Happy Halloweenie

Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, 100 Grand, Nestle Crunch, Skittles, Starburst---and that was just lunch! I love Halloween.

Bat Girl

The countdown officially begins. By this time next week I'll have been spayed and will be hopefully eating oatmeal chocolate chip cookies in bed. ;) I'm easy to please most of the time. I was informed that I may have to spend one night at the hospital instead of being an out-patient.....WHAT....not Bat Girl! You all remember that Bat Girl was a librarian, right???? She would never have put up with this nonsense. Call Commissioner Gordon, this is an outrage! I protest!

Well, OK, maybe for one night but that's all!

Gunnyr Micah

Tya---are you sure that's how you want to spell 'Gunnyr'??? That poor kid will never be able to find a mug with his name on it at Disney World! Let me introduce you all to my great-nephew due to arrive April 13. He will join his sister Hayden Annabelle who belongs to my #2 niece Tya and her hubby Andy in Tampa. By #2 I mean chronological order, not a ranking! Although I KNOW at one point in time I've told each of my 6 nieces and 3 nephews that they are my 'favorite' because they ARE all my favorites.

dizzy

I've been dizzy for 4 days off and on and I'm tired of it. I think it is a side effect from the 'flu shot I got Saturday evening.....it was a little better today so I'm looking for major improvements tomorrow.

One week from today I fly to Columbia, SC for my surgery. I pre-registered with Baptist Hospital this afternoon and Diane, the nurse who called me was a hoot. Gotta love those southern girls because she was full of grits and goodwill. Actually everyone I spoke with today was uplifting in their own way. Lots of positive energy floating on the 2nd floor today.

Had my performance evaluation today and it was good, I was worried even though I know I've been working hard. You just never know if anyone else notices how hard you work.

Hugs

There are some days when you just need a hug. Today was one of those days. But luckily for me hugs can happen in the most unexpected locations at the Dallas Public Library! Within 1 hour this morning I got a hug in the staff elevator and 30 minutes later another in the staff ladies room and I needed them both. It is always a comfort to know your colleagues are there for you when you need a little lift. Lily, I know you would have hugged me too if I'd have let you.....but at my desk I needed to be Wonder Woman and it wasn't coming easy, as you noticed!

Ladybug bracelet

Today we celebrated Halloween at Bookmarks with the help of NorthPark Center. They had entertainment for the kids from noon to 6pm and the families were out with their kiddies in costumes. We were swamped with families reading, doing puzzles, crafts and just being together. I was hanging near the door as "Ambassador Jo" when a little girl about 4 years old shot out of the face painting line in the hall and barreled into me. She is a storytime regular and she just had to show me her ladybug bracelet made out of balloons. Her name is Maygen and while her poor mom waited in line we had a lively conversation. She loves butterflies and will be a bumble bee for Halloween. It was the most amazing afternoon, so full of love and happiness. I also played balloon-bounce on and off all afternoon. You know, you blow up a balloon and simply keep bouncing it into the air. Insert shrieks of laughter, jumping and smiling into the equation and you have some good old fashion fun. Did I mention I get paid to do this???? Life is very good!

Lindsey and I had lunch before we opened today at the newest merchant on our hallway, Cibus. I had butternut squash soup and it was wonderful. It is a nice Italian-style cafe with a full service restaurant in the back (which won't open until next week). Did I mention the desserts yet? WELL, they only opened a couple of days ago but we were in there 'testing' the desserts on day one and I'm happy to report they passed a rigorous inspection. So come on out and take me to lunch!

On my way home tonight I got a flu shot. I am armed with Lysol and hand sanitizer so I feel that it will be a happy winter in Dallas, at least for me!

Can you tell how great I'm feeling today? I just wish I could bottle this up and save it to drink on 11/7--the day after I become cancer-free. I'm also practicing the art of breathing now too, have you ever done that? Stop, hold your breath, then inhale. Doesn't it feel good? Do it four times in the morning and at night and you will most certainly have renewed energy---guaranteed. By who? By ME of course! Dr. Jo! ;)

$16.21!!!

It was a great day in Dallas today! Tuesdays are my day off so I treated myself to a hunting expedition at DSW. For those of you who may not be familiar with DSW it is a huge discount shoe store. I didn't go in looking for anything special and I got the deal of the century, ok maybe the year, well at least the week! Unlisted brown leather platform pumps for $16.21, regularly $89! I'm feeling the glow of victory tonight! Now.....what to wear tomorrow to showcase the newest member of my closet? Hmmmmm....

Getting Spayed

Hysterectomy is such a long word---I'm going with 'spay' from now on!

Before today the life-changing permanence of this procedure had not effected me. I was never a 'my biological clock is ticking' type of woman and never felt that urge to procreate. But today a little boy grabbed my hand after storytime and I felt a deep sense of loss. Not my usual reaction as I'm around these tiny beasts daily and I usually 'oooh and ahhh' and happily wave good-bye. I think the reason I never felt a sense of missing out was that my brothers and sisters generously included me in the raising of their children, even if my job was only the fun-babysitting-aunt role BUT I got to teach them it is really OK to eat dessert before dinner once in a while!

There are many fond memories for me here......of trouncing Drew in putt-putt golf(no I did not let him win), having Michael drive us to the movie theater on his learner's permit (scary), sitting in Brittany's room talking about boys, going to dance rehearsal with Bethany, taking Neil and Isabel for professional photos and jumping into the picture too, meeting Tya at Wildwood and talking about life for hours in the car on the way to stay with Grandma, carrying Madeline in the baby bjorn in NYC into Saks and getting free gifts at the Chanel cosmetics counter because she was so cute, teaching Madeline and Zoe how to do a flip over the bar at the playground, these are the moments I cherish in my heart that make me smile at moments like this in my life.

The Beginning

Three weeks ago I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the cervix and uterus, the same cancer my father had in his lungs despite the fact that he never smoked. Genetics or just bad luck? Who knows for sure but one thing I do know is I'm going to knock it out with smile on my face and in a very cute sweatsuit! Yes, I'm looking for the perfect post-surgery lounging outfit and am seeking an unrivaled sweatsuit---no velour here people! So keep and eye out for me when you head off to the mall or department store and let me know if you find something outstanding, unusual, with bling or animal prints or something fun and uplifting.

I will have a hysterectomy on November 6th at Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC then spend the following 4 weeks with my brother Tom and his family recuperating. Bets are being taken on how long I will actually stay in SC....I'm shooting for 2.5 weeks but Dr. Salley may have something to say about that! We shall see......