stream of consciousness writing. Don't think about what you should write…just write. And if you don’t know what to write about, just write “I don’t know what to write about. Maegan has me doing this stupid activity. What does she want me to say. I’m tired and I have a million things to do…” Before you know, you’ll be getting to the good stuff. But here’s the kicker…once you’re done, throw them out. I do not want you to go back and read these pages…ever. They are merely an emptying. Enjoy.

I often do a "brain dump" though not a whole 45 minutes, usually a half hour or so. Yesterday, while purging my iPhoto, I took a bit of a break and wrote for close to an hour. Very cathartic. If you have never attempted a stream-of-consciousness exercise, you should try it!

RANDOM WORD PROMPT (Saturday)

Fly

So much for sticking with the vertical. I had a few shots, but this really feels the best:

RANDOM WORD PROMPT (Sunday)

Ornament

To me, an ornament is something a little special; something unexpected. I love metal art. I have such admiration for anyone who can twist and turn and bang and mold metal into something beautiful. Each room in our house has one piece of metal art. It is my ornament of choice.

Our dining room has a wall in between two windows. The room isn't deep enough to have a side board so we had to be creative. Louis saw and fell in love with this circular bubble-mirror. It is a bronze piece finished in an espresso colour. It is huge and heavy. One of my favourite ornaments in our house.

Sorry to throw all of Day 6, 7 & 8 at you at once. Between Chloe's birthday, 12 of 12 and purging iPhoto (I'm back at August 2009, yay, with 7,000+ deleted) on Saturday, Caden's birthday party on Sunday, I was  more than a little distracted from this project, but way focused on others! That and the search for the hard wood floor tool for the vacuum (I got creative and used the upholstery tool, a bit small, but effective - I know every inch is clean), I'm now happy with clean floors, organized photos and content children. 

What about you? Are you keeping up?

12 of 12: June

The whole idea of the 12 of 12 project is to take a slice of life, one day a month, 12 months of the year as a record of our everyday life. As Chloe pointed out to me yesterday, the 12th of June will always be her birthday so it's special. And, it is.

This was our day:

We were up super early to get Cole to the bus for his football game in Sarnia. Of course, mornings wouldn't be mornings if there wasn't one panic attack. Today? "Where is my game jersey?" Save me!

While he was searching the house for his jersey I did what I do, made food. That huge thing of water was to keep him hydrated! They were calling for thunder storms in Sarnia so I packed with my fingers crossed.

Life lesson: be prepared. If you know you're going to be in a bus for over 6 hours, charge the iPod. And, when you realize yours is not charged, don't get upset your sisters isn't charged either. She wasn't planning on a trip!

I spoil myself on the weekends: smoked salmon replaces the regular turkey. Must remember to go get capers, used them all in a recipe last week.

 

We took about 30 photos in a minute and this was the last one. The best of the bunch. I didn't want to re-set the clock to 12 noon and re-take the photo! I do have to say I love the light on rainy days.

Yum. Hot Dog.

Yes, I'm behind on my assignments. I'll be posting a catch-up sometime on Monday, I hope!

LOVE it when they get along. Maybe this was just Claire's birthday gift to Chloe. I'll take it anytime!

A new cupcake shop opened up in Bronte and they are DECADENT! Expensive but yummy with real icing on top. I had one a couple of weeks ago and managed to avoid temptation yesterday. The kids chose: cookie dough, bubble gum and chocolate varieties.

Caden stuck all of his write up on his bright orange bristol board (the only sheet we had left) and practiced his Dugong presentation.

The heavens opened up and provided a deluge of water. It was incredible! Off an on all afternoon long.  No gardening. No kayaking. No hockey.

I did head over to Canadian Tire to pick up the ever-elusive hardwood floor attachment for my vacuum. How do you lose that? I ended up not finding one but getting this weed picker-uper. Caden took charge and he is officially our Weed Warrior!

Lots of other stuff went on:

• I purged, completely deleted over 7,000 photos from my iPhoto
• I received a sweet note from a friend
• I got text updates regarding Cole's football game. (They lost 55-14 to a very good Sarnia team.)
• I took Claire to her friend's house for the afternoon
• I realized things I never wanted to know
• I took Chloe over to a girlfriend's house for a sleepover 
• I was on the computer most of the day and must have updated my Facebook status 10 times. Feast or famine, me and social networking!
• I obsessively checked the weather channel to decide if Marineland was a "go" (it's not - we'll be going out for breakfast and The Karate Kid instead)
• I finally managed my first and last glass of wine at 9PM
• I was asleep by 10!

Do you participate in 12 of 12? To learn what it's all about head on over to Facebook. I've really enjoyed this project, as have my kids. That's the whole point, right? 

The Moe

turns 11 today at exactly now: 12 noon. Just ask her, she'll tell you all about it, and then some!

Our Chloe is so many things:

1. SMART really smart. She is forever coming home with As and becomes quite upset when her marks slip. They don't slip for long, she is very focused on getting good marks. After all without good marks she'll never be a Marine Biologist, Singer, Teacher or manage to take over the world.
2. MUSICAL she sings all. the. time. Good thing (for us) she has a very nice voice. Low and rich. Beautiful.
3. LOYAL she has her forever friend, Olivia and I love that they've been inseparable since they were 3 even though both families have moved more than 5-doors away from each other!
4. KIND she baffles me sometimes when she says something completely lovely about someone or a suggestion to do something kind for someone - even siblings.
5. CHALLENGING she has her way of doing something and there is no swaying her, nothing is ever up for negotiation.
6. OPINIONATED just like challenging, she has her way of seeing something and there is no swaying her, and she'll tell you.
7. STUBBORN combined with challenging and opinionated, she makes for lively days. I have no doubt that she will be an incredible adult and very successful but raising her might be the end of me!
8. CHATTY seriously non-stop. Wind her up and she just keeps going. It is really quite comical.
9. CHARMING even with all of those possibly less-than-lovely attributes, she gets away with it because she is charming - always with a quick smile and bright eyes. She really has moments of lovely.
10. SOCIAL and always surrounded by a group of friends, usually the boys as she considers herself a tom-boy, she is popular among her peers at school and really enjoys getting to know people.
11. MESSY save me, she is a slob. Every day the same thing: brush your teeth, brush your hair, change and put on something clean, and directions to clean her room have to be detailed and exact or it won't get clean. It's like she doesn't even see it!

Our Moe is simple and complicated all rolled into one loud, blonde, messy, perfect ball of fiery goodness!

With more fun to come!

SOOC Saturday: Paddles

Each year, for the kids, Louis and I get them "you survived the year, and thrived" gifts. Sometimes it is a family trip to Marineland, a camera or other electronic gadget, tickets to an event or concert. This year, the olders were given kayaks. The weather was ideal on Thursday and they took their new toys out to the lake. They had a blast. So much so, the youngers have requested a double-kayak for themselves as their survival gift :)

I love that Claire and Cole get along so well. They spent over an hour on the lake and got home and continued to play. Amazing how those paddles turned them into Star Wars characters! Lots of fun.

What is your favourite SOOC (Straight Out Of Camera) shot today? You can join in: here! 

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 5

Wow, Day 5 already!

I've really enjoyed all of the challenges thus far, even my wet photo walk! This was the toughest day yet. It is so big. Music has been such a huge part of my life both as a performer and a listener. I took little more than 10 years of voice training and really enjoyed my time in church choirs and bar karaoke! I never became an Opera singer or a rock star, but I am one of those mums your kids point at because I'm totally capable of rocking out at a traffic light.

JOURNAL PROMPT

As you listen to the music of your past, begin to think about what your hopes and expectations for life were when you were young and the world was wide open. {If you are young and the world is wide open, get crazy and write your wildest dreams right now.}

Honestly, I was going to skip today. I am not a dwell-in-the-past type. I've taken those lessons, the painful and the rewarding, and moved on. I apply the lessons but don't often feel the need to re-live the experience which was the source of the lesson. Does that make sense? My childhood was less than ideal. I know I'm not alone, but why make you live my crappy past?

I mulled all morning. Ran some errands, picked up Cole from his science exam, read some blogs, caught up (ha!) on laundry and I realized there had to be some bright spots. I went over to the Billboard site to see what music was popular in the early '80s. (There, I've dated myself. I graduated high school in 1982.)

Looking through those lists, it came flooding back: the diversity of music we listened to while at boarding school was far less edgy than what I was listening to prior to attending (Pink Floyd, U2, Genesis, Neil Young) which may have contributed to my being in boarding school in the first place! (Note: rest assured, dear readers, some of us thrive in a safe and structured environment - it was a far better choice than to stay home.) The music at school was constant. It was positive, upbeat and happy. No real edge. It was accompanied by lots of headbands, neon colours and ripped t-shirts.

• Cat Stevens, Carly Simon and James Taylor songs sung in the "butt room". Didn't everyone smoke in 1981? It was a lot of fun trying to fit everyone in that 8'x8' room singing our hearts out.
  
• Kenny Rogers "The Gambler" played ad nauseum by my Mexican roommate, Pilar. My how she loved that tape ... to death!
  
• Air Supply through the halls played by the Trinidadian girls. If not Air Supply there was REO Speedwagon, Bob Marley and Calypso music. And, do you remember Stars on 45?
  
• The Asian girls played very high pitched zither type music with breathy pitchy vocals. Completely unfamiliar and a brutal attack on my ears.
• There was also plenty of Pat Benatar, Blondie, Olivia Newton John, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Laura Brannigan being listened to and plenty of off-key singing along with the women power balladeers.
  

The hallways were always a cacophony of sound. And estrogen.

As for hopes and dreams? Beyond survival, the only thing I wanted to do was focus and get good marks and move on. I didn't have to think long and hard about the next step as I was told what University I was going to attend and I was told what courses I was going to take. I just wanted to get through it all. Thank goodness I could get lost in the music.

The only thing I could control was whether or not I sang on key!

CREATIVITY PROMPT

The prompt today was "grow" which immediately brought to mind absolutely nothing! I was so wrapped up in my fear and want to avoid the journaling prompt that I was stumped. Then I remembered that my sweet boy, Caden, gave me "roses" for Mother's Day. They are actually beautiful pink impatiens and they sit on my windowsill at the kitchen sink. I see it every time I wash dishes, so that's a lot. They make me smile:

The fact that they have survived a month - and thrived - is in itself a miracle! Once I took that photo and headed outside to realize that the shrubs I had cut back - way back last fall had miraculously come back and are growing just fine. If you had asked me a month ago I'd have guessed we would have to replace them.

MESSAGE BOARD CONVERSATIONS

A bit slow today. One of the ladies asked for our Twitter accounts to put a list together. I added mine: @leecurrie

Have you joined the Creativity Boot Camp? What do you think? Did you find the assignment today opened a can of worms or were you able to jump right in?

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 4

I was a little less than enthused when I woke to the assignment for today: go out into nature and seek inspiration. Ugh. It's windy and rainy. Maybe great for photos but not great for me or my equipment! I do know the best photos are those with depth - rain adds depth, wind adds depth, fog adds depth, monochromatic colours (to me) adds depth. So, with a swift mental kick in the pants, I put on my gardening boots and went outside:

I love the grays and greens, all of the muted wet tones that holler "spring". Many of the perennials around our home have already spent their flowers, but I was happy to capture some of the late-spring blooms.

JOURNAL PROMPT

Now I’d like you to look at your photos. There’s no need to print them…looking at them on the computer will work fine. Think about what specifically motivated you to take certain pictures. Was it something small and unique about your subject? Was it the color? Was it how certain elements came together and played off of one another?  Get detailed. Think about it a lot…as if you were trying to tell a child what made that beautiful. If you were to go back and attempt to re-take the pictures, capturing only the elements that you were drawn to, how would you frame the shot?

From Upper Left to Lower Right, by row, L-R:

1. I love rainy days, I really do. When I'm inside. This is the look at the drips on the window before I got on my boots and headed outside. If I were to re-take I'd focus less on the drops so you could see more of the tree and kayaks.

2. My pots have been doing pretty well with their white and purple petunias. One pot is doing better than the other so that's a project for better weather, must figure out why. Love the colors: purple, white, green. If I were to re-take I'd bend my knees and be more at the same level as the lip of the pot.

3. Grr. Bike left out in the rain, which means it was left outside all night! If I were to re-take I'd focus more on the chain and gears.

4. A potential "heavy metal" shot. The big truck, the only way I can get my whole crew, and their stuff, to where we're going. If I were to retake I don't think I'd change this shot - well, maybe I'd move the hockey sticks leaning against the house.

5. Wet leaves covering the chain link fence between us and one of our neighbours. If I were to re-take I'd probably get closer to the wet, more detail of the leaves. Or find and show some of the hidden (read: hideous) chain link.

6. I love how the edges of the dogwood blooms are starting to take on their pink colour. I won't have to re-take since I managed about 40 photos of various flowers with dripping water at every angle! I got distracted and forgot about the assignment :)

7. It looks like we won't be eating our barbeque at the outdoor table tonight! If I were to re-take I'd probably adjust the depth of field, it's a bit wonky.

8. Wet rhododendron leaves - I believe this plant will never bloom! It mocks me with it's beautiful big leaves and no blooms. If I were to re-take I'd wait for the big lavender coloured blossoms I've been waiting for, it's only been two years!

9. The kayaks were flipped over to not catch the rain. We just got them for the kids and they are so thrilled with the idea of going on the lake and exploring. If I were to re-take I'd turn over the kayaks to reveal their bright red colour.

10. Along the other side of the house there is a great green canopy of leaves and branches over a stone walkway. If I were to re-take I'd take a vertical shot of the actual walkway. Plus, the rain was starting again and pointing the lens upward was awkward.

11. I'm a sucker for white flowers. This bush is almost done for the season and I wanted to get a photo or ten of it's delicate flowers before they hit the ground with the force of the rain. The flowers are so delicate they couldn't even handle the weight of the droplets. No reason to re-take.

12. The holly berries which are so bright and red in the winter start as a multitude of small green balls. It was so windy it was hard to get a decent shot. If I were to re-take I'd probably shoot looking straight down at the berries.

13. The water droplet on the blue spruce needles just happened to be there, until a huge gust of wind knocked it away. If I were to re-take, I'd not have to!

14. The smoke tree is blooming with it's pretty pink pom-pom flowers. I think they're lovely. A really happy plant, totally unwieldy where it is located, but lovely just the same. If I were to re-take I'd focus on a cluster of pom-poms, not just the one.

15. I love the periwinkle that grows as ground cover in the front garden. It blooms in the shade from early spring through late summer with it's delicate purple petals. If I were to re-take I'd get down on the ground, when it is dry, and take a photo parallel to the rock wall. 

16. The cold metal of our ancient, but wonderful BBQ, belies how hot this sucker gets when it's on a roll! If I were to re-take I'd flip to horizontal and take it ... for my heavy metal shot below :)

CREATIVITY PROMPT

The prompt today was "heavy metal" which immediately means, to me, the weights over at BTNL. As it turns out, though Cole did go, I did not accompany him and was unable to capture the shot. An idea for another day. I considered the truck. I considered the cast iron skillet. I settled on the wet BBQ:

Alas, I had to stray from the vertical.

MESSAGE BOARD CONVERSATIONS

Day 4 is all about inspiration. The question today was: What inspires you?  My response on the message board:

I am inspired by the talent of others. Whether I'm in a rut or not, I enjoy going through my google reader and flickr photo streams in the mornings. It fills me up with all kinds of delicious visual goodness. Especially on dreary and wet days like today! There are so many gorgeous sites and blogs online you don't have to click long before running into something brilliant.

I also love watching my kids, listening to them talk and watch them play. It becomes even more fun the older they get. Taking a photo walk with them is really interesting now. I love how they see the world.

The responses are all so though provoking. I think I might consider a few of the ideas presented. Who knows what goodness can come from: walking through my local greenhouse was my favourite idea! What do you think? What inspires you?

I can't wait to wake up to the next assignments.

*8 Things: Triggers

While visiting the Happiest Mom she had an interesting article that got me thinking.  Then she asked at the end "What are your Cranky Mom triggers? Have you learned to identify and avoid some of them?"

I have to admit, by the end of May, maybe due to the full moon, but my triggers were going off all over the place. I suppose with six people under the same roof, the odds are great that some days will be more stressful than others.

My triggers:

1. Late. Don't be late. Don't make me late.
2. Dishes left in the sink. The dishwasher is RIGHT THERE. Oh, and if the dishwasher is full of clean dishes EMPTY IT.
3. Calls/e-mails from school to bring something forgotten. The last question mama asks when you leave the house is: do you have everything? keys? homework? lunch? If you say yes then why am I going to school mid-day?
4. Towels on the floor, bikes left in the rain, equipment in three different places. Put your stuff AWAY! Grr.
5. Ignoring the 24 hour rule. This is a long-standing rule that I need 24 hours notice of a kid activity. Do not ask me, especially in front of your little friend, if you can do XYZ in 15 minutes. And, definitely do not have a SNIT FIT when I say "no".
6. Instant answers are not available. Do not be in possession of critical information an then expect me to give an instant answer when it is finally shared with me. I think everyone is realizing that I'm not into surprises or spontaneous anything!
7. My stuff. Do not "borrow" my stuff because in reality you steal it as I never see it again: make up, notebooks, tweezers, books, camera, flash cards (!!), brushes, scrapbook supplies, all manner of things I need throughout the day. Take the pots, pans, and cooking sheets instead!
8. Laundry is done by me, not the laundry fairy. Even though I enjoy doing it, please do not send clean clothes to the laundry room. I know that you haven't worn it and you were just too lazy to put it away properly. (I do laundry, I do not do put-away.) By the same token, if it is on your floor, it cannot be in the wash. Hnm?

The second question was whether or not I have learned to identify them (clearly, yes) and avoid them (clearly, no).

Why can't I avoid them? I'm not sure if my kids enjoy me losing my temper or if they're stupid and lazy - which I know they are not. Sometimes. Maybe. I'll chalk it up to young.

The real question is how do I cope? Well, my usual answer would be WINE. But, as part of the Boost Energy portion of my Happiness Project, in order to sleep better I've cut out the wine consumption. 100%. So, now I cope the old fashioned way, I count to 10 and if that doesn't work, I send them to clean their rooms :) ETA: the counting didn't work, I'm back to drinking wine and seriously considering putting in some ear buds and wearing a blindfold to get through my days!

Hmm. Maybe we've discovered the real trigger for my being cranky?

What about you. What sets you off? Are you able to avoid it?

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 3

I really don't know what my expectation was when I joined the Creativity Boot Camp, but I really don't think I planned to enjoy it as much as I do. The first three days have been about the philosophy we have with regards to our art. It has been a great exercise to put my thoughts into words and really look at my attitude toward what I do ... and don't do ... and need to do!

JOURNAL PROMPT

Now it’s your turn. Name some of your biggest creative buzz kills, including a person or two, and disarm them! 

Years ago I had a woman, at a family function, comment that scrapbooking was a hobby of the poor, her words: "a pedestrian cottage craft" not worthy of her time or energy. Not in the least bit interested in keeping information for her own kids and disdainful of those who did. I was and am, one of those who do. I took her disdain personally, as it was intended. Her venom and cruel words and moreso her angry attitude have stuck with me. She accused me of having low ambition and I should use my time in pursuit of other, more lofty, more worthy, goals. None of which she could name. That episode is always at the back of my mind when I scrapbook, when I share my work in person and online, when I discuss my hobby with friends and strangers. I'm fearful of another negative episode: that angry dump of virtual cold water.

As for photography, I am a pretty good amateur. I have a good eye and create solid, balanced, well composed photos. I am fascinated with light and how to manipulate it and enjoy using my 50mm lens to experiment. And I experiment a lot. I am undaunted in my pursuit of the perfect hockey photo using the equipment I have: my cheap Sigma 70-300mm lens is wonderful. I've taken OODLES of photos of the spring team and I've uploaded about 250-300 photos per tournament and we've been in four. Those represent about 1/3 of the number of photos actually taken so there is plenty of choice - and a good chance there is at least one good photo of each player, which for this purpose, is the whole idea. Last week we had a meeting with our hockey team. While being teased (in what I hope was a good-natured manner) about the quantity of photos, I waved it off and said "it's all in an effort to get a few good shots". Which is true. Driving home after the meeting my husband was furious with me. His words "I don't know why you undervalue your talent as a photographer. You take great photos. Don't you know that?" Huh? What? I don't know what was more surprising: the truth in his words or that he's actually taken notice that I take pictures. In 15 years of marriage he hasn't ever said much about it and always seems tolerant and a bit bemused. 

I continue to create scrapbook pages and albums and find that I am finally on a route, creating a process, a workflow, that works best for my A-type personality. For the longest time I was busy creating in the most inefficient way possible. After more than a few years of this, I can no longer deal with the physical and mental chaos and am getting my act together!

In a nutshell, my creative buzzkills are: people who don't "get" it; the temptation of self-sabotage and chaos. There is nothing I can do about the first, either you get it or you don't and I'm no longer in the business of trying to convince you why your own personal history is important; I am in full control of my self-sabotage and chaos. Slowly but surely both are being addressed and I am becoming far more confident and now with a process in place I should be less chaotic in my approach. In Martha's words: this is a good thing!

CREATIVITY PROMPT

The prompt today was "multi-layered" which immediately brought to mind my growing pile of scrapbook layouts. These pieces of cardstock + photos + stories represent everything in my multi-layered life. I scrapbook about my kids, my life, my ideas, my values, my home, everyday events, celebrations, vacations, everything about my imperfect life. These pages hold all in my life that is important to me:

I'm sticking with the vertical :)

MESSAGE BOARD CONVERSATIONS

On Day 3 there were two provocative questions. The first: Are you your own worst enemy? The second: Can ART be taught?  These are two concepts I have mulled on occasion. I've never really put voice to them until now. My responses on the message board:

Are you your own worst enemy?

I used to be. Self-sabotage was my specialty. FEAR of learning new things and failing: digital photography ... what? give up film *gasp* - but I've managed, and thrive now that I've learned what I'm doing and what I like; PSE is still something that stumps me and I think it's because it was "sold" to me as 1. quick and 2. easy. and it is neither. Now that I know that, I'm moving forward with far less fear and intimidation.

I used to wait until everything was tickety-boo. Perfect supplies, table, temperature, lighting, chair, workspace. Now I realize my time is limited and I just do. I went a bit overboard lately with the lack of structure, but better than waiting for the stars to align!

I also grew up. Now I am confident enough to hold my "work" up for criticism and receive mostly constructive comments and the rest just has to roll off, though sometimes it sticks. I've learned to be my biggest fan. It took a long time, but it's a great place to be!

Can ART be taught?

Untapped ability with a nudge and a bit of confidence, like anything, can be brought to full bloom. Mastering technique can really take what was already there in it's raw form and transform it into something spectacular. I believe an artist must have the initial vision, and with the right training and plenty of practice it can be nurtured to it's fullest potential. That doesn't mean there isn't a place for raw, or untrained talent just that training contributes to sustainability. Something to fall back on when you hit a wall, a dry spell.

 

What do you think?

Now I'm off to mull and then do the Day 4 assignments.

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 2

Creativity Boot Camp continues to be wonderful. I like the community, the prompts and the whole atmosphere. There is daily pressure to meet a deadline, but it doesn't feel like pressure. Know what I mean? This is purely for me, the only person I can disappoint by not participating is me. Isn't that what creativity is all about?

JOURNAL PROMPT

Do you shy away from calling yourself an artist? If so, what do you think makes someone else an artist and not you? What are some ways that you can start today to outwardly reflect your inner artist? Name three people who you would be comfortable sharing your creative work and projects with.

I might not call myself an artist only because my art training through high school, university and a few courses after school, I always considered an artist a "fine" artist. One trained in painting and sculpting and other fine technique driven pursuits. Though never my perception, sometimes being an artist was defined by "pushing the envelope" or "edgy" or "uncomfortable". There is a time and place for that, but edgy does not in itself define one as an artist. Nor does the idea that you have to be poor, unreliable, airy-fairy, starving, flowy-blowy scarf wearing, bangled or off your nut make you qualified to be an artist, though sometimes it gives a pretty good show. 

Amazing how I have a pretty defined view of what an artist is not, eh?

As for my art? It is is more along the lines of practical-crafty or interior-comfort focus. I will call myself a photographer as I am confident in my eye; I will call myself a writer as I am confident in my ability to express myself - though my long-dormant daydreamer is seriously starting to annoy me; I will call myself a scrapbooker because I can take good photos and tell good stories; I will call myself an interior decorator as I have a good sense of colour, proportion and style; I don't know that any of that can be considered artistic. But I do know that I am well within my comfort zone with all of those things and confident that I know exactly what I'm doing. I am always taking courses and taking on projects to push that comfort and confidence and push to learn new things. Or remind myself of some old things!

Maybe I am an artist.

Three people with whom I'm comfortable sharing projects? Well, that dam burst last year when I started posting my work on the blog. I'm no longer uncomfortable sharing my creativity with any one - here, on Flickr, pretty much anywhere.

CREATIVITY PROMPT

The prompt today was "picnic" which immediately brought to mind red gingham tablecloths and watermelon. Well, I have no red gingham except as the liner of my picnic basket, but I do have the watermelon - and it was a great excuse to make a new batch of cucumber water! It was well and truly a day worthy of a picnic with big fluffy clouds, a light breeze and brief bits of glorious sunshine.

Again, I took a couple of dozen photos and many of them were when the sun was hidden behind those big fluffy clouds. This was captured when the sun came out for a brief 4-frames! I'm sticking with the vertical :)

MESSAGE BOARD CONVERSATIONS

Through Day 2 there was a conversation based on the journal prompt inspired question: What is your definition of artist? My response on the message board was:

Like @Angela, I used to think you had to make a living if you to be labelled an "artist", or at the very least you had to be formally trained. I've now come to believe that if you authentically represent some part of yourself, open your interpretation to share with others, in whatever medium you choose, then you are an artist.

(This realization became more clear when my daughter and I had a conversation which resulted in a "tour" of the graffiti at our local skateboard park. Very eye opening. Lots of self expression going on there!)

My spirit is that of an artist. My brain just needs to catch up.

What about you? How do you define artist? Are you an artist or are you still hesitant to give yourself that label? I think I need to let go in order to be open enough to become the artist I am. I have to be accepting of criticism, accepting of opinions, accepting of complements (the hardest of all!). I have to live my idea of "embrace imperfection" and have fun.

Have you joined the Creativity Boot Camp? What do you think? Are you enjoying it so far?

Now I'm off to mull and then do the Day 3 assignments. This is fun!

Creativity Boot Camp: Day 1

Well, I have to say, Creativity Boot Camp is wonderful. I don't know what I expected, but as I promised myself, I have participated in every aspect of it: journal prompt, creativity prompt and message board conversations, and will do so every day for the next two weeks.

JOURNAL PROMPT

We were asked to write a letter to our end-of-boot-camp-self and not read it for the duration of the 2-weeks of assignments. I did and it is in an envelope waiting to be opened later. It was an interesting exercise. A lot of assumptions and hopes to be addressed. 

CREATIVITY PROMPT

We will be receiving one-word random prompts to kick-start creativity each day. Our first prompt was "ivory" which stumped me for a bit. I suppose that's the point! I immediately thought of elephant tusks but had to get to a football game, so no chance to get to African Lion Safari; then piano keys, but there is no piano old enough to which I have access; and, ivory soap; but by the time we got home from football the store was closed. So, I took a walk around and happened upon this:

These are the dogwood flowers as they bloom - in ivory, before they turn pink. I was so happy to discover these just outside my back door. A lesson in "Lee, open your eyes" which resulted in what I think is a pretty good capture. Actually many. This was my favourite of the 40 or so photos I took! Even better, it's vertical. A double creative stretch for me!

MESSAGE BOARD CONVERSATIONS

There are a few topics up for conversation. What an incredible group!

Through Day 1, there was quite a bit of talk about "dreams" with regards to creativity. I struggle with the concept. My response on the message board was:

I don't know that I could call them "dreams" or even "wishes". Plans, maybe. I was always accused of daydreaming and having my head in the clouds when I was growing up. I can't even remember those days but I do remember the constant ridicule - it will shut you down. Then university, and career (70+ hours a week) and 4 kids in 5 years with husband on the road, makes for ZERO time. Spirit crushing: you end up running on adrenaline in survival mode. Right now I'm making plans while trying to remember how to wish, then I'll move onto dreams. Hard to start from scratch!

