I think I've mentioned how much I hate cleaning, especially my fridge. Today I have discovered the solution to my dirty fridge. I walk w/some of my sisters and my mom every morning and today Judy was saying she just HAS to get pictures of some of her foals (she has a breeding farm). I told her I could maybe do it but I have to get some stuff done at home today, like laundry and get my fridge cleaned out. So she says that she'll trade me, if I take pics of her foals, she'll clean out my fridge. Boy did she get the bad end of THAT deal! I've decided this could really be the answer to alot of my cleaning issues, trading sittings for household chores:) I've got 3 toilets and 4 boys, 5 including my husband....any takers??? LOL!!!
Thanks Judy, my fridge is sparkling! I almost had to take a picture and post it:)
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
a wake up call
I've been reading this girl's blog http://www.amazima.org/blog.html and it's been so convicting to me. In some ways we have everything here in America, but when you look at things from an eternal perspective, we might be surprised to find that we have nothing. We are consumed w/our "stuff". I get so wrapped up in the everyday things that I am distracted from what really matters.
Yeah, I know that we have to live in this world and that we have to make a living but pretty soon it seems like that's ALL we're concerned with. Our enemy is so subtle and cunning. He knows that we aren't going to just choose evil over good but if he can distract us w/the inbetween, then we become lukewarm and BAM he's tricked us. Just like that. For those of you who don't believe we have an enemy, look around you. There is way to much darkness & strife in this world for there not to be an enemy. There is good news though because there is also a Savior of this world and His name is Jesus. He gave His life for us....all of us.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Help me Father to be consumed only w/You. Whatever that entails for myself and my family, only You.
Yeah, I know that we have to live in this world and that we have to make a living but pretty soon it seems like that's ALL we're concerned with. Our enemy is so subtle and cunning. He knows that we aren't going to just choose evil over good but if he can distract us w/the inbetween, then we become lukewarm and BAM he's tricked us. Just like that. For those of you who don't believe we have an enemy, look around you. There is way to much darkness & strife in this world for there not to be an enemy. There is good news though because there is also a Savior of this world and His name is Jesus. He gave His life for us....all of us.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Help me Father to be consumed only w/You. Whatever that entails for myself and my family, only You.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Finally caught up!
As of right now, this very minute, I am for the first time in a month and a half....CAUGHT UP! Yay!!!!
It's such a great feeling. Granted I never did get my fridge cleaned out...hate that job...but all of my photography jobs are edited and online. I edited my 3 senior sittings from last night and put them online today and actually baked an apple pie while I did it. Quite the Susie Homaker huh? I have one more session this week and then a wedding w/formals on Saturday and then reception on Sunday.
Tomorrow I have a Dr. appt. in Pekin and then I'm thinking I need to tackle another job that I'm not too wild about....the dreaded Christmas shopping. I'm not a big shopper as it is so the whole run around to a million stores to find the perfect gifts for everyone (and they never are perfect so I have to remember where I put the receipts) and get them wrapped and to the right party, thing is not my idea of fun. But along w/everything else that I don't think of as fun...it must be done. Sigh.
We tell the kids they can put 3 things on a list and they may get one or even two but probably not all of them. Of course Logan asks for a TV (yeah right), and any kind of gun (sure, I'll get him that) and then of all things, some kind of new toothpaste. Luke asked first for a memory foam mattress topper and a super ball but now has decided to scratch the mattress and go for a longboard skateboard. The thing is, they'll change their minds over and over again all the way up till Christmas Eve so I had to tell them that tonight was the deadline and NO CHANGING YOUR MINDS! I really have no idea what my teens want at this point and I don't think they know either. They really don't need anything.
I was reading this missionary named Katie's blog today www.Amazima.org/blog.html in between editing and it just hit me how much we take for granted. We want for nothing here, while others have nothing to feed their kids tonight. We have been so blessed and deserve none of it.
It's such a great feeling. Granted I never did get my fridge cleaned out...hate that job...but all of my photography jobs are edited and online. I edited my 3 senior sittings from last night and put them online today and actually baked an apple pie while I did it. Quite the Susie Homaker huh? I have one more session this week and then a wedding w/formals on Saturday and then reception on Sunday.
