Dulce Photography Blog

Let’s play a little round of Jeopardy…

Clue: A fuzzy blanket, lots of tea, a box of tissues, throat lozenges, and a Harry Potter Marathon all add up to this kind of day.

Answer: What is A Sick Day?

I don’t know what it is about this time of year, but I always get sick. It’s like clockwork. In fact, I’d almost go as far as to say that if I didn’t get sick around this time, I’d be worried that maybe the Mayans were right after all, and something bad was about to happen. (Albeit a little bit late at this point, I know.) So this year I simply sat back and accepted it. I mean, why try to fight the inevitable? I’m just glad it happened now and not towards the end of the month. (When something VERY exciting is happening for Jake and I, so stay tuned for that news!)

Plus, who can be upset when you get some serious cuddle time with this handsome fellow??? It’s puppy (er, old man) love.

Hope everyone has a cozy weekend!!

Dear Jake,

I don’t know why I always try to surprise you on your birthday. I’m not the sneakiest person ever, considering my poker face is basically as readable as that website with all the Chuck Norris jokes. But when I hid your present under my sink in the bathroom, I thought it was the perfect hiding place. You never look under there, and my plan was to set it out right before bed so you’d find it waiting by your sink in the morning.

Naturally, the one night I need you not to look, is the one night you do look. (Although I’ll admit, I think it’s awesome that you knew using a hair dryer would work so well to bend that plastic car piece back into shape. Your resourcefulness never ceases to amaze me.) When you went for the hair dryer I tried to stop you, to keep you from looking… but you saw it. I know you did. Even though you kindly pretended that you didn’t. We both knew.

Still, I set out the gift bag after you were in bed, and in the morning I scurried down the stairs to start your birthday blueberry muffins, smiling excitedly to myself as I thought of you making your way into the bathroom and finding your, um, semi-surprise present. But you came down the stairs and gave me a big hug and a kiss and told me you were surprised. Of course you did. Which made my whole day, in case you didn’t know. But I’m pretty sure you knew that, too.

So yes, I will continue to attempt to surprise you on your birthday. And maybe one of these years I’ll actually do it. But until then, I’m sure glad you’re the one I’m trying to surprise. And I’m thankful that I got to be a part of another year of your life. Each one just gets better and better. Love you so very much. Happy birthday, handsome. XO

Happy New Year everyone! I know, I know, it’s already January 2nd. But yesterday sort of turned into one last hurrah for the holidays. I took a break from work and slept in, stayed in my pajamas, watched TV, told myself it was the last day that calories don’t count (because we all know calories don’t count over the holidays), and I didn’t touch my computer. Not once. Which is quite a feat. (Ask Jake if you don’t believe me on that.)

It was a hurrah to 2012, but it was also an ode to 2013.

Because as great as 2012 was, there are some changes that need to be made this year. Particularly, changes in how I spend my time. My business grew a ton in 2012, which was nothing short of extraordinary for me. But it also swallowed me whole at the end there. I barely had time for family and friends, and my poor husband hardly ever saw me, even though we live in the same house. And that’s not how I want to live my life. Yes, I LOVE photography and I’m incredibly blessed to wake up in the morning and call this my job. But there are more important things, more important people in my life, and they deserve better from me. In fact, my clients do, too. I’ve realized I don’t have to take every single inquiry that comes my way. It’s better not to, actually. Better to say no to some and be able to give everything I’ve got than say yes to all and not have enough of me to go around.

In 2012 I learned the hard way… when you spread yourself too thin, nobody gets the best of you.

So this year is going to be different. This year is shutting off the computer at 5 and spending more time with Jake and family. This year is about consistent blogging and lots of attempts at cooking. This year is learning to say no and giving myself the right to have days off. This year is better planning and not letting laundry get the better of me. This year is having more efficient time management and taking more evening hikes. This year is working on keeping my office straight and, most importantly, my priorities straighter.

In the words of Eminem: You don’t get another chance, life is no Nintendo game.

Here’s to a new year. And here’s to making it the best one yet.