Bone Marrow Donation - One Year Later

I had a message today from someone at the National Marrow Donor Program informing me that the young boy with leukemia, who I donated bone marrow to last January, is doing really well! The lady also said that since it's been a year, I'll probably be able to meet him. This is incredibly exciting! When I was asked to donate blood cells to the boy over the summer, I feared that the marrow donation hadn't gone well, and this was a last ditch effort. Either that, or he needed an extra boost to beat the cancer. Well, whatever it was, it sounds like it worked! I can't call them back because of the holiday, but you can bet I'll be getting in touch with them first thing Monday morning! Stay tuned.

It's a Good News Day

I love days like today - days where it's dark and rainy outside, yet it can't keep me from smiling.  My sister, Jo, had her 12 week sonogram this morning.  She got to see the very active baby moving and kicking, and got to hear the heartbeat.  The doc believes it's a girl, so we are very excited!  If the new addition is anything like her big sister, Olivia, those parents are in for trouble when those girls reach teenage years!  Here's the little munchkin:

I couldn't be more excited for my sister.  Scratch that, SISTERS!  Jill's baby girl is due in March, and now Jo's will be arriving in July.  2011 will be quite a fun year for my family!

To make the day even better, I also had a very promising appointment with the orthopedic doctor.  He doesn't want me to wear the brace anymore, but for safety's sake I will leave it on most of the day with it being allowed to bend to a certain point.  This way I can start getting used to walking normally again and having my knee bent more consistently.  He said within two weeks I can probably ditch the brace altogether.  My first rehab appointment is set for next week, so I am very happy about that.  My right leg muscles have seriously atrophied, so I need to do a lot of work to build them back up again.  I'm ready to get back to normal!  I still have a couple of months of hard work ahead of me, but I can see the end in sight.  :)

Holiday Happenings

There's no point in taking yourself too seriously in life.  My family gatherings wouldn't be normal if they weren't full of humor.  When Meezy and I showed up to my parents' house on Christmas Day and walked into a room full of relatives holding up fingerstaches, our first thought was, "Hey! Where are ours?"  My oldest nephew, David, thought it would be funny to bring them to the gathering, and he was right.  They were a riot.  My entire family got into the spirit.  I love these guys!

  Notice my dad's unique take on the fingerstache.  Hilarious!

Me and the hubs cheesing it up

Stealthy Daughters

My mom's birthday this year was quite a milestone - 60!  My dad isn't far behind her, and will be turning 60 in 2011.  They also will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary in the coming year.  That's quite a lot of exciting events going on, so my sisters and I decided to get them something extra special on Christmas.  My mom has always wanted to go to San Francisco, but it's not necessarily high on my dad's list of things to do.  So, we bought the trip for them!  That way, my mom gets her wish, and my dad doesn't have to pay for it.  Win-win!  We went ahead and gave it to them now, so that they can decide when next year they want to take it.  We presented them with a check that should cover airfare and a couple nights' hotel accommodation, and just the stipulation that the trip must be taken before their 40th anniversary next December.  We took some video of us giving them the news on Christmas.  Good times!!

I Love My Livi

My niece never ceases to make me smile.  I could just listen to her adorable voice all day.  Everything is cuter when she says it!

2010: A Year in Review

It's that time of year again.  Time to reflect on the happenings in 2010 that helped shape my life in one way or another.  As I look back on the last year of my life, I have to say that, despite a couple of hiccups, things were pretty fantastic.  I have so many experiences to be grateful for, and so much hope for many more great things in the future.  In all honesty, even the events that brought me to my lowest were great learning experiences and I can see the positive in them.  Here goes my year in review, in no particular order:

1) Donated bone marrow and later underwent apheresis for a young boy with leukemia

2) Took a quick trip to St. Louis to surprise my hubby with tickets to watch the 49ers play

3) Welcomed a new nephew into the world

4) Did various updates to our house including a new fence and new hardwoods

5) Ran the Warrior Dash and multiple 5K races

6) Watched some great friends get married in Dallas and Las Vegas

7) Took a Memorial Day getaway to Puerto Aventuras

8) Played softball, flag football, sand volleyball, and tennis

 9) Said goodbye to our exchange student :(

10) Fulfilled a dream of traveling to Europe and visited London, Monte Carlo, Paris, Amsterdam, Maastricht, Koln, and Bonn 

 11) Watched a Wimbledon final

12) Bought a new car

13) Cheered on my favorite teams

14) Restored my sanity in Washington, DC

15) Said goodbye to family friends and watched others do the same

16) Broke my kneecap
 

Telling It Like It Is

Stephen Colbert to the rescue again.  I love his brutal honesty.  And the fact that he makes me laugh while telling it like it is, is just icing on the cake. 

