My Day

It was an auspicious day today -- I had my first haircut since early July! Crazy, huh?! Just a little clean up: a trim around the ears and at the nape of my neck. A bit ambitious and a little amusing, I suppose, to call it a haircut considering the fluff of hair that fell to the floor. Ah, well. It's a start. :)

We started the Christmas decorating this evening. Well, Sedona observed my efforts from the comfort of her lounging couch. My wee tree is up along with Santa and his reindeer. Tomorrow I'll set up the crib. I would have finished tonight, but got distracted watching Harry and Tonto -- damn TMC!

Pic o' the Night

Looking Ahead

I spent the second half of yesterday (Tuesday) in Cleveland. Traveled to that north coast city with my boss to meet with regional economic development leaders and assorted business folks. On the drive back, somewhere between Ashland and Belleville, a long overdue shift occurred in my confidence level as a communications director for economic development.

January 3 marked my first day of this once new job adventure. I never dreamed then that it would take me this long to find my economic development sea legs. Of course, I never dreamed then that I'd be diagnosed 51 days later with breast cancer. For nine months, I was totally consumed with beating back the CBitch. That focused battle impeded my ability to get ahead of the learning curve. But, here I am one month out from my last radiation and while plenty of work remains to get me up to speed, the shift has occurred and I'm starting to hum along this new communications highway!

I give it all up to God.

Pic o' the Day

Speaking of highways (and looking ahead), shot this photo on the way up to Cleveland. Not sure, but maybe that's a turbine blade?

#@!!% Seriously?!

While I was in Florida I got a call from one of the clinical trial coordinators at OSU. She was following up on some details about a clinical trial in which I agreed to participate -- the taking of a drug called Metformin on a daily basis for five years. The conversation was going just fine until she said uttered the impossible "... and you'll have to schedule a bilateral mammogram in the next couple of weeks." It took my brain a minute to compute what she was saying. My audible response when the thought registered? "Oh, hell, there's no way I'm doing that!" Having my surgically sensitive and recently radiated breast pancaked in a mammogram machine is what's called a deal breaker.

I really want to pay-it-forward, to do something that advances cancer research and ultimately helps other women battling the CBitch. Lucky for me, I can start the clinical trial as late as mid February, which means the mammogram would get pushed to early February.

Hhmm, time will tell!

Collage o' the Day

The view from 30,000 or so feet.
It was so awesome to see the
Appalachian Mountains from this distance.

Home is More than a Word

Staying with my parents is like being at home.

                       Sitting on the couch with Sedona is being home.

My heart is with both.

Mi Padre

Spending the afternoon with my dad while my mom is out golfing.
I sure love him.

Simply Thankful

Two of my greatest blessings! With my mom
and dad at Nemo's on Fort Myers Beach

I don't know where to begin with all the things that have me thankful this holiday. Obviously, coming through the treatment relatively unscathed is right up there. But it's more than that. It's being thankful for all the people who have given me a diversity of support throughout my life. It's also being thankful for having a God who gently humbles me every day through the beauty of his creation.

I am blessed for all that I've received.
I am blessed for being able to give.
I am blessed.

"Simple Gifts" 

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free

'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come 'round right.

Typical FMB Morning

Dad having his breakfast spaghetti
and working the crossword!

 Slow start to the morning, which is what being at my mom and dad's is all about. The breakfast hour approaching brunch and no particular plan except maybe going to see the sand sculpture competition. Love it!

Have already had a bad and good report on Sedona. She was bad yesterday having destroyed a box of tissues before John and DiAnna got to the house. She was good this morning, patiently posing for DiAnna's camera. I think Dona's going to have a nice Thanksgiving!

Dona, pretending to be a well-behaved
golden retriever. 

Sign of Life

I know it's been quiet on bosomhundheit the last couple of days. - Was totally focused on work and getting ready for vaca. Arrived in Fort Myers Beach this morning. Looking forward to turning off the work cell (at least intermittently) and totally shutting down. Mmhhh, can't wait to sleep in!!

Mrs Fix It? I'm Tryin'!

Getting in there in the hair department!

On my dry erase board in the kitchen is a list of things that need to be fixed or replaced around the house. The list is for my brother, John, who's going to stay at the house next week with Sedona while I'm in Florida. That list has been up there for two weeks -- and it took me that long to realize I am capable of doing at least a few of those repairs. So, this morning, I removed the broken door handle from my storm door and took down the broken horizontal blinds in the kitchen and went to the hardware store. Tonight, I sit here feeing pretty happy with myself. Small triumphs.

I was reading my devotional today and one of the suggested scriptures was the 23rd Psalm. I know it's a psalm associated with funerals but for me it's for every day, for reassuring my anxious heart, and bringing me peace because it tells me that the Lord takes care of me -- takes care of all of us.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths for his names sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil;

for you are with me; your rod and your staff – they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.“

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness?

If that's the case then Sedona's recent behavior is bringing me closer to God!

My golden girl continues to act out by shredding book covers, magazines, notes, and even photos that my good neighbor Clark was sharing with me -- Argh!

So, I'm taking this as Sedona's way of telling me it's time to get closer to God and de-clutter, again!

Uncle Kirk recorded this latest naughty-dog episode.