I’m at a time when I could easily get sucked into my woes. I could live in the negative, and how…difficult…life is right now. But I don’t want to be that person, and I WILL find light in a dark world. So, no, it’s not November, where the typical posts about thankfulness are posted. But, I am thankful for…..

-My dad. I always knew he was intelligent, wise, and full of discernment. But I have been able to experience his…..wisdom….full force lately. And I am incredibly grateful I have him as my dad. My dad is cooler than your dad.

-Also, my mom. They both deserve two separate bullet points. My mom.. is amazing. And I have gone off about how awesome she is before. I’m just incredibly blessed with some great parents.

-Friends. This list could go on for awhile. For some reason, I communicate with the friends I really need to at exactly the right time I should. I have friends who know a lot about a lot, and are great encouragers. I have friends who don’t know a lot, and make me relax and get out of my head. I have friends who I can feel close with when there’s distance. I have friends who aren’t scared to tell me what I need to hear. I have friends who just listen. I have friends who get me out of the house. I have friends that remind me I’m not alone. I have friends who support me. I have friends who believe in me. I am incredibly grateful for the friends in my life.

-This WARM weather!!!! Ah. I am loving it.

-Work. Geez, so thankful for this. I don’t have a “normal” job, but I work every opportunity I get, and am thankful for those who provide that for me.

-Seasons. In almost every aspect of the term. Thankful for the spring and the growth and the sun. Also thankful for the different seasons of my life. It feels like I’ve been through 12 seasons in the past 4 months emotionally. But each one has taught me something. And I’m thankful for even the super crappy not fun ones.

-Zyrtec. This really helped Colin’s allergies when I switched from Claritin. I’m not a nurse, but I think over the years, he has built somewhat of a resistance to Claritin, and the new medication really helped cleared him up. Again, not a NURSE, but I know my kid. He can now play outside. Makes both of us way more happy!

-Flip flop weather. Again, with the weather, but I hate socks.

-Lists. I’m thankful for lists.

-This kinda plays into the previous “friends” point. But.. with all those friends, I’m thankful I can be real and myself with them, and I still have them as friends. I’m beyond thankful I don’t have to start over, get new friends, try to be someone I’m not. They know my strengths AND my weaknesses. I’m thankful I can be ME. My friends can see my low points, and don’t walk away. I don’t have to pretend. I can admit my many mistakes, ask advice, and try to work on my faults, while not having to push people away. This might seem trivial, but..imagine you lived a life where you had to perform and fake your whole life. And the moment people knew who you really “were”, you walked and pushed them away. Because you couldn’t deal with any confrontation or accountability. I’m just so thankful I’m doing everything I can do NOT be that person. That would be such a lonely life.

-The delete file option on Itunes. I am not allowing myself to listen to Adele. EVER again. Or The Civil Wars.

-The daily texts from my mom and dad telling me how much they love me, support me, and have my back.

-A small garden area at my apartment. Digging in the dirt is therapeutic.

-Megan Martin. For a few reasons. Her and Jason are just….cool people. And I’m thankful we’re friends. They are so relaxed and laid back and extremely easy to get along with! I miss seeing them every week at church. They are just…..good people. Good goats, as my brother would say. ALSO, her cat just had kittens, and I get two of them!!! One for each kid! We are BEYOND excited. I have never had to put a pet to sleep before, and having to go through that with Ella was one of the most difficult experiences I’ve ever had. I would wake up in the middle of the night with visions of my poor Ella laying there on the table, right before she went. Seriously, it was one of the saddest expereinces ever. For myself, and for my kids. I’ve NEVER seen Chloe cry the way she did over Ella. Talk about heartbreak!! It has gotten easier, with visiting the pet store, and the animal shelter. And than BAM, I remembered Megan’s cat just had kittens. So we went to go see them, and pick the ones we want. The kids are doing better, I am doing better, and I am SO thankful that Megan’s cat got knocked up! Haha : )

-I’m thankful I know how to be alone. I don’t need someone else to fill the void that is in my life. I don’t need someone to go grocery shopping with. I don’t need someone to fill the void of not knowing who I am. Yes, I have people in my life. And sure, I’ve had people in my life when I shouldn’t have to try to fill that void. But I don’t need that someONE to make me feel better about myself. I am learning that on my own. And that makes me such a stronger person.

