Life is Great!!

Well, I thought I would give a little up-date on my post-surgery progress. I had my final drain taken out yesterday. Do you know how happy it makes me to be drain free? I feel like a liberated woman! I am still wearing my pajamas. But when I go out, I get dressed. I have had 3 outings since my surgery. 2 of those were to the surgeon to take my drains out. Oh what fun!!!! The other was a chauffered (sp) ride to the drive in at the bank. (Thanks Sue)! I am cancer free.....I will not have to have Chemo or Radiation...nor will I have to take any post-cancer oral medications!!!!! Note here one of my philosophies of life: "There is ALWAYS something to be glad about." I guess I should tell you the story behind me still being in my pajamas: When I was being discharged from the hospital, I was thanking my nurses for their great care, and they responded: "No thank you for being so positive and cheerful." I said, "well there is a downside to being positive and cheerful, and that is people think you are completely well, and should resume your normal activities." One nurse said, "that is why you go home, put your pajamas on, and keep them on until you are ready to get dressed, cause the minute you get dressed, everyone will expect you to start cooking, cleaning, etc".....So that is why I share with all of you that I am still wearing my pajamas!!!

Where's Your Sense of Humor?

The only way any of us will make it out of mortality SANE, is to have a sense of Humor!!! Don't complain how hard it is to have one child, let alone 2. Find JOY in the journey, or I promise you, you will be miserable. As my blog says, "Happiness Is Found Along the Way, NOT at the End Of The Road!!" You're talking to a girl who raised 6 kids by herself for 6 years. Beginning ages of that journey were 11- 3 weeks old. After being a Breast Cancer Survivor for 13 years, I was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer in my remaining breast. I'm scheduled for a mastectomy Friday, May 14, 2010. No pity party here! I had a friend come up to me and say, "This is your sad week, isn't it?" I replied, "Hey, I'll probably lose a pound or two without even trying!" When people call me or I call them, they always ask me how I am doing. I say great! Their reply? "NO YOU'RE NOT!!!" Who are they telling me how I feel? I had a very dear friend, who still is, tell me years ago at the beginning of my Single Parent Journey, that we all have two choices. "1. We can either pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off, or 2. We can sit and wallow in our self pity. I also know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who loves me dearly. Who wants the very best for me. If I survive Breast Cancer a second time, which I believe I will....it is because of Him, it is His will for me. If I don't, I gladly accept that as His will for me. I hope you all realize that the same Heavenly Father who loves me, loves you too!!

I bought this t-shirt today and I'm going to wear it home from the hospital after my surgery Friday!

Mother Dear I Love You So....

Grams in her new Mother's Day Attire...
Mother daughter in their new Sunday outfits...with their corsages from Glenn...
Dressed and ready for Church......Mother of 10 and Mother of 10

I forgot to share this picture from our NYC trip...

Having a bonding moment with grampa and daddy....
While grama was sleeping, Hannah painted grampa and daddy's toes, she got her toes painted too...

A Recipe Worth Sharing...

I found this recipe in a magazine today. Made them, and I must say they are to die for! They are similar in texture to a fudgy brownie.

BROWNIE COOKIES

1/2 CUP BUTTER
4 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 cups semisweet chocolate morsels, divided in half
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsps. vanilla
2 cups chopped pecans

COMBINE butter, unsweetened chocolate and 1 1/2 cups chocolate morsels in a large heavy saucepan. COOK over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter and chocolate melt; cool.
COMBINE flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl; set aside. BEAT eggs, sugar and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer. Gradually add dry ingredients to egg mixture, beating well. Stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups chocolate morsels and pecans.
DROP dough by 1 large tablespoon 1 inch apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
BAKE at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheets; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
YIELD: about 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

TESTED IN SHIRL'S KITCHEN AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!

Our last day at Hannah and Lucy's

What's with these guys. We do all the work, and they are tired!!! :)

Our trip to NYC for Lucy kate's blessing

Poor grampa, I think we tired him out!!
We had a lot of fun with Tami, Rachel, Charlie and the grand babies. We were able to spend time with 5 of our 12 grand babies. I realized this trip how fast they grow up.