Color Combos Galore #161

I liked this color combination so much I just had to scrap it again!!

You can join along in the challenges at the Color Combos Galore Blog .

Here is the color combo: Hopping Red, brown concrete, chalk white, brown box.

Here's the layout I created:

Creative Therapy catalyst #123

Creative Therapy catalyst 123 : Is there something about someone that you have always wanted to know but never asked?

I'm back ...

Wow ... can't believe it's been a week since I have blogged. I photographed a wedding this past weekend and got so caught up in it that I've neglected this little blog all week. I have missed it. I love sharing bits and pieces of myself but it's not just that, I love documenting photos and scrapbooks and things I love. This daily (almost) blog allows me to look back on the past years and see where I was at, who I was, and what I was doing. I love blogging. I hope that somehow through some of my blog posts I am able to help others, make them smile, perhaps make their day.

Color Combos Galore #165

Color Combos Galore #165. Colors are: Light and Airy Yellow ~ Deepest Sage ~ Shabby Linen ~ Cozy Maroon.


Here's my take on this color combination:

Color Combos Galore #166

Color combo #166 is up at the Color Combos Galore blog . This week's colors are: Merry Mango - Lighthearted Sky Blue - Bright Whaite - Kickin' Back Khaki

Here's my page using these colors:

Creative Therapy #124

Head on over to the Creative Therapy Blog where you can see the latest Catalyst #124 What makes you happy? Here's my page:

Wordless Wednesday

My Best Shot Monday

Mental Health Monday

I always find myself this time of year, as the girl's birthdays approach, thinking about my mental health. This is the time of year I always end up reflecting on the fact that I have been dealing with mental health issues for yet another year. This year it will be 11 years. I can't believe it ... 11 years. I have always hoped and prayed each year that I will celebrate the girl's birthdays feeling stronger and more in control of my mental health. As the years pass though, I find myself dealing with more and more issues and more and more medications. It can be so frustrating. Just for once I would like to know my mental health is more stable ... once again this year I am finding that is just not the case. There are so many people in this world in the same boat as me ... they too, are dealing with their own mental health issues. It can be such a stigmatized illness though, and many people just do not talk openly about that part of their life. I guess for me, I just figure I have nowhere to go but up and feel that maybe talking about it is the answer. Learning that I am not alone and that others live everyday with the same mental health issues as I do ... well that just gives me more motivation. Motivation to get myself to where I want to be ... My wish is that more people start talking about mental illness and talking about how it is affecting their lives.

My Favorite Things Saturday

One of my favorite things right now is this photo taken of a sunset. Something about the dark and gloom just sets it off.

Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday (SOOC)

Currents

Was reading one of my favorite blogs the Linar studio this morning and came upon this wonderful post called currents. The idea originated from life love paper . Seems like such a wonderful way to share and record those things that are going on in our lives this very moment. Thought I'd try it out as well. So, here goes.

listening: to the quietness in the house as everyone else is sleeping
eating: nothing don't usually eat till about 10
drinking: water
wearing: sweat pants and a t-shirt
feeling: relaxed
weather: the sun is just rising -4 degrees outside
wanting: warmth ... been cold all morning
needing: to get some things on my To Do list accomplished today
thinking: about friendships and how I have met some amazing friends
enjoying: some quiet time to catch up on my favorite blogs
wondering: what I'll do today ... hoping to get lots done

Before & After Thursday

This is a weekly challenge where you take the photo you posted as your Straight Out Of The Camera (SOOC) picture you posted on Saturday and you show the edited version on Thursday.

Original (SOOC) taken with Canon D60

Edited using a light antique action in Photoshop CS3.

