Okay, apparently several people are quite opposed to my posted mood comment...

"I wish everyone would come off of their high horse of passing along the "hate-mails"...Obama has nothing to do with Swine Flu, nor the state of our economy!"

I've received messages that Obama is resposible for our state of the economy, or the Swine Flu, or any number of oher crimes against the man who has balls enough to step up into the position that was left as Commander-in-Chief.  Pardon if I offend, but truly, I am tired of the "hate-mails" that keep flooding my inbox. 

I don't care what the latest in jokes are..don't bother sending them to me please.  I don't place highly those sort of remarks and jests...they are cruel and mean - and not the patriotic or american thing to do.  I served two terms in the armed forces, I have every right to make that statement.  I've seen hate and bigotry enough to last a lifetime.  So just knock it off if you're wanting to communicate with me.  I'll not be party to it.

In response to the outcries against my mood posting...

Obama is NOT responsible for the current state of our economy.  He is only responsible now for making those baby-steps of getting bills passed (of which one really good one was shut out), but he is only human and a man who believes we as a whole can turn this country around.

Quit pointing fingers and laying blame on the man.  He is at least standing up and allowing for the public ridicule to hit him face on.  How many of you are willing to do just that?  Yeah, I didn't think so.  It's time we all face up to the consequences we placed ourselves in.  What?!  No, you read me correctly, Obama did not go about passing out mortgage loans, car loans, financial loans, force you to buy risky stocks, rack up your credit cards, and then not pay them on time, to have the interest rates sky-rocket.  But he is wanting to place a cap on those companies who are out there raping peoples bank accounts for the outragious interest rates some of you are paying. 

We're all guilty of allowing the credit card companies and banks to feed on our desires to have what we want, when we want it, and even if it's out of our reach to have.  I am just as guilty of purchasing items by a whim just because.  But stop accusing a man who is only just made it into office for the state of our economy.  He did not force everyone into their shopping, buying, poor bill paying habbits.  We all did that as a country on our own terms.  Some more than others, some not at all, but we stand by and watch others fall into a steep decline, and that is just as bad as doing it yourself.

When you all want someone to blame, use the mirror before you go wagging fingers and shouting out in angst and hate at a man who is at least doing something about the problem, instead of just grumbling about it. 

There is only one way our country is going to pull itself back up and out of the pit it has sunken into...by standing together as one nation (heck I'll even say it) "under God."  Basically, what I am saying is, we need to realize what the value of this country, our country should be, what it once was...a land of freedom and opportunity.  Just don't forget the little people on the way up, they are the one's holding you up....if they fall, you fall.  This recession is proof enough of that.  Watch out for one another...be a true neighbor in every sense of the word.  Quit spending like a maniac, if you don't have the funds to do so.  And for goodness sake...knock it off with all the "he did, she did, he said, she said" bullshit.

I am a registered Republican.  I voted Obama.  If you didn't vote - you don't have the right really to be complaining.  You had the chance to make a difference and instead allowed everyone else to make that decision for you.  Apparently the nation as a whole wanted a change...it's on the way, but it takes time.  A mess this big is not cleaned up overnight, or even in a year.  It takes years to smooth out patches this rough.

Now that I've started a firestorm....comment as you please. 

Clarification:  No, this is not a gripe-at-the-world-for-a-bad-day-blog.  I had a very pleasant day today.  I just am exhausted at the surplus of messages, emails, txt msgs, etc. that are floating about, meant as jokes, but really it's just another form of spreading bias, racism, hate, etc...  I never find that sort of stuff amusing.  This blog is basically to publicly inform everyone on a whole scale, that I don't condone it, nor appreciate receiving them; and to please place your spam mails elsewhere besides my box, phone, etc.

We are all guilty of the way our country has been reduced to it's current state.  I don't shy away from owning up to my end of things, I afterall own a foreign car, and drove over 300 miles each week to go to school, sometimes nearly 1,000 depending on how often I had to go that week.  I wasted tons of fuel in a foreign car.  Am I proud of that?  No.  Am I proud that I graduated and stuck it out through all of my faced hardships, including a layoff, to get me there.  Absolutely.  I am just as responsible for supplying foreign countries vice my own for a lot of supplies, including photographic supplies, which you fellow photogs know are quite costly.  But I am changing my ways to help this economy too. 

That is all I am trying to say...don't send me the repulsive jokes and we are good to go.  I have an extraordinary sense of humor, but I do know when to draw a line, that I wish never to even contemplate crossing.  I am not asking for anyone to change their beliefs, or accept my own.  But I am not willing to sway from what I feel is right, no matter what anyone may think of me.

Change is a collective effort by the greater good.  Not all to be laid upon one man's shoulders.

Love ya,
~K

I just want to give my sincerest thanks to those of you who've voted/donated, and to those of you who've sent so many kind words and the desire to vote, but the times have their strictest hold on you currently.  Truly, your words are just as important as the donations, as mental support to the photographers and staff of NILMDTS are just as needed as monetary donations.

I would like to make it very clear however, that I just graduated school at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for Photography, and that I am not yet an active volunteer.  I've only recently turned in my application.  I had to ensure I had the time available to legitimately volunteer to this foundation.

One way for me to help while I am awaiting approval to become a volunteer photographer was to enter this photography competition where 100% of all proceeds would go to Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.

It is currently 8:50 PM EST.  The voting/donating closes at 11:59 PM MST.  So that gives those of us in the EST zone till 1:59 AM....please take a moment and go vote. 

http://www.sandypucvotes.com/pickpic/gallery/image.php?id=2303

This is for one of the most worthy causes I've come across.  Thank God for people like Sandy Puc who place so much of their heart, and dedication to such foundations.

Thank you so very, very much.  Much love to you all.

God bless,  ~K

P.S.  Again, I would like to direct you to the "About NILMDTS" section of their official website:

http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/about_us/

Kimberly A Miller Photography.. is participating in the National Charity Model Search to select “America’s Cutest Kid” and to raise funds for charity.

We’re looking for cute, local children ages 18 months to 14 years old to model for a portrait to be entered into the contest.

Models Search Special:

$35 entrance fee, which includes a 30 minute model session and one image submitted to the national gallery.

Finalists will be determined by online votes. Anyone may vote. Each vote is $1, and all proceeds from votes benefit the non-profit Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. (NILMDTS.org).

Grand prize national winner will be determined from the 50 city finalists. Winners selected by photography and modeling industry experts.

If your child is selected the national winner, you’ll receive many prizes, including a $5,000 US Savings Bond and a Canon PowerShot G10 digital camera.

For more information about the contest, go online to www.sandypucmodels.com.