OK, Ok…I’ll be the first to admit that I am not the best blogger! It’s been over a month since my last post and so much has happened! With the blink of an eye, November came and went!

It all started with stones….

Unfortunately, not the shiny kind you wear on your fingers, neck or ears.  My November started with excruciating pain which led to a trip to the ER where I learned I had a 5mm kidney stone near my bladder.  The Dr. said it was on the verge of being too big to pass and so I left the ER with stone, hoping it would pass.  In the meantime, there were many mini holiday sessions to be shot.  Shooting, editing and card designing kept my mind off the pain of my stone (OK, as well as the very strong pain meds).  Flash forward a couple weeks ahead and all of my mini sessions were successfully wrapped, clients are happy and it was time for my holiday vacation, but first not without another trip to the ER.  Once again in excruciating pain, pain that even the strongest pain medication couldn’t subside, I made my way to the ER.  Like a pregnant woman in her 10th month, I cried for the doctors to remove this tiny sharp crystal stone out of me!  So into surgery I went! They blasted the stone into 5 pieces with a laser then scooped them out.  Oops, is this TMI (too much information)? Anyway, a couple days later I was released from the hospital, stone free and ready to board my plane to Newark!

You can take the girl out of Jersey, but you can’t take the Jersey out of the girl….

Pain free and still in a Morphine and Percocet haze, I boarded the plane to beautiful Newark, NJ.  OK, maybe it’s not that beautiful. From Newark I went to Bloomfield, the place where I grew up.

I met up with my best childhood friend, Gail, and we toured our old neighborhood.  It’s amazing how in 30 years, everything looks the same! I had a great day reminiscing with Gail and her parents and it was so amazing to see them after 30 years,  it was like I never left.  I wish I had more time to visit.  From Bloomfield, it was off to Jersey City where I stayed at one of the most comfortable hotels I have ever been in, the Westin Newport.

I have to say, being the type of person who is usually repulsed by hotel rooms (I usually sleep with my clothes on and brings my own Body Works room spray), the two nights I spent there were very comfortable (I even slept in my PJ’s under the covers! I know, I’m a freak). The location was excellent, right across the street from the Hudson River waterfront and just a short Path ride to NY and Hoboken. I had dinner in the Fire and Oak restaurant one night and the food was yummy!

Big balloons, NY bagels, Pizza and Cannolis….

As a quasi vegetarian (I don’t eat anything with a beak) and a picky eater, Turkey day has never been one of my most favorite holidays, however, my favorite part of Thanksgiving has always been the Macy’s Parade.

Everyone Loves a Parade!

Kermit

Cindy Lauper

Horton Hears a Who

Ho, Ho, Ho!

The Doughboy makes his debut!

Santa's New Sleigh (first year for this float)

It isn’t the Holiday Season yet until you see Santa floating in the Macy’s Parade!

Being at the parade in person was such an awesome experience.  At first, I was nervous, as I have never been a fan of big crowds and after hearing that 3 million people were attending the parade, I almost decided not to go.  I got up early, and it was going to be such a beautiful day, the weather was sunny and warm, no rain as expected the night before,  so I hopped on the Path and headed into NYC.  I have to say that I was extremely impressed with the 3 million people who attended and all of the police who kept the event under control. The parade even took a new route this year.  It was a blast! There was no pushing, shoving and everyone was in a festive mood.  The parade was over and there weren’t any mad rushes and people just wandered the streets, eating, sight seeing, and even shopping.  There were some amazing holiday window displays, my favorite was Lord and Taylor.

Of course I could not leave NYC without having a NY bagel, a slice of pizza and a cannoli.  The best Thanksgiving ever!

After the Parade...

The Characters You Meet When You’re Walking Down The Street….

Times Square, Chicago Cast Members

Street Performer

Vendor

Beantown….

The day after Thanksgiving I walked around Hoboken and visited the WTC before hopping on the Amtrak to Boston to visit my sister.  I had a great time in Boston roaming the city for five days and hanging with my sis and her boyfriend.

My Sister Robyn and I in Harvard Square Rockin our Double Chins

They took me to Ogunquit, Maine where I had the BEST lobster bisque I have ever tasted!

Jackie's Too

I missed taking photos of dogs so much, I was going through puppy withdrawal...until I saw this cute little BT named Boscoe in Maine, I got so excited, I think his owners thought I was nuts!

Home Sweet Home….

Feeling a little “hungover” from November, too many cannolis, bagels, pizza, and lobster rolls in my stomach, and over 1,000 photos to edit, it feels good to be home and I am anxious to get back to business!!  I feel refreshed and re-energized and have so many ideas for the new year.  Stay tuned for new packages, special collaborative events, giveaways and furry fun!! Oh, forgot to mention that Modern Pet Furtography was voted a favorite in the Tails Magazine, Readers Choice Awards! A BIG thanks to all those who voted!! It’s been almost one year in business and I owe a GREAT HUGE THANKS to all my clients, family and friends who have made this journey so fun and exciting!! Without you, Modern Pet Furtography wouldn’t exist!

Saturday December 5th I’ll be at The First Annual AGN Holiday Pet Parade and Festival in Cave Creek taking photos of you and your pets with Santa Paws! Walk with your pet in the parade and then stop by and see me for your photo! Hope to see you there!

Paws and Love!

Andrea