Week In The Life : Monday Morning Thoughts

I forgot how much work (fun "work" of course) this project can be once you get going. The first day is always the most challenging - it gets easier as you get into a groove as the week goes along. I've taken a bunch of blurred shots this morning since it was still pretty dark when we started our day - needing to get out my tripod tomorrow morning or add on the external flash.

Received a great message from my friend Carrie this morning as we were talking about the project, "I think it's important to embrace this even amid life's imperfections...It's easy to say, 'Well, life isn't perfect right now, so my week isn't worth documenting.'  Not true."

BINGO.

Don't beat yourself up if you miss something. If you forget your camera. If your day isn't how you hoped it would be. If you don't write anything down. Hello life, right?

One of the things I am remembering that I love about this documentation process is the awareness of my surroundings that I begin to have again. For awhile, it has been hibernating. I am excited to welcome it back.

As for my writing so far, what is working for me is to have a Word document open on my computer to jot down thoughts/activities as they happen.

Just a note: I am answering questions in the comment section this week as we embark on this project together. Feel free to leave questions and suggestions.

A complete list of posts related to the week in the life project can be found here.

Comments

[Danielle]

I love that you have a word document open to take notes. I have a small notebook I had from the Target $1 bin - I opted for this so that I can throw it in my bag and write on the go if need be :)

[megbarnes]

Hi Ali!
I just wondered what size/type of album you had you class use when you taught this @ CKU. I've looked at several completed projects and love the divided page protectors, wondered if you could give me any ideas where to find some. Thanks for being so inspiring! I haven't been this excited about a project in a long time!
Megan

[Shannon]

I started this yesterday. I made it through about 1/2 the day taking pictures. It was hard to remember to capture what I think of as our everyday activities (though I know that is the point). I kept a little journal throughout the day and then made a daily collage this morning (for yesterday). After going through that, I think even though I didn't take a ton of pictures, I was able to capture a pretty typical Sunday for our family. I still want to keep an eye on what you are taking pictures of because I think I am missing some of the obvious things. Thanks for this challenge!

[Ali]

Hey Megan - I will be doing a big post with ideas/suggestions and specifics tomorrow or Wednesday. That album (the one with the divided page protectors) is the Anthologie (formerly Bay Box) system from Scrapworks.

[jenny]

This is fun!

[Judith]

Hi Ali I already started friday :) we were celebrating my husbands birthday, so had to capture it! I love this project, just wanted to let you know, love from Holland, Judith

[ElisabethC]

I just wanted to say thanks for doing this!! I started today and am sooo looking forward to doing it! I haven't scrapped all summer and have had hard time getting inspired, and this is just what I needed, and it's been so fun this far!!!

[ElisabethC]

I just wanted to say thanks for doing this!! I started today and am sooo looking forward to doing it! I haven't scrapped all summer and have had hard time getting inspired, and this is just what I needed, and it's been so fun this far!!!

[Margarita]

Some pictures just seem so silly to me right now (i.e. I took a picture of my Halloween decorations - from the dollar store!) - but I was thinking that in a few years, I'll have the picture and the memories of taking my 3 and 1 year old children to the store...right???

[reenie]

I had a GREAT first day with the project..then today I was feeling like just starting over...picking another week in my life! So not perfect, son has the flu this morning. Thanks for reminding that life just isn't perfect. I needed to hear that....I'm going to continue.

[Megan]

Ha! MY morning started out with a dead coffee maker. Talk about a fun-buster...but also part of life. Actually already laughing about what I wrote. (Now that I've had some coffee...)

[vanessa]

I glad I'm not the only one with blury morning pictures.

[Rebecca G.]

Thanks for taking us on this journey with you. I've missed out on all of your CKU classes, which is a total bummer. But now I feel like I get to be a part of the class with you. I've been looking forward to this all weekend... even though my life most certainly is NOT perfect right now. I definitely want to take the time to document the imperfections...

[Ali]

Right Margarita :). Don't judge right now - just document.

[Jen Davis]

YAY, Ali! I am so excited to get started on this...I was thinking it may be overwhelming this week at first, but after reading today's post I'm going to just go for it! =) I think you are right on when you mention getting more familiar with your surroundings again with this project. I'm so excited to get started in this!

Thanks so much for doing this, I've been itching to do a group project for awhile now and this is just the thing.

Jen

[Nora]

I have 1 question:

Approximatly (sp? lol) how many photos do you take each day? And how many make it into the finished project/album per day? I know you cant give an exact answer but I'm just wondering if its 5 or 50 sorta.. :D

[Ali]

I usually recommend 30+ if you can. I will be putting the album together differently than in the past (so I am not really sure yet) but it is always better to have more than less when it comes to putting the project together. I like to have choices.

[Emilyt]

What legs this project has...so neat to go onto other cyberplaces and see the participation! I started yesterday. Your post today is perfect - I forgot my camera this morning (so disappointing) and I got called to pick up my daughter from school. If that isn't real life, I don't know what is? Thanks for having me. This is a GOOD process - to validate and punctuate my everyday. LOVING this.

[Bree]

Great quote about documenting imperfect life. It is what it is. I needed to hear that as I felt frustrated by this project already this morning. :-)

[Tammy]

Ali and friends: I am totally overwhelmed at the idea of taking pictures the live.long.day. So much so that I have considered abandoning the project altogether.

However.

Since I really want to give it a go, I have given myself permission to take a picture(s) of the major activity of my day. Today it is steam-cleaning my carpet. A single picture of the torture machine will suffice. Tomorrow I am volunteering at my son's school - a picture of the front door. Along with that single picture I am keeping copius notes that will translate onto a scrap page.

Just thought I'd share how I'm making this project "my own" - something Ali advocates.

[O]

I love blurry pictures and use them because they show motion. Life is motion. *Life* is moving along no matter what *we're* doing. Thanks for inviting us to participate in this project. My thought is this: no picture is every too silly or random because it shows a moment gone by. Never gonna get it back. Life is made of many, many moments. I began documenting my moments this morning. :)

[Andrea]

Hi there ali... I started this project yesterday... and had a blast... I thought about starting it today but knew i would be too overwhelmed with it (since i teach 9th graders) so i started with going to church yesterday... perfect way to start my week. I'm super duper excited for this process and the finished project... i've been keeping my notes on random stuff... like the bulletin from church... my receipt from something and a notebook while i'm at school.... i also made a place to stash the fun random stuff of the day... receipts, ticket stub from the swap meet... etc...

Thanks lady for the inspiration! YOU ROCK!

[Therese Bradley]

I took this class with Ali at CKU San Jose. I have 65 photos in my finished project. I made a lot of photo collages with bits and pieces of photos and everyday memorabilia. I included pictures of my sink filled with my son's sippy cups (he doesn't use these anymore so I'm glad I took this photo.) I have a picture of the inside of my refrigerator, my laundry waiting to be folded, the storefronts that I went to that week, the view from my kitchen sink, etc. I included my grocery list, to do lists, bits of envelopes from mail, the plastic thingys from flowers I planted, etc. I'm amazed how much has changed in my life in a few short years, and how much has stayed the same. Hope this helps those who are struggling a bit. Therese

[Ali]

Sounds perfect Tammy - I am finding as I work here at my desk most of the morning/early afternoon that there is not a ton of variety :). As I move around the house I bring the camera with me to capture whatever it is I am doing (like making lunch in a bit).

[Amy]

I'm glad that you said it gets easier, I'm tired already! lol Although it didn't help that while I'm trying to document my week, I have a submission at work, and then I lost my cell phone today. (Turns out it was on the floor of the car, under the seat- Had to take the regular phone into the car to call myself. lol) But of course, it's Monday! But you're right, this is all real life. :)

I have planned to do this project for a while, but I needed some motivation so thanks to everyone participating for the motivation! I'm already enjoying everyone's pictures in the flickr group!

[Noel]

Thank you for posting that even if your day is not going great to keep going. My Monday has been horrible so far; a bad grade on an exam and a ticket all before 9am! I just keep telling myself its got to get better! Thanks again.

[Diana]

Ali! I LOVE this idea, when I spoke to my hubby about it, he says it sounds like a lot of work! Well, yeah but it will be awesome to help me remember and appreciate the things I do and have. I have to tell you people were looking at me strange when my good buddy was taking pictures of me after our workout in class. Life right?! Thanks for the inspiration! :)

[Nicky H]

I've decided to join you! Woo hoo!! I have already taken 40 or so photos and it's only 9:36am!

I have a question. I plan on making 12x12 pages- probably one for each day. I know you know about Stacy Julian's Library albums- which album would you put it in- All About Us or Things We Do?

This is going to be a blast!!

[Heather]

Yikes. I'm brave enough to include the link to my sad little blog. Anywho.....Ali; any way to make the pics of your pages any bigger? I'm a real nosy parker and I want to see your ephemera and journalling close up. :D

[Michelle]

I recently used the Anthologie album for just a few months of regular family photos and have TONS of pages protectors left over (I bought too many, I think the variety overwhelmed me)....but I also have your Designer Digitals "Story of Today Overlays"---THEN I saw your DD "Story of Today Layered Templates"--LOVE THOSE!!! don't got 'em yet....hmmmm....Am I spoiling the beans to ask if you are going to use those? I'm sure you'll let us know but the curiousity is killing me! *grin* I'm feeling more paper than digi right now so I started making some 4x4 journaling cards w/the days on them.

Friends---write down the economic crisis / bailout news! =)

Also liking writing down the songs I am listening to in the car (or for others at home / at work)....

I started today. My favortie photo today is me taking a pic in the kid/rear-view mirror of my car as I am taking my 2 and the boy we carpool with to school. Then I had to get the token shot of me in the rearview and felt a bit relieved I had at least one of me (my biggest challenge).

My other favorite was sidewalk chalk all over our driveway leftover from a full day of outside play yesterday. It made me realize that photos capture NOW and ALSO capture history already made, as in my artful driveway, now sitting all alone with just yesterday's traces of activity.

I'm long-winded, sorry. ;-)...just loving this. Just wanted to do it for a long time (since Life Artist, I guess!) and to have a "community" to do it with is fun.

[Ali]

Heather - when I post the album I do this time I will make it bigger for sure. I will also be posting my writing/journaling for today this evening so you can see how I am jotting things down.

[Ali]

Nicky - I would probably lean towards All About Us...but it just depends on the content you end up with :).

[Aimee Confer]

Yay Ali! Thanks for inspiring me to get going again! I haven't scrapbooked all summer. We moved in June and then I got pregnant so I have been super slow in getting going! Now I can really start up again. Thanks!

[merry]

I started something similar to this the year I turned 40. Basically I begin the month before my birthday and take at least one picture a day that captures what's going on at that time in my life. I generally do an 8x8 album with each page chronically one day. While I try to do pages daily sometimes life is 'overwhelming' and I end up sitting down over the weekend and doing the week. This is my third year of doing this (I will wrap pictures this week and hope to finish the album over the weekend.) It's fun looking back to see what was going on at that moment in my life.

[Robin]

Okay, I am in. I began taking pictures this morning of just ordinary things going on around here and then the camera battery died. :) It is charged back up and I am back on track. We have a lot going on this week so this will help us keep track of it all.
Ali, do you plan on scrapping at the end of the week or through the week as you go? I like the idea of keeping a document open. I will do that too.
Thanks for doing this, I think it is a great idea.
~Robin

[Secret Agent Mama]

Can this be done online as opposed to actual pages with printed pictures? I was thinking of using collages to document the day, along with the writing.

[Ali]

Robin - I am gathering ideas this week as I document but not doing actual creative work/putting anything together until next week. I personally like to focus on one part at a time (but it can be done any way you want - I think a lot of it depends on time).

Secret Agent Mama - this could totally be done online! On your blog, digitally, on Flickr, etc. This is YOUR project - you can make it in whatever way works for you :).

[violetkey]

What a great project! I've started this morning. I might do a digi-book but i might be brave and print out pics for a mini-book.

[Nicky Anderson]

Moving along and what a different perspective this gives you. Loving that part. I am still trying to figure out photoshop elements (still very very new) as I ordered some of your overlays and am excited about putting this together as I go along. Any suggestions to help with the photoshop elements - I have been trying to get to Jessica's tutoritals - any words of wisdown would help. Very excited about this.
Nicky

[Nicky Anderson]

And PS - thank you Ali for your added inspiration!!

[Kristin]

I have just downloaded my photos of the day - i took 111 photos.
Crazy, i am going to have a lot of photos at the end of it all!

Ali, do you have any must take photos to suggest? One photo from when you have done it before that you are so glad that you took, but wouldnt of thought to take it beforehand?

Today i took a photo of my hand holding my daughters walking to her playgroup, never would of thought of taking that one before today, yet it means so much.

[Lauren]

OKay, here was my first entry today:

A Week In the Life, a class led by Ali Edwards

Monday, September 29, 2008

12:09pm – reading Ali’s blog as I eat lunch at work. Decide to “go for it” even though I know this weekend will not be normal, as I will be on a scrapbook retreat, but heck! Now, or never, right? (photo taken). Lunch is a homemade chef salad and iced tea (unsweet) with one homemade oatmeal cookie. Here’s to hoping the tea will make my caffeine headache go away (I haven’t had a soda today…)

And the first pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/18572605@N02/2898827767/

Thanks for the encouragement! I had decided yesterday to NOT do this and I am happy that I have changed my mind today! :)

[KariLynn]

I am doing pretty good so far taking photos. Even took my camera along on a walk with a friend this am and got a photo of me and one of her. I dragged out my little tripod to take the photos of me folding laundry, putting away dishes, making the bed, etc. Hopefully I can keep this up all week. Thanks for the inspiration Ali, this is a really worthwhile project.

[Becky W. in VA]

Thank you for the reminder! Always good to hear the pick me ups!

[Katie]

I am so excited to have a direction.

Seems like the little 'daily's" start to take over and you forget to live in the moment.

Thanks for the inspiration.

[Ali]

Kristin - I don't really have any must-take photos. I think I tend to really love the most basic ones that showcase real everyday life - like laundry or lunch, etc. When the album comes together I love to see those in combination with the faces of my family.

[Laura]

Hi Ali, I took your class at CKU Chicago in 2006 and I'm excited to play along with you again. Off to check out the Flickr group.

[falwyn]

I want to do this too. But my beloved dslr is in the shop and my friend (with twins, in another city) has my old digital camera. I have actually ordered a back up point and shoot for myself, but it won't be here till tomorrow.
I thought about waiting to start, but didn't want to. So get this - I'm going to use my Polaroid camera (luckily I got some film for my birthday) to take some pictures today, and maybe a few throughout the week to keep things consistent. I guess this means that I (an all digital girl lately) will have to do some real paper scrapping for this project... but that should be fun too.
Anyway, so I'm excited, and just wanted to share - the idea of polaroids (I have some of me when I was a baby) tickles me.

[Sara M]

I took your class at CKU in Chicago. It was awesome and so neat to look back and see how even the everyday stuff has changed.
I used this "week in the life" project to document things people normally don't take pictures of. I would just tell people, "I need to take your picture because I HAVE to have it for this class I am taking."

I captured great things. I took a whole bunch of pictures at my grandma's. She makes breakfast every Saturday for any of her kids or grandkids that can make it. I am 34 yrs old and she has been doing this for as long as I can remember. However, this was the first time anyone actually took pictures of her!!!

Also, I don't want to sound bossy but we all need to make sure we are IN OUR PICTURES!! A wonderful friend of mine died today at the age of 32. She lost her battle with cancer. She leaves behind 5 boys, the youngest only 4. She was in a lot of pictures but just think how meaningful a album like this would have been to her boys, years from now.

So thanks, Ali, for spreading this idea. Life is too precious not to document it.
Sara M

[Melissa]

Amazing how many seemingly mundane things we pass through in a day.
Ali, I think that your quote by Mary Jean Iron is perfect for this album and I will probably include it to remind my children (one day, when they are interested) that life is made up of a series of normal days.
Blessings.

[Rinda]

So, on the way home from basketball yesterday, my son says, "I think that taking pictures while you're driving should be illegal . . . you know, like talking on your cell phone is. It seems a little dangerous." So, I handed him my camera and told him to take some pictures of the pumpkin farms we were passing.
So, my question is: How important is it to have the pictures be ones that you yourself have taken, rather than someone else? Interested in your thoughts.
Rinda

[Jayne Hickey (The View From My Shoes)]

wondering if I'll be able to see this one through to the finish line. Think "I think I can I think I can!". This morning as I looked out the kitchen window I was greeted with almost a spotlight of sun highlighting the reds & oranges of fall's exciting colors on the top of the hill above our apple orchard! Grabbed that camera and my wellies and ran out the door to "capture the moment!" My kids were wondering who was going to butter their toast...
Even was brave enough to capture the sink full of dishes! Life - it is never clean!
My week will include surgery for my son on Thursday so that should be some pictures to remember (unfortunately we can add them to an already growing collection!)

I love the motivation you continue light within us all Ali - thanks for taking the time to hold our hands and walk us through this.

Can't wait to sneak a peak at your notes tonight!

Off to snap snap snap and scribble scribble scribble!

[melanie g.]

Ali, thanks too for the inspiration for this project. Started mine yesterday and spent last night/this morning sick with the flu! So, a slow start this morning. Oh, well. I had a thought of sending a couple of disposable cameras with my kids to school one day this week (with the teacher's approval) just to add a few pictures of their everyday school day.

[Ali]

Love the idea of the cameras going to school with the teacher's approval - so cool!

[Ali]

Rinda - I don't think it matters at all. It is all documentation :).

[Emily J.]

I am going to jump on board with this...always wanted to do this...Maybe your week in the life challenge this week will enable those of us that are "always behind" the camera to get to the front of it...(atleast I am hoping too) Happy Monday!

[alexandra]

Funny you should right about embracing life's imperfections - I was disappointed last night when I thought about the project since 3/4 of my family (including me) have colds and last night my son threw-up in his bed! How can a document a week of sickness and healing - well... I don't know but I'm going for it anyway. Not what I was hoping for but this is real and this is us this week!! In the end I think it might be kind of neat!!
Thanks, Ali!!
A.

[Melannie]

Thank you so much for this inspiration. I have such a crazy life with two children, we have a family business(work with my parents!!!) and other family drama that someone told me that I should write a book about my life and how perfect is this....A week in the life of me. Thank you so much!!! My brother works for the business too but he is always on the computer or just sitting around so I got some shots of him and he keeps asking me why do you keep taking my picture?
Thank you for the inspiration!!!!!

[Jessi]

What if one member of the family is unwilling to get their picture taken...he is kinda important...my husband and the father of my three boys...he has but on the weight since we had the boys and is feeling very self-conscious!

Any suggestions?

[jukebox]

Wow! This couldn't have come at a more perfect time. This will be my first "project" since I am new to scrapbooking. This week I am weeding out all the STUFF in my house because we are moving. Even though I'm a 3/4 empty nester, my girls left all their junk here. I am taking pictures of all these things before tossing them. I have a fantastic photo of 17 games stacked up! And I can't wait for the Marcia and Greg Brady bobble head photo shoot. :o)

[Margalyn H]

Ali,
I started this project on Saturday so I'm on day three now... and I found that I only have one picture of myself! I found myself so focused on documenting my days that I'm not even getting myself in the pictures. Do you have an suggestions for me?
Thanks so much, I'm having a lot of fun.
--Margalyn

[Ali]

Margalyn - you have to make yourself get into the photos. Use a timer on your camera if you have one - I have been doing this quite a bit today. Have someone in your family/friends/etc take some shots of you. You may simply have to ask :).

[Margalyn H]

Thanks, I'll work on it!

[rachel carlson]

it's been good so far...have just returned from a leaf peeping mini road trip from the mountains with great photos, thoughts, etc...thanks again ali, this is great!

