Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Can you believe Thanksgiving is over and we're on our way to Christmas already? Seriously, since wedding season ending it's as if time is moving at warp speed. Doesn't seem to be enough days in a month to get everything done.....

- I actually mixed things up as far as the holiday went this year. In 30 years, I've never deviated from my Turkey Day plans (except for the 1 year I lived in California). Yesterday, I went out of town for Thanksgiving and spent it with my in laws, kiddo, and husband in Chicago. It was REALLY relaxed, fun, and the food @ Fulton's on the River was EXCELLENT. Whoever thought to put roasted marshmallows on top of sweet potatoes is a GENIUS....talk about the ultimate pregnancy food.

This holiday season is going to be a study in new traditions, I think....and I'm excited about that. I can only hope that come December 25th I have a new baby to cuddle.

- I am running a Black Friday sale (me and everyone else, apparently). To save 25% on any Type A Images SMUGMUG order enter the coupon code "BLACKFRIDAY". It's only good until the end of the day today, so jump on it! Go to your pictures here: www.typeaimages.smugmug.com

- If you're not a Facebook "fan" of Type A Images yet, hop on over to www.facebook.com/typeaimages and add yourself. It's the best way to get a heads up on specials, new sitting sneak peeks, and tons of cool info.

- I watched a very small snippet of the American Music Awards. The Bieber Snippet. Maybe it's a sign of my age. I just. don't. get. it. The appeal of Bieber does not resonate with me. Plus I'm LOL'ing that they sat the kid in front of a piano to make him look all serious and artsy.....and once he stood up to do his "thang" the piano kept playing. FAIL.

- I'm going to spoil a bit of Dexter for you folks....I think 5 days is sufficient buffer. How AWESOME was Dexter beating up the stepdad of Astor's friend!?! I wanted to yell at the TV "GO DEXTER GO!"......so cool. I love it when he loses his mind and goes all crazy. It's good TV.

- Took Betty to the mall a bit early this week to get her Santa shot ($25 for a bad pop-up flash snap of the kiddo.....really?). She told Mall Santa she wanted a puppy and the new baby wanted diapers.

- Speaking of holiday shopping, I'm trying to get it all done before I get too huge to want to move. And I'm getting there, believe me!

I did get my grandparent's high school yearbook in the mail the other day, which thrills me to no end because I searched for it for a number of years. I'm excited to give it to Gramps.

- I have one session left before maternity leave...and its tomorrow morning. I am taking a few more client consult meetings, but that's the extent of it. I'm pooped, and I cannot wait for this pregnancy to be over. Hopefully then I will be able to fit into my shoes and not have to keep hiking up my pregnancy jeans.

- Just watched a special on PBS the other night about the White House official photographer. What a COOL. JOB. It was really interesting to watch him work. They said at one point the amount of pictures the guy takes in a month (I don't recall the exact number, but it was over 10,000). Made me feel better about the amount I typically bring home from a wedding shoot!

What was even MORE interesting is the "official White House photo editor" (yes, this job exists) is NOT allowed to delete any of the shots. This I find fascinating. What if it's just terrible? What if Obama is making a funky face or he blinked? It all goes in the archive!

- I did NOT attend any Black Friday sales in person. I shopped from the comfort of my couch with the dulcet tones of Spongebob Squarepants wafting through the background. The only way to do it, if you ask me. Once the hubby returns from the road we'll hit up Toys R Us and finish off shopping for the Peanut and then we're done!

- Things are grinding to a halt on the work-front. I'm finishing off the last of the editing and album orders...getting everything out in the mail. Tomorrow is my last sitting until January (the famously camera-shy Lauren! We're planning a sneak attack at the library)...I have 3 prospective client meetings and then it's nothing but relax and enjoy.

And here's your moment-o-Betty Turkey Day Style:

We woke up SUPER early on T-giving day...and I actually got to watch the parade which has never happened before. Betty was quite taken with the Rockette's. And the outfit? Well, that's what happens when Mama is just far too tired to care if her kid's pajamas match.

We finally got to spend Turkey Day with Jon. Every year he is away in Chicago for the holiday for work, and he's missed 5 Thanksgivings. We ate at Fulton's on the River in Chicago and it was really really good.

I'd like to title this picture "Fatty and the Cheeser". I think pregnancy has caught up with me. Holy puffy-ness!

Betty playing @ Fulton's. I picked up that stellar outfit the night before @ Target. Betty's take? "It's weird and it doesn't match". She didn't seem to mind once it was on.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

It's Friday...you know what THAT means.....(besides, oh...I dunno....Four Weddings is on tonight, which is, like, the greatest wedding show ever.....)

Other noteworthy new nuggets:

- Our first Halloween in the new 'hood went off without a hitch....well, except for that whole "your neighborhood is the place to be!" hitch, which forced us to make a last-minute candy replenishment run to Shopko. Who knew? We couldn't PAY kids to hit up our house in Milwaukee!

- The Peanut's first Trick or Treating experience was fabulous. She LOVED it....she was all about getting right in there with the big kids and demanding her candy. She only wanted to stop at houses that had decorations, which was kind of a funny. The best part? Betty isn't much for candy, so I've been able to raid her bucket guilt-free all week.

- On the subject of Halloween, maybe it's just the mom in me...or maybe I'm just a gigantic out-of-touch prude...but there were some costumes the neighborhood gals were sporting that my daughter would not be caught DEAD in at their age. Seriously...your 12 year old does not need to be a "sexy cat" for Halloween. She's 12. Also, all the kids over the age of, say, 8 were Trick or Treating WITH cellphones...and seemed to do more texting than Trick or Treating. Sad state of affairs.

And yes, I sound old and crabby. I know this.

- This has been a challenging week, for a number of reasons for sure. I'm a lot busier than I had anticipated for a November (good thing!) but I'm starting to get sluggish...and tired...and I'm looking at a fairly un-ready baby room and feeling a tad overwhelmed.

So, when I made a visit to my "local" camera store (local being Rockford) I was vulnerable....I think the sales guy knew I needed to acquire SOME sort of equipment to ease my somewhat irksome week.

I went in for an umbrella and light stand

I came out with a new lens.

Ugh...dangerous stuff, those camera stores.

- I'll be taking my new lens buddy out for a run this Saturday at the season's LAST WEDDING. Insert big-eyed "I can't believe it" stare here, because whew!! What a season! 32 weddings...countless awesome families...and having to hear the Black Eyed Peas "I Gotta Feelin'" more times then I can really recall or ever count. I've eaten my weight in awesome cake and can probably do the Cupid Shuffle in my sleep by this time.

I'll be back at it in January but I am looking forward to some slow, laid-back Saturdays coming up.

- Just a reminder, I'm still running a sale on SmugMug purchases (any purchase off the SmugMug site). 25% off with the coupon code SEASONEND10. This sale ends November 15th, so get those Christmas orders in quickly to take advantage of it!

- Speaking of the holidays and orders, if you are going to be wanting your album by Christmas, it is very important that you get your picture selections in by November 15th at the absolute LATEST. I beg of you! I'm working diligently to get all albums designed and off to the printers in time for holiday delivery!

- On another holiday note....Gift Certificates make AWESOME stocking stuffers, so contact me about ordering a Gift Certificate for your family or friends. They can be purchased in any amount.

- I was getting a bit concerned about Dexter. I adore this shore...LOVE it....but it had not been really holding my interest much thus far this season. However, last Sunday's episode RAWKED. Very cool. Keep it up, Dexter!

- I just did a sitting last night doing portraits for Beloit's Finest (the BPD). I tried to get them to agree to write off the two speeding tickets I got in August. No dice. : )

- The Mini-Sessions went great and we got some awesome shots out of the day (even though it was cold....and a football game was going on). I may reconsider the late fall date if I decide to bring out the Mini next year.

- 16 and Pregnant is BACK! Awesome-sauce, seriously. Could this show be any more entertaining? Babies named Genesis.....16 year olds getting married in racing uniforms....it's just good watchin'.

- I'm going to be unloading some camera equipment this week that I just don't use (a few lenses....etc) so stay tuned. If anyone is REALLY into the color pink and needs a fashion camera bag for 1 camera, boy do I have the bag for you........keep tabs on Facebook for sales : )

- Up this week: Shopping for the baby room with my mother-in-law tomorrow.....the last wedding on Saturday in Chicago...fun filled family session on Sunday in Milwaukee, two bridal consults this week....whew-wee!!! Who said it was slow season?

And now, your moment-of-Betty....

Trick or Treat!!! For the first time! She was quite into it.

Patiently waiting.

Shooting huge. Last week's wedding. Sad the only time I have to take "belly pics" is when I'm working and find a good mirror! LOL

This, my friends, is BIG NEWS. Betty.....eating FRUIT. Now, if you don't know my kid let me fill you it. She eats one thing: macaroni and cheese. That's about it. The kid is pickier than all get-out. So, my dear mother-in-law actually got this kid to EAT. AN. APPLE. As you can see, she documented the moment for proof. I was STUNNED. Stunned, I tell ya!! (Picture courtesy of Mother-in-Law)

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

A bit early (ok, 5 minutes early)...but I'm up late kicking bootay and taking names tonight with some boring administrative type stuff...so I thought I'd get the blog post up while I was up and at it.

- Making some minor changes to the blog/site/Twitter/etc....just color wise really, to kind of match new branding and identity stuff that will be going into affect. I had some grander plans for a new custom website, but life being how it is (babies being priority and all....) that has been put on temporary hold. But, the ideas are still swimming in my head...so I'm doing what I can with what I know about HTML and customizing my Photobiz site. Not exactly what I'm going for, but its getting there.

- Speaking of spending money, we got ourselves a new vehicle this week. For the last few years my husband had been driving my old beater....a Suzuki Aerio (don't feel bad, even the guy at the dealership had never heard of them). I think Aerio may be Japanese for "Crap Bucket"....not quite sure. We finally got him a new car that didn't scream "TEENAGER". We got ourselves a Mazda6. Nice little vehicle, if I do say so myself.

- Like last year, I'll be offering Type A Images Gift Certificates for the holiday season. These make awesome gifts and they are completely customizable for any amount. Shoot me an email and I'll hook you up!

- And while we're on the topic of Christmas/Holiday/Festivus gifts, albums and prints also make fab presents...but not if you wait until the last minute to order them....just sayin'.

- How sad about Courtney Cox and David Arquette. Not SO much about Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman, only because that whole union was kind of....off. Because she's, well...a hottie and he's kind of weird looking. I know....I know...looks are not everything....it's subjective. But cmon.....he lucked out. How long could he expect that luck to last?

- I won't spoil Project Runway (because I know some folks don't get to watch it right away), but I will say that I'm happy with the results thus far. Sort of. How's that for vague?

- Funny Betty-ism for this week (since I...GASP!!...don't have any new pictures of her to share)

Betty: "Mama, my potato fell under my bed"

(note: not a REAL potato....a fake, plastic tomato that she calls a potato)

Mom: "Can you get under there and reach it?"

Betty: "No, can you get it?"

Mom: "I'm a bit busy right now, Betty. Can't you get to it?"

Betty: **BIG SIGH** "Okay....but I have really little arms"

Man, I love her.

Since I'm sans-Betty-pics this week, a picture of the new ride will have to suffice. Enjoy.

This weekend is shaping up to be pretty relaxed. Three engagement sessions this weekend...a little break in the marathon of weddings leading up to the end of the season.

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Another week down and another day closer to the Dexter premiere. Oh yes, priorities! I've been waiting a YEAR for this week!

In other "news":

- I'm sure if you follow me on Facebook (if not...what'supwiththat?) you've grown weary of me complaining about the neighborhood kid's and the local high school's homecoming antics. Now, I'm going to preface this by saying I am not some crabby old lady who doesn't remember what it's like to be 16. REALLY...I'm not. But holy buckets...these kids have it ALL WRONG.

First off, when we were in high school, the whole point of night-time mischief during Homecoming week was to NOT get caught. That was paramount! You wore black...you parked a block away from your intended target...you quickly TP'd their house...and you stole away into the night undetected like Chuck Norris.

That is not the case these days. Now, apparently, the point is to be as LOUD AND OBNOXIOUS as humanly possible...throw in some profanity and hurled eggs and you have Homecoming 2010.

Last night we were the crabby neighbors. It was late, our kid was trying to sleep, and the neighborhood was being taken over by these KIDS and their baking goods (not to mention their crappy cars with equally crappy stereo systems). So, cops were called. Kids actually got ARRESTED (the cops said it's ridiculous this year, pure vandalism..not just fun and games).

I will be glad when Homecoming is over.

- On a happier, less "rant-y" note, as I mentioned, this week is the Dexter premiere! I am so giddy-excited about this I can barely stand it. The season finale last year just messed. me. up. For at least a week. Cannot wait to see how they resolve everything!

- Also, Jimmy Eat World's new album "drops" this week, and tonight they will be on David Letterman. Jim Adkins is my super-not-so-secret girlie crush, so this is good news. And if you're not a fan of the band, or only remember them for "The Middle", I highly recommend picking up their album Clarity. It will blow your mind.

- Next week I will be attending a workshop in Madison with Portland photographer Brandon Perron . Since getting back from WPPI's Road Show I've been pretty motivated to take Type A Images to the next level, and I'm hoping this two day workshop will be even more motivating. And FYI to my photographer pals, there are STILL open seats for this workshop, folks. It's affordable for a 2 day event and I highly recommend attending if you can!

Mandie Haberman from Red Gecko, who is hosting Brandon Perron in Madison, will be at the Great Dane on Monday night to welcome him to town. Stop on by! I'll be there nursing a kiddie cocktail. : )

- Speaking of changes and motivation, I finally got a hold of a friend of mine who is a graphic designer to start on the new Type A Images website. It's been something I've been kicking around for awhile and had been afraid to pull the trigger on it, but when you go to my current site I don't believe it really SAYS anything about who Type A is and what I want clients to know. Hopefully the site will be ready to go live shortly after the New Year.

- How funny was yesterday's Facebook outage? And how sad are we as a community of folks who cannot seem to function normally without CONSTANT online connection? (Oh I am guilty, believe me!) Nuts. Twitter blew up like mad when FB went down. I have to wonder how office productivity went up!

- I just signed up to do my first bridal show this February. It will be the Wedding Show and Tell in Milwaukee (at the Audubon Center). I'm pretty excited about it, since it's another thing I've always put off doing.

- I feel like a broken record here, but there are STILL openings for the Halloween/Fall Mini-Sessions I'm holding on October 31. SEVEN in fact. This is a great way to get affordable shots for your Christmas cards, so hop to it, people!

And speaking of work...I'm gearing up for a wedding in Milwaukee tomorrow with the always fabulous Maggie . Reception is at the Harley Museum and I'm super jazzed about shooting there. Sunday I have an engagement session (and here's hoping no rain) and then I intend to glue myself to the TV in anticipation for Dexter!

Next week is all learning from failure and Brandon Perron fun....and then TWO weddings. I also have to give a great big fun shout out to Andrea Paradowski as she prepares for her wedding next week! Good luck!!

And here is some Betty fun....

Friday Fractured Thought | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer

Feels like I JUST did one of these...because my schedule is outta wack, but lets see if we can get ourselves back on track...shall we....

1. Holy HOT. I know everyone is complaining up a storm about the heat but really? Can we get a break please? I'm just thanking my lucky stars I'm not 9 months pregnant right now or I would want to shank someone.

2. On top of the ridiculous heat, the mosquitos have been coming out in brut force this summer. Note to self: Put the Off! in the car BEFORE the weddings/shoots.

3. Speaking of weddings...2011 bookings are in full swing and remember, the early bird gets the worm (in this case, I am the worm). There are new album options offered for next season and I'm really excited about getting my schedule in order for next year!

4. We're narrowing down names for Second Shooter. Of course, no names will be revealed until she shows her pretty little face, but we're working on it. Here's a 20 week belly pic:

Half-way there!

5. Betty has discovered her new favorite past time: Rummage Sale-ing. I took her to a few last week and she LOVED it.

6. On a more serious note, and I've talked about this before on the blog, but a friend of mine experienced an issue with someone ripping off content from her blog this week. I can't tell you how much stuff like this makes my blood boil. Seriously, don't steal. Don't steal words. Don't steal pictures. Don't steal things period. It's not cool. If you can't come up with this stuff on your own maybe find a different line of work.

7. On a less serious note, how GREAT is Project Runway this season? I know he's just tacky as all get out, but I LOVE Casanova. He reminds me of Javier from "Felicity". Gretchen needs to be slapped though. How obnoxious IS she?

8. I've also found myself mildly obsessed with Teen Mom as of late. I'm fascinated by Farrah and her mother. Can't wait to see what becomes of this season.

**EDIT**
9. I NEARLY forgot the most exciting part of our week!!! (Der....Baby Brain!)...the Brewers Game!! Thanks to some connected family members, we got to sit in the visiting team's "owners" section (right next to the duggout, front row). What a VIEW! We also got to visit the field during batting practice. Met some players. It was my husband's and my mother-in-law's birthday, so it was a lot of fun. Even the line drive I stopped with my hand didn't phase me!

