BRRRRRR!

Virginia certainly has gotten cold. As of today! We have had a real fall this year with lovely days in the 60s and 70s - it has made what I consider the best time of the year even more optimal! This week the temps plunged to the 50s with a little rain. It feels like actual winter. I even wore socks to bed one night, which I never do! I think they are Michael's - maybe hunting socks? They are a little hideous, but I love them!

One week down - many to go...

Yesterday marked one week since Michael sailed away for his first deployment in the 2 and almost a half years that we have been dating. It's a short "cruise" as the Navy so breezily refers to it. Just takin' a cruise in a dangerous far away place away from loved ones and the comfort of anything for an approximately 3 month period. It is no fun for us at home, but of course this is why we appreciate our military men and women so much because it's not at all breezy and it is just that sacrificial. And I might add that I am being kind of a winey heiny since Michael's deployment is a relatively short one.

Before he left our families - my parents and his parents - got to go out on the pier and check out his ship which was both really cool, and also really helpful to have a mental image of where he is day in and day out. Here are a few little pics. We showed up on the pier at the most convenient time of day, light-wise! (I didn't spruce these pics up at all and they are a little dark - my apologies).

Normally my weeks fly by with my busy job and schedule, but this one really felt so long without my nightly call from Michael and my one and only weekend date:(. I cannot wait til he comes home!!!!

I am a notoriously negligent blogger, but posting pics here are easier for Michael (and anyone else reading to see) rather than sending him them in my nightly email where they take up a lot of space. Also, if you have any interest in contacting Michael, please let me know, and I will send you his contact information by email. Any prayers, greetings or words of well-wishing will surely bring a smile to his face!

Wedding Season!!!

Ok not really - but it seems that way this year! Two weeks ago, I attended and photographed my second cousin Josh's wedding to his new wife Ashlee. I think that went pretty well, but I am still learning! Here are a few sneak peaks:

In October one of my oldest friends Steven is getting married, as is a good friend Amy. November will bring THREE weddings - my dear friend Melanie (whose I am coordinating), my youngest cousin Kelly (photographing), and another wedding that I am photographing (first non-family client) for Bryanne!

I LOVE weddings!! All the many beautiful details involved is what gets me, and the more creative you can be the better! If I hear that anyone is getting married I start itching to get involved. I read the blogs obsessively. Each issue of Martha Stewart Weddings speaks to me from the grocery store shelf, and I buy it, each time!

Can you imagine what I will be like when I get to actually plan my own!?! Poor Michael :)

Reprising the blog! And other updates on life...

It is an obvious fact that I am a neglectful, non-committal blogger - maybe a non-blogger is better! I started one because Melissa started one, and then I never really committed.

Michael will be sent away to sail the high seas in another month, and while away he cannot check any personal email, no Facebook, no Myspace. He can however check my blog link! So I will be posting random life adventures and photos on here for his enjoyment (and others as well). I so admire my friend and diligent blogger Devon for her regular blog posting - thanks for the inspiration Devon!

In other news it seems that this Fall is wedding season (normally reserved for the Spring of the year). This past weekend I attended my second cousin Josh's wedding. They asked me to do the photography since I dabble in it on the side. It was my first wedding, and it was soooo much fun! I posted some sneak peeks on Facebook, but with over a thousand photos it will be awhile before I process them all. I appreciated them letting me help out. My youngest cousin Kelly is getting hitched in a little less than 3 months. She has asked me to help out with engagement photos and covering her November wedding. She picked an awesome locale - I am so excited. I am attending two additional weddings in October and one in November. Phew - so busy, but I am glad since Michael will be away.

Lastly, I seem to be having vicious sinus issues. I am trying to decide at what point to go see a doc...

worst ... blogger ... EVER

i am so busy that i never blog anymore, ever.

since it crossed my mind enough to post this, i may just write a real post sometime maybe soon.

maybe.

Check me out!

I got my first haircut, and now look somewhat (but not too much) like my smoothie sisters!

Top Gun

What a great movie! Oh to go back in time when Tom Cruise was hot and sane! I honestly had forgotten how wonderful it was until it came on Bravo Sunday night and tonight. I watched both nights. Props to the Bravo network for continuing to be wonderful with their programming choices.

A couple of observations about the movie (based solely on my own opinions of course):

• Tom Cruise is at his best. He looks great, and I love a man in uniform, so that probably helps. He makes riding a motorcycle without a helmet look ok. His arrogance is delish! I honestly think he's been on a downhill slide ever since.


• Kelly McGillis was a strange choice for the female lead. I think she's very unnattractive, but yet I can't think of who would be a better fit.


• So many elements of a great drama - love, death, sadness, some comedy.


• "Take My Breath Away" - enough said.

It has been 23 years since its release - can you believe that? If you haven't seen the film in awhile, I recommend you revisit it.