Belly Laughs & Bonfires.

Well, we all succeeded in ending the day
back here at the house for pizza and a bon
fire. Even Megan's friend, Sergio, made the
trip out. Gary put the rest of the red
Christmas lights up outside and got the wood
ready and put more chairs out front and
we truly believe that we solved all the
worlds problems. There's just something
about a bonfire that brings out the most
engaging conversations.

Gary crashed on the porch and Megan and I
slept in our bed. Another late night.
I'm gonna need a vacation once everyone
goes home! :D

Not sure how long everyone is staying but my
real life is beckoning. I have much to do in
the way of work and so if you are waiting for
anything, be patient. I'll be contacting you soon.

No big plans today.

Full House.

Gary's out on the porch watchin' TV.
I had to come downstairs to use my
iMac cuz my laptop needs some TLC.
Megan will return later today from
her brother's house and we will all
hang out tonight...I'm thinkin' fire pit!

What a day yesterday.
I am so thankful to be near all of
my family members and friends.
Now my family is growing and my friends
are growing. Megan joined us for a meal
at Gary's mom's and at my sister's.
It was awesome.

No malls today but there are 2 families
checking into the Hilton today Megan will
be back later on.

How long does the 'ol L-Triptophan stay
in your system anyway? I felt like a mid
morning nap a bit ago! :D

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Getting ready for the annual "FOMA".
(that's a 'food-coma' to those of you
not in the know)!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Thanksgiving Day Eve.

Today Megan arrives from Chicago.
She won't get here until around 6 or 7
but that gives me some time to get
a little more organized and run and
get her some Sweet & Low. :)

These are shots from past visits.
Hope we don't get kicked out of Macy's again.






Megan is going to stay here tonight and
then head to her brothers and stay there
tomorrow night but will be encountering
a Thanksgiving like no other....a "CF"~
Craig Function...others in the family might
refer to the CF as a "Cluster _____".
We LOVE the chaos and I can't wait for the
merriment to begin!!!

Boo is anxious for the guests to arrive too!
Shredding toilet paper, arranging his toys
and practicing his "surprise!" from the empty
wine box...watch out!!!

Have a great Holiday everyone!

Thanksgiving Plans Grow.

My friend Megan, from Chicago, is coming
to town to see her brother's family for
Thanksgiving and is going to spend some
time here, at our home, as well!
I'm so excited! Megan will be coming over
to my sister's for Thanksgiving with Gary
and I. Anne's totally cool with that!
Gotta love a sister who will find a spot
for 1 more! That makes 25! YIKES!

I was on call yesterday in the west for NILMDTS
and received 2 calls. The first one was at
Children's in Minneapolis and the 2nd was
for the UofM Children's. Very different losses
I was nearly sent away on the 2nd session due
to the fact that the father was pretty firm
on not wanting any photography. The mom insisted
on my services and so the father stepped out,
I entered the room, hopped up on the bed with
she and her son and granted her request.
As I left the room, I waited to make eye contact
with the father, nodded and mouthed the words
"thank you." and he said "thank you."

I hate that these losses occur but I am forever
grateful that God has given me the ability, the
talent and the support that I need to walk into
these families lives, at what must be the most
intimate of moments, and give them images that
will help them remember, mourn & heal.

On an up note...today is Kiki's birthday!
She's Owen & Reese's mom, my brother's wife.
I love her. Happy Birthday Kindra! :)

A late Saturday post.

I received a call for a NILMDTS session
this morning at 4am...of course I responded.
To Jacquie's delight, I will not post any photos.
(you're welcome!)

I was not on call nor do we typically respond
in the middle of the night but my phone rang
and I just couldn't ignore it. Nor could I even
THINK about calling Matt Moses (who was on call
today)...and to Matt, you're welcome! ;)

All went well. Slippery drive in the snow & all.
I returned home around 6:30 and could NOT get
back to sleep and of all Saturdays, this one
I scheduled several hair clients! UGH!!
Hence the nap later in the day.

I have some really terrific shots from a trip
to see Santa (with Reese & Owen) from Thursday
and I intend on posting them tomorrow.

I'm getting excited for the big gathering at my
sister's on Thursday for Thanksgiving. Thanks Anne
for hosting, ALWAYS!!

BRRRRRRR.

He's coming and there's nothing I can
do about it! Old Man Winter!
See, now there's a yucky thing named
after guys...take THAT!

Thanksgiving is a week away and I am
so excited for the craziness to begin!
With a big family and all the kids it's
really more fun to just get together!

Fortunately, my family all lives near by.
We, sort of, surround our mother which is
nice too. No one has to travel any great
distance for anything. LOVE that.

Contrary to what's being reported on the
news, we are not cutting back this year
due to the economy but more for reasons
of simplicity...no one really needs anything.
I'm going give outside of my family to
those that do. Gary and I have again committed
ourselves to not getting one another anything.
It's just silly. I'm more of a little stocking
stuffer kind of gal anyway but now that Hobie
and Katie aren't here...Boo may just end up
the winner here in this house!

I'd like to say that I'm going to try to
stay out of the stores in December but
the hustle and bustle of it all gets me
all revved up! Such as I love walking into
a mall and hearing a high school band playing
or choir singing Christmas Carols.

A great memory from my childhood is standing on
risers atop the covered fishpond at the 7hi
shopping center with my mom looking on, mouthing
the words of the song that I was singing!
"...silver bells...silver bells..."
WOW!

Leave me a special memory of yours from
Christmas's gone by in the comment section
below. On December 22nd I will pick my
favorite and send you off a little gift!
Thanks.

Today...go ahead and get the whipped cream
on top! :P~~~

Driving & Diving.

My nephew, Ben, takes his drivers test today.
I'm so excited for him!
Then, he's going to take his SCUBA certification
written exam. He's going to beat me by a few days.
Ben and I will complete our certification down
in Mexico this winter because we kept postponing
our open water dives to the point where it's just
too cold. No biggie, Ben and I are great dive
partners anyway so it'll be another grand memory!

It is trying to snow again so it's nice to talk
about diving and Mexico!

Gary got home at about 10 last night. That was a
long day for him, indeed. Hunting followed by
a 7 hour drive...ugh! So nice to have him home!

Poor Target only a $369 million profit last quarter! :(

T-Wolves lose to Portland.

I got to see Greg Oden play last night.
He plays for Portland. I barely recognize
anyone on our team anymore. But to be
honest, I haven't been following much
recently. Lots of empty seats.

I spoke with a gal last night about
arranging to get tickets for the Miracles
of Mitch Foundation. We need to act
fast cuz she's going to join the Celtics
organization next Friday! :\

I also ran into Bill & Teri Popp.
I met them last summer at the Starkey Gala
where they were honored for their contributions.
I reintroduced myself and just said "hello."

We hit Bellanote after the game (where I was
over served!). So many great people were there
last night! I had so much fun last night that
I felt the need to call R&C and apologize! ;)

Boo knocked the remote off the headboard on to
my head this morning which simply translates to
"get up! feed me!"

Gary comes home today from pheasant hunting.
He called and said that they were going to stay
and hunt today and get home late. Usually they
skip hunting on this day and roll into town
around 3 or 4..looks like I may get a quick nap
in later today! ;)

Well, that's really it for now.
Thanks for checking in!

Quiet Saturday.

Boo and I were so wiped out from our
whirlwind trip to Albert Lea to see Jo
that we hit the hay last night around 9:00.
I woke up around 5 and Boo was sleeping
smack dab behind me, right up against me.
I think he was happy to be in his own bed.
He usually sleeps at the end of the bed so
this was extra special for me too.
He's really becoming quite the snuggler.


The drive home was much quicker with no rain.
Boo slept almost the entire way on top of
Gary's sweatshirt in the passenger footwell.
The gray, dreary sky, cruise control set,
Boo sleeping and the wine from last night
made me a sleepy driver but, nonetheless, I
stayed alert and made it home safe and sound.
I dropped off Boo and all my stuff that I
brought along (Jo gifted me with a lot of things
as well), grabbed my camera and got back into
traffic and headed to the Hilton. Owen was
coming back for a second Minnesota Miracle
weekend. He and his family had a scheduled
MM back in April but Owen was just not up for
it so that weekend was cut short. The foundation
decided that they needed another crack at it
so this was the weekend. This one I covered
solo. The family requested that because they
had already experienced a MM recently that it
was not necessary to re-gift them with all the
usual things like balloons, gifts in the room,
Underwater World passes, Nickelodeon Universe
passes, VISAs, cameras, etc...BUT...we just
wouldn't have it any other way! So up to the
room I went with them to get my usual "secret
photos" and with hugs all around I was on my
way..another wonderful family being gifted
with a weekend to forget about cancer...or at
the very least, be distracted from it! :)

Back into the traffic...it's so dark now at 5:30!
I followed the sea of red tail lights home.
No stopping, just get home, into my jammies and
sit with my Boo.

Here are some shots from Boo's excellent adventure.

Wiper blades were a HUGE hit!



"...Excuse me officer, but I don't recall
there ever being a law against taking photos
while driving."



Jo's wheel chair was also a HUGE hit!



I brought Jo a stocking for her to have
at our house 'cuz she'll be with us for
Chrtistmas.





Lizzy let Boo on the sofa, but just for a bit!



Boo decide to make himself at home.









And before you knew it, we were on our
way back to Eden Prairie.




Thanks for all the hospitality Jo!
Please thank Flora and Lizzy for us too!


Tonight I'm going with Ron and Cindy to
the Timberwolves game!

Gary comes home tomorrow.

Crazy Boo.

Well, we made it through the night.
Jo's experiencing her first hangover ever,
no thanks to me! :\
Everything was going fine until Jo backed
up over Boo's tail. When he tried to free
himself by jumping, it made matters worse
and then Lizzy & Flora came running in the
living room and started hissing and I'm tellin'
ya..it was a sight and sound to behold!
Everyone is back in their corners and Boo's
tail is just fine...no harm, no foul.
Jo, of course, is feeling just awful. I just
told her to get over it!

I'll head back home in a little bit and
prepare for welcoming a cancer family to the
Hilton. This family had been there before
but had to come without Owen. He was too sick
to make the weekend but the family thought that
the siblings, in that they were so excited
about hotel stay, should get to go regardless
and made the arrangements to go without him.
Today, I'll get to meet Owen and see them
all together as a family. I can't wait!

In that I'm on my laptop, I don't have a ton
of images to share because mostly I load all
the Minnesota Miracle images on my main machine
at home.

I am so glad that I was able to come down here
to stay with Jo. She clearly didn't need my help
but the company...well, as the commercial goes...
1/2 a tank of gas...$17.
Bottle of Cabernet...$32
Cat food, treats & toys....$12
Hissy fits, hangovers and full litterbox?
...priceless.

Gonna go grab a bite to eat.

A hunting we will go...

Yep. Gary sprung another hunting trip on me.
He's heading back out to Winner, South Dakota
to decrease the population of pheasants. He'll go
again in December and one last time in January.

I really think it's the 'journey' and the 'camaraderie'
more than the "killin' shit", as Gary's friends put it.
Yea, nice...right?

Anyway..I apologize for neglecting my poor blog
these days as I have been busy with other things
and frankly, even my camera is complaining about
not getting out enough!

My good friend Jo traveled to Mason City, IA
yesterday morning to have a stint placed in her throat.
Cancer had spread to her throat and this procedure is
done to assist her body in ridding itself in that
area (I think I got that right)...anyway, I'll be
dropping by to see her tomorrow and I'm looking
forward to seeing her again.

MinneSNOWta.

Yikes,it happened! Our first official
snowfall. I got outside right away
knowing that if I waited to long, it
would all melt.







And, indeed, it is all gone.

I also wanted to post some shots from
the Sofitel from Thursday night. That was
some delicious fun! I won a couple of items
in the silent auction that I will be giving
as Christmas gifts. YAY!







I did not picture the auction items that
I won...so dont' get all excited about the
wine or the mirror! :D






J is coming over today for her birthday
hair and shoot! Not sure the shoot will
actually take place in that it is a very
blustery day, Pooh. We'll see.

Brrrrr. Stay warm today

Rainy Thursday.

My sister calls it "Thirsty Thursday". Amateur.

Anyway....I have two wonderful functions today.
First, I will meet with all of the Metro area
Coordinators for NILMDTS at O'Gara's in St. Paul.
This organization is growing so much that we
need to keep things in check so that we are all
handling sessions and contact with area hospitals
in the same manner. This will be our first official
meeting of this sort. Haven't seen some of these
gals in quite some time.

