and it's a WRAP...

My 111th post is my last post for 2011.  Who KNEW I could talk that much or take so many photos?  My family can stop laughing now!  What a year it has been.  I tentatively dipped my toe into blogging and didn't even tell my Better Half, Things or friends initially.  And then the self-doubt crept in and I was sure no one would be interested in anything I had to say or shoot.  So I BEGGED a few of my friends, and threatened my family to follow my blog....just so I didn't feel like I was the uncool kid back in junior high sitting at a lunch table by herself.

And now on the cusp of 2012 I have 72 new cyber friends.  ACTUALLY, 71.   Shhhhh...I'm following myself.   THAT'S embarrassing.   And Thing #3 thinks I follow HER around too much, HA!

"Auld Lang Syne"

As one's sense of personal style evolves and morphs thru the years (thank God I morphed right out of those shoulder pads and permed hair!), so too has this blog in only a mere 6 months.  I started off with the intent to focus mainly on photographs so I would feel a sense of accountability to pursue my photography.  But I soon realized that I had forgotten how much I enjoy writing too.  And the shift began to accommodate both. Makes me excited to see where this blog will take me in 2012.  If it could take me to Italy I'd be REALLY excited (wink, wink Better Half).

As I take down my Christmas decor, and mourn the loss of my bokeh paradise, I wish you all a very happy and SAFE New Year's!  Looking forward to seeing where 2012 takes us all (Italy puhLEEEEZE?!?)


Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2012,


--Kathy

Glass half empty kinda girl...

There I've said it!  I've just never understood those perpetually optimistic people who view the world with positivity and silver linings.  I'm married to one, and it's been 29 years of  clashing perceptions.  Our "glass" has had more half full vs. half empty debates, I'm sure that glass is cracked by now.  Believe me, I WISH I was a "half full" kinda girl.  But, I truly believe I am just wired to naturally recognize the negative first.  But there IS a positive in that...I'm genuinely surprised and happy when the negative DOESN'T happen!  It's all good, right?

I even approach some of my favorite things this way.  For example, I NEVER shop with a purpose.  Rather, I wander into my favorite stores with the idea that I am looking for NOTHING....I'm just browsing...seriously, just browsing so don't bug me sales people. So when the perfect pair of brown leather riding boots, that actually hit right below my knee and not mid-way up my shin, and are fit to a skinny calf (let me tell ya, next to IMPOSSIBLE to find!) find me...I feel TRULY blessed!  Hallelujah and thanks be to the shopping Gods (FYI, the Shopping Gods blessed me at DSW a couple weeks ago!) No way, no how, would I find those boots if I entered that store positive and optimistic that I was going to have a new bundle of joy in my closet that night.  Just my little way of tricking fate, expect nothing.

Which brings me to my least favorite day of the year that is quickly approaching...the dreaded New Year's Eve.  There!  I've copped to that too.  I know, I know...it's a time of celebration, of new beginnings, of endless opportunities, blah, blah, blah.  For as long as I can remember, New Year's Eve has made me sad, and Dick Clark got on my nerves.  Even as a little girl, when that ball dropped in Times Square...my heart dropped a bit with it.  It always represented time passing by another year in the books, and a  new year of uncertainties.   What does the future hold, would I be happy about it?  Expect nothing.   At worst I'm not disappointed, and at best I'm happily surprised.   Glass half empty.  This drives my Better Half CRAZY, and quite honestly...it isn't a fun way to approach life.

But something has clicked within me this past year.  It might be 29 years of my Better Half rubbing off on me...altho I'd NEVER cop to THAT!  It could be once you reach a certain age and life experiences perceptions are bound to morph.  Or it could be it's just time to shake things up and feel less burdened.  But 2012, I am going to try to approach with anticipation rather than dread.  Because if you change nothing then....nothing will change.  Actually, I think Sophia Loren hit it on the head. Anyone who has found the secret to a gorgeous figure by carbo-loading has my attention...

