I was tagged by my friend and wonderful Photographer, Pam Biasotti. She tagged me a few weeks back, and I’m just now making time to do it. I really wanted too; it’s fun and cute and a great way to get to know me (and those I tag) a little better. So here goes =)

The Rules

1. Post the rules on your blog.

2. Write 7 random things about yourself.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post.

4. Pass on the tag.

Okay, so 7 random things about myself that most wouldn’t know about, especially my wonderful clients. Here goes:

1. I had to get hearing aides at the age of 30 (yes, you heard that right, THIRTY). Crazy huh? Well, I never passed a hearing test in schools growing up, but being raised by a single mom with very little money to spare (won’t go into my childhood here), I only remember getting my “ears checked” twice. I went to get them cleaned to which I was amazed at the huge junk that came out. I remembere hearing wel for a few days <grin>. Then I remember in 4th grade going to a specialist. All *I* remember is how scary it was when I heard him mention surgery. That is ALL I remember, other than my Mom doesn’t have insurance or the money for that, so who cares. I lived it with it this long. I just sit at the front of the class. Little did I know that I also learned to read lips fairly well, and I’m not “deaf”. I can hear; I Just can’t hear “conversation level” well at all without watching the person’s lips or being close. Pretty bad huh? Well at 30, I couldn’t take it any longer and had a hearing test. They were shocked and so was I! I didn’t pass at all, not even close. So, I was given the beautiful hearing aides. Mine aren’t pretty. They aren’t the large-over-your-ear kind, but they aren’t the smallest either. My ears are toooooo tiny to fit the smallest in (i.e. the ones you CAN’T see), but I love them anyway. I Love love love them! Do I wear them often? No? Why? Because they are $6000 and not covered by insurance, that’s why. AND I work with children. I can hear MANY sounds well, and the hearing aides only amplify those. I’d rather get close to my clients or explain that I typically wear hearing aides, but rarely at sessions. I wear them when watching tv, to the countless doctor and specialist appts (any doctor appt because they are always looking down at my file when speaking. Ugh) and….when I feel that I can handle the “other noises”. I can hear birds now, and I hate that I can actually hear the road when driving my van. So, I don’t wear them in the van! LOL

Oh and my mom said my Father was deaf in one ear. Oh, so NOW you tell me. ha ha ha

2. I’m a VERY picky eater. IT’s terrible; I hate it. I have always hated it. When younger (pre-teens), I remember putting Lays potato chips in my sandwiches and pretending that it was lettuce. That’s bad, huh? It cracks me up now though. It tasted good though, so hey, why not? I’ve tried foods – I really have. I just don’t like them. This includes anything raw (fruit – well I like bananas, vegetables and much more). I was raised on can veggies, so all I like are can green beans, corn, black eye peas, and peas. Embarassing when you are invited over for dinner, and if you’re not really close friends, you have to find a way to “ask” and then either 1) turn down the invitation or 2) be honest! LOL So embarrassing. I order hamburgers with mustard and ketchup only AND order tacos with MEAT only. I CANNOT eat cheese or dairy – not a good thing. When I crave it, I eat it at home when I know I won’t be going anywhere. I do it in small doses (i.e. Shells and Cheese, I LOVE but can’t eat it much).

3. My first time flying on a plane was at age 24. I never flew before, but boy do I remember my Mom chugging us along to many different homes/states looking for a better life (she really was trying) in the car with no air conditioning only to come back to Grandma’s again. Grams was my 2nd Mom – literally.

4. I have ADHD (a girl at that!) and talk a lot and really fast; I honestly cannot help it. I try to slow down and then it becomes very noticeable and quite ridiculous if you ask me. I read fast too. This is great for children and sessions, but it has made some adults not really like me for it.

5. I bit my nails for 30 years! I stopped and then they were weak, of course, and broke all the time while working. So, I have to keep gel overlays on them to keep them pretty and STRONG during equipment setups, etc. I hate it. I liked my real ones.

6. I always wanted to be a wife – always. I love my marriage and husband more than LIFE itself. He and I are just perfect together and have been married for 15 1/2 years. We are both 35. Do the math…early early..young young. AND, I always thought I wanted to be a working woman and not have children. Boy did that change after being married a few years. The Lord really changed my heart b/c I REALLY wanted to be a Mom. I loved it. I love love love being pregnant (not many do). But, I had no idea God would give me the challenges I face each day with my children. One reason I think Daniel and I were meant to be together – we are one strong and loving team!

7. You ask me something and look how much I type. I’m honest. What you see is what you get? I treat everyone the same as I’d like to be treated regardless of economic status, race or all the likes. I’m loving but too honest at times, so don’t ask if you don’t want the honest truth or the “long story”.

Thanks again. I know this was a long read, but I actually enjoyed taking a few minutes before getting back to proofing to do this. THanks Pammy!

Now who to send it back to (some may have already been tagged. Sorry if you have, and I’m sure you don’t have to do it twice). Go check out my friends!

Captured by Carrie – my favorite newborn photographer, ever!

Patti Schmidt - love her, love her, love her!

Season Moore – some friends up north a bit. She’s the sweetest woman! (beautiful, too)

Gretchen Mathison – if you want all black and white lifestyle portraiture, she’s your woman! (another friend up north)

Grace Photography – love this gal’s work, classic, and she’s pretty sweet herself!

Lacey Gadwill - my personal friend and also a local wedding Photographer (travels everywhere though)

Marci Ralph – the best Senior Photographer there is. Personal friend too. Love her Love her Love her!

That’s it! I did it! You read it. That’s the thing you should be most proud of! And, if she hadn’t tagged me herself, I definitely would have chosen Pammy as one of the above. She is a gem, a personal friend, a wonderful Photographer, and we’ve met. She’s the most genuine person and doesn’t judge – only loves you – no matter what. She looks over faults or idiosyncrasies because no one is perfect, right?

Until next time..

a sneak peek of what’s coming next. A sweet, sweet 11 month old “little man”. The great location was none other than Grandma’s house.

This particular image looks so classic to me in black and white, but I like the color version, too!

If you want to laugh and smile, then you have to watch this!

Well, not a new blog necessarily, but it’s my blog on my own site which I’m thrilled to have. A wonderful Photographer (and a very smart one I might add) helps create blogs for Professional Photographers, like myself, who aren’t knowledgeable in CSS and html customizations or just don’t have the time to do it on their own. She is a joy to work with and did an amazing job for me! THANK YOU Theresa Stanton of Design Focus Studio. Please view the “Blogs for Photogs” link to the right side, or you can click directly here: Blogs for Photogs

Until next time – one more of Baby Luke that I love. He must have heard us say “show us the muscles” because that is exactly what I think he was trying to do!