Sock Creatures Invade Medicine Hat, Part Two

This morning I was able to tag along for a super fun and super cute shoot with my friends Kelly From La Crosse Photography & Sharon from T's Treasures!  Sharon makes the CUTEST sock critters ever! And today was part two of their invasion of Medicine Hat! Luckily we all had our cameras to document their take over ;)

First they took over the Medicine Hat Mall! Oh No!

Then they took over the worlds tallest TeePee!

Here are some fun shots of our location shoot at the worlds largest teepee beside Kin Coulee Park - sorry I dont have any of the mall but we had very strict shooting guidelines for that location so there are no location shoot shots for that.  

Over all it was a spectacular morning with some fun & silliness! We even got to see some deer & gophers too  that wanted to play with the sock creatures!  It was a blast and I cannot thank Sharon & Kelly enough for a wonderful morning! Remember if you LOVE these sock creatures as much as I do - check out T's Treasures on Facebook and for more super silly and cute Invasion Photos - check out La Crosse Photography on Facebook!

Kick Off to the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede

Well it is that time of year again at long last and I have been sooooo excited!!! As I haven't been in Medicine Hat very long, and last year I was unable to attend, this was my first time attending the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.  Now, some say I'm a city girl because I've lived in bigger cities growing up, like Seattle, Abbotsford, Edmonton & Victoria.  However, I have also lived and enjoyed being in smaller ones as well like Gibsons & Wembley.  I have also always loved being surrounded by animals be they domestic, wild or farm animals.  I've also attended my share of Agri-Fairs & other farm community summertime celebrations, contrary to popular belief lol.

It was a fantastic day spent with my friend Kelly from La Crosse Photography and her daughter Ariel and we took in the free entertainment venues & Trade Shows on the first $3.00 entry day.  I arrived slightly before they did so I got to check out 1/2 of the Spruce Meadows Prairie Dogs Agility Dog Show before the amazing Chinese Acrobats came on!  As I watched the first part of the amazing acrobats, Kelly arrived.  It was a truly amazing show & as they change the show up all the time, I cannot wait to check them out again on friday!

We did get to also see the full agility show as well after we meandered through the exhibits, had some fairway food & peeked in on our friend Colleen, the Henna artist!  The dogs were truly exceptional! I cannot wait to watch them again on friday as well!

Another fun thing we animal loving gals went to explore was the Petting Zoo! They had some amazing Goats, Llamas, Pigs, Donkeys, Bunnies, Doves, Cows, Camels and more!  Seeing all the Goats there made me think of my friend Julie Austin of Julie Austin Photography & her very special friends at New Moon Goat Sanctuary!  Ariel fed the goats who followed her closely through our trip as did the Donkey.  As I went to shoot a photograph of one of the goats, I heard Kelly shout at me - WATCH OUT! I had been focused on the one goat, while another small one was getting ready to run my way and knock me over - thankfully Ariel distracted him with food before he got to me lol.  

All too soon, it was time to say good bye to the fair, with promises to return again on friday - to tackle the Fairway!!! I cannot wait for tomorrows fun on the Fairway with Kelly & Ariel! What an amazing time! Thank you ladies for an amazing day!

Phenomenal & Epic Summer Saturday - TNT Calendar Shoot!

I was very moved, flattered and ecstatic the other day when my friend Kelly, from La Crosse Photography gave me a shout and asked me to join her on a very special and important photo shoot.  Saturday was her photo shoot for the Stellar TNT MONSTER TRUCK CALENDAR!  All the proceeds go to the Breast Cancer Society - so it was something especially near and dear to me and meant the world to me to be able to be a part of, because my mother is an 8 yr THRIVER of stage 4 breast cancer herself.  So even still a few days after, I am still misty eyed over things.  Plus as an added bonus, I got to spend the day with two of my favorite BFFs - Miss Kathy & Miss Kelly on some of the most breathtaking scenery (aka Kathys Home), enjoy great company & food and hang out with some super fantastic Fur-Babies! It also meant the world to me that Kelly trusted me to work hard & take the shots needed while she was busy concentrating on other tasks at hand.  Kelly is a truly amazing friend and on top of the usual really great gal pal things she does daily, she also encourages & teaches me as I walk my journey as a photographer.  If I have any question no matter how insanely silly or repeated, she patiently walks me through the steps time and time again.  It takes a stellar friend & amazing photographer to do that.  Miss Kathy is a truly inspiring person and I adore getting to spend time hanging out with her.  She inspires all of us that our dreams can all come true and we can do anything with a little skill and hard work!  Even become the only female monster truck driver in Canada, a sport dominated by men.  She fights for those with breast cancer which is also inspiring.  She could paint her truck a number of colors and not even worry about doing it for a great cause, but she does paint it pink camo and inspires those fighting cancer, that they too can CRUSH it, because she is inspired by all the thrivers & fighters out there and their families.  It always amazes me when people tell Kathy how much she inspires them.  She just shakes her head and has no idea why she does or could, because what inspires her is all the people coming up to her that are thrivers & fighters telling her their stories.  It takes an amazing woman to do all that!  

