Little Pink House of Hope

This is me on my way to Buxton North Carolina.  We stopped in Kingsport Tennessee to meet up with Janice, a lady I've been chatting with on Facebook.  Janice has the same type of cancer as I do, it took me quite a while to friend her on FB as she ignored me for months!!!! Just teasing Janice, but its true, lol.  Once we began chatting, we've been enjoying each other.  Janice runs a Chocolate Store and a Tea Party business.  I was lucky to visit both and her store is beautiful as well as Janice.  The lower picture is of me and Janice at the Smokies.  She took me and Baldyman for a drive thru the Smokies.  They are beautiful beyond words. 

This is Greg at the lighthouse in Buxton North Carolina.

Little Pink House of Hope's van.  Jeannie and Terry began Little Pink less than 2 years ago.  It was her dream to see that women and families struggling with breast cancer be able to spend some time on the beach with no concerns other than enjoying themself.  I cannot tell you how wonderful this trip was or how wonderful the people were.  They truly "served" us and were so kind.  I will never forget this gift.

Date night is part of the Little Pink trip.  We were treated to a wonderful dinner on the ocean.  Here is baldyman checking out the menu.

This is the home we were blessed to enjoy for a week.  The owners donated this home to Little Pink. The owners wife had been battling cancer for nearly 7 years and sadly she passed while we were here.  She had hoped to spend the week with us and get to know us as well as cook for us.  Her presence could be felt in this home.  I've never been in such an amazing home.

The dock overlooking the sound.  This is where paddleboarding occurred and just enjoying the view.

Finally, me on the Atlantic.  I look as rough as those waves!  BUT...this vacation was a dream for us.  We will never forget the kindness and beauty of this trip.  Almost 7 days to when we left the area, it was hit by hurricane Sandy.  It meant so much to us as we literally walked and slept this place.  I've been praying and hoping the damage wasnt to bad.  I havent heard.  I'm still enjoying my life as much as I can.  I will get the results of my latest scans this coming tuesday. I hope my cancer is still quiet.  Please keep my in your prayers.

A day at the beach

These photos were taken end of June.  It was a beautiful day at a very quiet, peaceful beach in Kenosha Wisconsin.  The perfect place to go to bring a book, lunch or dinner and enjoy the Lake Michigan.  For some odd reason, this beach is rarely used. Its tucked away off a very quiet road.  Thats a good thing because most beaches are full of noise, litter and just to much ativity to really relax and feel as if your on vacation.  I wanted to go back there before summer was over, but its looking like I wont make it. Every summer starts out with such good intentions, things I want to do.  I started out really well, but then once July hit, I found myself struggling to do anything.  Every weekend something was scheduled.  August has been the same.  In some ways I'm so blessed to have so much to do with family and loved ones, in other ways I crave some more free time to just be still.  I'm a person who loves to do nothing, to just enjoy the scenery, listen to the sounds, watch time stand still.  thing is, it dosnt stand still does it?  As we are nearing the end of August, I find myself once again sad that summer is being put away once again.  Fall is wonderful, but for those of us who live in 4 seasons, we know what that means!  I hope these pictures create a feeling of peace within you...picture yourself here, just enjoying the quiet.

Breast Cancer Candle

This is a picture of the breast cancer candle.  This is 100% Soy, the lid is a tin lid that will be hot when burning.  Its also a wood wick candle with a burn time of 25-30+ hours.  Anyone considering supporting breast cancer awareness month please consider this.  If there is a purchase of 2 I will include a free gift of either tealights or clamshells for candle warmers.  The price of the candle is $15.00 plus shipping.  If your interested please email me dawn53094@yahoo.com.  Shipping costs I can let you know once I know how many candles you would like.  I use US Priority and there is set costs depending on the size box.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month isnt until October.  October 13th is Metastatic Breast Cancer, day....just the day.  I guess I'm partial to October 13th since I'm Metastatic Stage 4.  I'm partial to anything Stage 4 simply because we are the forgotten ones.  People may not like what I have to say, but these are the facts. Out of all the money raised for Breast Cancer, all of it, which is billions, only 2% goes to research for Stage 4.  That angers me, saddens me, frustrates me, and leaves me almost speechless.   Out of the earlier Stages of Breast Cancer, 30% of those who are told they are cured will go on to Stage 4.  These are facts, no one wants to hear it especially those who are battling earlier stages.  I began my breast cancer journey at Stage 4. I didnt get the chance to fight.  I'm terminal from the get go.  I've never been angry, only sad.  Those who have followed me or know me from facebook or other places, know I'm approaching my first year of living with Cancer.  I'm in treatment, cancer is stable currently and I will remain in treatment until I die.  I could add until they find the cure, but I dont think they will.  Its to big a money maker and alot of people are making a fine nice living out of those who donate to cancer.  YES, I believe there are good researchers, good doctors, sincere people who want to find a cure.  I hope they find something for us, that will give us normal life span and soon.  I want to believe there are many that care about us.  Since I'm no longer working my full time county job, I now work at my candle and body care business to supplement my income.  I made a breast cancer candle last Sept to help fund myself since bills dont stop just because your ill.  This year I've decided i want to sell a ton of breast cancer candles.  For a few reasons, one to continue to earn an income, and also eventually I want to start a fund to help local Stage 4 Breast Cancer warriors.  Expenses when your ill, go thru the roof.  There is nothing in my small town to help those battling terminal breast cancer.  Even gas cards will go along way when your driving for treatment on a regular basis.  Sooo, this post is about my plan for this Sept and early October.  I will be making as many breast cancer candles as I can.  I would like to sell between 300-400.  Once i learn how to start a foundation or fund, I will designate 10% of each candle sold to this fund.  I will post a picture of the candle very soon.  If anyone would like to purchase one--please email me at dawn53094@yahoo.com.  I need to have this project completed by early October.  I'm traveling and having alot of doctor appts towards mid to end of October.  However, you can order them anytime I just may not get them out very quickly until after my doctor appts and scans.  Stage 4, is needing to get the word spread.  We need more research, more treatments that are not so harsh on our bodies and we need people to remember us.  I've experienced personally so many that once they get educated about Breast Cancer, they no longer want to talk to me.  I'm there worst nightmare.  I understand its scary--but please remember, this could happen to anyone, YOU, your loved ones, those who are lower staged already.  Distancing from those who have Stage 4 hurts, and its painful walking this journey alone.  I'll post more on this project later and add a picture.  I hope everyone is having a great summer, we are coming upon fall!  Apple Pies, Pumpkin bread and more!

