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Retail Therapy..it's good for the soul

You might of guessed from last post that it is not an easy decision and when I feel a bit "stressed" I head to the local antique store, Goodwill or Marshall's /TJ Maxx/Homegoods.  I don't think I go crazy...if I went off the deep end..I'd head to the nearest Apple store and pick up one of these babies in White , it doesn't matter to me so much if it has all the gadget, just as long as it is in my "signature color"...or really, really off the deep end I'd drive home in one of these in white too!!  But I think I'm relatively tame but that is all relative too in who is giving their opinion.  Here are some cute things I've picked up that have caught my eye and have me thinking  of my situation where I need to take the Lemons I've been dealt with and make some Lemonade.  Would you like some Lemonade too?

Some Ruffle cute Daffodils from Trader Joes..they are a bit spent since I got them last week and finally today I got a picture of them.  They sit in a Mint Julep cup, I got at the Goodwill awhile ago.  The M was a gift from my neighbor down the street .  The Crystal Lamp..was my Mother's and my absolute favorite of all my lamps.  These item found a new home sitting on my {MacKenzie's old } desk.  She got a vanity someone was about to put on the curb.  When I can move furniture and paint again..that puppy is getting a new paint job..the vanity that is not the desk I like it all chippy and creamy white.

 
This dusty old lamp I picked up at the neighborhood junk market {antique store} .  I thought the shade had a nice shape and I love the ruffles.  Not too sure about the print though..looks a bit dated. 

The base is very heavy and it's a nice distressed creamy white.  We do need more lamps in the house so it was good buy at 7 dollars.

While at the Antique store I was attracted to this mini Windsor Chair.   I have been slowly collecting mini chairs.  Do I see a new collection going on? I like these, especially the heart one and wouldn't mind adding one more or three to the growing Mini chair collection. 

I think this shabby chic bucket looks perfect on it with a pretty rose colored plant on it.

 Can you see the mini Adirondack chair under these new sunny yellow shoes? See I have 3 chairs so that must mean I have a collection of them, I also have a bench that need painting, it is a mini too. Those sunshiny shoes were so adorable and Ruffles are so in!!  Not only are those babies happy shoes they are comfortable.  I got them at Payless for 19.95 smakarooes.  They had them in silver too.  I would of liked them in other colors, maybe red or white. 

They have a cork heal and best of all I can walk in them!  I think when it is spring I'm thinking of the sun and am enamored with all thing yellow cause look what came home with me yesterday...

 An Apron!!  Not only did they have this cute Apron at TJ Maxx they had them in other colors, blue, green and some have aprons in vintage style prints. I was able to restrain myself and get the apron with some potholders to match.

It did my soul some good to get out and see the cute things that are in the shops for spring.   It did me good to do a little shopping.  Somethings we needed and other things maybe not so much.  Hope you can do a little "therapy" too when you need it....they say it's cheaper then a psychiatrist and I completely agree, don't you?  Where is your favorite place to go when you need a little pick me up?
 

Edited to add,  I'm McLinking up to Show and Tell over at Cindy's Romantic Home have a gander of all the blog goodness over there.  I love her sweet little embroidered pin cushion heart.

Struggling with a decision...

I know there is a lot of people out there that are going through Breast Cancer {BC} or have gone through it.  I know there are a lot of people who have wonderful advice and I welcome all of it.  I have heard of the Alkaline diet and I have been slowly incorporating more Alkaline foods in my diet.  I have switched to distilled water, I eat more strawberries and broccoli.  I have slowly made life style changes to accommodate this "bump in the road".  I have stopped drinking Alcohol {it has been shown in studies that BC and Alcohol are linked}.  I did have one drink last Friday night of Sangria at a Jewelry party at my neighbors's house.  That is it..since Christmas Eve I have not had a drink.  That is not my vice...Sugar is!!  I'm addicted to Sugar!!  I was doing very well until I got a "diagnostic" test back on Tuesday from my Oncologist.  Then every Girl Scout Cookies was eaten, Cake was devoured from Birthday party, Sugar Free Ice Cream Sandwiches vanished!!  Naughty, naughty.  

