May Your Days Be Merry and Bright!

Here is my favorite picture from Christmas #2, which is Christmas morning at our house. Our furry babies open their stockings first, then David and I exchange presents and open our presents from Santa. After waffles and bacon, we watch the Disney parade and nap. We go celebrate with my Mimi this afternoon (#3), then David's family tomorrow (#4). Such a joyous time of year!

My sweet Maggie!

Poppy and her Christmas look!

Christmas Eve eve, we have dinner and open presents at my mom and dad's(#1). We have started a new tradition lately of playing LCR. 16 of us played this year, so my nephew went home with $48! He was happy, as you can see:

Goofing around while taking Family pictures...

My big brother Jay, playing....

Me, my dad and mom, brother Jay, sister Judy, and our Mimi

David, me, and Mimi

What a blessed Christmas we are having! Merry Christmas to you and your families!

 

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And Now, On With the Fun!

In the midst of the biopsy craziness, we had Thanksgiving and several birthdays. My sweet husband's 50th was one of them!

To celebrate, we went to dinner downtown and got a window seat for the annual parade of lights. It was so fun! At dinner, I presented him with a book of over 50 notes and memories from many friend, family, and his former and current theatre students. He was so surprised!

Little did he know, the following day a bigger surprise was coming...over 50 of us ambushed his rehearsal at school.

He had students past and present, colleagues, former college professors, and friends there to love on him and wish him another happy 50 + years!

I was so happy that I was able to pull it off. Thank goodness for Facebook and being able to form "secret" groups!!!

I'm in the Clear!

When the nurse called me just a few minutes ago, I really thought she was just checking on how my biopsy was healing. Then she said the magic words, "There is no cancer." I'm not really sure I heard what she said after that....just a bunch of words: "fibroid tumor....more frequent scans....see you in six months...."
Hooray! Thank you (whoever might be reading) for all your positive thoughts and prayers on my behalf.
Once the last twinges of pain subside and the steri strips come off, I can put this in the past and keep on keepin' on. NOW it feels like Christmas is coming!
I may actually become one of those nutty people that hounds others about mammograms now. You know, the kind of people I ignored? Honestly, with what I've got going on upstairs I always assumed I would know if there was any lump of any kind. Just goes to show, you don't know what you don't know.

I've got some fun blogging to catch up on. Like a 50th birthday surprise I threw for my sweet husband and an upcoming girls' weekend shopping trip. Fun times ahead and clear sailing! Whew!!!

And the Waiting Continues...

So, the needle biopsy is done. How was it, you ask? Well, I would say that it was easier than expected...about the same category as having a crown put on your back molar. If you can get past the initial shots and hold still, while keeping your emotions in check, then it's done before you know it. I was told I "sailed through" and I'm just glad it's over. I came home and slept a little. Tylenol is definitely my friend! I'll hear results on Friday. They wanted me to come back in to get results in person, but I can't handle a third doctor's appointment this week. I talked them into calling me with results. I mean, it's either over or they'll refer me on to another doctor, right? I can hear that over the phone. Until then all I have to do is:

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95% is Still an A, Right?

95% was the percentage that the radiologist used to predict that the "small mass" they found today was NOT cancer. So, it's 95% likely that it's a fatty deposit sitting there like a shiny, ugly pearl among the many, many clear cysts. Even I could see the difference, well, once it was pointed out to me, of course. The cysts are nice and round and clear. The "mass"(I think it needs a nickname...any suggestions?) was not so round, white, and a little angry looking-but that could be my imagination.

So, on Wednesday, I go back for an Ultrasound Guided Core Biopsy. Scary enough for you? Yeah, me, too.

Honestly though, I'm kind of at peace with it. Chances are, it's nothing at all but a minor inconvenience and this will all be over when I get the results on Friday. And if it's more than that, it's teeny tiny (less than 1cm), so that's got to be good, right?

I appreciate all well wishes and prayers. I'm 100% sure that I can use them!

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One Foot in Front of the Other

So, my resolve went out the window...I Googled every word that was given to me when I was told to schedule the diagnostic mammogram. And I'm reading some blogs that I probably shouldn't right now. Blogs that make me imagine the worst case scenario.

