Hellooo!!

I'm here, I didn't forget. I've had so much going on, I just haven't had time to organize my thoughts and put a post together with some photos. It's the photo part that's hard too, because I can't pick!

I'm making mosaics to make it easier.

First of all, the Spring has been gorgeous. So many flowers. The pollen hasn't been too bad, as we've had a couple of rainy days to wash it all away.

                                     

 

The flowering trees are so pretty here. I love seeing the progression of Crab apple, Tulip magnolia, Star magnolia, Bradford Pear, Dogwood, and Crepe Myrtle.

 

Wisteria, Carolina Jasmine, flowering quince, all making the world a more colorful place.

Spring is just the best for flowers, colors, and smells. :)

Anyway, the new salon is AWESOME! I love being there. The girls are all nice, and the atmosphere is way better, more fun, and buzzing with good energy. I have been getting many more referrals and I'm getting busier each week! Yay!

I got my new glasses, and the progressive thing is good, but takes some getting used to. Pretty much tho, your brain takes over, and you just look in the right place. They are a bit heavier tho, so I worry about them hurting over time. I tell you what tho...it sure is nice seeing up close! lol


I just got back from a fun birthday weekend in Savannah and Beaufort with my friends, and it was So much fun! We met up with the lovely Georgianna, and went to Savannah to our favorite shops, photos, and lunch at the cool Sixpence Pub.

They were all so nice, and I got some wonderful gifts that I will treasure, but the best, of course were the handmade gifts from Josh (age 7) and Ben (age 4). :) So sweet. Then there was the "Death by Chocolate" cake!!! omg....SO decadent.

It was a fun party. And a memorable birthday.

The next morning was a major thunder storm and got me up at 5:30 am. But after blueberry pancakes and some REALLY strong coffee, we took Georgianna around Beaufort for more pictures and fun.

                                                                     

It was nice to have some fresh eyes there with us, to see the places in new ways. She focused more on gardens and we saw back behind many houses and found some pretty scenes.

Now that I'm back it's ALL about packing and moving. We are renting a house about a mile and a half from my work, about 5 miles to Chris'. It's a 4br 2ba, 2 story with a 2 car garage. It's got a lot that needs to be done to it before we move in, and that has us a little worried, but we are trusting that it will be all set for our Apr 23rd move in! We are really most excited about not living in an apartment anymore and underneath the incredibly inconsiderate, belligerent neighbors.

Keep your fingers crossed that all goes smoothly!

So, today I did my first "official" photo shoot! A friend of mine works at a salon in a neighboring city. They asked me to do some group photos for them. I learned a lot! (now that I'm editing..)

And it's really interesting....for those that know me...I got a message today about 'baby steps'...we take them first to see how badly we want something... I just don't know how I feel about 'shooting' people. It feels pretty natural and not super stressful (with this group), but I don't think it would be so bad. I DO know I do NOT want to be a wedding photographer! lol

Anyway, it's my first paid gig! *nodding* cool. :)

Bill's Camellias

OK, so the camellia story...

I was driving home through my favorite neighborhood, and was seeing so many pretty new flowers blooming, so I stopped by a house to take some pics. There was an older man out front pruning his camellia bushes. I said hello, complimented his beautiful camellias, and asked if he minded if I took some photos? He said "Oh no, go right ahead!" He offered to hold some up for me, and I said I like to take them naturally....then he says..."If you have a minute, I could show you some in the back.."

(pause, thinking...hmmm, am I safe? and figured I could take him, or outrun him. (did I mention he was older?)) "OK". I say, and as he led me around to the backyard, in front of me opened up what turned out to be over 100 species (or varieties) of camellia!! WHOA!

He explained they were *his wife's* favorite flower. (his too obviously! lol) He has seriously gone to huge lengths to have the most beautiful flowers. On each bush/tree he had a metal plate with the name etched in, but he only had to look at a few to remember the names. I learned how he roots them on the bush, to give them away as gifts! Very impressive, and so beautiful! His wife came out, and I am now aquaintences of "Bill and Joyce". :)

I've decided I'm going to print some and give them to the couple.

Here are just a few. I'm trying to get them all up on my Flickr page at some point.

Jacks

Black Tie

Dorothy Murphy

Elenore Hagood

Elizabeth Weaver

       Alba Plena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

The best part of the story is that I was telling this story to a client, and she said "let me guess, Bill Suplee?" I said YES! Turns out he used to be a fellow professor with her and the head of the music department at CIU, Columbia International University, a Christian College here in Columbia. He had told me during our introduction that he went to UCLA, but not that he was or had been a professor. I ended up going back later for some more pics of the tags to id the flowers, and told him we had a mutual friend!

 

They are very nice, and I have to get crackin on the printing!!