It has been an emotional week. First of all I had to fly to St. Louis Monday morning and then drive over to a small little town for a meeting. Did you just ever have one of those meetings where every thing that you suggested for their flyer or catalog the client rejected or thought you were out of your mind? Will this was that type of meeting. So after finally getting the manager to "see it my way" and I don't know why he wasn't trusting my judgement, I mean I have led them right the past two years, I just wanted him to take me out back and put me down. We were in a middle of a cow pasture after all (no, I'm not joking). I had to call my friend Mike just to ask the question "why did I do this job". For Mike to remind me "it's the 5 star hotels we stay in and the wonderful dining and the first class accommodations". Which none are true, but at least it made me laugh during the hour and 15 minute drive in my Nissan Rogue rental that was on it's last leg.
Tuesday, I had appointments in the St. Louis area. Most likely my favorite day. I did get my flu shot. Can you believe it - I'm in MO and was able to get my vaccination. Thank goodness! I had to set up for a show that evening and ran into all my buds, what a great way to end the day with Pizza and beer and buds.
Wednesday, the PPAM had their show in St. Louis and then we loaded up and headed to KC, KS. First of all I allowed a MN Viking to ride with me. Trouble! Just joking - Curt needed a ride since he couldn't get a rental once in town since he's license was expired. We had a terrible thunderstorm all the way in the 3 hour and 45 minute drive but it was worth it as we headed in and got set up and then headed to my favorite eating place in the entire state - Jack Stack BBQ. WOW!
Thursday, PPAM had their show in KC, KS. What can I say about this day, except in all my days of doing this job I've never had this happen to me. I had a man named CB come into my booth and he asked me what a product was and I told him it was the Go Green Bag Holder. When I explained that it was a holder for reusable bags to place on your grocery cart, he just went off on me. Called me a "true huggin, Obama lover" and then gave me the hail Hitler salute. I had to ask the man to leave my booth. What has the world come to, when you have crazies at trade shows as shallow as this. I reported him to the association but what is worse, he made me so angry I cried. Then I became angrier that I allowed him to get to me. OOOOOO!!!
I finally made it home on Thursday night with a big sigh. I was ready. Friday between chemo, work, radiation and everything else, I was trying to make sure I had everything in for the fundraiser on Saturday.
Let me talk about Saturday. It's been weighing heavy on my heart. My friends know that these walks mean more to me than anything. I would walk to the moon and back to make sure we raise enough money to find a cure for cancer. On Saturday was our fundraiser Pretty in Pink. So many of my friends have donated money, items to assist me in making sure that we get what we need to make the money to raise what we need to walk as a team. This year I've asked some very dear friends to help me out. But I was made to feel very "unwelcome" by my team captain on Saturday morning with one of my donations and then again on Saturday evening with another by the fact that he didn't even acknowledge the song that I had professionally written for us and all downloads are going to our team. We could have at least played it that evening or announced that you could purchased it. We did put a piece a paper with the info in the bags we handed out but I think hearing it would have helped. Now, it wouldn't be so bad if these would have been "oh, tj I didn't realize" but these were things we had spoken about in previous team meetings. One of them, he said I didn't give any solutions and it seemed as if he was saying I had presented a problem. He upset me so that I actually had to walk out of the last 30 minutes of set up. The L man was so surprised when I said "let's go". Oh, he was happy to have be get home and rest more, but I was so upset we couldn't really enjoy our time together. The team captain sent me a text but I wouldn't even respond and then he had one of the team members call me to make sure I was going to show up that evening. Which I was, I just needed to clear my head and I told her that. The event was nice and we raised some nice dollars, I don't know how much.
My thing is I had to remind myself why I do this. I had to pull out my remembrance necklace and look at the pictures of those that have died from this terrible disease we call cancer. I got the picture of Sharla and said "this is the reason, , so another person doesn't have to die of this disease, to find a cure for cancer". I don't do it to be friends (I do it to meet others, that are after the same goal), or to get happy feelings (which by the way, I do!!!), I'm doing it to stomp out cancer. I tucked that picture into my purse and took it to the event with me. They did a touching tribute to Sharla. I remembered all this and the night was okay. I'm still going to have a long talk with Jason and find out where the communication "line" went down. I still wasn't comfortable with what took place but you know what, life isn't always fair, and I for one should know that! Seriously!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Do they give discounts....
I cannot believe another week has flown by. When I think how valuable time is in my life and think how it just zooms by me some days. Seriously, how does it happen. Well, I can't just sit and cry, honestly life is too short! Put a smile on your face and laugh at the small things and get thru them. Seriously!
Let's see if I can recap my week. Sunday, I was able to get in 3 and 1/4 miles of training and what idiot does in in 92 degree TX heat. This one apparently! I thought I was going to have a stroke. I was so hot and humid I was not feeling my super, duper best but my feet needed it and I did it. Monday, thank you for a day off. I kept thinking I would get out and make the most of it but NO. Tuesday, Hermine blew thru here like she owned the joint. I was suppose to drive down to Houston and kept thinking "OH, this will blow thru any minute", well by 4:00, she had not blown thru by any means and I was not going to get on the road. My day had been filled with customers needing this and that and by 7:00 I found myself still in Dallas. Wednesday, Hermine was still in town. I seriously thought I was going to be blown out of my drive as I loaded my car. I asked Mother Nature to come get her derelict child Hermine and please return her more "cooler, rustler, Fall child" as I preferred him. As I headed toward Houston early in the AM there were 3 wrecks outside of Dallas within 30 miles. People, people, people, slick roads, heavy rains, drive a little more safely, SERIOUSLY! I was able to get my calls in and set up for my show the next day and have dinner with great friends. That is what makes my job the best! Thursday there was a show in Houston and then I headed home. Thank you for Sirius radio so I could listen to the game - do these people who decide to do these shows, not realize that the NFL Season Opener was on that night, that reps(like myself) that had to drive home would seriously be impacted (okay not life changing BUUUTTT). Had I know that the biggest New Orleans fan was going to be at the show I would have stayed in Houston with her. Ginger Hutter lives and breathes the Saints like I do the Cowboys. We would have had a blast watching the game together. Thank you Saints for beating up those Vikings. The voodoo doll worked (that's a joke but just in case Shelley Sake is reading this). I got in about 9:30 on Thursday, stayed up until 1:00AM working on e-mails and then got up at 3:15 AM on Friday to head in for my "vitamin drip" and a new radiation therapy. Then spent the rest of the day working. I made up for it on Saturday and I spent the entire day in bed. I only got up for bathroom breaks. Thank goodness for football to keep me there. Today I had a brunch date with the team to finalize our plans for our fundraiser next Saturday and now I'm doing a little packing and getting ready for the week already. Home: where I do laundry and repack!
I can't believe the fundraiser is next Saturday and the following Saturday, I fly off to TN to visit with Jane and walk that Sunday in TN in the Race for the Cure. If life were boring, I wouldn't want to live it. There is so much going on right now. I just looked and my calendar and I'm not really home at all this month. Seriously! I wonder if I could get a discount on my home since I'm only home 14 nights this entire month of September!!!
Let's see if I can recap my week. Sunday, I was able to get in 3 and 1/4 miles of training and what idiot does in in 92 degree TX heat. This one apparently! I thought I was going to have a stroke. I was so hot and humid I was not feeling my super, duper best but my feet needed it and I did it. Monday, thank you for a day off. I kept thinking I would get out and make the most of it but NO. Tuesday, Hermine blew thru here like she owned the joint. I was suppose to drive down to Houston and kept thinking "OH, this will blow thru any minute", well by 4:00, she had not blown thru by any means and I was not going to get on the road. My day had been filled with customers needing this and that and by 7:00 I found myself still in Dallas. Wednesday, Hermine was still in town. I seriously thought I was going to be blown out of my drive as I loaded my car. I asked Mother Nature to come get her derelict child Hermine and please return her more "cooler, rustler, Fall child" as I preferred him. As I headed toward Houston early in the AM there were 3 wrecks outside of Dallas within 30 miles. People, people, people, slick roads, heavy rains, drive a little more safely, SERIOUSLY! I was able to get my calls in and set up for my show the next day and have dinner with great friends. That is what makes my job the best! Thursday there was a show in Houston and then I headed home. Thank you for Sirius radio so I could listen to the game - do these people who decide to do these shows, not realize that the NFL Season Opener was on that night, that reps(like myself) that had to drive home would seriously be impacted (okay not life changing BUUUTTT). Had I know that the biggest New Orleans fan was going to be at the show I would have stayed in Houston with her. Ginger Hutter lives and breathes the Saints like I do the Cowboys. We would have had a blast watching the game together. Thank you Saints for beating up those Vikings. The voodoo doll worked (that's a joke but just in case Shelley Sake is reading this). I got in about 9:30 on Thursday, stayed up until 1:00AM working on e-mails and then got up at 3:15 AM on Friday to head in for my "vitamin drip" and a new radiation therapy. Then spent the rest of the day working. I made up for it on Saturday and I spent the entire day in bed. I only got up for bathroom breaks. Thank goodness for football to keep me there. Today I had a brunch date with the team to finalize our plans for our fundraiser next Saturday and now I'm doing a little packing and getting ready for the week already. Home: where I do laundry and repack!
