Remember #36 on my list? I just wrote my first postcard to Pirjo in Finland! Tomorrow I will write one to Jellie in the Netherlands! How exciting! I hope I receive one and then I can cross it off my list. But maybe I'll continue when it's finished! :) It's very interesting! Once Postcrossing gives you a name of the person, a profile (if they filled one out) also comes along with it! Pirjo is in the secretarial field and she likes to travel and read. She lives in a small town in Southern Finland. How interesting! I love this!
**Ma Q, this may be something you might like to do!
Here's the postcard that Pirjo will receive. I'll have to get some funkier, fun ones (especially since reading Jellie's profile - she sounds like a fun girl and I'd like to send her something a little more exciting!), but I had this one in my scrapbooking stash. Photo by Bob Pote:
A random addition to this post:
A friend from the shelter that I volunteer at sent me this quote. I just love it and thought I'd share. Thanks Adele. :)
"It came to me that every time I lose an animal they take a piece of
my heart with them. And every new animal who comes into my life gifts
me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the
components of my heart will be animal, and I will become as generous
and loving as they are."
Unknown
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Postcrossing!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Pictage Metallic prints ROCK!!!!
I ordered a few images of our session with Christina on Pictage's metallic paper to try it out and I wish you could see the end product. The paper is AWESOME! The images just shine - they are soooo pretty in person. I tried to take photos of them to show here, but it doesn't even do them justice. I decided to go through some more of the images that I didn't post and I think I'm going to order these on metallic, as well - just to see how they turn out.
I'm not a big fan of this image, but it's one of Christina's favorites, so I'm going to see how it turns out. If I don't like it, she'll get it. :)
I think I may have posted this image before, but I added some grain to it before I send it off:
Again, not one of my absolute faves, but the Mom likes it. This might end up as Mom's print as well :):
And a tootsies shot that I didn't post here. I'm soooo bummed we can't post the images from this session:
Already adding to the list...
I thought of something today and couldn't wait to write it down, then I rec'd inspiration from other photographers regarding something that I don't do enough in my daily life. See 61 and 62:
1. run a 10K
2. scrapbook more
3. get my B.A. - working on this right now
4. book a wedding - this may be in the works
5. start printing and framing our photos
6. take portraits of my parents
7. invent something and take the idea I already have further than it is
8. book a "Trash the Dress" session
9. have lunch with either Jasmine Star, Jessica Claire, [ b ]ecker, or Gabriel Ryan (to start)
10. have a photo published
11. take a road trip with Al - no destination in mind, just see where the road takes us!
12. invest in something
13. bake a pie from scratch
14. visit Alaska
15. buy new furniture
16. buy a 5D
17. run a half marathon
18. read a Pulitzer prize winning book
19. lose 30 lbs - 10 are almost already gone!
20. get another tattoo
21. make a cheesecake from scratch
22. send a care package to soldier
23. attend a community meeting
24. get the Nike's with the iPod thingy
25. visit the Grand Canyon
26. buy a tape recorder for Mom, Dad, and Grandma and have them record their life stories
27. visit a museum in California
28. put $5.00 a week in an additional savings account for whatever
29. pay for the person behind me in the Starbucks drive through
30. donate $5.00 to the no-kill shelter that I volunteer at for any item not completed
31. take a Pilates class
32. visit Australia
33. legally change the spelling of my first name
34. write "thank you" notes within a week of receiving a gift
35. watch at least 25 of AFI's "100 Greatest Movies of All Time"
36. send and receive a postcard through postcrossing
37. take Al to Ruth Chris'
38. take Al to Maggiano's
39. learn how to knit
40. knit a gift
41. get a photo on Flickr "explore"
42. try "Gimme Your Stuff"
43. get a photo displayed at the O.C. fair (like my hubby did with 2 out of 3!)
44. sell a photo (like my hubby!)
