Sunday, January 10, 2010

Hiatus and a Merge?

Hi friends!  Just wanted to let you know that I will be on a photography hiatus for the next 2 months!  My schedule is such (right now) that I will not be able to schedule any shoots until the end of February/early spring! 
Thank you for your faithfulness!
Also, I'm considering merging this blog with my personal blog, as soon as I can figure it out!  Keeping up with one blog right now would be so much easier!
Check it out, and please follow me there!
Thank you!!
http://accessorizeyourlife.blogspot.com/

Friday, January 8, 2010

Friday Fondness: Nintendo, Original

Old school Nintendo.  Super Mario Bros and Duck Hunt.  Ah, nostalgia.  The first time I ever played SMB was at a friends house after they got it.  I was...9? 

Does anyone remember the game with the mat you put on the floor?  It was some type of racing game, track meet style, and you ran in place?  The faster you ran, the faster your player went.  Let's face it, that was some really cutting edge gaming right there.
My all time favorite Nintendo game was Kid Icarus.  Holy smokes, was that hard.  Now, most games give you a halfway point if your player dies.  But you could be at the very end of one of the oddly long levels of Kid, and die, and have to start all over at that level again.  Oh, but the mythical creatures, the flying eyes, the grim reaper character, battling Medusa at the end. 

Those were some good times.
When your Nintendo system got old, and the games wouldn't play well, did you blow into the bottom of the game cartridge?  I did.  Apparently under the assumption that it was dust or grime that caused the system to crack out on me.  Most likely it was just wear and tear of a well loved game.
If you ever have enough spare time and want to experience these vintage games of the NES, visit http://www.nintendo8.com/ for a free flashback experience.
Or, just go play your Wii.  Which, believe it or not, I've yet to play.  Whatever.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

In the Arms of Jesus

Dear Richie and Natalie,

In this season of grief, of deep despair, and devastating heartbreak, please know you are truly loved. 
I, among hundreds upon hundreds are not only praying for you, but we are praying you through your darkest hours. 
God is good.
And He is with you.

And little Gavin,

You are a rockstar, braver than most adults. 
You fought a good fight. 
You have impacted our world, rejuvenated lost faith, brought Prayer Warriors together, melted hearts of ice, and you helped the light of God shine brightly into a dark and weary world. 
Thank you, for that amazing gift. 


'God is bigger than
the air I breathe
The world we'll leave.
God will save the day,
and all will say,
My Glorious.
My Glorious.'


**Please visit Natalie's blog.  Let's join together to lift this family up in prayer.  Read about Gavin and his life here: http://www.natalienortonphoto.com/

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Weight Watcher Wednesday: Continuing My Journey

I decided to add a new weekly segment to my little blog here.  Weight Watcher Wednesday.  That's right, that's what I said. 
I've been in Weight Watchers before, but this time I knew I needed to stick with it.  I feel like I've done fairly well.  I've been regularly attending meetings for a year, doing the after meeting grocery shopping spree to prepare for the upcoming week, the journaling, the measuring, and so forth. 
So, I thought I'd post a small tidbit every week about my journey.  Because it really is a journey.  It's not an event.  It's changing my way of thinking, and feeling, and making choices that are right for my body.  My posts will sometimes be just me, expressing my thoughts, or food items that I find helpful, or the occasional recipe.  I would like to believe that blogging about this experience will serve as another form of accountability.  By going 'public', I know people will form some expectations.  And don't want to let myself, or anyone else down.

This weeks tidbit?  The truth.  Allow me to be honest with you.  I like food.  Period.  I cannot shift the blame anywhere else but on myself for my weight.  My weakness is chocolate.  I make the wrong food choices. 

I'm human, though.  This journey is not a skip through a field of flowers, while birds sing, and butterflies flicker by.  Let's put it this way:  it has it's skip worthy moments, with puddles of mud in the way, angry bees instead of butterflies, hills to climb, and sometimes I step in a pile of bird poop.  I have weeks of success, and even weeks of lows.  I have days when I'm full throttle, charging ahead with the program, and I have days when I just don't care and feel like I have to start over. 

But it's still worth it.  At least, to me.

In one year I lost 30 pounds.  I will post a photo for every 20 pounds I lose.  Sound good?  However, I can't find one (right now) prior to the 30 pound loss, so this will have to suffice.  Taken during August in San Francisco.  When this was taken, I'd lost roughly 22-25 pounds.  I work hard at trying to position myself in photos to hide certain areas (as in, below the neck).  For whatever reason, in this one, I didn't make any effort.  Ah, well.


I want these posts to encourage any of you out there who struggle with weight and/or self image.  It's an uphill battle, but it's a learning process.

P.S.  A few disclaimers!
1. I love, love LOVE comm ts!!  However, I do have to approve each comment submitted.  If you post one, it may not appear right away.  I reserve the right not to approve a comment.  I want this to be an enjoyable reading and/or discussion experience for my readers.  If you want to snark and rant, please go elsewhere.
2.  I have chosen Weight Watchers as my weight loss plan.  I am not endorsed by them, nor will I be using any copyrighted WW material in my posts.  My blogging about this experience is solely for the purpose of encouraging others and telling my story.  If you are considering any weight loss plan, please seek the proper advice from your doctor about what is right for you.
3.  I am fully aware of the fact that I am not the only person who has chosen to share her/his weight loss story.  But, mine is mine, and theirs is theirs.
4.  I don't feel comfortable (at this point) posting my actual weight.  I will, eventually.  Promise.

A new year, a fresh start!  Here goes!!  Thanks for reading and for the encouraging words.
xoxo

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Personal Blog Part 2

My personal blog is now called 'Accessorize Your Life.'  Click here to visit!  Thanks!  http://accessorizeyourlife.blogspot.com/

Friday, January 1, 2010

Still Updating!

Hey folks!  I've been behind (again) on my Friday Fondness posts!  They will return, as I am still working on revamping my blog, and getting it the way I want it!  Even considering renaming it and creating a new header!  Thanks for being patient!!  Want a new look for a new year!  Thanks for reading!  Please follow this blog!