CALL ME CRAZY

"Leave me alone!"

I didn't wake up this morning planning to exercise like a crazy "fool". Actually, I woke up very s-l-o-w-l-y. I just couldn't seem to open my eyes. George came into the room several times asking "Aren't you gonna get up?" Before I talked myself into pushing back the covers, the phone rang. One of the girls I play tennis with, who walks her new puppy early, called to say it was just too darn cold and the tennis courts were frozen. No tennis today. Awww...happiness...I snuggled back down. A few minutes later, Bree called. (She calls every morning after she leaves her 7PM-7AM nursing shift.) I finally dragged myself out of bed.

Once I'm up though, I'm up. After breakfast, I threw on my sweatshirt (yep, over my gown again) and my tennis shoes and walked on the treadmill for 50 minutes. It felt good. I'm really enjoying my treadmill. I just put on the TV and off I go. This afternoon, George and I was determined to ride our bikes. It seems like forever since we've been able to ride due to the rain, our schedules, etc. So, even though it was COLD (probably 40), we took off. Luckily, we warmed up a bit as we rode. We got in 6 miles! Yippee! Tonight I walked 45 minutes on the treadmill while I watched The Lifetown Movie "Angels Fall".

Lots of exercise today, but I feel great. My foot doesn't bother me while I'm exercising...kinda weird. It seems to bother me most when I first wake up in the morning until I get to moving around and usually when I first stand up and move after sitting down for awhile (meals or computer time). We'll see what the doctor says on Thursday.

SUNDAY - THIS AND THAT

Church was packed this morning. Looking around, I could easily see that we had alot of "snow birds" visiting with us.

I just watched the Hallmark Hall of Fame Sunday movie "The Valley of Light"...what a sweet, but sometimes sad, story. I sure love Hallmark movies.

It's supposed to be near freezing tonight. I hope not. I'd really like to be able to play tennis in the morning.

(I walked 70 minutes on the treadmill tonight.)

MY PECULIAR ARISTOCRATIC TITLE

I found this over at BooMama's. Kinda fun! No need to curtsy or bow next time you see me though!

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:

Milady the Right Reverend Justabeachkat the Harmonious of Goosnargh on the Carpet

Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title here

HOME AGAIN

It's so good to be home! We didn't do much today...just enjoyed being home. Unpacked, caught up on mail (snail and e-mail), and just hung out at home. Nice.

One sad note...our friends Garrett and Jeanette are out of town. Sadly, Garrett's mom "Miss Grace" died yesterday. I reached as many friends as I could to let them know, ordered the flowers, and will keep up some prayers for them during this sad time. It's hard to know what to do when your friends are hurting.

Off to bed. Awwww...there's just something about your own sweet bed.

(I walked 50 minutes on the treadmill and I'm increasing my speed and the incline level. Gotta work on my eating and my water intake though!)

SOOOOOOOOO TIRED!

Wow...what an awesome day! Praise God!

It was a beautiful day in Atlanta...no rain, just really cold, but it is January afterall. The AFLAC meeting was really alot of fun to attend. Our talented daughter-in-law, Jan , did an incredible job with the logo for t-shirts, invitations, the decorations, etc. and she does the photography for this district. George (our son) won a number of awards and was named first place in his division. We're so proud of him! My George (husband) did an awesome job with his motivational speech. I was really impressed with him. It made me proud to watch him in action. (I didn't go with him last time, but I had heard how well he did and that he received a standing ovation. Hence, they asked him to come back for this one.) Mr. Taylor's introduction of him was pretty impressive too. I think my talk went well also. I'm not a speaker (for sure), but it wasn't hard for me to talk about something so personal. I enjoyed getting to meet lots of really nice people after the meeting. We stayed for the short cocktail party afterwards instead of getting on the road and by then the traffic was too bad to even think about driving 6 hours home. We decided to go to dinner with George and Jan and let the traffic clear up a bit. After dinner, we drove 2 hours and spend the night with my Mom in Columbus. It's nice to get to see her any chance I can. We're pooped though. It was a loooooooooooooong day!

