Back in the Saddle

Hellloooooo oooouuuuttttt thheeerrrreeee.......

I'm finally back after the best/hardest experience of my life.

I spent 7 weeks in the hospital on bedrest only to deliver my special little man 6 1/2 weeks early. He was teeny tiny at a measly 2 lbs 13 oz but perfect! So incredibly perfect.

His "hotel" stay consisted of another 4 weeks in the NICU but now he's home.

HOME.

Home and thriving. Gaining weight like a champ and keeping his mommy up all night while he parties away. I love every single minute of it.

I wouldn't change my experience for the world. It taught me so much.

I still can hardly walk more than a mile because my muscles gave up on me but I still wouldn't change it.

He is a precious little miracle and I am so lucky and blessed to have him.



Welcome to the world Porter Jameson

Sunnier Side of Life

I'm leavin' on a jet plane

Don't know when I'll be back again.


Actually I do know when i'll be back. I wish I didn't but I do.

We're headed to sunny Southern California and I am so ready for the warm sun on my shoulders.

What's that song?

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy.....Isn't it John Denver?

Anyway, the hubs and I are travelling with his mother, who has early stage dementia, so that she can spend some time with her siblings before she doesn't remember them anymore.

Makes me sad but I'm so happy to be able to do this for and with her now before it's too late. The last few months have been a struggle. Neurologists, sleep studies, bloodwork, oh my.... Yes, we need this. As a family. Together and happy.

But, I did tell the hubs we'll have to put our patient pants on. I've been wearing mine a lot lately and it's his turn to join in.

And the sunshine....oh the sunshine. I can't wait.

AND...........

I got my camera. It's locked and loaded and just waiting for all the inspiration that is and will be flowing out of me.

I can't wait to share since I haven't had a camera in what seems like forever.

So Mia is hitting the road and will be out of touch for about a week.

When I return....It'll be a whole new Mia/Bay. I can feel it brimming already.

Sunny Southern Cal....Ready or not....Here we come!

M.I.A

Yep, that's me Missing in Action.

I might start calling my self Mia for short....

I just haven't been motivated. December killed me.

Almost literally.




It was the Hubs last month at his much loved job. That broke my heart.

I had a multitude of cakes for a multitude of occasions(and I made a vow to myself that I may never make another wedding cake-I did say may never....)

We did the ever fun travelling 40 miles, one way, to see my family and the in-laws on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Then, delivered the Wedding cake on New Years Eve to my new cousin, the same 40 miles there and 40 miles back with a topper on my lap and two sleep deprived nephews in the back seat!

And all the while creating while not feeling so creative.

Not really checking in to see what my favorite bloggers are up to.

I think the fact that my camera is kaput is really getting to me too. I haven't taken a picture in a month, and anyone who knows me knows that is sooooo out of the ordinary....

I just haven't felt inspired.

The last week and a half I've had a TERRIBLE cold. Man, it was a bad one. Then the hubs got it and you know men....they don't do so well when their sick! Poor baby....

So I'm forcing myself back and out of this rut.

2010 is going to be a good year....

I'm buying myself a camera I've been dying to get (actually it was kind of a present-the fam gave me moolah for Christmas so that I can get myself a more professional camera-yippeeeee)

But, I haven't bought it yet-which tells you how icky I've been....

I mean, waiting a month to get this:



shows me I need to get myself together.

I have plans....

Families to photograph.

Childrens expressions to catch.

Dogs making cute faces.

Babies to pose.

Landscapes calling my name.

Ice crystals still hanging over the stream where we hike but threating to melt if I don't hurry up.

So it's time.

No time like the present huh?

Heck 2010 is already 20 days gone. I'd better get a move on.

Cause really

~Thankful~

What have I been up to for a month, you ask?

Well just to name a few things I've been UP to....

Creating for a show I'm in the next two weekends

A car accident (minor but still ouchy....)

Working for a friend while his assistant has been on maternity leave

Finishing up with Halloween and moving on to Thanksgiving which is now turning into Christmas

Dealing with the fact that my hubs got news his company is closing. Last day January 5th. 6 WEEKS!


Let's see what I have not been UP to....

Cooking

Cleaning

Blogging

Laundry

Working out



But you know what? Today I've decided to be thankful.
A good week to choose to be thankful don't cha think....

I'm thankful for:

My family

My friends

My health

My heart

My creativity

My home

And last but not least Me.

I'm thankful for me.


For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a Difference a Day Makes

You know those weekends away, albeit few and far between, that make you refreshed and possibly fall in love all over again?

I was lucky enough to have one of those over my anniversary weekend. It was simply blissful.

We ate, we laughed, we walked, we talked....blissful.



Beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado!

I realized while uploading my pictures that I did not take one picture of Main Street. Not one! It is a large but quaint few blocks with shops ranging from mountian gear to a doggie bakery with the cutest Starbucks (that is in an old tiny house) and a crepe cart smack dab in the middle.

