Random (Shoe)

I wish I had something exciting to talk about...I don't. A few days ago I was so full of things to say. Where did that go? It kind of feels like that strange phenomena where you have to go to the bathroom really bad, and then at some point you realize the feeling has completely gone away. Hmm, that's kind of a gross thought isn't it? I mean, where does that go? Yuck, let's not think about that anymore.

Instead, let's ponder the random shoe...

I saw this the other morning near Griffin's school and the funny thing about it is...it's still there!...two days later, and after the roads have been plowed a couple of times.

I have often been accused of thinking too much. I'm pretty sure I was born that way...but nothing can send a thinker like me into a tailspin like "the random shoe". All the way home I thought about it, and even dreamed up a website where people could post photos of random shoes so that their owners could find them...etc...(thinking)...etc...

I even went so far as to google "random shoe", and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I am not alone in this. There is a flickr group on the subject and if you get a chance, read this really funny post about it. It pretty much sums up everything I was thinking. How about you? Do you think too much, like I do, about senseless, random things?

How is your new year going? I intended to start off 2011 like gangbusters (now what does that mean?), but Macy, Griffin, and I all had a stomach virus for a couple of days, so instead of lining things up, I am still playing catch up. Maybe I should stop spending so much time thinking about other people's shoes. :)

Where There's a Will...

I meant to share something else with you today, but it will have to wait...

I don't watch very much television these days, and I hardly ever watch the news...I'm pretty much out of touch with what's going on in the real world. I am from Cleveland-ish, so when I saw this story on the Yahoo homepage it caught my eye...

I'm so glad I didn't miss it! My heart is full of happiness for this man, who was probably frowned upon by many of the people who passed by.

This story reminds me of a book I read a while ago called, Same Kind of Different as Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It's about a homeless man who was given understanding, and an opportunity to share his gifts with the world. If you'd like, you can read more about it here or here. I definitely recommend it!

It's things like this that fill me with hope, and remind me that, given the opportunity, we all have something wonderful to share.

(source: Denver Moore, The Cerulean Gallery)

“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” - Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Saved by "the Same Old"

So, I'll start off the year by boring you with my endless photos of deer and birds. Hooray! Ya'll come back now, ya hear...

Really, the problem is I have to pick one as my shot of the day, and I can't decide which one I like the best. I like them all for different reasons...
Which one do you like?

I lucked out today, I think, and it's funny because I almost didn't bother. I saw the deer in the field when I pulled in after dropping Griffin off at school, but it's cold today, and I have so many photos of the deer already...
I almost didn't go.

Even though I walked down the lane with a little bit of a ho-hum attitude, I ended up feeling surprised by the experience. I had no idea that the deer above had his tongue sticking out until I was done uploading the pictures. It makes me laugh, and the look on that cardinals face below makes me laugh even harder. Boing!

I was completely surprised to see the buck. He comes around sometimes, but not that often...every time I see him, though, he takes my breath away...(because he's beautiful and because I think he's going to charge me).

So, really, walking down to photograph "the same old" deer turned out to be, not a ho-hum experience at all, but more of a "hmm" experience. The whole thing got me thinking about...well, a lot of things...and I already had a lot on my mind to begin with.

Whenever I've considered posting lately, I have been hit by an avalanche of my own thoughts. I have too much to say right now. I'm not sure how it will all come tumbling out, so instead I decided to bore you with my deer and bird photos. :)

Happy New Year to you! I can't wait to see what surprises 2011 has in store for us!

Big Changes and Inspiration

I'm really looking forward to the new year. I see big changes on the horizon. I need big changes. If I had to think of one word to describe 2010, it would be a toss up between exhausting and unfulfilling. Two rather dismal words, but true just the same. I have never in my life, no matter what was thrown at me, felt so dismal. I need big changes.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm a single mama of three. Two of my kids have labels (I hate labels). I rarely get a break, so I feel stretched both mentally and physically. It doesn't do me any good to watch the clock and hope that "Dad" comes home soon, so I can catch a breather...he's not coming. He's not going to help me change the storm windows, or put oil in the car, or take the garbage out either. Nope. That's me too. (Streeeeeeeeeeeeetch)

I'm not going to complain too much (even though that felt good for a second). These are the cards that life has dealt me, and I am going to make the most of it and, actually, I do consider myself pretty blessed in so many ways.

Some of the angst I have felt this past year has been self-imposed. I've stretched myself farther than I ever have before. I have allowed you to see me...my photos, my words, my life. Most of the people I have known for years don't know me like this. It used to take me hours, sometimes days to write something...because it was coming out of me (the real me). I had to make sure that it was good enough. Now I know that because it is coming out of me...it is good enough, but reaching that sort of understanding has been quite a roller coaster ride.

I have been so inspired by this process. I have changed and been lifted by so many others out there on this journey (definitely YOU! if you're reading this). Honestly, sometimes I am frustrated that there aren't many that share this space with me, but I suppose in the grand scheme, I have touched and inspired those who I have been meant to touch and inspire (hopefully, you, if you are reading this). It's all part of the big plan somehow, if you believe in that sort of thing. I do.

I believe in magic. I believe in signs, and all of the signs lately are telling me that big changes are coming. I can't wait!

I am hoping that my word at the end of 2011 is contentment, 'cause that's what I will be striving for.

What is your one word for the new year? Ah, "new". That has such a nice ring to it already.

Stealing...

The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child. - Joe Houldsworth