Rush Week

It is getting closer and closer. My freedom, as I know it will soon come to an end-at least for a couple weeks. The children will have their respective class parties on Tuesday and Wednesday. My oldest is finishing up the last of his exams (in which we are praying).
This past weekend I took the last of my scheduled portraits, presumably they will be used in Christmas cards. All seemed happy. I hope to update my web site with newer and fresher portraits. I will have to work on Big Daddy over the holidays to help me in doing that. In the meantime, I posted a slideshow below, of some of the fun momnets in photographing these sweet families. I have meet some of the most wonderful people through photography.
I will be meeting later this week with Paul Zimmerman, who is helping to organize the first Celtic Festival in Helena. I will be partnering up with Courtney Claridy, who I worked with in preparing Whim's Kid Fest. We will have a newbie on board in Vallie Pate, who will certainly bring in some fresh ideas. Courtney is the consummate professional and also has such great ideas. I am anxious to see how things progress and will give an update. All I can visualize right now are men in skirts, Guinness beer and bagpipes. I do have an announcement regarding the festival, Act of Congress, the band I have been touting here on my blog, will be playing. I am stoked about that. Will provide more info as I become more informed and the stars line up........
On Friday I am looking forward to a movie and pizza night at my brother in laws home in Tuscaloosa. It seems there has been something everyday going on, but I love this part of the season, the celebration of Christmas and the social interaction between friends and family. I may not have 2 nickels to rub together sometimes (because Big Daddy is a tightwad and horder, but that's another story)but I am incredibly rich in what matters most, relationships with those I love. My friends and family are priceless to me.
Speaking of togetherness, as I say how much I am looking forward to it, I can say that I am NOT looking forward to the foreseeable fights and white trash fisticuffs that will also come with the season. This would involve my children. Lord give me patience to tolerate and find adequate ways to enforce control.
Lucy and Jeff's puppies are growing so fat and so fast. On Saturday they will be three weeks old. I will post a picture very soon. I have a home promised to almost all of them. That is good news. I am happy that I will be able to follow their lives in the homes they will be placed. A funny thing, I have tried not to become to attached and close to these puppies. I don't want to become sad in the inevitable thought of them leaving. I have not given any of them names for this reason. However, Big Daddy told me last night that he has named them all......Lawnmower, Dryer, Front Door, Back Door, Christmas Budget and vacation. These are things that we have had to shell money out for in the past week. On Friday it was a lawnmower. Big Daddy and Bama did not put oil in it and thus burnt out the engine. DUMB. It was about a year old, if that. A costly mistake for Big Daddy. On Saturday it was the dryer that started making a horrible noise. It too was not very old, 2-3 years. But Big Daddy began crunching numbers and found it would cost him less to buy a new one rather than call a repairman to fix it. Last week we had new doors installed on our home. Thus, these are some of the reasons the puppies are named so. It looks like the puppies will be helping to pay for some of these cost.....It's always something isn't it?
Christmas is only days away. I hope that everyone has gotten all of their shopping under wraps (literally).
Lastly, Happy Birthday to my friend Kym Jordan who is turned the 4-0 yesterday. You wear it well. If that is "how a pirate looks at 40", I can't wait to get there!
Happy Week All!