Another spring day.
Another beautiful spring day, and some more of my favorite quotes.

"You closed your eyes. That was the difference. Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel". ~Mitch Albom

"When I look to the sky...something tells me you're here with me..."

Enjoy the weekend. I think it's going to be a wet, rainy one!! Hmmmm....I am thinking some puddle jumping might be in the near future.

She's arrived.
Today, I had the pleasure of photographing another newborn. This one is a sweet baby girl. So tiny, pure and pink! And, I know mama will be looking for a sneak peek!!


03.28.12
8 lbs. 1 1/2 oz.~ 20 inches
11:30 am

Welcome to this world Annabelle. Your are so very precious!

Hanging in there.
It's been one week. One week since I had to let him go. I won't lie. I am sad. My heart is torn in two. I miss him terribly. And, I am so lost without him. I have cried late a night ever since that night because he is no longer there with me.

One of my FLICKR friends emailed me to let me know she was thinking about me today. And, you know what? Her kindness and caring words truly touched me and warmed my heart. She reminded me that their are still good things in this life. That I still have friends that truly care even if they don't have fur and floppy ears and a cold wet nose.

So, I just want to say "thank you". Thank you for being there. Thank you for understanding that he was just not "a dog". That he was my family. My life. My best friend for the last 15 years. And, even though we have never met in person...you will never truly know how much you words and friendship meant to me.


And, for you, I am hanging in there.

Basketball season.
First, I am admitting it and laying it all out there right now that I give all the credit to sports photographers. Sports photography is definitely not my forte. It's just way to confusing and fast. They all are dressed alike. They are all running around. They are up. They are down. They are sideways. Yaaaahhhh!!!!! Most times, I am shooting and it is not even my kid!!!!

But, the one leaning forward, second from the right, I am pretty sure he's mine.

It was a long season. Practice started way back in November two nights a week. Many late night suppers/homework were endured.

He practiced hard. Practice makes perfect, ya know? Okay, not totally perfect.

But, perfect enough to steal the ball and run it down the court and SCORE.

He shocked his Mama. He made me proud. He scored four points his first game. Basketball is much more his "thing".

He likes basketball.

He enjoys it.

And, I enjoy taking pictures of things that are much more stationary...and do not move so fast.

Like the court and all the basketballs...

And, of course, him.

Tulips.
Because I know you always wanted to know...


The meaning of tulips is generally perfect love. Like many flowers, different colors of tulips also often carry their own significance. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple symbolizes royalty. The meaning of yellow tulips has evolved somewhat, from once representing hopeless love to now being a common expression for cheerful thoughts and sunshine. White tulips are used to claim worthiness or to send a message of forgiveness.

Variegated tulips, once among the most popular varieties due to their striking color patterns, represent beautiful eyes. The is one of the world’s most easily recognized and loved flowers. The meanings of tulips coupled with the immediately identifiable shape of their colorful blooms make them a comfortable flower choice. They are not too elegant, too romantic, too big, too small, or too bright; the tulip is always just right.

H a p p y S p r i n g!!

Two thumbs up.
Okay, so I use to think that the perfect job would be a movie/food critic. I mean who would not want to watch movies and eat all the time?? Until it was something you did not want to eat or watch. But, anyhow...I am just going to got out on a limb here and pretend that this is my one time that I can be some kind of movie critic and give you my review.

First, let me start at the beginning. This is my "crazy" twin sister. She's really not a Justin Beiber fan! And, this picture really has nothing to do with the movie Hunger Games. It's just my excuse too share it on my blog for the whole world to see!! (Sorry, Ange) That is the downside of modern day technology you know...always having your Iphone with you to take embarassing pictures like this one.

Besides, who could pass up the opportunity of posing with a piece of cardboard taller than us in the middle of Boscov's on a Saturday afternoon at one of the busiest times of day and making complete fool's out of ourselves? Even more so, when the lady behind the perfume counter started walking our way...lol!? We giggled and ran!! And, my daughter thought we were totally embarassing!

Anyway, back to my story...so my sister recommened that I read the book "Hunger Games". I looked at her and asked her what it was about, she gave me her description I scrunched my nose and said "Eh, no thanks. Definitely does not sound like my type of book." In which she replied, "Well, it is typically not my type of reading either, but it is really good and you should just give it a chance."

