Happy Birthday, Hayes.

Holiness!  It has been a month since my last post!  If that is any indication on how busy I have been, well, I think it would be an understatement.  I thought I was busy before I went back to work at JP Parker-that kind of busy has nothing on this kind.  No complaints-just an observation.  I do really like my "new" (not so new, now) schedule.  What I haven't liked is how backed up my photo biz has been....good that I have business, yes, but bad that some clients have been waiting quite some time for their photos.  I'll get caught up soon.  I hope so, because I keep promising that.  You know, it is funny, I am always questing to get caught up or get "done" with projects so I can catch my breath, take a break, kick my feet up.... but, I have realized over time that "done" doesn't really exist and "caught up" is a moment in a myth I am trying to make real.  So, now that I know all that-maybe I can just surrender.  Surrender to always having a long list of things to do....even as I work toward striking all items off the list, I am constantly adding tasks along the way.  Responsibility-I will never escape it.  When I was a child, I wanted to grow up.... so much that I went as a "teenager" for Halloween one year. (Oh, what did I wear, you wonder?  An acid washed denim, pleated mini skirt and a turtleneck that I stretched out to fit around my shoulders.  Apparently, I thought the teenagers exposed their shoulders.)  When I would proclaim my wish to age, I remember saying it like this: "I wish I was an adult but without the bills."  Maybe I thought paying bills was the only responsibility an adult had.  If it was only that easy!  Ha!  Well, I grew up and despite my wishes, I do have many responsibilities-all of which weigh on my mind every waking moment and it is taking all of me right now not to make bullet points and proceed to make a fresh to do list right here and now.  In the same breath, I am very blessed with my responsibilities...  one of which I wouldn't trade for the world on a time machine.... my big boy, little love, Hayes.  Yesterday was his birthday.  He turned three years old.  I am so proud of him and all he is.  

Three years ago today, Aunt Laura took these pictures.

It is hard to believe he was so little.  I used to hold him in front of the mirror and wonder what it would be like hold him when he is a toddler.  Now I know....heavy.

I told my sister that when she had her baby this Summer that I might be thrust back into thinking about what it was like bringing Hayes home...and that I may post about some of my baby philosophies.  I haven't done that.  Who was I kidding in making that statement?  Anyway, I certainly do have a lot of enthusiasm for all the techniques and tactics that worked for us.  Also, Hayes was such an easy baby.  (I would say "good baby" but of course he was good--all babies are good.)  He slept a lot as a newborn(and has been a good sleeper since), ate well from the beginning, was (is) healthy, has generally been willing to try new things to eat or otherwise and we have always been able to take him to various functions or public places and he behaves.  He amazes us often with things he says, does and understands.

In honor of Hayes's birthday, here are more photos from Hayes's infancy....on up.

My parents have had this Santa Claus statue for as long as I can remember.  There is even a picture or two of me next to it as a baby.  We had to get a pic with Santa. (Of course, Hayes was about three weeks old here.)

January 2009

February 2009

March 2009

April 2009

May 2009

June 2009

July 2009

August 2009

September 2009

October 2009

November 2009

December 2009

April 2010

July 2010

October 2010

Late November 2010

February 2011

May 2011

August 2011

First ever school picture-taken October 2011

Happy Birthday, Hayes!  I am incredibly proud of you. I love you to bits.

Columbus, OH, What a Lovely Time

Around noon on Saturday the 5th, I was whisked away to cruise Highway 70 Eastward to Columbus, Ohio.  My friend, Melissa's little car was put to the test keeping pace at 70mph all the way... to Ohio where the limit was actually 65mph.  We chatted all the way.  I had done a little quick research on things to do in Columbus so that we could experience the city just a little before going to Adele's 30 Year Retrospective reception.  What I found was the Short North Neighborhood.  Maybe a Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis on steroids.  Really, this stretch of street was hoppin'.  Something that Melissa and I noticed was as the sun was setting, the shops were coming alive.  These unique stores lighting the sidewalk to highlight their wares late into the evening alongside live music and good smelling foods.  How clever are they?  We didn't have time to truly experience all the Short North has to offer.  We really just scratched the surface.