-I woke up with a song in my head this morning. And I don’t normally listen to her, except with Chloe, because she LOVES pop music.. But.. I woke up with Christina Aguilera’s song “Fighter” in my head this morning. And it was…exactly the song I needed to be playing through my head today. Ha. I know, I know….Christina Aguilera? (disclaimer, she is an AMAZING singer, dang) But I went and read the lyrics, and when I got rid of all my “preferences” towards her (like….freakin’ cover those suckers UP!) , and just read the words.. It was completely random and perfect for today. And I might not be able to OWN all of the words, but I’m on that road. And knowing that I’m headed that way makes things easier. A couple of lyrics stands out…and they are – (Try to read without thinking of Xtina, haha)

“Cause if it wasn’t for all that you tried to do, I wouldn’t know
Just how capable I am to pull through”

“I heard you’re going round playing the victim now
But don’t even begin feeling I’m the one to blame
‘Cause you dug your own grave
After all of the fights and the lies ’cause you’re wanting to haunt me
But that won’t work anymore, no more,
It’s over”

“You tried to hide your lies, disguise yourself
Through living in denial”

“You thought I would forget
But I remember”

-There’s a lot I remember that I wish I could forget. So many scars, so many memories, so much hurt. I’m thankful I’m trying to learn how to move past that. I’m thankful that what I’ve done, the mistakes I’ve made, and who I was, doesn’t define me. I’m thankful I can see a life without chains. I’m thankful I can HAVE a life without the burden that has always brought out the absolute worst of me. I’m thankful I have a future, a life, and a purpose.

The CrazyBooth hasn’t been out in almost a year. It needed an outing…deseperately. And the F&M Winter Gala was the perfect place to take it!

I had a blast photographing this event! Even though I was so nervous beforehand. It had been a long time since I’ve taken a picture, yet alone taken the CrazyBooth out. I was out of practice with setting it up, and it took me longer than I was expecting, but I finally got everything up and going, and it was a great night. Everyone was a great sport and seemed to enjoy it.

I would share all 175 pictures with you if I could, but I thought that post might get a bit lengthy. So I decided to just share the “funny” ones with you. Ha, even editing these was fun!

Enjoy!

I had the opportunity to shoot for F&M Bank’s 2012 calendar this past fall. I was beyond stoked and honored to be asked, and to see my photography in that form, knowing THAT many calendars got printed and passed out. My photography will brace walls for a whole year!!! It’s great having a box full of calendars that are filled with only my work, and then going to my bank and seeing them in the window. SO STINKIN’ COOL!!!!

The calendar consists of historical and/or pretty places around Franklin, Fulton, and Cumberland Co.’s. There were very specific places I had to travel too, and I actually discovered a lot of new places I’ve never been before. It was all around a great experience! 

Thank you Melissa for thinking of me, working with me, and making one of my dreams come true!

Below is the order of the calendar. Some months have two pictures. If you want one, shoot me an email! I’d be happy to share! Enjoy!

Locations are as follows: Franklin Co Historical Society, Tayamentasachta, Dykeman Pond, Renfrew Museum and Park, Burnt Cabins Grist Mill, Chambers Fort Park, Local Landscape of Fulton Co, Mont Alto Emmanuel Chapel, Fulton House, Children’s Lake, Norlo Park, Two Mile House.

Here are my favorite pictures from Ashleigh Schwindt Photography in 2011 in no particular order. Happy New Year everyone!

Meet Becka. She has the most amazing smile and laugh, it was SO infectious. I absolutely loved photographing her! What else did I love about this shoot? THE CAR!!! ahhhhhhhh, yes please. Becka’s mom and her wanted to have a little something extra for her session, and that Chevelle definitely did the trick. I offered to barter photography services with car rentals, but for some reason they didn’t go for that!? Hmm, wonder why?! Ha! Her dad restores classic cars, and this is just one of many he has. This car was immaculate, he does excellent work!

Becka was so much fun, easy to get along with, so sweet, so kind. And that smile! That smile made my camera HAPPY! Thanks Becka for allowing me to capture your inside and out beauty!

Enjoy!