Back to the test, This test is called a Oncotype Test and it test 21 genes in your body, by the way this little test cost $4,000 dollars!!   Yep, you read that right.   What it does it places you in one of three categories, Low {you won't benefit from Chemo} Intermediate {both you and your doctor discuss it} and High {you will benefit from Chemo}.  Well..it was not so black and white..I fell into the Intermediate Level.  Which in a nut shell I have a 8% chance that my cancer will reoccur WITHOUT Chemo.  It's about 3-4% Less than that if I have it.  I was NOT at all thrilled with my Medical Oncologist {first time I met her}.  I sat there with my boob in my hand trying to take notes while she told me all of this IMPORTANT information.  She was very inattentive to my needs.  Like I said I pulled something in my surgical breast and it is very painful when not in a bra, I told her that.  Anyways...I have been talking with women who have had BC and what they did, every case is different so it's basically up to me.  I did not have it in my Lymph Nodes and my tumor is Stage One, Grade 3. {that is how hyper it is} on a scale of 1-3.  I am struggling with making my decision on whether to precede with treatment or not.  My oncologist would prescribe that I do this for 4 cycles of Chemo and 3 weeks.  So I would have treatment up until July.  It would be intravenous and you KNOW how I feel about needles...remember this post,   AND yes I would lose all of my hair and I'll blow up like a OOMPA LOOMPA because I'll be on steroids!!   If I wanted to be the next Weightlifter of America..I would have Gym Membership and go pump iron.  All that losing weight for nothing!!  Not an easy decision so IF you have some insight I would greatly appreciate it....leave a comment or email me I promise I read them all and I try to respond in a timely manner.    

A Valentine Day recap and the hazzards of Gardening....

After our wonderful Breakfast of...Heart Shaped Pancakes, Bacon, strawberries with fresh whipped cream and  OJ....

and wonderful surprise Valentine treats where discovered {can you guess which one of my Daughters is on Team Jacob?} by the girls,

the other does not buy into so much "teenage" hype....

The table was set for our Valentine Dinner as mentioned here
 The family had a great time guessing which favorite characteristic they admired about the family members.  We put the fortune cookies in the Chinese take out boxes and opened them up before we had our Steak Dinner.  Which sorry to say did not come out the best...maybe that's why I have no pictures of the dinner.  Anyways I tried this new recipe my friend Shar gave me and I had an old packet of gravy mix...which apparently had passed it's prime....so it did not have much flavor.  The Filet Mignon was great just as it is with a bit of Worcestershire in it.  Who does not love Worcestershire?  MMMMM...I also made the Pots de Creme...and they were not as rich and flavorful as the Chocolate ones I had had before.  So the Valentine Dinner was somewhat of a flop but Breakfast was GOOD!!

Well, It's been raining here in California on and off for a few weeks.  It's nice to see the local mountains covered in Snow...nothing makes my heart smile more then driving up the street and catching a glimpse of the snow capped mountains in Big Bear!! But between the rains..it's been very warm like in the high 70's low 80's.  { I know you people that live where it snows, want to kill me for mentioning this}..I'm truly sorry...but we do pay the price living in Calif just look at the cost of housing, it is ridiculous..anyways....

So I've been feeling pretty darn good the last several weeks since my surgery.  My energy level is up and I've been getting antsy so last Wed I decide to pull some weeds in my garden and trim my hedges.  But once you start cleaning up everything looks a little bare so you need to head to the local nursery and see what plants may strike your fancy to plant in the garden {that's looking so naked}.  So my girlfriend says, Yea lets go to "Bluehills", it is our local Nursery and the plants are always quality plants, more expensive then my local Home Depot or Lowe's but they last a long time and I don't seem to "kill" as many of them.  So we go.  Every spring I get one of the hanging baskets, they didn't even have them unwrapped from the brown paper before I had it in my cart..

I love how the Bacopa drapes over and the yellow of the bluebells reminds me of a Cottage by the beach...remember this this Lavender Bluebell    from last year...Wow was she not a beauty!!!  She was so healthy and the palest of Lavendaer.  But I'm not big on the plastic containers they come in,  when I found these white wicker baskets at Armstrong's a few years ago I got two.  These one needs a bit of some spray paint though..before it will be good to go for spring and through the summer.

I forgot to get some potting soil when I was at the nursery so my friend {she is on a mission to get bulbs to plant and wants to go to Costco} we tootle on over to Costco and they have some great plants over there...look at this cute basket of cooking herbs I picked up...which I plan on replanting in my mop bucket and adding the cute silverware herb markers to it.

Then I saw this...

with Miracle grow already in it and for only 10 bucks before I can say "Jiminy Crickets" I'm loading it in my cart...and I feel a pain..in my surgical breast.  My friend scolds me and tells me why didn't I tell her and she would of put it in the cart.  See..I'm stubborn, independent and usually very strong.  Herculean kind of strong..really I am!  One time I lifted a picnic table over my head.  I'm not lying.  One time I backhanded a biker chick and she ran with her tail between her legs.  Not proud of those moments but it is what it is. So I forget that I have this "li'l problem" and I'm not supposed to lift over like 5 lbs. 

I don't know what 55 quarts translated{math is not my strong suit} to but it was heavy.  Really heavy.  I'm a dummy...I should of known better.  I just somehow don't want to not think of my BC so I don't and I put it out of my mind.  Well now I have a very painful reminder because I'm back on heavy meds to control the pain.  As I look out the window wishing and hoping I can start with spring planting.  I just hope nothing dies until I'm well enough to tackle the gardening.   Anyone know a gardener for hire?
  
 
 

Beautiful Flowers for Beautiful People

Thank you to my wonderful friends and supporters...thanks for all the well wishes in a fast recovery, thanks for all the prayers, thanks for all the meals prepared, thanks for all the sentimental cards, thanks for the beautiful fragrant flowers, thanks for taking care of my children, thanks for driving me here and there and putting up with my bossy Bettyness...I'm used to being "in charge"...and most of all thanks for just being there....you guys are the bestest friends a girl could ever have...luv you!!

Is this a sign?

On my way to my first Radiation treatment we saw a Rainbow ending at the City of Hope.....neato, eh?

Thanks so much for all the well wishes...I'm feeling good a bit tired and sore.  You peeps are the bestest eva!!!   
 

Pooped Out!!

 

    {Norman Rockwell}

In anticipation of my surgery tomorrow, I have been washing laundry, loads of it, dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing down walls, scrubbing bathtubs, washing shower curtains, mopping floors, taking everything out of drawers and closets to organize and refold, moving furniture in both girls' rooms.  I even moved a huge armoire that was in daughter's  #1 room over a few feet including the 30 inch TV inside of it, {want to check out my guns?}   Moving a desk to the opposite wall.  Then the next day on to daughter #2's room and did the same moving a vanity in and a shabby chic desk out and rehanging plates above her wrought iron bed.  Sheeh I'm tuckered out!!  I have this feeling that I need to have my house in order before I feel like I can't or won't be able to do anything after my tumor is removed.  I have also put away all the christmas stuff away but left a few Snowman out since it's still the winter season and I like decorating for the seasons.  It still seems very sparse and clean....but I'm liking it a bit. 

 
 
 
 

Hopefully I'll bounce back and feeling like my ole' self soon and won't leave for too long.  Wish me luck and I'll see you on the other side........
 
 

More Holiday Merriment....

Every year my friend has  a Christmas Eve Party.  Her house is always decorated so pretty.  You might of remembered

her don't hate me because I'm beautiful kitchen .  Here is a picture of her outdoor patio all lit up.  No one was out there that night because it was too cold.

Let's go inside and look at all the decorations...here is the Fireplace Mantel.

Those are "faux" candles up there, she got them at Costco last year if you are wondering.  Let's take a look at what is under the glass domes because you know I have a "thang" for glass domes AND glitter and vintage ornaments.

 Can you see that picture in the background..that is my friend when she was a baby sitting on Santa's lap.  Is that not sweet?  And we know I have a special place in my heart for snowmen...

She has a village too.  She added those House Boxes  that we got a couple of years ago to her village...I totally revamped mine in Cottagy Style

Here is her snow covered Tree {flocked} it is covered in all very personal and meaningful ornaments. 
 
I don't think my friend has taken all her decorations down and I'm going over to her house so she can take me to my Surgeon's Appt. this afternoon so I'll get a snapshot of her garland and second tree so I'll update this post this evening.  Ok...here are some more pictures of her lovely home.  The garland is above the beautiful apron sink. 

The Merry Christmas blocks are over her stove.

Moving over to the left we head over to the banquette to take a look at the Chandelier...

 

I love this Vintage Inpired children that are playing in the snow spelling out JOY....
 
  Lets take a look at the staircase.  The lighting is not the best in there but I tried to "dabble" in my photoshop to lighten it up a bit.

 I'm sorry if you are all Christmased OUT....I just haven't had the time to post because I have had numerous doctors appointments all last week. I took this picture with the inclination to post them sooner then I did.  I know most of you have moved on to New Years...hey I'm slow...give me a break.

