Some things I did in 2008
I got snowed in at the lake house with my husband
Drove 9 hours to Boise on Valentines Day
Bought Josh a wonderful birthday present (an xbox)
Celebrated Josh's birthday at Gallway Bay
Left a job, and kids I love
Moved to Boise, Idaho
Learned how to be far away from family on our own
Lived in our very first place that was "ours"
Learned to bake and cook (kind of)
Enjoyed having a real summer with sun and heat
Went down to Texas to gain some much needed confidence and knowledge in photography
Met a few great people while I was down there!
Turned 21 and celebrated my birthday with the coolest people in the world.
Ate at the cheescake factory and had my first legal drink, A Gin Rickey.
(That one up there makes me sound like an alcoholic)
Moved back home to live next door to my mom for awhile! SWEET!
Spent time at the lake with my husband and friends
Celebrated friends birthdays
Loved fall
Lived in a hotel in our new town for a week (most boring week of my life)
Got all decked out with my husband for Halloween
Moved into our new, lovely apartment
Stressed out over finding a job
Decided what I want to do to supplement my photography
Got excited about it.
Missed my dad
Got excited about the holidays
Celebrated our first anniversary as a married couple! We made it!
Enjoyed the holiday season
Made a trip home every weekend in Decemeber except for one
Had a few sessions
loved my family, loved my husband, loved my friends
Celebrated Christmas with family
Was bored, worked on business stuff (always)
Lived, laughed, and loved.
What did you do this year?
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Words To Think About
No post today. I will post a baking masterpiece tomorrow, but I found this awhile ago and love it. A quote I always come back to, and thought I would share.
" To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual unbidden and unconcious grow up through the common. This is my symphony." William Henry
lovely, right?
" To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual unbidden and unconcious grow up through the common. This is my symphony." William Henry
lovely, right?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Things That Are Making Me Smile Today
Just a quick post this evening! Things that are making me smile today:
1. Pottery Barn Desks and organizational stuff. Nothing is better than a good desk and some sweet organization boxes and such. My heart is filled with joy when I see the beauty of an well organized space.
2. The Snow! Yes, Beka, I like the snow. Yes, I drove in it, and yes it was a pain in the ass, but there is something so wonderful about the snow. The world sounds different when it snows. It's so pure.
3. Apartment Therapy: I check this site everyday, and stick numerous pictures in my "Things I Love File" In my computer. This is the coolest file you will ever see. It is full of beautiful things that make life just a little bit better.
4. Our Christmas Tree. I think this is the best smell in the world. I was afraid we wouldn't be able to smell the tree, but every time I walk in the house I'm over come by the wonderful smell. I never want it to end.
5. The look on Josh's face when he comes home from work! He's so sweet when he gets excited to see me.
6. The thought that tomorrow can be just as good as today...
What made you smile today?
Have a lovely evening!
alyssa
1. Pottery Barn Desks and organizational stuff. Nothing is better than a good desk and some sweet organization boxes and such. My heart is filled with joy when I see the beauty of an well organized space.
2. The Snow! Yes, Beka, I like the snow. Yes, I drove in it, and yes it was a pain in the ass, but there is something so wonderful about the snow. The world sounds different when it snows. It's so pure.
3. Apartment Therapy: I check this site everyday, and stick numerous pictures in my "Things I Love File" In my computer. This is the coolest file you will ever see. It is full of beautiful things that make life just a little bit better.
4. Our Christmas Tree. I think this is the best smell in the world. I was afraid we wouldn't be able to smell the tree, but every time I walk in the house I'm over come by the wonderful smell. I never want it to end.
5. The look on Josh's face when he comes home from work! He's so sweet when he gets excited to see me.
6. The thought that tomorrow can be just as good as today...
What made you smile today?
