Today was my first Black Friday shopping experience.

I spent the night with my friends who hosted Thanksgiving because they were the ones who invited me on their tradition of Black Friday shopping. We awoke at 4:30am to quickly look decent and wake up Emma. Emma is their 17 month old daughter, Emma, who is one of the most laid back kids ever. We didnt know how long she’d last but she was all smiles at 5:00am when we left. As we stood in line for Target to open at 6am she did start to fade in her happiness a bit.

Target was probably the high, as we were in the line for 30 minutes and were one of the first hundreds of people in. We grabbed with no thought at the DVDs (got Jason 30 Rock for $15!) and they got a DVD player for $30 bucks along with a cheap digital frame for a Christmas present for Grandparents. We had passed Circuit City on the way, at 5:05am. They opened at 5am. There was still a line out the door. They explained to me that they were waiting to get in, meaning, the store was at full capacity so they couldnt allow anyone else in! OH MY GOSH. We looked at the add, we didnt see anything THAT fanatic. I did get some writable DVD and memory cards there – but hours later and no standing in line.

Here is the store time line we went to: Target – Kmart – Best Buy – Lowe’s – Circuit City – GAP – Old Navy – Macys

I think between the three of us we purchased something at all those stores accept for Macys and Best Buy. Emma last just as long as we did, which was at 10am. And that was after a protein boost (sausage egg and cheese biscuits from Chick-Fil-a) that seemed to have very little effect on us. Plus, the folks who hadnt gotten up at 4:30am in the morning, but took the time to sleep, shower and look nice were out and about. Making us feel a bit more dirty since not everyone looked as grubby as us at that point in the morning.

I dont know what I was expecting, but it wasnt as crazy as I imagination it. People were all very nice, saying excuse me and I didnt feel one person push pass me or anything like that. There was a lot of people and very long lines, but thats what I expected. It wasnt a terribly chilly morning, which was nice. The company was the best part of it, John keeping us in high spirits as much as he could on little sleep we all had gotten. I dont know if Black Friday is something I want to make in my yearly tradition just yet, but it was a lot of fun.

I cant name everything I am thankful for because I have to go cook some goods for Thanksgiving dinner at my wonderful friends, the Pells home which is in a few hours. So this is a very limited list but I am thankful for…

As much as I havnt seemed it lately, I am so very grateful that God has blessed me with an amazing job working with high schoolers. There has been a lot of days of discouragement as of late, but today, thinking back and looking at photos of these amazing kids who have touched my life probably more than I have touched theirs, I can not believe this is my job and what I feel called to be apart of for my life.

My community at 5:14. They have helped ease the pain of homesickness this past year. Not going home for the holidays was a sad thing (that of course I agreed to right after spending two weeks in one house with my family. As much as I love my family, who wouldnt say yes to that? Trickys Jace, very trickys) but my church community who I am so thankful for, make room for me in their lives making the home sickness almost disappear (almost).

Roommates. The gal I have lived with the longest (two years!) moved out last month to prepare her own home because she is getting married in January (and as asked me to shot her wedding). It was sad when she moved out, thankfully though a wonderful friend moved in her place. Its bittersweet for my old roommate to be gone, but my new one has be such a delight to live with. And not because she makes me coffee every morning we are up at the same time.

Moments that make me laugh that I still look back on and laugh at. Jon and Kate Plus 8 (today is a marathon!). Friends who share their hearts with me. Pumpkin, pretty much anything. A guy who takes really good care of me – especially on my thoughtless days. My new (as of yesterday) Nikon D90. The weekly cards I get in the mail from my Grandma. Green t-shirts. A boss that is beyond encouraging. Weekends in Nashville. People who get me. Hugs on days I need them the most and the giver of the huge has no idea how much I need one (nor did I). My first Fall Retreat! Photography, photos, and all that I have been taught this past year. Just to name a few.

I woke up this morning to a soft blanket of snow. I love snow and is sad that it probably will be all melted away by lunch. And that I wasnt up at 2am to watch it fall. Ive never had snow this early in the year! Wonder if it will snow on Thanksgiving? I would be okay with that because I dont have to work on Thanksgiving for the first time in four years! Happy snow day to you.

I cant stop watching this video, I love it. Though, it only makes me want a kitty even more than I already do. And a roomba. *alisa updates her Christmas list* Thanks to Jason for sending this to me.

