taking time to SEE the world....

this has been a fantastic summer so far for us, and i really hope you can say the same.  After our vacation, things were in full swing around here, which is nice, but it was a reminder to me just how important it is to keep everything in check with life -- figuring out what is a priority to me and my family and what is not. 

 

Sometimes this sort of reflection is necessary to lead a full, healthy life.  Somethings we've done around here since our vacation:

1.  We rearranged our third floor rooms.  As many of you know, Willette works out of the house, and he's here ALL day long.  This is sometimes complicated for all of us.  To provide him with a bit more privacy, we put his office in a seperate space from my office and max's playroom on the third floor.  This seems to make a world of difference in ALL of our lives.  Max and I now share an office/playroom/art studio on the third floor.  You should see all the organization i need to do with all the toys and books up here!  AHHHH!

2.  I read/watched this amazing website.  I urge you to do the same: Life Museum.  GREAT message/reminder about finding what is important and about seeing what is around you in your life.

3.  I decided to stick to a semi-static schedule this year in regards to photosessions.  I'll be offering weekday appointments tuesday through thursday mornings during the school year (still only doing 10 a month).  Some weekend sessions by special request.  This will help me maintain a more regular routine and will help me plan out my weeks.  For the past two years, I've had sessions open every day of the week.  This makes for an erratic schedule for me and my family.  Also, by setting aside days just for my family, i'm able to commit to my family and my volunteer activities: Junior League, Union of Hands Circle, St. Patrick's Catholic School, Lee's Friends, Cancer Care, Susan Koman Foundation of Tidewater, etc.

4.  Holiday Card photo sessions have been a big thing for my clients....this will be my actual third year of offering these specials.  I'm still hashing through the details, but I will be offering the Holiday Mini-Sessions again this year.  At this point i'm FULLY booked for all of September and most of October.  I have a few spaces left in Oct and Nov.  A reminder to you that I do not work from Thanksgiving until January 15th, and that i tend to book about two months in advance, with the exception of Baby Planners.

5.  I have finally dedicated some time just for me each week.  I started working on an oil painting I started three years ago.  It will be nice to finally finish this canvas that has been GLARING at me for three years!  It was fun to smell the oils again and to get my hands dirty with paint again.

6.  I have also promised myself that i will actually print all my family photos that are clogging up my harddrive.  That is top priority for me this weekend!  To have these babies PRINTED and put into albums!!!!

7.  A couple of dates that may be of interest to you:

• LEE'S FRIENDS' Unique Boutique will be held at the Church of the Good Shephard October 27 and 28th. This was a great event last year....i seriously got ALL of my shopping done for the holidays, and i supported local business and a great local charity, which as many of you know is REALLY important to me.
• Susan Koman Foundation of Tidewater's Race for the Cure will be held October 18th.  I'll be on-site for some fun "Pink it Out" photobooth style photos of current patients and survivors.  This should be a BLAST! 
• The Union of Hands Circle's Ducktape Regatta is set for full sail Saturday, August 23rd.  Come on out for FUN afternoon of chaos and laughs.  We are thrilled to be a part of this excitement!!!!
• I'm having a Shrimp and Grits trunk show on August 17th.  Let me know if you're interested in attending.  I LOVE their smocked clothing and matching brother/sister outfits.

8.  I have about five sessions left to proof from this week, so please be sure to check out the blog Monday!

9.  I've also promised myself to take more family photos that are just snapshots.  I need to be reminded that it is OKAY to just pull out the point and shoot and snap the photo and not worry about max's hair or his outfit or the background.  It is sometimes liberating to tell yourself that it is okay to just snap the photo.

10.  We plan on reading The Last Lecture.  Can't wait to actually read it.  I'm so sorry to hear about Dr. Pausch's passing today.  You can also purchase this book at Prince books Downtown (and grab a Taste sandwich while you're there!).

11.  I just picked up some more yummy candles from serendip....one of my many vices!!!!  I bought a new votivo candle and a seda france candle this week.  Our house smells YUMMY!  I almost bought ANOTHER lamp, but i resisted the urge, as hard as that is to do!!!!  Their lamps are OUT OF CONTROL! 

12.  Ms. Penny was also here today....i LOVE that woman.  Seriously.  Our house smells SO good from her natural cleaning products (and i just feel REALLY good being in a clean, healthy, happy environment).  If Ms. Penny isn't cleaning for you (i think she must clean for all of Ghent and East Beach by now), you should consider calling her.  TRUST me on this!

13.  We're making complete progess on max's room.  I've been working with an interior designer who specializes in children's rooms and nurseries, and i'm SO happy with how his room is shaping up. We just ordered the Serena and Lily linens and fabric (from The Silver Rattle on Granby Street), and Mary Everett, the designer and owner of Feather Your Nest Interiors, came over last week to help organize the bookshelves in his room.  they look SO, SO good. YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!  Here is her facebook link: Feather Your Nest.

14.  Speaking of facebook...i am a TOTAL addict, thanks to the area's BEST, most talented photographer, Eleise Theuer.  I am proud to call Eleise my friend and neighbor, and i cannot wait to have her photograph us!  If you're getting married.....run, don't walk, to contact and book her!  Thanks, Eleise, for introducing me to the world's BEST procrastination tool.  I really need some help in finding ways to procrastinate.

Hope you're all doing well and having fun at the pool!!!!

Comments

[virginia]

WOW- you have been busy! It sounds like you have a good handle on the organization and putting your life in order. Congrats by the way on the Design Aglow article- that's awesome! I love that mag and can't wait to read issue 5, especially now that I know you! I have decided to do Jodie's workshop in September- I think it will make a lot more sense now that I have the lights and know a little bit about what I am doing. Enjoy the rest of your summer- it's flying by too fast!

[eleise]

Kelly, You are such a wonderful person and a wonderful photographer and I am sooooo proud of you with Design Aglow (LOVE THEM!) and in awe of your photography skills and your killer business skills. Sooooo, when is the workshop?

And you are too dear to speak so highly of me. I really, really appreciate it.

Eleise