MY LITTLE LOVE!

My little love had a photo shoot today!! Hamming it up for the camera at 4.5 years old! He bought that Fedora himself at an Antique store...and in all the photos he has his Captain America Costume on underneath his clothes ....The very talented Hannah took these photos....She is a friend and client of my daughters....Take a look at what she does....some people just have such a great eye!! LOVE THESE....
http://www.hannahbetts.blogspot.com

COMPLETE!

Early this morning the Dentist completed the work....All the stitches were removed!
Now...as we approach the holidays they will begin to make the stint and the new teeth!
A beautiful day!!!

Magic...

It took me many years to be able to put my car in the garage....BUT this year I did it!! The garage is clean enough to place one new Kia inside it for the winter months ahead!! All the summer gear is put inside too...the table.. the chairs....the grill.....
AND THEN MAGIC HAPPENS....
It is a beautiful day here in upstate NY....A day for being outside in the sun... for perhaps the last time without a jacket on.....So with no table to sit at....a blanket was spread on the grass...which is longer and will not be cut again before winter....so it gave a soft cushion....and breakfast was served on it...fresh coffee and fruit...french toast and warm maple syrup...apple cider...
and LIFE just can't get much more MAGICAL than sharing this with a 4 year old.....

And so it is...

Healing time....went to the dentist bright and early this morning....have to return again on Thursday....It is now healing time! They got a bit upset with him this morning for not drinking enough fluids yesterday...or having soft foods.....He said .."they kicked my ass" yesterday and he slept on and off ...only waking enough to take a pain pill or an antibiotic...It's just the body's' way of shutting down when we have so much going on I think....sleep...the cure to all....Wonder if I could master that one! Might be a good idea seeing as I survive on about 5 hours of sleep a night....(but then I do take those beloved naps!! LOL)
It is a typical gray and cold fall day here in upstate..(high of 40!) So the heat is on....the car is in the garage....and me....well...I am getting into the paint today....FINALLY!

Finally....if you can imagine...

Today was the final day of the extraction of ALL of the teeth....bone had to be removed today also.
Tough day....lots of TLC going on here....
Can you imagine? I mean really having to have all your teeth extracted! I've only had one done here and there....and that was an ordeal....The dental team is giving out medals for this procedure!
So now he heals.....waiting for the swelling to go down....and the last of the stitches to be removed.
Then on to NEW teeth....to be made and fitted....another series, but the end result will give him something to SMILE about!
Chemo has been postponed till the end of the month...BREAK TIME! Finishing up just before Christmas....So here we are still hanging on....still moving forward....
Makes you stop and think of how strong you really are!
SMILE WIDE TODAY!

Happy Halloween!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month...

I just finished interviewing Anne Marie Bennett the author of BRIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD...
She has written a powerful and insightful book about her journey with and thru breast cancer...
Come on over to the site and have a cup of inspiration!
ARTFULLY YOURS

Lazy week...

It has been a very lazy beginning to this week...We could not do Chemo as Michael and I both have colds....We are on the mend but they want this gone before we start....So we have been lazy...sleeping ...drinking plenty of fluid...taking cough and cold medicine...sharing the love of a cold...
Again, today I would like to share with you a daily news letter that I receive from Dawn at Daily Sparks....She always has insightful things to ponder....

Be real

The world will often discourage you from giving love. Give love anyway.

Many times, despite your best efforts, you will not be understood. Keep giving it your best anyway.

The treasures in life are not what you get back. Those things are only shadows of life's true value.

The real treasures are what you're able to give of yourself. And as long as you give authentically, from the heart, with the best you have, it doesn't really matter what comes of it.

It's nice to be acknowledged and respected and understood. Yet even when you're not acknowledged or understood, there is still great value in doing what you know is right, what you know is best.

Smile a peaceful smile to the depth of your being. Be real, and know that all is well.

-- Ralph Marston

You can read more and sign up for the Daily Sparks HERE!

Sneezing and Coughing!

Chemo was suppose to start today....but here we are....Sneezing and Coughing!! Fall colds in full force! With Michael's immune system already in a lowered state it was wiser to stay home then to go to the Oncology lab....He is only able to take certain medication too.....so off to the store I will go to stock up on those.....and we have to wear masks at home....so I will be disinfecting everything around here sometime today!! You know what they say.....A woman's work is never done! LOL
and in this case they are right.....as I am winterizing the house also! What fun! And I thought I would be in the studio this week!! Perhaps sometime! Right now there are things to be done!!
Wishing everyone good health! And Happy Columbus Day!

Moving Along...

We continue to move along with the process...3 more teeth were extracted on Tuesday...a visit to the Dentist yesterday....and again on Friday of this week....A week off from the dentist as Chemo begins and the adjustment to that....and then back in on the 27th for some more teeth extraction....
PHEW! How much can one person take? (and I am not sure if I am talking about Michael or myself!) Not to mention we are both in the stages of fall colds (change of the weather!!) and I am knee deep in nesting!
My AHA moment came at 2:00 this morning.....
RELAX! SLEEP! (everything will play out exactly as it is suppose to!) CALM DOWN! GET WELL!
Fine advise if I can follow it!!

Thankful...

“ she closed her eyes and thought of her year. it couldn't be just the "good" she was thankful for. it had to be the "all"... the fullness, the depths, the journey. the dance of Life. for these she gave thanks. ” ~terri st. cloud

I signed up to get this daily bit of food for thought from the wonderful and insightful Terri St. Cloud every morning in my mail box.....This one this morning gave me food for thought....It has been a year now that Michael (and I) have been on this journey....Last year at this time he was in the hospital close to dying....And here we are a year later....30 pounds heavier (he weighed 120 last year) and a bit healthier...(the protein levels are holding at the mid range) Today, I am remembering some of the lessons that this year has given me....the main one is to be thankful for all the time that we do have....to enjoy....to gather strength...to be aware...to love...to be loved...for there is not one of us who knows what today will bring our way....

Today, I am thankful....

Thank you Terri for your wonderful wording for this insight....

Visit Terri at: http://www.bonesigharts.com

Drinking wine....

The rain has stopped and the sun is out here in upstate NY....A beautiful fall day! And the freedom of exploring it today is upon me.....Having had almost a whole week off from the Doctors has been a fabulous experience....I have been nesting...getting ready for the winter ahead of me by cleaning and rearrange some of the chaos that I have been neglecting...and it feels pretty good! The results of this nesting is clearing out cobwebs both physically and mentally! Next week begins a month of Doctors appointments once again with several a week....I am prepared....I am stronger...I am ready for whatever comes my way (or at least that is how I feel today!)
There are many things I still have to do around here....but because of the shift in my thinking I am feeling as if I can and will get them done....Strange how one day you just seem to notice cobwebs that are hanging right in front of you and you JUST HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM!
I am getting back into my journaling.... A habit I enjoy but have taken a break from...allowing me to learn and grow more....Michael is fond of saying...."One day you're drinking wine....the next day you're picking grapes"...(similar to "some days you eat the bear....some days the bear eats you"!)
Today.....I drink wine!