Hissyfits Photography Blog

I am sure it is quite obvious by now that I am taking some time off from blogging!! I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Christmas and a Happy New Year and I’ll be back in 2009 with oodles of fun to share!!

Sorry for the boring post…it was a boring day!! I’ll try to get some pics up soon!!

I just wanted to share something fun that was passed along to me in my photography forum!! Late last year or early this year I got sucked into The Pioneer Woman blog!! She has SO much fun stuff on there…everything from cooking to photography to stories of her life! But then for some reason I quit checking in on her every day? Anyway, she just released her second set of actions last week and they are FREE! For any of you Photoshoppers out there, I just wanted to pass along a link for you!

Here it is…this takes you directly to the second set. There is another set too…and tons of photography related info!!

I think that the Seventies one is totally up my alley! My style perfectly! I grabbed this pic of Gentry out of iPhoto and did some quick editing and thought I would show you! I lightened it a smidge with Curves and then ran a few of her actions from the new set on it! Not perfect, but I am in a rush!

Both kids are sleeping…I wasn’t making Gentry take a nap today in hopes that they would both go to bed early. That just totally came back to haunt me…now they’ll both be up half the night! And we have to be somewhere at 7:30 AM tomorrow! We are rarely even up then! So, I know, we sound like losers, but this cool weather and the fact that it is staying dark so late is NOT good for getting us out of bed!

Hope everyone out there in blogworld is doing well!! I better get started on Quicken while my sweeties slumber!!

This one. He is my first born. My little man. My amazingly sweet boy with a heart of gold. He is upstairs snuggled in my bed watching Elf as I type…no doubt a good eight trains surrounding him. I should be up there with him…the dreary gray skies that loom just beyond the windows are telling me so. Oh to be warm and toasty and watching a movie while the raindrops fall ever so softly. Sounds absolutely perfect other than the tiny little fact that I have seen Elf more times this Christmas season than I have all others combined – I think I’ll pass on this viewing!

In my last post I mentioned that I was in a rush as we had Huntler’s school Christmas program to attend that evening. We went. We watched. We smiled and clapped. We stood there amongst the throngs of other proud parents with cameras flashing and video cameras rolling. And I cried. I cried. Just at the beginning…as he was walking up to his assigned position on the risers. I mean, this was his first program after all…the emotion just hit me. It is hard to believe that the little guy who turned two just days after arriving out here is now four. He is enrolled in preschool and thriving. He is growing up…before my very eyes.

As soon as he reached his “spot” for the program, his eyes started scanning the crowd. He was looking for us! He knew we were staying…we had prepared him for how it would go and let him know that we were going to be out in the crowd with sissy watching him sing! I guess it just seemed so strange that he knew to look for us! Anyway, Chris and I could both tell the instant he found us! His entire face lit up and he waved. Okay…so maybe I waved first, but he waved back! I know it won’t be too long and he’ll be utterly humiliated that we are even at his functions, let alone waving!! But how sweet it was. How sweet it was. It was one of those moments in life that will be forever embedded in my heart and memory. I am fighting back the tears just thinking about it!

Here is just one shot…we got there REALLY late and seating was limited {to say the least} and we had to stand…at the very back. We’ll know better next year! I did move up close for some pictures, but of course Huntler happened to be on the very end and there were people in the way!! Such is my luck!!

And as promised here are a few from our photo shoot in the citrus grove last weekend!! I got SO SO many great ones, but I am just sharing a few of my faves of Huntler this afternoon! Like everyone else out there, I have a million things I need to get done with the holidays right around the corner and I simply haven’t had time to edit any other than these!

I adore this shot!! Chris was standing just out of the frame and Huntler was smiling at him!

Excuse Gentry girl in the background. She was busy gathering!!

And one of BOTH my sweets!! How cute are they?!

In completely random news, I had to trek to the post office today to mail off the shoes I sold on Ebay. I had to giggle because all of the shoes combined didn’t sell for as much as the faux fur boots. I KNEW they were cute and they are hard to find so I wasn’t overly surprised, but they sold for more than I paid for them! Gotta love supply and demand! Anyway, we attempted to hit the post office at 12:30 this afternoon…BAD BAD BAD timing! Every single parking space was filled and cars were parked out on a side street! Holy moly!! So we went to McDonald’s for a lovely lunch and of course to play in the play area and we headed back to the post office! It was still busy, but the line moved unbelievably fast! And the shoes are mailed off! As are the last couple of Christmas cards that were missing from the big group! YAY!

