Pictures and Poses of 2010

I have been going back to first loves this past year...one of them was photography. I was blessed with the opportunity to shadow a friend and local photographer on some shoots that Brianna and Elizabeth were involved with.  But in addition to that...I just kept the camera around, out...and just kept shooting- all year. Many images are of the beautiful creation I have been blessed to be surrounded by~The mountain colors, the tranquil colorful beaches, sunrises and sunsets...and snow. Then there were the people....friends, children, my girls, moments in our lives where words just failed us. I know there will be many more of those ahead of me in this coming year, but even without the emotion of a Graduation, there were plenty of times where the joy, awe, energy or sheer silence spoke its own quiet melody.

These are some simple glimpses thru the eye of my heart, as I looked back on this past year- the experiences, the memories, and the moments of reflection that will serve to direct the course of the year to come. I hope you find something, some moment in these images, that speaks to you~ if only for a brief moment. This is not by any means an inclusive look at our year, just a glimpse at some highlights, special moments, and some of my favorite captures. Here are some of the Pictures and Poses of 2010.(AND I figured out how to add the Music!)

 Enjoy, and please, feel free to share your thoughts...This is my first effort at taking images and making a *Movie* out of it so all thoughts are welcome~or just let me know you were here!

Miki's best friend...

All of my life, I have had a pet- at the minimum, a dog- for a short time, a few crazy cats...then back to the dogs. My earliest pet story started about 2 weeks before I was born. My Daddy had a friend he thought was the greatest guy in the world. His name was Rumsey Sylvester Bogus~but everyone called him R.S. Mama was about 8 months pregnant with me when Daddy came home and announced that his first child was going to be named after his friend.  My Mama went out the next day, bought a poodle and registered him under the name Rumsey Sylvester. When my dad came home, Mama looked at him and said *There can only be 1 Rumsey in the family*. From the time I was first told that story as a little girl, I was grateful to that dog for saving me from that name!

My first dog as an *adult*- I was 19 at the time- was a Samoyed we got when we were stationed in England. He was born in Wales, and he was the most beautiful Dog in the world...Inside and out. He was my first baby. He went everywhere with me. He had the best spirit of any dog I have ever known. He was my baby, my constant companion, the keeper of my secrets, and the best cuddler in the world for the 14 1/2 years that I had him. I still miss him- and its been 11 years since I lost him. My *baby Bear*...

The *nest* in my house is emptying fast. Victoria is almost finished with her second year of college, and Brianna has a full ride to Stanford. Even if she gets in to one of the East Coast Ivy League schools that are interviewing her, she will be out the door at the end of the summer. That leaves me and Elizabeth. I have wanted another companion for a while, but all my health crises have kept me from being in a position to bring a puppy into the family and truly give it the training and care it needs. But the optimist in me says life is going to be on the upswing, and it is time to find my new best friend. This will be an ongoing and interesting journey. I hope I really am up to the task of taking on the care he will need. I'll keep you informed as more details come forward. 

But I am ready...(I think!)

2010 Memories 1080p

Many folks have asked what we have been doing with this *photography thing*~Here is a glimpse of a year in the life of a photographer, models and photoshoots! This shows his versatility...Enjoy it and now you can see how much fun we have had this year~Both Brianna *and* Elizabeth! Look up Jim Walker Photography on Facebook- or email him at the address I added to the Old City Photoshoot Post!  Enjoy- and let us know what you think! :)

OldCity_Peyton_Elizabeth_1080p.mp4

This is a GREAT example of Jim Walker's Photography! This was the Old City Photo Shoot with Elizabeth and Peyton. They had a wonderful time- and this gives you a taste of what he can do- even with freezing weather! If you are interested in contacting him for pictures, of your kids, family, events, pets, or Seniors~Here is his Info:

A Knoxville, TN based photographer. Website: http://www.jimwalkerphoto.com/   Email: jiminknox@gmail.com  

Check him out!

