August Happiness Challenge

So, on the whole I'm stinking at this whole challenge this year. We're eight days in and this is only my second post. I could beat myself up over it, but I've decided to cut myself some slack. I have a LOT going on right now and I deserve to be cut some slack...even by myself. I doubt I'll post something about happiness every single day, but I will post when I can or when I have something to share.

Today I have an over-abundance of things that made me happy. 

1. I slept all night!

2. I got going early and went to the yard sale a friend was having as a fundraiser for her church. I found some real bargains and got to help out the church.

3. My leg hurt, but I didn't let it stop me. I went to Target and Walmart while I was out. I was proud of me for pushing through rather than giving up and coming home.

4. I was shopping for fall items to make up a big gift basket to be raffled off at a fundraiser for a friend of ours who has pancreatic cancer. It made me happy to be able to do something to help.

5. I found an inspirational journal I'm planning to use while I go through my own little cancer adventure. One section is to record a way I rock each day...that is going to be helpful as some days are more difficult than others. I also love that it has a section each day to draw something in case it's just too hard to write anything.

6. The cherry on top of my happiness today is that Tim took me to Lowe's this afternoon to buy some of the kitchen cabinets to get started on the kitchen. We bought four cabinets today and 2 of them turned out to be on clearance sale and were only a small fraction of the listed price. Tim's going to install them next weekend. I'm off Friday for my birthday so he took that day off, too.

Saturday 9: Sugar, Sugar

Saturday 9: Sugar, Sugar (1969)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) This week's song is credited to The Archies, a band that never actually existed. The song is performed by singer Ron Dante and studio musicians and backup singers hired on behalf of the five members of the popular Saturday morning Archie Show. Were you a fan of this animated series?  I loved The Archies! I even read their comic books. I think I still own (though, heaven only knows where it might be) a 45 of Sugar, Sugar cut from the back of a cereal box. Remember those? Also, I found a chair exercise video set to this song that we do with the consumers at work quite often. They also LOVE this song!

2) Archie was Archibald Andrews, a character first introduced in the 1941 comic strip. Archie was the linchpin, the leader of the band, and the center of his social group. Tell us about one of the popular kids from your school days.  I grew up in small town, white bread America. There was a boy from Puerto Rico in my class. He was cute and an artist, but it was being a bit more exotic than the other boys that had all the girls swooning over him. Sadly, he turned out to be not so nice (an abusive alcoholic) in his adult relationships. He's on FB so I know he lost his legs from the knees down in a drunken accident on a motorcycle and the serial marriages continue.

3) The Archies' drummer was Jughead Jones. He was smart, funny, and had a fondness for headwear. Do you often wear hats or caps?  No, I hardly ever wear them. If I do it's either because the temperature is below zero or it's a goofy holiday thing for work.

4) Reggie was the lead singer and bass player. He was a gifted athlete who liked to come in first. If he couldn't win with his natural talents, he was not above cheating. Have you ever cheated in a friendly game?  I'm sure I probably did as a kid, but as an adult winning doesn't mean that much to me.

5) Blonde Betty Cooper was on the tambourine. Her hobbies include playing baseball, caring for her cat, and helping Archie work on his car. Tell us three of your favorite pastimes.  Reading, crafting, and playing around on the computer.

6) Raven-haired Veronica Lodge was the keyboardist and joined Betty for backup vocals. She was a fashion plate, known and loved by Riverdale store owners because of her willingness to spend big bucks to stay on trend. What's the latest thing you've added to your wardrobe?  Um....probably beach shoes before we went on vacation last month. Oh, wait! I did buy a couple of souvenir t-shirts.

7) The biggest news story of 1969 was one of the biggest stories in history. On July 21, man first stepped onto the moon. Without looking it up, do you remember the astronaut's name?  Neil Armstrong

8) Also in 1969, Triple H was born and today he's in the WWE Hall of Fame. Do you follow professional wrestling?  Not these days. I was a big fan in high school and college. I even went to a big match in Pittsburgh.

