Hi Friends!
Happy Valentine's Day!

Yes, I am guilty of not blogging.  I am sorry.  I have been busy with end of year paperwork and finalizing my dad's estate.  I stopped by my mom's today to wish her a special day.  I believe just because you don't have a valentine you shouldn't celebrate!  While cleaning my dad's place I found a valentine day card for "My Daughter".  He was thinking ahead. 

Anyway, on a lighter note, I opened up yesterday's paper and saw that the Museum of Natural Science in Philadelphia is having an exhibit of previous president's hair.  Yes, I did say "hair".  George Washington for one.  Apparently, a person made it his mission to write to presidents and ask for a lock of hair.  He labeled it and saved it.  Now, a hundred and fifty years later, it is on display. 

Frankly, I find it kinda creepy.  A Saturday out with a friend or loved one to visit a museum with hair and then a warm dinner. 

I think I will wait for the toe nail exhibition (LOL)!

Stay well!
d

Friends:
Now that we are in the cold dreary winter days of Pennsylvania, I find myself looking back at photographs that I took this past summer.  If you are a frequent visitor to my blog, you will notice that I usually post a flower photograph or two during the gray days of winter. 

Isn't it funny how you see things differently when you look back.  When it is hot out, everyone complains about the heat.  When it is cold, we all shiver and complain about winter.  But when we look back at the opposite season, it is amazing how beautiful it is and we just don't see it. 

What else don't we see on a regular basis?  Do we notice the people around us who care for us but fail to thank them more often.  Do we fail to tell the ones closest to us that we love them more often?  In one quick moment it can all change.  The flowers turn brown and then we see gray for a few months.  Then spring arrives and we are all back in our festive moods, forgetting the past few months.

Take a moment friends and look at life from outside the car window.  You might be surprised.

My 2007 summer garden on the trellis my father built.

d

Dear Friends:
I just want to say a huge "thank you" for your support and love during this sad time.  If you have experienced the death of a loved one, I am sure you know how life can be turned inside out without notice.  My Dad appointed me executor of the will so I am trying to sort through 75 years of paperwork.  Thankfully though, my dad kept a rather well kept record of his life.  My brother is helping with his personal stuff as well as cleaning out his apartment.  The good news is that my dad always paid for a month in advance in rent so we take our time cleaning his belongings.  Thanks Dad.

I still am in possession of his pride and joy dog "Skippy".  Someone has offered to take this 12 year old terrier off my hands but I am having trouble parting with him right now.  The possible new owner already has a lab, a baby and lives in a one bedroom apartment.  I am not so sure Skippy loves babies.  Skippy is slowly adjusting to living with my two Chihuahuas.  However, he is still pacing  and stares at the door 24/7.    All in all, I know it will take time for everyone.... even the dog.

On a lighter note, I have been in the studio all week catching up on gads of paperwork and preparing to review album designs with my graphic designer.  Being out for a week seemed like an eternity when I came back. 

I love, love, love photography.  I hate the paperwork of being in business.  People say to me all the time that they think my job is awesome.  Frankly, the photo part is.  It is the business part that stinks.  Employee hiring, IRS forms, insurance, more insurance, alarm systems, computer nightmares, constant upgrades with programs...... eye... eye... eye yi!   My head spins just naming these few!

Take care and never forget to take a moment for yourself everyday.  Even if it is just 5 minutes. 
d

Dear friends:
On Sunday, after I blogged, I had a phone call from my mom that she could not get any answer from my dad at his apartment.  They are divorced but they still speak.  I went over to his apartment to check on him with my husband and we found my dad had died.  We feared the worst when I approached the apartment and the blinds were closed.  Then we knocked on the door and the usually loud bark of his companion dog Skippy usually barks right away and comes to the door.  I could hear the dog bark but it sounded like it was coming from the back of the apartment.  We had the key and immediately went in.  He was on oxygen and I could see the line running from the machine all the way back to the bathroom.  My husband told me to wait in the living room as he followed the line to the bathroom. I immediately got the sick feeling in my stomach and my husband turned to me and said "call 911 now."
It didn't matter.  He must have had a massive stroke.  This would have been his third stroke.

My dad was a smoker.  He smoked since he was 13 years old.  Now, at 75, he knew his days were numbered.  In the last  year or two he was in and out of the hospital for breathing problems.  He just couldn't quit. 

The viewing is Thursday night at Beck Givinish in Levittown.  I am trying to abide by every single one of his wishes.  I spent the whole day going over photos.  This is so very tough. 
I am posting a photograph of my dad taken with my brother and me this past Christmas. 

My dad was the kind of guy everyone liked.  You could take him to any party and he fit in with everybody.  From the richest to the poorest, he slid in like butter.

I did a blog entry a few weeks ago about having one more day with someone.  Little did I know it would be you dad.  We will one day be together again and I will bring you that decaf coffee that you enjoyed with a side of cookies.

I miss you already...........

  
Christmas 2007

Hey Friends!
The past week's weather has been awesome!  I am afraid with tonight's snow forecast, I am about to eat my words.  Temps in the 40's, 50's and even 60's has made the first weeks of January tolerable.  I combined a day at the shore with a portrait session (yes even in the winter) with a walk on the beach.  Then I came across this weird pipeline that leads out to the ocean.  Hmmm.  is this run off from the boardwalk?  Kinda caught my eye with the seagull perched at the end. 

Things at the studio are again in full swing with re-orders, framing and album designs.  Remember that we extended the 20% off frame sale until the end of January.  So, if you had your portrait done with my studio and didn't have time to frame it for the holidays, now is the time to run it over and get it finished off.

We have changed our studio hours to the following to better accommodate everyone.

Monday:        closed
Tuesday:       10 to 6 (evening appts accepted)
Wednesday:  10 to 5
Thursday:     12 to 5
Friday:          10-4
Saturday:  Hours by appointment only  (remember that I  photograph a lot of events on the weekend, so a Saturday appointment is  not out of the question depending upon my start time say at a wedding.
Sunday:  The studio is closed, but I am usually shooting an event.

Many folks ask why am I not open later.  Frankly, even though the "studio" hours are what they are, I am usually doing sessions at homes or outside in the park as early as 7:00 a.m.    So, by the time 5:00 p.m. rolls around, I am a whipped puppy.  Also, for the longest time, I have my studio open until 7 and 8 at night for clients 3 days a week.  Then I found myself waiting for folks while they went home first after work, made dinner and then came over.  All refreshed and with a full belly, they wanted to chat for hours, while I on the other hand am thinking about eating a ream of paper for dinner.

A very successful person person once said that you have to treat your business like a business and run it appropriately.  If you need to go to the doctor and he only has office hours until 5:00, you surely will make the time to get there in that time frame.  During the holiday season there was a phone message on my machine at 9:58 p.m. that said "we are out in the parking lot and can't believe you are not open later for the holidays."  This was in December and we had been working without a day off since August 18th to accommodate everyone's wishes.  We usually left around nine each night.  Oh well, ..... sorry.

So, thats it for now.  If anyone knows what this pipeline is used for, give me a hollar.  I think it is for storm water drainage.  Pretty ugly I know.  What a shame.

Take care and pray for our troops to come home.
d
  

Who doesn't have them?  Okay, you can say out loud that you don't have them, but secretly you do!  We all do!  The standard, "lose weight, exercise more, eat better" stuff is common.  But what about a different resolution?  Perhaps something that changes the way you are inside?

Here are some of mine:
First, I shall listen to my instincts more.  I always try to think rationale.

Second:  I hold my friendship with my friends at a very important level.  Friendship to me is a gift.  I believe in giving more then getting back.  Its not what you get, but what you can give .  However,  not all people believe in the same philosophy.  Simple things like honesty go the distance for me.   I cannot associate with those who believe otherwise.  Sounds a bit rough I know, but it is the right thing to do.  This word would be a better place if people thought twice about their verbal actions.

