Boxes and Paper

Mr. Man was so much fun at Christmas.  I didn't figure he would be all that interested in opening presents so we wrapped all of his in two big boxes.  I figured he would enjoy the paper and the boxes more.  Mr. Man does like his boxes! 

Sure enough the 1st empty box had him sitting in it, crawling in and out of it and playing with the bubble wrap that the gift was packaged in. 

He loved playing with a large sheet of wrapping paper that his Momma carefully pulled off one of her presents.

He did try to eat some of the paper.  I was surprised that it took him so long before he started ripping it up.

He held still a few times while his Mommy and Daddy helped him open his gifts.

And he did play with a few of his toys.  As long as there wasn't an empty box or wrapping paper in sight.

After all the mess was cleaned we went outside to play.  It was so pretty and all we needed was a light jacket.  He is so cute and I am glad that he walking now and I can just follow him around and take pictures. 

Santa made an appearance while we were there visiting and I was able to get some photos of him and the kids.  That will have to wait until I get more time to edit.

People

We are a different person for different people. 

Let me give you an example.  I am not the same person for my children as I am for my boss.  Nor am I the same for a co-worker as I am for my Grandmother. My Children are adults now and while I like to believe that my opinion still matters to them, I know that my boss is only interested in my opinion when he asks for it.  The type of encouragement that I give a co-worker is not the same kind that I would give my  90 year old Grandmother. 
I saw a little bit of this today.  I heard an angel sing goodbye to a friend.  Pretty sure that the "angel" comment will not sit well with him.  There were a few that knew of this talent, but most of us didn't.  Thank you for sharing your talent today Sir.  You helped so many say good bye to a great man.  I, for one, will not point out to the next "bad guy" that you arrest that you are actually an ANGEL.  That would not be nice of me.  I am trying to improve myself.  It ain't easy.

The very same thing can be seen and heard by a group of people and they will react to it differently. 

Some will like it and will be moved to tears.  Others can hardly wait for it to end.  Today's bagpipes for example.  I love them.  I appreciate that nothing else sounds like them.  Listening to Amazing Grace played on the pipes WILL bring a tear to my eye.  I had someone else that was there tell me they were not impressed.  Their comment was "How do you tell when they mess up?".  They felt relief when the pipes fell silent. 
Another example is the public reaction to the long funeral procession.  Some had pulled over and were simply waiting.  Some were not pleased and pulled out in the middle of the line of cars that were following their loved one to his graveside.  Some stopped what they were doing, stood respectfully, holding hats over their hearts and waiting until every car had passed.  It is times like this that I hope that Karma is true.  I hope that each person that stopped and showed respect will get it returned a HUNDRED fold. 

How we perceive a person is not the full person.  It can be so one sided.  So many feel that if a person has a bad quality then they must be bad because of it.  If they do not dress the same as us, look the same as us or believe the same as us then they are not worthy. 
I want to believe that each person has worth.  That a person does not have to be perfect to be loved.  I want to feel if I fall short that I will be forgiven or at least given another chance. 
When my friends and family stand at my graveside I want them to remember me with fondness.  I want them to say nice things about me.  I want them to know my heart.  I saw this happen today.  I saw a friend's FB post earlier today that said the biggest act of faith is to trust someone with your heart.  To trust that they will not break it. 
Today I saw a large group of people gather to say goodbye to a fellow Officer, a Husband, a Father, a Son, a Brother, a Friend.  Some came to honor him even though they did not know him.  They came to show honor for the badge he wore and the pledge he took to protect. 
He was loved. He was not perfect but you could tell he tried.  I know there were times when he felt that he fell short.  He had a good heart that made an impression on so many. 

Here is some of the Tribute.

May all that loved you find a way to celebrate your life. May they find peace where they can.  May each of us learn from the example you showed us.

Water is good and life can be good lived one step at a time. 

One step at a time

You wonder, will they remember?
You worry, how will they do?
You fret, I am not ready.
You rage, not yet.

The mark you left will speak well of you.
We will help them carry sorrow's burden.
Share each unfinished task and we will do them in your name.
Anger will fade.

Because
Blessed is each day lived, one step at a time.

So Random

Create
I want to be creative, but don't feel I am. When I try to be creative I am usually pleased, with at least part of the result.  I get something from the partial satisfaction.  Where does this desire to create come from? 

Competitive
I feel a strong, negative, personal response to group behaviour.  I do not feel comfortable with the thought that I am "like" a large group of others just because we wear/buy/consume the same idea.  What is it about "playing" with others that brings out such a rebellious response in me?  The strange fact that I am competitive just does not seem to fit.  How do you compete if you don't play?

