Blogs

So every day I have a list of blogs that I check.

Some are about baking, fashion, home decorating, and sewing projects. I still have my list of scrapbooker's blogs that I check too. But my all time favorite blogs to check are those of photographers. I love getting inspiration, new ideas, and relating to the way they feel about the art of photography. Since there is no office or "employer" that I report to, the internet is a huge resource for me.

I know there are people reading this who know exactly what I mean when I say that when you read someone's blog, you begin to feel as if you genuinely know them. You know their kids by name, their favorite foods, what they did on vacation. You begin to feel invested in their life for some reason. I honestly think that I know more about some of the people's blogs I read than I do about some of the people in my life. It's kind of sad, but it's an escape. It's a relationship- a friendship, if you will- that requires no more work than the click of a button.

So yesterday I found myself making my daily rounds of blog readings. I expect to find some cheery pictures of kids jumping on beds, a story of how their family went to the lake and photographs from a shoot they just had. And I got just that on the first few blogs I checked.

I always save my favorite blog for last...Tara Whitney. I'm not sure how to explain, but she inspires me in a way that no other photographer does. She has mastered the art of photography- but more importantly mastered the art of capturing relationships, love, joy, confidence, trust and uniqueness. It is my dream to someday be able to take a trip to California to have her photograph my family.

She is a mother to 4 children- one of them a special needs child. She has always been open and honest about her family life on her blog, but yesterday's post was straight from the heart. I began reading and it wasn't long before I found myself in tears. I found it to be a great reminder:

To always be kind to people- because you don't know their story.

To ask for help.

And to be brave enough to share my emotions and stories in a place where others can see.

If you'd like to read Tara's post, you can click here.

Yesterday

I took this....

and made it look like this...

This extra-long (and extra-cool) bench was a total score! One night Dave called me from work and said it was sitting in the back hall of his office to be taken out with the trash. So we did what any bargain lover would do...we picked up the van from his parents and headed straight to the office to rescue it. It's the perfect size for the back patio. Tall enough to use as a long bench, but I also have this vision of a bunch of mismatched white chairs just scattered around it and using it as a table. Who knows what it will be used as, but I am so happy we saved it.

What I've been up to...

So- I thought I definitely owed you all a post since it's been a while. I did recently update the photography blog too- so check it out if you haven't lately.

• First and foremost...the house! It is keeping me so busy- my days just fly by. Between the regular housework (laundry, cleaning, etc), we've been painting, landscaping, organizing, hanging shelves and picture frames, starting the garden and lots more. It is so much work, but I am so happy with how it is all coming together. I am hosting a baby shower here in 2 weeks, so there's a little bit of pressure to get things done.
• If you haven't seen on facebook...Meet Rosie, the newest addition to the Mess household.

She's so much fun...she's about 5 months old and we're not really sure of her breed (some sort of Old English Sheepdog/Terrier/Wolfhound/Retriever mix). That's at least a sampling of the breeds that the vets have suggested. But whatever she is, we love her. She loves to play with other dogs and has lots of puppy energy! It's been an adjustment, but I'm loving life with a pet around the house again. And if you are wondering...Kelsie is going to stay at Mom & Dad's and maybe come for a visit if I can ever get her to behave around Rosie. That's the only home she knows and she spends her days with Madison and I don't feel right taking her from there. I continue to miss her dearly, but knowing she's just a short drive away and that she is in good hands makes me happy.

• I've also been busy planning lots of parties for the summer, which you know I love doing!! This past weekend was the surprise retirement party for Christie, and we pulled it off! Next on the party agenda is a baby shower for my best friend, Leslie. Then a 4th of July party since we can walk to the Whetstone fireworks, and then a baby shower for my sister, Christie!! I love planning these things, so I am excited that my summer is filled with events.
• Other than that, just keeping up with some photography work, the job hunt, yoga, and sewing. I never have a dull moment, that's for sure.

I will be sure to post again soon- maybe some photos next time too!

Finally...an update.

Well I have really been MIA for a while now, huh? Wow...time has just been flying by and we are keeping very busy. I promise I have a good excuse for what I've been doing that's kept me from having the spare time to blog.

I can cross off a major item on my list...we bought a house!!! And man is it a lot of work owning a home! We closed on the house at the end of February and worked on it for the month of March before moving in March 26th. We are still living out of boxes and all sorts of chaos- but slowly I am seeing bits and pieces come together.

