Check out Katy & Matt's Engagement Photos

And while you're at it, check out the new blog, My Big Fat Cheap Wedding, where I hope to offer advice on affordable alternatives to wedding expenses (it has a lot of work to be done and I will take all tips offered.) Feel free to click on the links - I'm trying to find some sources of revenue to add to my photography fund for new equipment and classes. Every click helps! Thanks for looking ... and clicking!

My Big Fat Cheap Wedding!

Mountain State Fair Pics

Frank and I went to the fair on Wednesday evening. It was supposed to rain but stayed clear the whole night. We were lucky there was no rain and there were no crowds either. We didn't have to wait in line for anything. I thought the animal selection was better last week but was happy to see Rachel Brittain was there and had won some blue ribbons for her chickens and Danni Hunter from Penrose won for some of her Agriculture products, too. Here are my pics from the night:

1.6!

I lost 1.6 pounds this week and .2 last week for a total of 6.6!

4.8!

Started Weight Watchers last Wednesday. Lost 4.8 pounds in my first week. Woo-hoo. Long road ahead just hope I can keep it going and then keep it off.

Move-In Day at Western

I can't believe I left TWO of my girls in Cullowhee this year! WOW! What a busy day it was. We left Food Lion at 7:30. Transfer Orientation (yawn) was until 12:00, then up to Forsyth to meet Amy's adviser and rearrange her schedule. Then over to the new Real Food Diner to use some Block Meals! They've built a new dining hall and it's like being at a mall food court. Problem was they were not prepared for all the extra parents and siblings - all the stations were running low, even the ice machines were empty. Food was pretty good. Amanda and Amy are both happy there is a Starbucks on campus now - open until 2:00 am! I think Matthew was asked what year he was as many times as the girls were! We got all of their stuff moved in around 4:30 and their dad left around 5:45. I stayed on to help get the computers and cable up and running and just to spend a few last hours with my girls.

Hope you enjoy the pics. I chose the song, "Let Me Be Myself" by 3 Doors Down because I know it's time we let them be themselves. They're all grown up now!

CaringBridge / jarrettcarland / Welcome

CaringBridge / jarrettcarland / Welcome

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CaringBridge / jeremiahjarvis / guestbook

CaringBridge / jeremiahjarvis / guestbook

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Candlelight Vigil Held Tonight

Tonight, friends and family gathered at West High's football stadium in a candlelight vigil of prayer for Jordan Hodges, Jarrett Carland, and Jeremiah Jarvis. Jordan lost her life in a car accident on Sunday night. Jarrett and JJ were with her in the truck that crashed on Butler Bridge Road. Jarrett is still in critical condition with brain trauma and JJ is recovering from liver trauma. Please keep all of these families in your prayers. We are connected to them on so many levels. Most of my friends and I went to school with four of the six parents of this children; and our children attend school with the victims. There was an estimated 600-700 people at this vigil tonight.

Keith & Heather Curtin's Wedding

I didn't get to see the wedding, but I love that the pictures are on Facebook. Love this picture of Brian, Keith, Eva & Chuck at the wedding.

And this is (l to r) Natalie Curtin (Brian's wife), Brian, Eva, Keith, Heather, and Chuck.

12 of 12 for August

Happy Birthday, Luke

Sorry it took me so long to post Luke's Happy Birthday wishes. I always think he was born on his due date of August 10th. Anyway, better late than never!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUKE!

Scrappy Bunch

This is the best family portrait ever! The kids are in Kentucky visiting Uncle Neal and took this picture at Kings Island in Cincinnati! Too cute!

I think these ducks are the ones they referred to in the fairy tales

Saturday morning we were up early, partly because we were excited about the Space place and partly because we were not adjusted to being on Central Time. Breakfast opened at 6 CT and we were there promptly at 7 ET! The museum does not open until 9 am so we had lots of time to pass even after stuffing our faces at the hotel's buffet breakfast. There was a park across the street filled with geese and ducks and fountains so we decided to take a walk.

I have never seen ducks that look like roosters. And I hate to say it, but I thought they were kind of ugly really. There were some ducks that were pretty with blue heads and blue feathers.




There were some other nice things in the park, too.

Like this cyclist

and me

and a memorial to the Constitution

and a pretty red bridge reflecting in the pond