Resolutions can be dangerous.

Remember that resolution to grow out my nails? Well, it has worked! My nails have stayed painted since the new year, and they are now growing and thriving.

The only problem is I don't know what to do with these new nails. I keep injuring myself.

I have sliced my hand, my forehead, and my leg. And, I accidentally scratched my eye yesterday when an unforeseen itch occurred. What the heck?! Why can't I control these things?

So you long-standing members of the nail community, how do you keep from shoving your long, healthy nails into places they shouldn't go, like your eyeballs?! How do you keep from hurting your friends and neighbors?

Pretty soon I'll have to start wearing band-aids over my fingertips.

My Big Nine #5-6

Now for the next in the oh-nine series... Numbers 5 and 6 on my list are next up on the list, and I'm posting them together because they're both photography-related. Here are my next two goals for oh-nine.

#5: Take pictures constantly and manually

These are two of the important things I've learned from Annie O. In order to improve and learn, you should do two things: First, take pictures every day. Without exception. Every day. Second, shoot in full manual mode. You know that little "M" on your dial- yep, that's the one. Turn it there and leave it there because only then do you have total control over your settings and will you LEARN your workings of your camera like second nature.

#6: Begin to take my own jobs.

This one was hard for me. But, after some encouragement, I took the plunge just after Christmas by launching my own website and business name - Milla Chappell Photography. In just a short time I have already become extremely busy with 6 weddings booked as well as many other portrait sessions and birthday parties in the next few months.

I feel like this new adventure is such a blessing, as I was often so discontent pursuing an academic career. I just kept feeling like "there must be something more fitting for me!" I mean, what if I can make my living hanging out with people, documenting their lives? That idea is very, very exciting.

So, in oh-nine I hope to see this business venture develop and grow. And, I will continue working as a team with Annie, too, which is of course amazing!

Can't get enough.

This dog has taken a new liking to this toy. He takes it everywhere - to bed, to look out the window, to go potty.

Thought you'd enjoy...

Woooooo-hooooooo!!

This morning, the boys and I had our coldest walk so far - when we headed out the door, my computer said it was 5 degrees and sunshiney. Amazing. There was about four inches of snow piled up which made it hard to walk, but we decided that we were making some serious memories.

Last night when the four inches of snow was falling, we headed out to the park. If dogs could say "wooooooo-hooooooooo!!!" I'm sure that's what they would have been saying!

p.s. recognize the field in the first picture? Oh how things have changed... (if not, look here)

my big nine #4

Now for the next in the oh-nine series...

#4: learn to wear boots like a nor-easterner

This morning I slipped on my favorite comfortable flats with jeans and a long black sweater. And to my surprise, my sweet husband chuckled under his breath when I kept complaining about the cold. "No wonder" he said, "it's snowing and look at your feet!"

Pittsburghers wear boots in very functional and cute ways - with skirts, with jeans tucked in, with tights, with long sweaters, etc. And, they all seem to be very cozy and warm while I'm shivering and cold.

So, this year I will learn to wear boots like my friends who are used to snowy winters. That way, my little feet will not be numb by the time I walk to my car!

My big nine #3

Now for the next in the oh-nine series...

#3 pray for people more intentionally and consistently

I used to keep a list and to pray consistently and fervently for people. But sometime in the craziness, the list tapered off and then disappeared altogether; sometime in the constant movement of life, praying for people other than my husband became something I do only if I remember.

So, in the front of my new 2009 moleskine I will keep a list and will pray for people not only when I remember but very intentionally. And I will pray for discipline for myself!

My big nine #2

Now for the next in the oh-nine series...

#2: keep our kitchen stocked with fruit at all times.

If fruit is there and chips are not, we'll snack on fruit! I wish I knew more about which fruits are in season when. Anyone who knows anything about this please feel free to comment. I used to know these things when I lived in Florida where all things grow all the time and everything is delicious (okay maybe that's an exaggeration...), but now I live in freezing land where nothing grows in January except... well, nothing.

Anyway, I am going to eat more fruit this year.

My big nine in OH-NINE. #1

I kept telling myself I wouldn't do it, post resolutions, that is. But nevertheless here I am. I have nine (how fitting). Some are truly meaningless; some are important. All will be posted here at random times. And with no further ado...

#1: keep my nails painted so they'll grow out.

I bought some very-cool blue-ish grey-ish nailpolish for these winter months, and I am determined to STOP BITING!

See how short and sad they are now? Just wait, folks. Just wait.

I want one.

with Krisan in Orlando after her birthday dinner!

Hey everyone!

How are you all? Are you all back home after travels and food and family? I am officially back in Pittsburgh, listening to some garden state soundtrack on itunes and trying to get our lives organized and our house cleaned up before Brad returns from Birmingham and normal life resumes. It seems, however, that either I have developed attention deficit disorder or I have become too lazy to do normal household chores. Do you all have this happen over the holidays? I have great intentions to vacuum, clean, unpack, do laundry, etc. but somehow I end up doing various other (more fun) things instead.

For example, today I realized that I needed to vacuum, but then I saw clothes strewn on the floor, so I thought that I need to do laundry before I could vacuum. But then as I gathered up the clothes to do a few loads of laundry, I realized that there were more dirty clothes in the unpacked suitcases in our bedroom. So then I thought that I needed to unpack the suitcases before I could do laundry, and I needed to do laundry before I could vacuum. So, I quickly realized that a simple task like vacuuming had turned into a day's worth of work, and I became uninterested in any of the above and found other less productive things to do.

But nevertheless, since I realize my house cleaning habits aren't that interesting, I also posted more pictures. A friend from church let me take some pictures of her little girl today, and I posted a few here. What a sweetheart - she reminded me of Krisan when she was little for some reason, and I thought, I want one! One day, one day...