Wednesday, I attended the Smarter Business Workshop held by Anne Ruthmann.  The whole day gave me ideas and knowledge to implement my business and hopefully see it grow and take off.  However, I think that the biggest thing that I have taken away from the day is the fact that I am the one who has to make this happen.  Now.  I need to stop making excuses, stop putting other things first and stop saying "Oh, when this is done, or that is done, then I'll work on my business". There are things behind the scenes that I need to get organized and in line.  My pricing structure, my portfolio, other business related stuff that doesn't involve the fun of taking pictures then uploading and editing them.  But that's okay.  I need to do these things and I need to do them now.  They are not things that will happen in one day, but I am going to start scheduling time to work on all of them.  There I said it.  I am putting it out there in the universe.  I am going to start making a schedule for myself.  Not going to try and schedule, I AM going to schedule.  I have a lot going on, but I take those things on.  It's who I am, and it's how I function best.

Awhile back I tried using the Teux Deux app on my iPhone, just for a week, but it really did help.  I am that person who never feels like she is doing enough. Having lists and crossing off items, made me not only accomplish more, but also let me see that sometimes I really am accomplishing enough already.  (and I am totally guilty of adding things to the list after they are done, just so I can cross them off! Hey, I want credit :-)

I have another post coming soon about where I've been, cause when I looked at my blog, I haven't blogged since October!  Whaaaat?!!!  Shameful.

Here's a hint about that post:

taken with iPhone 4

I did a family shoot today for a family I LOVE!  Today is Mary Jo's birthday and as a surprise, her husband and two kids had me come over to get some long over due photos of them together.  How awesome, right?!  Here's just one quick one of Jeff and Mary Jo.  It is also my mother-in-laws birthday today and we are going to dinner in a minute, but I just had to get one quick photo up before I leave.  How fun is this shot?!  Love it!

Tonight Tim and I are going to see David Gray and Ray LaMontagne at Meadowbrook.  Even though I have seen both before, I am super excited because I know how awesome they are live individually, so imagine both in the same venue at the same time!  Considering it's 4:33pm, I really should be getting in the shower and getting ready.  I have been a little distracted though watching this very cool and free :) live broadcast of a wedding workshop by Jasmine Star and creativeLIVE.    Just to put me behind a little bit more, I decided that I needed to put together a blog post.  I am very guilty of squeezing in as many things as I possibly can in a short amount of time.  Yes this sometimes backfires, but very often Tim is in complete shock that I manage to get done what I do, so I am going to stick with it for now.  AND, I have been on roll (sorta) with blogging, I have been really trying to make sure I blog at least a couple of times a week. This past weekend my sister Lauri and her fiance ( & my friend first :)  Ryan came over to go for a bike ride and brought along their new puppy Izze.  Half chiuaua, half pomeranian, she is super tiny and super cute.  I of course had to grab my camera and do an impromptu little session.  Man is she fast!  It is not very easy to get a puppy to stay still long enough to frame a good shot, let alone get them in focus.  We managed to get a few that I think show her supermodel-ness.

P.S. Please excuse if my spelling or grammar isn't perfect, I'm rushing a bit :)

Braylin & William, the backyard next door, Royal Oak, MI

if you missed the first one, here it is {just a peek}

When Tim asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday this year, my response was "I know I'm a total dork, but I'd really like to take the dogs to that dog park where they can go swimming".  We always mean to go, but everyday life kept getting in the way.  What better way to celebrate my birthday than some time away with my man and my two canine babies?!  Sitting home tonight, I remembered that I hadn't taken the photos of my CF card yet.  Here's a couple of them.  It's late and I've been up way too long.  Maybe I'll add more tomorrow.