create the life you love

It's National PINK Day ...

I very happy PINK day to you all!

 

Artful Blogging Magazine / Pink Saturday

Exciting news for the Pink Saturday hostess, Beverly  ... Pink Saturday was featured in the May/June/July 2010 issue of Artful Blogging Magazine.

I have yet to see this issue yet, but am honored to have one of my photos included in the article ... the photo is of my sweet little kitty, Lilly (who was once lost - for 6 months - but now is found, thank you Lord!)

 

Photo courtesy of Karen at A Scrapbook of Inspiration. Karen also wrote a post about the Pink Saturday article.

Congratulations, Beverly and thank you for creating Pink Saturday for all us pink lovers!
 

Pretty in Pink

My little girl, Lilly. Her and I only girls in the entire family. So glad she is so precious, pretty and looks beautiful in pink.

{ Lilly's middle name is Precious!}

 

Photo Project 52

3/52

 

Griff has been training two times a week at DTS for a few months now. Working on speed, agility, and strength. Part of his program is drinking Muscle Milk a few times a day ... trying to gain weight and build muscle!

Photo Project 52 - One photo a week

Last year, I signed up for the 365 photo project, but failed miserably. So ... this year I am aiming for 1 photo per week, photo project 52. I think I can definitely handle this. My biggest problem is I have no subjects. Only one child at home ... and he will do anything (just like his brothers) NOT to be the subject of a photo. Of course, there are always the pets. They are usually willing ;).

This past summer, I did well with taking photos of my every day life, trying to find beauty in all I see. I also enjoyed working with textures in photoshop and learning new techniques. I am hoping to continue working on my photography this year with this project. Just one of my many goals for 2010!

Since our Lilly has returned home, she gets the honor of week one.

1/52

Sweet Lilly

Back home after being missing for six months. She is doing well, but has a few health issues. We love her.

 

**************

 

Be sure to check out the giveaway at Paige's blog

 

 

Merry Christmas to Me

My new camera arrived and of course I could not wait until Christmas to open it since I need to use it. Just giving it a try here (sootc), in between my baking (in my darling, monogrammed apron from sweet Jill)

 
 

 
 

more of key west

 

 

Our friend, Robert was picked to chain up this 'escape artist' at Mallory Square - a dream come true for him - LOL!

Robert and Emma - so cute. Emma was there for only 2 days - wish she could have stayed all week. We had fun!

I made my husband pose outside the Lilly store. He wasn't too willing, thus the bad photo, taken quickly! I bought him Lilly shorts and a polo :)

Crazy bike on Duval Street

The Hemingway Days were taking place. This was the look alike contest at Sloppy Joe's Bar that I just happened upon the day we arrived. 100's of Hemingways!

This guy was asking me to ride the 'bulls' ... I was out of there very quickly!

The Little White House - President Truman vacationed here

The Hemingway House

Cats everywhere - some desendents of Hemingways

Hemingway's 2nd wife, Pauline had this large pool built for him but Hemingway was not all that happy about it - he annouced to all that the pool had cost him his last cent, and to make his point he had a penny stamped into the pool edge!

Hemingway's workroom on the second floor of the pool house

P i n k . S a t u r d a y

A very happy Pink Saturday to you all. This week I am sharing a photograph of some of my pink books with a vase of little green pom-pom flowers :) ...

 

 

And, see my previous post for a look at my newest 'pink' book (the cover at least)!

To see more of Pink Saturday, visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

t e x t u r e s

I am loving working with textures. A few more photos ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 of 12

I have been a 'member' of this group, 12 on 12 for a few years now, but have only participated a few times. Mostly due to the fact that I am not scrapbooking these days. The goal is to take 12 photos of your daily life on the 12th of each month and then scrapbook and journal about the day. Yesterday was the 12th, so I decided to join in. Not that I will ever get a scrapbook page made of these photos, but I do have a nice college.

 

7.12.09

- the all imporant morning coffee

- an hour power walk

- shower, dress

- church

- lunch on the ave

- Whole Foods Market

- few loads of laundry (never a day off)

- griff arrives home from a 4 day beach trip with a friend

- dinner

- homemade strawberry short cake (for those wondering -maggie ;) - no, I did not eat any, only plain berries)

- walk/play with pups

- read in bed

 

Just a nice, easy summer Sunday!

