SOS...

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I am extremely overwhelmed right now, I have more on my plate than ever before! Because nobody likes a pity party I'll spare you from all the details but I will say that my Internet is still down! The combination of both chase and I being sick for over a week now combined with my grandma passing away on Saturday has giving me little time to do anything!

I will try to blog more later this week but I did want to follow through (a day late) with announcing the giveaway winner! I have to admit I was a little disappointed at the turnout but I'll just amuse people don't like froyo ;) or it might have been from the lack of promoting on my part! Oh well perhaps I'll have a better turn out next time =)

The winner of the Red Mango $25 gift card is.... Jason ... first time commenter and new friend to me here! Congratulations Jason I will send you and e-mail or hit you up on facebook! Xtra special thanks to all the commenter's!

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Thank you to all my friends that have been sending me out prayers and well wishes! You are extremely appreciated! Lots of Love ~ Amanda

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Disconnected = SUCK!

Hi folks! I'm doing a rare post from my computer at the 9-5er. It so silly now a day, employers actually get mad when you blog and surf blogs all day, well unless that's your job but in most offices it's frowned upon. Imagine that? ;)

So I know I've said this the other times I was a bad blogger and didn't post but I really do have loads to share! Ton's of pictures people... ton's of pictures!

My wireless connection has been down for 8 days and counting. Admittedly I'm no computer expert, but I'm no dummy either. I've set up connections and fixed connections for years yet this one has me stumped. I blame Windows... curse you Bill! The obvious answer would be to just plug directly into the wall but that's not possible, I need to be in my own cozy space so wireless it has to be.

The last few days have been spent transferring data to both my external drives so that I can reformat and reinstall windows. Hopefully it will work and be a lean mean internet connecting machine like it used to be by this weekend. Wish me luck!

I NEED MY "INTERNETS"!!!!

Happy Monday!

Amanda's recipe on how to turn a super tired, raining, crap Monday morning into a good day...

#1 Grande Non Fat Vanilla Latte

#2 "Perfect" cup of oatmeal

#3 Even though dead tired sing really loud to a favorite song in the car, I'm talking about top or your lungs pretending your in the video type of singing ;) repeat until you get to the office

#4 E-mail a friend 1st thing to find out how her weekend was

#5 Thank god for giving me another week =)

This was on my Cup this morning...

The Way I See It #239

It takes two seconds to tell the truth and it costs nothing. A lie takes time and it costs everything.

-- Randi RhodesRadio host.

New Header + "SLC"

So what do you think? Do you like???

I have been wanting to make a new one forever, but couldn't find the time. I still didn't have time but I had to make it happen because the old one was killing me. I featured some new fall pictures of the kiddos, but plan on changing those out hopefully at least once a month.


I'm still not sure if I'm in love with the whole design but it will do for now. Of course I had to keep with my colors, and I wanted to incorporate images as well as font and design elements from my cards and marketing pieces. The camera on the right is one of my most favorite things! I love it, it's one of those things that you display somewhere to collect dust but every time you see it, it makes you happy! I got it a year or so ago at the Lakeside (Bill Gates Alma mater) rummage sale for $3!!!


Lately I have been taking a lot of pictures of "stuff" meaning non humans ;) that I will hopefully be blogging about in the future and the camera was one of them. I hadn't intended on using it in the header and just stumbled onto the idea as i was searching my files for inspiration. I think it ended up being a pretty cool element though.


Here are some more flick's of my "SLC"= sweet little camera...

It's cool to think of the history in this.

Who were it's owners, where did they take it? How did it end up in the rummage sale?

And lastly one of the lil guy in action as a prop at the Launch Party

Business Launch Party!

Here are a few pictures from the Likas Organic & Amanda Mays Photography Business Launch Party.

Cathy Kalepo of Likas Organic Designs

Mother - Daughter Organic Apron's

Reversible Organic Apron with matching accessories

Prize Table

Amanda Mays Photography Table

The Betrayal of September

It has been one year since I lost Sydney and a week since the world lost Preston. September used to be my favorite month but each year it seems something bad happens within those 30 days. Don't know why that is but I think October just might be pretty happy about being my new favorite month!

In memoriam...

