{Dead In The Water}

Although I would like to scream, cry, and find the nearest closet to hide in to suck my thumb....I can only smile. Dead in the water....my life at this moment. A few months ago, 3 to be exact, I retired my 2 year old faithful Dell laptop for an amazing new Dell system that boasted a 24" screen, more memory than I'd ever know what to do with, and it's just a pretty spiffy machine. Well, last night I went to do something on the computer and it froze. I went to restart it and it was DEAD. I am blessed beyond belief that I am able to recover all of the images from it. I am very diligent about backing up my sessions, but sadly had not prioritized backing up my own family images. I was devastated to learn that I'd have to do a complete system retore, but so thankful that I am able to rescue precious memories. I am feeling slightly robbed at the moment. Technology stinks, and things break. It's bound to happen, and nothing is perfect. I am still a loyal dell user, have a darn good laptop that's saving my rear right now....but this just stinks no matter how you look at it. SO....if you are waiting on an email from me, please know that while I do have computer access at the moment - my brain is on overload from scrambling to fix this. We JUST got resituated from being out of town, so I am a mess right now. Bear with me and I will get back to everyone as soon as I possibly can!

College Station and the girl I love.........

We are back in town! Did you know I was gone? I bet you didn't. Forgot to post it. SO, we left and now we're back. We had the amazing privilege of going to College Station for the weekend to shoot a wedding with a very dear friend of mine. Saturday was all work, 9 hours straight of wedding coverage. I was pooped! I've got so many images to edit and post it's not even funny. But for now, our little adventure today. Today, we ventured out with Stef, to downtown Bryan, TX. SO MUCH FUN! If I could have packed up this alley and brought it home with me, I would have. Amazing, beautiful, delicious light. sigh. It's good. Good. GOOOOOOD. Ok, so I could go on about how much fun I had, but I'll be back tomorrow with the things I learned while in College Station. It's interesting to say the least. LOL

XOXO

{Not so} Useful Facts

Can you handle anymore of these???? I hope so, cause I've got a lot on my mind people. Apparently my little homies have no desire to hear me complain about how my hair just won't look the same or how I need a pedicure but should really think about shaving first. So, since this IS my blog and all I am pouring more useless facts into your lives. It's really useless thoughts, which is mostly what my being is made up of. Be warned, if you aren't into me and my uselessness (is that a word??) please find another place to visit fast. I'm useless. Ness. Amen.



1. I went to fill up my truck with gas last night, and apparently so did everyone else.

2. I wasn't filling up cause I was worried, I was filling up cause my children like it when I get them from school.

3. We're in Austin, and I'm sure we're gonna have some storms but in Texas we apparently go big or go home. So everyone is preparing.

4. Except for me.

5. I did manage to go to the grocery store today.

6. Was baffled again by the amount of people there stocking up.

7. I was there not to stock up for hurricanes, but to get food for our weekly Fat Free Friday eating frenzy.

8. I am a firm believer that your body does not consume fat on Friday's.

9. This would be why I've gained 10 lbs in 3 months.

10. But momma didn't raise a quitter!

11. Speaking of quitters, I started my "Get my butt in better shape campaign" yesterday.

12. I am motivated since I don't want to buy any more jeans(i have a jean addiction and just want to continue to fit the ones i have and love).

13. I am however taking donations for the "Buy Bethany New Jeans Fund" in case I fail miserably.

14. Not really.

15. But if you really want to send me money or cute jeans I'll squeal and love you forever.

16. I actually have a weekend OFF!

17. And it's going to storm.

18. I totally appreciate when that happens to me.

19. Not really.

20. This is the calm before the storm, after this weekend our life is going to be hectic.

21. We are hosting a photographer get together here in a few weeks.


22. I am sooo not prepared.


23. Which is another awesomeness thing from me.


24. Not really.


25. I was going to have a garage sale in the morning to get rid of a bunch of crap.


26. Then Ike happened to me, someone come take my crap please.


27. Thank you.


28. It's almost nap time, and I am excited.


29. I would rather take a nap than mop my floors, guess which one I'll do.


30. NOOOO, it's not nap. Sheesh.


31. I went to Target this week, to get a "few things"....


32. 2 pairs of heels, 2 shirts for me, 3 boy shirts, pants for the man, jammies for the girl, jeans for the girl, a new rug.......


