live and learn

a clarification...

i've received quite a few comments and emails asking if the new site is replacing this one. as far as daily posts, yes, it will. but i will continue to keep "live and learn" up and running for the purpose of directing people to my new site and for photo galleries. at first i wasn't sure how i was going to go forward with this, but i think it will make things much easier to post daily postings in one place. so that place is right here: http://www.beckynovacekphotography.com/

just remember to scroll down past the introduction area for the new post. sorry for the confusion! i hope you will continue to check out what i'm up to! you have all been so supportive here and i don't want to lose the connection we've shared! 

thanks! 

it's official....

i have a new website!

beckynovacekphotography.com

check it out! 

thanks! 

simplicity...

i like the idea of having a less complicated life. i think i've made strides this winter. i'm more laidback and a little less driven. my family has noticed...and for me that's big. trying to savor the process of each day and be less rushed and pushing for "the next thing". life really can be more enjoyable if i take this approach. i know this, and yet there's so much i want to do every day. twice this week, i've lunched with friends and taken my time. it's been nice. i haven't even felt panicked when i realized the time. that is progress friends! it's already friday and i'm not freaked about what i didn't get to this week. just had to share this little milestone.

thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on aging gracefully! so fun to read all your thoughts. lorraine's comment put things in perspective. i thank God every day for my health. and i pray daily for loved ones who aren't in good health. my mom's car accident years ago was the most paradigm changing event of my life, as far as mortality and health issues. i think we all have wake up calls in this regard. since i mentioned my mom, i want to thank you all again for your prayers. she is doing well, still experiencing very few symptoms. she had fluid removed from her chest last week, but she has bounced back from that very well.

last week, i took grey's 6 month photos, right on his 6 month birthday. i love this shot so much.

i love it so much that i already have it framed and on the wall!

 

this one is sweet too-

 

my obsession with baby toes has not subsided!

i finally photographed a couple of layouts i've been working on,  in the few nights that i've made it up to my studio-

i adore jenni bowlin. both her personally, and her products! i'm having fun playing with her new stuff!

   aren't the chair stamps fun? they were designed by my friend denise for my friend kl's kit club kenner road. i love it! not sure if they are available?

i had such good intentions to do a project a month around the house....but it just didn't happen in february. i have continued to sort through and purge throughout the house, so i suppose i could cheat and say that i've done that! i went through the island in the kitchen (which has 4 junk drawers!) and i've done a bit more in the basement, but that's about it. i have spent a good deal of time working on website stuff. i'm a little discouraged about it right now, because i was customizing it even further last night and messed something up royally. i'm working with tech support right now to try to get it fixed up. i am not a techy! but i am really excited about having it up and running! i'll keep you posted! 

here's a quote from "purpose driven life" that fits in well with the changes i'm trying to make:

"when our schedules become overloaded, we start skimming relationally, cutting back on giving the time, energy, and attention that loving relationships require. what's more important to God is displaced by what's urgent. 

busyness is a great enemy of relationships. we become preoccupied with making a living, doing our work, paying bills, and accomplishing goals as if these tasks are the point of life. they are not. the point of life is learning to love-God and people. life minus love equals zero." rick warren.

here's another quote from the book that i like:

"purpose-driven living leads to a simpler lifestyle and a saner schedule. the Bible says, "a pretentious, showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life." it also leads to peace of mind: "You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in You." rw

it's interesting to me, that our church is "full life church".

today is joshua payton, ( known as payton)'s birthday! he is 7 today! he is so tall and grown up. when he hugs me, he's almost up to my shoulders! we always compare our hands and feet in size and he has almost passed me up already! i love my little artist bud.

 

  happy birthday payton!

God bless each of you! have a great weekend!

another *b* list...

this one being inspired by a special issue of people magazine, that i glanced through while at the orthodontist's office a few weeks ago. i'm not writing this from a standpoint of a self appointed expert....i feel more like a pioneer among my friends. they are either much younger, or possibly less superficial than i, and don't really care! i just like to share what i've figured out works for me, as i enter each new season of life. i love reading when others share too...so don't hesitate to share your tips and secrets! i hate to beg for comments, but lately it's been a little sparse! maybe i'm just not posting things of interest? i see lots of people reading though!

