Laney and I awoke to another day without the sun. The ground is covered in snow today and there looks to be no relief from the winter gloom. In the past week we have had an ice storm, several days of rain and freezing temperatures. Laney and I wonder where the sun has gone and if we will see it again. Laney has laid around, moving from couch to couch. Her enthusiasm to do anything is gone. I have to push her out the door as she does not like the cold nor the rain. I guess dogs suffer from seasonal depression also. As I sit here watching snow fall, I am dreaming about the warm sunny days I left behind in Texas. I guess I should be grateful we did not get the blizzard which the rest of the country is buried in. Looking for warm days and sunshine, please send a.s.a.p. rush delivery.
My husband and I have made it to the indoor track a couple of times in between the bad weather. We are trying to stay in shape for our 10k coming up in May. I think I may have recruited my best friend to join us and I am looking forward to the event. Hoping sometime in March to be able to start walking outside. Praying for an early spring.
As for now Laney and I are bundled up with a blanket watching the snow fall. Maybe we'll take a nap until the sun decides to come back from vacation. I hope it got a nice tan where ever it went. Ah, yes life is beautiful !!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
A New Life
It has been a year ago today that I was feeling very confused about my life. I remember feeling as I had fallen into a big hole and wondering if I would ever recover. My husbands journey with cancer had changed us both and sent us in two different directions. I was feeling scared about his health and the future and possibility of loosing him and being alone. He was in his own world dealing with his own feelings and sometimes seemed like someone I did not know. I am now feeling grateful a year later for the advice of a therapist and family doctor back here at home. The advice was simply, rest, don't be afraid to ask for help, take care of yourself, and rebuild a new life with a strong support group. At the time I thought even this simple advice was overwhelming. But, with one small step at a time I have gotten stronger and stronger.
I am now seeing how changing my thoughts and focusing on the positive has changed what has happened in my life. There are still times when I have wondered about things that happened and perhaps could have handled a few situations differently, but we learn from mistakes. I like to think now that this cancer journey has left me not taking anything for granted. I hope my husband feels the same.
The last several months have been filled with some great moments as the advice has paid off. I love these moments when things come into our life almost like magic. I guess things do become reality when we start to share our concerns and dreams with others.
My trip to Texas recently has become one of those great moments in life. I am so blessed by my friends in Texas that open their home to us, so we have a place to stay when my husband has medical appointments. Their hospitality and support has been very appreciated . We are very grateful for all they do for us, and I feel comfortable to share my thoughts and concerns about cancer with them. As a result my friend sent me some information on a MLFT who is going to speak to caregivers here at home. I felt this was Divine intervention. Because of my friend's ties with family back here , she had assess to the information about the MLFT. This speaking engagement is defiantly on my calendar. Speak and good things come to you.
I also had the pleasure yesterday of spending time with my Texas friend's parents. They live here close to me. Delivering a package to them from Texas proved to be another great moment. I have known them for probably for 36 years. Our conversation was about the miracle of life as they had battled a life threatening illness. My friend's father by the grace of god had survived quite an ordeal that would renew any ones faith. His wife and I shared some caregiver moments which allowed me to see the love and admiration they had for each other. As I stood to depart our visit, I hugged my friend's mother and it was a moment that left me with great peace. God Bless them!
So, it is a year later and I am out of the hole. I have received a medal for completing a half marathon. I have worked on building my support system. I am sleeping and pampering myself. Laney has remained a loyal and comforting four legged friend for which I am very grateful. My husband and I have been changing some things in our life that has made us stronger. I am now glad my life is not normal, because it has brought about a lot of wonderful changes. Small steps and great changes equal no regrets with love and determination. Life is beautiful !!
Love yourself and others will see your beauty.
Elizabeth
I am now seeing how changing my thoughts and focusing on the positive has changed what has happened in my life. There are still times when I have wondered about things that happened and perhaps could have handled a few situations differently, but we learn from mistakes. I like to think now that this cancer journey has left me not taking anything for granted. I hope my husband feels the same.