To my angel baby Sydney, I often think of who you would be now, what would you be doing? Would you be like your brother or have a vibrancy all your own? Would you be crawling? What would my life be like with you in it? I miss you, I miss the you I never got to know, I miss the idea of my sweet baby girl. I'm sorry I haven't had your headstone put back, I'm sure "Orville" enjoyed the flowers chase left him because we couldn't find where to leave them for baby sister. I so wish things would have been different, but I thank god for the time I did have with you and the person I have become because of it!

To Preston, you have changed my life more than you will ever know. You were a great man and leave behind an undeniable legacy! I am sad that the world has lost you but I am glad that in the time you were here you touched and helped so many! I thank god for you and think about you almost every minute. Even though I sometimes wish I didn't have to experience what I did I thank god for putting me where he thought I should be. It was his plan for you as well as me and I am blessed to be linked to you in that way. I look forward to meeting you one day!

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Sometimes it's hard to find answers to the way cards are dealt to you in life. But I have faith that all things happen for a reason and that these tough things have made me and will continue to mold me into the person I am suppose to be. Thank you to all of you who have kept me in your prayers it helps more than you know!

Postcards from the edge

Greetings earthling's and loyal blog followers I am indeed still alive! I can't believe it has been over a month since my last post, time goes fast! I have been very busy! I realize that is not a good excuse as I know people that are a million more times busier than me and still find quality blog time. However it was time for me to take a little vaca from the Internet! I took a couple weeks off to spend more time with friends, family and myself.

Instead of my normal schedule of computer time I took chase out to ride his trike, went on walks, worked out, enjoyed the end days of summer, spent quiet time and just tried to re-prioritize myself. For awhile I was so focused and plugged into all things photography and computer related, I just needed time to be unplugged and ground myself. I think I am now better equipped to maintain a healthy balance between the two!

Here are the cliff notes of what I've been up to the last month...

I've had 3 shoots since my last post!
Got new business cards, I haven't even posted my old ones and I got new ones already!
I've had a chance to beta test Me Ra's Refuse to say Cheese forum! (can't wait till it goes live)
My Business launch Party was this past Saturday!
I've been developing all my marketing and printed materials as well as designing a new blog/website!
Lost 15 lbs!!!
Attended the I shoot People tour and the super fun PUG martini party!
I'm teaching my brother to drive!!!
Witnessed a life changing event.
Developed a knarly cold.
And just a ton more things I hope to share with you guys soon!

Thank you for hanging in there with me in my absence and keep coming back because I've got big things in the works my friends! =)

Blissful Dork

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, I'm still knee deep in editing and getting shoots online. Plus I've been taking more time to focus on working out on a semi daily basis. I lost 5lbs already only at least 10 more to go ;)

Anyway as I was scanning through my external drive I came across this picture I took while on our family trip

Hahaha I like when I come across little reminders of how much of a dork I am! What, don't you take picture's of the hotel freebies? ;)

I Love Bliss product's especially when they are free! One of the many perks of staying at Starwood hotels is fancy bathroom products. I was so freaking excited to get these babies @ the W. Every morning before we left the room I hid them in a drawer to make sure the maid left me a full new set =) I'm stocked up for a while now!

At home I use bliss clog-dissolving cleansing milk, I love the smell and it makes my skin feel really nice. If your looking for new products to add to your beauty regime Bliss has some awesome one's!

Okay I'm off to bed! Tomorrow I will post more pic's from the Smith Family Shoot!

One thing down, 523 things left to do!

Okay so maybe it's not really 523 things but man it seems like it! I am tired of being so busy lately, I have so much to do and a lot of cool things to share with you guys but I'm fighting to find time to do it all. Hopefully by this weekend I'll be all caught up. The one thing I did complete though is my Business Launch Party invites, Hooray!

My friend Cathy and I decided to do a joint party/open house since we have both been building our business's for the past year. I can not tell you how great it is to have someone to be on this journey with! It will be so exciting to have this launch together, be there to encourage each other further, bounce idea's back and forth and then eventually see us both with successful ventures.

I've spent the last 4 hours designing these babies and just sent them to the printer's. They are 5 X 7 double sided linen postcards once they get here and we spruce up the envelopes I'll take a picture and show you.

