random stuff like boys and hash browns

I am feeling much more myself lately, except the part where I can't think of anything to say. But I figure if I want my readers to continue to return, well then it would be logical for me to pull my head out and cough something up. Okay that didn't come out right. But I know you know what I mean.

Lots has been going on around here, including the unusual phenomenon of southern California continuing to have a pretty decent reasonable facsimile of the season known as "winter". I don't care about the buckets in my family room collecting rain and I don't care about muddy doggie paws. I'm just happy to wear socks and a sweatshirt.

As far as these photos go, I am aware of how random they are. They have been part of my Shutter Sisters 365 project. I am happy to say I have not missed one day, though it has been a challenge. It has though, turned much more into "a moment in my day" than me experimenting with my larger camera or learning new techniques. At least for now. But I figure that's all right too - I am enjoying the process and that's the most important thing. 

The first photo of the TUMS represents what I've been having for breakfast lately! Hah! Breakfast of champions indeed :) My back is still giving me a hard time, which means I have to take a lot of bruhaha, which is hard on my stomach, blah, blah, blah. I know what you're thinking. Why then, am I drinking hot cocoa with half a bag of marshmallows on top if my stomach is giving me trouble??? How's this for an answer: because I wanted to.

Awww...  look at my sweet Angel :) This was late at night when everyone was in bed and no one was eating anything. Then and only then can she finally forsake her taxing job of foraging for food all day and being the family garbage disposal. At this very moment she's dreaming of the potato chip she scored from my shirt pocket.

I do have to admit that I was feeling very sorry for myself at times this week. There was a blogging conference in Salt Lake City last weekend that I wanted to go to so badly my teeth hurt... and it was only made worse when so many of the bloggers that were there started tweeting about how fabulous it was... I know, I know - next year! 

So much else going on too..... things I am holding inside - you know how that is? It feels like an anvil around my neck. It's dragged me down for so long..... I just want to take the anvil off and be free of it. But I will not let it keep me down. And that's when I remind myself of all the amazing things. My boys. My wonderful friends. My projects. Color, and trees, and flowers, and my silly dogs that make me laugh. Oh dear, this whole paragraph sounds absolutely nutsy. Please forgive me - I'll go listen to Joni Mitchell for a while and be fine.    

Back to the usual mayhem at the Walker house. Here we have 5 boys playing ping pong against my front room wall. Yes, you heard me correctly. And I was on the couch in their direct line of fire, so I retreated to the dining room. No, I did not try to stop them. I mean look at their cute faces having so much fun. Meh - I love these boys!

Anyway, it was a very busy week! Doctor appts, lunches with friends, all the usual chores and errands and chaos, carpools, music.... very loud music.... lots of boys and men and friends practicing music.... but it was a great week. And come on, seriously, how could it not be a great week when you come home from church on Sunday and make hash browns with scrambled eggs and cheese toast!?!?!