Guts

Grit. Iron. Moxey. Cahonies. What does that mean to you?

When I was growing up, I thought it meant being brave in the face of physical danger. To prove my bravery to myself and my compadres, I would climb the highest tree, or jump from a higher limb than anyone else. I would drive the fastest on the ATV or hold my breath the longest underwater.

But deep down, I was scared. Not of physical pain but of emotional trauma. I was scared of people, of social situations. I could do a backflip off of the diving board without blinking (and it WAS scary every time I made myself do it), but I would hide in the woods rather than face a room full of strangers.

This weekend, I witnessed a different kind of courage. The kind that I did NOT have, growing up.

Savannah stayed with me Sat and Sun night. I was scheduled to drop her off at her audition on Sunday afternoon. This was to be her first REAL audition....I'm talking singing with piano accompaniment and an unrehearsed script reading in front of strangers. Scary stuff. Stuff I wouldn't have dreamed of doing at her age. At ANY age.

We spent Saturday evening picking raspberries and walking the dogs. Later, we watched "The Village" and ate fried raspberry pies with ice cream. It was a fun girls night in. Throughout the evening, I would ask Savannah questions about the audition. Was she nervous? Did she need help practicing her song? Each time, she would calmly reply that she was looking forward to it and ready to go. Alrighty, then. I tried not to let on how nervous that I was for her! I tossed and turned all that night, having nightmares about not getting her to the theatre on time, or forgetting her sheet music, etc. She slept like a lamb and was cheerfully ready-to-roll the next morning.

After a breakfast of raspberry pancakes, we headed off to the audition.

We sat there and watched as kids came filing in, singly and in groups. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. These kids were like Broadway professionals. Try to imagine sitting there and watching as the crowd of mostly 12-14 yr olds gathered. With each new arrival there were rounds of hugs and compliments showered upon one another, lots of lip gloss and eye shadow and dramatic accessories; high heels, artsy outfits and lively discussion of previous performances, dance classes and shared accquaintances. Meanwhile there I sat with Savannah, dressed in her simple t-shirt, khaki shorts and comfortable sneakers, hair demurely pulled back in a headband, filling out her paperwork and reading over her lines quiet as a mouse. We got a few curious glances, but were mostly ignored in the bustle. Savannah was not oblivious to what was going on around her; I could see that. She took it all in. But in the face of this daunting crowd, she was as stalwart as a general on the battlefield.


At this point, two courses of action were in my head. The first and strongest impulse was to gather her up and RUN away back to my house in the mountains, never to return to the theatre---or the outside world for that matter---thereby saving her from any emotional trauma. EVER. The second was to immediatley begin giving her advice on how to handle these wolves, er, I mean kids. What to say, how to get "in" with them. Which ones to AVOID being friendly with, etc.

In the end, I just sat there. This was her battle and she was obviously willing to fight it. She was nervous, yes. But she was ready. She was NOT there for the other kids and she was not going to be intimidated by them. She was there to peform. She was there to learn. She was there because she loves it. So we just sat there. Guts, man. Pure. Guts.

I didn't get to see her audition, as it was behind closed doors. When she came out, she seemed a bit preoccupied but still cool as a cucumber. She simply said it went "Okay". Tough nut to crack, that one.

After costume measurements were taken, the group was herded into the auditorium and given a crash course on one of the meticuloulsy choreographed dance routines. I was able to watch a little of it. This was not elementary stuff they were learning. It was not easy. When she came out, she admitted that it was hard but smiled, all the same, and said that it had been fun!

That evening, over chocolate fondue and "King Kong", I kept trying to get her to open up a little further about the audition, gently plying her for more info. She didn't have much to say, other than that she was definitley looking forward to the next day. And when the next day came, she was sure enough ready to roll. And sure enough ready for me to drop her off...and LEAVE. She thanked me sincerely, gave me a hug and basically, very sweetly-----dismissed me. I drove away praying hard for her.

The courage to face new tasks, new social situations. Puttng yourself in uncomfortable, potentially embarassing circumstances in order to learn and grow. Now THAT's the kind of guts that gets you somewhere in life!

She found out Monday that she has been chosen for a speaking part in the play. She's gotten to know a few of the kids and is having a wonderful time of it.

It occured to me later that by the time all was said and done, Savannah would get to know the kids in this class and make some friends, too. She would meet new people and learn and have fun. She always does, in every class/activity she's ever been involved with. Her opinion of the other kids was not automatically jaded by their appearance or experience or idle chatter, as mine was. So I kept my opinions about the other kids to myself. I did, very non-chalantly of course, share with her the little bit of "insider" info that I gathered by covertly watching the other kids fill out there bio sheets. Names, ages, experience, etc. I let this information slip out casually in hopes that it will come back to her if she should need it. Hey, it's always good to know who you're hyena's, um, I mean FRIENDS really are, right? *wink-wink* ;0)

I just finished reading Melissa's post on the same subject (great minds think alike, ROFL!!!) and Savannah was SO right on her judgement of Mr. Thirty-something (who's actually 18--don't ask me how I know that). Not only is she gutsy, she's perceptive, too! The girl's gonna go far!

Summer Fun with the Kids

I picked up Austin, Savannah and Jackson Wednesday evening to spend the night and part of Thursday with me. We had a great time together! We did a little shopping, then came home and sat around a campfire and related our scariest dreams to each other.

Poor S was up sick half of the night, but was bright-eyed and bushy tailed the next morning. I fixed us all Mexican omelets and then we gathered up the dogs and headed out to pick wild black rasberries.



S and J and Elvis headed down the road to the rasberry patches



Austin goofin' around



The whole berry-pickin' crew!


We ended up with quite the haul of sweet, juicy rasberries. I'm going to make ...well...something out of them. Probably cobbler or fried pies. We'll see. Either way, how can you lose? :0)



After berry-picking, we armed ourselves with bug repellent and piled into the car--dogs and all---and headed out to a creek in the National Forest.


Hilda and Jackson both quite at home in their natural element!!



Savannah and Austin taking a dip


Pretty things we saw



Savannah took this picture. I think I see an assistant in the making!! Great angle and composition, too!



Austin sharpening a stick and having a go at spear fishing


Hilda being her usual "helpful" self


Skipping stones


Savannah on the trail with Hilda



Hilda's big adventure on the log---she lost some serious cool points, there! :0)


Jackson catches a water snake



Elvis participating in his favorite water-related frolic: destroying big sticks. The Big E is 13 years old now and STILL a force to be reckoned with. Who needs ADT??? This is the same dog that happily curled up beside Jackson on the futon the night before, gentle as a lamb. Good dog!! :0)



We arrived back at my house wet, tired and happy. I can't wait until we can go out and do it again!! I just heard about a HUGE swimming hole in a nearby river. I think that might be our next adventure together.

They all have busy summer schedules (and so do I!), so it's harder to get together and do these things. But it's SO worth the effort to get to spend time with them. Thanks for all the fun, guys!! Looking forward to next time! :0)

A Dog Tale

George was my dog, growing up. He was a lovable, rambunctious mutt who was a partner in many of my adventures around the farm. We had other dogs, through the years whom I loved just as much, but George was the first pet that I felt was "mine." We were pretty tight.

 He was not a large dog, but he was fearless with other dogs and jealous of my attention. Scruffy, sweet and feisty.

I have so many fond memories in which ole Gerogie-porgie played a part. The one I'm about to unfold made a huge impression on me and made a hero out of someone I already loved.

One of the main features of our farm was the Hog House. It was a state of the art building, the very latest in hog farming technology. In the Hog House office, resided my Uncle D's ex-police dog, a big German Shepherd named Boss who answered only to Uncle D. Boss was always nice to me, and we liked him and petted him, but he really was HUGE and intimidating.

One day, as I was playing down around the barn, I headed past the Hog House with George at my heels, and didn't notice that the office door had been left ajar. George did. When Boss stuck his huge head out of the open door, little George made a bee line for him. Boss, leapt down the steps towards him and for a few endless, breathless seconds they just stood and growled at each other, fangs bared. I was struck dumb with breathless terror. I KNEW what was about to happen and there was nothing I could do. And when it did happen, it was with the suddenness and volume of a car crash. Boss had poor little George by the throat and was shaking him mercilessly. I screamed and screamed at Boss to stop, but my small voice was lost in the din.