 

 

 

T e x t u r e s

I am having so much fun using these textures from Florabella ... just a beginner, but am loving learning :)

 

{ m y   b a c k y a r d   c r e p e   m y r t l e }

 

{ p e a r s }

I am printing this on canvas and framing it for my kitchen

 

{ l a k e   k n o w l e s }

Photos

Just a few photos to share. While I have been an avid photographer for many years now, I recently started shooting pictures of my everyday life. I try to find the beautiful things around me and capture it in photos. And ... I will admit that part of the reason this came about is due to my lack of 'real' subjects ... um, that would be my family! I do not have anyone to photograph!! Although Griff is still around (but not all that much!), he was so over me and my camera years ago :(.

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

{  c o c k t a i l !! }

 

~

Also, I would like to invite you all to my new flickr groups. I currently 'host' - am the administrator of two groups. One is 'Youth League Lacrosse' (doubt if many of you all have lax photos??), and the other group is none other than ... 'Preppiness' :). Please feel free to join in and post your photos! Or, if you haven't yet, just come visit flickr ... so much to see and some amazing photography.

Braveheart Lacrosse

This past weekend, we traveled to Tampa (Wesley Chapel) for the Sunshine State Lacrosse Tournament. This is our last tournament for the summer, I think. Three weekends in a row - not sure what's up with all the tournaments being scheduled this way - that is a lot of lacrosse!

 

The Team - U13 Bravehearts

  

 

Griff taking the ball down the field for a goal

   

Score - long pole defenders do not score all that often and when they do, it is a big deal ... Lots of cheering :)

 

 

 

  

A break in the shade with an icy

Schmap!!

My photo of Alcatraz Island was chosen for the Schmap online travel guide/map. This photo was taken while on the boat tour in San Francisco a few summers back and was found through my flickr photo stream. I guess just a random search - I did not submit it and was not familiar with this site. Kind of cool ;)

Griff loved visiting Alcatraz and was very into studying the history and the prisoners. Last year, he did his 5th grade oration on Alcatraz Island and made it to the finals - the olny boy (!) and after a few rounds, he dropped out of the competition! - it just was not his thing, especially with all girls ... although I though he was so good and his speech was awesome ;)

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday! I am currently on yet another weekend away with my son's lacrosse team, but I composed my post early.

This week, I am sharing my crepe myrtles that just started to bloom this week :)

 

 

A photo of my white crepe myrtles, even though they are not pink ...

 

I hope you all have a wonderful summer weekend! To view more of Pink Saturday, visit Beverly's blog.

Braveheart Lacrosse

 

This past weekend, we traveled to Jacksonville, FL for a lacrosse tournament - The Wounded Warrior Tournament -to benefit a great cause, The Wounded Warrior Project.

This summer, Griff's young league coach started a new select team called 'Bravehearts' - I love the name and the new uniforms. I had so many people (mostly moms) ask about and complemented the snazzy plaid uniforms. The tournament was both Saturday & Sunday, 5 games total, and hot! The Bravehearts won 3, lost 2.

We are off again tomorrow to another tournament in Boca Raton ... and yet another the following weekend, which will make 4 weekends straight, being out of town (or state) for lacrosse. Oh, for the love of the game ;)

 

 

 

 

 

Boston

While on my 'mom of the year' trip ;) to the NCAA lacrosse games, I did manage to get a little time to myself - about an 1 1/2 hours before we had to head to the airport for our flight home. A nice walk down Newbury Street and a little of the Public Garden.

 

I love taking architectural photos, especially old churches ...

  

 

 

 

 

Boston Public Garden ...

 

 

Copley Square Market ...

 

Boston Public Library ...

Newbury Street ...

  

 

 

Fairmont Copley Plaza Window Boxes - Gorgeous! ...

Rooftop

A black bird on my neighbor's roof that I just happend to capture with my zoom lens

This and That

 

 

{ Backyard Cardinal }

I was able to get up close to this fella. He stayed in the same place for the longest time until Griff came out yelling 'caw, caw' and scared it away :(

Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers. I am going to try another treatment before I turn to surgery (anterior cervical discectomy). The doctor prescribed a pain medication that should give me some relief and I will be starting physical therapy two times a week for 4-6 weeks. Not so sure if the PT will help since I do pilates 2-3 times week and it is basically about strengthening the core, back and neck muscles. The PT of course will concentrate on the neck muscles since my herniated disc in in this area (C5-6). I have to say that between pilates, cardio workouts and weight training, I am quite strong already! But ... I am willing to give it a try, and possiblyhave another serious of epidural steroid injections when I am able to (there is a 6 month interval time before you can have the injections again). I'll be honest here, although I have had many surgeries throughout my life, the thought of this cervical surgery frightens me tremendously. I pray that I can avoid having it!

For those of you that have inquired about Griff's German costume, I am going to try to make something up myself. This won't be easy since I can not sew! Those darn ebay listings all sold for over $100 with lots of bids on many different lederhosen. Crazy! Who the heck is wearing these fashion statements?! And it's not even October Fest! I also called a local costume store and they charge $55 to rent a costume. Jeez - he only needs to wear it for an hour at the most! So, my friend Lisa gave me a few ideas (thanks lisa!) and I found a pair of suspenders and am going to attempt to sew them on to a pair of shorts. He can wear a pair of knee highs and be done with it ;). BTW, my friend's son's report is on France and all he is wearing is a beret with his school uniform, so I guess my 'put together' lederhosen isn't all that bad.

 

Hoppin' Down the Bunny Trail ...

 

 

Big, sweet Murphy will do just about anything for me ... not so with Baxter, so I didn't even attempt a Easter photo shoot with him. Murph keep these ears on for the longest time, just walking around the house until they fell off on there own.

Griff the Diff

 

Griff's lacrosse game yesterday I have to say in all my many years of lacrosse photography, this has to be one of my favorite shots. Love how I got in way off the ground.

Also, the picture has a neat, clean background. So many of these youth league games are played on fields that are less than desirable (bad field conditions and lots of 'noise' in the background - cars, parking lots and all sorts of other distractions). This field was one of them, mostly a 'dirt' field and the parking right up to the fence. I was lucky to get a few shots away from it all.

green mosaic

green mosaic, originally uploaded by DIY Sara.

One of my flickr photos - the green 'bridget' gift, was used in this mosaic created by DIY Sara. Love all the green photos - pretty mosaic!

Pink Saturday

 

Another Pink Saturday and I am posting a mosaic of some of my favorite 'pink' photos. 

Visit Beverly's blog for more of Pink Saturday - all 100++ participants! Lots of pink loving bloggers :)

Happy Spring!

Hope you all have a wonderful 'spring' day and weekend

Spring Birds

It is spring here in Florida and my birds are returning. I love the red winged black birds that visit us. I have a new bird feeder this year too.

A cardinal hiding in the bush

These last two photos were taken through my kitchen window, so they are a bit blurry due to the glass.

Good Thoughts

{ Christ Church, St. Simons Island, Georgia }

 

~ Faith is the ability to not panic.

 ~ If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed,
don't worry.

~ As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home
every day.

 ~ Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out
 of shape.

 ~ When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God
 wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

 ~ Do the math. Count your blessings.
 
~ God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
 
~ Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

 ~ Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

 ~ Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
 
~ The most important things in your home are the people.
 
~ Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
 
~ There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
 Come on in.

 ~ A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

~ He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
 
~ We do not remember days, but moments. Life moves too
 fast, so enjoy your precious moments.
 
~ Nothing is real to you until you experience it,
 otherwise it's just hearsay.
 
~ It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now
 and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
 
~ Surviving and living your life successfully requires
 courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require
 courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only
 makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
 
~ Be more concerned with your character than your
 reputation. Your character is what you really are, while
 your reputation is merely what others think you are.

~
 
No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's
 always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the
 soul of another for the angels to read.
 
I don't want you to get to the end of life and find 
you lived just the length of it; I want you to have lived
 the width of it as well.  So Write The Book!!!!!!

{ author unknown }

 

~ Happy March ~

 

The Bagpiper

I posted this photo of the bagpiper at The Lodge in Sea Island on flicker with my other pictures from the trip and the actual bigpiper saw it and commented - how cool is that!

Sea Island

We had such a wonderful time at Sea Side - one of my all time favorite vacations. Pure bliss! Gorgeous weather (except for Saturday - rain off and on). Dan and Griff played golf every day (I would have joined them, but with my neck issue that did not happen. I did hit some balls on the putting range). We rode bikes, exercised at the new spa, (which was the most luxurious facility I have ever seen) and did a little site seeing. Dan and Griff also went skeet shooting, which Griff loved. Lots of just relaxing with such impeccableservice. We were given a 'personal butler' upon our arrival and he was at our call whenever we needed anything, Griff especially liked this ;). He ordered dvd's, just a push of a button and the butler showed up minutes later presenting the dvd on a tray! They also served warm cookies and milk every night - to your order. And ... the butler prepared rose petal baths for me :).

