After 19 years...

...we had a little reunion of some of my AOPi sisters here in Nashville. What a blast! I am not sure I ever subscribed to the "these will be your friends for life" bit when I was pledging a sorority some 23 years ago as I am a bit cynical. But here we stood many years later as if no time at all had past, rehashing old memories and making new ones that will thread us together for years to come. I am so glad I was a part of this group - these women are amazing, smart, beautiful, funny, and confident - exactly the kind of women I would choose for my friends today. So, here's to you ~ my beautiful sisters ~ alpha love!

etc. designs

Today was my first day officially being displayed in a local store. Here is the display I created. Cute and pink, huh? I have been a watch making fool lately! Phew...guess I better make some Gator ones for my girlfriends coming in town this weekend for the Florida/Vanderbilt game! GO GATORS!!!!

xxoo

kirsten

Happy Haunting!

It was a spooky site on Paddy Trace as the Reeds geared up for a night of haunting. We carved pumpkins in the afternoon, Vince spending the most time creating an intricate Gator/OU pumpkin ~ awesome! And he says he isn't artistic! I was feeling witchy and dressed accordingly ~ however, I didn't scare any children. In fact, one little three-year-old girl said she wanted to be in my witch family so she was going to dress like a witch next year. Too cute!

I took Ben to his cousin's and we hung out at the street party for awhile before trick-or-treating with my vampire nephew, niece and brother! Sarah went to her friend's party and trick-or-treated in her hood. Vince wore his Darth Vadar costume and passed out candy to kids ~ taking time to talk to each one ~ maybe too much, as one 6-yr-old said, "Can I just get my candy please?"

Isn't that essentially what it is all about? Candy! Hope your haunt was delicious!

BOO Ya!

Coming to a neighbor...near me! Yep, it's that time of year again when the kids and I create fun little boo baskets to "scare" the neighbors with. If you decide to do it -- it is fun, easy and affordable! Go to Christmas Organized for the free downloadable signs and poem. (I know it says Christmas, but they have other stuff too!) I filled our tins with items from the $1 bin at Target. LOVE me some Target! They have dish towels, rubber band bracelets, pencils, halloween socks, candy, bubble bath (for the moms!!), yo-yos, etc. Easy peasy! So get your neighborhood boo on and go spread the fun!

xxoo kirsten

Thank You, No Thank YOU

Remember my post about Gray Photography? Well, I was so excited about all I learned from their workshop, I sent them a little goody box thanking them ~ and they loved it so much they mentioned it in their blog.

Check it out their blog at Gray Photography. Very cool. Turns out they love snail mail as much as I do!

xxoo kirsten

RUSHing through Tennessee

It was great having the Cindy and Charlie Rush visit us...it had been about 3 years since we passed through Colorado and got to spend time with them. They have known me since I was a baby as they are some of my parents' closest friends.

My kids were digging their RV and Ben declared that if given a lifetime supply of poptarts he could live there forever! (smile) My sweet 6-yr-old niece, princess that she is, declared the bedroom her "favorite room" and checked out the contents behind the closet door in case there were any fabulous shoes! :)

Vince dutifully performed the Civil War History tour with Charlie highlighting all the major historic sites and battles in the area. At night we laughed and enjoyed some games of Hand & Foot where the women spanked the men! Woo Hoo!

Hope to see them again soon. We just might have to plan a ski vacation out to Colorado next January with the kids!

xxoo kirsten

Photo Lighting WOW

Just went to Zach & Jody Gray's (Gray Photography) off camera lighting seminar and learned SO MUCH! I have so much confidence in using some of those high tech equipment pieces and even know the names of a few now! Yeah!!!

Here is one of my favorite photos I shot - yes me! I think it looks like it should be an ad in a magazine. The lighting was bright, but with proper metering and flash, we got the sky to look very dramatic. Cool, eh?

Going back today to learn the business end...that might be the hardest part for me! :)

xxoo kirsten