THE GIFT OF GAB COMES IN HANDY!

JENNINGS COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE

KICK OFF BREAKFAST 2012

Well, today I did it....I did my speech at the Jennings County Relay for Life Kick Off Breakfast!  When Ralph Cooley called me about a month ago and asked me to do this, I knew God was giving me another opportunity and I knew I could not say no....even though I am soooo NOT a public speaker!  God sure does have a sense of humor!  :=)

Before our presentation, we enjoyed a great breakfast!

My sister, Sheila, and my good friend, Martha went with me.

Sheila had agreed that she would help me out and share her story also.  Martha went along for moral support and to be my videographer, so thanks to her, it has been captured on video so I can share it with you!

I had printed out my "year in review" collages and laid them out to show my journey so people could see how far I had come and that there is always hope through the journey.

I also took along our news article to share with them.

Sheila showing off the picture of me and Ralph comparing our bald heads at the Relay last year. 

Yes, I have the gift of gab.....even in my hands...lol!

Just as I do when I sing, I have a strange talking face too.  lol!

I tried not to read my whole speech, but did use an outline to stay on track.  Sheila and I did ad lib a lot though. 

Sheila and I fed off of each other like "Laurel and Hardy"!

Having her do this with me made it so much easier!

This is Ralph, who asked us to come speak.  He has become very dear to us since meeting him at the Relay last year.  He has a gusto for life and lost his life partner to cancer in December 2010.  I am so inspired by how much he lives at the age of 69!  We all should strive to live such a fulfilling life! 

We were so honored to meet other survivors, such as Beverly, who is a five year breast cancer survivor.  She graciously presented Sheila and I with a beautiful bracelet that she makes for other survivors.  I will wear it with warm memories. 

Kathy works with the American Cancer Society.

We were so blessed by everyone today.

They were so warm and welcoming.....

Now why can't I have a cute little smile like this when I talk or sing???

At the end of our speech, Ralph presented us with a vase of beautiful pink roses.  How sweet!

Sheila and I both felt so blessed and honored to be there and give thanks for the opportunity.  My prayer is that something we shared encouraged someone or touched them in some way.  We appreciated the feedback we got and it was an encouragement to us. 

The warm reception put us at ease and we felt like we were among friends....thank you for that!  We look forward to joining you again  for the Relay in May!

Here are the videos of our speech, if you are interested in them.
I'm sorry they turned out blurry....I have no idea why.  But, maybe you can at least hear them although they are not very loud either.  Listen closely because I have a tendency to talk fast...lol!  Now that I have put my first videos on my blog, I may have to surprise you with some more in the future!  :=)

VIDEO 1

VIDEO 2 (SHORT)


VIDEO 3 (CORRECTION: The afghan came from a lady in VA, Not PA)

Until next time.....tell God to use your life and see what happens.  But, be prepared to say YES!!!  He may (and probably will) take you out of your comfort zone!  :=)

Cindy

PS...A special thanks to Ralph for providing me with these great pictures!

TWENTY YEARS.....

Just imagine a doctor telling you the good news....that her goal in treating you was to give you twenty more years!  Just savor that for a moment and let your mind soak that up.

Yes, in April of 2011, that is exactly what my surgeon, Dr. Zusan, told me....and that was considered to be GOOD NEWS!  She also said at one time her goal was to "cure" me.  Well, considering I was 58 at the time, 20 years would make me 78....so considering the life expectancy of today.....I guess 20 years for me would be "cured".  My father passed away at 79 and my mother passed away at 81.  A year in your life as a youngster seems like such a long time.  But, we all know as you get older, that year flies by so quickly....oh how quickly 20 years will fly by!  

 I have thought about my own mortality....even before getting diagnosed with cancer.  It does not scare me.  It is a part of us from the moment we are born.  The older I get, the more I realize that I've got a whole lot of life to still fit in yet!  I know when my life here on earth is over, I will be present with my Lord, Jesus Christ, so I do not fear death.  It's a reality of life.  What I do fear is the road to death....the pain and suffering that may occur before the peace of death.....but I trust God to walk through anything with me. 

