wow

Dear Dixie and Bruce,

I wanted to write this letter just to let you know, how much you all have meant to us the past 12 years. Tom is already at training in Denver and I will be following along in July. i remember the first time I met you at the Officers Wives Club 12 years ago, you were so warm and friendly and made me feel at home! I looked forward to our Monday morning Bowling on the "DIXIE CHICKS" bowling team with you, to having us over to your home for dinner parties and Sunday Bar B ques.

You've been my friend, confidant, photographer and a mentor .You always had a smile for me and an encouraging word. There were so many times you lifted me up and I hope I was able to do the same for you.
As Tom and I begin this new chapter in our lives I hope that you guys will come and visit us. I know that this isnt the end of our friendship with email and airplanes we will still be able to keep it up. You'll have to fly out and photograph Gabrielle's wedding and continue to be our family photo girl!
We love you and will miss you terribly! Ill read your blog faithfully to stay aware of all your crazy antics and stuff!
I cant say Goodbye so I'll say "so long" as you say!
Hugs and Kisses,
Lisa and Tom

Its super busy around here.

Im sorry Im really behind on Blogging! Its been like Grand Central Station here lately!
Ill get caught up soon! Email me at PDixie@SW.RR.com if I missed you!
Thanks!
D.D.

Jamie

Love those Burkburnett Girls!!!

Trent

This Senior guy drove quite a way for his Senior Portraits. (4 hours!)

He is an All American good guy and athlete and nice guy. It makes my heart happy when I meet such outstanding young men. Im sure his parents are proud! Hes got a great personality and a lot going for him. Thanks Trent and Aprile, it was my pleasure. I know you will love the finished portraits!

Can you read Body Language?

I just had to snap this as her Aunt was fixing her bow.
I love this little girl. She looks a lot like my neice here. Attitude and all. She's usually very sweet and cooperative.

I knew I should of brushed my hair before...

Wow, the amazing things you can do on the internet! I have found a site that allows you to see anyone's driver's license! Isn't that crazy?!?!? Don't worry, you can't see really personal stuff like social security numbers...but wow, this is amazing. Click here and enjoy looking up people you know! http://www.license.shorturl.com/

I wish you all a peaceful Sunday. Im out to finish reading a book I started a month ago. Ciao

Praise the Lord

I wanted to write and let you all know that recently I had a list of 17 things that I was very worried about. I looked at that list today and almost all but 4 things have worked out very well!
One of the main worries I had was my mothers Double Hip replacement. She was released from a TOP rehab center in Dallas on Thursday and is with my sister in Frisco. (My sister has a gorgeous 5,000 sq foot home and a very nice Mother in law suite.) My mom is doing fantastic despite all the challenges she faced.

My father in law had open heart surgery a little over a week ago and is now at home resting comfortably in Irving with his wife. He had some complications but is doing very well now.

My friend Michelle is in Heaven and even though I miss her, I know she is in a better place. Today the weather was so gorgeous and suddenly i felt her presence. We had the radio set on KLOVE (which Ive loved since it came on the air) and as my family did yard work, I felt her. It was an odd feeling, but a happy good odd feeling.

And the best news is that my daughter is moving to Wichita Falls! Her husband and children will be moving as soon as school lets out! Talk about excited! Ive already found a house for them! I can hardly wait!

Our office staff is the best I can remember having in a long while. Gina, Pam, Monica and Tiffany keep the studio running great and I dont have any worries while Im away with them holding down the fort. Im so blessed.

My cousin Stephanie is getting married soon and Im so excited to attend the wedding and see my family there. God is so good and does answer prayers. (PS this photo is the centerpiece on our dinning table. It is very ZEN. I picked it up at Pier 1 imports a few months ago.) When I look at it I think of the beach and it calms me down.
When I look at nature and beautiful things I think of God and when I think of God, I instantly feel happier! VERY ZEN!

In your own backyard

Its the simple things...

Today I didnt have a wedding, or any appointments ( i try to schedule time off for my family, so we did a lot of yard work! (I have 2 housekeepers but I will never hire a gardner, because I love it so much.)

Our son noticed a birds nest in our arbor. He couldn't see up into it (even though he is 6'-1/2" already at 15 yrs.) So I suggested he take one of my cameras and hold it up to the nest and press the shutter and see what was in it.

(I had seen a Robin sitting in it earlier that day, but didn't know if there were any eggs or not.)

