And so does summer,
and bright colors,
and flowery scents,
and gardening,
from which I get the love and appreciation for from my mom (thanks, mom!),
and sunlight,
and the pretty light at dusk just perfect for taking any picture,
and bokeh,
and perfect evenings,
and pretty pictures,
and friends to share those pretty pictures with.
Happy Love Thursday and Happy Foto Friday.
photos courtesy of my garden, courtesy of me :)
It's snowing, it's snowing, it's snowing!!!!!!!
I'm so excited that it's snowing! And tonight, I get to go get Alexis, take her to "our" place (Robbie's) for dinner and then do a Christmas Walk downtown D-town. We're meeting my mom and Heather for the walk and if it's still snowing, how absolutely beautiful it will be. I can see it now . . . all bundled up in our coats and pretty scarves (and two sets of gloves for Alexis -- hehe), walking from boutique to boutique drinking wine and hot cocoa with Christmas carolers all around us and lots of happy women out to shop for the fun of being together and coming across the most adorable finds. It's so much fun and I can't wait. The snow just makes it that much better.
I love snow. I love drinking coffee when it's snowing out. I love watching big beautiful snowflakes fall as I sit from my kitchen with a warm sweatshirt and comfy socks on. I also love snow when I get flattering emails from clients while the snow is falling.
I got a really gracious email a few minutes ago from a wedding client who I just delivered her album to yesterday. Her email made my day.
I know I can take photographs, but I am just not all that sure I can take GOOD ones. I tend to be very self-criticizing and can get discouraged easily. I do not encourage myself at all. Hardly ever, actually. When I'm about to embark on a shoot, the day before I get down and very unsure that I can and will do very well. I'm always afraid I'm going to screw something up. I'm always always always think afterwards that I could have done better and then I get pretty down about my work and myself. That's why when I get an email or a note or a comment here on my blogs about my work, I light up. It makes my day and those are what keep me going. Those positive words are what reinforce something that I think is true but don't always believe is true . . that I was born to have a camera in my hand.
Bottom line is, I can be very hard on myself. Very hard. And it's people like you that keep me going.
I'm absolutely not saying that I want people sending emails or comments left-and-right to me saying how great I am. I don't want that at all. (I'd hate that , actually.) I am just saying that I really relish in moments when people spur-of-the-moment express their happiness in me and what I do . . . in what my passion lies in. Even if I was a terrible photographer (and maybe I am?), still having positive comments would keep me going and keep me working harder to become a better one. I thrive off of trying hard to make everyone happy and hearing positive things said as a result. Who know if that is a healthy thing or not(?), but that's another entire post, I suppose ;c)
Wanna know why I'm so happy right now? Because my client Rachel, sent me this email:
Val ~
Thanks for all your hardwork making our wedding picture experience so wonderful - from the day of the wedding until now! Phil and I are so happy with our pictures and our album. Phil said he thinks it is the nicest album he has ever seen, and although, to be honest, I'm not sure he looks at as many wedding albums as I do, he isn't overly generous with compliments. Since he left it all up to me to pick out the pictures I was really glad he was pleased with it! He really liked the high quality of the album, too - the thick pages, beautiful mats, etc. The family members who have seen the album have liked it a lot, as well.
I'm hoping there will be an opportunity for Pickles & Pacifiers sometime soon.
So, yeah, I am really happy right now :c)
I work hard at trying to give my clients a good experience. I try very hard. And those who are not happy, I feel, are just trying to take advantage of me somehow (that's another problem I have . . . allowing people to walk all over me and I've gotten TONS better with that since starting my biz. I HAD to! -- wow, you're really learning about all my weaknesses, aren't you?), or else they think I have this business with all kinds of employees who can turn around pictures in no time. I think sometimes people forget that I am ONE person and one person who works from home with 2 small children. I work every waking hour that I have time to, AFTER I meet the needs of my children. I very much wish I could have employees but I just can't afford it yet.
Overall, out of the 50 weddings I have shot and 75 other clients I have had in 5 years, I've maybe only had 2 unhappy clients ever. I think that's pretty good. I always try my best, and the email above is proof of that. It also really affirms to myself that I do give 110% and that maybe, just maybe, I AM pretty good at what I do :c)
I can't believe it's Friday again already. What a week it's been. Yesterday my internet was out - how frustrating! I'm ready for a vacation, to sell this house, for everyone to be healthy, for something?! Hoping this weekend will be a good one. I hope it is for you, too. (We are showing the house tonight - send a prayer up for us please?! We haven't shown it for over 2 weeks!) Here are some pics from a few weeks ago. Thought I'd share. Hope they start your weekend out on a happy note. They do me. :c)
The house? Yeah right. I'm not even holding my breath for that one. We're just sitting back for a while and seeing what happens . . . trying not to freak out. We talked about it tonight and know it will happen in all the right timing. Not our timing, but the right timing . . . we know it.
Anyway, my surprise is . . . the book I won a few weeks ago from Erin . . . I got it today! And I should not have been so surprised when there were additional treats in the box, but I totally was! It absolutely made my day sparkle. She is the greatest person.
Let me take you through my neat-o package . . .
First I see my package and knew it was from her because of all the cool Canadian stamps and stickers! Noah kept asking me "What's that?" "What's in there, mommy?"
And first, in there was a package of Canadian KETCHUP chips . . . isn't she the sweetest most thoughtful person ever?! She knows Val!
And then staring at me saying "eat me, eat me" were 3 yummy chocolate bars, none of which we have in the states. Well, we have Kit-Kats but not in this packaging or as big as this one!
And there, underneath the candy lay the book I won! I was so excited over the sweet little "extras" that I forgot to take a picture of the book by itself in all it's glory! But trust me, it's there and it's looks absolutely fabulous! Erin said we could have any book we wanted, and she had just bought a handful of parenting books for herself soon before the contest started, so I asked her to just pick me out her favorite! I love to read self-help books (this one is on Parenting and listening to your child) as crazy as that sounds! It looks really really good and I hope to start it this weekend! (Note the word "hope"!!)
Then, my favorite thing of all . . .
The prettiest, most creatively made bookmark for me.
I know she had to have made it because she's artsy like moi :c) She even picked out some of my favorite colors and hand wrote a beautiful little note that said "Val, Thanks for the sunshine you bring to my life! Erin"
I just have to say, 1) there's nothing in this world quite like a hand written note. I love love love them and cherish 'em every time I receive them, and 2) there's nothing like something hand made just for you and 3) there's nothing like a friend that you meet coincidently (but remember, there are no coincidences and I believe this 110%!!) online who you feel like you've known forever . . . who helps you remember just what life is all about.
Thank you, Erin :c) xo
Wow, Erin sure is earing some brownie points! I won a book in her contest at her blog! She said the kissing up didn't work since the drawing was random, but you've gotta wonder something, but then again, I always say that I never believe in coincidences . . . Anyway, yippeeee!!!
Erin is the greatest, by the way. *wink*
My house is spick-n-span (almost), I'm fully dressed and energized (all unusual for me on a given day) and 2 whole hours earlier than need be. The kids are napping, it's beautiful outside, I have the front door open, people are taking walks, the birds are chirping. Man, is it a good day. All these things equal a 
happy me. Best news of all . . . we are showing the house tonight to two separate families! That's more than we've had in a whole week. I hope this is a good sign. I feel like it is. It has to be, right? I have faith that this is going to be good for us. That makes me really happy.
So my house . . . those of you who know me, know how much of a clutter freak I am. Here are some pictures. I think I've done a pretty good job de-cluttering, don't ya think?
