I Love Fridays

I really hate this time of year. The days seems to last forever when you can't get outside. After spring like temperatures on Wednesday, I'm left longing for warmer weather. I am amazed at how much my mood depends on the weather. I felt great on Wednesday. I felt energized, full or possibility. I went outside and took the girls for a walk. I took lots of pictures. I just felt good.

Now we're back to bundling up and I can't shake this gloomy feeling. I start to withdraw and that's never a good thing, especially when you've got 2 kids to entertain. Hopefully these next few weeks will fly by. Anyway, here are a few more pictures I took on our sunny spring day.

Thursday Theme

It was more than 60 degrees here in good old New Jersey yesterday so I took the girls for a walk. Actually we tried a few times but it was raining. Finally, the rain stopped and we headed outdoors. I've felt so cooped up lately that it was nice to breathe some fresh air. I just wish it wasn't so rainy and muddy. Still, I took my camera and got some really cute pictures of Big J.

Here's one that I think glows.

I'm Such an Idiot

My mom wants to take Big J and I to see "The Little Mermaid" on Broadway. She mentioned it over the holidays and I just got around to ordering the tickets this morning. I used Ticketmaster and searched for available dates in April.

I finally settled on April 19, a Saturday, at 2:00 and purchased the tickets. I went to put it on the calendar we have hanging in the kitchen and realized we have A COMMUNION ON THAT DAY!!!

Darnit! My neice is making her communion that day and my sister-in-law asked me to take her picture with her dress on and her hair all done up. I am such an idiot! I should have checked my calendar first!

And, to make things worse, Ticketmaster has a no refund or exchange policy so I am double screwed!

Can someone please slap me upside the head???

My Love of Pictures

I wish I could say that I've always dreamed of being a photographer. Up until a few months ago I considered myself a writer.

But after I gave birth to Little J, I didn't feel like writing anymore. It was beginning to feel like a chore. I needed to break out of my rut. I wanted to find something fulfilling. I still had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.

I've always taken pictures. Peak inside my house and you'll see dozens of albums and hundreds of loose pictures stuffed in shoe boxes. For whatever reason, I never thought of it as a career. The possibility never dawned on me.

Then, after rummaging through a pile of pictures I had taken in high school one day, I found what I was looking for. Sitting there, with photos scattered all around me, I saw the future.

Growing up I would take my stuffed animals, set them up on my bed, and create scenes with props and everything. On this day, I found a picture of a doll that was made for me by my father's mother. I sat her up on my bed and used a sheet to create a backdrop. I positioned a pile of books next to her and snapped away.

I did stuff like that a lot. I would take self-portraits, pictures of everyday things around the house, flowers, anything. Back then I had no idea about composition or lighting. I just knew that those things interested me. I could look at something ordinary and say, "That would make a beautiful picture."

After Little J got a little older, I decided to take the leap. With absolutely no experience, I went to a portrait studio in the local mall and applied to be a photographer. I felt like such a phoney, like I had no right to be there. I was afraid too. What if I mess up? What if they don't like my style? What if they figure out I have no clue what I'm doing?

It was so scary to jump into something completely different than what I was used to, but the payoff has been amazing. I was so out of my element; I still feel like I am, but I've learned so much and I can't wait to continue my journey. I feel like I've finally found my calling and it was always right there in front of me. It's so weird how things work out. I'm excited about the months ahead.

My Best Shot

I took this picture at a birthday party on Saturday and it represents what is bright and beautiful in my world.



Check out more inspiring photos here.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Have a wonderful weekend!!