Sunday, January 31, 2010

Jeff and Grace on the Hill


Fire on the Hill


We spent the weekend taking our clothes off and on ... nothing kinky mind you. Mittens. Scarves. Hats. Socks. Sweaters. If you like hard work, it was really wonderful. It was the fourth weekend in a row where we've just hung out at home all weekend. I spent a chunk of the weekend studying up on soybeans and never straying far from the fire.

And, when we did leave the house: we left it fast. Unlike most Southerners, we own five sleds. And, we've used them all. In fact, right now Jeff is sledding/walking the mile loop through the neighborhood on the runner sled. It's 9:00. At night. But the sledding is so invigorating and he won't get this opportunity tomorrow since I'm flying out of town and the girls are home from school. (Update: he just came back and reports it was the ride of his life and his longest run was at least a quarter mile long on the hills -- thank God he didn't meet a car.)

I spent much of the weekend in the kitchen, I tried to mimic the outstanding homemade yeast rolls and cinnamon buns that my mother made us as kids. My dinner rolls looked like small rocks but they had the yeast flavor I was craving. The cinnamon rolls this morning were pretty tasty so I think I redeemed myself.

It's funny ... between studying soybeans (my dad is a soybean farmer in Indiana) and thinking about all the great snow days we had with my mom ... I'm almost a little homesick.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

See Mom Be Positive

The girls are learning to read. It's both beautiful and frustrating to watch. It is often hard not to fill in their pauses while they think. It's kind of sad too because reading is one of the few times I snuggle with the girls ... and soon they won't need me. Grace is grasping reading quickly and it comes relatively easy for her. Last night as Grace read me Dr. Seuss's Hop on Pop as a bed time story, Rose hid under her bed pouting. So tonight we pulled out a vintage "Dick and Jane" book and Rose quickly read the first two chapters. I think it helped boost her confidence. I want them both to love reading, it just opens the mind to so many possibilities and will make life so much easier if they enjoy it.

We had a great sermon at Asbury today. Proverbs 18:21 was the foundation ... "The tongue has the power of life and death,and those who love it will eat its fruit." As you can imagine, the focus was on positive words and how important it is to have a positive and kind attitude. The pastor had dozens of examples from complaining about the weather to the price of gas to what we're eating. It really hit me that my perspective lately has been quite sour and I'm probably taking it out on those that I love most. A positive attitude is something I have to constantly work on. Ironically, last year when I had so much to be bitter about ... I was amazingly upbeat. Why is that? Why is it so difficult to be grateful for the everyday things? I am so blessed in so many ways with friends, with family and even with work. It had never occurred to me to pray for a positive outlook before today. I always prayed for positive results ... maybe I need a new approach.

Tomorrow Rebecca and I are taking the girls to the women's UNC/NC State College Basketball game. I can't wait. Rebecca scored these tickets through a lottery at work and was kind enough to invite us. I want the girls to experience lots of different things so I'm quite thrilled for this opportunity. I'm cheering for NC State.

Today is the one year anniversary of the death of their Coach, Kay Yow. I didn't know her although I was genuinely sad last year to hear she passed. All the media and locals say she was a great coach and a great woman. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1987 and fought it for many years. Last year I would have said we had nothing in common but a year later, I have spent many hours with her oncologist, Dr. Graham. He's mentioned her determination and spirit several times. She was only 67 when she passed away ... a year ago today. Locally she did a lot to raise the awareness of breast cancer and was a great role model of how to handle it. So for the game, I can't decide if I should wear my survivor shirt or my NC State sweatshirt. Regardless, I'm excited to go to the game. Go Pack.

Have a great week!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

2010 ... A New Decade and A New Perspective on Life

It's been nearly a month since I updated my blog. It's been on my list of "to do's" right under send out Christmas cards and send my much overdue thank you notes. Admittedly, I've been trying not to spend every night online.

We had a great holiday with about a week prior to Christmas spent here at home enjoying time with our family and friends. The girls and I enjoyed the Nutcracker one afternoon, I went to the Picasso exhibit one day and shopping with a friend one afternoon. Rebecca and I were able to have our annual "Cookie Day" and this year we had Mom with us which was extra special. We also did a Christmas Eve Jingle Bell run with 30 runners or so from the Finley YMCA. And, the day after Christmas we drove to northern Indiana which allowed us to visit with the Camdens and enjoy frigid days loaded with sledding and much card playing. The holdiays were a great ending to a very long year. I have to admit that cancer has made me really priortize people and family and it was great to have time to enjoy my family this year. I try not to be emotional but it was extra special.

Several of you have asked how I'm doing and what's going on. The short answer is that overall I feel great. I joke that I feel older. My body certainly isn't recovering like it used to. I don't know if it is the effects of another year or lingering effects of chemo. My shoulder is probably the most annoying issue. The radiation wreaked havoc on the muscle and I'm working hard to get it stretched out and regain my strength in my arms. My thermostat is also off ... one minute I can be comfortable and the next I'm sweating bullets. It's really annoying but I think I'll manage through it for the next few years as they shut my estrogen down. I go back to my oncologist, Dr. Graham, in early February and also get my port removed in mid-Feb. I'm a little anxious to get both of those appointments behind me.

I'm back at work full time and finally starting to settle into a routine. I took on new responsibiities for agribusiness development last year and I'm finally getting to really dive into it. Last year I never felt like I could make a huge impact and it's rewarding to immerse myself back into agribusiness. The girls are back in school and also taking swimming lessons twice a week. We've been doing a few crafts every weekend and that's been a blast! Jeff is managing the household and trying to keep us all moving in the same direction ... and in his free time, he is catching a few basketball games. We're also training for a half marathon so we're talking tennis shoes and running routes most nights.

That's the update from Raleigh. More later, maybe even a few pictures. Go Boilers!

Happy New Year!