Pink October

Breast Cancer.
Two words that will scare anyone.

My best friend from high school called me Friday to tell me that our other best friend had been diagnosed earlier in the day.

What?!
This can't be right. What?!
Okay I need to write this down. When? How bad?
What?!
No. This is a bad dream. This isn't happening.
No! She's only 30. It's not fair.

These were my thoughts. I wasn't even going through it. But I have been touched by the disease. My maternal grandmother died from "it". I didn't get to know her. That was 29 years ago.

My "Grandmama" found a lump. Luckily it was benign.

A friend of my mothers died from the fast moving diagnosis several years ago. She had two daughters, was a health nut and one of the sweetest people you could meet.

Now my best friend to going through it.

Because it is in my family, it is always in the back of my brain.

On the fifth, my friend has surgery. They have decided to take her lymph nodes too and see if the Stage II cancer has spread. From there they will decided what is next. She is surrounded by loved ones and prayers.

I love you sweetie. I am thinking of you more than you know.

So this year October means more to me than ever. We need to find a cure. I know everyday people are surviving and science is getting closer. If you don't know how to help or want to help, I have posted to the right the local charity Pink October and their events. You will see me out there! Say hey.

Also, I was asked to shoot the Pink October calendar with Lodi's survivors and local firefighters. Thank you Capt. Mike Gold for asking me to do this. It means a lot to me. As soon as it comes out I will post a link how to get your copy of the project.

Listen to Gwen

While I was posting Sweet Sophia (see below - she is adorable) I was listening to No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom. The song was "Different People". The words just kinda sunk in without me really noticing - kinda like osmosis. (A word of advice - this does not work for algebra.) Gwen's words hit my brain and my heart.

"Different People"

Things can be broken down
In this world of ours
You don't have to be a famous person
Just to make your mark
A mother can be an inspiration

To here little son
Change his thoughts, his mind, his life,
Just with her gentle hum

So different, yet so the same
Two sisters only have their parents to blame
It's rare that two can get along
But when they do, they're inseparable
Such a blessing comes to few

The sky is full of clouds and
My world's full of people
All different kinds with different ways
It would take a lifetime to explain
No one's exactly the same

He and she, two different people
With two separate lives
Then you put the two together
And get a spectacular surprise
'Cause one can teach the other one
What she doesn't know
While still the other fills a place inside
He never knew had room to grow

Chorus:

Once in a while I sit back
And think about the planet
Most of the time I trip on it
To kick back and think about
How massive it all is
And how many others are one it

I often think about the world
In which I live today, of animals and plants
And nature's gift set on display
But the most amazing thing
That I've seen in my time
Are all the different people
And all their different minds
And different ways
It would take a lifetime to explain
Not one's exactly the same

So many different people
So many different kinds
So many different people
So many different kinds
Look at me, I'm a person
Look at me, I'm my own person
So many different people
So many different kinds
For better or for worse, different people


No point really. Just smile today. Know you are not alone. You are unique and are here to do something great! :)

- jen

Sweet Sophia

This weekend I had the opportunity to catch up with Sophia and her parents who are blast. I work with her dad, Matt. Sophia is such as sweetheart. We made date for the Cosumnes River Preserve. Right now the boardwalk is dry but there was a feel of fall and the weather was perfect. We found a few spots for Sophia to explore and then had fun with bubbles. Here are a few of the pics.

Sharing is caring

I was invited Wednesday night to attend a photographer's meeting in Sacramento by my friend Sam Harnack. We listened to David Jay, a destination photographer from Santa Barbara, speak. Even though he spoke some about photography and the biz, he also talked about life. When we are most busy, we are miserable. We aren't ourselves.

Some of the things he talked about could be relayed to life, so I am going to do my best to relay and share the message.

- Spend time planning your life. We will plan for vacations weeks before but not for where we want our lives to go.

- Develop your personality. Everyone has one but you make it unique.

- Be interesting or be invisable. This stuck a cord with me because there are days where I fell withdrawn just watching life go by.
Be an active participant. We are all so isolated - get involved.

- You control your life.

- Encourage other people. They probably have their share of naysayers. And who doesn't want to be validated.

So thank you David Jay for your inspiration and Thank you Sam for being so helpful and allowing me to share ideas.

-Jen

My Hero!

Okay. I am a proud Mama. Today my son reminded me how good it feels to help people.

He is an extraordinary six-year-old who loves his Power Rangers, Leapster, bike and helping others. He has a very good soul.

Today his classmate's backpack and lunch sack were taken. How bad is that when a first grader - yes a first grader - is made to feel this kind of violation.

I stress when I can't find my keys or have lost my purse or license. I FREAKS me out. And I am 28+2.

So anyway... I pick Chase up from school, not knowing all this drama had taken place earlier in the day. We turn down our normal path home and I see a lunch box scattered on the sidewalk and make a comment about "oh someone dropped their lunch pail."

Chase yells at me to stop the car and turn around. It is friend's bag. He was insistent. I asked him if he was sure and he told me the story. I was un-nerved. Who would do this?

Chase jumped out of the car once I made it back to the "scene of the crime" and picked up the sandwich, cheese crackers and other goodies. In the bag has his friend's name handwritten in that first grader scrawl.

