Marion County "Community Celebration/Military Appreciation" Banquet

Last night, I photographed the Marion County  “Community Celebration/Military Appreciation” Banquet. It was such an honor to be asked. There are so many in my community that should be honored for what they do, too. At the banquet, awards were given out to those that went above and beyond the normal giving that many do here. Like I said it was an honor to be asked to photograph the event…although I was there working, I enjoyed every minute of it. I met many interesting people.

The hostess, a stunning woman, named Yvonne Harvey-Williams spoke straight from her heart. She is a powerful speaker. She lives not far from where I do…she is a transplant from Jersey. She actually went to the school seen in the movie “Lean On Me”. I thought that was cool, since that is one of my fave movies! She has accomplished many great feats…such as publishing four books and recently was named most valuable speaker for Monster.com. Her motto is… “It’s not about your start; it’s all about your finish…so finish BIG”. I so wish my daughter could have met her. I can tell she is a great role model for the youth of today!

I also met Roosevelt Jackson. He was born back in 1917…he is one of the oldest living Negro League Baseball players/managers/scouts in the United States. Last year, the US Postmaster General honored him during an unveiling of a postage stamp commemorating the Negro League. He played for teams that are long forgotten today. He was so sharply dressed for the formal event, that even at the age of 94, he was handsome. Before the ceremony, I actually talked to him and asked to take his photograph, although I had no clue who he was. I thought he was just a sharp dressed man…he was super sweet and genuine. I did manage to have someone take my photo with him…I know kinda unprofessional, but it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. =)

 There was another gentleman from the Negro League there, too. Dick “Lefty” O’Neal…shockingly he is white. He was the only white player to pitch for two teams. He crossed the color barrier, kinda like Jackie Robinson did back in the day, but only in reverse. He is an awesome man that retired from the US Air Force. Recently, he published a book…Dreaming of the Majors - Living in the Bush.

Baseball, has a history in Buena Vista, Georgia…Josh Gibson was born here in 1911, but later moved to Pittsburgh with his family. Many knew him as “the Black Babe Ruth”. He died in 1947, only a short time before Jackie Robinson crossed that color barrier in the Major Leagues. Mr. Gibson was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame, 38 yrs ago in 1972. His great-grandson was at the ceremony. Mr. Sean Gibson is the executive director of the Josh Gibson Foundation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a phenomenal gentleman and speaker.

One of our local TV anchormen was in attendance. I thought this was way cool, since we watch him every morning. Chuck Leonard appears on WTVM news. When my daughter found out he would be attending she wrote him a note asking him for his autograph…then demanded that I give it to him. I did and he was a sweetheart and wrote her one back. His speech was amazing!

Ms. Carla Hawkins, former Miss Black Georgia sang at the event. OH MY GOSH, talk about a beautiful voice…she can belt out a song like no other. Besides being a great singer and a being supremely gorgeous, she is a sweetie.

It was an honor to meet all these people, along with everyone from my community.

I had an awesome time…which makes my job all the better!

Congratulations to all the award winners…you guys are truly remarkable.

Sassy's Halloween Costume

My child has never had a store bought Halloween costume...I am too cheap to purchase one...something the kiddos will only wear for one night (maybe two). Ever since Mimi was a babe, I have recycled things for their costumes or picked  up things at the local thrift store. When Mimi moved in with her dad, she got store bought costumes...Sassy is still getting her "upcycled" costumes. We have been things like a bat, pink poodle, the Easter Bunny, a bumble bee and so on. I don't think I have had more than 2 bucks per costume, probably no more than 25 on ALL the costumes put together. This year we spent a few weeks debating on cool costumes and we had finally narrowed it down to a few. Then it hit us one day when I was off daydreaming and glanced at a bag of things we were gonna donate. There it was a couple of shirts in the colors of white, yellow, and orange...aha!!!! A CANDY CORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I dug in the bag to see what I could find before Sassy came home from school and have it all out so she could envision what I was envisioning. She went for it...after weeks of trying to get some decided...we got it!!!! So we have decided to make a candy corn princess costume. She hasn't been any kind of princess for Halloween before, she was a with one year the total opposite of princess!
So, in my project I have found 2 white sheer curtains to use. I have already dyed them yellow...I forgot to take a pic of it before I dyed them though but I will remember to take photos of the project...I even dyed them yellow with fun coloring, vinegar and water. YAY ME! I am gonna use a recycled take out food container for her crown...then I found a cool project that uses wax paper and crayons that I can make her accessories.

Photos will be posted it the next day or so!

My plant...

I have a really hard time keeping up with houseplants. I usually kill anything with leaves...A good while back (over a year), my former employer had plants all over his house. He sent me home with some cuttings...you know the directions...put in a glass of water and wait for the roots to sprout, then plant in some good dirt. I did all that and roots started appearing…I planted it and it grew. YAY ME! I actually got some cuttings from my plant…YAY ME! Well, a few weeks ago I planted my cuttings and planted them in a generic bucket and put them in my bathroom. I figured that is a good enough place since I can add some water to them from time to time…I watered them earlier today and there was water droplets on the leaves…I thought it was kinda cool… anyhow I wanted to share a photo of it with ya’ll!

Back in the saddle...

I have been offline for a good while...seems like forever!Things got pretty tight on us financially...so we cut the internet out and downgraded a few other luxuries. The transmission went out in my truck...that repair is kinda expensive. While saving for that my hot water heater took a dump...then my daughter broke her glasses and also her spare pair. Now that the hot water heater is fixed...Sassy is waiting on her NEW glasses (2 pair) the arrive and My Honey is trying to get time off to fix my truck things are looking up for us. My oldest daughter was here over the summer...it was an awesome visit! I do think that she was in technology withdrawel while here though...she is so used to having a TV in her room, internet and cell service...as well as transportation. I think the simplicity of it all made for a better visit. I have gotten a few photo shoots scheduled in the near future.

Soccer photo shoot today...

Yay...I got my first big photo shoot today! Someone recommended me to the Buena Vista Recreation Department to do team/individual soccer portraits! I am super duper excited and nervous at the same time. In all the excitement, I scheduled the shoot the same time Sassy has a softball game. It all worked out though...She is riding with her friend Carolann...I just hate that I won't be there to see my baby play ball.
I stopped in to introduce myself to Coach Norman today...up til now we only communicated via phone, text and facebook. I think everything will go well. YAY ME!!!!!!!!!!

Bustin' at the seams with excitement...

I am doing my happy dance and I feel like I can't contain the excitement! I sure wish I could say what it is that I am excited about BUT I can't for a little while longer! I can say that I have an event to photograph here in the next few weeks. I was told today that they wanted me for this event because I was highly recommended by some one. They hadn't even seen my work and they want me...just by word of mouth and how cool is that? I have not advertised any and I am getting more and more clients. 

I delivered the photos I took at the photo shoot for Sheri and Jason. Sheri absolutely loved the photos and I am very proud to have been chosen to photograph her beautiful family. I got a message from her today and she wants to buy a couple more prints. =) I am gonna post those photos Monday...I have to wait til then per orders from Sheri, since they are gifts for her mom and mother-in-law for their Mother's Day gifts. 

I got two shoots to do on Saturday...I am gonna go see the location the clients chose tomorrow and discuss the poses and all the other good stuff! 

YAY ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Softball game today....

Today, Sassy had a ball game in Dawson, GA. That is a long ride...or should I say drive! I left the house at 9:15am and we got there at quarter to 11. Granted there was a few things that got in our way and caused us to be there late...Like the fact I got a driving award for going 51 in a 35 MPH zone. I knew I was speeding...I can't say how fast I thought I was going either since my speedometer is currently not working. It felt like I sat there waiting forever for my citation...
Then about half way to the game...I came to a stop...one car in front of me and we wait for 10 minutes for the pilot car to follow because of the road paving ahead. GRRRRR!
The girls played awesome today...the best yet and they WON!!!!!!!!!! This is a first for them. The girls were so proud too! The score was 7-6 YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am proud of Sassy and she enjoys softball so much and I am proud of her spirit whether they win or lose. She is out there having fun and learning to play on a team!