I'm sorry guys! I should've said something sooner

I got a few emails asking if I was ok. Well yes I'm ok. I'm not going to say I've been too busy, I hate when people say that. I've just been having a summer: we went on vacation again and I got a couple sinus infections and doing my volunteering things and trying to work out more and my best friendforever came in town so we had to gallivant and I had to catch up reading for my book club and I started taking a class and also I was anxious about some Doc appointments that I had to get mentally prepared for with routine bloodwork and I've been trying to start painting again-that took up alot of mental energy and Peanut got sick so...it sounds like I've been too busy but I wasn't. I just took a break from the internets and the bloggings and all that stuffs. Sorry. I've missed you guys.

Oh I left out the shark teeth expeditions. Yeah. There haven't really been any big storms so I don't really have anything to gloat about but there's been a lot of that going on. The search is just as good as the find I think.

BUT! I do have something else I can gloat about. MY DOCTOR SAYS I CAN HAVE A BABY ANYTIME I WANT TO NOW! HA! Don't expect any announcements about it for a while. We have a few things to do before I can think about that. I can still tell you guys how ecstatic I am about that possibility though can't I? Why yes I can. I've been gone so long I forgot I can say whatever the hell I want to. And let me just say that was the best news ever. Usually I'm always getting crappy news from her so this time I was able to leave with happy tears not sad tears. I wasn't even expecting any kind of news since it was my routine visit. But things were looking so good, she said I don't have to do any body scans for a while and that all was safe. Ok I'll just admit right now that I've been sitting here trying to think of something more to say about this topic but I can't cuz all I can do when I think about is giggle.

OK!? Are we still friends then? Cuz I feel a little guilty that I've neglected my blogpeeps. Say yes or cuss me out. It's ok.

Dear Gucci Sunglasses:The sequel

Dear Former Object of Desire: Gucci Sunglasses Model Number 2933,

Remember Me? Remember how I loved you, longed for you, yearned for you, waited for you? Remember how I could never pass you by without trying you on in the hopes that we might someday be together? Remember how I begged for you to go on sale so that we might make accessory magic together? Or did you forget? You must have because you never went on sale, you never went below the $200.oo I begged you to do. You couldn't have done it just for me could you? 2 years I waited, former beloved! 2. effin. years! See how patient I was? But no you still have to stay up there don't you? $207?! That's the best you could do for a girl who loved you so much?(yes, you read that right, love-d) You thought you could tease me like that and get away with it? Did you not believe me when I said I refuse to pay more than $200.00? Were you toying with me? Did you think you could break me? Did you think you could make me give in for a mere $7.00 over my ultimatum(plus shipping-don't forget that!) price? You have mistaken me for someone who likes to be played with, Beautiful but not infallible Gucci Sunglasses! Because guess what! There's a new love in my life. And his name is Jimmy Choo.


Yes. What did you say? Speak up louder hunny. Oh you're saying that $195 on Amazon isn't that much better than your lame sale price? Well guess what else, former love of my life. I picked these up for $109.00! Yes I did. I took him home with me and we're very happy together. And just to make it sting a little more, I found him in the same store I met you.....don't cry. Oh you're begging me now, how sweet. Well it's been fun being led on and teased by you for these last couple years, but I've moved on. Now if you think you can match my Jimmy, we'll talk. But until then you can watch me walk away from you with my newer and cuter sunglasses and think about what could have been. No regrets. You can't say I didn't warn you.

Good Riddance,

Angel/Queen of patience and bargain shopping


PS Jimmy Choo also has better shoes than you too. Just thought you should know....

I've been waiting for this day for 8 long years

I don't have anything poignant to say, I'm not that kind of writer. Whenever I try, it comes out sounding either corny or negative. And I don't want to be negative on a day thousands of volunteers and I worked so hard to make happen.


But, it's a great day to be American.

(Youtube wouldn't let me post the official video. Everyone has already seen this video anyway)

Happy Birthday to ME!

 

I'm 32 today.

Me and my Shadow(box)

Check it out ! I did stuff again...scientific stuff. Yessss! This isn't ALL of my shark teeth, I have thousands more. These are some of the bigger and nicely shaped ones. It was MrPea's idea, sort of. I haven't decided if I'm going to hang it up or keep it on the coffee table. I need to be able to geek out over them when the mood strikes so it has to be easily accessible.

