She's "famous"

I submitted a picture to I Heart Faces for their "Fix-It Friday" series.  I was surprised to see my beautiful Ella up on their site today!  It is so fun to see how so many people edited the shot.  Some of the criticism (of my photography skill) was a bit hard, but I need to take it constructively and learn.  Right?!! 

how can so much go wrong in one day?

I'm having one of those days which involves no liquor, but desperately NEEDS liquor.  And it's only Monday.  Pray for a short week.

I feel like I'm having an affair!

I have been neglecting this site due to some extra energy trying to put together a photography portfolio.  During this process, I have started another blog  www.blacksalt.wordpress.com

Slowly, but surely, I'm getting closer to my goals.

Other news - started a another job at an elementary school nearby.  It only involves an hour a day, but they would also like me to sub.  That might just be perfect.  Until I make millions selling my "art" - I'll have to supplement!  I am no longer going to be able to take the kids to school.  This is a big change for all of us.  Chris is being great and has taken over, but it's a tough job moving my two slowpokes out the door each morning.  I'm so lucky to have his support during this "exploratory" phase of my life.

This putting myself first stuff is hard!

long weekend

The kids had two half days to end their week, and then they are off on Monday and Tuesday.  Luckily we've had playdates and birthday parties to fill in the gaps between playing make believe with their Webkinz and rockin' out to Guitar Hero (why did I think this was a good game for them???)

I will be getting out of the house a bit more.  I just got a second/third? job as a morning assistant/monitor to all the students who arrive at this private school before the school day begins.  I'll just be out for an hour and 10 minutes, but it will bring in a couple of bucks.  Also, they were so thrilled to interview someone with an educational background that they had me fill out the substitute teacher application.  I could really get busy.

As much as the large amounts of time indoors gets on all of our nerves, I just have to look at a photo like this one to remember how precious this time is.

Ellastyle

Ella got her haircut again.  She tries to grow it out, but it gets so messy and unruly that we always agree that the pain and anguish she claims to experience while combing it isn't worth it.  I took her to my stylist this time and it was worth it.  Ella got her head massaged and everything!

Here's a shot "in progress" and I have yet to take a good picture of her new do.  

I have started a new blog just for my photos.   www.blacksalt.wordpress.com

This business is all about baby steps.

I heart faces - adult

My neighbors actually asked me to take their holiday family photo this year.  I think they just wanted someone to push the button! :)  This is a shot of one of the girls alone.  Isn't her skin amazing?  For more pictures of adults - click on the button below.

I Heart Faces - Pets

My second attempt

My attempt at funkiness (is that a word?)  If you want to see more normal pet pics, click on the button at the top.

Passion

As long as I can remember, it's been common knowledge that money isn't that important in a career - loving what you do is.  Baloney.  I think they both are important, but it doesn't always work out that you can get both.  I used to have a job that paid the bills and gave us great health insurance, but it became emotionally burdensome.  Now that I'm working on something that I really love - starting my photography career - however, we are not getting my income and are paying more for less insurance.  I fight back the urge to feel guilty daily.  I know that if I was still working as a school counselor we wouldn't have as many financial worries, but I really can't remember being this excited about anything in a long time.

I gave myself a daily schedule starting January 5th, the day the kids went back to school, and it involves learning as much about photography and Photoshop as I can.  (It also includes time to walk the dog, of course!)  So I now scour websites, follow tutorials, read books, take classes and have started acquiring some of the bare necessities needed to take and edit better photos. 

One of the things I'm pushing myself to do is enter photography contests.  Today, I'm entering my first one.  It's sponsored by a blog called "I Love Faces" and is very low key which is the way I like it!   So here goes....the picture above is my entry into this week's contest that has the theme "The Eyes Have It - Kids".  If you want to see more of the entries - click on the button below.

this and that in pictures

A resolution, of sorts, that I made this 2009 was to spend more time on photography and learning how to "enhance" the photos I take through Photoshop.  Easier said than done.  After looking at all the pictures below, I see that I still need to work on my color balance and hues.  Anyway...here are a few shots from the last week or so.

This is my nephew, CJ.  He is 19 months old and one of the most well-behaved toddlers I've ever met.  Of course I think he's extra special because we share the same birthday.

Harry was pretty attached to the new Wii Santa splurged on for Christmas.  He sat in this particular spot, on the couch, for most of Winter Break.  There were a couple days that the only reason he got out of his pajamas was to go down to his friend's house to ask advice on how to get to the next level in "Lego Star Wars."  I felt a little like a bad parent, for letting him play so much, but I knew it was just the newness of it.  Once school started, I was sure the "need" to play would wane - and it has.

This little girl also fought getting out of her pajamas for most of break.  This independence is great - it means she'll be a strong woman - but for now it just really gets in the way.  Ella was always my compliant one.  The rule-follower.  Now she has her own opinions and (gasp) actually makes her own decisions ALL the time.  It's completely scaring the hell out of me. (Oh - and check out the pajamas.  Backwards AND inside out.  They won't wear them any other way.  This is one battle I really don't feel like fighting.)

Of course a picture montage wouldn't be complete without Basie.  Her limitless energy is a constant issue for me.  I am always looking for ways to exhaust her.  Two doors down, there is an adorable Goldendoodle (half golden retriever/half poodle).  He looks the exact opposite of Basie.  He is thick, curly-haired and tall.  I'm not sure what attracts them to each other, but these two dogs are in love.  They play on my tiny front yard as often as they can.  Here is a shot from today's session.  They both look pretty ferocious, but look below...

...who wouldn't love this dog!

View down my street

It snowed last night and took away all the gray, brown icky snow.  

Go Vikes!

We moved her from the midwest when she was two, but it's engrained.  She is a Minnesota Viking's fan.  (NFC Wildcard game tomorrow - Vikings vs. the Eagles)

I lied

Not only did I stay up till midnight, I didn't lay my head on the pillow until a little after 1 AM.  A time of day/night I haven't seen since forever.  Two families joined us, and all the kids got along, which allowed for much eating, talking and drinking by the adults.  This champagne glass was given to us, as part of a set, for our wedding almost ten years ago.  I don't think it's been used since.

I walked the dog at about 12:40 AM and didn't really think about the fact that I was outside, after midnight, walking alone until I was a few blocks away.  As for protection, Basie was a total wuss.  There were lots of fireworks going off and she cowered and literally turned around - telling me that she was not going to have any part of the festivities.  I met some neighbors on the walk.  I will venture a guess that this couple was WAY more entertaining last night due to many scotches.  

We need to remember, for next New Year's Eve, not to let Ella stay up.  She has been a complete puddle all day - whining, snotty and completely out of sorts.  Hoping she sleeps till noon tomorrow.  

Happy 2009!  Cross your fingers that it is full of happiness.