Just sitting in the hotel room.

It is Monday night and I have surgery tomorrow. We had to get here tonight because check in time in the morning is at 6:30 and I have to do some fun prep work tonight. I am just being a smarta$$. I have to drink Magnesium Citrate, two bottles. I told Abbie is was like drinking syrup that was lemon flavor. Super gross!!!! I have to clean my system out so to speak. YUCK!! My sisters, Kate and Kelley, were both giving me crap how I would blog from the toilet tonight. I will have everyone know, I am sitting in our hotel room at the table! I may not sit here long but, hopefully long enough to get this blog done.

Jason ran to Best Buy. I was giving him crap this weekend about our tub T.V. in the living room upstairs where I will probably be spending the next week at in the chair. I think he totally took me serious. We are getting a new TV!!!!! Yahoo. Finally a LCD. I am so excited, 27 dresses comes out on DVD tomorrow and it will look great on the new TV. If you haven't seen that movie, defiantly rent it! I thought it was hilarious. I went with a couple of my friends and I thought we were going to pee our pants laughing at a couple of the scenes.

So, I will just talk about this for a little bit but, I know I put up a big front about having cancer and also having surgery. People tell me all the time how great I am handling it. Well, I am scared to death. The next week will either be great or terrible. No gray area so to speak of. I had the hardest time saying goodbye today to Annie and Abbie at school. When I was putting Abbie to bed last night, she asked me if I was going to die. She knows I won't but, she keeps thinking about my Grandpa Boster. We have visited his grave since the girls were babies and they know he was married to little Grams and he died of cancer. It is hard for them to understand that my cancer is different. I am sure they are bombarding my mom tonight. They feel comfortable talking to anyone about it but, especially her. We have always been honest with them about things and this is not an exception. They need their questions answered by whom ever they talk to. So, if you see my children and they ask you a question about me or this, please use sensitivity and tell them the truth.

Okay, I am going to go and enjoy Dancing with the Stars. I have to spend the next three hours preparing myself to down another magnesium citrate. (It will take that long to get the last one out of my mouth!!!!YUCK). (choking noises in the background) Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers.

And, I am going to explain to everyone how to leave a comment!... type in your comment and then at the bottom use the anonymous spot but, don't forget to type your name in on the comment box! That way I will know who the comment is from. I need you all right now! Thank you.

Dance Recital Day...

Today is Annie's dance recital. She woke up at 7, like usual. And she is pretty excited. Molli came home yesterday so the girls had to hurry and wake her this morning. They didn't get a chance to really see her yesterday. They actually forgot she was home, I had to remind them. When I told them, it was like a cartoon in slow motion, they were spinning their feet trying to see how fast they could get to the front bedroom. It was funny.

Last night we had dance recital rehearsal. It was such a disorganized mess. It was supposed to start at 4:30, run through the finale and then get all the little girls to do their dances and off they could go. NOT!!! We were very fortunate to get out of there by 7! I would bet the big girls didn't finish until somewhere around 10. At least it is only one day this year and not two. They perform at 1 and 5 today. It is funny to me how the little girls all know their dances but, the big girls had to go through dances 3 and 4 times. Jason ended up coming and meeting us in Spirit Lake so we went for pizza afterwords. We arrived home after bed time so we waited to do baths till this morning. I am trying to decide if we should wash Annie's hair or not. Our lovely, thick, blond hair (I am being a smart a$$), tends to hold a style better if it is dirty. I have to decide soon because it is off to bath time when I am done posting....

Tomorrow we are headed to the Lippon's house for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. It is a little late this year but, they can't seem to catch a break with the weather. There was snow on the ground around Easter so they waited until now and it was supposed to be today but, they called yesterday and moved it to Sunday because it snowed yesterday and last night. I hope it will be a little warmer tomorrow! Otherwise the kid will be picking up frozen chocolate.

So, I am just a few days to surgery. I am getting very nervous. I seem to not be able to sleep at night. I think I am going to take a sleeping pill tonight. At least a half. I don't want to take a whole one with the girls at home. Jason can never hear them when they wake up in the middle of the night.