9) Random question – Would you prefer to be: a) super successful in business or b) a politician elected to an influential office or c) a champion athlete?  If I thought I could make a difference I'd say a politician, but I think a lot of good people with good intentions (from both parties) go into office and find out they can't accomplish much if anything outside of their party's desires. I tend to believe our system has become very corrupted by those who get into office and stay for a lifetime. So, I will say a business person.

Currently...

Life continues much as normal...with the odd, cancer-related appointment, phone call, or whatever thrown in. 

I met with my PCP this past Friday. It was decided that the "slight oddity" in my EKG is nothing. On the other hand, a slight heart murmur was heard for the first time. I have to get an echo cardiogram to check that out. I can't get one before the scheduled day of my surgery. I guess that's okay. I left a message with the doctor today, but didn't hear back yet. I still have to get blood work to test kidney function done in the next day or two because Monday is when I go for the full-body CT scan and I have to have it done with injected dye and the dye I drink.

The HR person at work faxed the paperwork for my family medical leave of absence (FMLA) to my surgeon's office today. The nurse said she'd send it back as quickly as possible. 

Our daughter has been helping me sort through things and decide what to keep, what to donate and what to toss. I want the house clean and the clutter gone before I am stuck at home for a month. We filled up our big toter can this week and I took 6 bags of stuff to Goodwill. I'm hoping to just be able to relax and work on crafts while I'm off work (we have a big craft show in November).

I'm reading a cozy mystery series set in an antiques shop that I picked up at the YWCA's used book store.

I'm watching a lot of fall romance movies on Peacock+ and Hallmark.

I'm eating...less. I just don't seem to be that hungry lately. Tonight we had cheeseburgers (no buns) with veggies...mixed veggies for Tim and Brussels sprouts for me.

I'm thinking about what I will do Friday evening with a night to myself. Tim has to go to a minor league baseball game as a work team building thing. He hates baseball (and team building exercises) but he's going to take our grandson and that will make it fun for both of them.

I'm feeling pretty good except for my darn leg. Once this cancer stuff is behind me I think we're going to have to get serious about figuring out what's going on with the muscle or tendon or whatever. It seems to be the worst right where I imagine it connects to the side/back of my knee and no amount of movement/stillness/stretching/exercise/ice/heat seems to make a bit of difference.

I've been enjoying looking online for ideas for my skeletons at Halloween and shopping for some things to add to the display. I don't go all spooky. I'm sticking with my tropical/pool party theme. When the time rolls around I'll be sure to share photos.

I am thankful for my family and friends, good doctors, good insurance, and not too many hassles getting things done.

I'm laughing at...

Oops! I forgot about the August Happiness Challenge, so I'm just going to jump in today. 

Here's my symbol for the month...

As for what made me happy today, it was being out at a local park with my work bestie and our clients. It was such a beautiful day to sit by the lake and enjoy the sunshine and a gentle breeze. My client is non-verbal and he can't physically do a lot, but he had his face up to the sun and laughed and laughed. Seeing his joy made me happy I can give him moments like that.

Currently

I am

Watching... the last season of The New Girl.

Listening... to the kids playing outside with their cousin.

Eating... we had pizza and birthday cake for supper.

Thinking... about cancer and appointments and how the C-word brings people out of the woodwork. Seriously. Since my daughter posted about my diagnosis on Facebook I've heard from several people that were kind of a surprise. Also about my work bestie. He is the one person who is mostly treating me like normal and his irreverent sense of humor makes me laugh when cancer does get mentioned.

Feeling... good, as long as we don't bring up my aching feet.

Celebrating... today was this girl's 7th birthday. Can you believe how fast she is growing?

Enjoying... the cooler nights we've been having. It makes sleeping much nicer.

Thankful... for everyone's thoughts and prayers.

Giggling...

Saturday 9: This Is A Very Special Day

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Peggy sings that she feels good enough to climb a hill. Will you be doing anything athletic today?  Does tackling the mess in the house count? If so, then, yes.

2) However she was also tempted to climb back in bed. Is a nap in your plans for today?  While not in my plans, it will no doubt happen at some point.

3) She tells us that she looked in the mirror and told herself it was time to "lose the blues." Do you ever speak out loud to yourself?  Not as often as I used to. When I was younger I talked to myself all the time.

