Photography

When I was a little kid my Aunt and Uncle gave me a camera. They had been professional photographers for a while and so they shared their passion with me.

Once I started taking photos I couldn't stop. But it never dawned on me to make a go of it for a career. So, for all of these years I have only done photography as a hobby. The digital camera age has certainly made it a relatively cheap and fun way to spend my leisure time as of late. And maybe at some point it will stop being a hobby and become a career. In the mean time I am perfectly happy just doing photo shoots for friends.

I did put together a website so that other people can see my work. The families that I photograph share my work on Facebook so my name is getting around. But even if nothing really comes of it I don't mind. I love that I can create lasting memories for those that I love.

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Mustang Love

My dream car is a Mustang. Since Ford redesigned the car in 2005 I have been in love. Every chance I get I rent one when I travel. I can't even begin to describe how happy driving that car makes me. No matter how hectic my day the second I slide into that drivers seat all my worries go away. To me it is the perfect car. The hubster knows that I want one and someday maybe I'll have one parked in the driveway.

Since I was a little kid I have loved the Mustang. The mid 60's models were awesome. By the time I was old enough to afford a car of my own the classic models were way out of my price range and the current ones were just downright ugly. But 2005 changed all that and I renewed my love for the car.

For both the hubster and I a car is just a box on wheels that will get us from one place to the other. We care more about reliability than we do anything else. Our Subaru is rusting but runs like a champ and we won't replace it till we absolutely have to. We do not see a car as something that will give us status. We don't need a car to validate our place in society. We aren't that shallow and status conscious. We have never felt the need to keep up with the neighbors or outshine our friends to feel special or superior. Yuppies we are not.

All that said, I am willing to admit that a Mustang would be more for me than just a box on wheels. There's a little bit of rebel, a little bit of leather, and a little bit of lace in that car.

I'll be sad when I have to drop it off at the rental place on Friday. This may be my last Mustang for a while.

It's been a while

I have been thinking a lot lately about blogging and I really miss it. Life is busy and I feel like I don't have time for myself. If I can sneak in a 1/2 hour of reading on any given day it's a small victory.

Blogging was always a relaxing and fun activity that took my mind off whatever pressures the world would bring.

When I looked at my blog page I realized that I had to update some things. We no longer have 4 dogs and 4 cats. We have 3 dogs and 3 cats. Max, my beloved Swedish Vallhund and Hobbes, our very special kitty man died last year. They both lived very long and spoiled life but that doesn't make it any easier. Max died almost a year ago and I still miss him every day. (there are tears as I type this)

This past fall I also lost my Uncle Phil. He was a second father, a grandfather, and a friend to me. And now, I am watching my Aunt fall slowly to pieces. She misses him so much and is anxious to join him. They were married over 60 years so I can't blame her but it is hard to watch none the less. I tell her everyday that she is needed, that I want her in my life but the pull of joining her husband is stronger. The only thing I can do now is enjoy every minute I have with her.

A project at work has taken me to California every month over the past year and a half. It gave me a chance to see them so much more than I would have. The perfect work assignment at the perfect time and I am very grateful for that.

On the positive side, our dogs Caleb and Lily that were so scared of humans are now well adjusted and happy pups. When we take them to the dog park Caleb is the first to run up and greet other humans and dogs. The hubster and I couldn't have been more thrilled to see that. He is so brave now.

All in all life is good.

And I think I am excited about getting back into blogging.