Sonic strikes again

What?  What is that title?  Super cheesy.  Maybe I'm secretly hoping to name a movie someday.  But I'm going to leave it because it describes this little post perfectly.

So my other half (Katie) and I have a slight infatuation with the Sonic commercials, you know-they ones with the two guys in the car.  Classic humor.  And along with our love of them, we've made a few videos in the past.

Well, since Katie's been MIA (or out of the country, doing great work for IJM this past year and a half) we haven't exactly had the opportunity to make one. 

Well, she visited a few weeks ago and we remedied that.  Magic was made.  Enjoy :) 

Making Banana Pancakes

not literally.  I don't actually like bananas in anything.  Except banana bread.

But I've been taking tips from Mrs. Paula Dean herself these days!  I've gone through at least 11 pounds of butter in the past month.  I have a cookie recipe I like that *LIT-cherally* calls for 1 pound of butter. 1 POUND.  That's 4 sticks, y'all.  But I'm not telling you which cookie recipe it is...everyone who's had it likes them.  No need to ruin a good cookie experience.

Enjoy some of the things I've been 'a bakin' up!

Aimee Kessick monkey bread.  lots of butter.  totally worth it.

the mixing part of an Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake with Praline Frosting that I got the idea from this gals great blog.  Not butter heavy.  Butter light recipe.

An average fall pumpkin bread.  Butter medium recipe.

Aimee Kessick Choco Choco Chip Cookies.  Seriously excellent.  I'm gonna say butter heavy, and again, not sorry for it.  Aimee also studied under Paula Dean, for a while.

Not edible.  Just my poor Cambodian spatula that apparently should have been labeled "for display only."  Couldn't handle the pancakes.

I've had Jack Johnson crooning during this sesh, so I must give a shout out to Mark Cruz!  757 love.

So I'm not sure if I've written it here yet or just shared it with people in conversation, but I've gotten to the point of chemo where it's not fun anymore.  That should be capitalized.  It's Not Fun Anymore time.  I feel like it's a season I'm in, and I need to watch myself, because I can turn into a Negative Nancy if I'm not careful.  I've hit that 6 session mark (yea!), but I've also hit monotony.  (Yea, this is sounding familiar as I type.)  And I've hit a point where it's hard to stay positive about it all.  I know what's coming each time, and I know what to expect afterwards, recovery-speaking.  But I still can't get over the freaking OUTPOURING of LOVE y'all send my way.  Seriously, I've definitely said this before, but not a day has gone by without something coming in the mail.  Letters, cards, care packages, food....and this gem was in a bag around my front doorknob yesterday

I literally laughed out loud. (right after Africa LITCHERALLY turned into a beehive!!) You know how people say LOL, (or maybe how they used to like 7 years ago...ouch, dating myselffff) well, I did it.  Actually laughed out loud on my front porch.  Brought a smile to my face.  Thanks, Hayden.

Haha, what was I talking about before?  Oh yea, not being able to be positive anymore?  Well, looks like I'm cured ;)  Haha, funny how I was just digging into a good "wah" venting session and it was turned around.  Love does that.  And I've felt it.  In the facebook messages and posts (which I still haven't responded to 90% of them, I'm sorry.  Working on it!  I read every one though, and love them all. Thank you.  Thank you.), texts and calls.  Y'all do that for me.  I feel loved.  Y'all show me how God loves by how you love.  And I'm humbled by that.

I recently read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy.  Definitely a favorite now!  I recommend trying them out.  But when I love a good book, or a good series, I get involved with the characters.  I feel for them when things happen, and I get excited when things work out well for them.  I feel like I know them [yea yea, I "know" characters in books...just another indication I'm well on my way to becoming a cat lady.  Wait til you see my new bathrobe-I call it my housecoat :)]  But I do feel a connection with certain characters, and I get sad when the books end.  Because it was just for a season in life.  Just for a time.  But then that reminds me that cancer and chemo are just a season in my life as well.  [oh, that Emily Danner. So deep. ;) ]  

Fun Fact for the day: I love my head scarfs, but I do have trouble hearing in them.  I'm constantly asking people to repeat themselves, or sometimes I just nod and pretend like I heard everything, because the only way to remedy it is to wear my scarves like this:

 Nerd alert!  Or, Lord of The Rings alert??!