Tomorrow I have a Dr. appt. in Pekin and then I'm thinking I need to tackle another job that I'm not too wild about....the dreaded Christmas shopping. I'm not a big shopper as it is so the whole run around to a million stores to find the perfect gifts for everyone (and they never are perfect so I have to remember where I put the receipts) and get them wrapped and to the right party, thing is not my idea of fun. But along w/everything else that I don't think of as fun...it must be done. Sigh.
We tell the kids they can put 3 things on a list and they may get one or even two but probably not all of them. Of course Logan asks for a TV (yeah right), and any kind of gun (sure, I'll get him that) and then of all things, some kind of new toothpaste. Luke asked first for a memory foam mattress topper and a super ball but now has decided to scratch the mattress and go for a longboard skateboard. The thing is, they'll change their minds over and over again all the way up till Christmas Eve so I had to tell them that tonight was the deadline and NO CHANGING YOUR MINDS! I really have no idea what my teens want at this point and I don't think they know either. They really don't need anything.
I was reading this missionary named Katie's blog today www.Amazima.org/blog.html in between editing and it just hit me how much we take for granted. We want for nothing here, while others have nothing to feed their kids tonight. We have been so blessed and deserve none of it.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Another weekend come and gone.
I can't believe that Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away! Still haven't found that pause button so things are still moving pretty quickly. I am feeling almost caught up at this point. Had to put it several late nights but it was worth it to get albums online. I know everyone's wanting to get their pictures ordered and cards done for Christmas so they did need to be done.
At this point I have 3 sittings to edit and only 4-5 sittings scheduled for this week but then I do have Raquel and Michael's wedding on Saturday and Sunday.
I'm so excited for this wedding because on Saturday I'm heading out to the family's clydesdale farm to take their formal wedding pictures! I think it's going to be so neat and I'm praying for dry, warm weather for Saturday.
Because of having a wedding at the end of the week I purposely limited my sittings during the week. I'm beginning to realize my limitations and a 7 sitting week is about perfect. I want to be able to give each client the time and attention that their session deserves.
It's taken me almost 4 years to figure this out but I think I'm starting to get it!
At this point I have 3 sittings to edit and only 4-5 sittings scheduled for this week but then I do have Raquel and Michael's wedding on Saturday and Sunday.
I'm so excited for this wedding because on Saturday I'm heading out to the family's clydesdale farm to take their formal wedding pictures! I think it's going to be so neat and I'm praying for dry, warm weather for Saturday.
Because of having a wedding at the end of the week I purposely limited my sittings during the week. I'm beginning to realize my limitations and a 7 sitting week is about perfect. I want to be able to give each client the time and attention that their session deserves.
It's taken me almost 4 years to figure this out but I think I'm starting to get it!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
trying to keep up
I'm not very faithful at keeping up w/my blog. I knew I wouldn't be!
It's after 9:00 pm and again I'm finding myself still working. I just can't seem to get caught up. Even as I write this I'm uploading albums onto my website. I'm getting to the point where if I'm only doing 2 or 3 things at once I don't feel like I'm getting enough done.
Had 2 sittings in the studio last night and got home about 8:30, just in time to tell my younger boys "good night". Then today I had to help David (our oldest child) take some pictures for one of his classes at ICC first thing in the morning, get the kids off to school, pick up the house, run to the school to watch Luke march in the Veteran's Day parade, then back home to edit, then shoot 3 sessions, making dinner in between sittings, help David again w/a few more shots for ICC, feed everybody, then get the kids to bed. How come it seems like the days are so packed yet so short? I feel like someone pushed a "fast forward" button and for the life of me I can't find the "pause".
Tomorrow I have no sittings scheduled for the first time all week and it is also our 20th wedding anniversary so I will need to run into Peoria and pick up the cake that I ordered from Le Bakery. They made our wedding cake 20 years ago and it's been a tradition for me to do this every year on our anniversary because David loves their cake. It is really delicious!
Before I head to Peoria though I need to get at least 1 or 2 sittings edited or I will be even more behind and then pick up orders on my way in and get them mailed out. And sometime I've GOT to get my car in for an oil change...I think it's a thousand miles over! It seems like it never ends:)
It's after 9:00 pm and again I'm finding myself still working. I just can't seem to get caught up. Even as I write this I'm uploading albums onto my website. I'm getting to the point where if I'm only doing 2 or 3 things at once I don't feel like I'm getting enough done.
