Cast Your Ballot

I miss my friends on the peninsula...

Before I left, I drove by this, my favorite campaign sign.  It really says it all.

I am going to be traveling on election day, so this week I did the early voting in KC...it was so easy and convenient.  Hopefully, everyone (are you listening, T, S, C, M and B? ) will be able to find a way to make their voices heard.

I know daily life can be overwhelming, especially when you are going through treatment, and I know this election is one for the history books, to slap a euphemism on it.... but this is important.  Ok.  I am done now.

Twenty Four Little Hours

Friends, I am grateful to report that, according to my oncologist:

Once again, I am so grateful for all those who have prayed for me, for my incredible doctors and our loving God.

Riding high with gratitude, Big T and I headed up to Atchison to take M and some of his friends out for dinner....and to see his off-campus pad.

I was expecting a house like the one Big T lived in at ND....but their place is beautiful and CLEAN.  I just love these Benedictine kids.

Crying in the Car

Yesterday I awoke to a beautiful morning in KC.  I had a  lot to do, so I  headed out with a spring in my step, ready to take on the day.  On my calendar for 12:15 was my 6 month blood draw.  I strode into KU's Cancer Center, confident.  After all,  I have been cancer free for 2 years, 10 months and 12 days.

The smells, the sounds, the encouraging smiles....the memories all came flooding back in an instant.  I was not prepared for the panic that overtook me as I returned to the scene of the crime.  I was friendly and chatty to those around me (many of whom are still in the trenches) keeping it together for the 15 minutes it took for them to draw my blood and hoping that they all would not know that soon I would be crying in the car.  Sometimes even the idea that I had cancer is just too much for me to wrap my mind around.

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 Thankfully, last night at 7PM I had "porch night" on my calendar.  Some of my oldest KC friends were getting together for cocktails...and to remind me that life is good even especially as a cancer survivor.

Fall Break

Friends, a week ago I left the northern color show...

...and headed down to ND for another Irish defeat...this time at the hands of Stanford.  I was just happy to be watching with all three of my boys.

Next stop was Florida with Big T and B.  It took B awhile to disconnect from her twitter followers...

...but she eventually cut loose.  A little break from the college grind once in awhile is good for everyone.

While B chilled on the beach, I did one of my favorite things....we were so glad we invited ourselves on Big T's business trip to the sunshine state.

The Miromar Outlets on the way to the Ft Myers airport were full of great deals....and then we were on our way back to KC.

Back home B had the usual dentist/doctor appointments, and, of course, we had to check out some of our favorite restaurants.... preferably al fresco because  the weather has been amazing. 

While hitting Nordstrom in KC, B introduced me to this amazing cologne, made famous by the Kate Middleton effect.  I am breaking up with Chanel No5 for her 'Wood Sage and Sea Salt' (the most popular scent in the world  right now) and feeling really organized for stocking stuffers!

After putting B on her plane today, I tackled the garden.  After four months, the weeds had taken over.  I never enjoy saying good bye to my baby, but digging in the dirt always makes me feel better.  I hope you all had a great week!

Strive to be Happy

I took my last walk on the beach yesterday, right before throwing the dogs in the car and hitting the road.  It is always so hard for me to leave...  

As I was driving South, the smell of wet dog in the air and searching for a good radio station, I tuned into "Desiderata" being recited.... enough said.

After cheering on the Irish tomorrow with these two (and T who arrives later tonight)  Big T, B and I head to Florida for a few days.  I will tell you all about it at the end of the week.  In the mean time....be Cheerful:) 

C takes the Continent

While we are watching our last sunsets up North for the season, Big T is praying every night for C's safety.  She is traveling around Europe and he worries.  I just wish I was there.

Her first stop was London for tea.

On to Amsterdam for a boat ride.  

Then to Paris for the Eiffel Tower...

Now she is in Switzerland. 

 Big T , C and I took a trip there together when she was in the 8th grade....

Same spot, a decade later... sans moi.  C'est la vie.

House Report

Most of the exterior decisions have been made--its time to move inside.

The party is over.  I am now in interior decision making hell.  

Friends, there are too many choices.  Do you like that handle on the far right?  Please say yes, because  I really need to move on.  I have about 5,986 more hardware decisions to make.

I have chosen appliances, cabinets, tile, sinks, faucets, marble (this will be my kitchen island---now it looks too grey and not white enough....I remember it being whiter than this....)

I did research, I made the notebook full of magazine clippings...I thought I knew what I wanted.  But now I am waking up in the middle of the night wondering if I have made the right choices.  I think it is time to hire a decorator.

Hope, Fight, Win

Friends, yesterday I received two emails from women diagnosed with cancer.  The first was from a survivor that I met 3 years ago in the chemo lab.  She is doing great...has her last PET scan this month.  She just got back from a trip to Germany (no small feet for a colo-rectal survivor to make it through that plane ride!)   The second was from a newly diagnosed woman who is trying to decide if she should take medical leave during her treatment.  The entire protocol has her head swimming. I encouraged her to not feel guilty about focusing on herself and her healing, take it step by step, and know that she is strong enough to endure.  Thankfully, a healthy life is waiting for her on the other side...and maybe even a trip to Germany.

Welcome Fall

Friends, autumn has finally arrived on the peninsula, and my up North season is coming to an end.  Time sure flies when you are having fun. 

The maples are turning red in a beautiful blaze.

My neighbor's apples are ready.  I am all about an apple a day, preferably as applesauce bread, cake, crisp, pie...it is one of my favorite fall foods.

Another favorite of fall is football, and there is nothing better than your high school's homecoming parade....this one is circa 1982.

  Go Vikings!

I drive by this every time I head across the peninsula to Suttons Bay.  I love the change of seasons.  I am going to really miss fall on the peninsula.