tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10365928138590562602012-02-01T09:51:12.645-05:00Adventures of My Restless Heart to Create a Life I Love and Make Connections Along the Waydragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.comBlogger2031100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-49837717820284582292011-11-14T11:38:00.001-05:002011-11-14T12:00:37.966-05:00

Change seems to be the one thing I can count on and the past few years has been in warp drive. My intention had been to simplify my life, but I seemed to have cluttered and complicated it instead. I have missed blogging and my blogging friends. I kept promising myself that I would begin again and yet I continued to put the needs of everyone else in front of my own. Today is a great day for a

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-40375352014057194892010-09-28T23:55:00.000-04:002010-09-28T23:55:22.262-04:00

The camera and I have always had a love/hate relationship.  I've always loved taking photos of people, places, things, events, pets and especially my sons from the moment they were born. In the seventh grade when the middle school yearbook was distributed, I remember seeing my photo and feeling so upset that I actually felt sick.  I swore I would never sit for another school photo and would never

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-51905698213844632952010-09-14T15:57:00.000-04:002010-09-14T15:57:58.030-04:00

It's definitely time for a fresh new beginning...for my life as well as my blog.  Fall has always been my Spring.  I tend to become more energized and motivated to deep clean the house, decorate with Autumn color pallette and spend more time cooking and baking.  some Fall favories: My sister gave me this as a gift one year and I love it, but most of all my husband and sons really like it.  That

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-15027479435530641972010-05-23T01:57:00.002-04:002010-05-23T02:25:08.113-04:00

Last week one of my dear old friend's husband died of cancer as she lay next to him holding his hand and singing to him. He had only found out he had cancer five weeks earlier. She'd been too busy to call me and I am thankful her brother called me so I could go be with her to hug her and do whatever I could to let her know she was not alone. Instead of saying let me know if I can do anything

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-58884486477198883372010-05-14T01:59:00.003-04:002010-05-14T04:56:57.554-04:00

Transfer files to Mac computerTake lessons on crocheting in the round to make baby hat and scarf sets for etsyTake sewing lessonsSign up for Photography coursePlant raised bed Victory gardenDo the Landmark ForumPurge clutter weekly and stop it coming back into my environmentUpload photos to Scrapbook.com to be developed for scrapbook projectsExercise by walking, stepper, hand weights, and

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-24773414716289940252010-05-08T21:39:00.002-04:002010-05-08T22:09:51.835-04:00

This is the view from CVS in the small town where I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most of the time I complain about living here because I miss my family and friends. Two evenings ago I was going through the Pharmacy drive through and I saw the sun going down behind the mountains and in the moment I snapped a couple of photos. I am working on "blooming where I am planted" and living

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-11826096081363919912010-01-16T12:54:00.002-05:002010-01-16T13:19:41.545-05:00

My resolution for the new year is to work on my very own Project Happiness. I like that everyone's Project Happiness will look different and there is no right or wrong.This month's focus is Energy. This week's resolution is Toss and Organize. I have the feeling that clutter has taken over my home and is sucking the energy out of everyone. I began by tossing almost all of my make-up and

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-12481506223934115952010-01-01T00:24:00.004-05:002010-01-01T01:02:11.069-05:00

Last year felt like a struggle just to endure all of the hardship and tragedy. As 2009 drew to an end we were determined to make the most of the Christmas season so we planned a roadtrip to Texas to spend it with my youngest son, Steve, his wife Kristie and his mother-in-law Tammy. It was such an awesome visit and perfect Christmas. A great way to end the year and put me in a happy frame of

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-58786718127697271742009-11-11T18:47:00.003-05:002009-11-11T19:27:06.973-05:00

My prayers and thoughts go out to all of the soldiers and their families who sacrifice so much for their country. I was in the Army reserves at 18 years old, I became a military spouse about the time I first became a mother and now my youngest son's wife is serving in the Army and just returned from Iraq. Last week we were all terrified because my Daughter-in-Law is stationed at Ft. Hood and my

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-19226529389811686342009-09-03T23:49:00.004-04:002009-09-04T01:07:23.783-04:00

Photo courtesy of Save-A-Turtle Years ago my Dad recommended all of Pat Conroy's novels (especially Beach Music). His description of the birth and journey to the see by the light of the moon gave me a strong desire to be present to see the birth of loggerhead turtles and their instinctive migration to the sea. Today I was tickled to find website with a Live Turtle Webcam to witness a video

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-64855005292943205022009-08-01T12:50:00.002-04:002009-08-01T14:11:50.991-04:00

The Journey by Mary Oliver One day you finally knewwhat you had to do, and beganthough the voices around youkept shoutingtheir bad advice--though the whole housebegan to trembleand you felt the old tugat your ankles"Mend my life!"each voice cried.But you didn't stopYou knew what you had to do,though the wind priedwith its stiff fingersat the very foundations,through their melancholywas

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-34283886277328033732009-06-29T04:44:00.004-04:002009-06-29T05:41:28.000-04:00

The first time I ever remember feeling stardust & moonbeams was watching Michael Jackson performing with the Jackson 5 on The Ed Sullivan show. I fell in love...with Michael, the music and dancing. I'd been dancing since I slid out of Mom's womb, but that night took it to a new level. The Osmonds? Fugetaboutit. Every performance kept getting better and more exciting. When my peers were

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-62104254317857842882009-06-17T02:44:00.002-04:002009-06-17T03:10:31.063-04:00

When my boys were young, I was encouraged to go to the community college and take a class to engage my mind and get me out of the house. Perhaps a pottery class. I scheduled my appointment with the advisor and during our session I found out that I could apply for Pell Grants if I chose a program of study and went to school full-time. At that time I was very shy, but I was also very driven so I

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-76050192499280509952009-06-16T04:31:00.003-04:002009-06-16T05:02:11.174-04:00

As I slowly come out of my "empty nest break down", I've begun to look around my home and accept that we don't need this big house and yard anymore. When the boys were little, I dreamed of a home filled with the memories of their lives and keeping their rooms the same so when they came home from college they would know it was and would always be their home. In those daydreams Mark wasn't

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-1137992240664409832009-06-08T13:10:00.006-04:002009-06-08T15:23:59.227-04:00

Such a cliche', but true. Like Dorthy, I went searching for something that I already posessed. Sometimes I've beem filled with regret for all of those wasted years that was so strong it crippled me. I have recently reconciled myself to the understanding that every road of my journey and every fellow traveler that I have met up to this point was very necessary to bring me to this wonderful place

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-47105025111733420902009-06-05T20:28:00.004-04:002009-06-05T21:20:44.792-04:00

Pot Roast is one of my comfort meals. My grandmother made it once a week. She loved to cook in the crockpot because she worked a full-time job for the Department of Transportation and raised more than half of her grandchildren. She was a very smart woman and we ate well on just her paycheck because she knew a few tricks like; keeping a big deep freeze for the meat she bought on sale or going in

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-84275593690914395342009-06-01T11:42:00.005-04:002009-06-01T12:44:02.087-04:00

We all have our stories, our past, our dreams of a better tomorrow. I am who I am and I have finally come to a time and space within myself where I am okay with that. The recent comment left by "David" was an intrusion by a family member and his girlfriend into a part of my life where they don't belong. That morning when I woke up and checked my email only to find such a hurtful message, I

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-70553325961616448062009-05-20T17:53:00.008-04:002009-06-07T02:47:11.250-04:00

ETA: Sorry I've had a bad day and a few of the links needed to be fixed.I've been tagged. I am to think of six fascinating facts about myself that you probably don't know. My tagger is a doll so I don't mind giving it a whirl.Jan is a new blogging friend who I was fortunate to "meet" through Cupid's Charm's Beautiful Blogging party. She is a talented artist, tickles my funny bone and has been

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-63821625220222958132009-05-19T00:00:00.008-04:002009-05-19T10:34:17.456-04:00

I like this photo. I took it last year when I was still helping my friend Johnny do tree work side jobs. I love trees. I remember being in Kindergarden or first grade and reading a poem in front of the school on Arbor day as we planted trees. I spent so much of my childhood hiding in the woods having adventures and making forts. I've always wanted a tree house. I didn't have anyone to help me

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-28117775679473150092009-05-16T13:31:00.004-04:002009-05-16T15:06:17.459-04:00

My husband bought me a charm bracelet some years back and I've received a few charms that I have not yet had soldered onto my bracelet and I just keep putting it off because twelve dollars a charm adds up when you take three or four in to be attached. It's definitely on the top of my wish list though because I want to wear it and enjoy it. I came across this charm the other day to represent my

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-17340727537602605712009-05-13T12:00:00.002-04:002009-05-13T13:25:14.227-04:00

Last Saturday, Rene' Wing of Yes is Red bestowed this award on my blogs. I've been feeling so poorly that I haven't been able to add it to my blog until today. I feel honored and tickled like a little girl at a school assembly hearing her name called out for an award she was not expecting at all. Yes is Red is a place of peace, wisdom and healing and I always feel welcomed there. Have you

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-48219172419566941002009-05-13T02:43:00.003-04:002009-05-14T15:28:31.313-04:00

This weeping cherry tree (I think) is what I see from the bedroom window facing my bed and it has helped me to learn to meditate in spite of my suffering these past months. This illness has challenged me, taught me just how powerless I really am and gotten my attention so I could be open for the transformation and healing that has taken place within me over the course of my suffering. I kept

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-30607422732757036062009-05-12T03:47:00.003-04:002009-05-12T05:21:12.496-04:00

The plan was for Beau to fly to Texas for a week and Mark and I would join them for a week in time to celebrate Steve's 21st birthday, but plans have a way of coming undone. It is with a heavy heart I called my son at midnight to sing Happy Birthday. He indulged me in sharing my memories of this beautiful day 21 years ago and then politely informed me that he and his brother were playing a

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-13178413946361302872009-05-11T13:03:00.003-04:002009-05-11T14:02:19.170-04:00

It is only through recent personal growth that I am able to put this out here for the world to see. I was raised to be extremely modest (maybe that's not the correct way to say what I'm trying to say). The only time I have ever seen my Mother naked was when she had her liver transplant and kept tearing her hospital gown off. My surgery was a week ago today. I don't have health insurance so I

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-4000777301549223512009-05-10T12:30:00.004-04:002009-05-10T13:07:37.784-04:00

My first born, Beau My baby, Steve Happy Mothers Day to all of the Mothers out there. My idea of what/who a Mother is has evolved over the years and I now realize that can include men as well as women, people who have given birth, adopted or have furry children, people who love, nurture and or guide someone and everything in between. I seem to have had a day or two of relief after the surgery

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-77244756167905422652009-05-07T09:27:00.002-04:002009-05-07T09:52:41.205-04:00

The surgery went well as I didn't wake up sick due to the advances in general anesthesia. Actually, they put me to sleep at 7 a.m. on Monday morning and I didn't tuly wake up unitl 5:30 or 6 p.m. that evening. I was released from the hospital the following afternoon and I've not felt up to my old self yet. Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes. I'll be back soon.

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-15956386550200466702009-04-25T22:07:00.006-04:002009-04-25T22:49:06.505-04:00

Beau SteveI feel as though I have been sleep walking through my life for too many years and now that I am awake, I don't want to miss any more of my life. One too many tragedies left me disconnected and lost, struggling for control. I've hurt and alienated so many people that I love over the years and the only way to make sincere and lasting ammends is to be the change rather than to speak of

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-87486345728189368492009-04-24T00:01:00.003-04:002009-04-24T00:42:02.224-04:00

Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is my favorite childhood book. When Beau and Steve were little I added it to their library of books we read at bedtime. I laugh remembering some nights when it seemed I had to read them every book they owned. I bought the book set with the video and the one with the stuffed "wild thing" too. I could definitely relate to Max because I too got into

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-45158441514909852432009-04-23T02:41:00.004-04:002009-04-23T03:35:57.814-04:00

This photo of my Mom and me was taken when I was ten. She was 16 when I was born and I remember back then wishing I had an older Mom like most of my friends. I also remember that I loved her desperately and thought she was so beautiful. She supported us as a hairstylist and without a doubt had her hands full with me. It was a different world back then and thankfully I didn't have video games, a

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-56760714299108016042009-04-22T00:28:00.005-04:002009-04-22T10:19:21.262-04:00

Photograph Credit: Beau DavisI've stopped trying to out run pain and suffering because that always seemed to bring on more pain and suffering. The restless spirit in me has grown weary of running away in search of that which is already exists within me. As I sit in meditation I am aware of a longing for simplicity, connection and belonging. Much of the life I have created doesn't fit anymore.

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-53244997786970191422009-04-17T16:17:00.005-04:002009-04-17T17:04:35.144-04:00

Sheer will power kept me from buying this book the morning I finished Twilight. Before I became an adult, a wife, a mother...I was a Bibliophile. My memory drifts to Steve's childhood and a Mother's Day event in elementary school. The students stood up one at a time to read their booklet about their Mom with illustrations. Steve stood up and began reading his booklet about me. He came to a

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-17097600507203246312009-04-08T00:05:00.005-04:002009-04-08T04:54:49.766-04:00

Photo Credit: Leini!'s Photos (Flikr) http://www.flickr.com/photos/29223627@N04/They say everything can be replacedYet every distance is not nearSo I remember every face of every man who put me hereI see my light come shinin' from the West unto the East.Any day now, any day nowI shall be releasedThey say every man needs protectionThey say ev'ry man must fallYet I swear I see my

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-33707049840383224022009-04-06T01:05:00.001-04:002009-04-07T23:26:35.427-04:00

Photo Credit: re_birf (Flikr) http://www.flickr.com/people/re_birf/Not sure if it is because I've been really sick due to gallstones and sludge or Spring Fever, but I'm all over the place these days. I seem to get sidetracked whenever I set out to get something accomplished. Maybe it's mid-life dementia. When I was raising the boys, I was like a drill sargent who never needed more than a few

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-47684235412538859252009-04-05T15:26:00.006-04:002009-04-05T16:36:28.931-04:00

This is a widget designed by Sarah Bowen for a series of challenges last year. It really states so clearly my current goal which is to be the best me I can be every day. Once I believed that I would never be able to live my life mindfully in the moment for a million different reasons (or excuses). These days I find myself doing it more and more. The recent death of my oldest friend at only 44

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-64377982396893809852009-04-01T23:50:00.004-04:002009-04-02T03:37:31.175-04:00

This is me at 19. I turned 19 in Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. I also stayed at Ft. Jackson for AIT which is job training. Back then it didn't matter how high you scored in the different categories, they put you where they needed you and women weren't exactly welcomed with open arms. My Mother "strongly encouraged" me to join the Army and I compromised by joining the reserves.

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-26145364707372391912009-03-31T12:31:00.004-04:002009-04-01T23:47:57.478-04:00

Sorry I wasn't able to find the resources for PSE Actions when I made my last post, but after going through every scrap of paper I finally found them. Coffeeshopphotography has alot of free actions for Photoshop Elements and they are really nice. She gives them away, but for those who are able to leave her a donation there is a paypal button. It's really generous of her to give them away

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-27573075426286975422009-03-31T01:11:00.003-04:002009-03-31T02:58:30.789-04:00

I wanted to learn Photoshop with the version my son uses which is PSC3, but my bank account said I'd have to start with Photoshop elements. I'm happy with PSE right now because I haven't even learned everything I can do with it yet, therefore, I definitely haven't outgrown it. The one time when I do feel disappointed is when I want to download and try Pioneer Woman's actions that she so

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-71780304932503224962009-03-30T00:10:00.003-04:002009-03-30T01:36:01.933-04:00

Steve and Beau making sand castles at the lake in Nelson County. I love this photo because it was a carefree day of swimming, picinicing, and enjoying the moments spent with my family. I have always loved these beautiful boys unconditionally. I always felt that I had to earn love by doing what was expected of me and I always fell short. The moment I became a Mother it all made sense to me.

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-15623237964642205702009-03-28T20:18:00.004-04:002009-03-28T21:15:37.630-04:00

This photo was taken of me about six years ago when we were living in Owings Mills, Maryland, and I was working for Progressive Horizons, Inc. which is a non-profit organization as the Medical Coordinator for 70 developmentally disabled adults living in our homes in the community. I loved everything about that job. The four and a half years I worked there I experience so much personal and

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-74125671116920625522009-03-27T18:10:00.002-04:002009-03-27T20:13:28.996-04:00

Currently I have been inspired by or dreaming of:My daughter-in-law is in the U.S. Army and is currently deployed to Iraq. I love paperbag scrapbooks and this one is one of the nicest military themed scrapbook that I've come across.I just love the handmade paper treasures from this etsy store. These tags are so Springtime! They would be beautiful on an Easter, Mother's Day, Wedding Shower or

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-80580807740257537602009-03-25T17:01:00.003-04:002009-03-25T19:27:08.857-04:00

This moment is precious and I am learning to truly live in each moment as it comes. Living mindfully is the foundation on which I plan to build the rest of my life. I finally understand why feeling content and peaceful is more about the small every day details than saving it all up for the few commercialized red letter days that never fail to disappoint us because we have wrapped up so much

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-7942513686421384482009-03-24T23:00:00.003-04:002009-03-24T23:51:22.487-04:00

http://video.newsweek.com/#?t=17388937001&l=16676189001Today I have tried to keep busy and not allow myself to become overwhelmed by the thought that my oldest son may have a brain tumor. Yesterday I took him to UVA for an appointment with his doctor, more blood tests and an MRI on his brain. He has been watching all of the "Saw" horror movies and said when they put the box over his head before

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-40234015954184250992009-03-22T00:35:00.004-04:002009-03-22T02:05:34.531-04:00

The above image of a vintage calling card is courtesy of The Graphics Fairy blog. I found happily found it blog hopping today. She offers free vintage graphics and has a great collection. This card called out to me because I have a sweet little book I purchased through Victoria magazine titled Victoria Calling Cards: Creating Beautiful Business and Calling Cards that tells about how there were

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-19826746092601161252009-03-21T00:29:00.006-04:002009-03-21T01:46:16.854-04:00

I am an amatuer photographer who is really just beginning to understand the basics of photography. I have been trying to get everything ready to open my etsy shop and I am a bit intimidated by the beautiful photos I see everywhere I look on etsy. This is one of the photos I took of a package of Basic Grey Urban Couture ribbon. Does it look good enough to post as one of my photos?What about this

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-45299472929226959882009-03-15T18:28:00.003-04:002009-03-15T19:03:55.657-04:00

I love blogging and reading blogs. I have connected with some wonderful, kind, creative, loving souls since I discovered the blogosphere. My son has begun a very strong medication and the side effects are worse than we were hoping since he has been suffering for so very long. I will be taking a break, but I hope you will keep checking back because when I return I will have some great stuff to

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-52470206919614733492009-03-06T23:19:00.003-05:002009-03-06T23:29:32.131-05:00

Bamboo Craft Fun TabletI am really excited about the Digiscrap101 Bamboo Craft Fun Tablet giveaway. This is definitely at the top of my wish list. My son has had a Wacom Tablet for some time now and he said he can't imagine not having it. I was amazed at everything that comes with it to ensure a user friendly experience for all of us. Go to thier site http://www.wacom.com/bamboocraft/index.php to

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-6221840998211448002009-03-04T12:05:00.005-05:002009-03-04T13:14:50.974-05:00

My family can no longer stand by as I turn the entire house into unfinished art project, calligraphy, and reading rooms. My younger son, Steve, moved to Texas and his room is supposed to become my scrapbooking, stamping, and all around creative room. I always wanted a whole room to organize my supplies and work in late at night when the world sleeps, but I needed some time to come to terms with

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-19917959810250799852009-03-02T10:53:00.007-05:002009-03-03T02:26:01.431-05:00

The View from Front Porch: Taken by Mark DavisToday (umm, I guess that would officially be yesterday now) Beau and I were scheduled to be at UVA Hospital to begin all of the testing, but we were snowed in at home. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed laying on the couch watching the snow fall. It reminded me of when I was a little girl and how magical a snow

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-39921498677645059352009-03-01T00:57:00.003-05:002009-03-01T02:09:47.656-05:00

I've talked about my oldest son, Beau, being ill and most people would never believe what he has been through in his twenty-four year's of life. I can't and I have been here with him. He has missed out on so much as he really started becoming so sick that I couldn't believe that after years of seeking medical care that was so neglectful and substandard we still couldn't get him real help that

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-24802063111673023862009-02-23T19:52:00.005-05:002009-02-28T10:32:37.132-05:00

This is one of my altered cigar boxes when I first began to embellish it. It's not quite finished yet, but as soon as I find the finishing touches, I will post it for feedback. I am so much happier now that I have started to do more of the things that bring me joy.I pulled some of my books off of the shelf for inspiration and came across my collection of Alexandra Stoddard books. I came across

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-49267411818908579432009-02-16T18:37:00.003-05:002009-02-16T21:09:18.461-05:00

Since we are always happier when we do the things that we enjoy, I started crafting for myself again rather than obsessing on what would sell better in an Etsy store. Mark reminded me of when we first moved to the country and the boys were young how many different creative things I did to try to enrich our lives during some really lean years. If I saw something in a book, magazine or on

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-63481874255430185982009-02-14T03:33:00.003-05:002009-02-14T04:36:39.022-05:00

Happy Valentines Day! I remember when I was a little girl, my Mother always gave us a card and a box of candy or a stuffed animal for Valentine's Day and it always made me feel so special. My boys were never big candy eaters so I would just get them the miniature box of Whitman Chocolates. Mark and I were married twenty-five years ago on February the 13th and to all of the unmarried women, don't

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-70313026989869401942009-02-11T02:31:00.004-05:002009-02-11T03:19:34.813-05:00

No matter how rough things are right now, I feel like lately I have been given so many intangible gifts and I feel so very grateful and hopeful. My son Beau is feeling better and doing more than I've seen him do in many years. My room is next to his room and everyday and many nights I can hear beautiful music streaming through the walls. He became too sick to even do the one thing he loved

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-28454994003521343672009-02-07T04:01:00.003-05:002009-02-07T05:05:48.120-05:00

Last year I purchased items from two virutal garage sales from people having Typepad accounts. I loved that the Sale had it's own page where they updated is something had been sold and was no longer available. I really need to have a virtual garage sale and would be grateful for any ideas, blogger knowlege (as I am a novice), or constructive criticsm. If you were doing it, how would you do it

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-20281049735689281842009-02-03T02:32:00.004-05:002009-02-03T02:52:28.247-05:00

If I keep waiting until Mark gives me the money, I find a job, or win the lottery even though I don't buy tickets, to start my Etsy shop then it's not going to happen. We are very poor right now. I guess many people are going through the same situations. I think I may have found a way to earn the money to put in my overdrawn account to cover the fees for my listings, buy a few need supplies and

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-61955535283697007172009-02-02T00:27:00.004-05:002009-02-02T01:14:02.878-05:00

I really want to open an Etsy shop and for about a year now I just haven't been able to get it together. Most of the time I know what I want, but I don't know how to do it, get it or if it breaks the rules. Since I am only a beginner in Photoshop, it took me a bit to make a banner that felt right without using a template. I think I finally accomplished that in the hours when this part of the

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-85298923169200965552009-02-01T03:17:00.002-05:002009-02-01T03:30:35.496-05:00

It's 3:18 a.m. and I was reading the blogs I subscribe to and I just love Janet Hopkins blog It's all in the details so I decided to click on the hyperlink to her post. You just have to stop by for her good news! Then you'll want to go here. I am so psyched that I will be dreaming up how to get money to get all the goodies I can before they sell out. These 3 ladies are definitely ahead of the

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-49384923145117349392009-01-28T15:27:00.006-05:002009-01-28T23:04:51.875-05:00

I was tagged with the Honest Scrap award by the fabulous Peach {thank you!!} - so here goes!The honorees are to...1.) - List 10 honest things about yourself - and make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep!2.) - Pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the Honest Scrap.My 10 honest things...1)I have always wanted to be "tagged", but haven't been until now. It was

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-30659566714590064312009-01-13T14:11:00.009-05:002009-01-13T21:02:49.178-05:00

This is a photo of my youngest son, Steve, getting his advanced highschool diploma two and a half years ago. He decided to take a break before starting college after being in the gifted & talented program since kindergarten as he taught himself to read and write before he started school. During his break he has continued to be the lead singer in a band, taught himself to play guitar, held a few

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-59095249034187550102009-01-09T14:20:00.002-05:002009-01-09T15:54:55.257-05:00

Great news. Yesterday I took my son Beau to see a doctor at University of Virginia Hospital (again) and it looked like we were going to get the run around we've been getting everywhere we go to seek treatment for his rare condition. He was diagnosed at Johns Hopkins Hospital when he was sixteen years old. There is no cure, but the debilitating symptoms can be treated. He was going through a

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-5658370304716797572009-01-07T18:48:00.008-05:002009-01-08T01:21:47.112-05:00

My neice Makayla (on left) celebrated her birthday with a skate party at Skate Town in Staunton. I really had a good time watching the kids skating and interacting with each other while I photographed the party. She is so loving, compassionate and smart. My sister is really doing a good job raising her as a single mother. It feels so good that my sister has encouraged our relationship and teases

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-30197875169718362142009-01-02T15:46:00.007-05:002009-01-02T20:51:28.474-05:00

A fresh new year full of possibilities. Are you participating in Project 365? I wasn't able to get the KOTM from Creating Keepsakes and they sold out really fast leaving a huge demand from all of the people who are participating. They didn't expect the way Project 365 has grown into a movement among traditional, digital and hybrid scrapbookers, photographers, and other memory keepers. Kayla

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-1223594463561342872009-01-01T16:47:00.005-05:002009-01-01T18:13:38.382-05:00

