He broke 4 State and USA Records!

I have to show you guys the video of our son Breaking the State and US Record for a 15 year old boy Powerlifter. It was held at the Hilton Hotel in Houston and the last lift had to be moved outside because of the event taking longer than thought and the Hotel having another event to prepare for.

There were people from all over the state there!
So the last lifts had to be done outdoors of the hotel.
We are so proud of our son!

Faith the Dog

My employees are always telling me that i make them cry a lot. (good crying!) But i dont mean to, what I try to do is "INSPIRE" Others. To be a force for good and to be grateful, so when I find something inspiring, I always have to share it.
Here is Faith,a beautiful doggie. I first saw this dog on Oprah. When I was a child, I had a dog with only 3 legs, (a neighbor of ours shot him when I was a child because he had bit him once and he lost his leg because of it.) Our dog "Murgatroyd" still got around on 3 legs for years afterwards on 3 legs. Gosh I loved that dog.

So thats why this doggie touched my heart so much.

Meet Gabby!

I really do love dogs and Gabby was great. Ive never had a bad experience with a dog and i always get a good shot, not matter how hyper they are. Because I think they know how much I love them.

Those Burkburnett Girls sure are Gorgeous!

Another pretty Burkburnett gal! Thanks KB

THE STRONGEST 15-YR OLD BOY IN THE USA!

Ive only got a minute here Our son just Broke the State and National Record for powerlifting by a 15 year old boy! He Squatted 600 Pounds and set 2 new records! The meet is in Houston and is at the American Powerlifting Federation meet at the Hilton Hotel.

We are so proud of him. Photos and video to follow soon!

Thanks to all of you who have sent him words of encouragement and comments! He set his highest weight at 565 a month ago, we never dreamed he would jump to 600 Lbs today!

He has worked very hard the past month in training 6 days a week.

Todays quotes

"Remember, the greatest gift is not found in a store nor under a tree, but in the hearts of true friends." -- Cindy Lew

"It is never too late, nor too early to APOLOGIZE" - Oscar Wilde

windy and wild

Rebecca

i just love "Mercy Me"

Ive had this video on Myspacefor a while and thought Id share it with you. and the other one too is so beautiful. Mercy Me is an amazing Christian band. Love them.

Class of 2008 Senior Girls

We will be out of the Office this week.

Very Important:

Due to some important unplanned issues this week, the studio will be Closed until next Tuesday.

The studio will reopen next Tuesday with regular business hours.

Thank you for your patience.

Please send an email instead of leaving a phone message if possible

to PDixie@SW.RR.com

We will respond to them soon.

Trent

Reminds me of an Urban Outfitters Catalog

www.urbanoutfitters.com

Tiffany

Here are more shots of Tiffany. We had to finish her photo session this afternoon due to running out of sunlight on Thursday.

Thanks Tiff,(Derick & Michael) it was fun!

Easter Sunday

Wow, this is the earliest Easter Sunday has arrived in many years. From what I hear it wont happen again for another 200 years. Heres why it follows Passover and changes each year.
http://dzehnle.blogspot.com/2008/02/why-does-easter-follow-lunar-calendar.html

I prepared a big lunch for after church of Honey baked Ham (took 80 mins just to heat!) and scalloped potatoes (from scratch) Ceasar Salad, fresh rolls and Strawberry Angel Food cake.

I hope you all have a good one and remember the reason for the Season!

My easter lilly opened up a new blossom this morning (it wasnt open last night when I went to bed). They smell so nice! I just love lillies! Our son bought the tie with his own money yesterday. It has tiny crosses all over it. He loves to dress up for Church and for dinner.

Typing test

I took my first typing class in the 9th grade. I had a mean typing teacher in the 10th grade who Im thankful would not EVER let me look down at my fingers and Im a pretty good typist thanks to her.
I have long nails these days (about to cut them shorter, they are too long and artificial. But even with these long honkers I still did okay.
See how you do by taking this test here! Ms. Stephens would be proud. My son can type 62 words per minute!

70 words

Speedtest

High School Senior Girl

Wow,What a week! Ive shot a lot of appointments this week, but havent had time to post any, but here is one image from my last shoot today.

This young lady said she wanted something different and had seen my pictures in the mall.

