And now back to the horrendously hideous selfies that some of you have come to know me for and that you've been missing out on this year. This was the best of them tonight, folks...seriously. And just so you know, this was actually the look that I was going for. These are my tightest jeans. Most of the time I can get them on. Most of the time they are pretty uncomfortably tight, though. Some of the time, they look and feel pretty good and I can even breath in them. Tonight was not one of those nights...
I realized that I've been a bit braggy this week about my recent photo successes. It was a pretty exceptional week for me and a quite a rarity in that regard. I certainly did not mean to be horn tooting and obnoxious about it. Would you please forgive me if I came across that way?
I have also not been a super good follower lately. I've been a single mom this week, as my hubby has been dealing with a family emergency (his grandmother passed away today). I'm still trying to find the best balance between life and photos and 365. And I am still getting occasional scowls and lectures when I don't seem to be properly balanced...aka the dishes are piling up and the children are screaming, but I am busy uploading my photo of the day and making a few more comments.
I had a humble pie moment this weekend when I realized that I had lost a long time and very active follower. It really made me sad.
Please forgive me, friends. I don't want to get too big for my britches or full of myself. I am trying to live my life and do this project to give glory to God, not myself.
And now I feel the need to go on a diet as these photos made me look so horrible. Curse that delicious cake that my mother brought to me this week that I finished today! To my credit...it wasn't an entire cake. My husband was worried that it was. Just a smallish portion of one and I shared some with the kids, too. And the too tight jeans are a size 1/2. They are pretty small jeans.
Aww, Amanda, you have every right to be proud, but I think it's really admirable of you to post this! I personally didn't find it obnoxious, though. Balancing 365 and family is hard, which is why I'm constantly catching up on commenting. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's grandmother. Praying for your family during this time.
I am glad you got to toot your horn a bit - I am proud of how far you have come with this project - but the heck with that - with life itself!! You have had a lot on your plate - just being a wife and mother -traveling cross country to a whole new way of life - and THRIVING! You rock!!! Teach the kids how to do dishes - take a little time for yourself. And eat cake!!!
What was obnoxious? I haven't seen any of that... did I miss something? I think you're allowed to feel proud of yourself. When you get a good shot, it feels good! It's something you've achieved :) Hope all is going ok for your hubby's family at this sad time. Is the follower still on here? Maybe they've left?
You have every right to be happy and proud and say so. That is in no way being full of yourself. You have had a lot of well deserved success. Enjoy it! This is a great photo by the way. It is charming and humorous. I think we all can relate! Thanks for being so open and sharing your heart here. Hugs to you!
Praying for your family and your hubby's too! Don't be too stressed... my mom is a single mom taking care of 7 kids; 5 of which have mental disabilities, and 1 (me) who has a physical problem. She has to go through so much, and so might you! But all you have to do is fight through this "single parent thing" for now. And when your hubby gets back you can have your alone time.
Amanda, you have no reason to apologize for anything! You're gracious, humble and so kind and generous with your comments. I like your shot and hope your pants zip up soon!
Love and appreciate you for how much you are willing to put yourself out there and be honest. You have done so many amazing things in your photography and have a right to celebrate your accomplishments as well as to pull back to keep yourself sane. It's a tough balance, and you ate don't a great job. You go, friend!
Short and sweet. I'm a fan of your Amanda. Never had a sniff of arrogance, being obnoxious, don't know what the heck that's about. You should feel pretty good about what you contribute to this club of ours. Stay true to who you are! Love that you posted the photo. Go for it!!
I say good for you for taking care of your kids. Followers WILL come and go. As for being arrogant - no way ever - I love that you are excited about what you are doing and you should be! It's good stuff! Hang in there with the kids you will blink and they will be grown up and gone.... and then they will be BACK LOL! http://365project.org/nana2r/365/2012-12-16
I think it's so hard for most of us to appreciate success when it does come along that I'd never get upset at anyone being excited for winning a competition, making the top 20 or anything else! True followers are happy for your successes and sympathise with the low moments.
Remember that you need time for you too! :)
Those above me have said it all. I really enjoy your photos and it is exciting to watch your success too.
As for the Jeans - think we all know that feeling….
Nice selfie. Since we are being honest, here you did come off as rather boastful. Everyone enjoys recognition from their peers for our work but it is also important to be humble. And following is a two way street.
What a lovely reflective piece, but gosh, you are hard on yourself! I have to say your gazebo shot is my favorite fav or all time. So, if I had a shot liek that, I'd say it's fine to be a bit proud for a week or so! Congrats on a very very good photo week and my condolences for the sadder side of recent times.
I just read the comments - I don't know what any of the drama has been about. You have never seemed like anything other than genuine, honest and delightful. Sorry that you lost a follower that you cherished.
That's a bummer.
Hun, you did a good job, we all cheered and were pleased for you and you for yourself. We all need the highs to pull us through the lows darling, don's apologise. This is a funny selfie, one that I would never put up here, I am too vain :((( and maybe that is the lesson I learn from you! So thank you!
I'm sorry for the loss of your husband. Sorry, I didn't understand every word you wrote but I know, this is a great selfie and your shots are inspiring. BTW: I love pants made of elastic material.
Sorry for yalls loss. Always tough. My advice, take it with a grain of salt, is that your kids will only be little for a short period of time, then before you know it they will be out on dates or moving out. I get mad when my husband spends wayyyy too much time on his phone and not enjoying "real life" right in front of him. You never know when your last day could be so you have to make every minute count. Set a limit each day, say 30 mins, to get on here, upload, comment and then BE DONE. Walk away and don't get back on. Where you put all your time and effort is where your heart will be. I don't think I'd trade kid time for silly comments on here. But thats just me!
This is such a clever, clever response to your double worries at the moment. But I'd like to say along with everyone else, I read your comments and you were doing the normal thanking-type woo-hoo-ing. Didn't come across as anything else. I think you're being rather humble actually.
And as for the britches, did I read that correctly? Size 1/2? I know your sizes are different from ours, but it still sounds absurdly slender! Here, a size 1/2 jeans would only fit a literal stick of spaghetti. We dream of squeezing into a size 6 like the catwalk girls :-)
A lot going on here. Tight pants ? Know the feeling. Happens to me all the time :-) It's hard to stay away from 365 but you need to take it easy. Seriously don't worry about loosing followers. I'm sure you've gained a few this week anyway. Worst would be if you realized that you've lost a year of your children's lives.
Im sure the loss of your follower was not due to anything you did or didnt do! Interesting reading all the comments from lovely people! I tie my tight jeans up with a safety pin - can't do the zip up! ps - don't tell anyone!
@emrob Thanks so much for your sweet words, prayers and such, Mandy. Glad that I didn't come off badly to you. I kind of realized it later in the week when I posted similar updates about successes and thought, gee would you shut up already to myself.:)
@bpaquette Good point, lady. Thanks. You are sweet! Glad that I wasn't too tooty as far as you were concerned. I definitely need my own time (and to eat cake), but a better balance is still needed. I think that part of my problem is that I am a people pleaser (a good and bad trait) and you can't please everyone. I want to be fair to followers and my family and it is hard to do both. My fam is way more important and I need to treat it as such. Hope to figure it out soon.
@ozziehoffy No, still here. I blew it with my lack of comments and possibly being too braggy, but apologized and was forgiven. I think that I mentioned successes a little much last week. I was alone for the week and did all of my sound offs and celebrating on here. I thought at the end of the week..."would you just shut up, already!" about myself. Thanks for your kind words, Cass. I just needed to put this out there in case I bothered anyone. I don't want to be like that.
@pflaume You are very kind, Lisa. Thanks so much. Glad that I can be myself with you all and the internet world at large. Let it all hang out there and such;-).
@centermd Really really appreciate that, Michah. Your mom sounds like a saint and a very strong lady. I will pray for her, too!! Wow, she's got a challenge being along and taking care of so many children. Hugs to you. Thanks, friend!
@kwind I sucked it in and they went up just fine:). Thanks so much, Kim. I just wanted to make sure I didn't upset anyone. I was annoyed with myself by the end of the week. Appreciate you!
@archaeofrog Thanks, my friend. Hugs!! I appreciate you!
Honestly Amanda, you're just about the last person I'd think of as being "braggy". As for the following, I'm in the same boat and feel I've let people down badly ... but it's unavoidable.
@adamj Thanks, Adam. Really appreciate your words. I just sensed it and got annoyed with myself by the weekend for the mentions peppered throughout the week. Just wanting to be sure that I wasn't coming off that way as that was so not my intention.
great shot. Dont worry about falling behind here. I havent commented on anyone for over a week cuz life happens. BTW - dont stress yourself out about jeans, buy a bigger size and enjoy the cake. You look great!
