In The Pink

     
              I have to admit something to you all.



                                    I hated October.




       It's not because the weather get cooler ( even though it is a drag) It's because every October there is a deluge of pink ribbons.
                                               
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                     October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.




 I should love October. Having those pink ribbons everywhere saves lives, but it also reminds me and reminds me and reminds me. 
                                                        
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It seems I'm drowning in the recollection of one of the worst times in my life and my family's life. I can't get away from it.


The fear of cancer returning sometimes grabs hold and seems to sit right on my chest like an anchor.  Last year I tried to pretend it didn't bother me. I felt selfish and such a terrible person for not wanting to wear a pink ribbon everyday. I mean isn't it enough that I have to wear these scars across my chest?  


But you can't see my scars. 


  If you saw me walking down the street...you'd never know.






       ...and I want you to know.






               I want you to know that I survived this awful monster. 





      I want you to know that I never ever ever want this to happen to you.







So this year....I might very well wear my pink ribbon.
                      
                                                     
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       I'll wear it for all those fighting right now.

             and for those who will start their fight tomorrow.

                                     
                
           and if you stop and ask me (whether in person or on this blog)....


             
               I will share everything, in the hopes that you will never wait too long or skip altogether a mammogram 


                                 


                    I REFUSE to cry with the memories.

                      
                     I will not fear it


                      I will NOT let it rob me of anything else.



        Bring on the PINK.....I'm ready.
                       
          

          Here is a video I found Titled "Stuff Breast Cancer Survivors Say"
                
                              Uploaded  to You Tube by:  Cherry Bombs   




Blessings, Joanne                    

Pickled

                 A few days ago my husband and I started our fall clean up in the front and back yards


              as our veggie garden starts to wither the Hubster tried to save whatever he could. He brought in a bowl of these.

                                             Green tomatoes

Then he said "Here Hon."

I answered "Here Hon ...what?"

"We can't waste these, pickle them will ya?"

He wanted me to pickle them....people, the only thing I have ever pickled was myself when I thought Long Island Ice tea was just a fruity (non alcoholic) drink...It wasn't.

"Um hello, do you even know me? I don't know how to pickle anything...and since when do you eat pickled green tomatoes?"

"Joanne, how hard can it be...A does it all the time."

Now don't ya just love to be compared to other people? Especially when they do something well, and you don't?

So for two days the bowl has sat on my table...taunting me...daring me.

I've got to roll up my sleeves........

    #1 Learn how to pickle those suckers

         or

  #2 Throw them away and buy jars of pickled tomatoes and take off the labels.

         or

   #3  Give them to the hubster and tell him if its so darn easy...then he'll have no problem doing it.

                              I'm leaning toward #3.

       

I found great posts on what to do with green tomatoes. after reading them...I'm might be inspired to try a few suggestions.

10 things to do with those pesky green tomatoes

What to do with green tomatoes

Got green tomatoes? Try my super simple...

A Birthday Surprise for Me

           Birthdays.


           When we are little we wait with great anticipation for that special day.


            In school, teachers may have given you a crown or badge to wear. We walked around proudly saying "Today is my birthday!"


            Now children get themed parties like... make your own pizza or karate parties and celebrate in places like Chucky Cheeses ( I don't know if it is the noise level in that place that would give me a migraine or the pungent smell of stinky socks!) Lets just say Chucky's is not my favorite.

Parents rent bounce houses and water slides.  Parties with hired party game hosts in places like "The Party Palace" or " The Fun Zone" have replaced the small get together at home with pin the tail on the donkey as the ultimate in party games. 

As we get older we celebrate differently. (Quite frankly I'd love to rent a bounce house for myself!!!! I'd bounce around all day!!!)
          source





Some gather with a few friends and family for dinner and some gather a few bottles of wine and drink until their birthday is over! 
Que sera sera. Birthdays can be rough...


