Happy 12th Anniversary to my wonderful husband!

The picture above was taken 12 years ago today! I don't think I've ever been so happy in my life as I was that day. I patiently (well, not always!) waited and the Lord sent me the perfect man for me. He wasn't what I had pictured (who ever is?!), but he is exactly what I needed, and still need, in my life. To celebrate our 12 years of marriage, I've made a list of 12 things that make me love him the most!

1. He is truly concerned for my well-being. He married me knowing that I had been overweight most of my life. He loved me just the way I was. He has always wanted me to lose weight, but not because I would look better, but because I would be healthier and live longer to be with him. He takes care of himself and is supportive of me in any way he can be healthwise. He was the first one to donate to my 3-Day fundraising efforts, and will be there every step of the way with me.



2. He takes amazing care of me, through good times and bad. He has stood by me and literally nursed me through some very rough health problems and recoveries from five (yes five!) surgeries in less than three years. Knowing him as well as I do, he would have made an amazing, amazing doctor or even a nurse. He actually came up with using walkie-talkies during my recovery from major surgery if I needed him so I wouldn't have to yell!



3. He loves nature. I've never seen anyone who is so soft-hearted and loves animals and nature as much as he does. He hates to kill anything, even a spider in our house. If he finds one, he will capture it and release it outdoors. Every year he finds at least one green anole (most of the time in our basement) when it starts to turn cool and gives them a home through the winter in a decked out aquarium with plants, sand, etc. He feeds them crickets, keeps them warm with heating lamps and heating pads, and then releases them when it gets warm again in the spring. He truly loves all of nature, big, small, ugly, pretty, you name it! Well, except for wasps!



4. He has THE most warped sense of humor of anyone I know. When he makes himself laugh, it makes me laugh all over!



5. He introduced me to the joy of pets, specifically cats. I had "pets" growing up, but living on a farm, I never really got attached to any one animal. Now I have three cats who I would not know how to do without. We also have a fish who is "mine" (his name is "Jack,") and every winter we have the anoles that we rescue and enjoy for the season.



6. I lucked out when I met Scott. I know how to cook, but it's not something I enjoy on a day-to-day basis. My favorite dinners to cook are Thanksgiving and New Year's. Scott, however, cooks dinner almost every night. And he enjoys it. He says it's relaxing and it helps him wind down from his day at work. On top of that, he is amazingly good at it; he could have also been a great chef if he wanted. He has a natural ability to put food together that is delicious and nutritious, and even low fat! This is something I would NEVER have guessed since during our first weekend together he offered to make me a banana omlet. What could make a girl happier?!



7. He loves to travel on short vacations, just like I do. We've never taken a trip further than Charleston, SC or Panama City, FL. The longest we've ever stayed away from home is five days I think. We are both homebodies so short trips work well for us.



8. He even loves me family; yes, he agrees that they are a little crazy, but he loves my family reunion (OK, he loves to eat!) and getting to know them as the years go by. After only two years of marriage, he agreed to open up our home to my father. It was a hard decision, but one that still makes me happy to this day.



9. It may sound silly, but he learned to love football for me. Well, that might be stretching it a bit, but he puts up with my screaming at the TV on Saturday afternoons during Clemson's football season. And he goes to a game any time I want. I'm much more sports inclined (at least as a fan!) than he is, but he gives it a whirl for me!



10. He's always been truthful with me. We met over the Internet and there's no way we'd still be married 12 years later if he hadn't.



11. He's not motivated by worldly things. Money is important, but not to buy things with, not as a status symbol. Sometimes this drives me a bit looney but for the most part, he has his head screwed on straighter than anyone I know.



12. And last but not least, Scott is always, always, always just himself. He's not perfect and he doesn't pretend to be. He has never pretended to be someone he's not; he's true to who he is and nothing ever makes him be less that that.
    

I could go on and on and on, but you see, just for these 12 simple reasons, he's the man for me and the man I will be with for many more years to come. I love you with all my heart!

