It's June...

and I'm sitting here in sweatpants and a jacket.
And smiling at the weather here as I think of what I'd 
be complaining about in Florida.

Well, the mad dash of getting moved and settled has
finally slowed to a reasonable pace. I have a new bank
and a new driver's license, so I think that makes me an
official Buckeye again. Still acclimating, though. 
For example, I have to make notes to find my way around
on my own. One of my favorite sayings is "Not all who
wander are lost." heh. Not so true for me right now.
Things changed and the memos to me got lost.

I don't know what to predict about my blogging.
My old routine, such as it was, has been scrambled and
scattered. Inspiration is pitifully missing. I guess I'll
go with the 'one day at a time' concept and see what happens.

My sister is continuing to do well. Even her oncologist is
amazed. She finished her first series of chemo yesterday with
minimal side effects. She will, however, begin a second series
of chemo with different drugs in a few weeks.  They are trying
to reduce the cancer as much as possible before doing surgery.
We're all hoping, of course, that the results will continue to be good.
Many thanks to all of you who are sending good thoughts and 
prayers.


Unfortunately, I found bad news in the blogosphere. 
One of my long-time readers has passed away.
Unk lost his struggle with cancer. He will be missed.


It seems life comes with only one guarantee.


 

 

Comeuppance is mine...

I haven't posted much recently that's worthy
of attention. Having some silly-assed sniffle thing
is no excuse. I can only say that, at times, I am lame.
And a slug. And, the worst, forgetful of my blessings.

Yesterday, I got slapped with some comeuppance
and I really, really hope it sticks. I suppose, in all
honesty, that it will fade and the necessity of being
slapped again will bring me back to humility.

One of my former co-workers is also one of my best
friends. She has stayed in contact with another co-worker
who was laid off a year before we were.

The other co-worker is a beautiful, sweet lady who never
stops smiling and loving life. She was diagnosed with
breast cancer about six months ago.

Her first surgery was to remove the tumors and cells.
Then, the heavy-duty chemo treatments began.
The resulting side-effects were gruesome but, her family
and friends say that she continues to be happy, smile and
never complains. She got more scary news.

Surgery and chemo didn't kill all the cancer cells.
She is now scheduled for a double mastectomy on
December 21, then waits for the incisions to heal
before she starts radiation. No guarantees for anything.

She's still smiling, positive and loving life.
In the photo above, taken yesterday, she is the gorgeous
blonde on the right. Colleen is her name.
The lovely lady on the left is my best friend, Jan,
who went to visit her.

Jan recently started a new job as a CNA in a nursing home.
She works in the activities department. You know, reading
books to the residents, organizing music time, decorating
rooms for the holidays, feeding them if they need help,
playing games with them, talking to the families.
She loves her job. Jan is perfect for the job.

They had a birthday party for one of the residents. The
lady was celebrating her 107th birthday. Jan said the
birthday girl insisted on cutting the cake herself and
wanted to serve everyone else. Smiling, always smiling.
Not all of Jan's stories about the residents are happy.
But, she's doing good things every day.

I don't want this to turn into a ramble. I just wanted to
share two of the many people who bless my life.
If you are of a mind to, please say a prayer for Colleen.

Sometimes, I forget how lucky I am.
Today, however, I remember.


edit:
Food for thought...

a minute
or a day
of life with you
might be just
what's needed
to nourish
a hungry soul.