Winner! And Secret Revealed!

Thanks to everyone who entered my blogiversary giveaway!  Hopefully next year I'll be able to whip up something much more fabulous, but according to random.org, the winner that has won the $15 Gift Card to Amazon is....

Jen from Unedited!

Is that girl lucky or what?! :) 

And now for the big secret (that I see 19 of you are already in on...), my critique girls (Kim and Kristi) and I have been working on a TEAM BLOG since October and we're finally ready to share it!  Head on over to

and check out our PRE-LAUNCH GIVEAWAY!!  Never heard of one of those?? Well, we are odd girls so get used to things that other blogs don't typically do ;)

Blogiversary Ends SUNDAY! And Monday's Secret!

Not only will I be announcing the big winner on Monday the 10th, but I will also reveal a HUGE secret that me and a couple of my bestest blog buddies have been keeping since October...  It's been hard, but the wait is finally almost over (we are pretty much about to burst)!

GET EXCITED!  It's gonna be HUGE! EPIC!

So check back Monday for the winner and a secret!

Happy Weekend!!  (and Gig 'em Aggies!! WHOOP!)

ENTER IF YOU HAVEN'T YET!!

Are We Living Up to Our Potential?

There is something about this time of year (ahem. the very beginning of one) that makes me look at everything I've done (feels like a lot), everything I've wanted to do (even more), and everything I'm not doing (way too much).  Do you ever feel like you are capable of so much MORE than you're actually doing, but aren't really sure how to go about doing said "more"?

Inside me, I feel like I can be a published author.  I can SEE my pretty hardback on the YA NEW RELEASES shelf.  I can see myself on a book tour meeting new faces and getting wrist cramps from signing books (mine!).  

Inside me, I feel like I can be a wedding photographer.  I can SEE all the pretty brides in their pretty white dresses in all the photos I'd be editing.  I can see that one amazing shot I caught by accident making it on the cover of ... some magazine that has wedding photos.

Inside me, I feel like I can have a tight little body like Buffy and Veronica Mars.  I can SEE myself shopping for smaller clothes.  I can see myself fitting in them.

So what am I doing to get myself out of the way???  Here are some things I've been trying--maybe it can help you get yourself out of your way too.

1) Don't expect it all at once, or soon--progress takes TIME.  It's a PROCESS (unfortunately).  I can't query before my book is done being written!  I can't put my butt in smaller pants until my butt IS smaller (I know some people don't wait, but I'd like to).

2) Write things down--I have a list I keep at my computer that I can see daily to remind me of everything I'm working for.
a) Write 1000 words per week (minimum) with the goal to
b) finish Anemone and query it;
c) do something active daily (and I write ALL THIS down in a little notebook along with everything I put in my mouth) and so far this year I have kept up with it;
d) study spanish (I have Rosetta Stone for both Spanish and Italian... why not DO IT?);
e) Find someone to be a second shooter with at a wedding--this takes the major responsibility off of me as I'm learning.  The pictures I take would essentially be THEIR'S, but I'd learn a lot and wouldn't have to edit a thing.

3) Don't give up when results don't slap you in the face!!! This is my biggest issue... the follow through. We live in a world of microwaves and fast food--instant gratification.  The process of reaching our long term goals don't work like that (hence the word LONG).  Find a process that works for you and stick with it.  

We owe it to ourselves to make 2011 OUR YEAR--to get out of our own way and make things happen.  We can live up to our own potential.

What are you keeping yourself from doing, and how can you change that?  

Plugged Back In, and Giveaway Reminder

How is the first Monday of the year shaping up?  Hard to get motivated?  Excited about the clean slate?  Both??

Don't forget about my Blogiversary Giveaway (I think I accidentally called it a contest... I always get those mixed up.. but whatever  :) that ends at MIDNIGHT CENTRAL on January 9th.  It looks like we'll only have one winner--I'm not holding my breath on reaching 300 followers by then--so the winner will get a $15 gift card emailed to them for Amazon. If you haven't entered yet, you might as well!

ENTER HERE 

I had a nice unplugged New Year's weekend at a friend's parent's ranch near Waco.  Did some knitting, reading, picture taking, and lots of good eating!  Here are a few pictures:

Kissed by a cow!

A curious donkey named Rebecca.

Sunset...

Super old tractor likely left by the previous previous land owners.

First time one of my sun flares gave me a polygonal shape vs round... must be the lens filter...

Sunset again...

My friend's dad owns a car dealership in Waco and this is part of one of their old signs they have out at the ranch.

Some really cute pink berries--no clue what they are.

Holly with a color effect for funsies... so long Christmas... see you next year!

A New Year -- And Unplugged

I hope everyone has an enjoyable and SAFE New Year celebration!

In the past, I've had a hard time staying awake until midnight, but given my newish status of Night Owl, I don't think I'll have a problem this year.

As we bid a fond farewell to 2010, I'm sure we're all wondering what 2011 has in store for us.  Well,

I HAVE A DREAM....

about what 2011 COULD bring... 

Here it is... my ideal 2011 (this in no way is a resolution list, because I refuse to make them! ;)

-Finish Anemone (my most promising WIP)

-Query it

-Get an agent

-Get a publishing deal for fall 2012

-Look like a swimsuit model by summer

-Win a photography contest

-Knit all my Christmas gifts

-Be able to speak Italian conversationally

-Learn to curl my own hair

-Finally outgrow my teenage skin

-Learn not to complain

-Try new foods

-Sell a painting

Sigh... a girl can dream!

I'll be unplugged through the New Year (As I'm sure many of you will also be), so HAPPY HAPPY, and I'll see you in 2011 with a fresh face, and lots and lots and lots of possibilities!

Love and sparklers,

Me

I Was Framed!

Well, I'm getting frames!  I've partnered with a frame company, The Organic Bloom, that only sells to photographers and I think it's love.  Here's the promo I made (and other vendors are asking me if they can use it too--so I feel SUPER cool!).

These all come in pretty much every size you can want, starting at 2x3 ornament size up to gigantic. 

My samples are on their way! So excited! :)

If any of you are interested in more info about ordering some, just holler!

Ahead to 2011 -- Back to the Future

It almost sounds space-age doesn't it??  2011?? Are we seriously already here?  You see kids walking around in letter jackets for class of 2013 and you think, it CAN'T BE.  

In one of my favorite movie trilogies, Back to the Future, Marty goes to 2015 (in Part II).  Back in the 80's, with the way technology was developing, they probably really thought we'd be in hover cars by then, and that we could rehydrate food in a device like a microwave and enjoy a large, pre-sliced, steaming hot Pizza Hut pizza.  We laugh at this now, because we are certainly more than 4 years from that sort of advancement, but they did nail a few things.  Flat panel TVs that take up entire walls, thumb print security systems, voice commands, etc.  Still waiting to be able to fly my car around (could you imagine the accident rate! Not to mention insurance!).

So looking ahead to this next year, what are our expectations? Have any goals?

It's really hard to believe we're at this point again where we talk about New Year Resolutions.  I always say I don't want to make any because I rarely follow through with them, but there are definitely a few things I'd LIKE to accomplish this year.  Though I'm not eager to share them because they sound too similar to last year's and I'm pretty sure none of it got done.  Sigh.

If you're into books (as many of my followers are), check out Stephanie's list of books coming out in 2011.    I'm definitely waiting on some of these.  

There are also movies coming out in 2011 that I'll definitely be seeing: 

Water for Elephants - After I read the book, I seriously didn't think I'd go see this movie (especially because of the Reese/R-Pat pair up), but I just watched the trailer, and it looks sort of good (and the soundtrack sounds awesome).

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Though I'm not much of a Penelope Cruz fan, this movie is all about CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW and that's enough for me.  Check out the trailer, it looks pretty good :)

The Green Hornet - Now, I'm not always into superhero movies that don't include RDJ or Christian Bale, but this one looks a bit hilarious.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II -- Can't wait for the trailer for this!

Breaking Dawn -- Because there's no NOT going to see it.