           When I was about to turn thirty my Husband (then boyfriend) hired a limo and had me go to all the spots that we went to on our first date. 

At each spot there was a person holding balloons and they referred to me as princess Joanne ( I'm a big fairy tale and castle freak) The limo took me up to Bear mountain...and on top of that mountain ...he proposed. ...and may I be struck by lightning if this isn't the absolute truth....right after he proposed a few deer stepped out and just stood there looking at us. It was the most surreal,  romantic moment I had ever had.



         When I turned forty my Sweet husband knowing that I loved castles...surprised me with a weekend up at a real castle in Tarry Town New York.
 
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The suite had a huge four poster bed and a fireplace. I felt like a princess. It was a beautiful weekend and we held onto that memory that whole year as he was sent by the Army to Iraq shortly after that trip.



    A few days ago I celebrated another milestone birthday.  I really didn't think we would do anything out of the ordinary-- the last few years have been rough financially ...so when I saw the bag that contained my gift I was touched at how pretty it was and how excited my hubby was to give me my gift.

                             

My kids and Hubby sat around the table as I opened their cards to me one by one.


Then there was a box...


            and in that box.....


                      a brand new camera!

                                Now if you have been reading my blog for a while you know that I had a Nikon camera that gave me nothing but trouble. Finally it stopped working altogether and I was so happy to see that The hubster had given me a brand spankin' new camera.


After I admired it for a while; hubby said " I took a few pictures already...check them out."



These are the pictures I saw...
                                             

My Dear Bloggy buddies, my Husband worked overtime for more than a year in order to give me a trip to Disney World... my favorite place in the whole world!

He's done it again....managed to leave me speechless! I can think of no better way to celebrate my 50th...with my Husband and kids in the happiest place on earth!

Artsy Fartsy Friday~~~ The Art of Eric Daigh

             Hi Everyone. I can't believe that I am actually posting Art on a Friday! 


I am always amazed when an artist takes a simple everyday object and turns it into art.  Don't have paints, charcoal, pencils or markers? Why not think out of the box? The possibilities are endless!


   Today I wanted to post a video of some awesome work created by Artist Eric Daigh. He creates his incredible art from......Push Pins. Get ready to be AMAZED!!!

                            


                           Awesome right? I would love a chance to see his work up close.

        I hope you all have a Magnificent Weekend!!!!!

                            Blessings, Joanne

Wanting to Stay ZONKED

Some Days.....


           I Just don't feel like getting out of bed.


                   I just want to zonk out and stay zonked out.


                      This is officially the first full week of school and with all the other stuff crammed and piled onto my ever shrinking plate...


                                     I'm a little bit tired.


contrary to popular belief...
I am not 
            
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I can't clone myself and do all things at once.



contrary to popular belief...
I do not have a huge secret stash of money....even Al Capone's secret vault was found empty.
                        
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So to all of the people that want me to volunteer endlessly here there and everywhere, sell tickets, sell wrapping paper, buy yet more supplies, change my schedule around consistently, make even more time for them and then question why I can't give more, more more and never once ask....
  "Hey how are you doing?"....or for that matter greet me with a "hello" before asking me to do just one more thing.....






                           AHHHHH    SHADDUP!!!!!!!!
                 I'm  POOPED!!!!!
   

                          
                               video uploaded to You Tube by: Funnycatsandnicefish





                                 

Artsy Fartsy~~~Art With Salt - Pizza

"Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all."
Nelson Mandela 



"Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food."
William Hazlitt 

"Of all smells, bread; of all tastes, salt."
George Herbert, English poet




Salt is used to flavor food, preserve food. It was used in lieu of money and some were paid in salt... it was even taxed.


Today I will show you another use for salt....ART. The Artist's name is Bashir Sultani and is quite talented....enjoy

         

             
                 Uploaded to You Tube by: bashirsultani


How cool was that! I hope you enjoyed this week's art. 


Have an inspiring Sunday!

           Blessings, Joanne