*b* list of beauty as you age:

1. inner beauty is real. i know this is cliche, but that doesn't mean it's not so. since i have gotten into photography, i think this statement has become even more real and true for me. i can see this so much more clearly. it's difficult to photograph someone who is lacking inner beauty....their eyes tell the story. fortunately, i can only think of one experience that this was a real issue. typically, i seem to attract clients who have that inner beauty ; ) empty eyes, no matter how superficially beautiful the person seems, don't lie. your eyes truly are the windows to your soul. inner peace, joy and contentment show. if you really want to know how a person is doing, look them in the eye. i think that's why i find older women so fascinating to photograph....so many times, their wisdom, sparkle, and beauty are so apparent in their eyes. they are done playing games. it's real.
2. be ready to change things up. according to an article i skimmed in people, (and i believe it's true), as we hit each season of life, the things that worked when we were 20 (or whatever younger season), aren't necessarily going to work now. i've changed almost everything...from hairstyle to makeup to how i dress. i have seen many people get stuck in an era, when they felt their best, and they can't move on. you know, how the 80's were for some! time to move on!
3. less is more. i remember when i was in my 20s, reading about how, as women age, they should be wearing less makeup, not more. so true. more makeup, just accentuates what you don't want accentuated! recently, someone asked me if i wore eye makeup? at first, i was a little offended...but then, i thought, "maybe it's not such a bad thing, that they're asking?"
4. use makeup brushes. don't laugh. some women may need to read this! as we age, using a brush for foundation is really important. it covers our imperfections (wrinkles!) more efficiently and gives a more finished look.
5. don't skip skincare steps. cleanse, exfoliate, tone and moisturize. don't skip any of these steps! i mentioned in a blog post recently what a difference exfoliating has made in my aging skin....i use philosophy's microdelivery wash every morning and then aveda's face bar in the evening. the microdelivery wash has made a huge difference in my skin! huge! i used to peel and flake all the time (sorry if that is gross!) and now, my skin is much more smooth and clear. i also use 3 different moisturizers...one for my eye area, one around my lips and another overall. it takes seconds.
6. keep up your haircolor. that doesn't mean that i think everyone should color their hair. but if you do, keep it up. i've noticed the older i get, the more often this is needed. i feel so much better when i keep it up. when i was younger, i could get away with having it done much less often. now, it's much more priority.
7. facial hair. ha! a reality of getting older. be watchful and get rid of it! eek. also, i can't believe the difference it makes when i keep my brows under control. i just have them waxed every time i go to the salon for my hair. the way your brows *frame* your eyes, can make or break you! i never tweezed my brows when i was young. i thought brooke shields looked good, so why not me? ha! now i know how much better i look with nicely controlled brows.
8. nails. because of the work i do with paint, glue and paper, i don't get manicures. i should, but i don't. i do however, use my nail buffing block. it gives me shiny, smooth nails, even if they aren't polished. i do get regular pedicures in the summer. right now, i need one badly! ugh!
9. your undergarments. alright, i hesitate to mention this, yet again, but i have to! undergarments. you must make them a priority! a really great fitted bra is vital as you age! VITAL! if i sound superficial, i'm sorry, but this is important stuff for women to know! no one told me! not until i looked BAD! and if you are dressing in a form-fitting outfit, get yourself some spanx....and if they're too pricey, buy the knockoffs at target. 
10. don't feel guilty about taking a little time for yourself.  don't forget about you. if you are so busy taking care of everyone else and ignoring your own care, you will eventually end up either burned out, or resentful, or both. you will be a better, more beautiful person, if you take a little time to refresh yourself. take a walk, get a pedicure, spend time with friends who make you glad you're alive, read a book, whatever makes you feel refreshed!
11. remember your body is a temple. moderation being key here. eat right, get your rest, and get some exercise. it's not that i don't eat junk food. i do...i just don't exist on junk food. i eat a little here and there.
12. most important of all: live with grace, humility, a clear conscience, gratitude, purpose and joy. cheesy, whatever. i believe it to be truth. i mess up all the time, but if i don't have goals and ideals to live by, i will flounder. i know, because i used to live without these things. i thought that if i was striving, trying to be good enough(not believing in God's grace), faking it, looking for "things" that would fulfill me, but never did... i was a mess. being at peace with the Lord, living with purpose, according to biblical principles, based on God's saving grace has given me more worth and peace than i've ever had before...more depth too. as much as a person's outward appearance starts to decline, the importance of having some depth becomes even more apparent. i hope to age gracefully, so that i become better and not bitter. i want to have the depth that my gram had...and now i see in my mom and aunts. a beauty that is much more multi-faceted and true, than just what you see on the surface.

