two moves later

Last post here, according to my dashboard, was March 27th, 2009. We have moved twice since then. To California and then to Minnesota. Sold a house, rented a town home, lived with my dad and finally bought a house. The kids have grown. Ben is 18, Harrison is 11 and Ella is 9. Basie is still a huge part of our life and is 4 and a half. Chris and I have switched jobs a few times, but are still in the same fields - I'm a middle school counselor and Chris is still in commercial construction. In fact, we have purchased my childhood home and live in a suburb of Minneapolis.

I feel like I'm on the phone with an old friend who I haven't talked to in a long time and there is so much to say that that I don't know how or where to start...so I'll show pictures.

Chris coaching Ella's soccer team

Christmas 2011

Basie finally has a fenced in yard

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.