I know that sounds harsh, but it is what it is. I'm facing my fears head on with 100% honesty and hoping to get some good feedback in order to get back to my authentic artistic and creative self. The best part is that my kids benefit from my childhood humiliation and are able to have a mum who encourages their free spirit. I have a lot to learn ... from them! I get so angry with myself that something that used to come so naturally might be gone forever. How could I have let it happen?

At least I've recognized and identified the loss and I am making steps to change and improve things. Fingers crossed my confidence and imagination return!

Have you joined the Creativity Boot Camp? What do you think? Are you enjoying it so far?

Now I'm off to mull and then do the Day 2 assignments.

Information Overload

I tend to shut down when I'm faced with two things:

1. Children demanding the same thing over and over again (usually resulting in a big fat "no" to their requests)
2. Too much information: groups to join, friend requests, blogs to read, challenges with crazy deadlines, even the countless e-mails received daily.

There are a few other things that shut me down, but when it comes to abundance, those are the two that came to mind. It really came into focus after I read the post by the BRILLIANT Seth Godin which went like this:

Redoubling to system failure

by Seth Godin

Every 18 months for the last decade, the world has doubled the data it pushes to you.

Twice as much email, twice as many friend requests, twice as many sites to check, twice as many devices.

When does your mind lose the ability to keep up? Then what happens? Is it already happening?

I can assure Mr. Godin that it is already happening. At least it is, for me.

I am having an internal war with myself. Should I cut back or cut out completely? How do I keep up or do I really want to? What am I gaining? What is the return on my time investment?

In an effort to gain some control, I've made some changes to my information flow:

Facebook has a self-imposed limit of 200 "friends". That group primarily consists of real, honest to goodness, I-know-you-in-real-life friends and family. You know, those who may now be far away, or busy with other things, but if I could, I'd have them over for coffee. The others are some uber-brilliant scrapbookers who inspire me completely. Why a limit? I know people do their best to accumulate "friends" but that's never been my style on line or IRL. I have a very small group of friends and I like it that way. I am a unitasker by nature and with a small group I feel authentic.

Twitter is now used for anyone I don't know well, a place for those people I want to follow on a peripheral manner. It gives me the ability to keep in touch but not necessarily be involved. (If you have been purged from my Facebook but still want to keep in touch, you can find me on Twitter. I didn't mean to be rude, just trying to keep things manageable.)

Google Reader is where I get into some trouble. There are so many BRILLIANT blogs and creative people and differing points of view, I love reading it all. I no longer read the newspaper and rarely get a chance to read books as quickly as I once did (though, I hope to get myself an iPad and fix that!). Though the "next" button has definitely quickened the process. I have limited my blog reading to the time before I take the kids to school (for 8AM) and sometime in the evening after returning home from whatever activity we've enjoyed with the kids.

Message Boards have really lost their appeal. It's usually the same self-important group of misfits  re-hashing the same negative stuff ad nauseum. Nice to hear that some of those places are dying off - a slow implosion. What little time I have, I spend over at Two Peas learning about photography and digital design. I don't participate much but I do learn a ton! The place is just oozing with talent. When given a choice, which is always, I prefer to be in happy and supportive places :) like Big Picture Scrapbooking, LOAD on Flickr and Feeling Scrappy's Sketchapalooza!

OnLine Courses are another thing that has gone by the wayside. Not so much because I don't enjoy them and don't learn a ton, but because I just don't get them done! Though, I have been tempted by some and plan to re-visit over at Big Picture Scrapbooking (my favourite place for inspiration) soon! Where do you find your online inspiration?

I have accounts with Tumblr, Formspring.me, Goodreads, YouTube, Vimeo, Posterous ... and that is where I find much of the overwhelm. Lots of learning curve and for what?

I do have a voracious appetite for learning. For that I LOVE the internet. I really enjoy how it expands my curiosity and answers so many questions floating around in my head and in our house. I can instantly answer just about any question my kids have: "what flag is red with a white cross on the left side" (Denmark); "what is the paint colour in my room" (Benjamin Moore had the answer: Labrador Blue); "what time is the hockey game"; "what is a caper, Mama?"; and on and on. Makes me feel smart! Well, at least helpful.

Sometimes it is just too much. An information battering ram. There is no time to enjoy or savour.

I have noticed a number of fellow bloggers have been suffering from the same sense of overwhelm, and in an effort to gain control and spend more time with family now that school is out or ending, they have elected to unplug for a while. Some have a definite return date; others may fall right off the grid. They are doing what works best for them.

In the next couple of weeks I'll be figuring out what works best for me. As a result, I will be making some changes to slow down, enjoy and savour. FOCUS! I just don't know what those changes will be ... yet.

Memory Keeping Epiphany

There are times I find my passion for photo taking and story telling overwhelming and exhausting.

It is tremendously important for me to share with my kids memories of their growing up and share with them my views on things. Scrapbooking and blogging have really aided me in my quest to keep them included, informed and intrigued.

The problem is things become a bit scattered - here, there, everywhere. Layouts for one class, sketches for another, this challenge and that challenge without much time or method for "this is our life, now". Snippets, lovely little bits, without flow or context. I suppose that is why I embrace the "Week in the Life" challenge lead by Ali Edwards; Project 365, Month in Review, December Daily and the monthly 12 of 12 challenge so readily.

In my heart I am a chronological scrapper who simply does not have time or fortitude to be "caught up". I do not scrapbook chronologically because of the inevitability of falling behind. There is this myth called "caught up". I've heard about it but never experienced it. Have you?

I need order. I thrive in order. I crave order. Order gives me a sense of peace. It is easy to understand. Order requires little or no explanation. 

Perfect. Or as close to perfect as this control-freak perfectionist can find.

To those of you who do not scrapbook or blog or memory keep, this might sound freakishly ridiculous to torment myself over something some might consider trivial. After all, I take pictures, I keep a blog, I make thoughtful and sometimes entertaining scrapbook pages, right? What more could I want or do?

Plenty. It's still not right. It just doesn't feel right. Or complete. I need context. I need flow. I need order.

