2008 November — Minneapolis Wedding, Event and Portrait Photography by Austin Images

Quiet Saturday.

November 15, 2008 By Susan 2 Comments

Boo and I were so wiped out from our
whirlwind trip to Albert Lea to see Jo
that we hit the hay last night around 9:00.
I woke up around 5 and Boo was sleeping
smack dab behind me, right up against me.
I think he was happy to be in his own bed.
He usually sleeps at the end of the bed so
this was extra special for me too.
He’s really becoming quite the snuggler.

The drive home was much quicker with no rain.
Boo slept almost the entire way on top of
Gary’s sweatshirt in the passenger footwell.
The gray, dreary sky, cruise control set,
Boo sleeping and the wine from last night
made me a sleepy driver but, nonetheless, I
stayed alert and made it home safe and sound.
I dropped off Boo and all my stuff that I
brought along (Jo gifted me with a lot of things
as well), grabbed my camera and got back into
traffic and headed to the Hilton. Owen was
coming back for a second Minnesota Miracle
weekend. He and his family had a scheduled
MM back in April but Owen was just not up for
it so that weekend was cut short. The foundation
decided that they needed another crack at it
so this was the weekend. This one I covered
solo. The family requested that because they
had already experienced a MM recently that it
was not necessary to re-gift them with all the
usual things like balloons, gifts in the room,
Underwater World passes, Nickelodeon Universe
passes, VISAs, cameras, etc…BUT…we just
wouldn’t have it any other way! So up to the
room I went with them to get my usual “secret
photos” and with hugs all around I was on my
way..another wonderful family being gifted
with a weekend to forget about cancer…or at
the very least, be distracted from it!

Back into the traffic…it’s so dark now at 5:30!
I followed the sea of red tail lights home.
No stopping, just get home, into my jammies and
sit with my Boo.

Here are some shots from Boo’s excellent adventure.

Wiper blades were a HUGE hit!

“…Excuse me officer, but I don’t recall
there ever being a law against taking photos
while driving.”

Jo’s wheel chair was also a HUGE hit!

I brought Jo a stocking for her to have
at our house ‘cuz she’ll be with us for
Chrtistmas.

Lizzy let Boo on the sofa, but just for a bit!

Boo decide to make himself at home.

And before you knew it, we were on our
way back to Eden Prairie.

Thanks for all the hospitality Jo!
Please thank Flora and Lizzy for us too!

Tonight I’m going with Ron and Cindy to
the Timberwolves game!

Gary comes home tomorrow.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: BOO

Crazy Boo.

November 14, 2008 By Susan 1 Comment

Well, we made it through the night.
Jo’s experiencing her first hangover ever,
no thanks to me! :\
Everything was going fine until Jo backed
up over Boo’s tail. When he tried to free
himself by jumping, it made matters worse
and then Lizzy & Flora came running in the
living room and started hissing and I’m tellin’
ya..it was a sight and sound to behold!
Everyone is back in their corners and Boo’s
tail is just fine…no harm, no foul.
Jo, of course, is feeling just awful. I just
told her to get over it!

I’ll head back home in a little bit and
prepare for welcoming a cancer family to the
Hilton. This family had been there before
but had to come without Owen. He was too sick
to make the weekend but the family thought that
the siblings, in that they were so excited
about hotel stay, should get to go regardless
and made the arrangements to go without him.
Today, I’ll get to meet Owen and see them
all together as a family. I can’t wait!

In that I’m on my laptop, I don’t have a ton
of images to share because mostly I load all
the Minnesota Miracle images on my main machine
at home.

I am so glad that I was able to come down here
to stay with Jo. She clearly didn’t need my help
but the company…well, as the commercial goes…
1/2 a tank of gas…$17.
Bottle of Cabernet…$32
Cat food, treats & toys….$12
Hissy fits, hangovers and full litterbox?
…priceless.

Gonna go grab a bite to eat.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Uncategorized

Albert Lea.

November 13, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

I finally arrived in Albert Lea around 1:30 on Thursday
afternoon. Rained all the way down..hard. Not fun.
I brought Boo along just because I wanted him to meet
Jo, Flora & Lizzy. Okay, truth be told….I would miss him.

We did the official introduction of the cats and frankly,
they did pretty well. Mostly a little hissing but no big
blow outs.

Jo and I hopped in my car and headed to the grocery
store, hit the liquor store and ran back to her place
to be certain that the cats didn’t kill one another.
They were just fine. With that hurdle over, we got back
in the car and grabbed a bite at Applebee’s down the
road. I just love that “fiesta lime chicken”! Crazy good.

Boo has been a VERy good camper…he has settled in
and loves Jo and her place. He would like to be better
friends with Lizzy & Flora but…well, it’s a territory thing.
Boo is very aware of his boundaries and is accommodating
their needs. Daddy would be very proud.

Jo and I talked about everything…laughed about
everything and photographed everything.
We talked into the weeeee hours and knew that
tomorrow I would be heading back to EP

She’ll come up to Msp for Thanksgiving and
again for Christmas.

Jo is the new black.

I’ll post images tomorrow….

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: BOO, visitors

A hunting we will go…

November 12, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Yep. Gary sprung another hunting trip on me.
He’s heading back out to Winner, South Dakota
to decrease the population of pheasants. He’ll go
again in December and one last time in January.

I really think it’s the ‘journey’ and the ‘camaraderie’
more than the “killin’ shit”, as Gary’s friends put it.
Yea, nice…right?

Anyway..I apologize for neglecting my poor blog
these days as I have been busy with other things
and frankly, even my camera is complaining about
not getting out enough!

My good friend Jo traveled to Mason City, IA
yesterday morning to have a stint placed in her throat.
Cancer had spread to her throat and this procedure is
done to assist her body in ridding itself in that
area (I think I got that right)…anyway, I’ll be
dropping by to see her tomorrow and I’m looking
forward to seeing her again.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Uncategorized

MinneSNOWta.

November 8, 2008 By Susan 2 Comments

Yikes,it happened! Our first official
snowfall. I got outside right away
knowing that if I waited to long, it
would all melt.

And, indeed, it is all gone.

I also wanted to post some shots from
the Sofitel from Thursday night. That was
some delicious fun! I won a couple of items
in the silent auction that I will be giving
as Christmas gifts. YAY!

I did not picture the auction items that
I won…so dont’ get all excited about the
wine or the mirror!

J is coming over today for her birthday
hair and shoot! Not sure the shoot will
actually take place in that it is a very
blustery day, Pooh. We’ll see.

Brrrrr. Stay warm today

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: birthdays, FOOD, weather~worthy

Rainy Thursday.

November 6, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

My sister calls it “Thirsty Thursday”. Amateur.

Anyway….I have two wonderful functions today.
First, I will meet with all of the Metro area
Coordinators for NILMDTS at O’Gara’s in St. Paul.
This organization is growing so much that we
need to keep things in check so that we are all
handling sessions and contact with area hospitals
in the same manner. This will be our first official
meeting of this sort. Haven’t seen some of these
gals in quite some time.

Then, despite the fact that Cheers in Bloomington
is having their annual wine tasting tonight from
6-8 (which I never miss), I have a NACE event at
the Sofitel. Ordinarily we meet on Wednesdays but
this month it’s a Thursday and it’s their big
“Tour of Chefs” annual fund raiser for Open Arms
of Minneapolis and St. Paul. I had a BLAST last year!
Here are some shots from 2007 at the St. Paul Hotel.

FABulous food, drinks, desserts, decor and auction!

Enjoy the rain…could be a big nap day!

Filed Under: Involvements Tagged With: NACE

Coleman & Franken still at it.

November 5, 2008 By Susan 2 Comments

I awoke to a new President Elect.
At the same time I am awaiting the outcome
of the Senate race here in Minnesota.
Only about 800 votes separates Norm Coleman
and Al Franken. A re-count is imminent.

