Christmas' last hoorah...

This Christmas the budget was very limited, but I still managed to get (and give) some pretty cool stuff. My mother spoiled Fred and I, as usual- the perks of being an only child I guess : )
She gave Fred "Metallica" tickets for their concert coming in January and she bought be the speedlite I've been wanting for my DSLR, the Canon Speedlite 430ex.Saturday afternoon I had lunch with some girlfriends and got to see Michelle who was in town from Delaware. I love this girl! She was the first of the LTU girls I really "clicked" with, and boy I wish she still lived in Michigan. But even from afar she manages to still be an awesome friend... (Me, Brittani, Michelle, Caleb, Rachel, Lori and Melanie)
Saturday evening we had some friends over to celebrate Christmas. Jake and Carrie were in town from Chicago and we ended up with about 20 people! Unfortunately my leg was hurting so I didnt get to enjoy the fun as much as I normally might- but it was good to see everyone just the same...The kids acting silly on the stairway (taken with my P&S...feeling too icky to pull out the "fancy" camera...clockwise from left: Maverick, Emma, Quinn and Electra)

Our good friend Barb was over and thoughtfully bought us this Gluten-Free Gourmet Cookbook.

And of course with some gift cards and exchange money from Fred's mothers' gifts I was able to buy myself an outfit and cute purse. I got some awesome deals! Everything was 50% off !

Sweater from MaxRave- $7.50

Levi Strauss low-rise, boot-cut jeans $19.99

Jackyln Smith purse in Olive- $10.00
And eventhough Fred and I swore not to get each other gifts, he did buy me Season One of my favorite show, "House." And I bought him a bottle of his favorite cologne, Drakkar. I guess we just couldn't help ourselves...

My friend Genevieve, who I went to WSU with just had her baby December 7th. Adorable Sophia Camille- congratulations Genevieve and Steven!!!...I told you you'd have a girl ; )

Quote of the day: "Life is a series of rooms and who we are stuck in those rooms with decides what our life is all about."
Bitch of the day: MY FREAKIN' BODY! I feel like an 80 year old today!

Christmas 3 & 4

So our Christmas continues with Christmas Eve over my mother's with her side of the family and Christmas Day with Fred's family at his sister's house. It was nice being able to spend some time with my cousins, uncle, aunt and baby Amelie, she is getting so big and chubby so fast! I can't believe how much she's changed since last time I saw her! And of course there are new babies on Fred's side as well- so many new babies this year in the families! Ethan and Ashley are the newest additions on Fred's side. We had a ton of fun at his sisters, but with seven little ones running/crawling around we were happy to get back home where its quiet LOL!!!
Six month old Ethan, he's already trying to walk !!! And just about the sweetest lil' guy!!!


Little nine month old Ashley, so tiny...but very cute and sweet.

The coolest two year old around, my girl Gentry.

I've been realizing this year how very lucky I am to have such awesome in-laws. Fred's family is so caring, loving, accepting and supportive of me. His family has been more supportive, in many instances, than some members of my own family. I guess family comes in all shapes and sizes and its not always blood that bonds...its love.

Quote of the day: "Never underestimate the ability of a small group of people to change the world, for they are the only ones who ever have."

Bitch of the day: PMS. Such a horrible, horrible thing to have to put up with every single month...I swear I feel like throwing up, crying, killing someone and sleeping all at the same time!

Christmas 1 & 2

Every year my husband and I attend at least four or five Christmas parties for our families, we have my Dad's side, my Mom's side, my Step-Dad's side, my Husbands side and sometimes a Christmas party with some of our friends... it is great to see everyone...but sometimes it can be exhausting trying to cram it all in...lol!
Last weekend was Christmas #1 with my Dad's family (Saturday), this year we had the first Christmas party ever at our place! It was fun, a lot of preparation and clean-up, but everyone seemed to have a very good time! Unfortunately my father couldn't make it, he was in too much pain...maybe next year Dad...
Me and my favorite Elf, Alicia

The boys of the family
(and yes my cousin's shirt says: "Half Man, Half Horse"...sigh...)

And then we enjoyed Christmas #2 at my Step-Father's brothers house (Sunday). At the party I got to catch up with some of the family and take pictures of the newest additions, Zaren and Emily.