@nana2r You are sweet...and those are good to remember words. How funny what you said that before I know it, they will be grown and go, and then come back. Isn't that so true today? I sure as heck didn't come back once I left. Thanks, lady. Appreciate your comments!
@alia_801 I sure do need time for me, Alia. I love that I get more of that now. I still need to better balance, but certainly keep some me in there. Thanks for your kind words!!
@happysnap Ha...I overaccentuated the ill fittedness jeans for the shot. Man, but don't you just hate when they are uncomfortably tight. Worst feeling! Thanks, Linda. I appreciate your kind words!
@masosy Aw, I am so glad you think so. Thanks, my friend. Really appreciate that.
@jannkc You are very sweet to say that, Miss Jann. Thank you. I enjoy you, too. Isn't it amazing to see such wonderful sights on here? I love seeing so much beauty throughout the world.
@steampowered Thank you, Paul. My hubby made it back home and life is starting to get back to normal again, thankfully. Appreciate your comments!
@soboy5 Thank you for being honest, Danny. I totally get it. And I did not intend to come off that way. I am sorry. Appreciate your comments!
@carolmw Ha! Isn't it the worst? Thanks so much, lady!
@amandal Glad to hear you've been forgiven :) I honestly didn't even notice any bragginess.... I think to be honest when you have some great photo days that you're entitled to shout out... OMG that just rocked, I rocked that!
@fueast That is what I usually do. I had been wearing them that day and they mostly worked. It's the high waist part that kills me. Low rise are just fine under the gut.:) Thanks, lady!
@anazad511 You are very sweet, Miss Ana. Thank you. Glad that you like that I let it all hang out;-).
@taffy I really am. Being a people pleasing perfectionist really stinks sometimes. That is really sweet to hear how much you like that shot of mine. Thanks so much for that. I truly appreciate your kind comments!:)
@rockinrobyn Glad you got a laugh! Don't you hate tight jeans. I wanted to make a point and not just look like a dope. I hoped that I hadn't come across in a boastful way. I was annoyed come the weekend by my comments about successes all week though. Thanks, friend!
Ok so it has all been said already, but you are about the least obnoxious and arrogant person I've ever met! You don't have a bad bone in your body :) You deserved to be proud of your shots :) They are incredible :) I loved your genuine heart-felt words :) You are a true gem my darling :) ANnddddd incredibly skinny! :) hehe Love this selfie! So great to see you! :) Oh and thoughts and prayers go out to your hubby and all the family :) Hugs my friend :)
I know it has already been said above and I am a little late to this party but I haven't found you obnoxious at all. After the year I had last year I'veunderstood you need to recognise the positive things when they come along and celebrate them and others celebrate along with you because they know you celebrate their successes. For me you are very giving with your praise and support and for that I am very greatful. My thoughts are also with your hubby and the family.
guess i missed the drama... can't imagine you coming off as braggy or obnoxious... and you are entitled to bask in your glory - bragging rightts is about all ya get, no?
i know how hard it is to keep the balance, especially when your husband is absent... don't be too hard on yourself, and for heavens sake, don't starve yourself to fit into size 1/2 jeans!
@frida I wish I was more vain sometimes. I so want to do a lovely selfie like you did last year with the big romantic beach hat. I've gotten better with my selfies, I think. This is only the second or third awful one this year. Most have been good. This is by far the worst ever, but I was more trying to make a point. The pants didn't fit too bad. Thanks, lady. Appreciate your comments!
@noragentian Elastic pants are wonderful! They were always the best, especially when I was pregnant. Thanks, Ruth. You are kind!!:)
@tulipgirl The jeans must be mismarked, because I am normally a 3 or 4. 1 is normally pretty tiny. Thanks for your sweet comment, Alicia. So glad that I didn't come across in a way that I didn't intend to you.
@bardejov True words. I sometimes try to be all things to all people and it's a really tough thing to do. I can't please them all, I know. I do need me time, but balance is important, too. Thanks, friend!!
@maggiemae Your secret is safe with me. I sure hope it wasn't because of something I did. Thanks, lady. You are sweet!
@automaticslim Thanks, Andy. Appreciate your kind words. I don't feel let down by you just so you know. Maybe it's because I am similar. You are better than me in that you catch up and comment on a bunch. I just comment when I can.You know, I just appreciate what I get.
@lfrans You are sweet. I enjoy eating and don't stress too much about that. I was more trying to make a point and ask for forgiveness. Thanks, lady!!
@kbalychev Thanks so very much. Really appreciate your sweet comments. I have a few bad bones;-). You are so, so kind! Thanks for your prayers:).
@thirtysevenways Thank you, Andy. I really appreciate your words and kind thoughts.
@northy There was really no drama. Mostly in my own head. I had a lot going well last week. The one shot that did great and then I got a shot in a local photo competition. I just mentioned it in my posts throughout the week and by the weekend, I was annoyed with myself thinking "Would you just shut up already." I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't being annoying or coming across wrong. I hadn't intended to be like that. And I couldn't starve myself. I love food waaaaay too much for that!
First of all, this is hilarious. I don't know a single person, except now you, that would photograph themselves in this predicament. Good for you. What a sense of humor. As for all the other, I've never noticed any horn tooting. The balancing issue - well that's one everyone has, especially young moms. Quite some time ago there was a thread on this site about the "thank you's". People felt that they wanted to be polite and respond when someone commented on their photo and yet that becomes so time consuming that sometimes there is little time left for commenting on other's photos. The other side of that was people complaining about their in box filling up with "thank you notes". Something to consider as you deal with your time management and this project.
@barbsmith Glad that you appreciated the hilarity and I really thank you for your kind words. I feel better after reading them, like I have been set free.:)
@barbsmith P.S. I did the shot more for the point I was trying to make and less for the predicament. I was really feeling convicted that I needed to make the point and if looking fat is the way to do it, than so be it!
I am waaaaay late to this little festival, it seems.
I have NEVER thought of you as bragging or obnoxious. It's fun to see someone enjoy 'their moment in the sun'.
Do a happy dance, toot your horn.
As for not being an active enough commenter, I guess I'm an odd bird there. I comment on photos that I wish to comment on, PERIOD. It doesn't matter to me if the recipient never even LOOKS at my album.
Yes, it can be said that this is all a two way street, but everyone has their own priorities. I'm single, so I can spend HUGE amounts of time here, viewing and commenting. If I had a husband or kids, my time would naturally be cut drastically. And I figure that the people who don't comment back probably have a more hectic schedule than I do, OR they think my work sucks. Either way, if I like THEIR work, I'll comment.
However, my skin does tend to be thicker than the average bear, so YMMV. ;-)
For me personally, you don't need to be a 'super good follower'. Be a super good mom and wife.
LOVE this selfie and the double message title. You rock.
@bobfoto This was perhaps my worst selfie ever, but I did it for a purpose. I was having a humble pie moment here because I had lost a good follower.
Just trying to figure out how to tread with you. This community is small and we have lots of mutual friends. Is your preference that I just leave you alone from now on? I feel awkward and unsure. I will try respect your wishes.
Still gonna pray for you all!
http://365project.org/nana2r/365/2012-12-16
Remember that you need time for you too! :)
As for the Jeans - think we all know that feeling….
That's a bummer.
And as for the britches, did I read that correctly? Size 1/2? I know your sizes are different from ours, but it still sounds absurdly slender! Here, a size 1/2 jeans would only fit a literal stick of spaghetti. We dream of squeezing into a size 6 like the catwalk girls :-)
@bpaquette Good point, lady. Thanks. You are sweet! Glad that I wasn't too tooty as far as you were concerned. I definitely need my own time (and to eat cake), but a better balance is still needed. I think that part of my problem is that I am a people pleaser (a good and bad trait) and you can't please everyone. I want to be fair to followers and my family and it is hard to do both. My fam is way more important and I need to treat it as such. Hope to figure it out soon.
@ozziehoffy No, still here. I blew it with my lack of comments and possibly being too braggy, but apologized and was forgiven. I think that I mentioned successes a little much last week. I was alone for the week and did all of my sound offs and celebrating on here. I thought at the end of the week..."would you just shut up, already!" about myself. Thanks for your kind words, Cass. I just needed to put this out there in case I bothered anyone. I don't want to be like that.
@pflaume You are very kind, Lisa. Thanks so much. Glad that I can be myself with you all and the internet world at large. Let it all hang out there and such;-).
@centermd Really really appreciate that, Michah. Your mom sounds like a saint and a very strong lady. I will pray for her, too!! Wow, she's got a challenge being along and taking care of so many children. Hugs to you. Thanks, friend!
@kwind I sucked it in and they went up just fine:). Thanks so much, Kim. I just wanted to make sure I didn't upset anyone. I was annoyed with myself by the end of the week. Appreciate you!
@archaeofrog Thanks, my friend. Hugs!! I appreciate you!
@alia_801 I sure do need time for me, Alia. I love that I get more of that now. I still need to better balance, but certainly keep some me in there. Thanks for your kind words!!
@happysnap Ha...I overaccentuated the ill fittedness jeans for the shot. Man, but don't you just hate when they are uncomfortably tight. Worst feeling! Thanks, Linda. I appreciate your kind words!
@jannkc You are very sweet to say that, Miss Jann. Thank you. I enjoy you, too. Isn't it amazing to see such wonderful sights on here? I love seeing so much beauty throughout the world.
@steampowered Thank you, Paul. My hubby made it back home and life is starting to get back to normal again, thankfully. Appreciate your comments!
@soboy5 Thank you for being honest, Danny. I totally get it. And I did not intend to come off that way. I am sorry. Appreciate your comments!
@carolmw Ha! Isn't it the worst? Thanks so much, lady!
@anazad511 You are very sweet, Miss Ana. Thank you. Glad that you like that I let it all hang out;-).
@taffy I really am. Being a people pleasing perfectionist really stinks sometimes. That is really sweet to hear how much you like that shot of mine. Thanks so much for that. I truly appreciate your kind comments!:)
@rockinrobyn Glad you got a laugh! Don't you hate tight jeans. I wanted to make a point and not just look like a dope. I hoped that I hadn't come across in a boastful way. I was annoyed come the weekend by my comments about successes all week though. Thanks, friend!
i know how hard it is to keep the balance, especially when your husband is absent... don't be too hard on yourself, and for heavens sake, don't starve yourself to fit into size 1/2 jeans!
@noragentian Elastic pants are wonderful! They were always the best, especially when I was pregnant. Thanks, Ruth. You are kind!!:)
@bardejov True words. I sometimes try to be all things to all people and it's a really tough thing to do. I can't please them all, I know. I do need me time, but balance is important, too. Thanks, friend!!
@maggiemae Your secret is safe with me. I sure hope it wasn't because of something I did. Thanks, lady. You are sweet!
@lfrans You are sweet. I enjoy eating and don't stress too much about that. I was more trying to make a point and ask for forgiveness. Thanks, lady!!
@kbalychev Thanks so very much. Really appreciate your sweet comments. I have a few bad bones;-). You are so, so kind! Thanks for your prayers:).
@thirtysevenways Thank you, Andy. I really appreciate your words and kind thoughts.
@northy There was really no drama. Mostly in my own head. I had a lot going well last week. The one shot that did great and then I got a shot in a local photo competition. I just mentioned it in my posts throughout the week and by the weekend, I was annoyed with myself thinking "Would you just shut up already." I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't being annoying or coming across wrong. I hadn't intended to be like that. And I couldn't starve myself. I love food waaaaay too much for that!
I have NEVER thought of you as bragging or obnoxious. It's fun to see someone enjoy 'their moment in the sun'.
Do a happy dance, toot your horn.
As for not being an active enough commenter, I guess I'm an odd bird there. I comment on photos that I wish to comment on, PERIOD. It doesn't matter to me if the recipient never even LOOKS at my album.
Yes, it can be said that this is all a two way street, but everyone has their own priorities. I'm single, so I can spend HUGE amounts of time here, viewing and commenting. If I had a husband or kids, my time would naturally be cut drastically. And I figure that the people who don't comment back probably have a more hectic schedule than I do, OR they think my work sucks. Either way, if I like THEIR work, I'll comment.
However, my skin does tend to be thicker than the average bear, so YMMV. ;-)
For me personally, you don't need to be a 'super good follower'. Be a super good mom and wife.
LOVE this selfie and the double message title. You rock.
Just trying to figure out how to tread with you. This community is small and we have lots of mutual friends. Is your preference that I just leave you alone from now on? I feel awkward and unsure. I will try respect your wishes.
What was that you said way up there in the blurb? Balance between life and photos and 365. I would add "and Mike and family" to that comment.