good morning sunday :: n˚18

 So it's been a rather hectic week!  Car issues, scheduling issues, getting ready for a visit from my kid sis and her family.  You know, normal summer stuff.  Plus, it's been hotter than hades!  Monday's shoot went extremely well.  It was actually cool that day.  I spent a late afternoon with three beautiful and talented ladies who will be heading for the lights and action of Los Angeles in a few days.  The images above are just a few of the pictures I made that day.  I do have a few more on my flickr photostream.  More to come.  So all's good.  Okay, now a list.  A short one may I add. 

• So speaking of photostreams, I really like this Flickrite's photos.  
• I'm not too sure what I think of this new Blogger layout.  Wondering if it's me or my Mac that's freaking out on this thing.  
• This is such a neet magazine!
• Loving the new album by this talented gal!

And wow, yeah, I feel like there's definitely more to share with you but my brain is seriously having issues.  Thinking it's in need of some seriously defragging.  That is a word right?  Well friends, I hope you are going to have a fantastic week ahead.  If you've got some cool things to share with me today, let me hear about it!  

good morning sunday :: n˚17

Hello friends!  It is Sunday, not morning however, but still Sunday.  It's been a great day so far and I hope that yours is as well.  This last week started off rather slow, per usual, but the pace picked up during the weekend.  This week will be even busier.  Yay!  Ideas are flowing and I'm moving with it!  Okay, so on to the list!

• I'm enjoying this new to me wedding magazine from "down undah"!  It is chock full of lovely photographs, the kind that make you want to get remarried all over again just so you can recreate some of the beautiful decorations and celebrations featured on each page!  Neat thing is, they also have a blog!
• The research I did for my previous post about photographer Tim Walker has really helped to get me inspired!  I am seriously SERIOUSLY dying to get my hands on his book Pictures.  I know I've told you that already, but just in case you didn't know.  ;)
• Last Friday, I had the pleasure of working with a young model by the name of Marley.  We took a trip up to North Topsail on the northern most tip of Topsail Island here in North Carolina and all I can say is that it was gorgeous!  The above photos are just a few of the images I took that day.
• A new photo shoot again tomorrow!  More on that once I have pictures for you.
• I think it would be so neat to get one of these and see what kind of photos you can make with it. 
• Since we're talking about toys, I'd also love to get my hands on this camera too!  To view some photos taken with this adorable little toy cam, check out the Diana Mini Love flickr group.
• Can you believe it's already August.  Seriously, can you? 

Alright friends, there will be more to share with you this week, especially with fun projects in the works so. . . here's wishing all of you a creative and joy-filled week ahead!  'Til next time.

.good morning sunday :: n˚16.

Hello friends!  It was another warm weekend.  And a busy one.  As a matter of fact, it's been a blur. . . the days melting into one another.  But I am here, barely.  As I had promised, here are a few of the images I took earlier in the week with my friend Molly.  A talented and carefree beauty, she was such a delight to photograph.  Many more projects in the works with this young lady so hopefully, when the weather cooperates, more photos will come.  And now, today's list: 

• I finished this book today.  LOVE it!  
• With vintage images still fresh in my mind, I was pleased to stumble across yet another book today.  Anonymous:  Enigmatic Images from Unknown Photographers is chock full of interesting  photographs, sadly, their maker long forgotten.  Viewing a few of the pages, I realize just how much I actually miss not just black and white photographs, but literal photographs in general.  You know, prints.  How many of us can actually say that we have at least 25% of the images we photograph with our digital cameras in tangible form?  I don't.  I wish I did.  My 35mm cameras will need to come out and play more often.  As well as my Holga, who has yet to truly be tinkered with.  I just wished it was easier to locate a local professional lab.  The next closest one is 2 hours away.  A huge bummer.  Perhaps this is why instant film is making a big come back.  I'm curious to see what paths photography as we know it today will take here in the years to come. 
• Water.  I miss water.  Let me rephrase.  I miss being IN the water.  The other day we went to the beach and I longed to get into the water.  Why didn't you? you ask.  Easy.  I need a new bathing suit.  Nope nope!  Before you say, just go out and get one, I'd like to tell you that it's pretty hard to find one for a girl with my peculiar build to find one that makes me feel decent.  It's ridiculous really.  Perhaps I'm the ridiculous one.  But back to the water.  I hate sitting on the sand soaking up the rays.  I'm dark enough.  I miss just being completely submerged in the element that is H2O. Things have been so tense lately that I simply long to just let go. . . relax my muscles, my mind and surrender myself.  Don't worry.  I'm fluffy so I'll float.  Without a doubt, I am truly a sun and water girl.  
• I'm loving the debut album Torches, by Foster the People.  I canNOT get this song out of my head!  Jacked up I know, but still!  I love the tune and at the part when they whistle. . . how can you not love it? 

