Just a quick update

I seem to be running out of time lately to accomplish things that I want to.  Maybe my priorities are a little out of order.  Maybe I need to manage my time better.  Maybe I should work on this....

This past weekend, my family celebrated my grandma's 75th birthday party in Randle.  My cousin Jess and I played photographers for the day, and snapped countless pictures.  I have been going through them and editing them as necessary.  I will be sharing more of the photography aspects of that day on my photography blog.

This coming weekend, two friends of ours are getting married!  Josh and the boys went to Portland last Saturday night for a "boys trip", which involved who knows what.  Josh just said they were "good" and stayed out of trouble.  It was the groom's last "hoorah" before tying the know.  I have been busy helping the bride prepare for the big day, and there is still lots to do in the coming days!  Friday night is the rehearsal dinner, and Saturday morning will be a whirlwind of activity, to get the venue set up, the boys dressed up, the girls primped and ready, and then actually sitting back and enjoying the wedding itself.  The photographer isn't going to be there in time to shoot the girls getting ready, so the bride asked me to be there to take photos.  ME.  That scares me!!  I also plan to shoot throughout the wedding/reception, to better learn wedding photography.

I am still working on my Esther Bible study, but just have not found time to blog about it.  But I am loving learning more about Esther, and am thoroughly (as always) loving my walk with God.

We are still looking for a house to buy.  It just seems like no new listings are coming out; its just a repeat of the same ole' ones.  It is slightly discouraging, but we are determined!

And, finally, my knees are better!  They still hurt every once in a while, but not nearly as bad as before.  Which is a relief, because walking in heels for the wedding Saturday would have been impossible if they were still in their initial shape!

I think that's it for now... I will have lots of photos to post in the coming week!

Updates on Us

Things sure have been crazy around here lately! Here is a quick rundown of what's new with Josh and me.

• We are still looking for a house.  The few that we have found that we actually liked have been short-sales, and those are tricky to get into.  We are hoping the First Time Homebuyer tax credit will be extended into 2010, but if not, we still plan on buying in the next few months.
• I have been busy taking, editing, and printing photos lately from various adventures.  I have a real-live session coming up with a friend of mine and her toddler son.  I would love to someday make photography a full-time gig, but for now I will settle for it being a much-loved hobby.
• I recently went on a hunting trip with my dad, and while tromping through the woods, I strained my lateral collateral ligament in both legs (it runs along the outside of each knee), which is in turn causing the meniscus of each knee to be pinched (the meniscus is the cushion in the knee joint).  I am using oral anti-inflamatories, and also an anti-inflammatory cream.  That is in addition to doing my own physical therapy both at home and in the clinic I work at.  All of this has put a serious damper on my hunting season.  Its hard to walk through clearcuts when each steps brings you to near-tears!
• I have just begun (today, actually) my Esther bible study by Beth Moore.  It took me a while to track down the book, but I finally found a local store that carries it.  I also downloaded the mp3's off of iTunes, and am all gear up to begin!  I already have three more 90 day devotionals lined up for once this one is completed.

That's it for now!  God bless!

Amy's Freshman Homecoming

Head over to my photography blog to see some edited photos from two weeks ago... she looks beautiful and sooooooooo much older than she really is!!

A Whirlwind of Activities

Lately, it seems like there just aren't enough hours in the day for everything I want to accomplish.

Here is a brief rundown of all the projects I'm currently working on:

1. Continue learning photography. I have enjoyed getting to know my camera so much, and we have a special bond now. I used to get frustrated when photos didn't quite turn out right. Now, I am learning what it is that I am doing wrong, and how to fix it.
2. Raise money for the National Brain Tumor Society. Their annual walk is September 12th, and I want to raise money and awareness for this cause. Check out #3 below for one of my ideas related to this!
3. Create recipe books. I have found a very neat website that allows you to create your own, custom recipe books. And they do fundraiser books! In conjunction with the NBTS, I am creating a memorial/fundraiser cookbook. This will be filled with a collection of recipes from myself, Chuck's wife, and members of his family. I will be selling these books, and procedes from each book will go directly to the National Brain Tumor Society. More details later!
4. Work out. I recently started a workout program, and it is intense. Like kicks-your-butt-every-day. But it feels so good! And I feel like it is working. I have been not-so-healthy lately, and I feel as though I am making a positive change in my fitness.
5. Find a new job. This is very important. Which means, it should be #1 on my list. But I have a habit of doing things out of order. I want a new job. One with benefits. And more money. And more room to move up in the company. Still searching though.
6. Move out! Josh and I have been looking at houses lately, and are talking with a mortgage/loan office and real estate agent to start the process. We want to buy, and not rent. So the hunt is on!

So that's it. My busy life right now. I was afraid that after college, my life would be boring. But it is turning out to be anything but.

My Present To Myself

I figured after graduating college, I deserved to treat myself to a little present. And that is exactly what I did yesterday.

I went out and bought myself a Nikon D40 camera, with a 18-55mm f/3.5 - f/5.6 ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens. And I am in love.

I have no clue what I am doing for the most part, but I am enjoying learning. I took a bunch of pictures yesterday, of just completely random stuff. I changed settings, edited some of the pictures, and basically just played.

I find it so amazing how much you can change a picture by just adjusting a few settings. It's incredible!

So my next task is to start learning more.... I'm going to find some books, maybe a class, and definitely lots of people to help me.

Here are some of my "playing around" pictures from yesterday:

I began experimenting with aperture, not knowing exactly what I was doing. Or rather, not having a clue as to what I was doing. I took the first photo of these two in color (obviously), and then using the editing functions on the camera itself, changed it to black and white. Kind of fun!
Same thing with these two photos.

All of these were taken at the Rose Garden at Priest Point Park.

Josh's mom's birthday is in June, and her one wish is to have pictures taken at Tumwater Fall's Park of Josh and his sister, Amy, together. My goal is to be able to take those for her! But first, I need more practice.

I have considered creating a photography blog in the distant future, to keep all of my photo posts in one place, but that is just an idea for now.

I love photography!