tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14117727276576737552024-02-02T15:37:29.647-05:00Streaming EgansKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-39330669398131052682012-08-03T22:58:00.001-04:002012-08-03T22:58:15.509-04:00Moving on from 10P<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3N1kcoWyQOvON_finCx6LNVmUclxz7B4OAMV-2weET7g5khbniffw-5H6Q3Vf0a2flJqxhSO9VHSL70juwsoD-6XPKf_bzjsGMB-GpjSEwCcdbhgAhSotYOhS9mgln31A-WOFL0_ZMRg1/s1600-h/10P%252520for%252520sale%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="10P for sale" border="0" alt="10P for sale" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkiZPd06wFETHlYyYWjVPIlPD3rVNpcuGHQYXgkpeyw47e_UenKtecT06UjHXUmkW-GaE-5iX7i8Au-3mDoUM5ZB1b-lzoGWGk6NMpY0d9wftfnRfSSKb5JlKBcOQ_zTDSA4pjvYdUlWN/?imgmax=800" width="310" height="404" /></a> </p> <p>Feeling the need to get some thoughts out of my head, so here I am after I-don’t-even-know-how-long.  So much going on, so much to process.  Who knew that selling a house could be such an emotional undertaking.  This has been one crazy ride so far, and I know it’s just going to get crazier.  </p> <p>As far as selling a home goes, we’ve certainly been fortunate so far.  Going on the market in the summer, receiving multiple offers, and accepting an offer just over our asking price just 12 days after we listed is almost unimaginable, especially in this market.  The inspection has been done, and the buyers have come back with just two requests – both completely reasonable and not too costly.  We couldn’t have dreamt it up much better.  But with every step we take closer to turning over the keys to someone else, the tougher this gets.</p> <p>The strange thing is, I am truly so excited about this next chapter in our lives.  I know without question that we’ll be happy – sounds corny, but as long as we’re together, we’d be happy anywhere.  I’m thrilled for Dennis in his new job, and I’m really looking forward to living in the Berkshires.  We end up there so often on our weekend drives, and the thought of being surrounded by all that natural beauty all the time makes me very happy.  And, let’s face it – moving to a house that’s 1,000 sq. ft. bigger than this house, with a fenced in acre with a beautiful pool – well, that doesn’t exactly suck, either!  And yet, I find myself moved to tears when I allow myself to contemplate that soon another family will be living in this place I’ve come to love so much.  Speaking of tears, here they come now…</p> <p>Truth be told, it’s not unusual for me to become attached to things and places – that’s just how I’m wired.  I’m a creature of habit, with no apologies.  But this is more…it’s deeper.  It’s like this place has become a part of me.  I suppose it’s because it’s where our family life began.  We got married shortly after moving here, and this is the place we brought our babies home to.  They scooted and crawled in the grass, jumped in the leaves, traipsed through the snow and played lots of baseball in the back yard.  I sit here in the living room picturing the Christmases we’ve had here, the various spots we’ve placed the tree, the stockings I knitted hung by the fireplace.  I see the pencil marks we’ve made on the molding around the sunroom door, tracking Matthew’s growth.  I think of my kids sitting on the counter helping me cook or bake, and I see them walking down the road with Dennis after dinner.  I think of rocking them to sleep upstairs, looking out the window into the back yard.  I think of them taking their first steps in these rooms.  I think of the four of us, dancing like crazy to the music on the Weather Channel.</p> <p>The memories are thick here, and the thought of walking away from where they happened makes my heart hurt.  I know we’ll make new memories in our new house.  Really, I do.  And I know the day will come when 58 Glory feels like the place we’ve always been.  But the path to get there is going to be a tough one for sure.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-36637792674034890402011-05-08T08:00:00.000-04:002011-05-08T08:00:10.441-04:00Happy Mother’s Day<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtez7218pb3GwKF99ppizCAIWuvWWrxl4YSfTz3I9meBr6Js247pv0x34a7Ai3CsOA1bASViYN6uZqQgraXn8soYxkxMMihuUwHPweyk3c-MTUwMT0_y6c8DOVJDKX657PTyMOym3RbKZB/s1600-h/Me%20and%20Mommy%20cropped%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Me and Mommy cropped" border="0" alt="Me and Mommy cropped" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hM1NvJAzCF_hTS5oovfqm6eLZbAUNpMf37gMuFospWy4t1U2cpIMQHel534_ZJV7hl9oodWrLk1ui1UZXYK00l2n7LLOgAKKoV8kASIUUNW0yNTmU3H2IVnGugfkCXc56uZSYJkzViOi/?imgmax=800" width="553" height="422" /></a> </p> <p>It’s Mother’s Day.  A day we set aside to honor mothers and celebrate motherhood.  It’s sad to say, but I don’t remember a lot of Mother’s Days from my childhood.  I don’t remember doing things to make my mother feel especially appreciated and loved on that day in May.  God, I sure hope I did and it’s just my advancing age that is causing me to forget.  I can only hope that on every Mother’s Day I had her in my life that she knew I thought she was the greatest mom in the world.</p> <p>This picture was taken on Saturday, May 10, 1986, almost 25 years ago to the day.  It was the day of my junior prom, and it occurs to me now that the following day was Mother’s Day.  Somehow, so much makes sense in this moment.  I remember the fun we had shopping for that pink dress with the white polka-dot lace overlay.  I remember feeling so proud to be wearing long white gloves like my mother had worn when she was my age.  That day, and the days leading up to it, were all about me.  My mother made sure that I had everything just so – the dress, the gloves, the cameo.  I felt like a princess.  And now that I’m a mother myself, I can understand that was probably the best Mother’s Day gift I could have given her.  Those are the best gifts – seeing joy in your children’s eyes, being able to make them smile or make their dreams a reality.  It makes my heart hurt now to think that the next day was the last Mother’s Day I’d ever spend with her.  I can’t believe that in more than 20 years of looking at this picture on my nightstand, this is the first time I’ve come to that realization.</p> <p>I miss her so much.  I wish she’d had the chance to get to know me as an adult, to meet Dennis, to hug and kiss her grandchildren.  This year, I’ll turn 42, the age she was when she died.  I’m reminded how precious every moment is; how imperative it is that we enjoy the gifts we receive every single day.</p> <p>I’m incredibly blessed to be called Mom (or Mommy, Mamacita, Mamajama Three Days) by two amazing little people.  They fill my life with “Mother’s Days” all year, and fill my heart with pride and love.  They are the greatest gifts I could ever dream of.