Commercial Work

The past couple of weeks I've had some sweet freelance production work. I worked for Citibank and Office Max. All went well at each shoot. As usual the hours are long (up to 15+ each day) but the people are great and I always walk away with a great story or two. For example, I rode in an International truck for the first time (very spacious), almost took a ride in a fancy private jet (we were short on time for the little trip), and got a free, delicious BBQ dinner at Carson's Ribs! Yep, the long hours can be worth it! It looks like I'll have some more commercial work in the next upcoming weeks. Praise God!

Below is a photo of an International, not the one I rode it, but the same thing (I rode in a black one instead of red).

Dan and I are going up to Minnesota this weekend. We leave today and we will return on Sunday, November 1st. We've been planning this little trip for quite sometime now. We'll be staying with Kathleen and Lauren - along with Brad who is also making the trip into the cities. We will also be visiting with Stefanie and Thomas... and we'll be watching football with Jon on Sunday. It is going to be an amazing weekend! This will be our first "trip" since our honeymoon!

5 Years, 1KVF, & Erik and Amy's Wedding

Saturday, October 17th marks the 5 year anniversary of mine and Dan's relationship! It is also Sweetest Day... so we had a nice love-filled day. After sleeping in, we went to Long Grove to do some shopping and eat some delicious food. We also took part in our first wine tasting experience. It was all local wine so it wasn't anything special. Still fun though.

Later that evening Dan and I went downtown so that I could film a friend's CD release party. My friend, Brian (fellow video Produce, Editor, and DP), plays bass for the band 1000 Vertical Feet. They had their CD release party at Sonotheque. It was a great time and they did a fantastic job! If you attended their release party you got a free copy of their CD. They had a great turnout and everyone had a blast! Congrats 1KVF! Oh, and by the way, my left ear is just starting to recover from that musical-busting night. Good times.

Sunday, October 18th Dan and I were honored to attend our friends, Erik and Amy's wedding. The church was packed and everyone was practically sitting on top of each other. Apparently this wedding was the place to be on Sunday. The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was filled with non-stop excitement - including a special dance performed by the bride and groom. Let's face it, the reception just wouldn't have been complete without Erik busting out some Michael Jackson moves. I managed to film most of it with Dan's digital camera and I plan to put it up on Facebook eventually.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to the newlywed, Mr. and Mrs. Erik and Amy Heavey! May your lives be richly blessed by our Heavenly Father as you strive to live out your marriage in a God-honoring manor.

2009 Chicago Marathon

Sunday, October 11th Dan and I volunteered at the Chicago Marathon with my dad's cross country team. We were all downtown by 5:30 a.m. to set up the Start Hydration for the runners. It was a chilly day for the spectators, but ideal weather for the runners. One of Dan's groomsmen [Eric] was running in the race and by pure luck we managed to run Eric's parents at the 13-mile mark. We also got to see Eric run past us!

It was a nice full day for us. As usual we had a great time volunteering at the Chicago Marathon!

Congratulations to Eric and Coach Danner on completing the 2009 Chicago Marathon!

Love Happens

Last week Dan and I went to the movies. He treated me to see Love Happens featuring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart. I found this movie to be absolutley delightful! It features a beautiful, well-told story and a nice collection of creditable actors. There was very little language, minimal sexual humor, and no "love scenes" used to "enhance" the storyline... nope, instead it was simply a good story. I always get excited when I find a movie like this one. It just goes to show that true talent can develop a quality story without extra Hollywood junk thrown in. I really enjoyed this movie! I know Dan didn't like it as much as me, but he did enjoy it as well.

So if you want to see a great date movie... be sure to catch Love Happens! Oh, and be sure to pack some tissues... while I didn't full out cry, my eyes certainly watered up.

Double Feature

This past weekend Dan and I made an impulse decision to see our own double feature at the movies. Thankfully this was a "free" outing since we had coupons and gift cards! We saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and District 9. I wanted to see Harry Potter [more] and Dan wanted to see District 9 [more]. We both seemed to enjoy Harry Potter a little bit more - me, a lot more. This Harry Potter played out as though they are laying down a lot of ground work for the next two movies. District 9 was not what I was expecting. Well, honestly, I never really saw any previews for it... only blips and such. It was pretty gross, but I do gross (i.e. Saw), so that wasn't really the problem. The beginning was weird and it took me some time to get into it. Of course it had it's moments that were very well done and it was certainly a unique movie. It's screaming sequel!

