Animal Refuge League's Spring Fling

This past weekend I photographed the Animal Refuge League's annual Spring Fling fundraising event.  The event was a great success...and many if not all of the 18 Southern dogs were adopted into forever homes!  Here is a glimpse of the event.

Spring Blossoms

I pass this tree everyday...but it doesn't look like this everyday...it only looks like this a few days out of the year...and the way it looks today is by far my favorite look of all...
(ps...today is my 5 year anniversary cancer free...please let this be a gentle reminder to schedule your mammo)

Dampa

In order to fulfill a promise I made to myself to update my blog/photo journal more often in the year 2011, here is my long delayed post about my friend and father-in-law, simply know by family as Dampa.  Once again, I feel inadequate to write this post, even thought it is mine, just mine...why should I feel inadequate...because...I convey my feelings best through photos...not words...after all...anyone who really knows me...knows I cry at Hallmark commercials...and at almost every wedding I've photographed I've shed a tear at the "Mother-Son" dance...guess I see my life in fast forward a bit too often. 

So what brings me to muster up the guts to write this post today?  Today is the one month mark of Dampa's transition to the other side.  This whole year so far has been on a fast forward track for us Minors...but there are times when reality just isn't real!...and this is just one of those times...but right here and now...I'm going to try my best to cyber-tribute my Dampa...and then...one day at a time...move on with life.

Dampa, we didn't see this coming...not by a long shot...and we miss you terribly. 
We are keeping the memories alive however.  We are grateful for the times you spent with us, and your dog and our kitten seem to have developed a bit of a "friendship" that we are sure would light up your smile!  As Nick and Josh grow, I am confident we will continue to see many of your wonderful traits and qualities in them...and for that I am grateful and forever comforted.  You were truly a one of a kind gem.  We love you and miss you everyday!

The resemblance is uncanny?

Matt and Dampa at Maria's wedding this past summer

                

Dampa with his six grandchildren, this photo taken in January after Damma's funeral

We opened our "17" year old bottle of Dom Perignon, to celebrate our  Wedding Anniversary and toast two of the most wonderful people in our lives.

Motherhood

Another "I Heart Faces" photography challenge...Motherhood...here is a photo I took last week...of my friend Nicole and her son.  I remember standing in a window with my own boys...always seemed to provide comfort to them.

Soft and Sweet photo contest

I took this photo weeks ago...before my personal losses posted about previously.  Mommy has not seen this yet...Happy Mother's Day Rushell!

Taking Time Off

At the beginning of 2011 I made a commitment to myself to post to this photo journal at least once a week.  This commitment was personal, a way to keep my procrastination at bay...sort of speak.  Luckily, I always have new photos to share, and by making this commitment, I would also be keeping my customers happy...it's so much more fun to share photos when they occur.  As my friends and family know, 2011...although still a relatively new year, has brought much sadness for us.  In January we lost our "Damma", (Mom, Mom-In-Law, Grandmother, Godmother, and friend)

Last week, we lost our "Dampa" (Dad, Dad-in-Law, Grandfather, Godfather, and friend).  This loss is huge for my family.  It is the end of an era.  We have said goodbye to Mom and Dad and now prepare to say goodbye to their home too. 

My next post will be to honor my Dampa...but following the advice of a friend, I will not rush it...I need to do it right...please stay with me...as I take a little time off... 

April Fools Day

As all of you Maine folk know...this year the April Fools joke was on us...who would have thought school would be cancelled on the first day of April...due to snow?!
I must admit...all week long, each time I heard the predictions...I secretly hoped for the fresh blanket of snow...for I had spyed some crocuses...and I couldn't wait to photograph them in these conditions...but the beauty I saw that morning was not just the crocuses!  Here are a few of my favorites...enjoy...and yes...no more secret hoping...I'm officially now ready for Spring!