ON THE ROAD

(I didn't take this photo. I copied it from Eric's blog...thanks Eric!)

We'll only be gone one night, so packing and getting out of town should be easy. Right? Sure! It's still hard. Anyway, we got out the door by 9:30...pretty good since George's goal was 9:00, so I was only 30 minutes behind his "schedule". I felt bad though, since I know he was just wanting to get to Atlanta before the traffic got too bad. We lose an hour because of the time change. Since it's been over 5 years since we lived in Atlanta, it's amazing just how bad the traffic can be. Oh my!

We checked into the hotel and then drove further up north to have drinks and dinner with Bob and Jennifer. We ALWAYS enjoy seeing them and catching up. We sure miss them. We went to our favorite place for salad and pizza. Wow...wonderful.

Gotta get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is a big day. George and I are both giving speeches to the managers and sales agents for the Northeast region of AFLAC. This will be George's second time, but my first. George does a motivational type talk. I'll be doing a testamonial about my breast cancer and how fortunate I was to have my cancer insurance with them. Amazing...for some reason, I'm not even nervous. Hope tomorrow, I will feel the same. We're looking forward to seeing George and Jan there. We don't want to embarrass them, so we hope to do a good job and make them proud.

CAN IT BE THE BOOTS?

Okay, why is when you finally get a doctor's appointment scheduled, you feel better? Crazy! But nice. I'm keeping my appointment though 'cause it's way too early yet to get excited. But I'm hopeful none the less.

When I woke up this morning, my ankle felt "almost" normal. It looked more normal than it has in quite some time. AND....drum roll....I just got home from playing four sets of tennis and I think I played the best I have since my surgery.

Go figure???? Yesterday, I literally wore my boots ALL DAY. Seems like my foot would be worse, not better. I'm wondering if the boots helped somehow. Maybe since they're tight around the ankle so I had more support all day? Seems like I've heard some foot injuries are helped if you wear a shoe with a bit of a heel. Who know? I'm just happy with how I feel today. Sure hope it keeps up!

(11PM update...foot is sore tonight. I wore tennis shoes all afternoon, but put on my boots tonight since some of the girls were coming by to see the house and visit. It was a long day though and I did play 4 sets of tennis so maybe I shouldn't complain about my foot being sore. We packed tonight since we're going to Atlanta tomorrow. George is giving another motivational speech to AFLAC employees and they have asked me to give a testimonial about my cancer and how my coverage with them helped.)

WORKS- FOR- ME WEDNESDAY (Smart Snack)

I love chocolate...any kind, but I do love my M&M's. When I did the South Beach diet a few years ago, I needed something to help curb my appetite. So I filled my old empty M&M candy plastic tube with almonds or walnuts and kept them in my purse for snacks. It really, really helped. Also, when we went out for dinner, I would snack on the nuts when everyone else was eating the bread. Having something crunchy worked for me!

Go here at Rocks In My Dryer for more tips!

A WONDERFUL DAY

Some days just feel special, and today was one of those days. Not unlike alot of other days, but for some reason, it felt especially wonderful. I slept until 7:45, which is kinda late for me, and that felt good. George had a doctor's appointment, so he left early and then I had the house to myself. I got quite alot done around the house and then took my time to shower and get dressed for the day. I had lunch with the Tuesday Lunch Bunch at Fabrice, our French cafe. Yummy! I had a wonderful salad and toasted french bread with melted brie cheese. Oh my! I stopped by Dr. "B"'s office (where I did my radiation) and visited with the girls. I miss them. What sweet girls. I'm hoping they will come by the new house next week after work one day for drinks and to visit. Afterwards, I ran some errands and did a little shopping. When I got home, I made a Kentucky Derby Pie to take to the neighbors tonight. They invited us and another couple over for dinner. Wow...everything was awesome and their home is lovely. We had a special time together. Life is good. Now, it's off to bed. Color me smiley, happy and satisfied.

(I only was able to walk 30 minutes on the treadmill today. I was pretty good with eating until tonight, then pretty bad!)

HA! HA! HA!

I had to laugh out loud today when I walked past a mirror on my way to the treadmill. Gosh, I really looked funny. I'm in my floor length gown, socks, tennis shoes and a sweat shirt jacket. When I don't have somewhere to be early in the morning, I Iove having my breakfast and coffee, check my e-mails and then get on the treadmill before I dress for the day. I trade my robe for a sweatshirt and my slippers for socks and tennis shoes and off I go. It's comfy, but I do look pretty silly.

DATE NIGHT

I finally heard back from the doctor's office. I have an appt. scheduled for Feb. lst with Dr. Fox to see why my foot is still bothering me. I'm soooooooooo ready to get back to normal (?).

George is so sweet. This morning he asked me to go on a date tonight. Movie and dinner. We went to see Dream Girls...WOW! Good music, lots of stars and I love the costumes. Beyonce' is incredible and Jennifer Hudson is super talented. Amazing voice. Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx were both good too. We both really enjoyed it.

(I walked 45 minutes on treadmill this morning. I planned to walk more later, but never found the time.)

CONTENTMENT

I love, love, love our church. Every Sunday is special to us, but some Sundays are even better than we thought possible. Today was one of the best. Jeff's sermon was "Contentment" and our Scripture Reading today was Philippians 4:6-13. All of these verses are favorites of mine. They speak to me. True contentment is being happy where you are no matter what. Not waiting for a perfect day, a perfect house, a perfect marriage, etc. Just being content.

Philippians 4:6-13
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpases all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, what is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity, in any and every circumstance. I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Lord, teach me to be contend. All I need is you.

(I walked 70 minutes on the treadmill and might do more after dinner.)

MY SATURDAY

A nice day. Nothing exciting really, except they delivered our new pool table (also the ping pong attachment you can put on top). George was pretty excited about that. I'm sure we're gonna have some fun in the days to come. I got alot of things done around the house...laundry, clean sheets on the bed, caught up the checkbook, watered plants, etc. and then bought some groceries. It was nice though because I was able to do my chores at my pace with no rush at all. No reason to run out the door for this or that. Kinda nice. I kept thinking I would go for a bike ride or get on the treadmill, but I was having fun justing working around the house. Weird for me. Usually I'm off and running full speed and I'm rarely home for the whole day. Around 5 PM Carol came by for wine and cheese and crackers along with her friends (twins) who are visiting from Michigan. It was great getting to meet them, so I now can put a face along with the stories Carol tells about them. Really nice girls. Barbara returned tonight from Ohio where she has been visiting her Mom. It's gonna be nice having her back home. Jeanette and Garrett left yesterday quickly when they learned his Mom (Miss Grace) is very sick. My prayers are lifted up for them all.

Off to bed. Looking forward to church tomorrow.

(I didn't do a lick of exercise today...sigh! I was pretty good with my food and water until around 5:00 and then I was bad!)

SALTY DOG

Tonight our neighbors, Brad and Brenda, came over for drinks and then we went out to dinner at one of our favorite Italian restaurants. What a nice couple! They are younger than we are, but really nice and fun to be around.

Brad used to be the lead singer in a local band we enjoyed hearing around town. He's now in Real Estate and he and Brenda have 3 darling boys which George enjoys playing basketball, football and soccer with. We love having them as neighbors.

(I walked 1 hour on the treadmill, did okay with food, mediocre with drinking water. Tennis was cancelled.)

STRUGGLING

I'm really struggling with my attitude. I'm usually pretty upbeat and I hate it when I feel like I do lately. Reason: my foot. It's just not right. Since the broken bones, it bothers me every day. Not true pain, but it's not right. It definitely has made a difference in my tennis game, which really makes me MAD! Every day, when I wake up and first put my feet on the floor, I walk "funny" for awhile until it decides to act better. When I sit down for awhile and stand up, sometimes it takes a few moments or a few steps to work right. I constantly have to watch where I walk so I won't turn my ankle. Etc., etc., etc. This morning it's really giving me fits. I've put in a call to Dr. Fox. I want to go back in and talk to him and find out what I need to do. Maybe more physical therapy is needed. Bummer. I'm frustrated.


1 Corinthians 10:13 (NRSV)

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

SLOW COOKING THURSDAY

I love to use my slow cooker and was happy when I found this blog. I think it will be fun to try new recipes. Here's one I enjoy:

SLOW COOK TURKEY BREAST

Fresh Turkey Breast (I find them at our local Publix)

1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup

Salt and Pepper

Wash turkey breast and pat dry with paper towels. Salt and Pepper. Place in bottom of slow cooker. Empty a can of cream of chicken soup (no water) over the top of the turkey breast. Cover and slow cook on medium heat for approx. 6 hours. The soup and turkey drippings will make it's own gravy. Yummy over rice. The turkey breast will come off the bone easily. Easy!

(Walked on treadmill tonight - 45 minutes)

I MISS MY BOOKS

I love to read. I always have. My Mom isn't a big reader (although she likes books on tape), but my Dad was. Both sisters love to read too. My daughter loves to read. I love a good thriller where you can't wait to turn the page. Sometimes I can almost hear the suspense music in my head, just like in the movies when you know something is about to happen. I shut the book quickly, so I can try to figure out just what will happen next. Now that's a good book! Lately though, I haven't had time to read. Between the move and the holidays, my books have sadly just waited by the bedside. Today I can "hear" them calling my name. It's cold and dreary and a perfect day to snuggle up with a good book...I just don't have the time today though. I'm gonna figure out a way to get back to my dear old friends. I need my books.

Today I played 2 sets of tennis and rode my bike 5.86 miles. I was pretty good with my eating and I drank lots of water. Tonight I plan to walk on the treadmill for an hour while I watch Grey's Anatomy :-)

MY GOOD OLE TREADMILL

Thanks to my friend who found this cute photo which shows exercising on the treadmill. I put it on my sidebar too. Hopefully, seeing it daily will keep me on track (no pun intended) to keep up my treadmill workout. I'm really enjoying it. Hey, leave me a comment if you're doing this too...let's encourage each other.

(I played 3 sets of tennis, walked one hour on the treadmill, but didn't do so well with food or water today. Gotta work on that!)

BRRRRRRRR

Nothing exciting today. I did a few things around the house this morning and then went to meet my Tuesday lunch bunch at my favorite Thai restaurant. Yum! I looked out the window at one point and thought "It's looking colder". I was right. When I opened the door to leave, it was freezing and so windy too. Brrrr! I drove straight to Publix to buy groceries and came home. I couldn't wait to fix a cup of coffee to warm up. Happiness in a cup! I took a nap this afternoon. Like I said nothing exciting. Just finished making spagetti for supper. Nice to be home and inside where it's nice and toasty.

(Did well with my eating today and walked an hour on the treadmill.)

A WONDERFUL DREAM

"I have a dream" - delivered 28 August 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C.

What a great man with a wonderful dream! Let us never forget.

NO MORE EXCUSES

Okay, enough is enough! I've been saying to myself for MONTHS now (yes, months) that I had to do something about getting back in shape. It's not just the pounds I've put on, but the way my body feels and looks. 2006 was hard on my body...breast cancer, radiation treatment, broken bones, then physical therapy. Then we moved into the new house. Oh, and then the Holidays came. And went! So....no more excuses...it's time to put away all excuses and do something about it. Every day, I plan to add to my post what I've done that day, both exercise and how I did with eating. That's my plan. Please God, let me do it!

