:) the end

i am retiring my blog.
it was truly a lot of fun, but i think i'm ready to stop blogging for a bit or maybe forever. we shall see. :)
thanks to everyone that read my posts, commented, & got an insight into this crazy, crazy time in my life that i am in. whoa!

it sure has been an adventure.
and remember, you still can visit www.simplyshootingstars.com for updates on my latest photography venture. :)

much love,
jill

have you lived today?

frolic, love,

laugh, dance, snap your fingers, eat ice cream, skydive, sing, twirl, walk, smile,

climb a tree, see a friend, fly a kite,

step in mud, fingerpaint,

try a new sport, play a game, go down a slide, travel,

eat with your fingers,

jump in puddles,

run in the rain, lay under the clouds (and see what things they look like)

drive into the sunset, tell your friends/family what is so special about him/her,

smile you are beautiful!

swing, play, shout out "I love this day!,"

try a cartwheel, (but...don't hurt yourself...i tried & barely succeeded! haha) :)

Man, isn't life grand?!

"May you live all the days of your life."
-Jonathan Swift

lucky peepers

Eyes are beautiful.

The thing about eyes are they are like a camera. And i love that invention. mmmm..la camera!

Like with cameras, I don't know exactly how eyes work, but what they do is simply amazing.

I was letting my mind wander and started thinking about how we all are photographers. I enjoy believing that I have a pretty good eye for taking pictures; however, even if you aren't a "photographer" or own a camera...you still collect pictures, sites, people, and instances through your eyes.

And it is incredibly amazing that we could all be looking at the same exact thing, but see it in two, three, four, a million different ways.

Just like how two pictures could ever be the same, no two eyes ever see exactly the same thing. Atleast, I don't think so. It could be very close, but it depends on the emotion that you hold and that's how you see something.

I like taking pictures of things that talk to me...that fill me with emotion...they catch me...they beg me to take their picture. And if I have a camera, I will collect that moment because it will never come around again.

I can't even imagine being blind...God sure was a gracious giver when He created me...and I am forever grateful. So, take it from me and let your beautiful eyes see the world...it's so much more breath-taking when you realize how miracle-ish it is.

it takes two....

'tis lovely

and true :)

R.I.P.

Here goes my eulogy...

My camera had lived an amazing life even though it was rather short. He was a great friend; he was the kind of friend that was there when you needed him. :) We spent plenty of interesting times together, going extravagant and simple places, and he has helped remind me of many memories that I will forever cherish.

Together, we have spent over 6 years of walking hand on lens. :) We went to college together, on spring break trips to Spain and England (we shared our first plane ride together) and the middle of nowhere USA. He's seen the farm, Jayme's new house, the Cayman Islands, Lake Minocqua, North Carolina, plenty of sites while on photo excursions with Kyle, and even more places than I can recall (plus probably one too many trips to Rotary Gardens).

His death was so sudden. I'm actually having a little bit of difficulty contemplating that I CAN'T actually use my camera anymore...it's not like I'm moving on for something bigger and better...(even though I am!)...he actually went kaput :(. Even the guy at Sears said "just sell him on eBay for parts."

My camera is in heaven now and this isn't a time to grieve, but to celebrate his life. He never wanted to see people cry...truly. He just wanted everyone to be happy...indeed. I won't ever forget him.

'Til we meet again, old friend....

blessings

"If you're alone, I'll be your shadow.

If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder.

If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow.

If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile.

But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me."

-Author Unknown

I don't know if it's God, my friends, my family, or angels talking...but it hits the spot. A shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a smile to brighten the day...

Friendship and being a friend is so underrated and I will be yours if you ever need it. :)

i do

"I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up DOES rejoice. Still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend."
-Shawshank

vivacious

"But then they danced down the street like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I've been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "awww!"
-Jack Kerouac