It's the start of Christmas Eve, normally my favorite day of the year. This year's a little different. My daughter is just returning from her honeymoon, so we won't be together for the first time in ages. I chose not to visit my parents in Alabama. They're divorced, and don't speak, even in their 80's. It's a no-win situation for me. No matter how much time I spent with one, it would be too much for the other. So, I'm staying home, and I have to say I'm feeling a little sorry for myself.
In an attempt to ward off the Christmas Eve blues, I'm going through photographs that make up my 2011. Let's see...January and February brought a couple of Texas snowstorms.
Toward the end of February, I fell in love with Asheville, North Carolina. It's everything I've ever dreamed of, and I hope to move there one of these days. It's so beautiful, I just know they need a good photographer!
In March, Krista and I went to Paris for a week. It wasn't long enough, but we made the most of it. I'll pack up and buy an apartment there, if I ever win the lottery. Note to self: remember to buy tickets.
In April, I got really sick with the flu. The final indignity was my first case of pink-eye. I stayed home for a week and whined. I also had to cancel a trip to Alabama to visit the family. I got well eventually, and was able to get down to Houston to attend my cousin Diana's son's very cool Western wedding. Can you say, "Ah do!"?
In May, I helped my friend, Kristi, celebrate a milestone birthday in Wimberly, Texas. Although she was entranced with this duck, she never caught him.
My friend, Dianne, flew out from Alabama later that month for a visit, and we spent time catching up and making up for lost time!
My crazy sisters came out for our annual Sisters Weekend. This year, we did it over Memorial Day weekend, and added a day to it. Excuse the blurred photo...it was taken with an iPhone. We had too much fun to get serious about our photography this time around! I love my sisters.
The big news in May was Krista's engagement. I flew to Portland in June for my birthday, but mostly to help her pick out a wedding dress. Mission accomplished.
I got a surprise at my birthday lunch...Krista's best friends, Tracy, Lauren, and Damaris were waiting for us at Nostrana when we arrived from the airport. These girls are like daughters to me.
My cousin, Rose, got married in June, so I took a quick jaunt back to Bama to do her wedding photography.
I'm happy to report that throughout the year, my photography business grew and grew and grew. Almost every weekend I was home, I was at a shoot...weddings, engagements, baby photography, you name it. And I loved every minute of it. In August, my mother turned eighty years old. My sisters and I gave her a big party, and we all had a blast. She fell two days before the party. Luckily, aside from some bruising and a very black eye, the only thing that was hurt was her pride.
Over Labor Day weekend, I made my first trip ever to Wisconsin. Although it was to shoot a wedding, the Steines family made me feel right at home. I was blown away by their hospitality. Thanks, Karen, for that trip to Amish country!
Mom got her Christmas present at the end of September, when I flew in to take her to see the premiere of a documentary on the life of her favorite author, Rick Bragg. The fact that she ran into him in the lobby of the theatre several hours before it was begin (don't ask...we had to get there "in plenty of time") was icing on the cake.
I made a special trip to Portland to do a maternity shoot for Lauren, and also to do Krista and Tony's engagement photographs. Autumn was all over the place, and it was wonderful to spend some time enjoying my favorite season.
My last trip of the year was over Thanksgiving week, when my friend, Nancy, and I traveled to Vienna. It was cold, but festive; Christmas markets were in full swing!
I came back in time to attend my friend, Jeanie's, open house/holiday party. She renovated her entire house this year,and was more than ready to have it finished.
I'm blessed with family, friends, and adventures. Photography is my passion, and I'm lucky to have amazing opportunities. I've met so many new clients this year, and also enjoyed having some become "regulars." I don't think I have time to be blue, after re-reading this post! Merry Christmas Eve, y'all.
