Oh no you didn't...

Right now, as I even write this blog post, I am layed out on the couch finishing the last 2 chapters of my book...(yeah, yeah, yeah, if you're one of my heckling friends I've been saying 'last 2 chapters' for quite sometime. But, seriously, this is it!)

For a little support, I am reading out loud as I write and Mark is helping me capture a more natural tone to the dialog.

Right in the middle of a pivotal scene between Jack and Elliot (my two main characters) I hit a wall. I'm stumped. I can't seem to find the natural balance in their dialog. So I turn to Mark, my handsome, witty, and helpful hubby, and I say,

"Jack, turns to face Elliot and says?"

To that, Mark says nothing. Nada. Silence. He just gives me that quizzical-I-don't-give-a-flip look.

Great, no help from the pep squad, so I continue to write out loud, talking as I type.

And I finally write:

As she inserted the key into the lock, Elliot felt his hand on her shoulder. She turned back around to face him.
“Elliot,” he said

And Mark inserts out loud "Become a Vampire with Me."

Love that Love...Engagements ROCK!

Seriously Tara, this was just supposed to be sneak peak. But, being the obsessed photog that I am, I went a little over board on your 'sneak peak. You two are so wonderful. I had a blast, thanks for sharing the good times with me.

LOVE STORY (Taylor Swift) meets VIVA LA VIDA (Coldplay) - Piano Cello - by Jon Schmidt

I cant tell you how inspiring this video. I am on the brink of actually finishing my first novel and (fingers crossed) having it picked up to be published...one can only hope.

Everytime I get in a slump and I cant stand looking at the text any longer, I listen to this song. The mood of it, the theme of the song, the feelings it envokes captures my book beautifully.

If you haven't listened to it yet, let me know what you think. Luv, erin

I HUNG UP THE PHONE.

Are you Freakin' Kidding Me? That's what I wanted to say, but didn't. Instead I bit down on the inside of my lip until I couldn't take it any more and I hang up that damn phone. (Pardon my English...but I'm pretty something right now)

Over the last month I have felt like CRAP. Tired, bloated, DIZZY, sweat pits, and a slew of other things I probably shouldn't mention here. Needless to say, I felt like and still feel like CRAP. So much so that while teaching step aerobics last week I fell off my step.

After a month of frustration, I finally went to the doctor. Begrudgingly paid my fifteen dollar copay (yeah, think of the great yardsale finds I could buy with that) and went in to see the doc. He checked my ears, eyes, throat, lungs...and some other areas (hm. hm. hm.) And then had the nurse take my blood for blood tests. Being the strong person that I am (hm. hm. hm.) I endured all the exams and the bloody test. We talked about my symptoms and he concurred that it most likely was my thyroid not functioning correctly again. Oh well, at least I know that can be fixed with a little bit of meds.

I waited patiently until the doc finally called back yesterday. I was ready to jump in my ghetto truck and cruise down to the Walmart to pick up my prescription, WHEN, the doc said it wasn't my thyroid! What the friggin' crap? Then what? He suggested I come in for another exam and more tests.

So I said, "Do I have to pay another fifteen dollar copay?" and he says, "Um, yes."

Of course that's ridiculous, so I hung up the damn phone on him! (and swore in a not so under my breath manner...there's no way I am paying another fifteen dollars of precious yardsaling money to have the doc poke and prod me.)

ASK THE AUDIENCE: Don't you agree with me? That's fifteen dollars!!!

Cass and Kai

These two came to visit this past week. Once upon a dream (ahhhh...sweet Hawaii) I lived in the lush land of Laie, and while there these two lived right down the road. Now that we've moved to the 'mainland' I haven't seen these guys in quite some time. It sure was fun to hang out with you two. Luv, Erin

Hold up...WEIGHT a second!

True Story: Jay Weight and I went to Prom...ok, didn't mean to jump into the AWKWARD zone, but I couldn't help but bring up that walk down memory lane. Good thing too, because, had we not gone to prom...then maybe all these years later I wouldn't have been given the opportunity to take his family's shots! And what a dang good lookin' family they are. Today I went over to the Weight home and spent a couple hours (sorry Weights, I yap a lot!). We had some good times taking pictures of their new born sweet baby boy. Love it! Thanks Weights.
ahhh, caught this shot in mid yawn...

oh, how I love sleepy newborn baby. And if that baby wasn't darn cute enough, here are the other kiddos! I LOVE THEIR EYES!

Thanks again fun Weight family. Luv, erin

Henry and the male body parts

True Story:

Last night George sat at the kitchen bar as he read his reptile book. Flipping through the book he made at school, he read, "Lizards have different types of testicles."

I said, "What? Read that again."

