30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Thirty

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

I miss my good friend, Kimberly. I hate being so far away from each other. But I think about her all the time and I love her very much!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty Nine

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.

This picture always makes me smile because it was the first picture taken of Tony and I ever. When I look at it, it takes me back to the times of butterflies and new experiences. It brings back a lot of happy memories, and it only makes me think of the future to come with him; a future I didnt know - some of which I have already experienced. The rest, I have a lifetime to find out :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty Eight

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.

First off, I think you all know what I'm terrified of. And I'm NOT googling spider images. So I chose a cartoon one, and I can barely handle that. If you really want to see what I'm afraid of, you try googling spiders. I'm sure it wont be pretty. 

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty Seven

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.

My brother Travis and I. At Christmas. In our natural pose of life. Ahhh memories. 

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty Six

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.

Family

 

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty Five

Day 25 - A picture of your day.

We went and looked at a house today! It's right in Gresham.... actually right down the road from my grandparent's house! There's a few things that I'm not to keen on, but for a starter house, it's pretty fantastic! It has a HUGE HUGE yard, great for kiddos and pets! 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. HUGE garage (so Tony likes that). It's in a cul-de-sac so it's more private. The kitchen is nice and open. The hallway is kind of narrow, the rooms a bit on the smaller side, but overall, not a bad place at all to call a home!! It's very clean, too. I'd want to do a little painting and get new carpet (because we want it to be a little thicker and we dont want white) but that's about it. Everything else is in pretty good shape! Well, I might do a little garden or plant some flowers and stuff to make the front yard look a little more homey... :) But that is what we're thinking - it's such a good buy for what you're getting and with room to spare, we could easily add on later and make the rooms bigger or something. So we like it :) We're looking at more this week, but Tony really likes this one because of all the space and because there is such a huge yard and it's at the end of the lot, we could potentially add on to the house as well. But best of all, we can afford it because they brought the price down! So yay!  

I'll leave you with a picture of the kitchen: 

Danielle's Little Darlings

I am so excited to announce the launch of my own pet sitting business! I have named it Danielle's Little Darlings Pet Sitting Services. Check out my official website here! You can find out more about me, my services and rates, pictures, and frequently asked questions. There is also a contact form on the website in case you are interested in booking a service! 

I have also set up a Facebook page for easier access for any family and friends that want instant updates, specials, and news. Please "LIKE" me so that you can stay in touch! There is a FB badge on the right side of my blog - just click on it and it will take you directly to my page! 

Thanks for your support and I hope I can serve you and your pets!

Pet Sitting, With Love & Care.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty Four

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.

I wish (like most other people out there) that I could change all the bad in this world to good. No murder, rape, child abuse, pet abuse, sex offenders, hate, pedophiles, poverty, hunger, stress, discrimination, eating disorders, war, racism, violence, diseases, and of course.... spiders. 

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty Three

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.

I have SO many favorite books! I loooove to read. But these books (or series of books) are my favorites to read: 

* Harry Potter

Because obviously.

* Nicholas Sparks

I have loved his stories since I read A Walk to Remember years ago.....and then they made a movie out of it. I later found out that the movie Message in a Bottle was also a story written by him, so I read that too. And thus, a love affair started. I dont normally read "romance" type books, but these are such sweet stories.

* Death on Demand 

This is a book series that I have been reading since I was about 12 years old. Carolyn Hart keeps coming out with more, at least one a year, and I love them. They are old fashioned mysteries. The couple in the series are my favorite books characters like, ever, and the main woman has actually resulted in me wanting to name my first child her name if it's a girl.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty Two

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.

Math

Now, I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide....and personally, I think that's all I really need to know. I dont plan on ever having a career where a ton of math is involved..... but still. It would be nice to be smarter in the subject. Sometimes I wish I could just spout out some crazy equation, an answer to a tough math question, or figure out something math-related and wow everyone around me. Sure - I wish my brain could grasp the crazy ass ways to figure out problems containing letters instead of numbers and why that even exists. I'm okay with what I know.... But I wouldnt mind being better at it ;)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty One

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.

The movie Balls of Fury. Seriously. This movie took two hours of my life that I will never get back. I dont think I've ever felt this way about a movie besides this one. Normally, if I dont like a film, I just wont watch it again and I tell curious movie-goers my opinion if they want it. But this one.....this one got to me in such a way that I wish I had never wasted my time. Ugh.

And while we are on the subject of movies and forgetting them... I wish I could forget The Grudge. Oh God, do I wish. Now, I already know most people hated it and thought it was cheesy but it creeped the F out of me! There's something about the story and the images that just made me squirm. I have only seen it once and I will never watch it again. Ever. Never ever. And I'm not posting a picture of it. HAHAHAHAHAHA. No.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twenty

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

Well, I posted travel as the thing I want to do before I die, and I listed a few key places I really want to go to. But there are two in particular I really want to travel to:

Jade Mountain in St Lucia

Italy

Sigh.

The Hallow Design

I am SO proud to say that my husband finally has his photography up and running! We have set up an official website, Facebook Page, and Blog for his new business: The Hallow Design By Tony Hermesman.

He is a photographer in the Portland, Oregon area and is now conducting services!! He can shoot a number of things:

- Portraits

~ Senior Pictures

~ Engagement Pictures

~ Photo Shoots on Location

~ Family Photos

~ Pet Portraits 

~ Prom Photos

~ Self Portraits

- Events

~ Local Concerts / Shows

~ Sports Events (BMX)

~ Recitals: dancers and singers

- Nature

~ Mountains

~ Lakes

~ Trees

~ Flowers

- Structure

~ Buildings

~ Cars

~ Motorcycles

~ Trucks

~ Railroad Tracks

....to name just a few! ;] If you are interested in any of his services or in buying a print of a photo he has already taken, either contact me or Tony (I will mainly do the communicating, organizing, and booking of appointments, as I am his business partner). Keep in touch with The Hallow Design in any (or ALL!) of the following ways:

- Be sure to "LIKE" The Hallow Design official Facebook page ( I have put up a badge on the right side of my blog)!

- Follow The Hallow Design Blog HERE 

- Check out the website! It is done but not on the internet yet. Should be up by tomorrow though! I will post the link as soon as it is and I will also place a link on the right side of my blog as well. 

By doing any or all of the things above, you will be kept up with all of his current pictures, new photo shoots, new pictures, news, updates, specials, and contests! Stay tuned! Thank you all for your support!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Nineteen

Day 19 - A picture of a letter / card you have received.

Tony drew me a card for Christmas of 2009. He had given me a beautiful spice rack, a giraffe, and two movies, yet he felt he hadn't done enough. So he gave me this card with some fun ideas in it!

Cover: Ainslee under the Christmas tree =]

1) Dinner at Mutu's (our favorite Italian restaurant in Durango) and a walk down Main Ave

2) A gift from him and Ashlee (upgrades for my car)

3) "Still trying to make it work" (which turned out to be him arranging my family to come visit us in Durango during Spring Break!)

4) Taking care of my car (Explanation: I had been in an accident in October of 2009 and nearly totaled the front end of my car. Luckily, I had insurance so they paid for all of it except for our $1,000 deductible... I had paid $200 on it by the time my car was ready - which was sooner than we thought - and they actually held it for about 2 weeks for me. I was trying to get it together because I was still paying my car payments as well as insurance even though I didnt have my car and Tony decided to pay the last $800 as a gift for me!!! He's AMAZING!)

Tony drawing cards for me = In my top 5 favorite things. Ever.

In The Doghouse

Stumbled across this site a while back while reading dooce and I fell in love! I want one for each of my pets!!

Pet Portraits

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Eighteen

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.

I'm really insecure about my feet. First of all, let me just state that I dont like feet to begin with. They're weird looking and I'd just rather not stare at them. HOWEVER, I do like getting pedicures =] I will admit that I had never had a pedi until last year in February when Tony got me a day at the spa for my Valentine's gift. I was nervous....but then I fell in love. It was sooooo relaxing. BUT I still dont really look at my feet while they're working on them ;) So not only do I not like feet in general, but I'm insecure about mine because they are tiny. It's not like I'd want clown feet, but everyone always comments on how little they are (I wear a size 5) and sometimes I get all anxious about it. Haha. My little sister, who is 11, has bigger feet than I do already and she's still growing!

This picture was taken after my first pedicure in 2010 :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Seventeen

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

I just finished reading this book, "It Sucked and Then I Cried" about a woman (who's a famous blogger) and her first pregnancy - the 9 months of pregnancy and the 9 months after. It is SO honest and blunt. It's hilarious while detailing the realities of everything involved in being a mother. I enjoyed it thoroughly. If you know me, you know that I really want to have children but I'm absolutely terrified of giving birth. Hearing everyone's stories doesnt really make it easier but I just have to remember that everyone's experience is different, and there's no way I can predict what my own will be like. I have to ultimately stop worrying so much and try to enjoy it when the time comes. In the meantime, this book opened up my eyes on the true ups and downs of getting pregnant and having a child and it made me realize how much I really do want to have my own kids because the love that results is amazing =]

This book is entertaining and interesting for everyone to read! I'm currently rereading it to Tony and he actually enjoys it quite a bit! I think it opens up his eyes to what a woman goes through during that special time in her life (and maybe he can be somewhat prepared for when it happens for us). I think mothers and soon to be mothers will really like this book. If you're reading this, Beth & Christal, I think both of you would get a kick out of it!!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Sixteen

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

Ellen DeGeneres

She's funny, brave, strong, kind, generous, and true to herself....oh, and did I mention hilarious?!?!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Fifteen

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

TRAVEL 

I have already been lucky enough to travel to a few different places in my young life.... But I want to do so much more traveling! There are many many places I still want to see! I am the type of person that will go on just about any trip, for the sake of travel and experiencing something I havent seen yet.

