Doing Time in a Sunset Town

Ahhh Down To The Wire

2007-06-09T20:21:00.000-06:00

So here I am moving from one sunset town to another. Who knew?? Oh well I am excited anyway that in about a month we will be packing up & moving to New Mexico. I am hoping once we get there that I will try to restart my photography business as a full-time job. I recently shot a quick session of my friend Ginger for her maternity pics I wanted to post at her shower. She is just so little! She was too cute & up for anything as usual. Today I bought a really cute dress that I can't wait to have a size 5 girl wear for a 50's kind of look & shoot. Know anyone? Tell me please! :)

I'm Moving to New Mexico

2007-04-18T21:41:00.000-06:00

I can't wait to try out a new destination! I am also planning on going for a cowboy inspired living room. Maybe hang some spurs up along with some photos I took at Kathy's Cattle Branding a couple weekends ago. Hey I like them even if no one else does. I had a great time this past weekend with my friend Lydia & her hubby Frank! They even let us bring our dogs. It was great as they had a kennel we could keep them in while we were visiting. We took pics at this house thanks to Lydia stopping & knocking on the door to ask for permission! LOL! There was so much cool stuff at this house's old barn. Then we even went for a ride around in the country. A lot of pics to proof now! Oh well what's new!

Another Day Another Nickel

2007-02-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

Yep...here I am working or maybe not so much. This week is going to be BUSY! I have a wedding this Saturday & it will be my first as primary shooter. I have rented a 70-200mm f/2.8 & a fish eye. I want some fun shots with the fish eye. I rented them from www.rentglass.com it will be my first experience & hopefully a good one. It was cheaper to rent them online versus going to my local store in Santa Barbara. It would have been the same price for one wk from the local place as 3 wks with the online place. I also took some pics of my friend Zenia's twins. They were soooo cute! Currently gearing up for my move in July. Hopefully we will be moving. Haven't heard anything to the contrary.

My Grannie is doing okay but still gets confused. I wish I lived closer to help out. I wonder if she would like New Mexico. :) Went on a scrapbook get a way this weekend. It was good times & good food. Supposed to go again March 30th. Maybe I will get more than 8 pages done this time.

Taxing time is approaching & I am dreading getting all of my stuff together. I know Mike would like to get them done with the quickness, but I am dragging my feet. I am going to be claiming my photo biz this year & I think the unknown is scary.

Also scary this week I finally have to learn to give the dog his shots by myself. I know he needs them but I hate poking the little pooch. Mike is going to work the Nascar race in Nevada. He should be able to leave & have a good time without having to worry about if I am taking care of the dogs. Still sucks.

Also have to say one of my friends in Colorado passed away Feb 16th. Her name was Melissa Marr. She was a Longaberger consultant, homemaker, quilter, crafter & great friend. She was sassy, full of spirit & a joy to know. I will miss her stories & sassy ways. Knowing her made me a better person. That's all we can hope for is to do some good while we are here & leave the world a better place. Her husband is one of the kindest men I know. I feel bad that he is going thru such a tough time right now. Grief is hard to deal with especially when you have no family nearby. Say a little prayer for him as he goes thru these difficult days without Melissa.

I think Helen Keller said it best when she said "My friends have made the story of my life".

Valdosta GA

2007-02-01T07:53:00.000-07:00

It's a cute little town with several places that have FREE Wifi! Chick Fil A is my wifi of choice today. Maybe Krystal for dinner. Denny's was last night. I love how fast you fly thru the internet & surf at least during business hours. Starbucks my fave drink of choice normally will have to wait as they charge for theirs! Oh well my Granny is doing better thank goodness & I will be here till 2/9/07. I plan to spend lots of time with her.

I feel Creative today!

2007-01-11T11:41:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I have posted. Twice now I have started a post to update (anyone even checking this thing?) and typed a big old long message & either the computer has locked up or I accidently hit the close button. So forget it! I have been busy bottom line. I am starting the new year off with my new photography business "Candid Thoughts" Now I just need some clients! Hope your New Year is off to a good start!

Argh...There is a pirate in my midst!

2006-10-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

So Mike went to a Halloween party last night & I snapped a picture of him before he left. I love this shot it makes me think film for some reason. I used MarieC's deep b&w action to convert it. So I have been busy taking pics & working & school. So this week I am going to a photoshop seminar that should be pretty cool! That's it for now.

Tuesday already?

2006-10-17T10:39:00.000-06:00

So Sunday I had a chance to play & go with my new found friend & model Mary to Santa Barbara. We went to the County Courthouse & took some shots. She is gorgeous & the lighting was awesome which made for a great combination. She wore this incredible skirt that was flowing & green. She would make a great flamenco dancer. Maybe we will find her an outfit! LOL! We had lots of fun & people kept looking at us like we were crazy but who cares! We had fun. Not too mention Chipotle for lunch & El Torrito for dinner with tableside guacamole. I love guac! The only thing that would have been better would have been a margarita! But I was driving. :) Oh well off to work with my cold to infect the masses! :)

Fall is in the air & I love Halloween!

2006-10-14T11:44:00.000-06:00

So yesterday was a shopping day! I got new halloween socks & my new Halloween Old Navy T-shirt came! I love this time of year. I love the cute decorations, the pumpkin carving, spooky sounds, & little kids begging for candy! Mike is going to be a pirate. I have not decided. I did find some devil horns at Target with a forked tail. I think I will let my inner little devil come out to play! That or I might be a deviled egg. Still deciding. I love love love my new little socks. They are too cute. I am wearing the cat ones today & they are super soft. I want to go to the pumpkin patch but alas it is the weekend & everyone is going to be out there. I think I will wait to go during the week as it will be less crowded. Oh well off to coffee with Ginger!

I've been bad....About blogging that is!

2006-10-11T23:36:00.000-06:00

I have been busy! Doing what I have no clue! I have been going to school taking a graphic design class that is very interesting & challenging to me. I got an "A" for my midterm grade. I think you must just get bonus points for showing up & applying yourself! LOL! So I finally got my website up a couple of weeks ago & I really like how it turned out. I can say I did it myself with the help of a really easy site that is! No HTML for me! I did take some pics recently of my friend Susan. She looks phenomenal! She has lost a lot of weight & she is looking fabulous. I also did some one year shots for another gal. Her little boy was so cute running around eating cookies to make him happy! I caught this one shot of him eating the cookie & I love it! Still proofing. I guess that is what I am doing, along with school, catching up on my tivo'd shows, oh yeah & that job thing I do too! Catch ya on the flip flop!

Going home!

2006-09-23T13:25:00.000-06:00

I am soooo excited! Yesterday I purchased airline tickets for Mike & I to head back to the East coast for Thanksgiving. It is going to be sooo much fun to see my Mom & Ashley! Not too mention the family photo ops. They best get their smiles on as I am coming to town ladies! You need some updated snaps & I am the girl to take them! Now just to find someone to care for the pooches. Especially our high maintenance diabetic pup! Photo shoot today of a newborn! Can't wait it will be sooo much fun! I have also been making some fall cards & altered coaster frames! I feel creative! I also have some photo sessions to proof as well. So it should be a pretty busy weekend. I might add that it will be very nice to see my friend Christy & take her & Bre's pic together. Remember ladies model releases! Here is one of my favorites of Christy D.

Sometimes Life Can Be Tutu Much

2006-09-17T16:01:00.000-06:00

Yep here is our dog Heidi in a Tutu. See doesn't she look happy! You know she is smiling. Of course she's not looking at the treat in my hand but at my camera. Hey whatever it takes to get the shot! If I have to hold a chocolate bar above my husbands head I will do that too. LOL! So lately we have been checking out housing in Alamogordo, NM because as of July 2007 that is where we will be living. I think we may look for a couple of acres with a house. It would be nice to not hear the neighbor yelling at their kids or be concerned our dogs are barking too much or too loud. I guess we will just have to worry about them being bitten by snakes & such. Yikes! I don't care for snakes & I know I must have gotten that from my Grannie. She is deathly afraid of them. I can remember an instance as a child when one got in the house & she cleared the coffee table in the living room to the top of the sofa back, scooping me up on the way. I remember I patted her hand and said "Don't worry Nana, Papa & Mommy will kill the snake" How funny a little kid comforting an adult! They lived in an orange grove in Florida at the time. There were all kinds of critters in and around that place. I used to walk barefoot all around during the summertime when I would visit them from Virginia. They definitely lived off the dirt road! I had the best of both worlds, country girl in the summer & city girl in the winter. Hey how many girls do you know that can bait their own hook yet find a great deal on a sassy pair of strappy sandals? exactly! Ahh those were the days!

Wow what a day & now I am posting a 2nd time in one day!

2006-09-08T00:39:00.000-06:00

Write it down folks! Twice in one day! That is right it is still 11:32 pm pacific time & still today. Had a fun shoot with a gal that wants to get into modeling. I hope that she likes the shots I took of her. Her serious face was very cool & her eyes were amazing. She is so thin too! She is getting ready to move to GA for her first duty station in the Army. So let me know what you think! ;)

Wow almost a week has passed since I blogged!

2006-09-06T23:44:00.000-06:00

I am a bad blogger. I should really work on this I know. I am currently taking this Graphic Design class that is pretty cool & I am learning quite a bit more about photoshop than my previous knowledge. I have been pretty busy lately doing on location stuff for families & seniors. I wish I didn't have to work & could play all day! That would be the best. I guess I don't really have to work...It just helps fund my photo addiction! I really need to get cracking on my website & deciding on pricing for my page as well. So yesterday I found out that I delivered some Close to my Heart stuff to a customer at the wrong address a month ago! So, today I went & knocked on the door of the house that I left it on & noone answered...So I left a note. "Hey I left a bag at this address with CTMH stuff in it but it was supposed to go to 1317 E College, not 1317 W College, Please call me so I can stop by to pick it up" Think they will call??? They were probably stamping till their heart was content while I was knocking away at the front door. Ugh! They probably threw it in the trash thinking "who left this crap on my door" or "Oh, what a wonderful surprise! I should make a card!" I have to give a shout out to my friend Ginger as she is the bestest & her husband is in the hospital having some surgery. Also to my friend Liz...she may be gone but not forgotten, Mitzi in Vegas woo hoo! I still cannot believe next year in July I will be moving to New Mexico...Who is gonna wanna come visit me in New Mexico. I can't even get people to come out to California, let alone New Mexico. Oh well. Last but not least a shout out to my friend Christy D. She always makes me laugh! Even when we have gaps of connecting it only takes me 2 seconds to realize why I miss her on a daily basis. ;)

Hump Day! oh wait it's Thursday! Yikes!

2006-08-24T11:34:00.000-06:00

So this weekend I am supposed to do a Senior shoot but haven't heard too much from the Mom. Hopefully I will talk to her today or tomorrow. I have been playing with digital elements & babies! Loving the outcome! Did a Newborn shoot on Tues. The baby is soooo cute! She was not into being undressed or sleeping for any of the grand plans I had! I may ask to try again to get the artistic ones I wanted. Oh well must go & get ready for work.

A new baby to play with!

