teeny tiny sneak peek.....

beth's photography

beth's photography

of a beautiful

teeny tiny

new

baby

{and yes, this is the baby from the pregnancy shoot a few weeks ago}

nope, I'm not a teacher, but I can do this...right ?

all it took

was a tour

of the facility

and

a look

around the art room

and

I was hooked

~~~~~

completely hooked

on

the

boys and girls club

~~~~~

so

after a lengthy

application

process

3

written

references

{thank you kathy, chris and suzanne}

and

a

background check

I'm good to go

~~~~~

I start teaching

on

monday

YES

yikes

monday

~~~~~

if I said I wasn't nervous

I'd be lying

~~~~~

I'm not a teacher

but I've always loved children

who

need

an

"it's okay"

smile

or

some

reassurance

or

a

hug

or

someone who believes in them

or

says "good job"

or

teaches them that writing down their feelings

in an art journal

is better than

keeping it all inside

~~~~~

so

on

monday and wednesday

nights

from

6:30 to 9:00

I'll be missing

some

of my favorite TV shows

and

instead

I'll be with teenagers

who

will be working hard

to trust me

and

like me

or

even want to be in the art room with me

instead of playing basketball

or

playing games

~~~~~

so

it won't be easy at first

I'm guessing

or

maybe

just maybe

it will be

so easy

that

I'll find

that 2 days a week

with these

kids

just

isn't

enough

~~~~~

side note:

for those of you who have known me for awhile, you know that my heart will always be as a CASA, but due to the fact that the CASA program here in wisconsin, just isn't one that fits what I believe a CASA to be, I chose not be part of their program.

the CASA children, especially the teenagers I used to work with, taught me more about life than I could ever imagine or even begin to share with you here.

so this is my new adventure.

and

the best part

I can bring my camera to class and take photos of the kids

and I can teach them to take photos

and we can use our photos in our artwork

or

hang them on the bulletin board

or

they can just take them home for mom or dad

who just might not have a current photo of their son or daughter

because sometimes

that's what happens

*

trying to decide.....

I've been looking at a number of

photography sites this weekend

and many of them

have

"left their mark"

on their

photos

with either

a water mark

or

their name

so I've been playing around

trying to figure out if

I should be doing the same thing

~~~~~

or

if I need to do it

to protect myself

and

my clients

{not that the goose really cares}

~~~~~

so

if anyone has any suggestions

based on blogging

and

photos

the right and the wrong

the good, the bad and the ugly

please let me know

I'll listen

kind of makes you glad you got out of bed.....

A Community Service Reminder from the Universe:

Buffy, your gifts are innumerable; your depth is incalculable; your presence is unforgettable.
Your touch is healing; your style is appealing; your power is mind reeling.
And you are loved and adored on a moment-to-moment basis, more than you can now comprehend.
Just like we planned -
The Universe

and this added to my weekend fun......

film: 1000 journals

1000 journals is a film about people whose lives are touched by blank journals released into the world in 2000 by san francisco-based artist, someguy.

some people found a journal, some had signed up to receive one in the mail.

some worte in them, others doodled, pasted in photographs, or added art.

some kept them.

some passed them on.

there were no rules and no one really monitored their movements. and yet they are connecting and inspiring people worldwide. number 526 returned to someguy filled.

what happened to the rest ?

this film tells their stories.

~~~~~

I decided that I really wanted to see this film as I had purchased the completed book, titled: 1000 journals project

earlier this year

and loved the concept.

So hubby and I took off for state street on sunday afternoon,

to a lecture hall at the museum of contemporary art

and enjoyed every mintute of this film.

If it comes to a city near you

go see it

as

you will not be disappointed !!!

~~~~~

it's all about me....mostly

we started our weekend

at the cottage

where the last of the fall colors

have almost disappeared

and on our way home

a stop at the apple orchard
for apple cider donuts
and
a photo shoot
in the pumpkin patch

last stop
of the day
was at
my favorite old
slightly abandoned
stone house

where I handed over
my camera
to my hubby

and
then to
my daughter

where they "caught" me
having
a great time
on such a beautiful
fall day

and
once we got home
I
edited
these pictures
so that I could
soften
my
smile wrinkles
and darken
the shadows
around me
or otherwise
I'd never share this many pictures
of me
at one time
and
while my family did
great
with the
camera
I've taken it back
as
I love
"being the photographer"
and
being
on
"that"
side
of the
camera
more
than anything else
right now

finding our balance......

there is a push and pull

that sometimes happens in our lives

that throws our entire core

off

balance

~~~~~

just when we thought

we'd continue getting by each day

pushing our thoughts and ideas

into something

to mold our lives

along

comes someone

who pulls us

in

a different direction

~~~~~

they make us feel

new and alive

and

our thoughts

no matter how hard we try

keep going

back

and

swirling

around them

~~~~~

the life we were

shaping

and

molding

gets cracked

and

the sunlight comes pouring in

and

we are blinded

