What I’m Doing

Growing up I had a very small family. Without any cousins, an absent dad, and only one sibling I just didn’t have the big family that I would see around me. One of the greatest joys of my life is watching my family grow. Of course marrying into a larger family was an exciting experience. I went from one brother to adding two brother-in-laws and then adding sister-in-laws, nieces and a precious nephew. Along with Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles I embraced them all. 

Now with the passage of time, I not only have Nieces and Nephews but future daughter in laws and Great Nieces! This past weekend a bunch of us gathered in Walla Walla. My heart was full. We only had time for one day to be together but we made the best of it. I spent a lot of time holding and loving on Nora, but tried to balance that with enjoying time with the rest of the family. 

We were sad to say goodbye but thankful for the time we had together. 

Packing – I’m headed to WA DC tomorrow! 

Delivering, Designing and Editing – Delivering prints, designing and ordering albums and of course tons and tons of editing! The Fall rush is just about over and I have managed to stay caught up! 

What I’m Photographing

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph Nora and her adorable parents while visiting Walla Walla. Oh my goodness she was just being extra adorable for me! 

Sellers Family –  On Sunday I had the opportunity to photograph the Seller’s Clan! I was thrilled to be asked back to photograph this gorgeous group. It was almost exactly a year ago I went out to their farm for the first time to photograph the gang who had gathered to celebrate Nana and Papa’s 50th wedding anniversary. To have the opportunity to be back again this year was super fun. It is special to be able to develop a relationship with people through my photography. 

Goal Check

I have a toe surgery looming ahead of me so I need to have all of my editing and ordering and shooting finished before Dec 5th. I need to have my blog written and newsletter written and all my little ducks in a row. Not to mention Christmas shopping and decorating done as well!

I have been told I have a deformity, a birth defect in both of my toes. My left one is worse than the right and at times it causes me to limp. Generally, as I walk I have a pain level of 1 or 2. However, after a long hike it will spike up to an 8. If you push down on the joint between my great toe and my foot I will scream in pain and never forgive you. The procedure I have scheduled is a First MPJ Cheilectomy, which means they are removing the bone spur and arthritis that has built up in the joint causing the pain. I know I will be non-weight bearing for awhile which means I’m going to be great fun to be around 🙁 I do plan to have a scooter to eventually zoom around on.  Fortunately, I haven’t ever broken a bone or been in a situation where my mobility was so limited. So naturally I am increasingly anxious about this surgery. 

It also means I won’t be taking any clients after Dec 4th.  I hope to be moving around with a boot by the end of Dec and I am booking into January 2020.

My “Current” Favorite – Travel!

Travel! Thank goodness I can squeeze this trip in before the surgery! I’m really excited about traveling. Jeff has a 3 day conference,  so I decided to tag along.  We will be staying only 4 blocks from the White House which means we will be in the heart of it all. If you’ve been to DC you know there is a ton of walking! I think we may rent some bikes or scooters to help us get around.  Needless to say next week my social media will be full of DC pictures. 

I’m super excited to just get out and explore. This will roughly be my 8th trip there. However, it has been 12 years since I last visited and I’m sure things have changed. My favorite kind of travel doesn’t have anything planned other than the general location. I love to have the freedom to make things up as I go. ..linger as long as I want and go when I’m ready to go…. wander around a corner to see what is there and turn around and go another direction whenever I feel like it. 

What I’m Reading – “The Spy and The Traitor” – by Ben MacIntyre

I don’t think I would have picked up this book on my own. It comes highly recommended to me by my friend Anne. Because of her recommendation and my admiration of her, I bought it and put it on my to read shelf where it sat. Anne was at my home for book club last month and noticed the book and once again gushed about how amazing it was and that I should read it! So I’m reading it! But I have just begun. So far it is intriguing to read about the KGB and the process of recruiting individuals. The book is following the life of Oleg Gordievsky who is described as a spy like no other. The book flap states he eventually rose to the highest post in the KGB’s London station all the while secretly working for MI6, the British intelligence service. I am only at chapter 3 and I am hooked.  If you are interested in the world of espionage and how spies communicate and live this will be a fascinating read.

Yes! There is still time! But not for long.

Nov 17th. I have afternoon spots available. $199 for 5 digital images delivered to your inbox within 48 hours of your session. Each session is only 20 min long, fun, fast and painless.  This is an awesome solution for Christmas cards or gifts. 

Thanks for stopping by friends!

Shelly