Making New Memories and Preserving Past Memories with Joanne and Legacy Republic

A few months ago I signed up to be a Legacy Maker with Legacy Republic.  I was aware of the company, but after a quick presentation from a representative It became a no brainer for me that it was destiny that I become involved.  My passion for family photos, my eighteen years as a Creative Memories Consultant, even the historian position I held for my college band...all of these passions for documenting life in photos and words.  My destiny.

But 100% honesty, it was the pending empty nest future that became the deciding factor for me.  It's not that I don't have enough things going on already, it's that I wanted to do something different, something new with the pending changes coming to my life.

I hadn't ever really given much thought to the words empty nester before.  I knew it meant an empty house, less people to pick up after, less food to buy and cook, more time for hobbies, more quiet times ahead.  Just maybe I would get to watch something I wanted to watch on tv and sit in my oversized stuffed chair at the same time.

What I hadn't thought much about was the circle of people that I associated with as a Mom was about to come to an end, completely.  I don't have any neices or nephews, or siblings, or cousins in my town.  The daily connections I have are with my kids parents.  Whether it's a soccer game or a swim meet, a basketball game or a tennis match, the people I have connected with for the past 16 years have mostly been through my children and the school system.

As graduation approached so did a little jolt of panic.  I was going to go from not having a single week night available to possibly having all of them available?  I had been telling my husband for months that we needed to find something we enjoy doing together so we can reconnect too...but still, there was this greater need I had to find something new for myself.  Something that I could be passionate about that would take my mind off of the pending "quietness" of my future life.

I might add that my life is anything but quiet right now.  After 61 years of living in the same house, my mother is finally ready to sell her home and move into a condo, where daily living should get a whole lot easier for her.  I've been spending a bundle of time with her purging.  Not my strong suit for certain.  But the two huge duffle bags of reel to reel family movies only pushed me further to join Legacy Republic and it's awesome mission.

Much more to come here on my blog about Legacy Republic.  In the meantime, if you have old media, and you want to bring it back to life in the digital age, be it VHS tapes, slides, negatives, reel to reel, even scrapbooks...please contact me now and we together will make a plan for you.  You don't need to wait for me to contact you...which I eventual will :) just let me know you are interested and we'll make a plan together...the first step...and it's super easy...honestly, all you need to do is give it to me and I'll make it happen, three weeks later you will be enjoying and reliving!!  Call me!!
207-756-5337

Here is a "snippet" from some of the reel to reels I pulled from my mother's house.  This is 60 seconds of random footage put together for me by Legacy Republic.  Full disclosure, I haven't yet shared this with my Mother yet, I believe it will be very emotional for her, as my father died 11 years ago, and my sister died 6 years ago, I want to sit with my Mom and watch it together.
If you don't see the photo below, you may view it at this link.
http://family.legacyrepublic.com/s/ZIqpy05sCr2P6TPZ



Yes, my Mom still lives in this house, next to SMMC in Biddeford.

So I have one more thing to share here about my empty nest situation...or call it a bit of a mid life crisis.  When presented with the opportunity to go out to California to attend Legacy Republic's first ever "reunion" for additional training and knowledge, the old Mom, the pre-empty nester Mom, would have definitely closed the door on the offer as something I just "couldn't" do.  I am so happy I have worked my way through this old way of thinking and am embracing a new future with some fun and excitement and adventure!

So, saving the best for last, my little picture story of my adventure out to California.  This was a very big deal for me.  I traveled alone, there were some unexpected delays, I learned how to use my phone camera and "take a selfie" (I'm a work in progress).  Also, our day trip over the Golden Gate Bridge, sooooo cold....even for this Maine girl...one more thing, I flew out of Portland, so you natives check out the footage at the beginning of my recap on a clear and gorgeous day, you can see everything!!  I am so very lucky to be a part of this company at this very special time in my life.

I have found a new passion and I can't wait to share it with you all!!  If you can't wait either, please please call me, text me, facebook message me!! 207-756-5337

I've also put a link up to my Legacy Maker site on my blog page...somewhere over to your right :)
Now, below, my photo recap of my California adventure.  California is so BEAUTIFUL!!
use this link if you do not see a photo link below. http://video214.com/play/JSpIYrN0WTc5CM197yAITg/s/dark

A Vacation, a Baby, and a Wedding Part 1, by a Maine Photographer

Part 1????

I can't possibly blog about my vacation when all I want to blog about is the wedding I photographed on Saturday.

As I have mentioned before, as a photographer, there really is no greater compliment of my talent than to be hired by a friend.  And that happened to me twice last week!!

(and we shall cover that in Part II)

Today is all about the wedding!  Trish and John's wedding.

I am not even sure if I knew Trish prior to attending her late husbands funeral.

If I knew her at all, it was just by name.

Her youngest son Patrick was in my sons Cub Scout den.

I listened the Priest as he talked about Trish.  

How very strong she was and how she already had the courage it would take to carry on.

I too was a Mom of two young boys.

I couldn't even imagine putting one foot in front of the other, if I were suddenly in her shoes.

Patrick stayed in our Cub Scout den, and as the years flew by I got to know Trish too.  

I have always admired her strength.

I love her sense of humor.

Over the years I have photographed Trish and her boys on several occasions...even muttering "meow" once or twice...(again, keep in mind the sense of humor please)

and Trish even indulged me by making a blindfolded cameo appearance in my "Minor Shades of Blush" video promoting one of my other product lines.

...and so it was ever so wonderful to have Trish ask me to photograph her very special day with John.

YES of course I would love to photograph YOUR WEDDING!!!!

What a very fun day.  I got to know John, and meet his family, and meet the siblings of my friend whom all seem to share her fabulous wicked sense of humor.
oh, and John has it too!

If you know my work at all, you know I like to share it with music.  Some of you may find my music selection a little strange, but if you are part of this family, you will probably enjoy it...or at least understand my choice.  And again, if the music annoys you, please feel free to mute it.

I have said it before, and shall say it again.

A second chance at Love...doesn't get any sweeter!

I have embedded the slideshow below, but if for some reason it doesn't appear, you may view with this link.
http://video214.com/play/D2R0It4gy4OTtTjLJA7MAA/s/dark

A Pine Point Summer Solstice Tradition. A Maine Photographer.

There is a group of individuals who exercise regularly in the early hours of the morning. For some of these people, the only thing they have in common is that one hour a day, for how many days of the week they choose to go. Friendships form. Traditions are created. Friday night at Pine Point, the week of Summer Solstice, now having occurred three times within this group classifies it as a tradition. You don't need an invitation. You show up and are guaranteed to be amongst friends...afterall...it takes a special person to get up at the crack of dawn to exercise with a group of people...people who even though you may have very little in common with...people who become your friends.

Living within a half hour from the beach is by far one of the single most things I am grateful for.  I am also painfully aware that I do not take advantage of this blessing anywhere near as much as I should...for solace, for reflection, for gratitude, and for practicing and improving my photography skills.  Summer Solstice at Pine Point, for me, is an opportunity for all of the above.

My solace, my reflection, my gratitude, my practice.  Summer Solstice 2016.

 That famous line in Lethal Weapon...do we go on 3...or do we go on go?  Barb?

Meet 9 wk old Brewer.  I will ask any puppy owner if I may photograph their puppy.  It is who I am :)

A Latin Chariot Race by A Soon To Be Empty Nester Maine Mom Photographer

My baby graduates High School next week.  I've been going through some stuff, mostly being proud and a little lonely thinking of the coming changes, but today, another change smacked me hard.  I like to photograph my kids and whatever activity they are participating in.  Today it was the Latin classes and the annual chariot race.  Beautiful day, sunshine, kids having fun, what's not to love.  Today was the last Latin class chariot race I will photograph...unless...someone...anyone with a kid taking Latin next year, invites me to adopt their kid...just for that half hour... :)

Here's my personal version of how it went down today.







and, if you would like to see last years 2015 race...

and, if you would like to see the debut of WHS Latin class chariot race 2014...


these videos are all embedded, so if you can't see them, here are some links.
2016
http://video214.com/play/oXlVpOFlEJKFkPXjLz091Q/s/dark
2015
http://video214.com/play/nxXMjiBa977hjHZsDYZUpA/s/dark
2014
http://video214.com/play/29Yq1aJughR4wO3xpSF9yA/s/dark

A Birds Eye View by A Maine Bird Photographer

I have a new found obsession.
Obsession is a bid negative...let's start over.
I have a new found way of seeking inspiration.  Photography inspiration.
Guaranteed to suck up more time than a morning catching up on Facebook.
It's my bird feeder.
...and I'm not the only one who has become obsessed :)  Catch that reflection?

I "strut like a rooster" sometimes "naked as a jaybird""eagle eyed" sometimes "run around like a chicken with it's head cut off" looking "for something worth crowing about"

:)

I'm sharing some of my favorites.  A friend gave me a great book so I could do my best in identifying them.  I'm new at this, so don't get madder than a wet hen if I misrepresent...A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. (Chinese)

    Mr and Mrs Northern Cardinal

    Mr and Mrs American Goldfinch

    A blissful pair of tufted titmouse

   Not sure who this is...maybe a house finch?

Chloe and her Birthday Puppies. A Maine English Cream Golden Retriever Mom and Photographer

Chloe's first litter turned two last week!

...and I am happy to say all these beautiful babies are living the good life.

Beckett.  She's the one on the left in the above photo.  Beckett's human Mom, Shari, tells me that Beckett is definitely a very happy well behaved dog.  Sounds like she has everyone wrapped around her "paw" too.  Beckett likes to take over Dad's chair, she likes to watch tv, expecially commercials with dogs in them.  Shari, if you haven't already, you need to let her watch Marmaduke.

Beckett loves to sit in front of the big bay window and people watch.  She loves to play in the snow with Liam, her most favorite young human in the world.  The two of them love to play soccer together too.

Beckett is still not very fond of car rides, and her sixty five pound body pretty much must be lifted up and placed into the vehicle for her to go anywhere...but when it comes to her manners, they are exquisite.  Beckett has never stolen food off the table or countertop and she is always very gentle when receiving treats from human hands.

Thank you Shari for sending this wonderful update on beautiful Beckett.  

If anyone is interested on my earlier blog post of when these pups first went to their forever homes, here is a link. 

Next we have Jaxson.  He's the middle pup in the very top photo of this post...the only male in the whole group.

Jackson's human Mom Penny tells me Jaxson's living quite the life already, going to work with his human Dad everyday and having lots of friends, both two legged and four legged.  Speaking of legs, it appears Jackson likes to sit with his hind legs stretched out straight, not much like a dog at all.

Those Snowypaws, never a shortage of humor.

Jackson likes to lay on his back, and hold a toy in his front paws and play with it.  (his Sister Violet does something similar, she does it with a bone)

Jackson loves to play in the lake, and he loves to retrieve but he's not so great at bringing it back to the person he's playing with...short attention span...squirrel...squirrel...!!  So, the fetching "toy" of choice is usually a stick...and a game of fetch will have many, abandoned sticks.

   

Penny shares that Jaxson is very sweet and affectionate.  (and speaking just like a Grandmother might I add have you ever seen such beautiful dogs?  :)

Thank you Penny for the wonderful update on Jaxson.  Wishing you and your family health and happiness.  

Anyone wishing to read about these beautiful pups and about birthday number one, you can find that here.

Now, for an update on Violet and Mom Chloe.  Violet is the shy little wallflower on the right side of the photo at the top of this blog post.

Violet stopped being shy the moment she got home.

Violet LOVES her canine Mom and all of her human family.

at two, Violet is still very much a puppy and we love that she is keeping her Mother young too.  We have not had any weight issues with Mom since Violet has come home.  Playtime is constant...not to mention, Violet begins each day with a good tail chasing session...every...single...day.

Violet has her human Daddy right where she wants him.  She needs a daily pick-me-up...

and she steals his chair every chance she gets whether he's in it or not.  She loves to watch out the window, and since we have no human neighbors, Violet spends a whole lot of time waiting for something to visit the bird feeder.

neither one, Chloe or Violet like to ride in a vehicle, but we seem to be getting better with that.  Our vet had recommended that we take small rides more often, and so that is what we do.  We try to get in a long walk at a local trail every weekend.  Both Chloe and Violet enjoy it so much, they actually are jumping into the vehicle now, instead of running away :)

Violet is still very much a puppy.  Beautiful. Energetic. Mischievous. Playful. Sweet. Loving. 

Our babies. We love them with all our hearts.  All of them.  Our next steps will be getting all of Violets breeding checks taken care of to see if she will keep her legacy going.  Mamma Chloe has retired.  Job well done Chloe.