I'm Cancer Free One Year Today!!

One year ago today, I was undergoing a total hysterectomy due to uterine cancer. When I started my blog I declared to myself that I would only write about meaningful things – mostly happy things – and that I would NOT complain about all of my health issues. But I am making an exception today. A year ago, I underwent cataract surgery (very successful!) a colonoscopy and an endoscopy (I have several problems, but I can deal) and a D&C. The result of the D&C determined that I had uterine cancer - thus, the hysterectomy. I will never forget how I felt when my doctor announced those dreaded words: “It’s cancer”! My whole world crumbled around me, I was sick to my stomach with fear and uncertainty. I remember the days that followed the diagnosis and I kept thinking it was not really true – just a terrible dream. But it was true and I had to hold myself together and pray that the upcoming surgery would “get it all”. It did!! I am so very blessed that no radiation or chemotherapy treatments were required, although I must have quarterly CT scans.
I recently read Moon Willow’s blog http://moonwillow.blogspot.com/ and she had a link to this beautiful slide show: http://thesurvivormovie.com/ - I think it is very powerful!
So now that I’ve completely recovered from the cancer and surgery, all I have to deal with health-wise is my 24/7 indescribable pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis. I also fight depression but fortunately my meds have it under control. And as with most fibro sufferers, I have chronic fatigue. My obesity is also a real health challenge too. But I have learned to get by one day at a time and deal with the pain and immobility and being home bound for the most part. I have a wonderful, loving family, my precious furbaby and dear friends plus I enjoy my art and other pastimes - life is good!
Today I cut up a myriad of medical bills and other health-related stuff and created the collage above. It's not my best work, but it will be a happy reminder of where I've been and how many blessings I have to be grateful for!

4 Legs Good, 2 Legs Bad

I just love Christine Kane - (http://christinekane.com/blog) I love her music and her uplifting essays and her self-help emails. My new favorite song can be seen on this YouTube video - "4 Legs Good, 2 Legs Bad" - funny!

Free Fonts

If you're like me, you love free stuff! I am a font fanatic! I collect them and store them and sometimes use them!
Someone from one of my Yahoo groups shared this link a couple of years ago and I thought maybe there are some who don't know about it - you just send a blank email to this address: fontpacks-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and then about every week or so, you'll get an email with a link so you can download dozens and dozens of free fonts - all kinds of cool ones! Enjoy!

Vidalia Onions and Blue Angels

I love Vidalia onions! Only available for a few months of the year, they are the sweetest onion ever! I took the photo above the other day after my dad's visit to the local curb market.

For anyone not familiar with them, here is some info from the Vidalia site:

SWEET FACTS ABOUT VIDALIA ONIONS
This unique onion known as "The World's Sweetest" gets its flavor from the sandy, low sulphur soil and temperate climate found only in southeast Georgia.
Availability
Fresh Vidalias can be found not only in their peak season-from late April to mid-July-but often through December thanks to atmosphere-controlled storage.
Buying Tips
These sweeties have a golden brown skin, white interior, are slightly rounded on the bottom and somewhat flat on top. They should be firm and dry with no blemishes or soft spots.
Storage Tips
Store in a cool, dry place separate from each other. For long storage periods, wrap each onion separately in a paper towel and refrigerate.

I like to have them year long so I chop them and spread them on a cookie sheet and freeze them. After they are frozen, I store them in a freezer bag - it's easy to scoop out the amount needed since they are "flash frozen" and don't stick together.



I found this video on youtube.com - it was taken at Georgia's "Vidalia Onion Festival" - I am crazy about the Blue Angels and was lucky enough to see them perform in Pensacola, FL, last year - WOW! They are amazing!

"Show Me Wednesday"

I really enjoy visiting http://hazelruthes.blogspot.com/ and this week Cathy has challenged us to show our wedding dress. I can't find my wedding album so I'm sharing a couple of snapshots.


I was married in 1968 but after a wonderful 23 year marriage, he ran away and I haven't seen him since. But I have happy memories of our wedding and life together. These photos don't show my dress very well, but I thought it was so beautiful! It cost $150.00 at Pizitz. I still have it around here somewhere, along with the veil. And oh how I wish I was that size again!!

Happy Father's Day!

I love my daddy dearly! He is the most admired man I have ever known, not only by his family, but by his friends, employees, and strangers. He will be 83 this summer and he is still going strong. He has always been a hard worker but also believes in playing hard. His first job was at the age of 5 when he went door-to-door selling household supplies (he can still recite the sales pitch he gave each person as they opened their door to him!)

He dropped out of high school and lied about his age in order to join the Air Force. He served his country with pride for four years, returned to marry my mom, his sweetheart since age 10, raised 3 children, graduated from Birmingham Southern College, and worked for U S Steel for 23 years. He then worked for Jefferson County as Manager of Data Processing and retired from there. He is still working daily at the company (S&W Minicomputers, Inc.) that he founded with his business partner in 1978. He has always loved gardening and animals and the beach and traveling and most of all, his family. He probably won't read my blog, but I just want to say that I am so very proud to be the daughter of this wonderful, generous, loving man! I am so blessed!