Blog is infected

Im unable to utilize this blog due to it being infected by one of these gadgets.  I'm posting this to see if this will get on and I can get to my settings to have it removed. If not, I may have to delete this entire blog which will sadden me and start over. 

I'm going to Disney!

Well, I'm not but this little guy is and is there now.  This is Karson, or Karsy as well call him, our grandson. I took this photo as we dropped them off at the airport.  I think the expression on his face is a perfect fit for, "I'm going to see Micky".  His other grandpa gave his 3 daughters and families a trip to Disney for their Christmas gift.  I"m sure they are having a great time and I'm sure Karsy will enjoy his time with Micky. 

Its been warm here, we had a couple of days in the 70's even lower at night and it felt great to get that reprieve.  I guess we are headed back into the 90's this weekend.  I'm really enjoying the ease of the warmer weather.  I hope you all are to!  Any vacation plans?   We are still up in the air about what we are going to do..might just camp at various places.  I never tire of camping so thats just fine by me. 

Turtles and Weddings!

I'm kinda weird in that I like driving and looking for turtles.  Your almost always likely to find one...but normally I just miss it and go back and its gone.  Turtles are NOT as slow as we would think.  I was on my way to a wedding on Memorial Day weekend and lucky me saw this HUGE turtle sticking his head out.  Hubby went back and we got out and snapped this picture.  We also saw him poop.  Now if you've never seen a turtle poop, your missing out, well your not really missing out because its gross. It shoots out from its back and it goes quite far and its alot.  You would NOT want to get in its way when its doing its duty.  This turtle was very big, the picture probably dosnt do its justice. 

This is my co-workers, former co-workers wedding reception right before everyone came in.  Her wedding was beautiful, she was beautiful.  I was so happy to be able to get dressed up and get out....forget cancer for a short time.

This is my and hubby's place setting.  I was so hungry i ate 4 of those bags of hershey's kisses.  The two folks that were suppossed to sit next to us, did not show--so hey, I ate their candy!  I hope everyone is enjoying the outdoor weather. I sure am loving it.  Easier on my bones.  I have scans the end of this month,,,please keep me in your prayers that my cancer continues to decrease and leave my body....and not return for 25+ years.  do you think thats possible?

Bella and Tomatos

I've been laying low recently as last week i had a new port placed in my chest and let me tell you, it was NOT a good day.  It in fact was one of the hardest days for me since my diagnosis at the end of Sept.  I'm glad its over, I'm glad I have the port but gosh did that knock me right on my butt!  This week I had my first treatment with the port and it was a blessing to have it,,,although it did hurt as they accessed it thru the incision point....OUCH.  BUT praying everything goes well, I now dont have to be reminded that I am a cancer patient for 3 weeks!  Sooo, this is Bella!  Bella is a statue, a yoga lady that sits on my living room floor.  I treated myself to her when I got good scans for the 2nd time.  She reminds me of peace, tranquility, all the things I treasure in my life....and have searched so hard to find. 

This here is my tomatos. Country living's spring issue included a free pack of tomato seeds.  I being the savvy consumer, planted them.  Of course this was weeks ago...I now have officially 6 tomatos to place in the soil.  IF, they make it, I will post more pictures later.  Its getting nice and warm here on a regular basis now.  I love it.  I treasure each day I'm able to even just sit outside.  My flowers are all in the ground and summer things are out.  I hope each of you are also enjoying those nice warm summertime temps.  Summertime foods also are a huge hit this time of year.  For those of you who enjoy a good Sangria,  check out my recipe for Red Sangria.  Its amazingly good!