33. I got a spankin'.


34. Not really.


35. The heels were for me just to clarify. Joseph can't ever find his size. HA Ok, silly me.


36. It's nap time and I've run out of randamonium. Is it bad to end this on a mid-point number thing???


37. I think it is.


38. My kids are cwazy.


39. And now it's nap time.


40. Peace out home slices.



And because I know you don't just come here to listen to my junk, here is an image from a recent session. A favorite of mine, I just love this little guy! So does Brooklynne. lol

7 years

Seven years ago today, I was driving to work listening to the radio. I came into the morning radio station in the midst of a conversation about a plane crash. At first, I thought they were talking about a movie, or who knows what. By the time I arrived to work, I knew enough to turn on the news. There, our staff sat in disbelief. We all cried as we watched the 2nd plane go crashing into the World Trade Center. Tears streamed down my face for much of the day. Confusion, disbelief, agony. I can still see so vividly those images, just engraved in my memory. The pictures of heroic acts, pure devastation, fear. It was so thick you could feel it in your gut a million miles away. You always hear about the people who were directly affected by the loss, because they knew somebody. I can't even imagine the pain of such a loss. The truth is, our entire country hurt that day. Our entire country lost something that day. I believe America to be the most amazing place on Earth. We are so blessed, and seven years ago we were robbed of life. All walks of life, all races, all religions. Those things no longer mattered. We lost a lot of lives. We lost our sense of security for a brief moment. We did not lose hope though, we did not lose faith, and we became a closer community of Americans. My heart and prayers are with all of those today who lost a family member in this tragedy. God Bless America.

1 in 150 children are affected by AUTISM. That is a statistic that has been a reality and rocked our world since the beginning of this year. I would have never imagined that with a son at the age of 3, that I would be in the fight of a life. Fighting for a better tomorrow for a boy that holds my heart. It has been one of the hardest battles of my life, but I won't look back. I am thankful. Thankful for Mason, he is amazing, stunning, kind, gentle, and pure. Thankful for autism, it has taught me to be a better mom, have more patience and appreciate the small accomplishments. Those small accomplishments are huge feats for us. I am thankful for all of the support, it has shown me how much God really provides. I am thankful for this. Always will be. I pray every day for a cure, but today I take what I have and love it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhScvPYXunc

HAIR!

I've been saying for the past several months that I need to cut my hair, and while I have a hair lady I love I kept forgetting to make an appointment and she books fast! My hair was so overgrown it had it's own zip code. Not really, but I wonder if I could get a tax break if it did. So, last night I decided that it had to be done this weekend, so off I was today to Toni and Guy for a cut. I'm fairly certain I lost at least 5 lbs of hair, which is fabulous cause I wanted to lose 5 lbs anyhow. HA Ok, so it didn't come off the section of me I really need it off - but its way cute. The hair lady did a fantastic and I just lurve it. Everyone who has seen it is surprised to hear that I had about 8" removed. It is just at the bottom of my bra strap (pardon the tmi, but its the best way to describe it) but it was down to the small of my back. I contemplated going with a bob, but that would have required me being unconscious. lol Anyways, all of my freaky friends wanted to see the do so here she is.

First I tried to take the picture myself, I need go-go gadget arms fo' real!

I took this one too, and while it doesn't show all of the locks, it's me. ;o)

Whew. You made it. Do I look thinner? NO??? What do you mean??? Ugh, you're so mean. Seriously. You could say I do at least. Sheesh. No love to be had here.

Interview with a cowboy.....

I had the amazing pleasure of photographing a sweet, talented, and fun cowboy recently. Sam Riggs is a name you should know, because I think one day everyone will know his name. His talent is as big as his heart, and it shows in just his kind nature. He was SUCH a joy to work with, and I can't wait to take more photos for Sam. After his session, I had the hair-brained idea of doing an interview with Sam. Being the gentleman that he is, he humored me in my silly antics to be a cool girl. Or not. I felt cool, ok?!?! So, here is my fun interview with a cowboy. Sam, I think you're pretty fabulous and I hope you get the recognition you and your talent deserve.

If you had to describe yourself, your style, your music - how would you?

-Straight foward and real. I try as hard as possible to tap into emotions we've all felt when I write, and bring that to the stage at shows. I'm a good timer who likes to draw outside the lines, but I stay away from the whole "super star" look. That's definitely not me. I'm not interested in selling my face, just my music...

