Random-ness in the New Year

I'm not full of anything interesting and blog-worthy at all these days. I feel like my brain is just dead. I am also so so so so tired. I think it's the weather and the time of year and the fact that my daughter is not sleeping well these days and I am woken up 4 times a night (that may be a big part of it) so it feels like I have a newborn suddenly again. Ugh. It's so not fun. At all. So a combination of all of the above has me feeling so . . . at a loss. So here's the random things that are in my head right now and random-ity going on in my life. Not very blog-worthy, but at least it gives me something to post.

* 6-ish years ago I did yoga just about every day. At that time in my life I was in the best shape I think I had ever been in since high school weight training (I also hadn't ate meat in over 6 years so that, too, helped me out a bit, I think). The good news is, I'm back in yoga and it's nice. Really nice. I love yoga and how it makes me feel. Always have. And it's something that doesn't take much coordination like aerobics (which I don't have), but balance and a little endurance (which I do have). Neil has even been doing it with me some and the kids attempt to. It's so cute! (Maia is actually really good at it!)

* I have my first wedding of the year on Saturday. It's a big one, too. 8 attendants on each side and over 400 guests. Thankfully we're doing all the pictures beforehand, which will help A LOT and makes me feel a tiny bit less overwhelmed. The neatest thing about this wedding is that it's completely black and white. Their invitation even requested that all the guests wear either black or white (<-------yeah, that says white). It will look awesome in pictures. I really look forward to the event. Snow on top of that would be amazing, but I'm afraid it's going to be too warm for snow. Shoot.

* Neil isn't a big traveler like he use to be, but when he does travel, it's far-away places. This time, in 2 weeks, he's off for China. Yep, China. He just got his VISA back so it's pretty official. I'm not sure how long he'll be gone yet, but it will be at least a week. I'm just not use to these long travels anymore. He's had every shot in the book now to prepare for it. I think he's ready, but I'm not. I get really anxious and nervous thinking about it. Thankfully I have friends here who have already volunteered to have me live with them for a week, and even if I don't, I know they'll be stopping by every day. I just don't do well without Neil here. He's more than just the one who brings home the bacon. He is the greatest daddy in the world and is a pretty amazing Susie Homemaker. (I really am blessed and when he is gone it reminds me how blessed I am and how amazing he is.)

* I bought some new photography books last week and last night I almost finished one of them. I haven't read anything other than maybe a recipe or a Christmas newsletter (?!) in probably 6 months or more. To finally have the time to do so after about 6 months of non-stop running and working, is just so very nice and so rewarding. Hard work does pay off and there really is light (and a break) at the end of the tunnel :c)

* My cousin who will soon be 40 just announced that he is going to be a daddy again later this fall! He will be my oldest cousin with the youngest baby! I think it's kinda neat!! Congrats Clint and Stacy!! We're so happy for you!

* I bought Annie, the musical, and watched it today with my kids. Maia was mesmerized and it reminded me how mesmerized I get watching it. I love love love that movie. Probably (in my opinion) one of the best movies ever, ranking up there with The Sound of Music, The Parent Trap and The King and I. I'm such a sucker for musicals, Disney movies, Classics or all of the above. Okay, fine, a.k.a. corny movies. I love corny movies. But they sort of bring me up into the clouds into a fantasy world and I love that feeling. And there's something about catchy songs like "It's a Hard Knock Life" or "My Favorite Things" that just really make you happy (even if they aren't the happiest of songs like the Hard Knock Life). My husband thinks I am the queen of dorks with the love I have for these movies and I don't deny that! :c)

Speaking of "happy" . . . Happy New Year! Hope it's a really really great year for all of us.

Tidbits - read if you're bored - ha!

My site is completely done, but there's a hold up with getting it "live" which is pretty discouraging, but hopefully SOON! Believe me, I want to share it with you! Alexis has seen it since she is my editor-in-chief (seriously, she is, that's her job), and she is even antsy about getting it up! I hope soon soon soon. Cross your fingers that it gets to be "live" this week. I'm so anxious, it's not even funny!

Big news! Two of my dearest friends had their new baby boy, Anderson Troy, September 25th in the wee hours of the morning. He is so beautiful! Check him out with daddy Rusty. (Rusty and I have gone to school togehter since kindergarten all the way through college. We lived together one year in college -- what great memories. I still remember one of our conversations at the dinner table when we were talking about marriage and babies. He never ever thought he'd see either. Now he's a very amazing father to two!)Congrats, guys! Love ya!

While I'm not shooting and getting orders organized or working on the site, I am trying hard to get ready for this Halloween party that I'm throwing, which seems to be getting bigger all the time. I need to plan the menu and my decorations. But I'm not sure when. Someone I'm sure I'll squeeze in time. Probably during one of my late nights (mornings) staying up when there is peace and quiet in my house. I haven't seen much sleep in the past few days. That's okay. I'm seriously not complaining. I love my coffee.

One of my bestest friends, Kristin, is coming to visit me tomorrow. She wants to see the house. What she doesn't know is, she's coming into a house full of boxes, clutter and dirt. It's so messy and so, uck. There just isn't time. If you're reading this, K, now you are prepared! ;c)

And, big news, Maia pooped on the potty last night! I'm so excited! Maybe NO MORE DIAPERS is in our new future. I really really really really really hope so. Really!

Alexis is having a big huge interview today for a kick-arse job for her at-home PR business. Thinking of you, Alexis!!!! Can't wait to hear!!

Ok, off to get ready for the shoot and package up some things that are going off to the post office today. I swear the next post I make will be "It's Live"!!!!! I promise. You won't see me till then. Can't wait to really be "back", too. I hope soon.

Today's jabber

I'm really not even sure what to talk about today. Maybe I will just share the nonsense in my head? Oh what fun, eh? Oh well, bear with me.

First, something exciting . . . sorta. Neil, get this, stayed in the same hotel for two days as THE ROLLING STONES! As of yesterday when I talked to him, Neil hadn't seen any of them, but his boss did!! He saw them driving away in a Mercedes with people and paparazzi chasing the car with cameras! How insanely crazy is that?! I think it's pretty cool minus the fact that Mick Jagger could be my grandpa, but who knows how I would act if I actually saw them in person, because my excitement level sure rose when I met Willie Nelson, and of course now, he is my all-time favorite. (*giggle*) They preformed in concert in Hamburg and I looked up tickets on ebay . . . the starting price was $300 a pop. Um, no thank you. Dad, how bout you?

Exciting news here in Illinois, well, for our family, that is. Hubby comes home tonight!! He just called and he's boarding the plane in London. I can't wait to see him. Maia and Noah talked to daddy yesterday on the speaker phone and they both were really excited. Maia's answers to all of Neil's questions were "yesh", "yesh", so Neil said "is your tongue purple?" and she answered "yesh". He said, "I knew you'd answer with that". :c)

The week actually hasn't been that bad. It helps when you fill your week up with a busy schedule. Yesterday we took the kids to a new aquatic center nearby and that was really fun. Noah had a blast yelling constantly, "look at me! Look at me!" I got some pictures but they are on Leann's camera, which I hope to get tonight to start downloading. But then we headed over to my good friend, Mike Judge's, studio. I got to see his new kick-butt place (they just redid the entire place) and visit with him and Nora. Noah hung out with Tyler, their grandson. It was so nice to see them.

Not big news to you, but to me . . . We had about 50 broken down cardboard boxes just laying outside my back door. We had been taking a handful to set with the garbage each week. It would have taken us months to get rid of all of them, so my friend, Leann, came over and we carried all of them to the curbside and the garbage TOOK ALL OF THEM! You know how nice that feeling is to get rid of garbage that has just been laying around?! It was like a huge weight lifted off of me. That was worth noting, right?

I'm not usually a Kohl's fan for clothes or shoes, but I was there earlier in the week looking for towels and wandered into the shoes, and found some really cute Adidas running shoes I liked. So I bought them, for, get this, $34.99! Is that not a great deal for these?Sunday we are trying out a new church. They are suppose to have an amazing children's program, which as we all know, is a must. A great church overall from what I have heard. Very similar to the one we left. I already know a few girls that go there. I'm excited to find a place to call "home", to make a network of friends in a church, and a network for my children, so I hope this is the one. I'll be updating Monday!

I have so many pictures I need to update ya'll with. I also have tons and tons of work to do since I haven't done a single thing all week (well, really for 2 weeks now that he's been gone for about that long total), but I am going to try really really hard to get both my work and play photos done this weekend. Wish me luck. Send some positive *get-your-work-done-Val* vibes.

My weekend starts today since Neil is not going into work tomorrow, so happy weekend, dear ones!

This, that and a new telly?

I talked to my far-and-away husband this morning. Man, he sounded tired! He's been sight-seeing today in order to stay awake. He said he and another guy visited a church built in 1420 (!!!). For $10 they could walk to the top of the church and see the city. So they did it. All 160 steps. And he said when they got to the top, you could see the sky, and that's just about it, because there were 30 ft walls around the top!! Why in the world they didn't tell them that before he went is beyond me, unless they did tell them that in German and Neil responded with a "I-have-no-idea-what-you're-saying" smile, which is most likely what happened. (Love ya, honey!) I made him take the small digi cam with him, so I'm hoping he got some cool photos of an old German church wall! (At least he can say he did it!)

(Check out the churches, I found pictures of them!)

Tonight mom and dad invited us over for dinner, so we're heading over there after Maia gets up from her nappie. Mom made hamburger stew (mmmmm...one of my old childhood faves!). Noah is very much looking forward to spending time with grandpa. They wrestle and play basketball and climb rock piles, all things mommy doesn't do so well, so he's really looking forward to that. (I'm refering to dad when I say "he" -- ha!)

Tomorrow we're going to Leann's to play at the park in the morning before it gets too darn awful hot outside (it's suppose to be 100 here all week). Then Wednesday she and I are taking all 6 kids to a water park, which you could call me a little kid because I am so excited about it!!

One evening I am meeting with a client in another town so she can put in her order and then another night I'm meeting with a different client for the same reason. And then Thursday mom is coming over here an we're going to our local Farmer's Market which is from 3-6 in the evening. I love our downtown here, so I'm looking forward to that, too, if the heat doesn't bite us in the butt.

Quickly the week might be over and then Friday I see my hubby again, and hopefully bearing chocolate, wine and ketchup in a tube. :c) Yippee-yay! (And check this out, it's a tube of ketchup and mayo mixed in a tube! I hope he can find this one for me, but he'll have to get two because I will have to try it, too!)

Ok, so I am looking at getting something electronic for our kitchen. We don't have a single TV or radio in our entire upstairs. Our upstairs consists of all the bedrooms, 2 bath rooms, the living room, dining room and kitchen. And no TV. TV really isn't a necessity for me, except for when American Idol begins again or my favorites, Gray's Anatomy, LOST and The Office. So . . . I have some time to find a TV or something of some sort.

We considered an under-the-cabinet TV/radio for the kitchen. And we did buy one. But it's too big in length. It comes out about 3 inches from the edge of the cabinets making it look a little weird and making it very awkward to work around. So we're taking that back. I'm sure they make them smaller . . . maybe?

I also thought about buying an iHome. Anyone have one? They have them at Target this week for $88! That is a steal! Even if we didn't put it in the kitchen, I would probably put it in our bedroom. So having that would make us a little more technologically savvy, and something I could hook my ipod up to. I still want a TV. Even if it's 7" (which they do make). I just can't decide what makes the most sense.

We don't have a whole lot of extra space in our kitchen. For once we have counter space and I don't want to take it all up with big "things". Already my mixer takes up a whole lot of room, and I'm even contemplating putting that somewhere in storage because I only use it once a year (at Christmas for my cookie-making extravaganza). So what to do, what to do? Do you have a TV in the kitchen? If so, how big/small? What kind? Do you like it? Any recommendations for me? It is another thing on my to-do list for the week but I have no idea where to even start.

Weekend Comings

Come visit me as I start uploading some pics over at Visions from Sea Island! There's some neat-o ones! I just did a few. More to come this weekend I hope.

This morning mom and I did Race for the Cure in lieu of Grandma Libby. We had a great time and I'll post a couple pics later. (We love you, grandma!)

I'm off in a bit to see Jenny-Jen and I absolutely cannot wait! It's been almost a year . . . wow. We're going to shop shop shop without kids kids kids! Barnes & Noble, World Market, Macy's here we come! (Yay!)

Tonight I meet up with two friends, Heather and Mandy. Mandy is visiting from Cincinati. We are looking forward to chips, 'ritas and catching up. We all need the 'ritas pretty darn badly. It'll be so fun!

