Monday, June 16, 2008

My Best Shot at Slowing Down

I woke up this morning with a start. Gasp! What day is it? It's Monday, isn't it?


We've had quite the eventful week and I so wanted to write about all of the spinning and swirling mommy emotions that have been flooding my head and my heart but alas, besides a birthday, and a promotion ceremony (my baby has been promoted to middle school) we had a different kind of flood. The laundry room spilled over with so much water from the defunct washing machine that it's damaged our wood flooring AND it got the wall so wet that all of our cabinets actually fell off the wall. Big, heavy cabinets. Right onto our washer and dryer. Big huge crashing sound. Not pretty. And certainly not good timing. Happy Father's Day.

It's hard to focus on the light at the end of this tunnel because I'm not sure how many miles down the road it is but I know we'll get there eventually. This too shall pass my Grandma reminds me. She's right. And it could be worse. As we still have some wrapping up to do before all of the end of the school year hullabaloo starts to settle down it feels so hectic around here, it's hard to keep my head about me. Deep cleansing breath. I will look back on all of this and laugh, right?

Although I have hundreds of photos on a number of compact flash cards all over the house and videos galore from the recent pomp and circumstance(s) -we got a new video camera-yay!-I have yet to get any of them to my computer. However, in the midst of the chaos, I thought it might be nice to share a photo or two that speak more of slowing down and being mindful of what is important, than anything else.


I submitted this image as well as a few others for consideration in a lovely collaborative project called my heart wanders. I was so inspired by their call for images and the project itself, I spend one afternoon in the midst of all the activities and slowed down long enough to create a handful of photographs that I really love. Truthfully, I'm just delighted to have stumbled onto my new blog crush.

So, in the theme of slowing down a bit today, I offer you this best shot for the day. If nothing else, I will be using it as a mediation of sorts to find some calm today. I know it's there somewhere. I just have to seek it out.

Did you find any time to slow down and smell the flowers this week? OR perhaps you captured the craze of life in a shot that brought perspective or maybe even humor? Whatever your week looked like, we'd love to see how you caught it in action.

39 comments:

chaoticfamily said...

Beautiful... I don't think we are slowing down here but sure would be nice.

Here is mine
http://chaoticfamilypictures.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Grandma is right... isn't she?! I hope so. Glad you found the time in your chaos to do some things you truly love.
Here's my BSM: A wild Man's Heart.

Megan said...

oh tracey, that does sound like quite a week -- sorry about the washer mess :(. love the stillness of your shot, though. and congrats on your graduate :).

Flare BSM

iMother2.0 said...

We sure did slooooooow down..it's been nice visiting my mom.

Here's my BSM

Christina said...

Oh my...if it's not one thing it's another. What a weekend. Your lovely picture it a wonderful reminder to slow down and focus on what's really important, no matter what else is swirling around us.

I some some window silhouettes to share!

Vered said...

Wow. Yes, you WILL laugh about it some day and it will make for a great story. Right now, I'm sure it's very stressful.

Love the photo.Very... peaceful.

Hang in there. :)

Would you put THIS in your front yard?

Jaimee said...

Oh, wow...sounds like you've had a crazy week! Hope everything gets back together soon!

My BSM: Diaper Dan.

Crunchy Domestic Goddess said...

that's beautiful. :) (sorry about your washing machine. ugh.)

my BSM is kind of about slowing down too to enjoy moments - and Getting Your Feet Wet

Jen said...

I am SO sorry about your washing machine!!

I think we will try to slow it down next week.

Here's mine:
The Boot

Jen said...

Hmmm.....I am not sure what happened. Let's try it this way.

http://newgreenmama.blogspot.com/2008/06/best-shot-monday-boot.html

Andrea said...

I was stalking your page late last night and then this morning, and began to worry! I had a crazy couple weeks, so I hear ya...T
Today is my first day that I actually get to wind down.

And what a lovely shot.

Here's my contribution
Life Is Good

Rose said...

What a lovely image, we slowed down only because I got a cold yet again. On Wednesday we went to the beach for a bonfire and time with friends - it was quite nice and a slower paced evening.
Here's my My best shot and a couple extras...

mandaroo63 said...

I'm so glad that you posted BSM....

Yes, I did too!!! After a hectic week we stayed home and relaxed in the pool and I got to enjoy the garden.....
garden is all in bloom
I love the simplicity and wonder your photo displays. It's wonderful to take that moment.....we should all do it more often!!! : )

Anonymous said...

Oh no! It will all be fine eventually. Just keep looking forward.

Crazy life of a crazy bird here:
My Best Shot

Unknown said...

I woke up with the same feeling - gah, June is half over already!

Oh, I hope your washer mess gets all straightened out - what rotten timing!

Thanks for the gorgeous shot and gentle reminder to stop, or at least slow down.

My BSM is called Security, Comfort & Love.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful reminder. Beautiful photo. I've discovered your new blog crush, too.

Mine today is a reminder to slow down, appreciate the good things of your life and think positive thoughts for a special little boy...even before I read yours.

Best Shot Monday

Unknown said...

I hope you were able to find your calm, Tracey.

I love the photos you submitted for that project. I wish I'd had my act together to remember to submit mine, but oh well! I guess I need to do some slowing down too, but that's no big surprise.

Here's my Father's Day edition of BSM.

Melissa said...

Oi, what a week. I hope things settle down a bit.

Here's mine....
BSM

Maggie said...

I certainly don't feel like there is any slowing down in sight. I even took my best shot this week while driving 80 miles an hour - literally!

Sorry to hear about your washing machine disaster -- hopefully this coming week will be a little less eventful!

BSM: Barn Edition

Mother of the Freakin' Year said...

Wow! I do not envy you your week. I may need to start looking around for hearts, though.

My BSM this week comes from a wedding I helped shoot...my first. Weddings are so hectic, but I think this one conveys a peaceful moment.

Lara said...

everyone needs to stop and just breathe every now and then. i'm sorry to hear about the flooding, though - now when you slow down you'll get all soggy.

my best shot this week celebrates me and my birthday! selfish? maybe, but hey, it's my birthday. :)

Another Trip Around the Sun

Dawn said...

That's a lovely picture, and I am going to slow down and take a nap RIGHT NOW.

Have a great week, y'all!

butterfly wing

Phyllis Sommer said...

ack! i'm sure it will all work out but in the meantime that picture can soothe the soul:-)

here's mine, a beautiful bride.

Happy Monday!

Anonymous said...

After the big storm last Sunday, we sure slowed down since we had no internet all week!

Here is my restful BSM:
Rest

Brittany said...

I was wondering where you were this morning!! :)

Here's Mine:

BSM

Kimberly said...

Sorry about the washer disaster. That's no fun. I'm glad you found some peace in the midst of it all though. Lovely photo.

Here's my "Still Life" shot.

Blueberry said...

things sure aren't slowing down here.

here's my best shot

Bonnie said...

Slowing down. What a concept ! So difficult to do ... Hope you were really able to find some calm !

My Best Shot

Anna Sawin said...

Slowed down enough last night to eat one of these, yummmmmy!


My Best Shot Cupcakes

emily said...

Here is what our week held. I hope that things calm down for you soon!

Colleen @AMadisonMom said...

I'm having a c-section 4 weeks from tomorrow. I don't think I know how to slow down anymore. So much to do... especially squeezing in the last weeks of only child fun for Zoe.

I'm sharing my last bunch of Florida pictures... with a special favorite.

Leah said...

That is a gorgeous shot.

Better late than never I guess!

Unknown said...

very simple and pretty. sorry to hear about your little mishap, hope you can see that light very soon!

Stacy said...

Such a nice post! I wish would slow down here a bit so I can catch my breath. Maybe soon. Anyway, here's my best shot.

http://stacymaephotography.blogspot.com/2008/06/my-new-favorite-picture.html

Alessandra Cave said...

Thanks for sharing the beautiful heart project. I may need to wander over there to browse for a bit. Lovely photo! And I am all about slowing down... It's been a lovely 'break' to catch up on your news. ;)

Joanna said...

Sometimes its nice to be reminded to slow down and enjoy life. Such a serene photo.

My daughter and I didnt quite slow down....but we did take time to enjoy the weather this week.

http://worth-it-all.blogspot.com/2008/06/sprinkler-fun-theme-thursday.html

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful, simple picture.

I hope the water mess passes quickly.

Sassy said...

I was in fast forward at the Miss Louisiana Pageant when you posted this. We have been running non stop for 3 weeks. When I saw your post, it was a perfect reflection of how I AM FEELING. Just need a moment to breathe. My youngest took a long moment to slow down in the middle of the pageant!!!
Rest Assured

Anonymous said...

so sorry about your storm!! Yikes..it all works out somehow..you will laugh! I love the sweet picture...I posted mine before coming over..same theme of finding calm but of a different storm..try to have a wonderful week!

calm after storm