For now here is the...

Front

Back

How do you think they turned out?

It's kind of hard to read the words online but in print they will be nice. I'm pleased with them. I still have a lot of other marketing pieces to do, the list is never ending!

I have lot's of pictures to post in the next week including a really great family shoot so check back in ;)

I'm out of kleenex !

Last night I read "Comfort" by Ann Hood, it found me as so many great books do at Barnes and Noble. I am always amazed at the treasures I somehow find myself buying, it's as if I hear them calling me from the shelf "pick me... you need to read me". Not very often do I listen but when I do, man do I get lucky. This book is about the loss of Ann's 5 year old daughter Grace and her journey through the pain.





I got in bed and cracked the spine open on my new book. I had only meant to read a chapter or two before falling asleep but after the 1st page I knew it was going to be a long night. By the second page I was already crying and continued to do so for the next 182 pages! Seriously! Sometimes it was just a silent tear rolling down my check and other times I was a full on sobbing mess. I'm talking the kind of crying where you can't breathe and you struggle to see the words through your tears. Next to me while I read a feel my sleeping boy, I can feel his little body sweating next to me and I occasionally pause from the story to look at him and listen to him breathing.

I have a confession to make, I do that a lot, check to see if he's breathing. This may be a normal mom thing, I don't know because I've never talked to anyone about it, but since the day chase was born I've always had that almost painful fear of something happening to him. Because of this fear I keep him close, not the crazy super protective mom close , but the check on you in the middle of the night to make sure your breathing type of mom! Sometimes I scare myself just thinking of all the what ifs. As horrible as this may sound when I lost Sydney I had thoughts of "phew now Chase is even more safe" God would never take two of my babies right? It was almost as if I felt she was my one give and now that I gave her I would be safe from future loss. Of course I know logically that's not how it works. For added measure with every prayer, everyday, no matter what the subject, I always throw in my little" please keep Chase safe" plea.


It's amazing to me that I actually purchased and read this book given my own deep fear of losing my child. I am however so glad I did! Despite it being gut wrenching, the book was still very very good. As I finished it @ 3am only a mere 3 hours before I had to get up for work, I turned to the sleeping boy next to me, gave him some smooches, wrapped my arms around him and began my prayer...


" Lord thank you for all the many blessings you've given us. I pray for Ann and her family. I thank you for giving her comfort in the face of an unthinkable tremendous lose. I thank you for blessing her with Grace and I with Sydney, even if it was for such a short time. Thank you for this day lord... Please keep Chase safe, Please keep him safe... In your name I pray, Amen"

Disappointing the Toothfairy!

Today is a sad day! I was official kicked out of the No Cavities Club!

I got my very first filling's in my adult teeth. How could this happen? I brush damn it ... I floss! How did I go 20+ years only to be struck with not 1 but 2 deep cavities? Don't even get me started on the surface ones that are forming. My enamel has betrayed me! I can no longer boast about my filling free mouth, which I did often, and when I'd get that look of disbelief I'd open wide and say "ook seee I gut naw filens"!

I remember as a kid I was so proud to get my no cavity club stickers, one time I even got a shirt...SCORE! I must admit as an adult with no filings I felt superior because of my near perfect teeth! Alas my tenor in the club is no more I am but mere common folk with a mouth full of fillings. Do you think they take the shirt back?

Wrap me up in your love!

An assignment was given to me to capture something that "speaks love to you". I thought about it for a while and kept coming back to the idea of my blankets. Besides keeping me warm there is a greater meaning behind the blankets I have grow to love.

The bottom is one I currently use to sleep with, bring to the couch when I need warmth or am sick and most importantly use when me and my little guy snuggle up together.

The next one was given to me when I was little. It was hand made by a family member in Wyoming and shipped in a big box just for me. It is a pretty pink, light weight and perfect for summer when traditional blankets are too hot.

Third one up was made by my grandma and was gifted to me I believe on my 12th birthday. Being a 12 year old I must be honest and say I was totally bummed to receive a hand made afghan instead of something cool like, I don't know a snoopdogg cd! Over the years it sat in a closet not used very much, that is until I got older. As an adult I learned to value the importance of something made by the hand, made out of love with a special person in mind as the receiver. She had knit it just for me in colors she thought I'd like and every time I pull it out and wrap myself in it, it's like wrapping myself in the love that she is no longer here to show me herself.

