Christmas 2005!

Christmas Eve Party!


**note the homemade ham biscuits, the literal VAT of cocktail style shrimp and the smiling faces all around!!**




**awesome shot of Q and Pa-paw!**


**W walked up to me with the mask on and said in his adorable little voice
"Aunt To'sina....I a BATman!" It was SOOOO cute!


Christmas Day!


**the boys all anxiously awaiting the handing out of the gifts!"







At The Skating Center the Next Day




"The Girls!



Home Again




**all holiday'd out!**


It was a wonderful holiday filled with family and food and laughter! I have the best fam in the world and I'm SO thankful for it!

Alright, Already!

The Singles Mixer

The main reason I attended was because it was stressed in the email invitation that you should bring business cards to hand out. So I thought, well, it's a Saturday night and I can sit home and work or I can get out and try to meet some people. So, I gussied-up a bit (not too much, mind you) and headed out.

It was a typical bar scene, but with the added awarenesss that everyone there was quite unattached, adding a certain hint of intrigue to the atmosphere. There were mostly women in their 40's-50's with secretary's spread and way too much makeup and men in their 40's-50's with paunches and 80's style facial hair. There were a few younger and a few older folks all sprinkled throughout. I did recognize one person I was accquainted with and spoke with him for a while. I mingled a bit, handed out a few cards, fended off a few advances and then eventually took a seat at the bar and sipped a coke and watched the bar room drama unfold.

Although I arrived only shortly after the event began, there was at least one fellow who'd obviously already quaffed a few. He was 40ish, had pretty-boy hair and was probably the handsomest fellow in the place. He was very aware of that fact. It really tickled me to see that by the end of the evening he was slow dancing with a cigarette-and-whiskey voiced lady in too tight jeans. The pickins were slim, but after a few drinks, I guess he thought she was lookin' good in them tight jeans, leathery face or no! Funny stuff.

And then there was a tall 50ish lady, all dolled up in a silky blouse with a fur lined collar, sipping Cosmopoiltans and loudly whispering derogatory comments about all of the other women, as she minced about in her ultra high heels. She was a hoot!

Of course, there's always something amusing to see on the dance floor. It's amazing how very cool people think they look when they dance. Especially when alcohol is involved. Now, being a wedding photographer, I have become somewhat immune to the inherent humor of drunken dance floor antics. But, I had to smile at the short, rotund fellow swiveling his hips to the beat and spicing it up with the occasional, saucy clap of his hands above his head. Call me mean, but that is just really funny to watch!

Well, I could go on, but my lunch break is over and I must get back to work. I'm pretty swamped.

Tat-ta, all!

Iced In

I've lost 12 lbs!!!

Of course the Fred Flintstonesque hunk of Prime Rib I consumed last night while dining out with the folks probably wasn't within the boundaries of my allowable caorie intake for the day. But it was SOOOO worth it. And I'm comfortably back on the dieting wagon again, now. I feel pretty certain that I can lose another 12lbs by the middle of January. Man it feels good to be working out and slimming down! :0)

I am currently trapped at my folks' house by inclement weather. Driving in the snow holds no special fear for me. ICE, is the problem. I will NOT drive in the ice if I do not HAVE to. So my 2 appointments today were rescheduled and I'm sitting here bored.Thought I would share my boredom with you all, heh-heh.

On the cyber-dating front, things are pretty quiet. I have spoken to several men on the phone and the callers have run the gamut from poor redneck to rich snob; from ultra sensitive man to rough and ready guy. I've encoutered everything from men who are "searching for a lifelong soulmate" to guys "just lookin for a chick to ho around with" (I'm paraphrasing here, but barely). I've been asked out a few times, but declined all offers, so far. You know, I'm not looking for perfect, here, just somewhat normal would be a nice start, though. *sigh*

I hunted on Tuesday, but didn't have any luck. Yesterday, Em brought the boys over and we ate lunch together and then played all afternoon. They are so cute and so adorably funny!!
Q is developing quite a strong artistic bent and we drew a zillion crayon pictures together. W is SUCH a mess! That little personality is just SO fun to watch!

I had 2 sessions planned while I was in town, but one cancelled and the other, now that it's done, looks like a non-paying affair. I think I do way too many of those, sometimes.

Well, I guess I'd better go and get a workout. Time to start burning off last night's indulgences.

Have a great day!

ICE!!!!!!!!

SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Few Words, a Few Pics

The last couple of days have been very productive. Between work-outs, website rennovations, bridal portrait proofing, house reorganizing, etc., I'm a little drained. It feels good, though.

Yesterday was my first meeting with my Little Buddy. That's how the Big Brothers, Big Sisters people refer to the child with which they match you. I'm not an official "Big Sister", at this point. I'm beginning this at the Buddy level, meaning I spend one hour per week with my Little Buddy during school hours. This poor little girl with whom I've been matched is so in need of someone to spend time with her.She was so closed when we first started talikng. By the end of an hour, and with the help of hand puppets, she was opening up and showing little glimmers of her personality.

Having never done anything like this before, I really felt like a fish out of water. Upon leaving the school, I decided it might be a good idea to study up on child psychology. I'm only there to be a "role model" or "mentor", not a counselor. But I need to know what I'm dealing with and how to approach my time with her to make the most of it. I would appreciate any prayers and advice that anyone might like to offer up for me and my Buddy. ;0)

I've been chowing down on the venison sausage this week. It's very lean and I wrapped it in small (lower calorie *SIGH*) portions for freezing. I've had deer and eggs (well, egg) and cream chipped deer and Mexican deer omelets and the list goes on and on (don't worry, I throw a little roughage in there, too!). It's cheap, it's lean, it's tasty and I'm realizing more and more, VERY versatile. This is my 5th day of dieting and the venison has really helped me stick with it.

And now, to liven up this most desperately boring blog, I offer a bit of eye candy.

Highlights from Q's 5th B-day
















Have a good day, everyone!

A T-day, a B-day and online dating

I'm back!

Thanksgiving was wonderful, as always! Excellent food, prepared by the folks. Wonderful conversation around the table. Hunting prior to the meal and creme de menthe following it. AAAHHHHH!

I must pause here to issue an official statement of apology to Dy. For the first time ever, I didn't capture a single image of the Thanksgiving table, all brimming over with food. No pics! SORRY!! And after you made an official request for pics and toasted my family over your meal, too (hanging my head in shame, here).

As a small consulation I offer for your viewing pleasure our annual family photo( I know, I know , it's not food but it's all I've got, LOL!)





Saturday was Q's big B-day bash. He was SO cute! His little expressions as he was opening his gifts were just priceless. And of course all of the other little kids were gathered tightly around him with the wonderful, unaffected joy and curiosity of preschoolers. It was so fun to watch!!

There was quite a crowd of young'uns there ranging from about 18mos to 14 yrs old. They danced and skated and played in the FunZone and ate pizza and cake and candy (from the really cute bug-themed treat bags that Em had prepared for each little guest). I had a great time playing music and taking pictures! I'll post the images soon.

From Thurs-Monday, I spent chunks of each day in the woods. I didn't kill a single thing, but it felt SO good to get out there and reconnect with nature. I was soooo close to bagging a nice doe, but she just wouldn't come out of the thick underbrush far enough for me to get a clean shot. Wow, does a situation like that send the adrenaline pumping through your veins! It felt good.

Well, here's the other big thing going on with me, right now. I joined an online "match-making" service. That's right! I initially went on it, just messing around. It's free and completely anonymous so I thought, hey why not see what's out there? Then I began receiving ALL of these cyber winks and messages from local single men. Who appear, at least, to be "quality" singles. And I'm ready to make some new friends. So, I may eventually end up doing some dating. This terrifies me, slightly. You see, it's one thing for a someone to see a nice professional portrait of you and think you're attractive. It's quite another to meet them in person---no flattering poses or glamorous lighting!

Therefore. I am dieting for ALL I'm worth! LOL! I know, I know. It's pretty sad that it takes the thought of dating again to really light a fire under me concerning my appearance. But, there it is. If that's what it takes to make me get back into shape, so be it.

Well, I need to get back to work. Lots to do. Trying to stay busy so as not to think about the hunger pains. ;0)

The weekend

Saturday's first appointment was a no-show. That seems to have been a common theme for last week. At 3PM I met a Bride2B downtown at a beautiful old church building and spent an hour making bridal portraits. Then we traveled back to my place and spent another 45 minutes taking some gorgeous images in the meadow with the last rays of the golden fall sun on the mountains, in the background. I believe they may be the best bridal portraits I've ever shot. :0)

Sunday morning, late, I headed up to Mom&Dad's house to meet the family and welcome Race home. Everyone was already there when I arrived. Race looks good--none the worse for wear!

WELCOME BACK, RACE!!!

Me and the kids went down to the barn and played chase on the rows of hay bales. Q, who was hesitant at first, was running and jumping bravely with the big kids by the time we were ready to head back. Everyone had a great time and we were all a little tuckered out when the cell phone call from the house--the modern dinner bell--came through.

Little W was awake when we arrived back at the house. He is such a good talker now! And still just as cute as can be.

Supper was just fantastic, as it always is at home: steaks off the grill, Montreal seasoned; baked, buttered sweet potatoes, fresh green salad, thickly sliced hunks of crusty garlic bread. And the WHOLE family there together to laugh and talk and enjoy it!

Austin and Jackson and I (with Q popping in and out of the fray, occasionally) engaged in numerous to-the-death light saber battles in the front yard, by the light of the porch. The boys' padded swords from martial arts endured a thorough workout that evening, as my bruised and battered knees and elbows will attest! It was SO much fun.

This morning, we headed up to the skating center (minus Em& the Gang) and I spun tunes from the DJ box while the kids skated and played games and generally frolicked. From there, it was lunch at the little family pizza and sub place. The USA Shooting Competition arcade game was played non-stop until the food arrived. We've got some real sharpshooters coming up in the fam, I'd say!



Well, that was the weekend. I'm back home, now, and pretty tired. The next couple of days are going to be full--lots of work to be completed before I can head home again. I'm really looking forward to the holiday: family(the WHOLE family), food and hunting!!! Does it GET any better than that??

I KNEW it, I just KNEW it!

I mean, I always suspected it, but now it's just OFFICIAL!
(I found this over on Kathy Jo's blog, Barefoot Meandering))

You scored as Indiana Jones. Indiana Jones is an archaeologist/adventurer with an unquenchable love for danger and excitement. He travels the globe in search of historical relics. He loves travel, excitement, and a good archaeological discovery. He hates Nazis and snakes, perhaps to the same degree. He always brings along his trusty whip and fedora. He's tough, cool, and dedicated. He relies on both brains and brawn to get him out of trouble and into it. Indiana Jones 88% Lara Croft 87% Batman, the Dark Knight 83% William Wallace 71% Maximus 71% Captain Jack Sparrow 63% The Terminator 63% Neo, the "One" 54% The Amazing Spider-Man 50% James Bond, Agent 007 50% El Zorro 42% Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.

Yesterday's wedding consultation was a no-show. But, I accomplished alot of digital work and the portrait session with Austin went well. He and Jack stayed at my house for a few hours while Savannah was at ballet. When the pictures were finished we took the dogs for a run out in the field and climbed on the hay stack. The boys had a running light saber battle using dried cornstalks that was very amusing to watch and listen to. At one point out of the semi-darkness I hear Jack's voice announcing loudly to a fallen Austin "Drop your sword and I'll kill you quickly!". I was rolling.

When we got back to the house, the boys started a campfire in the yard and messed around with it until it was time to go. I gave Jackson my lighter (not without some trepidation) to light the fire. When I walked back outside I could hear Austin admonishing him to be careful, but allowing HIM to light it, all the same. I thought that was nice. Alot of big brothers would have wrestled it from him and lit the fire themselves.

They really get along well. Austin obviously finds Jack to be just this hilarious, wide-open little person and genuinely "likes" him. And Jack, even when he's trying to aggravate the sense out of Austin, will come to his defense in a moment if he thinks Austin needs defending. That's so nice to see. Too many people let their kids fight amongst themselves like cats and dogs instead of teaching them to respect one another and work things out. Now that's not to say the occasional little scuffle doesn't have it's place. I think it probably does. But there shouldn't be lasting mailce or bitterness.

The biggest incentive for me and my sisters not to argue and fight was Mom declaring that she would force us to kiss and makeup, afterwards. Oh, the horror! Many a fight was very quickly de-escalated that way, I'm here to tell you! LOL!

On the way out to meet Melissa and Savannah, we listened to U2's "Vertigo" a couple of times with Jackson repeatedly sneaking the volume up louder. The kid really digs his tunes! It was fun.

Well, I'd better get back to work here. I just wanted to jot that down while I was thinking about it. At the moment, I'm trying to wrest myself back away from the ibuprofen bottle and heating pad so I can make some more progress with the house reorganization project.

Have a great day!!! :0D

Stuff that's been happening

Well, I just haven't felt like bloggin. I really haven't. And I still don't. But I will. Because eventually, I WILL feel like it again and I will have lost my little readership. :0D

SO:

Tuesday I worked the polls and Austin stood there with me and helped hand out literature to the voters. We both enjoyed ourselves. Later that evening, I headed back out to the post election "victory" party at the Wingate Inn with a dish of mini-fried-green-tomato-BLT
-biscuits-with-chili-mayo under my arm. Our local delegate was there and he won his race. I'd met him the week before at a campaign supper and he came over and asked how things went at my polling place. I'm glad he remembered me, as it's always good to have friends in high places. I met a few new people, but the atmosphere was not overly conducive to cheery, chatty conversation. As the numbers for the governor's race were flashing up on the TV screens, it became obvious that our candidate was getting beaten by a disappointingly large margin.

The better part of last week was spent deep in the midst of a massive home-office reorganization devoir (translation: throwing out a TON of CRAP!). I bought some new shelves and other organizational necessities at Lowes. I also purchased a toilet tank kit, which I'm dreading to deal with. It's just gross to mess with toilets, even if it IS just the tank part. Yuck.

My poor little shed is just bursting at the gills, but still, I keep hauling more stuff out there. It's gotta go somewhere and I simply cannot stand to have the clutter underfoot any longer. The massive shed reorganization devoir can wait until next spring!

Friday afternoon, Savannah and Jack came over to visit. Savannah and I did an art lesson while Jack explored the yard and played with Hilda. We then transformed Savannah into a beautiful Fall fairy and drove down the road to a pre-appointed location at a pre-appointed time when the sun is doing just what I need it to do. These are all works-in-progress, at this point, but I think they have a lot of potential. Savannah makes such a pretty fairy!










After de-fairying Savannah, we headed out for pizza and a movie. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is weird but funny. We all enjoyed it. I dropped the kids off back at home and chatted with Melissa for a while.

Saturday was spent cleaning house and then prepping for a 4PM Senior session. The shoot went really well and the images are extremely good. The girl was attractive and easy to pose. Her mother, I despised. Truly. I'm not going to get into it, even, I disliked her so much. I don't often have that kind of gut reaction to a person, but rarely does my gut lead me astray.

Anyhoo, other than one of my lights breaking and another catching on fire, it was an uneventful session. Yep, that's right, up in flames. Had to fling it into the yard. Thankfully, it was the end of the session and I played it off the best I could. I mean, you can't exactly say "Oh, it happens ALLL the time, no worries!", but when I showed the girl her images she couldn't have cared less about the fire. SO, I guess that's good, right? Could've been alot worse! ;0)

Well, anyway, that's what's been happening with me. You're up to date!

G'night, folks!

P.S. Please continue to keep Melissa and Race and the kids in your prayers!!!!

Showcase

Well. It was not the stunning success I had hoped for, but it was pretty good.