I can't believe the fundraiser is next Saturday and the following Saturday, I fly off to TN to visit with Jane and walk that Sunday in TN in the Race for the Cure. If life were boring, I wouldn't want to live it. There is so much going on right now. I just looked and my calendar and I'm not really home at all this month. Seriously! I wonder if I could get a discount on my home since I'm only home 14 nights this entire month of September!!!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Football Season has Arrived!
Well, college football season has finally arrived. I survived a long summer in between. Around my house, a house without football, well, it's not a pleasant house. LOL! I love football season, high school, college, pro. I will even watch old football games on the weekends just to get "my fix". I don't know how my family puts up with me. My man will come home and find me with the NFL channel on and a game going and sound asleep. My ring tone is the NFL Fox football sound. I won't change it for anything. This week while at the airport in Dallas I found a shirt that read "I love Cowboys Football" Love and Football were in pink my favorite colors. Thursday night for date night - the Cowboys game and chicken from Bubba's. I'm sure glad my honey loves me.
I was in Baton Rouge and New Orleans on Monday - Wednesday this week for work. I actually had a little fun while there. I'm not able to do that often but when I can, look out world. My friends and I went on a ghost tour in NO. Let me tell you, the only goons I saw, were the one's I was with. Seriously! It was a waste of money, but not time when you spend it with your friends. I enjoy living! I did partake of a shot! It was a small one this time - thank you! Last time I asked for shots in New Orleans, I almost lost my Diamond privileges from Hilton. That will never happen again. OK, I better not say never. But I did learn a valuable lesson. Shots in NO, are not your typical shot glasses. They are party size glasses and when you have to gulp down shots in two drinks instead of throwing your head back on one. You are in trouble. Of course people would say that is what the T stands for in TJ. Seriously! I'm really a good person. I try to tell people that - when they asked why I was named Humanitarian of the Year.
I thought I was never going to get home on Wednesday though. I was to leave on a 4:10 flight. They boarded us, they shut the door and then the pilot said, we aren't leaving for another 2 hours and 45 mins, and "we don't know what we are going to do with you all". Now, as my friends have pointed out, I should be used to this comment. But a plane load of people were highly upset. At 6:00 they told us to board again, and then they told us, "your flight has been cancelled". I thought there was going to be a riot. Fortunately there was a 6:20 flight to Dallas delayed until 7:30. I finally arrived home at 11:00. I was just grateful to get home. These are just little things in life. The funny thing is I was on the plane and I was starving. My friend Nancy had kindly given me a wine bottle filled with nuts before I had left that day. When the flight attendants came around I requested an orange juice no ice and water no ice. I began to open this bottle and the flight attendant, tells me I can't. Now, I'm starved, a little (OK, alot) cranky at 9:00 and I look at her and say, yes I can. She states "mam, you cannot have alcohol on the airplane unless we serve it". Now, I'm thinking, you can't get thru security with less than three ounces of anything in a 1 quart baggy and she thinks I boarded with a wine bottle full of wine. I'm beginning to laugh and I hold up the bottle and say "NUTS". She looks at me and doesn't say I'm sorry, she just starts rolling the cart down the aisle. OK, enough said. It had been one of those days, had it been alcohol, I would have drank it down before we boarded the plane! LOL!
I've had some good training walks on Sunday and Tuesday. Sunday I was able to get in 7 miles. It felt great to know that I could still do it. And I did it all by myself, not with the team. Then while I was in Baton Rouge I got up and did 3 miles on the treadmill. I hope to get some good walks in Sunday and Monday since we have some really nice weather here in TX. Thank you mother nature for being better to us.
I can't believe I have just four weeks until my first walk in October in DC. I'm looking forward to it. I love being with the team and raising money for such a good cause. I'm also looking forward to being in TN with Jane and her family to do a small walk there. It will be good training too.
I think back to all that is going on this month. I made a decision to start having my condo cleaned every other week. This was something that was a major decision for me. You see I have this word in my vocabulary that I don't use very much. The word is "help". I used to not use it at all. I just didn't believe in it. When I was first diagnosed 7 years ago with cancer, I told very few people because I didn't want people to feel sorry for me, when people did find out they were always asking me what they could do for me. Then when I was told that I had less than I year to live. I had to make a decision, to start asking for help. To tell those around me what I needed when I needed it. I wouldn't even tell the doctor's when I was in pain because that meant I would need to ask for medications to deal with it. That is how bad I was. I learned thru a workshop I attended that HELP is not a four letter word like I always thought. It is okay to ask. So, I decided to have someone come in every couple of weeks and do the things around the house that I just don't have the time nor the energy anymore to do. And you know what, it it OK!
