HOME...be inspired everyday

thank you!!!

 The past several weeks when finding out my "situation" I have gotten the most heartfelt support from all my friends, colleagues and family.  From the bottom of my heart I want to say THANK YOU!!  I appreciate all of you in this very unsettling time of my life.  I would be lost with out you all my dear and wonderful friends....my heart is filled with happiness and love as I type this.  Friends are definitely the flowers in the garden of life!!  
  

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. 

In the shop....

 

My Li'l Ol puter caught a nasty virus...so it had to go to the clinic.  I learned a lot about computers and the nasty old internet.   I found my guy in the Pennysaver after getting a quote from Geek Squad..they wanted 300. 00 buck a roos to come work on my computer in the comfort of my home.  Well Yikes at that price I could of gotten a new computer.  So I called this other guy and I'm so glad I did.  I got a really good feeling about him over the phone.  After confirming what the Geek Squad said about the Anti Virus Fake posing as my computer software anti virus system I was able to shut it down and not do any further damage to my Computer.  He was able to save all of my programs and documents.  He couldn't believe how many pictures I had....5,100 to be exact, he said he has never worked on a computer with that many pictures.  He also said, "that when your computer slows down it does not matter how many pictures you have...it won't slow down it down, it a myth".  So if you happen upon a website and red boxes start popping up....click the Ctrl, Alt and delete button and back out and don't click on the red X...that's the worst..it starts scanning your computer for information.  He now has installed a great anti virus device and says he never wants to see me again. Me too that was too scary......more scary than the above picture of  The Computer Clinic..see the repair man he has and AX.....

Not such a Beautiful DAY!!

Friday Night I was browsing online for computer labels to organize the upteen wires that are located behind the computer and at the charging stations.  I wanted it to be easy to identify all the plug ins with stickers.  I got the idea from the Better homes and garden Organize issue.  So I thought I would find some cute clipart and make my own stickers .....well....BAM!!!!!I hit one link and all these RED pop ups kept flashing on my computer and it said that I needed to update my anti virus software and it scanned my computer and wanted my email address and registration key.  Meanwhile my friend calls me to invite my DD to the Soccer EXPO and I tell her what is happening and she informs me that its a hoax.  So it won't let me click out of the box and keeps popping up.  So I shut it down and let it reboot and run my anti virus software.  It says everything is OK...long story short..I call Geek Squad, they confirm that it is in fact a hoax()fake and yucky they didn't take me for my $$$, they usually do.  So I get the computer fix it man here today and it is true, these guys are out of Sweden and have made billions of dollars on this Rogue Virsus.  So beware .  My computer guy gave me a loaner so may be MIA for awhile.  Be careful out there..sometimes it's not such a beautiful day.....

He needed a new truck....

I thought this one was very cute......

 

Wouldn't you love cruising around town in this thing?  I would...but I'm not normal..

 

See it has bed in the back perfect for picking up furniture on my Garage sale finds...

 

He likes Fords....I didn't see anything wrong with this truck....but he wasn't going for it...(beside it wasn't for sale anyways..)  a cute little ol' man was sitting outside the Dunkin' Donuts shop having coffee and was watching me snap away.  In the end...my husband bought this.......

MIA

Sorry I've been Missing in Action.  It is not because I have been decorating for the holidays like everyone in blogland and MY neighborhood.  Mr. Christmas lives across the street...He has a wreath on his car and lighted garland up on the suitcase rack...His house is lit from head to toe, he wears a cute sweater vest with a wreath on his lapel..I think he is in the wrong business I think he should be working at the mall as one of the Santa's passing out Candy Canes!!!...NO...I'm way behind.  I finally put together our fake tree I got last summer at a yard sale for 10 bucks.  The girls had a great time putting it up last night but hubby is not fond of Fake trees SO ....WE WILL PICK UP a real one this weekend for sure.  I've been working non stop since Thanksgiving and I'm also taking classess to CLEAR my teaching credtential with the State of Calif.  So I've either Iv'e been at school teaching, coaching soccer or studying for my classess or trying to catch up on laundry..we won't go there...which explains why all my plants have died and the weeds have taken over the flower bed.  I need a wife!!  But...to get me in the spirit...I'm drinking some EGG Nog..would you like some? and listening to George Winston...his December CD...love that CD if you don't have it, it is a must during the winter months, so calm and serene.  I light some candles and just enjoy the stillness for a moment.

But to get me in the mood to start decorating...I need to remind myself what I did last year....Lots of Wendy Addison glittered words, Tinsel Trees with silver and blue.

  Here is my favortite snowman who sits on our front porch and says Welcome..to all the visitors....

  Our favorite snow village...I think this is the girls' favorite of all the decorations.  I think I may take a different approach this year and add some hills with lights underneath like Alicia did.  My is my Mother's collection as our many of our decorations in the house.

 

 

Yes...I definetly need new snow...see it doesn't even cover the sideboard completely..I think I have a mouse that is messing up my snow....two mice..yes..with brown hair.

  My favorite wreath idea  from Heather Chadduck of Cottage Living fame, she used Magnolia leaves on hers  I just buy whatever premade wreath I find, last year it was boxwood, the year before plain old pine.  Here is my grandmothers vintage silverware and then I added pearly/sparkly frames with pictures of my Mice.

 

 Not sure I'll do this arrangement this year.  You can see the wreath hanging on the outside of the window The ornaments are really pretty, cracked glass in cream and silver AND they are on sale right now from Southen Living at HOME.   I'd like to get another set.   I like to layer my bulbs in the Southen Living Estate Candeliear whis is also on sale too!!!   Here it is.  I'd like another one of those for my "one of these days I'll have a porch/deck" to hang my candilears from.  I can see two on each end of the long Teak table. 

  Allrighty then lets get busy....I've got lots to do.  Now...don't mention the baking and Christmas cards and gift to be made...better go grab another Egg NOG I'm getting a headache!!!

I wish I was here.

 

                            (image from Country Living)

Today is The Autumnal Equinox according to the calendar...which technically means there are equal amount of day-light hours as night time hours.  this morning here in California it is cloudy, feeling a bit like fall.  Wouldn't it be nice to be sitting by a misty lake having a cup of HOT, spicy coffee, wearing your favorite jeans and your favorite fall sweater, sitting in your favorite chair, enjoying the quiet of the morning hours.  I wish I could be doing that..that would be my escape this early Monday morning but as I type this...in reality, my morning is more like this:

Me: Observing my youngest daughter's attire for school.  She has a cute pink and white striped skirt with a hot pink Izodish(is that a word?  I think not) shirt.  You know the one with the collars.  Kenzie..that shirt is wrinkled!!  If you just put in in the drawer nicely when you put it away it wouldn't be wrinkled.  Go Spray water on it and but it in the drier.  Madison comes running in..MOM she is spraying her shirt with ZOUT...

Me:  No..not the Zout the water bottle!!  

Kenzie:  where is the water bottle? 

Me:  in the bathroom where it always is.

Now..it is 7:45 and she only has on her skirt and socks but has managed to eat breakfast.  She still has to brush her hair, brush her teeth, put on shoes, wash face, make her lunch, pack up and make her bed!!  But I woke her up at 7:00.  you do the math

So she puts it in the drier without spraying the shirt and goes to get it...

Kenzie:  Mom..it's still wrinkled.

Me: Did you spray it with water?

Kenzie:  No...I think I should where another shirt

Me:  Yes, that's a good idea.

At.  7:57.  she has gotten dressed..but still has yet to wash her face, brush her teeth, brush her hair, make her lunch, make her bed and pack up. 

Meanwhile.  Her older sister and I are waiting for her, so we can leave to school, Madison has to be there at 8:00 for Hall Monitoring.  

We finally leave at 8:01.  We get there and we pull into the drop off area, there are two cars PARKED (last year they were not supposed to park there).  So I pull in and the SUV, Ford Expedition starts backing out...she is going to hit my car..but I can't move forward because there are cars in front of me unloading.  She still is backing out and looking at me...like I'm supposed to move.   So I ask the lady who opens the door for the girls to get out and walk across the lanes to the school if they can park there..she doesn't know.  I'm wondering last year she did this, why doesn't she know.  What has changed?  Any ways...I know there are bigger things to worry about in the world than the drop off at the school situation but I wish I could sit on and Adirondack chair sipping my Coffee and listening to the early morning chirps of the birds.  Want to join me?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sorry to keep ya hangin'

Well as my colleague has put it, she feels like she has "run a marathon"...and if she feels like she has run a marathon I felt like I just ran the Ironman in 90 degree heat!  No joke.   It was just stressfull the last month of school.  I love teaching but I could do without all the "No child left behind" crap that goes with the whole teaching field.  So..where did I leave you...oh yes..the Target run to get gift cards for the baby shower....I realize there is two us buying for two guest of honors and I only bought two gift cards.  Which means I have to go back after school to pick up two more gift cards.  So as I'm coming back through the office my cell is ringing...and it is the Acting PTA president...and asks, "Did you hear the good news?"...no I have not I tell her"" "the Yearbook company  made a mistake and got our order mixed up with another school so it's their mistake..and will have all of our yearbooks 2 days before school gets out!"  So I'm so relieved to hear the news..and as I go take my seat everyone in the teachers' lounge sees my look of relief in my face...they exclaim.."oh I see you heard the good news". I'm so glad that fiasco is over.....I'm glad the school year is over and i'm looking forward to summer...in fact here is the first picture of summer...this picture says it all....(nothing is better after being in the pool all morning eating a Paleta (popsicle)

 SUMMER is HERE!!!