~~~~~

blinded by

love

and

goodness

and

softness and kindness

~~~~~

and we start to push back

a little

thinking things

were good

just as they were

because that's what we always do

~~~~~

but this time

we don't push back as much

and

we open our eyes wider

and

we see that the pulling isn't so bad

after all

~~~~~

and

that maybe this time

just

maybe

we'll let the pulling continue

because

the pushing

has become too hard

and

too hurtful

and

has left us

unfulfilled

and

lonely

~~~~~

and

that maybe the loneliness

after all these years of pushing

has finally

opened

our heart

wide enough

to let the pulling grab hold

and stay

for

awhile

~~~~~

~~~~~

{I've been writing "words" as much as I normally do, but I just haven't had anything that I wanted to share with anyone...until today. My inspiration came while thinking about a friend of mine and what he's living right now and the words just kept flowing....so easily. So in between sharing my photos and some day to day stories with you, I hope you don't mind if I throw some of my words back into the mix}

because it's that time......

Misty and I

thought we'd show you

what costumes

we're

wearing this

year

a day in the country was just too much fun.....

a beautiful day

almost too warm

for october

in

wisconsin

with perfect fall colors

and

honestly

the pictures I take

ttfv

are by far

my favorite

way to

"see people"

this weekend

I had so much fun

chasing two little boys

their dog

{you do see the dog, don't you?}

and

their parents

all over
their

amazing and spectacular

land

these two parents
were so much fun
and
even when I asked them to do crazy things
they did it
just so I could get a great photo
{this shot needed a ladder}

the boys had no idea
who the crazy lady was with the camera
and really could have cared less
that I was even there
which was perfect
as they soaked up every minute
of this fall day
by
just playing
and
being the little boys
that
they are

such an adorable
fun loving
family
thanks you guys !!!!

I can't wish away the sun......

I had another photo session yesterday

with

a wonderful couple

and

soon to be family

their first baby

will

be here in

february

and I really wanted to get

outside with them

now

before the

snow

arrives

so we
fought

with the sun

squinting

our eyes

me saying nasty words under my breath

okay

fine

some of them were said

out loud

too

but she glowed

that

pregnancy

glow

and the smiles

came easily

for both them

and

their love for each other

was

infectious

so

yes

we fought the sun

we searched for shadowless spots

but

I

think

on most of the photos

all 200 of them

we

kicked the sun's ass

which in wisconsin

you have to be careful doing

or

tomorrow

you'll have 6 feet of snow

outside

your

window

from my side of the camera......

{my photo shoot continued}

really

my favorite way to take photos

is

through the view finder

maybe

because it's always

a surprise

as to what you'll actually get

I thought that maybe everyone

in the family

should have a pumpkin belly

but

this silly little guy

thought I said

put the pumpkin on your head

which made for a great

picture

come on
how precious is this

and how beautiful

is this

growing family

totally tummy

and nothing else

but baby in there

stay tuned

as this new little person

will arrive

any day

now

waking up and finding this in your inbox can sure make a girl smile

Buffy, your "ship" was spotted off the coast this morning, slipping silently through the fog. Coming around the cape, she appeared in a shaft of sunlight and what a sight to see!

Glimmering as much as the ocean herself.

Massive and beautiful beyond belief. Laden with treasures, happy times, friends, love, and laughter.

This week, though, you must prepare for her arrival.

You must make space in your life for her gifts, before she heads back out to sea.
Your first mate always,

The Universe

just a teaser.....

if I told you I wasn't exploding inside

I'd be lying

to you

~~~~~

taking photos

is

rocking my world

in

a good way

~~~~~

the little boy

is

a family friend

who was determined

to

NOT

have his picture taken

but

when I told him he could stand

on

the coffee table

and

that I was going to

lay down

on the floor

with my camera

his eyes got

wide

and

sweet

and this photo

well

my heart was totally in it

and

yesterday

I

had my first official

pregancy shoot

with

a

wonderful

and

beautiful

woman

just 2 weeks from delivering

baby number

3

~~~~~

her

husband and children

joined us

and

I ended up

taking

enough photos to fill an entire album

as I'm

finding it hard

to delete any of them

~~~~~

as

they

are

fabulous

~~~~~

if I do say so myself

*

sweet but not innocent....

my niece and nephew

were very

kind

to play along with me and my camera

come on

love on each other

just

a little

I said

did you just spit

I did

and here is where
I lost it
could these two
be any better
at making
my
day

I didn't think so
until
they did this
~~~~~
thanks
for being
such
great kids
I
owe
you
one

and yet a little more.....

nope

sorry

I'm still not tired talking about

squam

I can't help it

it's still with me

often

~~~~~

these photos are from

my

superhero life class

~~~~~

me

doing what someone else was telling me to do

me

not behind the camera

but

in front of it

me

not really liking having my picture taken

me

feeling awkward

me

coming alive

me

smiling and laughing

me

thinking this isn't so bad afterall

me

thinking

why not me

~~~~~