</p> <p>A special Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, and to my mother-in-law, too.  I am so thankful to her for treating me as one of her own, for raising a son who is such a loving husband and adoring father, and for being such a wonderful grandmother to my babies.  Happy Mother’s Day, Nanna!  And Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers in my life – hope your day is beautiful!</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-35635672489865993742011-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:002011-01-18T07:00:04.617-05:00Three<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktVijf2HAt_yPlyt98ozZTHCNc_x5XYWKqbNnNG49tXyS56w6PpJHhiJbc8MgtFBch0ijxhfLba8BOaGOPG7ODRFB0igMu3uKmpEXsNCUBIEbIGqHGn01PSSbY7COohCIUIX3EOvMnnWe/s1600-h/Matthew%20Age%201%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Matthew Age 1" border="0" alt="Matthew Age 1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwBkU724q0Ap_bLsaops9gxAw0o-wT9C4Mj7ieDcGIOnnPx4mVhhcXNsMYBGidls7mUfUrB87dS09FSLM4OmPeZ2yk4Ygs06W0YVEnyVbi8MGuc7EigxXpuUP6DHqNy5p_L_OHL7GojvGk/?imgmax=800" width="315" height="315" /></a><font size="3">Age 1</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <blockquote></blockquote> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IhAGaUmZ0CsapG_R9Bfb6Mfkd9913PZTiYh_TCJJX9NCVvk9rmhM5bqXcmTgEgW-TeDrnvDEOFDNkp0hjI1kUQbC_gKemjUWaYfQhHC71NIiHOz-31GopI9zO50rtrs78RGrowFEhsG5/s1600-h/Matthew_2_years_old%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Matthew_2_years_old" border="0" alt="Matthew_2_years_old" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qQMATQuvMpEvQbfR2FKsFcne3Z_Q05nU1nkS-eR2Gw9vUuqmQZ0VCdvex56gJBw7YnFUKEX4gam-QvOlD5wHkNa9zz7SHt6HsNtdsysROBi857ipsmUxOIalio5mzcF7BE40Q72JtHKX/?imgmax=800" width="374" height="289" /></a><font size="3">Age 2</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7VDHRiPth6ZhNlmLuXHetSw6a2oVGhyem7uSmGdNlpUYks7AZ9oLOc052iP8GaXDBSjTwk7AarOhYdUNOHDRxsn1FHtdu68fPpzWViJKwqia_TqDkX4gMne3oK1oxQb3y9MtRHNrZuFN/s1600-h/Matthew%203%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Matthew 3" border="0" alt="Matthew 3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovlRx5ru9tBm9nyZnwKzdRrBnlFQ2T0w9W2ngojJoZcNVaWx7vpIP8K-tG0RumxRna1lWXcSq66SLKc1OIH5-j15H4sBxh96OeMD82NefV38XqJw0IWuzUyNirnzFEcz36CH_OJNrg7mN/?imgmax=800" width="482" height="378" /></a><font size="3"> Age 3</font></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left">Happy 3rd Birthday to my little boy.  You continually amaze me.  You’re sweet, wild, smart, crazy, clever and cute.  It’s hard to remember sometimes that you’re only 3 years old, because you sure do know how to go toe-to-toe with us.  I can honestly say we wouldn’t have it any other way.</p> <p align="left">These first three years have simply flown by.  You’ve brought us so much joy, and have added more to our lives than we could have ever imagined.  We’re looking forward to every moment yet to come, and can’t wait to continue making memories with you.</p> <p align="left">Love you, Matthew.  Happy Birthday, my baby.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-57729636721932976652010-12-11T22:31:00.001-05:002010-12-11T22:31:13.777-05:00Happy 1st Birthday, Gabriella!<p>Hard to believe that today we celebrated our baby girl’s first birthday.  Time is certainly flying by, and I can unequivocally say this has been the fastest year of my life.</p> <p>Seems like just a short time ago that we brought our daughter home to complete our family.  I don’t think I could have possibly imagined how much she’d add to our lives.  Watching her and Matthew together has become one of the greatest joys of my life.</p> <p>I looked back today through some pictures of the day she was born.  Amazing how much she’s changed since then.  See for yourself…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN5B3ki5dJS9zlpTthvojdvXkfosZ7KYZhh-YwJhmF8xhV4oo9oeMUQq7Bj8r_5wKV2P9sagSiFucMECGtDxyv6HO2BukrD7DbZh51fOeByKo2vb3fw22LmvzK9SCi2Zguq_r4zPaqJR7/s1600-h/IMG_7553%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7553" border="0" alt="IMG_7553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Z0X-OBM0pCLYuXx85Je6D19keIlWMa3uSWdDajWCxQ4nTUmclIcmm3PeDfHdbZIY5qVTiKyw44mpwuCmsEx1aRjzsC71cUGr6_DpdoPyHz1uDDZAjApXb5ZTdRs1USw30_cazyqZYZdI/?imgmax=800" width="228" height="299" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZ0AhuJjpekw5ko7jfCpXetJV0AjHtfKxI9f__mqK0M8yAr4ltdenDNqokt4eHl00XVUWsaG-optul5W6HZkRht2ilc37BPbJYIwkzCCFf3NMVfC8En3zyrYZ8-QG97OkvPe38dE_fZWj/s1600-h/IMG_7563%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7563" border="0" alt="IMG_7563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_DaDi8aazb0GbiHoxZP-yQX4yWQe-yyz4QFMRRpAns0LpIkzAZ_dIe-KE5lqFEmAu_XPU8pKP_TEJtsXGUsUuCnkb77jAzM0zYMYuF8EViYwvE570kK2cW3Y369tKxvsBpu9iUC0T4kc/?imgmax=800" width="300" height="231" /></a>  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcDUFu6TfgFFPS_Rgp5_R-a7neafL19e7arcFYkIIAxs3AiLlPC-yPGJSLmHoZ5Z1xRxVxyzc8UQfTq_LM9gm9kGLHQoeUI64rmtPvuGwnG9B_GIcXulQ2-R2wbBYBKbhnN3xZRYJHgsu/s1600-h/IMG_7577%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7577" border="0" alt="IMG_7577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyY8_Yy9fbNsA7qdY8cjpUVNXw1qkLgUctDNrM8ZbqrsCLT5rPCi0R6hc3GcRR97IfPMUFb_dCshHzlWYadIbF7cRAHK4FhBq4oAlzcOAdyd12DCFmHxvnA55R3-MDJRwki1sv-oYEQHKL/?imgmax=800" width="276" height="214" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfltYAE3uGzsM1c_AZvtGvZQuw5_NlM8gr_Qt6jX4lDVE8FUFDRyX1xRPiD1MLqgduNMxP2PBBNSgHzKEe2x_zfI3_JJv_XaRguj8XCIofZBPd5zzdmYwuMvN-JfLrBq-mRu7gnygRTR9i/s1600-h/IMG_7581%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7581" border="0" alt="IMG_7581" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNXusm2J9F1HLuSl1HLGnV87RWKDW6LkrP4mWb9NBlN1JJgVyC0LhJpvwSRyD9FRpe1jvhy3LylE6DjcswWXwMxbba3Xu25PgqlKPD03QOCqMM7-V4UxRC8z3g6DBYcaXaIQD1207O0Qm/?imgmax=800" width="277" height="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8kBuDmQld-taFgLBHb-2u9MrpjEhgdC2v-emYzXlH3g4nZwI_h88RsjBCZwp-HfjMzfyRY_2PqDCFjW4WPsT9TQmY0uixja2WW6AIJGCr_eUIhlTKm-ml5b0gdW2Sh5r1qsycK9OfTwe/s1600-h/IMG_7607%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7607" border="0" alt="IMG_7607" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXVUNwS_KZKZ55C8lcNDeLtJHd-YayINfreJxYH-UUOXhP5mMuJSx69QfTlD4PK9QjleCW7APnw4x3hjNBdfQqvp4Rr_dqnf5yzpZsdMZsqz59vJrvX1HApug4B5ZYj5LUmsDawVLTzZL/?imgmax=800" width="414" height="318" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZ6E-o0dqrng5T8Fq_tPiQrizgGW7R6zpioM1HIulOASOIRKJrXOg7-rCcsgNgmLT_AD1ZOOpbqiPB5qfGZxwLeSm3tK7chq6dp1G-iDe35YjYtdoL3qaSxni2DGBUgwPm-RrF8QG6tTH/s1600-h/IMG_7735%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7735" border="0" alt="IMG_7735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDzACS3x-1rsIH56P_TQldLEeZ_ljwDKSUhrUl73JQL531E1juuy8TbGu4HDlBI_h5CaEqWheMqHli_Anh7BsBajTyeFVsA5IPvF0EDB95QwWyypOVjZCnhCdRJHvo6O-HkoODBQoxisd/?imgmax=800" width="468" height="359" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>And here she is today……</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutay1WikP6YWbLmqhvHkxsUXa3p3etouflBPVQFcibZK_KY0Vn8AKYhnUuGivJ3Mu2bkQW_0p0ihWWkEk8zcWqPN5r-9yjjBgShED8c-E5i-sU_7p66ntgYNHIbbm2rZ88uA2TtpKqnt8/s1600-h/DSC_1091%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSC_1091" border="0" alt="DSC_1091" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5fAavRDMXf-U9je1vsIjd-x7BWuhTjZ6WyH1R4Jnps5JpskGd-FYuEff-z4CF7uga9He5B3dSNWXF9XJOW4WXRGsMtQiYxxNAdDknW0Zl8GuPROArfEPItCGtSrs5krTJBKFi8wd3VGE/?imgmax=800" width="616" height="425" /></a> </p> <p>She’s happy and smiley, yet feisty and strong-willed when she wants to be.  She has a silly sense of humor, and you just can’t help but laugh when she laughs.  She’s flirtatious and clever, coy and quick.  She adores her big brother, and sometimes even gives him a run for his money.  I hope she never changes.</p> <p>Happy Birthday, sweet girl.  Mommy, Daddy and Matthew love you so very much.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-21468048128567876522010-10-18T05:53:00.001-04:002010-10-18T05:53:33.030-04:00Happy Birthday, Babe!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKQ1s9RMpNTFZeg7peAeDXpBsyVDns6Enz1wFxJi57GL0bzyeNq1a6tji0DALKYKpDrheRTTgxgC_RtWGMhzXE-FRPMWiyP8jUfA9L0CqlkrlxIJCxquoE4kZsv9Ujy2n3LDAxPQ2d6De/s1600-h/Dennis2%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Dennis2" border="0" alt="Dennis2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyUyaCtQnABdkeFnCmwIZsgnRHX_oM5xghAsKXiIMalNCSVXa3Ly_5Fh4xqRjqXopTGs1B_jKWdWjXe4qpPViVt3er38ACNBE9oZByOY4YXfOlSPe2FWKqP07qMWTrXy42KXONGqutCB2/?imgmax=800" width="259" height="320" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Happy Birthday to the most wonderful husband a woman could ask for.  Thank you for all the thoughtful things you do every day.  Thank you for being such a great dad to our kids, and a true partner in raising them.  Thanks for working so hard and taking such good care of our family. Thanks for being my very best friend.  And most of all, thank you for loving me for me.  </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPX-EiEsnRA6LJXaTH-o_nB6TFB9obkFU1vWJX0ZSnewl0j0Khjo18c2HHmQrPyhKlBHAnuWaitql6nURk4FzQ2f64_NE-67Xjxi5sRd0mkiwDxzanex5TB3RuoYG9gA3QM-x-XOmcOS9b/s1600-h/MatthewDaddy4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Matthew & Daddy" border="0" alt="Matthew & Daddy" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMRr03CDIMYQmETjZwlHLaZ9FPVuhgqn2lr4XON_sTGH9B4OFK2EfceeokfMEu2ye80Wo25I2QaXasc2n0DabcOtWmkolmWWLCYoelSg-8uZ4BfXsGE05VtjLUI5am6T85u9QdEzfv0YI/?imgmax=800" width="579" height="399" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Happy Birthday to the best Dad a boy could ask for.  Thanks for all the shoulder and piggy-back (a.k.a. Peterbilt) rides.  Thanks for taking me lots of fun places.  Thanks for spending time playing with me, and showing me how to hit the ball really far.  Thanks for reading me stories every night.  And thanks for not being afraid to show me and tell me every day how very much you love me.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuhCwYaAjVewrjmg-Bs3VsHHDrLiFSa9PC6lDPmDAtnwmN_yLNrpR93GK9sfWVcnd3K9FlpbxYBjyZvvou_nLRWUiy15cs33iK5Vefz03O4VtbM7PPTLSPNzppmsimow0KMK3f9S4h4Yc/s1600-h/DaddyGabby4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Daddy & Gabby" border="0" alt="Daddy & Gabby" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIlgd1ZssTLD1DkZ1sCRGnZI4ZzzA9S7Q0hsC1aYgbIv7dnd8Yc-0NWAP3VdFYNVySNxUTbb1Rh_i8oDCQxRhSXobtAUCs8VmmL9qNvp4GGVQ1FpTEKa6RadZULRQdgJthD0XuCp5fcgb/?imgmax=800" width="586" height="404" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3">Happy Birthday to the best Daddy a girl could ask for.  Thanks for making me feel like a little princess.  Thanks for holding me tight and kissing me.  Thanks for laying on the floor and letting me climb all over you.  Thanks for being so protective over me.  Thanks for reading me stories every night.  And thanks for not being afraid to show me and tell me every day how very much you love me.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="4">Happy, Happy Birthday!  We love you very much!</font></p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-51597566156205627672010-08-19T05:45:00.001-04:002010-08-19T05:49:05.048-04:00<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugXuMtrKKXQ96cYjU9uqHWi-3YFKK_ikqfUAkzeP560MK2qUZaMqLVJRV5uBMTsLHd4LY0M4fKOSevjZcSHY8nFgMXVBI-fQjF4surKkByIhe6w-eLKSMHuo4jCTwcZxmKYZWy-JtdrmR/s1600-h/0147%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="0147" border="0" alt="0147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiel9dkElXYiGdh7nCBcM9kpuU7nvWg37N_pgRwL2kC73G_RtFwtzqUoKr2UgQsOWlREwBoWALco1mMp9FnyxrNjYkBhw_M53SErIPhdnCFtC_5a4XjxQWrYgYkvFYUatwsJ17xWffpfbG7/?imgmax=800" width="636" height="439" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#004080" size="5" face="MV Boli">Happy 4th Anniversary to my wonderful husband.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#004080" size="5" face="MV Boli">My partner, my best friend, the love of my life.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#004080" size="5" face="MV Boli">I love you with all my heart.</font></p> <h1><font color="#008040" face="MV Boli"></font></h1> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pexm5bdD2iYN46ohmXZtpkNi3FvFWKZlMnL06NqJ7RsWud4SctOt1u74-rFb6DCCVqLgix3dZJTm0VScBt-1XRHzNeNG5zbLpT35FK6BZfWbb17GLJuFa5F9Qup18JXUYgmgy0Yfq0uI/s1600-h/heart%202.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="heart 2" border="0" alt="heart 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiixp2tTtc__3k95FCit24bjHcYm51nmUeIGtYPY-kdQr575z4af1sKA1IUV4ogXLVZW2zA9N76PVnMFUTuzYH0-X6NAUM2xqzFS1Sxp80sqcDF6kDVqG6ELGRWCxdel6sigAljlsuDBpH3/?imgmax=800" width="185" height="173" /></a></p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-5176630783962443162010-07-22T04:29:00.001-04:002010-07-22T04:29:29.341-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvDp7Xp91CeBc4IFZ9oJcbjyPw7B4fQweQykGXz-Wxq4FZRWyAmwED4yvGz1qU18f_0aATGt4Kade0jO-fkjv1qOQSoil-dtdgCmk6E_GgDCQRWJnRCDheuxcdKgcunVIXE7gCrNKUOag/s1600-h/Silhouette%20Diptych%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Silhouette Diptych" border="0" alt="Silhouette Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQJJlDzJ6ZwWVS2eToSfnPcN403n4XVK9t4jD1ozkLnl0Uuu5KcdPzWA-cM8Fsh82LAGQKLMV2HVChvaJZ1HVu_rbra7y8PAyFo8qlO4c2F1KPCabM4gfPPS_WoqJv3VcRMszLjZYgPY9/?imgmax=800" width="740" height="424" /></a> </p> <p>Week 26 Theme - Silhouette</p> <p><a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini's</a> on the left; mine on the right.</p> <p>As soon as I saw the theme for this week, I knew I would be digging into the archives to use a picture I’d taken years ago.  Mine is a shot from York Beach, Maine, from a house we used to rent for a week in the summer with Dennis’ family.  