A Heart of Mersea

Race Walking

2012-01-26T13:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a grand sport:

Race Walking

Adsense missing....

2012-01-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

I just noticed all my adsense ads are MIA.... Anyone know why that would happen? And how do I fix it?

Made with Prayer and Care WIP

2012-01-22T12:28:00.000-08:00

I will be adding a card of this picture to each afghan, shawl, hat, and whatever I donate to various charities:

Siamese Twins

2012-01-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

We have a foster dog that use to have trouble with cats. As you can see he has gotten over that with DC. He has no problem jumping up on the couch and sitting or laying on DC and DC won't give up his place! They are my Siamese non-identical twins! LOL

Onc visit

2012-01-11T13:43:00.001-08:00

First off hardly anyone recognized me because I had a ton of hair – except one Nurse who charged up to me and asked where my ears were (my faerie ears). The NP, Lisa, whom I saw today got a real kick out of my side effect because in all her years she has never heard of that side effect, leave it to me to be different! During our talking I mentioned my knees and how the PCP will prolly wanna do an MRI and she said why don’t you wait until you are completely off the Arimidex because they sound like a side effect of being on Arimidex – like you have arthritis in your joints especially the knees. How about that, I got something right! LOL So I have to be off of Arimidex for 3 weeks before I start the new drug – it starts with an A – hopefully it isn’t Aphrodesiac because I ain’t in the mood! Bwwwwwwaaaaahhhhhhhhh! Ha ha aha hahahahahaha

Inspiration for my artwork.

2012-01-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

I was reading "Draw and Paint The Realm of Faerie" by Ed Org and he said that he often is inspired by hair and head pieces, and costumes. I have a few nice hairsticks, barrettes, and a head piece or two that I have made. I also have some old jewelry that I have picked up at thrift stores, yard sales, and occasionally as a gift. I do like to go through Ebay, Etsy, and any other shops I can find to see if I can get inspired by what they place before my eyes. He also uses models for photos, having them wear the costumes and props.

I often buy magazines searching for body positions, hand positions, hair style, clothes, jewelry, etc that inspire my muse. I would love to find people to model some for me but I can't pay. I did buy some books with nude models which I find hard to use because I am a bit of a prude, in some cases an extreme prude. I would prefer to have them in nude colored body suits.... some of the models (male and female) really should think 15 times before posing nude for a book! Ewwwww... sorry peeps.

I find sometimes reading stories, poems, and prayers to be inspiring, also biographies, and autobiographies. Sometimes people watching, too, though I am not a quick sketcher so if I see someone doing something I can't get it down quick enough. On occasion I have asked a person if I can take a picture of them but it is usually at Faeriecon and usually they don't care. I am thinking I need to buy some more nice pieces of clothes for costumes like I wore when I went through chemo and when I went to Faeriecon.

Wow, that prednesone did a number on making me look round! Well, the ears thin my face out a bit, doncha think? Hmmmm, maybe not! LOL

Yeah, that is better!

Weird or What?: Ice Circles

2012-01-05T06:14:00.000-08:00

http://www.yourdiscovery.com/video/weird-or-what-ice-circles/#.TwWxBL-7lDM.google

I think it is Giorgia A Tsoukalos doing water ballet with Aliens or he is washing his hair!

For some reason the video won't show up but please click on link and you shall see!

Magic Carpet Ride

2012-01-05T05:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes my pictures come out in such a way they crack me up. Here is Misty on a magic carpet ride!

Angel Hugs 4

2012-01-04T06:47:00.000-08:00

I just finished the fourth picture in the series called Angel Hugs. I apologize for the pictures that I took for most because I was not at home while working on this picture. I'll be hooking up my scanner soon!

This picture is in honor of Carolyn who passed on due to complications from Brain Cancer and her sister Vivien who helped her sister through it all, is writing a poetry book about her sister, and who just had a hysterectomy due to Uterine cancer. Both are very strong, brave, and courageous women.

Sketch

Outlined and a little color

Center picture finished and starting background.

Finished picture

What I have learned so far this New Year....

2012-01-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

What I have learned so far this New Year....

Being as I am a new person (again – always growing and changing) I decided to do something different this year for New Years. Normally I am in bed asleep when the ball drops but I decided to stay up, though I didn’t watch the Ball drop, I was reading an Amish love story. :) I enjoyed the fireworks and gunshots from red necks from my bed safe and sound and warm!

Things I learned:

~ Champaigne is pretty to watch,looks like shooting stars, but what I had bought tasted awful! Unless there is a type of Champaigne out there that actually tastes good I on’t be drinking it! It would be a good way to cure anyone of alcoholism if they ever became one! UGH

~ Don’t have a party in which a bunch of drunk people start a fire in the garage! This happened down the block from our house, I’d like to meet more of my neighbors but this isn’t how I would like to meet them! LOL

Happy New Years!

Today is the Twilight Zone

2011-12-31T07:25:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe a whole year has passed (and a jam packed year it has been!) and I am sitting on the precipice of time watching as the old year slips away into history and a new year is born with all the potential that comes with having a new life. So much to learn from the past year and so much to learn as I dance through each day in the future, days filled with lessons, adventures, field trips, and blessings from everything that happens - good or bad. Amazing!

This day is what I call a thin place, one of those places through which you can peek into faerie land and see all the joy and power of God, and peer into the fourth dimension of time - being able to see what is going on in two time dimensions at one time.

As I stand on the precipice this year I see how my life changed because of cancer, I faced fear, I grew, and I learned a lot about myself. I watched and realized even more that my boys are now men and I don't really know them at all for they have changed over the decades since their father and I separated and divorced, I wasn't able to be there for much of what they went through and help them through it - for an 'unspoken' reason I shall not name here. Thank God I am able to have a pleasant relationship with the boys now, it hadn't always been that way, those first few years were awful for me. Josh told me that yes, he had been very angry and upset with my for leaving but as he grew older he came to recognize the symptoms of what is going on and understood why I had to leave.

It has been a good year in the school of life and am looking forward to this upcoming year in the school of life!

Merry Christmas!!!!

2011-12-25T09:12:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to one and all! Last night a 2 yr old boy was abducted at 5pm in Richmond, Va, got the Amber alert at 9:30 or a little later. Immediately stopped and prayed that they find the baby okay and this morning I found out they did! God's angels have been busy this Season making Santa look bad!

Christmas Eve's Expensive Photo

2011-12-25T07:40:00.000-08:00

I have been seeing this gorgeous Log Cabin while driving down country roads to go to Walmart while staying at the Pet sitting job. So on Christmas Eve (yesterday), as I was heading to my house to spend time with my husband and two sons, I decided to go by the Log Cabin and take a picture of it.

I drove slow down Shillealeigh Rd looking for the cabin and passed by the driveway to it so I backed up then went to pull into the driveway so I could take a snap. Unfortunately a little problem occurred… my right front tire missed the driveway and part of my car wound up in a ditch!

After beating my hands on the steering wheel a few times and laughing (I told y’all I had a warped sense of humor!) I got out of the car to try and figure out how to get the car out of the ditch. No way I could do it without a tow truck so I called my husband and told him what was going on, he immediately said call AAA. About that time an Angel in a beautiful silver truck came around the corner, stopped and proceeded to help me. He tied my car to his truck and pulled me out of the ditch. Then he had me pull into the driveway so he could remove the rope. (Up to that point none of the neighbors bothered with me until they saw someone else was helping me.) The Angel checked my car and made sure the bumper (which was twisted) wasn’t going to rub my tire.

