playing receptionist and bathroom photographer

the end of last week was epic. Thursday morning began with a commute to Grapevine for a few hours, then over to Richardson for a few more hours, then down to Austin to stay the night at the Ramada just off 35 (the same one we stayed at when I was shooting Fiesta, mom & lindabell). that Ramada has a great breakfast, fyi. I lazed around a little that morning then headed about 45 minutes northeast to Thrall, where a movie called Abel's Field is shooting. I was just a day player, playing a receptionist at the bank where the young male lead has come to try to get a loan. we had a really lovely little scene, and it was a good day. I then hopped back into my car and headed home, pulling into the driveway in Houston around 9p. here's me as The Best Receptionist Ever:

my hair was totally shellacked.

after trips like that, I generally just want to hibernate for awhile. we had a nice weekend, culminating with an encouraging Sunday. we were blessed to have 2 new families attend our small group, and I'm struck by how much of a shot in the arm that is. new blood. growth. welcoming and serving. last night, at our Wednesday gathering, one of those families was there as well as another woman with three children I'd not met before. I pray for the encouragement of more individuals and families at our church, more opportunities to serve and share the journey. mgb was sharing stories about the kids he gets to work with on Wednesday nights... some of them have experienced so much, and even though they may have no other family present they show up at our church and eat as much fruit, sandwiches, and veggie chips as they want. I know we're not the right fit for everyone and God plants people where He will, and I know we face challenges. but it's invigorating and I'm hopeful.

and now let's get on to photos of the magpie.

books are mostly stashed here, on the lower bookshelves, and in her room. she spends a lot of her day bringing them to us and plainly communicating that she would like you to read it to her, please.

like this.

asking teddy if he wants to talk on mama's phone:

sleepyface.

Daddy bought Magz her first set of crayons. behold:

before church:

shoehands!! (a favorite game of hers)

wearing the pretty necklace marmee gave her:

passed out in the car, looking ever so much like mgb.

this next series is titled 'Scenes from a Bathroom'

'talking' on the dental floss phone

yes, that's my headband she's using as a necklace.

hope everyone is having a good week. peace, my people.

-m.y.

me-hee-koe.

so I shot for a couple of days on a movie called 'the girl' last month. it was shooting in mexico, so I got to go to oaxaca city for 5 days (I was missing mgb and magz for real, and wished I spoke more spanish). I learned a lot on this trip, and mostly hope that my performance comes out okay when all is said and done. all photos below were taken with ye old iphone, as I'd neglected to bring my real camera.

view from my balcony

ditto

I tried to capture the claustrophobic nature of the famed markets near the main plaza... I really loved them, though the meat areas were a little nauseating to me:

another strip of markets on the main plaza:

major cathedral, captured on my way to dinner @ a place recommended by the P family. I can't for the life of me remember the name of this place right now.

delicious dinner of local mushroom pasta...

breakfast at zocalo, or the main plaza. I loved people-watching here almost every day.

shooting.

with lead A.Cornish, who knows how to look great. I just know how to look rather pudgy.

with 'the girl'. I can't remember her name, but she was a total doll and liked looking at maggie's pictures on my phone. she also likes angry birds.

with the director and producer. this photo reminds me to be sad that this pair of jeans is currently m.i.a., as is my arcade fire t-shirt.

I did it, I shot a good scene in that movie. at least, I hope it's good. and now I'm going to bed.

m.y.

more than you wanted?

it's been a full past week, and it appears as though the hits will keep on comin'. on my dance card for this coming week: twenty-four chapters of an accounting course to narrate, baby dr appointment, an audition for some industrial thing, three-year wedding anniversary, a character on a kids educational dvd to voice, a commercial shoot for a car dealership... and, you know, the gym. oh, and my house could use a tidying once-over. heh. the following week I get to go back to Dallas for three days, and the week after than, for two. I'm thankful for work! thank you, Lord. I won't lie, though, it's not without it's stressors, some of which are just personal communications and little, important bits I've let slip through the cracks. but I'd rather enjoy this pretty Saturday morning than dwell on it right now.

I'm in the process of weaning Magz, which has happened pretty organically. we're down to one feeding a day, in the evening before bed, but my body is still trying to figure everything out and my chest has been feeling sort of full and 'ow'. I feel like it's time, but there ARE positive ulterior motives at play, too - not only do I have more work travel coming up, but I'm scheduled to shoot for a couple of days on a movie in Mexico in June (fun!), and want to have her in a good place to succeed if I'm away from her for a few days. as nice as I think it will be to have my body back to myself, I've really treasured the connection of our mealtimes and I'm glad I've been able to feed her this long. so far, she's a good eater and is still willing to try lots of new things.

so many photos for you to enjoy. sooooooooo many!!!! imagine I said that last line like we do when we read Pat the Bunny, or the Baby Elmo book.

first, we went to our friend SC's wedding. sorry, SCH!

she likes playing with mama's pretties, and I confess I don't really mind. she does WANT to put them in her mouth, though, and mama has to thwart her good time with noise about 'just touching'... also, mama needs a haircut.

with daddy @ the reception:

exhibit A of what our visitor was talking to us about at MOPS last week. a kind fellow table-mate snapped our picture for us, and though it's fine (I monkeyed with it a little in iphoto) I wish I'd asked him to take it without the flash. photos taken in natural lighting always look better, even if you have to take a few extra to account for blurriness or whatnot.

next, may I present Sunday in the Park with Magz:

still unsure of the bucket swing, will deal by trying to eat it:

Stayin' Alive:

it's all about the pointing, really. which is good! any communication is welcome.

with daddy:

we went to Froberg's to pick strawberries, and had SUCH a good time! what a cool outing!

tuckered out.

it's too easy.

berry-freaking adorable, right?!

mgb and the baby came with me to work in the metroplex this week, and we got to hook up with Miss L for lunch! which was a total highlight of our trip. she and mgb went to high school together and have been friends for ages.

mgb totally buttercupped me.

and no matter how cool you are, I don't think any Texan can resist the pull of the spring baby-in-the-bluebonnets photo op. we pulled over on the side of the road by the airport:

we got in last night around 1:30. I'm glad for this coffee and I'm glad to be home.

-m.y.