She and her family checked out everyones web sites on the internet together and she kept coming back to ours.

im so flattered. It was my pleasure to photograph her today.

Thanks Tiffany. She's a sweetheart.

Heres one of my favorites from her 7 hour photo shoot today! (she bought both our More Session and our Safari sessions.)

Bluebonnetts in early-mid April.

Here is our family portrait taken last year by me! I just set the timer and jumped in quickly.

If you are thinking of getting bluebonnett portraits done of your child or family, then go ahead and give us a call and Get on the List.

This will be our 12th year to run this special! We have access to a patch that is always thick and gorgeous and that doesnt get "trampled down" by all the other photographers in town.

Just give us a call at 761-5111 and say you want "on the list". Oh! and Pets are always WELCOME TOO!

We Want you!

We've been receiving a lot of Resumes for our Office manager position. And we are narrowing them down. But we are still accepting more.


The hours are Tues-Friday 10-5:30. to work in our lovely studio, answering phones, scheduling appoinments and showing people their portraits and writing up their orders.





You get to work with people during the happiest times of their lives. There is a little bit of data entry and paperwork involved. We will train the right person. We are looking for someone who is upbeat, energectic, a people-person and who wants to work only a 4 day week with good pay.


We also offer a 1 weeks paid vacation, 8 paid holidays a year, and paid Birthdays off as well.



The office is usually busy, but not too busy and we only take 9 appointments a week.
The job is challenging but not too challenging and we give raises and bonuses twice annually.

Sometimes our clients make the best employees because they already love us! The closing date is April 1st, so please email those resumes soon.
if youor looking for something that isnt boring, but isnt too hectic then we are the right place!





Have a great day!


-Dixie

A good Day!

Super busy today with Photo shoots and the rest of the week, ill try to blog on Friday.!

Today was a great day! My housekeepers showed up today (instead of Thursdays like usual) and it was a very much needed surprise! They did an extra special job today!!!
I had the sweetest customers today. I heard from an old friend, who Ive missed a lot Francie from Amarillo! (Ive only known her since we were in 7th grade.)
and got some good news about a serious issue Ive been worried about. Also a former employee came by today (whom I love) , and got several nice emails tonight. And we've gotten the 33rd resume for our position thats coming open.

My hubby came home early and took care of our son and some errands for me (he even booked my hair appt for me)

Wound up the evening watching the Biggest looser (Brittany got voted off! boo Hoo! she looks a lot like my daughter.) and eating a great Pork Roast my husband made tonight. Praise the Lord! It was a good day. How was yours?

-Adios!
DD

GODIVA!

Here's some adorable chocolate items for Easter. I'm a connoisseur of chocolate and believe me, Godiva is one of the best. Ive even bought Godiva in Belgium, which is KNOWN FOR BELGIUM CHOCOLATE.

Enjoy!http://www.godiva.com/catalog/collections.aspx?id=23&page=1&pto=9999999&type=0

Rain Rain Go away? No stay!

Spring Break is here and its raining! Isnt that just par for the course. I have a lot of photo shoots this week, while students are out of school. I know we need the rain, and the farmers too, but man, it rained all night long! I hardly slept because of the lightening and thunder.

Looking forward to meeting all the Seniors. Im sure Im gonna need a massage by Saturday after this week.
Time to get ready.
Oh and drive careful, the roads are slick!

Spring has Sprung!

Well my family and I are enjoying this BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY! This is the nicest day Ive seen all year!

Heres a few images around the house. I love it when my house is clean and the windows are open and the breeze blows in.

Im going out to work in the yard some more. I hope you are all enjoying this nice Texas weather.

PLEASE KEEP OUR KEISHA IN YOUR PRAYERS. She is the beautiful young lady who is fighting cancer right now. Our prayers and love go out to you Keisha and your family. We LOVE YOU a lot!

Still taking resumes!

We are beginning to receive a few Resumes. We have a position opening up very soon! Please send your Resume to us at PDixie@Sw.RR.com

We need someone who is organized, likes people, to answer our phones, schedule my appointments and do a little bit of data entry and very light bookeeping. The hours are a 4 day work week, with weekends off! Tuesday-Friday 9:30-5:30. We offer good pay, vacation, 8 paid holidays a year, and a great employee discount on photography. We ask that you be people oriented and enjoy being around people during the happiest times of their lives. (wedding couples, babys, families and children.)

