Just put on a little lipstick...

Chassi  is running the Moosic City Dash (10K) today. Josh took Morgan and Anna to help cheer her on. Emri spent the night with us so she would not have to get up and out so early. Emri and I enjoyed a waffle and milk this morning, along with some Saturday morning cartoons.

The last few weeks have been very busy with my new job, and I am cherishing my weekend days. There are so many changes to get used to and so much to learn. For the past nine years I have driven to an office and worked with a set group of people. This job is very different, I am traveling to different sites in Tennessee and training new people each week. It's quite a change, but I am really enjoying it. The people we work with have been very nice, and it is interesting to hear all their stories. It seems on a daily basis we are treated with stories of funny adventures with children, grandchildren, husbands and family. There are also those moments that stick with you long after you leave the clinic. We met a lady last week who had a very high grade oral cancer. The doctors have told her that typically with this type she should live another five years. I am sure she still has her moments, but said she had made peace with the diagnosis and was concentrating on...

I am convinced my former work spouse and fabulous friend, Katherine can turn anything into a party! This is probably why she is one of my favorite people. Katherine had asked me a few weeks ago if I would teach her infant CPR, and what to do for a choking infant or child. She has a precious new baby and a sweet and busy 4 year old and wanted a refresher course. Several other new Moms expressed interest in learning as well and before I knew it a she had organized a CPR party, complete with food and drinks! We had separate rooms set up for skill practice and for partying, just to keep things organized. I took Josh and Jenni along to help, both of them have Red Cross certifications as well. I hope and pray none of us ever need to use these skills, but it's great knowledge to have.

I think one of the reasons that breast cancer gets lots of attention is because breasts are something that people notice. You never hear - wow she's got a great looking colon , or look how big her kidneys are ? Breasts are another matter. I ran across this photo and it is pretty powerful. I hope it won't offend. The first time you see yourself without breasts, it certainly takes your breath away. The only photos I had done after my mastectomy were the ones the doctors took. I think this is a very brave woman to show the world in living color what breast cancer takes from you. We hear about cancer research and statistics on TV every day, but I think it's important to put faces to the cancer battle. When you can look into the eyes of someone in the trenches of their battle, or a survivor it makes it much more real. Here's a link to the Colondar that raises money and awareness for Colon Cancer - http://www.colonclub.com/2011models.html Once again, it breaks my h...

The past two weeks, I've been to Chattanooga, Knoxville, Jacksboro, Gallatin and Clarksville. I am learning the highways and byways of our beautiful state.

I have been doing a lot of training in Chattanooga and have been shadowing the trainer that will cover the Eastern part of the state. Her name is Camille and she is fabulous and we bonded pretty quickly while driving from clinic to clinic to train. Once I get comfortable training by myself I will be mostly covering middle and west TN. I can't wait to drop in and have lunch with my Dad! Even though I still miss my friends at Onlife, everyone at Shared Health has been so nice and helpful - it is making the transition much easier.

Jenni and Carson What a beautiful Saturday it was. We met some friends and had a picnic at Arrington Vineyards. Arrington has acres of green grass to spread out and enjoy the sun or shade.  This time of year they have free Music in the Vines and it's relaxing to sit on your blanket and enjoy music and friends.

I've loved Marlo Thomas since the days of That Girl . I have always admired her for continuing her father's work with St. Jude. I've had several friends, and friends children who have been helped by St. Jude. I love that they never turn any child away due to lack of money or insurance. I also have Marlo's other books  The Right Words at the Right Time and I really enjoyed those. I can't wait to read this one!

Cancer isn't stopping this girl!  Amber is recovering nicely from her surgery and enjoying her " Wonder Wear " - thank you to my blog friends for your continued prayers!

Here's the musical line up from my "break up" CD: Goodbye to you - Michelle Branch Bye Bye Baby, Baby Bye Bye - Franki Valli All will be well - Gabe Dixon Better Days - Goo Goo Dolls Funhouse - Pink Landed - Ben Folds I'm Movin On - Rascal Flatts Leave Me Alone - Sister Hazel Emerge - Fischerspooner Never Can Say Goodbye - Jackson 5 Bye Bye Bye - N'Sync Goodbye Again - Vertical Horizon This ain't goodbye - Train Closing Time - Semisonic Thank you Amy!

For almost 9 years I have called Onlife (formerly Gordian) my work home. When I started there it was a very small company. There were 5 Health Coaches when I joined their ranks - 3 full time and 2 part time. I was part timer #3. The company's basic mission when I joined, and to this day, was/is promotion of Health and Wellness. I had previously worked in the disease management space and while I enjoyed that, I was always interested in prevention and this is what attracted me to Onlife . Through the years I wore several hats - Health Coach, Clinical Trainer and Clinical Development Manager.  One of the best things about Onlife is the people that work there. I made some lasting friendships while I was there and I cannot imagine not having those people in my life. Many of them were my biggest supporters while I was going through breast cancer surgery and therapy. It's comforting to know we will always be in each other's lives.  My last few days at Onlife were very speci...

Have you ever browsed the snack aisle at a gas station? It is amazing! When I go to the grocery store, they have 1 or maybe 2 types of bugles or chex mix. At the gas station you can find flavors you never knew existed, and honestly some that probably shouldn't. However, I do recommend the chocolate peanut butter bugles - they are perfect for those 2am munchies!

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck