Grateful For Dreams

The air conditioning is back on as our unpredictable weather has brought us temperatures ten degrees above normal.  The rain has subsided and today was a picture perfect day with sunshine, blue skys and everything blooming.  The last couple evenings after the rain had departed the air smelled fresh and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air.  It was perfect evenings for walking with the birds chirping and the cool moist air on our skin.  Everything is beautiful, like a painted picture that I wish we could view all the time.

Laney was so happy to see sunshine today that she lay on the back porch and sun bathed.  She looked relaxed and I was going to try and snap a picture of her, but I knew if  I opened the door she would jump up.  I left her to enjoy the sunshine.

My husband and I are trying to keep busy and distract our minds as we prepare for another journey across the country for medical care.  This will be the last maintenance treatment for his lymphoma.  It has been a busy two years for us traveling every three months for treatment.  The time has gone by quickly, and we say our blessings everyday for the Md Anderson Cancer Center.  We are grateful for all the time we have together and his continued remission.  Our Texas friends await our arrival and we are looking forward to many more fun days with them.

Life will take you where you want to go when you dream big.  I dreamed of loving you my dear husband and together we went to Texas.  I love you always and forever.   Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Rain

When it rains it pours.  That's an old saying I heard growing up.  It was meant to be that a lot of things were going on in your life.   Sometimes there are things that happen that you have no control over and you wish they would stop.  Another saying is unpleasant things happen in threes.  I guess these sayings only have meaning if we let them.   I have had a week of rain pouring, but I decided it wasn't worth flooding my mind with it.  Today the sun is shinning on my life and I am happy to report it is Friday. Yes, it is TGIF!!

I fell asleep the other day with my laptop resting on my lap and when I woke up, my computer decided not to wake up.  The little guy Jim with the wrench on my computer screen decided he was done and threw in the wrench.  So it was bye, bye to Jim and bye, bye to my laptop.   I believe the hard drive expired.  It was so sad to think I would not be graced with a love note stuck to the computer screen.  But, my wonderful husband surprised me this morning.  I saw his iPad sitting on the table and as I opened it up, there was a love note stuck to the screen.  He knows me so well.  So, the rain has dried up and I am wondering how long he is going to be sharing his iPad.

Laney is so oblivious to everything that happens.  She has no worries and sleeps all day.  Her only concern is when she is getting her evening treat.  I have captured a picture of her napping as she does all day.  She is even resting her head on a pillow.  What a life of no worry.  Maybe we could learn something from her.  She brings laughter to my life everyday.  She is always a ray of sunshine when the rain pours.

 Life is beautiful!!

Elizabeth

Speechless

It is a rainy and cold April day.  The rain has been falling all day and it is much needed.  We are in need of rain, as we are still dealing with the after effects of the drought we had last summer.  The grass is green, but still sparse in some areas of the yard.  Everyone was outside mowing grass the last couple of days.  You can smell the fresh cut grass which is growing very quickly now.  We had a frost over the weekend, but it spared the beautiful flowers that are blooming everywhere.  Spring is definitely in full bloom.

Laney and I have managed to get out and walk on a few nice days.  I am moving slowly as all my down time with illness has zapped my energy.  I am hoping to pick up the pace in next few weeks, as the 10k is fast approaching.  My husband may be walking without me if I don't start moving a little faster.  It is amazing how much muscle strength is lost in one week of no exercise.

It's a nice rainy day to take a nap.  Laney is already curled up beside me asleep. I am so relaxed that I am speechless and about to fall asleep on the keyboard.  My husband will probably laugh at that statement.  He won't believe I'm speechless.   Nap time..... Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth    

Being Happy

Spring has really bloomed and the April showers have graced us. Everything outside is turning a rich green color and splashes of beautiful colors are popping up everywhere. Spring always reminds me of a renewal of life.  It is so refreshing and sends happy signals to the brain. I have been admiring the beauty of nature this week as I recuperate. I am hoping that in this coming week I can get outside and enjoy walking, as this is my favorite season.

I have spent my down time this week reading and watching some documentaries on happiness. Being happy is something that everyone wants. It does not cost any money, but it does require you to change your thinking. It is achievable by changing your thoughts and the practice of gratitude.  I have been practicing the act of gratitude over the last couple of years.  I have had some good teachers who told me to start my day with a list of what I am grateful for. I am grateful that I wake up with my husband beside me, that I have wonderful children, Laney, my home, and everyday to enjoy life.  This has become a habit for me and is always followed with a smile.  I no longer feel that I have to wait for happiness, because I choose to be happy.

My husband has made a habit of leaving a love note on my laptop keyboard every morning which makes me smile.  He waits for me to call and let him know that I found it. These small changes have made us feel happy.  Also, walking and exercise helps release dopamine in the brain which makes us feel happy.

