Old Friends

Tonight my husband & I are going to meet some old friends for dinner. I'm really excited! Let me tell you a little story of our friendship with them...

Bobby has known this couple since all 3 of them were in elementary school and they're in their 40s now! I went to a different school and didn't meet Ken & Stephanie until I started dating Bobby. We used to get together on Friday nights when our kids were little to watch movies and eat pizza. Boy, has the time flown by...Ken & Steph's 3 oldest are in college already!

Our friendship with Ken & Stephanie has always been very comfortable. You know the kind I'm talking about...it doesn't matter how much time has gone by between visits - you just pick up where you left off.

Do you have friends like that? Please share!

Yesterday Ken & Steph celebrated their wedding anniversary so I made them a special card. I'm sure we'll have fun tonight :)

Have a great weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! May you enjoy a wonderful day filled with many blessings!

I am thankful for so many things! 2008 has personally been one of the most difficult years I've ever faced in my entire life but I will be celebrating this holiday season with a very grateful heart...hope you all do the same :)

A Heartbreaking Story

Please pray for the family of one of my husband's coworkers. Their 6 year old boy was killed this past Friday night. Oh how my heart breaks for them...can't even imagine it.

"How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like the morning fog - it's here a little while, then it's gone."
James 4:14

Here's the Latest News...

Yesterday was the last difficult chemo treatment for me....yippee!!!! Next I will see the oncologist this coming Monday before moving on to the last part of chemo. That will involve 12 weekly treatments with a different kind of drug. Now my hair will start growing back...THAT'S EXCITING! There's still the possibility I could lose my eyebrows/eyelashes but nothing has happened yet. (Oh, and I decided NO eyebrow tattoos for me if it does happen. Nope, I'm just gonna have to become an expert with brow powder, pencil & a brush! Fake eyelashes? Yes, I will do that.) So, that's the latest health update on me.

I picked up our son Tyler's senior picture proofs yesterday afternoon. WOW, am I ever impressed with the photographer's work! She really did a GREAT job and I'm afraid it's going to be difficult choosing from so many nice shots of Ty.

We actually have snow on the ground here already. {BIG GROAN!} It started snowing this past Sunday morning and by night, everything was covered and it's still here. Every year I think the same thing when we have the first snowfall...I am NOT ready for this cold weather!!! How 'bout you? I tell ya this, I am definitely not a cold weather sports enthusiast! Nah, I'd much rather stay inside all bundled up and warm with a good book :)

I've been working on some home projects this week. I cut out chair pads to sew for the kitchen and I'm in the process of painting a vanity for our bedroom. I sewed some side drapes for the kitchen last Saturday and I've been hanging more pictures. I love seeing how the house is coming together to be a more welcoming, inviting, cozy space. I know I've been bad at taking pictures of my projects to show you but I will get better at that :)

Oh, and if you have a Hobby Lobby near you - I'd suggest getting over there to check out their sales - they've got some great ones going on! Their scrapbook paper/stickers are all half off. Same with their greenery/floral stems. I picked up some nice things last night when I was there. (Just a little FYI, in case ya didn't know...HL sales end on Saturdays; they close @ 8 PM; and they are closed on Sundays.)

Happy Thursday to all!

Thoughtfulness, Part 2

I *WISH* you could feel how soft & warm this fleece blanket is! My brother-in-law's girlfriend, Kellie, made it for me. (I didn't even know they made 'Breast Cancer Awareness' fleece...how cool is that?!) They also gave me the most comfortable pair of Dearfoam slippers (pink, of course!) but I'm not going to take a picture of them...I've worn them SO MUCH they're almost sorta ratty looking! I'm a 'slippers' kinda chick...you can find me wearing them most of the time at home. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I wear something on my feet just about 100% of the time. Nope, I don't like bare feet very much - even in summer! (I even wore socks each time I gave birth!)
Kellie has a good friend named Sheila who is a breast cancer survivor. I do not know Sheila but she gave me this book and 2 pair of cozy socks. I was deeply touched by Sheila's thoughtfulness. Then again, the instant connection that seems to be made with others who've been affected by cancer is kind of hard to explain but definitely true. I've made a friend at chemotherapy who just finished up her treatment this week and we made it a point to exchange address/phone info to keep in touch. Diann & I have gone to the very same surgeons/oncologist and we clicked right away. She was a great sounding board to answer any questions I had, as she is farther in the journey than I am.


This adorable 'breast cancer' tree came from Alyssa, a friend of my daughter Taylor's. It sits right out in our living room. Look at the detail work on it! Alyssa got it at a local craft show she & her mom went to. Let me tell you, I was so touched that Alyssa thought of me like that! It's interesting, you know, to see how my kid's friends are also affected by my breast cancer. I think it makes it more real to these kids for them to actually KNOW someone dealing with it.

My cousin Tammy made this card and sent it to me. I have received so much love and support from so many as I'm walking through this cancer journey.

My thanks to ALL OF YOU, as well, for your thoughts & prayers. They're much appreciated :)

Thoughtfulness, Part 1

A package from my friend Kathi @ Feathering My Nest blog was waiting on my porch one day! She is a very thoughtful lady :)
Can't wait to see what's inside!

Everything is wrapped up so beautifully...
Sweet little tea towel for the kitchen...

See that cute little candle? It complements my fall decor so nicely, don't ya think? The scent is 'citrus & sage' and boy, does it ever smell wonderful!

This jar is E-M-P-T-Y, thanks to my husband! (Bobby LOVED it, Kathi!) He told me Kathi sure knows how to make salsa :)
Kathi made this special pillowcase for me, knowing how much I would need something soft and cozy to lay my head on while going through chemo treatments. I wish you could feel it...it's made out of flannel and feels great to cuddle up with!
Just look at the detail on this! Kathi knows how much I *love* black & white polka dots so she hand-sewed this pretty ribbon all around the edge. How thoughtful!

Kathi, I just LOVE every single thing! I think the pillowcase is my most favorite of all...you are so sweet! THANK YOU!!!
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I sadly didn't get a picture of another thoughtful gift I received from my blogger friend Kelly @ Serenity Cottage. She & her family sent me a bouquet of roses all the way from Chicago! They sure were beautiful; I really wish I would've gotten a picture :( THANKS AGAIN, Kelly...you know how much I appreciated your kindness!

Tomorrow I'll show you a few other neat things I've received lately. I went into the doctor's office yesterday to have my bloodwork done. My counts were low so I had to have a shot to get those numbers back up. I'm feeling just fine and I'm grateful for that.

Yup, I'm Still Around :)

Hey all! Just checking in to say this past week has been full of wonderfully normal, mundane, everyday things - YAY! Of course I realize NORMAL is quite a relative word (HA HA)!! I've truly enjoyed doing the routine things I used to take for granted. Things like working on an organizing project with one of my girls, visiting an old family friend, seeing my sister who lives out of town, working for Bobby at the dealership, shopping with Tess, going to church as a family, having dinner with the in-laws and visiting with Bobby's grandparents, etc. - oh yes, it sure was awesome to feel well enough to accomplish and enjoy the "everyday normal"!!!

I still have to share a post about the kindness of my blogger friends (I haven't forgotten, ladies - you know who you are!), as well as a few other beautiful gifts I've recently received. Yes, I will do that soon. Promise :)