Fishing @ Green River

Oww. Oww. Oww. Ow.

I went fishing at Green River yesterday with my grandfather, Goable and my little cousin, Amber. It was really fun, but now, I'm really sun-burned. Bad. I look like a lobster who's got a sunburn. It's terrible. But anywho, here are some photos:

It was a great day. :)

-Sarah

So Tired Is I, Sleep Is What I Has Not

So tired is I, Sleep is what I has not. Yep. I so just pulled a Yoda.

Anywho! I got some blood test results done if you guys remember; and I have good news today! It's taken so long for the results because I actually had to go in for a second test. They didn't have enough blood for the first one, somehow. Anyway; I have a type of mono called "Epstein Barr" or something like that, and I've had it for so long without knowing it that I'm in the recovery stage. So fluids, vitamins and rest should do it. The best part: I'm not contagious! So there's no hassle at work! I love it. :)

I'm so excited though! I might get to see Austin within the next 2-3 weeks! I'm counting down days, literally. He said he might get to fly down if he gets leave after he gets back from Cali. I'm hoping. I'm praying. I really miss him.
If he can't then I plan on flying over to see him sometime SOON. I've got enough saved up; I've got paychecks coming in. I'll make it work.

I'm nervous too though. I have a wedding coming up that I have to photograph. Well, TWO actually. Just that this first one is on the 7th of June. That's like, a week away. I still don't have a purple shirt to go with my slacks. I need to go shopping. But I'm just worried I'll mess up and ruin the bride's perfect day. This is my first wedding! I'm not getting paid for it, I'm doing it as a gift to the couple (it's my cousin's wedding...). I've been working my camera all week though. Practicing on shots, finding light...ect. Just be praying for me and the couple.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah

The Mysterious Feeling

Hello everyone! I haven't been posting regularly like I always do, I know. Well...I've never had a schedule really...I just kinda...post whenever. But I apologize none-the-less!
I've just been thinking a lot; about the blog, about my maybe/possible/hopefully-coming-along photography business, and of course, a lot about Austin.

I'll start with my photography business.
First I need a name for the bis', which I'm honestly thinking about sticking with slhallphotography. It's the name I've been water-marking my photos with that I take...and it's my name, so it's copy-righted on it's own. I don't have to jump through so many hoops to get my business's official name. And then there's the buying of the equipment if this is what I'm pursuing. I've been thinking about taking out a loan from a local business and getting what I need and paying it off as I go. I'll get my equipment on time, and I'll be building my credit early. Gotta start somewhere.
Which brings me to the blog.
Winging It is made as a journal and whatever-you-want-to-call-it for the relationship between Austin and I. It's to help support other military girlfriends, fiances and spouses. It relieves a lot of stress when I write about what's bothering me, or what's upsetting me in my life. Well, I need a website for my photography business. So do I make a regular website and link this blog to it, or do I make a new blog...? In addition to this one? Because I want to keep a little bit of the "military girlfriend" theme on my photography's website page too. If just to make me more original (and to keep myself interested). I don't know if I could just post pictures in the blog by itself.
I would stop altogether eventually. So those are some thoughts about that...

And then there's Austin. He hasn't done anything, he's been an angel. I just miss him. I just saw him Easter Sunday, but for some reason...I've just been feeling this...heartache for him. This mysterious feeling. It's not normal. I mean, I miss him every single day...but never all chest-achy like this every day. I've felt like this for a week now. I've prayed on it countless times; asked God for strength if that's what I needed, asked for guidance and even just asked Him (if it's in His will) to just make it stop. It comes everyday, all day.
Austin is where he's always been: North Carolina. I'm working, doing school work, and everything I usually do. Nothing out of the norm....so I don't know. Stupid mysterious feeling. He's leaving for California to train for a month or two in May...then I know deployment isn't far away...maybe that's it. I honestly don't know.
I just hope this mysterious feeling goes away. Soon. Like now, please?
I actually cried today. I heard Keith Urban's song "For You" and the tears just came. Stupid woman hormones. Stupid song. Stupid mysterious feeling.

If any of the ladies feel like letting a few water-works loose, here's the video for the song:

I only just noticed it was on the end of "Act Of Valor". (Which if you haven't watched, you need to) That movie made me cry too. I'm just a mess lately. It's almost pathetic, I'm so girly. I swear, I'm usually better about all this...

Well, thanks for reading, I'm off to kill some things on Fallout 3 and regain some of my...dignity.

**Oh, yes, I've added a few definitions to the Marine Jibberish Page! ;)

-Sarah

The Procrastinating Will-Be Gardner

Hello everyone! I got back from work not too long ago...I'm currently taking up residence at my mother's house. I have to meet a potential client tomorrow at noon. Which I'm extremely nervous about, but yeaaah.

You all know how I did a photography session with my friend Kacy and her boo. The photos turned out to be adorable! And a woman who knows them, saw them too and, apparently, thought they were good!
Good enough to ask me to be the photographer at her wedding in June. Yeah.
It raked me a new one! I'm nervous as can be about this! I mean, it's this woman's big day and I don't want to ruin it. Can you imagine?

"Oh, look at that ruined moment that amateur photographer took of us. My nose looks big."

I'm supposed to meet her tomorrow at the destination of her wedding and talk about it. I'm super-nervous and I've waited last-minute to get my portfolio together. Absolute last minute. Very last minute. As in I'm-going-to-Wally-World-In-The-Morning-To-Get-Some-Quick-Photos-Printed-For-My-Portfolio-Last-Minute.
Mhmm. Which brings up the question; is this what I really want to pursue? I mean, I have a co-worker who wants me take photos of her honey-bunny and her too. It's all coming so easy...I mean, I'm wondering if this is something I'm supposed to do. If it's "God-given". (I mean, everything is God-given, but...you know what I mean!)
What would I name my photography business? I'd have to start a second blog!!! (Hehehe...winkwink)

So many things, but I'm too tired to think about them right now...this morning I started on my garden. By hand. Literally. Because I don't have a "turn-over" to turn over the land, and I had a bunch of weeds where my garden is supposed to be, I took a scythe-thingy and a metal rake to that sucker. I worked from 9-12 this morning.

I have blisters on my hands now, but they're satisfying blisters. One is all gross and leaky though...ugh. Bleh. Ow. How do you even treat blisters? I've popped the thing and pulled of some grotesque skin but it's still all....there. And gross. And hurting.
What? Let me whine. It's my blog.

But goodnight all; this girl is hitting the hay! I've gotta get up early!

Wish me luck and thanks for reading,

-Sarah

Hubble Park Photo Session

I got to take some beautiful photos today with the cutest and most hilarious couple! One of the girls I work with has been trying to get some pictures of her and her "hunny" for the past year. When we got talking about it, I volunteered. I love photography, and she wanted some photos. Why not?
And so today, I found myself at Hubble Park.

 I traveled around the park taking pictures and finding spots to pose the couple while waiting for them to arrive. I came early to get the "lay of the land" before we all just jumped into everything.

The American flag was a must. It looked so beautiful flowing in the wind like that. And I caught it at just the right moment. God bless.

This is my typical back-seat when I go on a photo-session. I have my laptop, some paints (in the bag, you can't see either of them), a blanket, a picture frame, a tripod, some extra clothes and some water bottles. Oh, and some tennis shoes. Just in case.

 As you can see, the couple is lovely. We took so many pictures, I filled up the SD card they gave me to use, and then had to put some on an SD card of my own that I'd brought. It was a beautiful day, though. They were such good subjects and such good company. You could tell how much they cared for each other. It was all over their faces and in their posture (and in the way they constantly teased each other-adorable!). Maybe Austin and I can get some pictures taken like this someday...maybe. Hopefully.

