Happy Friday: Boo!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

When I was in undergraduate school, there was a guy on campus, who every Friday for all four years he was there, would carry red balloons around with him and greet everyone he met with "Happy Friday." I got to know him and he was so inspiring. Before college he had been in a severely bad car accident that resulted in multiple physical and cognitive disabilities. Even though it took away his talents as an athlete and set him back drastically physically and mentally, he was just so positive about life. And part of that positivity was recognizing that every Friday is a celebration. He had made it one more week!

Although he and I have lost touch, and I don't even remember his name, every Friday I think of him. 

Every Friday his positive spirit still reminds me that no matter what is going on in life at the moment, it is still a celebration to have made it through one more week.

I think he has forever changed my life and my outlook.

This Friday. I am celebrating these things that make me happy:

1. My monthly reports are almost done. I'm so glad they only come once a month. 

2. I have not been bed-ridden once while being sick this month. Sometimes you have to remember just how fantastic the basics are. And after all, that isn't very basic.  

3. Its Halloween weekend!  

4. I'm not in school! Last year for Halloween I was up all night writing a paper. Finally had to turn off the porch light because the trick or treaters were interrupting my paper writing too much. It made me feel like the grinch. This year I have tons of candy ready to be handed out (and eaten too... I have very little self control)

5. We had snow this week. It was beautiful.

6. The trees had leaves so the snow made them heavy and there were lots of snapped limbs and branches . Thankfully none seemed to seriously damage any houses or cars that I've seen.  And none were in my yard! 

7. I bought myself coke zero. I almost never have any sort of pop in the house. But coke zero goes so well with rum. YUM. 

8. The cold weather also means lots of my favorite teas

9. I got to make my first batch of homemade soup! YUM. 

10. And I have some art to share with you again this week.  

Linking up with Paint Party Friday with some Holiday Spirit. 

I want to grow old together

Work at the end of the month means lots and lots of paperwork. And since some of my cases are ending, it means more paperwork.

So what did I do?

Procrastinate!

I watched the movie Lovely, Still. Holy crap - it was not what I was expecting and I had mascara down my face by the end of it.. but it was still really good. So that is your warning that it is definitely a tear jerker, and yet still worth watching.

And then I immediately curled up with my Hubby and held his hand and told him that I wanted to grow old together and that I would always love him no matter what.

(all photos found through google images: cute old couple)

It would be divine to grow old together. Hard, sure, but still divine.

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A lovely article from SheKnows.Com about how to support a friend with breast cancer. 

LISTEN AND BE PRESENT

It is important to be a good listener. Someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer is afraid, angry and uncertain. Listening to these fears and being present with them, even in silence, can be a source of great strength for the person fighting cancer. Allowing them to express their anger and fears also demonstrates that you will be there to support them through it all, rather than abandoning them when times get tough.

BE A FACT FINDER, NOT AN ADVICE GIVER

The initial diagnosis of breast cancer can lead to shock and anxiety. It is helpful to support the individual by gathering facts about dealing with the disease, treatment options, and community resources, such as support groups. However, helping your loved ones find information is different from giving them advice about choosing their treatment or plan of care. Listen to them as they talk about their options and be helpful by finding more information as they desire, but don't give out unsolicited advice.

BE SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR LOVED ONE’S DECISION

A myriad of decisions must be made by your loved one in relation to the treatment process. Your loved one will not make these decisions lightly and it is important to be supportive of their decision, even if it is not the road you would have chosen.

LAUGH

Remember the old adage “laughter is the best medicine”? Don’t be afraid to laugh and have fun. Living with cancer and supporting someone with cancer can be stressful, and learning to laugh together can help get you through the tough times that you will face.

ACKNOWLEDGE THE GRIEVING PROCESS

The diagnosis of breast cancer for a woman attacks her very femininity and many of the treatment options continue in this attack. It is normal to go through a grieving process related to the feeling of this loss of femininity. Be supportive by listening to her anger, fear, and uncertainty and don’t be afraid to hug her and touch her.

