Addiction Confession...and Triumph!

So a select few out there know that I had a problem...an addiction...


I just couldn't be satisfied with what I had ~ I always wanted ("needed") more!


The smells...they way it all made me feel...when I was tired, or feeling down, I knew what would help me push through...


Yep, I had bottles everywhere.  My sister-in-law tried to help - she'd collect what was left over and get the remains out of the house.  I had my stashes though.  I was never without...........

bath and body works.

That's right folks, what you're looking at is only a tiny sampling.  New season?  I had the new line.  Stress-relieving scents?  I had all three.  A good name?  IE, "coconut lime verbena" - it just rolled off the tongue! And was SO summery!!  And who doesn't need one to help you sleep?!  Lavender Vanilla, YES PLEASE!! What can I say?  The BB&W store made me happy.  Its products made me happy.  

(I do, however, draw the line at shimmer products.  No.  Thank.  You.)

BUT...I do not, in fact, need 4 scents in my shower at once.  And their lotions, and their sprays (I never used the sprays, I have NO idea why I kept buying them!).   I'd start using a new favorite, then grow tired and pick a new favorite to suit my mood.  And then there'd be a new something-or-other delicious scent that I needed right then.  I don't know what happened specifically, or when I realized this was a ridiculous habit (maybe when Sister-in-Law moved overseas and I couldn't just give her my extras so I didn't feel so wasteful??), but I knew that I had to get things under control.  And it started with one bottle.  I had one left in my shower, and I FORCED myself to use every last drop.  This is my triumph.  

While I don't see one single thing wrong with finding a little something that makes your day just a little bit brighter, I personally didn't want to keep not fully using what I had!  I didn't want to waste!  I wanted to spend that money on photography stuff (well, at least save it to put toward photography stuff - I don't know if you know, but THAT'S one expensive habit!)!!

Thank you for letting me confess, and for letting me share my happiness in overcoming my little challenge :).  If you too, share a silly little addiction, I hope you are enjoying every second of it!!  If you're moving on, kudos to you!!

The EYES have it!

Hi!  LONG time no write!

This post is short and sweet:  I've been working on two projects simultaneously - catching Leia with her eyes open, and catching Leia in photographs in general!  Leia is just way too busy exploring her world to pose for me, but we're working on that :).

Shar-peis can have eye problems, because the folds over their eyes can damage their eyes/vision.  Brutus had surgery before he came to us that prevents this.  Leia - so far - does not seem to have any problems.  Although Brute's and Leia's vision is just fine, those fun folds create dark shadows that hide their eyes in most of my pictures, and it drives me crazy!  I've been working on finding angles and light that will highlight those peepers.

Here's an example that drives me crazy: you can see She-Ra's eyes so nice and clearly, but not Brute's and Leia's!  Don't worry, I'm not losing any sleep - I love this picture - it's just something I want to work on improving!

 

If their eyes aren't shaded, they're often squinty!!

But that's ok, because I am persistent!!!!!

 

Whooohooo!!  Beautiful brown-eyed girl!

Sweet Brute!

She's so easy :).  Even though I have tons of her face, I couldn't post the others and not post her!

Aaaaaand the grand finale: I'd like to introduce you to Tut!  He's my neighbors' adorable super sweet fun rescue!!  For being new to my camera clicks, he did a GREAT job of posing!  Welcome to your forever family, Tut!!