I took tons of photos. Of course, Griff tired of the camera very quickly (why is it all my boys loath me with my camera?!), but I shot many shots of the grounds, decore, art work. One afternoon I walked around the Cloisters and spa and took photo after photo. Not a single person around! Since it is off season, the resort was almost empty during the week, but filled up with guests over the weekend.

The album can be viewed at flickr, but here are a few of my favorites ...

{ bag piper plays every evening at The Lodge at sun set } 

 

 

  

   

{ the solarium at The Cloisters - I absolutely LOVE this room }

       

  

  

{ St. Simon Light House }

  

  

       

       

{ BAD quailty photo - Dan was taking it ;) } 

  

  

    

{ Valentine's Day - Griff & Mom in pink! }

 

Well, I obviously posted more than just a few ;) Also, thank you all for you thoughts, prayers and concerns regarding my herniated disc - so, so appreciated!! While, I have received some relief in the severity of pain and have been able to take less tylenol and/or alleve, I am still experiencing of pain :(. I talk to my doctor tomorrow about going ahead with the last and final epidural injection and we'll see what direction I will go after that.

Pearls are a Girl's Best Friend

 ... well, along with diamonds ;). A few photos of my pearl collection. I have many, some necklaces and bracelets I have made myself.I also have a beautiful, single strand (not in this pile) that Dan bought me way back, maybe 20 years ago or so for our anniversary :).

   

A friend of mine made me this gorgeous necklace for a Christmas gift 

 

Another favorite that I wear all the time from All Girls Love Pearls. A wonderful shop with great customer service

 

 

Pink Peony

I wish I could stay this pretty flower was from my yard, but I actually picked it while on a walk over the weekend.

We are expecting a freeze tonight so these first signs of spring will most likely be no more.

 

 

Hello Kitty!

I made this little 'Hello Kitty' coloring book for Bridget (will probably give it to her as part of her Valentine's gift). I mentioned in my last post that I was feeling a bit creative these days ;). Such a fun, easy, girl project! The idea came from Jill, who is my pink preppy swap partner :). I changed my design a little. You can print out the coloring pages free at this site, Coloring Book Fun.  Other characters are available too (I noticed Dora!).

 

  

And .. speaking of  Hello Kitty, my little, shy Lilly sitting on a bar stool and peaking over the counter ...

  

 

Puppies!

My neighbors have TWO new yellow lab puppies,  just 10 weeks old. Bax, Murph and I visit them everyday and they all play together. Today I 'puppy sat'  - actually just took them out while their momma was away and had a little photo session.

Enzo and Trish ...

 

 

 

 

Old Photo Monday

This is a photo of myself and my siblings: Scott, Debra, me and Marc. I'm the blondie one with the cheesy smile! My sister was such a little tom boy (notice her robe, I am sure it must have been a hand me down from my big brother).

*Thanks Christina for starting this!

Prom 2007

Another video. I am working on Connor's high school years. I cry when watching these (such a cry baby lately), miss these days so much already!

**ETA: I'm not sure about these links, but if you want to view the videos, they are posted on the side bar here (to the right) at the very bottom. I think they work!

WPHS Prom 2007 Connor C Caligiuri

Videos

I'm working on putting some videos together. I want to save some of the boys sports highlights this way and I think they may even enjoy seeing these ... just maybe! (also, I don't dare try to chose a song to go along with these - I doubt they have any that my boys would choce - so I just kept the 'default' song) ;)

Does anyone know how to post the actual video screen?? I am cluless.

WPHS Football - Connor C

WPHS Homecoming 2006 

WPHS Homecoming Court 2005    (I need to redo this one, the photos are all the wrong resolution)

* Don't fell like you have to watch any of these. I will be posting them all here on my blog though!

A Post for TONIA!

