Coeur d'Alene Trip

**I apologize yet again for another long post. This is full of pictures and information about my trip though and I wanted to share as much as I could. And if it bores you, then I apologize again. Just stop reading if it does... But I hope you don't. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.**

So I did it! I actually did it. I went to the big C.D.A., and let me tell you, it was great! I can explain it in one word. A-MAZING!!! Alas, there were no gold throwers or balloon giver outer's like I had expected, but that is okay. It was still fun.

There are so many trees up there! I went to Washington last year and had the same reaction about the trees. Kind of like a little kid, "Woah! Look at that one! Holy cow!! I can't believe this is real! There are so many!" I decided that Skyler is like a forest creature or a woodland elf because he lives in a forest. Kind of like a Keebler Elf... Because he lives there, is cute, and sometimes smells like cookies.

It was so beautiful up there. So many lakes, trees, and the temperature was lovely. "Not too hot, not to cold. All you need is a light jacket." You didn't need one though. It was just perfectly comfortable.

I spent a lot of time not only with Skyler, but with his family. They are so great. I am really excited to join the family. I think I will fit in pretty well.

Like I said, I made of list of all of the possible things that we could do up there, and we did practically all of it. There were only a few things that we weren't able to do. But that is okay. We did a lot of fun stuff.

Some of Our "To Do" List:

Fishing

Tandem Bike Ride

Bonfire

Silver Wood

Long Boarding

Art on the Green

Boating

Play Games

Play with Jack

Cafe Chulo

Find the Moose's

Downtown Coeur d'Alene

Watch Movies

Hang out at the Shore

Go to Church

Corn Dogs

See Friends

Float the River

Be With Family

Take Pictures

Here are some of the pictures we took while I was up there. (Sorry, there are a ton... It was just so much fun that I had to keep taking them!)

At the lake during Art on the Green.

Oooh hoo. Skyler in his bright colored shorts.

There were a ton of people at the beach.

We stopped by the Cafe Chulo stand to say hello to everyone. It was lovely.

You can totally see my eyebrow tan line...

Sombrero and an eyebrow tan line. I make them both look good.

We went to Art on the Green and looked at all the fun booths that were there. I totally thought this little mannequin child was real. I felt really embarrassed when I found out it was not...

These are made out of scrap metal from old cars, drums, and other parts.

I found these flowers at the street fair. I wish I could have brought

either these or the metal flowers home for my mom's garden.

The moose and the mouse! I think their names are Milly, and Smudge... But I could be wrong...There are a lot more of them around Coeur d'Alene.

I am determined to find them all and take pictures with them.

There is a children's story about the two of them that is based in Coeur d'Alene. So that is the reason why they are all around.

I got tired of walking, so Skyler pulled me on his long board.

Me long boarding a bit. Mmmm... That was nice.

We had a really cool experience at Art on the Green. As Sky and I were walking around the eating booths, we found this little Filipino stand. Skyler served his mission in the Philippines, so he was really excited to see it.

He walked straight up to them and started talking to them in Tagalog (Ta-ga-log). They were so shocked and excited that an American could speak their dialect. They thought he was a famous person or actor from the Philippines, and said that they were getting goosebumps from talking to him. Their kids can't speak the language, so when they found out that it took him about six months to learn, they looked at them as if to say, "See?! It is not that long. If he can do it you can!" It was really cute.

Sky asked them if they had Adobo-which was his favorite food from down there, but they didn't. But they said if he comes back next year, they will give him food for free. They were very sweet people. It was a nice little experience for Skyler to speak the language again and to interact with native Filipinos like he did for two years. I think it made him really happy.

Skyler so happy with his Filipino food.

The delicious food. It was so good!

Jackson has more hair on his face than I do on my head. I told

him and Aaron that they need to donate it to me and make

a little hairy yamaka for me to wear around.

At Art on the Green this man makes a sand castle that goes all the way to the ground. This is just the top part. He sprays it with glue/water mixture to harden it so that it will stay for a long time. It was super detailed and really cool!

They have para sailing lessons! How cool is that?!

I am putting that on my "After Cancer To Do List."

Randee and Skyler... By the port a potty. My bad.

But they look like they are okay with it.

Darcy and I found a really cool old garage sale, so Skyler took some pictures of me at it. I took this one for my dad because he loves old trucks.

A dog sled! At a garage sale! Saaawheat! Mush, mush, mush!

