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Jodi Hattery Photography
August 15+ |
August 25th, 2008 Ahhh what a weekend! Saturday was my 10 year class reunion, Sunday I spent pouring over my website and redoing a few things, and today, while not the weekend, is Kindergarten orientation. I had been both dreading and excited over my 10 year reunion. High school was not a pleasant time in my life - is it a time that people look back and reflect upon it in positive light for anyone? I had debilitating social issues that made close friendships impossible. To put it simply, I was shy. Everyone thought I was a snob, and I'm sure on some levels I was, but the main reason I wasn't speaking to people, hanging out with them after schoo, going to activities, talking in the halls regularly was that I could not. The clamy hands, knot in my gut and dry throat along with a pounding heart that sent heart attack feeling anxiety attacks (yes, even as a young teen!) shooting through my body was just too much to handle and it was far easier just to ignore everyone. Now I'm sure some people who know me today would laught to think of me shy. In fact, 90% of my photo pursuit relies upon meeting strangers. Luckily I've discovered that ''there's drugs for that'' (legal ones, of course) so I can now laugh at my previous life terrified of classmates and hoping no one would talk to me. And yet I was fine talking to teachers or raising my hand for questions, and being in front of people on stage was never an issue for me. It was the one on one, or small group, discussions that held me in a panic. I wonder what life in high school would have been like for me had I not had such anxiety issues. Hmm... oh well, it doesn't really matter now anyway! So I pegged myself as someone who would stay at the reunion somewhere between 15 minutes and a little under an hour. At one point we were meeting Gramma Beth at a park and I asked her to just watch the kids there and we'd pick them back up in an hour. My husband insisted this was a bad idea, that there was a minute possibility that I could actually have fun. As it so often is the case, My husband was right!!! I HAD SO MUCH FUN! Believe it or not, I wasn't the only one who changed since high school. Many for the better, and of course you'll have those who are the same, or possibly even worse off. A few people who scared me so badly in highschool that I said no more then 3 words to (if I had to) back then I had very pleasant conversations with. For years I've been wanting to move back into the area, but for the first time I could see me moving back into the area and actually having friendships with some of these people. Wow! Imagine that! lol. At a bit after 10 we had to leave, unfortunately, because kids were awaiting our arrival and travel back home. We couldn't spend the night because I had pre-k class the next morning at church, so we finally arrived home around 12:30am. If you know my daughter, just try to imagine how grouchy she was that morning... now multiply that grouchiness by 100x and you'll be getting close. Yikes, it was a scary scene. Sunday I spent a large part of the day on the computer reworking galleries and session info on the photo website. I think the new gallery formats, session fees and more obvious contact information will be more pleasing to clients. Some of the galleries have pictures clients haven't even seen yet they're so new. And since I couldn't possibly post without a picture, here's one of my favorites from a senior from last week. 
August 26 Josh's first day of Kindergarten Every child is unique, so I suppose it should make sense that my experience with their first day of school be different too? It sure was. All I remember with Chris' first day is elation - I was so thrilled he was in a 'real' school and not even needing any therapy. My inner Charlie's Angel was coming out feeling like we kicked butt, ''Bwahahaha, Take That, and That! You're going down Autistism!'' with one last high kick to the chest sending the disease down for the count. Plus I think I was relieved to have one kid gone for five days a week. This was different. Last night at orientation I could hardly stay composed. I think I may have snapped a few times at my husband as well. *blush* Thismorning I spent 30 minutes nearly in tears downstairs getting ready before ushering the boys down. They had planned to walk by themselves to school today and eat breakfast. Chris couldn't wait to show Josh the ropes. But after having a dream last night about being robbed of my priveledges, I gently let them know they would be eating at home today. Today was my day to take Josh to school! As Nat slept locked up in the van (she doesn't like mornings) the boys tumbled out and up to school. The first person Josh met was an older blond gal and he introduced himself, ''Today is MY FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!'' so excited. He held hands with her and Chris and walked up to the building.  We went to Mrs. Chiles class for some pics, but I think he would have just been as happy if I hadn't brought him in. I could hardly leave, but he was just fine, having fun already.  I think this picture is Josh trying to get his head low enough for the camera (as I was kneeling down as well)... Gee, doesn't the kid realize I was using my 50mm lens?  Mrs. Chiles kindly had Joshua's chair facing the window, so the lighting was just lovely for getting a picture of him at his seat (joking of course, who else would think about lighting on the first day of kindergarten but me?) So he's now off having fun. I am hoping Chris remembers to pick his brother up after school. I'll be meeting them at the crosswalk so if I see Chris w/o his brother it won't take long to remedy the situation :) |