Reasons I was speeding

(written while waiting my turn at the downtown court house).

1) everyone else was
2) I was late for work
3) I didn't see the cop
4) it was a pretty day
5) It had been at least 5 years since my last speeding ticket
6) I had never waited around @ muni before....
7) I needed to take defensive driving anyway to lower my car insurance bill

They called 419!! That's me!

Christmas Cards from Aunt Emmie

I've been taking some pics for (other people's) Christmas cards lately and took three of my absolute *favorites* yesterday, so I thought I'd share some Christmas spirit.

And let me just say this: people who think there is 'economies of scale' in having multiples-- are mistaken.

That and: damn they're cute:







Faith (whispers) "I'm ready for my picture... cheese."


Ava hollas "I'm part of a group? I'm Part of a GROUP!"


Claire asks wide-eyed "Aunt Em-lee, can I have candy now?"


Little Madeleine-lou-who from Whoville:

iPost

About to go to sleep here in Maryville,MO, but so excited because I just downloaded an app that will let me blog on the go. WOOHOO!

It's scary how much I heart my new electronic device. It is Super fun. Not sure if I'll actually use it for posting or not - for all the happiness my new little toy has brought me in the past couple weeks, I am really annoyed that the keyboard won't turn sideways/horizontal.

Can't wait to post about arriving at the airport in Austin. But for now: good night and happy thanksgiving from me&my new toy.

Trying to figure out how to post from my phone...

spicey obsession

ah- the temperature finally dipped to 50 degrees. running errands this afternoon and at each place i was told 'stay warm!' as I left. With this cold front, the Texas seasons are changing. Winds are blowing, leaves are falling and the gorgeous sunsets we are so accustom to are that much more vibrant and crisp.

okay- so 50 degrees REALLY doesn't merit all this 'stay warm!' business, but i'm celebrating the season change nonetheless.

And just how am I commemorating this occasion? Glad you asked! since you can't step into my home, you'll just have to stop by your nearest Williams-Sonoma and pick up your own little 'pumpkin spice' kit. Mmmmm.... hand soap, lotion, candles, cleaning fluid, dish soap... it's incredible how much this stuff makes the whole casa smell delicious. I can't stop sniffing the stuff. seriously, it is divine. put a pumpkin pie in front of me and i'll pass (it's just never been my thing) but this stuff.. wow.

Spinning

Fantastic conversation last night with some 'ol dizelta friends - the ones i credit for pledging me to that fine group of ladies well over a decade ago, in fact. SO happy for another girls' night! (and thanks for not judging when i poured myself a martini...)

A theme of conversation seemed to be 'spinning' and it's many definitions from severe to silly: too much on someone's plate, life changes, the *literal* physical sensation or the hands-down-favorite 'spinning' reference... (thanks, Leigh!)

My spinning continued throughout the day today, but surely things will settle down soon. Holidays around the corner-- that should calm things down, right? Oh, wait...

Any who~ Definitely looking forward to the next get together, team! I can't believe I didn't bust my camera out?? (wow, I am out-of-sorts! ) And sorry I don't have a view of the downtown skyline from my pool. Speaking of - some pics from last summers' Slumber Party Girls' Night (because those don't come around nearly as often as they used to - or should!)

in a minute

it rained the whole time i was here... in my clean but less than desirable hotel in the middle of times square, i worked away. it took 90 minutes to get to the airport. my flight is delayed yet again, meaning i won't get home until 1am at best. i ruined my heels stepping in grates and rainy puddles. i got food poisoning and woke up sick one night. i didn't get to see my friends jess or lottie. =(

i wondered how i would feel in this city, being here in such a different setting, with such a different purpose and agenda. it was less than perfect- to say the least. Regardless, the answer is a resounding: yes, i love this city. Given the chance, i would move here in a minute. oh... make that "a new york minute."

New Kind of New York

Heading to NY and a bit weirded out. Not my usual trip. For starters: flying into JFK (boo). La Guardia feels like home. Second: staying at DoubleTree Times Square. REALLY? That just sounds so stereotypical or bland/glitz. I dunno how to describe exactly- but it certainly is no "Williamsburg Bridge to the West Village, driver"

My time will be spotted with business meetings and other commitments that does not lend itself to say: strolling along Bleecker, stopping in for cupcakes, stopping in for cocktails, making a run to union square or trader joe's. No mani/pedis, likely no shopping.

It's not that I'm complaining about NYC as the destination for this business trip (at least I'm not heading to Battle Creek, Michigan!) it's just that I don't feel like I'm heading to the town that I feel so comfortable and at ease with... It's more like a hurried trip to a landmark and back. No 'grit' of the city that I adore. Just flashy times square, rubber stamp hotel room, sterile meeting spaces and agendas.

Surely I'll love it just the same, anyway... right? Okay, maybe not just the same, but just as much... just in a different way? I suppose it is nice that I don't have to pay for it... So maybe I can get used to this after all. --silver lining found.

Productivity Propagation

PART 1
I am sure there is a business case or ten on the subject, but I have recently been reminded that inflicting large amounts of stress and insecurity on employees does wonders for productivity.

And when I say "does wonders" I means tanks.

And when I say "large amounts of stress and insecurity" I mean things like offering to large groups parachutes for taking a package and a hike, delivered along with the message that involuntary separation is pending if enough people don't take the parachute.

Fascinating.

That noted, I am otherwise completely occupied working like the proverbial one-legged-man* trying to catch up from 4 days of travel and the days leading up to it, where I was preparing to be out of town for the aforementioned travel. (note the lack of blog posts last week)

Sister is exhausted. As if the 4 draining days weren't enough.... my legs are so redonkulously sore I can't begin to explain. You'd just have to see me walk (or try to walk) and if you did, I assure you, you would giggle. And I wouldn't blame you. I really wouldn't. Anyway, I think I got tricked into working out.

PART 2
The truth is....while photographing a wedding: there are a million things rushing simultaneously through your head. Things like: do I have the right aperture setting/shutter speed/White balance/lens/flash settings? Wide angle or close-up? What about the battery and memory card-- should I change those out or go a little longer? How do I keep things moving along as to not hold up the celebration? How do I ensure that we take enough time to get the right pictures that become the only lasting memory of the day? How the hell to I toe the line of assertiveness and 'nicey'-ness to handle crowd control of tipsy and otherwise occupied wedding-goers (who would MUCH prefer move on to the next cocktail hour than stand around and smile for the camera)? And most notably - unfortunately for my calf muscles, quads, hamstrings and glutes (really - just about any other muscle group between my hips and ankles, it seems): How do I get a shot of the happy couple that doesn't also include the nasty grey storm clouds on the horizon? --AND minimize the shadows and generally unpleasant lighting??

The answer to the last question --in case you were wondering-- was to take many many shots (the kind with the camera, NOT from a bar, unfortunately) at an upward angle which resulted in much time of squatting, lunging and quickly getting up and down from the ground while carrying an extra 10 lbs of camera equipment - just for good measure.

...And I just realized this story would have likely been MUCH more entertaining if the 'shots' I was referring to were from the bar and not the camera...

I think I'm going to bed now.


*you remember: the one in the a$$ kicking contest??

Halloween Stinker

For her second Halloween, Madeleine was a Woopie Cushion. It was awesome. Clearly it was just as funny to her as it was to us:

What else do 13-month-old Woopie Cushions do? They're not just all laughs! Oh, no. Turns out they spread all kinds of happiness....

They hug their cousins, (she *may* have been trying her newest wrestling move here)

they feed their sandwiches to hungry (and friendly) puppies:

they make new friends with monkeys they encounter...

They also give speeches about very important things in foreign languages (details of aforementioned speech pending...)

This little toot isn't talking just yet, but her animal sounds are brilliant. She can do impressive impersonations of a monkey, lion and horse. She also knows the difference between her aunt and uncle's noses and can find her belly button in a flash.

Oh, the fun you can have with a one year old.

Footnote: I'm going with the spelling of "Woopie" that matches Maddie's costume.