While we were checking it out I started giggling. I told him I should have known better to come this way because I woke up thinking about the time my Mom drove her car into a ditch in my yard while she was backing up to leave. I giggled, I had been forewarned but didn’t listen.

By the time all was said and done he said don’t consider this an accident, it was just a BooBoo! That tickled me. As he was leaving I’m sure he was shaking his head because he saw me standing in front of my car taking a picture of the Log Cabin! Figured I may as well take it since I went through so much to get the pic!

By the time I got into the car I was in a full blown Panic Attack – I know about these things because I had decades of Panic Attacks before I was diagnosed with Panic Disorder. This was the first really BAD attack I’ve had in a very long time and being as I was having Centralized Focusing I knew I had to stop somewhere to relax a bit and take some Xanax, so I stopped at Walmart, yeah great place to stop on Christmas Eve to calm down! LOL

I wondered around a little bit doing deep breathing exercises to calm down while waiting for the Xanax to kick in…. if it did I didn’t notice. So I called Burton and asked if he wanted something from Subway then ordered our Subs. When I left Walmart I was still in Panic mode. When I got to my car I went to the drivers side to check out the twisted bumper again and I saw a puddle next to my car… I paniced again. I had asked my angel to check the “water heater thing” (we both cracked up when I asked him this, told him my mind wasn’t quite right just yet) and he had said it was fine, but when I saw the puddle I went back into heavy panic mode. I knelt down to see where the water was coming from but was glad to find that someone had just dumped a cup of coffee on the ground near my car! Phew!

As I was driving down Interstate 64 I got mad at myself because I hadn’t thought to have the Angel take pictures of me with the car, I saw the perfect pictures running through my head!Ah well, my boys totally enjoyed the story and seeing the bumper – their follow all the driving rules and made a boo boo! I am sure I will never hear the end of this!

The Transformation

2011-12-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

And to think I didn't think I was pretty.

Still didn't think I was pretty.

No comment.

A "little" better.

Yes!

My inner Steampunk Elf

Finally looking like a girl again!

Hmmmm, need the flash to erase wrinkles! LOL

Me and Linda Biggs

Side view of several weeks ago.

Celebrating having longer hair finally! (Accused of being Giorgio A Tsoulkas' Mom)

This is Giorgio... I met his father when I was abducted. Wish I had run into Fox Mulder instead!

Side view

Finally getting pretty again!

Looks like I'm needing a trim! Been a while since I've had to say that!!!!

Former Miss Venezuela Eva Ekvall, 28, dies of breast cancer

2011-12-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

28 yrs old and dies of Breast Cancer - unbelievable! When will the Medical Community wake up and realize that women need to be watched at an early age especially when there is a family history of family members dying of Breast Cancer at an early age! This makes me sooooo sad.

http://news.yahoo.com/former-miss-venezuela-eva-ekvall-28-dies-breast-222120889.html

The Beattitudes

2011-12-17T06:36:00.000-08:00

For quite some time now every time I pick up my Bible to read I automatically go to Matt. 5: 3-12. Knowing what I know about myself especially lately I realize that I really need an
attitude adjustment from time to time.... sometimes a lot of time. :-( but I know God loves me anyway. So I decided to post them and side notes I wrote here.

Note:The First 6 Beatitudes deal strickly with our heart.
The 7th concerns our actions.
8 +9 deals with the world's reactions to the righteous (us).

"The BE - Attitudes."

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn*, for they shall be comforted**.

*about one's personal sinfulness, for what hey have or haven't done, how they have hurt others.

**Helped, held and protected, they are no longer alone to bear the pain.

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall receive "Mercy."

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteous, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when men cast insults at you and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of me.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Nature Memories

2011-12-16T06:02:00.001-08:00

I have always been a person who loves scenery, having Nature all around me. It is one of my pieces of heaven! It also reminds me of places I have been to before and how my reactions to it were. Today I am pet sitting at a house in the country and I am overjoyed with the view from the dining room window: fields and woods. Years ago, when Michael and I and the boys lived on George Washington Hwy in Deep Creek, Va, I use to go to this road and parked next to this field when I was down... and the scene out the window reminds me of that special place. It also reminds me of the scene from Lyons Flats outside of Dolgeville, NY. It also reminds me of the view from the Suffolk House I lived in before I left Michael. (It no longer looks like that anymore - the farmer who owns the land suddenly decided that he had the money to build some small houses that blocked the view from our house.) Oh, it reminds me of the view from a house that the Church in Dennison Corners had for the Pastor of the Church - we ended up not Pastoring but that view has never left me.

Dragons in our life

2011-12-14T06:55:00.000-08:00

"Faerie tales are more than true, not because they tell us that dragons do exit, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." G. K. Chesterton

The Compassionate Rat.

2011-12-13T08:00:00.001-08:00

I just read this on a friend's Cancer Blog and I thought I would share it with you

The Roots of Compassion

Yesterday I read an incredible story: rats will work hard to free other rats from captivity, and even save chocolate for the trapped rat! When they finally succeed in learning how to open the cage, both the free rat and the newly liberated rat would race about the cage in obvious celebration!

It is further evidence that compassion and empathy are not just occasional human emotions. There must be something very deep within life itself that responds to distress in others. We’ll probably never work out how to demonstrate that in the smallest of creatures, but I have seen myself that a turtle placed upside among other turtles is immediately given help.

Now, while I’m working to strengthen my immune system, I’m going to try to be as compassionate as a rat (but, save some chocolate??? hmmm). Every day, try to relieve some other’s distress; every day be grateful for someone who helps me.

I’ll post a link here and you can find many more via ma google:

http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2011/12/08/helping-your-fellow-rat-rodents-show-empathy-driven-behavior

I saw that this had been created a year or more ago on "Ancient Aliens!"

2011-12-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Associated Press
© December 12, 2011

