aha!!

The Autumn is here....

Another Season gone by! I was a bit hesitant to accept fall this year... which makes no sense as fall is my FAVORITE season.... I just wasn't quite ready to let go of summer.. because this last summer for me.... was about the most awesome I've had in many many years. I gave in a couple of weeks ago and switched out summer fruity scented candles for apples & cinnamon. I pulled out the sweaters & coats, bought some tall boots. Just went shopping for a haybale, pumpkins & mums for decor.... got some apple cider.... & warmed that to sip while I worked..... and I'm totally feeling the fall now. The leaves are changing where I live, and changing even more back up home, where I will be this weekend doing... guess.... autumn family portraits. Because it IS that perfect time of year.

I even changed up my website a bit to fit the season!

In the meantime, find some quiet time alone with a cup of hot apple cider & watch the leaves fall and listen to the breeze......  & if you want fall family portraits.. hit me up quick while photos are still on sale!

Cowboy Shots

A few days ago I went out to Stony Creek to the Thousand Acres Golf Course/ Ranch Resort for some cowboy shots! What beautiful country it is out there... I had never been before. I was surrounded by mountains and changing leaves, peace, quiet, sky, streams, horses, and a cowboy named Bryan who I met through a mutual friend. My only complaint.. it was muggy and buggy. lol. But Bryan was so much fun to work with and the horses were so pretty... I really enjoyed myself. It also didn't hurt that Bryan was nice enough to let me spray his cologne in my car for the ride back.  Totally g rated I swear. *wink* Thanks Bryan! It was absolutely.. awesome? yea.. being out there in such a pretty area and all those horses. It's been years since I've had horses around.. My grandfather used to own retired race horses and we got to play with them and baby them... but that has been forever. So when Bryan had me followed him into an open area with (he said) 39 horses walking around and some coming up to me like puppies sniffing my pockets for treats.... at first I was intimidated.. but then I got the giggles a bit. He was right, they were all very sweet & I liked being there. I'm sure all the pretty single girls will be hitting you on up facebook now  Bryan! haha. You asked for it! LOL Cheers!!

what a wonderful birthday it was!!

Yesterday was my....... are you ready for this?..... 32 birthday! *gasp*. haha. No honestly I'm not one of those who freaked when I turned 30. I was actually looking forward to my thirties. And now that I'm IN my thirties, I can say, I'm loving it. Yesterday was one of the best birthdays I have had in ages and I wanted to thank everyone who went out of their way to make me feel loved & celebrate with me. I sorta felt like a kid again with all the party stuff & gifts & going out to "play" with my family (mom & dad too, don't worry mom I'll settle for second place.... you just got lucky this time... don't let it get to your head lol).  Thank you to my awesome friend/former coworker Desiree who took me out for some girl time & excellent gourmet chocolate & coffee, to Lacey for everything you have done for me and made for me and all the birthday attention you have given me since I was 13 years old.... to my in laws for the wonderful gifts & dinners out last week, to my husband and daughter who surprised me with many gifts so sweetly wrapped in homemade paper all decorated by hand, can't wait to make myself an espresso tomorrow morning! (loved it! lol) and another special thanks to my husband who cleaned the ENTIRE house and did all the laundry and dishes! (sorry ladies he doesn't have a brother)..... to my grandparents and grandmother in law for the spending cash *smile*, to my mom and dad for coming down to visit us for a couple of days & take me out to play & eat & for the gifts & the home cooked meal! (I love my mommys cooking) and to the couple hundred friends and family and customers & former co workers who took the time to email me or snail mail me a card or leave me a message on facebook.... THANK YOU!!!! I felt like a birthday girl!! :) If I missed anyone in this blog I'm sorry! lol

It's the class of 2012 already!!

It's the class of 2012 already and its a beautiful time of year to get Senior Portraits done! I'm running a special for you guys... One full hour session, includes 1 location change if you'd like, and a wardrobe change, 35 to 50 final edited photos (around 6 to 8 hours of editing) on disc with print release form, on sale for only $80! Yea seriously!! And..... $10 of that.. I will donate to the Breast Cancer Website to fund mammograms for low income women.

I did some Senior Portraits the other day for a beautiful young lady who I did prom pictures for last spring. She made me so proud when her second outfit included cowgirl boots. lol. Congratulations on your last year of high school Emily!

I put my money where my mouth was!

Just for the record, because I gave everyone my word.... I went ahead and gave my first September donation to the Breast Cancer Site in response to my viral blog "regarding the facebook breast cancer awareness game". I donated $10 from each photo session I've had this month and 10% of my Breast Cancer Awareness T Shirts sold. It's so EASY to donate! Did you know you can donate as little as $1 if that's all you have to spare? Just think of the impact facebook users could have made if the players of the fake pregnancy game could have donated $1 to fund mammograms for low income women instead of updating their status message? Wow! So..... I ran my mouth... and I put my money where I promised. And I will continue to donate as promised for the rest of September & October just like I said I would. If you are interested in joining me and donating (even just a dollar helps!) You can go RIGHT HERE to do it! And if you live in my area & are interested in having new family pictures done... now is a great time! Not only is the foilage perfect.... My one hour packages are on sale for $70.... and $10 of that goes to the Breast Cancer Website!! So we all win! lol

Cheers!!!

Greek Fest Schenectady ~ Fotia Hellenic Society

Last week I drove down to Schenectady for the annual Greek Fest at St George Greek Orthodox Church/Hellenic Center. Abby & I had. a. blast. If you live anywhere near Schenectady, NY., you have GOT to go at least once in your life.  I went to the Greek Fest near my home in South Glens Falls last month, but missed the Fotia Hellenic Society Dancers. I was so bummed, but.... hope came back when I was told they put on an even bigger show in Schenectady. I came home and marked my calendar. :)

So Abby & I made it a mother/daughter day. I have a little bit of Greek in me... not much.. but enough that I feel special lol. We LOVED, pretty much everything there! We even took a church tour & I learned quite a bit about the Greek Orthodox faith thanks to Rev. Fr. Paul Panos. Which was nice because I have photographed a Greek Orthodox Church before and I had no idea half of what I was looking at lol. Don't worry I didn't touch anything or walk anywhere I wasn't supposed to! lol But now I know what a lot things are that I didn't before! lol. It was very interesting and very very beautiful & Fr. Paul was such a sweet man! I think it's impossible to chat with him and not like him.

When it was time for dinner, I ordered us each a gyro (not pronounced like you probably think it is lol). It was fabulous! We loved the live music by The Aegeans (honestly they were fantastic), the vendors,  (we did a little trinket shopping), and LOVED watching the dancing. By the end of the night Abby was learning some steps from some of the other children who danced and she was joining in. It wound up being a great party and a very fun experience. We stayed a lot longer than we had anticipated, and it was well worth it!!! I'm so glad I drove all the way down to see them & I have plans to go back next year! Thank you so much St. George Church & thank you Fotia Hellenic Society for the wonderful show! I loved reading your story about your group on your webpage as well! You get two thumbs up from me & two from Abby as well! lol

I packed lightly when it came to what I had to shoot with... so at times lighting was slightly tricky. Here are just a few of what I came home with. Enjoy! You can also find the Fotia Hellenic Society on facebook! Be sure to go click "like" on their page! They're a great group!!

Share your blog with us!

I've found several of your blogs for those of you following me and they're great! Share a comment on this thread with a link to your blog to share with me and my followers!

For those of you in the drought.....

I have family in Texas who is telling me how dry it is down there..... we're thinking about you! I wish I could send my rain I am having right now down to you and spray it everywhere and water everything that needs it so desperately!!!! I'm so sad to hear about the fires because of this! It has me worried sick about everyone!!! If anyone on my list is in that dry region.. how are things for you?

This always brings a tear to my eye.....

A Snoodle's Tale. One of my FAVORITE Veggie Tales of all time. I first watched it when Abby was a toddler & I remember getting a little teary eyed at the end. What a wonderful message we could all learn from this! I think the writers & producers of Veggie Tales are absolutely brilliant. Wonderful lessons, cute cartoons, witty humor,... it's a win in this mommy's book! Be sure to turn my music off at the bottom before clicking "play". :)

Thank You

I am absolutely speechless, and amazed, and honored, to hear from the wonderful people who have shared their stories with me. I am in complete awe. I feel privileged and humbled. Thank You from the bottom of my heart....

Hearing your words has made it all worth it. You have inspired me & brought tears to my eyes, literally. Again, thank you.

Many Blessings to you all.
CgW

T SHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS!

NEW PRODUCTS AVAILABLE!

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

CLICK HERE TO ORDER

*hint* they actually look much prettier when printed!

Ladies t shirts now available.

Available in S,M,L,XL,2X

made to order

for $30-$35 includes FREE shipping & 100% of the profits I make from this I will donate to the Breast Cancer Website to fund free mammograms! 

and here are photos sent to me via facebook by the lovely lady who purchased a shirt!

$10 from each session going to the Breast Cancer Site!

For every one Hour Session, Couples Session, Childrens, Maternity, Infants, or Boudoir, during the months of September & October, $10 will go to the Breast Cancer Site!  Give me a call NOW while the scenery is amazing!

http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/

You could get portraits you'll love AND help support a noble cause! 524-4192 or christine@cgwardphotography.com

I look forward to working with you!

Breast Cancer Chemo Cut

Senior Portrait Sale Extension!!

I know not all of you have the time to cram in a senior portrait session before summer is over, and sometimes it's easier during the school year to get them done.. not to mention the beautiful landscapes we get during the autumn here.... so I've decided to extend my senior portrait sale until the end of October!

• You get one full hour of shooting.
• This gives us plenty of time for you to change your wardrobe & even shoot at 2 locations! :)
• You will have at LEAST 50 final EDITED portraits on disc with a print release form
• Only $80!! Normally $100.
• AND.... $10 of your payment will go to the Breast Cancer Website!!
• You will look fantastic!!

I can also order enlarged prints for Mom & Dad to hang up! Email me or call me! christine@cgwardphotography.com or 524-4192

See YOU soon!!!

My Pretteh Kittehs!

This is what happens when you have 2 female cats & an 8 yr old daughter. I dare PETA to whine about this. Trust me, my cats are spoiled, well loved, little babies. They purred the entire time.

This is Greycie Girl.

And this is Libby Lou

Greycie again.....






PS. Libby's Lipstick is STILL on!

New products available!!!!

http://www.cgwardphotography.com/printed_portrait_prices

so I've added more products for you to order with your photos! let me know what you think!!! :)

new facebook profile picture :)

A little mood lightener...

I borrowed these from a friend of mine :)

Regarding the facebook "Breast Cancer Awareness Games"

***THIS is my blog. I am aware there are other "copies" going around the internet. It has been brought to my attention many of them have been "edited". This is the one to read. ;)


**NOTE SEPT 2nd 2011, 2:55 pm eastern time. I am overwhelmed at the response I received from this blog entry. I never imagined in a million years how many others would be so understanding, including those who played the game. Thank you. I would also like to apologize ahead of time for my lack of writing skills. lol. I am not a writer or journalist. I am simply a woman, with feelings. I never meant for this to become viral. So, point being, please don't let my writing inabilities take away from the point I am trying to make. I was simply defending the infertile community, the TRUE Breast Cancer Awareness Cause, and then, myself as I was personally attacked. This blog was NOT written to attract attention. Apparently it has. Whoops. I had no idea the masses of eyes that would stumble upon this.

A couple readers pointed out that by THIS blog post I am doing exactly what the creator of the game wanted; to bring breast cancer awareness. Well... I just don't think they planned on me coming along. lol. My destiny can not possibly be that special lol. But I am very glad that by getting up here on my soapbox (I'm really short, I need one lol), that I did make it (the game) about Breast Cancer Awareness again; as it should have been in the first place. That doesnt mean their game worked, it means the people who protested it did.

We have recieved THOUSANDS of letters from hurt & confused people with valuable emotions who felt this way. We have yet to hear of one single person who has actually scheduled a mammogram due specifically to THIS game. There doesn't seem to be a mass exodus of women rushing to their Dr's right now because their co-workers, sisters, teenage daughter posted a facebook status message that made them think they were pregnant for a few hours. ONLY hurt and confused people, and still, men who are left clueless. That says it all.

I love the ideas from commenters! Many of you have opened my eyes as well! Thank you!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Warning. I'm long winded. lol.


Ok I'm going to be the party pooper. :( I know someone will get offended & try to judge me in return for my feelings. I hope instead of being angry, if you participated in the latest facebook "breast cancer awareness game", that instead, you will open your heart and listen to me and maybe be able to see things from a different perspective. Pretty please? Our circumstances tend to be the basis for our opinions right? Ok. :) So here's a different point of view.

Last year a game was started on facebook, to "raise breast cancer awareness". Women emailed other women, to keep it a "secret from men" (which slices the possible amount of awareness spreading in half immediately), of how to play, to post their bra color as their status, so men would wonder what the fuss was all about, and somehow, this was helping to raise breast cancer awareness. Maybe because bra's are for breasts, that was the link *shrugs* When you get a minute, read that story about the bra game from a survivors point of view. It's worth it. Short read. Informative.

CLICK HERE FOR A SURVIVORS OPINION ON THE BRA GAME

Then it became posting where you like to leave your purse by saying "I like it on _____", so you were left with a sexually suggestive status message. For instance, "I like it on the chair in my office" Again, I'm having difficulty understanding how this helps anything related to breast cancer. And what is the point in "hiding it from men", when men TOO can be the victims of breast cancer... but many don't know.. because nobody tells them! I mean, if we were really trying to raise awareness, we'd want it to reach everybody, right?

Then we were told in secret, to post our shoe size, but in inches, with a sad face after it, another sexually persuaded status message. So I guess if you have big feet, or small feet... well you get it. In the end, most people had NO idea it had anything to do with Breast Cancer Awareness. :( If you did. Cool. I'm glad. But I have found that the majority of folks, had no idea.

Now another game is being played. This particular game, was when I had enough and felt I needed to speak up. I was going to keep my mouth shut, but then I saw dozens of people I am in touch with online voice the same hurt I felt. So here I am talking about it. We now have women on facebook pretending to be pregnant by choosing a number representing their birth month, and birthdate. Yea seriously. The birth month states how many weeks "pregnant" you are, and the birthdate claims what you are craving". There was a cryptic chart being emailed from women to other women via facebook with a list to choose from as far as "weeks" and "cravings". For instance, had I played the game, my facebook status message would have said, "I am 13 weeks and craving gummy worms!"

When someone figures out that it's a game and that person is not really pregnant, they are not an ounce more educated about breast cancer than before they fell for it. :) They're actually probably either extremely annoyed, upset, or just laughing at being thankful that someone WASN'T pregnant.

I'm not playing this game. As it appears, I can not have anymore children due to health issues and an ovarian disorder. I have one child. My Abby who is 8 years old, who, yes for the record, I appreciate and love to the core!!! If you look at the rest of my blog, you will clearly see that. :)

I suffer from secondary infertility. That means I can not have anymore children even though I have had one. An estimated 15% of americans, (more than 5 million people) suffer from infertility. This means, someone you love, who wants a child and deserves one, can not have one (who is likely on your friends list). My husband and I have tried since we got married to have a baby, pretty much every month. My daughter really wants a brother or sister. We have tried vitamins, bettering our health, counting days, taking temperatures, creams, ovulation kits, you name it, even taking unsolicited advice from friends and family. Everything we can do besides invitro, as we can not afford it. I did conceive in March of 2009, but miscarried around 4 weeks after conception, when I did not yet even know I was pregnant. We were devastated. As you can imagine, pretending to be pregnant as a joke, is downright vulgar to me. It would PAIN my family and friends who have been praying for us for years for me to jest of pregnancy on facebook and then say "just kidding!".

From this game, I witnessed someones mother become ELATED at thinking she was about to be a grandmother by her daughters (newlywed at that) participation in the "game". It took nearly a day for her daughter to sign back onto facebook (I'm assuming she has a job :) ) and tell her she would email her; the email that informed her that no blessing was on its way. I haven't seen that girls mother say much since then on her page in the last few days. Is it related to her post? I don't know. Maybe not. But, nonetheless, at least for a bit there I imagine she felt like a dream come true for her had just been ripped out of her chest. But hey, it was for charity right? I mean, come on, it's for a good cause, why should anyone say anything bad about it! I'm not alone in feeling this way. Maybe if you played along, your family and friends don't mind that kind of humor. Ok cool. If you're that confident that absolutely nobody on your friends list wasn't disapointed or felt awkward after, then hats off to you. And for the record, I recieved about a dozen emails just from other moms who experienced something similiar. One of them was so excited, she called her husband at work, her sisters, and they all started to celebrate and squeal in excitement. She is so hurt, she doesn't even know how to talk to her daughter about it :( . Doesn't that just break your heart?

And keep in mind, and this one is important folks, many of the young breast cancer survivors who won the battle, are now INFERTILE from the treatments they needed to fight breast cancer. So I imagine a mockery of pregnancy "on their behalf" via a facebook status message is probably adding insult to injury. :( not cool.

I'm the sure next comment will be... "yes but now people are more aware of Breast Cancer Awareness because of the game". Again.. this. whole. thing. is. an Epic. Fail. All this has done is cause strife and divided us as women. Not drawn us together. Not taught us anything about a serious medical issue at all. It is still pointless and a bit unintentionally, insensitive. Non productive for sure.

We know nobody meant to hurt anyone. Of course not. Nobody is being mean in return by asking folks to please stop or try to understand how hurtful this can be. But when you tell someone "lighten up" after they say "ouch", that's when it feels personal. Instead, just say, "I didn't think of it that way". Because we know you probably didn't. What ever happened to a good old fashioned apology without a "but, but, but!", right after it? I'm not lashing out at the people who sent it to me, gosh I know you probably meant nothing by it. I still love all of you :), promise! I know that no one intentially hurt me by sending it or by playing it. But I feel confident that when they decided to play, they weren't feeling a passion for raising Breast Cancer Awareness, but rather a bit of a giggle inside of pulling the legs of the people on their facebook friends list and eagerly waiting the reaction they got. Come on guys, you know you did that. lol. I wonder how many of you were excited for those who took the bait and actually emailed them and said "Ha! Got your attention! I love you and it's important to me that you get a Breast Exam", and they responded "Why yes, that's a fabulous idea! Had you not pretended to be pregnant, I would have never thought of that!" And if you were one of the few who WERE thinking about Breast Cancer Awareness, I'm super proud of you. Honestly. Maybe siking your friends & family out into thinking you've been given a blessing is that much fun to you, ok, fine.  If you enjoy that kind of shock value, have at it I suppose. Maybe it is funny for some people. But to connect it to breast cancer awareness is hardly justified or tactful. We all love it when we pull a good clean trick on someone, myself included. But please try to understand, this, is very, very, tacky. I understand that spreading Breast Cancer Awareness is a very important cause, but this idea, wasn't very well thought out for the cause at all. Not to mention the rumor mill that will come from those who are new to facebook and not internet savvy who saw someone post a pregnancy and doesn't check their page often or have any clue what is going on. You watch. There be those peeps out there, yo. *wink* lol. And now the loads and loads of teenagers and scared and angry parents who were affected by this game are coming out of the woodworks. And NONE of them are talking about Breast Cancer Awareness.

