Election day in Oxford....

Well, it's a sad day for Oxford, at least in my book. "King" Leon is still the dictator. Enough on that subject. We did all we could do....All we can do now is PRAY!! "Old politicians never die---they just run once too often." That quote won't cost anything!!

I refuse to let the above news overshadow the GREAT news we got today. Our niece, Casey, found out today that she is having a GIRL. Yes!! I love my great nephews, but it is past time for a girl. Well, we do have a couple of great nieces already, but we only see them a couple of times a year, if that. This little princess will be just down the road. Talk about a perfect model for Aunt Gaye's picture takin' fix. Everyone, please do continue to pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy for mom and baby. God is great!!


As most of you know my hubby, has been on a diet/exercise program for about 4 months or so now. He has always been overweight, so have I :o). Anyway, back in April I had some blood work done and I was told to be careful, because I was border-line diabetic and my cholesterol was out the roof, not to mention needing to lose some weight. So, I adjusted my diet, therefore we all adjusted our diet. Bobby got on board gung ho. He started out limiting his calories each day, as I did. He also started using our stationary bike that had been stationary alright....in the corner with cobwebs on it. Anyway, I digress. He also began riding his bike outside when the weather was good. Eventually he rode only outside, about 10-12 miles a day. It quickly became an "obsession"....to say the least. But I'm not complaining, he was dropping the weight and feeling good, not to mention, he wasn't SNORING anymore!!! Yeah!!! All along we were eating healthier and watching our daily calorie intake. I returned to have followup blood work 3 months after the first visit and my cholesterol level had come down over 60 points and I had lost about 12 lbs. I was pumped. Even though Bobby was way ahead of me....he was dropping weight faster, which I know, stinking men tend to have that gift. Anyway, he became so obsessed with this bike thing, I was feeling like a bicycling widow.
Well, he took it even farther and purchased a Cannondale Trail Bike...not your everyday Wal-Mart bike, but a BIKE. I considered this his "mid-life crisis" purchase and informed him of this, in which case he wasn't allowed another "mid-life crisis" purchase in the future. He agreed, (we'll see). So, now, at least until football season starts (in a week) every Saturday or Friday, if he's off, he'll load his BIKE up and take off to the Talladega National Forrest management area in Choccolocco for some serious trail riding. During the week he finds trails around the house, mainly made
from kids on 4-wheelers. Last Saturday, I met him in the management area and took a few shots of him on the trail. Here's my little trail riding BIKE enthusiast...oh, by the way, he didn't get a starting weight, but we estimate he has lost approximately, 54 lbs. Is that great or what!!! We were at Outback the other night and he ordered steamed veggies with his dinner.....WHAT??? I've never been able to get him to eat broccoli!!!??? He said he was "craving" steamed vegetables. Who is this man and what has he done with my husband??? I am actually loving it, even though he's getting a little cocky about it all!! I guess you're all wondering, I've only lost about 15 lbs. and fluctuate with that. I've got to get a bit more serious with the exercise program. I let you know how that goes. I'm proud of you Bobby!!! Your are looking good and I know you are feeling better. Keep it up!! I love YOU!!


A short update on Coleman....they are in NYC and in between scans, MRI's, etc. they are enjoying the Big Apple. They are from Iowa and live on a farm in the middle of acres of corn fields, so NYC is a little different scenery for them. Coleman's twin brother, Caden loves the pigeons and wants to take them home. He also promises he saw a rat in the street one day while they were walking and wants to bring some cheese the next time to try and catch it. Coleman found a little sign from God while out on the town. He found a coin that has the imprint, "With God All Things Are Possible". Then they got word that the tumors on his spine have responded to the last round of chemo. The disease is still there, but not as much. They are cautiously optimistic, because this is exactly what happened the last time. But they are looking forward to meeting with the Dr. on Thursday to discuss the 2 options they have as what route to take next. Options are good. Continue to pray!! Prayer works and it is working. Thank you for praying for my little buddy!!


