Blizzard

I love North Dakota.  Seriously, I do.  We are in the middle of a little breezy day.  Really it's just a walk in the park.  I woke up at four o'clock this morning to check cancellations and keep an eye on the weather.  No cancellation for this girl so off I went...good thing I didn't get far; my phone rang with the news of a late start.  Whoo hoo!  At least I'll be able to travel in the daylight I thought to myself.  So back to my house I went to drink some more coffee and watch music videos.  Then, it was time to leave for the second time.  The light did not help.  Not one little bit.  But, I'm not the kind of person to just not go to work so I kept going. 

I changed my route three times.  I had a nervous breakdown.  I couldn't find the road.  I cried.  I prayed.  I talked to my vehicle.  I called my family.  I called my boss seven times.  I called his boss (my big, big boss) one time.  I lost my mind.  I had another nervous breakdown.  I hear from the big, big boss that no work today after all.  Perfect. 

I drove home.  I changed routes only once (my head is not just a hat rack).  I had a nervous breakdown.  I couldn't find the road.  I cried.  I prayed.  I talked to my vehicle.  I called my family.  I didn't call my boss.  I didn't call the big, big boss.  I found my mind.  I took some pictures. 

I only took pictures when it wasn't so bad.  I'm not crazy enough to take pictures when I can't find the road.  Now, that would be just plain ridiculous.  I also didn't stop or get out of the vehicle to take pictures for the fear of getting slammed into.  That would also be plain ridiculous.  So these are through the window. 

Hello lovvaaa.  Yellow line -- I heart you.  Seriously, more than my toothpaste even. 

Ok, yep, it might have reared up again.  I put the camera away at this point.  I swear. 

It "cleared" up again for a minute.  Tree out there -- I feel ya.  Standing all alone, facing the world.  You can do it Lone Ranger.  You can. 

I've always wanted to try those self portraits in the rear view mirror and really, why not try that in the middle of a blizzard?

I said to myself.  "Self.  This is not a good idea right now."  So I quit that nonsense...until I was safe in my driveway.  This is my I fought the blizzard and won look. 

Please ignore the eyebrows.  I was supposed to have a hair appointment/eyebrow wax this afternoon.  Yeah.  That's not going to happen.  Unruly eyebrows unite! 

I then realized I had actually bitten a little hole in my lip during the white knuckled, jaw clenched drive.  Sweet.  Did I mention I love North Dakota?

Sweet

People of Haiti -- my heart is with you.  It's at times like these when I realize that my little stresses in life are nothing.  I have a warm place to live, food, clean water, a job, a family, and the list goes on and on.  I'll take my little everyday issues because they tell me I'm living.

I went to visit my neice and nephew (and their parents of course) this evening to get some good family time in.  I couldn't help but giggle at their young, carefree spirits.  My neice is quite the little firecracker and my nephew is an easy rider.  Firecracker was reading me a Fancy Nancy book and using words like compromise, heirlooom, and extravagent and then would look up at me and say, "That means..."  Easy Rider was running around with a blaze orange stocking hat perched on his head, sunglasses on his face backwards, a play screwdriver in his left hand, and his CAT cell phone in his right hand, all the while telling us he was going to work.

It's during moments like those when I realize just how good life is.  Even though it can be a gong show at times, it's still sweet.  Crazy weeks and all. 

The Seniors of 2010

I had the honor of shooting three seniors this year...taking their picture, not actually shooting.  Three was the perfect number this year between grad school, writing my thesis, mowing my lawn, emptying my dishwasher, you know...life gets busy!  They were all unique in their interests and styles and were such a good time. 

I'll start with Elizabeth.  She's a vibrant thing who just jumps in with both feet.  We fought mock-10 winds the whole day, but she was a trooper.  She also found me quite entertaining which is always nice.

Next was Jessica, actually she was a friend of Elizabeth's who came along for pictures too.  She's a girl who stays true to herself...I could just tell the minute I met her.  Also, she has one blue eye and one brown eye which is amazing!  She told me when she was a kid it wasn't so amazing to have that going on.  It was then I realized my first assessment of her was correct...strong girl.   

Last, but certainly not least, was Ian.  Ian is a boy who loves his cows.  I seem to end up taking pictures of boys and their cows quite frequently.  Good thing I have a lot of experience in the cow area because they end up sniffing me and trying to run me over while I'm taking the pictures.  I forgot my flash in the pasture with Ian's cows and what followed was an interesting conversation between myself and a cow while I snuck slowly and carefully up to the cow in a half squat, half walk, real graceful like move.  It went something like this...

"Ok, little mama, I'm just going to creep up next to you here and grab that flash that's two inches away from your hoof."

"Mooo."

"I just need you to not move so you don't crush my flash."

"Mooo (head swing), moooooo."

"Ok, mmmhhmm, yep, I'm almost there.  You are so pretty (I was pulling anything out at this point).  Please don't move."

"Mooooooooooooo."

"Oh, I'm right here..."

Then, I proceeded to carefully reach down and grab my flash and skidaddled outta there real quick!  I told Ian next time I was charging extra for cows.

Obviously the last picture was taken at a later date.  Ian's mom promised me a pontoon ride at the lake this summer with some yummy beverages if I came and took pictures of Ian with his hunting gear after the first snow.  It was an offer I couldn't refuse.  She also promised that this time I wouldn't have to sweet talk any cows.