Just to give you a little history of the house- it is located in Clintonville right across the street from the Park of Roses. It was built in 1926 and has lots of charm and character. It was a foreclosure, but it was in pretty good shape when we got it. It definitely needs a lot of cosmetic work, but structurally it is sound. Since we got it we've torn out all the carpet, sanded and refinished all the hardwood floors, painted, remodeled the bathroom, painted all the kitchen cabinets (work in progress) and have many more plans and projects in store. I am loving the space and the freedom that comes with owning a home. Our neighbors have all been very friendly and seem to be excited to have someone in the home who's taking care of it. Here's a photo of the outside...thank god the snow is no longer around!

The short version, believe it or not...

As 2008 came to a close and 2009 was starting, I had a vision of how my year would go. Within the first month of the year, those visions came crashing down when I was laid off from my job at Express. It was devastating and it took a while to deal with all the emotions that came along with it. But when I look back at the year as a whole, losing my job was just a bump in the road. I refused to let it set the tone for my entire year. And while it impacted the entire year, I still found plenty of ways to be positive, have fun, and make the most out of the situation.

When I think of 2009, getting laid off is still the main thing that comes to mind...but as you can see there were plenty of good things happening in '09.

Celebrations:

• In June, Dave graduated and received his Masters in Biochemistry, making that his fourth degree from OSU.
• We celebrated my parent's 40th wedding anniversary on June 14th
• If I'm counting correctly, there were 8 babies born among friends and family
• We went to the Fenstermaker family reunion (which is Dave's mom's side of the family), where I met a ton of new people
• I hung work in 2 exhibitions- one at Ohio Dominican University's Art & Community show and the other was a solo exhibition at Mad Lab Theatre featuring my photography.
• We went to 2 weddings
• My sister-in-law and her boyfriend got engaged!
• Dave's 10 year high school reunion was this summer, which was fun for me too since we were dating in high school and I knew most of the people there.
• Dave and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary October 6th

Hobbies/Passions

• Yoga...I cannot say enough wonderful things about it. I have been practicing since May and it is the reason why Mondays are becoming my favorite day of the week.
• Along with yoga, I've joined the gym and regularly attend core, cardio and weight training classes about 4-5 times a week. I am a group fitness junkie.
• I became a vegetarian...going on 4 months now!
• I've always loved to bake, but this year I learned more about cake decorating and working with fondant. It's something I love to do now, and am making cakes and cupcakes for every occasion I can think of.
• I've been putting lots of work into building a photography business and branding my work. I had a logo designed, I designed business cards and a blog and I am having a website built. Hoping it will all be finished soon!
• I also discovered that I have a bit of a green thumb! I tried gardening and was pretty successful...definitely something I will do again. I cannot wait to plant a larger crop of potatoes and I think I will plant more flowers and less cucumbers this year. We had a ton of cucumbers, and neither one of us like them.
• And as if I needed another hobby- I learned how to sew! I even got a new machine for my birthday and have been trying to teach myself the basics.

For Fun

• Dave and I went to a Clipper's game, a Columbus Blue Jacket's game and an OSU football game
• We went strawberry picking, apple picking, and went to the pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins
• I went to 2 concerts with a good friend...NKOTB (New Kids On The Block) and Jason Mraz- both were awesome!!
• We went to Myrtle Beach with Leslie and Josh- I don't think we stopped laughing the whole trip! It was kind of surreal to be there with Leslie all these years later with our husbands...we used to go there together every year as kids with my family. Made me feel a bit old, but it was so much fun and made me so thankful to have a friend like that.
• Dave and I also went to Baton Rouge, LA for a wedding over the summer. It was a mini-vacation for us too- we took a day to see New Orleans and enjoy the city. It was a great trip- but I recommend flying!
• We went to the zoo and saw the baby elephant!
• I reconnected with 3 great friends this year who over the years I had lost touch with. I am so thankful to have them all back in my life.

And yes, among all these things there were job interviews that amounted to nothing, days when I wanted to just stay in bed, and plenty of difficult moments. But I am surrounded by the best family and friends anyone could ever ask for.

As I sat in the parking lot at Express on January 29th, 2009 and called Dave to tell him the news I had no idea what to expect. As I cried and broke the news, all I can remember him saying is "We're going to be okay". And we are. We are better than ok.

So while I say goodbye to 2009, I am thankful for all that I have learned over the past year. It may not have been according to my plan, but I am a happier and healthier person than I was 1 year ago today. Sometimes we need that gentle nudge to push us in another direction, to help us discover who we are and what we really want in life. A reminder to never take things for granted, and to define ourselves not only by our careers, but by the things we are most passionate about.

I saw these photos yesterday on another blog, and it made me stop and think. I think I will keep a few of them tucked away as a reminder for myself in 2010...

Are you kidding me?

I've been working on a 2009 year in review post since about 10am this morning- thought I published it- and now it's gone. It's not in my drafts, it's nowhere to be found. Ugh...this sucks.