*Disclaimer.  11 pounds of butter did not just go into those 4 recipies and one broken spatula. There were more goodies not pictured.

Last fun fact: Chad just yelled "Bruce Willis, you idiot!" From the living room.  Then I heard the familiar "zchoom zchoom" of Jeopardy.  Welcome to our Wednesday evenings.

The Word of the Day: Siesta!

No no, it's true.  The word of the day really is Siesta!  And yes, that is Bob Ross as my background.  Also just bought the first Christmas gift of the year, I'll give you 6 guesses as to what it is. Ok,
It's a collection of Bob Ross's "The Joy of Painting" on DVD.  Get excited!  I'm not telling you who it's for ;)

I feel like Bob Ross is underrated.  Probably because he's dead and his show is no longer on PBS.  But many artists become more famous in their death.  Hmm, thoughts to ponder as I fall asleep later.

Sooo, it's Sunday.  And Sunday is definitely a day of rest in this house.  Minus when I get bursts of energy to do dishes (ugh) and simultaneously have a desire for fresh sheets on the bed.  [Spelled simultaneously correct on the first try, I know I know...you're in the presence of greatness.]  Fun fact, I love fresh sheets.  I would change them 3 times a week if that didn't mean I also had to wash them that many times.

So when Chad and I were engaged he mentioned this program that his church had for the local cadets (kids that go to VMI)  It's called Adopt a Rat.  Rats, or the equivalent of freshmen at other universities are tweeners.  They're not quite 4th years (it's backwards at VMI-4th:Freshmen, 3rd: Sophomores, 2nd: Juniors and 1st years: Seniors) but they're also no longer common citizens of this great country.  Until they earn the right to become 4th years (super secret stuff happens, I would include it on this here blog, but I value my life) they are rats.  Forced to (as much as I understand it) march for long periods of time, have "sweat parties," (I'll let your mind wander) and get yelled at incessantly.  They also aren't allowed off post (campus)...unlesssss it's Sunday.  And then they're allowed Religious Liberties.  I'm not sure why I capitalized that.  Except that I think it's a big deal.  Soooo, Adopt a Rat.  Different churches in Lexington participate and if you so choose, you get to...Adopt a rat!  On Sundays, from the time your church service starts to like 8:30ish pm.  You get to take a rat home with you and..really just give them lunch and dinner and most likely a couch to sleep on.  Poor things, they're always so tired. Anyway, when Chad mentioned he'd been wanting to do this for a few years, I was all for it!  And we agreed we would wait until this fall, because Chad doing it by himself would be kinda weird...much more "within social norms" to do it as a married couple.  And much more fun!  So we signed up.  And we. hit. the. jackpot!  Hahaha, no pun intended.  Seriously.  Wait, that doesn't make sense to you yet.  So we hit the jackpot with our rat-he's awesome!  Such a cool guy, so sweet and genuine.  Oh, and his name is Jack.  Hence the ridiculously early laughter a few sentences back.  So we adopted Jack back in September and it's been love ever since.  He's the best adopted son we could ask for. (tear)  We're already stoked for graduation in 4 years.  We look forward to Sundays when he can come over...when he's not in trouble ;)  There's a lot of couch lounging, Kenney's eating and football watching.  Speaking of...did anyone else just watch that 60 minutes with Aaron Rodgers?  Rawr.  So handsome.

This afternoon I was in the front bedroom, engrossed in another season of White Collar while the boys (minus Charlie...teehee) were watching football in the living room.  I got up for another go at the leftover halloween candy and came across this:

Like father, like son ;)  Just had to share this photo!  And a little about Jack, since I haven't mentioned him here yet.

Anyway, I'm just (still) recovering from Chemo last week.  Dang, it kinda kicked my butt hard this time.  Friday and Saturday were super rough...just feeling blah, overall.  I know that doesn't accurately describe it, but it's difficult.  The words don't quite do it right.  Anyway, on the up and up now!  Just keep swimming, right Nemo?

Here, check out this picture of a bunny on our street!  Bold, my friend.  And did you also leave that trash in my yard?  Bad form, bunny.  bad form.

xoxo Happy Sunday!

Bring it on Home

dear sweet ninny, I've neglected you.  And not because I want to.  Where do the days go?  They slip right on by...while there's fun being had, struggles being worked out...I've had quite a few folks tell me I need to update, and I do, I do.  I know I do...

I'm torn tonight.  I pulled up a trusty old playlist on my iTunes and the first song was Bring it on Home by Little Big Town.  Now, don't hate if you're not a country music fan, cause I'm gonna show you how you can love this song regardless of what musical snack you choose to dine on regularly!  I'm torn because it's speaking to me y'all...("Tony, dogs don't a talk!" "He's a talking to me!"  -NAME THAT MOVIE!)

So it's been speaking to me tonight...while I'm in a few days of recovery (Chemo #6 happened on Tuesday-oooh halfway there...living on a prayer...ok ok I'm done)  But seriously, I am halfway done with chemo, if you're not following my rabbit trail here.

Anyway, back to the song...pull it up on YouTube, or "The YouTube" as some peoples parents have been known to call it...read along, listen to it, enjoy some thoughts in red...

You got someone here wants to make it alright
Someone who loves you more than life right here
You got willing arms that'll hold you tight
A hand to lead you on through the night right here
I know your heart can get all tangled up inside
But don't you keep it to yourself-I'm the worst culprit of this...I wish to be open and honest with people but I frequently keep it inside, the good and the bad, thinking I don't want to bother others...but is it really easier to try and do it all yourself?

[Chorus:]
When your long day is over
And you can barely drag your feet-I feel this tonight.  Quite literally I am dragging my feet, mainly because all my toes are once again numb and it's a bit of a struggle walking properly, but you know the feeling they're talking about here...
The weight of the world is on your shoulders-ha, maybe the weight of my little world, but man, doesn't it seem like the whole dang thing when you're facing a tough time in your life?
I know what you need
Bring it on home to me

You know I know you like the back of my hand
But did you know I'm gonna do all that I can right here
I'm gonna lie with you till you fall asleep
When the morning comes I'm still gonna be right here (yes I am)
So take your worries and just drop them at the door
Baby leave it all behind

[Chorus]

Baby let me be your safe harbor
Don't let the water come and carry you away

[Chorus]

You got someone here wants to make it alright
Someone who loves you more than life right here

Like how I left all the "chorus" cues in there?  Just for funzies, even though it's driving me crazy.

That line in the first verse, "I know your heart can get all tangled up inside..." oh man.  I'm living that right now.  I'm constantly torn between being joyful during this experience and being absolutely miffed, pissed off!  Dear Chemo, you're not always so fun. 
True, some of the things that have come out of time at the Emily Couric Cancer Center will forever make an imprint on my little life...relationships made, relationships changed, relationships grown...seeing a trend?  It brings me back to things that are important to me in life. But the actual chemo drugs suck, don't let anyone tell you differently.  It just drags me down sometimes.  Last week was especially hard, even though it was a "good week." I think the monotony of it all is getting me down.  I know what my weeks look like for the foreseeable future, I pretty much know what to expect as I recover each time...only to do it all over again in 2 weeks.  I usually live my life from one fun thing each week to the next, anybody else do this?  Like in high school my show was Alias, with Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan-rawr!  So I would live my life from Sunday to Sunday, when new episodes aired.  Then when I went to college and started leading Young Life, my weeks went from Monday to Monday, or Club days to Club days.  Now I feel like my life is lived in 2 week increments...chemo treatment to chemo treatment.    Even this past time, meeting with my doctor was monotonous.  Nothing new to report, no major upsets in recovery, no drugs changed, no new developments (except I'm totes losing my eyebrows now too! haha)  He understood, told me it would be like this for a while, with a knowing smile upon his face.  Ah, here's where the actual struggle begins, isn't it?  It's not in the new, the different, but rather the regular everyday that shows you how you handle things...or at least that's how I feel now.

Ah, too long.  There's a need for a picture...here, enjoy this picture of my mum, oooh pretty mum!  Thanks to Jamie and Lori Inman, those secret mum-givers ;)

I'm also brought back to the Lord with this song...I'm not sure if Little Big Town intended it to be easily corresponded with the Gospel, but it sure did with me.  "Someone who loves you more than life..." hello Jesus... Shoot, the whole second verse-"Know you like the back of my hand...?!"  "When the morning comes I'm still gonna be right here.." Beautiful. beautiful.

I was also brought to tears at different points in this song.  
Baby let me be your safe harbor
Don't let the water come and carry you away
I know everyone out there is somehow touched by Superstorm Sandy, and hearing about continued destruction, the need for food, power, basic necessities...man.  We all want to help, but what can we do?  Pray!  Donate-money, time, blood.  The Red Cross is doing great things to help those in need-go to their website and find out how you can help in your area.  Gosh, waterworks here...just started crying again.  Dang you chemo emotions!  But seriously, I'm thankful for all those who were brought through unscathed, because houses can be rebuilt, cars fixed, boats put back where they belong...but lives lost?  It's so sad.

Well thanks for stopping by, and enjoy this pic of Charlie being shy. Or was he sleeping here?  

Taco Night!

Oh ho ho, I got your attention, did I?  Yea, I'll always run for Taco Night!  (As will Katie Sienicki and Megan Clegg...though Meg might not remember that story as well as we do ;) )

It was a solo taco night today.  My bff, but she's really more than that...my other half, dare I say?  "She who I share a brain with" left today. That's it.  That's how I define our relationship.  [Katie Sienicki] left good old Lexington this afternoon. But we've had a wonderful week, being together again, after almost a year! Gosh, listen to me.  Getting all nostalgic like we caught up after a 25 year high school reunion.  It's not that dramatic, Em.  She'll be home at Christmas-time and home for *good* in March!  

So, delightful partner in crime that she is, flew almost 9000 miles-one way- just to spend a few days with her ailing bff.  That's love.

There she is!  Look at how cute she is.

Naw, we didn't go gallivanting off to a tropical paradise this week...but we did hang out in good old Lexington, caught up on life face to face (without skype-love you skype!) and did what we do best...shenanigans and making memories!


As I'm writing this, so many thoughts come to mind about what I should actually name this post.  Fun fact: that's the hardest part for me when I do actually write here ;) -figuring out what the heck to call each post!  I do the same thing with Facebook albums...it's a name.  A name can define you, or at least update folks on both who you are by what to call you, and will also make someone think certain thoughts when they hear a name, your name!  Your name, you-by the memories made and experiences shared with someone, will trigger certain thoughts when someone mentions you, thinks of you, brings you up in conversation.  Just a thought as we go through life...what memory are you leaving behind? 

By the way, I did actually have tacos tonight.  I just failed to elaborate on that earlier.

And I just caught my cat watching tv.  A Crate & Barrel commercial to be exact. 

I never quite know where my blog-ing will take me, either.  (By the way, do you pronounce it "i-ther" or "ee-ther?"  I waffle back and forth)  Sometimes my thoughts come out as I've been thinking they would, and sometimes-like today-I'm brought to further reaches of my thoughts and psyche as I pour out a snapshot of my life to you.  Beware!

But what's the purpose?  I guess I could have asked any number of questions next...but what's the purpose of what I'm sharing here?  Part of my life, yes.  My Our life right now.

Oooh.  Perfect excuse for a shameless plug!  From 1/2 priced sushi night (what what!) earlier this week with Katie.  (Metro is a delicious little place Chad introduced me to early on in our marriage..wait, we're still early on in our marriage! ahha.  Anyway, if you're in Roanoke, try it out! 1/2 priced sushi all week, 5:30-6:30 pm!)