This is our home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. We live an hour past Charlottesville, Virginia, in a small town in the area depicted in the show The Waltons. My sons were raised here except for a four year period we lived in Owings Mills, Maryland, for my husband's career.This is the view from my front door.We spent New Year's eve with Beau watching the celebration in Times Square on television

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-47721265574816817732008-12-30T13:23:00.004-05:002008-12-30T14:18:01.181-05:00

I had planned and hoped to open my etsy store before Christmas, but with moving back home just before Christmas I wasn't able to pull it off. I have started practicing making a banner for the shop. My son, Beau, is so gifted artistically that I wanted him to do it for me. He wants to teach me instead. It's the whole "give a man fish and his family will not go hungry, teach him to fish and his

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-1819165090671948972008-12-27T03:13:00.003-05:002008-12-27T04:52:22.478-05:00

Late, but not forgotten. This is a photo of the very generous gift box of goodies I received from Janet Hopkins for winning her giveaway "winner, winner, chicken dinner." I couldn't get it all in the photo. I will have so much fun scrapping my sons' halloween photos. I never expect to win anything and then this happens and makes me feel so happy and hopeful again. Good things do happen even

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-27949446883131786392008-12-26T13:38:00.009-05:002008-12-26T16:46:25.017-05:00

Mark pitifully pulled out the little wooden "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree he purchased from an older gentleman some years back and we placed the few gifts for the boys around the base. We also hung the stockings. Emo was so interested in the stockings and presents that he went over and sat with them for quite a bit of time. I must admit this was one of our best Christmases since Beau and Steven

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-2386874875405459692008-12-23T11:58:00.002-05:002008-12-23T13:14:49.838-05:00

Can you believe tomorrow is Christmas eve? Normally I would be running around the house crazy trying to accomplish a zillion things at once. This year we are keeping it simple. We don't really have a choice so we are choosing to embrace cutting back to the very basics. Looking at the photo above of my oldest son Beau and his pug Emo fills my heart with love and gratitude. Beau has a health

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-18113103107347241612008-12-22T15:30:00.008-05:002008-12-22T16:59:47.396-05:00

Yes, I know this is a Microsoft Office stock photo, but I always wanted to live in this little cottage during Christmas. Our last couple of Christmases haven't been traditional due to our financial crisis, but I have definitely learned what is most important. Surprisingly, the most important parts of my memories of Christmas as a little girl and growing up aren't about the gifts. As I sit hear

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-70588621043566400172008-12-05T17:58:00.006-05:002008-12-05T20:29:06.544-05:00

My mind has been racing for days. There are so many projects I want to complete before Christmas and I have a deficit of money and time. I am using what I have, my creativity and ingenuity to make the best of what I have with which to work rather than just feeling bad because I can just buy everything I need. I wish I had a buddy with the same interests so we could motivate, inspire, share and

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-63924454978863190122008-12-02T15:44:00.008-05:002008-12-02T17:18:22.985-05:00

This is just a small vignette of our Snowy Village Department 56 collection. It is very sentimental to me and my family. When the boys were young and we were very poor, I remember going into a store named Hill House to look at all of thier beautiful Christmas decorations. They had an entire room decorated as a snowy village with twinkling stars, ski slopes, a skating pond, mountains, hills, cozy

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-76719578827179190272008-11-19T22:39:00.009-05:002008-11-20T00:06:26.479-05:00

Life has been like a rollercoaster and I have been feeling more depressed and hopeless since learning that my best friend through highschool, our twenties, marriage, children through our mid thirties took her own life last Monday. I was already fighting off some depression, but this knocked me to my knees. On Friday night another old friend came by to pick me up (my car was broken) and take me

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-38830592887013642042008-11-03T14:19:00.004-05:002008-11-03T16:24:07.867-05:00

My father-in-law is back in the hospital so we went back to Baltimore to visit with him. Steve was in Hagerstown visiting some friends so he met us at my in-law's condo and we all four drove together. Larry was so happy to see us, especially Beau and Steve. He has be the best grandfather that I could have ever asked for Beau and Steve. They have a lifetime of wonderful memories together and

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-49171639011671227562008-10-25T01:55:00.004-04:002008-10-25T03:15:58.817-04:00

As usual it is 2:58 a.m. and I'm wide awake. I am in a transitional time in my life and I've made some major life changing decisions, and now I'm working out the details. I am not having much luck with my job search, but I keep praying and the holidays are coming so maybe I can find a holiday position until something permanent opens up. Oh yeah, I'm also pouting because my most favorite

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-28036188421044702652008-10-20T20:42:00.002-04:002008-10-20T21:45:03.717-04:00

"Being a friend means giving someone what they need, but it also means not giving up even when they say, ["no thank you"]."I have not done anything productive all day. The television has been on and a show called "Gossip Girl" and the above quote came from dialog between a father and son and I needed to write it down so I didn't forget it. I have always been prideful and even as a little girl

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-60481164869083466782008-10-16T21:38:00.005-04:002008-10-17T01:00:39.423-04:00

I have loved photography since I was young, but I guess I never thought of it that way. I just took zillions of photos and filled up those sticky albums that I now know destroyed my photos. When my children were young, Mark bought us a 35mm camera and technically I didn't know how to use it, but I did have a better feel for taking better photos than Mark. As the boys became older teens, they

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-10991621518712405352008-10-15T00:44:00.004-04:002008-10-15T01:53:53.517-04:00

Mark and I will have been married 25 years in February. I can't find the words to describe how many blessings that brought into my life starting with the births of our sons Beau and Steve. I grew up without a father in my life and Mark's father, Larry, has been a loving, strong, positive role model in my life especially after my sons were born. He has always said that I gave him two special

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-8708039247076424992008-10-12T23:49:00.003-04:002008-10-13T00:15:40.696-04:00

I am feeling rather melancholy and worried so I will just leave a short post to let anyone who cares (do I detect a pity party coming on?) that I am hanging on and treading water. Hopefully I will find a job before too long and things will begin looking up for my family. I have been actively looking for work (I'm not even picky), praying and trying to motivate myself to distract myself with the

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-308509197291599232008-10-05T21:07:00.005-04:002008-10-05T21:24:56.891-04:00

I love good deals. I love Target! I bought this Simply Shabby Chic Scrapbook Album on sale. I also picked up this matching photo box for 1,000 4x6 photos andthis matching 3-Ring Binder. The colors may not be perfect in my photos because I am still learning how to use my Canon Rebel and post processing with PhotoShop. I have been taking photos of supplies I plan to sell in my Etsy store and I

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-57862714418872937282008-09-22T20:10:00.007-04:002008-09-22T22:33:23.508-04:00

Beau was sitting on an Aero bed at his grandparent's home reading a magazine and drinking a nutritional supplement and I looked up and saw his faithful little buddy sitting next to him and I had to grab my camera and catch this moment. I wanted to share what I saw with my son and freeze it in time. My son is such an awesome, loving, talented, and intelligent young man. Of course I love him,

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-75048890671151005342008-09-15T06:28:00.005-04:002008-09-15T07:30:00.073-04:00

On Two Peas in a Bucket I found the following questionaire give to the Garden Girls and I thought it might be enlightening to fill it out myself so here are my answers:name: Susan Green Davisscrapbook size: I started with 12x12, but now it just depends on my vision.camera: Canon Digital Rebel xtimusic: Upbeat dance music, rhythm&blues, van morrison, john mayer, three doors down, Eltonwork space:

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-56139396617163300332008-09-15T01:53:00.004-04:002008-09-15T03:51:30.150-04:00

Looking around my bedroom (which is the small basement of my Mother's home) I am amused yet momentarily caught off guard at the realization that as a young wife and mother I was obsessed with cleaning and organization and my quest for perfection. You'd never quess that now because that has been replaced by my scrapbooking/crafting supplies addiction and my newest desire to master my Canon

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-53716346737283115042008-09-12T22:39:00.003-04:002008-09-12T23:20:18.078-04:00

I have been missing my family for so long and they are coming on Monday. It may sound silly, but I feel giddy because they are bringing Emo! He has changed since I came to help take care of my Mother in May. Mark told me that when his people are away or sleeping, he gets on top of the coffee table or end table in the livingroom. If anything is left on whichever table he chooses, it is eaten or

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-72035440360936099982008-09-12T03:02:00.008-04:002008-09-12T10:19:52.204-04:00

Have you ever seen an edible arrangement in person? I have and they are just as fresh and beautiful as they are in their advertisements. I would love to receive one in place of flowers and I am definitely going to send one to someone I love on the next appropriate occasions. It's so creative the way they cut the fruit into flower shapes and use other fruit as the centers of the flowers. I really

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-37815694239269352082008-09-10T00:00:00.003-04:002008-09-10T01:06:37.705-04:00

This photo was probably taken with a disposable camera, but it is among my favorite. My two little angels with horns during one of their siamese moments. They may have fought like tigers, but they really loved and protected each other. That has always been a huge gift to me. As the years have passed and they have grown into manhood, they still have a deep bond that I pray will last througout

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-31102606611271983542008-08-21T13:20:00.003-04:002008-08-21T13:49:31.483-04:00

Sometimes my anxiety and panic are debilitating. I have had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that I can't will it away, just snap out of it, or continue trying to hide it. I know that some people do not understand and have always feared the stigma attached to my suffering. My Mother knows that I love Paula Deen and she bought me her book Paula Deen: It Ain't All About the Cookin' and

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-79697688808843758052008-08-14T15:56:00.012-04:002008-08-14T17:59:45.776-04:00

I have really been getting into altering and embellishing composition notebooks for journals. I have been keeping journals since elementary school. All of my childhood diaries and journals were lost over the years due to the chaotic lifestyle of my parents. I have saved all of my journals since just before I entered Basic Training for the U. S. Army at 18 years old. I started my sons keeping

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-12903681361683505892008-08-13T21:48:00.014-04:002008-08-13T22:55:52.685-04:00

Here are a few of the items that I want to sell in my Etsy Shop. I named it Dragonfly Dreamer Designs and I have set the date of my Grand Opening for September 1st, 2008. I have been planning, designing and making new items to include along with my handmade greeting cards, mini scrapbooks, and tags. I've made two altered composition journals and a mini composition journal so far. I am open to

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-38637023978092663342008-08-12T14:08:00.004-04:002008-08-12T14:36:15.222-04:00

This was one of the plaques that surrounded a stone terrace at one of the homes where I helped take down a few trees this weekend. I brought my camera and was practicing using my camera on apeture priority and different settings. I love the idea of surrounding their home with things that they are wanting to draw into their lives. I chose happiness as my subject for photography. I was

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-3358349135971548602008-08-08T12:49:00.002-04:002008-08-08T13:58:19.291-04:00

I found this little guy while I was helping Johnny with taking down two trees for a customer. I was sitting on a tree stump taking a break when it looked like a branch moved (I lost my glasses) so I walked over to get closer and saw this baby frog. Whenever I help Johnny with his tree work, the little tomboy from my childhood comes out. I wanted to keep him, but I know that wouldn't be fair so

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-50372654215124330712008-08-02T22:33:00.004-04:002008-08-02T23:51:07.644-04:00

This photo was taken on January 23rd of this year. It was Mark's birthday and we went out to The Olive Garden to celebrate. We missed having Beau there, but he was living in Manassas and couldn't make it. I like this photo alot because it isn't fake. We had a good night and it was one of the rare times I left the house back then. Steve is my baby, but he has the personality of a first born.

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-2910701956128046022008-08-02T01:00:00.004-04:002008-08-02T01:46:54.061-04:00

I have never felt comfortable with photos of myself, but I am working on accepting who I am which includes my physical image. I have been taking self portraits and really looking at what others see when they look at me. My depression has been lifting and I have been working really hard on managing the underlying stress and anxiety. I am participating in an Intensive Recovery Program during

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-68729021365639596402008-07-15T11:22:00.005-04:002008-07-15T11:41:43.777-04:00

This weekend Johnny took me to a Cookout/Bonfire to celebrate his friend Alan's birthday. He had so much fun playing with Greg's little girls. He should've had children because he is so good with them and they love him. I think they see the little boy in him. This is the youngest. Isn't she precious? I wish I'd had a little girl to go with my two beautiful sons. I have been taking photos of

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-91906467625739019122008-07-07T19:50:00.005-04:002008-07-07T20:44:55.336-04:00

Thank you to all of the people who stop by my blog and take the time to leave me a message. I've said this before, but it bears repeating, a smile, a compliment, a kind gesture or taking the time to do some seemingly small act of kindness may not seem like a big deal to us, but to the person we are acknowledging it can actually be a lifeline. I feel so fortunate to have made some wonderful

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-25535722070029938242008-07-06T13:04:00.002-04:002008-07-06T14:05:26.919-04:00

I hope everyone had a happy Independence day. I missed being with my family. I accepted an invitation from Johnny's sister to come over to her boyfriend's house for dinner and fireworks on Lake Barcroft. I had a good time and wanted to take photos of the fireworks over the lake, but of course I hadn't remembered to charge my batteries. I can't believe I missed my first chance to try my Canon

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-19410170068111391962008-07-04T03:33:00.005-04:002008-07-04T04:18:39.934-04:00

Forgive my sporadic posts recently, but I have had some problems with my cable connection that were finally fixed today. I have also getting out and actually participating in life rather than sitting home feeling alone. My best friend and I have been spending quite a bit of time together which is always a good thing. I have also been accepted into an intensive three month program to work on

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-86769407402117482182008-06-29T11:50:00.005-04:002008-06-29T12:14:13.500-04:00

Last week a package arrived in the mail and I love getting mail, but I was really excited about this package because it was from Jen of Artful Dreamer. Even the packaging was beautiful. She made a gorgeous tag from an old photo I found of my maternal grandparents when they were very young and in love. The artwork is so beautiful and her packaging is also unbelieveably gorgeous that I can't take

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-84299064754620642922008-06-18T13:52:00.010-04:002008-06-18T14:48:31.432-04:00

Transitional phases of life are unavoidable and necessary for growth I suppose, but they can be very uncomfortable and even painful. I am in a transitional phase and trying to keep my head above water and my thoughts positive as I consider the next right thing to do. I have always had a tendency to withdraw into myself during particularly difficult times; isolating myself from the very ones who

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-62402746893035359952008-06-12T11:19:00.002-04:002008-06-12T12:22:10.633-04:00

I'm not sure what the name of this flowering plant is, but it is one of the blooms that caught my eye on my nature walk looking for interesting and beautiful things to photograph to learn how to use my camera settings other than automatic. It's pretty and was growing rather wildly in a woodland area behind the homes in this particular neighborhood. It brought back many memories of my childhood

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-40003039794430310062008-06-09T14:09:00.006-04:002008-06-09T16:02:16.566-04:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day and I finally went exploring with my camera looking for flowers to practice manual settings and attempt to understand what I've been reading by changing the different settings and noticing how that affects the photographs. I came upon a garden in a woodland setting and found some beautiful flowers and plants. I took this photo of the hydrangea blooms because I love

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1036592813859056260.post-78192067205867578892008-06-07T10:10:00.005-04:002008-06-07T11:53:12.630-04:00

I found this photo on flickr and I can't seem to find the name of the photographer to give them credit. I hope he/she doesn't get angry, but since it was under public domain I figure they were wanting to share it with the world. It really grabbed my attention because it is such a good photo and because throughout my childhood I spent more hours than I could even remember loving this phase of the

dragonflydreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14066961126558621199noreply@blogger.com3