My friend Jeanine has cancer, but cancer does not have Jeanine.
Almost forgot to tell you... Jeanine's surgery was a SUCCESS! They didn't report the results on Tuesday as they had promised, but the very next day, the doctor called to tell Jeanine that the lumpectomy results were negative. Take that, cancer!
This year was the second year Jason and I have hosted Thanksgiving at our home. I usually take a week off of work just to prepare. That means cleaning my house from top to bottom, researching Thanksgiving recipes on the Food Network channel, and buying yummy food at great prices for more than a dozen hungry relatives. Although a lot of work goes into the event, one of the traditions our family has started has been creating the Tree of Thanks.
The Tree of Thanks
Last year, I created the first Tree of Thanks, and this year, I asked my sister, Barbara, to create the second Tree of Thanks.
Barbara preparing the leaves for the Tree of Thanks
The assorted leaves
As our family arrives for Thanksgiving dinner, you will find in our home the Tree of Thanks posted on the back of the front door. As the meal is being prepared, guests are asked to fill out an empty leaf and share what they are thankful for that year.
Joyce filling out a leaf
Jake, Jack, and Emily reading the Tree of Thanks
As you can see, we have A LOT for which to be thankful. This has not been the easiest year for our family. We lost many loved ones this year as well as faced many personal and difficult challenges. But in the end, we have each other. What more could a girl ask for?
"Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel." -Unknown
My friend Jeanine has cancer, but cancer does not have Jeanine.
Jeanine came out of surgery with the cancer removed and new bosoms to boot. We are all waiting and praying that the analysis of the lumpectomy comes back negative on Tuesday. Please keep her in your thoughts as she embarks on her next phase of recovery - radiation.
Hubby's status on Facebook today? "Jason is glad he has someone in his life who helps him defy gravity." Sometimes the boy surprises me... and I like it.
Quote above: "Love is the condition in which happiness of another person is essential to your own." - Robert Heinlein
Quotes seem to dominate a lot of my work. I am drawn to them and like to incorporate them into the pieces I create. I also use them at the end of each blog post as a way of reinforcing what I may have failed to say in my own words. Many of them are as beautiful and as thought provoking as art for me.
My obsession with quotes began in high school when I used to keep a journal of them tucked away in my bookbag like secret treasures. The first quote I ever recorded was from the movie Heathers. For some reason, when the character, Veronica Sawyer said, "This isn't just a spoke in my menstrual cycle," it struck a chord with me. Go figure.
But now, instead of keeping quotes to myself, I like to give them away and share them with others closest to me. If I could grow each one into a beautiful flower, I'd give them away as bouquets.
"It is not so much the content of what one says as the way in which one says it. However important the thing you say, what's the good of it if not heard or, being heard, not felt?" - Sylvia Ashton-Warner
My friend Jeanine has cancer, but cancer does not have Jeanine.
This particular gem really stood out for me this week. Jeanine is a modern marvel, going through the things she's going through, and, yet, I know her. The miracle that she exists and that destiny had her cross my path is amazing to me. She is amazing to me.
Yesterday, we had our company's second annual pinewood derby race. Alfonso finally managed to finish his car the day before the race, and I was also able to assemble a proper driver for my land speeder. We both felt pretty good about the entries we'd prepared for the race.
Yoda and the Land Speeder
Behold the Speedracer Mach Five
I had to hoped to race my car on the day of the derby, but, alas, the car was too heavy and didn't meet racing regulations. I had to settle for entering it into the Best in Show category. And boy, did I have some stiff competition! Look for yourself...
Needless to say, I did not win. However, I did have someone ask if she could have my car to give to her nephew as a Christmas gift. How could I deny a child the fruits of my labor? I'm sure he'll appreciate the craftsmanship. Amanda was also kind enough to donate her Sponge Bob car to the same person's niece. We were promised cute pictures of the children enjoying their new toys. It's only fair.
Our Cars Spread Joy to Children... Kind of Like Santa
Prior to last year, I had never made a pinewood derby car. It was never a part of my childhood experience, but I guess it's never too late to do childish things and to take part in youthful endeavors.
"It is never too late to have a happy childhood." - Tom Robbins
