cindy asked "where do you live in Kansas?"
well cindy…that feels strange to just blurt it out to the world…so i will say
in the very middle of the state.
the good part.
and she asked "what tips do you have for starting a photography business?"
i decided to just give it a try…said yes when people asked me…even though it made me feel sick to my stomach the first 10 times at least.
but i put no pressure on myself.
meaning i said "if this doesn't work, if i am away from my family too much, if i am not good enough, if i am not happy then i will say at least i tried it." and that would be that.
i have not put any money into marketing the business yet.
it has all been word of mouth…
so my biggest tip is get out there and try.
misty asked me "how do you edit your photos?"
i use the software with iPhoto for all my personal pictures.
i use that and Picnik for my work photos. i want to learn photoshop but i am big fat chicken.
but it's on my 35 things list so sometime this year i will do it.
she also asked "how do you get so many people to follow your blog?"
misty…you meant that in a nice way right?
i am sure you did.
i think people come here because….it's colorful…bright…cheerful….focuses on the good…
lots of fun places to click that aren't ads..
or maybe it's to laugh at how cooky i am to have five kids and drag them all over the country for photos?
my first big break was today's creative blog. and the inspired room after that.
those were when my stats jumped big time for the first time.
but i am certain they don't come for long wordy post like this one that focus on ME ME ME.
and she asked "can you give tutorial on tye dye?"
maybe someday…but it was so stressful this summer that i couldn't focus.
i just use the box they sell at walmart in the craft dept. and followed the instructions…you can do that!
AND SHE ASKED…"how did i learn to sew?"
i took home ec in high school and made a lovely maroon and yellow Trojans sweatshirt that was never worn because i made it way too small for me on accident.
but then when i quit selling Creative Memories (fun fact right there)
i had a small amount of money to spend…
i bought a wicker loveseat (that my husband threw away when we moved to ks…w/out asking me!!!)
a chenille bedspread (that is now been made into pillows all over etsy)
and a $99 sewing machine from sears with my mother.
she taught me how to thread it, sew a straight stitch and even make a button hole…that was awesome.
thanks mom.
sara asked "what is your favorite room in your house?"
i guess it's the kitchen. i spend 98% of the day in there so…
the kitchen.
and she asked "what is your favorite restaurant?"
in wichita? Red Rock Canyon…i love it for dinners with craig on a date.
it's dark..i have a thing for lighting in restaurants…i don't like to see other people.
and it's good food..a real treat.
but i will never order the Moo, Cluck and Oink because it's just WRONG.
on a date you should never have to say those words.
period.
so i order the steak and glazed carrots and smashed potatoes and i am one happy woman.
and my MIL makes cinnamon rolls so i don't think i have had the breadbasket's.
but i do love their coconut cream merrengae pie.
mindy asked for some "tips on organizing"
ha ha ha.
good one mindy! you have my family crying with laughter.
i apologize profusely if i have given the illusion that i am organized…
i am not.
we have a few routines but i usually mess those up too.
the chore chart is probably as organized as i get.
and the two middle kids switch off unloading the dishwasher and the two oldest switch off loading it.
i also do things like forget to pick my kids up from events…
miss programs or promotions…
lock my babies in the car with the keys accidently which resulted in mall security rescuing us…
burn food almost every meal…
and my house is a mess!
abby and sara asked "how did you choose your children's names?"
lauren is named after my sister Lorel.
scott is named after craig's brother that was still born…sweet baby scott.
sean is a name we both liked.
talby is a name i heard (friend of craig's whom i have never met) when sean was a baby and i saved in my head for the next baby. i love it. it's so perfect for her. (it's pronounced like talbot's but it's tal-bee)
and miss annie…we decided when we looked at her. ann is a family name too.
cassie asked me "have you learned how to cook pork yet?"
it's only been two weeks!!! the answer is no.
but craig made some kind of pork in the crockpot on sunday and it was goooooood.
Heather asked me "why don't my pictures with my new SLR look any better than with my point & shoot?"
you have to mess with your settings…read photography blogs and do what they say…read books…
ashleyann…karen russell…they give great tips and i have learned a lot from them.
but just using your auto green square setting won't get you better pictures.
i change my settings almost every time i pick up my camera…because your light is different each time.
and she asked (and many people have asked me this) "how do you get your picture so big on your blog?"
i don't know anything about blogspot.
sorry.
AND she as
ked "will you sell your prints on etsy?"
maybe someday i will heather…when i have some time to focus on the shop…this winter? hopefully.
meaghen wanted to know "how are your indoor shots so bright."
i shoot in bright rooms. our kitchen has two walls that are all windows…so it's bright.
i don't shoot in the dark rooms.
and she asked "what does craig do for a living"
he's a latex salesman.
he's an architect.
he works for the yankees.
another heather wants to know "how can i see chippendales in kansas with you?"
oh heather…i tried to take you…but you insisted on going on a week long trip to hawaii with your husband instead. ha ha ha ha ha
Kelly asked "can i move in with you"
i might consider this kelly if you agree to take the morning carpool run.
i really dislike getting up at 6:30 and driving all around our town in the near dark listening to
fighting kids and radio disney.
and you'd have to take over the laundry too…my enemy.
erica asked "did you always want a big family?"
yes erica, i did.
always.
craig says five is enough.
and i respect him because he is my wonderful husband.
so i only bring up how i long for more babies once a week or so.
but i will agree with him very much that it is not easy having such differing ages in the house.
a high schooler and a baby would be hard for me.
i could do it…but it would be exhausting.
jennifer asked "can i set up a photo session with you?"
yes. but in the spring.
i took my last photo session of 2009 today!
i will use november to finish editing every shoot i have left
and then i will spend december with my family.
then i will sew and fill my etsy shop all winter.
then i will start back up with photo sessions in the spring.
i only take pictures outside (except newborns…they are done in my kitchen all year round) so
with this weather…i am done till spring.
jennifer…i will put your email address on my spring schedule list…thanks!
who else would like to be on that list? email me.
diana asked "are we related?"
you have duerksen spelled differently in your comment…so probably not.
but if that was a typo then probably yes.
you know these communities…we are all related pretty much…it's that mennonite blood.
not mine but craig's.
keri asked "what bible study are you doing right now?"
i was going to write a post on that this week! thanks for asking.
we are studying Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow.
i really really like it…and i don't get anxious.
and she asked "are you dressing up for halloween?"
no. craig even suggested we skip it this year all together…but the kids wont' agree to that!
we quit buying new costumes a few years ago.
they have to use what we have or come up with something on their own.
no one is ready in the least…it's one day away for school parade, etc.
AND she asked "what is your dream job?"
ok…this is corny…i know…
i have my dream job keri.
i am serious.
i love being a mom and a wife…and now a little bit of a photographer/artist thrown in.
i don't think anything else could satisfy me.
but if you want me to DREAM…let's see…
george clooney's assistant?
i wouldn't get anything done though because i would just be staring into his eyes all day long!
and the last question was from erin… "what did you decide to do with the 3rd floor?"
boring answer for the last question…nothing.
we have many projects in our heads but nothing that we are ready to start on soon.
but i liked the idea of filling it with beds like a dorm…think Facts of Life.
ok…my fingers hurt.
and my eyes are burning from staring at this computer screen.
that was the longest blog post i have ever seen.
go get some visine so you can carry on with your day…i am so sorry.
thanks for asking.
if you like this…let me know in the comments and maybe we'll do it more often.
Robin - I just finished copying Annie’s cake for my 4 year old’s birthday party tomorrow. It is just perfect for him. Love your style! Thanks!
elisa - Oh man, soooooo hard to watch them grow up!
Happy Birthday Annie!
Mandi - Happy birthday Annie!!
Sam - Happy birthday Annie! Looks like you had the most perfect day!!
Pineapple Princess - Happy birthday to the amazing Annie!
God bless your year!!!
Diana - What, you don’t know who “the boss” is?!?!
Okay, neither do I.
My grandkids play that game, too, LOL!
Happy Birthdayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, dear Annieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….
Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
AWESOME shoes, Annie! Very cool in orange!
Christina - Sweet day…
I love that she wanted to paint first thing! So cute. Is she a lot like you in many ways?
Melanie - Happy birthday Annie!
Looks like you did a great job on her special day.
I am waiting for you to stop by my blog. You know I leave Florida on Saturday, headed for northern Kentucky. Might be borrowing that hot cocoa machine for those cold winters. LOL
Becca Parker - Happy Birthday Annie! Congratulations on being one whole hand, it’s a big deal. I like your new shoes!
your cool friend Cheryl - Happy birthday to your baby!
