Great Health News

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hey everyone!  I hope this first week of the new year is going in a positive direction for all of you.  It definitely is for me.  So many of you have been following my health updates, and have so generously sent me sweet, loving comments (cards and gifts, too) and kept me in your prayers.  I am so grateful to each of you.  You have even made a "Blog Believer" out of The Man!  He is always sharing with someone about the blog his wife has and how wonderful the blog friends have been during this cancer process.  "Old dog, new tricks," I guess, but "shhhh," don't tell The Man I used the word "old!"

Yesterday was another Monday at MD Anderson, but I was not there for Chemo....we have shut and locked the door on that phase of my treatment!  I was there to begin Phase 2 and 3 of this wild and crazy ride.  It was a very long day due to insurance updates -- all that first of the new year stuff.  I only had to do some minor paper work at my first stop and was then given a lavender wristband so I would not have to repeat that process.  The Man and I were at the Cancer Center from 9am to 3pm for appointments with my Radiology Oncologist, my Breast Surgeon, and pre-op tests....EKG, chest X-ray, & labs. Surgery is set for the 12th -- Out-Patient...YAY!  Radiation starts 3-4 weeks after surgery.  More good news -- only 4 weeks of radiation instead of 6.....again YAY!  I cannot express how impressed we are with these doctors and their nursing staff.  They exude confidence, never act rushed, and treat you like you are their only patient.    

Again, I cannot express how grateful I am for all the support I've had... No. 1 is my hubby!  He has been with me for every single appointment, enduring hours in very uncomfortable chairs, early appointments and long days.  He has taken over all of the household chores and meal preparations and with no complaints.  He has given new meaning to the vows we took 46+ years ago...."In sickness and in health."  I could not have done this without him by my side.  No. 2 of my "support team," have been our children, always keeping in close contact.  No. 3 has to go to all of my "cheerleaders," and you know who you are! My journey is not quite over, but the end is insight!

Were you worried that this might be a picture-less post?  Well, never fear, this proud Nana has to share the photo that was included in our Christmas cards this year.  Now, we can all be happy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR  from the "Six" and from me!

My "Not So Typical Christmas Letter" & Merry Christmas to You!

Hey everyone!  This will be my last post of the year, but I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas before taking a break.  For the last couple of years, I have written a Christmas message to enclose with our Christmas card.  It's not your typical holiday letter, and I thought I would share it with all of you this year.  I hope you enjoy it.

Merry Christmas One and All

Christmas 2015

It is again time to celebrate the joys and wonders of Christmas, say goodbye to 2015 and look with anticipation to the new year.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see things the way children do, where time moves slowly as they anxiously wait for each and every moment?  Adults always seem to play catch-up, usually trying too hard to create something memorable.  We cling to traditions and try to stall the passage of time, even as we see it slip silently away.  Maybe now is the time to simply enjoy and savor what is now.

Many of us have started planning and writing our yearly missive, filling it with a detailed recap of what is going on with our children and grandchildren, and sharing how busy the year has been for us with trips, accomplishments, and contributions.  Are our family and friends truly eager to hear all of that?  I don’t know, perhaps they would just like to know that our family has the same struggles and concerns, the same “ups and downs” in life that they have.  Maybe they would rather know that we haven’t been so wrapped up in the busyness of our own lives, to think of them often and hope they are doing well.    

This past year has had much joy, but also more than enough heartache, illness & loss.  Maybe now is the time to be more thoughtful of those who are experiencing pain and sadness, and offer them extra helpings of kindness and tender care.  Perhaps a sweet note sent in February, June or September would brighten their day.

As we look to the approaching new year, perhaps we should try to see it through the eyes of a young child, where there is joy and excitement in the simple things of each day.  Maybe 2016 will be the year that we become more mindful of the needs of others, and take the time to give of ourselves more freely.  Whatever the new year holds for each of us, let us see it as a gift of new possibilities and hope; let us be present and not waste it.

May 2016 be a Happy New Year!

And All the Rest

Hey everyone!  I think most of you will agree with me, this month seems to be passing at warp speed!    I cannot believe that Christmas is just a few days away.  Anyway, I have a few more pics from around our home that I wanted to share.  I must warn you, this is photo-heavy, so you might want to grab a cup of something and a couple of cookies.....you know, for survival!

We will start with the family room.

I should have had a roaring fire for you....oops!

This little tree is decked out with some of our family faves.

Little wooden ornaments with family pics.

Several little wooden ornies that we picked up in Europe.

One of my favorite snowmen.

This is our advent calendar this year.....actually, I haven't done an advent calendar since my children were young.  While in HL one day, I spotted these cute little envelopes and a picture of how I could create an advent calendar banner just sprang to life.

Since we won't be seeing our kids or kidlets this year, I thought it would be fun to surround ourselves with their sweet faces.  Even The Man enjoys seeing whose cute face shows up each day!

The NOEL that I made for the kitchen window last year, found a new location.  Faux greenery, candles wrapped in sheet music that I printed on velum, a few nutcrackers & some bright ornaments complete the mantel display. 

The Man got this pillow cover in Peru last year....not a Christmas scene, but it's bright, cheerful and plays off the black and white pillows quite nicely!

This cactus is a good fifteen years old & blooms at least twice a year.  The last time I repotted it, the root ball broke into two pieces that now bloom at different times.

We've already had blooms around Thanksgiving, and now she is ready to bestow her beauty on us once again.

I was the lucky recipient of a give-away that my sweet friend Cindy, at Consider It All Joy, had a couple of weeks ago.  As you can see, there are 2 adorable kitchen towels, a little snowman on top of a JOY sign, a sweet nativity pin and a lovely tiny frame with an angel.  It was so much fun when this arrived in the mail.  Cindy had each of the items wrapped individually and included a lovely card.

Thanks again, Cindy!

You may recall that I used this metal piece with pics of my "Grands," displayed in my Fall foyer.  Well, I left the pics as is, added some Christmas tags and a red pompom garland, and it is now displayed on my craft room door.  It may have found a permanent home!

This quilted wall hanging that I made many years ago, found a good spot on the guest room door.

We aren't having any over-night guests for awhile, but I still wanted to add some Christmas cheer!

Simple as simple can be in the guest bathroom.

There you have it!  I hope you survived the pic overload!  It's always so much fun to invite all of you into my home, and I truly hope it's enjoyable for you as well.

Take care, stay warm (or cool depending on what part of the country you live in) and cozy with your families, and try not to stress out too much these last few days before Christmas!

Warm hugs,

 I often party with these lovely bloggers:

Monday

Cindy at Dwellings--The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

Tuesday

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life  for Inspire Me Tuesday

Wednesday

Suzy at Worthing Court for The Scoop

Thursday

Pamela at From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday