Happy Halloween!

Enjoy the 'spirit' of the day.. and add a bit of whimsy of your own! 

Live View of the Running Ribbon

Here is a live action shot of the Susan G Komen for the Cure Running Ribbon. When I see this logo I think of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! October 2003 was the year I celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness every day from my annual mammogram on October 2nd to my Lumpectomy Surgery on the 27th. Whew I was busy that month and thereafter until January 23, 2004 when I completed my final radiation treatment.  After that, I slowed down enough to let the impact of it all sink in.          Now I just try to give back so that others may reach that day of realizing that they survived!

Pink Bird of Hope

I found this little Pink Bird of Hope at my local Hallmarks shop one day and decided this would be my annual October Breast Cancer Month treat. She is so tiny, just barely an inch.

My bird is reminiscent of the Bluebird of Happiness.
 I gave the Blue bird to a good friend of mine for a birthday gift because it reminded me of all the times we've spent together shopping ,gabbing and enjoying a leisurely lunch. As I look upon my Pink Bird of Happiness I am reminded of my good friends and family who provided such joy and support when I was undergoing my cancer treatment eight years ago...and for all days in between. This little treasure is a gem so valuable for the reminder of all the gifts God has given me. Sometimes it is the simplest gifts of love and support that mean the most.

Breast Cancer....looking back to day one of the "journey"

Here is a picture of me...
 taken this past summer on my birthday
 with my husband and tow of our grandchildren!

Today I am celebrating my 8th anniversary as a Breast Cancer Survivor! Thinking about that day gives me pause to reflect on everything that diagnosis meant to me. I was so surprised! Not angry, worried or emotional, just surprise. Maybe shock is really the word.

I worked hard to prove it didn't bother me and that things were just as they were the day before. I did not want to be perceived as a victim or a weepy woman that was going to yo to pieces. I wanted to be strong and to show that I believed I would make it onto the other side of that mountainous journey they call Breast Cancer! But, I had a hard time waiting because I am the woman who wants to know everything now...the whole picture and know what I had to do to get through it. However, wait I did because the cancer crew just envelopes you in their net and you simply get on their circuit that takes you from one meeting to another over and over. I could not see what this treatment would look like and in my mind, I wanted to see it and get it done. Scared? No....just ready for it to all be behind me.

I forgot one thing though...cancer is like grief, in that you have to actually go through it to come out on the other side. You go through each day and the day after. You just do.....and I made it! I still think of the whole experience; it was quite a journey, but I made it.

Fall!

Ah, fall is in the air, the night was cool, the air crisp and fog blanketed the fields this morning as my grandson played soccer. He commented tonight that he enjoyed watching the fog disappear while he played his game. He is so observant, so vibrant in his descriptions that some days it is hard to believe that in a mere month he will be eight years old. He is wise in his youth, wise in ways we can no longer be because he has the curiosity and interest of a child. Every day is fresh with new things to discover. His interest in nature is so inspiring to me as it reminds me how important it is to live in the present and enjoy life in the now!  What a joy it is to spend time with him and see things new again!

Ah....Road Rage-ous Driving!

I had an interesting road rage encounter with a mailman today...apparently I went ahead of my turn at a 4 way stop so he followed me closer and closer, swerving back and forth to get my attention...he had  my full attention, believe me! He kept raising his hand in a raging manner for nearly a mile when we got to the stop sign. He pulled up next to me and just screamed! And screamed some more. I had no idea what he was saying but I felt every word like a slap to my face. I kept saying I was sorry, using apologetic gestures as sincerely as I could beyond getting out of the car. He just ranted and raged, finally waving me away as if he swatted a fly before turning the corner in the direction of the post office.  I had to go to a doctor appointment but afterwards I stopped by the post office and spoke to the manager. Apparently this postman carried his anger to the workplace as the manager had already heard about it. I mentioned that I made a mistake by turning out of turn but the postman's behavior was unbecoming of anyone wearing the uniform of a government agency. I proceeded to tell him what had occurred and his jaw dropped! He indicated that this postman has had issues with anger; it wasn't the first time! He assured me he was going to call the fellow's supervisor at the post office the man was based out of. He said this behavior had to stop. The manager also said he makes mistakes himself and that he was sorry that this had happened. I was sorry I missed my turn in line, it was unintentional but seriously that man's behavior carried things too far. Good grief! They know the guy has anger problems! I know people who would love to have his job who have no anger problems.....

I believe there is too much anger in society today. Kindness and a little patience go a long way. Practicing it in the car is a pretty good idea and keeps a little more civility on the roadways!

Purse Week Contest

Last week I told you that I entered Grace's Sling Bag in the Purse Week contest. I did not make the top ten but it was a good experience just getting the nerve to enter the contest. The 10 making the finals are very nice. You can vote for the top ten here on A Lemon Squeezy Home.

If you love bags, as all girls do, check out the Flickr group  page and pick a favorite that inspires you to make a new one for you or a gift!