Just before the last week of holiday shopping (aka MY only week of holiday shopping), Beth and Luke got officially married. They've known each other for a very long time are are obviously smitten with each other. While I would be taking a photo of Beth in front of me, I could see Luke's smile in the reflection of my camera's back LCD screen...they just couldn't stop smiling at each other.
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Tina and Mike nabbed one of the holiday weekends for their wedding next year. So, July 4th is going to be extra special for everyone involved.  Why do I already know that I'm going to love this wedding? Because I met Tina and Mike over a year ago at her sister's wedding so I already know the cool friends and family that I'm going to see again! Thanks for coming up to see Paso, I hope I convinced you all what a wonderful place this is to live *hint hint* *wink wink*.

I apologize to everyone one...it has been unusually quiet here at the blog. Not that a lot hasn't been going on. I was just giving my fingers a little break from shooting. We've been doing things like Christmas shopping, Disneyland (again, but I think you knew that), and cleaning the house. Nothing too far from the ordinary, and that's why I've been enjoying it so much.

Holly and Anna are super excited for the holidays. They are out of school for the next two weeks and I'm really looking forward to seeing them some more. I don't have a wedding until January 17th...so there's a little bit of non-wedding time in there. Of course, there are coffee table books and albums to design, engagement sessions, a few family sessions still, and other odds and ends to take care of. The dreaded end-of-year tax preparations are due to start soon, which always leaves me with some good New Years Resolutions about how organized I will become. I am going to share my New Years Resolutions here on the blog for 2009 in an effort to commit to them. Keep me honest as it were.

Yesterday, Holly went to see Santa at the mall. She told him she wanted "Barbie Diamond Castle". Well, today in the store she saw a *different* one of the Barbies from that line and was devastated. Tears started welling up in her eyes. She'd told Santa the wrong name of the doll she'd wanted. So, at the store (brillant) me says "I'll take a photo of the right doll with my phone and email it to Santa so he knows. Ok? That way he might be able to get the right one for you." She calmed down a bit as I took the picture, but still seemed nervous about it. Fast forward to tonight. Santa came through our neighborhood with a police escort and Humvee tow (reindeer are getting their rest). Holly and Anna rushed out to see him. As we are running out the door, afraid that he's already gone by...Holly yells out "MOM, GET YOUR PHONE SO I CAN TELL SANTA ABOUT BARBIE!"

It just made me smile.  She still firmly believes in him.

Tonight's experience was so embarrassing. So...here's the long-ish story. I used to have an iPhone. Bought it on August 17, 2007 and sorta lovingly enjoyed it until October 28, 2008. It revolutionized my life. It redefined my "I can't live without _________" list. Kinda like when you buy that first car with electric windows...you can never own another manual roll-up window. I just can't live without my integrated email, calendars, contacts, web browsing, and POPSUGAR on my cell phone.

The iPhone love affair was destroyed though by my problems with AT&T cell service. It was non-existent. I had to walk into the backyard to send text messages. The phone wouldn't ring. At one point, the diagnostics confirmed that the phone had dropped 54% of my calls. It sucked as a phone.

Enter the Verizon Blackberry Storm...a great change for me. Back on Verizon's network, I can once again make and receive phone calls. I can still get my POPSUGAR, emails, etc. The lone problem in this whole thing has been my home computer is a Mac. Blackberry devices are far more friendly with PCs. :(

After spending ridiculous amounts of time trying to get my Storm to sync, I finally gave up and called customer service at Verizon tonight. I was in a fairly foul mood since this cell phone saga has raged on for over a year...and I am desperate to have it all resolved. Verizon Sue promptly (and nicely) told me that she would transfer me to the Blackberry-specific technical support people. Verizon Sue told me it would be about 15 minutes.

7 minutes pass...Sue tells me it will be "just a bit longer"
15 minutes pass...nothing
20 minutes pass...nothing
30 minutes pass...

I am now going insane listening to the hold music. I have it on speaker phone, waiting. Finally after 42 minutes on hold...I *SCREAM* at the phone "PICK UP ALREADY!!! DAMN IT, PLEASE PICK UP ALREADY. I am going insane here. For the love of God, please answer! UGHHHHHH." There might have even been some swearing in there...hard to remember, but I did let loose a lot of frustration.

That's when I heard Verizon Sue say (in the kindest voice) "I'm so sorry the wait is so long. I understand your frustration." Ummmm...she heard me?! I was on hold, I thought it was safe to scream and swear at the phone. I thought I was alone. BUT, nooooo...apparently the good customer service places have voice-activation and can detect when you try to talk to them *even while on hold*. I have learned a lesson. Watch my manners even while on-hold listening to elevator music. As a punishment, I will share a photo of myself (something I usually hate doing). Taken by one of my 4 year old clients one day recently... (P.S. The Blackberry people did fix the problem and I am soooo happy now!!!)
 

Wyatt came to the session like a professional. He was all happiness, perfectly well behaved and cute as a button. He brought along his parents (who were also perfectly well behaved and good-looking) just to sweeten the deal. While the winter chill has set in for sure, Wyatt was smart enough to bring along an adorable hat. (Note to self: buy a hat that makes me look that cute.)