1984 Reunion!

Hi Everyone! It's been a while since writing on my blog, but here I am ready to tell you about my class reunion it was a hit and a lot of fun to see everyone. First of all I drove to California with two kids in tow. It was a long drive, but I break it up in two days. After having chemo just can't do it in one day to hard on me. Anyway the kids and I had a good time driving to California made our stops and had a blast. We made it in Redding about 1 pm then headed to see my mother and brother in Red Bluff. It was good to see them mom was on the porch waiting for us to pull up in our little red Prius. We hung out with mom for a while until we headed to our motel room. I took the kids swimming it was a nice time especially to cool off in that Red Bluff heat. Yeah it was a hot one the week we were there. The next day we picked up our friend Steve and headed to the birthday party for Brenna at the Redding aquatic center. She had a great time swimming, cake and gifts. Rosa and her daughter came to the party that was sweet of them so grateful for my friend Rosa she is a special lady. Rosa was my date for my class reunion we met up at the casino Friday around 6:45 pm for dinner. I couldn't believe who I saw Curtis Baker, Sean Gillespie, Janet Moisey, Kelly Ross, Todd Ross, Nap Avila, Brendan McCaughey it was great seeing everyone. If I left you out it's just memory is bad. I just saw everyone I know from school. Can't forget my buddy Liz Morris who I had dinner with that night and her boyfriend Ross. Well it was comedy night and I lost mine and Rosa's tickets so wasn't sure if we could get in. Well after some talking to the will call man he let us go to the comedy night. It was fun had a great time laughing. We later went to the bar and mingled with everyone and then started our way to Lore's room to have a meeting about the reunion what was going to happen on Saturday night. It was nice to talk and have some drinks even though I don't drink due to medications it was nice watching other people drink and have a good time at it. We looked at the yearbook there was a lot of people at the reunion I didn't recognize because I didn't know them in high school like Bill Ausman, Brian Miller sorry fellas didn't know you in high school, but glad I got to chat with you at the reunion. So happy you made it for the reunion also. Rosa and I left the reunion about 1 am we had enough partying for the night. Oh forgot to tell you that my daughter and I had a pedicure on Wednesday at 5 pm together it was fun she loves it too. Then on Friday I had a massage it was perfect to start off the day. So anyway on Saturday afternoon we spent most of our time in the pool. Rosa and I got ready and made our way to the Saturday reunion night. This time I got to see everyone from the class it was a good turn out about 80 people showed up so it was a fun time. I was really happy to see Doug Buck he came up to my table and said hi. It was so good to see him. He was my first boyfriend in high school. I enjoyed catching up with him and so happy he is doing so well with his life in Florida. He is doing a great job teaching our youth. He seem to be having a great time taking pictures and talking to everyone. Love seeing friends you haven't seen in years. We enjoyed the buffet food it was very good. Then there was dancing to a great band country band that played rock and roll. It was a wonderful time. We all danced to the band it was such a blast and I notice Doug taking pictures and cutting loose on the dance floor also. We all had a great time. Especially as I was told Tina was a party animal. LOL We left the casino around 1:30 am had to take our friend Liz home she is a party animal too. The next day I didn't want to wake up the BBQ started at 11:30 am and I didn't get up until 11;00 am I was running late picking up my friend Steve. We made it to the picnic at 12:30 pm didn't see as many people the night before, but got to see Steve Hines haven't seen him since High School. We didn't stay long at the BBQ Brenna was getting bored there wasn't many children at the party. So we took off about 2:00 pm. I must say it was a great time to see old friends and make new ones. It was some good memories being made that weekend I'll never forget them. It was also nice to see my family didn't get to see a lot of you, but know that you are in my heart. Something is bothering me this week Robin Williams died of suicide my heart is heavy at this tragic news. I too suffer from depression so I know what pain he was in. I can't get over that he died I am in shock he made us laugh, but deep down he was so sad. I hope I never get that depressed again like I have many times. Reach out and get help if you are depressed. I always called someone when I was hurting I reached out for help and I will continue to reach out for help even when times are good. I want to talk with you now when things are good not when they are bad. Lets get together and talk to each other now. If you need to talk I am here for you. net

Way to go Connor!!!

Hi, I have to say I am so proud of my son Connor for trying out for the baseball team giving it his best and making it all the way to the championship winning team. I truly just love all the kids on the team they are amazing bunch of young boys and I am very proud of all of them. I am also giving a shout out to the coaches who did an amazing job for the team. I told them that it showed that they were the best coaches of the season and I wouldn't wanted my son to play for anyone else. It was so fun watching the team win tonight I just got so caught up in watching it was just so exciting. Way to go Rangers!! My boy came a long way from the beginning of his first game to his last game so so proud of him for sticking with it and even loving the game as well. I think he learned a little about himself and also made a son and his father bond together. Mark helped Connor so much he wanted to be there for his son and he was. At times a little hard on Connor, but sometimes dad's got to do that. I am hoping Connor plays next year as well it would be so good for him. I got a kick out of it myself. Congratulations Boys!!! Well I have been doing okay I think I am a little depressed because a lot of stuff I liked to do before not so much now. It's not a bad depression just have the homesick blues I think. I am missing my friends and family in California very much. I can't wait to get back to see everyone in August for the class reunion that is going to be such a blast. It's coming up and I haven't lost much weight like I wanted to. I still have time only like two months though geez. Time flies. I better get with it want to lose at least 25 lbs. well more if I can, but if I can get this extra weight off that would be great for me. I can do it. I look forward to seeing all my family and friends it's going to be so up beat that will get me out of the blues. I hope Mark can come too he is trying everything he can to have the animals watched for us so he can make it out with us. We might be able to have his mom come to our home and watch the animals hope she will go for it. I have some plans for this coming up in August already my friend Steve is taking us out to the bowling alley for some bowling then go out to dinner. It should be a nice time. I better tell Mark so he can bring his bowling balls so he can bowl a few games. LOL I doubt if he would pack those things around with him to California. HAHA Then of course we have the class reunion to go to Friday night, Saturday night and then BBQ Sunday. It's going to be non stop fun for everyone at this reunion. I believe I am only staying a week in California so have to cram a lot of friends and family in a short amount of time. Mark only took like six days off so have to go with that for now. It will be okay now if he doesn't come maybe I can stay for two weeks? It's an idea Mark won't like it, but the kids and I will. Just putting it out there you never know it might work out. Well I haven't heard from my job coach in sometime now. I guess she is having a hard time finding me a job. It's probably a good thing because I tore my rotator cuff left shoulder. I am pretty bummed out about it because it means I am getting older and I am falling apart. I am starting physical therapy soon and I am hoping they can take care of it with that with some time to heal. I don't need any other surgeries. Well now of course I am considering the reconstruction breast surgery yeah I am thinking I want to go for new breast. I see my plastic surgeon next week so we'll see how that goes. I am looking forward to what he has to say about my reconstruction surgery see what it entails for me. I'll keep you posted on that for sure. Well more later~~ Net

Back on Track!!

Hi, Well it's been a while since I wrote on my blog. I must say I've been feeling much better since taking the medicine for my thyroid. I don't sleep as often, but don't get me wrong I do take small naps during the day when feel like it. At least I am not lethargic any more. That was a rough patch. I started the YMCA live strong program for cancer survivors it's great have a trainer twice a week for 12 weeks can't beat that oh and did I tell you it's free? Love anything free that is the plus side about it and get all the extras that the gym has to offer. Well I also am looking for a job I did my 20 hours of work for the one week the work evaluation. It went really well just haven't heard back from my job coach yet she is looking for a job for me now. I am actively looking myself so two of us will happen to find something I am sure. I am looking for work as a receptionist in a medical office or it could be any type of office really just prefer medical like to help others. Well it will be interesting if I do get a job now because the kids are out of school tomorrow actually. Yep the last day of school so happy about that. I like the break myself no more bedtime routine, get to sleep in, no more homework, just get to have slumber parties all summer. YAY!! The only thing if I did get a job I would have to pay for daycare now because of the summer. So not sure if it would pay enough to do the daycare thing right now. So we'll see how it goes. Well I have my friend Steve back into my life he had a trouble marriage and now is single again. She was highly possessive woman so it didn't work out. So now I got my friend back and it's great we have a good time texting and chatting on the phone. He is so funny he makes me laugh. He is a good guy and I care about him very much. Welcome back Steve!! Okay so it's only 4 months until my 30th class reunion and time is ticking I need to lose some weight and I mean now. I'll be so bummed if I don't at least drop 25 lbs. I want to shoot for 45lbs. by August I would feel so much better about myself. Steve, my mom and I are in a contest to see how much weight we can lose starting tomorrow we are going to do this thing. I got to get in the mind set and do it. I have been having a terrible sweet tooth lately so need to curve that right away. No more sodas shoot I know what to do just need to apply it and get back on track. Well I must say I am very proud of my son Connor doing so well in baseball he has come a long way hitting the ball and catching so well. Way to go son so proud of you. My little Brenna has been doing good also playing the piano, but she rather do gymnastics instead she said. Got to get them involved over the summer with some activities they are going to go to a summer camp soon. That will be so fun for them. I am excited for them. Can't wait to register them into the camp tomorrow. More later net~~

Healing

Hi! It's been a while since I wrote on my blog. To tell you the truth haven't felt like much of anything especially writing. I found out it was my thyroid making me feel sluggish and lethargic. I still do for the most part, but making my way into life again. Yeah my thyroid panel shown that I was on the low side so they gave me medicine to get me back in the swing of things so here I am writing about it. I really can't say when it started feeling tired and sleeping a lot, it must have been in February because I wrote on my blog in January so all was doing pretty good then. In away I feel like when I was back having surgeries and trying to recoup from them. That is the best way I know how to describe this tired feeling I have going on right now. I do hope the medicine starts to take affect so I can start feeling like doing things again. I am going to try and go back to work still working on that. I have a job coach and I get to work at City Hall soon for a evaluation to see if I even want to work again. Once I feel better I know I will want to work out side the home. Well I started the live strong program at the YMCA that will be good for me. It's for cancer survivors so that is me fighting my way through the cancer still. I sometimes forget I had cancer and just keep going on with life. We had a CLIMB reunion the program in which my kids went to when I had treatment. It was a good time and the kids really enjoyed themselves. We made a family mosaic to celebrate life. We wrote all the bad things that went along with cancer on our frame then covered them up with our art work. We look forward to when we get it back. You know I went back to RB the last week of March and it was an okay time, but to tell you the truth I was so tired didn't have the greatest time then. All my friends said I felt down and my mother said I was in slow motion. I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see either it was pretty much lack of just being tired. Of course we know now it was my thyroid acting up. I didn't know it was that until I got back from the trip. I am surprised I drove that long trip since feeling so blah glad God got us there and back. Well the kids are doing well they are involved in some fun things this year. Brenna is taking piano lessons and Connor is playing baseball. It's fun to watch the kids learn something new. I have to say my husband is on them pretty good when it comes to the sport and lessons. He didn't have his father help him when he was young so he is making sure he helps his children. Mark was a little bummed out tonight I didn't have dinner ready for anyone tonight and I think he was hungry. I made something for the kids, but nothing for Mark and I. Then Brenna wasn't practicing the piano and Mark was at his wits end. He says he never catches a break not sure exactly what he is talking about really because he has us so that is all that matters right?! I am kind of irritated with my husband because we haven't been on a date for a very long time. We don't have a regular babysitter so it's best I try and get one huh?! Our 12th anniversary is coming up next weekend and we don't have anything planned. It's pretty sad if you ask me. I was going to ask a friend to watch the kids, but her mother is going to be in town so that is out. So I guess we won't be doing anything exciting that evening. We usually go some where fun on our anniversary go some where and spend the night or go to Las Vegas that was a fun time. I have to say the last few anniversaries have been a bust. It doesn't help when all your friends/mom live in another State and grandma is laid up from back surgery. I need to make more friends in this area I tell you what. I have some friends, but there not like my home girls in California. No one can replace them that is for sure. I even got my good friend Steve back into my life that is great news. He and I go way back when I played little league. We have stayed friends throughout the years and it's great to have him back in my life again. Sometimes I wish I could move back to California I think my life would be a whole lot different and more upbeat if I had my friends around me more. I also could help my mother with my ill brother Jeff. Lord knows she needs the help with him. He is very sick and needs 24 hour care. Who knows maybe one day I'll find myself back in California one never knows. Until then I'll make the most of it here in Idaho. Some good news Mark is thinking about graduating early in November instead of next March. Yeah that will be so exciting for him. It's been a tough battle for him and the kids and I. We don't see him very much he has to study on the weekends and it takes up a lot of his time. In the long run it will pay off then he plans on going for his Master's degree so very proud of him. Keep up the good work honey you are a hero working full-time and going to school overtime. We Love you even though you get on my nerves sometimes but that what husbands do it's all good as my brother would say. More later~ net

Looking forward!

Hello! I haven't written anything since Christmas and wow that has been over now for over a month. It's the end of January already. Time flies when don't have any work to do outside the home. Yeah talking about going back to work. I sometimes feel I am ready, then other times think man, but I can sleep when I want do what ever I want feels great. Then there is the side that want to get out and meet people, feel confident, just be with others. Oh and make some money would be nice as well. So I am in the process of getting myself out there. I applied for some receptionists positions here in the State, but no word yet. I am sure there are a lot of people looking for work. Something will happen when it's time. As a matter of fact it might not be time just yet because I would like to go on my spring vacation to California in March so maybe it might be best to wait until that trip is over. I really need to get out of the house and see my friends and family. The kids and I haven't done anything fun in some time, heck either has Mark for that matter. All he does is study. Poor guy just study, study, study it will pay off one of these days just have to bare with him. In the meantime we just need to go some where the kids and I do something fun. I am taking the kids to the YMCA this weekend they need to get out and enjoy life not sit around playing video games all the time. I was thinking when football season comes back in going to take them to a Broncos football game in Boise that would be a fun time too. They would get a kick at that cheering on the team. I have some ideas up my sleeve to get the kids off the couch and into some fun stuff. I just feel the spring break will be a good thing for them. Plus I get to see my friends and family that will be great for me. Rosa has it all planned out for her birthday weekend it will be a fun time going out dancing and partying. Can't wait to celebrate her birthday that will be so much fun. She was here last year on my birthday even through the chemo we made it a good time. Well another birthday this year can't believe going to be 48 that is wild. Almost 50 years old that blows me away. I can't believe that I am this age time surely flies by when having a good life. Sure it's been interesting with some bumps, and bruises along the way, but a good life. I cherish my children and husband so much that makes it a good life right there. Simply priceless having my children I wouldn't trade it for the world. I am so proud of them and so grateful for them my life is special because of them in my life. I thank God every day for my children and husband. Yes 50 is around the corner but going to make the next 50 years even better. :-) I am looking forward to a great time going back to work that is my goal, my trip to California and losing weight for my 30th class reunion. It's coming up real soon too. I better get on the wagon and lose this weight. I am trying going to the gym, eating healthy getting it done for my health. I wish you well happy days for you all. More later~ Net

Christmas!

Hi, Well I like to talk about being in the spirit of Christmas. I am really into it this year probably because I am not thinking about cancer and worrying about chemo like I was last year. All I am thinking about is having a wonderful Christmas and sharing it with my loving family. There is someone I am thinking about at this time and that is my grams she loved Christmas so much and her birthday was on December 28th. She is very missed. It's funny soon after Thanksgiving I start thinking of who I can buy for and that is when the shopping starts. Poor Mark he needs a second job just to pay for me shopping for everyone. I have to admit I do shop a lot for our children buy them little gifts want them to have a nice Christmas. It just gets me in the spirit of Christmas when I think of others. Isn't that what the holidays are all about other people and thinking about them? At least the kids I bought Connor's friend a gift plus his two sisters, mom and dad couldn't leave out the parents. I bought his other friend Willie something too. Then I bought Connor's girlfriend Amber a gift plus her two sisters and the mom. Warms my heart to do that and makes me feel the spirit of Christmas. I plan on buying my mail man I a gift as well. I think you are suppose to give money, but I want to buy him something nice. Haven't figured it out yet. It will come to me. Yeah it sure would be nice to have a house full of family and friends this year sure would have enjoyed that, but all my friends and family live in California. No I haven't made many friends here, sure there are people that I know here and like, but there is nothing like my good buddies in California that could never be replaced. I miss you and you know who you are. I would even love to share this Christmas with my mother-in-law Betty, but she isn't able to travel at this time. A huge thank you to my sister-in-law Kathleen for helping grandma and Bev. Well we had a scare there a couple of weeks ago with Connor fainting. He had some kind of bug, but also dehydrated and lack of sleep. He is fine now, but still thinks about it, it really scared him. Let's just say he drinks plenty of water and gets his rest. You know it could have been the flu shot that made him sick. That was a month ago, but maybe it made him ill it just took time to get a reaction from it. That is just a theory because all Connor's blood work came back great. I am just so glad he is okay because that scared me so much to see your son turn white and faint in your arms. I am so glad I was here and it wasn't at school. God is looking out for my little man. Praise God. So now that is behind us we still keep a close eye on Connor. Brenna was worried about Connor too her big brother and all. I feel so blessed to have my children. I am one happy mommy. Gosh I just don't want my kids to grow up I want them to stay little for a long time. One day they will be all grown up and then I'll get to have grandchildren not rushing it, but I see how happy my friends are that have grandchildren and it must be a special feeling. One day it will happen. In the meantime we'll celebrate this wonderful Christmas and count our blessings. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Net

Feel the Burn!

Hello! Well it's 3 am and that is when I do most of my writing on my blog. I tell Mark that this is when I am the best creatively. Actually I was up because my daughter came and got me like I told her to if she starts to cough too much. She is now sleeping so I believe she'll hang in there. We plan to go to the movies tomorrow morning to see the movie Frozen. My husband wants to see it too. It looks really cute love the snowman in the film. So let's see what's on my mind lately. I have been thinking about Brendan a lot and wish him well and my prayers go out for him. Cancer Sucks!! I wish him well and he has a good recovery from surgery coming up soon. It's real hard when you have known someone you grew up with and they get cancer makes you think of your own mortality. I have been thinking a lot about dying lately every since I got diagnosed with breast cancer. The good thing is I would be with God, the bad thing is I would hate to leave my family and that bothers me. I am not sure exactly why I am thinking about dying shoot I guess everyone thinks about it from time to time, but I've been a little OCD about it. Maybe because I have the mutated gene and my chances of getting another cancer is high so yeah I am a little freaked out about it, but try not to get me down. I have to go on and live life heck I am not dead. KEEP CALM and LIVE ON~ that is my new motto. I just put it on Facebook. I want to stop thinking about dying and start living. I do have a lot of time on my hands because I don't have a job outside the home. I haven't got anything to sink my teeth into like school or work, but I do have my lovely children to care for and that is a good thing. I just have these thoughts it could be that I am reaching the good old ripe age of 50 and I just not looking forward to being 50 it blows me away. I think geez I don't remember my 30's all that well. The best thing that happen to me in my 30's is I met Mark got married and had our first baby that was the best years of my life. Then turning 40 had my baby girl so amazing. I do remember my forties much more than 30's the first half anyway. I feel like I needed to try and get this weight off along time ago. I am upset with myself for keeping the weight on. I know medication plays a roll in my weight gain, but geez I can at least try to get it off. Well I am not going into my 50's heavy doing something about it now. I did think that I might have to tweak my calorie intake to less than 1550 calories though. I am thinking more like 1300 calories instead. That could work for me to lose this weight. You see I was 276 last week the flu bug and working out, but now I gained five pounds back. It really bothers me. My trainer and I are working on weight lifting now so maybe I am gaining muscle we all know it weighs more. I know it's going to take a while for me to lose weight like at least a year, but I get so impatient with the process. I keep thinking to myself that is okay next year at this time I will be down in my weight so that is what keeps me going. I also think of what this gal said on YouTube yeah I watch success stories helps motivates me. Well she said I don't care what you do as long as you are moving the weight will come off. That is stuck in my brain. So if I keep working out and keep moving I'll will get this weight off. The last two days I've been going to the gym once in morning and again in the evening. The kids are coming with me because I want them to see me working out and just maybe it will grow on them and they will know we have to take care of our bodies start them young. I love the thought of me working out now because my chances of the cancer is less percentage of coming back and that is terrific. I will refuse to have it come back so working out strong. Last night worked out really good with cardio forty minutes on the treadmill uphill and ten minutes on the bike. It felt so good to feel the burn. I really enjoy my trainer he works me out where I can handle it and I know it's going to help me in the long run so can't wait to work with him twice a week. I've decided though not to hire him in February because I so much want to go to California in March for spring break so need to be able to afford it. A trainer is a lot of money so I am taking that money and going to California. I need this trip really bad just miss everyone so much. I feel lonely lately too without my friends and family around the Holidays so I am going on that spring trip if Mark likes it or not. Sorry Mark, but a woman has to do what a woman has to do. I don't want the kids hanging around the house watching T.V. or the IPAD we will have a much better time in California seeing my mom, brother and all my friends. Fun times! I am hoping to be down about 24 lbs. by then too that would be sweet. I am looking forward to the trip very much so. I need it now actually, but I'll wait. Patience is a virtue. It will be a blast not just for me, but for the kids they need to see everyone in California especially grandma Jeanne, uncle Jeff and Randy. I am so looking forward to it. Love having a plan to go some where. Mark won't be coming with us again he has to work, but he will be fine for a week. Now my Bailey girl she might not like me gone my sweet dog. It's better than three weeks like in the summer when we were gone that long. Mark missed us really bad and us him. Well it's 4 am now time to get back to sleep. I'll write more later. Thank you for reading my blog. Net