It's Relay Day!

Tonight is our Relay For Life in Delano. I'm excited, but wishing I had gotten more sleep last night. It's going to be a long day, but the event is so fun, I can't help but look forward to it!! We are selling mini cookies in a cup (and milk) and also having a "decorate the girls" (bra decorating) contest to help raise money. There's also a basket raffle, music, food, games and just about anything you could hope for! It's very entertaining and lots of fun. The weather is threatening rain/storms after 11:00 PM tonight, so please please please pray that we don't get it!!

This year is very important to me. First of all, I am in so much better shape that I can actually WALK the path a few times tonight. Haven't been able to do that in the past. Secondly, I just recently lost my friend Linda to breast and lung cancer, and my friend Connie just lost her sister Grace to a recurrence of breast cancer on Wednesday. I also learned that my Uncle Wayne died on Monday after a battle with stomach cancer. I will think about them and their struggles as I walk and know that my minor discomfort is nothing compared to what they went through. And finally, my sister Sandy is continuing her battle against breast cancer (Round 2). She's going through some difficult times right now, having her lungs drained of fluid almost weekly. She feels like giving up the fight, so I am also walking in her honor and know that my few steps are just baby steps when put up against all the steps she has been through. I don't want her to give up her fight..so I hope we can all provide some hope to her. She inspires me with her strength every day, I want to inspire her in some small way with this walk.

Tomorrow I'll visit my friend Terry in Litchfield (a stone's throw from Delano) as friends gather to celebrate him beating the 6 months they gave him back in January when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Since then, he's gone on a trip to Paris and has a trip to Egypt planned for next month. He's not letting this beast stop him from living. In fact, on July 19 (his 6 month date), he rode his bike to his grave site and laid down and reflected! Creepy, but that's Terry!

It's been an emotional few weeks and tonight will no doubt stir up some emotions as I think of all those I know who have cancer or who have lost their battle. I hate cancer and hope that some day future generations will talk about it in the past tense.

Enough is enough already!!

Today I found out that my Uncle Wayne died on Monday. His memorial service is planned for this Friday (although I can't make it). Also on Monday I found out that my brother-in-law's mother died! Her funeral is tomorrow afternoon. My Uncle marks the 4th person in 3 weeks, and tomorrow's funeral will be my 3rd funeral in 3 weeks! This is crazy! I feel like telling God, "Enough is enough!". But, things don't happen on our timeline.

On a brighter note, the Relay For Life is Friday. We've been planning and preparing and raising money for several months and now the day is finally here! I'm excited, and hope the weather will obey and be good! It is threatening rain/storms later Friday night into Saturday morning. I am hoping to take many laps around the event this year. Wish us all luck! This year I will be walking in memory of Linda B., my friend who recently lost her battle with cancer.

On Saturday I am going to a Target reunion of sorts. It's with my old boss Terry (who has pancreatic cancer). He beat the cancer diagnosis of 6 months and so we're celebrating! Lots of people I used to work with will be there. I'm looking forward to it, but will be tired from being up all night on Friday!

Sunday and Monday are set aside to do nothing. Reflect on the events of the weekend and on those who we've lost recently. Make plans for my trip to Indiana over Labor Day and my trip to Seattle in October.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead!

In Memory of Linda

I found out today that my dear friend, Linda, passed away on Sunday. She was fighting a 10+ year battle with a recurrence of breast cancer that also turned into lung cancer and lesions on her brain. She has been undergoing chemo for those 10 years, along with radiation and several laser treatments to her brain (wearing an apparatus that I believe weighed more than her!). She fought this beast very courageously but unfortunately, her little body gave up.

Linda was the kind of person that had a faith as big as a mountain. When I would have dinner with her (rare because of the cancer), I would think "I'm going to cheer her up!"...but would walk away being filled with awe and inspiration from her. You tended to forget that she was the 'sick' one because she always made you feel so much better! Amazing.

A week from Friday I will participate in the Relay for Life in Delano, MN. Along with several family members we have formed a team called "We Are Family" and we have been raising money for several months and will "Walk as one" that night in honor of several family members or friends who are cancer survivors or are currently battling cancer. I will also walk in memory of Linda, knowing that she showed me what real courage is all about!

Please say a special prayer for Linda's family and keep them in your thoughts on Thursday, the day of her service. Thanks!

Attitude is Everything (sometimes)

We cannot change our past. We can not change the fact that people act in a certain way. We can not change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.
Charles R. Swindoll

That is the quote of the day today (Friday - in case you missed it). This week at work has been a real "ishy" week. Seems like those of us who have been given a termination date all of a sudden realized that they mean it..and we kind of panicked! Some of the people only have until October 2, I am here until December 18. But it seems like everyone was talking about it this week for some reason. And not in a good way.

