Squam, here I come

I have THE best hubby in the world.  I waited and hemmed and hawed, and almost talked myself out of asking to do this amazingly dreamy thing in the Fall.  I asked.  He said yes.  I'm going.  It was part of #38 on my list.   It will be a catalyst to many other things on my list.

Maybe you want to go too?

I honestly feel like I am about to make a quantum leap in my life.  Scary.  Wonderful.

Magic

I want to feel like this everyday.

Oh, The Places You'll Go...

I'm just starting the Unravelling journey. This week's assignment is to focus on the feet that surround us. Our own, of course, but also those around us. It sounds a little strange at first, but really, amazingly, once you start to think about it, our feet (and the feet of those we love) do so much for us, and ask so little in return. They take us on many amazing journeys, from the most mundane journey of our routines, to wild adventures. They are actually quite revealing.

So, here's me, according to my feet.

(notice the open minivan behind me. very telling)

(this is where I start my day. everyday.)

(the above shoes are a little slice of heaven)

(the feet that surround me, keep me running, keep me going, keep me grounded)

(a little toe bouquet. me and the kids. my life)

Urban Therapy, I Heart Seattle edition

I have a hard time deciding whether I'm a city girl or a country girl. I live in the country. But sometimes, a day like this is just what the doctor ordered.

(above, the "secret" gum wall hiding somewhere in downtown Seattle)

little reminders along the way...

that really...

Happy Valentine's Day!

38 Before 38

1.  Start and finish a 365 photo and writing a day projects.   Don't feel guilty if you don't do it everyday.

2.  Have 100 pages of good writing to either send out for publishing, or for a grad school app. (!)

3. Take the GRE

4. Get a tattoo.

5.  See the sunrise.  Preferably on a beach.

6. Have only clothes that I love in my closet.

7. Write the novel.  May or may not be part of the 100 pages of "good writing" above.

8.  Dabble in art regularly.

9. Get a hot stone massage at least once a month.  (everybody must get stoned!)

10. Read more.

11. Watch TV less. This does not apply to Lost, American Idol, Heroes, and The Office.

12.  Read to my littlest ones most days.

13.  Sign up for the UW Fiction continuing Ed. program.

14. See as many newly re-discovered via Facebook friends as possible.

15.  Have a real vacation alone with my hubby.

16.  Go hiking on a brand new trail at least 10 times.

17. Start to play the guitar.  (hmm, didn't expect this one)

18. Be mindful  of the moments as they come.  

19. Really connect with my kids, see things through their eyes, especially in the tough moments.

20. Go camping, more than once.

21.  Learn Photoshop.

22.  Have regularly scheduled "work"time, for the writing, art. During the day! (ie find child care!)

23.  Read Jane Austin.  (I never have! I know!)  Other great literature that I missed in school will do too.

24. Make or find a really cute, feminine camera bag that will also hold my laptop and/or journal.  My out and about creativity bag!

25.  Get a macro lens, and a lensbaby.

26.  Get so comfortable with my camera that I can shoot in manual mode all time, and know what I am doing.

27.  Get officially published, somewhere.  Maybe even get paid for it!

Ok, now I'll move into the "mondo beyondo" type things.  Things that probably won't happen this year.  But you never know!

28.  Live in Lawrence, KS again.

29. Get my MFA in Creative Writing.

30.  Live in France, or Italy.

31.  Travel around the US in an RV with my family,  for a good long time, or until its not fun anymore.

32.  Finish the remodel of the house.

33. Move to a bigger house!

34. Get a hot tub.

35. Find a charity to either become passionately involved in, or start my own.

36. Meet the amazing blogging women listed on the side bar.

37. Have a gallery show of my photography and/or a book signing for my awesome as yet unwritten but forthcoming book!

38. There are a couple of big ones too close to my heart to blog about quite yet.  But, still.  On the list!

I'm getting whisked away for an Island getaway (think Northwest Island) this weekend!  Maybe I can work on a few list items while I'm there!  Woo-Hoo!  Happy Valentine's Day!   

inspired

Unconditional Joy is something I've decided to embrace.  In case you hadn't noticed, I'm the kind of person who can think and stew over whatever bee is currently in my bonnet, and then start to feel frustrated because I'm not "there" yet, in whatever new goal or interest or way of being I'm thinking about.  Then, sweet Krista showed me the way to this article, and the rest of Enjoy Parenting .  Now, I'm at the point where I am feeling like I could go the rest of my life without reading another parenting book (not because I've "arrived

 but because they only put more of that creepy "not there" feeling in to my head), but his article was just so what I need to hear! So much more than parenting, it put a spring in my step in more ways than one.   I'll just say go check it out!

Also, I'm so, SO excited that I've given myself the gift of the Unravelling, Ways of Seeing Myself e-course.  Writing, Photography and inner reflecting.  Just my cup o' tea these days.  Just finished my "how to work your fancy camera" class yesterday, and whoa!  Talk about a crash course!  3 full Saturdays of bells and whistles, but I actually think I have a handle on it now.  Hooray!  Now, I just have to get out there and practice!  

And soon, I'll be making my 38 before 38 list for all to see (I turn 37 in 2 weeks), and I'll be posting my work from my soon to start class, and oooh, book lists and new websites to visit! 

I still haven't recovered my photos from the first 2 weeks of my photo class, but here are a few fun ones from this past week.

And here's my little man...

Oh, and check this out.  I want to watch this over and over!  So cool!!