Alright folks, another short list.  Summer looks like it's gonna be a busy one so I'll try my best to get more things for you to munch on but for today, these will have to do.  Hope the summer weather is treating you well!  'Til next time!  xo

.good morning sunday :: n˚15.

Hello friends!  It's Sunday and I hope yours is going well.  And for all of you Papas out there, Happy Father's Day!  Is anyone else having problems with Blogger?  I can't tell if the problem is Blogger or my internet provider.  I've been trying to get this post going and it's been going haywire!  Weird.  Alrighty, the list!

• I think I may have already used the above image in another post, but that's okay.  It's my little reminder that I need to reorder some PX 100 Silver Shade film.  I kinda miss it.  It's just so flippin' expensive though!  I do want to try out the new PX 70 Color Shade Push.  C'mon The Impossible Project, I need a sale!  Mail me some coupons or something.  ;)
• Recently, I've been revisiting the works of photographers I used to follow when I was on Myspace years ago.  Remember Myspace?  One of the photographers was a gal originally from Georgia, whose images captured the essence of young adulthood, wanderlust and carefree days.  Laura Taylor of The Darling Life is all grown up and making beautiful work!  I especially enjoyed her Polaroid albums.  
• A friend at work told me earlier today that she had a book she really wanted me to see.  The title of the book is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, a unique novel that weaves vintage photographs of "peculiar" looking folk into the story.  The author, Ransom Riggs, is quite an interesting individual himself.  A writer, photographer, and filmmaker, he is also a collector of old black and white photos.  {a man after mine own heart}  Currently, he is working on a new book, Talking Pictures, that will be released in early 2012.  The book features many of the photographs in his collection that share just a glimpse of the story behind them.  Below is a book trailer for Talking Pictures.  Also be sure to watch the book trailer for Miss Peregrine too while you're at it.  When visiting his blog, you'll agree that Ransom Riggs is one talented and intriguing fellow!  

It's a short list today!  Getting ready for a photo shoot tomorrow.  I'll be sure to share some photos.  Have a wonderful week friends!!

.my apologies.

Hello friends.  I feel that I owe all of you an apology.  I have not forgotten about the music posts, I just have not had the time, nor the mental focus I needed to get them up.  My mind has been a little preoccupied with things here on the home front that when I attempt to sit here and write, every thing comes out choppy and disassembled.  So, I am sorry.  I do hope that you are well and that beautiful things are happening in your world!  I know it's not Sunday, but since I missed my "good morning Sunday" post a couple of days ago, I hope you won't mind if I do it here today.

• My website is down at the moment because I'm hoping to get a new one, or revamp my existing one.  It's high time that I focus on getting this photography business off the ground don't you think?  
• I am actually considering shooting weddings again.  I miss the energy, the excitement of being in love, the income!  So, I have a couple of books that I think are fantastic sources of inspiration and advice.  The first book, Fine Art Weddings, by renowned wedding photographer Jose Villa, was just the shot in the arm that I needed.  His images are so . . . beautiful!  fresh . . . emotional . . . lovely!  What I loved most about his book was his humble approach to everything.  He didn't hold back any of his own hard learned lessons, which I think was the biggest encouragement to me.  A workshop in written form, his book is essential to the aspiring, and perhaps even some seasoned wedding photographers.  
• The other book, Fashion Flair for Portrait and Wedding Photography, is a book I have yet to get my hands on.  I had a chance to browse through it on the Nook yesterday and liked what I saw.  I'll get back with you on it once it arrives.  
• I really want one of these Yudu machines!  It's a really neat screen printing machine that allows you to create your own customized products such as t-shirts, totes, really just about anything!  What would Yudu?
• The last several weeks, I have become increasingly aware of the fact that I'm not getting any younger, and that my health isn't all that great at the moment.  I'm doing okay, I'm just tired of feeling uncomfortable and tired.  I've been looking into more information about pH levels in our diet.  You don't think about that stuff when you're chowing down on a burger and drinking your highly caffeinated drink.  My father is a diabetic and I'm not going to be very far behind him if I don't change things now.  I'm looking into these two books:  The pH Balanced Diet and The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide.  Getting old sucks.  Just sayin'.  
• Still thinking about surfing. . . a lot.  Yesterday marked the beginning of tourist season here in Wilmington so the beaches will start to pack out real quickly.  Still, I think of water. . . waves. . . and more water.  No sharks!  No sharks!  Check out these two documentary films on surfing:  Step Into Liquid and Riding Giants.