I’d woken up early one morning, and saw the most amazing light outside.  I snuck out into the yard and captured this shot.  It’s one of my all-time favorites, and I think the one that really sparked my interest in photography.</p> <p>As for my sister’s shot, I think it epitomizes everything that a silhouette should be.  When I think of the old hand-cut silhouettes, I’m always amazed at how clearly you can make out the subject.  In Gini’s picture, there’s no mistaking whose silhouette that is.  Well, for those of us who know her, I guess.  It’s my beautiful niece, Hannah – I’d know those eyelashes anywhere.  </p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-34414277441759379712010-07-15T05:00:00.002-04:002010-07-15T11:21:06.296-04:00Team-Up Thursday<blockquote><p>Week 25 Theme – Where You Live</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n_EW91Fg7o7IyubazTQUFY6DKoOTzowRva3gMT8Y9_aRL8zkUFaDhNCwf9Rbnx14v46W9fMsg-CkrXagf3llNfC4gQjhI4_9Amwzc97_nwn4-nQ8H_QJhQvmCKH0uuEJfzM0jj3cwui-/s1600-h/Where%20We%20Live%20Diptych%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Where We Live Diptych" border="0" alt="Where We Live Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERO7M1jZ_B654tBWWMz2kjxUtoIfcnbpxYnY9Y5oBwaUWgGxG3w-Qknwx1J3G9zYbrZDHlZd-2iS96I-vbPjlvoI8atmSeRP5eTlwPXK9xu6quyD3vk5DUCkfag2R62PAdWsltEDBYcRh/?imgmax=800" width="741" height="439" /></a> </p></blockquote><p><a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini’s</a> on the left; mine on the right.</p><p>Two different shots of Longmeadow. Gini’s is of <del> the Community House, the place where so many things happen in this town – voting, pancake breakfasts, social events – even a surprise baby shower for one Miss Gabriella Egan.</del> Town Hall. (Why don't you look a bit closer, dummy.) And mine is…well, our house. Funny that with all the different architectural styles in town, both our pictures are focused on colonial brick structures. Even more interesting is how we both focused on 5 windows and a door of said structures. Hmmm….</p><p>I interpreted this theme quite narrowly, as you can see. I thought about trying to capture the character of this town, but I just couldn’t come up with one picture that I thought would do it justice. I wasn’t thrilled with my shot when I originally took it, but looking at it now, I see that it reflects the essence of why we bought this house.</p><p>Dennis and I always wanted a brick colonial with white trim and black shutters. And, we knew we wanted to end up in Longmeadow. This town is a throw-back of sorts, a sleepy little town where family life is central to everything. There is little industry, lots of history, mature trees throughout, and an enviable “network of sidewalks”. We looked at a number of homes, of all different architectural styles, but none quite hit the mark. Then one Sunday, I was scouring the “Homes for Sale” section of the classifieds and came across a tiny 3-line listing for an open house that afternoon, a house For Sale by Owner, with no picture, but in our price range. Dennis was studying furiously for his second bar exam, so I decided to venture out on my own to check it out.</p><p>Well, the minute I turned down our road I knew I was home. Our road is lined with huge trees, with the majority of homes being brick colonials. As I approached #10, my heart was practically leaping out of my chest. I called Dennis at home and told him “You have to come meet me here NOW.” As I said, he was studying furiously, so he was in no place to be dropping everything and running out to look at a house. He told me to come home and we could take a ride back later to see inside. So home I went, a bit dejected if I’m honest, and waited patiently for him to get to a good stopping point. As soon as he did, we headed back to the open house, and did a walkthrough of the house that lasted 5 minutes tops. The owner was chatting with other folks while we were there, so we didn’t even get a chance to talk to him. We got back in the car, and both agreed that this was the house for us. We went home, Dennis called the owner, and promptly made a full-price offer. The owner told him he’d already gotten a full-price offer, so he’d take ours into consideration as well. When Dennis hung up, I was devastated. We talked it over quickly, and agreed (well, kind of!) to call him back and offer him more money and a quick close date. I just knew this was where we were meant to be, and I couldn’t let it slip away from us. I mean, come on, it’s a brick colonial with white trim and black shutters, in Longmeadow. Seriously.</p><p>So, long story even longer, they accepted our offer and we moved in at the end of March, 2006. And we’ve loved it ever since. Admittedly, it’s smaller than we’d like (or really need) it to be, we’ve found some crazy handiwork here and there courtesy of the previous owner, and we have a wish-list a mile long of projects we’d like to tackle. But, this is home for us, and I wouldn’t trade it, or the life that we’ve built in it, for anything in the world.</p>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-66692428535770832562010-07-01T03:53:00.001-04:002010-07-01T03:54:12.168-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p>Week 23 Theme - Water</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFN75AEU6PV-7NJKGhURvIiLy1ThRmBHZk09Vg_HdwTNAscsBTHnV-vLWp5CWG_IVlaM2w2J29e5B7V8nrJT581FKRj8UZCwqF6juTE_-_UrldSiDkpybtTSUFzUFCeyFdzw7A3qDKDBC/s1600-h/Water%20Diptych%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Water Diptych" border="0" alt="Water Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0Ma2vxRIa5OxUhrzcTaCPnpks87ussgDyavlYS396N6qBNdv1QEj53Gw0lZZlUOja0El2GsqEoEjRv1s0vGNIjIs7YHTx5ozBIjA_UXu8o89AmSCUr1yTi7l7uhMJwa8nGe9hal9K5in/?imgmax=800" width="396" height="518" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Gini’s</a> on the top, mine on the bottom.</p> <p>Funny that we both ended up using pool shots this week.  Funny in that Gini is always around a pool and I seldom am.  And funny that my sister thinks she was predictable this week, and yet I opened her email just like every week - wondering what she’d chosen to do with the theme.  Go ahead…say it…DUH!</p> <p>I like this combination and the way it depicts both work and fun.  In the top you have my niece, Hannah, who swims competitively (and is damn good at it, to boot!), skillfully working her way through the water.  In the bottom, you have Matthew and Dennis, just in it for the sheer fun of it.  I love looking at the difference in their facial expressions – Hannah so driven and focused, and Matthew so playful and giddy with anticipation.  I especially love seeing how similar Matthew and Dennis’ expressions are – the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree!</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-10657650065232245812010-06-24T04:34:00.001-04:002010-06-24T04:34:57.535-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p>Week 22 Theme – After Dark</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdyL-O5hEmzzuCfLx8yIox72D71jFt4TZSuER5OX_6ZZ2JC1YQHhhiq063kR0uuU7MNboVy61WUG47bsLyqnva0aEyoN9BmC02MSEZuy9pGAFVymb4BXfj57BVF20Y4xcRdMc-CNrYfaM/s1600-h/After%20Dark%20Diptych%202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="After Dark Diptych 2" border="0" alt="After Dark Diptych 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwWtxo7SB64rm6LfYZuFrvH3AEv1x4Yf9aHA2FQBljohLflvl75yGhj29Q9uBs50vlwApvwJG5Zod2phXW9pQbtaju3-Z2nqIVqA1eicSb0XmikUpUMLfnx-e7KvJmyyH6aL017u_hm4m/?imgmax=800" width="747" height="286" /></a></p> <p>Mine on the left, <a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini's</a> on the right.</p> <p>No interesting story this week, really.  When I saw the theme, this was the shot that popped into my head.  I stepped outside the other night as a soft rain was falling, and started firing away.  I ended up with a bunch of good shots, but this one matched up exactly with what I had in mind.  I love that feeling.</p> <p>As for my sister’s picture, I recognized the location pretty quickly.  I’m struck by how busy this shot makes the street look.  Longmeadow is a pretty sleepy town, but it’s interesting to see how much busier it can appear when street lights, traffic lights and a couple of cars run through it “after dark”.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-56200563839659910652010-06-20T03:05:00.001-04:002010-06-20T03:11:01.998-04:00Happy Father’s Day!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuKNxSLnp_84LrB5VDiu6t6SXr-aNBW23SjrT9itWApsR6z16QiuMlvjBhIWvS4M2a7EUvHpMjD_6JSzxFsqmY4MHju8fgNrSt1nfm-RjNg97JpvG26HPGKCmBP5CGGmG4hyicBKPyhuk/s1600-h/Father's%20Day%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Father's Day" border="0" alt="Father's Day" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNX91XHPi7AcXhPTGHNY9bzUhuGkOQxDeOgNJRhqex6pY0FY6ZTnZrlstUXQFHMlgqgnKV_baxxaUDcm4_7IYKx7iCjsABbaHji761tCw2xmnUT3rfYJ7Uuy5AwFZIZmdmf2fWCOYeaqE/?imgmax=800" width="698" height="478" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="5" face="Maiandra GD">Happy Father’s Day</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="5" face="Maiandra GD">to</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="5" face="Maiandra GD">the world’s best Daddy!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="5" face="Maiandra GD">We love you like crazy!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5"><font color="#ff0000" face="Webdings">Y</font><font color="#0000ff" face="Maiandra GD"> Matthew & Gabriella <font size="5"><font color="#ff0000" face="Webdings">Y</font></font></font></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Maiandra GD">(and Mommy, too)</font></p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-83973170590782709702010-06-17T03:46:00.001-04:002010-06-17T03:46:53.428-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p>Week 21 Theme - Chaos</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVjOywzPSgGjDY29DcJAa2PK1XAnR5l8_lIHLubHYH8UI8frQko67LEOltgLDMqMVl3RcGMss4fpxS-ZG0HzBRvUAAIZP5lWEzLlKRc-7uqXJnxsTHTLPNNcqMfhxuCHK73Ar3_gM3-9f/s1600-h/Chaos%20Diptych%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Chaos Diptych" border="0" alt="Chaos Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDhzC48L8kLy3ogfKH0z4osAV9ZsUrQ2JmLz_0ra5V5EygLCxZkYt4OfrLd-ObUh0b7DtvEdJgBkB2zOY9sAva5Jyhm3FRzY-TLJ-eJYasV2EzfoDuzP3BF0aRu8VZhkO2dH4guhEnJyW/?imgmax=800" width="455" height="592" /></a></p> <p> OK, how funny is this??  <a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini's</a> on top, mine on the bottom.  That’s all boy right there!  I love that we both had similar ideas once again, and I love that Gini took a close-up shot.  LOVE the wreckage in the background, and that Thomas is just chugging on through with that perma-grin on his face.</p> <p>I knew for our theme this week I’d end up taking a picture of some spot in my house.  Right now, pretty much every room seems to be in chaos, looking like a bomb went off.  Which, incidentally, is making my head feel like it’s in chaos – but I wasn’t quite sure how to take a picture of the inside of my head.  I’ll have to ponder that one….  </p> <p>Anyway…I decided earlier this week that I’d take tomorrow off.  For the first time, I’ll be sending my kids to daycare while I stay home.  My goal is to bring some order back to our living space.  I know there are much worse messes, but for someone with just a tiny bit of OCD (perhaps), it’s making me crazy.  I mean, come on.  Do you see two balls that aren’t in with the other balls?  And yes, I see the third one that’s not in there.  But that bowling ball belongs with the bowling pins in the green tub on the top rack.  Each in its place.  :)</p> <p>I’m feeling pretty crappy about being home and not having my kids with me, but I know on the flip side if I’m able to get things more organized, I’ll feel much less stressed.  Less stressed Mommy is a good thing, right?  I know it’s worth it, and I know tackling the chaos in the house will tackle the chaos in my head as well.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-14767154629224381692010-06-10T04:22:00.001-04:002010-06-10T04:22:42.394-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOBrzGcA5iELnl2RUl0jDCpJ_oxKuTg721l7_v_sWyt8ik6l4IPrSEtXQ4w0K1Iw04EB7iuqP2fJgPpuO17MFlweLB9eaxqx4mHsS2UNP2V3tiDeJCKXjgGaNBATsI3VEAVzS4k66Gi7ZI/s1600-h/Mirror%20Diptych%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mirror Diptych" border="0" alt="Mirror Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxujgZ5ayvOMYoS_8Hq5Q_kDv-AunRTv0_yocBiAbOSCGBd41V3bCH4Bqy6aNt94LcGSLwL8soKu9OH3Ceoe0GUBL_z40m8EhNlLCcwu__hcbCRIXjSPkdQR4YxRd7Oi3DOAWDYRBJ-5x/?imgmax=800" width="349" height="463" /></a> </p> <p>Week 20 Theme – Mirror</p> <p><a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini's</a> on top, mine on the bottom.</p> <p>What can I say?  I love my little boy’s face in this picture.  And I love how he’s really looking at me, rather than himself, in the mirror.  First week using my new camera, which just arrived Tuesday afternoon.  Can’t wait to see what I can do with this puppy.</p> <p>And as for my sister’s shot.  Aside from absolutely loving the reflection of those beautiful angels, it reminds me of my great aunt.  She used to have this huge, beautiful mirror with angels all around it at the bottom of her staircase.  I remember her going to see a psychic one time.  She told us how the psychic held on to her watch and was able to tell so much about her – crazy, little things that you’d have no other way of knowing.  Like the fact that she had this giant mirror with angels at the bottom of her staircase.  