GATHER A SUPPORT NETWORK

A variety of support groups are available to individuals living with breast cancer, as well as for individuals supporting a loved one with breast cancer. This is one of those times where you can’t do everything alone. Ensure that you have a positive group of supporters surrounding and uplifting you as you care for your loved one and don’t take on more than you can realistically do. Joining a support group is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength which will be invaluable to you and your loved ones throughout this difficult time.

HAVE SOME FUN

Go do something fun! It is vital to focus on more than just the disease, because your loved one is so much more than a diagnosis. It is important to do something fun – plan a girl’s night chick-flick movie marathon (or horror flick marathon if that is more to your liking), or, pending your loved one’s energy level, go out to the park, go to a game, take a walk, or go out to dinner. It is OK to laugh and have fun.

BE YOURSELF

It can be challenging to know what to do or say when supporting someone living with breast cancer, but it is important to be yourself. Being genuine shows your loved one how much you truly care about him or her as an individual, not a disease. 
A warrior has strength and is prepared to fight through the challenges. Living with breast cancer requires the strength, steadfastness, and determination of a warrior; yet it cannot be done alone; it requires an equally strong and driven group of warriors who will support their loved ones through the highs and lows -- never giving up and never letting go.


(pulled from SheKnows.com)

Organization? Yes!

Sometimes I'm a mess.

You too?

Yea, its human. It happens.... particularly when you are busy living.

But here is a random little tip for organizing instructions that I thought was kinda genius:

• Clearly label the pockets of an accordion-style file with the name of each room in your home. Put the instruction and care manuals for appliances and equipment in the appropriate pockets. When you buy a new appliance simply staple the receipt to the instruction manual and file it. Then when its time to donate an appliance you can include the paperwork for the new owner. Or if something goes wrong, you have the paperwork that says what model number it is and everything.

Smart, huh?

• One orgarnization trick I already use is using pouches in purses to hold things. That way I can easily switch purses without leaving behind anything essential. One pouch has pens and other office supplies. Another has my lip glosses, nail file, hand sanitzer, and toothbrush. Its always good to keep some bandaids in one too. 

• Another is that I organize my closet by category (both by type, ie. pants; and by dressiness) and then each section is organized by color. Anything I haven't worn in a year gets donated. Anything I don't really feel good in gets donated. 
• Also, not to be neurotic, but on weeks that I know I will be super busy, stressed, and tired.... I plan my weeks outfits ahead of time.

What is one organization trick YOU do?

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American Cancer Society recommendations for early breast cancer detection

Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

• Current evidence supporting mammograms is even stronger than in the past. In particular, recent evidence has confirmed that mammograms offer substantial benefit for women in their 40s. Women can feel confident about the benefits associated with regular mammograms for finding cancer early. However, mammograms also have limitations. A mammogram will miss some cancers, and it sometimes leads to follow up of findings that are not cancer, including biopsies.
• Women should be told about the benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked with regular screening. Mammograms can miss some cancers. But despite their limitations, they remain a very effective and valuable tool for decreasing suffering and death from breast cancer.
• Mammograms for older women should be based on the individual, her health, and other serious illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and moderate-to-severe dementia. Age alone should not be the reason to stop having regular mammograms. As long as a woman is in good health and would be a candidate for treatment, she should continue to be screened with a mammogram.

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by a health professional, at least every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.

• CBE is a complement to mammograms and an opportunity for women and their doctor or nurse to discuss changes in their breasts, early detection testing, and factors in the woman's history that might make her more likely to have breast cancer.
• There may be some benefit in having the CBE shortly before the mammogram. The exam should include instruction for the purpose of getting more familiar with your own breasts. Women should also be given information about the benefits and limitations of CBE and breast self exam (BSE). Breast cancer risk is very low for women in their 20s and gradually increases with age. Women should be told to promptly report any new breast symptoms to a health professional.

Breast self exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away.

• Research has shown that BSE plays a small role in finding breast cancer compared with finding a breast lump by chance or simply being aware of what is normal for each woman. Some women feel very comfortable doing BSE regularly (usually monthly after their period) which involves a systematic step-by-step approach to examining the look and feel of their breasts. Other women are more comfortable simply looking and feeling their breasts in a less systematic approach, such as while showering or getting dressed or doing an occasional thorough exam. Sometimes, women are so concerned about "doing it right" that they become stressed over the technique. Doing BSE regularly is one way for women to know how their breasts normally look and feel and to notice any changes. The goal, with or without BSE, is to report any breast changes to a doctor or nurse right away.
• Women who choose to do BSE should have their BSE technique reviewed during their physical exam by a health professional. It is okay for women to choose not to do BSE or not to do it on a regular schedule. However, by doing the exam regularly, you get to know how your breasts normally look and feel and you can more readily detect any signs or symptoms if a change occurs, such as development of a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk. Should you notice any changes you should see your health care provider as soon as possible for evaluation. Remember that most of the time, however, these breast changes are not cancer.

Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.

Women at high risk include those who:

• Have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
• Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, but have not had genetic testing themselves
• Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 20% to 25% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history (such as the Claus model - see below)
• Had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between the ages of 10 and 30 years
• Have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have first-degree relatives with one of these syndromes

Women at moderately increased risk include those who:

• Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of 15% to 20%, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history (see below)
• Have a personal history of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH)
• Have extremely dense breasts or unevenly dense breasts when viewed by mammograms

If MRI is used, it should be in addition to, not instead of, a screening mammogram. This is because while an MRI is a more sensitive test (it's more likely to detect cancer than a mammogram), it may still miss some cancers that a mammogram would detect.

For most women at high risk, screening with MRI and mammograms should begin at age 30 years and continue for as long as a woman is in good health. But because the evidence is limited regarding the best age at which to start screening, this decision should be based on shared decision making between patients and their health care providers, taking into account personal circumstances and preferences.

A little show and tell

Today I'd like to show you the halloween wreath I've made. 

I started with using one side of a box, by cutting it out from the box and then trimming out the middle.

I wasn't too worried about getting exactly straight lines. This is for halloween, after all. 

I then wrapped purple yarn around it.

The rectangle shape is trickier than I thought. 

To get all the corners I had to cut too incisions on either side of the corner. This weakens the wreath, so I then taped up the back of it to add more support. 

In the end the neatly tightly done yarn was to clean for halloween. 

So I went over the wreath again a second time, leaving the yarn looser and messier. 

I had some feathers from a lovely hat of mine that Sasha had chewed up when she was a puppy. 

I also had some left over mirror and bead things and halloween sticks from halloween decor years before.

I obviously just never throw things away. 

I only bought two things for it. 

The "Beware" was part of a banner with ghosts. The ghosts are now flying solo over the door. And then the crow. These both were on sale at Michael's and cost me about $4 total. 

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For the rest of October, I'm trying to add more Breast Cancer Awareness to my blog...

Today a little excerpt written by Julie Halpert from a 2005 Woman's Day magazine (usually I find articles when I'm searching through up-cycled magazines for collage... just saying):

"A little exercise... may go a long way when it comes to preventing breast cancer. Recent studies have found that even modest amounts of physical activity can decrease your risk of developing the disease.
...
(a) study, conducted by researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and other institutions, found that women between the ages of 50 and 79 who walked briskly for four hours a week reduced their risk of breast cancer by 20 percent.

And that's not all. Exercise may also reduce fatigue associated with chemotherapy treatments, as well as decrease the risk of recurrence in women who have been previously diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.

The message is simple: The more you exercise, the more you benefit, says Colleen Doyle, director of nutrition and physical activity with the American Cancer Society in Atlanta. And the exercise doesn't have to be strenuous. 'Women of all ages should just get out and be active for at least 45 minutes a day. Maintaining a healthy weight and diet are key ways to prevent breast cancer.'"

Mail Call Monday

 I love that my darling pen pal knows that I love everything bunny. Its been my nickname since before I was born.

 Check out the most glamorous Save the Date from my dear friend, Tyler. She is a photographer and a graphic designer. Can't you tell?! Do you have an event needing some glamourous invites (or if you are in Virginia and need some fab photos)... check out The Girl Tyler. 

 And little something sweet from the UK!

a little love, after all, isn't that what mail is all about?

and some Halloween goodies.

The worst part about Mondays is getting up early and going to work.

But the best part is that a new week of mail has begun!!

Happy Friday 10.21.11

My Happy list, like little red balloons floating around my mind:

1. Hearing my husband make me a latte. Going downstairs to find my latte in my favorite heart mug

2. Having planned on taking my husband out to dinner in the middle of the work-week. At dinner I found out that he had a really crap day and that the dinner plans were his light at the end of the tunnel. I love how that worked out.

3. Knowing that at 5pm today I can turn my phone off and not worry about my clients. If they need to call the emergency number thats fine, but guess what, I don't have the emergency phone this week! Not being on call 24/7 is awesome!

4. Finding out that the supervisor said I went "above and beyond" when using me as an example to another therapist. Kind of makes me feel like a rock-star and totally makes all the extra long hours worth it!

5. Getting to see a friend that moved back into town after moving away for the summer to be with her family when her dad died. I've missed her. And this whole summer I've been wanting to give her a hug. Now I get to.

6. The art party I had last weekend. It was a small group full of fun, creative energy, great discussion and a great art making time... and I got to meet a new person.

7. The new person I met lives just a mile or less away, she also has invisible chronic illnesses a lot like mine, we are both therapists, and now we are work-out partners. She and I went to the pool this week. Although I'm really out of shape and have to be extra careful to not overdo it on my knees and shoulders while swimming.... I love being in the pool. It is so relaxing.

8. The rec-center also has hot tubs. This week I sat in the one outside, on a cold night with a clear star-filled sky. It was lovely.

9.  At work, I sneaked in some Guerrilla Kindness by leaving little notes that said "just because your awesome (and it's flu season)" and halloween-themed hand sanitizer. Only one co-worker knew it was me. The rest were surprised and left wondering who thought they were so awesome! Love it.

10. There is snow up in the mountains. Ski season has arrived!

What is making you happy this fine Friday??

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Linking up with Paint Party Friday and all their awesome artists. 

Here is the blow-by-blow of one part of the mess I made during the art party:

 1. Tape is a wonderful thing.

I love being messy without worrying about going over boundaries, staying in the lines, or the end product looking like a train wreck. 

2. See how messy I am? 

Just throw that paint on there!

3. And don't try to make anything pretty.

Hell don't even think about the end product.

Just have fun.

Rolling paint is very soothing, by the way. 

4. To go with my messy theme, I stick to using hand-made stamps.

(once upon a time I was a perfectionist... all this mess, my therapist would be so proud!)

4. Add some texture. Slap some random pieces of paper on there!

5. Create funky patterns by laying things down, painting over them, and removing them.

like a stencil... but messier!

Add some bubble wrap prints.

Pop some bubble wrap - just because its fun. 

6. Finally stamp out the letter of your choice. 

Charcoal makes it "pop" 

7. Voila! 

*This Paint Party Friday was brought to you by the letter E*

Oh, I love sesame street... man, I miss watching that show! 

The final will be revealed after I've mailed it off to its recipient next Friday! 

A little bit of Kindness...

I don't know how many of you people know about Patience Salgado, the Kindness Girl, but all of you should (so if you didn't... now is a good time (well, after you've read this post first) to hop on over to her page). Today this post is kinda related to her Dinner with Jimmy challenge. I say "kinda" because it was a challenge that I found out about a bit late when I was catching up on her posts after a long week. More than likely I was going to run out of time to participate in it while it was actually a challenge... though I'm sure the Kindness Girl would have supported me in still participating past the 18th too, which is what I planned on doing.