And then we have my very special souvenir blanket that I bought when I was 16 in the Philippine mountains of Baguio. This is my take everywhere blanket, it has been on many a road trip, a few picnics and used many times to lay out in the sun on. This is one of my most treasured items, my blanket that came from across the world!

Next up is Chase's baby blanket! The blankie I brought him home in. The blankie I swaddled him in for months, laid on the floor for him to play on, the blankie that went with us anytime we left the house. Chase never had a special attachment to a blanket the way most other kids do but every time I see this blanket I am reminded of my precious little baby boy.

Finally on top we have Sydney's blanket. The 12 x 12 piece of polar fleece that the hospital wrapped her in. The small piece of fabric that was big enough to wrap my tiny baby girl in. This is the only blanket she would ever have and the only real object that was ever especially hers. I keep this next to my bed and when I feel that longing to have something of her near me I sleep with it close to my heart.

I have so many more blankets I love. All the special baby blankets my great grandma has sewn for every baby in our family, especially my white one with the little blue flowers on it. The big gray one with red ties my grandpa slept on. There are dozens more that fill my mind with happy memories.

On the outside blankets seem like mere pieces of fabric sewn together in multiple ways but in some blankets there is more meaning than can ever be explained. They represent a time or place, a special person, joy or sorrow, comfort, warmth and love!

What represents love to you?

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

On my way to the airport off to sip wine, take pictures and RELAX! I have a massage booked at 2:00 in the "Plaza". Doesn't using the "Plaza"make everything sound so grand? "I'm having lunch at the plaza" hahah when I went to NY I was so jazzed to have lunch at the plaza just so I could say that. Unfortunately it was being remodeled into luxury apartment's so I wasn't able to join the cool club of people that lunch at the plaza. Anyhow I gotta get running plane leaves in an hour and a half... I'll make a toast for you my friend's that won't we sitting in gorgeous weather sampling Cabernet Sauvignon ;) See you on the flip side!

The Grass is always Greener

I got this e-mail a little while ago and really enjoyed it...

Someone will always be prettier. Someone will always be smarter.

Some of their houses will be bigger. Some will drive a better car.

Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things around the house.

We must realize we can't have it all,

So let it go, and love you and your circumstances. Think about it!

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.

And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. And the richest woman you know, she's got the car, the house, the clothes might be lonely.

We are taught 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.' So LOVE YOU! Love who you are! Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say, I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed to be Disappointed!

Winners make things happen! Losers let things happen!

Be Blessed!!!

It's so true that we all struggle with envy and even jealously at things others may have that we don't. Weather it's possessions, beauty, talent or one of many other things. I always try to remind myself that even though someone may have something I desire I still need to be grateful for all the wonderful things I do have. Hey their might just be someone out there that thinks your pretty great as well and might wish she had some of the things you do!

On this same topic, Liah sent me an article by Jean Thompson that was printed in Allure titled the "Girl of my Dreams" I Love this article!!! I debated actually putting the whole essay up here, but it's too long so here are some pieces of it...

"I saw her again not long ago, while I was waiting for a flight at O'Hare. We were both standing in line for coffee. I was my usual haggard pre-flight self, dressed in athletic shoes, utilitarian black pants, and an oversize linen shirt, already wrinkled. A militant nonchecker of luggage, I was sweating under the bulky weight of my carry-ons.

The Girl I Always Wanted to Be wore a summery white blouse and skirt, cinched with a slim gold belt. She carried a ladylike straw clutch which matched her espadrilles. (My own handbag, selected for its storage capacity, looked and felt as if it were stuffed with rocks.) On her wrists were dainty bracelets; around her neck, some sparkly chains. Most telling of all, the Girl I Always Wanted to Be ordered her coffee and strolled off with it in an amused, leisurely fashion, as if travel were an adventure to be enjoyed, as if it were to be expected that you pulled your look together for the occasion, and that fretting over how to pack
miniaturized toiletries into TSA-approved containers was for lesser mortals.

