Photo Business

Since I have been unsuccessful thusfar in my job search, I am choosing to focus some energy on my photography business. I would really love to build it up into something that could actually take the place of working somewhere else. I got a new logo- isn't it cool? and I am working on a really cool website. I'll let you know when it is up and running. You'll be able to access this blog from the homepage.
I had a great in studio session with a senior a few weeks ago and I thought I would share some pics.





Such an easy subject to make look good. I shot her brother last week, and I will post some of those next week.
Friends from California are coming on Sunday for lunch, so I am planning on cleaning and cooking tomorrow. Can't wait. Making yummy stuff.

Friday the 13th

Today is Friday the 13th- I have mixed feelings about that date. I don't really have many superstitions (any that I can think of), but I was a bit leery when I dropped off my puppy to be spayed this morning. That was supposed to happen a couple of weeks ago, but with her fabulous sense of timing, she went into heat the day before her appointment. So as not to go through that again, I scheduled her appointment as soon as I could. Hope everything goes well- I don't like that I can't really explain to her what is going on. She is going to be freaked out!
Here is what it looks like here this morning. Keep in mind that when I walked the dog on Monday, I was in shorts and I got sweaty. (80 degrees)





This is crazy- I enjoyed my 8-9" last week, but we are into the second week of March, and I am finished with winter. The sad thing is I would have loved this in January or February. It is too late, winter, and you can't make it up to me now! Now you have to wait until December. Please plan better for next year, and get the snow up earlier and more frequently. (think several 3 inch snows instead of only one 9" snow, KWIM?)

Why am I a single parent when I've been married for 21 years?

As a Marine wife, I am used to being the only parent a lot of the time. The only times it really gets to me is 1)when I need to be in 2 places to pick up kids at the same time and 2)when the kids are sick. Well, Alex is sick and I am on week 2 of Mark being gone, and I don't like it. I hate seeing her feeing so bad. It is rather pitiful.
The other day we were watching The Biggest Loser (my one and only TV show) and one of the women was crying because she had been away from her husband for something like 3 or 4 weeks. Both of my girls thought she was such a wimp. This military lifestyle has seriously warped my girls. I was trying to explain why it might be difficult if your husband never traveled and was home every night, and Alex said "Never traveled? You would have no time by yourself? Oh, I can't have that kind of husband!" I guess that means I haven't made being alone seem too bad. Luckily for Alex, her intended, Joe Jonas, will have to travel some of the time for touring, so she has that to look forward to! :).
Trying to get motivated on a Saturday, but my headache is making me want a nap! Off to do something...

Oh yeah- I have a blog!!

I am going to skip the mea culpa for not posting, and just start posting again. Two snow days this week (now that it is March) have put me on an odd schedule. Add to that a husband traveling,and my to-do list is not taking first priority. Hard to stay motivated when the kids are home from school- which is why I love snow days- no expectations for productivity. Anything you accomplish is pure bonus.
Now everyone is back to school for a full day, and I have high hopes for my day. I am working on a few things, some of which seem contradictory. The first thing is- I am looking for a job. This is more difficult now that half a million other people are also looking for a job. I am trying to stay positive, but it is a bit discouraging, all of this applying on line with no response. Hits the ego kind of hard- I am not asking for a top level job, here. The second thing is- I am trying to improve my website and photography business. I guess if I can't find a job, I can at least try to up my income from my preferred business. I am working with someone to design a logo for me and also on getting a slideshow on my website.
My weight loss is slooooow but steady. I am hoping to be down 6 more pounds by the middle of April. Don't know if that is going to happen, but I really want it to stick. I will say it is a bit dismaying how little you actually need to eat in order to keep yourself alive and not gaining. I like food- really! I don't like the limits, but that is the reality. Alyssa is working on it with me, and Alex starts and stops- she says she wants someone to bestow the will power upon her. It will be a while before that happens- I've been waiting for 18 years or so, since I had a kid and had my first experience of weighing more than I wanted to. Noone showed up with the will power for me.


Lent began, and with the dietary changes I had already made, I didn't want to do anything with food for Lent. I have decided not to spend any unnecessary money on me. No magazines, books, cds, scrapbooking supplies, clothes, shoes, etc. for me. Target profits may be down this quarter. I am hoping for two things out of this- one-more space in my day because I won't be running around to stores so I can use that time for Bible Study and self improvement, and two-I will break the habit of running around and shopping for no reason, and will eventually spend less even after Easter. Pray for me- this is much harder than giving up soda.

