Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Me and B

boots

Whether I like it or not I have over the years become well acquainted with the proverbial plan B. I don't even remember what plan A is on most days. Do I have an A? I forgot to get an A. Where do I get one of those??

hannah

I think really this is the consequence of having so many plans that they can't all be A's. For a few weeks now I've been battling short-light days, rain, cold, and schedules to get going on the photography for my book. I had cleared a day with the lovely Hannah (above bundled in her coat between takes) to do a few (sleeveless) shots on Saturday and the rain was just barely holding off. We were all set, make-up- check, hair- check, camera charged- check, drove out to the farm and started walking to our destination. The camera however had a different plan. The 4 week old fancy pants camera decided it would be the malfunctioning lemon type of camera and forced us to institute plan B. Which was to instead talk on the phone to 3 camera stores, my husband who had the manual in hand and online and the Canon help desk, while beautiful Hannah and I stayed warm in the car. I fought off tears for an hour of on-the-phone consulting only to end up sending my new baby back to the manufacturer and await a new one. Sigh. I tried really hard not to cry. And it worked for a while, then when describing the plan of action to Jeff I squeaked out a bit of a pitiful sob. I really hate poor me scenarios and resist the temptation to feel sorry for myself in light of such good things and people around me. But sometimes. Obviously you know. Looking for good weather now isn't something thats really going to be possible for a while. Not that I want sun necessarily, but when playing hostess/mom/art director/photographer to such sweet and patient girls who are modeling for me, one has to be considerate. Well this one has to be considerate. How many times should we try this only to splish around in puddles?

my.models

So Sunday we threw caution to the wind, rain, and clouds and tried our shoot again with a borrowed camera, my lens, and some of the most precious people I know who continue to remind me that what I am working on is not about perfection. Nothing close. It's about what I love. I don't love perfection. I love my home, my family, my work, my art and most of all that model on the left who came along as a plan B herself when I was 18.

Beautiful things come from failed plans I do believe. I'm just watching all this happen and some days I feel I have very little to do with any of it. Even though here I am doing it all. I guess I wouldn't have it any other way. Just glad there are 25 other letters in the alphabet when A fails me.

xoAM

67 comments:

helena said...

very cute post, refreshingly true and it happens to us all, especially the crying part for me!

Natalie said...

Oh a good cry! Sometimes it's just the thing to release the tension and stress that builds up in our modern-full-blessed lives, so let loose, release and then move on to plan B. Hey, thanks for keeping it real... I appreciate knowing that I am not alone in falling back on plans B-Z!

Shannon said...

Your plan B at age of 18 just got the best of me ~~ that melted my heart:) Lucky you.

Barb McMahon said...

What a wonderful post! You can't go wrong with an attitude like that - even if you have to go to plan Q!

Amy said...

You are such a delight to read. Thanks for all the smiles.

andrea said...

I love it! I don't think artists can be perfectionists...at least not most of us. It's against our nature. The truly beautiful things in life happen organically against what we initially thought of as perfection.

christy said...

“The artist who aims at perfection in everything achieves it in nothing.”
Eugene Delacroix ;-)

Bethany Hissong said...

Both of my children are plan B's!!! And I think it all turned out better than planned :)

Having worked in advertising, just know that no photo shoot ever goes as planned... at least not any I ever knew of!! Your photos will be spectacular because you are!

Cheryl A said...

Oh my goodness. Your first Plan B is a mini Anna Maria! Seriously, could you have kids that were any more gorgeous! And kind? Lucky mom.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful things from spoiled plans - I call that serendipity! All seems lovely in your world - I say let's all embrace our personal plan b!

Homegrown {Skinny} said...

Ow, i am not a crier but the Plan B at eighteen got to me too! I don't know why but that little tidbit makes me so much more inspired by you Anna Maria. I'm a single mom to a little boy and though I was 23 when I had him it was tough because I'd always felt I never wanted kids. Now I'm lucky enough to stay home and work my fingers to the bone creating, just as you do, and it's not often that I take the time to count myself lucky considering all that's happened in my life but this post helped me do just that. Thanks ;)

PS - Maybe our Plan B's should now start out as our Plan A's...

Melissa said...

I love a positive attitude :)

maddie said...

Inspiring post! Thank you for the reminder...

Molly Irwin said...

Beautiful post. Beautiful words and thoughts and sentiments. It's all so true. And if what you're doing is not perfection, then give me more of that "not perfection" all day long. That's why we love to read your blog and will all buy your book :)

- Molly

Kathy said...

That's so great! Hurray for plans B, C, & D!

amanda said...

i've been crying a lot over a plan A that didn't work out as intended. thanks for this post. it's making me think about things a little differently.

Teresa said...

This was the most sweet, sincere post. Your plan b at 18 is one beautiful plan. Just love your sincerity and the inspiration you exude.

Teresa
xo

Anonymous said...

Do you realize you just came up with name for your next line of fabrics? Smile...you make the rest of SMILE for sure.

Patti said...

Beautiful! It's true, Plan B is usually the plan that God had intended for us all along. We're just usually too stubborn to use it in the first place.

Betz White said...

Control is a myth, isn't it?

I heard a quote somewhere recently: "Don't let perfection stand in the way of progress". I think it's a fine line...

Stephanie said...

Sometimes a good cry is all we need.
I cant wait until your book comes out AM. If you have a book undesigning in Tennessee, I may just have to drive in from Arkansas for you to sign it.
I cant wait!

Stephanie said...

dern spellcheck! That is signing..hehee.

The Jen said...

Inspiring post. I love the optimism. Hooray for the other 25 letters. ~jen~

Marie said...

in Sweden we have three more letters Å, Ä and Ö, so if all the other 25 fails you, feel free to borrow our extra letters! =)

truly inspiring post!

Esther said...

Thanks for such an encouraging piece of writing. Things we don't expect can just come out of nowhere and hit us right between the eyes, changing everything, but they are never mistakes just surprises and new adventures!

Mary Lynn said...

THANK GOD for both of our "plan Bs"--two of the most special young women in the whole wide world.
Mom

Christine said...

Often enough, plan B is more successful than plan A could have ever been. Like you, I had to deal with plan B at 18. Now he is 15, smarter and more handsome than for his own good. Sometimes - okay quite often lately - he drives me nuts but nevertheless I feel blessed having him in my life !!

As somebody above already said, hurray for plan B - Z ;O)

Greetings from Germany
- Chris

jeanetta said...

you are so right. i live in plan b. not even sure there ever was a plan a. i think plan a is what you set out to do and plan b is what happens. because rarely does anything go as we "planned" it.
thank you for this post. i've been lamenting my life track right now and not knowing how to change it and keep up with at the same time.

Laura/DaPFG said...

<3 this was a cute post. i can't see the pictures from work, but i'm hoping everything worked out the way you (eventually) wanted!! :)

Sara said...

Thanks for putting it all into perspective. Plan B's are ok, the world is not falling apart. :) Can't wait for you book!

sammyjo said...

plan B always sounds better than plan A anyway lol

Jerusalem said...

yes, Plan B it is very often. Thank goodness for the moments when we can see just how unexpectedly beautiful that plan has turned out to be!

Jenny said...

You poor thing! I know what it's like on some level to be depending upon technology and have things go wrong. I was asked to film at a summer camp for children who've had cancer. I was supposed to be making a really great informational DVD about the place but that day, the wind covered up all of the interviewees' talking, the kids clammed up on camera and then it rained! It all ended up working out okay though and the kids got a great DVD as a gift (hooray for special effects, music to cover up the wind, voice-overs and still photos).

I can't wait to see this book! You are such an inspiration.

Mendy at Modern Charm said...

Such wise and warm thoughts! That picture of your daughter is absolutely beautiful.

I put a little post on my blog about this post. It's here...
http://moderncharm.blogspot.com/2007/11/when-i-grow-up-i-want-to-be-anna-maria.html

(OK, I'm off to grab a hanky.)

Knitterella said...

What a nice post. Thanks for reminding me I don't have to be a perfectionist.

(and that's OK that you cried, sometimes you just have to let it out!)

Liz Cadorette said...

Oh, lady, sometimes indeed. I can SO relate.

Hope your (new) baby works without a hitch and that things come out if not perfect, then blissful nontheless.

Could that girl GET any more gorgeous? She looks just like her Mama!

Miss Sassy said...

Holy smokes - I thought that was you in the picture. Your daughter sure looks like you and all the girls are so lovely.

Plan B. I never thought about terming some things in life as such. Our life turned to a Plan B when our son was born with a serious heart defect. It certainly wasn't what we expected and definitely not what we had hoped for him. But we have moved along with what life has thrown to us and, outside of having a perfect heart, I wouldn't want him to be any different than the sparkling 4-year-old he is.

Back to you as it is your blog (sorry!) - I think a spillage of tears is human and what everyone needs every now and then. It will help the young ladies who were there to witness your crying so they can see it is alright to let your frustrations show. You've certainly had enough stress lately, even if it is good stress. I cannot wait to see your book. I'm sure it will be as lovely, creative and fun as you appear to be.

Erica said...

And Plan B almost always turns out better anyway!

Katherine said...

Thank you for this post. Wise words because wonderful things really do come from failed plans. Sometimes plan B makes a better plan A afterall. Hugs to you.

Heather Bailey said...

The weather's beautiful in AZ, perfectly sunny & nice. And there's a pro Canon-user here too. Want to come for a visit?? : )

Anna Maria said...

Heather! Stop it! It sounds too tempting....I could definitely use a proCanon user around, even just a Canon would be nice at this point...don't be surprised if I show up ;)
xoAM

Carrie Mc W said...

Plan B is almost always better AND the story of the failed plan A gets better with each telling.

Tiffany said...

Funny you should write this post this week. I know you aren't writing to me...but it felt like it when I was reading it because those are the words of wisdom I need right now. I have an insane amout of sewing to accomplish before this weekend for a craft fair in Franklin. *Of course* my sewing machine would start acting up. Grrrr! So far I've prayed over it, sweared at it, done every troubleshooting tip in the book, and begged it to start working again. It's limping along -- I'm not sure how much longer it will hold out. ((sigh)) So I guess I need to start planning B, C, D...Z.

Does anyone know where I can get a magic wand?? -that sure helped Cinderella when she was in a jam.

You should come to the craft fair on Sunday! Go to this site to check it out: www.nashvillecraftmafia.com

Wishing you sunny skies, fixed cameras, and good alternate plans! :-)

Beth in East TN said...

Kudos to you for admitting your life isn't perfect. I carried my 6year old plan B up to bed tonight and thanked God for the little surprise he gave me when I had 14 month-old twins! After all, when life gives you lemons, aren't you supposed to make lemonade?

Sabina said...

this is just a stunning piece of writing!!! wow!! beautiful things do come from failed plans... well said with such eloquence.

Why Just Survive? said...

Loved this post. It was nice to get a full shot of your daughter ... she is a beauty just like her mom.

I love your positive perspective on life. That's why you're successful!

Lisa thedomesticdiva said...

Seems nothing every works as planned and "It's a Good Thing" as your buddy Martha would say.

Oh my, your Plan B melted my heart!

With friendship,
Lisa

atet said...

Oh yes, let's hear it for plans B, C, AND D (and I've had to use most of them at one point or another). And ya know what? Sometimes those alternate plans -- they work out better than the originals!

As for your your daughter as plan B -- oh yeah, fantastic!

j. caroline said...

Yeah for Plan B! Your post made me realize I am on Plan B husband and Plan B baby and they are both awesome. Maybe Plan A is just a process and never meant to be a product.

On a lighter note, I had two Canon cameras break this summer and their repair center is fast. And it was the first time I had to use them in five years.

"Other" said...

Shall I mail a key? :)

xo--Heather (Bailey)


Oh look, your comments thing-a-majiggy is only allowing Google/Blogger account comments, no "Other." I'm an other.

G.L.H. said...

Wow, my dear. I, too, fell apart at your Plan B at eighteen--I was nineteen. Don't even know if putting that thought in was intentional, but your post sure does "hit home" for many. Keep sharing!

--Barbara

Alicia said...

What a beautiful blog!
As much as I push for plan A's, I usually end up with a plan B! And like you, it's usually lots better!

Thanks for sharing!

love you!
Alicia

bernie said...

How beautiful plan B is! Thanks for the lovely pics. You're a great mom!

pink-petal-designs said...

hi, just found your blog, love it and i really like your pincushions with the flower tops.
Sarah x

London E said...

Your plan B is gorgeous and my plan B (who is also 16 and in Franklin) would be soo cute together. They even look alike. Imagine the talent that could come from that. Can you say "arranged marraige?"

I'm sooooo kidding, but she is a doll and has dimples just like my Cody!

It is the season for Plan B's, I've had three mishaps this week. don't fret too much :)

Penny said...

Very nicely said!

Mary's Cottage Quilts said...

Thanks so much for the plan B comments. I tend to be wound so tight that plan b freaks me out so much and isn't usually an option. Thanks for helping me understand that sometimes plan B is even better and I should embrace it! :)
thanks! mary

传斌 said...

replica Watches
replica Watches
replica Watches
fake Watches
knockoff Watches
replica Rolex Watches
replica Breitling Watches
replica Cartier Watches
replica Omega Watches
replica Tag Heuer Watches
replica Bell & Ross Watches
replica Panerai Watches
replica IWC Watches
replica Patek Philippe Watches
replica Chopard Watches
replica Gucci Watches
replica Corum Watches
replica Montblanc Watches
replica Jacob & Co Watches
replica A.Dunhill Watches
replica A.Lange & Sohne Watches
replica Alain Silberstein Watches
replica Audemars Piguet Watches
replica B.R.M Watches
replica Baume & Mercier Watches
replica Blancpain Watches
replica BMW Watches
replica Breguet Watches
replica Burberry Watches
replica Bvlgari Watches
replica Chronoswiss Watches
replica Concord Watches
replica D&G Watches
replica De Witt Watches
replica Dior Watches

幼聪 said...

