Year in the Making

I sat in the plastic surgeons office yesterday and next to me was a woman with a complete glazed look over her face. She was reading an informative book the doctor had on the table. I commented to her that the book had great information in it. She responded, "It is a lot to absorb." She was having her mastectomy today. You don't forget the feeling of horror or the unknown. I can pass along hope and encouragement to someone new to the journey.

I toasted this evening with making it to my one year mark. As a Breast Cancer survivor, your first five years are your "danger zone" I hope the next four years go by as fast as this one did. I hope to remember the next four years a little better!

I have taken time to read. I have chosen books that are inspirational. I have found meditation to sooth the mind and calm the emotions. Time for ourselves is always needed and we often loose sight of our sense of "self".

Maia and I will be going back to Pennsylvania in March to see Dad & Karla. I am looking forward to seeing family and friends. My taste buds are seeking as many cheesesteaks and Yuenglings as they can handle! A possible garlic fest at Paolo's is also a requirement. The foods we miss.

Valentine's Day

February 14, 2009....One year ago today I was lying on a table having a biopsy on my breast.

I have made it to my one year mark, actually it is the 18th, but a few days short to celebrate is ok in my book!

We are going to enjoy the evening with family and fondue! Love fondue!

Happy Valentine's Day to all.

Marble Canyon Mecca

Rich and I rescheduled our trip to Vegas for another time. We packed the car and headed 4 hours to Northern Arizona to Lees Ferry/Marble Canyon. The weather was perfect for hiking on Friday and Saturday.

Before you get to the lodge, you must cross the Navajo Bridge. We parked the car and walked the old bridge that connects the gorge. A view of the Colorado River 475 feet below is not for the weak. The silence of the area left you listening to the river below. We were not fortunate enough to see the California Condors that live in the area. A couple we spoke with said seven of them like to sit on the bridge. Bummer.

We checked into the Cliff Dwellers Lodge. Stunning views of the Vermillion Cliffs. The rooms were clean,spacious and a great rate ($55 a night). The lodge caters to fly fisherman, so the front of the lodge by the end of the day is wader drying heaven.

The restaurant at the lodge is awesome. Rich had the best ribs ever! The ahi salad was a real treat. You have two food choices in this area. Cliff Dweller Restaurant or the Lees Ferry Motel. They cater to fisherman, hikers and any other crazy outdoors person you may encounter. The food must be good for the outdoors man type. The service was great and the company in the 8 table restaurant was friendly.

We hiked Lonely Dell Ranch on Saturday afternoon. The Loney Dell was home to families that operated Lees Ferry. It was really remarkable to think people lived in the surroundings the area posed. About a mile behind the ranch is Paria Canyon. It offers spectacular views of red rock along the river bed.

After our hiking, we stopped by the Lees Ferry Motel for some lunch. The husband and wife team working in the restaurant were so pleasant. They love the area and homeschool all three of their children. Their children have great opportunities to work with the river guides and anglers in the area. What an experience. Food and company were so welcoming, we decided to have dinner their as well. Two ribeye dinners please! They gave us a tour of the Lees Ferry Motel. The rooms were so cute. It is a definite stay then next time we venture north.

The silence of the canyon at night is soothing. We had almost a full moon to view, so it made stargazing a little difficult. The moon reflecting on the cliffs was something out of a movie.

As much as we wanted to hike on Sunday, snow on the cliffs left us wondering what the drive home would be like. It rained until we reached Flagstaff. Then the snow fell, and fell and fell. My last driving experience in snow was....was....was....11 years ago. I must say, it looked lovely, but I don't miss shoveling it or driving in it.

We made it home and refreshed. View the photos for yourself and image the silence.

Cut!

It has been at least a year since my last haircut and color. I guess the time has come to get rid of the skunk look.

The days of showering without shampoo, throwing on a bandana and being ready in a half hour are over. I had to buy a few styling products. I gave the ones I had away months ago.

Going from having no hair to hair has its own irony. I was worried about dying my hair a different color than before. Does it really matter...I had no hair! Hair color is like bandanas...they can be changed. A good friend of mine told me I should have dyed my hair pink...there are exceptions to the rule. I told her, "You first!"

Here are a few things to ponder:

1. Cowlicks are like the little tiny hairs that form on your bald head and poke out in the strangest places.
2. Hair product are cheaper than Mach 3 razorblades. And last longer.
3. Bald is beautiful....you never feel beautiful with a bad hair day.
4. If you don't like the cut, it grows back.
5. If you don't like the color, change it.
6. New hair growth is as soft as a babies.
7. Learn to wear hats, they protect your head and save the life of your hair color.
8. Never wonder why a woman wears her hair so short, she may have new growth from months of chemo.
9. If you ever have to be bald, let your kids color on your head. It makes a great message board. Washable markers only please.
10. Many consider their hair a part of vanity, vanity starts from within.