Had 2 sittings in the studio last night and got home about 8:30, just in time to tell my younger boys "good night". Then today I had to help David (our oldest child) take some pictures for one of his classes at ICC first thing in the morning, get the kids off to school, pick up the house, run to the school to watch Luke march in the Veteran's Day parade, then back home to edit, then shoot 3 sessions, making dinner in between sittings, help David again w/a few more shots for ICC, feed everybody, then get the kids to bed. How come it seems like the days are so packed yet so short? I feel like someone pushed a "fast forward" button and for the life of me I can't find the "pause".
Tomorrow I have no sittings scheduled for the first time all week and it is also our 20th wedding anniversary so I will need to run into Peoria and pick up the cake that I ordered from Le Bakery. They made our wedding cake 20 years ago and it's been a tradition for me to do this every year on our anniversary because David loves their cake. It is really delicious!
Before I head to Peoria though I need to get at least 1 or 2 sittings edited or I will be even more behind and then pick up orders on my way in and get them mailed out. And sometime I've GOT to get my car in for an oil change...I think it's a thousand miles over! It seems like it never ends:)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Busy, busy, busy
The senior & family sessions are in full swing now. In the midst of cleaning up after our party I got another year older and my 9 year old gave me a present he picked out all by himself. A little cross shaped thing that looks like a gravestone...hmm. Ya gotta love 9 year olds:) The yearbooks have deadlines and the Christmas pictures need to be taken now so they can be designed into cards and sent out before the Holidays so I'm am busy, busy, busy.
This week alone I have 11 regular sittings and then a 90th bday party where 14 families would like pictures...whew! Next week is packed too.
So thankful to see the sun again though, even if I have to deal w/shadows I think everyone was ready to see that bright yellow ball in the sky. Some of the mud is drying up and who knows...maybe we'll get a little indian summer to finish up the fall sessions?
I spent the morning picking up and getting orders ready to mail then had a sitting at 3:30 and then edited 3.5 sessions and got done about 8:30 p.m. and then realized I needed to do my own kids pictures which I took Sunday morning so kept at it till 9:00. Luke said the other day, "Mom, you know that day when all the kids trade pictures at school? Well that day already past". Ugh! There it is again, that "mom" guilt. It just seems like no matter how hard I try I'm letting something slip. I have to pray everyday for help w/balance between career and husband and kids & help to put them back into the order that God wants them in. I'm thankful to be able to hand some editing off to Jenny of js designs because I'm pretty sure even if I worked around the clock (which sometimes I do) I wouldn't be able to keep up. She will be getting busy w/card designs in the next few weeks though so I know that this will just be temporary help. She really does a great job though and is a lifesaver to me.
Today I just have 2 sessions to edit and then maybe...that's a big MAYBE I'll tackle my fridge before I head off the the studio for tonights studio sessions.
My plan is to be done w/all work related things by Dec. 15th this year so I can take a deep breath...let it out....and celebrate the birth of my Savior, because w/out Him, I would be lost.
This week alone I have 11 regular sittings and then a 90th bday party where 14 families would like pictures...whew! Next week is packed too.
So thankful to see the sun again though, even if I have to deal w/shadows I think everyone was ready to see that bright yellow ball in the sky. Some of the mud is drying up and who knows...maybe we'll get a little indian summer to finish up the fall sessions?
I spent the morning picking up and getting orders ready to mail then had a sitting at 3:30 and then edited 3.5 sessions and got done about 8:30 p.m. and then realized I needed to do my own kids pictures which I took Sunday morning so kept at it till 9:00. Luke said the other day, "Mom, you know that day when all the kids trade pictures at school? Well that day already past". Ugh! There it is again, that "mom" guilt. It just seems like no matter how hard I try I'm letting something slip. I have to pray everyday for help w/balance between career and husband and kids & help to put them back into the order that God wants them in. I'm thankful to be able to hand some editing off to Jenny of js designs because I'm pretty sure even if I worked around the clock (which sometimes I do) I wouldn't be able to keep up. She will be getting busy w/card designs in the next few weeks though so I know that this will just be temporary help. She really does a great job though and is a lifesaver to me.
Today I just have 2 sessions to edit and then maybe...that's a big MAYBE I'll tackle my fridge before I head off the the studio for tonights studio sessions.
My plan is to be done w/all work related things by Dec. 15th this year so I can take a deep breath...let it out....and celebrate the birth of my Savior, because w/out Him, I would be lost.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)