Good night and may God bless the city of Oxford.


"We must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain"

What a lazy, rainy Monday...

Did everyone get enough rain today? Well, it's still coming down here. I am actually loving it, except for when it got a little scary around here. Around 11:30 am it got really bad around the Choccolocco area and up through the old Fort McClellan and on to Jacksonville. It was raining so hard here at our house I couldn't see anything beyond the windows. Later I heard that a tornado had touched down in Choccolocco, about 1/2 a mile from where we used to live. I rode out there before I picked Alison up from school. I came up on several rescue, Red Cross, tree maintenance and of course T.V. vehicles. There were many trees down EVERYWHERE. Several houses and vehicles were damaged or destroyed and one auto repair business looked destroyed. I haven't heard if any one was hurt, but I did see several rescue vehicles at a couple of the houses. So pray for these people, I know they can use all the prayers that they can get. And no, I wasn't in the mind to remember to take my camera, so I have no pictures, you'll just have to take my word for it.

Last Thursday, I started in my office and bedroom CLEANING OUT to get ready for a YARD SALE in a couple of weeks. I have never been this serious about a yard sale before, so it's gonna be HUGE!!!! I started in my office Thursday and I just finished late last night, so that should tell you how bad this 13'x7' space was!! But that also means there are treasures to be had, just wait 'til I move on through the house. I am FOCUSED!!! Simplify is the theme!! If I (or any other family member) haven't used it, worn it, read it, played it, etc. in the last year or so....it's out of here!!

Bobby's on nights this week, therefore he sleeps during the day and I can't get back here to work. So, today I took some things that need to be done to the sun room to work on. I did get a few things done, like mounting photos, framing photos, and cleaning out cd files. Then as I finished and walked back through the family room, this is what I found.....
My sweet Lexi and Lola. Were they taking in the lazy rainy Monday, or what. They were definitely chillin'. Then the nosey, "I shall not be ignored" Zeke showed up for his camera time.

Does he have "THE cat look" or what??!! I have never been a cat fan, but Alison, who will bring home any and every animal, if we let her, brought this creature home in her overnight bag from a "friends" house a little over a year ago. Well, after the newness wore off, he became mine, after much denial. He's become my buddy and keeps me company. He is truly a "curious cat" always up in my business, but it's cool. The good thing is, all the animals get along...maybe we humans need to take a lesson from the animals.

One last thing for tonight.....Our niece, Casey is having a birthday today and I want to wish her a Happy Day!! Everyone keep her in your prayers, as she is expecting a precious miracle from God. She is a little anxious for this baby to be healthy, as she had a miscarriage about a year ago. So please lift her up to be at peace. We love you Casey.....Happy Birthday!!

"Into each life a little rain must fall--Who's your umbrella?

The Solo Road Trip...