i'd love to know your thoughts and tips!

i do have some photos to share of a beautiful family! tom and i have known mike since he was in our church's youth group! look at him now!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mike has done alright! they bought this cool, spacious log home on a gorgeous plot of ground in the country. so happy for them!

i think i've shared enough for one day! God bless each of you!

i feel it...

spring is around the corner. this morning, when i let sophie out, the air felt different. it feels and smells like spring. and the crocuses are up. the sun is out, and it's supposedly going to be warm out today! i'm not gonna lie, i'm more than ready for spring....and yet, i'm a little panicky, because i know with the spring weather, i won't be getting my indoor projects done, like i would if it was nasty outside. but to get the projects done, i need to be home!

it does feel good to be getting out of my bubble lately. i spent most of the day saturday slicing and dicing. we had a missions dinner at church saturday night. it was satisfying to spend a day with the ladies of our church in the kitchen. interestingly enough, everything really flowed...we all worked together pretty much seamlessly and i think the outcome was outstanding! i'm not patting myself on the back at all, it was pam and chelsea's brainchild. they planned a menu that incorporated international dishes with all-american dishes, and i think everyone enjoyed it. chilean missionaries, matt and kristi kling spoke, and i think they lit a fire in many of us. i have had the desire to go on a missions trip for many years....but it hasn't happened yet! they mentioned that once they are established there, they would love to have a group of us come down and help with a building project. i so want this to come about!

i also got to take some pics of our friend's dave and mary's son and daughter-in-law, dave and becca, who serve at washburn university. good people, just like dave and mary!

 sunday morning, a prison chaplain and his wife, (who also run a halfway house that is Christ-centered) spoke. holy cats, did he preach! it was so inspiring!!!! when the figures were put together on missions donations, our church tripled it's previous faith promises! so exciting!

i also did a family photoshoot this weekend-

 

 

 

 

 

and their beautiful mom-

 

with nine adults, it went really quick!

so, with it getting late, i'm not going to add a *b* list today. i'm still having issues with typepad freezing...so i may be going to a few small posts, rather than one long one. yesterday, i couldn't get in to correct spelling on my post...which is very frustrating! so please bear with me, as i figure out how to address this. i'm still working on a website solution, so i may be changing things up completely very soon.

God bless your day!

a busy day....

so this will be quick! i'm on my way out the door, to get my hair highlighted, etc.... and then off to a fun location photoshoot!

this morning, i noticed that this layout was up at fiskars:

 i love, love, love the upper crest border punch! i have to be carefull not to use it on every project!

no time for lunch today, so i'm grabbing a pear for the road. i am a big fan of pears. if you read my blog, you know that. we bought a bag at costco (a place i'm a big fan of). i could eat a pear every day.

 

have a great monday, and God bless!

right now...

my brain is full.

i'm energized.

i can't wait to be back outside.

i can't wait to go forward with lots of plans...in my business, in my home, in pretty much every area of my life. i have lots of plans, and i want to see them come to be. one thing, i want to have up and running very soon, is a real website. i seem to be running into obstacles, but i'm trying not to let anything stop me. i'm wanting to implement a lot of new things, exciting things for clients, and for me. the loft was the first step, and now i need to proceed! here's a recent photo of the loft, and as you can see, i haven't done much to "set it up"....and i may not. i sort of like the freedom of just moving things around. i'm letting it happen as organically as possible.

 

i did order several canvases, which i love! i'm loving the floor in this space. it photographs beautifully! thanks connie :)

i was at the loft tuesday, doing headshots for my friend tammy, who is a newspaper editor and an amazing writer! oh and she's a wonderful lady and friend too.

 

isn't she lovely? and doesn't she look like a big-time writer? oh yeah.

before i started cooking, last saturday, when we had cooking club, i took a few shots of jamie and donna's son blake and his girlie friend angie-

 

and my fave-

 

and while we were shooting, major was watching....

 

he is the sweetest, most mild mannered giant of a dog! love him!

i snapped a couple of shots in my kitchen this morning....

 

words to live by. the pretty apron was a gift from my sweet friend, jana. i'm a lucky girl. alright, it's not luck, but i am blessed.

  

i can not resist vintage tins in reds, blues and creams.

so tonight, tom and i are going on a date with a mission (ha!). our church is having a missions dinner tomorrow night, so i'm picking up a bunch of produce to use for the meal. we'll definitely have a nice dinner and maybe do a little shopping? i've been a complete homebody this week, so i'm looking forward to a night out with my man...even if it is to buy produce! 

i hope you have a wonderful weekend! i'll leave you with a video that made me smile SO big! (oh and the pretty blonde in the middle of the 3 girls, is my awesome friend vicki's niece neely! neely is such a truly good person! and gifted too! and her parents are gems. absolute gems!

  

God bless!

the gamut...

so many different things on my mind today. so i guess i'll go with that! unlike one of my favorite bloggers who does her posts in a very concise, organized manner. no idea why i can't do that. 

thoughts: i love being the age i am. i feel better than i've ever felt. i know more than i've ever known. i have experienced enough heartache to be grateful for not only the big things, but the small. i have amazing children in my life, who i adore...but don't have the daily responsiblity for. i have my parents and appreciate them more than ever. i have a man who fits perfectly with me. i am passionate about my work and life. i recognize the importance of faith and how without it, i am not at peace. 

it's not that i think age makes one superior. i just love the perspective that age undeniably gives. here's a quote that i read recently:

"at this stage, my happiness at home is more quiet. i have raised my family. they have their own exciting lives to live. i now have more free time to contemplate, to read, to study and question deep philosophical, universal issues." alexandra stoddard

she goes on to write about how it's not necessarily a more happy time, just a different time. i loved when my kids were young and at home. but embracing this new season of life is a good thing too. i'm glad that our kids are living independent vibrant lives. i don't want to hang on to the past!

creativity: i've spent more time in my studio again this winter. i love snuggling into my little world upstairs and getting creative. my studio is one of my favorite places to spend time. here are a few recent layouts featuring melissa frances:

  

i love the fresh twist collection! so pretty. 

another thing i'm super excited about, is 2 upcoming classes that my talented friend vicki  and i are planning at the loft! i just adore her, so the idea of a day of classes and a luncheon with her sounds divine! i'll be teaching a mini-book class and she'll be doing an altered shadow box. and here's the kicker-it's going to be really affordable! yay! we have a date for the classes too-it's saturday march 28. more details on friday!

t.v. : yes, i am shallow enough to include t.v. with my philosophical thoughts and my creativity. i really like danny gokey and alexis (girl with the pink hair) on idol. they really stood out last night! tom and i are also watching survivor. we just get such a kick out of it. we always end up having inside jokes as we watch. it's literally the only show we watch together! i'm looking forward to a new season of dancing too! i'm sad that boston legal is done. and i'm also sad that our local channel 6 isn't available in my studio anymore. no more law and order. i did rent the first season of gilmore girls this week. so i can watch as i work. i just adore that show. i guess with my little ramshackle tv in my studio, i'll be watching a lot of dvds. either that, or we'll be buying a new t.v. our spending dollars rarely go for technology...and if they do, it's for computer stuff. no ipods, no fancy tvs. we do have tivo and a nice(albeit simple) system for music listening, which includes outdoor speakers. i guess technology just isn't our priority when it comes to spending money. we're pretty content with our simple stuff.

organization: i had to laugh when martha sent an email with her organizational tip today: organizing the basement.  more motivation for me. i'm about 1/10 of the way through.

photography: i am so anxious to get back into full out shoots. this week has just started to get back into a fuller schedule as far as photoshoots go. i've kept busy all winter with design work and orders. so i can't complain! God has been so good! i always get nervous about making it through the slower winter months...but this year has been much better! i even tried to relax and enjoy the slowdown and recognize that i would soon be busy, busy again. yesterday i did a shoot of harper for the march healthwise cover. although i can't show the specific images we did for the cover, here are a couple we shot after clearing the props-

 

cute tummy.

