Settling In

a little over 2 months ago, I moved in my new place.

Renting again after 10 years.

I don't look at it as a step backwards, however.

For me, it's a step forward.

To me.

I love my new place.

The first night I stood in my living room, amidst boxes and I cried.

I cried tears of joy.

My OWN place.

My cozy place for me and my girls.

Finally.

And, while, after 2 months, it's not completely the way I want it, it's coming along.

And ever day I come home, or wake up, I fall in love with my place.

Because it's something I have worked towards.

It seems like the past two years, I have worked towards many goals.

Many goals are being obtained.

But still many more have yet to be fulfilled.

A work in progress.

Always a work in progress.

And you have to be okay with that.

And I am.

And in the past two years, I have learned more patience in those two years, than I have in my whole life.

Giving and Paying it Forward

Last year I was at a point in my life where I wanted to move forward with my creative endeavors, but I was unsure where to start.  Where to go.  What to do. A dear friend of mine, Stacy, highly encouraged me to take this e-course from Kelly Rae Roberts.   She said it would help me so much and change my life.   She was SO right!!  During this e-course I was able to figure out what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it.   I wanted to pursue my photography.   But I also wanted to pursue my crocheting skills as well.  This course helped to give me the direction of which way to go.   And lo and behold, I am actually doing both!

The result of taking this e-course was this; a wealth of information and even more valuable, was the group of women who were signed up as well, who have become so near and dear to me in my life.   We call ourselves "Fly Tribe"   We have a blog specifically for our group with links to all who want to participate when we have a "Blog Hop".   A beautiful creator, Renee Burke even created necklaces for our group and I wear mine all the time.  It helps to give me strength, because when I wear it, I know that we have an amazing group that help and support each other in each of our endeavors.  We also have many other collaborations going as well!

So as the 1 year anniversary of our tribe being created was coming up, we all wanted to do something to celebrate our tribe, and we decided to give back.  To give forward, if you will.   So our group decided to donate any amount we could, to pool our money together and to give away a spot in Kelly Rae Roberts 2012 Flying Lessons e-course.  And this just happened to be the LAST TIME she would ever offer this course.  We told Kelly Rae of our intent.  And she said the she would match, dollar for dollar towards giving away spots in her e-course.  We also asked the group from 2010 if they wanted to participate as well.   

Imagine our surprise, when, at the cutoff date of this past Friday, August 17th, we had collected enough for not just 1 class, but EIGHT classes!!!!!!!!!!!   And with Kelly Rae Roberts matching dollar for dollar, that meant that there are SIXTEEN SPOTS available!  

We believe in this class so much that we want to share it with others!

So please head on over to our Fly Tribe blog and enter for your chance to win one of these lucrative spots!!

And while you are there, take a look at our Fly Tribe members' blogs and see the creative bunch that we are!!

Giveaway Time!!!!

And the winner is...................

Tracy80028!!!!  Congratulations Tracy!  I will contact you and you can let me know what you want!  Thank you everyone for all your support!!!!!

This is my crochet business.

It all started last year when a friend of mine asked if I could crochet her some owl hats for her new babies.  I posted a picture of them on Facebook and then I had people starting to request other hats from me.

So I created a Facebook Business Page:   Tinachicky

Slowly I would get more and more "likes".   So I decided that if I got to 100 likes, I would have a giveaway.

Well guess what, I got to 100 likes on July 4th.

So now, I am posting my giveaway.   You have the chance to either win one of my owl hats (in the colors of your choice), or my new barefoot sandals that I have started creating.   Below is a picture of both:

There are a few ways to enter (and each way will guarantee you another chance to win):  

1:   If you haven't already "liked" Tinachicky on Facebook, please to go the link provided:  Tinachicky and Click on the Like button and leave a comment there. (If you have already "liked" the Tinachicky page, just leave a comment there)

2:  Leave a comment here.

3:  Share the Tinachicky page on your Facebook or Twitter and then come back here and leave another comment letting me know you have done so.

That's it!   

I will announce the winner on Monday, July 9th, both on here and on my Tinachicky page on Facebook.

Thank you!!

Being a Mom to a Teenage Girl

Us at the Foo Fighters Concert

My oldest daughter is almost 17.   Yes, that's right 17.   Which means in one more year she will be 18.  Oy.

In one more year and 2 months, she will be an adult.

I must say, that even with a few minor bumps here and there and some attitude, I am throroughly enjoying watching her blossom into a wonderful, confident woman.

I remember what it was like to be a teenager.   I remember the adult female influences around me.

And that's one thing you mom's with teenage girls need to remember.  As a teenager, we remember the influences around us at that time. (and always, really, for that matter)

It's those women around me at that time, that I remember, and I remember what I wanted to take from each one of them to use as an influence for when I became a mom.

Because I knew I wanted to be a mom.  Even way back then.

The first influence is, without a doubt, my mom.  She was a great mom.  And she was a cool mom.  Ask any of my friends from when I was in high school, they will tell you the same thing.  My mom was accepting as well.  Some of my friends, and even acquaintances at that time were definitely unique in their look, but my mom treated them all the same, and never made judgement even when they weren't there.  She based it on who they were as a person, not what they looked like.  And she was so well loved by so many.

She was also very laid back as well.  She didn't ask me a lot of questions (well there was that one time when her and I sat in the living room with a couple of beers - and I was only 18 at the time - but that conversation is not for here), and when I look back, I don't remember asking her a lot of questions either.

The 2nd female in my life who was an influence on me, was my Aunt Sharon.  I used to love to go up to their house and spend time with my cousins.  I remember the atmosphere there too.  It could get loud sometimes ( I had 5 cousins there), but they were also allowed to swear if they wanted to.   I always envied that.  To be able to be relaxed enough to say "Fuck" in front of your mom.   (That was the one word my mom did not like, because I don't remember ever saying it in front of her, at least when I was a teenager).

The 3rd female in my life was one of my best friend's mom, Linda.  I remember the strength she had in her.  I remember her not holding back when it came to talking at times about things.  From the age of 10 on, I pretty much grew up in their house, as well as mine.

My grandma was an influence in my life as well, but when I was a teenager, I so did not get along with her.  As a child I did, and after I graduated high school and started college, we got along much better.  But as a teenager?  Not so much.  She was very strict (which explains why my mom was so NOT strict like that).  But when I was an adult and found out some things about her life growing up, it made sense.  I also found out that she was a bit of rebel, herself, in some ways.  (She eloped with her first husband because she knew her aunt would not approve).  She knew what she wanted.

I took some parts of all of these women, as influences for how and who I am, as a mom.

From the very get go, I told my children that they could come to me with ANYTHING.  They could ask me ANYTHING.  I would always answer them truthfully.  Yes, sometimes it has been embarrassing to explain a question that they ask about, but I still answer them.   They need to know that I am that safe person that they can come to. (Excellent example....last night my little one and I were watching a movie and they said the word "balls".  You could tell from her expression that she may have known what it meant, but still unsure and so I asked her if she knew what it meant and she thought she did, and she was close, but I corrected her and explained in a matter-of-factly, unexpressioned tone, what it actually meant.

I allow my oldest daughter to swear in the house, yes, even the word "Fuck".  With the only exception that she curb it when she is around her younger sister (even though she's already heard those words before, I still believe that when they are young, they are still so vulnerable and impressionable, and I like to keep the curse words to a minimum).  Last night we were talking about stuff and Fuck came out.  Not even necessarily in a mean way either.  Just conversation we have.  Of course she tends to laugh at me when I say it though.  Maybe it's because she never really heard it from me when she was little because I curbed my language back then?

I'm not perfect.  I never claimed to be perfect.  But I know I try and do my best when it comes to my girls.  I'm upfront and honest with them when they ask me things, I do my best to allow them to become who they truly are, and I encourage and laugh with them, and yes, even cry with them.