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Jesus Is a Liberal Democrat
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> March to Keep Fear Alive

Here's the transcript of my favorite part:
"Now what I like best about Bill [O'Reilly]'s argument is its complete factual inaccuracy. Because it would be inconvenient to guys like us to repeat what Jesus actually said. For instance, if someone wants your coat, give them your cloak as well. Rich people should sell all their possessions and give the money to the poor. Plus, the fact is, Jesus was way beyond self-destructive... he was self-sacrificial. I mean, the guy is God. He could have floated off that cross like Criss Angel Mindfreak. And I love, I love how Bill closes with "The Lord helps those who help themselves," kind of implying that Jesus said that, when it was actually Ben Franklin, who I believe belched out that proverb between mouthfuls of French whore."

"It's time to take baby Jesus out of the manger. Replace him with something that's easier to swallow. How about a honey-baked ham? Because if this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we've got to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that he commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition... and then admit that we just don't want to do it."

In Memory

Meezy and I wish to extend our condolences to our friend Colleen and the rest of the Gilmore family on the recent passing of Reverend Janet Green Gilmore Jarynowski.  She fought her cancer valiantly for about a year, but finally succumbed to their effects on Saturday.  Our hearts go out to Colleen and her family during this difficult time.  If you're looking to make any more charitable donations before the year's end, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society.  

Parking Garage Etiquette

Do people forget common sense when they enter a parking garage, or do they just normally drive like assholes all the time?  I don't understand why it's so hard to follow a few easy rules in these situations.  I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they just don't know any better.  In that case, take note:

1) Drive on the right side of the road.  Just because you're in a parking garage, doesn't mean you've been transplanted to London and it's suddenly okay to drive on the left side (or in the middle).

2) When making a turn around a corner, do it so that you end up on the right side of the road.  If you're turning left, why would you cut it so close that you're on the wrong side after making the turn?  You're just asking to be t-boned. 

3) Drive slowly.  There aren't cops with radar guns in the garage, but that doesn't mean you should speed.  People do have to walk (or hobble) to their cars, you know. 

4) When you get to an "intersection," slow down and look both ways.  You don't automatically have the right of way, and sometimes other drivers are having a hard time seeing around parked cars.

5) Only take up one space.  I don't care how expensive or shiny your car is, it can still fit in one space.   In other words, this is not appropriate:

 (I bet they can't color inside the lines either)

Proud Wifey

Meezy ran a half marathon this past weekend and I was able to watch him cross the finish line.  Call me sappy, but I got a little choked up when I saw him finish.  The only reason he signed up for the White Rock Half was because I asked him to run it with me.  It was my goal to complete 13.1 miles and he was going to run to keep me motivated and increase my chances at finishing.  He was doing it for me. 

Over the past month, his work demands increased a lot, and he wasn't able to keep up with the training schedule.  He would do the long runs with me on the weekends, but that was pretty much the extent of what he had time for.  Then came my kneecap fracture.  It obviously put me out of commission for running the race, but I wasn't sure what it meant for Meezy.  He had no obligation to do it anymore, and I wouldn't have blamed him for quitting.  Despite that, he decided to give it a shot anyways, and did pretty darn well considering the situation.

I was so proud when I saw him coming around the corner and heading down the straightaway to the finish line.  Part of me was extremely sad that I wasn't running by his side, but the other part of me was extremely happy to see him conquer this challenge.  I hope we get the chance to cross the line together someday.

 He's in the bright yellow!

 Go, Meezy, go!

We had numerous friends who also ran the Half this year, and I want to give them a big congratulations!  It's an awesome accomplishment and they should be very proud.  Major shout-outs to Brian, Sharon, and Justin who ran their first Marathon and kicked its ass!  I'm in awe of those guys.