Vincent's NEW Cello!

Today Vincent got his NEW Cello! 

We are so excited to have Vincent grow musically,

not only with his piano, but in the cello too! 

I'm excited to hear him play when we visit!  AND just look at thtat smile! 

Oh the joy that music brings!

Cancer Is No Fun!

Today I visited with two sisters in my ward that have been diagnosed with cancer. The first sister I visited with was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Last Friday she had bilateral mastectomies.  This is bringing back so many memories.  It saddens me to know that she has to endure what I went through 8 years ago.  It's unknown at the time of this writing if she will need chemo and/or radiation.  I'm praying that she needs neither.  Fortunately, I did not need radiation, but I did have 6 rounds of chemo.  I lost my hair, lost weight (which I was thankful for), felt like crap, and had no energy.  It is NO FUN!

During our visit she was uncomfortable from the procedure, which is to be expected.  Also, having expanders doesn't help as they can and will be uncomfortable for a few months.  Her spirits are unpredictable and that is to be expected due to the physical and emotional strain that it takes on a body and mind.  My heart is full of sadness, concern and love for this sister.

After my first visit I stopped to see another sister in our ward that was preparing to have her second round of chemo tomorrow.  This is my first visit with her since my return from Florida.  I knew of her condition before I left, but at that time she did not want visitors. Ironically, she called me the day I left for Florida and my visit with her had to wait another week until my return.

I had been told a few different stories concerning her diagnosis, so I decided to ask her myself what is her story.  I feel this is important to share as most of us women have aches and pains that we ignore because they are female pains that we get used to.  She shared with me that she was having pains in her abdomen that she shrugged off.  After some time she began being sick to her stomach and unable to eat or keep little bites of food down.  On one particular day they were going to go to their cabin in Northern Arizona when she had a pain attack that was unbearable. Her sister took her to urgent care where x-rays were done.  After seeing the results they instructed her to see her physician. Her physician told her the results.  She has a mass on her right side 5cm - 7cm and a mass on her left side 7cm - 9cm with a lesion on her lung and liver.  Her diagnosis is Ovarian Cancer. It was decided to do chemo first and try to shrink the masses prior to surgery and then chemo following surgery.  At the time of this writing she has had one round of chemo and preparing for round two tomorrow.

As I mentioned earlier she called me the day I left for Florida.  The purpose of her call was to ask where she can get head coverings or scarves since she is now losing her hair.  I brought my little tub of head attire with me for her to choose what she would like to have.  When I was diagnosed I was given several things from another friend that went through breast cancer too.  I think it's time to pass it forward.  I let her select the items that she wanted.  I wish I had taken a picture of my selection before she took what she wanted but here is what I have left and I'm hoping these can also be passed on to help someone else.

SAF Convention In Florida

Debbie and I went to the Society of American Florists (SAF) at Marco Island, Florida.  We had an amazing time.  Here are some of the highlights!

Day 1: Travel Day...Long Day to say the least.  I got up at 3:30am to catch my 4:45am Super Shuttle pick up!  You may ask, "Why didn't Doug take you?"!  PLEASE...are you kidding me?!?! Evidently you don't know Doug! We stayed at the Marriott Marco Island.

These pictures were taken from our balcony and it happen to be raining that day.

Day 2: Debbie and I went out of jet skis for the FIRST TIME!  I wish I had pictures but I dropped the throw away camera in the water (no it wasn't a waterproof camera).  So no pics!!!  Kinda bummed! But the memories are forever!  We went out for 3 hours...yes 3 hours and I didn't get burned!  Now that's a miracle in itself!  Well, while we were out we saw many dolphins but the highlight was when the dolphins were following our guide and literally jumping, twirling, spinning and leaping out to the water.  It was so cool!  Out guide took us to a little island where we were able to collect sea shells. After about 30 minutes we got back on the jet skis where he spotted a manatee.  How it did we have no idea!  Now that was awesome to see this huge slow moving creature below us coming up every so often for air.  We also saw flamingos, cranes and blue heron. We need to do this again!

These are the shells I collected on the island.

Day 3 - 5: We had classes on New Color and Floral Trends, How to Hire Employees, Floral Care and IQ Class, we got to see a Floral Design Competition, and meet a lot of new friends.

This was day 3 (or day 1 of our SAF Convention)

We had the privilege to hear from Bill Schaffer and Kristine Kratt on New Trends.  The floral display was spectacular and the information priceless! 

Color Trends Coming in October 2014

This is Day 5 (or day 3 of the SAF Convention) Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner
The decorations were unbelievable.  The room was classy, stylish and elegant!

Dinner was probably the fanciest dinner I've ever had in my life!

A beautiful Salad with Candied Walnuts, Craisins and a Mustard Vinaigrette.

Surf n Turf ~ Grouper, Filet Mignon, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, 

Asparagus and Carrots with an amazing sauce.

Dessert ~ A beautiful Chocolate Mousse with a Caramel Center, 

Fresh Berries and Chocolate Sauce.

Day 6: Debbie and I went to the Flea Market in Fort Myers, Florida.  It was a steaming sultry day, so for us Arizona girls it was a little rough.  We spent about 2 hours at the market and called it quits! During our visit to the market we came across this T-shirt and could not resist taking a picture or it! I know that we all know a family or people that we come into contact with and this is what we think. The only thing is they are missing another member of the family....Cheap!  I hope I haven't offended anyone, however I do not apologize for my sense of humor...sometimes it is off color...but that is me!

After the Flea Market we went to the movies to get out of the heat.  We saw "The Giver".  It was HORRIBLE!!!!  I do not recommend seeing it at all.  It is a waste of your time and money!

Day 7: Travel Day...on our way home.  We are exhausted and it didn't help that our Southwest Airlines flight from Atlanta to Phoenix was an hour late taking off.  So we arrived home at 7pm instead of 6pm.

I did not share with you all the wonderful breakfasts, opening night appetizers and a buffet party networking dinner provided by SAF AND the amazing seafood restaurant in Naples...Pinchers Crab Shack!

We had a fabulous time!  It's always great to travel with Debbie...we always have fun and we find new things to do!  Here's to our next adventure!

Deal Of The Day!

Lately I've been working on some craft projects.  One of the things I've been wanting to make are pioneer bonnets, but I had no pattern (I'm not good at making my own patterns).  Well, today was my lucky day.  Joann Fabric and Crafts was having a HUGE sale on Simplicity Patterns, 5 for $5!  I can't pass that up.  So, I purchased the pioneer patterns I needed BUT I got 5 patterns of each one!  Why, why not?  This way I can have a pattern to use for a specific size to maintain the intrigity of the pattern. With purchasing 10 patterns it only cost me $10.  Check out the receipt!  Now when I'm ready to begin sewing pioneer bonnets, I'm all ready to go!

I saved over $186!  

There was NO WAY I could pass up the pattern prices.

Yay Me!