And of course I can’t leave out the fact that my brunch at
Interlachen Country Club yesterday for NACE was fabulous,
delicious and a nice break in the middle of the week.
And Kudos to Interlachen, 2009 marks their 100th anniversary!

I set up a table, an easel, set out all sorts of albums, guest
books, proof books, framed images etc…then I ran a 200+ image
slide show of some of my favorite images that I’ve shot for NACE
since I started on that fateful day that the 35W bridge collapsed
into the mighty Mississip nearly 2 years ago.

The slide show was a HUGE hit! Next time I’ll bring my 24″
monitor! I just couldn’t swing it yesterday. Everyone
gathered around and reminisced as it looped.
You see, each NACE meeting is really like a mini wedding
reception from decor to floral to signature drinks, not to
mention the venues! Really, a lot of fun.

Tonight I will head up to the Metropolitan to cover a MOFAS event.
Pregnant Pause, being held tonight, is their 4th annual awareness
event for expectant moms.

Tomorrow, I am photographing a fun wedding out at the
Como Park Conservatory.
Yep, another Friday wedding!

Saturday my niece, Amanda, has a dance recital that I wouldn’t
miss for the world!

And Sunday is Mom’s day, of course..ahhhhh.

A teeeeeeny bit more snow overnight.
Not enough to shovel or plow but it
does add a fresh layer of white to
everything…pretty, really.

When Gary is gone, Boo gets crazy.
Gary is an early riser…me? not so much.
So this means that in the weeee hours
Boo gets bored. That’s when things
get interesting. First a lovely kiss
on the lips….yes, the lips (a terrific
exfoliating process for those dry winter
lips!). Then, when that’s not working he
gets a little more daring and paws at my
back~now I’ve had my lips done and a back
massage! I warn you, however, that this is
NOT programmable so don’t run right out and
get a cat just yet! I got lucky.
On to strategy #3…Boo leaps up on to the
headboard where he will locate anything
left there (remote, votive, phone, back
scratcher) and proceed to paw at it until
it topples and crashes on to my head.
It’s true what they say…”Third time’s the
charm.” ‘cuz that usually does it for me.
One day, I think he will figure it out and
go right for the remote! He’s mighty bright.

Today, I am on call for NILMDTS. Pray that
I don’t get any calls….that would be lovely!

I’m shooting an engagement session this afternoon
in the Uptown area and it’s a little chilly
today so I’m sure we’ll be venturing indoors
rather quickly.

HUGE news….my flip arrived yesterday!
Funny thing about shipping is if you ask for
2-3day shipping, it costs more but you get it in
2-3 days. If you order ground 5-7 days (less
expensive, you get it in 3 days…Niiiiiiiice!
I’m excited to start using it….poor Boo & Gary!

Getting together with the MOFAS folks again today.
They want to involve me in their “Hill Day” in
January so we are going to discuss what this
organization can effectively do to gain the State’s
interest and support in their fight to educate
the public about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome!
More to come on that subject, the date and my
involvement.

NACE event last night at the Bloomington Sheraton.
Always a great time. I won more stuff in the raffle
(no hotel stay) and bid on some really cool gift
baskets..I’m enjoying the coffee from Starbucks
right now and last night lit a bunch of candles
that rest on this glass (looks like ice) tray from
Crate & Barrel…um, do they have clothing at
Crate & Barrel? Cuz it’s just the beginning of
December and I already feel like a barrel could
be my next outfit!

Hey..thanks for reading…I promise to post photos
soon of all that’s been going on.

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!!!!!

Then, later this afternoon, between storms, I
will head north to Blaine to photograph a family
for the same project.

Tomorrow morning, I’ll head back up that way to
photograph a teacher in district 287 @ Hosterman.
(I need to get a new ear piece for my car!)

This is an exciting project and I’m so happy that
Emily found me. After working with Emily at Urban
Ventures on another project, Emily called me up
when she joined forces with the Minnesota Organization
on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and asked for my help.

Thanks Emily!

p.s.I met Tom Petters at the Starkey Gala this
passed summer. Here he is pictured with Steve
Chepokas…Tom is in some deep dooty! Huge FBI raid
yesterday at his Minnetonka based business! yikes!