 

she is so easy to photograph! i just engage her in conversation and she's in. we had the best time!

i'm going to go out to the hospital within the hour to join my dad, as my mom has a routine procedure done. mom is doing great! after today, they plan to gear up to head south for a few weeks. thanks for your continued prayers for her.

God bless you!

*b* list of organization...

don't laugh! i really do TRY to be organized. i just have a lot of different interests and things going on. i'm not someone who could be content in a house without projects, or in a home that doesn't show who we are. that being said, i do like order. i like to open a drawer and know that i'm going to find my favorite .08 uniball pen sitting where it's supposed to be sitting. so in honor of my pursuit of order, here's my list of goals for being more into organization and simplicity:

1. have a sale yesterday, as i was getting my cardio done, i was looking around our basement family room/storage area. it's like stepping back in time. it's filled with my 1980s circa decor....from couch to chair to longaberger baskets....and it's not that i don't like it, it just seems like maybe i could get rid of some of it. namely baskets and decor. i decided that rather than take things to goodwill, i could probably justify a rather large garage sale. i have pieces that i'm sure someone would find a better use for. so my first goal is to start preparing for a spring sale. we have a storage unit that has pieces that i really like, but have never figured out how to use, so they'll be added as well. i love my antiquing/junking, so i need to constantly be purging to make room for the new finds.
2. get rid of anything i don't love. since my home is my sanctuary, i don't want to surround myself with things that are just okay. there are too many things that i really, really appreciate. so today, as i'm gathering and sorting, i'm going to try to be very open minded and let go of anything mediocre. (the kitchen is the exception to this rule. i can't go out and buy new appliances yet, so i'll have to settle in that area) someday, i'll take before and after pics and you'll see how bad the kitchen is!
3. give things away to someone who is in need, or who just might appreciate them. i try to be generous with my stuff. i don't want to hang on to things and keep them in storage "just in case". if someone needs/wants something i have sitting in storage, i am likely to give it away.
4. relinquish old magazines and books. i do have to say, that i refer back to my magazines for a very long time. that being said, i can't let it pile up the way i typically do. i have stacks of old magazines under my desk in my studio. i am going to take before and after photos. it's ridiculous. i do feel pretty good about my system of recycling books. i use paperback swap, and it has been great for keeping new books coming in, and books i've read, moving on. there are very few novels that i keep. i'm all about passing them on and getting new reading material.  
5. have my eyes wide open. today, as i sort, i want to see things clearly. sometimes it helps to have someone close to me, come over and help me see things that i've become oblivious to. for instance my desk and it's piles. they become invisible to me.
6. when i sort through the basement, i intend to do it "clean sweep" style. clear out an area, and sort through each piece, piling each item in either a "trash", "get rid of" or "keep" pile. i do the same thing in my studio and other rooms when i'm in the right frame of mind. one thing i think is interesting, is that i never miss things i get rid of.
7. stop procrastinating. i have a pile of paperwork that i've been ignoring for weeks. i know it needs to be dealt with, and i know when i deal with it, i'll feel better...i just need to take the step to deal. phone calls are another thing i procrastinate...no idea why?
8. get back to my list making. it made such a difference when i kept a list of tasks. it helped me stay on top of messes and disorganization. i must start today.
9. i need to come up with some practical solutions for the clutter. last summer when my sister was helping me out, she cleared out a few shelves in a closet for me to use for photography paperwork, like brochures, business cards, publications, labels, etc... before that, i was just printing out brochures as needed and always frantic. so i know there are things i could deal with in a much more practical, efficient manner. i just need to take a look at my piles of clutter and find that solution. since i am a very visual person, i know that having things not only orderly, but attractive, does make a difference in my attitude.

simple case in point. we used to just mix up all the drinking glasses and mismatched cups. that drove me crazy visually. so making a simple change and stacking all the matchy drinking glasses on one shelf is much more pleasing. am i neurotic? ha!

  and yes, our shelves need to be painted...or something. with an older home, there are always projects. it can be overwhelming. so i personally need to focus on one thing at a time, and not let the little issues drive me too crazy. i must say at this time in my life, i'm much more at peace with things in my home not being perfect. hence my list today :)

sidenote: one simple little thing that i do that makes me much less frustrated in my kitchen. i don't let the cupboards get too full. if the drinking glass and mug shelves start to overflow, i get rid of something. emptying the dishwasher can be so exasperating if things don't fit in the cupboards, right? simple solution. purge. some of this may seem so silly to some of you super organized people..but for those of us,who it doesn't come naturally to, this is big!