But thanks to the couple for the wonderful day, and to you, my readers.
Oh, and if anyone is interested in me taking their photos, feel free to send me a hollar!

-Sarah

Where did Spring go?

 C'mon Spring, where did you go?

Welcome Spring and Stress

I apologize, I haven't written in a day or two (which means I'm behind on my 30 day challenge...) but I've been feeling yucky and it's been a stressful week. Thankfully, I'm feeling much, much better now. I was out of it, but now I'm back in my funk.
I had to pay all my bills yesterday. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.
Though, it was my fault for procrastinating and not getting them in early like usually...and missing work. That cut a lot out of my paycheck. Budgeting has come into effect.

My online classes are totally kicking my butt. I'm working through modules (which are specific parts of a class and not the whole thing and when they're all completed they add up to whatever credits the class is worth) and every time I finish one the starting date for another one opens up (sometimes before I'm finished with the first) and then I rush through it...my grades are doing fine. I'm just not soaking in the material like I should. Which is bad.

So please be praying on that for me and please be praying for a few un-spokens' I have. Life is just on the rocks at the moment. I hate uncertainty and I've been praying on this matter for a while now and though I know God is working and I just have to have faith...the wait is still hard.

So happy! Spring is here!!! But it's still only 15degrees outside...

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Feeling Thankful (and all that lovey-gushy stuff)

I'm just feeling completely thankful. God has blessed me so, so much. I have so much to be thankful and praise Him for. I have family and friends that love me to death. I have people to love. I have a roof over my head to shield me and food to satisfy my hunger. I have a job and a wonderful vehicle that gets me where I need to go with great mileage. I feel like I don't deserve any of this; I certainly haven't done anything to, but God somehow, someway finds me worthy. My Lord and Savior died on the cross for me. For everyone. What more could a girl want? It's the ultimate love story.

Speaking of love, I have Austin to be thankful for. Today is anniversary of the day we met. 41 months ago. Three years and four months ago. I feel that I haven't expressed that enough over the past few weeks on here just how thankful for him I am. He's been working so hard to keep contact with me. Called me when he's only had moments to spare. Texted me when he doesn't have the luxury of voice-to-voice communication. He's been constantly reminding me that he loves me, every day.
Lately, there hasn't been a day that I haven't heard from Austin. I love it. I'm getting spoiled. Probably too spoiled, but I'm totally soaking it in while I can. I'm so, so thankful for him. God blessed me with my perfect match and I believe that we're working through this with His perfect timing.

@slhallphotography@gmail.com >>> Yes I have a globe.
I'm classy, not nerdy.

I know that I don't always to take the time to tell Austin just how much I appreciate him taking the time and working so hard to make this work. I just assume that he knows. (We all know what assuming does though...) We talked on the phone today for about two hours after he got off work today. Phone convos were never our forte I don't think (at least not for me, I could never think of what to say) but they're getting easier and natural. Today was natural-ish. I loved it. And (here it comes-you've all heard it before) I love his voice.
Austin had to get off because someone else was on the other line and his room was getting inspected anyway. He called me later tonight to tell me goodnight and I was in the shower. I missed his call, but he sent me the sweetest text letting me know he's sorry he couldn't get a-hold of me and that he was "hitting the hay" (I love when his country talk comes out, it's so cute!) for work tomorrow. It just made me smile. It just made me thankful.
It made me feel so lucky to have someone like Austin in my life. We don't ever fight (at least not any real ones, we play-fight and insult each other all the time). We cherish every moment. We fit like puzzle pieces. We're both God-fearing. We know how to have fun. We know each other's weaknesses and strengths and are learning to play off the other's. We both agree that a relationship is a learning experience; it takes time.

  This is Blake Shelton singing "God Gave Me You". It's an amazing song with an amazing amount of meaning. It's actually my ringtone for when Austin calls. It's silly, but it's like the song was based around us.
Austin doesn't know it yet, but this is "our song". He probably has another one picked out for us, but that's too bad. ;p

And Aust, if you get to read this...well, I mean every word. I'm a shy, hesitant little thing, as you know, and sometimes that might come off as not caring, but know that it's the exact opposite. I love you and I thank God for you everyday. Thank you isn't and couldn't ever be enough.

Thanks for reading through the gushy and mushy everyone,

-Sarah

Ever After, Flickr, and a Road Trip!

First, sorry everyone! I haven't written in a couple of days...I've just been so busy!

I recently learned that my Financial Aid won't be coming in for my classes for another few weeks, meaning I can't start them for a while...which really, really bums me out. -apparently it comes this late every year, and unless i want to use my own money or take out a loan and go into debt for a few classes i have to wait-

Watching The Ravens win the Superbowl (like everyone knew they would) and studying for my upcoming ACT retake took up my time yesterday. Though with the game going on, not much studying got done...the blackout was a nice touch this year.

Oh, and have I mentioned I'm traveling to Cincy, OH tomorrow with my sister to get our book "The Ever-After" (from the Hollows series) signed by Kim Harrison on her Ever After Tour?
Well, um, we are and I'm way-way excited!!! I can't wait to meet her.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the Hollows Series; it actually takes place on the Ohio-Kentucky border around the river.It's been many years since The Turn, when a virus being carried in genetically-mutated tomatoes killed most of humanity on the planet.
Good thing not everyone was human.

"A witch, a pixy and a vampire walked into a bar..."
Well, lived happily, ever-after in a church.

The series centers around the three main characters:

Jenks (no last name): A pixy. A very sexy and charming loud and obnoxious pixy who, however he may not look it, has the ability to hack anything and everything that runs on electricity. Name it, he can do it.
Jenks in the only pixy to own his own land (pixies being seen as no more than bugs to the rest of the world) and keep all of his many, many children alive and well the way he has. His hero is Tinkerbell. He's a member of the business Vampiric Charms.

Ivy Tamwood: A vampire, who uses her sensuality to get what she wants. Coming from a rich and high noble vampire clan has its perks. She has more money in her trust-fund than you and I would ever see in a lifetime. Ivy takes on runs; work that they IS or Inderland Security (kinda the police force for the supernatural) cannot take on themselves. She is the most OCD woman you will ever meet. Co-owner of Vampiric Charms.

Rachel Morgan: A "witch" with the annoying need to do the right thing all the time. Rachel seems to attract trouble wherever she goes since she got rid of her death threat for quitting the IS. Loving all things leather and black boots, she takes on runs to pay the rent and buy the groceries. She has this little habit to keep nasty, little men in her back pocket. (Save for the sexy, blue-eyed 6'2 elf recently catching her eye) Co-owner of Vampiric Charms. You find out on in the series that Rachel is not just all witch...she's got a little bit more of something in her blood...

But don't let my horrible description of the series keep you away from it. Here you can see a video right off of Kim Harrison's page that explains series a lot better. Or just go to Kim Harrison's website yourself and take a look around.

The signing is taking place @ 7pm, February 5th at the new Joseph Beth store in Crestview Hills, KY. (Though I don't know why the address is that way, on the map it's clearly in Ohio...)
Maybe I'll see some of you there?

Also, check out my new Flickr Account! You can catch all of my photos and photography on there. I never even knew this site excited until Austin texted me yesterday (couldn't call because he was on duty) and enlightened me. Thoroughly enlightened, I'm using this site to it's full advantage.
 
So check me out and add me to your contacts! ;)
Username: slhallphotography
or email me: slhallphotography@gmail.com

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

You have never truly seen Kentucky...

...until you've seen one of it's sunsets. 

I was coming home from work the other evening and I just had to stop and get a shot of this. My camera on my phone, or any camera could never do any of it justice, but it's still fun to try. : )