Birthday Memories

The snow continues to fall and Laney and I are anticipating a warm up.  The weather man has predicted a high in the 50's by the weekend.  Hoping that this is the last of the snow, as we grow restless to get outside and plant some flowers.

This day is a reminder of past years in which the air temperature was warm and the day was sunny.  My memories are so vivid of this date on the calendar, as it is a day of celebration.  Twenty nine years ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.  It was a sunny day and of course a perfect spring day to celebrate life.  I have many wonderful memories of this date over the years.  Many birthdays were celebrated with the sounds of children laughing and watching them run around the backyard playing.

Today the children's laughter is a wonderful memory, as it is replaced with laughter of a confident, beautiful woman..  Happy Birthday to my daughter.  You have filled my life with joy and made me laugh through all the challenges in life.  You have been an inspiration and a miracle from God.  Even though there is snow on the ground and the sky is filled with clouds, my mind is filled with sunshine and my heart is filled with love for you.  Have a wonderful day !!!

Life is beautiful because of loving you !!

Elizabeth

Music and Love

God graced us with an interesting weekend in more than one way.  Saturday was a beautiful day with sunshine and a blue sky with no clouds.  The warmth of the sun made it feel warmer than the actual temperature.  My husband and I were able to get out and walk.  Laney joined us on our walk,  she strutted up and down the sidewalk as if she owned it.  She seemed happy to be out and about.  Little did she know it was only a tease of spring weather.  In less than 24 hours winter had returned.

Yes, winter is back for a brief stay.  I guess you could say an encore performance, and what an encore it is.  We awoke Sunday to find our sunny sky departed and the wind blowing, as snow was falling all around us.  I am hoping this is the last of old man winter.  He dumped about four inches of snow on us and there is a predicted one to two inches more to fall today.  Laney has had fun running in the snow.    She does not stay outside long, because she gets icy and cold.  After her morning run in the yard, she looked like she had grown a beard from the wet snow that froze to her face.  She has reclined now to the couch for her usual morning nap.

My love notes to my husband paid off, as he surprised me with tickets to the Philharmonic Orchestra and Rita Coolidge.  The classical music which I love was a serenade to a beautiful day.  Rita engaged the audience as she sang one of my all time favorites, "The Amazing Grace."  She also filled the concert hall with songs of love that could only leave you feeling like you had fallen in love all over again.  I was reminded again of why I fell in love with my husband.   Thank you my dear for a lovely evening.

Music for me is like therapy that soothes my soul, makes me happy, and inspires me to be creative.  I sign off today, as Laney and I listen to Andrea Bocelli, Adele, The Best of Bach, and one of my husband's favorites, Van Morrison.  A home filled with music is a home filled with love.

Life is beautiful !!!

Elizabeth

Laney Goes Public

It has been a busy week and the sun is shining again.  I have been trying to catch up on life after being down with the flu for over two weeks.  It was time to get out and have some fun in the sun.  I had to wear several layers of clothing, as it has been bone chilling.  I am wondering if I am living in  Antarctica and don't  know it.  This blast of cold air is breaking records for March.   Laney and I are getting restless for flip flop weather.

Speaking of Laney, she has been a little miffed at me this week.  I have been out having fun without her.  She has let me know she doesn't like it, by eating paper and refusing to sit by me.   She hasn't even gotten up to great me at the door.  So, last evening I had to break down and do something to win her back.  I made the decision to let her have her own Facebook page.  Yes, Laney has gone public to see how many people like her.  She needs a lot of likes to be an official member of Facebook.  If you feel some compassion for her, look her up.  She is listed as Laney, and you will recognize her laying on the couch.

It took me about three hours to set up Laney's Facebook page.  I had a little trouble posting her picture, as some little man named Jim kept appearing on my computer screen with a wrench.  I was even told at one point that Jim had died.  He must have expired  from me trying to upload too much.  Anyways, I gave him a complete checkup and he is fine and he finished the job. LOL!  I did not know little men lived in my computer, maybe he is waiting for a love letter. Ha! Ha!  I know my husband is waiting for his love note which he didn't get this morning, because I went to bed with a headache from Jim tormenting with his wrench.  But, I was surprised to open my lap top to find a note that said, "I Love You!"  What a way to start another beautiful day.

I promised Laney a love letter, as she has been extremely jealous this week.  So, I posting the letter here on her blog.  Life is beautiful!!!

My Dearest Laney,  From the moment I saw you, I knew we were meant to be together.  Your beautiful brown eyes followed me all around the pet store.  The moment the clerk put you in my arms, we were to be inseparable.  Not even a little boy with a sad look on his face could separate us, as he asked , "Are you going to buy her?"  I replied, "I already did, but you can pet her."   You have brought me much joy and laughter, and my life journey would not be complete without you.  You are the my best four legged friend and I will always love you!!   Kisses and Hugs, Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Being In Love

Today is suppose to be the first day of spring, but it is more like a winter day.  The wind has been howling as it usually does in March, but the temperature is below normal.  The high today is only 32 degrees.  The only blessing is the beautiful sun which looks great from inside.  I was out early this morning and quickly returned home, as the cold wind was a bit uncomfortable.  This is one of those days when you wonder if the ground hog made a mistake.  The weatherman predicted an early spring, but the  March weather outlook seems more like  winter.  I even saw some snowflakes falling amidst the sunshine.  There will be no walking outside yet.  My husband and I will have to continue walking on the indoor track for awhile.  I am so grateful for that indoor track, as I can't tolerate the cold any more.  Laney has even been under the weather as she has been sick the last couple of days and sticking to me like glue.  We are praying for warmer days.

So, my husband and I have found a new distraction in life.  The love notes have become a new adventure for us.  I have to say it is a great diversion from everyday life.  He has made me search for the notes.  One of them was in the refrigerator.  As I opened the door, it was hanging from the shelf.   I couldn't find today's note, and I  had to get a hint from him.  I do say that it is a great way to lift one's spirits.  We needed something to distract our minds from cancer.  A friend asked me the other day what it like to live with cancer in your life.  I told her it is always there to remind us to cherish those we love and to have fun everyday.  It could be looked at as a blessing to live your life to the fullest.  Never stop living your dreams.

When I was out earlier, I stopped at the book store as I love books.  I refrained from buying any new ones,  because I am still reading The Emperor Of All Maladies  by Siddhartha Mukherjee.   I will be forever grateful for all doctors who have dedicated their lives to finding cures for cancer and other diseases.  Thank you to all the doctors that have graced my husband's and my life.  Hugs and smiles to you.

I have one last book to mention today, as I thought of it when I was writing love notes to my husband.
It is I Love You,  Ronnie  The Love Letters Of Ronald Reagan To Nancy Reagan  by Nancy Reagan.  It is a beautiful book of love letters sent from Ronnie to Nancy over several years.  I read it some years ago, and I still love to sit and reread it.  It will make you want to be in love.

Life is beautiful !!!

Elizabeth

Love and Mail

I followed my own advice and placed a love letter in my husband's lunch bag last night.  He has not stopped talking about it.  I have to admit that after awakening this morning, I searched around the house to see if he had left me a reply.  At first, I was a little disappointed as I saw no signs of a note.  But, I guess he knows me so well.  I was surprised when I opened up my laptop to find a love note resting on the keyboard.  He knows my morning routine so well.  I could picture him smiling at me as I read the note.  The law of attraction has made me a believer again.

Writing love letters, love notes or letters of gratitude is easy and the pay off is very uplifting.  It is especially fun when you write to your loved ones and they don't expect it.  I use to write letters to my own children when they were young.  I would tell them  how special they were and how much I loved them.  Then I would mail it to them.  They were surprised to get a letter in the mail.  They would laugh when they saw it was from me.  I think they loved getting mail.  It was my way of expressing the things that sometimes are hard to say.  

If you don't have anyone to write to, write yourself a letter.  Tell yourself all the things you are grateful for and mail it to yourself.   Or, leave a note of thank you on some one's desk and make them smile. Remember hand written letters are special, because they are in your handwriting.  Your handwriting is a special part of you that belongs to no one else.  It makes people happy that you thought of them.  Keep the mail service in business and write someone.  They will love opening the mail box to find letters among the bills.

When my husband and I were living in Texas many miles from our home, we would look forward to the mail delivery everyday. We received many cards and letters while my husband was getting cancer treatment.  We took turns opening the letters, because we were so excited.  I still have all the letters and cards.  The power of the letters was so powerful it was like taking a dose of happiness everyday.  If you sent us mail, we are forever grateful to you for making our days a little brighter.

Well I better get to bed before the sun rises to brighten my day.  I think I'll leave a love note in my husband's shirt pocket.  Hope you have a blessed day and don't forget to spoil your four legged friends.

 Life is beautiful !!!

Elizabeth

Happy St. Patrick's Day !!!

St Patrick's Day is known all over the world as a religious and a cultural holiday and how befitting that it has fallen on Sunday.  It is a day of recognition of St. Patrick who introduced Christianity in Ireland.  It became a day to celebrate and feast.  Tradition is to eat and drink a good green beer.  Hope you had a few for me.

The luck of the Irish has been with me this weekend, as I was blessed to awaken both mornings with the sun shinning and my husband and Laney resting next to me.  I think I must have been born with a four leaf clover in my hand.  I feel like a lucky girl in love.  My Irish blood has always made me curious as to what it would be like to celebrate over in Ireland.   My grandfather on my mother's side was a full blooded Irish man.  His surname was Clary.  He was most definitely an Irish chap.  I think it would be interesting to step back in time and watch the family celebrate.  Hope whatever your heritage is, your day has been full of love and luck.

My husband and I were able to walk outside yesterday.  The sun was out, but it was a little brisk as the cold air is still with us.  I noticed as we walked that there are buds on the trees, as spring is just around the corner.  Laney has enjoyed running around the yard, as I'm sure she is anticipating warm sunny days also.

If you are able to get up tomorrow, that is if you haven't partied too much, send someone a note or text of gratitude and love.  It is the law of attraction that it will come back to you many times over.  As the sun has set, my heart is full of love.  Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Love Letters

Well, I finally have my zest back for life.  I'm sitting here drinking a cup of coffee and smiling with Laney by my side.  The sun is shinning for the second day in a row and I'm feeling energetic.  Yesterday I woke up and actually felt alive again and spent the day cleaning up the mess I had made over the past two weeks.  After my walk on the track the other evening, I slept twelve hours.  I guess that is what I needed.  I think I scared my husband, as I felt him lay his hand on my chest and face to see if I was still breathing.  Yes, I am alive.

Over the course of two weeks a lot of junk mail piled up.  Such a waste of trees, so I put the shredder to work and sent the paper off to recycle.  I was thinking how I wished that letters would come in the mail instead of all the junk. I love hand written letters as they are wonderful keepsakes from our past. They tell a story about our life.  I have spent the last six months sorting through things from the past and ran across a box of letters from a friend. There are 32 years of letters in the box.  I have been corresponding with  my friend since childhood, and no it is not by text message.

I guess you could say that I have had ties to the great state of Texas for 32 years.  My friend that  I have been writing to, lives north above Dallas.  Over the last three years of traveling to Texas, I have not made the time to see her.  I am hoping someday that our paths will cross again as we have only seen each other twice in those 32 years.  As for now our letters will keep us connected many miles apart.  I send much gratitude to the US postal service.

Speaking of letters, I also found love letters from my husband and poetry that I wrote back in my college days.  If we should loose our minds we still will have love letters to remind us how much in love we are.  I have to laugh as some things never change.  My husband talks a lot in the letters about football and the love he has for it.  He still to this day talks a lot about football and he reminds me with a big smile on his face that he loves football as much as me.  OH-IO, Go Bucks!!

I noticed that I spend a lot of time writing about the sunshine, as I also did back in college.  Yes, I love sunshine and flowers.  Life is beautiful!!  So, I leave you today with something I wrote many suns ago.

  As the world awakes, the morning sun warms my heart.
    As my eyes open, the morning sun brightens my life.
       As the sun sets, my heart is full of love.

Elizabeth
         

Patiently Waiting

It is now the second week of being down with the flu virus.  I tried the last couple of days to get back into a normal routine, but feeling exhausted by the end of the day.  Last evening my husband and I went to the university track.  The three flights of stairs to the  track left me winded and wondering if I was ever going to be able to walk.  After resting against the wall for a few minutes to catch my breathe, I thought  about taking a piggy back ride on my husband's back. Ha!Ha!  I don't think he liked that idea.  Instead we walked side by side leisurely for about two miles.  I felt like I was in physical rehab.  I have to admit it felt good to get some exercise.  Small steps lead to big achievements with love and determination.

The weather is up and down.  We went from 60 degrees Sunday to a low 30's.  This morning there is once again a dusting of snow on the ground, but we have sunshine.  I did notice that there are daylilies  and iris starting to peak through the ground.  We had a lot of wind and rain on Monday, typical March weather.  Spring is on its way and I am hoping the wind blows the cold winter air out of here.

Waiting patiently for some nice days to walk outside.  My husband has reminded me that we are now ten weeks out from our 10k walk.  I don't want to rush the days away, but I am definitely longing for those beautiful days of summer.  For now, Laney and I will rest and view the sunshine from the warm indoors.  Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Life Is For Living

The sunshine has departed and the March wind and rain has begun.  Laney has been staring out the door and sighing a lot.  She has always been afraid of wind and rain.  I wish she could talk and tell me what scares her about the rain.  I particularly don't like rain either, but rain will make things green again.

I am trying to get back to usual activities of life, but still having to take time to rest.  The virus is still kicking me down.  I was hoping to get back to the walking track tonight, but feeling exhausted as the afternoon slips away.  My body is telling me to slow down.  I think the last three years of my husband's journey with cancer has caught up with me.

A dear doctor recommended a book to read called,  The Emperor Of All Maladies  by Siddhartha Mukherjee.   It is an excellent book about the history of cancer.  I love biographies whether they are of a person's life or a history of anything.  I was unable to put the book down when I started to read it. If anyone is interested in knowing how the treatment of cancer has evolved over time, it is a good book.  I was curious about the book because of my own medical background and a love of research.  The book was also a Pulitzer Prize Winner.  Thank you dear doctor for the recommended reading.

Cancer has been a part of my family life for the last 27 years.  During that time span I have seen many advancements in the treatment of cancer.  I hope people will continue to fund research, so we can find a cure.  Over the past eight years my husband and I have been walking to raise money for LLS research.  To date we have raised close to ten thousand dollars.  Thanks to all the people that supported us and made donations.  It is research that gives us hope for our future together as we walk hand in hand.

Life is beautiful !!!

De grands enseignants ouvrent beaucoup de portes.

Elizabeth

Beautiful Sunday

I awoke today to what is a beautiful Sunday.  The sun was streaming in the window this morning and as I opened my eyes I saw my husband staring at me and smiling.  On the other side of me was Laney looking at me.  What a lucky girl I am.  I was blessed to start my day off with a smile.  I wanted to spring to my feet, but I was still feeling a little weak from being sick.  It is hard for me to think that just six weeks ago I had walked a half marathon and now I felt like a mile might do me in. But, I managed to get dressed and actually went outside as the temperature hit 60 degrees.  I was bound and determine not  to miss the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful day.  The weather man had predicted clouds and rain.  I am so glad he was wrong.

So the past week has been a role reversal for my husband and I.  He became the caregiver and I was the patient.  It does give you a different perspective when you switch roles.  My husband did a great job of taking care of everything.  I would not let him near me for fear he would get sick, but he gave me a great comfort by supplying me with comfort food.  The food you know you probably shouldn't eat, but just thinking about it makes you produce those good endorphins.  He surprised me because he knew exactly what those foods were.  He brought home dinner each night and made me laugh from across the room.  His quirky smile makes me laugh every time.  It's those little things that make us feel  better.  Now I am waiting for a hug, one of my favorite things.  Maybe I will be blessed with lots of hugs in a couple of days, when I feel confident I am not contagious.

I hope to be back on the walking track this week as I feel the great desire to get moving again.  I don't like being sick, but I am very grateful that my body is able to heal itself.  Maybe we might even be able to walk outside as it is suppose to be a warm week.  Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

A Fly

There was a fly perched on the cement this morning as I opened the door to let Laney out.  It was squirming around.  This was a sure sign that spring is in the air.  I was surprised that the fly was alive as it was very cold last night.  The temperature last night had dipped into the teens, but the sunshine today is going to bring warm air with it.

I am praying that each day I wake up I will feel better.  I think I can say that I officially have the flu.  I had a rough night as the cough and congestion is overwhelming.  Just getting dressed yesterday took the gusto out of me.  My flu shot has failed me this year.  I have continued to pray that my husband does not get ill.  I guess the couch, the dog and I are going to continue being bed buddies.  I am struggling to find the positive when I feel so bad, but grateful for love and life.   Also, grateful for tissues with lotion.

I did hear good news yesterday that makes me believe in change your thoughts and it will change your world.  I like to think of these as little miracles.  There are angels watching over us.

Don't forget to spring forward with your clock this weekend if you are living somewhere that observes day light savings time.  I am hoping that the time change will bring optimism that warm days will be upon us soon.  I am getting ready for the flowers, as I am planning my flower gardens in my head.  Life is like the beauty of flowers.  It will always bloom when we are optimistic.  Smile today at everyone, as it is contagious.

Life is beautiful!!!

Elizabeth

Changing Thoughts to Change Your World

I have not been out of the house now in five days.  My blow torched throat has cooled down, but the head congestion has begun.  If I could turn off the drippy nose, I might feel human again .  Laney has been on the couch with me and has become a couch hog.  She likes to hog the covers and lay on top of me.  I am grateful that she has not abandoned me.  Her intentions to watch over me has been quite comforting.  I miss the comfort of my bed, but do not want to sneeze or cough on my husband.  I am ready for this virus to go bye-bye.

I just noticed that the room I am in looks different.  I am resting on a different couch than I usually sit on.  It is amazing how sitting in a different spot gives one a different perspective of the room.  Seeing things from a different angle makes me aware of how much I really do not pay attention to.  I can now see my plaque that says change your thoughts and change your world.  Looking for the positive in all situations always makes me smile.  My thoughts today are of how grateful I am for my funny husband and the fact he still makes me laugh even when I am sick. Maybe he'll bring me a bowl of laughter for dinner.  Hint, hint my dear husband, please bring home dinner again.

Well I was just thinking about the 10k that my husband and I are going to do in May.  We have not made it to the track now in about a week.  Between my illness and bad weather, we are very much off of our schedule.  Hoping I start feeling better, and we can get back on schedule.  Feeling the way I do right now, I don't think I could make it around the track one time.  I'll keep my mind focused on feeling better and walking the track in my dreams.  Give someone a hug for me today, but only if you're healthy.  Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Summer and Love

Laney is curled up in my lap and I am definitely feeling bad as my throat is still hurting.  I am now developing a cough and my head feels like something blew it up.  Our sunshine has the hit the road and  it is once again gloomy.  We awoke this morning to a dusting of snow on the ground and awaiting a major snow storm moving towards us tonight.  I am hoping that the warm up that is coming will keep the snow from lingering.  It is crazy how the temperature has gone up and down and the weather changes drastically over night.  It has been a strange winter as we approach spring and we are now getting some bad weather.  It has also been a bad winter for illness.  My husband is still feeling alright as I keep praying he does not catch my virus.

Working on a new jigsaw puzzle called Dreaming of Summer.  It has been another challenge as there are many flowers in the picture and all the pieces look alike.  I was wishing my patio looked like the picture.  If I could escape winter I would pick a place where flowers bloom all year and sun shines ninety percent of the time.  Wouldn't it be nice if it only rained at night?  For now I'll close my eyes and dream of beautiful gardens and maybe when I awake it will be spring.  Life is beautiful !!

To my husband....Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better....William Shakespeare

Elizabeth

It's The Sun

Laney and I awoke today to the beautiful sunshine that we have been waiting for.  I have not run outside yet and yelled, "It's the sun."  I am not going to be running anywhere as I have awaken the last two mornings with a sore throat that feels like a blow torch has touched it.  And, now the laryngitis has begun.  I'm glad I am alone as I do not want to talk to anyone.   I am praying my husband does not get ill.  He has been keeping his distance from me and so has Laney. I feel like I have the plague as Laney is sitting across the room staring at me. We will enjoy the sunshine from the window today and possible step out side long enough to go to the mailbox.  The sun will have a short stay as another snow storm will grace us tomorrow with snow accumulations. I will be parking my chair by the window to soak up the warm rays from the sun while it visits.

Laney and I came across some funny and uplifting cards made by elementary school children.  They were cards that  students made years ago when my husband was first diagnosed with lymphoma. They are funny and packed with some sincere get well wishes and the pictures they drew.  The cards were actually from second graders.  It was my son's second grade class.  Today they are all adults and I hope they know that they are still making us laugh. A great way to make anyone smile is for children to make cards for someone.  Children say the funniest things and their art work is so original.  Thank you to those students who make every day sunny for my husband.

Les enfants nous inspirient avec la beaute quotidiene.

Gratitude For Life

Left Laney curled up on the couch this morning, as I was out the door at the crack of dawn to attend the annual LLS conference.  This is second year my husband and I have attended.  The conference is for patients and caregivers.  It was nice to get out of the house and meet some new people.  There were some great doctors who presented some interesting information on new treatments. It was interesting and yet frustrating that it takes many years to get a drug FDA approved.  There was also a great team of social workers and psychiatrists presenting sessions on living with cancer, side effects after treatment, and being a survivor.  It was beneficial to hear that as a caregiver I was not alone in feeling that I had slipped into a dark hole a year ago. There were many other caregivers that also felt the same way.  It is always nice to know you are not alone. Many thanks and much gratitude to the LLS for a great program and great lunch.  I always love it when someone else does the cooking.  If a chapter of LLS  is close to you and offers the conference, I highly recommend it.

It is still very cold out and Laney and I are still looking for the sun.  The snow was falling all day, but it was not really accumulating.  I was hoping for a quick glimpse of the sun.  It must still be on vacation.  People in the north will actually come out of hibernation to see the sun.  It is like a celebration and you can hear people yell, "It's the sun."  It is like a foreign object to us. I am anticipating a day of sun soon as the weather forecast looks promising next week.  Maybe we will get lucky and be graced with a beautiful rainbow too.

We were back on the indoor track as I am not letting old man winter get the best of me.  They emphasized today at the conference the importance of exercise to keep your mind and body strong.  So glad my husband is still walking beside me and feeling good.  All things possible with love and determination.  Life is beautiful and so is Laney !!