Thanks for the Mammories....

It was just a couple of days into 2012 when I called my late friend, Karen King. After swapping a few stories about some unusually awkward moments, I said, "Wow Karen, I don't know what is going on, but I'm thinking that AWKWARD might just be the word of the year for 2012. She replied quickly with an "Oh Lord, it has to get better." But you know, it never really did....especially for dear Karen who passed away in September. Don't get me wrong, there were some wonderful things that happened in 2012. I always count my blessings! And I learned that the goodness of people outshines everything else. But the good had a hard time outweighing the bad...not just for me, but for a lot of people. I am pretty sure that I knew more people that went to be with our Heavenly Father in 2012 than in any other year of my life...and maybe even quite a few years combined. Our parish saw more funerals than it had for several years. Four women from our parish, incl...

Today, I want to celebrate the life of my friend, Toni Wood, who lost her life to cancer and went to heaven on December 8, 2012.  A s I sat with many others honoring the life of Toni, I felt so privileged to have been given a chance to get to know such an amazing woman, even though it was for a very short time. I met Toni several years ago, when her son Weston was on the high school soccer team with my nephew.  My boys were ball boys for the home games.  They really looked up to Weston.  During the last game of the season, I set out to meet Toni, because I wanted to tell her how great I thought her son was. I didn't see her again for several years, but I knew she has been diagnosed with cancer.  Not long after I was diagnosed with cancer, we connected again.  I enjoyed chatting with Toni as she became a source of encouragement for me, always letting me know she was pra...

My 42nd birthday turned out to be a most amazing day, thanks to a lot of really great friends!  Three of my dear friends, spent the day with me. The morning started with a short shopping trip, followed by a fun Italian lunch.  Then we were off to hospital for an infusion and doctor appointment.  Now these girls make me laugh...a lot!  I think we were lucky they were able to give us a private room because we might have been kicked out of the "open pod".  Would you look at this cheesecake?  Just look at it!!   The day got even better when we got back to my house and we all sat around the kitchen table with my family and laughed while we ate a feast. When I walked into the house, I found my kitchen island full of goodies!! Pizzas, breadsticks, my favorite Mexican restaurant's chips, salsa and guacamole, and the big bonus...cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. Not to mention an assor...

Christmas in the desert! Every once in a while, don't we all need a getaway...a few days where we don't have to work, run the kids everywhere, cook meals, do laundry, and help with homework...a few days where we are the ones who are taken care of and pampered.  Yes, yes I do believe we all need this.  And I am a lucky girl as I got four relaxing days in Tucson with two of my favorite cousins! A fun lunch at a super cute restaurant called Elivira's in Tubac, Arizona.  The whole restaurant was decorated with glass.   We visited the beautiful, historic mission, San Xavier del Bac that was founded by Father Kino in 1693.  The sky was the most amazing blue that I have ever seen! Susan and Dave Thank you for treating me like a princess !!