Definitely a Monday!

Wow! How time flies! I can't believe January is almost over!

We are all doing great here in the Griffin household. While everyone around us seems to be getting the flu, the most we get is the sniffles, which goes away very quickly thanks to Airborne (we swear by this stuff!). They even have a version for kids now that we give to Miles.

With Miles's birthday fast approaching on February 13th, we are planning for a small get-together. Before I had Miles, I thought in planning for a February baby there would be lots of time between Christmas and his birthday, but there really isn't. I mean, I still keep finding Christmas decorations around the house that I forgot to pack away with everything else!

My business is doing well; I'm already so busy, there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. With my business, Miles's Mother's Day Out, playdates, housework and cooking, no wonder our kitchen table is covered with portrait packaging supplies (along with trays that have been there since Christmas Day). Needless to say, we have not eaten at the table much this month!

I was reading my cousin Amanda's blog about the crummy start to her day today, and I totally identify. I use Microsoft Outlook to plan my days and I had everything so well laid out for today. After dropping Miles off at school, first on my list was to go pay for this year's vehicle registration stickers. When I got there, as prepared as I was with my paperwork and insurance card, I was informed that they do not accept credit cards for payment, and of course, for some strange reason, my checkbook was not in my purse. No big deal, I'll just run home real quick and get it; it is just down the road, after all. So I headed home, ran into the house, threw my purse and keys on the floor, and quickly checked the balance of my checking account online. I had planned on paying with my PayPal card, which I knew had enough to pay for my tags, but since they wouldn't take the card, I had to be sure. When I was done, I grabbed my checkbook, which was right there by my keyboard, grabbed my purse, rushed to the door, locked it and slammed the door behind me. As soon as I did, I realized I did not have my keys in my hand! Inside I was screaming "No! No! Nooooooo!" There are few situations that make me feel more helpless than being locked out of my house. I knew my only option was to call Chip and have him drive all the way back from Dallas to unlock the door, so I searched for my cell phone in my purse, and of course, I had left it inside too! Again, screaming inside.

I still had hope, though, maybe the back door to the garage was unlocked--I prayed so hard as I ran around to the side of the house and opened the gate, but of course, the door was locked. So I ran into the backyard and tried the bedroom window, locked. I then pried the screen off of Miles's window, and again, locked. I only had only one choice at this point, with no keys and no cell phone. I walked across the street and rang the neighbor's doorbell and used their phone to call Chip. Thank goodness he wasn't mad at all.

After thanking my kind neighbor, I headed back to the house and sat and waited on the chair right outside our front door. I'll be ok, I thought, it's not that cold today. But I guess it only seems that way when you're not in it for a long time. As the cold began to set in, I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head and just sat there huddled up and ready to cry. That didn't last long though, because I began to think of what I'm thankful for in my life. I hate wasting time, and any time I'm sitting in traffic or any time I'm in a situation with absolutely nothing to do but wait, I try to use it as a chance to think positively and thank God for His blessings. One thing I will definitely be more thankful for is the warmth and comfort of my house. I complain to Chip about it that it is too small and I want to move into a bigger house. Although I still feel this way, I will remember what it is like have to sit in the cold for an hour with no way to get into my tiny little house, and try not to complain so much.

Chip eventually made it here, unlocked the house and then left to run some errands, while I left to pay for my stickers. The rest of my day was pretty uneventful, although I did book a portrait session for next week, which is always nice! Then I did a portrait session this evening in my #1 client's home. I've been to their house so many times, photographing them for maternity, then their daughter for newborn, 6 month and one year portraits, their son's 3 year birthday, etc. Most recently, the dad has called me back several times to photograph each of his new employees he hires for his website (pretty cool!).

Anyway, I can't believe how long this post has gotten! I really need to get to bed!