Anyone wondering about the call from Hey Good Cookies? I received the most beautiful basket with goodies! There are lots of cookies, scotcheroos (my favorite), a candle, coffee cup, amazing flowers, cheese ball mixes, paper plates, and neat little paper tablet. I was so surprised at how big it was! Thank you to Randy and Joan Williams, I feel like Joan is a great friend after working on her lake house this winter. They were incredible easy and totally enjoyable to work with! Now, I just want to be invited to their house for margaritas this summer on the new deck! Thank you for the basket Joan and Randy ( I bet Randy had so much to do with the basket. LOL). Thank you Joan for your thought fullness and kindness and understanding while I am going through this!

Okay, I had better get going for bath time! I can't have a stinky dancer and a stinky girl in the audience. Have a great weekend everyone! Good luck to those people racing! I hope the weather is gorgeous in Florida today. (Katie has my blog address on her blog site ironkatemonster.blogspot.com. Her friend Wes commented on my blog yesterday. I have to make sure to visit his site today he said. Little does he know I usually visit it everyday! LOL I am a blogerstalker.)

Taking Annie to the E.R.

So, we had a little diversion last night. As usual, we were home after work and school, One of the girls' friends called and wanted to go outside and play. I said that was fine, they were going to play on the swing set. Cool, Jason arrived home and started thinking about making dinner. Camry, the friend, had to be home at 6:30 so we decided to wait until she left to make dinner. So, little did I know, the girls and Camry decided to get out their golf clubs. At about 6:15 they all came screaming in to the house and in hysterics. Annie has blood all over her shirt and skirt and running from her head. Camry tells us that she hit Annie with a golf ball. Of course, my mother instinct sets in. Jason grabs Annie and a paper towel, I grab it from his hand and start squeezing her head like a turnip. I didn't even look at where the blood was coming from, all I could think of was to try and control the bleeding and then worry about what to do next. After about 5 minutes, we finally decide to look at the "hole" in her head. She really did have a hole in her head!!! So, next instinct, call Aunt Amanda. She is a nurse and will tell us if we need to go to the E.R. , she wasn't home and didn't answer her cell. Okay, she must be working. I look at Jason and we both agree she needs to go in. Abbie is still hysterical at this point and so is Annie. Annie is absolutely against going to the hospital. Jason picks her up and they keep applying pressure and off we go. On the way to the car, Abbie grabs her Webkinz (She has two). I call my mom and ask if we can drop off Abbie. I just say a couple of words but, she must have heard the urgency in my voice. So, Jason sits in the back of the Suburban on the floor trying to reassure both girls things are going to be okay. We pull up to Mom's house and she grabs Abbie. I knew she would do everything to calm Abbie down.

We arrive at the hospital and the waiting room was empty and the admitting lady hurried us up when she saw all the blood. (I secretly thought this will be a quick trip, no one in the waiting room!) The nurse comes to get us and walks us in the E.R. and low and behold, they are packed!!! I think every older lady (80+) in Spirit Lake is in the E.R. We had two really nice nurses, they were very good with Annie. She calmed down. We were just waiting for the Doctor and all of a sudden Aunt Amanda walks around the corner. She was just waiting to get off of work. Seeing Aunt Amanda made Annie feel better. It was about 6:45 now and she was hungry. Amanda found a juice and some crackers for Annie and she sat there eating soda crackers and drinking her juice trying to convince me that she shouldn't go to school the next day. It would be to embarrassing.

Okay, so, after we finally see the doctor, he decides she needs stitches. Crap, I really thought they would glue it and that would be it. I didn't have her prepared for that. She started freaking! Amanda told her about all the stitches she has had, I tell her about my stitches, and then Daddy informs her he has had stitches too. Lets just say that she really is a trooper. They wrapped her up in a sheet to do the stitches and after she was numb she didn't feel a thing. The numbing was the worst part!!! She couldn't see what was going on with the paper draped over her eyes, and thank goodness for that. She ended up with dissoluble stitches on the inside and 4 blue stitches on the outside. It was after 10 when the girls went to bed so, we let them sleep in this morning and I took them to school at 9:15.

She is so strong. I can't tell you how proud of her I am and I know Jason is. She is one tough cookie!

I am overhelmed!!!!!