 Heck, my Grandma Ruddick lived to be 100, passing away just short of her 101st birthday!  So, I may even beat that "goal" of 20 years!  :=)  God will decide when my life here is over, so I'm not freaked out about any "goals" to keep me alive for another 20 years.  I love my doctor and appreciate her "goal"....but it's only a prediction of her's and it is a good prognosis for someone my age with breast cancer, but only God knows.   Shoot, I may go out and get hit by a bus tomorrow!  lol! (sure hope not!)

According to scripture, none of us are guaranteed tomorrow.

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:14"

  Now, this is not meant to be a morbid post...it is quite the opposite!  Looking at my own mortality....has made me think of my LIFE! I ask myself....if I truly have 20 years left...or even 5 of 10, or 40....what do I want to leave behind when I am gone.  What do I want my life to count for?  It's been good to reflect on and to make changes in my life.

 I want to LIVE TODAY!  I want to enjoy life!  I want to get rid of man-made restrictions on my life that have held me back from really enjoying life the way I should!

I want to make a difference in other peoples' lives while on this earth.  I want to be a person who will listen, pray and uplift others when they need someone.

  I want to be positive and fun!  Everyone, including me, will have their "moments" or trigger points that make them blue...I'm not immune from that.  But, I don't want to "live there"....I want to rise above that and make the best of this life God has given me!  I've asked myself...why do I get to survive breast cancer when others don't?  I don't have the answer, but I know I can let God use my life to be here for others.  I am choosing to be a vessel for God.

 I want to watch my children and grandchildren grow.  I want to live to see my grandchildren graduate high school, college, get married, and even have me some grandbabies!  :=)  

At the end of my life, I want to hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant....".  I want to know I made a "difference" while I am here on earth.  I want to be in fellowship with God every day and everywhere I go, so that I am "tuned in" when He shows me  someone in need.....or when He brings someone into MY life to bless me.  He does that, did you know that?  I believe many people I have met through this journey has been orchestrated by God.  He knows my needs.  He knows the desires of my heart.  I've had many "God moments" while on this journey and I look forward with expectation to have many more.

Before I took this cancer journey, I was pretty disgusted with people.  The daily news didn't have much good to say about humankind....man killing man, moms killing their own children, children killing their parents, greed and no regard for others who they hurt....I was left wondering if there were any people out there who cared about others anymore.  It just seemed it was such a "me" world....everyone out for themselves!  But, I have learned through my cancer journey that there are still good and caring people in this world!  God has shown me that I am not alone.  He has shown me the need to surround myself with positive people....those who can lift me up rather than bring me down.  He has shown me that I'm worth loving....through family, good friends, new friends, even strangers.  I did not feel I was worthy of being loved just the year before.  I am not thankful for cancer, but I am thankful for the journey....without the cancer I would have never taken the journey, so in a round about way, I guess I am thankful for the cancer.  God used my journey to heal me emotionally and spiritually.  He restored my Joy!  And I want to make a difference in this life, no matter how long I have left!  He's not done with me yet!  This journey has inspired me to live the rest of my life pleasing to Him and hopefully be an inspiration to others.

Until next time.....consider this.  If you are told the goal is to give you "20 years", what would you want to do in those 20 years?  How would you want to live in those 20 years?  What would you want to leave behind?  What would you change?  None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, whether we've dealt with cancer or not.  Live today like it's your last!  Make it count for something!  Enjoy it!  I know I am!  :=)

Hugs, Cindy

 

A FUN DAY WITH MY BESTIES!

Oh my, yes, we're a crazy bunch!!!

I had the BEST day with my Divas today!  I was in such a need for "girlfriend time" and Linda and I and Martha set out on an adventure today.  We started out with lunch at Chili's (compliments of PNC points).  We were going to have dessert, but the waitress never came back and asked us, so we gave up and decided we'd do a progressive dinner and go some place else for our dessert. 

 We started to head to Cracker Barrel for their yummy Coca Cola cake and Linda came up with a great idea....Kensington Tea Room!  Now, if you live in Seymour, or in the area, you need to check this place out!  It's located at 403 South Chestnut!  It's an awesome old home that was built in 1896 as a wedding present from Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Anderson to their daughter.  Wowsers, I can't imagine getting a wedding present like that...and my mother's maiden name was even Anderson!!!  Must have been a different line of Anderson's...lol....I think I got a toaster!  :=)

Anyway, this place is just absolutely beautiful with the original woodwork....each room finished in a different type of wood!

 Isn't that staircase just gorgeous!

This house has no closets, a half cellar, a coach house in back, FIVE fireplaces (gorgeous, I might add) and a round room upstairs.  The purpose of the round room was to be able to watch the happenings on two streets at the same time.  Hmmmm....must have been busy bodies keeping a good eye on their neighbors...lol!

I love old houses and their history and their character.  Just being able to take in the beauty of a home built so long ago is worth your time to go visit.  And, you know me....my camera travels in my purse wherever I go, so I had to get some pictures to try to share this beauty with you.   

 

 

The man running the Tea Room chatted with us and was very friendly and told us of his future plans to have a "Bed and Breakfast" there.  At this time they are living in the upstairs, so we weren't able to tour it.  I just can't imagine living in such a beautiful place!

 We enjoyed our cup of Hot Tea and Desserts as we chatted with each other.  We actually had a ball doing such a simple thing....doesn't take much to amuse us...lol!!

 Our tea was served in this beautiful tea pot and we poured it through a little strainer into our cups.  Hey, I'm not a real "cultured" gal, so just small things like this thrill me...lol!

 We felt very sophisticated....lol!

 

Bottoms Up!

 

Friend helping friend.....

 

 And it was over tea that an idea was born....

 We decided we need to form our own RED HAT chapter!!!!!

After our tea room visit, Linda had this great idea to visit Bon Worth out at the Outlet Mall (if you want to call it that...lol).  She said she had seen some Red Hat scarves out there!  So, we headed out there to see what they had and look what we found!!!!

 Not only did they have scarves...but they had the hats, oh my!  

We had so much fun!!!!  They had jewelry too!  Oh my!  We only got the scarves today and vowed to go back and get us a hat before our first "RED HAT" outing!  We are going to have sooooo much fun!!!!!!!

And, I get to be the QUEEN...lol!!!!

 Our sales clerk, Cathy, was fantastic and gave us lots of information about Red Hatters.  She was so helpful and even told us we could have a Fashion Show modeling their clothing!  Hmmmmm.....sounds like a fantastic way to raise funds for Breast Cancer!  So, if we can get it "together" we are hoping to do this in the Spring!

Now we are going to have to come up with a snazzy name for our Red Hat group that fits us....any ideas?  We are looking forward to monthly outings, so if you have any ideas of places we need to check out (nearby or around Indiana or Kentucky or Ohio), let us know!  We had a ball just hanging around town today.  We had no particular plans except lunch and it turned into a very special, fun day with "besties" and new experiences!  This is LIVING life to it's fullest....getting out and having fun with your friends and/or family!!!!  It doesn't have to be expensive to be fun!!!!

Until next time.....go do some LIVING.....call up a friend or two and explore things in your town or close by that you don't normally do!  I think we get in a "rut" of doing the same things or going to the same places....it's time to experience new things and new places!  Make time for yourself!  A happier YOU makes for a happier, healthier LIFE and that will affect your relationship with your family and others!

Hugs~Cindy

OH WHAT A YEAR 2011 WAS!!!!

2011 was a blessed year for me, in spite of...or maybe because of....being diagnosed with cancer.  2010 was a very difficult year for me and God used 2011 as a time of emotional healing for me. 

The best way to review my 2011 is in photos.  Not only did I keep this online journal of my year, but I also documented it in pictures.  My camera went everywhere with me...well almost...they wouldn't let me take it in the operating rooms.  lol!  I have put some collages together to depict my year and must say, it has brought back some wonderful memories for me and made me laugh at times.  I met so many special people on this journey and I smiled as I went through the pictures to put together.  Each photo holds a special memory for me.

This depicted my journey in the early days.  I began chemo first, so started it shortly after being diagnosed.  So, I pretty much spent my summer bald!  Then came the Relay for Life shortly after my diagnosis.  I got a "new" car from some good friends.  Went to "Look Good, Feel Better" where I met my wonderful "Cancer Sisters".

Chemo, surgery, birthday, swimming, wig shopping, Indians ballgame, Thirty-One Convention in Columbus, Ohio, lunches......

Bi-lateral masectomy, pillows, love and support, fingernails (yay!!!), and lunch....

Komen Race for the Cure in Evansville, IN, Breast Cancer Awareness at Chicos, meeting other "sisters in pink" and Republic Newspaper article......hmmmm, no lunch?????  Oh, wait, I see a lunch!!!  Second picture on bottom....with Ruby and Bob Evans!  Yay!!!!

Beautiful Fall day in Nashville, IN, visiting an old friend, showing reconstruction progress, hair growth, oh, and lunches (yay!!!)......

Stamp Class, Sleep Study, Nashville with Linda and Martha where we bumped into Santa, my special nurse during my implant surgery, Linda teaching me to make a no-sew throw, gambling at French Lick, my "special card", Dr. Van Valer releasing me from the CPAP machine (yay!!!!), Vince Gill and Amy Grant concert with Sheila....and I think I see lunch in there with my Cancer Sisters.....

Thanksgiving at Brown County Inn, my first pillows to make, and Nashville, IN the day after Thanksgiving, and lunch.....

Delivering "goodies" to special people, official "bra fitting" following implant surgery, favorite Pizza Hut waitress (Randi), special time with friends to celebrate Christmas, celebrating at Olive Garden with their crew (does it mean you eat out too much if the people working there get to be some of your bffs?  lol), and lunches.....

Oh, what a hodgepodge and out of place....strangling cancer, chemo nurses, special afghan from a reader, (fake) haircut and (real) manicure, special people, size 14/16 (yay!!!), gifts, Komen Race and Relay for Life, and lunch (first pic! lol)......

Thanksgiving with my family at home, Luke playing with my Xbox I won from 31, walking the calories off on the treadmill, and lunch with Andee and her family.......

Another hodgepodge out of place....Relay for Life, buzzing my hair off after chemo, recovery room, my special shoes I splurged on, my goofy wig pic, and ....no lunch????  What???  Seriously?  That is so wrong........

Christmas at home with my family, Christmas Eve at church with Jen, another surgery, and welcoming the New Year.....

Yes, I was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, which could mean it was the worse year of my life!  But, I can honestly say it wasn't and instead, it became one of the best years of my life!  Strange, I know....but I wouldn't change it!  Cancer did not own me....instead, I received so many blessings through it....and I survived it!  2010 was the worst year of my life....2011 brought emotional healing in the midst of the physical illness.  God used 2011 to show me how worthy and loved I am after a year of emotional pain and feeling un-loved.  I am thankful to be alive and thank God for His many blessings in 2011.    Looking at these pictures again I am reminded of just how "full" my year was.  Full of blessings and full of joy.  Yes, there were "hard times", but He walked through them with me and I came out on the "other side" feeling renewed!  I'm ready for whatever God has in store for me in 2012!!!  And I thank Him for 2011!!!

Until next time....I challenge you to take your camera everywhere and document your 2012 in pictures!  Even the most everyday events can come alive if you just have a camera tucked away in your purse!  I can look through all of these pictures and am reminded of my year and events that I may have forgotten about!  I am reminded of the people I met along the way who have become very special to me....and some I may never see again.....I can look at the doctors and nurses who helped me through this every step of the way...and I can remember all of those special lunches with special friends!  I will continue to take my camera everywhere....I have found that there are photo opportunities around every corner and each one can tell the "story of your life"!  Make 2012 special......enjoy life, even in the midst of storms!  Stay positive and surround yourself with positive people and positive activities!  And talk to God daily!  He understands it all and knows the desires of your heart....trust Him!  And thank you for following my journey....I appreciate you being here!  :=)

Cindy