.simply cb.

The Big Move!

2009-04-24T13:42:00.002-06:00

My husband and I bought a house! We are super excited! So naturally we are in the middle of moving are things from one house to another...but actually the title of my blog is referring to yet ANOTHER move. I am moving from using two blogs to just one. Before I got married last summer I used this blog for my life, my photography and just anything that interested me. I created another blog for me and my husband and thought I would keep up having two blogs: one for my personal things and one for me AND my hubby. But life just doesn't work that way... when you get married, your life is so interconnected that everything just kind of falls under the same category so from now on, you can find me here. I will post mainly things about our family, but I will also keep up the fun blogs as well such as decorating and photography, etc. So keep in touch over at www.thebuies.blogspot.com! We look forward to your comments!

-The Buies

A Fun Survey

2009-04-20T07:24:00.000-06:00

A fun survey.Bold the things you've done:
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain- Does Pinnacle Count? Even though its technically a hill?
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child- Compassion International
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty- I didnt walk, but ive been.
18. Grown your own vegetables- about to start!
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon-does a 5K count? :)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted- yeah, at some amusement park where they make you a cartoon!
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car- I ALWAYS buy used.
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Spring Family Pics

2009-04-07T07:40:00.008-06:00

Well, it's that time of year. Spring is here and families want their pictures taken. Each year, I get a little more and more experience behind the camera and I love every minute of it. I still might take a few photography classes because I am not where I want to be skill-wise. I believe a good student is always willing to learn more. I have room to learn a LOT more, but to me, photography is a work in progress. Thank you to the families who allow me to "practice" on them.

Here are a few pictures from my latest family shoot. Meet the Talley Family. The mom died about three years ago and these are the first (somewhat) professional pictures they've had taken since her untimely death. I was honored to be apart of this moment.

Signs of Spring

2009-03-30T21:54:00.004-06:00

I just love love love Spring! I was excited to see orchids and tulips at my cousins house when I went for a visit... so of course, I pulled out my camera. These are just a few. Hope you enjoyed!

New Tulips!

2009-03-25T09:03:00.001-06:00

These looked so pretty in my bathroom...

That I brought them to work to share with my coworkers!

I hope everyone has a great day today! Happy Spring to you!

Find your happy pace.

2009-03-15T16:42:00.011-06:00

Well, I did it. I entered, ran and completed my first 5K. It's not really a huge deal because this is the first of many and well, it's only three miles... but when considering all that my body has been through in the past few years, it IS a huge deal to me. From Fibromyalgia, pinched nerves, body aches, Celiac Disease, my body has seen better days. But it felt liberating to cross the finish line today. I am blessed to have Buie, my husband, by my side cheering me on.

April 4th- my first 10K.

Keep on keeping on...

Bucket List

2009-03-12T07:04:00.005-06:00

Everyone has a bucket list... you know, the things you want to do before you "kick the bucket." It seems that things on my bucket list are actually becoming a reality here lately. I've always wanted to go to Scotland and Ireland, own a house with my husband and start a family there, go on a photography tour, see Dave Matthews Band live in concert, do something crazy at least once in my life- like sky diving or fly a helicopter. I always hoped to run a marathon, go on an vacation (as adults) with my best friend and first cousin, Lauren, adopt a child, ride the little trolleys in San Fransisco, and visit New England in the fall when the leaves are just gorgeous! These are only a FEW things on my list of things I want to accomplish in my lifetime. This year, it seems I am crossing a few things off my list.

1. Owning a house with my husband... Read more about our house buying process on our blog: http://www.thebuies.blogspot.com/

2. I am training for a marathon one day. I have begun the running process and I am running a 5K in May. Next year I hope to run the Half Marathon (13 miles). My overall goal is still to run a FULL Marathon (26 miles).

(Photo Credit)

This September I will be crossing two off my list:

3. Go on a vacation with my best friend Lauren. Growing up, Lauren and I went on family vacations with her family and mine. (her dad and my mom are siblings) We always dreamed of getting married and one day taking vacations with our husbands. This September we have booked a place near Seaside (where Lauren and Wayne were married) to spend a week with friends. We are counting down the days! 177 days until we take our vacation together as a married couples. I can't believe we are old enough to go on vacation with boys and no chaperons! ha.

4. Dave Matthews Band (DMB) is coming to North Little Rock at Dickey Stephen's Park this September. Ever since I first heard his music, I fell in love with his style. I've always wanted to see him live. Can't wait!

I'm excited about what 2009 has in store! What's on your bucket list??

Fitness is FUN!

2009-03-04T22:03:00.001-06:00

Lately I have been running... a lot. I started on this program called Women Can Run at Arkansas Runner. It's been a great experience these last two weeks and I have met some fabulous women in doing this program. There are women of all shapes and sizes who meet at JA Fair High School twice a week to run or walk. Most of us are training for some sort of marathon, whether it is the Full Marathon of March 15th or the Women Can Run Marathon on May 9th. Since this will be my first Marathon event, I will be doing the Women Can Run 5K in Conway on May 9th. I am really excited about this opportunity to get in shape and to feel great about exercising!

Click here for a list of marathons in the Arkansas.

I found this vintage poster online and it made me smile! I hope it motivates you to get outside and do something physical today and this weekend. I know Little Rock is expecting some warmer weather, so I plan to take advantage of it this weekend! :)

It's all apples and oranges!

2009-02-25T12:59:00.005-06:00

It's Day 1 of eating a processed free diet. I've done mucho research on the internet and I think I can do it! :) Although, I already made a mistake. I had a baked potato for lunch and then not thinking I put butter on it. Well, butter is processed. Opps! This is going to be a little trickier than I thought, but I really want to learn to truly eat completely natural and "raw" as they call it. My goal eventually is to become a vegan, but I will ease myself into that. I'm scared I won't get enough protein that I need at first. I am trying to teach myself which foods are a good source of fiber and which are a good source of protein, etc. It really does amaze me how food can affect you so.

Also, I am taking the water challenge - to drink a gallon of water a day! Don't think it sounds hard? Well, give it a try. A gallon is a lot more than you think. And when you're not drinking water, you'll be running down the hall to the bathroom. :)

Another improvement I am making in my life is composting. Now you may think I've gone crazy, but it is a great way to reduce the amount of trash your family is taking out. It is great for the environment and for your garden! Right now I have my food scraps in a ziplock bag but I need to go buy a airtight container to keep my scraps in. So all the scraps of the natural fruits and veggies I'll be eating on my whole food diet will decompose and go back into the soil for nutrients for more plants- just as God intended. And the world will be a better place! :)

If you are not familar with composting, read this blog for detailed instructions. It really is quite interesting.

Happy Mardi Gras!

2009-02-24T15:49:00.004-06:00

Today is Fat Tuesday 2009 and I am staring at the biggest king cake I have ever seen. Unfortunately it is not gluten free, so I will not be partaking in the cake this year. However, I am having a few friends over to enjoy it! I can't wait!

Even though I'm not Catholic, I do love Mardi Gras time! I thought I would share a little about the history of Mardi Gras today for those of you who are interested. It's really quite a neat history.

(Mardi Gras history taken from this website. )

Mardi Gras most likely originated from the Romans and Greek from their mid-February celebration known as Lupercalia which honored the god Lupercus. This celebration was very similar in nature to the Mardi Gras today, with drinking and eating and satisfying "pleasure of the flesh." In fact, the term Carnival, often synonymous with Mardi Gras, is derived from the Latin expression meaning "farewell to the flesh."

As many pagan traditions, Lupercalia was converted to a Christian festival and was and still is celebrated today in conjuction with Lent. The carnival-like celebration of Lupercalia thus morphed into a last "fling" before the beginning of the Lenten period. Lent refers to the 40 days of pertinence and purification celebrated between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. During Lent, the religiously faithful refrain from a number of indulgences of the "flesh", including eating meat.

in other words, it's the big party before a time of fasting and sacrifice. (as in giving something up, not like sacrificing as they did in Biblical times..)

Anyway, even though I am not Catholic, I usually try to give something up for Lent. Being from Louisiana I was surrounded by Mardi Gras and Lent at this time of year. My friends in high school always celebrated with a king cake, followed by the challenge of giving something up for 40 days following Fat Tuesday.

My 40 day challenge: (I can't believe I'm actually writing this down.) I will not eat any processed food or drink for 40 days. My proposed outcome is that I will feel tons better having NOT put chemicals and additives in my system. If I do, in fact, feel better than I will hopefully continue this in the future. Over the past few years, well, mainly since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I have cut out a LOT of processed foods and have started eating more natural foods...but I have never gone without them entirely...until now.

Can I do it? We shall see.

Recycle Those Phones!

2009-02-18T14:55:00.009-06:00

I recently had an interesting conversation with a guy who refuses to recycle anything and therefore, since he is in a position of authority at his workplace, refuses to make their building a "green" office. This conversation arose when I simply asked where, how, and IF he recycled old cell phones. His response was that he used to, but now he simply throws them away. I literally felt my stomach cringe. I can just see all the billions of cell phones in land fills all over the earth because it is easily to throw them away rather than take the five minutes to recycle them. It angers me! And cell phones is only the beginning.

If you have an old cell phone laying around the house, please do NOT throw it away. There are many places and people that would LOVE to have an old cell phone- battered women shelters is a great example. Many of their phones were taken by their abusive spouse, if they even had one at all.

I found Qwest through The Daily Green website. Go Green for Schools is a new and innovative cell phone recycling initiative brought to you by Qwest. By recycling your cell phone with Qwest, you keep unused cell phones out of landfills and reduce green house gas emissions. This recycling program also helps raise money for public school districts and preK-12 educational initiatives.

This website makes it so simple to mail in your cell phones. It gives you step by step instructions and even gives you a PREPAID mailing label for your box or mailing envelope. How much easier could it get?! So before you chunk your old cellies in the garbage, give education a second thought. Help out our schools and RECYCLE THOSE PHONES!!!

Boys Will Be Boys!

2009-02-11T09:56:00.008-06:00

This past weekend I drove down to Shreveport to spend the weekend with my cousin Lauren, her husband, and her little boy, Trey. We had the best time! It was so relaxing and Lauren is a great cook. It was just the mini-vacation that I needed. Friday night we just caught up and chatted before falling asleep at 11:30pm and realizing that I am now officially old.

Saturday morning I woke up to a fresh bowl of fruit all chopped and ready to go! Trey and I enjoyed our fruit together before talking a walk to the near by park. We played in this huge field of clover and just had the best time watching Trey be silly. When we were leaving the park we found tons of lady bugs...that was really neat for Trey to see.

Since Shreveport has the famous Humphrey's Yougart I swung by to get Lauren and I a cup at Counter Culture! Man, I wish we had one of those in Little Rock. I would literally each one everyday! I could have left happy at this point, but Lauren surprised me with gluten free pasta for lunch and STEAK for dinner! We settled in Saturday night and watched a great movie on TV.

Sunday morning we loaded up and went to another park down by the Red River. It was fun to watch Trey be a typical boy picking up sticks and rocks and wishing he could go play in the river.

I had the best time! Next time I decided that my babys will come with me: Buie and Conner. I know they would enjoy Shreveport with the Wests as much as I did.

I think my favorite part of the weekend was when Trey got into my makeup. He had it all of his face! hehe.

me and my cousin, Lauren

my favorite picture of Trey from the weekend

giggles...

"Here, smell this!"

Trey, playing in a field of clover!

Trey found my makeup!

I think he got hot so he was taking off his jammies...

My Funny Valentine

2009-02-09T09:18:00.014-06:00

"You know you want me"

"You're smoking hot!"

"Bananas for you!"
"My main squeeze"

"You knock me out!"
"I'm horny"
"Can't get enough"
In honor of the upcoming holiday this Saturday, I've been browsing around for cute "love themed" items. These were particularly cute and caught my eye. Found at Bumble Ink.

We are in this together.

2009-02-04T13:49:00.002-06:00

Found here. I thought this print was just darling! I want it in my house. It is perfect for a wedding gift for a new couple or for your sweetheart for Valentine's Day. I know it reminds me of my sweetheart... and brings a smile to my face.

Flickr Friday Favs.

2009-01-30T10:56:00.005-06:00

I feel like I've been neglecting my camera lately, so this weekend my goal is to break it back out and take some shots. Not sure what I will taking yet since it's super cold outside. Maybe I will use my favorite subjects, my animals.

Well, since it's Friday...here are some of my Flickr Friday Favorites. I haven't done this in a while.

Found on indierocket's photostream.

Change is comin'

2009-01-15T12:29:00.003-06:00

It's been a while since I've last posted on this blog. But to catch up on The Buie's First Christmas just head on over to our blog. After much debate on whether I should keep this blog, I decided to be selfish and keep this blog just for me...after all, that's why it's called "simply cb" because it's all about ME and the things I like.

More than anything I hate being normal and predictable so I purposefully didn't do a "Resolutions" blog because I felt like everyone else was. (I know that's really silly). But lately I've been thinking a lot about changes. I work in downtown Little Rock and our office buildings are in the process of moving. It's not really a HUGE change but a change to say the least. We have a brand new building. I'll have a brand new desk and that is just exciting.

Other changes I'd like to see happen in my life include organization. I have learned to make small goals in order to make progress. If I said I wanted my whole house cleaned right now, then I would just be dissapointed. But if I make a small goal by saying this weekend I will clean out my closet then that is a goal I am most likely going to achieve.

Other changes coming in 2009:
My husband and I have decided to adopt a child through Compassion International. If you haven't heard about this program, you need to! I am passionate about adoption first and formost but if you cannot or are not ready to officially adopt a child of your own then try FINANCIALLY adopting one as well as PRAYERFULLY adopting one. Through Compassion Int. you actually get to go online and chose your own child by browsing through hundreds if not thousands of pictures. It breaks my heart to see so many children with little or nothing. By giving only $32 a month, we can help provide a child with an education, food and clothing that they might not otherwise receive in the country where they live. I am excited about this wonderful opportunity! Also, I have heard amazing stories of when the sponser actually was able to travel across the world to meet the child they had been sponsering for so many years! How cool is that?!

Change is coming...
We all know that January 20th is a big day for our nation. Please be in prayer for our next president-Obama-as he takes on a whole lot of changes in his life.

So I give in...Here's my list that I swore I wouldn't make:

1) Send more birthday cards!- Everyone loves to receive a personal birthday card, especially with a hand written note inside. E-cards are great and fast for those last minutes birthdays that sneak up on you, but I encourage you to plan ahead and buy cards ahead of time. Don't just buy them, but actually SEND them. The Container Store has a great container to keep all of your birthday cards and special occasion cards close at hand. Take this greeting card organizer with you to work, that way you will always have cards close by when you look on the calendar and see that Aunt Mary's birthday is coming up! Imagine how excited she'll be when she gets a card from her favortie niece! :)

2) Get buff. Before Christmas, my husband and I went to an athletic store to buy me some "girly weights" as I call them. I purchased two 2 pound weights and two 5 pound. (Don't make fun.) At this point I have used them twice, but the year has just begun. I plan to become VERY familiar with the 2's and the 5's and maybe, just maybe move on up to the 8's. Watch out now! As someone who lives with Fibromyalgia, I know how important taking care of my body is. Not only do I need to walk more regularly, but I need to add more resistance to my workout...hence the "get buff" resolution.

3) Finish a book. That's right, I said finish a book. Just one. UNO. I have a real problem. I'm not exactly sure when it started but let's just say for the last few years I have had problems in finishing a book. I'll start one, read it for a few days and then NOT read it for a few days...but then when I pick it back up I have forgotton where I was in the story so I lose interest. If I had enough... concentration I would just sit and read the book the whole way through but I just can't sit for that long. I keep thinking of all the other things I'd rather be doing. So this year, I want to finish a book. Maybe this will teach me perseverance or something like that...

4) Paint. This one really is as simple as it sounds. I have this overwhelming desire to paint anything and everything I see but I lack the time and the space to do it. The medium you ask? Well, I prefer oil but yes it is a bit messy and smelly...but acrylic would be my second choice...and much easier to clean up. I only wish I had a studio... but until then I will paint something, anything. My current project I am dreaming up in my head is painting the guest bathroom...more to come on that later... So this resolution is to simply paint... whenever, wherever, and however. So watch out! I may start painting your back door purple or something!

So as I start this new year, I keep in mind these four things. Oh, I'm sure there are many more but if I added more than four I wouldn't be able to remember them all so as simple they are, those are my "New Year's Resolutions."

If I had kids...

2008-12-21T15:02:00.001-06:00

If I had kids...It would probably be hard NOT to buy all of these things. I found this website and fell in LOVE with it. They have such unique gifts and decorations. I will definitely keep this website on my 'favorites' list for next Christmas.

Wisteria

Free Gift Tags!

2008-12-17T08:06:00.000-06:00

That's right I said FREE!

To download YOUR free gift tags, click here! I promise they are totally free. Just print them out on a heavier paper preferably, cut around each tag, punch a hole in the top and attach to present with a pretty ribbon.

Enjoy!

Green Gifts

2008-12-09T07:30:00.001-06:00

I am always looking for unique gifts and in the past few years it has become more important to me to find ways to buy more eco-friendly gifts. With the wave of "going green" it is becoming easier and easier to find green gifts. This holiday is no exception. Take a look at some of the great green gifts I found online recently. Take a moment to think about how to make your holidays a little more eco-friendly this year. :

Jute Yoga Mat. Found at gaiam.com for $22.
~Gaiam's yoga mat is made from jute, a biodegradable, fast-growing sustainable resource sure to heighten the consciousness of your yogi's practice.

Eco-Wool and Recycled Plastic Fleece Ski Hat. Found at patagonia.com for only $32.00
~Patagonia's fleece hat is made from a blend of "eco-wool" and recycled plastic to keep craniums cozy and dry.

Engage Green 100% Recycled Paper Handbag. Found at engagegreen.com for only $45.

~More than a paper bag, Engage Green's 100% recycled paper handbag is a statement in sustainable style.

Handmade from sustainable bamboo: Vers Sustainable Wood Sound System. Found at versaudio.com for a surprisingly low price of $179.99

For the dog owner: Eco-Me 100% Natural Dog Kit. Found at miaandmaggie.com

Record Book. Found at bookbinders

~hand cut from an old vinyl album and then hard bound with black cloth.

Recycled Wine Bottle Coat Rack . Found at uncommongoods.com

Justin & Lee Ann

2008-12-08T22:44:00.010-06:00

I had a great time taking Justin and Lee Ann's pictures a few weeks ago. They were so much fun to work with. I love working with couples who laugh a lot and we definitely laughed... A LOT! Here are a few of my favorites from the day.

Look what I found today

2008-12-03T18:00:00.001-06:00

love. love. LOVE this print. It is perfect for a newly nested couple (like us) to adorn their new home and life together. Find here.

Found on the Crafts blog, the adorable lights would look cute in any home! If only I could find the time to make them.

Lomo Diana Dreamer Camera

I'm thinking of adding this to my "wish list." Isn't it adorable? And I love the color. It's so girly.

Super cute Holiday Plates from Kate Spade. They just scream "fun!"

Have you found anything fun on the internet lately? Are you ready for Christmas yet? I know I am!!!

My wish list

2008-11-25T11:53:00.004-06:00

This may seem selfish but I'm making a wish list of things I really want. I am always seeing things I like and think I need to remember that but then I'll forget...so hence the wish list.