Quote of the day: There's nothing that can help you understand your beliefs more than trying to explain them to an inquisitive child.
~Frank A. Clark
The most hilarious thing I have heard in awhile, my husband text messages me to tell me that our friends daugther Emma (who is four) had decided on names for her new baby brother or sister due in June. If its a girl she wants to name her new sister, Sunshine Rainbow...and if its a boy...Hampster.

Bitch of the day: SNOW. 'Nuff said.

You don't have to change the world if you can change yourself

Quote of the day: "If you are not using your life to better another's, than you are wasting your time." ~Will Smith

I love this quote, of course, I am a social worker. But to take it to another level, bettering someones life, or even self-sacrifice, doesn't have to be all that much work. Sometimes the greatest help is to listen to someone, and really hear them. Sympathizing, empathizing and doing things that nurture them emotionally and spiritually is what I value most in others. I don't need someone to loan me things, offer to help me move, save me coupons or run an errand for me (although those things are nice) what I really value is someone that understands me, understands what will hurt me- and refrains from doing it. I value someone that says, "How's your dad doing? I know you do a lot for him," or someone that is there to listen to me vent my frustrations and doesn't try to fix it, down-play it, or rationalize it, but simply listens.
I can take care of myself, what I look to others for is to pick me up when I fall down- not with their actions but with their words.
The greatest gift I've received is unconditional love and understanding- and I've found that very, very few people are capable of this. Very few people are capable of sacrificing part of themselves so that they don't hurt another. Very few people are capable of really putting themselves in another's shoe and, if not understanding, than accepting how another might feel or perceive a situation.
I would rather lose the opportunity to better myself, if in the process it means stepping on, or hurting, someone I love. It saddens me that this is not the norm.

Since 2008 seemed to be the year of the physical struggles- I hope in 2009 I can work on my spiritual side. I want to be a better person- not just physically, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

9 Changes for '09

1. I will work to transform my body into being stronger, leaner and healthier.
2. I will show my husband that I appreciate him more often.
3. I will take time away from the stress to capture special moments with my father, while he is still here, and I will record them.
4. I will rid myself of individuals who are a determent to my life and my happiness and instead surround myself with individuals who make me feel good about myself.
5. I will do all I can to develop myself as a Social Worker and attain my career aspirations- not based on money- but based on my interests.
6. I will try to adopt the "early bird" mentality- early to bed, early to rise...
7. I will engage in gossip less and reserve my secrets and feelings for those proven worthy enough to share them with- I will protect my heart better.
8. I will donate my time during a holiday to a homeless shelter, charity, needy family or organization.
9. I will realize that even if I don't accomplish these goals I am still worthy of them- I will be easier on myself, I will love myself more.

Humanity

Quote of the day: "It is not hatred that kills, it is indifference."

Drove by the homeless man that sits in his wheelchair daily at Brush and 94 today. I observed how many people at the stoplight simply ignore the man and look straight ahead waiting, uncomfortably, for the light to turn green...no doubt so they can speed forward towards their day and ignore the sad stranger.
I always smile at the man...and sometimes I wave...and sometimes, if I have it, I'll give him a dollar or two.
The man strikes a cord with me because of his wheelchair and amputations and I can't help but think that if my father did not have his family and friends he could have easily been in this man's shoes.
I also think that maybe the dollar is not the greatest thing the man can receive, maybe that smile or wave does much more...the actual acknowledgment of his existence and recognizing his suffering as a fellow human being...this might be the greatest gift of all.
We are all a few good fortunes away from his position and I wish the public could acknowledge that the house they live in, or the car they drive, or job they hold does not make them any better than this man...only luckier.

All the funny guys die too soon...

Finally a break! I got called for an interview for a position I very much want...don't want to get too involved in the details or too excited, I might jinks myself!
The interview is Wednesday!!!

This weekend I got to catch up with some old friends from WSU, Janice and Emily- God I miss my social work girls! There is nothing like being able to use your social work lingo with people who understand LOL! Although being with the girls made me realize how much I really miss Patrina, my fellow Macro Social Worker- that girl really "got" me... We are identical in our career aspirations and views on so many things, we used to joke that she was the black Rachel, and I the white Trina- she's so dear to my heart that girl!

Speaking of girls that are close to my heart, my Brittani! This weekend I was happy to do some photo editing for her and her boyfriend. They had photos taken in Georgia and she asked me to spruce them up a bit with Photoshop. I think they're excellent pictures- and these two are just so cute. I am so happy that my girl is happy, I see the way she looks at Raymond and I couldn't want anything more for her.

