Strawberry Thief - Chicago Area Photojournalist

We've been working on a veggie and fruit garden and it's been coming along GREAT! We already had some fresh cilantro and onions.  Can we say yummy salsa?!

It was pretty exciting to see some fresh strawberries growing earlier this week.  Each kiddo has "their" own strawberry plant.  The strawberries had barely grown to be the size of a nickle when all of a sudden they disappeared.... yup... something else was pretty excited to see some fresh strawberries and ate them all up. 

I was a little upset, all of our hard work for what? So some thing else could come in and steal it?  What the heck?!

My hubby, the problem solver he is, saw a problem and decided to do something about it.  He rushed out and bought a huge net to cover the entire garden.  "It's gotta be those birds around here. This will keep them out," he said. 

The only problem was that the net also kept me out...

It gets tangled on everything (including me) so we have to be very careful when we put it on and take it off. The solution to the problem has brought other problems with it... pretty ironic, I thought.

Unfortunately, that's not where the story ends.

The little strawberries were growing again.  This time they were the size of a bean.... when.... you guessed it... they disappeared again. 

Now hubby is talking about putting an electric fence up.... eeeeek!

"Try to get in there now bird," Hubby said. "How do I get in there now?" I ask.   

This image was taken today at a Memorial Day parade.  My hubby is our problem solver and our hero.  He makes me laugh and is my best friend.  I am the luckiest girl in the world, even if I can't get in the garden. 

But will we harvest any strawberries? 

.... to be continued ....

Friends - Chicago Area Photojournalist

On Saturday, I caught up with several friends.  I barely give myself time, forget about giving my friends the time they deserve. 

At a high school friends house warming, I caught up with 2 other high school friends and 2 grade school friends.  I laughed so much my mouth was sore when I left.

I had dinner with a college roommate.  She is a SAHM mom too.  We shared our current struggles and triumphs; we also shared our fears and dreams for the future. 

A friend from Nashville just so happened to be visiting Chicago this weekend.  I ventured into the downtown area, even though the news said to stay away because of NATO protester.  I didn't see any protesters just lots of police officers and my sweet friend. We talked for hours.  Our husbands work in the same field and it was nice to talk to someone who understands what challenges it brings for the family.          

I covered a span between 1984-2007 of friends, that's 23 years, in one day.  Can you tell I don't get out much? 

There is no coincidence that this blog is about friendship.  I have been thinking about friendship, what it means and how it has changed over time.  I even read up on the subject of friendship.  One article said there has been a decline in friendship in the U.S. by 23% since 1985.   I also read this, "the conventional wisdom is that good friendships enhance an individuals sense of happiness and overall well-being, but a number of solid studies support the notion that strong social supports improve a woman's prospects for good health and longevity."  I have said that motherhood can be a lonely place but only because I allow it to be.

I have made some really great friends through out the years, across the country. I must admit that the last few years I have become guarded and haven't really made new close friends. 

I love watching my children develop friendships.  They have the attitude of this quote, "Everyone is a friend until they prove otherwise."  I should follow their example. 

You Are A Good Mother - Chicago Area Photojournalist

Recently, I read a blog about how mother's are missing out on their children's childhood because we are distracted by our handheld devices and not engaged in what really matters.  Right after reading it I felt... horrible and guilty.  I started analyzing my every day and asking myself if I am choosing to spend my moments wisely.  Do I listen to my children or am I not really in the moment? 

After a day or two of this self deprecating, I'm a bad mother feeling I started to ask different questions.  I wonder if mother's through out history have been told the same thing, "Don't listen to the radio too much because then you aren't listening to your children."  After a television could be found in every home across the country were mom's being told, "TV is the devil.  You can't watch TV and be a good mother." With every forward movement in technology why do we feel the need to remind mother's what is important? 

Motherhood is a tough job in itself with out someone telling you that you could do better.  We all want to be good mothers.  Some days I'm totally off the mark and that's okay, it doesn't mean that I can't try again.  I am a good mother.  You are a good mother.  We all want the best for our children, stay encouraged. 

Encouraged - Chicago Area Photojournalist

The lights around me are distracting from time to time.  They blur my vision, I see double, and sometimes I see red.  The noise from those types of lights are negative and discouraging.

It's not easy to remove myself from all of that and refocus but I must. 

Reminding myself what is important, I will stay encouraged.