She is everything.

, originally uploaded by Mim O.

I love her with an intensity that sometimes delights me, sometimes scares me.

She is the reason that I continue to work hard at overcoming my difficulties, even when it all seems hopeless. She is why I’ll never stop trying.

I want to be the best I can be for her. I want to inspire her, and I want her have an unshakeable belief in her own value.

My eyes are smiling…

My eyes are smiling…, originally uploaded by Mim O.

… and so is my heart.

I’m feeling much better than I have done in a very long time. I’m seeing colour again, I’m noticing details, and the fog has lifted

For my girl.

For my girl., originally uploaded by Mim O.

For my girl.

You are everything that is,
your thoughts, your life,
your dreams come true.
You are everything you choose to be.
You are as unlimited as the endless universe.

- Shad Helmstetter

Seeing in colour

Pretty maids all in a row, originally uploaded by Mim O.

Today I am trying to be more positive. To see the colours in the darkness.

I’ve been a bit lost lately, but I want to find my way back. And colours making my heart sing is encouragement enough to keep me going.

Antidote to a heatwave

One toddler, one paddling pool, and lots of splashing!

It’s been super hot and humid today – 29 degrees, and it’s set to get hotter still tomorrow. H and I were getting tired and crabby, so we had a splash about late this afternoon, which was just the ticket.

Aside from reminding me of spending time with my daughter, this photo will always be special to me – today I made the leap into manual control of my camera, and ended up with results I’m pleased with. It’s a real boost to the confidence to try something new, and have it work.

Guarded

Guarded, originally uploaded by Mim O.

Sometimes this is how I am. I can’t always let go. I close my petals and feel scared. But I’m learning how to be more open to people, more open to experience, and to trust.

I’ve been in a bit of a creative rut lately, but it’s passing now, and I’m enjoying my camera all over again.

Hee hee!

Reading my usual blogs this morning, I had a little giggle at this, on the MCP actions blog

I have to agree wholeheartedly with what Jodi says – whilst my DSLR had made an enormous difference to my photography (and improved it, I hope), I would like to think that talent comes in to it too, and some mastery of the equipment.

If you enjoy photography, and in particular post-processing in photoshop, go and check Jodi’s blog out, it’s full of useful tips and ideas.

Bank Holiday bliss

We have had the most wonderful bank holiday weekend. The weather was perfect (if a little warm!), and despite a worrying start on saturday (Mark had awful toothache, poor sausage!) we managed to get out to the park so H could run around for a bit, before walking to the duckpond to feed the geese, ducks and swans.

Sunday was spent at home, in the garden. My Mum and Dad came over and we all had lunch together, with a big jug of Pimms and lemonade to share, complete with cucumber, strawberries and apple. Yum!

We made a Pimms without the pimms for H, which she thought was ace!

She also spent some quality time reading in the garden… She’s become aware that it’s her in the ‘mirror’, and says ‘me! me!’.

On Monday we woke up to rain and cloud, but it soon cleared, and turned into a beautiful day. So we trundled 5 minutes up the road to Chawton, (previous home of Jane Austen) and enjoyed the sunshine in the meadows there.


There’s a lovely tea room there, where we stopped off for a toasted teacake and a pot of earl grey… it was so perfect. I bought a couple of plants from a little stall in the middle of the village, with an honesty box (I love honesty boxes, so trusting and old-fashioned). I bought a begonia, a geranium, some sage, some dill and some mint. The mint is for future jugs of pimms, of course. I also bought a tomato plant – I’ve always wanted to grow my own tomatoes. The smell is amazing!

I’ve been doing a bit of pottering in the garden lately, with the help of my Mum. I’m slowly learning one end of a perennial from another. I’ll get some pictures taken soon so I can share them with you.

Absent Friend

My dearest friend, Sian left this weekend to travel the world for a year.

Already I miss her so much. She accepts and understands me just as I do her.

Sian and I met at college when we were 16, and have shared so many adventures, secrets and stories. Shes loves poetry, art and being outside just like I do. If I have a soulmate friend. she’s it.

Siany, I hope Buenos Aires is treating you well, and I can’t wait to read about all your adventures. Love you lots xx

Just because…