Do you ever want to shoot photography or a video straight down on something? Here is the easy way with simple Flat Lay Tools from Thought Out.

Sent from Mike’s iPhone
Do you ever want to shoot photography or a video straight down on something? Here is the easy way with simple Flat Lay Tools from Thought Out.
Our lives have been such a whirlwind the last year that this blog came in very last place. Mike and I started this blog as a way to share our lives with family and friends and personally for me it’s a nice way to journal our lives in a non-daunting format.
With the purchase of our new home and the ever expediently growing business we run, it’s left very little time for other things in our lives. I’m always amazed at how God changes things in our lives when we least expect them and always for the better, even if you don’t think so at first. With this preface, the following two major changes in our lives was the work of our creator of which both I personally put a fight up against at first.
OUR HOME
The final choice of our home is interesting in the way of it’s location within Shelton. You see, there are four sections within the City of Shelton and the section this house resides in is the furthest away from any sort of ease of convenience and because of that, White Hills was the last area in which we were willing to purchase (at first). We actually drove past the home we now own in our early days of looking and we both said “hmmm….nope, it’s too plain and it’s too far away from everything. I say that loosely speaking in the sense that we’re really “only” 15 minutes from many conveniences. Well after months of looking and the timing coming right down to the last minute to find a home because our other home had sold, we reluctantly decided to look in the “ever so far away” White Hills section of Shelton. We drove down our street to this home that we declined so many months before and on this day it was perfect in so many ways! Our eyes and hearts had been opened this time around and I know for me that I really didn’t know what I wanted in a home or which location I wanted until that very day we walked back onto this property. My, can I tell you what a perfect location this home is for us! We’ve quickly come to love living this far out from the daily hub bub, beeping car horns and loudness that comes with busy downtown areas. Instead of pesky cars and loud noises we now have beautiful deer, wild turkey and so many species of birds to look at and listen to. On many days, I look around and am amazed that we actually own all of this abundance. I never thought I’d actually own “woods” and it’s gorgeous walkable woods with a running brook, gigantic Connecticut rocks, and wild ferns. We’ve been hard at work all this year too with landscaping the land around our home.
MY PERSONAL CAREER
Thought Out Company is doing so well that it requires both Michael and I full time. Within the last year or so I was given the “clearance” by Michael to go full time for our business but I had such a struggle in actually leaving “my” career, the thing I’ve advanced at and have done so well with for my entire adult working life. It has always been there for me, I depended on it, it kept my head above water and supported me through thick and thin, when I was alone and had noone but myself to depend on. It was extremely hard for me to find it in my heart to actually “want” to leave my personal career. I had fear of what will I do if if if if…..UGH well let me tell you it took this last year for me to go through my own internal process of finding my way through this huge career move. I woke up one day over a month ago and finally realized and actually felt in my heart that I really am an essential part of the success of our personal business and with that exact moment I knew it was time to leave the medical field “my career” and take on this exciting move to assist in the advancement and full success of our business. And so it was still with a heavy heart that I gave my notice to Orthopaedic Surgeons and not long after my position was filled by another body and I formally went full time for Thought Out on Friday, November 19th. Within one weeks time of this change my personal whirl wind days have already changed, I have more time for things that have gotten pushed aside for far too long (years!). I get giddy just thinking about it all, even sitting here typing to our blog is something I haven’t had time for in the last year. I love waking up, getting ready for work at the Thought Out office knowing that every single thing I do is to benefit our family. It’s truly an act of God, the patience of a supporting husband, and the flexibility of my heart that has allowed this abundant change in my personal career. I owe a great deal of gratitude to my husband for allowing all of this to unfold and come to reality. He is one of a kind and a man that will make anything happen once he’s set his mind to it. Love that man of mine!!!
The pictures featured today are from a family walk on Oct 30th at East Village Park. This is a great park for all of us living in the White Hills section of Shelton. I had interrupted him during one of his outdoor wood chipping or tree planting excursions to tag along with Scottie and I to the park for some play time. Love him for being so tolerant of my spontaneous requests. It’s a rarity that he says no to me which makes me love him even more.
Calling all jewelry loving girls! I’m hosting my very first class where you’ll be making your very own vintage necklace to take home and wear. They’re easy and include everything you need to complete a beautiful eclectic necklace from the fun and funky pendants to the jump rings, clasps, and chains.
SIGN-UP DEADLINE: Monday, May 17
WHEN: Saturday, June 5 @ 1PM
WHERE: My House (Email me if you need my address)
WHAT TO BRING: Jewelry Making Kit (round nose pliers, chain nose pliers, and a side cutter).
If you don’t already own a fancy jewelry making kit you may either purchase one for $10 below or you may share my set with everyone else that selects the sharing option. No fighting or hitting each other when sharing though :). I hope to host more of these classes so it may be in your best interest to have one of these kits on your hip and who knows you may leave this class loving how easy it is to make your own trendy jewelry that you’ll be whipping them up in your own home.
You may select from a choice of five different necklaces all of which must be pre-purchased by Monday 5/17. Just select the one you want, click the buy now button and you’ll be directed to PayPal where you can pay with any credit card. The kit will be waiting for you when you arrive at my home for the class. If you’re feeling like you’re all that, you may purchase as many kits as you’d like and show us all up in class. Think of all the trendy outfits you have just screaming for one of these vintage pieces. I’m so excited and can’t wait to see everyone in class!
$18 Pendant Findings Kit
This Thursday is the big day! Our first moving day and it’s been a long time coming. We’ve been at this sell and purchase since April so I can hardly believe it’s just a couple days away. We were up at the new house yesterday to do a few things so I took a couple pics of my two favorite rooms and wanted to share.
This is the view from my new studio. We had the builder punch out the wall and install the french doors which I’ve always wanted. It opens the house up and looks right at the fire place into the living room. The home has an open floor plan allowing an airy feel.
In this picture I’m standing in the mudroom area and you’re looking at part of the kitchen right into the living room. Nice!
We’re so excited to get the move under way and get our lives back in order. Everything has been so ascue through this whole experience but well worth it.
Memorial Day on our boat this year was indeed special! Bridget & Jeremy blessed us with their presence and in tow was one of the cutest little girls on the planet, Isabella. And to my surprise she anxiously awaited my return to give me this special surprise she had made especially for mua. One doesn’t “need” their own children to experience the compassion, love and thoughtfullness only a child can give. I find it straight through my nieces and nephews whom are some of the most loving children I know!
Along with the beautiful flower Isabella so graciously picked out of her dance rehearsal bouquet she wrote a letter with a picture of our boat and how much she loves visiting us on the boat. My sister allowed her to sound out and spell the words by herself. By the way, I think the now dead flower looks just as lovely as it was alive, it’s just a different color now. hehe
It says “Aunt Brandi I Love it” with an arrow pointing at her drawing of the boat. The part that looks like the sun is the wheel of the boat and I believe the two little lines to the left of the wheel is the captains seat.
This is the backside of her letter saying she loves me and loves being at our boat. Don’t you love how she spells “at Brade” meaning “aunt Brandi”. Then she writes “I love you at Bran” . . . the “bran” cracks me up because I’ve always despised being called Bran for short. Sounds like a box of cereal or something. What a sweet thought to give a gift to her auntie that usually only mom’s experience. From the soul of my heart, Thank you Miss Bella you make me smile! You’re so sweet I could put you in my coffee.
Picture was taken of Isabella and I sitting on the bow of the boat. I didn’t know Mike had taken this picture until I uploaded to find it amongst all the others. She was telling me stories about a mouse of which I now forget how the story goes. I do recall her saying “he was the sweeeeeetest mouse!”
My newest educational book arrived this past weekend, Photoshop Elements 6 The Missing Manual. I’ve been using this software and getting through it by the seat of my pants or by getting so frustrated when I can’t figure out how to do the things I want to do. Life and photo editing are much easier when you learn it the “right” way. This book isn’t your typical dry catalog or computer book (snore). It’s perfect for us non-techie people who are trying to learn Photoshop Elements.
