Making Memories in Foggy London Town

Since I was a kid, my mom and dad always stressed the need to make memories. Memories last a lifetime, my dad would say, and it isn’t something anyone can take away from you. Well, that’s exactly what we did this Christmas. We made memories. English memories. Memories of clotted cream, Ancient Egypt, London Walks (or lack there of), Scrabble, Pimlico, The Mouse Trap and Liberties. The number 24 bus, Crabbies, Dolphin House, Ian Stuart and fireworks (if only to name a few).

All I can say is that we wished 2011 goodbye with a bang.  What an amazing Christmas it was and a great start to 2012!  

What 2011 Taught Me About Change

This blog post has been slowly percolating in the background for quite some time. Perhaps that is evident by the fact that I haven’t posted a post since October. To be completely honest, I think I have needed that last three/four months to take a step back and ask myself the hard, demanding, ever present and very real questions about my life, photography, my future and all that that entails. Heavy stuff, I know.

Don’t believe for a second that I didn’t have severe guilt about not writing. I even had family from California asking if I’d fallen off the face of the earth.  I had many self “you should”, “you need to”, “What’s wrong with you” etc. fill moments which, as the proof shows, brought me no closer to setting my fingers on the key board and writing something. Anything. Sometimes I even felt my emails, facebook comments, notes sent through regular post all fell just slightly short. The question always remained – fell slightly short of what exactly? The answer to myself was always “You know…… something”.

That little “something” had an incredible debilitating effect. Nothing got done! Nothing that inspired me, encouraged me, pushed me or made me smile. That’s not a little something, that’s a HUGE something. A huge, ugly and nasty something.

Over the Christmas break, I rose early one morning and had a chance to work through some of my something’s. And here’s what I discovered about goals and change. I like to set goals and see them through to completion. I like to set my sights high and soar past them. I also discovered that I get discouraged and frustrated and ultimately quit if that doesn’t happen.

I quit. (Wow that looks ugly when written)

But it’s true. Excuses, other stuff and everything in between seem to get in the way and I quit. But here’s what I realized. Just because you set out to do something and it doesn’t work, doesn’t mean that the goal is finished. It just means you need to change directions and find something that does (because trust me, writing “I quit” hurts).

Far too often I get into the mind set that if something doesn’t happen within the parameter by which I set for myself, then it’s a complete failure. But it dawned on me that it’s not a failure but rather a goal looking for a change. If getting in shape and healthy is your goal, and running isn’t your thing, find something that is. Try yoga, cycling, walking, swimming. I would hedge my bets that most, if not all goals have multiple ways of being achieved, it’s a matter of finding one that works.

I know it sounds basic, almost blindingly obvious, but those are often the pieces that we miss.  I have set out to change a few things this year. Goals that I am setting out to achieve and in some cases conquer.

There will be lots of changes along the way. That’s ok – I have 2011 to thank for teaching me that lesson.

Happy 2012.  

Contest! Calling all Contest Lovers!

I'm proud to present an increible opportunity to have free baby bump photos taken! If your pregnant or know someone who is this is a great way to get photos taken. And for FREE!

I am working with Heart to Heart Calgary in an effort to bring awareness to pre-term labour.

Nearly half (40%) of the 50,000 babies expected to be born in Alberta this year will be born in Calgary. The rise in births in Calgary means there is a corresponding rise in pre-term births. Now more than ever is the time to support research, education and services that prevent pregnancy complications and encourage full-term healthy pregnancies, and that can only happen with adequate awareness and funding.

Drop by the Heart to Heart facebook page or come get your photo taken at the Mom & Tot Show at the BMO Centre on October 15 & 16. One lucky winner will have the opportunity to have an exclusive baby bump photo session (with all the trimmings) with yours truly! 

I can't think of a better way to support this amazing cause. I look forward to seeing you there.

First Day of School

For as long as I can remember, the first day of school was nothing compared to the week before, when the long quest to find school supplies had commenced. I loved shopping for supplies. Binders, pens, pencils, erasers, trig sets, and oh those beautiful coil notebooks. I had a bit of an obsession with empty, coil notebooks. Sometimes, I’d even convince my parents to buy me one- just to have it. It was never on the supply list, but that didn’t stop me from trying.

The first day of school was always chaos. Getting up early, making breakfast, making lunches, gathering everything in our backpacks. I was never organized enough to do that the night before.  Further to all of this, my mom always insisted that a photo of us be taken, minutes before the bus was to arrive. With our lunch bags in hand, we’d stand their patiently as she ran to find the camera, which always was lost in the abyss of the house. These photos at the time always felt weird and awkward, but looking back, they truly marked milestones for both me and my brother.

Being a country kid meant that we had to leave 5 minutes before the bus was supposed to arrive on our road due to the size of the driveway.  By the time the photos were taken and kisses exchanged, we’d be running, backpacks swinging from side to side, down the driveway to get to the bus, with my mom shouting GOOD LUCK!

As I walked my dog this morning, kids and parents passed me on their way to their first day of school. Full of anticipation and intrigue I would imagine, or perhaps fear and trepidation. Either which way, I miss those first days of school and the running down the driveway. And, as a salute to the start of a new school year, I bought a pack of pens yesterday –and found this old picture. Yes, that really is me. But more importantly, check out my pack of pens, colouring book and that super sweet couch.

Happy Thursday.

Where to Start?

It’s been the kind of summer that took feet and literally ran away with me. Between weddings, travel to Africa, a car accident and everything else, I feel like I’ve been constantly playing catch up with everything…including forgotten phone calls and missed emails.

My trip to Sudan and Ethiopia were nothing short of amazing. I promise to do an entire blog post about just that. I feel so grateful to be part of such an inspiring cause and to have worked with a group of people whose dedication and commitment to their people and their country is mind-boggling.

Upon my return to Canada, I was involved in a high-speed roll over that created quite the stir on the side of the highway. Police, ambulance, fire - the works all showed up. To sum up that very tense situation, my puppy and I were/are fine. After a trip to the hospital, back brace, neck brace and IV, I was cleared of all injuries. I’m incredibly grateful that I only walked away with a small scratch on my middle finger.  Unfortunately, my car didn’t fare so well. It was a total write-off, as they had to cut the roof off to extract me.

July and all it’s weddings, rolled into August. August has been filled with photo shoots of horses, the start of a new baby project in Calgary (Heart to Heart – Check out their Facebook page!), and my constant need to can and bake bread. To date, I’ve canned, tomato sauce, salsa, pickles, and countless jars of Jam. The farmers market and I have developed a serious relationship and I have to refrain myself from showing up there every weekend. Trust me, it’s been difficult. With my upcoming projects and adventures, I’ve told the farmers market that we’re off – well, at least until pears are in season.

So, my dear friends, there you have it. A small yet intense update about my summer. To my friends and family starting law-school, my friends planning weddings and to all of you who feel like it shouldn’t be September, please know I’m sending you lots of great vibes. September, in a similar sort of way feels like the start of a new year. And for me, the start of a new year feels like the start of something brand new and fantastic.  

Let’s cheers the end of summer, drink to new beginnings and set our sights on the future. Because you know what? It’s going to be fantastic!

Happy Wednesday!