Tuesday, July 22, 2008

I Lack, Therefore I Am.


Doesn't Ruby look like she walked a thousand miles? So we had a primary activity at the church on Saturday. I got caught up doing a musical presentation for the kids, so I asked my friend Jennifer to take care of the pioneer photograph area. She didn't do what I would have done, which was stand the kids against the wall, take a picture, turn it to black and white and then pass it off as a pioneer photograph. Oh no. She bought costumes on eBay, turned the photographs to sepia, found a background online, cutout the pictures, and came up with this. THE CUTEST pioneer photograph ever!! Some people just do things better no matter what you ask them.
I am not a person that prepares ahead of time. I am last minute. Often last second. I tell people it's because I perform best under pressure. But the truth is- shhh- that I am just lazy. And I would like to tell you something I know for a fact. Some people are MAGICAL. Like my mom, who freezes home made soup broth for weeks ahead. And starts planning the Women's Conference program years ahead of time. Or my sister in law Ashley who brings completely new meaning to the word "organized". Or Debbi, who blogs AND scrapbooks. Or the primary president in our ward who shows up to a meeting with all kind of little "things". You know what I'm talking about: little magnets, and cards, and puts tablecloths on tables, and plans centerpieces, and gives out chocolate bars wrapped in "I love Primary". These people are truly mystical to me, and they make it look so easy! I would like to make a stamp of their essence and be able to duplicate it where my life is lacking, please.

24 comments:

Carrie and Jeff said...

Girl, I'm like you. All these over achievers bug. They make us look so bad. Cute pictures. I never would have thought of that.

Jamie said...

I love this picture! You are extremely creative and talented. I think you don't realize that you are more like "those" people than you realize!

Josh, Kim & Kids said...

Amazing! Looks like they stepped back into time. I love it! And I must say you are an amazing blogger with two kids and a baby!

Anonymous said...

i always say that if it wasn't for the 11th hour i would never get anything done - and it drives me crazy cause when i do actually start thinking about the thing at hand and those creative juices finally start to trickle in i have usually run out of time and i have to revert to the "this will do" attitude.

besides we each have our gifts...and really, how fair would it be if you were a brilliant writer, gracious mother, devoted wife, talented photographer, loving friend, all round nice person....and totally organized! the lord was just being kind to the rest of us who's talents are sometimes limited to a sense of humor and humble resignation.

remember...to some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby. just f.y.i.!

i love you, sharry

Debbi said...

Sarah! That picture is so amazing, you are so right about Ruby and if it weren't for the croc shoes - you could give a talk about your anscestors and pass off that picture as one of them. How cute!

I think your photography is amazing, your girls are amazing and your blog is always so refreshing and witty.

Regi said...

It all sounds so familiar. I like to blame it on birth order. I am the third child. My sister always did it for me. I am really lazy. When I have something to do I wait and wait for creativity to come. When it never shows up I just do what ever is easy and quick. I love the picture!

Jessiesmylieyahoo,com said...

hisarah

Rebecca Smylie said...

I was going to make a joke here, but Sharry's comment got me all serious. It's true. And no one believes that your musical presentation was anything short of fantastic. And at our primary activty on the same day, yep, the photos are against a white wall. The costumes are incomplete. They're not even in black and white. Oh yeah, and the crickets we bought at the pet store? They died. THe kids were so confused.

Baby Coffee said...

The crocs make the photo!

Lillie said...

see and to me, you're that girl-- who is an amazing photographer, a super-blogger, and this hip mama of three. Magical's in the eye of the beholder I guess.

----

So I almost hit publish, then read Rebecca's at the bottom, which lead me to Sharry's back toward the top, which makes my comment almost deleteable-- but I won't. But Sharry said it oh so well didn't she?

Anonymous said...

oh, how could i forget...beautiful baby birthing earthmother...and totally organized.

Clarke and Kamie said...

haven't checked your blog in a while...OH those pioneer pics are darling. And that new baby of yours?!?! She's making me frickin baby hungry and I had my baby 10 months ago.

Kristie said...

I would love to be one of those tablecloth, centrepiece kind of people but in reality for sharing time I'm a photpcopy picture, grab pencils kind of girl. You gotta have goals and aspirations!!

The picture of the girls looks great.

Dee said...

In Australia we don't do pioneer reenactment, we don't do pioneer photos, we don;t do fake snow and crickets. In Australia we do printed colouring pages, we do primary songs, we do (sometimes) teach our classes out side on a sunny winters day but we too know the church is true.

Michelle said...

It is the cutest pioneer photo ever. Your friend Jennifer is awesome, she did a great job. How can someone who bakes bread the day she gives birth consider herself lazy though??? Here I was thinking you are superwoman in disguise, and you think you are lazy!!!

Jennifer said...

I'm not one of those people you are describing! I've been playing with the photo editing program and thought I'd try it with the activity pictures. The whole time I was editing them I was annoyed at how grainy the original picture is. I kept thinking, "I wish I could take pictures as good as Ashley and Sarah!" I was also admiring how good you were with the kids at the activity and all while caring for a newborn and two active girls.

Oh and I was SO avoiding household chores to do them.

Dena said...

I just love how Rubye looks as though she's floating...like that 1,000 mile walk has worn her out so badly that she just can't stand on her own.

And, dear, sweet Sarah. You are SO that person. I so admire you and wish that somehow, someday, I can be as creative and witty and amazing as you are.

Missy said...

I think I'm quadrupling up by saying the same thing that everyone says, but see I wouldn't have even thought to make them black and white and you are SO that person that I'm in awe that you would even think you weren't. You must be one of those that even though they do it last minute it still turns out AMAZING. Even better than the person that plans way ahead of time to equal the same result as you.

Jessiesmylieyahoo,com said...

hisarah

Ash said...

Sarah! You make me laugh! I have you fooled! : )

That is an awesome picture! I love it!

Megan said...

I'm right there with you on that one, girl.
That pic is perfect! So cute!

LuCDay said...

That's lots of work for the photographer. Hope you didn't have too many kids show up. :o)
Ok, it's been awhile, I need another picture of Lillie! What's she up to these day?

Laurel said...

I don't even remember anymore how I stumbled across your blog but I LOVE THIS POST...and have been blogstalking the rest. I'm the QUEEN of the 11th hour..."do my best work under pressure"...I JUST said that to someone, in fact. Truth, is...yep...just like you.

You are ridiculously talented and creative and if I knew where you lived, I'd SO make you be my friend.

Keep blogging.
Too many of us love it!

Cj said...

HAHA, ok I'm finally reading the blog you told me to read and all I can say is....Ditto what Ashley said... "I have you fooled"!! Silly, this is the way I see it. I'm 40 now! My kids are older! I'm not as busy as you all are & if I don't do the magnet handouts etc... then what excuse can I use?? Silly, you are way more talented with 3 young kids then I was when I had 3 young kids!!! Remember that Sarah, you're the ROCKSTAR!!!!! (good thing you didn't know me back then) :)