LOAD 10 and upgrade, needed or not

So here is my LOAD of the day. it's really sad. I had a spur of the moment night on the town adventure with two silly ladies. and sadly for most of the evening we were actually scrapbooking - kinda. LOL. anyway i hit my laptop around 11:30 pm. This is what i came up with. and crossed my fingers that the computer or site wouldn't crash before 11:59. My submission landed on the group site at 11:54. my heart was literally racing. funny i know - i mean really - i was more nervous about that layout being submitted than i am -standing in line for the Magnum at Cedar Point. which just proves the well-needed outing mentioned above. LOL. i need another hobby! which incidently - oddly enough, Ramie's submission landed on the group site one minute before mine. hmmmm. LOL. (and damn if it didn't look professional!)

So I played with the LO (Layout) today and did some much needed changes. I am more proud to call it my own today. however, here's the funny thing. i got four comments posted on the first LO. all "wow" "stunning" and even "breathtaking". i literally almost woke up my house laughing so hard bc it was aweful and i did it in minutes with shaking hands. but then it made me think. especially when one comment was on how beautiful my daughter was and what a great photo it was of her. and i got teary eyed and a little mad at myself. it brought me back to what this great hobby is all about. capturing our memories.

the fact is - this photo could have stood by itself and been the most beautiful LO. it is one of my most favorite photos of her. and it is one of my most favorite memories of her and my mother. this photo was taken on my mother's birthday at her favorite spot - the lake. and the two of them were so precious together, just talking 2 year old talk about birds and trees and pretty pink flowers. and those flowers were just so breathtakingly beautiful. and SO pink. and I remember thinking how lucky we all were to have that day. and then I remembered thinking -I have to get this on film. and in my scrapbook. (and of course what shade of paper I would use with it bc that's just how addicted to this habbit I am!) but really - i know we don't HAVE to have photos to remind us of all these great memories. i could never forget the look of innocence found on my baby's face. but sometimes - it takes a photo - of a little girl innocently playing with bright pink flowers and nothing on her mind but those bright pink flowers - to remind us of how good life really is.

I challenge you to simplify your life today - in any way. whether it's for scrapbooking and using only one photo or if it's to just take a breath in your day - go to the lake. breathe the air, watch the sunset. don't worry - life will go back to chaotic and crazy as soon as you let it.