It knocked me down, it dragged me out, it left me there for dead.
It took all the freedom I wanted and gave me something else instead.
It blew my mind, it bled me dry, it hit me like a long goodbye,
and nobody here knows better than I that it’s a good thing.

It can hurt like a blast from a hand grenade when all that used to matter is blown away.
There in the middle of the mess it made you’ll find a good thing.
Yes, it’s worth every penny of the price you paid. It’s a good thing.
Love is a good thing.
Do not fear.

“Love is a good thing” by Andrew Peterson

Just Been listening to this song off of Andrew Peterson’s new album a lot this week. Thought Id post it to sum up a lot of my thoughts and the thoughts Ive just begun to have.

Forgive me for those of you who have the belief that all things Christmas do not come before the day after Thanksgiving. As Ive said before, Im in the Christmas mood early thing year, which comes from being ahead in Christmas cards and Christmas list. This photo, however, has more to do with bittersweet memories than actual Christmas. My cat Rizzo hasnt come home to my parents in a very long time, my parents think he is gone. He is an old guy and has been going crazy for quite a while now. Its easier to not being there when he isnt around, but its hard to grasp that next time I go home he wont be there. He always drank out of the Christmas tree’s water every Christmas.
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My parents for a long time said once our pets passed on that they’d be done with animals. Esp. with my brother and I both out of the house. I think the empty nest got to them a little too much since they started sending me photos of kitties they wanted to adopt. They looked a lot like our other cat we had to put down last year, an awesome black and white cat named Oreo. So they of course sent me black and white cats. I told them to pick the one who looked the least like Oreo. It was just creepy to me that they’d get another cat that looked really close to Oreo. When they went to look at one of these black and white cats and came home with two tabbys.

I wonder if my parents new kittens, Lola and Lucy, who its strange I havnt met yet and wont for a while since I wont be going to California for Christmas this year. I wonder if they will drink out of the Christmas tree’s water. Im happy my parents have some cats to keep them busy. When I saw the LOLcat, that looks like my parents new kitty doing something one of our old cats is famous for doing, it brought forth some bittersweet memories. Hope you enjoy your first Christmas Lola and Lucy.

Last night we had a fantastic storm here. Poured and poured, it was what some would say, “It rained cats and dogs”. This morning on my way out for my busy Saturday I was welcome to this:

Covered! My front yard is covered with leaves! What a delightful way to start my day!

Even Gwen got in on the action! I love how the leaves stuck to Gwen for a while as I drove – like fall decorations or something.

Even trash cans look nice when leaves are covering their tops. I mean just look at them! Would you find this picture nice at all if the leaves were not apart of it? I know I wouldnt.

Look at this, just look at it! COVERED. My drive is just completely covered in leaves. I wish it could look like this at all times.

I’ll admit, Im enchanted by the falling leaves. I dont care if my hair that I spent twenty mintues on this morning is completely ruined thanks to the wind. I was engulfed in leaves as they danced around me. Driving down the street, the leaves spun around my car and sprinkled down from the sky. God did fall up right here in Carolina.

Google and me? We are a good team. Google collects all these great things for me when come to the internet all in one neat place for me to have (you know, google gives and I take). Thats right, Im talking about my iGoogle page. One of the beat features iGoogle has is the free iTune songs. Its a hit and miss, but hey its free right? Well heres a fun pop song (and well all know Im a sucker for a good pop song) you can download for free. Its a song by the band “The Script”. Apparently they are an Irish band made up for three twenty somethings who are big in Europe right now. I like most things Europe a lot of times and this is one of those times. Enjoy.

Last couple of days I have kept the TV off to listen to music while I write, knit or work around the house. Its been really nice to my surprise. I get more done also because Im not stopping to look up from time to time at the rerun of Gilmore Girls I own on DVD but insist on watching on TV or seeing how unfortunate some girls outfit really is on What Not to Wear. Not only am I listening to music, Im listening to music in my iTunes that barely gets a listen. I have it for a reason, I liked it at one point enough to put it in my music library, so lets listen to it! I have reconnect with old favorites to new songs that are quickly becoming favorites.

Currently there are four pairs of shoes sitting on my bedroom floor instead of their rightful place in my closet. I had a bad habit of just coming home and slipping off my shoes whenever I happen to lay my purse down at (so usually around the edge of my couch). I wont notice this till about 6 or 8 pairs are shoes are out. I blame this on my couple years of Hawaiian culture upbringing of taking your shoes off when you enter the house. Time to break this habit and be rid of those shoes that rarely ever hit the floor.

Jackets in the morning a lot of times lose their need by the afternoon time. In the car they sit and gather in a group by the end of the week. I now have an unsaid responsibility to myself to take at least one thing out of my car (usually a coat or travel tumbler) when entering into my house. I just have found it funny that I have given myself rules to live by without really noticing it, even in silly little ways. Surely Im not alone in this – what rules have you given yourself?

Thanks to everyone who suggested Christmas music in my last post - I will be looking over what wisdom you have passed my way and let you know what I purchase. Back to the favorites series going on here and number 14 is: Senior Portraits

I dont think I have shared any of the senior portraits I have taken on here, which is surprising. The blessing of work with high schoolers who also think your good with a camera is the request for you to take their senior photos. Back when I was in high school, even going a photographer of my choice, they were not nearly as cool as the ones I have gotten to take for my seniors. I dont say that because I think Im so great, but in a they are not typical poesy senior photos and those are now in, they were not in when I was their age. Mine are very posed, as in, every other senior that had my photographer had the same swing in their shots and the very single angel. Very creative, right? I always tell my seniors to make sure their parents know I dont take “typical senior photos” and usually thats why they want me to take them. These photos sessions are so fun because I know the kids already, making them more comfortable in front of the camera than they’d be with someone they didnt know. Out of portraits (which I have gotten to do a lot of this past year – before this I was mostly a still life gal) that I do, high schoolers have to my favorite. Here are some samples of the ones I have done…

Kathryn

PJ

Jordan

JP

Alexis

I hope to keep these doing these often since they are so fun for me do. And hope to get even more adventurous with my style as well.

While I love Christmas themed items (just ask Jason, I kept squealing with delight as we walked through Target and they had put out even more Christmas things) I do not like giving them as Christmas gifts. As cute or as perfect a the Christmas theme gift is, your friend will not be able to use it until next Christmas. Which is just a really sad thought to think about, it gets unwrapped only to be put in a box in a closet somewhere for a year. Im in the Christmas spirit early this year with already making gift lists, getting gift wrap and now getting myself some new Christmas music. This year I want to add to my collection, lets review what I already have so you maybe able to help me with my search:

“A Christmas Album” by Amy Grant
“Behold the Lamb of God: True Tale of the Coming Christ” by Andrew Peterson
“Wintersong” by Sarah McLachlan
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Sufjan Steve’s Christmas Albums
And a good handful of London Festival Orchestra (thanks to Kari)

The singles…
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman” Barenaked Ladies
“Evergreen” by Switchfoot
“Child of Wonder” by Sara Grooves
“Babe in the Straw” by Leigh Nash
“Silent Night” by Martha’s Trouble
“What Child is This?” Caedmons Call
“Christmas(Baby Please Come Home)” Death Cab for Cuttie
“Have Yourself a Merry little Christmas” Coldplay
“Feliz Navidad” by Veggie Tales

Most of those singles, come from Kari’s Christmas Mix which I love listening too. I put my favorites here so you can get an idea of the type of Christmas I like. Clearly I need a little more of the Santa songs, which as much as I didnt grown up believing in him, his songs are fun.

After doing a little iTunes research, heres what Ive come up with:

Christmas Lights by Mathra’s Trouble. I like Martha’s Trouble a lot, so I dont see why I wouldnt love this ablum.

O Holy Night by Sara Grooves. I used to be really really into Sara Grooves. I dont know if I have grown out of her or what, but everytime I listen to her she brings me great comfort. I just dont listen to her nearly as often as I once did – so do I get this album?

James Taylor at Christmas – James Taylor. I like James Taylor, his hit album is one of my favorites but do I want him here at Christmas time too?

Christmas – Brad Paisley. I love Brad Paisley with all of my guilty pleasure heart. I like some country music but I dont own a single album by anyone. Some singles here and there but not a whole album so this would be a jump.

Christmas – The Andrew Sisters. 1940s music ladies and gentleman and I totally love it. I dont know what it is, but I really like it.

Singles:
Grown Up Christmas List – Kelley Clarkson. Oh man, I love me some Kelley Clarkson. Very tempting.
The Chipmunk Song – How do I not have this song?! Hula hoop!
Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms. Classic, no?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Rizzo and Gonzo
Youre a Mean one Mr. Grinch – Thurl Ravenscrof
Little Saint Nick – Beach Boys – What can I say? Im from California and I love it.
I want a hippopomatus for Christmas – Gayle Peevey. I love hippos and Christmas. This is my song.

Im very open to singles as well as ablums you like. iTunes doesnt have the rare, really good stuff, so let me know what you know! Please share your Christmas music wisdom!

Yesterday at my youth job in the middle of the afternoon the snack craving monster came on. Usually the snacker in my office is my team mate, Amy, but she is out sick which makes the office very lonely and quiet, especially when the boss is out in meetings all day. I day dreamed a little bit about the pretzel at Target I saw earlier in the day when I was picking up Christmas gift wrap. Then I remembered how not so awesome they were the last time I thought they’d make a delightful snack. So I went to the grocery store right around the corner from the church. Dont be fooled, I wasnt going there to get fruit or anything, I have plenty of that at home. I wanted something crunchy and chip like. As soon as I walked in to find the chip isle I was lost. We have this type grocery store all over town and this location is completely backwards to every other single stores layout. It was so confusing, too me way too long to figure out where the chips where. And the chips after all where not what I was craving to snack on. So I headed over to the cracker isle and went to my old faithful, Cheez-Its. Usually I get boxed items such as the wonderful Cheez-Its at Target so when I saw they wanted almost 4 bucks for a box, I reconsidered. Then! Then I saw that they had Cheez-It Crisps on sale at a price I was willing to try the little cheesy guys at. Let me tell you, totally different cracker. I mean, it doesn’t taste anything like a Cheez-It! Okay maybe a tad, but if you blindfold me and ask me to tell you what it is, I wouldnt of even guessed it was in the Cheez-It family, let alone its brother the crisp! Im not saying they are horrible (yes, Im snacking on them right now, why do you ask) or anything just not a Cheez-It when you are wanting a Cheez-It.

I am now craving pie. Where is Luke’s Diner when I need it?

Theres this Sweet Potatoes Bisque from Trader Joes that I just cant seem to get enough of. Just recently have I thought of adding something to the pure goodness in a cardboard box that I love so much. Brian and I discussed adding cheese and bacon – making it a gloried sweet potato in soup form. Then Brandi was discussing this Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup, which sounded fantastic. Only thing was, I was short on time the night I was really wanting this soup. So I took goodness in a cardboard box and added some sauteed sauage and onion, then sprinkled some cheese and basil (home grown I might add!) on top. It was positively delightful. Dessert? Pomegranate seeds – which by the way, after getting all the precious seeds out of the grips of the pomegranate, I understand a little bit more why pomegranate juice is so dang pricey! But, this is a luxury fruit as even with the labor I had to put into it, I paid good money for it. I remember eating one of these as a kid, we called it Jesus fruit, because apparently it was around when Jesus was so he must of ate it. We just grabbed a big mouthful, no need to carefully pick out the seeds. Usually I look forward to produce in the spring, but fall doesn’t bring about some pretty tasty foods.

The fall leaves sprinkled over the road after a night of rain looks like confetti. One of the thousands reasons why I love fall in Carolina. And I kick myself for not having my camera with me. I committed part of my afternoon to capturing this year’s celebration of fall that is shared in bright oranges against the perfect fall blue sky.

Im currently watching Dawson’s Creek, thanks to one of my high schoolers who leaning me her seasons. There are so many things wrong that, its not even funny. But since her mother knows about it, I dont feel bad about it. Im on Season 6 right now, the end is near.

Christmas list is made. I bought my Christmas paper already, along with my Christmas cards. I always say I will be ahead of the game every year, I think this might be the year. Also, this is my first Carolina Christmas and Ive lived here little over two years. I have lots of plans.

Ive been taking a lot of photos of a lot of lovely people lately. It was pointed out to me that I have now third job. Never thought about it that way, but yeah I guess I have done that to myself. We’ll see where that goes. Im enjoying the senior photo shots the most. Can I just be Senior portrait photographer?

Im currently reading: “First Two Years in Youth Ministry” by Doug Fields and I love it. I really like Doug Fields, this book only confirms that even more. Im also reading “On a Whim” by Robin Jones Gunn, which brings back lots of high school memories. Fitting two books dont you think?

Thats whats been going on with me lately.

Happy voting day!

When you wear your “I Voted” sticker proudly today, make sure and stop by a few places that are giving away free voting treats. I am thankful to not be working – that is a lot of free coffee. Realllllly tempted to go by and get a star shaped donut, because we all know how much I love me some hot and now. Wish me luck with the line as I wait to vote! Thank you to all of you who early voted!