letting go {and #capturingmymoments}

I am not sure why, but I have had an influx of GFC followers

this week, but I love love LOVE it!  Hello to you, my new

follower:)  Welcome!  And thanks so much for staying.

Happy Friday to you!  Today is the last day of May, which means 

today is the last day for topics from Story of My Life.  Also, for those 

of you who are new around here, sharing my #capturingmymoments

hashtag project over on Instagram.  I'll get to that a little later though.

Like I said, today is the last day for blogging everyday in May

from Story of My Life.  While I did not participate in all of the prompts, 

I did enjoy having it there as an excuse to blog more.  I really had fun
with this and I have no idea what I am going to blog about in June (well at 

least until I get back from our trip to Palo Alto).  

Anywayyyyyy, yesterday's prompt was to respond to "Letting go."

I really liked the idea of this one since I have been doing a lot of

that recently: 

I have let go of the idea that my parents will always approve 

of the decisions I make in my life.  I have to live my life, for me.

No one else.  My parents have raised me to the person I am today.

While I would like to think they are proud, I cannot let worrying 

about what they think get in the way of living. 

I have let go of the person who I thought I was supposed to be so 

I can become the person I am meant to be.  Sound familiar?

It is the new-ish motto of this blog (and my life).  When I was younger I

had my life planned out completely different than it has so far turned out.
So instead of  being disappointed by that I am choosing to love the life I have
because if I am really honest with myself, I am, for the first time in
my life, actually happy and content.  

Now, it's time to share some of my favorites from the hashtag project

on Instagram.  New around these parts? Here is the what the project is

all about.  

Thanks to everyone who participated:)  I was excited to see some

new names on there!  Please spread the word.  Also, if your account

is private make sure you follow me (I'll follow back!) so you show

up in the #capturingmymoments feed.  

And yes, I do realize I did not share my 365 last week.  I was going

to today, but husband just got home and quite frankly, I am starting to sweat 

my tush off so I am signing off until tomorrow.  

Today's link-ups:

      

music that speaks to me

In case you haven't already figured it out, I love music.  I love discovering new music and get just as excited when I hear an oldie that i haven't heard in a while.   What  I love about music is how much it can take you back to a specific time as though you are living it all over again. 
Today's prompt is to list 5 songs or pieces of music that speak to you or bring back memories.  Since the prompt only asked for 5, I am going to stick to that.  Otherwise, this post could get really long.  Serious. 
Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox This one reminds of me car rides in the back of my parents' suburban when I was a kid. 
Moondance by Van Morrison. This reminds me of Summer nights in our old backyard, jumping on the trampoline to the smell of my dad cooking on the grill. 
Crush by Dave Matthews Band. or really any DMB song.  
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.  This was our wedding song.  The husband and I started dating the summer this song was popular.  So it definitely takes me back not only our wedding day but those initial butterflies i had when we first met:)
The Ludlow Song from Legends of the Fall.  If you know this movie then I know you understand the emotion I feel listening to this.  I actually chose it as the song to walk down the aisle to on our wedding day.  And yes, this was when my Brad Pitt obsession began.  I mean, look at him! (you only need bother yourself at 1:48)
     

sunday funday {in photos}

husband and i needed to get rid of some recycling so we

headed to our favorite area in the city to do that and to grab some snacks 

and go for a hike on a gorgeous, but unseasonably chilly, sunday.  

here are the photos. 

fav photo + 365 + a few favorites

This post was meant for Friday but when husband
showed up earlier than expected, I convinced him to go
see the new Star Trek with me instead of cutting the grass.
I then left early Saturday morning to head to Cleveland, OH
to visit family - I mean what other reason would I ever want to
go to Cleveland?  What turned into a one night trip, turned into an
extra day of laughing and wine drinking resulting in yesterday
being too tired to do anything but drive the 2 hours home
and read, fall asleep, watch a movie, repeat.
So, today I am playing catch-up:)

Friday's prompt was to share a favorite photo of yourself and why:
I love photos.  But not ones of myself.  Husband is
not a "oh, let me take your photo" kinda guy (he likes to enjoy
the moment. hippy.) and I get really embarrassed asking
husband or anyone "oh hey, can you take a photo of me?"
Therefore, photos of me are hard to find, let alone a photo of myself
that I actually like.  Nearly impossible.  However, when I read today's prompt
this photo popped into my mind immediately.

Why you may as? I mean, my hair is a mess, you can see my crows feet,
and I am dressed like a old lady.  BUT I am smiling the most genuine
looking smile that I have seen in a photo of myself in a really long time.
I had brought my camera into the old 9 to 5 to take photos
of the clients signing with their deaf peer.  It was my turn to show
the clients what I got, so my coworker grabbed my camera,
to show me what it feels like to have a camera in my face,
to take her own photos.  And this is what she got.  This what I'd like to
think I look like when I smile.  Crows feet and all:)

Fridays are also dedicated to sharing my 365 project.
I have obviously taken some more since I had originally planned
to post this but they will just have to wait until Friday. 
May 11, 2013.  Day 142 of 365. 

