Taking Inventory of 2018: Accountability, Goals (Written and Unwritten), and More!

Sticking with my mantra of accountability, it's time to update the blog! 

So, did my 2018 Goals fly or crash? Let's find out!

(Click HERE if you would like to see them in full.) 

Continue blessing our Compassion International child, Beatrice. 
SUCCESS! 

Have a backbone. 
Do not put up with bullies. 
Be strong and courageous, as it says in Joshua 1:9. 
Do all those things to be a better example to my daughter. 
WORK IN PROGRESS! 
I reviewed this with my friend a few days ago. 
She thinks I did pretty well. 
I believe I can do better. 

Remember that I do not walk through challenges alone. 
This was also based on Joshua 1:9. 
SUCCESS! 

Be kinder to those who are kind to me. 
Be kinder to myself. 
WORK IN PROGRESS!

Read More. Write More. 
BUMMER! 
I read a few great books, but not as many as I wished to. 
Writing really slacked in 2018. 
I stayed on track with my deadlines for River Hills Traveler, SchoolJournalism.org, and JEA Digital Media. 
When it came to writing for ME, aka for MK Designs, I bombed!  

Don't enter art shows and have work in a "gallery" to validate myself as an artist. Do it when I feel compelled to, and only if I have the time. 
SUCCESS! This was a HUGE leap for me in 2018! 

SIDE NOTE: One of the few shows I entered, I actually WON! 
Maybe that's a sign to only enter ones I can really FOCUS on. 

Find some plant-based foods that don't make me gag. 
FAILURE. 
By August I gave up. 
I felt like I was wasting time, energy, and money on stuff that just made me sick to my stomach. 
I will keep trying to find a way to sneak more veggies and fruits into my diet, but vegetarian/vegan, I am not. 
Just look at that steak I grilled! 

With all that said, I now want to focus on the goals I accomplished that I didn't write down. Those are some ones that I am exceptionally proud of. 

In my personal life, there were some serious changes. Those changes drove me to save, save, save. I am not just saving for a rainy day, but for a storm that could be coming at any second. 

On a whim, I bought a book and took a lettering class! 
I enjoyed it and hope to do more things like this in the future!

I photographed some beautiful souls. 
I think I did some of my best portrait work in ages. 

Granted, I don't have a line of people begging me to take their photos, but I have had some people tell me they WISHED they'd booked with me once they saw their typical run-of-the-mill portraits compared to my work. 

 

I am willing to try new places, various lighting techniques, and even a smoke bomb or four!

I branched out and did some work with babies, moms-to-be, and even a wedding in San Diego!

I think because I do not take on a TON of clients, that helps me focus on attention to detail. It also helps me find new ways to approach subjects that have been photographed many times in their lives. 

The work I did for people in 2018 is work that I am very proud of. I feel it helped me grow more in the area of portrait photography. 

We got a turtle. 
Yep. Even though I said I never wanted one.
While getting a pet turtle was far from a goal, it has become my goal to keep that turtle alive! 

My daughter loves Sparky and I do, too. 
You can even find him on Instagram. Click HERE. 

It's also come to my attention that I am at my happiest when I see others succeed. When I can help elevate people to a level they didn't expect to reach, that's amazing. 

I don't want to bask in their glory. I just like standing to the side and cheering them on once they've reached their goals. 

Maybe that is why teaching is such a blessing in my life and has been for over two decades. 

Also, I have to toss in the fact that we found a dumped cat on a hiking trail, fostered it for over 20 days, and saved its life. 

"Vladi" is now living a dream life of being a VERY SPOILED boy with his new family. (Nope, we didn't keep him. We already have three cats and a turtle, folks!) I plan to share more about this experience soon!

While I ponder what to goals to commit to in 2019, I hope that this post finds you content, blessed, and at ease. 

I recently heard a message that I connected with deeply. I have taken the liberty to elaborate upon it as a post on my Instagram and Facebook. I will leave that with you today.

I am hopeful your 2018 was a good one, and look forward to sharing more blog posts with my thoughts and photography with you in 2019! 

M of MK Designs Photography: Fine Art and Portrait.
January 1, 2019. 

Going on a Photo Hunt. Part Three.

Part One: http://mkdesignsphoto.blogspot.com/2016/02/going-on-photo-hunt.html
Part Two: http://mkdesignsphoto.blogspot.com/2016/03/going-on-photo-hunt-part-two.html

Now, it's time for Photo Hunt Three for the Spring Semester of Photo II that I am currently teaching at Washington High School...