Friday I was please to be asked by Wayne State University to do some commerical work for them at one of their events. The photo's are not too exciting, as a lot of commerical work isn't, but I was happy to have the opportunity to do photos for such a big name.


Quote of the day: "There is nothing worse than being stuck in a room with some married asshole talking about his kids. Here's a hint folks, nobody cares about your kids...that's why they're your kids, so you can care about them and the rest of us don't have to bother."

~The late and great, George Carlin
(even though I like other people's kids- its still a funny quote!)

Bitch of the weekend: When people have to act like everything is great all the fucking time. I am so happy, so lucky, so loved, so perfect- get real folks! Optimism is one thing but no person's life is fucking perfect all the fucking time. Appearing perfect doesn't make other's look up to you, it makes them want to vomit!

My favorite shows

My favorite shows. It's somewhat sad really, when Fred and I first started dating we never watched TV. We were waaaaay to into each other. I let all my old favorite shows simply fall out of existance. We would occasionally see a movie, and when we rented one we almost never got to the end of it ; )

Ahhhh, those days when love is fresh and new and sexy...well we're married now and coming up on 4 years of being together, I can't believe its been almost 4 years! Anyway, now we love some good TV! LOL! This is not too depressing though, we almost always cuddle while we watch : )

AH, "House" my favorite of the favorites!
I have this strange fascination with Hugh Laurie- I absolutely love him and find him extremely sexy in a skinny, British sort of way...he can lose the accent though...maybe it's really Greg House I love, not Hugh...sorry Hugh....

I think every ex-fatty, like me, loves the "Biggest Loser." The show really helps me stay on track with my weight and it motivates me. I almost always cry at the weigh-ins too...and maybe thats sensativity or maybe after losing 65 pounds myself I know what it feels like to know you are changing and saving your life, one pound at a time...its way more mental than physical...and I guess I just relate to the struggle...good TV.

Ambition and Optimism

So in the last couple days I have gotten a lead on a few jobs...I'm not going to keep my hopes up but I have people putting good words in for me, so we'll see.
On a more optimistic note, I finally told my boss that when/if she leaves her position to pursue her PhD next fall, if at all possible, I would love to be considered for her position. I was really nervous about telling her, I didn't want her thinking I was "gunning" for her job.
She took it really well, in fact she said she would help me prepare! She said she would help me in anyway she can to become a suitable candidate for the position (she hasn't been accepted into a PhD program yet, but she is sooooo a shoe-in).

Bitch of the day: "When retail employees have little personal conversations behind the counter while they allow you to stand, waiting, to purchases your items. You can talk after work all you want sweetheart, but right now- ring up my shit!"

Quote of the day: "Yeah, there are a lot of things in this world I should do... but right about now they can just about kiss my ass."
~My charming father after the doctor tells him he should really quit smoking...

Photography portfolio (to-date)

~My first wedding shoot offered many challenges. But in the end some really good shots remained. I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. P for the opportunity to capture their special day- it was an honor. ~

~One of my first test sessions included photographing my dear friend Nicole's three children, the three M's. I adore these kids and their family and have known them their whole lives. They were so easy to shoot and a joy to be around! ~

Mandy

Molly and Mason
~One of my first engagement session was of Mary and Alex, two love-birds set to marry next Summer. Their session was wonderful, and I have to say they have been the easiest couple I've shot yet! So into each other and comfortable with the camera-they made my job easy. ~

~ Ah, Mr. and Mrs. B- I just love these two! Funny, unique and two of the coolest people I've ever met...not to mention very dear friends. These two are posing for me a couple months before their three year wedding anniversary. ~

~ Mr. and Mrs. S are here posing for me for their first wedding anniversary. In addition to being family, these two just melt my heart. They've been together for over ten years and still look as though they fell in love yesterday! ~

~ My first maternity shoot with Ms. E and baby E!~

~Here baby E is almost three months old now, with big brother Aiden...~

~Ethan~

~The E family~

~Ashley and Cody~

~ The H-C Family~

~Brandon and Amber~

~Shooting this next family was amazing. I have never seen two youngsters that love the camera like these two. Easy to work with, cooperative and adorable are only a few words to describe the B family and their amazing children, Richie and Gentry.~

~Miss Gentry~

~Mr. Richie~

(No, there is nothing cuter than this! )

~One of my favorites- ever~

~Portrait session with Mr. C~

~Simply adorable~