I’m really pretty excited about Barack winning
because he’s going to lower taxes, end
the war, make healthcare more affordable,
decrease our dependence on foreign oil,
make our kids smarter, make college affordable,
get everyone a job, turn the economy around…
I mean, some folks are referring to him as the
“anti Christ” but I see him as the new Messiah!

Seriously, do you believe all that?

Oh well, it is what it is, right?
Let’s all just get over ourselves and move forward.

I pray that this nation can come together, indeed.
I just don’t know of any political figure that
got into office on his promises that actually
delivered.

So, to the rest of the Austin family…”you won!”
Let the games begin!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: political stand, RANT

Election Day 2008!

November 4, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Well, this is it folks.
The day we’ve been waiting for.
Perhaps by the end of this day we will,
as a nation, have elected a new president.

I can safely say that pretty much everyone
is sick and tired of all the political banter,
ads, lawn signs, phone calls, unwanted mailers.
We, Gary and I, have become one with TiVo as
we have discovered that we can eliminate all
the tv ads by simply fast forwarding!

Now, as I recall years passed, election day
was an “ad free” day. What the heck happened to
that policy? I mean really, what’s the point
of running those stale ads today of all days?
Just in case someone has been living under a
rock or in a cave the past few months? Nice use
of funds, people!

I, of course, am voting today, I’m just waiting
for all the folks with “real” jobs to cast their
ballots then the line will be shorter ;D
I’m anxious to get my little red “I voted” sticker
so I can go get a free coffee at Starbucks!

Yesterday I got the opportunity to go back to
Abbott Northwestern Hospital and hand deliver
my images to one of the families whose baby
I photographed on Saturday. The mom had had a
C-section and was still there.
I was happy to stop by and say hello and close
that chapter.

From there I attended the MOFAS annual report
release at the Children’s Home Society and
Family services in St. Paul.
I was delighted to see so many of my images blown
up to 40×60 mounted posters! Pretty cool.
Then the organization gifted each of the 5
people(families) with a framed 11 x 14 image
from my collection personalized for them.
That too, was pretty cool!

Here’s J from her birthday party on Sunday night.
Always a great time at Scott & Nicki’s!
Missed you G!!

my gift, as usual, is a hair/photo session!

GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!!

Filed Under: Involvements, Personal Tagged With: MOFAS

Gorgeous Sunday!

November 2, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

The calendar says it’s November but the
weather still says October…no complaints
here!

I’m heading down to St. Anthony Main for an
engagement shoot for a couple that is getting
married next June. Looking forward to working
with this couple!

Last night I had another call from Abbott.
a nearly 39 week loss. Sudden & tragic.
A beautiful baby boy. Completely perfect on
the outside.

I’ve had the misfortune of photographing
two losses in one day before but mostly all of
the babies are never in any condition to survive
or even fight their conditions so when I come
upon a baby that is so perfect looking and
full term it puzzles me beyond belief.
I don’t know the outcome of his condition, nor
will I, which makes it even tougher to let it go.

To those of you who read this blog on a regular
basis, I apologize for all the sadness I’ve
been reporting. Know that I am well and continue
to do God’s work.

I get to attend my niece’s birthday party later
today (after the e-session) and I am looking
forward to that!!

Love your families and friends as if there were
no tomorrow!

Filed Under: Involvements

On Call…

November 1, 2008 By Susan Leave a Comment

Today I am on call for NILMDTS.
Heather called around 8 this morning
with a 29 week loss at Abbott.
Grabbed my camera and hopped in the
car. This mom went into spontaneous
labor and delivered a sweet girl.
God had other plans for her as she
was born with some skeletal dysplasia.
TOTALLY unexpected.
Such a beautiful day for such a loss.

I remain on call today.

Happy Birthday Chris Slater!!!!
I missed you at Abbott today!

Tomorrow is J’s birthday and we are still
working on getting together for a birthday
shoot!

More stellar weather today.

Filed Under: Involvements