The psychic told her that if she sat down on the stairs, closing her eyes, and then opened them and looked in the mirror, she’d see her own angels behind her.  She was always too nervous to actually do it, a bit afraid of what she might actually see.  I think about that story often, most especially when I need to feel that my own angels are behind me.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-32489857682278376852010-06-03T04:14:00.001-04:002010-06-03T04:17:02.385-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWiikgpdkWtICBPDjWedfObHFWPecj4Gvcsb4rTkG6YnxTu7XI5Elelne_5ON85zQk127reqdzR2gV30kGJ9MOoHcLd7wBamRCgnuMHt-V8PPcinJr_KBqyEskELNvquZa-C89scSCqh5z/s1600-h/SignsDiptych%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="SignsDiptych" border="0" alt="SignsDiptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6chqw02ej56g73KEcsAMAOtILt_-lIOKrGoMk2woO2hzqijv2StShIKYiwg2Y_iR6fs5jWCGnXVdyZ9YLQKosGD0lCDi2j3bTucK0JPOYbdg4mnUpplkkKKEO-D23vJTDlPAha4YD6kQ/?imgmax=800" width="491" height="320" /></a> </p> <p>Week 19 Theme – Signs</p> <p>Back in the saddle again this week, and I think we done good.  Mine on the left, <a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini's</a> on the right.</p> <p>I was quite happy with our creation this week, and when I went to draft this post, I got even happier.  In taking my shot, I had focused on the horoscope (get it, sign?) for Scorpio, since that’s what I am.  (You could have guessed that, right?  Yes, I am pretty much a textbook Scorpio.  Google it if you’re curious.)   What I didn’t realize until just now is that in focusing there, I managed to capture the 4 signs of my little family.  Dennis the Libra, me the Scorpio, Gabriella the Sagittarius and Matthew the Capricorn.  Cool, right?  OK, maybe it’s just me….</p> <p>As for Gini’s picture, make sure you follow the link over to her blog, as I’m hoping she’ll share the story of how it came to be.  Personally, I love it, not just because I think it came out cool, but because of the memory it conjures up for me.  If you don’t already know this, our mother was a paraplegic, and had a handicapped permit as a result.  One time when we were shopping up at Ames in Sturbridge – gosh, it’s gotta be at least 25 years ago now – my mother had parked in a handicapped spot near the front of the store.  Gini, Chris and I were at the trunk, preparing to get her wheelchair out, while she was still sitting in the driver’s seat.  Well, this woman came out of the store, saw that we’d parked there and that the three of us were able-bodied, and I can only imagine assumed that the only person remaining in the car couldn’t possibly be handicapped, since she was in the driver’s seat.  She proceeded to come over and start yelling at us about parking in a handicapped spot.  What happened next was priceless.  My sister whipped my mother’s wheelchair out of the trunk and chased the lady through the parking lot with it, yelling “Do you see the wheelchair?”   One of my favorite stories of all time, and something I was always proud of my sister for doing.  Not sure I ever told her that, but I guess now I have.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-63930569130167308122010-05-27T04:54:00.001-04:002010-05-27T04:54:35.949-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p>Week 18 Theme – Out of Focus</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLItpBtaTe33sVtbZOUwA4WsQeXuB7yjRXPhNBM-X6xPTHZlJpPBqlFzIa_7HDjgIt2PYBVSjPKJ7eUJ7NbGkVWxzfsRFbNjOIgEuXwRHDcj9o0UpoD9-8Rszqm0IgcamTMVHTxmkipHX/s1600-h/Diptych%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Diptych" border="0" alt="Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Dmo7idXb2KovViDsYULIsNkAqiybw8CMnrP9uAxByhsE_lQm-6Hx47PzW8ZyzGJMewZUWiYqviURa6XcJKqbKkvJoytSB3BxKrQmS07VXlrCmZUQDx42MvWy6EqEqT55ioHSLy9CH_O-/?imgmax=800" width="460" height="366" /></a></p> <p align="center"> Just not feeling it this week for some reason.  And figured I’d rather not force it.  That would just take all the fun out of it.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-12294993695000605912010-05-20T22:33:00.001-04:002010-05-20T22:33:47.033-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p>Week 17 Theme – Hot & Cold</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUFn2ZIIty2PkOMkc6ucYvu2IE6xhzXdB8F8pDL1e_ObvQ5NhuRBqsNGZpiCCrxR7oBFWkmr9znGEblMRuzppTWRCA4IC51H6SMGB8aXR9l2dsJFIi8m7GnHsenL5ndz3tmehmtibcpZc/s1600-h/Hot&Cold%20Diptych%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Hot&Cold Diptych" border="0" alt="Hot&Cold Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjenJo_e-2DFdT-f_usLsF9NZ7rAaMKVa4f8EYhtEqEc2cdD4B5aoako8BN6G5Tw7IPIIW-nnK3Niayhd4HrvRHP5nASy2cM7hvcdoQeP2xUYuxxJwFu9pucMQ4zVTPdnYv2qStaSd3aZ/?imgmax=800" width="545" height="350" /></a>Mine on the left; <a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini’s</a> on the right.</p> <p>I must admit I kinda mailed this one in this week.  The days got away from me, despite finding out about the theme very early on.  The kiddos have been sick, and I couldn’t seem to get past the most obvious interpretation, as evidenced by my faucet picture.  Funny thing is – I was working through some other ideas that would have ended up being pretty similar to Gini’s, which I love, by the way.  Aren’t the flames on a gas stove just the most beautiful color?  Kinda match nicely with the purple in my bathroom…</p> <p>Looking forward to hopefully being a bit more creative next week.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-15458389161835319362010-05-13T05:22:00.001-04:002010-05-13T05:24:49.631-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p>Week 16 Theme - MOM</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4EsNWxQVC34s5cAPRnbtrXqmFOSYIt_p9L3zK9YSomKAkRUQ56qMTYnhyix3b30uTJ-RrubOdDyZhTU4xV0Oor7HyZkoszk8bH7SdYA9hts0uVaXNUfssY9oOt6_Kb4njEJ_fgtCmNRw/s1600-h/Mom%20Diptych%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mom Diptych" border="0" alt="Mom Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5-7y3DjhWCXh0tXcBKUDYaWiDxUMOko8X8WziKrDp9KJBTiLLQ5_Lxy-JS0kc52-NFy_XxZahP817C15mGVEWmyXMDfiE7Hr_L-P1HG_mrtwTol9wVDRetzgSXxCde4BKl7mSVuSm0Ow/?imgmax=800" width="298" height="414" /></a></p> <p>Ummm, yeah…<a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini's</a> on top, mine on the bottom.  So, great minds think alike, right?</p> <p>I must admit, though, this isn’t where my mind went initially.  When I first saw the theme for this week, my initial thought for the subject of my photo was myself.  My second thought was of my Mom.  And when that thought came to me, I instantly felt guilty for having had the first.  I thought that I must be awfully self-centered that my mind didn’t immediately go to my own mother when I saw the word Mom.  I wondered if after 23 years of not seeing her face or hearing her voice, she was starting to lose that place in the forefront of my mind.  But after giving it some thought, I realized that wasn’t it at all.  