300/365

NO TRICKS, JUST TREATS

Lily was not feeling her Halloween photo shoot this year...

I'm not entirely sure what she was thinking but I bet it was something like, "Bitch, you know I hate hoods and headpieces!!!"


Honestly, I wasn't very prepared for her Sparky from Frankenweenie shoot.  I didn't have my props ready... just couldn't get with it this year. Many of the photos looked like this...


Can't deny she has the cutest tail around, though!  ;-)


After a few (57) test shots I knew it just wasn't going to happen and we called it a day.  Divas are impossible to work with!


HAPPY HALLOWEEN...

299/365

HOOP DREAMS
I met Mary Pat tonight for dinner - we became friends at the hospital - she had the radiation appointment after me and we've been meeting up now that we are finished with that part of our treatment.  I texted her yesterday and said we could reschedule if she wanted (because of the storm.)  She said "we beat cancer - a little rain can't stop us."  I told her, come hell or high water, I would see her tonight.  Pun intended. ;-)

Anyway, Mary Pat and I were talking about this and every few days I get an email or a phone call or something in the mail like this....

I was talking to someone a couple weeks ago and she invited me to the Pitt game this past week for a whole breast cancer thing and to go out on the field and be honored as a "survivor" at the game.  I declined.  I felt a little stupid, actually. I mean, what did I really survive - the diagnosis?  The tests? The surgeries? The radiation? I haven't even started the next step - which I'm actually questioning if, in fact,  it will kill me?!?  I'm just not really sure when the "survivor" status actually kicks in. I mean I get it... I guess I'm just not ready to take on that title yet.

I haven't really been feeling well and my arm has been bothering me pretty bad... I'm a little worried about it again.  I was trying to figure out what I could do to make it better. Nothing I do seems to help - including those BC exercises. I let the dog out the other day and I figured it out.  I looked up on a shelf and saw all my and my mother's hula hoops... She was a hooper from way back!  I saw a video awhile ago and it stuck with me.  I totally want to be this girl when I grow up...  You can watch the video by clicking here.  I'm still going to shave under my arms though! ;-)

298/365

STORMY WEATHER...

Who doesn't love a good storm???  I mean as long as everyone is safe and sound and hopefully all the animals in the woods don't get flooded out of their homes (I worry about things like that!) - I mean it can be a little fun right?  You never quite know what's going to happen.... it's exciting... you can end up in the dark - with your lantern! It's even better if you are cuddled up and cozy with those you love with your puppy dog by your side.  It's been raining here for awhile - literally and figuratively.  What do you do in a "storm?"  Do you run the other way and try to take cover or do you go out and jump in the puddles?

297/365

"QUOTE... UNQUOTE"
Yesterday's photo prompt for #cmglimpse on IG was "favorite quote" which I found to be extremely difficult.  It's pretty much impossible to choose a "favorite" favorite. With the Frankenstorm approaching, I've been seeing all these pics and videos of OBX so I thought of a picture and put one of my faves to that.

I'm a self admitted quote whore. I have collections of them everywhere... journals, clippings, pins, etc.  The power of words is like none other.  I always love when people post quotes on facebook or twitter or tumblr... it's like peeking inside their window at that moment in time. You can usually tell when they are angry or sad or just had the time of their lives and want and need to share it with the world. It's that little glimmer of inspiration and validation.  Even though they can mean one thing to one person and a totally different thing to someone else... it's a connection of sorts. Isn't that what we're all looking for - connection?

If you have a few hours to spare ;-) and would like to peek inside my window - you are welcome to check out my multitude of favorite quotes here... WORDS TO LIVE BY.

In the meantime,  here's one for today.

296/365

MEASURE YOUR LIFE IN...

... concert tickets? Maybe I'm the only one that will appreciate this because of my love of jars - especially rusty topped jars - and my hoarding tendencies of bits and pieces of life's moments - but I think it's cute. I like to be able to visually see everything instead of having things thrown in a box. Cute idea for all those ticket stubs and other stuff.

I'm loving these mason jar pins too... serving ice cream in mini jars (look out Christmas)... end of year time capsules and vacation memory jars.

And, a photo in olive oil... yummy. ;-)

295/365

NEW PERSPECTIVE
Have you ever sat somewhere different - even in your own home? Do you see things the same way? It totally gives you a new perspective. right? I think a lot of problems in this world could be solved if people got up and sat in a different chair! We had the bright idea of moving Glo-worm's furniture... a little change of scenery.  Probably not a good idea for someone that needs consistency but she likes it. ;-)

294/365

GROW OLD WITH ME...

I've been visiting these nursing homes... they are reminding me of a kennel or rescue for unwanted parents and grandparents.  I walk by and they come to their doors... like a little pup with it's nose to the window - just happy to see a new person.  The other day I was waiting in the lobby to talk to a manager and someone came in with a baby... they put him on the floor and he crawled over to the middle of the room... you never saw motorized scooters and wheelchairs go faster... they all gravitated to this baby and just stopped and stared.  It was intriguing and creepy.  The manager said they do that when a dog comes to visit too!  Often you see two names on the door... a husband and wife... at first glance I thought it was really sad... here are these two people spending their last years in one room probably paying 10 times what their mortgage was in their home.  Then I thought - at least they're not alone.

I just realized, right now, today would have been my parent's 43rd anniversary.

I guess I can add another one of my favorite posts here... IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH.

oh and note to self - stop watching these damn hallmark movies. ;-)

293/365

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE
I met Paula and Chrissy for lunch today and was running really late to get to The Bud... I was going to just skip it because I knew I would only have a few minutes because I needed to get back for Nurse Barry. I'm glad I didn't. Little Miss Pug-ett was sound asleep but as soon as she got up she started howling and running around getting all her toys out. She fell over a few times trying to climb me. I don't know why she was so excited. I think she misses me! I told Barry I was sorry I was late - I had to play frisbee with my dog - he probably never heard that excuse before!

I was on the phone with my cousin when her brother-in-law called and said his dog just got out and attacked and killed an innocent little dog that was on a walk with it's person.  Rest in peace, poor little pup. ;-( I started thinking about all the walks with RB. Now I'm all freaked out and don't want to take Lily anywhere again...

Here's how I found my Little Bud when I walked up the steps...

I bet she was dreaming the dreams doggies dream.  ;-)

292/365

"THIS IS THE STORY OF A GIRL - WHO CRIED A RIVER AND DROWNED THE WHOLE WORLD..."

I've been dreading this day for awhile now...I met with my medical oncologist today.  I decided to go alone. She gave me a protocol I honestly wasn't expecting.

I absolutely love my doctor - she's adorable and smart and I trust her completely so I'm sure it's a good plan... the tricky part comes in with the fertility issue. They all know my "story."  The three miscarriages in four years... My husband packing his bags and walking out on us the morning of the third one... The cancer diagnosis... The Dad with kidney disease and now The Aunt with dementia, etc, etc... They know I've had a lot on my plate. We discussed every possible route I could go.  I don't have many options and with the ones I do have - my current situation messes all kinds of things up there.  So - what do you do?

I don't know what you would have done but I stopped at Original and got a hot dog!

I know - bad. ;-)

I told her I  needed some time to think.  Well, some more time. It's not like I haven't been thinking about this all along.

At the appointment, we talked about the two camps...

1. This is something you wanted for a long time so find any way possible to make it happen in the little time I have before I have to make a decision - which really was today.

2. Acknowledge that it's just not in the stars and put it to rest.

I think we all know what the easiest choice would be.

The only problem... it's also the hardest.

291/365

STILL SWIMMING...

290/365

"THANKS FOR HELPING THEM WIN... I CAN PUT YOU BACK NOW"
I overheard Glo say that when she went into her room after the game... I ran in to take a picture - she was talking to this shirt.

She came out after and said she always puts it on this hanger...

I didn't know that. She said it was the only one she had left from the cleaners they owned.  It reminded me of the Bud Light commercial - "It's only weird if it doesn't work..." I think it's so cute.  Commercial clip here.

As she was getting into bed she yelled out to me - thanks for a good day today.  That kind of made me feel bad. It turned out to be a good day but I had a major freak out this morning and now I'm wondering if she even remembers that. Honestly, the only thing I can say is - I've had it. I need to get the hell out of here as soon as possible and I don't know how I'm going to do that. I'll admit that I'm a little on edge because I have a doctor's appointment this week (that I don't want to go to) and, take this as a warning, all of you telling me to put myself first need to stop it.  I'm just saying.  ;-)  I think we all try to look for solutions to make things better - sometimes nothing will.  It's frustrating to hear over and over like it's going to be the answer to fix many things that are not ok.  I know it's nothing but good intentions and well wishes (which I appreciate) but until you are in the situation(s) I'm in (which I hope you won't be) you'll never really know what's going on.... respect the fact there's no easy fix to any of this.

Thanks.

{rant over}

289/365

JUST A PICTURE OF A CUTE BUNNY

This is Natalie's bunny - Lulu. With RoseBud's love of eating bunny poop - Lily, not so much - you would think I would have known the difference between poop and food!?!  Oops! ;-)

288/365

LIGHTS OUT
Back posting so I'll make this quick...

It's hard to tell how fast you are going when all you have is the light of the ABS thing to guide you on your way...

FYI - I took this picture while I was stopped - not while I was driving!

287/365

AS THE LEAVES TURN
I love the smell of fall... does anyone know what I mean by that?  It reminds me of Penn State and sweater weather... I've been feeling like I need to go to the wishing vent... even though it's not there anymore. ;-(

The trees today on the Turnpike were exceptionally beautiful... I don't know if it was the right light or what.  I'm trying not to take pictures (as much as I usually do) in the car so I took a lot with my eyes. ;-) You'll have to take my word for it.

286/365

BREAST INTENTIONS

I was going to use this photo for another photo project I'm doing and decided against it - so it's going here... FYI - Getting a breast exam on a still sore boob = not fun!

As most know - October is Breast Cancer Awareness month - the third friday in October (this Friday) is National Mammography Day... you should schedule your appointment and remind your friends and family to do so as well. 

And take a look at this video from UPMC CancerCenter for the Pink Glove Dance Competition - dancing for Dignity Robes... My rad girls and doctor are at 1:20 and 3:11. ;-)

285/365

TOT - TEN ON TUESDAY

1. This little boy was the cutest thing ever... In between petting The Bud he would comment on all of the costumes during the contest at the pug meetup. - "OMG - that is the most adorable costume ever..."  "That pug is just darling..." I loved him.

2. Not one minute after I got back to Glo's the other night Babe called and told me to come up for homemade pumpkin pie and pumpkin ice cream... wouldn't have been bad but it was after midnight.  I don't even like ice cream or pie - it was delicious, though, and she has a big fascination with pumpkin!


3.  So I take her "my door is always open for you" doesn't apply now?!?


4. I had to pull in here and take a picture of this sign which pisses me off.  I hope to God there is a stray N on Freeport Road somewhere.

5.  Did I mention I pinned my 10,000th pin on Pinterest the other day?  If I didn't - I did. Some pinning fun here. ;-)

6. I can't watch Let's Make a Deal without thinking of this waiting room.

7.  Babe called to see if she could come down to watch the debate tonight... She was telling me all about President Hoover and the soup lines and President Roosevelt... I wish I would have recorded her and her commentary... "Sit down you damn prick" was the most used phrase, I think.  She's not a Romney supporter - that's for sure. She gave up with five minutes left and said she didn't want to watch it anymore... she said she was going back upstairs to watch her dvr of Sons of Anarchy. ;-)


8.  Christmas is coming...


9. Personally, I'm a big fan of the binder. I have binders full of all kinds of stuff.


10.  Pug Avengers clip here... very cute.

284/365

STRESS MANAGEMENT

Everyone deals with stress in their own way... Some girls (and boys) try to eat it away...

Some boys (and girls) like to throw things...

Some people like to just bury their head in the sand or just look the other way... I mean why talk about your problems when you can just pretend nothing is wrong.

I think the great Dwayne Dwyer (as we call him) said - there is no stress in the world - only people thinking stressful thoughts.  Something like that. It's a nice thought, though I'm not 100% in agreement with that and I bet that the person that is struggling to put food on the table, etc... doesn't agree with that either. No matter what - it does take its toll in one way or another... If not, I don't think we would all be looking to be healed as much as we do.


Anyway, I went to a survivor workshop awhile ago and there was this girl that spoke of her situation.   She believed the stress of her mother's illness and (later) death contributed significantly to her breast cancer. I was very impressed with her and her foundation - She is a firm believer in the mind-body connection which I am in total agreement with.  I just wish I could afford to do some of the things that would be helpful. More on this later... for now - a little yoga humor.

283/365

YOU DIRTY DOG
How cute is this little girl??? Super cute - right?

.. if you can't get enough of her - there's another photo of this pug in a tub on Instagram.

282/365

PUG LOVE
The big day for the Southwest PA Pugs with Special Needs and Guardian Angels Pug Rescue was today - PUGTOBERFEST!!!

Yay!  We're here!

Lily was the first place individual costume contest winner LAST year!  You can see her excitement after the announcement by clicking here. She really was thrilled. Things were too hectic this year to come up with something to top her GEISHA so she didn't participate... plus we thought we should give the other pups a chance at winning.  ;-)

We just went with a fetching holiday sweater...

This year's first place winner was DARTH VADER!

I think second and third were the BABY (12 years old) and PIRATE and I would personally like to give an honorable mention to the GNOME!

Lily had fun meeting new pug and pug wannabe friends and we won a couple tennis balls and four tickets to the zoo... which she tried to eat. She had a very fun day.

281/265

WELL, I DREAMT I SAW YOU WALKING UP A HILLSIDE IN THE SNOW... CASTING SHADOWS ON THE WINTER SKY AS YOU STOOD THERE COUNTING CROWS

One for sorrow...
Two for joy...
Three for girls and Four for boys...
Five for silver...
Six for gold...
Seven for a secret never to be told.

280/365

LIVE LIKE YOU ARE DYING
If you could find out the exact day you were going to die.... would you want to know?  I think I would.

279/365

FORGET ME NOT
Looks like Glo isn't the only one that's a little forgetful... Missed yesterday's post - be back later.  HAPPY 10-11-12!

278/365

TOT - TEN ON TUESDAY (random isness)

1.  I drove through East Liberty the other day. Remember Open Pantry?!?!  It was closed and I think it may have been boarded up. I was too interested in taking a picture of the sign to notice much more.


2. There are a bunch of these photo prompt challenges on Instagram... I like Clickin Moms Instagram project... great way to see little captures of daily life.

3. I'm making a habit out of driving with my lights off.  I'm not even noticing it until I get to where I need to be. I'm starting to think I'm a danger to myself.

4. Heart found at Penn's Colony the other day.

5. Take a look at these PVC flicker candles... how to here.

6.  Beware - you never know when you'll get photobombed by a sea creature... history behind the photo here.


7.  "From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity." I don't think I ever mentioned that I completely forgot about my mother's death anniversary... August 23rd... Glo was just getting out of the hospital, I think.  I didn't even realize it until weeks later.  First time ever I didn't put flowers on the grave. #oblivious

8. Katherine completed her first embroidery hoop the other day.. Coincidently, Sharon's cousin Jeff used her word in conversation the other night at the dinner table...


9. Interesting...

10. I know he's not an elephant but I heard Stitch talking when I read this story... Ohana means Family. Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten...