Purple People Eater?



No-just Cate with my Magic Scarf over her head. She told me she was a Sesame Street monster.

One of my new Promotional Pictures.

I am donating a Photo session to the Humane League's Wag & whiskers fund raising event on March 4th. Hopefully it will bring some $ to support a good cause as well as giving me some exposure. I took this picture a couple of weeks ago and thought it would be perfect for one of my displays for the auction.

Uncle Sam is the Man!

At least this year. We did our taxes today and did pretty well. I want to make an extra payment on the mortgage and maybe pay down some of our Visa (which has to be paid off by the end of 2006-I promised myself). If there is any left, we are looking into getting new carpet in the livingroom. I love getting my hard earned money back!

Here comes Mr. Washcloth!

If I had not mentioned this before, my friend Michelle and I are recording a children's CD. We made up songs that will provide parents with a distraction for sometimes tough jobs like washing faces, brushing teeth, and cleaning up toys. Sing the songs, the child is distracted/or having fun and Tada! No more fussing over simples tasks. Anyone with a toddler can most likely relate to what I am talking about. Today we finished up the singing parts of the CD so the producer is going to do all of the mixing and finishing touches. Michelle and I need to put together our website and the CD cover. We are hoping to have a CD launch party in the summer. I will keep everyone posted!

Sorry Bonnie Tyler, I have a HERO!!




I wrote a list of things I wanted in a man while I was in college-long before I met Ted (notice the list says Beth Sahm). I have recently found the list and Ted meets almost all of the "qualifications". The only one he does not meet is his eyes are brown (I think I can live with that). While our relationship is far from perfect, I know I found the perfect man for me. We face all things together and we are a team. Everyday I truly love him a little bit more.

Because I don't have anything better to do (But I am still siked!!)

Two weeks ago I interviewed with the West Lampeter Township Supervisors (all 5 of them) for a position on the townships Park and Recreation board. Today I got a letter in the mail, it reads:

Dear Ms. Cardwell,

I am pleased to announce that you have been appointed to serve as a member on the Park & Recreation Board for West Lampeter Township. The term of your appointment expires the end of 2010.

Congratulations and most of all, thank you! Appointed offcials, such as yourself, play a vital role in providing quality service to our residents and constituents.

The Board of Supervisors and I look forward to working with you and appreciate your desire to serve our community.

Sincerely,
Raymond D'Agostino, Jr.
Township Manager

I am really excited about this! Getting to volunteer for my community while learning about local government-it can't be beat. This is perfect for my schedule as well, the board only meets once a month. Looking forward to my first meeting!

I won a Photo Challenge!

I did not win a cash prize. I did not win a trophy. I did not win international fame. I did however win the admiration of my peers, people who call themselves Photographers. There was a "Red" challenge on the Two Peas in a Bucket photoboard. My picture was picked. What a great feeling! Below is the picture that I entered.

What's up GREEN Boots!!!

I would like to publicly thank Deb B. from work for getting me the Green Boots that Cate is modeling in the picture below. These boots have been something I have wanted for 2 years. I saw they were on clearance in the Lands End catalog, but restrained myself know full well that it would be a frivolous purchase. Ted and I want to be totally out of debt and not use the credit card so I would have been breaking our deal if I would have ordered the boots.

Today, Deb comes to my desk with a wrapped package and puts it on my desk saying " I wanted to wait to give you this for your B-Day, but you might need them this weekend" When I saw what they were I almost tackled her!! Deb is such a wonderful, thoughtful person, who gives so much to so many people. She knew I wanted to get those boots last winter and also overheard me talking about not getting them from the clearance catalog. Deb said she was impressed with my self control. Deb-if you are reading this THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! I love them!! Of course they look cute on Cate, but they look hot on me :)

Got some new borders.



First off this picture is of the flowers Ted gave me recently (a bonus to the upgraded "Gold Package"). They were so lovely and such a surprise I had to get some pictures. My husband is the bomb!

The scroll border is one of 15 I got from http://www.blairblanks.com/borders/
They really add some pizzazz to my pictures, plus give them a finished look. I have been playing with them for the last two days and can not wait to use them on collages for customers.

Working towards...

Saw this sign in November on my way back from a photo shoot and had to get a picture of it. Today I walked past the sign on my way to take a client out for a job search and thought two things- A.) I have a picture somewhere of that sign. B.) A quote I recently read- "Peace-It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

With all the changes going on in my life right now and in the up coming months I am working on my calm heart.

Oh no he didn't...

Oh Yes he did!! Tonight while watching Journey to Ernie, Ben decided that his bangs were in his eyes. So he got a pair of scissors, stood over the trash can, grabbed a chunk of bangs and SNIP. When confronted about his new career as a stylist he lied and said "No mom I didn't cut my hair" . I tried really hard not to laugh. His punishment: For the crime of hair butchering- no book or song before bed. For the blatant lie-he is not allowed to stay up and watch "Biggest Loser" with me this week.

BUBBLICIOUS!

10 minutes-WOO-HOO!

That is right. Beth "Large and In Charge" Cardwell ran 10 minutes on the treadmill today (plus I walked 36 more). Look out RED ROSE RUN here I come. My Goal: Make it across the finish line before they start cleaning up. My Ultimate Goal: Finish this 5 mile race in a hour. Uh-oh. Getting flash backs of High School...(Cheer with clapping) Aw I can do it. Put my mind to it. Buckle down, buckle down. Do it! Do it! Do it! Woo!!!!

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

Six more weeks of Winter??? Really? I thought it was Spring already-Silly me. I know, I know-I just jinxed us to the blizzard of the century!