And, I found that the real reason was something to be happy, not guilty, about.</p> <p>I realized that, for me, Mom has become my identity.  It’s more than my title; it’s who I am.  It’s how I think of myself, and not just in terms of my babies, but also with my husband.  I’m not only his wife, but the Mom to his children.  And it’s a role I cherish.  So, I guess it’s only natural that this is where my mind would go when I see the word Mom.  It’s because on that day when I first became one, I came to realize the depth of the love that comes with that title.  I came to understand how my own Mother must have felt for us three, and in that understanding, I felt even closer to her.</p> <p>Anyway, back to the diptych.  I love that we both had the same thought, and love that both shots have flowers – life to offset the death.  Gini obviously thought to bring some with her, unlike me.  =)</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-35815243988537128142010-05-09T21:52:00.001-04:002010-05-09T21:53:00.064-04:00What it means to me….<p><font size="5"><font face="Gabriola"><font size="6"><strong>M</strong></font> aking the most of every single moment.  Having lost my mother at 17, I don’t want to waste a single second with my children. </font></font></p> <p><font size="5"><font face="Gabriola"><font size="6"><strong>O</strong></font> ffering a hug or a kiss or a song (even though I can’t carry a tune) to comfort my kids when they are sad or sick or scared.</font></font></p> <p><font size="5"><font face="Gabriola"><font size="6"><strong>T</strong></font> eaching my kids to be loving, compassionate and kind.  It’s my job, and definitely a work in progress.</font></font></p> <p><font size="5"><font face="Gabriola"><font size="6"><strong>H</strong></font> onoring the traditions and values I was raised with, and sharing them with the next generation.</font></font></p> <p><font size="5"><font face="Gabriola"><font size="6"><strong>E </strong></font>arning the love they give so unconditionally.  It’s important for me to live up to their expectations.</font></font></p> <p><font size="5"><font face="Gabriola"><font size="6"><strong>R</strong></font> elishing every laugh, every smile, every milestone, and burning them into my brain because the time passes all too quickly.</font></font></p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-44617844075077098522010-05-09T05:20:00.001-04:002010-05-09T05:20:51.899-04:00Happy Mother’s Day<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLyxUKE9Ux9mipQNplpIROovGwtVLfezlYb-TFJu7FJV8MJdg2ufV_zYrxEOZ1HKle9iOxwTg4kon6iSoD0cSK1aeSuXDkRan4TDBEHwZjkAFpChH_PTvovtQbr4SeZ6WjW-XoNoyu22B/s1600-h/Mother%20Tattoo%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Mother Tattoo" border="0" alt="Mother Tattoo" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyCQeqSQPwPjmu4QC97epRq67L7gg68TsBceg5dFdrv6O9c9oSP1rP_wxfWFRN43IJjoU3sRJcf7r1hoyqr6cF7MDCvnR1l2nl9r-5Nt0mmE8QmZW8H5rIZPTCYn9VWeGKoZrAAWj5Mj4/?imgmax=800" width="259" height="296" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Monotype Corsiva">Happy Mother’s Day, Moms!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="5" face="Monotype Corsiva">I wish you all a day of feeling appreciated and loved!</font></p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-30817685970635157522010-05-06T05:14:00.001-04:002010-05-06T05:15:29.865-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p>Week 15 Theme - Friends</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZbMb5qqid4g6MgwxHel00Hd3XvoLXSsMwUILKpIiwROJJEWSHLuFsWf9QkHwcm9jG17OdRCtV-zmzshFhj6FcdekNM5_1AbMDeSu5aKrbQZW6Q6fV7fFC09TTjOj4KFg20E3SXz6HsFj/s1600-h/Friends%20Diptych%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Friends Diptych" border="0" alt="Friends Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakmxpvSC8MCrnczcOgnrdxFIGajfvDyvqXTZrvwOsW765fqVWGD8_Ckaqb_7UfZe0T83xfIChpFe8fbkAkbrGO0YWykIFrfH-QDnBNIoeFhhCZJSeY0f5811bf6L9Rf0jpmg2WppbUrV4/?imgmax=800" width="543" height="312" /></a></p> <p> My photo on the left; my <a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">sister's</a> on the right.</p> <p>This one started out easy, then became tough, then became so easy again.  When I first read the theme for this week, I was excited.  I immediately thought I’d use a photo of Matthew loving on Gabby.  I take lots of these, although I must say, they never quite come out the way I think they will.  Someone’s always moving, or blinking, or squinting, or something.  And when you’re using a little point and shoot camera like I am, that translates to often times missing the shot.  Because of this, I decided to rethink my shot.  And then, the week got away from me.  Not sure where it went or what I was doing, but yesterday afternoon I realized I hadn’t taken my photo yet.  Time to resort to one I already had.  I knew immediately what to pick.</p> <p>I absolutely LOVE the photo I used.  I took it on Saturday at Scarborough Beach in Narrangansett, Rhode Island.  We had taken a ride to Point Judith for lunch at <a href="http://www.auntcarriesri.com/" target="_blank">Aunt Carrie's</a> – the most fabulous crab cakes you’ll ever have.  Seriously.  After lunch, we decided to make a stop at the beach, and let me say I was thrilled at how much Matthew loved it.  He’s been to beaches the past two summers, but this year he really gets it.  He loved walking barefoot in the sand, and didn’t mind sticking his piggers in the fa-reezing cold water.  This bodes well for future beach trips, methinks.  Anyhow…I digress.  I fell in love with this picture the minute I took it, and couldn’t wait to see it full size.  I think it captures the most basic of friendships – that between a boy and his Daddy.  I just melt when I look at the way they’re looking at each other.  <3</p> <p>As for Gini’s picture, a similar thought had occurred to me at one point during the week, but not in nearly the same dramatic fashion.  WOW.  I just love seeing Hannah’s dark profile juxtaposed (Ha!  There’s a $5 word for you!) against the white of the screen.  Just gorgeous.  And look at those fabulous lashes!  To use old Facebook lingo, I’m a fan of this photo.</p> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-2666035357802558642010-04-29T03:23:00.002-04:002010-04-29T22:22:44.419-04:00Team-Up Thursday<p>Week 14 Theme - Fruit</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9w8Cn2kDAWf54oBQksfzyjco5mvw1UoF3oymjVYghsFoz5APJZSahJjre1WzzWhjogxAx1O65e2xihgqJG7m3XOziEWY0_wskTFmS5CKuP8IUGjkd4feT8qfim8GLiLJQk9f5P5bdBTx/s1600-h/Fruit%20Diptych%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-TOP: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto; BORDER-RIGHT: 0px" title="Fruit Diptych" border="0" alt="Fruit Diptych" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ6rMXJBnEytMU0e2V43wb5GDmoi4fXB5PWJDbGOCdzlcbIcgUM8llmYZxAQaQuc2wWzp75zcAeM7I_jTJ3xXjYu0di3HfyjgFv3THZsxmRWf7MsJHSj9RUJe17L8LPun_ZMGV6t0WO3Ww/?imgmax=800" width="141" height="351" /></a> </p><p><a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gini’s</a> on top, mine on the bottom.