Do What You Gotta Do

So ~ this is a topic that you never hear anybody talk about and if you are a dude reading this or anybody for that matter that doesn't like to hear about women's health issues....you may want to abort. But, I decided to talk about it because it might help somebody.

Well, about a month ago, I went for my annual checkup with my gynecologist. Then, one day after that, my doctor called. Well....I can tell you that nobody's doctor calls just to shoot the breeze and tell you everything is fine and that you have the loveliest cervix he's ever seen. Just doesn't happen. Anyhoo....Dude calls and says that my Pap Smear came back looking a little rough (at least that's what I heard.) So, I went in for him to do the next test, which is called Colposcopy but my word for it was OUCH! Now, I had this same thing happen in 2011. The Pap Smear came back questionable so I had this same test done and they biopsied one little area, and everything was fine. Returned to life as normal. Well, here it is 2013 and same result. HOWEVER, this time the biopsy showed abnormal cells.

Well ~ I did the appropriate amount of freaking out and gave the Dr. the Third Degree. He said it was just categorized as a 1 and that the procedure he suggested was just preventative. No cancer, but left untreated it could turn into that. My Doctor said that in his 25 years of practicing that he had never treated a woman for cervical cancer. He said that women that usually have it are ones that don't go for their annual checkups or haven't been in over 5 years. So, here is where I preach it. GO GET YOUR DANG SELVES CHECKED.

So ~ the recommended procedure that I had done this morning is called Cryotherapy, which is basically freezing of the cervix. They freeze for 3 minutes, then you rest for 5 minutes, then freeze for another 3 minutes. And, just in case you were wondering, when I saw the tool after the first three minutes ~ it was covered in ice looking like a giant icicle!! Insert the best jokes you can at this point!!But, all in all, the procedure took less than 15 minutes. I am a huge baby, so I asked my Doctor to tell me stories during each of the 3 minute periods. You're thinking .... did she really do that? Oh yes I did. And, he is great and told me about the JMU game he is going to tomorrow and then he told me about his trip to Yellowstone. And, he told both stories in such detail that I could picture being there. Now, is that a great Doctor or what? He is also the same Doctor that delivered Jacob and told me to scream if I wanted to, so I did and he laughed because the nurses were like "Why did you tell her to do that??" His personality so matches mine.

Anyway ~ the point of this whole story is this....Was the procedure painful? Yes. I had mild stomach cramps and I had really bad back pain that felt just like back labor. Extremely uncomfortable. But, if a 15 minute procedure can potentially save your life one day ~ Suck it up, Buttercup and Just Do It!

Hope this helps somebody else.

I Need Tweezers!

 

 

It's Veteran's Day and the kids are all in school. Sounded like the perfect day to get together to make Christmas ornaments. So, Janay loaded up the art supplies and headed to the Hill for a day of crafting with the Mama and the Seester. I was told to bring my Glue Gun. No problem!

 

Well, everybody knows that you must have snacks to make stuff, and it's even better if they stay in theme. These Utz white cheddar cheese balls are yummy and would be super cute for a party displayed in a snowman dish. Note to self!

 

 

PROJECT: FILLING GLASS BALL ORNAMENTS ~

 

**** Like that fancy official name? ****

 

So ~ the object was to pour in Sea Salt first, to look like snow, and then add whatever decorations you wanted. Sounds easy, right? Well, let's just say we had some shoving of decorations down the tiny little necks of the glass balls and a whole lot of this said, "We need tweezers. I can't get mine to lay right. Think we could glue it down?"

 

This is Janay making a paper funnel. She's so smart. I still managed to get the Sea Salt everywhere!

 

 

Mama was a good student. Next time, we will get you those tweezers! 

 

 

 

I was pretty happy with the way mine turned out.

 

 

 

 

BUT, I was MOST happy with this ingenious tool Janay had made to paint polka dots on things. It was basically a pencil with a nail stuck into it's eraser. That Janay ~ Not just a pretty face ;) 

 

She has always been crafty and usually starts painting up a storm about this time each year. I think she's really part elf.

 

 

 

 

And then the clock struck midnight and it was time for her to go ... Too dramatic?? Well (stomping my foot) that's how I feel!! This day went much too fast!!

I always wish there was more time when Janay is here. She had to leave in time to get the kids off the school bus. Understandable. But, my heart aches when she leaves.
 Thanks for an awesome Craft Day Mama and Seester! I love you two to pieces!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



50 Before 50

I have 6 years to make all of these happen ~

(It occurred to me today that I am lucky to be a happy, healthy woman. I made this list as a way to set goals but also to see what I am passionate about. The answer...LIVING! As you will see, the list is not complete, I know I will think of more things to add ... please feel free to leave me suggestions. I plan to replace the pictures I have here with pictures of me accomplishing each and every one! )


1. Buy and move into a new house with an open floor plan, more windows and a bigger yard!

2. Take Jacob to New York City.

3. Take Steve to play golf somewhere awesome like Pebble Beach.



4. Take a Sister Trip - just the 2 of us and make this a tradition.

5. Exercise every day for a whole month.

6. Take a trip to the Grand Canyon.

7. See the Pacific Ocean.

8. Visit the grave in Richmond of my Great Aunt Willie who I bet I only met once but I received a small inheritance from. No matter the amount, she was an amazing and frugal woman whom I benefited from. She lived to be over 100 years old.

9. Perform 30 Days of Random Acts of Kindness.

10. Make a photo wall.

11. Lose and keep off 15 pounds.

12. Ride a bike ( I used to do this ALL the time when I was a kid. Why did I stop?)

13. Take pole dancing class (For fun & fitness).

14. Go to my first hockey game!

15. Get on a plane with no luggage and just GO!

16. Keep my niece and nephew for a whole week and spoil them rotten.

17. Take a picture every day for a whole year.

18. Look for and find Sea Glass (Thank you Marsha Raye).

19. Buy an old piece of furniture and refinish or paint.

20. Be a guest on Live with Kelly and Michael show.

21. Take a Segway Tour. This one scares me because I'm pretty sure I will fall off!

22. Ride in a limo.


23. Go to the Olympics.

24. Play golf in Ireland with Steve.

25. Learn to make Sangria.

26. Host a killer party!

27. Plan and host a charity golf event.

28. Research my Family Tree.

29. Go on a Hiking Trip.



30. Have a total Spa Day.

5 on Friday

#1

 I forgot my breakfast this morning. What to do? What to do? MOMMMMMM! Mom to the rescue. I'm 44, I'm spoiled, and I admit it. I have always been able to depend on my Mama. But, here's my reasoning for sounding the alarm today. Almost every morning, she meets the Breakfast Crowd at Hardee's sooooo I figured she'd be where food was anyway and could run me a biscuit. But, I caught her before she'd left home, and she actually brought me healthier stuff than a fast food breakfast.  I don't know what she thinks I eat every morning, but she wasn't taking any chances of me being hungry. Brought me lots! Love you Mama ;)

 

 

#2

 

Mexican Lunch Date with my buddy Tracey. I had an early day today so it was nice to eat and catch up with her and not have to watch the clock for a change. We were able to solve all the world's problems, of course. This pic is an oldie but a goodie, and I like it and it's my blog so I'm going to post it!

 

 

#3

 

I started reading  "The Cupcake Diaries." Only 99 cents on my Nook. Just an easy read. It's like candy for the brain. I can tell already that it's going to make me want to open a cupcake shop. Sometimes, I just want to read for pleasure and not have to think. Kinda like watchin' a sitcom in book form. Anyway, it's about cupcakes. How bad can it be??

 

 

Apparently ~ There's a trilogy!!!!

 

 

#4

 

Thinking that tomorrow I may start getting out my Christmas paraphernalia to see what I am honestly going to use this year and getting rid of the rest. I'm determined that if it doesn't have special meaning and I don't intend to use it, then it's going to anybody that wants it!!!! With all of that new room in my shed, I may open a cupcake shop. "The Cupcake Shed." Not really...unless y'all think it would be a good idea ????

  

 

  

#5

 

I promise to do better on my 5 on Friday blogs from now on. These are really popular posts in the blogger world so I wanted to try it. What I have decided so far is that most of my "happenings" during the day have revolved around food. Okay, looking back through them, all of 5 do. Hilarious. What can I say" I yam, what I yam!!

 

 

 

Who Am I?

Another great weekend ~ Who could complain about the weather this weekend??

Friday Night ~ Seriously, Steve is awesome. Played golf all afternoon in the rain. If that had been me, I would have said ....Ummmm, let's just stay home and hide under a blanket and watch TV. But, not him. His response to "What do you want to do tonight?" was ...."Can you be ready by 5? Let's go to Raleigh!" If we ever move anywhere besides the beach (ohhhhhh, I'd love that!), it will be Raleigh. We just love it.  Anyway ~ we both satisfied our need for retail therapy and Chick Fil A. I am seriously in love with the store, Ross. I found 2 more sweater dresses ... I know, I know, I know, serious sweater dress addiction. 2 scarves CHEAP to match both. AND, I'm gonna be so happy this winter. I found a pair of FLEECE-lined leggings and FLEECE-lined footless tights. Not really sure what the difference in these two is but their regular price showed $20/pair and I got them for $5/pair. SUPER SCORE. All of that for $55.00. Have I mentioned that I love a deal???? Pretty sure I looked smug like this when I left there!!

 

 

Saturday ~ I bit the bullet and cleaned most of my house. Meaning, I made a good dent in it and most of the laundry. I had great intentions of doing more, but the weather was so gorgeous. So, I cleaned until Noon and then went to lunch with my Mom. I love her so! She had me laughing all through lunch. Then, we went to Home Depot because I wanted to show her the Christmas tree that I've had my eye on. My living room is small and FULL. So, I've been thinking that the slim-line kind would work well. She agreed that that was exactly what I needed. And, guess what??? We only saw ONE in the store. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that there was no need for me to wait on that purchase and with Mom (knower of all things) confirming this decision, well, it was a done deal. Just think how happy I am going to be with my Christmas cards and Christmas tree already in hand!!

Now, I will be wallowing in Pinterest to decide what I want the mantel and tree to look like. How about some of these ideas??

This one already has me thinking that it would be so easy to paint a board to look like this. I'm loving the white, green and red. My fireplace is old-school red brick (I've been toying with the idea of white washing it, but I'm a little hesitant. Once it's done, it's done. Y'know?). But, I think a white backdrop over it would be awesome, and I love the red words "O come let us adore him Christ the Lord."

 

 

 

I know it's the candlelight in this one doing the trick for me, but that's the effect I want.

 Cozy Christmas!

 

 

Sunday ~ We went to church. I love taking Jacob to church, even though the minute we get there I don't see him again until it's time to leave. LOL. But, I remember wanting to sit with my friends, so I totally get it. I was just glad to be able to snag this picture afterward.

Jacob's Youth Group is starting back up their Team 316 fundrainsing. Pretty cool idea. We ask for people to commit to donating $3.16 per week to the Youth Group. This way we get people to sign up and commit to the program and then have a budget to work with. We know exactly what kinds of things we can do with our Youth throughout the year based on this budget. I was asked to talk about it in church, was a little nervous, but managed not to trip over my tongue too much.

 

 

The other thing from church that I loved "oh so much" was the showing of video along with Casting Crown's song "Who Am I?" I absolutely love this song, and the video that went along with it could have made me boohoo if I had let it. It also made me remember how much I used to love listening to Casting Crowns. Think I will check them out on ITunes and maybe make a purchase. Take a few minutes to listen to this, it's not the same video from church today, but just as powerful.

 

 

And then, Sunday afternoon ~ after probably a month or so hiatus ~ I met Michelle for a round of golf. The weather was a little cool but beautiful. I wasn't expecting my game to be pretty with so much time away. And, it wasn't! But, we had the best time riding around in her new golf cart, catching up on each other's lives and laughing.

 

 



 This is the first time I can really remember playing golf in the Fall. The scenery sure looks different. And, this big kitty was just a little thing back in the Spring. He has taken up residence here at the golf course, and I think he gets spoiled quite a lot. We got started playing around 1:45 p.m. and played in 60 degree weather. It was beautiful, but around 4:00 p.m., it was CHILLY....ummm....COLD! We are going to try to make this a weekly thing .... I was pleased with the way I was hitting my irons today, the putting wasn't too shabby but the driver continues to be a giant pain in my behind! But, like I told Michelle today, if it's the last thing I do, I WILL FIGURE THIS OUT!!

  

Here's to a good weekend & Hopefully, a great week !!