Have a groovy start to your summer friends!  

.good morning sunday :: n˚14.

Hello friends!  Well, I hope this Sunday finds you enjoying the sunshine and cool breezes as we quickly approach summer.  If you ask me, it seems like summer told spring to take a hike a couple of weeks ago because it's been a lot warmer than usual.  How about in your area?  How are things going there?  Well, here we go with today's list:

• My mind has been pretty preoccupied lately.  Honestly, it's been really difficult to keep a straight thought which is why I haven't been posting as much as I'd like.  Working through a funk that I have been having a hard time shaking off.  But I'm okay!  I've been spending a little more time outside, attempting to grow a green thumb as well as flowers that I hope will stay alive and flourish.  The top photograph is of three little pots with little seedlings of sunflowers, zinnias, and daisies.  I'm excited to see these little guys sprouting up!  By golly, this year, I want a garden!  
• Speaking of gardening, I truly am a total dunce when it comes to growing stuff.  But I'm trying.  I found a cute little book that encourages kids (and adults like me) to grow fruits and vegetables.  After featuring each plant, the book also shares some pretty delicious looking recipes.  Yum YUM!  
• Do you ever feel like creating something, whether it's a drawing, painting, sewing, or whatever, and although your hands are so eager to work, you can't seem to get beyond the blank canvas?  What do YOU do to break that wall down?
• I have been thinking about sewing, mostly outfits for my daughter and skirts for myself.  I've been browsing through a few books, like this one and this one.  Anyone out there have any suggestions for others titles?
• Some time in the near future, when I have a little more mullah to play with, I will need to order more of this film, and possibly try out some of this film so that I can take more photos for this flickr group that I've just been invited to join.  I love portraits!
• Just so you know, I haven't forgotten about my music posts.  I will have one here for you tomorrow.  :)

Alrighty friends, I will see you here again mañana!  Wishing you beautiful days ahead!  xo

P.S.  Just had to share this.  Gave me goosebumps!

.good. . . afternoon, sunday :: n˚13.

I know, I know!  I'm late again!  Sundays have been getting rough!  Now, I know that I have already technically shared the above video from a previous post, but I am totally in love with it.  And Vimeo.  Obviously.  Ha!  I do hope your weekend has been a beautiful one.  It's rather warm and muggy here in Wilmington, already, but hey, all the more reason to head to the beach. . . well, at least until the sharks come out to play!  Let's get going with this list thing, shall we?

• Little Miss Sunshine (aka. my daughter) will be celebrating her 4th birthday soon, which still blows me away.  Trying to get a little party together for her so it's been interesting.  Now with the possibility of bad weather moving in (thanks Weather Channel for the heads up) we may need to redirect the fun, outdoor activities to suit more not-so-wet indoor recreation instead.  Boo!  I'll let you know how that goes.  The theme this year:  bugs.  
• I've been hitting up my local library and have recently picked up a book featuring the work of photographer Cecil Beaton.  Photographic clients ranged from socialites & debutantes, Hollywood starlettes, to the Queen of England herself.  He was a multi-talented fellow, having not only skills behind the lens, but also on stage, both as an actor, as well as costume and production designer.  He won Academy Awards for costume and production designs for the films Gigi and My Fair Lady.  I happened upon a great Flickr set that shows several of his iconic black & white portraits.  
• Have I already told you that I want to go surfing this summer?  Have I?  Well for someone who was born and raised in Hawai'i, you would think that I'd be a pro on the board right?  Yeah, not so much.  One, surfboards can get pretty costly, especially IN Hawai'i.  Needless to say, in a single parent home, surfboards were not considered a necessity.  Second, I already had [have] a self-image issue and something about being a chubby girl in a bathing suit, wiping out in the midst of experienced surfers just didn't seem like a fun afternoon at the beach.  Go figure.  Although, being a chubby girl in a bathing suit, wiping out in the midst of inexperienced surfers, or "kooks" instead, not so bad.  A little embarrassing when my board nearly missed the face of a Japanese vacationer also learning to surf, but fun nonetheless.  Anyway, more on that adventure another day.  But on that note, photographer Ryan Tatar's awesome images of today's surf culture have really been making waves.  Most, if not all, of his photographs were taken with film, either instant or cross-processed, which really adds character to his already interesting captures.  The photos in his essay, Cape Fear Kooks, were taken right here in the Wilmington/Cape Fear Region.  Pretty cool.
• I've really been in this funky state of mind the last couple of weeks, which is perhaps the biggest reason for not posting much here as of late.  I think I'm ready for another adventure.  No, no!  Not anything like the unpredictable, terrifying, stressful adventure of last year.  I'm thinking more along the lines of a vacation, or road trip.  That gypsy blood that flows in my veins is making me a little restless, but right now, we are no where near being in a position to do anything so. . . I will just share with you, in a post later this week, several travel writing books that have piqued my interest.  
• And last, but not least, music.  Starting in June, I would like to share with you, over the course of a week or so, daily (hopefully) posts about the topic of music.  Sharing some of my personal faves, as well as introducing you to some very interesting people I have the pleasure of knowing.  Music enriches our lives and I think sharing that enrichment with each other is good stuff for the soul, don't you think?  So, stay tuned. . . 

Alrighty friends, again, I apologize that today's "good morning Sunday" bit is getting to you late, but I hope you enjoyed it.  Have a beautiful week ahead!  

.good morning sunday :: n˚12.

Good morning friends!  Okay, so I am posting this much, MUCH later than I had planned. . . so really, it's a "good evening" friends!  I hope today finds you well and inspired.  I am running late, so let's get going with  today's list: 

• I am so happy that the new Priscilla Ahn album, When You Grow Up, is finally out!  Listening to her beautiful voice always puts me in a good mood.
• Found via Sofia, I'm enjoying photographer Saul Leiter's view of the world through windows and reflections.
• Working in a bookstore can be very dangerous sometimes, especially when you are looking at purchasing photography books.  For those who are looking for some great photographic inspiration and instruction without breaking the bank, visit Craft & Vision. 
• Speaking of books, I'm thinking about reading this one.  
• Wish I had an iPhone just so that I could take cool photos like the ones here.

Wow, seems like my lists are getting shorter and shorter!  Ha!  How about you?  What new things would you like to share today?

.good morning sunday :: n˚11.

Hello friends!  For all of my fellow Mommies out there. . . Happy Mother's Day!!  I'm wishing you a wonderful day spent in honor of your love and dedication to those precious souls we call our children.  Well, without further ado, here's today's list:

• Started reading The Dressmaker of Khair Khana.     
• I am inspired to meet more people because of Mark Tucker's My Day With. . . series.
• Wow, my mind has seriously gone blank.  Need to brew some coffee.
• Have I told you lately that I still absolutely love the vibrancy and spirit of this artist's work?  Well I do.  :)
• Enjoying this new blog.
• My friend Langley's short film Superhero, a film he created in honor of his late mother, could seriously use your support.  More on this young man here soon!
• And last but not least, I am in love with this film.  God bless Vimeo!

Enjoy what's left of the weekend folks!  Until later. . . 

.good morning sunday :: n˚10.

Good morning friends!  Once again, I hope this Sunday morning finds all of you well.  Without further ado, here is my list for today:

• Last week was a pretty busy week.  Had a couple of photo shoots.  Yay!  I'm also in the process of working on a personal project that will probably take a good while to complete.  The above photos are some of the shots I took to inspire me.  
• Picked up a copy of Super Natural Everyday, by Heidi Swanson.  I LOVE it!  I'm not a vegetarian but the recipes look so delicious that I had to get it.  Plus, I did say "LOOK so delicious" because her photographs are beautiful.  More on this book soon.
• I love photo essay books.  I hate how expensive they are, but I love them nonetheless.  And one I'd love to add to my library is Irving Penn's Small Trades.  The book features a collection of portraits Penn took in Paris, London, and New York between the years 1949 to 1951.  It was a personal project he had to photograph different trades people dressed in their work clothes.  Or in the case of the sculptor model. . . no clothes.  The book shows an array of different workers:  from the dingy chimney sweep, the heavily geared deep-sea diver, a long-legged fishnet wearing rockette, to firemen and busboys.  It is a fascinating documentary, giving us a glimpse into the past as many of the trades he photographed are no longer prevalent in our society today.  A brilliant book by one of the world's great Masters of Photography.
• Another photographer to add to the list today is Robert Szabo.  If any of you happened to pick up a copy of last week's Sunday paper, you probably noticed that on the front cover of Parade magazine was a very nostalgic looking photograph of Robert Redford.  His portrait was taken using the wet plate collodion method which Robert Szabo is well-known for.  I had seen Mr. Szabo's work before and was stoked to see it again in my paper.  When you visit his website, you will enjoy browsing through an interesting gallery of images.  From still life, marionettes, to portraits of swashbuckling pirates and parlor girls, his photos seem to have come from a different era.  
• And last but not least, wise words and inspiration from a photographer I continue to admire.

Have a beautiful week friends!  Oh wait!  Wait!!  If you love 80s rock and a good laugh, you HAVE TO watch these two videos:  "Love is a Battlefield" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart."  I laughed so hard I cried!  Okay, 'til next time!

.good morning sunday :: n˚9.

Okay, once again, it's technically a "good afternoon Sunday" to all of you!  And once again, it will be a short post as I've got very little time today BUT I wanted to make sure to stop by and meet with you.  Last week was productive.  I had a little photo shoot with the lovely Sarah (above) and hope to have several more photo shoots with this super fun lady over the next several months.  It has been such a long time since I have been behind the lens and it was nice being able to get back out and shoot!  My portfolio is in dire need of some new work and it's about due time that I get crackin' at it!  So. . . more photos to come!  Yay!   I don't have a list for you today.  Sorry!  However, can I just share that I have found myself to be über excited about this movie coming out!  Have a wonderful week ahead friends!

.good morning sunday :: n˚8.

Well hello friends!  It is Sunday and I am so glad to tell you that the sun is out here in Wilmington this morning.  It's been a rough several weeks for me, trying to get back into the swing of things since my visit to Nashville.  Emotions have been high, and so has my blood pressure apparently.  My Grandfather would have celebrated his 80th birthday a few days ago and that fact I think brought on a wave of emotions.  But I'm okay.  It's sunny!  It's the start to a new week so =good vibes=  only  =good vibes=.  And here is my Sunday list:

• Plan this week is to get the "art room" of the house cleared of unnecessary clutter so that I can actually have this space to get creative!  
• Found out that the new Polaroid 300 (aka Fujifilm Instax Mini with a different name) along with the film is now available at Target.  Personally, it's more expensive to buy the Polaroid version of this camera and the film there.  I'd stick with the Instax for cost efficiency.  But if you find yourself in a position where you have ran out of film and need it ASAP, it's nice knowing you can pick up a pack of 10 for $10.  The Polaroid 300 film will work in the Instax Mini.
• Got a Canon AE-1 last week from a friend who wanted to learn how to use her camera.  It's been sitting on a shelf for a while so I'm going to try to put it to use in the next few days!  Plus, we'll be doing a photo shoot later this week so yay, more photos!
• I'm loving these two rather new eZines:  Toffee and Rue.

Wow, this list is shorter than it was the last time!  I need to live life a little more geez!  Haven't had my morning cup of coffee yet so that may be part of the problem.  I hope you all have a fantastic week and hey, tell me what's going on in your world.  Anything new YOU want to share?

.good morning sunday :: n˚7.

Technically, it's a "good afternoon Sunday" to all of you!  I don't know what the weather is like where you are but here in Wilmington today, the forecast is cloudy with 100% chance of rain.  Which means muddy shoes and wet nylons as you run across the church parking lot.  It also means soft, beautiful light. . . my absolute favorite.  Even as I washed dishes after brunch, I could not help but become mesmerized with the bubbles and soft lines forming in my sink.  Honestly, everything looked so much more interesting, calm, lovely.  If British skies are usually this gray, maybe I should look into moving across the Pond if only I would be guaranteed this wonderful light!

