As he makes his way, after a ride and some kisses, he looks back once more.  To catch a glimpse of his family, to remember and affirm why he does it.  He looks back to catch a glimpse of my fingers leaving the steering wheel briefly, waving a sweet goodbye.  To see the look of love in my eyes.    The look I hope he saw.    For that is the look that I saw.  The look of wanting me to know that he will miss us, but that he will return soon.  Through the doorway and straight back to kiss ride.

100 WORDS

Wednesday

Photo inspired by this post.

At the end of 2007, on the eve of a year change, I had only one resolution.  That was to be true to myself always.  I’m sure I succeeded. And uncertain, at the same time.    There’s always that self doubt. There’s always questioning of one self.  There’s always something to make you think that you failed.  There’s always so much more that can be said and done.  There’s always time.  But it’s slipping away.

At the end of 2008, on the eve of another year change, I have only one resolution.  That is to be true to myself always.  I’m sure I will succeed. And uncertain, at the same time.   I doubt myself.  I question myself.  I often think I have failed.  I have so much to say and do.  There’s time.   And the time is now.

Be they successes or fails, I have done much this year.  I have rediscovered what it means to look at something, to feel emotions, and put it into words.  Sometimes I feel sharpened, other times I feel softened; that’s the power of words, of thoughts, of emotion, of hardening, of healing, of pain.    There’s always so much to be said for reflection.

This past year I have felt confidence. I’ve been recognized and the acknowledgments received have helped me continue on my path.

This past year I have been honored. Every single compliment has been accepted and appreciated.

This past year I have forged new and exciting friendships. Both near and far, I know that I have people that I can always turn to, lean on, and console in.

This past year I have fed my soul. Through photos and words I have created art. I have left my mark, revealing my feelings about life, love, happiness, sadness, and life-in-general.

This past year I have a new found determination. I am willing to learn and grow from mistakes.  I am stronger for it.

This past year I have won.

This past year I have lost.

This past year I have wished.

This past year I have dreamed.

This past year I have accomplished.

This past year I have loved.

This past year I have breathed.

This past year I have been grateful.

Truly.

From our family to yours we wish you prosperity, good health,
happiness, and ever-lasting love in 2009 and always…

W I T H  W O R D S  W E D N E S D A Y

Just before Thanksgiving I got a very special delivery; the wonderful Epson Artison 800 printer that was showcased at BlissDom ‘08.

I waited until Michael came home to open it, because I am the least technological person in this house.  Sure I can email, do stuff with Adobe Photoshop, upload pictures, and blog, but I cannot even fathom how to hook up a printer.   This isn’t just an ordinary printer.

Here’s all it can do:

• Full-Featured Scanning and Copying: The Artisan 800 features 4800 dpi resolution (48-bit color) for high quality scanning of images and documents with brilliant clarity and accuracy.   This all-in-one also offer standalone, one-touch color and black and white copying with a wide range of easy-to-use options such as the ability to scan to a computer, memory card or USB flash drive, easy photo reprints and enlargements up to 400 percent, and a convenient fit-to-page printing feature. It even offer background removal for crisp, clean copies of text documents.  Includes OCR software for converting documents into text users can edit.
• Standalone Photo Capabilities: The Artisan 800 has card slots that are compatible with all popular memory card types for printing photos without a computer or transferring files to or from a computer. Plus, you can print directly from a digital camera or mobile phone with the PictBridge® connection. Additional photo printing options include print-by-date, custom picture packages, photo index sheets, and passport and photo IDs.
• Restore Faded Photos: It can easily restore color to old, faded photos with or without using a computer.
• Creativity Made Simple: Included software allows users to create and print personalized CDs/DVDs, greeting cards, elegant invitations, beautiful photo calendars, photo books, and more.
• Shared Use at Home: Wi-Fi and Ethernet networking are built in for sharing with all users in the home. An optional Bluetooth® photo print adapter is also available for printing from cell phones and other mobile devices.
• Flexible Paper Handling: Can print borderless photos in popular sizes, including 4″ x 6″, 5″ x 7″, 8″ x 10″, and letter.  Also features a paper cassette with two paper trays that eliminate the need to switch between plain and photo paper.
• Smart Ink System: The Artisan series feature convenient individual ink cartridges that can be changed in as little as five seconds and replace only the color needed. In addition, innovative technology conveniently combines color inks to produce black when black ink is low to extend printing. Cartridges are available in two sizes to match users’ printing needs.

I haven’t played with the printer except for the night that Michael got it all set up.  I do plan on doing some fun stuff, including a give-a-way of some of my prints.    I’m also planning on making a big picture wall in our living room.  If only I could decide which photos to actually print!

It’s pretty damn cool and pretty damn affordable, too!   Discover your Epsonability.  I’m certainly going to discover mine!

Visit Flickr for the full sized portraits!

W O R D L E S S W E D N E S D A Y

On Tuesday I had the pleasure of meeting up with my bloggy pal Nissa and her two kids. We met at a local park, before co-op, and immediately our boys hit it off.  We had only met her little girl before, so I was very pleased that the boys were fast friends!

While Olivia and Nissa kept an eye on Davey, I took some portraits of her kids, both of whom are very photogenic.   In less than a half hour I had some great shots captured.   I got some Mommy-Daughter shots, too.  The whole set can be found on my Flickr, but these are my absolute favorites of the day:

Continue reading With Words Wednesday »

Photo series taken on the morning of October 19th, at Hotel Preston, upon check out, the day after Blissdom ‘08.  Blissdom’08 was put together by One 2 One Network, for Blissfully Domestic, and was sponsored by EPSON.

My complete Flickr set can be found HERE!

W O R D L E S S W E D N E S D A Y