When I read that quote today I realize how true it is. I can sit here and piss and moan all day about what is going to happen...or I can be thankful for what I have in my life. It's really my choice. No, I'm not happy about what the future might hold, but I'm grateful for all the wonderful things and wonderful people that are in my future!

Last night while I was volunteering at the Women's shelter, I did an in-take on a new client. She is VERY young, only 19. Her long-time abuser/boyfriend of 4 years (do the math) kicked her out. And she called the police who brought her to the shelter. She had all of her worldly possessions with her - all packed into 2 duffel bags and 2 plastic laundry baskets. That was it. She told us that her Mother was also abusive to her and so when putting down an emergency contact, she put down a friend. Imagine being 19, kicked out of your home by your boyfriend, no Mom or Dad to go to..and hauling all your stuff into a shelter! She was obviously scared and lonely. My heart just went out to her.

The point of that story is that as we get older, we acquire so much material stuff and we really sometimes think it's the most important stuff we have. We'd be devastated if we lost it! But, in reality, it's not the "stuff" that counts, it's all the blessings of health, family, friends and the knowledge that God is watching out for us that really matters. I know that my future will be different no matter what happens, but I also have faith that I will be OK, thanks to all that I already have!

Life & Death

Went to a memorial service today for the husband of one of my Mom's best friends. He was 72. I remember him well, and while he was a good guy - he was also a very strict father (as I recall, and I used to babysit for the kids and so I was around him quite often). A task master kind of Dad who made them do things by his rules. The kids were afraid of him, and some of that came out today during the eulogies they wrote for him. But...they thanked him for teaching them right from wrong, how to persevere, that they could do anything they put their minds to. In the end, the "rough" way he raised them seems to have benefited them in life.

And it seems to me that when a person dies, we seem to immortalize them to a certain degree. We forget their failings and any heartache they may have caused us. After they are gone, it seems that we can only remember the good things they did. How much we will miss them. How they changed our lives. I suppose that's how it's supposed to be...but why don't we do that while they are still alive?

So how do you want to be remembered? As a tough leader who imparted wisdom in everyone they met? As a softie who let the world walk all over them, but was a friend to everyone? I wonder what people will say about me - what will they remember about me after I'm gone? Will I become an instant Super-Hero in their eyes, or am I already a Super-hero (do I even WANT to be a Super-Hero??).

Oh, and one more thing: I want people to wear name tags at my funeral/memorial service. I don't want my loved ones trying to figure out who is who. They'll have enough on their minds with trying to think of lovely things to say about me!! :o)

In Praise of weekends..

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I spend most of my week just waiting for the weekend to roll along! Why is that? Well, it's pretty obvious I guess. I (sort of) like my job, but as I told my boss, any day that I don't have to get up and come in to work is a good day - no matter what I am doing instead! I don't have any big plans for the weekend (other than kicking my friend Marylee's butt at Scrabble on Sunday), but it's just nice to know I don't HAVE to do anything.

Did the water aerobics again last night. I'm getting used to Tracy (the new instructor), but will never like the stupid thing she makes us do where we form a circle and trot around until she says "JUMP" and we jump up and reverse directions. It brings me back to Jr. High dance class for some reason.

Prayers are needed: For my sister Sandy who is having chemo today and also having her 2nd lung drained of fluid today (the other was drained of 2 liters yesterday). For my friend Connie's sister Grace who is also battling a recurrance of breast cancer and is having liver failure as a result. For everyone who is fighting cancer! And some good news, for my friend Sandy's niece who is getting married tomorrow in California! For my friend Sally whose birthday is tomorrow!

Wishing you all a wonderful, enjoyable weekend!

In Anticipation of Vacations!

Aah..summer! The season of heat, humidity, road construction, mosquitos...and for some, vacations. But not me. No, I prefer to wait until my favorite time of year - FALL. But I am preparing for my Fall vacation(s) this summer. Well, OK, to be honest I do have a mini-vacation planned for a couple weekends from now. An overnighter at my friend Nona's cabin with my other friends Sandy and Carlene. We call ourselves "Four-ever Friends". This is the first time we've done anything like this and it should be a lot of fun!

Starting with Labor Day weekend, I will be driving to Plymouth, IN with my sister, JoElla. We're going to visit our brother and his lovely wife and attend "Blueberry Festival". My other reason for the trip is to visit the school Roxi works at to see the $500 worth of books I won and donated to them! It was a contest at Target, I was one of the winners and I got to donate $500 of books to the school of my choice. I chose them because she's taught there for many years and I kinda like her, too!

Then it's "Sister's Weekend" time the 2nd weekend in October. We're going to a place near Grand Rapids, MN that we went to 2 years ago. This will be our 11th year! I look forward to this every year. Just relax and get reacquainted with my 5 sisters.

And my final trip will be to Seattle - right after Sister's Weekend. I haven't been there yet and Chelsea has lived there over a year (this time around). I finally booked my "VRBO" (Vacation Rental By Owner) and it's a cute, cute, cute place. Can't wait to meet all of Chelsea's friends and Chris's son Mally. And can't wait to see all of the places she talks about. For me this is the trip olf the century! Last time I had a plane ride was well over 8 years ago. Now that things are taking shape, it's getting very exciting to think about!!

Next year (depending upon my employment status) I am planning a trip to California to see my brother and his family and also visit my "California Angels" (Sandy, Sally and Connie). I have never actually met Sally and Connie, but feel like they are my "sistahs" in heart. So I have to meet them (because God knows they will NOT come to Minnesota!!).

So what are all YOUR plans for the summer or the Fall? Inquiring minds need to know!

One packed up weekend!

How much can a person pack into one weekend? Well, I know there are some who do a lot more than I did this weekend even in a day (my friend Sally or my brother Chuck for example). But for me, this was a busy and fun weekend!!

Friday was kind of a sad day for me (see last post). But did some shopping that day and that night watched the fireworks at my sister Trisha's house. We were surprised by my brother Chuck and his wife Beth...and then another surprise when my brother Rick and his wife Roxi showed up! So there were 7 of us there (along with my other sister JoElla). We oooh'd and aaahh'd and it was a fun evening.

Saturday was spent at my sister Susan's house in Delano. We had a family BBQ and every one of my siblings were there except for my brother Mo who lives in California! Lots of food and fun! We never lack for food when my family is together, and yesterday was no exception! After the days events, Trish and I decided to go to a movie. We saw "The Proposal". It was cute. Predictable, but cute.

This morning I went to church and got pulled into my usual position of light/sound tech! But that's OK. It's easy to do and I feel comfortable with it. After that I went to Target to pick up some things using my extra 10% off (for spending way too much on my Target VISA). I am going to do some cleaning around here and laundry and maybe watch a movie.

Another short week ahead for me as I have Friday off. I'm hoping it won't take as long to get through as last week did! Does anyone else find themselves wishing their weeks away!?

In Memory of my Mom

Ten years ago today marks the last time I saw my lovely mom alive. I went to her home thinking it was just another normal day. She was still in her nightgown when I got there (around 10:00 AM). That was unusual and should have told me something. She said she was so tired that she hadn't even made her bed! Another unusual thing (for her, not necessarily for me!). So I said I would make it for her, and I did. Asked her if she needed/wanted me to do anything else for her and she said no. Who knew that less than 24 hours later, she would be gone? Certainly not me. Had I known, I would have never left her side.

Sorry to post such a sad note, but the memory of that day and the days that followed are with me forever. We never know when our time will end, or that of our loved ones. So make sure your words are sweet, your time spent together precious and the "I love you" is never left unsaid. Try to live life with no regrets!

Happy Independence Day!

Longest Week in Recorded History?

Gees, this week is taking FOREVER to get done with already! I keep thinking it HAS to be Thursday today? But no..it was only Tuesday..and then Wednesday. Not going to be Thursday until tomorrow! Gees. Why are the short weeks so hard to get through?

I went to the water aerobics class again last night. Did I mention that the regular instructor, Lisa, took another job out of state? Well, she did. So they have this new girl, Tracy. She seems nice enough, but she has us doing weird things. These can-can kicks. Running in circles (like synchronized swimmers) and then she will yell "JUMP!" and we have to jump, turn around and go the other direction. Just feels weird. I can't go THURSDAY (if it ever gets here) because I am volunteering at Alexandra House. So won't go again until next Tuesday. Maybe it will get better?

Tonight I had dinner with my friends Nona, Sandy and Carlene. It's fun to see people who haven't seen you for awhile because they notice the changes where as I really don't see them looking at my old self every day in the mirror. I would be lying if I said I didn't appreciate the compliments, but really - I am most happy about the improvement in my health! I hope I can keep this up and continue to improve on it.

Big plans for the upcoming weekend (if it gets here, have to go past THURSDAY first). Friday night going to watch fireworks at Trisha's house. Ohh..ahh...... Saturday the family is getting together in Delano for the traditional BBQ - Parade - Carnival extravaganza. My brother Rick and his wife Roxi from Indiana are rumored to be making an appearance too! That will be special! No plans for Sunday other than rest and relax and perhaps watch another movie!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend. Be safe and be happy!