Daly Photography- My first Official Photo Shoot

I took my two boys out to the riverwalk to get some pictures for my photography business.  I explained what my plan was on our ride over to the river walk and Matthew, age 7, asked if he could start a business of his own.  I like the idea of him starting a business, but have no ideas on what would be appropriate for him.  For now, I asked him to let me get my businesses going and see where we are in a few months. 

 

Here are a few of the pictures from yesterday's photo shoot.

 

 

Visit my facebook page to view the entire album.  Be sure to like my page while you're there!

 

Daly Photography Facebook Page

Daly Photography, From the Beginning

A Woman Who Fears the Lord #11

The Woman Who Fears the Lord #11

A Study of Proverbs 31

Verse 20

"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy."

Much has changed since this verse was written.  I imagine Mrs. Proverbs inviting needy strangers into her home to take shelter from the elements, eat a home cooked meal or lay their head down on a soft surface.  I wonder if she stopped and assisted people when she journeyed through town to take care of business or run errands.

Did they have homeless shelters back then?

A local food pantry?

I'm sure if Mrs. Proverbs was here in the 21st century, she would volunteer to help whenever and wherever she could.

I have a friend who does this.  This verse reminds me of her.  A true Proverbs 31 woman.

But, that's not me.

I'm so busy and caught up in my own life, I don't even think about volunteering to help.

I just don't think I'm very good at opening my arms to the poor or extending my hands to those in need and I wonder how many times I have let the chance to help slip away because I was too scared or too busy.

A few months ago, I had a woman approach me in the parking lot as I was loading groceries into my mini-van.  She had a boy that was about 4 years old with her.  The woman asked if I had a couple of dollars so she could buy her son some hotdogs. 

I reacted automatically and told her that I was sorry but I don't carry cash.  She and her son walked away.

I finished putting the groceries in my van, thinking about this woman and the small child.

Waves of doubt and criticism flooded my mind...

She was probably going to rob me, or use the money to buy alcohol or drugs.

She should plan how to use her food stamps more wisely.

She should find a food pantry or other resource to help her so she can get food on a regular basis.

She should get a job.

I sat in my van and tried to get this woman and her child off my mind.

Then I remembered the extra package of hotdogs I had just bought.  It hadn't been on my list and we could easily live without it.

Hot dogs aren't very healthy.  The child would need something else.

I had bought two bunches of bananas.

Surely we could live with just one bunch.

I put my van into drive and found the woman across the street, walking towards another store with her son.

I rolled down my window and called to her.  She turned and I said that I had some extra hotdogs and bananas that she could have.  I handed her the bag and she thanked me.  As I drove away, she and her son were walking away from the store and I heard her say "Look.  She gave us bananas.  Your favorite."

I didn't change the world and I doubt that I changed their lives.  I did, however, take advantage of an opportunity to help someone in need.

I haven't had another chance to help someone in a memorable way since then.

As I go throughout my daily routine, this verse can remind me to keep my eyes, and my heart, open to people in need.

For more posts about Proverbs 31, click on the following link: Proverbs 31

A Time for Healing

 

 

Several weeks ago I decided that I needed help because I was struggling with depression.  My husband's insurance allows for 8 free counseling sessions per year and hoping to avoid needing antidepressants, I took this route.

 

The counselor I was directed to has been a God send.  She has a sense of humor, knowledge, wisdom and experience.  After mentioning spiritual aspects of my life to her, she briefly mentioned that she strongly believes that humans have spiritual needs and that she had grown up a daughter of a minister, too.

 

I've been feeling much better since my work season ended and questioned the value of continuing with the sessions.  I decided to continue going until I was positive that I had gotten what I needed.

 

At the start of our last session, she began to show me some tips on time management and decreasing stress when our conversation took a sharp U-turn. 

 

I mentioned that I avoid things; making phone calls, trying something new, group settings, and although not a current issue, paying bills.

 

She made me pin point my top item and I quickly said, making phone calls.  I love texting but there are times when conversations totally drain me and so, I avoid them.

 

I guess this is not a healthy habit because we talked about it for a long time.

 

She left me with two goals.

 

Stop isolating myself and find a way to spend regular time with a friend or friends without distractions. 

As in, no children.

 

Work on being assertive in my communication.

I have value, good ideas, and something to contribute. 

Communicating my dreams, wants and needs is not a burden to others.

 

I'm going to perfectly honest.  I am very uncomfortable with these goals.  They make sense and I would totally recommend others do these things... but myself?  That is going to be hard.

 

I left, unsure of how I felt.

 

Then some random things happened, making me feel like God is encouraging me to pursue healing in this area.

 

 

As I write this blog post, I question my sanity.  I should deal with my depression and issues behind closed doors.  I should not air my dirty laundry on the internet.  I should put a smile on my face and pretend that I am all put together.

 

Yet, maybe.  Just maybe, there is someone out there who needs to know that they're not alone.  Someone who needs to know that there is nothing wrong with you if you need help.  That it is not a disconnect from God.

 

It can be a source of healing, a time where you grow closer to Him and a season when you become a stronger person.

 

 

Blog Post: Depression Is No Laughing Matter

 

 

Daly Photography

 

 

 

Here's a great big leap of faith that completely throws me outside of my comfort zone.  I've been thinking about starting a casual photography business for over a year.  With my experience with my own children and other people's children, I know that I can take great photos.  Candid shots are my favorite and I'm going to focus on taking pictures of children and families.

 

It's what I'm doing to plan ahead.

 

Plan ahead for an income to replace my full time seasonal job. 

 

It's only one of my many ideas and autumn seems like a good time to start.

 

 

If you're ever on facebook, please like my business page.

 

If you're ever in Northern Indiana, contact me for an appointment. 

 

 

Daly Photography Facebook Page

Monster Cookies

My little monsters and I made these yummy cookies the other day.  We ate some, shared some and froze some.  It makes quite a few cookies so be prepared.  The recipe is gluten free if you're needing to keep track. 

 

 

 

 

Aunt Barb's Monster Cookies

 

Ingredients:

 

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

*1/2 cup margarine, softened

3 beaten eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups of peanut butter

2 teaspoons baking soda

4 1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal

2 cups chocolate chips

10 ounces of M&M's

 

Directions:

 

Cream brown sugar, white sugar and margarine until fluffy.

 

Add eggs, peanut butter and vanilla and mix well.

 

 

 

 

Add baking soda and oatmeal and mix well.

 

 

 

 

Fold in chocolate chips and M&M's.

 

Shape into balls of desired size and place on ungreased pan.

 

 

 

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

 

Let stand 2 minutes before removing on pan.

 

 

 

 

Weekly Goals- October 14, 2013

It was my first official week on layoff status.  Being a stay-at-home homeschooling mom and wife is my most favorite role in life but I'm trying to give myself a little time to re-adjust.  I went from working 45-60 hours a week, having a job description to follow and people who needed reports, to just me.  Well, me, my husband, our seven year old and our two/almost three year old. 

Giving myself a little grace as we all transition into this season is really important.

 It takes time to slow down, enjoy things more deeply and get into a comfortable routine.


Last week's goals and the progress I made on them...

Weekly Goals- October 7, 2013

Errands:

 

1) Pick Up Yarn For Christmas Gifts and Scarf Order  Not Completed

 

2) Post Office  Completed thanks to my wonderful neighbor and the handy little device called usps.com.

 

Homeschool:

 

1) Set Up Writing Center  Done

 

2) Bulletin Board for Children's Goals, Memory Verse, Chore List and Calendar  Started

 

3) Leaf Project  Done

 

4) Morning Devotions  Attempted.  Just need to find our groove.

 

5) Go For Walk x 3  Done

 

 

 

 

Personal:

 

1) Go For A Walk While Husband Can Watch the Boys x 2  Done

 

2) Begin reading "The Ministry of Motherhood"  Did not start yet

 

Marriage:

 

1) Complete Home Work for Dave Ramsey Class  Done

 

2) Set Goals for How To Use Extra Money  Not completed

 

 

 

Leaf Project,

Observing, Discussing, Sorting, Classifying,  and Identifying.

 

 

 

Weekly Goals- October 14, 2013

 

Errands:

 

1) Pick Up Yarn For Christmas Gifts and Scarf Order

 

Home Management

 

1) Make Liam's Costume

 

2) Make Laundry Soap

 

3) Make Chocolate Syrup

 

Homeschool:

 

1) Bulletin Board for Children's Goals, Memory Verse, Chore List and Calendar

 

2) Research Pumpkins, Take a Trip to the Pumpkin Patch and Carve Jack-o-lanterns

 

3) Morning Devotions

 

4) Go For Walk x 3

 

5) Spend, Save and Give Jars

 

Personal:

 

1) Go For A Walk While Husband Can Watch the Boys x 2

 

2) Begin reading "The Ministry of Motherhood"

 

Marriage:

 

1) Complete Home Work for Dave Ramsey Class

 

2) Set Goals for How To Use Extra Money

Week Six of the Spending Freeze Challenge

This was my first week off from work and in order to follow along with our Spending Freeze, I limited any activities that would involve spending money.

Here's a recap of our week...

I spent $96.01 on groceries and we totally ran out of food.  With me no longer eating at work and the boys not eating a majority of their meals at childcare, we just plain ran out.  I'm going to have to adjust some things and possibly put a little more money towards groceries. 

I read about people who spend $50 on average on weekly groceries for a family of four.  It makes me wonder, how do they do that?


The boys and I walked to a neighbor's home for a play-date, went on several walks, packed drinks and snacks for soccer practice and combined a trip to the library with grocery shopping.


An unschooling group that we are a part of organized a game day at a local coffee house.  It was a little bit of a drive but other than gas, didn't cost me anything.  Matthew and Liam chose to spend their own money to buy hot chocolate and I just hung out and played memory with Liam while Matt played Monopoly with friends.

My husband and I decided to go out to dinner with the boys this week.  We hadn't spent any money aside from groceries and gas and so we treated ourselves to dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  We went before 6:00 p.m. and got their early dinner specials and had coupons for two free kids meals from the summer reading program this past year.  We had water to drink and spent a total of $23.00, including the tip.


We have suspended our satellite account which is going to save us $85.00 per month.  I've been pushing, I mean, encouraging my husband to let us do without it for over a year now.  It finally hit home how much we can save compared to how much we actually watch.  Having 100's of shows available for the boys is not the direction I want to go and saving money was a great excuse.


We've doubled our savings from last week and it's a good feeling to be choosing to not spend money.  When we have no money, it feels a little like we're depriving ourselves of things.  We can't go there, we can't do that, we can't have that, etc.  We have money and as I so kindly remind my seven year old when he asks, we are choosing to save it instead of spend it.

To read more about our Spending Freeze Challenge, click this link: Frugal Living