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OCTOBER THOUGHTS

10/27/2016

MIRACLES HAPPEN EVERY DAY. NOT JUST IN REMOTE COUNTRY VILLIAGES OR AT HOLY SITES HALFWAY ACROSS THE GLOBE, BUT HERE, IN OUR OWN LIVES.

Deepak Chopra

I happened to notice the date today, and realized that my "miracle" fifth anniversary was October 25th at midnight. If you want to find out how I quit a 41-year long chain-smoking habit, look in the archives section of this blog, go to June 9, 2014, and you can read about something that was kinda wonderful that happened to me in a matter of seconds that made it possible for me to quit smoking forever. I consider it a miracle and will never forget what took place on October 25, 2011. So many of you have already read it before, but anyone who hasn't, please check it out. Just remember, it really and truly happened to me.

This had been some kind of great Fall. I am busy getting a lot of cleaning done, but still find time to enjoy the beautiful weather. And Halloween is next week. That has always been one of my favorite holidays because I would dress up in the most crazy outfits and wigs and go to work looking like a real idiot. Loved it! Friend Trisha E. called the other night and asked if it were possible to borrow a blond wig for her special Halloween costume. Well, she's in luck because I have three really nice wigs that I had worn when I was going through my "bald" period. Then she told me she was going a Hillary Clinton. I won't say whether she is going as a "good" Hillary or a "bad" Hillary, but it is all in good fun, but I'm staying out of it.

Come to think of it, each Halloween I had such fun buying a different wig from our local costume store. But when it came time to buy wigs for serious times (like going bald) it was amazing how different I felt. Oh, I was definitely grateful for the ability to get professional "head gear", but when you have to wear it every day. . .it's not so much fun.

Anyway, this is great time of year. Oh, but did I mention I did a little Christmas shopping this past weekend? Yup, that time is creeping closer and closer. I do look forward to decorating the house and watching the Christmas TV shows.

UPDATE: Hubby had the stitches removed from the surgery for his skin cancer, and he looks perfectly fine. All is good.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

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I'VE JOINED THE DANCE

10/20/2016

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THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF CHANGE IS TO PLUNGE INTO IT, MOVE WITH IT, AND JOIN THE DANCE.
Alan W. Watts

What does this quote mean? Look further.

I have been looking for a nice, little used truck to beebop around in. I finally found just what I needed. But guess what color I ended up with?????? Yes, People, I have changed and joined your dance.

Yup. . .I found a nice little WHITE truck. And I love it! Now, will all of you folks out there that already belong to the "White Conspiracy" Club please tell me the rules I must follow as a fellow member? Is there a secret handshake? A yearly national convention? Spill it! Or is this club so secret that no one is allowed to know the rules? Whatever. I'll just toot my horn at every white vehicle I see to let you know that I know that we are in this together. NOTE: Jenna was astounded when I went to pull out of a parking area, and my back-up horn sounded. It's not the kind that warns you there is something behind you. . .it's the kind of horn that lets everyone know that you are backing up. Sigh. Did I mention that it was used?

Another bit of news I need to pass on, is that I am probably not going to grow sunflowers next year. If some of this year's seeds drop and come up voluntarily, okay. What I didn't realize about those huge ten-foot tall kinds is that the head of the sunflower weighs a pound or more, which makes it top-heavy and the whole darn thing starts to bend over. Next thing you know, it's laying on the ground. Yipes! Maybe I should have gone with the smaller version. Ya think? Oh, I still like sunflowers. . .and always will. But when you can enjoy the plant for just a few days before it starts looking punky, no thanks.

I had a great morning yesterday when I met with friend Betty C. from Missouri. I could tell my hearing is pretty much shot when she called to ask me to meet her at "Tanera's". I said okay, and asked her where that was. When she told me the address, I realized that she was saying "PANERA'S". We had a nice long visit and she was so sweet to treat me to breakfast. And she still looks pretty fantastic. grrrr

IMPORTANT UPDATES: Hubby has been seeing lots of doctors, and the final news is that he is doing
                                           well and everything is going to be fine.

                                            Also, sister Judy's breast cancer operation went very well and she is
                                            starting radiation. She is staying strong in spirit and mind-set, which
                                            are some of the strongest tools she will be working with and will help
                                            her get through this so much easier.

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"ESPECIALLY FOR YOU "WALK WAS AMAZING!