We're just asking for understanding, and a better effort. Unfortunately, some people can't stand it when they accidently do something wrong and instead of trying to learn anything or think with their heart, they stomp their feet and throw toys. Instead, we ask that you please sample a slice of humble pie. It's good for the soul!

Yes, I know; we judge others based on their actions and ourselves based on our intentions. It is a human flaw and it's not fair of us. I don't see how a passionate intention to help spread Breast Cancer Awareness could have ever been the focal point in starting this game. This was a game that never should have had the Breast Cancer Awareness Cause pinned onto it.

Let's find more productive respectful ways to spread awareness instead of using silly facebook status messages. As a society, we have just GOT to be more creative than THAT. Mmm hmmm. I believe that in my heart of hearts. We can do better! *big smile* You know which one really worked that WAS funny and WAS focused on Breast Cancer Awareness!? The "feel your boobies" campaign! :) When I first saw this, I can tell you, I remember it. It was on my friend Renee's myspace page about 4 years ago. I cracked up laughing & I said to myself "well yea I guess you do have to feel your boobies to see if theres anything weird there, that makes sense". And honest to God, I gave myself an exam. I felt my boobies! And you know what, I found an OWIE! Turns out, it was just a fluid pocket & cutting down on caffeine can help it. PHEW! (and I learned that malignant tumors doesn't exactly = pain.) I have fibrocystic breast tissue. I wouldn't have known that or what it was even called or how to check for changes had my friend Renee not said "FEEL YOUR BOOBIES!" lol

Now THAT!!! Up there! That is great marketing! It's colorful humor, is what helps it get passed around... cause I know.. it's gotta be catchy and attractive to get it out there... BUT... it is so obvious what it's about so it's right on the point and DOES in fact make you think about getting a mammogram or doing at home self breast exam!!!! *big smile*

There were a few passionate ridiculers who felt pretending to be pregnant was a noble deed, who sent me hate mail. (Not very many, no worries, maybe only like 5) Apparently not only do I live with infertility, but now it is my responsiblity, my albatross to carry, to suffer in silence, while a very tasteless game is played in the name of a very serious cause. And again, I am not alone. I am just one of many many many.

Thinking that this is tacky is not being judgemental either. And please, don't try to use my faith against me. I actually had someone try to tell me that as a Christian, I shouldn't feel this way. I'm sorry, I disagree. It's called discernment, not judgement. Jesus Himself got angry when He saw something that was wrong. And He never sinned. Being a Christian or Jew or a Muslim or an Athiest or whatever you are, doesn't mean we aren't allowed to think & feel anger. Yes we are to control it. Sometimes our anger can be processed in a productive way to make wonderful things happen! God feels anger when something wrong is done does He not? It is not a sin for me to feel this way. I can "discern" that this isn't such a fabulous game. It wasn't a very well thought through idea. Just like when I see someone screaming at their small child in the store and cussing & acting like a fool. I'm not judging their parenting skills. I can discern that they need to calm down & learn more affective ways of parenting.

We are all AWARE of breast cancer. Being aware of it doesn't make you immune to it. You can be a Dr. who treats breast cancer patients and become a victim yourself, correct?

If you played the game, I guarantee you there is someone on your friends list who saw you post your fake pregnancy, and for a moment, she was reminded of her empty aching womb, preparing herself to congratulate you, because she loves you, and yes, she IS truly happy for you if you ever do get pregnant, please know that. She went through the emotions that come with such a sensitive situation for her, and she probably cried. And when she found out it was all a joke, she probably felt anger and pain and learned NOTHING about Breast Cancer Awareness.

This is blog post is NOT a guilt trip. If you played & you feel bad now, let it go. Here's a hug!  (((HUG))) I don't want you to feel guilty. I want you to feel inspired! And I want you to feel your boobies!! Haha!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm all for being proactive. I have a plethora of ideas to help you be more proactive too!

• Next time you get paid, donate some money to your favorite Breast Cancer Awareness Charity. There are so many to choose from. 
• You could even donate to a local clinic that treats breast cancer patients who can't afford their treatments.
• If you know someone who has breast cancer, go to her house after she's had chemo and help take care of her and cook for her family and clean her house so she doesn't have to. Be her friend. Be sensitive to her needs.
• Ask her that if you faked a pregnancy on facebook, if that would help her get through her battle.

Here are some examples to help you understand more if you still don't quite see the big deal. For instance, I'm against animal testing for cosmetics. I can pretty much promise you being "facebook pregnant" isn't going to help make people realize how bad it is or stop big companies from doing it anyway. I'm also all for promoting Autism Awareness. Autism has affected a few children in my extended family. I don't think people realize how common it is. If I started a game emailing women in secret saying "Don't send this to men, leave them clueless, but post your status as the last time you vaccumed but say it like this, 'I did it yesterday' or 'I did it this morning', and we can spread autism awareness!" Really? Does that really help spread the word for a cause??

Oh wait here's an idea! Let's have all the men, email each other, and not women, and all post their shoes size on their status messages but end it with inches.... to help spread prostate cancer awareness!!! For instance.. my husbands status message would say "10 1/2"!!! See how easy that was to help!??!! Wait... what do you mean we didn't help..... Oh..... well it's ok,  my heart was in the right place and that's what matters. *wink*

I am pretty confident this "game" was started by someone who will never know what it is to ache and pray for a child and to not be able to have one, or who isn't close to someone who goes through the same monthly pain I do. You may roll your eyes in irritation when your dear Aunt Flo (period) shows up for her visit, but many times I clean myself up while I CRY!!!!! And your infertile friend or cousin, well, she does too. And then when I let my husband know and I see the disapointment in his eyes too. If you've never been through that on a consistant basis, please don't judge me or my lack of enthusiasm for this whole fad, or your friends who are going through it.

Breast Cancer Awareness is a noble cause. It deserves better treatment and publicity. Nobody who is truly passionate to the core for breast cancer awareness would be proud of a game that has not been effective in spreading breast cancer awareness, but only the hurt feelings of many of its sufferers.

ADOPT! Ok, well, for those of you who seem to think adoption is so easy and afforable for us all and are rude enough to insult me because I have not gone that route yet, trust me, I've thought about it. A LOT. I didn't get to tell my ENTIRE story in ONE blog! My journey with infertility is still young, I am only 31 yrs old (32 in a couple weeks, those of you who actually tracked my birthday from the game already knew that lol) . I may very well adopt someday. I'm sort of adopted myself. *big smile* and I'm an only child! :) And if it really means THAT much to you that I do adopt immediately, I'll give you my address so you can send me the money to pay for it. *smile*

I know things can always be worse. That's true for pretty much the entire population. Just keep in mind, there are no winners in the Pain Olympics.

I am stepping off of my soapbox now. I hope at least one person who played the game can see it through a different set of eyes and understand how tasteless and tacky and useless that "game" is.

NOW HERES Something to pass on via facebook that IS productive! You can CLICK a simple button right from where you are sitting, to give FREE mammograms!!!! Yay!!!

CLICK HERE TO HELP! <no seriously its really quick and simple and useful!

and join them on facebook! they have some GREAT easy to share "pass alongs" that are productive and cute!!!!

THE BREAST CANCER SITE ON FACEBOOK <great stuff to click "share" on you'll love!

Best Wishes! Hugs! Smiles!
CgW

Abbys Dream Fundraiser Progress

Thank you so much to those of you who sent a donation to my daughters World Vision Fundraiser she is doing! So far she has raised $100 of her $252 goal. She couldn't have raised it without the donations from the generous people who mailed her funds. Thank you thank you thank you!

For those of you who don't know about it, my 8 yr old daughter Abigail is raising money for a World Vision fund to purchase a foot powered water pump, seeds, gardening tools and training for a family in Africa. $200 is for the pump. $52 is for the seeds tools and training. She is very excited to do this.

