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.

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!

Remember When?

The smallest things can trigger some of the best memories.  Take my feet today for example.  It was a very long day in heels and when I finally put on my slippers, my feet were aching.

BUT

It reminded me of how I used to feel after working the commencement ceremonies in college.  [My college job was working at our campus auditorium.]  I loved that job.  Not only did I get paid to see Broadway, ballet, comedy,and opera.. I worked with some amazingly special people. 

I love you all! And after working God knows how many RENT shows together, I think this is only fitting…

Dedicated to the polyester pack…

Bittersweet

**not sure why this didn't post on the 17th like it was supposed to - oh well here it is now!**

It's my last day at work and I was doing ok, was excited even, until I started hearing the following things:

"I was writing you an email but it got too emotional so I decided just to come over here instead!"

"I'm getting in my truck now so I can start bawling."

"I want to say thank you for all your help and support. I have leaned and grown so much within the last couple years"

And then quite possibly the sweetest thing came through and I just lost it:
"You are such a beautiful person inside and out! It is my pleasure to know and have worked with you. You are truly an inspiration to everyone that knows you. Good luck, which I am sure you don’t need because you have God’s favor on your life."

How can you not love working with people like that?  They even brought in my favorite lunch (Taco Bell) and a pink flower cupcake-cake (hope to have a pic of that soon.. hint, hint Cindy!)    I am so going to miss the many very special people that I have worked with over the last 6 (almost) years.

Tonight's agenda?  Going away party take 2 with family & friends.  I am a mess waiting to happen.

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! 

Good Day

Today was a good day :) Time flew by at work, there was no phone call from the mammo peeps, i've given my prearrival info to the nurses and have a surgery time of 8:55am on Tuesday, we had a yummy potluck at work (with super yummy brownies!), and I got my good luck/get well soon gift from the department! The girls had gotten together and decided a handmade quilt would be better than flowers and they were SO right! Various people worked on it and it is absolutely beautiful! While I go hypo i'm sure I will be cold as my body functions slow so now I have a warm and beautiful quilt to wrap up in! I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and coworkers!