Alright…Chris will be home in less than an hour and our house is trashed!! I have no idea what happened to today, but it is almost gone!! So I should probably go pretend like I was super productive and got all sorts of things done! Too bad he reads this and will know my secrets!!

Okay…so I need to keep this kinda short as Huntler has his school Christmas program tonight and I have a bazillion other things I should {need to} be doing, but I just HAD to share my finds from this morning!

Gentry girl and I headed to Kohl’s to do a little Christmas shopping while Huntler was at school. As is the case every single time I enter that store, I found oodles of fun goodies!! Mostly for me and not the people on my list. Why am I so darn easy to buy for?!!

Anyway, I know some of you are about to fall of your chair reading about me buying decor and goodies for my daughter’s birthday party that isn’t until JULY! So be it…when you are searching for Candyland-ish happiness in June and can’t find it, you’ll be sorry you weren’t stashing bits and pieces back in December when it was everywhere!!! No, but really, with a theme that revolves around peppermints, lollies, gumdrops and gingerbread men, Christmas is SO the time to be stocking up!! So I am!!

Here is what I bought today! I normally don’t take pictures of “things” because I simply am not good at it and I really don’t like it, but I wanted to share these!! Maybe you’ll get inspired!

First of all…the towels. This is what started it off!! I wasn’t even looking at the Christmas towels and such but these nearly jumped off the rack they wanted in my cart so badly!! I am loving the colors!! I also picked up a white linen napkin that is very simple and has a little peppermint in one corner. The snowflakes on the blue towel aren’t exactly ideal for a summer birthday, but I am sure I can find something to use it for!!

So then we mozy on over to the actual Christmas decor. Mercy, mercy, mercy!! I found these little gems and put them in my cart as fast as I could! Not that there was a huge rush on them or even anyone within 30 feet of me, but there was no debating on these! I mean, really now, with my love of photography how can I NOT buy a picture holder or two?!!

Here is another view on the gingerbread house!! Tell me these are not adorable little finds?!! And the shimmer??!!! Ahhh the shimmer!!

I have been on cloud nine all day! I am so loving getting these little details taken care of so far ahead of time! It just means I won’t be bummed and frazzled come June when it is actually time to start gathering things up and I am having no luck!!

Now I need a little help from you, my fabulous blog readers!! I bought this package of soap earlier this year at Wal Mart. I know for a fact that they had them out last year at Christmas time…in the midst of their four aisles of novelty bath goodies they set out for the holidays!! Anyway, I bought mine earlier this year and for some bizarre reason {I have NO clue why} I didn’t buy more. I have been to several Wal Mart’s down here and can’t seem to find these fun lolly soaps anywhere. So, next time you are at Wal Mart if you happen to see these, would you pick some up for me? They come in packs of three just like this and cost $3. I would be good with 5 packs of them. {I’ll be sure to post if someone contacts me and is able to find them!}

So there is that!! I also ordered the digital kit I am going to use to design the invites and thank you notes with, but I’ll share that at another time!! I have no idea why I am so gung ho on this, but I am!! Maybe I am trying to put off the things I really need to be doing to get ready for Christmas?!!

Alright, my little man needs some TLC and Gentry had a really rough night and it has continued on into today. So since my loves need their mama, I am going to get! Hope you had fun looking at all my sweet goodies!!

In the good old fashioned spirit of sharing fabulous ideas, I am basically ruining one of the presents I have planned for the grandmas! Sorry about that, but I am so darned excited about this fun little project I am working on, I simply have to share!!

Since I don’t want to ruin the entire thing and leave some element of surprise, I am just giving you all a sneak peek! {I’ll share the rest later on!!}

This would be the August edition of this super cute little calendar I have been working away on for the past few days! I am sure it wouldn’t take a “normal” person quite as long as it has taken me, but my perfectionism and the fact that I have about 20 other things all going on at the same time has drug it out a bit!

I came across the idea for these sweet calendars last February or so when I happened upon this blog. I fell in love the second I saw them and still haven’t forgotten them!! I emailed Shelley about a month ago and asked her if she was planning to create a 2009 template or if she would mind sending me the 2008 version so I could rework it for 2009. I didn’t get around to changing the days for the new year but she did! I was so happy to see this post over the weekend and have been a busy little worker bee since then!!

Sweet Shelley is actually putting together a set of these fabulous calendars for one of her faithful blog readers. You may not be faithful yet, but I am sure she would love to have you pop in and say hello! Her photography is amazing and she seems like a great gal!! {I bought my 50 mm lens from her back in April!!}

Anyway, I just had to share this super fun idea in case anyone out there was in need of something unique and creative!! You still have time if you get to work!!

