Your Life As Art Photography by Pam

Overcast, cool and grumpy moods.

Why is it the weather plays such an integral part of our moods, of how our day begins. This morning was no different. Love my kids, but man this morning was frustrating for me, even more so with a sore foot and not able to do what I need to do without being in pain or it taking more time.

Since hurting my foot, household duties have suffered, laundry especially, which was behind the previous weekend to begin with – hey we have a great back yard and this past weekend we used it with friends and family ALL weekend… until Sunday that is when we celebrated my uncles Easter – and I am SO glad we did take the drive to TO ;)

Hubs is great, but … even I hate reading something and then “but”, I like handling MY part of the household duties a certain way, I do not handle things well when I cannot be independent and have to rely on someone else. I do not want to feel like a nag or like Im being bossy… perfectionist side of the Virgo thats for sure. I must remind myself to step back. Step back and let him be the dad and husband he is and until I am better let him do it HIS way. Eeeek can I do that. Its tough. Its so tough. Lord knows Ive been through it so many times with my own health issues. Im not happy at all about this darn foot, especially when we dont know how long its going to take to heal.

Doing laundry isn’t a favourite thing of mine when it comes to folding… I also do not have a “nice” laundry room – its a room everything gets thrown into , thankful its a room yes, but now that we are in this great house I want it to “look” like a room and be pleasant to be in. Pinterest is my friend to find these laundry room examples. Where did the topic of laundry come up – when our daughter claimed she could NOT find ANYTHING to wear and it was THE.END.OF.THE.WORLD. Yes… at 5 its happening already!

My kids hate when I capture their grumpy moods, hehe thankfully though it can take part of the grumpiness away when they realize they can SEE how grumpy they are… helps turn my mood around too lol! The frown quickly turns upside down :)

Gorgeous parts of nature… Flowers

20130504-328C0118-WM by {Pamela Zmija Photography}

20130504-328C0118-WM, a photo by {Pamela Zmija Photography} on Flickr.

I am extremely joying capturing and appreciating the amazing beauty of nature. Really giving me an amazing perspective, refreshing view of my passion, my artistic appreciation of photography.

Macro Spring Love

20130505-328C0136-WM by {Pamela Zmija Photography}

20130505-328C0136-WM, a photo by {Pamela Zmija Photography} on Flickr.

My macro lens is one I certainly do not use as much as I really should. This lens is one I typically forget just how amazing and beautiful it can capture my subjects. Especially nature.

My Spring Little’s

Such a beautiful, slightly overcast morning while waiting for the bus my children blessed me with ONE impromptu photo op… Yes, one… That is ONE shot ;)

I LOVE it. I love them. Its SOOOOO them, their personalities shines through. In the one shot I got, they took my breath away.

Not everyday is perfect, we have our share of challenges and power struggles ;) I may be more worried if we didn’t.

I love them. So much. And… I must also send out a special virtual hug to all our family and close friends who our family is close with. Thank you for not only being a part of our life, but also making our family a part of yours. XOXO.

Little moments… our little lives

20130413-328C9565-Edit-WM by {Pamela Zmija Photography}

20130413-328C9565-Edit-WM, a photo by {Pamela Zmija Photography} on Flickr.

It’s the little moments that sometimes make everything! I love these little guys, even during tough moments for the mama they are full of love, compassion and ENERGY!

Darkness and Ice in April

I was up a little earlier listening to the wind whistling and whipping around, ice hitting the windows and deck, and then all was silent.

Soon our room was filled with little voices who were woken up by pure darkness… *insert sarcastic mommy face here* So we all slept until about 630 when the kids were up again and I began checking out the situation. Shocked was my response when I realized how bad it was and we may not have power until 11pm.

Let’s be real here, I’m not a “True” camper in anyway. I will camp in a trailer with water and hydro…

As the day went on, hearing we could be without until Sunday hubby got us water to use to flush toilets and also drinking water. Ah welcome to country living lol nope we couldn’t use any water as our pump requires hydro…

We enjoyed a wonderfully bbq’d meal at Mom and Dad’s to celebrate their 33rd Anniversary The cheers were loud when the lights suddenly began to Flickr…and then came on!!! This was the 3rd weekend for us with power issues, good Friday with the pump, last weekend a smaller power outtage and then yesterday. I’m praying that this is it for a while. I am also extremely thankful to all of the Hydro workers!

Taking some time for me…

A decision I’ve tossed around for some time now, with my own health issues once again taking more priority in my life as well as my children’s I’ve made a very important decision.

My kids are young, yet they are continuously at an awesome stage where we can go and do so much with them, where they are becoming their own little people and developing their personalities even more.

My family time is very important, we work with family everyday, we work together most days, probably good our paths only crossing a few times, if that, a day, but it’s something I am loving. Last July I took on more responsibilities within the family business and I love it!

However what else is important is enjoying our time as a family and each other on our own when we are not at work, to be able to go and do things when hubs has a weekend off work, to enjoy time at the family cottage, on the water in the boat and with family and friends.

Next to my kids, my husband spending evenings and weekends together, unwinding after a hard days work, enjoying our home, enjoying time together.

For my own health, for my self, for illnesses that, we’ll let’s face it they aren’t going away and over the years are going to demand more of my time to be healthy. Including working out, which this year I’ve made time for and I’m feeling fabulous, I need to keep it up.

What does all this mean… I’m taking more time for me. I have been putting off photography sessions and being extremely selective, no offense to anyone of course, photography is something that is ME. I love every bit of it and have learned so much over the past 6 years! However… It’s time at this busy, crazy point in our life…

…to keep photography for me!

To shoot what I want to, when I want to and not feel bad for saying NO! … Why is that so hard ;)

I’ve also been neglecting my duties as being a co-founder of the Mount Forest Camera Club, where I’ve been so fortunate to meet some awesome people in our community who share the love of photography! A priority that must become closer to the top of my list.

I am so thankful for these last year’s and am so excited for what is to come! To pour my heart and soul even more into life and live it!!! LOL pain and all ;)

Oh and to clarify I wont be selling any of my beloved Canon’s, I love my camera equipment :) But I will be going through “stuff” and will be parting ways, lots of newborn blankets, an inexpensive ultra portable backdrop stand, a large grey back drop… I never have used many props, just not my style, however I will go through and figure out what all I’ve got and am clearing out… Perhaps Spring Cleaning helped make this decision as well ;)

“…After a hurricane comes a rainbow…” no pain, no gain!

I am not the best person to deal with a “hurricane” … For me this past weekend and what has been a significant to part of my life (again) for the past few weeks is pain. Pain that is not fun to deal with. As someone who is very independent, this pain can in its own way paralyze me and my ability to function.

Pain is a fact of life. It’s very much a fact of my life, now in more ways than one.

I’m becoming addicted to exercising. I never thought I would be a gym person, ever. I am enjoying it so much! Pushing myself. Wanting to feel the… Pain.

No Pain, No Gain…

Exercising has helped me deal with the pain from my illness. Pushing me to focus pain on something positive. Feeling the sweat dripping off me, feeling the burn, love that feeling. One of the biggest thing I’ve overcome is my fear of gyms, not being afraid of all the “pretty people” lol I know it sounds silly. But we are all different and are there for our own reasons. I’ve also learned just focus on myself, enjoying the music, time flies by, and don’t bother looking left or right or feeling “on display” ;) especially when your on a treadmill beside someone who is clearly much more fit than myself and runs alot.

Using the machines have really pushed me, going from counting down the 20-30 min at home and keeping kids out of the way or the dog, I am now using one machine in the circuit room per song, loooves it! Using the machines I can push myself much more than I would and have with free weights or walking.

The question is can I keep it up, can I mix my Jillian (kick ass) Dvd’s in on days I perhaps don’t make it to the gym… AND I read at the gym tonight there is or might be a fitness credit for adults now on income tax!? Hmmm I’m all for that!