LIFE IS GOOD!

Now, I know you all don't realize I'm old enough to be a "red hatter" (lol), but I must confess....I am!!!!  My friends, Martha and Linda, and I have formed a new local red hatter group and we went out on our first outing Saturday night!  What fun! 

Ok, do you all know what a "red hatter" is?  It's a group of women who are 50 years or older who dress in purple and red, with a RED HAT and go out and have fun!!!!!  We are embracing getting older together!  No rules....except for the clothing/hats.  The mission....TO HAVE FUN!!!  I think we accomplishd that on our first outing!  See that gal in the middle with the pink hat?  Well, she's our "baby"...she's only 49 and has to wear a pink hat.  She can't wear a red one until her 50th birthday...lol!  And this isn't all of us!  We have 10 members in our group so far, and 9 of them made it to our first event on Saturday!  We also had to choose a name for our group and voted from a list of 5 names, and it was unanimous...we became the "Sisterhood of the Travelling Hatters".  Martha suggested it (no one knew that at the time though, except me and Linda) and it just fits us so well.  I love it....kudos to Martha for thinking of it!  She said she thought of it lying in bed one night.  Don't we get the best ideas when lying in bed?  I know I do!  :=)

Aren't we all so cute?

Here we all are...all nine of us!  We ate at a downtown North Vernon, Indiana, restaurant (a bed and breakfast place) and went to a theater two doors down.  We intended to see the Legendary Drifters in concert (you older folks will know who they are!).  But, they went and called and cancelled the concert only two hours before it was to begin!  Oh no!!!  How embarrassing for the theater that set this up!  But they did the "right thing" and gave everyone their money back and went beyond that and treated us to a fun movie...Joyful Noise.  Some of us (including me) had already seen it, but some hadn't.  And hey, even us who had seen it before enjoyed it again!!!!

Oh,and there is a Queen and we have two Vice Queens.  Can you guess who the Queen is?  :=)  Yes, we are self appointed...lol...but, hey, we are the ones who came up with the group, so we deserve it, right?!  Hey, it's probably the only time I get to be a "queen" in my life (well, ok, I am also a self appointed queen at my stamp classes...lol).  So, we'll just say it's the ONLY way I'll get to be a Queen!  :=)

Yep, here's the Queen and her "Vice" Queens!  I actually think we all look like a Queen in our lovely hats!  :=)

Here I am with two of my "blood" sisters.  I'm so glad they have joined us!  Good times with sisters!  We all had a great time and are already planning our March event at a Maple Syrup Festival!  We plan to do an event every month! 

We were having so much fun that everyone wanted to join us...lol....even Bill!  Bill is the one I spoke to on the phone to purchase the concert tickets and he had told me he was a "red hatter" too and had a red hat.  So, I told him he'd have to get it out and join us for a picture.  When we entered the theater, there he was waiting on us!  :=)  How cute!  We loved it! 

Any other red hatters out there?  Would love to hear from you!

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

I went to the Merry Crazies Support Group for my second time last week and am really enjoying getting to know the girls there. 

We have all survived breast cancer and lots to celebrate!  So, we toasted with a "Buttery Nipple" shot.  Seemed appropriate!  I'm not a "drinker", but how I can I NOT toast to us?  After all, it's just an "itty bitty" drink...lol!

(I'm wearing my leggings...I feel so skinny in them...lol)

My buddy, Ruby, went with me.  Do you remember Ruby?  Doesn't she look great!!!!!