(I just decided to start this tonight so I didn't watch what I ate today but I did walk 45 minutes on the treadmill tonight and I drank more water than I usually do.)

PAULA DEEN AND FAMILY

Jamie, Paula, Bobby and Michael cutting up with each other and the audience.
Paula walked out on the stage with a Pepsi in her hand and I noticed when they opened the refrigerator it was stocked with Pepsi and bottled water.
Paula and her husband, Michael, put together "Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding"

I arrived home last night tired and happy to be home. I had a really good time. I tried to post pics last night from the Paula Deen show, but Blogger was so S-L-0-W that I gave up and went to bed.

Paula Deen was so funny. Very attractive, sparkly blue eyes, beautiful hair, so down to earth and much smaller in person than I thought she would be. The show wasn't how I thought it would be either. No cooking really. Just a quick demonstration using things already prepared and that was only for about 10 minutes max. The rest of the time was spent talking and cutting up. Much more comedy than cooking, but lots of fun. Both sons, Bobby and Jamie, were there and Paula's husband, Michael, who could easily be a very good Santa. Also Jamie's wife, Brooke, and their new baby, Jack, were there. Our seats were literally on the front row and in the center! Amazing! At one point, a man sitting directly behind us asked a question and Paula stood right in front of us and actually put her hand on Sherry's knee as she leaned over to answer him. After the show, we went backstage and got to meet everyone and the whole family signed our cookbooks.

MORE PICS WITH PAULA AND FAMILY

Me, Mom and Sherry with our VIP "necklaces" and our cookbooks
Jamie with Brooke and Jack

THREE TOURISTS

We decided to play tourists today, so we headed out right after breakfast. First stop was to see the Vicksburg Riverfront Murals. They're beautiful to view from the car as you're driving by, but we parked and walked right up to them. The details are amazing! Each mural is 12 by 20 feet.

According to their website: "On April 12, 2002, the City of Vicksburg unveiled its first riverfront mural by renowned artist Robert Dafford. The electricity of this project has spread across the South and up and down the Mississippi River.
The panels of the Vicksburg floodwall are the canvas capturing the City of Vicksburg's crucial past, present and future roles in American history, commerce, culture, religion, and technology."

VICKSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK: "The World's Art Park and Best Marked Battlefield"
The Vicksburg National Military Park, established by Congress on February 21, 1899, commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg during the Civil War. The 1,800 acres of the park are dotted with over 1,300 monuments, making it the "art park of the world."
The most impressive of the memorials is the Illinois Monument, which was dedicated on October 26, 1906 and modeled after the Roman Pantheon. On its walls are 60 bronze tablets which record the names of the 36,325 Illinois soldiers who participated in the Vicksburg campaign.
The memorial was designed by William L. B. Jenney, who served as General Sherman's chief engineer during the Vicksburg operations, and cost $194,423.92.
The Shirley House, to the right of the monument, is the only building in the park that survived the siege. Built in the 1830's as Wexford Lodge by attorney Nicholas Gray, the house remains a part of the battlefield's landscape today.
The idea for the park can be credited to Civil War veterans of the Blue and Gray Association who, in 1895, formed the Vicksburg National Military Park Association., Veterans helped to mark the park, resulting in its recognition as one of the world's most accurately marked battlefields.
This was my favorite one!
THE FAMOUS BEAR HUNT: "The Teddy Bear is Born"
On November 12, 1902, the Washington Post reported that President Theodore Roosevelt was headed to Smedes, Mississippi, 25 miles north of Vicksburg, for a 4-day bear hunt. The article said the president "did not anticipate the pleasure of killing a bear so much as the pleasure of a few days complete recreation in the woods."
The guide for the hunt was Holt Collier, a scout during the Civil War and later a guide for Gen. Wade Hampton. Collier had helped kill 1000 bears, nearly 150 in a single season.
On November 14, the hounds cornered a 235-pound bear. Collier tied it to a tree and called for the president. When Roosevelt arrived, he would not shoot the bear.
Political cartoonist Clifford Berryman drew Roosevelt with a little bear tied to a tree with the caption, "Drawing the Line in Mississippi." Soon toy manufacturers were producing "Teddy's Bears," later called Teddy Bears.

THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER SUNSET AT VICKSBURG "One of America's Most Beautiful Sunsets"
Probably one of the most picturesque views of Vicksburg is that of the two bridges over the Mississippi River. The first bridge was constructed between 1927 and 1930 at a cost of $6.5 million.
The bridge was, at that time, the only bridge across the river between Memphis and New Orleans. The steel cantilever bridge is 7500 feet between the approaches with a total length of 2.89 miles.
In 1963, the Mississippi Bureau of Public Roads announced that a new four-lane bridge would be build immediately south of the present bridge and world be on the interstate currently under construction.
The new Mississippi River bridge at Vicksburg opened for traffic on February 15, 1973. The boats pictured with the bridges are the Motor Vessel Mississippi, owned by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers; the U. S. Coast Guard Cutter Kickapoo; and the mid-river supply boat, the Big Valley, owned by Ergon.

ART PARK AT CATFISH ROW

Lots of art by the youth was on display. This one was my favorites. I love the movement!



Art Park at Catfish Row is a colorful play area right across the street from the Riverfront Murals. We loved the art on display done by children.

TWO BRIDGES OVER THE MISSISSIPPI

I took this one of the two bridges over the Mississippi River fron the back porch of the Vicksburg Welcome Center. The ladies in the welcome center suggested we go to Rowdy's for lunch since we wanted some fried catfish. We went and it was pretty good. Afterwards, we did some shopping on Washington Street and then went back to our room for cocktails and played a few games of Phase 10 before getting dressed for the show.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

I arrived in Vicksburg about an hour before Mom and Sherry, so I did a little shopping downtown at some cute shops on Washington Street. Once they arrived and we were all settled at the hotel, we went to dinner at Rusty's Riverfront Grill. Yum Yum! In this photo we're about to start with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes topped with lump crab meat and a wonderful sauce. The picture doesn't do it justice...it was awesome! For our main course, Mom and I shared the seafood pasta and Sherry got the crabcakes. We also had cheese grits and aspargus. A wonderful meal! We went to the casino for awhile, but it was just too smokey. I lost $10.00 in the slot machines in the blink of an eye. We ended up going back to the room, had a glass of wine and played Phase 10. We laughed and said we were probably the only ones to come to Vicksburg with our own wine and our own deck of cards. I'm sure we had more fun than most did.

THIS AND THAT

I didn't know I was a "lurker", even though I love reading other blogs, until I saw a post on a blog tonight and this funny button. It's De-Lurking Week January 8-12 so we're supposed to reveal ourselves if we "lurk" on someone else's blog. I write my blog basically just for myself so I can look back and remember what all life has given me, but I know I get "lurkers" too. So...if you're lurking, leave me a comment. "Would it kill ya to comment?" HeHe

I'm packed and ready to leave in the morning for my trip to Vicksburg to see Paula Deen and her boys. Can't wait to see my Mom and Aunt and Bree.

George got his stitches out this morning and we're still so thankful his lab reports were good.

UPDATE

Don't be fooled - men are vain too! I showed George the below post a little while ago. He didn't say anything, but almost immediately he went to take his shower. Then he called me in to help him shave around his incision. I guess once he saw for himself the picture below I took earlier tonight, he wasn't gonna wait until tomorrow. Hehe! I should've taken his pic 5 days ago! Now he's back to his smooth faced self! He immediately looked less tired and younger. Amazing! Wish there was something I could do in 5 minutes like that which would make me look less tired and younger. It's just not fair!

WHO IS THIS MAN?

George gets his stiches out tomorrow, so hopefully he'll get to shave. I like his face smooth, like in this photo from Thanksgiving.
Who is this man?

