It's quiet.......

   All is quiet out on the festival grounds. I like to walk around this time of night. There is a sense of peace. I just made my walk and there was just a few folks still in their booths cleaning up. As I was walking I wondered would this be my last festival? Would I have the strength to do this again--I have made some wonderful friendships with my vendors. Each one is special to me in a different way. Some have been with me for 20 plus years. But then I think to myself, I am strong and I will be back and I will continue to direct the festival at least till I am 99. They will have to buy me a motorized chair and I can point directions with my cane. Can't you see me and Linda having races up and down hamburger alley (that's what we call the area where all the food is) we could take bets on who wins!!!
   I had a few people come up to me tonight to tell me that they were keeping me in their prayers and I will be fine and I will beat this. That makes me tear up but it's nice to know that folks care.
   Today was an easy day. I was informed last night that my hurricane problem has been removed. I was so relieved I won't have to put up with that anymore. Maybe putting on the festival will be easier from now on.
   Sandra called last night and she wasn't feeling well. She went to the doctor today and she might have to have her gallbladder taken out. That's just one more thing for me to worry about. She is of me and she too is strong and we don't have time to be sick.
   Well, I'm getting tired and I'm headed home. Tomorrow will be an all day event. Make sure you come and enjoy the festival with your family.

It's here.....

Today starts the festival for me. I woke up early and got to work on the flowers for the Princess contest. It was still cool enough that I was able to set on the back porch in my night gown. By the time I was done it was already getting hot. Setting up the festival  is easy for me...I think I can do it blindfolded. But this morning I was very nervous and gittish. I'm not one to get nervous over stuff. But then I remembered that I had chemo next week and it made sense why my nerves was bothering me. But I put on my big girl panties...lol and told this damn cancer that I had a festival to put on so it better take a back seat.
I've already set a few booths and I'm ready to tackle the rest of the week. My bff Linda gave me a hug and we had some quiet time and all is good now. So I will see you at the festival. Come and see Linda for one of her world famous FFA Pork burgers.

Stress.....

It's a known fact that stress will kill you. The past couple of days have been good for me. But waking up this morning at 4:30 my mind was wondering here and there. As I laid there I could feel Thomas holding my hand while he slept, which brought a tear to my eye. Lily and Bristol were stretched out sound asleep. All was right with the world...the quietness of our home was so peaceful. Then I closed my eyes and cried. I bottled up the moment and saved it.
It's just been one of those days. I always have the radio on when I drive, but this morning all I wanted was silence. I fought back the tears all the way to work. I sucked it up and was not going to let this damn cancer get the best of my day.
Stress will be double for the next few days with the Festival--if I let it... I have the same person year after year who causes unneeded stress during the Festival. I pity them, seems they always have a hurricane brewing around them. But after 28 years I have learned to let their crap fall on deaf ears. We all should let others peoples hurricane's not get in the way of us enjoying our day. We should block out all stress and be thankful that we got another day. I can hear you say, "yeah, that's easier said than done".
Another day to make your friends laugh and to say Hi to a stranger. You just never know that stranger might be an angel.
Speaking of angels seems there was one in Uniontown just a couple weeks ago. Cindy seen her too. I'll tell you about her another day......

Hey you all....hope you had a great weekend. Mine was good. I did get to spend some time on my back porch. I didn't get to read a good book, but was able to review my paper work for the Red, White & Blue Festival. The festival begins on Wednesday evening with the Methodist hosting a dinner and the carnival holding bracelet night. The festival will keep me busy this week and keep my mind off of chemo.
Most folks say I'm crazy for directing the festival but I've been called worse. I enjoy it and the good out weights the bad. I'll keep you posted on the crazy people's request. They have already started!!
I've been getting phone calls from friends wishing me well. That means at lot to me, knowing that friends are keeping me in their thoughts.
I have a great-nephew that I think the world of. He's kinda like my own. As I was coming back from lunch today I hear someone holler at me....Hey Auntie......There is Aaron-- DRIVING...... I knew he was close to getting his license. I stood there and watched him drive....I must have had a grin a mile wide. So everyone watch out for Aaron....

Wasn't looking forward to getting my regular schedule hair cut last night. But I made it through. Tammy was running a bit behind which was perfect for me, I didn't mind at all. It gave me and Tammy time to be alone in the shop and talk about getting me a wig.
I've know Tammy (Hill) Lee for over 25 years. We worked side by side at  U.S. Shoe. I babysit for Brent and Erika many times. I use to tease Brent that I changed his diaper and that always made him blush. Tammy takes very good care of me and Thomas, she also cut the girls hair when then lived at home.
Tammy cried with me as I began to tell her that I needed to began treatments. Tammy lost her Daddy, Keith Hill just a few years ago so she knew how I was feeling. I told her no ball caps for me and she agreed...you are getting a wig and I will style it and no one will know the difference. Tammy is very special to me and we've had a lot of good talks over the years.
So enough about cancer....
I have Saturday off and I can't wait. I've got a few things that I need to do out in my flower beds and I will get a good book and set on the porch in the swing and enjoy the afternoon. Daddy calls my back porch just another room. I guess you could say that, it's awful comfortable. Everyone enjoy your weekend and be careful....xo

I just sat down for lunch and decided to blog a bit. I had a comment from Chelsea, who's Mother went through cancer and kept her hair in a zip lock bag. Wow!!--made me cry...but it doesn't take much any more for me to tear up. Thank you Chelsea, I'm glad your on my team for my journey. To Shelley who already sent in her RSVP for the big party--I love you girlfriend.
I"m just sad today. I need to call the Cancer Center and ask them some questions but I keep putting it off. I scheduled a hair cut about four weeks ago with Tammy.  Little did I know that besides getting a trim I would have to talk with her about helping me get a wig. I'm not wearing a baseball cap or one of those head scarves. Sorry folks...I'm not drawing attention to myself. I"ve seen so many bald headed women and it might be ok for them--but not me.
Cindy just text me and gave me info on a business in Madison who gives Cancer patients free wigs. Also, there is a place in Louisville. Don't be looking for me to go blonde--Shelley already offered hers!! I was born a red head and I will stay my same color. Lunch is over, back to designing flowers. Life does go on.....

my weekend

I kept my self busy this past weekend. There was plenty to do in my flower beds and I finished painting my screened porch. Keeping busy is good medicine.
Thomas and I kept the news to our self for over a day and then I started telling my loved ones. I told our girls, Sarah is my rock and Sandra is the emotional one. When hard times come it's Sarah that you need around. Then I headed to tell Daddy and then went inside to tell Mom. Later that evening I started telling my girlfriends, Cindy, Linda, Shelley, then Heather at Jubilee. I won't go into detail about everyone's reaction cause I don't want to cry.
Saturday Daddy came back and he helped me feed the chickens and he started to tear up and said he just couldn't come back to my house if I wasn't here. Then we both teared up. So we made a pack--that if he would live to be 90 that I would fight this cancer and I would help him celebrate with him and have a big party. So we shook on it and he said, "it's a deal. So we both will still be here in five years and you all are invited too the party.
I made a few other calls to folks, I wanted them to hear it from me and not the gossip line. Those who gossip never get anything correct.
I'm doing ok. As long as I don't ponder on it to long. But then you think of something and you cry. It's the unknown that you fear-- how will these treatments affect me--am I going to still be able to do all the things that I always do. I told the nurses at the Cancer Center that we could set me up a room and when Heather got backed up on orders they could send them to me and I would design while getting chemo. They laughed and said they would love that.
I get tied easy now and I'm not that hungry. I have been eating a lot of fruit the last few weeks and it always taste good.
Have a good evening and I will talk to you tomorrow!!