In other not so great news, life in my bubble was burst a couple of nights ago. Every night when Chris gets home the kids go running out to the garage. Pretty much 100% of the time they are barefoot…we don’t wear shoes around here much! Anyway, Monday night I happened to follow them out which I pretty much NEVER do. I was just stepping out the garage door when what do I see? A scorpion running out from underneath the car. He was nowhere nearly as big as the one we caught during the summer of 2007, but that doesn’t matter. He was big enough to look more like a rodent than an insect and his pinchers and stinger were just as fierce. Needless to say, I was {and still am} bummed. I am so, so thankful that I went out when I did and the kids managed to steer clear of him, but seriously, he was in our garage. Chris then so kindly pointed out that he could have probably gotten inside too. AHHHHH!!! We are always barefoot around here and a lot of time at night the lights are off when we are wandering about. Needless to say, I have been on high alert and every room I enter I turn on the light. We have gotten REALLY lax about the kids wearing shoes…really lax. As in they go outside barefoot ALL of the time. Well, not anymore. I guess I just kinda was living in denial but had a rude wake up call!!

Eeeekkk!! I am squealing I am so in love with this shot of my two littles!! I managed to talk Chris into loading up with me this morning and running over to that little citrus grove I blogged about a few days ago to put my new 5D to work!! I have had it nearly a week now and because of the oh so bright sun and timing and Chris being out of town and all, I just haven’t had much time to play with it!! This morning greeted us with dreary gray skies and cool temperatures {my kind of weather for sure!!} so I felt inspired to doll the kids up and head on over!! We weren’t there too awfully long, but we were there long enough for me to take what seemed like tons of pictures and for the kids to roam around and pick lemons off the ground!!

I didn’t download these {I only need tiny little elements and not entire kits, so I didn’t download any that I had to buy}, but oh my, I think I may have found a new obsession!! Although I didn’t design our Christmas cards this year, I will be creating them next year…along with all sorts of other random cards and invitations!! The variety of digital scrapbooking kits out there astounds me!! Not too long ago I thought digital scrapping was for the birds {I have always loved to actually “do” my own thing with real paper and embellishments!}, but the more I learn about photography and dive into the design aspect, the more I love all the possibilities the digital world offers as well. I don’t ever see myself whipping up digital scrapbook pages, but I most definitely can see myself creating birthday invites and cards galore!!

Anyway…here are just a couple of these fun kits from my new favorite online store, Shabby Princess!! This one is my fave! Love the colors and the vintage feel!! 

And how incredibly cute are these lil cowboys?!! I wonder if Huntler will want a cowboy bash for his 5th birthday?!!

I was just on the Shabby Princess site and saw some cute little Valentine’s Day card templates! I am so excited to do fun stuff like that now!!

In other randomness, I listed some cute shoes on E-bay today if anyone out there has a sweet girl who is in need {or want!!} of some sassy new kicks!! {I listed more than just these two pair so if you follow the above link, once you are in E-bay check out my other items!}

I have never listed anything on E-bay before but I am slowly and surely trying to clear some things out. I figured I should put the winter stuff on while it is well, winter!! I guess I should sort through the rest of the clothes too! Ugh. I get overwhelmed just thinking about that!!

I also have that second Gymboree code for the 20% off your purchase! First one to leave me a comment saying they want it and your email, it is yours. I will email it to you tomorrow!

Well friends, it is 9:30 and I should really think about getting to bed. The five hours or so of sleep I got last night is catching up with me!! Hope everyone had a WONDERFUL weekend and here is one last look at my sweets {minus the cute paper and frame – I wanted you to see it as big as I could get it}!!

Hiya friends! So here it is Saturday! WOW! Chris finally got home late last night after being gone for three days on business and let me just say, THANK GOODNESS! I love my kids dearly and I am beyond blessed to be able to stay home with them each and every day…I know that…but man was I ready for a little help!!

So I did what any mom who needs a break and a little pampering does…I went and got my hair cut this morning! LOVE it. She didn’t do anything dramatic, just shaped and trimmed me up, but I went in armed with pictures and left armed with pointers on how to achieve some different looks!

If you have been reading for awhile, you may remember that I am mildly {okay, okay…extremely} addicted to General Hospital. While I am NEVER able to catch it in the afternoons, many a night I stay up and get caught up while the munchkins slumber! Thank goodness for DVR…what did we do before it?!

Anyway, there is a character on there who’s hair I adore! {ADORE!} While our cuts are very similar, hers is always so cute and sassy. I am sure it has a lot to do with the fact that she has it done for her each and every day and she is an actress while I on the other hand am a stay at home mom and have to try to pull off something presentable between breaking up fights and wiping bottoms. Not so glamorous, hunh?!

