Out-Takes

Sometimes they really out-shine the rest of the shoot.

 

This was from a shoot of mine two weekends ago. I didn't notice it while I was shooting, but am still laughing about it today.

Still Alive & Kicking

Yes, I'm still here. My fall special was a huge success....I think I had a total of 12 bookings in the short period I ran the special.  I typically run it for over a month but decided to just do two weeks this year. So I crammed 12 shoots into two weekends. Yes, I'm insane. Oh, and I also turned 31. Damn.

 

Stay tuned......I fully intend to share some highlights from the fall shoots!

Yes, we DID

I know not everyone is a supporter of President Obama, but I am. And today is a wonderful day. I'm so proud of American voters for getting out there and slamming the polls. This was a HUGE election and I'm so glad I got to be part of it (I contributed to the campaign three different times, and I voted). I DO believe in the President. I believe he can get this done. More than that, I am so, SO glad to have someone in office who gives a damn about women's rights. This is a HUGE issue for me, and the thought of what could have happened had the other guy (I refuse to speak that slimeball's name even one more time) been elected....it just makes.me.ILL. That's all I will say about that.

 

America has a lot of work to do. Washington has a lot of work to do - TOGETHER.  The divide in the United States is bigger than ever, and that should concern a lot of people. I know it concerns me. I truly hope that the big wigs across the country can stop the pissing match and move America forward and out of this funk. We need to get back to being a powerful, thriving America once again. I know it can be done.

 

Also, I am so excited that several states stepped up last night and took a step forward in the marriage equality movement. This is another issue that is important to me, and I'm glad we are slowly but steadily eliminating that form of discrimination. That's really what it is. Love should not be subject to discrimination.

 

This blue girl in a red state is PROUD today.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was awesome this year! The weather was absolutely perfect - warm enough that the kids didn't need coats, and we were able to go all over the neighborhood without freezing our butts off. I do have to say, though, that the decorations were lacking this year.  Last year, we had numerous houses in our subdivision that were totally decked out.  This year? One cool house. AND the majority of the people had their porch lights off. Meaning: don't come here. Rude!  I think next year we will venture out to different neighborhoods.

 

Here are some photos from our Halloween.

My handsome Transformer (Optimus Prime) and cute as pie Minnie Mouse.

THINK

Over the past few weeks, most of us have been watching the debates. I know....this is a hotly contested topic, but I'm diving into it anyway.

 

Here's where my problem lies:

 

So many issues, or at least the ones that cause such emotional reactions across the globe, revolve around religion and what your specific religion TELLS you.  (e.g. abortion)  One religion says this. Another says that. The bible says this. The bible teachings are then open to interpretation 50 million different ways, with people citing all these different verses. And which verse carries the most weight. And which religion carries the most weight. And why this religion is better and has more authority. Which book or bible is better. This one says this and therefore, it is SO.

 

OMG

 

Here's an idea:

 

Put the bible down and THINK.FOR.YOURSELF.

 

Use your brain!  Isn't that easier?  Honestly?  Then you don't have to try to remember what the freakin' bible said. It drives me insane that people let a book, or a church, or their pastor, or neighbor, or prophet, or whoever, lead them around like a lost child. Telling them this is okay, or this is not okay, under any circumstance whatsoever. What you can believe. Who you can marry. Who can do what with their own body.

 

I don't think it's any secret as to what I believe.  I don't.  It's as simple as that.  Life is so much more simple, to me. You live. You die. Poof. That's it for me. And at the end of the day, I don't have to remember any rules, or verses, or admonishments. I am responsible for me, my body, my thoughts, my decisions. My OWN thoughts. My OWN decisions.  It's truly the most liberating feeling.

 

Think for yourself.

The Baby Shower

Last weekend, Dana and Veronica came to town for a super quick visit, which included the baby shower.  Planning the shower was a lot of work - I had a great helper in Veronica's friend, Heather. And also some not-so-great help from another of Veronica's friends....who failed to bring the food she said she would bring, leaving us short for food. And then she laughed about it. Awesome - note: do not rely on that person for anything ever again.  Regardless of that little incident, the shower was a great success and Baby Easton scored big time!

 

I ordered some dipped strawberries from a Living Socials deal - they were incredible!!!  (www.sherrisberries.com)

 

 And my cousin's girlfriend, Lori, made the cake.....the cow jumped over the moon.  So adorable!

 

 We had a very good turn-out (despite very little RSVPs....I swear, those are a thing of the past)

 The games were a hoot!

 Decorating some onesies.

 

 

 

 

 

 Easton got some great gifts!

 And we snuck in a gift from Dana to Veronica - a matching ring/necklace set with Easton's birthstone.  She freaked out for a minute....thinking it was a different sort of ring!

And of course, we had to measure her belly!

 

 

 

After the shower, a big group of us went bowling so we could all share time with Dana and Veronica. We ended up at Emerald Lanes to do cosmic bowling.

 For a seasoned league bowler like my dad, all the lights and music and FUN was quite distracting to his bowling game. ;) 

 Everyone had a great time though - lots of people came out to see Dana and Veronica, we had pizza and beer, and shared lots of laughs.  It was a great, albeit far too short, visit.  Two more months and they get to meet their son and embark on the journey of parenthood.......WOW!