2013/86 Special Moments

A day filled with much praise, celebration and thanks to the Risen King and not a single shot that represents the overwhelming thanksgiving of Easter. From the early morning trek up the hills of Schabarum Park, imagining how it would have felt to be one of the woman finding the stone rolled away, to church service at 11am, to the constant changing weather and sky. Still one of my favorite parts of the day was the time spent with her just seeing her smile.

2013/85 Seeing for the First Time

Driving down a street I have driven on many times before when I suddenly saw for the first time the way the trees totally covered the street, almost to the point where it looked like I was driving through a tunnel. How could I not see this before? How many others have driven down without a thought? I must go back tomorrow and capture it better.

It was like I was seeing it for the first time.

2013/84 Light of Day

There's a corner at our office that calls to me at the end of the day as I'm walking out. It has the loveliest light.

One of these days I just may take a book and make myself comfortable.

2013/83 Four Dollars

On the menu today, a cheeseburger, lettuce only, order of fries and a cup of water.

With tax, that comes to an even four dollars nowadays.

2013/81 The Perks

There are a lot of perks of working from home.

Popping some leftover cookie dough into the oven for fresh homemade cookies at lunchtime was one my perks today.

2013/79 & 80 Weekending

Waiting for my baby girl to get out of work.

Getting my weekend fix.

2013/78 Next Time

It was less than 24 short hours, but our time in the desert was so wonderful it seemed much longer. Next time maybe we stay two or three days. Next time, we get a room for Matt & Ash, too.

Next time we wander the streets of Palm Springs and take pictures under the turbines.

I can't wait.

2013/74 - 77 Catching Up

It started with Monday. I was so fatigued, I couldn't wait for the work day to be over so I could rest. But when she asked me to go shopping, I didn't want to say no. I'm glad we went, it was good for me to walk around.

I half considered about not going in to work on Tuesday, but thought better of it. It helped that I went to bed early on Monday. It was a good day at work, some good things are happening with the department. Possibly with me.

Wednesday was a repeat of Tuesday. I got two things crossed off my list that have been weighing on me. Felt so good to walk out of there with not one but two things accomplished. In the middle of the day, I texted Brie asking her if she wanted to bake cookies. I was happy when she texted back that she did.

Thursday, I half considered going into the office, but thought better of it. I shut down promptly at 4pm so we could drive to the desert to visit our favorite family. It was a good night with the kids. The only thing bothering me is my leg and body strength. I don't know why I feel weak again. Trying not to worry about it.

2013/73 My Sunday Addiction

It was a good Sunday, punctuated by a delicious mocha.

I could seriously have one of these every day, calories be damned.

2013/72 My Kind of Day

A relaxing low-key morning, spent sipping coffee, journaling and reading, followed by a late breakfast with my bestie and her daughter, followed by a two-hour nap, followed by a drive to Union Station for a little street photography.

It was my kind of day.

2013/71 I Scream

Wasn't sure what to expect from the day, following a round of chemo and a blood transfusion to boot. I made the girls laugh last night when I told them that perhaps vampires are misunderstood. Maybe they are just anemic. Thankfully, the nausea that has normally possessed me right after my infusion has not bothered me today. I was crazy busy with work too, so I was very productive, earning every penny I will be paid.

I rewarded myself by heading over to my favorite haunt, Dripp, and finally ordered something different. Just a plain old cup of coffee AND salted caramel ice cream. The ice cream was delish. The coffee was just so-so. I wanted so badly to get up and order a mocha too, but I thought that would be too much. Afterwards, I tested my energy level and walked around The Shoppes. I ended the evening with by pulling over to admire the setting sun.

I scream for ice cream :)

2013/70 Happy Pi Day

It's just what the doctor ordered, okay, not really, but it did make me feel better after an extra, extra long day at the infusion day. From the moment I saw the first instagram picture documenting the fact that it's Pi Day, I've wanted pie. Mom came to the rescue and picked me up a piece at Marie Callendar's.

Happy Pi Day to me!

2013/69 Answer to Prayer

I didn't go into the office today. Didn't even try. I knew when I went to sleep last night that it was highly unlikely that I would get up when my alarm went off at 5am. I'm glad I stayed home. I'm thankful that I have a job that allows me such luxury. I needed the rest. The nausea and fatigue that wore on me yesterday was gone. I was able to concentrate on work the whole day after which I drove out looking for photo ops and then worked a little on my photo journal.

In a nutshell, the day was an answer to prayer.

2013/68 The Battle Within

By now I had hoped to had finished at least another 4 or 5 pages in my photo journal, but once, again, fatigue and nausea has set in. By 5 or 6pm, the fatigue overwhelms. Lying in bed, I can feel my heart palpitating hard against my chest and for a moment, I can't catch my breath. The moment passes and then comes again. This week is day 3 of my third cycle. All I can think is taking time off of work, but I'm so afraid I won't do anything but lay in bed making excuses for not doing anything.

Tonight there is a battle within. With the help of my God, I intend to win the war.

2013/66-67 Weekend Recap

Got a little more accomplished this weekend than last. I cracked open the Photo journal I bought just before Christmas last year and started journaling the Hipstamatic prints I ordered from the print lab.

If I had had a more comfortable chair, I may have finished more than the five pages I cranked out. It felt good to glue the pictures down, add a little embellishments to the page and most of all journal. Looking forward to doing more of this.

Usually Daylight Savings Time makes me grumpy. I don't buy into springing forward. Yes, we might get an "extra" hour of daylight in the evening, but what about the fact that it's now dark when I get up? Not to mention the loss of the hour of sleep and how long it takes to get used to the time change.

Today, however, was so beautiful, I forgot about hating the world. Brie even got herself out of bed at a reasonable time so we could do a little shopping. My one caveat, it had to be an outdoor mall. I spent almost twice as much as I said I would on her.

It was a good day. Of course, any day we spend the day together, driving with the top down is a very good day.

2013/65 Promises Ahead

There is something good coming. I can feel it. Even with the dark clouds around, in the distance, there are blue skies.

They will be here soon. Along with God's promises.

2013/64 The Effects

Chemo today. Within an hour of coming home, the queasiness settled in. Mix in fatigue and a headache and I was pretty much done for the day.

The clouds reflected the way I felt.

2013/61 Candyland

I don't know what was with me today, but first I bought a giant box of candy at Costco and as if that wasn't enough then I later bought a bag of jelly beans and a box of marshmallow chicks at Target.

It was craziness, I tell you.

2013/60 Simply Put

Quiet day. Don't know if I'm still feeling the effects of chemo or if it's the projects hanging over my head but I had zero energy. Zero. My recliner is likely wearing down from all the time I've been sitting in it this weekend. Even Brie lethargic today. 

Simply put, it was a breakfast for dinner kind of day.

2013/59 Feeling the Effects

The day started off with promise. Blue skies, warm temperatures and a lunch date with my bestie. After lunch, I fizzled out. BIG. time. Haven't done much since then. Have to remind myself, it's the effect of the chemo and the best thing to do is just go with it and rest. But, man, I feel like such a slug.

I wish I could go back to this morning, but I don't know that the afternoon would turn out any different.

2013/58 To Be Young and Fun

She came to me in the middle of the day with a smile on her face asking if I was going anywhere tonight. "Why", I asked, "are you wanting to have a party?"

Turns out she didn't want me going anywhere because she wanted to drive my car to Fashion Island. Why not? It was a beautiful day and even if I did go somewhere it wasn't going to be until later.

As they prepared to drive off, they asked me to take pictures. I didn't have to be asked twice. They looked so lovely, so vibrant. It did my heart good.

Oh, to be young and fun.