I don't think we are in Kansas anymore...

I received an email today from someone who is thinking of starting her own photography studio. She asked me for advice on several subjects and if I could help her in any way with how to start, how to advertise etc. At first I was very pleased that she looked at my website and thought I would be a good person to help her out. I am always flattered when someone pays me a compliment about my work. It is a cut-throat business and there are always people out there to remind you that they don't like something you do. (I always remember all the negatives.) Back to the email, as I started to think what I would say, a little devil popped up on my shoulder and said "don't give her any of your secrets." I am very appalled that anything would make me think that. I always consider myself a generous person. I like to think that my clients come to me for my personality as much as my ability. There are some that would say you don't want to teach your competition, but why not? Won't your clients come to you, because they like you? Well, not really. Unfortunately, our society has become so dependant on getting a bargain, that they don't care about small business or personal relations. (some call this the walmart epidemic) I will be the first to admit, when a new client says to me "I used to use so-and-so for my pictures, but they raised their prices so high, I can't afford it," I am a little happy. I have probably won that client over with my prices. But the more I think about it, I'm a little sad and worrisome. So, if I raise my prices because of raising lab fees, does that mean they will leave me? What happened to personal relationships with your business people. I know, I enjoy talking with the guy at "Goin' Postal" where I do all of my mailing. I enjoy the smiles and conversations I have with the Sam's Club photo center. Just think about what would happen if we all unplugged and started talking with each other while checking out at the grocery store, ordering food, etc.

As for the girl, I am going to email her information. She lives in Kansas, and is not a threat to my business. But I'm glad that she asked. It taught me a little about myself as well.

thumbs up!

a bag of everything...

Happy Holidays! They are official upon us. The stores are filled to the brim with stuff, everywhere you go Christmas music is playing, and I am working late into the night trying to get all those holiday cards designed and out the door. Every year I say at some point in time, "I hate the Christmas season!" This year, however, I am thankful that I have a business that is booming and a daughter who will play in the living room while I doze on the couch after only getting a few hours of sleep. (For those of you concerned about her safety, I am never really asleep, just enough to get some rest and still comprehend what is going on.)

I went to a charity auction on Saturday with some friends. I had donated a gift certificate, so someone gave me a ticket to attend. I was only somewhat excited to go. You can never win anything because they always go way over the actual price. However, I did get a membership to the children's museum. Oh yeah, and a trip to Hawaii. That's right a trip to Hawaii. I still have to buy on ticket, but it was a great deal. We are going for our anniversary in February. I am so excited. There is a new reason to work late into the night. (for my fellow Dave Ramsey followers, I paid cash for the trip. I am super pumped about that. Want to know more about Dave Ramsey, let me know, I am teaching a class in January/February.)

On the other hand, we had quite the eventful Thanksgiving. We went to one of our friend's parents house. (One nice thing about having a husband who works on holidays is you get invited to other people's dinners and celebrations. Then I don't have to cook for myself.) We were just getting ready to leave, coats on and all, when Olympia feel and hit her head on a space heater. I thought it was just a bump, however, there was a huge gash in her head. Just so everyone is informed, head injuries bleed a lot. We rushed into the car and my great friend Jeff got us to the E.R. safe and fast. (We were about 25 miles outside of the city.) My husband met us there. By the time we made it to the hospital, Olympia was acting fine and was quite excited about being at the hospital with the possibility to ride in an elevator (elegator according to her.) She had to get 2 staples in the back of head. She is fine otherwise. On the upside, we did get to see daddy for a little while on a holiday, but I think just going to the fire station would have been easier. What an exciting night.

thumbs up!

seriously...

In a moment of deep reflection tonight, I realize that maybe our society has a hard time separating reality and fiction. But that moment only lasted for about 30 seconds. I like to watch tv as much as the next person. And since I already established that I love The Bachelor, I feel a need to discuss what has taken place with this show. This will be the only time I discuss it again. (In case you are somehow out of the loop, he didn't pick either girl.) If he loved one girl, he should maybe propose, but kinda hard to tell after only 6 weeks, during which you were talking to/kissing/making out with/using romantic suites with other women. I personally thought it was a little crazy to propose, but that is what America wants, the fairy tale ending. If he only liked one and thought there was potential, then he should "date" her. However, in the most dramatic moment in bachelor history, (Chris's words not mine) he picked neither. He lead on the one I thought he should pick, but backed out last minute. I'm pretty sure that he has serious commitment issues of some sort. So do I feel let down? Am I so mad I'm not going to watch agian? Do I feel sorry for those girls? No. (ok maybe I do feel sorry for them a little bit...but have they ever seen the Bachelor? don't they know there is a real chance of getting your heart broken?) I will, like a sucker, tune in next spring when they start a new season. I look forward to it.

On a separate note, I was told to mention what it was that made me feel an instant attraction to my husband. Was it his charming looks? Was it his great smile? Was it his nice backside? (trying to keep it PG for my mom.) Was it his eyes? No. It was his knees. Isn't that funny. My ex-boyfriend before him was a skinny-minny. I mean 6'4" and a buck twenty. For those of you who don't know what my husband looks like, he looks like a man. He is a big strong man. He has big manly knees. He looks like a guy who will be man enough to take care of you. For some reason, when I saw his knees, I was melting. He had me at his knees. (that was really bad, Jerry Maguire was on the other night, so it was fresh in the mind.)

Also, the day I met my husband, he and I were wearing matching socks. What are the chances of that happening? It was ment to be. Although it took almost a year of flirting and dating for him to realize it. (See Mr. Bachelor, sometimes you have to date someone for awhile before you know for sure if they are your lobster. (like that episode of Friends.))

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guilty pleasure

Everyone has their vices. They're little guilty pleasures that some know about and some do not. There is a whole Sex in the City episode devoted to this. (I know because even without cable, I can watch 2 full hours of Sex and the City everynight.) Most people know that my biggest guilty pleasure is Diet Pepsi, especially a fountain one.

However, one of my little known guilty pleasures is watching "The Bachelor." There is nothing better than feeling better about yourself as you watch women fight over a man they hardly know. He is attractive, I'll give him that. I wait on the edge of my seat during the rose ceremony just to see Chris waltz into the room and say..."Ladies, Brad...this is the final rose tonight." Well, duh Chris. Do you think there is a woman in the room that is not aware of that fact. It is pretty much my favorite part of the show. (For those of you who don't know this Chris has a show on HGTV called Designers Challenge. I giggle alot when watching that with my mother-in-law. I have to mutter under my breath..."Ladies..this is the final rose tonight.)

But they never pick the right one. Stupid men that they are, always pick based on judgements made with the brain further south. However, tomorrow is the finally for this season. I have faith in the good Texas boy to pick the right one. I'll let you know if he does or not. I'm not saying which one I like, the Bachelor is a lot like politics you will always make someone mad with your opinion. So to avoid being judged, I won't say who I like.)

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does my hair look fake?

Yesterday, one of my photo party assistants asked quite the odd question on our way to a party. It went something like this:
She says: "Can you tell my ponytail is fake?"
I say: "What it's fake?"
"Yes it is. I got it on the home shopping network. My ponytail is just a little stub, so this makes it long."
"What they make that? How does it stay on your head?"

Here's where it got really interesting. I am a pretty open minded person, but for some reason when she took out the clip with the hair attached, I freaked out a little. Ok, it was a lot. I think I screamed like a little girl. Appartently, one of my biggest fears in fake hair. It looked real in her hair, but looked like a freakish monster on the clip. It's a little wierd, I'll give you that. All through the party, I would get a glimpse of her hair and get the ebe gebees. On our way home, she thought she would put it in my hair. I'm pretty sure everyone in a ten block radius heard me screaming "GET IT OUT!"


On a different note, asinine is not spelled with two s's like one would think. I learned that as well last night. But I suppose it wouldn't be asinine to spell it correctly.

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day one

I know several people who have figured out this blogging thing. I thought it was time to catch up with the Jones'. It only recently occured to me to have a blog when the other day I had an ah-ha moment and no one to share it with. Here it is:

My daughter loves Dancing with the Stars. We were watching (actually I was watching it and she was dancing around the room with them.) They always pan the audience to show you some celebrity sitting there. I looked up at the exact moment they showed Hillary Clinton. Wait that wasn't Hillary, it was Carol Brady (Florence Henderson.) Do you think that maybe Hillary has gotten so far in public life because the public relates her to Mrs. Brady, the best wife, mom and homemaker on the planet. I am somewhat a fan of Hillary, not sure if I would vote for her, but I am going to have to sit down and really think about this.

The other reason I thought I might need a blog is for stress relief. I work odd hours in my little office, and maybe at 1:00 in the morning, I can actually have a conversation with someone (myself). That will save my west coast friend from long but incredably funny phone calls late at night. So check back sometimes. I might not have much to say, but something funny always happens if you make it.
(my friend AJ's blog always ends in good times. I feel like I need one too.)

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