And here is my Sunday list:

• I received an email from a woman who had just recently purchased a painting by my grandmother at an auction in Florida.  She found the Myspace page I had set up a couple of years ago about my grandmother's artwork and copied my email address.  Her determination to find out more about the artist behind this precious painting has given me the encouragement I need to gather more information, photos and stories about my Tutu, C. H. Evans.  
• Just ordered a copy of Photobooth:  The Art of the Automatic Portrait which features Andrea Jenkin's and her "photobooth Friday".
• A few more books I'm thinking about adding to my book shelf:  Binocular Vision, Thirteen Moons, and Bliss.
• One of my absolute flickr faves is Wild Goose Chase, the creative photostream of artist Fiona Watson.
• As we begin to welcome Spring with joyful glee, I reflect upon the icy, yet beautiful wonder of Winter.  This video I found via the Owl Diary is a wonderful tribute to the quiet season.

A short list today, but I hope a good one.  Go out and dance in the rain my friends!  Just make sure there's some nice warm soup and tea when you venture back in!  Stay well.

.good morning sunday :: No.6

The house is super quiet except for a hushed voice of the narrator on the History Channel.  The husband forgot to cut the t.v. before he went to bed.  The light outside is still a little dim making it pretty dark in here.  But it's okay because. . . it's quiet.  Peaceful.  yay.  Well it's Sunday friends.  Already.  I'm hoping to get my Good Morning Sunday posts back up and going.  So here's one for today.

• Hoping to make a trip up to New Bern, NC today.  Not sure what I'm going to find, but I hear it's a neat town to visit.
• I found out yesterday that the Amy Grant video my Grandfather starred in has been nominated for a Dove Award for Short Video of the Year.  Make sure to stay tuned on April 20th!
• I'm thinking about borrowing a copy of this book, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating.  I read a tiny bit of it while at work the other day and fell in love with what I read.  NPR has a great page about it here.  
• Looking forward to my trip to the Post Office tomorrow to pick up my new little photo buddies! 
• My favorite children's book illustrator, LeUyen Pham, has two new picture books out that are just too cute!  For those of you who have little girls, or once was a little girl yourself, you will need to check them out.
• Etsy put out an article a few weeks back that I thought was so interesting.  It was about vintage photos taken in the 1920s in an Australian police station.  The images are of individuals who had their brush with the law and whose portraits were taken while in custody.  Probably some of the best mug shots I've ever seen.  I would have loved to have known who their photographer was because he, or she, had a great eye!  The photographs are amazing!  Some funnier than others.  What's neat is seeing their wardrobe, the women in particular because you can see that style reemerging in the fashion houses of today.  The original post is in French, so I have a translated version here for you to read. 

Have a wonderful week ahead my friends!  Spring is almost here!  Woo hoo!!

.good afternoon, sunday.

Hello friends. Where do I even begin?! Today I write to you from Nashville, yes, Nashville. We have returned here, briefly, to take care of several things, including cleaning out the storage unit that contained all our belongings. Most of what we had decided to keep after our moving sale was in that unit. While viewing YouTube videos of the insane destruction that occurred due to the floods that hit the Nashville area on May 1st & 2nd, we saw a video that actually showed the exact location where our storage unit was. Sure enough, ours was flooded out. Then we found out that the insurance company that was used by the storage company has denied everyone's claim because our policy did not have "flood coverage". What should have been a liberating start to our first week in Wilmington became a one of stress and tension instead. As much as I tried to remind myself of the fact that we were trying to "simplify" it was hard to come to grips with the fact that the few things we held dear were now gone. We returned to Nashville last Tuesday. We made a trip to the unit and if it wasn't hard enough to know everything was underwater, it was harder to see things taken over by mold and the awful, musty stench of sewer and chemical filled water. Photos were ruined beyond recognition. Even now, it's hard for me to think about without feeling absolutely nauseated. We still have a few more things to clear out. I took pictures of a lot of things, but honestly, I need to move beyond this. Others have lost much more than we did and I need to remember that. Entire homes were swept away. The lives of loved ones taken. We are still here. That's what should matter.

To be honest, I'm not sure how this adventure will play out. I admit, I'm a little numb. We are still looking for a place. Harder than we thought it would be. With that said, good things have happened; my husband starts his new job in Wilmington this week, we have met some awesome new folks, we have played in the water and sand. ;) Good things will and are happening. Life definitely has its way of throwing curve balls your way. I'm trying to do my best to hit those bad boys out of the park.

Hope you all are doing well. Once things settle, I'll be back to catch up with all of you, until then, take care!

.good. . . evening, sunday.

This weekend has been very rewarding and also extremely exhausting.  We had our moving sale Friday as well as Saturday and thankfully, we were able to get rid of most of our stuff.  I am currently sitting on the floor in the living room, typing away on my laptop that it sitting on my daughter's potty.  (Don't worry, it has a lid and she doesn't use it, but it sits at the perfect height.  Ha!)  I realized this weekend that there are many who think what we are doing is just. . . how do you say. . . crazy.  Honestly though, I learned so much about myself this weekend just by seeing how much we, I, have accumulated over the years.  I had enough scrapbooking and craft supplies to open up my own shop!  A friend of mine came over and he asked me, "Doesn't it make you sick knowing that you spent all this money buying all this stuff only to sell it for next to nothing at a yard sale?"  My response was "No.  What makes me sick is knowing that I spent all this money and did nothing with any of this and still continued to buy."  Seeing it all out, on the floor in boxes, many of which were still in their packaging, never opened was very sobering.  Selling everything we have has been very liberating.  No longer do we have to haul all this stuff, trying to find a place that has enough room for me to store it all.  I believe the word I chose to represent the changes I wanted to see in my life this year was this:  simplify. 

Your choices at the moment will be good ones.  Trust yourself.  Many of you already know that I collect fortune cookie fortunes.  I know it sounds silly and juvenile, but sometimes I get ones that reassure me with things I already know.  Like the one above.  As much as I love an adventure, there is always that tinge of doubt that likes to creep in and make you question your actions.  "Did we make the right decision?  Are we being stupid?"  There is peace.  Yes, there is stress because we are on a timeline, but beyond that, there is so much peace.  Already I feel better about what we are doing.  My husband and I are on the same page.  We are excited, yes anxious as well, but we know that everything will be okay.  

My friends, I will be staying in touch with you all as often as I can, putting up new pictures as we make our venture.  Here today, in an almost empty home, with no guarantees of what tomorrow brings, I am happy.  Sometimes it takes drastic changes to bring you closer to your dreams, to your loved ones, to yourself, and maybe even closer to God.  

Of all the people I have ever known, those who have pursued their dreams and failed have lived a much more fulfilling life than those who have put their dreams on a shelf for fear of failure.  ~Author Unknown

.good morning, sunday::no. 3.

43::365

Okay, it's actually Sunday afternoon but that's alright right?

• Had two photoshoots this weekend. The first one being of a co-worker of mine. I foresee some future sessions with him as he is a very photogenic individual. And, the other was of a long time friend of mine. . .
  
• . . . David E. who created the character Cactus Jack, a frontiersman, who travels throughout the country, educating kids about the Old West. He is such a wonderful person who is so full of ideas and energy! When I decided to create my own Character Project, he was the first person to come to mind. We went out of town for our photo session and after just a handful of shots, my brand new camera malfunctioned on me. Needless to say, I am pretty POed. Fortunately, he was very understanding. We did manage to spend a lot of time brainstorming and getting pumped for new possibilities so it wasn't a total loss of a day. So stay tuned!
• I've been thinking a lot about my "brand" and trying to figure out how to tie everything together. From my website, to my blog, to my shop. A lot of these thoughts have sprung up after reading The Handmade Market Place by Kari Chapin. There are more things that I want to do with my photography, but it's trying to figure out what and how.
  
• Any day now, I will be receiving my new Holga and the current issue of Light Leaks magazine. [yay!]
• At the end of the week, I'll be introducing you to yet another blog that I'm involved with. This one will be featuring a photo or two taken between myself and my dear friend Kerri. I'll let you know when it's ready for viewing.
• Spring is near. Do you feel it?!

Have a wonderful week my friends! And remember, when doing a photoshoot, always bring some backup! ;o)

**Sorry it took so long to post this. I didn't realize it wasn't up 'til this morning. ha!

.good morning, sunday::no. 2.