This is me and Ruby last summer when I was doing chemo and she hadn't begun it yet.  We met through our Doctor's office.  I had been asked if I'd be interested in being a "mentor" when I got well and Ruby was wanting to talk with someone who had reconstruction (she was trying to decide) and they asked if I'd talk with her and we've become great friends!  We hadn't seen each other since that first meeting, although we talk a lot on the phone.  We had to chuckle that the first time we met, I had no hair and she did....and this time, she had no hair and I did!  lol!  We've both changed a lot!  Ruby hasn't had her "exchange surgery" yet, so I'm a little ahead of her in our treatments!  She's not far behind though!  And we are survivors!!!!  And we're ready to help others who find themselves battling this horrible disease!  We are setting up a new support group in the Seymour area, so if you live closeby and would like to join in our support group, please get ahold of me.  We will be having our first group meeting at Bob Evans Restaurant on Hwy 46 in Columbus, IN on Thursday, March 8 at 6 PM.  Ruby is from Nashville, IN and I'm from Seymour, so we wanted to find a "central place" for our meetings.  We would like to welcome any other survivors in the area, or those just now beginning their journey.  We want to help "love you through it".  So, contact me if you are interested in joining us.  We will need a "head count" to tell the restaurant for seating.  We will be in a private area of the restaurant, but they have asked us for a head count by March 7th.  If you know anyone in Jackson County, Jennings County, Bartholomew County, Brown County, or anyone else close enough to join us....that may benefit from a breast cancer support group...please tell them about this new group!  No matter how far out you may be from your journey, we welcome you!  We can all help each other and be there for those just beginning their journeys!

DOCTOR NEWS

I don't have a lot of medical news this time around, which in the life of a cancer survivor, is a good thing!  I did get my appointment for my tattooing set up.  I won't be getting them until April 23.  Whooohooo, I'll have two tattoos and be oh so hip.  lol!  Actually, I am planning to get my first "pretty" tattoo of a pink ribbon done on my Cancerversary which will be April 7.  This is the tattoo I plan to get on the inside of my wrist.  My cancer sister, Amy, got it and I want to get the same one at the same place because I think it looks really nice!  I am thinking, though, of adding a couple of stars on the outside of it to honor my mom and sister.

I borrowed your picture Amy....hope you don't mind!

I want to check with my doctors, but I can't see why I wouldn't be able to (especially since I'll be getting TWO shorty after)...but I think I should ask them.  I can't think of a better way to celebrate my FIRST YEAR OF SURVIVING BREAST CANCER than with a tattoo!  I think I have a few sisters who want to go along with me and get one too.  Oh how cool will that be? 

And here is another one I'd like to get....maybe on my shoulder....well, on my back up by my shoulder...lol!  Omigosh, can you believe I'm already wanting a second one and don't even have my first one yet?  LOL!  I've been told they are addicting, but I've left some in shock that I even want ONE and now I'm talking about a second one!  Now, I won't be covering my whole body in them (lol), but I think I could do a couple....and maybe even a third one on my ankle!  hehehehehe....are my children freaking out reading this?  :=)

The only other medical report I have are the results of my Spine MRI and my Bone Density Test.  I was particularly interested in the bone density, considering I have a severe Vitamin D deficiency and the cancer pill that I take, Armidex, is hard on your bones.  Well, I am happy to say that as of now, my bone density test came out good!!!!  Yay!!!  Now, the MRI...I already figured it would show something because I've had pain for several years and decided it was time to find out what was causing it.  I have a high tolerance for pain, but there comes a time when you just want to know what is causing it and what can be done to relieve it!  Well, it was found through the MRI that I have degenerative arthritis on my spine and that is causing the pain.  That explains why sometimes it's worse than other times....cause that's kinda how arthritis works.  Now that we know what it is, my family doctor is sending me to an Orthepedics Surgeon, Dr. Chambers.  I don't think it's anything that requires surgery, but he will see if injections will help relieve my pain.  So, I'll be going to him next Monday.  Man, growing old sucks...but, I guess it's better than the alternative..lol!  And hey, by the time these doctors get done with me, I'll be a brand new person...lol!

I have a couple of Thirty One parties still left in February, so my business is back on track.  Yay!!!  An illness can really set you back in a business, so I'm thankful to those who have been willing to help me get jump-started again! 

I have been extremely busy and my calendar has been full...life is good!  :=)  I feel so blessed by the people I have met over the past year and for the friends and family who have hung with me. 

Until next time.....Go out and have some fun!!!!!!!!!  And cherish those relationships you have and form new relationships!  We all need each other!

Cindy



BACK HOME AGAIN!

Wow, it's February already!  We've certainly had a mild winter...so far!  It's been great weather here in Indiana this week for all of the Super Bowl activities!  We only live 50 mile south of Indianapolis and I'm thinking Larry and I need to go check out the Super Bowl Village tomorrow!  I'm hearing of lots of star sightings....Brad Pitt, Johnny Dep, John Travolta, Madonna....I've even "heard" the hotel they are staying at.  lol....rumors everywhere!

Today I have been achy all day.  I have days like that...but not every day, thankfully.  I am assuming it is from the Arimidex that I'm taking to keep the cancer at bay.  It's the price I pay, I guess.  I'm not like this every day, thank goodness!  I just haven't felt much like doing anything all day.  My shoulders ache...my arms ache...my legs ache.  Ugh!  I can handle it though!  :=)

Next week I will be going to get an MRI on my spine.  This is not cancer related!  I went for my annual check-up with my primary doctor this week.  I have had a pain in my leg now for several years that just isn't getting any better.  It's not only my leg...it goes from my bottom down my leg and sometimes it's so bad I can't go to sleep at night.  He believes it may be a nerve, so he's ordered an MRI to see what it is so he knows what to do to give me some relief.  He has also ordered a Bone Density Test the same day, which is good!  With chemo and now this Arimidex (which is hard on my bones), I am glad to get this test done.  All of my blood work came back great....sugar, chloresterol, liver, kidneys...all good!  But, remember I asked him to test my Vitamin D?  Well, I'm sure glad I asked for that, as it was really low and he's got me taking a Calcium +Vit. D tablet 3 times a day now.  I want to do anything to help my bones, because that is a big factor with the Arimidex!  Other than these aches and pains and vitamin D deficiancy, I am doing great!!!!

Not only am I doing great....but, I found out that I can fit into a size 12 jeans!  Yes, I said a size 12!!!!!!  I know...I can't believe it either!  Look....here they are...lol!

Now, I went from an 18/20 to a 16 and was very happy about that.  But, I never would have imagined even trying on a size 12!  But, my dear sister was following me one day when I had my size 16 Jeggins on (skinny jeans) and remarked that they were baggy in my butt (lol) and suggested that I needed a smaller size.  I was like....huh uh, I can't wear a smaller size!  I was happy to just be in a 16!  Then JC Penneys did re-marks on their pricing (yeah, I hate that commercial too...I didn't even understand it at first because I didn't know anything about the new CEO, etc.), so Sheila and I went to see what all of the hullabaloo was about.  Well, I found two jeans....both Gloria Vanderbilt.  One was a dark green color and a size 14, so I thought...ok, I'll try it, not really thinking I'd get them buttoned, even if I did manage to get them up over my rear.  They fit...they fit....oh my, I was doing a happy dance!!!!  On top of that, they were only $8!!!  Then there was this burgandy pair, size 12 and I thought...NO WAY!  But, I tried them on for fun anyway...you just never know, right?  Omigosh, I got them up and buttoned too!!!!  I was happy dancing all over that store..lol!  I mean, a size 20 down to a 12?.....never in my wildest dreams!  Now, they are tighter around my waist, which means I have more of a muffin top, so I'll have to be picky what tops I wear with them.  BUT, I CAN WEAR THEM!!!!  I can even SIT DOWN in them!!!  WHOOOhoooooo!  Now all I need to do is lose this darned muffin top!  I haven't really lost more weight but am staying stable.  I guess I was just too scared to try on a smaller size before!  lol!

I had a great time in Kentucky and Nashville, TN last week, but must admit that when I came home on Sunday evening, I was totally wiped out!  It has taken me all week to recuperate...lol!  I'm still not a bundle of energy anyway, so it's easy to wear me out.  But, it was so worth it!  I went for training for both of my businesses and learned some great things and got motivated and inspired!  I am so ready to get my businesses going again after having to shelve them while I went through treatments and surgeries!  But, I'm ready to charge ahead now!!!  It is great to have a Scentsy buddy and a Thirty One buddy to do these events with!

Just thought I'd share some pics of my travels with you!

The long and winding road in Monticello, Ky.....leading to a.....

FAMILY CEMETERY!

