Amy's Photography...

Tonight I had so much fun taking family pics for our good friends. They have two gorgeous kids who smile perfect when the camera is ready. Thanks guys I had a blast!

what would you change if you could

Would you do a day over? A moment? Would you take back something you said if it meant not hurting someone you love? All your life. What would you change? Maybe nothing. Maybe everything. Maybe one choice that changed all your choices. A word. A thought. A mood. What would you change? Change. Change. Change.

He sold me my first guitar. So he could go to a dance with a girl he would one day marry. And then unmarry. He was the leader of our rebels group when we were all 15, which in reality, had nothing to do with being rebellious and everything to do with friendship. He wanted to put an end to gossip, and complaining, and for awhile he did. He was Moose. He made us all sing 'Happy Trails to You' each summer night before we left those neighborhood streets to go our own way home. He was my first unofficial date. Big Fries. He was the life of our party.

Change.

When his sister died I went to her funeral and I saw him... this best friend of growing up, of years of sharing the same block, the same friends, the same sunday school class. He gave me a cheek hug. I felt sad deep into my heart and back again. I wanted to tell this friend how sorry I was for his loss. But I didn't. I would change that day. That day I bought the card for him that I was going to write my words in. The words that would make him know that I cared. This friend of mine that took me rabbit hunting and on bike rides. What would you change if you could?

Change.

He died three months later. What would you change if you could? I still had his blank card. I would change that day. Maybe if I listened real hard I could hear him. I listened, and I did. He wanted a favor, and he knew I was listening. I don't know if it was him or me, but somewhere I heard Mike telling me to please do this one last thing for him... to send his mom 6 yellow roses. Roses that would be delivered on a day when her tears fell heavy. She was listening too, and she heard him.

Six unforgetable yellow roses straight from heaven. That day I would not change.

they are known for their kickline

So I have been sucked into what could be classified as the best reality show of all time 'Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, making the Team'. Somewhere deep inside me I am a cheerleader (and a Broadway dancer, and a thinker...but right now a cheerleader). I like to yell, clap, kick, smile, wave, all of it. The DCC (Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders), have to go through a rigorous tryout, and there is a really mean, pretty lady who runs the show that tells them that A) they can't dance B) they have a muffin top and won't look good in the 'uniform' C) that their high kicks are too low D) that they are not exciting. Any one of these statements taken out of context could still wound you for life. Seriously. As you can imagine it gets way intense. The mean pretty lady calls in the low kickers (or the ones who THINK they are kicking high, and really they are just leaning forward)...into her office and her and her sidekick (a blond with turkey neck) tell the cheerleader that she is off the team. That her high kicks, well, they are just not high enough, and at the end of the day the DCC are known for their kickline. Open tryouts are just a short 6 months away, and there is a part of me that would like to just show up just to say I tried.

I wish I had more...

1. junk in the trunk
2. poptarts
3. money
4. time with my kids
5. jessica simpson heels...hot baby hot!
6. chocolate covered cinnamon bears
7. running socks
8. money making ideas
9. big words in my head
10. time to ride around in Jen's jeep!

one last photo

Tonight I had the pleasure of taking Todd and Fatima's pics before they head of to San Fran for a year. Fati is an amazing beauty, and so much fun to photograph. Ramon smiles biggest when Fati is making him laugh! Todd looks great (it's genetic), and also very, very smart (also genetic), in all the pics. I love the candid ones of Todd with Ramon, and Fati with Ramon. So sweet!

ps I looooove my camera!

let the bake-off begin

4 short weeks is all I have to perfect my chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies for the ultimate work bake-off. There are extremely high stakes for the bake-off. The loser has to wear canary yellow JcPenny tapered sweats to work, all day long. The loser must walk around the 6th floor (executive level), and work it baby...own it...and work it again. There is a lot of trash talking right now, but Sam never reads my blog, so...I am pretty much super excited to see him in those sweats. A few lunges would be nice too. Actually, word is, he is a pretty decent baker. I am not worried about losing, because I won't. At least, I hope not. So this is how the bake-off is going to go down...first, we bake a 'from scratch' chocolate cake. I have a good idea, and I am pretty sure I will take him and his fancy cake pans down. All rounds will be voted on by our bosses. Second round will be the chocolate chip cookie. I am a bit worried because my boss likes large, flat, cookies with small nuts...and that is not how I roll. So, the challenge is mostly in the judging because there is no way anyone will beat my cookies. If there is a tie, then there will be wild card round, which could get c r a z y.

robyn is real and other things I learned friday night

Our fearless leader calls us a quirky bunch, and really, can you blame him? Except, all this quirkiness works, and is quite enjoyable. The Joe's, Gina, Alec, Jason, Jared, and myself along with our significant others, oh and AK 47, all went dining together at a fantastic restaurant downtown. We were told to be there prompt, and most of us were, a few of us were thinking about the economy and forgot where to turn. All that said, it was a very fun evening. I learned that Joe D had a terrible, terrible experience with Della Reese in an airport, that made him shy away from ever approaching another celebrity again. I learned that Jason has a super cool under pressure wife when she said "Hi Andre..." in a normal, even voice. So cool. I learned that Joe S does not like to share food, and he likes plenty of room in which to arm swing....and indeed Robyn is real. I learned that Alec still is king of restaurants and food as he helped Joe come up with what to order.... sooo good! I learned that Gina is not afraid to try a whole new plate of different kind of food - what to go Gina, oh also I learned that love makes her glow! I learned that Jared has had many brushes with fame, and that he has a small yet strong crush on Rachel Bilson (did I say that right??). I learned that Joe B will eat Indian or Chinese food, it really does not matter. I learned that I am oh so very fortunate to work with so many fellas and a wonderful gal that make my life full and my work days feel short. Each spouse and significant other was so great and we all had a wonderful time. Can't wait for Harvest Dinner 2009.