Tuesday Talk....Cancer Freaking Sucks

Happy Tuesday Ladies!

 

 

Truth!  I am still not feeling 100% and it sucks!  Moms just shouldn't get sick!

 

Today is another one of those days where I am asking that question "why do bad things happen to good people?"  I know they say everything happens for a reason, and God has a plan, but man lately I am really wonderings what the hell the reason is and what exactly the plan is, because I just don't understand how unfair life can be sometimes.  I told you guys about my dear friend Talia last month who lost her husband to cancer, and then on Friday I told you guys about Jack's friend Holly who is also battling cancer..I mean it just sucks.

 

 

A few weeks ago I got a phone call from my mom, telling me that cancer had once again reared it's ugly head.  My Aunt Marlene, my mom's sister, was diagnosed with breast cancer back in like 1991, she was young, it was a devastating time for our family, but we just all knew she would do her treatments, pull through and be fine.  And that was pretty much what happened.  During the course of her treatments, it was hard, but she was a fighter, cancer wasn't beating her...NO WAY!.  We were pretty sure she had kicked cancer's ass..she went into remission was healthy, and though we never ever forgot what she went through, she was fine.  We all felt so lucky and blessed that she beat cancer! 

 

You can imagine how devastated I was to get a phone call shortly before the holiday season two years ago from my mother telling me that her cancer was back....I couldn't believe it!  She had been cancer free for like 15 years..and it was back.  It was devastating for our family, but you guys my Aunt is seriously the strongest woman that I know, her attitude was so positive and upbeat, and once again she was going to kick cancer's ass...she did her chemo...again it was hard, but she did it and once again she was OK.  We all felt so relieved and happy that she was healthy and going to be OK  During this whole time, I would talk to my Aunt on the phone, and never once did I ever hear her complain, feel sorry for herself, nothing...she was always just positive and upbeat.  She is truly such an incredible, amazing woman...and so incredibly strong. 

 

After she got a clean bill of health, I never really ever thought about her getting sick again, I don't think any of us did.  She was healthy, happy, living her life, she was a fighter, strong and pretty damn awesome for kicking cancer to the curb not once but twice!

 

 

About 3 weeks ago my phone rang, I looked at the caller ID and it was my mom, we talk about 3 times a day, so her calling me at different times throughout the day is never odd.  Well I answered the phone and I could barely make out what she was saying on the other end..she was sobbing so hard.  I immediately panicked...and then she finally calmed down and told me that my Aunt's breast cancer was back and had metastasized and was now in her liver...it is terminal.  I literally lost my breath...I could not believe what she was telling me on the other end of the phone.  How how how can this be happening...she has already beat cancer twice..there has got to be a mistake...this just can't be true.  I am devastated, just devastated.  I am so angry..she doesn't deserve this.  I mean no one deserves to be given a diagnosis of terminal cancer, but my Aunt, she most definitely does not.  She has been through enough, her family, our family has been through enough. 

 

Once again, she amazes me, she is still positive and upbeat, ready to fight another fight. 

 

I know we all seem to know someone that has been affected by cancer, and it really does suck!  I believe in the power of prayer, and that an upbeat positive attitude goes a long way in a situation like this.  Please say a prayer for my Aunt, and for our family!

 

I know my Aunt is ready to adjust her sails and fight...I just really wish the wind would blow in her direction.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  See you guys back here tomorrow.



Tuesday Talk...

Happy Tuesday Girls!

 

Hope you all had a great weekend!  I have got to get my act together and start being more consistent about blogging!  Life has been so crazy lately!

 

 

We have just been plain busy over here lately!  So much going on, and just not enough hours in the day some days, to get it all done!  Mark has been SLAMMED at work lately...he is in his "busy season" right now, and we are pretty darn excited for that to all come to an end later this month.  It will be nice to have him home a little more! 

 

AJ has been KILLING it with fishing lately...if he isn't sleeping or at school, he is out back in a chair, fishing poles lined up, fishing away!  This kid was made to live on the water.

 

 

We have yet to keep any of the fish he has caught, he just catches them and releases them!  I am sure at some point we will keep and eat them!