100 Steps

I am currently taking an e-course right now and our first assignment was to do a "100 Step Walk".  Now, I have done this before, last year I think.  When I did it back then, it was a way for me to work on looking past the obvious and finding beauty where ever I stopped.   This assignment is along the same lines, however it is dealing with so much more.

This time I did it, it came out similar, yet different.  Part of the path I walked was the same, but most of it was a different way I walked in my neighborhood.

I'm walking and I see things, and I'm like, "this would be a great picture to take!"  But I was only on Step 50, or 70.   And then I get to step 100 and I look around and what do I see at first?  Nothing.  Nothing that would catch my eye.   So that would force my head to look around.  Look even deeper at my surroundings.  

Instead of looking for that pretty flower, or lawn art, or cool looking car, I had to look more at angles and the scenery in which I was given, at that moment and figure out how I could take a picture of it and make it look interesting.  (At least in my point of view).   

So while, some were easy, some were difficult. 

This one was fairly easy for me, when I stopped at 100, I immediately saw the tire swing in the front yard.  And while this house is only 3 houses away from me, I never really noticed the tire swing.  This reminds me of being a kid and just playing.

At my 2nd stop, I looked around and honestly, I didn't see anything, but then my daughter's shoes caught my eye.  She loves these shoes.  Glittery pink high tops.  A girly spin on a boy's shoe.

The first of quite a few intersections I happen to STOP at.   Well, if I must stop here, I might as well showcase it.......

It's always interesting when you look at something from a different point of view.

Ahhh.....I finally got to stop at a place where flowers were!  I have always loved flowers and having the late day sun peek through these was quite stunning.

Another stopping point where all I saw was dead grass (with the rising cost of water, not everyone cares to keep their lawn watered in the summertime).   So I looked down and knelt down and I saw the curvature of the street at the curbline.

I actually was taking a picture of the piece of carpet in the street at this angle, but when the final picture was revealed it was more of looking at the scenery of the houses on the hill, the cars parked in the driveway, with my daughter's legs framing them.  Here we could say this was taken from an ant's point of view?

Next stop:  Behind a truck.  So this one is more about a depth of perception.

I tried my best to get the spiderwebs better in this picture, but it almost looks like you are hiding behind a bush ready to peer out and see what's there.

Don't you just love the colors of this plant with the green framing it down below?

And yet another stopping point.  A yard full of rocks.  Yes, just rocks. (at least they don't have to worry about watering)  But rocks have depth to them.  And a rock can be a foundation of some sorts too.  Hmmmm......

If you look left to right and you don't see anything, why not try looking up?  Notice the texture on the telephone pole.

Look who was barking at us while we were walking

Another time to look up and look at interesting angles.  When I looked up this is exactly what I saw.

These flags surround a tree in this yard.

I knelt down to take a picture of the crack in the street and my daughter decided to kneel down at the last minute and get in the picture. :)

At this current stop, I stopped at this wooden mailbox.  Notice how shiny the wood is.......

At my last 100 Steps stop.   Ivy, which grows so fast, but flowers blooming in with all the brush.....

So there you have it.   My point of view from a calming, fun walk with my youngest daughter.

New Tattoo

This is my new tattoo I got a couple of weeks ago.

The symbol inside the circle of beads is an "Om Shanti" symbol.

Here is a synopsis of its meaning:

"Like many mantras, this one begins with "Om". Om has no meaning, and its origins are lost in the mists of time. Om is considered to be the primeval sound, the sound of the universe, the sound from which all other sounds are formed.

In the Brahminical tradition, from where Buddhism undoubtedly obtained mantra practice, Om is not just the universal sound, but the sound of the universe itself. For example in the (non-Buddhist) Mandukya Upanishad, it is said:

Om! — This syllable is this whole world.

Its further explanation is: –
The past, the present, the future — everything is just the word Om.

