The Interview Is Postponed

One of the stylists got injured and so my interviewer had to reschedule. I now get to go in tomorrow and blow her away with my skills. It's ok though, it gives me time to find my SS card that isn't where it should be. Plus I'll have a new Scooby Doo cartoon to watch in celebration!

I will find the rainbow!

Job Hunting Is...

I'm looking for a part time job to add to my insanity.
The place my husband works is laying off people and he's worried that his job could go at any time. It's not a good feeling at all. Just when things were going so well and the house was actually company ready. He He He! I really hope he doesn't lose his job, he really likes it and is great at it. Plus I like food and shelter.
I make a bit from my art and now my photos, but it won't be enough if the worst happens. Everything I get from a job will go to pay ahead on bills and straight into savings. I hope it'll be enough.

Geronimo! I'm going in!

I have an technical interview for a stylist job tomorrow. I have to do 3 technical cuts in under an hour. I have faith that I can do it, but it doesn't stop me from being a bit nervous. If I get the job it's an easy 3 mile bike ride from my house. Remember when I could barely go a mile? I haven't been riding much due to the heat, but this will get me off my butt!
 The trip home takes me right through one of my favorite parks to take pictures at. I could do portraits after my shift was up and it would be perfect. I can also get to the zoo from there for exotic animal shots if I want. I really hope I get this job.
My writing schedule will have to go back to my lunch break and after dark, but that was when I did it for years so no big deal. Speaking of writing, due to their busy schedule I won't find out if any of my shorts have been accepted until November. BLAH! Patience is not my virtue. I do have a few articles almost done to send out. I hope something sticks, I'm tired of the bounce backs already.
It's been fun being a house wife, even if I was busy doing everything but the house most of the time. I'm really going to miss being my own boss, but I can make it work. After all I'm Super Betty!
Wish me luck!

The path takes another turn.

Saturday Was A Learning Experience... And A Ton Of Fun!

Last Saturday I went to Petsmart to take photos for shelters there. I thought there would be 3 shelters and it would be a great way to spend a few hours. Turned out there were 6 shelters and it was a great way to spend the day.
I arrived way early, I got there at 8:00 am and the only one there was the volunteer who cleans the kennels and gets thing ready for the cats. The first shelter on my list was a combo of Wskr and Tucson2Tails, a couple of cat rescues.  She was great though and in short order a few more volunteers came. I stayed out of the way and got some great patience practice for a couple of hours while they set up. Then it was fairly smooth sailing with the volunteers helping to coral the cats.
Now I know to come later in the day, it all worked out great in the end and I got some great shots that I hope they can use!

He had so much energy! I got this shot while they were tiring him out for his photo shoot.

A bit shy, but really liked her ears scratched.

My favorite of the day. He was the most mellow cat and super sweet!

The second shelter that was kind enough to let me bother them was In The Arms Of Angels. They have some really friendly dogs and cats that need good homes. They were super helpful and a lot of fun to work with. They were great!

Very calm for a puppy

Had to watch this one, it wanted kisses!

He wanted loving so bad!

Third up was Smiling Dog Rescue. They had all sizes and were very friendly. Their dogs were well behaved and friendly. It was fun to shoot them! I love how expressive they were!

He was a handsome fellow!

Such soulful eyes!

He would be a loyal companion!

The fourth was Saving At Risk Animals. It's a cat rescue and had some of the cutest kittens. I really enjoyed talking to the volunteers and trying to herd cats with them.

She was a winker and a cuddlier. 

She wanted her treats.

 A little wiggler. Tons of energy!

The final two were grouped together like the first two and they seem to help each other. They are Save A Chihuahua and ASAP Rescue. They both rescue small dogs and it was quite pleasant to work with their volunteers to get the animals photos taken. 

A real sweetie!

I love her ears!

He's like a little teddy bear!

All in all it was a great Saturday and I'm going to do it once a month or so. The people were friendly and I got the satisfaction of a good days work. I learned a lot doing it, (definitely need to eat first) and it was a lot of fun. I really loved taking these photos and I hope they help!

That was GREAT!!!!

I Hate The Waiting!

"I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because I'm tired of auto-correct making me into a dirty mouth and my cat can't read!


Some time soon I'll know if any of the short stories I've sent out have been accepted and the waiting is driving me nuts! I keep seeing all these contests I could submit them to, but I can't until I know if they've been chosen or not. I can't write new stories for the contests because my proof reader is riding me for a chapter a week from my novel or else. I will admit that he was very patient while I was writing the shorts so I owe it to him. I'm just going arrrrg!
I know I'd have more writing time if I wasn't out taking so many photos and making a pest of myself at the local shelters. I could try not sleeping, but that would only free up about 5 hrs a day and them I'd really go insane.
On the plus side my photography is really taking off! I got some great shots of wonderful animals at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Friday, Thank you Sara! I'm going to become a full volunteer so I can take pics anytime and the husband is doing it with me!

Sweet dog smile!

She wants a good home!

He's a real looker!

Look at that grin!

Toothless and lovable!

The sweetest dog I've ever met!

I wanted to take her home so badly!

I'm lined up to take pics for a few more shelters at Petsmart on Saturday! I have a gallery that likes my animal shots and wants 6 by the middle of next month! And to top it all off crazy me I put an ad up on Craigslist to get people to pay me to do what I love!
I also made a strap for my ukulele finally to top things off. You'd think I would be too busy to stress about my story submissions, but it's always in the back of my mind and it rams to the fore when I send a chapter off.
I hope all of you are doing great. Sorry I suck at keeping up on the blogs, I will find a balance and hopefully soon!

Things Are Changing In My Life

Life is moving so fast I can hardly believe it! This year has been one of the busiest and most exciting I've ever had and that's saying a lot since last year I opened and then closed my own salon, started my etsy store, and became a full time writer.
Right now I'm at a crossroads and I actually know which way to go. I've opened a store on Fine Art America and I'm letting my etsy shop peter out on its own. Etsy hasn't made me any income and it has been a bit of a drain. For what I've spent there in the past year I could have paid for 3 years on FFA so it's a good decision for me. Plus FFA has fun contests to enter. Right now I've only got a few photos up, but as soon as I get time my paintings will be going up there too. I'll still be able to sell the originals, but now people on a budget can get a print and I can take them to shows and not have to worry about remembering to take them down when they sell! I can even sell my jewelry on there if I want.
I'm still a full time writer (my head would explode if I didn't write), but now I write later in the day so I can get some shots in first. My whole direction in life has changed and I couldn't be happier. My writing has gone back to being fun again and I'm no longer stressing about getting the rejections. Plus the waiting for the rejections sucks and I'm still waiting for the round that should be here soon.
I have my camera to help me pass the time and life is good.
Here's a few pet shots I've taken, let me know what you think.

Praying Mantis Eating

Praying Mantis Eating, a photo by B.J. Halsey on Flickr.

Heard a cicada making a noise like a scream and went to investigate. This is what I found! It took a while for the praying mantis to eat so I got a ton of photos.
I'd never seen anything like it before and I'm really glad I went to investigate. It was creepy though.

Hidden Friend

P1010056, a photo by B.J. Halsey on Flickr.

Can you find the praying mantis? I love this photo! I didn't even see it until I was looking on the screen at home.