We arrived just after 1pm and it was hot but not too hot and had a nice breeze and it was just one of those incredibly perfect summer prairie days! Kathy looked fantabulous (as usual) and we had our pre battle meeting and then got unpacked in what we called "the media only area".  It was nice and cool, which was great because not only would we need cooling down through the day, but so would our equipment!  We unloaded quickly and got the chance to meet all of the wonderful people there for the shoot who all greeted us  warmly! 

 

This is me meeting Mister Shooter the horse, whom I'd be shooting alot of through the day. He was very sad I had no carrots & wouldn't let him eat the camera ha ha but he was very patient with the camera and let me play, pet and photograph him throughout the day. Shooter has a sense of humor and is a little stud muffin. Thank you so much Kelly for this amazing photo!

Kelly having a snuggle moment with the other fantastic horse I got to shoot, Mr Beau. Such a little doll he is! Sweet & Gentle is Mr Beau.

After some fun getting to know everyone, we started to get to work as Ged pulled the trucks out into the field to set up for the first round of photos!

Ged driving TNT into position for photos.  He propped up Sheer Insanity on TNTs tires, and it was incredible!

We did the first round of photos, Kellys job was focusing on the shots that would be used in the calendar itself.  As second shooter, my job was to collect shots of the Furbabies, as well as Outtakes/Making of the Shots photos & of course Candids of the BBQ going on thru the afternoon.  Of course I also took the opportunity to shoot the stellar scenery every chance I got as well.  It was hot and we were all sticky in no time flat so we all ended up taking some time to cool down & have some fun while the temps started to ease up a bit and Ged rearranged the trucks for another round.  We got to eat some STELLAR food and enjoy some great tunes & company and were all feeling more recharged and ready to rock after supper ended!

Kelly with her new bff who followed her around like glue lol  She took her over to visit with Beau who really wanted to play with the Camera.

Ive never photographed little ones this age before and this sweetie was a treat! She was a ham and followed us everywhere we went lol

Mister Cody the master of the stick! He was taking a stick fetching break underneath Sheer Insanity with Mister Shadow.

Even the pups needed a break to beat the heat.  Here is Mister Shadow hiding under Sheer Insanity for his break from taking photos.

When we got down to work for the second set we hit with cameras blazing!  Its not often that the trucks are all ready & tired up except for a show - so this was a real treat and we all took the opportunity to get as many shots as possible in while we could!  Kathy was such a great sport we had her very twisted and contorted and cussing us something fierce, but the photos we got were simply priceless!  There was a lot of laughter while we worked poor Kathy into odd angles & perched her on top of tires in high heels and Kelly perched on the ladder.  

Pull back shot of Kelly & Kathy working on some shots for the Calendar.  Kelly is the one up high on that ladder and Kathy is the one hiding behind TNTs driver side window.  

I love this shot of miss Kathy - I was taking out takes so was at a different angle than Kelly, who was standing to my left for the shot.  But I love the pride, joy & strength on Kathys face as she sits on TNT - right above the phrase that brings tears to my eyes each time I see it.  "Together We can CRUSH Breast Cancer"  

My funniest and one of my most favorite shots of the night!  Kelly was to my left trying to get a specific shot for the calendar.  Now keep in mind that cab does NOT have very much room inside it and let me tell you how either of us could keep the cameras steady enough to shoot I do not know because it was a hilarious moment that kept us all in fits of laughter the rest of the evening!  Thank you miss Kathy for being such a great sport!

Eventually we ended up finishing a long 10 hr day of photos with a breathtaking sunset, a blood red moon & a thunderstorm on the horizon that we got to watch as we slowly packed up our gear to head home again.  We got to sit down again before heading home and enjoy some fun & laughter and cool down again and just relax (without our gear lol) We made it without any bee stings (which Kelly is deadly allergic to), snake bites (they live in the coulees lol) I did trip over the pelican case which was neon yellow at one point but thankfully the point of the case is that you can drive a tank over it and the gear stays safe, but it did create alot of laughter.  

The sun starting to set in Kathys yard - miles of prairie grasses & coulees in the middle of no where!

Kelly and I hoped and prayed for a killer sunset and were not disappointed!

