Skipping in NODA

ha!! I got photos from my photo session with Shoots for a Cure Photographer Diana Payne today - love them especially the one of me skipping down the street. It represents me and my attitude towards cancer.

mixed media workshop and photo women group

Up early - should be a good day -
I had a great time with Andy Mars at a personal hand coloring class. After the class we enjoyed the company of fellow photographers and artists. it was a wonderful time and I loved the photos of my baby sneaker that I got to hand color with colored chalk.

peace love photography

Rocking the Pink by Laura Ropp

I got an excellant book Rocking the Pink by Laura Ropp - it is so good
She's a singer who went through breast cancer and has an new song out - video on youtube

Shutter Sisters Necklace

Back in 2008 or was it 2009?? I was invited to the Shutter Sisters Snap Happy Hour in NYC. what a great time I had and I met Tracey Clark, who I am so inspired by and a couple of other ladies who I have stayed friends with.

I follow Tracey's blog and the Shutter Sisters website - those ladies inspire me so much and getting to check out the other women photographers who post comments is an inspiration too.

Recently Tracey had this necklace on her sight for sale and I had to get one - I was so excited when it came on Monday - I totally love it.

Pink in the hair!!

playing with a pink braid I bought today

My Journey the short version

I am a photographer who never thought I would be a part of the Pink Sisterhood but on May 24 of 2011 diagnosed with Stage 3A breast cancer, I joined the club. A sore left breast and a swollen lymph node led to 2 needle biopsies, a lumpectomy, 8 wicked chemo treatments, 5days a wk for 7 wks of radiation and alot of photos!! I have always had incredible coping skills and a positive attitude so I wasn't going to let Cancer get me down.
So I photographed my journey starting with the drainage tube coming out of my left side after surgery. I felt like Frankenstein with that thing in!!

I embraced every minute of what I was going through and wanted to capture everything I could with my camera, that is what helped me through this journey my photography. My camera has always been my partner in crime. It helps me through the ups and downs and it was there for me through this journey. I did alot of self portraits to show my family in SC what I was going through since I live on Long Island in NY but I wanted real portraits by another photographer - I have alot of photographer friends but none of them live near me. I did have headshots done for a magazine article but I wanted someone to capture me embracing my baldness and laughing as I do. I found that photographer through Shoots for a Cure network after I joined the network to Pay it Forward to other cancer patients. Diane Payne lives in Charlotte, NC near my hometown and when I finally got to go home she was there to photograph me. I loved wondering around with her as she snapped photos of me because I didn't want the standard portrait - I wanted the urban street photos.

I am not your typical breast cancer patient so why would my photos be typical?!

Peace Love Photography that's my motto.

the photos below are by my new friend and fellow photographer Diane Payne - love ya lady!!!

I am cat sitting....

Every March for the last 4 years I have cat/house sat for Sammy, Lucy and Jake - they are total sweet hearts.

Paying it forward

I am a photographer living with Breast cancer stage 3a -I have finished chemo and radiation - I am going through follow up appts now. I have joined the Shoots for a cure network to give back or as I say Pay it Forward to other cancer survivors -in NYC, Long Island or even in Charlotte, NC or Fort Mill, SC areas -who would like a free photo session which includes unlimited time, 30 to 40 photos, location of your choice, can be just you, you and family, or you and pet, proofs and 5x7s, wallets, 8x10 of best images.
I document my journey beginning in early July of 2011.

I want to pay it forward and show you how beautiful you are.
Message me and let me know if you are interested.
I can also recommend other photographers if you aren't in my area
Thanks for helping me pay it forward!!

Happy St. Patty's Day!!!

Green is the color for today - i hope you ate your greens!!

I am hanging with me babies today - they miss me since I have been cat/house sitting. I need the break but miss my babies too.

it's a beautiful day but I have been inside cleaning and organizing - sort of - I have also been doing the laundry-one more load to go.

Out of Focus

yes I have been very out of focus the past year and really out of sorts the last 2 weeks. I returned to NY after seeing my family in SC - great trip and made some new friends - but I have not been able to focus on what I need to do. Basically I need to clean, purge and organize my belongings and life here in NY. I have too much stuff!!! I go home after working all day and just want to crash even though I should be cleaning. I just don't have the motivation to do it right now.

I am so behind in blogging, downloading images from home and sending thank you cards and some gifts out....... when will I get my mojo back?????

I am already planning another trip home in May - I think I will go for another 9 days - it's good to see the family and some friends. People are still funny you really do find out who cares about you when you get sick or have a issue in your life.

Finger Specialist

so now I have to see a finger specialist because the surgeon has no idea what's going on with finger with xrays and test!! Oh goodie another Doctor to add to my list. of course Dr. D didn't want it to come to this but the finger is hurting and has a knot on it now....

there is a full moon out there - I knew something was going on - people are nuts.

Really missing Mom and Dad now - can't wait to see them again soon.

Appointment with Surgeon today

My Index finger is still swollen and I have a followup appt with the surgeon today. to see about it. hope it's not a 5 minute appt - I don't like it when you pay $50 to just have him walk in and out of the room.

I am back in NY and at work. not fun to come in and see that my computer is still not working!!
I am having to work from my laptop - good thing I remembered it today!! ha!!

Carolina's on my mind!! I so want to move back there.

Leaving on jet plane!!!

Photo shoot in the rain, time with parents and Great night out with Friends Saturday night.

Today I am off to church with my parents and then I have to go to airport to return car and catch a flight back to NY.
I had an amazing trip home. Loved seeing old friends and making making new ones.

Bitter sweet to leave today. I worry about not being here for mom and dad and my Aunt but I need to get back to NY for my babies- Greg, Cali and Daisey.

from the plan Moon and I love shooting clouds from 30,000 feet!!

photo shoots, family, friends, home - fort mill.

hit has been great to be home with mom and dad. time really flies when you are havi.g fun.