What the?...

So, am I ready to be a steady blogger again? Get back to a regular diet of e-flection? Rededicate myself to offering up the mundane or unexpected paths my life takes? I don't know, but at least for tonight I am writing.

My friend, the CBitch, bestowed another of her gifts on me this past Sunday, one that took advantage of my compromised lymphatic system. Something caused an infection in my right arm, which resulted in a high fever then me being admitted to the hospital. No big deal, very treatable. As the ER doc said, "The good news is it isn't MERSA and it's not flesh-eating bacteria." Yay for me! After several bags of antibiotics I was in, out and home all in a 24-hour period. 

It really wasn't a big deal (albeit I got all of two hours of sleep). What truly pisses me off is the CBitch's second attempt on my sister. Then, not content with that failed attack, She went after my mom. What the hell?! Well, all I can say is that She's picked on the wrong chicks. The Schneider women do not know the word defeat. The CBitch can take her bag of b.s. and stick it.

As I sign off, I will leave with this little bit: Life doesn't last that long. I am going to begin yet another phase of my life. Transitioning into something that I've wanted to do for quite awhile -- something that I know Ron would appreciate. What? Well, that illumination will come once things are finally in the works. When is that? By my calculations, the week of July 1. 

Stay tuned. 

Pic o' the Post

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...

(S)He Who Laughs Last...

I've been quiet on the subject of weather, but then what is there to say other than I now know how the rest of you felt during the first Arctic blast. Great Scot, glad to see we have balmier temps on the horizon, I'm tired of wearing a damn knit cap to bed! ;) Sedona has been a trooper through it all despite the near paw-freezing she endured because I foolishly exposed her tootsies to single digit temps on the annul Winter Hike at Hocking Hills. I tried to make it up to her by hanging out the rest of the day in a cozy state park cabin and rubbing those abused paws.

Within the last two weeks I had one of what I call my "mega check ups." What that means is I made the rounds at the Spielman breast center for the dreaded mammo, blood draw, cardio inspection, intro to a new surgeon (God forbid I ever need one again), the person who oversees the clinical trial I am participating in and, last my oncologist. End result? 1) According to a letter I received yesterday, the mammo "showed no malignancy." Of course, I put little faith in that procedure since it didn't find anything the last time, even after the medical folks knew exactly where the lump existed. [Side Note: For those of you ladies who get squeamish about self breast exams, all I can say is "get over it" and do them, they are life savers.] 2) While my white blood cell count is still low they think that's just my normal, but want to retest in three months [ugh]. 3) The ticker is ticking just dandy. 4) A 30-minute wait for a five-minute nice-to-meet you with the surgeon. 5) Oncologist says all looks good and, finally, 6) the clinical trial peeps gave me a big jar of pills that will last me through the next six months. Nothing like missing nearly an entire day of work to remind you that the cancer beast is ever-lurking and it wants to rule your life. Well, sorry, CBitch, not mine.

Pic o' the Post 

Can't share photos yet from the Winter Hike as my computer is having issues with downloads, etc., so sharing a different snowy visage of "the girl" in her backyard.

My snow angel

A World of Difference

A New Year's Day rainbow

We are not cold. Well, I am not cold. For my parents, anything below 65 degrees is cold. My dad says he needs to move south. ;)

After a day of putting away Christmas decorations, we met up last evening with several of my parent's friends at the VFW for fried shrimp, prime rib and live music. My folks left just after the start of the ill-fated Buckeye game. I stayed behind with some of the gang and danced. What fun! And, conveniently, the VFW is just across the street from my parent's community. Walked home with my mom's friend, Betty, watched the second half of the game and hit the sack. Woke up around 8:30 and bundled up to take Sedona out into the frigid 54-degree weather. Ok, I'll quit rubbing in the temperature difference between here and the rest of the Midwest.

Sedona's suggested panacea for the weather
up north: earmuffs 

My suggested panacea for the weather
up north: sun & a cuba libre!

I'm Still Here

Hangin' at Pete's

It feels a bit surreal that my stay in Florida continues. I am so accustomed to just beginning to unwind when it's time to pack up and head home. This time it is different. Instead, Sedona and I are here for nearly two more weeks.

Speaking of Miss Sedona, since our arrival in Florida last Monday, she has enjoyed her trips to the beach and doggie paddling in the Gulf of Mexico. She's also become a regular visitor to my dad's favorite haunt, Pete's Time Out down at Time Square.

Swimming at the dog beach

It is a rich blessing to spend this much time with my parents. We talk, our stories looking back, looking forward, looking at now -- at each other. They, my parents, are tremendous examples for my siblings and me. Their marriage (59 yrs/7+ mos) a testimony to the indefatigability of love. Thank you, Lord.

Ephesians 4:2 -- ...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends -- those in Ohio and across the U.S. Sedona and I are enjoying Christmas this year with my mom and dad in Fort Myers Beach, FL. Hate to complain, but it's only going to be a high of 70 today and overcast... :)

Andrew with a very happy Sedona!

My nephew Andrew joined us for a one-way ride down; he flies home on Sunday while I will continue to be here for a longer stretch. What a gift to spend such time with a nephew. And, equally wonderful will be the extended time I will enjoy with my parents.



No gift under the tree is more valuable than the family and friends I have in my life.

The Bayside Babes celebrating Christmas Eve at friend Betty's.
 My mom is in the foreground to the right.

How Does She Know?

I made the mistake of watching the movie 'Ghost' tonight. The tears rolled from my eyes as the movie closed with Demi Moore's character being given the opportunity to see and talk to her husband (Patrick Swayze) one last time. I turned off the TV feeling a couple of shades beyond melancholy. Without provocation, Sedona got up from her end of the couch and snuggled up next to me, laying her head in my lap. What a balm to my aching heart. She is the best dog ever.

Pic o' the Night

I took this picture last year following a storm.
I remember how it cleared the air and left everything
awash in soft sunlight. That's how my heart felt tonight
when Sedona loved on me.