wish i could take you there...

You know if I was a better writer I would be able to share Squam with you in a way that would make you feel like you were there with me. I suppose that's how I found photography in the first place because i needed a way to express what I couldn't say in words. Squam has always been that, an experience too close to me that words cannot do it justice.

I wish I could take you all there. We'd swim in the cool lake till we couldn't stand it any longer. We'd sit on the dock laughing and talking with other woman about anything and everything. We'd get lost walking along the paths on our way to class. We'd sit for a spell and listen to the birds, the crickets, the rustling of the leaves, and acorns descending to the ground. We'd clear our mind with yoga. We'd meet new woman who quickly felt like old friends. We'd sit by the fire eating chocolate and telling stories. We'd participate in silly, photo reenactment games. We'd feel free and open to whatever the week had in store for us.

Instead of sharing photos, in the traditional sense, I made a video/slideshow of my experience at Squam a couple weeks ago. One of my goals this year was to learn to make videos. Sigh. I have so much to learn, 1) being actually taking the videos. I'm still in photograph mode. Anyway, here is my first of, I hope, many creations.



squam love | fall 2012 from amy gretchen on Vimeo.

The days I've spent walking the woods surrounded with these woman have made such an impact on me. They have truly touched my life for good and how grateful I am our paths crossed. The strength I've come home with after each session is helping me get closer to the woman I'm striving to be. Thank you for being apart of my story.

But don't take my work for it, come! Come and see how SquamArtWorkshops can change you?

see more photos from squam here.

first ride

She never had the desire to ride her bike, in fact, she seemed perfectly fine to ride her scooter for the rest of her life. It wasn't until we went to Walmart this morning to get a new tire for Tess' bike that her interest was sparked.



She came home, grab the bike closest to her size in the shed and took it to the road. There were no stumbles, no falls (at least not at first...getting off the bike was a bit trickier). She started pedaling and off she went.

Here's a 14 second video for kicks. I call it first ride, first fall (sorry it's a little jumpy I'm walking while filming)...


The one thing I've learn about kids and bikes is you have to wait til they're ready. I guess you could really say kids and anything new. When they want it, suddenly it's easier to do. Apparently that lesson extends far beyond my kids. Attitude is everything. I wonder when I'll stop learning it for myself?


Have a great Holiday weekend fellow patriots....cannot believe it's the fourth of July already.

a good laugh

1. "What are the rules? I said & she said, Do exactly what I want whenever I want, make no demands of me whatsoever & love me forever, no questions asked & I said, how do you win? & she said, you don't understand. I'm the only one who wins & then she laughed & clapped her hands. Isn't it a great game? she said." - storypeople

I read this today and it made me laugh out loud. I'm in quite a good mood. It reminded me of Adam and I, the way we joke and knew he would get a kick out of it. So I guess it's for him and anyone else who wants to share it with their significant other and wonder if there's a little bit of truth to it. :)


2. I've decided Modern family is my new favorite show. I think the middle aged father, Phil, is my favorite character. I've been trying to find my favorite clip online, but to no avail so here is one that's pretty funny.


3. This was all followed up by playing pictionary at game night last night and laughing til it hurt at each other interpretations of the word. My proudest moments of the night was when I guessed "hallucinations", however, Adam and I lost big.

Enjoy your weekend!

Fwd: Dad having fun with the girls

Adam's cell phone busted and since his ipod is on it's last leg he bought the iphone so he could have the convenience of both in one place. He acts like he would have easily got another blackberry if it weren't for the ipod function, but I am convinced otherwise. I remember years ago when ipods arrived on the scene and when I tried to persuade him to buy one he said, "why would anyone want all there music in one place?" After finally giving in and getting one he has since repented and wonders how he was able to function without it. I know the iphone will be the exact same.

I admit, I'm thrilled he got the iphone because a) I know how awesome and convenient it is and b) it has opened a whole new form of communication between us. Case in point, while I was at bookclub last night he recorded this video (did you know the new iphone had video?) and in one click sent it off to me (i love technology). I didn't get it until early this morning, but I laughed harder than I've laughed in a long time. It just so him and so them.


[disclaimer: do not be alarmed. no one was hurt physically or emotionally while making this video.]

old videos

Today Megan's been captivated by old movies of when she was just a baby (2004). As I've been going from room to room cleaning I can hear her laughing, "there's chubby me!" Even I got caught up in it with her for a while. I can't believe almost 5 years later it's hard to remember when they were so little. Time flies. (thanks Kathy for always pulling out the video camera and preserving our memories.)


[This video is a recording off the TV with my nikon coolpix. So sorry for the bad quality. I can't believe how Megan this is. Apparently we don't have to wonder if she's my girl...there is no doubt. Was there ever? ]

It got me thinking of the videos my parents took when I was little and how much I loved watching them. Still do. This video (above) in particular, was always a big hit with my family. I remember my dad showing this to my guy friends and totally embarrassing me. I guess he figured if they saw it and still liked me they always would. It's cracks me up to see at 6 I'm already trying to make my parents feel guilty...do you notice it doesn't even phase them? Who knew that old videos would teach you a lot about parenting?

proud momma

You have these moments as a parent when you're super proud of your children...tonight just happens to be one of those night. Both Megan and Bella had their violin recital and they did a fabulous job. They were by no means perfect, but marvelous just the same. I'm beginning to understand that an instrument is not only good for discipline and developing the mind, but it's also a great lesson in how hard work pays off.

Here are videos from tonight. I know it's probably only something a family member would enjoy seeing, and since Adam missed it, he's still out of town, this is for him. I wish he could have seen the way they shined when it was over and how they laughed on the way to get ice-cream.


Megan's started in the fall of 2008. PS I wasn't thinking when I filmed this. I didn't realize I couldn't rotate my video or else I'm too dumb to figure it out. Aragh!


Bella started in January 2005

a dream come true and feburary giveaway

Disclaimers: I'm recovering from strep, I haven't taken a shower, I'm sort of awkward on video though I'm trying to be myself, I get slightly emotional, it's longer than I wanted it to be, there is some rambling, and I'm never good with signing off.


[if your interested this is the one]

her show

Adam and I were talking the other night about how we don't have many videos of our kids. We are actually quite disappointed we've missed so many great opportunities to capture them with their funny sayings and personalities. Well, there's no time like the present to get started, after all they are still young. So Thursday while Megan and I played go fish or rather "gold fish" as she likes to call it, she was cracking me up by saying things like "hideous" that I pulled out my Nikon coolpix with the video option and captured the video below. I hesitate to share it because I know I think it's hilarious because she's my child, however, I do realize it may not be funny to anyone else....though by watching it you now may understand what I mean when I talk about her way. Yes, I thought the video was funny, but it was more the way she reacted to it that cracked me up.


[ps this is probably our 8th game of the morning, but our 100th game of the week.]

She loves this video. Loves it. I was working on some tags yesterday and she sat in front of the computer and replayed it over and over. She kept saying, "I want to watch my show". I think we listened to it at least 20 times while she sat there.



It was cute to see her giggling about stuff she would say and it made me happy to think she will have this memory forever. It definitely made me see we have missed out by not pulling out our video camera. I've actually wanted a flip for a while now so maybe I'll invest in one soon.

P.S. After playing 'go fish' all week I have been dying for some new card games. Please share some that would be fun to play with only 2 people. We played war, but it wasn't as fun as I remember and now I wonder if we were doing something wrong.

funny to me

1. A conversation had one evening while Adam and I walked down the hall to our room and the kids were brushing their teeth.

me: "Adam I need you to help me with one thing tonight before bed."

adam: "UGH!" (It's not really so much the UGH as it is the sound made when saying it. I asked Adam how I would type it out and he said it wasn't possible. He's probably right. It's the sound that makes it so great, not the word. It's something we say in an exasperated funny way toward each other when we know what the other is asking...I wish you could hear it it always makes me laugh. ps I believe the original came from me)

bella: said from the bathroom, "Dad, that doesn't sound like a very good attitude."


2. hot tropical sun aimed without mercy at those who have any ambition whatsoever -story people


3.


Monday night Adam brought this video to my attention and we watch it several time in a row laughing uncontrollably each time. It's four minutes long and it may take a minute to load, but it's so worth your time. Particularly listen to the announcer in the background. I didn't pick up on what she was saying until the third time through...hilarious.

finding good

I woke up this morning to a bit of grayness in my head. I just felt sad for really no reason at all. Usually this emotions works it's way into my entire day and takes over so after talking to Adam on the phone I decided to change my attitude and try to push through what I was feeling.

My cure...to find good things in my day and surprisingly or not so surprisingly I have been able to find a lot.

1. I made myself work on my art journal which instantly made me feel better.






2. Happening upon Megan surrounded by her happy things and playing quietly.



3. My dad is dropping something off this afternoon and bring me lunch.

4. It's snowing beautifully outside and I can enjoy it from my window.

5. While downloading photos (on my point & shoot nikon) I took last night while ice skating with the youth I found this


and this (remember my post about Bella learning the lesson of money, well this is what it looked like before I left her to decide)


and this video megan took (excuse the bum shot). I think she was trying to take a photo, but it was on the wrong setting. It made me happy because it shows me on a regular day with megan close behind.


6. the kitchens clean

7. I have book club tonight.

8. Did I mention my dad was bringing me lunch. Yum!