Where’s My Starbucks cup at??

Posted on February 12, 2010

So, I had a few friends tell me recently that my Starbucks cup (ceramic mug, or to go cup) makes an appearance in a few of my mobile pictures.

I thought about that and agreed. It certainly does.

Am I addicted to Sbux?? Well, I used to be for sure. But now, I am off of sugar and caffiene (for the most part) so those substances don’t have the same pull they used to. You know the feeling.. where every afternoon you can practically taste that Iced Carmel Macchiato, and the need for one will cause you to do almost anything to get one?? I have a very addicitve personality so if there is something a person can get addicted to, chances are I avoid it.

No Dr. Kaiser.. no Vicodin for me.

No Mr. Starbucks..

No Party People…

Does this mean I think everyone who does the above is wrong?? Absolutely not.. please don’t misunderstand.. I just know myself and the devastation I can do if left to my own devices. (Insert a huge prayer of praise for the Mighty God who redeems me daily!!!)

So, back to the point.. My Starbucks cup goes a lot of places with me, and I thought I would start putting a few here and there to document the when’s and the where’s.

Today.. my cup.. filled with delish Candy Cane Green Tea watched my ever favorite author/speaker/mentor from afar with me.

It was good. (The tea and the message..)

Where is your cup going with you??
Awww yeah!!

http://img158.yfrog.com/i/mdoi.jpg/

Thoughts..

Posted on February 3, 2010

It is cold in this house. Candles have been lit to create the pretense of warmth. Hands are grasping a steaming cup of decaf. Feet are snuggled in a pair of the rattiest (and most comfortable) leopard print slippers. I know.. my fashion sense is too much for you to handle. Don’t hate me because I am on top of the trends.

But it is quiet. Quiet except for the clicking of my keyboard. Quiet except for the slight hum of electronics. Quiet except for my daughter’s crazy hamster running amuck in her cage. Quiet except for my thoughts.

And oh, how I have many of them. So very many.

If you read this blog, you will know that I undertook a 3 week social media fast. I honestly didn’t think it took up that much of my time. But what I discovered was something even more interesting/concerning. The few hours a day I spent on social media wasn’t the only time it took up space in my brain. My eyes were opened to just how much this comparison to others was affecting me.. and how, long after I was off the computer, my brain gave room to those destructive thoughts.

The I’m never going to be good enough thoughts..
The I can’t do what they do thoughts..
The I should really just give this up thoughts..
The what if I fail thoughts..

These thoughts can be related to photography, as that is the majority of twitter-ers I follow. But of course my role as a homemaker is not immune to those thoughts. Nor my role as a child of God.

See, God is good. And He knows me so well.. better than I know my own self. He knew what my thoughts were doing. He is the One who prompted the break. And during that break, I was able to fill my brain space with His truth.

I am Sarah.. the one He fearfully planned and wonderfully created.
I am a flawed human who is being redeemed by His love every day.
I love babies and light and sparkly eyes and photography.
I am good at what I do.
I have much to learn.
I am loved.

These are the thoughts that will be taking center stage. Truth. God’s thoughts about me. How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God.

And if I find myself becoming consumed again by what the world might think of me?? Back to the fast I will go. Our lives here are but a breath. And because of this fast, I can’t stand the thought of wasting one spare second on what another photographer/wife/mom/child of God/person might be thinking. Learning and growing and discovering from others is a wonderful thing, and that I will continue. Comparing and criticizing and judging myself is not and that will stop.

I might be the only one who struggles with this, but just in case I’m not, I am putting this here for all to see. There is a verse from a song by Francessa Battistelli that I will leave you with..

“Don’t take much for this crazy world to rob me of my peace.
And the enemy of my soul says You’re holding out on me.
So I stand here lifting empty hands for you to fill me up again..”

I allowed social media to rob me of my peace. Are you??

With lots and lots of love.. Sarah.

My fast is almost over..

Posted on January 29, 2010

Well, my fast from FB and Twitter has been an experience to say the least. I will save the entirety of my thoughts on the matter for next week when I post about what I learned from my absence.

Here are a few Happy’s and Sad’s that have been happening lately –

Sad’s-

*Mean girls. Go here to see what I am talking about.
*Hormones. And, really, do I need to expound on this?? My poor husband looked a bit scared yesterday when I went crazy in the car. I needed lots of Jesus time to get me through. I mean lots…
*Thinking about my life in terms of 140 characters or less. I have had so many good ones to share with you all, but I couldn’t. Oh well.
*Porcelain Tile floors.. beautiful to look at.. a bear and a half to sweep every day. Did I mention that we have tile throughout our entire house? I’m talking even the bedrooms. Get me a broom, paint me green, and call me Elphaba, because that is what I do everyday. Maybe I will turn it into a Happy and sing Defying Gravity whilst I sweep…
*Having to explain to my little Miss why she can’t have gluten for the umpteenth time, only to have her declare in a very loud voice that She. Will. Be. Eating. Gluten. When. She. Turns. 18. Hahaha.. I do love her so. I guess that is the magic age where everything I have taught her flies out of the window.. Non-Gluten goods, bikinis, the evils of sugar all free for the taking.. Dear Jesus, I hope not.

Ok.. let’s get Happy, shall we??
*The hubs going out and getting me one small bag of peanut butter m&m’s… I do love HIM so… and only crave those suckers once a month. (See second Sad post above)
*Naps. The end.
*Good books. (I will be compiling a list of my fave reads very soon.. stay tuned!)
*Beth Moore’s bible teaching. AMEN!!! That woman brings it every time, and I have so so needed to hear it.
*My sisa, sushi, and Sally’s Beauty Supply.. I mean, how could that not be a happy?

Ok, my people. I will be back bright and early Monday morning to give you the run down of what’s been going on. I’m so excited y’all!!

Goodbye Twitter and Facebook…

Posted on January 11, 2010

For 21 days.

Yes.. you thought I was ending it all, but alas I’m not. I am participating in a church wide fast that will end on the 31st of January.

See, because of my illnesses (fibro, migraines, DVT) I have to abstain from a billion different food groups. Ok.. maybe not a billion, but some days it sure feels as if the list is ohsoverylong. So, fasting from food wouldn’t be a sacrifice since I have to do that every day of my life.

I also thought about t.v., but I truly don’t watch a ton of it and…I have a DVR. Friends.. I know myself! I would just record all the shows and spend the entirety of February catching up. Not such a great plan!

So, I kept pondering and praying.. What is the thing You want me to leave for a bit God?

The urge to give up social media was almost immediate.

Dangit..

I don’t really want to. (Insert visual of 2 year old stomping her tiny foot..)

I have the very loud thought, spinning round this brain, that I will most decidedly be missing out ON EVERYTHING! I will not know what is happening anywhere. I won’t know which new photography products are all the rage. I won’t know where my friends are at every minute of the day. I will not know who bought a puppy, who’s relationship ended, who is now engaged, which friends are twitpic-ing super fun things… I mean, the list is truly endless of all the things I. Will. Not. Know.

And that is one of the very reasons I believe God has asked me to give it up for 21 days. This flawed human being so fills her head with everything that everyone else is doing. And sometimes that overtakes the wonder of what God is doing in my very own life. This comparision junkie needs rehab…

So, I am off to find that wonder. I am going to get on these knees that are messed UP from years of roller skating.. well.. really years of falling, but that is another story for another time. I’m going to get myself facedown so I can seek My Saviour. It won’t be a 24/7 thing.. but every time I have the urge to check out Twitter or Facebook or Bloglines, I am committed to finding a way that draws me nearer to the heart of God… praying, praising, journaling, whatever He asks of me.

Of course you can still contact me through my cell or business email, and I might possibly blog some thoughts along the way. As of 5 minutes ago, I have turned off all notifications, so if you ask me a question through one of those sites.. I won’t be answering until January 31st.

It is drastic. Some may tell me it’s unnecessary, or extreme. But there is no way on this earth, I am going to miss out on what God has for me. If not participating in social media for a few weeks is the thing… I’m all in.

See you on the other side. Peace out friends!

Sarah Tolson Presents A photo competition..

Posted on August 19, 2009

Hi.

How are you??

Me? I am doing great, thank you for asking. I did want to let you know that I have been accepted in a photo competition and would love it if you wouldn’t mind placing a little vote-y vote for me. (Only if you think the photos deserve it, of course.)

What?

Oh.. you would like the links to make it easier for you? Of course I can do that!

I had made a series of beautiful faces around San Diego, all in a high contrast black and white, and they were accepted! I deeply appreciate your time, and I will let you know how it goes!! (In fact, there is an amateur competition with fabulous grand prizes too.. You should totally enter..Umm for reals!!)

This is the link to the most popular one.. I need your votes!!

Thanks for all of your help friends!!

Love Photo Contests..

San Diego photography presents Random Thought time..

Posted on May 22, 2009

Some things I am not excited about…

- Chickenpox and Pinkeye and the Flu…. Basically the amazing ability that my children have of picking up every sickness that runs through our school…. T3 just got over pink eye and I was so thankful that we were able to prevent anyone else from getting it. However, my sweet daughter woke up this morning covered with little pink spots all over..

– Having to re-schedule photoshoots because of above sicknesses, or the migraines that have been ripping through my brain on a weekly basis…

- The completely confusing template I have been trying to work on… I am so overwhelmed by trying to figure it all out that I have sort of given it up for now. Truth be told, I have been taking care of sick kiddos so much that I haven’t had time…. I really need to get to it yo! This is why I haven’t been posting much…

- Girl drama that continues to go on… I am so desiring a community of women that has each other’s backs instead of stabbing one another in that same area! Why do we do that to ourselves?? Safety and acceptance ladies!

