It’s been a busy couple of weeks…

Between Skype mentoring, the boyfriend coming to town, meetings with vendors, just-because coffee dates with brides, and the waterfall that is Booking Season of new client inquiries and consultations, I haven’t had a chance deal with my desk.  Much less the rest of my house.

Thought you’d all appreciate a small glimpse into the world around here at RTP.  By the end of my week, my desk is looking pretty spotless; sanity is restored and yes, everything is perpendicular, just like God intended it.

But for now, here’s how He didn’t intend it at 2:30p on a Wednesday.

1.  A verse  of something I need to work on — I swear I’m going to rotate this out, but it’s been here for two years.  “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”  — Eph 4:2

2. Moleskine Journals — These puppies contain all my little notes from meetings and phone calls.

3. Origins Lotion — It’s one of my favorite things.  This Colorado dry air is just killer on us.  Lately I’ve been enjoying the Ginger Souffle.

4. A Dried Up Cutie — In effort to keep healthy, I usually eat a couple of these cuties a day.

5. My Inbox — What?  You don’t know what I’m referring to?  It’s that stack of miscellaneous papers that get piled on my desk and need dealt with each week.  Everything from 1099s to magazines we’ve been published in, to receipts, and utility bills.

6. Film — For my Holga and Hasselblad.  I accidentally forgot to label some film I shot a couple weeks ago and am trying to figure out based on the unopened rolls of film and my purchase receipts, if the film I shot was color or black and white. :-/

7. Chick-Fil-A Drink — Because sometimes a girl has to treat herself to lunch, or rather an experience.  We love Chick-Fil-A over here.

8. Macbook Air — Another part of my “command center.”  This guy has my Things list usually up on the front window as well as iCal just a quick Command + Tab away, meanwhile emailing, album design, and what not is done on the Mac Pro.  The Air was the best investment I made last year.  With all the travel we do and I do, personally, it’s so easy to take RTP on the road.

9. Album Leather & Print Samples — Because we’re upgrading our Signature Albums to something pretty snazzy.  Just you wait….

10. Coffee — Correction: Afternoon coffee.  I adore my boyfriend for getting me a Kuerig. Sometimes a girl needs a little pick me up come 2:30.

11. Post-Its — I can’t stand these.  But somehow, I end up taking little notes throughout the day, but throw them away by the end of the day.

12. Clear Nail Polish — Multitasking at its finest.

13. Kroger Lip Balm — Bought it in a pinch and it’s actually awesome.  It stays in my desk drawer.

14. Start With Why — Oh, let me just tell you.  We LOVE Simon Sinek over here and his book, Start With Why.  It has trained us to think STOP thinking about What we do, How to do it, and Why we’re doing it and to REVERSE that and Start with Why. :-) Then how, and then what.  He’s the bomb and I’m really irritated that I discovered him first (with the help of a friend) and my BOYFRIEND ending up MEETING Simon two weeks later.  Sometimes a girl just can’t win.  Also, beneath Start with Why is Talent Is Never Enough by John Maxwell.  We love him too. :-)

15. More Album Cover Swatches — ‘Nuf said.

16. Disposable Camera — We love these.  They’re one of our favorite things.  But get this: this camera has exposures on it from a trip to Italy in 2008!  I’ve had a longer relationship with that camera than with John.  I really need to get it developed. :-/

17. iPhone4 — Last but not least, my iPhizzle.  Which often times remains in silent mode so I can get some things done during the day.  But as the keeper of my contacts, calendar, music, and online banking she’s always there, waiting, assuring me that everything will be okay.

So that’s life as a photographer.  Not all terribly glamerous behind the scenes. :-)

Hey! And incase you haven’t noticed, we haven’t blogged in like… um… since Y2k cause of a little glitch with the guts of our blog, as my web-guy says.  We’re back on track now and we NEED to announce the winners of the Nicky Cruz contest!! *** Congratulations to Emily Haack and  Kristin Johnson!  EMAIL US  your address so we can get your personalized copy out to you. ***