Just put on a little lipstick...

I love to bake, but I rarely have time these days. I read a great book a few months ago called Confessions of a (closet) Master Baker , and the whole time my mouth watered. Gesine has such great ideas and recipes. I am going to attempt one of her creations for my family this Valentines day. I just have to decide which one - maybe the Lovers, the dreamers and me cake , or maybe the Because your Mine cake. Hmm...decisions...decisions

This post is not about dying, it's about living. I have gotten two emails this week about people who have just been diagnosed with late stage cancer, both had no idea. They were both going about their lives and then suddenly, they find out their body is harboring lots of disease. I also have a friend who lost her sister in a car accident last week. When these kinds of events happen it just makes you pause and consider your life, or at least it does me. When you hear " you have cancer " it gives you a wake up call that reminds you to appreciate each day, when actually none of us have the guarantee of tomorrow. It's so easy to get stuck just going through the motions of life, instead of living every day with purpose and faith. It is so important to make those wonderful memories, and never pass up the opportunity to show those you love how much they mean to you. I rarely listen to the radio, but I had it on this week and Tim McGraw's song "Live like you were...

Amber Lyons - now that your liver tumors have shrunk what are you going to do? "I'm going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!" Well...this isn't actually how our conversation went, but it was similar. Amber's last scan showed 2 liver lesions and one had shrunk 50% and the other 25%. The rest of her body showed no signs of cancer - this is very good news! The surgeon she met with a Vandy feels confident he can remove the liver lesions, but they want her to be off her chemo for a month prior to surgery. So...she called and we quickly scheduled a fun and relaxing weekend in Orlando. We stayed at the Lake Buena Vista Resort and Spa. We enjoyed a relaxing weekend of shopping, hot tubs, massages, TV, reading and even a day at Universal Studios. Amber out-rode me when it came to the rollercoasters at the park. I started getting dizzy and just stood and watched her ride the last two. We rode the new Harry Potter ride twice, drank butterbeer (cream soda w/butterscotc...

It's time again for my 6 month check up with Dr. Peacock. I went in on Tuesday, had blood drawn and then sat on the exam table for far too long. When I have to wait for what seems like an extended period (probably actually only 15 minutes); I begin to dream up horrible scenarios where she is out there looking over my lab work and examining my x-rays for abnormalities. Actually she was probably just tied up with another patient. Once she arrived, did my physical exam, looked over my tests she gave me the "all clear" once again.  Thank you God for good results!

I've been participating in the "Move it and Lose it" program at work this month. We are divided into teams of 5 or 6 and we get points for most exercise, pounds lost and also for different challenges each week. Last week was eat 4 to 5 small meals each day, the week before was 7-8 hours of sleep each night. I did pretty well with those. This week is 5 fruits/vegetables each day.  I've got to plan ahead to make this one happen. I need to remember that only 1/2 cup is a serving and get busy. I have very supportive co-workers - our team captain left us each one of these on our desk to help support us in our efforts.  Thanks Casey!

"Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day."   —   Mark Twain I read something recently that took this quotation one step further, by explaining that your "frog" is the item that constantly resides on your to-do list that is important, but easily dismissed for other things. I have come to the conclusion that exercise is my "frog".  My friend Amy is helping me with this task. She has scheduled standing appointments on our Outlook calendars called "Get in shape girl!", so we can tackle this frog together.  Once I begin an exercise routine, I enjoy it - the getting started part is the hardest. I slacked off for a few months and I need a jump start. Thanks Amy!