“You’ll Turn Into A Snake”

These are the tracks the dog and I made one snowy morning. I think I drag my feet…

My mother has always discriminated against what she would call lazy people. According to her, laziness is the worst characteristic in a person.

She used to tell my sister and I that if we ate laying down that we would turn into snakes. And I believed her too. We always ate at the table because of it.

For the record, she is one of the hardest working people I know. It’s hard to keep up with her.

I would work hard in school and work but when it comes to things like house work and laundry and several other aspects of my life, I am very – ahem – laid-back.

And it’s so evidenced by how many photos I have of myself and other people laying down.

I took this photo while laying down on my couch. It’s a typical night at home. Apparently the “no running in the house” rule is not reinforced in our house. Of course, it’s hard to reinforce a rule that you haven’t yet enforced.

Some tourists in DC taking a break from being tourists.

Here I am laying down in the emergency room of the hospital. Yes, I had my camera. See the little Santa over there? It’s a skeleton and there’s a patient in that hospital laying right underneath the Skeleton Santa. Creepy. I wonder what he thought about his survival chances.

Now this is sad…this homeless person was sleeping early one morning as I strolled through Waikiki beach. She was sleeping in front of one of the most exclusive and expensive hotels in Hawaii…

I’m laying down, taking a photo of this little boy who is laying down.

Yawn…now go be productive today but make sure you get your nap in:)

March 10, Spring Green

A patch of green and the crisp morning air revitalizes the winter landscape and revitalizes the soul.

March 9, Short Order Chef

I like to cook but I love to watch other people cook. And I love to watch the professionals do it. That’s why I’m a celebrity chef stalker. Masaharu Morimoto, watch out. You’re next.

Left To My Own Devices

Once upon a time – last week – I was at the mall with a couple of teenagers.

I was tired, they were not.

I sat down to rest my feet and it just so happens that Crate and Barrel was in front of me. I stared at the stemless wine glasses for  a while and then I decided I needed some.

So I did.

Then I called the girls and asked if they were done. They weren’t. I moved closer to the exit and sat down again to wait. It just so happens that the Pottery Barn was in my direct line of sight. I stared at the pillow case covered with birds and vines and I decided I needed it.

So I did.

On the way home I started to sing to the radio again. Kaitie-girl says to me, “Miss Puna?”

“Yes?”

“I think you’re cool.”

Awwww….

And then I lived happily ever after.

March 8, Blessed Monday

Happy Monday…I hope your week is blessed.

March 7, Losing Gracefully

My little girl got a hard lesson last weekend at her meet. It was the first time we’ve had a meet since the beginning of December because of all the snow. It was unsafe for the horses to be out in the ice so many of the horses didn’t get as much exercise as usual. The girls rode as much as they could but the snow was a deterrent to getting to the farm for most. And parents, like us, didn’t want to get stuck in the farm driveway.

This meet was rescheduled twice. When they finally had competed, I thought they all looked great and performed even better. However, they did lose the meet by one point. It was heart breaking for them since it was their first team loss in two years.

Here is a photo of the girl riding next to the girl that beat her all day. The first loss was shrugged off, the second loss was gracefully accepted, the last loss was met with a quivering lower lip. I wouldn’t have wanted the “You can’t win them all” speech either so I stayed silent.

It was a hard lesson in grace, humility and letting go.

These photos are SOOC since I’m running late for church. No time to edit.

“He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34

Posted on SOOC Saturday and Spiritual Sunday.

I Got An Ephiphane For Christmas!

I had a camera bag on my Christmas wish list but it wasn’t this one. I bought this one for myself. I placed an order right after Christmas and it arrived a couple of weeks ago.

And I’m smittened. I don’t think I loved anything this much since we got our puppy six years ago.

It’s puppy love.

I am not an accessory person. I don’t have a bag to match every outfit I have but I love this bag.

It’s already not only well loved but well used. I carry my camera of course but I also carry my long lens and my charger and the accessories I need for a quick photo. It’s padded inside with felt separators. My camera sits in the middle part.

I love the little tag that came with it.

The details are beautiful and I love the leather. It’s soft, soft, soft.

You know what? I’ve had at least three men compliment me on my bag. Really. Men! And the bag is a very girly teal color so I was surprised at the compliments. I was tired of the masculine black camera bags and backpacks that are out there. This not only pretty, it’s well made, practical and extremely attractive if I do say so myself.

Along with my camera and its accessories, I carry my wallet and other neccessities, like my lipstick. My friend Danny gave me this tag for Christmas one year and it compliments the bag beautifullly.

