Stop to eat the flowers...

Kona is helping me get some practice in today...later I may hit the streets and start borrowing kids. He's getting a little bored with all the attention. He does get lots of treats though. Except now, he expects one after each click of the shutter. Repositioning a dog after every shot is tiring, especially when I am on my belly trying to get a low angle. I ran out of treats pretty quickly. But being the vegan he is, he was just as happy eating the flower. Which leads me to a new saying....when life gives you a beautiful gerber daisy, just eat it all up.

Water, water everywhere and I ran out of steam.

"Here is the test to find out whether or not your mission on earth is finished: If you are alive, it isn't.

~Richard Bach




Forgive me internet, for I have sinned. It has been almost 30 days since my last blog post.

I admit it. December, with all the joy it brings, laid me out flat. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not complaining. It was fun. January has kept me
very busy as well. Lots of stuff to catch up with and my camera has been lonely and neglected. Well, just about everything has been neglected. Thank god for the rain cause the plants outside were beginning to cry for water. Too bad I didn't put the indoor plants outside. There isn't a better reminder than looking across a room at a once beautiful, full green lush plant that is now hanging limply, yellowing, dropping leaves, and near death, to remind you that you have stopped paying attention to life in your own home. Ugh. In the midst of burning the candle at both ends, running to work and running out of state, I ran out of steam. And there are still five days to go....then hopefully, hopefully, I'll have a grip on things. (probably not but I can hope)

Sooooo....2010! Yahooooo! Already off to a great start with the election in Massachusetts. Talk about hope. Now we can hope.

I am not inclined to New Years Resolutions anymore. I have realized that with every New Years Resolution I have made, I have not kept it. I resolve not to resolute. Better, I will just make goals. Seems more practical. One goal for this year is to be worthy. Uh....worthy? Of what?
I would like to be worthy of your time spent here. If it means I made you laugh, cry, grow in some small way, added meaning to your life in some large or small way, brought something to you that you didn't know about, or just made you smirk, burp, and move on...at least you cleared some air, right? My lofty goal for the year.....now don't be leaving me a message saying "you're not worthy"- I am working on it. I know.

With all the sadness the situation in Haiti has brought, it also brings us together to give and help, something Americans do better than any other country in the world, (it's who we are. Be proud) Still, you can't forget about Africa and the need for charity, education, and the basics of life that they so desperately need and don't have. One organization I learned more about over Christmas is Acirfa. They provide bikes and much needed transportation to the people in Africa. They are changing lives one bike at a time and have been doing so for a while now. Just another fine example of how a few people with a big idea are changing the world for better. There are lots of ways to be involved. You can buy a bike or make a simple donation. But I hope you check out their site, and be sure to pass it on. Along with this, come Jingas. Jingas are made by a local artist in Africa and are being sold to raise money for bikes. We received a Jinga for Christmas. He sits proudly displayed in my room, a lovely reminder of the people half a world away.


Today, I am sharing my Jinga with you....aren't you feeling better already? You can pick up your own Jinga right here




Now, I have to go dust and water some plants.

So grateful for you....

I have been making it a habit to add a focus to the things I am grateful for before closing with each post.This post, I'll start with that.  Basically, I am so grateful for those of you who have asked me to document the lives of you and your loved ones.  You have blessed me a million times over this year.  I have grown and learned much because of you.  I have laughed and cried with you.  I have smiled over and over at the images of you smiling back at me.  That is so good for the soul.  So, in two words that don't seem enough at all,  thank you.   I am really looking forward to 2010 and all the dreams waiting to come true.  Thank you for making my dreams come true this year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

This won't be a long blog post.  I really just want to wish everyone out there the merriest holiday season.
I hope you are enjoying time with the ones you love, who ever that may be.  We are so lucky to be blessed with the loveliest people in our lives.


It is also such a perfect day to reflect on the things you are grateful for.....

(getting old yet--too bad)

1. the man  (the one I married- twice - someday I may elaborate)
2. two of the most beautiful kind daughters any one person could hope for
3. sparkly christmas tree lights...they finally worked.
4. words like joy and hope and merry and seeing them all over the place for a couple of months
5. a day off after Christmas to just chill

Merry Christmas to all!!

xxooo,

Sissel