Frustration

Wold you like to know how to spell frustration? O-L-D C-A-R. Actually C-A-R spells frustration. A few weeks ago, my car did this no starting thing. We put a new battery in it. Then two weeks ago, the car did the no starting thing again. This time we took it to the mechanic and he couldn't find the problem. Was it the starter? The alternator? He didn't want to put one in and have me spend $400 and have it turn out to be the other. That's why I like my mechanic. Not trying to fix things just to fix them. Right, next on the bum car list. Then, on Monday, I was tooling down the turnpike when the tread on my tire popped off, causing me to swerve and have to pull over. Again, my dad came to rescue me. He changed the tire and we took it to the shop to get new tires. Ok, no problem right? Oh, you would think that. Last night, Wilma Louise did the no starting thing again. So, we decided to park her at my parent's house while I drive my dad's car (name: Nessie, because she is big and green like the Loch Ness Monster) and look for a new car.
Anybody want to help me get the down payment for a car? Or give me a car?
Anyone? AnyONE?!

Firing up for the 4th

Oops, I think it has now been a week since I have blogged anything. So much for every other day. Well, in my defense, I really have been pretty busy since then. And by busy, I mean I worked out, babysat, worked out some more, and laid in the sun reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult. (I tried to hyperlink back to her site, but apparently, you can't. So you'll have to go there yourself, if you want to.) But, wow! It was amazing and sad and unexpected all at the same time. You should read it.
But I digress.
This week is a holiday week, which means that I get to enjoy our wonderful Mayberry parade. If you have never been to the Glenside parade, you really should. I mean, who doesn't love 15 dance groups, a band of motorcycles, 25 marching bands (ok, maybe 10), and hundreds of fire trucks? I love going because it's a huge event that happens every year, without fail, that I have marched in, and that my church family piles onto the front yard of the church to enjoy together. And it is a great time to take advantage of the crowd and practice my photography. The people, the americana, the firetrucks. It's great!
Now, don't you want to go and check it out? Saturday, July 4th at 4 PM. All this from a girl who is so NOT patriotic.

Contemplating

Recently I have been thinking a lot about predestination. I know, that's quite a heady subject for 7:45 in the morning. Here's what I've been thinking; in Ephesians 1 Paul speaks an awful lot on the subject of predestination and I just am not sure I fully understand it. I know God calls us and has plans for us, i.e., Jeremiah 29:11, but where does free will step in? If God foreknew everything that I would do, say all the way down to the fact that I don't tie my shoes, then how is free will involved? God knew that I wouldn't like to tie my shoes, God knew that I would go to Eastern, God knew that I would fall madly in love with photography. God knows if there is a spouse and children in my future. My question is, if God is Sovereign over all things and He has called us each to a certain purpose, and He is in control of my whole life, where does sin step in? If God knew we were going to sin, why doesn't He stop us? I guess that's where the whole free will thing gets involved. It also begs the question, why do bad things happen to good people?
Again, like I said before this is heady stuff to be contemplating even before I've finished my first cup of coffee. But, it's been on my mind and I am curious as to what others think on the matter...
Thoughts, comments, bible verses, or books to read are most welcome.

Introducing

Aaron Edward Walker! My mom and I took a visit down to the hospital to visit Nana and to visit the new little one. What a handsome little guy.

It's a ...

BOY!! Aaron Edward Walker graced the world with his presence on June 19, 2009, a little before noon. He weighed in at 7 lbs, 4 oz, and was 21.5 inches long! Mama and baby are doing great! I hope to get in to meet him very soon and, of course, will be posting pictures! Stay tuned...

Aaahhh!

NanaSue will have a brand new baby at some point in the next 24 hours! Holy cow, it's so exciting. Her little boy, Andrew, is the picture in the banner of this blog and he is one of my favorite subjects to photograph. Now, there will be two for me to play around with! Look for new baby pictures coming at some point in the future. I figure, I should wait at least a couple weeks before I storm the house with my trusty D40...

A Rose is a Rose

Especially when you take a million pictures of the same flower. Does anyone else do that? Find one subject and take mulitple shots over a long period of time?

Girl's Photo Shoot

I had the amazing opportunity to photograph three best girlfriends who have been inseparable since infancy. Ok, so they are only 3 years old, but hey, that's a lifetime's friendship to them. Now, I haven't had the chance to edit all of the pictures, but I wanted to get some posted before time got away from me. And wait until you see these kids. Adorable doesn't even begin to describe them. We were running around the Arboretum just trying to keep up with them. Let's just say, they really wore me out!

AnnaLee

Singing Together

Peering through the bridge

Dancing Princesses

Taylor

Monday's Thought Process

So, every Monday night, I think, "Don't forget to blog your Ten on Tuesday." Every Monday night. And what happens when Tuesday rolls around? I forget. Or rather, I start of the day with good intentions, but between work, Shredding, running, and church functions, Tuesday usually disappears on a cloud. Or something like that. I just wanted you all to know that, while I think blogging ten things every Tuesday is a great idea, my follow through is severely lacking. Do I get an "E" for effort?

