my idea, your idea

Like many people, I have some good ideas. Most of them have never been carried out... at least not by me. They sit in the back of my brain and I visit them every once in a while, thinking...that would be cool to do! But then its my son's bedtime, or the floor needs to be swept, and I am transported back to reality, where time for projects is sometimes scarce.

Here's one of my ideas: taking pictures of the inside of various people's refrigerators as a window into their daily lives. There is something extremely personal about this seemingly insignificant, but very telling part of our homes. It can tell you not only what a person eats, but can also lend insight into their values, priorities, lifestyle, and habits. I had really wanted to do this, but was never quite sure how to get myself in the situation where I would be taking a photograph of some stranger's open refrigerator. How does one start that conversation?

Well, somebody figured it out:















































More here.

Good job, Mark Menjivar, you did what I could not.

Blessed and Dreaming

Part of our nightly routine with Addison is that each of us takes a turn to read a bedtime story before lights out (his little 3-year old self included). Last night I read Mercer Mayer's "When I Get Bigger", which led into a great after-story conversation.

"What do you want to do when you get bigger, Addison?"

"I'll drive all by myself and I'll make dinner for you."

"Really?"

*hugs*

"You know what I want to do when I get bigger? Paint furniture." (I want to refinish and restore old cabinets and dressers into unique pieces like these and these and these)

*pause*

"You can do that now, Mommy."

I can't help but smile. *more hugs*

Soon, buddy.... soon.

around the corner...

I'm really looking forward to the New Year this time around. I've been thinking about all the things in store for me and my family and all the possibilities. Its exciting! I'm ready for a fresh start, and the opportunity to say, by this time next year I want my life to have moved in ____ direction.

I don't usually do New Year's resolutions, but this year, there are some real things this year that I have in mind. They are too personal to blurt out to anyone other than my husband, let alone on a public place like a blog. Besides, I've always felt like it jinxes things a little to share my intentions about personal things like art projects or self improvement. But the spirit of my resolutions is simply to practice being a better person to those around me.

I also have some pretty big dreams wrapped up in the New Year. Namely, we want to buy our first house in 2009. We've been working hard on reaching this goal for a couple of years now, and we want it so badly we can almost taste it. Just a few more hurdles to go... Here's hoping there aren't any new hurdles around the bend...wish us luck!

Lastly, I have some exciting news to share with you on the first of the year! I can't wait to let you all in on my little secret!

Have a wonderful and safe New Year's Eve!