un-christmas post

This post is not about Christmas... I'll do that tomorrow. Today, I am giving my meagre gift to one of my dearest friends of ALL time.

A Christmas Eve ode to my oldest friend, Emily K.

I officially met Emily when I was 12, I can't believe that now, over 10 years ago.... that makes me feel SO old, because in many ways it seems as though it's only been a few years. Thing was, we quickly learned that we had met before, years before! We sabotaged a sleepover of a mutual friend in response to being treated rather cooly by this mutual friend's cousin... we hid all the party favor bags under a table in the middle of the night. We bonded and it was meant to be that we should meet a few years down the road and become constant friends.

At 12 and 14, we were silly and immature, which seemed to make us unbearable to some and completely necessary for each other. I felt whole only when I was hanging out with Emily.

Emily was and is the most well rounded girl I've ever known. It was Emily whose cabinet held CD's of both Simon & Garfunkel and Greenday, that helped develop my bi-polar taste of music. ;o) She introduced me to many a Beatle song, was the first to take me to Hard Rock Cafe, and invited me to public school events. I think it's safe to say, that Emily was not only my BFF, but the one who helped me to emerge from my shell of childhood into my teen years.

Some of my favorite memories with Emily are playing paintball with all the guys, dancing in her room to "Footloose," trick or treating for the very first time, thousands of hours of boy-talk, singing on the way to Fiesta Texas with Tiffany, freezing our butts off at high school football games, and cruising around town in my sister's little blue car! There are so many more, years more.... I tear up just thinking about how much we have been through.

Emily and I have gone through painful times, we have fallen away from each other, refused to speak to each other, hugged the other in times of the most painful break-ups, and basically given Heidi and Lauren a run for their money in drama. Yet, through all we have lived out together, we remained friends. Even it we went years between phone calls or visits, when we meet up, we are a duo that can't be shaken. Every time I talk to her it's just like it was many long years ago sitting in her room rambling on until her parents had to come "shhhhh" us. We still have a close bond, and I am so grateful to say that we have finally learned how to better stay in touch. I'm super excited to see her in a few days and spend time with my buddy, my honorary sister, Emily.

This post is for you Emily, and when I see you, we will have to try and get a picture because I think the most recent I have of us...is from my wedding.... almost 7 years ago! Eek!! I love you, see you soon~

i miss you sum-mer, oh yes i do....

I don't miss anything, as much as yo----u; when you're not near me, it makes me blue (more "opaquely white")... oh summer I miss you.

Thanks to my parents (especially my dad) I have seen "Bye, Bye, Birdie" faaar too many times and that song seems to apply to ever want/desire/dream/wish/... oh it just applies to everything. Cover all, that's what that song is. :o)

When I was younger I wanted to be Ann-Marget...and I still think she is GORGEOUS.

I miss the warm summer days so badly, I decided to post a tribute to them. Here is a shot from September, which is the second hottest month of the year in Texas (August RULES).



Oh just look at the rays in this picture shining down, I want to jump in it and tan myself and get all cozy. Also seems nice and cuddly because Masyn and Evelyn were being so sweet to each other. I love pictures of them together.

It's growing exceedingly difficult to drag myself from my warm bed each morning, it's the only time I feel like my blood is truly flowing in my veins lately.

This morning I am off to watch Avery have a jump rope show. Yes, her school actually has a jump rope team, which she officially made a spot on this week! She's so excited and I am so proud. I hope my camera will be able to snap well in her gym, I need a zoom lens! LOL

Later in the week I have some special pictures I am going to try and take of the girls all together, but it's so wild around here, LOTS of driving will be going on the next few days..... and I mean a GOBB! We have Christmas, work, and a wedding, ALL in one week, should be interesting!

Music musing is Joshua Radin and Ingrid Michaelson singing "Sky."

ridiculous cold

For the last 3 days I have been freezing. In a state of perpetual ice-statue like living, I can't seem to warm up. I'm not complaining totally, I mean, it is December and I realize that 30* isn't that cold to everyone. Forgive my whining. I'm merely crying about the fact that I personally can't seem to stay warm. I think I am broken, or at least my internal heater is.

The bright side (I wish that I could see the sun outside shining bright.... oh sorry distraction) is that it feels more like "Christmas" than ever. I'm baking today for a party at work and for teacher's gifts. Burning a yummy candle as well and I feel like I could just stay inside forever....and hopefully warm up. Nope...I will be out in the freezing weather in a couple hours to drop off the banana bread and visit the store with my girls. Their first time to Antho and I confess, I'm SO worried they might break something. *Blush*

Well, here is a favorite version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Zooey Deschanel and Leon RedBone.

endearment

Sometimes I just have to post a picture. I can't really explain the phenomenon going on in my head and heart aside from the L-word. I just love these kids so much and I think some pictures I take strike a chord inside me and capture the moments only I get to live and experience with these wonderful girls. I'm so grateful for their unique relationships, for how they are maturing and learning to cherish each other. Watching them play can bring me to tears and peels of laughter.... it's an adventure and emotional whirlwind that I wouldn't trade for the entire world.



See why I love them so much?! I'm so very blessed.

"I'd Rather Be With You" by Joshua Radin is my music musing selection tonight.

nothing to show, just a lot to say

Many things have been said lately that have brought me to the point of laughter... the real "LOL." It seems now that I have a stockpile to share with you all, so hang in there with me as I give my best at recreating these moments so that you also might get a chuckle out of the things people have been saying to or around me.

Evelyn and Santa, two fun stories:

Enter Santa...

Santa" Hohoho, Merry Christmas boys and girls"

Evelyn: "You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I'm tellin' you why...." *singing*


Later, on Santa's lap....

Santa: "What do you want for Christmas Evelyn?"

Evelyn: "A bag."

Santa: "What sort of a bag?"

Evelyn: "That bag" *pointing to his huge velvet satchel.


Advice to me:

Background info~ I was wearing some high heel saddle shoe oxfords the other day with tights... and yes, they are very tall heels, but worth the discomfort they cause by the end of the day.

Stranger (talking to me): " I admire that you can wear such fun shoes. After dancing and yoga, I just don't have enough fatty tissue on my feet to be able to wear those kinds of shoes anymore."

Me (stunned and wanting to laugh): "Oh thank you, they aren't the most comfortable, but I can manage since they have a wide heel to help me balance."

Stranger: "Well if you would do this balance pose from yoga (proceeds to demonstrate the pose for me) and hold it for a few seconds everyday, you will strengthen your weak ankles in a short time."

Me: "Thanks."

Wow, insulted twice in one chance encounter. Ouch. I am grateful though, because I have laughed about this so much, it was truly the funniest thing I've had happen to me in a long time.... seriously?!.... "fatty tissue?!?!" It was classic.

Avery on smoking:

Avery: "Does anyone in our family smoke Mama?"

Me: "Well, I know Aunt Lisa smokes a lot of drugs."

Avery: "Oh Mama... *long pause and quizzical expression*

Me: *un-repressed smile*

Avery: "... really?....

Me: "No, not that many."

Avery: "Oh Mama, you're so silly."

I might be damaging my kids. :o)

Masyn at Christmas party on caring for clothes:

Masyn: *runs up to me and announces dramatically* "Mama, someone just sat on my skirt! I don't think it tore, but I just wanted to let you know!"

Me: *taking off Masyn's sweater and finding a blob of chocolate* "Masyn, you got chocolate on your sweater."

Masyn: "Oh, it's okay."

character inspiration

Evelyn is so full of character. She is funny, sinister, happy-go-lucky, silly beyond all reason, completely lovable, and pertinacious at times. Each time I snap a picture of her, it's a new face.



Inspired and challenged by a good friend, Nic, over on her clever blog... I am listing my top 10 (although I might fall asleep before I make it to ten) favorite movie characters of all time (OFF the top of my tired head).

In no particular order:

Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) ~ Pirates of the Caribbean
Juniper "June" Pearl (Mary Stuart Masterson) ~ Benny & Joon
Jake Perry (Josh Lucas) ~ Sweet Home Alabama
The Phantom (Gerard Butler) ~ The Phantom of The Opera
Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) ~ The Godfather Trilogy
Dory (Ellen Degeneres) ~ Finding Nemo
Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) ~ Twilight
"Chris" the cross dresser (Liev Schreiber) ~ Mixed Nuts
Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) ~ Breakfast At Tiffany's
Alex Hitchens (Will Smith) ~ Hitch

A Christmas ditty by U2, one I consider an ALL time classic.

it's beginning to look a lo... a little like christmas

Well perhaps the Barbie tank and lime green shorts don't really look like Christmas, but it is looking a bit more festive here in my abode. As a family this Saturday we pulled out the Christmas tree and decorations and started getting things ready for the holidays!



Masyn seems to believe that Summer is never ending, and dressed herself in shorts and a tank top.... I found that terribly endearing. I was shivering in pj pants and a long sleeve tee, but I do run a normal body temp of 94.5* so I guess maybe I am not the best weather gauge.



Evelyn was all grabby and rearing to go. Though she had some interesting ideas about where to place the fake snow tree skirt....



...over all she did quite well. However it is incumbent upon me to report that Mary and one shepherd are now missing from the nativity and Evelyn is prime suspect because she enjoys "creatively placing" all the Christmas decorations.



This year our tree is hosting ALL the ornaments.... not just the color coordinated ones. My OCD was in overdrive and I had a very freeing day by allowing the girls to use even the mismatching tree embellishments. My confession though, is that I have always preferred homemade ornaments. So now I am making a goal to create handmade ornaments for next years tree that will all be fun and festive, but still look good together (semi-matching). Yes, I am trying to live the cliche of "have my cake and eat it too."

Lastly, I am opening myself to ridicule, sympathy, homogeneity, or potential demise of my blog altogether. I am sharing a self portrait that includes my messy living room. At least it's a fun picture, I can take the heat (in all honesty, I'm so cold lately that all heat is welcome).



Don't you love Colbie Caillat singing "Mistletoe?" I love her music.

fingerprint friday

A sweet friend of mine and fellow blogger posted a very neat challenge on her blog. I want to join with Beki and share this fun and very uplifting idea of Fingerprint Friday.

From Beki's Blog~

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join in:

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints.

2. Be sure to link so others can find the entire list of participants! Go over to PamperingBeki's blog to add your link to the list of participants.

So here is where I see God's fingerprints today.

Except for a little fall here or there, maybe a scratch or cough, a few allergy battles, my girls are healthy. God's fingerprints are all over that. Adonis is currently helping to teach a student who is unable to attend school because of health issues. My hearts breaks for this child and the family. Each time I pray for them I am so grateful for the hand of God over my kids.

So Evelyn took a spill over some sidewalk chalk the other day and I snapped this picture of her "fake" crying" and I thought it was a nice shot to accompany the idea that they live through the bumps, bangs, bruises, and battles....and ultimately they are in the grasp of Someone so big and so Holy, I should not stress out.

advice welcome

I feel like many of you might be wondering why all the wacky changes have been popping up on my blog the last couple days.... I have been trying to get a "fresh start" on my photography business (now that I am in a new city it's pretty difficult to find contacts since I don't know many people yet). Anyway, I'm in the middle of re-vamping my whole business image and making promo stuff. I also love change so I can't stick with one look for too long. I pretty much love things simple and clean, so I'm digging the new one now. What do you guys think though?

Today I will be heading to my doctor. Have been struggling to get my thyroid medication just right and I would so greatly appreciate prayers that things will go well today and I can get something that will provide more relief from my condition. I have a long drive ahead of me today to get there and I am really, really procrastinating the whole "get ready" part. I did want to write this little post first though, because I felt like I might have scared the ba-jeebers out of everyone with my bipolaristic redecorating on here.

Okay so the advice welcome title lends itself to the opinion of the new look I asked for above, but mainly I was hoping to get some ideas from any of you as to what you might look for in a photographer's advertising. I have always worked by word of mouth and I feel that's the main tool of photographers, but I need to develop some hand outs and cards... so what would strike you best? I'm thinking business cards since they are small and easily distributed, but then again post cards are nice. There will be a new website within the next few months as well, so what are your thoughts on that?

Am I too vague today? Forgive me, there are a million and seven things floating in my mind at this moment. First thing now though... get dressed and get myself to the doctor!

look, listen, hopefully enjoy.

xo~Amelia