"There is a fountain of youth...it is your mind,

your talents, the creativity you bring to your life
and the lives of the people you love.
When you learn to tap into this source,
you will have truly defeated age"


--Sophia Loren

And I've started to do exactly that this past year thru photography and blogging.  I'm finally tapping into my creativity.  Lest my Better Half get TOO excited that he finally brought me over from the dark side,

in full disclosure I have to say I will STILL act pessimistic and downright trodden upon when I go shopping!  Otherwise I will NEVER find that perfect little black dress I need to wear to my 35th high school reunion this spring.  But...I AM optimistic that I'm gonna look great in it!

--Kathy

What I will leave behind...

OR, perhaps more appropriately stated .... "What my behind will leave behind".

The New Year is rapidly approaching which means my slovenly ways will soon be departing.  Auf Wiedersehen, Au Voir, Sayonara, Hasta La Vista baby.  Visions of ice cream cones will ONLY be dancing in my head and NOT on my behind anymore.  I am keenly aware the sweat equity to rid my hips of those unhealthy calories is soooo not worth the temptation.  I always allow myself to fall off the wagon this time of year, but it's time to climb back on the treadmill, spinning cycle and jump back into  the swimming lane.

 Oh my, I can hardly wait!    << sarcasm alert.

"Visions of Ice Cream Cones"
Chestnut Hill, PA

I will NEVER be one of those people who says they LOVE to exercise.  Quite honestly, I downright loathe it.  I have NEVER felt a "runners high" and am convinced it's existence is an urban myth.  But it is a necessary evil because the best part of exercising for me is...when I'm done.  The sense of accomplishment makes me happy and fulfilled.  And fitting into my skinny jeans doesn't hurt either.

Time to get back to being the best I can be.  Even if it IS a pain in the butt to do so.  Hopefully, it will be a much smaller butt feeling the pain.

--Kathy

"Geez Louise"...

...a mild oath used on Christmas morning 

so as to not be stricken down due to blasphemy.

So when did THIS happen?  There's only one explanation for the cruel reality that hit me Christmas morning.  My "Things" are getting old.  The Christmas morning anticipation and excitement is waning, and losing out to the greater desire for more shut eye. Which can only mean ONE thing..."I" must be getting even OLDER!  Bah humbug, that was NOT on my list to Santa this year. No way, no how, no fair, no deal...can I take what is behind Door #2 instead?  

I woke up Christmas morning, sans alarm clock,  all by lonesome.  No "Things" jumping in my bed, shaking my shoulders, or bugging me to hurry up.  Just the sunshine on my face and the realization that Christmas morning had dawned...

My Better Half didn't even wake up.  Actually...the DOGS didn't stir either!  Soooo, I put on a sweatshirt, brushed my teeth, pinned up my hair and skipped downstairs. Yes I skipped.  It's Christmas morning after all!  I figured I could use the few minutes pre-turmoil for some fine-tuning.  I turned the lights on the Christmas trees, put on some Christmas music, re-arranged the gifts and spread them out so it looked like Santa was REALLY nice to us this year (it's all in the presentation you know!) ....

And then I waited.  And waited...to hear some stirring upstairs.  Maaaaybe the music wasn't loud enough. So I cranked it up and kicked back to relax until my Things would soon come bounding down the stairs...annnnnny minute now....

Hmmmm.  Since the gifts were already re-organized and I was getting bored,  I checked the stockings.  Yep, they were off their hangers which meant...

They were loaded with "stuff".  Stuff my Things and Better Half would love if....ONLY THEY WERE AWAKE!!!!

The smell of fresh coffee wafting thru the house, I brewed a pot.  That would wake ME up if I wasn't ALREADY awake and killing time by MYSELF!  Did I mention NO ONE ELSE was awake yet?  Seriously, you'd think if nothing else all the darn clicking of my camera would wake those buggers up!...