The Yearly SOTB

Yes, it's that time of year again...time for the annual "smushing of the boobies," as I call it. The SOTB has never been something I dreaded. Having large breasts, there's always been enough for the technician to smush. Now yes, I have to admit, it is a bit freaky seeing a part of your body laid out on plate, so to speak, and smushed flat as it can be...that part of the body just should not look like that normally...ever!

My first mammogram occured at age 32 when I had a car wreck. The seat belt locked down with such force that after a few days I had horrible bruises on my left breast. After they cleared, I noticed several small, pea-sized lumps in that breast. As a precaution, my doctor had me have a mammogram. As he suspected, these were calcium deposits left from the bruises and cleared up in time with me taking vitamin E capsules.

The next mammogram was the requisit baseline test at age 35. And since the age of 40, I have faithly gone each year for the SOTB. I go to the same facility each year and it is, for a mammogram, an extremely pleasant experience. It's basically two women, one up front and the technician. They have lovely, roomy gowns that they keep heated and it's very efficient and quick.


This year, at the SOTB, we went digital! Yeah! Not only is it less radiation for me, but it takes less time and the technician can review the films right there, and I don't have to wait and go back if it didn't take correctly or get the portion they needed. With paperwork (including having to step across the lobby to my gyn's office to get the order), I was out in 40 minutes.

Since I'm walking the 3-Day this year I almost had my husband take a picture of me at the door to the mammogram office, but decided that would be just too corny. Suffice it to say that I'm happy it's over for another year and the SOTB went very well! Don't forget to have your yearly SOTB if you haven't done it recently...it takes very little time and is well worth any discomfort you may feel. It's a good thing!

Women to Kick Off Fundraising Efforts

By Deanna Allen
Staff Writer, Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE - Snellville resident Jennifer Taylor will walk in memory of her mother, grandmother and a friend, while Lisa Granholm of Grayson will lace up her sneakers in memory of her aunt. Lawrenceville resident Catherine Baker will walk to honor her grandmother.

These Gwinnett women are three of five who have formed the Rack Pack, a team of people who have committed to spend three days walking 60 miles toward a cure for the disease that has taken loved ones from many of them.

“It’s amazing how many people I know have been touched by breast cancer in so many ways,” said Taylor, who, along with Granholm and Baker, started the team. “Each of us are walking for different reasons and in memory or in honor of different people.”

Katie Beirne of Suwanee and Leslie Yokeley of Duluth round out the team’s Gwinnett members, all committing to raise at least $2,300 each to participate in the 2009 Atlanta Breast Cancer 3-Day. The event is in October and benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust.

“I can name seven people I know right off the top of my head who have been afflicted with this horrible disease,” Granholm said. “I have three nieces and I would love for them to never have to have a mammogram. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

Baker’s grandmother, Edna Bloch, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1981, four years before Baker was born. Bloch underwent two rounds of chemotherapy, which caused her body to shut down and made that form of treatment unusable. That forced her body to fight the disease on its own.

Bloch, who lives in Snellville, will celebrate her 86th birthday in August.

“She is truly a survivor,” Baker said. “Without her courage and fighting strength, I wouldn’t have grown up with a grandmother. It is because she fought the fight and won that I will walk in her honor this upcoming October.”

Of the more than 350 teams registered for the Atlanta 3-Day, the Gwinnett-based Rack Pack is ranked No. 2 based on personal donations - about $7,600 as of Thursday - made even before fundraising has begun. The team is moving toward a total goal of raising $25,000 for the cause through various fundraising efforts, the first of which is planned for Saturday.

The team will hold a “Save 2nd Base” event, including a raffle, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bethesda Park in Lilburn, coinciding with the park’s opening day activities for the spring baseball season. Rack Pack team members will hand out information on the Breast Cancer 3-Day and accept donations. Raffle items include baseballs signed by Atlanta Braves Jeff Francoeur and Yunel Escobar, a Braves jersey signed by Brian McCann and gift certificates for various products and services.

In case of rain Saturday, the fundraising event, along with opening day activities for the park, will be postponed.

For more information on the Rack Pack, visit the team’s 3-Day Web site at www.the3day.org/goto/therackpackatl or e-mail Taylor at jtaylor@assessmentplus.com.

Nothing Can Get Me Down!

I had the BEST day today! It was just good all the way around so I have to talk about it. So first I got to work and our 3-Day team got an unexpected donation for our first fundraiser from the Atlanta Braves! We requested a signed piece of memorabilia (shirt, ball, bat, etc.) but hadn’t heard anything. Our team captain got a baseball signed by Yunel Escobar. Awesome! Another prize for our raffle!

Then I had a dentist visit. Believe it or not, I was excited to go today. Last fall they discovered I had the beginnings of periodontal disease, gingivitis. I had to use antimicrobial mouthwash, buy a Rotadent (not cheap!) and start flossing. I also have to go to the dentist every three months for a check-up. The first time I went back I had no improvement, and to be honest I knew I wasn’t doing everything I should have on a consistent basis. After my surgery in December I got serious and started using my Rotadent every night and morning, using my prescription flouride toothpaste every night and flossing at least once a day. It finally became a habit. And I knew that I would get a good report today. And I did!!! I had 13 pockets of infection in late November that measured a “4,” meaning my gums were infected and unhealthy. Today I only had four pockets that measured a “4!” All the bleeding had stopped which means no more infection at all! The hygenist and the dentist were thrilled! As was I! This time I don’t have to go back for four months. Plus, the hygentist hooked me up with a free Rotadent head and a gum stimulator in addition to all the other goodies (toothbrush, Listerine, floss).

The day continued to be good when I got back to work. The $100 that my brother/sister-in-law donated to my 3-Day fund hit the web site which means I only need $150 to reach my $2300 minimum goal to be able to walk! Amazing…I am so thrilled with the generousity people have shown. It has truly restored my faith in the goodness of people’s hearts.

So what else could happen to make it a good day? I left work and got side-swiped by a car not 2 minutes after I drove out of the parking lot! I pulled over (the car was right behind me after it happened), but the driver went right on by! Are you kidding me? I sat there, jaw hanging open, just flabberghasted. Then I came to my senses and went after him! Yes, I chased him! He totally knew what he did and raced off, obviously thinking I would not give come after him. I did. His mistake was turning at the first red light. This enabled me to quickly catch up with him at the next light which was red…totally got his license plate number (GA AFE 1825). I then proceeded to call 911 and report the incident. A police officer came, took all the information and was very excited that I had the full license plate number. I was also able to give an accurate description of the car and a little about the driver. He said that put us way ahead of the game in finding him and coming to a resolution. I would not want to be him; I’m sure his insurance company will not be happy about this. The really sad part is that there’s probably less than $1000 worth of damage to my car; he would definitely have been better off just pulling over and giving me his insurance information. Now who knows what will happen; he might even lose his insurance or the rate will go up at the very least, I’m sure.

So you see, even though I had a bozo hit me and run off, nothing can get me down today. I am just happy to be alive, happy to have a great job, happy to have a great husband and family, and happy to be healthy. Nothing can get me down today! And tomorrow is Friday…how much better can it get?

Love is in the Air!

Yesterday I met with Wanda, the cousin of my brother-in-law by marriage, to go over the details of an upcoming shower we are giving together. My husband's nephew, Brad, is getting married on May 30 to the wonderful Catherine Heath. I am so very excited for the two of them! I haven't given a shower in a long time and this one is a pleasure to give. Brad and Catherine met while Brad was completing his Ph.D. at UGA. Brad is now working in Greenville, SC at his alma mater, Furman, while Catherine is working part-time and completing her schooling. They are a wonderful couple and deserve much happiness!

Spring Has Almost Sprung!

This is the time of year that I get almost giddy! I don't know if it's Spring Fever or if it's because my birthday is upon me or if I just like this time of year, but March is my very favorite month! I have tons of wonderful memories of March, not just of my birthday, but of Spring Breaks and Easters and so much fun during this wonderfully green and happy time of year.