We'll start with something small:

Domino Decorating Book

Martha Stewart's Cooking School book.

Next on the list is something I wanted last year but since it's NOT cheap, I didn't really tell anyone I wanted this and I can't bring myself to buy it just yet. But if anyone is feeling the urge to get me something REALLY nice.... here's an idea.

a wide angle lens

Instead of asking for a Canon to go along with my Canon camera, I did some research and found that this Sigma lens will fit my Canon 30D perfectly.

a back up hard drive for all of my pictures (yes, that's right. I don't have one. I'm stupid.)

a new sound system for buie's car since his got stolen. :(

a Kitchen Aid mixer

a food processor

a bread maker, so I can make my very own gluten free bread! Yum.

along with this handy dandy bread SLICER. Last but not least is a pink xbox 360 controller. You see, my husband is OBSESSED with xbox so i thought it would be cute to have a pink one to play games with him. :)

Tagged by Dr. Lara

2008-11-22T10:29:00.004-06:00

First of all, I was tagged by Lara to go to the SIXTH picture folder and the SIXTH picture in that folder and then tell about that picture. This is so weird! I did exactly that...no cheating involved...honest to goodness! And THIS is the picture that was #6 in the sixth folder...it's me with LARA!!! How weird is that??

Anyway, so allow me to tell about this. My very best friend Brook-Lyn got married in Nashville, TN in April of this year. I drove up to see the wedding, of course. (I was the scripture reader in the wedding.) :) Anyway, I met the greatest girls that weekend, including Lara. She is next to me in the black tank. After the reception, we went out dancing in Nashville and had the BEST TIME! We danced for hours and hours! I was literally sore the next day. Anyway, Lara and I instantly bonded and laughed so much that weekend. It was a fun weekend!

I still can't get over the fact that Lara tagged me and THIS is the picture that was #6. Crazy! Anyway, thanks for tagging me!

I tag Hilary next! So, Hilary, go to your picture files, open up the sixth folder, then the sixth picture and tell about it. Have fun!

Thanks for listening and just for fun, here are a few more pictures from the night in Nashville!

Flickr Friday!!!!!

2008-11-21T14:40:00.015-06:00

"Bedroom flowers" by decor8

Yes, that's right...it's Flickr Friday. Today has been as absolute mad house at the office but overall a great day. I discovered that I work better under pressure and on a deadline which is weird because I'm such a laid back person. I think the reasoning behind that is: if I don't have someone pressuring me to GET IT DONE then honestly it never will. Hi, my name is Cara Beth and I'm a procrastinator. I am mainly speaking about my home ie, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. However, on some days this does carry over into my work, although I try super hard to stay focused and stay on task. It's tough for creative souls like me, I think...my mind tends to wander when I'm tired. Earlier this week I made the mistake of taking Nyquil. Oh my gosh... never again. I think it honestly took three days for that stuff to wear off. So while I was recooperating from a Nyquil hangover, I browsed through flickr and this is what I found this week:

This one is called "to myself" by Mary

This one is called "Tea Anyone?" by i.anton

And usually I'm a stickler for waiting until after Thanksgiving until I get Christmas fever...but this year is NOT the case. I am so ready for Christmas and I will be putting up my tree tomorrow!!! My mom is coming in town and bringing my grandmother's old tree with her. Here's a little Christmas inspiration for you from Flickr Land.

Called "The Tree's Up" by yvestown

Cooper turned two

2008-11-16T17:18:00.010-06:00

Over the past two years, I have watched little Cooper be adopted into a wonderful home. I was blessed to be a part of his first birthday and now his second. It is such a joy to see how much this little boy has changed the lives of his parents. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from his 2nd birthday party.

Friday Favorite Flickr Foto

2008-11-14T12:52:00.009-06:00

I found these on Flickr today and they are so inspiring. This first one makes me just want to go lay down in an open field and just soak in as much nature as I can! Maybe I'll get to do that this weekend. I have an outdoor photoshoot on Sunday and I'm crossing my fingers for beautiful weather!

By *December Sun on Flickr

By *Cinnamon on Flickr

The flower picture is amazing. So calm. Closed off yet so inviting. And the colors are just perfect. I love everything about this photo.

Have you found anything inspiring on Flickr lately?

looking back

2008-11-10T23:32:00.014-06:00

One of my new personal goals is to scan my photographs onto my computer, making them a digital file. I have gobs and gobs of pictures from childhood, elementary.... THOUSANDS from highschool and college. And THEN finally someone got smart and bought me a digital camera. Will I be scanning all 8 trillion of these photos? Of course not, but I'm starting with those most important to me.

The two I started with are my two favorite pictures of all times... me with my granddads.

This is me with my dad's dad at his lake house on Lake Bistineau, Louisiana. We had great memories down there fishing, riding in his boat, and eating lots of great fish! My grandad is now 92 and is an inspiration to me everyday. He reminds me to take one day at a time, to not get in a hurry and to let God take care of life's problems.

This next one is special to me because my Pop, my mom's mom, looks so happy in this picture. I remember him being a delightful man always smiling and always wanting a hug. He passed away fairly young from Parkinsons but I will always remember him being a godly and cheerful man.

(This was obviously taken at Halloween. I wanted to be a nurse until I figured out I had to see blood all the time. I am NOT okay with blood.)

I am truly blessed to have been born into the family that I have. What a legacy I have to live up to. I am looking forward to scanning more pictures and writing about more friends and family members as I come across more pictures. I hope you enjoy!

Friday Favorite Flickr Foto!!!

2008-11-07T12:36:00.004-06:00

So, welcome to the first Friday Favorite Flickr Foto, a new addition to my blog. I spend a majority of my internet time on Flickr, whether I am uploading new pictures, looking at my contacts' pictures, or finding new Flickr friends. I just LOVE Flickr!!

So here's my Favorite Flickr Foto for this Friday: And yes I am keeping with the theme of now..which is FALL!!! Have I mentioned how much I just love Fall??

So I encourage you to poke around on Flickr. You'll be addicted in no time!

Yum.

2008-10-26T19:48:00.016-06:00

So I like to pretend I take pictures for Southern Living (the food section, obviously) or some fabulous cooking magazine like Food and Wine. See below:

It's so fun to take pictures of food. Food doesn't wine and complain when they're tired, sick of taking pictures and ready to go home. :)

This was a gluten free meal my aunt prepared for me for one of my showers. So good!

This was my very first gluten free Thanksgiving meal (2007), prepared by my mom.

My sister in law made these amazing chocolate covered peanut butter balls (don't know the name of them) and YES they are gluten free.

I took this picture at a two year old's birthday party. I just like how it turned out with the lit candle.

Grilled salmon prepared by my dear friend Becca's mom and dad in Covington. Great ambiance with the candles.

Gluten free pancakes made from a mix but surprisingly wonderfully tasty!!

We love to grill out!!!

Gluten free fried tilapia made with gluten free bread crumbs...what a wonderful invention~

Porkchops!

My bunless gluten free burger in a cozy little restaurant in Eureka Springs.

Look what I found today!

2008-10-21T12:32:00.012-06:00

Cat house!

This is the coolest house ever (well, for cats, of course!) I wish my two cats could even just visit there!

Election Cookies! I love these and I was tempted to order these...before I saw the price. I might try to make some myself but I know they won't look nearly as darling as these.

Hope you enjoyed my finds today. I must save some for another day! I hope you have a simply lovely evening. If the weather is nice this evening you should go for a walk! I plan to with my favorite walking partner...

Today I love....

2008-10-20T09:00:00.014-06:00

This poster. Originally commissioned during WWII as assurance from King George VI that all necessary measures were being taken to protect the people. Today it seems just as relevant and reassuring.

I'm thinking about ordering a copy for our office in either this apple green or a fire engine red!

Don't you just love it!!?

This super cute and fun file box for your important addresses and phone numbers you want to keep handy! Found on etsy!

This lovely line of notecards, calendars, invitations, etc. Find this artist at etsy.com.

These super cute food bowls...for dogs and cats. Found here.

So many pictures!

2008-10-16T07:55:00.013-06:00

Being a photographer (as amateur as I may be) I have a lot of pictures!! With as many hundreds of photos I have taken in the last few years, I have many many favorites that I would love to display.

But I am clueless as to where to start. How do I narrow down my favorites and better yet, how do I display them? I found several creative photo collages that might possibly work in our condo.

Which one is your favorite??

#1. I love the randomness of these unframed prints. While they are in lines, some of horizontal and some are vertical prints. Love it!

#2. The black frames make this display look constant but yet the sizes still vary. I like it but don't think I'll use this in my condo. Perhaps if I had a larger home with a huge wall to fill.

#3. I like the clip frames. They look like one solid mass but yet they are made up of smaller units. Lovely. And you can unclip them and move the pictures around to make a different design.

And I want to steal that green couch!

#4. Love this for larger paintings and prints. I am slowly gathering art the older I get and some I have inherited from grandparents. Maybe one day I can have this stellar college of fine art!

#5. To me, these pictures speak volumes. It's like an undefined bulletin board. Placing pictures directly on the wall gives you the freedom to take down and replace in an instant. I can picture this display in a corner of a home office. (although in this picture it is shown in a bathroom.) I need my own "inspiration wall." And who's to say you can't be inspired while on the 'john'. :)

#6. If I had a stairwell, I would base my design off this one.

#7. I love how uniform this display looks! And you could use color prints or black and white.

#8. I like the usage of black and white which is pleasing to the eye. It looks like the tv is a part of the collage. Unique display. I especially like the dog.

#9. Simple yet unique.

#10. Black and White. I might need more color than this but I like their choice of frames here. Some of similar and some of different.

time to retreat

2008-10-15T11:52:00.012-06:00

I work with an amazing group of women. Even though I am the youngest person among my coworkers, I am grateful for working with such women. They teach me things daily and inspire me to one day be a good mom and grandmother and to be a better person.

