I answered these on June 24, 2009 and I'm doing it again ....

because I have nothing else to blog about right now. ;-)

Outside my window... Hold on, I have to open the blinds (I'm in my office). They always stay shut because I'm usually up here when it's dark out - and it's just creepy when people can look in the windows at you! Ok, outside my window, it is getting dark. I see the street - we live on a corner. Across the street is a city athletic field ... 4 baseball fields, food stands, 2 tennis courts, and a small playground.

I am thinking... a lot about life lately. My husband is a huge fan of "the end of the world" type of movies. In those movies, loved ones die a lot. And I just watched 'P.S. I Love You' last night. Sometimes hubby and I fight ... and I wonder why in the world we ever decided to get married any way. Then those kind of movies remind us how good we really have it, and that we wouldn't want to have it any other way. Thank you, scary and sad movies! ;-)

I am thankful for... a full time job with great benefits. Even though I don't "love" it as much as I love teaching, I'm trying to look at it from a different perspective. In case you're wondering, I work for a school district as the Site Manager for a 21st Century Community Learning Center, funded by the federal government. Also thankful for so many wonderful clients in my photog business.

From the kitchen... Lasagna in the oven tonight. Romaine lettuce salad and garlic bread are waiting to be prepared as well.

I am wearing... a black tank top, jeans, and black socks. And sparkley fake diamond earrings.

I am creating... nothing at the moment, in the crafting world. I haven't scrapped in a long time. Wondering if I'll ever get back into it. Maybe when I have something substantial to actually scrap about ... like kids.


I am going... hmmm - nothing planned currently. SAD! We might do a last minute vacation between Christmas and New Years if Chris can get off of work, and if we can get a good deal. I REALLY want a get away before the kiddos start coming, and that week will be our last chance. I can't take off of work and either can Chris any other time. (The kiddo thing, by the way, hopefully that'll happen sometime in the next year or so).

I am reading... Aw, man. Does peering thru the Pottery Barn catalog count?! Answering these questions really makes me realize how crazy busy I have been lately with work and my photography business! No free time the last 3-4 months ... yuck! I have one more session to work on, and then I have NO photography commitments to do until May! Looking forward to enjoying the simple things again, like reading. Don't gag, but I want to read the 4th Twilight book.

I am hoping... this weird stomach ache I have isn't going to turn into the stomach flu. Yikes - sure feels like thats what it is.

I am hearing... Chris playing XBox downstairs and my dog pouncing on my cat.

Around the house... things are slowly coming around. A recent improvement has been putting in a new garage door and opener. We also just spent what seems like a life savings on a new John Deer snowblower ... hard to pay that much for something like that, but we'll be thankful when it snows and we don't have to shovel.

One of my favorite things... Quiet mornings when I can sit on my couch & drink coffee while watching 'Sell This House' on HGTV ... I work a split shift everyday, first from 6:45-8:30 at one school, and then from 11:15-5:15 at my main school. Every morning I get home at 8:35, heat up a cup of coffee, and watch one episode. Then I get to work on my photography stuff til I leave at 11. So, that half hour of quietness and relaxation is awesome.

A few plans for the rest of the week... School job work: Get registration completed and entered into the database for the 2nd semester & get confirmation letters sent out to parents; Photography work: finish editing my last session; Personal life: get this house super cleaned up & tidy, get/put up/decorate Christmas tree

It's Starting To Look A Lot Like Christmas ...

Started decorating for Christmas today. I didn't get too far, because I can't find my evergreen garlands ... I wonder what happened to them in the move. Who knows! Also, I have some sparkly items that light up when they get plugged in. Apparently, as a new homeowner, I haven't noticed before that ALL the outlets only work with the light switch turned on. If they are turned on, all our sconce lights turn on ... grr!