I have this habit of trying to visualize situations before they happen. I think I feel like if I know what's coming, I can somehow control it. I do it with vacations, holidays, scary situations, happy situations. Maybe it's normal, or in the words of Dr. Keith Ablow, maybe I'm nuts.

Why does our mind go immediately to the negative? From what I've read from Dr. Google (as one witty blogger calls my latest obsession), the chances are high that they will take a few more pictures on Monday, say everything is fine and send me on my merry way....please!

The truth is, one way or another, everything WILL be fine. I have family, friends, and positive thoughts on my side. :)

I have spent all day trying not to think about it and was able to have a wonderful day with my family. I have a fun weekend ahead celebrating my husband's 50th birthday. I don't want to worry the good times away with possibilities that will probably never happen, right?

New resolve, focus on fun and the many blessings in my life. Monday will come and go...I'll deal with it then. In the words of Scarlett O'Hara, "After all, tomorrow is another day."

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A Time to be Thankful...and Mildly Concerned?

This weekend, I got to spend a fabulous girls only trip with my best friend. It was a wonderful time to relax and re-energize. So thankful for that time!

On the way home, however, I got a call that no one wants to get. It was my "girly" doctor's office telling me that my mammogram came back with "areas of concern" and that I needed to schedule a diagnostic mammogram. Yikes! Out of the blue, no family history, no indications of problems, deep, dark blue....

When I asked for a little more clarification, I was told there was "dense tissue" and " an asymmetrical abnormality". So I am scheduled for the diagnostic mammogram on Monday...which just so happens to be my birthday. Hopefully, nice clear scans will make for a VERY happy birthday!

I will spend this weekend trying not to think about it, not Google too much, and being extremely thankful for this happy holiday time with my sweet husband, family, and good friends. Your positive thoughts and prayers are appreciated! Count those blessings.....happy Thanksgiving! :)

 

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Crazy Dog Lady

That's what I got called today...crazy dog lady. Well, my dogs DO have their own hot pink room and I DO dress them up for Halloween, so maybe I am. :)

 

Hmm...if I had shared a picture of my 3 kids would I have been called a crazy kid lady? Ha! Oh, well...these babies are 3 of my favorite blessings.

I've been called worse...

 

Then and Now...

This past weekend I did a little walk down memory lane when I attended my high school homecoming football game. It's been 25 years(eek!) since our senior year when we won District. Go Buffs! Like a Rock!

So...in honor of the quickly passing sands of time, I give you "The Pride of Haltom High" , your Award Winning, Haltom High Steppers!

So many good, good memories of those wig wearing, jump splitting, dancing 3 hours a day years. I was lucky enough to be a lieutenant to this incredible group of girls:

It was so much fun to meet up with my fellow officers at the game:

See? We even sat in the same order as the composite picture above!

Seriously though, it really did feel like very little time had passed since we were all together. It's hard to believe that I haven't been to any reunions or functions since graduation, even though I've lived just minutes away all these years. Well, actually, I can believe it....I think I kept waiting to be able to show up and be just like everyone else...you know, with kids. I've recently come to realize that I have allowed infertility(yep, I'm finally using the word) rob me of a lot of experiences. When you meet people for the first time or see past acquaintances, the questions about children always pop up. I have become really good at avoiding those situations. But you know what? I'm kind of sick of it. Just because I don't have kids doesn't mean I don't have a life worth sharing. I still haven't figured out how to answer the dreaded " Do you have kids?" Or the even worse " Why not?" Or the cherry on top "Why didn't you just adopt?"... but I'm working on it. :) And I KNOW no one is trying to pry or cause me discomfort. These are normal questions...well, maybe not the last two. But they all come from a good place. It's my job in figuring out what acceptance really is, to answer gracefully, and move on. Again, I'm working on it! :)

The question didn't even come up at the game. In fact, one of the sweet girls in the picture above must have read my Facebook profile, put two and two together, and asked me about my furry four legged children!

It was so wonderful to reconnect with all the people that meant so much to me then. What a great night! I sense a reunion coming on...

One more picture, for old time's sake:

Go Buffs! :)

 

Will It Ever Stop?

This is the perfect image of life in my world lately...

Just gotta keep moving because if I don't, I'll fall off and get dragged under. I know the beginning of the school year is always like this and it WILL get better soon, right?

Happy, tired, frustrated, perpetually sleep walking....I think a Caramel Macchiato might help......and it's almost Friday! Yay!

What's On My Happy List Today...

First off, I am enjoying my guest bedroom/office SO much since the redo! Today, I added the cherry on top!
Just call me Candy Spelling! :)

Hurt People, Hurt People...and other deep thoughts....

Please tell me you've discovered the fabulousness that is the CMT show "Cheer". Friday night TV at its finest, I promise....right after Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Making the Squad. It's a theme, get it? Anyway, the coach of these Central Jersey Cheerleaders was dealing with infighting and gossip on her team of 12-17 year olds (shocking, right?). In explaining to the girls why the Facebook posts they had put up were damaging, she uttered these four words of wisdom as an explanation: "Hurt people, hurt people".

 

And just like that, everyone saw the error of their ways, all was well, and they won their weekend competition! Miracle!

Looking at my camera roll, I realized that my last 20 saved images are pithy little quotes I've snagged from the Internet....seriously....20! I think I need a new hobby. But lucky you, I'm about to share some of my favorites:

 

 

 

OK...deep thoughts, right! The quote by Elizabeth Edwards has been my theme lately. There's been an awful lot of wind blowing not my way in a few areas. Adjust and move on, that's my motto.....oh, and try not to let my process of adjusting hurt others. 'Cause if Cheer has taught me anything...... :) Seriously, you've GOT to watch an episode or two....

 

Nine Months From Now...

...I'll be in Disney World!!!

What did you think I was going to say??? :) My new motto is "Adjust and Move On". I'm focusing on celebrating the "haves" not " the could have beens". It's a daily process, but there is so much I have to anticipate (besides Mickey happy days) and MUCH to be thankful for.

Tonight, I'm focusing on this:

It's one of my FAVORITE places...The Boardwalk. It's our DVC home away from home. Just looking at the picture lowers my blood pressure and helps some of the beginning of school stress melt away. Disney days of walking hand in hand with my sweet husband in our happy place are on the horizon! Time with good friends, delicious food, and the happiest place on Earth!

Oh! And tomorrow a trip to WinStar...good times! :)

 

I'm Seeing Spots...and a Before and After!

Ah, summer! Where to begin?

We had a fabulous trip to New York, I went to Shreveport on a wonderful girls' trip, and then, a few stolen days at the BEACH!

When we got home, I got busy!!! I taught for three weeks at a summer reading program and took on a little guest bedroom makeover. It's funny, really. I like to decorate in a traditional, classic kind of style in the majority of our home...I'll do a tour here one day soon. The funny part is when it comes to the "secondary" bedrooms, anything goes! I see a lot of painting in our future if we ever decide to move. Can you say color?

So....here's the before:

And the after:

It's become my happy, somewhat vintage guest/project room. I still want to gut and reorganize the closet with all kinds of crafty goodness, but that's another day...

I've also been working in my classroom:

School is almost here and I cannot wait! New little people to know and love, routine and purpose all rolled into one!

Phew! OK...almost all caught up...what did YOU do this summer??? :)

 

Summer Lovin'...

Very soon, we'll be back in one of our happy places...

...this summer just keeps getting better and better. I don't take for granted for a minute how blessed we are to travel and enjoy our summer days together. Ah, the blessings of being a DINK teacher married to another teacher! :) You gotta look for the silver lining, right???

We're taking the littlest of our furry crew with us...the non-shedding, barks her crazy head off when left alone too long, precious baby. We have a new pet sitter coming to love on the older, more set in their ways, she'd waaaay too much to inflict on my mother in-law's house precious babies. It makes me nervous, but I know they'll be fine...I pray! :)

Hopefully, I'll have lots of pictures and great memories to share in the upcoming days.

Happy summer! :)

 

From The Bright Lights To The Dark Subway...

New York was wonderful! We are still absorbing all we saw, ate, and experienced!

For now, I'll leave you with my favorite picture of us in Times Square:

And one of me learning some very useful tool tips from our insider tour of Yale Drama:

 

More details soon AND more upcoming fun summer outings!

How's YOUR summer coming so far? :)