facebook is for everyone!

About a year or so ago, I signed my Mom up for the ever fabulous Facebook. She never, ever, ever checked it....except when she decided to to delete it. A couple of months ago, I thought it time to try again. I see people of all ages enjoying the fun of Facebook and didn't want to see her miss out. So, I signed her up again and this time it seems to be working. I wanted to share her first exciting Facebook story with you, oh loyal readers of mine.

I can't remember if she called me or emailed me with her fun story, but it went something like this (paraphrased of course). "Oh Joy! You will never believe what just happened on Facebook! I got a message from my very first best friend from Greenville (in Alabama where she was born and raised). We were best friends in first grade until she moved away with her family. I had a baby doll named Rhonda Sue and she had the exact same doll that she named Donda Sue. She found me on Facebook!"

I laughed at first, at the fact that her friend named her doll Donda Sue! Then I realized how cool it was that her friend, Deborah, found her on Facebook. We aren't exactly sure how she found her because my mom's maiden name isnt listed, nor her hometown...so we might need to ask what detective work she did to find her. Maybe there just aren't that many people named Annabeth. Either way, it made my mom's day to hear from her. They have now started up a little email correspondence via Facebook. They had kept in touch through the years, up through college, etc but lost touch over time.

The coolest part of this story comes in with these pictures below. Shortly after my mom told me the story of Rhonda Sue and Donda Sue, she found this picture!!! My mom and Rhonda Sue are on the left.


She also found this precious article in their town newspaper (yes, this was apparently really news worthy) about the going away party my mom hosted for Deborah before she moved away. It was "Valentine's Day" themed. It outlined the food they had at the party, the decor, and the guests. What a fun article! Shows how much the news has changed in 50 years.





So, this goes to show you are never too old for Facebook. My mom is finding all kinds of friends! :)

the Goodwins are officially....rednecks!

So, Let me take you back to Christmas of 2008. What a wonderful year that was. We were surrounded by the people we love most in the world, watching each other unwrap gifts, enjoying the festivities when my Dad gets up to go get a "surprise present" for my mom. I love surprise presents, because usually I have helped him pick them out for her, but this time I had no idea what it would be. He brings out a rather large, long box and I am trying to think....a new gardening tool? A pretty bridhouse for her sunroom? What could it be? I looked over and saw my brother, Matt, grinning and I was immediately curious because- how could HE know what it is if I dont? I always help Dad with presents (well, at least with the ones Mom doesnt end up buying herself). Then she unwrapped something I would never in a million years have expected my mom to have.....A GUN! What?? My suzie homemaker mom has a gun? AND SHE IS SMILING ABOUT IT? This is no ordinary gun people, this is a certifiable redneck SHOTGUN. What has living in the country done to these people? I immediately got uncomfortable, I do not like guns. I do not like the sight of them, the sound of them, the stories about them. Nothing about them makes me warm and fuzzy. I did not even want to hear the rationalization as to WHY they got this gun (something about her not feeling safe while my dad is out of town and she is all alone in this big house in the woods...blah blah blah). Anyway, as soon as they put it away, I hoped I would never see or think of it again.

That brings me up to last week. Now that Brad and I are "home" for a while, we are enjoying the many amenities the Smith Road B&B has to offer. Movie theatre downstairs, pinball machine, pool table, fabulous sun porch, unlimited groceries at our disposal, etc. I never thought I would get involved in the entertainment of target practice! Matt was helping my mom clean her gun (that sounds oh so classy) and he mentioned that we should go shooting. I did not immediately knock the idea, which quickly reassured me that we are getting too comfortable here. I decided if mom could do it, I could do it. (I need to post a picture of the first time she shot at the target...when Matt and Dad only hit the target once out of ten tries, mom not only got it 3 out of 3 tries, but one was a BULLSEYE!) I wanted to prove that I was an equally strong woman, so I told Matt I would go. Mom, Matt, Brad and I walked down to the target practice area (yes, they have an area solely devoted to this new activity) and Matt got the guns (plural, Matt brought his pistol along just for fun) ready for us. Mom went first- see her photos below. After Matt, it was my turn. I was extremely nervous, understandably so. He got the shotgun loaded and ready, all I had to do was cock it. YIKES. that is scary. I felt like a bad guy, and I did not like the feeling. It took me forever to pull the trigger once, and as soon as I did... I started to cry! I am not a strong, woodsy lady. I am a puny, scaredy cat. I handed the gun over to Brad and let him try. Then I thought for sure that the pistol would be better than the shotgun, so I tried that. Nope, not any better. I cried both times and am glad I know now, I will never pick up a gun again. Now my mom on the other hand....just be sure you don't cross her in a dark alley.

Special Session Price!!!

I have an "I am back in town" offer on my website, check it out and tell all of your friends! $150 portrait session!

paint

Brad told me the other day that I should keep up with painting, he knows how much I enjoy it. However- the things I end up painting aren't necessarily things I would hang in my house. I love those whimiscal trees and the other things I have done, but I am drawn more to abstract paintings personally. The problem is that I cant paint the things I like! I have tried but it always ends up looking like I tried too hard. I won't give up on that just yet, but in the meantime I want your help. So, to all of you that said you liked my paintings- do you have any suggestions of something you would like? I am open to trying anything so send all suggestions, ideas, thoughts my way. otherwise, I will end up doing another whimsical something just for jollies.

Eden Jozef Tichy

I just posted some new photos on my phography blog. Check them out HERE!

I shot the president!

I was honored to be asked to photograph Pastor Johnny Hunt for his headshot for the wall of presidents for the Southern Baptist Convention.  Ms. Janet saw that I was coming home from Tennessee, and contacted me right away!  I felt honored that she would ask me, so of course I said I would!  Even though studio shoots are not usually my "thing" I was up for the challenge. I was able to use the media room at church and we got some great shots.  She even took one of me while I was working.  

I hope the fact that I had a shoot (and an important one at that) on my second day back in town is a good sign of how busy I will be in the coming days. I am working on some pricing specials for shoots booked in the next month or so, so if you or your friends are interested, please contact me!