Days go by…

Keith Urban sings “….and days go by. I can feel ‘em flyin’ like a hand out the window in the wind. The cars go by…yeah it’s all we’ve been given, so you better start livin’ right now, ‘cuz days go by.” I can’t even believe that it’s nearly May already. So much has happened in the past several months and Summer is just around the corner…beckoning with projects, weekends at the cabin, ball games, soccer practice, neighborhood barbecues, not to mention work! Lets face it, Minnesota Summers are short…and by that I mean the season. Many surrounding states get to extend their season by simply boasting warmer temps than we northerners. However, Spring of 2010 is on pace to be the 2nd warmest on record and while I have TOTALLY been loving the fact that we are a whopping 2 weeks ahead in spring blooming and all I also know that “records” are not always met with any great regularity. That said, sadly, I know that it may be awhile before we experience a glorious, early spring such as this! Therefore, I shall cherish this one more and believe that my mom had something to do with it! I will long remember the Spring of 2010!

Rosanne Cash @ Dakota.

WOW! First of all, we get there and we are sitting at a table right in front of the stage. Second, we had dinner there (and the food was outSTANDING!). Third, to my surprise, they allowed photography…no flash. duh. Didn’t know we’d be able to but brought our cameras along anyway, just in case. I debated…do I bring the 50 1.4 or the 85 1.8? I brought the 85. Tonight, as Sandi purchased tickets for both shows back in April, I will bring the 50. Tonight, our seats are to Rosanne’s left think a little wider might be nice.

(all shot with a Canon 1D Mark 3 and the 85 1.8)

Here’s what the Star Tribune had to say about last night’s performance.

This really is a terrific place to see an artist up close and personal. I will watch for future gigs and hit the Dakota more often!

Thanks, Sandi, for recommending it and coming to Minneapolis to share it with me (all the way from DC!).

Seems you never really know what’s in your own back yard until someone comes from out of town to enlighten you! Sandi loves Rosanne Cash and now…so do I! Watch for her new CD,”The List”, to drop October 6th. I know I’m looking forward to it!

Personal.

Those of you who know me know that the organization
Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep holds a very special
place in my heart and in my life.
I have been an active affiliate for 2 years and
a have coordinated our services for Minneapolis
Children’s Hospital for the past year.

In doing so I have met some fabulous photographers,
worked with some of the greatest hospital staff,
grieved with many families, some that have experienced
multiple losses. I thank God everyday that he has
given me the talent, the tools and the strength to
approach every session so that I can share with these
photographers, educate hospital staff members and
start the healing process for these broken families.

At this time, I will continue to coordinate for
Minneapolis Children’s and Methodist hospitals but I
will not be photographing anymore sessions.

God Bless.

Gary Comes Home/Jaxon Goes Home.

Gary’s been away since Wednesday.
He and 3 other guys went back out to Oregon
to play golf at Bandon Dunes.

These same 4 ventured out there 3 years ago,
loved it so much they returned this year.
This is about 4 & half hours from Portland.

They’ve made this trip an annual thing and
have selected some mighty swanky spots to
chase the white ball. Bandon was a “must do”
again.

Where there were 3 courses: Bandon Dunes,
Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails, there are
now nearly 4. Old MacDonald is near completion
and the guys played the 10 hole that were
open on Friday making that a 28 hole day!

As you can tell from the # of recent posts,
I’ve been busy while he’s been away.

No weddings this weekend but I did have the
honor of attending Jaxon’s funeral yesterday.
Another NILMDTS family forever changed and
another friendship forged. God is good.

I am thankful that the rain came today instead
of yesterday. God is good.

Have a peaceful Sunday.

My Birthday Eve Day!

As I clean up the aftermath of yesterday’s
Final 4 party, yes Gary is still in bed,
I’m remembering that tomorrow is my birthday!

The weather is not going to cooperate
I’m not going to the Twin’s opener
Dinner might be out due to the NCAA
Championship Game
But my sister and I have devised a way to
celebrate. We are going to pick up a slice
of cake at Kowalski’s, take it over to
the gym and eat it while on running on the
treadmill! I know, BRILLiant, right!
I think I’ll bring candles along too.

FYI…Register.com is messed up. I’m not
getting any e-mails. This is a known problem
and there’s nothing I can do at the present
moment. If you need to reach me you may do
so through commenting on this blog, on twitter,
facebook or the old fashioned way, the phone.
Sorry for the inconvenience.