 
For those of you keeping track of my progress on my BC.  {Breast Cancer}...I thought of doing a separate blog to keep everyone informed but it's hard enough keeping up with one so I thought I would just pop in here when there is news to report and I'll delineate the verbiage with the above symbol that way you'll know if it has to do with my BC or my Regular Home..be Inspired stuff.   So if you don't want to read about that you can just know that post is about the BC. 

Ok..here goes.  I got a second opinion last week and have decided to have my surgery and treatment done at City of Hope.  I really liked the surgeon there, she was very thorough in her explanation of what is happening to my body.  I meet with her this afternoon to schedule my surgery.  What I have is Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma.  It started in my milk ducts by has broke through the ducts now and is on the move...becoming invasive.  It's very early and is about 2 Centimeters.  I had and MRI on Tuesday and I met with the Radiation Oncologist on Wed.  Thursday I had another Mammogram on my Right Breast {the tumor is in the Left Breast} because the MRI picked up another "lump" there.  The Mammogram and Ultrasound could not find it but it's very common to have a false reading on an MRI according to my Surgeon.  So according to the report the "lump" on the right Breast is benign.  Now for the plan of attack on the left breast.  I'll have Lumpectomy {taking out the Lump {tumor} surgery this week or next.  They will take a look at my Sentinel Node and if my NODES are all clear {no cancer} I'll have radiation {Mammosite} for 5 Days, twice a day.  When they are taking out the tumor they put a spacer in there, it's like a balloon.  When I go into have my radiation they insert a catheter and radiate from the inside of my boob.  Isn't boob a funny word?   I think so.  Anyways...After 5 days they take it out and my scar heals.  The only thing I really have to be careful is of infection.  I won't have to have Chemo if they don't' find it in my nodes.  So today I'll find out when my surgery is and when I'll begin the treatment.  I'll keep everyone updated on my progress, Ok?  I guess I'll have to make another category over there with the topic BC. UPDATE:  the date has been set and my BC Surgery is going to be on January 15th. 

I'm a talker...

That is kind of how I deal with things, when life gives me a bump in the road...I talk,  I talk to anyone who will listen.   So it's no surprise that I would want to talk to you my bloggy friends, it's comforting to be able to get things "off my chest".   I wish that I could sit with you in real life and have a cupcake or a glass of wine.   I believe there is a good reason why wine and cupcakes were invented, especially the wine.  It just seems to calm you down. The Monday before last I finally scheduled my mammogram, it was due in October, but I wasn't so concerned about it, there is no breast cancer on either side of my family that I'm aware of.  They called on Monday to schedule a second Mammogram which was done on Tuesday.  I went and thought I'd be in and out so I didn't have lunch before I went, {the appt. was at 11 :45.}  After the Mammogram they sent me to have an Ultrasound, they took pictures for over an hour.  Ok I'm thinking to myself that is weird, that seems to be a long time for ultrasound pictures.  Then the doctor came in and said, "We need to do a Biopsy".  That's when the brakes inside my head start screetching....that involves needles.  I can handle the smashing of my breasts into a plastic vice until my size F cup breasts look like a pancake...that doesn't bother me at all, BUT NEEDLES, not a big fan.  Seriously NOT a big fan!!  I remember when I was in grade school that they were giving the Polio vaccine and two nurses {one of the nurses looked like she played as a linebacker for the LA Rams} were dragging me down the school hallway as I was kicking and screaming, and I was about seven years old.  Thats kind of how I looked whent he did my biopsy, I know I know I'm 45...Another time I had to give blood and fainted as I watched the blood go in the syringe.  I even told my doctor in childbirth that I DID NOT want the epidural I would have the baby naturally.  Yep..just the vision of the needle stopped me dead in my tracks.  So the biopsy part...was the part that scared me, not the idea of having cancer, well that too.  But I told myself I 'll worry about that when I come to that bridge.  I kicked and squirmed like I was seven all over again.  I had to apologize to the TWO nurses that had to hold me down before I bolted out the door.  I'm a baby, I know.  I went home with a bandage on my boobs and was told they would know the results of the biopsy today.  My doctor called this afternoon with the news every women dreads to hear.  "Unfortunately, it's cancer".   Yes, I have breast cancer in my left breast.  So I'll call tomorrow and make arrangements to line up a surgeon to take the next step.  But as I take one step at a time I'll just remember to keep Calm and maybe once in awhile have a cupcake too!!  or a bottle glass of wine.

If anyone that has gone through this or knows of someone, I would love to hear about it either in the comment section or an email.  Thanks for letting me vent my concerns on this very open forum, you guys are the best, I wish I could have you over for some wine or a cupcake or two.