Then, despite the fact that Cheers in Bloomington
is having their annual wine tasting tonight from
6-8 (which I never miss), I have a NACE event at
the Sofitel. Ordinarily we meet on Wednesdays but
this month it's a Thursday and it's their big
"Tour of Chefs" annual fund raiser for Open Arms
of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I had a BLAST last year!
Here are some shots from 2007 at the St. Paul Hotel.

FABulous food, drinks, desserts, decor and auction!












Enjoy the rain...could be a big nap day!

Coleman & Franken still at it.

I awoke to a new President Elect.
At the same time I am awaiting the outcome
of the Senate race here in Minnesota.
Only about 800 votes separates Norm Coleman
and Al Franken. A re-count is imminent.

I'm really pretty excited about Barack winning
because he's going to lower taxes, end
the war, make healthcare more affordable,
decrease our dependence on foreign oil,
make our kids smarter, make college affordable,
get everyone a job, turn the economy around...
I mean, some folks are referring to him as the
"anti Christ" but I see him as the new Messiah!

Seriously, do you believe all that?

Oh well, it is what it is, right?
Let's all just get over ourselves and move forward.

I pray that this nation can come together, indeed.
I just don't know of any political figure that
got into office on his promises that actually
delivered.

So, to the rest of the Austin family..."you won!"
Let the games begin!

Election Day 2008!

Well, this is it folks.
The day we've been waiting for.
Perhaps by the end of this day we will,
as a nation, have elected a new president.

I can safely say that pretty much everyone
is sick and tired of all the political banter,
ads, lawn signs, phone calls, unwanted mailers.
We, Gary and I, have become one with TiVo as
we have discovered that we can eliminate all
the tv ads by simply fast forwarding!

Now, as I recall years passed, election day
was an "ad free" day. What the heck happened to
that policy? I mean really, what's the point
of running those stale ads today of all days?
Just in case someone has been living under a
rock or in a cave the past few months? Nice use
of funds, people!

I, of course, am voting today, I'm just waiting
for all the folks with "real" jobs to cast their
ballots then the line will be shorter ;D
I'm anxious to get my little red "I voted" sticker
so I can go get a free coffee at Starbucks!

Yesterday I got the opportunity to go back to
Abbott Northwestern Hospital and hand deliver
my images to one of the families whose baby
I photographed on Saturday. The mom had had a
C-section and was still there.
I was happy to stop by and say hello and close
that chapter.

From there I attended the MOFAS annual report
release at the Children's Home Society and
Family services in St. Paul.
I was delighted to see so many of my images blown
up to 40x60 mounted posters! Pretty cool.
Then the organization gifted each of the 5
people(families) with a framed 11 x 14 image
from my collection personalized for them.
That too, was pretty cool!

Here's J from her birthday party on Sunday night.
Always a great time at Scott & Nicki's!
Missed you G!!





my gift, as usual, is a hair/photo session!

GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!!

Gorgeous Sunday!

The calendar says it's November but the
weather still says October...no complaints
here!

I'm heading down to St. Anthony Main for an
engagement shoot for a couple that is getting
married next June. Looking forward to working
with this couple!

Last night I had another call from Abbott.
a nearly 39 week loss. Sudden & tragic.
A beautiful baby boy. Completely perfect on
the outside.

I've had the misfortune of photographing
two losses in one day before but mostly all of
the babies are never in any condition to survive
or even fight their conditions so when I come
upon a baby that is so perfect looking and
full term it puzzles me beyond belief.
I don't know the outcome of his condition, nor
will I, which makes it even tougher to let it go.

To those of you who read this blog on a regular
basis, I apologize for all the sadness I've
been reporting. Know that I am well and continue
to do God's work.

I get to attend my niece's birthday party later
today (after the e-session) and I am looking
forward to that!!

Love your families and friends as if there were
no tomorrow!

On Call...

Today I am on call for NILMDTS.
Heather called around 8 this morning
with a 29 week loss at Abbott.
Grabbed my camera and hopped in the
car. This mom went into spontaneous
labor and delivered a sweet girl.
God had other plans for her as she
was born with some skeletal dysplasia.
TOTALLY unexpected.
Such a beautiful day for such a loss.

I remain on call today.

Happy Birthday Chris Slater!!!!
I missed you at Abbott today!

Tomorrow is J's birthday and we are still
working on getting together for a birthday
shoot!

More stellar weather today.