My Favorite Memory of 2014

You guys, its December 9, 2014. 

Are you serious? Yeah... it's almost 2015, and I sometimes still write 2013 on my checks. This is kinda crazy-pants! 

But here we are...and oh what a year it's been. 

I wanted to share my favorite memory from 2014. To chronicle it. To savor it. To embolden my ability to tell the stories of my life. 

There wasn't anything necessarily particular about the weekend of September 20th. But I was literally  diving head first into the hardest month of my life. Not to be overly dramatic, or anything. Just stating facts here. And so I needed to get out of town. Or "get out of Dodge" as they say... 

So we packed up our pillows and our puppy and drove the almost 2 hours north to my parents house. Dad was away, so it was a bonus that we got to keep mom company. But there I was...in a house I used to call home with the 2 people (and 2 dogs) that love me more than anyone else in the world. My husband and my mom. 

Saturday morning came easy... we slept in. Had some eggs for breakfast. And took our first cups, of what would end up being 4 pots of coffee, out to the front porch. And for the first time in a long time I smiled for real...and breathed in deep what it felt like to just be. 

I didn't put a bra on that day. I remember telling people about my weekend after the fact and this was a big revelation! No bra = extreme comfort and acceptance. Is it weird that my favorite memory involves me not wearing a bra? Maybe, but this is happening. 

My mom has made her front porch the epitome of home. They've hung up the porch swing my Dad made years ago from old Kingdom Hall chairs and Mom covered it with blankets and pillows. There are candles of all sorts of colors and smells on every surface. And the bouquet of flowers Dad brought home for her that week sitting next to the other bouquet she got from the dentist. But that's another story... There are two rocking chairs and a vine growing along the railing and hanging pots full of flowers. She calls it her "Porch Resort" and we even made a little sign for her to hang that day. 

So we got comfy out there, sometimes just Mom and me...sometimes Chris joined us. We read and talked and slept in the warmth of the late autumn sun. Chris played music on his guitar for us, we talked about the new iPhone update and worked through the new features together. 

But all day we let the dogs run loose. And this part of the weekend makes me smile the most. My parents have a mini-schnauzer named Tucker. They got him when I was 15 and he was my buddy when I lived at home. He got to sleep with me and still does whenever I visit. He is the reason I wanted a mini-schnauzer when Chris and I decided it was time to get a puppy for ourselves. We have had Gibson for 2 years now, and he lights up my days. 

Tucker and Gibson had interacted once before. Tucker is kind of an old man now...set in his ways. He doesn't like strange dogs in his house with his people. So he usually gets jealous and tends to mark his territory. So we hadn't made it a habit of bringing Gibson with us when we visited. Its Tucker's house...I get it. 

But this time it was a last minute trip, and we didn't have a plan. So Gibson came with us. And it turned out to be my favorite part of the weekend. Tucker and Gibson became best friends.

Tucker has a long history of running if he gets loose. He takes off and comes home 2 days later covered in yuck. He is always looking for a way out. Gibson on the other hand, loves to explore, but he always comes when he's called. It was like a revelation to Tucker. "Oh! If I don't run away and come back when I'm called I get to explore and roam around this huge yard we have?! How cool!"

And that's exactly what they did. They chased squirrels and ran out into the field and took turns chasing each other around the pond. But whenever I would call Gibson, they would both come. It was awesome. I was a super proud puppy-mom that day, and it made me happy to see Tucker enjoying his freedom too. 

So, my favorite memory from 2014 was a day spent with my 2 favorite people and my 2 favorite dogs, without a bra on. Yup. Pretty much a perfect day. 

What is your favorite memory from 2014? 

Now & Then

I recently fell down the rabbit hole online (through Pinterest, of course!) and came across this really great meme called Now & Then. Some of the ones I saw were srslyliz, bedsidesign, and fernaly. I thought I was a super cute way to look back and see how some things change and some things stay the same… and might give you a little bit of insight into my personality.

Here is my take on Now & Then. I thought back about 10-12 years ago when I was 16/17.

Some of the things that stayed the same…obviously my attraction to Christian Bale (from Little Women to Batman!), trying different things with my hair, my love of music and watching shows about families, music and spies.

