PhotoWorking

I created a new "gerund" since I hear the one "blogging" all the time. I don't consider myself a blogger, nor do I think I'll ever become one who will be able to keep up with hundreds of blogs of internet friends whom I've never met. (I think I've been doing a good job, though, at following you friends who already have one; I love hearing what's going on in your lives!) I've had to push myself to make at least weekly entries--not something I would call a hobby yet.

So then, one of my newly proclaimed hobbies? PhotoWorking.

Actually, hobby is Keith's label. (I just looked up the word in the dictionary: a pursuit outside one's regular occupation engaged in especially for relaxation) A few months ago

while talking about how energized he became after a relaxing morning of fly fishing on the Little Red River, he mentioned that I appear to have no hobbies. At first, I took offense--I've had tons of hobbies over my lifetime: stickering in elementary school, rubber stamping in junior high, crafting in high school, ceramic and wood painting in college (oh, and I might as well label all my teaching days' classroom projects as a young adult hobby). "But you don't have anything now that you look forward to putting your time into to help you relax." Heh, heh, aren't SARAH and RELAX synonyms? "Well, sometimes I take naps!" was my rebuttal.

Deep down, I was experiencing that "I used to have a fulfilling full-time teaching job during the week and make time to play outdoors on the weekends but now I'm just a stay-at-home mom who does what?" syndrome. I questioned myself about what has fueled me over the past 6 months (or 4 at the time of this conversation) in my new role as an infant caretaker (a.k.a. MOTHER). I came up with cooking, in which my interest has grown as I've had more time at home (to cook AND to watch The Barefoot Contessa on the Food Newtork). Keith opened up another possibility: "You like to make photo albums through that website to give to people." (At the time, I was in the middle of creating a few projects to be given as Christmas gifts.) This made me smile. One I hadn't considered a hobby! I guess my form of relaxation is creating something, whether that be food or projects or something else to share. So, I'd like to share two of my recent albums with you:

*YOU CAN CLICK ON THE LINKS TO VIEW THE REAL ALBUMS ON LINE!

1. Caleb's First Four Months (I made it for my parents)

2. Stoppenhagen Family Album: the Past Century (I made it for my mom's side of the family)

3. While I'm at it----I'll also share my FIRST Photoworks book. For those of you who've know my family, you'll enjoy this one: McCoy Family Vacations

It appears husbands know how to get you thinking, reflecting, evaluating--because Keith didn't stop there. "Have you ever made or ordered a copy of a PhotoWorks album for yourself?" No--strictly gifts so far. So, next project? An on-line book we'll get to keep on our own coffee table (or on Caleb's book shelf). Any one have a suggestion for the new book's title?

PS---An interesting background tidbit I am admitting on line.....My enjoyment/obsession with computer photo book layout/editing/etc. stems from my yearbook staff days in high school....yes, I was editor in 12th grade, and yes I have been to yearbook camp. What a dork---yearbook camp, for a whole week????