I have never seen so many old cars in one place in my life.

This one was so cool!

A strawberry hat for my little bald head! I wish that I had bought it!

It was super cute.

Future Anderson Family? I think yes!

Lucky for me, he has a thing for bald girls.

We went out to Skyler's uncles cabin in Washington with his family. I mean like his family, and then his extended family. That's a lot of people to remember! Kind of like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but less extreme.

It was so much fun. There is a national forrest across from where all the houses are, so they can't build on it. There were hardly anybody there, and the water was so clear! You could almost see all the way to the bottom out in the middle of the lake. It was a beautiful day, and I had a really great time spending time with Skyler's extended family.

The "Fee-on-sss." Looking good my man, looking good.

Skyler's shirt got wet, so he "borrowed" mine. It fits him well, Yes?

I totally stole a couple of these photos from Lizzie. My camera died right before we wake-boarded, so I had no other choice but to use her pictures. Thank you Lizzie!

Skyler getting some air.

Ahoy! Bald girl in the water!

Bald people make the best wake-boarders. It is because we are

more aerodynamic. As soon as I got up, I let out an excited

scream and couldn't stop smiling. It was great!

I did pretty good for not going for a year if I do say so myself.

We went to Silver wood! It was so much fun. We spent most of the

time at the water park because it was super hot and the lines for the rides were really long.

I even went on the really high free falling water slides, which I've always

been afraid to do. But I did it! It was great.

I'll be the dip if you'll be the dot!

I love Dippin' Dots.

We decided to take a tandem bike ride...

It resulted in this: Flat front tire and my bum two inches away from the tire. Yes, I rode it with the seat at that angle. Not the most successful bike ride, but, it was really funny and enjoyable though!

We woke up at 5 something in the morning to go fishing. Since I was 1. Supposed to be asleep in my bed, and 2. Fall asleep almost instantly in cars, I slept all the way until we started fishing.

*Side note: It is so hard to write Fish and Fisher instead of Fisch and Fischer. I have to really concentrate on it sometimes.

Blurry picture, but I still think it is pretty. That is a little fisherman's boat.

Just fishing my little heart out.

My first fish!!! It was so exciting. This old man came over to look at my fish, and seeing that it was so small, made fun of me by sarcastically saying, "That's a beauty," or "She caught a real big one didn't she?" But it was fine. He didn't catch anything. So what does that tell you?

Become one with the fish, and you can catch your prey.

Number 4/6. Oh yeah! I caught more than everyone.

Thank you very much!

Skyler's first fish... Tiny isn't it?

Dan's first catch... Nice.

Skyler Lee Anderson "Fi(sc)herman" at your service!

Some Of What We Did:

Day 1:Drove up with Jackson and his family, Cafe Chulo with Family, Watched Avatar.

Day 2:Cabin at the lake, Boating and Wake-Boarding.

Day 3:Art on the Green, Longboarding, Played the "Golf Game," Hung out with Family.

Day 4: Art on the Green, Lake, Barbeque, Hung out with Family.

Day 5:Church, Tandem Bike Ride, Dan & Val's house for dinner.

Day 6: Fishing, Family Home Evening, Bachelorette Finale.

Day 7: Silver Wood, Texas Road House.

Day 8: Air port, Traveled Home (wa, wa, wa...)

I can't believe you grew up in this Sky! It is so beautiful! Thank you for a lovely week, and for giving me the strength to be able to go back and face my last couple treatments. You are amazing. Thanks for staying with me, and for everything you do. I loved being with you in Coeur d'Alene! It was the best vacation ever!

I am not looking forward to going back to reality, and having a relationship with my phone, but I am grateful for the technology to talk to Skyler. This trip has given me the extra "uuomph" I needed. Onward I go!

I'm Going To Coeur d'Alene!

Skyler is from Coeur d'Alene Idaho. Upon finding this information out, my reaction was something like "Coeur d'What?" I had never heard of this place that sounded like some special brand of french soup, or a limited edition of cheese. I halfway thought that he just made up a fake town just to mess with people. He didn't though. It does in fact exist. Soupy sounding or not.

When I asked what it was like, he told me-and I quote-that "Coeur d'Alene is the most magical place on earth. They hand out balloons on every corner and throw gold out into the street." Upon learning this, I made it a goal that I would one day go to this magical land and have gold thrown at my feet and balloons handed to me by cheery people.

