Cadillac Joe Benefit

For some time now I've been promising to update all of my faithful blog readers on my father-in-laws road to recovery. As most of you already know my father-in-law Joe was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma nearly two years ago now. After a year of chemotherapy and repeated stays in the hospital we were given the good news of remission (or at least a form of it). Unfortunately Mantle Cell Lymphoma is an incurable but treatable form of cancer. After celebrating the good news in June we got our hearts broken a year ago today, when we learned the cancer had returned. A crushing blow going into Christmas Day.

2008 has been a long and difficult year for Joe. The chemo he received in 2007 was already the most advanced experimental treatment available so going through the same treatment was not an option. Instead they opted for a stem cell transplant, which he received in the Spring of 2008. There were many low days during those months following the transplant. Days when all you wanted to do was cry because the future was too scary to think about anymore. But as a family, we made it through. Optimism and hope were the only powers we had on our side.. so we clung to them with all the inner strength we could muster.

While Joe was in the hospital for his stem cell transplant he received a visit from his boss. After more then fifteen years with the company he was let go with a handshake and a smile. Joe was now faced with the added stress of how to support his family financially on top of his already difficult medical situation. Once a week, every week, Joe gets out his 50+ bottles of prescriptions and he divides out his weekly allowance of 128 pills to keep his immune system working, infections at bay, and provide him another day of life. We all know that the cost of health care is rising every day and that the burden is consistently being place on the patient.

My father-in-law Joe is an incredible man.... I am so very fortunate to have him in my life as he is one of the most caring, compassionate individuals I've ever known. He is also incredibly talented. Cadillac Joe has touched the hearts of many with the music he has played over the years right here in Madison. If you’ve ever attended the Taste of Madison or Art Fair on the Square then chances are you enjoyed the music of this Madison icon. Joe has played for over 30 years in the Madison music scene.

To try and help alleviate some of the mounting medical bills Joe has accumulated due to his inability to work we have organized a Benefit. The Cadillac Joe Benefit is this Friday at 8PM at the High Noon Saloon. We'll be rocking, bluesin' and having a good time to benefit a good man and an incredibly talented musician. We understand it's very close to the holiday's so many of you will be out of town and won't be able to join in the party. If you WON'T be able to attend we are asking TWO favors of you! The first being, please send a link to this blog on to any friends that are looking for a good time this Friday night. If you love great music, your guaranteed to have a good time and you'll be helping someone special out at the same time. ALL PROCEEDS will go directly to Cadillac Joe and his wife. The second being, if you can't come to the show please visit the website:

www.duesfortheblues.com

Here you'll find more information on the benefit and on Joe's story. You can also make a donation online. If you can't make it consider donating the cover charge or better yet even more! It's simple, just visit the website and on any page, you'll find a "DONATE" button, click it and follow the directions. YOU DON'T NEED A PAYPAL ACCOUNT TO DONATE, just a major credit card!!! It takes less then 5 minutes.





In addition to the great music we have an extensive silent auction going on throughout the show. Items include:

- Two Club House Brewers Tickets w/ Autographed Tony Gywnn Photo
- Beer for a year from the Capital Brewery
- Autographed Packers football
- 1 Hour Massage Gift Certificate
- Noah's Ark Family Pack Tickets
- 1 Month Family Membership to Prairie Athletic Club
- JT Whitney's Beer tasting and Brewery Tour for 10 people
- Autographed Johnny Winter CD

AND MORE, PLENTY MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

- If your a client of Angelic Angles Photography there will also be gift certificates up for auction.


We hope to see as many of you as we can this Friday. If you can't make it thanks for reading all of this regardless. Your prayers through the past year have meant more then I can ever put into words.

Thanks and Happy Holidays,

- Jennifer


SHOW STARTS AT 800PM

COVER CHARGE $7

A HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY.....

I love this time of year.... waking up to the beautiful snow covered trees in the morning, the twinkle lights on your way home from work, and the anticipation and excitement on every child's face when you mention Santa. But the thing I love most about Christmas (besides the holiday cookies of course :) is shopping for that perfect gift. Call me crazy.. but as I get older and my families have chosen to cut back on the gifts we exchange my excitement for Christmas seems to lessen a bit each year.

Yes, I realize this makes me sound like a spoiled child who needs her Christmas presents.... and don't get me wrong... what girl doesn't love getting a present? But in reality it's the giving that I really miss out on. I love making mental notes when a conversation with a friend or loved one draws to a great gift idea. I love pouring through the pages of Uncommon Goods and Red Envelope searching for the perfect, unexpected present. And on Christmas when that gift is opened.. I get all kinds of warm fuzzy feelings as I watch the recipient's face break into an award winning smile. That to me... is Christmas.

So why am I blogging about this?!?! Well I'm glad you asked. As my gift list for family and friends seems to shorten each year I've decided I want those warm and fuzzy feelings back... and you my lovely blog readers are going to reap the benefits of my 'need to give'. Starting this Friday December 12th I am going to be sponsoring my own Twelve Days of Christmas. For the 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve I will pick a random person from my blog subscriber list to win the daily prize. As we get closer to the holidays the prize values will increase. What do you need to do to enter??? Well, nothing if your already a blog subscriber.. your already entered.... but you have to be a blog subscriber to win. Sooo if you know a friend or family member who is also a client or wants to be a client of Angelic Angles Photographer... share the holiday spirit and pass this information along. All they need to do is fill in the box to the right of the blog that signs them up as a blog subscriber. Good luck... and thanks again for stopping by to read the blog!

* Until the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway is complete this post will remain at the top of the blog. Scroll down to see new wedding posts as they arrive.



To protect my clients from unwanted spam email I'm going to post the winners of the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway with only the first part of their email address. Print credits can be used for new orders from previous sessions/weddings or for a new upcoming session/wedding. If you are selected as a winner email or call me to claim your prize!



*** On the first day of Christmas I gave to Calleyhass two free sets of wallets Congratulations.

*** On the second day of Christmas I gave to randycliff two 5x7s & a set of wallets - Congrats

*** On the third day of Christmas I gave to MollyD_86 an itunes gift card- just in time for some new holiday tunes.

*** On the fourth day of Christmas I gave to jknellen a 25 card pack of custom greeting cards - Congratulations

*** On the fifth day of Christmas I gave to melindamickelson 2 8x10 enlargements - perfect time for our soon to be newlywed.

*** On the sixth day of Christmas I gave to hemianro an 11x14 enlargement - congrats

*** On the seventh day of Christmas I gave to bmeeky an 11x14 metallic enlargement

*** On the eighth day of Christmas I gave to victoria212 an 11x14 enlargement & an 8x10 enlargement

*** On the ninth day of Christmas I gave to eshall326 a 16x20 enlargement

*** On the tenth day of Christmas I gave to lpertzborn a 10x20 custom storyboard enlargement

*** On eleventh day of Christmas I gave to jlyste13 a 10x20 custom storyboard enlargement and two 5x7 reprints

*** On the twelfth day of Christmas I gave to suzanne_connell a 16x20 canvas gallery wrap.

Congratulations to all of the winners of the Holiday Giveaway. Remember to call or email the studio at your convenience to claim your prize!!

Elizabeth & Andrew

When I first met Andrew for his engagement session with Elizabeth I asked him about the first time they had met. His response was so sweet. When your limbs go numb, and you have to remind yourself to breath, you know your experiencing something amazing. So it was when Andrew first laid eyes on Elizabeth. "She was totally out of my league though." Andrew said with a bashful shrug of his shoulders. What Andrew didn't know yet about Elizabeth from that first meeting, is that Elizabeth's beauty is much more then skin deep. Yes, she's gorgeous, but at times you wonder if she really knows how striking she is. Elizabeth's beauty comes from within. She is warm, inviting, confident and unassuming. It's not surprising that Andrew was drawn in the very moment their eyes met. Andrew, being the smart man that he is decided that very instant that Liz was someone he wanted in his life. We've all heard the rule that three days is a perfect 'wait time' before calling someone you've just met. Well Andrew was not about to let another day go by without showing Elizabeth he was very much interested in getting to know her better. Within a few hours of their first meeting Elizabeth's phone lit up with an incoming call from Andrew. Was Elizabeth surprised by Andrew's quick call? Perhaps... or maybe it's possible, she had already programmed his number into her phone. The rest as they say, is history.

Congratulations again Elizabeth & Andrew!! It was so much fun getting to know you and your families. - J






A girl's gotta have a little bling!





Something tells me Andrew was pretty happy that day...



