Snoopy Is Still Dancing

Today, I went for my 18-month check up since finishing Chemo for fNHL -- everything looks good - blood work is good, no lumps nor bumps, I feel great and Remission continues. My doctor only believes in sending me for a scan if there is something suscipious -- so I haven't had to have one since December, 2007. Huge sigh of relief!! It's hard to believe that it was two years ago, almost to the day, that I walked into that office for my first Chemo scared -- no make that terrified.

It's so nice now to breeze in, get a blood draw, meet with the doctor, chat with the nurses, and breeze back out. Do I still get nervous? You bet - I broke out with a case of hives on the back of my legs this morning and I could feel them inching up my back and neck in the car going to the appointment. By the time I got into the office, they were crawling around to the side of my face, which required a shot of Benadryl to clear them up. On the drive back to work, the Benadryl must have kicked in because I could feel them receding. It's amazing what your nerves can do to you! Deep down, I knew everything was fine - so why was I such an itchy mess?

I really and truly feel like I've got my life back, I feel great and I'm enjoying everyday. Yes, there really is life after cancer - it's just a shame that it took a cancer diagnosis for me to start enjoying it. I've come along way in those two years.

The Perfect Weekend

I was on vacation last week. No set plans, no alarm clock and no watch. An entire week off to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. It was heaven!

I just had to start a new quilting project, when I stumbled across a 2007 issue of "America Loves Scrap Quilts" and spotted Nine & Vines. Sure, I had other projects that I could have been working on and heaven forbid, maybe even getting around to finishing something -- but, that wasn't in the cards for me. I wanted a "What I did on my summer vacation" quilt. I would get up in the morning, put on a pot of coffee and head up to my sewing room to sew a few 9-Patches. When/if the sun came out, I was out in the yard, with the boys, soaking it up. Then back to a little more sewing into the wee hours. Hey, this is vacation. But, I must admit, I think I was seeing 9-Patches in my sleep. Here is a little preview - I'm done up to the first border.

I had picked something out for the final border, but it just wasn't working for me. I feel a Road Trip coming up. I'm even kind of antsy to start on the applique -- yes, me, appliqueing, but, did I say -- I really want this quilt?

On Saturday, I got together with my Quilt Buddy, Susan, and we checked out a new Quilt Shop not too far from home, Lil Country Quilt Shop in Middletown, DE. As soon as we walked in the door, I could feel the MODA-love just pouring out from every corner in the store. All those FQ's, Jelly Rolls, Dessert Rolls and Charm Packs screaming "pick me, pick me". Who am I to leave a Moda Charm pack behind? Each and every one of them were just too cute for words.

These are the charm packs that came home with me. I'm hoping that by holding onto the label and fanning through them will cause all kinds of inspiration and scream "use me, use me!"

This was a really cute shop with a friendly staff that were more than happy to indulge us. Susan and I are usually a force of nature when we get together with fabric and have to touch, fondle and cajole, then, usually end up buying everything we put our hands on. You can almost say, this shop brought me to me knees or I'm praying to the altar of St. Moda.

When we left the quilt shop, laden with bags and a little lighter in cash, we headed to a little shop that sells Brighton jewelry. After all that "soft-ware", I needed a little heavy metal to round out the day.

Fast forward to Sunday and I went canoeing down the Historic Brandywine River. I'm not really an outdoorsy type of person, but something about this really appealed to me. I called Sonny-boy and he was on-board with this crazy notion of mine, as was my granddaughter, Kylie. A family outing!!

We had picture-perfect weather for our trip.

After gearing up, and of course, posing for a few pictures, we were transported to our drop-off location, given a shove-off, and we were on our way down the river.

This was the first time any of us have ever tried canoeing -- but, we can't wait to do it all over again.

No cell phone, no iPod, just people power...

Enjoy the view - we'll do the paddling for you: