Packing... la sigh...

Picture of the Day 243

August 31st: John 8:38-59; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14; Malachi 2:10-16

"Spend the afternoon. You can't take it with you."
―Annie Dillard

Look what I grew!

Motivation Monday - Irresponsibility

Days of September

September
1	Chicken Boy's Day
4	Newspaper Carrier Day
5	Be Late For Something Day
	Cheese Pizza Day
7	Google Commemoration Day
	National Grandparent's Day
	"Neither Snow nor Rain" Day
8	National Boss/Employee Exchange Day
9	Wonderful Weirdos Day
	Teddy Bear Day
10	Swap Ideas Day
11	Patriot Day
	Remember Freedom Day
12	Video Games Day
13	Bald is Beautiful Day
	International Chocolate Day
	Positive Thinking Day
15	International Sing-Out Day
	National Women Road Warrior Day
17	Citizenship Day
	Constitution Day
	Pledge Across America Day
19	National POW/MIA Recognition Day
	Talk Like a Pirate Day
20	Big Whooper Liar Day
	America's Day for Kids
	Wife Appreciation Day
21	International Day of Peace
	Women's Friendship Day
22	Dear Diary Day
	Hobbit Day
	National White Chocolate Day
23	Innergize Day
24	National Women's Health & Fitness Day
	Punctuation Day
25	National One-Hit Wonder Day
26	Dog Scouts of America
	Love Note Day
27	Ancestor Appreciation Day
	World Tourism Day
28	Gold Star Mother's Day
	National Good Neighbor Day

Picture of the Day 242

August 30th: John 8:21-47; 2 Chronicles 2:17-5:1; Malachi 1:1-2:9

"No one can persuade another to change. Each of us guards a gate of change that can only be opened from the inside. We cannot open the gate of another either by argument or emotional appeal."
-Marilyn Ferguson

Question...

Ok, here's the rules. Try to be nice, funny is acceptable. Answer the question below as a comment. If you repost it to your own blog let me know so I can do the same to you.

If you saw me in a police car, what would you think I got arrested for?

I can't wait for your responses. :)

When I get home, I kick my shoes off

Most of the time that is. Depending what's going on will determine my wardrobe change or not. If I'm going to be going somewhere, I'll change into jeans, maybe change my top. If I'm staying in the for the night, I'll put comfy clothes on. If I don't know what's going to happen I'll just stay in my work clothes.

Hannah Montana: The Movie

I have a confession. I'm a closet Hannah Montana fan. I enjoy watching the show on the Disney channel. What can I say? And I know I'm not the only one out there. Join me in admitting it.

I've wanted to see this movie for awhile. Like since it came out in the theater while. But I never made it to the theater. Being that it's now out on DVD I decided to rent it. Red Box really. Only $1, can't go wrong there.

So early this week I Red Boxed it with Kaitlin. And you know what? I really liked the movie. Sweet and endearing as well and comical and entertaining. There was even a little bit of a cute love story. I recommend people to watch it, and not with the excuse that you have a daughter, sister, niece, etc to watch it with.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

MoPhotoWalk

Go check out how I spent my evening on the 20th. Walking around downtown Modesto with my camera and roughly 84 other photographers.

MoPhotoWalk Pictures

Enjoy!

Picture of the Day 241

August 29th: John 8:1-20; 2 Chronicles 1:1-2:16; Zechariah 14

"The end of wisdom is to dream high enough to lose the dream in the seeking of it."
-William Faulkner

Picture of the Day 240

August 28th: John 7:25-52; 1 Chronicles 29; Zechariah 13

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
―Benjamin Franklin

Picture of the Day 239

August 27th: John 7:1-24; 1 Chronicles 27-28; Zechariah 12

"Life is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel."
-Unknown

Picture of the Day 238

August 26th: John 6:60-71; 1 Chronicles 25-26; Zechariah 11

"Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese."
―Luis Bunuel

Go See Pam!

Courtney Ann Photography update...

Pam Sweeten for TID

And vote! When's the next voting day, sometime in early November? Yea, vote then!

Picture of the Day 237

August 25th: John 6:22-59; 1 Chronicles 24; Zechariah 10

"Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of."
―Charles Richards

Where's the beef?

I'm such a slacker! I keep feeding you, my loyal readers, fluff and no substance lately. You're probably sick just seeing the daily Pic of the Day, which I'm not even caught up on.

I have no excuse. I'm excuse-less.

So what's going on in my little corner of the world? Well, in a week from Wednesday I'm goin' on vacation. To Florida. And I'm so excited! And I've got a busy week ahead of me to help fill time and make it pass by quicker.

Tuesday: work, gettin' my hair done; and probably picking up Riley's refill prescription
Wednesday: work, work on packing and cleaning the house
Thursday: work, Modesto Nuts game with Cal Poly Alumni group (going with my friends that I played match maker with)
Friday: work, gotta make dinner for the fam, things last minute always happen
Saturday: pack, pedicures with my bff, pack
Sunday: church, scratch that I have one more week of boycotting, sleep in, lunch with friends after they get out of church, last minute shopping, work on finalizing packing
Monday: work, WW, really finalize packing minus make up stuffs, oh and I'll only be at my desk about a total of 30 minutes due to numerous long meetings
Tuesday: work, TND
Wednesday: work, Fly out of Sac around 7:30pm to Seattle
Thursday: Fly out of Seattle at 8:45am with Dennis to Orlando
VACATION!