I have listened to your music, and I am so amazed by the talent. Do you write your own music, and if so what inspires you when you are writing?

-Yes, I write all of my material. When I sit down to write I think about things, events, people, places and situations that have affected me, and then I proceed to come up with a way to put that into lyrics with a melody and wrap it all up into a relatable song. I like songs that I can listen to and say "hey! that just happened to me!" or "wow, that takes me back to when..." I also strive to write material that encourages people to live life out loud...cause life is like a rodeo... we only get one go-round, so make it count.

What musicians have inspired your journey?

-John Rich, Jason Aldean,Jerry Reed, Kevin Fowler, Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Hank Williams Jr. and Sr., and many others.

Favorite song of all time???

-Not a fair question.... I'll name you two of my favorites: Hick Town (Jason Aldean), and Amos Moses (Jerry Reed).

When did this journey begin for you?

-eh, at about the age of six-this was when I really knew that I wanted to be a singer/songwriter.

If you could headline for one singer or band, who would it be?

-ohhh geeeze.... probably Kevin Fowler... there's always a great crowd at his shows...


I know you are working right now on some sample music, when should we expect to hear more from you?

-The expected release date of my upcoming album will be towards the end of this year.

Will you still come sing my children to sleep? I'm tired. While you are at it, will you clean my house????

-Haha, of course! My Mom sang my brother and I to sleep till we were in the third grade- so I'm no stranger to bedtime musicals haha.
And as for the house... I'll do my ole' one-two on it! Have er shinin' like slick 50:)

Next, because I'm just a nosy kind of girl, please tell us about yourself. Your background in music, what has brought you to where you are?

-Oh boy here we go haha... As I said before, my mother had a huge role in my music, She's a dreamer, and she encouraged me since I was just a youngin' to follow my heart... it hasn't been an easy road though. I was born and raised in St. cloud FL, and it was there that the proverbial "seed" of my music career sprouted. Growing up I was emersed in southern tradition and was brought up in a family full of good hearted women, cowboys, truck drivers, mechanics, and one preacher-(my grandad). I started playing around my home town in bars and at parties when I was around 14, and from there on out I've been addicted to the music and the crowd. I was raised to work hard and play hard so that's how I roll... I moved here to Austin just over a year ago, and imediately fell into the music scene. I love this place! I play most every gig I can find, and for the ones that don't require a full band, I do solo gigs as well.

Do you think I'm the coolest photographer in the world??? (You better say yes)

-Not only are you the coolest, but also quite a talent! and so professional!

Don't you just LOVE your photos??? I do, you're gonna have to chase the girls away!

-Yes ma'am I have to say, those pictures actaully do say a thousand words...you caught a side of me few ever see... the good one! haha.... you did a fine job though really. I don't chase girls away...when I play a show and there's a lot of girls, then there's bound to be a lot of dudes too, and that makes for a good crowd! And When you're playing for the door big crowds are good...

Will you keep us posted to any gigs you will be playing here? I'd love to go and know lots of people who will want to know too once they get to know you and
your music!

-Absolutely! I normaly post all of my gigs on: http://www.myspace.com/samriggsmusic so you can check there and listen to some tunes while you're on the site!

And for the finale, I'm fairly certain I turned 56 shades of red. (Are there 56 shades of red??? If not, I made new ones tonight) Final question, cause I know someone is gonna want to know!

"I was going to include this earlier, then didn't want to be a freak. hehe Then I was informed that all the ladies are going to want to know so better ask now then after I've posted your pics. hehehhee I haven't asked a boy this in a long time and I didn't want to be the creepy old girl to ask this, but it's for the stinking interview. lol

Are you single???

I am such a tard."

-Hahahahaha *falls over laughing*.... yes, as a result of recent executive desicion making...

And so he left me, with a juicy answer. I threatened to hunt him down, pig tie him, and poke the juicy details out of him. But, I don't know where he lives, and I don't know how to pig tie, or tie a pig, or tie anything for that matter. And its dark, and I've got a house to clean cause he is hiding from me since he promised to give her the old one two. Men. Really though, this was fun. If Sam's ever playing a gig in the area, I will post it here - you have to check him out!!! He is just such a sweet, adorable guy! Thank you Sam!