Portrait

Eye(s)

Fashion

Ice/Frozen 

Beautiful Garbage

Ghost or Alien

Sparkle

Wildlife - Bullfrog at Little Indian Creek Conservation Area/MDC

Wildlife - Cardinal in Union, MO

Deer at Meramec State Park

Deer at Meramec State Park

Inspired by...Steve McCurry

Sports/Action 

Headshots, Art Shows, Sorority Daughters, Blood Pressure, and OH MY!

So far 2015 has been a roller coaster. 

I am hopeful February is better. 

For now I want to focus on the positives I had in January as a photographer...and as a human being on this little life-filled planet. :)

I met a life coach. We both share a friend named Terri Overstreet who is the mind and hands behind Invisible Sun Massage and BodyWorks here in Union.  (www.invisiblesunmassage.net). 

Headshots I have done for Terri and her girls.

My friend put in a good word with her about my photography. Next thing you know, I am taking her head shots and we are laughing like old friends. 

One of Kim's headshots from today. I have to work on culling through all the shots and editing, but this one is the one that jumped out at me first and I was eager to get it done! 

Kim Tobin was a joy to meet and photograph this morning, and if you want to learn more about her, visit her page: http://blog.bluebutterfly.info/about/ Also, follow her on facebook at "Kimberly Tobin Life Coach."

I was in a show. Framations in St. Charles had their 9th Annual Photo Exhibit. I had 3 of my 4 entries juried into the show, as did my friend Tyann of Marcink Designs. This was her first year entering and I loved sharing the experience with her, as well as Kim Carr. Kim has been very encouraging of my work over the years.  

Framations: http://www.framations.com/home.html 
Kim Carr: http://www.kimcarrphotography.com 
Tyann Marcink: http://tyannmarcink.com

I had Kris time. Kris has been in my life since college. She was one of my sorority "daughters" and we've just always seemed to "click" over the years. 

Both of us are only children who have a huge respect for our parents. We both fiercely love our only children (I have one daughter, she one son). And, we both like her husband. Seriously, it's so hard for me to find a friend who is with a guy I really respect, and Matt is a great guy. He and Kris are a beautiful couple. 

Our day was "typical" but because it was spent together - it was special...we had lunch, found a winery neither of us have been to, went on a drive, and saw this sunset.

I had no cavities, but I had a wake up call. Over the years I've had my fair share of dental anguish, and I've also had issues with stress (how I react to situations & people) increasing my Blood Pressure. My dentist takes my BP every visit, so this round my teeth were great, but my BP was dangerously high. The past few days I have been working on checking it regularly, avoiding situations and individuals who stress me out, and being very aware of what I need (& don't need) in my life. 

Just in a few days, the wrecking ball headaches, and elevated numbers have decreased dramatically. So, for my health, it's time I distance myself from things & people that could make my life way too short. My grandpa passed away from a stroke in his mid-50s. I am 41 and would ideally like to make it to 89-101! 

I improved my home (with the help of my parents). My basement living area & bathroom has never looked so nice...and my bedroom is finally coming together furniture wise. 

Trying chalk paint and wax on a headboard (& eventually dresser) my aunt gave me. So far I think it looks cool and I can't wait to see that space completed. 

I saw my Grandma. I promised myself in 2015 I would be a better granddaughter. So far I am keeping to it by visiting her more (approx 200 miles round trip, but worth it) and writing her more (her next notecard from my daughter and I is on the table).


I made a serious "agenda" for 2015 and plan on sticking to it. 
Here it is:

#1. Something I want to go for to help my career... that if happens will help me with the #2 thing I want to go for to help my career...  

#3. Camp more. 

#4. Hike more. 

#5. Help my daughter (the K of MK Designs) take more ownership of her school work and education, yet continue to help her grow her love of the Lord and others, hopefully continue to grow more empathy, and more compassion... 

A new year, a new devotional. 

#6. Get my financial house and my actual house in better working order. DECK and whatnot! (which also includes getting my lower level rented again) 

#7. Continue to grow my relationship with Jesus Christ and try to practice more of His teachings in how I love others.  

#8. Continue to spend more time with my Grandma in 2015. 

#9. Try to continue to grow clients for my MK Designs Photography / Fine Art and Portrait work. 

#10. Be the best mom, teacher, daughter, friend, etc. I can possibly be.

#11. GET ME A BEDROOM SET! BAM! Had a kicking bedroom set in 2009, that along with the bed "left the premises" that year. While I did replace the bed in 2010, I never got a bedroom set. I have one in my garage now courtesy of my aunt Shirley. 

Looking back on it, I would say January wasn't THAT bad. Once I start looking I see that while there were a lot of negatives (I won't list here), there were some great positives, too. 

Until next time,
Michelle of MK Designs 


PS For more of my photographic work find me on facebook or my website!