45. watch Netflix DVD's within 2 weeks
46. go to an Ellen taping
47. visit Tennessee
48. color an entire coloring book just for fun
49. give my Mom a spa day
50. write an appreciation letter to 10 people
51. buy a navigation system
52. buy an Apple laptop
53. memorize the geographical location of all the United States
54. buy something from Tiffany's
55. visit Santa Barbara
56. send a card to my photography inspirations
57. visit Pismo Beach
58. visit K.K.'s and Grandma's grave
59. take one of Justin Rudd's classes
60. take horse riding lessons
61. eat at a restaurant we've never been to once a month for 12 months
62. Say or do what I feel at the time. My husband always tells me that I tend to regret saying something I wanted to (usually good things :)) or doing something. He's right. I need to act on these things. Tonight I received a comment from david & kimi baxter about my list below and it was the perfect example. Sometimes I link to other photographers blogs from comments they leave on another blog and I recently viewed their "Trash the Dress" images and they are INSANE. I almost left a comment the other night but it was late and I was tired and lazy. When I saw their comment tonight, I kicked myself for not leaving a comment for them when I wanted to. :/ Anyway, that gave me the inspiration to start living that part of my life and to put that on my list to make sure I do it. :)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
101 in 1,001
Tonight I started my 101 in 1,001 list. I've seen this idea pop up on different blogs and now people are creating "Bucket Lists", so I figured I'd better get on it.
I was inspired to buy an "Inspiration Journal" after reading (one of my favorite photographer's) Jasmine Star's "Inspiration in Noteboook Form" entry on her blog. I was at Barnes and Noble and came across a cute/cook skull journal (I LOVE skulls - artsy and cute ones, not big on the scary ones) and wanted to buy it but figured I didn't really have any use for it, so I didn't. After reading her entry, I went out and bought it.
I hadn't used it but had thought about it for some time. I guess I hadn't been 'inspired' yet and we don't have portrait sessions coming up for a week or so. I did write some notes in another notebook (when I didn't have my inspiration journal) about ideas for the sessions, so now I suppose I need to start jotting all that down in this one. It's going to be interesting to see how this journal looks by the end of the year. I hope it's full of thoughts and ideas. 
For now, we start with my list of 101 things I'd like to complete in 1,001 days.
1. run a 10K
2. scrapbook more
3. get my B.A. - working on this right now
4. book a wedding - this may be in the works
5. start printing and framing our photos
6. take portraits of my parents
7. invent something and take the idea I already have further than it is
8. book a "Trash the Dress" session
9. have lunch with either Jasmine Star, Jessica Claire, [ b ]ecker, or Gabriel Ryan (to start)
10. have a photo published
11. take a road trip with Al - no destination in mind, just see where the road takes us!
12. invest in something
13. bake a pie from scratch
14. visit Alaska
15. buy new furniture
16. buy a 5D
17. run a half marathon
18. read a Pulitzer prize winning book
19. lose 30 lbs - 10 are almost already gone!
20. get another tattoo
21. make a cheesecake from scratch
22. send a care package to soldier
23. attend a community meeting
24. get the Nike's with the iPod thingy
25. visit the Grand Canyon
26. buy a tape recorder for Mom, Dad, and Grandma and have them record their life stories
27. visit a museum in California
28. put $5.00 a week in an additional savings account for whatever
29. pay for the person behind me in the Starbucks drive through
30. donate $5.00 to the no-kill shelter that I volunteer at for any item not completed
31. take a Pilates class
32. visit Australia
33. legally change the spelling of my first name
34. write "thank you" notes within a week of receiving a gift
35. watch at least 25 of AFI's "100 Greatest Movies of All Time"
36. send and receive a postcard through postcrossing
37. take Al to Ruth Chris'
38. take Al to Maggiano's
39. learn how to knit
40. knit a gift
41. get a photo on Flickr "explore"
42. try "Gimme Your Stuff"
43. get a photo displayed at the O.C. fair (like my hubby did with 2 out of 3!)
44. sell a photo (like my hubby!)
45. watch Netflix DVD's within 2 weeks
46. go to an Ellen taping
47. visit Tennessee
48. color an entire coloring book just for fun
49. give my Mom a spa day
50. write an appreciation letter to 10 people
51. buy a navigation system
52. buy an Apple laptop
53. memorize the geographical location of all the United States
54. buy something from Tiffany's
55. visit Santa Barbara
56. send a card to my photography inspirations
57. visit Pismo Beach
58. visit K.K.'s and Grandma's grave
59. take one of Justin Rudd's classes
60. take horse riding lessons
I didn't finish my list and didn't want to rush it. I'll sure I'll add some more when I am inspired to really accomplish the task.
I know people read this blog, but don't always comment. I urge you to comment with something you really would like to do. :)
Friday, January 25, 2008
San Diego - Part 2 of 2
When watching the shows at Sea World, I was completely in awe in how much time it must take to train these animals and get the stunts *just right*. Or how it must feel to be a trainer and slip into the water with a killer whale for the first time in your new 'job'. It frightens and excites me. These animals are just beautiful and it's amazing how much trust the trainers need to have in order to do what they do.
I was fortunate to swim with dolphins (at a hotel) when I worked as a youth counselor on American Hawaii Cruises years ago. I remember how the dolphin felt like rubber and the goosebumps I got when I felt it's heart beating on my arm when I was 'holding' it. It was incredible!
GARTH BROOKS, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!
Al and I just finished watching the CBS special on Garth Brooks' first concert out of five that he sold out at Staples Center! We are going to the 1pm show tomorrow and I am sooooo incredibly excited!!!!!
I'm such a country music lovin' girl. This all happened back in '91 or '92 when my ex-boyfriend (from Minnesota) and his family turned me on to country music. They really didn't turn me on to it, it was just always on and I started listening to it on my own and loving it. I love other music too... Linkin Park, Fort Minor, Nickelback, Matchbox 20, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Fray, Eminem, even Michael Buble. But I LOVE country music!
I've seen almost EVERY country artist there is. I cannot tell you how many country concerts I've been to. But there were always two country artists that I was dying to see and had never had the chance. Until last year and this year...
Last year I finally was able to see the incredible George Strait and I thought that was all I could hope for because I honestly didn't believe that Garth Brooks would come out of retirement anytime soon. Well, he did. For the victims of the California fires. Making it a benefit concert. And only charging $45 (fees included) a ticket for ANY SEAT IN THE HOUSE!!!!! How incredible is that?!?!
I am sooooo excited to see this country music LEGEND tomorrow! It's going to be INSANE. The energy is gonna be through the roof!
P.S. Garth is my hubby's FAVORITE artist - so much that "Shameless" was the song he requested to be played when he was taking off my garter on our wedding day. He even put his cowboy hat on when doing it! It was great! :)
(Thanks honey for getting the tickets for all six of us!!!! It's gonna be AMAZING!!!!)
Favorite. Garth. Brooks. Song. Ever.:
We call them cool
Those hearts that have no scars to show
The ones that never do let go
And risk the tables being turned
We call them fools
Who have to dance within the flame
Who chance the sorrow and the shame
That always comes with getting burned
But you've got to be tough when consumed by desire
'Cause it's not enough just to stand outside the fire
We call them strong
Those who can face this world alone
Who seem to get by on their own
Those who will never take the fall
We call them weak
Who are unable to resist
The slightest chance love might exist
And for that forsake it all
They're so hell-bent on giving ,walking a wire
Convinced it's not living if you stand outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
There's this love that is burning
Deep in my soul
Constantly yearning to get out of control
Wanting to fly higher and higher
I can't abide
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Standing outside the fire
Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire
Monday, January 21, 2008
San Diego - Part 1 of 2
Al and I went to San Diego for his birthday. (Happy Birthday, honey!) We spent Saturday at the San Diego Zoo and Sunday at Sea World. We had a great weekend and I thought I'd just share a few images below. Not the best images as we were far from some of the animals, but it's the memories that count...