Have a lovely evening!
alyssa
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
New Years Resolutions
I know we are a couple weeks from the New Year, and we haven't even had Christmas yet, but I've been doing alot of thinking (surprise right?) about what I want to come out of this next year. I've never been a huge fan of resolutions. Mainly because I think we put too much emphasis on making them, and we set goals too high to achieve, and then we are disappointed. I've heard people say, "One way to achieve your New Year 2009 goals is to aim low" A part of me understands that, but at the same time it upsets me because we are already being told that, no, you probably won't get done what you want, you won't achieve what you want to achieve... Why bother? I think the key to being successful this year is not to aim low, but don't weigh so heavily on achieving exactly everything. If your goal is to lose 30 pounds, and you lose 20 that's a huge success. I think we need to put better things on our lists too. I have alot of things I really want to accomplish this year. Alot of them having to do with my photography business, but there are some that I want just for me... and the people I love. So write down your list of New Years Resolutions, try to achieve them, but more than that enjoy the journey of getting there.
My New Years Resolutions:
1. Try to take a photo every day. Do the 365 day challenge. If I miss a day, make sure I take two the next.
2. Finally set up that much needed website. Scrape together the money and take the plunge that needs to be taken.
3. Buy that new camera I need desperately. (Man this profession is expensive)!
4. Feed my soul. Do things I want to do and need to do. Read a book, and write as much as I can. Really feel every emotion to its utmost potential.
5. Better my marriage. Love my husband even more, be a better wife, be more patient.
6. Be a better friend. Keep the relationships that I hold so dear to me. The friends I have are amazing, and I couldn't live without them. Spend more time and better quality time with them.
7. Become closer to God and pray more.
8. Try new baking recipes, start learning to play the guitar, learn to knit and sew. This goes along with doing things I want to do. I want to do it all, even if it takes me forever to do it.
9. Have more sessions this year. Every year for me has been an improvement, but I'm hoping this year will be a big year for me. I hope to be full time by the end of the year, it's going to take alot of hard work, but I can't wait.
10. Be a better daughter, sister, grandaughter, cousin, niece, whatever!
11. Find a way to start giving back the way I want to. Find the connections, get the word out, and help people who have been touched by the same hardships as I have felt. I AM SO EXCITED TO DO THIS! I can't wait to get this in motion!
12. Live, Laugh and Love more. I have been so blessed in my life. I have a wonderful family, beautiful friends I wouldn't trade for the world, and a job I can't wait to start doing full time. I want to eat more good food, spend more time in deep conversation with the ones I love, I want to drink more wine, laugh until I cry and feel the greatness of the life that God has given me.
What are your New Years Resolutions?
Have a wonderful Holiday Season! Merry Christmas!
Alyssa
My New Years Resolutions:
1. Try to take a photo every day. Do the 365 day challenge. If I miss a day, make sure I take two the next.
2. Finally set up that much needed website. Scrape together the money and take the plunge that needs to be taken.
3. Buy that new camera I need desperately. (Man this profession is expensive)!
4. Feed my soul. Do things I want to do and need to do. Read a book, and write as much as I can. Really feel every emotion to its utmost potential.
5. Better my marriage. Love my husband even more, be a better wife, be more patient.
6. Be a better friend. Keep the relationships that I hold so dear to me. The friends I have are amazing, and I couldn't live without them. Spend more time and better quality time with them.
7. Become closer to God and pray more.
8. Try new baking recipes, start learning to play the guitar, learn to knit and sew. This goes along with doing things I want to do. I want to do it all, even if it takes me forever to do it.
9. Have more sessions this year. Every year for me has been an improvement, but I'm hoping this year will be a big year for me. I hope to be full time by the end of the year, it's going to take alot of hard work, but I can't wait.
10. Be a better daughter, sister, grandaughter, cousin, niece, whatever!
11. Find a way to start giving back the way I want to. Find the connections, get the word out, and help people who have been touched by the same hardships as I have felt. I AM SO EXCITED TO DO THIS! I can't wait to get this in motion!
12. Live, Laugh and Love more. I have been so blessed in my life. I have a wonderful family, beautiful friends I wouldn't trade for the world, and a job I can't wait to start doing full time. I want to eat more good food, spend more time in deep conversation with the ones I love, I want to drink more wine, laugh until I cry and feel the greatness of the life that God has given me.
What are your New Years Resolutions?
Have a wonderful Holiday Season! Merry Christmas!
Alyssa
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Clutter Surrounds Me
Have you ever noticed that no matter how long you live in a place there is always that box of stuff that never gets unpacked, but instead just magically grows feet and makes its way through your house (or apartment) in our case. Well, there is more than one box, there are several boxes that just keep shifting. We end up taking out of the boxes what we need at the moment, and then throw the box back on the shelf in the closet, or push the box to the side.
After just over a month of living in our new apartment, Josh is still using 3 to 4 boxes as a nightstand. Are those boxes empty? Of course they aren't. They are chock full of crap. I seriously don't know what's in any of them anymore. One box is full of camera gear that I don't use often. But I never NEVER throw a camera away. I have quite the collection started.
There are black velvet boxes full of books stashed on top of the shelf in the closet. Basically the bedroom is totally off limits to the 4 guests that have stopped by. Can you picture me trying to lift a box full of books over my head and onto the shelf, my huge muscles bulging? It takes all the strength I have to hoist it off the floor in one fluid movement. If its not in one fluid movement, forget it. As soon as my flow is compromised the grueling task has to start all over again because I swear on my life that I only have the muscles God was nice enough to provide me with when I was born. I'm teased all the time. I can't even open a jar.
If you know me well, you know that this clutter is seriously bothering me. I pick up probably three times a day. It makes my skin crawl, and my mother makes fun of me that when I have kids I won't be able to keep a pristine house. Yes, I have forgotten to empty the dishwasher on occasion, again last night I got the talk of "I don't know why you didn't empty the dishwasher while I was at work."
What I wanted to say? "I was to busy watching soap operas and eating bon bons that I really just couldn't take the time to empty that dishwasher.
This was what I thought after the first initial mean comeback I decided not to use:
"Well because I edited photos all morning until my eyeballs wanted to fall out, I made the bed, I picked up the house, I worked on my wedding session guide, I cleaned the dishes in the sink, I picked up the bathroom, and THEN, I went to target to get a new outfit for this weekend, I found something I liked, but you wouldn't like it so I trudged it over to Penny's and their clothes were a joke. I couldn't ever tell whether I was in the petites or the plus sizes. What the hell does misses mean? By then I was defeated, but decided to take my chances at the Macy's here in town... It smelled weird, but I kept going, searching and searching for a damn pencil skirt, no I dont want a tulip skirt, or an old lady length skirt, I'm talking about a pencil skirt. Did anyone help? No. And then I had to sneak in past these unobserving cashiers to get into the dressing room to try on these things as quickly as possible because I had to get to the grocery store to get the groceries and dinner all before you get home. Hallelujah they all fit, and I looked damn good in that skirt I found, so before I could talk myself out of the skirt, because I feel awful buying myself something I don't absolutely need, I ran to the counter as fast as I could, and waited while the lady ahead of me had a 15 minute conversation about the heart association that she already donates to, so she doesn't want to donate today with Macy's. I was then happy to find that I only had to pay 13.99 for the skirt, so after I got out to my car, I drove back over to target to grab some tights that I'm not going to wear like I thought I was. I then went to Safeway to buy your deodorant and toilet paper and that frozen pizza that I am so good at making. I got home, had to try on my outfit, and then because I dont know anyone down here, I ran (literally) in my heels to the leasing office to get the assistant managers opinion on my outfit. Your opinion is important to me obviously because when you say no to this outfit, and then "that's a little much for this occassion," I change right away and get all depressed because I liked that outfit, but I won't wear something you hate. I needed a womans opinion to tell me it looked nice. We got to talking, (like you know I like to do) and then all of a sudden after 15 minutes of talking to her I saw you drive up. You were home, I didn't have the dishes out of the dishwasher. (I'm going to hell). So while you are going to the bathroom I had to pick up all the crap I had left on the floor because I hate when you come home to a mess. I feel like a terrible wife. Half and hour later I am making that excellent 'homemade" pizza and have yet to empty the dishwasher.
And that was where we were. I only said half of this to Josh, but just picture how fast that was going through my head, and how fast I said the last half as I walked away to pick up a few more things before I sat down to edit a few more photos. Yes all the clutter was still in the house, and it's still here today. I might die with all this crap of ribbon, wrapping, camera gear, books, printer paper. It will never end because there is always something else I have to do... Like empty the dishwasher.
After just over a month of living in our new apartment, Josh is still using 3 to 4 boxes as a nightstand. Are those boxes empty? Of course they aren't. They are chock full of crap. I seriously don't know what's in any of them anymore. One box is full of camera gear that I don't use often. But I never NEVER throw a camera away. I have quite the collection started.
There are black velvet boxes full of books stashed on top of the shelf in the closet. Basically the bedroom is totally off limits to the 4 guests that have stopped by. Can you picture me trying to lift a box full of books over my head and onto the shelf, my huge muscles bulging? It takes all the strength I have to hoist it off the floor in one fluid movement. If its not in one fluid movement, forget it. As soon as my flow is compromised the grueling task has to start all over again because I swear on my life that I only have the muscles God was nice enough to provide me with when I was born. I'm teased all the time. I can't even open a jar.
If you know me well, you know that this clutter is seriously bothering me. I pick up probably three times a day. It makes my skin crawl, and my mother makes fun of me that when I have kids I won't be able to keep a pristine house. Yes, I have forgotten to empty the dishwasher on occasion, again last night I got the talk of "I don't know why you didn't empty the dishwasher while I was at work."
What I wanted to say? "I was to busy watching soap operas and eating bon bons that I really just couldn't take the time to empty that dishwasher.
This was what I thought after the first initial mean comeback I decided not to use:
"Well because I edited photos all morning until my eyeballs wanted to fall out, I made the bed, I picked up the house, I worked on my wedding session guide, I cleaned the dishes in the sink, I picked up the bathroom, and THEN, I went to target to get a new outfit for this weekend, I found something I liked, but you wouldn't like it so I trudged it over to Penny's and their clothes were a joke. I couldn't ever tell whether I was in the petites or the plus sizes. What the hell does misses mean? By then I was defeated, but decided to take my chances at the Macy's here in town... It smelled weird, but I kept going, searching and searching for a damn pencil skirt, no I dont want a tulip skirt, or an old lady length skirt, I'm talking about a pencil skirt. Did anyone help? No. And then I had to sneak in past these unobserving cashiers to get into the dressing room to try on these things as quickly as possible because I had to get to the grocery store to get the groceries and dinner all before you get home. Hallelujah they all fit, and I looked damn good in that skirt I found, so before I could talk myself out of the skirt, because I feel awful buying myself something I don't absolutely need, I ran to the counter as fast as I could, and waited while the lady ahead of me had a 15 minute conversation about the heart association that she already donates to, so she doesn't want to donate today with Macy's. I was then happy to find that I only had to pay 13.99 for the skirt, so after I got out to my car, I drove back over to target to grab some tights that I'm not going to wear like I thought I was. I then went to Safeway to buy your deodorant and toilet paper and that frozen pizza that I am so good at making. I got home, had to try on my outfit, and then because I dont know anyone down here, I ran (literally) in my heels to the leasing office to get the assistant managers opinion on my outfit. Your opinion is important to me obviously because when you say no to this outfit, and then "that's a little much for this occassion," I change right away and get all depressed because I liked that outfit, but I won't wear something you hate. I needed a womans opinion to tell me it looked nice. We got to talking, (like you know I like to do) and then all of a sudden after 15 minutes of talking to her I saw you drive up. You were home, I didn't have the dishes out of the dishwasher. (I'm going to hell). So while you are going to the bathroom I had to pick up all the crap I had left on the floor because I hate when you come home to a mess. I feel like a terrible wife. Half and hour later I am making that excellent 'homemade" pizza and have yet to empty the dishwasher.
And that was where we were. I only said half of this to Josh, but just picture how fast that was going through my head, and how fast I said the last half as I walked away to pick up a few more things before I sat down to edit a few more photos. Yes all the clutter was still in the house, and it's still here today. I might die with all this crap of ribbon, wrapping, camera gear, books, printer paper. It will never end because there is always something else I have to do... Like empty the dishwasher.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Bad Things Happen To Good People...
I found out really early that being home alone all day is not my strong suit. I make the bed, empty the dishwasher, do the laundry and then work, and then do it all over again the next day. Talk about driving me crazy. Hopefully, soon things will be picking up even more (I'm editing a session right now and I have two more coming up). I can't wait till I am busy! Oh how glorious it will be! Until then, this is what happens when I have nothing to do while taking a break from editing. I know this is a scary picutre, if you have small children you might want to cover their eyes! Have a wonderful day!
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