Be Thankful!

Sorry for the long time between updates….things have been CRAZY busy, but all is well.



September and October were crazy with the Komen Walk for the Cure and then a few friends and I hosted the 1st Annual Bunco for Boobies in October. This “little” fundraiser became quite an event…far more work than I think any of us imagined but it was a success. We raised over $2000 that night with a goal of raising $1000. Team Ta-Tas finished the year raising over $11,000 and finishing 5th overall for the Cincinnati area. We are already working on goals for next year….we want at least 100 team members so plan to join us next September if you can!!!



Sadly, JD lost his long battle in early October. We were able to go over for the golf benefit and spend the weekend. The outing was an incredible success. The town of Crawfordsville and the surrounding area really pulled together to support the Taylor family. JD left quite a legacy on this world for only being here a short time. The faith that he and his family showed all during this difficult journey never wavered and yet it was a powerful message for all that knew him. I have no doubt that many lives were changed because of this family and their faith. It is so hard to not question why JD….why someone so good and so young? It is times like this that you must rely on your faith to get you through. Please say a prayer for Sue, Jack and their entire family….they miss their sweet boy more than words can ever explain.



In other news I have accepted a nomination to become a member of the board for the Cincinnati Regional Breast Cancer Registry. This group works to study environmental and genetic factors in breast cancer for this area. I have only been to one meeting so far but found their area of study at this time to be fascinating. I am really looking forward to learning more and starting to contribute to such an important cause. There was certainly a great deal of media coverage last week about mammograms and self exams. I think the bottom line is if you have a family history of bc or you feel something or have any concerns talk to your doctor. For younger women the breast tissue is far more dense prior to menopause so mammograms have a very difficult time picking up cancers. Work with your physician to get the proper tests. Only you can advocate for yourself and remember that the majority of biopsies come back negative but if your gut says something needs to be checked out than make sure you get it checked out!



Health wise all is good for now. My 2 year check up was great and for now I will continue with follow ups every 3 months. I have finally made another appt with my plastic surgeon to talk about a revision surgery. I am thinking about surgery right after the holidays. The constant wrist pain that I was having has gone away….now replaced by constant aching joints all over…nothing that I can’t handle, but I now know why some people grunt or moan when they first get up and start walking….still trying not to moan or grunt out loud but some days I sure would like to just let it out….sucks to get old!! I think menopause is catching up with me….I can tell in the way my clothes fit that I am getting heavier in the middle which is the LAST place I need extra fat! Maybe I can get some cheap lipo when I go to get the foobs fixed….



I am starting to travel a little for work again and I love it. A few weeks ago I went to St. Louis and Kansas City and then I made a quick trip to New Jersey and NYC. That was my second trip to NYC…it really is a crazy place and so unlike anywhere I have ever been. It’s nice to visit but I would have no desire to live there…..the Cincinnati pace is just perfect for me! When I am on the road I am doing product training. I really love this part of my job. Interacting directly with our reps and customers re-energizes me…I love being out with the customer compared to just sitting behind a desk working on projects. I am hopeful that I will have the opportunity to travel more in the future.



Bret and the kids are fine. Jillian finished cheerleading and will be doing dance and tumbling during the winter. She also has started Girl Scouts (Daisies) and is really enjoying that. Tyler had some great experiences in Boy Scouts when he was younger and I am glad that Jillian will have those same opportunities. Tyler is continuing to work on his addiction to X-box. Enough said on that topic….have I told you how much I hate video games!!! He seems to have settled in well to high school…..I am thankful for that. Hard to believe that he will be getting his learner’s permit next summer….





So now we are in the holiday rush…I haven’t done a lot of shopping but I am getting lists together. I really am not a huge fan of Christmas when it comes to the gifts and shopping. It just seems like it’s all about gifts and getting stressed out trying to be everywhere…we have gotten too far away from the true meaning of the holiday…maybe that’s why I like Halloween so much…no gifts…just pick up a few bags of candy and you are set!! J



Thanks for checking in – I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We will be at home this year and I am glad that we won’t be fighting holiday traffic.



Take a moment to remember all the gifts in your life….we all have so much to be thankful for!