So...whats for dinner?

Kaara, good to hear from you. Sounds like life is busy and good!

Carrie, have fun on your camping tailgate! Now that's a hardy, loyal fan!

Tazzy, good to hear from you also. That recipe looks interesting to try. I cannot recall how many years it has been since I've made tuna casserole. I do recall that it was one of those dishes I could just eat and eat and eat......maybe that's why I stopped making it!

Last night we had pizza, and tried an unusual one from Bertucci's...balsamic marinated shrimp with gorgonzola cheese. We liked it....but I always enjoy my favorite mushroom/ onion the best. I made a big faux Greek salad to have with the pizza.

It was damp and cool here last night, and we had barely 25 trick or treaters....so candy abounds in our house! DS2 is stopping over on Saturday, so hopefully he will take it off our hands. He turned 33 yesterday and had his best birthday ever. A friend of his who works for the Red Sox org sold him a face value ticket for the final WS game, with all the accompanying privileges like participating in the on field celebration after the game, and then the team party at Fenway, so he got to hug and congratulate Big Papi and other players. He was deliriously happy to start his BD in such a special way. Then in his typical thoughtful way, he gathered some dirt from the diamond for his parents.

Nance, your Cards are an amazing young team who will be right there for years to come! I was amazed at the poise and talent of Michael W. and that bullpen. You can look forward to October late nights over the next few years! A formidable young team!

Today I am heading to the wake of a colleague who had a very aggressive ovarian cancer. She was younger than I. Once again, I hate cancer soooo much!!

Loving and comforting thoughts to Michelle.

lacey - last year he was a ladybug, he had a football jersey or the pumpkin to choose from this year. He was not crazy about the pumpkin hat, although last year he wore the ladybug antenna the whole night. He is a trooper! I briefly considered putting DD's fluffy net petticoat from last weekend's German beer girl costume on him, and some fairy wings but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

Thank you joyce. So heartbreaking.....

Joyce, I am so sorry To hear about Michelle. Thank you for filling us in. Please let her and her family know we are praying for them all at this time. Also that Michelle is loved in so many ways by so many people. May that love help them through this passage.

Joyce: thanks for the update - it really is heartbreaking.  I hope her family can find solace and peace in their hearts.

Oh Joyce, thank you for telling us. Sending peaceful wishes to Michelle and herfamily.

Joyce,

Thanks for the update on Michelle. I know this is very hard for you but we, here, appreciate the updates. Even though the news isn't good, it is better than not knowing.

Michelle,

Through your words here and on your blog I have traveled to places that I most likely will never see in person but have 'seen' through your eyes and, with your beautiful writing style, I felt as though I was there!

Lunches at Pickety Place, Paris, Hawaii (twice), Vegas (hot air balloon ride to spread your Mom's ashes), KC trip and Marco Island....

I know you didn't set out to be an 'inspiration' to me or anyone else. You were just living your life for all it was worth! And did you, ever!!!

But... along the way... Anyone who read your words and came to 'know' you either in person or just the 'virtual' you, could not help but feel inspired!

Your incredible energy, love of family and friends, strength, fear, hopefulness, willingness to lend an ear and offer support and, above all, an absolute appreciation and joy in everything that life has to offer rang through in every post here and every entry on your blog. Lessons to be learned by all!

If life were fair, I would not be typing this. But unfortunately it's not. You have said that you would live your life until you couldn't and you did just that and with extraordinary style and grace!!!

I hope that your passing is free from pain and gentle and I pray for peace and comfort for your family.

My life is better for having known you and I will forever remember you! God speed, my friend! Until we meet again....

Joyce, if you see Michelle tomorrow, could you please let her know how very much she means to all of us?

Seaside, beautifully said.

God be with you, and your family, Michelle.

Eric

I hate cancer....

seaside - thank you for putting into well chosen words exactly what I was thinking about Michelle - I met a friend for lunch yesterday, we happened to eat at the same restaurant I went to with Michelle, I even ordered the same soup I had with her - as I got to "know" Michelle on BCO when she and I were growing our hair back from chemo at the same time (summer of '11) I realized then that she was a woman who really lived her life, and that I could learn from her about not wasting time and about how important our connections to the others in our lives are - not that I didn't know these things, I just observed her very outward example of fully maximizing this. She lived with joy in the face of sorrow, she is the definition of grace. I am so lucky to have witnessed it, and had the opportunity to know her.

Michelle's daughter just posted this over on my Stage IV thread:

I'm afraid my next update here will be to tell you all of mom's passing. She is resting comfortably and pain free at home. She is no longer able to open her eyes for more than a few moments. The nurses have told us that she will be gone in the next few days. She is surrounded by family and we are all grateful for the cards, letters, and warm wishes. I think, even though she can't talk to us anymore, that mom is still listening and that she's pissed and angry that cancer is winning this terrible war. There was never acceptance, only an amazing fighting spirit that refused to give in even for a moment. My mom is a brave warrior and I know she would tell you all to keep fighting with everything you've got, but above all to live as if there is no tomorrow.

Praying for a peaceful painfree passing for Michelle. And praying for strength for her family and friends as they say goodbye to a most amazing lady.

I HATE CANCER.....

So sad... Seaside/special k your posts brought tears to my eyes and then I read susan's post. There are no words except I F*CKING HATE CANCER. Thinking of Michelle and her family.

Hugs everyone xxxx

Crushed.