My sweet Murph with his 'baby'. Does he look familiar to you, Tonia?! This little stuffed dog (a large Beany Baby, I believe) is Griff's and he has had it since he was first born. Our new pooch, Murphy found it and carries it around with him everywhere - even outside. Every time I tell him 'let's go outside', he goes and picks it up and brings it along. He never chews on it and treats it very gently. Of course, Baxter looks at him like he is crazy - they have such different personalities. Anyway, I remember Tonia posting about her daughter's love of this same little stuffed dog and although Griff never was very attached to it, Murph certainly is!

Photo Shot

This is a friend's daughter, Lauren (also a friend of Connor's). She is graduating from high school and asked me to take some photos (head shots) for her college sorority applications. Of course, it goes without saying, I love how easy girls are with photo taking-a far cry from my boys! ...

 

Monday, Monday

:: Happy Cinco de Mayo, or as the college kids say, 'drinco de Cinco'. No partying going on here though. Of course, neither of my college boys are home!

:: Griff had his big try outs for the select lax team, Florida Possums on Sunday. No word yet if he made the team, but his big brother was there and according to Connor, he's a shoe in (such a supportive big bro - hope he is right!).

:: Connor has a job this summer with the Possums. Assistant coaching either the U13 (Griff's team, if he makes it) or U15.

:: Connor also has an internship job starting later this week. This is a wonderful opportunity for him, working fo CNL. He will be working 8-5, Monday-Friday, making very good money and getting such valuable experience. I really wish Barret could be doing this, since he is older and could use the experience also, but he is taking a full load at summer school, both sessions.

:: And, I few photos of Griff and his tree climbing. He has been coming along with me in the evenings when I take Bax for a walk and every time, he manages to find an 'interesting' tree to climb...

We Have a New Member of the Family

... and it's a GIRL! All Griff wanted for his birthday (and actually for Christmas too) was a new kitty. Our beloved 'Wishbone' passed away a little over a year ago and he really missed him. So today, we went down to the SPCA and adopted a new kitty. She is approximately 8 months old and was a stray who was just brought in a week ago. Today was the first day that she was ready to go to a new home (after being spayed), so our being there today was meant to be! She is very tiny (6 lbs.) and I believe full grown. Such a petite little girl. After changing his mind about 10 times, Griff has finally named her 'Lilly' (with a little prodding from me). Baxter is having a little adjustment issue, but is being very kind and welcoming. He was very friendly with Wishbone - the two of them got along just fine and even slept together, so we are hoping for the same with our new kitty.

Here she is in her crate at the facility ...

Taking her home in her 'pet wagon'...

In the car ...

Home sweet home ...

Her favorite place, in the bathroom sink ...

 

And of course, I had to buy her a pink collar with bows, which cost almost more than she did! ...

 

Lax

Griff's lacrosse team continues to be undefeated. I believe the score was 12-3 on Saturday. Note to myself: stop talking so much on the sidelines and move around the field more for better photos!

Griff - #27

 

12 Years Old

Happy Birthday to Griff!

{Victor Griffin 3.25.96}

So hard to believe that my 'baby' is 12 already. Even harder to believe that next year he will be a teenager! I can not imagine my life without him, what a blessing he is to us. The following is a letter I wrote to him when he turned 6 ...

Dear Griffin,

I just can't believe that my little boy is six years old! It seems like it was such a short time ago that you were a baby in my arms.

What a blessing you are to your daddy, brothers and me. Daddy and I prayed for many years to be blessed with another child and God answered our prayers with the wonderful gift of you ... Victor Griffin,  my third son, my miracle baby - I love you so very much. You have brought so much joy to our family. We all love you more than you can imagine!

I pray that you will always know how much God loves you and that His spirit will always live in you. May you treasure God's word in your heart, may He always come first in your life, and may you always trust in Him in all you do. You are a special child of God and His love for you is immeasurable. Always remember, you can do all things through Christ, our Lord!

I love you my sweet Griff. May God bless you always and may your life be filled with much love, happiness and peace.

Always remember ... you are special!

Hugs, kisses and love always,

                                                    momma

And a few favorite photos from over the years (I could have posted so many more!) ...

Photoshop Disasters

I recently stumbled upon this fun blog, photoshop disasters.

Opening Lacrosse game

... and no team to play! For some reason the team scheduled to play against Griff's team, the 'Blue Devils' did not want to play and forfeited. Guess the Blue Devils are just too much for them ;). So, they went ahead, divided up the team and played a scrimmage.

Griff played goalie for a quarter (begged the coach) - first time playing this position and he loves it, but I'm sure he will be going back out on the field in future games.