It's April!

 

Every spring we have loads of purple violets growing all around the garden.  I dug up a small clump, planted them in a pot, and put them in a hanging basket filled with moss.  I hung it on the back gate.   I think it makes a nice little spring welcome for anyone passing through.   

~ And Easter is here.  We will be hosting dinner at our house this year and are looking forward to having our wonderful family all around the table.  Easter ham and all the trimmings. 

(Below are some of my wooden eggs that I painted with chicks, rabbits, flowers and baskets.)

So, welcome April!  With the warmer temps I found myself at the garden center yesterday and just had to buy some flowers.  Today I will plant the window boxes on the front of the house and cross my fingers and hope we won't have any more freezing weather this month. 

 

I must say, March moved along fairly fast.  I had my routine appointment scheduled at the UNC Breast Cancer Center and everything is good!  (I go every 6 months.)  I am feeling great, thinking positive and staying active.  I am one to look ahead, not back and I think that really helps me. 

 

 Hope all of you are enjoying some warmer weather, blue skies, and lots of sunshine. 

 

 



Christmas

Christmas will soon be upon us, my friends.  There is a flurry of activity at our house as we get ready for the holiday.  What a joy to spend time with family ~ and this year, our daughter, Amy, from NY, and Bruno and the two grandchildren, Esmé and Felix will be coming south!   We don't see them very often, so this is a real treat.  And, of course, our oldest daughter, Jen, and Rob, and granddaughter Maddie, will also be here.  I couldn't ask for more!  

Our tree is decorated, most of the shopping is done, and gifts are wrapped.  The stockings are hung..... one for Esmé, one for Felix, one for Maddie, and one for Otis.  
That gives me time for cookie baking and a few more decorations here and there.  

This time of year I like to cozy up by a warm fire with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the the pretty lights of our Christmas tree before the celebration.  

I hope all of you have a wonderful and joyous holiday!  And as we go about our activities and preparations, let us not forget the really true meaning of Christmas.  

  

A year ago today.....remembering

A year ago today...  

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on February 10, 2012.  A very long year I would like to forget, but will always remember.  

It's hard to say what gets a person through something like this, maybe faith, determination, love of family and friends, hope.  I would have to say all of these, for me anyway.  It's a good feeling to know the ordeal is over and life is looking brighter.  

Happy times are ahead and I intend to enjoy every minute.  Not being able to enjoy spring and summer last year, I am looking forward to planting the garden this year and putting in lots of flowers everywhere.  I have so many plans.

Galen and I would like to take some trips this year, too, which we put off.  It seems like everything was put on hold.    

So I want to say thank you again to my dear family, Galen, especially, and to my daughters that were always there for me.  
And thank you to all of my blogging friends for your love, concern, kindness, and understanding.  You kept me going.    

I now move forward with a happy heart.  

I know I still have a few more years before I am in the clear but I am staying positive and I know I will make it and be just fine.  

I am a survivor.  

Holidays

With Thanksgiving behind us, we now look forward to the Christmas holiday, but before we move on to all the frenzy, I want to reflect on the wonderful Thanksgiving we had this year with our family in Pennsylvania and also the fact that Galen and I.....

held our granddaughter (from NY) for the very first time.  

What a joy she is and we just couldn't get enough of her....

our little Esmé Catalina.  

On Thanksgiving day we ate a big delicious dinner, played cards, took a walk and enjoyed catching up with family. 

Later in the week we enjoyed Lancaster City Market (mmmm, woopie pies and sticky buns!) and drove around the Amish countryside.  No matter how often I've seen them, I still love the horse and buggies.  

Amy, Bruno and Esmé at the downtown Lancaster square.  

It was good to see everyone and so hard to leave.  

Oh, and Otis and Riley enjoyed the trip... 

but they were glad to get home.  

Hello sunshine! I did it!

Yes, I did it!  

It's been a long journey.  
Now I plan to get on with my life   
finally....
My last day of radiation was Friday.  Jen, my daughter and my granddaughter, Maddie, came along.  Galen was with me too, as always.  By the way, I got to hit that gong behind us!  Then I was officially discharged.  

My family has been with me and supported me through all of this and I know I couldn't have made it without them.  

We had a nice celebration afterward at a nearby restaurant with more family (that's my sister and me and Galen in the photo).  Check out that piece of chocolate cake!  

After a few days and time to settle in, 

I have found that little things mean more to me than ever before....like my old routine.  

I have a new appreciation for life.  

I'll have more time to spend with these guys.  

And to all my dear blogging friends that followed me during these last ten months of this long journey, I want to say thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers that kept me going.  I appreciate and love you all.   

A much needed trip

We have been planning a trip for quite some time now and just had to figure out how and when it was going to take place.  We wanted to attend our youngest daughter's baby shower in Brooklyn, NY.  Of course it had to be after my chemo and before my surgery.  Well, we finally figured it out, and last Thursday we packed our bags.  Our oldest daughter Jen, her husband Rob, and Maddie, our granddaughter, stopped by and picked us up early in the morning and we all headed north...first to Pennsylvania to visit family, and then on to NY.  

We had dinner Friday evening with my sister-in-law and niece at the El Serrano restaurant in Lancaster, PA.  It was great to see them after such a long time.  

We had a chance to spend time with Galen's mother and enjoyed a great breakfast Friday morning with her and also with Galen's sister-in-law and nephew at Gus's Restaurant in Mount Joy.  

After breakfast, a quick trip to Central Market in Lancaster and then we were back on the road and headed for NY.   


I love NY.  

We stayed with Amy and Bruno in their wonderful apartment in Brooklyn.  

They hosted a barbecue Saturday evening so we could meet Bruno's family.  ~And what a lovely family they are!  

~~The Baby Shower~~ 

The Baby Shower was held on Sunday at noon.  
It  was at the Vanderbilt Restaurant in Brooklyn and hosted by Bruno's parents and brother and wife.  

We played games, ate delicious food, and had a chance to meet with more family and friends.  

So much fun!  

It turned out to be a wonderful baby shower.  

Then....

After the shower some of us decided to drive to Brooklyn Bridge Park and DUMBO area. Galen and I have never been there.  What a fabulous place!  It was a beautiful evening and a beautiful time spent walking around and enjoying the sights.    

Later we had dinner at the Coco Roco, a Peruvian Restaurant in Brooklyn, which was sooooo good. 


Unfortunately, Monday morning came too quickly and it was time to leave.  

Time to head south.  Homeward bound to Carolina.  


It was a good trip home, only a few travelling delays, and Otis and Riley were very happy to see us upon our return.  

What a great trip, 
and I was happy to have been able to take this break during all of the cancer treatments and doctor appointments.  

A wonderful and a very much needed trip indeed.