Dreams
The dream to be useful or needed is strong.  The idea of being used or needy is repugnant. 
The dream to be strong or healthy is deep.  The idea of weakness or illness can be devastating. 
The dream for understanding can be elusive.  The idea of rejection can freeze your soul.

Fear
Fear, fear, fear. 
Fear to give in.  Fear to give up.  Fear to try.  Fear to fail.   
Fear.  Fear of giving too much.  Fear.
Fear of the future.  Fear of the past.  Fear of change.  Fear of pain
Fear. Fear that things will always be the same.  Fear.

Dislike 
I dislike the judgemental.  I see the same ugliness in myself. 
I am not better than you.  You are not better than me.  We are just different. 
Why is this so hard to learn?

Hated
I hate to give in.  I hate to give up.  I judge myself harshly when I do.
So I find myself unmotivated to try.  That is an attitude that will continue the circle!

Create Competitive Dreams where Fear and Dislike are Hated


This is such a random post. 
I have been in a funk and I believe my brain has stewed for too long.
Too much? 

I need a quote that will motivate me.  That is what I need.  That will fix it. 

For today I will take pleasure in the fact that I did not delete it all.  AND that I published something.

Quotes and Observations

Random Quotes and Observations that give you a look at my thoughts, fears, and beliefs. 

The things I learn by quietly watching are amazing. But I still can’t seem to keep my mouth shut for very long.
This is such an accurate description of me.  There has been improvement with age but I still have a long ways to go.  What compels me to speak?  Where does the assumption that they want to hear my opinion come from?  I know I have visited this theme before but I still haven't figured out why I don't do better with this. 

Time is not kind. It can tease us with not enough and too much in the same day.
There is seldom enough time to get all the tasks done in a day.  Do you also lay down at night and think of what was left undone?  Did the day last too long?  Do you replay all the things you had to do that were not pleasant? 
I wish I could speed time up for things that are not pleasant.
But I really wish I could stop time for the moments that touch my heart.  Stop it so that the feeling doesn't just touch but seeps all the way through.

While learning wisdom through experience you become painfully aware of how foolish you really are.
Have you ever found yourself realizing that some long held belief is now obsolete?  The world keeps changing.  What happens to those who aren't flexible enough to keep up with it?  Do they also become obsolete?

The easiest way to kill me is with Kindness.
Over the years I formed the bad habit of expecting the worse so that I won't be let down.  This is a ridiculous way to face the world so I actively try to change this habit.  Disappointment can make it hard to justify the effort.  The unintentional things done with no awareness can be the hardest for me. 

There are days when I can’t turn it loud enough to shut out all the noise.
How do you turn off expectations?  How much do you give away?  Do you also wish for a place to hide?

Enough digging for the day.  There will be another day to try again.

Never enough

There is no such thing as too much Mr. Man.  I spent Saturday afternoon and Sunday following him around and playing with him.  I love to watch him.  I love to take pictures of him.  There is just not enough time in the day when we go visit. 

I know you won't be surprised that I am going to share some of the photos. 

He has started smiling for me when I take his picture.  At least when he is paying attention to me he will.  Sometimes he is too busy.

I am in love with his dimples.  And his gorgeous blue eyes.  And his chubby little cheeks. 

He is so busy most of the time that he doesn't care that I am taking pictures.  That is when I can get pictures like this.  You can tell he is trying to figure something out.  See the wrinkled eyebrows? 

I love the light that comes through the front door.  He likes to play there and I take advantage of it when ever possible! 

He found his Grandpa's keys and wallet.  He didn't get to keep the wallet very long but Grandpa let him play with his keys for as long as he wanted to.  (Translation: as long as I was willing to watch him so they wouldn't get lost) 

I wanted to see what kind of reflections I could get if I stood outside and he stayed inside. 

I like the way there seems to be layers of reflections. 

Here he is giving his stuffed animal buddies a ride in a box.  Boxes are still the coolest toys ever!   

 He liked Grandpa's shoes. 

Here he is with the Pumpkin before it was carved. 

 His Daddy and Mommy discussing how and what to carve on the pumpkin.

 I wonder how long he will let us dress him up? 

Cute, Cute, Cute!

I sure wish I could be there Halloween night. 

I miss him already.

They are coming to visit us next.

Three weeks.

I think I can wait that long. 

It has been awhile since I posted. My mind has been busy on other things. I have stopped by to check a few times to make sure nothing had blown up. Nope, just a few visitors reading old post.

I have been busy taking pictures of course.

Here are a few of my favorites that I have captured in the last few weeks.

I have a few photo sessions to do soon.  High School Senior photos for a family member and two families that want their photos taken together.  I don't have much practice doing portraits so this should be a learning experience.  I hope the weather continues to be as mild for a few more weeks.  I am enjoying the break from this past summer's heat.  I am NOT ready for the cold.