And whatever else that transcends threefold time — that, too, is just the word Om.

You could regard Om as being the equivalent of white light, in which all of the colors of the rainbow can be found.Om is therefore a sound symbolizing reality. It represents everything in the universe, past, present, and future. It even represents everything that is outside of those three times. It therefore represents both the mundane world of time in which the mind normally functions, and the world as perceived by the mind that is awakened and that experiences the world timelessly. It represents both enlightenment and non-enlightenment.

Shanti (Pali: Santi) simply means "peace". It’s a beautiful meaning and also a very beautiful sound. The shanti is repeated three times, as are many chants in Buddhism. In Buddhism as well as in Hinduism the threefold Shanti is generally interpreted as meaning the Threefold Peace in body, speech, and mind (i.e. peace in the entirety of one’s being)."

Now, while I do not practice Buddhism, the whole concept of this meaning resonates with me.

I have plenty of times when I feel that life around me is out of control and I need to find a place of peace.  A place to just "BE" and allow that wild roller coaster to follow through on it's path.

I have said before that I am Passionate.   And Impatient. And Stubborn.  And VERY Caring.  These things I know for sure about me.  I will be the first to admit it.

There are so many things and events and people in this world that I can accept.  But just like any other person, there are certain values I hold strong to me and how I want to live my life that I will not deter on.

I first saw this symbol on a charm of a necklace that my dear friend, Stacy, sells.  I know I have mentioned her Bella Wish shop on many occasions and showcased necklaces that I have purchased from her.  When I bought the necklace, that holds this charm, a few years ago, it was my little reminder to me to work at Peace.  With myself.  With others.  With how people should treat others.

Now that's not to say that I don't have my fits of emotion.  I do, believe me I do.  And everyone has to.  You can't bottle that up inside.  It will eat you alive.  Especially if you are passionate about things.  Yes, excitement is a wonderful thing to do, but having that anger and hurt is also a normal part of being human and you have to let that out too.  Obviously it's best to emit that emotion in a manner that is not harmful to yourself or others.

The other day a friend posted about how her girls were having an epic meltdown, and how I said I wanted to be a little kid again and have that meltdown.  And she gave me "permission" to do it.  And I should be able to do it.  I should.  And I did, to an extent.  I screamed so loud in my car that I scared even myself.  But a buildup of emotion has to go get released somehow.  And if I can scream in my car to emit some of that release, that has got to be a good thing.  Because honestly, do you really want that emotion eating you up inside?  You've got to be able to release it.  And it was done in a way that did no harm to anyone (except maybe my vocal cords).

To get back to Peace.

And while I could certainly wear my necklace every day to remind me of it, I wanted something more permanent on me that I could look at every day.  A reminder of who I resonate to be, and truly am, inside and out, amid all the chaos.

Blog Reading and a Brief Insight

Years ago when I first decided to start a blog, I was inspired by a few bloggers.  Karen Walrond of Chookooloonks, Heather Armstrong at Dooce,  Chris Jordan from Notes From The Trenches, and my dear friend, Stacy at Clover and Sage,    Every now and then I get a chance to read them, but definitely not like I used to be able to way back then.

I had another blog before this, where I would write the ins and outs of my life back then.  A "Mostly" SAHM (stay at home mom).

Way back then I only worked part-time.  Only while my kids were in school and not on Mondays at all.  Mondays used to me MY day.  Well that day and Sunday afternoons.  But Mondays were the days when no one was in the house.  I could catch up on stuff if I wanted to.  I could go help out at their schools.  I could sit and read blogs if I wanted to.  I could get inspired from what I saw and read on the internet and actually attempt them.  I could get errands done.  So even though I did use that day to catch up on things, it was still MY day to do as I pleased.

I was reading Notes From The Trenches today and it just brought me back to those times when I did read her blog regularly.  She blogs mostly about her daily life with her and her children.  All 7 of them.

