Identity crisis

I was born Maureen. But, from what I understand, my nickname "Mimi" came along almost immediately. Story has it that my mom didn't love the nickname "Mo". And, as I am the 5th daughter, my mom declared "No Mo"....as in, no mo' kids and no Mo as a nickname. Funny. Anyway, Mimi stuck for 24 years. Then I moved to Texas and became, for this first time in my life, Maureen...or Mo (which I like, especially if I am fond of the person calling me by that moniker).

So for nearly 20 years, in Texas, I was Maureen - or Mo. Sometimes also Moonpie or Maureenie or Coo Coo. Seriously. But mostly Maureen.

Now I am back in Michigan. Without skipping a beat, I am back to Mimi. People I meet at the kid's school say "Hi Mimi" to me in the halls (thanks to my sister). People I do not remember meeting call me Mimi. Of course, being back in town I see aquaintances from long, long ago and they all call me Mimi.

I like it. It feels welcoming and familiar and comfortable.

Problem is...I can't remember my own name. I automatically say Maureen.

Then the confusion starts all over again...

This doesn't really pass the "so what" test. But I love having such inconsequential things on my mind. :-)

xoxo

Shameless....

...using my blog to reach the tens of you reading. tee hee Sorry....I can't help it.....it is a great cause.

Will you sponsor me?

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR?px=4693263&fr_id=1467&pg=personal

xoxo

count down......for sure this time!

I am so excited to say that I only have 3 more infusions to go...for real this time. I do not see my oncologist extending them again or changing them or adding new ones. I am doing fantastic! The only slightly distressing thing was when I told her how excited I was to get my port out...and that I wanted to get the procedure scheduled. Her response was "No". She told me that she wants me to wait until all my scans are done in August before I get the port out. Okey-dokey. lol I do understand. And I can certainly wait three more months for the port removal. No biggie. I am still on cloud 9 that the end of the treatments is near and I can get back to normal as much as possible!

As I have said many times before, I wish I could reach out and touch each of you the way you have me. You, my dear friends and family, have carried me for so long now. I look forward to a nice rest for all of us. Thank you for your unwavering love and support. You are all my heroes!

xoxo

evening prayers

Angelica's evening prayers last night...

Thank you Jesus for our dogs...
...and for my mom
....and for our mailbox
Amen

So glad I made the cut.

xoxo

craft time

Oscar had a friend over last night for a sleep over. So Angelica and I had some special girl time. As we were trying to think of something fun to do, she asked if we could paint. Sure, I said. In fact, I told her we could paint some rocks (something I loved to do as a kid). I went out to dig through what is left of the snow to find some rocks for us to paint. When I came back inside I found Angelica painting like crazy with brown paint on a piece of paper....she was goin' to town! I looked at at her "masterpiece" to find a bunch of brown circles. I asked her what she was doing...and she said "Painting rocks!!". Hilarious!!!

Love this girl!!



xoxo

Lent

Oddie gave up chewing up our house for Lent. One more reason I will cherish these 40 days.

xoxo

It's all a blur

Driving the kids to school this morning all I could think about was...."Oh my gosh, I live in Michigan now. I am cancer free. I had cancer???...seriously??? When did that happen? How did I get to this point in my life?" It was surreal. Really. I just kept thinking about the last couple years in utter amazement.

The point is: I am really happy. Most days I am so so so very happy. Other days I am just content...such a lovely place to be. And EVERY day I am grateful. Not forced grateful but truly grateful...right down to my very core. It is just a pure state of mind for me. Is this one of the enigmatic "gifts" that are so often talked about by survivors? I guess it is part of that secret handshake. :) I read about the "gifts" and listened to people talk about the "gifts". And, truth be told, sometimes I would get annoyed by the "gifts" talk. But now I get it. Like a light bulb going off. Trying to describe it is like trying to explain the color blue to a person blind since birth. It is so esoteric but oh so very good.

Of course I still get crabby with the kids or irritated by the painfully slow waitress or irked by the rude store clerk. Even that makes me happy because it is just so damn normal. lol

One of the best parts of life these days is work. I realize now what a significant part of my life my work is. I love my job. I adore the people I work for and with. I would love it all more if I could get my foot in the door at ArvinMeritor or Lear or BorgWarner or Visteon. :-) I may not have a nobel profession like being a teacher or doctor or firefighter...but I do help companies and I do good consulting work....and I love my job. It is another......ut oh.......oh no............don't say it.........aughhhhhhhh.....I can't help it.............It is another GIFT!!

xoxo