Day 578

Happy Halloween!  I had a pretty good first day at work with lots of sugar to keep me awake in the afternoon. :)

Day 577

I love Halloween parties, especially when they're hosted by Joey & Stephanie.  We had SO much fun last night!  I'm totally pooped (still) and it's 4:00 in the afternoon.  (I couldn't really sleep this morning so I just got up.)  Hoping tomorrow (my first day at my new job) and this whole week go really well! :)

Day 576

Man, I was so productive yesterday!  I did laundry, made two loaves of apple cranberry bread and the cake part of some apple cupcakes with caramel buttercream, and had lunch at a food truck event downtown.  Oh, AND I was asked to photograph the Roncalli vs. Cathedral game.  It was really cold, but fun.  I even yelled a few times.  It gets intense when you're actually ON THE FIELD and not just watching a game on TV.  Plus, it was kind of a game for me - can I get the action shot or not?  Haha.  SO excited for Joey & Steph's Halloween party tonight! :D

Day 575

My last day of unemployed freedom.  It's a bittersweet day, haha.  I'm excited to rejoin the masses of the employed, but I'll miss getting out of bed when the sun is up and doing whatever I want all day.  :-P  Change is terrifying (for me at least), but I also know that it's good for me.  Change is what is going to mold me into a better person.  Change is what is going to bring new people into my life.  Change is going to (hopefully) bring a lot of happiness into my life.

I'm photographing the Roncalli vs. Cathedral game tonight from the sidelines ... say "hello" if you'll be there, too!

Day 574

I don't know why I keep letting myself be filled with anxiety, worry, and fear.  I don't know why I can't just let the words "God will take care of you" stick in my brain.  Somehow the anxiety sticks and the confidence just doesn't.  I'm not a big fan of change, even though I know it's good for me.  There's a lot of change going on right now, and I just need to keep talking to God about it.  He'll help me through it.  Interestingly enough, a powerhouse in the magazine/wedding/awesome market - Lara Casey - is worrying about a lot these days, too.  I read her post, and thought it fit perfectly with my current worries.  If you're worried about something, too, you should read this.  (If you're clicking on this after 10/27/11, make sure you scroll back to the correct post.)

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’”  -Luke 12:22-26

Day 573

I got a job today, WOO HOO!  That weight is finally off of my shoulders.  Now, I can finally do a little shopping without feeling bad about it. :)  God is GREAT!

Now, if only I could get another area of life figured out...

5 Things: July & October Editions

Yep, it's true.  I forgot all about July.  There are so many things to like about July, too.  So, I'm going to tell you about TEN awesome things. :-P

Oh, and they're all coming from Pinterest, my newest website addiction.                
                              
                      
                            

            

            

1. S'mores Cake.  WOW!
2. Super Chic Pumpkin (if one ever existed - this would be it!)
3. Apple Cupcake with Caramel Buttercream (I can't wait to make these!)
4. Puppies and kids in cute costumes (It's my whole "Cute Little Things" board - I couldn't decide!)
5. Cheap, easy, and pretty wall art
6. Want to go shopping?  A dressy look (black & blue).
7. A casual look (in gray).
8. Career girl look (blue & yellow & white).
9. I'd love to have that ocean blue quote on my wall.
10. The Bible is a great book to quote. :-P  Love the retro feel. 
11. One more!  I'd love to see the Northern Lights. :)

Day 572

I have a second interview tomorrow for a job I would LOVE to have, yay!  I made my very first apple pie yesterday (bought the crust though) and it was really good!  Success!  I'm getting really pumped for Halloween and a whole night to hang out with friends.  Life is good. :)

Something I need to remember: How to be (less) Awkward: If someone keeps trying to walk out of your life, stop holding the door shut and begging for them to stay. Let them go. (Smart Pretty & Awkward)

Day 571

It's (finally) APPLE PIE CREATION DAY!  It's really not that exciting, but I'm trying to pump myself up for an hour or so of peeling apples. :-P

Day 570

I told you before about "Iron Man Mike."  Well, he got his angel wings today, and is probably playing some sweet video games up in Heaven.  His mom wrote a post saying that he passed just before noon today.  God bless you, Mike, and your whole family.  At least we know he isn't suffering anymore and can finally play without wearing out early due to the cancer.  I'll never understand childhood cancer...or cancer in general.

Day 569

I've made this Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie a few times now, and feel very comfortable recommending that you try it, too.  It's simply delicious, and you most likely already have most of the ingredients!
*I've made it without nuts and it's still really, really good.  Also, make sure you give it time to cool off before you serve it!*

Day 568

The sun is shining, and for that I am grateful!  I had a great interview this morning, then I headed up to Purdue to pick up Alex and have lunch with him (+ Zach).  We went to a place called Camille's Sidewalk Cafe - very good!

...I can't wait for Halloween. :)

Day 567

Once you start talking to God, being thankful and gracious, and giving Him even some of your worries/concerns, He starts working on them.  I had a really bad day yesterday, and prayed for awhile last night.  True to form, God had someone from AAA call me about the job to get me out of bed.  Today is going to be a better day because I'm changing my mindset.  I'm going to make it a better day.  Attitude adjustment FTW!

Hope you're all staying warm out there on this cold day!

Day 566

I'm not having a very good day today.  I have a mental block to happiness.  :(  Still praying for positive changes.

Day 565

Good things are happening, yay!  Let's hope they all follow through and completely work!

Day 564

I'm SO excited to head downtown tonight for the Make-A-Wish "An Evening with the Stars" gala!  It's a black tie fundraising event at the JW Marriott, and I'm helping with the silent auction.  I'll be taking photos, so I'll let you know if I get any with the Colts players! :)

Day 563

I have a huge wedding hangover today.  No alcohol involved.  One session this afternoon and then I'm taking a NAP! :)

Day 562

Photographing our last wedding of the year today!

Day 561

Happy Friday, friends!  Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Day 560

The rain we're having today provides just enough motivation to stay inside and GIT-R-DUN!  I have a pretty hefty to do list, so I'm going to get crack-a-lackin'!  (Yes, two dorky phrases in one blog post - it's true!)

Photos from Peach-Whiskey BBQ Chicken night!  Make it tonight! :)

Day 559

Planning for a dinner party involves two trips to Meijer: one for the ad good until 10/12, and one for the ad good from 10/13 on!  Going to the grocery store in the middle of the night is always an interesting adventure for me ... hopefully it's good this time around, too! :)

Day 558

I'm just feeling so happy, joyful, and productive today.  It's a lovely feeling; I hope you catch the bug, too! :)

Day 557

Another beautiful autumn day in Indiana!

Editing, laundry, errands, dishes, and other boring everyday stuff. :oP

Day 556

Photo shoot x 2 today!  Goodbyeeee!

Day 555

I received a call from the Make-A-Wish office yesterday.  They asked me to come up to Peyton Manning Children's Hospital today to photograph a little boy (Michael) and his family while having a party for him.  The poor little guy is terminal and won't be with us much longer. :`(  I'm going up there this afternoon for his Iron Man/Laser Tag party.  He's only 6 years old!  This just breaks my heart.  From what I've heard, they all openly talk about how he's going to be in heaven soon, and how he's going to be an angel.  Hope I don't cry while I'm up there today!  Please keep little Michael and his family in your thoughts and prayers over the next few weeks.

If you're interested in learning more about Michael and his story, go here:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michaelwanser/createorsignin
(They just want you to sign in with your email so they know who's been visiting - not a big deal.)

Day 554

It's GORGEOUS outside! :D  Grandpa and I took a trip to the orchard!  We bought a peck of Fuji sweet apples, a half peck of tart apples, and some funky baby gourds for my dinner party next week.  He also got a few caramel apples and a gallon of cider.  Mmm, apples! :)

Happy Friday, friends!

P.S. I have some good job recommendations / things going on.  Keep your fingers crossed!

Friday's jam:
                         

Day 553

This is why I haven't settled in any capacity of life.

Day 552

Loving this gorgeous weather!  I'm going to go work out in the garden today, hooray! :)

Day 551

I'm making dinner tonight, woo hoo!  I'd seriously take a job as a food and wine critic, as long as they don't make me eat seafood, duck, lamb, brains, testicles, or drink super crazy dry wines.  You know, other than that ... haha.  :oP

I finished editing a wedding yesterday, only 2 weddings and 1 shoot left!  Just in time for fall family photo sessions to roll in with another wedding.  :)  Being busy = good!

Day 550

Excited for the predicted warm weather coming our way this week!  Hooray for warm weather!!! :D

...and because it's Monday, and I'm sure you're in need of a good song to jam to at your desk:

Day 549

I really need to get to the apple orchard this week.  I'm craving apples like crazy and I really want to make some pies! :)  Also, I'd like to get more of these funky little gourds that were given to me.

Day 548

I'm still confused on how/why a 3 hour car ride makes me so tired.  I'm not doing anything, so why do I feel like this?  So weird!  A tad sad we didn't make it to Jungle Jim's today, but there's always next time! :)