Boob Voyage

In a mad flurry of texts having more to do with The Voice than anything, Kendra innocently asked when we'd be raising a glass to My Girls and wishing them a fond farewell.  Until she broached the subject, I hadn't given it much thought.  Once it was up for discussion though, the Googling began.  What exactly does one do to say boob voyage? 

I came across the blog of another thirty-something who had been down this path.  Yes, some days breast cancer does feel as common as a cold, especially among women of my generation.  While I don't recall whether or not she had her own send off (for the life of me, I cannot find the blog and it's driving me crazy!!), I was inspired, not only by her story but by the foundation she created.  Feel Your Boobies Foundation, a non-profit breast cancer organization, focuses 100% on using media and other unexpected and unconventional methods to spread this life saving message to young women.  Leigh found her lump, not by a traditional breast exam, but by simply feeling her boobies.  That hit home.  I found my lump putting lotion on my body having just taken my daily shower.

I needed to rally my troops.  We needed t-shirts.  We needed drinks.  And chocolate.  

Porter Creek Grill's Banana Ice Cream Cake.  Can you say YUM???

There was an audible groan from many who read my email inviting them to join me for the big send-off as it included the words 'craft project.'  You see, while I thoroughly enjoy my creative endeavors, not all of my girlfriends are like-minded.  Undeterred, they came anyway.

We gathered & made t-shirts that read 'Feel Your Boobies.'  Yes, I stole the idea from the FYBF website.  With more resources and more time at hand, I would have simply ordered all attendees a shirt.  That, however, was not an option.  There were mere days between that initial text and the celebration taking place.  

In case you're curious, I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut heat set vinyl for creating our shirts.   The ironing-on process did not go as smoothly as I would have liked.  We all had to iron our shirts multiple times.  In the end, the result was good.

Even my niece, Haley, ended up with a Feel Your Boobies Shirt.  

Freshly ironed shirts donned, we headed out the door for a few drinks, some tasty bites and more than a few boob related one-liners.  I felt so lucky and so blessed to have my friends come together to support me.  

It felt good to bring a lightness to an event that can weigh so heavily on a person.  I am voluntarily cutting off part of my body in order to save my own life.  That's heavy.  Very heavy.  I'd be lying if I didn't admit to being nervous, to doing the mental countdown to 2:30 on October 25 more times each day than I can count.  I just want to have this behind me.  It's horrid to wish your life away; however, if I could just fast forward a few weeks to the part where I'm mostly recovered from surgery, it'd be great.  

I'd be telling an equally large untruth if I didn't share with you the fact that I. AM. READY.  Let's get this done with.  Let me get on with living.  Me, yes, I've got a whole lot of living to do, and I don't need cancer lingering in the corner like an unwelcome party guest.  

I'll share details of my surgery in a future post.  Some of you have asked some very pointed questions.  I certainly don't mind answering them.  I'm one who prefers to be educated when it comes to medical concerns.  I'm happy to share all that I've learned.  

In the meantime, go feel your boobies.  Come on now, give 'em a good squeeze.  ; )

Laugh Out Loud

"Mom, can we do that picture thing?"  At first, I was puzzled by the request.  Then he added, "You know...That funny face one."  

The light went on.  Photo Booth.  He meant Photo Booth.

For a half hour, we laughed, non-stop, as we clicked our way through the various effects.  We tried them all.  Pinch.  X-Ray.  Comic Book.  

Swirl.

Bulge.

Two-headed Channing.

No headed Channing. 

X-Ray

Thermal perfectly illustrating my look of horror as Channing's elbow knocked his full glass of grape juice to the floor.  We just laughed harder, first at the mess and then at my expression.

It was a great reminder in the midst of new baby sleep depravation, looming surgery, mounds of laundry and piles of dishes, that sometimes, it's the small things, the seemingly simple ones, that make the moment.  

Fish faces.

A comic smooch-a-roo-ski.

The best part?  I recognized it as it happened, not after the fact, and allowed myself to savor it that much more.  

365 Project Week 34-38

Without further ado...

1.  Tub toes.  I just want to eat 'em!!  2.  WM gave WC a quarter post-lunch date at EPC.  He got to pick ANYTHING he wanted from the machines.  He didn't pick gum.  I was very surprised.  He picked a teeny, tiny rubber parrot.  Squawk!!  3.  We spent a drizzly morning at the Cleary Lake golf course.  If you ask WC, he won by a landslide.  4.  WC is a fiend for tacos, especially the kind you make in the snack sized Doritos bag.  Yum!  5.  Monsters all lined up and waiting for the ice cream to be dished up.  6.  Bitty clothes awaiting MD's arrival  7.  I don't think this is really considered part of 'nesting.'  However, this is what the living room would look like in the morning after a night of trying to find somewhere comfortable to sleep in the final days before MD's arrival. 

1.  Rolo, pecan & pretzel bites.  Delish!  2.  Jasmine, WC's latest and greatest stuffed best friend, is safely tucked into his backpack and ready for a sleepover with Grandma & Grandpa Flynn.  3.  Just a few of the tomatoes WC helped Kathy pick from their garden  4.  Doc McChanning.  He's obsessed with Doc McStuffins.  We made a felt stethoscope for him one evening.  It looked just like hers.  He was beyond thrilled.  Thank you, Pinterest!  5.  Leo & WC spent part of one morning shooting hoops.  6.  A failed attempt at making fairies in a jar.  We ended up with a jar of wet, glitter blobs.  : (  7.  Schloppy-schlop.  WC & WM reading Dr. Seuss at bedtime.  I love sneaking in during these moments and watching, usually un-noticed.   

1. Swirls of burlap and a paper F replaced the yarn wreath on our front door.  Hello Fall!!  2.  WC listening to Ms. Caren read the story of Little Mouse at "Meet Your Teacher Day."  3.  WC being introduced to his wee, little cousin Haley.  4.  The view from the sewing table.  It is much easier to get my projects done if WC has a project and workstation of his own.  5.  The fruits of my sewing labor-fabric & felt pumpkins that now grace the entry hall table.  6.  WM taking a turn giving some love to Haley.  No you're not imagining things.  She really is that little.  I'll tell you more about her in another post.  7.  WC's spook-tacular craft project.  He was mighty proud of the house we built together.

1.  SKY, a most lovely shade of blue nail polish.  I managed to get this on my toes without mishap once Dr. Block announced MD would be arriving the following day.  There was just no time to run to the salon for a pedicure!  2.  MD's first sponge bath just hours after his arrival.  3.  WC picked these for his brother.  They lasted over two weeks.!!  4.  With gestational diabetes out of the picture, I wasted no time in enjoying a little of my favorite ice cream.  5.  WC refers to Dr. Block as 'the chocolate doctor' due to the large candy dish in her waiting room.  She made sure chocolates were delivered to the hospital to help WC feel special too.  6.  Baby yawns make for some of my favorite candid shots.  7.  A mitten-clad MD snuggles with WM & fills his little belly.

1.  Fall's arrival = Honeycrisp Apples.  I turned this small pile into a crisp.  No one complained.  WC even ate some for breakfast one morning.  2.  Blue delphiniums in the bouquet of flowers from our CMG family.  Lovely.  Just lovely.  3. Snuggle buddies.  4.  This guy loves, loves, loves his pacifier.  5.  My hair actually does this on its own.  I wash & dry it.  This is the result.  WC thinks its hilarious that I have 'shark hair.'  6.  The perfect swirl on the back of MD's head that I find myself tracing with my fingertip over and over and over.  These are the little details you never, ever want to forget.  7.  My boys watching football.