Therewith To Be Content..

The verse (Phil 4:11).... for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." encourages a person to be content with what they have. I am down with that. It's not fun to be discontent. I understand the verse and I understand the concept. I have to wonder about the other part...I mean...if we were ALWAYS content....would we dare to dream of something new and different? If some of the greatest inventors were content with the way things were made - would we ever see the new and innovative ideas come to be? So, I would have to define the difference between complacency and contentment...dreaming and always wanting more. Ahhh...the balance is the tricky part. I only ramble because its swirling in my head. There are things I would LOVE to do, but of course...I don't live on an island and my decisions affect other people. This is not a news flash, but it all comes into play. For instance, of course I should be thankful for my job...and I am (on most days) but I would love to branch out on my own....easier said than done.

I know some people who dream to write novels for a living, but that takes such time and sacrifice. Where does a mom with a few kids live out her dream to write a novel and still be super mom? Of course, I think many women are blessed with the ability to do both, but they continually wrestle with the time devoted to family and the time devoted to self. Of course, we should be content with what the Lord has blessed us with...and He always wants what is best for us. So, I have to believe he gave us the ability to dream and to dream big. He made dreamers and realists to balance out our world of inventors and practical decision makers. So, I have decided to put one foot in each world. One foot will balance me in the world of contentment and realism and the other will dance in dreams and ideals. I have a feeling both feet can walk toward the same goal.
Speaking of ideals.... this picture just goes to show....even when it rains....a little creativity can go a long way. I mean, we could have been content to just sit and watch the rain ;)

Back On Track

Ok, so when I stated I was starting the P90x worked SLIGHTLY more than 90 days ago ;) I had to laugh at the idea of taking a before, middle and after photo and even if I did...well anyway.... my workout has been completed....though it may have taken me more than 90 days, I figured that is just life. I dare anyone to find 90 days of interrupted life in which NOTHING distracts you from what you intended to do. I had to figure in a wicked sinus infection, a few crazy work days and perhaps an "I'm just too tired" day. However, I got completely derailed since we left for Duxbury Beach approximately three weeks ago. Since then, my work outs suffered and my eating...well...let' just say a number of cookouts and a Wendy's run at 1a.m. this past Monday after a concert :) So, I am refocusing...getting back on track.....tomorrow :)

High School Musical...Boys VS. Girls

It's all about the kids..of course...why else would a bunch of "grown ups" go to a production of High School Musical :)
So... we had to take pictures and make sure the memory was forever kept.
The boys version vs. the girls version.







Personally, I think Danielle, Erika and myself make the better photo :)

A summer of music...and books :)

One of my favorite things about summer and fall are concerts! Last year we had a blast at a few and this year my prospects looked a little dismal. However, on the large, country scale - Kenney and Lady Antebellum will be in Connecticut - so since they will be here about the second week in August..I figured it would be a great way to spend a birthday ;)

However, any American Idol fans/country fans would know Josh Gracin. He was one of my favorite a couple of season ago and he will be at the Cobleskill Fair this year, so yup. got my tickets and I am excited to hear him. On a more obscure note Ingrid Michaelson will be in Albany in September. I would make this comparison... if you liked Jewel's earlier albums, you would like her. A group of us saw her perform last year and I thought she was fantastic! I actually went to the Hotel Cafe tour because of Joshua Radin...but came away a fan of Ingrid, Priscilla Ahn and the Cary Brothers. Priscilla came to the forefront a little when she sang the song Dream on movie Bride Wars.

And...Keith Urban will be here in October...so...my dismal prospects have brightened. Too bad they aren't all free ;)

Btw - Cheryl..when you read this...I SAW you went to see Kenny and Sugarland..you CAN'T get more country than that!!!! convert ;)

Yup and summer is for reading out in the sunshine...except the sunshine has been elusive. However, I swore I would not read more than one book at at time. That didn't work out too well. So. I am on book number two of the Lord of the Rings trilogy AND I started reading "Even Now" by Karen Kingsbury and I kinda sort of started "The Guardian" by my very favorite Nicholas Sparks. I MIGHT switch to audio for the LOTR. I figure with the amount of driving around I do to photograph and interview...I could listen my way through the entire series. We'll see.

Oh yea summer...also...means...lots of ice cream and bonfires :)

I laughed at this quote

At dinner with a friend.... and they said.....

"I don't do facebook, I don't have my space and well, I don't even know what twitter is." Ah... good to know that there are a few people holding out to the bitter end on the social networking band-wagon. Hold strong! Don't give in! We don't know want to know your status updates anyway!!!

An Artist I met

If you google John Houshmand you'll will find a gallery of unique art that doesn't quite compare to what you usually see. I had the pleasure of meeting with him and writing a piece about his work. His biography and abilities are both worth looking at and despite his world-wide recognition and publication and magazines , he was willing to meet with me and discuss how he found his way to designing furniture that costs $25,o00 each on the low end. His stuff is not found in Walmart btw.

Anyway, I say all that to explain why I posted the picture below. I toured his 850 acre farm land turned furniture-design-facility. The barns have been transformed into places where unique pieces are made for the rich and famous. However, this one barn will be transformed into a jazz studio. He is designing an acoustic rich environment that will be primed for recording and playing private concerts. So, as we turned to leave, I snapped the shot. It's not a usual picture for me. I realize I am so used to photographing sports, people and events that I usually don't take the time to photograph...well...something like this. So, I fell in love with it and with a little touch up help ;) it's a neat look at what potential is just around the corner for this ol' barn.

Where To Stay Near Boston..

I have to say - that the Tall Pines Bed and Breakfast in Duxbury, Mass. is about one of the best places you can stay..in my opinion. It's got a huge yard, hot tub and in ground pool not to mention a great little suite to stay in should you choose to. The price of the rooms cannot be beaten...I have looked around and there is no better pricing. PLUS I am telling you...the breakfast that is served every morning is FANTASTIC!!! I ate so much every morning I seriously didn't get hungry again until dinner time. It is five minutes from the beach, 25 minutes from Boston, 10 minutes from Plymouth and 40 minutes to Cape Cod.

Better yet, the people are so friendly. The man who owned the place, we'll call him Bart...because that was his name, is a retired teacher and coach. Now he goes clamming and one night brought us over some clams. I would be more excited if I actually liked clams,but Gregg was in his glory. However, I was at least going to TRY one. I did. I got three down before I finally gagged and reminded myself I don't do seafood. Well, I like shrimp and tuna fish (shout out to Samantha on the tuna) and that is it!

So, this picture will soon be my new facebook profile pic....gorgeous no?

GPS Trust

So.... we made it to Duxbury, a town just outside of Boston near the beach. Awesome place, but it was a little long getting here ....for three reasons.
1.) Traffic
2.) Traffic
3.) Rain and Traffic

Oh well, we survived. I usually map out each journey, but this time I didn't. I just plugged it in to the GPS and went with it. I still stress out wondering if the little gadget sitting on the dashboard really knows where it is going. I have heard about so many misled GPS systems taking their weary travelers far of course into some strange unknown lands. However, we have used ours frequently and has yet to fail. It got us out to Bethel Woods (the original sight of Woodstock) last year for a Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts concert and today it navigated Boston without a problem. However, I am still learning to trust it. I still panic if I think its wrong and truly, with my sense of direction, I should really trust the GPS a lot more. OH well, its a learning experience. As we work together, I am sure we will develop a better relationship. Trust, its something earned, not just given right? So...GPS will have to earn and NOT mess up the rest of the weekend :)

My Friend Is A Morning Person...

Why is it that I find great friends...that have one fatal flaw...they are morning people. For instance...my dear friend and former roommate Cheryl (also my maid of honor) is one of the bestest people in the whole world...but her only flaw is that she says "good morning" with a smile. We still remained best friends...but we had to overcome the morning routine in college:) NOW...my friend here in NY thinks I should go with her to do grocery shopping at 7 a.m. She promises fresh donuts, no crowds and a feeling of productivity before 9.
WHO CARES...if your productive before nine! Well, some people do...me...not so much. However, I might have to consider this. Only to prove my point that I am miserable in the morning and seeing as how I dislike food shopping anyway, its like a double whammy of unlikable things. She thinks our friendship will be ok, I am a little wary of that. Some morning people need to just let us not-so-morning people live in peace.
However, if I do such a thing, it will be well documented..perhaps a photo with a time stamp on it. I am not for sure. We will see about this, this does mean I am up BY 6:30 at the latest. I would probably just get up and walk out to my car...whatever, who cares at that time of day anyway.
We'll see how this progresses.

AND - today I FINALLY bought a new computer. Very excited because I have a few photography jobs coming up and I think the new Mac Book Pro will make things run just smoothly!!! Whoo hoo.