When I'm older, I imagine I'll be something like Katharine Hepburn in 'Rooster Cogburn'. Full of grit and spirit. Full of God's word with just enough hardened edges to keep that edge, that spunk.
--------------------------
Side Note:
At the end of the movie, she says something that always makes me think of my daddy...I always imagine my dear mother might say something like this to him:
"... Livin' with you has been an adventure any woman would relish for the rest o' time. I look at cha, with your burned out face and your big belly and your bear-like paws and your shining eye(s), and I have to say you're a credit to the whole male sex, and I'm proud to have ya for my friend..."
--------------------------
Maybe I'll work in my flower beds with a flower pot on my head like Aunt Mattie Belle did. Now she was a tough old bird. She had grit. She was plain and tall, but she was beautiful.
My great grandmother, she toted my Pa while she pulled cotton, she raised two boys, kept a perfect home and a perfect yard and expected the same from others, she lived through the depression all the way to the age of 97. She was a tiny thing, but her presence was something to be reckoned with. She had grit.
My Gran Gran. She is the epitomy of strength. Lived through scarlett fever, fought off west nile & sleeping sickness (that's what I call it any ways), she's lived through some tough times and yet her calm, sweet demeanor has never faltered. She's got such a gentle spirit, but she's one of the strongest people I have ever met.
NaNaw. O sweet NaNaw. She married a bull headed man, raised a bull headed son and a red headed daughter. She kept a song in her heart and a smile on her face, no matter what. She was so strong and beautiful and vibrant. Big jewelry, loud clothes and kickin' boots...she had style. She had grit.
My mother. A cowboy's wife, but a cowgirl in her own right. She has a way with horses that she learned from her daddy, (my Pa). My mother has had to find strength when nothing else was to be found. Her faith is resounding, Her strength is admireable. And if you mess with her daughters, you got a load of hurt coming, I assure you...
I've said it a million times. I hope I can be half the woman these women are/were. I am blessed to have a family full of grit and grace. I've heard many stories about the ones who passed before I was around and I know with out a doubt they were strong, vibrant women as well.
A little Katharine Hepburn mixed in with those women...I think it'd be a pretty fiesty combination, just right for someone like me. ;)
Peace, Love & Grit,
W
Monday, January 21, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
2012 in review...
2012 in REVIEW
I found this survey on a friend's blog and we all know I love lists, so here we go!!
What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before? I learned (still learning) to be a mom to a wild little boy, had seizures (not cool) and for the first time in more than a decade, I went an entire year without a conventional source of employment (freeing). O! And I shot my first buck!!! You bet!
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Last year, I made 2 resolutions: lose weight & grow as a wife and mother. I lost 50 lbs in the past year (now down to 38 lbs, thank you, holidays!!), I have a happy healthy son & a great husband. I hope that means success! :) ~ Yes, I'll make more for 2013, I consider them goals more than rules...
Did anyone close to you give birth? Several friends, yes.
Did anyone close to you die? Not terribly close, no.
What countries did you visit? I stayed in the good old US of A this year.
What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? Nothing particularly...just some goals I didn't reach that I'd like to reach in the near future.
What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory? 10/16/2012, for no good reasons. It was a rough day.
What was your biggest achievement of the year? Growing a hobby in to a pretty successful little business
What was your biggest failure? I don't think I really had any failures...learning experiences, yes, but no failures.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder? Happier!
Thinner or fatter? For the first time in a long time, I get to say thinner!!!
Richer or poorer? Poorer financially, richer in life!
Did you suffer illness or injury? I had 6 seizures in one night...haven't had another one, had never had them before. Freaky deal.
What was the best thing you bought? A new lense. It's the bomb.com. True story.
Where did most of your money go? The boys in my life.
What did you get really, really, really excited about? Moving Uncy (my horse) to Post, Kye's swimming lessons, Kye's first birthday, etc.... I get excited easily LOL
What song will always remind you of 2012? Springsteen - Eric Church, Easy Living - Miranda Lambert, Cruise - Florida Georgia Line,
- - Even if it Breaks Your Heart by Eli Young Band --
I'm a music junky, so there's a list a mile long for this answer, but those are the main ones
What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I would have rode Uncy more, wish I would have lost more weight, worked out more, read my Bible more, etc. but Wish in one hand & ...make it happen in 2013...right! ;)
What do you wish you’d done less of? Procrastinating
How did you spend Christmas? With the Massey's / Baker's / McNeely's we didn't make it to HC this year...
Did you fall in love in 2012? Every day with my sweet Kye Rance
Who were your best friends? Hannah, Callie
What thing did you do that was meaningful to others? I pray that photographing people's families and creating lasting memories for them is meaningful.
What were your favorite TV programs? Criminal Minds, Swamp People, New Girl, Suburgatory & Friends reruns...
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is such an ugly word, such a strong emotion. I would say there are some people who dropped in importance in my life...but I do not hate them, no.
What was the best book you read in 2012? Honestly, I started three books and never finished them. I use to read all the time... maybe I should put that on my resolution list. LOL
What was your greatest musical discovery? Max Stalling. I'm ridiculously obsessed. I had heard him before, but he's kind of my new main jam guy. Also, I am hard core in love with Turnpike Troubadours.
What did you want and get? a new lense, crazy red pants, a new computer, an Iphone, shot a deer...life is pretty fabulous
What did you want but did NOT get? a house of our own in the country, a canon Mark iii and a new pistol...a girl can dream...
What was your favorite film of this year? Pitch Perfect. It's not exactly oscar worthy, but I laughed my hiney bo off the entire movie.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Kam, Chas, Wacey & I went to the Piano Bar. Good times.
What kept you sane? Late nights editing, watching friends reruns, riding/hanging out at uncle noel's barn with Uncy, music, prayer, friends, my sister
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? That hasn't changed ever: John Wayne.
What political issue stirred you the most? presidential election...nuff said
Who did you miss? My NaNaw. I so wish she could have met Kye...I'm selfish, I know she is whole again and walking streets of gold in fabulous boots, wearing rockin' earrings, but I miss her still. Every day.
Also - a friend I finally learned to let go of. It's for the best, I know but it was one of the hardest decisions I ever made.
Who was the best new person you met this year? I meet so many wonderful people doing photography, but even though I already knew her, I would have to say the friendship I have formed with Allisha Jones-Belongia is something that is really special to me.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Sometimes, no matter how good of a friend you are or try to be, some people will just let you down. Sometimes it's best just to let it go and let it be, no matter how much you care about them, no matter how hard it may be.
New Resolutions:
1. Lose More Weight
2. Run in a 5k
3. Read more
4. Ride more
5. Grow my business
6. Remember to be thankful for something every day, no matter how small
7. Make sure the ones I love know I love them
What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before? I learned (still learning) to be a mom to a wild little boy, had seizures (not cool) and for the first time in more than a decade, I went an entire year without a conventional source of employment (freeing). O! And I shot my first buck!!! You bet!
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Last year, I made 2 resolutions: lose weight & grow as a wife and mother. I lost 50 lbs in the past year (now down to 38 lbs, thank you, holidays!!), I have a happy healthy son & a great husband. I hope that means success! :) ~ Yes, I'll make more for 2013, I consider them goals more than rules...
Did anyone close to you give birth? Several friends, yes.
Did anyone close to you die? Not terribly close, no.
What countries did you visit? I stayed in the good old US of A this year.
What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? Nothing particularly...just some goals I didn't reach that I'd like to reach in the near future.
What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory? 10/16/2012, for no good reasons. It was a rough day.
What was your biggest achievement of the year? Growing a hobby in to a pretty successful little business
What was your biggest failure? I don't think I really had any failures...learning experiences, yes, but no failures.
Happier or sadder? Happier!
Thinner or fatter? For the first time in a long time, I get to say thinner!!!
Richer or poorer? Poorer financially, richer in life!
Did you suffer illness or injury? I had 6 seizures in one night...haven't had another one, had never had them before. Freaky deal.
What was the best thing you bought? A new lense. It's the bomb.com. True story.
Where did most of your money go? The boys in my life.
What did you get really, really, really excited about? Moving Uncy (my horse) to Post, Kye's swimming lessons, Kye's first birthday, etc.... I get excited easily LOL
What song will always remind you of 2012? Springsteen - Eric Church, Easy Living - Miranda Lambert, Cruise - Florida Georgia Line,
What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I would have rode Uncy more, wish I would have lost more weight, worked out more, read my Bible more, etc. but Wish in one hand & ...make it happen in 2013...right! ;)
What do you wish you’d done less of? Procrastinating
How did you spend Christmas? With the Massey's / Baker's / McNeely's we didn't make it to HC this year...
Did you fall in love in 2012? Every day with my sweet Kye Rance
Who were your best friends? Hannah, Callie
What thing did you do that was meaningful to others? I pray that photographing people's families and creating lasting memories for them is meaningful.
What were your favorite TV programs? Criminal Minds, Swamp People, New Girl, Suburgatory & Friends reruns...
Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is such an ugly word, such a strong emotion. I would say there are some people who dropped in importance in my life...but I do not hate them, no.
What was the best book you read in 2012? Honestly, I started three books and never finished them. I use to read all the time... maybe I should put that on my resolution list. LOL
What did you want and get? a new lense, crazy red pants, a new computer, an Iphone, shot a deer...life is pretty fabulous
What did you want but did NOT get? a house of our own in the country, a canon Mark iii and a new pistol...a girl can dream...
What was your favorite film of this year? Pitch Perfect. It's not exactly oscar worthy, but I laughed my hiney bo off the entire movie.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Kam, Chas, Wacey & I went to the Piano Bar. Good times.
What kept you sane? Late nights editing, watching friends reruns, riding/hanging out at uncle noel's barn with Uncy, music, prayer, friends, my sister
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? That hasn't changed ever: John Wayne.
What political issue stirred you the most? presidential election...nuff said
Who did you miss? My NaNaw. I so wish she could have met Kye...I'm selfish, I know she is whole again and walking streets of gold in fabulous boots, wearing rockin' earrings, but I miss her still. Every day.
Who was the best new person you met this year? I meet so many wonderful people doing photography, but even though I already knew her, I would have to say the friendship I have formed with Allisha Jones-Belongia is something that is really special to me.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Peace, Love & Cheers to a New Year,
W
Monday, December 17, 2012
Update!
I am so far behind on blogging, so here is a little update on the Baker's!
Kye is 14 months old now. I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone. He is a little chunk and eats like a horse! Speaking of horses -
He LOVES horses and says "horse-sh" all the time! He even says Uncy when we're out there with him. He loves to pet and sit on Uncy and I have to say, it is so special to me to share this with him. I was so hoping he would love horses and he does!!
At my baby shower, my mother said she hoped Kye would have a love of the great outdoors and she was right! He's always wanting outside to play. He loves rocks and dirt and leaves and sticks and all of God's creatures. I have to say this is a complete relief for Kam and I...we wouldn't know what to do if he wanted to be inside all the time!
He is walking every where and talking all the time. He says 'ball', 'Abby', 'horse-sh', 'Uncy', 'Mama', 'Daddy', 'Bud', 'Snack', 'Penny', 'What's that', etc. etc. etc. Those are the main ones! haha!
Kam and I are about the same as always, just spending every possible moment at the deer lease and enjoying our Kye-boy! :)
And speaking of the deer lease, I shot my first buck this year!! :)
Life is grand. And with that, I say Merry Christmas!
Peace, love & Joy ~
W
Kye is 14 months old now. I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone. He is a little chunk and eats like a horse! Speaking of horses -
He LOVES horses and says "horse-sh" all the time! He even says Uncy when we're out there with him. He loves to pet and sit on Uncy and I have to say, it is so special to me to share this with him. I was so hoping he would love horses and he does!!
At my baby shower, my mother said she hoped Kye would have a love of the great outdoors and she was right! He's always wanting outside to play. He loves rocks and dirt and leaves and sticks and all of God's creatures. I have to say this is a complete relief for Kam and I...we wouldn't know what to do if he wanted to be inside all the time!
He is walking every where and talking all the time. He says 'ball', 'Abby', 'horse-sh', 'Uncy', 'Mama', 'Daddy', 'Bud', 'Snack', 'Penny', 'What's that', etc. etc. etc. Those are the main ones! haha!
Kam and I are about the same as always, just spending every possible moment at the deer lease and enjoying our Kye-boy! :)
And speaking of the deer lease, I shot my first buck this year!! :)
Life is grand. And with that, I say Merry Christmas!
Peace, love & Joy ~
W
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Kye Rance...
 |
| We went to see Gran & Pa a few weeks ago. They love their Kye-boy so much!! |
 |
| Kye & his Pa |
 |
| Kye's first Post Rodeo |
 |
| Love these two! |
 |
| My happy guys! |
 |
| Kye loves his KyndyWyndy!!! |
Peace, Love & Kye-boy,
W
Thursday, August 23, 2012
girlheartscamera love
If you're a photographer or even a lover of photography follow this blog...
http://www.girlheartscamera.com/
Amazing planners, amazing inspiration & encouragement.
Peace, love & thisgirlheartsgirlheartscamera,
w
http://www.girlheartscamera.com/
Amazing planners, amazing inspiration & encouragement.
Peace, love & thisgirlheartsgirlheartscamera,
w
Friday, August 10, 2012
It Works!! ....seriously
So, I've been meaning to post this for a few months, but haven't. I am now an official distributor for It Works! Global.
We offer a wide aray of products from supplements, to skin, to weight loss.
This is a Christian based company that I am so proud to be a part of.
I personally use several of the products, but my favorite two are Defining gel and Thermo fits. I'm down nearly 40 lbs now and couldn't be happier with these products! When you stick with them, you have amazing results!!!
Check out a few before and afters, then check out my website!!
http://kambaker.myitworks.com
Contact me for more information! whit_mcneely@yahoo.com
Peace, Love & WRAPS!
W
http://kambaker.myitworks.com
We offer a wide aray of products from supplements, to skin, to weight loss.
This is a Christian based company that I am so proud to be a part of.
I personally use several of the products, but my favorite two are Defining gel and Thermo fits. I'm down nearly 40 lbs now and couldn't be happier with these products! When you stick with them, you have amazing results!!!
Check out a few before and afters, then check out my website!!
http://kambaker.myitworks.com
 |
| 6 days of DEFINING GEL 2 times a day |
 |
| Results after ONE wrap - see, guys wrap too!!! |
 |
| Amazing results - 1 month of Stretch Mark Cream & Moisturizer |
 |
| Want to make a change toward the better? Email me and Join the team!!
|
Peace, Love & WRAPS!
W
http://kambaker.myitworks.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)