As you know my new URL address is just http://www.domesticlifestyle.com
Change your bookmarks-see you there
It is still in the works but coming along!
Change My URL ADDRESS
Filed under Uncategorized
NEWSFLASH-Upgrading…..the site
On Sunday…not a minute sooner……… find me at
Just making it easier for me folks- that’s all
I had to get rid of the the long address. Please bookmark the “old” but new name!
Filed under Uncategorized
My Dear UPS Man, I LOVE YOU! Please Come Quick!
Today is the day…….my life will change forever…….I made the serious plunge! I can’t wait!
Filed under photography
Watching Life as a Spectator
So it was college acceptance day yesterday and I viewed heart break and joy among my friends and collegues across the nation. Some people posted it on Facebook, others sent emails, some said nothing and others are still waiting.
I saw the destiny of my future unfold as it all played out yesterday.
I watched a couple of parents question what they had done wrong trying to now fix devasted kids.
One asked for advice, and I felt like saying choose plan B. In 4 years, you will look back and say that was the best choice for her. Once the cultural snobbery rubs off and people stop asking about her choice-then she can grow and move forward. Parents sometimes feel that it reflects the job they have done and that isn’t the case. I know totally qualified children who have gone to plan B and been totally successful.
College acceptance is a game of roulette. For the parents, it reflects hard work on their behalf, but equally so, it doesn’t mean your child was a failure if the first choice was denied.
I use my brother as an example. He was denied to med school his first year. He was heartbroken. Now a decade and half later he is a successful surgeon, doing well off in life and profession. The next year he reapplied, married and started down his road.
I can’t believe how much we have grown “academically” as parents since last fall when I was panicking and stressing out about every last class and if in four years my daughter would get accepted at schools of choice.
The biggest lesson I have learned this year is to enjoy the moment. This school year has just cruised by.
When you have young children the days seem so long, on the other end high school- they seem so fast.
We are just really happy with the choices we made this year for schooling for our kids, and I imagine we will take all our children down this route regardless of what they want to do post-education.
It is so fun watching them peel their personality back like an onion layer by layer to find their God given talents.
The beauty of the East Coast is that there are so many wonderful schools all around us. I have tried to expose our kids to as many sneak peaks as possible. As members of our church, most kids just want to go to BYU (where we both went and that is definitely one of our top choices), but I want them to see the options all around them and not feel like their options are limited to one school.
I have grown in one area tremendously. I feel that experiences are just the best thing that you can give your child even more than academics. I am not just talking travel or skiing type things- although those are on my radar too, I am talking life experiences.
As I watch kids evolve into adults, I have paid particular attention to what has made them successful or not and the bottom line is home support, confidence, discipline and love from the parents makes all of the difference in the world. Nothing that we don’t already know.
The final thing is learning to learn- that is something I can’t stress enough and I will blog more about later.
Regardless of where children go post high school that is one of the greatest tools they can take with them. Learning how to learn spiritually and physically will make all of the difference in the world.
So as for now, I will enjoy the high school years, and let the future play out on it’s own. I believe the path that each path is divine and serves a purpose.
I will now just watch the process of friends as a spectator today-feels good to be in the stands!
Filed under Education
Valentine Shots
Man, I have been a lazy blogger lately. I swear I am going to get back into the swing of it. I have just had so many things to attend too.
Here are a couple of Valentine party shots for the younger kids. Unfortunately, my battery wasn’t charged that day and it rarely dies-so I missed a lot of shots, the lighting was horrid and I had a bad lens on…so try to stomach through these bluried shots.
This wasn’t our most monumental Valentines ever- I wasn’t feeling so festive I guess…..I had great expectations of a perfect set table, big nice meal, heart cake, red jello- you know the works. But with Brian out of town until Sunday it just didn’t happen. We came home from church-ate ramen and watched the Olympics. I did get a huge bouquet of roses from the man though…..
These photos were from the school parties for Noah and Lizzy!