It bugs me a little that I put so much effort and careful planning into it, only to end up doing my usual dumb routine of forgetting things and rushing around at the last minute. I am rather proud of the fact that I was all packed and ready to go on Friday night, to include having my outfit all pressed and ready to slip into. So when I arose on Sat morning, I had only to shower, brew java and hit the road. Which I did. Without my suit jacket and without the door prize I was supposed to bring. *SIGH*

I arrived at the Showcase in plenty of time to run out and get a new jacket from Goody's (just across the street, thank you, Lord!) and the door prize will be mailed out to the winning bride this week. Problems solved. Another one cropped up almost immediately as I started setting up the table for the enormous TV to be displayed upon. The desk I had taken apart the night before would NOT go back together again. I begged a larger screwdriver off of another vendor, but still no luck. I was all sweaty and disheveled and frazzled by the time the TV guys arrived and the thing still wasn't assembled. I told them the problem and began to clear away my albums and frames to make room on the small booth table---I just didn't have any other place to put it. The guy stopped me and asked for the screwdriver. L.D. (that was his name, no joke!) and his little assistant proceeded to whip that desk together for me with the speed and skill of a master carpenter. They were done in a jiffy and had the TV set up for me in no time. God bless 'em, chivalry is NOT dead!

As I began arranging my display, it became apparent that I was missing...something. It eventually dawned on me that I needed something behind the booth--like a backdrop or giant tri-fold panel. All of the bigger businesses had them. Ah, well. Too late to do anything about it then. But a large and boldly lettered mental note was made to be sure to get one before the next show.

The placement of my booth was not optimal. In fact, it was probably the worst in the whole joint. It's like they hid me.The vendor locations had apparently been rearranged at the last minute and I just kind of got stuck wherever. I had chosen #22 on the booth placement chart, but #22 had been relocated--unbeknownst to me until I arrived that morning. The only thing that may have saved me, is the fact that every bride had a little sheet that every vendor was supposed to sign in order for said bride to be eligible for a cruise vacation giveaway drawing.
So a large number of brides had to actively seek me out (with binoculars and compass!).

Oh, and my booth was also directly under one of the speakers. The steady stream of music and announcements was a little distracting to myself and my potential customers as I tried to promote my wares.

By the time the show began and the brides started milling about, my booth was all set up and my friendly-wedding-service-provider smile was all pasted on. Over 500 brides-to-be attended the show and I lost count of how many brochures and business cards I handed out.
I received alot of compliments on my images and alot of folks (the majority, I'd say) perused and thoroughly extolled my albums. So that was good.

It was too busy for me to get around to check out all of the competition, but there was ALOT. Too much, really, for the size of the show. There were many more photographers than any other type of vendor. Heck, I had 4 other photographers within 50 feet of me and I was facing the wall! I guess I felt a little cheated in that regard. Most shows will hold the number of each type of vendor to a minimum in order to optimize each vendors marketing opportunities.

The show itself was a little more upscale and better attended than the last one held by this company. They had a very nice bridal fashion show and a couple of big surprises, too. Two different gals involved in the event were proposed to by their boyfriends, onstage. That was neat. And of course one lucky b-2-b won a cruise. Sweet.

All in all, it was okay. I handed out a ton of info and I made a couple of new business connections. And I learned some things, too. :0)

Here's a snapshot
of my not-QUITE-as-impressive-as-I-wanted-it-to-be-but-still-pretty-okay-I-guess display:

Mullet Haiku

Tracking the haiku theme from the Crib Chick's blog, I found this posted by Hillary in KS in the comments section on Jo's Boys blog. Unfortunately, I don't know how to link to them all cool-like here in the text of my post. But that's where the haiku originated.
It's just too hilarious not to share!

Mullet Haiku:

Party in the back
Luscious locks blow so gently
No wind can tame me

Hillbilly tresses
Ponder the meaning of life
Soaked in Budweiser

Short, for such is life
Long, for freedom has no bounds
American way

Born to Run Hairdo
Whither doest thou wander, Dude?
Home to New Jersey..

I'm a champion
My mullet sways with each pitch
I'm Randy Johnson

It's not a trailer
Angry mullet man insists
Manufactured home

His tortured nightmares
Phish concerts and micro brews
Hippies kick his *ss

Show Prep Update and a Few Pics

As I'm currently up to my eyeballs in Showcase prep work, I'm just going to take a couple of minutes to scribble something here. I don't want to put off the few faithful readers I have by non-posting! :0)

All of my Big Gorgeous albums arrived and are in the process of being filled with Big Gorgeous example images. Sleek, newly designed brochures are printing off as I type. A 50" flat screen TV is scheduled to be delivered to my booth on Show Day. I have business cards and pens a-plenty, to hand out. My work outfit and hairstyle for the day is all settled upon. My car is just a giant dung heap and MUST be cleaned out in order to haul my stuff (and to be seen in civilized society). I have some corrections to make on the Slideshow DVD I'll be playing on the big TV. 16x20's still have to be printed and mounted. And I'm sure there's lots of other stuff that I'll forget and have to rush around to get finished by Saturday. Set-up time begins at 9:00AM and Showtime is 12:00.

