the simple joys in life...

--Taking a shower that uses all the hot water in my apartment's little hot water heater
--Garlic
--Smiling at a stranger and receiving a smile in return
--Hot food/cold ice cream
--Dean's old t-shirts/sweat pants
--Phillip
--The perfect driving soundtrack
--Seeing the static electricity in the covers after the lights are out
--Having my phone scream "CHICKEN NUGGETS" in my nephew's voice whenever my sister calls
--Bernard the teddy bear
--Long phone conversations
--Short phone conversations
--Rex the flashlight

that coffee feeling...

Today could have turned out to be a very bad day... I woke up several times and had difficulty getting back to sleep... and me with interrupted sleep does not equal a happy me.  On top of that... the internet that was supposed to be connected today can't be... and I got poor Phillip stuck in the ally.  Can it be spring yet please?  I even started my spring cleaning in hopes of tricking the weather into being less snowy/icy/sleety and more sunny/warm/wonderful.

But... April in her infinite wisdom... or just in need of some caffeine herself... decided we needed Starbucks.  And with that wonderful coffee feeling I put on my new pants that came in the mail today... remembered I finally have an appointment with the doctor... and smiled the rest of the day.

"Did you say poison ivy?" - A friend shoot :)

So... 

this shoot was a challenge... 

it was hot... 

we were tired... 

AND... 

my lovely photo assistant Miss Dianna got poison ivy so bad that she had to go to the Dr!

But we got some good photos and had some fun all the same :)

 

 

 

Love these two girls for getting through it all... but I must admit... my favorite photo of the entire day... the photo that is now going to be the background for my home AND work computer is the one below :)

They were DONE with the balloons!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!

I love her...

... she is awesome :)

My Happiness Project

Like I said in my last post... I feel like I've been on autopilot since I moved to Indiana.  I want that to change now.

I stole a resolution from my friend Joe this year.  He attempts to read 25 books per year.  Now to some... like my best friend Kimmie Jo... 25 books can be read in a month or two easily... but for me... the girl who works in a library but only read one book last year and thought she was doing great...25 books is a daunting task.  Over Christmas I found an author I love through audio book.  On my 4 hour... or 5 hour when the weather is bad... drive to my hometown I like to listen to audio books.  Joe says audio books don't count but it keeps me awake and alert when driving such distances.

BOOK 1 - Sloane Crosley: How did you get this number

 Awesome book... love her... great essays that kept me interested through all 288 pages.

BOOK 2 - Gretchen Ruben: The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

 Another great read... and the inspiration to get me out of my autopilot funk!  The author of this book spent a year working toward resolutions that would improve her overall happiness... and though I'm not on as strict of a deadline as she was... I'm going to make resolutions that I will strive for and force myself out of my cozy little comfort zone that seems to be holding me hostage.

Title of my project: Grownup adventures... in a baby car.

My resolutions:

Find Janell.
Don't let fear keep me from doing things... especially the things I love.
Be a grownup about money.
PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY

What I hope to achieve:

Become a runner
Always try to feel pretty
Eat as if Dean were watching
Plan a grownup wardrobe
Wear heals once a week
Read 25 books in 2011
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Stop being afraid of the laundry mat

Spend less time in bed... more time @ desk
Be tidy
Get rid of things no longer needed
Get internet
Go to the Dr

Move to Korea
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College debt plan
Buy new camera equipment

Plan for Phillip (baby car) while in Korea
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Blog 3x a week 

Carry camera everywhere

Become expert in Photoshop 5
Become expert in Lightroom 3
Be an intern

Blog @ wordpress - upgrade to new website + prophoto

Things to remember:

I am VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY blessed.
Don't get discouraged.
8 hours of sleep = not mean Janell
Good food + regular schedule = not mean Janell
One day at a time.
If I'm willing to put in the work... God will make amazing thing happen.