Sweet, Sweet, Summer!

It's been a wonderful week!

I've had such an amazing week with J.

I wish I could recall every moment of every day to document here. Since I only write here and there, I generally only write a bit. This week has been fun, i'm actually really enjoying this whole work vacation thing! haha!

Here's my weekend re-cap;

On Friday my girlfriend Sara came over, we played video games, hung out and went shopping! I bought this awesome ceramic cupcake and a gift for my older sister's birthday (I got her a retro apron and a cool re-usable mug).

Friday evening I made burgers for dinner for myself, J, and our buddy Ky

le. We had a few drinks and Kyle slept on our couch, it was a hilarious night and I had so much fun just joking around and being silly with those two!! Check out Kyle wearing my Fett helmet (Below), lol, he was soo happy!!!

Saturday morning I woke up super early and headed over to my dads house. I drove Em (my little sister) and a car full of her 16 year old girlfriends to a convention in Toronto. It's called Anime North. It's this super fun, and HUGE, event that showcases Japanese art, music and comics. Em & friends all dressed up as anime characters from their fav. show. I love going to North. This is my third year going and I can't wait to go again next year! There's an insane amount of amazing, talented, artists...and because the place is so full, it's kind of competitive, so the art is dirt cheap! I also love that all of the local comic shops come out. It's a one of a kind place!

Saturday evening I got home and spent some time with the hubby before Zach came over for the night. Zach is J's old buddy. They have been close friends since they were each in the second grade. I actually met Josh through Zach :) He lives in B.C. and is visiting home for the summer. Each time he comes back he stays with us off and on, and hangs out a bunch! The boys jammed it out, played video games and had all kinds of nostalgic conversations. I, however, was sooo tired from North that I actually fell asleep on the couch pretty early! J picked me up some amazing food from this place called Northern Thai and I ate, hung out and fell asleep pretty quick! haha.

Then, Sunday after Zach went home, J and I snuggled and then decided to actually do something productive. He took me out for lunch at Moose Winooski's, which was amazing!! I haven't been there since they renovated years ago, and I have to say, I was super impressed. The food was insane! I loved it!! After we ate, we went grocery shopping..I LOVE grocery shopping, which I know is kind of silly, but I love planning what to make and what not. I saw Krystal in the grocery store too, hehe. After shopping we came home and snuggled some more, this time with the puppies, and then went out once more. On our way out J. spotted a cute rocking chair with a free sign on it, and snagged it for me! Another man wanted it and was trying to get him to leave it, but he knew I would like it, so he stuck to his guns! ha! It's so cute!! We then decided to go hang out at Nick & Char's and watch a movie! We stopped on the way there for snacks (& a super comfy pair of slippers, haha, thanks babe!) and hung out with them long into the night.

Now here I am, it's Monday!! The boy is at work and it's almost 4 in the afternoon! I woke up with him this morning to make him a lunch, but instead he insisted I sit beside him and just cuddle and talk instead...so no lunch for him! haha, sacrifices! After he left I started cleaning the house and worked my day away. I cut fresh flowers from our garden, which is something I do every couple of days. Now I am planning dinner and just laying in bed with my lap top (I steam-cleaned the couch in the living room and it is still wet) with a delicious iced coffee that I just conjured up. Hmmm....Pork tenderloin, corn on the cob and some mashed tater's? Sounds about right ;)

Here's a gazillion photo's :)

Magellan, looking at his baby photo :)

A sleep summer, Suki!

Decals over our bed. I bought these with Krystal last October and finally decided to put 'em up!

My version on a "What I Wore" post, haha!! With my pup Scully just chillin' in the corner.

NUNCHAKUUUU!!! A gift for J. from AN11

A print to go with out zombie head cookie jar in our kitchen :) Also from AN11

Got this while out with Sara!

SIICK Sailor Moon mug from AN11!!

Buttons and a TokiDoki bag I got from A11.

Plush Yoda, was my fav. find at AN11!!! He's soooooo darn cute!!

Piccolo from AN11, another gift for J!

More vinyl toys for J! AN11 too.

Kyle rocking out in my Fett helmet!

Tomorrow, Jen is coming over to spend the day with me while my guy is at work again. We are going to bake some more doggie treats and sew something up.


Life is good, 'aint it?


xoxoxoxox
Shara

The sky seems a bit bluer. The air smells a bit sweeter.

Operation housewife...

COMMENCE.

Well here's the beef.
I've been let go at work.



It was a terrible shock at first. I felt betrayed and angry...and very, very, sad.
A "thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty for us" and a severance package does not make it feel okay. Even though they said I did nothing wrong, nor could I have done anything to change this corporate decision, it was still poopy. It took a few days to feel better, but with the encouragement and love of those around me, have helped to give me strength, to realize that I am much more than my workplace. I realized, through some serious tear shedding, that I am still a photographer. No matter which studio I work for. Mr. Weston, Jim, Alyssa and Ken-you will never, ever, be able to take that away from me. I have a passion for what I do, for the families I get to work with and for trying to be the best photographer I can be. No salary is going to change that!!

Since I was not fired, but rather "let go" I have no negativity on my record and I get the whole summer (and then some) to continue life with payment. So instead of sulking and crying and stressing about what is going to happen next...I am going to take this for what it actually is. An opportunity.

Last week I told Josh that my biggest dream is to be a housewife. I know that might sound silly, and might tick off my mom (who has always pushed my independence as a woman), but this is what I really want. It might not be your dream, but it is mine! I want to spend my days; gardening, sewing, cooking, baking, painting, writing music and musing over the love I have for my fiancée. Doing all of the things I LOVE!!

& when it is all over, I will return to working. I will find something else. Because I am a good person. I am a whole hearted, hard working kind of person. I have some photo shoots lined up throughout the summer already, which will help my portfolio growth outside of a studio. So you can imagine, I am very excited for what's to come. I have been supporting myself and working to eat/live since I was very young. Younger than most. So this is my opportunity to do things for me again. To enjoy my own company, my own wants and to make my ideas come to life!


No matter what, I still am me. Silly Shara, with people who love her no matter where she works.

xoxoxo

It's simple math. The truth can NOT be fractioned.

I was thinking today..

I have loved and enjoyed baking so much lately, I would make my poppa proud. I can put together a recipe on a whim, using simple equations and spontaneity.

I never really had the chance to learn much from him, but I think if he were here today, he would be happy with who I am.