I’m madly in love with summer. And it’s drawing to a close, which makes me miss it already. Much like when your honey goes on a trip and you know you’ll miss him terribly and want to spend every moment with him before he leaves. That’s how I feel about the end of summer. No more whites or linens or trips or shorts or suntan lines or 8 PM sunsets. Oh the sunsets. Me, sunsets and Instagram have shared quite the summer.



And as with every summer I have such high hopes and dreams for 3 months we have together. (As with every season, except for winter. The only good thing about winter is Christmas and possibly Mardi Gras. But Mardi Gras is so much better when it’s not in the depths of winter. I’ve digressed…). You know, always a reason to start fresh. Ah, New Beginnings.

It’s coming to a close, my friends. Although, I am looking forward to the boots of fall. Oh a warm happy feeling just went through me at the thought of how perfectly complete an outfit looks with boots and a scarf. But, I really do love summer. It’s just a little love affair with fall clothing. Nothing for summer to be overly jealous of. And, again, off track.

I made a bucket list of things to accomplish for the summer. The list is not where it needs to be and I’ve been very distracted. What was the list? Here’s a link!
What I have accomplished? Decorating the cabinets in my kitchen. And under budget!

What I didn’t accomplish? Working out. At.All. My poor body. I’m sorry for taking you for granted.

Back to the end of summer...
There is one really wonderful thing that comes with the end of summer. Oh, well, my August Birthday Tradition, of course. And that’s this weekend. Unfortunately, two of my favorites will not be in attendance this year. But that is not to say that it won’t be a perfectly wonderful weekend of fun (and PICTURES!!!). Need.To.Find.The.Point.And.Shoot.



Before I leave you. One of the things on the bucket list was ‘The New Orleans Open or Closed Project’. And it’s not finished. But it is started! Here's a taste.



I love you, Summer. And I’m deeply sorry that I’ve not blogged about you and for you more.

Nevertheless, I am pretty excited about these little girls! Just the thing to walk me from Summer right into Fall. And the necklace? That was my birthday present to myself from last year. It’s kind of been a wardrobe stable the last few weeks. It makes me feel similar to the way boots make me feel. Confident and pretty.


Hope you’ve enjoyed!!

As I grow up, I'm learning myself. Isn't that a nice thing and a frustrating thing about growing up? It seems as if, no matter how much we try to make the most out of plans - college, friendships, relationships, events - we can always look back and find things we should have/could have changed.


We slowly evolve into the person we feel most comfortable being. But, for me, it's not without struggles or without taking a few wrong turns. Oh yes, examples...

I was on the debate team in college. Why? I have absolutely no idea. This was me learning myself the Hardaway. Cuz, let's face it, I feel no joy from arguing with people or public speaking for that matter. During the situation I looked at it as a growing experience. I was trying to make myself better at something I wasn't good at. What a stupid reason to put time into something. Looking back, I did learn something. I learned, it's probably better to spend time trying to get better at things you're actually good at (or at least passionate about). hahahaha That seems to black and white, but I think that a lot of people struggle with this. Let's be honest, we've all tried to be something we're not a time or two. Me? I tried to be good at debate. Probably because my sister was good at it and my dad was good at it...I just didn't inherit that particular trait, and that's okay. At least I know I'll never wonder if I was good at it...hahaha

On my life's bucket list I've always had 'To write a book about my life'. And, again...why? I'm not a writer. In fact, I'm not even really a big fan of words. This may come as a shock, considering I 'write' a blog. Regardless, the truth of the matter is, I would much prefer to make a short film or a show of images expressing my life. Maybe it could be set to the music from various times in my life. Maybe I could have cameo appearances from people who impacted me. We could get into technicalities about how I would actually have to write a script and blah, blah...but you see my point. Why was that on my bucket list? I'm not good at that, so why would I waste the time doing it?!

Stray thought about blogging as opposed to writing: Blogging is more a instrument to express thought and less a structured reading or writing tool. And I love that about blogs. It's just free thought where formatting and spelling (hahaha) is loosely judged.

For more examples, we could get into other weird, long choices I've made in relationships & friendships, but I'll spare you. I'll just say, sometimes when I look back on times in my life I see a big question mark because I have no idea what I was thinking. hahahahahaha Everything happens for a reason...I suppose.

Thankfully, I'm coming into my own. I've realized lots of things I'm not and slowly finding more things I am.

I've learned, I love my camera and every single thing about it. I regret every single day I've lived without it. And maybe, unlike debate, I'm actually good at taking pictures.