Yes, you'll notice I have pack on that list a lot. One reason for that, if I wait until the last minute, I'll over pack big time. So if I take the time and leisurely pack I'll be better at what I'm putting in the suitcase. The goal is to not need the giant suitcase, oh, and to not pack over 50 pounds. 1) because it costs (stupid!), and 2) because I have a bet.

So there you have it.

Now's your chance. Ask me anything. Tell me what you want to know about or stories you want to hear. Or I may have to revert back to plinky until my bloggy juices get flowin' again.

Oh, and I'll be twittering and mobile blogging (hopefully) during my trip. As well as posting pictures to facebook and/or flickr. Stay tuned.

Picture of the Day 236

August 24th: John 6:1-21; 1 Chronicles 22:2-23:32; Zechariah 9

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."
―Ben Williams

Motivation Monday - Ignorance

Picture of the Day 235

August 23rd: John 5:19-47; 1 Chronicles 20:1-22:1; Zechariah 8

"Fish, to taste right, must swim three times - in water, in butter, and in wine."
―Polish proverb

Picture of the Day 234

August 22nd: John 5:1-18; 1 Chronicles 18-19; Zechariah 7

"Gardening is how I relax. It's another form of creating and playing with colors."
―Oscar de la Renta

Boyfriend Tee Heaven

Picture of the Day 233

August 21st: John 4:43-54; 1 Chronicles 17; Zechariah 6

"All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast."
―John Gunther

Picture of the Day 232

I heart my new 55mm f/1.8 lens...
August 20th: John 4:27-42; 1 Chronicles 16:7-43; Zechariah 5

"The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket."
―Frank Hubbard

Picture of the Day 231

August 19th: John 4:1-26; 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:6; Zechariah 4

"Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old."
―Franz Kafka

Engagement: Danae & Adam

Wanna see pictures?

This isn't a SIKE moment, it's a redirecting you and presenting you with...

Courtney Ann Photography

This site will be where I'll post pictures from photo gigs I get. And maybe as I become a little more comfortable in Photoshop I'll post "how to's".

For awhile I'll also post links here, but be sure to bookmark or add Courtney Ann Photography to your favorites!

Picture of the Day 230

August 18th: John 3:22-36; 1 Chronicles 13-14; Zechariah 3

"The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it."
―James Bryce

Picture of the Day 229

August 17th: John 3:1-21; 1 Chronicles 12; Zechariah 2

"I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself."
―Maya Angelou

Motivation Monday - Flattery

Picture of the Day 228

August 16th: John 2; 1 Chronicles 10-11; Zechariah 1

"Sing out loud in the car even, or especially, if it embarrasses your children."
―Marilyn Penland

Should I feel bad?

I'm leaning towards no. Actually, no, I don't feel bad.

Why do I not feel bad do you ask? Well let me tell you.

A little over a month ago my long, long time ago ex found me on facebook and requested to be my friend. Fine, whatever, I can do that. Then he wanted to chat, which kept cutting out so he asked me to text and we'd catch up. Fine, whatever. I figured a few formalities and we'd be done and not "talk" for another 5 years.

Well, he apparently is lonely (and rightfully so being as he was in a really bad accident while on the job and is not paralyzed) and started bugging me to stop by his parent's house to see him. I'm not so comfortable with this, for obvious reasons.

It got to be that he would text me every couple days. I was always courteous and would reply back. And just about in every conversation he was bring up me stopping by.

Finally I couldn't take it any more and I flat out asked why he wants me to visit so bad. (Pretty much because we haven't seen each other in at least 6 years, so why now?) He responded with "nevermind." No, I wasn't let that happen, so I pushed it. Why do you want me to visit so bad? His response, "I've made a life for the past 6 years 2 hours away and it would be nice to see a friendly face 15 minutes away. "

Ok, I am a friendly face, I'll give him that. But why would he think that I'd just drop things to visit him. I told him that I'm honestly busy and am hardly home myself, that I always have something going on. His response, "Even when I worked 70 hour weeks I still made time for people." Yes, you know, that's true, even when I'm busy I'll make time for people. But these people that I make time for are my friends, people who have known me for years and who lift me up.

So that conversation was a few weeks ago. And I haven't heard from him since. And do I feel bad about that? No.

I can't worry about being cold hearted because I didn't visit an ex boyfriend of mine that years ago broke my heart and now happens to now be paralyzed. I can't add that to my list of things to worry about. I've forgiven. I forgave years ago. But that doesn't mean that I've forgotten. And it doesn't mean that I've forgotten to the point to being chummy with him.

Can you see where I'm coming from?

