Spring Stroll

Hayes and I went for a walk in the neighborhood this evening while Scott prepared dinner. We snapped some quick images along the way....

Thrifting Lately

A couple of weeks ago in Spencer, we enjoyed rummaging through Julie Bob's at 53 East Franklin Street 812.821.0349.  

I bought a piece of furniture that can't exist on its own...but is very pretty... and was cheap!

Two sweet little stools:

One with a hand painted tulip

and one with a hand painted bird. 

...and I bought this gorgeous thing!

This is what I did with the piece of furniture that couldn't exist on its own:

Last Saturday, I took myself out for some me time second hand retail therapy.... Found several things-highlights: 

A rockin' shirt dress that had pillows sewn into the shoulders for quick naps....

This beauty:  If it weren't two sizes too small on the top.  This will make a great skirt.... it is a shame that I can not sport those sleeves.... I am still working out how I might make it a top.... 

This sweater.

This belt....which looks like any other belt.... this one is navy and suede.  And underexposed.

Kaleidoscope Cuties

We were so lucky to meet our friends at The Children's Museum last week!
I captured many images and this little bit: Charlie and Hayes in the Kaleidoscope room.

Frontwards:

Backwards:

<^>

The last two weekends have been a blast!  I was able to get involved in a burlesque show at the end of January... that was so much fun!  I got to spend the entire afternoon with my best friend back stage of the beautiful historic Atheneum Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.  There, we painted skin and I documented moments and details.  After all that, I reserved some tables in the audience for my friends and myself and got home to spruce up.  Hayes was spending time with his Grandparents, so, Scott came back to the show with me. The show was fantastic!  I even saw an unexpected acquaintance and what a surprise it was!  We finished the night in the basement bar where there was live music and many more photos taken...of ourselves!  We were wild with abandon... energy... fun!  Of course, I couldn't resist taking the many images captured and making gifs...yes, I am still into that. So, here are some of my favorite images from the day: 

The first weekend in February was filled with art, too.  Hayes' school had an art fair and auction in the heart of one of the artsiest 'hoods in Indy.  It was a blast because Scott and I were very involved in getting it set up.  I was able to make corsages and boutonnieres for the volunteers and donate a photograph for the auction.  

The event was a success with many people attending.  My piece was sold to a bidder who really wanted it-so, that pleases me. Before the night was over, some very dear friends surprised me by showing up!  They were in from out of town-we made plans with them to meet up later.  We went to a restaurant we had never been to before.  We had a decedent dinner at midnight surrounded by friends and acquaintances in an atmosphere that was very luxurious.  I really felt that I was on vacation just for those few hours.  What a great feeling!  

A strange juxtaposition to put photos from a burlesque show and a children's art show together-but it is my life-and things are not always in order... it is dangerous and it is safe... it is wild and it is tame....

There are many more images from this great event-but, I respect the people I photographed enough to keep them off this forum... 

Just some excitement for the last couple of weeks mixed in with regular old life... just felt like sharing and making a post for 2013!!  

Cheers!

I didn't walk the dog.

I had a day off from work today.  

I went to work for a while anyway.

I had plans of working more after I arrived at home.

I brewed some coffee.

I clicked on the TEDxIND live feed and absorbed.

I found myself clicking through and editing my own family photos.

I ended up gravitating toward some images I made and intuitively began working on this:

It isn't impressive.

It isn't special or different.

However, it was the perfect thing to do while keeping up with something happening in real time that I wasn't fortunate enough to physically be involved in.

I did throw some food in the crock pot for dinner.

I didn't do the laundry.

I didn't sweep the floor.

I didn't even drink all the coffee in my press.

I did eat lunch which is something I don't get to do when it is a working day.

And, it was even leftovers.

I didn't walk the dog.

I didn't iron the 80 pounds of clean clothes mocking me behind my back.

I didn't do the dishes.

I did make this:

a product of a walk Hayes and I took yesterday on the heels of a short Indian Summer.

I feel as though I stole this day.

Stole it away from the things I was supposed to do.

Should have done.

I deserve some time, right? 

Why do I have to feel so guilty over it, though?

Oh $h!+.  I am late for my appointment.

project .gif

Before Project IMA INspired, an annual Fashion Show we attended on 10.11.12, Scott, Hayes and I took a few photos.... Hayes was performing.

Smoky Mountain Summer Camp 2012

For Scott's and my Fifth Wedding Anniversary....and my sister, Laura, and her husband, Nathan's Sixth, the four of us and our young sons, Hayes and Wilson set out on a summer camp adventure.

First, let's look at what Laura and Nathan looked like in 2006 on their wedding day....

and Scott and me in 2007 on our wedding day....

Heehee.

We rented a cabin outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  It really was more of a Florida vacation home than a cozy cabin--which was perfect for us.  It is called the Smoky Mountain Tower....and I highly recommend it.  It is reasonably priced and well equipped with everything a home needs.  It was at the top of a mountain-so we got to experience driving up a mountain....and feeling like we were tucked away far from civilization...even though there were houses directly next to us... we had access to pools but had no time to enjoy them...The house was a lovely accommodation.

The first day, we went downtown in Gatlinburg to see the sights and do a little shopping.  It was so hot.  Too hot, really... but we managed.  That was about all we could do the first day.  The second day, we went into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park-to Cade's Cove.  It is an 11 mile loop-a one-way lane that takes visitors by cabins and churches that are authentic and in their original locations....also, there are beautiful views to behold every way you look.  It made me think of an amusement park ride-- experience nature from the comfort of your car!  We saw several different animals and insects, too.  On our way back from Cade's Cove, I thought we hadn't had enough adventure for the day...so, I suggested that we go see this 80ft waterfall...Laurel Falls.  We didn't know how far it was from the parking lot-we decided if it was "too far" we would skip it-but no one defined what was "too far"...so, we all got out of our cars, got ready and headed to the beginning of the trail.  The sign read, "Laurel Falls  1.3 mi" None of us were going to say that 1.3 miles was too far....that would be embarrassing, right?  So, we pressed on... only to then see a sign in caution yellow that read, "Falling deaths have occurred.  Closely control children."

Yikes.  Any good mother would have read that and rationalized.... and turned back...especially if she was taking her 3 year old up there.... (Laura exempt from that statement as she and Nathan had Wilson securely strapped into one of the coolest hiking packs I have ever seen.  He was safe.)  We pressed on.  Scott hoisted Hayes up onto his shoulders.  Hayes complained almost the entire way up that he wanted down.... we got about half way and I am apologizing up and down (mostly up) for dragging everyone on this hike.  I seriously felt like everyone was miserable and it was all my fault.  I know Laura was stressed out--because, YES, it was very dangerous.  Scott had an extra 40 lbs. on his shoulders-although, he said nothing about that-I knew he was cursing me in his mind.  Nathan was so happy to be hiking in the wilderness--I knew he was very pleased with me-I didn't have to apologize to him.  As we went higher and higher, the drop off to the left of the path got steeper and steeper.  Now, that sign at the beginning was really making sense.  We kept on...and finally, we arrived at the falls.  The drop off was incredible.  I was even more nervous than when I realized that the trail was in fact dangerous.  I thought Scott was much too close to the edge with Hayes and as much as I wanted to take several photographs...I could only take the few showing that "we were there".

We all know I was there even though I am not pictured because I am [one of] the camera operator.... But I captured everyone else near the falls.  The falls pictured are not even the full falls--not even the drop off I mentioned.  There really was not a great way for me to capture that part without getting off trail-and I had no interest in that.  It was getting late, it was already after dinner time... so, we headed back down that steep and winding trail...now, on the outer edge as others climbing the trail had the inside.  Going down was much easier than going up... we had made it to the top!  We met our goal... we were all very stressed going up, but coming down, I think we all were more confident.  We supported each other and we conquered that trail.  And, yes, we did climb a mountain during our Smoky Mountain Summer Camp.  And no one died.  Thank God.

Once we got to our vehicles, we were Mellow Mushroom bound.  We were more than ready for a slice of pizza.... we were seated quickly and our food was delivered to our table soon after we ordered, too!  We all give Mellow Mushroom a good score for their yummy pizza and good service.
After dinner, we emerged from the shroom and heard delightful sounds of strumming guitars, picking banjo and a fiddle.... There was a bluegrass band playing in a courtyard.  Of course, we went to check it out... lo and behold!  The courtyard led right into the Ole Smoky Moonshine tasting room!  I had wanted to check that out.... although, I was too busy taking in the music, Scott and Nathan took advantage.  (Well, Scott tasted;bought three jars...Nathan responsibly bought a hat.)  What a great little outing before we headed back to the house for our last night.  (By the way, Scott bought blackberry, lemon drop and white lightning moonshines--I tried the flavored kinds-yum... as for the white lightning--well, that is 100 proof stuff--I am not too eager to get on that....)

See a snippet of Hayes dancing:



Well, if you are my Facebook friend, I have about a hundred more photographs shared there of our trip... so check out my "Smoky Mountain Summer Camp 2012" album.  If you are not my Facebook friend, consider yourself spared from the dreaded vacation slide show.

I leave you with this image: Even though it was check out time, we were very happy with our stay at Smoky Mountain Summer Camp.