It’s finally here. Vacation time from work. My goal is to do things related to my business. I don’t have very many days, but I think I have lofty goals. First, I want to scan in pics that I have. I borrowed sis’s scanner because for some reason, in the move, I can’t find the adapter for my scanner. Ultimately, I’d like to get a new scanner, but that’s something for the future. Second, I want to try to take some more pictures and update the photography section of my website. Third, I’d like to create some more layouts and possibly get some examples of products. I’m trying to get more creative in my LO’s. I’m looking at different scrap sites and I feel kind of disappointed about my LO’s compared to others. I know we all have different scrapping styles, but I feel as if my LO’s lack something. My LO’s aren’t the ones that capture people and make them stop to check out my gallery.

So here I am just checking my email as I attempt to do daily. In my lovely hotmail junk folder was an email from shutterfly - - claim your Fresh Fall Memories Sweepstakes prize!!! What?!?!? So I…never wanting to pass up a prize…click on the link. I am taken to the wonderful Shutterfly page and I sign in. Then I am asked for my promotional code (instructed to input this information by the pleasantly placed **Easy as 1…2…3…steps**). Uhhhhh….quickly I jump back to my email to locate the much desired code. No code! Maybe it was in a previous email that I missed…so I go back into the inbox and search….no other emails. NOOOOOOOOO. No other emails…no code…how can I claim my prize? What is my prize? So, I did the only thing I could think of…contacted Shutterfly help. They need to hurry and reply because according to my email, I only have 5 days left! Go, Shutterfly Help Crew, go!

Well…Thanksgiving dinner has come and the leftovers have stayed. I must say that I was surprised that everyone behaved for the most part. There were little quibbles, but nothing to start a major world war. The turkey was a success - DH did a wonderful job on his first attempt at a turkey! Now what to do with the leftovers.

I’ve got 3 five-day weekends from work starting now and for the next couple of weeks. What is my goal? Well…I should be working on my business stuff, I know. That’s the goal, but I don’t know if it will get done. What I want to do is get enough layouts together to print a photobook and some other examples of things. The problem is the price. I know when you start up a business you need to be prepared to put some finances into it. I just don’t know if it’s possible at this time. Well, I know that it isn’t possible on a large scale. I guess what I need to do first is determine my goal for the business. My initial thoughts of layouts and table books and DVD’s aren’t flying too well. I need to look at other things and plan out what I want to do.

I’m a little disheartened by my family. DH and my sis are always saying how they are going to take pics of people. Hello, why don’t you suggest me? I mean, I would like to get into photography also to coincide with the digital scrapbooking stuff. How can I get better without subjects? Right now I tend to take photos at events, but nothing big. No posing. **Sigh** oh well. Maybe one day.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And if you are one of those gluttons who are battling the Black Friday crowds, I wish you all the luck in your endeavor. I, however, will stay here and enjoy the quiet and comfort of my own home.

Went to a b-day party today. Took some pretty good pictures. I think I’m more into trying to get the candid shot instead of the posed “look at me” picture. There’s something about capturing the moment as it is.

I need to work on some books to print up to have as examples for potential clients. People don’t want to purchase something when they have no clue about the quality. I know I can do good work, other people just need to be aware.

OK…Let me start by saying that I am NOT going to say that I will vow to blog more. We have all seen that by uttering those words and putting them down digitally does nothing for my motivation. I won’t even set any goals for blogging….with that stated - on to the update.

Since it’s been a looooooooong time, and most of us have aged over the near year it’s been…..I want you to know that I’ve been OK. We’ve moved into a new house. A real house, not a double-wide. Not that there was anything wrong with the trailer. It’s just nice to be grounded and in a neighborhood.

I am trying to get more serious with my photography and digital scrapbooking and other digital work. I’ve updated my website with examples. I need to evaluate pricing. I did read a good book that I would recommend to anyone wanting to turn their hobby into a business - Craft, Inc.: Turn Your Creative Hobby into a Business by Meg Mateo Ilasco. Informative and a good read. I must admit that I did skip some parts, but I will go back and read them when necessary.

I think my problem is that I don’t have an interested market to cater to at this time. I’ve been snapping photos and giving them to the recipients in hopes that they will be impressed and become paying customers. This probably isn’t a good idea, but I’ve only done it twice. Hoping for word of mouth, I guess.