Taking Time for Myself

You know, this blog is something I do because I want to (sometimes). I don't always want to write this - every single day. As you can see, my thoughts and emotions get so overwhelming that I have let this get away from me. I get too immersed in my every day responsibilities and don't allow myself the 15 minutes that it takes to write this for all of you. Don't get me wrong, I like writing. I love it. I feel as though I need to make sure that this is uplifting for all of you. It is about making a decision to love every day. I apologize that I haven't been able to keep up with it all the time for you. I realize that it can be very difficult to do every single day. It's a big commitment.  But don't be afraid.  I'm here for you.  The readers are here for you.  Share this with others so that they all can be here for you too.

So..  About my day...  About what I did to remind myself of the responsibility of loving every day...

I got to sleep in and spend some time alone today.  I went window shopping at WalMart and Target and also stopped at Blick to get a couple of new paint colors.  I painted a little too when I got home.  It was really great to get out and hang out by myself with nowhere specific to go or a specific time to be there.  Now, I'm looking at the clock and realizing that I didn't do anything productive around the apartment but reminding myself that it's okay - even good - to have a day of nothing every once in a while.

My responsibilities for the day were ignored and now have a day crammed with some responsibilites tomorrow. Laundry, getting dog food, getting easy dinners, cleaning dishes, cleaning out the bird cages and vacuuming. Hopefully, Mike will help me and I need to be comfortable with asking for help. That's my goal tomorrow along with spending 15 minutes doing something that I want to do for myself. I may stop at Payless and get a pair of shoes. Or I'll paint. Or if it's beautiful again, I'm going for a short walk with my camera.

What did you do today?  Did you get to spend a whole day doing nothing or was your day filled up with chores and other responsibilities?  If you did have to do responsible things today, did you spend at least 15 minutes of your day doing something just for you because you wanted to? 

One of the things that's getting easier for me to do is doing something that I want to do; something for me; something that I really want to do.  The most difficult parts are feeling okay with doing these things and reminding myself that I don't have to justify how I feel.  I have a right to feel like doing something - or nothing - and there isn't necessarily a reason. 

I have a homework assignment for those of you who have a similar problem as I do.  Take 15 minutes out of your day tomorrow and do something that you want to do.  Read, write, draw, paint, drive around town, stop at the mall, get a vanilla shake from Portillo's (which I almost did today), go for a walk, close your eyes, play with a child - with permission.  I don't care what you do - do something for you!  Then get back to your responsibilities but remember why you stopped in the first place.  Loving every day is what it's all about.  Without love, there is no life.

Sunday

Just some photos today... 

I painted a little bit earlier.

"Spring Bloom"

I am feeling a little down right now so I went for a walk and found some cool things to photograph.

"Fall Colors"

"Preparation"

"Reflection"

"Ducks at Dusk"

A New Camera!

So I met up with my father & step-mother today to catch up & spend time.  When we were leaving, he presented me with a gift - something I remember admiring from childhood and basically being secretly obsessed with.  I remember telling him a while ago that if he ever thought about getting rid of it that I would take it off his hands. 

A Canon EOS Rebel S camera.  Yes, it's 35mm and takes REAL film but it's such an AWESOME CAMERA!!  I'm so excited about it.  It's a SLR camera (I really wanted one last spring during tax time & had to settle with something a little less) and he even still had the instruction manual!

 As another great thing that happened today, I went with a friend & her two children to Goebberts Farm to look at over-priced pumpkins, see a bunch of animals, drink hot cider, get cider doughnuts, eat grilled corn on the cob & basically walk around and enjoy time together.  It was pretty fun.

I find myself conflicted with the animal part of the farm.  They're in small cages and don't seem very happy or interested in doing anything (though some of them enjoy the constant treats from all the children & adults passing by).

There were some yellow flowers! :)

Now, I'm not too sure what these animals have to do with fall & halloween but it was fun anyway!  Especially if you love animals - like me!

Giraffe

Giraffe

Bobcat

White tiger cub

Tiger cubs

Piglets!

My favorite piglet

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and were slso able to do something fun!

 My favorite thing to photograph is nature.  I find that I'm especially drawn to trees - I'm not sure why.  Here are some of the ones that I've taken in the past year.

Schaumburg, April 9, 2010

In January, Mike and I needed to go empty out and release my car to the insurance company because it needed to be totalled due to an accident.  While Mike was at work, I had lunch at Panera and it started to snow.

Just starting to snow in Park Ridge, January 11, 2011

After looking out the window for a while, I decided to go for a little walk to the other shops - one of which was a chocolate shop!  YUM!!  I got some chocolate, candies and some special dog treats for our pups as well as a "cheesecake" caramel apple for my sister's birthday.

A Park Ridge tree-lined street, January 11, 2011

At the end of the day, we went to meet up with my mother and siblings to have a birthday dinner at Uncle Julio's in Oakbrook.  Dinner was great!  Ok..  So this blog wasn't just about my love for photography.  I love thinking back on the fun things in life and remembering them.

I hope you're all doing well and have a wonderful Friday!