.a magical moment.

Have you ever had one of those days, when it seems like nothing is going right, you are so stressed out, and if anyone makes just one smart ass comment you'll snap? Ha ha! However, by the end of the day, something small yet significant happens, fading everything else into an irrelevant blur. That was my day. I won't even bother going through the details of the "irrelevant blur," but I will tell you that my little 2 year old has FINALLY started using the potty!! I had intentions of photographing the occasion, but decided that you probably didn't need to see that. Ha! So, instead, how about a pretty picture of geese and goslings in a pond being led by a duck? Hope little magical moments find their way to you this week!

**Update: So. . . we're kinda sorta back to square one with the potty training, which I guess is normal right?! Did I fail to mention that I attempted to cut her bangs yesterday? Well, what should have been a simple cut ended up turning into a nightmare. Needless to say, she is now sporting what could pass as a mullet. And I cried.

.desperately seeking solace.

I think I may have found it.

.sunshine by the shore.

After over a week of wet and dreary days, some of us couldn't wait to get out and play!

.rollip.

There is no doubt that the old school, vintage, dreamy look of Polaroid photos is making a big comeback these days. Unfortunately, Polaroid has stopped the production of many, if not most, of their film which has left many photographers in a panic. Stocks of film are approaching their expiration dates and depleting quite rapidly. Good news is that many of the films are still available for purchase through the likes of Polaroid's site Polapremium, as well as on Ebay, that is if you're willing to cough up some pretty hefty bucks. The average cost of the popular 600 film, which contains a total of 10 exposures per cartridge, is just over $20. So, for those of us who can't seem to bring ourselves to use up the last few exposures left in our possession, I am delighted to say that there is a website that can manipulate your original digital image into one that looks like it may have come out of that old instamatic!

The website is Rollip.com. I found it during my visit to the Shutter Sisters blog this morning. I must admit, I'm quite ADDICTED!!

This first image was created using the Rollip.

Here is the original photo.

Once you've tried it, you may find yourself creating a good pile of Pola-simulated images and need a place to share them. Flickr has a group pool dedicated to just that. So, go on. . . have fun!!

P.S. Toast has a new video up. Oh how I wish I could visit Ireland!

.09.22.09::fall is here.

My day started off a little absent-mindedly. I woke up, took a shower, got dressed, joined in on the tickle fun with Alex and our wee one before heading out to work. I listened to my Priscilla Ahn CD while cruising down the road, belting out each tune in harmony as if I were her backup singer (she doesn't need one, but if she did, I'm her gal). Everything seemed normal. Once I got to work though, one of my co-workers looked at me and said, "You're here too?" as we both primarily work in the same department of the bookstore. Hmm. . . am I supposed to be here? Apparently not. Wrong day. Doh! So, a phone call was made to home to let the hubby know that I was on my way back. The entire drive back I kept thinking that there was something significant about today. . . What was it?! Ooh! Yes, the Wallace & Grommit collection featuring their newest film, A Matter of Loaf and Death, comes out today! I'm a geek. I know. But that wasn't it. . . hmm. . . the day went on. The little one and I went to Target, later to the grocery store, then to my sister's, back home. I logged into the internet and read a few blogs. Then I looked to my right, directly at my calendar and realized that there were exclamation points at the end of something listed for today. OH!! Today's the first day of Fall!! Happy Day! You wouldn't know it to look around our neighborhood! The grass is greener than ever with all the crazy amounts of rain we've been getting this last week. Still, I am happy knowing that cooler weather is just around the corner, along with vibrant colors and hints of spice in the air. Welcome back Autumn, my favorite Season!

.what matters most.

There is a magnetic memo board that hangs on the door to my kitchen pantry. There is a small phrase that I wrote on it little more than 2 and a half years ago. It's a little worn off now since it's been mostly covered with yellow post-it notes with scribbles of phone numbers, reminders, postcards, and whatever else will stick on to it. Focus on what matters most. I wrote those words when I was in the third trimester of my pregnancy with my daughter. Besides her Daddy, I felt alone, torn, betrayed. It was a very difficult time for me. My job was in turmoil, my friends and family were far enough away that I fell into the category of 'out of sight, almost out of mind.' My stress level got so high that I would actually have heart palpitations. My focus was not where it needed to be. The world around me seemed oppressed and cold, and yet within me, there was a warmth. . . a tiny heart beating. . . a world of miracles and peace. I wrote those words to remind myself that nothing that was going on around me had any more importance than what was going on in my womb. This child, and her well-being was all that mattered.

Those words have helped calm me down during moments of uncertainty, disappointment, anger, and fear. For awhile here, I have struggled with what to do with me. There's so much I want to do. Photography, crafts, school, this and that. I have been searching so passionately for Kat the artiste, the photographer, the traveler, the bohemian that I have completely overlooked the the gal who was baptized into a new realm of womanhood. I began to forget about Kat the Mommy. She has brought me back down to earth and made me realize that it's through this new role as Mom that I have embarked on a wonderful, trying, yet all together amazing journey of discovery. And I will not be alone. With me, I shall walk beside a brilliant guide. . . my child.

"C'mon Mama, let's go!"

.the road to peace.

As Autumn gently approaches, I find myself desiring more time spent in the midst of trees and the open air. It seems as if it is truly nature that is aiding me in my quest to free my mind of clutter, to once again regain a sense of peace. And thank goodness for it!

Where do we find peace?

Peace is in the rosy softness

of a new dawn breaking.

It's the sound of the wind

across a mountain peak.

It's the waves breaking as

they splash upon the beach,

The quiet and mystical beauty

of a snowflake drifting

silently downward

to a land blanketed in white.

Peace is the elusive kingdom

of the soul which God alone

in his love does hold.

~Unknown

.i'm back!.

Hello everyone! I truly hope that every single one of you have had an awesome summer! The little one and I are back from our trip to Michigan. Actually, we've been back for a little while. A very short trip but a good one. The above photo is of the Mackinac Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge. It was such a cool site to see! It was fun collecting fudge in little Mackinaw City. Yes, I'm a fudgie! Maybe next time, we'll be able to make a trip over to Mackinac Island to see the Grand Hotel. Honestly, as far as pictures were concerned, three shots of the bridge were the only photos I had taken. Aside from photos of A. with her shorts on her head. Why? The main reason for it was because I was not prepared for it to have been so cold! There was a freak cold front that moved in from Canada. It had actually gone down into the 50s and the morning we left, into the 30s. There was frost on the car as we were preparing to head back to Nashville's 80˚-90˚ weather. I ended up getting a nasty cold once we got back and I'm still trying to get over this cough that came with it. Ugh.

In other news, we did get a new puppy. Or rather, Alex got us a new puppy while we were away. A cute little mutt we named Chipper. Nothing like trying to potty train the toddler and house train the dog all at the same time. Yay!! Now. . . how have YOU been?