This is where Coeur d'Alene is located. Up in the pan handle.

Apparently they don't grow potatoes up there.

It's Idaho! You think they would.

This goal was met back in December when I went up to visit before Christmas. It was so pretty! Much different from the Utah desert I am accustomed to that is for sure. The only thing that was missing were the balloons and gold! Maybe on this next visit I will be able to see the legendary gold throwers and gracious balloon givers.

"When will this next visit be?" you may ask. The answer is... This week baby!! We totally planned it sporadically on Sunday afternoon while Skyler's cousin's were visiting me. It was supposed to be a surprise, but I'm not very good at holding in surprises. So I spilled the beans. So far the plan is I will drive up there (11 hours... Yikes!) on Wednesday, then fly home the following Wednesday. That's right! I'm going to be up there a whooooole week!

I was really worried about flying and going through security with my port because of the metal it is made out of and if the atmospheric pressure would negatively effect my body through the port. I asked though, and they said it would be okay. What do you know? People with cancer can fly just like normal people. How cool is that? Pretty darn awesome if you ask me.

Another concern is that I thought it might set of the beeper. I was also because I sometimes wear scarves and they look like turbans... Enough said. Not a good combination. I have a solution though. I just won't wear a scarf. That way I won't get tackled by security guards if the beeper does goes off...

"kkkrrfff... Attention, calling all units! We have a bald girl setting of the alarm. We need immediate backup! kkkrrfff..."

Can't you just imagine that happening? I can. It probably won't though. But I'm okay with that.

I am so stinking excited. It will be a nice little vacation. From my PROBLEMS! Ha, if you have ever seen the movie What About Bob?, then you will know what I am referring to. If not, I suggest that you take some time and watch it. It is one of my favorites, therefore I can quote almost the entire movie. Along with Hook. I LOVE the movie Hook. The fact that I can out quote Sky to that movie is what got him to notice me in the first place! Just kidding... Well kind of. But Rachel's quirk of memorizing movie dialogue, and obsession with movies is a story for another time.

The point is, I'm going to Coeur d'Alene! I am going to see Skyler, and his wonderful family. I am going to have a jolly good time doing it as well. I know that it will give me an extra little "uoomph" for these last two treatments.

I am so excited to go up there! We already have a list of stuff we are going to. I'm also going to take my camera and take pictures. I shall post a report of pictures and an account of what we accomplished on our list.

This is a picture Coeur d'Alene. (Thank you Google images.) Doesn't it just look like the most amazing place in the world?! I believe it does. I am so excited to go!

Now that you have seen this picture, you can imagine me running all over the tree covered hill, playing in the lake, and having the time of my life.

Oh it will be a glorious day in Idaho when I come... It's going to be Coeur d'INSANE!

A dad's perspective

I allowed myself to grieve and imagine Rachel's funeral for about one half hour on the day that Becky called me from Idaho. I was so sad for about 30 minutes. After that, I dug in to exercise my own volition to be realistically positive. I understand odds. Hodkins Lymphoma has a very high recovery rate. But I understand odds and know that the probability of success over many trials never predicts success in an individual event. For the odds to be applicable to us, I would need 100 daughters diagnosed with cancer, of whom I would only lose 10 or so. Not having 100 daughters, it was clear that my one daughter might be one of the 10 lost in the collection of 100. No matter how good the odds, we could still lose. I also knew that no matter what the odds, I could shave them in my favor by several things.

1: Faith.

Faith is action based on trust in an unseen reality. I know that God is real and very attentive to our lives. I know that God hears and responds to my prayers. I know that whatever God asks is right. I knew that in my daily prayers (and the prayers of all the friends around us) I could explain our situation and ask for God to heal Rachel. I know that he would hear me. I also know that if it were His will to take her to the other side, it would be right. Knowing that He hears, understands, attends, and will only do that which is ultimately best for us, allows me to let go and be hopeful and at peace. Being hopeful and at peace is salutary in its own right and shaves the odds in my favor.

2: Empathy.

Empathy comes in many forms, not just formulaic reflective listening. Teasing in just the right tone. "Oh, yeah, cancer girl gets her way with everything. She sleeps in as long as she wants. She gets people to bring her food. Cancer's working for you, girl." is a back door way to say, "I know you are not really getting your way with the most important things and it is hard". Driving around town while Rachel cries before she can go into work and thereby making myself late for work is a back door way to say "I'm with ya kid". Singing loud in the car and making dopey jokes (In my heart, I know I'm funny) are back door ways to say "you can do things to feel happy even when everything is hurting ...and I wouldn't be so obviously dopey unless I knew that you were really hurting." Multiplying nicknames is back door empathy as well. My favorite nickname for Rachel now is "Morty" which is short for "Voldemort" or calling her "She who must not be named". Both of which are to say, I know that you don't really like being bald and I miss your honey hair, too. When we know that someone is willing to suffer with us in empathy, no matter how it is communicated, it is salutary and shaves the odds.

3. Holding as many things constant as possible.

When trials come it is helpful to localize their impact. Holding our daily family prayers, weekly family home evenings, chores, schedules and duties as usual shaves the odds by limiting the spread of the trauma. As we have always done at dinner time, asking in round robin style, "What was your happiest moment today?" emphasizes that in good times and bad, we still focus on the good and are grateful for our blessings. Consistency and gratitude shave the odds.

4. Disciplining myself to be even more patient everywhere in my life.

Indulging in any impatience works against peace and hopefulness. I often tell others that "In our family, we are patient people." I usually say this when I, or another family member is tempted to become impatient. Disciplining myself to be patient brings peace, is salutary, and shaves the odds in our favor.

5. Extending forgiveness.

Forgiveness is similar to patience. The deeper I can dig to forgive, the better. Extending forgiveness frees us of burdens that otherwise weigh our spirits down. The freedom that comes from forgiving is salutary and shaves the odds in our favor.

So, I have worked to exercise faith, empathy, consistency, patience and forgiveness. It has been work that I am willing to do. My experience at hearing Dr. Wallentine say, (and I quote) "From every way I have to look at it, the cancer is gone" was to feel a gradual, gentle release. There was no exultant jubilation or soaring joy. Just a gentle release.

Now, I know that "every way we have to look at it" is not perfect. We are limited in our assessment, it ain't over, and the odds are still in play. Even so, I have felt a gentle release of tension and worry.

Rachel has worked to exercise her faith, show empathy, be consistent, patient and forgiving as well. Our neighbor, Brad Wilson, astutely observed that Rachel is uniformly cheerful and optimistic at church, but, that as she walks home, he sees her progressively deflate as she goes along. He could tell that she is working hard and gets fatigued by it all, but keeps working at it anyway. Rachel tries to be empathetic to the other patients in the chemo room. Whether she can communicate it or not at the moment, she comes home and describes how some people in the chemo suite seem to be suffering much more than she is. They are weaker or more tired or distressed than she is and she worries about them. She has maintained as much consistency as possible. We are eternally grateful to her employer, Rick Ashcraft, for allowing her great flexibility to work as often as she can. Working for Rick has been extremely helpful in keeping her going. Having work and a duty to others have kept her looking forward and outside of herself. Rae has been patient with her own chemo brain. It is frustrating to not have all of her cognitive quickness and to be in a fog when she is accustomed to thinking very quickly, but she has been patient with herself. She has forgiven others.

Shavin' the odds, Morty!

Second Star to the Right, and Straight on til' Morning!

This was some really funny experiences that happened after my treatment, and where can you always depend on to have a funny experience? Wal-Mart!

Wal-Mart, Round 1:

After my treatment, my Mom needed to go to Wal-Mart, and I didn't want to lay in bed, so I said I would go with her. But I wasn't in the mood to walk. Then a lovely thought occurred to me. Wheelchairs! When people are sick they use wheelchairs!

I was super excited. Then I realized a magnificent thing! Instead of that, I could upgrade to a mobilized wheelchair cart! "Yes!" I thought to myself, I have always wanted to try that!" So we went. I think my mom was a little worried as to what havoc I might wreak, but also excited to see me do it as well.

I was still under the influence of my Lorazapam medicine aka, my Peter Pan medicine (I couldn't pronounce it the first time I heard it, so that is why I call it that.) Because I was under the influence of Peter Pan, I was kind of loopy. I mean really loopy. I felt great. Like there was nothing wrong with me. Just faaantastic! But to others, I must have looked like a nut job. My Mom just smiled to herself and rolled her eyes a bit. She thought I was pretty funny.

You can have this....

Or you can have this!

UPGRADE!!

