Back Stairs

On my recent trip back to MI, I spent many days celebrating my birthday with family and friends.  Friday was no exception.

I went to lunch with my mom and sister then met up with my friends Slaglm and LC for margaritas, movies and Mexican food. {we like theme nights}  LC had rented a hotel room so she wouldn’t have to make the 3hr drive back to the East side of the state that night so we had a place to crash.  After much debate we decided there were no movies out at the time that were worth our hard earned cash so we went to Meijer {another M!} and picked up some refreshing beverages and headed to the hotel to rent a movie there.

When we got to the hotel we found the elevator to be semi-functioning.  By that I mean we pushed the button, heard it working, the lights flickered and we heard no more noises and decided we weren’t going to risk getting stuck in there!  So we headed to the stairwell to trek up 5 flights with our drinks in tow. 

On about floor 3 we encountered some guys heading down the stairs.  Of course they noticed the beverages and immediately thought we were sneaking it up.{uhm like I need to sneak around at 30.2!}  So they start joking with us and then they said..

“Where are you headed… A Bachelor party?”

‘Scuse me? Let’s ponder that one a second… alcohol + women = BACHELOR party? = what the heck did he think we looked like?!

HOOKERS?!

I guess the 5th floor is known to house Val Kilmer and 50 Cent when they are in town filming but they most certainly were not in our hotel room!  And I assure you, our jeans and sweater outfits were more Banana Republic than Frederick’s of Hollywood.

Reverse Yourself

Are you part of the lost generation?

The choice is yours

Snowy Sendoff

Well I’m back in the Rocky Top region after a very quick trip back to the Mitten.  Of course the weather there was unpredictable and I left with a true Michigan style sendoff…

I’m Coming Home

On my way back to MI today and I’m seriously hoping that Gerald R. Ford International has something like this going on when I arrive…

Welcome Home!

Alphabet Soup

'I’ve seen this around the blogs and thought I would join in… so here you have it, my alphabet

{A}ge: 30.2
{B}ed Size: Queen.. because I am one!
{C}hore you hate:  Laundry – the folding & putting away parts
{D}ogs:  I’m allergic
{E}ssential start of your day: Coffee!!
{F}avorite Color:  PINK – duh!
{G}old or silver:  silver and gold.. you need a little of both!
{H}eight: 5’6” 
{I}nstruments I play (or have played): piano, french horn
{J}ob Title: Coding Manager
{K}ids: Other people’s
{L}ive: Northeast Tennessee
{M}om's Name: Deb
{N}ickname:  CK, Suzybell
{O}vernight hospital stays: when I had half of my thyroid yanked out, and then again when I had the other half yanked out. I don’t recommend it… unless you have cancer too… then get that sucker out as fast as you can!
{P}et Peeve: slow drivers
{Q}uote from a movie:  “Love is a gift… not an obligation” – Fools Rush In
{R}ight or left handed: Righty
{S}iblings: sister KT {Happy Birthday Shout-out to you!} & B the Brother in Law
{T}ime you wake up:  Whenever I pull my a$$ out of bed.. alarm starts at 5:09am
{U}nderwear: uhm… yes? Preferably Vicki’s
{V}egetables you dislike: peppers all kinds but if they are cut up real small and not raw-ish I can eat them, mushrooms {texture thing}, radishes
{W}hat makes you run late: my Gilbert… he likes to lay down by me just as I’m supposed to get up so I think what’s the harm in another 5 minutes?
{X}-rays you've had done: Ankle, teeth {yearly ya know}, neck/chest, neck/chest again, lung field…
{Y}ummy food you make: homemade turkey noodle soup 
{Z}oo animal:  Penguin, Panda, Elephant or Koala.. depending on the zoo!

Thirty {Point} Two

I refuse to believe that another birthday means an increase in my age, hence the point two on the end. I need that part to help me remember exactly just how old I am since at some point after 25 I started forgetting that little fact.  I know, I’m old and showing my age by admitting that sometimes I forget how old I am! 

I firmly believe that you are as old as you feel.  Some days that means I’m 5, sometimes I’m 20, and sometimes I’m 100.  It just depends on the day, my mood… and maybe the weather.  My rheumatism acts up from time to time contributing to the 100 factor… and if you don’t know me, I’m kidding on that last one… maybe…

But to be serious for a minute, a birthday is something to celebrate with full force. This is my second birthday after my cancer diagnosis… not quite my “cancerversary” yet but one year closer to that 5 year term “cured” mark!  I’m alive and well and thankful for every breath I take. Yes, that even means on the bad days!  I laugh and cry more freely than I did before.  I pay attention to my body and things that might not be quite right.  I take more chances and don’t worry so much about what other people think.  I make a point to enjoy relationships, family, friends, every moment of me time, the smell of spring flowers, the story in a good book… I know I’ve said it before but hearing the words “you have cancer” changes you.

For me the change was living fully and I’m forever grateful for that.

So happy thirty {point} two to me!  I’m looking forward to the next year’s worth of adventures!

The Final Summit by Andy Andrews {A Book Review}

I love to read when I’m traveling and on a recent trip, I brought my advance copy of The Final Summit by Andy Andrews with me to pass the time.  It did not disappoint!  I started reading it on one flight and finished it on the second!

The Final Summit follows the character David Ponder as he, with a little help from famous men and women throughout history, struggles to solve the answer to one question.  He has five chances to find the little two word answer and if he fails, the fate of mankind is on the line.  A little bit of history, a little bit of the divine, and a lot of sage advice combine for a compelling story. 

If you are like me and haven’t read the introduction of David Ponder in the New York Times Bestseller, The Traveler’s Gift, don’t fear!  The author gives just enough of an introduction of that tale to let you know what you are missing… or what you may have forgotten if you did read it.  After reading The Final Summit, I am definitely going back to read The Traveler’s Gift!

I definitely would recommend this book.  You literally do not want to put it down because you just have to find out the answer to the riddle!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Kickin’

Wow – has it really been 10 days since I’ve posted?  Time flies when you’re having fun… or something like that.

I have to admit that I haven’t written because I’ve been in a funk.  I’ve been stressed, overwhelmed, sick, tired, overbooked and generally in a crummy state of mind. 

But rather than dwell on all that I’m focusing on the positives!

I’m heading home to visit family and friends this weekend and I think it might be just what the doctor ordered (or would order should I have spoken to him) to break up the funky mood and give me that kick in the butt to help me feel like myself again.

Color Your World

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.
Marcus Aurelius

I was wandering through Wally-World to pick up cat litter about a week ago and found myself in the health and beauty aids (read: cosmetics) because there is always something you need. 

I had happily filled up my “buggy” (Appalachianism) with all natural, organic shampoo & conditioner, a clay face mask, and tea tree oil based foot massage lotion when I wandered past the Nicole by OPI nail polish. 

I’m a sucker for nail polish. And I got rid of a bunch of it when I moved. Bingo!  I have PLENTY of need for more nail polish!  I grabbed a few colors and decided I could allow myself one new one, but just one.  It was narrowed down to two… the deciding factor?  What were their names? (fyi for the males, all the good nail polishes have names)

I can’t recall the one I didn’t buy… but the one I did?

Name: Change The World.  Color: Pink

Sold!