[talk: Business Launch]

WELL – the secret is OUT. After much preparation, my new business, “redhanded photography” has been launched. Please consider this your personal invitation to come visit my new website: www.redhandedphotography.com

Over the last few years, my passion for photography and the capturing of candid moments was something that I thought could only be for me and my family. But after taking photos of other events and having requests from those who have seen my images, I have decided to walk through the door of opportunity and make my services available.

The idea of “redhanded” came from the image I had of capturing missed moments – and being “caught redhanded” in those moments J. My desire is to continue to learn and expand, focusing on events that the images tell the story (such as a birthday party, reunion, baby shower etc ...). I will also be offering my services for weddings and candid-style portraits.

So – if something is coming up and you think “hey – it would be nice to have someone else concentrating on the photo taking” or think that offering my services as a present (for a baby shower, bridal shower, child’s first birthday, soccer championships ... the possibilities are endless) would be a special gift, please feel free to contact myself.

All contact can be done through the website under “contact”.

(Man, why am I sweating as I post this????)

[talk: A Wee Bit of Ranting ...]

Ok. So - I've come home from a meant-to-be-a-nice-dinner-out-with-the-family and am still a bit peeved about the way the restaurant managed themselves.

We got there, along with my parents, at 5:20pm. Multiple, and I mean at LEAST a dozen other GROUPS came in after us, and were seated before us. Now, of course I can do the math. Not enough seats for six bums, and enough seats for four. But they actually sat a party of TWO at a booth for six ... that's just poor business sense during the dinner hour. And we were left waiting with a 4 and 2 year old who were grumpy and hungry.

We could've left ... but were never given a definite time on how long the wait would be. So we just stuck it out.

So, we were seated at 5:55pm. Our two boys were already restless, and as we already knew what we wanted, we ordered immediately - with a rush on the boy's food. Their food came within about 15 minutes. Not bad - I guess. Not really a rush, but no complaint as they were busy.

Our food? Another 30 minutes AFTER the boys got their food. We had been in the restaurant for 90 minutes and still hadn't eaten anything. Our waitress, bless her heart, got some of our orders wrong - so even when the food came (and most of it was cold, of course) we had to send stuff BACK to get it right. Then she told my mom that she was waiting on my mom's salad. SALAD. Like our 45 minute wait was due to lettuce. *grin*.

We got the manager to come over, and said, "Hey, just to let you know - this has been a less than satisfying experience tonight and we've seen how all the other tables have been served in due time. We're not happy." And she turned and said, "Well, all I can do is apologise." And walked away. No, "the beverages are on us" (which was one glass of milk and a lemonade). No, "perhaps a dessert would help?". Not a "here's a coupon for a complimentary appi the next time you come in." Nothing.

My dad graciously paid for the meal, and if ANY of you know him - he is a grand tipper. Always upwards of 20%. Not tonight. For the first time, because he felt it was the only way to express his disappointment, he didn't.

I have had friends in the food-industry explain to me about "tipping out". That the waitress has to share her tips with those behind the scenes and if the customer doesn't tip well, it can come out of her own pocket. Obviously, this is far from fair. But tonight the whole lot of them weren't up-to-par.

So, I'm curious - what would you have done?

[organize: Gotta Plan to Make It Work]

*blush*

I'm here? Are you? So sorry that I haven't been posting anything as of late ... and would you believe that I've been on the computer MORE in the last 2 weeks than ever before?? "Project 101" is almost done ... can't WAIT to share it with you. But, alas, you'll have to wait until it's completed ... although, I AM tempted ...

So, I was sitting here eating leftover Chicken & Vegetable soup and a glass of yummy cranberry (and half water *grin*) juice and I thought, "HEY! I haven't posted a menu plan!" And maybe it's not overly helpful for you, but it sure helps ME a lot. Is that selfish??

MONDAY: at in-laws
TUESDAY: Chicken & Vegetable soup, garlic bread (courtesy of my hubby)
WEDNESDAY: Marinated Flank Steak, scalloped potatoes, green beans
THURSDAY: Whole Wheat Fettuccine with Rosa Sauce, salad
FRIDAY: hoping to go out ...

Why am I hoping to go out on Friday? Because my hubby is leaving Saturday morning to Phoenix with 4 of his friends for four nights. They're off on a "Golf/Sporting Events" weekend ... it's out-of-control. Every day/night there's either a golf game, hockey game, basketball game ... or how 'bout this? The SUPERBOWL is happening that weekend IN Phoenix!

I'm glad to stay at home and have the remote to myself *grin* and I'm wondering how tired he'll be when he returns ...

[digiscrap & talk: Just Twiddlin' My Thumbs.]

HA! As if!! I may not have been blogging, but I have been out-of-control busy and feeling good about it. As long as I have an hour or two at SOME point in the day to have some silence - it's all good.

What have I been doing?? Well - the BIGGEST thing is still yet to come. I've been working on a new project-of-sorts. And it's been a time consuming venture and, although a creative outlet, a bit mind boggling at the same time. I'll be happy when it's finished ... because then, it can start! And then I can share it with you.

What else? Well, I've been preparing for the Women's Encounter that I'm leading worship for this weekend. I'm not staying the entire weekend, but coming home after the evening service on the Saturday night. This will be my 4th Encounter, and each time I look more and more forward to it. It's a chance to regroup, connect with others and just BE. It's out in the boonies *grin* - on a lake and is QUIET. I'm looking forward to that!

On Monday night, I felt a massive push to write ... and I haven't written any music since our church did an all-originals CD back in 2006. Sure, I've tried - but nothing's come. Just a bunch of little diddies that have no "omph" to them - and nothing ever finished. But Monday night, this song came to me and was written in less than an hour. That hasn't happened since "Just As I Am" ... and I felt such gratitude that I could still create something for Him. So grateful!

SO - I think I'm going to try it up at Encounter and see how it goes. Maybe I'll post it on here too ... just have to finish the legalities of it first.

So, see? Just twiddlin' my thumbs ... *grin*.

"NOW". It's working! ... oh. And here are a few pages I've done in those quiet moments *grin*.

[talk: The Time is NOW]

A friend of mine had a great challenge ... to find a WORD to describe what you want out of 2009. At least, that's how I interpreted it *smile*.

The word came instantly: NOW. The concept being that tomorrow is too late.

Too many times I say, "tomorrow". And I'm someone who isn't really known for not getting things done - but due to the massive list of things I WANT to do, something always seem to have to wait until tomorrow.

But "NOW" doesn't mean feeling guilty tomorrow for what I didn't do today. No, NOW means using NOW the best that I can. Maybe it means staying up late and completing a song that I've been working on, or maybe it means going to bed early just to make sure that I get the necessary sleep I need to be a good mom the next day. NOW means not making excuses for things I'm afraid to start. Or finish. NOW means that I don't have regrets about wasting the time that God gave me NOW to use. And if it's used to host, clean, sing, play, go out, work out, read, meet new people ... it doesn't matter. As long as the NOW counted.

So - this word has lit a fire under me. There are so many, many things that I'm going to be doing this year that are because of NOW. And I'll get into that in another post ... But because I've named it and called it what it is - it makes me more aware of it.

NOW. And today - was good *smile*.

How 'bout you? Does this ring a bell for you too?