This past weekend I helped plan a retreat at Ozark Conference Center for the Support Staff. We had 16 ladies go to this retreat and it was exactly that...a RETREAT. It was a great time to relax, play games, shares stories and ideas and just hang out and get to know each other better. I cherish this time with these ladies every year. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

The sunset was amazing on Friday night!!

Oh, and our theme was a back to school theme. (I was dressed up like a crossing guard in this picture in case you were wondering.)

Most of our group posing when they arrive on Friday afternoon.

We made the front door look like a school house! It turned out so cute!

Share time...

Me in my crossing guard vest (super cool) standing in front of the school house.

acting silly

Our teacher-Ms. Myrtle T. Davis. She was hilarious!!

gorgeous sunset

corners of our condo

2008-10-05T21:10:00.013-06:00

This weekend I literally left our condo maybe once or twice all weekend. It was incredible! I'm such a home body in the fall. My husband was off for two days in a row, which NEVER happens when you work retail. So we enjoyed each other's company. I think I like having him around. He piddled around, we both watched football on Saturday. We ordered in for dinner on Saturday night. We cleaned some, too, going through some of his old boxes that he brought over from the move. Over all, it was a great weekend. I wish every weekend could be like this last one. Unfortunately, most of them are not.

I snapped some pictures around the condo mainly because I was bored or I thought it would make a cool shot.

My "project books." I love to dream!

My husband brought with him a LOT of books!

My favorite place to keep my pens. This green vase belonged to my mom's mom.

Some of my gluten free cookbooks

This crystal belonged to my grandmother.

Some of the dinnerware we received for our wedding.

We love our condo! especially when it's clean! :) I'm counting down the days until the weekend. I LIVE for the weekend! And I'm sad to say that I have not bought pumpkins yet so that is #1 priority for me this weekend! We might even go ahead and carve them too! :) Oh I love this time of year!

Oh this weather.....is FABULOUS!

2008-10-03T13:05:00.010-06:00

I haven't posted anything in a while because I have been enjoying this fall weather! This is by far my favorite time of the year...

Reasons I love fall:

The Sunshine in the Fall

Open Windows (and saving electricity!)

HOODIES!!!

Antique shopping in the fall

SCARVES!

Hot Tea in the evening

Farmer's Market

new best friend

2008-09-08T08:38:00.011-06:00

If you love taking pictures, you want to take your camera everywhere with you. This is the case with me. I literally take my camera everywhere...well, everywhere that I could. In some cases, the size of my camera prevented me from taking my camera everywhere for whatever reason. For instance, the last time I climbed Pinnacle, I brought a backpack with water for my dog and my camera. That particular climb I had a nasty fell and luckily I fell forward and not backwards on my very expensive camera. But I thought after that climb that I would never bring my big camera back on future hikes for fear of me falling and crushing my camera. This is just one example of why I bought what is quickly becoming my new best friend, the Canon Powershot SD 790 IS Digital Elph. It's so wonderful to be able to stick my camera in my pocket and go. Also, I love how easy it is for OTHERS to take pictures. With my Canon 30D, it was hard for non-camera users to use my camera if I wanted to be IN the pictures. This smaller Canon is great for that! I will still use my 30D for photoshoots and nature shots, etc...but the Powershot is a wonderful camera for snapshots at the game, dinner with friends, or even a climb on Mt. Pinnacle.

Here are a few recent shots I've taken with my new camera:

New Orleans

2008-09-01T00:27:00.013-06:00

In light of the recent hurricane, Gustav, headed toward New Orleans, I have been thinking and praying hard about the city. I not sure where my interest in New Orleans came from but ever since I visited this city for the first time in 8th grade, I have loved it. Everything from the architecture, the art, the people, the history, the food, the music...all of this makes New Orleans what it is today.

I have been thinking about doing a line of stationery based around New Orleans. Most of my prints are flowers because that is what is attractive to my eye but I'll admit, flower pictures are easy and comfortable. Flowers are already beautiful in itself. While capturing the bloom in a unique setting or angle can pose an interesting picture, most of the time flower pics are like I said, comfortable.

My last visit to New Orleans I really concentrated on the buildings. I re-fell in love with the architecture. The aged doors. The antique shutters. The rusted door hinges. The strong iron gates and balconies. All of these structure have withstood the test of time...and even more impressive, they withstood Katrina in '05. I just pray they withstand Gustav in '08. To see beautiful structures such as the ones in Jackson Square and in and around Canal Street and Bourbon Street would be devastating not only to people who love to visit the city but especially to those who call New Orleans home.

So whether these shots make it to print or not doesn't really matter, but what matter is that our prayers are heard.

Please pray for the people of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. They have been through so much these last few years....

the story you've all been waiting for...

2008-08-27T07:50:00.006-06:00

Well, due to an overwhelming response from my ...er "fans" here is the story of the voodoo witch and the mean right hook.

It all began last Thursday in the Social Security offices in downtown Little Rock. As I walked in two women and a little girl walked out of the offices. I noticed them but paid no attention to them, as they were leaving. I, being the good law-abiding citizen that I am, came in quietly to the Social Security office and took a number. (For time's sake I will refer to the Social Security offices as SS office from now on...just so there's no confusion.) Almost immediately after taking a number, I noticed that one of the ladies I passed on my way in was now coming back into the SS offices. I noticed immediately how tall she was and how she walked with a ...shall we say, attitude. This woman was told numerous times by a federal security guard to take a number and sit down but she refused. Apparently she had given a wrong address on her SS form and wanted to change it. But unlike the others and myself who were waiting patiently for there turn, this lady refused. I guess she though because she had already been in the office then she was some how exempt from waiting in line.

The next thing I knew, words (not very nice ones) were being thrown around. Oh, and I need to mention at this time that the federal security officer was also in fact a woman. I'm sure why or how but that just makes the story so much better. As the security guard tried to escort this woman out, I saw a very long and very mean fist come flying through the air and land on the face of the security guard. Whoah! I sat there in disbelief and the two women battled it out. One punch after the next. You see, I went to school at a private school in a very small town. I can honestly say, I have never witnessed a real fight before. I didn't know what to do. It was like a train wreck. I tried not to look but I couldn't help it. It was too good not to watch.

It took two men security guards to get this lady off of the other security guard. She was slapping, throwing punches and meanwhile yelling out something I've KNOW I've never witnessed before. She kept telling the guards that she was a witch so they had better beware! Seriously! I mean, I can't make this stuff up, people!

There was blood everywhere! The injury list included busted teeth, mutiple abrasions and cuts to the face and arms and possible a broken wrist belonging to the lady security officer.

Once they got to crazy lady in handcuffs, I saw a sight that should only be seen on movies like "The Omen" or a Jerry Springer episode. The voodoo queen started smearing her legs and feet in her own blood which I might add was everywhere! I kept saying outloud "Seriously?!" Whether it was to myself or to God or to the people around me, I am still not sure. But I still can't believe what I saw. The amount of blood that was on the floor looked like someone had lost a limb.

They called my number. Again, I tried to pull my eyes away from the train wreck but it was impossible. They dragged her, kicking and screaming and most likely casting spells, to the cop car where there were many of Little Rock's finest just waiting for her.

So, does it end there? Um...not quite.

You've now heard my version of what happened which is truthfully exactly what happened. Now you should read HER version if you haven't already done so. What it sad about this whole situation is that someone may end up losing their job because they were trying to DO their job. This lady claims that she was beat by a federal security officer. Unbelievable! Where is the class people? Where is the acknowledgement of your own wrong doing? And in this particular case, where is the sanity in the world anymore?

Read her version here.

Read my friend Ryan's blog about it.

Oh and I can't believe I forgot to mention there was a wig involved. Anytime there is a wig invovled you know it's going to be a good story. (This also applies to men's toupees.)

chaos

2008-08-26T09:50:00.007-06:00

So as a person who pretty much has her camera at all times, there are numerous times in the past week that I have said, "Dang it! Why don't I have my camera.?!!!" The past few weeks of my life have been, as the title suggests, absolute chaos.

So, go grab a cup of coffee this is a long one....but a good one.

I think it all starts with a minor incident, Buie's car has a flat tire. You're thinking no big deal, right? He's a man so he can change it. Well, a few months earlier Buie was in a wreck with damaged his bumper causing his spare tire to become...well, unavailable. Seeing that his bumper was now pretty much UNDER his car, there was no way to get to the spare tire. The day this happened I was in Louisiana with my family, and Buie, of all days, forgets his cell phone! He had just left Wal-mart after purchasing about $250 worth of groceries on the hottest day of the year so far. There he was stranded on Hwy 10 with nothing but some change (thank God) to make a call from a pay phone. Of course, I don't answer because it's a call from a payphone. I don't ever answer calls from numbers I don't recognize, right. I mean, come on, people! We live in 2008. It could be a crazy person on the other end of that line...but in this case it was just my husband...(which on that day might have well been a crazy person.) Poor guy. Well, my brother, Craig, who now lives in Maumelle was able to help him out. Thank God for family, right?

One week later....

On a bright and beautiful Saturday morning, Buie and I were piddling around the house getting it ready for company. His parents were coming to see our condo for the first time so of course we wanted it to look nice. I walked outside to my car around 10:30 am to load up my recycling like I do every Saturday morning. (Yes, I am green.) This is when the weirdest feeling came over me. Buie's car was gone. Totally and completely gone. Like, not where we parked it the night before, gone. I thought I was just overlooking it in the parking lot. I scanned the parking lot once, twice and even a third time before I had come to the striking conclusion that his car was, in fact, gone.

Once I had said a few choice words, broken the news to Buie, and HE said a few choice words...I was finally able to laugh about this situation. I mean, come on! Who gets their car stolen from the parking lot of their very own condo! Apparently we do.

Three days later...

I had made a life altering decision to run the half marathon. I have always wanted to run a marathon but I, seeing how out of shape I am, decided that I needed to only run the half, which will be a challenge in itself. Tuesday, the 12th of August, I went for a run...a short run. No big deal, right? Well, after taking a hot shower, I realized that I was in extreme pain. I went from being a big sore to not being able to walk at all in a few short minutes. What in the world! Seriously, I couldn't even lift my head up to adjust my pillow. I had no idea what I had done to myself. But whatever it was, I thought a few pain pills could fix it. I was wrong. Diagnosis: a pinched nerved. And just so you know, those things HURT!

The next day...

August 13th. I will never forget this day. If you're from Little Rock, then you know exactly what happened on this Wednesday afternoon. Long story short a gunman entered our building at work just after shooting the Chairman of the Democratic Party 6 blocks away from my work. We didn't know of the shooting at the time, but we did know he had a gun! What in the world! Let me get this straight: There is a guy in my building with a freakin' gun! Yup. that is an accurate statement although hard to believe.

Thank the good Lord above we all left that day in tact. I might need a few hours with a shrink but at least I'm alive, right?

(To read the article, go here.)

One day later...

I left early from work on the 13th. I was drugged up from pain pills and I was in complete and utter shock. After all, there was a man with a gun in my building. I keep having to say that statement out loud to realize how lucky we all are. So Thursday, the next day, I started therapy at the chiropracter. Now, normally I would not have gone to a chiro doctor because well, I've heard they are quacks. But you're not really thinking about what's quacky when you're in extreme pain. Thankfully, my chiro was able to accurately diagnosed the problem as a pinched nerve. I've had a week and a half of therapy and I'm almost back to normal. Well, as normal as I can be, I guess.

One week later...

This one is my favorite. Let's just say it involves a disturbed voodoo queen and a mean right hook.

Read HER version here... I'll write about my version on another day. This blog is already long enough to wrap around my head twice and that's pretty long.

Until next time...I'm crossing my fingers that nothing else will happen. But in case something does, I'm bringing my camera everywhere with me!

cb photography

2008-08-04T14:56:00.007-06:00

So... I'm kind of a wishy washy person, if you don't know me. I can never make up my mind about ANYTHING. I think I like something but then two seconds later I'll change my mind.

For a while now, I have been calling my little photography business "Blue Hammock Photography." I had a logo designed by a friend for "the blue hammock collections." It is a great logo, I must say. But it just doesn't work for my photography needs. When people see Blue Hammock, my name is not associated with that...so for your photography needs, I will be known as something very original, CB photography. Yes, yes, I know. This is what I started out calling myself and yes, this is what I am going back to. Don't worry though I will still keep the blue hammock collections for my stationery line, landscape and still life prints. Maybe one day I'll have a cool website up.

But until then you can keep up with me on this blog...and yes, I am back taking pictures from my wedding break! If you need family portraits this fall for your holiday cards, just let me know!

Email me at carabeth.buie@gmail.com

Cooper in the park

2008-07-21T07:46:00.008-06:00

Several times I have had the joy of working with the Mills family. Last fall I took their family Christmas pictures.

I took pictures at Cooper's first birthday party.

Recently, I spent an afternoon with him in the park. I can't believe how much he has grown! Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Cooper that day in the park.

Check out more pictures of Cooper on FLICKR.

No time for posting

2008-07-17T12:05:00.003-06:00

Sadly, I haven't been taking any pictures except for pictures of my new husband and I. Here are a few of my favorties.

To see more, visit our blog. http://www.thebuies.blogspot.com/

I'll post pictures of my latest photo shoots soon.

wide open

2008-06-30T22:04:00.003-06:00

I love this picture because of the open feel of it. I just makes me want to lay down in a huge green pasture and just stare at the clouds. In a time that is absolutely crazy, I long for days full of open skies.

Maybe I'll find some on our honeymoon in Mexico. 5 days!

inspire me

2008-06-09T12:45:00.008-06:00

Lately, I've been craving more and more art time. I've been taking more pictures. I find myself in random art supply stores staring at oil paints, acrylic paint and huge canvas boards. I have so much floating around in my head that I don't know where to start. I want to paint my parents a picture, but of what? I want to paint my future husband a picture but will he like it? I just want to paint, take pictures, draw, be creative. I feel like I don't have enough room in my condo, time in the day, nor enough organization in my mind to begin. The time will come when I just have to paint again.

I haven't picked up a paint brush in probably a year and a half. I miss it.

I find inspiration in other people's blog, websites, and flickr sites.

Elsie is especially inspiring. I hope you find her just as inspiring. Perhaps soon, I will have my own to share.

fully loaded weekend!

2008-05-19T15:29:00.009-06:00

This weekend was so crammed packed! But it was so much fun.

Bridal shots Saturday morning (Can't post those pictures yet.)

Jessi and Scott's wedding Saturday afternoon... so fun seeing everyone!

Sunday afternoon...Lucy's FIRST birthday! Conner got a new shirt and leash for the occasion.

And I got to meet Captian Jack!

Overall it was a great weekend!*

Bridal

2008-05-16T11:36:00.005-06:00

This is the week of bridals! Yesterday I shot my first EVER bridal shots! It was a lot of fun. I have to admit, I didn't really know what I was doing, but there's a first time for everything right? Lauren Holland was my first 'victim' and she looked SPECTACULAR! I started to upload her pictures to my flickr account but then I thought, "OH NO! I can't upload them yet! No one can see her in her wedding dress!" Like I said, I'm totally new at this but it's fun learning new poses and positions for shots. Who knows if this will ever be a career for me. (I seriously doubt it.) For me, I'm just having fun! I am thankful for friends who let me get some good shooting experience.

Email me at bluehammockphotography@gmail.com

Tomorrow I get MY bridal shots taken. Can't wait! 50 days til we get married.

57 days

2008-05-09T12:12:00.008-06:00

Well, it's getting closer to the big day. Things are moving right along as far as wedding plans go. We had our first shower a couple of weeks ago in Rison, Arkansas where Brent is from. There were 17, yes I said SEVENTEEN hostesses at this shower. They were all ladies in his church. The decorations, food, and gifts were all just perfect. This was our first shower so I made Buie go with me just so he would get the idea of what goes on at these sort of events. He didn't mind. (not that much anyway). I've never really been a big fan of showers, teas, brunches, and girlie things of the sort and I never really knew why. Perhaps it was because I went to so many growing up that I think I should just rebel against them now. Or perhaps I think it is secretly just another way women try to out do each other. You know we're malicious like that.

This wedding season for me, I'm trying to be more appreciative of the people that truley love and care about us enough to throw us a shower. Obviously the idea of a shower is to "shower" the couple with gifts and that they did. We received so many gifts we had to rent a storage room just to keep them all! Thank you to our family and friends who have been showering us with love and support all of our lives and especially during this time in our lives.

Here's a peek at some of the goods.

"Chirp" by Lenox

"Continental Dining" by Lenox

"Paul Revere" by Oneida

"Paris" by Noritake

Lately

2008-04-25T21:30:00.007-06:00

Pandora

2008-04-15T13:52:00.004-06:00

The last part of last week and this week I've been jamming to Pandora radio. It's an online radio station that basically creates a radio station just for you based on what type of song you like. You can type in the name of an artist and it finds song similar is music, style, genre, etc and plays them. You can decide if you like them or not by click a "thumbs up" sign or "thumbs down" sign. It's pretty freakin' awesome! I like finding out about new artists and this is a great way to do it. Pandora has been around for a while but it takes me a while to catch on to things apparently. I suggest trying it out. The best thing about it is... NO COMMERCIALS and it's FREE!

so many things

2008-04-11T09:28:00.004-06:00

There are so many things going on in my head it's hard to just grab one thing and write about it. From the emotional rollercoaster I've been on lately: spiritual and physical battles I've been dealing with...from falling down Pinnacle to hiding from tornados last week. I feel like Satan is attacking me in more ways than one but my God is more powerful than all of these things he is throwing my way.

Let's be honest, we've all had our share of temptations, frustrations, fears and most of all failures. For some reason, April has always been a weird month for me. This year is no different.
It the anniversary month of friend's homecoming to be with the Lord. It's been five years.... this week. Hard to believe.

It's the month between seasons, usually filled with rain, pollen, memories of winter and hopes of spring.

Lately, I've been blessed by my neighbors, by Epoch Church, the people I work with, but most of all my fiance, who never ceases to amaze me.

Here is a spring pic is hopes of cheering up this post! :) I want to see more of this and less tornados!

Something New

2008-03-24T11:33:00.008-06:00

I haven't always enjoyed trying new things. In fact, my older cousin and two brothers nicknamed me "Beef" because our family used to go to this Bar-B-Q restaurant and without a doubt I would always order a child's plate of beef and nothing else. (Also, it didn't help the fact that I was a little chunky in my younger years.) At fast food restaurants, it was the same thing: a small hamburger with only ketchup...every single time. Believe it or not, I actually distinctly remember ordering my first sandwhich with lettuce on it. It was at Burger King. I ordered the chicken sandwhich. Then, of course, THAT became the only thing I ordered.

It doesn't always just deal with food either. I used to be scared to try ANYTHING new. I hate rollercoaster rides. I despise bungi jumping. I wouldn't even ride in an elevator by myself when I was younger for fear of being trapped in it alone. If I was trapped with someone else, at least, THEY might know what to do in order to save us. That was my logical 3rd grade reasoning, anyway.

I remember being scared to get on a jet ski when my family purchased two of them. I was very young and remember watching everyone have fun on them for HOURS before someone finally talked me into getting on one. When I did, they couldn't pull me off. One time I literally stayed on a jet ski for eight hours.

Well, the point of all of this is, TRY NEW THINGS! In part of highschool and all through college, I made it a point to go and DO new things. I tried my hand at water skiing, snow skiing, tubing, riding fourwheelers, and yes, I even got on a roller coaster! These things are all fairly normal things and most kids have tried at least some of them, but they were all things that I was at one point hesitant to try. But like the chicken sandwhich at Burger King, once I tried it, I loved it.

New things I have tried recently:

New Food:

Alaskan King Crab

New Artist:

Leona Lewis

New Drink:

Planet Smoothie- Equal Parts Rasberry and Strawberry with yogart, sweetener and a touch of protein added to it! I tried it last week and I'm addicted!

Try something new. ANYTHING!

engagement pics

2008-03-18T14:57:00.004-06:00

Hey, guys (and girls)! Everybody go this instance and check out our engagement pictures at this website. Then once you do that, you will be amazed at this photographer and want to know her name so I will go ahead and tell you. Christen Byrd.

Be amazed. Be very amazed.

Hump Day

2008-03-12T15:32:00.003-06:00

I find myself longing for weekends but not for the same reason everyone else does. I love my job so I'm not dreading the long work weeks or the endless amount of work. I just simply look forward to doing nothing. And it's not that I don't do ANYTHING, it's that I get to do the things I've been looking forward to all week. Since the weather has warmed up, I will be gettin' outside more. I absolutely love being outside! Sunday I went for my first "run" in almost two years. Officially, I was not told by the doctor I could, but I feel like I know my body well enough to make that call. I used to run daily in college. If anyone knows Ouachita's campus, I would run from Caddo apartments, past the football field, up "the hill", and back again. I would run that twice again. It may not sound like much but for someone with fibromyalgia, it's like climbing Mt. Everest. I was proud of where I was physically. I'm determined to get back to that point. So Sunday was day one of that painful journey...and yes, it is painful. My life goal has been to run a marathon one day. I'm not sure if my body can actually handle it but I will die trying probably. :)

On a lighter note, Monday was a gorgeous day for taking pictures. As soon as I got home from work, I grabbed my camera and took some shots of my friend's Harley. He's thinking about selling it. I told him he was absolutely crazy!

The first one is my favorite and the next one is one of his favs. Enjoy! Check back for more pics!

snow day

2008-03-07T23:50:00.007-06:00

This week Conner experienced snow. It was pretty funny to see him trying to eat the snow. Also, my mom came up for a visit. We were pretty much stuck in my condo all day but we managed to step outside for a few shots.

2008-03-06T14:54:00.006-06:00

We are ready for one more snow day!

Here's a shot of Conner while he was discovering what the white stuff was.

My mom came up for a few days to visit. She canceled her hotel room in preparation for the storm that is headed are way. I think she is praying that we get stuck in my condo all day long so we can do nothing but wedding stuff all day long! I'm not sure how I feel about this...

Food wise... starting today I get to add one new food a day to my diet. Today is chicken. So tonight I celebrate with snow...and CHICKEN!!

the essence of chicken photo by: tbthayer

2008-02-29T08:32:00.004-06:00

Well, this week is the week of firsts. It is the first week of phase one of my new "eating plan."

For years I have struggled with health problems. Last year we had a break through, when I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. This conquered most of my problems but they were still many days when I did not feel right. I was STILL having migraines and feelings of achiness. My memory suffers still from what the doctors call "brainfog." I was not satisfied with the results so I went in search for more answers.

I found out about the LEAP program. And since I can't explain as well as a doctor, I will copy and paste from a website:

LEAP or Lifestyle Eating and Performance is a program that will help you overcome any food sensitivity problems you might have. LEAP allows you to quickly identify what foods, additives, and chemicals are likely provoking your symptoms, and, more importantly, which foods have the highest probability of being safe. LEAP uses a patented, proven blood test named MRT (Mediator Release Test) to isolate a safe foods diet for you. MRT eliminates the guesswork to give you definitive answers. Once the test is performed, an eating plan is developed and tailored to the needs of each individual client.

So, as you can see, the LEAP program works in conjuction to the foods that you are sensitive to.

Ergo, I can't eat anything this week: I found out I am highly sensitive to these foods. (I realize that noone is really interested in all of this. I am mainly writing about this for my own good. It's good to journal these major events in one's life.)

So this is what I CANNOT eat for the time being, at least: (Highly sensitive foods) Apply, Asparagus, Avocado, Banana, Buckwheat, Caffeine, Capsaicin, Carob, Cashew, Coffee, Oregano, Pistachio, Rye, Scallop, SMB. Suflite, Sole, Tuna, Yellow Squash.

(These next foods I showed a reaction to but a little less severe than the previous ones listed) Almond, AM. Cheese, Apriocot, Aspartame, Barley, Beef, Blueberry, Catfish, Cauliflower, Cola Nut, Garlic, Ginger, Onion, Paprika, Shrimp, Sodium Sulfite, Spinach, Tilapia, Tomato, Turmeric, Tyramine, Zucchini.

Week 1: Phase 1: This is what I CAN eat. Pork, Egg, Lentil, White Potato, Celery, Lima Bean, Lettuce, Mango, Organic Grape, Cantaloupe, Yogart, Butter, Pecan, Olive Oil, Sesame Oil, Corn Oil, Honey, Lemon, Vanilla.

Needless to say this week has been interesting trying to come up with fun ideas to eat. I'm not very creative in the morning so everyday I've made scrambled eggs and bacon...not a bad deal though. I could get used to this.

The porkchops, however, can go...and I won't say a word.

For more information, (and if you're just really really really bored or interested in this kind of stuff, read this.)

engagement pics

2008-02-26T10:13:00.005-06:00

This was my first "official" engagement session. It was really really cold so we might have a retake. Lauren & Daniel were just shivering the whole time. But I managed to snap a few good ones.

my brother

2008-02-21T09:06:00.011-06:00

Today is my brother's birthday. Chris is one of the best brothers a girl could ask for. He has always been there for me as a role model and as a friend in my life. His will is strong as a rock but his heart is that of a child's. He has taught me so much as I have watched him navigate throughout life's traffic and turns. Above everything, Chris always has a smile on his face. He makes the best out of every situation. THAT is what I truly love about him.

I can remember growing up, on family vacations, he was our entertainment. He was always the one to make us laugh on those 24 hour car rides to Estes Park, Colorado. We never got tired of him being our tour guide and entertaining us with those ridiculous songs he would come up with off the top of his head. His creativity never cease to amaze me.

That is why today, on his 29th birthday, I can think of no better way to wish him a happy birthday than to simply say "thank you."

Chris, thank you for always being strong even when those around you weren't. You can't imagine how many times I thought to myself, "What would Chris do in this situation?" Thank you for always making me smile even when I didn't feel like it. I know I can always count on you for a good time. Whether it be listening to rap music in your car or getting lost in Disney World on New year's Eve, I will always remember those times as GREAT times!

I love you! Happy Birthday!

non conformist

2008-02-20T15:14:00.004-06:00

I went shopping with my mother this weekend for all the things I didn't think I needed yet somehow came home with. She's good at thinking of all the things I forget...which is everything and quite often. We went to store after store searching for the perfect outfits to this and to that. Banana Republic, Ann Taylor (two of my favs), then to Chico's and Talbot's (two of HER favorites). After saying many, "No's" and several what seemed like THOUSANDS of "I just don't like it, mom! It's not my style", we finally went to anthropologie. It was like walking into heaven. or so it seemed. There was soft lighting and green plants and candles burning that reminded me of my grandmothers house. As a flitted (is that a word?) from rack to rack touching every single dress and blouse, I repeated over and over, "What about this one, mom?" or "Oh, I LOVE this!" At first mom was NOT happy about my choices. Her style is definitely more tailored, more classic, and less "hippie" so I've been told. But as I put my foot down there in Anthropologie, I told her I did not want to be restricted with button down shirts and jackets and pants that come clean up to my eyeballs! This was my wedding, therefore the showers I was attending were my showers and I would wear "wrinklie" dresses, as she calls them, and I would wear them proudly.

I think that was my first bridzila act. I promise it won't happen again.

On the good side though, mom and I both agreed on SEVERAL outfits. I mean, if you HAVE to attend showers, brunches, teas, and things of this nature, you might as well look cute.

http://www.anthropologie.com/

I DID end up with a jacket but how could I resist?

Love. & Marriage.

2008-02-08T09:31:00.000-06:00

The countdown has begun. 148 days until I become Cara Beth Buie! C.B.B. I think I can get used to that.

That's right folks, I'm engaged! The wedding is July 5th. I will apologize now if my next months entries are filled with wedding stuff. Just bare with me because right now it's all I hear about. You see, my mom is a wedding planner on the side of everything else she does. As soon as she heard about our wedding plans she jumped right on everything. We just announced our engagement this week and I already have a photographer, a caterer, a florist, a wedding, reception and rehearsal dinner site. I am already ready for the planning to be over, but I'm going to try to enjoy it because we have a short engagement.

It's still weird to say that I have a fiance. I like it though. More details about the wedding will come. Here's a link to our website at theknot.com.

lovely pics.

2008-02-03T22:39:00.000-06:00

My boyfriend and I realized we don't have any quality pictures of us. Grant Harrison took a few pictures this weekend in downtown Little Rock. I am very impressed! This one is my favorite so far.

Also, check out grantlharrison.com. It's pretty much amazing.

what a great weekend!

2008-01-31T15:25:00.000-06:00

New Orleans was amazing! It might have been a short trip, but it was so packed full of fun that I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. I went down there to visit my college roomie, Becca Core. We lived together all four years of college and managed to not kill each other! Correction: SHE managed to not kill me. Now that I look back on it, she really was like the greatest roommate ever. This weekend was all about taking pictures, relaxing, and catching up on the last year and a half of each other's lives. I think we accomplished just that. Here are a few highlights of the weekend.

