My late-stage 2020 Resolution (because Lord KNOWS nothing I promised to do January 1st actually happened)…..blog more. I figure I used to blog consistently until life got in the way. I can do it again now that we are all stuck inside and distancing and such.

So here goes!

LISTENING TO: I’ve added quite a bit to my road-trip play list. Lately I’ve been enjoying Bleachers, Avett Brothers, and The Mountain Goats.

WATCHING: Well, lately it’s been all political stuff, which is starting to wear on me (same, right?). Pete Souza’s documentary The Way I See It left me a sobbing mess. Immigration Nation on Netflix did the same. We’ve been watching scary movies with the kids leading up to Halloween, including their first viewing of Teen Witch…an important milestone for any kid, I’m sure.

My one silver lining was Schitt’s Creek. OMG, this show. I love love love LOVED it.

READING: Not a dang thing. Sigh. I wish I was making time for reading….but alas, I’m not. Don’t have the brain space right now.

We are 7 days out from the election. For the past 13 years I’ve tried REALLY hard not to let politics seep into my business presence on the internet……but honestly, at this point, the gloves are kind of off….so to speak. If people don’t realize by now that I’m not a fan of Donald Trump (that’s saying it in the NICEST way I can possibly muster)….then, well….let this be your notice. I’m not a fan of Donald Trump. I look forward with rapt anticipation the day we never have to hear that man’s name or hear his voice again.

VOTE guys. VOTE VOTE VOTE.
I strongly believe that in the current political and social climate, it’s almost irresponsible to stick your head in the sand and pretend it doesn’t affect everything and everyone. Especially if you are a person of privilege. I am a person of privilege and it helps no one if I pretend what is happening to my fellow human beings isn’t happening. Having a business in the midst of that means making a decision: are you a human being or are you a marketer? Do you care more about “likes” and virtual head-pats than doing what is right?

I think 2020 has exposed a lot of people’s seedy underbelly…..and it’s opened MY eyes to what kind of business and online presence I truly want to have. Honesty and TRUE, authentic speech being paramount. That will not always happen perfectly, as I’m human and flawed as all get out…..but it’s always on my mind when I post….when I market….and when I am with clients. Humanity and decency before all else.
We are currently doing school virtually for all three girls and it’s….well, it’s something. Molly has really taken to it…..Bridget pretty much just colors and makes letters, so no problem there…..Betty has struggled a bit and will probably be returning to in-person classes sooner than later. We’ve been fortunate so far that no one in our little bubble has been sick and we’d like to keep it that way, but we do realize that eventually we are going to have to rip that school bandaid off.
I’m going to be trying my darndest to get my butt back to SOME semblance of a workout routine. I did Crossfit for a few years until Molly got sick and I couldn’t really drag my “I’ve been up 15 times during the night” butt up at 4AM for Crossfit. So, my routine fell to the wayside. I have most definitely gained the Covid 19. Covid 25 more like it. I’ve spent 7 months sitting on my butt brooding and eating fatty things.

Our condo association has a gym and pool, so I’m going to try to use that to my advantage. We’ll see what happens. I figure I’ll either stick with it and be back to my “normal” size by next wedding season or I’ll decide to hunker down for another 7 months and embrace lumpiness because carbs are tasty. Stay tuned.
SPEAKING of weddings….wedding season over here is pretty much winding down. It was memorable, for sure. Lots of mini-weddings which I honestly really enjoyed. Sometimes paring down and having just an intimate gathering is pretty great.

Weddings for 2021 are already booking fast and furiously. I had to reschedule quite a few from 2020 so we were already ahead of the game as far as booking up. So, if you are looking to get married in 2021, you’re gonna want to slide on over to the contact form and give me a jingle. The links to the package PDFs are on that page as well.
I’m also working on an Elopement package to tie into the rise in “mini-weddings”. It’s going to be called Ope! We Eloped! and will include all-inclusive travel + coverage packages. Keep yer eyes pealed for that!
We tried Miss Molly on an insulin pump a few months back. It was an epic fail. This whole diabetes thing is such trial and error. Sigh. She absolutely hated….but we hold out hope that someday we can try again.
My husband and I have been cross stitching together this entire shutdown time. He’s managed to complete several projects to my 16% done on one project which just goes to show who has more free time. :) I kid….I kid. Sort of.
We lost Ruth Bader Ginsburg…..which was, of course, the rotten cherry on the shitty sundae that is 2020.
The family and I attempted a “Time of Covid” socially distanced vacation to St. Germain in the Northwoods in September. We rode the family vacation struggle bus a bit….entertaining three kids of varying ages in a cabin is a FEAT, let me tell you. But, it was nice to be on the water, fishing, and I wish we would have had a few more days to soak in some quiet. That’s what I keep repeating to myself: I just need more QUIET.
I realized just this week that I started writing back in the “before times” and had managed to knock out over 15,000 words on a project before everything went to hell. Will maybe try to revisit that this winter.
SENIORS! We actually has a pretty great senior season, considering all the upheaval. Senior Season is over now for Class of 2021, but I will start looking for Senior Reps for the Class of 2022 in January. If you want to be in on that, make sure to sign up for Type A Mail to be the first “in the know”. Rep-hood comes with discounts, so you definitely want to get in on it!
If you own a small business in Wisconsin, like me, make sure you check out Phase II of the We’re All In Grants. There’s no rule that you have to have support letters this time, so signing up is SUPER easy.
So what do we have coming around the bend for Type A? Well, LOTS of marketing material updates to prepare for 2021. Some changes in my pricing structure (nothing insane)….and the most WONDERFUL time of the year: The Cyber Monday Double Up Sale. That kicks off November 29, so make sure you’re getting Type A mail so you know all about it as soon as it starts. Don’t want to miss out on 50% off now, do we?
If you’re looking to schedule holiday portraits, we can make these work (either in your home, with a mobile studio, or on location). If you’re wanting these for holiday cards you better get your booking in ASAP!
Like I said, I’m going to be trying to blog a heck of a lot more (about industry and photography related stuff, not just….you know….random rants. If you’re looking for that, may I suggest Facebook lol). So, stay tuned!
Here’s some personal shots from the last few months. I’ve been woefully underperforming on personal images…..must get better at that as well!