Answered Prayers

She is home. Did "outstanding" according to her surgeon. Stopped for a chocolate malt on the way back to Oxford -- how awesome is that?! My sister. She is home.

With my brother and little big sister.
May 2013

She's Angry. I'm Pissed

Sixteen years after being diagnosed and successfully treated for breast cancer, my sister is again facing the CBitch. Being an equal opportunity bitch of a disease, the cancer has appeared in the other breast. I know it's ridiculous to say that this is unfair, so I won't. It is, however, bullshit.

My sister's surgery is today, Monday, and she is having the "Full Monty." Off with both so as not to worry year-after-year about having to deal with a possible "round three." My sister is rightfully angry. Angry that the CBitch is back, angry that despite going through painful annual mammograms the technology of today was just as undiscerning of the invasion in her breast this time as it was 16 years ago, and angry about, well, o.k., I'm going to say it after all, the unfairness -- my word choice, not hers.

At church this evening, during the Lord's prayer, I got stuck on the part about "...thy will be done..." I am sincere when I say I am o.k. with His will being done to me, regardless of the challenges, but not so much when His will includes challenges for those that I love.

My sister is angry, so I get to be pissed. I am pissed that she has to be angry and pissed that she is going through the uncertainty, anxiety, and pain that the CBitch has created.

I want to say that the angry (and pissed) goes away, but it doesn't really -- it only recedes enough so that it doesn't rule your every thought.

My sister is angry, but my pint-size sister is also tough. She, with her mighty heart, loving family and caring friends, will get through this, again.

Baby Girl's Big Birthday

She's now in the double digits. Today is Sedona's 10th birthday. We had a good time celebrating with a photo shoot then some yogurt and special dog treats followed by some lovin'. She is an extraordinary companion. Yes, I know that's what all pet owners say about their four-legged pals, but in this case it's of course true.

My intent was to do a photo homage to her royal goldenness, but it's getting late and I must settle with sharing this much simpler approach -- I don't think she'll mind.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY SWEET SEDONA!

Collage o' the Day

Top right pic is of 10-week old Sedona sitting snugly in the "safety zone."
Bottom right pic is Sedona (background) with her sib Abby, circa 2005
Main photo was taken tonight with Sedona already for the frightful weather!

Ms. Plumber

Out with the old...

Yep, I'm feelin' a little smug these days. Just before I left for Florida the flush valve in my main bathroom's toilet tank went belly up. I didn't do anything about it at the time since I was going to be gone for three weeks. Soooo, I return from FL and of course the issue had not resolved itself (darn). I pondered the problem, considered and discarded the various options, finally settling on the obvious: I am the daughter of a long-line of accomplished and talented HVAC technicians (members of Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 189) and should be able to figure out how to do this simple swap-out on my own. Sure enough, my heritage did not fail me. In fact, not only did I replace the flush valve, I went a step further and installed a water-saving feature. Maybe I've found my next career.

...in with the new.

P.S: the only cracks allowed on my pink toilet are those sitting on it...