Life

There's a lot of "life" posts and not so many photography posts lately, sorry about that...but I have a reason! An old friend of mine has been working on a customized BLOG for me! So, I'm getting that ready, and getting posts and photos ready for that kick-off. I'm totally stoked....(excited, thrilled, happy, ect...) Anyway, the blogs going to be pretty cool, no thanks to me, as I am illiterate when it comes to web-stuff, but Nathan worked with me to get something like what I wanted/something I am able to up-keep, so, again, HUGE thanks to him. I'll be posting the new address for that in the coming weeks!

...also, totally looking forward to some new music soon....

...um, hello, The Swell Season is totally putting a new album out in September. How did I not know this!? (Strict Joy, out September 29th according to EW.com)

...and this lady....

out in August....

I'm still trying to figure out when Mute Math's new album drops...so, if you know, pass it on...

Anyways...I've been so thrilled to meet some ladies lately who follow my blog (really!? People read this thing? You don't know how exciting that is for me! Seriously.) and I just want to say thanks for introducing yourselves...I'm naturally a shy person, and it just makes my day when people come up to me and say hey...and I can't believe you spend your time reading this blog...but thanks soooo much.

My fantabulous friend Kate spent last Friday with me (complete with lunch, swimming, and her raiding my closet) and we shot some photos of eachother, so I'll leave you with those...

The definition of Summer, I think.

love her...she's amazing....

So...see the ridiculous feather piece in my hair...so, we went "hiking" through the woods for some pretty photos a little after taking these, and, yeah, so I'm not exactly a "hiking-in-the-woods-kinda-gal" (BIG suprise there I know) and Kate had me looking all cute, and was taking photos of me sitting by the river....so, then I went all model-like and tossed my hair...and, my feather thingie fell about three feet down and landed...in the river. Now, I know there were signs saying not to wade, but, hey, MY FEATHERS!! Serious business folks. God wanted me to have them back, because they floated for about 10 feet, then sunk in the shallow part. I totally climbed around a tree, down some rocks and through the water to rescue them.

They now resemble a drowned bird, but, hey, its a good story.

Life

I'm aching to fly,
To spread my hands and touch the clouds,
To lift it up,
Off the ground
and just run.

I want smell the night,
Skim past the roads and past that last turn,
To hear the roar,
Of water rushing
and just feel.

I want to fall from where I stand,
Close my eyes and take one last look,
Step one, two, three
Not look
and just jump.


-Emily O. July 2009

Open Windows

I'm having a bad week....but instead of focusing on the...crap...I'm going to think about the little things that I am thankful for:

I'm thankful my car dings when I leave the headlights on. My Civic didn't do that. I ran my battery down...lets just say...many times because of this.

I'm thankful that I am able to afford picking up food after a looooong day at work, and I have no mental energy, or other energy left. I get cranky when I'm not fed...and having to then cook in my non-existent kitchen would have "not been fun" this evening.

I'm thankful that I only have one more day to work this week...it's been the longest work week ever for me, but I have three days off looming ahead...

I'm thankful for red nail polish.

I'm thankful for Bible verses that pop up at the end of books that I'm reading late at night, and directly apply to what I am going through.

I'm thankful for plans for this weekend. I'm glad I won't be at the VFW watching fireworks again. (not that it isn't a good show...but I've done that for 3 years now)

I'm thankful to have my windows open.

I'm thankful that I get to go to bed soon.

Life

"...Oh who am I that Your merciful eyes should fall on me
A sinner a fool, who doesn’t deserve You
And what am I that you’d offer Your life and die for me
What can I do, I’m nothing without You, I’m nothing without You
I’m nothing without You my love, my saving love..."
-Phil Wickham "Fall Into You"

I'm having a bit of an identity crisis today. I know what I do, but who am I really?

Water....

Just one from today....my sister (in-law) put her wedding dress on again for me...and my camera. Love you Kari! Second time, was just as beautiful as the first....

Family Session: The Crawford Family

Here's a few more from the family session with the Crawford Family. Such a great family! They bid on my package that I gave to the Miami Valley Women's Center, and I'm hoping to donate another package this year if anyone is interested.....






Everyone got a turn at the drinking fountain...it was hot out!





I was completely jealous of all their gorgeous blue eyes!!







Thanks Crawford Family for being good sports and great looking models for me! I hope you like the photos!

Ohio Public Library Funding Emergency

I work for a public library system in Ohio. My mom and sister do as well. I have many friends who also work in Ohio libraries. Governor Strickland wants to cut our funding by 50%. This is on top of major cuts that we've already been through. My library system has already cut all employee hours by 2.5 hours per week, and have closed ALL locations on Fridays for at least the next 6 months starting next Friday.

I don't care what your stance is on reading,...libraries are an essential part of communities. They provide programs, education, a cool or warm place to rest...and books. Story times and summer reading programs encourage young children read in a fun way....I don't know what I would have done growing up if I hadn't had a great library and hundreds of books to read....

If you have some time...please, read this and contact some of our representatives...I'd really appreciate it.

-Em

(there's stuff out there for Facebook statuses, Twitter and the lot....please, this is important!)

Dear Library Friends and Patrons,

As you have probably heard on the news, Governor Strickland has proposed a last minute change to the State Budget: he proposes to cut funding for Ohio's Libraries by an additional $100 million dollars a year for the next two years.

Public libraries are a vital lifeline to job hunting information, education, and family fun in a down economy. Greene County Public Library receives 55% of its funding from the State of Ohio. This funding rises and falls with the State's income, and funding for libraries has already fallen dramatically in the current recession. If the Governor's new cut became permanent, it would devastate the services we provide to children, teens, adults, and seniors throughout Greene County.

Under the Governor's proposal, the funding for Ohio's libraries would drop to nearly half of 2008 levels. The cost to the Greene County Public Library would be $2.2 million in 2009 and $3.5 million in 2010. The cut for this year would be in addition to the $3.3 million reduction the library is already facing because of declining state tax revenues.

We have already absorbed large drops in state funding while working as hard as we can to not reduce services for our wonderful patrons. But, without this key state funding, we will have to make deep cuts in hours, eliminate services, and possibly even close branches.

How You Can Help

You can help us protect the funding that will keep us doing what we do best -- serving you -- by contacting your representatives and the Governor's office by phone and email this week to let them how you feel about the Governor's proposal: the decision on this proposal will be made before July 1, 2009.

Please contact:

Governor Ted Strickland
(614) 466-3555
(614) 644-4357 (Fax)
contact online now

Representative Jarrod Martin
(614) 644-6020
(614) 719-3970 (Fax)
district70@ohr.state.oh.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it -or- contact online now

Representative Robert Hackett
(614) 466-1470
(614) 719-6984 (Fax)
district84@ohr.state.oh.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it -or- contact online now

Senator Chris Widener
(614) 466-3780
SD10@senate.state.oh.usThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it -or- contact online now

Summertime Wishes

• Things are not going as planned, but then again, they never do. I'm in a hard place at work right now, prayers are appreciated.
• I have lots of hopes and plans for the months to come, I'm praying and trying my best to trust God...He's never let me down
• I need photography work. If anyone needs a photographer for anything, PLEASE, let me know. (this ties into the hard place at work deal....anything extra I can pick up would be a God-send.)
• The air smelled like summer tonight. It reminded me of being younger, and staying out till all hours of the night in our backyard...then falling asleep to the sound of a fan in the window.....Mmmm
• I've been making stir-fry zucchini with cheese raviolis for the past few weeks at least once a week. Its delicious, all you need to add is some olive oil, garlic and Parmesan cheese. Its good cold or hot. Addicting.
• Gotta remember to B R E A T H E