And then the angels sang.

Yes, literally, sang. Accompanied with the obligatory blinding light, overwhelming sense of well-being and comfort of blissful peace.

Then my mind spun out of control with ideas and the energy that comes with possibility. You know those times you happen upon something you know you've been looking for but didn't know you were until you actually found it? 

The solution.

As she so often does, the brilliant, talented, funny, thoughtful and brilliant (she rates 2 brilliants) Cathy Zielske has come to my creative rescue.

I can now blend together my:

• obsessive need for chronology
• my monthly review posts (will have a place to be stored and read off the computer)
• my Project 365 photos (will no longer be stuck in iPhoto or the blog)
• and find a place for those important bits and bobs of ephemera that come into the house in backpacks and zippy bags

I will continue with my monthly 12 of 12 and my every-18-month-visit to A Week in the Life, and maybe even start and finish my December Daily now that the rest makes sense. There is a home for it all. Not only that, but I've found a way to do it. I purchased my very first digital set from Designer Digitals. I took advantage of their 30% off sale and bought a ton of digi paper - it was all so delicious! Call it a belated Mother's Day gift - thanks Claire, Cole, Chloe & Caden :)

For the designer set, I went with the 8.5"x11" format to spice things up a bit :) Though hybrid is my preferred way to create, I thought digi would prove itself the most efficient way to go with this. After all, I can always turn it into a hybrid project, right?

I can still participate in challenges, sketch classes, and attempt page submissions but now I won't have to try to combine everything together in order to be-all-things-to-all-challenges-submissions-personal pages all the time.

What do you think? How do you scrapbook? Would this make your project keeping easier?

A departure ...

... from the regular opportunity to see Cole in action.

He played Chad in his middle school production of High School Musical. He had to sing ... and dance. It was a hoot. He was totally freaked out by his having to wear make up and thrilled that he remembered all of his lines. He sang well, he danced well and projected well. A great performance!

It was an exhausting term between play rehearsal, rugby practice and games, football practice and hockey. Oh, and that thing called school work! There is talk about the middle school production being "Grease" next year so as much work and logistically trying as this last couple months were, I really think he wants to do it again! It's his call.

I love his enthusiasm and confidence.

Back to the rink ...

We're just leaving to watch Cole and his BTNL team play in the Ronald McDonald Tournament. It should prove to be another great experience for the boys. They are playing in the 97AAA Elite division.

Equipment bag - check
Extra tape - check
Socks - check
Hockey stick - check
Player - check

And, we're off. Fingers crossed!

Birds and family ...

Who knew when my sister Andrea moved to town with her family, part of her entourage included birds. THREE of them!

Claire and Cole are totally enamoured with them.

Well one of them. The yellow one.

Now they're killing me with constant requests for birds. OMG. Save me. No pets!

I might lend Claire and Cole out to bird-sit. But no way are we going to have a bird, or hamster, or turtle, or guinea pig, or dog, or goldfish, or gecko. Funny, no request for a cat.

No to all of it!

BUT a big YES to having my sister and her family here in town. I'm so thrilled to have family close by. In 15 years of marriage, Louis and I have never been in the same town as any family member and it is such a thrill. When they moved back from Chicago they could have chosen any community in the GTA and I'm so happy they chose to be in the burbs with us! I can watch over her house when they head on holiday, she can have an emergency contact invested in her family, I can give them the name of the best Chinese take-out in town (I did that first thing!), she can support Cole's fundraisers, I can babysit and give them a night out. Who am I kidding. Claire or Cole can :)

The comfort and trust that is part of being part of a family makes her being here a joy and a relief, a comfort I didn't realize I was missing until she arrived.

May in Review

 

Our flower pots are filled to overflowing with floral goodness!

Blur. May was a blur of activity.

