Playing Catch Up with Pictures

I used to be SO good at posting pictures when I take them...keeping all of you "in the know", and current, on all the exciting happenings of my life. Well, I guess I'm not too horrible at it, but I do have some pictures that I took over a few weeks ago, that I had all intentions of posting, and hadn't even gotten around to downloading them off my camera - GASP!!!

So....I have the right to play catch up. Follow along. :)

On New Year's Day (yea, we're going back that far).....Brett, Dave, Dayna and I all enjoyed a rather yummy breakfast at Summerland Cafe. The highlight of the meal was Brett's choice of beverage. I present you with "the best hot chocolate ever". What a shame that you have to travel ALL the way to SB to get this delicious drink. Guess you'd all better start booking your trips. :)


At this point, I can't remember what we did on the 2nd....oh, I worked. That's right. I had to be up for the 9am EST call (which was 6am CA time), and be the moderator. Oh well, it was my last time to ever have to do that....and obviously it didn't scar me too much if I'd already forgotten about it. And OH, that afternoon/evening, I went to meet Danielle, who will be my future roomie when I move to SB. She was college roomies with Shyla, and it turned out she was moving to SB soon too. I went to pick her up (in Brett's truck.....yes, I got to drive it....unsupervised even.....around SB, by myself, and I didn't get lost), and we spent almost 2 hours chatting at Starbucks. We hit it off immediately, and I am super excited about living with her once I get out there. Brett and I had some really yummy Mexican food that night at a place down in Montecito called Los Arroyos. I already proclaimed that it'll be the spot that I take my Texas friends when they come to visit. It passed all the tests for a good Mexican joint! :)

On Saturday, we went with Alex to one of Kirsten's games. She's the head coach for the Women's Westmont Basketball team. Alex came over to get us, and we walked towards campus. The girls were super impressive, and stomped up on San Diego...beating them 90-40.





Ok, I'm now going to be going back to semi-up to date times...so that's all for this post. :)

Just Because....

Today, I went to church (the worship team at LHC downtown is AMAZING), and then after that, I got a #1 with a Coke from Wendy's, and came home. It was the most beautiful day outside today in Austin, but I decided that, since I'm still battling what I can only guess is allergies, I should stay inside.

I started to sort through the closet in my study, sorted through boxes, put old unlabeled CDs into the computer to find out what's on them, threw a few things away (so far 2 bags full), packed half of one box, loaded some CDs into iTunes.....yeah, you get my point.....it was a very underwhelming day.

I actually watched a few shows tonight....on TV. As in, on TV, while they were being aired, with commercials and all. Crazy, I know!!

So, I am sitting here now, and noticed a folder on my desktop that I hadn't processed yet. It was a few shots that Brett and I took back when he was here from his Thanksgiving visit.

I liked these two, and I wanted to post them......just because. Well, maybe because I miss him....just a little bit. Since I'm now in a holding pattern until a renter comes along for my condo, we're not sure how the next few weeks will pan out, so I'm not sure when I'll see him next.

These pics made me smile, and I just felt like posting them. Just because.

A Band Story | Deejer

Ok, first things first...I apologize for the extreme number of images posted below....but A. I haven't had any other sessions to edit (hint hint...book me while I'm still in TX), and B. after going through these a few times, I kept finding more that I really liked....so just bear with me.

I met up with the guys of Deejer last Sunday. I think Jeff said that they'd done this quite a few times before (which I could tell....these guys were all naturals in front of the camera), but they were in need of some updated band pics. I hadn't done this type of shoot before, but I was really excited!

I had this grand idea of getting some neat shots at the railroad track that is on McNeil road. For some reason, I just think of railroad tracks when I think of band photos.....so we parked at the Kiddie Acres, and all walked across the street to see what kind of trouble we could get into. Well, after a few shots.....we did just that....got into trouble.

A man drove up, got out, put on his official neon vest, and kindly told us that we shouldn't be hanging out in a railyard....that the trains come really fast through there, and for our own safety, we should leave. I played dumb (better to ask for forgiveness than permission), we were all very nice, and chose to heed his warnings and leave. Boo. I did get off a few shots, but oh well. Next time, we just go to the other side of the tracks first, where no one could see us from the open road. :)

We ventured over towards the road that backs up to the rear gate of my condo neighborhood, and stumbled across some neat spots. I think that our favorite was the, what seemed to be anyways, burnt down house from the 80s. There was all sorts of trash.....yes, all trash....nothing that would show up on the Antique Roadshow was left here......at this place, which made for a fun, and different backdrop for some shots.

