FASCINATION FRIDAY

I try not to get too negative on the blog - but in all honesty, I've been in a FUNK.

A creative slump.  

I'm distracted and life is gettin' to me.

This morning I started thinking about how I can find some inspiration in the middle of this fog.

I started thinking about the things that make my creative heart beat a little faster.

Bad or good, these are the inspirations I can use to get myself back into the game, this week...

1. Anything sparkly (click on image for something cool:)

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2. Black and white

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3. Music by Kimbra

4. Colorful stripes (like these from Prada.)

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5. Cameras and photographs - old and new

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6. BOOKS, BOOKS, and more BOOKS!

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7. Test-driving used cars.  (That's right-I'm in the market for one.)

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8. Friendship

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9. Sadness

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10. Coffee

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11. Maps (Evan is learning state capitals and I'm having so much fun practicing with him.)

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12. Dreaming...while I'm awake and asleep.

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Where do you find inspiration?

Happy weekend to you!

Finders of fun...

 I'm not going to lie.

Christmas was really rough for me this year.

But, these two inspired me.  They are so strong, and sweet, and sensitive, and they are growing into amazing young men.  They really blow me away sometimes with their kindness and compassion for others, including me.

They have really been enjoying their time at home, and I have been savoring every minute of it...

Whether they are playing in the snow...

...or enjoying a couple of "frappies" at Starbucks...

...they always manage to find the fun in EVERY situation.

They are so inspiring to me.

I hope you all had a VERY MERRY Christmas.

I will share some shots of our holiday, very soon.

Thanks for reading, my friends.

XO

Still going...

I don't know how I'm doing it, but I'm still working hard to get ready for this weekend's 

Firefly Holiday Market.

I've got plenty of this...

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...and I'm listening to this...

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...and dreaming of this...

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Can't wait to see all of you this weekend!

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome, November!!

I hope you all had a frightful and delightful Halloween!

We had so much fun  TRICK-OR-TREATING!

After preparing for the not-so-chilly evening's walk with a little

"Starbecky's,"

we headed out into the SPOOOOOOOOOKY night to collect some treats.

I was so inspired by all of the jack-o-lanterns we saw along the way!

The boys got some SERIOUS loot!

Bigsby even put on his monster costume for the evening. :)

Alas, Halloween is over, much to my monkeys' dismay.

On to MY favorite holidays!!!! 

Happy November, everyone!!

Tuesday nights...

This is where the monkeys and I spend our Tuesday nights.

From 5:30 - 7:30 every Tuesday for 10 weeks we will be taking a journey through our grief with the help of all the wonderful staff and volunteers at

Judi's House.

We come together with other kids and parents who have lost someone special in their lives.

We have been going for three weeks, and it's already helped all of us SO MUCH.

We all have our GRIEF in common.

The kids have found other kids who are on the same emotional journey.  It helps them to know they are not the only kids who have lost their dad.

and I have been able to connect with other parents who are struggling in all of the same ways I am.

I am grateful that we have so many friends and family to love us and help us.  And I am so thankful that we can go to a safe, peaceful place like Judi's House.  I am also REALLY thankful to those of you who have stuck with me on this blog.  Thank you so much for allowing me to share a little of the good and the bad in my life with you.  

 Thank you for reading.

Bret - we miss you.