Happy Birthday!!!

I am now officially an aunt! The twins were born this morning and both are healthy. happy bouncing babies.

There were both about 6 lbs and as soon I get the OK to come up to the hospital I will get to see my niece and nephew.

I can't wait to see them!

New Table

I had to share my new table I just picked up tonight!!!!

I will start with my before pictures. OK this picture was taken in January when I painted my kitchen and cabinets. At that time I knew I needed a new table to finish off the look and some wall art or pictures.

So I've been looking and looking and looking for the right table at the right price.

Here is the before picture!!!!


My mom and I went shopping this weekend and after a couple of stores we found ourselves at Value City furniture. The last table I looked at I fell in love with. It was exactly what I was looking for and at the right price.

Here is the after!!!!!
OK the picture really doesn't do the table justice it look much darker in the picture than it really is but it gives you a good idea.

Here is a picture of the framed wall art that I purchase as well. I think everything is working very well together:)

OK, now for the short story of the table. I was looking for a table that was contemporary, dark wood and inexpensive. (because we all know I'm a cheap ass!) So, we make our way into Value City and here was my table for about $300. SWEET! I'll take it and scheduled it to be picked up today (Tuesday).

I go to the store today and stand at the front door for a minute and realize all the sales persons are busy. I walk over to the table, just to look at it one more time and notice the price dropped by about $100.

Holly Crap!!! It's on sale for $199. I can't believe it and just at that time a sales lady walked up to me and I explained that I just purchased this weekend and the price has dropped since. She explained that I will get the difference back all I had to do is go to the service counter.

I did and I received the $100 back! So this fantastic table, perfect for my kitchen with chairs only cost me $199. I did spend 2 hour putting the thing together but in the end I love my table!!!

Trail Run Pictures

Here are two quick snap shots that someone took of me while I was running. I have to admit I laughed hysterically at these photos. If I would have known someone was taking pictures of me I would have tried to look a little better.

Here I am looking like I'm concentrating really really hard. On what I'm not sure...I think this is near the end of the run..at least the last mile. So I'm probably thinking at this moment "Where is the end? Am I almost there?" or maybe I was thinking "Why oh Why did I do this again?"

Here I look like I gave up.....way to funny. Or maybe I was at the end of the race.

Over all the first picture is not to bad but this second one is completely horrible of me. Oh well this is what I get for not paying attention to who has a camera. These are great examples of why I love to be behind the camera....LOL

Trail Run

I have to admit it feel good to be out of the sling and able to go out and run. Saturday I tried my first trail run. Keep in mind I've only been running for about two week after about a 5 week leave from all types of exercise. Its amazing how much you muscles weaken in just 5 weeks.

My personal trainer talked me into trying a trail run so when the Dr released me to run I decided to sign up.

Trail running is so much different than road running. On the road you are pounding the pavement and seeing the same things you see when you drive (which can get boring). The roads are also pretty flat here so there is very little incline/decline.

Trail running is a path that takes you through the woods and the terrain is more difficult because you run up and down hills, jump over trees and travel along narrow paths. If you like a challenge, this would be for you.

So I got there at about 8am and got my number and t-shirt. The race didn't start until 9:10 so I have an hour to burn some time. So I stretched and stood around waiting for the race to begin. I was cold and bored. My personal trainer was participating however I didn't find him until minutes before the race started.

Then the race began and it started out pretty flat and I had a lot of energy. By the way I'm horrible at keeping a good pace. Then there was the first hill, which I ran up (Big Big mistake). About a mile into this run I was getting light headed, my lungs were burning and my calves were tight.

About that time I ran into this lady that seemed to keep passing me and then I would pass here. Some where in there we started to support each other and cheer each other on. It was nice to have someone run at my pace and cheering you on.

The last 1/2 mile was the hardest because it was all up hill. I finished in about 40 minutes. (not what I wanted, I was aiming for 36min) I ran into Kevin at the end of the race and he said that 40 minutes was actually really good for my first trail race.

I knew after running that I would be hurting today, I just wasn't prepared for how much pain. Legs all around hurt. I'm moving really slow today and it's hilarious. I look like an old crippled lady.

Anyway, Advil is my friend and so is my couch:)

Yes, I will do it again...in fact there is one in about 6 weeks or so that I'm thinking about. I have a lot of training to do once my legs heal.

Meet up - Photography

Well, the meet up was interesting to say the least. I walked in at 6:30 and people were already there and most of them had already eaten. I felt a little awkward, it's hard when you don't know anyone and there isn't much time to talk to anyone or seating to sit.

Anyway the speaker was a talkers. I mean a TALKER!!! The time I sat down at 6:30 to the time I left at 8:30ish he talked and talked and talked. I understand that he was the speaker but even when he wasn't speaking he was talking.

I guess I didn't enjoy myself as much as I hoped. Just imagine me sitting for 2 hours without saying a word...I know hard to imagine!!! But that is what happened last night, I didn't say more than 10 words the entire time I was there.

I'm not giving up because I have a feeling the guy just rubbed me the wrong way and he was just the speaker not the group. There is photo shoot later on this month that I will be participating in which is what I enjoy.

Good news is, I learned a little bit more....nothing earth shattering but a little information. I think I can enjoy this group it is just going to take time.

Where's Your Passion

Very few things in life excite me and I really mean very very few things. The day I put my camera down was a very sad day but at the same time a relief. I love photography! I love love love photography. I could look at photos until my eye fall out of their socket and I can read about cameras and lenses until my head spins.

So why did I put my camera down. I've asked myself that question over and over again. I ask myself that question when I pass my camera bag, when I look at picture or when I see someone with a camera.

I had my chance at having my own business as a wedding photography. It was two years of great experience and development, but then I didn't have a limit I just want to keep doing it over and over again.

Then the burn out happened. To may weddings around the holidays and my full time job killed me. I got to point where I just didn't want to look at pictures any more. After I finished my last wedding I quit, closed up shop and was done. Camera went to the bag and stayed there!

Fast forward 2 years. I miss photography and all the things about it. I miss the sound of the camera clicking, reviewing the pictures and finding the best one.I miss reading about how to better myself and showing off what I can do. I miss handling all the equipment and discovering new ways to capture the light. I miss photography.

I'm excited because I joined this photography group and we are meeting tomorrow. It's a group that gets you involved and helps you learn new things. It helps you network with other with the same interest. I know I bored everyone around me with my "photography" talk. Now I will have people to discuss and be excited about different lenses, angels, lighting technique and camera settings. I'm so ready to get back into photography, as a hobby.

My goal: To have fun and find my passion again. Because I'm learning that life is boring without passion!

Love the Lists

I am a list person…I love lists. I can’t help myself because my mind will start running and I start to worry that I will forget something so I write lists. I make lists when I’m remodeling, when I travel, when I have multiple things to get done around the house. You name it I probably created a list for it.

At one point in my insane life I actually kept a list of every box and canned item I had in my cabinets. I even had a list of meals and all the food items I needed to create those meals. I knew what I would have to eat for the next week and knew exactly what I didn’t have so a grocery list was a breeze.

Don’t worry I’m not that anal anymore. I think something happened to me as I got older. However I still have all my cans organize according the product:)

The other day my mind was running wild and I started to think of all the stuff I need to get done during spring/summer. As the list was running circles in my head I grabbed a pen and piece of paper and started to write down everything I needed to accomplish. And a list I developed.

Here is my list (in no particular order)
Cut Grass
Clean out gutters
Rake garden
Install gutter guards
Trim bushes
Redesign garden
Purchase palnts for garden
Clena out side of Garage (weed, mow)
Schedule a yard sale
Clean out garage
Finish Patio
Lay but repellent
Till veggie garden
Make a list of veggies
Purchase 18 bags of mulch
Purchase edgeing
Install hanging plants holders
Clean up patio
Purchase flowers for pots
Puchase bulbs for sprong flowers
Lay weed guard next to garage
Move concerete pavers next to garage so trash can can sit on them
Get pricing for fixing corner of house
Get pricing for leveling driveway
Wash down siding
Scrub grill
Move fire pit closer to house
Figure out what to do with all the extra dirt from the patio
Burn extra stick, limbs, cardboard
Purchase garage door springs
Fix garage door

Did you get bored with it and scroll down to the bottom…wish I could do that and then forget about the list….but Noooooo!!! I have plastered the list right up on my fridge to remind me everyday how proud I should be that I own my own home…LOL.

So here I am standing at my fridge staring at my list and wonder if superman will come down and make some of these things happen *** looking around with great hope*** long sigh*** no such luck, it’s just me and 32 daunting tasks that lay ahead.