looking for clarity.


it is february
and i feel like i have been spinning my wheels
creatively
so far this year.

like i am doing things...vague things...
and yet
not feeling like i am getting anything
accomplished.

this feeling
coupled with reading this and this
and being a part of this but
unsure of how to define it for myself
so that i was doing more than just
saying i was a part of it
{i like things in measureable quanities...
it keeps me accountable}
led me to choose my own word for 2008.

focus.

last year felt like a year of change and growth
for me...i changed my field of employment
and creatively, i spent a lot of time dreaming,
planning, imagining, researching and taking notes.
but this year, i want to focus. i want to begin to do.
i reread what i wrote while journalling about this:

"maybe my word for this year should be FOCUS-
which feels right to me in so many ways-to apply
myself to what i want to do, to narrow down,
to concentrate....and then the whole photography
side of the term appeals to me also. if only i could
stop and focus, perhaps i could do some of those
things that i always have on my list- i need to
stop listing things and get to the action."

that said,
i have decided to make myself accountable
by having saturday be a check in day for me.
i chose saturday because it is the end of the week
and i want it to be a chance to take a tally of my
week, to take inventory of where i am and how
i have been spending my time.

it will become my "tally up" day.

i invite you join me, if you feel so inclined...
i know saturdays are not good for everyone,
and you can choose any day or any way to tally
that you like...but really, i need to do this for me.
i need to be able to go back and say
i have done this...i have tried that...
i have focused on my goals and followed through.

happy saturday!

edited to add: i am in good company with the word focus,
the-talented-and-oh-so-cute-daisies had chosen this word
also in her mondo beyondo manifesto...

friday-i'm-in-love (with other blogs)...


eight want to help me
add a photo
to illustrate today's
friday-i'm-in-love (with other blogs) theme...
how could i resist...
so we bring you
friday-i'm-in-love(with other blogs)
{and with this guy...heehee}

i have found so many blogs lately that have made me feel
just a little crazy...
but in a good way...
so on this friday-i'm-in-love, i give you some links:

-i am not much of a chef/baker/culinary expert in any domain
{as can be attested to by my "once boiled french fries in water" story}
{which will not be shared today and still makes me blush}
but this blog...man...this blog makes me want to cook...and her sense
of humor? and her pictures? and how well she explains it all?
{even for people like me who once deep fried french fries in water}

-for a virtual overload {but really, who can ever get enough?}
of fantastic photos, go here....also has contests, challenges, daily clicks...
beware...you will want to stay!

-i am an idea collector..especially when it come to my kids...and art...
so what could be better than here?

-and last but not least, the one that made me nearly cry
with excitement? i printed off "celebrate february"
and clapped my hands while waiting for the ink to dry...

go forth and visit.
and have a good friday.
actually...
have a great friday...it's the beginning of the weekend, you know.

5 really good things on a wednesday...

i don't have to think very hard to find
5 really good things on this wednesday
because
{oddly enough, given that we are in the middle
of yet another snowstorm...}
i feel like spring is coming!!!

when i left work yesterday at five,
it was still bright out...the sun had not set,
was not even close to setting, i still had at least
half an hour of
light...

{insert happy sigh}

so...
in light of
the fact that winter's grip
has loosened
just a smidgen
here is today's 5 really good things
on a wednesday...




  • these two crazy-funny endearingly-sweet kids...who make me smile no matter what the season...
  • over the halfway mark on the knitted baby sweater
  • apple crisp...i know this was on last week's too...but we made another one and mmmmmmm...so good.
  • flickr...heh...i know you guys know all about it but i have only really started to take advantage of it...and i love it!
  • a virtual conversation with a saltwater princess in which the possibility of meeting {for real!!} someday is discussed...so exciting!


apple crisp...mmmmmmm
can you smell it?

go see liz...she is waiting for your five!

SPC Tuesday


February 2008 077, originally uploaded by gkgirl.

today is tuesday
and more importantly,
SPC tuesday...

the theme is blue.

i don't normally wear blue or overly care for blue.

unless it is the sky...then i like it.

or freezies.

but this morning,
i was surprised to notice
that my pjs were blue
which went with the trim on the
baby sweater i am madly knitting
which went with our couch
and even my socks were blue.

hmmmmm...
i sensed a theme...
so i shot it.