This is the most difficult blog post I’ve ever written…. I’ve started it several times in the past week and then just deleted it all!  I have some BIG news and it’s truly “BitterSweet”….

As some of you may, or may not know, my ex had to move to Pennsylvania in August for a new job and that has left me all alone this fall… as a parent…So it has really been tough this fall to juggle everything (kidddos, work, health…) on my own. If that isn’t enough, last October (2008) I began to experience a great pain in my right arm and hand… my forefinger and thumb stay almost completely numb.  This year I had 2 MRI’s and consulted with a neurosurgeon who informed me that I have almost 3 completely ruptured disks in my neck which are pinching a nerve, which is the cause of the pain in my arm/hand and numbness.  Unfortunately, I may not be a suitable candidate for DISK surgery because the disks are also “curved” and may reject any fusions or disk implants…  (so I’m told) …so the doctors say I will need some really extensive (read: $$$ and TIME) physical therapy to try to alleviate the pain and *fix* it (to a point). I have come to the realization that I will need some extra help with the kiddos and to work less than I do now… So… after considering all options… I have decided that I need to relocate (move!) to Texas to be closer to my family and Kevin.   I really wanted to wait until the summer, but after this busy fall (Christmas) season, I realize I can’t continue to ignore the pain and can’t risk possible PERMANENT nerve damage to my right arm (I sorta need it! *smiles*)  Also, my son Andrew (almost 14! ack!) will be starting high school next fall and I’d really like to get him settled and make some friends before high school starts up in the fall.

This decision has been a HUGE struggle and I’m really hurting about this.   I’m excited to be closer to my family and Kevin… but growing up as a “military brat”, I’ve never lived anywhere as long as I’ve lived here (almost 7 years) and really consider this my “home”. My clients are loyal and AMAZING and have truly become friends and *family*!

I am not *officially* closing my Riverview (Tampa) studio at this point… I am planning to fly back for my shoots here in Tampa every so many weeks.  I will be closed during this transition and will reopen for the time(s) I return. (check blog/newsletter/site to find out when that is!) For you Dallas/Fort Worth peeps…. this might make you smile as I have already made arrangements to rent studio space there. I’ll be “biCOASTal”… except I don’t think Dallas has a *coast* (smile…. maybe a lake??)

For my current clients…. this is another reason for the December 15th (today!) cutoff… I am organizing EVERYTHING!  Please let me know asap if you need any orders by December 25th! Christmas!

Sorry to be longwinded…This has been a difficult time. I wish you all an AMAZING holiday season and the BEST for 2010!  Don’t hesitate to email me anyTIME! I’ll be around!! I am grateful for the most wonderful friends, photographer *friends*, clients & family!  Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers and wishes from those who have known the pain I’ve been enduring.  I love you all!

And b/c I should always include a PICTURE… here’s me with my beautiful *babies* (one who now has facial hair… no! not Gabriela! LOL!). From last spring in Anguilla! Paradise!  They are the reason I KNOW I can’t be a good “MOMMY” unless I take care of ME and my HEALTH!

Today’s the day… Get your holiday orders in today and they’ll make it by Christmas!! I may be able to accept orders as late as this weekend, but there with be a rush charge and that’s no fun!

Also, for those of you who were on the fence about prior sessions/orders… The hard drive PROJECT begins tomorrow for me, so you still have today to get me an order before I “clean FILE house”! (I should take a picture of the ROWS of External hard drives I have–in addition to the MINI’s! crazy!)

I will also have a BIG announcement this afternoon… Stay tuned.
Also, if you are someone who is expecting your proof album or DVD slideshow… They are all being assembled as I type and will be shipped out no later than next week…so YES….you will have it by Christmas!

And because a blog post should have a picture… here’s a recent Christmas cutie!

Joy to the World Websummit

28 speakers. 14 hours. Serious Money Making Ideas.

‘Tis the season to give and reflect on how thankful we are for our friends and family, clients and staff. All year, you’ve given your clients beautiful images for their homes and families. So how about a gift for you that may be the best gift you’ll receive in 2009.

Please join me and 27 other industry leading photographers for The Joy to the World FREE Marketing Websummit on December 28, 2009. We’ll each share our best money-making ideas for your business in the new year. From promotional ideas, to earning a larger investment from each wedding client, workflow improvements and more, you’ll learn so much in these 14 FREE hours to substantially grow your business in 2010. At the same time, we’ll be helping fund smiles for children in need of cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries through PPA Charities.

Want to know more?

Over 10,000 professional photographers registered for our Master Photographers Free Marketing Telesummit in September. You raved about how much you learned so we thought why not do it again to help you get off to a strong start in the New Year…and make it BIGGER and BETTER! This time, you can learn from David Jay, Sam Puc, Julia Woods, Jerry Ghionis, Scott Crosby, Will Crockett and more! The Joy to the World Websummit promises to provide you with serious money making ideas for your business.

All you need is a computer with an Internet connection to join us December 28 (and the latest version of Adobe Flash – it’s free, too). The Websummit will be available for 24 hours beginning at 12:01 CST on December 28. Listen to only those speakers you like best or watch all 28. You can start, stop and pause each speakers’ presentation to learn at your leisure within the 24 hour window. Simply REGISTER NOW for FREE HERE!

Here is a video explaining in detail the Websummit as well!

P.S. If you’re not available on December 28, 2009 or want to get a head start on 2010 planning for your business, you can purchase the Adobe FLASH files of all 14 hours for $89 and receive access to the speaker presentations IMMEDIATELY. A pre-websummit special price of $59 is available until December 27. Just register before December 28, 2009, and you’ll receive this special offer!

P.P.S. The Joy of Marketing has partnered with PPA Charities to change the world – one smile at a time.  Join us in raising funds for PPA’s charitable partner, Operation Smile, whose network of volunteers work worldwide to repair childhood facial deformities including cleft lips and cleft palates. Learn more here.

Wow! Where did this year go? 2009 has truly been a WHIRLWIND of a year for me…. full of many changes. Some good. Some bad. Guess that can be said for every year, however this one feels a little bit more of a roller coaster for me than others. I have a BIG announcement in the works… but you’ll have to check in later for that!

I wanted to send out a reminder than to receive any orders by Christmas… I will need to receive those orders by Tuesday, December 15th!  Yep… That’s about 4 days! So you have the weekend to make your decisions and let me know. I might still be able to accept some orders after the 15th, however, they will incur a RUSH charge based on what you are ordering…and who wants to pay more $$ right now??

Also, as you know, I always archive all files when you purchase your PROOF ALBUM, however, only archive ORDERED files if you did not. I am doing a HUGE external HARD drive overhaul to get organized for the new year and will be purging (that’s DELETING in non photographer terms…ha!) all extra files.  I will start this AFTER the 15th, so let me know asap if there are any portraits you have been thinking about but had not decided yet….

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather here in Tampa today and the Holiday Season! Happy Hannukkah to my Jewish friends and clients!  And on a final note… my daughter has gotten into “playing” on the computer too….ah a girl after my own heart! She “Elfed” us! (you will notice her brother was not included in the Elfing… Kinda funny! LOL!)