My heart was filled with pride as he climbed back into the car. We looked for the backpack but that was no where for us to find. We dropped off the Cars bag to his mother and she called her husband and son to say the lunch bag was found.

Chase's teacher called to see where the bag was found. We missed that called. She was audibly upset too that a student's personal belongings had been violated. So I will talk to her in the morning when I drop my little hero off in the morning.

Weeknight Warrior!

I love softball! MUCHO GUSTO. I played rec ball until probably my sophomore year in high school. Then I noticed boys ;)

People at work have often talked about getting a team together but it always fell through. This year we actually have two teams. The co-eds and the men's.I have been having a blast. The cheering, the laughing, the getting mad and the getting dirty. (If you don't get dirty in softball then there is something wrong.)

I am sure all of you know what these are.



:) I am not exactly what you would call - graceful. If I had a name of Native origins it would be "One That Falls With Style - Often". Yes it is a mouthful but my feet are separated from the rest of my body. Not physically but they have their own minds.

So to make a long story short. I was trying to beat out a throw to home that I knew I would possibly not make but I was going to give it my all! And perhaps because I am self-conscious of my running "style" - which has been joked about many a time - my feet tangled and I went down.

In slow motion the ground and dirt came flying. I shot out my left arm when all I could see where parts of the green CONCRETE wall. The crowd gasped. I didn't hit the wall but bumped my head as I skidded to a stop.

When I could look up again there were lots of feet in my face.

I felt a pop in my left knee as the entanglement happened. It was awful. But I did not cry. You see there is a no crying rule or something.

They carried me off the field and an really nice guy, and EMT named Cameron (THANKS), was there. He checked out my knee to see if I needed to go to emergency. Unfortunately the only thing I could think of at the time was "I DIDN'T SHAVE MY LEGS TODAY!!!"

So I am sorry if you cut yourself Cameron. :)

But after a x-ray the next day, the medical community decided it wasn't broken or dislocated. It was just very painful and swollen. Crutches for a couple of days, lots of ice and prescription remedies. I also had my loving family around to pitch in with dinners, feeding dogs, washing kids, and keeping my sorry behind company. So thank you to Scott, Chase, Maddie, Mom and Dad! xoxoxoxoxo

So I am on the mend. No crutches. Less hobbling. More picture taking!

Erin and Jeff

While doing an engagement shoot with Erin and Jeff a brown bunny was munching on grass at Lodi Lake and allowed the couple to pet it. It was so soft. Erin and Jeff are so cute together.

First haircut

I did it! I survived her first haircut. My husband has been asking to have it done for months. Perhaps it was because when she was born there was no hair on her head. No eyebrows, no eyelashes, no lovely locks. Her brother was a different story. He has no fear of pre-mature blading anytime soon. Perhaps it was the way her ends twisted into little curls. Maybe because she actually could have long hair. (Me jealous of long hair - never!) But after my son's flag football season (see below) Maddie and I walked into a Lodi Downtown salon. A wonderful stylist named Sarah raised my little one in the chair, asked what I wanted and began to cut. She handed me the first cut. I just looked down to see that single wave. Maddie was perfect in the chair... thank my lucky stars! And a bit later, she was done. It is amazing how good you feel when your hair is done. And in her eyes, she was a little pretty princess.

Football season has begun!

Fall hopefully is around the corner with the start of flag football. Our season began Saturday with a win. I think Chase is still working out the kinks. The opposing side is the enemy. Even if you went to pre-school with the guy, there is no room for niceties on the gridiron. We don't line up on the line of scrimmage. We don't go to the other teams sidelines for snacks. :) (Of course I am kidding - kind of). It was fun to watch and see the parents rooting for their individual players and the team. Good work coach. Great teamwork little football guys and dolls.

Worms!

My sons has always had a fear of "gegee's" or rather bugs and creepy crawlers. My daughter - not so much. Recently my family decided to do some yard work clearing brush from the back to make a dog run. As we moved trimmed branches and raked the debris up, we unearthed some earthworms. To my excitement I actually got my son to let one tickle him. And as he threw dirt clods against the fence, my daughter lent a hand to find some more. :)

The newest Lodi teen

I love being a part of people's lives.
My friend Diane's daughter turned 13 last month and had a party at Lodi Lake on Aug. 25th. She worked do hard on making the party happen I just wanted to say once again - Good Job.
The kids had a blast, the food was great and company fun to be with.
Happy Birthday Adrianna - Hope you got everything you wanted.

Where does the time go?

I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted. I knew I hadn't in a bit but it is nearly a month later. WOW! It's been hectic but I should have more time to do so. I have decided to go part time at the newspaper to be with my children more. With Chase in 1st grade, karate and flag football and Maddie starting pre-pre-school, :) I am going to need the time. You don't know how busy you are until you write it (type it) or talk to a friend. "How do I get it all done?"
So if you see me around town and I don't have my press pass, that's why.

Just a reminder, Christmas is around the corner, I know, I know... :)
I have had a lot of interest in the photo charms. Give me a call to get yours started.

- Jen