New Years Eve

It is New Years Eve and I am sitting on the couch in our living room. The birds (well, one bird in particular) is just tweet tweetting away and the other (Candi) is sitting with her head tilted and for all the world she looks like she is listening to the John Coltrane cd currently playing on our blu-ray player. We had New Years Eve Fettuccine which was taken from The Holiday-- one of Jered's favorite movies-- which we watched on Christmas morning while laying in our couch-bed.

I awoke with two very inflamed eyes this morning which was disappointing because I'd woken up with Pink Eye last Monday and missed work but went to the walk-in and got a prescription for eye dropps which I'd used religiously every four hours for three days like I was supposed to. And here it was, Saturday morning and I had crusty gunk in my eyes and they were burning and red and all in all, I felt completely miserable. This was all besides my popping sinuses and inflamed throat. Oh, the joys of a early-winter cold.

Jered had said something about going for a walk/run today and since at 11a it was 60 degrees, I couldn't really stay inside-- Pink Eye and razor-blade-throat or no. We walked four times around the park by Maranatha (2.4 miles in all) and by the end, I was feeling a bit better. We arrived home by 1:00 and I threw open all the windows and sliding doors and allowed the uncommonly gentle December breeze flow through the house. My thought is that it cleaned all those terrible Pink-Eye inducing toxins out, but perhaps that is just my thought. Jered worked on editing a wedding video and I worked on number crunching Artistic Imagery's year-end stats. I like to do this every NY Eve. I also like to take down the Christmas tree which is also something I accomplished today.

Dinner was made with Diana Krall crooning in the background and it consisted of pan-fried chicken that had been marinated in citrus vokda, garlic, onion and salt. I coated the pan with lemon grapeseed oil before cooking. Our fettuccine was served with the chicken and some steamed vegetables. For our beverage, we indulged in eggnog.
We are going to finish a movie we began last night called The Good Year with Russle Crowe. It wasn't quite good enough to keep our attention last night and I'm not sure it'll be rewarding tonight either. However, we should at least finish it.

That's all for now. Nice, calm New Years Eve.

Christmas season

Our dear friend, Aimee, gave us her Christmas tree this year since she has a tiny apartment and can't set one up. Since it is the thing to do, here are a couple photos of our Christmas tree.

Aunt Charlotte was in town this past weekend and we had dinner with her, Dad and Lisa last night in celebration of Lisa's birthday. We took pictures, I'll have to get them up some time here soon.

I got all our Christmas shopping done today with the help of Amazon.com. It's my first day off after my 6-in-a-row and this weekend was ridiculous. I'm quite done with all things retail. It seems the closer it gets to Christmas, the meaner people get. Can't wait for January and I can't believe I'm saying that!



First truely cold run

I pushed myself to 3 miles although I really was inclined to give up after 2.5. We went shopping this past Saturday and picked up some great winter-wear (fleece!) and it was good to have good gear to go out in. As an aside, let me just say what a fabulous and supporting husband I have. Instead of telling me I was crazy for wanting to continue my runs in the winter, instead of trying to dissuade me or giving me that disbelieving or disapproving look I've been inclined to get lately from others, Jered was pretty gung-ho about helping me get the right gear. He, of course, is extraordinarily knowledgeable about all things athletic and I think perhaps he felt flattered that I sought his knowledge about cold weather sports (such as running). We picked out matching outerwear (by coincidence that one particular style was on sale) and boy, that came in handy today on it's inaugural run!

The bank said it was 24 degrees when I left work at 4p on the dot and drove over to the park by Maranatha. There was some lady walking her dog and that was it. The sky was gray and flocks of geese flew over head. It was terribly windy and at first, I worried that my fleece (!!!) running pants weren't going to keep me warm. And of course, everyone knows about my crazy fingers that get all numb and bloodless when I get cold. They went all tingly and then numb but started hurting around the first mile  so I knew they were warming up. And my pants were more than adequate and the only and last thing that I told Jered I need to invest in is a mouth cover to warm the air I breathe in. Thankfully, he knew exactly what I was trying to describe.

The best part is really the ability to be out side in nature even though it is 24 degrees outside. My body is not designed for temperatures below about 45. This is seen easily by the five fingers that always go numb. But I love being outside. I really dislike being cooped up for any extended amount of time and this is the reason I despise winter. Perhaps this year, it won't be so bad. Perhaps I might even enjoy January. . .

but that's pushing it.

Another month

November flew by. I was quite busy at work for sure. Started my new position November 7th and went on from there. For my birthday, we went out to dinner on the Plaza Saturday night (Jack Stack) and stayed in a suite at Fairfield Inn at the Legends. Good times. Jered got me the new Coldplay CD plus the Eclipse soundtrack.

Aimee's 30th bday was this month. Our friend Robyn came back in town and we did dinner. Good times.

Thanksgiving was crazy as well. Dinner at Mom's house Wednesday night, our Turkey-Day 5k Thursday morning (we ran the first mile then walked/ran the other 2 for a grand total time of about 45 minutes). Lunch at the Feldmans's and dinner at Grandma Marian's. I had to be back at Target at 11p to open at midnight. Apparently, some Occupy KC protesters were there and we had to call the police. Of course, I say, let them protest! If everyone goes home we can go back to bed! Of course it was the busiest Black Friday in years so I guarantee this'll be a yearly thing from here on out.

Madison came back in town on Thanksgiving and I hung out with her all day Tuesday. Heard some great stories. Glad to have her back in town at least for a while. The weather has been extraordinary lately. I don't work today till 1:30 so I went running outside. I even had to take off my fleece jacket! Hope all December is as fabulous.

Anyway, that's about it for now. Here's some photos:

In this photo Jami and I are playing Sonic on our ps2. I am aparently quite into the game.

Madison and I at Planet Sub. After dinner, the three of us when to see Sam's bball game.

Us at dinner for Aimee's 30th Bday.

Fall

Yesterday was the first day of November and I worked at 6am and then went running after work. It was beautiful outside. The trees aren't as bright and vivid as they are some years but I've heard it's because it's been so dry and the summer was so hot. It's made engagement pictures more difficult to shoot. I had an engagement shoot on Monday (yes, Halloween) and we began at the Plaza at the J C Nichols fountain and I KNOW that there are trees out there that should be bright yellow and orange. . . and they're not. I mean, I can still get some good shots, but it's just not the same.

Today is quite gloomy. I drove home from Lawrence (where I'm training this week for my bakery position) and it was a white-knuckle experience. Anybody who's driven with me in the rain knows what I'm talking about. I mean radio down, both hands on the wheel, unblinking, stiff shouldered, white knuckle driving. I'm not a good rain driver let alone a highway rain driver. Forget you, 70-mph speed-limit sign, I will exercise my right to go 50mph and not a tiddle more!

I thought I'd post some nice fall pics on this here  blog. There's quite a few on the hard drive of this computer and sure, I'm not putting *that* much effort into it, but hey. Pretty Autumn Days, this is for you.

This photo is a bit old, but pretty. This was taken in November of '07 at Riverview Park. Ahhh Riverview Park .

This photo is of Renato, Amanda, and Laura in our sunroom in Hannibal carving pumpkins. This was in '06 I believe.

This photo might seem narcissistic but Jered took it. I believe this was also in '06.

K. That's all I could find. We're on to Youth Group now. Peace!



No photos this time

So since I've last posted, life has certainly turned itself quite upside down. First, we moved out of our KCK apartment into a cozy two bedroom house out in west Shawnee. I mean WEST. We're out past K-7 and quite in the country.

I LOVE this house. If we could, I would live here possibly the next several years. The only drawback I can see is that it is only a 2-bedroom. Well, see, our 5-7 year plan has quickly dwindled down to a 1-3 year plan and although I'm still not sold on the whole have-a-baby-thing, my dear friend, Liesl, has opened our eyes to the miracle of adoption. Bonus that Target Corp actually helps out with the financial cost of adoptions. Nice.

Which brings me to my work situation. I went through all the interviews and was offered the chance to move up in Target corp and be a Team Lead in the bakery. They've been getting at me to step up to a team lead since December but you know what? I really didn't want a 40-hour a week job that required weekends and some holidays, etc. What about our photography business??? But finally, they wore me down :) and I accepted the position. I begin training this coming week. And, not kidding, the week after I was offered the position, I booked three weddings in June. Three. It was kinda like, God, Really? Really??

But He is good and you know what? I found out that all three weddings happen on alternating Saturdays in June. Here's the thing, I have to work every-other weekend. So. Worked out nicely. Might be a bit hectic, but when is our life not?

October has been crazy busy. All of a sudden about two weeks ago, everybody under the sun decided they needed engagement photos and family photos and by golly the leaves are changing so we need to do this NOW! Not that I'm in the middle of moving into a new house or anything. Nevermind that I'm going to interview after interview for the TL position. Nevermind that I'm working 40 hours a week because we're so short staffed. Oh, ALL OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, you want your engagement pictures NOW and not LATER because the TREESARESOPRETTYOHWENEEDTODOTHISNOW!

So. Been busy.

We have a wedding in Quincy Illinois this Tuesday (at 3pm no less) so we're traveling to Hannibal tomorrow to meet up with our renters and relax and go for a walk at Riverview Park. I'm excited about that at least :)

Sorry this is a picture-less blog. I'm currently at a Starbucks checking email and such because we have yet to get Internet at our house. One small price to pay for such a lovely, love place to live.

Yesterday's Wedding Extravaganza!

I know I usually don't post wedding pictures on this blog. We do have an entire blog devoted to our business. But you know what? I photographed two weddings yesterday *and* Jered had his own wedding to film. yikes! 9-10-11, don'cha know? That's the date. Well. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and I just can't help but post a couple pics from the second wedding I was at yesterday. Not to chose one over the other, but my second wedding was outside and the sky was so AMAZING! I just can't help myself. Seriously. Look at this lighting I got to work with. It was stunning. I should always be so lucky. So anyway, a couple of these images are just photos I grabbed around this campsite that their wedding/reception was located. A couple of the images are of the couple, Erin & Kyle. Oh what a joy to cover two absolutely beautiful weddings in one day. I'll post these photos & Tricia & Marty's photos up on AI's blog later, I promise!!

Yes, this next shot is of our car. Seriously, I told you. I just couldn't help myself!

Labor Day, etc

We went to the Feldman Parents's house this past Labor Day for a firebowl night and grilling. Yum. Ribs and burgers and brats, oh my! The whole family (minus Candace, of course) was in attendance and it was actually quite the nice evening. Jered helped keep the fire going with the nephews and I took lots of pictures. Here's a sample:

On another note, the sunrise was absolutely beautiful this morning on my way to work. I happened to still have the digital camera in the car so as I was driving down I-435, I snapped some shots out the window (I slowed down to 60 mph at least!) I couldn't quite get the majesty of the rolling fog in the valley before the Kansas River, but you get the idea.

I'm going to be sad when the sun's not up with me on my way to work. Probably less than one month from now. I. Will. Not. Dwell.

Moving on. I've been checking out CDs from the library lately. Yesterday, I picked up a Bad Religion CD and also an Ellie Goulding CD. I will not say that either are disappointing. Yet. I listened to half of each and they really didn't grab me but I'll give them both some ear time and make my decision later. There are a few albums out there that didn't really make me take notice at first but then did gradually grow on me. A couple have even become some favorites. It's hard to judge, though, when there are albums out there that captured my attention straight from the get-go (classic Coldplay and their Rush of Blood to the Head is one that immediately comes to mind as does Laura Marling's I Speak Because I Can).

Bad Religion is a throw back to high school days when I dipped my toe in punk. Ellie Goulding was an artist LastFm.com told me I'd like. Again, we'll see.

All for now.

update on life. movies, music, weddings

Some things I've been watching/ listening to:

We watched Across the Universe last Thursday. All Beatle's music redone and then turned into a movie. Much cooler than that little description implies. Definitely gets a little psychedelic about half way through for a solid 45 minutes. Bunches of video filters that Jered's camcorder eight years ago could do. I think some of those effects were on our vacation video from 2003. Just saying. I could've done without that.

This is a classic CD. I remember listening to it back in 2006 and I thought it was pretty dark. Well, it is pretty dark, but sometimes those things need to be said. Favorites on the disk: Work, Oh My God, Good Monsters (of course).

We also recently re watched Bright Star, the movie based on John Keats. I like the cinematography and the lighting. I wish my wedding photos looked like this movie. It's one of Jered's favorite movies too. The love story between a poet and a heads-strong young lady. Nice.

So I think one of the last times I posted, I talked about Jem & Em, this great hammered dulcimer CD I got from the renfest back in the day. I'm still listening to it. In fact, as I was typing this, I got on Jered's computer and got this CD up on Itunes. Oh yeah. Fall time now! All I need to do is light my pumpkin candles I got in Weston on Saturday and we're SET. Nothing like downloading wedding photos, listening to great music & smelling pumpkin candles! This reminds me of my old Hannibal friend, Michelle, who was the first to chop off ALL my hair and she was almost as much of a freak about pumpkin as I am. I saw on facebook that she just was deployed to the middle east this past weekend. Scary. I wonder if they have pumpkins over there. 

So it's chiefs season again. Thus far, they've been losing, yes. Hopefully the season will get started fresh with a win this Sunday. Yes, I sorta got into watching Chief's games last year. Perhaps I'll make more of an effort to get into it this year. I just do like baseball better. Of course, it's possible now that our football team may still not be any better than our baseball team.

I am currently making a sheet funfetti cake to take to the Feldman Parents's house in one hour for a Labor Day cookout. We were going to go and then we weren't going to go and then we've decided to after all. Grilled food always wins out. They wanted us to bring dessert and I've had this cake mix in our kitchen for a while now and it's time to break it out. Oh yeah. Funfetti Labor Day to us!

Jered & I both had weddings yesterday. Mom came with me to mine and it went well. The above photos are from mine. The below are from Jered's:

All in all, good weekend. Good stuff happening :)

Labor Day Saturday

Hello everyone! It's been a bit of a while and now I actually have some photos to post so I figured I would. First, Robyn came into town for the weekend so she, Aimee and I all headed up to Weston. It was fun. We hung out around town and I bought some super cute pink shoes for only $8. Really cute. I've included a photo ;) Jered had to work so it was sad he couldn't come. But he's a really great husband and said that I deserved a girls day out anyway while he slaved away taking pictures of small children. I really do have a great husband :)

Cute shoes!!

Then after Barb got back, she met Jered for a consultation then we were invited by Harmonie & Jason out to a free Royals game! Well, since the Weston trip was cut short by the consultation and Jered got off work by 6p, it was perfect timing. The game was fun although a bit rainy. Royals won. First time for everything :)

Since the Beyers were sans child this evening, we all went out to Applebees after the game. Good stuff although Jered thinks the waiter didn't like him much.