Goodbye 2012

Goodbye 2012...

2012 you came and left many memories in my heart, from completing my Master's Thesis, to being hospitalized with cellulitis, to graduating my my Master's Degree and being offered the job of my dreams, sailing, hiking, the summer of Funemployment, the epic move and wonderful family, friends, a wonderful condo, and holiday season...I am thankful.  I am thankful all of the life lessons I have learned, wonderful memories, photos, family, friends, laughs, tears and sweat this year has brought!

2013 you are gonna rock!  I know you offer challenges and promises and I am ready for you...13 you don't scare me!  I look forward to publishing my first professional article, taking my Board Exams, traveling to my first professional conference, and working on certs to name a few.

Ready or not...2013, here you come in less than 6 hours

A most perfect weekend of hiking, camping and swimming!

Keuka Lake State Park was a wonderful way to celebrate the close of summer and all our hard work.  Dre and I enjoyed every minute of our long weekend!  Campfires and smores, swimming in the crystal clear Keuka Lake, cooking outside and sleeping by the fire.  

We arrived Friday early afternoon, set up camp and dashed to the lake for a quick swim!  Sausages, squash and potatoes, onions and peppers were on the menu and what a feast we had, followed by trivia pursuit of course!  We plotted out our hike and read up on the history of the Keuka Outlet Trail.

Saturday Dre made Ha-lo Ha-lo (spelling?) for breakfast and we prepped for an adventure.  We were determined to hike from one Finger Lake to another so began our journey on the Keuka Outlet Trail, a 7 mile hike connecting Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake.  The trail was beautiful and mostly shaded, following the "Old Crooked Canal."  Some of our photos are posted below.  We saw some old mills, 2 waterfalls and wildlife to include 2 herons, a praying mantis, and some other interesting insects.  A picnic lunch at a waterfall, wading in the canal to cool off and an $8 taxi ride back to our car was SO worth it!  We concluded our hike with a swim back at our campground/Keuka Lake and entertained friends for a campfire and cookout.

Sunday was a day to enjoy a nice breakfast, pack up camp and take advantage of the beach at the park.  We swam all day and played lacrosse and frisbee!  When it was almost time to head home we drove through  Bluff Point, visited Chapel on the Mount aka The Garrett Memorial Chapel, The Esperanza Mansion and we had to check out Big Doug's Meaner Weiner!  We headed home, unpacked and enjoyed some leftover hot dogs and smores on the grill.  

Quite perfect.  

Old Railroad bridge at the beginning of our hike 

Milo's Mill - 1.7miles in, home of the praying mantis!

Seneca Mills Falls - 3.8 miles in, where we stopped for lunch!

Cascade Falls - 4.8 miles in, where I got tired!

We Finished! 7 miles - Lake to Lake

Garrett Memorial Chapel/ Chapel on the Mount - Keuka Lake, Bluff Point

Art Focus

Last week I had my first official Etsy sale.  I have sold orders to family and friends, but this was a turning point in my etsy store!  I have been designing and making original onesies for almost 2 years now.  IT was an idea that started because one of my friends was pregnant.  She is funky and different and nothing in the stores would do, or so I told myself...and so I designed 5 original onesies (two of which are featured in my store).  She liked them so much that I decided to start selling them online.

Well last week I expanding my product line to include baby bibs.  Today is another turning point for the store....I am selling my photographs.  Slowly the store is expanding and my artwork is getting out there in the world.  It's a process, but a very rewarding one.  I would love to sell my artwork as a part-time job, or ideally for a living and this store fulfills part of a larger dream and allows me to thank that one day....one day it may just come true.  I will slowly be adding more artwork, as time permits!  Thank you for your support and interest!

Check out BeeDZigns Etsy Shop Here!

This past week

This past week and weekend, more so than usual, I have embraced my summer.  The last summer for awhile I imagine that I will not be working... I have made pickles, salsa and stewed tomatoes all with my mom; visited my parents and relaxed, while eating great food and laughing; took advantage of the nice weather to include a beach day with friends (possibly one of the last for the season), went walking and running and even got a pedicure!  I enjoyed my wonderful boyfriend cooking breakfast, enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared at a friend's house with conversation and catching up with long-lost friends; we cooked meals in preparation for the week and even enjoyed housework.

To sum it all up...it's been a great week/weekend!  I am thankful for my life and my love and my family and friends.  :)

One Shoe, Five Shoes

It was a great weekend for people to lose shoes, which means a great day to take pictures.  Park Ave Fest is notorious for craziness and fun, so lost shoes are to be expected.

Lone Shoe: Park Ave Post-Park Ave Fest

Brunswick Pair

Righty Lefty

New Design - "Robinson" Birdie Onesie

Check out my new design here:
BeeDzigns Robinson Birdie Onesie

control

I have to believe that everything happens for a reason.  Sometimes we wouldn't choose what happens to us, but with life we hopefully learn and grow and get back up!  Opportunities are presented to us everyday and we make choices about what to do with them...answer the unknown number, go for a jog, take a nap...there are no wrong choices, rather things we learn from and things we love.

Sometimes things don't go according to our plan, but who really put us in charge?  Control makes us feel powerful and responsible, but is it more than that?  Does someone get a job because they are the perfect candidate, or are there other "perfect" candidates who know someone or is it luck of the draw?  I'd like to think I have power over getting a job or my daily interactions, but they are just that...interactions, involving what I like to call the human factor.  When humans are involved there is no control.

However, there is control over statistics, but not over another person's choices.  I prefer statistics.  I never thought I would say that, but there is comfort in order and numbers, but there is something so special and rewarding about people and the interactions we have with them that make the lack of control worth it.

Today I am trying consciously to let go of control and focus on the present, which involves being happy and enjoying every minute of today, even if I can't make things happen.

The Shoes I Find

"Park Ave I"

Inspired by an exorbitant amount of abandoned solo shoes I noticed while living in Portland Maine I decided initially to collect said shoes to create a sculpture of found and altered art.  When we moved to New York State I had to dispose of the them, as they weren't exactly the cleanest.  I have morphed the idea into a photo shoot, which will be much cleaner.  This is the first shoe of the series "The Shoes I Find."  I call this "Park Ave I."

Philly

Brooke and a Claes Oldenburg sculpture

Philly...you were fun!  A quick trip to Philly last weekend for Andre, me and our friends Mike and Michelle.  Priceline hooked us up with a lovely hotel in preparation for The Color Run 2012 - Philadelphia!  A great time was had and we met up with an old friend Ellen and two new friends who introduced us to real Philly Cheese steaks, a walking tour of Philly to include the Liberty Bell and Love Park.  The Color Run was amazing...23,000 runners and with painted shirts, arms, legs and faces!  Next time the guys said they want in on the fun of having powdered cornstarch and dye thrown at you while you run 3 miles!  I mean who wouldn't?!

Happy Birthday my Love!

Happy 36th Birthday to my Love!  

A wonderful birthday weekend of friends, food and sunshine!  

A weekend of grilling and playing games, the Lilac Festival, and Avengers 3D!  

We couldn't have asked for nicer weather!