VA Tech

My heart and prayers goes out to the families and friends of the people killed and wounded today at VA Tech. May God be with them..

HE'S HERE!!!!!!

I am proud to announce the arrival of my new grandson SAWYER ALEXANDER KEECHLE born at 8:17 pm weighing in at 8 lb 2 ounces. Lots of hair and big hands and feet. Mother is doing great, a little tired after C-section. Grandma Mo is soooooo happy!!!!!! Will post pics as soon as they arrive. God has blessed us!!!!!

It is NOT CANCER!!!

My doctor told me today that the latest CAT scan done on me, showed NO SIGN OF CANCER!!! Oh praise God!!! After 9 long months of being prodded, poked, biopsied, xrayed, CAT scans, bone scans, MRI's and tons of blood work, that finally, finally I got a clean scan!!!! I feel so blessed today. Apparently, my spine has deteriorated so badly, that it is putting pressure on my spinal cord, so my oncologist referred me to a neurosurgeon. She also ordered more xrays and another MRI. I swear...I glow in the dark. But I don't care....I don't have cancer again!!! I am going to give credit where credit is due and thank all of you for your prayers. I believe that it was sheer prayer power that made the difference. Thank you all and thank you God!

My space

Check out my new "Myspace" Lots of pics and blogs. http://www.myspace.com/melena_mo

Couch potato

Comet's biggest decision today is which end of the couch to lay on. Notice that she also has control of the remote.

More questions

What about when Paul, Silas and Timothy wrote in the book of 1 Thessalonians 4 :11 "This should be your ambition; to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet you financial needs."

How can what you are doing be right if it is causing other people to jeer at your lifestyle? Is that respect? How is that helping to promote Christianity?

Just for today

Just for today
I switched over to the new blog today and I'm not sure if it will link to this blog. I'm not sure how to do that. But I am still listed as angiesmommo I think...or Just for Today....or well, I just don't know. Angie...help!!!!

Understanding?

This is a hard post to write because I know that it will upset some people, but I really don't mean it in a mean way, maybe just ignorant and need help in understanding.

I have been sitting here all day reading my Bible, trying to get some understanding about Bob and Angie's plans. I hope that maybe someone other than Angie (because I'm too close to her to talk to her about it) can help me understand.
I read every book in the Bible today about when Jesus asked His disciples to come follow Him, but nowhere did I read that He told them that they had to raise many thousands of dollars before they could do so. I looked everywhere and just couldn't find one single reference. I just don't understand.
I read about selling what you have to share with the needy. Key word is share. I was particulary struck by 2 Cor 8 12-14

"If you are really eager to give, it isn't important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don't have. Of course, I don't mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when you need it. In this way, everyone's needs will be met."

My question is how can you give, if you have nothing to give?

I understand about making sacrifices in order to follow the Lord. To me, it would seem as though if you have a goal that takes money to achieve, you work hard to earn enough to make that goal become a reality. Whether it be to start a business or to go into ministry full time. It takes sacrifice. But what sacrifice is really being made if other people pay your way, you don't have to worry about making a living,and you're housing and meals are provided? Anyone can do that. The hard part is just getting enough people to support you. It seems as though the only real thing that is being sacrificed is their time.

I guess the hardest thing for me to understand is the part of this is the blind faith. I really have pondered about that. To be so sure that what you are doing is right. But then I read Matthews 4 about where Satan told Jesus to jump off the temple and he replied, "Do not test the Lord your God."

Is this a test of God? Is God supposed to respond to what they want? Whose faith is being tested? Is this what God wants them to do or is this what they want God to do?

I really do understand the need for more workers for Jesus. I really do. I believe that the most important things that we need to share is to love God and love each other. I truly do believe that Angie and Bob have so much love to share.

I just need to understand.

Just for today

Just for today
Why worry?
There are only two things to worry about.
Whether you are healthy or whether you are ill.
If you're healthy, you have nothing to worry about.
If you're ill, then you only have two things to worry about.
Whether you get better or whether you get worse.
If you get better, you have nothing to worry about.
If you get worse, you only have two things to worry about.
Whether you live or whether you die.
If you live, you have nothing to worry about.
If you die, you only have two things to worry about.
Whether you go to heaven or whether you go to hell.
If you go to heaven, you have nothing to worry about.
If you go to hell, you'll be so busy shaking hands with your friends, you won't have time to worry.
So why worry!

2,006

I'm really trying to stay focused on what Christmas is really about. A time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. I can't get caught up in the commercialism because I don't have any money to purchase presents for friends or love ones. My children are all grown, so it's not like Santa Claus is coming here. I'm not a good cook, so baking cookies is out of the question. I'm not artsy crafty so makng something is out of the question. So I will bake Jesus a birthday cake. But it's really, really hard to fit 2,006 candles on it!

