it took a Maple to remind me...

I want to post...pictures from all my latest shoots...images of what life's been like, but life's so busy, so full, so fun, that I haven't had time. It's funny because sometimes I'm upset about not being able to post, upload, announce, or edit every little thing I've done, but then I stop a second and think: Hey Shan? You're to busy living life to stop and share it. Lol. Okay so it's not such a bad thing...but I LOVE sharing. Mostly because it helps me remember. And I can look back and grin, laugh, or even cry at something I might have otherwise forgotten.

Tonight though, I have to share just one thing: a moment today that gave me pause.

Today was Saturday. My Saturdays, unlike that of most everyone I know, are not relaxing. It's not full of dog walks, sleeping in, yard work, or catching the latest matinée. Saturday are crazy! Running a tree nursery with my husband, Jason, is the joy of my life (aside from my photography), but today we averaged 4.3 sales an hour. That's insane! Insane for a company like mine to be THAT busy in late October! For a few moments, I allowed myself to become overwhelmed while I dealt with customer after customer after customer. My mind was thinking of a million different things:

"the client standing in front of me talking

I'd love some shade in our yard, maybe color?

where are our shade trees ..what size are they?

how much?

ah, her little kid is so cute I wish I had my camera

wait my camera! did I email that model yet?

from LA? we're on right?

yes, the tree's gets 45 feet

the colors are intense...a burning crimson, slightly orange/pink

oh man I should order pizza for the boys

where's Jason?!

I probably won't have time to get the dog's shots they need before I leave

I leave

Ahh! So much to do

So much stress it's making my face break out...

i never break out, what's going on

ugh, it's only cosmetic, but you're causing it!

...Man it's so nice outside

stop complaining

God is good...soak it up Shannon.

life's amazing.

cute kid.

that's awesome, my favorite trees are October Glory

of course we match prices, here, let me show them to you..."

Insane right? It was staring at this tree when I stopped....again. Like I haven't learned this already 100 times over: Luke 12:22-31. "[...] not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these [...]" Life is good. I am blessed. I love my life!! And for whatever reason, it took an October Glory Maple to remind me of that.

Eddie's bad kinda day...

My little boy Eddie went to the groomers today. Usually he loves it and when he comes home softer than down and smelling like a mint julep, er, well, I LOVE it, but he doesn't complain. At least usually. Today was different however; his day turned into the terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad day kind of day--because usually Eddie get's shaved by Jenny. A sweet girl who seemed to have taken a special liking to Eddie when I first brought him a few years ago. Jenny and Eddie get along. And when he's all done being cut, washed, clipped, and perfumed, she always give him a super positive report card. She even files his nails and shaves the pads of his feet! But Jenny wasn't there today. I knew about it. Thought about rescheduling. But decided I'd already put his pampering session off a little too long...and I could barely see his big, brown eyes anymore, so I took him in. Shortly after a phone call, I was kind of regretting it:

"Shannon? Yea, um, this is the pet groommers and I wanted to let you know that Eddie moved a little bit on the table and so his groomer kind of cut his ear a little bit. We took him to the vet and we think it's totally fine now and it's got some good glue on it, so he's ready to go."

...Um...er...Seriously?! This is my baby and you cut his ear a "little bit" and put "glue" on it?! I think I even laughed because of how ridiculous it sounded. I stuttered for awhile and said I'd be in to pick him up as soon as I could. When I arrived I was asked to pay. Wait, what? "Well, um yes you do. I mean, we only cut him a little, so..." Lol. So. Right. Obviously I should have known that the only way a $60 hair-cut would be comped, would have been if they'd cut him "really bad." Thanks for the clarity. I can forgive the groomer, but when a manager tells you they can't waive the hair-cut fee and then said they can't really be to blame because it was my dog who moved his head during his shave...something's gotta give. And it wasn't my wallet. ;)

He's all in one piece and looking rather cute, but as a mommy, I can see a little bit of his confidence in my groomer-choosing ability slip away. Little guy didn't even wag his tail or want a picture of his new do, poor thing. I'm spending tonight making it up to him: peanut-butter treats and a snuggle on the couch. Tomorrow, we'll be calling Jenny.

A Fall Night...

I always say I'm going to be a better blogger. And then each and every day and night go by...for days, weeks, and then two months before I say, what is wrong with me?! Just sit down for a second. Write. Breathe. and post!! I have SO much I want to say and so much to share by the way of images, but even more stuff I want to do. The problem? I'm doing SO much already it's entirely irrational. I think, though, it's how I stay sane. I have to be busier than is healthy for most people. Sometimes I'm afraid that if I stop, my heart will too...so I keep pushing on, keep working, and keep dreaming. I never thought I'd have so many dreams. Life is so short and I've always dreamed big, but when I started seeing all my dreams come true, I thought: "Crap, I need bigger dreams!" lol. So here I am. Sitting for only a second before I really should be getting back to photo editing, writing back my customers about trees during our super busy fall, throwing a ball for Eddie to keep him happy, planning back and forth with Jason about our upcoming trips and car show, and my scheduling of upcoming shoots. Did I mention that I work everyday of the week and workout with my brother M, W, F after work? wow. the days are packed. jam-packed F.U.L.L. ...and yet, I find the time live. Really live. I do love. I do soak it up and soak it in. If the world ended tomorrow, I'd feel accomplished. I would know I was wholly loved and that I, myself, loved with all my being. Tomorrow, will most likely be here. It's Sunday. So I'll start it off with church and a good sermon with my husband, followed by a quick brunch with the grandparents before hitting the trees again.

I took a small second for myself tonight...after viewing this sunset. It helped me pause...for just a second so I remembered to say thank you. Thank you, God. For my blessings. This is gorgeous!! Just as it is. Even in this busy, busy, moving world. Raw.
Ciao.