*Places I have been fortunate enough to visit:

~ Oregon

- Wallowa Lake

- Ashland

~ California

- Salinas

- Los Angeles (Hollywood)

- Anaheim

- Walnut Creek

~ Nevada

- Las Vegas

~ Colorado

- Durango

~ New Mexico

- Farmington

- Albuquerque 

- Aztec

~ Utah

- Salt Lake City

~ Arizona

- Phoenix

- Kingman

~ Washington 

- Vancouver 

~ Florida

- Miami

- Orlando 

~ Caribbean 

- Half Moon Cay

- Grand Turk

- Nassau, Bahamas 

*States I have driven through but haven't really visited:

~ Idaho

~ Iowa

*Places on the top of my list to visit before I die:

~ Australia

~ London

~ Paris

~ Italy

~ France

~ Greece

~ Turkey

~ New Zealand

~ New York

~ North Carolina (I want a book signed by Nicholas Sparks)

~ Massachusetts (Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast & Salem Witch Trials museum) 

~ Hawaii 

.....and like I said, there are many MANY more!!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Fourteen

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

While there are lots of people that make my life richer just by being around, there are two that really stand out: Josh & Lia. My younger brother and sister mean SO much to me. I have had special bonds with both of them since they were very young. They make me laugh, they make me frustrated, they listen, they get distracted, they agree with me, they disagree with me, they give me advice, the give me demands, they bring me so much joy you cant even imagine and I LOVE THEM. I have so many great memories with them and I hope to make many more in the years to come :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Thirteen

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

So I have tons and tons of favorite artists, all for very different reasons. But here are my top 5 (which is really narrowing it down!!):

* Nirvana

* Red Hot Chili Peppers

* Lady Gaga

* Sarah McLachlan

* Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Twelve

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

I think it's quite obvious:

Tony Hermesman (10.10.10)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Eleven

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.

Something that I cannot stand is a messy house. Now let me be clear: When I go to someone's house and it's slightly messy, or they have children and dont have a ton of time to keep everything spotless, I understand and it doesnt bother me. What gets to me is when people let their houses go completely. It's just disgusting and I HATE it. I'm a little OCD so my house is unusually clean most of the time lol. I'm crazy when it comes to the organization of my own things. Most people tend to think that because I'm like that, I will be like that at their house. Well I'm not!! I can be perfectly content at someone's somewhat disorganized home. It's just my own stuff that gets to me if it's out of place. It's just the perfectionist in me. But if your home looks anything like the pictures below, then I might have a problem:

So tt's one thing to have a messy house, but a messy yard?! I dont get how people can just have so much trash sitting in their yards, especially the front, where people drive by and can see it. That would bug me so much! 

So there's my rant for the day. Whew.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Ten

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with.

I would have to say these two ladies and I have had some pretty good times ;) Elise and Abranna are two of my best friends  - they are amazing girls who I can totally be myself around. We've gotten ourselves into lots of adventures, some not to be posted on here in too much detail haha. 

Elise and I go way back (freshman year of high school) and we have sooo many memories together! She has always been there for me and no matter how much time goes by, it feels like no time has passed at all and we just pick back up right where we left off :) We were in each others weddings within the last two years and both events were a blast!

Abranna and I met while working together. We immediately hit it off and became fast friends. We kept in touch when I moved to Colorado, and made up for lost time when I moved back! I can certainly consider her a best friend - I tell her everything and we have a lot of fun. She served as my maid of honor and she was beautiful on that day! I was so glad she was standing up there with me because she has always been so supportive of me.

I love both of these girls sooo much!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Nine

Day 9 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

One of my best friends, Allison. She was the person I connected with the most in Durango and was there through a few pretty tough times. Going through those, and having her be a supportive amazing friend, is the reason why I chose her. She always knew the right thing to say, gave me great advice, listened, and knew me for me. She also flew out to Oregon (when she was so tired from traveling everywhere else around the same time) to be a bridesmaid in my wedding. She helped SO incredibly much when she was here (putting together favors, helping me with my dress, calming me down, taking care of everything back at our house while we were gone on our wedding night - putting my bouquet in water, stocking up leftovers in our fridge, taking out the trash, etc). She's been a true friend and I'm so glad the Alpine Inn pulled us both into it's open jaws waiting to devour us so that we could meet!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Eight

Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh.

This was when we were hiking up at Multnomah Falls.....yet, Lia doesn't remember this being taken and my dad doesn't remember taking it. It's priceless. 

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day Seven

Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item.

So just like with the memory post, I have a few treasured items :) Besides Tony, my friends, my family, and my pets, these are my most prized possessions:

* Some of my mom's recipes in her own handwriting.

* My F*R*I*E*N*D*S collection.

* My favorite stuffed giraffes from special people - all of them have great memories behind them.

* The letter Tony wrote for me and sent to me before I moved to Durango. It's framed in our living room because it makes me smile.

* My picture albums. Amazing memories that are priceless. 

* And finally, the Harry Potter series. Because obviously.