That's one of the things I miss a lot.  Spending more time with my girls in their day to day activities, including school activities.  Little insignificant things that may not mean a lot to most, but were enjoyable to me.

Now, I can sit here and reminisce about it all the time and be melancholy, but what good is that going to do anyone?  Definitely not good for me.

Things happen.

Life changes.

You have to move forward.

Because if you don't, you can't enjoy the life there is in the here and now.

So we learn to adjust and make do with how it is now.

Back then my oldest was younger than my youngest one is now.  Now she has a car and spends most of her free time with friends or texting (not while driving though). Today we left the house at the same time and she ended up driving right next to me.  Now THAT was weird.....seeing my daughter driving a car next to me.  I remember when she would drive the little Cozy Coupe plastic car on the back patio.

Back then my dreams were to get the house in perfect decorating order, create the perfect scrapbooks, think about  possibly doing something creatively to earn extra income.  Go on school field trips.  In the Summer, take my girls to the beach, or the park, or the zoo.  I would write to my girls in the journals I had for them  I would sew clothes for them.   Work on crafts with them.  Be the ultimate "UberMom". Be a famous Mommy Blogger.

Now I'm lucky if I get the dishes and the laundry done.

But the creative part is still there.  It always will be.  I grew up on it and there's no way to eliminate that in my life.

And I'm even working on ways to produce income from it as well.

And the girls and I still carve in time as well.  The other night the younger one and I played Mario Cart Wii.  The older one and I watch TV in the evenings most of the time.

I do miss them being little, but I am thoroughly enjoying who they are becoming as they grow up.

And while I still may miss those parts of my life back then, I thoroughly enjoy my life as it is now.  I love my job.  I choose to surround myself with people who mean a lot to me.  Who are caring, positive, sarcastic in a fun way, and witty.
And I still like to read those blogs.  It gives me inspiration and ideas to find time to still do some of those things. :)

Paying it Forward

Here is my youngest with an entire outfit (including the shoes, but not including the backpack) that were "hand me downs".  I have two gorgeous friends, Jenna and Amy, who have been so gracious enough to give me some  of their daughters' clothing that no longer fits.

And my youngest loves them as well!  It's like getting a whole new wardrobe (literally) of gorgeous clothes!  She is still at that age, where it doesn't "have" to be a name brand for her to wear it, but fortunately for her and me, some of the clothes ARE name brands.

To be able to have friends like that who share like that, are awesome!

I love doing the same as well and have clothes that I have set aside to give to a friend (actually 2 friends)

In times like these, it's always good to "Pay It Forward" whenever you can.  Whether it be passing clothes down to help defray costs of having to buy new ones, helping to watch their children, running an errand or two for them, or just helping out in any small way, even by listening, or inspiring someongANY little bit can help.

Let's face it.  Times are tough these days, some, more than others.   There are those, including myself, that are trying to live out their dreams of pursuing some sort of art, or career, or whatever, trying to make it on their own, and having that little bit of extra help, truly, TRULY means the world to us.

I used to be able to give more than I do now, but I still try to find some way to pay it forward,  in any way I can.  Or help out someone I care about in whatever small way that makes their life a tiny bit easier.

Do something nice and good for someone, because it IS the right thing to do.

And it makes the world a better place.

Passion

A few years ago I was introduced to the idea of a "Word of the Year".  It is a word that you choose, to encompass who you are at the time/or a word that you choose to help you along your journey.  Whether it be a journey of creating, of life in general, or whatever you want it to be for you.

Last year my word was "Choice".  It was a word that had been guiding me in my life, making me realize that I DO have a choice in my life.

This year my word is "Passion".  For one, it's a word I use to describe myself.  A word I use to describe how I feel about things, people, etc.

My lovely and dear friend, Stacy, made my necklace for me.  She owns Bella Wish on Etsy.   She believes in her work, which makes my necklaces that much more special.  And I do own quite a few of her necklaces.  I received this just recently and I wanted to share it with you.

PASSION = Me

My new "baby"

In 2005, I purchased my first Digital SLR camera, the Canon EOS Rebel XTI.  I fell in love with this camera right away.  

This was my 2nd SLR camera, my first one was this one: 

I used this camera from Junior High on (and I won't tell you how long ago that was....)

This was a film camera.  I had always used film until late 1990's

This year I decided that I needed to upgrade.  After much research and discussions with friends, I decided on this one:

It is the Canon 50d.  It is no longer made, but I felt it was the right camera body for me.  I was able to purchase it used from a photographer.

I am in love with this new camera.

And I love having my other Canon as a backup so that I don't have to stop to change lenses, if need be during a photo shoot.

Featured Artist!

I'm so excited to announce this!  Today I am the featured artist on one of my fellow artist's blog!

Read about it over here! :)  Kelly Mae Kreations

On Being A SAHM and Full-Time "Paid" Working Mom

I have been on both ends of this spectrum.

I have seen major debates on the "Stay At Home Mom (SAHM)" and the Full-Time Working Mom.  And thankfully most people are accepting of both.

I used to be a SAHM.  And I loved and cherished every moment of it.  Being able to be there for every little think that my child went through.  Keeping a clean house, meals on the tables.  You know, the whole June Cleaver, 1950's mom.

Yes, I missed being in the workforce and interacting with adults who got paid for their work.

My transition into the workforce was a slow one back.

We had moved out of state and really had no plans to come back.  But after a family member passed away I wanted to come back.  So we did.  And I started to work again.  Granted it was very minor, about 6 hours a week, I think, to start with.  But it was nice to have that little extra cash.

Then, slowly, I started working more hours and eventually I think I was up to 16-20 hours a week.  I worked as a bookkeeper for a private investigator.  My boss was the bomb.  He was SO accommodating to me when it came to my children.  I was able to bring them to work with me, heck, when I had my 2nd girl, he moved me into an office, got me a little portable crib/playpen, so I could bring her into work with me.  I didn't have to pay for childcare, and I was able to be with my girls.  I was able to take them to and from school.  I only would work while they were in school.  They got to come home right after school.

It was the ideal set up for me.

But as we all know, life does not stay the same.

There came a time when it was necessary for me to work full-time.  First it started off at 30 hours a week, and that meant that I needed to put my youngest in after-school care.  It was on the school grounds and so I felt very comfortable with that.  I had hoped to never have to do that, but it is  safe place, she has friends there, and she does her homework there and saves me the battles of having to have her do it at home.  An EXTREME plus in my book with the homework! :P

Then I was provided an opportunity to work full-time, with a different company that was able to pay a little bit more.  See, it was necessary for me to start becoming self-sufficient.  But this was something I wanted to do. Would I have loved to have continued to work part-time and be that "part-time" stay at home mom (if you even want to call it that, because a mom is a full-time position, no matter if you work away from the home ore not)?  Absolutely!  But I also wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet.

I am not one who sits back and lets others do for me, when I am completely capable of doing it myself.

Well, that full-time opportunity that I took, was one of the hardest 10 months of my life.  The owner was very difficult to work for.  In fact, about 2 weeks after I started there, I started putting my resume back out there again to look for something different.

About 10 months later, and 100's of resume's later, I got a call.   A phone interview, then an "in person" interview.  The interview went so well.  The whole weekend I was praying I would get an offer.  Monday morning came, I checked my email and sure enough the offer was there.  I grabbed it in a heartbeat.  This was it.  This was the position I was waiting for.  The position that offered me the best independence I could hope for.  The ability to help me stand on my own two feet.  The chance to work with some wonderful people.

Was the last job difficult?  OH yes, but I wouldn't trade it for the world because it provided me with the knowledge of a program I needed to obtain this job.

And I love this job.

And in the meantime of all of this, I am starting to realize some other dreams of mine.

Like becoming a professional photographer.

And with the EXTREME encouragement of my dear friend, Stacy, I am using my crocheting skills to create items to sell to others.  Hats, scarves, headbands, blankets, and I will be working on some clothing pieces soon too.

I am doing all of this for ME.  But not just for me.  For my girls.  To show them that they can, and should, be able to stand on their own two feet.  To realize that they can go for their dreams.

Empowerment.

Being a positive influence in the world.

Tag.....I'm It!

I have been tagged by Lori Moon Studio. She is one of my amazing creative souls.


The Rules
...you must post the rules
...answer 11 questions the tagger posted for you
...create 11 questions to ask the people you tag
...tag 11 people
...let them know you've tagged them


My questions:


1. If you have/had to get a one word tattoo. What would it be?


Sorry but my "word" tattoo will be two words.................... "Bite Me"




2. What are two things you love the sound of?


My two daughters when they get along.




3. What is your favorite holiday celebration of the year?


Christmas.............hands down.




4. Share some advice on friendship, love or marriage...


I would have to say that, for me, I am an open person and I accept people for who they are.  So that would be my advice.  Accept them for who they are.




5. A quote you live by?


"Everything happens for a reason"




6. decisions..decision..heart or head?


Oh man, this is a hard one.   Both.




7. Where are you headed for your next holiday/vacation?


I am going to spend time with my sister in a little over a week up in L.A. and then in July I am going to Vegas to see family. :)




8. What is something you do every morning when you get up?


Check my cell phone, lol

9. When do you feel most free?


When I get the chance to get away from it all.




10. What couldn't you live without?


My children.




11. Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring...tell us your favorite & what you love most about it.


Spring.  There's just something about it that makes me feel alive.  Also, my birthday is in the springtime and I LOVE my birthday. :)


I hope you enjoyed my answers! :)

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

In honor of Dr. Seuss, whom I have loved since I was a little girl  I am reposting a post I did a few years ago when my little on was learning how to read:

Enjoy!

***************

Dr. Seuss, we do love you.
You make us rhyme with new blue goo.

Green Eggs and Ham
That Sam-I-Am

A Cat In The Hat
how about that?

My youngest is now starting to read
And a book from you is just what she needs.

She created a reading area in the hall
With stacks of books around her all.

I had gotten these books out from in a box
That belonged to her sister, including Fox in Socks.

I myself had read them here and there
When I was young I read them everywhere.

Fox in Socks is my favorite one.
The tongue twisting.....I got it done.

And here my youngest is, reading Green Eggs and Ham.
She loves the book, especially Sam-I-Am.

So Dr. Seuss, thank you so much for your wonderful words.
Your drawings, rhyming and odd looking birds.

Words and Music and Feelings

Music has always been an important part of my life.

It really is a big influence in the world when you think about it.

Music has the power to evoke so many emotions in people.  

From happiness to sadness and a myriad of emotions in between.

I really can't say there isn't a genre of music I DON'T like.  Oh sure, there are certain types where I prefer that, but then comes along a song in another type of genre that I do like. 

Back in my high school and beyond days, I would go to dance clubs (Florentine Gardens, The Palace, Club 21, Marilyns, Network, 321, Seven Seas,) and clubs in Hollywood and L.A. to listen to bands (i.e. The Roxy, Whiskey A Go Go, The Troubadour, Gazarri's, The Country Club - In Reseda).   And this happened pretty much EVERY weekend.

I always enjoyed going to clubs, whether it was listening to bands, or dancing to music or both.

I also envied those who could play a musical instrument.  My dear friend, Stacy, who came from a musical family background, knew how to play the piano and the drums.  Hey, I played the clarinet in 3rd grade, does that count?  LOL!

My actual earliest memory of a song I remember was when I was 4 years old and my mom had taken me with her to a motocross event (back then when it was just me and her, she partied and went places.  Hard to imagine that, huh?) and I remember Chicago's "Saturday in the Park" playing.   When I hear that song, I always revert back to that time and place.

In the 70's there was my first "teen idol" crush, with Andy Gibb and Shawn Cassidy.  And, of course, let us not forget disco music.  I had a "disco dance contest" at one of my slumber parties.  Yes, don't laugh, I still love disco. *grin*

In high school I had posters of bands and artists all over my walls in my room.  I was always on the lookout for the not "common" posters, but ones of early days of the artists.   In fact, I had a Madonna poster that apparently is so rare, I can't even find it on the web to show you! (Damn, I knew I should have kept it......)

In high school, I also made a vow to stay current with the current trends of music when I had kids, and I have kept that vow.

Normally these days when I go out and dance, it's the current dance music, but last weekend I went to a club where they had Reggae Music playing and I had such a good time! 

Back when I was growing up it was 8-tracks, cassettes and records (yes I still have my purple 12" Purple Rain record), and now it's CD's and mostly mp3's, but no matter how the music is produced to listen to, I will always have it be a part of my life.

Pin Up Photo Shoot

Back in high school I would admire all the Guess ads that were in all the magazines and loved the way they looked in black and white, with the classic "pin up" look. I would tear them out of the magazines and tape them up on my wall (along with all my other posters I had)

. 

I had always loved the classic 1950's Pin Up posters as well.

I'd always been interested in doing a photo shoot like that, but never had the guts to approach any of my friends to dress up and allow me to photograph them.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I was approached by someone asking me to do a Pin Up Photo Shoot!

I eagerly accepted!

The photo shoot itself, went well.   Processing and editing the photos?  Well, now that too a LOT more time and energy.

I had a vision in my head of how I wanted the final product to look like in Photoshop.  I tried many different techniques, to no avail.

Then I did a google search and, lo and behold, I found a Photoshop Pin Up Tutorial!

And the result was this:

Once I had the look I wanted, I then experimented with other photoshop techniques and came up with this black and white one:

I like it because it looks like it was actually taken in the 1950's.

And then I was having fun with the different effects I was able to achieve using Photoshop Actions.

I don't always like to do the traditional poses and like to get a little off center, only show part of the face, just a little different.

She was a fabulous model for me and I was so privileged to do this photo shoot for her.

Oh!  And I can't forget the car that was loaned to her for the photo shoot too!

GTO

You can also find me on Facebook here:  Tina Louise Photo

I learned so much with this photo shoot, mostly with Photoshop and my love for the program has only deepened, as well as my love for photography.

Word of the Year - 2012

Textures by Kim Klassen

Word of the Year.

This is a word that encompasses you and what you want to have as YOUR word for the year.  This word belongs to you.

It can be a word that helps you get through things.

A word that will give you strength throughout the year.

A word that describes you.

It can be whatever you want it to mean.

Last year my word of the year was:  CHOOSE.

A powerful word.  A word that gives me ownership to what I do.  I don't HAVE to or NEED to do it, I CHOOSE to do it.

It was a word that resonated with me from the year before and followed me into last year.

Last year another word started resonating with me.

The word was: PASSION.

This word describes ME.

It's a word I use in my descriptions of me, whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, etc.

I am so passionate about so many things.

From my children to my beliefs.

From my art to my creations.

From my family to my friends.

From love to even, yes, loathe.  (I dont' like using the word hate)

Passion is what keeps me going.

Passion is what helps me to aspire to what I want to be.

Passion is what describes my feelings.

Passion is, ultimately, ME.

What is your word of the year?

What is that ONE word that can describe you and what you want to use to help you get through the tough times, the wonderful times,  and just everyday life?

Try finding a word.

It helps.

Trust me.

My Fly Tribe Gals and I are each doing a post about each of our Word of The Year.  Please take some time and read about each one of our words.   Thank you Kelly Rae Roberts for bringing us together.

All you have to do is click on this Fly Tribe Logo/Button and it will take you to our culmative page with all of our blogs.  Thank you.