I'm dying to get to the beach to look for some more. It's sunny and warm enough but the ocean wind is still so cold, I'm afraid I'll get sick so I'm waiting til next week maybe. I can't even describe how badly I need to get out there. Maybe that's how addicts feel. Oh but soon. Soon.


BTW If anyone thinks I got the Latin names wrong, let me know.

Oh and I forgot to mention that MrPea found a few himself(but I found all the big ones)

Monday rules!

My massage was today. I picked out the girly-est, foufou place I could find. It was the nicest thing I could have ever done for myself. I almost feel like I should find some new things to get stressed out about just so I can have an excuse to go back there. The masseuse got a nice tip because not only was she good, but she also told me I had pretty skin. Rule of thumb good masseuses out there: Appealing to one's vanity when one feels like the Bag-Haggis of the Year increases tip outlook, whether it's a fake compliment or not. So there was my Post-Traumatic-Radiation/11th Year Anniversary Gift. The actual date is on Friday the 7th but I took my gift now thank you very much.

Today is the 3rd day since I've been back on my med and I notice a small change. Still tired but I'm getting there.

Somethin' good to blog about durnnit

So far Peanut's doctor thinks he's ok. He got some shots and an antibiotic to start tomorrow. And I have to say, he was way more well behaved than any of the other dogs at the vet this morning. I did have a laugh over something I learned: It's just an observation but, you probably look pretty sickly if your own dog's doctor takes a look at you and asks,"Have you been unwell? Do you need to sit down and let the vet tech hold Peanut for you?" Especially since I don't go around telling everyone and their cousin(well besides on this blog) about my personal health issues. I just said,"Yes, thanks for asking," because I know he was just trying to be nice and I do really look puffy and pale. But that will be remedied, my friends. I have a therapeutic massage scheduled for Monday after lunch. Yay! I haven't had one in like, never. What about poor Peanut you ask? Well it's his butt that hurts not his back and I'm not going there...and anyway he gets back rubs and belly rubs on command, he doesn't need to make any appointments.

Oh, and I saw a lone bald eagle yesterday scouting around. He was small but beautiful and scary-looking in the good way. I always see them here in March usually just one or two. I've heard they come here in the Spring to nest but don't quote me on it. They are so protected that an entire development had to stop construction for the season when some people spotted some in the area one year. The developers bitched and tried failingly to appeal but I was happy about that actually(Oh I just love developers don't you, they care, they really do). I've been looking for him ever since but I think the osprey mates that live in a dead pine on the golf course may have chased him away, because I know for sure they hatched a chick recently. How do I know? Oh I have my ways, peeps. I have my ways. I did forget to mention that for 3 days before I went to the hospital for the radio-iodine, there were a pair of yellowish golden hawks I couldn't figure out hanging around the neighborhood too. I saw them every morning and they were bee-u-tiful. They, also must have moved on, because I don't see them anymore. It would be nice if I had some pictures for you guys wouldn't it? But I'm too lazy to drag my camera around with me so you'll just have to take my word and imagine I guess. Poor you peeps, ya'll missed out. I've been down with the birds of prey lately haven't I?

And oh no(!), I saw a small alligator swimming in the lake behind our building. I'll try to get a pic of her tomorrow, I know where she's been hanging out. I make it my business to figure these things out. Not by the pool like last year's monster, but thankfully on the golf course side. I just hope some idiot doesn't decide to take matters into his own hands and try to feed it or harm it , it's too little to really pose any threat right now and will likely move on to the bigger marsh nearby. I'm not aiming for me or Peanut to be her lunch but there are professionals to take care of those issues. It's that time of year again. I'm actually thanking the heavens because it means we're into Spring. Couldn't have come at a better time.

Damn I love gifts!

Look what I got! Look what I got!

My friend D went to Michigan recently and brought me back these note cards with bunnies' butts on them. Who doesn't like bunnies? Who doesn't like butts?

Random weekend

-I haven't gone shark tooth hunting in a while. I saw some people at the beach today looking for some shark teeth. The beach I went to doesn't really have any or at least not as many as the spot I usually hit for them. I have found a couple teeth there before so I sort of have this 'mental trophy' for being the only one I know who has ever found any at this particular beach. I prepared myself to be slightly jealous if they were able to find any. They didn't. I'm still the reigning champion. Bow down shark teeth hunting losers!

- I also collect all white scallop shells and this beach has always been the best spot for those. I should have told them they wouldn't find any shark teeth but if they wanted pretty pink and white scallop shells instead, they were in luck. But I was too lazy to be nice today. Plus, then everyone would find out and the day would come when all the scallop shells would be picked over just like the shark teeth are at that beach and I can't handle any more heartbreak over Florida as it is.


-Speaking of heartbreak, I think I'm going to have to throw out my tomato plant. I noticed that the coffee can I planted it in is getting rusty and that can't be good for it? Plus it's infested with red mites and I don't want any of my other plants to get infested. Still, I feel like even if I won't be eating any of the tomatoes I should at least try to re-pot it until it's season is over and it dies naturally? Why is it that when I have to throw out a plant for the sake of the others I feel like I'm committing murder on a living thing? Especially since I had absolutely no qualms about screaming for my husband to squash a huge bug in my bathroom last night.

-Speaking of my bathroom, it now smells like Springtime Scent Raid since my husband got into a battle with said nasty bug. My closet is in a little nook inside the bathroom so now all of my clothes smell like Springtime Scent Raid as well.

*By the way thanks to everyone who didn't make fun of me over the fact that I didn't even notice I spelled 'my' wrong on my last post until just now. I'm going to leave it misspelled so that I can now have another 'mental trophy' for being the only person in the English speaking world who could misspell the word 'my.'

Happy Birthday to meeee!

I live in a treeeee.

Ok I don't live in a tree, I just started singing that on my birthday when I was 5, like all 5 year olds did. Only I never stopped.



This picture has nothing to do with my birthday, I'm just sick of that old profile pic and this was the only way I knew how to change it. Thanks for all the birthday wishes!!

The effect I have on boys

Yep.

Folk Groupie?Me? I would have never thought

One of my favorite memories as a kid is being in the backseat of my Grandparents' car while they were driving me to Dairy Queen. This memory sticks out because there are four kids in my family and I have tons of cousins there so whenever I was visiting, we were always all together but this time I was alone with them. I was about 8 or 9 and we were driving down the hilly, winding road where they lived. It was a beautiful West Virginia summer day and the colors in my memory are yellows and greens. There was a folk song from the 60s on the radio and they were singing it together and I remember being so happy because they were singing. Even though it was the first and only time I had ever heard that song(at the time Madonna was the end all and be all in music for me) I always remembered it because it was such a happy moment for me. Skip 10 years later and one of the women in the group who recorded that song ended up being my neighbor and became one of my closest and dearest friends. She's not one to brag so I knew her for a long time before I even figured it out. Even then I didn't want to come out and say, oh my Grandparents are huge fans! I did end up telling her about that and she was proud that she got to have a small part in one of my favorite moments of my life.


I'll find any excuse to tell everyone who she is because it embarrasses her. (in a good way) One day at Costco I saw a folk music compilation cd and I knew her group would be on it and when we saw the name I got really excited and said, really loud, just to embarass her really good,"Dee, Let's check if your song is on here. Look! It's you! Everyone in the music section stop and observe! This woman's voice is on thishere cd! When you guys go home, you can tell all your friends you had a moment with greatness. This a damn compilation cd, folks, this means it's important. Here she is at the very Costco you shop at buying pretzels!" The whole time she was mortified(in a good way) and trying to run away from me but there were only 3 people there- one looked at me like I was an idiot(which didn't offend me since I was acting like one anyway) and the other two laughed at us. (I do this to everyone. I once ran after my sister at the grocery store yelling,"Hello, you forgot your Preperation H! Don't you need it?"If I were at Costco with one of you, dear readers, I would do it to you-not the Preperation H thing but something more appropriate for the situation, of course. I expect and invite reciprocation, it's funny.)
A few years back, her group had a reunion concert thingy. When she got back, I bothered her and bothered her to let me watch the video because it was going to be on PBS and I wanted to see it first. I had never seen her sing and had only heard a couple songs before. She wasn't really that excited about the whole thing so I had to really pester-something I'm very good at(in a good way). While we were watching it, she told me during one of the songs, for her part, she had to hit a high note. So every time they had to perform that song, she was always a little nervous. And when she would hear a recording of it, she cringed a little just before that high note, even though she knew it was a recording and of course the high note was just right! I have a couple of the group's songs on my ipod, including the high-note song, not because I love it so much but just to have it, you know? The funny thing is today, while I was listening to my ipod, I had it set to shuffle and that very song came on-and right before the high-note, I found myself cringing a little too. In a good way.

The Beach, Varmints and the like

Can you spot one in this tree? 50 points if you can :o)


This is my favorite time of year! Yes, just last week I was warming my footsies by the fire and today the windows are open for maximum bird singing volume. It happens just like that, overnight and Spring is banging down the door! March truly comes in like a lion 'round these parts and this year, she's early. The breeze is loud and fresh from the sea, just a stone's throw away and the smell of jasmine fills my home(I buy Claratin in bulk). Azaleas bloom in their gaudiest fuchsia attire.
I listen every night for the frog, toad and crickets choir but it's still too early and not quite hot enough. I've spotted two bald eagles already in the past couple weeks and there are ospreys constantly flying overheard clutching fish. And dammit, I never have the luck to have my new camera handy when this happens! I'm going to have to start keeping it in my pocket all the time.
I have some huge feathers I found last year and I haven't figured out a good art project to include them in(suggestions welcomed). They are all over the place. I have yet to encounter the juvenile alligator, who, I saw last year, all summer lounging near the pool, no joke! There's a lake near the pool which separates my neighborhood from a shishifoo golf course and Mr.Alligator sunned himself on that side, the mossy bank closest to the pool, probably trying to get a view of all the bikini action. I have a feeling he might have been relocated. He was pretty small but large enough to scare the sugar out of me. Strangely, I'll miss seeing him.
I wish I had a bird feeder. This is the first place I've ever lived where it was impossible to put one out. I want to get a window feeder, if I can remember next time I'm at the hardware store. I have a sort of awe for cardinals. My Grandmother loved them so much and I can't see or hear one with out thinking of her. I am the worst person on Earth in the morning so my long morning walks with Peanut are the best way to start a day. The little birds around here make 'electronic' sounding songs. The squirrels ignore us as they bounce about, digging here and there. Peanut wants to eat them. Actually there's one who lives near the pool that has learned how beg and steal food-that's him up there. I made friends with him last Spring. Snakes are all over the place too(eek). Sometimes I think they exist just to freak me out and get in fights with Peanut. I found a mini turtle last year by the lake who was stuck in some tall grass. Right after I took this picture he stuck his little head out and tried to bite me. I forgave him for not wanting to be my friend and put him down close to the water where I think he was trying to go.
There's a secret beach I can't wait to ride my bike to where there are shark teeth galore. Sharks! Their eggs wash up onto the shore so I'm scared to death of swimming there. MrPea isn't.
He surfs there too. Usually, I just have a picnic or a book when I go by myself.
The birds of prey don't even bother to fly away with their catch, they land right there on the shore and dig in, I love it. I'm still not officially allowed to ride my bike for just a couple more weeks(the damn anemia dammit!) but I can't wait because I don't want to miss the dolphins. I can see them all year long here but in April and May they migrate back to the north. You can see hundreds upon hundreds of them and you can see from the size of the fins, the babies!!! I heard my brother, who is I swear, MrCaptainSwimTeam, once say you can hear them if you swim out far enough. I'm not a good enough swimmer, plus I'm scared to death of sharks so I'll take his word for it.
I LOVE the hot, humid summer and flipflops and summer dresses and loud, angry, afternoon thunderstorms but this is my favorite, happiest time of year....sick or not! I intend not to waste a millisecond of it and enjoy it.


*I've been reading CrossCreek again, for the millionth gazillionth time can you tell? Most of these pictures were taken last year with my cell phone and I can't wait to take some good ones with my new camera. Keep your fingers crossed for me so I can get on my bike and ride to the secret beach again! When summer is here I'll be bragging about how summer is my favorite. I do that every season.

OK-I feel better now

I watched Sesame Street as a kid-Kermit was my favorite. His look of exasperation is the best. I love to make this face-I practice often and will look for any excuse to make it. I love to see people making this face-inadvertently or on purpose-doesn't matter. I love making this face at MrPea, he's really good at it himself(I need a better name for him) and dammit,call me crazy, I'm pretty sure I've seen Peanut making this face too.

