just call me toad...

a woman very dear to my heart is losing her battle with cancer. a second round battle - the first won 11 years ago. but this one is beating her. and it is killing me, and so many others, to watch her give her all to something that in the end will simply consumer her, her energy, and her body.

this woman is one of those spirits that touches so many in her walk through life. her life has been hard from day one. but no matter what happens, what twists she's been through, she comes out of it. and honestly, we all figured that she would do the same with this. it's been a long couple of years, but death was really never an option to most of us. she's tough. she wins. she beats cancer.

a few months ago, i was doing something for her, and she answered with "thanks toad". i had no idea why she called me toad - yet she insisted it was a compliment. i've been toad ever since. and now, with this final diagnosis, i want to be toad forever, because through that, she will always be with me.

an approaching birthday...

So many things run through my head at this time of year. What did I DO this last year - what did I accomplish?

A year ago, I was still taking care of my dad, his house, etc. So I am in a very different place right now. He's very successfully transitioned to the VA home, evidenced in a great visit we had yesterday. We sold my childhood home, which was extremely difficult, as well as dividing everything up among the children. I have to say I've got a few great pieces, not worth anything, but full of memories, now in my home. I love that. VERY much.

I've started my MBA. Got A's in both classes my first term, and am now signing up for another. I'm really enjoying the process! Taking two classes the first term was a bit much. I want to enjoy this, not stress myself about it. I've learned that lesson.

My promotion at work has brought additional responsibilities, which I thrive on. I've found I come in a little earlier, work a little harder. Being recognized for hard work is an amazing payoff.

I am graduating on Wed from Leadership Marshfield. As part of that, I am the VP of Buy Local Marshfield, an amazing movement to improve Marshfield's existence. Our website launched successfully on Friday, a good good thing!

I'm still very busy with fundraising and volunteering, thanks to an amazing company I work for that backs the work. I really am BLessed that way.

I am attending a Bible study, to strengthen my Faith, and spend time on it. Probably the most important change of my year. It's been ages since I committed to it, and it's the highlight of my week.

I guess the one place I'm NOT succeeding is taking care of myself. That really needs to be in the forefront of my thoughts this next year. I'm surrounded by amazing friends and family, Blessings overflowing. Maybe my highlight this year should just be to acknowledge all Blessings and be thankful!

almost three weeks????

I cannot believe it's been almost three weeks.... I had finals for school (got A's in both classes!), as well as final papers, etc., RIGHT before going to DC with Allie over spring break. So it was a pretty hectic time!

I want to reflect on Lent. I am not Catholic (although I admire some of their traditions). But I've tried in the past to use Lent to try to refocus my Faith, concentrate on it a bit more. Never very successful. Oh, I'm great for the first couple of weeks, and then it fades. And I am angry with myself every year.

This year I mulled over what I could do to focus on Jesus' suffering and sacrifice for 6 weeks... The only thing I could think of was to give up coffee. Anyone who knows me knows that coffee is my thing. I love the smell, the taste, have my kitchen covered in it. It's always been my thing, since about 6th grade. So I decided that I would give up coffee.

For six weeks, many times each day, I would see coffee, or worse yet SMELL coffee, and think to myself - - "Jesus suffered for me. Jesus DIED for me. For ME, a poor sinner." It was the first time that I truly took time every day to meditate on the Lenten season. I hope that my last six weeks can hang around a little longer. I need Him in my life. He is who makes me who I am.

too long!

Oh, it's been TOO long since I posted. And so much has happened.

Flash back to March 20. DD and I took a road trip to Nebraska - for several things. One, to visit friends, two, for my work, and three, most important of all, a college on-site for my DD, who has started looking at colleges.

MY oh MY. My dd looking at colleges. Quite scary for me. I'm not at all worried about her. She will be fine. But ME on the other hand - oye. I'm scared to death. How will I function without her? The school she is in love with is almost 8 hours from home. That is a LONG way for a Mom who needs to see her children. But I'm happy that she's starting to prepare, and starting to have fun.

It was great fun to see lots of friends, although one was missing. :-(

Fast forward to Friday. I was given a promotion - out of the blue. A very exciting time, as I've been working towards this for years.

Then to last weekend. Girls weekend to see the Titanic exhibit. Too much fun. Great relaxing getaway.

While all of these warrant their own blogs, time is tight. I have 5 days to write one case study, one 12 page paper, and two finals. WHEW> No time to blog! Sorry. Ck back in a couple of weeks~

sounds of spring...

spring has finally arrived here in central wisconsin... yesterday was the first day that it really felt like spring from morning until night. walking out of the house in the morning, i heard the birds! it was the first day i noticed them, and it was a wonderful way to start the day!

after work, i had to run errands for a friend, and it was beautiful out. i had the car windows down to enjoy the fresh air. sitting at a stoplight, i heard the true sound of spring. a sound i could hear approaching from blocks away... the rumble. that beautiful rumble.

four harleys enjoying the first ride.

it's spring!

the relationship with my son...

Yesterday the weather turned beautiful. My son and I had to take our coats off walking home from church, what a nice surprise! I had a lot of homework to do, but I was well rested, and moving mountains. When I finished my paper, which I was proud of, he told me "good job". Understand, he is 11. While he is taller than me, and stronger than me, he is still only 11, my baby. And he was cheering me on. It warmed my heart.

With the paper down, and a quiz, discussion, and homework looming, I dug in. I finished quite early, around 4. So I asked if he wanted to join me for a walk. "Sure". Not much, but it meant he still wanted to spend time with me.

While we walked, he dribbled his basketball (which very seldom leaves his hands when he's out doors), and the two of us passed the ball back and forth, he practicing his quick stops, pivots, etc. Quickly, the first mile was behind us and we were near the highway. I make him hang onto the ball for the short stint on the highway, and as we walked in silence, I heard a chuckle. When I asked what was so funny, he said "you're how old, and your 11 year old son is taller than you". Not sure why that struck him as so funny, but I smacked him on the back side of the head, and we continued. The last mile was again passing, dribbling, etc., general joking.

I just love that we have this kind of relationship. So comfortable. It's good. And for now, it's still mine. And THAT I cherish.

feelin the love.....

I had a last minute NE trip pop up- twofold, to do a college visit for my daughter (ugh), and to do a vendor visit for work. It literally took only minutes for word of my impending travel to reach everyone in NE, and I was flooded with excitement from all of them on being able to catch up. I miss all of them so terribly. They are all so important in my life. And to know that I am important in their lives as well is just one of those "feelin the love" moments. I know why God put them all in my life. ...

I know I say this a lot, but I AM SO BLESSED!