 

In addition to normal day to day life, we have some other things going on too!  If you read my blog regularly, or follow me on social media, then you know that when we moved back in October, Harrison decided to stay back in Charlotte.  It was no secret that this was TOUGH for me!  It killed me leaving him there, but it was what he really wanted to do.  He loved his job, his life and his friends, and as much as I wanted him to come, I completely understood and supported him in his decision.  I have been so proud of him...he goes to work everyday pays his bills, and for the most part has been pretty responsible.  But...he is only 20, and though he works full time and makes a decent salary, it is tough to make it on your own and still be able to have fun and do the things he wants to do.  We can lecture our kids on the importance of saving for a rainy day, how important it is to save as much money as possible, and well 9 times out of ten, they all have to learn the hard way!  Ha!  Well last week I got that phone call that I knew sooner or later I would get..."mom my car just broke down...what should I do"....mind you I am 700 miles away!  Long story short...Harrison was making it on his own...paying his bills, being able to survive...but that was it.  Instead of saving for a rainy day, he had a TON of fun.  Many people may think I am mean or harsh, for not sending him a check to rescue him from this and make it all better, but I truly don't think we would be helping him.  Sometimes tough love is the best love.  He realized, after 8 months, that he wants more than to just get by.  He knows coming home for a few years, working, and saving all that he can will benefit him so much down the road.  So long story short....on April 23 Harrison is flying "home".  Him and Mark will be once again working together...and can I just say how awesome my husband is taking care of my boy!  Harrison of course is disappointed and a bit sad about leaving so much behind in Charlotte, but he will thrive here and no doubt will be super successful.  As a mother, I don't want to see any of my children struggle.  Now, I would be lying if I said I wasn't completely THRILLED to have all my kiddos here with me together again!  I know it will only be temporary, as he is anxious to get to work, save his money and get out on his own...but I am going to SOAK UP the time he is here!  AJ is so excited have him coming back.  The boys have missed him so much, and Olivia said, "Mommy I am so glad Harrison is going to be a part of our family again".

 

So that is all that is going on over here!  I will be busy over the next week and a half, getting things ready for Harrison...our house here isn't super big, so it is definitely going to take some creativity to make it all work!

 

See you guys back here tomorrow for a super fun link up with Erika and Shay!

 

 





Tuesday Talk

Happy Tuesday Girls!

 

It is ROUGH getting back into the groove of things after a two week spring break! 

 

 

The last few days I have been feeling pretty sad and heartbroken.  One of my dearest friends lost her husband over the weekend, and I am just completely heartbroken. 

 

When I moved to Charlotte 10 years ago, I was excited about what it was going to be like for our family, but I worried about making new friends, adjusting to a new place, you know all those things.  Well shortly after we moved into our house in Charlotte we got some new neighbors.  I remember peering through the windows checking them out, hoping it was a family with kids moving in.  I remember going outside, they were unloading their moving truck, and I introduced myself and I knew instantly Talia and I would become fast friends.  They had just moved from New York (I always love a fellow northerner)!  Her and her husband Brad were great people, and they had two children, and Brooke and her daughter were the same age and became fast friends also!  We eventually moved from that house, I went through a divorce, and our friendship never changed.  We would talk and text all the time, met for lunch, I could vent to her about what was going on in my life, and she was just always there for me.  She never judged, she was just my friend.  She was the first real, true friend I met in Charlotte and 10 years later, she is still one of my DEAREST friends.

 

I remember getting a phone call from her about 5 years ago, and she told me Brad was diagnosed with a very rare, terminal cancer, Myelofibrosis.  She was of course devastated, but she remained so positive and upbeat, they were going to fight this and win.  Over the last year or so, things got a little tougher, lots of doctor visits, ER visits, visits with specialists, and with that brought lots of stress, lots of medical bills, and even on the really tough days, she was still her witty, sarcastic self.  Her attitude, even when times were BAD, was so inspiring to me.  She always remained strong for Brad and her children. 

 

They were looking forward to leaving Charlotte early this summer and moving to Florida, they had always wanted to live here, (they are some pretty big Disney lovers)  and well I was super excited that we would share the same state again! 

