WOW, It's been a long time

Hello,

Wow, it's been a long time since I have posted.  Did not realize how long.  And, it's been a wild time frame as well.

Last year was my year of cancer.  Breast cancer in 2003 was a cake walk compared to this one.  Esophageal Cancer...located in the esophagus and stomach.  Lots of tests, chemo, "major" surgery and radiation.  Needless to say, I basically lived in my recliner and in lots of pain and discomfort.  I had wonderful care.  I was very ill at ease dealing with MD Anderson (after our experience with my husband Ron) but everyone there were wonderful.  There is always that one person or one department but 99% were great.

And, I am very blessed to have so many friends that were there for me.   I feel so badly for those who have no family/friends and are basically all alone in this world or have them that can not or just aren't there for them.  Very lucky I am.  I am still not 100% and I realize that I never will be.  As I age, as others, more aches and pains appear along with the after effects of the cancer.

Jennifer, my daughter, gave up  a year and a half of her life to stay with me here in Arizona from Illinois.  She closed down her house, left her family (making trips back and forth) and took care of me.  I have been so lucky to have her as my daughter.  It has made me sad that she had to do this but very proud that I have a daughter that would do this.

Matt and his family were also there for me as well.  They live here in Arizona, however they have two little ones that have special needs and are stretched thin.  They picked up the slack till Jennifer got here and when she was gone, and whenever asked or needed.

  I am about to take a giant step/adventure in my life this year.  I am selling my house and moving to Illinois, in with Jennifer and her family.  I know!!!  Really big step and an extremely hard one to make.  Not the moving in with family, but giving up my home and friends and leaving my son and family here so far away.  However, I do believe that I am going to become a "Snow Bird" now.  As Ron used to say, the best of both worlds...go where/when the weather is the best.

The magnitude of this decision really hit when the "for sale" sign went up. A new, big adventure at the age of 73! It has been a great feeling thinning out all the extra stuff I have accumulated over the years.  It's like a really big house cleaning only not just the floors and windows.  So much stuff that you don't ever use or need for that matter and most is setting around gathering dust or packed away in cabinets or closets.   You come into this world with nothing and you go out with nothing and you can't take it with you. 

Hopefully I can get back into blogging especially with the changes coming up.