The last several months have been filled with some great moments as the advice has paid off. I love these moments when things come into our life almost like magic. I guess things do become reality when we start to share our concerns and dreams with others.
My trip to Texas recently has become one of those great moments in life. I am so blessed by my friends in Texas that open their home to us, so we have a place to stay when my husband has medical appointments. Their hospitality and support has been very appreciated . We are very grateful for all they do for us, and I feel comfortable to share my thoughts and concerns about cancer with them. As a result my friend sent me some information on a MLFT who is going to speak to caregivers here at home. I felt this was Divine intervention. Because of my friend's ties with family back here , she had assess to the information about the MLFT. This speaking engagement is defiantly on my calendar. Speak and good things come to you.
I also had the pleasure yesterday of spending time with my Texas friend's parents. They live here close to me. Delivering a package to them from Texas proved to be another great moment. I have known them for probably for 36 years. Our conversation was about the miracle of life as they had battled a life threatening illness. My friend's father by the grace of god had survived quite an ordeal that would renew any ones faith. His wife and I shared some caregiver moments which allowed me to see the love and admiration they had for each other. As I stood to depart our visit, I hugged my friend's mother and it was a moment that left me with great peace. God Bless them!
So, it is a year later and I am out of the hole. I have received a medal for completing a half marathon. I have worked on building my support system. I am sleeping and pampering myself. Laney has remained a loyal and comforting four legged friend for which I am very grateful. My husband and I have been changing some things in our life that has made us stronger. I am now glad my life is not normal, because it has brought about a lot of wonderful changes. Small steps and great changes equal no regrets with love and determination. Life is beautiful !!
Love yourself and others will see your beauty.
Elizabeth
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Garden Colors
I laid awake last night thinking about the nice day I had, as the wind was howling and rain was pelting away at the window. In 48 hours the weather had gone from freezing to the warm 50's and now the temperature was plummeting again. I had actually been able to take a walk outside yesterday. But, once again I awoke this morning to snow on the ground and the temperatures in the low 20's. I thought last night as I laid there how an on-line jigsaw puzzle reminded me of the wind and my life. The name of it was the Garden Colors. It was like a whirlwind of colors.
I have worked a lot of on-line jigsaw puzzles over the past year. It is a way for me to calm my mind and distract me from the many challenges I have had to face. Most of the puzzles I have solved have been of flowers. The Garden Colors was different and proved to be quite a challenge. I have been working on it for over a month. It was like the colors had been splashed onto a canvas and swirled. The challenge was not being sure of where the pieces connected. Some puzzles you can tell by the scenery where a piece will connect. I was thinking that at times I didn't know where the events of my life connected together. Sometimes I feel very uncertain about the future and whether my life makes any sense at all.
It took me over a month to complete the puzzle as some of the pieces laid over to side unable to connect anywhere I tried them. The predominant royal blue color was not wanting to connect. There seemed to be a lot of it with no place to fit. I almost gave up on it, but I do love a challenge. So, I gathered the royal blue pieces and put them together. Then I slid them into the picture, and as if by magic they swooshed into place and I heard a little click. At one point I had thought there must have been a mistake and the pieces belonged to another puzzle, but I was proved wrong. It was a moment of peace and I was glad I had not given up.
I showed the puzzle to my husband as I wanted to share the beauty of it. I thought about how the challenge of it was like the debate we had over the weekend. Sometimes in life there are royal blue moments when we have different opinions that don't seem to fit into our own jigsaw of life. I like the fact that my husband and I can have those debates. Sometimes we never see eye to eye, but we are strong enough to come to a compromise and see that our puzzle together clicks. The many pieces of our life have made us stronger.
The last couple of years of our life have been filled with a lot of new people that have helped us. They have at times seemed as if they did not fit. But, my husband and I now see a greater understanding of these people and a puzzle that has developed to fit together. They are like garden colors or royal blue pieces that clicked into place. Life is beautiful !!!
Les couleurs de jardin ont quitte mon epirit a la paix.
