Cheer.


Cheer.
Originally uploaded by Lanna Grace.
My Christmas was quite nice. I got a new camera. And had lots of fun taking pictures. It's a Mamiya c330 along with 5 interchangeable lenses. And dang, how I love it. I spent a good amount of time in Columbia with the fam. I took many, many pictures...more to come as soon as they're developed. There will be wild birds, squirrels, deer, puppies, and the zoo. I can't wait. You know, you just can't beat the excitement of film. It's so dang glorious.

Also, I took mucho grande pictures of Whit and Daniel. They are engaged and getting married in March and I got to take engagement photos. You can see a sample here.


Woo.


Saturday, December 30, 2006 | 1:15 PM | LINK |

I can see...

I am currently in love with this video.


Friday, December 22, 2006 | 9:22 PM | LINK |

Sap.

As I was driving today...enjoying the first cold winds in over a month, I heard a song that I hadn't in some time. Bon Jovi's "Bed of Roses" serenaded me on my trip from Michael's (you know that craft store). I forgot how much I love that song. I sighed and then Lionel Richie's "Hello" made me coo.

Dang, I love love songs.


Wednesday, December 20, 2006 | 10:38 PM | LINK |

Family Portraits...take one.


Peyton and Lauren
Originally uploaded by Lanna Grace.
I took the Beaty Family portraits this year. A few are up on the old flickr. Check out the cuteness, aww and sigh on the adorable factor. I really love those kids. To date, the best child photographing experience I've ever had. Yay.


Monday, December 18, 2006 | 9:46 PM | LINK |

A meme from Meg.

Christmas MEME
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate with marshmallows...yum.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? He sets them out in all their wonderfulness.
3. Colored Lights on Tree/House or White? White.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Thanksgiving weekend.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Definitely sweet potatoes.
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Playing hide and seek with my grandpa every year on Christmas Eve.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I can't remember, I just knew...it was weird.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? One gift.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Old school ornaments and plaid and red bows.
11. Snow. Love it or dread it? Love it, when we get it.
12. Can you ice skate? Not one bit.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I'm pretty sure it was my My Little Pony Nursery.
14. What’s the most important thing about Christmas to you? Jesus.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Spice Cake.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? On Christmas Eve Eve, my parents and I ride around to look at lights.
17. What tops your tree? An angel.
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Definitely giving.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? I'm going to go with the Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack.
20. Candy Canes. Yuck or Yum? Eh, I'm not a huge fan.

I'm tagging:
Bzy.
Angela.


| 1:08 PM | LINK |

Dear Santa,

I've been thinking. It's that time of year again. You know when everyone asks you for a plethora of things. You know: shiny things, jingly things, things that bling, musical things, a ride on the Polar Express, etc. And I've had all year to think. So, here goes:

If you want to, I mean if you're not really busy and if you have time to swing by my place and if your elves had time to make these things, you can bring me:

1. I lost my Teddy Ruxpin in '86, so a new one would be neato.
2. The new My Little Ponies look like anorexia on 4 legs, so "Glory" from '83 would be rad.
3. I know I keep asking, but maybe a pony like these.
4. Stuff to make my own dark room.
5. Books (of the old kind).
6. One of those big carpet tree things for Max.
7. Josh Groban tickets for Mom.
8. A fishing boat for Daddy.


I guess that's it. I hope you have a good rest after Christmas. Where do you go on vacation? I'd like to know. Not so I can find you or anything, but because I'm interested if you like to stay in the cold weather or go out when its hot. Anyway, Merry Christmas.

Love,
Lanna.

P.S. Tell Donner I'll leave him an extra carrot


Friday, December 15, 2006 | 12:25 AM | LINK |

Dear Tom from the Boston Area,

If it hadn't been for you, I don't think that I would have finished the half marathon. I was seriously considering just sitting on the side of the road and quitting, when you came out of nowhere. Even though I will probably never see you again, I wanted to say "Thank you!" Without you, I wouldn't have made it those last 2 miles.

Sincerely,
Lanna


So yes, the half-marathon came and went. I don't think I'll be doing that again anytime soon (but this may just be the pain talking and I'll change my mind before the month is up). Mile 1-4 was good, I stayed my pace and was looking hopeful. Mile 5-6 started to get harder, but I was holding together and then the turnaround came and my hip did a little pop-de-bop. I had to stop for a second and walk it out, and then started running again. I made it until mile 9 and my pace had already slowed considerably (probably my limp didn't help much). And I just decided to walk the rest out. There were a few times that I almost just sat down to let the medical cart just take me back, but I kept going. And then when I felt that I couldn't make it anymore, a man came up behind me and started talking (that would be Tom from the Boston Area). Before I knew it we were coming up on the finish line and it was over.

Unfortunately I didn't get a medal. They ran out. Which majorly sucked. I mean majorly. But apparently a bunch of people who signed up for the full marathon only ran the half and when they crossed the finish line got the half-marathon medal. Leaving me with nothing. They're supposed to be mailing it to me, but I have to say that it won't be the same. There's just something about crossing the finish line and having a medal put around you neck. That I'm sure I won't get from opening it in an envelope three weeks later.

Well I guess I can check "run a marathon" off of my 30 things to do before I'm 30 list.


Monday, December 11, 2006 | 7:38 AM | LINK |

The Return.

I am not dead. I have not been sick. I've just been busy. Period.

I have been decorating, listening to music (more specifically the Vince Guaraldi Trio...A Charlie Brown Christmas is the only way to go), wrapping presents, working, trying to prepare mentally for a half-marathon, slow dancing in a burning room and finding that everything is easier said than done, weeping and wandering about the outdoors until 5am when Max the Wondercat was lost (he's safe now), learning about my hermit tendencies and thankful for friends who force me out of them, hearing these words constantly:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior...Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life..." Isaiah 43:1-4

I have been learning to be a possession for all the right reasons, wondering if anyone still eats figgy pudding, loving that my Dad keeps saying "Four Boys Hamburgers" instead of "Five Guys Hamburgers," wishing that Saturday morning cartoons were as awesome as they used to be, and praying that we would get just one good snow.


Tuesday, December 05, 2006 | 9:23 PM | LINK |