September

wow - time just keeps on tickin' tickin' .... into the future ....

I had a fantastic, long Labor Day weekend with Brittany here! She arrived (actually I went to meet / pick her up) around midnight on Wednesday (can't believe it's been a week ago already!). Britt was beaming and giggly and loved seeing my bald head for the first time in person :-) On Thursday we went shopping, as she was in need of some business attire for the new job she's started this week. We decided to call it an early birthday present and were able to fine numerous bargains to stock her wardrobe. Jeremiah met us between his classes, for lunch at Buffalow Wild Wings. It was fun to watch & listen to my kids actually enjoying one another's company and talking like the young adults that they are now.



Thursday evening was Jordan (Jeremiah's girlfriends) first volleyball game. Since he had class and was unable to attend, we thought we would. It was fun - made Britt want to play again! Britt got this picture with her phone while we were there.



On Friday we still had more errands to run, and wanted to get pedicures too. I realized that Britt had never seen the cancer center where I receive treatments. She was here for my surgery, but that was in the hospital across the street - the breast cancer institute is an awesome new facility that I wanted to share with her. So I sent Jenny a text and she said come on over, she'd love to show us around! We walked through what I do for each appointment, where I weigh in and have my BP & oxygen levels checked; then down the hall to where I meet with my oncologist and on over to the chemo lounge. It was actually kind of fun to see the nurses on my "off" week, and to have them meet Brittany. Snapped a couple of pictures in the upper lobby before we got on with our day.





Friday evening we went over to see Mallory (at Sabrina's) so that I could meet baby Kale. Britt has gone on and on about how cute he is and she was right - he is an adorable and sweet baby boy! I will never forget Mallory's parents bringing her by our house on her way home from the hospital (when she was born) and Britt was just six months old. . . . so it is super sweet to see these girls at this stage in their life - enjoying and treasuring it together.







On Saturday we went out to visit with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Aggie for awhile. Later that afternoon was Mallory's brothers wedding reception. When I realized the next day, that I'd not gotten a picture of Brittany and I at the reception, I was quite disappointed! You'll just have to take my word for it - we looked awesome! Te he . . . .

Sunday afternoon, we went to visit the twins that I babysat. Britt was amazed at how big they'd gotten and how Mikaela is walking all over now! They are just adorable little girls & it was good to visit with their mom.






Britt and I watched several movies in our "spare" time while she was here. It was such fun to just sit and visit / hang out and spend so much time together! She wanted me to make Spaghetti Bake before she left, so I did that for lunch on Monday. As I was doing so, she was packing up and I began to get sad :( I could tell that goodbye would be different this time .... because she was different this time. She's grown closer to God and she's surrounded herself with good people. She's maturing and making changes for the better; more stable and smart, a calmer spirit about her; all of that is awesome to see and warms a mama's heart! Just can't put into words how much I enjoyed her visit. But we said our goodbyes (and had our cries) and I sent her on her way.

Jeremiah went to work then on Monday afternoon, so I busied myself with laundry and cleaning, to fight off any sadness. Yesterday I took my car to have its tires rotated, oil changed and cleaned inside and out. While I was waiting on that, Jeremiah talked me into seeing a movie between his classes. So we saw Avatar in 3D. I'd never seen it. He has it on blue ray but had not seen it in the theater. It was a much better movie than I'd expected, I really liked it.

Tomorrow I start my new treatment of Taxol. This will be once a week for 12 weeks. Fingers crossed and prayers said, that it'll go well and I'll have very few side effects. Many people say this is easier than the treatments I've already been through (?) We shall see. Either way - I can do it!