"Lizards have different types of testicles," George harrumphed as he rolled his eyes. Obviously I wasn't listening to him.

"No George," I insisted. "I don't think that is what it really says." I walked around the bar to get a better look at his book. Peering over his shoulder I glanced at the pages of his hand written book. Sure enough, I couldn't decipher what he'd actually written. Phonetically speaking, he could have been right.

Shrugging my shoulders I suggested, "Well, I don't think you meant to write the word testicles . . ." And then I proceeded to explain that the testicles are a part of the male body.

Before I got half way through my explanation, Henry gave me an over-exaggerated eye roll and said, "Mom, I really don't think that's something you should be talking about. Come on. I think we know what the boy balls are."

Speechless. I seriously stared at him in shock, my mouth gaping open.

That pretty much sums up my Sass-a-frass Henry. I love him to death, but sometimes I just gawk at him in disbelief. Today my super say-it-like-it-is kiddo graduated from kindergarten. I am so proud of him and love him even more for his spunky outlandishness.

George.

Eh batter batter batter. Sun high in the sky. The smell of nachos and popcorn in the breeze. The swish of a fast swinging bat. I love little league. George, my oldest at a whopping eight years old, is playing for the Orem Mets this year. Sure he still shies away from the ball when its flying at his face, but he's a swinger. George will get out there and let the bat rip. I love this kid! Look at George go for the ball.

Grampa and lovely little Ruby checking out big brother.

George's favorite position, Catcher.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS: 101 to Advanced

Can you believe Summer is almost here? Since the summer months can be so jam-packed with activities, we are limiting our photography classes to JUNE only. Though, fear not, I will be holding a handful of Saturday Workshops throughout the summer to help you perfect your portraiture to candid photography abilities.

Here's the SKINNY:

What - Photography 101 to Advanced. Yes, I have probably spread myself a little thin over the last few months, so that is why I am combining our 101 and 102 classes. Whether it's 101 or 102, this class will rock your world. You can be sure to walk away with a full understanding on how to control your camera and capture the exposure you want. From shooting basics to creative manipulation in photography, this June class will be a GOOD TIME, whirlwind.

Spaces - Because of the interest in the class, I have only 5 seats left. Please email me: erinsummerill(at)hotmail(dot)com if you would like to sign up. Don't hesitate...I feel so so so sad when I have to turn someone away.

When - Wednesday evenings in June from 7:30pm - 9:00pm.

Where - Though the location may vary depending on specific shooting locations, most classes will be held at Hansen Mountaineering, in Orem, UT.

The Story of my Life

Chaos. Crazy, wild, spinning out of control-that pretty much sums up my day to day life.
For instance, I get a phone call on Thursday morning from my life-long chum, Bobbi, informing me she's coming into town. HOORAY! Since she lives in the foreign world of Missouri, it's not very often that I get to see her. I was elated.
Needless to say, on Friday, I called her and said, "Hey let's play today. I need to go to BYU for the young adult literature book sale, wanna come?"
Then she was like, "for' shiznit!" ...ok, not really, but she did need to go to Provo and since I was going there it didn't take much to convince her to hop along with me.

After rushing around in the morning to help another friend prepare for their perfect yard sale, I met up with Bobbi just after one. Take in mind, I needed to be at BYU promptly at 2:15 and I also had just promised a friend that I would pick her up too. After loading up the kids and picking up Bobbi, we rushed over and picked up Tonja. Time was running short, so I stepped on it...so to speak.
We arrived at BYU precisely at 2:15, with not another minute to spare (DANG, I'm good!)

After shopping briefly, loading up on excellent YA fiction, I checked the clock. We had precisely 16 minutes to meet up with my cute cousin Jarom, load the kids in the car, and haul Bobbi to where she needed to be at 3:00.

No Sweat!

We rushed out, met Jarom along the way and piled into the car. As I pulled out of my parking spot, I immediately noticed my van was not driving so smoothly. WHAT THE? I jumped out and found a FLAT TIRE.

Quickly, I unloaded the kids, Tonja, my cousin Jarom and Bobbi. I called my mom to run Bobbi to where she needed to be (now only having 7 minutes left to get there) and I proceeded to empty out the van in search for the spare tire and the jack.

Here I am working hard on changing the tire...he he he.
Here I am, jacking up the car and breaking a sweat.

Where are the kids during this entire shenanigan? Oh, being watched under the shade of the oak tree by my lovely friend and photography co-teacher, Tonja.

Here's Jarom taking a lesson from me on how to properly change a tire.

And of course, when I was done, tired, and sweaty, I decided we HAD to stop at the BYU creamery for a cold treat. Thank you Teddy and your one-eyed pirate wink for perfectly catching the moment.

And such is a day in the life of me and my crazy family...