</p><p>I love Gini’s interpretation of this theme. It’s unexpected, in that there’s no real fruit depicted. Love reading the names of all the fruits instead, and looking at the painted pictures of them.</p><p>I must admit that I pulled this one out at the last minute. I had a hard time deciding what to do this week. I had planned to hit the grocery store, but didn’t manage to get there yet this week. Probably just as well – I’m not quite sure how I would have looked taking photos in the produce section. And, since my Peapod order is not coming until today, I didn’t have much for fruit in the house. I did, though, have these last few bananas, which to me are just now at the perfect ripeness. Can’t wait for breakfast….</p>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-73887434170868014612010-04-22T07:45:00.003-04:002010-04-22T08:16:31.573-04:00Team-Up ThursdayWeek 13 Theme - Shape<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDbzzmfqszJ27v8D331HngR2fhkKyrw82Nxuo0P2VmdMb34Pnoe04mbkWNjAKeDgOat-ytbWQqUJH9ctlVAu-1Wy-gIBd3jUoUi83yeZ7ru2YKipogfuPhU4d-Gj5-3YCU0UH1DndpWNK/s1600/Shape+Diptych.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 354px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462932999408887090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDbzzmfqszJ27v8D331HngR2fhkKyrw82Nxuo0P2VmdMb34Pnoe04mbkWNjAKeDgOat-ytbWQqUJH9ctlVAu-1Wy-gIBd3jUoUi83yeZ7ru2YKipogfuPhU4d-Gj5-3YCU0UH1DndpWNK/s400/Shape+Diptych.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/">Gini's</a> photo on the left, mine on the right.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />I love the heart-shaped leaves in Gini's picture - beauty in nature. I also love how the greens are carried through in both pictures. Appropriate for publishing on Earth Day, no?</div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-30716610988326529272010-04-16T13:10:00.004-04:002010-04-16T13:32:03.528-04:00Giggly Gabriella<p align="left">Just had to share this little video of my girl. I just love to hear her giggle!!</p><p align="center"></p><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rOgG9tBGQLE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rOgG9tBGQLE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-78139960897060486192010-04-15T11:00:00.003-04:002010-04-15T12:57:00.285-04:00Team-Up ThursdayWeek 12 Theme - From Lying Down<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQiS7q4YOM7MXDZ4U3QZo8j2rX40N4oV87RccjHpYfBaB01SCQha4QFr0GudcAvKxNSmv0sd5NYKP5uBNFskk9z24X3rPND2LDxlbKj8Vlu733PdkI1hAhDHOQ7z73a9VmX8rV2Qdj-Ps/s1600/Lying+Down+Diptych.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 600px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460359546095887458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQiS7q4YOM7MXDZ4U3QZo8j2rX40N4oV87RccjHpYfBaB01SCQha4QFr0GudcAvKxNSmv0sd5NYKP5uBNFskk9z24X3rPND2LDxlbKj8Vlu733PdkI1hAhDHOQ7z73a9VmX8rV2Qdj-Ps/s400/Lying+Down+Diptych.jpg" /></a>My picture on the left, <a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/">Gini's</a> on the right. Love the blue sky in both of our shots, and how you really get a sense of lying down in Gini's.<br /><br />This one posed some challenges for me. When I first read the theme, I was very excited at the prospect. I liked the idea of changing up the perspective on things, and the first thing that popped into my head was a photograph I saw years ago by Dewitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer. I first saw it at work in a training video he put out called "Celebrate What's Right With the World". The message of the video was about choosing to see possibilities rather than focus on what's wrong. The message stuck with me, as did the stunning photos he used to make his point. As I remember it, he told the story of how one day, he'd gone to capture photos of a field of yellow dandelion flowers for a spread in National Geographic, but when he got there, they'd all turned to seed. At first he was disappointed and frustrated, but then he decided to think of what was possible. He laid down, looked up, and <a href="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/kimmer113/dandelion.jpg">this photo</a> was the result. Simply beautiful.<br /><br />So, all that to say that I loved the idea of "from lying down". I actually took my picture in Court House Square in Springfield on Sunday, after we'd taken Matthew to a hockey game. We were walking back to the car, on that gorgeous afternoon, and I saw an idea for a shot before me. I'm sure I looked hysterical lying down on the ground in downtown Springfield, but I figured - who the hell cares? Matthew popped into view as I was taking my series of shots, and this one ended up being my favorite.<br /><br />Putting the diptych together, though, was a challenge. I tried it a bunch of different ways, and just couldn't get excited about any of them. I sent one off to Gini, but then stewed about it all night. Then this morning, after taking some time away from it, I gave it another shot and was really pleased with the finished product. I just love how the tree branches seem to line up - totally unplanned, but I love how it worked out.<br /><br />Now if I could just get myself back to remembering Dewitt Jones' words of wisdom on a more regular basis.....Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1411772727657673755.post-80080658327076840712010-04-08T03:26:00.003-04:002010-04-08T03:35:33.069-04:00Team-Up ThursdayWeek 11 Theme - Color<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8O3xQpjO-7SW_2B_l2f1kGb86ZFsjH-uvKzqbcmJYv8ss6PZlzX5Re_m5mzCJYKvlvQW-oXFnLy2E0bUsgoet_Rzfro6r4w_CioRPj0j9CqKMeAuSBDb3wuR5ZUKjzIvy2jI22xX6scL/s1600/Color+Diptych.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457664857042392834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8O3xQpjO-7SW_2B_l2f1kGb86ZFsjH-uvKzqbcmJYv8ss6PZlzX5Re_m5mzCJYKvlvQW-oXFnLy2E0bUsgoet_Rzfro6r4w_CioRPj0j9CqKMeAuSBDb3wuR5ZUKjzIvy2jI22xX6scL/s400/Color+Diptych.jpg" /></a>Once again, <a href="http://taoofgini.blogspot.com/">Gini's</a> on the left, and mine on the right. This pair makes me happy. So bright and cheery. I love the spotlight effect on the eggs - it makes them just pop off the screen. As for mine, it's not the shot I thought I was doing, but I saw this box of markers while at Gini's the other night, and grabbed the shot in case I wasn't able to get an opportunity to shoot the one I wanted. Not bad for my little $150 Canon point-and-shoot. <br /><br />And never you mind about the shot I had planned - I'm hoping maybe an upcoming theme will lend itself to my idea.<br /><div></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15734993012920100353noreply@blogger.com2