Now, one vital characteristic of the Girl I Always Wanted to Be is that she is a stranger, momentarily glimpsed. For all I know, the girl in the airport arrived at her destination bereft of her luggage, stamping her well-shod foot in baggage claim, and calculating how long she could manage without buying new underwear. That's not the point.

There's a combination of appearance, attitude, and circumstances that, for a powerful, unwilled moment, makes us want to be someone else. It's different from ordinary envy of, say, catalog models or celebrities. Different also from that mainstay of advertising the pairing of products with desirable scenarios, i.e., if only I could be that happy, attractive person drinking Coke or driving a Lexus. And when it comes to the accomplishments of accomplished women, I'd like to think that I admire them without any dark complications of motive. But the Girl I Always Wanted to Be involves wistfulness, an awareness of our own insecurities, identity as it can be conveyed by style and, perhaps, a sense of possibilities."

"A second truth about TGIAWTB is that she changes over time, mutates along with our chronological age and the prevailing culture. Think about the phase, or phases, you went through when you ardently wished to be called by a different name. In second grade I determined that the most perfect, most mellifluous name in the world belonged to my classmate Lana Joy Jacobs, who took tap-dancing lessons. (Hi, Lana Joy! How did life turn out?) Later I wanted to be Cindy or Candy. (Think cheerleader. Think plaid.) Later still, coming of age in the 1960s, maybe Yasmina or Shenandoah.

In time I came to terms with my own noncommittal monosyllable, to which no nickname has ever adhered. Just as when we get older we tend to make peace with ourselves, inside and out, or else go for the big transformation-the sex-change operation or religious conversion. But the impulse to change, rearrange, or perfect stays with us, fueling entire industries. There's a balance between self-improvement and self-acceptance that we each have to find for ourselves."

I know that was still long but I just had to share this! How many times have you seen that "Girl I always wanted to be"? What was it about her that made you wish to be her? In what ways can you draw strength and love for ourselves by admiring TGIAWTB? I love thinking about things like this. I loved this article because it made me aware of my own feelings when I look at that girl I've always wanted to be and instead of feeling bad I'm not her it makes me appreciate myself even more. Sure I'd still Die to have that tiny waist and Hermes handbag but I'm just as happy in my own skin with my fake Prada from canal street! ;)

Back on the Block

OMG flash back to 4th grade, I'm 10 years old and on hold with ticket master for what seem like hours. My mom said if I wanted to go I'd have to be the one to sit on hold, apparently she had better things to do with her time!

For what you say???

Only the original best boyband EVER! And ... wait for it ....... they are BACK!!! You heard right the New Kids are back! We'll have to wait and see if they're better than ever since the haven't sung in public yet but never the less I am excited. Hahaha!

Let me clarify though I was not one or those obsessed girls that scream and faint and buy everything band related. I bought the cd's and went to the concert and that was it! Ok wait maybe I did start a little fan club with my friends Aileen and Kelly, but we were cool! My friend Amanda had her whole room NKOTB even her comforter and pillows! They were BIG time with the elementary girl crowd. I liked Jordan and my favorite song was "If you go away girl"! Welcome back guys !!!

I have now officially cemented my dork status! ;)

What are your Cravings?

I saw this at the gas station and made my brother take a picture with his phone. Hahaha he was embarrassed because I'm such a dork!

What are some of the yummy things you crave?

*** Come on guys! None of you have craving? How about when your PMSing or even when you were pregnant? I guess i'm the only little piggy***

Recap

I'm still short on time I've been soooo busy this last week. I hope I can get caught up this coming week so far I'm only semi-busy so hopefully I'll have a little cool down/relax/computer time!

Tuesday I attended my first PUG meeting at Me Ra's house I was super excited about getting to meet new photographers and of course stoked to meet the ones I had heard of or only knew from the Internet. I was a little nervous but luckily there were a few people I had meet in person or have corresponded with before, seeing some familiar faces took the edge off. ;) On my way there I got a little lost but let me tell you I'm really glad I did because I got to see a few awesome neighborhoods I never knew existed. The meeting was great I learned some really good info from Dani, Me Ra and Brian's banker and I talked with some really cool people. I can't wait for the next one!

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of going to the Studio 36 "After Party" at Julie's studio. We had a great time chatting away about all types of photography stuff. But the real fun started when we got to play around with the studio lighting. I was especially excited about this since I have been wanting to learn more about lighting and which types of equipment I should buy. Julie is so great she gave us tons of tips and really gave me a better understanding of how to work in a studio environment. Thanks Julie! I hope we do it again soon!


Yesterday I went out with my friend Cathy for her birthday. (Happy Birthday Panchita!!!) We went to the Lakeside Rummage sale which was a bust, unless your skinny and looking for some cool vintage leather coats, they had TONS of those! I bought a really sweet vintage camera for $4 but other than that we went home empty handed. Because we are not the type of girls to go home without buying something, bad I know, we stopped at the University Book Store. I got a cool new portfolio and Cat got some butcher paper to make her patterns. I got home with just enough time for a load of laundry, a couple episodes of Sex and the city, a few inches of snow and a latte for dinner before I went to bed.

Today I went Downtown to the SAM for the Rome exhibit. Pieces from the Louvre that had never been seen in American are on display right now! The craftsmanship on those pieces are unbelievable and to be in the presence of all that history is truly amazing! If you are an art or even history lover you definitely have to check it out before it leaves. After the museum we walked through the market I LOVE Pike Place no matter how many times I go there I still appreciate the awesomeness of it =) After Cutters for lunch, gelato for dessert, and a short stop in Chinatown for some bamboo I came home to more laundry and a messy house that needed to be cleaned. Now I'm off to bed I have my 9-5 and then Bellies and Babies! Yeah!!!
Sweet Dreams!

Exhausted!

What I wouldnt give for an 8th day or even a 28 hour day! Actually now that I think of it that's too much! I guess I just need a day off or at least more than five minutes on my home computer! I have had a super busy week and have so much to share but no time right now to share it! Check back soon to here about my easter, mountain trip, PUG meeting, night at Studio 36 and all the other crazy stuff keeping me busy! I'm off to bed before midnight for the first time in a week! TTYL =)

Seattle Radio Rocks

The celebration continues... I just got home from yet another birthday dinner. So much for my healthy eating I had my first set back by stuffing my face with tortilla chips and then eating the yummy chocolate mouse I got after getting sung to and having to wear a HUGE sombrero! Tomorrow it's back on the health wagon!

I forgot to tell you about my other birthday well wishers. I got a birthday e-mail form Shelly Hart at Kube 93, a personal call from Maynard at Movin 92.5 and an invite from Roz at KACL 780AM asking me to meet her at Cafe Nervosa for a birthday latte! Okay that last part was a lie, and unless you watched Frasier you have no idea what I'm even talking about. The first two are real though! I know it's so cornball and funny but I thought it was pretty cool.

I'm a pretty big deal you know? ;)

The Return of Saturn

In one of my birthday cards my fabulous friend Brynn wrote that I should have a wonderful year because Saturn has returned. At first I laughed because that is sooo brynn to know something like that but then I got to thinking. I've heard 28 is a pretty good age so maybe there is something to this Saturn thing? After a short Google search I came across this page Be My Astrologer and found this little ditty of information...

"Saturn Return is a word astrologers use to describe the coming of age or initiation into adulthood which takes place between 28 and 30 years old. At this time the planet Saturn has circled your chart and returns to the place where it was at the time of your birth. Invariably, this marks one of the most important times in your life, a time of endings and beginnings, a time to discover your authentic self and correct your course in life if it seems you're heading in the wrong direction. "

"The Saturn Return, which lasts about two years, is a time for introspection and self-evaluation. It is a time of taking responsibility and often a time for making serious choices. Saturn Return asks us to forsake so-so directions and have the courage to find the one that is most like us, the one we were intended for when we were born. It is a time to consider your unique individual needs, the contribution you want to make to the world, the resources that are important to you, inner and outer, and who will go with you on your journey."

Pretty Cool huh? And here I thought I was just getting wiser and maturing well, I guess I can thank Saturn! I gotta go now I have ALOT of self-evaluation to attend too.

Oh Saturn also returns between ages 58-60 so if I don't take advantage of the cycle this time around don't fret in 30 years I'll get another chance ;)