Today was a crazy filled day and I am tired!

My day started off with doctor’s visit #1 – to the diet doc.  Lost 3.8 pounds this week bringing my grand total to 45 pounds gone in 13 weeks.  My cholesterol has dropped 80 points which is great news.  My TSH is now within normal limits so no medication adjustment this time around – which I am so thankful for because I am feeling very good on this dosage and didn’t want to have to lower my meds.

That visit got done…I headed to walmart to pick up some things.  After walmart I swung by home to drop stuff off and then immediately headed to my next doctor’s appointment with my primary care doc.  I waited in the waiting room for 45 minutes…finally got taken back by the nurse, had my vitals checked and then waited about another 15 minutes until the doc came in.  She spent quite a bit of time in there chit chatting with me (I think she spent more time with me since we know each other and we were getting caught up on where I stood with my diet).  She wanted to check orthostatic blood pressures on me since I’ve been having symptoms of dizziness when standing.  So, she had me lay down for 5-10 minutes and then came back to check my pressures.

After that visit I then headed to the public library.  I spent about 2 hours there…it was nice being at the library.  When I still lived with my parents I went to the library a lot and checked out books and what not.  Upon moving to KC (which I’ve lived here almost 5 years) I haven’t stepped foot in a public library until today.  I got loaded up with some books and left.

Went to pick up the kiddos from school.  Being that today was nice outside after having a very cold day yesterday, we went to the park for a bit.  The kids jumped into a pile of leaves that we made and I got some snapshots of them throwing leaves into the air and lying in the leaf pile.  Once their mom got home from work then it was off again…

I then went to Barnes and Noble where I spent 2.5 hours reading photography books.  Then I came home and put on some comfy clothes and have been relaxing and watching a bit of tv, despite having photo editing to do.

Quick recap of my long day.  It’s nice to be at home now.  Tomorrow is another full day, so I’m off to hopefully get a nice long night of sleep before things start all over again!

This past Saturday my friend Shannon and I went on a little outting to take some fall photos.  Shannon is a funky retro photographer whom I have known since freshman year in college.  We headed up to Weston, MO and Atchison, KS to pursue our fall pics.  Here are some from the trip:

This was at the Weston Red Barn Farm outside of the house that sits on the property.  There were some nice flowers with a picket white fence and what do you know…some butterflies!

They had numerous animal there at the farm.  It was amusing watching many of the animals and many of the children all excited about the animals.

There were many pumpkins to choose from.  I didn’t even get one while I was there   I should have… no pumpkins for me this year.  Cassie and I were supposed to carve pumpkins like we did last year but we weren’t able to find a date that worked well for us…and now, well, it’s almost too late.

Notice yet that I like signs? 

Picture of moi, courtesy of the one and only Shannon.

This one is one of my favorite photos that she took of me.

I like this one a lot, too.  I had fun on the railroad tracks taking pictures. 

All of these pictures of me were courtesy of the wonderful Shannon.  If you are looking for a fun and funky photographer and wanna put her skills to the test – contact me and I will put you in touch with her.

Here are some pictures that I took of her:

This is one of my favorite shots of Shannon from the day.

This is the typical funky and fun Shannon.

Okay…there were a trillion more photos from that day, but those are just a few of my favs.

Once upon a time there was a little girl, who was the young age of 6 or 7.  This little girl owned her very first camera.  She loved her camera.  She loved taking pictures.  And the rest was history…

That little girl grew up taking numerous pictures.  She loved taking pictures.  She progressed through numerous cameras.  She got her very first 35mm SLR camera for her high school graduation.  Then in college she decided to minor in art with a focus in photography.  She signed up for a photography class.  She loved her class and she loved taking pictures.  She got a job in college at a portrait studio taking pictures.  She enjoyed her job (for the most part).  Also during her college years she switched over to digital.  Life was good.  She was able to take ample pictures with the new digital camera.

Then life got in the way…this girl was faced with a decision about her life and career goals.  Did she continue on with her major which her heart had always been set on and leave her dream of photography behind?  Sadly, this was the decision the girl had to make.  She left photography behind and continued on with her major (which she also loved as much as photography).  The girl left behind the classes, but never left behind her love of photography.  She continued to take lots and lots of pictures!

The little girl grew some more and soon it was time to graduate from college.  The little girl did and with college graduation she gave herself a wonderous gift – a digital SLR camera that she had been dreaming about for a very long time.  The little girl was in heaven with her new camera! 

Time passed and the little girl continued to think about her love of photography.  She had done quite a few “photo shoots” despite not being a professional.  She got many compliments.  She got requests.  The little girl thought and thought.  The idea just wouldn’t leave her head…

And finally she decided that she was going back to school!!

———————-

So there you have it…I’ve taken a leap and I’m going back to school!  And yes, back to school for photography.  I wanted to do it in high school but it got to be too much with majoring in nursing.  But the flicker in the back of my mind never went away.  I don’t know just yet when I am going back nor do I exactly know which school.  I’m still doing my research…I have a few in mind…but I still need to do a little more research and thinking before I make any decisions.

I just completed a photo shoot this past weekend.  Can’t wait to process those pics!  I still have to finish processing the pictures from the wedding last weekend, also.  I have an engagement photo shoot next week (I’m a little excited here…it’s fun taking pictures of people who are so visibly in love with one another!)  The same bride that has asked me to do these engagement photographs has also asked me to photograph her wedding next year.  The couple got engaged at Disneyland and that’s one of the possibilites as to where they get married…along with a beach or nice fancy hotel in FL…or they might just do it someone locally.  The bride asked if I would be willing to go to FL if they got married there, to which I immediately agreed!!  So…we’ll see where they end up deciding to have the ceremony.  Anywhere that they choose, I’m sure it will be very nice!

  …I’m going back to school…    …yay…. 

So…it’s been a little bit since I’ve updated.  I had many intentions to update and lots of stuff to update on…but surprise surprise – no time to update!!

I haven’t heard from my friend Angela in almost 2 weeks…I miss talking to her   If you are reading this – I miss you!  I’ve called and left a message since she didn’t answer and got no return call, I’ve texted with no response……….so that’s left me to come to two conclusions: either A. She has fallen off the side of the earth or B. She’s not talking to me for some reason that is unknown to me.  So, since I don’t know what’s going on and have gotten no response from her, I’ve decided that I’ll wait for her to come around – as much as that’s killing me not to continue to call or text.

On a more cheery note, my best friend of 15 years got married this past weekend.  It was a very nice wedding and all went off without a hitch!  It was a small ceremony (mostly family) but was very very nice.  We’ve known each other since we were kids and we grew up together so her family is like my family.  She married a wonderful man who has an equally nice and fun family!  Before I met him I was worried about what he was like because this is who my best friend was going to marry and I was afraid for some reason that I wouldn’t like him.  But that is definately not the case!  She has met someone who makes her very happy and like I said in my toast to them, I wish them all the happiness in the world and that the two of them and their children (he has two and they have one together) live their happily ever after together.

I took a ton of pictures at the wedding (652 to be exact)…it was hard for me to put the camera away and just be in the ceremony and to be in the poses and not taking the pics.  At one point Emily turned to me and she said “Do you want to take pictures or be the Maid of Honor?”  I looked at her and said “I wanna do both…”  So…my camera was nearby at all times except for during the ceremony and it was close by while we did formal shots (that was the pics I wasn’t in, I could be taking pictures).  I will post a few wedding pics here in just a few moments.

At one point during the ceremony I had fluffed her dress and made it all pretty and stood back up and was dizzy and lightheaded.  I sooooo did not want to pass out during her wedding up there on the alter with her.  I’ve been having blood pressure issues lately and each week my blood pressure keeps dropping.  I’m also experiencing orthostatic hypotension (when I stand from a sitting or squatting position I get lightheaded due to all of the blood pooling in my lower extremities due to gravity)…usually most people’s bodies quickly compensate for gravity and their blood doesn’t pool as much as the body pushes it back to the rest of the body…but mine as of late has not been compensating the way it should be.  Luckily I did not pass out during the ceremony.  I have not passed out yet upon getting up, but have had symptoms and have luckily been able to grab on to something to steady myself and close my eyes until the feeling has passed.  Hopefully my doctors will do something soon about this issue.

Anyways, enough rambling…here are some pictures from my best friends wedding…

This photo is courtesy of the 3 year old flower girl.  Sorry for the sun glare – but it’s still a nice pic of muah.  I think the flower girl might end up being a photographer   She kept wanting to take pictures and I would hold my camera and she would look through the eye piece and snap the picture.  She took a handful of good pictures with minimal assistance from me holding the camera.

1. Put Your iTunes, Windows Media Player, MP3 Player, or whatever on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!
4. Put any comments in brackets after the song name.

—————————————————————– 
We Are The Champions 

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say? 
Talk – Coldplay 

How would you describe yourself? 
Kiss the Rain – Billie Myers 

What do you like in a guy/girl?
Roll Me Away – Bob Seger

How do you feel today? 
Buy U A Drink – T-Pain 

What is your life’s purpose? 
Out of My Hands – Dave Matthews Band 

What is your motto?
Amazing Grace – LeAnn Rimes

What do your friends think of you? 
Here Comes Santa Clause – Bing Crosby 

Tell me about your first date… 
You’re My Better Half – Keith Urban 

What would you write your own tombstone?
Butterfly Kisses Daddy’s Little Girl – Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

What do you think of your parents? 
Lead Me To The Rock – Gabriel’s Harp 

What do you think about very often? 
The Best of Times – Various Artists on the Open 24 Hours cd 

What is 2 + 2?
Crystal Clear – Jaci Velasquez

What do you think of your best friend?
Take it to Heart – Bruce Deaton
What advice would you give to someone getting married?
My List – Toby Keith
What do you think of the person you like? 
Wonderful Christmastime – Barenaked Ladies 

What is your life story? 
The Unfeeling Kiss – Gabriel Yared 

What inspires you? 
Gateway – Shannon Cerneka 

What’s your greatest regret? 
Sweet Child of Mine – Guns ‘n’ Roses 

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Dirty D – Scarecrow and Tinmen
What makes you cry?
Clarity – John Mayer

What is your fondest memory of your grandmother? 
I Can See Clearly Now – Donny Osmond 

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
Slow Turning – John Hiatt
What will you dance to at your wedding? 
September in Seattle – Shawn Mullins 

What will they play at your funeral? 
Too Late – James Blunt (that’s a little funny…) 

What is your hobby/interest? 
How do I Live – LeAnn Rimes 

What is your biggest fear? 
I’ll Be There -  Jackson 5 

What is your biggest secret? 
No Matter What – Donny Osmond 

What song reminds you of you HS English teacher?
Mary Did You Know – Reba

What do you think of your friends?
Last Dollar (Fly Away) – Tim McGraw

What will you post this as?
We Are The Champions – Queen

Lately, I’ve been getting a compliment every once in awhile and it’s kind of a nice feeling   Recently, I’ve started being referred to as “Skinny” as my nickname.  This morning I walk into work and I hear “Hey Skinny Minny, what’s happening?” 

Or later this afternoon, I went to a delivery at work and who happens to be the doc delivering the baby?  (Or should I say, did deliver the baby and was at the bedside with the baby.)  It was my primary care physician, who I haven’t seen in over 10 weeks since before starting my little diet.  I walk in the door, she sees me and says “Hey Skinny!”  And my reply – “I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.”  And she told me my face was getting thin and that was the extent of our conversation because she needed to get back to the mom that had delivered and I needed to tend to the baby since the baby needed a little extra care.

So…long story short, people are really starting to notice me a bit more now that I’m melting away!  And I might say, it’s kind of nice to be noticed and acknowledged

Staring in the mirror

I see a girl looking back at me -

I don’t recognize who she is,

But I know she is a part of me.

I know her soul,

Her likes and dislikes.

I know her beauty deep within

But this girl staring back at me

Not only radiates beauty deep inside -

It shows on the outside.

The sparkle in her eye,

The glow of her radiating smile,

Yet she still has a hard time believing

That they are one -

Both the girl in the mirror,

And me.

So, I had applied for a DT call…the first one that I have ever applied for.  They posted the new DT members on their website today, and sadly, I am not one of them   However, I won’t give up, it’s just the beginning.  My persistence will pay off eventually!

I’m still chillin’ in FL for the NANN (National Association of Neonatal Nurses) conference.  It’s been a good conference so far…have only made it to the beach once so far.  We had big plans to hit the beach yesterday after the conference but it rained all day and it was extremely windy, so no beach for us.  Hopefully we will hit it tomorrow or Saturday.  I can’t leave FL without going to the beach again…my soul longs for the beach, I’m in love with the beach…I love the ocean…it’s a part of who I am.

I’ll post some pics when I get back home and have them all on my computer!

Love ya’ll!

Before I post this, let me preface it with saying, I am neither Republican or Democrat and I don’t know how I am going to vote yet.

I was going to post a couple of pictures from Thursday’s photoshoot on here yesterday, but we got quite the storm yesterday afternoon and all evening into the late night.  Quite a few tornadoes touched down and a ton of torrential rains.

So…now that the storms are all over, here are a few pics from the photoshoot…

This first one is one of my favorites…you can’t see the baby, however, she is in the photo…she’s in the crib, but I was just taking pics of her nursery at this point.

 

This next pic is just another to share because I can’t really share the others since they have the baby’s face in them.  I don’t post pics of other’s children if they are identifying pictures without their permission.

And to wrap things up, a little self portrait of moi…

Alright, I am off to work on a little home project…  I am going to sand and paint my kitchen cabinets and I’m quite excited because they currently aren’t very pretty.  I’m just going to paint them a basic white, but it will make my kitchen look a lot nicer