"Ambridge Building"

{We headed back to our home town to grab a cider from a beer distributor that was the only place who had it in stock in the area.}

May 12, 2013.  Day 143 of 365. 

"Leading"

"Woodland"

{Look familiar?}

May 13, 2013.  Day 144 of 365. 

"Girlfriends."

{This photo along with 10am (below) may also look familar.}

May 14, 2013.  Day 145 of 365. 

"Yum"

{Downloaded the new A Beautiful Mess app the other day.  Had some fun with the doodles.}

May 15, 2013.  Day 146 of 365. 

"10am"

May 16, 2013.  Day 147 of 365. 

"Posing"

{More fun with Toy Story characters, Girlfriend, and the new app}

May 17, 2013.  Day 148 of 365. 

"Bag Lady"

{Little girlfriend pushes her little grocery cart around the garage.  We call her the bag lady.}

"Crawler"

The next prompt I am excited to share is from Sunday: 

Five of your favorite blogs and why you love them. 

I love discovering new blogs and get excited when I

see one of my favorites pop up in my Bloglovin' Feed.  

So without further, adieu, here are my 5 favorites and why

(in no particular order):

Lisa Czarina from Ella Coquine.Com

How can I not be inspired by a girl who decides to pick up her life in NYC to move to Paris, hardly knowing anyone and the language.  She gets her heart broken when she had to break her engagement but instead of running back home she continued  to live in the City of Lights.  Not only has she made a beautiful life (with many hilarious stories) for herself in a foreign country, she has met the love of her life (who she recently married). She is also such an inspiration to any of us ladies out there who wonder if we could ever really pick up and leave everything that is familiar to us for a dream.  Lisa proves it is possible.  

Raven from Don't Quote the Raven

She is one of the most hilarious and honest blogs out there.  She makes being a mother look fun while being real all at the same time.  Not many do.   She has no problem voicing her opinions and standing up for what she believes in.  I can tell, Raven and I would be good friends if we lived in the same town. 

Taylor from The Daily Tay

If you want to literally LOL, hers is the blog to read.  She lives in Chicago and is starting to take her talents on the Improv stage.  Not that I know much comedy, but I do know what makes me laugh and I would definitely make an effort to see her live when I am in Chicago.  She also writes an hilarious Friday post called  The Best Week Ever all about who or what is going on in the news.  If it wasn't for  Taylor, I am not sure I would ever have a clue. 

Mish from Miss Lovin' Life

Another inspiration as well.  Her and her main squeeze quit their jobs to travel the world.  Traveling the world is obviously something I have always wanted to do and her posts are always a great reminder that I can do anything if I just put my mind to it.  They traveled to some of the most amazing places.  Places I have never really thought of seeing.  I started following right when she took off so it was nice to "travel along" with her on her amazing journey during the cold and dreary winter months. 

Cassandra from The Lyric Locket

Cassandra can craft like it's nobody's business.  She is constantly posting and sharing her amazing projects around her home in Maine.  She is also amazing at taking photos.  A girl after my own heart:) 

Phew, I hope that wasn't too overwhelming for you.

Husband and I walked 7.42 miles today so I am now 

heading back outside to take a nap read my book until

husband gets home.  So, until next time...

     

 

#nannylife

I saw a post a few weeks ago of a blogger's day in photos and

immediately fell in love with the idea.  Ever since then, I have been 

wanting an excuse to take a photo, every hour throughout my day.

Thanks to today's prompt from Jenni, I found my excuse:)

8am

driving to my Wednesday nanny gig. 

9am

playing keep away from big brother while little brother puts on his shoes.

10am

morning blue skies

11am

hanging out on the front porch hiding from the rain. 

12pm

waking up little brother from his morning nap. 

1pm

rare quiet moment from Garbs

2pm

little brother upside down. 

3pm

little brother feeling needy while waiting for big brother. 

4pm

washing hands after wiping little brother's snotty nose. 

5pm

channel surfing while the kiddos nap. 

6pm

ahhh home!

7pm

dinner.  shhhh, don't tell the hubs;) 

8pm

blogging while watching Parenthood.  yes, crosby is watching half-blood prince:)

And just in case you were wondering; 1) yes, I am a nanny by day and

2) I really do love Harry Potter. 

    

happies

I know I wrote a post on this recently, but who doesn't
love to share what makes them happy as often as possible?

*husband
*my family and the in-laws
*anything Harry Potter related.
*long walks with husband.
*our home.
*planning trips.
*my little girlfriends.

*taking photos.

*a good book.
*coffee.
*warm weather and sunshine.
*laughter, especially kids.
*the smell of summer rain and thunderstorms.
*the color pink, the hotter the pink the happier i am.
*sunflowers, tuplips, and gerber daisies.
*finding new music.

And yes, I realize that is more than 10 but I can't help it.
A lot is making me happy these days:)

linking up with: