Super cute!

I love how the engagement shots for Ashley and Robert turned out. Can't wait for their October wedding....

First day of school

Abigail is in 6th grade and J.T. is in 2nd grade... where does the time go?

Annual end of summer portraits

I photographed my most most challenging clients yesterday..... yep, my kids. It took a little while, but we got some good ones....

Last week of summer

I know I'm not the only one thinking this right now, but where the heck did summer go???? School starts tomorrow. I'm ready. I think the kids are too. All in all, we had a great summer. Soccer started yesterday but in my rush to get there at 7:50 am, I forgot my camera. It's okay, though, because we have 7 or 8 more games. Will get some pictures posted in the next few weeks...

"Anything you want"

I don't do book reviews very often, but I just read a book that I would highly recommend. It doesn't take very long to read... it's less than 100 pages.

"Anything you want" by Derek Sivers really made me think. It's mostly about having your own business, but it also applies to life in general. Sivers explains his philosophies from the 10 years he operated a small business.

Some of the themes that really impacted my thinking are (as quoted from the book):

-"Business is not about money. It's about making dreams come true for others and for yourself."

-"Success comes from persistently improving and inventing, not from persistently promoting what's not working."

-"The real point of doing anything is to be happy, so do only what makes you happy."

I related the above themes to my photography business. Once I get my thoughts a little more organized, I plan to write blog post or two on how these themes are helping me focus my business.

Fashion tips...

Here are some fashion tips that should've been passed on to some of the attendees of the Humboldt County Fair (not in any particular order)...

1. Look in a mirror before you leave the house.

2. A hot pink bra does not look good under a semi-sheer white t-shirt.

3. Buy a size larger jeans so your muffin top does not explode over the front and sides of your jeans.

4. Wear shorts that are long enough to cover your underwear (and your cellulite).

5. Flannel pajama pants aren't really appropriate to wear to the fair, especially if they say "Naughty and proud of it" on them.

6. If your shirt isn't long enough to cover your muffin top, buy a bigger size.... pretty simple.

7. Remove the size tag from your jeans. Yes, Levis are meant to have them, but most other jeans are not.

8. Cropped shirts, with your belly showing, can be worn by very few girls.... most of us can't. So don't.

9. 5 inch heels to the fair? In the livestock barn? Really? Need I say more....

10. Look in a mirror before you leave the house.

We survived the fair...

We survived the fair! Selling Abigail's lamb was a little easier this year..... Not quite as many tears. But then again, we bought two ewes so Abigail can start her own little flock....



Thanks so much to Eel River Organic Beef and Clint and Christina Victorine for buying Abigail's lamb again this year.... we really appreciate the support.



A few sad moments at the end of the day....

Fair show day

We survived another fair show day.... Abigail and George did great!!

Meet Melissa

Last but certainly not least... Melissa is my 3rd senior rep...

To be a good friend...

From Gloria Gaither, Sue Buchanan, Peggy Benson, and Joy Mackenzie of "Friends Through Thick and Thin."

To be a good friend...

1. Smile often; laugh aloud now and then; giggle even.

2. Become aware of several things that you especially enjoy. Watch for others who enjoy those same things.

3. Identify an acquaintance who has a need you can supply. Offer yourself. (Hint: start with the obvious-- your sister, spouse, neighbor...)

4. Learn to enjoy being alone with yourself. Identify what elements of living enrich your life. Incorporate them into your daily routine. If you are happy being you, it's likely others will enjoy your company too!

5. Forget what you give and remember what you receive,

6. Be the one who is there doing when others are saying, "Is there anything I can do?"

7. Listen-- even in the silence.

Meet Chrissy

Chrissy is another one of my beautiful senior reps....

Meet Ashley

Ashley is one of my senior reps this year.... we had a great time doing her session!

2011 Humboldt County Fair entries- update

I have this sort of love-hate relationship with entering photos in our county fair. I wasn't going to enter any this year, but on the last day entries were due, Sandi talked me into it. The past couple years I have been in the professional division so I can only enter one black/white and one color. Here are my two picks for this year.....

UPDATE: Miss Michela is famous.... I received a First Place on this photo....


UPDATE: And Sandi's legs are famous too.... I received a Second Place on this photo....

Good times and bad

I know I'm stating the obvious here.... Marriage is hard work. It takes effort from both people. There are going to be good times and bad. But it's worth it!

It seems like divorce is becoming an epidemic. I am not judging anyone that chooses divorce because I think we can all agree that no one really knows what goes on in a marriage except the two people in it.

The other day, I read something interesting a movie star said about her failed marriage. She said that her and her husband agreed (when they got married, I'm assuming) that if the marriage took too much work, then they would get divorced. I think this is very sad.

As an aside, let me say that thankfully I've never been through a divorce. From what I've gathered, by the time a couple decides to get divorced, it may be too late to fix things. Notice I said "may" because generalizations are just that.... not true of every situation.

As I said before, it takes effort on the parts of both people in a marriage. Don't let it get to the point where it may be too late. Have date nights. Do things just the two of you. Think about things from the other person's perspective. Sit down and talk. Don't let resentment build up. These are some things that have worked for the successful marriages I've observed.

I'd be curious to see what you all think....

Buddies

It was early in the morning but they still are smiling....