Netflixter!

Maybe it’s a product of not having any friends or family in the area to keep me occupied on a Friday night… or the fact that my first paycheck since mid-December is “on hold” at the bank until tomorrow… or the fact that I’m just lame and wanted to do nothing much after total information overload the past 3 weeks… No matter what it was, I decided to sign up for Netflix on Thursday.

Now I’ve had Netflix in the past but deactivated my account because a) I wasn’t using it enough to justify the expense because b) the apartment I was living in had NO box for outgoing mail and c) I was too lazy to drive to the box in the business complex a bit down the road.  This was all pre- instant movies and my having a Wii. I loved the service back then and was sad when I closed my account.

But I am convinced Netflix rocks for a few reasons. 

1. Even though I am a former member, I still qualified for a free month “trial” of their services.  Score!
2. My movie queue from my prior membership was still there, ready and waiting for me to catch up on all the movies I missed.
3. My first physical movie selection arrived on Saturday [Eat, Pray, Love]
4. It was SUPER easy to connect my Wii and start watching movies immediately!

Yup I’m a happy camper!  Next weekend I promise I will go out and explore the area and get some pictures posted… next weekend.

Longing…

A friend of mine recently went on vacation to one of my most favorite places in the world. Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, TN. If you have been there, you know what a tourist trap this place can, especially during the summer months. Its home to DollyWood, Dixie Stampede, the Ripley’s attractions, country themed wedding chapels ‘ala Vegas, gem mining, and mini golf among other things. But it is also at the foot [or middle depending on which city] of the Smokey Mountains National Park which is so incredibly beautiful. I love all of it mixed together. Yes, even the funnel cakes. I even convinced KT & Brian to go there on their honeymoon and played travel agent! [not sure they recommend me as travel agent… long story!]

I love the mountain cabin rentals that include awesome views, fireplaces, hot tubs, pool tables… and i love hiking through the park to see rapids and waterfalls and old mountain settlements not to mention the random deer & bears! Its the first place I think of going whenever I need peace and rejuvenation. Hence why I'm longing to go there now [and the teensiest bit envious of my friend who just returned]. Sigh… It will have to wait until next year so until then I have to settle for old vacation pics!

Enjoy… you just may want to plan a trip for yourself ;o)

All Good Things… (last day of retreat)

Last day of retreat went quickly. We started out with a morning service of reflection and then went up to pack up our bags. We then had a drumming circle about unity. I have done this once before in a corporate setting with 400 plus people in suits playing the djembe. This was definitely a more laid back experience! After this we had our closing circle and took some group pictures and we were back to the real world!

I signed up for this weekend to get away from all the stress I've been going through these past months. I wanted a quiet weekend away where I could process things and just be in quiet reflection, maybe getting a massage in the process. What I got out of it was so much more…

…and I can Fly… (retreat day 2)

Day 2 on the retreat started early with breakfast at 7:30am… my roomie and I decided to wake up at 7:30 and be down just in time to grab a quick bite before the first session at 9am. :) Excellent plan!

I think this was one of my favorite days because it was about “Traveling Your Cancer Journey.”  We first heard everyone’s full story and then talked about the losses we have experienced/are experiencing along the way.  A couple things struck me… most all of the breast cancer survivors had found their own lump and were not diagnosed by a mammo (planting the question, why don’t we have a better detection tool?! while also emphasizing the importance of self exams), and a very common thread is that cancer strengthens some relationships and dissolves others completely.  I know I posted very early on about this very thing and I guess it was reassuring that others have experienced the same thing.

The rest of the day focused on healing through gentle yoga, nature walk, massage, craft time, & energy healing (similar to Reiki) therapy. I had an interesting experience with the energy healer.  After a very brief description of my “problem” she started doing her thing and went down to my feet to mix a bit of reflexology into the healing process.  She pushed on my feet and the only place that was tender was the thyroid point so she said that I would be completely fine and that my cancer was completely contained to my thyroid!  I guess I have to wait for the WBS to prove that one!  On our nature walk we saw the trees changing, flowers blooming, and a sailboat regatta on Lake Michigan.  It was a very relaxing walk around the campus and the weather was absolutely beautiful for fall in Michigan!  After the walk I went to get my massage (which of course was lovely) and then went out to build by bird house.  Here is a pic of my birdhouse – its the red one. Shocker I know, its not the pink one!  After I finished my birdhouse it was time for my energy healing session and then on to dinner!  After dinner we worked on making quilts that will be displayed at local cancer centers and then we had a bonfire and ‘smores.  What is camp without a bonfire right?!  Christy and I were out by the fire with a few other people until after midnight and then we decided it was time to turn in… only a half day left and I don’t think anyone wanted the weekend to end! 

Outtie

ps – i’m heading out tomorrow morning for a Cancer Retreat at Camp Geneva on the shores of Lake Michigan. I won’t be posting until I get back (Sunday) but i’m sure to have some fun stories!