Anyhow, I had told me husband about it and was brainstorming how to make a yummy gluten-free Italian dinner for a friend who has just gone through an awful tooth ordeal. I was thinking maybe Italian wedding soup - since it would be easy on her toofers. I've been meaning to drop by with some sunflowers, her favorite, anyway... so I think I will prep all of that to drop off tomorrow.

Agh. I keep getting side-tracked in my writing.
Sorry...
Stay with me - I'm just tired and lacking focus.

So then yesterday the pain I've been having for the last couple of days increased dramatically. Its all related to my chronic illnesses, but I'm still always surprised by how limiting it can be during a flair-up. In addition to having a full body aching with sore muscles I've-been-hit-by-a-mac-truck feeling, my feet had this weird intense pain where I could barely stand. It was bad enough, or I whined about it enough, that Hubby told me I could not cook because I shouldn't be standing....

WOAH. My Hubby never turns down a home-cooked meal.

Instead, he left the room for a bit and came back with this.

Another thing about Hubby. He doesn't cook.

SO WOW.
Granted the pasta was from the frozen aisle and is loaded with gluten and dairy. But still!!! (Oh and it was so good to have real pasta rather than the rice kind for once).
The salad was one of those mixes all ready to be tossed together.
But then notice those tomatoes with basil... thats all from our garden.

And so my darling, sweet, non-cooking husband totally surprised me with a Dinner with Jimmy.

Scavenger Hunt Sundays 10.16.11

Linking up with Ashley 


As always, you can double click on the image to make it larger... which might be helpful for #4.

1. Abstract

2. Round

3. Fire

4. Seeing Faces in Unusual Places

(see the face in the bush right next to the leopard?)

5. Stars

Happy Friday and a plant marker.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

When I was in undergraduate school, there was a guy on campus, who every Friday for all four years he was there, would carry red balloons around with him and greet everyone he met with "Happy Friday." I got to know him and he was so inspiring. Before college he had been in a severely bad car accident that resulted in multiple physical and cognitive disabilities. Even though it took away his talents as an athlete and set him back drastically physically and mentally, he was just so positive about life. And part of that positivity was recognizing that every Friday is a celebration. He had made it one more week!

Although he and I have lost touch, and I don't even remember his name, every Friday I think of him. 

Every Friday his positive spirit still reminds me that no matter what is going on in life at the moment, it is still a celebration to have made it through one more week.

I think he has forever changed my life and my outlook.

This Friday. I am celebrating these things that make me happy:

1. Getting to celebrate with a client who has made some *REMARKABLE* steps in changing her life around for the positive. Getting to that point in the therapy is as much a reward for me as it is for them.

2. Taking a family, who wouldn't otherwise have the money or means of transportation,  to the circus as a reward for following their behavior contracts. I almost cried - for a family that requires assistance getting basic needs met, going to the circus was a big deal.

3. The cooler weather has meant that walks with Sasha have become extended. She seems pretty happy about it.

4. Figuring out a braided hairstyle that does something with the bangs I'm growing out

5. mmmmm fall flavored teas in a heart covered mug

6. Celebrating marriages with friends. 

Her bachelorette party began with painting ceramics, and thats what I'm showing as I link up to Paint Party Friday.

I thought I'd share what I made. 

I'm pretty pleased with how my plant marker turned out:

a fall escape

Sit for a spell and visit the mountains with me, as this photo-heavy post transports you.

 Over the weekend, we escaped to the mountains to see the aspens all ablaze. 

It was a good spot, past all civilization.

And then just a little further up the road, all on your own. 

Where it could be a romantic adventure with the love of your life. 

And the dog... 

Where you could feel firmly grounded in the environment. 

Where there was space to breathe. 

Where you could feel your spirit expand. 

much needed family time away from it all...