I was horrified and helpless. The teenaged farmhand heard the din and came running. At my harried, tearful suggestion, he yelled and hit Boss with a shovel, but it was no use---the big guy wasn't even phased--he continued to tear into my poor George. I ran to the farm truck, turned the key and the engine  started (something I had NEVER done before and had only a vague notion of even HOW to do!). This activated the CB radio system that was installed up at our house and in all of the farm/family vehicles. I pleaded, through my tears, into the CB for someone to please help----"Boss is killing George!!"I sobbed.

I was completely desperate. There was no one to help! There was nothing I could do. All I could think of was getting Boss to let go of George. I reached into my back pocket and felt for one of my most prized possessions---my eagle claw knife. I pulled it out and looked up at the farmhand. " I have this...?" and gestured with the knife. To which he replied "Naw…I'm not doin' that. I'm afraid he'd turn on me, man".

He is a coward, I thought to myself. I had always thought of him as almost an adult---now he seemed just as young and helpless as me. Truth was, I was terrified, too, seeing how fast and powerful and huge Boss really was in action. I ran back into the Hog House, where Boss had drug George, teeth still gripping his neck, biting and snarling and shaking the smaller dog like a rag doll. George was making less and less noise and I became even more scared and started crying harder.

I ran back outside, sobbing desperately. I reached into my back pocket and once again pulled out the knife. I remember the seconds ticking by like hours as I stood looking at that curved blade; hearing the awful din of my dog being killed. If I stabbed Boss, would it make him let go of George? Would he then turn his terrifying fury on me? Should I do it? COULD I do it?

Thankfully, I did not have to make that decision. At that moment I heard a coughing noise from up the road. I looked up to see a sight that, to this day is burned into my memory. It was my Uncle D. He was running towards me down the barn road, flannel shirt untucked and flapping. He was literally gasping for air and stumbling, pale as a ghost, but running, all the same.

I don't know what was more shocking to me at that moment: Looking up to see him there (I had no idea he was anywhere around) or seeing him "running". Adults, in my world, did not run.

Turns out, poor Uncle D was very ill with the flu and was up at our house sleeping when he had heard my pitiful, sobbing plea come over the CB's base unit. Sick and weak as he was, he jumped up and ran ALL the way, more than half a mile, down to the Hog House to save my poor George.

I never will forget, after the initial shock of seeing him actually moving at a pace faster than his usual cool saunter, the relief that began to fill my whole being when I realized help had arrived. Uncle D ran straight past me and into the Hog House and got Boss off of George. He looked absolutely terrible, panting and gaunt from sickness, but he saved my George and he saved the day.

   At about the same time, Mom and Dad came barreling down the barn road in their car, dust flying. They also, had heard my call come over the CB. Before I could think what to do next, George was running past me. He'd been freed from his attacker by Uncle D, and was high-tailing it straight to the house. I could see the blood on his neck, but he was moving fast and I took that as a good sign!

Well, after a trip to the vet and a whole bunch of stitches, George was on the mend.
And in a few days, he was back to his spunky, feisty self. He was forbidden from accompanying me to the barn, for a while until new quarters could be arranged for Boss. Other than that, life was back to normal.

 Uncle D never said a word about having to run down, sick as a dog, and and literally save George's neck. And, heck, he may not even remember it now. But I do. I'll never forget that day. Uncle D was my hero.

 When talking about this story, years and years later my sister wisely commented "I remember that day. I remember hearing your voice on the radio coming into the house. I remember Uncle D taking off out of the house. I can assure you it was not for George that he ran........it was for you!"

Thanks, Uncle D!

Where I've been

About a month and a half ago, I bent over to blow dry my hair and someone jammed a knife into my back and twisted it. A stiff-necked, emergency trip to the chiropractor clued me in on the fact that there was not, in fact, a dagger sticking out of my spine. Apparently, I had about a zillion severely pinched nerves and cramping muscles as a result of a body surfing incident a couple of years back. Who knew? Crazy.