• Mother's Day was celebrated at "The Big Smoke" which is a new BBQ restaurant. It replaced our much beloved Mixed Grill. The kids loved their southern ribs and pulled pork. Me? I loved my favourite roasted beet salad and crab cakes. Yum!
• Many many scrapbook projects were underway! I completed my Week in the Life project; LOAD and Scrapapalooza 6 where I was on the design team this time around. Such a wonderful month filled with creativity.
• Claire spent many hours practising singing with Marley as they were entered in a competition up in Milton, mid-month. They did very well, but I don't think Claire will be doing it again. It was a great experience - once.
• We had our introduction to elite hockey at the OTTF Spring Classic tournament at the start of the month. So wonderful to get to know the parents from our new team and a few more people too! Even better? A treat to have my dad come out and watch Cole.
• While at the OTTF Tournament in Downsview we took a bit of a trip north to visit Pro Hockey Life. I'd never heard of it before and I have to say WOW, was it impressive. A 'big box' all-hockey store. Amazing. We will continue to do most of our purchasing at CLP Sports, a small business in Clarkson, but WOW, Pro Hockey was overwhelming!
• Chloe's choir season wound down with one last performance over at Clearview Church on the 29th. She had such a great year and thoroughly enjoyed singing and learning theory. She has a rich and strong alto voice which will only get better in time and with practice.
• Mother's Day was celebrated a week late so that my step-sister Andrea and her family could join in the festivities. She and her family moved back to Canada from Chicago mid-month. I'm thrilled they've decided to settle here in Oakville.
• While we were at Mother's Day Redux in Toronto, Louis and Cole were at the FINALS of the Bauer Pro Hockey Shoot Out at the Westwood Arenas where Cole's BTNL team, against all expectation, won the whole thing! They managed to make it to the house to say "hi" to everyone and stay for a while.
• Caden makes us all smile. He lives in the land of happy. Never too serious for too long. He is a good student, just not a serious one. He is a good athlete, just not a serious one. He is a good kid, just not a serious one. Love him to bits :)
• The month was filled with logistic conflicts with Cole holding integral roles as lead in the school play (High School Musical); 8th man on the rugby team; 1st string linebacker on his football team and defenceman on his hockey team. Seasons starting and ending. I don't know how he manages to do it all so well.
• Chloe continues to grow out her hair - we need it to be long enough to cut off 10 inches and still leave some hair on her head! It could be a long wait this summer.
• Caden is on a summer 3on3 team over at Joshua Creek and continues to be the player covered with the most snow at the end of the game. Every game.
• The latest debacle in the Gulf, and the reaction, just further solidifies my belief that Obama is incompetent and out of touch.
• Claire came home from her first rugby practice referring to it as her "calling". She loves everything about it: the tackling, scoring tries, drop kicking. She came home and peeled off her new cleats and socks to reveal major painful blisters. Not a word of complaint. She couldn't wait to go out again. Rugby? Who knew?
• Cole thoroughly enjoys his training at BTNL and we can really see a change in his physique. He's growing up too fast! It is becoming more noticeable with every passing week.
• I found this brilliant idea for keeping these review posts ... with photos ... in an album. I'm going to try my hand at an 8.5" x 11" version as a nice challenge! Kind of incorporating both the 365 Project idea and make them tangible, hold-in-your hand-able. With some ephemera tossed in for fun!
• The G20 summit is to be held in Toronto. Chaos has already started. Expensive chaos.
• 100%. That's what Claire got on her song writing assignment. I love her passion.
• The Habs had a good run.
• Caden still insists on wearing white sweat socks - pulled up to his knees. Clearly some kind of fashion statement - devoid of any fashion sense!
• I love that Chloe is forever friends with Olivia. Things are a bit different now that we don't live five doors away from each other, but every weekend Chloe asks to play with her friend.
• Starting the Tuesday after Victoria Day, Claire was fully involved in ASCENT. I am so proud of her and her focus, determination and drive. Part of ASCENT includes Guidance and Service. Her service day took her and a group of kids to do yard work for the Kerr Street Ministries. She was covered in dirt from head to toe. She looked great and you could tell she was proud of a successful, and physically exhausting, day.
• Self-control and patience are not my strongest characteristics. But, I did forego purchase of an iPad when they went on sale in Canada on May 28th.
• HOT and STEAMY is what it's been like around here for the last half of the month. Auntie Andrea kindly invited us to their new pool to cool off a bit. Chloe, our mermaid, was more than thrilled. She's not a fan of the lake - too cold!
• Caden turned 10. I have no babies left!
• Cole and his Titan team had their very first football game. We all went into Toronto as a family to cheer the team as they played St. Mike's.The Titans beat the Argos 28-0 and Cole was recognized for his contribution. 
• Gardening has been a primary focus: a half dozen cedars are ready to be planted in the back yard; hours have been spent weeding; and we're still deciding whether or not to bring down the I-think-it-might-be-dead blue spruce in the front.
• Between hockey games, football games, rugby games, I took over 10,000 photos this month.
• We still have no cleaning ladies. I'd give us, as a family, a C+. Maybe next month there will be more time to focus on the house rather than our habit of drop-and-go. 
• I'm still working on the Boost Energy portion of my Happiness Project. I will using June to continue my efforts. Who says I have to do the project "by the book", right?
• Reality TV comings and goings. Goodbye Survivor, American Idol, Amazing Race and Dancing With The Stars. Hello Bachelorette, So You Think You Can Dance and Hell's Kitchen.

Since just about everything wound down in May, I anticipate very little activity in June. Or, less demanding, scheduled, intense activity. I'm thinking of buying a couple of kayaks so when olders get out of school (June 18) they can spend time on the lake. I'm planning a few picnics under the big tree. Taking the youngers to the park. Bike rides through the neighbourhood and down to the harbour. Playing with my camera and writing, a lot! All of those things will be part of our summer "schedule". Wonderful. The slower pace is welcome.

Process

I love the idea of thinking I'm a "real" writer but I find I'm becoming more and more stuck rather than more and more free. Why? I think it is because I have no defined process.

At least I hope that's the reason.

I am always hung up on the rules: the proper way of doing things. The right way. The gold star. The process.

In an effort to write better I follow smart blogs and read smart books. I'm great when given an assignment. Creating the assignment? No. Nothing there. I write well for others. For me? not so much.

Frustrating.

Earlier this year, when I read The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin mentioned the idea of writing a novel in a month. I thought this idea was daunting, and fascinating. I looked into it and found that National Novel Writing Month is in November. It is based on No Plot? No Problem by Chris Baty. You start without any preparation, no editing and write 1,667 words a day and voilà, 50,000 words in a month.

Okay, so the voilà is a bit of work. Maybe more than a bit.

On one of the brilliant blogs I read, Inkygirl, she had a post about BuNoWriMo which is, essentially, the same thing as NaNoWriMo but in JUNE. As in TODAY. So, I signed up on the BuNoWriMo Facebook Page and with the inspiration and (hopefully) encouragement of all those talented people, I'm sure to get something done. Or at least some of my creative writing juices flowing. I hope!

I have an inkling of an idea.

I receive writing prompts daily and have done so since January. You know what I do with them? I open them, feel like I can't do it, then close the e-mail and carry on with my day. It is very discouraging.

Self-sabotage is my specialty.

I have now collected five months worth of daily writing prompts. They are in a nice neat little collection and I am going to take a prompt a day and write at least 1,500 words. This might just be what I need to:

• Kickstart the sluggish synapses in my brain
• Free me to develop my own, my new writing process
• Figure out what "sticks"
• Write a collection of short stories
• Write a novel

After shelving my earlier writing endeavours, due to overly negative vibes influencing my writing, I've felt the loss. Keenly. I have to get back at doing something more than taking photos and scrapbooking. I love both, but I really need to write. More.

Join me! 

(I have to say, I'm thrilled to have a chance to click on the "writing" category to tag this post. It's been very lonely and unused.)