In other news, I'm getting over a nasty cold. I keep coughing and then I have a headache all day. No fun... no fun at all. I just keep telling myself, "Really, it has to be over soon." Yesterday I didn't have work, so I spent much of the afternoon in the darkness of my bedroom. It helped.

Last night Dan and I watched the season premiere of House... so good! Dan and I have been watching all previous 5 seasons so that we could be ready for season 6. It was totally worth it! I never had the time to watch House, but now I will gladly make the time.

Remembering Aunt Vera

On Wednesday, August 26th I received a phone call from my mom informing me that my Great Aunt Vera had gone home to be with the Lord. Aunt Vera has been in and out of the hospital since December 2008. A couple of months ago she was diagnosed with Lung Cancer. She wasn't a smoker, so it was rather unfortunate that this was how her precious life was cut short.

Aunt Vera loved music, family, friends, and especially the Lord. Even when she was having terrible coughing fits and had no appetite from radiation treatments, she still said "God is good!" She was generous, thoughtful, and always encouraged others.

Her wake was on Sunday, August 30th. Our family gathered together from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. to observe her in private. From 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. the wake was opened to all other guests who wished to pay their respects. Many arrived to show their support and to celebrate Aunt Vera's life.

The funeral was on Monday, August 31st. It was a lovely service and all who spoke gave beautiful testimonies about Aunt Vera. She was very loved and will be deeply missed... but of course we all have faith that we will see her once again in heaven!

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for my aunt. She was ready to go home and we are comforted by our faith that she is no longer suffering in her cancer-ridden body. Instead, I'm sure that she is running and singing as loud as she can, praising her Creator!

Vera Rose Harrington
April 1928 - August 26, 2009

My 27th Birthday

Not long after Dan's birthday... not long after Kathleen's birthday... my birthday follows! On Friday, August 28th I celebrated my 27th birthday and it was a glorious day!

Dan had to work, but as usual, he woke me up to say good bye - and wish me a happy birthday! I didn't sleep in too late because I wanted to get in the shower and prep myself for a day of looking young and oh-so-fabulous! When I went outside our bedroom and into the living room and dinning area I found a gorgeous bouquet of flowers... pink and white lilies, identical to our wedding flowers! Along with the flowers there was a card from my loving husband. He always manages to find sweet ways to surprise me!

After my shower and some extra grooming time, I went to visit my parents. As usual, my father sang my special birthday song (Donald Duck's 50th Birthday Song, but replacing my name with Donald's) and as usual, my mother sang it like I used to when I was a little girl.

Together we did some grocery shopping and then went out for lunch at Red Robin - yum! After a delicious lunch we went back to my parents house for dessert, a sweet, sweet cookies and cream chocolate cake! After dessert I got to open some gifts and then spend some time with my parents before my dad had to leave for cross country practice.

Not too long after my dad left I made my way back to the apartment. Got delayed in some traffic, but ended up getting a phone call from Kathleen, so that worked out perfectly.

Once I got home I quickly put some items away. Not too long after I got home I heard the front door open and it startled me... Dan was home early! What another nice surprise! Once Dan was settled he gave me my birthday present... all three Pirates of the Caribbean on blue ray! I have been wanting these movies on blue ray long before we even had a blue ray player! Oh... and FYI, they're amazing in blue ray! The details is incredible!

That evening Dan said he was taking me to Bahama Breeze for dinner - we love that place! Ah yes, dinner with my hubby and indulging on coconut shrimp... that is a good day! Now when we arrived at the restaurant I was surprised to find some of our friends were already there, waiting for us! Then, more showed up! There we eight of us for dinner. I had a blast! I think that birthdays are always more fun when they're spent with friends and family... the more the merrier!

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special! I certainly had a terrific day!

PS - Happy Birthday Leann Rimes!

NOTE: Will update with photos soon!