Next week is another busy week. But for now, it's football all weekend, a couple of training walks and most of all, I'll continue my affair with my 5 pints of Cinnamon Buns ice cream in the freezer. This time it was the honey who brought them home. Seriously, life is good!
I was in Baton Rouge and New Orleans on Monday - Wednesday this week for work. I actually had a little fun while there. I'm not able to do that often but when I can, look out world. My friends and I went on a ghost tour in NO. Let me tell you, the only goons I saw, were the one's I was with. Seriously! It was a waste of money, but not time when you spend it with your friends. I enjoy living! I did partake of a shot! It was a small one this time - thank you! Last time I asked for shots in New Orleans, I almost lost my Diamond privileges from Hilton. That will never happen again. OK, I better not say never. But I did learn a valuable lesson. Shots in NO, are not your typical shot glasses. They are party size glasses and when you have to gulp down shots in two drinks instead of throwing your head back on one. You are in trouble. Of course people would say that is what the T stands for in TJ. Seriously! I'm really a good person. I try to tell people that - when they asked why I was named Humanitarian of the Year.
I thought I was never going to get home on Wednesday though. I was to leave on a 4:10 flight. They boarded us, they shut the door and then the pilot said, we aren't leaving for another 2 hours and 45 mins, and "we don't know what we are going to do with you all". Now, as my friends have pointed out, I should be used to this comment. But a plane load of people were highly upset. At 6:00 they told us to board again, and then they told us, "your flight has been cancelled". I thought there was going to be a riot. Fortunately there was a 6:20 flight to Dallas delayed until 7:30. I finally arrived home at 11:00. I was just grateful to get home. These are just little things in life. The funny thing is I was on the plane and I was starving. My friend Nancy had kindly given me a wine bottle filled with nuts before I had left that day. When the flight attendants came around I requested an orange juice no ice and water no ice. I began to open this bottle and the flight attendant, tells me I can't. Now, I'm starved, a little (OK, alot) cranky at 9:00 and I look at her and say, yes I can. She states "mam, you cannot have alcohol on the airplane unless we serve it". Now, I'm thinking, you can't get thru security with less than three ounces of anything in a 1 quart baggy and she thinks I boarded with a wine bottle full of wine. I'm beginning to laugh and I hold up the bottle and say "NUTS". She looks at me and doesn't say I'm sorry, she just starts rolling the cart down the aisle. OK, enough said. It had been one of those days, had it been alcohol, I would have drank it down before we boarded the plane! LOL!
I've had some good training walks on Sunday and Tuesday. Sunday I was able to get in 7 miles. It felt great to know that I could still do it. And I did it all by myself, not with the team. Then while I was in Baton Rouge I got up and did 3 miles on the treadmill. I hope to get some good walks in Sunday and Monday since we have some really nice weather here in TX. Thank you mother nature for being better to us.
I can't believe I have just four weeks until my first walk in October in DC. I'm looking forward to it. I love being with the team and raising money for such a good cause. I'm also looking forward to being in TN with Jane and her family to do a small walk there. It will be good training too.
I think back to all that is going on this month. I made a decision to start having my condo cleaned every other week. This was something that was a major decision for me. You see I have this word in my vocabulary that I don't use very much. The word is "help". I used to not use it at all. I just didn't believe in it. When I was first diagnosed 7 years ago with cancer, I told very few people because I didn't want people to feel sorry for me, when people did find out they were always asking me what they could do for me. Then when I was told that I had less than I year to live. I had to make a decision, to start asking for help. To tell those around me what I needed when I needed it. I wouldn't even tell the doctor's when I was in pain because that meant I would need to ask for medications to deal with it. That is how bad I was. I learned thru a workshop I attended that HELP is not a four letter word like I always thought. It is okay to ask. So, I decided to have someone come in every couple of weeks and do the things around the house that I just don't have the time nor the energy anymore to do. And you know what, it it OK!
Next week is another busy week. But for now, it's football all weekend, a couple of training walks and most of all, I'll continue my affair with my 5 pints of Cinnamon Buns ice cream in the freezer. This time it was the honey who brought them home. Seriously, life is good!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
My Affair...
For the past few weeks I've been having a serious affair, with Ben & Jerry's Cinnamon Bun Ice Cream. It's been fun and enticing and desirable but so naughty. Finally, I had to admit it to my honey. Oh, he knew I liked it but he had nooooo idea that I was buying extra pints and consuming them or hiding them in the back of the freezer. The affair finally came to an end yesterday when I went to the store and low and behold, there in it's place sat other flavors of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Now I was hurt! I thought there could never, ever and I was so convinced that I wouldn't be able to replace my two new lovers and their buns with another but I brought home Creme Brulee and Peach Cobbler. As I sat with the L man today and we started scooping spoonful after spoonful in our mouths. I realized Creme Brulee has replaced Cinnamon Buns as my new favorite. That affair may linger another month! BTW - the honey wasn't hurt at all.