And then, I had a genuine, honest to goodness epiphany ..."patience is highly over-rated"!!!!!  So back upstairs I stomped.  No skipping, been there done that.   And "I" jumped in my kids' beds and shook them by their shoulders.  Revenge is sweet.  

Doesn't Thing #3 look excited to be downstairs with moi???  (FYI, she perked up once she saw a trip to a Broadway show was in her near future courtesy of Santa.  Who knew Santa liked musical theatre?) 

In retrospect, I did find there is a definite  advantage to such a late start to our Christmas day...I could have a glass of wine by time we were done opening up the presents and not be considered a lush...

Role reversal.  My Things are old enough now that they are giving me payback for all those years I made THEM wait patiently while I tried to grab a few extra minutes of shut eye Christmas morning. Hmmmpf!  They might be getting older BUT...I'm still young at heart.   Ho-Ho-Ho.



--Kathy

"He lay there like a slug...

"...it was his only defense"

Ralphie (A Christmas Story)

Haha, I sooooo love that line from "A Christmas Story".  ACTUALLY...that line and about 50 others.  ACTUALLY....my family could recite all the lines of "A Christmas Story" to you if you don't know them!  ACTUALLY...go ahead, I triple-dog-dare ya to challenge us! In fairness and full disclosure, we are world-renown experts on Ralphie, his quirky family, and his pursuit of the ever elusive and ocularly dangerous Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot BB Gun...just sayin'.   You'll shoot your eye out, kid...HO, HO, HO.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from moi to you!

sharing MY favorite line with you:

"Uh, I think that says 'fragile' dear"

It's morphed into our family Christmas Eve tradition. First, throw a local Chinese restaurant take-out menu into the car, followed by celebrating Christmas Eve church service, debating the merits of ordering Mu-shu vs. pork dumplings during the collection, blowing out the candles after singing Silent Night followed quickly by heading to the car to phone in our Chinese take-out order. Change into pj's, watch and recite "A Christmas Story" verbatim (after all these years I'm STILL not sure if the 'I like the Tin Man' kid is a boy or girl!) while partaking of a Chinese food spread the likes of which only Ralphie and his family saw at the conclusion of the movie. Open ONE gift, try to avoid the dreaded underwear box, and hit the sack. Fa-ra-ra-ra-ra-...ra-ra-ra-ra.  

I know, It's not the most reverent of Christmas Eve family traditions.  It's a bit quirky.  But that's how my family rolls. A perfected combo of warmth, dry humor, and a dash of cynicism.   I'm not sure how long we will be able to continue our Christmas tradition.  My "Things" are growing up and I might reluctantly have to soon start sharing them on Christmas (oh fuuuuuuuuuudge...but I didn't say fudge!).  But on Christmas Eve as we all settle in around the fire, the lit Christmas Tree, the Chinese food, and the movie...my Things are all magically little again and home with ME.  And THAT is what a Christmas tradition should be about...family being together, loving and laughing.

Well...that AND sharing an immensely quotable movie.  Plus, it provided me one great blog title.  Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all.  I wish you all enjoyment and love as you partake in your holiday traditions.  May you all stay safe and receive all you wish for...even if it CAN shoot your eye out!


--Kathy

My Infatuation With...

...brown cardboard boxes continues.  First, my new found relationship with my home made photo light box (keep reading, I've attached a link to the tutorial for those who have asked).  And now?  A Christmas gift from my sister.  Truth-be-told there was a whole pile of VERY cute gold ceramic stars inside this brown cardboard box.  They are now adorning my Santa tree.  BUT...totally lovin' the  box they came in and the shadows it casts.  It's the gift that just keeps on giving, especially  if you are easily amused...as I apparently am!  Just doing my part to help our Earth...one brown cardboard box at a time. (Hey!  I need to ensure I'm on Santas "good" list after all).

"Tidings of Joy"

And since I've gotten quite a few requests on how make my table top digital photography light box, here is the link from Leavesnbloom Photography on how you too can play with cardboard and duct tape.  Tis the season after all, there should be plenty of empty cardboard boxes laying around December 26th!  So recycle and reuse (see..another not so subtle plug to be OFF Santa's "naughty" list).

And just so you don't think my cardboard-fetish is any indication I went all "low-maintenance" on you all (perish the thought!)....here are a few photos of my home AFTER I got my head out of my cardboard box and got be-decking (does Santa have a "Christmas Decorating Hall of Fame" list?)

As I've copped to before...Hello my name is Kathy, I am a Christmas-aholic.  May all your obsessions be as fun as mine!


--Kathy

"Do They Know...

...It's Christmas Time At All?"

 -- Band Aid

"Peace"

Just drove home from dropping Thing #3 at school, few words were exchanged as our morning routine leaves us both a bit grumpy by time my car pulls up to the school curb and I kick her out.  Feeling a bit sorry for myself as I was driving back home, I got a much needed dose of perspective from the car stereo.  I should thank my lucky stars my reality check came courtesy of Sirius radio's Christmas programming rather than a hard life lesson of my own.  For that I am thankful.  For some reason Bob Geldof's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" resonated with me this morning.  Actually, it started taking a grip on  me last Tuesday night as I sat watching the Christmas episode of "Glee" with Thing #3 and they performed a Glee rendition of the song.

Written in 1984 by Bob Geldof after seeing a  documentary on the BBC about the famine in Ethiopia, and performed by many of the early 80's top stars of various musical genres, it raised over $14 million for African famine relief.  With all that is going on in the world today, the song is still poignant.  Luckily the message didn't go out of style as so many other 1980's trends like shoulder pads, stretch stirrup-pants (NEVER good when you are 5'8"!), and leg warmers.  

It's Christmas time

There's no need to be afraid

At Christmas time

We let in light and banish shade.

And in our world of plenty

We can spread a smile of joy

Throw your arms around the world

at Christmas time.

Peace Out,

--Kathy

Fashion Crime Scene...

Welcome to my family's annual Christmas get-together.  Come on in and get cozy.  

"Santa Tree"

We don't normally put TOO much effort into dressing up for our Christmas party. USUALLY it is a bunch of Eagle's jerseys donning our get-together because it is always on a football Sunday and...they are Christmassy green after all.  But this year apparently some decided we should go to even LESS effort. 

Twas the Sunday before Christmas and all through the house,
I was harried and hurried, perhaps a bit grouchy of a spouse.

 The stockings were STANDING by the chimney in two pairs?

I guess they were wishing Christmas cookies and wine soon would be there...

Yes, that's my family all knock-kneed and pidgeon-toed,
I should have turned off the lights, I'll bet their stockings glowed!

Then out in my foyer arose such a ruckus, 

I sprang from my chair to see what all the fuss was.

Before I had time to yell "Holy Cripes!",

there were more stockings upon us
followed by sweaters of sequins and holiday hype!

It was "Attack of the Killer Kristmas Kardigans" on everyone but mom,

It soon became clear my family shopped at www.uglychristmassweaters.com

(All fashion criminals identities have been protected until proven innocent by the fashion police.)

How embarrassing for the bros-in-law to show up in matching vests,
altho a fashion faux pas, they were happy-clad guests!

As I drew in my head, and was turning around
standing by my chimney Thing #1 and his cute beau-ette I found.

Dressed in elves, snowmen and sparkles from head to toe,
This seriously is NOT the family I know!

Not to be outdone by their cousins' show of glitter,

My camera-shy nieces donned bows that proved bigger is better.

Yes, they were smiling for the camera or so they alleged,
but it is apparent to all they are directionally challenged.

This year's dress code was clandestinely organized, 

by rogue family members and boy was I surprised.

 Which in reality was not at all very rude,

because I do NOT have shoes to coordinate with sweaters and stockings of that magnitude.  