I've learned I'm not the most analytical.  I've learned, I'm a little dyslexic - maybe. With that I don't have to be great at words and numbers (although, I should start practicing to spell common words that I misspell and I do really enjoy some algebra problems). I'm mostly right-brained and I'm good with that. On the personality test where it measured social skills directly opposed to analytical skills, I'm much more a people person. It's just who I am by nature. So, I know I don't need to go back to school to be a Chemical Engineering -- although the money sure would be nice. What I do need to do, is discover the best way my strong social skills can help me grow personally and professionally. Though that may seem obvious, I still think a lot of people struggle with this. I know I'm guilty of trying to be better at the things I'm bad at and I leave the good things at good instead of trying to make them great. I hope I stop doing that. hahahah

I've learned that 'the perfect guy' for me was/is out there. And I'm pretty dang sure I have found him!! :)) For a long time, I thought that everyone just settled for good enough. I realized, some people are guilty of that, but I didn't have to be one of those people. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that every day I'm moving forward in life with him. Again, applying the bad things good instead of good things better...why struggle to make someone into the person you want them to be, when instead you can find the perfect person and work at making the perfect relationship!!! :)

Okay, I feel all happy now that I'm becoming who I'm suppose to be. hahahhaa sorry I'm cheesy.


'God is great, beer is good, & people are crazy.' - Billy Currington

Truth is, I'd post a blog every single day if I had free time. I love blog posting, LOVE it. And there are so many, many things that I want to share with you. I'm about to bust with all of the ideas, plan, and adventures I have popping up. It makes doing my 9-5 (really, 8-6 M-Th, 8-2 F) so much harder. You know, the concentration level and drive just isn't always what it should be, which I regret. Truthfully, when i have a successful day at the office it makes my much more productive once leaving the office.

I've spent far too much time complaining about my lack of time. Complaining is really just complaining. So the way I see it, you can only complain one time. Then you have to do something about it. If you don't do something about it you become a Complainer (I became a Complainer). Most everyone, except the fortunate-envied few, have a 8-5 job, a relationship, a family, friends, and not nearly enough time to do the things they want. Be it working out, running, taking pictures, building, home decorating, gardening, painting, you get the gist.... And it seems that everyone deals with it in their own way. How do you deal with it?

I think the first time I realized that everyone struggles with this is when I had a conversation with a colleague about working out. He has a family, two kids, the same commute as me, the same hours, and plenty enough hobbies to keep him busy...and he is still making time to work out in the evening.

Then I thought about how much time I DO have. I don't have children, a dog, or any obligations except the ones I bestow on myself. Sure, I have my job, my 'demanding' friendships, and 'time-consuming' relationship, and a family that likes to see me once or twice a week. But I don't have so many other obligations that really could hinder my production level.

It's come down to Determination. Drive. Ambition. Want. & Desire.

Those are the things I need. Not time. I have more time now that I will ever have. Short of my dream job as a house-wife, with a killer blog and awesome design and photography skills who breeds small dogs with great hair and the perfect outfit for every occasion.

I'm praying about it. I'm hoping that new doors are open to me soon that get me one step closer to being who I want to be.

I've been seeing a lot about 'how to get to where you want to be'. So often I feel that I'm not sure where I want to end up, I'm just aimlessly moving forward, which may be half (or more) of my problem. There are so many opportunities out there. There are so many things that I want to learn. I get closer to the person I'm supposed to be every day, but I wonder why on earth it took me so long to find this path. And I blame things on things that shouldn't receive blame. blah blah blah

What I do know & know I love:

- Photography
- blogging
- The blogging community
- All Social Media
- Interactive web design (love & want to learn)
- Vintage designs
- Photoshop
- All adobe design products
- Art, graphic & photo
- Short films (love, & want to learn)
- Running

What I need to do:

- Become better at spelling & grammar
- Create & build my personal website
- Strengthen the skills that I already have before moving on to another. (like build my website before starting to play with video editing).
- Workout more
- Take personal time to better become who I want to be

And that's just off the top of my head...

Until next time...which I'm hoping is today because there are those fun things that I have been wanting to share and may have the spare time to do today!!

Creatively yours,
Jenny

I just scrolled down my blog and realized about 7 out of 10 of my most recent blogs were written on Tuesday. Trend, much?! This was by no means on purpose, I guess Tuesday just puts me in a certain mood.

There's something specifically special about this Tuesday, it's 1/11/11. I recently tweeted something about starting Project 365 today. And, well, I'm feeling the itch. Honestly, I'm terrified of not seeing it thru, after all, it's such an easy task. Take one picture a day and post it. The actual action would take approximately 10 minutes all together and that includes taking the lenses off my camera and uploading the picture. But I know me and most days I have a hard time just remembering to take my vitamins.... there's still plenty of time left in the day, and my camera is in my car...

with that...
Happy 1/11/11

Speaking of making wishes and pretty things, I saw the most beautiful sunset Friday and I couldn't help but take a few pictures of it. Dork.

Aprel & Mille Mille is Aprel's BFF from college. My family has accepted her as our sixth sister, that's how much we love her.

Matt & Joseph | Joseph & Matt Like Father, Like Son. Matt is Aprel's hubby, Jo is her 3rd lil babae!

Future Bro-in-Law with Aprel's 2 & 4.

 

Youngest sister & oldest sister share fashion sense!