Texture...

...Tuesday

The theme over at Kim's 

is Black & White w/at least one KK texture. 

I used "Lilly"here and it's perfect for that Phantom of the Opera look.

My usual square crop didn't work as I really loved the ties flowing off the picture. 

I'm off to PA for my Grandmother's funeral. It's going to be a long trip. If all goes smooth, I should be back in my bed by Thursday night with one more brick wall knocked down.

Happy (texture tuesday) snapping!

xo

Kelly

A day...

...of expression

First, I want to wish all you hard working moms Happy Mother's Day. You beautiful women who come visit and post here fill me with gratitude. I can tell by visiting your blogs you are like me, loving, caring and just trying to be the best person you can be. We are bound & united by at least one thing above all else...motherhood.
But I have to be honest with you, this is one Mother's Day I've been dreading the minute I saw the greeting cards go on display. I've had a knot in the pit of my stomach for weeks and will go away ONLY when the day is over AND nothing else out of the blue crops up.
 Half of me feels this way because this is the first MD that I can't pick up the phone to wish my own mother a special day. She's in that dark place struggling to exist. Quite honestly, it sucks thinking of her and the woman she was and the woman she has become.
Then the other half of me is excited for the mom that I am. I have everything in the world to be thankful for with my own 3 kiddos. I know that I am loved and appreciated & I really don't need one day set aside to celebrate my motherhood. If it makes it any easier to read this, I feel the same way about all the other "one day set aside" holidays. I honestly...and I mean HONESTLY feel that you should celebrate your loved ones each and every single day of the year.
 I ask myself every morning, "How can I make this day better for__________?"
I fill in the blank...and then just do it.
Did you know Mother's Day was established in 1872 for peace from a day of social and political activism by Julia Ward Howe? Mainly from women's clubs organized by Ann Jarvis, that eventually cared for soldiers on both sides of the Civil War in 1858. A resolution was signed and Mother's Day became national in 1914. It became so commercialized that Ann's daughter, Anna, fought the remaining years of her life trying to bring back the original intent of good works of these mothers. She died wishing the proclamation never happened.
Now, I know this is not a bed of roses post, but it is pure and from my heart. Something I take very seriously. Sometimes our days aren't filled with fluffy clouds and rainbows...although today I will try my hardest to see that it is...
Happy (silver linings) snapping!
xo
Kelly

Fridays...

...letters

Dear Nana,

Today is the day you have been ready for~for as long as I can remember. I'm sorry you had to wait so long to be with Granddad 

and Joy...

...but I have comfort knowing that you are finally in the one place you've wanted to be and will be eternally at peace. My happiest memories are sitting in your cozy kitchen eating your homemade applesauce...which to this day is by far the best applesauce I'll ever eat. 

I'll be back in a few days to say one last good bye... 

Good night my Applesauce Nana

Dear Kim at PickingPoppies,
You have won the CLICK magazine! Thank you for playing my friend. Just e-mail me your snail mail addy and I'll get that to you just as soon as I can. xo

Wordless...

...Wednesday

May 8, 2013

POP...

...goes the orchid

I finally decided it was time to play over at Kim's

I've promised myself that what's going on with my parents wasn't going to be bigger than me, or take over my life.  Part of that promise is not giving up the things that mean the most to me and that includes taking lots of pics and staying engaged.  It's a delicate balance because of the emotions, phone calls & paperwork that are being dumped into this life event. I haven't blogged about that "Consider the what if's" talk yet because I'm still in the middle of it. But there is an end in sight...sort of. I know when I don't have all the insanity to deal with, I want to be in a good place where my life just continues as always and I don't have re-invent anything. 

That's my goal...

So, today for Texture Tuesday, the theme is POP and at least one of Kim's textures. My orchids are blooming like crazy and they seemed perfect for the prompt. I've used KK's cherishscripted 

Happy Snapping

and

thank's for "popping" in...(no pun intended)

xo

Kelly

Scavenger Hunt...

...Sunday

It's been forever and a day since I've played over at Ashley's.

I literally decided an hr. ago to play along...so you'll forgive me if I put on my cheater pants for one of the prompts...weather....which is freezing cold but it's helping the firemen with the fires to the East & West of us.

So without further ado...my interpretations of the prompts this week:

SPOTTED with BACKGROUND

Here's a little secret I use for my background...I go to the craft stores and find scrapbook paper that resembles wood for my close up shots. Pretty cool idea huh?

SPOTTED with bokeh BACKGROUND

One of my Monarchs from the fall. I never get tired of looking at these beauties. My i-phone has taken some amazing shots of my babies.

MOTION

So yesterday, the WEATHER(here's where I'm wearing the cheater pants!) was perfect to snap a pic of  one of several hummers that went crazy protecting his territory. The skirmishes lasted all day. 

SWEET

There's a small window when fruit is at it's sweetest peak...Now is that time.

Thanks for hanging out with me today.

Happy (weekend) Snapping!

xo

Kelly

Fridays...

...letters

Dear U.S. Army,

I took this at Adam's going away party.

See Adam on the left? Well, he's sworn in and ready to serve the United States. Please keep him safe. 

(Adam, Tristin & Austin~they're good boys)

Dear Me,

It's time to get a new hair-do.

Dear stress,

You think you're gonna get the better of me don't you? Well, you got the wrong girl to be messing with. Yeah, I had a mini melt down or two this week, they're allowed. But, I pulled myself up by my boot straps and moved on. Yeah, my nerves are being tested- but I WILL overcome you.

Dear whoever is responsible for my mom's well being,

You failed miserably.

Dear Frankie,

You're meatloaf rocks to high heaven!

Dear Santa Ana Winds,

Enough already.

Dear Monarch Butterflies,

I have tons of healthy milkweed for your babies. 

(I better be careful what I wish!)

Dear Click,

I was lucky enough to receive two copies of your delicious magazine and feel like having a little contest to give one away.  So lucky reader/friend, just mention that you'd like a shot at winning and you'll be entered. Winner will be announced next Friday...here in my little corner of the blogging world!

  sorry over the pond friends...US only

Happy (May) Snapping

xo

Kelly