I volunteered to make phone calls for my political party to "get out the vote" for November 8th's election, this week. This is not a great week for me to be volunteering, but I've ebbn meaning to get involved since I moved here and I was already committed. I have a car load full of campaign signs that I need to get put up along the road, as well. Thus far, I've struck out with every person whom I've asked for permission to put something up in their yard. That's just disappointing. And when your heart's not in your work to begin with, it's a little difficult to stay motivated when folks just keep shooting you down. Ah, well. I said I would, so I shall. I shouldn't complain. It's an opportunity, not a chore, right? (Right?Anyone?... a little encouragement here?)

I have a short, humorous story/observation to share about the volunteer phone call operation at the Republican HQ. When the Show is over and done I shall share it.



In the meantime, for your viewing pleasure:

Steeplechase at Oak Ridge 2005 (and Terrier races!)









It was alot of fun!

Cabin in the Woods

I enjoyed a wonderful time at an old 1800's era cabin with Melissa and the kids last week. I was invited to spend the night with them for an early celebration of Austin's birthday. Gorgeous old cabin,cool mountain air, fall foliage, hot tub, woodstove, incredibly delicious chili (Melissa makes the BEST chili!), hot mulled apple cider with a smidge of cinnamon Schnapps (just a smidge, mind you), marathon Monopoly with Austin, metal detecting in the meadow, pancakes and bacon and coffee the next morning...







Jackson catches a Monarch butterfly


Metal detecting in the meadow



Austin cuts loose with a startlingly loud and scary Uruk Hai roar

Couple of pics

It's been an eventful week. I'll have to post about it later, as it's a rather long story. Here're a few images from an enjoyable evening I spent at Melissa's house last week. The kids had gathered tons of wood and made a wonderful campfire. We had hot dogs, marshmallows, fried apple pies and good conversation.


Jackson, master of fire!


Ummm...so when did Austin become, like, a full-grown man? Check out those guns! GEEZ!

Brief Update

Since last blogging, the following things of note have occurred:

*I wrecked my car, resulting in a nice goose egg and a sore neck. The car is back running (many thanks to my friend) and the injuries healed.

*I have started back working-out again like I mean it.

*I have made a major (positive, I think) change in my life. I'm having a tough time of it, right now. Things should start to get better in a few weeks. In the meantime, prayer would be appreciated

*On one of my runs in the National Forest I spotted the massive buck with the massive rack that I shall attempt to make my own as soon as the appropriate season arrives.

*I have been involved in the foiling of two separate attempts by the craven and dastardly group of sub-humans known as poachers to spotlight deer in "my" field. I despise cheaters.

*Two successful art lessons with Savannah have transpired and two successful home cooked meals have been enjoyed by myself and Melissa and the kids.

*Major accomplishments on the business front:
.(1)Completion of ALL the St. Lucia proofs
(2)Big lead on the astoundingly cool albums I've been searching for, so tirelessly
(3)Two more wedding consultations scheduled, using my new package prices
(4)Making some headway on improving the look and content of my website
(5)May have found another competent assistant for wedding photography--will know more after the weekend.

*Hilda's first, and last episode of "womanhood" has been survived (although it required the discharge of firearms in the wee hours of the morn' on more than one occasion to discourage her would-be suitors and protect her maidenly honor).

*It would appear that the way is clear for me to get a "Little Buddy" in the BBBS program. Just waiting for the call. :0)

* It became abundantly clear to me that the organization of my political party in this area is either non-existent or just sucks. I have tried 3 times to get in touch with ANYONE in the organization in order to volunteer my time and talents to further the conservative cause. Or just, like, get a sign for my yard. SOMETHING.
No one seems to give a rip. May have a Rant about that later.

*I'm beginning to think that my landlords are avoiding me on the whole new floor issue. It's been more than 10 days since I talked to them. Am I just being impatient and paranoid? I'm at least willing to admit that that's entirely possible.


Alright, that's all I've got. Will blog more when feeling more humorously inclined. G'night, all.

Lunch hour bloggin'

Well, I'm getting fat again.Not that I ever actually got thin, but at least I was getting back into some of my jeans. My exercise routine will have to be put back in full swing tonight. Running/fast-walking, floor exercises,etc. *sigh*. I've got to do it. I have this whole other wardrobe of clothing that I could wear if I would just buckle down and REALLY lose some lbs. Deer season is fast approaching,too, and I don't want to have a heart attack while trying to drag my enormously huge buck out of the woods. So. Back to workout Hell, I go.

I enjoyed a nice day and night at Mom and Dad's last week. I drove in on Thursday and ate lunch with M&D and Em and the boys. Then I set up my traveling studio and did some images of the boys. They were both well-behaved, but it's darn hard to get everyone looking in the same direction and smiling all at the same time. A well-timed bribe of candy smoothed the way, considerably. I got some cute shots. The neighbor-chick later brought her 2 little girls down, all decked out in their pink princess Halloween duds and I did a few shots of them, as well. It was fun.
As soon as the studio was packed away, I grabbed my gear and headed out dove hunting. I plan to share my bounty with Melissa and the kids after art lessons on Tuesday. Curried, roast dove with an apple glaze and fried green tomatoes. Mmmm. I'm looking very forward to it!

The carpet in my house is very cheap and worn and just UGLY. I've Rug Doctor'd it and spot scrubbed it and done everything else I could think of to make it more presentable, but to no avail. It looks and smells bad. The rest of the living room/consultation room/studio looks good. I've painted and decorated and done what I could do to spruce the place up. I like the results---except for the nasty carpet! The last 2 weeks I've been gathering information on laminate flooring--the type that looks and feels like wood. Prices, installation,labor,etc. I gathered my courage and made a presentation/proposal to my landlords on Saturday.
They were amenable to a change in the flooring. They will get back in touch with me with the details. It turns out that there may be good wood flooring under this nasty carpet. If that's the case, I can just rip up the carpet and sand and varnish to my heart's content. And I could do the whole house, not just the living room. That would be AWESOME! We'll see.


All of my perrenials are in the ground and all but 2 appear to be thriving. It took me 4 hours with a pick-axe, shovel and rake to get those dozen or so plants in the ground. I have no outside running water source, so I'm hauling water from the kitchen like a madwoman, trying to keep thngs alive. Surely it will rain again, someday?? If I can just get them to stay alive, it will all be SO worth it next spring/summer/fall!

It's going to be a busy week, but the completion of several projects/orders can be achieved by Friday, if I really work hard and no major problems crop up. That would free me up to work on some serious marketing plans that are waiting in the wings (is that a real expression or did I just make that up?).

I'm looking very much forward to tomorrow's art lesson with Savannah. We started lessons again last week and she did NOT disappoint. Her talent never fails to amaze me and her ability to master the different skills we're learning is a marvelous thing to see. It's also great for me to have a reason to practice and stretch my own skills and creativity as I prepare for the lessons. As an adult, I find it tedious to have to practice and mess up and erase and do-over again and again. Teaching her, has removed the tediousness for me and given me a much-needed dose of self-discipline. I have to master these skills myself, if I'm going to be properly prepared to impart them to her.When I was Savannah's age, I remember having her enthusiasm for learning new skills and experiencing the satisfaction of seeing my artwork improve. Seeing HER enthusiasm and satisfaction acts as an "upper" for me. I'm so pleased to have the opportunity.

I'm waiting to hear back from the BBBS lady about getting assingned to a "Little". I have to get one more reference and then the path should be clear for me to start spending an hour per week with a "needy" kid. I'm a smidgen apprehensive--I've never done anything quite like this before-- but, I'm really looking forward to to the opportunity.

Well, lunch is long over and I gotta get back to work.

Here are a few images I did over the weekend that I may use in an art show or on notecards. (Some of these are still "works, in progress" so please be kind).