It is official! We are pregnant on paper!

So my Christmas gift from Mike was the funds to start the adoption process!
It took a long time and we only have 2 pieces of paperwork to go but its been confirmed by our social worker that, as she says, are pregnant on paper!

So very excited. And after a really awful year last year, this makes it all worth it.

Goodbye March, Hello April

Not much happened in the month of March.
I had another surgery, because apparently I cannot go into a new year without having one. But it was a minor procedure and quite frankly, I feel much better because of it.

We are almost all done with the paperwork that we need to do. Still not saying anything until its official. But very encouraged by an email from our ... "consultant".

Just realized that not an art or artist entry today or lately... Is that ok when you are a suburban artist? On the plus side, sold a custom order of 6 double wrap Ovarian Cancer Awareness bracelets...starting that order today. So there,  small entry on what I am creating :)

Websites

I have been busy at getting myself out there.

I entered a few gallery competitions. We will see. These are some huge ones so not that hopeful. But all of the applications said: "Website name:_____".

So I built myself a website. Other People's Pixels is a great site, and I have to thank my friend Morgan who introduced them to me years ago. For 160$ you get your own domain name and with EASE can make your own site. The ONLY drawback is that you cannot upload your own background, which you can you do here on blogger.  I have made my jewelry site with them and when I did photography trying to be a pro had my site with them as well. BTW the jewelry site is updated with my most recent work and its linked to the etsy shop.

This time picking a name was hard. Puzzle Piece Studios was taken, although I searched and even Go Daddy said it was free I couldn't use it. Puzzle Piece Photos was also taken and I had used that before and yes other sites said it was free. So I decided on PhotographybySa.   "Sa" is my childhood nickname and my artist's signature as wel.. For a few years in high school it was SAM my initials but in college I changed it to Sa. I also thought that IF I ever do enter the world of having a pro studio, I can keep Photography By Sa as my artist site.

The site is not done but its looking good. Please let me know what you think!

PhotographyBySa
Puzzle Piece Jewelry

Wish me luck...

I just submitted some of my work that I did this past summer to the 2013 Chelsea International Fine Art Competition. This is an extremely difficult competition. But I think that this year I may have a chance. So, please wish me luck :)

I am heading out for a lovely suburban day with my husband and a late lunch with friends. Yes, this Suburban Artist is very happy.

Inspiration and a Migraine

Chatting with my brother today, I was inspired to do 2 things.

1. Loose the obscene weight I have gained post cancer recovery. Basically I gained like 15 pound while on chemo, all the while nauseous and not eating, and when I could eat I was like "F it, I am eating whatever I want".  I then gained about 5-10 more pounds. Now resemble a circle. Or a beached whale.

2. Blog more often. So I really want to, and I really want to talk about my Christmas gift, but can't yet...so.... What to blog about? Hmm. Art? I mean this IS supposed to be my art blog. I will make a concerted effort to be more of an artist. Am currently pondering "re-opening" my photo studio project.

WHAT studio you may ask?
Well. When I lived in Virginia I actually started shooting events. And I GOT PAID. I did three weddings. A few children sessions as well. If I could re-do any of them it would be the one I did for a friend and her baby. Would have done a much better job today. But that was 4 years ago already.

I digress.

I did 2 weddings with Mike, as I was A) nervous and B) the 2nd one was for friends of ours and we both wanted to do it. The 3rd wedding was great but again, would have been much better at it now.  I didn't resume it when we moved to Massachusetts because the idea of getting a new job, making new friends and not know the area seemed extremely overwhelming. And then time moved on. And then as I got back into my art I got sick. So...

So today, I have been battling a migraine (I lost) and now, in the migraine after affects of feeling like a limp rag and the brightness on my laptop screen dulled to near blackness, I am just pondering.

About life. About art. About everything and maybe I shouldn't and just, as Mike says, to relax. I def don't want the migraine to return.

So, thank you PJ for chatting this morning and motivating me to loose weight as to not be the husky sibling and to blog more often.

1 Year Ago

1 year ago I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, stage 1C. 

Well, here I am 1 year later. Happy. Healthy.

My jewelry making is going well, I average about 2-3 sales a month. Yes, I know compared to others this is not a lot but for me, its enough. 

I got a new camera for Christmas. So once it gets nice out, I plan on moving forward with my town fair series.

1 year. It comes and goes so freaking fast. And I am grateful. So very grateful.

Happy 2013

I am actually not sure how many people actually read this blog.
That said its no harm in posting anyway. Right? (I ask the fictional readers).

So all in all 2012 pretty much sucked a nut. It was bad. But it ended well, as I am able to sit here and type and am pretty healthy, considering I am 6 months into remission.

So 2012 in summary:
- Had large cyst, named "Mama Cass" because she was so big.
- Mama Cass was removed on February 2nd, and I went to the American Girls Store 2 weeks later with a friend and her daughter on pain pills. It was a fun time all around.
- On February 16th was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Stage 1C on February 16th 2012. Worst day of my life...Watching Big Bang for 4 hours straight made it bearable. And having my husband by my side.
- A plethora of cancer jokes (made by me) and hijinks ensue as parents arrive on February 17th.
- March 17 NYC for the weekend with friends, eating in Little Italy and seeing Newsies on Broadway. Wonderful weekend, took mind off of things. 
- Don't remember most of March-June. Spent most of it in bed, recovering from another surgery, chemo, adverse reaction to Taxol, high on Benadryl (copious amounts to reverse effect of said Taxol), feeling like I had the flu, fighting nausea, and missing my students.
- June 6, early birthday present of last chemo treatment.
- August trip to Mexico and scuba dive. Feeling normal again. The perks of having little hair is that it doesn't get stuck in the mask.
- September, back to work, back to teaching and back to life. Many people asking how I am...and some like my hair!
- December 2012 holiday time with husband and family. Fending off extended family members who did not seem to care that I had cancer and ask why I cut my hair. Fast forward to family vacay to Sanibel and time with my brother and cousin sippin' Moscato D'Asti on the beach at midnight.
- Best "present" of my life from my husband. More on this to come....Good thing I am cancer free!