Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

Some more role reversal. 

 And waking up in Bridgeport, Connecticut on a train at midnight?  

Is the stuff of nightmares.  

You have to trust me on this one...

And The Bird was so relieved that I was home...  

She was able to think about accessorizing her apartment.

Busy Mama

Aquarius Horoscope

The Week Starting January 30, 2012


 You are very busy now doing all those personal errands that have been set aside. You are probably fixing up your living quarters as well as your work place. You should be very satisfied with the results that you are creating. A new computer location can now be fashioned for your comfort and ease of operation. The full Moon of next week should solve a problem that arose two weeks ago.


This just makes me tired.  Personal errands that I set aside?  And I cannot wait to see what that full moon takes care of....How's your week looking?

This 'n That Thursday

Being Spammed to death:

• Answering service
• Cashier jobs
• Boot Camp
• Email Fax
• Asian Singles
• Fingerhut Partners
• Geeks Survey
• Jewish Singles
• Latino Singles
• Police Degree
• Protect Your Home - ADT
• Call in SICK do this instead
• Lumineers.com

And I read through all the titles faithfully every morning.  You never know when some real bank is trying to find you with your actual missing millions...Hey.  Don't judge; it's okay to dream.  Do you have spam?

Hump Day Haiku: Hungry

in dreary winter

mama likes some melted cheese

when can we annie?

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

We are all back to normal.

Normal means back in our schools for MPM rugrats.

Normal means communicating via text for MPM.

Sunday night we watched the Giants game "together."

 The Bird is an expert on all things Eli Manning.

And we were worried about him.

After the win, Mama turns her attention to her son.

He started an incredible internship yesterday.

I am so proud of him.

I am proud of both of them.

I am so lucky.

A Little Somethin'-Somethin' for All of Us

The Astrology of Today - All Signs

January 23, 2012A New Moon in Aquarius occurs early into the day. Friendship, brotherhood, group activities, social pursuits, group projects, trying something new, humanitarian efforts, or joining a group will be in focus during this approximately month-long cycle. New beginnings regarding all of these matters are possible now. This is a time during which we should solve problems that require thinking "outside of the box"; brainstorm and socialize; focus on extending a friendly hand, receiving support, and expressing platonic love for those around us; give our emotions and passions a "break", as we develop more objectivity and some detachment from past haunts; learn how something (or someone) works; revitalize ourselves through experiences that are new or simply different; reach out to people in our social circle and in our community, and recognize the value of our friendships and social networks. Mars is stationary today, turning retrograde this evening and until April 13th. WhenMars is in its retrograde cycle, we need to re-assess our current projects, our approach to getting what we want, and our desire nature. Rather than directly asserting our desires, we tend towards introspection. While Mars in direct motion is direct, straightforward, assertive, and aggressive, with Mars in retrograde motion, Mars energy is essentially turned inward--it's internalized, intensified, personalized, and perhaps pressurized. We can be hesitant about taking action, second-guessing our instincts or our natural impulses rather than acting upon them. 
source

The new beginnings part is all fine and good.  But this Mars in retrograde isn't too appealing.  At all.

Today?  I go back to work!!!  A new beginning indeed!  And last night?  I had that dream where it is the end of the semester and I haven't bothered to go to math class.  That may or may not have actually happened in real life...

What are your plans today?

This-n-That Thursday

Birthday Eve Eve Musings

#with hashtag explanations

• Oh the things my 52 year old self could teach my 35 year old self. #noregretliving
• If you've known someone more than 10 years and never seen their handwriting, I think it's a problem. #thefineartofletterwritingisalmostlost
• Instead of taking a big chunk of money from a pharmaceutical company, why not rebrand and teach the world about all the delicious and nutritious southern food that there is? #pauladeencashinginonherdiabetes
• I will never take having a hot shower and a shampoo for granted ever again. #10dayswithoutshoweraftercancersurgery
• I don't understand how people like pain killers.  #wreakhavoconthecolon
• It is actually possible to be damaged to the point of lacking an iota of self esteem, yet possess an overwhelming sense of false grandeur. #havenoroominmylifefortoxicpeople
• CBW and I might be hatching a plan to run a race together. #certifiablycrazy
• In spite of how my year has started off medically, I feel overwhelmingly happy.  #2012isthebeginningofgreatthings
• If you are down, just remember that it gets better. #thisistrue
• Remember Betamax? #Imaybegettingupthere
• When did my eyelashes start growing from my chin? #oldladyproblems
• Speaking of eyelashes, what is the best and easiest brand of false ones? #stillvain
• This week's nutrition obsession is açai/superfruit juice and seltzer.  #itsalwayssomething
• Life is Good.  #myblessingsarenumerous

Do you have a musing?  With a hashtag?

Hump Day Haiku

blessings abounding

i am better ev'ry day

get your mammogram

*photo taken with phone and under the influence of nice pills
**nice pills long ago abandoned in favor of Tylenol
***bedside flowers courtesy of the wonderful Kate.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

The day when I let The Baby Bird Nursemaid leave the house for a few hours:

But mama won't leave her alone:

Because, you know, stamps are critical to my healing...

The next day?

She actually wore two different shoes.

Voila:

Do you think she was in a hurry to get out the door?

Poor little Bird.

Thank you all so much for everything...my lymph node report came in negative yesterday. Now I will have radiation followed by hormone therapy. Life is Good. Now go get a mammogram.

Wild Excitement?

Aquarius Horoscope

For The Week Starting January 16, 2012

Those of you born in the first week of this sign may find some wild excitement this week as you meet someone new. Be sure to attend a party or social event now because someone very special could enter your life this week. Any Aquarians that are having problems in their personal or love life can find solutions now that will keep everybody happy. Your friends are willing to help you out in any way they can.

First of all, thank you all from the very bottom of my heart for the prayers and words of support. I am feeling really good, and have made great progress in healing. My children stepped up in the most caring and loving ways imaginable; they are going back to their own happy, mom-free college-worlds this week. My surgeon reports that my margins are clear, my nodes appear to be cancer-free (one more biopsy report due today) and radiation followed by hormone therapy should take care of this damn cancer.

Now, let's analyze this horoscope: My birthday is not only in the first week of Aquarius, it is the first day. And if that qualifies me for wild excitement, then I'll pass. A half marathon followed by cancer surgery and reconstruction last week should get some carryover excitement points. The only someone special I am looking for is a great radiation oncologist. My love life can be addressed later.... And my friends? My friends make my heart feel so full it might just pop. I have been showered with flowers, love, edible arrangements, love, hair washing, love, bandage changes and some awesome food. And it shows no signs of letting up. Case in point, Annie is coming today for duty...I love you all more than you know. Life is Good.

How's your week shaping up?

This-n-That Thursday

Full of thanks and some answers:

• I cannot thank you all enough for the love and support. It is palpable.
• I was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 14 after having a stereo biopsy on the 12th.
• I was blindsided with that call.
• All I had on my mammogram were some calcifications (they are like little dots of kosher salt when you look at the film).
• The radiologist told me to come back in 6 months for a follow up. My gut told me otherwise.
• Telling my children was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. Going to Disney to run the half marathon last week was one of the best things we've ever done.
• It appears to be the hormone receptive kind of cancer which is highly treatable.
• I had the lumpectomy, lymph node biopsy and some reconstruction on Tuesday.
• I love my team of doctors.
• I am in pain, but I have some nice pills.
• And my nursemaids/children are awesome.
• I hope to have more answers by tomorrow.
• If I am lucky, I will have radiation followed by hormone therapy.
• I feel lucky.
• Now, if you haven't yet done so in the past year, go get your mammogram/ultrasound/MRI.
• Or I will hunt you down and harangue you. It won't be pretty.

And now, I'm going back to bed.

Not Your Average Tuesday

First, the good news:

• I have the most amazing support system of family and friends.
• I am a strong and positive person.
• I am loved.
• I was able to spend this last weekend with my two favorite people at the happiest place on earth.
• I finished my half marathon with my son and we raised over $7,200 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
• I am blessed, and I am thankful for that.
• We caught it very early.

Now, the not-so-good news:

• I have breast cancer.
• I am having a lumpectomy, lymph node biopsy and reconstructive surgery today.
• I feel scared, but confident in my doctors.
• My children will be with me every step of the way.
• If I am lucky, I will have radiation followed by hormone therapy.
• I am going to hold it at this.

What you can do:

• If you are the type, please say a prayer for us...especially my children. It is so hard to be the caregiver...
• If you aren't the type, please just send them a good thought today.
• If you haven't done so, go get a mammogram. Mine may just have saved my life.

Thank you all, Lauren

13.1?

✔

How was your Saturday?

And that boy with me?

The one who trained for a half marathon

by running 8 miles in total?

He beat me.

yup

It was magical.

Thank you all for your support!

I hope that we find a cure soon...

For all cancer.

Disney Race Eve

Tomorrow portends to be an interesting morning....

Getting my 20-year-old son to the start line should be enough to earn me my finishers' medal.

I'm just sayin'....

This-n-That Thursday

Some things I (finally) learned about myself in 2011:

• Your metabolism does slow down after 50.
• One third of what you consume keeps you alive. The other two-thirds keeps your doctors alive.
• It is impossible to have too many reading glasses.
• You can still train for, and run, a race. How far is up to you...
• The act of receiving is a fine grace. The act of taking is just that.
• Gravity is a strong force.
• My children really are adults now.
• Talk is cheap. Actions are pure gold.
• Unless you are willing to give of your time, talent and/or treasure to others less fortunate, just move on along.
• 51 is young. So is 52.
• The people in my life are my true blessings.
• The dream of living in a fly-over state has become a mission.
• Life is good.

You?

Getaway Wednesday

Get us out of here!

Even that 36 looks balmy to me this morning.

Thank you all for your support!

Augie and I are looking forward to our race.

The Bird is looking forward to coming and cheering for us.

She is also looking at a pain-free weekend for herself.

Smarty pants that she is....

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

One more sleep:

Tomorrow, The Bird, Augie and I venture to Disney World where Augie and I will be running the half marathon on Saturday. We are doing this in memory of my mother whom we lost to non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma almost ten years ago. There's still time to donate to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on our webpage. 75% of all the money we have raised will go directly to the mission of LLS which is dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing information and support to blood cancer patients and their families.

Click here to donate. To those of you who have already given to us, please accept another heartfelt thanks, and be on the lookout for your proper note after the race;) Any and all amounts are gratefully accepted...

Relentless for a cure....

Hibernating

Today's Aquarius Horoscope from Cafe AstrologyRestlessness and impatience can threaten to ruin your day if you are not careful, dear Aquarius. You want to push your way through your daily routine so that you can do more interesting things, but the people around you may not seem to be moving quickly enough! Tune out distractions so that you can focus on one thing at a time. Avoid provoking others, even subtly, by an impatient manner.

Creativity: Good ~ Love: Fair ~ Business: Fair How's your's? If anybody needs me, I'll be around tomorrow. Oh, Happy 2012!