As I wrote in a previous post, this past Saturday, I threw caution to the wind, told the family that they are on their own for the day and I took off. The main destination was Wedowee, AL to browse a couple of Antique shops, looking for a few photo props and ideas for Katie & Micah's backyard. However, I knew that wasn't going to be my only stop. That was just the first stop. I love road trips, but only on the back roads, so the "other woman" -- Jill as we call her --(aka the GPS) and I hit the road. This was our first stop, in Wedowee, A Brand New Look. I loved this shop, although it is not an antique store, it did have some antiques, but mostly quaint items that you wouldn't see in just any shop. A little pricey, but then again everything is these days, still fun to browse and dream. My single find here was a picture frame (no doubt) with softball as the theme. I've never found a softball one that I like, they're always baseball. And since Alison doesn't play baseball, I don't have a need for a baseball frame. Next, just across the street I found this shop... Parker House Antiques and Collectibles. It was another ok, but pricey shop. I did find one treasure in here. It is a bracelet with Psalm 46:10 engraved on it...."be still and know that I am God". I really need that reminder to "be still". Ok, that was it for the Wedowee stop. When I went to Auburn, I drove through this greasy spot in the road every time I came home, and I never thought I would drive there for a reason. It's amazing what interests we develop as we get more mature. It really is a cute little town. From here I told the "other woman" I wanted to continue on to Lanette and then I would decide where from there. I chose Lanette because in the first shop, there was this cute little elderly couple browsing along side me, oohing and awing the entire time. The lady said "I could stay in here all day, I want one of everything". The man a while later chimmed in and told me where there was a huge antique mall in Lanette. Then his wife added, "oh, you could spend 5 1/2 or 6 hours in there". Well, that's my kind of place, so off I go, "Jill" is going to get me there....well, this is where she took me.....
She is not so smart after all. So, I find my way back out to hwy. 431, with Jill "recalculating" the whole way. Once I'm back on the main highway, Jill decides that's the correct way to Lanette and instructs me to continue on Highway 431. Well, isn't she helpful. A while down the road after a couple of turns, I arrive in Lanette. I stopped at a couple of thrift stores and "antique" stores along the way, with no success. Until, I finally find this wonderful Antique mall.... Timeless Antique Mall....

This is the one the sweet lady said "you could spend 5 1/2 or 6 hours in. She was right, but I moved at a little faster pace. I was really on the hunt for a couple of specific photo props, of which I found two at this location. One was a bentwood chair, that I wouldn't have to do much if anything to....found it!! I also wanted some kind of cake plate on a pedestal for the 1st Birthday sittings...something to get it off the floor....found it!! The sticker actually said "fruit stand", but it's just the right size in diameter for the mini birthday cakes that I use. Tada.... I also found this accent/night light for our bathroom, which I wasn't on the hunt for, but what would a road trip be if you didn't expect to find things you weren't even looking for?
That is about it for purchases at this stop. Now, I did find some "timeless treasures" that I couldn't resist snatching a photo of, just to put on my blog. I do want to put a disclaimer here, these pictures were taken with my cheap point and shoot, which I loath using, but it is compact and comes in handy at times. I'm sure everyone remembers one of these "timeless treasures".....
Now I'm not sure if anyone remembers the next two, but I found them very interesting. Who didn't need a purple hair rinsing sink at one time or another??
Ok, this next one may look like an ordinary "old" blow dryer. I thought big deal.....until I picked it up....I promise you it weighed at least 8 lbs. Can you imagine having to blow dry your hair waving around 8 lbs., in my case a good 10-15 minutes? Then again, people back in the day, worked sunup to sundown in the fields, I'm sure they where in a lot better shape than, well, I am.
I saw a lot more things from the past, but I'll continue on to my next destination. After I left Timeless Antique Mall, about 2 1/2 hours later, I figured I might need to head back home. But, I thought I'll just see what Jill tells me and she said it would only take about 1 1/2 hours to get home from there. I saw a sign for I-85 right out of the parking lot and thought, I'll just get on and see where it leads. About the time I got on, Bobby called just to check on me. He asked where I was and since I wasn't exactly sure, I just said I-85. He said, "you're in Georgia?" Well, not that that would have been all that bad, but I was confused and said, "well, now that you mention it, I could be." After collecting myself, I realized I had just passed a sign that said Lee County. Now, I knew I wasn't in Georgia! I let him know where I was, although I wasn't sure where I was going. I told him not to worry, that Jill was with me and I was sure I could find my way home when I was ready. After we hung up, I saw a billboard advertising a huge Antique mall in Opelika, just 2 exits away, so THAT became my next destination. When I drove up to it, I knew this would have to be my last stop, because it was as big if not bigger than the one I just left. It even had a sign--"Welcome to Angel's Antique and Flea Mall....You'll love shopping with Angels". Now isn't that special.

They also had a welcome "wagon"...SEE...............

Well, this was another Antique/Junk paradise, but sadly there were no purchases here. Just a couple of pictures of some more treasures. If you know me at all, you know that I have had my share of visits to the "dreaded DENTAL chair" (although I LOVE my dentist!!!!). Well, what else do I come across, but an OLD dental chair. I was mesmerized, to say the least and if it weren't for the $999.00 price tag, it might have been a cool thing to have.

And one more thing, did they really have to post this sign? I mean look at the nasty pillow, WHY would anyone think about sitting there?? I promise I'm going home, but wait!! As I'm going to my car, what do I see next door, but a THRIFT STORE!!!!! Well, I must...ok it was JUNK, but there are sometimes treasures among the junk.....Sometimes. But this time this is all I found.....(didn't buy, just photographed). Of course I was thinking of Bethany (our niece) when I spotted this pair of beauties....

Now I thought of the Wright family when I eyed this treasure. It is just screaming "HOOK 'EM HORNS", don't you think??
Well, it WAS time to hit the road back to Oxford, so home is where I headed. This was the best day I had had in a long time and I enjoyed every minute of it. I hope that you have enjoyed my version of the day. I think I feel another "road trip" coming on in another week or so. I could get used to this. One more disclaimer, as I'm sure you can tell, I'm still getting used to this "blog" thing and I cannot figure out how to move pictures around where I want them. So, please excuse the disorganization, it is DRIVING ME CRAZY!!!!

I guess that's it for now....LIFE IS GOOD AND GOD IS GREAT!!! Happy Trails.....

I'm Back....

It's been a few days I know!! Saturday I decided to just take off on my own little mini road trip and I loved every minute of it. I'll post more on that later...it'll be a post in and of itself.

Monday, Abbey, Bobby and I headed over to Atlanta and just got back this afternoon. Bobby took Abbey to the American Idol Tour concert, as he does every year. He is such a good dad. I don't have the patience for things like that. Abbey always wants to meet the top 10 "idols" that make the tour. Sometimes that consists of getting there 2-3 hours early and/or staying afterwards. Last year when the tour came to Birmingham was the most successful year for them. She was able to get her picture made with all 10 of them and of course get their autographs. However, when the tour is in Atlanta, they don't have as much success. They did get to meet some of them and got all of their autographs except for 3. But they couldn't get Abbey's picture with them. Just pictures of them signing her program. Despite the lack of success, they still enjoyed their Abbey/Dad time. They didn't think to get a picture of themselves....duh!!

While they were at the American Idol Concert, I attended a Photographer's Seminar on Marketing, and Portrait Art. It was great. I love going to seminars and workshops to learn the most up to date work flow ideas from the best in the business. This was probably the most informative one I've been to. The only thing I don't like about these seminars is that they are only 5-6 hours long. Therefore, I feel like I've been thrown a bunch of random puzzle pieces and now I've got to figure out how to make them all work together to form a finished piece of art. But still, I loved it...the theme was...I refuse to participate in a recession. Wow, did I need that!! Anyway, there will be more about this later.

Right now I am worn out, physically and mentally (no, that doesn't take much). So, I'll leave you with a quote and say good night......

"Laugh as much as you Breathe.... Love as long as you Live"

Wal-Mart~~Oh, the joy!!

Well yesterday was another busy day for me....sorting, numbering and loading a wedding proof book took up most of the day. It was all worth it though. It turned out pretty good, I think. The customer is happy, which is my goal. A wedding is A LOT of work....it's not just the day of the wedding.....it's preparing for the day, the day, uploading, editing, weeding out the not so good and the duplicates, ordering, the previews and the album, receiving the previews and the album, sorting, getting previews in the proper order, numbering the order sheet for each preview (anywhere from 125-300 previews), loading the preview album, etc....However, photographing a wedding is very rewarding for me. I love it. I only do a handful in any given year, but that is the way I like it....too many and I would probably burn out. My next one is in October, so I've got some time to recover!!