GETTING THE GARAGE ORGANIZED

George and I have spent the last few afternoons purchasing, carting home and putting together these shelves for storage in our garage and also this rack for our golf bags, shoes and accessories. (Aren't the AFLAC duck driver covers cute?! Our son who works for AFLAC gave them to us for Christmas.)

We've got to make lots of trips from our storage unit, go through all the "stuff" in there and bring it all here and start putting it in the containers and labeling everything. I think it's gonna be nice once it's done. Since we're both going out of town this weekend and have lots to do tomorrow to get ready, we won't work on this project again until next week, but it feels good to have this much done and it's gonna be nice not having to pay for storage anymore.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

Praise God! We got good news from George's lab work after his skin cancer surgery last week. They got it all! He goes back this Thursday to get the stitches out. He's looking pretty scruffy since he can't shave. I gotta get a picture before he starts shaving again. He asks me if he looks like Dr. McDreamy...I said no. He asks me if he looks like Dr. McSexy...I said no. He still looks good to me though. But...I'll be glad when he's smooth again.

BUMMED ABOUT MY TENNIS

I love my Weed racquet though! It's not the racquet's fault...it's all me.

I'm pretty bummed about my tennis game. I'm back playing again after breaking both bones in my lower right leg right above the ankle. I wear a brace which protects me from injuring it again, which is a good thing, but it is messing with my mind since it is a constant reminder that something's different and I can't seem to move as well. The brace keeps my foot too stiff and it's hard to stay on my toes and be ready to move which causes my timing to be off.

I played this morning and not very well. I've had a pretty good attitude about everything since the accident, but days like today really make me mad and sad. I want to play like I did before the accident and I'm wondering if I ever will again. I think I played better when I first went back to playing than I did today. I haven't played in a few weeks due to the holidays and rain last week, so I guess I shouldn't feel so bummed, but I do!

CAUGHT IN THE RAIN

As we were walking in the door to church this morning, I noticed George was carrying his umbrella and I was carrying my sunglasses. I was surprised since he's usually the optimist in our family. I'm not bragging, but I needed the sunglasses as we exited the church. :-) The sun was shining and it was warm. But.....

Tonight Jack and Linda came over for drinks and we all decided to take the golf cart to the village to grab some dinner. Just as we got seated, Linda looked out the window and saw the rain. It was pouring! We took our time with dinner and hoped it would stop before it was time to leave. No such luck! George went into the restroom and grabbed lots of paper towels and tucked them inside his shirt. We were soaked by the time we walked to the golf cart. We tried to wipe off the seats, but it was pretty hopeless. Thankfully, we have the plastic panels on the golf cart we could roll down so we were protected from the rain on the way home, but we were all chilled to the bone by the time we arrived. Oh, and we all looked l-o-v-e-oh-ly. My hair just gets flat and plastered to my head and Linda's gets real wavy. I should've taken a photo. We all looked like drowned rats or cats or whatever. Funny night. Something we'll all remember. Sure wish George had taken the umbrella tonight!

TREASURE HUNTING

Every once in awhile, I get a "wild hair" to go treasure hunting. I just hop in my car by myself usually on a rainy yucky day when I don't (or can't) do anything else and off I go. I visit lots of antique stores, art galleries, home interior type shops, etc. and just walk around looking for a "treasure". Sometimes nothing happens and sometime I find just what I wasn't even looking for :-)

Yesterday afternoon was just one of those days. And it turned out to be a lucky day. I found two large pieces of art for our new home in a small shop I didn't even know existed. They have been in business for two years and somehow I missed it! Anyway, the owner let me bring them home on approval. I had to get George to go back with me to pick them up and we could only get one at a time in the back of his SUV so we made two trips. We both loved them immediately once we got them home and propped in place. Today two friends came by and both loved them too. I get excited when things just happen like this. I can only imagine how the pirates and explorers of long ago must have felt when they stumbled across a treasure.

FRONT ROW SEATS

I'm so excited. Tickets came in the mail today. My Mom, Sherry and I all have front row seats to see Paula Deen and her sons, Jamie and Bobby in Vicksburg a week from Saturday! We even get to go back stage afterwards to meet her personally. Can't wait!

CELEBRATING LATE BIRTHDAYS

Barbara with her tiara and magic wand and Dick with his birthday hat and birthday boy button blow out the candles on their cake. That cake was y-u-m-m-y!

A nice day. I didn't have to be out until this afternoon, so I slept a little late and then did some things around the house and walked for an hour on the treadmill. I bought groceries and ran some errands before I had my checkup with Dr. Moody (I see him every 3 months for the first 2 years after my cancer surgery, then every 6 months for another 3 years). All is good. Thank you Lord!

Tonight we had Garrett and Jeanette and her Mom, Tilly, who is visiting from New York and Dick and Barbara over to watch the Notre Dame game and grill some burgers. We also celebrated Dick and Barbara's birthday a few weeks late since they were out of town for the holidays during their birthdays. The girls ended up playing Mexican train while the guys watched the game. A fun night.

Off to bed. Finally.

FAIRY OF JOY

Just received this from a friend....how sweet!

I WON'T BE CALLING HIM SCARFACE AFTERALL

George had a small cancerous spot removed from his left cheek today (face, not the other!). When he came out with his bandage, he looked kinda cute especially after he tried to smile and only one side of his mouth worked. The other side was still numb. The doctor said he feels very good about it, but the report won't be back for 10 days or so. He will remove the stiches (it took 6) a week from Thursday. He told George he would definitely have a scar because of the location. George doesn't care and I told him I certainly don't either and I teasingly told him I might nickname him "Scarface". My friend told me not to. She said "Don't do that. He might just call you something that would include where your scar is!". She's got a point! Seriously, he's doing great and we're glad it's over.

A GOOD START TO 2007

We have the best friends! This afternoon Jeanette and Garrett had a group of us over for dinner. Six couples and Jeanette's Mom who is visiting from New York. We all sat outside on their platio around a firepit for food, drinks and fellowship. It was a cool night, but so nice to sit by the fire with a beautiful moon overhead. What a way to begin the new year!

Jeanette cooked her traditional Slovakian New Year's meal - pork roast, dumplings, pork gravy, sour kraut and apple sauce. Garrett who grew up in South Carolina made Hoppin' John (a rice and black-eyed pea recipe... Southern custom holds that, if eaten on New Years Day, it ensures good luck for the next year.) I grew up in Georgia so I brought collard greens (in my family for New Year's Day you eat black-eyed peas and collard greens or turnips for luck...the peas represent good luck in coins for the year and the greens represent good luck in dollar bills). There was tons of desserts too. Yum Yum!

We came home awhile ago stuffed to the gills and smelling like smoke, but very happy. Life is good!

A NEW YEAR...A NEW BEGINNING

I, for one, am very happy to welcome in a new year. 2007 just has to be a better year for me personally. Between the breast cancer and breaking two bones in my leg, 2006 was not the best year. Having two surgeries, radiation treatment and physical therapy took up alot of the year. I'm doing really well now....thank you to our God. But, I just know 2007 will be a year when I will truly appreciate life and the return to health in a way I've never truly done before. So, here's to a new beginning!

I like this new version of Auld Lang Syne:

(As updated for the new Millennium by:Annette Rios, Edie Zuvanich,Jaime Cabrera & Steve Hostak)

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!
The new year brings us hope for peace,
A new day for mankind,
Where we can all live hand in hand
And leave all hate behind.
For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.
When dreams they seem so far away,
Your soul can feel so low.
But love is never far away;
Your heart won't be alone.
Let's make a world where people care,
A world that knows no fear,
Where we can open up our hearts
And hold each other dear.
Our children grow, they need to know
The Future's theirs to hold.
If we can teach them how to love
Then the world can carry on.
For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

May this be true for all of us!