I got lots of looks. I think it is because I am bald, and was riding the cart. These two usually get looks on their own, but added together and also the fact that I was super giggly and happy as can be, caused even more looks to come my way. And that is okay. I'm used to it. I will touch more on that in a later post.

My Mom kept telling me to not run into people-which I didn't, thank you very much. I came close to, but I never actually hit any human body. A dog or cat might have slipped under my wheel a time or two, there is just no way of knowing. Just kidding. I used my arm to signal where I was going. That's right, I payed attention in Drivers Ed. Coach would be so proud!

I also imagined me riding away down the aisles and having my Mom chase after me yelling, "Slow down! Slow down!" Then me knocking down the Wal-Mart displays.

That didn't happen though. I behaved. But I thought it would be really funny if it did.

Was that the end of my adventures that day? No, there was more. Much more.

Wal-Mart, Round 2:

Later that evening (while I was still loopy) we were telling my Dad and Brother about our little adventure. As we were all getting ready to get ready for bed, when my Dad whispered in my Mom's ear that he had a sweet tooth craving. I encouraged this by saying we could celebrate me having no more cancer! This seemed like a good enough excuse as any, so we decided to go to Wal-Mart yet again! As we were leaving I yelled, "I get to ride the cart again!" This getting the same response and excitement as the first time, and giving my brother the idea to do it as well, but he didn't.

When we were there all the fluorescent lights were glowing like a huge cloud. It was so crazy! Then I started feeling like I was floating. I asked my family if the lights were like that for them, When I said that to my family, they all looked at each other and my Mom suggested that we should go and get me to bed-and quickly.

My Dad and I at Wal-Mart. I almost to ran into him when I was

turning the corner. I didn't though,which is what matters most.

My brother Micah and I. Thumbs up to being able to ride the cart!

This can go on my advantage list as well.

I was so excited that the second cart had a horn! Sadly, the first one didn't.

When I sat down in the first one, the first thing I said was "Dang, no horn?!" Mom told me it was because of people like me that they disabled it.

The lovely horn button. This cart even beeped when it backed up.

Giving me a reason to back up more often.

Videos:

These are some videos we took of me on the wheelchair. Micah and I want to go back and make a music video. That is what we do for fun in Springville. Go to Wal-Mart and hang out. But this is basically a documentary, so it is okay.

I was the Queen of Wal-Mart.

(This got me even more looks, ha ha.)

I love Otter Pops. They are possibly one of the

greatest treats of all time.

This is me being a good driver and using my turn signal. Sadly, it

cuts off right before I almost hit my dad who was just around the corner.

So there it is. My little loopy adventure. Ha, after all of this, I reminded my Mom that i wasn't supposed to drive while under the influence of my Peter Pan medicine. So much for that. On telling her that, she gave a deep surprised gasp and said, *Gasp! "You're right!" It was pretty funny. I then asked her if I could use the wheelchair every time we went, and gladly she gave me permission for as long as I didn't have hair. This makes me want to keep shaving my head for the rest of my life.

Holy Cow! I've Done Ten Treatments!

So yesterday was my TENTH TREATMENT!! I can't believe that I have done ten! It only seems like five or six. But no. I have done TEN! I'm kicking cancer's butt! I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me!

So for this tenth treatment, I had to go to see Doctor Wallentine on Wednesday and get treatment on Thursday. This is because we here in Utah celebrate the 24th of July-Pioneer day-like the 4th of July. So their offices were closed on Friday, and he goes to the Gunnison clinic on Thursdays.

As I've said before, I do not particularly enjoy-I don't see who would-being poked in the port. I have started to shake and to feel really sick before I go and before the "love poke". The nurses say I am allergic to them and the chemo room.

Being the daughter of a Psychologist, I have been informed that this a conditioned response. I'm like the dogs Ivan Pavlov did an experiment on. I've linked them to websites to explain more fully. Basically, my brain has trained itself to be sick when I go to get treatment, and when I smell mints. I can't have the mints I used to help me anymore, and I have to use little kid watermelon toothpaste instead of my glorious Crest Whitening Toothpaste.

So Wednesday I got poked and got my blood drawn. I had the choice of leaving it accessed until the next day, or getting poked again. I decided to just keep my line accessed until Thursday. Let me tell ya, it was hard not to roll over on to it during the night, as I am a stomach sleeper. But I was very proud of myself that I stayed on my back and side throughout the night. Or else it would have really hurt.