Isn’t she just so cute? Now if only my stylist could wave her magic wand and make me look like Megan!! So anyway, I left the salon with a little more “know how” on achieving some different looks! Ringlets, loose waves, sass. We’ll see if I am able to pull off anything remotely similar to how it looks right now!!

Moving on…I placed my Gymboree order. After much {and I mean MUCH} deliberation, it has been sent off and will be arriving on my doorstep in three to seven business days!! Anyway, Lisa always gets these fabulous 20% off coupons in the mail. Me? Never. So, after hearing of her coupon and then when another reader commented on taking 20% off the already discounted rate, my little mind started working in overdrive!! I hopped on over to E-bay and there are 20% off coupons all over the place! I mean, you have to pay anywhere from $1.50 to $3.00 for them, but when you are saving $20, it is worth it! As this economic crisis sets in, we are no different than anyone else out there. We have to watch what we buy and how much we spend just like everyone else. It isn’t fun…but it is. And like I was telling my mom the other day, Christmas might be a lot more simple and scaled back this year, but at least we get to go home. A lot of people aren’t even that fortunate and for that, I am so, so grateful.

Anyway…I lost my train of thought! I placed my order…the faux fur jacket made the cut. Other, much more practical items got the boot to make room for the fun, frivolous jacket! I have SO SO many ideas in mind for photos in that little number! I only hope I can pull them off!!

Back to the coupon…to make a long story short, I purchased one off E-bay yesterday and had trouble connecting with the seller. Because I am ever so slightly impatient {read…EXTREMELY impatient!} and she had not sent me the code hours and hours later, I bought another one. Still haven’t received the code on that second one yet, but the first one felt so bad that she sent me two codes!! Now, I most certainly don’t need to be buying anything more that what I already have, so I am giving away the extra code! An ADDITIONAL 20% off your online Gymboree purchase from now until December 24th!! {Remember that they are currently offering free shipping and having a major sale!!} Be the first to comment that you want this and let me know what exactly it is you “must have” from the wonderful Gymbo and I’ll email you the code!! I am sure I should be getting another code from the second one I purchased {late last night} so when it comes I’ll offer it up too!! {Don’t forget to include your email address if you are the first one who comment!!}

Okay, well the kids are playing nicely with Chris and I have presents to wrap, a bow board to make, receipts to enter, hair pretties to work on, Christmas cards to get ready to mail off and photography stuff to do!! Needless to say, I should get! I will be back in a bit to check for comments so I can send off that code though! Believe me, I am as impatient as they come in situations like that so I’ll be ready to go!!

Yes…I am irritated! Not at anyone…at the gosh darn CUTE girl clothes that are popping up all over creation that I feel as though I must get my hands on. I thought my Christmas shopping was done {for the kids that is}. THOUGHT is the key word. I would have gone on living in happy oblivion but then my best shopping buddy went and called me up this morning to see if I had seen Gymbo’s new line!! We all know I am a lot obsessed with Gymboree and their clothes. But that being said, they are generally a hit or miss for me. Lately it has been all miss. Don’t get me wrong, there were some super cute things in their new candy line, but nothing I couldn’t live without, especially after picking up a few necessities from the Cupcake Cutie line at the outlet a couple of weeks ago.

So last Tuesday morning I woke up to clouds. Grey skies. Sprinkles. Utter dreariness. The kind of days I absolutely {love} but rarely find out here in the desert. Other than my friends and family, the weather is what I miss the most about Kansas! The seasons…the spring rains, the clouds, pretty much all of it!

The gatherer…

Hurry up Mom! Let’s get these loaded up and out of here!!

Moving along. I need some more help!! {By the way, thanks for all the ideas for Gentry for Christmas…we ended up getting her some of the new Tinkerbell figurines and toys. We looked at all the “My Little Pony” stuff, the princesses, “The Littlest Pet Shop,” and all the other girly stuff but just weren’t loving it. Then we saw the Tinkerbell array and found a few things in there!}

Anyway…for all you teachers or former teachers out there and all you mamas who have already had to do the whole teacher present thing…I need your advice!! We need to get something for Huntler’s teacher but I just don’t know what. Something creative. Something usable. Something neat. Any ideas? I don’t mind making bits and pieces of it or buying it. Whatever. I just need some ideas and fast!! 

Another fun post coming tomorrow!! I’ve been tagged a couple of times and have lots more to share!! But now I must get onto my photography forum. I have been out of the loop for over a week now…I am never going to catch up! AHHH!!!