Tomorrow we get to get into our new house to see it empty and figure out how much paint we'll need when we start buying paint for it this week. I love painting! I cannot wait to start. Oh, and the offer to come help me is still up. I swear you won't regret it. I always offer coffee, treats and wine! :c)

Tomorrow night I decided to go ahead and start packing up my office. The work I still have to do I can do with most everything packed up. I might as well put a dent in it. It's going to be a lot of work!

Neil is spending the day with the kids. Actually, I think a nap for all is in the very near hours. Both kids were up at 5 this morning. No idea why?! So, he's hoping to take a nap when they do. I hope he can, too, because he didn't get to have a Father's Day like I had wanted him to (we were flying 2 hours and driving in a car for 5 hours). I think just a nap would make him quite happy!

Going to paint my nails, put on makeup and then head out the door. I'm not thinking about my computer at all today. Nope I'm not (except for now, ha!). I'm bound and determined to make this a stress free, wonderfully fantastic day. Hoping it is for you, too!

Oh! And I guess I'm Rockin?! Jen from New Zealand nominated me for another award. You guys are all way too sweet and rewarding to me. Thank you, Jen. Thank you everyone for loving my blogs . . . and me!

Toodles!

Thoughts residing in my head right now.

* I have to pick out a new comforter set for both Noah and Maia. Noah says he wants dinosaurs. I'm thinking plain ol' white or pink for Maia. We'll be switching Noah to his full-size bed and Maia to a twin. I can't (well, I don't want to) pick out paint for their walls until I have exact matches to their bedding. I know, I'm anal in that way. (So, I really think this is cute. It's Pirates, though. But I think I can add some dinosaurs in there. He already saw this and really liked it. I think matching wall color would be fun and he'd like this theme for years to come. But I also found this which is similar but way cheaper, and just about as cute. I am having troubles finding dinosaurs that I like in a full size. Your thoughts?)

* I really really really want my computer back. Or, at this point, any computer. If it has to be new, so be it. I'll just be even more in debt. Sigh. Since I have to have a mac (all my software is for a mac) and since I have to have a computer that is fast but has a lot of storage capacity (it seriously is a must with what I do), and *if* I have to buy a new one, I will probably get this one. I just pray I can do a lot of biz this year to pay for it. *deep breath* (Fellow mac-ies, what do you use?)

* I need to return a cable to a photography place (Tallyn's) in Peoria because it didn't fit in my lighting system and I'm waiting to hear back from the place first to see if they even have what I am needing. (Please respond to me! Please. You are usually so quick. Don't let me down now!)

* I need to make a list of all the places that I need to do change of address for. The ones that I know there will be dozens (probably hundreds) of, are my work-related contacts, businesses, catalogs, vendors, etc. Ugh. I almost forgot about doing this.

* We begin painting on the new house the 6th. I will be doing most of it myself. Any ideas on how to keep my kids entertained (in a house that has absolutely nothing in it yet) and not be in my way? (You and I both know they'll want to "help" and then would make a huge mess doing so. They're kids. It happens. What can I do to distract them for long periods of time?)

* I get to see Jenny-Jen on Saturday!! She is coming "home" from Hattiesburg, MS. I cannot wait to see her. It's almost been an entire year. We're having lunch and shopping. Girls day out, no kids! I have missed her so much.

* Packing up my office, especially packing up all my client files, old negatives, etc., is going to be a tremendous job. I'm already in denial that it has gotta be done. I can just pick up the office and move it like it is, right? The file cabinets. Man, that will be a huge job. How do you recommend I do that? (I've never had to move my business before!)

* I want to be back on vacation.

* I need to go through all the magazines that I have not read in months and months and throw them out because I am not moving them to the new house. I guess I will get off of here and do that next. Anyone in need of Parents, Child or Family Fun? I want to read them, but I never ever have time to. I'd honestly rather read a book. I'm discontinuing my subscriptions to save some trees and piles of waste collecting in my house :c) (Btw, did you know that Child is discontinuing it's magazine? I love that 'zine, too. Parents is taking over it's subscriptions. Shoot, that stinks. But they will still have their great website packing with parenting info.)

* My list of to-do's and thoughts going through my head is just way way too long.

Random thoughts and . . . wine.

I hope the wine part of my title pulled you in to read this. And really, I will eventually talk wine, but first you have to hear me "whine" a tiny bit . . . sorta. Yes, fine, it's whining.

It's always a huge feeling of accomplishment for me as a mommy when I make it through an entire day without Neil without any discouragement in myself as a mother. Neil just does so much for me as a husband and father to my children. And it takes a lot, most days, for me to not get discouraged as a mommy. But today was a pretty non-discourageful day - yay!

When Neil comes home from work, many a times he will make dinner so I can start right away on my photography work, then he'll bathe the kids and get them ready for bed. I'm not totally settled on this routine but we do it when I am in desperate need of time to work, and lately that's 4 out of 5 nights because I'm so backlogged with orders (good thing, yes). But (bad thing is) this is what we have to do for now until I can work at home during the day, which will most likely be when the kiddos are in school. (*gulp* I know this will be sooner than later and the thought of them being school is just . . . not something I want to think about.)

So, if you can't tell, kids are in bed (early - yay!) and I am in need of some adult conversation. I hate the phone (really seriously hate), so this blog will have to do. Hooray for blogging for stay at home moms (like me) whose husbands travel (like mine) and who feel the need to say more than what a conversation entails with a 3 year and 18 month old (like with mine). I just need to talk! So, feel free to leave me a comment (actually, I'm begging you to - you know how they make my day, right?!) . . . even if it's just to tell me what kind of wine you you prefer.

See, I told you wine.


I love wine and just over the weekend I discovered a new one that I wanted to share with all of my wine-loving friends. It's called Polkadot, a Reisling from Germany and it's nice . . . quite tasty . . . I really liked it and it's officially my new favorite of the moment! Please do try it. Sweet, but not overly sweet, and just hits the taste buds perfectly. It's more than worth it at just $8.99 a bottle! And just look at that bottle . . . it's blue and gorgeous! I'm keeping mine to use as a vase for a flower! :c) (Hey, any reason to keep something pretty!)

If you've made it this far . . . woo-hoo! You rock! And here are two pics from Mother's Day when we had a picnic at the park. One favorite and then a self-portrait of Neil and I. I think it's kinda cute. As hubby stated "we're hot" in his silly Neil way. :c)



Here's to another good day tomorrow!

Random thoughts . . .

"Just living isn't enough," said the butterfly,
"one must also have freedom, sunshine,
and a little flower."
-Hans Christian Anderson

I have to also add that my team, SIU Salukis, made it in the NCAA tourney and they play today against VT. I'm glad that we have no option but to be home today so I can watch them! (I guess I should maybe try and get some work done, too . . . sigh . . . ) I can't wait . . . hoping they can win . . . GOOOOO SALUKIS!

Also, house update . . . no luck on selling the house yet. We have only gotten about a half dozen calls. Not sure what else we can do by ourselves? (Any tips?? We just have to get people to WANT to come look!) We really really really don't want to have to hire a realtor, but looks like we might have to. We're going to try one more week by ourselves. Good thoughts and prayers please!

Oh, and I ordered my St. Joseph statue and still have not received it. Hmmm . . . I need to check into that! Maybe that's all I need . . . Mr. St Joseph?! . . . ?

This and That

Check out Jen's blog. She's got some great new picture additions taking us back in time . . . See them here!

And then, yesterday, it was announced that the University of Illinois are getting rid of "The Chief". Here is a short synopsis of the history of the Chief. It is all quite sad. If your daddy went to college at the U of I and you grew up watching him perform at Illini games, your memories of that Indian guy are quite strong. I for one, will really miss him. Here's Michelle's story at her blog. Check it out. And this is what led up to the dismissal of the Chief. And here is a report by CBS news on the U of I saying "goodbye". It's pretty big news for the college world.

And our big news. We have more snow. Uh-huh, yep, you heard it right. We have 4 more inches of that fluffy white stuff. It is quite pretty this morning the way it's covering up the already 12 inches of snow. It looks like this gigantic never-ending blanket. I need to get out and take some pictures but I'm still in my pj's, so that won't happen anytime soon.

And then I love Corie's blog about Random Acts of Kindness. I think we all need a little reminding of this from time to time. So please take a look and then go out and do something today that makes a difference - no matter how small - because as long as it produces a smile, it will touch someone's life.

And then a little home building decision update - - - I think we are probably going to go with Builder #2. We have the plans, so maybe I'll scan those today and share them with you? Stay tuned! And thank you all for helping aid in our decision. Neil was thinking what all of you were thinking the whole time - that we should go with higher quality because most likely we will spend the biggest majority of our life in this new home.

And to end it off, I have to share this picture that I saw over at Cute Overload.