And because I am so motivated to have the positives outweigh the negatives.. I will add a bunch of things I am excited about these days..

- Umm.. have you even tried the Gluten Free Valencia Orange Cake from Starby’s?? For someone who hasn’t purposely ingested gluten (the protein found in wheat) for over 6 months… it is a little slice of Orange.Scented.HEAVEN!! I die!

- Learning the Hoedown Throwdown in the parking lot last night with the small group I lead… I am a complete dork when it comes to dancing.. but it was fun and fab nonetheless! Come on.. you know you want to pop it, lock it, polka dot it!

- Seasame Street… My 7 year old is sitting here enthralled. It is timeless, I must say. Who wouldn’t love Elmo and the Pipe Organ number of the day excitement!!! What number will it be??

- My new blogsite… it will be so fine! (Once I get it working the way I want..)

- Great photography friends who are so willing to help one another out.. That is community!

- A husband who continues to take care of.. well.. everything. He is a wonder and I don’t know what I would without him..

- The new orange rugs I bought for my front bathroom.. I love them. But.. so does my cat! We fight about the ownership of said rugs alot!!

- A Palm Springs getaway with the hubster next week.. hopefully the pox will have abated so I can go… I’m thinking positive!!

There’s my list. What’s on yours??

Love polka dotting it..

San Diego Photography presents Random Thoughts…

Posted on March 14, 2009

- We just moved into a new condo.. I love the new-ness, but hate the process. I’m going a little mad not knowing where everything is…

- My daughter just brought me a $10 bill and said, “Here Mom. This is for you as thanks for all you do.” I swear that girl can drive me to the brink of insanity with her attitude… but then reel me back in with her sweetness. Just today we were driving home from an errand, blasting some Taylor Swift, singing together, and I got teary-eyed sharing that moment with her.

- Can I just say how much I love a full size washer and dryer?? You don’t even know how great it is to be able to wash more than 2 towels at a time. I am not kidding! Stackable washer/dryers are from the devil…

- My husband introduced me to the wonder/evil/insanity that is an El Aztec breakfast burrito. It is the size of a small baby.. No joke. In my defense, we share it, and I either scoop out the insides, or transfer it to a Gluten Free tortilla. (No wheat for me!) Thus, my arteries won’t give out as fast as my husbands. I am not sure if this is good or bad..

- I have a friend coming over for dinner in less than an hour, and I don’t know where my cooking items are. So, I better go find them. Why.. because microwaved Chicken and Broccoli doesn’t sound super great..

Love Sweet Moments..

San Diego Photography presents Random thought time…

Posted on January 25, 2009

So, I haven’t shared my random-ness in a while.. and I just know that you have been sitting there on your computer, biting your nails in anticipation of my next post. Thanks for waiting.

– I think the Barefoot Contessa and her husband are the cutest thing since chubby puppies… She cooks for him.. he happily enjoys the offering. They stand so close to each other and she giggles… I bet they “cuddle” every night…

– My daughter turned 7 this past week. Words cannot express the vast emotions I go through when I watch my children age. I will post about that soon…

– I shudder/cringe/die a little every time my son gleefully, and with wild abandon, shoots someone on Halo 3…

– I love this salad or any variation thereof.. and would eat it every day if I could afford the sashimi. It’s expensive yo…

– My husband and I just finished this series and I am utterly and profoundly sad about it.. I feel lost not knowing if Rory and Logan ever got back together, or if Luke and Lorelai ended up married… *Sad sigh*

– I have never been so thrilled to get an email from Kaiser about test results… because I am anxiously, feverishly, hopefully awaiting a diagnosis of the pain that has been plaguing me for a few years…

– I have a deep desire to learn how to play the guitar and my rockstar husband who has played for over 20 years will not teach me… So I am probably going to figure out how to do it myself…

– This site is SO.MUCH.FUN… My husband should be very glad I am not the spender in the family…

Post some random things about you in the comments! I love learning new things about people…

Love unplanned..

Overheard Conversations..

Posted on October 26, 2008

My two children.. in the kitchen…planning to sell some tea to our neighbors.

“Brother, you have to put more agave in the tea so people will buy it..
Can I stir it??”

“Hannah, I am good at stirring it.”

“Oh yeah, wait, you’re the business dude.”

“I hope we can make 5 dollars a day, and Mom, you get 25% for being such a good mom.”

“Brother, don’t drink all the tea because it is for our customers.”

“This is the goodest tea ever.”

So, my heart was melted, but then I looked at my kitchen, and it is destroyed. I need some prayer so I don’t ruin their business venture with my yelling.

I am all about being real…

The Message Board: My Dress

Posted on September 10, 2008

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