Okay, fast forward here to about a year later. I stopped at her house one day as I always do unannounced and she exclaims, "Hey, the movie Hunger Games is coming out...I can't wait to see it. Did you read it yet?" Uh....no.

Then a few girls at work started reading and talking about it and said how good it was and that they simply could not put it down. (Hey, I have heard that somewhere before...like from my fan-crazed Justin Beiber sista)...so guess what I did? I bought the book on my Nook. (I just had to say that too, bought the book on my Nook, cuz it rhymes, ya know!!) And, have been hooked ever since. I have read ALL three of them. And, it took me about two weeks time. Easy reading, so well written, brilliant storyline...yadda ya. I know that is not a good explanation of the book...but give it a chance. Get past the first two chapters and I am telling you...you're HOOKED.
So, here's my recommendations...

1. READ the BOOK(s). Because the books are always better than the movies. (And, I know you will end up reading all three of them). You just have to read the first one for the movie though.

2. GO to the movies.

3. EAT the popcorn with EXTRA butter. (Because what's better than movie theater butter?)

4. WATCH Hunger Games. You will not be disappointed!!

( All pics taking with my Iphone)

See, I am a good movie/food critic. Just do what I say...READ the book EAT the popcorn and WATCH the movie. Just don't tell me if you did not like it!!! Ha!! No, seriously, I give it two thumbs up!

I Am Much Too Alone in This World, Yet Not Alone
I came across this poem this morning and it really struck a chord with me. Just wanted to share it's beauty with you and some of the signs of spring that our "springing" up around us.

I am much too alone in this world, yet not alone enough to truly consecrate the hour.

I am much too small in this world, yet not small enough to be to you just object and thing, dark and smart.

I want my free will and want it accompanying the path which leads to action; and want during times that beg questions, where something is up, to be among those in the know, or else be alone.

I want to mirror your image to its fullest perfection, never be blind or too old
to uphold your weighty wavering reflection. I want to unfold.

Nowhere I wish to stay crooked, bent; for there I would be dishonest, untrue.

I want my conscience to be true before you;

Want to describe myself like a picture I observed for a long time, one close up, like a new word I learned and embraced, like the everyday jug,

Like my mother's face, like a ship that carried me along through the deadliest storm. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Moving forward.
Today is a new day. And, I am trying to move on. Tyring not to forget, but trying to find the strength to move forward without him. I am trying. I need to not be so selfish and realize that life is still going on around me and I need to focus on that today. Yes, today is a new day.

Life is a train of moods like a string of beads; and as we pass through them they prove to be many colored lenses, which paint the world their own hue, and each shows us only what lies in its own focus. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

We live immersed in narrative, recounting and reassessing the meaning of our past actions, anticipating the outcome of our future projects, situating ourselves at the intersection of several stories not yet completed. ~Peter Brooks

We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams. ~Jeremy Irons

We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love... and then we return home. ~Australian Aboriginal Proverb

Obstacle of dreams.
What else does one do when they have insomnia? Well, I tell you, I simply edit through some more beach pictures and find more favorites to share.

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere. ~Frank A. Clark

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. ~Henry David Thoreau

And, in case you are wondering why I always seem to have more Lizzie images than Coy, well, its because this one does not like to have his picture taken these days...sigh.

Hope you all have a great start to this rainy weekend. I am off later tonight to see Hunger Games. I hope it is as good as the book!

Wild, young & carefree.
Despite all the grief and sadness this week of losing my dearly beloved dog...these captures of her truly make me smile.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. ~ECCLESIASTES 3:1,4


Oh, to be wild, young & free...she makes my heart sing.

Feeling lost.
Right now, I am at a loss for words and I am second guessing and questionning everything. Was it the right decision? Possibly. Was it the wrong decision? I don't really know. All I know is that my heart is broken in two and I am missing him terribly and hoping he is in a better place right now.

Execute every act of thy life as though it were thy last. Marcus Aurelius

But, this field of magical blooms took me to a happy place yesterday and hoping that is where he is right now, a happier place.

Tugging at my heart.
I may be missing my Max like crazy and it ripped my heart out today knowing that I would not be greeted by him when I arrived home today, but, look who was there to take his place...



It's just like he knows I need him now more than anything to fill that empty hole in my heart. Thanks, Sid.

He's gone.
Last night was one of the hardest decisions of my life that I ever had to make. I had to put down my first dog and bestest friend after 15 great years of such loyal companionship. I just truly knew in my heart that his quality of life was no longer there and I could not bare to see him suffer any longer. He just deteroriated so much in the last two weeks, I just could not kid myself any longer in thinking things would get better for him.

The little guy has greeted me at the front door every day after work and laid with me everynight for the past 15 years and it was so hard knowing he was not there last night, or will be waiting for me when I arrive home this afternoon, or any day after today. He will come no longer to my call or share his silents thoughts with me. A voice far greater than my own has called him home.


And, through tear filled eyes, (and I mean crying like a baby all night and probably for the next few months to come) I thank him for the happy years he spent here with me. And, for his love and loyalty. So, please forgive me if I am not around for a little while...I will be back. It's just really hard right now to try and focus on much of anything else right at the moment. I know in time, this pain will ease and I will go on without him...and just simply cherish all the great memories I have had with him. "I love you my sweet Max boy".

Finally.
Tonight was the night...finally. She has never rode a bike without training wheels, but, tonight when I pulled up the driveway...this was my view. And, that is Coy pouting because she is on his bike since he removed the training wheels from her bike last summer and ruined the wheels. So, now it is the price he has to pay.

So proud and full of herself riding right by him.

And, with such determination, I might add. I mean just look at that tongue action.

And, there she goes...right past her brother making smart comments and being true to her "sisterly" duties...just being a brat...

Then...this happened...keeping true to his "brotherly" duties.

Looks like I am headed to Wal Mart to buy her a bike, oh yeah, and some ice packs!! Oh dear, please pray for me!! AFLAC here we come!

Loving this today.
I'm sure I have mentioned this before too, but, one of the best surprised gifts I ever received were these "wellies" from my mama. Who would of known that such a simple gift of rain boots would make me so happy. Not only do I love wearing them for walking in this spring weather, I adore taking pictures of them as well.

"Don't threaten me with love, baby. Let's just go walking in the rain." ~Billie Holiday



Hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing Sunday in company of loved ones!

It's back.
Oh, yes I did!!! I brought back the white chair out of winter storage!!! Because I LOVE it so much and I just had too!! So, here's an outtake from this morning's shoot!!! Remember?? The outakes usually end up being my favorite in the end! And, this one was no exception! Definitely a favorite so far!! And, she's just the best!! This is what she did right after I told her to give me her best "model" face! Perfect!!


More goodness to come! But, I am off to peel potatoes, ugh!!! Because, I have to do that little thing called "cooking". Which, by the way, is not a favorite!!

{March 17th}
I've been itching to get out there with all of this beautiful spring weather we have been having...and this morning was just perfect for that. And, since it is a lucky kind of day...I am so very lucky to have her in my life!!!

"Tell them stories. They need the truth you must tell them true stories, and everything will be well, just tell them stories.” ~Philip Pullman



Hope you all have a wonderful "lucky" kind of Saturday!

Florida sunrise.
If you know me, then you pretty much know that I love to sleep. Always have, always will love to sleep. There is nothing better than not getting up rushed in the morning and sleeping until I truly feel ready to start the day. And, I have said it before and I will say it again, "I live for the weekends."

So, I think I pretty much shocked the whole family by setting the alarm clock for 6:15 AM every morning we were on vacation. Yup! That was not a typo...I set the alarm every morning I was on vacation just so I could witness the beautiful sunrises Florida had to offer every morning we were there. Some mornings, I went solo and other mornings Lizzie would join me. But, every day it was amazing and gorgeous!

It's so beautiful at this hour. The sun is low, the shadows are long, the air is cold and clean. You won't be awake for awhile, but I can't help feeling that we're sharing this clear and beautiful morning.” ~Jonathan Safran Foer



And, I am so glad I did because it was absolutely breathtaking each and every morning. I so wish I could spend my all my mornings with a beautiful start like this.