China mobile phone
Wholesale Electronics
Wholesale mobile phone
Wholesale mp4 players
car dvd player
Laptop Batteries
Acer Laptop Batteries
Apple Laptop Batteries
Compaq Laptop Batteries
Dell Laptop Batteries
HP Laptop Batteries
IBM Laptop Batteries
Lenovo Laptop Batteries
Samsung Laptop Batteries
Sony Laptop Batteries
Toshiba Laptop Batteries
ASUS Laptop Batteries
Gateway Laptop Batteries
LG Laptop Batteries
NEC Laptop Batteries
HITACHI Laptop Batteries
Panasonic Laptop Batteries
BenQ Laptop Batteries
Fujitsu Laptop Batteries

ric said...

免費A片,色情網站,色情遊戲,情色文學,麗的色遊戲,色情,色情影片,同志色教館,色色網,色遊戲,自拍,本土自拍,kk俱樂部,後宮電影院,後宮電影,85cc免費影城,85cc免費影片,免費影片,免費小遊戲,免費遊戲,小遊戲,遊戲,好玩遊戲,好玩遊戲區,A片,情趣用品,遊戲區,史萊姆好玩遊戲,史萊姆,遊戲基地,線上遊戲,色情遊戲,遊戲口袋,我的遊戲口袋,小遊戲區,手機遊戲,貼圖,A片,伊莉討論區,主機代管,虛擬主機,專屬主機,實體主機,獨立主機,網域申請,網頁空間,推薦虛擬主機,網域,網域註冊,伊莉,情趣,色情漫畫,遊戲,好玩遊戲,成人漫畫,成人文學,視訊美女,視訊做愛,正妹牆,伊莉討論區,伊莉論壇,色情,色情影片,同志色教館,情色a片,情色遊戲,85cc成人片,我的遊戲口袋,小遊戲區,貼圖,情趣用品,情趣,情趣用品,情趣,情趣用品,情趣,情趣用品,情趣,情趣用品,情趣

Violet said...

高雄婚紗,街舞,小產,雞精,性感,辣妹,雷射溶脂,雙下巴,抽脂,瘦小腹,微晶瓷,電波拉皮,淨膚雷射,清潔公司,居家清潔,牙周病,牙齒矯正,植牙,牙周病,矯正,植牙

Violet said...

高雄婚紗,街舞,小產,雞精,性感,辣妹,雷射溶脂,雙下巴,抽脂,瘦小腹,微晶瓷,電波拉皮,淨膚雷射,清潔公司,居家清潔,牙周病,牙齒矯正,植牙,牙周病,矯正,植牙

2012天氣晴朗 said...

牙醫,植牙,矯正,矯正牙齒,皮膚科,痘痘,中醫,飛梭雷射,毛孔粗大,醫學美容,痘痘,seo,關鍵字行銷,自然排序,網路行銷,自然排序,關鍵字行銷seo,部落格行銷,網路行銷,seo,關鍵字行銷,自然排序,部落格行銷,網路行銷,牛舌餅婚紗台中婚紗,腳臭,腳臭,腳臭,腳臭,腳臭,腳臭,腳臭,腳臭,街舞,小產,雞精,性感,辣妹,雷射溶脂,雙下巴,抽脂,瘦小腹,微晶瓷,電波拉皮,淨膚雷射,清潔公司,居家清潔,牙周病,牙齒矯正,植牙,牙周病,矯正,植牙,微晶瓷,醫學美容,淨膚雷射,玻尿酸,肉毒桿菌,脈衝光

hotel in bandung said...

I like this blog, good luck ..! also visit hotel in bandung or nikon digital camera cases

hotel in bandung said...

I like this blog, good luck ..! also visit hotel in bandung or nikon digital camera cases

dell laptop batteries said...

HP Laptop Batteries
Apple Laptop Batteries
IBM Laptop Batteries
Sony Laptop Batteries
Compaq Laptop Batteries
Acer Laptop Batteries

çet said...

turkiye de en buyuk sohbet sunucus olanMynet Sohbet | sunucuyu bu adrese kurarak Sohbet Siteleri kelimesinde de siteyi yukseltmeye calışmak için| Sohbet odaları bir çok siteyi bir arada tutup kullanıcı sayısını yukseltmektedir.| Mynet Sohbet | başlangıcta iyi bir yerde olmasın aragemn toparlayamadık :)Mynet Sohbet bizde yeni adreslerle destek cıkmak çin bu yola baş koydukçetbide sey var mynet sohbet istanbul chat Sohbet Odaları Chat Siteleri