Take It To The Limit

Today was a good day. I've learned to appreciate good days, even if my body doesn't. Me and my friend Connie were in a 5 mile walk, speed walking mind you, and I finished. Doesn't sound too impressive, huh? Well for this body, it's a feat of determination. Last year's treatments left me so weak I could hardly walk. And it's taken me months to get over, and I found out today I'm not over it yet.

But the goal is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. The same way it is in life. Some days you are so overwhelmed, stressed, tired, aggrevated, or whatever that you can hardly walk. But just put one foot in front of the other, and I guarantee you'll go somewhere! And remember, you never walk alone.

Joshua 1:9

Stuff

How do you reconcile a person who has saved everything they've E-V-E-R O-W-N-E-D with someone who just wants to open the front door, let in all takers, and say "make me an offer!"? That's how it is at my house. One hoarder and one who wants to toss it all! I'm sick to death of stuff! I don't have the time, patience, gumption or anything else to keep a clean house, dusting all the knicky-knacky stuff, putting everything away (where is "away" when every closet, drawer and corner is filled?) Someone told me once for everything you bring in you need to take something out. Sounds reasonable...except we've been bringing in for 14 years and I think, maybe, we've never taken one thing OUT! Okay, so we do take out the trash! We don't live in filth, mind you. I can't stand that! I do break down every so often and clean the filth. But the STUFF!

To add to the hoarder's stuff, we have the teenaged girl's stuff! Oh brother! How many hair products do you need, and in how many rooms? I ask you? And I won't even go into her room! To look into it makes me cry...then get mad...then cry. So, naturally, I avoid it at all costs. Once in a while on the weekends, if she's stayed over at a friend's house for the night, I'll be FORCED to go up there to turn off her SIREN of an alarm clock! And when I HAVE to do that, I try to put blinders on and repeat to myself, "it's not important, it's not important..." and just make my way over to the alarm clock. BUT NOOOOOOOOOOOO! I have to wade throught the stuff to get there. It's hard not to come out of there wanting chocolate, or even something stronger.

In the big scheme of things, I guess it doesn't matter for now. One day I'll be able to have my house the way I want it - empty except for one chair and one lamp! Yea, sure I will... that'll never happen unless...well, that's not a good option!

Get over it - yes, I guess I will. Waa waa waa...what a whiner...

I Can See Clearly Now

Look closely...It's funny how something like a life-threatening disease can change your perspective on life! You can't understand this unless you go through it, or unless someone you are very close to goes through it. I realize that I notice everyday things that most people don't even see since recovering from cancer. Like Saturday, Jimmy and I went to Oglethorpe County, GA where we own some property. In other words, "the sticks". We basically played all day, running around on the 4-wheeler and walking the property like we had nothing better to do. We didn't! So rare...

Anyway, I only had my phone camera with me, but I found myself looking at everything as a photo op - ask Jimmy how many pictures I took of tree bark, leaves, wildflowers, piles of wood. The textures were so beautiful, so pristine. It had rained the night before so everthing was shinier, dewier (are these words?) GLOW-IER! I could really appreciate it, like never before. This is a good thing to come from such a bad year...

Thanks God for my friends and family who took such good care of me; I couldn't have done it all without you! You will never know the gratitude I have for all of you.

Look for beauty right under your nose, and not toward things that are easy to love.

Isn't She Lovely?

I want you to know what a beautiful, intelligent, sensitive, funny, creative, lovable offspring I have! I was almost 32 when she was born, so I consider her a late life achievement! She is growing up so fast, I can't stop the train. She needs me, but soon she will be on her own. I hope she always needs me, as I will always need her.

These are not our easiest days, but I will long for them when they have passed.

I love you, my gift, my daughter...