Indoor energy

networking with my fishy face photography

hi friends,

I'm getting ready to be the next big thing in photography and I could use your help. 

Besides hiring me to be your photographer when it's still just $50, could you "follow" my http://www.blog.fishyfacephotography.com/ blog please?  I only have 2 followers, and that looks pretty sad.  You can even follow anonymously, however that's spelled. 

And I'm going to work on my fishy face facebook fan page more, so I'd love it if you would be a fan of me too! 

If you want to add my logo as a button on your blog, then you can go to your layout, click "add widget," select the photo one, and upload my logo (after you right click on it and save it somewhere like to your desktop).  In the link section, add either http://http://www.blog.fishyfacephotography.com/ if you just want the blog, but you can do the flash page that will go to the blog and to my portfolio by adding http://www.fishyfacephotography.com/ and saving it.

Of course comments on that blog and on facebook are helpful and loved!

I'm going to mostly make money off of my summer underwater swimming lesson sessions, so in order to attract those clients, I want to look like a lot of people love me!  I'm being completely honest letting them know that I'm just starting out b/c I'm only official as of 2010, but you all know that I've had a camera attached to me ever since I got my hands on one as a kid.  I used to only use the 1 hour developing services b/c I was afraid of the chance that my film would get lost if they sent it out.  I would always get doubles and would give coppies to friends.  I was hesitant to transition to digital, but of course that was a great move.  I'm getting better and better at both the photography side, and the business side.  Networking is the best way to start, so please help me out! 

Oh, and I have my first ISR underwater photoshoot on April 15th!  I just need to set dates with other instructors and find ways for them to advertise on my blog etc.  I'm so excited!

And I'll be glad to help you market your business or skills too!

Pictures to come soon, gotta unload the dishwasher real quick first:)

An Impromptu Thursday (the long version, don't feel obligated to read this journal entry)

Today was the most random day of 2010 so far.  I loved it. 

I got up way too early (6:45am, not early for most of you I'm sure) after staying up way too late (being productive designing and ordering Fishy Face Photography gift cards and photo prints of the church nursrey kids etc.)

I got to the preschool to switch kids as if it were a Monday b/c Corrie needed me to have the day off b/c she had the first mandatory meeting at her work ever.  I ALWAYS work this day of the week, so it started off different.  I took Noah and Isaac to Publix where we got stuff for dinner b/c I was asked to take a meal to someone in church who recently had a C-section. 

Once home, I got the random newspaper out of our yard and instead of throwing it right into the trash like usual, I saved the bag so Steven can put it over his broken finger bandage in the shower.  Something caught my eye and I started flipping through the paper.  I noticed a "networking events" section.  One of the events said "Thursday March 11th, 11:30-1."  It's the one that Andre has been telling me I should attend, but I can't b/c I always work Thursdays.  Then it hit me, TODAY is Thursday, and I'm off!  And it's only 9 something in the morning!  So I asked Steven to come home for his lunch break.  He's busy, so he can't.  I asked Don if he wanted to watch his grandson and a napping Noah, and he could!  He even came to my house instead of going to him.  I was going to go for a run, but had a lot of phone, email, and diaper distractions so I skipped that and went right to the shower.  I got a message that Dylan and Isaac's little cousin's surgery went well.  Our prayers are answered.  We're still praying for his continued healthy recovery. 

So while Don made memories and paper airplanes with Isaac, I passed out over 30 Fishy Face Photography business cards at a networking lunch!  I got over 30 business cards too.  I think I'll call the girl who does hair:)  I'm also going to call the UPS guy b/c I really don't even know how that works but he said he'll package everything for me and insure it for free.  I asked a lawyer if he was hiring, and he said he'd have coffee with Steven, but not really.  He'll rent an office with Steven when he's ready, so I'll save that business card.  It was so much fun, and I met someone who may call me to take photos of his little puppy, or if I can get a wide angle lense, maybe he'll use me to take photos of his waterfront properties.  (He was one of like 5 realtors there.) 