10/10/2016

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OPTOMISM IS THE FOUNDATION OF COURAGE

Nicholas Murry Butler

The walk was wonderful yesterday. The weather was good and over 15,000 people showed up.

Thanks to all my wonderful peeps. Love you!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

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NEW "C" CLUB MEMBERS

10/7/2016

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YOU NEVER KNOW HOW STRONG YOU ARE UNTIL BEING STRONG IS THE ONLY CHOICE YOU HAVE.
                                                                                      Cayla Mills

If you are a young person and don't like to hear people talk about aches and pains and ailments,
STOP right here. For you oldsters who know you are going to hear about aches and pains and ailments whenever you ask someone how they are, CONTINUE TO READ.

Yes, unfortunately, the title of this post is correct. In the last few weeks, we have added our cousin, Roger to the list of "The Club" members with cancer, and also sister Judy and Hubby. Judy has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but is staying VERY optimistic. She has the frame of mind that what happens . . . happens, and that she will be just fine. She has invasive lobular carcinoma, but things looks quite good for her. Peeps, this is where you put your little paws together and say a quick prayer.

Hubby went to the doctor for a strange mole on his face, and was diagnosed with skin cancer. Again, this is a do-able situation and will be taken care of next week. He is not worried and being quite calm about it

Then, we had two major breast cancer scares, with my Jenna and sister Karen. Both had suspicious mammograms and had to have additional tests. Fortunately, they had non-cancerous cysts, but they will have to keep an eye on them. Whew!

THEN, we just went through two and half days of serious hospital stay with Hubby. He collapsed Tuesday night around 9:30 P.M.. He was nauseated and vomiting, sweating so profusely that his shirt became soaked immediately and perspiration was dripping off his arms onto the floor. He couldn't open his eyes without getting sick, and his head hurt horribly. He was weak and couldn't walk. Sis-in-law Nina, her husband, and I got him to the hospital, where we found out his blood pressure was 217/210. This is kinda like "blowing the top of your head off" levels.

Jenna called Dan and he started the drive from Minnesota immediately. Thank goodness. Hubby  got out of the Emergency Room and into his room about 2:00 A.M., and finally to sleep at 4:30 A.M. Dan showed up on Wednesday morning (after speeding all the way from his home) and noticed that his dad did not have an IV bag. One of the concerns was that Hubby was severely dehydrated and since he couldn't keep down even a sip of water, he was getting no fluids in his body. Dan questioned this fact and they immediately began pumping fluids. Thank goodness again. That is when things began to turn around. By yesterday, Hubby was doing fine. However, with all the tests run, they found plaque build-up in his carotid arteries. There is also a chance that he had a very small stroke (but fortunately one that didn't effect any really important part of the brain).

One comment I would like to make. He DID NOT enjoy the MRA anymore than I enjoyed the MRI I had a few years ago. He thought all the banging noises were entirely not acceptable. Tell me about it!

Anyhoo, now that things have settled down, we are enjoying have Dan here for a few days. He is happy to be in town to be able to attend "Seniors' Night" at Cate's school, and walk out on the football field with her at half-time.

I cannot begin to tell you what wonderful kids we have and what a help they were during the last few days. Both spent lots of time with their dad, and supplied us with clean clothes and stuff from home. They were a major support when we needed them. Thanks, Jenna and Dan!

You remember my BFSILPIC (best friend, sister-in-law, partner-in-crime) Nina? Well, Wednesday Alec wasn't feeling well and stayed home from school, and so Nina watched him for Jenna, so she could go to the hospital to be with her dad. Mind you, Nina doesn't get very much time off from work and was planning to finally go to her Ladies Bible Class on Wednesday morning. Instead, she watch Al. Such is the wonderful family that I have. I am lucky.

Sunday is the Especially For You breast cancer awareness walk in Cedar Rapids. Here's a picture of this year's shirt. It is really mint green, but looks like gray or lavender in the shot. We are going to have a wonderful time. It is really an emotional experience when you are walking with thousands of people for such a cause. My team members this year are: Jenna, Alec, Nina, Holly, Sara, Addy, Lexie, Kayla, Zonna, Lisa, and me.

Our team is called "The Overcomer Club". Each walker who is a survivor gets the pink bandana to wear. I sure am glad I qualify for that. :)

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

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OCTOBER THOUGHTS

I'VE JOINED THE DANCE

"ESPECIALLY FOR YOU "WALK WAS AMAZING!

NEW "C" CLUB MEMBERS

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