Spirit.

I recently entered a photo contest here in town and am I ever glad I did. Even if I don't win it, the experience has been absolutely amazing.

I already had a stock pile of photographs that I could use for this contest, but it was a matter of getting photos of people. There were 3 subjects I could enter into and I was in need of capturing people if I wanted to participate in the entire thing.

I was telling people during my time out there that generally I take photos of nature and not people. Everyone was so willing to help me out by me taking their photo! That thrilled me to no end. The first day I went out to achieve this, we had an event happening here in town and the entire main street was blocked off and full of things happening. And because of this, I just went ahead and approached people, told them who I was, and what I was doing. They were glad to help and glad to be a part of it. It's funny actually because the contest was to capture the spirit of the town. I found the spirit amazing!

I had wanted to capture some people golfing because that is what many people do here. So, I picked a golf course and I went in to the club house with my camera and spoke to the Manager. What a great guy he was! He not only thought it would be great, but he notified all his staff that I would be out there and to let me do my thing and help me in any way. Isn't that amazing? An amazing woman who's job was making sure everyone started properly out there and everything ran smoothly took me in her golf cart and gave me a tour. She introduced me to many people out there and the experience was perfect. It was seniors day and the people I met were welcoming me and what I was doing with open arms. So, I left there with a great spirit of my own and with some really great shots.

I found I was welcome wherever I went and that opened a new door for me. It's all about how you approach the situation. I'm not a professional photographer but some day I will be. And the people out there treated me as if I already am which was really nice. I think from this experience, going forward it will be easier for me to get the shots I need and to have people include themselves.

Really? It was a fantastic day all around.....

Everyone needs their alone time....

It's so peaceful here right now......

For some reason it seems all of my daughters end up coming over after I have worked on a Sunday. Grr. I hate working Sundays and today was brutally boring. And a boring day makes me sleepy and I wasn't much fun for them tonight.

When we arrived here after I was done work, and of course picked them up this place was scorching hot inside. I never know what the weather, or temperature is going to be lately so I left the heat on. It was almost unbearable. And having the oven on didn't help either. But, it was a great pasta dinner and after opening the windows and it cooled off outside everything was good again. Just as I was thinking about driving the other two girls home a friend of my oldest daughter called and wanted her to stay the night. I will miss her and of course I do already but at the same time, I was glad. I have the place to myself again. It has cooled down beautifully. I can hear the frogs singing outside, a little breeze blowing and I am soon off to dreamland.

Long weekends.

I just hopped out of the shower and thankfully it took me away from being a zombie. What a late night that was and I just can't handle those anymore. We took 2 separate cars to the Drive In theatre last night. It was what they call a Dusk till Dawn, meaning each screen plays 4 movies in one night. And out of those 4 movies, we watched one.

The first movie was called Prom and none of us knew anything about it, so we took the kids over to the park so they could play and get to know one another. I'm speaking of my daughter and my girlfriends grandson. It was so much fun to watch them chase each other around having fun. I thought that hour and a half would tire them right out but not a chance.

There was an amazing lightning show during the movie as well. And for some reason I remember going to the Drive In and witnessing this many times. It was just what I think they call heat lightning, because there were only a few drops of rain during the movie.

The movie we went to see was the new Pirates of the Caribbean. 4 movies? As if. It was fun but I must say I can't say I really captured too much of the film. It was odd really. Some of the main characters I was familiar with were not in this film. And although I love and own the other earlier ones, it always takes me a couple of views to understand or follow what is happening. There is always so much going on in these films I find it hard to follow the first time around. And, the two children in the back seat even though both of them love these movies as much as we do had their own thing going on back there giggling and trying to get on the roof of my car. For the first bit I opened the sun roof to let them sit up there but after them crawling in and out a few times I closed it up.

We took two cars because Janice was coming from the south and me the north. We planned to meet up, then get in line but that didn't work out at all. At one point because I was running late we sent each other texts to attempt a well timed meet up. She was stuck in a ridiculous line up of cars on the highway to get in and I even seen her and her car while driving by on the opposite side of the highway. So, me knowing the area from growing up there, took an alternate route. I came from behind taking another route coming up the back side of the Drive In. While she waited still just barely off the highway, I was already inside and parked. I felt bad for her and if I had any idea I would have told her to go the other way. But, as everything does it worked out and I was able to save her a spot right beside my car. When she parked, we then went to the park and later settled into my car.

The movie ended around 2 am, and all of us were tired. Okay, wait. Us adults were tired. I think the kids could have kept going for sure. But, I had to drive my oldest daughter to work for 6 so we called it a night. And thank goodness we did because I was exhausted.

I'm looking out my window right now at the guy next door. He has this pick thing and he's manually taking out every dandelion by hand. Oh my God. Have fun with that. I just noticed him sit on something like a recycle box and he's there looking at all the ones he has left to do. I don't get it. Eventually they do go away and even if you do whatever you need to do to take them out, I'm looking at everyones lawns around here and they will just come back. I'm sure there are many opinions about what I just said. haha.

Anyway....so far its been a great weekend. I love the time off and I love not wasting any bit of it. This morning was amazingly sunny and that made me happy. The clouds are rolling and we're expecting a storm so I'll have to move any plans inside. I hope your weekend is going well......

Thankful.

In the blink of an eye things can change. They can change for the worse, and of course they can change for the better. Life's ups and downs. And when you have one of those ups you have to look back on the downs and wonder what the hell all the worry was about. And after just typing all of that I wonder what the hell all of that was about?

Oh life. I love you. I'm experiencing the up right now and I'm loving it all. Worry? Shit. I've had my share of it and yes, I look back and wonder how many years of my life it will have taken from me. Hopefully not too many. Worrying is a waste of energy and time. But, it happens.

During the time I've been single sometimes I wonder how I've ever managed. Of course, I've had much help and that I am always thankful for. But, beyond that I have to grin or maybe even laugh about how I've had times where I completely knew what I was doing, and how I've had times where I was completely lost. I'm at a point now where even if I don't know what I'm doing I forgive myself and that day and relax. Tomorrow can be the day where I will figure it all out. If I was lost before, I'd worry. And all that time I worried I could have either been relaxing or figuring things out so that tomorrow I would have a grip on whatever it was that was confusing or putting me into trouble. I love those sentences.

I'm not keeping up to this blog very well. I can remember at one point posting mostly every day but I just can't do it lately. I'm either not at home or even if I am my mind is elsewhere. So, forgive me to whom ever may be reading this. I'll do it when I can okay?

I have just returned home after being at my girlfriends place. I stay there every Thursday and that is her window that I posted up there. It's very calm and peaceful just like our relationship. Yeah, I know. Now you understand why I haven't been posting much. It's like my life has taken an entirely different route and wow it's a great one. For many reasons too. I had a conversation with my Ex the other day and it was truly great. I'm happy for her, she's happy for me, our children are doing great, there is no confusion anymore and everyone is going about their life enjoying it. Wow. And isn't that great? Sure there was a time there I was bitter, and I'm sure she was as well but after the dust has settled thankfully everything calmed down and true understanding took place. I know its not always like that. I know. I've heard many stories. I'm thankful everything has meaning now. I'm thankful for many many things.......