It’s snowing out. One radio station says 10 inches, the tv guy says 4-6. Whatever…it doesn’t seem to be sticking to our streets right now - but the radio is telling me there are accidents on the highways already. Jack didn’t want to go out in it this afternoon - should be interesting taking Daisy out tonight. It isn’t much to look at yet if you ask me.

I’m really at a loss with Daisy at the moment. Before, when she first came to my home, she didn’t mind going out. Now, if it’s daylight out - forget it! I will put her out and shut the back door and watch her (we have this sun reflective stuff on that door so she can’t see me) and she just stands there at the door. Shaking. I mean, if you have to pee, then go pee! But she won’t. Only after about the second or third try with me getting fully dressed and shoes on and me walking ALL the way to the back of the fence will she come out and quickly squat. Sometimes, I don’t think she even finishes. She’s terrified. But, if it’s dark out, I can’t get her to come in! I reward her with treats after she goes and come in during the day, hoping it sinks in, but I just don’t know what to do. I feel horrible for her. She’s almost like a Jekyll and Hyde personality. You can watch her playing and chomping on her bone and being cuddly to me one moment and the next moment the slightest noise or trying to eat her food is so nerve-racking for her. Advice?

Here’s a photo of that TOTALLY adorable pink camera that Michelle made me. She’s ooozing with talent!

So fun huh??? I hung it on my pink Christmas tree of course!

So, that’s the beginning of my painting…I want to do an edge effect and started, but painted over it. It’s been sitting on my table for the whole week now. Sigh.

This is the paint set I got at Hobby Lobby - I know - cheap! LOL

If you look at the painting above you can see the shapes are made of dictionary paper. I’m really loving the vintage and collage look. I took a shot of one of my baskets of supplies and am trying to think what I want to do with that collage sheet in there.

This weekend, my goal is to catch up on my 30 Days to Embrace Me - even if it’s just the photos. BUT, I will print the damned things out so I can create when time permits. I can’t believe that CHA is almost a week away! I am very excited about seeing everyone and of course, hearing how our products do. Word has it that the booth is going to ROCK the house! Go Rebecca and Barry!

P.S. - you still have time to sign up for my newsletter - click on the subscribe link in the menu - cause - when it goes out - you’ll be smilin’!

I better go - it’s almost 2 p.m. and I am not where I need to be for the day!

Much Love,

I know - you want Embrace Me Stuff - later. I have so much to do. I mean, my grams comes this weekend for Jake’s birthday and I still have to gear myself up for CHA. Yes, I leave on the 9th, meaning I have GOT to get the bedroom cleaned, a gate for the hall and so many millions of other things to prep for.

I wanted to show you a video of the kids…I broke out my old Flip It - seems everyone is getting them these days, but I’m ready to upgrade - the quality on mine isn’t high enough for what I want to do and I can’t find a cord for it. My laptop has an open port on the right, but the way the flip it piece flips out it won’t fit in there because another cord to my monitor is blocking it. So inconvenient! Maybe later I will manage to unplug something to use it. See what I mean about needing something better now?

I mailed out my 1099s today - was going to yesterday but since I could not MOVE to go to the post office and buy some stamps they had to wait till today.

I have had people ask about my painting…I’m still sitting on it. Trying to figure out my next move.

I got the CUTEST gift from Michelle in the mail - if you remember these that she made for Christmas, mine is PINK! I will take a picture soon, I promise! Oh, and I’m a lucky recipient of one of her ADORABLE thank you cards. I can’t wait till she opens her ETSY SHOP!!!!

And, Rebecca posted my layout using the Spring Fling collection at Pink Paislee…are you watching on the sneak peeks!!!!

Hope everyone else is feeling more productive than I am right now!

Much Love,

I know that these two weeks aren’t really that profound in a lesson…but all-in-all, good information to know if you’re planning on shooting professionally, need to take photography classes, or want to just be more efficient and learn some things about your photographs.

Besides, yesterday was rough for me - I was just not myself after feeling sick - so sorry if my voice sounds dull. There is nothing I hate more than watching a video podcast from people and it sounding like the person has ZERO enthusiasm…so please accept my apologies ahead of time!

Week 2 - Camera Data from Holly McCaig Designs on Vimeo.

Much Love,

I am feeling better now - slept a lot today. Will certainly be watching to see if this occurs again. Thanks for giving me some insight and sharing your own gallbladder issues!

I’m cooking dinner right now - and we have dropped like 30 degrees today - was almost 70 this morning and now it’s so cold, windy and snowing. What gives? Crazy weather. Dogs aren’t too sure about it and came in pretty quick. I have so much to really share about Jack and Daisy and I keep thinking that they really need their own journal. This is a new experience for me and I really want to keep track on how they progress.

20 years ago today, I was in the 9th grade and patiently waiting for someone to let me know how my mom’s delivery was going. Yep, Jake was being induced and came into our lives.

Sorry for the rough photo - my laptop isn’t hooked up to the external right now and I am in the living room…that photo was taken on the iSight on my laptop. Love my brother.

I’m really proud of him - as you can recall there was a TON of controversy in St. Louis over the firefighter’s test. Over 1000 people took it and they threw the test out saying too many people failed it. So much came out of it and the Fire Chief got demoted…just lot’s of nasty stuff happening. Well, the same weekend that Merlin died, Jake had the opportunity to retake it. I remember it because I drove him downtown for the test in the snow. Probably about 400 people took it that time. He found out this week that he passed. It’s just a pass or fail and he said it would seem silly that someone would even fail it. He’s working EMT duty at Mardi Gras next weekend (good luck there Jake) and is in school getting his paramedics. I’m glad things are going well for him and can’t believe he’s not a teenager anymore.

Happy Birthday Jake!

Much Love,

I woke up at 1:30 or 2:00 a.m. and was in the most excruciating pain in my upper abdomen. About 10 years ago I suffered from a HORRIBLE kidney stone attack. I was hospitalized, went through surgery that didn’t help, suffered an infection and then was able to proceed with lithotripsy - crushing of the stones with sonar waves under water. I never want to go through that EVER again.

So, that was my first thought. Since then, I’ve had mild stones - meaning painful but totally tolerable and you knew they could pass. Before the stone was blocking major functions.

I was up and I was down last night. Walking, under covers and over covers. Telling myself, OMG you cannot have something going on that is bad. I Googled my symptoms - yes, Googled…thinking it couldn’t be kidney stones - it was just too high. I don’t drink a lot of sodas like I had in the past so it just seemed unlikely. If I was reading right, it was mostly something going on with my gallbladder - perfect location and possible stones. Approximately 20 minutes ago, the pain began to subside. I have eaten something and am drinking some coffee. Trying to make stuff “move” inside me. Gross, I know. It still isn’t totally gone, but much better.

Mom said that it could very well have been a stone moving and I may not ever experience it again - then again, I might. OH MY. Going to just continue resting because I slept like 2 hours last night with the pain. In and out of sleep.

That means, behind again on my photos and embrace me challenge, my work and cleaning this bedroom. I am thinking that all my negative talk could have triggered this.  I do believe our thoughts and actions can make us healthy or not. So, stop being a brat Holly and get happy and healthy!

A couple of notices:

Rebecca’s got that contest going on still - over 400 comments so far!!!!!

Pink Ink Studios has a paid subscriber area now for photographers new or considering going into the business of portrait work. Not how to take pictures, but the whole business! Click here to read what’s going on this week.

And, another fun vintage frame:

Click here to purchase - this is just ONE frame compared to the sets I sell.

That gift is coming soon - just be patient with me!

Much Love,