Another new year.

I'm writing this entry from a different state...where there's snow outside and it's freaking cold. Looking back on 2009, I never dreamed this is where I'd end the year. But I'd rather end it no other way. Absolutely perfect. ;)

I have so many goals for 2010. I'd call them "resolutions", but I'm not a fan of that word. I'm listing them on here to keep to them. I say I want to do this and that, but never quite get around to doing them. So...here goes:

1. Publish my blog to a book (one can dream, right?)
2. Race a car (like, on a track. Not down 20 or in Dalworthington Gardens. Those don't count.)
3. Volunteer/work in the prison
4. Go back to school (I have a couple of options for this one...)
5. Travel
6. Learn sign language

Hmmm...I thought I had more, but they've slipped my mind. I guess these will keep me occupied. :)

So to end this blog (and this year), have a happy, safe, healthy, and most importantly, FUN new year. May yours be filled with as much mystery, surprise and happiness as mine is sure to be. Love to all.

Merry Christmas and (more) tattoos

I've written in the past about the loss, and gain, of friendships over my illness. I try to not dwell on the friendships lost, but embrace the friendships gained...for these are the few that I will forever cherish. When I was diagnosed, my mom promised a tattoo when I was officially diagnosed in remission. Many months later, she and four other family members held true to their promises. And now I add one more.

Last year at this time, a promise was made to me in passing at my cancer free surprise party. I've known Tanner for many years now. We've traveled, been to many a punk rock show, and hung out in hospitals together over the years. And yesterday, he did this:


It was an honor when my family did it. To mark something permanently on your skin for someone else is no less than amazing to me. And that FIVE people did it...wow. And now Tanner. I am beyond honored that someone NOT related to me would do such a thing. I had to laugh, though, in his description. Apparently it hurt like hell. :) So, thank you, Tanner. You've just proved that whoever doesn't get a tattoo isn't a real friend. Ha! Kidding.




I happened to be wearing this shirt yesterday. Funny. I wear it sometimes, but not often. And I never get asked about it. But yesterday, I did. We went to eat and a guy asked what I was a survivor of. He gave me a high five and a "God bless" when I told him lymphoma, but I was in remission.



Now I must go. Still have stuff to do before tomorrow. Oh and on a sidenote...Tanner made Mom and I beautiful glass vases for Christmas. He does pinstriping and is awesome at it. I will post pics of those in the next couple of days. :)

Thanks for reading!

I should've been a race car driver.

Unfortunately, the Dalworthless, I mean Dalworthington, Gardens police don't think so. I just got a ticket. 50 in a 40. I suppose with my driving, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Jerks. Nonetheless, I'm not very happy with "their kind" right about now. Ha! Yes, that goes for you non-Texas cops, too. ;)

I need to go running now. Anyone up for a midnight run through Veterans? I could get us there fast. :) Takers????

As promised...

Here are the pictures I promised in the last post. I found some other ones, too. I dumped all the pics from my phone's camera and had over 450 on there. Sheesh. So here:

The donuts from Erin:

The (delicious, homemade) ribbon cake from Cheryl:

I posted this a long time ago...bald from radiation. The pic underneath is it growing back. Most of it is all grown out now...

These are some more drawings from Erin. She would have them done by the Monday morning after my chemo treatments.

And this is the pumpkin log that Erin made for my last treatment.

If I come across anymore, I'll post them. I have a long list of goals to accomplish in 2010. I'll post them soon. Now I have nothing else to write. I was told by a close friend to put something very inappropriate on this. Even my threat of this being a public blog didn't quite dissuade him. But, in the end, my stubbornness (and ownership of this blog) win. As usual. ;)

Time to run. Go COWBOYS!!!!

1 year down, 4 more to go...

Today is my one-year anniversary for officially being in remission. I planned on writing about it, but now...I don't know what to say. Actually I have so MUCH to say, I'm not certain how to condense it. A year ago I was told to "live my life again". And I have tried, certainly not without fail, to do that. I've had 2 scans that came back clean. I had my oh-so-precious mediport out. I overcame my ultimate fear--flying. My hair is almost back to being one length. I've had victories. I've been defeated. And now I've got one year down. And four more until I'm out of the woods.

When I came in to work today, I had treats waiting for me on my desk. A box full of donuts from Erin and a purple ribbon cake from Cheryl! I took pictures and as soon as I find the SD card adapter for my phone, I'll post them. I went out to dinner last night with my family and out to lunch today with Mom. And I talked to a creepy, 1-900 elf. Ha! All in all...a good day.

So I'll end on this: we've been having a tough time at work lately. I won't go into detail, but I'm frustrated beyond end with the politics of public school. And then I hear stuff like this and my heart melts. My kids actually DO listen to me! From one of my 3rd graders via his mom: "Hey, look Mom-it's Mrs. Riggle's very favorite sky outside!" ...to which he was referring to the very ominous looking rain clouds out. :)

Thanks for reading. Good night.