Soul Humming

FIVE year milestone

 

five flowers

lots of my friends know about my obsession with the number five. it's my favorite number and shows up in lots of ways throughout my art and life. but now i am loving it even more. five years ago, on my birthday, february 24th, i had a mastectomy. i didn't want to have the surgery, obviously, and especially not on my birthday. but when i was scheduling the appointment that was the first date available. and, at the time it was better to HAVE a birthday to celebrate for the next several years than to fret over that particular one. $%#* cancer.

the general angle

and each year on my birthday i remember that day. i remember that surgery. i remember the room i was in. the cold colors of the walls. the metal trolley holding my i.v. bag and its tube into my body. i remember wheeling it into the bathroom in the dark while loopy and talking to mija on the phone. that was one of the few moments when i didn't feel completely out of my body. i remember the doctors being unable to find a pain med that would work. nothing seemed to help and they kept calling late into the night to get him on the phone to try something else. i remember wishing i were anywhere but in that cold room.

i remember my amazing friends and family visiting me in the hospital. i remember them lined up at the foot of my bed like sweet surprises in a row. lisa brought me a birthday crown. i wear it around the house still. that was lovely to see them all through my post surgery haze.

forgotten

but, let me tell you, having a mastectomy on your birthday sucks. don't do it if you can help it. pick a different day. you will remember it when you would rather move on and forget it. and yet, you can never forget it. no amount of life is going to take the scars away,inside or out. SO - get your mammograms. don't put it off. do self-checks every month. be smart, people! ok, climbing off my pink beribboned soap box now.

escape

and, luckily, this year, tomorrow, on my birthday, i get to celebrate with enormous JOY being five years cancer free. that is huge to me. five years out is the first time the oncologist will consider me cancer free. so it is quite a succulent milestone. i've been waiting to exhale a little since that day i thwacked myself in the boob with a mop and found a lump. five years out from surgery feels like a wonderful, amazing, happy, magnificent relief. life is made up of so many moments all strung together like sparkling gems. tiny and shining. this one moment sums up so much happiness hanging off of worry, love, bravery, sadness, expectation, adjustment, fear, and on and on. right now five equals rocket to the moon happy. so...

take time to live your life in this moment. the little stuff truly isn't worth worrying about, well, not much is worth worrying about. don't be so serious. love big. laugh loud. and dance every chance you get. that's what i'm doing. mwah!

The Third Day of Christmas - Joanna Pierotti

 

 

 

Today I was yet again a lucky girl. I have this teeny little treasure before me from my loving breast friend, Joanna Pierotti. She is so clever! I love how she put her ornament in this tiny old envelope.

When I first met Joanna she was going through treatment for breast cancer. 

And within a few months, I had found out that I also had breast cancer. We were already art friends and soon we were breast friends, as she called us.

She helped me in so many ways by walking that road a few steps ahead of me but always being right beside me.

Not only is she a super talented artist but she is a beautiful Christian girl with a heart as big as the moon.

And look at this beautiful soldered ornament she has made for me!

Joanna makes gorgeous dolls so it is only fitting that she put an image of a little doll with a K for Kelly under this faceted glass for me to hang on my tree.

And it is all finished up with this sweet bundle of antique lace and ribbon. Perfect! I love it so, Joanna, and I love you! Thank you, friend!

Something to Say

 

journal page in progress

 

there are days

when i so want

something to say

i used to have

deep thoughts

and now i do not

my thoughts are scattered

and forgotten

i am forgetful

it is discouraging

where have they gone

into the fourth year

will they ever

come back

Shake Your Paw

The 2010 PAWS for Charity Art Book is now available for ordering! It looks gorgeous! You can preview and order the book here. This year's book is BIG coming in at 8 x 10...and has more pages with a whopping 75 pages (almost double last year's book). And, there are many more artists showing their amazing offerings.

It is perfect for your pet loving friend, someone who wants to support cancer-fighting charities (all proceeds are donated directly to The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade) or YOU!

And, you can also order these sweet t-shirts here. Soon there will be greeting cards and in the fall a calendar for the new year. So there will be lots of ways to enjoy these fabulous furry friends all while supporting cancer charities. For which I say Thank You Very Much!!

Paws for Charity Participants 2010

Poppy as an alien seal

You probably know that I love animals. And, you may have gathered that I am nuts about photography. Also, you might have read that I am a cancer survivor. Well, did you know that I am participating in an art book project that combines all three of these? Isn't that so cool!

PAWS FOR CHARITY is the brainchild of Sara Harley. I learned about the project last year through a friend who was participating. Artist and photographers give Sara their cat or dog-themed work to be published in a beautiful art book. And all proceeds from the sale of the book goes to a cancer related charity. The 2010 monies will be going to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade.

The book is currently on its way to the publisher. I will be sure to let you know when it is available for purchase. You can keep abreast of all news for the project by joining the PAWS for Charity fan page at Facebook here.

In the meantime, here's a list of links to all the artists with work in the book. Please visit them and be inspired and delighted.

2010 PAWS for Charity Participants

• Aliki Salmas
• Amanda Degard
• Amanda Pampena
• Andrea Savelo
• Angie Ketelhut
• Anita Peeples
• Anne Witton
• Art by Lori Rowe
• Becky Boggs
• Bev Hollis
• Bill Storoniak
• Blenda Tyvoll
• Cameron Graves Hayden
• Carole Akins
• Carolyn Evans
• Cookies and Water Photography
• Dan Felstead
• Debbie Virgin Shook
• Diane Schuller
• Fenne Kustermans
• Heather T Imagery
• Hong In Young
• J.T. Yost
• Jack Sutter
• Jan Swan
• Jeni Dawson
• Jennifer Gonzales
• Jessica Pruitt
• Jewel Mathieson
• Jill Beninato
• Kate Green
• Kecia Deveney
• Kelly Snelling
• Kerry Ould
• Kimberly Owen
• Kristin Bowen
• Linda O'Neill
• Lisa Graziotto
• Lynn Hanousek
• Marilyn Kellough
• Melanie Hughes
• Melissa Langer
• Melissa McDaniel
• Michele Erez
• Miriam Mas
• Nancy MacDonald
• Nancy Schutt
• Pawzitiveart
• Peter Tym
• Rachel Parker
• Rochele Cassidy
• Sara Harley
• Shannon McLaughlin
• Sheila Wedegis
• Shelagh Duffett
• Stephanie Balcom
• Stephanie Moon
• Sue Collins
• Susan Black
• Tamandra Michaels
• Tanya Brown
• Tara Anderson
• Teresa Berg
• Tianna Fisher
• Urban Dog Photog

Happy Me

Today is my birthday!

 

I'm still this happy.

 

But not this naive.

 

I still like a bit of danger.

 

'Just not the cancer kind.

Today I also celebrate three years cancer free.

 

I don't know what the future holds.

 

But today is full of hallelujah moments.

 

And I am grateful to live each and every one.

To celebrate another year of living, I'm giving away a 5" x 7" print of one of my favorite photographs (the one seen here) from the Thelma and Louise adventure I had on Sunday with Julie. In order to have a chance to win the print, please leave a comment on this post. Make sure to leave your Email Address connected to the comment so I may reach you to tell you that you won. Also, in order to be eligible to win, you must practice a Random Act of Kindness within the next three days. It doesn't have to be something huge and expensive, but it should be something kind that you do for someone else. You don't have to tell me about it. Just promise in your heart to truly do it. That is a gift to us all, to help one another.

I'll close the comments on the post next Wednesday, March 3rd, at 9 p.m. PST.

"If anyone is in need, just lend a hand and help them out."

-Anonymous 6th Grader

The View

If you must go early in the morning to the oncologist's office for your check-up, it is best to get good news, which, thankfully, I did. But, the news is even sweeter when the view outside looks like this.

 

 

the rain is coming soon enough, but i believe i will not mind it since i started out my day with good news and a lovely walk by the sea. i hope that wherever you find yourself this day, the view is spectacular.

"love of beauty is taste. creation of beauty is art."

