My Roommate

By popular demand, I am introducing you all to the man in my life~my adorable roommate. He is the absolute best. He doesn't snore, hog the bed, leave his clothes in a heap on the floor or share his affections with another woman. He's housebroken, listens attentively when I talk to him, acts hysterically happy when I come home, gives me wonderful wet kisses and all he requires in return are 2 square meals a day, a walk and lots of lovin' ! I can do that!!

Meet Baby Doll, my pound poodle. We've been together for a little over a year now. He's very sophisticated as you can see. He loves to go with me when I go exploring around KY. These pictures were taken at Boonesboro State Park My vet thinks he's probably about 5 now and is probably a purebred. She says that doesn't happen much, for a purebred poodle to find its way to the Humane Society. But that's where we met. He even came to the hospital several times last summer to cheer me up.

There, my secret is out. My boyfriend has 4 legs and doesn't shave every day! What can I say???

Missing Friends

Today I got a good report from my cancer doctor. I'm holding my own. Not in remission, but still stable.

But the sad news was that one of my MM friends died a few months ago and I just heard the news this morning. It kind of knocked the wind out of my sails. He was such a nice, Christian man. He left a wife and 3 kids. He wasn't that old either. Maybe late 30's, early 40's.

So tonight I'm a little sad, wishing I had been able to see my friend before he died. But knowing that some day I'll see him again.

I urge you, my friends, to give that extra hug, that un-solicitated praise, that soft "I love you"...to the ones you love tonight. Take time to walk hand in hand, to sit outside and watch the sun go down and the stars come out. Leave the dishes in the sink and wrestle with your kids. Turn the TV off and read a book together cuddled on the couch. Make a fort out of tree limbs and cook dinner over an open fire. Don't let every day life dictate to you. But rather, reach for something richer. Make memories that you'll laugh over when your kids are married with kids of their own. Enjoy the little things.

And remember, above all, that God desires to give you life and that more abundantly than you can ever dream of, or wish for.

God Bless you all~

Susan

Cancer...

Tonight I saw the Extreme Home Makeover show that was about the family in Texas, whose 7 yr old daughter had cancer. It was precious. But I haven't been feeling very well the last little while. I go back in this Wed. for another check up. The little girl told one of the Designers that she wasn't ready to leave this world yet. She didn't know what heaven was going to be like. That's kind of how I'm feeling tonight. Caught between two worlds. On the one hand, I think I'm ready, if the Lord should "turn out the lights", but on the other I'm still scared of the un-known. But for me it's not really the fear of being gone from this life...but the passage into the next. I'm afraid it will hurt. That it will be a solitary journey that I'll have to travel alone...frightened...

So, while family and friends tell me how wonderful I look (which helps them to believe that I'm not really that sick), I'm laying here tonight dreading the thought of perhaps more chemo soon. I've been off drugs now, since March. And on the whole, it's been wonderful. I've really felt pretty good and had lots of energy. But just lately, I'm feeling kind of "ucky", especially after I eat. Have been taking anti-nasea drugs that help. But tonight I feel a little like I'm crawling out of my skin. Kind of antsy. Maybe I slept too much during the day...who knows. But I'm still tired.

I had all my camera equipment stolen the first night on vacation in Seattle a few weeks ago. I finally got enough money together (while I'm waiting on the insurance to process) to buy another camera. I went out yesterday and shot some more pictures. I really didn't realize how very much I missed my photo shoots until I couldn't do them for awhile. For me, they're therapeutic. Enjoy!