Anyway, long story short, I spent most of the last 6 weeks being completely sedentary. No exercising, very little outdoor work, no hiking, etc. My only real activity was the portriat work and weddings I had to shoot during that and I relied heavily upon ibuprofen and my assistants to get them done. God bless them both!!

After a whole slew of Dr's visits and such, I'm finally able to get back to an active lifestyle. This has put me seriously behind on the whole beach-body-by-summer goal. SERIOUSLY. But I'm back on the wagon. Workout hard and eat right. Firm and tan by beach time. It CAN be done!! :0)

This is my busiest summer, to date. Weddings and portraits and such are filling my calendar. It's really making me chomp at the bit to get into a bigger studio so I can capitalize on the return business when it comes.

I've found a little spot of land that I like. About 8 acres out in the country with a killer mountain view. It's gorgeous. I'm in the process of asking questions---will it perk, any restrictions to building, etc. We'll see!

My vegetable garden is just lovely. I doubled it's size from last year and I'm almost wishing I'd made it a little bigger, still. I'll be enjoying my first FRESH green salad this evening. With a low cal dressing, of course!

I've started working on some posts about growing up on the farm. So, I should have a little more in the way of interesting/entertaining subject matter to divert my ever-faithful readers in the next few days.

Thanks for stoppin' by to read my stuff! :0)

Dogs, houses, etc.

It's so beautiful, this morning. The sun is shining golden and the air is cool and refeshing. There's dew on the grass and my lilacs are sparkling with it, too. I'm sipping a hot cup of coffee and nibbling on plate of scrambled eggs and last night's leftover ribeye. Mmmmmm.

I awoke this morning, early, to find Hilda peering intently out of the window, whining and growling. I knew what the problem was. Another dog had entered the yard. For Hilda, this generally means: "Playmate!!". For Elvis it means: "an infidel beast has entered my sacred yard and must be destroyed at all costs!". So, I crawled out from under my warm quilts and let Hilda outside to play with the interloper for a little while, as Elvis looked on from the bedroom window, barking furiously. After a bit of morning play, it was time for Other Dog to go back home so Elvis could come out and indignantly re-mark all of his blasphemed yard. Unfortunately, Other Dog refused to go. Not too bright, that one.
I put Elvis on his chain and Other Dog finally got the message when he strayed too close to the righteoulsy angry Big E. No harm done, though. Other Dog is huge, but he's fast, so he got away unscathed and high-tailed it back to his house. Hopefully, he learned a lesson as well.

I have big plans to get my veggie garden tilled and fertilzed and ready for planting in the next two days. I also have some wildflowers and morning glories to put in the ground. There's a whole slew of bulbs, mostly irises, that I would like to transplant from the old house site next door, too. So much planting, so little time!! :0)

My original plan was to have all of this completed two weeks ago, but weather and other circumstances prevented me from getting it done. The aforememntioned "other circumstances", have been a cause of some frustration, here lately. I've started halfway looking for some land and/or a house to buy. I thought I had found just what I was looking for a couple of weeks back, and really had my hopes up about it, but it all fell through. So, I'm back to making plans for flowers and veg gardens and maybe some new paint at my current humble abode.

I absolutely love where I live, but I need more space---I need to upgrade. I could really expand my business if I had another couple of rooms. I've been trying to convice my landlords to sell this place to me along with the lot next door. My landlords--they are THE nicest people, and I really like them but they are very set in their ways. They will not even consider selling. *SIGH*

So, I'm still keeping my eye out for a new situation. But, it will be awfully hard to leave this one unless I find something that just knocks my socks off. I do love it here! ;0)

Other happenings of note:

Easter was awesome at Mom and Dad's. The whole family came and we cooked and ate and laughed and the kids all played. I brought a friend home for the weekend and we did some fishing and scouting for deer and turkey sign. It was nice to be home for a couple of days.

Dad's hospital visit went well (praise God!!). I am so very thankful.

I've had an excellent last two weeks, business-wise, to include making some promising new connections in the high-end wedding service provider's community. I also have two businesses (I'm waiting to meet with two more, one of which is an art gallery) who have agreed to display/sell some of my fine art pieces.

Book Club was awesome this month. I'll probably write a separate post about it soon.

I'm still working out and losing weight (SLOWLY, but surely), although a pinched nerve in my neck is threatening to keep me from my cardio (and gardening, too!)today :0(.

I try to stay involved with local politics by volunteering my time and skills. I'm still trying!

Alrighty, I've got to run and see about taking a few pictures. Speaking of which, here are a few random images flowers and family. Thanks for stopping by!! :0)






This was the dessert table at Easter dinner. MMMMM!!!!!


The Walkman




Jack swinging on their custom made rope swing at the Creek

Still Kickin'!!

I'm taking a break from my campfire to jot down a few words about the last few weeks. God has given me the following opportunities and blessings:

* to see prayers for a loved one's health and comfort answered
*to be helpful to a homeless family
*to rescue someone's beloved pet from certain death
*to book what looks to be a hugely profitable wedding
*to spend time with my oldest nephew---just hangin' out


I had been floating in and out of a mental rut and feeling pretty sorry for myself and how tough things were for me, lately. It's easy enough to do---feeling sorry for yourself, that is.The above happenings served to put the little difficulties and problems in my own life into perspective. By the grace of God alone, I am one BLESSED gal!

I've been sitting in front of a campfire in the back of my house, just soaking in all that this beautiful evening has to offer. Pleasantly cool air, starry sky, bright moon, cup of green tea, Honduran cigar, E.M Forester novel, frolicking dogs, that awesome campfire smell. I don't deserve any of it but there it is nonetheless. All for me to enjoy. God is SO good.

Say a prayer of thanks tonight for all the blessings, big and small, that a gracious God has given to you and those you love. Don't take anything for granted.

I'm headed back out to my fire now. Thanks for stopping by!

G'night all! :0)

Lucy! You got some 'splainin' to dooo!!!!

Come on, leave some comments---don't treat me like a red-headed step child!!
(Badum-CHING!!)

...and she'll have fun, fun, fun 'til someone takes the hair dye awaa-aay!! :0D

Politics, Hair Color and Performance Art

Election day, November 2006. It was freezing cold, rainy and windy. I worked the polls for a few hours, out in the weather. It was amazing to see all of the people turning out to do their civic duty, despite the nasty weather. Of course, we lost the race, but we did win an important ammendment in this state. I think the ammendment actually inspired a higher voter turn-out. I take that as a positive sign, regarding the morals of the general public. Now, if we can just get folks to reason out the best way to apply those morals, politically, well---that'd just be peachy.

Sometimes it seems so wrong to me that everyone is given a chance to vote when everyone is not thoroughly informed on the issues. Things are so convoluted and information sources so biased, that it's hard for the average person to get all of the facts. It requires a lot of effort to wade through all of the crap to find the truth. I want to encourage every reader here to seek out the truth about who or what you are voting for before you cast your ballot.

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I've been working out hard and counting calories for a couple of weeks now. It's starting to show!
I have big plans for being "that girl" on the beach, this summer. You know, the girl that we all hate because she just looks SO good in her swimsuit? Yep. That's gonna be me. A shallow goal, perhaps, but a goal nonetheless, hee-hee!

In other news pertaining to my vanity, I am now a red head. How about that? I can't believe I did it! Em's been saying I should do it, for years. Melissa's recent foray into drastic hair color change-age gave me the guts to actually go for it.

Initially, the results were a little frightening---Ronald McDonald-like in their intensity. A few shampoos and a few highlights later, and I am really digging it. I mean I I REALLY like it!!! I've never done anything so drastic before. It's incredibly fun to make a change like this!! I'm going to keep it this way for a while.

I will post a picture of my new scarlet tresses tomorrow.:0)

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Here are a few pictures of Savannah in her play last Saturday. I was blown away by her perofrmance!! This normally reserved girl walked out onto that stage and projected her voice, in character, like she was born up there! She is SO amazing!!!!

Book Club

Often times when I drop off the rent check, Peggy (my landlady) invites me to sit and chat for a while. On one of these occasions, a few months past, I noticed that she was reading Pride and Prejudice. I commented that it was one of my favorite books, hoping that we might get into a discussion about it. I'm an avid reader and love discussing the things I read with intelligent people. Retired, with a couple of college degrees under her belt and four grown kids, Peggy's no slacker. Imagine my delight when she invited me to attend her book club's meeting the following day!