Picture of the Day 227

August 15th: John 1:35-51; 1 Chronicles 9; Haggai 1-2

"For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned."
―Benjamin Franklin

Picture of the Day 226

August 14th: John 1:19-34; 1 Chronicles 7-8; Zephaniah 3

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
-Zephaniah 3:17

Kaitlin: The Practice Dummy

So last Saturday I took pictures of a friend from high school and her new fiancee. I volunteered to do it as practice and just to see how I would do shooting people. Not places. Not landscape. Not flowers.

But I also knew that before I took pictures of Danae and Adam I should probably practice on someone else. Or at least go scope out CSUS for good locations.

So I went to my go to gal.

Kaitlin.

So let me show you what I did. What my pictures look like...

I love this one. It may actually be my favorite (or in the top 5). Doesn't it look like she's praising God?
She thought she was being so cute. Pretending to walk down an aisle. She's right, she was b
Scary face! Or is that the "oh no it's hideous" face?Just a cool look with the sun flare and the leaf.
She was getting way into the jehovah witness propaganda. NOT!Ain't nothin' wrong with laying on a bring wall wishing and dreaming.Isn't this one adorable? I think this was taken after she rolled down the hill (intentionally). Then Kait was just being goofy.Classic black and white.Embrace the freckles! Kaitlin's typical laughing face.
Pondering life.Something about this pictures speaks to me. The way the sun is reflecting off Kaitlin and the water. The sun flare. The warm feeling.Last picture because the sun had gone down.
So... What do you think? Did I do good?

What I learned is that I need to work at posing. I learned that even more come Saturday. With practice I'll get better. I'm just so used to taking the candid pictures of people in their natural element. Oh well, that's why I practiced.

Picture of the Day 225

August 13th: John 1:1-18; 1 Chronicles 5-6; Zephaniah 2

"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."
―William Shakespeare

Testing

Checking to see if this iPhone app will upload pics and more than one.

Test

123

Help!

Ok, so most of you know that I like photography.

Shocker I know!

And what I've really wanted to do now for awhile was have some sort of watermark or marking on the pictures that I post. I want something simple, not too busy, doesn't interfere too much with the actual picture. I have photoshop, so the sky is the limit; but my knowledge of the programs full capabilities is not.

Why? Cause I'm proud! Not boastful, just proud of my work.

So I have a few options that I'd like your opinion on. Ready?

Option A:
Option B:
Option C:
Option D:
Side-by-Side Comparison:
Now which do you like?

I know that I like something in one of the bottom corners. Most likely white, unless it's a light picture in which it'll be black.

Also, what should I call myself? Currently it says "Courtney Ann Photography". Should it say something different?

HELP!

(fyi, yes, this would be a picture of Kaitlin from my practice photo shoot that you have yet to see pictures of. i'm getting to it!)

Picture of the Day 224

August 12th: 2 Corinthians 13; 1 Chronicles 3-4; Zephaniah 1

"My own prescription for health is less paperwork and more running barefoot through the grass."
―Leslie Grimutter

21 days and counting

Counting down that is!

In 3 weeks. 3 WEEKS! I leave for Florida. Although, I do have an overnight stay in Seattle. In which I still need to book a hotel room. Dont' worry, I will, I've got time. 21 days still.

Let me tell you. I'm ready for this vacation. I'm ready to get out of California. I'm ready for a break from work. I'm ready to go somewhere new. (that's right, I've never been to Florida.) I'm ready to see a friend that I haven't seen in many months. I'm ready.

All I have to do is pack.

Oh, and get my hair done. My appointment is on the 25th.

And the eyebrows! My oh my, they need attention. While I get the eyebrows done I might as well get the toes done too. Right?

So here's the big question...

WHAT DO I PACK??? What kind of weather shall I expect while I'm there?

I've been told (which may or may not happen...) that I'm not allowed to bring my giant suitcase. You know, the kind that is the size of a steamer trunk that can easily hold WAY over 50 pounds worth of clothes, shoes, make-up, toiletries, etc. I'm going to try my darnedest to fit it all into a "reasonable" size suitcase.

But let's me honest here, this is me packing. I'm packing for about 11 days. I took the giant suitcase for 5 days to Southern California.

I was told that "If you bring that giant suitcase I'm going to be SO embarrassed.", "Are you sure that thing will even fit in a car? What about an SUV? Are we going to need a trailer to get it to my parent's house? It's not like you're coming to Alaska in the winter. All you need is shorts and a shirt or two."

My reply: It fits in the trunk of my compact car. And I will drag it myself. I don't need your stinkin' help!

At least I'm not going to Alaska in December (unlike last year). Sweatshirts and lots of jeans are not needed, bulk is not needed.

I still like my options though.

Is it a blue shirt day or a green shirt day? The brown flip flops or the black ones?

So. For those of you that have been to Florida or live there (or near there), what kind of weather should I expect?

Keep in mind, I have crazy hair. Please let me know how the humidity should/will be. I've been playing around with some new products that I think may be of help. I'm praying they'll help.

Pray for my hair. Pray for my packing. Pray from my buddy whom won't be carrying/dragging my suitcase (mainly now because I have a point to prove to him). And for those of you that really know me, pray for me as you know whom I'm going with.

Picture of the Day 223

August 11th: 2 Corinthians 12; 1 Chronicles 1-2; Habakkuk 3

"A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age."
―Robert Frost