Why is it that all my clients understand and are sympathetic to what I am going through but, seem to think I will continue to go above and beyond for them still. You wouldn't believe some of the things people are asking me to get done before Friday. It is so unbelievable to me. I guess it is it should be an eyeopener to me. I didn't realize I was doing so much for people. I try to do my best and give everything I have to my customers and to my family. I really don't know if I can keep up this pace. I am completely exhausted and need a rest. I keep telling myself that next week after my surgery I will slow down for a few day but, I have been working 60 hour weeks for as long as I can remember and I am finally getting burnt out. I don't think I will have time to get everyones things done before I leave. And, to top it all off, Joe seems to think he is my only client this week that has things to get done. He is ridiculous! I am totally serious. It is all shit he could do himself too.

Okay, enough pitty party. So, I went to dinner last night with my Mom, Katie, and Kelley. We had so much fun. We laughed, we cried, I am sure we looked crazy to everyone around. But, that is what happens when we all get together. We need to do that more ofter. Not just when someone is in need.

So, I got a call from Hey Good Cookies today that they have a delivery for me for Friday and wondering when I would be here or if they should just come to my home. Well, the Hallmark store is having "Webkinz Extravaganza" weekend so, I have to be at the Hallmark store Friday at 9 a.m. I told Hey Good Cookies I would just stop by. Thank you to whom ever sent something. I have to get thank you notes done! I have had the most beautiful flowers sent to my office the last two weeks. They have all been such fabulous spring colors. Just a little bit of sunshine in my day! I promise to get thank you notes done next week.

I have to get busy and get some more work done. I am really swamped. Have a great rest of the day everyone!

Surgery has been moved up!!!!!

Okay, so Friday I get the news that I have to wait until the 6th of May for surgery. Today I get a call that I am moved up to the 29th of April. My life immediately gets put on fast forward. Okay, where do I start to plan? I have so much to do and only this week to get it done. I am overwhelmed.

I just have to stop and take one day at a time. That is the name of the game. I can do this....

Can you tell my nerves are starting to get the best of me too? I just have so much on my brain and I think I need to get it off. I think Jason feels bad that I can't talk to him but it is all stuff he doesn't need to hear or can't fix. He is the greatest guy but, he always thinks he needs to fix everything and this isn't a quick fix. I think it is a guy thing. I don't know.

So, anyone want to get on my help list? I am going to start lining up my help list this week. Give me a call if you are in. (If you only knew how hard that is for me to admit! I need help?!?!) Okay, I am going to blog more later. I have to get some work done.

Thank you all in advance. And, I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

The waiting game is not over.....

I guess this feeling of me circling the airport is not going to be over anytime soon. So, yesterday we finally were able to meet the new doctor. Her name is Maria Bell. She is very intimidating. I of course couldn't think of any questions while we were with her but, after she left I had tons of questions. Our appointment we for 10:30 and we waited over an hour to see her. The nurses and Dr Bell's nurse practitioner are amazing. Very caring and they take their time. Then, Dr Bell swoops in and is a ball of fire for 5 minutes and rushes away. I need to be more assertive while we are in the exam room with the doctor. Well, I said I wanted a doctor who lays it all out, she is deffinately that. Jason really likes her and feels comfortable with her. That says a lot.

So, here is what her decision is so far. On May 6th (because she is booked until then.), I will have a hysterictomy with removal of ovaries and tubes as well. She is going to take some lymphnodes as well. Then, she is going to sew me up and have all the tissue tested. So, we won't know anything until about two days after surgery. I can not even start hormone replacement until we get the tests back. So, I will have two full days (at least) with out estrogen. Dr Bell said I am going to fell like crap with out estrogen but, the type of cancer I have can be fueled by estrogen. After she gets the results back from the test, she will decide about any further treatment; chemo and radiation.

The nurse said that typically people have an overnight stay and then return home for two weeks and then part time back to work the third week. Well, we will see just how quickly I can re-coup. I know I can beat that.

We will sit here and wait for the next two and a half weeks. I feel like that is all I do but, I guess that is the name of the game here. Wait, wait, and more waiting.

Well, it looks as if it is going to be a beautiful weekend. I can't wait to see the sun out and the birds chirping. Jason will be busy installing closets all weekend so us girls are going to have to get into some trouble. We were at some friends house very late last night and they were up early this morning so, I know a nap is in their future today. They won't like that but, they need it! I have to go to work for a couple of appointments this morning but, they will tag along and hang out at the showroom. They love hanging out there. They have a giant club house and draw pictures and play Webkinz on the computers. What more is there in life? Have a good weekend everyone.

Just kind of a yucky day outside....

I feel like an airplane circling the airport waiting to land. I know that doesn't make much sense but right now, not much makes sense to me. The weather feels like my mood. Kind of overcast and cloudy with some sprinkles. I set my schedule up today at work to just be bombarded so that I didn't have any idle time. And trust me, I was crazy busy all day.

Don't get me wrong, I am not depressed. I have just been waiting so long and not able to plan anything. I think when I was younger I just flew by the seat of my pants. I wasn't a planner, just a doer. Now, as I find myself getting older, I have become a planner. I think a lot of that had to do with having the girls. When they were little it took lots of planning to get out of the house with them both. This week, I realized we have so many activities coming up in the next couple of weeks and I don't know what I will be able to attend and not attend. That drives me nuts.

Tomorrow my appointment is at 10:30 so, we don't have to wait all day. (As I type this Tiger is running around our house with a 6 pound weight in his mouth. What a dork!) I will blog as soon as we get home or find something out. I may even attempt to blog from the "Crackberry" if I feel adventurous.

Okay, Jason just arrived home so I am going to go figure out what we are having for dinner. Have a good night everyone and great weekend.

Finally heading around the corner...

Today is Wednesday and I have less then 48 hours till I meet the Oncologist. It feels like we have been waiting an eturnity. It is the weirdest feeling to know your body has something bad in it and you can't do anything about it. I just want to start getting better.

Yesterday I woke up at 5 in the morning throwing up from a migraine. It was so bad. I don't normally wake up in the morning with them. Usually I start getting a regular headache in the morning or early afternoon and then it hits full boar as the day goes on. Then, I am not sure if I can take any medication or not. I know I can't take any ibuprofen right now. So, my question was, what could I take? Needless to say, I didn't get anything done yesterday and I stayed home in bed sleeping my day away.

I worry what all of this is doing to the girls. They seem to be resilient to what is going on but, I don't want them to have any set backs in school or disrupt their activities just because their mother has problems. They have been good as gold and such big help around the house. I know that is the "pleaser" in both of them. I worry so much about them always trying to do the right thing and not enjoying themselves. Oh well, enough of my rambling.

Have I told you guys about all the beautiful flowers, plants, and cards that have been coming my way. The delivery guy from HyVee, was asked by the flower arrangers to report back to them about what I looked like. They thought I had a bunch of boyfriends and it was my birthday or something. We all laughed so hard about that at work. If they only knew the truth. LOL.

Jason comes home tomorrow night. I can't wait. Just having him home right now is comforting. I understand he needs to be gone for work but, I enjoy it when he is home, especially now. Usually I am pushing him out of the door. I think I am leaning on him more then normal right now.

So, I have to clean my desk off. I can not see the bottom and I have bills and invoices for customers stacking up. It is time. That is my afternoon activity. The cleaning ladies came in and wouldn't touch my desk. That is bad!

Have a great day everyone, It is beautiful outside.

Monday, Monday...

Okay, so I really don't like Monday's. But, it was finally a very nice day outside. I couldn't believe that Mother Nature finally delivered! The girls didn't have school today. All of Okoboji schools were without classes for the funeral of Mason Dibel. They couldn't get enough subs to cover all the teachers that wanted to go to the funeral. And, all the high school students that wanted to go as well so, they just called off school. Annie and Abbie spent the day with Olivia Smith. Jodi (Olivia's Mom) doesn't work on Mondays. They had so much fun. They played all day. Jodi called me at 3:15 and said they were all headed to the Y for swimming. I left work at 4:30 and went to the Y, they were all having a great time. I can not explain to you how tired they were tonight. I know the door didn't hit the jam, when I put them to sleep, and they were out!