Training- the dog and me

Today was Summer's 4th doggy training class. We have both learned a lot, I think. She is a real performer in front of the instructor- continuing that performance at home with all of the distractions is another thing entirely. Much like her mother, who has always performed well in class, but real life- that's another story- too many distractions for me, too.
Purchased this today. I am looking forward to getting in another day of yoga every week. I hope Bob can help me really lose weight while doing yoga. I have been wanting a second day of yoga for a while, and hopefully I can be consistent in getting it done. I am also enjoying my Wii Fit, but I have a hard time getting time on it between the kids and the fact that it is on the big TV- the TV used for football in this house.
Lots of reading to do, and I am currently spending way too much time playing word games on facebook...
Got out a lot of clothes today to get ready to pack for the cruise- I am getting really excited. Looking for some cute shoes to wear- will have to go to DSW this weekend or on Monday. Looked at Target, Ross, and TJ Maxx already. Nothing in my size.

New Year, New You

Well, recording my December didn't go so well. Only one blog post and a few journal entries. Far from the completed Daily December album I was hoping for. Oh well. Have to let a few things go. Am now working on self improvement, as I am wont to do at the beginning of every year, the beginning of every school year, every time we move, and generally any other time I think would be a good Starting Over point. The changing of the calendar really makes that appealing to me.

And how does Andrea go about improving herself? That's right, she reads a book about it. Currently on the rotation- Eat This, Not That; It's Hard to Make a Difference if You Can't Find Your Keys; Suze Orman's 9 Steps to Financial Freedom, and Breaking Dawn (o.k. that one's not about improving me, but I have to have an escape.) My stack of library books is large and I have an order on the way from Amazon.

Tomorrow everyone returns to school and work, and as you know, that is the real first day of the New Year. The cookies I have been eating since the girls made them on Friday do NOT count against me in 2009- these are 2008 cookies, people. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. I am planning to go on the no sugar part of the Sonoma Diet starting tomorrow- and after the past week and a half or so, it will be quite the shock to my system. So easy to get hooked on the sweet stuff. It really helps to go cold turkey- but boy, it makes me grumpy!! Watch out family. They will be glad to be back at school and work, I imagine. a compelling reason for my no sugar- I am going on a CRUISE. My very first one- and it is for my friend Shellie's 30-10th birthday. I am flying to San Diego on Thursday, the 15th of January. I cannot believe how close that is. If you do the math, I will be finishing my no sugar time the day before my trip. Good timing, but I don't want to undo all my work on the cruise.

Here's to blogging more in 2009, getting just a little bit thinner (not asking for the moon here), improving my finances (saved asking for the moon for this), and getting rid of stuff in order to organize my life and home.

p.s. My word for 2009 is FINISH. I am great at starting things, but I need to learn how to finish what I start. If I finished everything I started things would be pretty amazing around here.

December musings

It is the third of December and I am not panicking/panicing- have not yet begun to panic. This is a new feeling for me, and I hope it is not indicative of an insane December 23rd or 24th. A few years ago I noticed that I was waiting to enjoy Christmas until I got "everything done." You can imagine how much enjoyment was happening. The afternoon of the 24th was always pleasant. I decided that in order to enjoy the holiday, I must enjoy the doing. And now I do. I have a few things to do to get my cards ready to mail, but I am sure that can be done by Monday. I need to look at everything I have purchased already and see if there are gaps for the kids. I need to get my exchange gift and Mama's gift and Grandma Kay and Papa Bob's gifts. Unfortunately, I don't have any fantabulous ideas for them as of yet. It will come. I am doing some shopping and preparing with DeAun on Friday, and we have some additional preparations to take care of after that. I need to schedule a candy making/baking day sometime soon, and the wrapping center needs to be set up (and utilized!) My tree is lit- the house is decorated and it is only December 3rd. I have Christmas music in my CD player in the house and in the car. I do love this holiday. I need to change my header pic for Christmas- I'll get on that in the next day or so. Happy Holiday season, everybody- it only comes once a year- enjoy the doing!