September 27, 2011

A Tribute to JP

"Stupid cancer. We all want a new car, a new phone. A person who has cancer only wants one thing... to survive"
So, at this point, most of you probably know of the passing of one of my best friends, JP last week. I appreciate all of the support and kind words I've received from so many people. He was a wonderful, wonderful guy. Below is a recent picture of us.
 For JP:
I wish there was just one more day. One more time that he would tell me "Girl, you need Jesus", or "B*tch I WILL stab you" Or "Don't EVER touch my phone again" (Response to when I switched his new phone he didn't know how to work too well yet to Spanish... haha) We had many, many "inside" jokes that no one else really understands. JP, one of my best buddies... you are missed, so much, by so many. I'm trying not to be selfish, I really am, because obviously you were needed up there for something special God had in store for you, but sometimes I feel like I need you here more. I will never forget you or the amazing friendship we had. I have been so blessed to have you in my life, if only for a few short years. I know you're looking down on me, and right now that's bringing me comfort. I love you - You're my angel now.
 

September 22, 2011

More from my Bucket List....

I've been enjoying creating this.... so I thought I'd continue to share.

Fast for 3 days - just bread and water

Do a backflip on my Trampoline

Paint my bedroom red, black, or hot pink

Ride Space Mountain

Prepare a Lobster Dinner

Invent an identity

Surf

Sit in a skybox at a sporting event

Catch the bouquet

and last but not least tonight - Roll my own sushi :)

September 18, 2011

Something Different....

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend, I did! It went by too quick! 

So I decided to try something a little different today and use some images that really struck home for me. Enjoy! And I MAY decide to tag on some bucket list items at the end.... 



And for the VERY beginning of my Bucket List (I have SO many things).... The Bold items in red have already been accomplished. This is just a very random order, starting from the beginning of my list. So here it goes:

Attend the Olympics
Go Up in a Hot Air Balloon
Finish a marathon without throwing up
Learn to Sew …. Like actually be able to make things, not just sewing broken buttons.
Skinny Dip
Cut a Demo tape at a recording studio
Press Flowers
Learn to play an instrument
Venture cross country on a Harley
Catch fireflies
Learn to Sail
Attend a Catholic Mass WILLINGLY
Swim with Dolphins

Wow, I didn't realize out of this bunch that I have accomplished so many. There is still so much left though! And I'm afraid, no matter how long I live, whether it be until next week or for 70 more years I don't think I will accomplish them all.... But that's the fun of it I suppose :) Will add some more later on :)
Leave some comments, or any Bucket List ideas! 

September 14, 2011

Something I Received and Definitely Needed Today...

As many of you know, my birthday was 9/11... I received a birthday card from my piano teacher when I was younger with a piece of writing called "The Optimist Creed" I had never heard it before (maybe I am just behind on the times?) but I really needed it today... it really lifted me up. And I hope it does the same for all of my readers!!

The Optimist Creed

Promise yourself: To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. 
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all of your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and to give every living creature you meet a smile. 
To give so much to the improvement to yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and to happy to permit the presence of trouble.

I found this to be absolutely beautiful and wanted to share with everyone. Thank you to Mary G., My piano teacher for years for sending this in my birthday card. She did it in calligraphy and I am definitely having it framed, she is truly a beyond talented woman. Thank you Mrs. G for all you have given me in my life, and for keeping up with me, even when I fall behind. You are truly loved. 

P.S. How is everyone, especially all of my dedicated followers? I've missed our ranting and raving about life and would love to get back to it again. 

September 12, 2011

To New Beginnings....

This post has been a long time coming. So, I'm officially a quarter century years old as of yesterday, and the 4 year mark of the beginning of my battle is coming up very soon.


Things have been hectic, per usual, but I've also had a lot on my mind as well. I've met so many inspiring people throughout my battle with this horrible, horrible disease. I'm sick of seeing it take innocent lives way too early, and I continue to fight. 

Things have been almost too good lately, I've been so incredibly blessed with amazing people in my life, some new, some old, some re-kindled friendships. And for that, I cannot be more thankful. The support and help I receive from friends and family astonishes me every time I think about it. I would like to take a second to thank someone who has been such an inspiration in my life, Deb Overly. I met Deb when I was in high school, and you could never ask for a more supportive, loving, and encouraging individual. I consider myself so blessed to have Deb in my life. I wish everyone fighting this disease was fortunate enough to have a "Deb" in their life. 

And then there's the negative. The Whys.... The begging for answers. It goes through my mind every single day. I find myself trying to find reasons why I have this disease, and why so many other people end up suffering so much because of what this disease does to you not only physically, but psychologically. Since I was diagnosed, I've watched so many people lose their battle to this disease and I'm determined to make some sort of difference, in what exact way, I'm not yet positive. Right now my focus is on me, getting well for good, continuing my job search, and getting 100% healthy. 

Since my last post, almost 2 years ago, (GOSH, I cannot believe it's been so long) so much has happened. I lost my grandfather (mom's dad) last October, one of the greatest men I've ever met, and I miss him terribly. Everyone has their own struggles, and I am not one to judge another person's life or even compare it to what I have been through personally. That's not my job here. My goal is to reach out to other people and find a way to beat this thing.

Also, in the past two years, I've started quite an extensive list of "Things I want to Do Before I Die." I think I am going to start posting a few at a time as I continue to update, which, I promise, will be much more often. So along with school, job searching, and of course periodic checkups and medication changes, I've kept pretty busy. I also have started a list of "Things People Probably Don't Know About Me" which I will also try to keep updated. Here goes the first few:

Things People May Not Know About Me

When I love you, you have my whole heart. 

I love being up at the lake in the summer with my family, our "family week" when 20+ of us are staying in one house is something I look forward to every single year.

I make most decisions very quickly.

I love laughter and laughing.

I still find myself wondering why the heck life has to be so challenging at times. 

I HATE cancer and all of the people it has affected in my life. 

I have been a nail-biter as far back as I can remember, but have recently quit. 

Cancer has changed me and my life forever. 

And last but not least for today, I'm learning simplicity. Keeping things as simple as possible, and enjoying every minute of it. We only get one life, and I want to live it positively and happily. I thank a certain individual who knows who they are for helping me realize this. 

I think I will post the "things to do before I die" separately from my blog postings... I'm also looking into getting away from the blog and possibly going for an actual website. We will see what happens :) 

As always, to all of you out there who read and support this battle called cancer, thank you. And to those of you who are fighting the disease, don't give up. Keep on keeping on. This monster CAN be beat. And all of you who are supporting someone with cancer...thank you. Your positive attitude and all you do is beyond appreciated. 

So, there was a brief little update... I look forward to hearing  from some of my bloggers soon! I've missed my writing time:) I'll be working on another post this afternoon, I do have a lot to catch up on!!

<3 Stacy