I'll never capitalize cancer

I have alot going on in my life, more than just cancer and chemo. Sure it's a big part of my life right now, but it's not the most important part of my life. You will never see me spell it with a capital "c".

I'm a Wife and Mom. I love my Family. I have good Friends. We do fun stuff and dumb stuff and sometimes we argue and then we laugh again. We go to work and to the grocery store and we go swimming and have birthday parties and get ready for the first day of school.

I keep saying that I don't want ovarian cancer to define me, but sometimes I just can't help it.

A good friend put it this way for me "cancer may be defining your life for the moment, but it is not your entire life. You seem to just make time for it." That made me feel better.

If you want to see it from the beginning, my cancer story begins in March.

The rest of my story is happening now.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

I Blew Out my Flip Flop

A casualty of Hurricane Ike.

I don't know which is harder - finding ice after a Hurricane or finding a new pair of flip flops after Summer.

This song keeps going through my head.


Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Salt Water

Got a taste of the Gulf while I was brushing my teeth this morning! Can't boil that away.

We had been notified to boil water before consumption. More people coming back to the area has put increased burden on the lift stations, most of which are operating on generator power.

I suppose this would be the reason to stock up on bottled water.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

What I am doing with all this free time ...

Surfing the internet!

I found a very funny political skit from SNL. Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler is Hillary Clinton.

Barack Obama was suppose to host Saturday Night Live this past Weekend. He cancelled because of all of the devastation from Hurricane Ike.

I was able to find a good deal on a hotel room in San Antonio. Just 5 blocks from the Alamo! WiFi and laundry facilities!

I think that tomorrow I will see if there is something that I can do that is more constructive. My Little Distraction has kept alot of my attention, but I should be able to find something that she can come along on - handing out ice, cooking up and serving hot meals, something.

I still haven't cleared
and organized the closets. Perhaps lack of time is not the reason that it has not been done. D'ya think?

Monday, September 15, 2008

After the Storm

We decided to stay in Beaumont after all. We live in a safe location and we were pretty sure that the TV station would be up on generator and we could go there if we needed.

Hurricane Ike came in Friday night and about 1AM Saturday our power went out. We were very fortunate. Others not so much.

We spent the weekend grilling up the meat in our freezers and standing around looking at all the downed trees. Sunday, we picked up branches and swept off the porch and moved the plants back. A grocery store was open so we were able to buy charcoal and snacks. It's funny, I wanted to stock up on junk that I never buy at any other time - chips and Little Debbie snack cakes!

Sunday afternoon the generator was running and power was on at the station. So we have been hanging around here. But we are getting a bit antsy. Laying around watching DVD's and playing video games is fun for about a day - tomorrow we need to find some activity. My daughter's little friends all have scattered to other cities and we cannot escape to Chik Fil A or the park, or even meander through HEB or the Mall.

This weekend I am booked to work in San Antonio. My favorite Newsman and Wiggles will be coming along too. I haven't booked a hotel yet, I had planned to
priceline.com this week and get a good price. I found a great site to check hotel availability during disasters. I hear that alot of people evacuated West. I am hoping they are not all booked this weekend.

I am taking some pictures, to post about how we are doing.

Driving around feels kinda like a Sunday afternoon. I am surprised how many people are in town. No traffic lights, though. You have to really pay attention. I think they are finally putting huge Stop signs up at the intersections - you can't miss 'em.

My favorite Newsman is working long days. He is doing the morning show and gathering News and reporting during the day. He was in Orange and Bridge City today. One of the photographers went up in a Helicopter this afternoon and got aerial footage. So I would say that the best place to get information and really good pictures is at
KBMT12.com. You also can find useful links like Entergy's site for outage information. I am hearing that power already is coming on around the area.

I am sitting here now in the newsroom. It's quiet and I can get on line here. Earlier it was all very busy getting the late newscasts together. Soon the morning crew will be in. These guys really take the news and weather seriously. They work hard to stay on top of things to get the latest info and keep everyone up to date. It is so exciting when new info comes in that is helpful - FEMA and Entergy spokepeople, Carmen Apple, Judge Thibodeaux, lots of people taking time to come in and go on the air to answer questions.

Fortunately a cool front blew in. A good thing since we have no air conditioning. It's a bit chilly out tonight. I opened my windows earlier to let the cool breeze through; my bath towels and sneakers finally are dry.

I keep thinking about all the times that I have said "If only I could have a couple of days with nothing to do - I could finally clean out these closets and organize these scrapbooks!"

The not knowing is difficult. How long til things get back to normal? Postal Service? Bank open? School? Laundry? And it's hard to create and adjust to a new schedule.

I'm not complaining, just wondering - we're safe, and that is everything. And now my little girl has another adventure to add to her little lifetime.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Hurricane Ike update

very cool Hurricane tracker

We have been getting several phone calls from Friends & Family asking how we are doing. I see that some have been checking here for an update so I guess I should post something.

It's just quiet busy activity around here. Most of us have got our Hurricane evacuation routine down. I'm not worried. My daughter is kind of excited about it all. No big drama. In her little world she knows there's a storm coming. Everyone is acting a bit different. Eventually we'll be packing up the car to go visiting.

I have a theory about rainy weather and how it affects me. When the low pressure moves in I get an incredible headache and get really sleepy. I don't have time for either, so first thing I do is mix up a double Spark and grab MNS Max Energy and an extra Probiotic Restore. Catalyst is helpful, too. The amino acids give me an energy boost, and I think the L-arginine helps with my headache. I'll mix up a Rehydrate and some Arginine Extreme and put it the fridge for later. I have a Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast.

I filled up at the gas station this morning then went to HEB to get a few things. That was probably the most stressful part of the day. I only needed milk and eggs, and my Sidekick wanted sushi for lunch. So we picked up what we needed then got in an incredibly long check-out line.

Can't they tead? It says EXPRESS CHECK-OUT 20 Items or fewer. OK, now we are getting into naptime, and Wiggles & I both are getting fussy.

It's amazing all the people at the grocery store. I wonder what they're stocking up for? Really - if you think it's going to be that bad, leave town. And if you are leaving town, buy stuff when you get there. I suppose travel snacks and some drinks for the road trip are a good idea, and I guess I could have waited on the milk & eggs.

My favorite Newsman will be staying in Beaumont as long as it is safe. My daughter & I probably will be visiting some friends in Louisiana. I had thought Lake Charles, but now I think we may be going on to Lafayrtte or even Baton Rouge. Our only real concerns are losing electricity, and the horrible traffic along I-10.

I need to throw the laundry in the dryer, take a couple of Nightime Recovery and a Zzz's and get some sleep. I'll get up early with the News and Weather, mix up a Spark and check DOTD traffic cams for my trip to Louisiana.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Fruit & Vegetable Formula - buy 2 get the 3rd just $5



Fruit & Vegetable Formula is about to be discontinued.


That's too bad, because I like this product. It's an easy way to sneak in all your veggies for the day.

  • Contains whole powders from 14 fruits & vegetables
  • 4 capsules supply the antioxidant equivalent of 5 servings of fruits & vegetables
  • Higher ORAC value than most other fruit & vegetable supplements on the market
  • Includes fruits & vegetables from each color group
  • Freeze-drying technology ensures higher nutritional content than other similar supplements
  • Contains a wide range of phytonutrients for maximum antioxidant benefit*

Fruit & Vegetable Formula is a powder in a capsule form, so you can just swallow a couple or empty them into your shake or even mix a few into soup or salsa or spaghetti sauce.

Be sure to stock up at this great price, because when it's gone it's gone.

Wednesday, Sep 10 - AdvoCare Coaches Conference Call - Hydration

Wednesday Sep 10, you are invited to call in and listen to the latest AdvoCare Coaches Call.

This call will be dedicated to the subject of hydration and will be hosted by Joe Hadachek.

Joining Coach Hadachek will be AdvoCare Sports Advisory Council Member Murphy Grant (University of Kansas Football), Coach Mike Murray (Illinois Wesleyan), and Rob Graf AdvoCare Director of Endorsements.

Time of Call: 8 PM CST
Encore: 10 PM CST
Dial In Number (Listen-Only): 866-427-1344

There is limited space available for each time slot, so make sure you get plugged in early!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

On a Clear Day ...

Look at the moon, Mom. It's almost round.

You're right, Honey. Looks like it's about ... 3/4.

Mom, you can't put quarters in the moon!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Wow - More Great News!

For all of you who just can't quite make up your mind, AdvoCare is now offering a Spark Variety pack!

A box of Spark with 14 individual packets in a variety of flavors so you can try them all.

Even better, for a limited time and while supplies last, you can get 2 boxes of the new AdvoCare Spark Variety pack for just $38 retail. That's a $5 savings.

This is available right now, until Monday at Noon, only to distributors. And you will get your additional 20% - 40% discount on top of the already great special pricing.
So stock up, and if you are not yet a distributor, give me a call.

Breaking News

I just got some news - Due to Hurricane Gustav, we had some schedule changes and Advocare's Marketing bus "the AdvoBus" will be in Lake Charles Thursday & Friday from 10A–5P at Anytime Fitness 630 W Prien Lake Rd

There will be plenty of ice cold Spark to try and you can find out more about products that have helped our family have more energy, lose weight and just feel better.

Oh yeah, I have been able to make enough money with Advocare, that I was able to quit my job, take my daughter out of daycare, and still work on paying off our debt. I will be in Lake Charles Friday, call or email me if you are coming by.

It will be fun and definitely worth your time.

I will be in Lake Charles Friday. Let me know if you will be coming by.

Muscle Fuel

Muscle Fuel is some great stuff!

And this month we have it on special - with a cool new shaker!

I love the new shaker 'cuz it fits in your car's drink holder and in the drink holder on the treadmill. So you can proudly show off your
Advocare and everyone can know why it is that you are looking so incredibly awesome these days.

Now about the Muscle Fuel, a question I get asked often, "How does it taste?" Muscle Fuel tastes like fizzy fruit punch Spark.

Use
Muscle Fuel together with Arginine Extreme for even better results.

Arginine Extreme tastes like citrus Rehydrate.

Here is a quick little video that one of the members of our
Sci/Med board put together.



Some of the benefits Dr. Kraemer mentions:


  • More total work (exercise/weight training) can be done with AdvoCare® Muscle Fuel.*
  • Lower levels of creatine kinase in the blood, indicating less muscle damage caused by a workout.*
Bonus information about Advocare Muscle Fuel - A friend of mine got on product to help relieve symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Muscle Fuel is her absolute favorite. She is an RN and works the long night shift on her feet. She also likes Clear Mood, Probiotic Restore, A Supreme, Zzz's and Nighttime Recovery.

AdvoCare® Muscle Fuel is now certified by the Banned Substances Control Group.

First Friday in Groves

It's that time again!

First Friday in Groves, on Lincoln Avenue between Washington and Coolidge from 6P to 9P

Look for me Friday night under the Advocare tent. You'll be able to find out more about Advocare products and the opportunity. Pick up an MNS Max Apetite Control Kit or Max Energy Kit. Learn about the new MNS Max 3.
I'll have plenty of Spark on hand and other samples like Excel Gel, Muscle Fuel, Rehydrate, Fruit & Fiber Bars and Snack Bars.

LifeShare Blood Center and First Friday will co-host a community blood drive. The LifeShare bloodmobile will be parked at the intersection of Lincoln and Jefferson from 6:30P to 8:30.

Gingerbread Square's annual yard sale will begin early at 5P lasting until 8P and will be open again on Saturday 8A to 3P.

Get your Texas Pecan Festival Mega Passes early. Available inside the Courtyard Gift Mall, 6P to 8:30P. Passes are $35 per pass, cash or check only, valid at the Texas Pecan Festival September 18-21, 2008. Child must be present for picture in order to purchase Mega Pass. The pass will provide unlimited riding on all festival rides for the length of the festival.

Three Women participating in The 3-Day 60 Mile Walk to Help Fight Breast Cancer will host a cakewalk in the entertainment area beginning at 6:30P in front of The Courtyard Café, and more walks will take place at random intervals throughout the evening.

First Friday, a merchant sponsored event, is celebrated the first Friday of every month and provides free family entertainment, special sales, food and door prizes. Most stores along Lincoln Avenue will remain open until 9P. and The Courtyard Café buffet line is open from 5:30P to 8P. Free street entertainment will include contests and music from DJ Donna Marx, balloon animals by Sunny the Clown, face painting by the Jester, and a Moonwalk sponsored by Selman Chiropractic.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

New AdvoBus Schedule

I know it was a HUGE storm, but fortunately for me, Hurricane Gustav was just an inconvenience. I had planned to be working in Houston anyway. A mandatory evacuation was called for Beaumont to begin at 6AM Sunday. So Saturday night after my event I drove home to pack some things and pick up my daughter Traffic on Westbound Interstate 10 could have been fine, just a bit heavy, except for the car wreck and that had things backed up for miles! Fortunately I was travelling East.

At home, I moved stuff away from the windows and lifted some things off the floor. But our place is really pretty safe. Our big concern is the power going out.

Sunday morning I packed a few things, put my daughter in the car with the DVD player and some coloring books, and headed back to Houston.

In Houston it was still pretty much business as usual. My daughter spent the day in the pool with my cousin & her kids. I was working a booth at the Texas Music Festival.

The weather did affect the AdvoBus schedule. I am sorry that they will not be stopping in Beaumont, but excited to see that they will be in my old stomping ground Lake Charles and continuing on across Louisiana.

I talked with the driver of the AdvoBus, and here is the new schedule: