Imagine If I Woke Up

in the morning on my own terms. If I actually accomplished what I set out to do. Imagine me walking into a room and cleaning it until it was finished. Imagine me not picking up a new book, three [yes, three] different books to be exact, and starting to read them at various times throughout the day [yes, the same day]. Imagine if the clothes that went into the washer actually made it into the dryer in a timely manner. And for that matter, imagine if they got folded and put away in an equally timely manner. Imagine if I was focused but not hyper-focused. Imagine what I could accomplish if I were not so completely me. Not that me is bad. It's just so completely frustrating sometimes. Now, imagine this: "Imagine waking and going for a run, as if running were all you do. Nothing else is on your mind but the run, and you do it to the very best of your abilities. Then you eat, enjoying every flavorful bite of your fresh breakfast of whole, unprocessed foods. You read a novel, as if nothing else in the world existed. You do your work, one task at a time, each task done with full focus and dedication. You spend time with loved ones, as if nothing else existed." - Leo Babauta author of the blog ZenHabits. Quoted from this guest post [which has really great tips on how to go about accomplishing such a highly focused/present frame of mind]. I realize that this might be a little ambitious, what with having two littles around, but I'm going to read this everytime I get distracted. Everytime I feel less than focused. Everytime I start a new project. I'm going to be single minded. I'm going to be a starter and a finisher. I'm starting today.

No. 11

shoot ttv [through the viewfinder] of an old camera that is. It's an Argus 75. I love it. There is actually a tube contraption that you make and position between the viewfinder of the Argus and the lens of the digital camera, but I decided to just go ahead without it [as it's likely that I will never actually make the contraption]. Looking through the viewfinder of the argus produces a whole new point of view. I saw things that I didn't expect. I saw things I wouldn't have normally looked at. I decided I like looking through the viewfinder of the Argus. But not necessarily through the viewfinder via my digital. I think I'm going to buy some film. I'll add that to the list for next year.

So, my review of ttv photography [without a contraption] is this:

+ it looks really neat because you get cool flecks and "noise" on you photo.

+ it looks really neat because the colors and lighting get altered a bit.

+ it looks really neat with rounded corners and black borders

- it's awkward to get a good shot because you have to hold both cameras at the same time.

- holding both cameras is impossible.

- the shots you can take are limited to what you have on hand to position the Argus.

So, that's it. It's awkward, but I like the way it looks. I might re-visit this one with a contraption.

2.for.Tuesday

It's been one of those days. One of those days when everything she does drives me nuts. Everything. Oh, but it looks so sweet in photos. So that's what you get. The photos. Because all little girls should be sweet. Wouldn't you agree?

one: she kept telling me, "Baby stinky." I had no reason to believe that she would try to remedy the situation. No reason to believe that it would take near a whole box of wipes. No reason to do anything other than grab the camera and take a photo.

two: he was so happy there on the floor. I think he may have actually fallen asleep. I always wonder why she can't leave him alone when he's giving me a few minutes respite. But she just can't seem to stay away. He must call out to her in some sweet little baby voice... "hey you. Girl. come over here and see how close you can get without actually smooshing me. See how many times you can pat my head without actually making me cry. See if you can wrap your arm around me with out choking me." Really. I think he might actually be saying that. Because that's what she does. And she looks so sweet doing it. If only she would have fallen asleep there next to him. That would have made my day.

Just A Few Things

I really need to put more focus and effort into. Elsie had this challenge up on her blog and I thought I should put these out there too. Accountability and all that. You know how it is.

1. Eat 2-3 fruits and 4+ veggies daily. Instead of candy. It's a myth that candy will give you energy and keep you awake. A myth I tell you. And yet I just keep right on disillusioning myself.

2. Sleep when they sleep. Even if that means going to bed at 7:30 p.m. Even if it means not cleaning the house. Even if it means missing out on my alone time. Yeah, even then.

3. More water. More water. More water. Do you think that if I drink more water this infernal headache will finally go away? More water I say.

4. Put something away. Anything. That nursing pad on the table? Put it away. And while you're at it, put away your cereal bowl too.

And then go take a nap. Because they're sleeping right now dang it.

So They Say

that if you put your wishes out there they will come true. Well, here you go: Peoples, I am looking for a toddler bed. A cute toddler bed. Something for a very cute little girl. I am willing to sand and paint as needed. I would also not be opposed to altering something that was currently twin sized [though *B* doesn't love the prospect of that]. I'm thinking maybe something a little like this. Thanks for listening [and if you happen to stumble upon just such a thing would you let me know. please. thanks].

5 - Four - 3 - 2 - 1

5: the number of laundry baskets of clean clothes that need my attention at this very moment. One could say, "at least they're clean." But I like baskets of clean clothes less than I like baskets of dirty clothes. Clean clothes say, "no worries. I'm clean. It's okay to walk away." And then they proceed to jump out of the baskets onto the floor and soon I'm picking up clothes and smelling them to see if they're clean or not. Sometimes that game goes a little sour. Baskets of dirty clothes, on the other hand, call out to me: "hey! don't you walk away from me. you'll regret it tomorrow when you have to wear that shirt with spit up on it. Hey! I'm talking to you!" I can deal with one basket of dirty. I have a hard time with multiple baskets of clean. FOUR: little people in my home. This I would say is by far the most significant number in this particular list. Honestly, four feels quite a lot like three except for one thing. Four feels like a lot less sleep and one enormous headache. I'm not sure why. Maybe the lack of sleep. Maybe the fact that I'm playing the highly ineffective game of keeping the motor running on sugar. Really I just don't know, but I am liking our little number four. I'm liking him quite a lot. 3: new blogs I've enjoyed this morning... Wild Olive, Zakka Life, and Chez Beeper Bebe. 2: days left until school starts. Really? Really. 1: minute left of computer time for me. I've really got to get something done today. Really.