Amy - I have an Annie myself…she is 6…I totally understand the ‘baby no more’ syndrome! WAAAAA!!! Great photos…what a fun day!
Kelly - ahhh!!! happy, happy birthday! what a lovely, marshmallowey goodness kind of cake. looks like a fantastic day! sweet sean. 🙂 love the painting picture. kelly
Tonya McDaniel - Happy, happy birthday to your sweet, baby, big girl! My baby turned 5 earlier this year…it’s unbelievable.
kristin - okay. conversation at our house after the swimming time:
did you have fun?
yes!
what did you like?
everything!
did you ever cry?
yes! i cried the WHOLE way to swimming and then i never cried again.
did megan help you?
yes.
did you feel safe?
yes.
why did you cry?
i wanted you.
but then you had fun?
yes!
so next time you won’t cry because you know how to do it!
oh, i will cry. i will cry every time. and then i will stop.
:: :: ::
sorry, meg. and thank you for helping my child through this!!!
Lisa - Happy Birthday to Annie! What a wonderful looking day she had! 🙂
julie - Happy, happy day to Annie. Pass me some cake please.
alice - i love your cake – it’s so cute! happy birthday, annie!!!
Ruth - happy birthday to annie! she is just fabulous. the cake is gorgeous. and the shoes… perfection!
Carrie K - okay…i want to be five again! what a great birthday 🙂
fantastic pictures mama!!
Gratsia - Happy Birthday!!!!! Looked like a fun day…yummy cake!
Cindy Ashmore - Happy Birthday Annie!!!!
Nancy M - The 5th birthday is bittersweet. Quick, have another baby!
Stephanie Carroll - Is it weird that I want to do on my birthday exactly what Annie did on hers? Only I’ll be 26. So what?
Simies - Happy birthday, Annie!
Cami - Happy Birthday Annie!!! I love her new shoes and the cake is awesome.
meaghan - that is one sugary looking cake! so cute!! she makes me want to have a girl so badly 😉 happy day annie!
Kate - Happy Birthday, Annie! 🙂
amy - happy birthday to your little annie!
isn’t it nutty how fast they grow up?
p.s. please send me a piece of that cake.
pretty please!
kat - Happy birthday, sweet Annie! Precious pictures, incredible cake, priceless memories. She’ll always be your baby! 🙂
jen@ourdailybigtop - What a great birthday! I’ll be with you soon – my baby will turn 5 in June. Sigh.
PS: Love the marshmellows around the cake – great idea!
Ashley - That cake is fantastic… the new shoes are VERY annie… Eliza’s card is awesome. I love how she used pom poms for the finger nails! :)… the money shot (ha) is classic… and Sean is a sweetheart. It looks like Annie had an amazing day. 🙂
juliann brenner - Happy Birthday Annie! I remember being preggo at the same time; which means Olivia will be five in a MONTH! Wow, time flies…. The cake you made would be O’s dream cake; chocolate with lots of sprinkles and marshmallows…perfect!
Cori Heffernan - Happy Birthday Annie!! My baby Molly will be 5 in march. She is the youngest of 4. I almost cried in Kohls when I realized I had to move out of the 2T-4T section.I don’t have T’s anymore :(. I’ve spent the last 10 years in the T’s!!
Karina - Happy birthday Annie!!! My oldest (of three) is five and I already feel like crying because they are growing up so fast. Thanks for the gorgeous pics, as always. Annie is a doll.
Roxie's Mom - I’m still trying to figure out what’s so weird about screaming for help and running from the boss. Sounds like a pretty normal day for most folk. 🙂
Tracy - Awww…. Happy 5th Birthday, Annie! Our kids are growing up WAY TOO FAST, Meg! My “baby” will be 16 in only 17 more days – wah wah wah – pass the kleenex back to me, would ya?! :o)
Beth Ann - looked like a perfect birthday!!!!
Sophie - Happy birthday Annie!
Gosh, she’s such a gorgeous little lady. (:
Erin Johnson - That’s one super cute cake! Chocolate cake seasoned with marshmallows… magic.
Crystal - Beautiful. You are a super mom…it will be exciting to see what the next chapter brings for you. 🙂 Hope you are well! I miss chit chatting with you! 🙂
sarah - Painting topless must be so freeing. 🙂
I love that Sean made her a birthday sign!!
