In my former life, I was a professional photographer that got to capture many happy couples; engagements, weddings, and families.
Then, I retired.
No, really!
I think….
At least for now…….
And I guess it wasn’t really that much of a former life (last month). But whenever it was, this is what I did, and I share you with you three of my wonderful couples, which is the theme from Where’s my backpack? this week.
I hope you enjoy these glimmers and shimmers of romance.
Engaged couple: Sandi Jo and John
Wedding: Alison & Jay
Wedding: Rachel & Matt
It was fun. It was magical. It was everything that makes a heart pitter, patter, and pound.
Love is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery ~
When I think of couples, I think of them, and what an honor it was to witness these incredible moments in their lives.
Well…I’m late getting to this, but it is not for lack of trying. I have been trying to post this blog since TUESDAY. It’s been a work in progress, no more than ten minutes at a time snatched here and there. Because of work, work dinners, work, and MORE work. This is corporate travels busiest time of year. I think it always takes us by surprise. The AA pilots (I’m talking to you!! Yes YOU pilots!) are NOT helping. In fact, it is adding extra people (like me) to work in Emergency services and LOTS of unhappy people trying to get somewhere on AA. Not to mention the rest of the peoples bailing off AA to actually get somewhere. Which makes me wonder how smart these pilots think they are? If no one flies AA, won’t they be out of a J-O-B? But, I digress….
Cee’s Life Photography Blog is kind enough to share her world, and she asks that other share theirs. I don’t know about you. But I think that is a marvelous way to connect with each other.
Here are the four questions and answers for the week (finally!).
1. Where did you live at age five?
At age five (pic below), I lived in Ada, Oklahoma off Howard Street. And apparently, for my birthday, I got a big wheel.
How awesome is that?
A few facts about Ada.
Hometown of Blake Shelton.
Headquarters for Prepaid Legal.
Home to about 20,000 (and growing).
Infamous for the true story of The Innocent Man – written by John Grisham.
Home to the largest medical facility of the Chickasaw Nation.
2. What five things in life would you like to get paid for but would choose to do even if you have to pay to do them? (submitted by Reinventing the We’ll)
Photo by Lora Phillips
Take photos….
Preferably nature Photography and landscapes.
Visit the beach as much as I can possibly afford to. Oh yes….yes, yes, yes.
Laundry. Someone had to say it. What is the good life without clean undies? If I got PAID to do laundry, can you imagine how rich I’d be? Of course, paying for laundry is a must whether it’s buying a washer and dryer, or visiting the laundromat. Just being reals……
Coffee. I could get paid to have coffee. I could sit in Starbucks all day, or at home, or on the beach.
I can drink coffee here or there.
I can drink coffee anywhere.
But I have to have milk to put in it.
So I guess I’d need a fridge, or a cooler. And of course….I BUY coffee now. I afford this luxurynecessity so I don’t kill anyone.
Travel. Plane, train, or boat. I don’t care. I just like to go. And do. And be somewhere. Free travel would be great (and sometimes I get that), but I would pay. No doubt about it.
Watch sunsets. That would be a steady income I could enjoy. But I would pay for it, if I had to….Thankfully the most beautiful things in life are free.
3. Describe yourself in a word that starts with the first letter of your name. (submitted by teedeevee)
Amicable.
4. “What do you have to be so happy about?” (submitted by Caddo Veil)
My Family.
My Faith.
My Heart. My strength. My will.
That my journey is just beginning…
Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.
I saw this meme a few weeks ago over at Erika’s place and I just fell in love with it. Happy I can do, and I promised, I would take part one day soon.
Now…… *drumroll please*……..it’s time.
I’m a little torn between writing about what really, really makes me happy or the five things that make me happiest this week. Well, since I can throw the really, really happy thing into my five things – I am going with that, and yes, I am ONLY listing FIVE things. HA.
The freeway. I know. What the heck? Well, for the last two years I have driven a beautiful three lane street with lots of traffic lights. It was like driving Miss Daisy suburban style. Zoom. Zoom. Stop. Zoom. Zoom. Road rage on your bumper. Stop. In two years, I hit all green lights (6 miles) once. That was pretty cool, but now I drive the freeway to work. It’s all go, all the time (on accident-free days). I go against the traffic and it’s not very often an accident clogs up the road. I LOVE IT. I just get to drive and it helps me think and prepare for my day. Then, at the end of the day, it helps me to wind down. Something about not stopping and starting and just letting the freeway roll away all the stresses. It is my meditation.
I cleaned Jason’s house. Not just dust, but I mean I cleaned out drawers and stuff. Feeling at home much? Do you know what was so wonderful about cleaning and making space? I was nesting. I was finally preparing my home. That meant a lot to me, to reach that place of peace and love, where I know I belong. Finally!
TV this week. I rarely watch “live” TV. But I found myself folding laundry at my new soon-to-be home watching America’s Got Talent and Last Comic Standing on Tuesday night. I had NO idea I could laugh that loud. Thank goodness Jason was in class and Sydney was in Mississippi, or they would have thought me MAD. HA HA HA HA HA! (oops, that was kinda loud)
Cooking chicken in the rice steamer. Oh joy! It’s truly the little things with me. I SWEAR, I am terrible at cooking. I’m a-skeerd. Especially, of cooking chicken, and not getting it cooked all the way, and then getting sick. PLUS, I had never used the rice cooker before. Had no idea how to use it. Gee, I know it’s not rocket science. Cooking is just not my thing. But I did it. I googled a recipe and made nice garlic seasoned chicken breasts steamed in some water and olive oil. It was incredibly delicious and you know what? I’m proud of myself. Yay.
My last FAVORITE happy moment of the week and includes my happiest moment/place of all time. THE BEACH. Any beach will do and we just happened by Galveston on Sunday. Now, Galveston is not my favorite, but it will do in a pinch. I could sit and watch the ocean, hear the waves, feel the sun on my skin, with toes dug in the sand EVERY day. In my former life, I was a mermaid. I just know it. It’s home. It fills me up. This visit was more special than just a regular trip, since it was the little girls first time to wade into the ocean and revel in all it’s beauty play in the surf. I think it’s safe to say, they might have been mermaids too.
Please enjoy my happy day with my mom, Jason, and the girls, as we re-visit our Sunday – on the beach.
Living, Loving, Laughing.... 