Things that are different…the way I approach each day has changed, and I also don’t have time to read my Nancy Drew books much anymore. My perspectives and priorities have matured a bit I think. But that comes with getting older.

Such a fun way to look back, right?!

Did you learn something you didn’t know about me?
Try this post idea yourself and share your link in the comments. I’d love to see your Now & Then too!

Lavender hair dreams

I have had a super short hair cut for a year in January, and I am just loving it. I kept thinking I was going to start growing it out now, but I like it so much I figured, why? Right?! But…being the Shaina we all know, I did need to change it up a bit. I don’t know where I saw lavender hair first, but I started pinning a bunch of fun images of girls with purple and lavender hair on my Beautiful Hair board.

So many fun ideas! That, plus my favorite girl, WhippyCake’s short cut and I had my idea set. Once again I went to my favorite stylist and cousin, Hannah. We have so much fun doing my hair together in her kitchen. We painted nails while the color processed, played with her baby Harper and watched the boys play video games. It was a perfect Saturday. Here are the results…my before and after pictures.

We started with really vibrant purple knowing it would fade to that really pretty lavender with time. I love how it turned out…the color and the shape. I think it’s a fun way to start the next year. I can’t believe its going to be 2014 already.

What are you planning on doing to jump-start your new year?
Planning a fun hair change like me? I’d love to hear about it!

Addicted to my CAbi Multi-topper

Hi guys…long time no blog, right?! I’m not going to apologize or make excuses, just say Hi, and nice to see you!  

I am so excited about something new and I just had to share. I was invited to a CAbi party by my friend Marta 3 weeks ago. It was my first CAbi experience and I really had no idea what was going to happen. I knew it was clothes, but once I got to the party location I realized it was so much more. The group of ladies who got together were shown a whole season’s worth of clothes and then we got to try them all on! Super cool.

It was actually a really huge moment for me… I have lost over 60 lbs these last few months, and to go to a clothes party with my friends, try on sizes of clothes I’ve never fit into before, look and, more importantly, feel amazing… I was overwhelmed with excitement and happiness. Toni, the CAbi consultant was truly a gem and gave me a moment I’ll never forget that night. Pretty powerful stuff. Of course I wasn’t going to buy everything I fit into (even though I wanted to!) but I was drawn to some key, super cool pieces.

One of those pieces is their Multi-topper. To look at it, it seems kind of like a poncho with sleeves. But there are multiple, innovative ways to wear this garment. It can be a shirt, a sweater, a scarf, a skirt or whatever you can come up with. I just had to have one of these. So I ordered it and got it last Thursday. I literally have wore it every day in a different way since! I’ve been posting to instagram, but just wanted to share here too.  

I already worn it as a sweater, a long duster jacket, a dress, a shawl sweater, a halter top, a cowl-neck sweater and a scarf. I’m pretty much in love with this thing. I’ve been having lots of fun with it and just wanted to share.

I’m hosting my own CAbi party in a couple weeks and I can’t wait to share these amazing clothes and this multi-topper with my friends.

Have you ever been to a CAbi party?
What is your favorite item of clothing?

The light of autumn

Chris took some pictures of me in our backyard and I love how they turned out. I feel like I'm seeing myself through new eyes...like I'm discovering who I am all over again. Love this journey and love this season.

Do you remember to get pictures of yourself often?
Big moments and little moments can be celebrated through photography!

This girl is an ENFJ

Have you ever taken the Jung typology test and determined your profile type? I was really looking forward to this prompt for #blogtember and the results I got were so spot-on, it was amazing!

I am and ENFJ = Dominant: Extraverted feeling, Auxiliary: Introverted intuition, Tertiary: Extraverted sensing and  Inferior: Introverted thinking.

Here are some quotes from the profile that really stood out to me as true and gave me a new insight into my personality.

“ENFJs are global learners. They see the big picture. The ENFJs focus is expansive. Some can juggle an amazing number of responsibilities or projects simultaneously. Many ENFJs have tremendous entrepreneurial ability.”
-This really feels like me. I have so many projects and interests and things going. And I love it that way! I love to be immersed in a project, but still in the back of my mind me working on other things too. Its like the image below, exactly! That is why I love my job with NICA. We are knee deep in big projects, but always planning and creating things for the future too. Totally fulfills me in that way.

“ENFJs are called “Givers.” As an ENFJ, you're primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit into your personal value system. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in primarily via your intuition. ENFJs are people-focused individuals. They live in the world of people possibilities. More so than any other type, they have excellent people skills. They understand and care about people, and have a special talent for bringing out the best in others. ENFJ's main interest in life is giving love, support, and a good time to other people. They are focused on understanding, supporting, and encouraging others. They make things happen for people, and get their best personal satisfaction from this.”
-That line about “best personal satisfaction” is so spot on for me. I think it’s a huge part of why I love photography so much. I am able to give something to people that they might not have even known they needed until they go through the experience and have their images. I truly enjoy giving of myself, and putting my all into each interaction.

“ENFJs know and appreciate people, however, they are apt to neglect themselves and their own needs for the needs of others. They have thinner psychological boundaries than most, and are at risk for being hurt or even abused by less sensitive people. ENFJs often take on more of the burdens of others than they can bear. As giving and caring as the ENFJ is, they need to remember to value their own needs as well as the needs of others.”
-Now this is something I need to work on, remembering my own needs too. I feel a lot of guilt when I shop for myself, or just need some alone time. But I know that when I take the time to refuel, I am able to build myself up and have more to give to others after.

So now its your turn! Go take the quiz and learn all sort of things about yourself too. It’s pretty neat to learn your strengths and weaknesses and how you can leverage them. Come back and share what you are. I’d love to hear!

#blogtember

Day 5 Prompt: Take this short personality test and respond to your results.

Always, Sometimes, Never

I always wear mascara.
I always try to remember people’s names.
I always have had Jewel’s song “You were meant for me” as my ringback tone.
I always kiss my husband goodnight.
I always send thank you cards.

I sometimes drink coffee and sometimes drink tea.
I sometimes paint my nails to feel fancy.
I sometimes remember to move the seat back for Chris in the car.
I sometimes stay up late and sometimes wake up really early.
I sometimes wish I was better in the kitchen.

I never eat spicy food.
I never get everything accomplished in the day that I want to.
I never leave the house without my phone.
I never drink without a straw if I have the option.
I’ll never take the love I’ve found for granted.

And I just can’t get enough of my little scruffy puppy!

It makes me uncomfortable

I was born deaf in my left ear. When I was little my mum realized it when she would go to whisper to me and I’d turn my head all the way around so I could hear her. And all my life I have made adjustments like that…made choices to compensate for not being able to hear.

I would always try to sit near the front of the class and on the left side, then I could hear the teacher and my classmates. Choosing where to sit at the dinner table, especially when going out to eat was always important. I often wonder if I seem rude by staking my claim on a particular chair…but I hate explaining why.

I love going to the movies, but we don’t go that often. I find it hard to justify spending that much money on something I’m only going to get 75% of, if that. Its just easier to wait and watch with captions. Talking on the phone when other people around me are talking is difficult too. My good ear strains to hear their conversations, making it hard to focus on what I’m hearing from the phone. I still keep the habit of sitting near the front at meetings so that I can read lips and catch what I can’t hear.

I didn’t even realize that I was reading lips until about 5 years ago when I had my hearing tested again. In a little box being asked to repeat the words I was hearing…I thought I was rocking it out! Then the lady who was administering the test realized what was going on and put the paper up to cover her mouth. It was drastic the difference it made. Now I make sure to look at people when they are talking so that I can be sure to catch what they say.

But really, I’m not complaining. It is what it is and I have adapted quite well when I stop to think about it. I learned ASL because of my hearing loss and it has been such a gift.

The thing about my disability that makes me uncomfortable is other people’s reactions…

All my life I have been told that I’m too loud. “Shaina you talk too loud.” “God, you laugh so loud!” “Can’t you be quieter?”

And it makes me really uncomfortable. Makes me uneasy sometimes and feel like I can’t just be myself. Makes me wonder what everyone else thinks too.

But I explain it this way: you know when someone is listening to headphones and then they try to talk? They talk way louder than is needed because their perception is skewed. You know what I mean? It’s the same for me…I have no proper gage for what my voice sounds like compared to my surroundings. And that makes others uncomfortable, which makes me uncomfortable. Which is unfortunate.

Perhaps I’m just too sensitive. I don’t know…. I do know that this is one of the reasons why Chris saying he loved my laugh made such an impression on me. He loved me then for who I am, despite my apparent loudness, and he loves me still.

I feel comfortable with him. Isn’t that what love is all about?

“Blog Every Day in May” challenge. Day 3: Things that make you uncomfortable.

Around here

What’s on my….

VANITY: A bookmark with a scripture on it I was given at my grandmother’s memorial, a photographer’s business card, 3 bottles of perfume and the elephant necklace Marta gave me.

PERSONAL TO-DO LIST: Get back to blogging more, taking pictures with my big camera, finish last week’s Project Life spread and hug my husband…that’s an important one!

FRIDGE SHELVES: Rice milk, Spanish olives, homemade Caesar salad dressing, cream cheese with no bagels to put it on and eggs for Chris that I wish I could eat too.

ITINERARY: Opening weekend of Fahrenheit 451 (the play Chris is in) and Special Assembly Day all in the same weekend. Also looking forward to our employee appreciation even in Spokane in May and then heading up to Canada in June for our anniversary and the convention.

FANTASY ITINERARY: Sleep… perhaps on a cruise ship.

PLAYLIST: Kacey Musgraves and episodes of The Voice.

NIGHTSTAND: Vicks vapor rub to help me sleep and all the bobby pins that I take out of my hair. That’s where they end up. And everything else has been moved to “puppy proof” the bedroom. He got to my glasses…that didn’t make me too happy.

PHONE: Pictures and videos of my puppy. Texts from my mom and my love and messages about my cousin’s new baby girl.

TOP 5 LIST: 1) Working from home full time. 2) Recognizing contentment. 3) Enough time and money to make our house into what we imagine. 4) Health for me and my husband. 5) Being brave.

BUCKET LIST: Take Chris to Maui. Write music together. Spend more time with my family. Try different types of food.

MIND: Medical bills piling up. My huge to-do list. Looking forward to visiting and sitting by my mom at the assembly on Saturday. Hoping to get to Wenatchee to see the new baby. Wishing we could put a fence up in our yard.

WALLS: I have my clock collection (but pared down quite a bit) in the living room and a big inspiration board in my office.

LIQUOR SHELF: Wine from our wedding with special labels, some Captain Morgan’s and Fetzer Gewürztraminer (my favorite).

LAST CREDIT CARD STATEMENT: Car tires and alignment and groceries.

SCREENSAVER: The fliqlo clock. I love the simplicity of it and haven’t changed it in years.

TV EVERY NIGHT: We don’t have regular TV anymore, and we rarely watch it during the week (which was the point of getting rid of our Dish). But I do catch some shows on HULU. I’m liking Go On and Nashville right now.

A fun fill-in-the-blank post idea from Kal. What are your answers?

Life at this moment

I am currently:

Drinking…peach iced tea, but contemplating a glass of wine after the long day I had.

Watching…Downton Abbey on HULU while I work.

Wearing…very soft pj’s that my mom gave me and my slippers. Pretty cozy!

Reading…the Bible book of Ruth for my daily bible reading and I have a few books from the library that I’m deciding if I really want to read them.

Weather…has been extremely cold the last few days here. Icy roads and parking lots, but they say its supposed to be 30 degrees again by the weekend, and that’s an improvement!

Wanting…to complete my blog posts about my One Little Word. I have a summary of how flourish was a huge part of 2012 and another post introducing my word for 2013. I’m excited to share.

Thinking… about blog design and coding. Its taken over every spare spot in my brain lately. I wish I could get over this hump of learning and just know how to do what I want to do.

Wishing… for the Seafoam edition of Project Life to be available on Amazon soon. I am going to try it this year, and I think that color story that Elise designed is just perfect.

Feeling… anxious for a new hair cut. I’m in love with Becki of Whippy Cake’s hair. I’ve been stalking her instagram for styling ideas and I’m hoping Hannah and I can get together soon to make it happen.

Deciding…what color to pain the big wall in our house. We have a few swatches taped up, and I think we’ve agreed on the one that we’ll choose. Looking forward to doing some more decorating and making our house a home.

Enjoying… my job. I have so much fun and feel fulfilled in my work, even on long days like this.

Loving…my husband. I’m such a lucky girl to have that guy in my life.

What are you up to currently?
Link me to your blog so I can see how you’ve been!

Me, Myself and I

Yay! It’s the 3rd Tuesday of the month which means to things: 1) its time for this month’s fun “all-about-me” style link-up and 2) I don’t have to think too hard for a blog post today. Phew! Thanks ladies for another great round of questions. Visit here for more information about the link-up and how to participate.

1) What is your favorite season? Explain.
I love autumn…like viscerally love autumn. Its when I feel the most like me. I always have felt that. Something about the turning leaves and the colors and the crisp air and the scarfs just makes me feel at home. Someone once told me “October looks good on you” and it kinda stuck with me. This month is my favorite.

2) Talk about a moment that changed your life.
3 weeks ago when I got the call and was offered my new job at the credit union. Everything came together better then I could have ever hoped for, and I know that this will be a pivotal moment from which all future amazing things stem from. I can’t wait for the rest of this journey. I can’t wait to look back and see just what was changed by this moment.

3) If you could be a Crayola crayon, what color would you be and why?
I would choose the color purple. It’s currently my favorite color to use and to wear. I love my purple walls in my office and the purple on my blog. It’s what I find myself drawn to lately.

4) Describe yourself and a superhero: superpower, name, sidekick, etc?
If I had a superpower I would want to be able to make everyone see just how beautiful they really are. In my opinion, far too many people don’t see their own beauty and value. I would want to change that. And have super-sonic hearing…but that’s probably just because I’m deaf in one ear.  

5) If I had all the money in the world, but could only shop at 3 stores, where would I want to shop?
I’m going to say Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory and IKEA. Food, clothing and shelter. All bases covered!

Now its your turn! Create a post answering the questions and join the link-up! It’s a fun monthly one that’s been interesting to be a part of. I’ve learned lots about my favorite bloggers and found people that had answers like mine. Its like that C.S. Lewis quote: “Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: “You too? I thought I was the only one!

My first day

On Thursday (10/11/12!) I started my new job at Horizon Credit Union. And they even had my name tag ready for me already. Little things like that make me really happy. If you want to catch up on the story of how I got the job and why I made the change come read this post HERE.

My first day with them went so good. I got to meet everyone at one of the branches that I’ll sometimes work in. Today I’m going to the branch inside of the Safeway store and then next week I go to Ephrata branch, where I’ll mostly be working.

All of the people at the branch were so friendly, kind and welcoming. I just know I’m going to love being a part of this team and fit well with the Credit Union’s values.

What’s the best first day you ever had?
Do you enjoy what you do for work?
Have you ever worked in the banking world?

The next step in my journey

This last week has been a bit of a whirlwind…and the end result is something amazing! I’m sorry I’ve been absent here a few days, but I am so excited to back and to share my inspiring news with you all.

I GOT A NEW JOB!!

I was asked to apply for an open teller position at our local credit union. Chris and I bank there, and they sent an application home with him last week when he deposited his check. They said, “Please have Shaina fill this out and bring it back with a resume.” That was Tuesday. I went back the next morning, met with the manager, gave her my application and resume’ and we talked for awhile about the position and the company. Later that day I got a call from the Moses Lake branch asking to schedule a formal interview, which took place on Thursday morning. Then Friday morning I got a call from HR out of Spokane and had a phone interview too. I was told they would do background checks and everything else and get back to me and let me know either way. I was feeling really good about how my interviews went.

We went to Whidbey Island for the weekend to visit with Chris’ grandparents (I’ve got lots of pictures to share soon from our trip!) and the whole time we were away I was praying that this would work out. It felt like this job would be the answer to a lot of questions and prayers regarding my schedule and our upcoming Russian Language Class. There was no way I would be able to take it with my current work schedule; I wasn’t going to get every Saturday off.

I got the call yesterday afternoon and was offered the job. And because of my experience in the field they’re starting me at one step above a teller with more per hour pay rate. So I’ll get my Saturdays that I need, but not be feeling the less hours financially. It is an amazing blessing!

It is an answered prayer.

I gave my two-week’s notice yesterday and my last day at my current job will be October 10th. I see God’s direction in every part of this…the Russian class starts October 13th.

So this is a time of big celebration!! And lots of happy tears.

My mum has always likened life to a staircase. Sometimes there are a bunch of little steps leading to a big open landing…this feels like the landing I’ve been climbing towards for awhile. I am so grateful and excited for this new chapter and challenge.

So celebrate with me! Think of me while you drink your coffee tomorrow or when you say your specific prayers. I am amazed anew by how Jehovah God cares for me. Thanks for letting me share my exciting news.

I am so happy!

Me Myself and I

Time for another installment of Me, Myself and I questions. Let me know if you did a post this month too. I’d love to come read your answers!

 

1. When you’re feeling down what do you do to pick yourself up?
When I’m feeling down talking to my husband or my mum always helps me. I find talking out my feeling to be an important part of how I process things. Talking and a cup of my favorite coffee treat…that usually does the trick. Sometimes I just need to sleep too.

2. If you had to live in a different time period which would you prefer?
I think I would pick the time period when Jesus was alive on earth. It would have been amazing to meet him and learn from him and witness his miracles. I appreciate how he viewed and treated women…he told a woman first that he was the Messiah and he appeared to women after he was resurrected and had them tell the apostles. He was interested in teaching women as much as men and reflects perfectly how God feels about women too.

3. What is the most creative costume you’ve ever worn?
I was invited to a costume party once when I was 17 and made the coolest costume for it. It was a gypsy outfit and made a skirt with tassels and had big gold hoop earrings and a corset that I added purple and gold ribbon to. The party ended up not working out and I never wore my costume, but it was fun to make. I also loved my costume for the musical Razia’s Shadow that Chris and I performed in. I used one of my bridesmaid dresses and had a couple different masks that I wore. And we had a lot of fun with hair and makeup in that play.

4. Five weird things about you we wouldn’t know without being told?
1) I always tap the top of my pop cans before I open them. 2) I have a compulsion to spit from high places. 3) I would rather eat a bread basket then order dessert. 4) I love driving standard but it took me a really long time to learn how. Now both are cars are standard transmission. 5) I love to watch football, but I always end up sleeping through the 3rd quarter.

5. What would you tell your sixteen year old self?
I would tell her that she is beautiful and that there is a man out there waiting to meet her who will love her for who she is and will make her feel beautiful. I would tell her that she hold much power in being able to forgive and love. I would tell her that her dreams are valuable and to always hold on to the artist inside of her.

Now its your turn! Answer the questions in a blog post and join the link-up. I’d love to come read your answers and thoughts and learn more about you too.

Learn a little more about me

Its time for this month’s Me, Myself and I link-up. After last enjoying last month so much and getting to know more about my favorite bloggers, I knew I wanted to participate again. The questions this month gave me a lot to think about…

1. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
I think I would invent a teleportation device…figure out some way to get to all the places I want to go and visit all the ones I love that I don’t get to see enough. I think it would revolutionize the transportation industry. Chris has this clever idea that towns with the same name should be able to automatically transport you to the other town with the same name. Like Paris, France to Paris, Texas. Cool, right? There is another town named Ephrata (the name of the town we live in in Washington State) in Pennsylvania. I would love to just pop over for a visit.

2. If you had only six months left to live, what would you do with the time?
I would write…I would fill journals with my thoughts and words and poetry and life. I’d want to leave my legacy and my story in words.

3. If a front page news article was written on you, what would the headline be?
"Local Girl Fulfills Her Life-Long Dream and Goes for an Elephant Ride!”

4. What is your biggest pet peeve?
I hate indecisiveness. Especially in a group setting…a bunch of people and no one can pick what movie to watch, or where to go eat, or what to do. So you waste all your time just sitting around instead of doing something! I think its because of how much I dislike this that I turn into a leader in these moments. I’m always coming up with ideas and spontaneously deciding to do things. I think it makes life much more interesting when you do things instead of just talk about doing them.

5. What is your favorite chick flick movie?
I have a soft spot in my heart for the movie Serendipity with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. I love the idea of love being meant to be and how you end up with the one you’re supposed to be with.  And A Walk To Remember…I cried so hard the first time I saw that we had to throw out the throw pillow. But sometimes you just need a good cry movie, right!?

 

Now its your turn! Answer the questions in a blog post and join the link-up. I’d love to come read your answers and thoughts too.