A picture is worth a thousand words

Jonathan Livingston Seagull, the novel written by Richard Bach
in 1970 is about a young seagull's efforts to rise above the
ordinary.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a bird not satisfied with being
merely a seagull. The other seagulls treat him as an outcast for
going outside the norm. In a flock where individuality is frowned
upon, Jonathan finds himself a loner and an outcast.


On the surface it appears to be a simple animal fable about a
seagull learning how to become the greatest flyer of all time. However,
the book is really about self-perfection and self-sacrifice.


After performing feats of tremendous courage and skill, Jonathan
is expelled from the flock. This gives him the freedom to develop
his skills, and in so doing he reaches a higher plane of achievement,
a heaven of sorts.

The lessons that Jonathan learns in his travels reflect both a
greater peace of mind and a freedom to be himself. He found a way
to to achieve more. And then he went back to teach others.


And now for the rest of the story.......

The picture on the wall is of an old sea captain surrounded by small children that he is sharing a tale with.

The aquarium does not contain fish but is actually used as a wishing well and the bottom is full of coins. (Sometimes you have to go outside the box)

The seagulls are ceramic that my sister taught me how to make. Something that I would never have attempted to try to do without her patience and guidence.

Picture Page, Picture Page...

I took these pictures yesterday and thought I'd share! I'm mastering the art of the self-portrait!

Decorating ideas

I'm taking a survey....how many of you throw speghetti up against the wall to see if it's done? I thought everyone did that. Rachel Ray does it. Angie and I were talking about it last night. It was always so much fun to have speghetti. She remembers when "someone" forgot to remove the pasta from the wall and it dried there. It was so stuck to the wall that it would peel the paint when we tried to remove it. My solution was just to paint over it. Instant deco art.

Just for today: Time

Just for today: HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Everyone together now.....
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Angie, Happy Birthday to you. And many more! (Sung really off key)
Did you know that I special ordered Angie from God?
Yep, it's true. Angie has grown up knowing that she was special ordered. And I love her this much...all the way behind my back. Happy Birthday!!!!!

Time

This may be a long post because I have much to catch up on. But I will try to do just the outline of two months. If more info is needed, please comment.
ROAD TRIP also known as "Kodak" moments in my life.
Week 1 & 2 Ohio
Angie and Bob's wedding. The highlight of my life. I was truly amazed at how God planned the wedding. Lots of shopping, flowers, candles, table linens, and birdseed;
mom-in-law party; burning my fingers on the curling iron; Seeing my little girl in her wedding dress; Seeing the look in Bob's eyes when he saw her coming down the aisle; Watching them dance their first dance as husband and wife.

Spending time with my mom, niece and nephew, brother and sister-in-law; Going to play bingo with mom at the Senior Citizens Center; having my mom cook for me; laughing and shopping with my 9 year old niece (even though she is a tattle tale); going to a museum with my 14 year old nephew;teaching him how to play the "family song" on the piano; going to a flea market with my brother and sister-in-law; having steak at the Emmitt House in Waverly with my brother and his family; giving the kids bragging rights at school for going upstairs in the dark where it's haunted. Spending time with my Aunt Marion and my cousins on her 82nd birthday.

Week 3 Wilmington NC
Sitting up all night with my niece Susan talking and laughing; getting great big sloppy kisses from Sailor; going on a carriage ride at dusk; putting my feet in the Atlantic Ocean again; cheesburgers in paradise; meeting her friends; watching the sunset over the ocean; starting my book.

Week 4 Goldsboro NC
Shopping, shopping, shopping. Finding out what I have missed all these years with my sister; having my sister teach me how to put 27 layers of paint on ceramic seagulls; going to a sewing class then staying up till 1:30 in the morning sewing an oven door dress; meeting their friends; getting a great deal on a drill; pigging out on seafood salad; missing my sister.

Week 4-1/2 Charlotte NC
Happy Zone; Aunt BooBoo Bandaid; Being the "Rookie" at Lowe's Motor Speedway; Finding out how they paint the wall; making new friends; camping out when it's 36 degrees out; helping my niece and nephew with their homework; the neighbors; being so proud of my niece for her accomplishments in her career.

Week 5 Waverly, Dayton, Columbus OH
Spending time with my Mom; Picking pumpkins with my brother Bill; seeing "Tito Bill" in action; in awe of how my sister-in-law Ann can whip up a meal; having lunch at Marion's Pizza; missing my flight; seeing my first love for the first time in 30 years; getting a cell phone for the first time; being able to call a friend from the airplane to get a ride home from the airport; Comet jumping in 360 degree circles in the air when when I get home. Being home.

These are just fractional parts of the hightlights of my road trip. But the most important thing that I learned on this road trip is that the thing that creates "Kodak" moments in life is......time. Time is our gift from God. Time to spend with our family and friends. Time to make new friends. Time to learn. Time to cry. Time to love. Time to reflect. Time to pray. Time to make a difference. So remember that just for today, this is your "gift day" from God. Make is a "Kodak" moment.

Honey, I'm home!

Oh what a wonderful day!!!!! I'm back online. I have missed this more than anything else in my life. I feel like I have been cut off from the world for two whole months. I can't believe how important global communication has become to me. I feel truly blessed today. I have missed everyone terribly.

I ran out of road on my road trip.

Just for today
Bob and Angie's wedding started the kickoff of my family union/reunion. Two families merging into one. Family who had not seen each other for years, gathered together for such a joyous occasion. Brothers, sisters, mothers and father, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, old school chums and long time friends.

I've gotten a chance to spend time this past two weeks with family both old and new. It has been a long time since I have seen many of them. I even had a cousin that happened to be in from Hawaii! I was able to spend my favorite aunt's 82 birthday with her. I have made "Kodak" moments with my niece and nephew.I'm in OH and leaving for NC tomorrow to spend time with my sister and nieces for a couple of weeks and then back to OH for a few days to spend with my brother and his clan. I have made many, many, many Kodak moments in my heart.

I've been doing a family history since I've been in my Mom's hometown. I've gotten as far back a 8 generations on my father's mother's side. I still need to gather info on my mother's mother's side but hopefully today if I get a chance to visit with some aunts, I can do so. It is really interesting to find out the history of my family just as my daughter has added a new branch onto it. Maybe someday, my great-great-great-great grandchild will find my name and learn about my life. More on my family-moon later.

Just for today

Just for todayThe pre-wedding week has been so much fun here. I am amazed at how calm and organized my daughter is. She's got a list and checking it twice. Last night while she was at her bachlorette party, Bob's mother Tammy and I, had a mom-in-law party at a really neat Italian restaurant near Angie's apartment. All I have to say is what happened at the mom-in-law party....stays at the mom-in-law party!!!

Makeover

This is the way it is suppose to feel when you go for a makeover!

Just for Today

Hey, are my blogs showing up anywhere? I can't tell if anyone is making any comments.

Blogging neanderthal

Okay, somebody help me out here. My knuckles are dragging the ground here. I am having a hard time finding my blog. Even if I go to Angie's blog(I have it saved under my favorites)and hit the link to my blog, all I see is the post before my last one about Comet. I can go to dashboard and read my latest post, but I want my page to show up with all the archives when I go to it. I have posted before and Angie can read my post before I can even read it unless I go to the dashboard. How do I put the links in? As you can see, I finally figured out how to insert a picture so maybe there is hope for me. I really am capable of learning about these new fangled inventions. What am I doing wrong? I have everything saved to my favorites but I would also like to save it on my tool bar on AOL. You know, the one with the pretty little icon pictures. I would post a lot more often if I could figure out how this darn thing works. I want to be able to walk upright again.

Be happy

Comet's goal in life is to make sure that I am happy at any given moment of the day. She wakes me up smiling like this every morning. She'll walk into the room and smile at me. Sometimes she smiles so big, it looks like she is snarling at you. I'll try to get a picture of that sometime. It is so funny! She is the happiest soul that I have ever had the pleasure of being around in my entire life.
She even has more friends than I do. Kids will knock on the door and ask "Can Comet come out to play?" The neighbors come out to pet her. She once was picked up by the dog catcher and the neighbors saw her being nabbed and told her where she lived. The dog catcher brought her home and Comet invited her in. She thinks that a car is designed to chauffeur her around in. Everyone in town recognizes Comet when she is riding in the car. She acts like a beauty queen riding on a float in a parade.
She had heartworms six years ago and had to go through chemo at the same time that I went chemo. We were both so sick but she was such a trooper. I have people fighting over who gets to take care of her when I come to OH, because everyone wants her.
I have such a bond with this "dog". I forget sometimes that she is a "dog" because she is so human like or maybe she thinks I'm more dog like. She communicates so effectively with her eyes and her smile. I guess that love is truly a universal language, no matter what form your body may be in. Just ask Comet.

Just for today

Just for today
I am going to be in OH on the 14th and will be so glad to see everyone. It will be so much fun! Angie is going to give me a beauty makeover! I swear, I am her walking, talking Barbie doll. She always likes to play with my hair and dress me up. I'm even changing my hair color and style. Angie said, "Mom, the blonde thing hasn't been working for you for a while now." I'm ready.

I'm have to figure out how to fit everything into 2 suitcases. I'll be staying for about a month. How do you fit all the stuff that you usually carry on into the suitcase that usually has only your clothes in it? What do I do with the clothes and shoes that usually fit into that spot?
My one carryone will be my laptop. There is no way that I am going to be "so far in the country that you have to pump the sunshine in" without my laptop. At least my Mom finally got dish installed so I can watch TV. She also made sure that I will qualify to play bingo at the senior citizens center since I am not a senior citizen. She was assured that yes, since I am disabled, I qualify. Whew, is that a relief! Really, since everyone knows how much I hate to play bingo. But it will bring my mom joy that I share her hobby with her.

I am so excited about the wedding of Angie and Robert. I am more excited about the marriage of Angie and Robert.

Just for today

Just for todayMy car died. It was terrible. My car tried so hard to keep running. I had her operated on in March and she had a new head put on. But the mechanic used the old timing belt and the belt broke and she blew her head again. She only made it 3000 miles. And the mechanic won't warranty it. She tried so hard. She was a 97 Mazada 626. Really beautiful. I loved her so much. And now she's gone.

I love the way that God is planning Angie and Robert's wedding.

Just for today

Just for todayHurry up and wait. My trip to Ohio will be delayed for a few weeks. MD Anderson, which is the best cancer center is the country called and set an appointment with my oncologist for Aug 25th. I really need and want to be in OH for Angie and Robert to help with the wedding plans. But this is equally important. I have been trying for months to get into MD Anderson. If I'm going to have cancer, then I am very blessed to live withing 40 minutes from this great hospital. Angie was thrilled when she found out.

You know, if it wasn't for the pain, I forget that I have cancer some days. I just don't dwell on it. I know that I will survive it, so it's not that big a deal. I have more positive things going on in my life. Like my daughter getting married, long conversations with family and friends, playing with my dog, reading a good book, watching a good movie, going on my first date in years,going on my second date in years, going on my third date in years, reading everyone's blog, learning to cook again, counting my blessings, etc, etc.
There's so much more to life than being sick.

Just for today

Just for todayOkay folks..let's get this blogging going again. We have lots to talk about so let's get it going.

My grandson's name will be either Jacob Alexander Keechle (Carrie's choice) or Jackson Gillett Keechle (Alex's choice)So I guess that we shall refer to him as Jacob Alexander Jackson Gillett Keechle. I personally shall refer to him as my GRANDSON!!! He's so cute already. And so loved!

I'm getting anxious to get to Ohio. I'm ready to see all the family and friends. My mom is already planning on me helping her at the Senior Citizens center. She's really quite active there. They do a lot of arts and crafts for fundraising and fairs. The one thing that I really am not looking forward to though is BINGO. I really hate BINGO. But my Mama loves it, so O-66 I go. Bet you all are jealous that I'm going to be having all the fun.

At least this time it won't be cold and snowy when I'm there. I usually end up in OH at Christmas and folks..I don't know if you know this or not...but it is stinkin cold up there in the winter time. I mean you have to wear a real coat and everything all day long up there. I love being in TX in the winter. And it has actually been cooler here this summer than what it has been up there. Aaaahhh nothing beats living on the Gulf of Mexico. As long as we don't have to evacuate for a hurricane. That's another long story.

But Aug/Sept will be ideal there. This is a really happy time to be there and I don't have to rush. I "plan" to spend at least 6 weeks there. I hope to meet and spend time with a lot of you before the wedding. I feel that I already know and love you through Angie. Now I will be able to hug you myself.

I got a kick out of the pictures that you took, Brandi, of Angie trying on dresses. One of the looks was what I expected her to look like when she was younger if you ever mentioned marriage to her. Oh my gosh...this girl was dead set about ever getting married.

And then God sent her back to Ohio for Robert.

Ha!!!!!Such a blessing....

It is still going to be a thrill when I actually see her trying on dresses. "The" dress. I'm used to my boys getting married. It's totally different with my little girl. She always seems to amaze me what a wonderful, beautiful woman that she has grown to be.
Spoken like a true mom.

I will have pictures of the Lynard Skynard concert next week, so I'll ask Ang how to post them. Then you guys will see what kind of mother-in-law Robert is really getting. Insane but happy.

Just for today

Just for todayWell, it's been a week since I blogged and I know everyone was starting to miss me, so here I am again.
I haven't really needed my feet this week because they haven't touched the ground since I found out about "the engagement". Angie doesn't know this, but as soon as I get my next settlement check from Social Security, I am going to fly to Ohio to help her pick out her wedding dress which I insist on paying for. Everyone tell Angie not to give me a hard time about this. Angie told me before that when she got married all that she was going to allow me to do is show up at the wedding. Silly girl.
My flat tire....here goes another friend story. I finally got a SSI disability settlement check, so I had to break down and call one of my friends for help in fixing the flat tire. I was flat broke but had this big check in my hand. My best friend , Lana, brought me over a can of fix-a-flat on her lunch break. This should be easy right. Insert can into stem of flat tire and inflate. Well, the nozzle got stuck on the stem so I had to drive around with this can hanging out of the side of the tire down to the nearest air hose. I borrowed a pair of pliers to get the can off and put more air in the tire so I cold go cash my check so I could get my tire fixed. Okay, I'm rolling now. Everything's cool. I get a mile down the road and feel this flop, flop, flop. It's flat again. I'm still broke with this big check in my hand. And I still have a flat tire. I was stuck in front of my hair salon, so I went in to ask him if I could use the phone to call another friend to come help me put my donut spare on. They were busy and couldn't make it, so I walked back outside to try to do it myself. Another friend of mine was walking down the road and offered to do it for me. Now what's the odds that at that particular moment, that he would be walking down the road? Then my hair stylist came out and asked me if I would like to use his Mercedes to go cash my check. Wasn't that sweet? So the moral of the story is how many friends does it take for Mo to get her flat tire fixed? It takes a village to raise a Mo.
(PS, the tire was covered under warranty, so I really didn't need any money to fix it.)

Just for today

Just for today I miss Angie. I miss my family. I miss the fact that I will miss Angie and Robert coming home together. I miss my grandson. I love living in Texas, but today I just miss everyone. I feel really isolated today. I'm glad that I have my dog to keep me company.

I have a flat tire on my car. Now normally that would not be a big deal. I would just go out and change it. But I can't bend very well and I can't lift anything heavy. So that means that I have to call on one of my friends, again, to come to my rescue. I feel that my friends are getting tired of rescuing me. I would imagine that Angie probably felt that way a few times too. I feel that there is this huge sigh of relief with Robert coming home.

I just read Robert's blog and I'm so happy that they are having a great time. I know that this is like a once in a lifetime trip for Ang. Something tells me though, that I should get used to Ang & Robert being out and about around the world. They will experience a life together of many, many adventures. Places that most of us only read about in magazines or watch on TV. God has a plan for those two.

Just for today

Just for today
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR SISTER KATHY,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
(Sung really off key)
Okay, NOW you're 52

My birthday was the 13th, my little sister's birthday was the 14th, and by older sister (see above) is the 15th

Thank you all for the birthday wishes.

Just for today: Just for today

Just for today: Just for today
Well, the concert was great. Everything that we could possibly hope for. We have soooo much fun! As soon as I get the pictures developed I will post them.
I'm back to being on the couch again. Dog days of summer.

Just for today

Just for today
Yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is, no it isn't, yes it is. Cancer...no it isnt. I got a letter in the mail the other day that said the biopsy was benign. Well...okay. I don't understand because the doctor and I discussed the tumor while she was doing the biopsy. We saw it on the screen as she was probing it with the needle. She couldn't draw any fluid out of it.She said that it was too hard and rubbery to be a cyst. She even asked me if I would come in and talk to other women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. I wish that I could get an actual tissue sample, but without insurance, that is not an option. I guess that I will just put this episode out of my mind and pretend that it never happened. I still haven't done anything about the spot that the doctors found in my back on the MRI that they said the cancer had matastizied in the bone.I just don't know what to believe now. I just know that I am still in a lot of pain.

I went back to smoking again. I lasted about 3 days without the patches. Too much stress and way too hungry. But the patches really do work. I did notice that I had really weird dreams while I was wearing them. Really WEIRD dreams.

Tammy, I understand about the couch being your best bud. I haven't been out of the house for a week. I've even loaned my car and dog out so at least they can have some sunshine. But, alas, my bud are going to part ways at least for the weekend. It is the "Funny old ladies with the blue flashing sunglasses at the Lynard Skynard concert" weekend.This weekend will make up for all the funk time. HaHaHaHaHa.

By now, I'm sure that Angie has told everyone that IKEA is shopping for a site to build in OH. Did you know that there is actually an IKEA fan club? I haven't figured out how to put links in here, but if you do a search for IKEA, it pops up there. I can't believe that Ang wasn't on their fan club list.

My mom is 29 yrs old (you have to believe her because she's been saying that for over 50 years and never changed her story)Anyway she's lives alone and she's not concerned about it because she is teaching her cat to dial 911. She saw a story on TV about a man who's dog dialed 911 and saved his life. So she's very confident that she can teach her cat to do the same. Now, my mom always taught us that you could do anything that you put your mind to. Can you picture this poor cat having to sit by the phone, everyday for an hour, practicing dialing 911??? Thank goodness, my little brother is on the rescue squad and lives nearby. Hang in there Little Kittie.

Just for today

Just for today
Well, I have a new name now. My official name is "DaDaMaMa". When we introduced me to Brian, (my sixteen month old grandson) we explained to him that I was Daddy's mommy as we pointed to each other. Well, I guess Brian thought that was my name, so there you go.
Thanks for posting the picture Ang. I thought about calling you back and asking you to do that, but all good minds think alike. I hope everyone enjoyed them. I have about 65 more pictures just on one disk and about another 24 on another. Still not enough. I have a whole lot of Kodak moments in my heart.
This was really a great trip. Joe and Natalie took time off of work so I got to spend time with my son, his wife, and my grandson separately and also together. My son and his wife got to "date" the week that I was there. They went to movies, dinner, and white water rafting. They had a blast. I got to stay home and play with Brian. They had a friend come over in the afternoon to get Brian so I could rest for a while. A sixteen month old child has way more energy than what I do. We went to the park everyday so he could have some fresh air and sunshine. My family doctor told the key to raising children: "All you have to do is give them lots of food, water, sunshine,love, hugs & kisses and they will grow up just fine". Simple but true. Give Brian a broom and he's a happy camper.
Okay, I'll share one Kodak moment. We were all out to dinner one night and just having basic conversation and all of a sudden, Brian looked over at me and said "I love you". There wasn't a dry eye at the table.
The pictures of the mountains are breath taking. Literally. We were at 11,900 ft at the Continental Divide. The air is so thin up there. And cold! See the snow! I know that I can go through anything now because I've been to the top of the mountain. In order to get to the top of the mountain, you must first walk through the valley.
Oh, I could just on and on, but I won't. Some things are meant to be kept in your heart.

Okay, I'll share ONE Kodak moment.

Just for today

Just for today
It's a bird,it's Superman, no...it's Grandma in a plane flying to Colorado to see her grandson. Today is the big day. In 12 hours I wil be holding my grandson Brian in my arms. I am soooo excited!!!!
I have lots to do today. Things that I have been putting off like going blonde again, getting my haircut, shopping, putting on the Nicoderm CQ patch. Yep, you heard right on that one. I quit smoking today. It's so easy to do with the patches.
They're like magic. That's because I'm still getting the nicotine in my body so I don't go through any withdraws. For anyone who has tried to quit smoking, it can be one of the hardest thing you can try to do. It's more addictive than heroin. But at least for this week while I'm around my grandson, I will not smoke.
Did I tell you I am soooooooo excited!
Expect lots of pictures when I get back.
TaTa

Just for today

Just for today
When you walk through a storm, hold your held up high.
Okay, so the storm in Houston has passed and all the water is gone. Read Angie's blog.
Everyday life...I don't see how women can be housewives. I haven't worked in 2 months and I'm going nuts. There are only so many books that one can read and only so much TV that I can tolerate. What do people do all day long that don't work or go to school? I can't spend time with my friends because they are all at work. I can't do any type of excercise or activities because I'm in so much pain. I've learned that I can go to sleep at any time of the day now. I'm glad I have unlimited long distance. I've learned that there are a lot of games on the internet that one can play for many, many, many, hours. I've even learned how to blog!!!!

Just for today: Everyday

Just for today: Father's Day
Oh owwwhh. The pain woke me up at 5:00 a.m. So now, I'm up. I'm walking like a little old lady. But hey, I'm up and I checked two newspapers and my name was not in the obituaries so I guess I'm having a good day.
Speaking of obits...today is Father's Day. My father died 20 years ago of a brain aneurysm. I remember that day like it was yesterday. We disconnected his life support system because he had been brain dead for 4 days. I held his hand until the very last breath. I can still feel his hand in mine when I close my hand. I get great comfort from that. I still feel his presence in my everyday life. Funny, his death does not feel like his life ended because he is so much still a part of my life.
It's not that he was a great father, but he was my father. It's all the little things that I remember about him. He would leave all of his change from his pants pockets for me in the bathroom. And then tell me that he left for me. He would take us on long drives in the country just because. He would take us to the State Fair or any carnival that would be in town. When I got older and stayed with him for awhile, he would have a cup of coffee sitting on the kitchen counter waiting for me when I got up. We would stay up all night to record a song that I wrote. He would call me long distance just to hear me play my guitar. He gave me lots of hugs and smiles. I guess what I'm trying to say is that when Dad's pay attention to their kids, that's what matters.
I'm very proud of the type of father that my son has turned out to be. He is amazed by everything that his son does. He truly enjoys being a dad. I heard someone once say that the best way for a father to show his children love is to show them how much he loves their mother. My son foremost loves his wife.
I am looking forward to watching my other son, Alex, become a father. I feel very fortunate that my grandchildren have such wonderful parents.
Fathers are forever.

Everyday

So I just found out that my daughter has gone on strike from blogging until everyone else blogs. How did I raise such a stubborn woman? I guess when she says that she wants to communicate with everyone, I guess she means it.

Okay, I was going to wait until I really started to get into this cancer thing until I started blogging everyday, but I guess I will start now. Bear with me folks, because I plan on doing a lot of venting through this blog. Somedays it ain't going to be pretty, but I will give you a daily basis of what it is like to go through cancer for the last time. I swear, I am not going to do this again. This is it...one of us will not live through this. Either cancer or me will be the only one left standing. If I have my way, it will be ME left standing. I guess that is where Ang gets her stubborness from. I am more determined than ever to whoop cancers' ass for the last time.

Well, so far...I have had two mammograms, two ultrasounds, one x-ray, one CAT scan, one MRI, one biopsy, and one blood test. It has been since January 7th that I started to have all these test. The first mammogram came out normal. Then on April 26th, I had an ultrasound done at a different hospital and they found the cancer in my right breast. Then on May 24, I went to the emergency room because my left arm was numb and my back hurt so bad that I could hardly move. They did an x-ray, then came back in and said I needed an MRI. After that the doctor came in and told me the good news was that I did not have to have surgery today. But the bad news was that it looked like the cancer has metasised in my bones. So they do a brain scan just to make sure that it had not spread to my brain. (I was just reliefed that they found a brain) Next....May 30, I have another mammogram and another ultrasound, back at the orginal hospital. Again, it showed cancer in my right breast and oh yeah, a lymph node on my left side doesn't look to good either. So on June 8th, I have a biospy done and sure enough, the needle hits the tumor. By now I have been told, ummm let's see...4 times that I have cancer. Okay, I get it. Duh! I wish that everyone would stop telling me that and just let me do something about it. Okay, I'm done venting. Thanks.

On to good news...I am going to see my grandson Brian next week. My son Joe surprised me with an airline ticket. He called last night to let me listen to Brian talk. It was the first time that I ever heard him talk. Brian is 14 months old and really has his dad wrapped around his little finger. Joe would say to Brian:
Joe: Say I
Brian: I
Joe: Say love
Brian: Yooou!
Joe just melts when he does that. Joe said that he has waited his whole life for this boy, so he can have anything he wants. Brian goes to a really great day care. They teach the children to sign language before they can talk so that they can communicate before they can verbalize. I think that is really great. They also wipe his hands every time they change his diaper so that he will always associate washing his hands when he goes to the bathroom. No wondering if this guy washes his hands when he grows up! I have'nt seen my grandson since he was five weeks old, so I am just thrilled to be going on this trip. It's also great for Joe and his wife Natalie because with Grandma there they can date each other for the whole week. So, I finally figured out what being a Grandma means to kids. It means "babysitter". It also means that I get to spoil him rotten and then leave!

Speaking of grandchildren...there are no sweeter words than "Hi, Grandma" ! When one of my children says that to me I start crying and laughing and jumping up and down on the furniture. My son Alex and his wife Carrie have been trying for years to conceive and he called me up last week and said those sweet words to me. I love when goods things happed like that for my children.

Whenever Angie has good news, she tells me first that one of the rules I must follow before she will tell me is that I MUST breath! I love when she tells me good news...she's so calm about it. (Like when she told me about Bob) I held out for as long as I could when she was telling me before I told her that I had to get off the phone so I could whoop and holler. She understood. Don't ya, Ang?

Okay, this blog is long enough for today. Angie, be careful what you wish for. You want blogging, you'll get blogging. Because i have nothing but time on my hands.
See ya all later

Just for today

Friends
What would we do without friends? I read all the blogs and I realize that everyone has friends that make their lifes so much richer. They are like a patchwork quilt. Every one is different, but they all fit together to make up our lives. Friends make you laugh, cry, giggle, love, hug, mad, frustratd, strong, faithful, honest, vulnerable, late, deaf, hungry,....
Wait a minute, had to raid the pantry on that last one. Munch, munch.
It always seems as though just when you thought you couldn't stand to go through another minute of ??? by yourself, a friend will call, e-mail, or stop by. Ever notice how many times in your day that a friend will do that?
I have friends that I have been close to as many as 30 years. That's over half of my lifetime. I'm sure that all of you have friends like that too. Well, maybe not that long because you're not that old. The reason why you do is because you ARE a friend. In order to have a good friend, you must be a good friend.
That's just my thought for today.

Forever

Forever. It seems like forever since I have been here. I couldn't remember how to post a blog. I still can't figure out how to insert a paragraph. I loved the pictures from Brandi's party! Happy belated birthday, Brandi. Angie, we did NOT wear out dresses that long in the 70's! Well, maybe a maxi dress, but I didn't know anyone who wore those. The 70's seem like a magical time for me. That's when you were born. ......(this means new paragraph) Tax season is over, thank goodness. Now the real work begins on all of the extensions that we filed. I have cut my hours back to part time. It feels as though I have twice as much to do in half the time to do it now.....Bob, the pictures that you sent sure are a contrast to what we see on TV of Iraq. What a beautiful country. I will be so happy when the people of Iraq get to some sort of peace so that they can enjoy what God has blessed them with.....As you all know by now, the cancer popped back up. It's seems like forever that I've had cancer. It has become part of my life. 8 years! Can you imagine? 8 years! I've gotten to be a pro at this. Sorry, Ang, for making you call the family. That's always the hard part for me. I want to hurry up and get this over with because I'm going to a Lynard Skynard (I know I mispelled that) on July 8th. A group (10) of my 50+ year old female partying friends are going to the concert and I'm pretty sure that it's going to be a long weekend! No drinking and driving. We're getting a hotel room. (Remember, I said that cancer is part of my life, not my life. There's a difference)....Angie, are you going to London to convince Bob that London would be better that Houston? Anywhere, but Houston? I'm so happy for you and Bob. You both bring so much joy to so many people. I know, I know, enough of the Hallmarky stuff.....Well, that's it for now. I hope that I figured out how to do post this. If this works, I'll do this more often. Have a blessed day. Angie's Mom Mo

Just yesterday

It seems like just yesterday that I posted here last, but it's has been almost a month. This month has been like a blur to me. How can I get so wrapped up in what I'm doing that time just slips by like that? The days seem to run together. Half the time I can't even remember what day of the week it is. Angie said the whole idea of a blog is to communicate with people on a regular basis and let them know what's going on in your life. Well, the only thing going on with me right now is one word.....TAXES!!!! I eat, breath and sleep tax returns. I have over 400 returns to do and I'm not even half way through. But if you have any tax questions, please feel free to ask me. I finally got my car running again. It is so nice to have wheels again. I am truly blessed that my friends have helped me get around for almost 5 months. I don't know what I ever did to deserve friends like them. I don't know how to format this into paragraphs, so it will look like I'm running my sentences together. I miss everyone terribly and I hope everyone is doing well. Tammy, all I can say is that is how I came to be a "preferred blonde". It is the color of blonde that I prefer to be. When my hair grew back gray, I decided that since I had been the one to lose it, I had the right to choose what color I wanted it to be when it grew back. Serves it right!!!! Thank goodness it didn't turn orange! Robert, I admire you for learning a new language. I have a hard enough time being a Yankee and speaking Texan. Keep up the good work there. You are a blessing to everyone you meet. Brandi, I remember what it was like to miss my brother when he was overseas. Don't worry, he will be home soon. Then it will seem like just yesterday since you were together. Ang, call your mom. Bye ya'all (that's Texan talk)

Because Angie said so

Angie said that I should have my own blog so that Robert will know that I check his blog everyday. Actually I check it several times a day. I was so excited when I found one at 11:00 am last week that I called Angie. Then I found out that you had already talked to her and that this was old news. I don't care...your blog was new to me that day and I was happy to see it and know that you are okay. She said that it would make you very happy if I had a blog for you to read Robert, so here it is. I just have to figure out how to connect it to yours. Plus it gives me a great chance to catch up with your Mom and sister. Everything is going well with me. I am now working two jobs, 7 days a week. It's tax season. I went back to work for my favorite CPA and best friend. I always look forward to tax season and then about half way through I wonder why I ever, ever wanted to do this. Well, I guess I better get back to crunching numbers. Happy Valentine's Day everyone. Lots of love to everyone. Angie's Mom, Mo