New Year's Eve 2008.

Wow, another year gone.
Let me see....what went on in 2008?

Gary and I traveled to Arizona to celebrate
my father in law's 80th birthday in January.




We welcomed a new family member (niece)
into the world....Reese, in February.



Traveled to Mexico Twice...
Once with Gary to Playa~



And once with my sister and her family
to Cabo in March (like the day after I
got home from Playa!)





Celebrated Tim & Laurie's 25th Wedding
anniversary in April



And my 46th Birthday...


(thanks for the cupcakes Ron & Cindy!)

Birthday lunch with Jacquie at Redstone!



Visited my friend Megan in Chicago



I met Sam Puc of NILMDTS fame at her
Bellies and Babies Tour.




The wedding season hit in May



And so did Boo!
Born February 25th and he came to
be with Gary and I on May 5th.






More weddings in June






June was also a busy month for family.
My mom had back surgery and once that was
completed they hauled her back in for a
perforation in her bowel..NOT good.
Emergency surgery and nearly a month in
the hospital and the connected rehab
facility. My mom LOVES this photo! ;)



July brought with it many birthdays, the
MiracleKids Triathlon in Chanhassen, a HUGE
4th of July celebration at my sister's







and the horrific loss of my beloved, Hobie.







At the age of 12, he was tired of the fight
with his colon and decided that he wouldn't
leave us with the decision to put him down.
He passed peacefully on July 29th. We'll miss
him forever.

August brought more weddings,






More High School Senior Portraits...












And my decision to go forward with my
SCUBA certification!




I'll be all set this winter when I
return to Mexico! :)

As August drew to a close, we all
wished G well as she headed off for
her freshman year at Missouri State!




Soon after, I opened a Facebook account so that
I could keep in touch with G while she was away.

The end of August, the RNC came to town and altho'
I was selected, back in January, by a firm out
east to assist in covering it, I declined in the
days leading up to the convention. I was thrilled
to be considered and I have the folks at Starkey
to thank!

September, Gary and I celebrated our 10th
anniversary with a night out..nothing big.
We decided that with the airfare being so
disgustingly outrageous (even to Chicago it
was about 800 bucks round trip!), our anniversary
could be just as easily celebrated her in
Minneapolis.




October is the busiest month for birthdays
in my family..starting with Gary. Therefore,
much cake was consumed in that month! UGH!

I met Jo Mosely, on Facebook after I opened
my account, through a colleague of mine.
We chatted it up for a few weeks online and
then I traveled to Albert Lea to meet her.
She has spent Thanksgiving with my family,
Christmas and now, at this very moment,
she is driving from Rochester, MN where she's
just had a full body scan at MAYO and will
be joining Gary and I at the Hilton tonight
for the Miracles of Mitch Foundation's 4th
Annual New Year's Eve Gala.





October also marked another dark day for
Gary and I. 11 weeks to the day, after putting
Hobie down, we had to put our beloved Katie down.
Katie was Hobie's sister, litter mate and I
held her as she went to sleep. It was horrid.
I am so thankful for Boo who was a gift from
my dear, dear sister, Anne...I love you Anne!






November...Election year, so no surprises
there...we are still awaiting the outcome
of the winner in the Senate race for Minnesota
between Rep. incumbent, Norm Coleman




and the DFL candidate (and it even pains me to
type his name here in my blog) Al Franken.
To date, they are separated by just 50 votes!

December...wow, how it flies by!
I opted out of cookie baking with my sister
this year. I won't be making that same choice
next year, I actually missed that time with Anne.

Anne & Pete hosted Christmas Eve with the
whole Craig clan and friends (Freeses & Jo)



Gary and I hosted Christmas Day here with
his family and Jo. Yasuko and Mariko prepared
their famous Japanese stir fry. Soooo delicious




Also in 2008 countless NILMDTS sessions, countless
Minnesota Miracle weekends for cancer families
at the Hilton, countless makeovers for my hair
clients, countless bon fires out front with Gary,
countless get togethers with neighbors and friends!
if I've missed anything, I apologize. Clearly,
it's been a big year!

I love all of you and I appreciate your dedication
to my blog even when it goes dark from time to
time. For those of you far, far away, please
continue to comment and for those of you that are
near, let's make 2009 a time to make time to
get together more often. Besides, I need to get
out of the house on occasion! ;)

Happy New Year to all!
Make all the changes you can so as to not regret
one single moment in the coming year.

See you at the Hilton!

Peace.

Snowfall was a bust.

I always feel like a kid on Christmas
morning when they forecast for a big
dump of snow overnight. I peek out the
bedroom window or head to the living room
to check out the massive white stuff.
Today, it was a bust. I hate that.
I think there is an inch of fluff. Just
enough to snarl traffic and track wetness
into the entryway when Gary brings in the
paper.

Last night Gary and I discussed our big
"snow day" plans...it included cuddling up,
popping some popcorn and watching movies.
Well, we will probably still do it but
it's more fun when you know that you can't
go anywhere because of the weather.
No matter, we will hit the gym and hang out
together today. That's what Christmas break
is all about. Relaxing.

The tree may come down today too. Boo's been
feeling a little displaced in that we had to
move is tower downstairs to make room for the
tree and extend the table for Christmas.

But make no mistake, he makes him self at
home no matter what.

I'll head up to National Camera to see the
mighty Dave and get my images from him!
yay!

God Bless.

Where does the time go?

This has been a whirl-wind holiday season
so far. I don't even know where to start.
Christmas..wait, was that already nearly
a week ago? That means that New Years Eve is
in 2 days, holy Hannah!

We all gathered at the Baker's in Chanhassen
(my sister & brother-in-laws) for Christmas Eve
then on Christmas day, Gary and I hosted Gary's
family here at our home.

My friend Jo came up from Albert Lea on Monday
and got in on all the Craig crazy goings on.
She even joined me on a Hilton greeting last
Friday.It was great having her here.

I'd be posting a ton of images but as fate
would have it I had to send my flash card out
to recover the files. Thank God that they were
all recoverable. I had 3 Hilton Families on there
from the day after Christmas and 2 losses for
NILMDTS on the same card. I never cried so hard
as I did when I discovered that. It was like I
suffered yet another loss.
But as God would have it, my good friend Dave
Johnson up at National Camera was able to recover
all of the images on that card.

Note to everyone....when you get an indication
that your card is corrupt, TOSS IT OUT! Do not
attempt to reuse it. It could and very likely
will corrupt again.
In my case it was the first time that I've actually
witnessed corruption and I'll tell you what,
it ain't fun.

That said, if you run into this sort of thing
with your digital files, contact me and I will put
you in touch with someone who can help.
It's expensive in a lot of cases but well worth it.
I'll be picking up my CDs tomorrow with the files
on them and returning the CF card to B&H out in
New York.

Today, Gary and I attended a funeral for a father
of a friend of ours, Randy Blackowiak. It was sudden,
a heart attack they think. His father was 75.
His mother passed away about this same time 4 years
ago...Randy now hates Christmas. God Bless you all.

The big New Years Eve Gala for the Miracles of Mitch
Foundation is just 2 days away! Come and Join us!!

I'm off this week and plan to relax (outside of
the New Years Eve Gala) then like everyone else,
I will hit the gym...two months until Mexico! yikes!

I'll post a ton of images after I get those images
back in my hand!


God bless!

WOW is it COLD!

I am soooo, soooo sorry for not blogging.
Bad blogger, BAD Blogger, BAD BLOGGER!!

It is so cold here in my house this morning.
Furnace is set to 68 but it's 61. CRAZY!!!
So why is it that in like March when it's 60
we run around outside in t-shirts and shorts
and today, in my home I'm wrapped up like an
eskimo and I have to continually re-heat my
coffee? BRRRR!

I tried to wrap some gifts last night while
Gary was watching the Cowboy's vs the Ravens
but Boo had other plans. It's seriously like having
a child...I'll have to wait until he is napping!



I am going ice skating with Owen today.
I'm very excited. He's been taking lessons!

I think that Jo has decided to come up here
tomorrow...maybe Tuesday. Both Albert Lea and
here have been getting dumped on simultaneously
the past few days so 35W is quite treacherous!
I'll feel better having her drive up tomorrow.

Stay indoors if you can!

A Week Away.

So, Christmas Eve is a week away.
Are you ready? I am. Gifts nearly wrapped
and house is almost ready for guests.

Now is that time of year that I gear up
for my hair clients and get everyone
beautiful for Christ's birthday!

I'm feeling much better today.
I tell ya what...all I've done is take a
shot of Nyquil at night and that's it.
This cold is only 3 days old and it's
almost gone! I tried this the last time
(not taking a bunch of over the counter
stuff) and I have sailed through. Try it
next time you get that scratchy, tight
throat thing comin' on.

Still cold. Blah, blah, blah...yea, well,
it's Minnesota and it's DeCEMBER!!!! No kidding!

I'm going to be off from the 24th of December
through the 5th of January. Just takin' some
time off. Gary and I need some down time!
I'm looking forward to it.

Gary's all done working and has been since
Thanksgiving and it's been nice seeing heim
around the house! I hope he feels the same
about me during my time off! ;)

Keep cuddling and I'll see you tomorrow.

How Goes the Battle?

Well, we are battling more nuisance snow,
the kind that just mucks up traffic,
super cold temps and I have my 2nd cold of
the season that has barely begun.
And NO, I did not get a flu shot nor will I.
I'm resting a lot and thankful that I shopped
early when it wasn't so darn cold.

The inquiries are beginning to come in for the
upcoming wedding season and at a time when
you don't even want to go outside, I find my-
self thinking of spring, summer and fall 2009
weddings. Sure, it doesn't take the snow away
but, remember, I LIKE the snow! The cold? Not
so much.

This is the week that typically is slated for
hair and lots of it. We ladies like our fresh,
holiday hair! That reminds me, I should have
made an appointment for mine! YIKES! Looks like
I may get the Christmas bang trim again.
What is it that they say about the cobbler that
goes barefoot? Yea, that's pretty much me! :\

Boo has a new box to play with (thanks to Amazon)
and I think he is finally "over" the whole
Christmas tree thing (yay!). He's our little
gerbal and likes to chew paper, however, so my
nice, new paper that I got from Provisions
is in jeopardy and that sucks! I can't leave my
lovely wrapped gifts out under the tree cuz the
little JOY in my life likes to chew! Turd.

Our friends Matt, Jenny, Olivia and "Bucket's" (their
new dog) come home this Saturday from Holland.
They've been there on business for 2 years.

I have something new for you to do. I recently
photographed a mom's belly and her family knowing
that her son "Luke" would likely not survive this
pregnancy.





Well, Luke is a mighty boy and is struggling
to hang in there. Please visit their newly devised
Caring Bridge site and Pray for and follow the
progress thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Here's Luke's CB Site.

Stay warm.

Today's High...a New Low.

I think it's about 12 below. The high today
will be about 2 below which means get ready for
the 10 degree warm up! Yippee!!

I spent the night at my sister's last night to
get the girls on the bus today.
6 o'clock alarms are NEVER good and especially
when you are sick. I barely slept last night so
the train wreck that I felt like yesterday will
definitely spill over into today, no doubt.

Emily's gone, I drove her to the bus stop and
sat with her until it came (way too cold to stand
outside and wait for a bus!) and now I'm going to
go wake Amanda and get her going.

I'm supposed to be going to my first ever board
meeting with the TCPPA 2009 group but I just can't
even think about going...I feel like a pitrie (SP?)
dish!

That's it for now....BRRRRRR it's cold.

Back in EP.

It was almost 40 degrees yesterday!
Jo and I did a little shopping in Albert Lea
and then I headed back up 35W.
Fighting a sore throat all day I decided
that I would lay down once I got home
and by the time I woke up I could sense a
cold settling in. Dang it!

We did manage to walk down to Ron and Cindy's
last night for a little Holiday Cheer but
I knew that this cold was inevitable.
I didn't sleep well and by morning I was sunk.

I beat a cold the last time by not taking
anything (NyQuil one night). It seemed to run
it's course much quicker. Try it sometime!

This go 'round, however, I have to go to my
sister's and sit with her girls tonight as
they are in Arizona visiting friends and
attending the Cardinals/Vikings game at the
very cool Glendale stadium!
Anne's never seen it. It's pretty cool!





It's raining here today. Niiiiiice.
It feels like March. Strange weather.
No matter, the bottom will fall out soon.

I have a really big week coming up and I really
would rather be feeling well but I guess we've
all been there, right? I'll just walk around
with Purell in my pocket and Kleenex in the car.

enjoy your Sunday!

Albert Lea II.

Well, actually I have come down here 3
times but only twice I've stayed over night.
This time I left Boo at home :( Too much
bother.

A chilly drive down here but the drive seems
to go quicker and quicker each time I come
down.

We ate dinner at a crummy Mexican restaurant.
Casa Zamora...never go there! We hit another
one the last time I was down that was in
town and it was fabulous!
This one was horrid...tan refried bean sauce
poured over everything..gross, colorless and
flavorless. Sadly, for the residents here,
it was PACKED, as if everyone thinks that's
what Mexican food should taste like. No bueno.

We are going to go into town and hit a few
stores. I have some things I need to exchange
that I got a few weeks ago.

Breakfast is smelling mighty nice. Fuel for
the day. Turkey sausage (yum) and eggs.
I brought along my press and some Dunn Brother's
beans cuz Jo's not a fan of the Joe.

Sittin' hear in my blue snowflake "Grandma Pants"
and Jo in her pink camo one's that I got for
her when she came up for Thanksgiving.
Just having a leisurely Saturday morning. Nice.

More later.....

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

I've been running and running and working
and working....now I'm going to head to Albert
Lea to visit Jo and her kitties.

I'll post from there.
All is well here.

TCPPA Holiday Gathering.

Tonight is the annual Twin Cities Professional
Photographers Association's holiday party.
This year it's at Jax Cafe in Minneapolis.

I've missed the last couple of programs for
TCPPA so I'm excited to go and see everyone!
Did I mention that I'm going to be a board
member in 2009? Yep, I decided to step it up
and get more involved. This is terrific
organization and these are some magnificent
people not to mention fabulous photogs!
Tonight will be fun!

Gary got home around 3 yesterday. He'd been
gone since Wednesday. He'll travel out one
last time in early January...I think.

Boo missed Gary. It's always fun to watch them
reunite after he's been gone. This poor cat is
going to have a difficult time when we are both
away this winter...Yikes! I already feel bad
about leaving him. :\

Today is an anniversary for some new friends
of mine. This will undoubtedly be a tough one
for Kelly and Jeff. One year ago today, they
lost their little girl Aliah. I was the
photographer that responded to their loss
last year for NILMDTS. Pray for this family
as they gather with friends and family today
to remember Aliah.

Just 23 days until the big New Years Eve event
at the Airport MOA Hilton for the MOMF!
This is one big bash! I hope that if you don't
already have plans that you will plan to join
me on New Years Eve for this money raising,
gift giving, family friendly night of CRAZY FUN!






Have a great Monday!
Oh, one more thing...

More Snow.

More of the white stuff on the way.
Gary will drive right into it on his way
home from South Dakota. YIKES.

I'm officially done Christmas shopping as
of today. YAY! Well, that doesn't necessarily
mean that I won't shop more, I'm just done with
all the required gift buying! ;)
Now it's onto the fun stuff..ME!

Let's see, I already got myself the flip video
camera which I am aDORing! But I think that's
what everyone should do, just go out and get
themsELVES a little somthin' somthin' and call
it a day...I think that's why the word "elves"
is in "themselves"..hmmmmmmmmm~ good one!

I'm posting a video that I shot with my flip.
It's Boo and his first Christmas tree experience.

Snowy, Snowy Saturday!

Yay! I secretly love winter. Don't tell Gary.
I love the snow. I hate the bitter temps so
I simply try not to go outside when it's super-
duper cold, that's all. I hate all the wining!
"Cold enough for ya?" I'm so over that.
I've lived here, in Minnesota, all my life and
I'm not ashamed of it. There, I said it.

Every season has it's ups an downs but you can
at least throw on another layer or toss on some
slippers when you get cold or snuggle with your
sweetie!

Today, I have no sweetie cuz he's still in SD
but I can dress warm and stay in and decorate
the tree.

I'm finally installing Rosetta Stone Spanish
today. I'm muy, muy excited!

I just got an invite to go ice skating with my
sister so I'm going to dig out my skates!
Have a great day.....get some more shopping done!

Another Hilton Friday.

Today is going to be a "catch up" day for me.
I have several projects that require attention
to detail so I'll get at that right away this
morning. I love to cross stuff off of lists!

I was on call yesterday for NILMDTS and I didn't
get one single call! As a matter of fact, things
have been quiet lately....I can only pray that
things continue on that path.

Later today I have 3 families checking into the
Airport MOA Hilton.

I met the sweetest, tallest couple yesterday
for an engagement session!
We met on the west side of Lake Calhoun but
the brisk wind made it easy to decide to take
the show indoors so we drove over to Calhoun
Square. Good call.
Thanks Danielle & Chris for playing along with
me yesterday. On July 25th you will undoubtedly
be reminiscing about this cold shoot!
Here are some warm ones....





I'm off to photograph Owen & Reese today!

Stay warm!

Bye Oh Baby Bunting...

Gary's gone a hunting.....AGAIN!

A teeeeeeny bit more snow overnight.
Not enough to shovel or plow but it
does add a fresh layer of white to
everything...pretty, really.