2006-08-18T11:01:00.000-06:00

So yesterday our friends Lori & Chad had their little baby girl & Ethan is officially a big brother! So we went to the hospital & I took a couple of snaps & will get to play more with her on Tuesday! I can't wait she is soooo little! In the meantime, I am going to Samy's Camera today for a lecture then after we are all going to the Santa Barbara Zoo to shoot from 5-8. I am very excited! Hope to meet some new photo friends while I am there. Will also be stopping by Chipotle too! Lions and tigers and bears...Oh My!

Monday Morning again!

2006-08-14T10:06:00.000-06:00

Well today I start my first graphic design class. I am pretty excited & hope that I can learn some useful things in this class. Not too mention my new friend Mariah from Digi photo class will be taking it too! I am getting that travel bug too. I feel the need to plant my feet on the East coast for a visit. It would be nice if I could line up some photo gigs to pay for my trip there! I miss my Mom & Sister! Then I also want to see my Grandparents & my family in FL! Ugh! See I need an East Coast Fix. The bad part is that when I take off work I don't get paid. So nothing like spending money you are not making! I did a wedding a week ago & I am still proofing the photos so that will take a while. My friend Dee Dee in Colorado Springs hooked up my web page for me! Thanks Dee Dee you are the best! So check out www.candidthoughts.com So long for now!

Busy Week!

2006-08-01T10:58:00.000-06:00

Well this week is off to a busy one! This past weekend Mike & I met Mom's Co-workers from H&W at Hearst Castle. It was really cool! We had a fun time hanging out & then ate dessert at the Madonna Inn. Yummy! I should have taken a pic of the cake I had. Today I have school, tomorrow night Mike & I are going to see Carrie Underwood at the Midstate Fair. Thursday school again. Friday or Saturday I may have a family photo shoot in SLO. Sunday wedding in Santa Barbara for Mike's friend Mike & his fiance Crystal. Should be beautiful as the wedding is at a garden by the coi pond. Ahh when will it slow down??? The madness!

Ahh The Dog Days of Summer...

2006-07-25T01:03:00.000-06:00

Well summer is here & some unseasonal heat has come with it. It's been in the 80's! I know that does not sound like a lot but it is for our neck of the woods. At least it cools down at night or Mr. Stuno would turn into Mr. Grumpypants. He can't sleep when he's hot. I think that is about the only time that man can't sleep... He would sleep the day away on the weekends if I didn't wake his butt up. I don't know how he does it! He also comes home for lunch & takes a nap! That man loves his sleep. On another note our friends Trisha & Jessie were up from Corona with their little guy Tristan. He is so cute that I had to take a few (60 or so) shots of him. I love his big dark eyes. We also looked at an awesome travel trailer that we wish we could afford. Oh well I guess we can dream! Ha! My Mom's girlfriends from work are coming to CA this week & I will get to see them on Sunday when we all go to Hearst Castle. I myself have never been. All I have to say is they better put their smile on for the photographer in tow!
Next week we will go to see Carrie Underwood in concert. It should be a great show & I can't wait to see her. Tomorrow is gym day, work & school at 3:45. Busy day ahead of me & I must get to bed! Aaackk! Not enough hours in the day.

TGIF

2006-07-14T09:29:00.000-06:00

Well, I made it to Friday! I had class last night & we started working on our next assignment which is an abstract photo. Should be interesting! Today I have a photo shoot after work at a park in Santa Maria & a shoot on Sunday. It's starting to get pretty crazy as word of mouth advertising is taking off not too mention I hung up some cards in the post office. I have also quickly become a collector of books such as Photoshop CS2, Photoshop Channels, How To Start Your Own Photography Business and so on. Next sememster I am going to take a graphic design course that will hopefully help me to do more things in photoshop. My goal is to be proficient in both! Ha! As of now I am in business but not quite hanging out my shingle. There is still that underlying fear of failure. Ugh! Anyway Mike & I are going to see Carrie Underwood in concert August 2nd @ 7:30pm. I am pretty excited & plan on taking a camera. So hopefully I will get some shots of her! Happy Friday to all!

Just Another Manic Monday...

2006-07-10T09:17:00.000-06:00

Well, here I sit in quiet rebellion in front of this computer. I am willing myself to get up & start getting ready. I have this fight everyday Monday-Friday. The job just bites, but the flexibility is great! So this weekend my friend Ginger came over on Sunday & we did her hair & makeup then we went to this building on base that looks like an old church & started shooting pics. It was really fun. Cars were riding by & people were staring. Hmm something about a girl in a wedding dress really catches their attention! I told her next time we will just hit the town & go around shooting earlier in the day. This time as we left the house the fog had started to role in & it was a little chilly. I am gearing up for a wedding that is August 6th! It will be at 2pm during the day & the lighting situation will be a little harsh. There is some open shade so I think the photos will be fine. Mike has taken 2 wks off to work on his project car. Yeah... where is the vacation of my dreams? Obviously will have to plan that one on my own & go myself. Oh well another Micro Monday is ahead of me at work. Hope your Monday is better than usual today!

Ahhh the weekend...

2006-07-01T02:28:00.000-06:00

Well today my friend Liz left town for good. She & her husband are enroute to Texas then onto Louisiana. Beware my Cajun friends Miss Sassy Pants is coming & you will like her! LOL! I cut out of work early today & went with Ginger & Liz to see "The Devil Wears Prada". You don't know how many times I must have picked this book up in the store to buy & didn't. The movie was cute I enjoyed it & then came home for pizza & watched the movie "Taxi" not too bad. Tomorrow I don't know what I will do. The above picture is from the carnival at the Lompoc Flower Festival. Pretty much the biggest thing that happens in Lompoc during the year. Off to bed I go!

Another day another nickel...

