9 Moons Ago

I thought about starting this blog up again, in one form or another, but have decided to close the chapter on 9moonsago, although I hope it will remain here, archived, for as long as possible. Between facebook and flickr, and now etsy, I feel like I have more than enough website time happening…. Thanks to any and all who visit these pages. They are only part of who I was, and yet, are still very much part of who I am, today. Not a goodbye, just …see ya around!

I do want to someday re-do my about page and re-design this site somewhat. But I just don’t update like I used to when I was living overseas and this blog was a great way one-place spot to stay in touch with everyone.
But I don’t want it to die either…. just to morph. When it’s ready.

My health? Getting better all the time. No side effects from the meds. If my semantic cognition is changed, I’m now too stupid to know it, anyway. :-)

I’ve also been going to aqua aerobics. I love it. The workout changes all the time and my instructor does a xena war cry from time to time. She’s crazy in a very good way. Right now I am hating that I’m missing a class tonight due to a bad cold. Blah. But, I’m signed up for the Summer sessions…

Due to more exercise, better eating habits and a couple of meds for my thyroid and other stuff (I really do hate talking about medical stuff, feeling like an old lady going on and on, but want to keep people in the loop just the same) I’ve lost 20 pounds since the start of the year. And I’ll keep at it!

I spend more time doing artwork and in the garden..planting some veggies as well as flowers this year. Planted a dogwood tree for Mom as a Mother’s day gift. She’s always wanted one, and her Mother always did too, but never had one. All of her kids chipped in to get it, and a gardenia plant.

I’ve been enjoying time with the nephews so much. They are my buddies. And my Sister and her husband have not only been a tireless support for me, but dearest friends. We all went to the local ball park on Sunday and heard my Sister-in-Law’s music students sing the National Anthem and it was beautiful. The game was fun. I can get a little bored with sports, but baseball is fun, especially with the right people! We’re all proud of my brother who has been busting his butt and getting A’s in his graduate work. He decided to take the Summer off from studies this year and that’s so good..

Some new art ideas in the works…portraits, fundraising for a cause or two, etc. Going to set up something..probably an Etsy site (after wanting to for years) so I can start selling my artwork again. I will update the progress once I figure out, when, where, how, etc.

Have some art done that hasn’t been scanned yet. Sometimes scanning/photographing art is a chore to me so I put it off..and sometimes I’m just spending more time outside.

I’m done rambling. Now you know where I’ve been. Thrilling, ain’t it? :-)

I’m still in awe over the no chemo thing. I was gearing up for it for almost a year!
Much love to all who care enough to help me along the way.
Your thoughts/energy/prayers have been heard, loud and clear. And a special thanks to any and all who have emailed/talked me with specific thoughts and their own experiences. I’m amazed at it all. “Your support means the world to me.”
It’s a cliche for a reason.

Online, I catch up with people on facebook now and then, but mainly I hang out on flickr, so that’s where you can find me.

Here’s a favorite recent post of mine:

O my. Well, thanks to those of you who are wanting a report, but patient enough to wait for me to get around to it.

December was sort of a low point. Feeling run-down and low. And not ready for the holiday.
But, true to form, Christmas Eve was beautiful, peaceful, lively and fun as it always has been. My favorite night of the year. Always. Caught up with good friends I hadn’t seen in years.
The rest of the holidays: smashingly good fun!

The Christmas/Holiday cards are ALL still in progress. Some were written last month and have a stamp and everything. I am mailing them at one time to avoid mix-ups, as I already started writing to someone twice. Almost finished, and my goal is to mail them BEFORE February of this year.

As for my health these days, I am feeling happy and fit. Have been making great strides in eating healthier and getting more exercise.
The start of Chemo was set back about a month due to a cold that developed into bronchitis. SO, after a course of antibiotics and an inhaler, I’m now feeling better than I have in a long long while. Ready for my initial appt at the oncologist this Wednesday. Will start the treatment after that.

Depending on the frequency and type of regimen, I will be living with Kathy and her family for part of each week. Can’t thank my Sister and her family enough for all the support they’ve provided, dropping anything and everything to get me to where I need to be. The kids are nothing but pure joy for me. We have good times together.

And thanks to the rest of my family, immediate and extended, and all my good friends.. without you, it’d be an uphill battle. The latest fun has been a few birthday celebrations and hanging out with large parties of Green Bay Packers enthusiasts. How fitting that I should happen to be a daughter of a Cheesehead from the 60s, who has managed to sweep us all up in the fervor, over the years.
Yes, the official’s daughter, who has had a love/hate relationship with sports after being dragged to all kinds of games growing up, when my it was Dad’s turn to watch us. Sure, I played with my Barbies on the gym mats or in the press box those days and ignored the games, but I actually know and care who Bart Starr is…. do you?!

I feel blessed and content and ready to face this next step in my treatment!

Lacing up my boots and kicking down the doors!

It’s been a while! Thought I’d let everyone know that things are going well, as far as my health. The recovery process is slow, but steady. Chemo is the next item on the agenda, but that will be after the holidays. Right now everything is still healing up, and some muscles are still tight and there is some numbness, so I’m just doing my best to be patient and do the gentle stretches, massage, and warm compresses, etc. on a daily basis. Not feeling sick at all, but being careful with lifting and such…

Thanksgiving was nice. It was just going to be Mom, Dad and I for dinner, and then Dan and Allie stopping in for dessert, but Kathy and Zach surprised us and came right before we sat down to eat! They brought a lovely bouquet of fall flowers for Mumsy and a good time was had by all! The kids were up at Zach’s parents, and had a grand time. Black Friday shopping was done by several family members, but I didn’t miss it one bit!

There is still no tree up here, no candles in the window and no lights on the house, but it’s been a crazy year, so we’re all moving a little more slowly right now. The hutch is decorated though, and gifts have been bought and wrapped. The sewing machine and painting supplies are out… I’ve started playing piano again and the Christmas CDs are in rotation, though not constantly. So we’re easing into the spirit gently..

One thing that kicked us into the mood was the annual Sheerer open house last Saturday! Such a pretty home, and filled with loved ones. It was so good to see everyone and catch up again! Great food and fun company.

There are more pictures of everything on my flickr photostream:
amy’s flickr stream

Tomorrow morning, Dad goes in for surgery. He’s having a stent put in his leg, in preparation for future knee surgery, which he’s needed for a long while now. Mom will be home tomorrow to help with that, and tomorrow evening, she and I are going to see Isaac in a school performance.

Working on cards, letters and gifts and it’s been fun. If you want a card, and you don’t think I’ve got your address, just email me!
Hope everyone is enjoying safe and fun holidays!