So, had to add pictures of that too!
Kirk Gibson signed Betty's baseball. Apparently he's kind of a big deal (I didn't know who he was until Jon showed me some big home-run he had some years ago that won some big game). Betty, I believe, was none too happy that some guy scribbled all over her new baseball.

Roger, Jon and my father-in law in the duggout.

Up this week: Family sitting tonight @ Lake Park in Milwaukee, wedding in Milwaukee tomorrow, birthday party for Little Miles on Sunday, and another awesome Madison Collages CLASS meeting this week, which I always look forward to!

And for all you folks out there who need a Betty-picture fix (all 2 of you who haven't had enough of my posting pictures of my kid) here's Betty at a little water-park thingie near Milwaukee. Picture courtesy of my Mother-in-Law.

The Newb Branches Out. | Betty Claire Photography.

Ah yes, she's back. And well on her way to becoming a Rockstar in the industry. Betty Claire Photography is taking off and taking over. Brides...take note. She'll soon be commanding a 5-figure starting point for all wedding commissions, so jump on this one soon!

What started with a simple camera has mophed into a real career! Our Betty Claire has gone DIGITAL

Self portrait

The Mother.....and the Competition! Notice the cross-processing done on this one. This is to show how very artsy Betty Claire Photography can be.

Natural light portraits are Betty Claire Photography's speciality....as they don't require the knowledge of how to turn on her flash. Which is still kind of a mystery.

Betty Claire calls this piece "Plight of the Little People". The empty car symbolizes loss of jobs in Little People land.

Selective color. Feel the contrast.

Piano keys. A study.

Since entering her first day of digital camera ownership, Betty Claire Photography will now be offering workshops to teach you the fine art of shoe photography and natural light portraits in playrooms. Sign up today!

Diary of a Newb. | Milwaukee Satire Photography.

Betty here...taking over Mom's blog for a moment to promote my new photography business! That's right, I fully intend to ride Mama's coattails all the way to bank!

I just got my camera. Today in fact. I was browsing through Target and there it was. And I thought "There it is....my destiny"

I mean, A is not for Auto...its for AWESOME. Right?

The first thing I needed was snazzy name. I decided to do what is only natural and drop that pesky last name. Betty Claire Photography. Has a great ring to it. Just like all those famous photographers out in California. Ohhh yeah....

First I started by practicing on my friends. Notice how official I look with my camera. A real pro. I then selectively colored the bejesus out of their pictures...for that "pro" look. : ) They were quite happy!

No, I do not need an external flash. Nor do I need another camera. This Mickey Mouse Version II works just fine thankyouverymuch. I mean, it already HAS a flash on it. Why do I need another one?

In my spare time, when not shooting "clients" and "events" I like to do artsy projects...like Macro work of household items and fashion accessories.

Artsy self-portraits help fill in slow periods. It also lets me change up my Avatar on DWF every week.

I'm a artiste...so no, I don't care if you think I need something other than a kit lens. I mean, did you see that work I did with the chipmunks and rabbits? I mean...CMON. I captured their true essence.

What's that? That smudge in the upper corner? That is NOT a finger....it's bokeh. I swear.

Chimping. The mark of a true pro.

Blog owners note: Given Betty Claire's natural ability, I've decided to hire her on for the year as a second shooter. Look for her at upcoming weddings! She'll be the midget with the red Mickey camera and no external flash.

Friday Fractured Thought (Saturday Edition) | Milwaukee Wedding Photographer.

Ok, so...I missed a day. But I have a REALLY good excuse. Not only have I been readying our house for our 1st "Open House Extravaganza" !! (Note: our original sale fell through, in case you haven't been privy to my ranting on Facebook). But, I've been struck down with a cold. So, here's the Saturday edition of Fractured Thoughts. Enjoy!

* Selling a house is up there with one of the most stressful things I've ever done. Seriously. Keeping a house that a 2 year old inhabits clear and "staged" for potential buyers who may drop in at little notice is NOT easy.

* I am a notorious creature of habit, as most Type A personality people are. I like to know what's coming next. I eat the same things, I like the same shows, I don't mix things up much when it comes to my "routine". If someone ever tried to take away my Mountain Dew for a week I would probably break down and sob. So, this week it's been the show Roseanne. I get completely hooked on this show at least once every few years. It really is a genius show and completely stood apart from the other sitcoms of its day (Full House, Family Matters, Cosby).

I love it. So, while nursing my sniffles I've been curled up on the couch all weekend thus far watching episode upon episode of Roseanne. I'm up to Season 6.

* So sad about Corey Haim...though I can't say I'm surprised. I loved Lucas as a kid.

* I'm gearing up to HOPEFULLY take Betty's spring photos this week. I bought her the CUTEST vintage dress from Etsy...weather permitting stay tuned!

* Speaking of the Red Headed One, I took her to the museum this week, simply because I was kind of sick of going to Monkey Joe's or Betty Brinn. She had a GREAT time. You have to check out the butterfly room if you haven't yet. It is AWESOME. You are surrounded by hundreds of butterflies, it's so neat (and not a bad photo op).

So, not much going on this week, save an engagement session tomorrow and Alise and Paul's wedding next week!! (Woo Hoo!). Stay tuned for sneak peeks!

Betty comes out of her shell (or cocoon or...whatever)

Wild Night.

Sometimes your luck just seems to run out. At least luck did not seem to be on our side last night, or the universe was playing a cruel trick on my family. Either way, Halloween night in the Reseburg household was one to remember.

I spent Friday night and Saturday afternoon in Beloit so Betty could visit relatives in her dog costume. It was a long weekend and I was really looking forward to getting home, getting caught up on some work, and getting some sleep before a shoot today.

At approximately 11:45 I was gearing up for bed, having already put on a tank top and jammie pants for a nice night of rest (my wardrobe will become relevant soon).

Jon, my husband, had spent the weekend finishing up our new basement theatre. This project had taken us 6 months or so to complete and the final stage involved installing the projector on the ceiling and mounting the huge screen to the basement wall. He had finished and was quite proud of himself for completeing the install. He was gearing up to watch his first movie on the new theatre screen.

I was just answering a client email and was ready to turn off the computer and head to bed when a resounding CRASH shook the whole house. It sounded like a very large and heavy piece of furniture had fallen over. This crash was followed by a loud hissssssssss. The funny thing is I couldn't quite place where the sound was originating from. I ran down to the basement yelling "What WAS that!". My first thought was the newly installed projector had somehow dislodged from the ceiling and come crashing to the floor.

But no, everything was in place...and my husband was just as incredulous as I. I ran back upstairs and out our front window saw our neighbor, whom we have never actually met, pounding on our window. "Get out of the house! Get out of the house!". I didn't really have time to think about why...but it soon became apparent when the heavy smell of gas was detected. I ran, grabbed Betty from her sleep, and booked outside in my tanktop and jammie pants.

Our neighbor's young son, who had just received his driver's license, had slammed his car into the side of our home...knocking the gas meter clear off the home. Acrid smelling gas was now filling not only the outside but our home as well. The hissing was loud and this was no small leak, it was a deluge.

Jon frantically dialed 911 as I ran out into the street in front of my home and shivered with Betty, who was now wide awake and a bit bewildered. All I kept thinking was "one spark and my house is going to explode".

About 5 minutes later two fire trucks pulled up, closing off our end of the street and unraveled their hoses aiming them directly at the house in case the one single spark needed to ignite my home happened.

I just couldn't help but thing all I had in the home: my work, my camera equipment, all of Betty's things...all my memories of my Grandmother...everything hanging by the hope that nothing would ignite.

Thankfully our other neighbors awoke and opened their home to Betty and I as we waited for the gas company to come and shut the gas off. An hour passed, and nothing. Unsure if anything inside the home (in the walls) was broken they could only temporarily cap the hose. By this time, according to the fire department, the gas levels in our home were at explosion level and they worked to shut off all electricity and started the process of airing out the house. One firefighter went in to retrieve our cat who was cowering under our bed.

We stood helpless, not really sure what was going to happen.

The massive leak capped but our home still uninhabitable, we ended up having to go to a nearby hotel at about 2 AM to sleep a few hours before returning the next day to a home with no gas service....meaning no heat. We had to hire a plumber to make sure the pipes inside were not damaged and here's the kicker: in order to access the pipes a hole had to be cut into our brand new, just finished, drywalled ceiling. In addition, because the temperature in the house dipped so severely last night a crack developed in our living room ceiling, along with some nice water damage.

It's now 24 hours later....our gas line has been restored and heat brought back to the home. I don't think I've experienced anything that scary in quite some time. I just kept thinking about that old question: if your house is on fire, what would you grab? Honestly...you wouldn't have time to grab anything but your family. I thought of maybe grabbing the box holding all of my grandma's things just in case something ignited the gas, but everything happened so quickly.