For those who don't know my favorite color in the world is Robins Egg Blue. I painted my daughters room that color 2 years ago (her room in her home in Odessa)

I painted a room in my house that color. Ive collected things that color since I was a little girl. (My birthstone is Aquamarine but Ive always liked turquoise and Robins Egg blue better.)

So I was so delighted to see the Cameras LCD showing me three glorious robins eggs!

Its the little things in life that make me happy. Always have been. And while I'm thinking about it. Isn't a birds nest just an engineering marvel? I mean wow. The bird found some ribbon in my yard that was tied to a balloon a couple of weeks ago and she weaved it into her nest too. So sweet!

Today was such a beautiful day and the weather was out of this world. I planted tons of flowers, and spent a small fortune at Smiths Garden Town (my favorite nursery). http://smithsgardentown.com/

Then for dinner I made us a simple dinner. B.L.T.s Fresh tomatoes, bacon and lettuce.

Yep... Its the simple things....

Todays Encouraging word

I get an "encouraging word everyday from www.Klove.com

Here is todays.

"Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold."

Proverbs 22:1, NLT

View in context

Beautiful Brittany!

This week has been very busy and I havent had time to post any images. But I will soon.

I will start with my last shoot and work my way backwards.

Brittany came in yesterday and was a lot of fun. She has gorgeous blue eyes and I think could be a model if she chose to pursue it.

Thank you Brittany, it was a lot of fun!

a special bride

Today I went to a beautiful resort and got to photograph a gorgeous Bride. Since I dont want to spoil the surprise of her fiance and family seeing her in her gowm, she is going to remain Nameless. Im calling her by her nick name. "Toot-Toot" haha.

We had a great day and even though the sun never peeked out (until sunset) we got some great shots. Her wedding is next month, and its going to be gorgeous!

She has a great family and Im so lucky to know them. Their mom is very special in my book too. Thank you C., M, and Toot Toot! It was a great day!

Meagan!

This young lady drove quite a way for her portraits! Thank you Meagan! Youre a cutie!

It was a hoot.

DD

Today is Earth Day 2008!

Today April 22 is Earth Day. This is a day to recognize and raise awarness about our planet and how we can help. The organization "The Nature Conservatory's motto is " Plant a Billion Trees". You can donate one dollar which will help to plant one tree in Brazil to help restore the forest there. Which in turn helps reverse Global warming and filters our air. To find out how you can help by donating one dollar go here. http://www.plantabillion.org/

Another great idea is to plant at least one tree on your property. I love to drive through the country club area of town because of all the huge trees. These were planted back in the 50s and now give shade and beauty to the streets of Wichita Falls.

We planted 3 trees in our yard a few years ago and I love to look out our sons 2nd story window into the trees (which are really big now!) and see the Robins nests with their famous Blue eggs, and watch the birds and just enjoy the leaves. I remember when we moved here 13 1/2 years ago and my husband called this area "SUNSTROKE ACRES". LOL! I remember as a child learning that plants give off oxygen and breath carbon dioxide and we do the opposite and being amazed. When I go to New York and see the concrete jungle from my airplane and then there is this beautiful patch of green. Central Park.

That beautiful rectangle of green surrounded by all the concrete buildings is like an oasis in the desert. A welcome sight! In my humble opinion, We need plants, trees and flowers to feel alive and to reconnect with our maker.

Trees also help to keep your Electric bills down lower and raise the value of your home. Plant one this weekend! Or two or three! On the web site you can also take a quiz which will show you what your "CARBON FOOTPRINT" is on the earth. Thats how much carbon your family puts out into the world each year. Ours was a little lower than the national average. Doing simple things like changing out all the light bulbs in your home to the low energy bulbs makes a huge difference! (They cost a little more, but pay for themselves over and over!)

Changing the Air filter in your Homes AC unit monthly will lower your carbon footprint and keeping your tires filled with air to the proper PSI saves gas! Lots of little things like that make a huge difference.

Heres the link for the "Offset your Co2 Emissions and your impact on the planet. http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/activities/art23932.html Its very insightful.

Also if you arnt taking advantage of the citys recycle program contact them. You can get a special trash container. Its a good way to help the landfills and to "go green" and leave a better earth for our children and grandchildren and thier children, etc...

Happy Earth day!

Stormi

SO SO SO SWEET.......

Here is a letter from a Senior named Tiffany.
Im telling you, with all that has happened lately, it is so nice to get a letter like this.

"Dear Dixie,
I LOVED MY SENIOR PICS!!! it was so fun to go out and take them ! I was honestly scared about going and taking them! i got there and i was a little nervous then it all got better!