Oh the crepes....yummmmmmmmmm!

We did a little hiking up by lake Dillon.



Gorgeous!

Oh yea, remember how I said we ate? And boy did we....
My favorite part of the whole weekend (except for the crepes-yummm again) was our "fancy" dinner out.



Le Petit Paris is an amazing little French Restaurant right off of Main Street. Sisters Arielle and Marie are the sweetest little team and make you feel at home from the moment they take your coat until the usher you out the door and wave goodbye until you are out of sight. Precious.

Just my kind of place. French bisto-esque with while linen table cloths and vintage advertisements all over the walls.

And the food. Well, the food was To. Die. For.

3 course meals that change with the seasons.

I was trying to be sneaky and not bother the people sitting 2 feet from us, who were probably wondering "who is this crazy girl taking pictures of her table".

After ordering that bottle of wine that is now my new favorite, and having some amazing fresh french bread we dined on French Onion soup and a goat cheese salad that I am determined to duplicate. Boeuf Bourguignon that was deconstructed and amazing and profiteroles that were beyond melt in your mouth!

Now I'm hungry....


The weather was beautiful all weekend, it seemed to be in the stars for us.

And yes, even though we were leaving fat and happy I had to end my weekend here....



Of course, before I realized I hadn't taken a picture of my crepe, it was gone....

I'm thinking of opening one of these....it could be a fun opportunity.

But the pounds I would pack on would not agree with me....so maybe not.

Here we are fat and happy (not in that order~giggle~).


Bliss!

Music makes the world go round....that I know.

Is there anything that you go to to heal your wounds? Is there a special song or friend or book that helps you move past something hurtful?


Music is what heals me.



I had my feelings hurt by a fellow blogger and I let it get me down.

I am completely aware that I was allowing it to happen, but sometimes it's hard to not let it hurt your heart, just a little.
All the while telling myself to not allow something somewhat silly to hurt my feelers. But it did and now I'm over it.

O.k. I'm almost over it.

Music heals my soul. Music allows me to be me. Music reminds me what I love about life.

Music reminds me that I don't have to worry about other peoples intentions, or what they think, or why they did what they did, when they probably don't even realize the hurt they caused.

So Kasey, over at Lola B's inspired me today. I LOOOOVE her. (sorry Kasey but I do....A lot. Yes, here is me gushing....)

If you, my few little readers, haven't been by her blog to see her...DO IT...GO NOW..No wait finish reading my post first, then go!

She'll make you laugh every single time you read her and her writing makes you wish you had her wit and ability (and her house, all I can say is gorgeous).

I must be channeling her today (I wish) because I've gotten a little distracted....
Kasey tends to do that too. But she is funner than I am....


Anyway, because of Kasey I decided to focus on what I know I can do....

I can cook a Hungarian Pot Roast that is to die for(I'll share someday soon).

I can take a photo that makes me giddy and keeps me that way all day long.

I can be nice and polite to every person I contact throughout a day. (I set out every day with this intention)

I can grow a delish tomato.

I can appreciate the beauty of nature and it can take my breath away.

I can paint like nobody's business.

I can love unconditionally and completely.

I can hardly ever say NO when a friend needs me.

I can sing...and not just in the shower.

I can be best best friend and wife I can possibly be.

I can weld a glue gun and not glue my fingers together.

I can throw an elegant get together and party like a rock star all at the same time.

I can throw a not-so-elegant affair (think Halloween) and try to not be instantly at their feet cleaning it up when someone spills their beer (which is inevitable) on my hardwood floor.

I can plan anything with detailed lists and drawings. A little anal? Guilty as charged.

I can appreciate the good that is in everyone.

I can find a diamond in the rough.

I can bake a white almond cake that is out of this world. Cupcakes too!

I can shop with a budget and stick to it.

I can negotiate with the best of them.

I can fall in love. With shoes. Many many pairs of shoes. The Hubs is sick of hearing me say "they are just so comfortable and adorable. I must have them."

I too can make a mean box of Mac and Cheese!!!

I can control what I put into my body (minus the Mac and Cheese) and live mostly chemical free.

I can appreciate, yet not agree, with other's opinions.

I can rearrange my living room in an afternoon by myself.

I can be inspired by all the creativity in the blogosphere. You ladies are so amazing!

I am a creative and loving person who only has the best intentions and loves her life, her family, her friends, the earth, and herself....


What I know I can do is be me.

I like me.

Noone else has to like me but me right?

And I choose to like me and to not allow others to dictate whether or not I'm inspiring.

Thanks Kasey, for your wit, your insight, sharing your stories, and just being you.

I like you. And I like me too!

Now, I'm gonna go turn up the music really loud and dance!

Life is good.