[Crystal]

ALI!!!I FORGOT MY CAMERA! WHAT DO I DO!!!?????? DO I JUST DO WORDS TODAY? OH, THAT'S SO BORING! MY CELL TAKES SUCH BAD PICS! i'M SAD!

[Ali]

No worries Crystal - you can begin tomorrow or just do words today + supplement with "general" photos later on.

[gardenymph]

Okay, I think I need to slow down. I have 227 pictures so far and it's only 4pm. I guess I'm a bit trigger happy today. I'm hoping that I won't deliberate over all the pics tonight. I don't want to make things harder for myself. :~) Hopefully I will slow down and be more thoughtful in what I choose to capture for the rest of the week.

This project is really helping me to be in the moment. So many days rush by in a blur, but today I have been hyper aware of every activity that I am doing with my kids. This day too will be quickly swallowed up in waters of my life, but I have found a way to stop time for a while, and to make sure that this day, this week, will be remembered.

Thank you, Ali.

[Megan Taylor]

Can i say how much i appreciate you sharing this wonderful opportunity? Scrapbooking can be so expensive, and I love that you made this little class availible to poor little students like me. I'm just very grateful.

Here's my little blog:
hurrayitsmegan.blogspot.com

I started on Friday, so I have a good amount of pictures. Trying to process as I go... and journal as well. Can't believe how much I'm learning about my camera and my self as a photographer. It's perfect.

[alexandra]

sorry about the typo - 'right' instead of 'write' ??!!
- must be the Extra Strength Dristan!!
A.

[Wendy Davis]

Took over 100 photos yesterday. Went to bed with my camera by my bed and so glad I did. Woke up this morning to the most beautiful sunrise. The clouds were all pink so I grabbed the camera and got the shot, I hope. Either way, it's great. Driving to the gym this morning I noticed that I was really noticing so much more of the world around me. Even took some pictures driving -- and we're not even supposed to use hand held cell phones here in California...lol!

Ali, I'd really like to do my album all digi when it comes time to putting it together. Any chance you'll be doing or recommending templates we might be able to use? Just a thought.

Thanks.

[treeclimber]

Hi Ali,
Thank you for motivating me to do this. I am having a lot of fun with it so far.

I was thinking about the finished format... I don't have any of the sleeves with six 4x6 slots but I do have plenty of the 8-1/2x11 baseball card sleeves. Using those with the 8-1/2x11 sheet protectors should be perfect to include all the 'little' clips from the day and the journaling and larger items.

Just thought I share in case anyone else is stuck on the format too.

Thanks, Deb :-)

[Ali]

Hey Deb - that is what I am going to do :). More about that tomorrow or Wednesday.

And Wendy, I do have some digital recommendations to come as well.

[noell Hyman]

Thank you for answering questions in the comments, Ali. Reading all these ideas and questions and your answers really opened my mind up to the picture-possibilities.

My initial thought was to only take a few pictures through the day. I thought I had my photos done for the first half of the day until I read these posts. Suddenly I realized how much there was for me to capture that just hadn't occurred to me before. Here is what I've photographed since reading the comments...

*Playing with my son
*The amusement park we built from his Gears
*The vegan choco. chip cookies I baked last night--broke my own rule and ate one first thing this am.
*The three different types of dried beans I soaked today for this week's meals
*The sink and counters loaded up with with dirty dishes and the full dishwasher--a regular thing now that I make almost all of our food from scratch
*The black bottom of my pot b/c I forget that mung beans cook in less time than other beans--oops
*My sick 5 yr old asleep in my bed for a nap--an old daily occurrence that was long gone but is back for the day
*My dog sleeping in his usual spot on the top of the sofa, like a cat
*My Tagalog language books with a filipino movie--brushing up on my Tagalog today (a filipino language)
*Me holding my little guy in front of the mirror as we prepare to pick up the other two from school--another flashback to old times
*My oldest two entering the car from school

About 6 hours left of my day...

[Linda Beeson]

One month I did the "photo a day" kind of challenge and it was funny one day when I realized how many drive-thrus I go through!!! It was fun to document even that.

[Jeni Barbas]

I am so thankful that you have inspired me to play along this week. I just took the most amazing, precious photo of my 18 month old while he nursed. We are weaning and I've been trying to think about how I would capture a picture of him during these last sweet days of nursing when he only ever nurses in the dark-first thing in the morning. Today, he wanted to nurse in the afternoon ....so we did and because I'm doing this project I had my camera right beside me. Thank you Thank you!!!

[Leigh]

Hi Ali,
Quick question - I started to upload my photos. Are you editing them right away? I usually edit to 4x6 300 dpi so I can print at costco. What is your process?

Thanks.
Leigh

[Jill Sibbald]

Hey friend :) not sure if this has been asked, but assuming we're using the original 'plan' from your CKC, and the album pages you used, approx how many photos do we need per day ? 10 ?
Thanks :) Happy week. j

[Heather M.]

I'm so glad you are doing this. I started this morning as well and while it's been a bit overwhelming at times, it has totally opened my eyes to all the photo possibilities that are in my life right now. Thank you, Ali! Hoping I can stick out the week as I just keep thinking how awesome it will be to look back at this project one day!

[Maggie]

Personally, I don't take pictures when I'm feeling overwhelmed most of the time. I take them in moments of "breath". Of life happening I don't want to forget and miss. I think a lot of that has to do with learning to live in "grace". Go with what graces and gifts you in the moment...I guess a new discipline may feel like work to some, but overall, it should feed you.

[Maggie]

Personally, I don't take pictures when I'm feeling overwhelmed most of the time. I take them in moments of "breath". Of life happening I don't want to forget and miss. I think a lot of that has to do with learning to live in "grace". Go with what graces and gifts you in the moment...I guess a new discipline may feel like work to some, but overall, it should feed you.

[Maggie]

Personally, I don't take pictures when I'm feeling overwhelmed most of the time. I take them in moments of "breath". Of life happening I don't want to forget and miss. I think a lot of that has to do with learning to live in "grace". Go with what graces and gifts you in the moment...I guess a new discipline may feel like work to some, but overall, it should feed you.

[Jenny Rebecca]

So what do I do if my day is pretty much exactly the same every day?

[Ann]

Ali, its Ann in Spokane. Worked at Apropos when you taught there. Whoa did I miss something, are you having a girl? Still raising Grandson (Isaiah) I should do this project, a day with him sometimes seems like a lifetime. Love him but man at 60 its hard to keep up with a seven year old boy who is very active. Really related to your comment about Simon coming out of the bedroom with a happy face, Isaiah look as he comes out seems awfully important for us as to how the next hour will be before he gets on bus.

[Linda]

I started Sat but I only have taken about 7-10 pictures a day!! my work is hard cuz at a hospital confidentiality is so imprtant, since I work long hours it gets hard--any ideas??

[Johanna]

This project is fun! It will be my first scrapbooking experience and now that I know I'm not on this project journey on my own, it feels much easier to start with. I wondererd for a second if this really is the right moment to start, as I have a deadline for a university project in three weeks and I should be working on it all day long, but then I thought – now or never, I should start BECAUSE I have a lot coming up. Kind of like monitoring my progress, and reminding me of my priorities. Yesterday (Monday) was the first time in weeks, no, months, I felt like having a lunch break, because I had actually been working all morning instead of dawdling along. Wonderful!

I only noticed what a nice light there is in my bathroom in the morning, too. :)

[Mikki]

I just discovered all this wonderfulness right now and I am onboard (albeit at few days behind). I'm going to throw a few polaroids into my project to avoid the temptation to include only "good" pictures, something about their permenance is very appealing to me. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Sara]

I started this project on Monday with a fixed, short focal length lens on my husband's SLR (not that I know much about photography, but this lens takes beautiful pictures of my children's faces). Because I'm too lazy to change the lens, I've been forced to look at the little things, because my camera can't see big things unless I'm 100 yards away! Its kind of nice this way. I don't think I'll change my lens. I'll just have a week of close-ups.
Thanks for the inspiration (as always).