Posts Tagged: NaBloPoMo
Odd
Every odd year since 2007 I have taken part in National Blog Posting Month or NaBloPoMo, as it is affectionately referred to.
The first time I did it Davey was just coming up on his first birthday, now he’s coming up on his fifth. He’s amazing, and that’s not just because he’s my kid. Or maybe it is.
The pictures on this blog were taken with a flip phone, now I’m counting down the days till I get my very first iPhone (damn you Verizon for taking so long to get on board with Apple.) It was also the year that I shot with cumbersome digital camera, leading up to my first DSLR.
The Bigs embarked on a new home schooling experience, as some of the first students in a virtual school. Now they are five years in, seasoned virtual school students, and all of them are advanced learners. Two of them stepped foot in brick and mortar for two. whole. days. They absolutely abhorred it, and begged to come back to doing what they have been used to doing for so many years (now a fully accredited school that has grown and become better with each year that passes, in my opinion.) It’s true: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Sadie’s bark was full, she had fur, and Summer’s hips were strong. Now our old girls aren’t physically here with us anymore, but our new girl, Pepper, has stepped in, successfully filling the puppy void that was created by the loss of our valued furry family members.
Michael was a cargo pilot, now he flies real live people like Larry the Cable Guy, the Zac Brown Band, executives, rich people, and even real hearts, livers, and kidneys for transplanting. I think the latter is cooler than the former, but that’s just me.
And, me? I’ve changed a lot in these five years, too. So much has changed, yet so much remains the same. I strive to find myself as a woman, owning any mistakes and misgivings, making amends and moving forward. I aim to congratulate my successes, being grateful for every one of them.
The days go by so very quickly, and before I know it I’m lying in bed thinking about what I could have done differently or better or more.
The one constant is blazing time.
This month I’m going to try to slow down the time with stories and laughter and pictures and reflections and breath and one foot in front of the other, literally and figuratively…
Goodbye November
The symbolic month
With it’s swirling emotions
Has come to an end
Souls are bare as trees
As the harvest sun does loom
Goodbye November
—————————————–
The winner, as determined by RANDOM.ORG, of the 18×24 is Sarah (@SarahinMI)
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
This was {NaBloPoMo}
Tradition Hangs in the Balance
And how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in one word. Tradition!
–Tevye, the Papa, Fiddler on the Roof
The date has been blocked on the calendar since the month change. Countdowns were issued weekly. Thoughts were exchanged verbally amongst siblings about how the night would be, what they would wear, when we’d actually leave the house, and where we’d go. Daydreams ensued about pumpkin heads filled with all kinds of delightful treats. All in the name of a fall time tradition that [we] love to celebrate: Halloween!
The day started out rather slowly. Coffee. Mama needs coffee. And once the quota was filled–the quota being my two favorite mugfuls–I was ready to face the day; the busy day that would more than likely not bring any rest. First stop was acting class where Olivia did her little one minute skit and wowed the socks off of her teacher. During the time that the kids were there, Davey and I went to hell. Ok, so, fine, we really just went to Wal-Mart, but honestly it was pretty close to hell. Saturday, on Halloween, at Wal-Mart–what was I thinking? We survived, though, and got back just in time to pick up the little actors.
Then it was time to work. There was lunch to be served, cupcakes to be made, and pumpkins to carve.
Time flew by, and before we knew it night was upon us. I started to get the kids in their costumes.
First up was Zombie Girl. This girl has been something ghoulish for the past three Halloweens. Gone are the days of Princesses and Pop Icons. She wanted scary, spooky freakishness, and scary, spooky freakishness she achieved.
Next was Benny the Bionicle. When I found the box of old costumes in the garage, and he saw that Mikey’s old costume would fit him he immediately knew what he’d be. After all, this is the kid who lives, eats, and breathes, Bionicles.
Then it was the Ninja’s turn to get ready. He wore a costume that was once his eldest brother’s, too. Mikey was three when my parents took him and Olivia trick-or-treating in our old neighborhood in Cheektowaga, NY. I can still see toddler Mikey walking down the cracked sidewalks, his plastic pumpkin in hand, excited about getting chocolates.
We kept asking David what he was going to be for Halloween and he reply was either “inja” or “I not gonna be a inja.” Cutest damn Ninja that I’ve seen, oh, in eight years!
Finally, there was Billy Mays. I don’t know if I can add anything other than I love that Mikey chose to be him for Halloween. Earlier in the week I had asked Twitter what they thought he should dress up as, knowing that he liked to wear creative, home-made costumes as opposed to the store bought. Someone said, “How about Billy Mays,” and as soon as I told Mikey that, the deal was done. Respectfully, Mikey became the OxiClean spokesman for a night. He threw that thumb up and flashed his big, pearly whites.
After it was all said and done, Olivia and I were talking. She said, “Mama, I’m happy about Halloween, but I also have this sad feeling now.”
“Oh, baby,” I said, “sounds to me like you have Halloween let-down.”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Ya know on Christmas morning, when you’ve done opened all your presents, and the candy’s been eaten, and there’s nothing but crumpled paper under the tree?” I answered her with a question.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Well,” I said, “that’s Christmas let-down, and what you are feeling now is Halloween let-down. After all, you’ve been thinking about this night for a whole month. And now that it’s over, you feel kinda sad. The good part, though, is that we get to mark a new holiday on the calendar tomorrow!”
She was satisfied.
Me? I’m still not entirely satisfied. November has started and–as quickly as time flies–it’ll be over before we know it. That’s why I’m just going to take it one day at a time. I’m allowing myself time to fix any mistakes I’ve made. I’m resigning myself to be patient with myself; my mind, body and soul.
So dull and dark are the November days.
The lazy mist high up the evening curled,
And now the morn quite hides in smoke and haze;
The place we occupy seems all the world.
–John Clare, November
This is {NaBloPoMo}
Weekly Winners {SOOC* Edition}
*SOOC = Straight Out Of Camera; which means no editing, processing, nothing! Just good ole photography.
Visit {Lotus} for More Awesomeness
Oh and this is the kick off for {NaBloPoMo}
