layoff shmayoff.

every year i somewhat look forward to layoff season with my job. it is so very easy to get burned out on photography and art in general when you are asked to do it every single day. especially when those every single days often are twelve hours.. i find myself so physically, mentally and most importantly creatively exhausted by the time december rolls around i am ready to just sit on my couch in my pajamas and cuddle olivia all day long.

this layoff has proven to be a bit different though. i have started involving myself in my community more, promoting my personal business as well as doing what i feel is right for our world. in the past i tended to get depressed every year during these few months simply because i love being busy, being on the move, and having a reason to get  dressed every day. this is my first week of layoff and i have already had so many plans, whether volunteering doing personal shoots or just enjoying my book club, I have only been home one evening. i find this essential during layoff and i have already been so much happier. i have already started sleeping way more than necessary (five hour nap yesterday, what!?) but am determined to cut that out. olivia
 has gone with me every where and has been loving this week and i am already planning big things for our little house.

so bring it on layoff, i am ready to make the most of you.

{ some wonderful winter things }

some wonderful winter things to look forward to.
mike & i's nightly tea time.
endless pup snugs.
olivia's 6month birthday!
secret hopes for snow.
holiday portraits.
nsync's christmas album (still my favourite!)
our little artificial tree.
no worries about the pup trying to eat the tree (hopefully).
kitty morning kisses.
warm & tangled blankets.
holiday shopping being (almost) stress free this year.
holiday portraits.
amazing coupons and bargains for shopping.
homemade apple butter for an easy stocking stuffer.
eggnog.
reconnecting with old friends to send out holiday cards.
shopping trips to north carolina. with my mom.
bristol motor speedway in lights.
making norwegian flatbread with my dad.
and of course buying presents for the mister.

grateful part one.

we are officially on our way to begin the thanksgiving holiday. olivia is nestled in the back seat snoring happily as mike drives us to my parent's home for the evening. tomorrow we have an early lunch with my side of the family, then we will be on the road to mike's parents and brother's family dinner. needless to say we are going to be totally stuffed and loaded with gladware.


here are some not so little things i am grateful for.

leftovers. families that live close by. and far away. my mom's never failing early christmas decorations. fenced in dog parks. oatmeal. pit bulls. mail (the good kind!) a warm home. kitty blobs. yankee candles i had forgotten about. owl mittens. good friends. pumpkin spice coffee.