If it weren't for friends and my hubby- I would be a wreck!

I was able to snap out of my mood yesterday. Erin came over last night and played games with me then Ryan came home and joined us. Erin and I were watching "what not to wear" I LOVE THIS SHOW & sooo despratly want to be on it. 1) so I can get good advice on what to wear for my body. 2) who doesn't want a $5,000 shopping spree!! Anyway it was fun- laughs and a great releif of thoughts on my mind.

Erin and I were talking about shoping and how we don't really go anymore now that we are older. I was like a shoping star in HS & College-- then the real world hit and I 1) don't do it very much cause I know I can't buy stuff 2) don't really enjoy it as much when I do- cause I don't look as cute in stuff as I did when I was in HS & college. Anyway... Erin and I made the commitment to go shopping for her for fall clothes. I am sure I need some stuff too-- but not right now. So in honor of this grand shopping plan... I found this t-shirt online. Maria- you will love this. It's something men don't get about shopping and well- It really is kind of how womens minds work!

the print says
"'Buy me, Lady" said the frock, "and I will make you into a BEAUTIFUL and WHOLE and COMPLETE human being."
"Don't be silly," said the man, "for a frock alone cannot do that"
"TRUE," said the lady "I will have to have the shoes and the bag as well"

HAHAHAHH!! I love it! Even though I have never shoped that way- I understand- it's about the whole look.
Have a great day peeps!
ck

Foul Mood

Yep- that's me in a foul mood! I have put off posting on here all day cause well I was holding out hope that I would hear something from Calvin. But no. It's now 3:30 on Friday and nothing! She said either Friday or by Friday and well... I was holding out hope for today. I have made sure my phone is on and working. I have made sure my email works. Nothing!

I didn't want to post how anxious and worried I am and then find out I got a second interview and have it be a virtual mood swing. Why does my mood for the day hinge on this!? GRR!

Nothing- At least tell me I didn't get it! UGH! Anyway- I have been higher in spirits lately cause I was hopeful about this. And while my mom reminded me last night if I don't get it it's for a reason. That doesn't pay the bills, that doesn't answer my "what next?". UGH! Ryan's car broke yesterday. Nothing major-- well it could have been if we fixed it right... but we couldn't afford to so we just had them fix it. His window just got stuck down. Oh yea the motor is broken and all the parts are rusted out so we have to replace everything- says the dealer! CRAP HOLE! Ryan told them (since it's been raining here for days and was pouring when he discovered this wonderful joyous situation) just put it back up. So now Ryan has a window that doesn't move. No biggy but it still cost us $100. Have I mentioned before that I HATE money!

Anyway- here's to my crappy day! Here's to not knowing what's next when I thought I did. Here's to being crushed that I didn't get one more thing that I thought God had planned! Can you just fill me in God? What's next!? Or maybe I would rather not know at this rate!

ck

Just be!

Sorry I haven't posted since my interview. I have been busy- just being! I think I grew up thinking that it wasn't ok to just be-- you had to be doing something, going somewhere, but it was lazy to just be. I don't know that I was "taught" this as much as I just picked it up. This has fed into my whole sense of go go go. And led me to the point I am now of high stress, getting sick and my body shutting down. So in this new phase of life I am learning to BE. I have to remind myself it's not lazy- it's healthy.

I have been reading this book "Ultrametabolism"-- well I have been reading it for a long time now... but I am getting to the relevent stuff. It's about me. It's about how my body got to be in the shut down over run state it is. So I am learning how to fix it. I've successfully gotten rid of the infection I had- but now I have to be healthy. That includes just being! I think it helps me to know that me relaxing is for a purpose (see it's all ingrained in me that it all has to be for a reason).

Anyway. I'm learning lots. I have some new vitamins to add to my daily routine... but it will prevent me from getting sicker again and well it will help me not only not get sick-- but to actually get healthy. I have to do this! I will do this! I can do this! I want to do this! (let's just hope that want to do this lasts more than an hour!)

So here's to knowledge. Here's to health. Here's to life. Here's to Just being.

Oh- and the interview went ok. I find out this week if I go back for an on campus interview the first week of October. Keep prayin!

ck

Nerves-- I HATE THEM!

Ok so I have this interview this afternoon. Super pumped about it. Feeling good about life in general. But right now I am NERVOUS as all get out!! It's only a 15 min interview... I have no idea what they are going to ask me other than to check out my "friendly voice". I'm praying it goes great. I just want to be prepared.

Wish me luck- and prayers are certainly appreciated!!
ck

wooo whooo!!

I just got an email from Calvin and they like me!! :) (HAHAH- I am laughing at myself right now). I have a phone interview on Friday at 3:30. Prayers for that. They want check out my "phone presence"- yep that's what they called it. I can verify that I am friendly. Then they are going to invite those who pass the "phone presence" screening to campus for an interview. They want to offer the job no later than the second week in October! It's nice to have a time frame but UGH!! I am sooo impatient! Friendly (check plus) Patient (not so much!).

Anyway- wanted to give you all an update so you can keep prayin with this in mind! :)
ck

My favorite day in a long long time!

Today was awesome. Church was awesome (more on that in a later post). After church Ryan and I packed a picnic and went to Grand Haven. BTW- that's my favorite place ever and I wanted to show Ryan how beautiful it could be. It's gorgous out today. Sunny with some clouds (great for picture- every other photographer in GR thought so too, there were so many out there). But it was fantastic. Just me and Ryan- not our cell phones, not our work, or any other "to-do's". I love the calm and the beauty that we find in time "just us". It's great when we have that time especially when life is busy. Here are a few pics I shot today. There were TONS of surfers (that's my fav shot) and the waves were awesome.
More pics on my photoblog ckphotography
I can't wait to tell you more about church and life in general- but for now I am just going to rest in the beauty of a day spent with the one I love! I hope you did something fun this weekend that got you away from the "hustle and bustle" of the everyday!

Just for fun-- Here is a pic of Ryan being funny by the "slow no wake" sign (his eyes are closed- hense- NO wake). Ahhh--he's so cheesy- that's why I love him! SO much for taking a serious picture of him. :)

Cards, cards & more!

So-- I have been making cards like a fool! Here is a glimpse of some of my regular year round cards that I just made. They are in packs of 4 and are $4.75- not a bad deal considering it costs like 2.00 for a simple card from Target- I don't even step foot in Hallmark! Not the best pic but it's my basement- what do you expect! :)
I am also making lots of Christmas cards, and some photo frame orniments (however you spell that). I think lots of people come to craft shows this time of year looking for Christmas presents. I am really looking forward to this!

Hope you all had a great week- I will post some more cards tomorrow!
ck

Another day

Today I went and watched Sam again. She is so stinkin cute- funny and an easy baby!
I am workin on making more cards tonight for the craft show on the 23rd. Maybe I will post some later when I get them done. (oh no I won't-- our scanner is not working). Maybe I will take some pics and post them. We shall see.... keep checkin back!

ck

Above all else- I feel blessed

Today is the anniversary of 911. I find myself wanting to hear/see/read something other than news about the war, are we safe, and so many more thoughts of the media. But as I get ready this morning and the Today show is on- I hear names read, stories of families, wives, loved ones tell their story. The personal side of the story.

My life is so different today than it was when the towers were first hit. I was in seminary and it was community time and announcments were being made- someone came in and said that a plane had hit the first tower. I thought about those families, my cousin Tracy who lives and works in downtown NYC right across the street. I thought about the lives that would change just cause it was a plane crash. Not knowing that life for the world would be impacted and different in ways I would have never thoguht about. I will admit that I don't think about the war on a daily basis. I don't think about the attack. I don't think about or fear my safety. But today I want to stop and honor and thank a few people that make it possible for me to live in safety.
Today I give my honor and prayers to:
To my DAD- who fought in Viet Nam
To my Grandpas- who fought in WWII
To my friend Susanna who's husband of just 7 months is fighting as I type (Susanna, I am prayin for you)
To Derrik- Ryan's dear friend who was killed in Afganistan in 2004 & the family he left behind.
To Anson- who is fighting and Rachel who is in SC waiting for him to come home.
To the families who have been impacted so directly
To those who are fighting in any country
To the officers, firefighters and gov't that don't get honored enough for the crap they deal with.

Today I feel blessed because I am safe. I am loved. I have a husband by my side. And today I get to go and babysit. It's not a real job, but thanks to Carmen who was so impacting in my life 5 years ago I have a way to make money today. And for that I am blessed.

For those who lost their lives- you did not die in vain. For those who are fighting- we honor and thank you- you will not fight in vain. Please take a minute to visit this stunning tribute 2,996. 2,996 bloggers have agreed to each write an individual tribute to one person who died that day.

God has blessed America. God has blesssed me. How are you feeling blessed today?
ck

Kickin' off a new site! Here is the new link.... ck photography

It will have various pictures I am working on- links to my portfolio, photo sessions, Christmas cards and more. I probably won't get it finished today- but it's a start!
ck

Real People

I can't even tell you how good it was to be in church today. A real church. With real people... ones who care! At a church where people are excited to be- eager to share, serve, grow. Passionate about worship. I love most of all that when Rob comments on a Bible verse you can hear the pages turning (cause people are actually looking it up!). I love authenticness. I love freedom to be real- and know you are loved in that realness. I love the whole thing.

It was a great message today and one that I needed to hear. Ryan and I had great lunch conversation. Planned menus then went grocery shopping. I love when he's around and we do stuff together. I think it's even more emphesized that we are apart when he is working and I am not. But I love what we share together. A love for life. A quest for faith. A passions and compassion for people. A search for realness in every way! Thanks hun- you rock!

Still kicken away at the job thing. After I hit my breaking point yesterday I applied for some more jobs (at local colleges). Got some great encouragement from my friends who surround me via email and in everyday life. THANKS GUYS! I love that being real allows you to be a great support to one another. What a gift. All in all my day got better.

It's cold today- a great sign of fall. I can't wait til the leaves start changing. :) That certainly makes me smile... although it means snow is not far behind.

Erin is comin over tomorrow for a little chattin and BBQ'in. Should be fun. It's Ryan's marathon day of class 8am- 8pm. But that's what life is right now! And regardless of that we are finding joy in the little things.

Hope you are all enjoying the start of fall.
ck

here are some of the LO's I did for my aunt

She just wanted something simple that included the invitation. I am pleased with how they turned out. Hope you like them Janet!

I just signed up to do a craft fair at the church up the road. I am going to sell cards... altered , magnetic frames, scrapbooking, and Photography. :) It's my chance to put it out there on the line!
ck

just plain crappy

Well-- It's come to the breaking point. I hate it! I hate that I don't have a job. I hate that I am not doing anything with my life & don't know the direction I am going. I hate that I feel like I have no purpose. I hate that I don't feel like I am contributing in a way that's helping pay the bills. I hate that I don't have patience for what God wants. I am sooo frustrated with this job thing. I am tired of waiting. I am tired of wanting to do something I love, but worrying that it's going to make me sick again or not pay the bills. I'm tired of restless nights. I'm tired of wondering, not trusting. Tired of asking "what's next?" Tired of the jobs I am qualified for being ones that will lead me to a lifestyle that my health/body can't handle. Tired that the jobs I am passionate about won't pay the bills.

Praying to get some answers & my day gets better.
ck

creative day

Ok- I decided I just needed to sit down and get my grove on. I have been bored but not inspired to scrap lately - cause- well- I don't know why. Could be cause I don't have any great pics of Ryan and I, or don't have printed pics of the girls to scrap. I don't know. Anyway. After scrappin for my aunt- I have my grove back. I wasn't really pumped to scrap these pics for my aunt as they are random shots from my cousins various showers pre-wedding. She just wanted something basic that included the invites. I love how they turned out though. FUN!! I will post as soon as I get the scanner hooked up.

ck

Waking up early

oh man-- I just typed this nice long blog message and it's gone! Stupid blogger!

Anyway- I was discussing (well not really since you are reading and I am typing), but I was contemplating the pros and cons of waking up early. On one hand I get so much done in the morning. On the other hand my day seems like forever cause when I don't have a job and become an efficiant person- well then I get board.

I woke up this morning at 6. Which is good- I can get lots done. So far I have had breakfast, done some laundry, checked the net (I am a junkie). I have to work out still & finish laundry. Look for jobs. Call calvin. hmmm, I am sure there are other things i NEED to do.

I think later today I am going to finish the scrapbooking I am doing for my aunt. I worked on it some last night and they turned out cute. Gotta finish that up.

Other than that-- well I need a life. I could never stay home and do nothing. If I was a mom I could, but just cause-- well that's not the life for me. It isn't the life for me. I need a job soon!

ck

Say what you want

That's just it-- now you can say what you want. I have changed the settings so that anyone can leave a message. So for all you typepad blogers who email me your comment (which I always appreciate) now you can coment here!

Funny story today. I went to costco to get some meat so Ryan and I can keep eating healthy. And I go in get my stuff- stop by and look at my dream camera (AHH- it makes me smile). I see a girl from college but her son was calling her away so I didn't say anything. I check out and then get in the car... sitting at a red light and I see the seam in my sleve looks funny. OH MY GOSH!! My shirt is inside out! Yep it's like a polo type shirt and sure enough completely inside out. Well, need less to say I went home. :)

Hope all of you are having a great day.
ck

wooo whooo!

I did it! I got a fun banner!! Ok-- I know it's a crazy hour of the morning-- I have been having trouble sleeping. I am sure it has to do with all the things wondering (rather speeding) through my mind. But the codine (sp) the Dr gave me for my cough is not even working. God must have bloggin plans for me! :) Anywho.

It was a relaxing day today- Erin came over and we hung out on the porch-- I love late summer nights outside. If only we had a fire pit and some smores!! YUM!

Got some stuff to do tomorrow.... pretty excited to get out of the house. Ryan starts at his "real" store tomorrow. He has been enjoying work just as much here as at home-- this is a HUGE blessing! He basically works 12 hour shift when we works cause of still staying full time while taking classes (2 science classes with labs- 12 credits- ugh).

Well-- That's it. I am hoping to fix the double title at the top of the blog and just turning this one into happenings of Ry and I and starting a photo/art blog in addition. I will keep you all posted.

Hope you all had a relaxing week. Oh-- and I want to say that I think it's stupid that only bloggers can comment here! Lame system!

toodles!
ck

a few more

Here are a couple more... I made these lower res-- since bloger was having stuggles! Hope you enjoy-- I'm having lots of fun!

ck

I am having so much fun! I have been playing with the processes and adjustments I can make in photoshop-- soo fun! Here are a few more pics I took (in assiciation with A pictures worth)of the wedding a few weeks ago. This bride was beautiful... and what a fun group of people. I love this first one of her so relaxed reading the latest celebrity gossip. And the lighting in the second one just captures the glow of a great bride!

I am hoping to get all the wedding shots uploaded to a site for you guys to look at once I get them all edited.

As for real work-- well I got passed on to the next stage at GVSU for a job in the registrars office. I was super pumped about that job-- still am but then yesterday I found a job in Admissions at Calvin!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this job! Being that friendly face for visitors when they come in. The position is Dept. Assistant receptionist/visits. All in all I would be arranging visits for future students and working with Fridays at Calvin Schuduling and such. I emailed a few people I know who work in admissions (I went to school with about half the staff in that office)-- hope something great comes from that. I feel great about it & it was just the encouragment I needed when I was begining to feel like there were no "real" jobs out there for me. I will keep you posted. Til then, I will keep looking and workin on the photography venture! Hope everyone has a great weekend-- we have nothing special going on-- just relaxin.

ck