As you know, I have a dream to have people pay me to take pictures. I got a slammin’ camera for Christmas from Paul last year and have been spending time learning the different settings and how to be a better photographer in general. I am half participating/half lurking on Project 365 from a fantastic blog that I subscribe to.
This week’s theme was “I Dreamed a Dream” in honor of the MLK holiday. Welp, on Monday Paul was at work, kids were at Robin’s and I had the whole day to make my dream come true. I went to the Natural Science Center with a plan to work on aperture and shutter speed. It was pretty chilly, but the tigers did not disappoint. I set up “camp” near their enclosure and went to work taking photos and notes as I clicked. After awhile a little girl came up asking me what I was doing. I told her I was taking pictures of the tigers.
Then she asked me, “For a book?”
I smiled to myself and said, “Someday, kiddo. Someday.”
I am already a professional athlete. Random Coinage is my sponsor. I have been known to stop my bike in the middle of an intersection to pick up a dime. Every time I go for a run I find money! So far I am averaging 1/12 of a cent per mile.
Now I need your help because I want to be a professional photographer. Biz sent me a link to a contest that I KNOW I can win if you take a second to vote. I entered the following 4 photos, vote for 1 or all, plus please forward to everyone in your email contacts, please!
I am trying to get up enough nerve to send this photo into the newspaper to be published. Dorky nerves b/c it is a little local paper that gets sent in our Sunday paper. NOTE: I am not being sarcastic and actually referring to PARADE Magazine. I don’t joke about fear, people. Haven’t you read anything on the 37th Year No Fear section of this blog?
Look--you can ever see the water droplets on the petals.
We are not converting, we are celebrating Paul, Tyler and Anna’s birthdays and Christmas! We started way back in November (about 10 years ago it seems), we had Thanksgiving and visited w my family. But that last 7 days we have had 7 celebrations. Really 7 in 6 days–tonight is a bye night. Here is the summary:
Day 1, 12/17/09: Anna’s 8th birthday. Paul and I met Robin and Jason, and of course Tyler at Rio Grande for Anna’s birthday dinner. Anna chose the restaurant–Rio G won for the 3rd year in a row. I just LOVE this picture of Anna.
Anna at her Rio Grande birthday dinner, Dec 17
Day 2, 12/18/09: Kids Family Birthday Party. Stephanie and Biz planned a party for Anna and Tyler at their house. Sandie, Brandon, Haley, Hunter and Mom Mom all celebrated with us.
Tyler had a Star Wars cake complete w light up light sabers. Anna had a doll cake complete w Barbie-like doll you lifted out of the cake before cutting.
Day 3, 12/19/09: Tyler’s 6th birthday. Before we could celebrate Tyler’s birthday, we had to play in the snow! That’s right, we had about 7 inches of snow on Friday night/Saturday morning. Then we met Robin, Jason and Lacey (their baby) at Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Tyler’s day.
Anna, Tyler and Frosty. This was after sledding off the ramp Paul built for them!
Ahhhh, my NRA reps.
Day 4, 12/20/09: Extended Sanders Family Christmas/Susan’s half birthday. OK, 1 was celebrated a little more than the other, but still…
Paul and me before starting to open presents at MomMom's.
Day 5, 12/21/09: Susan’s manager Christmas party and Cole’s Annual Christmas party.
(photos unavailable, cameras confiscated by security, paparazzi bounced from property)
Day 6, 12/22/09: Celebrated Paul’s birthday at UNC vs. Marshall basketball game!
My first time in the Dean Dome! I mean... me doing whatever Paul wanted to do for his birthday!
Paul and I are vegging out tonight. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, not sure what the plans are. Then we get the kids on Christmas Day about noon. Then Christmas w Steph and Biz, et. al on Sat afternoon! 9 events in 11 days! Whoooooo hooooooo! Keep in mind this was including 10 loads of laundry, 0 minutes of napping, 3 days of work (which included creating a plan to restructure our cardiac rehab program to make up for $96,000 worth of revenue that we cannot bill for in 2010 and 4 days of 11 state inspectors surveying our hospital), baking 120 cookies and only 30 minutes of physical activity and NO tears shed! Happy Sanders Hanukkah!