My nurse missed it the first time. It really hurts when they miss because it stings all over my skin, and down my arm. Then it hurts where they push hard to find my port. Kind of like when you have a bruise and it gets bumped really hard.

Since she missed, she had to get another nurse to do it. (Thank you Breanna!) And because I went to work before my treatment, I forgot to put my numbing cream on as well. So it hurt a bit more. Good news is, I only threw up a little bit a few times, and they didn't hurt! Funny thing to be excited about, but trust me, I am grateful for only a few times. You'd be grateful too if it were you, and I am so glad that it is not. I'd rather it be me than any of you.

Doctor Wallentine even said that my cancer was basically gone, and that these last couple treatments would kill what is left of it, if there is any. He also set up an appointment for me to see a Radiology Oncologist to see if I need radiation. He thinks I will just to shrink the large masses left over. He calls it "bulky disease." (I teased him that he was calling me fat, and he just laughed and said no. I still think it was suspicious how he used that wording.)

There is nothing in the large masses, but shrinking them will make sure that there really is nothing left. So I really am getting better!

When I got my treatment, I was given fluids while they also administered the Drugs, and took a Lorazapam (which I lovingly refer to as "Peter Pan medicine,") to calm me down and help with my conditioned response. I didn't take the Fennogirn because I didn't want to get knocked out. (I don't like the feeling of not being able to control when I sleep and when I don't. This really makes me sleep. Which isn't a bad thing, it is nice just to sleep, I just don't like it.)

The fluids and Lorazapam have really helped me as well. I feel perkier, and a lot less sick. Yes Mother, I shall gladly say, "You told me so. You always know best." I was slightly refusing last time--blatantly refusing in her words-to go get fluids because I wouldn't drink. I instead forced myself to drink what seemed like my whole body weight in Gatorade.

They also give me a shot each time to help boost my white blood count called Neupogen. I usually have a high tolerance for pain, but Buttered French Fish Sticks, and Alaskan Asparagus does this shot hurt! It feels like a HUGE bee sting/stinging nettle/fire/knives spreading through your arm. I am ashamed to say that many a non-ladylike word has come to mind and might have even slipped out a time or two...

I have the option of getting it in the arm, the stomach, or even the buttocks. (Which I teased my parents that I would just moon the whole office while they gave it to me, ha ha. Don't worry, I didn't.) I usually get the shot in the arm because It has scared me to do it in the stomach. For one, I didn't want it to hurt all over my body. And two, I am self conscious of my chemo weight, and didn't want to have anyone see it. I know know why the call it a bread basket. It looks like a bread basket.

But because I was in a generally good mood, aka loopy because of the Lorazapam-I decided to get it in the stomach. It was AMAZING! I could barely feel it! I wish I would have been doing it there the whole time! (Again, Yes Mom, Cathy, and all you fine nurses, I shall gladly say "You told me so. You always know best.") I shall now get it there for now on.

So overall, I had a good treatment. The medicine worked well, and I only threw up when they poked and flushed me. It felt like the first few times that I had. I know that it is almost over, and that I will be well soon. Can I get a celebratory yell? YEEEAAHH!

Cancer Makes Me Crafty (Part 1)

So in a short while I will (hopefully) put some pictures on here to prove why cancer makes me so crafty-that will be "Part 2." I was already crafty before, hence why I picked Art as my major. But this whole thing to my brain makes me even more so. Lucky me! Plus I need projects to keep me busy.

Here are some projects I have planned on doing through this experience: (Blue=Done/Orange=Currently Working On/ Green=Currently Working on... In my head./*=Date craft accomplished)

1. Get back into quilting. (So far I have two and a half I need to work on. Three and a half if you count a kit I bought back when I worked at the Corn Wagon Quilt Shop-BEST job ever. I love, and I am slightly addicted to fabric. Working there didn't help that addiction. Or my Mother's. Or my Sister's. But I'm okay with that. And so are they.)
2. Finish and start embroidery pieces-and frame them.
3. Sew a little baby dress from a pattern my Mom got. She got me some more super cute fabric to do another one, and I am super excited to do it.
4. Learn to make cute headbands.*10/18/2010
5. Humanitarian coloring books. *8/23/10
6. Make cards. Thank you Mom, Natalie, Jenna, and Tammy! I'm also going to try to make some blank ones for the chemo room's basket.
7. Make a little photo scrapbook. *10/27/10
8. A birthday gift for my sister. Surprise Jebs! I can't say freely as to what it is, because she reads my blog. So whoever and her will just have to wait and find out. Just wait Jenna. Just. You. Wait. It'll be good. *7/27/10
9. Make fleece blankets for the chemo room. It is cold in there, and then the medicine makes you even colder. (I am now more in favor of all those service projects we did for Mutual, Youth Conference and EFY, than I used to be.) *10/14/2010
10. Make Magnets with my Mom. *7/23/10

