Support Breast Cancer Survivors

Hello, everyone!  

I've written here before about my good friend Diane.  She's tough and loyal, generous, gracious,  determined and focused, easy to laugh with and especially easy to root for.  

For over a year and a half she has battled breast cancer.  There have been many milestones, some great ones and some that were tougher.   Another young patient she met, also under 30, lost the battle.  Diane's own journey could have been different had her health care team not turned her away at first (without even an examination!) and dismissed her concerns.  

She's doing well.  She's even stronger now, and she feels very strongly about screening guidelines for women in their twenties and thirties.  
This Oct 2nd she will be part of the Run For The Cure with her team, the Young & Feisty Fighters.  She's set some big fundraising goals for herself.  It's inspiring, and it's empowering for her and every survivor.

There are just a few days left for her to reach these goals that mean so much to her.  Please support Diane by making a donation of any amount at her page on The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation website.

Here's her page:  http://www.runforthecure.com/site/TR?px=1783388&fr_id=1284&pg=personal 

Let this amazing woman know that she can make a difference.  Thank you so much!

We love visitors

We love it whenever we get friends and family visiting in Ottawa.  This weekend, Neil was in town for the National Peace and Police Officer's Memorial.  He and his wife have been friends of ours for over a decade and, while I was able to see them a few months ago for a photoshoot at Kakabeka Falls, it had been awhile since Darcy had.  Taking part in the memorial meant a lot to Neil, and we hope to see him again here next year.  Thanks for making time for a visit, hope you had an easy trip back!

Love for my one and only

Four years ago today, Darcy and I were married, in our hometown.  It was a beautiful, sunny, blue-sky kind of day in September for our backyard ceremony (which is lucky for Dryden since it snowed there just the week before) and then a big party with friends and family.   

When I think of that day, I still feel so grateful for all the love and support from everyone to help pull it together.  It was a wonderful day for us, and with every day since I still love calling him my husband.  Happy Anniversary Darcy.

Photos by William Au

Love for Pearl Jam & Cameron Crowe... It's PJ20!

It's only 4 days away, and I'm too excited not to share some of this.  First off, in case you didn't know this about me, I am a huge Pearl Jam fan.  Their music has influenced me and carried me through so much in my life, like an old friend that's still a ton of fun and a comfort.  Their dynamic sound and incredible songwriting skills have kept them pretty big on a lot of people's lists and still speaks to me in a big way.  Also, movie-loving geek that I am, I'm also a fan of director & former rock journalist Cameron Crowe.  

Crowe's movies are heartfelt and exciting.  He always uses music so well in his films.  You can't watch Singles or Almost Famous without getting that he's a huge music fan, and better yet he knows how to convey that connection and emotion.  So, Cameron Crowe, making the Pearl Jam movie?  

I'm beyond excited to see this.

Here's a PJ video, with a stripped down version of Thumbing My Way.  Enjoy!

PJ20 , the movie, chronicling the band's history, comes out on Sept 20th.

Check out the PJ20 Site for some great links, videos and more!

Here's the PJ20 Trailer:

Pearl Jam Twenty from Pearl Jam on Vimeo.

Back to Fall, Back to School

With September officially here, and the last long weekend for any summer-ish fun over with,  people have started to get into those back to school routines.  Here's hoping it's been fun for all those little ones, (especially those just starting school), and an exciting return for all the other kids, parents, and of course, the teachers.  Hope you're all enjoying switching gears!

From a family session at New Prospect School in Dryden, Ontario

Robin & Dennis, Northern Ontario Wedding Sneak Peek

Before our newlyweds from last weekend sneak away for their honeymoon, we wanted to post a little something.  We've known these two as a couple almost as long as we've known Robin.  They're so easygoing and are very fun people to be around.  Since they love the outdoors so much, Laurentian Lodge was the perfect setting for them to marry and celebrate with almost 200 friends and family.  These two met fighting forest fires in Northern Ontario, and 8 years, several cities, roommates, and degrees later, it all came together.

    

All day, Dennis was saying how lucky he is and how gorgeous Robin is.

It was the sweetest, and she makes such a lovely bride!

It was an amazing weekend, a beautiful start to a beautiful marriage.