grinding the daily stone

The majority of this calm, cool summer has been redecorating the family room and basement. Each day has found boxes to unpack, shelving to dust, and chores to complete. The last one I had on my list was to pull out my brand new sewing machine and make pillows for the daybed that the kids use to relax, play Wii, and watch an occasional TV show when they cannot agree on what to watch upstairs in the family room.

A total count of fifteen pillows and a bunch of material later, I have filled the entire bed with enough soft-edged, cotton stuffed rectangular items that the kids WILL UNDOUBTEDLY throw at one another from time to time. But knowing that this is a kid-friendly area, the decision was also made to make the material act as a removable cover in premonition of spilled drink and/or food. Thus a slit in the back to easily remove the insides was born.

And yes, because this is an extension of my craft room, I've surrounded the joint in one-too-many picture frames full of memories of times gone by - all of which reflect the past twenty years or so of the life that Chato and I have built together. Is it over doing it? Yes. DO I care? No. My children will always be surrounded in pictures and memories of moments of their lives, the little things, the important people that ALL make them who they are and who they have yet to become. Life is so fragile and fleeting - one moment slips away into another, and maybe not all will agree with me, but a simple snap of a flash places it in our possesion to remind, remember and reflect the storylines we have lived.
On Saturday, we attended an annual block party. My camera was in tow, just as always, but my heart was not in it, and I did not document the smiles, heat, and fun of the day. Today, I could probably tell you the stories of it all, but a year from now? Maybe not so well. Of course, I regret not taking pictures.

Sage advice? Always have a camera. It is my philosophy. Those who don't like having their pictures taken? Sneak them in anyway. You won't regret it later; and ultimately neither will they.