Not Enough J's

Thursday, March 26

SPRING BABY!!!

I’ve always enjoyed this time of year, maybe it’s because my day of birth marks the first day of spring. Or maybe it’s because the flowers are blooming and the birds are singing again. Or just maybe it’s the rebirth to life after a long winters nap. Anyhow, my birthday surly sets the mood for the thaw of winter.

3.21 My birthday. I’m just going to get straight to the point; it was one of the best birthdays I've had to date!!! All I wanted was to enjoy my day with Jeb. Whatever was to happen I just wanted to be in his company and we did just that, hung out all day together.

We woke up early… early enough for breakfast at my folks (mom was making my favorite, French toast with fresh strawberries). What a great way to start my day. I do have to say my parents spoiled me rotten; the very last thing I was expecting was the gorgeous Coach Hand Bag they’d gotten me. To be frank I never thought I’d own one. Then to top off the gift… like it wasn’t gift enough, there was a generous size box of Godiva dark chocolates. WOW. I’m still speechless… thank you Mom and Dad SO very much!!!

Then when I thought things couldn't get any better, I realized Jeb and I still had the whole day ahead of us. First on our list were pedicures. Yes I was able to talk Jeb into getting a pedi and we enjoyed it. Until later in the middle of the night... Jeb woke up with a burning sensation on his leg. Come to find out his right shin broke out in a rash (which he still has to date). Needless to say he’ll probably never go back with me for pedicures again.

After our pedicures we went back to the apartment to check the mail. I look forward to Cher’s birthday love every year. It had arrived and more chocolates for me (or my belly, how ever you look at it)!!!

We headed to the mall for a little shopping before seeing Duplicity and then ending the day with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. We had both (on accident) left our phones at home, so when I finally reconnected with my cell I was able to listen to all my birthday wishes before calling it a night.

The fun didn’t end on Saturday; we got to celebrate all weekend long! Sunday the Brooks, Heupels and Andersons gathered for dinner and company to celebrate both Tj’s and my birthday. I wouldn’t want to share a birthday celebration with anyone else but T (no pressure, but T you really are a thoughtful gift giver)! More, more and more love. I want to also thank my good friends Annette and Robert!!! The Lathrop’s had us over for birthday dinner Monday night and… again a Godiva’s gift card ☺

So I feel kinda silly going on about my birthday, but these kinda birthdays do not happen often and I tell you 27 is starting off great (even if my mental state is all down hill from here… thanks Dad ;). Plus I hope everyone who may have sent me an email, FB comment, phone call and/or card knows how blessed I really felt this year on my anniversary of life!!!

Lesson learned; I have the most amazing family and friends and somehow I’ve made it clear to all of them how much I LOVE GODIVA DARK CHOCOLATE ☺

Tuesday, February 10

BATH TIME

ESPN and Houston are the two most difficult dogs to walk. They both become complete goobers the second you put their leads on. Both will pull in polar opposite directions, making it nearly impossible to walk them on your own. ESPN will wrap himself around ten different trees in one walk. Houston will run and pull to bark at any other moving object (including bikers). Since there is no way I will ever let her near another dog, she'll bark from a far and then attack her brother (I still have yet to figure out why). When it rains... this daily event becomes ten times more fun. They always try to find the muddiest of spots to drag us through and do their business. On their behalf up until a year ago they were able to take care of "business" on their own... in their nine years of existences they have adapted to apartment living very well.

Missy can usually do okay with out a bath for awhile and just brushing... but buddy is our pig pen. Two days after baths he'll become a complete grease ball. So tonight after a muddy walk I told Jeb to start the water. Houston might be okay with just being toweled off, but ESPN NEEDED a bath. Houston was along for the ride.

Missy just disgusted with her brother.

Wednesday, January 28

BLOG BLOG BLOG

It has been SO long I think I forgot how...

ENDINGS BRING NEW BEGINNINGS

WMTG (the modeling agency I was shooting for) shut business doors at the beginning of December, giving me about 5 days notice. Leaving me with mixed emotions. Sad about the closing of the business and being left without a steady income, yet on the other hand I felt it was a blessing. I'm out on my own building my relationships with my clients and networking like no other.

I was lucky enough to have such great support from my clients at WMTG that we are starting fresh and new with Puddletown (the only agency in town representing kids under the age of 5). Working with PT has been great; the talent comes directly to me cutting out all the middlemen. I've been blessed to have clients I've worked with through WMTG still request me to shoot and I’ve also been blessed to have a new set of clients requesting me by referral from Jason (PT owner). Jason and I have also been working together to refresh the promo pieces for all talent.

I owe all this to facebook. Believe it or not… Jason had seen my work I did for WMTG and was impressed, but doors shut before he could get my info. So he looked me up on the net, FB making business connection worldwide ;)

With this new start to my career I’ve had great support from my family. My father also ending a chapter in his life retiring from UPS has been a huge support and encouragement in this endeavor, becoming my new assistant. I have to say just after our first week of shooting together I’m feeling very pampered having an equipment guy (thank you dad).

So for me 2009 is a year of new beginnings and fresh starts. January has come and almost gone already, but I have so much more ahead of me. If it is anything I’ve learned from 2008, it’s that when something comes to an end in your life it only makes room for something new.