* aspiring to inspire

making it

2012-01-22T21:07:00.000-05:00

***

our own

.....

in December

we bought a tiny place downtown

it takes time and effort

to transform it

into a space

that feels like

home

this was only the second visit

but I think

we're getting there..

❤

word of the year...

2012-01-01T21:32:00.000-05:00

The last few years I have selected a word for my year versus a long list of resolutions. This past year my word was bold..

As a good friend and I were talking about the approaching new year I shared with her how I preferred a single word -but then felt embarrassed when she asked what my word was for 2011. I didn't really feel like I had lived up to my word... She quickly pointed out that just wasn't true.

After all in 2011:

* started a new business selling Silpada jewelry that I

absolutely adore and attended National Conference in July

making some wonderful girlfriends.

* lost 20# by making healthy choices and walking almost daily.

* got down to Texas 7 times taking tons of pics of growing
grandkids and made photo books for their parents and

mine.

* bought a condo in downtown Ft W!

She really felt like those were some BOLD accomplishments! I realized that she was right ... that I had been looking at myself and the year negatively only noting things that I felt I had failed at. While I had kept my word in the background as the year progressed because my expectations were different (maybe higher?) I didn't feel good about living up to that word.
After she pointed those things out I started looking at other areas where I failed to apply my word before or after the fact -thus more accomplishments:

* organized closets and the basement at the first of the year and kept them that way all year!

* planted and maintained a small garden including flowers ❀ by seeds and tomatoes.

* went on a vacation to our favorite city and either walked (mostly) or used public transportation even taking the bart from the airport to downtown and back! We really had a great time doing San Fran that way - seeing the city up close and personal! ☺

* was able to cross off over 25 books on my reading list! WoW!

* kept a gratitude journal .. almost every single day! It was a great way to start my day. While noting some of the things I simply take for granted over and over has made me realize how fantastic my life really is.. including so many wonderful people.

So here it is January 1st 2012!!!
..Still pondering my word for this new blank slate.

Giving myself this next week to choose.. so I'll let you know!

***

If you would like to chose a word for the year instead of making the usual resolutions this girl can help:

Christine Kane word of the year.

***

...last days

2011-08-19T14:07:00.000-04:00

{{{sigh}}}

is it true??

can it already be??

the end

of summer???

but...

they've JUST started..

to bloom...

***

{brothers}

2011-06-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

On a recent trip...

I was able to capture the

unmistakable

unshakable

bond of

{brotherhood}

.it starts early.

jewels...

2011-03-20T20:51:00.010-04:00

❤

*A few months back my neighbor invited me to a Silpada Designs open house... and I went. I thought about not going as I had been to quite a few "parties" - with Christmas on the way, it seemed to be the thing to do to keep me out of the mall scene but still get some of my gift shopping done. The invitation said it was casual, come and go, with no sales presentation, no pressure.

So, what did I have to lose?? Not realizing what all I might gain... I went and completely surprised myself by falling. hard. - totally in love with this line of jewelry! ... even to the extent that I was asking how I could sell it! [WHAT?] I am not a huge jewelry person but I do have a couple of favs... {back in 1987 at Ft Worth Main Street Festival I did beckon to the call of "lend me your ear" to try on my first HM earrings and fell hard in a similar way to his works of art! I try to add to that collection a few times a year.}

But still selling a line of jewelry?? Me?? Yep! ... So I did it! I Asked where can I sign up?

I must say the unique styles along with the quality of the Silpada Designs jewels are just a few of many things that I absolutely adore about this line. While Silpada offers a lot of Sterling Silver there are pieces with leather and suede as well.

... drawing for a free pair of earrings!

And different pieces include over 50 different stones including Pearls, Corals, Jade, and Onyx. Since I've joined I've attended a couple of meetings, a preview of the whole catalog, including the newest B&T's Sterling Additions|2011 and had my own successful Silpada Open House! I've also had 2 catalog parties.. one very successful the other .. not so much. But I really think it helps to see and play with the jewelry. They offer a few hostess incentives that are easy to achieve, with beautiful products, that sell themselves!

