The New Playhouse

The family and I decided to go to an auction yesterday. I haven't done this in a long time and my children really didn't remember one except my oldest who had a faint memory. We had a great time and got a few nice deals. The best thing we came home with however was a playhouse for my girls. We saw it as soon as we pulled up and the girls knew they wanted it. We figured there was no way we'd get it but we did. It's so cute with purple paint and white trim. It has an adorable front porch and three windows. I have wanted one for so long but they can be SO expensive! My girls love it. We had fun cleaning it up yesterday too.

In Memory of BJ

I had a post all ready to go today. But I will put it aside for awhile. My neighbor's 16 year old son has passed away. My daughter Lexi is very good friends with his sister. BJ had a heart condition and had surgery many times but was doing well and had even bought his first car. He was jogging a couple of blocks over and from what I have heard he suffered heart failure or a heart attack. I am not positive and I do not think now is the time to ask. Regardless we are all shocked and very saddened at the loss of this young boy and I know for one it will be so weird to not see him outside. On the outside he was the picture of health. He did yard work with his brother all over this town. I saw him drive up and down this street several times a day. I just want to say he will be missed by all and my heart is breaking for his parents. This post is for you BJ.


*edited to say he was 17. I just read the obituary. He would have been a junior this year at our local high school. This school dealt with a suicide just this past Christmas. This will be very tough on the kids at our school. It's just so awful.

Time Is Making It Better

I have to say the fear I felt when my follow ups came along is getting smaller. I think I have the greatest Oncologist though who DOES help. His comforting words are always awesome because I feel tons better after seeing him. My follow up is August 7th. It's really not too far away. I had the CT scan last time. Maybe it's that. I think because it was still clear, more than one year later I feel more peace about it all. You never think truly that cancer will grow inside of you. You feel that your own body is betraying you. I think it made me feel I couldn't even trust my own body. Then again maybe it's a silly thought. It's just the way I felt at the time.

I do feel good though. A few weeks ago I had a slight wheeze at night when I breathed. I do believe it was a little hay fever and it did go away but I tell you my hubby FREAKS out if I breathe the wrong way. He says nothing. He just looks at me, eyebrows raised, eyes bulging and stares. He says nothing. I look at him and say everyone wheezes SOMETIME. He calmly looks at me and says "Not you. You aren't allowed."

I love that man.

I'm Going to Enter This One!

I honestly rarely enter online giveaways just because I never believe I'll win I guess. haha But this time I find this one too good to pass up. This ring is beautiful so I am giving it a shot.

Melissa at Melissas Jewelry and Gems is hosting this one. August 8th is her 40th birthday. In honor of the big event, she is giving away this Hot Pink Tourmaline, with White Topaz ring. Here are the particulars of the ring. It is sterling silver, size 6 1/2 band ring. Each stone measures appx 3mm round, 10 points each, for a total of 1/3 of a carat. It is a band ring, and sits nice, and low.

Now the rules: This contest started July 15th, and runs until August 8th at 8 AM. You must sign up to follow her blog. You must make a post on your blog, about this contest, then contact her at melissaruede@yahoo.com with the address to the post. Take the poll, at the top of her blog. It seems simple enough....so I am doing it. Look at that ring. I love pink. It's what got me. lol

I Think I Hear an Echo!

I have noticed how quiet it seems here lately. I posted that video a few days ago. I haven't had time to do much but I am here. My dad is now scheduled for gallbladder surgery. So far they have not found any cancer. There is something in there pressing on the pancreas from the way I understand it but at this point the lymph node and the cells they scraped in there showed NO cancer. This is a very good thing. I am thinking they did not get the MRI results back yet. Unfortunately they stopped by last night as I was walking out the door to school so I didn't have too much of an opportunity to chat. Dad still looks a bit yellow but better than he was. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to see your dad standing up and walking around in jeans rather than laying in a bed, IV in his arm and hospital gown on! My dad is your typical outdoors man. He LOVES to fish. The only man who ever compared to my dad was HIS dad....my grandfather. They were fishing buddies. I smile thinking about it. I hope my dad's surgery goes well and also hope we can figure out what caused this whole mess to begin with.

I know I have gone and on talking about my dad but this is seriously consuming me lately. It's that and school. Everyone else is doing good. I have my next follow up August 7th. I am a bit worried because this is the day after my dad's scheduled surgery. I would prefer to be here but hopefully he won't have a long stay in the hospital. Hmmmm does anyone know how long you are the hospital after gallbladder surgery? I bet someone out there knows! haha


*edited to say my oncologist's office is almost four hours from here. I used to live 2 hours away and it was a good 1 1/2 hours away from there on the interstate. I just could NOT see myself switching docs for an every three month checkup. I trusted him, that office and became comfy so I stayed. I make the drive. He is so worth it. BUT if anything goes wrong with my dad's surgery OR if they found any cancer I would be four hours away. I cannot help but think of the irony in the possibility of them finding cancer while I am having my own oncology checkup to make sure my cancer is still gone.