Saturday, December 27, 2008

Many Thanks

I just want to thank everyone again. I know there are so many people that have come to lend a helping hand. So many friends. I appreciate you all, there are no words.

Jess and Kate will be home today so this is a difficult time for them. They haven't seen the house yet, I guess we'll be reliving it all again as the girls come home. I really appreciate all of you, forgive me if I've not mentioned someone. There are so many people that have helped. Ernie and I feel so lucky to have such amazing friends. There are so many stories to tell from this whole event of such acts of kindness and goodness and I will tell them as I get the time.

I appreciate your thoughts as I focus on the kids so that I can help them adjust. The next couple of days will be hard as we get ourselves situated.

Jennifer, I can't thank you enough sister!!!!!!! Leigh, You ROCK! I havent' had a chance to tell you how much what you did has meant to me. And there are so many others.

Much Love to all!

Friday, December 26, 2008

We Found Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm sure most of you already know we had a fire on Monday. I've been desperately wanting to get to a computer so I could let you all know that we are all doing fine. In fact, we are better than fine we are wonderful and it is because of all of our loving friends, neighbors and this amazing community. There are no words for how Ernie and I are feeling right now that can express our gratitude.

We had no idea that while we were all out shopping our house was burning (we're thankful that no one was home, when I think of what might have been, if we were sleeping or the kids home by themselves, I cry instantly so I'm trying really hard not to go to that place) We're just grateful that Ernie got home when he did to save the dogs and well of course the Harley! (Thank God for our neighbors the Prices, Jeff helped Ernie get the motorcycle out of the garage.)

I have so many people to thank and I don't even know how to begin to thank them. The Firefighters, our neighbors, the Red Cross and truthfully this entire community has surrounded us with so much love and support it is overwhelming. Before the flames were even out my neighbors were rushing to our rescue with a place to stay, money, food and clothing. There are no words for how amazing and how proud I am to be apart of this community.

Immediately, our friends like Sheryle Harris, Sandra Cummings, Jessica Kelly, Jon and Leslie Whitacker, Robert and Jennifer Harrison were there to help. All our friends from Ernie's work and his favorite hange out "Scooters" (Formaly known as Buddy's) were collectioning anything they could to help. Bob and Heather Algood gave us their rental house in less than 24 hours we had a place for our entire family and our dogs. (If you've been to my house and know my dogs you know they are beasts.) Thank you so much for working so hard and for giving so much. There were so many generous offers for housing. To all of you I am so grateful. There was such a weight lifted from me when our friends Tim and Donna with Dog Guard came to put in the fence so that Harley and Bo would be contained in the yard. Tim and Monkey, I love you so much! BJ, Heather, Holly and all the kids thank you for working so hard to get it ready. I love all of you.

To Mr. and Mrs H. thank you for opening your home and your hearts to us. I feel such a close bond with the entire Hutcheson family, (Sigh) Andy, Cindy, Aaron and Lindy Jo there are no words for what you mean to us. Carolyn thank you for feeding my poor sweet husband hot potatoe soup after he had stood in the cold for hours, Connie for cleaning and re-wrapping my childrens presents that were saved, The Butlers, The Prices, Ann Marshbanks and Rita, to everyone on our street we love you!

Sandra, Jessica, Sheryle and everyone from The Red Barn you are so dear to my heart. I pray one day I will be able to show you how much your love and support means to me. What you have done for me and my family in this time of crisis can not be measured. I am so truly grateful to each and every person for all of their donations, thoughts and prayers! (small note to Ms. Ju Ju you Rock!)

There are so so so so many people to thank, our friends from BWC, Appleton Harley-Davidson, The Choppin Block, Grace Community Church,Pal's liquor store,Kiddie College,Elements Laser Spa & Salon,and the list just goes on and on! Family and friends out of state as far as Edgerton Ohio and Chicago I have reached out to us.We thank and love you all. It is the generousity of strangers that is most touching. So many people that we don't even know, have never met, have given so much! God Bless you, you are an inspiration!

Ernie and I are so saddened by the loss of our home. I rarely see my husband cry and honestly I don't think he really cried while we watched the house burn but in the hours and days following the fire he has been brought to tears more times than I can count we are so overwhelmed by the love and support we've received. (You all know I haven't stopped crying, eyes are supper puffy, the kids are startin to make fun of me saying stuff like "here she goes again") It has been a hard time for everyone especially the kids. But Ernie and I have both said this has turned out to be the best Christmas of our lives. The true meaning of Christmas is alive in Clarksville my friends. Each and everyone of you is a gift we will cherish forever.

Mohley Crew signing off! Jessie and Kate can't wait to see you tomorrow!

I hope to get the internet tomorrow and I'll be back in action soon! Leslie Whitacker's nomination is the winner for the Giving is Awesome! I'll half to update that more later.

Love to all!!!!! Please forgive me, I know I've forgotten to mention people, I'm so grateful for all of you and everything you've done. Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Giving is Awesome...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a last call... So to speak. All orders must be picked up by Dec.19th Which is this Friday! (Unless you've made other arrangements with me.)

I will be out of commission as of Saturday Dec 20th until January 5th to enjoy time with my beautiful family during the holidays. So excited. I love Christmas even if my husband does guess his presents every year. (Ohhhh, chaps my hide, that's okay honey, there is still one more surprise I'm sure you don't know about!)

A big thank you to everyone for your patience during this busy season. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy your portraits. I'm so grateful to be doing what I do so please help me to help someone else.

You know someone. You know someone who's experienced a tragedy, is struggling to stay afloat, is raising kids while holding down more than one job, or is volunteering selflessly despite extenuating personal circumstances. You know someone who can't afford custom photography, but who would cherish it this holiday season. You know someone who deserves a year-round reminder of their family's spirit, love, and beauty.

You know someone. I guarantee it.

I want to know who they are, and I want to give them the chance to experience complimentary custom photography -- $500 worth, to be exact. Whether it's canvas or albums, prints for Grandma, or a slideshow to watch over and over, it's in your power to give them the artwork they deserve this holiday season.

Oh, and the best part? The person who nominates the winner receives a $150 print credit. What better reason to show some love could there possibly be, people?

The rules:

* You cannot nominate yourself, and the person nominated must sincerely be incapable of purchasing my services. (Being unable to make mortgage payments for a two-million-dollar-vacation-home in Paris does not qualify as sincere financial need.)

* The nominee must reside in Clarksvile, Tn. Tell me who you know, what they're experiencing, and why they deserve my artwork. Please include a way to contact both your nominee and yourself as well.

* Please comment on this blog entry to let me know you've entered, and e-mail me the full story: classic.creations@yahoo.com


The winner will be announced on Christmas Eve -- get nominating! I can't wait to read all of your entries!

Open your heart to someone this holiday season -- and thanks for giving me the opportunity to open mine.

With love,

Angela
http://www.givingisawesome.com/

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Braving the cold...




I hope to be posting some images from my recent downtown shoot soon. Kate tagged along. She was a trooper braving the cold as we did the usual adventure photography session. We shot on the coldest day ever! The fountains were all frozen. But they made really nice backgrounds!

I'm working hard to get every one's orders out. Can you believe how close we are to Christmas?!

Friday, December 05, 2008

You know they melt...




I love being in love! I really do! (I think I have the most amazing husband in the entire world!) But let me tell you what, so does this woman. (you go girl!) The most awesome part of my job is capturing what two people really mean to each other, young or old, husband and wife, or parent and child. When you get the chance to capture something so special it's a gift. I can't tell you how grateful I am to photograph such amazing people, to offer something so wonderful that you can someday look back at a photograph and remember how it felt to be in that moment.

To all my Army Wives Club Girls! I love you all! You're so special to me! I'm really glad our paths have crossed. You and your families are beautiful!

"J" can't wait to show you guys the rest!

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Time of my life...

with the love of my life! Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! I most certainly did. My absolutely wonderful husband swept me away to Vegas to celebrate my big 40! Whew! Can't believe that number it real! (My mother is saying, "Neither can I") But any whoooo, we had us a big and rich time. Without the rich part. No jackpots this trip! None the less, we had a blast! He'll never let me live it down though, walking up and down the strip, me in my heels and him in his steel toe Harley boots. We were beat down. I told you so, he says. And yes, I gave in and we bought some sensible shoes. (I'm a flip flop or heels kinda girl on a normal basis. Kinda crazy I know with all the bending, walking and falling that goes into my adventure photography business. Regan and Stephanie, if you're reading this I know you are totally laughing at me.) Viva Las Vegas, my friends. I love it! Most fun for grown ups that I can think of. (Amazing though, so many people carting around small children there. I was so surprised and totally freaked out! People, please, don't take your kids to Vegas! You know, at least til they are of age.) But Vegas is especially cool when they are decorating for Christmas. Got to see the huge Christmas tree go up as we ate breakfast at the Belagio. Ernie got some new ink at Vince Neil's tattoo shop. Planet Hollywood was pretty cool but only because of the amazing art and photography they display there. As always the food and the shows ROCK! I was officially back to work today so please be patient as I get orders in and out, emails and calls returned. Here we go! Christmas Count Down!

Behind the Scenes with Classic Creations