Send in your resume soon!, we will train the right person!

Neiman Marcus

Im ready for spring and that means pretty dresses! PATIO dresses they call them. One thing we like to do in our family, is have dinner outdoors at night by our pool. I always keep a nice table and chairs with tablecloth, candles and twinkling lights in the trees in the summer. For some reason food seems to taste better when its eaten outdoors.
This is the perfect dress to wear on a warm summer night for any lady! To see some gorgeouos dresses go here!

Ihttp://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/templates/SC.jhtml?itemId=cat000127&parentId=cat000111&masterId=cat000001&cmCat=

Family Portrait

I love this family, they are very sweet and beautiful! Even dad is so handsome. I first met them several years ago when their oldest was a baby. Thank you guys, I had a great time with you all, cant wait for you to see what we created for you.

Vintage Art

Ive been working several years on my vintage art collection. Here is a recent one, im adding to the show.

Real Cowboys

Several months ago I was comissioned to create some portrait for a young man that lives about 120 miles west of here. His mother had always wanted me to come out to a ranch and shoot his Senior Portraits. I agreed and yesterday I went.
In the meantime, another student also wanted me to come there as well and so his, so I got to meet two very nice young men and spend the whole day shooting portraits.

It was a great time and my assistant and I had so much fun. We saw beautiful horses, cattle, heard coyotes calling at sunset, saw frogs in the tank and goats. It was perfect weather and a beautiful day.

Thank you Quinton and Ty, we had a great time, here are some of the images.
PS Have you ever heard of the 6666 Ranch? Thats where we shot some of these. I even got to go in the big house and photograph anywhere I wanted. It was a great day.

Now Hiring!

CBPS seeking OOM for FTP (Crazy Busy Photography Studio seeking Organized Office Manager.) Full time position (Tuesday-Friday 9:30-5:30). Our current office manger needs to go to part time work due to her childrens schedule and we are seeking someone who is motivated, organized, can handle telephones, some data entry, light bookeeping and customer service.
We offer a 4 day work week, good pay, 1 weeks paid vacation after 12 months, and huge discount on professional photography. Beautiful office atmosphere and you get to meet people during the happiest times of their lives. (New babies, weddings, High School seniors graduating, engagement couples, etc.) Will train the right person. (PS must be a People person!)
Position opens up April 1st. Please email your resume to PDixie@SW.RR.com

But only if you can handle working in a somewhat fast paced enviroment. OH PS (all the chocolate you can eat on the job!)LOL! We will train the right person.

Giclee Painting

I wrote a book a few years ago on how to create these Giclee paintings."From Ordinary to Extraordinary!" I wish I had more time to do them. They take me usually a couple of days or about 8-12 hours. You can order one from any session, including children, brides, and even maternity images.

they are so gorgeous in person. Heres one I created this week.

Terrific Toddler

This precious little girl loved our new childs sette. She played and entertained us all.

She made my day.

Thanks guys, Im working on your album now.

Neimans

Love that Juicy and Marc Jacobs

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/templates/P9.jhtml?itemId=cat16210745&parentId=cat4600733&masterId=cat13510736&cmCat=

The life of a photographer.

From a friend of mine in Florida. S.L. She is an incredible wedding photographer and shoots in Jamaica, and all over the US.

Love you S.L. you are right on! (PS She is single and no children yet.)


"I often get asked the question, "So if you shoot weddings on the weekend, what do you do during the week?"There is a definite misconception about photographers. Shooting is only 25% of what we do.I was reading my friend J.S. about her venting her frustrations on how much time we as photographers are stuck in front of a computer.

I could appreciate her words as I relate all too well with it. Some days I look for an excuse to go to the grocery store for the third time that week just to get away from my computer and out in the real world.
Working from my home, it is easy to get stuck in my cave and not realize the sun went down in the midst of being zoned into my computer screen.So what do I do during the week? Here's a day in the life of:

Wake up about 10am.
Grab some water and a piece of grapefruit.
Check email.
Finish grapefruit.
On a good day, go for a run or spend an hour with God writing in my prayer journal.
Shower.
Check email.
Respond to the high priority emails.
Go through and select fave photos from a recent session or wedding.
Edit photos.
Create a slideshow.
Blog about the session or other random ramblings.
Check email.
Respond to email and new inquiries.
Realize three hours went by responding to email.
Stress about the rest of the stuff on my To Do list.
Realize it's 3pm and I still haven't taken my dog out to pee.
Feel guilty about being a horrible mother to my dog.
Check email.
Respond to email.
Stress about all the out of the blue stuff that ALWAYS comes up to distract me from doing more editing or album design that needs to be done.
Procrastinate.
Remember to eat lunch now at 4pm.
Try to get through more email and editing that I can.
Go to yoga to keep my sanity.
Shower.
Eat dinner.
Watch a TV show.
Edit until my eyes are starting to close.
Go to bed finally about 3am.

And there are days like today, a Saturday where I don't have a wedding to shoot, but because I'm going out of town for a week on Monday, I have to use my Saturday to squeeze in a week of work before taking a week off.

Some days I actually get out of the house and do errands like deposit checks or meet someone for lunch or drop off dry cleaning. Today I really need to take my car in to get my tires rotated and check my oil before my road trip, but my dad is an angel and coming over soon to take that off my To Do list. My goal in the new year is to learn to outsource more of the things that I can hire someone else to do to help free up my time for growing my business or writing my book. Unfortunately I'm too much a control freak, and the only child in me stubbornly still wants to do it all herself. But I'm trying to slowly learn the beauty in letting go.

So that's my answer in what I do during the week.

Simply put, run a full-time business.

The hat of CEO I wear is bigger than the hat of photographer."

Back from my birthday!

Well I'm back from my birthday trip to the spa and day of shopping. Its almost 1 am. It was a great time.
Thank you everyone for a great birthday! Misty, Francie, Mom, Bruce, Scott, Mark, Jerry Melba, Andrea, Michelle, and Terri. My office manager bought me the most beautiful turquoise braclet. Its gorgeous! She knows me and my taste! Thank you everyone and thank you Bruce for the COLD CASH!

Also I am very psyched about a weddding I may get to do in British Columbia! WOW, I hope I get to do it, Thats one place Ive never been to before! I knew I was getting a lot of hits on my blog from Canada but didnt know who it was. Michelle and Brad. (where is Ottawa and Milton exaclty?)

PS Oh my new Logo contest Im holding (on the internet for Graphic artists, entries are beginning to flow in. heres one of the first ones!) (I did this a few years ago for my old pick up truck logo sign.) This one is from Robert Simms. Remember the cut off Date is April 15th.
Love you guys! Goodnight!

Slideshow

Today is Dixie's birthday

Dixie will be at the Spa today and enjoying herself.

The girls are in the office if you need help today. Call 761-5111

Shes taking a much deserved rest.

Shell be back late tonight.

-Bruce

Our friends Liz and Joe Miller are pictured here.

They are a pretty special family. The world needs more folks like them.

There will be a run off in 4 weeks. Be sure and vote for Precinct 1 County Commissioner.

Hes a good man and the most qualified in our opinion. Good Luck Joe! We love ya!

HAPPY "BERFDAY" CHUCK!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER CHUCK! (who lives in Arizona and is only 364 days younger than me!) I LOVE YOU CHUCK! YOU ARE MY FAVORITE Little Brother!
HUGS AND KISSES! SEE YOU SOON!
Love Dixie, Bruce and Scotty



I want to show a video of our son playing football last fall. He is number 73 (Black Jersey) and he gets a good hit. The crowd goes wild! He was recentlytold by the coaches that he will be going over to Varsity, even though he is currently a Freshman. Just thought Id share this for my family who didnt see it earlier.DD

Cd cover jacket

The Mother of all Lenses!

Heres a great lens for Sports Photography. Its a 1200mm lens made by Canon. I have all Canon products, lenses, cameras, Canon 5D and Canon 30D, etc.

This is a nice lens. Too bad the price tag is only $99,000.00

It weighs only 36 lbs. I guess Ill have to save up for that one. As they say Calling this lens a Tele is like calling King Kong a monkey. They have 9 of them in stock!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=557508&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=RootPage.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

Beautiful Bride

Heres one moe of Holly, Shes just so gorgeous!