April 19, 2013–I’m Still Dancing (2013 Version)

Posted on April 19, 2013 by admin

Blogging from Daily Brews, Wayland, 2:22 p.m. (yes, Daily Brews is one of my favorite spots in Wayland)

Hello all!

It is April.  It was 70 degrees yesterday.  Our area has had rain for 14 days in a row.  It was snowing @ home this morning.  Notice that I have explored this theme before – Michigan weather – interesting at the best of times; just wait, it will change…..

So, I used my PERSONAL DAY to be “off” today (April 19).  I plan to never WORK on this date again.  I use this day to reflect, create, appreciate being alive; acknowledge the mastectomy (I sometimes refer to this date as my “Lop & Chop” day…).  I use this day to appreciate the medical knowledge that has allowed me to deal with cancer.  I use this day to remember friends & acquaintances that haven’t had as easy of a journey with cancer as I have.  This is MY day to embrace the future.

So far today I have:

Slept in until 8:10 (then Tessa demanded some attention); shared a bowl of Corn Chex with Tessa; sat on the couch & petted Tessa’s belly; worked on e-mails & phone calls about the upcoming Michigan AllState Bonsai Show (May 11 & 12 @ Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park); worked on taxes (ours and Cory’s); created a clay project; worked on a tree; and the day is still young….

 

I am here, I am mostly healthy, I am a survivor…

~ Anita

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Spring in Michigan…A True Study In Contrasts (and Patience)

Posted on March 30, 2013 by admin

Saturday, March 30, 2013; 12:15 p.m.

I’m composing this blog from home; I’m unsure when I’ll be posting it.  The sun is shining but it is still rather cold (46 degrees).  Yesterday got into the mid 50’s and it was 26 degrees when I took Tessa out this morning (7:45 a.m.).   There was a pretty heavy frost on the ground.  We are supposed to have a weather front move through and be back in the 30’s most of Monday & Tuesday.  Ugh; sure makes it hard to do anything with trees yet!  My hands just cannot handle getting damp & cold.  I do currently have a miniature Forsythia in the house & it has put out buds in a week.  I found it partially uprooted in my storage area last Sunday so I had to re-pot it and thus it stays in for a while.  I will hopefully be posting some pictures soon.

I had the privilege of working with Bonsai Master Ivan Watters last weekend.  It is always a pleasure to work with Ivan and to watch him work on my trees & trees belonging to other bonsai enthusiasts.  Ivan has a wonderful “eye” for what a tree can look like in the future and he does a nice job of helping each of us see that potential “future tree”.  I used to be much more hesitant in making the changes he suggested.  I still only bring trees to work on that either have me “stumped” or which I haven’t really established a “plan”; I have others that remain strictly MY creation/project without any outside influence (other than books, magazines, internet pictures, etc.).

Bonsai, for me, is an art/hobby/obsession that allows me to think about the future and to PLAN for the future too.  It also allows me to enjoy the renewal of nature and the sheer wonder of growth!   I enjoy the challenge of finding a new nursery stock “potensai” (potential bonsai) but I am also actively cutting back on my collection of trees in order to give me more time to concentrate on the ones that I have.  That is not to say that I won’t purchase a new tree if I find a “good one” & have the funds but I AM being pickier about what comes home with me than I used to be.

I hope to get LOTS of re-potting done in the very near future.  I want to re-pot two trees that I worked on with Ivan last weekend along with many others that need to be re-potted this year (as I didn’t get much re-potting done last year).

I have a few Fridays off in the upcoming weeks and, weather permitting, I’ll be actively re-potting and pruning and all of that!

My feet & legs still give me problems (pain, easily fatigued, swelling).  I hope to join our community fitness center soon to find out if getting more exercise helps that all go away.  I have a phone call into the Director but he hasn’t called me back yet.  I’ll try again Monday.

My hands have mostly recovered from chemo; the fingertips still are numb sometimes and they definitely exhibit signs of arthritis, but for the most part, they don’t cause me too many issues.

My arms & shoulders are mostly recovered; I still think I have a mild case of tendonitis in the left arm but I am working on stretching that every day & it helps.

Overall, I’m doing well; the aches & pains I have get frustrating but I try not to complain too much as I know they could be much worse.  I’m coming up on two years (2 years!) since the surgeries; time sure has flown!

I have to close this for now; I have stuff to do for the upcoming Michigan AllState Bonsai Show (May 11 & 12, 2013).

Thanks for reading, caring, & sharing!

~ Anita

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Less Than A Week Until Spring Arrives!

Posted on March 15, 2013 by admin

Blogging from Daily Brews, Wayland, MI  03/15/13; 12:45 p.m.

Ah, Spring!  My favorite time of year.   It also usually is my most busy time of the year, for a wide variety of reasons.  Such is life and it is what it is…

I’m currently working on these different projects/events:

1) Planning Kira’s Graduation Party – I just filled out the Reservation Form for Daily Brews for Friday evening, June 21, 2013.  More about that in a future post and invitations will be going out.

2) Wedel’s Spring Expo – One of the bonsai clubs that I belong to usually participates in this two-day event.  This year, I volunteered to line up our member-volunteers for coverage during the event.  So far this isn’t going too well.  I just sent an e-mail to club members letting them know that they need to “step up” to keep us as participants at the event.  We’ll see if this comes to pass…

3) Michigan AllState Bonsai Show – The 15th Annual Show is May 11 & 12 and thus is less than two months away.  I still am finalizing the demonstration schedule due to some slow replies from my demonstrators but I think we have it mostly worked out.  I also have multiple e-mails to return…

4) Tax season, tax season, tax season – this is always a busy time at work and I just yesterday received the last “piece” from Edward Jones for our personal taxes.  To the tax preparer I go (and then once they are filed, update the FAFSA website too).

5) Trees!  Trees, trees, & more trees – besides the “tree related” events above, my trees are starting to wake up for Spring.  I have many trees that need to re-potted this Spring and lots of work to do.  I’ll be working with Master Ivan Watters next Saturday so that will help get some of the “work” started!

6) Relay For Life – we are in full fund-raising mode & I need to update my Relay page.  I also need to send a copy of the meeting schedule to our local paper & I need to get with Cap’n Amy to see when she wants to start encouraging Team Members to set up their online page.   The next Relay meeting is on the 18th @ 7:00 p.m. @ Wayland St. Therese Church (the gym building).  ALL are welcome to attend so please do consider attending if you have the time & want to know more about Relay!

7) Main Street – I’m working on a project for a Main Street event in June.  Many little deadlines for that too.

8) Art – I have been sometimes “driven” to create artwork the last few years.  I don’t know if that is because of having cancer or just me returning to my creative side.  Either way, I am making more than I am selling and either need to start seeking custom-orders or have a one-woman show or something…you can see lots of my creations for sale on Etsy (www.etsy.com – search WaterbornProductions) and/or at Marcia Perry’s Art Studio in Saugatuck.  I also have been “doing” the occasional art-event in Wayland & Plainwell.  And of course, I will be selling my creations @ Relay to help our team raise funds for The American Cancer Society.

Whew – that list doesn’t even include getting Kira through her AP tests & graduation nor does it include our trip to Missouri in June & our BIG trip in August (to take Kira to MS&T!).

Makes me tired just to read it…,tis a good thing I have today off & will soon be heading home to take a nap prior to going out this evening for a late celebration of Kira’s Birthday (she wanted to attend a LaughFest show this evening).

I just had another Quarterly Check Up with Dr. Z yesterday.  Unfortunately, Dr. Z is currently OUT due to a family emergency, so I had to work with a substitute doctor.  That is okay; I knew that prior to the appointment.  He was helpful & knowledgeable but we agreed to not making any changes in anything at this time.  Dr. Z is discussing changing me from Tamoxifen to an aromatase inhibitor.  There are pros-and-cons to changing and we definitely need to discuss it further.  I may also need to see Dr. I to see if my remaining ovary needs to come out (it isn’t causing me any real problems but he indicated in 2011 that I am prone to endomitriosis & eventually probably will have problems with the remaining ovary (“problems” being a way of saying – Your ovary might explode like your other one did on March 1, 2011!).  I hopefully will have the opportunity to discuss with     Dr. Z @ my June appointment.  Again, I haven’t had too many issues with Tamoxifen but there may be some better benefits to switch to the other medication family.

SPEAKING of family – Martin’s 1st story to be published in ANALOG is available NOW (the May 2013 issue).  Pick up a copy; you’ll be glad you did!

Kira has one more WinterGuard competition (FINALS) on April 6 then she is finished with that part of her high school “career”.

Cory is working hard @ Grand Valley this semester and is somewhat seriously thinking of trying to find a work-study opportunity that would let him travel this Summer.  I don’t know if that will happen but we will see.  He MAY be changing his major from Psychology to Sociology.  I hope that if he does he doesn’t have to extend his length of education.

Mark is really enjoying his new employer.  The work is hard & he isn’t always overly thrilled with working third-shift (as the “world doesn’t work on a 3rd shift schedule”) but he likes the work & likes the company.  I am glad for him and he does seem happier than he was at the last company.

Okay, I’m wrapping this up.   I hear more every day of people being diagnosed with cancer.  It brings back memories and I feel for them on many levels.

 

Thanks for reading, caring, & sharing!

Anita Buckowing

Posted in Family Updates, Health Updates 2011, Misc Ramblings, Relay For Life, Trees! | Leave a comment

Wrapping Up February 2013…Deadlines and More Deadlines and More!

Posted on February 28, 2013 by admin

Blogging from home on a snowy Tuesday evening (February 26, 2013); approx 10:30 p.m.

Well, a weather-related article I read earlier today said that the Grand Rapids area is still below the average snowfall for the Winter season.  BUT…we have received more than DOUBLE the average amount of snow for February (at 27.1” and counting as of yesterday; we have already added at least two more inches today).  I can hear WOOD TV8 from the living room saying that the State of Michigan is “awash in a swath of blue” (for snow precipitation).  It is evenings like this that I wish Mark didn’t have to work 3rd shift and I especially wish he didn’t have to travel to Holland (although he really likes his new job, he has had an excessive amount of snow this season that seems to follow his route from home to work).  I guess it was a good decision to get him a 4-wheel drive Ranger last year (even if it doesn’t get the best gas mileage).

Another FEBRUARY 28 is approaching, and since LIFE still “happens”, I am dealing with some deadlines.  Specifically, I have to file FAFSA for the kids and I have to file our Annual Sales Tax Return with the State of Michigan.  Both of these projects take some time & energy that I would prefer to utilize elsewhere but I really have no choice.  At least this year, unlike 2011, I am not also dealing with a new confirmed cancer diagnosis.  That helps, let me tell you!

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the government Federal Student Aid program and it is mostly completed using a computer.  Unfortunately, with our Dial-Up connection, this is sometimes a very frustrating process.  I JUST finished up the application for Cory and the program gave me the option to transfer all of the data to a new FAFSA for Kira.  Then the darn internet connection froze up and then the computer froze up!  So, I am now working on Kira’s application.  And I am having to re-create some of the data I already entered for Cory.  Ugh.

The Annual Sales Tax forms for the State of Michigan are much easier & quicker to complete but still have to be done by end of day on February 28.  Again, Ugh.

I have talked about my Brother Martin’s writing career in prior posts.  He is continuing to have some success in getting his writings published.  Most recently (just this week in fact) is his FIRST sale to ANALOG Magazine of Science Fiction & Fact!  His story is the first story in the May 2013 issue, includes artwork, and his name is on the front cover!  How exciting for Martin.  He also recently received an e-mail accepting a 2nd story submitted to ANALOG so I think he really should see his writing career “take off” this year!  We are all so thrilled that he is achieving this dream and I for one eagerly await the opportunity to read more of his writings.

2013 brings some “notable” milestones for me and others in my family.  So, in date order -

Kira turns 18 on March 3            Martin turns 50 on March 8

Mark & I celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary on May 7

Kira graduates from High School on May 23

Cory turns 21 on May 28

Mom turns 80 on June 3

Amy is 42 on July 28

Those are a lot of milestones!  Yay us!

Okay, I recreated the FAFSA data for Kira & have her application submitted now too.  I’m going to play with Tessa for a bit then go to bed.  I hope to post this blog on the 28th or sooner.

Finishing up from Wayland McDonald’s – February 28, 2013

Okay, I’m going to keep this wrap up short.  Another February 28 come & gone.  Life is good and busy and that is okay.  I spent part of the day looking up some articles that I read in the past just to help me understand the progress I have made in my recovery.

Yay!

And don’t get used to two posts in one week; probably isn’t going to happen very often.

Thanks for reading, thanks for caring!

~ Anita

Posted in Family Updates, Health Updates 2011, Misc Ramblings | Leave a comment

There Are Still Days…

Posted on February 24, 2013 by admin

February 23, 2013 – First post of 2013!  Yeesh..blogging from Hudsonville Color Guard & Winter Drum Line Competition, Hudsonville, MI

Well, long-time, no blog, eh?

Life has been BUSY…which I guess is a good thing…

There are still days though…

1) Hudsonville High School has QUITE the breeze going; my hair is long enough now that it can get annoying when in such a breeze!  I dug around in my purse for a while before I remembered that I haven’t carried hair-ties in more than a year.  Maybe I’ll have to start carrying them again.

2) My head still gets cold at random times (like in the aforementioned breeze!).  I almost always have a hat with me.  Since this IS Winter and this IS Michigan, I rarely get strange looks when wearing a hat inside.  I haven’t worn a bandana in a long time; again, my hair has come back in pretty thick & curly so I don’t need to wear such things.  I am sure that I’ll probably go back to carrying one once it is too warm for Winter-weight hats.

3) I experience some form of ache or pain most every day.  I try not to complain about these but I know that I do so sometimes.  Reality is though that these could be much worse, I can get rid of some of them by getting more exercise, and some of these aches/pains may have been brought on by cancer but they were probably in my future no matter what my health may be (the temperamental right ankle and the swollen finger joints come to mind…).  And reality also is that most people have aches & pains, not just cancer survivors.

4) I still get people asking why I cut my hair…that question still amazes me but I guess, if I haven’t seen some people over the last couple of years, they WOULD be surprised by my shorter hair.  It is mostly long enough to touch my shoulders but has a long way to go to reach the length it was pre-cancer.

5) I’ve said it before, and I’m going to say it again (in this post & probably in other posts too) – cancer patients are often big hypochondriacs.  Dr. Z tells me we (cancer patients/cancer survivors) don’t have a choice about that – we HAVE to be attuned to changes & such in our body as we have a higher chance to have cancer re-occur.  Sure makes it HARD to have a “Cancer Free” Day though (a day hasn’t passed since finding the first tumor that I haven’t thought about cancer).  Ah well, it is what it is…

Well, those were just some random thoughts that I’ve been procrastinating about posting to this blog.  I was inspired to compose a new post today because I am at a WinterGuard competition (I posted a few times from prior year competitions), my ‘cohort-in-crime” Amy was not able to attend, and because I probably will soon be talking to another EDJ employee that is starting her cancer journey and getting back into blogging will help me organize my thoughts for talking to her.

As I mentioned at the start – life is busy.  It is a GOOD busy most days though as that busy-ness means I am not having to deal with too many health issues.

>Finishing up 02/24/13, blogging from Hopkins, MI

Well, the WinterGuard competition went pretty well.  I thought the Wayland team should have scored higher, but that is the judges decision.  The team seems to be improving and definitely seems to be mostly getting along well as a team.

Okay, more next time; this was a good start to getting more in the habit of blogging.

Thanks for reading, thanks for caring.

~ Anita

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Another “Memory Date” Fast Approaching & NOW Past too!

Posted on November 3, 2012 by admin

Blogging from Wayland 10/08/12 (Happy Columbus Day!); unknown when this will get posted

Hello everyone!

As I mentioned in my last post, LIFE has been rather busy.  The month of September literally flew by (the month wrapped up with a scheduled trip to St. Louis so FLIGHT was definitely part of my month!).  Being busy is good but I have had some thoughts that I wanted to record that I just have not been able to make the time for.  So, finally, I’m taking the time to write an update.

I believe the last post was written prior to our trip to Missouri Science & Tech at the end of August (I don’t currently have an internet connection so I can’t check).  Our trip started out with a few “bumps” but overall it went very well and we had a lot of fun.  I used HOTWIRE.com to reserve the rental car and again, except for one small “hitch”, that was an excellent experience.  Luckily, I was smart enough (and the day rate was low enough) to add extra time to our actual “need” so the “hitch” didn’t cause us any real stress.

Kira & I had a nice tour of the campus even with the wet weather (Hurricane Isaac was visiting that weekend too!).  Kira is going to be submitting her college applications to three colleges this week and MS&T is definitely on her list!

 

Finishing up (hopefully…); Monday, October 22, 2012

Well, time sure has a way of getting away from me!  To finish up the earlier thought – Kira has officially applied to Michigan Tech and has sent her transcripts to MS&T and Rochester.  She hopes to finish the actual applications later this week (she needs some info’ from some teachers).