Me, Myself and I

There is a new link-up party in town! Once a month 5 new questions will be asked on the theme “me, myself and I” and my friend Kristen is one of the co-hosts. I knew I wanted to do a post for this when I first saw it, but as I’ve been reading other people’s answers to these questions I knew I just had to participate. The answers I’ve been seeing are so great, and you really learn a ton about the person behind the blog.

So here are my answers for this inaugural link-up party:

1. What is your biggest phobia?
Okay, so a “phobia” is an irrational fear, right? I really don’t think I have a phobia. I don’t like spiders or mice, but I’m not really irrationally afraid of them… But something that I do fear (just regular fear), and its just a recent thing of course, is that being sick will keep me from living the life I want to have. I fear that life won’t be the same. I obviously have a hard time with change…

2. If you could relive any day of your life, what would it be and why?
My first instinct was to say my wedding day. But then I thought about it, and it really is the perfect memory. I wouldn’t want to relive again, maybe things would change, or my perception of them would change. I want to keep the memory of that day sacred in my mind. But if I could relive a day, I would pick the day my best friend Kelly had her baby and I would make it so I could be there with her.

3. If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
I would want to stay 24. It was just last year, but so many good things happened. We had just bought our house, we were really hitting our stride as a married couple and I wasn’t sick. Chris hadn’t gotten in his accident yet, I hadn’t lost my Grandmother yet, I was pioneering.  Yeah, 24 was a pretty great year.

4. Which celebrity do you get mistaken for?
I’ve never been “mistaken for” a celebrity before, but I’ve had a few people say I look like Drew Barrymore. There was a thing on Facebook a couple years ago where people put their celebrity doppelganger as their profile picture. This is what I put up as mine:

5. What songs are included in the soundtrack of your life?
1996: “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx, 1997: “Barbie Girl” by Aqua, 1998: “Together Again” by Janet and “Crush” by Jennifer Paige, 1999: “Learn to Fly” by the Foo Fighters, 2000: “Affirmation” by Savage Garden, “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls from 2006 when Chris and I met. And I’m going to stop there for now, cuz this is turning into a great idea for a post all by itself! I’m loving traveling through time with music. Bringing back a lot of great memories.

Great questions! I think this will be fun to participate in every month. Now I’m off to link up, and go explore some new blogs and learn a bit more about the people behind the blogs I love.

Have a great Tuesday!!

Ago

One hour ago... I was watching The Sing-Off on HULU.

Two hours ago... I was finishing up my 365 project post from the last month. 

Ten hours ago... I was hugging Chris goodbye as he left for work today. 

Eighteen hours ago... I was unpacking more boxes in my office. 

Twenty-four hours ago... I was napping with husband.  Sleep is so glorious. 

Three days ago... I said goodbye to my best friend and made the drive home from Canada. 

Five days ago... I got the news that my grandmother passed away. 

One week ago... I was driving through a winter storm to be with my family in the hospital at my grandmother's side. 

One month ago... I was editing and sharing pictures from my most recent family portrait session. 

Six months ago... I was at my sister Megan's wedding. 

One year ago... we lost and found our Spencer puppy. 

Five years ago... Chris and I were falling deeper in love and I was making plans to move to Spokane.

Ten years ago... I was listening to Savage Garden in my very own bedroom.  

Fifteen years ago... I was learning to be a part of a much bigger family. 

Twenty three years ago... I became a big sister for the first time. 

Thanks for another great list to fill out Nancy.  It was interesting to look back through time....

Welcome October

October means cooler weather, changing leaves, scarfs, pretty sunsets, hot coffee, getting creative in service, circuit assembly weekend, visits with friends and family, photoshoots, decorating, dreaming and cute shoes of course.  

October is my favorite month. 

October looks good on me.  

making mistakes

*source*

I saw this today and it just hit me sideways.  I had an interesting weekend....huge 28 person (holy cow!!!) family photoshoot and once it was over I just felt like such a complete failure.  I felt like all I did was make mistakes.  I felt so full of doubt.

But after a good heartfelt talk with my husband about my goals and dreams for my photography, and then seeing this quote, things fell into place.  

I am really trying.  I am learning.  I am growing.  

I am taking pictures and that is what I love to do.