20 Self Randoms

Happy Zinnias

I'm taking my cue from Sophistishe's blog today & giving you 20 self randoms. Here goes:

1. I have 6 brothers & 2 sisters
2. I used to play clarinet
3. I used to have a great singing voice & would sing constantly
4. I once went to charm school (epic fail)
5. I was a notorious tomboy who preferred overalls & Converse gym shoes over a silly dress any day
6. I can grow a perfect set of 10 nails in a month.
7. I have a dreamy, romantic vision of living in the country in a fab farm house
8. I've found that life is much more peaceful and blessed since I learned to let my autistic son be himself. It's not about me
9. As I get older, I get more shy about the gap 'tween my teeth
10. I don't like pictures of myself
11. I'm a loner. I love grabbing the camera, taking off by myself & going wherever, stopping randomly, maybe ending up in the library with no one's schedule but my own
12. I'm a nice, thoughtful person. Real nice. Lol. "D" says 'too nice.' (???) But I will also cut ya if you piss me off... :-/
13. I'm struggling to think of 7 more randoms....
14. I have a hard time calling myself a 'photographer.'
15. I want to spend some time island hopping the island off the coast of Georgia
16. I don't ever want to work again unless it's something I can totally love. I've never been more relaxed in my life than I have in these last 2 months
17. I am very, very shy in crowds & @ parties
18. I have nice hair (lol!) thanks to a good stylist every 2 weeks & hair/skin/nails vitamins
19. I never meet a stranger
20. I have to be careful not to give my heart away too easily

Advent Day Four - The Advent Virus!!!!

The Advent Virus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anonymous via email.

WARNING……WARNING: ADVENT VIRUS

Be on the alert for symptoms of inner Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. The hearts of a great many have already been exposed to this virus and it is possible that people everywhere could come down with it in epidemic proportions. This could pose a serious threat to what has, up to now, been a fairly stable condition of conflict in the world.

Some signs and symptoms of The Advent Virus:

• A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
• An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
• A loss of interest in judging other people.
• A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
• A loss of interest in conflict.
• A loss of the ability to worry. (This is a very serious symptom.)
• Frequent, overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
• Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
• Frequent attacks of smiling.
• An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
• An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

Please send this warning out to all your friends. This virus can and has affected many systems. Some systems have been completely cleaned out because of it.

 I loved this one so much for Day Four, that I just had to share. I have no words to compare. :-) Please enjoy.

Day 19

I am grateful today for:

• the good weather that has still been hanging around
• having a job that distracts me
• tiny tea light candles in jars
• my bed after a long day

Reflect

Today I reflect on my thankfulness of seeing another Spring emerge.

And for the bright green glow all the trees take on with new growth

And the birds singing their morning and evening songs

And the way the blossoms and blooms..

...glow in the sunlight in thanks for awakening.

Amen. :-)

CuppaTPhotography
Sunday Scribbling word prompt: "reflect"

Randoms

Ahh.. the day after the Holiday and I'm feeling very reflective. It could be that the office is closed and I'm home alone and free to think without interruption. It's an unusually beautiful, sunny day for December; I don't know if I want to walk the dogs or for Son & I to go for a walk. When I have down time from the craziness of the work week, I find I try to do everything @ once. Exhale.

• I really need to give more attention my health and weight. It's just stupid that I don't make more effort to attend the gym. The first 2012 goal is to get back on schedule & take advantage of the personal trainer that is available.
• It sounds funny to me that I'll be 49 this June. I still feel so "young." Lol! I think back over different stage of my life and either laugh or shake my head in shame. Youth is truly wasted on the young, isn't it?
  

• Second 2012 goal is to move about the country. I am tired of making excuses why I don't travel. My brother and his wife have been inviting me to their beautiful home in L.A. year after year. Sigh... It's been a such long, long time.
• Third 2012 goal is to re-examine my relationship w/"D". Sometimes I feel comfortable and content, other times I feel like I could scream out loud. But that's in every relationship, isn't it? I often find my soul is crying out for a more fulfilling personal relationship.
• Third 2012 goal is to be more aggressive in taking action in areas of my life that need work. My job, for starters. I would truly love to do work that gives me satisfaction. This one doesn't and hasn't in years. But it pays the bills.
  
• Fourth 2012 goal is to stop wishing for big things to happen and make them happen.
• Fifth 2012 goal is to forge and nurture better my friendships. I'm such a loner that I never think anything about trying to make and keep friendships. But I don't want to be like folks who let these important relationships go, and then up alone & friendless when they really are in need of one. I cannot tell you the last time I've met a friend for lunch or dinner after work.

• The Sixth 2012 goal is to stay on my journey of not drinking alcohol. It's been a year this past July, but I have to admit that I have had a beer here or there. I don't want to return to that part of me.
• The Seventh 2012 goal is to be more faithful to attending church regularly. The feeling of gathering with others is so good for my soul. I don't know why I don't give it more attention.

And that's all the musings I have for now. Thanks for stopping by. See ya back here next time. :-)

The Call

I wasn't going to answer, but then I took The Call. It guided my day in this kind of way:

• Treat yourself to that gorgeous fall bouquet
• Let yourself linger in bed after you wake. Let your mind wander & adjust to being awake, and wonder why you never clearly remember your dreams
  
• Take your time and drink your coffee
• It's okay to go from one campy dollar store to another & love it
  
• Enjoy the powerful wind, bright sky & colors
• Be friendly & smile. Folks seem to appreciate it
• Hold close the sincere thanks & blessings the guy in the library gave when I told him to buy his next coffee(s) on me
• Enjoy the packs of fake fall leaves you're going to sprinkle on the fireplace mantle
• Deeply inhale the Seed Pumpkin & Spice & Hot Apple Cider soy candle(s)
• Give thanks for the simplicity, & cozy effects of a pot of chili
• It can wait: didn't that feel good to take 2 hours readings 2 mags, cover-2-cover?
• Get started with the "OWH" stamp that came in the mail. I did something like this last year
• Shoot as many frames as you want to & take as long as you want to
• Enjoy the anticipation of watching "For Colored Girls" from at the library. Booyah!!
• Exhale

I'm so glad I answered the phone. :-)

Pictures by: me
Sunday Scribbling Word prompt: "The Call"

My Story

Ahh... hand writing. By hand. With those strange, unfamiliar instruments called "pen and/or pencil." Using your hands - not a keyboard. Remember the art of that? :-)

I'm diving head on into this handwritten project. For my birthday, my sister, Paulette, gifted me with a fabulous purple journal along with a year long project.

The project is "My Life Story... One Day At Time!" Inside the jar are 365 strips of motivation. Pull a slip from the jar and expand on it in the journal.
By the end of next year, I should have quite a story to share or to keep all to myself.

Thank you, sister. I love your thoughtfulness. This is genius. It forces me to think, be creative, dig into my memory bank, and actually spend time writing about each subject. I am excited to get started - especially with the first slip I pulled you see. That made me laugh at my teenage self and whatever kinda crazy thoughts I was having back then.

Here's to my life story!!!














Pictures by: me :0) The sight of a blank, lined page brings me lots 'o joy!!!

God's Guest List

I happened upon a wonderful book @ the library a few weeks ago by one of my favorite inspirational writers, Debbie Macomber, called "God's Guest List." I enjoyed it so much, I didn't want it to end. It finally gave me an answer of what to say about people whom have passed through my life.

When I was a young(er) adult, I came to pieces when life changed and folks I had become comfortable with moved on for whatever reason. Now after all these years, even though I still miss them and fall back on memories of these people, I realize that these were people that God put in my life for a reason - for that season.

After reading this book, I deeply thought about each person that I know or used to know and tried to recognize what our purposes were in each others lives; most of these people are co-workers from here to Los Angeles. One friend that I met while living in L.A. and still have a relationship w/just called me the other day in a panic & needed a 'voice of reason' (from me??? LOL). God put us on each others lists and we're still there after nearly 24 years.

Our families are on our guest list, our children, our parents. It's an amazing read and great food for thought. And now, I try to make myself of aware of my interaction with people in my life everyday; Nelson, my homeless friend, my sweet blogger friend, Makeda, whom I feel as close to as a sister, the elderly lady in the market whom hugged me for a good five minutes after I told her hair was beautiful - we all have guests lists. Even the "prickly people" Ms. Macomber spoke of - folks who are less than pleasant are on our lists as well. We just need to recognize everyone when they "RSVP."


Most of the folks I remember involved lots of laughter. I'm guessing I was put on their lists to give them a laugh for that season. I'm guessing I'm on Nelson's list cause he sorely needs acceptance just for who he is, not the way he looks; God put Makeda on my list because he knows I adore the person she is & because she lifts me up; my ex husband came along to give me my beautiful son, my parents, my siblings. It's amazing!




Pictures by: me :-)

25 Randoms & Windows

'

1. special olympic sports never end & they pretty much dominate all of your Saturdays. Every season.
   
2. we have shirts that say "Mom, aka 'Roadie.'" (lol!) cute & true.
3. all in love with my new camera & iPod. they both soothe the savage beast-ette.
4. congratulations to the people in Egypt for their joy.
5. i need a vacation - STAT.
6. i hyperventilate every time i think of my new garden on the empty lot
7. i can't believe i followed thru & actually hand made simple Valentine's Day cards
8. and mailed them out to everyone!
9. it's funny how after temperatures in the teens, 35 degrees almost feels balmy
10. i need to go someplace different to take new pictures of fresh things
11. i would like to see the faces of the folks @ the nursing homes when they get my random cards
12. i'm pissed that PBS & NPR's funds are in jeopardy
13. iPod + podcasts = Happy Tracey
14. my photog friend told me it's best to shoot pix in "raw." it's a good thing.
15. why do i check out more library books than I could ever possibly read in two weeks?
    
16. sending random cards is perfect opportunity to feed my latest 'thing'; rubber stamp designs. Yay!
17. discovery: curly spinach beats flat-leaf, hands down
18. this would be a pretty cool garden, no? seats among the harvest (lol). Swoon
    
19. why is my stylist @ JCPenney suddenly 'booked solid' constantly? Damn!
20. sadness is seeing a book @ Border's for $23
21. happiness is seeing the same book @ the library book sale for $1
    
22. a friend randomly sends me little packages of handmade treasures. its always a perfect end to a day
23. when i held the door for an elderly woman, she told me she liked my smile the best. blessings
24. Ahh.. Thich Nhat Hanh 'gets' my need/craving for spells of silence
25. i love how i'm blessed to be able to see a picture in all things :-)

Pictures by: me :->

It's a gift

I love our local libraries! No matter where I go, the first thing I need to know is where the libraries are. If I'm bored at lunch, it's the first place I hit. I get very upset when it's time for 'budget cuts', the libraries are the first thing that're targeted! (Anger! :-\)

Isn't this old 'book lender', cute? They had them for free @ the library. Cute, if you should ever be so inclined to lend your books out... which I'm not (LOL!)

I loved this book - didn't get to finish reading it because it was on 'express,' but I have plans to buy it to own. That's how much I like it. I love reading books on slavery and, well, 'the help,' as it gives insight to how those lives were lived.


Magnetic book marker! Ultra cute, huh? I'm known very well at all the libraries. Probably cause I'm always so willing to pay up my fines. Can't understand how folks get pissy at their own fines! There's really no excuse these days - you can do it all online. I feel like my fines help 'contribute' to keeping the libraries open (LOL!) Gotta justify myself in some way :-)

I'm not joining any reading challenges for 2011 since I usually read when the spirit moves me, but I'm always reading. Recently got back into books on CD for driving too & from work. Two that I've recently finished are Love in the Present Tense, (excellent), The Yada Yada Prayer Group (excellent), & am now reading The Last Block in Harlem.

My musical tastes are all over the place! There is no 'bad music.' I've found some of the best old jazz @ the library. I always experiment - it's free!

Libraries: The medicine chest of the soul. ~Library at Thebes, inscription over the door

Pictures by: me :-D

Favorite recipe...

My esteemed walking partner (my son), doing what he does best... :-)

• walking shoes, any pair that treats your feet right are good
• one pair of socks
• one pair of sweats
• stretches
  
• one hoodie or warm outer layer
• one camera
• one bottle of water
  
• wide-eyed wonder
• open eyes
• imagination
• breath
• thankfulness
• gratefulness
• amazement

1. on one body, add shoes, socks, & sweats; secure firmly
2. add stretches until limber
3. top lightly w/hoodie or warm outer layer
4. add one camera, making sure batteries are fully charged
5. slowly add bottled water to body
6. while body is moving, allow wide-eyes wonder to soak in
   
7. keep eyes open
8. slowly whisk in imagination & breath until fully blended
9. generously add thankfulness & gratefulness
10. walk until fully filled with amazement
11. repeat as needed

Once completed, please enjoy your walk in the park

Pictures by: me ;-D
Sunday Scribbling prompt: A Walk In the Park

Bring it On

YES!!!

This is on my Goodreads 'to read' list. Sounds excellent.

Also on the Goodreads. Could be interesting...

I love Dori Sanders' books. Maybe this one?

Possible ear candy? I think yes.

Ahhh... my new found love of stamps. Never thought of those...

I'll keep you posted :-)




Merry Christmas!

Evolution

Dear Santa, could you please bring me:

• barbie & her townhouse
• and her corvette
• and her clothes
• and her man
• and her friends

... I've been good ~ Tracey, 10 years old


Dear Santa, I, so, like, really need:

• super-tight Jordache jeans
• the latest boots, jacket and/or coat,
  

that everyone swears I MUST have or OMG!!

• two more earrings in each ear
• my room to be totally purple from ceiling to carpet

... I like so totally gotta have this stuff or I'll like, surely scream, faint & die I mean, for God's sake, everyone at school is so getting their rooms purple please please please santa? ... ~ Tracey, 16 years old

Dear Santa,

• could you please make sure that every child on earth gets a toy &
  
• every family can recover financially &
  
• everyone can afford their meds &
  
• everyone get good health care &
  
• that there will be peace on earth

... It would be so cool if all that could happen. Wishes for love, peace, comfort, joy & blessings ~ Tracey, today :-)





Pictures by: me ;-D
Carry On Tues. word prompt: "dear Santa."