2011 Party_BehindTheScenes.mp4

These were some behind the scenes shots by an up and coming photographer, who is only 14 and was the *second shooter* at the Photo shoot...she did a great job- and Jim put together this glimpse of the *behind the scenes* work at the party! Enjoy them! Jim is a wonderful photographer!

2011 Runway Model Slideshow.mp4

These are some more images from the January 22 photoshoot- This was the Runway portion- the girls had an incredible time, and Jim captured the fun they were having, and both the internal and external beauty of these sweet girls! Enjoy the photos- and if you are interested in getting pictures made- Contact Jim Walker- His Blog/photo journey is linked to my page!

2011 Rock Star Slideshow.mp4

This is the slideshow of the *teaser* images from the *Rockstar* Photo Shoot that Elizabeth and Brianna did with Jim Walker Photography January 22 at the End of the year/2011 Kickoff party. The girls had a great time- and Jim once again made the fashion shoot SO much fun- while capturing some Wonderful images! Thank you Jim- And if you are looking for someone to do your next family pics or Senior portraits- Just let me know and I'll give you Jim's Info! He makes it the experience of a lifetime...just watch the slideshow and see!

The Rollercoaster Ride

Life has been an incredible ride this past week. Brianna turned 18, has had interviews with Cornell, Duke, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth~and the appointments keep coming. She already has a full ride- a FULL Scholarship to Stanford University! On top of that- we found out this week that she has been selected as the Valdectorian at Hardin Valley Academy! (I am putting this in print here- since she told me I can't post it on Facebook till she has time to talk to the girl who is the runner up and make sure that her feelings aren't hurt- but *I* am going to BURST!! I am SO proud of her!)

Saturday was a day of reflection, and remembrance. 20 years ago, we lost a crew, Spirit 03 during Desert Storm. A Spectre gunship went down, losing everyone on board. I realized that even 20 years later...we still miss them. They gave everything they had- for us, for their friends, their brothers in arms, and for their country.  On January 30th, at 10:35 EST, we paused and remembered the valor of the crew of Spirit 03. They chose to sacrifice their safety to protect the men engaged in battle below them. They willingly laid down their lives- and we prayed for their families. I was reminded of this verse: 

****Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall ...I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"---Isaiah 6:8

Sunday was an incredible spiritual elevator for me- I got to sing again-which I have missed, and my heart was filled with an indescribable joy. That night I got to do my first solo in ages and then watch/listen to Victoria sing, showing all the progress she is making in college- her voice was soaring- she has come so far, and has such presence and joy as she sings. And then I got to watch the reaction as my baby girl sang her first major solo in Church- Elizabeth sounded beautiful, and chose a song with a needed message. God is going to do so much thru that girl!

Then began a week filled with major progress in Physical Therapy- I am walking with a cane, and although it is amazingly painful, and is aggravating the first hip I had replaced- I am working on my stride and gait and balance. At the same time, we are trying to balance strengthening with stamina...and healing. 

I was also blessed that I got to see an old friend after almost 15 years. We were stationed together in FL and NM, but had lost touch during the divorce and reconnected thru Facebook. She came into town for business, and we went out to a WONDERFUL dinner and a great night of catching up! It was such a great thing...a touchstone for me, reminding me of who I used to be. I needed it...more than I could ever say.

Then, my Aunt fell last night and we watch the power of a prayer chain in action- She fell and hit her head- the first report we had was "she is bleeding into her brain and has broken her shoulder and is headed to the ICU in Jackson." We put out the requests and within minutes, had friends (and strangers to them) all over the country praying for her- and the EMT's said that somewhere between Luverne and Jackson, a miracle happened. She needed 8 stitches- they didn't need the ICU, her upper arm was badly broken but everything stayed in place- so both the neurosurgeon and the ortho said they wouldn't be making any money off of her- and she was sent home- a walking miracle, this morning!

It has been a week of reflection...and of emotional ups and downs. But thru it all- a line from a movie-*Find The Joy In Your Life*- keeps running thru my head. It is going to be my goal as I begin a new week.