LIFE Archives - Page 4 of 8

Breathe Yoga Chelsea

Posted on February 15, 2016September 28, 2023 by Tressie

Recently I braved the frigid cold of Chelsea Michigan on a Saturday morning with an adventure pal of mine to take our first class at Breathe Yoga Chelsea. I say adventure pal, because this whole yoga thing is a stretch (pun intended) for two fluffy, non-bendy old ladies. We were not sure what to expect, and were a little nervous – were we wearing the right thing? Would we be faced with judgy flexible yoga people who were appalled that we could barely get our jackets off without breathing heavy, let alone touch our toes?

Walking in the front door, the immediate greeting from desk personnel was a warm smile and encouraging words, and I thought…this might be ok.

Matt was our instructor, and he assured us that there would be modified poses for those of us who were a little “challenged” by the moves in his class. He was kind, and very understanding of our limitations. Before class we discussed the alternate moves and what we could expect.

And then we got started!

Those who know me in person are most likely aware that I am an “out loud observer”. So throughout the class, I had an extremely difficult time listening, as I was expending so much energy simply trying to keep my mouth shut. Don’t judge, we all have traits we need to work on. I will proudly say, that only ONCE did a “yeah, sure we will” escape my filter in response to the instruction.

The class was certainly challenging, even in the modified poses – but I know that very often things that are difficult for me are things that I just need to practice more. And I definitely need more flexibility – in mind, body and life in general.

One thing my adventure pal and I agree on, is that we will arrive much earlier for our next class at Breathe Yoga Chelsea – because the only thing worse than being a fluffy, non-bendy old lady in a yoga class, is doing it in front of the rest of the class, right next to the instructor. (kind as Matt is, I’m pretty sure he didn’t enjoy my “yoga face”. Gah.)

Bottom line? Breathe Yoga Chelsea was a warm, inviting and challenging environment – exactly what this fluffy lady needed, and I can’t wait for round 2. Thank you for that Breathe Yoga staff!!

(Image by Burrill Strong, courtesy of Breathe Yoga Chelsea, used with permission)

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Freckles

Posted on August 18, 2015September 28, 2023 by Tressie

I love freckles in general, but there no freckles that I adore more than the ones on my little guy’s face. He is not covered with them, but has just the perfect smattering across his cute little nose.

When I saw the Freckles contest on Viewbug, I had to enter. I immediately took Mister Robby out to the front yard and told him to sit on the sidewalk. The beautifully engaging smile? That was all him, and it makes the image don’t you think?

Did I mention that I am a Viewbug member? I love this site for inspiration – if you’re interested in photography check it out!!

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

She’s a Photographer

Posted on July 21, 2015September 28, 2023 by Tressie

I released a relaxed exhale as we left the cruise ship and began our walk down the path to the beach, enjoying the happy laughter of our kids as they raced ahead, cool breeze flowing through my hair when…”excuse me, will you take our picture?”. I awkwardly accepted the offered point and shoot and even more awkwardly try to figure out how it works as my dear husband says “you picked the right person, she’s a PHOTOGRAPHER“.

I wanted to slap him.

I don’t know why I am so uncomfortable with the title being blurted out like that. Is it because I perceive that other people will assume I should know how to work ALL cameras as I stupidly fumble with theirs? Is it because I know in this moment, this light, this location they will get nothing more than a snapshot (some photographer, they will think when they review the photo) or is it in fear of the dreaded “me too!” As every Tom, Dick and Sally is now a “professional photographer”? Or horror – if they really ARE a photographer, are they secretly judging me by the quality of their requested snapshot?

At that moment, it was a little of all of the above I think.

Am I a snob? Maybe. Sometimes. But paradoxically I am also supremely insecure about my own abilities and wonder what my place is in the photography world. Permanently ensnared between confidence and insecurity, flowing one way or the other with the wind – I’ve heard enough stories to know that I am not the only photographer/artist to feel this way.

So the next time I’m on vacation and I am the one that stops an unsuspecting passerby with “excuse me, will you take a picture of us?”, and she looks at me awkwardly as her husband pipes up “you asked the right person, she’s a PHOTOGRAPHER!’, I will smile warmly and say “me too”.

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Dear Robby

Posted on June 21, 2015September 23, 2023 by Tressie

Dear Robby,

Today is the day you turn 8. 8 years of marveling at how smart you are, 8 years of of laughter and snuggles and my heart swelling with pride.

I am so in love with your sweet little face, with your heart, with your sense of humor. With your giant head and even bigger heart, you are a true celebrity – shown time and again by the random people that yell “Hi Robby!” wherever we go, and the many people that love to read your “Robby-isms” when I post them on social media.

2015-06-20_0001 Ah yes, the Robby-isms. There were so many I had to start a Twitter account for you so I could keep a history of them. And while I may not have documented them all, there is certainly a great sampling there – from the curiously wise statements, to the head scratchers, I love them all.

“I took your freckles off. I’ll give them back if you have money”

“I’m not a grown up, I’m a growing up”

“Gravity should be called Grabity. Cause it’s like a big hand pulling you down.”

“They have claws and don’t like people. They can suck your blood. Sometimes they pinch you. They are called “cramps” and Allie had them once.

“I don’t wanna be a grown up, I just wanna be the boss.”

“If I walk up to my dad and whisper “sphincter” in his ear he will laugh. Then he will yell at my sister for daring me to do it.”

and my all time favorite:

“It’s not a kiss, it’s a mouth five”

And that all about sums it up – what else can I say? You make me laugh every day, and when people tell me what a great kid you are, I just smile and agree, and am so thankful that you are mine.

You rock Robby, and I hope you have the best birthday ever!!

Love,

Mom

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.

Sea Life Michigan Aquarium

Posted on June 3, 2015September 28, 2023 by Tressie

In May of 2015 my family made a visit to Sea Life Michigan, at the request of my girls (ages 10 and 13). Having been to many aquariums in many cities, we were not sure what to expect, especially since this one is located at a mall (Great Lakes Crossing).

We ordered our tickets in advance, as that is what is recommended on the Sea Life Michigan website to ensure entry. It is a very new attraction, and due to the size they let in a limited amount of people at one time.

As we walked in, the kids received a “DIVE Log Book” with a question on each page. Once they find the answer to the question, they are to collect a “stamp” at the dive station. They present their log book at the end of the tour for a prize.

The tanks were well laid out, and there were a ton of interactive displays including “bubbles” they could stand up in to be “inside” the tanks. The touch pool was very small, but the attendants were knowledgable, and very interested in helping the kids understand what they were touching, as well as how the animals eat, live, and interact with their environment.

I really enjoyed this aquarium a lot, and even my big kids had a great time.

The tank displays are amazing, including this one at the end of the tour – my favorite!

Bottom line? If you are looking for a huge aquarium attraction with everything under the sun and a full day of viewing, you may be disappointed with the size of this cozy aquarium. However, it packs in a ton of interactive fun into a small space, and I liked the fact that it was not an all day event. My kids LOVED it.

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Tressie Davis is a blogger and photographer located in Chelsea, MI.