DAYS 21-36

This month was filled with a lot of events and the rest of the summer will be too. I'm not going to push myself too hard to blog if I'm not in the mood. Maybe I can make a goal for the month: I hope to get my bathroom floor done and the baseboard put in. Other than that, I plan to vacation and enjoy the weather like I have so far. Check back later for updates.

DAY 20- Great Grandma

Jim's Grandma turns 93 today. We went to her party this afternoon. I had a picture from my camera that my sister-in-law requested to print up for Grandma McCrea as a gift. It's of the entire Parker Family (Jim's side) which was taken a month ago at our nephew's high school graduation party. His friend took the shot with my camera so I could be in the picture. There were problems with the image. Feet were cut off (that's not okay with me), to crop it for an 8x10 it would cut too close to the people on the sides, our niece was missing from the group, and to top it all off I was completely dissatisfied with how my shirt looked in the picture (oh, the vanity!)... so yes, I did some editing... about an hour's worth.

Here's the shot after my corruption of the "real" image. (Mary was added from another photo that I took of her about a year ago. She's the one in the top row in the middle... and yes, there really was a gap for her, thank goodness!)

I didn't save a copy of the original image, but here's a close duplicate to it:

GOAL FOR TOMORROW: Put away that darned laundry.

DAY 19- illusion

I got 5 responses from friends who want photos taken when we visit Seattle. Yay! Why is it that I have so much more interest there than here? I can't seem to figure that one out. Maybe the concentration of portrait photographers isn't as high in that area. It seems there is just too much competition here in SLC. Everyone knows a photographer and one that will work for nothing. Sometimes I really miss living there. It felt so much like a home, with people who wanted me there. Sometimes I wonder if anyone other than family would truly miss me if I moved away from here. I don't think I could ever be appreciated more than when I lived in Washington... or maybe I am now but I just refuse to see it... I'm addicted to self-pity. Yes, I'll admit that. Fine, I know I'm enjoying my life here just the same as in Washington... occasionally complaining, occasionally exaggerating the positive. It's a an illusion in my head... whatever mood I'm in at the moment.

Well... I hope that rant was enjoyed by some. I got a lot out of writing it...

I made weekly budget for my spending. That was kind of fun. Now I have a little piece of paper in my wallet where I can record what I spend on groceries, dining, entertainment, and miscellaneous stuff. I used to get really anxious and stressed about money. About a year ago, my cousin did a hypnosis session with me focusing on it. I'm quite positive that it helped because I don't find myself avoiding my finances like I did before. I actually enjoy it. It's like a game.

I did a photo shoot this evening. Here's a shot from it. I had a good time, this young man was very nice.

That was it for today. At midnight I'll be attending the opening of "Eclipse". Yippee, I can't wait!

GOAL FOR TOMORROW: Since I'll be up late I shouldn't have much energy to do a lot, but I will try to take care of the kids. That's enough for a day.

DAY 18- plan some stuff

I'll be taking care of house stuff today and of course the kids. I don't have enough energy to share with other goals so I'll wait until tomorrow. This evening we're taking the kids to the drive-in movies to see Toy Story. I'm excited!

GOAL FOR TOMORROW: Email friends in Seattle to see if anyone wants me to do a portrait session during our trip there in August. Balance my checkbook. Make a budget plan. Prepare for photo shoot in the evening. Blog

DAY 17-nothing

It came and went.

DAY 16- nothing

Today was just a day. Tomorrow will be the same, but a Sunday instead of a Saturday.

DAY 15- baby

I had my first appointment for my pregnancy this morning. All went great. I really, really like my CNM. She actually spent an entire 45 minutes with me, talking and asking questions. She was so caring and interested in me. Thank you, Susan, for referring me to her!

I got really nervous when the nurse had a hard time locating the heartbeat through the audio ultrasound. Instead she tried the video ultrasound and we saw the heart beating. I was very relieved.

After the appointment I headed to the theatre to watch Severin and Helene's recitals.

Severin was enrolled in Action Camp and chose to play Mario in their play.

Helene was enrolled in Fairies Camp and chose to not participate in the play, but I got some pictures of her while the class demonstrated some of the games that they played during class.

She was the youngest in the class and I think it was a lot for her to focus for the entire time.

Here's a shot of her from yesterday just before her ballet class.

GOAL FOR TOMORROW: Relax.