Sunset Walk

My aunt and me hopped in her giant vehicle and went down to the Des Moines Marina to visit my uncle at his boat. My aunt was tired so she parked on a bench with Sammie while my uncle and I walked up the pier.

It was a gorgeous evening with the sun setting on one side of the pier and a sliver of the moon hanging over the other. The camera on my phone does it no justice!

I had an awesome time hanging out with my aunt and uncle! Next time I hope to have pics from the water… My uncle said he’d take me out on his boat before the summer is over. 🙂

Instagram

Finally! The Instagram app is available for Android! After what seems like eons of waiting, while all my iPhone toting friends tweeted arty, perfectly altered photos of everything from their pets to what they ate for lunch last Saturday, I am able to join the fray. Yes, I have posted a picture of a pet. No, I haven’t posted pictures of food… but it’s early days yet for me in Instagram land.

Here is a sampling of what I’ve got up so far (minus my hideous early attempts) and in the spirit of full disclosure: a few of these photos were sent through Vignette (the full version) and Pixlr-O-Matic and then refiltered through Instagram, then I hitched them up together using Photoshake! Pro. I’ll let you decide which ones!

Clockwise from top left: boxes at my old job, my new thrift store camera, my niece and nephew, the view through the trees walking from IKEA Seattle.

Clockwise from top left: my nephew at the beach, historic building at the same beach, the Duwamish River through Fort Dent Park, my nephews throwing rocks at ducks!

Clockwise from top left: the Zoo Lights at Point Defiance Xmas 2010, Charlotte NC clouds, SW 43rd St passing under the train tracks, and my new stash of thrift store books… I got Murakami (x2) AND The Somnambulist for $2 each!

Are you on Instagram too? You can find me under the handle asishome (so original, I know!) trying sharpen my photo taking and editing skills. Follow me and I’ll follow you back. Happy picture taking!

4th & Sparkles

Have a sparkling Fourth of July!

My stepsister is moving to Nashville, TN tomorrow. Today we’re going to celebrate the 4th while sending her off with love. I hope everyone has an amazing holiday! Until next time!

Please Stand By

There will be a slight break in our regularly scheduled programming. I Just got hit with a whammy and Now find myself back home in Seattle, WA. I’m going to try really hard to keep up with my posting in the next week or two but… I don’t want to make promises.

I hope this new year finds you doing well and setting the stage for a great year for yourself. I’ll have a totally inspiring room tomorrow. Until then…

Wish I Was Here…

One of the best things about life is that no trouble lasts forever. At some point even the worst things come to an end. The past few months have been a real trial for me, personally and spiritually. My solace and consolation has been my sister, Jada, my friend and DIY partner, Dawn, and writing this blog.

Lately my interactions with readers and fellow bloggers has started to increase dramatically. It’s been such a balm to my spirit. Thank you all for stopping by, commenting, sharing your suggestions, and your own creativity with me. I really appreciate it. I think it’s probably what is keeping me sane.

Hopefully, the new year will bring some peaceful changes onto the scene. In the meantime, I’m dreaming of time with family and friends, a walk on a sunny dune like this one, maybe a bonfire, and lots if awesome music and conversation. My idea of a perfect day.

Happy Wednesday, everyone. Until tomorrow!

Little Things…

The Thanksgiving Day crew at IKEA Charlotte. I’m the only one in a blue sweatshirt. What can I say? I’m a rebel. 😉

Sometimes, it is the little things in life that elicit the most pleasure. Today Patrick, a coworker from IKEA, sent me a copy of the group photo we took just before everyone arrived for Thanksgiving dinner a week ago. The pic put a smile on my face and reminded me of the great time I had doing it.

My sister’s new puppy, Bluey.

In the same batch of emails was this picture from my sister of her new pit bull puppy, Bluey. Isn’t he darling? She’s excited about the new edition and her kids are over the moon. He’s fitting in nicely, if all the cooing I hear over the phone during our convos is any indicator.

Yep, it’s the little things!

Two Today…

I don’t usually post twice in on day but…

Today is my nephew Gabriel’s second birthday! I can’t be with him and my sis and the rest of the fam as they celebrate. My heart is with them though. I wish my litte buddy all the best today as he marks his second year on Earth. He’s growing up so fast! It makes me so proud to see him becoming a little man.

Happy birthday, Gabe! Auntie Jo loves you!

The Earliest Holiday Ever

When I showed up at work today (IKEA for those who don’t know) all the Christmas stuff was out on display with ornaments, decorative accessories, and gift wrap ready for the early birds to take home. In all honesty, I liked most of what I saw. Still, before Halloween, y’all? Really? I mean, just how early is too early?

I don’t know if we’ll ever figure that one out! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a few snaps I took while I looked around. Happy… Thursday! I’ll wait til after Thanksgiving to start doing the holiday well wishing mambo. 🙂

PS. My sis is going to see my favorite band ever, Duran Duran, tomorrow night in WA. I’m so excited for her… especially since I worked behind the scenes to get babysitting for my niece and nephews so she could go. I thank God that it all came together. Don’t you just love real life happy endings? I know I do!

Sunset

My sis sent this pic to me this weekend. She was at a beach near my hometown city, Seattle, WA. Sunsets over the water are such a huge part if what “home” means to me that receiving this made me smile… and a little Tad homesick.

Things are challenging right now but I keep reminding myself of what I’m trying to accomplish and praying (a lot) to get me through. Little things like this picture, little bits of beauty and goodness are a lovely balm when the going gets tough.

I hope your Monday is shaping up like a Friday. 🙂

Sunset on a beautiful day…

I spent the entire day with my family today. We barbecued, talked, laughed, and had a great time with each other.

The miracle of it is that it’s the first time in well over a decade since all of my cousins have been together in one place. How wonderful for us all to finally come together!

We’ve packed up everything and everyone has gone home but we all promised not to go so long without seeing each other.

I call that a blessed day.