Good morning friends! I hope this finds all of you well and still holding strong for the arrival of Spring! She's not too far away, thank GOD!! Well, here is a recap of happenings since my last post:

• We FINALLY made a purchase on a "new to us" vehicle. A 2002 Nissan XTerra. It's almost like driving my old pickup, but WAY different. ;o)
  
• My kid sister and her long time love from high school decided to finally get married. They made the decision on a Sunday and scheduled to get hitched on Friday. Yeah. We bought her dress on Thursday, got her flowers early Friday morning, got her hair done, made her bouquet, took photos of the whole day and voila! A simple, intimate, and beautiful wedding!
  
• My tax return went towards getting a new camera. I'm now the Mama of a new Canon 50D. You would think that I would be all out thrilled to play with this thing. On the contrary. With the way things have been going lately, I've been too scared to fearing she's gonna break on me somehow! I'm silly. I realize this now.
  
• After having "read" this book with the kids during Storytime yesterday, I am absolutely IN LOVE with it! The illustrations already have swept me away to deepest parts of the sea, but the story of the camera. . . it gave me chills. . . the good kind.
  
• Another book I happened to pick up yesterday was this one titled, The Artistic Mother, by Shona Cole. It intrigued me because I thought that perhaps I fit the title, or at least, I'm trying to fit the title. In her book, Shona emphasizes the importance creativity has in the lives of mothers. I have to agree with her. Making the time to do something creative is a lot harder than you think it would be. She has put together a "12 Week" program featuring a craft to work on per week. This book also some thoughts and advice from a handful of other well-known artistic Moms, like Rebecca Sower, Misty Mawn and Susan Tuttle. The Artistic Mother is definitely a book worth taking a look at, and maybe even buying one to take home!
  
• And speaking of the artistic mother, I wanted to say a big THANK YOU to my lovely friend, Zee Longenecker for giving me a shout out on her blog, Hey, Zee! She happened to be one of those artsy-craftsy Moms whose work was featured in Artful Blogging magazine. I was truly impressed with her creations, and had to make a comment on her then blog [Pixie Blossoms] telling her so. From that, I gained a truly beautiful and talented friend. Thank you again Zee you sweetie pie!
  

Well folks, think I'm going to make a trip out to the lake! The sun's SHINING!! Woo hoo! Beautiful beautiful wishes to you all!

.good morning sunday, good morning friends.

Good morning my friends. I know. It's been. . . months. I know. There have been so many posts started, and never finished. So much that I wanted to share with you, but I just could NOT get it out right. Every time I would attempt to, it ended up being like that fast moving stream of just nothing but words that didn't make any sense. So, I decided to go easy on myself this fine Sunday morning by filling you in on what's been going on with a list:

• I have been doing a lot of blogging here.
• The local charity I mentioned in my previous post DID take me on as a volunteer. I am working with a wonderful family from the Middle East, teaching them English and learning Arabic at the same time. It has been a humbling and immensely rewarding experience for me. This experience reminds me every time I see them, that no matter what race, what backgrounds we come from, or what creed we follow. . . we all still laugh and love the same way.
• I was in a car accident on my birthday. My little one was in the truck with me when it happened. The vehicle was totaled, but my sweet one and I came out of it just fine. My prayer has been that only positive things come from this scary ordeal.
• Remember last year's attempt at Project 365? Well I've started a new one this year. Granted I am off several days, but that was due to the lack of motivation that stemmed from the accident. Picked up where I left off so every day from here on out is an opportunity for new images!
• I finally opened an Etsy shop. I'll be honest, it scares me only because it's MY store. I'm so terrified of screwing up that sometimes that hinders me from taking risks, like opening up my own shop. Well, it's up. It's not perfect. I know it still needs more "fluff" or something AND more listings. But I'm working on it. Now go buy a print or two! ;o)
• This year, my main goal has been to keep myself inspired and motivated to create. My photography has been so important to me, to who I am and this year, I plan to push myself harder by working on and COMPLETING projects I have had in my head for years. It's been slow going at the moment but things will pick up once the weather warms up a little.
  

Now that I've listed everything, I think that's everything, it doesn't look like much does it? I do hope this finds all of you well! I will try my best to pop over here more often than I have as of late. But do head over to my photoBlog every now and again. Have a beautiful rest of the weekend and a wonderful start to a new week!