Monday's Fit Tip Mania...The BEattitudes

BE-Attitude- Be Forgiving.

I have heard this a thousand times over. "I'll start to eat good, but then I'll have one bad day and that ruins me." Why is that? To be pointedly honest, I am the queen of this. Guilt. Frustration. Defeat. These are all emotions that hold us back from our goals. And because of this, a minor slip up (or a major one) can send us reeling off track from our goals. So much so that it can point us in the opposite direction. Have you ever set off to lose weight, only to end up gaining a few pounds? It isn't unheard of . . . no, in fact it happens quite often.

How do you get past that cycle? Simple (well, simply enough said) BE FORGIVING. You have to get over those times that you've let yourself down. Minute by minute this needs to be done. Don't procrastinate that forgiveness to the next day. Too many times I hear, "OK, I slipped up today, I'll start again on Monday." That is what the evil Fat Goddess wants you to hear. Kick that Chunk Butt Fat Perpetrator that sits whispering no good nothings on your shoulder TO THE CURB. If you want to reach those goals, feel great for the summer, look rockin' in a pair of capri's, then FORGIVENESS now, for that brownie you just downed will keep you from eating the rest of the pan.

You need to tell yourself. "Oh, well I slipped up, I am just jumping back on track RIGHT NOW!"

ASK THE AUDIENCE: What do you do when you have a big slip up?

Ruby Ruby Ruby...I Just Cant Get Enough

Kayleen, my wonderfully talented, photographer friend popped on down for the weekend with this lovely piece of FRINGE! How cool is it? Kind of weird...but super cool. So, of course I have my little model on hand. Ruby had a great time playing around (and by playing, I mean eating) the fringe. So here are just a handful of shots from yesterday. I think my favorite is the first. Even though she's eating the fringe I love her interested expression. What a doll.

Oh, and Thanks Finn and Tracey for the hat. It's a good thing I spent time at your yard sale. Now you know the real reason I was so interested in helping out.

Embarrassed . . . no MORTIFIED

Really...there aren't a lot of things that embarrass me, as you probably already know (like this post). But, today when my Partner In Crime, my Photography Co-Teacher, the ever witty Tonja Merryweather, called me to tell me there was a full page spread in the Daily Herald about ME, I freaked.

Why? Of course I knew they might run a 'small' article about aerobics in the paper because a lovely reporter came to my classes and asked me a slew of questions. That was not the embarrassing part. In fact, you can come ask me fitness questions any time of the day and I'll spout something off. It may not be coherent or even entirely accurate, but it'll be worth a try.

So why again am I so stinkin' embarrassed? OH YES, I did remember to say to the lovely and quite friendly reporter, 'Please let me know if they want to come and take a picture, that way I can make myself look rockin' hot'. (I'm pretty sure those were my exact words). So the other day, when I didn't feel like going to aerobics at all, I yanked on a grungy Jack Johnson T-shirt, an old pair of shorts and left for the Gym...secretly hoping NO ONE would be there so I could mosey on home again.

To my EMBARRASSMENT not only was the class full, but there was a photographer there too. A male photographer! Agggghhhhh. I expressly mentioned to him to only take shots of me from the neck up and while I was smiling sweetly at the camera...but I think he FORGOT.

So, there you have it. Two, not so flattering shots of me are pasted across the Daily Herald for all to see, oogle, gawk at, laugh at and discuss in not so friendly terms, "What the Heck is she wearing?"

Get Chili...WATCH THIS.

Seriously WATCH this entire thing! It is FREAKIN' HYSTERICAL. I am not even kidding. I could not stop laughing. Tell me what you think. This is a video made by a bunch of crazy boys in Rexburg, ID.

Plaisted Family

Ok, I shot this family in Washington and I LOVED them...first off, the kids have the world's bluest eyes...you'll see when you scroll down farther...second, the dad of the family is a BEE CHARMER...no joke. He is a Bee Man! Or a Bee herder, or a Bee something or other...You get my point. He work's with bees and honey. Is that awesome or what? OK, and the third reason I think this family rocks, is because we were walking down the road and I caught the scene in the picture below! It was for real...I whipped out my camera and snapped away. Thank's Plaisted family for the fun times and the rockin' shots.

Seriously So cute! And the wagon...love it.

I love this next picture because it reminds me of the AT&T commercials...or cingular...whatever.

This kid is a cutie-patootie with the BLUEST eyes ever! Don't they totally rock?

Hey Katie...

I don't know the rest of the words to that Katie song, but here are your lovely shots. I think you guys were great and very funny..(blush). Thanks for letting me shoot your kids...ha ha ha...I just thought that sounded funny to say. Really though, I enjoyed the time we spent together. And double thanks to Renee and Kim for the ASSIST! You two rock!