Now I am accountable before myself, the "whole blogging community"-reader or fellow blogger, and everyone else, that I will try my best to work on and all of these projects. When I have completed and gotten ahead in some of them, I will post pictures of my crafty cancerous success. I'm really looking forward to that! It'll be really cool when I can make all of those blue. Woo hoo!

The Best Things Come In Twos

The Best things come in twos. For Example:

1. Shoes. Oh how I love a brand new pair of shoes. Sky and I are in trouble that is for sure, because he loves shoes almost or as much as I do. We both have a plethora of shoes we need to purge before we tie the knot.
2. Lemon and Lime.
3. Hamburgers and hot dogs- I'm a big fan of these. Add a corn dog in there? I'm sold. But this is a list of twos, not threes.
4. Hugs and kisses-I sure do like those. (And I'm sure everyone else does as well. Oh ho ho, Caught ya!)
5. Soup and sandwich-IE: tomato, cream of chicken, with grilled cheese. Ooh yeah.
6. Boys and Girls.
7. Ladies and Gentlemen-AKA, Rachel and Skyler!
8. Best Friends-Camille and Rachel, Rachel and Rachelle. (We are basically one person, so this counts as two not as three.)
9. Doctor Wallentine and Rachel. We are like this--II--Imagine those are fingers, and he is the taller one.
10. Smee and Captain James Hook.
11. BYU Idaho and shorts. Ha, I wish.
12. Otter pops and dots.
13. Skittles and Popcorn. Don't knock it until you try it! It's like a flavor party on your tongue!
14. Music and Dancing.
15. Music and Singing in the car. (It must be loud though, or else it doesn't bring as much joy to your heart. Just ask my Dad! He is that happiest guy I know, and he sings and dances in the car with loud music all the time. With gusto. I like to think that is where my talent comes from.)
16. Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avenlea. (Not so much a fan of the third. Hence it's placement on the two list.)
17. Fuzz on my little bald head.
18. Rachel and Movies
19. Harry and Ron-Again, note to my "Potter Geek" complex.
20. Ron and Hermione- P.G. Complex. Don't think I'm dorky, just join the party already.
21. Dorks and Nerds. Or, a Dorkalpagus and a Nerdling. (A big dork, and a big nerd.)

I could go on and on, but that would put this post in danger of becoming extremely long like all my other ones. But the thing I think is the most important thing that comes in twos is..

TWO MORE TREATMENTS

LEFT TO GO!!!

I would highly enjoy it if you celebrated with me. In order to celebrate fully, here are your instructions:

1. Sing the "Woo, ooo, woo, ooo, ooo, woo, ooo, woo, ooo, ooo" jingle from the Vonage commercials.
2. Voice and dance Tigger's "Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo!" sound and jumping on his tail. (You could do that as well, but I think it might hurt your rump.) Yes, I was a Pooh Bear kid. Nothing wrong with that. Hopefully my children will be too.
3. Dance the Carlton dance from Fresh Prince here. Or some celebratory dance of your choice that involves kicking up your legs and snapping your fingers. I accept river dance hops as well.
4. One big jump for joy.
5. Comment on this blog post with a celebratory thing for me to do, and by golly, I will do it.
6. Comment on this blog post telling me you did these things. This will make me exceptionally happy.
7. Sing at the top of your lungs, "The hills are alive with the sound of music." Except in this case, it is "Rachel's body, is free/being freed of Cancer..."

Okay, okay. You don't actually have to to all of this, but if you would imagine yourself doing them, then I shall be satisfied.

You have no idea how much of a stress relief, joy, blessing, and relief it is to know that. I finally feel like I am over this huge hump and sliding down a cancer free water slide. Oh I am feeling so happy.

TWO LEFT BABY!! And I'm feeling good.