Wordless Wednesday

Mental Health Monday : Anxiety Attacks and Disorders: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Anxiety Attacks and Disorders: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment:

Emotional symptoms of anxiety
In addition to the primary symptoms of irrational and excessive fear and worry, other common emotional symptoms of anxiety include:
Feelings of apprehension or dread
Trouble concentrating
Feeling tense and jumpy
Anticipating the worst
Irritability
Restlessness
Watching for signs of danger
Feeling like your mind’s gone blank


Physical symptoms of anxiety
Anxiety is more than just a feeling. As a product of the body’s fight-or-flight response, anxiety involves a wide range of physical symptoms. Because of the numerous physical symptoms, anxiety sufferers often mistake their disorder for a medical illness. They may visit many doctors and make numerous trips to the hospital before their anxiety disorder is discovered.
Common physical symptoms of anxiety include:
Pounding heart
Sweating
Stomach upset or dizziness
Frequent urination or diarrhea
Shortness of breath
Tremors and twitches
Muscle tension
Headaches
Fatigue
Insomnia"

Do you have an anxiety disorder? A few key questions.

1. Are you constantly tense, worried or on edge?
2. Does your anxiety interfere with work, school or family responsibilities?
3. Are you plagued by fears that you now are irrational but you can't shake?
4. Do you believe that something bad will happen if certain things are not done a certain way?
5. Do you avoid everyday situations or activities because you feel anxiety?
6. Do you experience sudden attacks of heart-pounding anxiety?
7. Do you feel like danger and catastrophe are around every corner?

If you experience some or all of these symptoms please do not be afraid to seek help.

My Best Shot Monday

Beautiful Sunday

My Favorite Things Saturday

One of my favorite things is watching the sprint cars.

Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday (SOOC)

Thoughtful Friday

Before & After Thursday

This is a challenge where you post the picture you used for Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday (SOOC) and post the same image only edited on Thursday. Details for thr challenge can be found here:
http://www.pixelperfectblog.com/

Original (SOOC)

Edited

I used Photoshop CS3 to edit this photo. Added a lomo action.

Wordless Wednesday

My Best Shot Monday

Beautiful Sunday

Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday

My Favorite Things Saturday

Friday Fill-Ins

Friday Fill-Ins: "Thursday, October 28, 2010
#197
Happy Halloween to those who celebrate it!



So...here we go!

1. While the cat's away the mice will play.

2. So fabuloso!

3. Children are so full of innocence.

4. I am so much happier when I get home from work or shopping or what have you.

5. This may seem odd, but I always prefer being alone

6. Tonight's my night to relax and that seems like a fine idea to me!"

Thoughtful Friday

Before & After Thursday

This is a challenge where you take the photo you posted on Saturday for the Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday (SOOC). Then you edit it and show the before & after images on Thursday.

Before

After

Wordless Wednesday

My Favorite Things Saturday

One of my favorite things this fall was watching my girls play with my sister's kids on Thanksgiving weekend at the lake house.

Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday

Thoughtful Friday

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Things I Am Loving On My Birthday

13 Things I Am Loving On My Birthday

As always, on my birthday I always reflect both backwards and forwards, as well as where I am at now. I though it was fitting that this week's Thursday Thirteen be all about me about where I am at in my life right now, this moment, this day. So, here's a list of thirteen things I am loving at the start of my 34th year.

1. Amber and Emily (they are my life)

2. Girlie hugs (A & E give the biggest tightest hugs)

3. hot cups of coffee

4. True Blood

5. Dexter

6. Ghost Hunters

7. photography & editing

8. digital scrapbooking

9. photoshop

10. Not Afraid by Eminem

11. Your biggest Fan by Jonas brothers

12. going to Maximilian's tonight for supper (YUM! Favorite restaurant ever!!!)

13. being able to sit quietly and enjoy a good book

Wordless Wednesday

Mental Health Monday - A Little Humour

SC Photography Photo Print Sale

For the remainder of October all photograps on my SC Photography Page on Facebook are on sale Buy Two Get Third Print Free.

Photo Print Prices

4 x 6 $1.00

5 x 7 $4.00

8 x 10 $10.00

8 x 12 $12.00

11 x 14 $15.00

My Best Shot Monday

Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday

Thoughtful Friday

Before & After Thursday

This is a challenge where you take the photo you posted for (SOOC) Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday and you show the edited version on Thursday. So here's my original straight out of the camera shot I posted on Saturday:

and here's the same shot edited with cross processing and a light lomo action:

Thursday Thirteen - 13 Songs That Make Me Happy Right Now

13 Songs That Make Me Happy Right Now

1. Emerson Drive "Moments"

2. Jonas Brothers "Your Biggest Fan" (I know, I know the Jonas Brothers, but in my defence I have young girls, what more can I say.)

3. Eminem "The Way That You Lie"

4. Eminem "Not Afraid"

5. Warrant "Heaven"

6. The Irish Rovers "Wasn't That a Party"

7. Neil Diamond "Sweet Caroline"

8. Owl City "Hello Seattle"

9. Jonas Brothers "A Little Bit Longer" (see my note about the Jonas Brothers above lol)

10. Miley Cyrus "Every Rose Has It's Thorn"

11. Eminem "Hailiey's Song"

12. Tom Waits "I Hope I Don't Fall In Love With You"

13. Nickelback "This Afternoon."

Wordless Wednesdy

Digital Tuesday

Creative Therapy Catalyst #120 - What are you waiting for?

My Best Shot Monday

Mental Health Monday Fact Sheets : Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario

I came across this fact sheet on the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario website (Copyright 1993, Mental Health Association, National Office. . Reading it makes so much sense.

Fact Sheets : Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario:

"Mental health means striking a balance in all aspects of your life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental. Reaching a balance is a learning process. At times, you may tip the balance too much in one direction and have to find your footing again. Your personal balance will be unique, and your challenge will be to stay mentally healthy by keeping that balance.
This pamphlet has been prepared with some suggestions to help you strike and keep your balance."

Build a Healthy Self Esteem : Take a good look at your good points. What do you do best? Where are your skills and interest areas? How would a friend describe you? Now, look at your weak points. What do you have difficulty doing? What things make you feel frustrated? Take a look at this list. Remember that all of us have our positive and negative sides. We let our strength shine and we build on our weak points to help us mature and grow.

Receive As Well As Give : The next time someone compliments you say "Thank you. I am glad you think so." Then think about other compliments you have had, and how good they made you feel.

Create Positive Parenting and Family Relationships : Make time to just be a family. Schedule time for both serious things and fun. Listen respectively without interruption to what each person has to say. Do it frequently.

Make Friends Who Count : Keep in touch - invite a friend to lunch. Encourage new friendships, as your friend to bring someone you've never met.

Figure Out Your Priorities : Write out a budget for yourself. Is it realistic? Have you planned what to do with the money left over for your "wants"? Which "wants" are most important to you?

Get Involved : Read to children at your local library; visit an elderly person in their home or in hospital; serve on a committee or board of your favorite charity; organize a clean up of a park or your local beach; help a neighbor clean out his/her garage.

Learn to Manage Stress Effectively : Each day, set aside 5 minutes for a mental health break. Close your office door or go into another room, and daydream about a place, person, or idea, or think about nothing at all! You will feel like you've been on a mini-vacation.

Cope With Changes That Affect You : Search out a support group that deals with the issues you are facing. By teaming up with people who share your problems, you may find a fresh solution. Try starting a group of your own by using the public service announcements in your local newspaper, radio station, or tv station.

Deal With Your Emotions : Find out what makes you happy, sad, joyful, or angry. What calms you down? Learn ways to deal with your moods. Share joyful news with a friend; "cry on a shoulder" when you feel blue. Physical exercise can help you deal with your anger. Keep a stack of your favorite funny cartoons, or a collection of humorous stories or video tapes for times when you feel you need to laugh.

Have a Spirituality To Call Your Own : You, Set aside quality time to be alone. Do a breathing exercise - try counting your breaths from one to four, then start at one again. Or do something you love to do, like dancing, going to a baseball game, building a bird house, whatever works for you!

Beautiful Sunday 03/10/10

My Favorite Things Saturday

One of my favorite photos I have ever taken of the girls.

Straight Out Of The Camera Saturday (SOOC)