When Gary is gone, Boo gets crazy.
Gary is an early riser...me? not so much.
So this means that in the weeee hours
Boo gets bored. That's when things
get interesting. First a lovely kiss
on the lips....yes, the lips (a terrific
exfoliating process for those dry winter
lips!). Then, when that's not working he
gets a little more daring and paws at my
back~now I've had my lips done and a back
massage! I warn you, however, that this is
NOT programmable so don't run right out and
get a cat just yet! ;) I got lucky.
On to strategy #3...Boo leaps up on to the
headboard where he will locate anything
left there (remote, votive, phone, back
scratcher) and proceed to paw at it until
it topples and crashes on to my head.
It's true what they say..."Third time's the
charm." 'cuz that usually does it for me.
One day, I think he will figure it out and
go right for the remote! He's mighty bright.

Today, I am on call for NILMDTS. Pray that
I don't get any calls....that would be lovely!

I'm shooting an engagement session this afternoon
in the Uptown area and it's a little chilly
today so I'm sure we'll be venturing indoors
rather quickly.

HUGE news....my flip arrived yesterday!
Funny thing about shipping is if you ask for
2-3day shipping, it costs more but you get it in
2-3 days. If you order ground 5-7 days (less
expensive, you get it in 3 days...Niiiiiiiice!
I'm excited to start using it....poor Boo & Gary!

Getting together with the MOFAS folks again today.
They want to involve me in their "Hill Day" in
January so we are going to discuss what this
organization can effectively do to gain the State's
interest and support in their fight to educate
the public about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome!
More to come on that subject, the date and my
involvement.

NACE event last night at the Bloomington Sheraton.
Always a great time. I won more stuff in the raffle
(no hotel stay) and bid on some really cool gift
baskets..I'm enjoying the coffee from Starbucks
right now and last night lit a bunch of candles
that rest on this glass (looks like ice) tray from
Crate & Barrel...um, do they have clothing at
Crate & Barrel? Cuz it's just the beginning of
December and I already feel like a barrel could
be my next outfit! ;)

Hey..thanks for reading...I promise to post photos
soon of all that's been going on.

More Snow.

I woke to the sound of snow plows rumbling
down my street! It was dark enough that the
flashing lights beamed through my blinds too!
Actually, truth be told...I like that sound.
Maybe because I work out of the home.

I'm planning some snow photos for some folks
for Christmas cards so this is cool.

Gary took off for South Dakota....aGAIN!.
So I'm in for some peace and quiet.
I have a ton going on over the next several
days. Tonight, my NACE Holiday gathering.
Tomorrow a MOFAS meeting, an engagement session
and I'm also on call for NILMDTS. Friday, a
snowy Christmas card session for Owen and Reese
and 3 cancer families checking in at the Hilton.
Then 2 days of R&R.

Gary managed to get the tree up before he left
but now it's up to me to get the lights on
and place ornaments in places that Boo can't
reach!

The tree skirt. A nostalgic Christmas artifact
that's been in my family since 1981. A latch
hook that we all worked on. Every year I would
take it out and Katie would curl up on it right
away and stay there until i put it away.
Boo has decided that this will be his spot. :)

Hope & Change.

Okay, so I know it sounds corny but I have
to say that it's growing on me. The idea that
one can have hope and facilitate change is
a fabulous thing!

Today I made a (sort of) radical decision to
deactivate my facebook page. Perhaps just
temporarily but I'm finding it to be a time waster
for the most part and I feel the need to free
up time rather than spend it. I already spend
too much time at the computer so it was really
a no-brainer.

Important things in my life had going by the
way-side and in many cases out and out ignored.
This is not good. ;)

Therefore,for the time being you may find me
here, via e-mail or by phone if you rather.

I "Hope" that you understand my "Change".

December Calm.

It's pretty quiet around here today.
Megan ended up driving home last night and
Jo left yesterday afternoon to visit her
brother in Minneapolis then headed back
to Albert Lea.

Gary and I sat and watched the Vikings/
Bears game together on the porch with
Boo last night. It was nice.

Today I will get back to work, back to
the gym and get some control of things
around here. I get to take off my hostess
hat and get to my very long "to do" list.

I'm thankful that I'm really done Christmas
shopping so I'll tend to the house, get the
tree up, deliver some final orders and
concentrate on 2009! Wow! It's December today~
I have much to do this month in preparation
for the new year. Close out books and file
stuff away. It's really been a terrific year
and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has
in store for me and Gary in 2009.


I will be closing the Studio the week between
Christmas and New Years. Any last minute orders
should be placed no later that Friday, December
5th without incurring a rush charge.
Note that rush charges can nearly double your cost.

I pray that everyone had a safe Holiday weekend!