Whoa!

That's about all I can say - Whoa! Things are sooo busy and coming at me at a whirlwind pace.

Friday, my friend, M. came over and we walked the dogs. They sure were glad to get out after a week of me being gone to LA and then to doctor's appts. I was feeling a bit testy myself and it was good for me to get out too. We took them the long route and stopped at Starbuck's where they quietly laid under the table while we drank coffee, hot chocolate and ate muffin sandwiches and talked. It was so nice and always my dream to do that. No incidences. Walking back, Thomas did still have some nasty reactions to any dogs that he saw except for the one that we walked right by because the dog was so calm that Thomas didn't even notice him. The socialization is something to continue working on.

Friday eve, I went down to San Juan Batista to pick up some more beads and then over to my friend Cathy's house for some visiting, food and Scrabble. Had to get my game fix on. In between, we made jewelry and chatted. I made the pink ribbon Breast Cancer earrings that I was hoping to sell the next day at the Relay for Life walk.

Sat, it was a little tough getting up. The sun was out and that helped. It was shaping up to be a very sunny day. I headed over to Cuesta Park for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event. The opening ceremonies were at 10:00AM and I was pleased to walk the Survivor's Lap with my friends from Creative Expressions. We wore our purple survivor's t-shirts along with the funky Miss America sashes that read "Survivor" and that no one, including me, knew how to properly wear. I finally saw someone that had it on right and quickly fixed mine and my other pals' sashes.

I was so pleased and honored that my Dad came and he walked the second lap with me before heading off to his daily duties. I donned the special shirt designed by my teacher for the rest of the laps. After a couple of more laps, I headed over to the luminarias' tent to decorate bags for the evenings luminarias' walk. Some of my friends from Creative Expressions came and we chatted and decorated together. It was loads of fun. My SIL, Debbie showed up about then and joined us in decorating the bags. I was so pleased to see her.

Debbie and I walked two laps together and sold some Breast Cancer earrings along the way. I sold 5 pairs that day. Would have liked to sell a few more but am not to aggressive about it. It makes me happy to see the people who buy them happy.

After all of the walking and decorating, 3:00 had come very quickly. It was time to go over to Susan and Bill's for Bill's birthday and the twins' delayed birthday. Great barbecue. Great company. Awesome birthday cakes! Loved those and I am not even a cake eater. It continued to be sunny and warm and we all got a little red or tanned.

Before I knew it, it was 7:30 and time to go back to Cuesta Park for the luminarias ceremony. It was so beautiful and emotional to hear the names of honored survivors and memorials for those who have passed on. Our group once again walked together and took photos of the beautiful lights in the night. I was just about to go home when I saw my sister, Susan walking up with her two "angels", the twins. They were pushing their babies in their new baby strollers and looked so cute.

They brought along light bracelets - a whole box of them. After meeting my teacher, Tehila and petting her greyhounds, Bogart and Mia, we all headed off to walk a lap. Riley and Samantha enjoyed stopping and looking in each bag at the candles. They also enjoyed sharing the light bracelets with other people along the path. Some people, out of kindness, thinking they might be taking the twins toys away, tried to give the bracelets back which only made the twins cry. We managed to explain that these were theirs to give and they were learning to share at which point the people took them and walked away. It was really nice to see all of the little lights shining from people's wrists as they walked in the dark night.

I have to say once more how honored and pleased I was and am to have had my Father, SIL Debbie and sister Susan with her girls Samantha and Riley come and walk laps with me at this important event. They have been a huge support to me in the past year and a half and it was wonderful to have them share this with me.

I wish my dogs could have come too since there were other dogs there but Thomas would have to become much more settled before we can do that.

Whoa! Maybe now you can imagine why I can only say that. 16 days and counting until surgery. And so much to do. Today, I am working on wall repair and was hoping to paint also but looks like I won't be able to do that. Will try to do some more decluttering of the study and some of the other million things that need to be done before this surgery. Please give me the energy to make it through the next 2 weeks and get everything (or a good bit of it anyway) done!