 

Last week, like any other day, we were just texting like we pretty much do everyday, and she told me that Brad was having some headaches, bad ones, and they were heading to the ER, and she would keep me posted.  I really wasn't too worried for her, he had been to the ER a few times, and always was OK, so I just assumed that would be the case again, they would run a few tests, he would come home and all would be good....Oh God how I wish that is what happened.  She sent me a text saying he had a sub dural hematoma and was being transported to a different hospital...a procedure would be done within the next two days to drain and relieve the pressure.  It sounded bad, I was scared for her, but truly believed they would do this procedure and he would be OK.  They did the procedure, she once again texted me that it went well.  She was tired, worried and exhausted, but still kept her wittiness about her.  She really is a strong woman!  On Friday she told me there was more bleeding and it was pretty serious, a miracle was needed.  Saturday morning he was non responsive and taken to surgery, the bleed got worse.  I spoke with her after the surgery, and she told me their opinion was the surgery went well, they cleaned everything out, and they were just waiting for him to wake up.  Later that afternoon I received a text message from her that the bleeding didn't stop, and there was no more they could do, it was time to let him go.  I just stared at my phone, tears streaming down my face, why is life so unfair, and why do such horrible things happen to the best people?  My heart broke for her, I cannot even begin to imagine how she was feeling, having to say goodbye to her husband, her sweet children having to say goodbye to their father, I mean it sucks, it just really freaking sucks.  I spent the rest of the day feeling mad, angry, sad, such a mix of emotions.  Talia is strong, and I know she is going to get through this and be ok...that is just who she is.  The days are hard right now for her, her and her husband truly had an amazing love, they had a marriage and commitment to each other and to their children, that sadly you just don't see enough of these days.  I wish I could take some of her pain away, but I know that I can't. 

 

His cancer was terminal, but they never expected to lose him this soon.  With illness always comes huge expenses, and it truly does make me sick everything that is going on with healthcare these days (that rant can't wait for another day), and its awful that families have to worry about all this during such a trying time.  A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help with the funeral costs for Brad, feel free to share it if you would like, you can find it here . 

 

Please keep Talia, and her children, Angie and Matt in your prayers over the next few days as they prepare to say their final good byes to the man they loved with all they had. 

 

Life is really so short, and tomorrow is never guaranteed for any of us.  I remember back when my mother in law was battling cancer, she had a sign in her kitchen that simply read "live for today...hope for tomorrow"...and that is really all we can do.  Make every day count, make sure your loved ones know you love them...never get too busy to forget to say I love you.

 

Thanks for stopping by today! 



Tuesday Talk

Happy Tuesday Ladies

 

 

Seriously this was my day yesterday...one of the WORST days I have had in a really long time!

 

I had every intention of starting 2016 out AWESOME...I had it all planned out in my head, this year was going to be my year, and I was going to start it off with a bang!  My kids went back to school last Wednesday after being home almost 3 weeks for Christmas vacation, I loved having them home, but was definitely ready for a routine again!  Last week was kind of a wash for me, I spent the few days they were back at school cleaning up and getting our house somewhat put back together after the holidays...what a crappy job that is!  So I told myself I was going to basically start fresh yesterday, January 11, I always like to start things on a Monday!  My plan was to get up early, have some quiet time, get the lunches packed, get the kiddos up, drop them all to school, go workout and then go about my day, that was going to be my schedule during the week! 

 

So had did my Monday start....well I never heard my alarm go off, and I was woken up at like 10 by Jack over my bed asking if they were going to school....seriously...not even lying!  And what did I do...say no we are not going to school today, and I rolled back over.  I have never ever done that before..so we spent the day home, doing nothing, and I can't say it was anything other than laziness on my part that they didn't go to school yesterday, and I am fully prepared for the rash of comments that will come my way of what a horrible mother I am, and how irresponsible I am...I am ready!  I'm just not sure what my deal was yesterday, I was in a funk all day, feeling sad, randomly crying, it was just odd...I was feeling super depressed and I am not even sure why! 

 

It's been no secret that I have been struggling with our move, and I often get super sad about being so far away from what I consider "home".  For the most part I am adjusting and learning to love our new life, but damn it is seriously a slow process!  I can't even say for sure if that was what had me feeling so blah yesterday..it was just weird.   I have always been kind of a "control freak", and I have felt so out of control, if that makes sense, since we moved back in October. 

 

This is my current view as I am typing this post...it's 5:30 Monday evening, I am still in my pajamas, I am sitting outside, enjoying wine and blogging...I did manage to make some homemade soup for dinner, but seriously that is about it.  A total unproductive day, a day of feeling sad and weepy all day, and I haven't a clue as to why!  I am anxiously awaiting for Mark to get home, he can always snap me out of feeling sad..he is good like that!

 

I am hoping to get a good nights sleep and ready to kick some ass Tuesday!  

 

If anyone else ever sometimes feels this way, leave me a comment and let me know what you do to snap yourself out of your funk!  Enjoy your day today!  See you back here tomorrow!

 

 

Tuesday Talk...My New Gig

Happy Tuesday Ladies!

 

I am sure many of you are spending today cooking and getting ready for Thanksgiving!  Our neighbors invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them this year.  I am so happy that our new neighbors are so friendly and have invited us to spend the day with them, their family and friends!

 

I mean....you don't have to ask me twice:)  Don't worry, we are bringing a few side dishes and some desserts to the Thanksgiving dinner!

 

 

Back in March when I quit my job, I had thought about doing something that I could do from home, around my kid's schedules, etc.  I have looked into A LOT of different things.  I have done Stella and Dot and Scentsy in the past and was looking for a more "consumable" product to get involved with.  I spoke to a few different people about a few different companies.  I have always been blown away with the success stories of Rodan & Fields, but after lots of thought, it just wasn't for me.  Through social media, I found Ariele and her cute little boutique .  I have ordered a few things from her, we became "friends" on social media and I started seeing all her posts about Plexus...of course I was intrigued so I spent a good part of my day one day just "stalking" through her facebook and website to see what it was all about!  She has had HUGE success, and I could tell from what I saw she truly believed in the products, that was so important to me.  I had contacted her over the summer and we talked about it, and just when I thought I was ready to "do it", for whatever reason, I didn't.  So for the past few months I have just been sitting here on the sidelines, reading about everyone else and their success!  I thought to myself, what the heck am I doing, that could be ME!  So I shot Ariele a text and I was signed up a few minutes later! 

 

I am still waiting on all my materials to arrive, and I am super excited to get this started and see where it takes me!

 

I can assure you this blog will not become me just pushing my new business venture, I am not like that at all!  However I am excited about this new journey, and am looking forward to sharing with you all how it works for me and our family!

 

See you guys back here tomorrow!



 



Tuesday Talk...That Red Cup...

Happy Tuesday Girls!

 

Hope your week is off to a great start!  I still cannot believe that Thanksgiving is next week!  The time is certainly flying by!

 

The infamous red cup!

 

I share a lot of my opinions here on my blog, and sometimes people get annoyed with my opinions and they sure let me know it!  I am grateful to anyone who takes time out of their day to read what I have to say, I am even more appreciative of those who take the time to comment, even the not so nice ones!  Anyway...I am sure everyone has read or heard about all the outrage over Starbucks red cup!  I am a lover of Starbucks, yes I know it is overpriced, but I still love it, and though many think $5 is just plain ridiculous for a cup of coffee, ( I agree it's a bit pricey too), I still enjoy stopping in a few times a week for my favorite beverage!  Each year, I admit it, I get excited for the holiday cup, there is something about drinking my coffee in that red cup, it's like an unofficial start to the holiday season for me.  Now that being said, the Starbucks cup most certainly DOES not define the holiday season for me!

 

When I first started seeing stuff pop up on Facebook about the outrage over this cup, I read a bit about it, and it there was TONS of stories about and people seemed to be really pissed off!  As I sat and read these articles, I was in shock!  People...it's a cup...it's a red cup!  I am the first to admit I am not the most religious person around, however I do believe in God, I celebrate Christmas, and love all the magic the season brings.  I really feel like nowadays people complain for no other reason than just to complain and have something to bitch about, and really, how sad is that!  This world has some big problems, and people are getting outraged over a cup that Starbucks is serving coffee in for the next two months?  Seriously?!?!?!  When I got my first cup of the holiday season last week, I never once thought to myself, oh Starbucks must hate Christmas, I was like oh I like the simple, classic red cup!  Christmas, to me, isn't defined by décor on a cup, a cup that I throw in the trash when I am done, I know the true meaning of Christmas and what it is! 

 

This world is full of people, and all those people are different.  We all have different beliefs, and there is nothing wrong with that, it is what makes this world so great, I mean how boring would it all be if we all were the exact same, if we all had the same thoughts and beliefs!  I just don't understand why we all can't have our beliefs and respect others whose beliefs differ from ours.  I am so sick and tired of all this "politically correct" BS these days.  I mean I am sorry, but people are just getting way too offended over the silliest of things.  This is just MY opinion, but if you are a Christian, and you are annoyed that Starbucks is trying to remove Christmas by putting out a solid red cup (but seriously though aren't red and green Christmas colors...just sayin...) than you are probably the one with the problem, not Starbucks! 

