Today it is my turn to participate in *Blog It Forward* a blogging *mashup* by more than 300 bloggers started by Victoria at sfgirlbybay The topic is *what inspires me…*

For some one who normally lets my photos do the talking - today I am going to {mostly} try to WRITE about what inspires me…

…my son’s endless fascination with how things work; his weird sense of humor and how he cracks himself up; his love for nature and animals (and Bindi the Jungle Girl)…

…my daughter’s complete and utter fearlessness….and her giggles…and her fashion sense… (that last one is a joke!)

…when I catch the two of them snuggled up on the coach…or hiding in a *fort* made with blankets….or scheming together over some practical joke…

…that my hubby still brings me flowers…a LOT :) and chips and salsa :) (not saying which one i enjoy more!)

…the book “The Happiness Project”
by Gretchen Rubin which I just finished reading and can’t bring myself to loan out yet. ever had a book just *speak* to you?? that’s how i feel about this book - i am driving my friends bonkers with talking about ideas and theories….but I can unequivocally state that *I am HAPPIER* since reading it and starting to put bits and pieces into play in my own life…

….hiking *my mountain* - a local 2 mile hike that I’ve been doing recently (it makes me *happy*!) sunshine, clean air, and wildflowers blooming like crazy….

…dogs. especially mine. and the people who love them. dog people are just good people :) my *puppies* (i have 3) are all getting a bit older and I can’t bear to think about losing them someday…whenever i am sad snuggling with my pups makes me feel better. i know the non-dog people out there won’t understand…but that’s okay :)

…my friends. i am so very very lucky - i have funny friends :) they make me laugh - and they put up with me - and they accept me as i am :) yep, i am a lucky girl…

…auto-correct on the iPhone - it is good for endless fits of giggles because I never read any texts before hitting *send* so some of the texts i send are just meaningless rambling - cracks me up! - and while we are talking iPhone, might I also mention the Hipstamatic app? and ShakeItPhoto? oh, oh, oh - and if you have kids, you must try *SmackTalk*!

…the cast each season of *the Biggest Loser*. at the finale each season I cry like a baby - i am so happy for them knowing they have transformed their lives, not just their bodies. Kind of like I felt when Eliza Doolittle comes down the stairs dressed for the ball in *My Fair Lady*. So proud. Silly, I know….but proud anyway…

…too many photographers to name inspire me (that’s a whole ‘nother BLOG in the works!) but for right now - I will say that I am inspired by those photographers who put their gifts into action…like my friend Nichol Krupp who just started returned from Haiti and started an organization Hey! Tee to help with the disater relief there….and Jeremy Cowart, who in adddition to being a brilliant photographer, started Help-Portrait where photographers can come togther and give back…and my friend Jessie Baldwin who is in Africa right now documenting an adoption but also helping an orphanage…these people are a TRUE INSPIRATION…

…this clip from the movie “Rocky Balboa”. Why, yes, i am a giant dork and I love the Rocky movies and I love the message Rocky gives his son in this clip. I **heart** Rocky. :)

and lastly - i have been recently inspired to take on a BIG challenge for an AMAZING cause. I have just started training for a TRIATHLON with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program to raise money to help fight leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and other blood cancers. You can read more about my endeavor by visiting my page (linked in the box) including information about the 7 year old boy I am doing this in honor of - his name is Tyler and he will be featured here on the blog in the next few weeks (as soon as he is feeling up to it!) Please visit my page, donate if you can and send me lots of good wishes and positive energy - I will need it!

Thanks for checking out my site! You can read more about the Blog It Forward mashup and see a list of everyone participating at this list at sfgirlbybay and visit the other bloggers participating today: Audzipan Design , Oh So Beautiful Paper, Clementine, Reading my Tea Leaves, Enhabiten, Sonya Mac Designs, The Fairly Constant Reader, Make Something, Where Women Create