4) Peggy wrote this song for the 1953 remake of The Jazz Singer. She performs it in the movie, too. In the 1950s, female singer-songwriters were unusual, but not so today. Can you think of another woman who not only sings but writes her own material?  Stevie Nicks and Dolly?

5) Her co-star in the film was Danny Thomas. Today he is best remembered as a philanthropist and founder of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, but he was quite a star in his day. He appeared in nightclubs and movie musicals and, from 1954 to 1963, had his own sitcom. Do you know the show?  I think I must have seen it in reruns a long time ago, but I don't remember the name or anything about it.

6) When Peggy Lee was trying to break into show business, she supported herself as a short order cook. She was required to turn orders around quickly. Are you fast and efficient in the kitchen?  Efficient? Yes. Fast? Not so much these days.

7) Just when her career started to take off, Peggy had to take a break when she had her tonsils removed. Do you still have your tonsils?  I do. I was supposed to have them removed when I was 12, but we ended up moving and I've never had a doctor since who thought it should be done. Fortunately, I finally grew out of yearly bouts of tonsilitis.

8) In 1953, when this record was released, Matchbox Cars were introduced and they remain popular today. Did you ever play with Matchbox Cars?  Only with my son and grandson.

9) Random question: You're walking past a filthy puddle. Floating on top you see a dead bug, a cigarette butt, and a $1 bill. Would you bend over and rescue the dollar?  No.

Getting a Few More of My Ducks In a Row

First of all, thank you to all who are praying. I appreciate it, and you, so very much.

Things continue to move along and line up. Today my CT-scan was scheduled for Monday, August 10. It will be done with both IV contrast and oral contrast (yuk!). I also learned I have to ask my PCP to send an order for blood work to test kidney function before the CT-scan.

At work, I was able to touch base with HR and have the forms to fill out for my second Family Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA) of the year. I still have 10 weeks available on my first one, but that was to help my daughter and can only be used for that. This one will be for me. I won't be paid while I'm off, but it holds my job and allows me to continue my health insurance for $50/month. 

Word is beginning to get out and I've heard from a few people today. One, a big surprise. Surreal still describes how it feels.

Life Just Took a Sharp Turn

This year continues to be the "gift" that just keeps on giving. If you visit here on a (semi)regular basis you know that this year has brought a LOT of things for my family to deal with. As of yesterday we've added one more.

Cancer.

I received a diagnosis of endometrial cancer yesterday. It is early stages, what they call 1C. Still, my oncologist (yes, I have one of those now) is not wasting any time. I got blood work and an EKG before I left the hospital yesterday. I am scheduled for a total hysterectomy on August 27. My pre-operative appointment with my PCP is next Friday. I am waiting for them to call and tell me when they schedule me for a full-body CT scan.

Whew.

The scan is important as it should show whether or not there is cancer anywhere else. If there is, my treatment schedule will change as I will have to do chemo before surgery. My doctor doesn't think this is likely, but we have to check. If the scan shows nothing then I will just have to have some radiation after the surgery.

It's kind of weird how life is the same today and yet totally different.

I spoke to my work and told a few people there. The HR person wasn't in today so I still need to see her and figure things out. I will have to be off at least 4-6 weeks.

My husband is being very supportive, an absolute rock and has already asked for the days I have the surgery and follow up off. 

My daughter is doing what she does best, talking about it with all the family and digging and researching online. 

My mom still has her hands full with my stepdad and can barely manage that. Her stress levels have been on the rise again since he came home a week ago. I know she cares and is worried, but she doesn't have it in her to be supportive right now.

My sisters-in-law and nieces have circled the wagons and come out in force to offer support. I have to admit it's kind of surreal reading the family texts and it's all about me and my health.

I haven't gone "public" anywhere else. My daughter asked if I was announcing it on Facebook. I told her no, not yet, anyway. Maybe I will when I have a better idea of how things are going to go.

I'm not afraid. I trust the Lord to take care of me. Still, I'm kind of over 2026 at this point.

I will be using the blog to chronicle the journey.