2006-06-29T11:08:00.000-06:00

Yeah here we are another day at the happiest place on Earth minus the rides. Not! Well, time will tell if I find something else to do in the meantime I guess I am stuck or until they really tick me off & I quit. Which is kind of likely considering the mood I am in. Just tired of being taken advantage of & putting up with the Drama Q. I saw a shirt at Target last night & I almost bought it. "Save the Drama for your Mama" How fitting that would have been. Oh well. School tonight. Also Liz & Homer will be leaving this week. We all had dinner together last night so here are some pics.

Ahh Monday is done now to get on with the rest of the week!

2006-06-19T23:38:00.000-06:00

You never like to wish away the days, but sometimes on Mondays you do find yourself wishing it was any other day than that one. So today I went in to work early as I was told we would be having a sales meeting via Skype with the Mexico Sales Dept & ours. Yep 2nd Monday in a row I went into work early for a meeting that never materialized. Hmmm... Are they testing me to get me into work earlier??? I think tomorrow I start my first class for digital photography and I have no idea where to go & I need to buy a parking pass. Ugh! Oh well it means I will be leaving work around 3pm on Tues & Thurs for the next 8wks. Yippee. The job market here is pretty sucky unless you are willing to commute 45min to an hour to Santa Barbara. I would love it down there to work if the drive wasn't so long. My friend Liz is finishing the last week of her Lompoc Sentence & then off to Louisiana she will go with her family. Meanwhile back at the ranch Ginger will hopefully be here till we leave at the same time. Hopefully she won't get time off for good behavior or anything like that! Mitzi should be coming to town as this is the week for Flower Festival. Maybe I will go this year as I have never gotten around to it that last 2 years. Always time for a first. On another note I talked to my friend Kim this week she is the one in the middle. She wants to come for a visit next year as this year will be her 40th birthday. Funny how things change & you are caught in the middle between two friends not really understanding why the 2 of them no longer speak. We used to be the 3 Amigas & now it's hang out with one or the other when I go home & always one will get the short end where my time is concerned as family does take priority. The funny thing about friendships even when our friends hurt our feelings aren't we supposed to forgive them & work thru it? why do some choose to shut down & turn away from those that care about them? It can be a great mystery to those that are left behind in the wake. I think everyone should be entitled to closure.

Well the weekend is almost over.

2006-06-18T23:59:00.000-06:00

Here I sit at the end of the weekend updating my blog. Today we went to a car show in Pismo Beach. There were a lot of cool cars there. A few I would not mind having myself. Finished up proofing Zenia's wedding shots & another shoot. Hung up a flyer in the post office for some possible business. Now I just need to get in gear & get that website done. Joined myspace & I am adding friends as I go! Hee Hee Hee! Weird to see an ex-boyfriend on there. Strange but true. Oh well. Time for bed as I have an 8am conference call in the morning for work. Yippeeee! That was sarcastic of course. Until another day.

Live Like You Were Dying

2006-06-09T11:10:00.000-06:00

That is one of my favorite songs by Tim McGraw. I think we sometimes get so tied up in the goings in & goings on that we forget that each day is a gift. So what if my friend doesn't want me to come take pictures for her wedding. Someone else will. Just because you want to give people a gift of yourself doesn't mean they want to accept it. Sometimes you just have to let go & move on. So today is a new day. I am running behind...but I leave you with this. When you were a kid & they picked you last for kick ball doesn't mean the others were better...they were just saving the best for last.

Ever thought you were alone & no one was watching...

2006-06-04T15:14:00.000-06:00

Then you turned around & someone was staring right at you? Yeah since the husband wont pose for me I was doing some self portraits in the back yard next to the fence with a window behind me. After a couple of snaps I turn around to see this face in the window staring at me! I let out a little scream! It was the husband. Just for that I did make him come out so I could snap some of him too. He of course feels the need for the EXTREME CLOSE UP! So here are two I liked. Went to a birthday party yesterday for Ethan, who turned 1 year old with a baby sister on the way in August. Should be exciting! Got a cute one from that too. This afternoon I will have some of another little guy should be a cute shoot if it is not too windy.

Laugh Every Day

2006-06-02T10:08:00.000-06:00

I think the best thing you can do is to laugh. The next best thing is to capture that moment on film or memory card for the digital crowd! I think a picture of someone laughing captures who they are & shows you their spirit. For instance I took a picture this weekend of my friend Kathy. She is 61 & looks great I think. She also reminds me of Doris Day. So please don't eat the daisies! LOL! It's been a busy week and I for one am glad it is winding down. I spent too much time with co-workers & not enough with friends. One of my best buds from work & outside of work is moving. June 15th is the day they will pack up her stuff for Louisiana. She has been generous enough to share her family & awesome Texas cooking with me. I will miss her so. She has been paroled from this town finally. So I am happy that at least she gets to go to a town with real shopping & places to eat without having to drive 30 min or more. Well I need to update this thing more often I just run out of time. :)

10 Years

2006-05-09T10:06:00.000-06:00

So on May 4th Mike & I celebrated out 10 year anniversary. Some days it doesn't seem like it has been 10 years & others it does. For the most part it doesn't though. I know something I can't tell. I am very excited but don't want to get my hopes up. Will have to wait to share on that juicy tidbit. Last weekend was National Scrapbook Day. I did a Demo at Scrapbook Heaven, scrapped at a crop. Then on Sunday Ginger & I went to Santa Barbara Scrapbooks & hung out. They had cake & punch with demos too! We also ate my favorite. Chipotle for lunch. Yummy! Oh well. Got to run & get ready for work.

I left nothing in San Francisco except the rubber off of my shoes!

2006-04-23T11:18:00.000-06:00

Company came & we went to Magic Mountain, La Purisma Mission, Santa Barbara, & all over San Francisco. It was a great time I think I did wear some of the rubber off of my shoes with all the walking. In San Francisco people don't like for you to take their picture with out some small fee! The Fortune Cookie Factory for example was really just a sweat shop of two ladies folding little round circles into the famous fortune cookie shapes. Cost me $1.50 to take 3 pictures. Whatever! I stood outside & took another one for spite. I know this is mean but come on! Then another place I wanted to take a picture of a cute dog & the lady was like "no pictures please". It was like she was Michael Jackson & the dog was one of his masked children. Come on! It's a dog! What am I going to exploit him on the web? Yeah Right! Alcatraz was cool! Loved the different textures & lighting of the place. Also Ghiardelli Square. I had THE BEST HOT FUDGE BROWNIE ICE CREAM SUNDAY EVER! I shared with Michael & the gang. Mostly Mike finished it up after he firmly told me he didn't want one to split with me. Hmmm... Just will have a bite? Yeah I am going to post those pics of him whoofing it down. Mmmm Chocolate sauce is good isn't it honey? That man! We did have some amazing margaritas at El Torito in Santa Barbara as always the tableside guacamole was the best! Today I am lounging around recouping from vacation. All the going finally has hit me & I did not leave the house yesterday. Not Once! Well the sun is out! Has been all week thank goodness or that would have been a crappy vacation for my friends to come out to CA & it not be sunny! I will have to get out today. I am out of milk. Geoffrey, the son of Craig & Denise Morton (our friends that were here), was a true sport with having his picture taken. I am sure he felt like a rock star with paparazzi stalking him! It's not often you have someone that is willing to let you harrass them with your camera. So will have to post those pics too! Well off to decide what I will do today. :O)

Revisit Your Childhood

2006-04-02T15:32:00.000-06:00

When is the last time you went to a playground & climbed on the equipment or had a seat in a swing? Well Mike & I checked out a park on base to see what the potential would be for photo shoots. I think it would definitely be a fun place for some candid action shots! Yesterday I went to La Purisma with another photo friend on her photo shoot. She had a really fun family to photograph. Then we went to a local park with a water fall! It was really cool We were sitting there taking pics of random people & every now & then I would offer to take pictures for people so they would all be in the photo on their own camera. Then I had a couple ask me a 2nd time & as I am handing them their camera while they are smooching & she informs me I just photographed them while he asked her to marry him! Wow pretty cool! Never had a chance to photograph a proposal! Pretty cool. Will have to put in a pic of them. Not too mention the ones of my big kid husband at the playground.

Another day Another dollar

2006-03-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well another weekend has passed. I was attempting to clean house this weekend, but of course with a messy husband & 3 dogs who am I kidding. Right this very moment sitting on my dining room table you will find a motorcycle gas tank & fender. No I don't live in a trailer park, I just have a crazy husband that painted them for a friend. He couldn't leave them in the garage as it was getting too cold & could affect the paint! Hence why they are sitting on the table stinking up the place with that laquer/paint smell. I think I may be losing brain cells as I sit here typing. Now I do have to give the man credit; he did a fantastic job on them & dollar signs are flashing before my eyes. Could it be that my husband has found a hobby that could make him some money??? That would be great! Well today looks like sunshine is upon us! Yeah! I am still proofing pics from a session on Thursday for a family at the mission. That is my favorite place to do them because there are so many textures there. Tomorrow night I am having a Pampered chef party. I hope to have a good turnout for the pc lady as she is driving from Atascadero. So far I do have some RSVP's. Not too mention I made cute reminder cards like the one above! My poor neighbor misread the date & showed up Saturday night. We both had a good laugh over that one. Today Mike gets to pick up Baileys insulin. He was diagnosed as being diabetic. Mike is going to have to give him the shots as I don't want to be the bad guy. I am sure I will have to eventually but in the meantime he can do it. Ouch! I don't want to hurt my little dog! Oh well I guess he won't be hitting the sweets or he could crash! We will have to keep him out of the cookie jar. We don't give our dogs sweets! Are ya crazy? He has been known to somehow get into the candy dish though. I have moved it. Don't want to walk in on my dog in a diabetic coma. Bailey lay off the candy! Well must get ready for another fun filled day at work.

This is me today!

2006-03-13T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well it is sunny & I feel spring is coming on so I decided it is definitely a pink day! So if you are feeling it too put your spring on & in your step!

Rain Rain Go Away!

2006-03-13T00:28:00.000-07:00

The past couple of days it has rained, hailed & thundered. Am I living in CA or Seattle WA? Some days I wonder. This morning Mike & I went to Paula's Pancake House in Solvang, CA. The line was kind of long & people were sitting on the patio. We decided we better not chance it & stood under one of their big umbrellas waiting for the sky to fall out. It finally let loose about the time we were seated & then sprinkled as we left. Breakfast was pretty good, but I really wished I had tried their world famous Danish pancakes instead of that egg beater omelette! Oh well! I had a maternity photo shoot this afternoon and I always try to think up some new ideas or remember things I have seen to inspire me. Today I tried 2 new things. Angel wings & a blue ribbon with a do not open tag. I will have to include them. The girl I photographed today will be having a c-section on 3/21/06. I can't wait to have a new little sleeping baby to take pics of! I already let her know it is best to take newborn photos in the first 2 weeks. Well St. Patty's day is fast approaching! This year it is on a Friday night! Can you imagine how crazy it will be this year? I don't know if we will go out & drink green beer, kind of doubt it. Tomorrow is going to be sunny. Go figure, rained all weekend just in time to for me to go back to work it is sunny. Oh no I just realized there is a pop quiz in Photo class tomorrow. Hmmm I wonder if I should have studied. Adios!

Sunday is almost over, Monday is coming

2006-03-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I did a photo shoot for family on base. It was a fun shoot the little girls are dolls. This is one of my favorite pics of the day. I just loved how the sunlight was falling on her face. Such a pretty little girl she is. Her little sister is so cute too! Must be in the genes. I am going to have a maternity shoot sometime this week. I am looking forward to that. I love those beautiful round belly pics. Maybe I will have some of my own someday... It would be nice. Today Mike & I went to Santa Barbara & he was such a good sport to go around with me while I was snapping pics for class to develop tomorrow night. I can't wait to see what I captured as I won't find out until I develop the film. We went to the Santa Barbara Courthouse & this time I went to the 4th floor which is like the look out tower. The best view of Santa Barbara. So if you are in the area definitely check out the bell tower as the view is amazing! Class should be fun tomorrow night as I now have 3 rolls completely done & a 4th in the works. I was hoping to get my polaroid camera for my self portrait to try shot that I saw from a fellow photographer. Maybe it will come tomorrow or not. Got to go to bed to start another day at the best job ever. That was sarcastic.

Pieces of Me

2006-03-01T09:44:00.000-07:00

Everything I create or photograph become pieces of me. Something I am leaving behind in place of children for the time being. I think I wrap myself up in my hobbies to keep myself busy. You often try not to think about what could have been or what might be & stay in the moment of what surrounds you. My photo teacher gave us our first assignment, a self portrait & something that is personal to you. Others will be seeing these photos I am sure, so I don't want to get too personal. I don't think they would want to see my surgical scars or know how they got there. So I am going to keep it simple & show them pieces of me but not the whole me. I think that would just be too much information. Sometimes I will try the shot with my digital camera first to see what it looks like then shoot it with my film camera. It's the not knowing what is going to come out that is the exciting part. Of course I only have about 20 exposures to take before class, but I am not concerned as I am sure I will snap pics between now & 6pm tonight! Ha! After all my assignment is due a week from tonight. Also he showed us a self portrait can be your shadow on the wall or wherever. I took mine on the fence and positioned my head to the knot in it would look like my eye. Hmm that should be interesting don't ya think? Ha! Oh well off to work as I have to sit in the same office as the wicked witch from the midwest. Things could be worse I could have been moved to the basement & had my stapler stolen.

Sunday In Santa Barbara

2006-02-27T08:54:00.000-07:00

I went to Santa Barbara with my Friend Dee Dee yesterday. Started out with Starbucks before we hit the road. It was a beautiful day for it as well. Our first stop was of course Samy's Camera I got a filter for my new film camera I got off of ebay. Then we walked around State street for a bit & decided to have lunch at Chipotle. Mmmmmm Yummy! We then checked out Goodwill & did not find anything we couldn't live without & then we decided to check out Santa Barbara County Courthouse. Next time I think I will have a willing teenager go with me to take pictures of. There is really great lighting around the building along with architecture that is awesome. The big wooden doors & spanish tiles really are lovely. We did attempt to ask these 2 Japanese girls if they would pose for us, but I think they thought we would be pimping them on the internet or something & we finally said "nevermind Sorry!" Very strange. I guess if I was in a strange country & someone asked to take my picture, I would also be a little leary. We wrapped up & headed back home. That was pretty much the excitement of our day. The weather here today is nasty out. Looks rainy & the wind is howling. So much for any photo ops outdoors. I wanted to have 2 rolls of film finished before class on Wed. Will have to get it done between now & then somehow. Well off to the salt mines.

Where does the time go?

2006-02-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

Well I have really no idea what I have been doing! Just busy stuff as usual. Working, going to photograpy class, doctor appointments. Last Friday I spent the day in Santa Barbara. It would have been a lot better if it hadn't started to rain on me while I was walking around snapping shots. Thank goodness it did not decide to poor until I was a few feet from my car. I figure a bad weather day in Santa Barbara is better than a good day at work. That's just me though. My Grandfather had a hip replacement yesterday & my Mom filled me in that he is doing pretty good. I think he will be anxious to get back to life as he knows it. March is just around the corner & he will be celebrating a birthday on March 18th also having a birthday in March will be my friend Christy. I don't hear from her, but I still think of her daily & consider her my best friend. She's the kind of friend that you would drop everything for no matter what. I miss her laugh, her funny sense of humor, and the best tootsie roller I ever saw. I know she is going thru some things right now with her daughter, it's just I wish she would call because I would be her cheerleader to let her know she can do it no matter what. I would be her sounding board, not too mention I am much cheaper than a shrink! I am free or maybe the cost of a phone call. So today is dedicated to my friend, Christy, no one seems to be able to replace her place in my heart no matter how many friends I make. I miss her daily.

Happy Valentines Day!

2006-02-15T00:40:00.000-07:00

Well another Valentines Day has passed. For the most part it was a good day! I recv'd a fur blanket for baby photos & tulips in a pot for planting. They are really pretty. Sunday I took pics of Liz's kids & some came out very cute! Debating on how much to promote myself as far as photography goes. Can I make a pretty good wage doing this alone?? Not sure. It would be a dream job to make my own hours & be my own boss. Alas it is hard to let go of a steady paycheck.

There Are Angels Among Us!

2006-02-09T01:04:00.000-07:00

So my Mom was more than a little worried over a denial letter regarding her Chemo Treatments. People that work with her went to someone, then that person called someone, and then that person contacted the benefits person & things are hopefully going to be resolved. I think it definitely speaks volumes of what people think about my Mom and they as her friends intervening on her behalf. There are Angels among us everyday. We may not see them or know them by name but they are around. I also have to mention my little sister, Ashley too! The other night she heard one of her neighbors being hit by her boyfriend and called the police. To be someone's Angel doesn't take much you know it just takes a moment to become involved & try to help. I think if we all tried to spread a little more compassion around or share a little act of random kindness it can take on a life of its own. So if you are reading this, I challenge you to do something nice for someone friend, family, stranger. Spread some kindness to those around you just because it feels good.
Not too mention you may help them more than you know.