Well, I did my bi-monthly grocery shopping today....yeah?? I don't know, it may have just been me, but I think every child in Oxford under the age of 3 was at Wal-Mart. I think they were all feeding off each other, and I actually started hearing a beat forming with all of the crying--screaming!!! Not to mention it was mainly sopranos! :~} I guess the fact that I really let it get to me is because it has been a while since my girls were that age. I just have never noticed it before or maybe I've been tuning it out, but I do know that going with a mild headache, quickly escalated into a migraine. Oh the joy of a Wal-Mart trip.

I hope everyone is looking forward to the weekend as much as I am. The plan is to hit the yard sales and possibly antique/thrift stores....fun!! In other words, it's going to be lazy one for me.....that's the plan anyway!!

I'll leave you with the quote of the day.....

"If opportunity doesn't knock....Build a door"

Psych...I'll bet ya thought I wouldn't post today. It has been a long day, but I do want to keep up with my blog this go around. So, here I am. I had a 1st Birthday shoot late this afternoon. It was a little boy I have had the privilege to photograph and watch grow up since he entered this world. It is amazing how quick they do grow up. The 1st birthday shoots are probably one of my favorite events to capture. Here is a couple of shots from today.....

I also don't want to pass up the opportunity to wish my parents a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! They have been married 52 years. Am I lucky or what??

Also, I hope everyone likes the new look of the blog. It'll do for now. Oh, by the way, the Olympics is on t.v. in the background here. Is Phelps smokin' or what? He is amazing....Go USA!!

Well, I know this is short, but I'm still contemplating exactly what direction I actually want to take this blog....personal, business, or both. So, bear with me as I get used to all of this. Don't forget to remember little Coleman (C-Man) in your prayers....he is still waiting test results for why he's running a fever. Right now they are set to head to NYC on Thursday of this week. Keep praying that they will be able to get him there for his new treatment. And, last, but not least, the quote of the day....

"Every new day begins with possibilities. It's up to us to fill it with the things that move us toward progress and peace" --Ronald Reagan

I hope everyone is having a blessed Monday.

**First off, I want to wish my sister-in-law (Bobby's sister) a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!!!

**Also, everyone please hit your knees for Coleman (see yesterday's post). They were supposed to leave for NYC today for his next battle against cancer, but Sunday he began to run a fever. Any fever in a cancer kid is not good news. He had to be admitted in the local hospital (Iowa) Sunday evening and will probably be there at least a couple of days before they can proceed on to NYC. Please pray that he gets over this soon, so he can continue with the next treatment.

**Another piece of info., if you go to Coleman's carepage via the link from yesterday's post, you'll need to create a password for yourself. It is very easy and you will be blessed.

**One more thing, any picture that I post can be enlarged by double-clicking on it.

Well, I guess that's it for all of the Monday announcements. By the way, if anyone is interested in a very cute little orange tabby kitten, there is one hanging around our house that will not get the message to move along. We do NOT need another animal around here, and the dogs are NOT fond of it. It is very loving and social, we just don't need it, so anyone who wants it, please let me know, I'll even deliver (within a 30 mile radius). Here is picture of the sweet thing....

It's been a pretty uneventful Monday for me. Just went to visit my parents in Jacksonville for a while this morning. I did just hear the doorbell, so that means the wedding proof book I've been waiting on has arrived, meaning I'm about to be busy loading about 275 wedding proofs. Then tomorrow, I have the privilege to shoot a 1st Birthday session. Fun!! So, I guess I need to go work...which this type work I actually love and feel blessed to do.

I can't forget the quote though, so here ya go.....

"Always aim for Achievement and forget about success"

Ok, I'm on a roll here....3rd day in a row to post. There's no guarantee this will continue though. Well, we survived the "Faith Christian 10th grade back to school bash" hosted (yeah, right) by Alison Phillips. Fun was had by all (as far as I know!). They swam, played volleyball, stuffed themselves on Bobby's homemade salsa, hamburgers, chips and a ice cream dessert. Oh, and we can't forget the constant texting and taking pictures of themselves at arms link. I just don't get it....but I do realize we are blessed that they are good kids and still don't mind having fun with grownups around. So, let 'em text and have an arm growing out of every picture, it's not hurting me...at least since we added unlimited texting to our cell contract....another story for another post...Here is THE photo of the night with a few of the girls acting, well normal....for them! :)

On a serious note, remember Coleman, from a few posts ago? Well, his mom just updated his carepage and said that they are headed to NYC in the morning for the next battle against Coleman's returning cancer. Below is a prayer for Coleman, that I will be praying for Coleman each day, and I hope that you all will join me in this petition to The Great Physician. Also, his carepage link is listed below, if you would like to follow this little guy's battle....he truly is wise beyond his years and has a greater faith than, sadly, I do at times. Please pray for Coleman and his family......

God, we come to You on behalf of Coleman. He has been through a long, hard fight, Lord. We thank You for being with him every step of the way, through his ups, and carrying him through his valleys. He has faced each obstacle with the spirit You have created in him. Thank You for Coleman being a blessing…he is a child of Faith. He faithfully prays to thank You God and cries out to You when he is in need…not only for himself, but for others who need You too. We know You hear his cries and we pray for his prayers to be answered. Please God fill Coleman with the Holy Spirit taking away any pain he may have, we ask that You take away any disease in his little body and restore him with total health and energy, with protection from any harm to him. Grant him peace against any fear as he faces what lies ahead. Let him continue to be a blessing to others. We ask for him to be a testimony of Your healing Lord. And we thank YOU for that healing. We thank you for loving Coleman and for doing what is best for him always. All glory to you Lord. Amen
“The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)
And just because every time we pray, Coleman has us end it by saying, “ann Dod, fank you for letting us pway the pway-er YOU teached us…” (the Lord’s Prayer)
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/ColemanScott/updates/1657410

Ok, I guess that's it for this post, I hope to continue to find the time to post daily. But don't worry, if you don't hear from me for a day or so, I'm still around, just busy.....and that's a good thing!!

I'll leave you with another quote, and hope you all had a blessed Sunday of worship. Continue to praise Him and give Him the glory throughout the week......

"Keep your eyes on Jesus--Start to Finish"

Ok, everyone, don't faint. Yes, I am posting 2 days in a row. Don't get real excited, as this will be short and sweet, with another quote of the day.

Alison is about to have her little "back to school" bash for her class at Faith Christian, so there will be about 20-- 15/16 year old kids here in about an hour, hence the short and sweet.

I mainly just wanted to leave you with the famous quote of the day and to wish you a fulfilling Sunday of worshipping our Savior.

"Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall"

Be Blessed,
Gaye

Wedding wo's

Ok, so I know it's been a while..again! I've been wrestling with the most recent wedding proofs....editing, sorting, ordering and uploading. Uggg. But after 3 days of fighting with the server and lab, it's finally done. Now I just wait for them to come in and spend another day or so sorting, getting in order, numbering, and loading in the proof album. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Well, actually I do enjoy it (except for the "wrestling" part). The finished product always makes it worthwhile.

Well, school started yesterday (Aug. 7), at least for Alison and Faith Christian. All is well, so far.

I know this is a short post, but just wanted to let everyone know that I AM still alive and kicking and trying to fit this blog agenda in my daily, or at least a couple of times a week, schedule. We'll see how successful I am.

I do want to start a "quote for the day" or "quote for the week" segment. I love quotes and I'm always looking for quotes that I've never seen. Currently I change the marquee at our church (Greenbrier Church of Christ, in Anniston, AL), and I really love coming up with the saying. I try to gear it toward what we are studying or the time of year it is, or what's going on in the world at present. The blog quotes will be very random though....ok, the debut of "the quote" portion of the blog.....

"Worry is the darkroom in which negatives are developed"

Appropriate, for a photographer's blog, don't you think?

Have a great weekend and Be Blessed......