Enjoy, what I pray to be, the last snowy day
of the season!

God is Good.

I attended a new church today in Shakopee with
friends of mine. This was much smaller than the
church that I had been attending but I knew that
going in. It was so good to see Ann, Pete and
their children! And it felt great to get back to
church and the Word of God. The message today was
about living passionately, identifying obstacles,
plugging in and taking worthwhile risks. A terrific
topic to be revisited every January but particularly
for me, this message fits with my new “Sue 2009″
campaign! I see growth between me and the horizon
and I’ve made some might large strides already!

Change isn’t aways easy but as it was put this
morning….”a calm sea does not produce a skilled
sailor.” I like that. I like it a lot!

I have decided to stay on as an NILMDTS Hospital
Coordinator for both Minneapolis Children’s and
Methodist but the reality of cutting back the sessions
that I preform has come to a screeching halt in that I
have already taken 2 this month.

Wedding season is fast approaching and I cannot wait!
Several specTACular venues and, well, I just love
the thought of a warm, sunny wedding day in June about
now with all the sub zero temps we’ve endured lately.

In a couple of days Gary and I will visit his father
in Arizona…gonna love not having to warm up the
car for 20 minutes! I had to reschedule a shoot
yesterday to to the super cold temps~Rescheduled
for Valentine’s Day and should be sweet!

Now that I have removed myself from Facebook, I intend
on getting back to the seriousness at hand her on my
blog ;D

I know that this will be a fabulous year!
Can’t wait for God to show me the way!
God is Good!

I missed a day…and I liked it….

I hope my blogfriends don’t mind it….
Sorry, thought I’d open the day with a song!

Hmmm, Sunday…no Vikings game (they play tonight),
I hit the gym (WOW! I know. on a SUNDAY!). Had to.
I hate the pressure that we all put on Mondays so I
figured what the heck. It was rainy, I had cancelled
2 shoots for the day and I needed a pick me up.
Felt great!

It’s been 2 years since Bob Davis was here in Minneapolis
to speak for the TCPPA and today he makes a return.
He and his wife, Dawn, are here for a couple of days
to speak and represent GraphiStudios. I’m certain to
get there early. I like the front row.

Today would have been my dad’s 75 birthday. WOW!
I miss him everyday. Father of 5, served in the Korean war,
He’d have been a McCain/Palin man for sure…he was
a leg man!

Gary and I will celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary
on Thursday and (yep…nine-eleven)we are planning a
fabulous dinner out!

Jacquie, thanks for the “coffee talk” yesterday.

Megan is here!

I picked her up around 2. We hit Redstone
in Eden Prairie for a late lunch the stopped
off at the house to see the cats and get
Gary and go to some friend’s in Prior Lake
for some fun on the Lake.

Home for a quick change and then off to
The House of Fun & Fur for her “Dog Daze
of Summer” party.

Home, watched the Olympics opening ceremony
again! Megan didn’t get the chance to see it
cuz she was shooting a wedding in Chicago so
she missed it.

Fun,Fast day.

Today, Church, and who knows…..

Ranee & Jason

I’m shooting Ranee & Jason’s wedding today.
I’m meeting them at a Starbucks where they
met first to take some shots there then
on to Lakeville, actually right by Gary’s
brother’s home. They have decided to hold
the ceremony and the reception at the golf
course so I’m excited to be in one spot
for the entire day…well, almost.
I”m excited to get started.

Last night after my session at the Hilton,
I over heard Becky talking on her phone to
Steve about what to do and where to go for
dinner and I mumbled “how about dinner with
Gary & Sue.” And so the night went from no
plans to getting together at their house to
grill steaks and pour delicious wine!
Tim & Laurie got the call too and it just
came together perfect! What a fabulous time.
LOVE the impromptu get togethers, they are
always so fun. Thanks Becky and Steve for
having us over!

I have so much to catch up on and so much
to blog…I just don’t have the time today.
I just realized that after my wedding shoot
today I’m going to St. Paul to photograph
GB Leighton for some upcoming promotional
media stuff….so I have to buzz over to
O’Gara’s when I’m done….YIKES!!!
Another long Saturday…

Enjoy this GORgeous day!!
I get to relax tomorrow!
OH, Happy Anniversary Ron & Cindy!
This time I got it right!