We arrived at an impressively large house in a well-to-do neighborhood. At the door G, our host, greeted us warmly and invited us into her incredibly lovely home. G is a retired French teacher and hosts the book club meetings at her beautiful house every two months. She really does a nice job making everyone feel welcome.

The gathering turned out to be a wonderful time! In keeping with the British theme of the book, G had prepared a delicious array of English offerings including fresh brewed teas in beautiful porcelain cups, hot out of the oven scones and homemade lemon curd! There were lots of other finger foods and desserts brought in by the other ladies, too. There was even a nice bottle of wine!

There were probably 10 ladies there, altogether and everyone was very pleasant. We sat around and ate and then discussed the book. I felt almost like the special guest speaker, and Peggy introduced me as "an expert"( I guessed because I had read the book several times and visited "the Motherland"). She told me later that she hadn't finished the book, and my being there took the pressure off of her to offer up an opinion of the piece. Very clever, that Peggy.

The discussion was thoroughly enjoyable. Many thought-provoking opinions and ideas were bandied about. It's amazing how the emotions and humor of the piece still ring true today
(I guess that's what really make it a classic, eh?) And yet, it was so interesting to hear the different things that people take way from reading the same text.

At the end of the evening, I was invited to join the club. I was just tickled pink.

The next book to be read was All the King's Men. I had read this one many years before and hadn't really dug it. But, I was up for another go.

It's interesting to read a book for a second time, a decade later. Your perspective changes so much. I certainly took more away from it, the second go 'round. But I still can't say that I really liked it. We had our meeting and I think most of the women felt the way that I did. It was still fun to sit around and chat about it, though, and pick each other's brains!

We are supposed to be scheduling a viewing of the recently released "All the King's Men" movie (on DVD) and everyone will bring a Louisiana-themed covered dish. I'm really looking forward to that!

Last month's book was Water for Elephants, and I just didn't get around to it (ahem, okay, well, I could've probably gotten around to it if I'd REALLY wanted to). The book we're reading now is The Bookseller of Kabul, a non-fiction piece. I finished reading it last week and would highly recommend it!! The writing is simple, but the story holds your interest. It's a fascinating and eye-opening documentary about the life of a modern Afghan family. God bless America and the fact that I was born an American woman!!!

I'm not a giant fan of a good portion of modern novels (hence my non-readage of the Elephant-Water book-thingy). That's not to say their aren't great contemporary novels out there, it just seems like I have to wade thorugh so much junk to find them! And I read pretty much every day. Having my nose stuck in a book so often, I have found that it's best to stick with the more time-tested material, for my leisure reading. It's less likely to waste my time or try my nerves. Something with at least a decade or two of dust on the cover, is usually a good bet. For that reason, I've decided to try and sway the direction of our book club reading selections more towards the classics.

Therefore, at the next meeting, I will be prepared. By that time, I won't feel so much like a newbie and can candidly (but sweetly, of course!) express my thoughts on the subject of the classics and why it's good to read them. Hopefully, the majority of ladies will back me up and a new book club era will begin!! :0)

I may have to endure skimming through the occasional piece of crap, just to keep everyone happy. That's okay. I have an open mind. Don't people sometimes find bits of treasure while sifting through garbage at the dump??! :0)

Happy reading, hee-hee!!

Mom's Birthday Pics

Melissa and Em both covered Mom's birthday celebration extremely well, so I'm just going to post a few pics from the evening. It was a great time!

Mom received some nice gifts, including this bouquet of yellow roses, a hand painted mailbox and a digital picture frame. I think Em was right, though, when she said that the greatest gift was just the whole family being together!


Q and J were just having a grand ole time at their end of the table. They were doing little synchronzed routines to the Motown hits playing in the background. Here, they were rockin' a hand-roll over their creme brulee'. It was the funniest thing!!



Here's Mom doing what she does best: Babies!!!!



Tiny E, after getting his tummy full and taking a brief catnap, was being very livley and sociable with Mam-maw and Pap-paw. He is SUCH a doll baby!



Walker was just the best behaved (and, oh-my-gosh, the most ADORABLE) little critter, all evening long. His reaction to dessert being served was worth a million dollars. Happy is the boy gets chocolate ice cream for dessert!!



Quentin, little cutie-pie that he is, all hopped-up on Shirley Temple's putting on a show. What a mess!! :0)



This was the ONLY time Everett would look at me the whole evening. He heard me trying to get his attention and just very quickly cut his eyes in my direction for a moment, without even moving his head, as if to say "Okay, okay, there ya go". A quick glance to his adoring fans--what a bashful little flirt! :0)



Melissa'a brood, with the boys being their usual silly selves. Savannah really tried to smile nice for the picture, but Jack was not ABOUT to allow that! LOL!!


It really was a fun evening. The food was just fabulous, the conversation was lively and the kids wee hilarious. I think Mom really enjoyed herself. I know I did!


Happy Birthday, Mom!!

New Pictures

A few pretty pictures from my neck of the woods. The ice and sunlight and clouds and fog were just beautiful! Also, how about my new sidebar photo? Is it too much? Be honest! I can take it. I'm thinking about using it for my "official" business image. I'm going for "professional-but-artsy/friendly-but-business-oriented" Yes?No? I'd love some outside input!! Thanks, y'all. Have a great day!!

The Last Few Days

I was sick over the weekend and had to stay holed up at home. I'm all better now, so today and yesterday I was able to get out and run errands and take the dogs for long walks in the fields and woods. It felt good to get back out into the world again.

Last night I ate chili (Melissa's really is the BEST in the world) with Melissa and the kids. I sat on her gorgeous new sofa and we talked about pictures and decorating and whatnot. It was a very enjoyable evening. She lent me her "The Office" and "Arrested Development" DVD's, so I may treat myself to a "TV" night later this evening. I don't have any TV service or cable or anything here, so that's a big deal for me! BTW, if you've never watched the "Arrested Development" series (only available on DVD, since the show was cancelled), you do NOT know what you are missing. It's hilarious!

It was a productive day of reprints and business e-mails and phone calls. I also took a little time today to look into volunteering with the Meals on Wheels organization and/or the YMCA. The BBBS thing didn't work out too well, so I'm looking for new volunteer opportunities. I'm still active in politics, but there's just not a lot going on this time of year where I can be of service, politically speaking.

My house is a mess, but I'm not stressing over it (it's pretty obvious to those who've actually visited my house, that I normally don't stress myself over such things, heh-heh). I don't have any appointments scheduled and due to the weather, it's looking like I'll have plenty of time to devote to housework tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to getting up in the morning and seeing the world all crystallized around me. Tonight, the freezing rain is coming down in buckets. It's cold and icy and windy outside. I'm thankful to be safe and warm and sheltered here in my little house with my dogs to keep me company.

Writer's Block

I've got it. I sit down to write and my mind just goes blank. I hope that never happens to me when I pick up the camera. Photographer's block? That's just crazy talk. Gotta shake it off [shaking head vigorously].

Business is not bad for this time of year. I have reprint orders coming in and have booked every wedding I've had a consultation for recently. I have a few fine art pieces that I'll be dropping off for display--and hopefully for purchasing---in a couple of local shops. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that I have hesitated to sell these couple of pieces because I actually just like them SO much myself?? They just look so good hanging on the studio/living room wall. It's probably a good thing to really dig your own work. That way, if nobody buys it,
I can have it back!

I spent today doing website work. I put up a revised biography of my professional experience on the home page. It's so strange to have to write about yourself in the third person. Especially when you're having to toot your own horn, so to speak. I mean technically speaking, everything I wrote is true, but gosh, did I make me sound all fancy and important. Amazing the impression that you can give through words. It really feels like I'm being all sneaky, 'cause little do my website perusers know that it's actually just regular ol' ME I'm describing, hee-hee!

My Website

I've revised my wedding pricing system and printed up new brochures. I'm adding new coffee table style books to my album offerings. I'm also thinking about trying to add a new lens to my current arsenal before the spring bridal season gets into full swing. I have a few new posing/lighting ideas I'm looking forward to trying, too. It should be a good season, work-wise. I'm better set up to handle things than I've ever been before---I just need to get some more work on the calendar and I'll be good. I'm getting there.