The thorough and multiple ways they provide training for a new rep, excellent communication, and the sister-hood of women that I've met so far has been amazing.

With the opportunity to learn more... Tuesday evening is a Rep Rally downtown and I can hardly wait to go! Tomorrow night is my first real girls night out party with two more scheduled at the end of the week! With lots of goodies ready to show it's going to be a wonder-filled week! I can't wait... Let the party(s) begin...

Cindi Gilmore
Independent Silpada Designs Representative

Silpada.

Find Yourself In It®

rainy.friday.

2011-03-05T12:05:00.000-05:00

✽

A few weeks ago

a friend and I decided to meet

at the CAM to eat a bite of lunch

and take a guided tour of

The Amazing American

Circus Poster

✽

Cincinnati Art Museum

It was the perfect day

for an adventure like this.

Overcast and gray

with a hint of the sring to come...

we were happy our plans

were inside.

I had never taken the time

to explore this museum.

✽

We ate a wonderful

lunch in the Terrace Cafe

where we were seated

right next to the large picture window.

The food they prepared in

the modest kitchen

arrived looking

like works of

art!

✽

{isn't she adorable??}

✽

The press release video from the exhibition

"The Amazing American

Circus Poster"

day.

The tour guide was a

wealth of information

and the hour went by

way too fast.

✽

So...

we are planning

another trip

for further

exploration

...

✽

This is me

back in the day...

looks like the

circus

wore me out!

✽

Figuring Life Out - One Thousand Gifts

2011-01-21T13:02:00.000-05:00

❤

goodness.

2011-01-20T23:04:00.000-05:00

goodness [good-nis]

–noun

1. the state or quality of being good.

2. moral excellence; virtue.

3. kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.

4. excellence of quality: goodness of workmanship.

5. the best part of anything; essence; strength.

6. a euphemism for god: Thank goodness!

–interjection

7.(used in expressions of surprise, alarm, etc.): Goodness,you gave me a start! Goodness gracious!

Origin:

bef. 900; ME; OE gōdnes. See good, -ness

—Related forms

su·per·good·ness, noun

—Synonyms

2. integrity, honesty, uprightness, probity. Goodness, morality,virtue refer to qualities of character or conduct that entitle the possessor to approval and esteem. Goodness is the simple word for the general quality recognized in character or conduct: Many could tell of her goodness and kindness. Morality implies conformity to the recognized standards of right conduct: a citizen of the highest morality. Virtue is a rather formal word, and suggests usually goodness that is consciously or steadily maintained, often in spite of temptations or evil influences: of unassailable virtue; firm and of unwavering virtue. 3. benevolence, benignity, humanity. 4. worth, value.

—Antonyms

1. badness, evil.

Dictionary.com Unabridged

Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2011.

I love this word. A few years back a life long friend of mine was battling breast cancer and she used this particular word... A LOT! It was fascinating to me that even though she was the one going through such a difficult time, that she could make me feel better! I was trying to find a way to send her encouragement and I always ended up feeling comforted.

These days?... she's doing wonderful...

and I try to find the goodness in my minor obstacles!

cindi's selling silver...

2011-01-09T19:00:00.000-05:00

shiny

starry

styling

sparkling

shimmering

* sterling silver *

so excited!

my word ...

2011-01-05T12:42:00.002-05:00

...for 2011:

BOLD

|bōld| adj.

(of a person, action, or idea) showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous

bold adventurers, intrepid, brave, daring, courageous, valiant, valorous,fearless, dauntless, audacious, daredevil; adventurous, heroic, plucky,spirited, confident, assured; informal gutsy, spunky, feisty

...should be an interesting year

If you would like to chose a word for the year instead of making the usual resolutions this girl can help:
Christine Kane word of the year.

❀

time is fleeting...

2010-12-29T23:30:00.001-05:00

and 2010 is about out...