So, back to purpose?  Part of me doesn't want to even elaborate on it, there's so much that can be said!  But ultimately the purpose of this blog: to share our life with cancer (womp womp) right now, and hopefully glorify God through that.  Wow, that was much simpler than my jumbled brain wanted to make it out to be.  But there's so much more behind the words that actually make it on this site.  Like, I know not everybody we're friends with believes in the same God we do.  And in this diplomatic age I find myself, I waffle with whether or not I should be so bold as to talk about someone who brings out more raw emotion than anybody else I've heard of!  But I go back to what I read in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky, and I would urge you to "be a filter and not a sponge."  He was referring to a specific author and situation when he wrote that, but I've taken it with me through the years and tried to apply it to everything I read.  So as you read here, "be a filter, [y'all,] and not a sponge."  Figure out for yourself what you believe, because you have a choice on what to read, what to occupy your time with, in whom you believe.  I know I'm not the best example to look for when you look for a Christian in this day and age, but does that also make me the best example...cause I know I'm not perfect? hmm.  put that in your pipe and smoke it!  Nah, all I can do is go through life living it as I see fit, and hopefully learning from my stumblings along the way, instead of letting them stop me. "Just keep swimming..."Oh, chemo emotions!

So Katie, Chad and I had a fabulous week-here.  It was filled with too much food, lots of down time and great conversations.  Enjoy some pictures instead of more rambling!

Katie, with Tim's invisible arm around her ;)

You know, just caramel apples on a Sunday afternoon.

Get to it, KT! Those pumpkins won't glitter themselves!

Thanks for reading.  Sorry for the shambles and word vomit.  And remember, make good choices! ;)

Halloweens of Old

Dear Fall,

I am so glad you're here!  I've been waiting all year for you :)  I've got my pumpkin spice and apple cider candles burning, Halloween Decor inside and out, even Charlie is excited for whatever coned costume I put him in this year ;)  I'm so happy to have crunchy leaves to step on and orange and purple lights up on the house.  One thing I would love next year are some sweet hay bales, but I can wait, it'll be something to look forward to.

So as I get PUMPED for Halloween 2012, I think I'll share some past costumes, just for funzies.

Where the Wild things Are

Nancy Drew.

This was for an Inappropriate Party. I'll leave it at that.

Kindergardeners! Complete with Macaroni necklaces and a line leader.

Yesss! I love it when EVERYBODY dresses up. Check out that robot, he's beast.  Oh, and I was an orange traffic cone.

Redneck/Hillbilly/Nascar.  Ali really got into character and got knocked up for it!  (oh I kid, I kid.)

Happy Almost Halloween Friends!

birthdays, weddings, new stashes oh my!

Well, hello friends.  oh gosh.  I can't even get through the first sentence without an entirely irrelevant thought running through my head.  Since I mentioned it, I'll share.  Even though it's not how he used to introduce his show, I immediately had a vision of Mr. Rogers when I started writing tonight, welcoming y'all to the latest edition of Sweet Ninnymuggins.  Maybe that means I should start wearing a sweater when I write, and changing to my "indoor" shoes.

Well this is definitely the longest hiatus I've taken in ninny's short life.  I do apologize, it was not intended!  We've just been having such fun the past few weeks, and something gets lost at the end of the day.  Part of that is absolutely chemo brain, part of it is poor planning, and part of it is pure laziness.  Shambles.  I'm a work in progress :)

Well, latest cancer update is that I have another WEEK until my next treatment!! Wee!  Usually I have treatment on Thursdays, but we're switching to Tuesdays per my dr.'s request...I think it's easier on his schedule or something.  You'll have to ask Chad, I'm not entirely sure. But we do have to go up to UVA this Thursday for my 25% Completed Chemo Pet Scan!  I don't think the staff calls it that, but it's what it is!  I'm 1/4 done with chemo, y'all.  And it's crazy.  Life flies by, whether you're having fun or not ;)  Naw, I'm having fun but I wouldn't count chemo among my "besties" if you know what I mean. 

So I get a PET Scan on Thursday-a full body scan.  They're looking for progress in the shrinkage of my mass (I think.) (again, I defer questions to Chad, he's a much better remember-er than I)  I also have an appointment with a pulmonologist on Thursday.  I keep failing the darn lung function tests, and that's no bueno with my treatment, as it could be because of one of the drugs, oooor (as I suspect) because I haven't worked out since 2009 and I believe the human body likes a good sweat and elevated heart rate more than twice a decade.



But a plus of having to go to UVA twice in the span of a week: we get to have some vittles with T$ and Steve Rawls, who will also be in the C-ville area on Thursday.  Yay!  T and I have been trying to have a date since, well, since I moved here.  And it's finally coming true!  Big things are happening, y'all!  This must mean I'll have good results from the PET.  PET Scan sounds so cuddly, doesn't it?  It's not my favorite thing to get but they make it worth it.  The test takes about 2 hours total.  First they hook you up to an IV that has a tracer thing running through it, and this "tracer" runs throughout your body, clinging to cancer cells and then when I get loaded up into the MRI machine, it'll light up the affected areas, which will tell the docs where and how big my mass is.  [again, that's the best as I understand the process-they're nice and use small words and big hand gestures when they describe procedures to me]  Oh, and you have to drink this stuff that tastes like chalk...or what I think chalk tastes like.  Something I never tried in my childhood.  Now, gluing my hands together with Elmers?  On a weekly basis.  Deeply inhaling the big fat Sharpie my mom only used for writing on packages at Christmas time?  Check.  But taking a nibble of chalk?  Never tried it.  Anyone have personal experience here?  Sooo, once I get IV-ed up and drink my chalk smoothie, I have to wait for it to run through my body for like and hour and a half.  But I'm in my own room, and last time my nurse Jose dimmed the lights for me (he thought I looked like I wanted to nap-how did he know?!) And I'll have a TV and a nice leather chair that reclines and a red "COME NOW" button that will send nurse Jose or whomever is closest to my bedside immediately.  It took all my strength not to push that button every time he left the room last time...I'll have to hide it again this time...deep in my chair, out of sight, out of mind, ya know?


Anyway, I have an extra 5 days of a "good week" this time because of the switch from Thursdays to Tuesdays, and this is probably going to be my favorite stretch of treatment throughout this whole treatment.  I feel like my birthday came early.  


Oh hey great segue!  So speaking of, there have been birthdays galore recently!  One of the celebrations was for my bf CParrie.  I also unveiled one of my new wigs (thanks to my mother-in-law!) for the occasion!  Enjoy with some pics

I felt like Katy Perry #missionaccomplished

Family Photo

And at the end of the weekend, we continued the celebration and invited CP and Mike to one of our favorite places ever.  It's called the Inn at Willow Grove in Orange, VA.  (think Bed and Breakfast but upgraded) It's right outside of Charlottesville so within reasonable driving distance for anyone in VA.  It's also the nicest place I've stayed, and quite possibly has the nicest people working there as well.  To kick off our honeymoon we stayed there the night after we got married, and fell in love with it.

CP and I before gorging ourselves at dinner.

Dinner at Willow Grove-couples shot! :)

 Whew!  I feel like I've word vomited so many things already, but I have oh so much to share!  I'll keep the rest short.

2012 is the year of the wedding.  Congrats to just the weddings that we've had the pleasure of attending this year! Ash & BMo, Kaitlyn & Travis, Derek & Kelsey, Kara & Will, and soon-Drew & Kelsey and Michelle and Joey!!!  My cousin Melis also got married two weekends ago, but unfortunately it was the day after chemo and I just couldn't swing the 10 hour trip.  So many many congrats to Melis & Derek, we wish we could have been there.

But the latest wedding festivities happened just this past weekend, and I'm happy to announce Mr. & Mrs. Will Siewers on Sweet Ninnymuggins!

The wedding was beautiful, with lots of laughter and only happy tears.  This couple-for anyone who knows them-exemplifies what it means to walk with Christ everyday and love others as He loves us.  If you're looking for fabulous new friends-try and holler at these two ;)

Well, since I put it in the title, I'll include this last thought for today.  I'm always looking for new and innovative things to do with mustaches.  So Shannon shared a very motivational photo on my facebook wall the other day...
 

He even looks like my charlie!  So, Shan shared this and I was STOKED!  I was like, "yes, let's do this, Charlie!  We got this!"  Well, enjoy the results:

Poor ninny.  Couldn't keep it frontside.  All he cared about was when my hand was going to pet his head.  Oh well, I enjoy a good "top stash" with the best of 'em!   

Well thanks for reading and make good choices!

p.s. Have you come up with your Halloween costumes yet?