Lately... Ice, Kindness, Encouragement, Instagram, and more!

If you are new the party, welcome. :-)

Lately, it's been a bit difficult to get off my a$$ and walk/photograph more. Mother nature isn't very cooperative. On the days I am at the "day job" - she likes to toss me 60+ degree weather. The days I do not work are comprised of ice that could break my back. 

Yes, 1-13-17 is quite a time. Ice storm, Friday the 13th, and a full moon. I can't say I blame Soulard Art Gallery (and banks, schools, businesses, etc.) for closing. Tonight's opening of the "Driven to Abstraction II" show I am in has been postponed until next Friday. 

So today, I forced myself to get off my a$$ by working towards bettering my "photographic world." 

I got a wild hair in 2017 and decided it was time to try Instagram again for MK Designs. So, today I read tutorials to add an instagram widget to my website mkdesignsphoto and to this blog you are reading. Wasn't easy, but I figured it out. 

Then, I designed a simple ad for my MK Designs facebook page that will also go in a local high school newspaper. I was gifted free advertising by a fellow photographer who had already purchased for the whole year, but is deciding to scale back a bit. I am blessed that through our friendship she thought of me when she made this decision. 

I don't understand the need to be in "competition" with fellow artists and photographers to the point of petty backstabbing or undercutting each other. Friendly competition is a good thing, but taking it too far burns bridges. I am thankful that the bridge between she and I is a strong one. 

On that note, I am excited that not only I made the "Driven to Abstraction II" show in Soulard, but another local photographer did, too. She even gave me a shout out on social media for it! 

I am a firm believer in kindness and encouragement. When I saw some of the work she posted, I felt it was perfect for a show. I didn't hesitate to let her know. THIS is how we should all treat each other, don't you think?

I have to admit that there's other things I could do today (1-13-17) to get off my a$$, but after adding more content to my website, starting this blog post, and many other things... my couch and a book are screaming my name. 

More to come later... 

2017: The Year I Get Off My A$$ & Do More!

2017 is here and unlike previous years, I feel like my goal for the year is fairly simple. Since 2016 was a bit of a wreck for me (I had some health problems), I didn't get off my ass nearly enough. 

Pardon the bluntness here, but it's true. 

I didn't get off my ass to walk, hike, camp, take photos, be social, and so much more. So, the not-so-politically correct goal for 2017 is to get off my ass. 

What better way to be held accountable for this goal than the blog you are now reading? Blogging about my yearly goals has worked up to this point, so why not now?! 

Here's what I have done so far to remedy the situation: 

On 12-13-16 I drove to Shaw Nature Reserve with my daughter. I purchased a family walking pass that is good for a year. 

Then, we ended 2016 by walking at Shaw for a couple of hours. 

On 1-1-17, we did it again, but hit different trails and took my mom along for the adventure. 

Granted, I can not go to Shaw every day, but I can go when weather and time allow. 

I am not limiting myself to Shaw, either. I know there are MANY other areas to explore on my feet and with my camera in 2017. However, now that I have spent money for the pass to Shaw, you can bet I am going to do all I can to make sure I come out ahead on that investment! 

There was a quote in the bathroom at Shaw Nature Reserve that really hit home with me. I feel it totally stresses the importance of the goal I have set for 2017. 

“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Everyday, I walk myself into a state of well-being & walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. But by sitting still, & the more one sits still, the closer one comes to feeling ill. Thus if one just keeps on walking, everything will be all right.”  -Kierkegaard

I hope you enjoy these images from 12-31-16 and 1-1-17 at Shaw Nature Reserve! 

Until next time,
~ M of MK Designs
mkdesignsphoto.com 

A 2016 Grade Card: How did I do?

In 2016 I set out on a mission to follow this statement: "I want to be a woman who overcomes obstacles by tackling them in faith instead of tiptoeing around them in fear."

I declared that at least once a month, if not more, I would face the following obstacles with faith and not fear. 

Cooking

Watching

Reading

Finishing

Uplifting

Expanding

So, how did I do? Here's my official grade card.

Cooking. B

I could have done better, but this was a HUGE improvement! Cheers to that! (PS This image is from a great little summer trip with my friend Jen!) 

Watching. B+

My Netflix finally paid for itself in 2016. I found new shows, movies, etc. to check out. I even decided to figure out what I could watch on Hulu and guess what? I found things on Hulu to enjoy! 

Oh, and I actually recommend the Tina Fey movie "Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot." It is NOT a comedy in my opinion (like advertised originally), but that's ok. I just watched it over Christmas Break and loved it. 

Reading. A+

I read more books in 2016 than I have read in the past 6 (or more) years combined. It was a pleasure to rediscover my love for reading. Forcing myself to slow down and enjoy a book has helped me on many levels. I am currently reading a novel by the title of "The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend." My aunt Sarah suggested and loaned it to me. I am normally a non-fiction reader, but this one is interesting. 

Finishing. B-

My health had me "drained" for over half of 2016, so this didn't live up to my "hopes." However, I did finish a mosaic that was juried into an art show (gave myself a little extra credit on that to push my score to a B-). Also, in November and December I got my "omph!" back and finally tackled my laundry room and lower level bathroom that I had been meaning to update all year. Painting, redoing cabinets, new lights, etc. It's been an adventure! Goodbye yellowish brown and hello "moose antler." (Who comes up with some of these paint names?)

Uplifting. C+

Again, because over half of 2016 I was feeling pretty low due to some health issues, I didn't get to reach out to as many people as I had planned. I had the bar set high and I feel I could have done way better. However, when I did reach out to uplift others, I gave it my all. And, I learned that sometimes it's ok to admit you are the one in need of the "uplifting" because you aren't 100%. Below is a photo of one of those moments when I apparently needed some uplift in my life, so my student took charge of the situation. 

Expanding. A-

I have learned about all kinds of new things! I have been able to accomplish more because of the fact I have focused on expanding my knowledge and skill set about a variety of topics. It's ok to be a student at any age! 

Speaking of learning, look at that photo of the fireworks. I finally figured it out and I didn't have to contact my buddy Tyann for help over the summer! 

2017 is approaching...so what's my next move? 

I have an idea of what all I hope to accomplish in 2017. Some are based upon what I missed out on in 2016 because of being laid up on a couch so much. I'll share that "plan" in time, but for now I do want to thank those of you who enjoy my photography, my ramblings, etc. It means a lot to me. Sometimes I am not sure why I keep up this little blog, but then someone comments on the blog (or to my face) about something I have shared... then I realize that this does matter to some folks out there! 

I am going to leave you with a moment in which I smiled a LOT in 2016. Look at all those sand dollars I found while my daughter danced in the waves!

Have a great New Year!

~ M of MK Designs 

mkdesignsphoto.com

October Update: "There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir." ~William Bliss

My "mantra" for 2016 is this: 

"I want to become a woman who overcomes obstacles by tackling them in faith instead of tiptoeing around them in fear."

Since May, I have had many moments of "fear." 

I have fears about my health, my career, finances, and more. However, at the end of the day, I am trying my hardest to meet them with faith and the belief that they will only strengthen me; not leave me defeated or broken. 

When I originally decided to focus on facing obstacles in faith, I didn't even think of adding health, finances, or my aging cats to that list. 

Yet, I am still sticking with the original list and plugging right along... 

Cooking. I have been cooking a lot more in 2016 and using my grill more often. I can grill a skirt steak that is out of this world and Karlene says I am mastering "oven-fried taters." Yes, we say "taters" in this house! I have also gotten better at preparing scallops and other foods that I typically only trust a "professional" to cook!

Watching. My latest veg out on the couch guilty pleasure is "Lakefront Bargain Hunt." I am impressed by not only the beauty of the homes, but by the fact they are more expensive than the one I live in. These are on the "bargain" list?!

A movie that I watched a few weeks ago that moved me deeply is "Unconditional." You can find it on Netflix. It is based on a true story and has a powerful message. Check it out! 

Reading. I cannot get over how many books I have read so far this year! If you visit this LINK, you'll learn more about some of them, as well as my mission to read more in 2016. 

Below are photos of all the books I have checked out since I have last updated this blog. 

NOTE: Two of them, Libby & Dying Out Loud, were highly recommended by my Grandma. 9 out of 10 times when she recommends a book, I end up loving it!

Finishing. Karlene and I figured that it was time to get back to work on our stepping stone project and we tackled that with beautiful results. We were able to add three more stepping stones to our outdoor collection. 

I also finally finished the mosaic I started YEARS ago. It's all Soulard Mardi Gras beads. It's only fitting that the final product was juried into a show at Soulard Art Gallery this past month! Below, you can see details of it in the lower right hand area of the photo collage. It's 16X20 and available for sale. Contact me if you are interested. 

Uplifting. I have received a lot of positive feedback about the Journalism Summit that I was able to help bring to Franklin County. Learn more HERE. I felt incredibly blessed to be a blessing to others that day. 

On another note, I love the bracelet I wore that day. My friend Jen is a KEEP designer and I love their jewelry with an uplifting message! 

Karlene and I also just finished our two Operation Christmas Child boxes. Additionally, we are both excited that our Compassion International Child, Beatrice, has been sending us letters! It's amazing to learn more about her life and how God is working in her life. 

Expanding. I have to admit that in this area, I am drowning in learning about women's health issues and how to deal with insurance companies. I am going to leave it at that. It wasn't on my list of new things to learn about, but "it is what it is" indeed! 

Last but not least, I want to brag about my child. 

She recently won First Place (again) in the annual Fire Safety Week poster contest in Washington, Missouri. 

Her poster goes on to the state contest this spring. 

If you can...  I want to toss this out there as a challenge for you today and every day.

Until next time,  

M of MK Designs 

October 2016

Thoughts on a Windowless Life

I am convinced that a "windowless life" is no way to live. Yet, I do it every school year. 

Last night, I needed a break from the lack of scenery. I went to Reiker Ford Access near my home to have a moment of water, green, and sky. 

My silence was interrupted by a man who pulled up in his truck. I watched as he surveyed the river. It was a little too high to cross and he decided to turn around. 

Before he left, he and I had a pretty short, yet insightful exchange of words. 

The conversation we had went a little like this:

"You waiting on a floater?" - he. 

"No, I work in a windowless room all day and sometimes I need 30 to 40 minutes to just NOT..." - me.

"Oh, Wow! I hear ya, no windows all day would make me wanna just stand here and NOT, often!" - he. 

And, with a chuckle and a wave, he drove away. 

I find it interesting that someone who doesn't know me at all can instantly "get" me and my situation. 

Windows are something many of us take for granted. When we find ourselves in a situation where we spend 8+ hours a day without them, we understand their true value.

Once I am back at work and living my windowless life, I go for walks and drives much more. I ache for it. 

I am sure I am not alone in my windowless life. 

~M of MK Designs August 2016
mkdesignsphoto.com 

Summer, Drive-In Movies, the Smokies, those 2016 goals, and more!

Oh, those Summer Days and Nights... 

Adventure Awaits. I loved our all-too-quick jaunt out east to the Smoky Mountains just a few days ago. From breath taking vistas to roaring waterfalls and mountain streams, the Smokies are quickly becoming one of my favorite places to be.

My daughter loves it, too.

On the way home, we broke up the drive by staying in northern Kentucky. We were WILDLY surprised when we saw that there was a legit drive-in movie theatre just under a mile from our KOA! This was Karlene's first drive-in movie experience and I loved sharing the moment with her. She even asked, "Mom, can we make this a tradition?" 

So, when in Calvert City, Kentucky - make sure you check out the Calvert Drive-In Theatre. I bet Karlene and I will be there again sometime soon!

Back to a few of those 2016 Resolutions...

Cooking. I watched one of those quickie social media cooking videos on facebook and thought, "Self, you can do that!" I grabbed some things from my fridge and modified what they had on the video...and here it is...BBQ Chicken Pizza Dippers that Karlene and I gladly soaked in ranch dressing. Healthy? No! Yummy? It was a home run!

Watching. Still loving the new episodes of "Grace and Frankie" on Netflix with my mom, but was even more stoked when I saw that "Rock the Kasbah" is now on Netflix. I love Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, and just that whole kinda "quirky" movie vibe. I'll watch this one again, I bet. 

Reading. I finished "Grandma Gatewood's Walk" by Ben Montgomery. I cannot recommend it enough. It was an enjoyable read and I have the utmost admiration for this woman. I loved it so much, I loaned it to my mom. Great reads are meant to be shared, just like great movies. 

Now, I am nearly done with a book that caught my eye at our local library, "What I Learned When I Almost Died" by Chris Licht. 

While it isn't as enthralling for me as "Grandma Gatewood's Walk," I am still enjoying it. It's good light reading for the summer, but my eyes are already looking ahead to my next book. 

Uplifting. On my last post, I mentioned that I feel I haven't been doing enough for my church. Many people want things to just "happen" without having to do the work. I've made some progress in this area. My friend Stephanie has let me step in and help with Youth. I have been sending daily scripture and uplift for the kids while she has been on a trip with her daughter. I have also been working on a little "event" with Stephanie we have scheduled for July. I have even found a former student who is going to assist us by giving her testimony.

