It will be a good year!

I am trying to decide what photo to post today, and what is it I want to talk about. I am going to work on my 2009 budget for my shows based on what I have heard regarding the economy. I will also work on a 2010 budget in hopes that the economy is better as predicted by our government. I want to stay on a positive note. I truly believe that despite this recession it will be a good year. I think for many of us it will mean changes in our lives some good and some not so good. A lot of us will start our own businesses. Who really knows what our future holds for us, we just have to follow our hearts and instincts which will get us to where we want to be. We have to stay positive and be confident in what ever we are doing. All in good time. As our President says it is time for change. I have to believe in myself and wanting to make a living as a photographer, because there isn't anything else I want to do. Photography is my life and I am more determined than ever to learn everything I can to make my business a successful one. The other night I took a business intro class and it was very interesting in the fact that I know more than I thought and I have tons to learn and better understand. There is a continuation of this business class which will be about 6-8 weeks long and will go into more detail. Which I think is exactly what I need to be a better business person. I will persevere, I will be a successful photographer doing what I love within 2 years! If you want something bad enough you will get it!
Here are 2 quotes that I think are perfect for this post.

Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.

-Abraham Lincoln

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

-Albert Schweitzer

Also take a moment to visit my website www.cindiresslerphotography.com

Let me know what your thoughts are? Are you starting a new business?

Have a great day everyone and stay POSITIVE!

Winter

This is what my backyard looks like right now. My grapes and blackberry vines are half buried in snow and my back porch has about 2 feet of snow on it. Though it is very windy gusting to 30mph the railing don't have much snow. This afternoon I will take the dogs out to play. Ben (he's the photo on the home page next to about me) loves the snow and will go out and dig tunnels in it, and now the snow is deep enough to do it. If I had to guess I would say there is over 3 feet of snow in the yard and that doesn't include the snow drifts. The snow is starting to let up some, but they expect another 1-2 inches before the day is done. I did get a couple of interesting photos out of this storm and will be added to my website www.cindiresslerphotography.com

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

-Anne Bradstreet

Have a great day!

Winter Blues

February though it is the shortest month seems to be the longest. We just had 8 inches of snow day before yesterday and now tonight we might get as much as 14 inches of snow on top of that. So why you ask do I live in Maine, the other seasons so make it worth staying. So I suck it up and bundle up and keep waiting for the arrival of spring and all it's beauty. You know alot of us go through this every season. The summer is so hot that we can't wait for winter and yet winter is so cold and snowy we can't wait for summer. Seems we can't be happy no matter what season we are in. So maybe we should be thankful that we can enjoy each season for what it brings to us.

My little friend the brown squirrel feels the same as the rest of us. Actually this little guy was being chase by another brown squirrel when they saw me and decided it would be more fun to chase me than each other, and brown squirrels aren't a squirrel to mess with.

Stay warm and enjoy the seasons what ever they are.

Please visit my web site http://www.cindiresslerphotography.com/ to view more of my photos.

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

-Rachel Carson

Icicles

Well as I said yesterday we would have more storms before spring. Thursday they are expecting a snow storm with anywhere from 6 to 10 inches. So I thought I would show you these photos of icicles which are one of the many beauties of winter. Though winter is very cold it is very beautiful especially after a fresh snow fall on a bright sunny day with brillant blue skies.

Since I am blogging to help promote my website please take a moment to visit http://www.cindiresslerphotography.com/.

If you would like to be on my mailing list for shows and updates on my site. Please send me an email at cindi@cindiresslerphotography.com and I will add you to my list.

Have a great day!