I got so excited that I finally made a Fishy Face Photography Facebook page.  (I later realized that I didn't put my watermark on any of the photos, so I have some work to do).  The lunch was really motivating.  I've already been really motivated lately, partly because of all of the Team National motivational speaker CDs I've been listening to.  I'm so blessed!  I mean, so many people can't find work, and I'm turning away job offers!  (I don't want to though, I want to do it all.)  I love helping people find work or people who can help with their businesses.  It's exciting because I'm finally one of the people benefitting directly.  I finally have my own business! 

Ok, so when I got home, I put Isaac in his crib then after a little while Noah woke up (not even knowing that I had left.)  He and I sat at the computer putting my facebook page together and returning emails.  Then I cooked dinner for the C-section person whom I had not yet met and for my own family.  I made simple enchiladas with easy fridge-dough cookies.  There was time to cuddle the two babies when Isaac woke up.  They are so sweet.  They shared both a blanket and me.  (Sometimes Isaac is jealous.) 

Dylan was supposed to have tee ball practice, but it was rainy so it was cancelled.  Instead of taking Isaac visiting teaching with me, it was just me and my grandma.  First, I took dinner to the cutest sleepy tiny newborn little baby boy!  Because of the really (and I do mean really) sad situation and the extreme cuteness of this baby, I asked if I could go back and do a newborn photo session for free for them.  They were so happy!  I am too b/c there's NO stress and it'll be fun practice. 

We went to find a lady on our visiting teaching list, and found out that the person never lived at that address.  I think she gave a fake address, it's pretty funny to me, but only b/c I don't know the person I guess.  So we were early to the church for our next visiting teaching appointment (which was so good). 

Since it's Thursday, the family history center there is open late.  It was on my list for either this month or next to go get Chrissy's paperwork ready so I can go through the temple for her.  We had some time, so my grandma said she'd help me!  How exciting!  We did it!!!!!!!!!  It was so easy.  I've been wanting to do this for a long time, but just didn't go.  Now I can't wait to go to the temple for her!  She's probably so happy!  I wish I could call her and talk to her.  I have so much to tell her.  I tried calling her dad to tell him, then her sister to tell her, then my sister to tell her.  I was on such a high after such an unexpected productive uplifting happy surprising giddy day.  I called a couple of other people too, and one friend finally answered but I was already almost home.  I didn't want to just blog it, I wanted my friends to feel my excitement. 

I got home in time to see my little guys in PJs with their teeth brushed watching Diego for another couple of minutes, then after tucking them in bed, I watched the Office.  I do like that show, but it brought me down from my high for some reason.  It seemed dull in comparasson with real life.  But then the dishes still had to be done, so that's my end to my real life day. 

So my thoughts on the day:  Why is it that I normally would have had to be sitting in an office, not talking on the phone or facebooking or emailing, but I was so busy doing that and all of the other things?  I do love my job, honestly - LOVE it, but I feel like I did in high school when I had a pass to get out of class early for an away soccer game or for a club meeting.  I LOVED those days even though I had more make up work to do.  It's such a good feeling when I'm in control, am making things and people better.  It might be awesome b/c I know this day can never be duplicated again.  So many things worked together and every one was at the last minute - and that's my style:) 

our new hang out

ok, so we've only gone once, but this place seems MUCH better than chuck e. cheese for when it's yucky or too hot or too cold outside. 

it's $8/kid, but free for the adults.  So if the 4 of us go, it's $4/person!

We went with Daliah who was better at climbing the "rock" walls than Dylan b/c she has been there lots before. 

AAAAH! The aligator was eating her!

It's a cute place for jumping, climbing, and sliding.  I went down some big fast slides too!

{Baby} Steven's Finger Surgery

Steven broke his finger playing flag football. He tore the ligaments and his finger looked so deformed. He couldn't move the end of his finger at all. He went to a hand specialist who splinted it and told him he needs surgery. This is Steven's FIRST BROKEN BONE ever, so you can imagine his distress.
We went out for a last meal at Leroy Selmon's the night before. Steven's surgery was supposed to be at 8:30am, but they moved it to past Steven's lunch time, so he had lots of time to pace in the morning. I don't think he was hungry though, he did a good job prepping at Leroy Selmon's:) We took all 4 kids to drop him off. He doesn't look nervous!

But he almost passed out when they were setting up his I.V. He can't give blood either. It's always the tough guys who almost pass out:) He doesn't know why, b/c it wasn't the pain, and he didn't look. They had the anesthesiologist rush in to give him something to calm him down. I told him they he should have called in some valium or something for him. Oh well. That was the worst part of it, he said. Then he woke up well rested, pain free, and happy. Luckily my brother got out of school early that day, so he came while all 4 kids slept. (They really did sleep the entire time I was gone - easiest babysitting job ever!) I went, waited, and listened to the post op instructions while Steven tried to eat with his handicapped hand.

He felt a little sick on the way home, and couldn't focus (or maybe he didn't care what the docs and I had to say), but settled in on his couch nicely. The 4 kids and I had rented the entire 1st season of "24" for him since he started watching it last season and likes it. He has gone through 2/3 of the season I believe in less than 2 days. I took the day off yesterday to baby him, but I don't think I did a good job. I sat and watched some "24" with him and made him a sandwich. He is much better of taking care of me when I need it.
He was feeling well enough to watch the kids while I did a Team National presentation (thank you Andre and Barbie - exciting right?!) and while I volunteered with Head Start kids this morning. He also took Dylan to Tee Ball practice this evening. (I need to blog that, huh - later I guess.)

My new friend, Dr. Hedrick, let Steven borrow a cool pillow that keeps his hand propped up. Maybe I'll get a pic of it later. The pain meds don't seem to give Steven much relief, but he's doing well. I think he hates that he can't see his finger for 2 weeks. It's a bulky bandage, so he's definately handicapped, my poor baby Steven.

Free Busch Gardens passes for kids!

Free preschool Busch Gardens pass for this year! 
To promote the new Sesame Street area, our kids 5 and under can get a free pass! 
Print it out, then go show the birth certificate when you go. 

Click here to register!
I did. 
Now somebody tell me how to get my own free pass so I can take them. . .

Do I have something on my cheeks?

Isaac loves dip, which could be ranch dressing, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, etc.  I made cheeseburger pockets.  To add some healthfulness to them, I added tomatoes and bell peppers.  Isaac loved it, Dylan did NOT.  I loved Isaac's face!

"MOM, the living room is clean now."

Are you wondering what I was wondering? 

Dylan said "spots are clean, like this one (behind him), and over there" (the part around his batting helmet.)  Nice try Dylan, isn't that a DVD case you're about to step on? 

Baby Isaac's eye surgery

My mom had been asking me if Isaac bumped his eyebrow.  I would look over and tell her that his eyes always look swollen b/c he's got fat there.  Then she felt it one day, and felt a pea sized nodule.  She told me to take him to the doctor the next day, and I did.  She told me to take him to the pediatric eye doctor, which I did.  He told me that it is a "dermoid cyst."  It forms when epithelial cells get trapped when the scull is forming.  It's a really common place but it will just keep growing, and if he ever gets bumped there, it could rupture and could damage his eye.  SO, he had to have surgery.  We waited until after his birthday party, of course.  Steven took a day off of work b/c he has a lot of vacation days.  I was so jealous that he could be with our baby.  Isaac was actually excited for it.  I took his picture in the morning between my prayers. 

Steven packed the diaper bag with lots of distractions, and I packed a camera for him. 

I like Isaac and steven's fake smiles here.  Now you see the bump between the corner of his left eye and his eye brow?  There is a mark above it to mark which side. 

They waited and waited and waited and waited in a waiting room. They found EVERY superhero and object in Isaac's new look and find book a couple of times. Isaac wasn't able to eat or drink anything, and Steven said he did okay with that b/c he understood. He would gather all of his things together and would start heading for the door and would try to get Steven to go with him. He kept asking to go bye bye, poor baby. Steven told him that he would get him a new Diego movie when they left. Steven would ask him what they were doing, and Isaac would keep adding "and see Mommy" instead of being excited about the Diego movie. How sweet! The nurse asked me before to have his comfort item ready when he woke up from the anesthesia, but his comfort item has always been ME! He doesn't have a specific blanket, thumb, pacifier, stuffed animal, or anything. He likes to put his head down on my shoulder. Right at my lunch break start, Steven told me that he had just been paged that the surgery was over.  I couldn't wait to hear how it went.  Steven didn't answer - and it did ring, so he did have reception.  My mind was racing, but I had a full schedule of patients after that LONG lunch break.  He still didn't call until after my first patient after lunch.  He started by saying that it wasn't good, and that Isaac had a hard time comming out of anesthesia.  WHAT?  What Steven should have said, was that Isaac is fine, was already buckled in the carseat, had eaten something, and the surgery went perfectly well.  He had what looks like 7 stitches that will disolve.  Isaac actually woke up before Steven even got back there, was hungry (scared), and mad at the whole situation of not knowing where he was, who was in there with him, and why he had an IV in his leg still.  He cried for over an hour, didn't want popsicles, and Steven couldn't take a break to call me.  Isaac got a happy meal, and wanted to be held.  Steven held him the rest of the day, and still when I finally got home. 

Here's a side story I just remembered.  After Dylan and Isaac's well visit, and talking about the paperwork the hospital needed the pediatrician to fill out etc, Dylan asked me, "Mom, when is Isaac going to die?"  Steven called at the same time, and I had to hang up to clear some things up.  Dylan must associate the hospital with death??  The last person he knew in the hospital was his Abuelita.  We visited her there a couple of times before her death a little over a year ago.  And, we talked about Isaac's cyst as a "bump by  his eye," and we talked about Rosco's cancerous tumor as "a bump in his leg."  Dylan knew that Rosco would soon die because his bump was not getting better.  Dylan still didn't believe me that Isaac would be fine until I reminded him that I went to the hospital and we had Isaac and I was fine.  He remembered that, and I could see the concern leave his little face.  Wow.  It did make me think again that we really never know when someone will die.  But I was pretty sure that Isaac would be fine.  And he was! 

He was happy to play with his new happy meal toy.  He started getting a little more active as the evening went on, and he and I played RED LIGHT, green light while Steven and Dylan went to go pick out a Diego movie for him.  I've been busy, but said no to a couple of people b/c "cuddle with my baby" was already on my calendar for that Tuesday evening.  And that's just what I did. 

my TIME OUT wall

2/17/19

that's right.  i had all 4 in time out.  all 4 were crying.  Dylan didn't even do anything, but was upset that i was upset.  i took a picture, gave up on watching them play the blame game w/o words (frustrating), hugged them all, and we went on with our Wednesday.

random comments

i do love comments, but what's with the junk ones?  who finds my blog then picks a random old post and tries getting me to click on thier link?  they often say something like the fact that i should add more pictures - when the post had i'm sure too many photos. 
To try to keep comments real, i've added the word verification step for you.  Hopefully, no more emails about getting exciting comments - only to find it's from a computer generated random solicitor. 
You can still comment as anonymous, but add your name at the bottom of your comment if you want me to know who's good idea it is - like with the Valentine's Day cards, Andre:)

creating-smiles, the logo!

She did it again!  Julie, my step-sister, has created my boss's logo.  I think it's the best dentist logo I've ever seen.  It even has a sparkel like I put on our Christmas cards!  I can't wait to put it on our website, business cards, new patient paperwork, advertisements, etc.  Dr. Brayer picked the colors and made a lot of revisions to it to make it exactly what she wanted.  Thanks for working with us Julie!!!