Arliss Nancy: Wild American Runners

I've known a few of these gentleman for a while now. I've played music with one of them in a few different projects. They are probably one of the hardest working bands I've come across in Fort Collins and their raw sound is playing in my car quite often as I'm running all over town for one thing or another. 

They are Arliss Nancy. They are coming out with a new record in October: Wild American Runners. I can't wait. They are rough around the edges, good ol' rock n' roll. 

Once they contacted me again about doing some photography for them and I jumped at the chance. Whenever I get the chance to photograph a band, I always jump at that chance. Band photography is my most favorite in the entire world. I think partially because I am a musician myself that also hates having their picture taken and knowing that someone knows what they are doing and what we want the finished product to be puts the band at ease. There's nothing more awkward than a bunch of musicians that don't want their picture taken. I am one of those. Always.

I didn't even know until I did this last shoot with them that some of my photography that I did for them previously ended up in their album artwork. Go figure. I had no idea. A pleasant surprise. 

Check them out. Their current tour dates are on their Facebook page and I believe they are currently traveling Europe as we speak. 

28 Things Before 28

One week and one day ago, I turned 27 years old. I'm now closer to thirty than I am to twenty five. I feel like my years as a teenager are very far away now. My immaturities from that time in my life are only a small flicker in my life now. My past is my past. I don't think I've ever looked so forward to the future like I am now. Being pregnant puts everything into perspective and I'm scared to death about becoming a parent. This will happen while I am 27. 

Last year's list looks a tad sad. A lot of the things on here involved me doing things not pregnant. Oh well. I also didn't blog for a good chunk of last year and I had forgotten many things on the list. 

This was last year.....

1. Finish writing 5 songs. That’s a big deal. ( I finished four whole songs. I'm crossing this off.) 

2. Rock a two piece swimming suit with confidence.

3. Treat myself to a massage

4. Camp in a tent

5. Get another tattoo

6. Learn to knit (I will put this on my lists until I do it!)

7. Record another music project

8. Work through a few e-courses that have piled up.

9. Gain financial peace. Get out of debt once and for all.

10. Get pregnant.

11. Paint some walls

12. Not kill my garden (Big negative. I got pregnant and created a pile of weeds.) 

13. Have a picnic

14. Sew something. Anything.

15. Fly in a plane

16. Repurpose a piece of furniture

17. See a concert at Red Rocks

18. Go on a wine or beer tasting tour (Prego, no go.) 

19. Eat at 5 places we have never tried before.

20. Bake often. 

21. Have a girls night

22. Make breakfast for dinner

23. Finish reading the Dark Tower Series by Stephen King (This was my man’s idea)

24. Have a dinner party

25. Read 12 novels (I probably made it about half way on this one.) 

26. Re-grow out my hair (Definite no. I really chopped all of my hair off in April.) 

27. Take a road trip

Here's to a new year and a new list. It doesn't feel quite as ambitious, but I'm sure with a little one around, this will be more than enough. 

1. Buy more vinyl

2. Have a baby (Duh) 

3. Continue the great yard makeover on our pathetic lawn

4. Pay off all credit card debt (we are well on our way!) 

5. Go to the Drive-In or to a movie all by myself 

6. Bake a pie

7. Have a garage sale

8.  Rejoin a gym/New workout regime 

9. Read the Dark Tower Series

10. Lose the baby weight

11. Decorate the nursery 

12. Photo booth pics with my honey

13. Hang out with other moms

14. Go to the Roller Derby

15. Have a weekend away

16. IKEA Trip

17. 3 Day Juice Cleanse

18. Have breakfast at midnight

19. Make a bunch of frozen meals before baby's arrival

20. Try 12 new recipes

21. Project Life 

22. Do the Whole 30

23. Sip and Paint

24. Send out Christmas cards

25. Write a letter to an old friend

26. Make a photography website

27. Take better care of my skin- new routine 

28.  See a concert. (not including any gig we are involved in.) 

I am excited for this year and all that it brings. 

Our New Season: Parenthood

I’ve been anticipating writing these words almost for my entire life. I knew at one point or another, these words would probably need to come, this season would need to be lived. I don’t think I ever knew quite what I would be getting myself into and I’ve only seen a little glimpse of what all that entails. 

I am going to be mother. We are going to be parents. 

I’ve been fairly consumed by this notion for a few years but knew that it just wasn’t time yet. Then, we decided to take some risks and finally start trying to have kids. Within a few months I had 3 positive pregnancy tests and a groggy husband that I woke up early one morning on a Friday to tell the good news. I was freaked out. I think I am still freaked out. But, it’s a good freaked out. 

Everything changed that day. 

Since the day I took those tests, I knew everything would be different. It’s almost felt like an out of body experience these past few weeks. I have finally gotten really sick. I can’t believe how little energy I have and I have to come to terms with that every day and  every hour I am awake. I have no desire to eat certain foods I once loved. My cravings have consisted of ramen noodles, peanut butter and waffles, orange juice, and honey nut cheerios. Not exactly the nutritious, veggie and fruit eating pregnant lady I hoped to be. I want to go to bed at 8pm every night and take a nap every day (if only work life would allow that.) 

I am growing a human and this is probably the craziest and hardest thing I’ve ever embarked upon. 

With the arrival of the good news and new season upon our lives, I decided to start blogging again. I make no promises to the consistency  of that claim, especially when my energy levels are horrible at the moment, but a return to this world was necessary. I may bore you with my current cravings and rants about how my jeans won’t button anymore, but I don’t care. This is far more for me and my husband to remember this season of our lives than really anything else. 

Here’s to the newest, craziest, most unknown season of our lives. It’s only going to get crazier. 

A Look Back: 2012

I like looking back at where we have been. I think it helps us figure out where it is we are going. 2012 was an interesting year for me. Many things came and went. My work life was probably the most challenging it has ever been. We played as much music as time would allow. So many things have grown in my heart for this new year. 

A look back....

I ate vegan/vegetarian for a month. Looking back, I remember how crazy that felt. I think a meatless day here and there is good for me, but beyond that, I am happy with Weight Watchers as of right now. (Mexico is only about 100 days away!) 

We shared some amazing meals with some amazing people. 

We drove many miles to visit this store. 

We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. 

We built a front porch and gave our yard some much needed loving. 

I traveled to California to play music with The Piggies. 

I swiftly got back on a plane to visit Longview: the town that once held my heart. 

We tried to play as much music as possible. I also started to write and finish songs again. 

I could go on and on, really. 2012 was a good year. 2013 will be even better, of that I am sure. I have many thing stirring within me this evening regarding what is to come. 

Happy New Year, Everyone!