By David Dishneau
QUANTICO
Police deployment of sonic blasters at Occupy Wall Street and G-20 protest rallies is fueling both sales and criticism of the devices, which emit beams of sound with laser-like intensity.
More U.S. police and emergency-response agencies are using the so-called Long-Range Acoustic Devices instead of megaphones or conventional loudspeakers for crowd control, according to news reports and leading manufacturer LRAD Corp. of San Diego.
But the products, which the makers developed as nonlethal options for military use, are prompting outcries from people on the receiving end, who call them "sound cannons." The city of Pittsburgh is fighting an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit claiming the piercing tone from a police blaster during the 2009 G-20 summit permanently damaged a woman's hearing. At least one Occupy Wall Street protester says New York City police also used the punishing alert tone, although police say they have used the device only to broadcast messages.
LRAD says its products offer police something louder than a megaphone and more benign than rubber bullets and tear gas for managing crowds, defusing hostage situations and serving warrants on dangerous suspects.
"All of these events have helped bring interest to LRAD as new way to take care of these type of situations where they haven't had them before," company spokesman Robert Putnam said.
He said LRAD is not a weapon but a long-range communication system for clearly broadcasting information, instructions and warnings.
The publicly traded company had record sales of $26 million in the 2011 fiscal year ending Sept. 30, up 57 percent from a year earlier. Foreign and domestic military customers accounted for at least 58 percent of sales.
The company said Dec. 5 in its year-end report that it sees increased commercial applications for LRADs in areas including law enforcement.
The company developed the devices for the U.S. Navy after the deadly 2000 attack on the USS Cole off Yemen to give sailors a way of ordering small boats to stop approaching U.S. warships. Until 2009, they were known mainly for seagoing applications, including deterring pirates from attacking cruise ships. LRAD said the Louisiana National Guard used its products to communicate with victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The products range from a 15-pound, battery-operated, hand-held unit to a 320-pound device with an advertised range of nearly 2 miles. Even the smallest unit, the LRAD 100X, emits as much as 137 decibels at 1 meter. That's louder than a jet takeoff at 100 meters but lower than the pain threshold of 140 decibels, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Putnam said LRAD broadcast levels are purposely kept below the threshold that could cause permanent hearing damage. He acknowledged that prolonged exposure can cause damage, comparing it to listening to fire siren for a long time.
Putnam said the sound at close range causes most people to experience discomfort, cover their ears and move away.
The Associated Press witnessed a demonstration in September of the 149-decibel, 500X model at Marine Corps Base Quantico, in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington. At a distance of about 250 yards, it clearly emitted spoken words, a recorded train whistle and an annoying squeal — the alert tone.
Karen Piper, a University of Missouri English professor, visited Pittsburgh during the September 2009 G-20 summit to research whether protesters have any effect on the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. She claims in a federal lawsuit she was about 100 feet from an LRAD mounted on a moving vehicle when it emitted a "piercing, continuous, high-pitched sound" for a number of minutes, causing permanent hearing loss.
The ACLU is representing Piper in her lawsuit against the city, alleging violations of her constitutional rights of assembly, privacy and due process. The complaint, filed in September, alleges the city was negligent, reckless and careless in its use of the LRAD. As a result, Piper "was forced to endure great pain, suffering and inconvenience" including "permanent nerve hearing damage," the complaint said.
The city denied Piper's claims recently in a court filing. It said its representatives used LRAD in accordance with the manufacturers' safety instructions.
Putnam said that if Piper was 100 feet away, the loudest sound she could have encountered would have been about 120 decibels — lower than 130-decibel emergency sirens or 140-decibel custom car stereos. And he said her exposure from a moving LRAD would have been seconds, not minutes.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says exposure to a sound of 120 decibels should not equal or exceed 9 seconds.
Raymond DeMichiei, deputy director of the Pittsburgh Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, said his agency supplied the LRADs to Pittsburgh police for the G-20 summit. He said he's never seen a better device for communicating with an unruly crowd.
"What would you rather have us do, the old 1964 routine with fire hoses and billy clubs? I think it's a lot more humane to make people uncomfortable because their ears hurt, and they leave," he said.
Associated Press writer Joe Mandak in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

Personally I don't think billy clubs should be aloud in such a hostile environment because "everyone" is caught up in the moment. As for the Long-Range Acoustic Devices, that should be used against our enemies not our people who are practicing their "Right to Speech!" This is wring in so many ways!

The Meaning To The 13 Folds Of The American Flag

2011-12-11T16:23:00.001-08:00

THE AMERICAN FLAG

Did you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776.

Have you ever noticed how the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decaur, "Our Country", in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.

The 6th fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for defense of our country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nations motto, "In God We Trust."

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, Ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, youll see flags folded and now you will know why. Share this with the children you love and all others who love the symbol of "Liberty and Freedom."

Sacreligious but cracks me up!

2011-12-09T13:06:00.001-08:00

Jesus driving a George Jetson Car drinking Starbuck's coffee!

Work-in-progress Angel Hugs 2.

2011-12-07T13:18:00.001-08:00

I did this picture in honor of my friend Linda.

Beginning sketch.

Outlined.

Beginning to add colors to characters.

Finished picture.

1st Work in Progress for Angel Hugs Series

2011-12-07T13:08:00.000-08:00

I did this picture during a time when I was feeling down and wanted a hug.

Beginning Sketch

Outlined

Beginning to color characters.

Characters colors complete.

Finished Picture.

Today I am one year old!

2011-12-07T05:33:00.001-08:00

Yep, it is my one year cancerversary! It has been a strange year, a good year, definitely can’t say it was a quiet year but the volume of noise is going down.

Had my Lab work done and saw my Chemo Doc yesterday and everything is fine. He said it will take afew days to get the results from my tumor marker and CBC test but everything looks fine. My tumor marker last time was 30 and that is great! He said if it was over 38 then they would do testing but he doesn’t think I have anything to worry about.

Now I look like this:

I styled it after Giorgio A. Tsoukalos’ hair which has

its own Facebook Page! LOL Giorgio is on “Ancient Aliens.”

Honor and Remember

2011-12-06T13:08:00.001-08:00

Last night my husband and I attended a dinner honoring our Fallen soldiers and special Honor and Remember Flags were given to families that have lost a family member to war. It was a beautiful ceremony, heart wrenching as you saw family members go up to the stage through a line of soldiers from various American Military Service to receive their flag. It was silent except for the quiet weeping throughout the room.

This Non-profit Organization was started by a man, George Lutz, that lost his son in war while working with my husband. It is an amazing Organization and can use finacial help from all of us to help buy the flags, provide hotel rooms for the families, and more. Here is the link.... please visit it and make a donation:

http://www.honorandremember.org/

The Music that helped me in my early Christian years!

2011-12-06T10:49:00.001-08:00

This is the music that helped through my early life as a Christian

http://www.explorationfilms.com/emailmarketing/first_love2.html

Inspiring The Soul : First Love Commemorative Edition

FIRST LOVE - A historic gathering of Jesus Music

pioneers : 2 DVDs & 2 CDs

The late 60's and early '70's were a time of tremendous upheaval in American culture as the hippie generation abandoned the values of their parents, turned to drugs and away from materialism, and went on a search for love and peace. For these young people, "the establishment" which included the church, seemed irrelevant. At times it felt like the very fabric of our nation might tear apart.
It was out of this tumultuous era that young, musical voices began to surface. These newly converted musicians began singing about the new hope they had found through Jesus Christ.
First Love examines the life and music of the people who birthed the sounds of a revolution that swept American culture. It became know as the Jesus Movement. For three historic days, these artists gathered for the first time in a mountain retreat in Southern California and First Love Volumes I & II captures almost 4 hours of each of their incredible live performances and reveals a rare look a the heart and motives of each artist as they describe in intimate detail the drama of their personal transformation.
With performances by:
• Randy Matthews
• Barry McGuire
• Annie Herring
• Chuck Girard
• Matthew Ward
• John Fischer
• Andrae Crouch
• Jamie Owens Collins
• 2nd Chapter of Acts
• Terry Clark
• Keith Green tribute with Melody Green
• Randy Stonehill
• Love Song
• Paul Clark
• Darrell Mansfield
• Honeytree
"We didn't know very much. We were naive. All we knew was we were blind, now we see. And that was enough."
- Love Song

Soy here, Soy, there

2011-12-04T12:19:00.001-08:00

I am getting really irritated these days reading labels to check for soy products. Last night I was rubbing an All Natural Aloe Vera hand cream on before going to bed and I just happened to think to look at the label and sure enough – there were soy bean stuff in it! Made me mad! Earlier when I was watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” there was a phone call that talked about using soy to make plastic – so there is soy in that movie! LOL But that got me thinking – plastics are made from soy! How do we get away from soy?

I am thinking we should start a petition about taking soy out of foods and sending them to all companies or having a line of non-soy products for people who have cancer that makes them sensitive to soy. That stinking ‘natural product’ could be killing us by feeding our cancers! Or Lobby our Congressmen and educate them about soy. Maybe contact the FDA - I’m getting sick and tired of being excluded from using stuff because it could kill me in the future.

Anybody agree with me?

I HATE CANCER!

2011-12-02T05:41:00.001-08:00

This disease is running major rampid! I have a neighbor/friend who is about to go under the knife for Uterine Cancer and another friend who while being tested for Ovarian cancer now say they found a white mass in her brain so she might have brain cancer, too! Words can't express what I am feeling right now but let's just say nobody better not push any of my buttons cuz I don't know how I will react!

MMMMMMMM good!

2011-12-01T08:35:00.001-08:00

I thought becoming a vegetarian was going to be a huge challenge especially since I don't like to cook but so far it hasn't been so hard! Here is the recipe for last nights dinner:

~ wheat tortitias or burritos

~ left over tomato sauce with mixed vegetables or whatever veggies you want in it (heated up).

~ cheese (any kind you want)

~ egg starters

~ tomatoes, black olives, baby spinach, avocado, and anything else you would like.

~Lay out the shell, add eggs, sauce, and rest of ingredients. Top with a sprinkle of cheese, heat in micro wave long enough to melt cheese and presto! You have one really tasty dish!

Should have taken a picture but I was too hungry! Sorry!

Working out.

2011-11-30T15:25:00.001-08:00

This week I began working out with a personal trainer - he is my husband. I just finished my Wednesday night workout and I'm tired!

God speaking

2011-11-28T05:28:00.001-08:00

jrs (c) 28 Nov 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T07:03:00.001-08:00

This is the one day of the year when most people concentrate on the food that is piled on their table in stead of the real reason we celebrate "Thanksgiving": to realize how much we have to be thankful for. Besides the normal stuff like a job, a house, your family, your friends, there are so many little things that happen that often we don't see or realize. Here are a few things that I have noticed in my life: my jeweler sometimes fixes pieces for free, go to get a soda from a machine and there was the money in the change return, a friend gets me to pet sit as much as possible so I can save some money for a trip I would like to take, I can see and talk to my son in Paris through Skype, my younger son lives nearby and gives me massages from time to time, seeing a beautiful sunset like the one I saw last night - it was glorious pink and orange and the river water was purple, being able to "pencil painting" pictures, enjoying each season for its value, having perfume to wear, having hair - lost mine to chemo in the spring and it is growing back! There are so many blessings all around us we just need to look, enjoy, and be thankful.

God bless each one of you and have a thankful day!

A new work in progress! Now finished!

2011-11-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

The other day I was feeling beneath the clouds and wanted a hug so I began a picture that I then decided to share the picture as a work in progress. Hope you enjoy!

#1 Sketch of picture - took 3 days

#2 Outlined picture - took less than 2 hours

#3 Starting to add color to me and the angel. Love the halo!

#4 Working on wing power!

#5 The Picture is finished!

1 year honest Survivor thoughts.

2011-11-17T08:23:00.001-08:00

It has been over a year since I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and went through the cancer dance of surgery, chemo, and radiation. I think I have done well concerning my attitude and outlook on life since then. But I have noticed the further away from that first day of actually knowing I had cancer things changed. The thought of “cancer” never goes away. I do my best to think only positive thoughts but it is hard to do the latter because cancer is a shadow that sits on my shoulder and whispers softly into my ear ” Cancer. I’m nearby.” Once you have had cancer, you can’t get away from it’s whisper and it is blasted all over TV, the Internet, and even the Radio. It is like having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other only the devil is the letter “C.” It doesn’t have to say a thing for me to know that it is there but it does like to whisper in my ear when I am feeling happy or self confident and pour a little seed of fear into me. It makes me sad, I begin to get anxious, stress out a little, sometimes get angry, and get real irritated because the voice never goes away.

I know that my cancer grew from feeding off of Estrogen and Progesterone and so I have begun to research what foods (like Soy byproducts) that cause hormones to grow, have begun to eat a vegetarian diet, look for recipes, and exercise whenever I am not hurt. (I am a fighter and impatient so often I over do my exercising or my body is so tight that I twist, strain, or pull a muscle, not to mention fracturing a bone in my foot, yanking a chip of bone off my ankle, or strain my back.)
Cancer is like an alien baby that won’t grow up and go away, it is there for the rest of my life, and I have to carry it around with me always.

18 Nov 2011

Last night my husband read this and said "You don't have an angel on the other shoulder, you have another C - Christ and He died so you may be healed." I like that!

No Soy recipes

2011-11-15T14:04:00.001-08:00

I was told by my Dr that I can't eat anything soy because the cancer I had thrives off of hormones and soy causes hormones to be produced. So now I am in search of no soy recipes. Researching how to have a Vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner now!

When shopping always check the ingredients of everything because soy products are in a ton of stuff! I was shocked! Even Veggie Burgers has soy in it!

Quick Pizza Sauce

Vegetarian Times Issue: October 1, 2009 p.60

To avoid possible exposure to gluten from prepared tomato sauces, whip up this easy version that can be made with ingredients you probably have in your pantry.

Ingredient List

Makes 1 cup (enough for 1 12-inch pizza)

1 6-oz. can no-salt-added tomato paste
2 Tbs. finely minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. red wine or red wine vinegar

Directions

Combine tomato paste, onion, garlic, oregano, oil, and wine insmall bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (1/8 cup): Calories: 31, Protein: 1g,Total fat: 2g, Saturated fat: <1g, Carbs: 5g, Cholesterol: mg,Sodium: 21mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugars: 3g

Then we took a whole wheatready to cook pizza dough, let it sit for 20 minutes.

Spraypizza pan with extra virgin oil spray, sprinkle brown rice flour overthe pan, knead the dough and spread it out.

Put pizza sauce onit the start adding whatever you want on it (non meat products:
babyspinach salad leaves
cherry tomatoes
mushrooms
garlic
sweetcorn
soy cheese
onions
pine nuts
white beans
blackeyed peas
black olives
and more

Cook for 15 - 20 minutes.

Wow, was itgreat!!!!!!!

Stacked Enchiladas

[Normally I used Taco Sauce (mild) but I didn't have any in the house to check the ingredients so I improvised]

~9x12 inch pan
~ Aluminium foil
~Light Ragu sauce (No sugar added, Tomato and Basil - has no soy)
~defrosted mixed veggies (I use a lot to make it look like meat sauce)
~Whole wheat burrito shells
~Low Fat cheese ( 8 oz)
~Cumin to taste
~Minced Garlic to taste
~Add any other spices you want

~Heat oven to 350 degrees F and place a long cookie pan on bottom shelf in case of boil over.
~Mix sauce, spices, garlic, and veggies in a frying pan. Cook on medium low heat and stir occasionally to keep from burning.
~Add a layer of sauce to the 9x12 pan.
~Add shells to cover sauce.
~Sprinkle a half of bag of the cheese over shells.
~Repeat two more times, make sure the sauce is on top. If you don't think there is enough sauce left then add a small can of tomato sauce to what is left and stir it up. Sometimes I just add some water.
~Cover pan with aluminium foil.
~Cook for 25 minutes.
~Take foil off of pan and let sit for 10 - 15 minutes so it can thicken and cool.

This is soooo good! ( I am making this for dinner tonight, in fact it just finished cooking and the house smells wonderful!)

If anyone wants to add no soy recipes here it would be greatly appreciated!

Hair Update

2011-11-15T13:16:00.001-08:00

I have not cut my hair once since my hair started growing in after I finished Chemo back in the late Winter early Spring... take a look:

Faeriecon 2011

2011-11-07T08:38:00.000-08:00

Just got back from Faeriecon 2011, I have to let my impish side go out and play sometimes. I had a great time people, er, faerie watching - gosh I can't believe some of the costumes I saw! Totally elaborate! Anyhow, here are some of the pictures I took:

This is me with my 'Lil' sis Linda Biggs.

We are identical twins only I was born 5 years before her! LOL

This was some crazy faerie that visited my room.

These three ladies and I kept bumping into each other and we couldn't remember each others names!

And now some of my other friends:

This faeries parasal reminded me of the jelly fish I once swam with by accident...

Wish they had glowed like that before I took that swim!

No Flash

With Flash

This dude was 6 foot 6 inches without the boots!

I found these dudes serenading in the corner of a hallway...

Sweet little faerie

Bad Faerie

I love the way she glows when I used the flash on my camera!

And now "Melissa Mermaid!"

November already

2011-11-02T08:37:00.000-07:00

Remember when we were kids and time seemed to go so slow and we became very impatient when there were things we wanted to do - especially when we were teenagers? Ach! Well, now I am finding that time has turned the speed on the Merry-go-round to fast and time is just a blurr. Makes me dizzy when it does that because I sometimes can't keep up.

Take for instance right now, I am going on a trip to Faeriecon in Maryland (by myself - it is one of those exercises of sorta facing a fear which is taking a trip alone, the last time I did this I was driving through the mountains in Pennsylvania going towards UpState NY and suddenly driving up a mountain side the accelerator broke. Eventually someone stopped and jerryrigged it for me. Then about a half hour later my car overheated! so the rest of the trip i had to keep stopping and adding water to the radiator Now that was definitely a "Face your fears" trip!) Anyways, little by little I have been creating costumes for the Balls, I've decided not to dress up during the day. Things have been inching forward and my emotions have been been all over the map. I know I have to go because I payed for the trip out of "my own Bucket List money" - can't waste one penny!

So tomorrow I will be heading out on my adventure to Baltimore. I am hoping to enjoy this Faeriecon better than I did last year because last year I had the diagnosis of Breast Cancer hanging over my head and everything I did was in a fog. This year I am a Survivor so hopefully I will be able to concentrate, relax, and enjoy the faerie dust!

2011-10-28T13:23:00.000-07:00

I want to make myself some clothes - a pencil skirt with an elastic waist band, really wide legged pants (which I call a riding skirt) with an elastic waist band, but I can't find free patterns online or at store. Does anyone have patterns or know where I can go? I wear a size 14 though I am losing weight now.

Things to live by

2011-10-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

1 * Accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them . . .

3 * Drive carefully... It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker . . .

4 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague!

5 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

6 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

7 * Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

8 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

9 * You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

10 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

11 * Have an awesome day and know that someone has thought about you today.
12 * It was I, your friend.

* Save the earth..... It's the only planet with chocolate !

By Anonymous

The Autumn Angel is complete!

2011-10-27T06:17:00.000-07:00

The Autumn Angel is now out and about the countryside enjoying the beautiful palate of Autumn colors that God painted Nature with! Don't forget to enjoy the magic yourself! Take a walk, sit by a window at work, go for a bike ride, do something to join in the Celebration of Life!

Take a look and guess....

2011-10-25T12:58:00.000-07:00

Take a good look at the picture and guess what I am going to do next.

2011-10-22T06:54:00.000-07:00

Here I started working on the distant and near background. I'm starting to get the feel of Autumn now!

Adding some color to the Autumn Angel Sketch

2011-10-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

I started adding color for the Angel's body, gown, harvest foods, and started on the grass. Going through the whole creation process is fun and interesting because I never know what will show up.

Creating a new language!

2011-10-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

I have come to realize that we as Cancer Fighters and Survivors are creating a new language, a language that is slowly creeping into every day vocabulary. New Normal is one example.

Today I created a new phrase after I took my run and I was sopping wet, I wiped the sweat off my face, looked at my hand and said:

“Here drips MIRACLE SWEAT, the sweat from going through the battle with cancer.”

Anybody else have vocabulary words they have created? Add below!

Tonight I am having Vegetarian nachos for dinner.

2011-10-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

I love tacos and nachos so this evening I decided to conjure up some nachos. I used Sweet Potato chips, baby spinach lettuce, plump cherry tomatoes, avocado, mushrooms, and sprinkling of cheese. 'Twas good! I should have taken a picture of it to tantalize you with it but I was hungry and forgot to take a picture! Maybe next time!

Additions to the Sketch

2011-10-18T15:40:00.000-07:00

Here I have added a basket of apples, a pumpkin with a kitten playing with the pumpkin leaf, two trees in the forefront with leaves creating an overhang, and a background to the picture.

Autumn Angel

2011-10-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

I just started working on a picture and being as it is Autumn I am feeling Autumn colors flowing in my fingers. So, here is the first sketch of my Autumn Angel. My scanner is down right now so I have to take pictures. Hopefully I will get a new scanner soon!

I think I am

2011-10-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

OC! I swannee, if I get a thought in my head to do something I have to do it even if it is in the middle if the night! I've done stuff like think about a ring I have and I have to immediately go get the ring and put it on! I remember one night I was having some weird dreams and they centered around certain stones and rings and I got up after each dream and put the ring on! Sometimes I have several rings on my fingers when I get up and just shake my head at myself! I am a nut case! LOL

When I sit down to write a letter or a story I have to have just the right pen, can't stand a pen that blops! If it blops then it hits the trash can and I get another pen (yes I am a pen fanatic! Someday I'll show you my collection.) and keep on going until I have the right one that makes me feel good.

I went through a time when I got back into quilting and while working on the quilt I finally finished and have on my bed now, I collected a ton of material and filled the entire underside of my bed! I finally decided I had had enough of quilting and I donated my material to CHKD.

Now I am into crocheting afghans, been doing it for about 2 years. It use to be I would only buy enough yarn for one project, then I would pick up some that caught my eye, then I discovered coupons for 40-50% off at my favorite stores and plowie! I have a closet full of yarn! That is okay, crocheting is a portable craft and I never tire of crocheting. Yes, I am OC about crocheting!

So is D.C. He loves crocheting and yarn!

Do you like to help people? Chemo Angels!

2011-10-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

A few years back I heard about this program in which you write letters and send cards to people who are going through Chemo due to cancer and I checked it out.

I then joined the group and have enjoyed participating in it. I write a letter at least twice a week and talk about stuff that is uplifting and funny, something that will help the person feel better while they are going through a hard time. And having been through chemo, I know what it is like and a person going through it needs all the help they can get. Try it.... You'll like it!

http://chemoangels.net/

A new Pizza Recipe!

2011-10-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have decided to start eating vegetarian with some veggan thrown in for good taste (?). I found a great recipe, ever so easy!

You start off by making your own sauce: (I got this recipe from this website)

Quick Pizza Sauce

Vegetarian Times Issue: October 1, 2009 p.60 — Member Rating: -

To avoid possible exposure to gluten from prepared tomato sauces, whip up this easy version that can be made with ingredients you probably have in your pantry.

Ingredient List

Makes 1 cup (enough for 1 12-inch pizza)

1 6-oz. can no-salt-added tomato paste
2 Tbs. finely minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
2 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. red wine or red wine vinegar

Directions

Combine tomato paste, onion, garlic, oregano, oil, and wine in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Nutritional Information

"Blessings" by Laura Stone

2011-10-13T06:33:00.000-07:00

Faeriecon 2011

2011-10-10T13:10:00.000-07:00

I went to Faeriecon last year right after I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer... talk about being out in space! My mind was in a swirl of fog which made the event even more interesting!

This year I am going again and am now trying to create some new costumes. I may use some of the ones I had from last year and change them. I was hoping to be skinnier this year but, well, didn't quite make it, I keep twisting ankles and eating non skinny foods! LOL

I am thinking of getting some angel wings this year, do you think they would know I am not completely angelic?

(Side note: I really miss my long hair!)

Kiwi

2011-10-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

This scoundral decided to take off last night just before bed (10pm). About 12:30 AM the cat decided to perfume the air so I cleaned the litter box and take the bag out to the trash. Guess who I met emerging from the bushes... you got it, Kiwi! Told her she was off my Christmas card list this year but I don't think she was impressed.

Happy Birthday, Josh!

2011-10-07T14:09:00.000-07:00

My son, Josh, is the oldest of the two sons mentioned in the last post and today he is... never mind I'm not in the mood to date myself at this second! LOL

Here is his FB site:
http://www.facebook.com/thecontroversialmanual

A True Faerie Tale

2011-10-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, back in the early 1980's, I gave birth to two sons (not at the same time but sometimes it felt that way!). We were living in the Foothills of the Adirondack Mountains at a Bible School that use to be called Pinecrest BTC. Our family lived in an old trailer at the end of the trailer court that was there for families attending the school and one of the living room windows faced the entrance to the woods.

I've always loved nature so this made me very happy! At bedtime I would take a baby in my arms, rock and sing him to sleep. I had the loveliest view of a path the entered into the woods and every night I would watch the woods grow dark as the sun was getting ready to set (inside the woods it would get dark before the sun set and welcomed in the night.

Last night when I went to pick up a friends mail at the end of the semi long driveway I just happened to notice two driveways that went into a band of trees and curved out of sight. this reminded me of those peaceful nights long ago. I instantly ran to the house, grabbed my camera, and ran back to the mailbox. Quickly I took pictures before it got too dark.

I am so happy that I have pictures that remind me of that time and I will share them with you:

And sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling as if my cheek was being caressed and I would find that it was the Moon traveling along the treetops smiling down upon me. I always felt as if God was showing His affection for me. Here is a picture that brought that to memory though it wasn't quite the same.

Autumn is arriving!

2011-10-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

My favorite season is beginning to arrive! I say beginning because here in Virginia you just never know what to expect! I have always loved the cool, sharp, colors and snuggle up clothes I have to wear. It makes me feel like I am being hugged and loved on!

Here are a few pictures from last year since we haven't any color change yet:

Snail Mail - The Postal Service.

2011-10-04T05:38:00.000-07:00

As I was laying in bed last night waiting for the sleep angel to come by, I began contemplating restarting my art business. You see I am an artist, pencil and some ink are my medium of choice and I make greeting cards and sometimes tee shirts from my pictures. Suddenly a conversation I had with my mail carrier the other day came to the top of the pool of thoughts and I was concerned. The Postmaster General is closing a lot of Post Offices due to lack of usage which means people aren't writing letters to one another like they use to and people are losing their jobs as a result. I am concerned not only for the workers who will be unemployed but I realized Greeting cards aren't bought as much like they use to and being that I create greeting cards it is unsettling and now I realize that this is prolly the reason my sales totally dropped off the face of the earth! So now I am going to have to come up with a new business plan, figure out what direction to go in.

I share this info about the Postal Services with you to implore you to begin writing letters and sending cards to friends and loved ones so we can build the Service back up so our Postal workers don't lose their jobs or be forced to early retirement!

Letter sent to Komen for the Cure about their perfume by BCA and Letter from Komen for the Cure

2011-10-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Dear Ambassador Brinker, Ms. Lucero, and Ms. McGhee,

I am joining with Breast Cancer Action (BCAction) to urge you to take the following actions to prioritize women’s health over pinkwashing profits:

(1) Immediately recall Promise Me perfume from distribution and sale in order to take every precaution to protect women’s health.

I am outraged to learn that Susan G. Komen for the Cure commissioned a perfume called Promise Me to sell in the name of breast cancer. According to independent lab testing, Promise Me contains chemicals not listed on the label that: (a) are regulated as toxic and hazardous, (b) have not been evaluated for safety with humans, and (c) which have demonstrated negative health effects. One of the ingredients in Promise Me is even banned by the International Fragrance Association!

While I am pleased to hear that Komen is working with the manufacturer to reformulate Promise Me perfume, I remain deeply concerned that Komen has not taken immediate steps to ensure that women are not exposed to the chemicals of concern in Promise Me by informing women of the potential health risks. I call on Komen to adopt the highest standards and take every precaution to protect women from suspected health threats by immediately and voluntarily recalling Promise Me.

(2) Sign BCAction’s Pledge to Prevent Pinkwashing.

As a giant in the breast cancer field, I call on Komen to take every precaution when it comes to the pink ribbon products they promote. The term pinkwasher was coined by BCAction in 2002, as part of its Think Before You Pink® campaign, to describe a company or organization that claims to care about breast cancer by promoting a pink ribbon product, but at the same time produces, manufactures and/or sells products that are known or suspected to be linked to the disease.

Despite the progress in the breast cancer field over the last thirty years, today too many women are diagnosed with breast cancer and too many women die. We still do not know enough about the causes of breast cancer. Any organization which strives to “end breast cancer forever” must take every precaution to ensure that women are not exposed to anything which is suspected to increase the risk of breast cancer, even if direct cause-and-effect data is not yet available. In the absence of scientific consensus we need to adopt the highest standards: when in doubt, leave it out!

Please reassure me that Komen will never engage in pinkwashing. I urge Komen to sign BCAction’s Pledge to Prevent Pinkwashing, which you have already received from Breast Cancer Action.

Promise us that Komen is committed to putting patients before profits by taking every precaution when it comes to all partnerships and the pink ribbon products they promote.

Thank you for joining me in putting women’s health first.

Sincerely,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Letter received from Komen for the Cure.

Thank you for your email to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® about the Promise Me fragrance. The fragrance was designed especially for Susan G. Komen for the Cure by TPR Holdings, which is donating $1 million to Komen annually for breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment programs. The funds raised through the sale of the perfume will be put to good use in the pursuit of that goal.
Our first concern is always the safety and well-being of women and men facing this disease. To that end, our partners’ products are subject to review by our Medical and Scientific Affairs team, which evaluated the perfume’s ingredients, the latest research, and guidelines from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
According to our research, the ingredients found in Promise Me are within fragrance and cosmetic industry standards, and at these levels have not been shown to elevate breast cancer risk in people. At Susan G. Komen for the Cure, we support evidence-based medicine, that is, decisions based on current facts and knowledge. In addition, we make this information available to our constituents, respecting that they are intelligent consumers who make informed decisions about the use of products based on evidence. As new research and new findings are published, we will certainly take them into account.
Nevertheless, at Komen’s request and to be sensitive to these concerns, the manufacturer agreed to reformulate the perfume. The last batch of the perfume was manufactured in May of this year; we expect manufacturing and sale of the reformulated product to begin in early 2012. We do not intend to ask the manufacturer to recall or remove unsold products.
Komen has always believed that ending cancer requires research about how it begins and how it might be prevented, which is why Komen has invested more than $65 million to prevention research and an additional $7 million supporting 18 projects investigating environmental estrogens, pesticides, steroid hormones, and nitrites/nitrates and their relation to breast cancer.
We’re also taking action for clarity and consensus around the direction that environmental research should take in the future, which is why we requested – and are funding – a $1 million study by the Institute of Medicine to answer that question. We expect IOM’s recommendations in December, along with IOM’s assessment of evidence-based strategies for individuals to reduce their risk of breast cancer.
Komen is strongly committed to addressing breast cancer through science, advocacy and community and global outreach to achieve our mission to end breast cancer, forever.
###

Race walking video

2011-10-02T13:05:00.001-07:00

Best part of this video is the first race, the rest could be eliminated.

Small Vent.

2011-10-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

I still have not received the results of the one year Mammogram I took this week and it is causing me some anxiety since a white spot was found in the other breast. They were sure that it was nothing, that they are just forming a base line to go by since I had surgery on that breast last year. Okay, fine, but doesn’t anyone stop to think that as a Breast Cancer Survivor that something like this could cause great anxiety in the Survivor? I am now back to sleeping with my Bible for comfort.

I didn’t think I would react to it but after the first day I began to feel anxiety building up in me. I blamed it on caffeine but I knew it wasn’t that. I am feeling saddish and anxiety ridden, yesterday I was teary eyed, and irritated.

I’m trying to hold hands with the old saying “No news is Good news” but my Doc (who had a rare form of eye cancer last year or so) could be out of town for a check up or treatment and they want the Doc to be the one to give me the results.

I wish they would hurry up, I want to go to Faeriecon again this year but I have to put that on hold until I get the results.

Okay, vent over.

Cosmetics Industry and Breast Cancer

2011-09-30T11:48:00.000-07:00

I am a Breast Cancer Survivor and this disturbs me.

http://bcaction.org/

Watch Raise a Stink! Video

2011-09-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

I love to wear perfumes but some give me Panic Attacks so I use perfume oils instead. I someone told me about this video, watched it and I am very upset over this! To think that a leading group against Breast Cancer commissioned a perfume that has chemicals in it that have been banned by International Perfume Association, what are they thinking! Please watch this video and go on from there... Stand up for your rights to be healthy!

Watch Raise a Stink! Video

http://bcaction.org/

Gouging Customers

2011-09-30T07:06:00.000-07:00

I went into Walmart yesterday to buy some Dr Pepper and received quite the shock! A day or two before the soda was $1.25, now they had a displaying for the drink with a sign over it saying $1.28 - was $1.48 and the bottles had coupons on them for (get this) save 35 cents... Er 1.48-35 is 1.13! Not only are they gouging the customer, they can't even get simple math correct!

I think it is time to drink just water!
And you guys learn Math!
And quit gouging your customers!!!!!!

PUMA Project Pink

2011-09-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

PUMA Project Pink

You can make a difference - help find a cure for Breast Cancer! Go Vote!

The sign of a Genius' Mind...

2011-09-29T06:08:00.000-07:00

No this is not my office, it belongs to bernadetteambergen who does very interesting and beautiful work! You should check out her Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/people/Bernadette-Ambergen/1675642097

Dr's, Pills, and Holistic Methods.

2011-09-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

I got the results today for the bone density test that I had yesterday and they said I had Ostepina which is something between normal and osteoporosis and immediately they said to take yet another pill. I take so many pills that sometimes I wonder why I can eat!

So being the inquistive person who is learning to be my own health advocate I did a Google search and found that I can increase my bone density through exercise which can easily be added to the exercise regime I have now. I appreciate all that Dr's do for us but sometimes they need to take a step back and think of a more natural way to deal with situations instead of trying all kinds of meds that the Pharmaceutical Reps palm off on them after they go to meetings to get their CEU's (Continuing Education Units - they are required to have a certain number of CEU's a year to keep their liscenses). I learned about this when I worked in a Call Center years ago for a company that set up dinner meetings and classes for Drs to attend .Some of the meetings are like lobbying Dr's, telling them of new meds that are either on the market or coming on the market. I'm not pointing fingers at the Dr's because they have to learn about the new techniques and meds that are coming out on the market, I just wish they would be able to offer non-prescriptive and more natural ways to take care of some situations. Sure, some situations can't be helped through vitamins, minerals, teas, and exercises, but some can and I really wish some Dr's would offer these to people.

I wonder if the Drs could be offered CEU's in holistic methods along with the other stuff they learn.

Post Mammogram post.

2011-09-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

Today I had my 1 yr mammogram, yes, it has been 1 yr since they discovered the cancer in my Breast. Up until this morning I wasn't nervous, but I had to take an Xanax before I left to go. I've had many mammo's but none hurt like this one did! After the painful proceedure I watched the screen as they brought up the pictures and I noticed a small with thing in my left girl. They redid that breast and said upon looking at the second set of pics, every thing was fine. They had taken the second set because everything was different since the Dr had done some reconstruction and they wanted to make sure so they would have something to compare it to in 6 months. Oh great, every 6 months! Before long my girls will be dragging just like they were before the surgery! Oh well, at least I will still have them!

Being as the girls are so sore, I will not be doing my power walking... they need a rest. And right now I could use a nap!

It has been an airshow weekend!

2011-09-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

I have had this talented group of jets flying over the house since Thursday:

Recognise them? They are the Blue Angels. I've been able to see them flying in formation right over the house and back yard. The other night they were flying so low that they broke the sound barrior so bad that I thought a tree had fallen on the house! The dogs jumped up and were freaking out, I was freaked out because it wasn't my house!

Then today as I was playing frisbee with RJ:

When a military jet flew by so low I could almost make out the writing on the side of the plane!

I totally appreciate all that the Military does for us and all these pilots go through to learn how to fly the planes but couldn't they take a page from the UFO's and fly quietly?

My new sport?

2011-09-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

I love to run, gotta love that runners high! Feels like flying! I use to run with my husband and sometimes by myself, unfortunately I am a bit clumsy and if I forget to pay attention to my feet while running or even walking, the girl could go down! No kidding! And there have been times when I came home from my run cut up and bleeding.... yes, I have stories about it, many stories!

"Me during a run!"

Anyways, after fracturing a bone in the top of my foot two years ago and slipping on a scatter rug in which the same foot twisted over and a tendon or ligament yanked a chip of bone off the ankle of the same foot that I fractured the year before, I discovered race walking.

This form of racing uses the hips, looks funny, and has been an Olympic Sport since 1904. So I got a book on it and started working on my technique. I have hurt my hip once or twice practicing it - would you expect anything else? I was race walking today and I hurt the bottoms of my feet - I wonder if anyone else has done this or am I the one and only with the honor?

Check out the video:

I can't resist adding this one!

And it continues on....

2011-09-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Well, things didn't end this morning, more crazy things happened this afternoon! I had gone to Walmart out in Va Beach and on the way home when suddenly the light showing the gear I was in started blinking and suddenly the speedometer hit zero! Freaked me out driving on the Internet,er, the InterState, not being able to know how fast I was going so I put on my caution blinkers, slowed down, and drove in the far right lane. As if that wasn't enough, after I got home I discovered that one of the claws was bent out leaving the bottom of my heart shaped alexandrite engagement ring open!

I called my husband and told him what was going on. He then said the electric garage door won't open, happened last night. No clue what is wrong with it.

It has been a long week with weird stuff going on! Me and the dogs I am watching weren't feeling good for a day or so, the Blue Angels have been practicing right over the house since Thursday, and it started raining or storming when I was going to do my walking/jog the last two days.

Well, good thing I have a wacky sense of humor!

Morning is broken.....

2011-09-23T05:50:00.000-07:00

Last night I saw my first slug of the Summer, yes, I said of the Summer! Can you believe that one? Usually they are all over the place. I wonder if they have started the journey to the highlands to get away from 2012... LOL

This morning I was awakened at 7 to a text picture message showing me what my husband found when he walked into the kitchen this morning: a huge wet spot on the ceiling that had busted open. We have another wet spot in the bedroom near my closet. I'd show you the uninteresting picture but I can't figure out how to get to it on my computer... I am not the most computer savy person in the world. Looks like we will be having company in the form of roof fixers!

Then I went to feed the dogs and found the food container had become an ant farm! They were everywhere marching in and out of the container and swimming in dry dog food.

And I discovered that when I went out yesterday to pick up something I really needed I forgot to get it! Chemo brain strikes again!

I almost think this one would be better!

2011-09-22T16:49:00.000-07:00

Needs some curly bangs and the hair in the back should be long.... maybe in a braid? How cool would that be?

But then again maybe my old hair style would look more like me....

Looking for a new hairstyle....

2011-09-22T12:47:00.000-07:00

This one?

Or this one?

Watcha think?

Today's challenge is....

2011-09-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy lately that I haven't been to half of my forums. I went to Chicago with my husband on a business trip (packing for that was a challenge because hubby prefers to just use carry-ons - that will never happen again! Too much thinking and work goes into that kind of packing especially when you have a dressy dinner to go to.), and now I am Pet Sitting. I've spent a good deal crocheting though. I finished 2 granny square afghans last night and started a corner to corner Christmas colored afghan.

Today I am so sleepy! Sometimes when I pet sit I become like a teenager and stay up late watching TV which I've done two nights in a row so now I am ready for a nap. Unfortunately I have to drive to my Drs office, pick up a script, go home and do the paperwork, drop it off at the mailbox, hit Walmart, then drive back to Pet's House. Under normal circumstances it wouldn't be too bad but it has been raining all morning... not in the mood to drive in the rain.

The Service Jets have been practicing for t1he air show this weekend. These planes sometimes fly so low that I feel like I could reach up and grab a wing! And are they loud!!!!! I have to stop what I am doing and plug my ears because they feel like they are going to pop!

But I appreciate the pilots and all they are doing because they are practicing to be ready to defend our great nation at a seconds notice! I do get a wee bit irritated when they start practicing late at night but they do need to practice night flying, too...God bless them all!

The River House.

2011-09-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

I often Pet Sit for a friend who has three dogs, a cat, and a bird and I love doing it! The house is located on a river inlet that feeds into the ocean and they have a pool! It is an old family house, has been added onto, has a large piece of land, a fenced in back yard, a pier, and two old gnarly trees that I adore!

The view from the Sun room or back yard is of some beautiful fancy homes that remind me of the house nick nacks that I see in stores:

And of course there are the fur babies (will post picture of cat later)

Kiwi

Daisy

RJ

I must admit RJ is my favorite! He is funny and loveable! Here is a picture of him going after his frisbee:

Walking on water.

Can't beat this, now can ya!

2011-09-18T15:49:00.000-07:00

Army of Women

At least one million women are needed to fight in the war against Breast Cancer. Please check out this site and join if you want to help!

Julia Ruane-Smith
Cancer Survivor

Journaling.

2011-09-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have journaled since I was a teenager and loved it! It was a great way to yell, scream, shout, and express myself but there was always that fear that someone would find my journal and read it. I found my Mom a couple of times rooting through my bedroom looking for the journal. Having someone read one's private thoughts is always a danger. At one point in my young life I got tired of dragging them around and threw them out - this was a long time ago and I don't think people were paranoid about their private information being found like it is now but I was young and stupid so who knows.

Anyways, I started up again in the 1980's and I have a trunk full of journals. Why do I journal and why do I keep them? At one point in my life I did think I might become well known for my writing and art so that was a good reason to keep them so all the world would know my private thoughts etc. Yeah, like that is going to happen.

I read a book called "Harvesting Your Journals : Writing Tools to Enhance Your Growth & Creativity" by Alison Strickland and Rosalie Deer Heart and decided to do what they said to do. I started reading through my journals and soon realized that there was stuff in them that could be damaging to other people and I don't want that to happen. Now I am deciding exactly what to do with them, copy the neutral things, the things that would be important for my family to know, things that would reveal the real me to my children, then destroy the paper journals? Handwriting a journal is like a piece of art to me, I love to handwrite letters and cards, stories, poems,etc. Hmph. Maybe I should just fill a journal then burn it. I'm not one to get mad and cuss for pages like many people do so I wouldn't want others to know that inner me, I would definitely burn those babies!

I have a computer journal called "LifeJournal" and I write down family info, health info, writing info, and some personal insight among other things. And I have this blog and face book (which is not really journaling but chatting with people and adding superficial stuff like that). I am torn over that in some aspects because I love to hand write! I'm so stinking confused! Don't know what to do!

If I were a famous person or at least a well known person for my talents then I could see writing a journal and keeping it, but I am little old me, no one famous so who will want to read the ramblings of a gray haired woman.

Gee, I'm not confused now am I! LOL

Adding Adsense to Blog.

2011-09-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

I am trying to figure out how to add some more Adsense advertisements to my blog but am having trouble. I've been to the how to section, added a couple of gadgets on the sidebar hoping that would open up some spaces but nothing seems to be doing anything. HELP!