Just another day

Well I was going to post the tulip photos from our day trip, but since everyone is on facebook now a days you can check them out on there and comment.  Don't forget to go to Tondre Photography on facebook because I post a lot of photos there that I don't on my personal one.
Today was a day of errands and checking out a book store that Cameron and I have passed by several times since we have moved here.  They don't have a Half Price Books here which is sad for me, the closest one is in Tacoma.  So I go in and the second I walk in I was smitten.  This place is great!   It has its own little personality.  I think what sold me on this place is the lady that was helping me.  I couldn't find a book that I had been searching for, I asked her if they by chance had one in and she turns around a picks one off the shelf of random books that weren't alphabetized in any way.  She is my Mary Poppins.  I couldn't stump her.  Needless to say I will be going back.  The place is called Lassley's Books and they have three locations.  Lacey, West Olympia and Shelton.  They sell used (MY FAVORITE!)  books and they give you store credit when you bring books in.  Books are 60% off retail listed price (without any credit) and if you turn in books for credit it takes it to 80% off retail.  Still not as good as going to Goodwill (but they are super organized so worth paying a little more), but if you are turning books in on a regular basis then you can't beat it.
Anyways I really don't have a lot to update you guys on, just thought I would share the bit of sunshine I found in my day.

Made these cookie brownies for Ryan, Shalisa and the girls for when they come over tonight to play games.

I....can.....do.....this

I am determined to push myself and see where this passion of mine will finally take me.  I want to stop talking about what I love and start doing what I love.  Photography. I ordered (and just received!) my business cards, made a facebook site, got a business phone number and created a business email account (the email and new phone number are tied into my cellphone so I know what is work and what is personal... have to stay somewhat organized).  I can't make up my mind on the website so I think I will hold off for a couple months.  The time will also allow me to hopefully build up a current "digital" portfolio so I have photos to put on the site.  I am loving the new camera... so much to learn when you change cameras let alone mediums you are using.  It has helped me so much to have sold cameras for the last 8+ years, but with that knowledge it has also held me back too.  You get caught up in the consumer side of things were you tell yourself you need the best camera, the best this, the fastest that, but really you need a solid knowledge of photography and your gear and with that you can get amazing results.  When I did sell cameras I had some of my best sales and customers when I helped them realize they didn't need a camera, but that they needed an accessory whether it was a lens or a flash or a filter and to learn their gear better.  What I am trying to say is I have held myself back long enough and I need to put this stuff that is raddling around in my head and make it come alive in photographs.
Right now I have downloaded Lightroom 3 and am teaching myself the side of digital photography that I have been dreading... (duhn, duhn, duhn!)... editing.  I have really impressed myself that I haven't needed Cameron's help (he is good at the tech stuff) and I have created some finished products that I am happy with. 
If you are already my facebook friend I am sure you have seen them already (I originally posted the photos with no edits, but I deleted those and re-posted the ones with the edits).  Check out Tondre Photography on facebook.  I will post photos from shoots as well cool stuff within the photography industry.

 

Photo taken at Tumwater Falls April 23, 2011

Clay Muffin Pan

Here is the muffin pan I made in the class Shalisa and I took in Shelton.  Haven't used it to actually make muffins yet and it turned out a little shallow so it will probably will be a muffin top pan, but it still turned out cute.

Stormy Weather and To Do Lists

     Well it has turned out to be a pretty stormy day today.  Lights are flickering because the wind is blowing so hard.  But none the less it has been a great day so far.  It started with Cameron bringing me a coffee in bed as he was heading out the door to work.  I woke up and snuggled on the couch with coffee and current book in hand.  You would think I would have more me time since being unemployed, but my day never seems to turn out that way.  So this morning was much needed and a very nice start to my day.
      Yesterday I got a bee in my bonnet to do some "light" cleaning.  One thing lead to another and I emptied 5 more boxes from the office room, hung up a painting, vacuumed the whole apartment, did the dishes, all the laundry, rearranged/tidied the bedroom and then made dinner.  All in all I felt very good about getting some projects crossed off my list of to dos.  Today I am trying to get motivated to put some things on Craigslist that I have been meaning to do for the last few weeks, but keep putting it off.  My next big project I want to tackle is setting up a filing system for our import paperwork.  I am tired of the endless paper piles.  You check the mail and then you have another one!
     Update on the crazy robin that was diving into our window:  As long as shades are down it doesn't fling its self into the window anymore.  If shades are up then he is back at it.  Weird.
     Any who..... anyone want to come for a visit?  See the new place?  We miss everyone and love visitors.
(I made almond poppy seed muffins for Cameron a couple days ago and this is the coffee he brought me)