Although I took full advantage of those few warm days we had in December and January, poor Mr.Darcy is now parked in my driveway, looking all sad under his snow covered tarp. On occasions when I have to leave town without him, however, Mr. Darcy can't be left unattended outside. My shed sits on an incline, so I can't put the bike in there, either. Therefore, Mr. Darcy house sits for me and keeps the dogs company while I'm gone. I really have to get a picture of that. You have no idea how funny it is to come back home to an 800 lb motorcycle in your living room. Cracks me up!! No matter how broke I am, I will NEVER regret the purchase of that bike!

Alright, I guess that's enough rambling for now. I think my writer's block has been breached, so I should be blogging more regularly again. Thanks for reading, folks!!

Christmas '06

I didn't realize how much time had passed since my last blog entry. Thanks for all of the nice comments, folks!! It 's nice to be missed!:0)

The last few months have been really busy. Tons of portrait work and holiday orders. Unfortunately, not a lot of wedding work, which is what really pays the bills for me. But, every job I did came directly from word-of-mouth references from other clients. So I'm not complaining. Word is getting around in the right circles. God has been so good to me and I have big goals to aim for in this bright new year!

Christmas with the family was absolutely wonderful. The festivities began on Christmas Eve with Mom and Dad's annual open house soiree'. Friends and neighbors stop by to eat and drink and laugh and the house is always just brimming full of excited, laughing, playing children and good conversation. And food. Oh, yes. The food.

There were fresh fried chicken wings with (my soon-to-be-world-famous) homemade wing sauce for dipping, scratch-made ham biscuits, the biggest vat of shrimp cocktail you've ever laid eyes upon; cookies, candy, chips etc. Egg nog, Mam-maw's Magical Punch (BIG hit with all of the young'uns!), good wines and a whole host of other adult type beverages.


Mom&Dad's house was done up in style for the occasion, as always. Mom's hearth decorations are really something to see!


The tree was festive and colorful and the gifts were piled high!


Each of the kids are allowed to open up ONE gift on Christmas Eve. I really thought Jackson would actually DIE, before the guests left and he was allowed to tear into a gift. Melissa finally agreed to let him open one a little early. My gift received the high honor of being the ONE gift. I snuck away with him into the bathroom (so the littler kids wouldn't be jealous of his gift-opening) and watched him tear into it. I was pretty excited about it, myself because I just KNEW he was going to LOVE it! I wasn't sure how much his mom was going to love it, but I just kept picturing the look of absolute joy on his little face when he saw his Ninja-styled belt pouch containing four actual throwing stars!! I got a big hug out of THAT gift! :0)


The next morning, Jack and Savannah were up early to see what ole St. Nick had left for them.
I mean, like 4 o'clock AM, early!! Yeh. I didn't get any pictures of that. Ahem.

To try and pass the torturous hours before Em's fam arrived and the bulk of the gift opening began, Jack and I went out in the rain for a few minutes to test out his throwing stars in a chunk of wood. Jack used his new video camera to record our adventure--which he accidentally erased later, I think, lol!

When Em, The Dude and the boys arrived, the gifts were handed around. Is there anything better than being a kid on Christmas morning??


Just look at that face--pure joy. And just.so.EXCITED!!!!! This was right after he opened the present from me containing a silver Oriental coin. I got BIG hug out of that one, too! :0)


Mom&Dad



Mom uncovering their new TV. Thanks for all your work on making that gift happen for us, Em!!!


Walker was SO fun to watch as he tore into his gifts!! Look at the awe on that little face as he opened his super hero costumes from Aunt Melissa and her fam!!! That gift was a HUGE hit, as you can see!



Savannah


Poor Austin went to bed Christmas Eve with a sore throat. He stayed in bed with a fever most of Christmas Day. Savannah and Jack brought his gifts down to him to open up in bed.



And here he is feigning death for the camera. Goofy kid--you just gotta love him!


Everett looking incredibly cute in his new jacket!!! :0)


Walker posing for his adoring fans




All in all, it was an absolutely wonderful holiday!! I am so thankful for the blessings of good family and friends as I head into the New Year.:0)