Back to the Basics….That is Where I need to Be
So this is what happens- Mr. Exec goes on a business trip last week, I put the kids to bed….and then it is just me and my imagination going wild.
I tend to define, over-analyze, re-do and re-think about every stage of my life. See that is what time and a little peace and quiet can do for you.
Basically I decided that it is time to get back to basics. Yep, time for another get back to basic speech- by me!
Here are the basics-
Rethinking My Diet-
Sure I loved my little venture to the wild side of eating eggs, bacon and cheeseburgers. but that can’t last forever and my lazy body that has taken a 9 month hiatus is ready to kick back into a game plan….So I set a gym date time with myself everyday this week. Because that is the secret people…you will have not have success-unless you do it at a set-time everyday and currently I have a testimony of not having success with this.
Children-
I spend a lot of time with my kids….but I am going for quality not quantity this week. Just have to…every little thing lately, reminds me that time is ticking and soon they will be out the door.
Husband-
I can’t complain…he treats me right….and I love it! He gives me just the right amount of space to fly on my own wings…and all the encouragement to dream all of my crazy dreams, and then continues to have the courage to let me do most of them. Man, he was blessed with patience. Happy Valentines Day—–
Weddings-
I had a major setback Tuesday after one of the weddings cancelled that booked on Monday. I still just don’t know how I feel about the Bridal thing. These women are up and they are down, in and out-canceling and postponing. You can’t get a straight answer. I couldn’t wait to get out and shoot the news this week….You take the photo, meet a few people and leave. No commitment. Who would have known?
Photojournalism-
I just got the A-O.K. to start shooting sports from the Sports Editor of my paper. I can shoot any sports event now and submit. I am so excited I could scream. One thing I like about the PJ job is that you get to visit about any event you want to go too. Like the press pass idea……
Cameras-
I have decided that although Nikon didn’t announce a new camera this week as predicted, I am buying the D700 with no regrets and the 70-200 F 2.8 lens this week. Rumor has it -an upgrade may come out it mid-summer….but I have had it with waiting and wanting. I just have to move forward- and I assume, that if I ever need a second body, then the d700 will be the backup and what a backup that will be. It is absolutely one of the smoothest cameras Nikon has produced. Breathe everyone……. The lens alone is more expensive then the camera, and with F2.8 the photos will rock! With an F2.8 you can shoot sports and action with total ease.
Travel-
Business is good- I have a $20,000 corporate vacation (should get it- it is my cousins) and a $12,000 dollar deal (new client) I have to close this week….cross your fingers, The 12,000 dollar deal is to South America for a couple in LAX…Still after 20 years, I have to ask myself- who has the money to drop down for that and why are we not married? Who cares if you are 62! 🙂
Me-
Exhausted right now…..I have had enough of thinking lately, and now I am going to take a month off of thinking and start doing. I want to just do the basics now, and move forward. At this point, I don’t care if another door slams in my face, another editor rejects my stuff, or if another kid ignores me. I am just going back to the basics (and that includes getting my cleaning lady back that I have let go 4 times The place is a disaster!)
I made a new schedule today, a new bedtime routine….and now I am going to fall asleep….God Bless You All today!
Filed under Angela
Behind the Lens
Wow I have never taken a blogging break…but gees if your computer isn’t working you have too. Good thing we got this baby up and going and we are back in business.
So where have I been hiding-
I have been photographing lots of events this week for the paper and some fun stuff too. Tomorrow I should have the Valentines pics up-
I photographed this play at the middle school
and caught these two cuties ice skating on the pond.
and attended this event with the US senate hopeful-
By the way, this photo made front page Friday morning along with it’s story.
I photographed this assignment for the paper- I just really like this photo for some reason.
and I photographed a ton of valentines…..Can’t wait to show you!
Filed under photography
At Apple Store Now
I can’t blog today because my mouse is out on MacBook that means it is totally worn out! I am Apple Store right now filling you in as it gets fixed.
I was negotiating with God on the way down here hoping that it wouldn’t be a data problem! My Genius Bar man said it wasn’t. I was totally afraid of an operating system crash. Nope -all we need is a new case!
Hang tight for another day!
Filed under Uncategorized
Great News!
Big News- I knew yesterday was going to be my day and it was!
I booked two weddings. One is in San Antonio and one is going to be in Bennington, VT- a couple from Miami doing a destination wedding here. I have two more couples that I am negotiating with right now and I am being a second shooter at wedding in Portsmouth in July.
So this means it is time for the new equipment- and lots of it…..I feel like I have turned the page.
So if I had one little dream in life it would be to work next to Bob Krist who is the National Geographic Traveller Photographer and guess what? He is coming to Maine for a workshop this summer.
He is the best of everything photography and geography have to offer in my mind.
I have a Master’s in Geography and I have read National Geo since birth.
He is the most well respected photographer in the field.
OK I know …..time to get a life!
His workshop is $1050.00. Some how, some way- I have got to get in that class this summer. I am prepping a portfolio anyways…and he requires one.
Jul 4 – Jul 10 Bob Krist
Explore the Maine coast with one of travel photography’s most respected practitioners.
Photograph Maine at one of the most beautiful times of the year while learning from one of the best travel photographers around. This workshop is for advanced amateurs and experienced professionals who want to gain insight into how to make better photographs for editorial and stock sales or for personal satisfaction. Bob covers all aspects of the shoot: how to solve technical problems, how to work with people, gain access, digital workflow on the road, and how to use a small strobe. Students learn how to research a story, select a destination, prepare a shooting list, edit their pictures and share their work with a larger community. Bob works with students in critique and in the field, sharing his work and techniques. The class works digitally and students should have basic digital photography skills: image capture, downloading, editing, etc. and are encouraged to research the area before arrival. A portfolio is required for admission. A portfolio is required for this class.
Filed under photography
Giving myself a Quick Reminder
I believe it is going to be a great week- I really do. I am feeling optimistic, well rested, family oriented and ready to take on the week. A far cry from what I felt like last week. Too many late nights and too much extra curricular everything. I did squeeze in a couple of crazy workouts- one day included P90x that is torture.
Dear Self: This weeks promises to self include- no more going to bed late, more exercise and tons of water drinking.
This is what has been on the agenda. Lots of planning-
Mr. Exec has to work in Manhatten in the near future- and he has invited the whole fam-dam down for two nights of NYC fun. I always believe never let an education get in the way of travel- so I am crossing my fingers that we can work it out. How fun would that be? We haven’t been down for a year. I love NYC and I love the hustle and bustle of the city.
At the Metropolitan Museum of Art
I have also been putting a lot of energy into wrapping up my big trip with the big kids for homeschool coming up. I have really out done myself on this one. Of course, I will brag about it here-since this is my webpage and my journal. It will make your mouth water. 8 months of planning finally coming to fruition. I think it will meet every need we have this year and surprisingly it is not breaking the bank like in years past.
The little kids are trying to talk me into a repeat Disney trip for Spring break……hmmmmmm dang that was a lot of fun…..Now if I can just have a couple bucks fall on me. Disney is the most expensive destination on the planet, but I am a sucker for the little kids and Mickey. I might have to call my ex-pilot Jet Blue boyfriend for a couple of comp tickets down there….would that scream out of line?
Last Year Spring Break -Total Blast
Finally, this last weekend- I reminded myself that my most important job is the children. It is easy to get lost in all of the fun jobs I have, but I am trying to spend every waking minute attending to their well being. More one on one time, more quality dinners (my down fall), more interest in them. Selling travel and photography are great outlets and definitely needed for me to stay sane. But my focus this year is the same it has been every year- providing them with the most quality life I can give them. And darn it- if it includes travel well be it.
I am doing the quick reminder right now.
Filed under Angela
Domestic Lifestyle 
