I hope you like it as much as I do (although I'm not sure that's possible)!
the pre-launch
Well, I'm almost ready to share this not-so-little project with the world. I have a couple of back posts to add in today and then the whole of the internets will be set loose upon it tomorrow. I'd love for you guys to take a sneak peek today...You know, give everything a test run and leave me some happy comments. ;)
I hope you like it as much as I do (although I'm not sure that's possible)!
I hope you like it as much as I do (although I'm not sure that's possible)!
moving on
I've been so horribly inconsistent around here, and honestly, when the moment comes to decide where to spend my time it's clear that this little blog just isn't my priority.
However, I have some big news...[insert drumroll here]...I'm launching my photography website this week! (Yea! Yea!) Since, in my mind, none of the arguments for having two different sites made much sense it will actually be a "blogsite" -- but I have a strange aversion to that word, so I'm just sticking with website, mkay? Great.
Anyway, I'm super excited to share it all--the pet pics I never posted here, as well as the branding I've redone something like 2,573 times. It's been kind of a slow ride getting everything to this happy place, but really, I'm so, so happy with it!
For now, here's a little sneak peak at some of my branding elements. Keep your eyes peeled for the launch news, I'm planning to give you guys the first peak at it. :)
However, I have some big news...[insert drumroll here]...I'm launching my photography website this week! (Yea! Yea!) Since, in my mind, none of the arguments for having two different sites made much sense it will actually be a "blogsite" -- but I have a strange aversion to that word, so I'm just sticking with website, mkay? Great.
Anyway, I'm super excited to share it all--the pet pics I never posted here, as well as the branding I've redone something like 2,573 times. It's been kind of a slow ride getting everything to this happy place, but really, I'm so, so happy with it!
For now, here's a little sneak peak at some of my branding elements. Keep your eyes peeled for the launch news, I'm planning to give you guys the first peak at it. :)
one year
photo by Sheryl Soule
Headed up north to the family cabin and to pay a visit to the headwaters of the Mississippi. Hoping for a weekend as equally wonderful (if not a bit more relaxed) than the one we had a year ago.
Happy weekend!
my portfolio is me
I've ripped the words below straight from the walls of Deb Schwedhelm's blog. Deb is an amazing photographer, but more importantly a very inspiring and uplifting person. Her blog posts are often some of my favorites as they seem to ground me, remind to take in the moments of everyday life, and to be thankful for what we have.
Deb posted the words below from an ad for Academy of Art University, and they really resonated with me. I'm in the midst of choosing images to put in a portfolio for my website, and this is everything I feel about it. I completely share Deb's sentiments that this could be turned into a fantastic art piece (like this maybe?) to be hung in an art studio of any kind. (Etsy, do you hear me?)
my portfolio is me.
everything that i am
and it’s everything that i’m not.
it’s my strengths and my weaknesses.
it’s my self-confidence and -esteem.
my past.
my present.
and most definitely my future.
my portfolio is where i’m going.
where i’ve been.
and the places i shouldn’t have been and shouldn’t go.
it’s everything.
it’s my inspiration and never finished.
always a work in progress.
it’s everything i’ve ever seen, heard, touched, smelled, sensed and believed.
it’s my worst fears
and all my hopes
all at the same time.
it’s the beginning of the beginning and the end of an era.
and so much more than a phase.
it’s my portfolio and describing it
is describing me.
Deb posted the words below from an ad for Academy of Art University, and they really resonated with me. I'm in the midst of choosing images to put in a portfolio for my website, and this is everything I feel about it. I completely share Deb's sentiments that this could be turned into a fantastic art piece (like this maybe?) to be hung in an art studio of any kind. (Etsy, do you hear me?)
my portfolio is me.
everything that i am
and it’s everything that i’m not.
it’s my strengths and my weaknesses.
it’s my self-confidence and -esteem.
my past.
my present.
and most definitely my future.
my portfolio is where i’m going.
where i’ve been.
and the places i shouldn’t have been and shouldn’t go.
it’s everything.
it’s my inspiration and never finished.
always a work in progress.
it’s everything i’ve ever seen, heard, touched, smelled, sensed and believed.
it’s my worst fears
and all my hopes
all at the same time.
it’s the beginning of the beginning and the end of an era.
and so much more than a phase.
it’s my portfolio and describing it
is describing me.
inspire me monday :: the 3/50 project
I came across The 3/50 Project a while back, and it has been sitting on my inspire me monday list for months now. The premise is simple...pick three independently owned businesses (places you would miss if they were no longer a part of your community). Then, decide how you can you rethink your monthly spending to put just $50 a month back into these businesses. Not only does the spending support the growth of our economy, but putting that money into local, independent businesses creates increased revenue for our communities.
In our house, we don't keep track of how much money is spent at local businesses, but I know we make this happen. Typically we eat out a couple of times a week, lunch or dinner, and many of our favorite spots to eat are small, family owned restaurants (one of the many things I love about the area we live in). When we need a few quick groceries we head to a small mom & pop grocery store instead of going to the big chain stores. The salon I go to is a tiny, two-chair shop that is literally a block from our house, and for a while now the hubs has been going to the local barber shop. Even Miss P got in the mix recently when we switched from a big-box pet business to a local daycare/kennel/groomer for her latest bath and brush...and let me tell you the difference in service was a big reminder of how those small businesses can get a leg up on their big-box competitors. Some of these are decisions made without a lot of thought put into them, while others are a conscious effort to put money back into our community.
So, I'd love to hear, what local, independent businesses could you not live without? In the last year or so have you changed your spending habits to support local businesses or have you always been a mom-and-pop shop kind of consumer?
In our house, we don't keep track of how much money is spent at local businesses, but I know we make this happen. Typically we eat out a couple of times a week, lunch or dinner, and many of our favorite spots to eat are small, family owned restaurants (one of the many things I love about the area we live in). When we need a few quick groceries we head to a small mom & pop grocery store instead of going to the big chain stores. The salon I go to is a tiny, two-chair shop that is literally a block from our house, and for a while now the hubs has been going to the local barber shop. Even Miss P got in the mix recently when we switched from a big-box pet business to a local daycare/kennel/groomer for her latest bath and brush...and let me tell you the difference in service was a big reminder of how those small businesses can get a leg up on their big-box competitors. Some of these are decisions made without a lot of thought put into them, while others are a conscious effort to put money back into our community.
So, I'd love to hear, what local, independent businesses could you not live without? In the last year or so have you changed your spending habits to support local businesses or have you always been a mom-and-pop shop kind of consumer?
eight years ago and today
source
I would venture to guess that, for most Americans, in the last eight years a September 11 has not gone by when they didn't stop for a moment or two and reflect on the where they were moments of 2001. It is certainly the case for me, and frankly, I don't want a 9/11 to go by that I don't remember that day...The drive home after working an overnight shift, hearing the first bit of news on the radio as I pulled into the driveway, the phone conversations I had throughout the day with various family members and freinds, the difference in reaction to the news from people of varying ages and generations (my grandma's immediate fear that her grandsons would be drafted and sent to war versus my younger sister's comments of being "tired of" all her teachers talking about it all. day. long.), the way I was glued to the television for the entire day despite being up for over 24 hours.
source
Today I think I may have done even more reflecting than recent years past. Today our local police department buried one of their officers. On Monday morning, Officer Crittendon responded to a call from a woman who requested a police escort for her and her teenage daughter in entering their apartment because she feared that her ex-husband (whom she had a restraining order against) was in the home. If you feel inclined, you can read the whole story here, but the short story involves a flaming, gas soaked rag, a struggle, and a shoot out with 14 rounds being fired (5 from the back-up officer and 9 from the suspect...aka "the bad guy"). Officer Crittendon died of a close range gun-shot wound to the head from his own gun (shot by said bad guy), and Officer Olson was wounded. Incidentally, the bad guy was slain by Officer Olson, and the two women (who were pushed out of harms way by Officer Crittendon) suffered no injuries.
Today, I decided to watch the funeral on a local TV station while I was on the treadmill at the gym, and I have to say I was moved much more than I thought I would have been. Today I am reminded of those who were directly impacted by the events of 2001, and those who served at the scenes that day and the days and weeks following. I am reminded of those who serve our country through our military services (against the greater "bad guys"), and those who serve to keep our communities safe every day.
Today my heart goes out to each of them.
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