5 NEW ANGELS

Hi Angel Watchers!

Here I am {{faithandfifty}} Really sad Your vacation is almost over

But very Happy You Got one and had so much fun!!

NORM, You go Brother! I  am so proud of You! Keep on Keepin on!

{{{SIS}}} Hang in there Hon, almost over! and You can do anything! I Know You can Big {{{HUGS}}}

Angel watchers, I need to add another little Angel to Our Group!

{{{{{KAI}}}}}

He is a Special Little Angel Also! This Little Angel Belongs to Our

Sister {{{FUMI}}} He is a child of Her {{{FRIEND}}}

His Sister is in Critical Condition Her name is {{{MAI}}}

and Please Pray for Her Friend {{{Roger}}}

All My Love,

Puppy

I think I know where we go from here!!! (Gods Children)

Hi all,

Seems we've all popped in and I missed it.



Norm- So glad all went well with the counselor...and pleased I could be the kick you needed. Anytime you need a swift kick in the ole behind, you know where to come. LOL



Wow, sold the business already? That's great!!!!! Now, as Faith has stated, you can concentrate on finding what will make you happy and make the world a better place because you are participating in it. Being able to get through your stuff with the counselor will be a suprising way to get to what you really want to do...you've got some time, so make the most of this opportunity to learn about yourself and to gather new tools.



I know yesterday was probably hard for you...but know that you sent out lots of love to Brenda and the kids and was warmed by the memories of their love in return.



Hey Puppy- I'm so sorry to hear of your sad news. Please know that your friends and you will be in my thoughts. (((((HUGS)))))



Faith- Thank you for your loving words...I love to read your posts...they are so uplifting and filled with your loving spirit. I can't wait to meet you someday and get that hug!!!!



I hope you don't mind that I share my Valentines Day with you all...



So, I went to the oncologist, and I asked him about the eye watering thing. He thinks I need to check with an eye doc to make sure my tear ducts aren’t blocked as that happens sometimes with chemo. When that occurs the tears have nowhere to go but down your face. He explained that tears normally drain down the back of the throat, which I didn’t know. My onc is this slight East Indian fellow with a broad grin. He cracked me up when I told him I didn’t know that about the tear ducts by saying, “They don’t tell you these things on ER or that show with Dr. McDreamy do they?”



So afterwards, I went to the store to get groceries…hadn’t done that with a new fridge arriving…just didn’t replace things. Got home put the groceries away, had a late lunch, then began to set the mood for the evening…pre-set the table and prepared my salmon (a little lemon zest, herbs, sea salt, a little butter, and bay leaves wrapped in foil) so it was ready to just pop in the oven. I pre-made the salad, too, so all I had to do was add the dressing at the last minute. I called my hubby around 6pm to check his ETA…needed to reapply the make-up that had been washed off my face due to my poor watery eyes…get dressed and put on my red wig. Right afterwards, my girlfriend calls to tell me a funny student story. The social studies classes had two Tibetan monks as guest speakers…they are doing a healing mandalla at a local park. Through an interpreter, they explained about life in the monistary and how monks ranged in age from 5 years old on up. The kids asked questions like “Are there women at the monestary?” “Can monks marry?” and then this kids asks, “If you can’t get married, where do the baby monks come from?”(apprarently not understanding that the young monks came to them from families rather than being born into the monestary)…she said it was hysterical to see those monks cracking up.



So, my dh got home around 6:30, and I greeted him by asking if he’d like to have dinner with a sexy red head tonight…he loved the wig!!!! After dinner we exchanged cards. I have been writing a story based on my Ode to My Body poem....I didn't share that with you all, did I? It's posted on my thread...under Inspirational Stories...Poetry Anyone? Anyway, my stepmother is a writer and has encouraged me to write this story and submit it to be published in a friend’s annual Hot Flashes anthology…It’s an anthology of erotic stories…not pornographic…subtle innuendo. Anyway, I included the story in his card. He asked me to read it to him. As I was reading, he started to cry. When I was done reading, he told me it was beautiful and gave me the biggest hug. It was the best Valentines Day!!!!!! Oh, and I could taste the wine…WHOOHOOO!!!! A glass of Pinot with dinner and a small glass of Petite Syrah with the chocolate.



Hope you all have a fabulous weekend. Safe flight home Faith.

SIS Kimberly

so i made it safely to Houston, from D.C., from FL....... had a great day's presentation today, and despite being in an actual movie theatre -- there was NO electricity, no functioning outlets in the theatre I'd been assigned.

this was all figured out about 30 minutes before I was to begin. YE GADS. it never dawned on me to request electricity in the room????? well long story short, the guy ran to the hardware store and bought 3 really l-o-n-g extension cords and tethered them thru to another part of the building.

the show must go on!!! the crazy nonsense of road travel.

so what's everyone else up to? i fly home tomorrow morning. will wave while i soar thru heaven.

put a few words on here, norm. i start getting 'antsy' when i haven't heard from you for a few days.

KimberSIS: love to you. have you been out on the town as your alter-ego, red-headed self??? glad to hear that you're making the most out of this

keep writing, i think that's a therapeutic release

Puppylovey: hugs to you. i know that there are several of your buddies who are 'up against it' big time. hugs to you, dearest friend to those who are in pain and hurting

Angel Watchers,

You sure know how to {{{HUG}}}

XOXOXO

Puppy

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{NORN}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

YEAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

UH, can you tell I am very Happy for You

{{{Sis}}} Praying this goes quickly, and painfree, Sweet Sister!

You are so Inspiring to all of us! I feel God has a Blessing waiting

just for YOU, Sis!

{{{faithandfifty}}}

Will be with You holding your hand, Your Love makes My day and week, and month, and year

I was a child at the white house, gathering the egg's once!

is it not Amazing how God brings life around for the better at times!

Love to The Angel Watchers,

Puppy

cy is our newest angel. may she rest in peace

getting organized to drive to chicago tomorrow morning before dawn.....

not sure when i'll get back on here.....

i need your energy for this next big adventure..... i know that you hold me up -- as i hold up each of you.

hope for your hearts: norm, kimberSIS and puppylovey

Made it safely thru the slippery, blustery mid-west and am now safely in Chicago-land in a delightfully gorgous Westin. I get to present the keynote tomorrow morning to start the day. I'm so excitted.

Just as I was pulling into 'downtown' I got a call from my pregger-dau.... she's freaking out. They want her to come in for some heavy-duty tests and have expressed some concern that baby B is not keeping up w/baby A.

(According to their ultrasound this a.m. they are 3 pounds 3 ounces and only 2 pounds 7 ounces.)

I feel horribly far away from her, but am assured that she's being referred to a top specialist, so that's a good thing.

I'll ask our angel choir to look after her in my abscence.

KimberSIS: love to you on the path to healing

Norm: hugs every day

Puppylovey: strength for the journey, keep holding each other up

Norm: Thanks so much for the prayers on behalf of our unborn twins. Today marks week #30 and that feels like a terrific milestone. They decided NOT to admit my dau. last week -- but have referred her to a super specialist for high-risk, multiples at OSU (Ohio State). I feel much better having another informed & experienced doc on her side. She has an appointment first thing tomorrow morning. Then on Tues her DH, my SIL leaves for his Air Force training for about 5 or 6 months. Holy COW. Not sure how we're gonna get thru all of this excitement, with him gone..... but know it will be just like you manage: one little bit at a time.

I'm so glad that you had a great laugh. Kimberly's monk story just kinda sneaks up and makes you giggle outta no where. I think I've told you my bumper sticker quote: "When there's absolutely nothing that's funny, laugh on credit." It's served me well over this year. Give yourself permission to laugh. Give yourself material to laugh about. Give yourself the gift of tears brought about by laughter.

AND Norm, you've learned how to insert those little smiley faces. Aren't you the techno wizard!! How'd ya do that? Congrats on making every step of the journey, Norm.

Have you had your first heart-to-heart with your kids? Know that if you are 'new and improved' you're going to be changing your interactions and over time that will improve the relationship. I'll be sending you good thoughts that your conversation goes well, with the outcome that you're hoping for.

Set up the boundaries that you need.  

KimberSIS: I'm sending you some home made cyber-soup, with a loaf of bread I just whipped up. The kind with the yeast recipee I remember my grandma making. What else do you want? A trashy magazine? Warm blanket? Cartoons? Get well cards from your class? Movie? Half way home baby half way home!! We need you here at angel central. Miss you.

Puppylovey: I'm gonna light the fire in the fireplace -- stop by and let's just sit here and have a great conversation, filled with gentle tears, occaisional hugs, encouragement and insight. Do you want a glass of wine? Or maybe we could just sit and eat cookie dough right outta the bowl. What would bring you some comfort? Know that I care about your broken heart.

I'm so glad to be back home!! All of my BIG travels are now complete for a bit. Time to focus on being available to my family for a phase.

Have a great Sunday................

Puppylovey: i'm so glad to read your post...... so glad that you know where my credit cards are!! They've been stolen twice now: in London and in Paris (two different trips: LOL). Maybe because I wear that hat that says: "I'm a midwestern dingbat and can't be trusted to carry a purse outside of my house." Perhaps I'll leave that hat at home, next time I'm fortunate enough to travel?

Will pray for your wellbeing and calm in the face of the unknown, Deb.

We're quite a team. It's kinda scary when I'm the one that's functioning best..... for Pete's sake. I'm not sure if I can handle that kind of responsibility! Will take one step at a time, with the rest of you.

Now we need to hear from you KimberSIS.  

norm.......... it's five hours from when you posted that it was 5 hours to go.... so if you are on scheduled you're in the midst of it as i type.

eager to hear how it goes. one step at a time. will probably need more than one go round to get where you want to go.

take care!!

Good Morning Angel Watchers,




I know it has been awhile since my last update. Haven’t felt creative enough to write poetry or energetic enough to do what I’d rather be doing that is for sure. After chemo #2 you saw me fly, but chemo #3 on 2/19 grounded me for awhile.



Imagine a deep thick fog rising to cover the landscape like a blindfold leaving you without a sense of where you are in the scheme of things…that is where I’ve been these past four or five days. Thankfully, like the weather here, the sun is finally starting to shine, and I feel as if I have been awakened from some altered state still groggy but aware that I’ve missed time passing.



Although I know how to head off the worst of the side effects…dry nose, dry watery eyes, digestive discomforts from esophagus to colon, and bone pain, there is nothing I can do to stave off the exhaustion for it is more than exhaustion,since exhaustion is resolved by sleep, and sleep doesn’t touch this. I have literally not had the energy to form thoughts beyond the basic, to comprehend with any retention what is said to me, nor to speak beyond the rudimentary for it is more than I can truly manage. Yesterday, it took the entire day to do three small loads of laundry, and I did so only to make my mark in this house for I feel as if I have been non-existent.



My dear Angels,thank you for checking on me over the past few days, and forgive my inability to respond. Even now, on the other side, the reality of these past days has me feeling teary and fearful that with three more treatments left to go on top of radiation that I will disappear for a longer and longer period of time into this fog. I have tried so hard to talk myself out of these tears, for I know that all is as it should be, but they come anyway, and so I let them…as it should be...good for the soul.



On a brighter note, I AM on the other side, and I do know there are 15 days albeit energy sparing days on the downhill slide before I must face this fog once again…only this time with a new vision…a warm blanket wrapped around me to keep me safe while my body uses its energies to heal itself.



I’m half way through chemo…and with all of your love and support, I know I, and Super Girl, will be ready for round #4 on March 11th. I have another on April 1st....and have had this fantasy that I arrive and the nurses tell me, "April Fools, you don't have chemo today. You don't have to do chemo anymore!!! You're done." One can dream....the last one is April 22...then radiation.



Norm- I laughed outloud when you talked about how the monk story just cracked you up out of nowhere...thank you for sharing that and helping Puppy and I to have a laugh with you!!!! Sorry your talk was postponed, but who can have a serious conversation with PUPPIES being born? Everything happens for a reason...maybe you needed more time to hone your bullet points and practice in your head how you want to present your view in a way that doesn't put Ed or Sara on the defense, but lets them know how things are for you...and what you need to do for yourself to move forward. Have you worked on this with your counselor? She could be a good sounding board.



Puppy-You are in my thoughts sweet girl...my wish for you is that your scans reveal only a healthy you.



Faith- I am so bouyed by your passion for your job...I still don't know what you do, but being a keynote speaker with passion is what so many need to hear in this day and age. I'm Twin A, and was the smaller of the two. Your twin baby grandchildren are going to be just fine!!!! In this age of technology and medical advancement, they have a wonderful life to look forward to living...besides, they have a grandmother waiting on their arrival. Man, military timing has never been much on family obligations...certainly, they'll let him come home for the babies arrival?



With my Mac, I can't do all those cute little icons...Safari doesn't interface the same as Internet Explorer, but then I don't have the issues that many PC's do either...it's a trade off, I guess.



All my love,

SIS Kimberly

As to this life being filled with a variety of 'chapters'........ thought I'd take a minute to explain this incredible whirlwind that I've been engaged in for the past dozen years.

My degree is actually in Art and Education. Have had a patchwork quilt of experience as an educator. 10 years in a school for children with special needs, where I did all of the art and music but later got promoted to being an administrator. Taught art in an elem & jr high for a phase of a couple years etc etc etc.

For the past twelve years I have had my own 'consulting business' for lack of a better term in the arts/young children venue. I go where I'm invited. Primarily very young children (preschool/Kindergarten/Head Start/Libraries) and sing & dance with them. I started writing little songs -- I call them 'ditties' and people asked me to record them.

On a lark I did. My first recording had 12 original songs -- now that's over 10 years ago. I now have 6 albums of over 80 original songs. I've turned one into a picture book, where I created the artwork from fabric, as contemporary quilts. Most recently I've created an hour long DVD format and it won a national award!! My first.

So I go about to early childhood conferences and teach teachers of the importance of the arts to children..... to the reading process, to the spirit of children. I'm something of an educational/motivational speaker -- if there is such a category. This weekend in Chicago I got to be the keynote for a conference of about 1000, to start the day.

And now after a dozen years, all of a sudden things are getting wildly exciting for me!! Most recently I had an educational company commission me to create a recording for them..... all on fine motor/hand writing fun for little ones. We have a meeting next week to talk about a curriculum of values driven topics for young children and they want me to create yet more music. Who could have ever envisioned? They've given me corporate sponsorship at recent national conventions!!

I JUST read the email from the White House Egg Roll gal, that my materials have been given to the PR firm in charge of the day and I am still in the running. I JUST hung up the phone with a fellow writing an article for a national magazine on picture books featuring quilts as illustrations -- he wondered what I've been up to.

Thrilling developments all. I take the time to tell you of my little 'success' because I think it serves as a good parable, Norm, KimberSIS and Puppylovey. I told you about how my former life ended rather abruptly and I never imagined that there could be a portion of life so exciting as what I'm engaged in currently.

I've been accepted into a national educational training company that puts on conferences across the countryside for teachers. They had me do 6 events since Nov and I was the keynote at five of those conferences. Everything that I do is extremely SIMPLE, from the heart and easily duplicated. Teachers say, "I can do that!"

Now that I'm having all of this national exposure (over the past couple of years -- increasing all the time) it's amazing to read my emails on a daily basis. The world is soooooooooo in need of positive influence. We've even had a series of meetings about my creating a TV show -- somewhat on the tone of the old Mr. Rogers show, as of yet we haven't found the sponsorship necessary ($$) but what an incredible concept: to sit at a meeting discussing my goals for a children's TV show!! Beyond my wildest dreams.

Norm. You just never know what amazing opportunities lie around the next corner..... when you have grace and mercy in your sails and a willingness to start ALL over. If you would have told me this was possible for me I'd have laughed till I turned blue. I am the posterchild for follow your bliss. Do what you enjoy. AMAZING things can happen.

This is the easiest work in the world -- to me! Yet others find it uplifting and encouraging in this time.

Hang in there KimberSIS. I've been reading your poetry on other threads and can see what a gift you have with words. While I'm betting you wouldn't wish this experience on anyone else, you are a shining beacon to others who will follow in your footsteps.

Puppylovey: You are such a bedrock of encouragement to others in their time(s) of need. Know that we are cheering for you -- wishing you every possible blessing in these days of wonder-ment.

Thanks for your interest in my work. It has been the motivation to get on with my treatment as quickly as possible -- to get back to the fun.

I didn't have nearly the dx of most here. I was fortunate to have DCIS in one localized spot. So surgery and then rads were sufficient for me. I am on tamoxofin for the five year plan. I've encountered such amazing folks on this site and am so inspired by what we can do for each other, in the way of support and encouragement. I count each of you as my friends.

thanks for your kindness -- in the midst of it all

Oh, I am sooo excited for you both...Faith and Norm.  To find your passion and to run with it...children, and helping others certainly is our calling, Norm. 

The universe certainly does provide when one is open to the positive energies available.

I find myself thinking more and more about my classes next year...wondering how I can do what I know in my heart needs to be done in the face of No Child Left Behind.  I don't want to create a generation of test takers...I want to create a generation of thinkers and problem solvers who will thrive in high school, not want to get out as soon as possible because they are so tired of 'doing' school.   I started on my new... not going to do it the NCLB way... path when I was sidelined, so I will just have to start fresh next year with some new ideas brewing built in to stimulate the minds of my students. 

Faith- Whoohoo news about the babies.  I just knew in my heart they were fine.

Thank you for sharing your wonderful dream come true with us...inspiring!!!!  Do keep us posted.  And for your compliment about my poetry...thank you. I do hope that others find comfort, laughter, and a part of themselves in my story.

And Norm, I know that your presence in the life of teens in need will be so rewarding not only for you, but for those kids. Thank you for being so wonderfully supportive of me.

Puppylove- Thank you for your love and hugs...you truly are an angel. We're all sending sunshine and hugs your way as you wait on your results.

I'm going to a Billy Joel concert tonight...a Christmas gift.  I'll be resting up for most of the day...although I do want to take a walk in the sunshine today.

SIS Kimberly