Jason is on the road this week. It is kind of scary for me. I know I have to get over it but, I like having him around. Usually I can't wait for him to hit the road. It means doing whatever the girls and I want all week long. I have always tried to make it fun for the girls when Jason is gone. We have "Girls Night". Usually we come home, take baths early, and eat whatever we want. It is like an all week slumber party that the girls look forward to. I started when the girls were little because we all hated it when Jason was gone. It makes for lots of extra work and we all really miss Jason. But, if we make it fun, the time goes by quickly. Jason will be back on Thursday night so he can take me to my doctors appointment. He was having a hard time just sitting around waiting. And, it will make the time go faster if he is busy.

Well, I am going to head to bed early tonight. I am so tired. I slept last night from 10-1:30 this morning. So, needless to say, I am beat tonight! I can't wait to crawl into me bed, all by myself and sleep diagonally across the bed! Tiger isn't even getting an invite to my bed tonight. He usually thinks he can sleep on the bed when Jason is gone. Not tonight!!! I want to stretch out and hog the bed myself!

I hope everyone enjoys the nice weather we are having. It may finally be spring. I actually have green plants coming up in my front yard and our neighbor, mowed his yard tonight. That is a good sign. Thank you Mother Nature!

Until tomorrow! Chelley

One Year Ago Today....

It is so hard to believe that one year ago today, the Kate Monster Support Crew was in Tempe, AZ cheering on Kate and every other Ironman athletes. What an amazing, life altering experience to be a part of. It is hard to understand why the athletes do what they do until you actually experience it and see the determination in their faces.

I just wanted to post about some of the experiences from that day.

1. Amy and that stupid "Enjoy the Pain" sign... It was great for the bike but, by the time the athletes got to the run, she had the foresight to put it away. Craig wouldn't even stand near her when she had the sign. Most athletes found it funny but, I stood to close to her and had a bad tire tossed at us.

2. It was funny how I couldn't control my emotions when I would see Kate. I wish I could have run for her when she was having problems. It just made me so proud of her all I could do was cry like a baby.

3. Stretching with Bob before we left for Tempe Town. Little did we all know, that Bob would need that stretching 12 hours later to run with Kate.

4. Flying all over Tempe, trying to figure out where we will see Kate next. It was so funny how good Bob and Craig are at figuring that out. We would literally just get to a site and Kate would go by. A couple of times she would have to say," Hey guys" just to get our attention... She was moving on her bike the first half!

5. Seeing Kate swim over us while we were on the Tempe Town Bridge. She could see Mom's really bright yellow jacket so, she waved at us, mid swim.

6. Who can forget about the crack heads at the Burger King we stopped to pee at during our running around! I didn't know if Kell, Amy or I were going to make it out of that one. It was weird. We laughed so hard about it when we were telling the guys about it.

7. Taking the Hummer off roading in the reservation! We were getting some funny looks from the "Native Americans" . I know I had a tan but, I still think Kelley or Amy would have been a better bet for sacrifice. LOL

8. The day before when Kate had to get all her transition bags to the Athlete village. We had so much fun. I also distinctly remember Craig getting in the van and sitting in reverse while us girls were trying to take a picture on the bumper. (He had his chance to get rid of all of us!)

9. The crazy wind the day of the race. It was a giant dust ball out on the bike course. I don't know how Kate did it! And getting attacked by a tumbleweed in the process.

And finally,

10. I will NEVER forget Kate crossing the line and officially becoming an IRONMAN! It was so cool. I know we were all crying. It was a very proud moment. My little sister is an Ironman.

And, I don't want to add another number but, the next day sitting in the airport and Kate, finally having a beer. Kate said it was the best beer she had ever had. What a great experience.

Good luck to the people in Tempe today. May the water be still, wind be always at your back, and cool you off while you are running. Good Luck and congratulations.

Thank you....

It is truly amazing to me just how many people have volunteered their support and help in my families time of need. I will forever be gratefully to everyone! I can not explain to you just how amazing it is to me. I know I have lots of people I talk to regularly but, when the chips are down, boy do my friends and family step up to the plate!

I am just warning you all right now that the control freak and independent person inside of me has a very hard time asking for help so, if you see a need please just help. I don't want to bother people. I feel like it is putting them out. Or interfering in their busy schedules. We all have incredibly busy lives and I understand that, it is that knowledge that makes it hard for me to ask for help. But, on the other hand, if anyone needed anything, I would be right there! Doing anything from hauling kids to cleaning house, my services are always available and never ending for anyone in need. I know I really need to learn to ask for help. Maybe me having Cancer is some test to get me to learn to ask for help?

Well, as some people know, Jason and I have always tried to look on the bright side of things and it has been hard to do that the last week and a half. I know on the outside I may look like it is all great but, on the inside I am a mess. Finally, yesterday, I had a rude awakening. Last weekend there was an accident in Wahpaton Iowa. Mason Dibble was on a skateboard and going down a hill with out a helmet on. He crashed and ended up in the hospital. He had brain swelling that the doctors couldn't control. He died yesterday afternoon. He was 18 years old, senior at Okoboji High School, and a great student. Mason was actually on of the Spanish students from the High School, chosen to teach Spanish to the kindergarten class at Okoboji Elementary. As Annie said, "Mom, he as so cool." Her whole class enjoyed Mason and learning from him. I feel so bad for his family but especially for his mother. This is not the first time she has had lose in her life. Her husband died from Cancer a few years ago. My heart goes out to them in this time.

Okay, 7 days left and then we will know what is going to happen in our house. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Take the time to appreciate the ones you love and give them an extra hug. You never know what is going to happen. And, thank you again to everyone for the support and offers of help! You will never really know just how much it means to me.

I Truely Believe God Sent Jason To Me!

When I met Jason, it was a crazy time in my life. I had truly decided I would probably spend the rest of my life by myself. I was not old or young (27) but, I was kind of set in my ways and had just moved back to Sheldon. Sheldon really didn't have a lot to offer in the social department for a single girl. I just had a good time with my friends I had and worked during the day and helped out at the Eagles club when I could. I really needed the extra money seeing as I was living on my own and only doing social work. I enjoyed the social environment of the Eagles and it afforded me some extra cash in a time when I needed it.

As most people know, Jason and I both graduated from the same school system but, I moved to Sheldon when he was already out of school so we really had no knowledge of each other. But, what we did know about each other (which was way off base) we didn't like very well because of one certain person! Then, one fated night, (New Years Eve, 1998) I ran into Jason with a tray while working at the Eagles. I know now we were meant to be together. There is no doubt in my mind how God had a plan for me to be with Jason. We both just had to let the plan that was laid out for us happen and not fight it.

I could not have picked out a better Daddy for the girls or husband for me. Last year when I was praying for my dryer to break so I could get a new one, my lovely husband, (who is also secretly a Mr. fix it) decides I didn't need a new front loader that we really didn't have the money for. He just put a motor in the old one. I was not happy but, in the end, he made the old one as good as new. He can fix anything! It is crazy to me how someone can understand how to hook up a stereo system or the dish network . I don't have the patients to do stuff like that. Annie and Abbie always tell their teachers if something breaks, "My Daddy can fix it, he can fix anything.". Jason is their hero and mine as well.

Well, we are 8 days out and I think we are all hanging in there. Today is the first day I have worn my contacts and mascara in a week. I am trying to act like everything is great and wonderful but, I don't think there is much more I can handle right now. I am stressed and have no focus at work or home. I just want to say thank you to Jason for putting up with me right now. I know we have a long road ahead of us but, thank you for being with me for this time in our life. I couldn't do it without you! Love Chell

It is Wednesday....

So, today is Wednesday. That all by itself is not reason to get excited but, for me it is one more day closer to Dr. Bell (my oncologist who decided to take vacation in the middle of the worst thing in my life. That sounds very dramatic. I am sure there are people who have it much worse then me and I am sorry to them for my rudeness). Other then that is was pretty uneventful.

The pink socks have come in but so many people want them that I don't get a pair. I am going to find a site that has them in stock and get my own socks and I think a t-shirt to wear to bed.

Great news, I get a date with my husband on Friday night. I know most of you think that this would be a late night out but, to me a date means, maybe dinner and then home to go to sleep. I am still not sleeping well and am usually awake by 3-3:30. So, having the girls gone makes me comfortable enough to take a sleeping pill and actually get some sleep. I don't want to do that when they are home because usually I am the only one who hears them up in the middle of the night and if they have a problem, someone needs to hear them. When they stay in Sheldon with Denny and Cynthia or with my Mom and Mike, I feel like they are in great hands and I can relax and actually aid in my sleep.

So, two new calls at work today about people wanting Supreme Kitchens to do their remodel. Usually this time of year, things start to slow down at work and people start to plan their remodel for next winter. Well, I think things are a changing even in Okoboji IA. Lots of remodels and less building new homes going on in the last 6 months. I think the economy is finally catching up to our little corner of Iowa finally. Last year at this time, 75% of what we were working on was new homes. This year, I think it is more 75% remodel. We will always have new construction living at the lakes but, I think it is slowing down. We had our Home Builder Association (HBA) monthly lunch today and our parade of homes is in June. Last year at this time, we had more people committed to having their home on the parade and more booths sold for the trade show that goes along with it. But, I told everyone I am positive our numbers will increase quickly once the weather gets warmer. It seems to me that the winter has been so long that it doesn't feel like the HBA show is two months away. We have the most amazing home on the parade this year. I can't wait for people to see it. Unfortunately it isn't one of ours but, good for the builder who did it. I know he needed another little feather in his cap. Well, he did it. The home is nothing short of amazing!

Well, I guess I planned on a shot post but, I just get carried away. If only you knew where I was posting from..... (HINT: Kate never likes to sit here alone!) Have a great night everyone and think PINK!!

The Good News And The Bad News....

The good news....

The cancer has not spread. It is contained in the uterus.

Okay, so yesterday, Jason and I had to get see Dr. Fiegen. Or as I choose to call him Dr. I don't like giving bad news. I wish I could shorten that up a bit. How about Dr Yes. ( doesn't like to tell his patients no). Dr Yes, of course told us the great news that the cancer had not spread and all was wonderful in the world. Jason was so relieved and it was great! (for him anyway). He doesn't have to have a hysterectomy and what ever other treatment the oncologist decides. I was just trying to deal with cancer and now, I realized I have to start dealing with a hysterectomy. I didn't think this would be hard but, it is a lot harder then I thought.

I am 35 and had one terribly hard pregnancy. I have never in my life had a "normal" period. My uterus is just not up to par. I suppose getting rid of it is good. At this point I don't have a choice. It is just something I have to get used to but, I was trying so hard to deal with one idea I completely forgot to think about anything else. Will I still be attractive to my husband? Will I still enjoy sex with my husband? I have lots of those questions. I am sorry if you don't want to read some of these things but, these are things I wonder. And I guess that is why I started the blog.

Okay, so the bad news.

We have to wait until the 18th of April to see the OBGYN/Oncologist. Of all the times of year, she decides that this is the time to take a two week long vacation. LOL. I guess I just have bad timing. Chalk it up to bad luck. So, anyone know any good books or anything to pass my time for the next 10 days. I will need help, seriously!!! We have become such and instant gratification society that I have fallen into that trap... I have a problem, I want an answer and a quick fix. Well, I guess this is life's way of telling me not everything is a quick fix.

So, to stopping and smelling the roses so to speak!

Have a great day everyone!

D day...

At least that is what it feels like. Today is the day Jason and I go to the Sioux Falls S.D. and find out all about what the Doctors have to say from the CT scan I had last week. I am incredibly nervous. I woke up in the middle of the night and had the most surreal feeling that is was all a bad dream. Then I looked around and decided that it was real and I have to just face it head on.

The girls are doing okay, Annie has a million questions. I find that she doesn't want to ask me but, she is comfortable asking everyone else. That is okay with me as long as she asks someone. Abbie just takes it all in and lets Annie worry. That is always how she handles things. Today, after school, they are going to Miss Ostermann's house. That is Abbie's teacher. They both think that is pretty cool. I guess it is okay Mom has cancer if we can get to go to the teachers house.

Okay, I promise to post more later and get this blog site out and available for all. Have a great day everyone.

Chelley