It was most definitely an experience...one I do not want to soon relive.

On the plus side, Betty seems to have enjoyed our little adventure. She got to see firetrucks (she calls them "bad boys"...they have lights, and she's a COPS fan). She got to be up past her bedtime, and she got to share a big, fluffy hotel bed with her mother....who got no sleep. All in all, I'm thankful BEYOND thankful our house was not blown up. And I'm starting to think 16 is too young for a driver's license!

And, because this post is naked without some sort of picture, here's Betty earlier that wild night in her puppy costume!

I Swear I Still Have a Kid.

And she would have been a sweetheart

But with punk rock manners

-Hello Saferide

My poor kid. A photographer for a mom and she's gone neglected photo-wise for quite some time. Sure, a snapshot here or there but cripes...nothing of any real concentrated effort. I blame summer...and paid gigs. Maybe if she got a job and started paying me.....hmm...

Anywhoo, yesterday the Peanut and I traveled over to the Audubon Nature Center. It was cold, and crawling with school groups. But, we found ourselves a nice little abandoned trail and I snapped away. Once she realized that our purpose was something other than running around and collecting leaves she became a bit irritated with me. She did not want to give me "pretty face" even when I told her these pictures were for her Papa and he would be quite sad if she didn't cooperate. Ahh...bribery. Doesn't really work on Betty. She's too smart for me.

So, I did what I could. I still like the results. I put my old bunny sweater on her, which was a bit large, but still cute. The sweater was mine when I was three (way back in nineteen eighty shmedy something...nevermind). My Aunt Lorraine made it for me, and it's still in pretty good shape. All the bunnies still have their tails.

So, enjoy these...other than her Christmas pictures (I'm cooking up an ode to Julia Margaret Cameron that I hope she'll cooperate for....it involves wings so who knows) she probably won't make an apperance for awhile. I think she's becoming camera-weary.

I think this is my favorite. It was her idea to get all acquainted with the tall yellow grass. I was all for it. I would kill for my kid's hair color.

TuTu Cute.

I am, quite possibly, the LEAST "crafty" person on earth. I can draw pretty well, and when I was 5 I did okay with the whole "make a necklace out of macaroni" deal. But when it comes to really crafting something useful I am completely clueless.

My friend Heidi Duss is the completely opposite. She makes beautiful jewelry, buttons, coasters, and now adorable infant and child tutus!

Heidi enlisted my Betty as her tutu model and Betty was more than happy to help out. She flitted around in the grass (with the help of Daddy and some bubbles) and was a pretty decent model....as decent as a two year old who will not sit still can be.

Heidi's tutus and her other lovely items can be found at her Storyline Design website and her Etsy store The Fairy Garden

If you are interested in purchasing a tutu or any one of Heidi's other items she can be reached at thefairygarden@yahoo.com.

Heidi will also be at the Sun Prairie Art Show on September 12 featuring her tutus, wands, and onesies along with other items from Storyline Design!

Thanks Heidi for asking Betty to be your little model. I think she enjoyed herself!

The Peanut Turns 2.

It amazes me how fast a year passes, and the changes that come about in such a small facet of time. My baby is two. TWO. I can hardly believe it. She's a little girl now. Not just a baby.

We held Betty's birthday party this past Sunday at my in-law's house. Betty made out pretty well present-wise. Now it's the question of where to put all this new stuff! She got her first tricycle...unfortunately she was blessed with her father's stumpy legs and her feet don't yet reach the pedals...but, in time.

She had a Spongebob cake (as Spongebob is the coolest cat ever) and enjoyed lots of running around time with all of her little cousins.

It was a lovely day, and I'm just now kind of getting used to the idea of a two year old. Everything you've heard about them is TRUE!

Prepare to PAR-TAY.

Great-Grandpa Jack and the monkey he got for Betty. Grandma would approve.

Any kid can blow out a candle. Being that my kid is uber hardcore, she puts candles out with her tongue.

The Return of the Peanut.

Oh how I have been neglecting my poor Peanut this wedding season. Mired waist deep in edits and uploads, my daughter's precious little face has gone sadly unphotographed most days. As well as unblogged.

So, to satisfy my own Peanut withdrawal as well as my readers (hello out there!), here's a bit of Recent Peanut.



I cannot get over how old she is getting.



I like to call this one "Intimidation"