shades of blue

just spending a little time scrolling through my photos today...
Abbey is sooo adorable, I thought I'd just put it up.

happy middle of the week.
S.

One Two Five

Happy Anniversary

Where should I begin?  The whole blogging thing is still kinda new to me, but it's getting easier.

And this will be one big huge public display of affection. This blog's for you. And about you.  And me.  And where we have been and where we are going.  I am so thankful for you.  I am really proud of who you are.  I am so grateful that you are my best friend ever.  I remember being shocked when the judge said "I pronounce you best friends for life", or something just like that.  I remember thinking, "Wait, I have friends, I need a husband. You need to pronounce us more than that."

But she was right.  And this has been more than right.  And getting better each year.  Really.

Better each year.  I love everything about you and all the things you are and do for me.  I notice all of the little things, too. Each time you open a door for me, turn on the my seat heater in the car before I get in, iron my clothes for work, buy me camera stuff, etc. etc. etc.  I notice. There is more, but it's too numerous to list here.  I notice and appreciate all of you.  

I've got one of the good ones and I'm a lucky girl.  

I love you.

Please be safe and watch out for the trees.  

PS  When you get back...you do owe "us" one big romantic dinner.  And tell your roommate to get some earplugs since his hearing is just fine.

Vanished into beautiful thin air

So.  I had my first card crash. Luckily, no one was hurt. ;)

I had a wonderful afternoon visiting with my long time friend and source of inspiration, Chef Cathy McKnight.  While inside of Irons, one of southern Orange County's newest wedding venues, the most beautiful rainbow streamed across the sky.  Not just a partial rainbow with a slight curve and hue, it was a  FULL rainbow,  a radiant technicolor arch. Even though it was raining, we all ran outside.  And I was fortunate to have my camera in hand.  

I took one last look through my pictures when I got home, turned my camera off, removed my card and happily walked upstairs to reveal the glory on full screen.  And they were gone.  As if it never happened.  I have heard stories about this.  I always wondered what I would do.  "Photorecovery" to the rescue.  A mere $39.99 later, I was back in the game.  Nice to know that there are such programs to retrieve photos playing hide and seek.  Also, might be time to toss this card.  Thankfully, I didn't have to recover 500 pictures.  

Hawaii isn't the only place with stunning sunsets.  

Just by Chance...

My latest and greatest model, Chance.

Lessons learned from man's best friend

If you can have a dog, you should get one.  There is no better lesson of unconditional love than from man's best friend.  

This is Kona.  He keeps me on track.  He wakes me up in the morning and he makes sure that I don't spend too much time in front of the computer.  He pouts when I have to go to work.  He helps me shred paper.  He makes sure I don't get too attached to objects by occasionally destroying them.  (big lesson...if I really like it, put it somewhere safe)

Dogs help you stay anchored to the simple joys in life; the wind in your face, the new smells in the neighborhood, a knock on your door, and simply "being" with the ones you love.  And when I don't feel particularly thrilled about going out for a run, he does.  He carries enough joy for both of us.  It's hard not to smile when "someone" is that excited.  

If you can have a dog, you should get one.  Even with all the frustrating moments and trials, we just love this one.

Old and new

This photo is old to me, but more than likely, new to you.  As I go back through my log of photos from last year,  I stumble on some favorites that I will be posting every once in awhile.

I may have seen it hundreds of times, but this is an all time favorite.  And it hasn't been up on my blog at all, so it is brand new to you.  This little cutey is destined for greatness.  I think she loves the camera as much as it loves her.  At least, she did this day.  This was a completely candid shot ( which I prefer ).  She did see me with my camera on her and, for her very young age,  knows how to "turn it on."  No doubt she will have the world at her fingertips with a bat of those baby blues.  

Go out and have a great day!

Rainy days...

 I love rainy days.  Since I'm under the weather anyway, I'm pretending it already is. 

Time to grab some hot chocolate, a box of kleenex, a good book and the remote, and get away from the computer for awhile.  Hope you can enjoy the rain whenever it gets here too.  Happy (sniffly) Friday...

We begin again...

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.

-Edgar Allan Poe

 

I usually try to select a resolution for the year.  Last year's resolution was to let go of fear that was keeping me from doing things I really wanted to do.  I'll begin this year building on that.

I will also do a better job of keeping a photographic journal of our life.   A few months are missing from last year when our first Mac crashed and  had to be sent back for a replacement.  If anyone from Apple is reading....can you send me that disc, please?  So,....what are the 2008 resolutions?  As always, I have several.

And, as I have read in many other blogs, there seems to be no better way to be held to your resolutions than making them public. 

So...they are, and not in any certain order of priority...

Relationships...spend time nurturing, building, and creating relationships...new and old.

Seems a bit broad, but this can be done everyday.  Also, renew my relationship with Christ.

I have put this on the back burner.  Not good.  I look forward to making this a priority.

Fitness.  

I have slipped a bit in this arena.  Get back on track and get the "six pack" back on the belly and not in the belly.  I used to be able to see my muscles on my abdomen...I know they are still there...somewhere.

Organization.

My spare room is going to be just that.  Not just storage anymore.  This is actually a priority to me because I dread doing it.  It's more work than the other two.

Building my business.

This is my passion right now.  Not a chore.  A dream.  I should move it to the top.

Charity.

I look forward to opportunities to share myself, give to others, and lend a hand up whenever I can.  I have a lot of new ideas for this year.  More to follow on this...stay tuned.  I'm excited about ideas I have and will look to involve other photographers on the plan.  

Blog.

Keep the blog up to date.  I will post atleast 100 times this year.  Only 99 to go.

Improve my golf game.

This might be tough.  I love golf.  But playing once a year is not helping my game at all.

Jen, if you are reading this, I'm in.  Let's go.  I know you are much better than me, but I'll humble myself and play.  If I play twice this year, I will have improved from last year.  But I plan on more than that.

Get in the water with the sharks.

This means more than the obvious.  I want to surf.  I have everything I need, except a little more upper body strength.  But, those damn sharks.  Every time I find the courage, there is a shark sighting.  Well, this is the year I jump in.  Sharks.  Move over.  I'm coming in.

I look forward to tracking my progress throughout the year.  Feel free to keep me on track if you like.  I wish everyone joy, peace, and health in the year to come.  I know there is a lot more I wanted to say. I'll keep it to that.   Happy New Two Thousand and Eight!

All the best,

Sissel