Elizabeth
I have worked a lot of on-line jigsaw puzzles over the past year. It is a way for me to calm my mind and distract me from the many challenges I have had to face. Most of the puzzles I have solved have been of flowers. The Garden Colors was different and proved to be quite a challenge. I have been working on it for over a month. It was like the colors had been splashed onto a canvas and swirled. The challenge was not being sure of where the pieces connected. Some puzzles you can tell by the scenery where a piece will connect. I was thinking that at times I didn't know where the events of my life connected together. Sometimes I feel very uncertain about the future and whether my life makes any sense at all.
It took me over a month to complete the puzzle as some of the pieces laid over to side unable to connect anywhere I tried them. The predominant royal blue color was not wanting to connect. There seemed to be a lot of it with no place to fit. I almost gave up on it, but I do love a challenge. So, I gathered the royal blue pieces and put them together. Then I slid them into the picture, and as if by magic they swooshed into place and I heard a little click. At one point I had thought there must have been a mistake and the pieces belonged to another puzzle, but I was proved wrong. It was a moment of peace and I was glad I had not given up.
I showed the puzzle to my husband as I wanted to share the beauty of it. I thought about how the challenge of it was like the debate we had over the weekend. Sometimes in life there are royal blue moments when we have different opinions that don't seem to fit into our own jigsaw of life. I like the fact that my husband and I can have those debates. Sometimes we never see eye to eye, but we are strong enough to come to a compromise and see that our puzzle together clicks. The many pieces of our life have made us stronger.
The last couple of years of our life have been filled with a lot of new people that have helped us. They have at times seemed as if they did not fit. But, my husband and I now see a greater understanding of these people and a puzzle that has developed to fit together. They are like garden colors or royal blue pieces that clicked into place. Life is beautiful !!!
Les couleurs de jardin ont quitte mon epirit a la paix.
Elizabeth
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Eat Your Vegetables
Today we woke up to a cold dreary day...Brrr. The high was 30 degrees. I could have just hibernated under the covers, but my husband and I decided that we needed to walk. We found another walk to do in May. This time it is a 10k. So, as much as I hated to step outdoors I had to get to the indoor track. The track was empty today as my husband and I were the only ones on it. Perhaps everyone else was hibernating as snow flurries kept falling all day. Thank goodness the indoor track was warm. I'm still missing Texas as my body has gone into shock from the cold.
Despite the cold weather, my husband is glad I'm back home to cook. He missed my home cooked meals and has said over and over how much he missed me or was it the food. Since I grew up eating a lot of vegetables they are my favorite things to eat. My grandmother and mother taught me how to season vegetables, so they taste good. I think I have eaten just about every vegetable known to man. One of our favorites is roasted fresh asparagus. A baking tray for the asparagus to lay on, olive oil drizzled over them, seasoned with salt and pepper and in the oven for 20 minutes and yummy. They are easy to make and quite tasty. I think Laney likes me being home also, because she likes the fact I slip her healthy treats too. Maybe my new adventure will be teaching my husband how to cook.
Maybe I'll take another trip as it always feels good to know that I was missed. Laney is resting her head on the keyboard as I try to write. She has been next to me since I returned, and so has my husband since we were reunited. Remember to tell your loved ones everyday how much you love them. Ah, Life is beautiful!!
Elizabeth
Despite the cold weather, my husband is glad I'm back home to cook. He missed my home cooked meals and has said over and over how much he missed me or was it the food. Since I grew up eating a lot of vegetables they are my favorite things to eat. My grandmother and mother taught me how to season vegetables, so they taste good. I think I have eaten just about every vegetable known to man. One of our favorites is roasted fresh asparagus. A baking tray for the asparagus to lay on, olive oil drizzled over them, seasoned with salt and pepper and in the oven for 20 minutes and yummy. They are easy to make and quite tasty. I think Laney likes me being home also, because she likes the fact I slip her healthy treats too. Maybe my new adventure will be teaching my husband how to cook.
Maybe I'll take another trip as it always feels good to know that I was missed. Laney is resting her head on the keyboard as I try to write. She has been next to me since I returned, and so has my husband since we were reunited. Remember to tell your loved ones everyday how much you love them. Ah, Life is beautiful!!
Elizabeth
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Valentines Day !!
I woke up today to a beautiful Valentines Day. I have finally made it back home, and it felt great to wake up next my to Laney and my husband. Laney was so excited to see me last evening, as I opened up the front door she came running at me. She jumped into my arms with her tail wagging. She had not forgot me, as I have been away from her for 21 days. I was so happy to see her and had missed our quiet times together. It was a perfect day as Laney was happy to spend it with my husband and I.
I had forgotten how cold it is here at home, as I am spoiled from the warm Texas air. Unfortunately it is back to cold winds, snow flurries and winter coats. I am praying for an early spring and the chance to plant flowers. I forgot how drab it looks here as I am missing the flowers of Texas. It is time for a bouquet of flowers on the table to tide us over.
I am also missing my Texas friends and animals. I fell in love with my friend's two cats, Tango and Jitterbug. They kept me entertained while I was in Texas. They are two adventurous and mischievous cats. Jitterbug took a liking to me and I almost slipped him in my suitcase, but I knew my friend would miss him and Laney would be jealous. I have pictures of the two cats to hold onto until our next visit.
Well, I hope where ever you are that your Valentines Day was filled with love and laughter. My day has been filled with love and a wonderful reminder that my husband is still here beside me. Life is beautiful!! Happy Valentines Day to all !!!
Embrassez celui que vous aimez.
Elizabeth
I had forgotten how cold it is here at home, as I am spoiled from the warm Texas air. Unfortunately it is back to cold winds, snow flurries and winter coats. I am praying for an early spring and the chance to plant flowers. I forgot how drab it looks here as I am missing the flowers of Texas. It is time for a bouquet of flowers on the table to tide us over.
I am also missing my Texas friends and animals. I fell in love with my friend's two cats, Tango and Jitterbug. They kept me entertained while I was in Texas. They are two adventurous and mischievous cats. Jitterbug took a liking to me and I almost slipped him in my suitcase, but I knew my friend would miss him and Laney would be jealous. I have pictures of the two cats to hold onto until our next visit.
Well, I hope where ever you are that your Valentines Day was filled with love and laughter. My day has been filled with love and a wonderful reminder that my husband is still here beside me. Life is beautiful!! Happy Valentines Day to all !!!
Embrassez celui que vous aimez.
Elizabeth
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Bitter Sweet
The last of my trip in Texas is coming to an end. I am sitting here with my husband and friend enjoying a quiet day. It will be bitter sweet returning to the reality of life back in the land of the cold. I am going to enjoy as much as I can today. The rain seems to have subsided and we are about to take a walk outside. My husband is feeling great and he is wanting to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. Maybe the warm air will follow us north tomorrow as we head for our home. I am anticipating my reunion with Laney.
My husband has already found some new adventures for us. There are some more half marathons and 10k walks in May. So, it will back to walking and training for the events. Hopefully the winter will pass quickly and we will be back outside for our training. Looking forward to flip flop weather and walking with my husband.
We will be counting down the days until we arrive back in the state of Texas. Hope to see my Texas friends again soon. As for now, I have have lots of great memories, hugs, smiles and laughter. That is because everything is big in Texas. Life is beautiful !!!
Elizabeth
My husband has already found some new adventures for us. There are some more half marathons and 10k walks in May. So, it will back to walking and training for the events. Hopefully the winter will pass quickly and we will be back outside for our training. Looking forward to flip flop weather and walking with my husband.
We will be counting down the days until we arrive back in the state of Texas. Hope to see my Texas friends again soon. As for now, I have have lots of great memories, hugs, smiles and laughter. That is because everything is big in Texas. Life is beautiful !!!
Elizabeth
Friday, February 8, 2013
All Is Sunny In Texas
Today is a beautiful day in Texas. The sun is shinning and it is a warm and I am with my wonderful husband. He has seen his doctor at MD Anderson and had a great check up. Now he is resting comfortably as he receives a maintenance treatment for his lymphoma. It has been a blessed day as we have been embraced with good news, hugs and lots of smiles. I am feeling very much at peace today.
We had some time before my husband's treatment to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. I was blessed to sit in one of the outdoor garden areas and view the beauty of roses. There were some other beautiful red, pink and white flowers. I am not sure what they were, but they were also astoundingly beautiful. The flowers here always make me feel happy, as flowers are definitely one of my favorite things. God definitely knew what he was doing when he created flowers. So, I am happy my husband shares the love of flowers with me.
Missing Laney and my children and wishing they could be here to enjoy the beautiful weather. Blessings to all who have touched my heart today. Life is beautiful !!!
Les fleurs sont une des creations beutiful de Dieu.
Elizabeth
We had some time before my husband's treatment to sit outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. I was blessed to sit in one of the outdoor garden areas and view the beauty of roses. There were some other beautiful red, pink and white flowers. I am not sure what they were, but they were also astoundingly beautiful. The flowers here always make me feel happy, as flowers are definitely one of my favorite things. God definitely knew what he was doing when he created flowers. So, I am happy my husband shares the love of flowers with me.
Missing Laney and my children and wishing they could be here to enjoy the beautiful weather. Blessings to all who have touched my heart today. Life is beautiful !!!
Les fleurs sont une des creations beutiful de Dieu.
Elizabeth
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Big Personalities
I have been totally relaxed since I have been in Texas. My friends here in the big state have welcomed me with big smiles and warm hearts. There are a lot of big personalities. Everything is beautiful in Texas. Tomorrow it will be even more beautiful when my husband joins me. He has missed my blog postings as I have been busy having fun. So, this post is for my husband and Laney.
Thank you my dear for leaving me in Texas. The weather has been amazing for a northern girl and I have enjoyed the seasonal flowers that are blooming. I have been stress free and so relaxed that I have slept like a baby. This has been a great lesson on how to do nothing and have fun. I have had no schedules and it has been great to only be responsible for myself. You better join me tomorrow or I may get too use to this. Loving you no matter how many miles separate us.
Sending hugs to my four legged friend Laney and a reassuring message that I will be back. Smiling as I look at your picture and wishing you were here. Life is beautiful!!
Elizabeth
Thank you my dear for leaving me in Texas. The weather has been amazing for a northern girl and I have enjoyed the seasonal flowers that are blooming. I have been stress free and so relaxed that I have slept like a baby. This has been a great lesson on how to do nothing and have fun. I have had no schedules and it has been great to only be responsible for myself. You better join me tomorrow or I may get too use to this. Loving you no matter how many miles separate us.
Sending hugs to my four legged friend Laney and a reassuring message that I will be back. Smiling as I look at your picture and wishing you were here. Life is beautiful!!
Elizabeth
Friday, February 1, 2013
Special Moments
I shared a special moment last evening with Laney on Skype. She cocked her head from side to side as she stared into the web camera. She could see me and hear my voice, she then started to wag her tail and jumped off the couch and started chasing her tail. She was showing off for me. My husband said she has been laying on my side of the bed at night waiting for me. I wonder sometimes what she thinks. I hope she does not feel abandoned by me. She makes me appreciate the simple things.
Enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures in Texas. I am having fun hanging out with friends and following no set schedules. It is great enjoying time away from responsibility and catching up on rest. I have recuperated from the Hero-thon and have enjoyed some walks outside in the beautiful weather. Missing my husband and Laney and sending warm thoughts to them as they are freezing back in the land of the cold. And, yes it is great to be wearing flip flops. Life is beautiful!!
Elizabeth
Enjoying the sunshine and warm temperatures in Texas. I am having fun hanging out with friends and following no set schedules. It is great enjoying time away from responsibility and catching up on rest. I have recuperated from the Hero-thon and have enjoyed some walks outside in the beautiful weather. Missing my husband and Laney and sending warm thoughts to them as they are freezing back in the land of the cold. And, yes it is great to be wearing flip flops. Life is beautiful!!
Elizabeth
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