Cheese!

I hope you all have a blessed day.
xxoo,
Frootie!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

30 days of Thankfulness

Back in November I posted daily on Facebook what I was thankful for. Now, I want to compile those things here.

Nov 1. I am thankful for Clinton's air popped popcorn. He taught Nora about it today. See photo.

Nov 2. I am thankful for Ella. She is funny, spunky, rambunctious, and awesomely smart. I love that she loves Nora so much. She's a great step-daughter!

Bonus: is not thankful for stinky cigarette smoke. Boo smokers!

nov 3. I am thankful for my job even though some days it makes me crazy. I am thankful for coworkers old and new. You all rock.

Nov 4. Today and everyday I am thankful for my awesome husband. He is so good to me and the girls.

Nov 5. Today I am thankful for a warm bed that I had to get out of much too early and for the hot shower that followed.

Nov 6th. Today I am thankful for a great childcare provider. Thank You Marie for taking care of baby Nora for us.

Nov 7. Today I am so thankful for waffle house. Thanks for breakfast waffle house!

Nov 8. Today I am thankful that payday is only 4 days away. Money stresses me out.

Nov 9. Today I am thankful for God knowing what is best for us all. I am thankful for unanswered prayers and prayers answered before they are even prayed.

Nov 10. Today I am thankful for all the friends/contacts I have via the interwebs.

Nov 11. Today I am thankful for our Veterans and Sarah Shaw. Veterans, thank you for your sacrifices to keep my country safe and at peace. We love you and pray for you. Sarah Shaw, thank you for being a great friend and Auntie! I hope you have a super birthday!

Nov 12. Today I am thankful for McDonald's breakfast. Yum!

Nov 13. Today I am thankful that I brought a brown fluffy blanket into the field.

Nov 14. Today I'm thankful for an 8 point buck. And for not losing my hearing.

Nov 15. Today I am thankful that Mammoie kept Nora for us but I am ready to have her back.

Nov 16. Today I am thankful for the cuddly baby who kept me up most of the night. She is a silly girl and I was sad to not be sleeping...but so happy she wanted to cuddle with me.

Nov 17. Today I am thankful for Kelly who is getting Married in 3 days!! Kelly you are a good gal and you are a super friend to one of my best friends, Ryan. Oh, I am thankful for Ryan too. I love you guys.

Nov 18. Today I am thankful that I get to see my dearest friend Rachel Kissel tomorrow!

Nov 19. Today and everyday I am thankful for Air1 and K-Love.

Nov 20. Today I am thankful for Don and Donna's eggs benedict and time with my friends Al, Erin, and Dustin!

Nov 21. Today I am thankful for wonderful parents. I was blessed with 4! How lucky am I? Then, I married a man with wonderful parents too....We are blessed!

Nov 22. Today I am thankful that we have food to eat. Food is one of my favorite things.

Nov 23. Today I am thankful for KET or PBS. They have the best kids shows. I love when I get to watch Cat in the Hat, Super WHY, Dino Train, Sid the Science Kid, and Sesame with Nora.

Nov 24. Today I am thankful for my husband who takes care of me and our girls. He is wonderful.

Nov 25. Today I am thankful to have spent the day in BG with family and that in BG we can listen to Nashville's Ghetto music. Yey-ah! Lolsies.

Bonus: Not thankful for this nasty storm. Thankful Clinton is driving not me.

Nov 26. Today I am thankful that the sun is shining, that Nora is still asleep, and that my wonderful parents are coming to watch Nora for us while we work today. Good luck Black Friday Shoppers. Be safe!

Nov 27. Today I am thankful for my little baby. She is 9 months old today!

Nov 28. Today I am thankful for all my close friends and family. My blessings are abundant.

Nov 29. Today I am thankful for online shopping. Christmas isn't about greed and presents. Online shopping saves me from being out there with the people who don't understand the real reason for the season.

Nov 30. Today I am thankful the vacation light at the end of the tunnel.

xxoo,

Frootie!

Naughty pajamas.....

In response to Bec's post....

Xxoo,
Frootie!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

The wedding I didn't shoot

A few weeks ago I went to Indiana to shoot a wedding for a friend. I knew she had hired another photographer after she hired me and that she was only going to have one of us shoot the

wedding...and I was really hoping I was going to be the one shooting the wedding...I wasn't. I was sad. I still am sad.

I am terribly disappointed in the photos I took and I just feel like a fraud. I feel like I shouldn't take the money that her parents paid me -- but on the other hand, I did what the bride asked me to do. I took photos of her getting ready for the day and also of the reception. Problem is...I photograph love. LOVE. I am not good at photographing groups of adults. So many adults dodge the camera, make ugly faces, hold their hand up to hide, etc. Why are people

like that? Taking photos of a wedding reception for the bride is my job...you people cooperate!

Details. I like details. They are easy subjects to control.

The beautiful bride getting ready:

The Reception...a few good ones:

xxoo,

Frootie!

I need a camera bag

This camera bag.

CLOVER

oh-em-gee it is so cute!

xxoo,

Frootie!

Remind me again...

Why do we buy our kids toys?

Right now Nora is in the living room floor, toys all around her, and yet - she is playing with her carseat. Tugging on the tightening cord and kicking it so it rocks back and forth.

She also highly enjoys:

-pulling dvds off the shelf one by one.

-Clearing off one of the shelves on the entertainment center.

-banging the metal dog bowls on the floor or just dragging them around.

-crinkling empty mt dew cans or empty plastic cups.

-shaking her container of puffs.

-taking laundry out of the dryer.

That last one is really helpful.

xxoo,

Frootie!

Dream home wants

Doesn't everyone have a dream home? I do. Here are the things I want:

1. Bedrooms that look like Hotel rooms. Each with their own bathroom. Yeah!

2. Comfort and fashion. Style and quirkiness.

3. Extra insulation, low flow faucets, water saving toilets, super green. Low carbon footprint...

4. A wine cellar.

5. An ultra fancy master bath.

Here are the things Prince C wants:

1. A stone exterior.

2. A detached man cave/game room (I already said no)

3. A theatre room

4. A master's suite. (I don't even know what that is....)

5. An archery range in the back yard.

xxoo,

Frootie!

Forever Home Wishlist - Real Life

Someday Prince C and I will get to shop for our forever home. I can't wait. Problem is, we both have champagne taste and well, sweet tea budget.

Here are 5 things I want in our forever home:

1. Storage, but not a lot of square footage. More square feet, more to clean. Maybe I can hire my friend Dawn. Anyone need a great housekeeper -- Let me know, Dawn rocks it.

2. A spacious eat-in kitchen. Ikea cabinets and countertops. Why? Because they have classic beautiful kitchens for a third of the price you'd find it at Lowes or Home Depot.

3. Wood floors.

4. An all brick or unique exterior.

5. 2 closets in the master bedroom. My husband has a lot of clothes.

One bonus thing I will make sure the home doesn't have -- Tiny bits of wall between door frames and the corner of the room. Those are hella hard to paint yo.

Here are 5 things Prince C wants:

1. 5 acres

2. A big kitchen

3. An open floor plan

4. Outdoor living space that is nice for relaxing and hosting cookouts

5. A nice Master's area. I assume he means a giant bedroom with room for a giant bed for ...well you know...resting, book reading, and television viewing ;)

xxoo,

Frootie!

My Stunner.

She's 8 months old folks! She's a heart-breaker.


xxoo,

Frootie!

Nora's first Halloween

Nora at 8 months 4 days as a giraffe.
Ella at 6 years as a vampire.

We are loaded with candy...

xxoo,

Frootie!

Dinner and a Movie

Tonight on TBS the great movie "Ricky Bobby" is playing. I love this movie.

As I was walking down the hall to put Nora in the bath, I heard that it was part of their Dinner and Movie series. My first thought was, "Gee, how romantic". Note the over dramatic sarcasm. And yet, here I am watching it, eating oreos with milk while Prince C is working on deer jerky. It isn't romantic, but it's a heck of a Friday night.

I love my life.

xxoo,

Frootie!

Terrible Day

I had a terrible day today. It's days like today that I need a reminder of the things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for:

My Husband. He is brilliant, sweet, totally sexy, and adoring. He is a wonderful father and a perfect best friend. I am so blessed to have him. Just about 2 years ago he told me he loved me for the first time. We were in bed, getting ready to fall asleep and I said "Goodnight" and he replied, "I love you". It was so cool. It still is.

My Step Kiddo. She is beautiful, hilarious, crazy, and smart. First grade is treating her well. She is learning so fast. Seeing her with Nora is so cool...They are the best of friends already.

My Baby. Nora, you are all that I could wish for and all that I have ever wanted all mixed up with everything I have never wanted and never wished for. You are my perfect, lovable, screamy, dramatic baby. I love you more than I could ever ever imagine loving anyone or anything.

My parents. God truly outdid himself with my family. My mom, dad, stepdad, and stepmom are all wonderful in their own little ways. Thank you for everything. (I don't have silly pictures of them, or I would add them....)

Everyone else. How many of us realize that every single person in our life is a blessing. Good, bad, and ugly - they all mold us into the people that we are and God put everyone in their perfect places, in the role that they are meant to play in our life. Other assorted family, friends, strangers, etc - they are all here for a reason.

I love my life. Today was a tough one. Tomorrow will be better.

xxoo,

Frootie!

I am just not sure

I am not going to air all the laundry on here but some of my favorite people are in a rough patch, one that they may not get out of.

AND they may end up stuck in that rough patch all alone.

Ugly words have been said and tears have been cried. It appears to be a lost cause.

Fortunately God is a fixer of lost causes. Prayers to The Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Saint Jude...maybe some others if that's what you believe for this sweet family that is crumbling.

xxoo,

Frootie!

Things will get easier, and you should be alive to see it.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=592846987806

I don't know how to embed video. I guess I should learn.

God Bless the GLBT young people and all the struggles they face due to senseless bullying.

xxoo,

Frootie!

Easy Vegetarian (like really really easy)

-peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches (vegan)
-cheese and crackers
-tomato soup
-oreos!
-pretzel m&ms
-spaghetti with tomato sauce (vegan)
-mac n cheese


xxoo,
Frootie!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.0

Fall Family Photos

Thoughts on being Married

Lately I have been thinking a lot about being married. Many of my facebook friends are getting married and I meet customers everyday who are getting married and it just gets me thinking about my past and my present and the future too (while I am at it, I might as well cover it all...).

There is a big part of me that wants to give these people advice. Strangers and FB friends don't need my advice....but on the other hand - I have advice and I believe it's helpful advice. So, I am going to post it here, it's my blog. I can do what I want. I am not really sure where to start, so this is just a hodge-podge list.

1. There are 2 kinds of marriage. Marriages that are hard and marriages that are easy. Both kinds of marriage can work if the husband and wife work together. Obviously the easy marriage is the EASY one, hence the name. Easy marriages don't have arguments or struggles. Easy marriages make the best of every situation and love a lot. Hard marriages have struggles. They are still worth it, don't worry, but they are hard. There are fights and hard times and disappointments. But, there's still a lot of love -- you just have to look harder to find it and work harder to create it.

2. TALK. Communicate. Text message. Email. Hold hands. Spend time together. Enjoy each other. Be together when you are together AND when you are apart. You are a unit. Remember that whole two become one bit when you said your vows? Yeah? Well how about you live that out. Remember those vows. Ask questions. Say thank you. Tell your spouse your feelings and show them your feelings too. Just because you are married doesn't meant they can read your mind.

3. Never ever let someone else into your marriage. Your marriage is between you, your spouse, and God. God is the only outside help you need. If you go to counseling, seek a Godly guide. Don't bring your girlfriends (or worse the opposite sex) into your marriage. Their opinions do not matter. You matter and your spouse matters. That's it.

4. Make babies. In my opinion - the sooner the better. It is said that "a baby changes everything", so why not let that baby change things before you and your husband are too set in your ways? Now, now, don't think I am telling you to have children to try to save a marriage....I am not. I am telling you to have a baby if you both want a baby and you are ready...just don't wait too long, because there is never a right time to have a baby -- they will always wreak havoc on your life, but they are so so worth it.

5. OR don't make babies. Know the person you are marrying. Do they want children? Do they want to retire young? Are they spenders or savers? Messy or tidy? Do they have a high or low sex drive? Seem like simple questions, sure -- but how many married couples run into these issues within the first few months? Many, many.

6. You never know someone until you live with them.

7. DON'T marry *too* young. Live your life. Build a career. Meet people. Sew oats. I mean it.

8. If you have cold feet or regrets before the wedding bells....maybe you SHOULD back out.

9. This is going to sound contrary to number 1 BUT there are some marriages that can't be fixed. There are situations where people just aren't happy once the vows are said. Don't become too cynical before you admit that nothing can fix it. Find the medium between giving up and getting out before you lose yourself. There are some things that just aren't meant to be. Your happiness and theirs is important. We only get one ride here on earth, don't waste it fighting for a marriage that isn't worth fighting for. Lately I have also been thinking about that phrasing "fighting for" things. Is a marriage something to "fight for" or should it be something that doesn't need to be "fought for"? (ug, I told you there may be some contradictions).

10. Marriage is a gift. If your dating relationship and your engagement doesn't feel like a gift, maybe it's not meant to be. Every moment with "The One" feels like floating. You'd rather be with them than anyone else. Your time with them is precious. They are your gift straight from God. And he doesn't make mistakes.

11. Marry. It's a lot like Merry. So shouldn't you be Merry when you are married?

xxoo,

Frootie!

Nora with her Great Great Grandma

Today Nora got to hang with her Great-Great Mamaw Helen Clark. It was cool. Also in the picture her Great-Grandma Doris Jones.

It was a good day for the baby.

xxoo,

Frootie!

Oxymoronic

Yesterday I complained that Carter's made a onesie for "Baby's First Birthday" that was a 24 month size.... Hmmm.

Today I had a moment like that at Starbucks. I ordered a Venti Nonfat Iced Latte add whip. Hmmm.

xxoo,
Frootie!

My baby is growing up too fast...

6 months old already. In all technicality, 6 months and 1 week already.

A few pictures from Mary and Josh's Wedding