So, this is all that got completed today - I do like it though! (The stocking holders are P.Barn photo frames engraved with our names ... I still have to add pictures):

I decorated the puppy a bit too! ;-)

101 in 1001 Days

On January 11, 2010 I created my '101 in 1001' days list. It's just what it sounds like ... a list of 101 goals and new things I want to try or experience in the next 1001 days. By my calculations, that'll take me somewhere into 2013.

I randomly opened it for the first time since I forgot about it created it back in January. I was delighted to learn I have accomplished 7, and I realized actually working on some of them:

Totally Accomplished:

1. Buy a house

2. Re-do at least one room (haha, I think I have that one achieved by a long shot!)

20. Travel to a new state

39. Plant a garden

40. Do not let my outdoor flowers die

42. Purchase a new lens

54. Discover a really great wine (link here)

Items I Really Want Accomplished:

16. Get a full time TEACHING job

21. Fit into size 8 jeans

51. 1. Wake up early and shoot at sunrise in the fog

52. 1. Find 4 new, local, awesome shooting locations

63.Purchase a bigger diamond for my wedding setting

17. Pay off at least half of my student loans - $13,000. (I realize the above item kind of makes this one impossible ... a girl has to dream, right?)

65. Take more personal photos (actually doing this AT ALL would make me happy)

18. Begin starting a family

Life Right Now

My usual week day, the past 3 months:

• Alarm at 5:30 am
• Leave for work at 6:45
• 7:00 Work Part 1 starts - morning program with kids at Lincoln Elementary, A.M. Site Manager
• 8:30 Work Part 1 ends
• 8:35 Get home, 2nd cup of coffee
• 8:35-11:00 Work Part 2: Photographer; Editing business photos, emails, billing, etc
• 11:00 Leave for Work Part 3
• 11:15 Arrive at Work Part 3 - Site Manager for Jefferson Junction at Jefferson Elementary
• 5:00/5:15/5:30ish Work Part 3 Ends
• 5:30ish Arrive Home, Make Dinner, Clean Up Dinner
• 6:00/6:30ish Work Part 4 Begins: Photographer; Editing business photos, emails, billing, etc
• 10:00 Bedtime
• Speed forward to 5:30 am: Do it all over again the next day...

My usual weekend, the past 7 months:

• 24 Saturdays: Wedding Photographer, 12 hour days
• Sundays: Client meetings, engagement sessions, senior sessions, family sessions, catch up on housework, catch up on businesswork

I am happy to report ... that this SATURDAY and SUNDAY ... I HAVE OFF!!!

Thankful for a little break from this kind-of-crazy-lifestyle.

Also thankful for ... making a good choice for ME ... not my bank account. I have decided to only book 12 weddings for 2011. This is exactly half of the weddings I photographed/worked this year. And my number of coverage hours has decreased from 12 to 9. Looking forward to a little more relaxation in 2011! Only 1 more contract that I'm waiting for in the mail ... and I'm all booked! (Woo hoo!)

Some New Portraits

Photos taken November 7, 2010 by my friend Ashley.

Thanks, Ash!

Taking Advantage of Summer

This is just a super random post, so bear with me. ;-)

Ahhh, as I sit here and type, the windows are open and a cool breeze is coming in.

This is quite a contrast to the past couple weeks ... it has been ungodly hot and muggy and just disgusting. The humidity was AWFUL - and it was in the 90s. ICK. I'm sure we racked up our most expensive energy bill yet - with the A/C running non stop. It was just miserable without it.

It finally cooled down a bit yesterday ... a perfect 82 degrees with only about 60% humidity. Maddie spent a good amount of time outside yesterday and actually seemed to enjoy it for once. We took her on her 1st long walk ... which she enjoyed. Now that we have a break from the humidity, we'll go every day.

Otis also enjoys that we are able to have windows open...Yes, that's an ottoman...in front of the front door. We never use that door, so it's the perfect spot for him to chill in the breeze.

Chilling with her top feet up on top of the deck, while her back legs sit on the first step down. We have such a strange dog.

Mmmm .... garden fresh veggies. All are from my garden besides the mushrooms.

Within 107 Days We Have ...

We have owned our house for 107 days.

I got this post idea from Nicole. She posted the items they have accomplished on their home over the last year, and she as well made a list of what they plan to do in the next year. I thought it would be neat to have this post to look back on, at ALL the progress we made in such a short amount of time.

The following is a list of what we have ALREADY done in this short 107 days, and what we PLAN TO DO/STILL NEED TO FINISH.

ALREADY DONE:

Kitchen (also where our laundry area lives):

• Removed wallpaper + border
• Primed + Painted
• Removed cabinets overhead the island
• Switched out all the outlet covers to brushed nickel covers
• Removed old nasty window coverings
• Ripped out the linoleum
• Ripped out the carpet
• Re-did the subfloor
• Leveled the floor
• New flooring
• Removed + replaced all the baseboard
• New storm door
• New door casing
• New washer + dryer
• New fridge
• Some new accessories + counter height table (LOVE)
• New vents

A few more pics:

Downstairs Full Bath:

• Gutted entire bathroom down to the studs (besides shower), which includes removing all the plaster + lathes
• Moved the toilet + plumbing over
• Moved the plumbing to vanity over
• Completely new floor
• Completely new ceiling
• Removed built in cabinet by shower
• Insulation + drywall
• Texturized the walls
• New window + frame + sill
• New flooring
• New vanity + faucet
• New base + casing + molding
• New accessories
• Primed + painted twice
• New bathroom fan/light + work to make it actually vent outside
• New over head vanity lighting
• New vanity mirror
• New widow treatments
• New vent
• Plus all new accessories

Dining Room + Sitting Room Combo Space:

• Removed wall paper + border
• Repaired the damaged walls
• Removed old nasty window coverings
• Primed + painted
• New baseboard + casing
• Removed carpet
• Leveled the floors
• New wood-look laminate flooring
• Removed ugly details from fireplace
• New vents
• New accessories + furniture

Living Room:

• All the same things as the dining room

Entry Way:

• Completely removed the floor + underneath
• Re-structured entire entryway (5 feet under)
• Removed base + casing
• Primed + Painted
• New flooring
• New accessories

Stairway to 2nd Level:

• Removed plaster + lathe on side to repair damage
• New drywall on that side
• Removed carpet
• Re-structured some stairs for support
• Texturized all the walls
• New carpet
• Primed + painted
• Primed baseboard + trim around window

Upstairs Hallway:

• Removed base + casing
• Removed carpet
• Removed top of half wall (this is where staircase comes up, sort of a stair rail...)
• Removed all plaster + lathe from half wall
• Dry walled half wall
• Texturized entire hallway
• New vents
• Primed + painted
• New carpet
• New base + casing

Each of the 3 Bedrooms:

• Removed wall paper
• Removed old nasty window coverings
• Removed carpets
• Removed base + casing + window trim
• Removed wood paneling in 1 room
• New vents
• New carpet
• New base + casing + trim
• Texturized all the walls
• Primed + painted

Upstairs Full Bathroom:

• Removed base + casing
• Primed and painted

Exterior:

• Scraped, primed, + painted 3 decks/porches + garage
• New rock bed w/wood frame around the garage
• Deleted one rock bed from middle of yard (just moved the rocks from there to around garage). See picture below:

Other:

• Actually MOVED IN!
• Hired a plumber to clean out our pipes leading to sewer
• Got a puppy (what the HELL was I thinking?)

This is Maddie, our 3 month old Border Collie/Blue Heeler mix.

LEFT TO DO:

Upstairs Full Bathroom:

For now:

• Finish paint details for a sharper look
• Re-finish the shower/tub (maybe just get a new one...?)
• New interior door
• New storm door (a must before winter)
• New base + molding
• New light fixture

Long Term Goal (after a year or two):

• Completely re-do the bathroom, including:
• New shower/tub
• New vanity + mirror + lighting
• Knock out built in cabinet + build exposed shelving
• New flooring
• Plus everything else that a bathroom re-model would include

Garage:

• New garage door + new steel entry door
• Update electricity out there
• Use new windows found sitting in garage and add some windows to the garage

Exterior of house:

• I'd love to get it re-painted in the next few years. It's aluminum siding and is looking a bit dingy
• Re-vamp the flower/bush beds all around the house ... just make them look cleaner, and well, better
• Shutters
• Re-finish wood on decks/porches (the part you walk on)

Kitchen:

• I'd love new countertops (Quartz...but at $60 sq/ft this will have to wait)
• New garbage disposal
• Window treatments
• (I love that this list is so short!)

Entryway:

• Finish putting on the casing + base
• New storm door
• New entry door (maybe just paint it?)

Stairs:

• Finish painting base + trim
• New top for the half wall (will be made of wood)

Hallway Upstairs:

• Finish top detail on half wall
• New doors (5 all together) + new brushed nickel door handles
• Paint Ceiling
• Paint trim between wall and ceiling
• Re-finish built in cabinet in the hallway + new hardware
• Window treatment

Downstairs Full Bath:

• Fix outlet cover
• Hang towel bar

Bedrooms:

• Window treatments
• Outlet covers
• New molding between walls and ceiling
• Paint Ceilings
• New closet doors + hardware
• Re-finish built in cabinet in 1 bedroom (+ new hardware)

Watch for updates! :-)

Some Cute Ideas

Some cute travel related keepsakes to display in your home...

I am a bit obsessed with the blog, Young House Love. I love that the couple is young, bought a house, and completely re-did the ENTIRE house ... does that sound familiar? Their blog gives re-model tips, decorating tips, and just a plain fun bunch of posts.

Here are two excerpts from today's post.

I plan to start both in my own home!

(When we will actually get to finish it and move in is another story...)

Onto the cuteness!

1) They send themselves post cards from each trip they have been on and the display them in this cute glass container. Love it!

2) They keep a map displayed in their office (I believe). They put a pin on each place they have traveled to together.

Questions ... I Answer.

I saw this Q+A on another blog, and I haven't done one in awhile, so here goes! I love looking back on old Q+A's I've done on here, so here's another one to add to the stock pile! ;-)

It's from a photography blog, so that's why many of the questions are related to photography ... but obviously it fits in my case.

1) Tell us one sentence to describe your photography:

I strive to create fresh, clean, and modern images that show personality and relationships.

2) What's one thing that everyone should know about you?

I try to work really hard so I can create a nice life for myself + future family.

3) If you were told you could only eat one food for an entire week...what would you pick?

Hmm... burritos!

4) If you could own one exotic animal as a pet what would it be?

I wouldn't neccessarily ever WANT an exotic animal as pet, but I guess if I HAD and MUST pick one, it would be a super cool tropical fish.

5) What is your greatest post processing tip that you are willing to share?:

Keep it simple! I try to limit the actions I use ... I love that "clean" and "sharp" look to my images.

6) If you were given $500 today what would be the first thing you would do?:

Wow, there are so many things I'd like to do. But, I really want to see Alanna and Zayden, so I'd put that $500 towards a plane ticket to go visit them. I stole the pic from Alanna's Facebook!

7) What have you found to be the best resources and/or method of advertising?:

I don't advertise and I never had. I do the Facebook thing for my business, but I'm honestly not sure how far that's getting me yet - I don't get a lot of comments. Word of mouth has been the very best so far, and of course, Google. I think a lot of people find me randomly from through my website.

8) What type of sessions are your favorite (children e-sessions weddings newborns....) and why?:

Engagement Sessions just because they are quick compared to an entire wedding day and they are so easy going and laid back. However, my absolute favorite thing to shoot is the Bride + Groom portraits at weddings.

9) What equipment do you use and if you had only one lens to use...what would it be?:

I use a Canon MarkII 5D and various professional Canon lenses. If I could only pick ONE lens to use for all time, I'd purchase the Canon 50mm 1.2L ... right now I use the 50mm 1.4, and while it's great and all I feel I need right now, I'd splurge on an upgrade if I could only use ONE LENS for the rest of time.

10) What moment in your life makes you smile every single time you think about it?:

Dancing with Chris at our wedding. Not our first dance, but the time we were dancing to Kenny Chesney's "Me + You" and Chantel Kreviazuk's "Feels Like Home." Loved. Cherish. Those. Moments!

11) What is at the top of your wish list right now?:

I feel like I should be saying something related to our new home, but we've spend so many thousands of dollars this month - so I think I'm going to be selfish and just think about me right now, lol. See above question. I really, really, REALLY want the 50 mm 1.2L!

12) What is the first photographer that comes to your mind and why?

Jasmine Star. I love her images and personality.

13) What's the best meal you cook?

I like to cook, but I don't consider myself a great cook. My fajitas are pretty good.

14) If you had an entire Saturday to do whatever you wanted...what would you do?

Ahhhhh ... a free Saturday is such a treat to me. Usually I am busy shooting a wedding from 11-11 or so. Here's my idea of a perfect day: Wake up at about 7:30 and get ready to go. Grab a great coffee from the coffeehouse, then drive to a bigger city and spend the day shopping at unique stores or a fresh market. Then have a quick cafe style lunch. Shop a little more or take a walk along a shoreline. Have a great dinner with a yummy drink. Then catch a movie. I WISH!

15) If we surprised you at your house today what would be the first thing we would notice?

The mess. Everywhere. I try (and want) to be tidy, but I have so many things always going on at once - personal life stuff, photography business, summer school prep, moving boxes. Hopefully once we move into our new house, I'll have dedicated spot for everything as opposed to our cramped apartment. Here's my messy place .... always stuff laying around!

16) What is your favorite word?

Well, it's a phrase, actually: "Love Bucket." My affectionate name for both my husband and cat. LOL.

17) What is your least favorite word?

Ain't, even though it's not REALLY a word. And NO, don't try to tell me it is because it's in the dictionary. IT'S NOT A WORD! Ugh, I hate that word!

18) What turns you on creatively spiritually or emotionally?

Vivid colors, textures, unique. This is actually what was under the wall paper in one bedroom. I love it and I want to get a canvas made of it:

19) What turns you off creatively spiritually or emotionally?

Busy backgrounds + clothing, woodsy areas (for portraits).

20) What sound or noise do you love?

The ocean.

21)What sound or noise do you hate?

Motorcycles.

22) What is your favorite thing to say when you get mad?

Something along the lines of "Effin *Bleeeeep*!" Note that I don't really say effin or bleep. LOL.

23) What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?

Of course, my goal is to have my own classroom teaching, but I supposed that doesn't really count because that's kind of what I do already in addition to photography ... I guess if I was neither a teacher or photographer, I'd like to be a writer. Of children's picture books. Here I am shooting a recent wedding:

24) What profession would you not like to do?

Dentist.

That's all, folks!

Remember, LIFE IS:

A Whole Slew Of Some More Recent Photos...

Are you sick of my house progress yet!?

My plants ... yes, I take pride in my plants! I've been waiting a long time to be able to have my own flowers at my OWN house (hehe) ... the blue flowers are doing great, but the geraniums just won't bloom! Hopefully soon ...

The bedroom "befores" and "durings." They are quite ugly right now!

Ahhhh, my finished sitting room + dining room ... well, obviously not furnished or decorated, but remodel wise -- all done! Same with the living room (not pictured here really).... excuse the dust. We have a lot of it going on right now!

Downstairs bathroom .... in this pic we finally had a floor, walls, ceiling, new window ... the necessities! LOL.

The same space as of last night! Woo hooo, almost done. The window frame in, walls painted, base put in, etc, etc! Now we're working on the final details .... actually attaching the vanity + plumbing + facuet .... installing the toilet .... mirror .... lighting .... fan .... wiring ..... etc, etc, etc! Stay tuned!