A Month of Me

I have decided that November is going to be The Month of Me.  Every day, I have to do something for myself, something that makes me feel good, or improves something. Here's how I started off the month.

On Friday, I left work early and came home to have lunch in t he backyard in the sunshine.   There's something extra relaxing about lunch in the sun when you're supposed to be at work :)

Saturday was head to toe pampering - shampoo and lotion in a great scent adds up to a great mood and many smiles.  When you give yourself time and permission to do something leisurely, you feel good about yourself.

Sunday was chore day - but I took time away from the chores to sit down and watch a couple episodes of the classic Dick Van Dyke show.  It's amazing that there can be timeless comedy that doesn't pick on or make fun of anyone, no swearing, just plain, simple comedy -- and laughter is the best medicine!

Monday's goals were different.  I re-discovered over the weekend that my lifestyle plan for eating and staying on my program to lose weight needs to be strict.  When a few tortilla chips turns into more than a few, there's a lack of control and those foods need to go.  So I started today with two thoughts:  More water (cuz water is free) and no sugar.  None.  Zip.  Its my plan to break the sugar addiction (again) in a week or so.   I stayed within my calorie goals, and my reward was a honeycrisp apple after dinner.   :)

We'll see how the struggles go, and I'll let you know.  With so many stresses at work, its not easy to stay away from the comfort nibbles that I tend to reach for:  namely, chocolate.  

I hit the gym today, and plan on hitting it every day this week. 
Because it makes me feel good :)

To PAC or not??

A professional photographer named Nicholas started something called Photographer's Adventure Club, and I was invited to join -- only because I was local and use SmugMug to post pictures, where he does also.  Many of the postings are on FaceBook, and there are a lot of photographers -- much more professional than me!

They post these awesome pictures, and I feel in awe. And unworthy with my lowly little point-and-shoots.  Because photography is their work, at the drop of a hat, or a change in weather, they can hop in a car and breeze out to great places to catch photos of clouds, sunsets, lightning ... you get the picture.  Totally out of my league, and for a while I enjoyed looking at their photos. 

But lately, the more I see of their stuff, the more my own photos seem to ... lack.   Which of course affects my own self esteem and motivation to take photos.  Yes, I always want to learn to get better, and creative feedback is always terrific.   *sigh*   They also do classes and get togethers, most of which have a fee attached.  While I would love to learn more, I don't have $50 for an evening of lessons. :(

But... to make a long story short, today the "secretary" of the club posted about this week's theme, and how they didn't want "point and shoot" quality being posted.  Well ya know what, PAC?  I opted out, and left the group.  Why?  Because its hard enough to enjoy photography without trying to 'compete' with professionals. 

The goals of PAC don't fit within my own experiences or talents. 
I'll never sell a picture, or do a wedding. 
Photography is my hobby, its something I do for pleasure.
I'll take a thousand of my "point and shoots" that make me smile
over one of your professional shots any day. 
Why? 
Because they have heart, and they're real.
And because I took time to create something of my own.