only a matter of time...

for those of you who don't know, i joined a running group several weeks ago.  i am not really all that great at it.  i ran a little in high school...even won most improved.  anyone (other than my running group) could probably walk beside me as i run.  i am the runner who looks like i have a boulder attached to my foot and my face is as red as a tomato.  currently we run 7 minutes and walk 1 minute and last night completed 2.8 miles (time/mileage is added from week to week).  yep, i have improved to a 16 minute mile and feel good about it.  my 1st goal is to complete a 5k.  2nd goal is an 8k, then 10k and then a 1/2 marathon.  i don't really think i will go any further than that...only time will tell.  after the 1/2 marathon, i would like to train for one of those long distance bike rides with my husband.  some of you are saying...oh, didn't know either of you like to ride...or...hmmph, didn't realize ya'll had bikes.  and to you i say...we don't.  occasionally, I see things the two of us...meaning me...would enjoy and like to accomplish together and sometimes jj agrees.

ok, so probably something some of you don't know and those of you who do...know all too well...i am a huge klutz.  and i mean the whole package.  if something is going to happen, it will most likely happen to me.  when jj and i went to belize on our first vacation together, i bought $100 worth of first aide (included any worst case scenario for instance, snake bite medicine) and we keep a full first aide kit in the house.  i fall going upstairs; i trip over the sidewalk/branches/my own feet/nothing; i fix a plate of food and somehow when i go to sit down, the fork (which has positioned itself under food) will somersault off of my plate; i sit my drink down and midway through my meal, somehow find the spot on the floor or table that is not level (that's always fun when it's the last bit of tea); i have butter fingers; i can't handle knives because i always end up with a cut/gash (this includes washing them by hand and also now includes a veggie peeler); don't think i am leaving out the stove or the oven or anything hot for that matter; and it has now become clear the ribbon with wire is not a good option for me.  i am a mess...total package.

so it was no surprise, only a matter of time when i fell last night while running with my group.  yes, i tripped over the sidewalk and then my feet with my arms flailing about.  i'm sure someone (or many) driving down this popular road during 6 o'clock traffic got a good point and laugh at my expense. and i am ok with it.  i wanted to cry because my hands felt like they were on fire, but i didn't.  and not to mention, i am a HUGE FREAK about my knees...absolutely HATE for anyone to touch them, look at them, etc. so i was really scared to look at them in fear of what i might find...fearing someone may have to work on them. nope just swollen, knotted and bruised...the usual.  i took a minute to get my composure and allow the pain to ease, got back up and ran it out.  no shock to jj when i called him and began to tell him of my escapade.  he simply said, how bad is it? 

 a little ice over 12 hours made things a lot better

 May look like a tiny scratch but it totally hurts.  My little hands are so soft and tender.  JJ told his brother what happened and his brother asked how long I was gonna be out of work:)

 And then there's the 2nd love of my life...Skeeter...to kiss it and make it better.

for those of you thinking i am the lone ranger here, oh no.  jj has had his fair share.  throughout his life, he has been stung by like a thousand bees...at once, hit by a car twice, and is a total klutz with drinks and glassware.  hey and not to mention our medical scares...aren't we the pair?

Kancer Free

The night before I went into my final treatment, I wrote the following letter to cancer.  It is hard for me to read it.  Because I screened a lot of what I wrote.  This is how I felt, but it goes deeper than that.  So when I read this, I am reminded of the dark place I was in.  The only thing helping me was knowing a new day was around the corner.

Dear Kancer,

Tomorrow I hope to say good-bye for good.  While it has been interesting getting to know you and while I am forever changed by you, I am happy to part ways. 

I was extremely scared of you in September, but now I no longer fear you.  I know that God gives me the strength to face you!  He will not give me more than I can handle.

You have scarred me not only physically but emotionally.  I have tried to overcome you by having a positive attitude and not let you get me down.  You have made it tough.  You have made my body weak.  There are days I am physically tired and just plain worn out.  Days I find it hard to lift a finger or move even a toe.  I still can't look at my scars.  And as of last night, I am 37 pounds heavier.  I absolutely hate the way I look and feel.  And I have become more aware of people around me...what I mean by that is that I notice all of my short comings in everyone that passes me by.  So you have left me in a state of mind I have never been in before.  You have given new meaning to soul searching.      

But on a positive note, you have given me the knowledge to help others.  You have slowed me down...in a good way by teaching me to appreciate life more.  You have brought my husband and I closer together.  You have reconnected me with people I otherwise may not have reconnected with.  I have met other women who also know you personally.  You made me a stronger woman.

So farewell kancer.  Thank you for the good, thank you for the bad.   Both are shaping me for the person I am meant to be.  I will get there and I will be stronger when I do.

Shannon

So today, marks 1 year!  1 year ago, I was getting treatment for the last time (I hope the last time forever).  Today, I am officially 1 year in remission!!!!!!!!  OMG - that gives me goosebumps.  I gotta say, there is a feeling like no other to be able to say that.  And to say...I AM A SURVIVOR!!!  I beat cancer's ass.  The feeling I have is kind of like...well, for me anyway...I have always and I do mean ALWAYS wanted a 1966 Pink Cadillac convertible.  So for me, the feeling I get being a survivor is like riding with the top down in my absolute dream car, letting the wind blow through my hair with this song on the radio...turned up so super loud and me singing along at the top of my lungs (JJ, you know what I'm talkin' about). 

It's not necessarily about the car...it is about accomplishing a dream and knowing obstacles got in your way, but you had the strength of David and overcame those obstacles.  Like, slaying the giant:)  It can be overwhelming almost.

So what better way to celebrate...a party:)  Thank you to all who came out in support!!

xoxoxoxoxo-Shannon

fondest valentine's memory

let me start by wishing everyone a happy valentine's day/sweetheart's day/mushy, gooshy love day!!  Or for some of you...happy 'just another day' day.  our valentine's day has become one surrounded by a memory.  one valentine's day that could never be replaced...one that is forever etched in my memory bank and will soon be in yours.  so here goes...

classic story...girl plans all festivities and man just goes with the flow; girl wants to be surprised on valentine's day, so she asks man to plan all by himself; girl's first mistake.  guy waits until the last minute even after constant reminders from girl.  guy calls around on valentine's day and everything is booked...shocker. guy brainstorms and decides he knows a place where no reservation is needed and no dressing up required...perfect.  guy tells girl, be ready at 7:00...no worries with dressing up and reservations weren't required.  girl is very happy.  girl asks "where are we going?", guy says, it's a surprise. ooh, even better.  girl + boy head out.  boy gets on highway and girl thinks...where could we be going???  girl swallows a thought, takes a deep breathe and spouts out the name of a restaurant desperately hoping she is wrong.  guy says "yes!!!!!!!!  i thought it would be funny".  girl desperately seeking for the humor in the situation.

so i am sure you are on the edge of your seat if this is your first time hearing this. 

valentine's day + man in charge of planning = truck stop. 

let me say it again...valentine's day + man in charge of planning = truck stop.

please don't think girl let boy off the hook...we bought memorabilia. 

and at the wedding...yes there was a wedding, girl + boy were whisked away by...you guessed it, a big truck...because girl + boy thought it would be funny!

so next time you are headed through lexington, nc off of I-85, look for bill!  he is always on the side of the road waving at'cha.

lesson:  a very unplanned and non-traditional evening = one of my favorite memories ever:) thank you my sweet!!!

i hope you enjoyed our fondest valentine's day memory.

with love, jj & shannon