A Picture from the Shower

I wanted to post at least one picture from Kelli's shower yesterday while had the chance. Don't worry, I will be posting more later plus, today is Photoshoot Day(provided the weather holds up!), so I will be posting those as well. Soon. I promise.

All of Kelli's roomies that were present!

Bridal Party... aren't we classy?

Quick Update

Phew! This is day two of a super busy weekend. Last night was dinner at P.F. Chang's with the girls from Goddard. Hanging out with them makes me miss seeing hem everyday and wish that I could keep my pay rate but work with the kidd-o's again. But I have to remind myself that it's not all sunshine and daisies. That I was stressed on a continuing basis and that it just wasn't where I was supposed to be anymore... Still sad, though. But, I had so much fun with them last night! Being with the ladies makes me laugh till I tear up.
Today is Kelli's shower. I'm not going to let any of the planning stuff stress me out. The shower will be lovely, we will have fun, and we will be celebrating Kelli. that's the way it should be. My only concern is the actual paying for it part. I have no money until my paycheck goes through on Tuesday. And I have 50 bucks. That's it. Until Tuesday. Ok, no more thinking about cashflow. It's going to be alovely day and I will take the pictures to show you later!
Tomorrow is my first big photoshoot. Well, it will be as long as the weather cooperates. I will be taking pictures of 3 lovely little girls who are best friends. They are so fun and cute and funny. it has the promise of being an amazin day. After that, I will take family portraits of the girls with their families. That is my one source of stress. I take pictures of kids all the time. Whole families? Not so much. But they are all great families, so I'm sure it will be great! I will also post photos from that when they are done!
So, look for new photos coming in the next few days!
(Ok, so maybe that wasn't as "quick" as I promised! Oh well!)

It's really Wednesday...

but I'm going to do my Ten for Tuesday today, since I didn't have time/forgot to do it yesterday.
Here goes:
1) I'm doing the Shred dvd and it is hard core. But then I transform into an idiot and go running with the walking group at church. (Maybe twice the exercise= twice the results?)
2) I am re-reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince before the movie comes out. And I'm not gonna lie, I still tear up when I get to the part where Dumbledore dies. And I still get angry at Snape, even though I know the ending.
3)It took me 5 alarms to get up this morning. I wish I could be one of those people who hops out of bed the minute the alarm goes off. Maybe I'll see if I can't train myself to do that.
4)My friends have so generously responded to my message about photographing their children for my portfolio. I love it! I get to practice taking pictures of kids and they get a free shoot where the only thing they have to pay for is any pictures that they want.
5)I have discovered that I am obsessed with the exclamation point! I use it more often than I should! I just happen to think that everything that I say deserves exclamation!
6)I have recently had to cut back on my coffee consumption which, if you know me, is horrible. But I would rather drink less coffee than have my heart racing after 2 cups. So, I stop at 1 1/2 for now. And so far, I haven't killed anyone.
7)I feel like every muscle in body is screaming. But in the best possible way.
8)My cousin is graduating high school next week and leaving for college the following week for 6 weeks. She's like my sister and I will be so sad that she is 2 1/2 hours away at Bloomsburg but I am so excited for her to enjoy every minute of college.
9) I looked at my calendar and every single weekend is taken from here until K&C's wedding. Will I ever get down the shore?
10)I have to be at work early today, which means I will get to leave early today, so I have to go get ready.
Have a great day!

Lazy Chick's Post

Ok, so I am totally cheating with this post but, there you have it, it is what it is, and all those other cliche's about, basically, taking the easy way out. I get home at night after having been on the computer all day at work, and I just can't sit and blog. I really want to, honest I do. Because you all know how much I love having everyone know as much about me as possible! Maybe my goal should be weekend blogging. Although, with this photography "thing" I should be posting more anyway!


I have a proposition for my friends that have young children/toddlers, babies, or newborns. I am really trying to break into the photography niche of children. I would love it if you gave me the opportunity to come photograph your child. This would serve a few purposes. 1) I would be able to hone my skills of portrait shooting, 2) you would get a very low cost (only the cost of the photos) photo shoot and 3) I would have photos to add to my portfolio. If you have any interest at all, please comment on this note or send me a fb message and we can talk from there.
Remember, if you want to preserve your child's early years through photographs, please contact me.
Thank you so much!

*Note~ This offer is good for friends and family through the end of July with photos having to be taken some time this summer.

Oops...

I am so embarrassed... I almost wrote a super sappy, TMI post about fulfillment and loneliness and how we define what makes us happy.
Phew. Dodged a bullet on that one. I can NOT do that to myself today, or any other day.
Tell me, have you ever started to write a post and then had second thoughts about the direction it was taking?
For your troubles, you get a flower.
Don't say I never give you anything.

Ten Things Tuesday

I can't believe it's already time for another installment! I am totally with Mauby and Brookiellen.
Also, it makes it go a little faster when you post your Tuesday post on Friday... ;)
1) I had a fab time at the photo shoot with Brooke and Cash. He was adorable and fun and super photogenic! And it helps that Brooke has an Etsy shop and understands the kind of pictures that need to be taken for a site! (thanks Brooke!)
2) I am going to kill my computer... It keeps acting up and doing weird stuff. And it doesn't help a photographer when photoshop doesn't agree with the computer. It makes it almost impossible to edit pics!
3) I decided that I want to go back to school for photography. I LOVE it and I can't get enough of it. I'm thinking of starting classes at Bucks County in the photography certificate program in the fall.
4) I am almost ready to buy a new car. Either this week or in the next two, I will have (hopefully) picked something out. I am being extremely picky in this process because it's a big decision and I want this car to fulfill my current and future needs.
5)I had the best weekend I have had in a reeeeallly long time. Friday night with Nana and some cool high school girls, Saturday dress shopping with the girls for Kelli's wedding, photo shoot on Sunday, and hanging out with my super cool, college bound cousin on Monday. Phew. So much fun!
6) We picked out dresses and they are HOT!!! But you have to see them on to fully understand the amazing hotness of the dress. (Stay tuned for pictures in July.)
7) I am up waay past my bedtime but I was waiting up to watch the season finale of My Boys. Remember, funniest show. Ever.
8)I will confess. I took pictures of a giant hershey kiss and played around with the lighting. I even tried using the tinfoil it came wrapped in to act as a reflector. (I'm such a nerd.)
9)I spent all day thinking about how I was going to come home and read a book tonight. Did I? Unfortunately not. Maybe tomorrow?
10) I haven't posted a picture in awhile, so I will leave with one of my newest faves.
*Well, when my computer starts acting right, I'll put up pics!
Thanks Karen, for the advice on the rose!

Fun Fact Friday?

Ok, so I was reminded that I never followed through with my Ten Thing Tuesday.
That's my fact number 1... I have really good intentions but I have a hard time following through with them.
2. I like my job but sometimes I wonder if I should go into photography as a career.
3. I went car shopping last night and felt utterly frustrated. What I want, what I can afford, and what I am willing to pay all come out to three different numbers.
4. I really want to live by myself... and I would love to have my own place... until the right guy came along. I want to experience living alone before I deal with living with a spouse and children.
5. I cry whenever I go to the beach. The first time the smell of brine hits my nose and I see those waves crashing on the sand, I tear up and need a moment to myself.
6. I am a slob. That's right people. I have very good intentions and I really like a clean room, but it's the follow through I lack (see number 1).
7. I lost 60 lbs 2 years ago but I still feel like the "fat girl" and I'm not sure if I'll ever shake that.
8. I miss my kids from school. And my friends from school. But not the paperwork. Or the pay. Or the headaches, pee, and things that I will not mention here.
9. Ok, so this isn't something new. I am obsessed/addicted to coffee. And everyone at work has learned that and has offered to get me counseling.
10. I am going bridesmaid shopping tomorrow. And I am super excited to try on dresses and can't wait till K&C's wedding.

Ten on Tuesday

I forgot that I was going to write ten things on Tuesday as a way to keep up with my blog as learned of from Mauby's and The Blue Door as a way to keep a consistent update of my blog. But two things happened tonight.
One- I came up with a topic on my own.
Two- I was lazy and didn't feel like putting in the effort to come up with 10 fascinating points for the day.
So, hopefully, I will remember and do it next week. And the reason is simple. I absoLUTEly love making lists.
Check back soon!

How much is too much?

I was watching My Boys tonight (which I highly recommend, it's hilarious) and they were talking about Facebook and virtual friendships. One of the characters, "Kenny," updated his status when he went to the bathroom and then again when he was finished. It made me wonder, how much information is too much? I could extol the virtues of social networking by claiming that I get to keep more in touch with friends that I might not very well see often. Which is true. But what about when I am working and tweeting or updating my status about doing laundry? Do people really find all of that interesting?
I could also say that it helps me get my photography out there. Which is also true. But where do you draw the line? When do you say "enough is enough."
Any thoughts on virtual oversharing from the virtual world?

Heather and Eric: Engagement Photos

I had a wonderful time taking the e-pics of my friend Heather and her fiance Eric. This was the first time I had done an e-session, so I was a little nervous. But I didn't have to worry because they were such a blast to work with. I took almost 600 pictures all afternoon and can't wait until I edit them. (Well, not all of them but a good bit!)
Anyway, enough of the chatter... let's see some pictures!

Blogging?

I don't know how regular bloggers always come up with something to say every time they write... What do people find interesting? What keeps them coming back for more? I guess I could write about the amazing dinner that I made that has me licking the bowl clean. Or perhaps, I will write about how I spent time sitting in traffic. What about how I spilled my coffee? What brings people coming back for the next installment? Let me know so I have a direction to follow...