Hello old friend. I am back. Something about a new year, and a little needed rest, that makes me want to write. I think all creatives love a fresh start, the opportunity to set goals, dream, plan, re-establish priorities. At all times times I have a million ideas running through my mind. For me, the new year is always a time to look at those ideas and TRY to focus myself.

These are just a few of the ideas I would like to work on in 2012;

1. Ok its at the top of the list every year, get fit and healthy. excercise more, eat better. Get rid of man made food, eat more of the good stuff God gave us. More organic, whole foods. Build a chicken coop.

2. Simplify…my life, my work, my closet. Watch less TV, get outside more, grow a garden, sit on the porch with family and friends.Go Camping. Go to bed earlier. Take in the small moments, Life is passing by too fast.

3. Create more art. Im going to speak honestly, when what you love becomes a business, it is easy sometimes to get caught up in what the main stream is doing, and lose sight of what you love, what you want to create. The exact thing that people loved about your work in the first place. This year I want to sit with my clients and talk about what we can create that will be special to them for a lifetime. Something that has mood and emotion. Incorporate a little more traditional portraiture. Check out my Pinterest Gallery Here, these are images Ive been collecting for the past year. They are what I love, They Inspire me, I want to create more of this…

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Danielle turned me on to this guy, and I have to say Im so drawn to his films. This one, called The Birdman, made me tear up. I think its because Chris took the time to tell his story, a guy that probably hasnt had many folks sit with him and want to know about his life. It really made me want to start a project like this in our area (if only I had time for another project). So often we go through our days thinking about ourselves and all we have to do, but it would really mean so much to so many, if we just took the time to ask about their life.

The Birdhouse Man from Chris Wiegand on Vimeo.

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My daughter left for a mission trip with church today, for a whole week. I admit, even though the house will be a little more peaceful with out the normal mom/teenage daughter drama, I will miss her and worry about her terribly. ( Im a worrier) I saw this online today and thought I would share it with you guys, and my sweet girl, A. (Note to Annelore: Most everything applies except line 9, and 18, and play close attention to lines 2, 4, and 27)

(P.S. Puffy Sleeves were in then)

(P.P.S. They probably weren’t.)

Her 15(beautiful)

Me 15/16 (hahahaa)

1. you are not fat.

2. he is not The One. it will seem like he is, but he is not.

3. you do not have to smile for every single picture.

4. you are not going to believe this but you do not know everything. also, your parents are right. about so many things.

5. your studio art class will spend a whole quarter on photography. PAY BETTER ATTENTION.

6. that little 110 camera you love so much is a total piece of crap. people call it a toy camera now but really, it’s crap. beg your parents to buy you an old used 35mm SLR. then shoot roll after roll after roll of film. and throw out the flash.

7. remember how good it feels to do a back handspring. in a few years, that skill will be long gone.

8. diet coke is not the answer.

9. do not listen to the people who tell you you cannot be a dancer because you don’t have enough training, didn’t start early enough and don’t have the right body. more specifically, do not listen to that teacher who tells you to eat only saltine crackers for a week in order to drop a few pounds. in a few years, you’ll discover modern dance and your world will crack wide open. suddenly, ballet will seem like a stupid idea and everything else will make sense. you will go on to do things you were told you could not do. and it will feel spectacular.

10. you know that awesome color photobooth at the kmart two minutes from your house? visit it regularly.

11. you’re going to get a letter from that girl you stood up for in P.E. class. you thought what you did didn’t really mean anything to her but it did, it really did. her letter will make you cry and you will be glad you took on the mean girls.

12. wear anything you want. because you can.

13. enjoy the widespread availability of polaroid film.

14. keep writing.

15. do not wear those vintage spectator pumps to that choir competition. your left heel will get caught in the crack of the risers and you will inadvertantly flip it several feet into the air. it will land with a dull thud right in front of that table of somber-looking judges and you will be forced to walk (one shoe on, one shoe off) in front of hundreds of people to the center of the gymnasium to retrieve it. you will not die from the embarrassment. but it will feel like it.

16. take that typing class.

17. and when your mom offers to teach you how to sew, do not blow her off.

18. do not stop writing letters to your french penpal.

19. you are totally right about vintage clothing. stock up now before thrift stores everywhere are sucked dry by the masses.

20. make grandma corrona teach you how to make her bread. she will tell you it’s nothing, that it’s just ordinary bread but you will eventually come to realize that it is, in fact, the best bread in the world.

21. take bigger risks. because I promise, you really will regret it if you don’t.

22. boys are generally not worth it.

23. you don’t really need all that black eyeliner. really.

24. and while we’re on the subject, beware of all cosmetic counter makeovers.

25. you are never going to find that party on graduation night. you and your friend michelle will drive around for hours and hours and find yourselves in the middle of nowhere at three in the morning. you will feel a little scared but even worse, you will feel stupid. this is so not the way to spend graduation night. and so not the memory you want to have.

26. do not slather yourself with baby oil and lay out on foil mats. furthermore, wear sunscreen. ALL. THE. TIME.

27. your dad is totally right about that whole time thing. twenty years, gone. just like that.

28. seriously, you are not fat.

via hulaseventy

via

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I finally broke down and got a new iphone. I have been living with the cracked glass long enough. I love a new beginning! So my newest addiction is Instagram. But… In my defense, this isnt just another waste of my time, because… Im going to use it as a sort of photo diary of my life and my children (see resolution #1). I have great intentions of actually printing these and not just letting them live in my phone.

My 15 year old being silly!

Spend the night company.

Cool glasses Sam made at Bible School.

We brought our golf carts out to shoot the wedding Saturday. The girls were great sports about the new locations we wanted to try.

Our turn to host supper club. Sadies cousin was visiting from England, so we had to treat her to a little southern fare…Fried pork chops, fried green tomatoes, fried okra, fried corn, butter beans, corn bread, pear salad, and Pioneer Woman’s Blackberry Cobbler with Ice Cream. Our friends know to wear their fat pants when they come to our house . The blackberries and Blue Willow were provided by my grandmother.

Sam entertained the kids with the sparlklers I brought from Saturdays wedding. He has learned to be excited about the favors.

He spent the day with me at work on Tuesday. FYI his shirt was wet from the supersoakers at BIble School.

He made a prayer journal at bible school, and while he was at the studio with me I told him he should write in his prayer journal, this is what he came up with all on his own.

My favorite flower.

And the highlight of my week was spending yesterday with my favorite designers Ashley & Amanda shooting homes for her new site. You all know how I love design.

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Ever hear a quote that seems to just speak to you on that given day? Today..

via Two Ellie

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My daughter is lifeguarding this summer. Her first job and Im so proud of her. This is for her.

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Im getting really close to my birthday before the BIG birthday. Its got me thinking about life and goals. Ive always been a go getter, very competitive and just pretty stubborn about accomplishing something I want. I spent my 20s and early 30′s working out, lifting weights, I was pretty fit. And now UGH! Im not. Ive spent my 30′s pretty focused on building a business. I really want to celebrate my… Uh Um…”Big” birthday, next year, in great shape. I need to find some motivation.. I saw this today, again on Deb Schwendhelm’s Blog, ( I swear Im not going to link to her every post, but they are just so good) Makes me want to run to the gym now. Do you guys have any tips for getting back in shape, and staying motivated?

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You were born a daughter.
You looked up to your mother.
You looked up to your father.
You looked up at everyone.
You wanted to be a princess.
You thought you were a princess.
You wanted to own a horse.
You wanted to be a horse.
You wanted your brother to be a horse.
You wanted to wear pink.
You never wanted to wear pink.
You wanted to be a Veterinarian.
You wanted to be President.
You wanted to be the President’s Veterinarian.
You were picked last for the team.
You were the best one on the team.
You refused to be on the team.
You wanted to be good in algebra.
You hid during algebra.
You wanted the boys to notice you.
You were afraid the boys would notice you.
You started to get acne.
You started to get breasts.
You started to get acne that was bigger than your breasts.
You wouldn’t wear a bra.
You couldn’t wait to wear a bra.
You couldn’t fit into a bra.
You didn’t like the way you looked.
You didn’t like the way your parents looked.
You didn’t want to grow up.
You had your first best friend.
You had your first date.
You had your second best friend.
You had your second first date.
You spent hours on the telephone.
You got kissed.
You got to kiss back.
You went to the prom.
You didn’t go to the prom.
You went to the prom with the wrong person.
You spent hours on the telephone.
You fell in love.
You fell in love.
You fell in love.
You lost your best friend.
You lost your other best friend.
You really fell in love.
You became a steady girlfriend.
You became a significant other.
YOU BECAME SIGNIFICANT TO YOURSELF.

Sooner or later, you start taking yourself seriously. You know when you need a break. You know when you need a rest. You know what to get worked up about and what to get rid of. And you know when it’s time to take care of yourself, for yourself. To do something that makes you stronger, faster, more complete.

Because you know it’s never too late to have a life. And never too late to change one.

JUST DO IT

- Nike

Via The Real Jenty

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