Can you tell I have a thing for shutters and doors? New Orleans has such great art and architecture. I couldn't put my camera down. Hopefully it won't be quite as long before I can go back down.

Email me!

2008-01-26T17:41:00.000-06:00

Hey people! I got a new email address strictly for my photography business. If you need your picture taken, please email me at bluehammockphotography@gmail.com.

Peace out.

Road Trip

2008-01-24T09:28:00.000-06:00

I haven't taken a road trip in a while. Normally when you think "road trip" you think great friends, driving cross country, sleeping in dirty hotel rooms or sleeping in the car taking turns driving. Well, this road trip is a little different. It's just me. I'm driving down to New Orleans, so it's not exactly cross country. My college roommate (the whole four years) lives in Covington, La which is close to N.O. so I thought it was way past time to go see her.

New Orleans is such a historical city. I've always loved its history, art, and architecture. I can't wait to see what kind of shots I can get down there.

I'm looking forward to the drive down there almost as much as getting there. I haven't had a chance to be alone in a while. I plan to listen to some great music, spend some quality time with just me, the road, and God. Maybe He'll give me some brilliant word while I'm driving South for the weekend.

Here's to your next road trip.

New Year

2008-01-16T09:29:00.000-06:00

I haven't written in a while but that's probably because I've been so busy taking pictures. Over the holidays a took several cute ones of my little cousin, A.J. This one is by far the best one! I told him to smile, but I'm not sure what kind of face this is. Isn't he so cute? (View in flickr.)

On Flickr I've started a new group called "365 Days." Your goal is to post one picture of yourself each day and add it to this group on the web. Hundreds of people all over the world are also doing the same thing, so it's fun to meet new people and see the pictures they post each day. Here are a few of my favorite. Here is a link to see the rest of my 365 pics! Enjoy!

"slow and steady wins the race"

2007-11-30T12:34:00.000-06:00

Well, you know what they say..."slow and steady wins the race." My "photography business" is coming along well, nicely and slowly. I put "photography business" in quotations because it still sounds weird to say that. Technically it's not enough to claim on taxes or anything but it's enough to make payments on my new Canon! :) But it does sound strange to say that I have any sort of business at all...even though that has been my life dream! (well, besides being a mother) I am working with this new company that a friend recommended. I placed my first order today so I'm excited to see how they turn out. Before I had just been using kodak but this place is more personable...like when I call I talk to an actual person! Anyway, here are a few of the pictures the family ordered.

Enjoy! And if I can take your picture, please let me know: cbwalker23@yahoo.com

mills family 016

2007-11-20T13:24:00.001-06:00

mills family 016
Originally uploaded by cbwalker23

This is the beautiful family I took pictures of on Sunday afternoon. Three sisters and a brother, his wife, and the kids. All so beautiful!

Life is what you make it

2007-11-20T10:51:00.000-06:00

I used to get sad...like really sad...when I watched movies where real life is portrayed in an unrealistic way. Oh wait! That's like EVERY movie! More specifically it's the little moments in movies that would make me stop and think, "That would never happen in real life!"

Lately, (I know it sounds vain) but lately I have been wondering if my life would be worth watching if it were a movie....and I think YES, yes it would. I may have a simple life, predictable in some cases, but I love my life. From the time my feet dive into my "old man slippers" (as I call them) until my last sip of tea signifying the days end...I love my life. I was walking my dog, Conner, yesterday, breathing in the (somewhat humid) November air, and I thought, "This is my favorite part of the day." What's funny is that I had thought that about an hour earlier when I gave my love, Brent, a huge bear hug after I got home from work. Later on that day, the same though flashed through my mind as a stroked my cat, Hazel's, back and she purred.

If I were a cat, I would have purred, too.

a few black and white pics

2007-11-13T19:48:00.000-06:00

more more more

2007-11-07T10:04:00.000-06:00

I've been taking more pictures lately and I can't seem to get enough. Photography fills this hole in my self like nothing else can. I can't explain it if you don't already understand. I know many of you do. You take pictures because you have to. I don't take pictures because I'm good at it or because someone pays me. Although one day, I hope for photography to be my main source of income... I take picture because I have to.

So if you're wondering where I've been...I'm probably out taking pictures somewhere.

It's fall....my favorite time of year...I just can't seem to get enough. To see more of these beautiful girls, click here.

Eureka Springs pics

2007-09-30T23:25:00.001-06:00

I never posted any favs from E. S. so ....as requested...and as promised. Go to my facebook to see all of them.

Eureka Springs

2007-09-25T08:08:00.000-06:00

Buie and I had a blast in Eureka. We had a full day of ghosts tours, walking up and down all of those hills, visiting rescued kitties from abused homes, and tripping down really steep stairs in really wet caves.

It was a great to get away by ourselves and really spend some quality time together. I also was able to take lots of great shots. I took about 450-500 photos in one day which isn't hard to believe considering all the places we went. Over the next few days I'll post a few of my favorites.

One thing Buie and I talked about was the fact that Eureka Springs is such a great place to get married in or take a honeymoon or BOTH...although Scotland sounds a little more enticing. :)

it's a framer!

2007-09-23T20:44:00.001-06:00

a little weekend endeavor...

2007-09-20T15:03:00.000-06:00

I recently purchased a Canon EOS 30D. I'm pretty excited about it. You know how when you purchase a boat or a car and you take it out on its first stroll? Well, this is that weekend. Buie and I are going to Eureka Springs and the 30D is going with me (I really need to name it-any suggestions?) So I'm pretty pumped about trying out the new bells and whistles because it has plenty!

I'm also pretty pumped about Buie and I going somewhere together. Until last weekend, we hadn't really ever taken a road trip besides just to Minden (my hometown) or Rison (his hometown). Well, I guess one time we did drive home together from a wedding in Seaside. Anyway, I'm still excited! It should be fun. It was originally supposed to be a surprise but Buie let it slip where we were going. ha. He was so mad at himself. He won't tell me anything that we are doing on Saturday which presents a problem which trying to decide what to wear. (Girls, understand me).

Well, me, Buie and the Canon (needs a nickname) are going to Eureka Springs. Can't wait!

METROcommunity

2007-09-07T08:25:00.000-06:00

Last night Buie and I went to METROcommunity group at METRO BCM. It is located on UALR's campus...first time I had actually been there. We enjoyed it a lot. Grant Harrison led the worship time which was really good. It was just what I needed.

Ben Maddox, the METRO campus minister, brought a powerful message as well. I encourage you to attend METROcommunity. I'll be there as often as I can. Thursday at 7 pm.

http://www.metrobcm.org/

Mike Huckabee responds to evolution question

2007-09-06T13:56:00.001-06:00

Amen!

Lessons Learned This Weekend.

2007-09-04T13:40:00.000-06:00

1. Always pack for an over night stay in your carry on.
2. Always check the dates BEFORE purchasing your airline ticket online.
3. Meeting new people on your flight pays off in the end.
4. When stranded, pray for free Wi-Fi.
5. Check your bag for liquids BEFORE going through security. (note: Energy drinks DO count as liquid in case you were wondering.)
6. Take advantage of every opportunity! Make the most of the time you have with friends and family!

water's edge

2007-08-28T14:41:00.001-06:00

water's edge
Originally uploaded by cbwalker23

I'm not sure why I like this one so much.

but be assured...it is now framed in my house.

That's how much I like it.

It's very calm to me. A place where I can go sit and slip my feet in the water and let the day melt away...

Jolly Marina

2007-08-26T15:35:00.000-06:00

here is a little bit of my weekend in pics. more to come.

in good company.....my new place

2007-08-24T14:02:00.001-06:00

pond
Originally uploaded by cbwalker23

i miss the pond behind my old house. On Polk Street we had a goldfish pond with like 10 goldfish that had babies. They were great company on fall afternoons. I wish I had taken more pictures. But the few I have I cherish.

I'm still looking for that place at my new condo I can go and unwind after a long day. Lately it's been my couch after I crank up the AC and swallow too Tylenol (extra strength) after a long day at work. But that's not good enough. I need a place ouside. I think this weekend, I'll go in search of my new place...my refuge.

Evolution of Dance

2007-08-23T09:28:00.001-06:00

this video makes me happy!

in the eye of the beholder

2007-08-22T09:38:00.000-06:00

Lately, I have had several people ask me questions about the camera. How do you change the exposure? How does the camera know how much light to let in or to not let in? How do you make the picture darker or lighter? These are all questions dealing with the exposure, specifically the aperture of the camera.

I remember when I first started learning about the camera, I was so confused by the concepts that one must learn about if wanted to take great shots. I even dropped the photography class at Ouachita because I was so overwhelmed on the first day. One concept that is particularly hard to grasp is apertures and f-stops. While I will be the first to admit I have a LOT of learning to do, I thought I would provide some information that I wish someone would have provided me with years ago.

On aperture.

According to Wikipedia.

another tidbit. (I'm a visual learner, so it really helped me understand when I compared an aperture to a pupil.)

The aperture controls the amount of light that reaches a digital cameras sensor. An aperture acts much like the pupil of an eye that opens wider as light decreases to let in more available light. The pupil gets smaller when light increases to reduce the amount of light entering the eye.

Anyway, this is just a little bit of information to help you get started. I hope this helps even a little bit.

she's got six strings...

2007-08-18T20:03:00.000-06:00

LR.AR.

2007-08-13T22:03:00.000-06:00

down by the river....in a van

2007-08-12T21:58:00.000-06:00

I love where I live. I especially love the River Market district. Buie and I went downtown on Saturday night for a bit and I got a few shots. It was really hot out, so we didn't stay long.

how bout the weather...

2007-08-10T15:11:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's hot today.
why do you ask.
Because you are soaking wet.
oh, that...

Geez, someone turn off the sun. please. it's so hot. Well, I'm off to swim...somewhere cold.

to the Glory and praise of God...

2007-08-09T10:19:00.001-06:00

just a little something I designed for work. I'm quite fond of it. it's very peaceful and worshipful.

another one...

the best laid plans... (life's lyrics)

2007-08-08T23:26:00.000-06:00

With all the intentions of going to bed early, a wandering mind keeps me from sleep tonight.

With "Holiday in Spain" pouring out of my iPod Shuffle headphones, I can't help but think about life and age old question - what are we doing here? or perhaps this one is more familiar to you - what am I doing with my life? Ever want to just catch the next plane to wherever and as the song says, "leave my wings behind me...."

Here's one:

is everybody happy now. is everybody clear. we could drive out to the dunes tonight. summer's almost here.

I've been up all night. I might sleep all night. get your dreams just right...let em slip away. I might sleep all day.

When the road's are clear...head on out of here. And if you're coming back, see you in the morning. I'm just staring at the ceiling staring back at me just waiting for the daylight to come crawling in on me.

I guess I understand these lyrics all too well. I couldn't have written anything more appropriate to the way I feel sometimes than if I had written them myself.

There are so many things still left to do. How do you cram them all into the few years we have here on earth? Sometimes I just wanna go somewhere. Let's fly to Ireland or Scotland or Mexico. Anyway, these are my thoughts tonight..random as they may be. While I'm busy doing the things I must do...making money, paying bills, etc...my mind is busying making other plans. So you may see me sitting at a desk behind a computer but secretly I'm really lying on a beach soaking up the sun. See you in Mexico or who knows...maybe I'll take my holiday in Spain.

Until then...I'll spend my free time marking off my "things to do before I die" list. You know you have one. Everybody does. I actually wrote mine out one time. I've still got a ways to go...but I'm slowly marking them off.

A few I've already done:

parasailing

jet skied on the ocean

toured europe

own my own home

go to NYC

go to Africa

still to come:

see DMB in concert (yes, this is seriously on my list)

learn how to play the guitar

adopt a child

run in a marathon (maybe just a half...) :)

I'm only 24. This list is sure to get longer.

enough late night pondering and playing on the black keys with andy. I've got to go to bed. Let's see if I can find some pictures to make this looong post a little more interesting.

My lil cousin, Andrew James. I love him!

My girl, Hazel.

My boy, George.

fresh wind

2007-08-07T09:39:00.001-06:00

Since I last wrote, I had a celebration of my birth. Yes, that's right, I'm now 24 years old. I don't know why 24 sounds so much older than 23. Then you say twenty-five out loud and you're like geez that's so much older. I don't want to be 25 so I think I'll just stay 24 forever. Of course, before I saw the movie "The Number 23"I would have said I'll stay 23 forever because that is my favorite number. But apparently that number is crazy. I guess you'd have to see the movie...

Anyway, life is rolling along. Not a whole lot to write about. I mean, there's always something going on, but nothing anyone would really want to publish a book about. Then again, there are some books out there that make me think, "Really? Is this what you're goin' with?" So who knows...maybe I WILL write a book one day.

Well, I've got some things coming up on the calendar that I'm pretty excited about. I've never been much of a calendar girl (not the kind that you SEE on a calendar but the kind that KEEPS a calendar). I always felt that being THAT organized bogs you down. But then I've also found that it's a way to remember things you don't want to forget.

like the circus. and andy davis and dave barnes. and my Carolina trip. and the Lechners coming into town. and the Dave Matthews concert...and I know there's something else I'm leaving out....

Anyway, calendars are good things if you don't let them control and rule your life. I've seen way too many people become obsessed with their agenda...when they have to be where...and it's really quite overwhelming to me. Let the days and weeks take you where they will. Have a rough idea of what's to come but be open to interpretation...

So until next time...it's the circus for me.

Lake Day

2007-07-16T11:14:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I spent all day on Greers Ferry Lake with friends. I do enjoy the good times I spend with them. I hadn't been tubing in a while, but I thought I would partake yesterday. I realize, today, just how old I am getting. My body hurts so badly. I seriously can't walk down the hall faster than some of the 70 year old men that work in my building.

But in the end, the beautiful weather and memories with friends, I guess you could say, makes it all worth it in the end.

I call this one, "My next door neighbor has a cute dog."

2007-07-10T15:36:00.001-06:00

And well, I guess this one is called, "My next door neighbor has a cute dog #2." (my creative juices aren't flowing freely today).

2007-07-06T13:22:00.000-06:00

These are a few pics from Brecca Holloway's first birthday party. It was quite hysterical. The cake was a bright pink and the dye from the icing dyed her skin. (In some of the pictures, I edited the color and it appears light pink.) Sara (Brecca's mom) said that her skin was pink for a WEEK! I'm glad I was able to go and experience this time with Sara and Brecca. And I got some great shots. Check em out.

home

2007-07-03T00:23:00.001-06:00

I'm home in Minden for a few days. This will always be my home, but how, I'm not quite sure. I also call 1601 N Bryant Street my home in LR. I'm not sure why. All my "stuff" is there. My family is here in Minden. My past is here. My future could be either place. Everytime I come home (Minden home) people ask me when I'm moving back home. But when I go back to Little Rock, I think I am home. I love Little Rock. But Minden has its own essence of familiarity and friendliness. I don't have to explain myself in Minden. They already know. They just know me. And that is comforting. In Minden I am tied to my family which in Minden, is huge. Family is everything in a small town. If you don't have family, you don't have anyone. I am blessed to be associated with the best family in Minden. Seriously. If you don't know us, you should. We're pretty cool. :)

I guess, basically, I'm saying that it's nice to be home. Wherever home happens to be at the time.

kitty has a home

2007-06-29T08:41:00.000-06:00

My old roommate, Jessi Watts, brought over a friend of her's to look at the kitty. She ended up taking him home. I think his new name is Desi as in Desi Arnaz on the "I Love Lucy" show. Cute name. I'm going to miss him but I'm glad he's in a new home.

This brought up the possibility of me being a kitty foster mom. I know that sounds quite hilarious, but there are many strays out there that just need to find a good home. If I could provide temporary housing for a while until a more permanent home could be established...well, I might just do it. The only problem is, what if I never find a home? I might end up with like 12 cats. I would definitely become "the cat lady" that my friends are afraid that I am becoming anyway. Well, it's a nice thought, you know, to help out the pet society and all, but I think my limit is two. Hazel and George. They are enough to handle.

2007-06-28T12:19:00.000-06:00

Hey, go vote on your favorite photo! http://www.grantlharrison.com/

In the mean time, here is a photo of my new roommate for a short period of time (hopefully). I am currently looking for a home. Let me know if you need a kitty.

Father's Day

2007-06-17T08:05:00.000-06:00

I love my mom and dad! Aren't they cute?

thoughts on temptation

2007-06-15T08:40:00.000-06:00

I can resist anything but temptation.
Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan, 1892, Act IIrish dramatist, novelist, & poet (1854 - 1900)

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life.
Bible, New Testament, James, Chapter 1, Verse 12Biblical quotations (various authors)

Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.
UnknownQuotations by unknown authors

May you always consider it a victory...to resist a temptation.
the more you allow it in, the harder it is to resist it.

2007-06-13T09:42:00.001-06:00

Grant is facilitating a photo contest on his blog. It is a good way to keep photographers (though amateur) fresh. Feel free to leave comments. Here is the photo I entered in Photo Contest #2. I really did not expect to do well, esp. since I was up against, well, Grant. His work is amazing. Check it out.

Feel free to enter the contest.

sunny skies and wedding rings

2007-06-11T18:29:00.000-06:00

These two shots are from Robyn's wedding this past weekend. Just a couple to remember the weekend...not that I could forget. My favorite memory...watching "Friends" with Robyn.

Little Rock

2007-05-22T14:41:00.000-06:00

I have grown to love this city. In the two years I have lived here (officially this month), I appreciate it's beauty. It has everything you could want...well, at least, everything I could want. The other day, I took some pictures of the state's capitol. Here is one I like. Obviously this is not the original color. I can't figure out how to fix it so I just left it. It's kind of cool with the red sky.

.simply cb.

The Big Move!

A Fun Survey

Spring Family Pics

Signs of Spring

New Tulips!

Find your happy pace.

Bucket List

Fitness is FUN!

It's all apples and oranges!

Happy Mardi Gras!

Recycle Those Phones!

Boys Will Be Boys!

My Funny Valentine

We are in this together.

Flickr Friday Favs.

Change is comin'

If I had kids...

Free Gift Tags!

Green Gifts

Justin & Lee Ann

Look what I found today

My wish list

Tagged by Dr. Lara

Flickr Friday!!!!!

Cooper turned two

Friday Favorite Flickr Foto

looking back

Friday Favorite Flickr Foto!!!

Yum.

Look what I found today!

Today I love....

So many pictures!

time to retreat

corners of our condo

Oh this weather.....is FABULOUS!

new best friend

New Orleans

the story you've all been waiting for...

chaos

cb photography

Cooper in the park

No time for posting

wide open

*inspire me*

fully loaded weekend!

Bridal

57 days

Lately

Pandora

so many things

Something New

engagement pics

Hump Day

snow day

engagement pics

my brother

non conformist

Love. & Marriage.

lovely pics.

what a great weekend!

Email me!

Road Trip

New Year

"slow and steady wins the race"

mills family 016

Life is what you make it

a few black and white pics

more more more

Eureka Springs pics

Eureka Springs

it's a framer!

METROcommunity

Mike Huckabee responds to evolution question

Lessons Learned This Weekend.

water's edge

Jolly Marina

in good company.....my new place

Evolution of Dance

in the eye of the beholder

inspire me