[talk: The Hubby, The Rink, The Ambulance]

What a day.

It started with a phone call from my hubby at 8:45am - just as I was walking out the door with our boys to music class. He was in an ambulance, with what was thought to be a broken ankle.

Every Tuesday morning, he goes to skating lessons - specifically to improve his hockey skills. It was a Christmas gift and was a 10 week course. Today, during a drill, he rolled his foot and slammed into the boards ... at least that's what I think happened.

It was a big day - full of wonderful help from extraordinary friends. JP - you are a God-send ... a true definition of friend. My husband and I are lucky to have you and your giving wife in our lives. RM - thanks for lunch at the hospital *smile*. The BLT was perfect, and so was the light conversation. You are a life-long friend ... so so loved. TP - thank you for loving our boys and watching them today ... they had so much fun and it was such a relief to not have to drag them around emergency today. THANK you, you continue to grow a special place in my heart. And to all of you who phoned, who let me vent, who sent emails and notes ... thank you. I let my hubby know about them all.

So ... prognosis? A broken leg. The front bone (shin) not only broke, but split all the way down to the ankle, which is why his ankle was in so much pain. Seriously - he was in SO much pain. Diagnosis? Well. This is what it looks like ....

AND ... he will have it for 4 weeks, then another 12 weeks with a shorter cast. No hockey for the rest of the season, and possibly golf too - but not sure of the time line on that. But for now - I'm trying to figure out our lives ... being 15 weeks pregnant, I'm so tired - but now I'm taking care of 3 ... and what I'm most worried about is, is carrying things: the laundry basket (I'll just have to bring it down before it gets too heavy), the garbage cans, carrying Josiah when I'm tired at the end of the night.

I'm trying to figure out how he's going to get to work. With the full cast, he won't be able to reach the pedal with his right leg. So, potentially, I could be doing the driving ... and the thing that scares me the most - is not having a break, when I need it. I know that family and friends will help, but you know how it is - the moment when you really need it is usually the moment when no one is around. That's just the way it is, I'm preparing for that *smile*. But, not having a help mate for 4 weeks, or longer, just scares me.

BUT - I know that he is a strong, proud guy *smile*. He will not like to be waited on for very long ... he'll want to get out and do things. And if he's going out for lunch with the boys, I'm sure he'll be ready and willing to help out. HA! He'd better!

So there you have it.

OH and the wedding I photographed this past Saturday??? SO fun ... and the pics? I took 2300 of 'em. And there are a lot of "winners" in that pile ... I feel GREAT about it ... I'll post more about that tomorrow.

Or maybe the day after that. Depends what tomorrow holds for me *smile*.

[redhandedphotography: Saturday's Wedding]

Well ... I'm a teensy bit panicked, I have to admit. I'm photographing a wedding this Saturday and am nervous not because of any reason other than the weather. The forecast for Saturday is rain ... and possibly snow *ugh*. And some lovely wind too. How great.

I have literally spent hours going through various sites, once also with the clients as they showed me the type of photos they would like: edgy, modern, fun. Which is all wonderful - except all of the decided locations are open air, and not under cover. Obviously, a bride is not going to want to stand in the rain - although she has purchased CUTE polka-dotted umbrellas for her and her girls ... but there's also the concern about my equipment in the rain. I can't hold an umbrella, or allow it to obstruct light ... *ugh*. Obviously, someone could help hold something over me - but stilllll.

So today I drove around, for hours, with my boys - university campuses, local parks and greenhouses, other church grounds, schools ... anywhere that had cover. But I am afraid that due to the weather, I will only be able to capture one STYLE of photo. Everything is overtly "urban" ... obviously, there won't be the sunlight streaming through the wheat as they walk hand in hand ... *sigh*.

SO, I have a list - and am satisfied that if the weather doesn't co-operate, I can still do a really great job and provide photos that my clients will fall in love with.

But I wonder if you would happen to have any ideas?

Would love to have a plan a, b, c, d ... and even e, I think.

[talk: SHOUT Outs ... update]

Just wanted to give you an update. One of the sites (lifelivedesign) has a new site that can be found here. One note, is that sometimes the menu panel goes vertical, as apposed to horizontal at the top of the page. Simply click one of the words to enter her site (ie cake decorating, flowers etc ...). Enjoy!

[talk: SHOUT Outs]

I know that many of you who come and visit, are apart of a "circle of blogs". You found me through a friend's site, or you visit en route to another ... THANK YOU for stopping by.

This morning, I have a little boy with a fever on the couch, and another who is so full of energy. I was up at 3:45am this morning, administering medicine to Mattias, and to my hubby who had the shakes and a wicked cough. And being 14 weeks preggo (well, tomorrow I'm 14 weeks), I NEED my sleep ... how I'm going to get through another day, trapped at home, stuck in the rain, with little sleep ... Lord, help ME.