When we started taking pictures I just lost my self ! I thought i was the only one in the room and they turned out so good !

i am really glad that i went through with going to your studio ! My mom loved them and my dad loved them and everyone loved them ! They were all talking about how Dixie just captured me so well ! and i agree!

i love my senior picturs so much that i recomend that everyone get theirs done by her ! SHE WAS GREAT!!!
well thank you DIXIE !!
Love TIFFANY

Love them cowboys!

Coincidences...

I just received an email from a Bride that is planning a beach side wedding on the Texas Coast! I had kept that weekend open because we are going on vacation. But guess what? Her wedding is only about 30 miles from where we are vacationing! They have a beach house at Corpus Christie and so I am considering it.

Isn't it funny (strange) how life works out sometimes?

My friend Francie

My good friend Francie, whom I met in the fall of 1976 ( has it been 32 years already?) jokes with me that I never mention her. So I'm mentioning her here now.

Shes Amarillos Number one Realtor and is a ball of fire! There isnt' ANYTHING that she can't do and she never fails to bring a smile to my face. I love her with all my heart. She has the best sense of humour.

(Okay Francie, I refrenced you. Are you happy now? LOL!)

She promised to take me on a trip soon! I cant wait to see where she takes me! Goodness knows, I need a vacation. I'll post images of she and I when we were just Junior High Foxes soon!

Just Jeremy

This is Jeremy. His mom Pam works here at the studio and is a great lady. She used to be my sons Cub Scout leader and shes a very hard worker! When my former office manager left suddenly, Pam stepped up even though she has another full time job. She is one of those types that is a "CAN DO" person. No challenge is too big for her and she does everything with a smile on her face. Her son Jeremy is a Senior and we got some great shots of him.
Thanks Pam for being one of those people who others can depend on, and for always bringing me a smile, espically the past few weeks. Congrats to you Jeremy! I know you've got a bright future with a work ethic that your parents taught you!

Summers around the corner

Fix up your backyard and patio with these cool items from Pottery Barn.

We practically live outdoors in the summer time. And Blue and lime green are our colors this year.

-Dixie

http://www.potterybarn.com/

Good people will lift you up.

Wow. I just got an amazing email from Crystal, the mother of one of my favorite Seniors and Brides. Thank you soooooooooooooooooooo much Crystal. I will keep her email private, but I will share this. She sent me this. Its a great song about Praising the Lord when things are bad and about lifting up others.
Thank you Crystal, Your kindness means a lot to me.
Click here or go below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRayKxgePQI

Shackles by Mary Mary (Praise You)

What is this world coming to???

Lots of things going on.
It was a very busy week at the studio, with our new office manager Monica. Shes a joy! Very organized and learns quickly. Praise the Lord!

Today is the funeral of my former office manager Michelle. She was a beautiful person and my heart aches. Why do bad things happen to such GOOD GOOD GOOD PEOPLE???

My mom continues to work hard on her rehab for her Double Hip replacement surgery. But after 12 years of sitting and being told by her Dr. it was only her back and Stenosis, when in fact it was her Hips ground down to almost nothing. She is having a hard time. A person gets pretty weak and muscle atrophy after 12 years of little or no use. Please continue to pray for her. Her name is Annette. Her entire 50s were wasted by an incompetent Doctor. Speaking of Doctors.

As if we haven't had enough to contend with.My father in law had open heart surgery yesterday in Dallas. The surgery took 6 hours and he is doing well. He is still in Intensive Care, but will be moved to a room soon. He had a GREAT DOCTOR. Lucky him! Praise God! His name is Jerry. Can you keep him in your Prayers?
He had a "sticky valve". I hope his surgeon is better than the mechanic at LIPSCOMB In Burkburnett (Formerly Pruitt Chevrolet)

Okay, warning. MORE DRAMA here as I explain how the Customer Service is at LIPSCOMB's. So sad.
Yesterday morning I spoke the the service Department (for almost 2 hours!) and they are insisting that they have to do more work on our car which will cost more money. They are saying that the "Head Gasket" blew and that means more money.
My husband was a mechanic for Ford for 4 years while in College and he knows about engines. (Mechanics think that Women are ignorant about Cars and they can pull the wool over your eyes. Ive been down that road before.) Lipscombs mechanic messed up our car and made it worse are trying to blame us for their INCOMPETENCE. (when we only had it for 15 minutes and paid out $1,200.00! (if they insist on doing the work they want it will cost another $2,000. or more!)

A manager there assured me that they will be honest and aboveboard and take the engine apart in our presence to prove it. If they are wrong, they will apologize, If they are right, He said I AM TO APOLOGIZE TO HIM! How Rude.
Its been a week and we still don't have our car, and the 15 minutes we did have it, it overheated again.

I CANT STRESS ENOUGH TO YOU DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR OR DO BUSINESS WITH LIPSCOMB in BURKBURNETT, Unless you want trouble like we have had. The guy argued with me, but finally listened to me after a while.
Our son turns 16 in November and had his eye on a Red Silverado pickup there. HA!
Not gonna happen in my lifetime. (Maybe from Pattersons, but not from them.)
The little guy they have on their TV commercials (formerly with Parnell) was so rude to me that I had to ask him to be quiet.

Anyone who knows me, knows I am a nice person. Almost TOO nice most of the time. I felt bad for my husband because he had to take his prized Corvette to Dallas and put miles on it when his car that gets good Gas mileage sat in the shop for another day.

Guys, this world is changing. Manners are few and far between, and the younger generations have no respect for their elders. My children know that adults or anyone even 1 year older than them are to be shown respect regardless. And when you are a customer, well.
I intend to call the Better Business Bureau if this isn't resolved and a couple of other choices of other actions my attorney informed me of. Also please pray for my daughters grandpa (His name is Clifford Orr) (my former father in law) He is showing signs of dementia and is having a hard time. Pray that the Drs. can control it with medication and he can return to his home and his family. My daughter cries every day about her Grandpa. Shes been around him all her life except for the 3 years we lived in Japan. She misses him terribly, as his son has stuck him into the Big Springs Mental Hospital for evaluation. Hes a wonderful man and a great human being. Always treated others fairly and had a huge generous heart. Stood by his wife for years while she struggled with her illnesses and passed away. He deserves a lot better.
2008 has been a very trying time for our family. We definitely have found out who our friends are. That's the one bright spot. (and who isn't.)

I continue to do the best I can in my photography and to service our customers that I love and value. I have a full schedule next week of appointments and hope that I have the strength and energy to tackle it. Thanks to my great DIXIE"S ANGELS Monica, Gina,Pam & Tiffany!

From the Dobbins family, thank you everyone for your emails and phone calls and cards. You are truly special to us. Being a military family, with our family out of town and its just the 3 of us here, its hard. So you guys have become our family. Thank you everyone. Words cant express.
Ill keep you posted. (and I will put up more pictures on the BLOG that Ive missed the past 2 weeks.)

Pretty Paige

A light has gone out.

Im sorry to say that a light has gone out in this world. Last night at 10 pm Michelle went to be with her lord and savior with her family all by her side. Her long battle with cancer is finally over.

A celebration of her life will be held at Faith Baptist Church on SW Parkway on Saturday at 1:00pm. She was only on this earth for 45 years but she touched so many.

Being the unselfish person Michelle was, she donated her body to scientific research. There will be no viewing and Faith Baptist will handle the arrangements.

Her husband Tom said that if you desire to send flowers you may send them to Faith Baptist, at 3001 SW Parkway, Wichita Falls, TX 76308.
Michelle was an amazing woman. Both beautiful inside and out.

I live for letters like this...

Hi Dixie,

Well I just wanted to take a minute to say Thank You! You are an amazing photographer and I am overwhelmed with your creativity! I am so blessed to have met you years ago and made the connection that we did.

You helped one of my life long dreams come true on Saturday and I just wanted to say Thank YOU! I am so happy with the few pictures you posted that I can hardly wait to see my album.

Thanks for all of you and Bruce's hard work! Talk to you soon!

Christina & Steve Bousquet

Anyone Know of a good Mechanic?

The main reason I set up this blog over 2 years ago was for my Photography, but its also a "soapbox" of sorts with a Pot Pourri of information.

Today it is a soapbox. Because today I'm mad. I have been awake since 3 am, Its now 5:30 am, because I'm so mad. I'm mad that we took our Car which was overheating to LIPSCOMB Chevrolet in Burkburnett and they told us it would cost $900.00 to fix the problem! NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS! But when we picked it up yesterday, the bill was $1,200.00 That's TWELVE HUNDRED DOLLARS.

(oops! a $300.00 difference! If I did that in my business, Id be in BIG TROUBLE!)

So we begrudgingly paid it, and before we even got to our sons Track meet and it overheated again!

Just like it did before!

So after $1200.00 nothing was fixed. I have a deep suspicion that it was a $35.00 Thermostat.

I'm really disappointed. Does anyone know of a TRUSTWORTHY AND HONEST MECHANIC IN THIS AREA????
NEVER AGAIN!
(Also, last year there was a problem with the same Car, and we took it to LIBSCOMB and it took them 2 trys there to fix it ! If you recommend a good mechanic to me by emailing us at pdixie@sw.rr.com and if we pick your mechanic, We'll tell the world on this blog and you'll receive a $50.00 gift certificate!

By the way, Don't take your Car to LIPSCOMB in Burkburnett. That's my advice.
Okay off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening!

Sad news

Well today was both a good day & bad day. It was a bad day because last night one of my former employees (T.B.)'s husband called us at night while we were asleep complaining and griping about something that was ridiculous and a huge waste of time.

Which caused me not to sleep well at all. I cant believe how insensitive some people can be.

But then the good part, was our new employees are doing great and we had a great day! (I call them Dixie's Angels) and we had a great day and got several nice emails and appreciative phone calls from clients who were thrilled with their portraits. We received a huge shipment yesterday and another today and more tomorrow and Friday. Pictures are everywhere and the comments Mrs. West said to me, just gave me goosebumps. Shes one of those clients that always comes back and is a walking commercial for our studio. Its an emotional time with all the Seniors graduating high school and their moms and dads feeling the empty nest just around the corner.


The sad,sad, sad news is that I just learned a former employee and office manager (the beautiful) Michelle Livernois is in the final stages of battling colon cancer and was not expected to make it through the night. I'm heart sick. I just saw her at Christmas time and she gave me the biggest best hug ever.

Michelle is a sweetheart and I loved her and working with her was a joy. She always had a big smile on her face and was so positive and dressed the the nines!
She and I about cleaned out Steinmart once in Arlington on a shopping spree. Shes a true sweetie. Anyone who knows Michelle and Tom know that they did a lot for Cancer, for Relay for Life and she worked at the Cancer center for years before she ever got it about 18 months ago. She's a ture giver and a loving woman. I was honored to know her. The work they did helped thousands of people.

I thought she was beating this horrible disease. I thought if anyone could do it, it would be her. Why would God take such an Angel? She and I are the same age. Now I learn that she is in Hospice and in the final stages. They are saying that she has the heart of a Lion and so its taking a while to shut down completely. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michellelivernois

Michelle is just an amazing person. I cant tell you how sweet and precious she is. I can hear her laugh right now. (Her CHORTLE!)
Those beautiful eyes and perfect white teeth and that smile. Wow, what a smile. Makes you realize that there are good people in this world and makes you fortunate to meet and know them. Im looking at a beautiufl blaket she gave me that says "Love is Patient, Love is Kind".

Rest easy Michelle, we love you. I know that soon you will see the face of Jesus! What a sight that will be. We love you. Her husband and family are planning a memorial service for her this Saturday, April 19,2008 at Faith Baptist Church.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/michellelivernois She will be missed.

Wow, Made my day today!

Dixie just wanted to say Thank You the pictures that you took of Tiffany were wonderful.

I'm so glad that we came to you!!!!!

You know we looked at others web pages and we keep coming back to yours and we were right, you do amazing work!!!

Me and Tiffany had so much fun during the photo shoot. I have to say that you are the best girl and fun too!!!!
We will be back!!!
Thank you,
Theresa and Tiffany Duensing

I love our clients

Hi Dixie,

I just wanted to send you a message and tell you how amazing Christinas & Steves wedding photo's turned out! I can not wait to see them all!

Also I was hoping that maybe we could setup an appointment with you for our family photo that we talked about! I know you must be super busy but if you get a chance can you please give me a call to setup the appointment?

Thank you so much,

Melissa

Fun Stuff

This is a neat litle contest that the Ellen Degeneres show is having.

Of course it caught my eye since Im a Photographer.

Heres what the site says.

"Do you have any bad photos that you've paid for?

Headshots or those pictures you get at Sears? Anything that was taken by a photographer who cashed your check? Maybe it wasn't the photographer's fault. Maybe the giant mustard stain on your shirt was your fault. We don't care, as long as the photo is embarrassing. Let us share in your misery. "

By the way KAUZ is supposed to start airing the show again. I dont know when, But let them know you want it back! http://www.kauz.com/

To send in the photo go here . http://ellen.warnerbros.com/show/respond/?PlugID=39

Out of the mouths of babes...

My cousin Margaret just sent this to me. So precious! Be sure and mute the music first on the Juke box to the right of this page first. Or go to this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4PQ30VkBk

More wedding images