Winter Wonderland

We had more snow last night. The roads were just beginning to get back to normal and we get hit once again. It's been really cold in Seattle, an unusual winter. However, I must say that I have enjoyed the beautiful white powder on the ground.

My sister-in-law, Mary Jo, lives in Fall City and she's been enjoying 10" of snow since last week. Cross country skiing and snow shoeing around her property - FUN!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Here's the belly at 20+ weeks.

I know it's all about the baby so all you get to see for the first picture is di big belly. Wishing you all the best for the New Year. May all of your dreams come true.

Click here for Christmas Eve pictures with the Dugaw Family

To All of My Family and Friends

May your home be filled with many blessings.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It's Like A Good Novel

Tuesday of this week I had the privilege of replacing all of my camera equipment. It was certainly a weird experience spending that much money at one time and not having to worry about how I was going to pay for it. My goal, not to go over the cheque amount that the insurance company gave us. I was successful and I am extremely pleased with my new equipment.

Well, the next day I get a phone call at work from a stranger that asks me if I lost a camera and he knows who has it. Are you kidding me. I ask him how he knows it's mine and he says that the guy tried to sell it to him and while looking through the manual a receipt for a photography course fell out with my name on it. He took the receipt without this other guy noticing and googled me. That's right folks, you too can be googled...scary. Anyhow he realized that this was some expensive s**t so he felt it was only the right thing to do.

I called Tim, we called his brother the lawyer and he advised us to call the police and our insurance company. After calling our kind stranger back he was willing to give us not only the guys name but his phone number and where he hangs out. Once we got the police involved they went to the guys house but he wasn't home. Not sure where things are at the moment the one thing we've learnt is that there are still good people out there that will do the right thing.

As for my new equipment, if they retrieve the old stuff they have given me two choices. I can return the new stuff and keep the old stuff OR I can keep the new stuff and the old stuff will then be owned by the insurance company. Not knowing what this guy has done to my old equipment, I think I will stick to my new purchases.

19-Weeks (5 months)

It's an exciting time of the pregnancy. You have your energy fully back, you are now showing, although you are at the point where someone could think that you've just put on weight and you start to feel things that everyone that has had a baby or two says is your baby moving. Okay folks, whatever you say.

The only difference with me is that I don't have a great appetite. I have cravings for a certain type of food every once in a while, and I get what I want, but most of the time I'm not always sure what will taste good or what I feel for.

I don't have pictures to show, you know with the camera gone, although the good news is that I can replace ALL of my equipment and that's what good insurance does for you.

Merry Christmas!

Two Teefin Bwoy

So last night I had the worst night ever. I was leaving work yesterday evening at around 4:45pm to go to a Family Forum for the YMCA, I was in charge of taking pictures. When I got to my car I realized that I had forgotten my purse inside so I placed my camera bag in the car shut the door and ran in to get my handbag. I was in the branch for no more than 3-minutes. I use the bathroom, I got my bag and I was out the door- no dilly dallying. When I got back to my car well, I think you must all know where I am going from here. My camera bag was gone. I thought I was in the middle of some cruel joke, I kinda wish I was. My heart began to race and I began to search the area like a mad woman. It was gone, it was time to call 911. We later found out that a members car window had been punched in, nothing was taken from his car.

The contents of that bag was worth over $8,000. It had been 3-years of me accumulating every piece of equipment that I own. It was with great care and serious thought that each piece was purchased and that is what was of value to me.

So the sad news is that I will not have the opportunity to capture the events over the Christmas season and it also means that I must put a hault on my portfolio. It does NOT mean that I plan on giving up on my photography, it's just given me the fuel to continue what I love to do and to really address the subjects that I am passionate about.

Have a wonderful Christmas and be safe.
Walk Good!

Snow in the City

Too lazy to get the flash

It began in the morning as a light dusting of snow or what the weather man calls a trace however, by 5:00pm we ended up with about 1" of snow fall. Ever since I moved to Seattle we get at least one day of snow in the city during the winter season and I like it. It was early this year so we may get another one later on. Hey man, we don't have to worry about shovelling it on a daily basis so the change is nice.



With a substancial snow fall comes a beautiful white layer on our lawn and trees, giggling kids, snowmen, snow angels and SNOWBALL FIGHTS. Along with the 14 kids in our neighbourhood, Tim and Scott, our neighbour, were the two biggest kids out there. While the kids were outside having fun I was inside, warm and cozy trimming our tree. Tis the season..
Happy holidays everyone.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is not a holiday that we celebrate in Jamaica so, for me it's been a time I have had to embrace in my adult life. In the 7-years that I have lived in the United States, I've celebrated Thanksgiving in Miami, Boston and Seattle and each year I have been welcomed with open arms by family and friends.

I have thought about the people that have no where to go, the people that are either homeless, have no friends or family in the area (because of a move) or the people that have chosen to be alone. This year I have a dear friend that has been working extremely hard at school and work and has done exactly that, she has chosen to be alone for the holiday. I was worried that she needed that time to be with her family and she reminded me that this was a great opportunity for her to take a well deserved break and enjoy a day off - that she is thankful for. For my friend at work that has recently moved to Seattle and has no where to go with her fiance, she has reminded me of the importance of volunteering and the need in our communities to feed the homeless. Well then, I guess they do have somewhere to go after all.

So to all of you out there, no matter what you have chosen to do this holiday, no matter where you are from be thankful, be thankful for it all. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I Guess The Picture Says It All...

Red Haired Dreadlocks Baby

Well, not everything. We made the official announcement about 2-weeks ago, but I am happy to make this announcement on my blog. I am pregnant and currently 13.5-weeks along. The due date was originally May 19th but after today's ultrasound we were given a due date of May 11th. I just have to say that this calculating of how many weeks I am and when the due date is tends to be a little off and some what confusing so as far as I'm concerned the wee one will choose to come when he/she is ready.

So far I've been feeling really good. No morning sickness but felt nauseated most mornings while on my Montana trip. I have been extremely tired and require at least an hour nap in the middle of my day and I haven't noticed any major or should I say specific cravings apart from always wanting carbs. Getting into a regular exercise routine has had it's challenges since I returned from Missoula so I am trying to get my body out (even in the rain) for at least a 2-4 mile walk each day. I will probably add swimming to my workout as the weather continues to change.

This is an exciting time for Tim and I and we are looking forward to sharing more photos and updates on the wee one with all of our family and friends.

Happy Halloween

I know I have not posted in a long time. It's just been one of those weeks where I don't have a lot to talk about. I can tell you that we had a fun Halloween with the kids in our neighbourhood. It was a cold night but that didn't seem to stop them from gathering enough candy to last them an entire year. My favorite costume for the night was the little boy dressed as a candy corn...adorable, sorry I didn't take a picture.

I hope you all had a safe and fun night.

Any Given Sunday

Yesterdays game should've been a win but instead it was a really disappointing loss. Our offence was off and our defense, which is tough, was just not playing well. The worst part of the game was losing the man himself Matt Hasselbeck (our quarterback), I have a feeling he may be out for the season. Not sure what his injuries are but he is the glue that holds that team together.

Well with that all said I kept thinking that we were now out of Superbowl contention until I heard on the radio that we were in this exact position last year. We're not out yet...watch out for the Seahawks folks, we will fight back and fight hard.

I'm Back!

Wow, two long weeks away from home. I missed my husband, I missed my bed and I missed the opportunity to cook good meals everynight. With all of that said, I have to tell you that it was all worth it because it was two fantastic weeks of intense photography. I learnt so much and I've come back with an appreciation for this art that I never had before.

Rocky Mountain School of Photography has given me the confidence to really start taking serious pictures. It also showed me that I am a good photographer, I have a good eye and I'm now even more technically sound.

What will I do next, well I'm working on that and the moment things start to happen you will all be the first to know about it. Let's just say there will be a show in my future.

My Love For Photography

I was 15-years old when I picked up my first camera and when it came to what I wanted to be when I grew up, professional photography was number two on the list under professional beach volleyball player.

Well, it's now twenty years later and one year ago I had made the decision that I ither needed to get back to the beach or take my photography to the next level. With my husbands support I have decided to do the latter.

Beginning on Saturday I will be attending the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana for two weeks. I'm not expecting to come back a professional but I am expecting the dream to become even more alive.

I'm not sure how much blogging I will be doing but I do look forward to sharing my experience with all of you.

It Was Wicked

I celebrated my 35th birthday yesterday and it was Wicked. That's right Tim and I had a lovely dinner at Volterra in Ballard and then headed off to the Broadway Musical Wicked - The untold story of the witches of OZ. I haven't read the book, but was told by someone in the audience that had, that they did a really good job of putting the story on stage in 3-hours. We laughed, we cried and the performers were fantastic. The two leads were actually natives of Washington, one was originally form Olympia and the other from Bellevue. There is talent in these parts I tell ya.

I had 5 birthday cards, 16 phone calls, 5 people serenade me, 1 email and one handsome man give me at least 4 big kisses. Just like every other birthday that I have it all feels the same but I will tell you that I never imagined myself at 35. I never imagined I would be married to this wonderful man and we'd be living in this beautiful city. I just never imagined 35, what a wonderful experience!

Thank you family and friends for making my birthday special, I love you all.

2-Night Campout

September 8th-10th Tim, Paul (Tim's brother) and I went on a really fun trip to Mt Adams. Our first night was spent at Horseshoe Lake. In the morning we headed up to High Camp just below the Adams Glacier, what a beautiful hike.

I'm enjoying and becoming much more comfortable with these overnight campouts. I had a little anxiety with the first one we did but I think the more I do the more I learn. I'm telling you folks, knowledge is power! More pictures

Not Much Going On

We didn't do very much this weekend, it was nice. We've had such a busy summer that taking a break was well deserved.

Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day.

Happy Birthday RoseMarie

RoseMarie was celebrating her 40th birthday and it was party hats for everyone. If you missed the event, I am happy to present - Hats, Hats and More Hats.

My First Backpacking Trip

Heading out for our big weekend

Good Morning
Tim and I have been talking about going backpacking for a long time, we finally did it. Although I have been sworn to secrecy as to our location (it was so beautiful we don't want anyone else to go there), I can tell you that it is in the Mt St. Helens area and you can see Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Hood - AMAZING!

This trip was long overdue, we got to use our brand new tent, which we just love, and Tim got to finally use his new bag (which didn't work so well). The hike was 6-miles to the lake and it took us about 4-hours with a lunch break, many breaks to admire the views and rest for Tim's back. Coming back it only took us about 2-hours 45-min.

For my first overnight in the wilderness I was a little nervous about bears and other wildlife I do not encounter everyday. Thankfully our only little friends were a chipmunk and some birds. Tim was happy to swim in the buff and at night there was a peace that I never hear in the city.

Check out the pictures, they tell it all.

A Weekend of Celebrations

On August 12th 2006 there was a lot going on. My mummy and daddy would've been celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary. My friend Lauren was married. We celebrated Bills life and laid him to rest in Toledo, WA and on August 13th we wished Elli and Dianne an early happy birthday.

Two Weeks Of Fun

Mummy and Courtney (my 11yr old neice) visited Tim and I in Seattle. It was non-stop fun. Here's what we did:

July 26th - Arrive in Seattle - Yeah, I can't wait to show them around.
July 27th - Shopping (a part of every Jamaicans trip)
July 28th - Traveled to San Juan Island, Stayed at Juniper Lane (highly recommended), Dinner at Madrona Bar and Grill in Roche Harbor
July 29th - Whale Watching with Captain Carli's Charter, visited the Lavender Farms
July 30th - Returned to Seattle, drove on the famous Chuckanut Drive
July 31st - Woodland Park Zoo with Friends and more shopping
Aug 1st - Courtney went on the climbing wall at the YMCA. Visited the beautiful Japanese Garden and discovered Pike Place Market. Dinner at the Penny's home - thank you!
Aug 2nd - Mount Rainier (Paradise). Courtney and Tim climbed to about 6400-ft and she got to hike through snow.
Aug 3rd - Mummy went shopping. Courtney and I went to Wild Waves/Enchanted Village. Dinner with our friends the Deys - always a good time.
Aug 4th - Tim, Mummy, Courtney and Simon went to Fall City to visit Mary Jo. They had lunch and rode the horse. I was at a training ALL day. We all enjoyed the Mariners Game in the evening.
Aug 5th - We headed to Olympia and spent the weekend with Donna. Marie, Paul, Courtney and Tim swam and drove the boat while Mummy and I did a little more shopping (what can I tell you).
Aug 6th - Enjoyed Eld Inlet. Walked to the cove, swam, drove the boat, taught Courntey how to go clamming, Tim swam across the inlet (about 2-miles) and had lunch with the rest of the Dugaw family. It was a fun weekend.
Aug 7th - Mount St. Helens: Mummy really enjoyed this visit. We had dinner with Paul, Marie and Claire.
Aug 8th - Goodbye Mummy and Courtney, thank you for visiting us. We had a whole lot of fun and we look forward to your next visit. We love you!

Check out the 382 pictures: Album 1, Album 2, Album 3