I had a great time with all of the guys. Special thanks to Nae for being my assistant for the afternoon!!! I listened to the Dark Summer Dawn album while editing, and really enjoyed the tunes. Check them out for yourselves - Deejer - and enjoy the pics.






JR Shirley - bass, vocals


Gary Hopkins - drums


Dave Erickson - guitar, vocals


Chris Didear - lead vocals


Jeff Hurst - guitar










Want to hear a tasting of Deejer's music, and see more? Check out the slideshow. They are playing on February 6th in Austin at The Parish, if you want to check out one of their shows!

A few things that I'm sure going to miss...

....about Austin.

I got my hair done the other night, and it made me realize that Tara isn't going to be coming with me to Santa Barbara. I met Tara through Renae a little over 3 years ago. She first saw me when I still had blond hair, and she rocked out my highlights like no other. Then one day, I walked in and asked her to take me back to brown. I haven't gone to another color since and I just love what she does to my hair!

One reason that I'll be sure to be back in Austin at least every few months is so she can continue to fix me up! I just love to spend time with Tara and have her work her tress magic on me! So, blog friends, since I won't be taking up all her time now, I wanted to share her with all of you.

She rocks, she's awesome, she's a great girl....and I can't forget to mention, beautiful. You might recognize her from the rocking engagement session of her and Paul from a few weeks ago. She made a special offer to anyone that calls and mentions my blog! Don't wait any longer, call her now! Be sure to tell her I sent you!! :)

This Texas Gal is Heading West

I am moving. There, I said it.

I've told my family, most of my friends, my current job, etc.....but now I just made it official. I posted it on my blog! Yikes!! It's out there, and there are no takesy-backsies allowed.

I had been thinking about moving, talking about moving, for a little while now, and around the middle of December, I asked my current job if I'd be able to take my job with me if I did. They stewed on it, and decided that, while I am an AWESOME asset to the company (yeah, I might have embellished on that a bit), they really wanted to keep my position in one of the two main offices. So, no hard feelings, guess I'll have to eventually look for a new job.

Well, they had some ideas on how they wanted to expand my role, add a few things, take away a few things, and well, they were anxious to do this....sooner rather than later....and even though I hadn't officially put in my notice, they kind of pressured me into it sooner than I had wanted. So, I put in my resignation, and two weeks notice, last Monday, and my last day is this Friday. I'm not that broken up about it....but....um, OK. Next.....

So, now things are really rolling. Where am I headed, you ask? Well, I'm headed West, my friends....to the land of gold. Specifically, Santa Barbara. For those of that have followed me for a while, I'm sure that isn't much of a surprise or shock to you....but that's where I'm going. I was actually born in CA (Lancaster), so I was a California girl at birth. Even though I only lived there for 6 weeks then, it feels like I'm just headed home. :)

Here is a list of things that I have TO DO:

Find a renter for my condo
Purge and sell a bunch of stuff
Hang out with all my favorite Austin people as much as possible
Pack
Figure out how to move
Eat at every Austin restaurant one last time before I leave
Move
Find a place to live with my new roomie (Danielle - she's awesome!) in SB
Find a job

Not too hard, right? Well....I guess it's good that I will have a few weeks without a day job to start on these things....but I could use some help. Mostly on the first one. [By the way...if anyone wants to help on the other things on my list....by all means, I'm not against accepting it!]. :)

I am going to rent my condo in NW Austin, and could use your help in getting the word out. I've posted a flyer with details here, and it's also below. It's a wonderful 1 bedroom + study, 1.5 bath, 1 car garage with over 1000 square feet, and a washer/dryer included. The floorplan is nice and open, perfect for someone that might work from home and need an office - also fantastic for entertaining. It's available for a one year lease starting on February 1st. I have thoroughly enjoyed living here, and would love to see it be a great home for someone else.

I'm hiring a property management company to take care of the logistics for me, but please contact me via email for info to get in touch with them. I'd be SO grateful it if you would send this to your friends. You never know who might be in the need for a new place to live in Austin, TX. :)


And in the off chance that anyone that reads this blog knows of a place to live, or any connections in SB to find one, PLEASE let me know!! :)

The Lamar Family Story

I had such a great time snapping pics of the smallest member of the Lamar family when I was in Las Vegas last time, that I was thrilled when Autumn asked me to tell the whole Lamar story while we were in town visiting for Christmas.

I got to meet all of the BAMRCL crew this time.....Brittany, Autumn, Morgan, Rob, Chelsea, Logan and Loralyn. :) Brittany's hubby, Drew, also joined us - welcome to the family! :) We headed out to find a good spot on the day after Christmas. After driving around for a while, we found this spot, and agreed that it would do. It was COLD in Vegas over the break...so this is actually the abridged version of their story.....the full version to be completed when it's a little warmer...hopefully this summer sometime when the kids visit again.

We shot all of these in about 15 minutes.....and even thought it doesn't look cold in the photos, I think at the end we were all a little bit frozen in the end! Despite the shortened session, we had some good old fashioned family fun. I can't wait to see all of you again, with or without my camera. I love your family, and your story!!










For more of our frozen fun, check out the slideshow.

Silver AND Gold

I can't believe that it's been so long since I've posted.....I know, I'm bummed too. I even checked my own blog to see if it had posted something on it's own....no avail. So, here I am.

I have so much that I want to post, fun things, pictures, stories, etc, but it seems that I have issues with getting it into a post. What is wrong with me? I'm not really sure. It's a cross between knowing that I have SO many things to do in the next 3 weeks....with all the time in the world to do them.....and I just don't know where to start. I'm a little overwhelmed at how much I have to do, and am putting off writing my very long TO DO list........and (this is the and to the other part of the cross between) that feeling of an email that you know you want to reply to, and it's going to be a long one, but you want to wait for just the right time to write it. Then it gets to be like a week later, and you just start to feel bad because you haven't replied yet and so much has happened. Yeah, if any of that makes sense....that is where I am.

And, I've been sick. I don't like being sick. I don't go to the doctor. I don't know the difference between a decongestant and an antihistamine, or which does what. I loathe not feeling good enough to do any of the things that I am procrastinating. It started with a severe headache/headcold on Tuesday of last week, which had me on the couch for ALL of Wednesday and Thursday, and I felt OK enough to make it into the office on Friday. It moved to my nose and throat, and now I've all but lost my voice. I am sitting here staring at the almost empty box of tissues and feeling really bad for my poor nose.

Anyways, enough of that whining. I'm going to finish up a post that I started last week, and get it done with.

So, I remember, on New Year's Eve in Santa Barbara, amongst a whole bunch of awesome people, looking around at one point in the night, and I realized that I was spending the evening with all new friends. All people that I'd met within the last few months, weeks, or even just that night. This in itself might make you think that I'm about to say how sad it made me.....not being able to spend a fun night with my close girlfriends, but it did the opposite. It made me smile. Everyone that I've met in SB has been absolutely wonderful, welcoming, awesome, encouraging, and I'm happy to have met them and have them now as part of my life, my journey, my story.

I have always loved meeting new people, making new friends...but that doesn't mean that I don't have time, or room in my heart, for my current, or older, ones. This moment reminded me of an old Girl Scout song that we used to sing. I looked for it online, and happened to find a cute little animation that gives you the general tune that it goes to.

Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.

I never knew the rest of the song. It's a little elementary, but I really like it, so I'm posting the lyrics. It just makes me smile, and reminds me of my life right now. I think of this song often.....and I just wanted to share it with ALL of my friends that I love dearly.....NEW and OLD.

Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.

A circle is round,
it has no end.
That's how long,
I will be your friend.

A fire burns bright,
it warms the heart.
We've been friends,
from the very start.

You have one hand,
I have the other.
Put them together,
We have each other.

Silver is precious,
Gold is too.
I am precious,
and so are you.

You help me,
and I'll help you
and together
we will see it through.

The sky is blue
The Earth is green
I can help
to keep it clean

Across the land
Across the sea
Friends forever
We will always be.