- ralph waldo emerson

Day Nine - Joanna Pierotti

I love my friend, Joanna. Of course, I love all my friends. But, I met Joanna a couple years ago just as she learned that she had breast cancer. At the time, I had found a lump in my own breast. I was so certain it was nothing that I felt guilty to talk to Joanna about it. I knew in my heart that everything was going to be fine. And, even though it ended up being cancer, everything was fine. And part of the reason for that was because I had Joanna in my life. She was a few steps ahead of me on that cancer journey. She told me what to expect. She gave me tips. She lifted me up and I tried to do the same for her. She was someone I could talk to who truly could understand what was happening to me. And we made each other laugh which is truly good medicine. I will always, always be grateful to God for bringing us together when we truly needed one another. She was and is my breast friend. :0)

And look at this very cool gift she sent to me on this 9th Day of Christmas...

Pretty cool, huh?

 

The ornament is wrapped in red and white vintage fabric, then placed inside a cellophane bag with strips of paper and good smelling potpourri. That girl is so clever!

And inside is this!

 

She has fashioned a dress that reminds me of something beautiful for Cinderella or a vintage fairy tale princess.

The bodice is made of rusty metal with soft brown leather for the straps.

Then there are bits of muslin and lace dangling with all sort of treasures for her fanciful skirt. It is dreamy and so pretty. I love it! Thank you, thank you, Joanna! I can't wait to hang it on my tree, sweet friend.

today

sometimes it is easy to forget that Today is really all we can count on. it gets incredibly heavy to live fearlessly each day. one visit to the oncologist, one swollen lymph node masquerading as a lump, one odd blood level. all these things can shatter my super hero exterior and cause me to take off my magical flying shoes and walk on the earth again. don't get me wrong, i am fine. it's the powers needed to reign in the stray germs of fall and low potassium levels that are wearing me down. it is easy to let my mind rush off to the worst possible outcome of the most minor inkling.

steady, steady...balance. 

and, in order to create balance i try to find moments of quiet. best gotten hold of in the morning when the day is still new. when i can parcel out the blessings onto my scale and admire them. when the mere act of breath coming in and pushing out is miraculous enough to swell my heart with quiet joy.

Today is enough. Today is all i have. Today. Today. Today.

i will celebrate this day with a headache or without. i will find joy in Today even though i have to clean my studio. i have a studio to clean Today and that is excellent! Today i will put down my super hero shield and know that i am enough.i will not let fear win Today. i will be strong Today for myself and for so many who are still fighting. i am lifting you all up and sending you so much love.

Cover Bracelet up for Auction

The final items from A Charming Exchange for the charity auction going to Susan G. Komen for The Cure have been added at Ebay. This last lot includes the very special bracelet which graces the book's cover.

 

 It is a replica of the one designed for me by my precious friend, Ruth Rae, and more loving friends when I was diagnosed with cancer. It is really such a gorgeous piece.

 It has so many unique and amazing charms hanging from it's soft suede, pearl, and ribbon base. There's a tiny, tiny key that belonged to my grandfather. There's a miniscule light bulb shining with the word Life. There's a fine silver charm with an art tree cut into it. It is simply the most pretty bracelet you could ever have. And, if you win it you should know that this bracelet carries with it much love, blessing and light.

It will arrive in this beautiful fabric case made by Ruth.

Thank you all so much for your support in this endeavor. I've learned more about having a charity auction than you can imagine. I'll be much more informed next time around after many a hair-pulling hour. But, it has all been worth it. We've worked on this book for such a long time, with so many truly amazing artists. To be able to use the talents and gifts of us all together for good, is such a blessing.

I was thinking last night about cancer. I was thinking about how once you have breast cancer your life is changed forever in so many different ways. In some ways, it is an upside down blessing because you learn so quickly to value every second that you have. And, it seems to me to be of the utmost importance to try in every way, big and small, to help other women from ever having to fight breast cancer.

Did you know that 85% of the women who get breast cancer have No Family History of the disease? So, if you are like me, and your mom didn't have it, and your sister didn't have it, don't think that you will never get it. You don't have to be afraid but you do have to be proactive. Get screened. The mammogram is currently the best test we have to detect breast cancer. But, know that I found my cancer on my own before every having a mammogram. They're your boobs. Protect them. And the rest of your body, as well. Do self-exams, get your yearly mammogram and live your life to the fullest.