SLIDER

Happy Birthday to my everything...

Saturday, June 23, 2012

My Grandmother was a wise woman indeed, often stating to me "Deborah Louise, the years will start to go by much more quickly as you grow older. Quit wishing your days away." She would make this statement after I babbled some bs about how I wished the summer would hurry up and come. Or I wished that school would hurry up and be over.

It seems that surely the years do seem to go by rather quickly as of late. I'm not sure if its the constant moving? Or if its just simply that grind, that daily grind we told ourselves we were never going to fall into?

My husbands and my birthdays are only weeks apart, so as fast as I turned the happy 46, he turned the happy 42 right behind me. Yes ladies, I snagged a younger man. Don't hate. :) Today was his birthday, and since once again I asked "What would you like for your birthday baby?" and once again he replied "Nothing baby, I'm good." I insisted that he buy himself something that he really wants for a change. Something that maybe we can do together as well? So he did... he went and bought himself a new gun. He went to meet with the people at the range this morning and had a great time. I'm next!

Me... I spent the day making him a cake. Not just any old cake mind you. I could have just gone and purchased some Carvel Ice Cream Cake (Which is my absolute favorite btw) or I could have had our local bakery make one. But no... little over achiever me. Little Miss Susie Homemaker just had to go and tackle a fondant cake with a figure on top!!!

I told him that he has been such a good boy this year that I got him a cute little blonde with a huge rack to jump out of a cake for him!!!!

Tee-hee-hee!!!!!

(Side note: This was NO easy task! Now I understand the talent that goes into cake decorating done right!)



ng1

Funfetti Cake... :)

ng1_2

Rolling on Fondant... What a pain in the #*S!!!!!

ng1_4

ng1_5

I'm surely not a professional, but this was a fun surprise to make for my husbands Birthday!

ng1_7

A little stripper glitter on the cake... :)

ng1_9

Even gave her a little butt crack! LOL!

ng1_8

Photography Styles and the pigeon hole...

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Photography styles... Journalistic, Candid, Lifestyle, Natural Light, Modernistic. Whatever you refer to as your "style", what does that really mean these days?

I get the whole branding thing. Doing something that makes the images you capture something that is solely your own. And I see so many people capturing image after image that is categorized into a specific arena of photography. And I ask myself why?

Yes, at times there are images that I will come across on one of the more popular wedding photography blogs and I will say to myself "Yes, I will venture to guess that those images are by so-and-so." And more than not I would be correct. But lately I find myself having to look at the finer details of the image to tell one apart from another... meaning, somewhere amongst all the "current new hot things for wedding photography" we have lost our individuality. So I ask myself, was it lost, or was is never really there to begin with? Not to be harsh, but if you find yourself changing the style of your imagery to match the current trend then this is about more than the creativity for you.

I believe in adapting to new and unique concepts, ideas, etc. And with the ease of use, popularity, and down right impressive software and equipment available to even the weekend hobbyist, you're going to have to continue to change. But I believe that your artistic change should come from a natural progression of an artists works and not the excitement of being a part of next best thing.

With that said, here is a collage of some of our work, past and present. Our style really is not of any specific style at all. It is what ever that shoot, that couple, that emotion, that moment allows me to capture, and I hope this keeps people guessing...
ALWAYS!

Picture Package2

Picture Package4

Picture Package1

f3

Picture Package5

f2

f1

Military life and changes all around...

Thursday, June 7, 2012

I've said it before and I will say it again... Life as a military spouse is simply crazy! This life we live is full of amazing adventures, constant moves, and the difficulty that comes along with always being the new kid on the block.

When Eric and I arrived here in Columbia, SC I couldn't have been happier. I had just spent over 2 years in Germany and hated every minute of it. I couldn't wait to be back in the states where I thought things were normal. WOW! Was I mistaken!!!

This country, this messed up, backwards arze, going down the toilet quick country has changed. In 2+ years it has changed tremendously! I know times are hard for so many people. And I know times are hard for job seekers, etc... and our economy is in the dumps, but people have become mean, ruthless and completely malicious! Maybe it's just here in Columbia? But maybe its everywhere? Texas, our last duty station prior to Germany was awesome! But in Texas the people work, they work hard, they work together, and they carry a firearm. LOL! Ok, maybe they all don't tote a gun, but they can if they want to and people take things seriously there. My business was thriving, people all worked with one another to help us each get to the next level. I'm sure there was gossip and drama, but it never seemed to follow me while I was there. Here, in Columbia, I feel like I am back in High School only with bigger bank accounts. People here are rude, lying, gossiping, manipulative jokes and I want out!!!

So... the hubby and I said screw it! We picked up the phone and called a cruise line, booked a cabin and took off to the Bahamas for the week. And did we ever need it!

It was a crazy trip filled with food poisoning, sea sickness, migraines, and ultimately Dengue Fever, that would be me that came down with this lovely illness. But we spent many hours discussing our future. If Eric was staying in or retiring? If we were going to push to stay in SC or push to PCS elsewhere. And what to do with my business?

By the time we arrived home we fell back into our routines and let things take their course. And did they ever! By the end of the work day on Monday we were given the word that indeed Eric was looking at another PCS, and we were looking at it quick! Like 2-3 months quick!!! They want him to stay until his next promotion and be one of the head Officers to lead the 70 Delta. Its huge, and we are ready for the new adventure. So.... here we wait to find out where we go next, and how quickly they need us there. The house will go on the market the day we learn we are leaving. I love this house, but I hate this city. I want so terribly to head back to Texas, and that very well could be where we are heading? But, the top spot on the list that Eric is needed at would possibly be Hawaii. I say YES!!!! Hawaii!!!! The sandy beaches, the sun filled days and the temps that never drop below 60*. I'm in love already! I lived in Hawaii back in the early 90's, but I was poor and single and worked all the time. My days for having fun were limited to say the least. This time it would be SO much better!!!

So... here we go again. Life on the ledge, and I wouldn't have it any other way!!!

Oh, and BTW, the results of my tests all came back. After 2 years of invasive testing, and countless nights of no sleep we finally have answers and a direction to go in. There is NO CANCER!!! The masses in my body are residual silicone left over from the implant ruptures 3 years ago. Because they waited 3 months to perform the surgery that would remove the ruptures and replace them with new implants, the silicone did nothing but float around in my body, ultimately ending up anywhere it could attach itself to. Yes, I agree that it still sounds scary. And who really knows what the future holds when it comes to what that could eventually do? But for now I know I don't have cancer, and we can take it from here. So, surgery will be performed in a few months to remove not only the masses, but also both implants. I want them OUT! I want my natural breast back and nothing foreign in my body anymore. I don't care about small breasts. My husband is not a breast man anyway. :)

Have a great week!