Day 363

Other than the actual taking of photos- I sat in the basement at this desk pretty much all day. I edited, scheduled, replied to emails, etc, etc all day long- and still have a lot of catching up to do! I am so thankful that my 'real' job has these breaks throughout the year or I'd never been caught up! (As if I ever am anyway.....)

Day 350

I know it just looks like a DIY picture but it's really more than that.

1.) Those little sewing hands belong to a 7 year old. We had a sewing date tonight. I really thought I'd sew and she'd stand by and hold the fabric and trim the threads once in awhile. Actually, she pretty much sewed by herself and I felt like I was getting in her way. She said, "Heidi, we should really do this more often."

2.) That bracelet over that big hand is from a pretty special girl. She randomly came in to eat lunch with me one day and to tell me her story. At that point, she sort of just implanted herself into a corner of my heart so when she gave me this bracelet (that she made special for me) and a hug today it really made my job seem worth it.

My heart is full.

Day 342

Lisa knows how to liven up a staff meeting.....

Day 336

Sometimes all it takes to get through the work day is a good laugh before lunch. And a new million dollar inheritance. Ha.

Day 321

Sometimes I get discouraged with my 'real' job. It's mentally challenging and exhausting.

But sometimes, sometimes, it pays off. One thing that's great about this 'double life' in the working world is that I get to work with newborns, toddlers, middle schoolers, high schoolers, and college age students all in the same week (sometimes day!). I really love working with all of those ages but I have to admit- there's something about compliments and hugs from middle schoolers that packs a bigger punch.

Sometimes I really do love my job. Both of them.

Day 320

I ended up working 15+ hours this day. I did manage to find time to get a $3 scarf in the mail to the winner from a post on my other blog. I hadn't realized that the scarf was originally $30. That's an even better deal that I thought! :)

Day 312

Day 1 of conference week. Do you pray for the teachers in your life?

Day 301

We are almost finished using these at work. Happy Day.

Day 300

Hung out with J tonight. I laughed, got angry, had tears well up in my eyes, and laughed some more. She's a great sister well she's not technically a sister- just a good friend sister!

(Yes, that photo is an awkward transition because.....)

I forgot to take a photo. So I snapped a photo of today's boots. It was boot day at work (stomp out drugs- wear boots for red ribbon week). My boots were not approved by the over 50 crowd..... I did however get to listen to multiple people sing These Boots Are Made for Walking.....

What's that? You have it stuck in your head now? You're welcome.

Day 267

Child Development Day at work is not the best day to come back to after an unexpected couple days away. But I have great friends that made it just a little easier. I'm sooooo blessed to have such amazing friends. They've really carried me this year. Always really, but especially now.

Day 250

Tuesdays and Thursdays get long..... R asked what I was taking a picture of here and I said, "a pile of stuff." "Why?" "Because that's about how I feel today."

I love having the best of both worlds. On the nights I'm not doing photography related work, I miss it. But this double life is definitely a busy one!

Day 243

Quick. It's the end of the day, I'm just now finished working for the day, and I don't have a 365 photo.

Day 238

I had good intentions of getting a back to school post up. It hasn't happened yet......

Day 236

I'm so glad I gave myself a week off from photo sessions to get back into the school routine. I had my first session of the school year tonight and was dead tired. I fell asleep on the couch before it so R had the great idea of running to the store and getting me a Pepsi. The only thing he forgot to pick up was the IV for the Pepsi that I'm going to need the rest of the school year.

It's exhausting but I absolutely loved doing another session tonight!! I had really missed it! I may need to invest in some more Pepsi to get me through this school year........ :)

Day 232

Awwww. Friday. I've been waiting for you all week. I'm sorry I forgot how special you were this summer. But now. Oh, now, you are amazing. Thank you for being good to me.

A Friday night with R at the fair is a pretty good way to end this busy week.

Love it.

Day 231

Teacher by day. Pretend photographer by night. It's only the first day of it, but this double life is exhausting.

Day 230

The chairs are empty..... until tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be my 6th first day!

Praying for a great school year!

Day 229

So yesterday was the first day back to the job that pays the bills. I came home for lunch and was super excited to see a box labeled Kelly Moore on the front porch. What a great day for it to arrive. I used it today and R was convinced that I suckered him into letting me get a new purse in disguise as a camera bag. It really is a camera bag. Just a cute one. :)

Day 228

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive.
And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

- Howard Thurman

Day 224

I couldn't decide what tag to attach to this day.... We had 20+ people at our house throughout the day. Some for photo sessions. Some to work on our basement (not because of flooding- thankfully!). Some were neighbors sharing their concerns about the water (or lack of water) situation. Some to bathe since their own city (Ames) was still without water. (Some I know I'm forgetting...) Some for emergency daycare/to help H with accounting. :)