It's obvious my family needs new clothes with less gall,
so dash away, dash away, dash away to the mall.

(disclaimer:  no sequins or elves were harmed in the accumulation of these sweaters and socks while compiling this post).

--Kathy

"Every time a bell rings...

...an angel gets his wings"

-It's a Wonderful Life-

I always loved this quote from "It's a Wonderful Life"....it gives me a sense of hope.

--Kathy

Scavenger Hunt Sunday (#20)...

Welcome to another week of Scavenger Hunt Sunday.  Yes, I am all about the Christmas holiday with these prompts this week.  Afterall,  it IS the most wonderful time of the year.  Thing #2 flew in yesterday and Thing #1 finished his law school finals and is arriving home later this morning.  Sooooo....feel free to send some snow Mother Nature, Thing #3 would love a snow day from school and I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

1.  Joy

I need to keep the fact that I'm overJOYed with my new photo light box...that I made out of a cardboard box, duct tape and paper...quiet from my Better-Half.  If he only knew that a simple cardboard box has been keeping me occupied hour after hour....my whole identity as "high maintenace" would be blown!

2.  Sleep

 Tis the season for UPS delivery men, and you expect me to sleep?!?  This is Dog #2, my guard dog.  He strikes fear in the hearts of UPS men with that killer glare.

3.  What is it?

My window with the neighbor's light display from across the street reflected in it..bokeh-ized and texture-ized.

4.  Half

Half black and white, half color.  Okay, okay....closer to 3/4 and 1/4.  Math is highly over rated!  

5.  Window

The beveled glass window panes on my front door.  I love how it lets light pour into my foyer and you can get a glimpse of my Santa tree if you peek in.





Thanks for stopping by.  And as always, I urge you to check out the other contributions to Scavenger Hunt Sunday by clicking on the link below.  You will be amazed at the creativity and talent.

Happy Sunday!


--Kathy

linked to:

Flying home...

...for the holidays.  And that is exactly what my Thing #2 did last night.  The holidays have officially begun in my book now.  And quite honestly, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree (or the grape from the vine) as my Thing #2 tried to not get one, or two, but THREE corkscrews through airport security.  Epic fail!  Well, at least she didn't cry like the time they confiscated her eyelash curler.  My little girl is growing up.  

May you all have safe travels this holiday season en route to your loved ones.

"Safe Travels"

Bucks County, PA

--Kathy

"Ya Gotta Believe...

"Ya Gotta Believe" 

- Tug McGraw

Who would have thunk the Tugger's rally cry of baseball post-season play would also be appropriate during the Christmas season.  "Yes Virginia...there IS a Santa Claus...

He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist...

...and you know that they abound and give to your life it's highest beauty and joy...

Alas!  How dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus."  Francis Pharcellus Church.

Ya Just Gotta BELIEVE!  Thanks Tug!

Believe,

--Kathy

A few of my favorite "Things"...

Hey...it's my centennial blog post today!  Yep,  July 5th I tentatively stepped into the blogging world and today I post my 100th.  Altho no raving success amongst the cyber masses, my blog has been a success to moi.  Aside from my initial goal of exploring my photography by being held accountable thru a blog..."You'll Shoot Your Eye Out" has also been a welcome refuge where I can find humor and laugh while navigating a difficult year personally.  Not to mention that  I have "met" some amazing blogging/photography friends that never fail to amaze and inspire me.

So in celebration of both my 100th post AND the holidays, I thought I would take the opportunity to share with you a few of my favorite "Things".  Yep....Things #1, #2 and #3.  They are very shy and still concerned about me outing their identities to the cyber world as they are protected under the "Paranoid Protection Program".  But they reluctantly agreed to make an appearance.

Okay SOMEDAY they will see the humor in that! Haha.  But seriously....HERE are my favorite "Things" whose beauty shines thru even the thickest facial hair.  AND, this following photo was approved AND requested by Thing #3 for Facebook profile posting. Winner, winner chicken dinner!!!!!