Looks like a wonderful day for her 🙂
*Passing you some Kleenex*
Trish - ahhhh…. why do they have to grow up so fast! it won’t fit in with the theme of addie’s strawberry shortcake birthday, but i am so making that cake for her she would absolutely freak out!!!! and that is what it’s all about.
thanks for inspiring me on a “real mom” level and not a crazy, hard to obtain level!
Mother Runner - Happy Birthday Annie! We love you!
Hope your b-day dinner and time with friends was THE BEST!
Lisa Marie - Awesome…My Maddie Love Wendy’s too… 🙂
Blanca - Happy Birthday Annie!!!!
susie whyte - the sean story is too cute. i love it when you catch those little conversations.
my almost 4 yr old daughter is usually nearby the computer when i check in on the duerksen’s and she loves to see annie’s photos. paint, playing in leaves, dress-up, etc. she asks me if that’s her friend(she has a friend in germany that she only sees through pics on the computer). ha ha.
happy birthday, annie!! hope you enjoyed your awesome cake! 🙂
Kristine - i love the card from eliza! is it appropriate to copy it for a thirty-something birthday?! i must!
pve - I love that she got relief on her birthday. Five is a great year and I love that photo with the money. Priceless.
pve
amy - this is so beautiful and makes my heart pang for my future momma days! thank you so much for sharing, it looks like it was a perfect day.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Those pics were great Meg. The one with her holding the money to her face…priceless. Happy Birthday Annie!!
adrienneK - omg this is so sweet! and what a great cake!!!! i love the card and all the paint action!! i know its so weird ,zoe just turned four and im like…no…shes still a baby 🙁
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS ANNIE!!!!!
Lane - Ok, I want Wendy’s now! 🙂
Happy Birthday to Annie!
Sarah@Clover Lane - Happy Birthday Annie! That cake looks SO good!
Kimberlee J. - Glad to see she liked the boots!
Lisa - Looks like such a happy day!
misty - {happy birthday annie!!}
I loved all of the pics, as usual~ & what a SWEETHEART you have for a son =) & what would craig say if you told him you were ready for just ONE more baby?? My husband says we’re finished and we just have one… so I will call her my baby til she’s… well, FOREVER =)
danyele @ a thorn among roses - …and she’s so precious! swimming. suckers. new shoes. chicken nuggets. friends. painting. sounds like the perfect bday to me
Kathy - AH! Annie happy birthday!WOw! she is a big girl now Mom already telling you she is ready for school! Here I’m passing you kleenx right now!
Sarah - Happy Birthday to your little one.
se7en - AAAAWWW – Cutie-pie!!! Happy Annie’s Day… I hope five is a great year for all of you!!!
Toni :O) - I LOVE the birthday shot of her and her friend jumping into the pool with their swimmies…SO C.U.T.E.! Great, great shot! Glad she had a fun birthday, she is just adorable!
Flower Patch Farmgirl - Have you tried asking her to “please stay little”? I ask both of mine at least once a week and it hasn’t worked yet, but I’m not giving up.
I wish Calvin and Annie could play together. He would bring his Bob Ross palette.
traci - So sweet. happy birthday annie. i love her new shoes – they are so her!!!
sandy toe - You really capture the colorfulness of childhood…that cake is just great!
sandy toe
Erin V. - Oh my goodness, Annie is such a sweetheart! I’m glad she had a great 5th birthday! She will always be your baby no matter how old she is!
Lindy - Happy Birthday Dear Annie! My “baby” is 28, soon to have another baby of her own. Now, that makes you feel old.
Anna Marie - You need to give all of us Craig’s email list so we can talk him into letting you have another 😉
Happy birthday sweet little Annie!
{cute cake}
Nancy - I am right with you.. My little one will be 5 in a few months. That is a big year. LIke you said, Kindergarten. Just big stuff. I am sniffling for you. A dress rehearsal, warm up for me in March!
Sarah @ Dream In Domestic - Awww! Sweet Annie is five already! It looks like she had a great birthday. I love that she was painting topless. Oh to be that young again! That cake looks amazing, by the way. I can only imagine how good it probably tasted! Here’s to many more years of birthdays, because even though she may not be a baby, she will still be around the house for a long time! 🙂
Beth Ann - Awww, Happy Birthday, Annie! Looks like it was a great day.