I ended up nabbing a new web design client and handing out hundreds of magnets to juniors and seniors who seemed to LOVE my photo books and cut-outs. I met some “kids” (17, 18) that can potentially rock my assistant and internship positions… and a few possible models for future fashion and jewelry shoots. I even ran into some old mentors and friends. My high school art teacher- with whom I spent every school day learning from for four years… looked through my stuff and commented that I was “very good”. It even seemed that he meant it. I met new business contacts and potentially made some new friends.

Unfortunately, I think I blew my speech big time. I was really shocked to learn that I was the only local business owner speaking at the event- the rest of the keynote speakers were all PROFESSIONAL public speakers!! I haven’t spoken in front of a crowd like that in 15 years. I think the lady who asked me to do it remembers my ability of yore, and had no concept of the fact that I’ve been behind a lens and a monitor ever since. Of course I was last to speak, which means I had sat through four amazing, witty, funny, and inspiring speeches- given by people who had no need of notes. One chick even sang a song! I can’t sing! How can I touch that?! I could have had a heart attack on the spot when I reached the stage and looked out at the audience and saw the kids yawning already.

I don’t know why but I decided to ditch my notes and try and speak more casually. I lost like half my speech as a result. I do think that I managed to say what I meant to say- and make a bit of a fool of myself too. Everyone was so nice, telling me I did great. Big fat liars! But nice liars.

Right after I was done speaking the kids were turned loose.. and it was quite obvious that the kids were excited about what we had to offer- our booth was the busiest all day.

Perhaps they liked me better because I was an idiot, and therefore approachable.

I’m glad I did it. I think I could get good at public speaking again with practice. I learned a lot from today’s experience, and I think I helped a lot of kids too. That was the point. So I can take my lump and feel good about embarrassing the crap out of myself. I’ll definitely stick to my notes next time!!

And so, tomorrow is another day.

Lot’s going on this week, tomorrow my cousin Hannah leaves to go home to visit her mom and sisters for six weeks. And I will spend the day preparing for my show on Thursday. Thursday I’m speaking at an Arts & Communications expo at a local fairground, and then manning a booth. I have to write a 10 minute speech, complete with a visual presentation.. and be prepared to answer questions for five minutes after. Throughout the day we will hand out magnets and business cards, show off a few books of work- one will display my web design stuffs, one will display my photography stuffs. And I will work on a website while I’m there- on a laptop set up with a monitor so the people visiting the booth can watch me go. I’m hoping I can meet some young brilliant minds who can help me with PWD and our new start-up photog business.

This weekend we intend to take a day trip with friends up to the foothills to take advantage of the beautiful fall backdrop for family photos. We will visit some of the area caves with the kids- I know they’ll love it.

And then, the week will start over again. My last week to get five sites live before the holiday, so that I can concentrate on less during the holiday season. I’m not doing what I did last year and working myself into the ground before Christmas. I was way too stressed last year!

I see emails popping into my inbox again. Better go deal. Such is life!

I worked anyways, and I’m proud of myself because what I really wanted to do was go curl up in a ball in bed and hide.

Hopefully tomorrow won’t be as painful. And I won’t lie awake for hours on end tonight with my body on fire. I’m sick of it.

Wah.

Then I rushed to the computer, as I had promised a client we would go live with her site. I redirected DNS and waited. And waited. And waited. She can see the new site, but I can’t. Which means that I can’t install her blog or apply any finishing touches. I’m still waiting.

Instead of finishing up her print pieces while I waited for her new nameserver settings to propogate, I shopped. I bought a few presents for my nieces and looked at a lot of stuff.

We were invited to a party tonight at my brother’s but alas, my work isn’t done and nobody feels great.

Now, it’s late in the evening- my pain levels are really high.. I feel punk, the littlest and the husband aren’t feeling well, and MEH. I can’t decide what to do with myself. Give up on the site and tend to the family…. perhaps knit or sew a bit and relax? Or sit here hitting F5 over and over. I can’t seem to give up the latter. I wanted to finish this site today! Perhaps I should be designing these print pieces. I can’t seem to muster one ounce of creativity though.

Oh well. Things can’t always go as I plan. It’d be cool if they went as I planned at least half the time, though.

The good news is- we made our first sale at the new photography website yesterday! Which I haven’t even showed you! Because it’s not quite finished! And- I booked a few more upcoming photo sessions over the weekend. It looks like I might do pretty good when I transition after the new year. The prospect excites me.

Tomorrow I hope to show you my new creation. If lady luck smiles on me, anyhow.

It probably has something to do with the fact that I’ve been working on a lot of different projects and stewing over several different “big ideas” at once. And sleeping late. And eating late. Damn my bad habits.

Today was a productive day. I finished one website, for which I only await payment before it goes live. I nearly finished two more. I expect to go live with those next week. I made a quickie wordpress theme for a non-profit too. But of course- I didn’t get everything done I’d like to… but I’m still on track to finish everything up before Thanksgiving.

Michael competed at the spelling bee this evening. He didn’t win and he’s a little disappointed about that- but he’s proud of his medal and of making it to the county level. He blogged about his day here. How cool is it that the blogging bug has bitten my 11 year old son? I dig it.

Lillie and Liana spent the day bickering and playing computer and video games. Well, all was quiet until Liana got home from preschool, anyway. Having the kids home on my work days is INSANITY. It’s so hard to stay on task, and I keep forgetting to feed them. Thankfully they are fully capable of making their own sandwiches.

I got in some of the prints and products I ordered for a photography client today, and they are pretty. I am so proud when I see my stuff in print. Tomorrow I will be making deliveries. I also got a new sitting booked. I’m loving that my photography business seems to be growing rapidly.

To top the day off I did a little holiday shopping. I bought a few patterns from buggabugs (how cute is her stuff?!) and a custom ornament from Carolyn’s Clay QT’s. Oh, if I could only spend all my time and money shopping on etsy, I could be so happy.

Now I’m wiped, and facing another very busy day tomorrow. Hopefully I’m wiped enough to get some rest tonight! Off to cut out fabric a bit. Or maybe, collapse.

Elizabeth, originally uploaded by phae.

From the shoot yesterday. Ahhh, babies. They are so darned cute that they make you almost want one.

The kids have been playing alot of video games. The eldest, WoW. The middle child- Jak and Daxter. The littlest has mostly watched but sneaks in some time at nick jr when she finds the family computer free. The youngest two children have been pretty obsessed with eating. Growth spurt or boredom? I don’t know. But it’s irritating and worrisome. “Mommy can I have…” all day long.

The chickens are molting so they aren’t laying. The kittens aren’t kittens anymore and will be getting fixed next week. I’m still working like mad on too many projects, but expect to finish them all by Thanksgiving.

After which, I will concentrate on opening my new photography business with my aunt and transform my custom web design business to a premade web design business. Since my web design business has been doing so great I’m a little nervous about the change, but at the same time- I need to do what is best for me, my family and my customers and since I got sick I just can’t handle the long hours at the computer nor the large volume of work.

Speaking of being sick, I have my good days and bad days. On my bad days I struggle to speak, think, walk, sleep, eat, digest and even swallow. On my good days I’m still in a lot of pain. I’m going to try some “alternative” therapies before I do the invasive stuffs the conventional docs would have me do next. I’ve already begun with my diet, making sure I get all the vitamins I need each day- and avoiding processed foods as much as possible. I’ve cut out a lot of the diet soda I was drinking- replacing it with smoothies and water. I can’t tell you if it’s helping, because like I said- I still have both good days and bad days and there seems to be no method to the madness.

This week my mom has an ultrasound to take a look at her internal organs. She’s not been feeling well and her doctor worries that she’s having a vasculitis attack in her organs. Also, Michael competes in the county spelling bee. This weekend coming up I plan to do another family photo shoot and to take some practice shots of a couple of my favorite models. Life is full.

I better get to work. Lot’s to accomplish today. I’ll update again soon!

Liana and a Frog, originally uploaded by phae.

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Liana and a Frog, originally uploaded by phae.

Liana found a frog in the back yard today