We still have days when things don't exactly go right and we may have feelings of sadness or stress, but they only have to be temporary.  We can also choose to walk away from people or places that make us feel uncomfortable.  We are not responsible for how other people act, but we can shift our thoughts and change our life to be happy.

A documentary showed people living in huts in remote areas of the world with no modern conveniences and they were happy.  Studies show that material things nor money make you happy. It is your thoughts and being grateful you are alive that make you happy.  You have the control to make everyday happy and no one can take it away.  

Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Recovery and Rest

Dear blog readers, I am taking my own advice again and have silenced my phone.  Due to an unexpected illness and  emergency surgery over the past five days, I will be taking a few days off until I feel better.  I hope you will all keep me in your prayers and thoughts and continue to follow me.  Laney is helping me recuperate as she has been faithfully by my side.  I have been in a lot of pain since last Thursday, and I hope with each passing day that it lessens.

I have learned to find the positive in every situation.  I am grateful to the doctor yesterday that performed my surgery, as she solved a three year mystery concerning some pain I have been experiencing.  Pain is a warning signal that something is wrong.  Even though I wish I had not experienced severe pain, it is a blessing that forced me to seek medical attention.  My gratitude today is for the doctor and her staff.

Thank you to my loving husband who has been the best caregiver over the last several days. You make me smile even when I am in pain.  I love you always!!

 I am looking forward to enjoying spring as it is finally officially here. As I sit here typing, I am looking out the window at some Bradford pear trees that are loaded with beautiful white blooms.  Yes, Life is beautiful !!

I am praying for the families that lost loved ones and those who were injured at the Boston Marathon yesterday.

To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first.... William Shakespeare

Elizabeth

No Box No Love Letters

The rain is falling and it is a welcome relief.  We have been waiting for warmer days and yesterday we got our wish as the temperature was 80 degrees.  It was nice to be outside walking yesterday, but sleeping last night proved to be a little uncomfortable.  The heat made the second story of the house an oven.  We were holding off on the air conditioning, as the temperature this time of year is up and down. I am thinking that the air conditioning is going to get a trial run today, as I have been slow baked enough.  Even Laney was panting as there was no breeze.

Speaking of walking outside, I just read a nice article about a cancer patient who started running in half marathons while being treated and during remission.  She talked about the benefits of keeping the body strong and the benefits it has for your mental health.  Even though I am not able to run, the walking my husband and I do has proved to be very beneficial.  We both feel stronger and happier.  We have always walked together in the evenings, but since we are participating in competitive walking we are pushing ourselves to walk faster and farther.  It is amazing how much better the body feels with exercise and how it mentally helps you handle stress.  I am gearing up for that 10k and hoping for another medal to add to my collection.  I am also extremely happy that my hero husband is still here to walk with me.

Yesterday as Laney and I walked in the neighborhood, I noticed that someone had knocked mailboxes over.  This seems to be a recurrence of vandalism.  People be aware it is a felony to mess with US postal service.  I thought about the possibility that someone may not get their love letters.  LOL!  I am still getting my love notes from my husband.  They don't come in the mail, but they make me smile everyday.  Maybe the person who is knocking off mailboxes needs a love letter.  It might change their thoughts and change their perspective of a mailbox.  An empty mailbox could mean two things, such as no bills or no letters for a lonely soul.  Send a letter heal a heart.
Life is beautiful!!

Laney sends a love letter ....Dear people of the world,  Please remember that a donation to your favorite  charity is a way to say I love you.     Bow Wow, Laney

Elizabeth

Thank Goodness For Mondays

I posted on Laney's Facebook page Friday the message and well know phrase, TGIF.  We all know that it means we are grateful we made it through the week and anticipate having fun on the weekend.  But, today I am going to post TGIM.  Thank goodness for Monday, because I'm alive and my husband's alive and we get to enjoy another beautiful week together.  We can think of it as a new beginning to choose to be happy.   I started thinking that it's a shame that we wait until Friday to feel the excitement of living and having fun.  I started the day with a smile, kisses form my husband, blessings to all the people in my life and my list of what I am grateful for.  Then, I thought about the great feelings that I have on Fridays and I feel that rush of endorphins.  What a way to start the week.  I declare every day is going be a Friday now.  Hope your enjoying every day too, TGIL...  Thank goodness I'm living.

My husband and I are now six weeks from our next walk, the 10k.  We were blessed last week with some nice weather and we were able to walk outside.  We had the most beautiful weekend with lots of sunshine.  We spent lots of time outside riding bicycles, walking, and working in the yard.  I feel so blessed to share the beautiful days with my husband and of course Laney.

Today the sky is cloudy and we are anticipating much needed rain as we are still dry from the drought we had last summer.  I have always enjoyed the saying April showers bring May flowers and patiently waiting for the beauty that spring brings.   For now my heart is full of sunshine and I hope yours is too. Have a wonderful blessed week.

Life is beautiful !!!

I do not wish to achieve immortality through my works.  I wish to achieve immortality by not dying.   -Woody Allen

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Speaks From The Heart

Writing on this blog has let me express things that are sometimes left unsaid.  It is a way to reach a large audience about things I am passionate about in my own life.  I had a great teacher in high school that taught me about the passion of giving to others and leadership.  She was my Spanish teacher and adviser of my school's National Honor Society, which I was honored to be a member of.  She always encouraged me to follow my heart, and she told me my passion in life would lead me to happiness.  I took her advice and over the years I have involved myself in community service.  It was a great lesson of giving for me and my own children.  I am very proud of my children  for their acts of kindness and unselfishness in giving back to society.  They have grown into wonderful adults.

I have lost track of my Spanish teacher, but I would like to say thank you to her for all of her encouragement which has stayed with me over the years.  The encouragement has led me to my passion which is writing on this blog.  I thank god everyday for bringing Laney into my life.  She was the reason for the blog.  I also thank my loving husband who lets me talk about him on the blog, my children who admire me, and everyone else who has been a part of my life.  You give me a purpose to write.  God bless you!!

Out of all the blog postings I have done over the past two years, the most viewed was A Bow Wow Thank You From Laney on May 16th, 2011.  It was a passionate thank you to MD Anderson Cancer Center for taking care of my husband.  I am hoping today that as Laney speaks this posting will bring more views than the Bow Wow posting brought.  So, I give the floor to Laney.

Hey, it's me again, you know Laney.  I am the spoiled dog that lives with the two people who are gullible enough to carry me home, when they wear me out walking.  They are always walking for a purpose.  They call it cancer research.  They have been walking for many years.  They hold hands when they walk and talk about silly things.  When they are at home they sit on the couch together and hold hands.  They sometimes put their lips together.  I don't know what that is all about.  I do know that I am the center of attention, so I jump up on the couch and get between them.  They pat my head and sometimes put their lips on my head. YUCK !   I know if I want attention they will give it to me.  They give me treats for being so darn cute.  So, please can you donate to cancer research or at least tell your friends about this blog, because I'll get more treats.  I love being spoiled.  Life is beautiful !!

Please donate to:
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Specify donation to Fredrick B Hagemeister Research Fund
http://www.mdanderson.org/
Or
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
http://www.lls.org/


Elizabeth
   

Happiness Everyday

There are 365 reasons to be happy.  They are days in a year.  Today is one of them.  It is Wednesday, and the week is half over.  I hope you have been blessed with wonderful days.   If you have been challenged in life with cancer, then you understand that every day is a blessing.  My life has been blessed this week with sunshine, love notes from my husband, and Laney.

God has graced us with beautiful sunshine everyday this week.  I have been out and about enjoying the warmth of the sun.  It is amazing how the sun can make you feel so happy.  The sky has been incredibly light blue with a few fluffy white clouds.  The school children have been lucky to have a beautiful week for spring break.  Laney has continued to take naps in the sun that streams through our patio window.  She will be happy to know that later she will be out walking.  I better wake her up now.

My husband has continued to surprise me everyday with love notes stuck to my keyboard and various other places.  His notes make me smile everyday and I am grateful for all the days that he is here to tell me how much he loves me.  I am also grateful to my friend who introduced me to my husband.  After I saw my husband standing outside the biology class in college, it was a short time later that we met.  We were surprised to find out we had a mutual friend.  I was happy when my husband showed up at a get together with our mutual friend.  The rest is history and it was shortly after our first meeting that he wrote his first love note to me.  He still talks about the note.  It was on the back of a picture.  He still smiles about it, because his dream came true.  I am a lucky girl that he is still here with me living his dream.  Life is beautiful !!

Elizabeth

Laney Speaks

Spring has finally graced us and we had a beautiful Easter weekend.  The sun has been shinning and life is definitely beautiful.  Laney has been outside on three walks with my husband and I.  She needs exercise,  as she has put on some pounds laying around the house.  We almost couldn't get her harness snapped around her.  I wonder what she thinks...
                                                                                                     

Hi, this is me Laney typing on my blog.  These people I live with are making me walk.  They think I am getting fat.  Huh!  If they think I'm going to walk a half marathon with them, they are nuts.  I walk around the block and then I lie on the side walk.  This guy they call Daddy picks me up and carries me home.  They spoil me with treats and lots of hugs.  They even call their kids up and have them come over to the house to give me back rubs and more hugs.  I have it made.  I guess I'll keep walking with them, because I know one of them will carry me home.  Life Is beautiful!!   

Elizabeth