This past year has been delightfully active and interesting... filled with lots of traveling... Austin, Florida, NYC, Steamboat, San Francisco and of course... FtWorth! and plenty of company... siblings, parents, nieces, nephews, daughter, son-in-law and 4 out of the 5 grands!! whew! It's been a year to look back on fondly while making wonder-filled memories to cherish. And I've only taken 19,500 images to document all of the fun! LOL

Last year around this time I found myself drawn to a few blogs and have followed them all year. Two of them have been life changers for me. The first one is written by Christine Kane who is a Mentor to Women who are Changing the World. She is a wonderful writer and quite the motivator. This summer I took her UpLevel Your Life Mastery Program and found it to be so beneficial that it will be something I'll look forward to repeating year after year! If you want to experience a game change in your life you should definitely subscribe to Christine Kane's blog!

In Resolution Revolution: A Better Way to Start Your Year Christine writes about choosing a single word for the year as opposed to making the endless lists of New Years Resolutions that go by the wayside... by February (if you make it that long!) Finding that one blog and implementing that one idea made my year ~ oh so... different. And I mean that in a good way! ☺ Last year the word I choose was focus. I thought it sort of funny and a bit ironic since I have such a love for photography but as the year went ticking by I found it to be a very personal choice. Suffice to say it worked its magic! So as this year ends and 2011 is begining I am once again pondering my word for the new year.

The other blog I found myself on weekly was Ann Voskamp A Holy Experience. I love the way this woman writes! She has a way of capturing your attention and leaving you with the desire to ... just - be a better you while acknowledging God in all things. With her large family {6 that's -SIX- kiddos-homeschooled and husband, The Farmer} I find her truly incredible ... how does she find the time to write? Her simple humble style is so powerful... encouraging and inspiring ... just a beautiful testament to her faith. It's been through her words that I've been reminded of the importance of grace.

On Mondays she posts her continuous one thousand gifts reminding me the importance of gratitude in all things... and inspires me to keep track (actually writing) of gratitudes daily to the One that matters. A gratitude journal is key for keeping my attitude lined up in the right direction. What a beautiful gift this woman is for the rest of us!

I want to thank both of these ladies for sharing themselves in this cyber world. It would be pretty unlikely without the big www that I would have had the opportunity to make such a connection and for that I am truly filled with gratitude!

Best wishes for 2011!
Happy New Year!

❤

from Telegraph Hill and beyond.... {to North Beach}

2010-09-12T16:21:00.002-04:00

This is the second blog of our California trip! You can see part one here

To get up to Coit Tower we started up the steps at Filbert

then took about 10 more flights just like this!
BUT the views alone were so worth it! So much to see!

Both the Golden Gate and the Bay Bridge

Coit Tower:

-Alcatraz-

When we finished there after all the oooowwwing and aahhhing

we were famished and went down the street on the other side

towards North Beach.

Found a great place for lunch called Mama's

Perfect everything... YUMMY ... food, atmosphere, everything!

BTW- here's our next home:

GREAT VIEWS!

more pics of this trip here and here!

last week at this time...

2010-09-10T14:58:00.002-04:00

Wow... it's hard to believe how quickly a week goes! With no regard to our circumstances

good or bad... time moves forward. We just got home from California on the red-eye Monday morning and it's Friday already. Every day when Chuck gets home from work he says "Do you know what we were doing LAST week at this time?" Then he proceeds to tell me where we were at and what we exploring at any given time of that day. It really was a fabulous trip!

After going through almost 3000 images where do I start? Don't worry I'm not going to post all of them here! We only had one event we that we really wanted to be at and that was the Sonoma Wine Tasting at the McMurray Ranch on Saturday afternoon. The rest of the time we just played it loosey goosey 'cause we were on VACATION! For any of you reading that know Chuck and I that may be a surprise because we're both just a little anal-retentive. We decided we would just get up in the morning and take it from there..

and that worked beautifully!

So on this post we'll just stick to Thursday. I'll let the pictures tell the story.

As you can see we were ready to get started with C & C's Excellent Adventure!

Candlestick Park

The Bay Bridge

Heading to Pier 39...

and straight to Harry Mason's Design Studio

my very favorite earring designer since 1987!

We were lucky enough to go when Katherine, his wife, was there! She sold me my first pair at FtW Main Street Days way back when and of course, she showed us the new designs.. . just love 'em!

We love the Pier 39 area because you can see a lot from right there... like Alcatraz.

the sea lions and the G G Bridge:

the Golden Gate Bridge that is...

and Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill-
speaking of... that was our next trek.

more pictures of this trip here!!

framed...

2010-08-24T00:26:00.000-04:00

for fun...

finished one.. starting another!

2010-08-10T00:05:00.000-04:00

*

Ok... well Sunday was my last day of my online class and Today? We start all over! That's the beauty of this class ~ it's ongoing... Once you've completed it you can actually pick it up anytime and do it again and again. Although I felt lost or behind some of the time Christine did a wonderful job encouraging us. There really isn't a good way or a bad way, a right way or a wrong way.. Just don't give up! There were a lot of exercises that I had completed earlier this year .. i.e. clearing out, organizing, cleaning so I felt a little ahead of things. Then there were writing exercises that were difficult to start let alone finish and I fell behind miserably. At this point, feeling familair with the process, I am confident that I will get more out of it this second time!

I have recently had some dealings with some things and people that would have normally pushed my buttons. The experience was completely different for me this time as I was able to implement some key things into practice and it was... well. AMAZING! What a difference! It worked! It really worked! wo-hoo! I think I'm actually moving some dirt!

This blog is a must read for me:
Christine Kane

Every post inspires me ... one time it was
How to make the best smoothie on the planet
It made me giggle AND I've been experimenting with different smoothies for months now. lol ... and they are so good after a 2 or 3 mi hike!

ok .. well that's it for now. no pictures here today ... just words!

make it a great week!

*

ch-ch-ch-changes...

2010-07-26T18:00:00.002-04:00

I've been on a journey since the beginning of the year ~ a journey of exploration. For the first time ever, I’ve been ‘still’ from the outside and observing the inside. There’s been a lot of reading - some blogs, some books and lot’s of thinking.

There’s been a lot more time for gratitude - with so much goodness in my life that has been taken for granted over the years. Yes… there’s a shift going on and it’s definitely for the positive! And even though it sounds cliche, the more I learn the more I find that I don’t know… lot’s of discovery going on!

The other day I made some little affirmation cards:

I printed mine out on post-it picture paper so I could put them up in different places around the house or in my car. If you’d like to print out a copy of your own you can find them here. I’m thinking of doing a new set every couple of months.

... feeling a little tattered and torn?

2010-07-20T21:56:00.003-04:00

...Is the heat of summer starting to take it's toll?

It's happening to the best of us!

living the life...

2010-07-09T22:09:00.005-04:00

out.takes

is he adorable or what??

see a few of the keepers...

Like	Be the first of your friends to like this.

summer breeze

2010-07-01T22:44:00.007-04:00

Our last few days have been absolutely amazing!

 The breeze is just enough to keep things on the mild side... especially in the shade!

and the evenings?

PERFECT!

Sweet days of summer,

the jasmine's in bloom

July is dressed up and

playing her tune...

❀❀❀

in the summertime...

2010-06-28T14:37:00.004-04:00

summertime will be gone before we

know it..

so enjoy reaching for that summer su

and watching the lightening bugs

before it disappears

...In the summertime

when the weather's high,

you can stretch right up and

touch the sky…

~mungo jerry~in the summertime

more best shot mondays here

still recovering...

2010-06-21T13:50:00.015-04:00

This replaces my usual Monday post. Last week I was able to travel to NYC where I visited my niece ~ REZ. It was an amazing whirlwind of activity all 4.5 days. Upon arrival her smiling face was all I remember of that crazy busy airport. As we rode back in the taxi to her place she asked me to list all that I wanted to take in and my list was long! As I read it off - stating maybe it was a little too much for the allotted time we had together, she smiled broadly and assured me "all would work out". As time went on I realized I was in the best of hands!

She plotted out each day showing me on a little map where we were going and all the things that were in that general area. While she has lived there less then a year I was constantly filled with astonishment as she led me throughout downtown by subway, bus, and taxi. Even though she grew up in a tiny town in Northern Colorado I could tell that she has embraced life in the Big Apple as her destiny, for now at least ! It was such a treat to see what a terrific job my brother and sister-in-law have done in preparing their oldest to meet the real world. The values and ethics they have instilled were so evident in action and conversation as each day passed. I am so thankful for the short time we had together and so very proud of the beautiful young woman she has become. Oh and in case you were wondering, on that last day when I rechecked my to do list? I was able to check off each and every single thing listed! As I think back on that fabulous trip I am filled with gratitude for so much:

*51-75

the sweet ties of family

the vastness of the oceans

our freedom to worship

diversity

sweet sounds of music

sharing a meal

a cool summer evening

beautiful artwork

my adorable niece:

what are you grateful for??

bsm

❤

summer school

2010-06-07T23:48:00.009-04:00

I am so excited to be participating in a 7 week online course this summer! It starts the last week in June and ends the second wk in August! I am so looking forward to uncovering some insight into my future. It will at the least - be challenging... but I know the rewards will far outweigh the work. Strange as this may sound since I've only last week known about this... Since the begining of the year I've been preparing in different ways... I've been doing lots of sorting and organizing. The reason that is relevant is that chores and things of distractions ... things I've been meaning to do are now done. Nothing stands in the way of giving this my full attention. The basement finished and unfinished is finally orderly. Our closets ... the same thing! I've gotten rid of junk, had a little garage sale, donated the rest. The garden is all started with daily watering and weekly pruning being all that's left. I've gone through the majority of my images deleting lots and lots and lots~ with lots left still! We've tried to get away each month since the begining of the year... visiting family and friends and wallowed in some great r&r AND I've taken tons of photos. I've started reading the stack of books that I've saved -ploughing through them @ the rate of one a week. That indulgence may have to take a backseat during the 7 weeks ... or.. maybe not. At least 2 of these reads have, in their own way, confirmed this upcoming opportunity to learn! Isn't it strange when the universe lines up in perfect order?? It's obvious to me ~ God's perfect timing! I really don't anticipate any interruptions to the photo projects I've started and in fact anticipate adding more! I do know the Mac classes will be a must but am only allowed to schedule one class a week so...

The reason I'm sharing all of this chatter with you? Well...

I guess this little outlet (blog) might be a second way to be accountable for the course. We'll see!

First I have one more trip I'm taking by myself. I'm going to visit my niece in NYC for 5 days. The timing could not be more perfect! I'll get back from there and have about 5 days to recover before the course starts! Hopefully I'll be posting blogs or at least images from NYC!

I am hoping in the middle of August soon after the online session is complete a celebratory trip to Texas will be in order! including visiting family and friends, taking in some great music and eating some real mexican food! 'rita's included!

In the meantime:

hero... down the rabbit hole

2010-06-04T22:20:00.005-04:00

or window well...

We had some crazy storms hit us this last week! It got dark as night and ridiculously windy!!! We dragged porch stuff into the screened in patio and battened down the hatchs. It only lasted about an hour but the rumblings of thunder and the lightening had us opening the blinds ... then pacing from one window to the other just watching!

The next day I found this little guy in one of our basement window wells:

Needless to say the kitties and I kept an eye on him all afternoon:

Tabitha was really intrigued:

And I think the feeling was mutual!

anyway... I threw carrots down there throughout the day and he gobbled them up like there was no tomorrow!

He probably did think it was his last meal as these things are wonderfully deep... no way he was getting out without assistance.

And assistance DID ARRIVE @ 6:30pm!

Chuck shook his head.. got out the ladder and climbed down to rescue the little guy!

Except the bunny didn't realize that was his hero... he was scared to pieces!

After about 5 minutes Chuck finally handed up the bucket and I let the little guy hop to the safety and comfort of the neighbors bushes and evergreens!

Chuck's also the real reason my garden looks so good...

yep.. needed watering the very next day!

It's endless

coloring...

2010-06-02T00:06:00.004-04:00

That's something I've been doing a lot of lately...

coloring

while these have been sitting in a spot where they're hard to miss

with the full intention being that they would surely be put to good use...

late spring turning into early summer

makes it impossible

to ignore this canvas:

and these tools come in handy for that kind of art-

I love this time of year!

*actually it's God's art work... He just

lets me rearrange it***

perspective

2010-05-24T22:54:00.006-04:00

Today following along with Tracey Clark's-Blog It's All In How You Look At It ... perspective IS everything! No two people see the same thing the same way.... it's all from where each is coming from. I love Tracey's picture and didn't have to look far to find an example of my own.

Since the begining of the year I've been challenging myself in a few different ways with photography... i.e. to take an image a day for the year etc.. another is to take a picture everyday of our back yard. Here is Sunday's shot:

As you can see this weekend was gorgeous... after a week of thunderstorms we were all more than happy to be out tending our lawns and gardens. As Sunday progressed our neighbors behind us asked us over for an evening cookout! After finally stowing the lawn mower, weed eater, and hoses back into the garage...with a cool shower reviving our tired and grungy bodies we gathered up our cut up melons and headed out the back door the short distance to their screend in back patio. I had picked up my camera on the way out. When we arrived I turned around a snapped an image of our back yard from theirs:

While both, from each perspective, are clearly beautiful!...

WOW!!

Aren't they different?!

oh... and aren't we lucky to have such great neighbors?

alm

2010-05-20T00:11:00.002-04:00

sweet dreams...

2010-05-17T18:51:00.001-04:00

... are made of these.

❤

sweetness is in the air...

2010-05-03T15:38:00.003-04:00

see others best shot monday

last space...

2010-04-29T14:21:00.004-04:00

Since we moved here 2 years ago in May I've had one area that I've put off... the basement. At first we agreed that as we were settling in we would have things that might be in a holding pattern so no need to try to organize things that might not stay there. Then we decided summertime was too gorgeous outside to miss a moment stuck inside and down under. The ideal time would be winter! The problem with that was the basement hides all your stuff! It does such a great job of that we just forgot all about it! Sure ... Christmas decorations would come out and we were busy buying and wrapping and packing to go out of town for the holidays. Then at the first of the year all of the decor went back into their boxes and the door was shut to be forgotten once again. Before we knew it... spring was here and it was just too glorious out to be stuck inside -- working! There was much to do outside and after hibernating for 5 mo who could blame us? After all no one else is going to see it!

So it went for another whole year...

Well, Saturday was rainy and chilly with the dampness all around.

Chuck looked at me and said "So what's on our schedule today?"

"We should really get the basement done" I replied.

His answer "Oh"

After working a hectic 55 hr week he was not exactly game. And on a rainy day like Saturday he really just wanted to chill... on the couch.. with a book and the TV set on baseball or golf or racing... or all 3! I let him know I really only needed his muscles which relieved him as his whole day wouldn't be lost.

So 5 days later I am about as close to done as I can get. And I feel pretty good about it!

I really do revel in the organizing process as well as the end result... I know ~ I'm just weird like that! It sure is nice to be DONE!

Oh and coincidently our neighborhood is holding a garage sale next week!

How perfect was that timing?

showing kindness to self...

2010-04-26T15:55:00.004-04:00

showering ourselves with kindness is just as important as treating others kindly

I try to treat myself to a walk every day

sure-for the exercise

but just as much for

the pure pleasure

of experiencing the great outdoors!

The fragrances alone make it worth the trip.

a beautiful renewal

2010-04-18T20:52:00.004-04:00

by way of winter

we have a renewal

of the earth

then spring brings

forth all things

rich with beauty

Grace. Words.

2010-04-16T13:46:00.004-04:00

❤

our tongues are very powerful.

"Grace words make the weak-us stronger."

-by Ann Voskamp, A Holy Experience

For more:

❤

pretty in pink...

2010-04-15T23:02:00.003-04:00

and orange and blue and red and...

each and every day

a whole new array of colors

keep coming out...

reminding me why

spring is my favorite season!

❤

here it comes ...

2010-04-12T14:45:00.004-04:00

this totally speaks

to my heart!

spring...

2010-04-07T23:59:00.003-04:00

is here...

and while our grass is already beautiful and lush

...waiting for it's second cutting

it's the blossoms that I just can't get enough of!!!

***

❤

2010-04-03T10:58:00.002-04:00

Happy Easter