So no more hair pulling or barking at my husband for not being able to help me quick enough, I’m learning this photo editing beast. The Missing Manuals is a series of learning manuals for gosh I think almost anything. If you click on this link you’ll be taken to their website where you will find all sorts of “missing manual” books. I’m sure they have written one for a program that is making you go bald too.
My featured picture is of Mikey and the budster chilling by the boat last weekend. It was edited by me and I added a Karen Russell Overlay. I like it! Trying to figure out how to add and use actions . . . I’ll surely post a picture with the result of it. Actions are very very cool!
I had the pleasure of having Isabella this past weekend. It was an awakening experience, tiring, inspiring, exhausting, loving and everything else in between. Isabella’s mom and dad took their first vacation away and spent a week in Italy (they so deserved this time)! The following are snippets of this and that while she stayed with Uncle Mike and I.
Friday I picked her up from Daycare and off we went for our 1-hour drive to Auntie Brandi’s house and the little voice waffled through my car the ENTIRE way! Was enlightening to hear the stories and the life of a five year old. One of her stories went like this:
Bella: Aunt Brandi, what if a ghost comes into my tent when I’m sleeping at your house and tries to get me?
Me: I will wrap the ghost up in a blanket, tie him up and throw him in the trash.
Bella: Aunt Brandi, if you feel something tickling your feet when your sleeping what do you think it will be?
Me: I think it will be Scottie licking my toes.
Bella: Naut Ah, it will be the ghost . . . teeeehehehehehehehehe
Me: Silly girl
Saturday we went to see a cabaret show. The picture above was taken before going inside the Downtown Cabaret Theatre to see the 1 1/2 hour show, The Three Little Pigs. She was elated while Uncle Mike and I were umm amazed by the number of children they squished into this place and certain we’d come down with some sort of illness. By the way the show was very good and I’d recommend it if you live nearby.
Sunday morning she asked for eggs with soft yolks and toast, this is the same breakfast she asked for Saturday morning as well. She likes to put the egg on the toast (like poached eggs). Upon placing her breakfast in front of her she proceeds to eat then the conversation went like this:
Bella: Aunt Brandi can you cut the crust edges off my toast. (mind you I had already put the egg on top of the toast and cut the toast into bite size pieces)
Me: Why didn’t you tell me you didn’t like the crust edges before I cut everything up. And by the way you ate the edges yesterday why don’t you want them today? (I’m starting to realize that reasoning with a child is challenging)
Bella: I ate the crust edges yesterday because I wanted to eat your food and not complain.
Oh WOW . . . a five year old with manners even if it was for one meal.
I notice she has two phrases she uses a lot right now
1. “Are you kidding me?”
2. “Wait just a minute”
We built a make shift tent/fort (she called it her room) in the middle of our living room. She wouldn’t allow any of the animals in with exception of her stuffed animals. She did make an exception for our cat Wilbur. I think it was Isabella’s compassion after learning she had been in the hospital and wasn’t feeling well. She petted her and displayed a great amount of empathy for Wilbur. We played Candy Land, put puzzles together, watched Narnia and Hoodwinked, colored tons of pictures, watched Noggin cartoons in all the in between times, and made cards for all the actors in the upcoming Arial show at the Cabaret Theatre (by the way Bridget & Jeremy she says she wants to go with Dylan to see that show LOL).
Upon taking her back to her other home away from home Mike & I returned to an eerily quite home that oddly felt empty to me. I was shocked with how much I missed this bouncy full of life little niece of mine and I had only had her for two nights. It was a great time and I thoroughly enjoyed having her for the weekend.
http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=59913
We went to the 2008 Great American Jeep Rallyin Somers Connecticut.
We found this photo on line, I like the RC Jeep and Brandi says did you see the photo with us in it? I missed it the first time.
Here we are at Julia’s of Savannah (b&b) in Long Beach Island NJ. Spent the morning on the beach’ had lunch at The Holiday Snack Bar (so old fashioned and delish) and we’re now enjoying a snack on the breezy front porch. Love this place. Shell fish here we come to eat you…watch out!
Thanks,
Brandi Talmadge