Here we go again!

Up until January 2008, I hadn't had strep throat since I was 12. I got it in January, again in May. And, I think it's back again. The rapid test they gave me came back positive. It turns out that since I've had it so recently, the rapid test gives false positives this close to having had it. So, I won't find out until morning whether I have it again. I've done everything right, including replacing my toothbrush. Google research tonight taught me that someone can have strep and show no symptoms whatsoever. One of my boys can carry it, and not show symptoms, but infect me. If I'm positive again, we might all be tested. It's been a challenging month to say the least.

The Day After the Perfect Day

The day after a 7 hour wedding, I'm usually pretty sore. Most of the time, I'm carrying 20 lbs. of gear on my shoulders or around my neck. My thumbs get tired from supporting the cameras all day. The squatting to get the right angle sometimes trashes my legs. Not this time! It was the first time ever after a wedding that I didn't wake up sore.

The difference: swimming. My local community center had a contest to swim around the perimeter of the city (almost 30 miles) in laps in the pool (35 laps to a mile). Laps were accumulated over 30 days from mid-April to mid-May. This "Swim Around the Grove" competition was sort of casual. Record laps on the wall, anyone can do it, and at stake... a t-shirt. Sure, sign me up! I'm all about the free shirt. Really, I just wanted to see if I could do it. Call it my competitive side, call it curiosity, call it what you like. I made my goal by swimming 1 1/2 miles pretty regularly.

Since the contest ended, I'm still swimming over a mile 3-4 days a week. My upper body build has changed, but I didn't realize how much until not being sore this morning. Woohoo!

A Perfect Day...

It seemed like everyday this week had rain. It wasn't just a sprinkle here or there, but torrential downpours, day-long soaker rains, hail, you name it. Last night, I was concerned when with the forecast: scattered thunderstorms form in the afternoon, and thunderstorms possible everyday in the 7 day forecast. Normally, I wouldn't take the forecast to heart because meteorologists tend to have the forecast right less than half the time. But because it was rain day after rain day, I thought I had every right to worry.

As it turned out, there was no reason to worry. My streak is still alive: rain has never wrecked a wedding I photographed. It was a beautiful day. The wind was calm. The sky was true blue, partly cloudy. But not only was the weather perfect, the wedding was too. Kevin and Christina and their families were a joy to work with. Christina's parents' house was like out of a magazine and the Creek's Bend Golf Course was picturesque as well. Lots of options for photos, no drama, nice weather. Perfect... just like the bride and groom together.