Expanding. I am learning more and more about things like: 360 Video, hormones and how they impact health, team-building activities, reaching out to build relationships with people who are in positions to help scholastic journalism, and more. I feel like I am enjoying learning more than ever. I wish I had this kind of enthusiasm for knowledge when I was in high school, maybe my GPA would have been a little more impressive? 

Frustrations. I am going to express that I am a little bummed. I rarely offer discounts or sales on my Portrait Photography these days because I know my prices are VERY reasonable. However, in hopes of generating a little June business so it's not all in the fall, I am offering a great deal. Where's the clients? Come on, folks! 

Until next time, 

M of MK Designs

mkdesignsphoto.com

My January Journey: not so much in miles, but in experiences...

Part One: A continuation of my New Year's Goals for 2016

Cooking. Watching. Reading. Finishing. Uplifting. Expanding. 

Cooking. Thanks to the power of Facebook shares, I saw a recipe from Chelsea's Messy Apron for Chicken Enchilada Chili. I tried it. I even added my own flair to it. I really, really, and I stress REALLY like it. I had some just again today for a late lunch and it reheats beautifully! 

Watching. Tracks. I decided to Google search movies on Netflix about Photography and/or National Geographic Photographers. Tracks came up in my search and once I saw the plot line was a bit of a twist on WILD and A WALK IN THE WOODS based on a true story set in Australia, I was interested. Then, when I saw the leading lady was an actress I really enjoyed in the new Alice in Wonderland series, and that the photographer is played by Emo Kylo Ren himself, Adam Driver, I knew it was a must watch. And, I was right. GREAT FILM! This Netflix treasure is one not to miss! I may even put it on my "rotation" of movies, so I can revisit it for fun. (Had to steal my friend Juli's term there. She often mentions movies in her "rotation.")

Reading. When I went to visit my friend, Travis, in Dallas (blog link) he was game to tour Southfork Ranch to live out a bucket list item I had. I have to admit, I loved the TV series and the cast. Larry Hagman remains one of my favorite characters, as well as someone I also knew from I Dream of Jeannie. When I saw his autobiography "Hello Darling" in the gift shop, I knew I had found my new book. I started reading it this past week and I love it so far. This man lived a very unique life! 

Finishing. I am still attempting to make sense of the mosiac project I mentioned in the last blog post, but I also picked up my journal of thoughts, quotes, scribbles, and doodles I enjoy. I am not sure why I put it down. Maybe I let the digital world supercede the analog world, which is something I need to fix. It's liberating to just doodle thoughts and quotes, to tape cut outs from magazines, and more. Tangible is good. 

Uplifting. I have been on a big run of writing letters of recommendation, nominating people for awards, and of all things...I gave my buddy a birthday card this January. I bought her a birthday card, a funny inspirational book called Tweet Talkin' and a few other things. Apparently, I was the only REAL birthday card (on paper!) she got. What!? Oh, my! See above: tangible is good. 

Expanding. I am trying to think of ways to put my knowledge and gifts to use after I retire from teaching. I used to just dream of living in a camper van and being a vagabond with a nice home base in Missouri, but now I feel like that would sustain me only so long. I need to give. I need to do things for others. I have an idea formulating that I am researching, and will write about later. However, I can say this: this weekend my socially awkward self made herself say yes to things. I invited someone out on Friday night that I haven't had a chance to really visit with for a long time. She and I had a good time (I think). Then, Saturday night, some people I know from Facebook who are chronic campers took advantage of the weather and camped at a state park near me. I went. It was AWESOME fun. I think I'd do it again. Camping in groups isn't that bad, afterall! Maybe next time I'll toss out a big invite and see who all comes! 

Part Two: A few images from the past few weeks that make me smile... 

Murphy is my #1 snuggle buddy. He's on a quilt my mom made me for my birthday. That's just the underside of it. I need to photograph the top of it sooner than later! 

Unseasonably warm last weekend of Jan? I'll take it!  

Murphy. Just because I love Murphy. 

My pop is so gifted! He made me this for my 42nd Birthday. My mom made me a beautiful quilt that I need to photograph soon, too. I love TANGIBLE things from the heart, don't you?

Karlene and I attended our first WinterJam. It was very uplifting!

Until next time, 

M of MK Designs

mkdesignsphoto.com