 

If you haven't yet seen this, you need to watch this!  I LOVE Ellen..and she is so on point with this little clip, and I nearly peed my pants when she says we mine as well call it a Satan sipper...hilarious!  This will have you laughing for sure, but what she says is so on point!

 

I often wonder how wonderful this world would be if we all just stopped complaining so much, it's as if people aren't happy unless they are complaining about something...I mean what a waste of time! 

 

So that is my thought on the red cup controversy...I think it is completely ridiculous and stupid.  No way does a cup represent Christmas or what it means, and if Starbucks doesn't want to SCREAM Christmas with their products, that is their call.  If you don't like it, then just don't go there, there is no need to put these silly rants all over the place!

 

I certainly hope this post hasn't offended anyone, as that is never my intent.  For me it is so simple, I love Starbucks, I will continue to go to Starbucks, I could care less what kind of cup they put my drink in, if you don't like Starbucks because their coffee is over priced, or because they have offended you by taking Christmas away, that is your prerogative and it doesn't bother me and you are most certainly entitled to your opinion just as I am mine!

 

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Holiday gifts for all the sports fans in your life!

 



Tuesday Talk....

Happy Tuesday Ladies!

 

So true!

 

If you read my post yesterday, I had mentioned we are heading out of town this weekend, and though little weekend getaways are fun, this one isn't all fun and games! 

 

I have talked before about my husband and how much he loves his job!  He really does, he absolutely LOVES what he does for a living, and he is always looking how to better himself in his career and further it.  He got a phone call a few weeks ago about a company that is interested in him, we discussed it together and together decided the opportunity seems amazing, and it is definitely worth looking into.  The only drawback....the job would relocate us to another state.  I am definitely excited about the opportunity, and what it would mean for not only Mark, but for all of us, but a part of me is definitely a bit sad about the possibility of moving so far away. 

 

This Saturday I will have lived here in NC for ten years, and it's definitely become "home" for me.  This has been the place where my little boys have practically grown up, this is the place my sweet Olivia was born, this is the place where I met my husband and have made so many happy memories.  I am so lucky to have my mom living close by, and my brother and sister in law too.  The thought of being 10 hours away from them all definitely makes me a bit sad, but I also know that the greatest gain usually comes from the greatest risk.  

 

  I am so super proud of my husband and how hard he works every single day.  I am 100% supportive of him, and so incredibly thankful that my thoughts and opinions on this subject mattered so much to him.  We truly are a team, and I know that if I told him I just couldn't make a move like this, he would be OK with that.  I would never ever hold him back from an amazing opportunity, and though the thought of packing up and starting a new life is crazy scary, knowing that I get to do it all with him and our 5 kiddos makes it a little less scary!

 

So Friday morning we will be up early, heading out of town for what could be the start of a new chapter in our lives.  We are both excited and nervous, but really looking forward to see what the future might hold for us!  By this time next week I will know if we are staying put or packing up!

 

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!

 



Tuesday Talk

Happy Tuesday Ladies!

 

 

 

Friday is coming.....right???  Ha!

 

Over the past few months I have gotten a handful of emails and comments that they wish I would stop trying to "push" items and trying to make money off the people who read my blog.  I know there are LOTS of people who use their blogs to provide income for themselves and their families, but that isn't what I am doing, or ever intend to do.  When I talk about a product, it isn't because I want you to click the link, so I can make some money, or go run and buy it, it's because it is something that I personally use and love, and just want to share it with other people.  I know for me, I love when someone recommends something they love, not because they are making money off it, but because they really love it.  If you "click" something I have written about, I can assure you I am not receiving any type of compensation for it, I am just sharing it because I own it, and love it enough to talk about it.  I think it is great that there are women out there brining in some serious money from their blogs, but for me, I just don't have that kind of time to put into, and honestly it never once crossed my mind to try and make money off this blog.

 

I am writing about this today, because a few of the emails I received said I was being "sneaky" not disclosing that I was receiving some type of commission for the products I talked about.  I appreciate everyone, even the not so nice ones, that take a little piece of their day to read what I have to say, and I certainly don't want anyone thinking that I am being sneaky making money if someone clicks on something I talk about!

 

Hope everyone has a great day!  See you back here tomorrow!