This week flew by! I hope it did for everyone who needed it to. I flew into the smallest airport ever, Manhattan, KS on Tuesday. Tiny, friendly and just how I like it. Drove down to Wichita, stayed the night, drove back to Manhattan on Wednesday evening and flew home. I had to drive down to Waco on Thursday for a few appointments and drove back on the same day.
On my drive down to Waco so many memories came flooding back. I used to make that drive back and forth for a few years before I decided to make the move to Dallas. I used to live in Waco and worked there for 5 years before I moved to Dallas in '98. So, every time I go back I have memory flashbacks. I had this strong urge to want to go on down to my home town and visit. I was raised only about 60 miles from there in a little town of about 700 people. I was thinking about Taylor. I need to go visit her grave site. I was remembering that it will be 21 years ago this November 8th that she past away and I was thinking that the time has flown by. Would she really have been 21 this year? I remember the year that it had been 10 years since her death, I was working for Barlow at the time. I was heading down the highway to an appointment and all of a sudden it hit me what the day was. I called my manager, Paul and just said that I needed the day off. I stopped at a florist, asked her to make me a wreath and why. The florist was so sweet, she did it on the spot and I drove the 2 hours home. I just remember how upset I was that I had allowed the years to "sneak" upon me. I'm sure Taylor (little Miss Taylor) as we called her would understand but it just seems yesterday she was here, the boys were running around in their underwear, but it's not, life has happened, but I'm so glad memories are still there.
I had dinner with my friend Heidi on Wednesday night. It was great catching up with her. Life is short and I love catching up with girlfriends. It seems like forever since I've seen her.
Football season - thank you for football and thank you for cooler weather. We've been blessed here in TX for a couple of days.
I've been feeling a little under the weather the past couple of days. Could it be too much ice cream? Oh gosh I hope not. Chemo was rough on Friday and counts were lower but the doctors feel the lower doses they are giving me are on track with the new protocol. They've been asking me more and more about the tanning booths that I used in the past. I swear I cooked my liver to death along with my skin. I wouldn't doubt it if they found out that those things are deadly machines. I used to live in them if I could. But, I will not blame myself for what I've done in the past. For some reason I'm fighting this disease.
This week flew by! I hope it did for everyone who needed it to. I flew into the smallest airport ever, Manhattan, KS on Tuesday. Tiny, friendly and just how I like it. Drove down to Wichita, stayed the night, drove back to Manhattan on Wednesday evening and flew home. I had to drive down to Waco on Thursday for a few appointments and drove back on the same day.
On my drive down to Waco so many memories came flooding back. I used to make that drive back and forth for a few years before I decided to make the move to Dallas. I used to live in Waco and worked there for 5 years before I moved to Dallas in '98. So, every time I go back I have memory flashbacks. I had this strong urge to want to go on down to my home town and visit. I was raised only about 60 miles from there in a little town of about 700 people. I was thinking about Taylor. I need to go visit her grave site. I was remembering that it will be 21 years ago this November 8th that she past away and I was thinking that the time has flown by. Would she really have been 21 this year? I remember the year that it had been 10 years since her death, I was working for Barlow at the time. I was heading down the highway to an appointment and all of a sudden it hit me what the day was. I called my manager, Paul and just said that I needed the day off. I stopped at a florist, asked her to make me a wreath and why. The florist was so sweet, she did it on the spot and I drove the 2 hours home. I just remember how upset I was that I had allowed the years to "sneak" upon me. I'm sure Taylor (little Miss Taylor) as we called her would understand but it just seems yesterday she was here, the boys were running around in their underwear, but it's not, life has happened, but I'm so glad memories are still there.
I had dinner with my friend Heidi on Wednesday night. It was great catching up with her. Life is short and I love catching up with girlfriends. It seems like forever since I've seen her.
Football season - thank you for football and thank you for cooler weather. We've been blessed here in TX for a couple of days.
I've been feeling a little under the weather the past couple of days. Could it be too much ice cream? Oh gosh I hope not. Chemo was rough on Friday and counts were lower but the doctors feel the lower doses they are giving me are on track with the new protocol. They've been asking me more and more about the tanning booths that I used in the past. I swear I cooked my liver to death along with my skin. I wouldn't doubt it if they found out that those things are deadly machines. I used to live in them if I could. But, I will not blame myself for what I've done in the past. For some reason I'm fighting this disease.
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Little Things!
What a week! I just never understand how I make it thru them, ok, I do understand, with the grace of His hands and that one sentence I sometimes whisper "please carry me today because I can't do it by myself." He always does! I don't even have to say "hey God, it's tj here, could You help me out right now", He just seems to know when I'm in need.