The second place we stepped into was the Tigertree.  Wow, what a great shop!  I couldn't help but to snap several photos of the space and merchandise.  I love to cover a good shop.

A nostalgic Fun Chicken-maybe less than fully stocked of eggs filled with buttons made from pages of old books-and gift certificates to area shops.

Check out the cardboard trophies!  They also carry larger ones-but these were more in my price range.  These are from Cardboard Safari.  I wanted the deer but they were out.  When I enquired about it, the chick at the counter was helpful but not super interested in conversation.  It might have been because there was a shopper on her way up to the counter with an armload of clothes... walking dollar signs where I might have looked like an empty pocket-asking about the tiny trophies instead of the big ones.  I still bought the buffalo trophy for Hayes's room-so, that fraction of a weird moment didn't deter me from loving the place.
   

aahhggg, I love this mobile!

In the images above and below are containers by CHIVE.  I love these.  The Dot wall pockets espesh.

The hanging terrariums--yes, please.

Overall, I have to say Tigertree is a fantastic resource for gifts, on indie trend clothing and current home decor.

Another shop I really enjoyed checking out is the shop at 815.  The lady pictured really didn't want to have much to do with me, either.  She was pretty busy-see photo of her at her desk below.  This spot is quirky and small-and loaded with fun items.  She pastes found magazine imagery onto tiles.  I so wanted to buy one but second guessed it.  But, I kind of regret not buying one-they were $5.

 I saw some vacant spaces in lower levels of apartment buildings-looks like great real estate(hidden by my reflection).  If you are looking to set up shop-you might check out the Short North in Columbus.

I couldn't help but to have to walk around in the overloaded shop that is Karavan: Treasures from Turkey.  There was a lot to see-to say the least.

After posing for a photograph for clean air (some people were campaigning on the street-I thought campaign by photograph, of course I will participate), we stepped into {milk bar}.

There were some neat things for sale in here-I particularly like that they had their own ladies' line.  Construction on these pieces were a bit lacking but the designs were fun.  It looked like a very nice place to shop.

We had to get a move on-so we followed the suggestion of a very kind girl at the NATIONALJEANCOMPANY and headed for the Black Olive restaurant.

It was a lovely atmosphere.  The server came on a little strong was attentive-so, that is good.

The food was yummy.  Salmon Bruschetta to start.

 Veggie pasta.

After noshing, we headed over to the Ohio Dominican University campus to find Adele's show.  After a slight bit of confusion, we found our way.  This blurry building was across from our destination: Wehrle Hall.

Once inside, these were my views.

Adele, the artist herself.  Melissa listens in as Adele tells an exciting story about making Perigee Moon. 

There is a secret gallery within the gallery displaying several cibachrome prints.  Not every person meandering through this winding space was privileged to have War Horse taken away from the wall, carefully lowered to reveal....

a window to this. 

Some very lucky viewers approached the window to snatch a view of this secret gallery.  

Martin Brick and Herb Vincent Peterson pose for a picture.  Martin wrote an essay for the catalogue that is being produced for this show.  (I can't wait for it to be ready for purchase-I must have one!)  Herb put this all together.  He is a former classmate of mine, too.  We both studied under and worked for Adele at the same times.  The Bee Keeper's Daughter series was being produced around that time and Herb and I assisted in the direct scans and in some of the shooting.  In fact, Herb's thumb and index finger are pictured here wrapped around the gun in the image Dr. Gun.

Bee Listening is one of my favorite works of Adele's.  I own a slightly smaller version of this piece.  It lives in my living room.

I had not seen some of her latest works.  I was taken aback by Perigee Moon.  The placement of it in this space was perfection.  I got to hear the story about this shoot-which adds another layer of interest.  Best of all, the image is stunning.

 Likely my favorite photo taken that day:

What a fantastic show in a really great city.  I had no idea what Columbus, Ohio would be like.. well, maybe I thought it could be a little like Indy.... wrong.  It is very different.  It is less Midwest than Indianapolis is.  Very hip city with many a brick road, many a neighborhood, many a good time.