Friday, November 26, 2010

Playing Catch-Up: Halloween, Mini Session Studio Day, & Thanksgiving!

I am about 80% caught up with work for the moment (and I do mean MOMENT!) so I thought it was a great time to play catch-up with my blog!

Halloween was a holiday that I'd been dreading since May when we first got the results of Eliot's food allergy tests. It was really one of the first things that I thought of; my poor baby won't be able to enjoy Halloween like "normal" kids. All of the chocolate that you buy in the regular stores (ie. NOT wholefoods or natural food stores) contain soy. We're so very lucky that Nana found a natural food store not far from where she lives that carries soy-free chocolate bars because it's really the only chocolate candy he can eat. We made sure that we had lots of those chocolate bars on hand right before Halloween.

I listened to other moms who told me to take him trick-or-treating and then just quickly replace the candy in his bag. All he was left with after I did the switch was his soy-free chocolate, lolipops, swedish fish, necco wafers and nerds. It really still makes me so sad. I hope that he outgrows this. On the other hand, he didn't seem to notice, or mind one bit that he had only the same old candy to eat. And he was the CUTEST skeleton I've EVER seen. Nana, Papa Dick, Papa and I took Eliot the Friday afternoon before Halloween to do trick-or-treating at the businesses in downtown Melrose. I think everyone thought he was the cutest skeleton ever.

We also went to the Woburn Halloween Parade (Eliot LOVES parades) and then to Carolyn and Colm's for our annual Halloween get together.


Here is Lil dressed up as one of her favorite football players.

Next up: Holiday Mini Sessions! A colleague/photographer friend of mine and myself rented some studio space in Concord to shoot some holiday themed photographs for clients. I had six appointments set-up for the day (with one no-show, so really five). It was lots of fun. I got some great photos (you can see those HERE). Kelly was kind enough to test her lighting on Eliot (who had come with Ted to help me carry in my loads and loads of equipment and props) and give me the images she captured on CD. OH MY GOODNESS! How I WISH he would look at MY camera like that! She got some great images. I am so jealous that I did not take them!




Ted and Eliot were back again at the end of the day to help me load up my stuff again. My last client of the day were friends of ours (actually, Justin is the one who helped Ted get the job he has now!) so I was more than happy to photograph them and their ADORABLE son (and give them a deal too!). Eliot decided, though, that he wanted to be a part of their family---- if only for one click.


That brings me to yesterday; Thanksgiving. We made our rounds; 3 places in one afternoon; my grandparents house (where we ate dinner), my Great Aunt-Janine's house (where we had a quick visit and said Hi to Nana and Papa Dick), and then to the Baker's where we had dessert, sang happy birthday to all the October and November birthdays (4 of them!), and just hung around for a bit. Eliot slept until 7:00 this morning so I guess he must have really been tuckered out from the day. I think no doubt his favorite part was playing with his cousins over my in-laws house. Here is a family photo that my Dad snapped at stop number 1:

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

California: Part III (FINALLY!)

We've been back for just about a month and I am just finishing up the edits on my CA photos. I don't even edit all of them; maybe only 10-15% of them. I'm just a busy lady lately. I am learning that the Christmas season is a BUSY one for photographers!

The last few days in California were spent at the Santa Monica Pier (SO happy that I had the chance to visit there!), The Crystal Cathedral, and Newport Beach. Oh, and I also tried to squeeze in an Eliot photo session... I was not too successful. He hates looking at the camera when I am behind it.

The Santa Monica Pier was so cool. Ted, Emily, Eliot and I went for a ride on the famous Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel (you know, the one you see in all the LA based movies and TV shows!). I think my Dad secretly wanted to come, but he chickened out. The view from up there was amazing! Eliot got a kick out of it too. He was a bit nervous, but he definitely thought it was cool.



We also played for a bit in the arcade. We collected tickets that amounted to pretty much nothing. I think we ended up 'winning' Eliot a little plastic frog once we were done turning them all in. Yippee.

After we walked along the pier, we went down to the beach. Eliot had to have this red shovel, so I caved and bought it for him (after Daddy said no-- usually it's totally the other way around--). He had so much fun digging with that shovel. We actually ended up leaving it at our rental house-- hopefully the next little boy who stays there will have just as much fun with it.

The Crystal Cathedral was cool. This was really the only place that my Dad wanted to really visit while we were in CA. It just so happened that they had declared bankruptcy that very week so they had money specialist, Howard Dayton, on to talk about finances and the best way to tackle debt. It was actually fascinating and a little surreal to me to be there and see Reverend Robert Schuller in the flesh because growing up, my mother cared for her grandmother every day, and every day, she would watch him on TV. It was almost like meeting a TV star. I've certainly NEVER been to a church like that before. It's a shame that they went so lavish on their property. It's really not what worship is about and it actually makes Christians look badly.


At the end of the sermon, Sheila Schuller asked anyone to come forward who wanted to receive a nail as a reminder of being always indebted; indebted to Jesus. My Dad, Emily and myself all went forward to get a nail. It will always be a reminder, a keepsake, a souvenir from my visit to the Crystal Cathedral.


Our very last activity before packing up and heading out, was a visit to Newport Beach. The part of the beach we went to wasn't anything too special, especially after our visit to the beautiful Aliso beach in Laguna, but it was still nice. Eliot had fun; and really, isn't that all that matters?

A few last photos from our trip:

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

100 Things

I recently came across one of my dear friend's blog posts. She listed 100 things for which she was thankful. She then challenged anyone to do the same. She claims it is not as easy as it sounds-- and you know what? Even before I start, I believe her.

1. Ted (My wonderful, supportive, encouraging, loving, husband)
2. Eliot, my sweet and wonderful son
3. My parents who I can always count on to watch Eliot if the need arises
4. My in-laws for helping us out with anything from legal advice, to watching Eliot to things like replacing our fridge when it decides it does not want to work anymore.
5. Our condo. It may not be big, but it's ours.
6. This blue blanket that I have on my lap right now and every night than Gram P. (or D. depending on who you ask) made for Ted when he was younger. It's my favorite blanket.
7. My grandparents-- they are some of my best friends
8. Milo (our cat)
9. photography
10. My business
11. My clients and friends who help support my business
12. God. (I know, I know, he shouldn't be #12 on my list. The truth is, our relationship needs work and I know it's all my fault, but I am thankful that he loves me anyway).
13. Facebook (It's caught me up with some great friends, made me new ones, and keeps me up to date with the social world)
14. Great friends. I don't have many of them. In fact, maybe only 2 or 3 my own age that I could call for a favor if I needed one, but really, that's all a girl needs.
15. My online friends. I have so many wonderful friends who I have never met (and some that I have) that have given me gifts more precious than anyone could truly ever understand.
16. My computer.
17. Naturally sweetened, low calorie beverages.
18. TV
19. My cameras (and all the other equipment I now own).
20. My car.
21. Did I already say my husband? Because he really deserves to be on here twice. He picks me up when I am down, and he fills a void in me that would never be filled otherwise. He is truly my other half.
22. Cloudy days (both because they are great for photographing, but also because the bright sun makes me anxious)
23. Therapy.
24. Other medical Dr.s.
25. my sister. She challenges me in a way that most people never get to experience. It's both infuriating and fulfilling.
26. My sister (again). Because she is one of the only people I can be myself around and not feel bad about. She doesn't care if I have to leave a store because I have a panic attack or if I have to tell her (one more time) that my stomach is upset.
27. Honesty. I am thankful for people who are honest with me and I am thankful for the ability to be honest with everyone I meet.
28. Random acts of kindness and paying it forward (I believe and give both).
29. Vacations.
30. The internet. I've learned so much more than I ever would have if I had to rely solely on encyclopedias.
31. Massages.
32. Medicine.
33. Retail therapy.
34. Board games (not that we ever get to play any more, or really have anyone to play them with), but just to know they are there; and also to remember good times had with them.
35. Fond memories.
36. My drive.
37. My compassion for others.
38. The way that I have come to know myself and be comfortable with who I am (still working on this one, but have come so far).
39. Jesus (yes, i guess he deserves his own number).
40. Washing machines
41. Lotion
42. Chapstick
43. Holidays and traditions
44. That I get to be home with my son more than half the time and that I make my own hours.
45. Nights on the couch with my husband
46. Routines
47. Good Shampoo
48. (and while we are at it) a good hairdresser
49. Bras and underwear that fit properly
50. The men and women of our country brave enough to fight for our freedom.
51. Sleep-- really any sleep is great. The more, the better.
52. Clean sheets.
53. The health and well-being of my loved ones and myself
54. Oatmeal crunch cereal.
55. Stuffed crust pizza.
56. Wholefoods.
57. Glasses.
58. That my husband can fix everything-- EVERYTHING.
59. Chocolate.
60. Forgiveness.
61. Self awareness.
62. The ability to own my own actions.
63. Communication.
64. The Bible.
65. Fresh air.
66. Education.
67. Proactive-ness (and made up words)
68. Freedom of speech
69. Freedom of religion
70. Freedom.
71. Love.
72. Prayer.
73. Dreams.
74. Ted's job.
75. Grilled cheese sandwiches.
76. Nana's calzone.
78. Grandma's green bean casserole.
79. Chocolate chip logs.
80. Opus.
81. Email.
82. Cell phones.
83. Text messages.
84. Technology in general.
85. The people who have been in my life; even if they no longer are.
86. People's uniqueness.
87. Insurance.
88. Healing.
89. Hot baths.
90. Photographs
91. Having things to look forward to
92. Patience.
93. Growing and maturing.
94. Childcare.
95. Altoids.
96. Springtime.
97. Being me.
98. The microwave.
99. Thomas & friends.
100. The used book store.
101. For Ryan, her thoughtfulness and caring, and for this challenge.