So, to "escape" for a few minutes, I like to roam around friend's blogs & pages and realized that they've created some pretty cool sites. So many of my friends have SUCH talent and a business sense that I so admire.

Here are some of my favourites ... and not all are blogs - but hey, go visit ... And - they're in NO particular order *wink*. Love 'em ALL.

www.michaelvwilson.com : I am so proud of my cousin ... he and his wife moved from New Zealand to Canada a few years ago, and have really run with the opportunity here. His dream is to create movie scores, and I can't WAIT to see his name in the credits one day. Visit his site to hear some of the music he's created ... I'm certain you'll be impressed!

www.art-blocks.com : That same cousin, and his wife, have SUCH great business sense and saw an opportunity to market something new for our city. These art blocks feature scenes from Canada and are being marketed to merchants in the city for the 2010 Olympic Games. SO smart!!

"With Love" Cakes By Shawna : This girl is sheer talent ... and grown a hobby into a business. Her work is simply lovely, affordable and done with excellence. I'm so proud of her passion for living life and creating beautiful treats!


Entertaining My Way: My close friend and I think very alike. Organized, structured ... logical. And when she decided she was going to post recipes, she figured it best to put them on their own site. I LOVE this page ... I know most of these recipes personally ... and am addicted to her "Cream Corn." I warn you ... if you try it, you will - um - gain 10 pounds. BUT IT'S SO WORTH IT!

LIFELIVEDESIGN : My dear friend, AL, is as smart as they come. She has her Masters and I love a good, deep discussion with her. Her business, though, shows her creative side and her attention to detail. Everything she does, she does well ... *smile*

Ok ... I must get onto doping up my child with more Tylenol (poor little guy). Hopefully you'll enjoy visiting these sites ... and if you haven't been before, come visit my new photography site. Would love to have you drop by: http://www.redhandedphotography.com/

If YOU have a site that you'd like me to post, let me know ... always love to learn and see new things!

[talk: The Bachelor. How Pathetic.]

Ok. What is WRONG with our world, people??

I haven't commented much on the show, "The Bachelor", but I cannot refrain from venting about the lack of standard that our generation seems to have. I cannot get OVER how people are all, "ohhh - it's such a love story for Molly and Jason." Are you KIDDING me? He is wishy washy, and has lost all credibility as far as I'm concerned. His excuse being that he wished he could "control his feelings" is something I was taught in grade 8 ... men CAN control their emotions and don't let them manipulate you into thinking that they are "poor, unfortunate souls" who have to succumb to every whim based on how they feel.

This seems to be the way our society thinks ... do what feels good. Don't worry about hurting other people, don't worry about breaking your word, don't worry about teaching your children that love is a feeling that changes from day to day. You commitment is based on your heart, not your word.

Now ... certainly, there is room for error. Obviously - he shouldn't marry someone that he feels isn't right for him ... but it doesn't dismiss the words he used and the fact that he felt strong enough to tell Molly that he was not choosing her because he was "in love with someone else." Or, did he forget that??

Ok. My blood is boiling ... here is what I posted on a friend's site on her comment page. It pretty much sums it up for me:

Ok. Here's my thing ... I didn't know anything prior to watching the show - and I was mighty shocked. Not that he chose Melissa, but that he backed out. As far as I'm concerned, he has lost all credibility ... his words mean nothing. How can Molly possibly trust anything he says?? And kissing him 20min after he breaks up with his FIANCE??? The woman he said he LOVED and wanted to be with FOREVER.

I was pleased that Melissa at least said a few things on her mind ... made him look like a the fool that he is. Not because he chose her, but because he is spineless and a wimp.

Makes me sick. This is not a love story - this is not the "happy ending" for Molly and Jason ... it is exactly what is wrong with our world. The mere fact that he kept saying that he wished he could control his emotions, is the lamest thing ever. COME ON PEOPLE. This is the standard that people have come up with ... do what FEELS right. Don't live with regrets.

And as for Molly ... sincerely pathetic. She should have gotten up, walked out and reminded him that he PROPOSED to someone else. He had his chance ... and had the esteem to not be someone's 2nd choice.

All I know is that I've seen him say "I love you" to 2 women, get on his knee, propose ... and now he's onto someone else ... all in a year.

How can this be anything but shameful?

Did you watch? Do you care? Do you think that this is a love story, that we should give Jason a break? Do you think that our moral standard of feelings vs commitment is tainted? Do you think reality t.v. has gone too far - and made a mockery over the sanctity of marriage? Will you watch next season??

*sigh*. Ok. I'm tired.