Amanda Kifer

I will be the first to admit that Western Pennsylvania is dog deprived.  If you want to get together with other people who like to play agility you could easily drive an hour to weekly practice.  I know because I drove an hour each way to train Jack for 2 years.  A lady in my division drove 2.5 each way to our practice.

So when we decided to move to California the first thing I googled was ‘Southern California Agility’ and various other dog related activities.  I was surprised by the dog friendly atmosphere!  Outdoor malls and restaurants alike encourage you to bring your pooch.  Nothing makes me smile more than seeing a dog walk into Starbucks.

One of the first things I came across when googling dog-activities was Pet-a-Palooza.  We were able to take Jack and saw more dog sports in one day than I have seen separately in my life.  We saw all kinds of dogs from chihuahua to great danes and red mohawks to those in strollers.  We had a great time watching Splash Dogs, Stunt Dogs, and Police Canines.

The splash dogs were great.  I think the crowd winning jump was a small mutt (maybe 10 pounds) who jumped 2 feet.  She got bigger cheers than the big dogs jumping 20 feet!  The stunt dogs were inspiring.  They demonstrated fly ball, bits of agility, and frisbee.  Jack desperately wanted on the field to do his weaves and show his fast tunnel skills!  He also showed interest in flyball which surprised me.

The police canine was amazing.  The dogs were trained to find objects with human scent.  The officer placed her scent on a quater by rubbing her fingers on it.  The quater was then thrown in the field.  It didn’t take the dog 5 minutes to locate the quarter.  I also had no clue the sophistication of a dog squad car.  The officer carries a pager indicating the car’s temperture.  If the temperture gets too hot fans automatically turn on, the sirens and lights go off, and the windows automatically roll down.  AMAZING!  If the officer is in trouble, there is also a button on the pager that opens the door releasing the dog.

I can’t wait to go to more events like this one!

I’m about one month into being cable-free.  I’m still alive… I haven’t died of boredom!  There are plenty of great shows on hulu when I care to watch tv.

I have to admit I wonder what the Duggar’s are doing or if Kate is surviving with her 8.  Also I am wishing I could watch Sister Wives… but I have found new reality shows on hulu that have got me hooked.  Right now I’m watching anything with Gordon Ramsay.  He’s awesome!  I REALLY want to eat in Hell’s Kitchen.  There has to be a way to get tickets!  Hey I scored Conan tickets so anything is possible.

I’ve also started to watch 30 Rock.  I think it’s because I like how Liz talks to people on the street.  It reminds me of how people act on the East coast.  Yes she is rude… and I feel I was once rude like her.  West coast… people are just different.  They say hi when you walk by… and your neighbors want to talk to you and ask why you moved here.  I do realize how bizarre that last sentence reads.  I think I would have faired well living in NYC but I am adjusting to the social niceties to strangers!

So long story short (or short story long), I’m not sure why we paid for cable for so many years.  Especially for the amount of time we actually watch tv.  I have to admit we are techies… we thrive on being early adopters.  We always talked about how getting rid of that bill would be kind of freeing but also the technology challenge behind it seemed fun.  Really it was less of a challenge than I thought.

Now I have heard TBS is going to be online somewhere soon… I think on PlayOn?  I’m really hoping that is the case so I can watch Conan in November.

I understand that I’m married to a guy that always has a computer tucked away not being used and this may be more difficult/expensive for the average family but we had everything we needed to hookup both of our tv’s.

Our basic setup:

• 1 hulu subscription
• Mac Mini and wireless mouse (wireless is key… think old school tv where you have to get up every time to change the channel if you have one that is wired… we tried this for several days and it was not fun!)
• Dell Computer and wireless mouse in for the livingroom (Justin was already using the tv as a massive monitor so it was already set up)

So there you have it!  I’ll let you know if we go back to cable and why.  We were offered free cable for the rest of the year but didn’t jump on the offer.

Justin and I have been working nonstop for a while now on a website that shares amazing deals for local businesses.  The premise is group buying. A business is willing to offer the best deal they have ever offered if a group of people are willing to buy.  It’s a great way to check out new things to do at a discounted price.

After many sleepiness nights Dealometer is finally here and ready to save Erie (to start with) on local things to do.

We are so lucky to have Molly Brannigans for a grand opening deal!  Molly’s is one of my favorite Erie restaurants with great Irish Pub food.

So please buy a deal and share the site with your friends.

Okay so I’ve been busy packing, trekking across the country, unpacking, rallying troops to launch a new website, iphone update killing our phones, family visiting, car issues (dealership messed up our vin number with another car years ago and paperwork is all out of whack… a story for another day), dog illness… as you can see life has been EXTREMELY busy.

Our trip across the county was amazing.  We didn’t understand how vast and beautiful the landscape is in our country until this summer.  By far our favorite state was Colorado.  It is breath-taking beautiful every where you look.  I’ve determined we must go back and stay awhile!

When we first entered Colorado we pulled off for gas and I was determined I needed to take photos.  Justin asked the attendant where a good place might be… the gas pump attendant responded, “Of what?!? There is nothing around for a good 100 miles.”  Obviously the teenager didn’t realize how gorgeous the mountains were all around him.  We chuckled and drove away.

We pulled into Orange County the day before we needed to move into our apartment.  It was a surreal feeling.  We pulled up to the same hotel we stayed at months ago when we were playing with the idea of moving.  This time we had our belongings and dogs in tow.

The day we moved in it rained.  Yes it RAINED in sunny SoCal! We didn’t realize how rare that is but it’s the last day I have seen rain in nearly 2 months.  Justin loves it… I think it is a little boring.  I’m not trying to complain that I never have to check what the weather will do (but I guess I am a little).  I love that it is alway 70 degrees and blue skies but a couple of days ago I longed for a rainy Saturday.  I wanted to curl up with a book or watch a movie with my dog at my feet.  I think I’ll need to buy a rainforest cd and have my own rainy day here soon!

All-in-all California is treating us well.  We love the people we have met.  We love the little sight seeing we have done.  The dogs love their new dog parks and beaches.  Joey loves the mall (or I love taking him to the mall).   Justin and I have enjoyed meeting so many like-minded, smart, young business people like ourselves.

Here are some of my photos from our trip.  Most of these are from Colorado!

Justin and I got a phone call Wednesday night that the apartment we have been waiting for is available… well kind of available.  We have been waiting since the end of January for a one bedroom apartment to become available in a very pretty apartment complex. It  is a smaller version than the one we wanted but we jumped on it anyways.  Since it is smaller… most of the things we had been planning to take with us now needs to be sold.  (Need patio stuff?  Need furniture?  We bought things we thought we’d keep for a lifetime… so it’s all great stuff! lol)  The porch will be half the size and the dining room is tiny.  We decided we can live with this because the area is very safe and next to tons of walking trails for the dogs.

I have mixed feelings about moving.  It provides us with great opportunities to see our businesses thrive but it also takes me away from friendships I’ve grown over the past 5 years.  I’ve become very sentimental about finding little treasures that remind me of my favorite places.

Growing up as a pastor’s kid, our family’s theme song was ‘On the Road Again’ by Willie Nelson.  Every 4-6 years my brothers and I were in a new church and school, finding our place with new groups of friends.  So I’m no stranger to the moving process both emotionally and physically.  I have decided two more appropriate songs as a theme song for our summer is ‘California’ by Phantom Planet  and a song I remember from watching I Love Lucy (my all time favorite show) ‘California Here I come!‘.

I will be blogging about our adventures and journey across the country.  It should be an exciting summer!

Please be praying for my small family that our travels are safe.

Amanda

xoxo

In the midst of getting ready for the Dealometer launch, I had the honor of photographing a fundraiser for the Lake Effect Wreckers Derby.  These girls are tough!  During the fundraiser they showed us their skills by playing musical chairs.  But this isn’t the same musical chairs I played as a child… the last seat isn’t fully taken till a butt was in the seat and any way you got to that point was fair game!  I was certain I would end up with a broken bone just photographing the chaos!

As I rap up this mini last minute project with the two photographer friends who invited me (Heather Neckers Photography and Penny Photo)… I have been thinking about who does this?  And my answer is mothers, wifes, your next door neighbor, or the strong lady you work with… these women are strong, loving and motivated.  They have great team spirit and are down right tough!

Thanks LEWD Girls!  I had a blast… and want to come back and watch you do your thing again soon!

Amanda

xoxo

This last Friday I had two wisdom teeth removed.  It was quite the experience coming from someone who has never had surgery or pain medication stronger than Advil!

Friday morning Justin and I drove down to Dr. Armanini’s office bright and early.  They have a great policy of giving you anxiety medication to take before you arrive at the appointment.  I was surprised how I felt no nerves as I sat in the dentist chair!  I even watched as he put the iv in my arm.  That is the last thing I remember before everything was over.

I had hardly woken up when I was asked if I could walk to the recovery room… I remember being asked if I could walk… I ended up in the recovery room… so I guess I did… I just don’t remember actually walking!

Laying in the recovery room I thought, “if this is what getting your wisdom teeth out feels like, this is nothing!”  The staff sent Justin and I on our way with a bag full of stuff and several lists of instructions.

Little did I know how I’d feel once the medication wore off!  I can’t describe the pain other than its constant and annoying.  The pain medication makes me itch and feel dizzy.

Justin was a huge help!  He rented endless movies and kept the ice packs cold!  I’m still recovering and am in a codeine haze that I’m hoping to be free from tomorrow!  I’ll be glad when I can chew food again and walk my dogs.  Although today I will have to settle for cuddling with them on the couch and catching up on Food Network shows.

I’ve been lucky to have no photo evidence of this weekend.  I’m sure I looked great with my ice packs attached to my swollen face and trying to drink water with my face incredibly numb!

Dawn and John had a very small and very pretty wedding.  They held the ceremony at sunset at a small park, over looking Lake Erie, near Lake View Country Club in Erie, PA.  Dawn decided to have the ceremony at sunset and have the reception the next day.  The ceremony was simple breath-taking since the sun was setting over the lake as they had their first kiss. 

Thanks for letting me be apart of your wedding day!  I had a great time!  

~Amanda

Okay, okay!  I know it has been a while since I’ve posted!  I have photographed several weddings, went on vacation, and went back to college (more on that in a later post, I promise). 

My family rented a house in Deep Creek that over looked a gorgeous valley and (if you looked hard enough) Deep Creek Lake. 

We started off the week by visiting Husky Power Dog Sledding.  Justin was in heaven.  He loved learning about all the sledding equipment and dogs.  I wouldn’t be surprised if one of my future posts include details of how our huskies are learning to pull a sled.  Justin made it a point to go back and  chat with Mike (the owner) about all things sledding.  He was gone most of the  day and I was relieved when he came back…. without a dog!

We also made a trip to Muddy Creek Falls.  It was quite the adventure with 3 kids under the age of 5 but they throughly enjoyed it!  Unfortunately for that leg of the trip I didn’t bring my camera. 

My absolute favorite part of Deep Creek was getting on go-carts!  My brothers, Justin and I all zoomed around the course for several hours.  Who knew the Bunnell clan is so competitive?   It was fun zooming around the course and making memories to last me a very long time! 

We ended the week with a trip to Sunnyside Wools Farm.  It was a family owned farm of llamas, goats, alpacas, and a miniture horse.  It was fun to hear Julian say ‘Oh Wow’ at all the sites and sounds of the farm.  Samantha got to feed the animals.  Samantha, Caleb, and Julian were all able to ride the miniture pony at the end.  It was a great place for a bunch of city kids to see big animals up close.

The really neat part about Deep Creek is all the attractions seem to be owned by families.  Owning a few small businesses myself it feels nice to support other entrepreuners.

I didn’t get a chance to take many portraits of my niece and nephews as I normally do but there are a couple!  My niece Samantha has had me taking her portrait since she was born.  I love how she poses and shows off for the camera!

~Amanda

I was reminded by one of my friends to take pictures of the ones you love, often.  This reminded me of a special photograph I took of my grandfather a year before he passed away.  The photo isn’t award winning but it shows his ‘essense’.  He is watching football with all the typical guys around him.  I wish I had taken more photos of my grandfather.  I wish I had photos of him teaching me to dive in the swimming pool and taking us to see the boats along Lake Erie. 

One of the reasons I love photography is that it captures a point in time, forever.  When my niece was born she had open heart surgery.  At that moment it was painful to take pictures.  But I had to document this event as hard as it was.  Now that she is four years old, in perfect health, we can look at those photographs and be greatful for Samantha’s health.  One day we’ll be able to show Samantha her story and let her know that God must have an amazing plan for her life.

It allows us to remember bits of history, the good and the bad.  Most of Justin and my relationship is captured in photographs.  The various places we lived, the hobbies we have had, and the dogs from puppy on up are all  remember in photographs I’ve taken.  It’s fun to go through these remembering what was going on in our life at the moment.  My favorite photo of the two of us is a simple one.  I took it myself of us eating at a restaurant in Santa Barbara.  It was just the two of us and a car leaving from LA… and we ended up in Santa Barbara.  It was an amazing day of beautiful vistas and great conversation.  I have it sitting on my desk to remind me on bad days that a day like the one in Santa Barbara is around the corner.

I feel lucky to be able to document various events for families.  It’s a job I take seriously but love every moment. 

~Amanda