Wire Basket in Snow

Sometimes here in Maine you can very easily get cabin fever. I really need to get out and photograph something other than snow. Though I really like this photo of the basket in the snow. I, like many other people anxiously await the arrival of spring. Spring is my favorite time of year as well as Fall. Spring is full of new life and beauitful fresh new colors, were as Fall is full of warm colors. I love color, but I also appreciate black & white. Anyway we still will have a few more snow storms to get through before the mud season kicks in. And when I say mud season I mean mud! My dogs won't go to the groomers until the mud season is over sometime in early May. I'm looking forward to getting started in the garden. Anxious to see what will be coming up for flowers. My garden is relatively new and it's still developing. If I can keep up with the weeds and I do pretty well until I start my art shows then I tend to fall behind and the weeds catch up. This year I will try yet again to stay ahead of the weeds. I'll have photos for you when plants start to sprout.

Have a great day everyone! Spring is on the way!

Farm Friends

I have been house sitting my neighbors animals which consist of 20 plus chickens (free eggs),3 miniature goats, Frosty, Badger and Tilly pictured here, 4 sheep Collette, Estella, and Ellen and a ram named Durango, also she has a white pony Meggie and finally a llama named Leroy as in Big Leroy Brown. He and I are not seeing eye to eye. In fact he chatters is teeth at me with ears back. Which isn't good. As long as I keep my distance we will be just fine. The afternoon feeding is exciting, because while I am bringing hay to Leroy and Durango (they share space) Durango is barreling up the path and Leroy won't move and Durango literally rams Leroy in the chest and Leroy pushes Durango back. Durango being the ram he is keeps pushing until he gets to the hay at which time Leroy gives in. Apparently this happens often. The animals are quite fun and interesting. One of her sheep is pregnant, but no signs of little lambs yet. I'll try to get photos of the llama and the ram.

Taxes are going well. I just finished, but I have some loose ends I need to further check out before I let the IRS have it.

Have a nice day!

My Bubba

This is Pumpkin aka "Bubba". This cat was the best cat ever! He had the best and loudest purr you have ever heard. Bubba was an orange tiger with beautiful yellow green eyes and a white tipped tail that had alot to say. After my last entry I realized that Bubba was the reason I quit my job and went for my career as a photographer. Bubba passed away in July 2006 and it hit me real hard. We had a great bond despite our early beginnings. He was 16 years old and lived a good life and long one, but when he died I began thinking how everything can change so quickly. I wasn't happy with my job and I wanted out, but I was intimidated by starting my own business without any business skills. So with Bubba's passing I decided you only live once. So I took the challenge. Thank you Bubba. I miss you terribly. Who would think a cat could change your life. That night I did alot of remembering of my past. Some good and some not so good. Life now is good. My life is simple and I like it that way. No need to make it any more complicated than it already is. That includes taxes which after alot of reading I'm still not getting it. I need laymen terms. So I go in search of tax help. I'll get it...evidently. I have learned about myself that if I want something bad enough I will get it! I am determined to get my taxes right!
Have a nice day!

Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

-John Quincy Adams

You know I started this blog with the intention of promoting my photography business. I am truly happy and excited that I am able to pursue my passion for photography and to make it my life's work. I am a dreamer and a true believer that with hard work and patience and the willingness to do what you truly want in life it will happen. When I finally decided to quit my job and move on with my career as a photographer I knew in my heart of hearts that it is the right thing to do. I could feel it deep in my soul. I will say that it has been a lot of work and a major financial struggle, but it is worth every bit, and I am still struggling. And I will continue to struggle to be the best photographer/business person that I can be. It is amazing what you can learn about yourself when you want something bad enough. I have taught myself digital photography, creating my own website and html language and now I'm learning to do my own taxes no thanks to my ex accountant, but it will make me a better business person. To some this may not seem like much, but for someone like myself whose doesn't have much technical background or a business degree, I think I'm doing a darn good job, and I will only get better.
Thanks for reading. Have a great day. Tomorrow I will be hitting the tax books.

Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.

-Henry David Thoreau

Top left is a Soldier Beetle, bottom left is a Goldenrod Crab Spider and on the right are Fire Flies. When I walk my backyard I do spend time looking for the insects which are so interesting. And it allows me to really look and see what is in my backyard. Sometimes it's alittle scary.

Please visit my web site for more similar photos http://www.cindiresslerphotography.com/