Photography

I enjoy photography.  I love beautiful photos.  It is that simple.  Since giving birth to McK, I feel like my energy has been zapped some.  I need to start reinvesting the time in the creative side of me.  I am so logical - messing with the creative side is an internal fight since I want it to be perfect.  When I was in B&W photography classes it was not unusual for me to spend HOURS in the darkroom to come out with a photo of which I was only semi happy.

I need to take photos and allow myself to be bad, good, perfect... whatever.  My favorite photographer is a local in Gilbert, AZ - Kathryn Smith.  I met her the for the first time when she took photos of me when I was pregnant.  I just love her eye.

Another local photographer that I enjoy is Melissa Jill.  Great wedding photopgraphy!  Bless anyone that can do wedding photography - it is just not for me.

I have an appointment to take photos of friend and daughters next weekend.  I will post them here when I am done.  In the meantime here are some photos to view.

Max

McKenzie

Baby =o)

Back Track

See what happens when you start craziness and then you need to back track?!?!

Don't talk crap about someone in these United States and have lots of ignorant people running around half cocked.

Lawd!  Someone help these United States of America!  You know if anything happened to President Obama, the LA Riots would be nothing in comparison.

Hollymoon

My cousin, B, and her life partner, S, flew into California from England for their "Hollymoon" (honeymoon + Hollywood).  They tied the knot this year - yay!  I love them as a couple.  They just seem so compatible and never seem to really fight.  Geez!  This will be a hard relationship to live up to in my world.  If I can find my mate and have half what I see in them.  I would be set!  For now, I guess I will just be waiting until I am paired with the right person for me.

Since I just returned from Alaska and returned to craziness at work, McK and I didn't leave for Cali until late the Friday and pulled in about 1:00am.  B was a little upset since I lost some time with them, but I really, really did try to get there earlier.

Sunday, early AM, I went to the Agape Spiritual Center while McK stayed behind with my cousins.  I really needed it, but I was so far out of touch with my meditation (and I knew it).  My brain was ALL over the place.  Later we had a late breakfast and then we headed home.

I really, really miss having someone around that knows, loves, and cares for me.  Yes, B does that from a far, but I want that local too.  Is that selfish?  I really wished she lived close by {sigh}.

Here are photos from our Saturday at the Santa Monica Pier (you will have to see others on Facebook that they posted):

Alaska!

This September I had the opportunity and joy to go to Alaska with my Mom and daughter, McKenzie.  I though Arizona was a beautiful State, but Alaska certainly has its beauty.  I have never been around so many natural lakes in my life.  I have gotten so used to the man-made lakes in Arizona that I forgot how to image the real ones.

The icebergs and massive glaciers were gorgeous.  Let us not forget the humpback whales!  Beautiful!  I wouldn't mind living in AK for a year of exploration.  All that being said - I do not want to believe that this could possibly be a place where our future Vice President was born.  Lawd!

We spent 4 days on land before we headed for the ship (and lots of fattening food).  We started in Anchorage and moved through Mt. Kinley (1 day) and Denali (2 days).  We embarked on the ship in Whittier and cruised to Vancouver, BC - stopping in Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan.

Here are some photos from the trip:

 

Like I said... just a beautiful place.

Ain't Been Here in a While

OK, so I haven't written in a while, but that doesn't mean that much hasn't happened since the last time I typed.

My daughter turned the big 3!  Here she is on her new bike on the big day in August.

It is hard to believe that my baby is growing up!  She is quite a little personality!  The things that she comes up with sometimes has me rolling either with laughter or my eyes.  She is a tough little nut - strong willed just like her Mummy.

House of Blues

Let's see what else... what else... Oh! I am in the process of buying a house.  I will add more photos as we progress, but they are on target to get me into the house in December 2008.  Lawd!  I am stressing the money right now, but it is what it is.

When I say "House of Blues" I don't mean that the house will be sorrowful to me, but the music will definitely be pounding when I finally get my butt in there!  I am stressing a little because this is the first property that I have ever purchased - ever.  It will be all mine (and the bank's) on a monthly payment plan.  I just want to make the right moves for my little one and me.  The responsibility is feeling a little overwhelming, but I ask God and my wonderful Guardian Angels to continue to look out for me and help me make the best decisions for both of us.

I will type up more on the house later, but here are a few pics of the progress so far:

Nothing but dirt! (8/3/08)

Framing for concrete (9/16/08)

Frame up!  Fast Progress! (9/25/08)

Windows in!  Soon will be ready for stucco. (10/12/08)