Hey How About Those Steelers!

2006-02-06T01:25:00.000-07:00

Well Superbowl Sunday & the Steelers pulled it off. We had some great snacks & our friend Ginger came over to watch the game. Back on plan tomorrow. Or I guess that would technically be today since it is after Midnight. Again I find myself sitting in front of the computer. Yesterday Ginger came over & I was practicing with natural light & one of my new backdrops. I also purchased some pergo like flooring for another shoot I am planning. I have some ideas but not sure how cute they will actually turn out. Here is hoping that my vision will come across on my memory card!
Ginger will also be posing for me in a wedding dress I got from Ebay for $25! Should prove to be a fun time even though she is already married. Every girl wants to be a princess for a day. Tiara included!

Who Knew A Chair Could Make Your Day?

2006-02-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

I went with a gal from the base that is also a photographer & her 5 year old to Santa Barbara yesterday. We went to the pier, Samy's Camera, Chipotle, The Mission & Goodwill. I had just been telling her that I was looking for a wooden chair for posing & we walked in & she spotted this one. I think I might distress it a little more then matte seal it so there is no shine. I really was excited to get this thing as I have been looking for "The Perfect Chair" for about 2 mos now. I was starting to think I would not find it. We had a great time in Santa Barbara & her daughter is the perfect little model. She is so cute & full of expression. I told Deanna she is grooming her for modeling in later years! Anyway I went to class last night & they were talking about exposure & I think I have been on the right track but I did feel like I learned some new things. I am very excited as we are supposed to shoot a roll of blk/white this weekend for next Wed.'s class. Oh well must run. Work is calling my name.

I Took a Roadtrip

2006-01-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

Well I took Hwy 101 to Cayucos to see my friends & then ventured the PCH Hwy 1 to Cambria & then on to San Simeon. I wanted to check out the lighthouse at Ragged Point, but it was closed for restoration so I just took a few shots from the gate & then drove back towards Cambria. I did pull off to check out the sunset & the seals on the beach near the lighthouse. It was beautiful & met a lady that is a "Pea", like myself! I often check out & post things on 2peas in a bucket. It was really funny to meet someone that asked me "Are you a pea?" that was the first time anyone had ever asked me! It was one of the highlights of my day. So I told her we should take each other's picture! She then said "Hold on I will get my husband!". So we had our pic taken together! It was really a fun experience. There are really some nice people on the message board & it was fun to meet one out of the blue. I also talked to a guy that was visiting from Hawaii. He was taking a drive from San Francicso to San Diego to see the coast. He told me that he had lived on the island all his life & wanted to see what the rest of the country had to offer so he took a week off of work & spent it in California. I forgot to suggest maybe next time check out the Grand Canyon, now that is awesome! Anyway off I go to get ready for work!

What a day!

2006-01-29T00:23:00.000-07:00

Today I got a chance to practice some shots with my new backdrop I bought from ILP. My friend sent her daughter Eleesha over to play! We had a great time. I had found a little black boa at the Target $1 Spot & I have been collecting fairy wings since Halloween. While I was at Target I also got Sara Evans new cd & a new book to read that looks good "The Original Cyn" about a girl named Cynthia! Started reading it today. Also working on Valentine pics too. So I only had about an hour to shoot as I had to leave the house for a 2pm appt. Today I cashed in my Spa/Massage gift certificate from the husband. It was really nice to be pampered today. So then when I left there I decided to have the old brows waxed too! Then I came home ate a quick dinner & off to see the movie "The Family Stone" playing on base with Liz. We had a good time! The movie was good & so was the popcorn. Tomorrow I hope to take some pics up at Cayucos as the scrapping girls are up there this weekend & my friend Lyd is over from her new home in Visalia. Good times! Anyway off to bed to catch some shut eye!

I am a college student!

2006-01-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

Well I decided to take the plunge & take a class at the local community college. I am taking Photo 110 introduction to Black & White film. I am pretty excited about the class to actually get some hands on experience to learn how to achieve a correct exposure. Last night was my 2nd class as it meets 2x a week. The first night I felt like I was the old lady going back to school; however, last night a gal sat beside me & for a class exercise we had to interview & introduce each other. After the interview, I realized I kind of lead a boring life. I could not think of anything exciting to tell her. She also felt the same way. Jessica, that is her name, is a triple major in her last semester! That is pretty impressive! So maybe I made a new friend. At least that is what I am hoping because one of her majors is graphic design. That means she can help me navigate photoshop better! :) I am excited! Oh yes! I almost forgot yesterday was the weekly WW meeting. I have officially lost my first 10lbs! Yeah! Only many more to go. That's okay I will get there. I have been working on collages that people call storyboards. They are very cute as you can see above. Just a few images kind of in a sequence or from the same event. I am having fun creating them. Well must run as I have to get ready for a job that doesn't appreciate me & only bleeds me dry of my creativity. It's either that or the bloodsuckers! Hi ho hi ho!

Fighting the Good Fight

2006-01-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

I know I am not the only one that feels I fight with the scale on a daily basis. Almost willing it to move to the left just a little more! Yesterday was weigh in #3 at WW. I lost 1.6 which brings my grand total to date to 9.8. 2/10 of a lb away from 10lbs. after I left I thought maybe my earrings were weighing me down. Mental Note will have to take them off next time. This is not my first rodeo at the WW. In May 2002 I joined & by May 2003 I had lost 40 lbs. Then life happened & I guess the one thing I could control was my good friend food. It seems to be a love/hate relationship most of the time. They say it's all mental so maybe I just need a hypnotist you know to plant the seeds "no I don't like sweets especially chocolate", and "Yes, I love to exercise". I have not started the incorporation of exercise in my new regime. I know I need to and I have to if I want to lose & be successful in my weight loss. So honestly the scale is not my enemy I am my enemy when I think about it. No one can do it for me I just have to do it for myself. Maybe there is still some fear in the fact of what happened previously. I just have to learn to let go and have faith. After all that is what sustains us. After all I want to look like I did in May of 2003 again! I miss that Old Navy shirt & my Old Navy low rise jeans. They still hang in my closet in hopes that someday we will meet again. I am getting there, don't get me wrong I feel like I have the renewed willpower. Just yesterday the big boss brought in donuts. Maybe if it had been a Dunkin Donuts Managers Special I would have caved; however, I didn't I stayed strong & will have to as I know what is important now.

Sunday

2006-01-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

Here we are the end of the weekend and I still want to take pictures of people. I am tired of shooting the dogs, the spouse, myself etc... I will need to call in reinforcements. I will have to borrow kids & take their pictures! Yesterday I was bored. I had invited friends over to scrap but they were busy & Mike was working on his "Project Car". I do have to say it is looking better and better! Yesterday it would rain then the sun would come out then it would rain. So Mike gave up on the wetsanding of his paint job & we went to Santa Maria to the movies. We ended up seeing "Last Holiday" with Queen Latifah. It was really cute! Sometimes you just need to see a feel good movie. Well I think today I will find random people & take their picture! I need to practice! Well, off to find my subjects!

Goodness How Time Flies!

2006-01-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

I had not even realized I had not updated my blog since the first! Over the weekend & still now I have had a wicked cold. Saturday I had a fever of 102 degrees! My digital thermometer broke. How do I know this? It was reading that I had a temp of 105.6; therefore, I broke out the old standard thermometer for the correct reading. Thank goodness the digital was wrong or I might have brain damage by now! While I was cooped up in the house kicked back on the couch watching movies high on cold meds I guess I became bored & felt inspired to create. So I decided to make some Valentine Cards for a card workshop at my house. Will have to include one here. Anyway there is always an upside to illness. I think I lost about 5lbs! It was probably all draining out of my nose! Ewww! Oh well congested today lighter tomorrow! Can't wait to weigh in this week at WW! Ha! Take care!

Happy New Year!

2006-01-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

Wow here we are 2006. I suspect that weight watchers will be busy this next week as people will be resolving to fight the battle of the bulge. That is why I joined last week. Tried to beat the crowd you know. So since I am from the South as I was growing up it has always been ingrained in me to not clean or do laundry on New Years. By washing clothes you wash away a member of your family. So I intend to do something fun & exciting today that way I will be doing it for the rest of the year. Maybe I will scrapbook after making myself a yummy breakfast with the least amount of points! Yippee! I will have to shower as I definitely want to be clean all next year!

Company is coming & I can't wait!

2005-12-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

Arriving today are friends we had in Colorado that are actually California natives in town for the holidays! It will be good to see them. They will be bringing their 1 year old that we have yet to meet. I can't wait to get some pics of the little guy! Today is going to be sunny. It's a good day to reconnect with old & new friends. I have cleaned my house & hope it is presentable! I am just like my mother we both clean like crazy women when company is coming. LOL! You always say I will never be like my mother and you wake up one day and realize I am like her and I am glad. Here's to my Mom! She is my hero.

Where did the Sunshine Go?

2005-12-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Well, another day here in CA. It's raining today. I found out last night I was supposed to have a procedure at 9 am; however, will have to reschedule as I did not have the meds prior to the procedure. Ugh! I failed to recv the msg due to the swiss cheese memory of my spouse. That man! I have been listening to my new Carrie Underwood CD. It is really good. She is very talented. I think my favorite is "Jesus Take The Wheel" Sometimes when your life is so out of control you really need a designated driver! :) Here's hoping to see some sunshine before the end of the day.
Sunflowers are such a happy looking flower to me. I think I will add it because they look like little sunshines!

I took a few days off for the holidays!

2005-12-27T09:38:00.000-07:00

Wow did they go fast or what? I am still thinking about cornbread dressing & sweet potato casserole. Oh & lets not forget the honey baked ham. Mmmm. Good food, Good Times & Good friends. Back to the old grind today. We have friends that will be coming to visit us this week from Colorado & I can't wait to see them with their little 1 year old. Should be lots of fun!

Well today could have been a little better.

2005-12-22T22:12:00.000-07:00

When you go to a fertility doctor you don't expect his first idea to be the quickest safest way to have a baby is to have your embryo implanted into a stranger as the answer to your fertility problem. Or the alternative "Lose weight to improve your chances". I just don't understand why it has to be so difficult. Gonna have to lose some weight. I think I have been putting it off now for too long. Hiding behind it like a crutch to get me thru. Will have to ponder this some more.

Ahhh humpday.

2005-12-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

It's nice to finally reach the middle of the week. I have been working on proofing pics at home and baking cookies. Mmmmm Snickerdoodles! Christmas cookies are the yummiest form of torture a person can do to themselves. So tasty yet pure sugar. I must say I am a glutton for punishment when making them.

Stil learning how to add pics to this thing!

2005-12-21T00:34:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to gossip.

I have officially done it! I have created my own blog.

2005-12-20T22:56:00.000-07:00

Well here I am officially a blogger. What will I talk about? I just don't know. LOL Believe me I have plenty to talk about. I am sure I drive my husband nuts!
That is life right? Ha! Just like the game. Oh well will have to think more on this.