Maybe it had something to do with this beauty???



Elizabeth's father played several roles that day. After walking her down the aisle he then stepped in to officiate the ceremony. How incredible is that? To be married by your father!





Favorite.



So sweet... favorite!







The new exhibit at the MMOCA was so much fun for photos.







LOVE this moment in the father-daughter dance! Favorite.

Amanda & James

It was certainly no secret. Everyone in attendance that day could see it as clearly as if it were written on a banner being flown across the sky. Amanda & James were in love. And not the high school crush variety or the silent adoration from afar. This was the shout it to the moon with as much gusto as possible variety. It was written there in CAPITAL letters for all the world to see. It was in the way just a raise of James' eyebrow would throw Amanda into a fit of laughter. Or the gentle touch of Amanda's hand on James back as they greeted their guests. It was there in all those private, unspoken moments that shouted volumes to the world.

I've heard it said before "you could feel the love in the room." In the case of Amanda and James no phrase could have been more accurate. With every couple I photograph I try to take a little time to get to know them on a personal level. How did you meet? When did you know you were in love? I live to hear the answers to these questions.. call me a romantic. Plus the stories I hear always are so much fun to share on my blog. When I sat down to write this entry for Amanda & James I realized I really didn't have any of those stories. With Amanda & James there was never really that 'getting to know each other' phase. It was as if we were all friends from the start. I never thought to stop and ask - how, when or why? There love simply IS.. and it is the kind of love that is so very enviable. I was truly touched and honored to have been a witness to their commitment.

Congratulations again Amanda & James!



Mary Lou at Felly's Flowers did an amazing job on the bouquets









Doesn't Amanda have the most beautiful eyes??









This first kiss series makes me smile. :) I dare you not to.



Love this shot of the wedding party! Favorite.....







This photo is so Amanda & James.. their expressions are perfect.



Those beautiful blues again... favorite.



HA!



You all know how I love those father -daughter moments.. but I especially love this photo because Amanda's hairdo was just soooo cool!

Heather & Aaron

Long distance relationships are tough. Many couples have been there, experienced the aching in their chests each time that treasured long distance phone call is forced to come to an end. Only a small number of these relationships survive the time and distance apart. Heather & Aaron are one of the success stories of long distance romance. In fact looking back on their relationship there were more years spent living in separate cities then there were living as neighbors.

What, you may ask, is the secret to their success? Planning. Heather lived for those weekends together and she didn't want to waste a moment of their precious time. Sooo, she planned. Each date would have all of Heather's personal touches. Dinner at the local greasy spoon, cause Aaron mentioned he was craving a burger. A night at the movies cause they'd been dying to see that sequel. Heather knew Aaron... and she also knew Heather & Aaron together... so her dates were perfectly suited, and perfectly planned.

After 3 years together Heather knew she wanted Aaron in her life forever. As any smart woman would do she started to drop hints, subtle hints. hints about the future. hints about their future together. hints that she wanted that future together more then anything. But like most men... Aaron did not pick up on the subtle hints, or perhaps he had made plans of his own. :) Just when Heather decided to drop the hinting and instead sit back and wait for things to take their course Aaron planned a date for her that won't soon be forgotten. Dinner and a movie (Harry Potter because Heather's an avid fan). Then on to the location of their first date just in time to watch the sunset. Funny how that was timed so well! ... or perhaps it was just well planned. For just as Heather thought the night couldn't get any more perfect Aaron took a knee and told her his plans for their future together, always.

Apparently Heather was impressed with Aaron's planning skills because he took on the duty of planning their honeymoon completely on his own. When I said my goodbyes at the reception Heather still had no idea where they were going.... how cool is that?!?! I hope Aaron at least gave her a heads up on what kind of clothes to pack! Heather & Aaron I can't wait to hear all about your surprise destination... I hope you had an incredible time.






I really don't think it even needs to be said.. but how stinking cute is she??





Heather had such a calm about her during the preparations... I could decide which image I liked better so you get both!







Something tells me they were excited to be flowergirls :)



The church where Heather & Aaron were married was like a theatre with no windows directly to the outdoors. On the two sides of the stage were these large screens were swaying tree branches were projected... it was such a cool way to bring the outdoors in.





Heathers one photo request.. they caught some serious air! Favorite






Hot!! Hot!! Hot!!



Yup.. you guessed it... favorite!