Obviously I love my birthday, March 25. It's easy to remember, exactly three months after Christmas. Scott & I now have a ritual that we do every year. Depending on when my birthday falls, we take either the Friday before or after it off of work. Every few years we get lucky and that particular Friday coincides with Good Friday which I have off anyway. In recent years I have started scheduling my yearly mammogram on this Friday. We drive over to Northside, get that taken care of and then head to SC. The first thing we do is go to Clemson, to Nick's. Nick's is a tavern that has been around Clemson since about 1973. We frequented it during and immediately after college, spending many, many evenings drinking and having fun. During this time period we also had lunch there quite frequently. Scott & I always, always have the same thing: corndogs, fried mushrooms and beer! I don't typically drink beer any other time of the year, but when I walk into Nick's, I immediately crave a beer. They always have something good on tap, and the same professor still owns it who bought it when I was in college.

We linger over our mushrooms and corn dogs and beer, enjoying the spring and the memories as we go. We typically then wander around Clemson for awhile, into a few shops, Mr. Knickerbocker's, bookstores (where I usually end up buying a new tiger paw car magnet to replace the one that got stolen last year!) and then head to our hotel. The rest of the weekend can vary a little, but on Sunday the end of the ritual plays out at my Mom's house with her cooking me my birthday lunch! YUM! It's always the same: cube steak with gravy in the crock pot, rice, fresh sliced tomatoes (which I eat over the rice!), macaroni & cheese, broccoli salad (Scott's favorite), and biscuits. There might be canteloupe or green beans or various and sundry other things added from time-to-time, but the dishes above are all that are really needed.

In college Spring Break was always right around St. Patrick's and/or my birthday. Sometimes we would all take off to Savannah for the big party, staying in a friend's aunt & uncle's house outside of town. How convenient was that!? Other years we were known to go to Atlanta, attend the St. Patrick's parade there and go to the Sundial atop The Westin for drinks afterwards. At some point we also made it out out to Stone Mountain for a picnic and the laser show (which I swear hasn't really changed til this day!). We would climb up the mountain, look around, take pictures, etc., and climb back down. One year we got caught in a thunder storm. We saw the lightening striking from the storm in Atlanta, but being carefree college kids, what did we do? Get off the largest exposed piece of granite as fast as we could? Well...no. We took our time and got caught in the thunder and lightening and pouring rain. To this day I still get kidded about singing "Here Comes the Rain Again" by The Eurythmics and saying a few choice words as lightening literally struck all around us. Still another year, we just stayed on campus and enjoyed it all to ourselves since the other 15,000 or so students went elsewhere. During one such Spring Break we went around campus eating picnics in different spots, looking for the ever elusive four-leaf clovers.

We found a literal "patch" of them over by the architecture building one year. I'm sure that that spot is long gone, covered by a new building on campus, but I still think of those four-leaf clovers every spring. I got married in the spring and one of my best friends from college (the one I looked for those clovers for all those years ago with) found a four-leaf clover for my bouquet. If you look, you can see the little spot of green in my pale pink bouquet of roses! When my brother had his accident in the spring of 2002, on the way out the door to travel to Tennessee I desperately looked for one in our yard as a good luck charm for him. I didn't find one that day, but fortunately, he didn't need it!

This year the itinerary is already set. We'll leave on Friday and head to Nick's for those corndogs, mushrooms and beer. We'll probably relax that night at the hotel. Saturday is brunch with some good friends in Greenville, and then a hiking trip to Yellow Branch Falls in Westminister. A light dinner will follow, but the best part, my birthday lunch, will be at Mom's on Sunday. Another year and more memories for all to enjoy...when my birthday rolls around, spring has sprung!

Woman's Intuition?

Today I just walked 1.6 miles at Bethesda Park. It was really cold and I have a cold. I was so determined to walk at least two loops, 3 miles. I haven't walked since Tuesday, and I really wanted a good walk in today. But after I got out on the cold trail, I was pretty much the only one there. Something just told me to do one loop and let that be it. So I did. I have pepper spray and I'm sure I would have been fine, but...well, I try to follow my intuition. After I got back to the car I drove up to the softball fields because I wanted to see where we are having our fundraiser in two weeks. I pulled through one of the empty parking lots, but it wasn't empty. There was an old beat up, but souped up car with a rusty tailfin sitting in the middle of the lot. As I pulled through, it raced off with two guys in it. Maybe nothing, maybe, well, just women's intution?