My Funny Valentine

Why yes, I do indeed realize that it is way past Valentine's Day, but I just haven't had the time to blog. For Valentine's Day my gift from Paige was to allow me to take pics of her :) Yep, we're at that age. The only time she likes me to take her picture is when she is surrounded by her girlfriends. So, I enjoyed this time with Paige. Here are a few of my favs...

She has "the FEVER"

Paige has a really bad fever, it's called "Bieber Fever". Last night, she and twenty of her best girlfriends went to dinner and got all psyched up before the ten o'clock showing of Justin Bieber's Never Say Never 3D movie. Usually I am recruited by all of the moms to go and be the photographer for the evening, but luckily, I escaped this event. I had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic and my lips looked like I had lip injections. Hilarious!!!

These pics were taken by Anne (thanks so much Anne!!!) and I think they certainly reflect the excitement in the air.

As an aside, I just have to say, I am sooo happy Paige has such wonderful friendships. These girls are so beautiful on the outside, but more so on the inside. Most of them have been friends since Kindergarten. Priceless!

Good thing I like the snow...

...because it looks like we are getting more this week! I do love the excitement of school letting out or closing, playing in the snow with friends and family and curling up in a warm house with a good book.

As of now, we are looking at getting out for summer break the first week of June! That part, I don't like. My students are growing restless and so am I. I think we are all itching for spring break. Speaking of...I had to cancel our trip to the beach with friends :( I just have too much on my plate and couldn't manage. School is going great, but is keeping me sooo busy. I only pick up my camera for my own little personal project. I haven't taken a portrait of anyone in a looong time. I miss post processing and playing with actions and such, but can say the break from trying to get that "perfect" shot has been nice. As a matter of fact, I am looking at photography in a brand new way and am not sure I will go back to my old way of thinking. This is a GOOD thing :)

I have found a condo and am wheeling and dealing with my realtor to see what kind of deal we can get. It's a bit pricey, but it has been sitting a while and so I am determined to bring them down. If not, there are many others that have caught my eye.

Paige is doing well. She is a SOCIAL girl! She didn't have school today due to snow, so she and "the girls were doing lunch". Oohh la la. Time seems to be slipping away and she is growing up whether I like it or not. I have loved each and every stage with her, but I think I can honestly say that she is my very best friend. I like the person she is and is still becoming. She is sooo funny and kind and thinks of others before herself. She's a keeper, for sure! :)

That's it in a nutshell! Hope y'all are doing well!

I Heart Faces ... My Angel!

This week I Heart Faces is having a contest that I just couldn't pass up! It's the best face photo and it's people's choice. Whether or not my sweet girl gets one vote or one thousand, she is the face that I love to come home to each and everyday. She is my angel and I thank God for her all of the time. I am so unworthy!

Head over to see all the other "angels" that grace the page! There are some amazing entries!!!

Has anyone seen spring?

This little cardinal gave me hope that perhaps spring is around the corner??? As much as I would like to wish it into existence, I don't think that is the case! The temp. is in the 50's today, but they are calling for more snow and ice this week. Ack!!!

I wish I was blogging more on this site, but I have really thrown myself into my new blog endeavor and am having a blast! I have had several emails asking about what I am doing. It's truly nothing special, but it is therapeutic. I promise I will share in the months to come. I need to do this for me right now and not worry about "putting on a show" that sometimes comes with blogging. Please do not misundersand me...I think there is truth to everyone's blogs, but I also think we put things out there that are our best portraits, or positive thoughts. There is sooo nothing wrong with that. I think I do that on this blog, but my new one is allowing me to be fully transparent, because I know I don't have any readers. Does that make any sense?

Hope that you all are warm wherever you are in this crazy snow globe that we are in :)

Bullet style

• Today is another snow day.
• The snow was the prettiest, fluffiest snow we've had in a while.
• It's my dad's birthday.
• He would have been 64.
• 61 is too young to die.
• I had a physical this week.
• I am having to go back and have an echocardiogram.
• I'm scared.
• My thyroid was waaay off.
• They upped my milligrams....by a lot!
• I've been so tired lately. Guess it's due to the thyroid issue, huh?
• Paige danced this week at the half time of the HHS game. She rocked. I think she will be a Golden Girl or at least will try out. Girl's got moves.
• We are going to Florida in one month and two weeks. I am PUMPED! I need a vacation.
• We are out of snow days so we will be going to school until June. Thank goodness we are going on a holiday over spring break. May be my only beach experience until next summer.
• I just read Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpos.
• I'm not afraid to die. Heaven sounds DIVINE (no pun intended).
• My next read is Queen Bee's and Wannabe's. I was told that anyone who is raising a daughter should read this book.
• I am working on a photo project and it is going really, really well and I am finding that is changing my whole outlook on photography. I hope to share it in the next few months. It is requiring that my camera never leaves my side. FUN!
• Did I mention today is my dad's bday? Yeah, I miss him. A LOT!

Great expectations

I am beginning a new project. I am not going to share until I have proven to myself that I can actually stick with it and have the passion for it that I do at this moment. I was inspired last night. Truly inspired.

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Paige funnies that I never want to forget...

At Cracker Barrel:

Me: Do you want to stay with me any when I move?
Paige: I would worry about mom. I think for her birthday we should get her one of those alarms that she can use if she falls and it dials 911. She would LOVE that!
(I don't think my 60 something mom would LOVE that, but do think she would appreciate the super sweet concern).

Also @ Cracker Barrel:

Me: Is #)$*) weird? (a little person she talks about and well, I was just curious...just being honest).
Paige: It's hard for me to call anyone weird when the person asking the question is dipping their biscuit in turnip green juice.
(Good point and point taken!!!)

At Barnes & Noble:

Me: Go and get something to read.
Paige: I've read everything.
Me: What are you curious about?
Paige: The Catholics. Yep, I want to learn about "the catholics!"
(Her two best friends are Catholic and she is enthralled. I just think it is funny the way she worded it!)