Spring has Sprung

In truth, this is South Florida so seasons don't really exist, but after a long long winter in Wisconsin, I'm happy to see color like this popping up. It's a breath of fresh air. Now if it would stop raining, I would be really happy.

Speaking of happy, I finally got to meet my brother's girlfriend Courtney. She must really make him happy because he actually almost smiled when I took them outside to take a couple of pictures.



But he is still my brother... complete with funny faces.



I had hoped to take more pictures, but since the Sunshine State was anything but this Easter Sunday, these will have to do.

Oh, and before I go, a peek at my totally retro Easter Dress, self portrait style. You'll have to use your imagination for the peep toe black shoes, since I wasn't working with a full length mirror.

The Sunshine State

Florida is living up to its name since I arrived Tuesday afternoon. We did have a brief shower early this evening, but it brought with it a nice breeze, so I'm not complaining.

I'm trying to focus on the positive tonight.

The beautiful weather.
Cherished time with my mom, and precious moments with my grandmother.
A surge of creativity that's allowed me to create some fun layouts with just a handful of supplies I brought with me.
Shopping for goodies which served as some much needed "Retail Therapy" this afternoon.
Notes from friends that bring both smiles and tears.

The truth is, a part of my heart is very much broken tonight. I got my hopes up for a miracle this month, but it wasn't meant to be.

If there's one thing I'm learning on this infertility journey, it's that this doesn't get easier. You would think after months and months, I'd be used to the disappointment and realistic about my hopes. But it's a funny thing how after a couple of days of crying, I'm optimistic once again. Each month I know that we have a shot. And each month it's even harder to say goodbye to that dream.

But tonight, I will go to bed thankful for what I have: a wonderful family, loving friends, and hope.

It's Been a While

Wow, a girl quits her job and suddenly she has no time to blog! Who knew?

This entry is just a place holder of sorts, since I have pictures I want to share as soon as they're uploaded and I have so many stories to tell.

For now, here's the bullets.
First week off of work involved:

• a fun evening of fondue
• a night of drinking and laughing and blurry picture taking at Titletown
• a fun wine tasting party
• a couple of doctors appointments, a new direction, and a couple of surprises
  
• airport adventures involving my poor mom. Delayed flights, missed connections, lost baggage
• Scrap shopping and cropping with my mother, the Archivers virgin.

Second week off of work involved:

• CKU Chicago!!!
  
• Making it into the Chicago suburbs without getting lost, thanks to TomTom
• Running into old friends as well as making new ones
• Being totally inspired by some incredibly creative people
• Getting flooded out of our hotel room
• Sleeping in comfy beds with crappy pillows
• A crop night of giggling that probably drove those around us nuts
• A loooong nap on Sunday afternoon
• Unpacking
• Catch up laundry
• Repacking because---

Weeks three and four of self employment will be spent IN FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As I sit here watching flurries swirl outside, I'm not sure I can express how happy I am to be heading south for a couple of weeks.

The trip is mainly for relaxation, but there will be some work involved. Karl and I are scheduled to shoot a couple of families and seniors while we're in the sunshine state. We'll just have to plan those around the mandatory nap time out by the pool!

Pictures soon, I promise!

Oh, and before I go... Mary Kay tagged me-- oh a month ago-- to do the seven unusual things about me thing. I'm not sure how unusual these things are, but I've waited long enough to get this done, so let's give it a go.

1. I have to have one foot outside of the covers when I fall asleep. Sometime during the night I wind up tucking it back in, but I can't fall asleep without that foot peeking out.
2. I'm not good at sleeping in silence. Thank goodness for the sleep timer on my tv. I don't know what I would do without background noise.
   
3. I love brussel sprouts and asparagus, two vegetable most people hate, but I dislike celery and carrots, two common veggies people love.
4. In my fifth grade yearbook I wrote that by the year 2010 I planned to be working at a law firm and playing violin for the New York philharmonic.
5. My senior year in high school I was concert mistress in our orchestra. And I was labeled most likely to become a Supreme Court Justice.
6. That's the same year I discovered photography and journalism-- leading me in a completely different direction.
   
7. I still have my elementary school best friend's phone number memorized.

At this point I doubt there is anyone who hasn't been tagged for one of these. But if you're reading and want to do it, leave me a note so I can check out your seven unusual facts.