Today I'm making this face because:
1.I'm tired, tired, tired for NO reason. It's the f-ing anemia. I'm 30 years old dammit. I should be bouncing all over the place not dragging my ass like a slug. I've been taking multi-vitamins AND iron supplements and I'm still tired, exhausted, energy-less, fatigued, burnt out, washed out,worn out, enfeebled, the weak link of nature.
2.I'm still irritated-if you didn't read my last post-don't bother, it's too long and bitchy plus all you really need to know is a friend hurt my feelings without meaning to and I said nothing about it and then got angry at myself for not sticking up for myself instead of getting defensive.(is that a run on sentence or what!?) I really shouldn't let myself get upset so much. I should try to look at a person's good intentions. Still though.....(*update-I deleted my last post-it was too negative)
3.I was reading a few "soapbox" blogs and was irritated by a couple things that were said. One of them was why do people use their blog to complain about stupid everyday things when there are more important things going on in the world. Another was- blogs are silly because it's full of silly little girls talking about clothes and shoes and we should all be serious and talk about real issues not silly things. How dare we use our blogs to vent once in a while-how dare we communicate! How dare we persue happiness and acceptance!tsktsktsk

But, I am happy because:

* I went to get my blood work done this morning and that's always good because I like to be proactive about my health. I'll know for sure why I'm always tired lately. I do feel a little better the past couple days, too.
*It's going to be warmer tomorow.
*Winter here is almost over.
*I finally got my camera!!Yippee! I'm still learning how to use it but I love it!!
*I have an exorbitant amount of chocolate covered popcorn and I plan on guiltlessly eating every single kernel and I could care less about gaining one f-ing pound because today(maybe not tomorrow) I have a good body image dammit.
*I can't express enough how soft and thick Peanut's extra chest fur is and how much I love it. He's a lion!
*F-ck all those "snogs" ! I just made that word up-it means a 'snobby blog'-GET IT? get it??heehee! Because my jokes and made up words are cheesy like that! Feel free to use it-or not.
*I got offered a cool job. I said no, though. I'm not ready yet because I don't feel healthy enough. Still, it feels good to know I can when I'm ready.

Today!!

I:

-saw a beautiful bald eagle(but I don't have a damn digital camera yet dammit... but we won't get negative will we....)

-walked into the ladies room at the Cheesecake Factory where a Texan in a purple thong and red boots was trying on her new pants.(OMG I totally regretted not having a digital camera at that moment even more than the bald eagle moment)

-bought the winning lottery ticket(heehee-I hope)

-received a 'thank you for not dying of cancer gift' from MrPea(a mini-ipod yay...I am finally in the 21st century...now if I can figure out how to use it)

-bought a pack lipgloss, 3 for $.99(I would have been just as happy with that as my gift but don't tell MrPea lest he steal my ipod)

-found the newspaper clipping of me and Peanut in Quebec(that's right! Hard hitting news!)

I had to blank out my last name from the psychos.

What about ya'll?!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!(*warning-elated swearing*)

I got the news today from my body scan results and it appears that this girl This 4'11" 105pound person you see here looking all pitiful in the hospital bed(a couple hours after a 7 hour surgery) just 2 and a half months ago has apparently just KICKED CANCER'S ASS!!!!!!! The words to describe how I feel right now do not even exist. I will not get all sappy and weepy right now but I will say that this feels like a real Thanksgiving for me for the first time. But I have to gloat for just a few seconds more......because I don't want anyone to mistake me for someone who was/is brave and stoic about the whole thing---oh I cried, I curled up in the fetal position-physically AND mentally mind you, I was scared, I freaked out, I had a full fledged psychotic episode, I bitched, I moaned, I was uncooperative at times, I doubted everything, I was knocked on my ass but guess what! I beat the shit out of CANCER. Fuck you CANCER!! HAHAHAHAHA

I haven't been able to post anything lately because I've been on pins and f-ing needles you guys! I'll say again that I know thyroid cancer is not the big scary monster like breast or lung cancer or heart disease but it was big a scary monster for me and MR.PEA-and Peanut too. Never in my life did I think anything like that would ever happen to me. But you what else? Because of all this, now I know who I am. And now I can add to that-I am someone who kicked cancer's ass!!!(With the help of my doctors of course-wink)


PS By the way my beaupere is home and feeling better too.