Sunday began with set up for a show in Grapevine, TX. I arrived as Neal Young from Sanford was unloading my pallet of stuff the company had shipped in. God bless you Neal! I have the best buds in this industry. Then on Monday the MAPPS show. My youngest, Chance, came in to assist if I needed to go to the bathroom, take a break, lift catalogs, you name it, he was there, more importantly to move stuff out! Love him! Tuesday, we drove down to Houston for the HPPA show and Chance came along. He had time off this week and I'm so grateful, these long road trips are killers on me! The set up on Tuesday and show on Wednesday and then the long drive over to San Antonio on Wednesday evening and set up that evening for the CAPPA show. May I say, OMG! Then show on Thursday and a drive home on Thursday evening! If I hadn't had Chancer along to load and drive and reload and drive, there is no humanly way I could have done this! He was a life saver! Love him for putting up with me, because I'm no angel when I'm tired and cranky. NOPE! I call this week "hell week" due to all the set up, tear down, driving, etc. It's a little too much! Though, I do get to see all my friends and customers and I get to visit, so in that sense I call it a "family reunion". I just don't like the driving and riding. My hips take a beating riding that long.
This week I was also able to get my shirts done for the team - yea!!!! Now to get them imprinted. I also had some surprises as some suppliers donated some items I didn't know about. I love my supplier friends - they are the best! Just when I think I can't get this stuff done - God Blesses me! I'm in awe all the time - gratitude!
My man is back in town from his trip. Thank you! I'm a happy camper - all is right with the world. We are in the same city for the next couple of days.
I haven't trained this week - I need to get my rear in gear - Washington, DC will be here before I know it.
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back & realize they were big things." Robert Brault
Sunday began with set up for a show in Grapevine, TX. I arrived as Neal Young from Sanford was unloading my pallet of stuff the company had shipped in. God bless you Neal! I have the best buds in this industry. Then on Monday the MAPPS show. My youngest, Chance, came in to assist if I needed to go to the bathroom, take a break, lift catalogs, you name it, he was there, more importantly to move stuff out! Love him! Tuesday, we drove down to Houston for the HPPA show and Chance came along. He had time off this week and I'm so grateful, these long road trips are killers on me! The set up on Tuesday and show on Wednesday and then the long drive over to San Antonio on Wednesday evening and set up that evening for the CAPPA show. May I say, OMG! Then show on Thursday and a drive home on Thursday evening! If I hadn't had Chancer along to load and drive and reload and drive, there is no humanly way I could have done this! He was a life saver! Love him for putting up with me, because I'm no angel when I'm tired and cranky. NOPE! I call this week "hell week" due to all the set up, tear down, driving, etc. It's a little too much! Though, I do get to see all my friends and customers and I get to visit, so in that sense I call it a "family reunion". I just don't like the driving and riding. My hips take a beating riding that long.
This week I was also able to get my shirts done for the team - yea!!!! Now to get them imprinted. I also had some surprises as some suppliers donated some items I didn't know about. I love my supplier friends - they are the best! Just when I think I can't get this stuff done - God Blesses me! I'm in awe all the time - gratitude!
My man is back in town from his trip. Thank you! I'm a happy camper - all is right with the world. We are in the same city for the next couple of days.
I haven't trained this week - I need to get my rear in gear - Washington, DC will be here before I know it.
"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back & realize they were big things." Robert Brault
Saturday, August 14, 2010
I'm grateful!
How does a week just fly by? I've been so busy this week. Thank goodness I've actually been home but just busy. Monday I had "advocacy" training. So, now after all these years of doing what I actually do, I'm now qualified to go out and speak on our industry. It feels pretty good! I still have to put together a power point presentation and find the time to schedule speaking engagements but to know I'm qualified to do it, well, it just feels good.
Between appointments this week, I've been preparing for the next 9 weeks on the road. I have like 5 Association shows, 5 tabletop shows and 4 end user shows, plus appointments in different cities in those weeks and just a ton to get ready for. So preparation has been busy.
I've also been suffering from these intense headaches ever since I suffered the concussion over three weeks ago, I really thought they should have stopped by now. I was having heart palpitations, being dizzy and panic attacks(I would be driving down the road and start getting panicky) and finally they did a scan again and everything was healing and come to find out, it was a medication I was on. They stopped the meds, and within 24 hours, my heart stopped racing, my headache stopped, no more dizziness and I haven't had a panic attack. They had given me the medicine the Saturday after I had struck my head and they put two and two together and this is what it was. OMG! I thought I was going crazy. I'm starting to feel like a new woman again. Thank you God!!!