This is my good friend, Linda Morrow, and when we found out the Scentsy Spring Sprint was in Lexington, Ky, she asked if I'd mind going down a couple of days early to see her family down there.  So, we went to Monticello and hung around for a couple of nights and she took me up to show me the family cemetery.  I had a good time meeting her family and seeing where Linda's roots and fond memories are.

Linda and some of her Kentucky relatives.  Good people!

And then look what was there at that cemetery!  It reminded me of my grandma and grandpa's house in Missouri!

And you know me by now...I am always looking for an unusual photo op...lol!  Here Linda is trying to push me over in the outhouse!  Shame Linda...shame!  :=)

Then she wanted to show me the doughboy in downtown Monticello.  Now, I don't know what YOU think of when someone tells you they want to show you the doughboy downtown, but I instantly had visions of a giant Pillsbury Doughboy and was wondering why...lol!  I mentioned it to Linda and she about died laughing.  It had nothing to do with Pillsbury! 

It's a statue honoring the doughboys of WWI.  Hey, history was never a strong subject for me in school!  lol!  I like it NOW, but hated it then!  Linda did confess to me that I wasn't the only friend of her's (Hi Karen!) who had visions of that rolly polly doughboy when she mentioned it. 

And look at this awesome diner downtown.....

I so wanted to eat here....unfortunately it was closed up....guessing it was a victim of the economy....  :=(

I looked inside to see if maybe the Fonz was there...but, no one was.  Boohoo!  What a cute little diner!

Tuesday it was time to head to Lexington for our Scentsy event, but we managed one more stop....we stopped at the Somerset, Ky Cracker Barrel to meet up with a facebook/crafting friend, Terri Shepherd, for lunch.  Linda had met her before, but I had never met her in person, so that was a treat!

And lo and behold, we met someone I knew from Seymour there!

She was a waitress there!  April used to live in my hometown, Seymour, and worked at the Cracker Barrel here and waited on me many times in Seymour.  I knew she had moved to Kentucky, but didn't realize we were going to be in her neck of the woods and didn't realize when we made arrangements with Terri to meet at the Cracker Barrel, that it was the same one that April worked at!  It really IS a small world!

After a couple of evenings in Monticello, we headed to Lexington (horse country) and met up with our upline from West Virginia, Kim Arthur and checked into our hotel...

The next day we headed off to our Scentsy Spring Spring!

After Linda getting a winning ticket in her box for a whole box of Scentsy samplers, and our training...we headed to find some place to eat....

Now, Kimberly had researched all of the eating/shopping places ahead of time and had an agenda of where she wanted to go...so, an hour later, we ended up at this really cool restaurant....

The Mellow Mushroom...yes, it is what it sounds like...a hippie themed joint...lol!

Being a 60's flower child, I loved this place!  :=)

Now, how awesome is that?  You 60's children know what I'm talking about.  lol!

And how could I possibly miss out on this photo op with this cool tree in the restaurant?  It was calling my name.  lol!  Peace man!

And then the bathrooms...

LOL...cute!

It doesn't take much to make me smile.  lol!

Oh, and the food???....

It was awesomely delicious!  :=)  Mmmmmm.....makes me hungry to just look at it!

Have you ever been to Lexington, KY?  It is the Horse Capital of the World...yes, the world!  And there are beautifully painted horses all over the place, inside and outside of buildings!  This particular one was in front of Texas Roadhouse, where we ate one night.

This one was actually inside of a building on a top floor. 

These horses just fascinated me!

Signs fascinate me too, when I travel.  I keep my camera handy for anything of interest to share with you all!

This sign was in Monticello and I just loved it...it was huge!

And we saw these signs travelling down the highway in Ky.  His word shall not return void!  :=)

On the road again.....

Come back tomorrow so I can share my pictures with you from Nashville, TN...another beautiful place in our grand country!  I didn't want to overwhelm you with too many pictures in one day!

Until next time....plan a trip...even a mini trip to a closeby location...and see what's out your backdoor!  I am learning to really appreciate this beautiful country of our's and the people I meet along the way! 

Hugs, Cindy