Just for today...

...I am going to tackle my new years list with a realistic attitude.

For me, it's easier to think of life in a smaller sphere of time. When I go running I simply place one foot in front of another. I can't just start running thinking that I will run 20 miles. But I know that I can run 5 miles easily. I will just run 5 mile increments four times. You see, I suffer from (self diagnosed) fourteen-a-phobia. Anytime I have to run a distance farther than fourteen miles I feel fear. I am afraid of many things that might happen during the run but, mostly I fear that I won't be able to finish the distance. A couple of weeks ago I completed a fifteen mile run and the reason I got through it was thinking about taking each mile, one at a time. I went through 'my lucky list', which is where instead of thinking about the physical pain or negative things (ie.; it's too cold to be running, my knees hurt, I am hungry, I can't do this...) I choose to concentrate on the things I am thankful for, like how my AWESOME running coach will be waiting for me with hydration or how I am thankful to have family.... or cheese.

I truely believe that all big things were once something very small. So, this year my list will consist of all things small in hopes that in the end it will have become something much greater. Here is part of my 2009 list:

Just for today I....

will talk less and listen more.
will think before I act.
promise to ignore the person who will cut me off in traffic.
will make a better effort to let the elderly go before me in line at the grocery store.
will ignore the pile of laundry on the floor.
remind myself about the little things in life that really matter.
will laugh at myself.
will pray for someone who is suffering.
call someone just to let them know I was thinking about them.
remind myself that perfection is unobtainable.
try something new.
let go of something old.
pick up litter.
won't text message while driving.
donate my time selflessly.
will sleep in an extra 20 minutes, maybe 25.
make more time for my handsome hubby and my family.
will try to accept the things I cannot change.
am going to stand up for something I believe in.

Just for today, I will not suffer from fourteen-a-phobia.

Phong + Trang + Khang.... my extended family.

I met Phong and Trang several years ago when Eastbrook Studios was just getting off the ground. Many of my customers know Trang as my 'floating bride'. Trang is like a petite doll and just as lovely as one too! Over the past several years we have become more than customers to each others businesses. We have become friends and recently, with the birth of one of the most handsome babies EVER, I feel like we are family. Trang and Phong own Cafe Trang located off of Louisiana and Central, around the corner from my studio. Cafe Trang offers healthy traditional Vietnamese food that is addictive. Ohhhh and the fresh coconuts are scrumptious!


The famous 'floating bride' image. It was displayed at the state fair a couple years ago titled, 'She's a Keeper!'





Phong + Trang = the very gorgeous Khang

I just love how Khang is looking at his cousin in this image! So funny!

My extended family. :o) I had made a comment about how I think Khang looks like his Auntie Sarah.... really though I just like to think that he does!

Trang and Phong (plus baby Khang) have been very accommodating to my Eastbrook Studios family and also to my parents and brothers.... I really cannot thank them enough!

Stocking stuffers and the little things that count.

It's a quarter til' six and I am already up and rifiling through my stocking looking for the walnut!

As a child, I could hardly ever sleep on Christmas Eve knowing that Santa was bringing me goodies. I liked how all the tiny hand wrapped trinkets fit into the stocking. I loved that we were allowed to open them before mom and dad got outta bed. I remember one Christmas morning my younger brother, Daniel, opened his stocking pulling out all the goodies and then his hand revealed an orange and a few walnuts. Holding the orange and nuts, he very seriously whispered, 'Why does mom put these in here, it's not like we're gonna eat these.' Being younger than me, I didn't know that he knew that mom and Santa were close! Slightly stunned I started to giggle. With that, we both giggled. We tried to hold back our giggles but once we get started, it's always hard to stop! What made our giggles turn into a full roll of laughter was when our oldest brother, Mark, inquired from the back bedroom, 'What are you guys dooooing?'

Every year Santa brought us oranges and nuts. Every year after that we got oranges, nuts and giggles.

We didn't have a lot of money growing up and I feel blessed looking back knowing that other poor families may not have even had stockings. I am so thankful that we had stockings filled with trinkets and candy every Christmas. I am most thankful for the walnuts though.....thank you Santa for making each Christmas morning with my brothers the little things in life that count. Thank you for the nuts. :o)

Giving is AWESOME.

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography, Eastbrook Studios style, valued at $650. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a prize valued at $350. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:
* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)
* The nominee must reside in New Mexico. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.
* You must e-mail me the full story : sarah@eastbrookstudios.com

The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!
Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,
Sarah...... aka 'fotobug'

Jack Merrick 1908-2008

'It's just so hard to believe that he was born in 1908.' This was my husbands comment as we reminisced about his grandpas recent passing. It's true. It is so hard to believe all the changes that Jack Merrick went through in the hundred years of his life. Those triple digits, for many, is the magical wonderful number to reach. I know it is for me. So, what is the secret to living a long life? Jack knew. In fact, we can all learn how to live not just a long life but a happy life from Jack Merrick. It's actually quite simple. Humor.





My favorite memory of Jack happened while I was living in New Zealand nearly six years ago. Jack was telling me that he looked forward to going to his class reunion every year. He enjoyed catching up with his his old classmates and learning how they were treating their life. He explained to me that there were only three classmates remaining. And that was including himself! He had recently come from the annual class reunion and shared with me, ' I am looking forward to the next one. I wonder who will be left next year.......... ol' Jim wasn't looking too good.' And with that we both chuckled. That was the sense of humor Jack carried.

He looked forward to living life. He loved gardening and always sent visitors with freshly picked lemonades in hand. (Yes, they have lemonade trees in New Zealand. Looks like a bumpy lemon, tastes like homemade lemonade inside.) His house in Tauranga, NZ was the first house built on the block and so the street was named after him. He looked forward to something, whether it was going to church on Sunday, baking his own bread or spending time with his cat. Jack lost sight in his right eye when he was only 19 years old while clearing away thick thorn bushes from the lush New Zealand landscape. He drove until he was 93! Jack Merrick was a polite gentleman. Always waving as visitors drove away from his home, until all that was left to the human eye was a speck in the distance. Jack is survived by two remaining children, many grand children and great grandchildren.

If I were to guess, Jack was most likely the last person to survive in his class.

Courtney + Niquel = sisters

My customers are fun. there is no denying this. However, I have to admit Courtney and Niquel are SUPER extra DOOPER FUN! These gals have shared a wonderful balance of friendship, encouragement, love and even shared the truck with each other. My hope is that the sharing bond they have never ever ends. You both are so incredibly LUCKY to have that special sister bond.

I was totally tickled when I saw this backdrop for you gals..... lucky LUCKY you!

Courtney has a contagious smile. She smiles and we all smile.

How cute are they!?

Niquel has eyelashes all the ladies magically wish for...

Sassy.
I love this shot!


'The truck.'

This shot makes me think of all the pinkie promises that sisters always keep.

Thank you Courtney. Thank you Niquel. When I was on my way home from your photo session I felt like I was a teen again. It was the same kinda feeling like when my mom would pick me up from a slumber party too early and I really didn't wanna go home yet. I was giggling most of the way home. It was the best ab workout I had all week!

Aubry in San Diego.

There are so many people on this earth that have similar lives. Each day we all go through the motions of living yet each of us has our own version of the story. The story of life.

If I had a twin out there it would be Aubry. Our life stories are parallel in SO many ways. It's true- we are both directionally challenged! However, our similarities are mostly within the hardships we have experienced. You know, the part of life that chews you up spits you out and leaves you there with a choice. To be consumed by the pain or to get back up and stand. It's a choice. Aubry and I made the choice to stand back up every time the hammer of life would pound us into the ground like a tent stake. A simple decision to get back up is so pivotal because I believe it's the part of life that molds us, shapes us and makes us stronger each time we are tested. It defines who we are. If we didn't have an age difference, I would swear we were separated at birth.

Aubry is my cousin and I hadn't seen her in over twelve years. Last time I saw her she was still a spunky little girl. So, when she picked me up from the airport- I was in awe. When I looked into her eyes I saw my own. Before my visit I had imagined being a tourist while Aubry gave me a personal tour of the city. Aubry in San Diego unvieled something much much better to me. Instead of a city tour, we happily found ourselves stationary on her living room couch each day. We talked- that's it. She talked, I listened. I talked, she listened. Occasionally we breathed when we started to feel lightheaded. Oh don't worry, we took the occasional latte break to refuel before resuming our positions. After all, we did have many years to catch up on!

The second time I visited Aubry in San Diego we actually left the couch a bit more. We went to the backyard and took some pictures!

Here is Aubry in San Diego!

Gotta love her laugh!

She's a desert girl that surfs- it's total body work out. Here is the proof!! On a side note I must confess two things... 1. Aubry took me surfing and I learned that I cannot surf. 2. I am so jealous of her amazing surfers body!
This is a spin off of the classic cig shot- Aubry is not a smoker.

She is very flexible...

....and does this for her 'party trick.'
Spunk.

This is me and Aubry. The first photo we ever took together!
I love this one!

I am so proud of you Aubry. I know I should have told you this when I said goodbye to you at the airport or while leaving a permanent couch print in your living room. I admire you for breaking the cycles- for finding a way out of the hard circular patterns of life. Thank you for not compromising yourself or your values and for holding onto your spunk. I think about the words of Gandhi you hand painted on your wall: Be the change you wish to see in the world. Thank you Aubry! I love you for the person you choose to be.