Hold on a minute.

Okay I’m done fanning myself, back to the shoots. I totally met up with an old friend Jessica, who braved shuttling 5 kids, six and under, by herself to get her momma some grand kids photos. Let’s have another moment here for Jessica.

So after surviving the car ride with her three boys and sister’s two girls, we chased these little imps all over the temple grounds. I got some pretty good shots if I do say so myself.

Without further ado:

Thanks guys for letting me play!

Jeff says I gotta get some cheaper hobbies, but I think he just needs a second job.

*This one is really bad because it bleeds into other obsessions ie I get to put my other obsessions in theses and carry them around!

Take work for example. I’ve repetitively said I would quit when I became licensed. That’s just not happening, even if I wanted to. Between shortages, schedules and hiring freezes, there is no way in hell I’m leaving my office high and dry right now. But here’s the truth of it: I don’t want to. Since starting the application process and becoming licensed, I find myself much more energized. I no longer feel like a second class citizen, doing the same things as everyone else and getting over looked and paid half. Mostly because, well, I’m not any more. That’s helped, I have to admit, but there’s more. Somewhere in this process I have found my bliss again. I have relearned why I do this. Part of this is due to some successes I’ve had and part of it is just really being needed. But what ever it is, it’s working. At least for now. I’m not saying I’m now immune to burn out. It is still there, I feel it below the surface, but for now it is staying below and as long as it does, I’m going to keep my head down and keep working. And hopefully helping and making a difference for some people.

So this is where I sit today, as I try to wrap up some projects around the house before heading out to Beach Week ’09. Which is no easy task, because I’ve recently discovered decorating blogs. (I know, as usual, I’m really late to the party.) I started building a new bench for the mud room at eight o’clock last night. Jeff has threaten to put parental control software on my laptop to monitor the use of my newly discovered porn. (Yes, it is that bad. How did I not know this stuff was out there people? I blame you.)

But I’m gonna keep sitting, and working and killing Jeff with my late night/heel wearing projects, because I’m liking where I’m sitting right now. It’s different, but it’s really comfortable.

Now let’s get packed people, ’cause we head out early in the morning. No pushing or shoving and last one on the beach is a rotten egg.

*Completely stolen from Rae, who stole it from her nephew.

I love my camera. I love my cherubs. I love my family. It is all absolutely perfect. I have the greatest husband on the planet. I love my life. And I love this blog. It was never about visitors. I’m happy to hang out here all by myself. It has always allowed me to be creative. To write, design, post pictures or ignore it. What ever I want, it is here for me. I do love this blog. Isn’t it pretty?

In news from yesterday:
Jack after getting out of the shower and catching a glimpse of his white ass: Boy, my butt is really white! I need to start sunbathing nude!

Uh, don’t think so buddy.

We’ll have to see how that turns out today.

PSST: some pictures are up.

As I read the essays I can’t help but be moved by the sometimes poignant, but mostly funny tales of fatherhood. Naturally my thoughts drift to my own. I make another mental note to call him when I come back up to the house and tell him that I want him to come up. He’s been saying he might wander by the beach house this year. Such is the life of the retired hero race car driver, but I really want him to stop by, for few days at least. All bonding with my father has taken place on vacations. My father has always been a traveler and since my parents divorce, I have usually been the recipient of trips with dad, especially family trips, even now in my mid 30′s. They divorced when I was seven years old, although the separation took place years before that, so this is a long standing ritual. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dads and little girls have always shared a special relationship, and it’s not just me. I see the same thing in Emie’s eyes when she looks at Jeff. She thinks he can do anything. There is complete trust when she peddles as he runs along holding onto her bike. I doubt she’ll out grow it either. Maybe its a family curse.

Once, I got in trouble with Jeff because of my blind faith in my father. Somewhere in our first year of marriage, I totaled my Ford Tempo in Lafayette, LA.
I called my dad.
It did not go over well, but in my defense, Jeff was in the middle of a final. We worked through it and that was the first of many lessons I’ve had to learn about balance. I guess I am continuing, even now, to learn them, as I really wish dad was here with me right now, because retired or not, he’ll always be a hero to me.