If you are not already aware, Ephiphanie bags is having a giveaway on their site and they are giving away a bag on Shutter Sisters. I’m not ashamed to say that I want another one…the brown one. If you were to place your order now, I promise you won’t regret it.

Go there now!!  http://www.haveanepiphanie.com/home/2010/2/28/epiphanie-give-away.html

It’s Saturday…Bliss

I am sitting at my computer with the tv on and a mess in my kitchen but I’m blissful. It’s a beautiful Saturday morning and though I have already walked the dog and answered some emails, I really don’t have to do anything. Today, I’m doing what I choose to do. Most Saturday mornings I’m running the girl the farm or taking the boy to practice and finishing up some work that I left for myself from Friday.

But today…I don’t have those committments and it feels great.

Don’t get me wrong…there is plenty that need my attention. Especially around the house. It’s dirty. But I’ll do it later. Right now I’m doing this…

I was over at Katie’s place and she had this meme that I choose to do today. Just because I can. So I want to say “Good morning!” to you now, in case you get bored and don’t finish this post…

1. If your doctor told you TODAY that you were pregnant, what would you say?
I have actually thought about this quite a lot lately. I’ll just leave it at that.

2. Do you trust all of your friends?
Yes. But with caveats. For example, I don’t trust my friend Lisa not to eat out of my plate when we have Thai food.

3. Would you move to another state or country to be with the one you love?
Yes, and I have. Believe me. I’m live here now…

4. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
Absolutely. It’s called Providence but there’s also free will…that’s too complicated a concept for me to fathom right now. It’s Saturday.

5. Can you make a dollar in change right now?
Yes I can. If I go hunting.

6. Which one of your friends do you think would make the best doctor?
Neighbor Theresa. Wait, she is a doctor.

7. Are you afraid of falling in love?
I’m afraid of getting hurt. But that’s never stopped me before.

8. Is there someone who pops into your mind at random times?
Yes, and my husband wouldn’t like this but it’s our friend Chet. I don’t know why. Really I don’t.

9. What’s your favorite scar?
What?

10. When was the last time you flew in a plane?
Last June, coming home from Hawaii…ahhhh….

11. What does the last text message in your phone say?
It’s from the boy. “Make sure that if you buy me 2 shirts then they aren’t both longsleeve because i need more t-shirts” I was being his personal shopper last week while he played the Playstation.

12. What features do you find most attractive in the preferred sex?
The thing I love about the husband is that he loves me. That’s it. He’s not afraid of kissing me in public.

13. Fill in the blank. I love:
little baby ducks, old pickup trucks, slow moving trains, and rain. And I love you tooooo….

14. What is a goal you would like to accomplish in the near future?
Oh gees, I can’t answer this right now. Too heavy. I’m just trying to get through next week.

15. If you were to wake up from being in a coma for an extended time who would you call first?
The husband. Easy.

16. How many kids do you want to have?
Four.

17. Would you make a good parent?
I think this question should be answered by your kids and not by you.

18. Where was your default picture taken?
I don’t know what this means.

19. What’s your middle name?
I don’t have a middle name. Really.

20. Honestly, what’s on your mind right now?
Alright…I’m done now.

Thanks for hanging in! Katie did 88 of these questions. I can only get through 20 before I get bored. I hope your Saturday is as blissfully non-productive as mine has been so far…

March 6, Street Performance

I love watching street performers. There’s just something raw and unpolished yet uplifting about performing for a living. The husband looks like he’s going to steal from his bag but I like the photo anyway. I spy both my kids in the photo. Do you?

Methinks She Doth Protest Too Much

At our last bunco meeting Neighbor Sue said, “Puna, don’t take anymore pictures of me. There’s too many pictures of me on the internet and people on my commute are looking at me funny.”

I didn’t realize that so many Washingtonians were accessing my blog on their commute but hey, all the broadband traffic that is shutting down AT&T could be an indication of furious activity on my blog. Ha!

So I complied and took photos of Neighbor Susan instead. Thank you, I’ll drink to that.

Then Neighbor Sue yelled at me across the room, “Hey Puna, take a picture of this!”

Methinks she doth protest too much.

She’s such a pretty lady.

So now she’s fair game again. Tonight I’m going to her house to eat and play bunco. I’m so excited! She’s a fantastic hostess and oh, her food is delicious. And her kitchen is rad. It’s also Lent and since many of the neighborhood ladies practice the no-meat-on-Fridays-during-Lent rule, I think it’s also going to be vegetarian healthy too. I’ll drink to that! Sorry. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with!

Oh and I really loved her sweater from last month. It looks like someone lovingly made it for her but she said she bought it at Target or something or other.

It’s Friday! Yea!

Next Page »