October

Its that time of year, when the leaves start to fall and A-H calls to ask if I will be able to photograph her family again. It has become such a ritual for us both, I think. This year, I'm particularly looking forward to photographing Frederik with his new toy: an Aston Martin... woohoo!

End of days

There's change in the air. It can be painful. Accepting getting older isn't easy, but its not worth fighting. I did mention these are interstitial thoughts, didn't I?

Election night

I remember 13 years ago - I was so-o-o happy that the conservatives had been ousted. Now I can't wait to see the back of the party that got them out. I'm sure everyone who goes into politics does so with the finest, most honourable intentions. What a shame it never seems that way when they leave.

May morning

The title for this post happens to the title of a Runrig song, which expresses all the joy and happiness of being alive in spring. They've already done it far better than I could, so maybe I should just shut up now.

However, although my garden is looking great after spending loads of money on plants at the Sheffield Botanical gardens sale, elsewhere in other dimensions, everything is not perfect.

Google appears to be having a hissy fit! Mike website has suddenly jumped to page 1. I know I'm good, and I have been spending a bit of time on it recently, but it was a bit sudden. Abbeydale Photography is going bonkers, one minute its up there at the top, next minute its off the radar. Interesting times, as they say.

Spring, flowers, life, beauty

Its spring, after along, cold winter. Its such a cliche, and yet there's something so precious about every day, especially when the sun shines.

I'm making a new garden. I really can't think of anything I'd rather do. Its very frustrating, especially when the soil needs so much work, and when I see it everyday the changes don't seem so intense.

The best affirmation (for me)

Taken from a book by Joseph Murphy, written long before "The Secret" and one of the most powerful books ever written. I read this book many years ago, I can't pretend my life has been perfect, but I'm happy, and this helps. A lot.

" I realize I am one with infinite intelligence of my sub-conscious mind, which knows no obstacle, difficulty, or delay. I live in the joyous expectancy of the best. My deeper mind responds to my thoughts. I know that the work of the infinite power of my sub-conscious cannot be hindered. Infinite intelligence always finishes successfully whatever it begins.. Creative wisdom works through me bringing all my plans and purposes to completion. Whatever I start I bring to a successful conclusion. My aim in life is to give wonderful service, and all those whom I contact are blessed by what I have to offer."


This is a photograph of Snowdon, taken this weekend. 1 hour before sunset. Just want to share it with the world. Take photos 1 hour before sunset!

Honesty, and a change of mind

Honestly, why can't we have a bit more honesty?

Why can't we say what we really mean, admit it if we're not doing so good, and then truly celebrate when we are.

I just love people who are open, and you don't have to work out what's going on with them, and you can trust them.

Meanwhile, there's nothing wrong with changing your mind. So I'm probably going to go to Egypt in January for PTO, and book a trip to somewhere else very soon, probably North Cyprus. Hurray!!! Not that anyone needs to know this, just felt like a bit of gratuitous blogging.

Meanwhile, I smell really nice today, at least, my jumper does.

Checking my page stats, AWP is on page 7. JDP bottom of page 1, AP a miserable page 14. Its a bit depressing when a dead man is higher.


Not sure why, but I just put this blog onto a directory, who requested a link back. If your checking this guys, I never said it was interesting.

Coutts, deserts

Got a cheque today. Coutts bank!!!

Meanwhile I'm planning a trip to Egypt in October. I started getting excited at the prospect of the white desert, but can't decide if its a total waste of time or the best thing I'll ever do. If anyone knows, please tell me.

Also did a wedding fair on sunday, the first for 2 years. I sometimes do them just to remind myself why I don't, but this one wasn't so bad. It was at the millennium galleries. I really would like to photograph more kooky, quirky, weddings.

Monday was spent at Focus on imaging, went to a seminar by Martin Oliver. I really wasn't impressed, and left early. It felt a bit rude, but I also felt I had been ripped off. Anyone else go?

This weeks pic: family portrait

The money train

Why is every blog about the law of attraction that I look at advertising some book, some training course? Does anyone know a place where we can just discuss it, come together and revel in the joy of it all?

The rules.

1) What you focus on is your reality
2) What you dream is your future
3) Be careful what you wish for.

The incredible law of attraction

Its amazing. I've been aware of the law of attraction for many years, from a spooky " co-incidence" when I was about 15, to this weekend when I was privileged to a performance by the singing waiters.

I met a lovely lady a few months ago called Marie-Claire Carlyle who pointed out to me that I was having some very negative thoughts about Sheffield, and lets face it, sometimes fact are facts. However, following on from that meeting I decided it was time to turn things round, and started to make sure my thought patterns were saying the right things.

About 10 days ago when I had a bit of free time - ie free-thinking time - at my Mum's house I had a really good think about what I want, and came up with a list. On it was "pressies" - I was a bit miffed that Mike had just let Valentines day pass with "oh, I guess I've been too busy" shrug, and that was following on from the non christmas, the non birthday, etc... within a week, my friend Grace arrived, laden with... presents. Just small things, but absolutely perfect, wine, flowers, seeds. Wow... this is great, methinks, always with "be careful what you wish for" at the back of my mind.

Also on the list was " more customers like A-H " who is a good regular client with lots of imagination. On friday I received a call asking me to do some photography at a private party at a rather nice house in Matlock, which I did, and that's where the singing waiters came in. They were fabulous! The similarity with A-H is just remarkable.

The thing that struck me was time. The party had been arranged months ago - it was happening anyway. I put myself in the zone for " something special " and suddenly I was a a part of that lovely event, and I'll be getting paid for it.

Brilliant. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Virtual world = real dilemna

Trying to change something as simple as a domain is so frustrating. I've been playing with a few different websites, now its time to the main site jeanettedawson.co.uk to the back burner and get Abbeydale Photography and Tiara Photography be a brand I can be proud of. Hmmmm.... not so simple. So many pages - thousands need adding a tag. OK it can be done, but trying to make it into a seamless transition is not going to be easy. At the bridal show next week I'll use up some of my old brochures, then the rest of them are going in the bin. So look out its www.abbeydalephotography.co.uk all the way from now on!

Its raining again. I'm so ready for spring.

Computer virus spread by human?

Its a bit worrying, Nat had a computer virus problem a week or so back, and like many friends and family he called Mike for advice. He came round last night with Rebecca, we had a good night, then this morning my computer had a very nasty virus (now fixed, I hope). The worrying thing is, did Nat spread the virus ... (spooky music in the background fades out...)

February blues

How amazing is life. 9 months since the last entry, and I feel like I've been round the block an extra few times. Failed to buy a how so virtually rebuilt this one. And - hey - got married. Yes, to Mike...

However, its February again, so just completed my tax return, and as usual got a bit depressed about how little I earn.