Wife, Where Are You? UPDATED!

Sorry I haven't been a regular on here.  Is anyone else having this issue?  Or am I just a slacker!?  My main problem is it's hot and dry and there's not much going on outside.  All the animals are trying to stay in the shade.  We're not messin' with them.  We need rain so bad!  This is the neighbor's corn crop.

Pitiful, huh.  Sad really.  The farmers are losing all their crops.  Ranchers are selling off their herds.  No hay to feed, no grass growing, feed prices keep going up!  Had a streak of 9 days over 100 degrees.  Today we had a cold front come in, it was 99 degrees with a heat index of 106.  Small chance of rain tonight.  Fingers crossed!!

Well enough with the doom and gloom, how about some good news!

Okay, this is not good news.  A friend of our's was diagnosed with a brain tumor in April.  He had surgery to remove it.  It was the size of a LEMON!  Now he's doing chemo and radiation.  We attended a fundraiser for him this past Saturday.  He is in really good spirits.  He told the Husband you just never know when something like this can happen.  He had a headache that wouldn't go away, went to the doctor and BOOM, you have cancer!  So we went to the fundraiser.  It was a steak dinner, feedlot sortin' and auction at his cowboy church.  Awesome turn out.  I so miss that area and the people.  Just good 'ol country folk.

I took two of my framed prints, hoping they would bring in some money.  Well they brought in almost $400!  How crazy is that!? I was ecstatic.  Plus I got a photography gig photographing buckin' bulls for Christmas presents.

We bought a hand full of stuff at the auction too.  My favorite buy was this...

A zebra print petticoat!  You should have seen the look on people as the Husband bid on that for me! ;-)  Of course we had to explain I was going to use it on dogs.  I had Harley model it the next day.  He was NOT a happy camper!

What else is going on?  Well, I have a photo shoot with a shelter dog on Saturday. Can't wait to do it.  Have a volunteer modeling for me.  We are doing a rocker style theme.  I wanted to do something more creative with the shelter dogs.  Another way to get them in the public and show how awesome they are .  Hope to do many more styled shoots.  I have all these ideas in my head.

My 4 Paw Project bracelets came in.  I put a link on the side bar to buy.  They are $2 and all proceeds go to my local shelter.  Even the Husband is wearing one!  I couldn't believe he asked for one.  And he's sold some at his work.

OH!  I set up a morning in July to do mini pet portrait sessions.  30 minute session in a local park for $50.  $25 of the cost goes to the shelter.  In less than 24 hours of posting the event, all but 3 time slots were filled!  I was totally amazed!

OMG! I had a local doctor contact me today.  She wants me to come to her home and take pictures of her SIX dogs!  And pictures of her office staff for her website!  I'm excited but REALLY nervous.  I'm waiting for that thing called confidence to kick in.  Yep, still waiting!

ALSO, a pet therapy group contacted me.  They asked if I would take their member photos.  Of course, I said!  I would be honored!  So I am donating my time to them.  Will provide the President with a CD to use online.  Then if the members actually want a picture, they can purchase them.

Oh, oh, oh....The shelter asked if I would give adopters a special discount.  I had thought about it.  But never went to them.  They are awesome in promoting me.  So now, when you adopt from the shelter, you will get a special discounted pet portrait session!  It is part of their adoption packet!

Okay, one last thing...the non-profit spay/neuter clinic updated their website with the pictures of the staff I had taken for them.  They are so happy with how they turned out.  That makes me happy.  The director asked me what they could do to promote me.  I told her I just wanted to do something nice for them and help bring in money.  She posted on their site about me and I think that's what brought the doctor knocking!

So it looks like all my success in my charity work is spilling over into my business.  It's totally cool.

I forgot!!!! Yesterday, I was notified that a picture I entered into a contest made the cut and is now in the next round of voting.  All I need are votes!!  You can click HERE to vote.  I am "D", the momma cow licking her baby.  You don't have to give your name or email for your vote to count.  Only one vote allowed per computer.  I was greatly appreciate it!!