It may take her a little longer than anticipated to raise the money (she was hoping by the end of summer) but we will continue this until she reaches her goal. Being that she is only 8, I am helping her keep track of the funds and put them in the bank in a seperate account specifically for her fundraiser.

If you are interested in sending a donation of any amount to Abbys Dream (she also has a facebook page for this) feel free to contact me at christine@cgwardphotography.com ! I will be sure the donation is taken care of! As soon as she reaches her goal we will let everyone know! Donaters also get a super sweet handwritten "thank you note" from Abby. lol.

 Here is a picture of Abbys progress poster as of now,

http://cgwardphotography.blogspot.com/2011/07/i-am-so-proud-i-could-just-pop.html

Oh. Em. Gee.

The world is indeed coming to an end.





I wonder what Mattel will think of next. *blink, blink*

Vincent Van Gogh Facts

Vincent had an older brother who died at birth. His name was also Vincent van Gogh.

---

Van Gogh was close friends with Paul Gauguin, another famous artist.

---

Van Gogh suffered from temporal lobe epilepsy as well as other mental and physical conditions.

---

Vincent shot himself in a wheatfield in Auvers, France but did not die until 2 days later at the age of 37.

---

Vincent’s brother Theo died six months after Vincent and is buried next to him in Auvers, France.

---

Vincent’s brother’s wife collected Vincent’s paintings and letters after his death and dedicated herself to getting his work the recognition it deserved.

---

In a short period of ten years Van Gogh made approximately 900 paintings.

---

Vincent only sold one painting during his lifetime and only became famous after his death.

---

Vincent van Gogh did not cut off his ear. He only cut off a small portion of his ear lobe.

---

Van Gogh created his most famous work The Starry Night while staying in an asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France.

---

Vincent’s earliest career aspiration was to be a pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church like his father.

---

Van Gogh wrote over 800 letters in his lifetime. The majority of them written to his brother and closest friend Theo.

http://www.vangoghgallery.com/misc/fun_facts.html

Deer... Home Sweet Home Part X

I got lucky enough to find this family of deer on the side of the road in Saranac Lake on my way back to Tupper Lake right outside of my old high school. Literally in the yard right outside of the track. I got so many shots because they seemed pretty friendly and didn't seem to mind me snapping away and talking to them. I made a lot of eye contact with them and got nervous at one point when one started to approach me a little too close for comfort. lol. So I backed up for a minute. I think I was being inspected for a snack honestly. But I couldn't help but picture one of those scenes from that TV show Worlds Dumbest when that guy got trampled and got his butt whooped by a deer with its skinny little kicking legs when he got too close. I didn't want to be that guy so I relied on the zoom to "get me" close enough to them lol.

Waterfalls Past Keene Valley... Home Sweet Home Part IX

This can be seen from the highway when you pass Keene Valley. I recommened pulling over to look at it or take pictures lol. Its in a windy road on the left not long after you pass the village.

Sunrise In Tupper... Home Sweet Home Part VIII

The morning after I watched the sunset alone, I decided to get my Abby girl up with me the next morning to go watch the sunrise! We drove down to the bridge on Simon for this. On the left side when you are headed towards the bog, and out by our last home (beautiful place) you can be lucky enough to capture this view if you show up at the right time. We made a memory here. This was so cool.

Campsite Waterfalls... Home Sweet Home Part VII

My dad drove us out here. I can not remember where it is. But we dead ended at a campsite and took a small hike.

Wilmington Area... Home Sweet Home Part VI

The Sun Setting over Tupper Lake... Home Sweet Home Part V

One night during my visit I took a cruise down to the park at the lake for some pictures. I eventually found myself sitting on the docks alone watching the sunset. Well not completely alone. I was visited by some curious seagulls double checking to see if I had any food for them. lol. Which I didn't. Sorry guys. lol

Indian Trail Off Rt 3 -Home Sweet Home Part IV

This is a neat little place right off of Rt 3 between Tupper Lake and Saranac Lake. Abby hiked back there with me a bit and we even saw some cute mushrooms on the ground that looked like little Smurf houses. lol.