The end of a very long day - TNT & Sheer Insanity sit in the dusk waiting for the next show to begin again.

A very special and heartfelt thank you to everyone who was there that were so patient with us while we did our shoot & welcomed us with open arms; to Kelly for inviting me along & trusting in me to take the shots she needed while she focused on other items; and to Kathy & Ged for opening up their home & arms to us! I had an amazingly beautiful, fun & amazing day! And it truly is one Ill not forget!

Please be sure to check out Kellys Blog Post about our shoot HERE, her photos taken for the shoot on her website HERE and be sure to check out her fan page & contact her for information HERE if you are interested in pre-ordering a calendar!

Also please be sure to check out Kathys website HERE - she does have a page for  you to share your story if you are a family member of or are a breast cancer survivor or in memory of one lost - they are what keeps miss Kathy inspired - so be sure to share them with her! You can also check out whats going on and where Sheer Insanity & TNT will be going to next on their fan page HERE!

My Rheumatic Disease Story & The IAAM Auction

I recently decided to take part in the International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement (IAAM) Auction fundraiser & awareness auction.  It will be taking place this weekend JULY 16-18th and is ONLINE so EVERYONE can check it out and participate!!!  All Prints can be found here:http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/international-autoimmune-arthritis-movement.html for auction including my own 6 pieces.  Each item up for bid has been created either by someone with autoimmune rheumatic disease or by one of their close friends/family members.  Each artisan has been able to also share their story of onset & things they'd love for others to know about having autoimmune rheumatic diseases is like.  So, while I had it all typed out -- I thought Id share my story with all of you as well.  Please be sure to check out the Auction This weekend and show your support!


Diagnosis: Original Diagnosis at Childrens Hospital in Seattle, Wa. By Pediatric Rheumatologist - Age 9 – JRA

Re-Diagnosis at Arthritis Society by Dr Mallison & Petty Pediatric Rheumatologists – Age 14

(Sjogrens Syndrome, Vasculitis, Polymyositis, Raynauds Syndrome, Lupus (SLE) & Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

About My Diagnosis:

I have always considered myself very fortunate in my early diagnosis. I was lucky I had a mother whos best friends little sister had JRA; and realized as I walked late, at 18 mo. Old that my knees also looked like the little girls knees and my mother inquired if I too might have JRA. Unfortunately in 1978 there was not as much understanding about Rheumatic Diseases, and the pediatrician blew her off as paranoid.

As the years went by, my mother, kept close watch on my health. By age 7 she noticed the nodules & calcium deposits forming on my hands and I was always complaining about being tired and many other things as well. As my parents had divorced by then, and I was living with my father at the time; she brought this to his attention. He too blew her off as being paranoid. In a last ditch attempt, she plead her case to my stepmother, who while not her biggest fan, was a charge Orthopedics RN at Seattles Queen Anne Hill Group Health Hospital. As luck and fortune would have it, we had a family gathering the next day, and my cousins and I sat watching tv on the floor, something thats always been uncomfortable for me to do; she noticed when we were called to eat, that while everyone else leapt up quickly. I, however, had to roll over onto my right side, unfold my legs and slowly pull myself upright. In that flash of a second, she realized that I looked exactly like her senior patients in the Orthopedics ward and realized without a doubt my mother was not paranoid. She was right.

I have every test known to man done from PFT's, CT Scans, X-Rays, Blood Work, EEG, EKG's and more. The pediatric rheumatologist at Seattle's Childrens Hospital confirmed my mothers suspicions. Although she admitted upfront and right from the start, she was unqualified to diagnose me with what she was positive I had, and therefore could only give a temporary diagnosis of JRA and encourage my father to take me to Vancouver, BC to be tested by the top Pediatric Rheumatologists in the world, Dr. Mallison & Petty.

Sadly, family politics took a front seat to getting a proper diagnosis, and I struggled through medications, doctors appointments & Physical & Occupational Therapy, where every adult in the room ignored me and talked to my RN stepmother.

At 14, due to the same family politics, I returned to my mothers care, who lived in Vancouver, BC. The first thing on her to do list was to make an appointment with the Vancouver Arthritis Society. It took only moments for them to confirm exactly what the Pediatric Rheumatologist (who had done an internship with Dr Mallison & Petty) had suspected. I did not have JRA. I had (and still do have) Mixed Connective Tissue Disease – which includes: Sjogrens Syndrome, Raynauds Syndrome, Vasculitis, Polymyositis, SLE (Lupus) & Rheumatoid Arthritis.

