Shortly after I read this post about mothers who avoid being in pictures unless they look just so (raises hand and waves wildly) my husband was stalking me with the camera as I gardened. The aforementioned post referenced a post than inspired her—you really should follow the link.
My first instinct when I checked the camera was, of course, to push delete. Because, ACK!, baggy clothes that make me look 20 lbs. heavier than I am (which happens to be 20 lbs. heavier than I WANT to be—so 40 lbs. heavier than I’d prefer to look!) and unwashed hair.
But I didn’t push delete.
Instead I’m posting it so that someday my kids can look back and say “Remember how much Mom loved brightly-colored flowers? Every spring she’d do all her pots and put annuals in with the roses. She really loved it when the the house and yard looked pretty.”
I hope the above conversation doesn’t take place for a good 40 years, but when it does there will be proof.
I planted dianthus this year—last year it was pink and white petunias. I know it’s considered too predictable, but I am a huge fan of Disneyland style color and tidiness in my flower beds!
Yes, I am rarely in photos -- in part because I am the only one with a camera habit, and in part because I hate most pictures taken of me.
However, I note that you look better in that photograph than you think you do!
Posted by: kcinnova | April 29, 2011 at 06:29 AM
I love your little fence : )
Posted by: Life with Kaishon | April 29, 2011 at 07:59 AM
I followed the links, and those are very wise words.
I have never seen a photo of my Mom that I did not love...but I pick mine apart. I will stop doing that. Promise.
Love your gardening capture...I think you look great, even while gardening!
Posted by: Busy Bee Suz | April 29, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Actually, I was thinking how great you look in this picture--relaxed and happy and busy!
Posted by: green girl in wisconsin | April 29, 2011 at 10:44 AM
You look great in that photo!
I always tell my husband that he can only take photos of me if he makes me look beautiful in them. It doesn't seem to work.
A few days ago when I was out taking photos of my garden, I took a photo of my daughter. She asked if she could take a picture of me, so I let her. I can't say I like it, but she did a good job. I didn't put it up on my blog, but I did put it in the Facebook album.
Posted by: Renee | April 29, 2011 at 11:45 AM
I have to remind myself not to shun the camera. I don't want my kids not to have any physical reminder of what I looked like just because I was vain and deleted bad pics.
And I'm so jealous! You are in the garden! There is still snow on the ground here!
Posted by: Redneck Mommy | April 29, 2011 at 01:04 PM
I'm glad you didn't delete it...you look great!
Posted by: Janet | April 29, 2011 at 02:33 PM
I have to force my husband to take pictures of me! I'm always saying "Will you please take my picture so Dylan knows someday that I actually did go places with him?" Jim does all the video taping, though, so I'm in all the videos and the photos are all of him!
Posted by: Jenrantsraves | April 29, 2011 at 02:33 PM
I don't think it's an unflattering photo at all, Jenn. More like an action photo!
Posted by: lanes | April 29, 2011 at 07:38 PM
I LOVE dianthas and petunias.
I went with marigolds this year -- and Gerbera's (which I hope come back next year)
Posted by: Slow Panic | April 29, 2011 at 09:41 PM
I think you look beautiful!
And I love dianthus, as you may know!
It's true about moms and photos. We have very few of my mom, for that very reason.
Posted by: g | April 29, 2011 at 09:45 PM
Oh Jenn, thank you so much for the lovely link to the "leaving proof" blog. This is so true! I'll have to link to you and your link for a Mother's day post! Now, off to take a picture with my kids... in the snow ugh!
Posted by: Linda | May 01, 2011 at 11:15 AM
The picture of you in the garden is wonderful. i like to think of those really bad pictures (how i usually am when not working) as a reminder to the boys of how beautiful i COULD look...you know...if i really tried. i'm a woman of many looks...i hope they remember them all!!
Posted by: debbieK | May 01, 2011 at 07:36 PM
When we lost my Mom there were very few pictures of her after my brother was born.We didn't have a camera for awhile and when we did get one she always took the pictures or avoided being in them. i did that for a long time too until I realized I was erasing history (however it looked) for my family, especially my kids. My son has a picture where we all look goofy as hell but what he remembers when he looks at it was what a great day it was and how much fun we all had together. A good lesson for me to stop hiding and be part of the memories, even if this IS how I look at that particular moment.
YOU and your garden look great, I love happy garden beds too!
Posted by: Bramble | May 01, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Yep yep, I really thought about that a lot when I was scrapbooking. The mom who takes care of everything, but never seen in the albums lol. I make sure to get at least one picture of me when we go places.
Posted by: mom taxi julie | May 02, 2011 at 02:36 PM
This may be one of my favorite posts of yours. I was thinking of how much it would mean to your kids someday...and then you wrote that. Brought happy tears. Thanks, Jenn, for the affirmation.
Posted by: JCK | May 03, 2011 at 02:32 AM
I think you look beautiful in all your grubbiness and I'm so proud of you! I'm also really glad to know that my post touched you enough to take action. Your kids will treasure photos like this, I just know it.
Posted by: Susie @ A Slice of my Life | May 09, 2011 at 12:42 AM
I'd say you look as lovely as your garden.
Posted by: Fannie | May 16, 2011 at 03:43 PM