     10. take it one room at a time. i tend to want to get it all done in a day. that's not realistic. so, my plan is to do something every day this week and maybe for the rest of the month and deal with it. somedays it may be a drawer, some days it might be a whole room...but just making a step a day toward organization will get me to my goal. i started this last month and fizzled....so i'm hoping i will do better now. i'm in the right frame of mind, so we shall see. i know that i love the feeling of having things in order. i feel so much lighter and freer, and more likely to do the things i really want to be doing. having things in order is Biblical. "let all things be done decently and in order". 1 cor 14:40.

i'm writing this for myself as much as anyone. if it helps someone else to get motivated, that's awesome! i just know i need it!

last night, we watched fireproof at donna and jamie's. what a great movie. such a powerful message. i think everyone who is married or thinking of getting married, should watch. i loved that they incorporated humor too. i know some friends of ours(who have a good marriage) are doing the love dare. i think it could be a life changing concept. 

God bless your day!   

       

it was sweet...

our weekend, that is. we had tickets for a showing of fireproof on friday night, but due to the 6 or 7 inches of snow, the showing was cancelled. we ended up spending a quiet evening at home. we went to the video store,  and then picked up mexican takeout. some of you may have read of my blunder at the video store(on facebook), almost getting in the wrong white pick-up with the wrong man. yeah, nice. tom and the dude in the truck got a huge kick out of it. my friend kim i.m.'d me, and said, "the question is, would you have been trading up or down?" ha! tom says the truck was fancier than his. in my defense, i did not have my contacts in. oy. saturday flew by....started slow, but then went crazy. i had photos to shoot for the world herald and then later we had cooking club. cooking club was awesome! so fun to celebrate valentine's day with our friends and a lovely meal...no waiting for hours for a table at a restaurant.

the menu:

appetizers:

spinach and artichoke dip with sourdough bread and spicy chips

bruschetta with this divine red pepper infused oil and goat cheese (i think?)

mini quiches and empanadas

field greens salad with pomegranate and mini onion rings (made with shallots...so tasty and cute!)

roasted red peppers and green beans with orange zest

garlic mashed potatoes

herbed, grilled tenderloin

chocolate layer cake with vanilla cherry frosting

the menu and concept to celebrate valentine's day was donna's brainchild. i think it was brilliant. she kept the menu simple and appealing to our relatively conservative eating husbands...and i think they loved it! nothing too adventurous. just really well done "normal" midwestern food. i didn't take many pictures, since we are sorta preoccupied with the actual preparation, but i did snap a couple-

 

 

 

and i think it's probably obvious that cooking club isn't just about cooking. it's about enjoying the process...and sharing prolonged time preparing, sharing, tasting, talking, admiring....there's just something about time shared in the kitchen and at the table. after dinner, we sat in their hearth room and enjoyed the fire and chatted...some may have even dozed off. it was a wonderful way to spend valentine's day.

on saturday, the second omaha world herald healthwise of the year came out, with my cover!

 

i photographed a vignette of things that are near and dear to me. most of them are pretty clear...but i wanted to give credit to two local artists whose work is pictured: the adorable pet portrait of my sophie (with a camera around her neck!) and scooter, by omaha artist, denise levy, if you click on the link, it will take you to her blog, which has a link to her pet portraits. i highly recommend this as a gift to yourself or a loved one. also, our family photo pictured, was taken by local photographer,   cara bresette yates...she is the only local photographer who i recommend when i am unable to shoot a wedding or event...plus i obviously trusted her to do our family shots. both denise and cara are not only awesome artists, they are my friends! love them both. 

here's the original photo:

  

i think it represents me pretty well.

today, i got an email from my friend stephanie ...and she just wrote, "you might enjoy the video on my blog today". oh yeah, i sure did...totally warmed my heart!

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what can i say after that? God bless!