Third:  I will take more time to take care of myself.  Less time worrying about making the entire world happy.

Fourth:  I will not associate myself with individuals that are not uplifting.  In other words, whiners.  It is so easy to fall into their depression trap.   I know it is polite to listen, but  I  will be cutting you off after a few seconds if you start!!!  Indeed the world is not peaches and cream, but it is not doom and gloom either!

So, this is basically it.  Mostly, making my mind a better place.  Surrounding myself with enthusiastic energetic people with positive attitudes is on the horizon.  Filtering out the negative energy that seems heavier than the positive.

Check back with me next January!! HA! 
Talk soon!
d

Friends:
I hardly every put personal photos on my blog but I wanted to put one of my most prized accomplishments..... my kids.  My daughter Ashley is now 24 and my son is 22.  I am fortunate enough to have both kids home this Christmas morning.  Next Christmas, my son will be away at Marine Officer Training School stationed in Quantico, Virgina.  He may have leave during that time and we will be lucky to have him home next year.  My daughter Ashley is spreading her wings and there is a good chance she will be living closer to her teaching job next year.
It is just a feeling that I have that this is a chapter closing and a new one opening.  A silent sad for my heart but it is inevitable I guess.  I am proud of both of them and feel that this earth is a better place with them in it. 
So, thank you Santa for giving me 24 Christmas mornings.  24 Christmas eve's.  24 Christmas breakfasts and 24 years of watching joy in their faces as they open their presents with Christmas songs playing softly in the background.  From the Rambo big wheel 20 years ago to the I Pod this  year, from the Fisher Price cash register 20 years ago to the car navigator this year, I will miss it all!

Christmas morning 2007

Thank you Santa!
d

Dear Friends:
Merry Christmas!!!!  As I write this, it is a little after nine on Christmas day.  It always seems like a huge let down when you return to your home from a full day of visiting (mostly still a mess from the morning) and it is that erie quiet.  The kids are out with their friends and my husband and I are just plain drained.  So, as I say a quick warm wishes to all, I hope that everyone had a great holiday and overlooked many of the family stress points that drive you insane during the holiday season. 

And to all a good night!
d

Dear Friends:
Well, the studio closed for the holiday yesterday at 4:00 and won't re-open until January 8th.  Some say that is a long time.  But I say pooh pooh to that!  I need some time to veg.  I have not taken a day off since the end of August.  We did close to 400 (indeed) portraits between summer and now.  Sounds like alot and it is.  It is my work with the school and church fundraisers that pumped this number up so high.  Plus, my regular clients returning for their annual portrait update as well as new ones.  Don't forget wedding coverages spaced in there as well. 

All in all, on any given day, I put in about 12 hours per day!  Opps, I forgot to add I had three "Breakfast with Santa" coverages for three different companies!  Ahhhhhhh, the joy of screaming little ones fearing for their life while I try to take a "good" photograph!  ......... Mom always asks, "Did you get a good one?"  "Uh huh", I reply!

So, today is Saturday, 3 days before Christmas.  I have to start my holiday shopping, clean the house, wrap presents, decorate the house and go grocery shopping.  Sounds a little crazy doesn't it?  I try not to think of it as being crazy.  It is what it is.  As a "mom" I try to make the Christmas holiday a warm and fuzzy event.  Being a  frazzled stressed out person will not accomplish anything but make other people want to stay away.

So wish me well in my 3 day race for the warm and fuzzy feeling that everyone will get on Christmas morning.  After all, who really is Santa?
Love to all!
d

Hi Friends!

Holiday madness!  Ho Hum!  No more orders will be promised for Christmas as of today.  I had to make a cut off and be sort of stern about it.  Sorry gang!  We have been working feverishly to get all of this done making for a very tired photographer and staff.  12-16  hour days are a norm as we work our magic! 

Talk soon!

d