Teen at Work

Even through it's only Tuesday, this has been a busy week.

My freshman daughter will have her first finals this week.  Lots of studying and paper writing is taking place around here.

Plus, last night was her first Orchestra concert at school.  They were great!

* * * * * * *

The photographic safari adventure continues. Last week I captured a photo of the allusive Teenager at Rest.  This week I stalk and photograph the even more rare, Teenager at Work.

Here she is, studying . . .

Teenager at Work #1

She is surrounded by books, papers, a laptop, and the ever-present phone.

Here she is again.

Teenager at Work #2

We can't forget the giant backpack by her side.

Next week, I will capture the Teenager Eating.  At least, I will try.

10 Ways to Waste a Perfectly Good Saturday

How did you spend your Saturday?

Were you productive, determined, and on-the-go?  Did you have your Saturday all planned out by Wednesday?  Did you make lists and check them off?

Sometimes I do.

But not today.  I wasted away a perfectly good Saturday.  And I don't mind at all!


10 Ways to Waste a Perfectly Good Saturday

1. Watch multiple episodes of Downton Abbey!

Downton Abbey - Season 3

2. Sort the laundry, but don't actually do any.

3. Spend time wandering around Target with a latte in hand.

4. Read a magazine while your daughter is in her cello lesson.

5. Walk the dog only as far as the neighbor's yard.

6. Read through Writer's Market guide and jot down all the wonderful things you'll write . . . some other day.

7. Lounge in bed while your teen daughter spends hours typing up a paper on your computer.

8. Borrow your husband's warmest penguin pajama pants.  Just because.

9.  Decide it's OK not to take a shower EVERY day.

10. Skip a dinner event because they're serving jambalaya.  Instead, finish out the day by watching more Downton Abbey!


What did you do today?

Photos - Then and Now

As a Writer's Workshop challenge, I'm posting two photos:  One from this past year and one from 9 years ago!  (I was supposed to find one from 10 years ago, but I wasn't using iPhoto then!)

Here's the writing prompt I chose:

Find a photo of yourself taken 10 years ago and display it on your blog along with a current photo.  How have you changed since the day of that photo?


Here's me in 2003:

June 2003

Here's me in 2012:

May, 2012

WOW!

Here are some changes:

In 2003:
1. I was wearing MOM JEANS!  Yikes!

2. I looked younger.  It's true people.  I look 9 years younger.  Go figure.

3. I'm standing in my ancient kitchen that is now thankfully GONE!

4. We still use that paper towel stand.

5. We don't have a toaster oven.  Where did that go?

6.  My now teenage daughter is little!  She's only 5 here and wearing monster fingers.  Where are those monster fingers?

In 2012:
1. I have shorter, more styled hair.

2. Some of that hair is grey.

3. Even though you can't see them, I'm no longer wearing Mom Jeans!

4. I look (slightly) older.  Maybe not 9 years.  Maybe only 5 years older.  Right?

5. I'm sitting in my nice, clean living room rather than the toy-scattered living room of 2003.

6. My eyes look more hazel than brown.  I know it's weird, but my eye color has changed slowly over time.


What differences do you think you might have (good and bad) from now and 2003?

Teen at Rest

Like a photographer on the savannah of Africa, I wait for the allusive animal.

I don't wait to capture the photo of a lion or gazelle.

I wait for the animal known simply as . . . A TEENAGER!

My patience is rewarded.

I capture two photos of a teen in her natural habitat, doing two of her favorite activities.


Teen at Rest #1:  Texting

Teen at Rest - Texting

Teen at Rest #2:  Reading

Teen at Rest - Reading

Capturing the allusive teenager on film was certainly a photographic success!



I'm linking up with Wordful Wednesday at Parenting By Dummies where photos are good and words with photos are even better!

SHINE - My Word for 2013!

Instead of a long list of resolutions, many people select one word to guide them and inspire them through the new year.

My word is SHINE!

I chose "shine" for several reasons:

- I wanted a verb.  Verbs are action words.  They aren't passive.  I can change and grow.  I can shine!

- The definition is wonderful!

1. To emit light.
2. To reflect light; glint or glisten.
3. To distinguish oneself in an activity or a field; excel.
4. To be immediately apparent.  (ex. Delight shone in her eyes.)

- I want to shine this year!  I want to shine in my relationships, my writing, my life.  I want to reflect other people's shininess.  I want to strive to be the best me that I can be - to shine!

To share the choice of my 2013 word - SHINE - I'm linking up with Mama Kat and Liv Lane.  Go check out other people's words of the year!

What's your word?

2012 Bliss List

It's almost the end of 2012 and I'm linking up with the Liv Lane's last Little Bliss List today to express my thanks for some of the people, events and things that brought me a little bliss this past year.


1. My family

From my teen daughter saying, "I love you" every night before bed to the family reunion "Up North" this summer, my family has been the most bliss-giving part of 2012.

Christmas 2012

2. My pets

Once again, the power of pets is established.  It's wonderful to have little fuzzy creatures to give us love and be loved.

Lily, our dog.

3. My decision to write more

Beginning in December, I went to full-time writing!  I have set goals for myself and I'm on my way.  I'll be taking a class at the Loft soon to help me reach my goal of finishing my book proposal, sending it out to agents, and then actually finishing the book:)

4. The Sun

I suffer from pretty severe SAD.  There have been some rough patches, but I am so thankful for sunny winter days.  They bring me a lot of bliss.

5. My new car

After 8 years, I've gotten a new car and it is very fun and cute!  It's a VW Tiguan, which is a mini-SUV.  I've never had a SUV type car and I like it.  My old Passat was dying, very expensively, so it's nice to have a reliable, fun vehicle.  Ahh, bliss.


What are the people, events or things that brought you some bliss this past year?

The Day After Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas this year with family!

Grandma, Grandpa, and two of my nephews.

We ate delicious Norwegian (NOT Swedish) meatballs and cookies.

My uncle and cousins.

We opened presents.

We had a good time.

My brother and his family.

But the next morning, we found this . . .

What a mess!

The bags that held the discarded wrapping paper and ribbon were ripped apart, paper spilling out, and bits of plastic everywhere.

Who did such a deed?

The cat.

The cat with the evidence.

I asked him if he had any remorse.

Such attitude when confronted with his crime.

He said, "No."


So, I cleaned up more than I bargained for on the Day After Christmas.  Luckily, the tree is still standing and the memories are still happy.

My husband, daughter, and me.

I hope all of you had a very, Merry Christmas!