The Photo Shoot

Dear Mom,

For the past 6 weeks or so, I've been working on a couple of patterns for Knit Picks. I thought all the hard work was done when I emailed  the instructions and sent the samples off. I was wrong.

The final part of the process turned out to be the toughest. They asked for a photo of myself and a brief bio for their website.

I stewed over the bio and wording for a little while, organized my thoughts and wrote the short paragraph. Then I set about trying to take a self portrait. With my camera held at arms length, I tried different lighting, different poses and different backgrounds. I tried not to feel dumb as I stood in the backyard and smiled at the camera I was holding. I tried to make myself look less wrinkled, and thinner. And less gray. And less like Daddy. I tried to find my "best side".

I was getting discouraged.

I enlisted the help of the Young Lady. "Take a few pictures of me with Bumper", I begged. "It is for a website."

The Young Lady has inherited her Grandpa's love of animals, and his talent for making them the focal point of a photograph.

Next, I tried using my little tripod and the self timer. I got an acceptable picture, but Bonnie came to my rescue.

She had several ideas for our Photo Shoot and was determined to take a good one that would not feature a mole, wrinkles or gray hair. She promised nothing about skinny.

We took shots of me watering the daisies with Patsy.

And pictures of me sitting on the front porch until Bumper decided to see what was going on...

And some action shots of me knitting on the back porch, which worked fine until Patsy grabbed the yarn ball and ran.

Bonnie took her job seriously. She even told me to "WORK IT" and asked about the wind machine.

Then we laughed.

And I laughed even harder when I noticed her photographer's stance.

Love,

Kim

A Rare Glimpse Into The Highly Unorganized Life of . . . Me

Dear Mom,

Unlike Kim, I will never be caught up. Not on daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly chores. I do have good intentions. My dryer does have dry towels. But that's only out of necessity because the kids need to dry off after swim team practice and meets. And the kids don't go to the "towel closet", they go straight to the dryer. Yeah, don't ask about the other dirty laundry that ISN'T in the dryer, or the washing machine for that matter.

My pantry did just get restocked this afternoon. I had to fit the grocery store in between swim team practice this morning, stroke clinics this afternoon and working a special event at the yarn store tonight. While the food was literally thrown into my pantry, the kids and husband will be fed. Of course, is there ever "anything good to eat" anyway?!

And books?! I have been reading several books. In bed. At night. So I've only been able to manage a few pages before nodding off. And then I forget what I've just read. So I usually have to start over. A lot. I've read several pages from several books, though.

I have also done several photography jobs. I have been the swim team photographer for several years.

I have also been talking to a high profile hotel and have earned the job to take photos of the hotel for an updated website and brochure! When that job is finished, I will let all of you "see" the website! I have also had a smattering of children turning a year older, smiling their biggest birthday smiles and looking equally smug and sweet in new birthday clothes!

No. I will never be caught up. I think I like it this way. I have been spending my "lazy summer days" with my kids, my family, my neighbors and friends. Time we don't normally have during school hours. In the summer, we have long cookouts. The kids have friends spend the night. We solve world problems over s'mores with neighbors. We stay out too late watching fireworks. We love. We laugh. Ahhhhhh. Life's so sweet.

Love, Wendy

Studio Time

Dear Mom,


Awake, thou wintry earth -
Fling off thy sadness!
Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth
Your ancient gladness!
~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"




I spent time in the studio today looking foward to Spring and Easter portraits.

Even Keeper gave her best effort to get into the spirit of things!!

Love, Wendy