PROGRESS... Little steps!!!

First of all ... I did my Oxycise Routine this Morning - 1 day down 29 to go!!!

I did Delete all notifications from FB and Twitter - this helped my IN BOX so MUCH!!!

I have to say - I did only post 2 time - but I found myself going to FB and other Forums more that I needed to.. BUT like I said STEPS!

It is going to take me a while to LEARN how to Single Task - when I thought I was a GREAT Multi Tasker - it only got me FURTHER Behind.. Going to take time for sure!!

I came home from work with a GOAL in mind my MIT (Most Important Task) - I worked in the Garage - it has been a project that I have talked about for years ... NOW action is taking place!!

Before: Embarrased

After: Mucho Better

If finding a Kenny G Live Cassette is any sign that it was time - I don't know what is!! Well maybe the 4 camera boxes - of cameras I no longer OWN. 2 trips to the Dumpster!! PROGRESS

One more FIRST is I cooked Dinner (that's not the First) LOL - but I sat at my Dining room table - without the TV or Computer and actually tasted and ate my dinner (single tasking) LOL

Not sure that habit will stick or not..

Hope you have a GREAT Evening - and thanks for following along.. XOXO

Forming Habits..

Happy June 1st (Happy BD to my FRIEND Karen) - I have posted the last couple days about a new book I have been reading (listening to - LOVE audio books) and changes I will be making - to become a BETTER Margie!!!

LOL - Just me being a bit NUTTY... XOXO

Today is about choosing a NEW Habit - for the Next 30 Days I will do this one small task and it will become a habit and the benefits will be GREAT!!!

One of the things I am learning is that Multi-tasking doesn't WORK!!! If you think that it is efficient - think again - All it really does is make you do many things at a time and really none of them to completion - you get frustrated and DO NOTHING - at least I do!! So I am going to learn to Single Task and become good at many things!!!

This Months NEW habit will be: To get up each morning at 5:30am - drink an 8 oz glass of water, Potty and then do an Oxycise Routine - Great way to start the day!!!

http://www.oxycise.com/whatis.htm

What will your new habit be?? Join me?? It doesn't have to be anything BIG - in fact the book says to make it small and something you know you can obtain!!!

Have a FANTASTIC Day - I am off to work!!! M

PS... http://www.oxycise.com/Success/weightloss/women.htm Check part way down this page.. See anyone FAMILIAR?? I can do this again!!!

Long time Family Friends...

I received a call a few weeks back asking if I could take some Family photo's for their Mom's BIRTHDAY... My Parents and their parents were friends even before we all were born...


Isn't FRIENDSHIP a wonderful thing!!!


Well they said that they hadn't had a picture done of the WHOLE family in years and some of the Grand kids were not even born yet... This is one of my FAVORITE things about photography - creating Memories that last a LIFETIME!!

I posted the Galley today - for the family to see!!! They were all VERY Happy!!

Here are a couple pics from the session... ENJOY!!! Have a BLESSED Evening... M

Making Habits - Working on ME!

The book I mentioned yesterday ( The Power of Less by Leo Babuta) - is hitting home for me!! I highly recommend this book!!

http://thepowerofless.com/book/

Again thanks Shell for sharing and thanks for my support TEAM..

This afternoon will be spent working on my Goals, New Habits and actually doing something to COMPLETION - so I will need your HELP... PLEASE!!

Is there something that you would like to form into a habit?? Take the challenge - the next 30 days concentrate on only this one thing - commit to it daily - and after 30 days you will have formed a HABIT!! I will be posting tomorrow - day one of my June GOAL!! I will have 3 new GOOD Habits by September!

Sometimes not so good things happen in your life - and even things that may of happened when you were young - can have a PROFOUND effect on your life forever!!! There does come a time that you have to take control - realize that only one person can ALLOW yourself to feel bad bout what happened or how others may make you feel.... that person is YOU!!!
June is going to be my BE KIND TO YOURSELF Month... Any takers?? XOXO

Personal Goals... Commitment to ME!!

It sure was nice to get away - spend time with GREAT Friends!!! Nashville was so much FUN!!

I have made a commitment to myself to get back on Track with my Weight Watchers - I went back for my Weigh in this morning - it wasn't as Painful as I thought it would be... Back on TRACK - went to the Gym and had my measurements taken - this will give me a starting POINT!!

My good Friend Michelle suggested a book to me - I purchased it from I TUNES last night and I am listening NOW!! I need to get MOTIVATED - and make some changes in my Daily routine and my LIFE!! It is: The Power of Less by Leo Babuta - it is AWESOME so far!!! Thank you for your Friendship and SUPPORT!!!

I will be working on My Goals over the weekend... If you don't have a GOAL you will never get there!!

One Goal for SURE is that I want to Lose 25 more Lbs by Labor Day - I have lost 20 so far!!

Here is my Before Picture - taken in Nashville by my GOOD Friend Beth

I will be posting my Journey!!!! XOXOX I am blessed with GREAT Friends and a SUPPORTIVE Family!!

Vacation in Nashville

Happy Memorial Day... Thank you to all that Serve and Protect....


My photography has given me much joy over the years... BUT one of the best things it has given me is FANTASTIC Friends - this weekend I was lucky enough to get away to Nashville and hang out with Beth, Rob and the Kids and with Shell and Cody... I am so BLESSED!!! Thank you for opening your homes, hearts and lifes to me...

Here are are couple pictures from this weekend... SO FAR!!!!!!!!!

Family and Friends!

GO RAYS!!!!

Doesn't get much better than this..... Family, Friends and BASEBALL!!!

The Rays were down 7-0 and came back to with with a BJ Upton HR in the 9th Inning... WOOHOO

Our friend Chris was in town to visit his brothers - so I arranged a outing at the Rays game.. We had a blast - missing Chris's Wife Tammie and the Boys that would of made the night just perfect... It was a mere 10 years ago that all of us were sitting in pretty much the same spot celebrating my 40th Birthday.. My Dad was there too that night.. FUN Memories!!!

Also, my Cousin's Karol and Paul along with my Aunt Jeanne made it to the game too!!

Have a GREAT weekend - and GO RAYS!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

I have been such a slacker with posting to my Blog!!!

I hope that you all are doing well - that is if anyone ever comes here!! Can't blame you for staying away!! I will TRY to post more often!!!

I hope that everyone had a VERY Blessed Mother's Day!!! We had a nice Brunch with My Mom, Brother, Sister in Law and Trey - as well as Kathy's Parents... Glad we got to spend some time together...

To my Friends - you all are the MOST Amazing Mothers!!! It makes my Heart so Happy to see how much you love your Families.... Days like this makes me realize what I have missed out on..

BUT Blessed that you all share your happiness with me!! THANK YOU!! M

Prayers Across the Miles...

Today all my thoughts and prayers are with my Good Friend Daph's Mom as she is in surgery this morning - I pray for a successful surgery, quick recovery and for her to be restored to health!!

So many people are in need of Prayers today and every day!!! Please join me in Prayer for Honey, My Aunt Yvonne, and for Morgan Gray today as they face challenges..

Thank you and NEVER - with God all things are POSSIBLE!!!!

Friends in my PRAYERS!!

Faith is a GREAT thing... I am reminded daily - what Faith is all about... I am also very blessed with GREAT Friends... I believe that in order to have a FRIEND you must BE a FRIEND..

Today my good friend Daphne's Mom will be going to a Drs. appt - and I am praying that she gets the answers she needs and the plan for treatment she need so that she can be RESTORED to good health!!

Hugs and LOTS of Prayers!!!

Today's Message:

FAITH is believing

FAITH is being strong

FAITH is being believable

FAITH is believing in what you can become

FAITH is believing god and what he can do for you

Rays Fan Fest and Valentines Day!!

I had a Great Valentines Day.... Went to Breakfast with Heather and Kaleb... Then we spent the morning at Fan Fest - Tropicana Field - St. Petersburg, FL
Then my Brother, Nephew and Elliott came and hung out the afternoon... We had a great time!!!

GO RAYS!!!

Graduation Pics

Smiles Forever Photography - location photography - Tampa Bay Florida!!

I had the Honor of taking some photo's of Brittany and my God Son John downtown St. Petersburg!!!

I have designed her Graduation Announcements - and the have been ordered!!!

Here are a couple pictures from our Session - thanks for LOOKING!!!

Happy NEW Year!!

I celebrated the NEW year quietly in my HOME - where is was nice and SAFE!!

I hope that everyone has a BLESSED 2009 and that many good things come you way...

Look for blessings in things that might not seem so... Each Month I will be sharing with you a calendar page that you can save to your desktop if you would like.

Today a good Friends Mom finally found some answers on some medical issues... Finally she will be able to get some RELIEF and peace of mind. God is GOOD!!

Remember to tell those you love that you LOVE them... Hugs and Love, M

Merry Christmas!!

WOW... Five week amazing that I haven't posted!! Where has the time gone??

This Cool glass was a Gift from my Very Special Friend... THANK you Love it!!!

I will try to do better posting more often..

I hope that you all have a very BLESSED Christmas!! I had a GREAT couple days surrounded by my Family and FRIENDS... I am also blessed with so many friends all over the USA - and thankful for the GIFT of FRIENDSHIP... That is the best gift anyone can GIVE or RECEIVED..

Here are a couple pics from my Christmas!! Have a GREAT Weekend!!! Hugs, M

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 13,14,15,16,17,18)

Well... all I can say is that I am THANKFUL that I can play catch up and my friends will still love me no matter what... This has been a ROUGH week!! Has involved Antibiotics, Kleenex, Vitamins and lots of SLEEP!!! I can't remember the last time that I have been this SICK..

SO please say a Prayer that I will get over this very SOON!! I promise to get back to my Daily threads of THANKSGIVING!!! XOXOX

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 12)

I have been under the weather this week....

Just a Little PRETTY!

Today I am not very creative... Just the fact that I made it thru a FULL Days work - YES I am THANKFUL!!!

I am hoping and PRAYING that Tomorrow will be my GET WELL Day!!!

Many Blessings, M

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 11)

My head is not quite clear these days... BUT, could not go today without saying THANK YOU to those Veterans that are Currently Serving, those that Served in the Past and those in the FUTURE that continue to protect this great COUNTRY.. God BLESS!!!

Today I am so very Thankful that I have a JOB that I LOVE!!!

A good friend of mine that was responsible for getting me this job was
let go yesterday... It makes me SAD!!

I have been given a FANTASTIC opportunity and I am really looking forward to my
FUTURE here.. Learning about the Surety and Bonding Business...

Have a Blessed Day all, M

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 10)

This is all I have today............

Hope everyone has a BLESSED day!! Hugs, M

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 9)

Today I am THANKFUL that my family and friends SHARE their children with me...

I was never blessed with a CHILD of my own - as this would of been a wonderful experience.. I have to say that I am very blessed that I have A LOT of children (some are now adults) whom I love and that LOVE ME!! Who could as for more???

This weekend I spent the weekend with C & J and it was a GREAT Time... I went along with them on 2 photography jobs - Shot the SHOOTERS.. It was FUN - Thanks for letting me TAG along!!

I wanted to get a pic with the girls - but I was starting to feel under the weather - and didn't want to share any GERMS, so I kept my Distance.. Here is one of the GIRL I took this weekend!! Thank you for sharing your GIRLS with me!! XOXOX

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 8)

Today I am thankful for time to reflect and pray for myself and my Friends..

I am thankful that I can sing my PRAISES too!!

It is nice that I always have someone to talk to....

Today's Message:

A real friend warms you by her Presence,

Trusts you with her Secrets,

and REMEMBERS you in her Prayers!

Have a BLESSED Saturday!!!

I am off to Orlando to hang out with my GOOD Friends..

Yes I am BLESSED!!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 7)

It is a beautiful Morning... Birds are singing - sun is shining...

Today I have to say that I am THANKFUL for a God Given talent of Photography!!!

I have always loved to create behind the camera - I feel that this is a special GIFT from above.

But the best thing that has come from my photography are the FRIENDS that I have because of it. About 4 years ago I joined a Photography Forum a small MSN Group and still today we are in daily contact. My life would be so LONELY if it wasn't for my PHOTO FRIENDS - who would of thought that people that I type to could become some of my VERY BEST friends.... So many are my IRL friends as well.. We share daily not just photography, but our trials and joys.. We are a FAMILY!!! Love you guys!!!

Just last night I met a fellow photographer from Canada - she and her family were visiting - we had a FANTASTIC evening... Met them at the beach and took a few pics before we lost the SUN!!

Have a BLESSED Day!!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 6)

Today I am thankful that I am given the right each day to choose my Attitude..
I can choose to be negative or I can choose to look on the positive side.. Everyone has that CHOICE we just need to CHOOSE wisely!!!

Today's Quote:
Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.

Choose your TOOD and LIVE IT!!!

** Side note today... Please say a Prayer for my GOOD Friend Daph and her DS.. There have been some not so pleasant things happening at his High School. I pray that Daph gets some answers and for his Safety. I also pray for those young adults that don't have the proper direction and that they realize that being bullies and fighting is NOT the ANSWER!!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 5)

Today I am so thankful for a roof over my head, a cozy bed to sleep in!!

I am proud that as a single woman - I have a place to call home!! When I drive to work every day and see the people that have been forced to live on the streets it breaks my Heart..

I pray for them daily!!!

A quote for today:
A Happy Heart makes the face Cheerful!!!
Proverbs 15:13

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 4)

Today with the Elections - I am THANKFUL that I live in a COUNTRY that I can go and FREELY Vote...




I pray for my Fellow Americians that whoever wins the election today - we can all pull together...

Remember - There is only one race - the Human Race - Just Love and RESPECT Each other!!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 3)

Today I know that even when I feel I am ALONE.... I will never be alone!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74CNUExD4I8

Love this song... ENJOY and Today I am BLESSED!!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!! (Day 2)

Ok, I didn't realize that this started on Saturday.... So I am a Day behind already!! LOL

My thankful for Sunday, I went over to my cousins house to watch the BUCS game and she had this Halloween Costume for her Doggies... I just had to borrow it!!!

Thankful #2 is my Kitty Cory!!! When you live alone - it is a BLESSING to have a four legged child to be there to cheer me up and keep me company... She is so much FUN!!

30 Days of Thanksgiving!!!

Today I have been Challenged, by a VERY good friend of mine (Thanks Daph)... Thanksgiving is 30 days from today... And I have found myself being consumed with things I can not CHANGE - I have to count my blessings Daily and TRUST in my FAITH in GOD to provide for me... Silly me for thinking that I am in CONTROL - as we know that sure hasn't been working!!

I'm glad I went to church today and It felt good... So for the next 29 days, I will be making a post of THANKSGIVING... I encourage anyone that is feeling down - to take the challenge along with us..

So today I am Blessed for FRIENDS that care enough to be here for me.. THANK YOU!

Shooting Therapy...

Its ME...

Sometimes as a Photographer, we just need to take time to take photographs of things that relax us and make us HAPPY!!

I went out shooting yesterday and went to one of my favorite places to do Family Sessions - the Botanical Gardens in Clearwater...

Today my subjects were Water lillies and Butterflys.. They are so beautiful!!!

Then I went to put my feet in the Sand and take a SUNSHINE photo...

Little Time for R&R and FRIENDSHIP!!

I was able to get way for a Mini-Vacation to Vermont last weekend, Visited fellow photographer Suzie of http://www.suziebaileyphotography.com/ for a relaxing weekend of shooting and just hanging out... Had a blast bowling with her son on the Wii...

Just a couple pictures of the BEAUTY !!!! Thank you Suzie for showing me a FANTASTIC Time!!!