What I’m Doing

I had a couple of mini sessions over the weekend and I’ve been taking almost daily walks at WSU. This past week the weather has just been amazing and I’ve wanted to take full advantage of it by being outside as much as possible.

Christmas shopping mostly via online. I’m getting close to being done.

I’ve sent out Christmas cards and I eagerly anticipate the mail each day. It’s the only time of the year when the mailbox is fun!

Christmas tree is up! If you follow me on IG you know it was a bit of an ordeal but it has remained standing for a few days now so I’m hopeful it will remain upright.

Thinking about goals for next year – I am very goal driven but right now all I can think of is “survive” 🙂

Book Club met via Zoom – We are doing the best we can, but it was disappointing to not be able to gather together for book club this month. Christmas is always extra fun because we do a book exchange. Thankfully we figured out a way to do an abbreviated version on a book exchange so that tradition was saved. See which book I received below.

Jeff had a colonoscopy last weekend – it was his first and my excuse for not having one has been that he is two years older than I am and he hadn’t done it. Now I no longer have that excuse…. He was a champ and I was impressed with how well the entire process went. So now I guess I need to schedule mine…

What I’m Reading

Almost Everything – Notes on Hope by Anne Lamott

I love Lamott! I discovered her years ago when I first read Traveling Mercies. My book shelves now hold several of her titles. I find her direct approach and the way she describes life very honest and entertaining. While this book was published in 2018 long before any of us had a clue what 2020 was going to bring us it seemed the perfect time to read it.

This from the inside flap “I am stockpiling antibiotics from the apocalypse, even as I await the blossoming of paperwhites on the windowsill in the kitchen. Despair and uncertainty surround us: in the news, in our families, and in ourselves. But even when life is at its bleakest, when we are as she puts it, doomed, stunned, exhausted, and overcaffeinated the seeds of rejuvenation are at hand.”

A small book with just 189 pages it’s a quick read. This book encourages you to put your life back together, hold your head up and carry on as it falls apart, because yes, life is exhausting, overwhelming and down right disastrous at times. I have dog eared many pages and keep it on my desk for some quick shots of encouragement and humor. 

5 stars

Stitches – A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair by Anne Lamott

I bought this book at the same time. With only 96 pages it is a quick read . Published in 2013 it also is a book about hope in the face of overwhelming hardships.  Again, from the inside flap “What do we do when life lurches out of balance? How can we reconnect to one another and to what’s sustaining, when evil and catastrophe seem inescapable?” That’s all I needed to read to know this is a book to be read for these times. Lamott is irreverent but I love her directness. She has experienced a lot of hardship in life and while our beliefs don’t line up perfectly I am very encouraged by her relentless pursuit of love in the face of great pain and disappointments.

5 stars

The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

I received this book in this years book club book exchange. Previously I have read The Address by this author. I do enjoy historical fiction and Davis’s books seem to focus on historical landmarks, in this case Grand Central Station in NYC, as she creates her stories around the history of such great buildings. When I have opportunity to travel I do love visiting old buildings. As I have walked up the stairs in the Vatican noticing the grooves in the marble stair case I marvel at those who have walked before me. I get a kick out of looking into mirrors and think about all of the reflections that have come before. I can only imagine all the history and historical figures that have passed through a place like Grand Central Station. I’ve only just begun this book and I’m enjoying it so far. 

I will review this book next week.

What’s next – The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim 

This was book clubs pick for next month. I’m looking forward to diving in. This is Kim’s debut novel described as “A poignant mother-daughter story and surprising mystery, The Last Story of Mina Lee is a profound debut novel that illustrates the devastating realities of being an immigrant in America.”

Stay tuned…

In the Newsletter –

Last week the December issue of SFP News hit inboxes. In the newsletter I listed my top 6 books of 2020 (it was supposed to be 5 but then I realized I wasn’t following anyone’s rules and decided on 6) If you’re interested click here to see this month’s newsletter https://madmimi.com/p/f170a11/preview and if your interested in receiving a monthly newsletter from SFP click this link to sign up http://madmimi.com/signups/f92831e48f4c4758a38ad3779e2d9f9b/join

Who I’m Photographing

The Bridges Clan – Studio Mini Session

When Deanna called me and asked for a quick studio session with her grandkids I was happy to arrange it. She told me she had matching T-shirts, 5 grandkids and wanted an indoor photo session.  It was a whirlwind and a lot of fun. Clearly Grandma and Grandpa are loved by these little ones. 

Ernsdorf Family – Outdoor Mini Session

Krista has been my PT for years (she’s excellent I highly recommend her!) and I’ve heard plenty of stories about her family but this was the first time I met all of them. They brought their sweet pup Roxy along and we did a mini session in my backyard. Being around these two little boys just made my heart miss my own little boys (now grown men). I loved how Krista coordinated the colors of everyone’s outfits they just fit perfectly with the season! 

Julie – Professional Head shots

Julie needed some  head shots for her profession. She is a voice over actor, which I think sounds like a lot of fun! She mentioned it’s not as fun these days because she mostly records from home in her closet and she misses the interaction with other actors. I enjoyed getting to know Julie and listening to her soft British accent. 

What’s Next

Honestly, I don’t know. With the additional shut downs I am definitely experiencing a dramatic slow down in business. These are trying times for all of us friends. As we all just try to keep moving forward lets remember to support each other anyway we can. I see other’s posting on social media when they are ordering from a certain local restaurant (Golden Tusk is my favorite in BG if you enjoy Thai food I highly recommend them) or shopping at a local retailer or small business. Let’s keep supporting each other and doing what we can in the face of all this.

Thanks for stopping by friends!

Shelly