What I would like people to know:

Being a child with an autoimmune disease is not the easiest thing and I think the only thing harder is being the parent of a child with an autoimmune disease. I have dealt with teachers who thought I was “lying”, “faking it”, “lazy” etc. They didn't see that as soon as I got home, most days I fell into a deep exhausted sleep. They didn't see how hard I constantly pushed myself in a strive to be “normal” - causing more harm than good and nothing but more pain and more fatigue. They didn't see the tears I cried in frustration as brain fog set in, or I fell asleep in class from exhaustion, or as I struggled to do any physical activity anyone else my age found “easy”. One would think though as you get older, that it gets easier. But it doesn't. Instead of teachers its bosses who don't understand or care about limitations or needing time off to heal. Boyfriends that weren't able to cope with dealing with someone with a chronic autoimmune disease, the hospital visits, the specialists & testing, the medications, the fatigue and more. The friends who wanted to go out and conquer the world – while I couldn't get my head off the pillow. I wasn't able to afford post-secondary school. So I started into the wonderful world of entry level dead-end jobs. It was a constant struggle maintaining a perilous and vicious cycle. Work too hard and end up injuring yourself, requiring time off. Time off equals lack of finances, which causes stress, which causes more flares & injuries. I continued to chase my tail until I literally was in tears and could not walk. When that happened I went on medical leave. I still am not able to be retrained, and so I took it upon myself to create a job I love that doesn’t hurt my joints and isn’t stressful and that I love. I have learned how to fine tune my passion for photography and have recently started up my own Pet Photography Studio.

I wish those who don't have a autoimmune arthritis would remember that some days are fantastic and we think we can conquer the world, and other days we can barely lift our heads off the pillow. Most days, its a balance between the two with peaks and valleys. We do not wish to “leach off society” or be or feel “useless”. We do not desire deep vats of pity. We simply want to live & love life pure and simple.  I wish teachers, doctors, emergency personnel, dentists, business owners would know and learn more about this disease to make it easier for those in this next generation growing up and struggling with this disease.  Above all of that, I pray each and every day for a cure to be found at last for this ancient disease so that no other children or youth have to go through all the things I have had to.  

Happy Canada Day Everyone!!!

Wow! I must say it has been a truly amazing & phenomenal few days!!!  I think my body is still trying to catch up with all that has gone on lol So lets see, where to begin!

Thursday night was supposed to be Round 2 of the Can You Remember the Lyrics Contest at the Cecil Hotel....

I say was supposed to be because as Murphy's Law would have it, we had severe technical difficulties and it took about an hour and a half to fix - so we ended up doing Karaoke instead lol  But that was okay by me lol I ended up singing 3 songs myself and had a great time. Next week we will commence Round 2 so be sure to come on down and give it a whirl!

CJ once again, had saved me a seat at the front table for photo opportunities and I got to sit with Chelsea - who was the FIRST winner of my prize pack in Week 1's giveaways!  She was so excited that she won I was very flattered and her enthusiasm was very contagious!  She showed me photos of her new 11 week old Louisiana Catahoula puppy and he was way too cute!  We also found out we both had a yen to hit the Canada Day celebrations in the park and had no one to go with - so we wound up going together.  

Gunner had a blast making new puppy friends through the day, including the snow cone machine man - who gave Gunner a huge block of shaved ice to sit in the shad with - I have never seen a happier puppy than the gleam in his eye when he figured out that ice was all for him lol.  

There were also some truly amazing performances! My favorite hands down was the Polynesian dancers! They were amazing with grace and skill and you could see on their faces how much they truly enjoyed dancing!  

This little girl made me just giggle! She found the lai on the ground plopped it on her head and joined the dancers in the line.  She was not part of the dance troop lol  The mum came and fetched her but as soon as they started dancing again, she was right up there giving it a whirl with the other dancers again lol

The other performance that got a big thumbs up and super awe moment yesterday was this great couple.  It was their 30th anniversary and they both sing on stage. Afterwards they brought their granddaughter up and while grandma danced, grandpa serenaded them both.  It was super sweet! I got a chance to show grandma and she was very touched, I cannot wait to send her the photographs! 

And on top of that - there was the great dancers in the crowd too! There were several who were older and they two stepped every song they had a chance to!  They were amazing too!  And after all that, I had a birthday party to go to! 

It was Kelly's husbands 50th Birthday!!! So we had a great evening celebration complete with furbabies, teenagers, fireworks, cake & lots of great friends! 

And to top off the night, a really spectacular Canada Day sunset! So it has been an amazing and inspiring few days and I cannot thank my great friends enough for a great & busy few days!  I have so many photos to edit I dont even know where to start!  Have a great weekend everyone!!! May it be as phenomenal and inspiring as my past few days have been!