Training is in full swing. I've had a couple of great walks this week. The body is beginning to remember what it is like to walk those long walks and not fully hating me! Yet! When I walk, it's like therapy. I just release every thing into my walks. If I'm feeling upset, I just pound it out in the pavement. Usually though, I just try to meditate. Think about what's going on in the body and how grateful I am that I'm still alive.
I keep a gratitude journal and every night I write down 5 things that I'm grateful for. This helps me reflect on all the good things that happen through out my day. I used to write down how grateful I was for my job. I love what I do. But last February, I was told by a new manager that I wasn't a team player. This hurt and really broke my spirit. I stopped writing that I loved my job in my journal. The other night a friend sent me a Zig Ziglar attitude video and he made me see that I could still love my job and why I could still be grateful. That is was still buried inside of me, that I was just glossing over it. I realized that one person's words can't break you, unless you allow it. To that friend, I owe him big. I might be in love with him, if I didn't already have a big old teddy bear of my own.
Thursday was Hunter's 2nd birthday. Of course, I'm not allowed to see him, again. I do hope that one day Hunter knows that his T-Lee thought of him everyday and loved him. Hopefully Ashley will grow up one day and quit pulling these stunts. There is hope!
I get up everyday and I ask that the good Lord guide me to be a good loving, loyal person. I say thank you that I'm being granted another day on this earth because I shouldn't in all reality. I try to be grateful for some of the things that I find in the day that come in the smallest of ways.
I'm grateful for friends - those old and new - because they are there to tell you they will donate to your cause, help you in a bind, and the new who will tell you they will throw you a "diamond encrusted life jacket" because you helped them with a project
I'm grateful for doctors - those that will listen to me when I say this is what I'm feeling and I know I wasn't feeling this way 3 weeks ago, can you help me figure it out. And they do!
I'm grateful for my company - they've stuck with me thru this cancer when some owners might have said otherwise. I have an awesome owner and president.
I'm grateful for family - I have two sons - one that I've very proud of right now Chance is a Commissioned Peace Officer and works for the City of Weatherford. And Lariat, well he's getting the help he needs for drugs and alcohol, help he's needed for a very long time. I have a grandson, Hunter that I love so much! Chance and I would love to see him much more but until Ashley realizes we just want to help out, well enough said. I also have the love of my life. The "L" man as I like to refer to him. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't say a thank you for this man. He is my soul mate and my best friend.
These are just my daily gratitude's but every night I write down 5 things I find that I'm grateful for, sometimes my list is longer because some days, I've had a really grateful day!
Between appointments this week, I've been preparing for the next 9 weeks on the road. I have like 5 Association shows, 5 tabletop shows and 4 end user shows, plus appointments in different cities in those weeks and just a ton to get ready for. So preparation has been busy.
I've also been suffering from these intense headaches ever since I suffered the concussion over three weeks ago, I really thought they should have stopped by now. I was having heart palpitations, being dizzy and panic attacks(I would be driving down the road and start getting panicky) and finally they did a scan again and everything was healing and come to find out, it was a medication I was on. They stopped the meds, and within 24 hours, my heart stopped racing, my headache stopped, no more dizziness and I haven't had a panic attack. They had given me the medicine the Saturday after I had struck my head and they put two and two together and this is what it was. OMG! I thought I was going crazy. I'm starting to feel like a new woman again. Thank you God!!!
Training is in full swing. I've had a couple of great walks this week. The body is beginning to remember what it is like to walk those long walks and not fully hating me! Yet! When I walk, it's like therapy. I just release every thing into my walks. If I'm feeling upset, I just pound it out in the pavement. Usually though, I just try to meditate. Think about what's going on in the body and how grateful I am that I'm still alive.
I keep a gratitude journal and every night I write down 5 things that I'm grateful for. This helps me reflect on all the good things that happen through out my day. I used to write down how grateful I was for my job. I love what I do. But last February, I was told by a new manager that I wasn't a team player. This hurt and really broke my spirit. I stopped writing that I loved my job in my journal. The other night a friend sent me a Zig Ziglar attitude video and he made me see that I could still love my job and why I could still be grateful. That is was still buried inside of me, that I was just glossing over it. I realized that one person's words can't break you, unless you allow it. To that friend, I owe him big. I might be in love with him, if I didn't already have a big old teddy bear of my own.
Thursday was Hunter's 2nd birthday. Of course, I'm not allowed to see him, again. I do hope that one day Hunter knows that his T-Lee thought of him everyday and loved him. Hopefully Ashley will grow up one day and quit pulling these stunts. There is hope!
I get up everyday and I ask that the good Lord guide me to be a good loving, loyal person. I say thank you that I'm being granted another day on this earth because I shouldn't in all reality. I try to be grateful for some of the things that I find in the day that come in the smallest of ways.
I'm grateful for friends - those old and new - because they are there to tell you they will donate to your cause, help you in a bind, and the new who will tell you they will throw you a "diamond encrusted life jacket" because you helped them with a project
I'm grateful for doctors - those that will listen to me when I say this is what I'm feeling and I know I wasn't feeling this way 3 weeks ago, can you help me figure it out. And they do!
I'm grateful for my company - they've stuck with me thru this cancer when some owners might have said otherwise. I have an awesome owner and president.
I'm grateful for family - I have two sons - one that I've very proud of right now Chance is a Commissioned Peace Officer and works for the City of Weatherford. And Lariat, well he's getting the help he needs for drugs and alcohol, help he's needed for a very long time. I have a grandson, Hunter that I love so much! Chance and I would love to see him much more but until Ashley realizes we just want to help out, well enough said. I also have the love of my life. The "L" man as I like to refer to him. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't say a thank you for this man. He is my soul mate and my best friend.
These are just my daily gratitude's but every night I write down 5 things I find that I'm grateful for, sometimes my list is longer because some days, I've had a really grateful day!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Lover of weekends!
I'm a lover of weekends. Fridays are always chemo days, so I spend 4AM to about 7:45 AM curled up in a chair receiving "vitamins" as I like to try and envision the poison that drips thru my veins. So by the time I get back to the house and finish my day and the effects take over about 5PM, I'm pretty much wiped out. Friday evenings for me are usually spent curled up on the sofa with aching bones from the effects. They have pretty much gotten the nausea taken care of with my meds they drip in now but the chemo makes me tired. So Friday evenings, I rest up and on Saturday if I don't rise for a really early training walk and I'm talking 4AM for a 8 or 10 mile trek, you'll find me snuggling all day in the bed or sofa surfing as I call it. I'll go from the bed, to the sofa in the living room to the sofa in the office and make the rounds all day long. I have trouble staying in one place very long. The chemos I take, I take a mixture of two, makes my bones ache really bad. It's like having growing pains and muscle cramps at the same time if that makes sense. So laying or sitting for a long time in one position, sometimes just feels like I'm on fire in certain places in my body. On the weekends they give me a little higher doses of pain meds than during the week to get me thru. So, maybe that's why I'm a lover of weekends! LOL!
I got up this morning and met my buds for a good training walk. We walked the mall at Northpark. 6 miles. It felt good and it was great! Then the entire team met this afternoon to go over planning for our big fundraiser in September. OH Goodness it is so close. I have so much to do! I can do this! I have tons to ask for but I know I have supplier friends to help. I'm armed with list and this can be done.
I think back to this fight with cancer and I wonder how I've gotten thru it. Sometimes the power of positive thinking is so great and my belief that God has a greater calling for me. I laugh ever time I think how He just is not ready for me. On my worst days when I think that I'm ready to throw in the towel and just manage my pain and get thru the next few months and I garner the strength to decide to do these walks and I think "where do I get these crazy ideas". Well, I'm sure He's deciding that I can do it and it can be done if I'm willing to say "I'm Yours". Carry me on those days I'm too weak. Believe me, I have many a day when I'm not training for a walk either.
Football is back! I just love football and I mean I love my Cowboys. I grew up with football. So when football isn't on, well weekends are a little harder on me, weekends with football, well, take a guess. I love college and pro. On Saturday and Sundays, my TV (all three) are tuned to football. There is a game on in every room. God bless football. Another reason I'm a lover of weekends!
I got up this morning and met my buds for a good training walk. We walked the mall at Northpark. 6 miles. It felt good and it was great! Then the entire team met this afternoon to go over planning for our big fundraiser in September. OH Goodness it is so close. I have so much to do! I can do this! I have tons to ask for but I know I have supplier friends to help. I'm armed with list and this can be done.
I think back to this fight with cancer and I wonder how I've gotten thru it. Sometimes the power of positive thinking is so great and my belief that God has a greater calling for me. I laugh ever time I think how He just is not ready for me. On my worst days when I think that I'm ready to throw in the towel and just manage my pain and get thru the next few months and I garner the strength to decide to do these walks and I think "where do I get these crazy ideas". Well, I'm sure He's deciding that I can do it and it can be done if I'm willing to say "I'm Yours". Carry me on those days I'm too weak. Believe me, I have many a day when I'm not training for a walk either.
Football is back! I just love football and I mean I love my Cowboys. I grew up with football. So when football isn't on, well weekends are a little harder on me, weekends with football, well, take a guess. I love college and pro. On Saturday and Sundays, my TV (all three) are tuned to football. There is a game on in every room. God bless football. Another reason I'm a lover of weekends!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)