In that competence post I talked a lot about figuring out what God's will could be for you, and not a ton about competence, but honestly, my posts are getting so long. It's a bit horrifying.
And anyway, I have an idea.
This idea is for you, tired lady, who wonders some days about the joy or pleasure in the actual daily round of life. You love your kids. You understand that whatever your outside commitments are, those in the home have the value of devotion, which can't be quantified. (Among other things, you also see the importance of someone whose job it is to carefully maximize the money that's made, rather than necessarily making any herself.)
You in theory think that homemaking and even home schooling are a good idea, and you love your husband — although you are starting to have your doubts about him when he ventures to wonder why exactly you seem so incapable of handling what to him is not that big of a deal (not that he wants to do it).
It's just the practice that's getting you down. And, maybe, just maybe, a wee touch of the sense that affirmation is lacking….
Because, let's name our demons: In the back of your mind there's that fear that if you ever give into, say, getting good at cleaning toilets on a schedule, why, there would be no turning back. You would probably find yourself muttering “Garn!” and start peddling old bones and rags. You'd have to toothlessly sip gin out of a small, dirty flask. Your children would pity you and your husband would run away with a svelte blonde whose degree in art history was actually paid for in full. Darn those college loans, anyway.
But honestly, the day I discovered I just really enjoy putting on my apron, folding my kitchen towel just so on the oven handle, getting supper ready, and then sitting to read to my kids with things humming along around me — that was a good day, even if I did yell along the way. No one clapped, I know no one else was impressed, but still, it was good.
My ability to read nonfiction remained undimmed.
I continued to be able to carry on conversations with grown persons.
My college French is at least no worse than it was. No, that's not really true… but hey! I brush up every few years, as one kid or another enters high school.
I've know I've been encouraged by the use of the camera on this journey — some people are so inspiring with their glimpses of the little humble touches they put in their life. It's refreshing, the ways they see the people around them. It helps.
Somehow if I can stop posing people and just take a shot of a corner here or there, my husband doing something he loves, a kid acting goofy, my latest project in process — it gives me perspective on the things that are otherwise driving me a little batty.
My camera in my life is the antidote to the barrage of images I'm surrounded with, images that aim to convince me that my life isn't perfect enough.
The camera helps me see the love…
Will you join us?
We're starting Thursday with a link-up like the one we had for Pretty Over the Kitchen Sink. There, we had a lovely time with the pretty, didn't we? It's encouraging to see everyone's valiant attempt at clearing out the rubber bands, broken doll parts, vitamin bottles, and other detritus of life, to make that little spot a pleasure.
Except this will be a weekly encouragement, not just a one-time deal! It will be about more than just pretty — it will be about pretty, happy, funny, and real!
Want to?
To join, post on your own blog about your latest thrifty find, a spot you made lovely and welcoming, a kid who cracks you up, or the tub overflowing. Or all four! Grab our button! Then post on the weekly {pretty, happy, funny, real} post! That's all it takes!
To make your photos the sort of thing that will help in our journey (not that I'm anything other than a rank amateur in the photography sphere), try the following, for starters:
- get a little closer — our imagination will fill in the rest
- don't use your flash — really, don't. Drag in another light or drag that marker-covered child over to a window.
- hold the button down half way and check to see that what you want to be in focus is in focus. (If you're really close, put your camera on the macro mode — it's a little flower icon on my cameras.) If you are using your phone, try tapping the part of the screen you want to be in focus.
- if you don't have a real photoshopping program (and I don't either), download Picasa and start playing! Hit “I'm feeling lucky” and see what happens. Or try auto contrast. Or highlights. You can always undo! Just remember to click on the save button at the top of the folder to save your changes, or no matter what you do they will appear on your blog in the original form (this explains why you rotate your sideways toddler yet he remains sideways when you upload).
We'll visit each other and maybe get some ideas! And if there is a laugh, then so much the better! And if there's only the real, then we can shed a sisterly tear. It will be good.
We're wicked excited about this! Thursday!
Rachael says
I'm taking the challenge… a photo from everyday life, once a week. I can do that.
MamaHen says
I'm in!
faerieeva says
Love the blog. Love the idea. I will consider joining, but wanted to share something with you: ” target=”_blank”>http://www.thegimp.org
It does everything that the hundreds worth of dollars programs do, like layers, opacity, paths, filters, and so on. It just takes a little time to figure out. I hope you enjoy playing with it.
Meredith says
Did you mean to link gimp.org. THEgimp.org appears to be a spam link site.
priest's wife says
yippee!…and the button is so ….pretty
any post that can get “garn!” in is a great post! 🙂
Rosie says
Thank you for commenting on the button!
You have no idea how much my mom and I obsess about these things. It's a wonder we ever get anything done.
laceymw says
I agree about the button! So pretty. I wrote my post already (scheduled for tomorrow) and the button looks so nice at the top.
Sue says
What a lovely idea! Now… what day is it? Oh, yea, Tuesday – Japan time, anyway. I'll try to remember, and I'm lucky to have a whole extra 13 hours or so. ;o) Having a hard time keeping up with the days lately!
Jennie C. says
I'm excited about it, too!
liz says
Great idea! It will help keep me mindful of all the good around me – not just the dirty laundry and dishes! I had a good chuckle over the “wicked excited”. My non-New England friends never understood my use of that word in those contexts:)
Lisa G. says
What a great idea! I have Thursdays off – I'm in! This is what I'm trying to do with my blog, anyway and it DOES help – looking for something good in the course of the day.
I downloaded Picasa!
When you mentioned still reading non-fiction and still being able to converse – Abigail Adams came immediately to mind.
I look forward to this!
Kami says
Thank you for putting this into words. Glad to know my brain isn't the only one that works this way.
Catherine says
What a fabulous idea! If I remember, and if the 11 month old can entertain himself for a few moments, and if my sty of a house yields one marginally tidy corner, I'm totally in. 🙂
Pippajo says
Well, Garn, I'm teary already!
I'm in!
melissa says
I love this post! My sister and I were just discussing this issue….how sometimes the use of the camara and blog are vain attempts at showing off and also seem to portray a “perfect life ” which no one can attain. On the other hand, I really gain a sense of satisfaction and focus on the beauty of everyday life when I capture moments and share them! Thank you for pointing out that it is OK to do that. For me it is a matter of priorities….for example, I should be making breakfast right now…. I love your blog like NO OTHER!
Melissa
laceymw says
I love this! I am sure I will have something to show (mostly in the “funny” and “real” areas what with the five month old, the breastfeeding, and my general forgetfulness) and I can't wait to share!
Nancy says
I'm in – My blog is a place I mainly keep lists or plans for myself…it is not a place that I write for others but will post pictures and link up on Thursday. Sounds like a fun idea! Nancy
Linda says
What a sweet and happy time of 'connecting' our Thursdays will be. (Your blog entries cound never, ever, ever be too long!)
chris says
A few years ago, after showing my husband a picture in some magazine I thought was beautiful and that I could maybe emulate with paint, or….something….”more” he commented that if I took a picture of our own corners with the correct lighting it would be just as pretty…I hadn't had that aha moment…but have tried since o catch moments of “joy” in our home…just as you do and support. Thank you for honoring a common life.
Abby says
Okay, so this post got me to go and start a blog so I can be part of the project. But someone please help–how do I add the button? I love the button!
_Leila says
Abbey — See the code that is in the box below the second button up there? Select it all, copy it, and paste it in your blog post (on Blogger blogs you click on the tab at the top of your posting area that says “edit HTML” rather than “Compose” — put in the code where you want it and then go back to Compose). The button will appear in your post and when someone clicks on it, it will take them back to our blog! I'm so glad you like it!
Abby says
Brilliant! I'll give it my best 🙂
womanofthehouse says
Wonderful idea! Sounds like fun!
Adrianne says
Lelia, I didn't know you like to take pictures. Really I think this is one of the reasons I blog. I take lots of pictures becuase I love to and then have nothing to show for it. I now blog and make photo book, cards and gifts. Fun to learn more about you reading your blog!
Dorathea Maynard says
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I've pulled up some old photos and will now be looking to capture those pretty, happy, funny, and real moments. This is encouraging.
Jennifer says
I’ve been enjoying {phfr} for years now, but loved reading this original post! I’m so glad you had this idea and that you have kept up with it every week!
Elizabeth W says
I had never read this one before, either! Glad you started adding the link to Thursday’s posts. It’s a good day when I discover an old LMLD post that’s such a gem. This part: “Because, let’s name our demons: In the back of your mind there’s that fear that if you ever give into, say, getting good at cleaning toilets on a schedule, why, there would be no turning back”–it touched me on the raw. Thank you! I just got a little clearer to myself.
Caroline says
Leila, your words resonate so beautifully! Thank you for this inspiring image: “But honestly, the day I discovered I just really enjoy putting on my apron, folding my kitchen towel just so on the oven handle, getting supper ready, and then sitting to read to my kids with things humming along around me — that was a good day, even if I did yell along the way. No one clapped, I know no one else was impressed, but still, it was good.” And also the part about how we have our outside commitments, but caring for our own home, rather than outsourcing it, has an aspect of “devotion”. Beautiful beautiful words!
Leila says
Thank you, Caroline!