Now, I'll pass the challenge on as it was passed onto me. See if you can come up with 100 things for which you are thankful.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

California: Part II

The thing with having a photography business is that your clients' photos always have to come before your own. I am in the middle of a huge holiday rush right now (which is a great thing, don't get me wrong), but it's hard to get my own photos done. I took a few minutes to try to get the second (of three) rounds of my California photos done and posted. I feel sad because I can't remember in as much detail as I would have had I posted these right when we got home :(

Our second day of sight seeing we went to Hollywood and Beverly Hills. The ride to get there was awful! Traffic was worse than I'd ever seen in my life. I was excited to show my parents and sister the star walk though on Hollywood Blvd. We also got to see the Hollywood sign (which Ted and I did see on our Honeymoon, but not as closely as we saw it this time). We drove up to the Hollywood Observatory and got to see it from there. So cool.


After all that time in the car, we needed to stretch our legs a little so we found a playground and got out for a little bit. My mom was the first to notice I think that the squirrels there are NOT afraid of people. They would just come right up to us. It kind of freaked Ted & I out, but my Mom went right ahead and made friends with one squirrel in particular by feeding it french fries that my Dad had previously thrown in the garbage can.

The next day, we went to Irvine Regional Park where we had a hay ride, a "chooch" ride, and we also got to visit the Orange County Zoo. They had face painting there, but since Eliot's skin (especially on his face) is so sensitive, we opted to let him have his arm painted instead. He got Thomas and he loved every minute of it! Eliot also got to ride on his very first pony! He loved it! At the zoo, there was a cool little fenced in park that we got to go into where you could brush the goats. Eliot loved it, but Emily and my mom loved it just as much-- too funny. The rental car smelt like goats for the remainder of the trip. Emily had to take a shower as soon as we got home because of how badly she smelt like goats.


Thursday of that week, I had booked an engagement session. The couple chose Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach as their location and it was spectacular! (See the engagement photos I shot HERE). The couple was a few minutes late getting there so I got to snap a few quick shots before I was off to work! What a gorgeous location, though-- my favorite location at which I have ever shot!



Until part III....