"A Few of My Favorite Things"

Ambler, PA

100 posts, WOW!  Hopefully just a drop in the bucket.

--Kathy

The Postman Cometh...

"The Postman Cometh"

To Do:

1.  Mail Christmas Cards
2.  Look for a good deal on scotch tape
3.  Unpack scotch tape and put it somewhere I can never remember
4.  Try NOT to think of the cookies sitting in my cupboard
5.  Try not to feel guilty after I EAT the cookies sitting in my cupboard
6.  Go to the gym...so I can eat more cookies
7.  Eat more cookies
8.  Scotch tape my mouth shut!  Where's the d*mn scotch tape??!!??


Man, it's gonna be a LONG day!


--Kathy

Nobody bakes a cake as tasty as a Tastykake...

Ahhhhh, the delicacies of life all you non-Phillydelphians miss out on.  Not hoagies, Philly soft pretzels, or cheese steaks but....Tastykake!  A Philly delicacy since 1914 courtesy of the Tasty Baking Company.  All of us who grew up in Philly and South Jersey probably have that "Nobody bakes a cake..." jingle permanently etched in our memory banks.  And if you opened up the lunch boxes in an elementary school cafeteria you would undoubtedly see cellophaned packages of krimpets, tandytakes, cupcakes and pies. Tastykake also provided our first lessons in multi-taking.  Before the wrappers were cellophane they were wax paper.  Which meant  FIRST you ate your Tastykake, THEN you took the wrapper and waxed down the sliding board at recess for some really fast sliding and skinned knees!

While the average Philly family liked their Tastykakes (what wasn't to like?) MY family was linked even more so to the company.  My grandpop drove a Tastykake truck, my uncle drove a Tastykake truck, and my dad drove a Tastykake truck too.  Seeing the box-like truck in my driveway meant I could sneak on board at the end of a work day and see if there was a stray box of Peanut Butter Tandytakes laying around.  Unfortunately, it was usually boxes of coconut cream pies I found...YUCK!  Apparently NO ONE liked those!

Every Christmas growing up, our family would convene at my Granny's home on Fifth Street in Philly.  It would be there that my Granny, her five children, and all 15 cousins would gather in a row home where a front parlor, dining room, kitchen and basement with a wringer dryer would try to contain us.  Luckily before it got too dark out our parents would free us for a stroll up Fifth Street to look in the storefront windows.  But we had to be back in time for the grand finale...my Granny's presentation of the cookies.  Not home made cookies, but  a tub of Tastykake Christmas sugar cookies given to each one of us with such a flourish that only my Granny could muster.  These cookies were greeted with either delight or an eye roll depending on which cousin you were.  Mine was an eye roll and a reminder to say "Thank you Granny".  Regardless of the reaction, the cookies did morph into a family tradition as well as a family joke (sorry Granny!).

 Eleanor "Granny"

(Christmas 1967, Granny and her grandkids...front parlor)

Granny passed away, my generation all drifted into our own lives, and the family get togethers ceased 20 years ago.  Sometimes you need experiences and perspective that only life can give you (and Facebook doesn't hurt either!) to make you want to reconnect with family.  And that is what happened this past weekend at my home.  48 family members re-convened and guess what other family member was also there.....TASTYKAKE.  Do you know they STILL makes those tubs of cookies?


They were my house marker...

My dining room centerpiece (well UNTIL my cousin decided her boxes, and boxes, and boxes of bakery rolls needed to take the cookies' place on my table...okay, they WERE delicious!)...

A home made version of Peanut Butter Tandytake cakes....

And bread pudding made out of Butterscotch Krimpets...

Do we know how to run with a theme or what?!?  Note:  Coconut Cream Pies were NOT given an invitation!

Nobody bakes a cake as tasty as a Tastykake BUT....nobody holds them in their heart like my family.  Hey Granny....LOVE YA and MISS YA!



--Kathy