2011 Is Waiting at The Door

2011 is at the door...

Rembember,

Life is short. 

Break the rules.

Forgive quickly.

Love truly.

Laugh uncontrollably

and

Never regret anything that made you smile.

The 2011 New and Improved Libra

As I was checking my email, Yahoo kindly reminded me of my new year horoscope.  I'd agree on many of their points.  My how entertaining horoscopes can be at times.

Libra

9/23 – 10/22

Year 2011 Overview

Oh the lessons you have endured over the course of 2010. You're not the same people-pleasing darling you were a mere 12 months ago. On the contrary darling -- you are in the midst of a powerful process of cultivating the kind of backbone that makes greatness. Thanks to big daddy Saturn you're learning your lessons well in relinquishing laziness, strengthening discipline, and realizing your authority. You're taking yourself more seriously in the arenas where it matters most. (Read: career and getting paid what you're worth.)

Relationships bring plenty of passion, drama and unexpected plot twists especially during the spring. By the time May rolls around you'll be dealing with an unprecedented amount of planetary energy firing up your relationship sector. With six planets including Venus, your ruler and Jupiter, the planet of abundance lining up in your partnership sector you'll be anything but lonely. The challenge lies in staying true to your own needs without getting lost in the persuasive me-me-me demands of your significant others.

Although some of Saturn's lessons will weigh in on a heavier note and perhaps depriving you of any former easy-outs or shortcuts, you have the uncanny ability to take it all in stride. There's something to be said for the inherent Libran laid-back approach to life's challenges. But under current planetary duress you may join the ranks of the stressful millions in your quest for regaining inner peace and unshakable equilibrium. Forever striving for that elusive balance, you're being put through the cosmic ringer when it comes to finding and holding your own with others. But you will get there Libra -- just you wait and see!

Year 2011 Career

You're still revamping your true vocational calling by cutting out all of the extraneous little side-jobs that once ate up so much of your precious time. The final days of the North Node in your career sector at the start of 2011 give you one last prodding to determine your own true north. No longer can you beg the question. Fence sitting in all aspects of your life is quickly becoming an extinct option, especially when it comes to your work. By nature you're indecisive but 2011 is the year for commitment. Put your doubts aside and just get on with what you do best: bringing more beauty and harmony to everything you touch. At the end of the day, you're an artist -- and that's that.

Although you may still be saddled with your fair share of responsibilities, you're finally able to see the forest through the trees and get a grip on the bigger career picture. You prefer any work that involves socializing, utilizing your creative and intellectual talents and of course flirting your heart out. This is why sitting behind an isolated desk doing menial tasks will just never rock your world. You're finally coming to terms with saying no to anything you consider a giant waste of your time, and you can thank Saturn for that. Adding to the planetary support to align work with soul, Neptune, the planet of glamour and dreams enters your work sector this April through August. It shall then again return in 2012 to stay for an extended 14-year ride, making sure that you absolutely adore what you do. This is a wonderful opportunity to find meaning and inspiration in your work.

Year 2011 Romantic

Co-dependency be damned, Libra! You've had your fill of accommodating every wish, desire and need of your mate to your own detriment. You're also finished with sugarcoating the truth and resorting to passive-aggressive tactics to get your needs met. For a sign that prefers balance, such extreme give and no take throws your scales way off kilter. The imbalance can no longer be ignored or justified. The rules of the game have changed and you've learned to just say no. Saturn has been working hard on rebalancing the karmic scales and forcing you to draw some serious lines in order to regain important equilibrium in your partnerships. Relationships continue to be a major priority this year Libra, but topping this list is the relationship you have with number one. Falling in love with yourself and being true to your needs is no longer a luxury but a dire necessity.

You've survived enough painful romantic disillusionments to last you a lifetime during Neptune's spell in your romantic sector over the past fourteen years. Of course falling in love certainly has it's high points but the crash after the reality check gets to be too much after enough heart-break repeats. The good news is that Neptune leaves your romantic sector for good allowing you to once again trust your perceptions when choosing your match. Love is especially in the air when Venus enters Libra in late September and early October, just in time to guarantee a wonderfully amorous birthday season.

One FINE Dinner

Tonight was the annual Fine Living Lancaster Holiday Dinner.  What a great time we all had.  A big thanks to Mark, my editor, as well as the Stockyard for a tasty meal all around.  I'm truly blessed to be surrounded by such great people in the working world.  Thanks to all!

My New Baby

She is so beautiful I can hardly stand it!  Twenty seven inches of pure joy!

First Family Portrait

Last week I met Zach and his family for a small family portrait.  It was the first time they had ever had pictures done, due to Zach's illness, so they were super excited for this event.  All three of them did wonderful.  It was such a pleasure being able to spend time with them.  Zach, I hope you feel better soon!!!!

New Mac?

Well, it's finally come, time to update my computer.  When I went into the store the other day and talked to the representative, I laughed when he told me that my Mac was a vintage model.  At only five years old, its ancient in computer years and therefore may not be fixable.(the power cord tip broke inside the computer)  It looks like a new mac may be in my future, but who knows.  I'm still waiting for the call to see if anything can be fixed for the time being.  After all, this is the first time I've had anything go wrong and it works like brand new!

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season.  Hope, Love and Cheer from our home to yours!

You'll shoot your eye out!

Classic.

Eve of Christmas Eve

In keeping with the laid back Christmas spirit this year,(no decorations or cards), I left my shopping until the last minute. I have officially finished all present buying today, eve of Christmas eve, leaving me one day to wrap everything. This itself is quite a task so keep your fingers crossed that I have time to accomplish all the last minute errands that seem to pop up. Happy wrapping to all the Santas out there.

Twice as Nice

I had the strangest thing happen today. I was browsing the Hallmark store and found the best quote and following that hours later found the same quote on a necklace charm that a friend was buying. I absolutely loved the quote but had never heard it before. It must mean something if I saw it twice today in two random places I usually never frequent. It suits me and my life well.

"Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself."

Redneck Christmas

I can totally get away with making fun of rednecks since I grew up in Dauphin and got harrassed for it from K-12.  So if anyone is offended, I appologize.  Last night we went for ice cream, in 30 degree weather, like a bunch of crazies, but the real story began when I walked in to a local ice cream shop.  While eating all I could do was soak in my redneck surroundings and laugh at how ridiculous it looked.  Christmas threw up inside this store.  It was awful.  So, due to the computer issue I am having, I had to come up with a great post today that needed no pictures, only a great imagination, hense Redneck Christmas was born.

1.  You know you're a redneck when you hang stuffed Rudolph and Frosty from your ceiling with yarn to decorate.
2.  You know you're a redneck when you use your practice 3D deer archery targets as reindeer for Santa's sleigh in your front yard.
3.  You know you're a redneck when you have shot gun shells strung on lights around the Christmas tree


YES, I have seen all of these things in real life.  I only wish you could experience a true Redneck Christmas of your own!

My Appologies

Due to unforseen computer issues, any clients that have recently had photos taken, may have a slightly longer turn around time. I appologize ahead of time.

Daily Horoscope

Sometimes just for entertainment I read my daily horoscope. Today when I read it I found it quite interesting and figured I'd share.


You've gained more than you've lost. Maintain that perspective today and be proud.

A Big Thanks

Tonight I was lucky to shoot an Army ball that my brother in law took part in.  It was a good time and I definitely couldn't have done it without the help of my hubby.  If it wasn't for his support I wouldn't have Kate Greenawalt Photography.  So for all those times that I don't say thank you enough,  a big thanks to him.  While we were still dressed nice we took a quick shot, something we don't nearly do enough of anymore.

Repeat Customers Are the BEST

One thing I love about my job is seeing the reaction when my clients see their photos for the first time.  Miss L took part in my boudoir marathon last month and had so much fun, she wanted to do another session.  She contacted me and we set it up very short notice but everything went off without a hitch.  When she saw her images she cried.  Its amazing to be able to make someone realize how beautiful they are.  Here is just one, since this shoot was a little bit more revealing than her last one.

ONE week Special

Purchase all gift certificates for half price this week only.  Great gift idea or last minute stocking stuffer.  Call today to save!  Gift cards start at only $25 for a $50 value.

Say Hello To My Little Friends...

Just when I thought I was going to make it through one Christmas season without getting sick, I open my mouth and insert foot.  Needless to say, I've found three best friends this week.

Braydon Part 2

Bray was quite the interesting this time around.  He is so much more mobile this year it's crazy.

All three together!

                                               A quick glance before taking off to run.

Mommy and Bray 

                                                               Daddy and Bray running

Finally slowing down...

Braydon's Second Christmas

It seems like just yesterday that I was meeting with Nicole to discuss maternity pictures and now here we are taking Bray's 2nd Christmas pictures already.  My how things sneak up on you.  Since it had briefly flurried the night before, we decided to do some fun pictures outside.  Here's just one for now.

The Tiger in Me

Sometimes my personality is best described as cold.  Because I may be strong willed, bull headed and determined, people often are thrown off and think that I am feisty and selfish.  This actually amuses me a little because deep down I'm such a people pleaser.  My exterior is sometimes hard to crack, but once you break through I promise I am the sweetest and most giving person you'll ever meet.  So imagine my response when Eric jokingly reminded me that there was a song about me....."There is a tiger in those tight fitting jeans."  I guess he does have a great point.  I am quite sassy, but I promise my roar is much worse than my bite.  I'm sure there are much worse things to be compared to other than a tiger....right?!

FaLaLaLa Lifetime

I'm embarrassed to admit it but I am secretly a sucker for lifetime movies.  They always seem to have the happily ever after endings we all love. Yes, they are corny, and yes, they are chick flicks, but I continually check the station to see if there are any new movies that I haven't watched.  Just my luck that during December they are featuring all the Christmas movies full of cheer and perfect endings.  So, as you read this I am probably probing the menu on FiOS to see what's playing...

#86 Accomplished

Last night was so much fun.  The four of us girls definitely missed our calling in life.  We have decided that we could photograph concerts full time.  After finding out we had total access and free reign anywhere on stage and backstage, I got a little star struck.  Although it was more of a teeny bopper concert, I did get to see Flo Rider, which was amazing!  I was literally less then 2 feet away and he made eye contact several times. haha  Leisa even got an embrace from him! Here is just one picture that I grabbed.

Jingle Ball

I'm so excited. Tonight I will be helping a fellow photographer shoot the 99.3 Kiss FM Jingle Ball.  I'll be able to go back stage and photograph all the performers.  It's going to be awesome.

Best Breakfast

Sunday morning instead of getting the usual for breakfast, I decided to splurge a bit.  When my order came out I couldn't help myself.  I had to snap a picture on my phone.  Yes, I ate an ice cream sundae on waffles for breakfast!  YUMMIE

Winter Poem

Some days I long to be at the beach, even if it is 30 degrees out.  This poem describes every detail so perfectly I can almost picture myself there.

Winter Seascape by John Betjeman

The sea runs back against itself
With scarcely time for breaking wave
To cannonade a slatey shelf
And thunder under in a cave.

Before the next can fully burst
The headwind, blowing harder still,
Smooths it to what it was at first -
A slowly rolling water-hill.

Against the breeze the breakers haste,
Against the tide their ridges run
And all the sea's a dappled waste
Criss-crossing underneath the sun.

Far down the beach the ripples drag
Blown backward, rearing from the shore,
And wailing gull and shrieking shag
Alone can pierce the ocean roar.

Unheard, a mongrel hound gives tongue,
Unheard are shouts of little boys;
What chance has any inland lung
Against this multi-water noise?

Here where the cliffs alone prevail
I stand exultant, neutral, free,
And from the cushion of the gale
Behold a huge consoling sea.

Mia Testarossa Hair and Tanning Salon

A big thanks to my sister in law,  Jenn, for helping me in the past with hair and makeup for a few shoots.  In return she asked me to take a promotional shot of her for her salon.  Thanks so much for everything Jenn!

Sad Irony

During my quest to accomplish my life list I have come to learn a lot about myself and people I know. It's during this important process that I have also learned that some of those people who should be supportive of me and my decisions, no matter what they may be, have been the ones to judge me the hardest. My message to them is that maybe the reason they feel like they don't know me any longer or that they think I have lost myself, is because they have had this perfect illusion of who I should be, but never was. I have grown strides this year and have accomplished many of the things I have dreamed about. I find it sadly ironic that when I am starting to finally feel like myself that people say that they don't even recognize me anymore. It's time for me to be me.

Small Addition

I faced my fears today and added a small addition and reminder of how inspired I am with my hopes and dreams in life.  While still in the shop, someone saw it and said it was so cute and dainty (just like me) lol.  I can now cross off #43.

A Great Day

Two awesome things happened today:
1.  My college wants to feature me in a local magazine due to my success as a photographer following graduation
2. I saw Love and Other Drugs

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

My Haunted House

According to several people from this area, my house was and is haunted.  Thankfully in the two plus years that I've lived here I haven't experienced anything too exciting.  With the addition of our fence I think the house looks even more like a creepy old house.  Tonight I quick snapped a picture of the in progress fence and house so that you all can see that it's starting to look like my own little fortress.  I can't wait until its finally finished so I don't have to take the dogs out for their early morning potty breaks, especially in the snow.

Quote of The Day

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us."
            ~Joseph Campbell