As far as “time getting away from me”…well, as I have already stated, WORK has been busy then I also had a bad couple of days (“Return of the Chemo Side-Effects”) starting on 10/10/12 and continuing into the following Monday (the 15th).  I get very frustrated by the side-effects returning and try not to whine too much.  I know that I DO have to start exercising more to re-build my leg strength and hopefully strengthen my right ankle too.

Saturday was the aforementioned “Memory Date” – I quietly celebrated ONE full year since the last chemo treatment!  Okay, in pursuit of full honesty, I wasn’t all that quiet as I spent part of the day at Kira’s Marching Band competition and I was loud enough to make her shake her head at me (and she was out on the field!).  Her probable last Marching Band competition is this Saturday and if I attend, I WILL be loud!  I have EARNED that right as a Band Parent for these last few years.

I did find it interesting to have a hot flash while at that competition.  I WAS rather cold then had to fight the urge to remove layers due to the hot flash!  Too funny.  I was hoping to include a picture here but my phone is being uncooperative about sharing pictures.   Sorry about that!

 

So, one year since the last chemo.  Tis hard to believe but the calendar doesn’t lie!  My hair has come back in pretty thick for the most part; I have one or two thin areas that bug me but I really shouldn’t complain as I am lucky it came back in at all!  It is getting long enough to be unruly at times which makes for some interesting hair styles.  I probably will let it grow as much as it wants to do before I do anything with it.  We’ll see; it gets “poofy” on the sides and that bugs me some times.

Overall, I am doing pretty good.  The peripheral neuropathy problems have receded quite a bit.  My feet still swell up on the bottom every couple of days.  This causes my legs to hurt and then I have problems with stiffness and pain in my back and arms.  Again, I know that exercise will probably drive away some of these issues and I will soon be working on that project (not enough energy many evenings).  I’ll also be talking to my regular Dr to see if there is something that can be done to help with these issues (shoe inserts, etc.).

Okay, time to wrap up this post.  It is now October 28 and this post has taken WAY too long to complete.  Mark & I did attend the last Marching Band competition yesterday and he seemed to enjoy it (even if we did get cold).  Kira is very glad to be finished with that part of her life (she enjoyed it but was more than ready to be DONE with it too).  I was NOT “loud” as I said I was going to be; Ms. Smith (our band instructor) asked parents to refrain from shouting during competition (she feels such might affect the scores).

Other things have been going on & I hope to catch up on all of that in the next post.  I also hope to post some other pictures that I’ve tried unsuccessfully to post in the past.

Thanks for reading, caring, & sharing.

Every day is a gift; trite, but oh so very true…

 

~ Anita 10/28/2012

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August Already? Time Is Flying Faster Than A Goose!

Posted on August 28, 2012 by admin

August 14, 2012 – Blogging from Wayland & other assorted locations

Hello World!  I’m still here; still dancing (NOT as fast as I would like but I’ll get by).  The “Goose” reference in the title was inspired by Tessa this weekend.  There were multiple flocks of Canadian Geese flying over, making lots of noise.  Once Tessa finally figured out to look UP, she watched them with such YEARNING in her eyes – I don’t know if she wanted to fly too or if she just wanted to catch (and eat) those flying things!  Tessa continues to be wonderful therapy for me and I’m so glad that she is part of our lives.  I hopefully will be including some pictures in this post so you all can see how big she has gotten.

Life has been VERY busy.  July really got away from me (hence no blog updates).  I successfully finished my Unicorn Project (see earlier post and hopefully a picture of the “Army” below).  I did not sell all of them as I hoped but did help with our fundraising and definitely helped with my mental therapy and my physical therapy both (I originally started playing with polymer clay to help with the peripheral neuropathy).  I ended up making a lot more Kritters than just Unicorns and really have enjoyed making these creations.

Hopefully finishing this up to post tonight – Monday, August 27.

Well, again, the theme of BUSY is reinforced!  The days have been flying by.  I now have a shop on Etsy (www.etsy.com) – the shop is named WaterbornProductions and currently features some of my polymer clay Kritters.  I sold one already to one of my brother Martin’s writing friends.  Please check them out if your schedule permits and do feel free to suggest a Kritter that you would like to see (I’m working on a Llama, an Alligator, a larger Unicorn, and some Halloween themed items too!).

On the CANCER front – I just had another quarterly check up (my 2nd or third, depending upon how you start the count).  I had some worries prior to this appointment for a WIDE variety of reasons.  I got to have another bone scan on August 3rd to check for growth in two specific “hot spots” that were showing on the scan from February.   The bone scans are easily the EASIEST test I have experienced except for the need to be so “still” for so long.  I can do it but it does get a little stressful at the end (thoughts of “don’t move, just don’t move” get really repetitive towards the end of the test).  The bone scan came back with no real change since February so that is “all good”.

I talked to Dr. Z about some other areas of concern and told him that cancer patients must be HUGE hypochondriacs.  He replied that NO, just HYPER-SENSITIVE and that is the best way for cancer patients to be (as we LIVE in our body and need to keep track of changes and areas of concern).  I have already scheduled my annual mammogram to monitor a solid area in my left breast.  At this point, it is just that; a more solid area and frankly Dr. Z said he isn’t too concerned about it.  But he DID order the ultrasound for after the mammogram if the on-staff Dr. deems it necessary.  Overall, much of the latter part of July and early August was “worrisome” but luckily those worries were unfounded.

RELAY helped alleviate some of my cancer-worries (strange that a cancer fund-raising/awareness event would help with that but it really did!).  A big part of the “healing” that happens for me at the event is connecting with other Survivors and seeing how they are doing and encouraging each other to BEAT THIS!  We were privileged to have two of my fellow Edward Jones friends visit that are both incredibly brave Cancer Survivors; this really helped me keep my energy going through the event and I cannot say Thank You enough to them (that would be Michelle & Kristina fyi).  And of course, all of my friends and family, Survivors and Supporters, made such a difference for the whole event.  We raised over $5,200 and are already making plans for next year!

The Summer really IS mostly over although many of my trees are rather confused.  I recently had one of my Wisterias bloom for the 3rd time (then beetles ate the blooms) and I just this weekend found a bloom on one of my Quince trees again.  Silly trees.  With the heat and the drought it has been an interesting Summer and could be an even more interesting Winter.

Cory started at Grand Valley State University today.  His plans (last I knew) are to finish his Associates Degree there then continue on through their Psychology program to get his Bachelors Degree.  He called me twice today and was pretty “geeked” about the whole thing (of course, having to spend over $400 on books added a layer of stress to his day).  I hope he continues to stay excited about his education.

Kira has pretty much narrowed her college search down to 4-6 colleges.  One of the strongest “contenders” is Missouri Science & Tech (MST).  She & I are actually going to spend part of the Labor Day weekend visiting the college to see what it is like.  She needs to make a decision pretty soon so that she can complete her applications.  She really has been doing her research so I’m sure she will be ready for the application process.  Mark has volunteered to stay home and take care of the animals and the trees; we are going to need Monday to recover from our travels!

Well, it looks like the previously promised pictures of Tessa and the Unicorn Army will have to wait.  I haven’t been able to spend much time at a place that has a fast internet connection so I haven’t loaded any of those photos onto this computer.  Hopefully the next few posts will have some pictures!

More later this week (that is my plan, at least…).

Thanks for reading, caring, & sharing!

~ Anita

Posted in Family Updates, Health Updates 2011, Misc Ramblings, Relay For Life, Trees! | Leave a comment

Ribbitt!

Posted on August 10, 2012 by admin

Seems mighty quiet around here…

Posted in The Adventures of Valium | Leave a comment

Things “Near & Dear” To Me…and Other Rambling Thoughts

Posted on June 25, 2012 by admin

Blogging from Wayland; Tuesday, June 19, 2012; 8:00 p.m. or so….

June has been a very busy month.  It looks to continue to be that way through the end of the month.  That is okay; I don’t mind being busy so long as I can at least have a reasonable amount of success “keeping up” most days.

WORK has been especially busy.  Gone are the days that Summer is “quiet” for our office.  That too is okay but sometimes it seems like projects never stop coming and never quite get finished.  They always DO get finished but sometimes not as quick as I would prefer.  Ah well, just a fact of life.

RELAY FOR LIFE is now just over 38 days away.  Our team has been fundraising for quite a while and we are approaching our Team Goal of $3,000.00.  I hope and expect that we will pass that; possibly before the event.  I’m sure we’ll be increasing our Goal if we reach it prior to the event.  I plan on purchasing additional Luminaria bags to honor both Cancer Survivors and those who are now resting from their battle with Cancer.  My list currently includes 16 names; I’m purchasing one or two bags per week between now & Relay to honor these people.  I encourage everyone reading to think about who YOU know that could/should be honored at our event.  And, of course, I would love to have you make donations to me and/or to our team.  Our team (BAAAD Krows) will be selling a variety of unusual art & crafts during the event plus some baked goods plus Let-Us-Cater will be selling Yesterdog hotdogs to help us fundraise again plus the Hopkins Boy Scout Troop is loaning us their dunktank again this year plus…plus…plus!  Obviously, I’m pretty excited about all of our plans and will be posting more specific information in a future post.  I will share that I have volunteered to dress up for the Team Mascot portion of the event; come out and see me as a Krow, I dare ya!

Here is the link to the website again:  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=38837

I do KNOW that this event raises funds for many, many worthy programs and I do KNOW that everyone who attends realizes how much Cancer affects every person in the world.  EVERY cancer patient in America utilizes the American Cancer Society’s resources whether they know it or not (at a minimum, their medical team utilizes ACS resources on their behalf).

I am actively making polymer clay Kritters to sell at Relay.  I am making a whole HERD of Unicorns (as Unicorns have healing powers, doncha know!).  I set a goal to make at least one Unicorn for every letter of the alphabet.  I finished constructing Mikhail last evening so I’m now officially halfway through with that goal (although I still have to “cook” a bunch of them; I’m waiting for the weather to be less HOT for an evening or two before I turn on the toaster oven).  I hope to have a wide variety of Kritters-Against-Cancer and other creations by the time of Relay.  I’ll post some pictures but you’ll have to visit to see the whole selection.

Okay, this post DEFINITELY got diverted.  It is now Monday, June 25 and I’m posting from an undisclosed location.  I’m NOT going to get finished with the things “Near & Dear” to me but will share a picture of one of my favorite places on this Earth along with pictures of a couple of my clay creations.  Enjoy & please keep reading!

~ Anita, 06/25/12

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Pier Cove

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UNICORNS!  The first two of the “herd” (Barnaby & Alexander, in case you are curious)

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And DONKEY made for my friend Joyce K to help her during her recovery from her recent surgery.  If you visit our team table during Relay you’ll have the chance to see some of HER creations too!

Posted in Family Updates, Health Updates 2011, Misc Ramblings, Relay For Life | Leave a comment

June? The Year Is Flying By…

Posted on June 9, 2012 by admin

Blogging from Wayland; Monday, June 4, 2012; 6:50 p.m.

It is AMAZING how time has “flown” since the bonsai show.  LIFE has been very busy and thankfully the Wayland School Year is winding down (Kira has this week of school and then she is DONE (well, sort of; more on that later)).  This is the first week in many weeks that I’m working the full week; we’ll see how tired I am by the end of it.

My feet and legs started to give me problems a few weeks before the bonsai show.  My feet still swell up during the day and that causes problems for the feet, ankles, knees, legs, & back (and ultimately, into my arms & chest).  This pain is frustrating as it makes me move slow and can be exhausting but it is NOT something that I think merits Dr attention at this time.  As far as I can tell, these pains are still symptoms of the peripheral neuropathy condition from chemo.  All I do KNOW is that such pains make me slow down and are frustrating (as I feel so much better most days that having to slow down at all can be irksome!).  Ah well; It truly IS what it is!

Work has been busy and looks to remain that way through the Summer.  This is good; I don’t like to be bored.  I have been spending LOTS of time with my trees; probably TOO much as other things get neglected.  That is okay; I get to what I can and find ways to “plug away” at various tasks & projects.  I finished the Beginner’s Watercolor class a few weeks ago.  I really enjoyed it and have two to three paintings going most of the time now.  I also am making LOTS of polymer clay projects for selling @ the upcoming Relay For Life Event.  All of these art projects and my trees provide me with time to reflect and just HEAL; very therapeutic.

Finishing this on Saturday, June 9 from Plainwell (IHSI) -

Okay, I’m going to wrap this up.  Kira is now finished with her Junior year of High School and has a very busy schedule for next year.  She is taking a week off this week and then has personal goals to study certain subjects on her own.  Should be interesting.  She is definitely motivated in her pursuit of scholarships for her college education.

More next post…

Thanks for reading, caring, sharing…

~ Anita

Posted in Family Updates, Health Updates 2011, Misc Ramblings, The Adventures of Valium | Leave a comment