This guy was huuuuuggeeeee and seemed so sweet.
Scary but BEAUTIFUL.
I loved this little guy.
And I absolutely LOVE meerkats. Love, love, love them.
I feel zebras don't really get the attention they deserve. They don't seem to be a big draw like other animals. I wonder why that is. Love the angle of this shot.
A possible 'framer':
Friday, January 18, 2008
You know you've made it when...
you finally show up as a 'reader' on Pioneer Woman's blog. :)
I read a lot of blogs. Mostly photography blogs, but one of the first I found was a photography/ranch life blog. I was actually doing a search for cowboy boots and looked on 'images' and somehow, someway, Pioneer Woman's photos came up and I stumbled upon her blog.
This blog is read by thousands of people! It's insane. Anyway, she asked her readers to send photos of themselves (maybe a year ago?) and of course, I did. Everyday that I read her blog, I check to see if my photo comes up. It never had. Until tonight! I scrolled down the page to check out the reader photos thinking I was going to be bummed again and was about to wonder if she even had my picture. Then I saw it!
"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyyyyyyyy goooooooooossssssssssssh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!", I yelled. I think I scared Al. ;) He said, "What??" I said, "I FINALLY made the reader's section!" He came in and started laughing. I was so excited and now I'm laughing because it is really so silly in the scheme of things, but brought me so much excitement at the same time. LOL!
So here I am (of course, all cowgirl'd up for a country concert) on her reader's list. :) I am laughing out loud... too funny that I had to post this but once I refresh the page, I'll probably be gone til who knows when! LOL
Monday, January 14, 2008
Some blog lovin' for my hubby...
Al has wanted to go to the skate park by our house for some time now. He also has a new fancy-schmancy toy and he was dying to get some action shots. He finally took some time to do it and came home with some INSANE images!! These are just two of the images that I am LOVING and had to share! You can find some more posted on his blog.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Christmas on Location: Oregon - Final Post
Just the last few images that I wanted to share of the Oregon leg of our vacation. It was COLD, but beautiful.
Poor Al... Living in upstate New York for 30 some odd years, he NEVER had to put chains on his tires. His first trip to Oregon - had to buy chains for the rental! They are now on Craig's List if anyone is interested. :)-
As he was putting on the chains, I decided to capture the scenery for memory preservation. That's what all good wifey's do when their hubby is slaving away in the cold, right?? ;)
No one will probably think these images are as interesting as I do, but it's my blog, and I'm posting them anyway. ;) I just liked the way the ice was hanging on to the branch and I loved the way the grass was poking through the ice. The first image just reminds me of determination and the second reminds me of hope.
I love this shot. It's a possible "framer":
Thursday, January 10, 2008
You were loved, Casey Girl.
I was getting ready to work on the last of my Oregon photos tonight and Al asked me if I checked my e-mail. We received a very sad e-mail from one of our good friend Liz. One of our (no-kill) animal care center dogs (she was just a puppy) passed away. I am sad and shocked. This is the first dog I've seen pass unexpectedly since I've been there and I already have regrets about how much I did not do and that she didn't even have a home. :(
Casey Girl,
I remember when you first came to our care center and you were so scared. You just laid in the corner in your bed and would look over your shoulder at those looking at you. I was scared to come in and pet you because I thought you would snap, but my heart tends to get the best of me and I knew you were frightened, so I came in anyway. I gave you your space and slowly reached my hand slower to your head. You let me pet you and that made me happy. I must have sat with you a good 20-25 minutes that night just petting your head and petting under your chin until you finally shut your eyes. When I got up to leave, I tucked the blankets around you and told you that our care center is a great place to be and you'll see that in a few days.
I visited you a few days later and you put up a front. You would growl when someone was outside your run, but when we came in, you softened. You let me kiss your little nose over and over and I was surprised, but I knew you needed the love.
As the weeks went on, you realized that these people loved you and the other dogs around you. You actually got a bit feisty with your bigger roommates! You would play bite (really hard!) and you could jump so high when Al and I would walk you and your "roommate". You were a lot of fun and it was hard not to love you. :)
And tonight I feel a little bit of guilt. I was so surprised you were still at the shelter when Al and I came back from vacation. When I visited with you and Spirit on Saturday, I kept telling you "no" when you would bite hard. I knew you were still just a puppy and you were just playing and excited. Al and I had been at the care center since 7 am and it was almost 9 and we had things to do so I cut our visit short and figured I'd spend more time with you this Saturday. I wish I could have that day back and play some more with you. :(
I hope the care center felt like some kind of home to you. So many people fell in love with your cute little face and that pink piggy nose when they met you. We'll miss you, Casey. God Bless your sweet little soul. I wish life had been easier for you. :(
You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
A little piece of heaven right from the oven...
I must be out of my mind to share this recipe. I blame it on a "I can't have too much of this anymore so I'll share it with you and you'll gain the weight instead" Weight Watcher's phase. That's right, I started WW last week to lose a good 30 lbs. Yes, 30 - and for those of you who act shocked when I say that, God Bless You :) and I've already lost 4.1!
Anyway, back to this temporary coma sharing one of my FAVORITE recipes. I make these for my hubby and he loves them. But he always says he loves everything I make. (I chose well ;)). I also make these for the girls at work during the holidays and they love them (or so they say). I took these to a different holiday party and I received one e-mail and one phone call for the recipe. Dang it! What am I doing?! I can't believe I'm posting it for all the world to see!!
Well, maybe not ALL the world. It IS already posted on allrecipes.com. After all, that's where I initially found it. :)-
Best. cookies. ever. Oh, and you need to purchase the AFTER EIGHT mints found in the candy section at Ralphs (or your favorite grocery store). Those work best, in my opinion.
p.s. Thank you, Jenni, for the awesome cooling racks that were part of our wedding gift. Every time I bake I think of my awesome best friend. :)
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Time to w(h)ine...
I'm so bummed... we had a maternity session scheduled tomorrow but Mama-to-be had to postpone it for a couple of weeks. I suppose that will just give me images of a cuter, bigger baby bump. :)
So I decided to turn my whining post into a wine-ing post. ;)
More images from our Christmas trip - this stop: Napa Valley on my birthday!
I had hubby pull over so I could get this shot. I don't particularly care for it now and am wondering if I like either one?
I do love this shot, though:
Not 'crazy' about this one, but I wanted to capture the glass they used for tastings. I do love the reflection at the top of the glass, though:
Thank God I didn't have more wine in me at the time. I was seriously considering buying this $59.95 clock.
Not a fan of this image AT ALL, but it's the ONLY one I took of any vineyards. The wine tour we went on was so quick that we just "slammed and scrammed" as Al would say:
I am STILL kicking myself for not purchasing one of these!!
Just loved the way the shadow of the "legs" of this wine looked on hubby's hand:
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
This little piggy...
A few weeks ago we shot a session for my co-worker's boyfriend's sister. A mouthful, huh? :) The session was of her two adorable children and it was supposed to be a surprise. We were asked not to post the images due to privacy concerns, but were given the go ahead to post the "footsie" shots. :)
I know I've said I'm a sucker for shots of gates, shots of unique signs, a sucker for God, but I'm also a sucker for feet shots. There's just something about them that I love. No, I do not have a foot fetish! It's so odd - our very first session that we booked, I didn't take ANY feet shots. That's one thing the Mom (also my friend, thank goodness) and I regret now. I don't know why I didn't! I've taken them on all other sessions! :/
Anyway, an ode to feet :)
