my one little word for 2015

So 2014 was my first real dedicated year of  'One Little Word'. A concept that Ali Edwards begun back in 2006. Rather than reinvent the wheel with the explanation of it, I'll let Ali explain ...

About One Little Word®

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.

In 2006 I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself each January – a word to focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon as I go about my daily life. My words have included play, peace, vitality, nurture, story, light, up, open and thrive. These words have each become a part of my life in one way or another. They've been imbedded into who I am and into who I'm becoming. They've been what I've needed most (and didn't know I needed). They've helped me to breathe deeper, to see clearer, to navigate challenges, and to grow.

My 2014 word was 'no'. Back story here.  I'm pretty proud to say that I used that word quite a number of times this year to keep myself from feeling overwhelmed or from feeling guilty. I've actually felt very empowered by being able to say it and mean it without it weighing heavily on my conscious. 

So.... 2015..... I've been giving it a lot of thought. The 'one little word' needs to be a goal - achievable with a bit of effort. It needs to be relevant to who I am, it needs to have meaning or what's the point of it. It needs to take me out of my comfort zone, to challenge me, to make me aim high.

.

.

.

. 

drum roll please

.

.

.

.

seek ...

... new horizons

... fun and laughter

... deeper relationships with the important people in my life

... help when I need it

... courage 

... deeper into myself to discover more of who I am

... grace, compassion and empathy

... and so much more.

getting into the christmas spirit

Community policing at its finest.

Our community have been blessed with a really great copper who has been here with his family for a number of years.

Today he and his partner came into the Cummins Christmas Wonderland for a visit. I pounced on them and asked if they would mind a pic of them in the sleigh. No convincing was required at all. He suggested it was a brilliant idea with 'community policing' in mind.

So while a bunch of young kids looked on, the coppers played up for me. I reckon the coppers had more laughs than the kids watching them.

More images of the Cummins Christmas Wonderland on Tiff Firth Photography

The local constabulary took the sleigh out for a spin. I think Rudolph blew their socks off!
(posted with their permission)

summer search party

I've been busier than usual behind the camera for this time of year.  I've had a few commercial gigs pop up, and this one was especially fun.

Summer Search Party played in Cummins recently and they asked if I could take some stills while they played. I wanted to get something edgy, and not the norm.

Chuffed to say the boys are rapt!!!

Dylan Smith making love to his mic...

The band's number one groupies....

Hawkey - the heartbeat of the band

Joe 'Bones' Morris - too cool for school

Mr Rhythm Hawkey 

  Heaps more in the Summer Search Party on my photography page Tiff Firth Photography

christmas cherub

This little Christmas Cherub was found resting in the sleigh at the Cummins Christmas Wonderland today. Cuteness +
17.12.2014
(posted with parental permission)

There are LOTS more Wonderland images in my Cummins Christmas Wonderland album at Tiff Firth Photography

little man

I had this family in front of the lens a few days ago. The little man has such a captivating grin and the most smiley chocolate brown eyes.

Catch

 s.w.a.l.k

have bag, will travel

There are a few more in the 'Little Man' album at Tiff Firth Photography.
:)

it's that crazy time of year again....

Cummins Street Parade hosted by the local traders. It was a perfectly balmy evening without a breath of wind, compared to the last few days leading up to it.  The Parade was awesome and the gathering in the Railway Triangle for the public to enjoy BBQ and good music was enjoyed by so many.  The best one yet.

chop

So on Friday this happened

Annie's had beautiful long hair all her life and the last few years she looked after it totally by herself other than plaiting it. Kym and I shared that job.

Thursday she announced she wanted a hair cut, not just a trim, but a chop. As we were in Lincoln on Friday I gave her a night to sleep on the idea just to be sure. Friday dawned and her resolve was firm. So she had the chop.

She would like to donate her hair to the anit-cancer foundation to make a wig for someone to wear. A couple of elderly ladies at the hairdressers watched with fascination as the plait was cut and applauded her generosity in wanting to donate her hair.

I'm trying my best to install in my kids the concept of doing a good deed a day. No matter how big or small, a good deed a day is a wonderful gift to offer.  This deed is a biggie.  That's my girl.

a new life

I've been very blessed to be included with this pregnancy since its very beginning. And just maybe, maybe I might see it to its very end ......

I cried when I felt the little bubba kick for the first time. I just couldn't help. I haven't really been connected to any pregnancies since my own two, and this one is very special. So my tears fell and the amazing wonder of a little life in there, for me was overwhelming.

your day of birth

Sometimes something so simple can take all day to come together. I started this one this afternoon, left it on my desk to go shoot a family photography session, and then finished it off tonight. 

Love a Saturday slow-day sometimes. It'll be the last quite one for a while as the festive season kicks off for us next week.

#putoutyourbats

www.facebook.com/TiffFirthPhotography
#putoutyourbats
As a sign of respect, the school asked the cricketing boys to bring their bats and hats to school today to recognize Phillip Hughes. The flag flies half mast. RIP 

ra'na dance studio

I actually had a morning home this morning. A rare thing. 

And as my photography desk is clear at the moment, I sat down to scrap. Or I should say, I stand up, I sit down, then I stand up, I walk around a bit them come back to sit down or stand up at my scrap desk. 

And this is what happened.