i’m keeping politics out of my blog because i hardly think one would read my humble post and feel compelled to change their vote. when it comes to talking politics, i’ve found people believe what they believe and they believe it strongly. trying to convince them otherwise just…pardon my french…pisses them off. not that i have anything against reading others’ political passions…it’s all a part of this great big beautiful freedom of speech thing and expressing oneself, venting frustrations, etc. can be refreshing.

with that said. i love that, despite everyone’s differences, today was a beautiful day. we live in a country where people fought hard to give us rights and when i took my cubby to the voting booth, i felt proud. i could hear the star spangled banner in my head as i bubbled my ballot. my voice is heard. that’s pretty cool. (okay, so i didn’t hear the star spangled banner. what i really heard, as i took these pictures, was the old man behind me say, “um, mam. i put those booths together this morning, and they’re pretty much a pile of junk. it might not be very sturdy”…to which i wanted to reply, “dude. two words: scrapbook page.” but i didn’t.)

we all want change and regardless of who gets the daunting task of taking over our country, i will stand behind him because, in the end…it’s americans who can change our country…not one man.

thankfully, our voting precinct shares the parking lot of one of my favorite parks, so after our vote, we meandered over for a swing.

lainey’s asleep and i’m suddenly inspired to go crazy in the kitchen. got all the fixins’ at the grocery for a full-blown romantic dinner, so i have some work to do.

…enjoying the freedom things. ~k

oh, little isle of capri…how we’ve missed you.

you and your lip-smackin’ grouper fingers, your pink sunsets, your hypnotic powers to lull us into a vacation set of mind.

it felt good to be back.

we reunited with nurse katie there who came from ft. lauderdale to stay the night with us.
we stayed until dark, and watched as the sun-speckled waves turned into a moonlit calm. and then we stayed even a bit longer, listening to live reggae, bundling up in sweatshirts (for a chilling 72), and just…hanging out.

lainey fell asleep just 2 miles out of the parking lot when we left for a quiet, snuggly ride home.

oh, it was heaven.

in other news…i caught a tiny tear today…

…which quickly evaporated after a few kisses.

feeling creative storm coming on…compelled to create things. design things. do things. there are ideas brewing in my mind right now and with a lot of upcoming photo shoots, christmas card designs, holiday plans, new ideas for new traditions, recipes i’d like to try, photoshop challenges, etc., i can hardly sleep at night. in a good way. i love when that happens. setting the bar high and pushing myself to learn more…do more…be more.

…so, expect a lot. ‘cuz i am.

…enjoying the creative things…the isle of capri things…the family things…the contented things. ~k

and brett’s leaving work tomorrow to come give me a break so i can go vote. smiles. vote.

more from the beach last night and this lovely family…

you know what time it is when the shadows are this long…

…so, i’ve decided my favorite photos are when everyone’s not looking. they’re so real…imperfectly perfect. as much as families love that everybody’s-looking shot, they’re too posed for my taste. this? this is awesome…real.

…and this next one? these are what we frame at our house. life, unscripted.

once again, a pleasure getting to meet such lovely people…that’s the coolest part of this gig.

…and a little fun at our house today…

…enjoying the same-as-yesterday things. ~k